It’s that time of  year again when every person who indulged in rich holiday fare vows to shed the extra padding.  That’s why gyms and exercise studios rake in the dough in January.

Here are our top app picks to help tip the scales in your favor:

My Fitness Pal

Part calorie counter, part computerized conscience, My Fitness Pal helps you keep track of food intake and exercise output.  This multi-platform app (they have Android, BlackBerry and Windows mobile versions) has over 500,000 food types complete with nutritional information, as well as an active community to help support the dieter surrounded by temptation.  My Fitness Pal is the brutally honest friend who will tell you when it’s time to drop the third pizza slice.

Fitness Class

If the thought of huffing and puffing in public doesn’t seem to be your thing, but you still need someone to whip your butt into shape, check out Fitness Class.  This free download is a portal to a number of fitness videos to suit any preference and workout intensity.

You can choose to stream each video and pay a small fee for a 30-day pass, or you can buy the video outright for a slightly higher price.  This app is perfect for those who need variety in their workouts, and for those seeking to exercise solo.   You can use the savings from ditching the personal trainer to get a new wardrobe instead.

FitFu

FitFu integrates a built-in personal trainer and a social component to getting fit.  It has 23 courses (with medals for achievement, too!) and a motion detection-based repetition counter—

it’s like having a robotic personal trainer minus the bulging biceps and the not-so-subtle hints for presents.  FitFu also connects with your favorite social network in case public goal announcement is what motivates you to get fit.

Nike+

Studies have shown that it takes 10,000 steps a day to improve one’s health and lifestyle.  The Nike+ app tracks your steps and saves the history for you to monitor your progress.  We were aghast to find out that touring the mall doesn’t even make a dent in the required 10,000.

Lose It

Lose It helps you realize your goal by allowing you to input a target weight—the app will set a goal and create a daily calorie budget for you to meet your target.   The calorie budget bar is a helpful visual aid to show you how much calories you’ve already taken in and whether you still have enough to spare for that slice of cake you’ve been eyeing.

Weight Watchers Mobile

Download Weight Watchers on your mobile device, the method that created actress Jennifer Hudson’s new curvy, svelte figure (she lost 80 lbs).  The app helps you keep track of your Weight Watchers points, and it comes with featured recipes, alternative food choices and success stories to motivate you when the cravings attack.

Lolo BeatBurn Treadmill/Outdoor Trainer

Can’t afford a running trainer?  This app helps motivate you with its exclusive beat-sync technology—it changes the beat of your iPod to match your pace, with a voice to guide you and motivate you through your workouts.  It even designs a program based on your fitness levels and needs.  It’s a pocket personal trainer you can take anywhere.