Tune Belt Sport Armband for iPhone Protective Cases (AB84) Review*

* No compensation was received for this post. A complimentary sample was provided for the review. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family.
I am not sure what it is about us, but my husband and I seem to have an uncanny knack for looking for products several months in advance of their availability. It has happened with kids toys, bike accessories, party ware for a birthday party and more. I haven't yet figured out how to parlay it into something of value, but it is a reality that we deal with.

Such was the case when I got an iPhone last year and was looking for a way to be able to use it during my workout. I like to use the RunKeeper app for my workout, so bringing my phone along (and not holding it in my hand) was a requirement...and the workout clothes that I had did not have a pocket that would hold the phone (several have them for the smaller iPods and/or for a key). There were several options available for pouches/pockets that would hold the phone, but none of them could be used without first removing the phone from the OtterBox Defender case that I had for my phone. I didn't want to mess with having to remove and reapply the case on a daily basis, so I simply went without and continued to look, convinced that what I was looking for was out there somewhere. In the mean time, I simply would tuck my phone under my bra strap when I was out for a walk or run. It worked for me, but was not ideal and I worried about it being next to my skin - especially if it was an extra hard workout and I was sweaty - and worried about it slipping out and falling to the ground.

So, when I found the Tune Belt Sport Armband for iPhone Protective Cases (AB84) that was specifically designed to fit an iPhone in an OtterBox Defender case, I was excited. (Now, out of fairness, it has been around for a while, I just hadn't found it until recently.)

Some details from the site for the AB84 Sport Armband for iPhone Protective Cases:

Comfort:

Lightweight, comfortable neoprene construction
Stable armband securely holds player
Adjustable armband fits 9" – 17" and an Armband Extender is available for larger arm sizes (see SKU EX3)

Convenience:

Full navigational control through clear, protective window cover
Cord flap securely stores and manages earphone cord
Washable

Protection:

Cushioning neoprene protects player
Helps protect against perspiration, bumps, scratches & the elements
Reflective logo

As soon as the armband arrived, I checked it out by taking it for a run the very next morning when I headed to the Y for my Spinning class. The case is made of Neoprene, making it lightweight and stretchy. The inside, although there are seams, doesn't have any spots that felt rough on the arm. The construction appears to be quality, something that I expect will last for a while.

The phone, in its protective case, easily slides into the holder through the opening at the top. The opening is self-closing, so there was no need to worry about the phone falling out, but the material is soft and flexible and would accommodate the cord for earphones. There is even a small Velcro strap (called a cord flap, I learned) on the one side, that you can use to wrap around any excess length on the headphones cord. I like that there is even some extra room behind the phone, where I could tuck a couple of dollars, a license or a credit card - all things that are a challenge to take along in typical exercise clothes.

The clear plastic facing allows you to easily see and operate the touch screen on the iPhone. Even when I am wearing the armband, I am able to unlock the phone, start the run and stop it. Certainly, as with any armband, you have to move your arm or turn the band to allow better visibility of the phone while wearing it - but aside from start, stop or time check, I rarely am looking at my phone while I work out. Having the phone in the armband did not make it anymore difficult to hear the cues I have set in RunKeeper - it tells me my distance and pace every 5 minutes...keeps me going!

With the Velcro for securing the armband on your arm, it is fully adjustable to accommodate a wide range of arm sizes and I found it easy to adjust even while wearing it. While wearing the armband, I was able to remove the phone with relative ease - which is good, if you need to answer a call. Putting the phone back in while wearing it was a little more challenging - consider, I was trying to do this one handed and the opening was more taught because of the armband being securely fitted around my arm. I don't see a problem with this and when the occasion has arisen, I have either just dealt with it and taken the time to put it in or have loosened (but not removed) the armband to replace the phone quicker and then re-secured.

The design was updated last year and will accommodate both the iPhone 4 and 5 in the OtterBox Defender case. Have a different type of phone or music player? Tune Belt offers a wide variety of options, even options for portable CD players and cassette players, which is where they got their start with an idea for the first TuneBelt about 30 years ago.

I hadn't previously worn an armband style holder, so it was a little strange feeling at first, but it quickly became something that I was accustomed to. I have been able to use the holder to allow me to track my runs and my walks and taken it on bike rides too. Not sure that you want an armband style holder? Fortunately, Tune Belt also offers a full series of belt style holders that fit around your waist.

Based on my experience with the sport armband from Tune Belt, I would purchase another Tune Belt product and recommend it to others that are looking options for holding their phone or music device while being active. I like that they have been around for several years, and have taken customer feedback to continuously improve their products. I like that they have a variety of cases, for different brands and styles of phones and music players.

Have you checked out Tune Belt?

No compensation was received for this post. A complimentary sample was provided for the review. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family.

pv.body

I never used to have much concern or consideration for my workout clothes. Most of my exercise would take place in my family room or in the fuzzy light of pre-dawn. If I saw people, it certainly wasn't many and not usually the same people even. When I worked out at home, it wasn't uncommon for me to put on a workout top and keep on my pajama bottoms. Or, if I did change, I didn't worry much about them matching.

Now that I am working out most mornings at the Y, in organized classes, I feel like there is suddenly a need to be concerned about my workout fashion. I want to have clothes that are comfortable, but reasonably fashionable (matching?). There seems to be a common group of people that take the classes each morning, so having variety is also important so that I don't have to wear the same outfit each day.

pv.body is a company that, once you sign up and complete a survey of what type of athlete you are, they send you an awesome complete outfit of fitness apparel in brands people love – Lululemon, ALO, Nux, Nike, etc. Best of all, each outfit is only $49 (~$150 ARV).

pv. body keeps things simple. Basically, you take a quick quiz (answering questions about your favorite types of workouts, your size, style, color palettes you like, etc.) and a personal pv. body style profile is created for you. The pv. body team puts together a personalized outfit for you each month and ships it to you. You can decide how frequently you want to get a new outfit and take breaks from shipments too. Products are offered in sizes XS - L.

Want to check it out? As a special for A Busy Mom of Two readers, you can get 20% off your first outfit if you sign up through my link. This makes it only $39/month for a new workout outfit.

As a special bonus, after you sign up through the above link, you can then come back here and use this link to take the pv.body 30 Day Challenge and kick start your New Year resolutions and receive tons of fun prizes. (IMPORTANT: Please note that you will not receive the discount if you sign up for the challenge first; you have to sign up through the discount link above to receive the 20% off.) The pv.body 30 day challenge provides you with your own personal dietitian and trainer to help you meet your fitness and health goals. Everyday, our pv.body babes will be given a new challenge that they can share with friends! Challenges include workouts, recipes, meal plans, group activities and more!

No compensation was received for this post. As a pv.body ambassador, I will receive one free workout outfit based on my survey responses, so that I can experience the service. The discount link is also my referral link.

Sweaty Bands Fitness Headband Review and Giveaway

My hair used to be longer, when I went for a run or worked out, I would simply pull my hair back in a ponytail. It was easy and once I found the no slip ponytail holders, I didn't have to worry about adjusting my hair fifteen times during my run or work out. Well, a while back, I decided to cut my hair shorter. Now, it's not super short, but too short for a ponytail.

This created a new challenge for me. How do I keep my now shorter hair off of my face? I had some plain, cloth-style stretch head bands. I decided that they should keep the hair off of my face while I work out. Well, they did keep my hair off of my face, but over the course of the run, they would slowly slip towards the back of my head. I'm not sure if my head is shaped funny, but there was no way that was going to stay in place, it found a slope on my head that would allow it to slowly slide back. This was mildly annoying, I felt like I had to adjust it most days one or two times. It was still holding my hair back, but I found myself worrying it would simply fall out and then, what would I do?

I had to find a no slip solution for the headband, like I did for the ponytail. I had some headbands that aren't supposed to slip, but they are plastic ones and I didn't think that would work so well for me when I was running. Plus, standard head bands always feel like they are pinching my head.

So, I decided to try out Sweaty Bands. Sweaty Bands come in all sorts of fun patterns and a great array of colors. The top part is fabric backed by a velour like fabric. The bottom part is elastic, allowing it to fit everyone. I started to wear this daily for my run. It was great, the hair would stay out of my face and I didn't have the sensation that it was going to fall off of my head and didn't feel the need to readjust mid-run like I had with the plain cloth-style stretch head band I had been using.

I tried to take some pictures of myself post-run with both the cloth-style one and the Sweaty Bands Headband. I am here to tell you that taking a self-portrait of the side of your head with an iPhone front facing camera is not easy. The pics were super fuzzy and it was hard to get the angle to show the position of the band post-run. Of course, there isn't anyone else up in my house at that hour. I had my son try one morning, but since he is shorter, it was an even more awkward photo.

Long story short - you will have to believe me when I tell you that it stays put better than others, because I can't show you. I really love that they work as described. I also like it that they are an Ohio based company and their product is made in the USA.

You can purchase Sweaty Bands online through their website, or use their website to find a store near you that carries Sweaty Bands, after all, they are carried in over 1000 stores.

Giveaway!

Courtesy of Sweaty Bands, I have the opportunity to giveaway to one (1) A Busy Mom of Two reader a Sweaty Band Headband - the one pictured above, actually.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway will remain open through December 2nd. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. One winner will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. I received a complimentary Sweaty Bands Headband to facilitate my review and one to give away to a reader. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

Finding Time to Exercise

When I was younger, my schedule seemed so much more flexible and there seemed to be more time in a day. I would get up, go to work early, come home, go to the gym, have dinner and go out with friends. Now, I wonder, how did I find the time to do all of this and not be exhausted.

My schedule is so much more busy these days. And, really, let's be honest, it's not just my schedule, but my husband's, my son's and my daughter's schedules that contribute to my busy life. One of my goals is to be more active and healthier. In order to achieve this goal, I need to have activity (exercise) as part of my daily routine. Sure, I get some level of exercise when I am playing ball with the kids, going for walks around the block, gardening, etc., but that is not consistent enough to achieve results.

I have tried to take classes before, but I can't commit to a specific date and time for very long. It seems that if I sign up for a class on Tuesday nights, the schedule will be clear for a couple of weeks and then I will have several weeks in a row where it doesn't work and then, it is so hard to get back. I recently found a Zumba class that works for me. With 5 classes available at one location and an option of classes at an alternate location on other nights - it is just flexible enough that I can usually make it to a class a week.

Again, one, maybe two, classes a week is not enough to achieve results. So, I had to find a time that would work consistently for regular workouts. I chose the morning. Sure, it is a challenge some days to get up at 5 am, but it is the one time of day that is consistently conflict free. The only plans that any one else in my family has at that time is SLEEP!

I actually have found that I enjoy the silence of working out in the morning. Whether I walk in the neighborhood, run at the track or pop in a DVD (typically reserved for the cold of winter and the wet of rain), there is generally silence while I am working out. It gives me time to decompress, to think, to work through things in my mind, to plan out my day and just to breathe in my surroundings. When I am out and about, I will occasionally see others, but it is generally in passing and results in not much more than a 'Hi'. Otherwise, my senses are filled with the world around me - the birds chirping, the gentle breeze, the painted sky of sunrise, the ominous clouds of a coming storm, the smell of fresh cut grass (if you can get past the noise of the mower and the smell of gas @ 6 am - they mow early at the track). You can check out my morning view here.

The other benefit of mornings is that I feel so energized for the rest of my day. There is something about getting your blood pumping that just keeps you going, makes you more alert.

Plus, I can start a load of laundry before I start my workout and switch it to the dryer before I head up for my shower - allowing me to get things done, while I work out.

Working out in the morning, works for me.

Mamavation Monday

What a week!

Last week started out wonderfully. I was doing a good job managing my food intake and minimizing Weekly Points usage each day, knowing that I was saving them for Saturday. I was able to fit in a workout each morning - some shorter, some longer, but active none the less. I even fit in a walk at lunch one beautiful afternoon. I did a reasonable job avoiding the temptations of the treats and candy and such too readily available at the office. The scale was responding wonderfully. Finally, I had overcome the plateau I was stuck upon.

Saturday came, and as expected, I used many of the Weekly Points that I had saved. No surprise, when you eat what is about twice the Daily Points on one day, the scale reacted on Sunday. I knew that it was only temporary and that when I returned to regular eating, that I would be fine.

But, somehow, my brain was disconnected and despite a good start and good intentions, I just didn't maintain focus and went overboard on Sunday. Breakfast was a simple bowl of cereal and a banana. Lunch started out good, a taco salad with a bit of cheese and a bit of sour cream, but otherwise essentially a bowl of Zero Points vegetables. Then, it happened, I started to pick at the chips and one led to two led to three and so on. I wound up eating just over a serving (I was planning to avoid - 6 Points!). Then, well, it was a birthday, so there was ice cream and cake. I had a piece of cake and a small scoop of ice cream (11 Points!) - the worst part was that the flavor of the cake was not that good to me and I ate it anyway. If I had stopped there, it wouldn't have been too bad, but we had another social gathering that evening. Again, I had tortilla chips, stuck with one serving at least, some nacho cheese dip, some fruit, some meatballs and a brownie. At this point, I had seriously eaten into my Weekly Points and it was day one of my week!

I just need to let Sunday go and focus on the days ahead and I know that I can be successful. I can't let one bad day be my demise. Despite my Sunday, I saw a small recovery towards my prior week weight on Monday. Thankfully, I am back on track. Monday, I consumed a little beyond my Daily Points, but didn't get in much of a workout. The scale continues to recover towards where I was on Saturday morning.

This post shared at Mamavation Monday, where the question this week is: What food did you think was good, but discovered that it’s not? I'd have to go with the obvious - salads when you are out to eat. I was simply floored the first time that I looked at the calories on some salads. Of course, now I read through the description and leave things off and have the dressing on the side, to make sure that it is a healthy meal.

No compensation was received for this post. I was provided with a trial subscription to Weight Watchers. All opinions expressed are my own. 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.

Mamavation Monday

I wanted to start with "I need some new motivation" but as I started to write it, I realized it wasn't about more or new motivation, it really is about time.

In retrospect, I question why I chose the week I did to try to get back into P90X. There is so much going on right now, that I feel like I don't have (am not making?) the time to fit in my workouts consistently. Some mornings I try, others I don't. Some mornings I fit in about half a workout, others none. I also am realizing that another thing I liked about running is that I could fit in a decent run in just over half an hour. With P90X (and most other DVD workouts), I need a full hour. It makes me feel so much more pressed for time when I have to fit in a full hour.

I am going to complete the 90-day workout that is P90X - I just think that I will focus on something that fits for the next couple of weeks. It is more important to me to remain active than to do a specific workout. I have Walk At Home DVDs that will help me stay active and I can do anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on my schedule. With the bands, I can even include a little bit of strength training with my walk. Once the time is right (yes, it will be right), I will return to the P90X program and do the 90 day schedule, but for now being active is my goal. (I'd like to check out the workouts from the new P90X 2, anyone tried them yet?)

This post shared at Mamavation Monday.

Running to the next tree...

I would like to be a runner, I don't think that I am there yet. My journey so far has reenforced many things for me and taught me some things about myself. I have learned about how to motivate myself, how to set small iterative goals to get to a larger goal (how do you eat an elephant? one bite at a time.), and that one goal (running) can support another goal (losing weight/becoming fit)/.

When I first started running, I was lucky to be able to do 1/4 of a lap at the track. I would find myself winded and, for lack of a better term, would quit. I would do this successively over the course of my 3 - 4 mile walk, with run. With time, I started to run 1/2 a lap, and then 3/4 of a lap.

As I increased my distance, I started to recognize that it wasn't my body that was stopping me from going further, it was my mind. It wasn't until I ran a full lap, and kept going, that I realized that I really could go much further, if only I pushed myself. Sure, I was winded and wanted to stop after that first full lap, but I also was so proud of myself for running a full lap, that I wanted to see how far I could push myself.

I started to notice that when I set a goal - whether at the track or around the neighborhood, I tended to stop when I reached it, even if I still could have gone further. So, I changed up my approach and started reaching new levels.

I started stating my goals as "at least finish this lap and then see if I can get around the bend." As I approached the bend, I would adjust my goal to "at least around the bend and then see if I can get to the next bend." When I am running in the neighborhood, I use houses, corners, and trees to guide my goals.

Using this approach, I have been able to run as far as 1 mile without breaking to walk and running near mile intervals multiple times over the course of a 3-4 mile journey. And, when on mornings like today, it has been a while since I ran, I use this approach to keep me going. I didn't run a full mile straight, but I kept pushing myself to run further.

Of course, when I take a break and walk, I also set goals - "I can walk to the next tree, but then I need to run". It helps me keep me on track. Eventually, I would like to get to the point where I can run a full 5k and join all of my friends that do the local 5k. I am still a ways from there, but if I continue running to the next tree, I will eventually get there.

Running to the next tree, works for me!

Mamavation Monday

Not sure what has been going on lately. I was on a serious plateau and it was starting to feel like no matter what I was doing, I was going no where. There is nothing more frustrating than giving it your all and getting nothing in return. I sat down last weekend and decided that I needed to take a more scientific approach to this all (I am a scientist by education, so it makes sense).

I found a website that information on calories burnt at rest and different activities. I concluded that with 8 hours of sleep and 16 hours of sitting on a couch, I would burn about 1700 calories. I knew that I was burning about 400 calories on my daily walks (based on the app I am using). I knew that in order to lose a pound that you need a 3500 calorie deficit between what you burn and what you consume. Figuring on a goal of about 1# a week, to keep things healthy I set a daily intake target for myself of 1200 - 1500 calories. I figured that my deficit would be between 200 and 900 calories per day (1700 calories - 1500 calories and 2100 calories - 1200 calories), but likely would be nearer the middle.

I started measuring and looking up calories for everything. I quickly recognized (no surprise really) that eating the right type of foods makes it easier. I don't just focus on the calories, I try to make sure I am reaching daily targets for fiber and protein and not having too much total fat. Of course, filling the plate with vegetables goes a long way towards feeling full and keeping calories in check.

Know what? It worked. I actually was able to lose 4# in just over a week. I think part of that was just the initial change (water weight is what everyone calls it), but I was able to stick to my eating target and I feel good about that. I have eaten in and eaten out and it is working for me.

I also started keeping a daily log (or at least near daily) of my progress, my workout and my struggles and successes.

This post shared at Mamavation Monday.

What are your current technology tactics in your healthy living journey?

I use a scale to help me measure my food. I use an app on my phone to track distance, time and calories of my workouts.


This post is sponsored by Omron Fitness and I’m writing this to be entered into an Omron Fitness pedometer giveaway hosted by Mamavation .

Mamavation Monday

I didn't get anywhere last week, despite my best efforts. I think the culprit was a busy weekend with less than stellar food choices. Couple that with the fact that I am trying to avoid letting a cold get the better of me by drinking tea (with honey), fruit juice, gatorade and more.

I am glad to say that I walked everyday last week. Saturday, rain in the morning and rain again in the evening had me resort to an indoor walk - used Leslie Sansone Walk At Home DVD. I walked at least 3 miles everyday. With the humidity, my normal walking partner did not join me other than Monday, so that was the only day that I did the 3 mile walk/1 mile run interval that I have started, with a plan of doing that three times a week. I was successful on the weekdays, in coming home from my walk and doing some strength training - chest/back, abs, arms/shoulders, abs, legs. When I did the walk dvd, there was strength training built into the second mile.

The weekend aside, last week was a pretty good eating week. The biggest thing was not having the candy at work. The supply dwindled early in the week and by the end of the week, I wasn't in the habit of walking by it, so that is a good thing.

This week started out good on the exercise front. I just hope that I am successful in fighting this cold. I figure that staying active is a good thing. I am trying to get to bed earlier in the evening to allow my body ample time to rest, but still time to exercise. Since tomorrow is the ab day, I should be able to start about 15 minutes later than I do normally, and still wrap up at a good time (earlier than normal actually) - allowing a little morning shut eye. I keep taking my vitamin C, zinc and gatorade - we will see if I conquer or not.

This post shared at Mamavation Monday. This week's carnival is sponsored by Organ Wise Guys and Fiber Choice. The question is: What nutrition lessons have you learned from your kids? I have learned that enjoying your food one bite at a time allows you to really savor food. Have you ever watched a child eat M&Ms, they take them one piece at a time - I find that if I do that, rather than putting a handful in my mouth, that I enjoy them and consume less. I've also learned that they want to eat what you eat, so if you eat well, so will they. That certainly provides motivation on eating better.

No compensation was received for this post. By participating in the carnival, I am entering to win a prize pack from the sponsors.

Mamavation Monday

Well, I've been up and I've been down. I've been enjoying my food and I've been working out. At the end of several weeks, I am right where I started. I think that I have come to a new focus today (except I ate out lunch because I failed to pack).

I have been continuing to meet a friend at the track a few mornings a week. I have decided that my body is not responding to walking. I was walking 3 - 4 miles / day and having no impact, even when I was eating right. So, I started mixing in running. I am not a runner, never have been. I am currently running about 2/3 of a lap every other lap around the track. So, on my 4 mile walk today (1 mile back and forth to the track and 3 miles around the track), I netted about 1 mile of running. Not too bad. Doing it interval style is working for me. I'd like to get to the point where I run every other lap. On the other two days a week, I am simply walking and then doing Ab Ripper. I figure that if I mix it up, walking can be effective. I am also trying to fit in some strength training.

As far as eating, I have returned to starting my day with a protein shake. I started to wonder if I was fueling my body correctly after a work out. I certainly have more energy as a result. We will see if long term it fuels me and allows me to better lose weight.

I am back and I want to have a success story this time.

This post shared at Mamavation Monday.

Mamavation Monday

It was a good week. I essentially ate my way through Boston last week, but by staying active and making time for a nearly 4 mile walk each day, I was able to minimize the impact of this culinary adventure. That being said, I was up slightly for the week, but increased consumption of food and wine on my part, will cause that.

First, let me start by saying that Boston is a great city to be active in. I took a walk each morning along the Charles River. Not only did they have nice walking/biking/blading paths, complete with center lines, but there were a number of pedestrian bridges to cross over roadways. In addition, there were kayaks and crew teams on the water every morning. I was actually amazed the first morning when I went out at 5 am, to see so many people. Normally, when I walk in my neighborhood, I see no one. There was a great route that I could take that was just about four miles round trip. I had decent weather, although the last day it did start to rain around mile marker 3.

Second, let me say that there is some good food in Boston. On Monday night, we ate in the Italian district at a place called Dolce Vita Ristorante - I had the scallops, which were so tender and flavorful. Of course, I accompanied it with some pasta, bread and wine! Then, we made stop at Mike's for cannoli. I think it might have been my first cannoli, but it was yummy! I didn't actually eat it all that first night - finishing it the following night. The next day we enjoyed the Cheesecake Factory - we wound up sharing a lot of different appetizers and of course, cheesecake. I didn't eat a "regular" dinner, having consumed more than my fair share of appetizers. The next day, we snacked our way through the day. I tried a Lobster Roll (not as good as it sounded), some Tuna Tartar, some New England Clam Chowder (I was in New England after all!) at Finz in Salem. Then, we tried the pizza and wings at Prince Pizza. Dinner that night was sushi at Douzo. I really felt full after my adventures. I also tried Pinot Noir on this trip, I think I could add it to my list of wines I enjoy.

Now that I am back, I need to buckle down. Continue with my daily walk. Resume portion control and tracking - I did it informally in Boston, but the reality is that after a few glasses of wine, I had more than consumed my weekly PointsPlus values.

This post shared at Mamavation Monday. The sponsor this week is EatSmart Products. They ask: How have you recently stepped up to support someone in your life? I would have to say that as some of my friends have dealt with life issues and challenges, I have been there for them when they needed me, but also respected them and gave them space.

No compensation was received for this post. By participating in the blogging carnival, I am entering to win a Kitchen Scale from EatSmart Products.

Mamavation Monday

Today (yesterday now, actually), I resume (I was going to say restart, but I'm not starting over, I'm simply picking up where I left off) with vigor my dedication to becoming healthier and more fit by watching what I eat and exercising.

Recently, life had gotten in the way of me remembering to spend time and focus on myself. I had become lazy about measuring and tracking food, I had become more liberal in dining out, I had become more willing to skip my morning workout than just do the portion I could fit into the time I had available - but no more!

I am important (at the very least, to me I am). I am allowed to have time for myself, to focus on my needs.

I now have a walking partner - we walk together, but not really with each other. She listens to an iPod, I get lost in my own thoughts. We are meeting three days a week at 5 am to do a twice through circuit of our neighborhood - yesterday, we skipped a few cul-de-sacs, but we still walked 3.6 miles in just under an hour. Not bad for day one. I'd like to add back in the cul-de-sacs and get about 4 miles in - preferably in under an hour as well. Sure, I could just as easily walk on my own, but when I am meeting someone, there is no "just one more snooze" option. I don't want to mess up someone else' schedule because I'm feeling a little lazy. On the alternating days, I will do my DVDs to focus on my major muscle groups.

I'm still walking at lunch, when possible. Of course, with as warm as it is, I can't always maintain a good pace - after all, I have to work with others all afternoon and don't want to be offensive. The important thing is that I am moving.

I resumed tracking my food intake yesterday as well. I know what I am supposed to eat, I just had lost focus and wasn't always making the right food choices. Now, I am refocusing on the right choice. I will face two of my biggest challenges this week - catered work lunches and dining out for work. I will have to remain strong in my resolve to eat healthy. I will choose the best option for me.

I'm ready for the new week and the challenges that lie ahead. How about you?

This post shared at Mamavation Monday. This week, it is sponsored by Omron Healthcare. The question this week is: What gaps in your nutrition knowledge do you want to fill? That is a tough question. I guess I would like to better understand what nutrients support what health improvements. Everyone knows that Oatmeal is good for your heart, but what are other super foods that are an important part of your regular diet.

This post is sponsored by Omron Healthcare and I’m writing this to be entered into a Omron Go Smart Pedometer giveaway hosted by Mamavation.

2011 Weight Watchers Walk-It Challenge

To me, walking is a great form of exercise. It requires almost no equipment, except a decent pair of shoes. You can walk by yourself (as long as it's safe!) or with one or more friends or family members. It can be enjoyed together by the young and the old. You can walk briskly or simply stroll, either way the important thing is simply being in motion. Walking is also a great way to catch up with friends (have you ever noticed how fast time goes when you are chatting with friends) or to take some time to take in the sites or simply observe nature.

Yesterday, we all had the day off and my mom came over to visit. After we got back from lunch, the kids wanted to go for a walk, so my mom, the two kids and I set out on a walk around the block. The weather is just starting to break and it was nice to get out and get some fresh air and a bit of exercise. We walked just about a mile in total.

When the weather (and my work schedule) allows, I love to be able to take a walk at lunch. We have a path that we walk that is just about 3 miles long. Sometimes, we take a shorter route, but when we have time we walk the whole thing. The walk can be almost therapeutic. It is a great stress reliever and taking the time to catch up with friends feels great. Sometimes we talk about things at work, but never about work. Sometimes it becomes a vent session. Other times, it is just a great way to catch up on what has been going on in our lives. The fresh air and the sunshine provide a sense of renewal and we return energized to finish the work day.

At home, I enjoy walking around the block with the kids. When they were younger, I would push them in the stroller or pull them in the wagon. Sometimes, we would stop and visit with friends playing in their yards. Now that they are older, generally, they like to take their bikes or scooters, which generally means that they are stopping to wait for me or riding back to me after a while, so as not to get too far ahead.

Of course, as of late, my daily exercise has been using assorted workouts from the Leslie Sansone Walk at Home collection of walks. It's a great way to get in a workout, even in my own living room. On one of the walks, her walking team are all people that have lost over 100 pounds through walking. Through out some of the walks, she comments on aerobic exercise and how people don't like to think of walking as exercise, but it really is.

I'm not really sure when I started to enjoy walking, but I feel like I have been doing it for years. When I was a child (5th or 6th grade), I can remember my mom and the neighbor going for walks on a regular basis. I'm not sure it was daily, but it was probably close. They would walk about 2 miles through the neighborhood and they were fast walkers. On rare occasion, I was allowed to join them (they generally walked at night and it seems to me that it frequently was dark, so I'm guessing it was pretty close to my bedtime) and I thought the world of being allowed to join. It took a lot of effort for me to keep up with them, but now, as a result, I am a fast walker.

I can also remember participating in many local Volksmarches as a child. The whole family would go and walk. Sometimes we would be joined by, or catch up with, family and friends. Honestly, I'm not sure how often we went, but there seemed to be all sorts of different walks in both urban and rural type settings, perhaps even a few at the local nature preserves and parks. Looking through the current local walks on their website, there are many coming up in the next few months in my area (being in Ohio, it makes sense that there might be a few more now that it is starting to warm up). It seems that many of the walks include a 5K or 10K option.

Are you a walker? Have you been wanting to get started? Here are some tips from Weight Watchers:

* The first step is getting up and moving – start slow and increase your speed and distance over time. Be sure to set reasonable goals.

* To help motivate you, sign up for a future 5K. Having that date on the calendar is sure to keep you focused.

* Be sure to add strength training to your routine. Before you know it, you will have a new you!

* Finally, listen to your body. If you need to rest, take a day off. And have fun!

Looking for an upcoming 5K that you can train towards? It is once again time for the Weight Watchers Walk-It Challenge.

Team up with your friends and family and start training to walk - or run - a 5K (3.1 miles) on Weight Watchers Walk-It Day, May 22! Use our interactive, step-by-step, six-week training plan and fitness tips to prepare for the event. Connect with other walkers in our Community for ideas and encouragement. Read inspiring blog posts. Take part in our Walk-It Challenge Community Challenge or create or join a Walking Group.

You can find more information about the Official Weight Watchers Walk-It Day 5K in your state here.

No compensation was received for this post. As a Weight Watchers Insider, I was provided with information about the Walk-It Challenge and will be receiving a Walk-It Toolkit. All opinions expressed are my own.

Primrose Schools Family Dance-Off

Primrose Schools has launched a national campaign to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices by encouraging families across the country to boogie on down! From February 1st through March 26th, capture a 30 second family dance video and enter it in the Family Dance-off for a chance to win a grand prize of $5000 and a $30,000 donation to your local Children's Miracle Network Hospital. There are also prizes for second and third place, plus all 14 finalists will receive a Flip camcorder.

With their second annual Family Dance-off, Primrose Schools, the leader in educational child care, is helping to fight the childhood obesity epidemic. They are partnering with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals® to promote physical activity, healthy lifestyle choices and quality family time, things all Moms can get behind!

Here's how you and your family can enter the Primrose Family Dance-off competition:

1. Record a 30-second video of your family's best dance moves. Don't be afraid to let loose and be silly!

2. Visit The Family Dance-off site and upload your best take by March 19.

3. Share your video with your friends via email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

4. View and vote daily (you can place five votes per day) for your favorite family dance video!

Not only is dancing a fun, easy way to incorporate more activity into your routine, but when you do it as a family, you can enjoy some quality time together.

The Family Dance-off supports Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children's hospitals, which collectively treat 17 million children annually for every illness and injury imaginable.

I was selected to host an in-home Primrose Family Dance-off Party. So, this past weekend, when we got together with 4 other families for a pre-Valentine's Day party, we made it into a Primrose Family Dance-off party. Since the party was at my friends house, I made sure that she was good with this. She said it sounded like a great idea. She mentioned that they had recently picked up the Just Dance and Just Dance Kids for the Wii, and had hoped to play them at the party. It sounded like a great fit to me. I grabbed the CD that had come with the party kit and we "warmed up" singing and dancing to the hits (I had to smile as I listened to what were obvious clean-ups of the songs that I knew to make them family friendly). After some visiting, snacking on some wonderful fresh fruit and dip and some veggie pizza, and a little arts and crafts (included cookie decorating - not healthy, but its good to learn to enjoy sweets and treats in moderation), we put in the games and started to play. Initially, the parents were playing the kids version, trying to learn the game so we could teach the kids. Watching the parents figure out the game was cause enough for a few giggles. The kids were glad to get their chance to dance once we knew enough to show them how to follow along with the on-screen dancers. It was fun watching the kids who ranged in age from 3 to 9 try to follow along with the on-screen dance. We captured the fun on video and showed them how they looked dancing. I guess my perspective of 30s was off, because none of them are long enough clips to submit and we will have to have more fun dancing on another occasion to get a 30 second family video to submit to the Primrose Schools Family Dance-off.

I had planned to insert one of my videos here, but when I played them back, I realized how many side conversations I picked up and they were noisy!! Plus, since I was standing off to the side, the quality wasn't so great. Yet another reason that I need to capture new video so that I can enter!

No compensation was received for this post. As a Primrose Schools Family Dance-off home party host, I received a party kit that included a CD, a couple of t-shirts for the kids, a gift card for party supplies, and a FLIP Camcorder to record the fun. In addition, I was entered for a chance to win a gift card in exchange for this post.

Mamavation Monday

I have a cold. A bad, stuffy head starting to get a sore throat cold! I hate colds! Yesterday, I was still in the I can beat this cold mode - so I felt my best choice was to sleep and allow my body extra rest to help fight the cold. But, it didn't work fully and over the course of the day yesterday, the stuffiness continued to increase, despite fighting it with Vitamin C and Zinc. So, this morning, the inability to breathe freely has caused me to miss another day of exercise. I am hopeful that by tomorrow, I will be able to go more than a few minutes without blowing my nose and will be able to exercise.

Needless to say, I have fallen behind in my 30 Day Shred Challenge. I am still planning on doing the workout for an actual 30 Days, vs just ending once 30 days have passed. It means that I will be still in the midst of the Challenge when everyone else starts to wrap up. I wound up doing Level 1 for 7 days and Level 2 for 7 days and late last week moved onto the Level 3 workout. By far, it is my favorite. I just didn't always feel it after the workout of the first two levels - sure I was sweaty and breathing hard, but the muscles just didn't feel like they do after a great workout. After Level 3, I knew I had worked out. I could really feel it in my muscles. I'm not sure, how I will finish the program. I was thinking 7 days on Level 3 and then doing a mix or maybe a combo of workouts from Level 1, 2 and 3. Or, perhaps I will just do 16 days on Level 3. How would you complete the 30 Day Shred?

This missing exercise (I was super busy this weekend with one wedding and three birthdays, so that was a miss as well) coupled with the eating at the one wedding and three birthdays and my adherence to 'starve a fever, feed a cold' yesterday (not really because I believe it, but because it is what happens) certainly is not serving me well in meeting my overall fitness and weight goals.

Alas, I will let this weekend go behind me and I will make a fresh start (as soon as I can breathe long enough to do the workout).

I will go and check out what other Mamavation Monday participants and 30 Day Shred Challenge participants have been up to for inspiration. It's amazing how reading about other success can help motivate you. I think I just might join Jared from the Subway ads in the Commit to Fit campaign. He is getting in shape to run a marathon in NYC. I'm not getting ready for a marathon, but would love to finish losing the weight that I set out to lose last year.

Mamavation Monday

I did it! I not only completed the first 8 days of the 30 Day Shred Challenge, but I also completed P90X. It was difficult and there were some days where I had to cut the P90X work out a little bit short or do a portion later, but I did it.

The Level 1 workout on the 30 Day Shred was a lot more difficult than I remembered. It took me a couple of days to be fully coordinated at it. Those compound moves may be great for the body, but they are hard for the uncoordinated. I did love that the workout goes so quickly. I would find myself struggling through the first circuit cardio, but before I knew it, I was done with the second circuit strength and the workout was half over.

As for P90X, the one thing that still disappoints me is that even though I am lighter than when I started it the first time, I still don't feel light on my feet. I watch all of them as they turn on Kempo through that section where you do the different punch sequences with a foot switch after each - they seem to float from one to the other, whereas I land like an elephant. I would like to be lighter on my feet - maybe it really is a question of coordination, again, it's asking me to move two things at the same time.

My eating was pretty okay last week, until it wasn't. The first part of the week went well, then I had four days in a row of catered lunches and dining out. I made reasonable choices, but let's be honest, even the best choice isn't as good as having complete control over what you are eating. It also didn't help that for my husband's birthday I made an Oreo Cheesecake - yum! I also splurged end of week by splitting a bottle of wine with a friend when she came to visit. I don't regret anything I did, it just delayed my progress.

Yesterday I moved on to Level 2 on the 30 Day Shred. Again, I might need a day or two to figure it out and get on the rhythm. Since I work out early in the morning, I have the volume down significantly and sometimes miss the cue to move from one exercise to the next. So far, I like the second workout, but I have a question. It seems that you work a slightly different set of muscles (or maybe you are working the same ones in a different way?), which might be fine for a little while, but shouldn't I be rotating through the workouts regularly to work out everything?

I've also found that with the 30 Day Shred being just under 30 minutes, that I feel like I need more. I have been adding the Leslie Sansone Walk At Home DVD that I got from Kozy Shack through a mail in offer a while back. I like that in 25 minutes, I can get in 2 miles of walking without leaving my living room. I think I would like to check out her other DVDs, especially the one that the second mile comes from. I also think I might try to work in some Ab Ripper X after the 30 Day Shred some days - we will see, that is the one workout that I still neglect when I do P90X, because I don't have the extra time. I am getting Abs in the 30 Day Shred and don't want to overdo it.

Eating right has started better this week and there are only two dining out/catered lunches this week, so that should be an improvement itself.

This post shared at Mamavation Monday, which is sponsored this week by Subway. This post linked up to the 30 Day Shred Challenge linky.

No compensation was received for this post, but by mentioning Subway and linking back to Mamvation Monday I am entering for a chance to win Subway gift cards.

Mamavation Monday

Finally, this past week, I saw some real movement on the scale. I'm finally making progress back to where I was at the beginning of the summer. I still feel like I am the only one who gains weight in the summer and can lose it more easily in the winter. I think there definitely could be a sleep connection, amongst other things. In the winter, I tend to be more successful in getting to bed on time. Which is not only good because I am sleeping, which my body needs, but also because I don't eat. In the summer, the kids get to bed later, which means that I get to bed later. I'm up more hours, which gives me more time to snack - it's been a little while since dinner and I just feel like I need something little.

This past week, certainly not winter, but with the return to school a few weeks gone by and finally getting back to routine, I once again have the kids in bed by about 8 or 8:15, most nights, which means that a 9:30 upstairs, 10:00 in bed target for me is working out much better. Nights where our calendar is full with sports are a little more challenging. We want to eat as a family, so that tends to mean later dinner after sports and later bed, but not much later.

This is my final week of this pass of P90X. With the gains of summer, I'm not sure how much change I will see in terms of measurements, but we will see at the end of the week. I am extremely proud that I am wrapping up my third time through. It really is a tough workout and 90 days is a commitment. I definitely will do it again, just not right away.

I've decided that I am going to take a P90X break for about 3 weeks after I finish. Why you ask? Well, I've decided that I'm going to participate in the 30 Day Shred Challenge that many other bloggers are starting this Monday. As I have mentioned, I have tried this workout, which I borrowed from a friend. I am a little bit concerned about time, since I am wrapping up P90X this week, but with the 30 Day Shred workouts requiring only about 30 minutes per day, I think I can make it happen. This morning, as example, I did the 30 Day Shred and then did P90X Yoga. I had to cut the Yoga short to only 55 minutes of a normally 1 1/2 hour workout. I can definitely say that Yoga is harder as a second workout than as an only workout. There were points where I wasn't sure I could keep my hands up for the entire pose.

I'm sharing my before pictures with you here (everyone else seemed to be doing it, so why not - I do apologize for the quality of the pictures, I had to use a napkin basket and timer to get the shot without getting the table). I also measured and will report back on changes at day 10, 20 and 30, relative to today.










Here is to a great week! Good luck to you too!

This post shared at Mamavation Monday and linked up at The 30 Day Shred Challenge.

This week's Mamavation Monday is sponsored by Chefs Requested. By sharing this post, I am entering for a chance to win product coupons for their 100 Calorie Portion Sized Steaks.

CSN Stores - Gift Card Giveaway

Started in 2002, by two guys with one online store, CSN has grown to become the #3 online retailer for home and office goods. Offering excellent customer service and one of the largest product selections on the web, they have now grown to over 200 stores offering a wide variety of products. Their product categories cover everything from cookware, ultra modern furniture, bunk bed-office combinations and fitness equipment to gaming chairs, grills, greenhouses and much more. If it's a piece of furniture or an appliance that you need for your home or office, you should check for it at CSN (www.csnstores.com) first, as there's a good chance they carry it and at a competitive price.

When I was contacted by CSN about doing a review and giveaway, I was overwhelmed with the selection. I wasn't sure what I would want to review and giveaway. Whether you're looking for a dining table , dinnerware, decorations, lighting, cribs, rugs, whatever, CSN has got you covered. A few other categories include kids + baby, pets, outdoor, health + fitness, furniture, home decor, and more. And, to make it even better, many of their items come with free shipping, which is clearly noted on the search pages and the item listing (even big things like a dining table has free shipping). Those that do not, have a simple shipping rate, based on the total amount of your purchase.

The last thing that I found at CSN stores was a Razor 3-wheel scooter for my daughter, so my first thought was to find something for the kids to play with outside (she loves it by the way). I saw riding toys and backyard games like croquette and mini-golf. Then, I thought, what about some new rugs for the foyer. I clicked into the store that offers bar stools, there were over 1900 choices for counter height bar stools. They have so many choices and so many types of items, I just couldn't decide.

Then, as I continued to explore, I came across their Health and Fitness store. As you may recall, I recently started doing Yoga as part of P90X. I don't have any gear for Yoga, and when I do some of the poses, like Downward Dog, I find myself sliding and slipping - which means I don't have good form and am constantly readjusting. I did some looking through the store and I found a Yoga Mat, a Yoga Mat bag (to carry/store my Yoga Mat) and a Yoga Block (to help me with some of those poses like Twisting Right Angle Pose). I decided that I should get something for me, so this is what I chose. I can't wait for it to arrive.

I decided in the end that for the giveaway, a gift card would be the best route - that way the winner could use it towards something that they want. This could be the Yoga Gear that I selected or something else that you want.

What would you do with a $35 CSN Store Gift Card? Would you put it towards a chair for your family room? A dining table for your kitchen? A rug for your foyer? An umbrella for your deck?

Giveaway!
What would you do with a $35 CSN Gift Card?
To Enter:
Visit CSN Stores and tell me what you would use your gift card towards.

Additional Entries (leave a comment for each additional entry)

Follow A Busy Mom of Two on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. This can be once daily, please be sure to leave a link to the tweet in your comment.

Post about this giveaway on your blog and leave a comment with a link to your post.

Sign up to receive daily updates. Leave a comment letting me know you subscribe (or that you already do).

Share this giveaway with your friends on Facebook. Leave a comment letting me know you did.

Giveaway will remain open until August 30th at 6pm and is open to residents of US and Canada only. Winner will be selected using Random.org random number generator. The winner will be contacted by e-mail (Please make sure that your email address is either in your comment or clearly visible on your profile or blog) and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner may be selected.


No compensation was received for this post. I am receiving the Yoga gear that I selected and the opportunity to giveaway a $35 gift card to CSN stores, courtesy of CSN Stores as a CSN Preferred Blogger.

Mamavation Monday

Well, last week I shared how reading a post on Money Saving Mom helped me identify something that had changed in my attitude and approach to eating and "splurging". I tried hard this past week to put things back into the right gear. I had a pool party, family wedding, family picnic and more than a couple of meals out over the past week, but I am glad to say that I reported a weight loss at my Weight Watcher's meeting this week. It wasn't a big loss, but it was a loss. Not only was it a loss, last week I weighed in before dinner and this week after, so it makes it even a little bit better.

I tried Jillian Michael's Shred DVD out last week. A friend had lent me her copy to try, so I squeezed it into my regular workout routine. I think I could enjoy it as a short workout option, for those days where I don't have a full hour or more. I might try her 30 day program after I finish P90X this time. See if it makes a difference - besides, isn't that part of the P90X philosophy - muscle confusion.

I had planned to return to P90X, recovery week of Phase 2 this week, but yesterday at some point, I must have sat or moved or stepped or done something that has my right quad (lower portion only) in pain. I can't decide what it is. It hurts to bend it. I have been trying to stretch it all day. When I have been doing a lot of walking, it feels better, but once I am sitting for a little while, it gets really tight and painful. I'm not really sure how to handle it. I am thinking I might try the X Stretch workout tomorrow, just to see if I can through a series of different stretches, make a difference. If that doesn't work, I'm not sure what to do. thoughts?

I am ready to face another week and hope to be successful again in obtaining my goal of moving in the right direction.

This post shared at Mamavation Monday, which is sponsored by Lori @gutimom. She is giving away lots of different Avon products and I am entering for a chance to win by linking up this post.

Lindsay Brin's Shed 5 Fast

As I've mentioned before, I exercise in the morning before I go to work. Most days, this works for me. Some days, either because I was tired or because I need to get to work early, I don't have as much time to work out as is required by many of my DVDs. Most of the P90X videos that I do are normally an hour or more.

I am always on the lookout for new routines that I can fit into my schedule. When I was given the opportunity to try out Shed 5 Fast workout, I was really excited. The DVD is led by Lindsay Brin - a mother of two. She is focused on helping mom's get in shape and lose pregnancy weight. I like that she understands how limited a mom's time can be and she even references it in the cool down about taking a few more minutes - since this might be your only time for you today. She is very encouraging and it's hard not to guess that she has a background in cheerleading.

The Shed 5 Fast workout is a total body workout that combines toning and cardio (kickboxing) in one workout. This "interval training is the most efficient way to burn calories." The DVD comes with two workouts, one that is a weight loss challenge and one that is an interval burn. Within each workout, there are two women in addition to Lindsay Brin. One is doing a beginner level and the other is doing an advanced level of the exercises, while Lindsay Brin leads and shows the intermediate levels. This is nice for those that are at different levels and can see how to approach each exercise at their level. Also, as you progress, you can move from one level to the next by following a different woman through the workout.

When I received the DVD, I was excited to try it and substituted it for my regular workout the next day.

In completing the first day of each workout, I was reminded of why I struggle with aerobics, step aerobics and many other DVDs. I am not very coordinated. I struggle with trying to watch and do the workout at the same time. I am challenged by the transitions required to go from one move to the next. I seem to fall behind and then am trying to watch to catch up. I spent time watching and then trying to do the workout, finding myself a few steps behind and then getting frustrated. The good news is that with these workouts, as with aerobics, step aerobics, and other DVDs, if I continue to do it - I do get the hang of it. I guess I'm memorizing the workout, allowing myself to transition more easily between moves and get better coordinated at completing the moves.

My experience is that the DVDs were providing me with a decent workout. They weren't as strenuous as other DVDs that I have been doing, but they get my heart rate up into the zone and I did some serious sweating during the workout. I didn't feel it much in my muscles the next day, but that could just be because I have been working out daily during the week for almost a full year now and I don't feel every workout from my regular routine as much as I used to.

I like that Lindsay Brin is a real person and she shares based on her own experiences. She has a website at Twitter or reach out to her on FREE meal plan, which can help you shed those last pounds even faster.

She was kind enough to offer a 20% off coupon for my readers:
Moms Into Fitness also just launched a 60 Day Slimdown program for moms that want to commit to 5 days a week, complete with Fitness Tracker, 3-phase Meal Plan and workout calendar. Get your body back with Moms Into Fitness DVDs! Learn how to fire your core from the inside-out to create a flat stomach again.


Title: Lindsay Brin Shed 5 Fast
Price: $15.99
Put out by: Moms Into Fitness

You can watch a trailer here:



No compensation was received for this post. I did receive a complimentary copy of Lindsay Brin's Shed 5 Fast, so that I could try it and share my experience.