MyFitnessPal: Calorie Counter

MyFitnessPal: Calorie Counter is a fast and easy way to lose weight by keeping track of your calories. It has the largest food database, over 2 million foods, of any other calorie counter and amazingly fast food and exercise data entry. It became a very credible app. It was PC Magazine Editor's Choice Selection, Wired Magazine's Editor's pick for lifestyle apps, and is the number one free app on Apple's App store. It was featured in the New York Times, USA Today, Family Circle, Marie Claire, NBC, CNET, Shape, and the Today Show. This app remembers your 'favorites,' can add multiple foods at once, and can save and add entire meals. It has a free barcode scanner that helps you easily find foods you have eaten whereas other apps charge for this feature. The app can fully sync to the web, so you can log from your computer or your phone, which ever is more convenient. Plus your data is backed up online so you never lose it. My FitnessPal also tracks your exercise as well. There are over 350 exercises, you can track both cardio and strength training, including sets, reps, and weight/rep. You can also create an unlimited number of custom exercises. MyFitnessPal allows you to connect with friends and easily track and motivate each other. Another feature is that you can record your weight loss goals. You can customize your goals based on your specific diet profile which includes age, gender, and activity level or enter your own goals if you have specific recommendations. You can also report on your progress. Whether it be tracking your weight or measurements for more motivation.

I have this app and it has really helped me control my eating habits. Not that I had bad eating habits, but this Web 3.0 app helps keep me on track with what my proper calorie intake for the day should be.

In the Campbell and Park article, "Social Implications of Mobile Telephony: The Rise of Personal Communication Society," they explain how mobile communication plays a central role in mass communication. That is exemplified with this app. Since you download to your mobile device you will always be able to add the food you have eaten through out the day while you're on the go, keeping it completely organized at the same time. Cell phones has become a huge part of our everyday life perhaps even part of our identity so having this app at the palm of your hand will make it easier for you to keep your body in check. In class, we talked about community building and I think this app expresses community because you are able to connect with your friends and you can motivate each other to achieve your goal of your desired body and body weight.