Top techno tools for healthy living
<p>We’ve all been there – we make a promise to ourselves to start being healthier – maybe go for more walks, get to bed earlier and eat less junk food. It starts off with great intentions but admit it, are you soon back to your old ways? Healthy living can be hard to maintain so sometimes extra help is needed to keep you on track. These gadgets, apps, books and DVDs are the healthy supportive buddy you need to achieve your health and fitness goals!</p><p><strong>Gadgets</strong></p><p><strong>Fitness bands</strong></p><p>A Fitbit is fast becoming the preferred wearable fitness band option. There’s a good reason for that as the various Fitbits like wristband <a href="http://www.dicksmith.com.au/health-fitness/fitbit-flex-wireless-activity-and-sleep-wristband-tracker-black-dsau-a8457" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Flex</strong></span></a> or discreet clip-on pedometer <a href="http://www.dicksmith.com.au/health-fitness/fitbit-zip-w-less-activity-mgn-dsau-a8320" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Zip</strong></span></a> seamlessly integrate into your life to help achieve your fitness goals. It tracks all your physical activity, logs your food and measures sleep. </p><p>However there are plenty of other fitness bands around such as <a href="http://www.dicksmith.com.au/health-fitness/jawbone-up-wristband-black-small-dsau-se5022" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Jawbone Up</strong></span></a> which monitors steps, food and sleep. It is similar to the Fitbit but with a wraparound style and what many consider a sleeker modern design.</p><p>Other options include the <a href="http://www.dicksmith.com.au/home-appliances/samsung-galaxy-gear-fit-black-dsau-se5070" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Samsung Galaxy Gear Fit</strong></span></a> which is light and durable with a glossy touchscreen. The benefit to this one is that it provides real time fitness coaching giving you personalised advice and workout recommendations. </p><p><strong>Sports watch</strong></p><p>A smart sports watch which echoes your fitness app data will help you get on the healthy living path. The <a href="http://www.dicksmith.com.au/health-fitness/magellan-echo-gps-fitness-watch-black-dsau-se5039" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Magellan Echo</strong></span></a> pairs with the fitness apps on your phone letting you quickly glance at your watch for all your stats (distance, pace, calories, heart rate, steps, elevation etc.) rather than pulling out your phone and interrupting your workout. It’s a rubberised watch which means it’s durable and resistant to water. No continual charging needed either as battery lasts for up to six months.</p><p><strong>Apps</strong></p><p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/calorie-counter-diet-tracker/id341232718?mt=8" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>My Fitness Pal, free for Apple and Android</strong></span></a></p><p>One of the most popular fitness apps out there with its fast and easy-to-use calorie counter and exercise tracker. It has a large food database (over four million foods) and tracks all the nutritional content so you know exactly what you’re putting into your body. You can also track all your activity and conveniently syncs to the Fitbit.</p><p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/pocket-yoga/id347400507?mt=8" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Pocket Yoga, $3.79 for Apple and $2.99 for Android</strong></span></a></p><p>Why pay for a yoga class when you can learn to do it anywhere with Pocket Yoga? Choose between 27 different sessions of varying duration and difficulty. There is an audio guide and pictures to learn poses, posture, alignment, and benefits.</p><p><strong>DVDS and books</strong></p><p><a href="https://shop.12wbt.com/products/michelle-bridges-book-your-best-body" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Your Best Body by Michelle Bridges</strong></span></a></p><p>Our Aussie fitness and health expert, Michelle Bridges, gives you the tools to achieve a healthy mind and healthy body in her book chock full of exercises and recipes. You’ll learn what to eat to maximise healthy vitality and how to exercise to give you more energy, not less. </p><p><a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/fitness-for-the-over-50s#Reviews-Wrapper" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Fitness for the Over-50s</strong></span></a></p><p>Fitness DVDs are a great option if you want to work out in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Workout guru Nancy Marmorat has devised this specifically adapted fitness program for people aged over 50. The series of three DVDs will guide you through easy-to-follow stretching exercises and gentle gymnastics to increase flexibility and strength.</p>
