Healthy Helpers

On my journey to become a healthier human being 35+, I have come across some websites and tools that are fun and encouraging. Granted, I sign up for all of these things, have a million passwords to forget, and neglect them after a while. But I’m sure others who aren’t nuts like I am will prepare more carefully and select one or two that work well for them. So here is a list of healthy helpers that I’ll pass along to anyone out there interested.

Healthy Loser Gal (http://healthylosergal.blogspot.com/)
This lady is a total Positive Patty. I have never read any snarky comments from her blog, so if you’re into sarcasm, she might not be your thing. She has lost 100 pounds or more eating healthfully and exercising regularly. You can also follow her on Twitter, but watch out on Biggest Loser night; her Twitter feed is a monster!

411 Fit (https://411fit.uncc.edu/411Fit/Client/index.cfm)
You can track nutrition and fitness activities at 411Fit. What I like about this site is that it gives you a daily nutrition and fitness grade. As an INFJ (sorry, my Myers-Briggs nerdiness is creeping out), I love being graded.

SparkPeople (http://www.sparkpeople.com/)
This site is huge. You can track nutrition and exercise, join a million groups, create a blog and homepage, get and share recipes. I love it, but it overwhelms me too, which is why I vacillate between this one and 411fit (and my print journal. I warned you that I am a nutty INFJ. Our brains are messy like this).

RealAge (http://www.realage.com/)
This is a Doctor Roizen site where one can take a test that tells that all the smoking and milkshake chugging has aged him or her a good 10-15 years. A bit shocking. It tends to appeal to the older, “oh crap, I might die” audience more than the “I want to fit into last year’s jeans” crowd. But I like the recipes and I’ve just started exploring the site more. You can friend RealAge on Facebook and people write back to you. More INFJ validation.

Mariel Hemingway’s Website (http://www.marielhemingway.com/)
Mariel Hemingway’s site is quite lovely. I also follow her on Twitter, and though her crazy Blisscuits sound like dog treats rather than people snacks, she also gets kudos for being a Positive Patty and making me want to climb mountains one day.

And favorite of all favorites, the old bearded one himself, Dr Weil (http://www.drweil.com/)
I read Dr. Weil’s blog, watch his podcasts, and follow him on Twitter. Do I eat broccoli and get all my omega 3s (or is it 6s?) in every day (along with traditional green tea ceremonies, antioxidants, yoga, meditation, and brisk 45-minute walks)? No. But I aspire to, and he always seems so peaceful. Not a bad way to live.

There are many more that I frequent and some that I’ve just begun to explore (http://cheaphealthygood.blogspot.com/, http://blogs.yogajournal.com/, Bob Harper’s crazy tweets about eating vegan loafs, etc.) but this is a list of some of my favorites. Comment away if you have more to share!