There is an App for That

So for me one of the easiest ways to keep track of my workouts and nutrition is through apps on my iPhone but I struggle in finding the perfect App.

I feel like there is always good with the bad.. and really my blog is just a way to sort out my thinking!

Running Apps...  

 "Map My Run" and "Run Keeper" 

My Ranking for these apps would probably be 3 stars. They are both very similar, they give you updates throughout your run on how many miles you have run and your pace. WHICH is great! BUT the one problem I have wit these apps they do not seem to be very accurate and that is because the GPS in the map can be a little off. This is probably one of the best examples that I have...

No I was not training for a Tri and I did not take a swim in the Charles River when I was running, but that is what Run Keeper recorded unfortunately.  During this run run keeper had me running 3.37 miles in 38.00 minutes giving me an average pace per mile of 11:17. When I went home and  I looked at a map and saw its 1.19 miles loops and I looped it 3 times, completing a 3.57 mile run. Which would make my average pace 10:38. Annoying. Another then that its a really good motivator, you just have to keep this in mind. 

Nutrition Apps. 

For Nutrition Apps I like My Fitness Pal and Fooducate. 

My Fitness Pal 

My Fitness Pal is great... Its a great way to recorded your daily food intake. One of my all time favorite parts about my Fitness Pal, and how I found it? Is you can create your own recipes and find out the nutritional information of stuff you make from home.  When I go out to eat I guesstimate sometimes to find a round about number for what I just ate and or try to type in all the ingredients listed. Pretty much awesome! Its also awesome because you can record workouts and calories burned and then it re adjust your goals (calories and carbs) accordingly. Which is amazing! Yesterday was the first day I did not go over my carb limit! WOOT!

There are not many things I do not like about My Fitness Pal. I get kicked off online a lot, which maybe that's my phone settings.  

IF I had one complaint it would be how it labels some food groups. Like "Fat" and "Sugars". I am always over my Sugar level according to My Fitness Pal but its because I eat a lot of fruit. Blueberries in the morning, Banana in the afternoon, sometimes some strawberries mixed in there. And my friend who is almost an RD, assures me that if its mostly sugars from fruit its okay because they are natural sugars and when you eat fruit you get other nutritional value from them.  I think the levels are adjusted for your calorie goal, but its really hard to stay at 57 grams of sugar a day and I don't even drink soda. 

But sometimes I look at it like this

Added Sugars 

- Natural Granola  10 Grams 

- Feta Cheese from Salad 2 grams 

- Laughing Cow Swiss Cheese- 1 gram

- Cookies and Cream Frozen Yogurt- 30 Grams 

So yesterday I really had 42 grams of added sugars. Which is under the 57 so score. 

Also I on the website on the same page the record all "fats" together which is kind of annoying when you had half an avocado for lunch. Like WHAT I cant have any more grams of fat? BUT I feel like when you stay under your saturated fat/trans fat goals its okay. I may be wrong because i am just starting to teach myself all this but that's normally my goal. Its just annoying when you see the red there! 

So sometimes the app require a little extra work to see what you are really eating, but the good thing is too you can adjust your goals if you wanted too. At the end of the day you can hit "complete this entry" and you get an quest of what you would weight in 5 weeks. Which is approximately what I weight now. I think its really cool... and don't worry I am 5 feet tall so that weight puts me at a normal BMI. 

Fooducate 

I just downloaded this this weekend, so far its been a really interesting app and I used it to buy veggie burgers the other day.  For example I will show you my new favorite greek yogurt in the morning. Fage Plain Greek Yogurt. YUM. 

So you can either scan (LOVE: My Fitness Pal you can scan as well, forgot that added bonus!) or type in what you are looking for. When you found your product you will get a grade.  IF you do not like what you see you can click better options and find better options to buy based on process foods, fat, sodium and sugar. 

 

It also tells you the nutritional information, ingredients and where this ranks compared to other products. It interest me there is a greek yogurt ranked C. Kind of concerning...

 

Then it gives you 8 things you need to know about the product. I liked how they gave you different ways in enjoy this product. Also makes me feel good that I eat it with fresh fruit and granola and its listed on there! Woot!

So this app I think is pretty cool. I just question the people who put these grades together if it would be the same as a certified RD. Ya know? I am always questioning but I cant help it... and yes its probably sad I went on Fooducate LinkedIn webpage to see if any employees went to school for nutrition. 

Apps with Bracelets

Jawbone Up (Have to have the Bracelet) 

This is probably my favorite app minus the bracelet breaking a lot (every 3 months or so). It records your steps each day and the front page is pretty easy to read. Shows you your sleep, calories, and steps in a nutshell...

I like the food and work logs as well.. As far as the workout logs I wish you could customize them a bit more. They only give you some generic range. BUT for the Food intake the USDA and National Strength and Conditioning Association recommends these nutritional targets for healthy adults!

The sleep part I find really accurate as well!

What Apps do you use??