I've noticed something that has been wearing me out. Yep, and it has been my Apple Watch! See you have to close your rings (move goal, stand goal and exercise goal) each day (that's the goal). It's a great goal to keep you active and there's nothing wrong with it. The problem is with me, the user. I was so focused on closing my rings that I skipped my off days! Say what?! It's true. My workout schedule is 3 days a week and two more days if I'm not in pain for a maximum of 5 days a week. But I blew that out of the window and tossed my schedule aside because I was trying to close those darn rings. As a result, I became so tired and began to wonder why. Upon, review of my activity logs, I realized that I stopped resting on the weekends (my off days). So as of last weekend, I reinstituted my off days (with the exception of 30 minutes on Saturdays for my 5k training program*) which lasts until February 17, 2018) then I'll return to my full weekend rest days. I do, however, ensure that I get my 10k steps daily.
The moral of the story is don't let your fitness bands cause you to create an unhealthy exercise regimen. Activity Trackers are extremely helpful in getting us started and motivating us to keep going and to achieve more by challenging ourselves a little more and I think they're all wonderful for that. We must keep things in moderation by staying balanced through exercise, healthy eating, drinking plenty of water, sleep, and incorporating rest days.
*I'm using 5K Runner by Fitness22. It's an 8 week 5k training program to get you off the couch to 5k. I train 3 days a week (Tues, Thurs, Sat) and I'm currently in week 3!!!
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Monday, January 8, 2018
Friday, January 5, 2018
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
'Dem Exercise Apps - Give them a try!
There are many exercise apps available to us that are either free or at a cost that is reasonable or expensive depending on your budget. I'm trying a few of the "free" ones. What have I learned from using them? Well, simply, they work.
Here are the apps I'm currently using or planning to use:
8Fit, Sworkit (abs & core, butt, upper body, stretching, lower body, yoga, and cardio), Fitbit Coach, Nike Training, Nike+ Run Club (working my way up to the Nike apps), Physera (physical therapy rehab app), MapMyFitness (create workout plans), MyFitnessPal (workouts that appear in the feed), and Lose It! (workout that appears under My Day).
So let's take a peek inside of each of these apps, starting with 8Fit. My daughter turned me on to this app and I really love it! Yeah, I'm a Rookie II at the time of this post.
Per their website: Our workout plans meet you where you're starting, and challenge you to achieve the next step. They offer weekly plans customized to individual fitness level, rooted in High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), a science-backed mode of exercise ideal for weight loss, intense and effective 5-to-15 minute sessions rev metabolism, increase strength and build endurance.
This is absolutely true. I started using this app on October 28, 2017, and I gave it 30 days to see if it would work and it did. I've increased my endurance, I'm building muscle and strength and I'm dripping sweat after each session. This is a total body workout app that has a great music selection to suit your taste and is worth a try. I have not tried the Meal Plans due to the cost. Next up is Sworkit.
Per their website: Guided workout plans and customizable workouts on any device. Take the thinking out of your workout. Our fitness plans are created by our personal trainers to help you accomplish your own individual goals. Whatever you hope to change we can help you do it.
Oh, my! Now, these apps are amazing. I'm using the free version of each of these apps (except yoga) and have experienced great results from each. You can work on specific body parts like arms, butt, and upper body or a full body workout and choose how long you're going to work out. You simply choose a program and they will get you started with a guided video workouts from 5 minutes to an hour or more. These apps have helped me to feel stronger and tone up my muscles. I'm getting "Arms Like Whoa! I'll have a "gun" show soon. 😜 Seriously, my arm and shoulder definition is pretty awesome as well as, my legs, butt, and abs. Now for a true butt kicker... Fitbit Coach.
Per their website: Get fit anytime, anywhere, with Fitbit Coach-the personalized training app that gives you access to unlimited adaptive video workouts and audio coaching. Select from 7-to-60 minute workout sessions.
I'm using the free version (premium is $39.99/year). This app truly kicks butt in my opinion. I mean, I hesitate before I actually start an exercise. I open the app, select an exercise and close the app. Lol. I chicken out sometimes, why? Because some of the exercises are hard and I don't want to injure myself because I'm rehabbing from back and knee surgery. The app does not take that into account (neither does the other ones except Physera), so I have to modify the Fitbit Coach exercises or replace one with something else I can actually do. The other apps I can actually do their exercises. That being said, I still get a pretty good cardio workout with this app and it's still a good option for me to use a benchmark to gauge my improvement. Speaking of gauging my improvement, I'm working my way up to the Nike apps.
Per their website: The Nike+ Run Club App, don't just track your runs-improve them. With coaching to make you a better runner and countless ways to share and compare your miles, we'll help you go farther and faster than ever. The Nike+ Training Club App, your personal trainer-fully loaded with 100+ new workouts, clear instructions on every move, and a plan to get you fitter than ever.
These apps look great and I can't wait to try them out. I'm working my way up to them because I'd like to start running as well. I'll incorporate the training club app into my weekly regimen soon. Once, I've reached strengthen my core and knee, I'll get started on the running club app. What helps me strengthen my core and knee? It's the Physera app.
Per their website: Reduce pain. Recover faster. Live better. Expert-guided recovery through video visits and personalized therapy. You'll build a routine that works for your body, allowing you to maintain pain reduction long after the program. This is an awesome app!
I found this app during my physical therapy days and it has truly helped me continue to get better long after my sessions ended. I only use the guided exercises and do not use the video visits or chats.
This app is developed by physical therapists so the exercises are on point. I was able to pull all the exercises my PT ordered and created my own at home plan. This is very useful if you're recovering from any time of injury/surgery where PT is prescribed. This app has helped me get stronger so I can move forward with regular exercises and soon to be running. They've updated the app and now have articles on the Library Tab. You can also chat with your provider (if they're on Physera). Finally, the food tracking apps.
Lose It (Premium) and MyFitnessPal (free) apps are great for tracking your food and exercises plus they have a great community to cheer you on. What helps spur me on the most in these apps are the food/calorie tracking, articles, recipes, and exercises tips and videos. What good is exercise if you're not incorporating calorie tracking, healthy meals, and health-related articles that round things out. Speaking of rounding things out, try MapMyFitness.
Per their website: Your workout, your device, anywhere, anytime. Plan, track, analyze and share your journey with MapMyFitness.
I use this app to plan my workouts for the week, month and beyond. No more wondering what exercises I'm going to do today. You can quickly and easily create your plan and modify it if necessary.
All these apps help to have a balanced and healthy lifestyle which is important. So check them out and give them a try if you haven't already. There are many more out there so find the ones that work for you and put them to use because some days we need more help to get motivated than other days. 😊
Here are the apps I'm currently using or planning to use:
8Fit, Sworkit (abs & core, butt, upper body, stretching, lower body, yoga, and cardio), Fitbit Coach, Nike Training, Nike+ Run Club (working my way up to the Nike apps), Physera (physical therapy rehab app), MapMyFitness (create workout plans), MyFitnessPal (workouts that appear in the feed), and Lose It! (workout that appears under My Day).
So let's take a peek inside of each of these apps, starting with 8Fit. My daughter turned me on to this app and I really love it! Yeah, I'm a Rookie II at the time of this post.
Per their website: Our workout plans meet you where you're starting, and challenge you to achieve the next step. They offer weekly plans customized to individual fitness level, rooted in High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), a science-backed mode of exercise ideal for weight loss, intense and effective 5-to-15 minute sessions rev metabolism, increase strength and build endurance.
This is absolutely true. I started using this app on October 28, 2017, and I gave it 30 days to see if it would work and it did. I've increased my endurance, I'm building muscle and strength and I'm dripping sweat after each session. This is a total body workout app that has a great music selection to suit your taste and is worth a try. I have not tried the Meal Plans due to the cost. Next up is Sworkit.
Per their website: Guided workout plans and customizable workouts on any device. Take the thinking out of your workout. Our fitness plans are created by our personal trainers to help you accomplish your own individual goals. Whatever you hope to change we can help you do it.
Oh, my! Now, these apps are amazing. I'm using the free version of each of these apps (except yoga) and have experienced great results from each. You can work on specific body parts like arms, butt, and upper body or a full body workout and choose how long you're going to work out. You simply choose a program and they will get you started with a guided video workouts from 5 minutes to an hour or more. These apps have helped me to feel stronger and tone up my muscles. I'm getting "Arms Like Whoa! I'll have a "gun" show soon. 😜 Seriously, my arm and shoulder definition is pretty awesome as well as, my legs, butt, and abs. Now for a true butt kicker... Fitbit Coach.
Per their website: Get fit anytime, anywhere, with Fitbit Coach-the personalized training app that gives you access to unlimited adaptive video workouts and audio coaching. Select from 7-to-60 minute workout sessions.
I'm using the free version (premium is $39.99/year). This app truly kicks butt in my opinion. I mean, I hesitate before I actually start an exercise. I open the app, select an exercise and close the app. Lol. I chicken out sometimes, why? Because some of the exercises are hard and I don't want to injure myself because I'm rehabbing from back and knee surgery. The app does not take that into account (neither does the other ones except Physera), so I have to modify the Fitbit Coach exercises or replace one with something else I can actually do. The other apps I can actually do their exercises. That being said, I still get a pretty good cardio workout with this app and it's still a good option for me to use a benchmark to gauge my improvement. Speaking of gauging my improvement, I'm working my way up to the Nike apps.
Per their website: The Nike+ Run Club App, don't just track your runs-improve them. With coaching to make you a better runner and countless ways to share and compare your miles, we'll help you go farther and faster than ever. The Nike+ Training Club App, your personal trainer-fully loaded with 100+ new workouts, clear instructions on every move, and a plan to get you fitter than ever.
These apps look great and I can't wait to try them out. I'm working my way up to them because I'd like to start running as well. I'll incorporate the training club app into my weekly regimen soon. Once, I've reached strengthen my core and knee, I'll get started on the running club app. What helps me strengthen my core and knee? It's the Physera app.
Per their website: Reduce pain. Recover faster. Live better. Expert-guided recovery through video visits and personalized therapy. You'll build a routine that works for your body, allowing you to maintain pain reduction long after the program. This is an awesome app!
I found this app during my physical therapy days and it has truly helped me continue to get better long after my sessions ended. I only use the guided exercises and do not use the video visits or chats.
This app is developed by physical therapists so the exercises are on point. I was able to pull all the exercises my PT ordered and created my own at home plan. This is very useful if you're recovering from any time of injury/surgery where PT is prescribed. This app has helped me get stronger so I can move forward with regular exercises and soon to be running. They've updated the app and now have articles on the Library Tab. You can also chat with your provider (if they're on Physera). Finally, the food tracking apps.
Lose It (Premium) and MyFitnessPal (free) apps are great for tracking your food and exercises plus they have a great community to cheer you on. What helps spur me on the most in these apps are the food/calorie tracking, articles, recipes, and exercises tips and videos. What good is exercise if you're not incorporating calorie tracking, healthy meals, and health-related articles that round things out. Speaking of rounding things out, try MapMyFitness.
Per their website: Your workout, your device, anywhere, anytime. Plan, track, analyze and share your journey with MapMyFitness.
I use this app to plan my workouts for the week, month and beyond. No more wondering what exercises I'm going to do today. You can quickly and easily create your plan and modify it if necessary.
All these apps help to have a balanced and healthy lifestyle which is important. So check them out and give them a try if you haven't already. There are many more out there so find the ones that work for you and put them to use because some days we need more help to get motivated than other days. 😊
Monday, January 1, 2018
Keep it going
It's a new year! Yep, 2018 is here so let's keep it moving. We've set goals in 2017 that we are still pursuing until fruition which may be either in 2018 or a little later. Whatever the case, we should continue to press on.
Have a Happy and Fruitful New Year!
Have a Happy and Fruitful New Year!
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