5 Free helpful weight loss and fitness websites

Free is always good. The weight loss market is a multi-billion dollar business. Between DVDs, exercise equipment, gym memberships, special foods, cookbooks, food scales etc., one could spend a fortune just trying to lose a few pounds. So, the search was on to find FREE websites that help with weight loss efforts and the results are as follows:

Calorie Counters

No matter what anyone says, when trying to lose weight, the body must burn more calories than it takes in. Portion size is one of the biggest culprits concerning weight loss and most people don't want to be bothered with weighing foods and counting calories.

Well, here is a way that is not cumbersome and can even be fun. The site is called Tweet what you eat and it allows you to track food and weight by the web, or by mobile phone, using the social-networking site Twitter. Just visit tweetwhatyoueat.com and enter your Twitter login information. You can create an account if you don't currently have one. The cool part is, direct messages can be sent from Twitter to tweetwhatyoueat. You can list what you eat and the site will fill in the calorie content for you.

Sparkpeople.com is a great comprehensive diet and fitness free website that offers a calorie counter and suggested meal plans. There is also a fitness plan and a calories burned calculator. Just register here and have access to the free weight loss tools and resources.

Exercise and Fitness Videos

Exercise videos for any type of workout can be found all over the Internet. But good free videos that are structured to provide instruction on specific exercises and great workouts are not easy to find.

But, the Sparkpeople website comes through again. They offer workouts such as, New YOU Boot Camp, Coach Nicole's Butt-Blasting Workout, and the 15-Minute Desk Workout  to name a few. Their workout videos are to the point, easy to follow, and best of all, FREE.

Workoutz.com is another free site that offers exceptional specific exercise videos. They have exercise videos for the legs, chest, abs, back and arms. In addition to, specialty training such as, yoga, stretching, kettlebells, speed and agility and workout programs for chest and triceps, legs, abs, back and biceps, arm and total body workout. There are over 100 free videos on this site. Check it out.

 Healthy Restaurant Locaters

Eating out has caused many dieters to fall of the wagon. The portions are huge and it's just so easy to get all wrapped up in the excitement of "eating out". Now, there are healthy restaurant locators to the rescue, so healthier choices can be made before entering the restaurant.

Goodfoodnearyou.com can find the lowest-calorie entree at 20 nearby restaurants. Enter a zip code and goodfoodnearyou.com will find the best choices within the zip code along with nutritional information for all items on the menu. Results can be searched by lowest calories, lowest carbs, lowest fat and by distance. A mobile phone application is available for the BlackBerry and iphone.

HealthyDiningFinder.com provides detailed nutritional information for the dietitian-approved healthy menu items available at over 60,000 fast food and family-style national chain restaurants. The information includes total calories, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, protein, carbohydrates, fiber and vegetable/fruit servings

Photo Credit: diet and fitness clinic