If you follow me on social media, I apologize for talking about this again!  This month, I'm in All You Magazine with a review of a new(er) fitness app: Pact.  Since I love it so much, I thought I would share more details about the app and how it has been helping me stay motivated.  I am not compensated for this review at all.

I turned 30 this past January and I am really trying to live a healthier life.  The thing is, I love to cook and I actually like to eat healthy foods--but I tend to have a hard time losing weight.  (I swear I have a thyroid issue!) Being active is pretty easy with 3 little ones, but I have been trying to get better workouts in.   I've worn a FitBit for over a year now and I love how it keeps me in check with my steps and calorie burn.

When All You was looking for people to test out a fitness app, I was all ears! I love the idea of a FREE app to help motivate me.  Last year, I tried Weight Watchers, but it was hard to fit the expense into our budget.  After a few months, I decided to switch to simply using MyFitnessPal (MFP), a FREE app which you log in your food and activity daily.  I love it because you can scan items with barcodes and it will enter the nutritional information for you.  As much as MFP was working, I missed the motivation from the weekly weigh-ins at Weight Watchers.

In the month of April, I used the Pact app and wrote a daily journal for the magazine.  Here's how it works: each week you make a "pact" for yourself.  You state how many workouts you will do, how many days you will log your food in MFP and how many fruits/veggies you will eat.  Sounds simple enough, right?  Well, if you make your Pact, you get money- woohoo!  If you don't follow your Pact, you PAY money- booo!

How do they know if you are following your Pact? It's all in the app!

• For workouts: any 30+ minute workout is counted. You can only count one per day!
• When I go to the Y, I can log into the app and it uses the location tracker to see what gym I'm at. You have to be on location and moving for 30+ minutes for it to track.  Don't even try to leave! I forgot my headphones in the van once and it told me the workout would be counted unless I am at the gym. 
• Motion tracker: you can wear your phone/ipod on your arm and do a home/outdoor working.  I love using this when I'm running around with the girls or walking to the library.
• Steps. Use your FitBit or other approved device to sync with the app.  Once you get over 10, 000 steps, it can be counted for the day.
• Food Tracking: you have to use MyFitnessPal to track 3 or more meals per day (snacks can be counted) and over 1200 calories.  
• Fruits/Veggies: every time you eat a fruit or veggie, you snap a photo of it and members of the Pact community vote on whether it counts as a serving.  It's a simple thumbs up, thumbs down system.  The food has look like it's being eaten.  For example, when I'm eating a banana, I snap a pic after I've taken a bite out.

How do you get paid? 
Pacts end on Sunday, and payments usually go through by Wednesday.  All of the money of people who DON'T make their Pact goes into a pool and is distributed to the people who DO make their Pact, so the money can vary each week.  Also, the amount paid is based on how many Pacts you make.  IE: if you do 3 workouts you'll get paid less than 5 workouts.

I will admit, the first week it took a bit of time to get used to using the app.  I had to remember to take photos of my fruits/veggies and log in on MFP.  Sometimes I'll forget to sign in at the gym, too.  I recommend keeping your Pact low the first week or two to get adjusted, especially if you didn't use MyFitnessPal beforehand.  I slowly have started adding recipes I frequently make to save time.  On the actual MyFitnessPal website, you can add recipes MUCH faster!

I've been using Pact non-stop since April and I truly love it.  It has been the motivation I needed to get back on track with my workouts and eating.  I have made over $60 and I've only had to pay once.  You can set vacations if you know you'll be too busy to track. 

Do you use MyFitnessPal? Add me as a friend! 

 (ashleigh.hofffman at gmail dot com)

It's Spring! 5 Ways to Freshen Up Your Life!

DISCLOSURE: I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. This post is not a health care professional's opinion. All opinions are my own.

It's finally spring!  Yes, there's still snow on the ground here in Michigan, but everyone seems to have a little glimmer of hope that the cold weather is almost through.

Nicer weather is a perfect time to dust off your life and start with some fresh new habits.  I know I need to get back on track!  Here are some suggestions!

I always hear people staying they hate water.   Once you start drinking more, I think your body will start loving it...and the benefits are more than worth it!  Your skin will start glowing and your system with keep running...if you know what I mean!  One way to make water tastier is to make iced tea.  You can also add fruits, veggies or herbs to infuse your drinks...it adds so much flavor!  My favorite combo is strawberry, cucumber, mint and lemon.  I just throw it all in a pitcher and refill it as the day goes on, changing out the infusers daily.

Last summer I got this TakeYa pitcher at Costco and it's ah-mazing.  It's leak proof and you can make flash chilled tea.  If you happen to see one of these somewhere, grab it! Favorite purchase from last summer for sure!

Last week I headed to Costco to check out a new probiotic available by InSync (not to be confused with Nsync...although I do sing while taking my pill because I'm a nerd).  The price there was only $26.99 which is MUCH lower than I saw at Meijer, especially for a 3 month supply!  Yet another reason to love Costco: cheap health products! I also got some vitamins and ibuprofen with this month's coupon deal.

Taking a probiotic ensures that your body has enough beneficial bacteria for digestive system balance.  When everything is balanced, you will feel healthy on the outside!  Taking my Insync Probiotic has become a part of my morning routine.  I'm trying to take better care of myself!  Plus, with allergy season coming up (ugh!), I want my insides to be healthy.

Have you checked out the app/website MyFitnessPal yet? You can log your activity and meals to stay on track.  I really have found it helps hold me accountable.  Plus you see just how healthy (or unhealthy!) your meals are...its an eyeopener! I use my Fitbit to try to get 10K steps a day, which will be much easier when the weather warms up.  I would like to try to do one evening walk with the dog and girls.

I hate spring cleaning, but I love how everything is organized and sparkling after!  Spring is the perfect time to wash all of the curtains, dust off those high places and donate anything not being used.    If you have clothes, I highly recommend checking out Twice to sell back your clothes.  You can also list items on Freecycle or Craigslist.  I cannot wait to tackle the basement!  Anyone need a futon?

During the winter, it's easy to park in front of the TV at night and binge watch your Netflix queue (*cough* Scandal!).  Try shutting off all screens at 10 and picking up a book.  It really is a great way to unwind at night.  This one is the hardest for me!  I have been catching up with my news (okay, E News) online instead of sitting through an hour long show.  The girls have the timer set on the Kindle, so once they hit 15 minutes, it's time up!

What simple steps do you take for better health?