My Top 5 Free Weight Loss Apps for Smart Phones :)

With technology quickly conquering the world, the smart phone is every changing. I remember the days when I just had a giant Nokia that played snake...best game ever. Since I recently left my Blackberry (still one of my favorites) for the iPhone 4, I have been engulfed into a limitless world of Apps. My most favorite thing about the Apps Store is the Health and Fitness section. Who knew there were so many different ways to track your weight, eating, and workouts! So I have compiled my top 5 free favorite apps that can help with weightloss:

5. Fast Food App
This little app has a plethora of fast food restaurants and their menu items. They include portion size with nutritional facts. Great for when you are in a rush and HAVE to eat out.

4. Nike+Ipod App
Now I have not had the pleasure of using this app because I haven't bought all the gear, but everyone that I know who uses it loves it! The iPhone/iPod syncs your workouts to let you know how many calories you have burned. It seems totally cool and the equipment is definitely on my Wish List for Santa!

3. The Eatery App
I LOVE THIS APP! It is so much fun! You take a picture of your food and describe it. Then other people rate it on how healthy they think it is, plus you get to rate other people's food as well. It is a whole new way at looking at what is healthy!

2. Fooducate App
Hello easy shopping! I use this thing like crazy in the grocery store. Take a picture of the bar code of whatever you want and it automatically rates it (A-F Scale) and gives you other options that may be better for you!

and drum roll please...
1. My Fitness Pal
This app is my lifeline. Normally I have all of my apps in special little folders..Not this one! It is on my main page, and honestly, so much better on the iPhone than the Blackberry. Recording is so much easier to do. You chose and make your meals, keep up with nutritional intake and work outs. It gets a gold star from me! I love it! Plus, on days that I have killed my battery on the phone, no worries, I just go to http://www.myfitnesspal.com and log it all in there!


There are so many other great apps on the iPhone and other smart phones for tracking weight-loss. Another great workout app is the Abs app! You get your own trainer that communicates through email with you. For recipes, go with All Recipes App, you can select if you wanna watch carbs, go vegan, or totally gorge out! If you have any other apps you wanna suggest, please feel free!

senior year

As I roll over at 5:15 this morning I realize I forgot to set my alarm for 4:30 am.. Which now means I have already messed up my workout for the day. I am seeing that my early morning workouts aren't going to "work out" as I had hoped, being that I have to be in another town for student teaching by 7:30.

So what am I going to do about it? Make a new plan. I've decided that since I don't have time to drive to the gym every morning, so why not do my Biggest Loser DVD in the morning? It's a really great work out and I used to do it all the time. It gives me the extra sleep in the morning and I don't have to waste time driving to the gym. So here is my new schedule:

Monday-Friday: 5:30- Biggest Loser DVD
6:15- Gym (Cardio)
(Throwing in a couple of classes at the gym as well)
Saturday: Gym
Sunday: Outside Cardio

It's going to be a busy year, but I am excited!
Today is my first day with my first graders...My nerves are running on a high! I met most of them last night and they seem wonderful! Graduation is so close I can almost touch it!

Get into tha Groove

Had an amazing time out with my friends on Cinco de Mayo! It's not very often I get to cut loose on a week night, so we took full advantage of it!

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Friday night, I helped celebrate one of my best friends, from high school, college, graduation. I am so proud of her, she is going to be an amazing teacher! It was nice getting together with two of my best friends from high school and actually catching up. Definitely got me thinking about my future and where I want to go after graduation!

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Heading into the weekend on Saturday morning, we got up super early and headed to the beach, Tybee Island. We just went for the day, but it was awesome! Best idea ever, really wished we would have been able to stay all weekend! It was a much needed trip and I can't wait to go back! School starts back at the end of May, trying to take full advantage of my "Maycation"!

ZUMBA

Lately, I've been feeling blah in the gym. Kind of lost my inspiration in the gym....well I found it tonight in Zumba class. Me and my work out partner in crime Janea, she's been mentioned before, used to take yoga classes from this amazing yoga instructor at our gym. Well...she started teaching Zumba and we LOVED her class, but haven't been able to go much. Janea mentioned she had a Monday class and we just needed to go...feeling apprehensive, I mumbled a fine...I AM BEYOND GLAD I WENT! It woke me up! Reminded me why I love working out! This instructor has so much energy surrounding her that you just can't help but enjoy her class! We even got to do some yoga moves at the end for stretching...I can't wait to get back in it and do more classes, my body is already sore and I LOVE IT! If you live in the Middle GA area and are looking for a great Zumba instructor I definitely recommend Carol, you can find her on Facebook at Zumba Loving Carol C Johnson, she is truly awesome!

March and April...MIA

I know I know, I said I wasn't going to miss a weekly post...well I missed a few...but with two gym trips a day, full time school, some work, and trying to savage what tiny social life I have left...I just haven't had time. :( But here is an update! I've lost about 20 more lbs and am below 180 for the first time ever! I have enjoyed the awesome outside weather, my brother and I hit up High Falls one weekend and I have been staying outside as much as possible! One week left in school and I'll be back on track!

5k and the future

Saturday I ran/walked my 5k with my friend Logan (pictured here). Even though I didn't do as well as I wanted (43:05) I was still so proud of myself for finishing. There are more 5k's coming soon that we are excited about participating in.
I'm finding it easier and easier to fight temptations with food. Even if I want something, I have a greater satisfaction after I eat my healthy meal, rather than the one I really wanted at the time, and this thought keeps me going throughout the day. I've recently met another new workout buddy, which is making my workout routines much more enjoyable.
Sundays are my outside days, and this Sunday we went to the Indian Mounds for a little bit. Afterwards, I decided to give my dane
a bath and go on a walk in the neighborhood. While we were on our walk, we came across another walker and her dog (not sure of the breed, but he was big) and the two hit it off. We exchanged numbers and are going to have puppy dates with our gigantic four legged friends. I am so glad he will have a friend his size to play with.
All in all I've had a pretty good couple of weeks, today is the two year anniversery of Michael Sparrow's death. He is someone I grew up with and have always looked up to. Sunday's don't seem the same without him, but I know he is in a better place and is probably singing and playing his guitar. He is an amazing person and still has an effect on the lives that he has touched over the years.

Quote of the Month: "So wipe your tears and smile, don't feel the darkness, because we have sparked this, candles of flame...and I'm not afraid of death, because I know where God is, He's beside me, always everyday.."-Michael Sparrow (Sanctuary)

Weekend Update

UGH...I can't move I am sooo sore from the gym yesterday, it's a good thing though. Well one of my best friends got married yesterday, it was so good to see all my old friends from highschool and the beginning of college. She looked absolutely beautiful yesterday. Afterward we all went out, it was nice getting out, haven't been out in forever because of school.
I worked out yesterday with a trainer, thought I might die in the process. After the session though I was thinking about how much I could use the help. So I have talked to my mom and because I am a poor college student, she has decided to help me out and get me one. I am excited about it. I am trying to get ready for a 5k at the end of the month, I've got a ways to go. My goal at the moment is to get my mile under 10 minutes, right now I am at 11:30 minutes....I know I can do it though!

Left in the Dark

*Me and my work out partner in crime*
Its been forever, and I not much has changed, weight wise anyways. I have started doing a boot camp four days a week and see myself getting stronger but the weightloss isn't happening. Even though the weight is the same I have to admit I am very inspired by my followers to work harder and do everything I am capable of doing.
I have not been on here in a while and when I saw the new comments from new followers and how I inspired them....well it lit a spark in me. In the beginning I started my journey for me, myself, and I. However, I have gained a new reason to carry on and not give up...you all. After I remembered the people I inspire, I remembered I started this blog so that not only will I be the one holding myself accountable, but others will to.
No more delays, no more excuses, I will post results on a weekly basis. Every Saturday I will have a new post (hopefully with HAPPY news)---even if not though, my readers won't be left in the dark any longer! Thanks for all of your support!


Quote of the Month (and possibly of my life):

"When push comes to shove you taste what you're made of, you might bend til you break cause it's all you can take, on your knees you look up, decide you've had enough, you get mad, you get strong, wipe your hands, shake it off, then you stand."

Aggrivation and Frustration shouldnt come so quickly after hitting my goal!

*not gonna let it get me down*
So after hitting my goal, about a week and a half ago, I am already beginning to get frustrated. I don't know if its my crazy work schedule, even crazier school schedule, or starting P90x but I am literally going nowhere fast and adding 2 lbs. So have come to the conclusion that my body just isn't ready for the big X challenge and I need more time in the gym to get stronger before I can do this. The guy keeps telling me this workout isn't for everybody, and I feel like he is almost right. Its not for me right now. I know I can do this stuff eventually, but I'm just not there yet. Also, oddly enough, I miss the treadmill and elliptical like there is no tomorrow. So I'm hanging up my towel, but lifting my head. I'm constructing a new routine with allot of cardio, picking up new classes, and giving P90x another shot when I am ready to. Only 35 more pounds and I will be at the big 100. As i look back at my process I remember when I said only 35 more lbs and Ill be at 50. That gives me courage to keep going. Not setting a goal amount before has actually made this easier on me, I feel it has anyways. There isn't an expectation, just the fact that I know I'm at 65 and I have come this far so I know I can do 35 more. Please leave any suggestions, comments, or ideas. EVERYTHING is welcomed.

took FOREVER but here it is! My first pair of skinny jeans and GOAL COMPLETE!

FINALLY! Minus 67 pounds from January 1, 2010, I met my goal of buying my first pair of skinny jeans...along with a new shirt and a belt that I got a MEDIUM in! It felt great! and the ones in the picture felt a little baggie and I actually went down another size to size 12...two more sizes and I will be a single digit size! So whats next??? P90x! I have been sitting at 67 for a while now so it is time for a change, although I wont be doing it every day, I have decided to do it 4 days a week, and continue doing Yoga on Wednesdays, Kick Boxing on Thursdays, and Cardio on Fridays... I will do weekly updates on how it is going. I will start P90x next Saturday!

Losing LBS on Vacation AND Month 6 weigh in~

Yes...that's right, I lost weight on Vacation. Went to the beach for a week and left 5 lbs there...how did I do this? I exercised every day, except Wednesday, and took some of my own food with me. The first day I went for a four mile bike ride and was sooo sore the next day I didn't think I would be able to work out again, however, my aunt happened to bring her Biggest Loser DVD which was suprisingly enjoyable. She and I did the tape together for the rest of the week until the last day when we ended up doing a 6 maybe 7 mile bike ride again. I was so happy to go on vaca and come back 5 lbs lighter.

Now for my 6 month Weigh in results: -65 lbs! Not having set a goal amount for myself in the beginning, I now believe it is safe to say that I can lose 100. It's not a want, it's a will. It's been hard but I have come along way. Working out is easier than ever, which means it's time to change it up again. I feel good. My friends and family have been nothing but supportive. I even have random strangers in the gym letting me know they see a difference. So next weekend my 6 month challenge is up and I will go buy my own skinny jeans...hopefully on sale :D and set a new goal for myself! Thanks to all for reading and keeping up!

putting up the tissues, and getting on with it

After sulking all weekend about my results from the blood work at the Doctor's office and not working out, I hit the gym at 4:30 this morning and stayed until about 6:45. I thought I would be exhausted all day from it but actually feel pretty good and am going to do it again tomorrow.

Today I worked on a new work out routine and food menu. My new menu has more food on that is based on a lower cholesterol diet rather than only thinking about the calories. My doctor told me when I look at a Nutrition sticker that I need to look at the entire thing, not just a couple of key points because they all affect each other. Why I never thought of this I will never know.

So now I am done with my pity party and ready to get back in the game. I have more confidence that I can do this than I did before. One more weigh in and less than two months until I buy my skinny jeans...looking forward to getting them and setting a new goal.

Quote: "Buy the ticket, take the ride." - Hunter S. Thompson

Weigh In for Month 5 is with Praise! and a lil sadness

I weighed in at the Doctor this week and have lost an additional 13 lbs which makes me at 54! While I am very excited to have this number rise, I received a disturbing phone call back from the doctor (after some blood work)in which they stated that even though I have lost weight they are not impressed with my cholesterol numbers and triglycerides. They are concerned about the condition of my heart and want to start me on medication (normally used by diabetics). Not gonna lie, this freaked me out.

I started this whole thing, not to be 120 or fit into a size 6 but to be healthy. You can be whatever size in the world, but if your not healthy, then it does nothing. It was a huge blow to my inspiration to hear that what I thought I was doing is not enough. I have 3 months to try to better the numbers where they should be on my own, if not, then I start the medication to see where it takes me. Obviously, since I have lost weight my numbers are down, but not what they want. Needing Prayers and Inspiration!

5:40 am....

Can you say SNOOZE! I can!!! but fortunately...I have not! I have started my Monday and Tuesday 5:40 am workout routine this week (well...Tuesday/Wednesday...Memorial Day messed me up) and I can honestly say that I love it...I have so much energy during the day and don't have to worry about making it to the gym at night! Although, I am tired at earlier at night than I am used to, but it ensures a good night sleep since I am now in bed by 9:30/10! Fridays will be the worst, I won't have to get up until 6:30 for a run, but after kick boxing the night before, it will be tough to drag my but out of bed! We shall see...if this works out I will post my entire 7 day workout routine for you all to see!

OH! and I hit 50 pounds gone today! After being 49 for over a week, its official, I AM IN THE 50 POUND CLUB!

Giving myself extra workout points today, I just played Just Dance on the Wii for an hour...whew! going to bed extra early tonight!

Lazy Saturday and a Wii

You need one every now and then right? Barely going to sleep last night because I was up late hanging with old friends from high school is keeping from the gym today. Also, we had Mexican for lunch, but I am pretty proud of myself for not eating many chips and salsa :D I could have, however, done without the Chimichanga...haha oh well it happens! I didn't eat the whole thing so it's all good! My nana is making homemade Brunswick Stew, Barbecue, and Coleslaw......so today is pretty much not my best day, but that's okay, taking everything with moderation. Thinking I may do some strength exercises later just so I can say I was completely immobile today ;D haha! The overcast, no sunshine sky certainly isn't helping me in this struggle to get up!

my new workout craze

Just Dance, for the Wii, is the funnest thing I have done on the Wii. This summer I am doing Camp Tattnall at the Daycare and I brought my Wii to play with the kids, one of the kids brought this Just Dance game and let me tell you, it was the funnest workout I may have ever done...I'm talking manly sweating work out! It was great! Also, with all of the activities and sports we have plane I am looking forward to a great, active summer with the kiddies!

Does anybody else have an Wii games that help with working out? Personally I think the Wii is the best thing to ever happen to the video game world...I love that it gets you up and moving rather than just sitting and watching! Thoughts?

Everyone have a great Saturday