Amazing Free Tools to Help You Lose Weight #Cinchspiration from @slapdashmom

25 Flares Pin It Share 18 Twitter 3 Tweet Facebook 3 StumbleUpon 0 Reddit 0 Google+ 1 25 Flares ×

Whether you’re just starting out, or already a bad ass that can do 100 push-ups, these free fitness tools will help you lose weight, get in shape, and build muscle.

Running Helpers

Coming up with new places to run, or new paces to run at, can be challenging. Use my Couch to 5K posts if you’re a beginner, or use TrailRunner and MapMyRun if you want something a little more detailed.

TrailRunner

Plan your route for all kinds of long distance sports like running, biking, hiking, inline-skating, skiing and more. TrailRunner can calculate a route for your desired distance and export directions onto your iPhone or GPS, giving you a detailed orientation while you are on your way.

MapMyRun

Map your route, log your food, track your activity, connect with friends. Get the MapMyRun app for your iPhone, Droid, or Blackberry.

Calorie Trackers

Calorie trackers are amazing because they help you keep your eye on the prize, one meal at a time. Finding the right calorie tracker to use is up to each individual person. While I prefer one, you may prefer another. Give each a test run for a week and see which is most convenient for you!

Cron-O-Meter

Complete USDA-derived nutrition information on over 7,000 foods built-in. You can add custom foods if you need to. Cron-O-Meter makes it easy to enter, browse, and generate reports on your calorie intake. You also see how you’re doing on protein and vitamin balancing. You can chart your weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, and more.

MyFitnessPal

I’ve used MyFitnessPal off and on for two years now and I absolutely love it. There are so many foods in the database, I’ve never had to create a custom food. A few things I don’t like about MFP: You need to manually adjust the calories they give you for the day because they may be really low. When you enter in exercises, it says you’ve burned quite a bit more than you really have. And anyone can add foods to the database, so you may find foods that have an inaccurate calorie count. MFP has an app, so it’s super convenient, but you just have to keep those things in mind when using it.

TweetWhatYouEat

Start following twye (the Twitterwhatyoueat bot) and directly message it with items you ate. Tweetwhatyoueat will give you a day-to-day digest of what you’re putting in your system, including calorie counts (that you put in). This is a very convenient method, especially if you have Twitter on your phone, and it really keep you conscious of what you’ve eaten because it’s like you’re TELLING someone each time you put food in your mouth.

More Online Tools

Using online tools to help with your weight loss makes it much easier to keep track of everything.

Traineo

This free and intuitive weight loss application offers effective exercise and diet visual tracking tools. More than a simple training log, traineo.com also provides members with a built-in support system through its social networking community. Members can choose up to four ‘motivators’ who receive weekly email updates outlining the member’s progress toward his/her weight loss goals. Traineo.com also offers resources and tips from the world’s leading health and fitness experts through a database of articles and within the active discussion forums.

Helpful Workout Ideas

Mixing up your workout will increase your weight loss a ton!

Interval Training

Burn more calories in less time with Interval Training. Download some Interval Training music for your iPod. Design a workout you will love. Do high intensity, then lower intensity, then back up to high intensity. The lower intervals give you a chance to catch your breath and get your energy back to do the higher levels.

Shovel Gloving

Now this one is interesting. I am going to look for a sledgehammer to try it. In one of the videos I watched, he did it inside the house. I think I’d rather go outside, for safety reasons! :) Basically you’re doing all the motions of chopping wood, digging up ground, etc but with a sledgehammer. Owie!!

Working Out Without Equipment

A common excuse I see is “I don’t have the time/money/etc to go to the gym like you do!”. First of all, my gym membership is $20 a month and is SO worth it I’d give up my mocha addiction for it! Second of all, we all have time. We just have to find it! If going to the gym just isn’t in the cards for you, do workouts at home with little to no equipment. Pop in your favorite fitness DVD, or turn on the Wii, and get moving!

Creating the Ultimate Playlist

The perfect playlist is so important! Adele, Michael Jackson, and Rammstein keep me going.

Stretching After Your Workout

I’ve found it’s most effective to stretch after my workouts, but feel free to stretch before if you prefer it. Dynamic stretching can help you get the most out of your workout.

25 Flares Pin It Share 18 Twitter 3 Tweet Facebook 3 StumbleUpon 0 Reddit 0 Google+ 1 25 Flares ×