Apps for a Healthy Lifestyle Anywhere

There is no denying that whether we’re walking down the street, avoiding elevator small talk, or just plain bored, the first thing we do is use our phones. They don’t call them smart without reason. They can do seemingly everything and we’re taking advantage of it, as we should be.

However, I say it’s time we bring that utility to the next level. Instead of our most used apps being Facebook, Instagram, and Tetris, let’s start utilizing the multitude of health inspired apps out there.

Here are my favorites:

If you’re looking to be conscious of what you eat…

My Fitness Pal Calorie Counter & Diet Tracker: This determines what your caloric intake for the day should be based on questions you answer. It measures in net calories, so if you log a cardio workout you get calories added to your daily plan. Plus they have a ton of popular branded foods and make it easy to add a new entry.

If you’re getting into running…

Nike Running App: it seems like Nike does everything well including this app. It is easy to use and tracks your progress. When you reach a new goal or are almost at your goal for your run, a celebrity athlete notifies you. Personally I am not a music-listening runner. But if you are, this app allows you to control your beats from inside the app. This way there is no fussing around with your phone/iPod while you’re trying to run.

If you’re looking for positive goal reinforcement…

Bloom: This app allows you to choose from predetermined reminders or to set your own. You can choose to be reminded once a day, once a week, or once a month. Plus, reminders come with a song that you can play and a little picture slideshow. If you’re not into all of that, the app can still alert you of your reminder without fully expanding into the song and photo and better yet, without leaving you an unaddressed notification.

So next time you’re avoiding awkward eye contact in the dining hall, check out these, or one of the other awesome app available for staying healthy.

Liebster Blog Award!

College Miss Fit has been nominated for a Liebster Blog Award! 

Now what exactly does that mean?

The Liebster Award is a way for fellow bloggers to recognize each other and to spread the word about great blogs. Recently fellow blogger Allie G, of AllDressed Up, Everywhere to Go, was nominated and has passed the nomination along to me!

It’s a great honor to be recognized for College Miss Fit within the blogging community and it is equally great to be able to be able to continue passing on the word about my fellow bloggers.

First I’ll answer a few questions about myself. Then I’ll throw my own questions back out to a few of the bloggers I love!

Are you ready?

What is your favorite guilty pleasure? (Ex. favorite trashy TV show, food, activity that helps you get through the week)

Whenever I’m having a busy week—okay, every week—I take a break from the stress by doing two things:

• RUNNING! I love having an excuse to put down all of the other obligations and just have “me time”. Plus the endorphins make it easier to have a positive attitude towards work. 
• Painting my nails. I’m someone who needs a physical reason to stop what I’m doing and relax. When I’ve already run or running isn’t an option I paint my nails. Then I can’t use my hands to do anything but kick back and catch up on Mad Men. (Currently rocking “Eternal Optimist” by Essie)

 

Who is your style icon?

I could never pick just one! I like to pull ideas and styles from all different places depending on how I feel at the moment. However, I usually try and shoot for Kate Middleton class with Kourtney Kardashian sass. It’s a weird mix I know, but I love it.

Who is your favorite Twitter and/or Instagram follower and why?

I’m always someone who is positive but honest, so Bethenny Frankel is one of my favorites to follow on Twitter. As far as Instagram, I love how easy it’s become to snap moments throughout the day. It makes keeping up with friends from home easier, which makes it too hard to pick a favorite!

What do you miss most about being a kid?

Every Sunday, my dad, my mom, and my brother and I would drive out east on the North Fork of Long Island to our favorite Greek restaurant The Hellenic Snack Bar.  The food was delicious, the atmosphere was relaxed, and best of all we could relax together. THOSE were the days.

If you were a nail polish color, what would you be called?

I would have to be called Maroon Fine. Firstly, because I love burgundy and maroon nail polishes. Secondly because who doesn't love Maroon 5?

If you could only eat one meal forever, what would it be?

It would have to be Farfalle Bolognese. I have always been a carb girl; I could never give it up!

If you could only keep one book/magazine forever, which one would it be?

If I had to choose one it would probably be La Muerte Anunciada by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I’m studying Hispanic Language and Literature at BU and this was the first book that I really connected with. You never get everything out of a book the first time, and that’s especially true when it’s in a foreign, so La Muerte Anunciada would be worth endless reads.

If you could go out for coffee or a lunch date with anyone in the whole world, who would it be and what would you ask him or her?

If I could lunch with anyone it would be Ryan Gosling and I would ask him to marry me. Just kidding… Sort of.

In all seriousness, if I could lunch with anyone it would be John Krasinski. Not because he’s adorable—although that helps—but because he is so passionate about each of his pursuits. Did you know he took time off of college to teach children in Costa Rica? I want that courage and determination, or a least a peak at where it comes from.

Why did you start blogging?

For me blogging began with a class assignment. I always thought blogging was a really great idea, but I was never brave enough to try it myself until it was assigned to me. The night I handed in the project I sat down to begin posting online and now I can’t stop!

Who/what inspires you to blog?

I get a lot of my inspiration from Pinterest. Sure it seems silly but there really are a lot of inspirational people who share their tips on being healthy via Pinterest. I also get a lot of inspiration from my friends. Recently I had a friend from home tell me she’s been running and training and truly living a healthier lifestyle. It’s just hearing that the people around me want to be healthy that inspires me to be too!

What is the greatest piece of advice you've ever received and who told you?

You know, I have never had one moment where I was given some profound words of wisdom. To me it always seems like good advice is a discussion. My parents are the people I go to for those discussions, but let me tell you they are very different people. If they can agree on what I should do, then I know it’s good advice.

Now that you’ve gotten to know more about me, it’s time to pass it along!

Anna, of Five Six Seven Eight, it’s your turn to answer the following questions:

1. What’s the best part about having grown up in your hometown?
2. If you had to completely change tracks (go to a different college, move to another state, have a whole new set of goals) where would you go and why?
3. What is your favorite workout gear and why?
4. What’s currently blasting from your headphones?
5. What is your favorite feature? (ex: hair, legs, etc.)
6. Name one moment is your life that you felt most proud.
7. If money and time were not obstacles where would you travel?
8. What are the three qualifiers for a man? (ex: long hair, sense of humor, etc.)
9. What is one piece of advice you would give to young girls today?
10. What does passion mean to you?
11. What makes your blog unique/interesting/fun? 

Late Night Snacking Made Healthy

It’s midnight and there are still two pages to be written for your paper. You’re on a roll and then you hear it: the grumble. From that point on it seems impossible to focus on anything but the tantalizing illumination of the nearby vending machine.

“Don’t do it,” says your will.

“But those over there… those are Pop Tarts,” says your stomach.

We’ve all been there. It’s the seemingly best option and two hours later you are tucked in bed with your stomach full and paper complete.

It’s when you wake up the next morning and you realize that you haven’t had enough sleep, your sugar rush has rushed right along without you, and you’re already late.

Eating well will not solve the procrastination problem (see this post for that one). However, changing your eating habits CAN give you the right kind of energy to push through those inevitable late nights. Not to mention that you can wake up feeling guilt free!

 

Here are some of my favorite late night snacks:

Tea: Most of us think food first when we’re hungry late at night. However, tea can be just as satisfying to your empty stomach. Any kind of tea works well—especially caffeinated. You know your own tolerance for caffeine better than anyone, so it’s your call as to what is too late. If it is getting too close to shut eye, decaffeinated works equally well to fill up your stomach and keep you focused. If you find that warm tea is too soothing, try it cold with Splenda! Plus, most tea has little to no calories making this a filling AND guilt-free snack.

Blueberries: These are easy to find at the grocery store, easy to carry to the library, AND give your brain the right kind of pump up. In fact, blueberries are known to reduce the risk of memories-related diseases. On a more relatable note, they also improve memory, which means cramming just got a little bit easier.

 Nuts: As two of my roommates suffer from a peanut allergy, I understand that this may not work for everyone or for public places. You are actually better avoiding peanuts as they provide fewer health benefits than tree nuts. If you are able to eat nuts DO IT! These protein-rich foods provide energy that lasts without a crash. Try to avoid heavy seasoning as it adds unnecessary calories.

You might be thinking this sounds like a granola’s dream, but give it a try! When you are able to focus, get to bed early, and wake up more refreshed, you’ll be thanking these powerful foods!