Kool'n fit Spray! #Win!!!

Disclosure: Kool'N Fit was given to me to try and also to give away to my readers. All opinions are my own.

12 Days of Christmas Giveaways! Don't forget to enter yesterday's Polar Loop giveaway here: POLAR LOOP fitness tracker

We all have those days when we are so so sore during a workout. I know I have. When it gets like this, we have to find a way to get through our workouts because it's just what we do. I was recently introduced to Kool'N Fit, by my good friend and fellow Polar Ambassador, Suzy. Suzy is an Ultrawoman... 
(Suzy's blog) You need to check it out. If anyone would know about sore muscles, it's Suzy! 

Kool'N fit is the best and only Performance Spray on the market. The original formula comes from Europe (Germany), was developed in the 1880's by German Pharmacist and has been in the same family ever since. Also it was marketed since the 1880's with exception during the 2 wars. In 1984 one of the family members came to CA and started the business here in the USA. In the meantime many of the NFL teams are our customers, thousands of athletes, from cycling to running and tri-Athlons, are using the product as an edge over their competition. It's an all natural none-ozone spray; 15 different herbal oils are compounded into a great solution, which works on contact. There is no need to rub it in. It will activate once it is absorbed, in about 1 minute's time and the overall effect of the product is 3.5 to 4 hours. It can be applied as many times as needed.

It is antispasmodic, relives cramps almost instantly, it increases blood flow by up to 31% under the area it is applied to*, and it's a pain relief. Applied before any activity it speeds up the warm up process, so that precious time is not used to warm up the muscles, used during longer runs to alleviate tightness and fatigue and provide the extra energy to finish, and after the events to allow the fast exchange of toxins, lactic acid to be replaced by fresh oxygenated blood, nutrients and cool soothing relief to the overworked muscles. That in turn allows for a faster and more complete recovery time. There is no animal testing done nor does the product contain any PEDs. That is why many Universities and Colleges use the product successfully in their athletic departments.

What intrigues me most about this is using it during a workout. I think back to my half marathon, and I wish I had this. It would have been great to be able to spray this for a quick boost to a sore or crampy muscle. You should try it! It really does help!!!

You are in luck! I am giving away 6 (4oz) bottles and 6 (100 spray) refillables to take along during a run.

What is the most difficult workout you do? Would this spray help you? And make sure you enter my other giveaways!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Enter to win a Polar Loop
http://www.mindysfitnessjourney.com/2014/12/12-days-of-christmas-giveaway-win.html
Enter to win a box of ShowerPill wipes
http://www.mindysfitnessjourney.com/2014/12/win-with-showerpill-and-win-box-of.html

12 Days of #Christmas #Giveaway! #win

Disclosure: Polar gave me a Polar Loop to give away, but all of my opinions are my own.


Yay!!! It's the most wonderful time of the year!!! 


Yes, I mean it's holiday time, but even better than that, it's time for GIVEAWAYS!!!



The first giveaway for this year is a Polar Loop!!! 
I know that everyone is talking about getting an activity tracker these days and I agree that is it a must-have for this holiday season. But which one should you get? Well, it's obvious! Why not get one from the best in the business. Polar has been a leading developer of Heart Rate monitors for years.

The design is cool and now comes in colors other than black. (I have a black one, and now I am going to have top shop for a blue or black currant) I am loving the new colors! Sleek, sexy and stylish!!! My giveaway will be for a black currant loop.

How does it make you move? It tracks every step you make... it tracks your activity... and it tells you how many calories you burn. A unique feature that the Polar Loop has is that it will sync with a bluetooth unit and strap. Now you can have your daily activity and your heart rate during a workout all in one device! Too awesome! My son, my boyfriend and I all have one. We have had to go for late night walks in order to meet our daily goals, and doing it together certainly makes it more fun.  It is really simple to set up, and it charges by connected to a computer or an outlet. It will also sync to your smart phone.  One thing that I really love is seeing how I am sleeping. I know that sleep is an area where I need help, and this tracker keeps me aware of how much sleep I am getting a night and what type of sleep I am getting. 

So, it's time... Enter for a chance to win your very own Polar Loop (Black currant)

And tell me... What activities do you do to keep active during the holidays? 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Years Resolutions are NOT over yet! And eating on the go with #Atkins

Here I am a month into this diet and I am down 14 lbs. I am pretty pleased with that weight loss thus far. I know that I can be stricter as well, so I am looking forward to staying true to the diet this month. Not only will I be trying to keep at it, but I have also joined a DietBet to help. I can win money if I lose 4% of my body weight for the month. I WILL LOSE WEIGHT IN DECEMBER!!!! No excuses! You can join here: http://www.dietbetter.com/games/54225
Diets are tough because they take planning. I've said it before and I will say it again... I don't plan! I fail at planning every single time! Atkins allows me to be unplanned easily. I can always stop by the store and grab a box of their Blueberry Greek Yogurt Bars and keep them in my office or even my car. Simple and easy! And DELISH~

Atkins has a total of 24 different varieties of snacks and meal bars. There is definitely something for everyone. The Blueberry greek yogurt bars are my favorite! And lately my job has been so busy that I don't have time to stop and eat. This is a great way to get the healthy eating I need in very little time. There is enough protein and fiber to keep me going through the rest of the day without feeling hungry.
So as I begin this December, I know that I won't let the holidays stop me from being healthy. I know that I can avoid the cookies and candies by staying full and keeping my water nearby!
How do you avoid the holiday craziness in your diet? Please comment below!~ I need your advice! Let's help each other!
Follow along with Atkins on their social media channels:
https://www.facebook.com/Atkinsdiet
https://twitter.com/atkinsinsider
http://wwww.pinterest.com/atkinsinsider
This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Atkins.

On the go with #Atkins

My Atkins update! What to do when planning fails!
I am notorious for diet planning fails. I don't plan well. I just don't. I have tried everything from even hiring a trainer to help me plan my meals. I am a single mom and busy Realtor and meal planning is where I drop the ball. For all of you who want to jump through the screen and shake me to tell me how important this is, I KNOW! I know, I know, I know!!! There is a wall up that I can't seem to tear down! I am not a planner.
Well, Atkins makes frozen dinners. AND guess what??? They taste GREAT! The only planning you will have to do is, WHICH ONE?

Seriously, when Atkins sent me the first few flavors, I liked them, but thought that it made sense that they would send me the good ones to try. So I did some investigating on my own. I have had the Chicken Pot Pie, the beef Merlot, the Meatloaf with Portobello gravy, Mexican style chicken, and a really yummy pizza that will be coming out in December. They really are delicious! The Swedish meatballs today are my favorite, but they are all great. Perfect for someone who is on the go and didn't remember to pack a lunch!

I know that people are going to tell me that there is too much sodium or that's not the way to get healthy... you need to eat fresh food without preservatives. Here is my response. I understand that you want me to eat the way you do. I respect it. I have tried it and it doesn't work for me. I try that but then I get into a rush and I ruin my diet. This is a livable way for me to get healthy. And the research behind Atkins is here. It is real. This works. I am down 14 lbs since I first posted about Atkins. So, for me, it works! We have a huge problem in this country with carbs! It is estimated that 34 million Americans have metabolic syndrome. If left uncorrected it can lead to type 2 diabetes. 25 million people are affected by type 2 diabetes. I don't want to be one of them. I know that I have a problem with sugars, and I want to stop it here and now!
I also know that when I went in for blood tests with my doctor, he told me that I had higher triglycerides and lower "good" cholesterol. This comes from excessive carbohydrate intake. I have not eaten a tons of carbs in my life, but it shows me that I eat too many. This diet is perfect for me. I plan to get my blood tested again after a few months as well.
You can follow Atkins here:
o Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AtkinsDiet
o Twitter: https://twitter.com/atkinsinsider
o Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/atkinsinsider/
So, have you tried the Atkins diet? Have you done a low carbohydrate diet? Give me your advice... Tell me and my readers what works for you!
With Atkins
This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Atkins.

#Atkins 40: A Way of Life, not a diet!

My Goals for losing weight on the Atkins 40 Plan. Here's what I want to learn...
• The difference between good carbs and bad carbs
• How to eliminate added sugars
• How to incorporate healthy fats
• How easy it is to adapt to a low carb lifestyle
• How to lose weight, feel great, while enjoying healthy delicious foods with a wide range of food choices.
You all know that I needed a "kick start" for my diet. Things were just not working for me. I needed to "shift (my) body from burning primarily carbs to burning primarily fat, kick-starting weight loss." It's been a week since I began the Atkins plan.
I eat 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. I consume no more than 20 net carbs a day. (range is 18-22) I have to watch for hidden carbs. Especially when going to a restaurant... I have to pay attention. I am learning to ask a lot of questions. I used to be afraid to "bother" the server, but now I just explain that I am trying REALLY hard to be healthy. Here is the list of foods I can eat on this diet. http://www.atkins.com/Program/Phase-1//What-You-Can-Eat-in-this-phase.aspx
I am going to stay with Phase 1 until next week when I travel to Houston for an event. Then I am going to move onto Phase 2, the balancing phase.
Here are some things that surprised me so far:
1. I get to eat more calories. I have tried VERY hard to lose weight and every time I do, I cut my calories to around 1200 a day. With Atkins I can have 1500-1800 calories. That is almost 25% higher than my normal diet! HOLY COW! I was thrilled... No being hungry. And I wasn't... I haven't been.

2. Good carbs are welcome! I was under the impression that I should AVOID carbs at all costs! CARBS=BAD I was pleasantly surprised that I could eat vegetables. I will confess that I don't eat a ton of veggies, but I love broccoli and I could eat it for every meal. I also love Edamame. My son and I are addicted to it... Atkins actually recommends more veggies than the recommended amount from USDA. Yay! So there are no worries that you aren't doing something that isn't a way of life!
3. Atkins is not just, "Hey let's eat red meat and cheese all day!" There are healthy fats and unhealthy fats. Avacado, Olive Oil, Nuts, Dairy, and Greek Yogurt are our friends! We need to eat those fats to be healthy!
Here are a list of truths and myths about the Atkins plan. Click here: https://www.atkins.com/library/truths---myths.aspx
The biggest myth is.... (photo from theblaze.com)

Have you tried the Atkins 40 plan? What is stopping you?
This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Atkins.

Getting into healthy eating #Atkins

No more beating myself up about it! The time is now!

Over the last few months, I have been trying to get myself back on track. I struggle with eating my emotions. I can have a great day and then right before bed, I blow it... I "reward" myself by eating something NOT healthy. My go-to foods are usually carbs... any kind of carbs. When Fitfluential chose me to try the Atkins program, I had to agree. I know that bad carbs are my enemy, and what I am doing is not working. Not only is it not working for me to lose weight, but recent blood work showed that my good cholesterol is low. The doctor told me that the way to fix that is to eat more protein and less carbs... so here I am.

What is the Atkins diet?
· The Atkins Diet is designed to flip the body's metabolic switch from burning carbs to burning fat. This is achieved by optimal protein intake, adequate healthy fat intake, and low carbohydrate consumption. As a result, hunger and cravings are reduced more quickly with a low carb approach than with a low calorie/ high carb diet.
So, here we go! I am ready to begin. I look forward to seeing what the results will bring. I deserve to feel better and feel better about myself.

What do you know about the Atkins diet? Have you ever tried it?
I will be trying the Atkins diet over the next few months, and I will be trying their protein shakes and snack bars. I will even try a week on a diet (maybe more) prepared by the lead Atkins dietician. Follow along to see how it works! I am really excited and committed to this program.

You can follow Atkins here:
Atkins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atkinsdiet
Adkins Twitter: https://twitter.com/atkinsinsider
Adkins Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/atkinsider

This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Atkins.

Make Sure Your Child Goes to College

Blog disclosure: This post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Board, through my role as a 
Believer Blogger. All thoughts are my own.

 

Hey Mom and Dad friends... Have you started saving for your child's college education? Florida Prepaid’s most popular Prepaid Plans have been drastically reduced! Plus, the $50 application fee will be waived until December 31! This is a great investment! Check out all the plan options. I know that like me, you all recognize that your child HAS to go to college. Check out this graphic... Yikes! Times they are a-changing... College is WAY too important to miss. I want my son to have the best chance... I bet you do too! Head over to Myfloridaprepaid.com to set up your plan today.

As my son gets older, I start to realize that the years are passing quicker than I could have ever imagined (Isn't that what old people always said when we were young???)  My son will be 11 in a week, and I remember when we started talking about Florida Prepaid. My son was two... and it seems like yesterday. We had just sold our home and had a really great return on it. I convinced my ex-husband to use some of that money to pay for a Florida Prepaid.

I am thankful we did, but we are not done. This year, the Dormitory Plan is now sold in one-year increments. What a great time to add this feature! Even though my son has promised to live with me forever (Oh you have to love the innocence of a child... lol) I recognize that he will actually want to leave home to go to college. How great it will be that he will have this Dormitory Plan to help us with cost!

Yesterday was the beginning open enrollment for the Florida Prepaid. They now offer a university savings plan that starts at just $43 a month! The new 1-Year Florida University Plan lets you purchase up to four years at a State University, but
one year at a time! More affordable. Love that. This way, someone special in your life can also purchase a year for your child. I know that my parents would have been all over this!

If families didn’t previously believe they could
afford to start saving, now they CAN.

Head over to Myfloridaprepaid.com to set up your plan today. And if you need help making a decision, you can check out their Plan prices calculator: http://www.myfloridaprepaid.com/what-we-offer/

And last but not least....
Myth: Florida Prepaid can only be used at in-state public institution.
Truth: The value of plans can be applied to out of state institutions and private colleges.

Myth: A child has to use their plan as soon as they graduate high school.
Truth: They actually have 10 years from high school graduation to use it.

Myth: If a child doesn’t go to college, families lose the money they put into their plan.
Truth: Families can transfer a plan to another child/family member or get a full refund of the money they paid in.

So what are you waiting for.... Head over to Myfloridaprepaid.com and get started!

P.S. Where do you hope your son will go for college?
Me? Well, I am just hoping he doesn't go too far away from the nest :) Mama needs her baby boy around forever!