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!

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!

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...

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 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

"Kicking" my Butt (literally)

Since January 7, I have been attending a kick boxing class...Mr. Willie is ROUGH! He does play around for anything. He really pushes us to do our best. When we slack or seem to just not be getting it he comes over to help us out. I enjoy this class so much that I wish I could go every day, sadly it is only taught on Thursdays at my gym. During his one hour routine we do a series of steps, kicks, punches, and jumping. It is a killer cardio workout.
What do I do on the days I'm not "swinging like a butterfly"?
One hour and a half of cardio...I have started with 30 minutes on an eliptical and the land on a treadmill for an hour. Once on the treadmill I walk quickly, jog, run, jog, then walk for the first 30. After that I hit the incline to a 10 and walk at a slower speed up hill for about 15 mins. The rest of my hour is spent just walking at a good pace until I do a 5 min. cool down...I have not added weight lifting to my routine just because I really want to loose weight first and then gain muscle, is that bad? So far its working out for me, I am slowly becoming a "gymaholic".

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!!!