Evening all, it's about that time again!
Today was FRIDAY whoooooo! I spent most of the day in a state of disbelief that I'd made it to the end, but we're here peeps! Now we have a weekend full of training before the taper starts. Oh wonderful taper ;)
I worked out today that the team has covered 377km (234miles) in training to date! That's mad! We have another 50km to cover this weekend, before tapering down this week to a mild 15km next weekend. Then we're at E-Day. Eeeeeek!
We're currently at £500 fundraising, so if you'd like to give us some cash go right ahead ;) we won't mind :P (but really....here's my justgiving page. G'wan). We have £10 from Google Ad-sense so far, so remember, all legitimate ad clicks earn us money too! (As does the Amazon affiliate links!!)
Anyway, I'm on a rest day today. Well. I say rest. What I really mean is an hour of yoga and 5km walking. Light stuff though :) might see if the pool is still open - I'm baking!
So this week I've been focusing on my favourite things to take to the gym with me. Today I'm going to go with my top five fitness apps/products. These are things I use daily and I've found to be really handy! (Honest. It's not just because I'm resting and restless ;) ).
Without further ado...
Here are my top five apps/products
(don't worry, all hyperlinks open a new window :) )
1. MFP
MyFitnessPal Saved my Life...
Hyperbole. That's what you're thinking. But it's not. As you know I've struggled through some parts of my adult life to date and my weight has been a huge part of that struggle.
I couldn't have done it without MY own willpower and dedication to what I wanted - you have to make that decision for yourself, but MFP has helped me more than I can explain. My friends on the site have supported me through the high points and they've been there with me in the low-spots. Without them my life would be very different - so here's a shout-out to my amazing MFP family :)
Exercise helps me with controlling the battle inside my head which daily is becoming easier to manage - year on year it becomes easier and the people there who encourage me, who have helped me, advised me have in actuality saved my life. I've got a measure of control in my life and I have it back, ready to live it.
It's a calorie counter, it's a social network, it's an exercise counter and it helps you realise that you're not alone. There are so many people in the forums giving their opinons and from lurking in threads, reading what people have to say I've made it to the place I'm at today.
I'm not at goal weight, but I'm stronger, faster, fitter than I've ever been.
2. FitBit
What a Company. If I had one, they'd be my "company crush" ;)
I love FitBit. They have honestly been one of the best companies I've interacted with in my weight-loss journey.
My FitBit itself is handy, I use it daily to track my exercise and how much I'm active (you are not as active as you imagine). Since I use MFP for food logging, the extra bits FitBit offer are a little redundant, which is a shame as it does make my FitBit that little bit less useful.
It has become part of my daily wardrobe though - my FitBit goes everywhere with me when I have clothes on... (although sometimes it takes that a little too literally and recently went into the wash with some of my fitness clothes so it's currently in a bag of rice.... :S). They're not waterproof, I hope FitBit do make a waterproof version soon though, because the time I spend swimming is never in my stats for the device (obviously).
If you ever have a problem or an issue though - these guys totally rock.
3. Dry Shampoo
I signed up to review a "waterless Ltd" product. I didn't hold out high hopes, I'll tell you why. I'm fussy. Like, really fussy. I like things just so. This goes especially for my hair. I do NOT like my hair feeling greasy. I don't like products on it. I like it to be shiny and soft. Just so.
Anyway, I tried out this product not hoping for much - only that it wouldn't feel greasy. I'm a busy lady, and I often work out two times a day - sometimes more if I've been to the gym&swim before pole, so it's essential to keep my hair feeling clean without using too many harsh products. Additionally, with camping out or when you've been hiking for 8 hours and have another MILLION (ok, 2, 3, 20) hours to go it's pretty handy to be able to do it without water - just to feel that little bit more human.
The waterless product works really well. It smells really nice (another big factor for me) and it doesn't leave a residue on my hair. Don't get me wrong, I would always choose to shower and have a nice deep conditioner on my hair, but this product is just REALLY handy. A bit like wet-wipes for your hair. You wouldn't use them in place of a bath (I hope) but you'd use them to aid with your hygiene - likewise this product is just brill to have around.
Also, thinking festival/beach season....get in! :)
(plus, if you want to try some out you can get a 20% discount from this blog by using the code: SUMMER20. Click here to check it out)
Disclaimer: I have been asked to review this product, I'm not being paid by the company but I do have a free tube of shampoo xD
4. Zombies Run
Get this app. Like. NOW.
I've said it before, I'll say it again, I'm not a "natural" runner. I'm naturally....solid. I don't move. Well. Not long distances. That being said, running is excellent for more reasons than I'm going to write here - weight loss, improved cardio function and endorphins being some of them, so this app is a GODSEND for me. I hardly notice the miles going by, as the story sucks you in, you're able to play your own music in between snippets and you get to "be" Runner 5. If you're particularly imaginative, you can imagine you're there - especially if you have the zombie chase function active!
To give you an idea of the game: basically you start on a chopper, get shot down by an unknown person and then have to live inside Able Township and complete missions from the base to get supplies/find out what's going on! You even get to find out about patient X....where it all started :D (check out the website, they describe it better xD)
You download the story, select your playlist and run. My only sadface about this app is at the moment you can't use Spotify with it :(
5. Photo Grid
This app is amazing. When you start your journey TAKE PHOTOS. You may not see results on the scale but you'll notice them on your body, and when you look back over a year of consistent deficit and/or exercise you'll see the difference.
There are plenty of apps out there that do this, but I like this one. And it's free :D This is how you get photos like this:
What do you think of my top 5? Would you add/remove anything? Comments all welcome below :D
Anyway, I'm going to go and sweat elsewhere now. Maybe take this sweaty girl to a gym to do it properly. Goodness it's hot in here....
Think of us hiking our 50km this weekend, I'll bring you photos, videos and more!
Stay cool, be good and keep clicking!!