Many people probably will be welcoming the new year with familiar resolutions: Live healthier, save more and, in general, improve one's life.
But New Year's resolutions tend to fizzle out faster than an old bottle of champagne. Luckily, several great smartphone apps can help keep you on track with your 2013 resolutions. Here are a few that provide guidance and encourage you to persevere.
Resolution: Lose weight
App: MyFitnessPal Calorie Counter (Android, Blackberry, iOS, Windows)
In the battle against bulge, knowing how many calories you consume is key. But tracking how much you've eaten can be a chore. With MyFitnessPal's free Calorie Counter you keep a food diary that shows you how much you can eat and still lose weight, and you'll have it with you everywhere you go. You can also tap into the large community of users to find encouragement and inspiration.
Resolution: Exercise more
App: Fitness Buddy (Android, iOS)
A personal trainer can help guide your exercise routine to get the best results. But not everybody can afford pricey one-on-one sessions (especially if another resolution is to save money). Azumio's $1 Fitness Buddy app brings personal training programs to everyone. With more than 1,000 videos and even more illustrations, it shows you the right way to perform exercises. Enter your exercises into the diary to track your progress and get a detailed account of how you're doing. [See also: Air Force Reserve Wants an App for Basic Training ]
Resolution: Quit smoking
App: Livestrong MyQuit Coach (iOS), QuitNow! Pro (Android)
If you’re trying to quit smoking, you need all the assistance you can find to break the hold of nicotine. Livestrong's $4 MyQuit Coach for iOS helps you develop a plan for quitting and tracks your progress. FewLaps $3 QuitNow! Pro for Android is similar but also includes chat features to bolster your support network. It's worth spending a few dollars to get the extra boost an app can provide.
Resolution: Save money
App: Mint.com (Android, iOS)
Mint.com's free app helps you get a handle on how much money is coming in and how much goes out. With the app, you can enter purchases as you make them to keep an accurate account of spending. The app also creates budgets for categories like eating out and entertainment. The app works as an excellent extension to Mint.com's online finance-tracking service.
Resolution: Get organized
App: Astrid (Android, iOS)
Lists are your best friend when it comes keeping a resolution — and even more valuable if your resolution is to get organized. Todoroo's free Astrid app keeps track of your work and personal to-dos and syncs them across all the devices in your life ( smartphone, tablet and computer). You can speak new entries instead of spending the time typing and even can make lists public to share with friends.
