Congratulations to the winner of the Athlete Inspired necklace, Kristi Ikerd!
Ok y’all, it’s giveaway time!! Jenifer from Athlete Inspired has offered to give away another one of her awesome RUN necklaces to one of my followers! If you’ve pictures of me, you know that I absolutely love my RUN necklace and wear it all of the time. It’s super comfy to wear while on a run and I even sleep in it!
These necklaces are:
Light weight and comfortable
All original design
Genuine leather
Lead and nickel safe
Available in lengths of 16 or 18 inches
I love that it goes great with running clothes or regular clothes!
By the way, if you’re looking for other athletic jewelry or just want to grab a RUN necklace now, Athlete Inspired has a ton of other items to choose from! Be sure to use the coupon code “slowfast15″! This will get you 15% OFF EVERYTHING thru April 30th when you check out! (Mother’s Day is coming up!)
I was offered the chance to try out MealEnders and do a review as a Sweat Pink Ambassador and was curious to learn more about them. My habit of snacking between meals isn’t nearly as bad as it used to be but there are some days (like after a long run) that I seem to want to snack more than others. If you know me, then you know I do not advocate skipping meals because it’s extremely important to nourish your body. These are not for that…they are for those times when you’ve had a meal and it’s time to tell your belly that you’ve had enough. Have you ever had that feeling about 20 mins after a meal of “Why did I eat those last 2 bites??!!” Yeah, me too. That’s because it takes a little time for the brain to figure out that your belly has had enough. Also, these help with those times that you want to pop a snack in your mouth (maybe out of boredom or habit) when you really aren’t that hungry.
Here’s a description of what they are:
A first of its kind weight management product, MealEnders are low calorie, drug and stimulant free Signaling Lozenges, designed to help people learn to avoid overeating and master portion control by clearing the desire to consume more than needed from the mouth and mind. Unlike extreme diets, meal replacements, appetite suppressants or supplements that focus solely on your stomach, MealEnders work with the body’s natural hunger rhythms using a combination of behavioral, psychology and sensory science.
How they work:
MealEnders consist of two components: a sweet, outer reward layer and a cooling/tingling inner core. The outer layer provides a measured dose of “dessert,” usuall associated with the end of a meal. The inner core engages the trigeminal nerve (the nerve that senses “taste” sensations in themouth) with long-lasting cooling/tingling sensations to cue the end of eating and clear the palate. By keeping your mouth and mind occupied for up to 20 minutes (the Overeating Zone when you are full, but often continue to eat because your brain has not yet received the “fullness” signal), MealEnders naturally transition you away from the desire to overindulge, giving your body’s natural satiety process time to catch up and let you know you’re full.
MealEnders are a tool, not a magic elixir, and work on a behavioral, sensory and psychological level in the following ways:
BEHAVIORAL
Establish an important chronological marker for meal and snack end
Fill the 20 minute gap until normal satiety signals reach the brain
Create a pause in eating patterns so healthier behaviors may be established
Break the cycle of eating and chewing
SENSORY
Provide a measured sweet cue for dessert replacement, followed by a palate cleansing to reduce cravings
Engage taste receptors to transition you away from foods being consumed
Alter anticipated taste of additional food
Temporarily modify olfactory perception -‐ often a cause of overeating
PSYCHOLOGICAL
Heighten mindfulness of natural digestive rhythms
Create habitual cueing of meal completion
Train the mind to recognize healthy portion sizes
Empower a sense of control
How and when to use them:
Just as behavioral techniques can be modified to meet a variety of situations, MealEnders can be adapted to meet an individual’s needs.
When to Use:
At the end of a meal to replace dessert.
When you feel the urge to finish a large plate of food, just because it’s there.
When you crave a second helping but don’t feel hungry.
When you want to snack on junk food between meals.
How to Use:
Identify your moment of temptation and instead of dessert, another helping, or a snack, enjoy a Signaling Lozenge.
Savor the lozenge; allow to completely dissolve. No chewing or biting!
Feel the active taste sensations cleanse the palate and stimulate both your mouth and mind, giving your brain time to realize you’ve had enough to eat.
For best results, use consistently and combine them with a healthy diet and exercise.
I was sent 4 packages (25 pieces each) of MealEnders to try out for my review. The flavors were Citrus, Mocha, Cinnamon and Chocolate Mint. Out of the 4, I really liked the Chocolate Mint the best. To me, it was more like something I’d have after a meal at a restaurant. My husband preferred the Mocha flavor, but he’s more of a coffee person.
Want to try some for yourself? They’re also providing one of my readers 4 bags of their own!
Purina contacted me and wanted me to let you know about a great contest they have going right now until December 30th!
They’re giving one person the opportunity to check out some really talented dogs at the Incredible Dog Challenge Western Regionals in Huntington Beach, California.
Anyone can enter with no purchase necessary for a chance to win an incredible prize that includes:
2 round-trip plane tickets to Huntington Beach, CA for the Incredible Dog Challenge® Western Regionals
Bring out the best in your dog! Formulated by experts. Trusted by pros. From dry food to wet entrees to nutritional supplement bars, Purina Pro Plan products are formulated to help you bring out the full potential in your dog.
To add to the fun, Purina has offered to partner with me to do a giveaway of my own! All you need to do is post a picture of your dog and tell me why your dog was great in 2014. Did he/she learn a new trick, tackle the stairs or (finally!) make friends with the cat? To enter, simply head over to Instagram and tag me (@ginasitnf) and Purina (@proplan) with your pooch pics and use the hashtag #GreatDog2014. The contest ends on 12/29/2014 and three winners will receive a coupon for a free bag of Purina Pro Plan ($17.99 value)!!
This is one of my fur babies, Buddy, smiling for the camera in his Santa outfit. #GreatDog2014
Our dog, Jake, enjoying the snow. #GreatDog2014
I can’t wait to hear about your furry friends!! It’s your chance to brag! See you on Instagram and good luck!!
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored in partnership with Purina Pro Plan. All opinions are my own.
You’ve most likely heard of Les Mills, the creator of training programs such as BODYCOMBAT™ (martial arts), BODYPUMP™(weights), RPM™ (indoor cycling) and its recent LES MILLS GRIT™ Series (30-minute high intensity interval training). Now there’s a new exercise concept that they’ve developed with Reebok that’s like no other. It’s called Immersive Fitness™.
The following video stars Genevieve Aitken, a 25-year-old stunt performer and actress whose recent projects include Mad Max, The Hobbit trilogy and Evil Dead. Here’s a preview into what it means to be fully immersed in your workout:
The Project: IMMERSIVE FITNESS™ surrounds participants with cinema quality video content projected onto screens of a purpose-built studio. Instructors cue exercise moves synchronized perfectly with music and graphics, creating a truly immersive fitness experience. The new concept is the integration of technology, exercise education and creative design.
Together Reebok and Les Mills are showcasing fitness in the digital age. The Project: IMMERSIVE FITNESS™ draws inspiration from live music performance technology and 360° cinema to take the studio workouts to the next level.
“The Project adds a rich visual experience to music and group exercise choreography,” said Les Mills Program Director Les Mills Jr. “Participants taking part in a cycle class may find themselves riding up an impossibly steep glacier or sprinting their way around a digital velodrome. In a dance class you might be immersed in a tent at a music festival, where everybody’s dancing together.”
Phillip Mills, Chief Executive of Les Mills said, “The concept of ‘Immersive Fitness’ is all about what the fitness community refer to as the ‘zone’ – that state of mind where people are performing at their peak; a place of focus, achievement and fulfillment. At Les Mills, we have been creating group workout environments that lead people to the zone for 30 years; through music, choreography and rock star instructors. The Project really takes the zone to the next level and we, along with our collaborator Reebok, are so thrilled to share this brand new fitness experience with the world.”
Following its debut in London, The Project: IMMERSIVE FITNESS™ will make a promotional tour of major European cities including Stockholm, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris and Milan, giving fitness enthusiasts the opportunity to experience the new program free of charge. A wider consumer launch in Europe and the United States is planned for 2015. Currently, there are plans for a US tour in 2015 that would feature pop-up, purpose built studios to allow consumers to try the experience.
The dates and cities of the tour are TBD, but you can receive updates. Sign up for updates here or follow along on Instagram: http://instagram.com/thepr0ject
What do you think about this next level of fitness? I think this sounds amazing and is something that would be a lot fun to participate in!!
The next level of fitness is here. IMMERSIVE FITNESS™ surrounds participants with cinema quality video content projected onto screens of a purpose-built studio. Exercise moves synchronize perfectly with music and graphics, creating a truly immersive fitness experience. Learn more!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Les Mills. The opinions and text are all mine.
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Recently, I was given the opportunity to review Pure LYFT Clean Caffeine Sticks through #SweatPink. Since I am a coffee drinker, I was curious about how I’d like them and how they’d compare to my cup of coffee in the morning. I mixed mine with a glass of water and some lemon slices. I didn’t notice any taste/aftertaste that I’ve sometimes noticed in other drinks that have caffeine added to them and it seemed to give me the energy boost I was looking for.
Here’s some information about their product:
Clean Taste
Can be used with a variety of different beverages from water to freshly pressed juices to coconut water
Vibrant Alertness
No artificial flavors, sweeteners or preservatives
Caffeine equivalent to one tall coffee
Zero Calories
Pure LYFT Energy Stir Sticks are a cool, new way to get all natural caffeine and stir energy into any beverage you’re drinking. The energy is derived from all natural green coffee bean extract and has vitamins A and B complex. With 0 calories and a clean taste, it’s a perfect pre-workout boost, gets you over that 3pm slump, or to keep your energy up while you’re painting the town red!
It’s also the perfect alternative to sugary energy drinks and shots. And if you’re ditching soda, LYFT gets the caffeine (equal to one tall coffee) you miss without the chemicals and calories. You can easily stash it in your gym bag or even a small purse, making it an easy, lightweight, on-the-go option for energy.
How to use: Simply peel down the label completely off the whole stick and remove it. Stir the stick into any beverage for approximately 20 seconds. Toss the stick or keep it in your glass.
In my opinion, if you’re looking to switch things up or if you’re not a coffee drinker but looking for a caffeine boost, this works great! I can’t say that I’ll be giving up my cups of coffee but this is a great alternative to mix into a cold glass of water or lemonade – especially on these hot, summer days in Mississippi!
When I was a young girl, my mom would remind me constantly that I needed to stand up straight, not only because it improved my appearance but because it was good for me. Even though I didn’t think much about it back then, I’ve since realized that she knew what she was talking about. As a runner, I’ve learned that good posture is extremely important. I don’t always have correct posture when I run and I definitely notice the side effects of it.
May is National Correct Posture Month and Backjoy wants to help make you more aware of the benefits of sitting or standing up straight. They recently contacted me and asked if I’d like to participate in their #PosturePledge and were kind enough to send me a SitSmart Posture Plus and a Stress Roller to try out.
Here’s what Backjoy says about their #PosturePledge campaign:
May is National Correct Posture Month and BackJoy is taking a stand—up straight, that is! Pledge to make posture top of mind when you sit, stand, sleep and move throughout the month and we’ll send you aFREE SitSmart Posture Plus in return.
Small actions, one day at a time, can have lasting, positive changes…and better posture will help you breathe better, lower stress hormones, build confidence and achieve greater focus and energy—not to mention you’ll have less back pain!
Pick your #PosturePledge action for May:
1.) Improve sitting posture at work 2.) Ditch the heels and invest in “zero drop” shoes 3.) Sleep on your side or back instead of your stomach 4.) Be conscious of “technology posture” and “text neck” – The 3 T’s: Texting, Tablet, TV (Gaming) 5.) Incorporate core exercises into your workout routine 6.) When you lift heavy things (weights, boxes, kids), bend at the knees, not the back 7.) Tell your mom “thanks”! She was right—sit and stand up straight. 8.) Consult with a posture professional (PT, chiropractor, ergonomist) 9.) Stretch—do pilates, yoga, swimming… 10.) Eat healthy and watch your weight
Here’s how it works:
Submit your name, email and mailing address in the fields below and tell us which #PosturePledge you’re committing to for the month.
Be one of the first 500 people to take the #PosturePledge and BackJoy will mail you a FREE SitSmart Posture Plus* (a $40 value) to help you on your posture journey and enter you to win the full suite of BackJoy products. Once 500 people have taken the #PosturePledge, any additional pledgers will be entered to win BackJoy’s grand prize.
I’ve decided that my #PosturePledge is #7 (Thanks Mom!) and #7 (I definitely need to work on my posture when I’m texting or on my laptop). What’s yours? If you’re ready to take their pledge, click the picture below and enter for your chance to win a SitSmart Posture Plus!!
Click here for a few more tips from their blog about the 10 Posture Pledges. You can also check them out on Twitter and Pinterest!
My husband and I are always looking for ways to improve our running and as you probably know, recovery is a big part of that. I was so excited when Vega Sport asked me to try out their Recovery Accelerator.
Even though we aren’t currently training for a marathon, we are still always wanting to make sure we recover the best we can after we finish our speed drills or hill training during 5k/10k racing season.
I received my box in the mail just a couple of days before I ran in our local 5k race, which has a very hilly course. I decided to try it out after the race that day since I knew that I’d be running really hard and dealing with lots of hills.
I will first say that I’m not vegan so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I tried it but was pleasantly surprised. The flavor was “Tropical” and I thought it had a really good taste and not a bad aftertaste either. I didn’t notice as much muscle soreness like I sometimes do when I race on hills. My son, who also runs and bikes, tried it after a hard workout and noticed a faster recovery time.
Here’s what Vega Sport says about their Recover Accelerator:
The first all-natural, plant-based recovery drink mix specifically developed to address all six key elements of post-workout recovery: muscle glycogen replenishment, muscle tissue repair and protein synthesis, hormonal support, soft-tissue repair, immune system support, inflammation reduction and rehydration.
The unique formula of Recovery Accelerator features an innovative blend of synergistic plant-based ingredients, like glucosamine, maca, devil’s claw, L-arginine and American ginseng, specifically selected to: replenish energy and electrolytes, reduce inflammation, muscle and joint pain, support immune system24 and protein synthesis, and reduce recovery time between training.
Vega Sport Recovery Accelerator also features a 4:1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein, a combination shown to increase muscle glycogen re-synthesis – a crucial component of post-workout recovery.
All in all, I’d say it’s been working well for me and I look forward to using it more during my training – especially after some longer runs when we begin our marathon training again!
Disclosure: I received Vega Sport Recovery Accelerator in exchange for my review as part ofthe Fuel Your Better campaign by Vega Sport and Fit Approach. All opinions expressed are my own.
This isn’t running related but is something I think you might be interested in checking out!
Have you heard of Beamly? I hadn’t until recently but think it’s a really great concept! With a busy household, my husband and I don’t get to watch a ton of TV shows (unless it’s on one of the many children’s channels) but when we do, we like to find a really great series or two to watch. Sometimes, it’s just as much fun to sit and talk about what happened or what we think/wish would happen nexton those shows!
With Beamly, you can do just that! It’s a social network for TV where you can go chat with fellow fans and get the latest news and updates on all of your favorite shows!
Two of our favorite shows are Game of Thrones and The Blacklist. (By the way, am I the only one that thinks Red, played by James Spader, could be also be played by John Lithgow??)
For the next 4 weeks, I’m collaborating with Beamly and will be contributing in some of the rooms. I’ve already set up my profile and would love for you to follow me so we can discuss our favorite shows! (New ones or the old stand-bys like Seinfeld.) You can use it on your computer or download the free app for iPhone, iPad, or Android.
What are some of your favorite shows to watch? Are there some that we’re missing out on and need to watch?
Hope to see you there!
Beamly is THE 24 X 7 social and content network for TV and TV fans. Join me today in TV conversations and get the latest juice and gossip about your favorite shows!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Zeebox. The opinions and text are all mine.
Anyone that knows me knows that I’m the type of person that likes to wear running clothes that are cute and do their job too. I like to wear something that makes me feel good about the way I look, even if I’m the only one that sees it because I’m upstairs on the treadmill. There’s just something about feeling good in the clothes that I have on that gives me a mental boost when I’m running. Because of that, I was so excited to receive a piece of clothing from Heidi Klum’s New Balance line to try out! Recently, New Balance teamed up with Heidi Klum to launch their new Heidi Klum for New Balance collection (HKNB). This collection is one part Heidi and one part New Balance, as you can see in the pictures below:
What I really liked about this top was that it’s super lightweight and, since it’s mesh, it’s properly ventilated. Perfect for our hot, sticky summers here in the South! I also thought the lavender color (Cosmic Sky) was really pretty too.
Here’s how the Heidi Klum for New Balance site describes this great top:
Women’s Fitness – HKNB Mesh Singlet
“The cutout in the back is super-hot, but it also has a bit of a tougher, tomboy feel; the combination ends up feeling sexy.” — Heidi Klum Head-turning and heart-pumping, the Heidi Klum for New Balance Mesh Singlet heats up your workout in more than one way. This women’s tank features breezy allover mesh with iridescent trim, plus an unexpected cutout back. Oh, and the cutout lines up perfectly with the HKNB Hottie Bra, so you can feel supported and sexy.
Type:Running
Features
Heidi Klum for New Balance
Iridescent details
As a busy mom, I have to sometimes put my running gear on earlier in the day (so I can get a run in as soon as time becomes available) which means I might be out running errands or picking up the kids from school while wearing it. It’s nice to know that I can still feel like I’m dressed cute even when I’m in workout clothes!
If you’d like to see more of her line, you can visit the HKNB site or you can check out my Pinterest board. I pinned a few of the items that I thought would be great to wear when I go run or run errands!
When you’re looking for workout/running clothes, do you look for the kinds that work (sweat wicking, comfortable, light weight) and look cute too? Are you like me and own more running clothes and shoes than “normal” clothes? 🙂 It’s great to know that now we don’t have to choose between quality gear and something that looks nice.
Happy Running!
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Heidi Klum for New Balance through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Heidi Klum for New Balance, all opinions are my own.
By the way, if you’re looking for last minute gifts, Athlete Inspired has a ton of other items to choose from! Be sure to use the coupon code below when you check out!
SLOW IS THE NEW FAST 
