From counting calories to tracking the miles you run, monitoring your workout plan can start to seem like it’s taking over your life. These innovative smartphone apps can simplify the way that you track your workouts, and they may even make your routine more effective, as well!

FitnessBuilder
Just like a personal trainer right in your pocket, FitnessBuilder guides you through complex workout programs and offers detailed instructions on any moves that you’re unfamiliar with. It also provides statistics like fat loss, weight loss, and strength progress that you can convert into PDF form and email or print as often as you like.

Daily Burn
This is the ideal app for just about anyone on any device, from your computer to your iPhone and even your Playstation console. It offers a number of workout videos for a wide variety of exercises, and you can even track how your results compare to other users online.

MyFitnessPal
With MyFitnessPal, you’ll never have to rack your brain counting calories again. The app determines how many calories you should consume daily based on your current weight, age, and weight loss goals, and then it compares the food you eat throughout the day to that number. The incredibly large database contains nutrition information for just about any food or drink imaginable, so you’ll always know how many calories you have left to take in.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/tabor-roeder

Looking for some indoor fun for the kids? Head for Chibis Indoor Playground, where little ones can play indoors, no matter what the weather's like outdoors.

This popular spot off the Loudon County Parkway gives kids the opportunity to run and jump in a totally safe environment. If you have a toddler, you’ll like the 400-square-foot playground just for little tikes under the age of three. It’s separated from the "big kid" area, so you know your child can play safely. The big kids’ playground has a climbing structure that every kid will love, as well as many other interactive features. (This is a socks-only zone, so it’s also safe.)

Open Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Chibis Indoor Playground is also a great place for birthday parties.

Chibis Indoor Playground
44675 Cape Court
Ashburn, VA 20147
(571) 918-0310
http://www.chibisindoorplayground.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chibis-indoor-playground-ashburn

Public Domain/Freeimagescollection

You love the fresh, clean feeling of having all of your laundry done, but getting there is a whole different story. Laundry day may be time-consuming, but there are ways to make it easier. Here are a few tips to help you organize your laundry and get it done in half the time.

1. Sort laundry without even trying. It takes a lot of time to sort through your mountain of dirty clothes and separate the lights from the darks. Invest in a three-compartment hamper to do the sorting for you.
2. Bleach more effectively. Bleaching seems like a fool-proof way to remove stains from white clothing, but it doesn’t always work as effectively as you’d like. The proper way to bleach clothes is by first letting the clothing soak in a pool of water. Add one cup of bleach and one cup of dishwashing detergent and let it soak for about half an hour. Finally, dump the whole thing into the washing machine and wash as you normally would.
3. Prevent damage. To reduce fading, turn dark colored items inside out before washing. Use the cold water setting to prevent clothes from shrinking, and then hang them to dry instead of using the dryer. Also, only wash delicates, like bras and underwear, in a lingerie bag on the delicate cycle.
4. Invest in a drying rack. Rather than tossing delicate items over the shower curtain rod or rigging some other kind of makeshift drying rack, invest in the real deal. They're usually inexpensive, and they fold into a flat shape to tuck away when not in use.

10 Tips and Tricks for Easier Laundry Days [Yahoo!]
Easy Laundry Tips [The Nest]
How to Do Laundry More Effectively [Babble]
13 Ways to Make Laundry Day Easier [BHG]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Wicker Paradise