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!

There is a Change in the wind...

Losing six pounds this month, was bittersweet. While I'm glad I went down, it wasn't my goal. It only motivates me to push harder and shoot for my next goal.

Finally...I am a senior in college...I NEVER thought this year would come, and what an amazing year it is going to be. I am 23 this year, and I have high hopes. This is the year I will start thinking more seriously about my impending "adulthood". After this year I will be thrown to the wolves as I move out of my mom's house. She has been nothing but gracious and supportive of me in everything I do. I'll meet new people, start new relationships and end old ones. I'll laugh, cry, and love all at once. I will hold onto this last year as one that lacks any responsibility, soaking up each moment of it. Senior year is going to be the time of my life, I'm sure of it. I have the most wonderful friends in the world, who are ALWAYS there when I need them.

There is a Nike Ad that I find myself trying to live by these days:
"Life isn't about keeping score. It's not about how many people call you, and it's not about who you've dated, are dating, or haven't dated at all. it isn't about who you kissed, what sport you play, or which guy or girl likes you. Its not about your shoes or your hair or the color of your skin or where you live or go to school. In fact, its not about grades, money, clothes, or colleges that accept you or not. Life isn't about if you have lots of friends, or if you are alone, and its not about how accepted or unaccepted you are. Life just isn't about that. But life is about who you love. and who you hurt. It's about how you feel about yourself. It's about trust, happiness, and compassion. It's about sticking up for your friends and replacing inner hate with love one else's in a way that could never have been achieved otherwise." - Nike


As I get older, I see myself changing into this person I have never known before, someone who is stronger than the person she was yesterday. I am finding the things I cared and worried about last year, aren't even on my plate in the present. I am learning that life doesn't pan out the way I thought when I was 12...which at 12, I thought I would be old, married, and have 2 kids and a dog by 25. However, at 23, I don't see those things happening in the next two years, and I couldn't be happier about it. Looking back on the tears that I have shed over the years, I realized they were meant to mold me into the person I am becoming today. Good things come and go, as well as the bad. I see that the real friends, the ones who truly matter, give the best advice. They don't tell you what you want to hear, even though they understand, they tell you what you need to hear (the advice you don't want to know). Marilyn Monroe has one of the best life quotes, that I personally feel, every girl, woman, young lady should live by at least for one time period in their life.

"This life is what you make it. Not matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too. And babe, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up because if you give up, you'll never find your soul mate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about."
— Marilyn Monroe

I live by this, I couldn't have said it better myself. Anytime I am feeling bad I read this, and I am reminded that I am special and that at the end of the day I have to be happy with myself rather than with others. This year is going to be great, I see so much change coming in my future. I see love, laughter, and life coming at me with full force and a new chapter beginning to be written. I am excited to lose more weight and meet this new Elizabeth that I have never known.

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."
— Audrey Hepburn

Just Havin Fun!

Learning to not take everything so seriously....Don't get me wrong, I am serious about my workouts, but I have found that you don't have to be so serious all of the time. The number one thing I hear from people is "I need to be doing what you're doing"....my response "You gotta do what you like". So many times I have "done what others do" and found I didn't like it and gave up. Working out twice a day every day M-R and once on the weekends isn't what everyone wants to do. Eating my 6 meals a day, isn't what everyone is capable of doing. I enjoy the feeling I have when I leave the gym, not always during or before, but after I feel great. So go out, try something new, find what you like and works for you. When I first started this process I sat and wrote down everything that was healthy that I liked, I went from there and began eating that way. Do what ya do! :D

putting on my dancing shoes

My first week of working out with a trainer went great...however I am finding it hard to eat all of my 1200 calories in a day. It's so easy to over eat when you aren't paying attention, but when you are actually counting calories and charting it out it is SO difficult.
Saturday night I went to the "Big Dance" here in my hometown. I never....and I mean NEVER EVER wear high heels. Well I did this night and after all the fun of dancing and hanging with friends not only were my feet sore but holy cow my calf muscles ached! and they are still a little sore!
It was a blast though! Only five more days till the race on Saturday. I'm still working on my time but it should be great!

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."

Awesome Updates- Been Awhile, I Know

Hey readers! I know it has been awhile, but school kicked in and then I was training for my first 5k, just didn't have a moment to blog! But I am back now!

First 5k~
My mom was diagnosed with diabetes when she was about 16 years old. She is type 1 and on a pump. I heard about a Diabetes Awareness Event in Savannah, Ga, called Sunsplash, there are three races: Kayaking, Cycling, and a 5k. I thought it would be an awesome experience for me and my family to do together. We raised over $1,000 and I ran my first 5k in 27 minutes, which I was proud of!

That's me, my brother Forrest, and Dottie, my mom, at Sunsplash, we made shirts that said "Team Dottie" on the back, I drew our logo to put on the shirts. If you want to know more about the Diabetic Association you can go to: americandiabeticassociation.org

*weight loss*
UGH! I'M SITTING AT -70 lbs for about 2 months now! I completely changed my routine in the gym but I'm still sitting at that darn number! However, I have still gone down another dress size, I am hoping that the stand still is just because of muscle gain and not because I'm not doing enough! One of my friends got married last weekend and it was awesome to be in a dress that was below size 18! Size 16 was my dress size that was even taken in, the last time I was a bridesmaid, it was a size 24...so I wore that 16 with pride.


*what's next*
THE LOVE CLEANSE
One of my favorite people to follow on twitter is: @thesinglewoman. She has a blog as well that I read time to time at: http://www.examiner.com/single-women-in-nashville/mandy-hale. Her name is Mandy Hale and she is a huge inspiration to me. She recently wrote a blog about closing a book on a former relationship and about doing this thing called "The Love Cleanse". Not only is it about freeing yourself from past relationships and moving on, but also about finding yourself and becoming a newer, better, healthier you. I'm pretty excited to give it a try! You can read more about it at this link: http://www.examiner.com/single-women-in-nashville/the-time-of-my-life.

Quote of the Month: "It's a very simple method: Don't eat like that, work out like this, push yourself harder, make good choices and you will succeed"-Tough love for myself from myself

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!

A Different Kind of Burger

While my family got ready to grill their half turkey and beef burgers, I took mine out of the freezer that I had prepared a couple of weeks ago and frozen. Its half spinach and turkey, along with some basalmic for taste.

It's my new twist on burgers that I am sure will stick with me as long as I am making the burgers... It is really good and I can hardly taste the difference, besides it being better. I also don't feel so "heavy" as I normally do after chowing down on a burger...Chips of choice? Lay's Light...They are so much better for you than regular Lay's and they taste just like the originals. I will have some baked beans though, can't help but indulge a little! What did you and your family eat for Memorial Day? Everyone have a great one!

Dinner for One!

Just Me, Myself, and I- but that's okay! I have been looking forward to tonight for a couple of days! Jumped in the kitchen and started cooking...I was creative with the cooking but not the name...Spaghetti with Salmon, if anyone has a better suggestion please let me know! It was a delish dish!

Here are the ingredients I used:
-Jar of Artichokes
-Can of tomatoes (any kind, and I drained the juice)
-half a jar of mushrooms
-half of a large onion (chopped)
-whole wheat spaghetti noodles (I also used thin)
-one frozen Salmon (thawed)
-Balsamic Vinaigrette (light)
-Parmesan Cheese

385 Cal!

Step One: Boil the Spaghetti

Step Two: Combing Mushrooms and Chopped Onions to heated pan and cook until onions brown a tad

Step Three: Add your Artichokes

Step Four: Broil Salmon in oven for about 3-5 mins to kick start cooking! (I sprinkled on a tad bit of seasoning salt)

Step Five: Add Tomatoes...and then...cut up Salmon and add it to the Veggies, Drain Noodles and add to pan as well!

Finally...I added my Balsamic and sprinkled on some Parmesan for taste...

Let me know what you all think! I loved it!

PiZzA NiGhT!!!

Can you guess which one is mine???
the right one of course- no pepperoni for me! Although I didn't really miss it, and my 275 calorie slice actually filled me up!


HOW DO YOU EAT YOUR PIZZA??

I love mine loaded with veggies...I can do without the meat :D

Exhausted from Kick Boxing...my 7:30 run won't be easy...

Bye Bye Berma...and take a friend with you too!

WooHooo! I lost Berma and one of her friends too!

4 more to go til I hit 50!

I started back with CENTERGY tonight at my gym...after missing it 3 weeks in a row, I could barely LIMP out...Tomorrow will be R-O-U-G-H! Kick boxing will be horrid, but I have done it before and I can do it again...I am glad to be back into my routine, sitting in the classroom before it started I realized how much I had missed being there, I am assuming it is a good thing to miss the gym!

Working to get these next 4 pounds off and hit my Half Way to 100 mark!

Tomorrow I am blogging about Pizza Night...get excited!

Luanna and Berma (my LBS. foes)

WELL...DARN! I was sick last week and didn't get to go to the gym...plus it was my brother's birthday...Problem with this picture? All of the food that's different from my routine (plus my Nana's homemade bday cake) and not being able to work out= +2 LBS.!!!!! The moment I saw this I went straight to the gym Saturday morning to work off Luanna and Berma (the new pet names for my foe LB). HOWEVER, I weighed in today and have lost Luanna, but rest assure Berma is sticking around!
My other issue? I still have a clogged nose and can't breathe! Which, by the way, is a necessity in life as well as working out! Trying not to let it get me to down though, it's just rough when you have seen nothing but - and now have to add a +.

HAPPY NOTE

Even though Saturday morning showed me I gained those 2 pounds I still decided to go shopping for a couple of new clothes...and I found out I dropped 2 dress sizes! It was pretty exciting...In fact I had a friend today complimented me on all my "new" clothes, I had to fill her in they were clothes I save from years back, I knew one day I would LIGHT a fire under my butt and get into weight loss!

Still looking for a good pair of running shoes...any suggestions??

Training Help!

So recently I have set a new goal for myself to run/walk (mainly run) in a 5k race. The race is in September in Savannah and is a Diabetes Race. My mom was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was 16 (which means she is insulin dependent and has to be on a pump). So far, on a treadmill, I can run a mile and a half without stopping, which is about half a 5k.

Problems?

The treadmill isn't the same as running outside! I can barely do a full mile! Does anyone have suggestions?!? I know with practice I'll make progress but I just kind of feel over whelmed!

Shoes?!

Has anyone tried those Reebok Easy Tones? I really want to try a pair as my every day tennis shoes, they are cute and I am wondering if they will help tone my legs. I am not sure how they are for working out though?!

Month 4 Weigh In

Weighed today with the doctor...-41 lbs! 9 more to 50!!! It is pretty exciting...only 2 more weigh ins until I buy my first pair of skinny jeans, not gonna lie, I am kinda nervous. I feel as though it now time to hit the "crunch time" button and really kick things into gear...my schedule has me out of whack this week at the gym but that's ok, not gonna sweat it to much. Just gonna be careful with what I eat and stay as active as possible. Which by the way, I have found these awesome protein bars, specifically made for women, Luna Bars!

They are delish but kinda high on sugar so I only suggest you eat them if you intend on working out!
Happy Cinco de Mayo to everyone! Today will be my first time eating Mexican since January! I'm excited, but not going to crazy with it! Have a great Hump Day ALL!

Monthly Quote:"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." ~ Azura