your physical health, or work on your mental well-being

Whether your goal is to get fit, improve your physical health, or work on your mental well-being, it's never a bad time to start working on it. Feeling healthier and more at peace with yourself can only bring benefits, so it's always worth trying out. Fortunately, once you've made your decision to take that first step, there are plenty of resources to help you on your path to wellness, including some of the best Android apps currently available

When it comes to implementing lifestyle changes, oftentimes the hardest part is getting started. You may be at a loss for what to do, where to begin, and how often to do it. If you're planning to start exercising or eating healthier, turning a resolve into a habit can be especially difficult, and falling off the wagon is discouraging. 👨

This is why it's a good idea to start taking advantage of free and paid apps that can help guide you on this road to a healthier life. These apps can help you get into the right headspace, give you workout plans, and help you start making better choices with your meals. More importantly, they also provide you with encouragement and a simple way to hold yourself accountable.

You don't need an expensive Peloton bike (or a cheaper alternative) to get fit. One of the best ways to get some cardio in on a daily basis is simply to go for a walk. Whether you're walking your dog or exploring by yourself, the recommended number of steps to take daily for an adult is around 10,000. Not only does that help you burn some calories, but it might also make you sleep better and improve your overall cardiovascular health and stamina. Unless specifically told not to, there's usually no reason not to go for a refreshing walk — but it is pretty hard to stay motivated and actually head outside, rain or shine. This is where Strava comes in handy. 

Strava helps you plan your cardio, share your results with other users, and even compete against them. It's not just for walking, either — you can use it to map your walks, jogging sessions, runs, swimming, and even bike rides. As long as your GPS is enabled, Strava will track your route, help you stay on track if you planned it out beforehand, and count your steps as long as your device supports it. 

The app has a pretty strong social aspect that makes it easier to stay motivated. You can share your workouts with friends, participate in challenges, and explore local events that help you stay active. You can get it on Android in the Google Play Store. If you're more into running, you could try out Nike Run Club. While Strava encompasses a lot of different forms of cardio, Nike's app focuses on walking and running, so if that's your main jam, give it a go. It's free to use.

Adjusting your eating habits and trying to find the right balance can be difficult to tackle on your own. Whether your goal is to lose weight or gain it, it's easier to succeed when you have the right tools to help you on that journey. Fortunately, these tools can be right at your fingertips with the correct apps, and one of the most well-recognized apps is My Fitness Pal (MFP).

My Fitness Pal helps you track your calories and log all your meals. When you sign up for the app, you can input your personal information and let it estimate your recommended calorie count based on your height, weight, age, and activity levels. You can also track your macros, setting goals for the amount of carbs, protein, and fat you want to consume on a daily basis. The app will set this up for you if you don't want to tweak it.

The MFP database has countless products and ready meals already added, so you can easily log all of your food intake as well as exercise. You can even scan barcodes to add directly without searching for products. This is helpful in staying accountable and getting a good overview of your diet. MFP has a free version that contains the most important parts of the app, but you can also pay $79.99 per year for the premium plan to unlock some extra features. Alternatives to MFP include FatSecret and Lose It.