I read multiple times in countless of publications that the best way to mind what you eat is to write down what you eat. Since I started my healthy kick this year [and then really kicked my butt into gear this fall] I decided I needed some assistance in the “writing it all down” department.  I started with a mini notepad but I soon discovered that, that was simple not going to work. 

Needing some further assistance I then tried different apps on my iPhone. Though I tried many apps there has been three in particular that I have used the most; “My Plate” from live-strong.com, the currently popular “MyFitnessPal” & “Slim Kicker.” 

I wanted to share a bit of my experience with an app that has quickly become a favorite. Why, well it seems it has become a habit to share some of my fitness challenges and experiences thus far.

Slim Kicker is a free website and smart phone app that very much represents a game.

Tracking your food intake and fitness accomplishments will give you points that will get you closer to achievement levels. What do you get from getting these points you ask? Well that is up to you, you place your own incentive for each level. The more fitness tasks you accomplish, the healthier your eating choices are, the more points you get.

For my rewards I have selected the following items. First level, a make-up item, second level, a LUSH item, third level, a [counter productive] generous allowance to my Starbucks card.  

Much like my fitness pal, Slim Kicker is a social website as well. The site allows you can connect with other folks my making friends or finding groups. This will help you not only keep motivated but perhaps swap a trick or recipe. I am not into the social aspects of the app so I do stay away from those tabs, but many people might find these fun.

The slim kicker website is easy to use and colorful. My favorite part is the motivation behind those “level up” rewards, as well as the recipe section. You can actually input the food you cook at home and it will calculate the calories for you based off the ingredients in your recipe. This was a welcomed feature since this was a major frustrating factor for me when it came to other apps.  I hate to say it but I am a calorie counting fiend. I understand that lifestyle change means habit change, portion control, and food intake awareness. I don’t always cook at home, as hard as I try my lifestyle leads me to restaurants more often than I care to admit so I need to be aware of those calories. I think half the battle in health, & dare I say the word… diet, starts in the kitchen/plate.

The Pros of the app: The website and app are FREE, it also has a socially friendly easy to use website that is rather fun. I love that you can very easily input your own a home recipes and it will calculate your consumption. It gives you friendly health tips and gives you reminders about certain intakes like sugar, carbs, cholesterol, protein, etc. Most importantly it reminds you to reward yourself for a job well done, which is what keeps me motivated.

The Cons: Sometimes those tips make one feel guilty & inadequate. 

I have a major sweet tooth, it feels like I  intake way too much sugar [Mainly in dessert format] while I don’t plan of giving up the very frequent piece of chocolate, donut or slice of pie, I am minding the amount. 

Since my fitness plan started in late September I have lost 9 pounds, which I can’t tell but the scale does. Fifteen to 20 more pounds is the ultimate goal. I am giving myself until next September, wish me luck. 

Until Next Time…