Almost 9,000 lbs lost, Reebok #Giveaway, and Polar Loop Giveaway

Want to win a pair of CrossFit Nano 4.0 shoes? How about a Polar Loop?  Read on to see how you can.

Don't we all want this? Let's do it!

Over the last year, I have been hosting DietBets. The participants and I have lost almost 9,000 lbs this last year. Can you believe that??? 9,000 lbs!!! Wow!

My newest DietBet starts this week. You can begin weighing in now, and the bet begins tomorrow, but you have the next two weeks to join us.  One winner will receive a Polar Loop activity tracker.  All of the winners will split the pot. Tell your friends. Right now there are only 6 people signed up for the bet so your odds are really good! Head over to https://www.dietbetter.com/games/48713 right now to get signed up.  This is the first of 3 months of DietBet that I am doing to get myself in gear! If you want to lose weight, you want to join this bet!!! Your weight is private. None of the participants nor I will know your weight. 

I am also giving away a pair of CrossFit Reebok Nano 4.0.  These shoes are great for CrossFit, but they are great for weight training as well.  I love mine. You can read my review here: http://www.mindysfitnessjourney.com/2014/08/back-at-it-and-ready-to-feel-good-in-my.html 

Are you drooling yet!!!

Now's your chance. Enter below!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tell me if you have ever joined a DietBet? Would you? Why or why not?

Confession: Wow, am I a fat a**!

"Gosh, I am fat!" "OMG, why does my face look so fat in pictures?" "Wow, I am a fat ass!" "Ugh... I think it's the mirror" "Oh that picture makes me look fat!"  These are all things that I saw to myself on a daily basis. I call myself fat over and over again all day. It sucks, but you want to know what hurts so much more? It hurts to hear other people agree with me. And it hurts to know that it isn't the picture that makes me look fat, it's the fat that makes me look fat! Does anyone get really upset being called fat, and then continue eating something unhealthy... guilty!

For the majority of my life, I was not fat. I said I was fat when my pants didn't fit right or there was a little tiny roll over my bikini. I called myself fat all the time.  And I didn't feel it really... I didn't mean it really... I was one of those girls who said it to be reassured I wasn't.

Well, now I get reassured that I am. UGH! It sucks! I know that the majority of people in my life don't think my weight gain came on suddenly, but I do.  It seems that one day I started seeing pictures of a girl that I didn't recognize. I was in denial. I also made excuses (oh I am having health problems) Well, now my health is clear from the problems I was having but now I have replaced those problems with new ones. I gained weight over the last year. I don't recognize myself in the mirror or in pictures.

Well, there are two choices: Live with it or Fix it!
On Monday, I joined the YMCA and Weight Watchers.  I used to think that I was an athlete and I didn't need Weight Watchers because that was for people who don't know how to eat right. I have finally realized that I don't know how to eat right. I have a problem with food. I need to fix it. I need to feel good about myself.  I hope that these two choices will help me get to my goal. I want to lose 30 lbs in the next few months. Numbers are just numbers, so I just want to lose... if I don't get to 30, I will survive.  But the numbers will go down!!!

This is Kate! She kicked butt at DietBet!

If you would like to join me on this journey, join my DietBet here: http://www.dietbetter.com/games/48713  We are betting a small amount of money to split the pot with other winners, but really to get healthy! You can read all about the DietBet here: http://www.mindysfitnessjourney.com/2014/09/lose-weight-and-win-polar-loop-dietbet.html


What is your advice for living a healthy lifestyle?

Lose Weight and Win a Polar Loop! #Dietbet #Rethinkyourday

Disclosure: DietBet is compensating me for this bet and Polar has given me the Polar Loop to use as a prize.

DietBet Begins September 15th! Join me! 

The time is NOW! No more excuses and no more health issues! It's time to get serious. If you are anything like me, you have said these things over and over again to yourself.  Then you find every excuse in the world to make bad and unhealthy choices. Then you kick yourself later for it. It sucks! 

Let's work together to get rid of this weight for good... forever! 

DietBet has approached me about hosting another DietBet on September 15th.  I have done these before and they work.  It's a chance to bet on yourself. I know that I can lose weight so I am betting $25 that I will! 

Here's how it works:

Join here: https://www.dietbetter.com/games/48713

Everyone who joins pays $25. We will have to lose 4% of our body weight in a month. When we win, we will split the pot with the other winners in our bet. I usually win and when I do, I get my money back, along with some extra (a lot of times my money was doubled.)  DietBet is very good about ensuring people aren't cheating too.  Don't worry! 

This is Kate. She joined her first DietBet with me. She did it! She is still looking fabulous too! She is a good friend of mine! 

It's so easy! I will be using MyFitnessPal.com to help track my eating.  I have found that if I don't track it, I won't eat right.  Please feel free to join me there. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ArtzeFartze  

I am honest and real. When I cheat, you will know it.  I have EVERY reason not to cheat though. I am ready to be "me" again. 

You can read more about DietBet here: How it works or DietBet: A successful weight loss helper  

There are so many reasons to join, but you should also join so you have a chance to win a Polar Loop Activity Tracker.  http://www.amazon.com/Polar-90052534-Loop-Activity-Tracker/dp/B00FEQ6TVO

Here is my review of the Polar Loop on Amazon.com and I stand behind it completely! 

I did a lot of research on this product before I got it. I previously had a different activity tracker. The Polar LOOP does so much more than any of the other products I researched. Once it arrived, it didn't disappoint. I am impressed by the simplicity of the syncing. It displays a graph of how long I slept, how long I was active and even how long I sat.

I love that I can press the button to see how many steps I have taken, how many calories I have burned and my activity level. It also displays the time which is a great feature and very different from other trackers.

My burn increases. I do wear a FT60 so I plan on wearing them both together to compare data. But even without the H7 it is easy-

Determining the Loop size was so simple. I was a little nervous about setting it up, but there was no issue.

I am a teacher and all of my students think it looks super cool as well.

The Loop would be a great gift for anyone who wants to be more active or is already active. Polar is such a great company with THE best customer service!

Give me your BEST weight loss tip! We need all the advice that we can get. If you would like to be featured on my blog with your success story, please email mindy@mindysfitnessjourney.com

#Giveaway and Review of #Reebok Z Goddess Running Shoes

I have just gotten back into working out since my latest health issue that has kept me away from the gym for months. Getting the motivation and excitement back is tough. I need the fire back, and right now, it's definitely a struggle.

Nothing helps that struggle more than some great looking and feeling running gear. Reebok just sent me some awesome running shoes to try out. These shoes are awesome. They are the Reebok Z Goddess shoes.


If there is one thing right now that I need, it is motivation. Well these shoes give it to me. I love how cute I feel in them, and then well the rest is just added bonus!

First of all, I love the color! So hot! And then there is the fact that they feel great! I have foot issues right away with shoes and it takes a while to break them in. Not these shoes! I loved them from the first step on the treadmill. They make me feel like I am gliding when I run or walk.


Whether you are running, walking or working on your feet all day, these shoes will feel great! You need to try them. If you want to win them, see below for a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Skora Running Shoes... Even better! Review and Giveaway!

A few months ago I did a review and giveaway on Skora Running shoes. You can read about it Here!

I really love my Skora Running shoes, but I didn't like running with them on concrete as much as running on a treadmill or grass. When I was discussing this with other runners and my contact at Skora, it was brought to my attention that Skora had created the Skora Fit Shoe. This shoe has more padding and is geared toward someone who wants minimal but needs more from their shoe... that is me. Skora Running shoes are definitely minimal, but my feet can't handle completely minimal. The Skora Fit Shoe is amazing.  

The website describes the following: "Crafted on our anatomical REALFIT last from a seamless piece of stretch airmesh, FIT provides an unparalleled level of comfort with support and 
stretch provided where you need it most."

"Coolest shoes ever!" -a fifth grader 

These may be my favorite shoes yet! You have to try them. They are also very cool looking. One of my 5th grade students told me that they were "the coolest shoes ever" and they looked like "space running shoes!"  I love it! And  I agree. The look is amazing! 

While I am not cleared to run yet, I have gone on some walks with them and I love them. They are supportive and make my feet feel great! You need to try them, or hey try to win them. Check out the giveaway below.

Copper wishes they had some his size too!

Right now they are offering a site-wide semi-annual sale of 25% off.  What a deal! Skora Running shoes are only sold through their website. Tell them Mindy's Fitness Journey sent you!!! And when you refer a friend, you will get $15!!!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Turning Up the Heat with Thermo Heat

The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Thermo Heat.

I have been recovering from surgery for the past two weeks, and about a week ago, I started taking Thermo Heat Fat Burners. I have had some medical stuff going on since October, and my workouts have not been what I want or need them to be. I am ready to get back to the gym, but I don't have clearance for another 4 weeks. I decided adding walks and Thermo Heat would be a great jump start. And I was right!

The first thing I did when I received the product was read the label. I was happy to hear that I was supposed to start out slowly and take one capsule in the morning and one at lunch 30 min. before my meal. The first day, I didn't eat for about an hour after I took it, and I was a little worried that I was not going to like this. Luckily once I ate, I felt fine. I realized that I had better stick to following directions.

I definitely feel that it suppressed my appetite. I don't feel like eating between meals, and I have even had to make myself have a piece of fruit or cottage cheese for a snack. This is HUGE for me. Snacking a is big weakness.

I haven't found a huge increase in my heart rate just doing my day to day things, which is good, and I have had a lot of energy to get things done. I have a ton of things to do right now because I am in the process of moving and starting a new career. It is helping me get my butt moving!

It's also pushed me to go for walks with my family and our dog. It's so easy to get out of the habit of exercise. I am cleared for walking, so I need to get into the habit of doing that a lot now!


I am not always a big supporter of trying supplements to lose weight, but I really like what this owner stands for.
"I am committed to discovering the truth about which dietary supplements work and which ones don’t. AML will donate a percentage of its company profits to university studies at prestigious institutions to further the science of performance nutrition and wellness. AML’s partnership with the scientific community will show our corporate commitment and provide the consumer with credible, new information on safe, legal, scientifically designed performance products. - See more at: http://www.advancedmolecularlabs.com/about-us/"

There are a number of studies available for you as well. http://www.advancedmolecularlabs.com/clinical-studies/

The product information has information about the efficacy of Thermo Heat.
http://www.advancedmolecularlabs.com/our-products/


I highly recommend trying this product!  I think you will enjoy it.

Question: Do you take any supplements? What do you take?

Drip Drop Hydration Review and Giveaway!

I was chosen by Girls Gone Sporty to try out Drip Drop! Hydration.
Well, two weeks ago, I had surgery. I told Drip Drop! that I may not be able to try it because I wouldn't be working out. They suggested I use it during my recovery from surgery. I had a hysterectomy, and I knew it would take some time to recover. I was given 2 flavors (lemon and berry.) You can purchase this at their STORE.

Drip Drop! sells itself as "Great-tasting, medical grade hydration powder." Dehydration is something I don't ever want to deal with and with summer being here, I am VERY careful with myself and my son. I was definitely curious about the fact that it claimed to be "medical grade." The box said it had 2-3 times more electrolytes than sports drinks... That is a lot! It also says it has less sugar than gatorade. That is really important for me on my fitness journey.

I didn't realize how thirsty I would feel after surgery and how hard it would be to drink fluids right away. The day after surgery, I decided to try the lemon flavored Drip Drop! It comes in a powder that I mixed with water. I did have to shake my water bottle up to get it mixed well.  It tasted really great and I did feel a whole lot better. Later that day I tried the berry. I liked the lemon a bit better than the berry personally. I was surprised at how great it tasted!

figure from www.dripdrop.com

Who Uses Drip Drop!

Medical Community: Leading doctors, nurses, and dietitians recommend Drip Drop as a safe and better-tasting alternative to conventional ORS and pediatric formulas.

Athletes: Athletes deserve better than sugary sports drinks. That’s why more and more top athletes use Drip Drop to perform better and recover faster.

Parents + Kids: Drip Drop was formulated by a family physician who grew tired of prescribing poor-tasting pediatric beverages to his patients. The result? Powerful hydration in a taste kids love.

Illness: "Whether you’re managing a chronic condition or a stomach bug, Drip Drop replenishes the fluids and electrolytes your body needs to recover.

Travelers: Traveling makes us all dehydrated. Drip Drop is a portable defense against long lines, high altitude, jetlag, and misadventures in unfamiliar cuisine.

Military: The Military doesn’t mess around with hydration. Power, taste, and portability are why US Special Forces continue to rely on Drip Drop over other formulas.

Seniors: Seniors are more prone to dehydration than others. Drip Drop gives seniors the energy and peace of mind to enjoy a healthy lifestyle at any age.

Giveaway:
I am working with a group of bloggers and Drip Drop! on a giveaway. Drip Drop! is giving away 5 hydration kits, each including 3 boxes of Drip Drop, a t-shirt, water bottle, lip balm, and tote bag. You can check out the contest here. 

Discount Code: The promo code is GoneSporty20 for a 20% discount (expires July 31st). Once the giveaway URL is ready, you can post your blogs. Use GONESPORTY20 to get 20% off in the Drip Drop Store. This code expires July 31st. 

What do you use for hydration?