To continue getting breaking news and the full stories from The Boston Globe, subscribe today.

The Boston Globe

Business

Boston.com

Want to lose weight in the new year? Apps can help

Smartphone apps are changing the way we drop pounds, get fit

By Michael B. Farrell

 |  Globe Staff  

  January 02, 2012

Hundreds of smartphone apps are now available to track weight loss, record and analyze runs, monitor heart rate and blood pressure, and let anyone share all this information - if they aren’t bashful - on the Web. The growing appetite for the fitness and wellness apps has given rise to a mobile health industry, which is just beginning to realize the potential of having 30 million Americans carry around smartphones equipped with advanced sensors that track our every move.

Stay with the story. Get full access to BostonGlobe.com for just 99¢

Unlimited access to BostonGlobe.com for only 99¢ for the first 4 weeks. You can cancel at any time.

  • The FULL story all day: Enjoy all of the high-quality, in-depth journalism in the print edition of the Boston Globe — plus breaking news that's updated 24/7.
  • A truly reader-friendly format: It's online news that looks and reads just like the newspaper — uncluttered, uninterrupted.
  • Breakthrough technology: The responsive design automatically adapts content so it always reads perfectly on the digital device of your choice.
Get started today

Free access for home delivery subscribers.

Just need to link your home delivery account; one easy step.

Link my home delivery account

BostonGlobe.comSubscriber Log In

Contact us for help