MapMyFitness Quaker Challenge Update #NourishWhatCounts

02/22/2012 By


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A few weeks ago, I told you that I had signed up for the MapMyFitness Quaker Challenge to complete 15 workouts in 30 days.

To be perfectly honest, I haven’t come anywhere near that goal…YET. I have definitely fallen off the wagon, but I know I can get back on it and start kicking butt again. Tomorrow, I’m starting the MapMyFitness Quaker Challenge again and I’m going to really work hard to hit that goal of 15 workouts in 30 days.

The best part about this challenge is that it syncs with my iMapMyFitness app that I use every time I go walking. So, when I go out to take a quick walk, I just tap “Record Workout” and it automatically tracks my distance, duration, pace and calories burned. Then it updates the MapMyFitness Quaker Challenge, so I don’t even have to remember to log it there, too!

So, will you join me in this challenge? If you joined up last time I wrote about it, how did you do?

February is National Heart Health month. Even if it’s only 5 more minutes a day, what extra step will you take to stay fit?

For your chance to win $750 complete these two steps:

1.Share the challenge with your friends
2.Tell us that you’ve invited your friends to join the challenge AND share the extra step you’ll take to stay fit below

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Quaker Oats Company. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

Filed Under: Weight Loss Tagged With: , , , ,

I am a McDonald’s Wholesome Choices Blogger!

02/18/2012 By 5 Comments

I’ve been wanting to tell you guys about this for a while, so I’m really excited to share this news with you!   I am partnering with McDonald’s on their Wholesome Choices Blogger Program! Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing my own tips and ideas for making more wholesome choices in your every day life.

McDonald's Wholesome Choices Blogger Program

Andrea Riggs: Get Body Beautiful

Part of the Wholesome Choices Blogger Program is learning how to make good choices in our everyday lives to make a positive impact on our bodies. The wonderful fitness expert, Andrea Riggs, joined a group of us at the Doraville McDonald’s to share her tips on how to make small changes in our lifestyle, nutrition and fitness that can make a big impact!

Andrea Riggs Get Body Beautiful

After hearing Andrea talk to us about the small changes we can make, I can’t wait to check out her book, Get Body Beautiful. A few of her tips are so simple, I am definitely going to incorporate them into my daily life:

  • Lifestyle - Set your goal and see it. Write it down. Make a vision board. Whatever you have to do to get that goal in front of your face so you are more motivated to stick to it.
  • Nutrition - Drink water (duh). A good way to figure out how much water your body needs every day is to take your body weight and divide that number by two. That is how many ounces of water you should be drinking each and every day. Water not only helps you feel full, it’s also essential to your body’s fat burning process.
  • Fitness - Park farther away. This is so simple, but if you’re out and about a lot, it can make a big difference without you even realizing it. It might not be much, but something is better than nothing!

 

Wholesome Choices at McDonald’s?

Andrea gave us a good baseline to go by: try for 4-5 meals a day that are about 300 calories each. Typically, we associate McDonald’s with burgers, fries and soda that simply isn’t good for us. That just isn’t true anymore. McDonald’s is committed to giving us more delicious choices to feel good about in the months and years to come. Regardless of your dietary needs, you’ll find nutrient-minded choices at McDonald’s.

  • Breakfast - Egg McMuffin (300 calories), Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait (160 calories), Fruit & Walnuts (210 calories), Fruit & Maple Oatmeal (290 calories)
  • Lunch or Dinner - Premium Grilled Chicken Classic Sandwich (350 calories), 4 Piece Chicken Nuggets (190 calories), Chicken McBites Snack Size (310 calories), Honey Mustard Snack Wrap Grilled (250 calories), Premium Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken (190 calories)
  • Snack - Apple Dippers with Low Fat Caramel Dip (100 calories), Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream Cone (150 calories), Medium Iced Coffee (190 calories)
There are lots of great choices at McDonald’s for families on the run. As a matter of fact, Health.com named McDonald’s #8 on the America’s Top 10 Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants list. They have really stepped up their game in the wholesome choices department over the past few years. I don’t have to feel guilty about feeding my family McDonald’s every once in a while anymore.

Learn More

Follow McDonald’s Atlanta on Twitter @McDonaldsATLand check out their website for real-time promos, meal ideas and how to make the most of your McDonald’s experience: http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/food/food_quality/nutrition_choices.html

McDonald’s partnered with bloggers such as me to participate in its “Wholesome Choices” Blogger Program.  As part of that program, I received compensation.  They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products used, and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. McDonald’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

Filed Under: Weight Loss Tagged With: , , 5 Comments

Mamavation Monday: Relax!

02/13/2012 By 5 Comments

Here we are, week 6 of my New Year New You “campaign” to make myself healthier, happier and skinnier. This is where it gets hard, folks. This is where the going gets rough and I normally would give up and throw in the towel.

Normally, I would say, “I’ve lost 14 pounds in six weeks. That’s good enough” and then I would walk away from all of the hard work that comes with losing weight and being healthier.

Not this time.

This time, I’m going to fight through it. I’m going to give it my all for another six weeks. Then ANOTHER. Then ANOTHER. I’m not giving in and I’m not giving up.

This week has been hard. I’m not going to lie. I’ve made some poor food choices. But, at the same time, I’ve made some awesome activity choices. I broke out my EA Sports Active 2 and gave it my all. My friend Jenny is holding me accountable and inspiring me as she does her workouts using EA Sports Active 2, as well. That girl has been kicking my butt and I love her dearly for it.

Later this week, I’ll be sharing some really exciting news about a new program I’m going to be taking part in (some of you will love it, some of you will hate it – and I’m okay with that). Part of that, is that I am going to be getting a gym membership for the first time in my entire life. And then I’m going to use it!

You see, for me, food is the enemy. I can fight food. I’m perfectly capable of that. I might not always do it, but I’m capable. Exercise, however….Exercise is the bigger problem. There always seems to be some excuse not to exercise. Lately, it’s been my left ankle. It still hasn’t properly healed from my gracefulness before Thanksgiving and it really hurts to do any kind of high impact activity. Jumping around is simply not easy. But, instead of using that ankle as an excuse, I’m using it as motivation. Being creative and finding ways to exercise that are low impact or no impact and doing the best I can with what I’ve got.

That’s the real struggle.

~*~*~

So, let’s get down to the business of Mamavation Monday, shall we?

Mamavation Monday

This week’s guest on Mamavation TV (every Monday at 10 pm EST) is Judy Belmont, MS, LPC – a licensed psychotherapist and wellness speaker with over 30 year of experience. She is the co-author of a whimsical, self-help book on resiliency and wellness, The Swiss Cheese Theory of Life. She will be discussing stress relief and relaxation with Leah this week. I can’t wait!

So, the question was asked…

What is your favorite way to relax?

For me, there is nothing more relaxing than reading a book that I love. I could read Francine Rivers all day. I could read Twilight all night. I’ve done it. When I need a break, nothing can give it to me like a good book.

To top it all off this week, here is my progress:

Starting Weight: 176.2 lbs

Current Weight: 162.6 lbs

Weekly Loss: 0.2 lbs

Total Loss: 13.6 lbs

Goal Weight: 154 lbs

I didn’t see a huge victory on the scales this week, but I take full responsibility for that. The Velveeta/Rotel dip I made for Dumpling’s birthday yesterday and the Super Bowl didn’t help at all. That’s on me. But, the new Mamavation 2 Week Challenge starts up TODAY, so I have a feeling we’re going to see some good numbers next week. Join me in the 2 week challenge!

This post is sponsored by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway

Filed Under: Weight Loss Tagged With: , , 5 Comments
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