MapMyWalk app promotes healthy living habits among students

MapMyWalk app is available for BlackBerry, iPhone and Android.

REVIEW BY DANA MIELE

If you’re looking to move from the couch to the sidewalk, using MapMyWalk app is a good place to start.

For the past week I’ve been using this app on Trafalgar Campus (applicable for BlackBerry, iPhone and Android) as my walking buddy and I’m surprised at how much distance can be covered going from class to class in one day.

My daily average was 2 km.

The free app calculates your calories burned based on height, weight, gender and age.

The app also records how long walks last and provides elevation statistics as well as GPS to calculate your pace.

This is so you can track and meet your personal goals.

“Ensuring that you get enough physical activity (at least 30 minutes every day) can counter stress and improve mood as well as increase confidence,” said Laurie Ritchie, a nurse at Sheridan’s Health Centre. “It makes it easier to participate in class and perform well in academic and social situations.”

“It makes it easier to participate in class and perform well in academic and social situations.”

The app also includes a section where you can monitor your nutrition based on your weight.

The user is given a allowance calorie and as food and drink is logged throughout the day you are given four optional graphs that easily display what you have left to meet your calorie goal for desired weight loss or maintaining a healthy diet.

“A lot of students are out on their own for the first time, and either don’t have a lot of time to cook or don’t know how to cook. We encourage students to follow Canada’s Food Guide. Unfortunately eating healthy can be very expensive, but to overall health and wellness it is key,” says Ritchie.

“Students need to be proactive with their health as opposed to being reactive. Eat right, get enough sleep and be physically active every day. They need to take care of their whole selves to function and be successful,” says Ritchie.

To download the free app, go to the iTunes store or Google Play.