So we’ve all downloaded various apps to help us keep track of our busy lives. I have apps that track my calories, my workouts, my moods and cycles, my daily to-dos, ect. It can all be overwhelming and time consuming to access these apps several times a day. Sometimes I even long for a pen and paper! When Nudge and Runkeeper merged I was stoked! Two of the apps I access numerous times a day are now one in my world. Now when I take that afternoon run using Runkeeper, it simultaneously syncs into my Nudge account, meaning I no longer have to log my workouts in Nudge. How awesome is that!?

A recent study shows social networks have a positive effect on healthy behavioral change. Everything from smoking and diets to preventative screening and exercise have been tagged as lifestyle changes improved by interaction with online networks.

Obesity is a consistent topic in America both with children and adults and we've all heard the statistics. Between 16 to 33 percent of children and adolescents and over 35 percent of adults are obese. It's clear to see why this is viewed as such an epidemic since adult obesity was less than 12% in 1990 - a 200% increase in the last 20 years.

The final regulations were released on May 29, 2013 by the U.S. Departments of the Treasury, Labor (DOL) regarding wellness program provisions in the Affordable Care Act. There are two categories of wellness programs that are identified in the regulations which are "participatory wellness programs" and "health-contingent wellness programs". The participatory wellness programs are basically unchanged from the current 2006 regulations - participatory wellness programs must comply with HIPAA nondescrimination requirements as long as the participants dont have to meet additional standards and it's available to all employees.