Meet Nanci! Featured Blogger

Meet my sweet friend, Nanci!

I have been motivated by Nanci over the last year. She has been killing it on the pavement and at Weight Watchers! You need to follow Nanci! She is the real deal! She and I met through the Tampa Bay Bloggers. We are a community of bloggers who often work together. It is truly one of the greatest group of friends I have found. 

Name: Nanci Cernak State: FL

When and why did you start working out? 
I first joined a gym just out of high school and have worked out in some form or fashion ever since then. I have been through phases of gym memberships and working out at home for over 20 years now. I have always been self-conscious about how I look. I started running – briefly – in 2006 to lose weight. I started again in 2011 after a miscarriage, failed infertility treatments, and losing my dad all caught up with me and I realized I needed to take care of myself. In 2012, running became a big part of my life and this year it has become even more so.

What is your workout of choice?
Running. It is my therapy and has helped me tremendously this year with weight loss, stress, and becoming a much stronger person.

What is your favorite race, race distance, and WOD? 
To date, my favorite race is probably the Sarasota Half Marathon because I PR’d there in March of this year and finally finished under 3 hours. I am really hoping to PR again this Sunday at the Women’s Half in St. Pete!

What is your most favorite piece of workout gear? 
I have two… My Brooks Glycerin 10 running shoes and my Garmin Forerunner 100 watch.

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your workouts? 
After successfully losing 27 pounds on Weight Watchers back in 2006 and then putting it back on, I decided to go back again on January 1st of this year, making 2013 my year to lose weight. I set a goal of 40 pounds and I am down 27 pounds so far. Weight Watchers works for me. Nothing is off limits if I have the points, I love the meetings, and I need the accountability of the weekly weigh-ins.

What is your favorite cheat food?  
Wings and beer. So bad, but so good. I firmly believe in working hard and playing hard, and enjoying my favorite cheat food is a necessity!

What advice would you give someone just starting out? 
Don’t give up. Do what you can, when you can. Don’t have an all-or-nothing mentality when it comes to working out or losing weight. What is your best workout memory? 
When I ran my first half marathon in 2012, I had an average pace of almost 14:00. I would walk more than I ran. Now, I run much more than I walk. I can run a full 3 miles without a walk break, and have done a couple 5 mile runs without a walk break as well. I believe walk breaks are fine – and important – but it is a huge thing for me to run non-stop for 30+ minutes. My best pace to date is 09:37 – that was on a 3 mile run. Pretty darn awesome!

What is your biggest “FIT BUCKET LIST” item? 
Even though I swore I would never do a full marathon, I want to train for one in 2014 and complete one in 2015.

Tell us something that not many people know about you?  
Contrary to what people may think, I am very shy and I always worry and wonder what people think of me. My blog has helped me step out of my comfort zone, to open up a lot more and I am becoming a much more confident person.

How we can connect with Nanci: Blog: http://thiscrazylifeofmine.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuntNanci Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nanci.cernak Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/auntnanci/boards/ Instagram: http://instagram.com/auntnanci#

Do you have a success story like Nanci? I want to hear it!!!

The Color Run Fun!

THE COLOR RUN! 

The Color Run has exploded since its debut last year with more than 2 million "likes" on Facebook and more than 7 million views on YouTube. The Color Run has recently been featured on ESPN, Runner’s World, Sports Illustrated andWall Street Journal, to name a few.

With no winners or official times, The Color Run celebrates healthiness, happiness, and individuality, bringing the community together to create a five-kilometer canvas of colorful fun in which thousands of participants are doused from head to toe in different colors at each kilometer.

Last year, Bryce and I ran our first color race in St. Petersburg. It was so much fun. 

This January, 26, Bryce and I will run it again! We are thrilled to be a part of it! We will be running in Clearwater, Florida!

CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE FOR A RACE NEAR YOU! 

http://thecolorrun.com/ 

If you enter the code: COLOR5OFF you can save $5!

Announcing the 2014 Kaleidoscope Tour! We're hitting your cities like never before... Amazing new participant gear, Fresh music, and Color crazy race attractions. This is 5K Magic like only The Color Run can do.

“We call The Color Run the ‘happiest 5K on the planet’ because our events bring together friends and family in a unique, healthy, and fun environment,” said Travis Snyder, founder of The Color Run. “Our only rules are that people wear white and prepare to be covered in color at the finish!”

The Color Run visited over 50 cities last year with more than 600,000 participants, a feat following their first event in January of 2012. They plan to make 2013 a stellar year, launching more than 170 events with well over 1 million participants.

“Color Runners,” as they are called, vary in demographics and reasons for running. With no winners or official times, The Color Run caters to anyone – first time runners to professional athletes. Over 60 percent of Color Runners are first-time 5k runners and participate as a celebration and capstone of their healthy living accomplishments. 

Have you ever done The Color Run?  Would you?

Verizon Galaxy S4 and ISIS

disclosure: The following post is sponsored by Fitfluential LLC on behalf of Verizon Wireless.

As a busy, single mom, I am in desperate need of organization. With a new phone, comes a new opportunity for organization!  Verizon offered me a chance to upgrade my Motorola Razr to a different smart phone. I had the opportunity to try the Galaxy S4 or the iphone. I jumped at the chance to get the Galaxy S4. I am a Droid-snob. LOL... Honestly, I love that platform and would hate to switch over. Sometimes I think I am crazy since I have an iPad and a MacBook, but I really love what my Droid can do. After researching the Galaxy S4, I HAD to have it. This was the first thing I read about the Galaxy S4 on the Samsung website. http://www.samsung.com/global/microsite/galaxys4/

Life companion

Make your life richer, simpler, and more fun.
As a real life companion, the new Samsung GALAXY S4 helps bring us
closer and captures those fun moments when we are together.
Each feature was designed to simplify our daily lives.
Furthermore, it cares enough to monitor our health and well-being.
To put it simply, the Samsung GALAXY S4 is there for you.

A life companion??? YES please~ I love this phone. The pictures it takes are unbelievable. It has different settings for the camera too. I have no excuse to miss a photo, and there are always opportunities for pictures with a busy 10 year old around. The coolest part is that with the photo, I can record a sound to go with it. It's so interactive!

This phone can also detect when I am not looking at it and shut itself off. It can also scroll as I read just by my eyes. 

One thing I haven't tried yet but will soon is S Health. This is really cool. There is even a scale I can purchase that syncs with my phone. I can't wait to learn more about this.

my son and his best buddy~

And the coolest thing (In my opinion) is sliding my hand across the screen for a screenshot :) 
<---------------
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There is so much to learn!! I love exploring with this phone.  I am really excited about the  super-fast Verizon 4G LTE service.  




Verizon introduces Isis Mobile Wallet
http://vz.to/1bv07tu http://vz.to/17uHAhy




Yep, now we no longer need a wallet! I love it! My phone goes everywhere with me. Many times I have left my wallet at home, but I never leave my phone. This is amazing and easy! Yup, that means no more GIANT wallet in your back pocket or digging through your purse trying to find your wallet.

• How ISIS works:
• Tap to Pay. The Isis Mobile Wallet holds virtual versions of many things your existing wallet does including your credit cards from participating providers. Just tap your phone to pay at any Isis-Ready merchant.
• Save with offers. Your offers, deals and promotions are also stored in the Wallet, so you always have them with you, organized and ready to use.
• Simplify loyalty cards. You can also add your loyalty cards from participating merchants. You know, the ones crowding your keychain and weighing down your wallet.
• Safety:
• PIN protection: Your wallets accessed can only be opened by entering a unique 4 digit PIN that you set.
• Remote wallet locking: If your device is lost, you can visit My Verizon to remotely suspend your wallet.
• Personal privacy: Isis values your privacy. What you buy is between you and the merchants you patronize.
  
  

Do you want to learn more?
Fitfluential and Verizon are chatting on Twitter on

November 18 at 9pm EST! Use the hashtag #VZWFF and 

you could win a Samsung Note 3 and Samsung Galaxy S4. 

(How awesome are these prizes???)

I hope to see you there!
Are you starting to feel like we are becoming the Jetsons? 

What do you think about a mobile wallet? 

Featured Blogger: Susan... The Foodette

Happy Sunday! Meet Susan... 

Name: Susan

State: TEXAS!

When and why did you start working out?

before

I played soccer and danced in middle/high school. In college I knew I was gaining weight, but I kept telling myself that it was only a little. I would visit my apartment gym maybe once a week and do light elliptical for 30 minutes. It was not enough. When I saw my graduation pictures I was mortified. I was so embarrassed to send them out. I started running with my dog (letting her pull me for as long as I could take it) and eventually started lifting weights and converted to a low carb/low calorie lifestyle. I started my blog to track and share my healthy meals. A year after I started, I had shed 20 pounds and run my first half marathon!

What is your workout of choice?

I like boot camp style workouts. I like a variety and a challenge!

after

What is your favorite race, race distance, and WOD? 
Run for the Water is my favorite race here in Austin, it's a challenging 10miler for an amazing cause-- my favorite distance, however, is the 10k.

What is your most favorite piece of workout gear? My Moving Comfort Sports Bra!

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your workouts? 
higher protein, lower carb meals- no carbs at dinner. I try to eat tons of fruits and veggies every day!

What is your favorite cheat food?
ice cream, chocolate, creamy jalepeno dip and chips, oh was I supposed to list just one? I'm a food blogger!

What advice would you give someone just starting out?
Starting is the hardest part. Rome wasn't built in a day, but part of it was! Keep going!

What is your best workout memory?
Finishing my first half marathon. I cried. It hurt, but it felt SO GOOD.

What is your biggest “FIT BUCKET LIST” item?
FitBloggin 2014, & a Disney Princess Half Marathon!

Tell us something that not many people know about you?

M&M Cookie Pie.... you may have pinned it. Yea, that's my recipe. :-)

We can connect with you:

Blog: www.thefoodette.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefoodette

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFoodette

Pinterest: pinterest.com/soozind

Instagram: https://instagram.com/thefoodette

I loved learning about you! You need to go to FitBloggin for sure! We had such a great time, and I learned so much. It's a must!  Thank you for sharing! 

Update on My Crazy Life!

The first thing I need to say is Thank you to all of the veterans out there. We are so blessed for all that you and your family sacrifice. I pray for you every single day and thank you! God Bless! 

Thanks to https://www.facebook.com/FunnyCopImages
for this picture. Thank you Sarah for finding it.

It has been over 2 weeks since my last post. I have had so much happening, and I have started to get anxiety about getting back into writing. I feel a little overwhelmed by everything going on in my life.
I am super busy at work, and I haven't gotten to the gym yet, so I worried that I wouldn't have much to tell you. Then I realized that I need to just write... so here goes!

I am ready to get back into a routine. This past month and a half has been really tough with the stress of wondering if there was something seriously wrong with me or if I would have to have surgery over my medical issues. Things are looking good!

I am hoping to get back to the gym this week. I have done some walks, and this week, I plan to do some jogging. I look forward to it! Gosh, I miss it!

I am so ready to get back to this with my cleaning assistant :) 

What is your plan for the week? Are you training for something?

Meet My Friend Kat!

This week's featured blogger is someone I met about a year ago. She and I connected before I knew any bloggers in person. My first impression of Kat was that this girl was beautiful. She is super fit and kind on the inside as well. I think I just assumed that she was one of those people who was just naturally fit. I was shocked to find out that Kat has worked really hard to get where she is and nothing comes easily. I think it was an eye opener for me in the fitness blogging world. All of us have a story. You need to check out Kat's. She is truly inspirational!

I almost forgot too... Kat is participating in the Marine Corp Marathon this weekend! Good Luck girl!

Name: Katrina P

State: Florida

When and why did you start working out? 

Back in 2005 I started a fitness journey since I gained weight through college. However, I didn't do it the right way, hoping fat burners would do the trick. They did, but temporarily and with side effects. So, I began running in 2007 with 5ks and slowly built up to a half marathon that I did last year - 6 more after and now will do my first marathon at Marine Corps Marathon 10/27/13. Living a healthy and fit life helps you to ENJOY life that much more fully!

What is your workout of choice? 

Running or High Intensity Interval Training Circuits/Tabata

What is your favorite race, race distance, and WOD? 

My favorite race to date was the Disneyland Half marathon, race distance is the half marathon, and WOD - I attempted crossfit and didn't stick with it, I use various circuits when I strength train. My favorite exercise is the push press and the pushup knee-to-elbow

What is your most favorite piece of workout gear? 

Good sneakers!

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your workouts?

I eat a mixed ratio of carbs/fat/protein. I aim for .80 g of protein per lb I weigh. I also eat tons of veggies and avoid starches if I can. Through marathon training my body's craved more of those starches and I don't fight it. After training is over, I'm attempting the Whole 30!

What is your favorite cheat food? 

Frozen yogurt

What advice would you give someone just starting out? 

Start slow and don't compare yourself to anyone but yourself! Set attainable goals that you can achieve and focus on!

What is your best workout memory? 

Sub 2 hour finish at my first half marathon and again at half marathon #5

What is your biggest “FIT BUCKET LIST”item? 

Achieving the 6 half marathons in 6 months, To complete my first marathon, to compete in a figure competition one day!

Tell us something that not many people know about you? 

I'm slightly OCD - order makes me happy ;)

You can find Kat at:

Blog: http://www.katrinaelle.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatrinaElleP

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katrinaelle

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/katrinaellep

Instagram: http://instagram.com/katrinaellep

#Rethinkyourday and Win a limited Edition Polar Shirt

Have you ever had to change your plans? Adjust your goals?

RETHINK YOUR DAY???

Two weeks ago, I finally admitted that something was going on with my health, and I went to the doctor. I had been having some female issues for the last month, and things were not going away on their own. With a history of ovarian cancer in my family, I knew I couldn't wait. The good news is that it doesn't seem to be cancer! YAY! I do have a cyst and a whole bunch of fibroid tumors, but thank God for no cancer. These things are, however, causing me a lot of pain and some other issues. As a result, I am "benched." Yep, that means no working out. I am able to go for short, easy walks, but no heavy lifting and no running. Well, as someone who is still trying to lose weight, this is awful news!


So now I have to Rethink my Day... everyday. I decided to come up with some ideas that will help me stay healthy without exercise.

Ten Easy Things You Can Do when Exercising is not possible

1. While watching TV...  stretch. Just because you can't workout, doesn't mean you can't work on your flexibility.

2. Keep a bottle of water within reach all day. The more water, the less cravings. (As an emotional eater, and this whole thing is emotional. The more water I have, the less I feel like eating. This is also good because then I get more "short, easy walks" to the bathroom! See, this is me being optimistic!)

3. Track what you are eating. (I need to write down every morsel of food I eat throughout the day so that I can be sure to stay true to my goals.)

4. After tracking all day, it is important to reflect on it. (I have picked out a journal where I will write and reflect on my day.)

5. Exercising has always helped people relieve stress, and when you cannot do that, you need a new way to let go. Sit quietly for 10 minutes every day. That means no TV, no social media, nothing! (I am not going to call it meditating because I don't really know how to do that. I am betting this is something similar.)

6. Get more sleep! You need to make sure that you get at least 8 hours a night. (I will journal about this as well. I look forward to getting a Polar Loop to help with this.)

7. Explore more recipes in the kitchen. (I am not a cook, but now that I have more time, I will try some new things.)

8. Don't sit longer than 30 minutes. (Sometimes my pain is too bad to walk, but this is my goal.)

9. Get outside. Fresh air does amazing things for stress!

10. Stare longingly at your medal rack and yearn for the day when you are  healthy and ready to "play" again! (One thing I know is that I miss exercise. I will be ready to be very serious about my workout plans! No more excuses)


What positive changes are you making in your life to 

achieve better balance and health? Tag your 

photos/posts/tips showing how you #rethinkyourday 

with the #rethinkyourday hashtag.

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Who wants to win this limited edition Polar Tech Shirt? I only have one and it's a medium. You cannot buy this shirt anywhere! Fill out the Rafflecopter below! I am also giving away a second and third prize too. You can win a Polar tee or a Polar Water Bottle.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am also giving away a copy of Eli Sapharti's new book. Check out the giveaway here. He went from Fat Boy to Fit Man! From 300 lbs to 180... Check it out!

a Rafflecopter giveaway