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!

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

*food for thought...its all i need*

Last week was beyond stressful. Everything in the world was due for school and I didn't get to eat my meals or hit the gym like I wanted to. Felt discouraged and disappointed heading into the weekend, only to be brought back to reality that life is not that bad from my friends. Friends and family brought me an amazing weekend that made me stress free for the first real time all semester. Glad to be back in my normal routine with the gym and eating properly.....and best of all I CAN WEAR WHITE! I know that Stacy and Clinton threw this rule out the door, but my Nana and Mimi raised me southern, and you can NOT wear white before Easter. I have been holding out all season and was so happy to finally put on that white dress and my favorite white shorts. :D

I am proud to say, today for the first time ever, I was NOT a procrastinator. I did everything that was due for the week in one day and can just chill out the rest of the week and into the weekend. I have a weigh in this week...not particularly excited about it considering my week last week, but all can do is try harder in the weeks to come :)

We celebrated my maternal grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. If I ever find someone to love me like my Grandaddy loves my Nana, I'll be set for life. He is the epidemy of the Brad Paisley song "Waitin' on a Woman".

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)

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!

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

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??

so many struggles so little time....

Have you ever just wanted to restart the week so you can be ready for the struggles ahead...
Sunday I decided not to go to the gym so I could go to the movies with my little brother and then home to study. I knew I could just work out extra hard on Monday. When I got home that night my mom had been home sick with a stomach virus, around 10:30 I found her passed out in the hall. I finally got her to come to and walked her to her room where she passed out again...at which point I called 911. It was the most terrifying experience I have ever gone through because I was home alone with her and literally all of my training for such situation went out the window.
The past 24 hours haven't been great, she is stable now though and they are keeping her one more night for observation.
I know I shouldn't even be thinking about it right now but my brain keeps going back to the 2 days, possibly 3, that I have missed in exercise. Also, my eating has been really weird, I literally have had fast food for every meal. I tried to keep it smart choices but still its burning in the back of my mind. I am going to start back Wednesday in the gym, I chose Wednesday because for me in the gym it is like my Monday...I just hope I haven't completely messed up things, I have done so good.
I am praying for my mother's speedy recovery and that she is also well enough to come home tomorrow.

Month 3 Weigh In

WEIGH IN...I haven't blogged in about a week, but I have awesome news...During March I lost a total 14 lbs.!!! That's a total 32 lbs. since January!!! Made me feel awesome!!! A lot of people have been complementing me on my weight loss, I notice it sometimes, but most of the time I can't really tell much...I'm sure it's just because I see myself every day :/

WEIGHTS...
Starting weights a couple of weeks ago has been tough, I had to ask the owner of the gym to help me out. The biggest problem I have is with abs...he showed me some really great work outs on the equipment that I am excited to use...I want to do more than crunches. Yoga is getting easier each week, I find myself not struggling as much :D



DINNER?!

Tonight I experimented in the kitchen :O and it was delicious to say the least...below is a pic and the recipe:



4 3oz. pieces salmon
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
1 orange bell pepper
1 medium onion
2 cups of brown rice
Low fat balsamic vinaigrette dressing

1. I chopped all my vegetables up and first put the onion in the skillet and let them begin to cook on medium (about 3 mins) 2. I added the rest of the vegetables and let them cook while I started my rice 3. Next I added the salmon to the skillet with the vegetables and cook on high for about 4-6 mins (turning over half away), or until the salmon is almost fully cooked 4. Add as much dressing as you want to the skillet (I did about 2 tbs.) and let everything cook for about 2-3 more mins covered on medium/high heat 5. Finally I put a spoon full and a half of rice on the plate, placing the salmon and vegetables on top, IT WAS SOO GOOD!



Quote of the Month:
"You can do anything you want to do if you put your heart, soul and mind into it.” ~ Joe Frazier

home from vacation...

So you know when your on your diet and you finally cant take it anymore and need to eat!!! Well thankfully that hasn't happened, on my vacation I found that I missed my daily routine and my regular foods...and my GYM! In fact, I walked every day and used a treadmill while on my little haitis... When I did finally come home at 5 AM, we got to Macon at 10 am and I literally jumped in my car and went to the gym for two hours. FELT SO GOOD TO BE BACK!!!