Thursday's Helpful Apps

Today's apps I have chosen to write about are the Health and Fitness apps.

1. MyFitnessPal is a helpful app for me, and several of my husband's family members. It is a free calorie counter where you can input your exercises (where you are burning calories) and account for the calories you are putting in. You can set a goal of losing one pound per week, two pounds per week, etc and that gives you a goal amount of calories. Our daughters were running so much over the summer and burning so many calories for their skinny selves, that I had them do this with a goal of gaining a pound and a half per week. ;) I use it to keep track because I "run so I can eat what I want", but the truth is that I was eating too many calories even though I was running. In the evenings I was still snacking, but the calorie total was still sitting in my mind. It's even just a good tool to make you aware of what you are eating. Here is their itunes link with more information.
2. MapMyRun and MapMyWalk are good apps to keep track, like my GPS watch, of my times, splits, courses and details on my phone. I just have the basic version, but I do like it. I use the Running app and I use it when I walk, bike or run. It's nice to hear my split times, sometimes, in my ear, especially when my watch isn't charged. Here's the description: Real-time fitness tracking, at your fingertips, on your iPhone, no extra devices required. Our apps use your smartphone's GPS to record every detail of your workout. Follow your route on an interactive map while logging time, distance, speed, pace, elevation and calories burned.
3. I recently picked up one of the "free app of the week" cards at Starbucks. It is called Yoga Studio. I haven't tried it, yet, since I'm working on resting my injury for Sunday's half marathon, but am excited to try it during yoga practice at home. Here's their description on itunes-they have a lot more detail on the actual site, which I linked here, also: ★ Recommended by: Mac|Life, 148Apps, iMore, Gizmodo, Fox, MSN, The Guardian, Huffington Post, and many more
   ★ Featured by Apple in "New and Noteworthy", "What's Hot" and the "Get in Shape" Essential App Collection
   ★ Voted runner-up in "Best App Ever" Awards 2012 (Health category)
   
   Introducing the ultimate yoga app: Play, create, customize and schedule easy-to-follow HD video yoga classes.
4. I have had this Pocket Yoga App for a while, but also have had this injury for a while. ;) I have seen several good reviews on it, also, and am excited to start back into a regular yoga practice again after this half marathon. Here are some of the listed features: The practice of yoga becomes beneficial when done on a regular basis. With Pocket Yoga you can keep up with your practice at your own pace and schedule in the comforts of your own home. Simply set your iPhone, iPod or iPad in front of your mat, start a practice, and Pocket Yoga will guide you through your entire session.
   
   Choose between 3 different practices, 3 different difficulty levels and 3 different durations. A total of 27 different sessions!
   
   With the Pocket Yoga store, you now get even more from practicing yoga. Unlock up to 10 beautiful environments simply by doing the routines you already love.
   
   Practices in Pocket Yoga are the unique and original creative design of the world-renowned school of Gaia Flow Yoga.
   
   Features:
   
   • Detailed voice and visual instruction guides you through every pose, including each inhalation and exhalation. 
   • Over 150 beautifully illustrated pose images with correct posture and positioning.
   • Dictionary of poses containing descriptions and benefits of each pose.
   • Unlock a series of serene environments by practicing yoga.
   • Quickly preview a practice to see if it's right for you.
   • Maintains an ongoing log of all your yoga practices to track your progress and promote consistency.
   • Practices designed by experienced yoga instructors.
   • Ability to play music from your library in place of the default music.

Do you have any apps you use for regular health and fitness, Reader?