30-Day Fitness Challenge

I'm part of a fun Facebook group, which is about fitness and fun. This month we have a lovely challenge to share some stories. Day 1 is a little long, so I've decided to blog about it. I may even decide to blog the whole month. We shall see.....

Day 1 - Your Fitness Story
So this is a long one.

I was always a skinny child. But I don't think I was ever overly active. I preferred to be inside with my book. As a child, this wasn't a big deal. As a teen, I was still skinny. And even as an adult, I was thin. Then one day, I noticed I was not.

Over the years, I've been to the gym, gotten myself a collection of DVD's and gotten trainers.

My last trainer was the best. I miss her. She knew how to motivate me, show faith in me, get me eating right, scold me when I messed up, but never made me feel like a looser. She moved last summer to Dubai and I was sure that was the end of it. Without her, how could I go on? I'm one of those people that need to be help accountable. Having a personal trainer kept me accountable. If I missed a session, she knew, and she was on top of it.

Then a Facebook friend introduced me to Beachbody. She had lost a lot of weight, and while I
 didn't ask her her secret, I did comment on how inspired she made me. She reached out and we chatted a bit. She got me to try 21-Day Fix. I loved it! It fit me perfectly. It was 30 minutes. Seven different workouts, so everyday it was something new. I loved it.

Since then I've tried a few other Beachbody programs. I'm hooked. I love them. I look better and I feel better.

And everyday, I text my trainer in Dubai. She still holds me accountable.

Day 2 - Your Fitness Goals This Month
I'm on vacation. I always have grandiose plans to workout everyday. But I'll be honest, it's not that easy. You're sightseeing, or visiting friends/relatives, or taking E to camp or traveling to Ottawa or Boston or something or another. I know it sounds like excuses, but I know me. So the solution I have is to keep active.

I bought myself a FitBit, and can I say I love it. My goal this month, really, is to keep active. Get my steps in. The days that are quieter, I don't want to spend the whole day with my coffee and book. Just half the day. The other half, I need to be out and about. Enjoying the weather. Enjoying the neighbourhood. Getting myself moving.

Thanks Nicole for this month's challenge. #hustleandheartchallenge  

Writer's Workshop - Top Picks

List your top 10 favourite apps currently

Once again,

this year,

I've decided my NY resolution

is about loosing weight.

Getting healthier.

Being fit and healthy.

So,

not surprising,

a few of my top apps

are health and fitness related.

1. Get Running

This is one of those

C25K apps.

I've just started

but am enjoying it so far. 

2. 30 Day Fitness Challenges

You know how you see those

30 day challenges on

Facebook or Pinterest?

And then you save the pic

on your camera roll

and try to recall what day you're on?

Well...

here are loads of those challenges

all in one app!

3. Daily Water

You know how you should drink

8 glasses of water a day?

Well, 

I don't drink nearly enough.

I know I need to drink more

so this app is great.

I feel accountable.

Plus, 

I like seeing the glasses empty

as I drink! 

4. Coach.me

This was pretty cool too.

So you set yourself daily goals,

you choose them,

then you tick if off when you do them.

It goes back to the accountability thing

I so need. 

I want to work out.

Tick.

Drink water.

Tick.

Read every day.

Tick.

It can be anything!

5. Mad Libs

This is a fun one to do with Ethan.

I've always loved using Mad Libs

in my classroom.

And now Ethan is having a blast.

It's great when we go out for lunch,

or are at the airport

waiting for a flight.

He can't stop giggling at his creations!

6. iAllowance

I love, love, love

this app!

Ethan wanted an allowance,

but I tend to forget to give it

every week.

Plus,

depending where we are

I then need to work out the exchange rate.

It's a chore.

But this app,

oh,

this app makes it all so easy!

Ethan has a virtual piggy bank

where every week

the allowance is deposited.

He can also earn more money

with chores.

And,

he can loose money with

a bad attitude!

7. Self Timer Camera

It's a timer!

For your selfies!

Enough said!

8. CamScanner

I discovered this one

when attending a conference.

The group made these charts.

They were really cool,

so a bunch of us grabbed our phones

to take pictures.

We were told that,

not only is the app free,

but the quality is better than taking pics.

Plus,

you can convert them into PDF files

and share them too.

9. TED

TED Talks!

Whenever you want to be inspired.

Awesome!

10. AppsGoneFree

Like apps?

Like free apps?

This one sends you 5 apps

that are free each day.

Great way to find new favorites!