Guest Post - Caring for Your Health the Modern Way: Best Apps for Tracking Your Health

Hey NeverEver's!

Its Tuesday and that means Guest Post Day!!! Today I am having a return poster Virigina! Originally she created the Essential Crossfit Gear To Give, which is a great post for the Holidays ^_^.  We are extremely lucky as today is all about apps!

Yup those things that we love on our phone, and the best ones for a Healthy and Active Lifestyle!

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We’re living in a miracle age—technology drives much of what we do every day: from the digital alarm clock that wakes us so much more gently than the clanging silver bells or out-of-tune clock radios of our youth, to the electronic sonic toothbrush that scrubs our teeth to previously-unheard of levels of cleanliness. And if it’s true that all this technology has made some of us more sedentary (how many hours a day do we spend sitting in front of our computers?), it’s also true that more and more of us are actively pursuing new ways to get healthy.

                                                     Image Courtesy of ShutterStock

And, of course, for many of us these days, the most important tool in our wellness arsenal isn’t a treadmill or a food scale, but our cell phones. There are apps out there that do all sorts of awesome things: Track your daily steps, count your calories, record your goals, etc.

Below are 5 of our favorite (mostly) free apps for helping you get healthy and stay strong:

1. MAP MY FITNESS

Map my Fitness helps you to plan and track your workouts, using just the GPS on your phone.  You can create your own fitness route or find an existing one, join a group of workout buddies or log your speed and calories burned.

This app also allows you to track your nutrition, calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) and keep on top of fitness events in your neighborhood as well as around the country.

Price: FREE

2. RUN KEEPER

Run Keeper is a fitness app that allows you to track your progress as you train at the gym or when you go out into the world to do your running or biking. It will tell you the length of your workout, compare progress with previous workouts and log your heart rate. And you can set it to let you know when you’ve reached specific goals.

Price: FREE

3. WEIGHT WATCHERS MOBILE

Weight Watchers Mobile provides many of the benefits of the Weight Watchers program, right there in your pocket. The Weight Watchers app allows you to count your calories, track your activity levels, look up recipes and read success stories from fellow health-enthusiasts.

Price: FREE

4. EVEREST

Everest is a fun app, because it allows you to track any goal you like. Planning to quit smoking? Always dreamed of conquering your debt? Dying to lose 15 pounds? Everest helps you set small, achievable goals, all designed to lead you straight to your own personal mountain-top.

Price: FREE

5. FIG

Fig is more focused on overall wellness and holistic practices. It allows you to establish your own wellness guide with topics ranging over various categories (Eat, Move, Refresh, Connect, Feel, Go Further). You can connect with other people and measure your progress or create action plans to help you reach specific goals .

Price: FREE

6. ZOMBIES RUN! 2

Zombies Run! 2 is almost more a game than a running app. As you run for your life on the treadmill or through your local park, you feel more like a kid playing a fantastic game, than an out-of-shape adult trying desperately to get in shape. The app provides dozens of storylines, and lets you choose your own musical accompaniment to add to the mood.

Price: $3.99 (yeah, we know. This one’s not free. But. . . ZOMBIES!!!!!)

Who needs a personal trainer! With just your Smartphone and a selection of really great apps, you can easily take control of your fitness routine. And maybe, just maybe, enjoy yourself while you’re at it.

Virginia Cunningham is a freelance health writer and fitness enthusiast living in the Los Angeles area. While personal health and wellness is her speciality, her writing, in correlation with HostPapa, also covers the tech industry, including apps reviews, social media and web hosting. 

Thanksgiving Food Prep

Hey NeverEver's!

We are officially 3 days away from Thanksgiving which I just can't believe that means we are that close to Christmas. Well I can but I would prefer if we could go back a few months ago ^_~. Time seems to be flying by with no stop.

But anyways, since this is Sunday and I usually do my Food Prep or at least Food Planning for the following week I thought I would tell you all about my plans for Thanksgiving. Because to tell the truth Monday - Wednesday is going to be left overs. All my cooking skills are going to be stored up for Thanksgiving.

So here is my Game Plan!

Turkey - Fig Glazed Roast Turkey (Food Network pg 155) I have never done a glazed Turkey, I have done a Herb Rubbed, Brine and Salted. But never glazed so I am really looking forward to this one.

Stuffing - I am doing SkinnyTastes Mushroom Quinoa Stuffing. I have gotten my family to like Quinoa and I wanted something different then a bread stuffing.

Sauce - Cranberry Orange Sauce (Food Network pg 155).

Vegetable - Carrots with Walnuts (Food Network pg 176)

Salad - Spinach Apple Salad (Food Network pg 176)

Dessert - Cranberry Pear Crisp (Food Network pg 94)

I was able to find most of the recipes in the magazine online of their page so I have included the links!

What is the best thing about this upcoming Holiday? It isn't the food that I m cooking, although I am looking forward to it. It is the

The run I am doing that morning!

Yesterday I picked up my race gear and I got all of this! Look a T-Shirt, Hat, and Time Card! Plus we all get a finisher medal!!!

Really looking forward to this run!

Oh and before I leave for the night, heading to the Laugh Factory tonight w/ the Hubby, I wanted to share with you all my latest NSV!

I got boots to fit over my calf! Now this is a BIG BIG deal for me. I have always wanted to wear knee boots and high calf boots but my legs were just to big to fit into them. Well I got it! I lost a nail (well the length of it) getting one of them on but it doesn't matter. It went on!

Woot!!!

Okay NeverEver's, I am ready to call it a night. So how are your Thanksgiving plans going? Are you ready? Have you started on your Christmas list yet? I have but then I am a Christmas Freak so thats ok ^_~

Arctic Zero - A Healtheir Dessert!

Hey NeverEver's!

Yes its Saturday and I am writing?!? Wonders never stop during the Holiday season does it? However, I am doing a review today and would like to say out right that I am NOT being paid for any of what I am saying. I did get free samples but everything in which I am about to say is my own opinion and not anyone else.

So even though its winter everywhere else here in California it can still be in the 70's and sometimes even higher and that I still want ice cream at times.  Well I was lucky enough to be invited by Arctic Zero to try out some of theirs.

At first I was skeptical of course. A healthy and good tasting frozen dessert? Not likely but I was game to try it. And I have to say I was pleasantly surprised but not only how good they tasted but that there was no 'healthy' after taste that some healthy mass produced items taste.

My favorites were the pints!

These 2 flavors were my favorite. The Maple Vanilla which was creamy and had a sweet after taste that really made my day! The other one was the Cookie and Cream. It had just enough of the 'cookie' taste that I fell in love with!

 Next are the bars and I made the Hubby try these. Mainly because they are dipped in chocolate and well chocolate isn't my thing. Never really has been. However, from the Hubby's review they are delicious and taste just like 'the real thing' which from a guy ^_^.

So here are some stats about Arctic Zero!

The pints come in Maple Vanilla, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cookies and Cream, Mint Chocolate, Strawberry, Coffee and Chocolate.
They are only 150 calories for the whole pint!
The bars are 85 Calories and Chocolate and Vanilla dipped in Chocolate and Strawberry and Orange dipped in Chocolate.
They are Fat Free, Lactose Intolerant Friendly and Gluten Free

And the most important part is that they are delicious! See if Arctic Zero is near you!

Motivational Thursday + Update on Squat Challenge

Hey NeverEver's!

Today was the first day that it felt like December. It was misting after raining all night. Which I missed as I had passed out by 9:30 my time, which is insanely early for me! I am going to put my early bed time on the fact that I woke up early on Wednesday and worked out in the morning. Just like I am putting my late raise today as to the fact that the bed was just more comfy then it has a right to be ^_^.

See why I wanted to stay in bed! This is why, it was sooo nice and toasty. But work called so I got out of bed and headed into work.

Anyways, it was time for work in which nothing happened because everyone is getting ready for vacation. Which has anyone gotten a turkey yet? Its on my list of things to do this Sunday is to get a Fresh Turkey!

However, I did look into my LIKE = 5 SQUAT Challenge. Here is the verdict!

Tonight when I get home from my 2 hour OT, I will be doing 120 squats. Now because there are so many I am not going weighted. But it will be done!

But I couldn't forget about my Wall Sit Challenge that I am doing w/ Rhodes of Fitness from Facebook.

I did it during my break at work. 6 minutes and 10 seconds of fun. The first 3 minutes went by pretty fast since I was browsing FB. However, the 2nd 3 minutes...I felt every second. Still I never thought I could Wll Sit for so long when I first joined this challenge so that in itself is a victory!

Now its time for Motivational Thursday!

Ok NeverEver's I will see you tonight for my Squat Challenge until then stay warm!! 

Guest Post - Tabata Workout Post

Hey NeverEver's,

Sorry about not being here yesterday...my computer hates me. It was stuck doing those Windows updates for a day and a half and once I was ready to just get on the Hubby's computer, well that one thought it was a good idea for updates as well. So therefore computers hate me.

But that wont stop me from posting this amazing workout today. Which I did this morning. And man did it kick my behind. It really did, but it was just enough kicking where I wanted to complete it.

Those Mule Kicks may be making it hard to sit today...maybe. Anyways, I am proud to present this workout to all of you. I can do it....you can do it! I just know it!

You can find more of these workouts from Julie Auler and her blog Grace. Lace and Iron be sure to check it out!

Sunday Food Prep

Hey NeverEver's!

Welcome to Sunday. Is it just me or did this weekend fly by? I swear that it was just Friday yesterday and now its Sunday.

Has anyone started planning for Thanksgiving yet? In my family it is me who does the Thanksgiving dinner. I don't mind its just a ton of planning for a family my size. I am thinking about doing a quinoa stuffing I saw on pinterest (if I can find it again). It seemed like a good alternative to bread. Also, I am going to try and make a pie (and to use Thanksgiving as a cheat day of course). But, since it will be my first pie ever made I am still considering it.

However, it is Sunday and that means Food Prep or at least for me getting my recipes ready so I know exactly what I am making on each day. Except for Tuesday as I am going to the dentist and will most likely be having left overs...or something.

So here is my week plan.

Monday - I am craving this one again - French Onion Soup

Tuesday - If I feel up to it w/ the dentist - Pasta and Broccoli

Wednesday - Grilled Steak Fajitas

Thursday - I have been wanting to try this - Oven Fried Chicken

Friday - Tuna Noodle Casserole

Sat and Sun I will be doing left overs. There should be more then enough for not only lunch but to survive until Sunday. If not I shall improvise ^_~.

Yup so this is my plan. Of course I will be loading up on veggies / fruit for snacks in between all of the dinners. I am really looking forward to this week and seeing what I can do for myself!

Okay NeverEver's, it is time to enjoy...well almost enjoy, my Saints beat the 49er's (please please please!). So I am leaving you all with my plans.

What is your Food Planning for this week?

Sugar Cleanse is Happening!

Hey NeverEver's!

So I am crazy. Its the only way I can explain to you all my want to do a sugar cleanse in the middle of the Holiday Season. What has possessed me to do this? I am still not sure to tell the truth but I feel like I have to do this. My in-law family doesn't do sweets and my parents are in a moving truck 300 days of the year so it isn't like I actually have excuses as to my own sweet tooth. Especially since anything sweet that is brought into the house is by me.

Ya its ok I know I am insane but let me share it with all of you!

I am already doing my Shakeology every morning, which keeps me full for lunch time. I have dropped my soda habit (which wasn't really a habit it was more 'Ok I will drink it if its there' type thing). Which if I am being honest be doesn't feel like that much. Sometimes, I feel like 'Ok so I don't have soda anymore big woop' or 'ya I am eating breakfast but I don't see any results'. And those are the moments when I have to remember that I didn't build this body in 1 day. I have about 10 years of damage, neglect, and abuse to get through. Its not going to happen over night, in a week or even a month. So I should be happy with the steps, small and large, that I have been able to do.

However, I want to do more. So I am going on a sugar cleanse. Which started as a bet with the hubby...which most things do if I am gonna be honest with everything. He said that although I gave up soda that there was NO way I could control my sweet tooth. Now to be fair he would in most cases be right...but I wanna win this bet (with the side effect of actually controlling my sweet tooth) so I am going to win this thing!

Here are the rules.

1. I am allowed 1 spoon / packet of brown sugar or stevia for my coffee a day.
2. No processed foods or eating out at fast food joints for the rest of the month
3. No baked goodies...AT ALL
4. I am allowed 1 cheat item 1 time every week.

Now I know that the 'white' products are just as processed as anything else you can find...but I will tell you right now. I can deal w/ brown sugar, wheat flour, wheat bread but I will not switch my potatoes. I do not like sweet potatoes and will stick with my real deal.

Other then that I, after this weekend, will be really watching my intake. Of course I am not planning on having many holiday parties and I did include at least 1 'cheat' item. So I do believe I am safe (so I say at the beginning ^_^).

Some of the things that I will be looking out for because while I am trying to take out as much processed things as I can...if I have to I will choose the lesser of 2 evils so to speak. So these words I will be scanning for.

Now what am I going to do about food? Well most of my plans are coming from SkinnyTaste for Gina's soups and meals. All of her things have real ingredients and are perfect for people that are still figuring out the kitchen. But, since it is, supposedly (it was 85 last night!) colder this coming week...Soups here I come!

I will be doing my meal planning on Sunday so I will share with you all what my meal plan is looking like. All I do know is that I will be getting tons of veggies / fruit and meat. Which doesn't sound too bad at all.

Okay NeverEver's, enjoy your Friday! I am going to try to talk the Hubby into going to see Thor (I want my hottie!!!) and having dinner with me. I will see you all on Sunday!

Have you ever done a sugar cleanse? Still a soda addict or have you kicked it? Am I crazy (its okay to answer truthfully ^_~)?

Motivational Thursdays!

Hey NeverEver's!

Work has been super busy today and I still need to make my Mo-vember treats for the bake sale tomorrow. So I am going to head straight into the Motivational Thursday and I will catch up with you all on Friday!

So before I go away and bake things I wanted to let you all know that I am going to be working out on Saturday with one of the Trainers from Biggest Loser Australia! 

So if your in the LA area come on over and work it out with the rest of us!! 

Guest Post - Weight Loss Benefits of an Elimination Diet

Hey NeverEver's!

Its Tuesday and you all know what that means. Guest Post day!! Its a happy day isn't it? Today's Guest Post is about the Elimination Diet.

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One of the hottest trends in nutrition is the Elimination Diet. If you haven’t heard of it, it is essentially exactly how it sounds: You eliminate a large amount of foods from your diet. The idea is remove typical or expected trigger foods from your diet for a number of weeks and then slowly reintroduce them while closely monitoring your symptoms. The main goal is identify foods that cause you problems so that you can avoid them in the future. Interestingly, following an Elimination Diet can have a beneficial side effect: weight loss. Here are some of the weight loss benefits of an Elimination Diet.

Lean protein. Most Elimination Diets limit you to fish, turkey, lamb, and wild game. These are lean, unprocessed meats that are often not subject to the hormone treatments that are common in mass-market beef and chicken. Lean proteins help promote muscle growth and help you feel fuller for longer after a meal.

Natural, non-processed foods. Many elimination diets are also de facto organic diets. You cut out all processed foods and are left with mostly fruits, vegetables, and nuts. These are typical weight-loss foods that contain important nutrients for maintaining your health. They are also low in fat and can help you lose weight.

Good fats. An Elimination Diet will cut out most fat sources except for olive oil and the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. These are considered “good fats” that provide fuel and nutrition for the body and don’t contribute to fat build-up in the body. They give you energy to exercise and can help prevent disease.

Low carb and low sugar. A side effect of cutting out most grains and processed foods, an Elimination Diet is quite low on carbs and sugars. As we know, low-carb diets can be very effective for losing weight, since these nutrients are easily converted to fat in the body.

Replace other beverages with water. Elimination Diets also cut out things like soda, alcohol, and caffeine, which can all be weight-gain culprits. By replacing most beverages with water and tea, you can eliminate a large part of your daily calorie intake. This also promotes overall health and helps to cleanse toxins from the body.

While usually used by people with gastrointestinal issues to identify problem foods, an Elimination Diet can also be a powerful weight loss tool. Just be sure to consult your doctor before drastically changing your diet.

This post was written for Never Ever Been Skinny by Karen Danish, LAP. Karen is a licensed acupuncture physician and a valued staff member at Tampa Acupuncture Clinic.

Motivational Thursday

Hey NeverEver's!

Welcome to Thursday! The week is almost done and the weekend is almost here. Not to mention that Thanksgiving is coming soon.

Seriously, its coming and I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Cause I am the one in the family that cooks the dinner. Last year it wasn't a bad turkey if I do say so myself but this year I want to do even better. How?

I am thinking about making my first pie!

Yup a pie! I haven't made the decision if to do it or not but its there...in the back of my head...making me think about pies at random moments.

Anyways, on to my day so far and then...Motivational Thursday!!

So I started my day off right! Shakeology, Coffee and Water. Plus my Shakeology is in a Saints Cup!!

I killed my lunch workout for the #LBDWorkout! I even did 15 close squats and 15 wide leg squats at the end of my Thursday workout. Plus some left over soup from SkinnyTaste, a Broccoli, Cheese and Potato Soup

 

But I had almost forgot about my wallsit challenge. Well I am going to do it when I came home but I decided that it wasn't a good idea to wait. Especially since I am going to be doing my spin class tonight. So in comes the work wallsit! 

Now on to the Motivation!! 

Okay NeverEver's! It is time for me to get back to the grindstone! I will see you all late! Have a great Thursday and even better weekend! 

Guest Post - Top 4 More Weight Loss Myths Debunked

Hey NeverEver's!

First I am sorry this is a day late. It was a horrible day for me yesterday, while not an excuse it is just the truth. However, I really had to share this Guest Post. Why? Because we have all been there. Yo-Yo'ing on our weight or googling 'Fast Way to Lose Weight' even though we know better. So here is some of these weight loss myths taken away!

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Top 4 More Weight Loss Myths Debunked

You’d think that by now the whole subject of weight loss would have been blown wide open with all the various studies and research carried out over the decades, but you’d be wrong. Even in 2013 there are still more myths and misunderstandings about weight loss than there are comprehensively understood facts, which leads to the perpetuation of myths which only stand to hamper the efforts of those with the best intentions.

So once again as a means by which to address some of the more common examples that for one reason or another just won’t quit, here’s a look at a few more weight loss myths and the actual truth behind them.

Eating at Night is Bad for you

One of the longest-standing weight loss myths of all, there are still millions who for one reason or another are convinced that every last crumb they put in their mouths before bed will turn into fat. Nonsense – like the rest of the day it’s all about what you eat before you go to bed as opposed to whether or not you eat at all. Go to bed starving hungry and your body won’t respond well at all during the night, but eat something easy to digest and low in sugar to keep your whole system moving as it should and encourage restful sleep.

Rapid Weight Loss Is Impossible

This is a bit of a tricky one as rapid weight loss is indeed 100% possible, but the trick is knowing how to lose it healthily and in a way that sticks. Crash diets prove that the body can lose weight like lightning, but they’re so dangerous for your health and always lead to the dreaded yo-yo effect. Healthy weight loss over a short period of time therefore is not about starving the body, but instead giving it exactly what it needs combined with serious efforts to improve and increase exercise and training. Lose weight this way and you can rest assured it won’t be coming back to bite.

Carbs Make you Fat

Somewhere along the course of the past few years, carbs developed a reputation for being the single biggest enemy of dieters all over the world. As of right now, there are millions going about their business under the impression that carbs make you fat and should be avoided at all costs – some going so far as to cut them out of their diets entirely. In reality however, carbs will only ever make you fat if you binge on them without taking into account their calorie content. Eaten in sensible quantities, carbs provide efficient slow-release energy that can keep you feeling fuller for longer and thus naturally reduce the amount you eat.

The Fewer Calories, The Better

And finally, it might seem like a good idea to cut your diet from 2,000 calories a day to 1,000 from the word go, but it isn’t. If you don’t take in enough calories then your body will think it’s going to starve to death and make sure every calorie you do consume gets stored safely away as fat reserves. It’s hard to believe, but there are so many people across the UK that could lose weight if only they’d eat more!

By Lisa Morton

Lisa Morton has sought the help of Tim Hayes Fitness, a well-respected fitness centre in London, to achieve her fitness goals.  She exercises not to become skinny but to become healthy.  For more info about THF, you may click here.  For more about Lisa, you may add her in Google+.

Halloween Motivational Thursday

Hey NeverEver's!

Please note that this post should have been up yesterday as it was scheduled to however, it didn't. But I decided that I am still going to run it still. So here was my Halloween. 

Its Halloween!! Its time for tricks, treats and costumes. It isn't my favorite holiday, actually around my 3rd or 4th, but it is one of the most fun ones of the year. I am more of a Christmas type girl but the Hubby loves this holiday!

Okay so on to the day before I get into the motivation!

So I was re-using my costume this year. Hey no one at this job has ever seen it sooo it was worth it! I was the pirate queen of the day and really the only pirate of the office. How awesome is that! 

As you all know I baked cookies on Wednesday for the bake off sale. Hey I wasn't going to win any prizes with my costume but I still wanted to win something! And my cookies did win! I got 3rd place, which isn't tooo bad at all. I got the recipe from Averie Cooks (who I LOVE) and the cookies were delicious!

Once I got home from work it was time to get comfy. Hubby as Superman and me as Batman. It was comfy and still passable as Halloween. We finished up the night passing out candy to the trick o' treaters.

Oh and I made this.

First time ever making French Onion Soup. I got the recipe from SkinnyTaste who has allowed me to awe my family with my healthy and delicious cooking expertise. Thank you Gina for making this possible!

Okay so on to the motivation!

Hey now if Pumpkins can do it...

You know its funny...I feel the same way

This one touched me. I have never blamed anyone else for me being over weight. 

Okay NeverEver's, I am about to hit the bed. Candy has all been passed out, kids have been awed at (there was some cute ones this year) and I have had way too many baked goods at my company's Halloween party. So its time for me to hit the restart and sleep it all away. 

Happy Halloween!