10 Free Apps to Use During Your Health Journey!

If you're anything like me, you need something to hold you accountable. You need something to relate to, share your progress, give you ideas, and be there for you! Friends are great and I strongly suggest getting a friend as part of your support system, but hey - I get it - we don't always have that person to support our choices or go to the gym with us - especially not these days when everything's shut down. My friends are wonderful, I love them to death, but they aren't walking the same path as me. One is focusing on school, getting her nursing degree, and becoming the best version of herself! Another is planning a freaking wedding - during a pandemic! Kudos to her, I know she's stressed! Another is focused on her career, leaving the waitressing lifestyle for something else! Me, I am one month deep into the first step of my dream job, building a personal brand, Instagram, blog - and working on becoming the healthiest version of myself. No hate on my friends, but we're just not walking the same path - and that's perfectly okay! I can help plan a wedding, but I'm not going to feel the same stress my friend is feeling. I can help with homework, but I probably won't understand as much as my friend does. I can send my friend job postings, but I'm not going on the interviews! My friends can send me recipes and kind words, but they don't understand how I feel. Throughout this health journey, I've found my own source of support. My boyfriend's great, but he just doesn't get it. I can ask him once a week if there's a difference in how I look, but wouldn't it just be easier to see it for myself?

Here are my top ** apps and websites that are essential in my weightloss/health journey! *Disclaimer: none of the apps and websites mentioned below are sponsored. This blog post is 100% my opinion and what I use! 1. Snapsie

Disclaimer: Not my photo

Snapseed is the perfect app for progress photos! We all know the scale can be a real two-faced b**** when she wants to be. You can be making insane progress - but the scale isn't moving! How frustrating is that! Progress photos and measurements are the way to go people! I love Snapsie because I can take a few photos (front, side, and back) and upload them to the app, then delete them from my photos. It can be embarrassing to keep your semi-naked pictures in your photo roll for other's to stumble upon when showing your trip to Hawaii - so Snapsie is a godsend! I can upload my pictures, add my weight if I'd like, and compare to past photos to see my progress. Snapsie also sends reminders to take your pictures if you'd like - once a month, every two weeks, or every week - whatever your preference is! There is a pro version that offers recipes and other things, but I use the free version. I'm all about that free lifestyle!

2. Facebook

Listen closely, because this one is a hit or miss depending on your lifestyle. I'm someone that needs to see others succeeding in order to ensure that it is possible and I'm not wasting my time. Sure, Instagram is great to see other's that are successful (and I'll touch on that in a bit), but I want real people in real-time! I've joined two or three groups that I love! I've joined calorie counting groups, gym groups, health groups, etc. Depending on how you're choosing to obtain your healthiest self (whether it's strength gain, weight loss, healthy meals, keto, etc) join that group! Learn from others, share your success, post your failures - people are so kind and will give you advice! Take everything with a grain of salt, if it seems a little unrealistic or unhealthy - do your research. Keep in mind, these people are on the same path as you, but they are not you. I love posting my successes and getting positive feedback - sure it's a little big-headed, but when other's around you just aren't seeing what you're seeing - you start to second guess yourself. By sharing in Facebook groups, others hype you up and make you motivated to continue!

3. Instagram

I told you I would touch on this! Instagram can become your own visual board, support system, and/or progress app! I created Lazy Girl's Health Guide to not only connect with others that are embarking on their personal health journey, but to share my own health journey! On this account, I only follow others that inspire me! I do not follow Kim Kardashian, because she just isn't working on the goals I'm working on. No hate, but her body is unrealistic for me and I don't want to see something I cannot achieve, nor do I want to achieve. I don't follow the super-hot influencers that make me second guess how I look, I don't follow the One Direction boys, I don't even follow friends or family - that's what my personal account is for. This account is all things health, motivation, and support! Use Instagram as a tool. Build yourself up and bring others with you. I've talked with so many incredible women who are struggling with their own health journey, sharing motivation, cheering me on, and telling me fun workouts to try. Stay connected!

4. Pillow

This is a personal preference and totally not necessary! I love seeing how I slept, is that weird? Probably. Pillow is another app that offers more if you pay - but I use the free version, of course! I have an Apple Watch, which doesn't track my sleep unless I download another app. My Fitbit Versa tracked my sleep on its own, but Apple isn't on that level I guess. Jokes aside, if you're interested in tracking your sleep - this app is great. Not only does it tell you how long you slept, but it shows you the quality of sleep, when you woke up, your heart rate, when you hit REM, and when you hit deep sleep! It's interesting to see and totally usable proof when you decide you can't do something because you only had four hours of sleep!

5. Alarmy

This is a new app for me and I am loving it! Alarmy is an alarm app that makes hitting

snooze impossible. There is a free version and a paid version, but you already know I'm using the free version! I have my Alarmy set at 5 am and plugged into my bathroom outlet - never next to my bed. When the alarm goes off, you have to answer three math problems before it shuts off. If you're wanting something a little more difficult, paying for the app may be worth it - but the math problems can be a little challenging when you're still half asleep. I find myself really struggling and counting on my fingers some mornings! Alarmy is not only an alarm but also shares a horoscope and sounds to help you fall asleep.

6. MyFitness Pal

I use this app on and off. If you're a dedicated calorie counter, this may be the app for you. I calorie count to keep my self on track - meaning, I want to see how much I'm eating and reel myself back in when I fall off the wagon. To see how much ketchup I'm using when I really do not need that much, how much protein I'm eating, etc. This app can give you an unrealistic calorie amount, so try and do some research before using it religiously. I find that days I work out, my work out is not tracked - but rather my steps are, so this can throw your suggested calories out of wack. I'll make another blog post with some tools to use in the future! This app also has a paid version, but the free version is great!

7. Fiton

Another new app that I am loving! Fiton is an app that has hundreds of workout videos to follow. There re celebrities like Julianne Hugh and a variety of workouts! I went to the gym on Monday and watched an arm workout - I felt amazing afterward and it was so much better than doing the same old thing. This app, like the others, comes with a paid version as well - but I find that the free version offers a lot! Fiton also plans workouts into your calendar if you allow it and reminds you each morning to open the app! Again, these settings can be changed - but at 5 am, it's nice to have a little trainer and plan right on your phone.

8. Fabulous

Another new app for me! Fabulous is a mental health-friendly app that motivates your and creates small goals for you to achieve! When signing up, you choose your goals and read short motivational experts to help you achieve them. It's like an interactive planner! Your goals do not have to be weightloss or strength training to use this app, it can be yoga, reading more, eating better, mental health, etc. I strongly suggest checking it out. Yes, as a disclaimer there is a paid and free version. The free version is what I'm using - as expected.

9. Podcasts

Um hello! If you're not listening to podcasts, what are you doing? Jokes aside, I strongly suggest listening to podcasts no matter what your goals may be. There are so many incredible podcasts out there, so informative! I am loving The Skinny Confidential: Him & Her, The. Healthcode Podcast, 2 Bears 1 Cave for a good laugh, and Crime Junkie for my True Crime needs! Sometimes, I'm not in the mood to listen to music when I work out. I like being as productive as possible. I feel good when I'm doing something for my body and my brain. I'm actually listening to a podcast right now!

Find your favorites and please share with me!

10. Tik Tok & Pinterest

Oh man, oh man - I had to! I'm sorry! Have you made it to Health Tik Tok yet? I have found so many incredible recipes, workouts, and more on these apps! I've created visual boards on Pinterest, saved my favorite recipes, outfits, workouts, and more! Both of these apps are free game, so as always - make sure to do a little research if it seems far fetched. If you need some inspiration, both of these apps are great! Just set yourself a timer so you don't get sucked in!