Motivation!

An awesome change is happening. I am becoming obsessed with all things fitness and health! I took a break from my new active schedule yesterday and all I could think about was what I could do this week to make my work-outs and diet even better. Just thinking about getting in shape has motivated me in so ways. For the month of July, I've set some new goals for myself and am utilizing new tools to help me reach them.

My Fitness Pal

The application allows users to track their calorie consumption, water intake, and exercise habits. There's a database of just about every item of food imaginable, including the distributor, as well as the caloric value. Just type in what you ate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and this app will give you the calories in each meal. It will also subtract your consumed calories from your daily calorie allowance, which is determined based on the information you provide about your lifestyle, height, weight, and gender. It allows you to visualize your goal and stick to it. I've been using this app for a few weeks now and it's been an eye-opening experience.  Documenting everything that I consume is daunting in some respects, but generally, it's helped me make much needed changes to my diet. Some days, just the thought of having to input a lot of items into my daily diary stops me from eating so much.

Map My Run

I just downloaded this app a few days ago and haven't been able to give it a try, but I'm excited to get an actual number for the miles that I complete on my runs. I've been guessing about the distance and it hasn't bothered me too much, but this app will enable me to set goals and make sure that I see them through to completion. I plan on testing it out on my run later tonight.

The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans

What a lively community of like-minded women! This site hosts monthly fitness challenges, complete with calendars so that you can mark off the progress that you've made throughout the month. July 2013 is all about getting slim, toned, and sexy arms. I'll be adding this challenge to my regular fitness routine and hopefully, I'll be able to show off some muscles in August!

Workout Playlist

I've decided to create a new playlist every month in order to keep me going during my workouts when I feel like giving up, which is often at this point. This month, my playlist is as follows:

1. Daft Punk - Doin' It Right

2. M.I.A. - Paper Planes

3. Passion Pit - Little Secrets

4. Calvin Harris - Sweet Nothing (ft. Florence Welch)

5. Ke$ha - Tik Tok

6. Lupe Fiasco - Go Go Gadget Flow

7. Paramore - Now

8. Chirstina Aguilera - Fighter

9. Tim Berg - Seek Bromance

10. Skrillex - Bangarang

11. Rihanna - Phresh Out The Runway

12. Swedish House Mafia - Don't You Worry Child

13. Destiny's Child - Survivor

14. Robyn - Call Your Girlfriend

15. Paramore - Still Into You

16. Rihanna - Pour It Up

17. Florence and the Machine - Cosmic Love

18. P!nk - Just Give Me A Reason (ft. Nate Ruess)

19. Feist - 1 2 3 4

Total Play Time= 1.2 hours

I love taking time to organize a playlist, figuring out where to place a song and anticipating the moments in my workout when I'll need a bit more motivation. I've also included a few slower, more calming songs near the end to signal when I'll need to start cooling down. Creating this playlist has definitely pumped me up. Now, I just need to get out there and do my thang!

In conclusion...

July is SO my month. I got this!