I Need Sweet & Salty ... Popchips Giveaway WINNER ANNOUNCED

Annddddd the winner IS:

a Rafflecopter giveaway CONGRATS!!!!

Thank you to everyone that participated and big thanks to our Sponsor!!!

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Ever get home from a run or a hard workout and just start tearing through the cabinets looking for snacks?

I call them the Hungry Horrors or Rungry Horrors ... depending on your activity of choice!

But either way, I get home from pushing my body and it wants to be fed.

And usually with something salty.

Mmmmm salt...

French Fries. Chips. Pretzels.

You can it - it wants it.

But, of course those are not the BEST options out there.

So we need to find alternatives.

I was reading Jillian Michaels' book Slim For Life.

jillian

So many of her philosophies were also taught to me through my journey on Weight Watchers!! I love when I read a book and agree with the overall message.

Now, part of that balanced lifestyle, is about finding a healthier option for certain cravings/temptations.

Which brings me to my desire for salt.

Please enter Popchips!

Yes, yes - we all know my love and admiration for popchips ... but they've now outdone themselves.

How you may ask?

They have combined SALTY and SWEET.

What? How could that be? Can they do magic? Are they GOD?

It may be all of the above and then some.

But seriously, they've released their latest flavor: Katy's Kettle Corn!

katy

When I first tried these chips I thought I died and went to heaven.

Too dramatic?

Nope!

I actually don't really like Kettle Corn, but gave these bad boys a chance thanks to Popchips Boston...

... and now I'm hooked.

(Note: I am eating a bag of these as I write this post ... I wish I was joking!)

So now it is time to pass my addictions on to you because we all need to know how to healthily handle our "Sweet and Salty" fix, right?

Here's how to enter the giveaway:

I will be giving away a free copy of Jillian Michaels' book Slim For Life AND a case of Katy's Kettle Corn Popchips to one lucky winner!!

Giveaway is open from Monday May 6 (Monday) to 10am May 10 (Friday)!

The winner will be announced on Friday!

Fierce Forward Limitless Collection Bracelet *WINNER ANNOUNCED*

Annddddd the winner IS:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CONGRATS!!!!

Thank you to everyone that participated and big thanks to Fierce Forward for sharing her beautiful bracelet with us!!!

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I am not a HUGE jewelry person. I usually keep it pretty simple - a couple bangles and my Tedy's Team plastic bracelet are really all I need.

But, I love a company with a purpose - especially when it is to motivate and inspire women.

Enter Fierce Forward ... a company "driven by purpose and moved by passion, you break down barriers and move Fiercely Forward."

Ashley Johns is a personal trainer, a fitness model, an athlete, an author, a life coach and a jewelry designer.

She created the Limitless Collection, which features such motivating designs as Purpose, Commitment, Energy, Passion, Growth, Grounded and Strength. Each bracelet holds a powerful and empowering message.

The collection got the game because Ashley writes "each bracelet is handmade to arm you with the intention to be limitless."

A positive message I can get after.

After connecting with Ashley on Twitter, she was gracious enough to offer myself as well as a blog reader a Less Sugar Bracelet.

less sugar

Photo Courtesy of Fierce Forward 

Ashley describes the beautiful Less Sugar Bracelet as:

A petite bracelet hand made by me using only the finest African Trade Beads. Come with a Fierce Forward logo Stainless Steel Charm that freely moves around the bracelet. This "candy bracelet" is to remind you to eat less sugar and be mindful of what you put in your body. Moderation is key! This is life, you must enjoy the fine things in it and enjoy them richly. Enjoying something richly is not having it every day but waiting for it in moderation and then truly being able to appreciate it.

candy

Photo Courtesy of Fierce Forward 

Since starting Weight Watchers in November 2009, I've used a lot of visual cues - notes on my hand, post-it notes, etc - as a way to remind myself to pick the healthy option. But Ashley has created a much cuter way to cue myself to pick the water and not the soda. (I am currently 856 days soda free).

This is not just for someone with Diabetes watching their sugar intake but for ANYONE. We should all take more care in what we put in our bodies. You start reaching for that Mountain Dew in the fridge and see your Less Sugar Candy Bracelet and remember that you don't NEED that. Reach for water instead. I create these bracelets to mean something to YOU. You will have your own individual need for your bracelet and it will connect with you on your level:)

What will my bracelet remind me to do? Grab the water before a snack. Our bodies don't know the difference between hunger and thirst signals SO when I grab for food my bracelet on my left wrist will remind me to drink some water first. Thanks Ashley!

So who's ready for the giveaway??

Here’s how to enter:

Giveaway is open from 8am April 10 (Wednesday) through 9am April 12 (Friday)!!

The winner will be announced on Friday!!

3k Twitter Follower Giveaway WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Annddddd the winners ARE:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prize Pack 1: @2thfairyRDH - Marianne Elizabeth Williams

Prize Pack 2: @darciegagne13 - Darcie Gagne

Prize Pack 3: @divaonadiet - Alexis Atwood

CONGRATS!!!! I will be in touch to help you collect your prizes!

Thank you to everyone that participated and big thanks to all the Sponsors!!!

**********

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

I never imagined I would be doing a giveaway for reaching 3,000 Twitter followers.

So thank you for humoring my posts and following my path to The Boston Marathon … and beyond!

I love Twitter for so many reasons, but really it allows me to connect with so many amazing, inspiring, motivating people that push me to be a better human being and athlete. Can I call myself an athlete? That allowed. Eh, I’m going with it. So there. :P

But I know you aren’t all here to listen to me rambling on about how much I appreciate you all and love interacting with you.

You are here for the SWAG!!

Well, let’s get right down to it shall we.

Thanks to amazing companies and sponsors I have three amazing Giveaway packages for you all to enjoy.

And here they are:

Prize Pack One

Sample of ENERGYBits

Pair of PRO Compression Socks

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series Gear

Sparkly Soul Wide Gold Headban

Same pack of Vitalicious Vitatops

**

Prize Pack Two

Sample of ENERGYBits

Pair of Lock Laces

Marathon Sports $50 Gift Certificate

Perform Pain Reliever Recovery Kit

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series Gear

**

Prize Pack Three

Bulu Box March Box and T-shirt

Sample of ENERGYBits

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series Gear

Pair of X-1 Momentum Headphones

Pair of ZENSAH Neon Compression Socks

Giveaway is open from March 28 (today) through Midnight on April 2!!

Here’s how to enter:

The three winners will be announced on Wednesday, April 3!!

Please be sure to show some appreciation to these amazing sponsors by tweeting them some love...

Learning To Run WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

And the winners are: a Rafflecopter giveaway

That's right, Brad was so excited about the giveaway he let me pick not 1, but 5 winners!! YAY! Congrats to you all and thanks to everyone that entered!!

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For most of my life, I HATED running ... like would do anything to avoid running or even jogging for that matter.

I disliked running so much that I tried to play sports that involved the least amount of running --- catcher in softball, setter in volleyball and defense in lacrosse, to name a few.

But then something changed. I REALLY wanted to lose weight and figured running would be a good way to burn calories.

So in January 2005, I took the plunge.

I started by running 1/2 a mile a few times a week at the gym treadmill during the first week of January.

In the second week of that month, I ran - okay jogged - 3/4 a mile a few times a week.

Each week I worked on upping my mileage by just 1/4 of a mile. I felt that was a doable amount.

Did I really know what I was doing? Not so much. I was winging it.

I had many friends and family members that were runners, but felt like such a loser that I didn't really ask them for advice.

And when I started running there wasn't a social media group I could turn to for advice.

So I just did the best I could come up with.

I started my journey in January 2005 and ran my first 5k in March 2005 (38:21). It was fun and my dad ran with me the entire time. Thankfully my dad ran with me for most of the first races I completed.

We kept it going until I ran my first half marathon (Hyannis Half) in February 2006 (2:20:18) and my first full marathon (Clarence De Mar) in September 2006 (5:59:27).

But, I was undertrained for that marathon. I again didn't have anyone to turn to for advice so I just searched the internet and tried to use a training program to help. However, during the training period I got injured - IT band - so I was still nursing the injury and ill-prepared for that full marathon and it showed in the results. I walked for probably 6-7 miles of that 26.2 miles, but I finished.

Then promptly stopped running ... for years.

Yup that's right. I started running for about 21 months and then gave it up.

I finally gave it another shot in June 2011  and this time I reached out to friends and social media for help.

Now, I have sounding boards for racing tips, training schedules and learning how important cross training really is.

And I couldn't be happier! Having the help and support of knowledgable runners can make all the difference.

So that brings me to the GIVEAWAY!

My twitter friend and the creator of the #7daychip, Brad Gansberg, has graciously offered up his services to one lucky reader!!

Brad is a running coach and offers a couple different services through his website.

For this giveaway, he is allowing me to give away one Basic membership ($99 value) to his Running 101 program:

Running 101 is designed to teach the non runner how to successfully complete their first 5K run in 100 days.  The program will help you reach this goal using a series of 46 instructional videos, which will cover all topics necessary for success.  The program will also include a 15 week training schedule, which will take you step by step, from short runs, all the way up to a non-stop 5K.  Lastly, I will be there to support you, and share all that I have learned through my years of teaching and training others.

If you have always wanted to learn how to run, but never knew how, this is the program for you.

How awesome does this sound?

The Basic Membership includes:

This plan has everything you need to successfully complete my programs.  It includes 15 weeks of planned workout schedules, which will help to ensure that you stay on the right track.  It also offers weekly video lectures (over 45 in total) covering every topic needed to reach your goal.  Lastly, you will have access to my extensive members only library, which provides answers to the most common running related issues and questions. While basic plan members do not have personal contact with me, they will have access to my years of coaching knowledge, offered through the program materials.

Giveaway is open from February 11 (today) through Midnight on February 17!!

Here's how to enter:

 

**Don't worry folks! If you are not selected as the winner, Brad offers a #freerunning101 program that you can check out at anytime here. Through the #freerunning101 program offers everything you need (including videos) to run a 5k in 100 days.

**WINNER ANNOUNCED** Popchips Tortilla Chips Giveaway...

**WINNER ANNOUNCED**

Thanks to Random.org, the winner of the giveaway is #55:

Congrats to Pam Gordon!!

Thanks to everyone who participated and keep your eyes out for the next giveaway… :)

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A-D-D-I-C-T-E-D!

Is all I have to say about my relationship with these delicious chips. ;)

Ever since I got the first taste of Pochips Tortilla Chips on September 11 ... I've been HOOKED! :) :)

But, after finishing the samples I received in the mail, the news hit - they weren't available in Boston until January.

Nooooo ... I got the itch and I wanted more! :P

And then it happened.

I got to Fitbloggin on September  20 and there it was - a Popchips Tortilla Chips booth.

Oh were my eyes playing tricks on me?

Nope.

There for our sampling pleasure for the entire weekend were Popchips Tortilla Chips.

To say I frequented the booth often would be an understatement.

I mean I had to get my fill right?

Then the lovely Popchips ambassadors surprised me with the bigger bag for the ride home to Boston from Baltimore.

YAY!

Can you tell that Ranch is my favorite flavor? ;)

---

And now the fun part … the giveawayPopchips has agreed to give one lucky reader of my blog a free Popchips Tortilla Chips prize of their own.

Here is how to enter:

*Follow @IrishEyes1982 and @popchips on Twitter (if you have an account)

*Like Weight Off My Shoulders Blog and Popchips on Facebook (if you have an account)

and

*Comment on the blog below to the following question: “What is your favorite flavor to pop?” 

 

… I will take responses until 3pm ET Wednesday (October 24). The winner will be picked at random … Good luck! :)

 

Moms, 5k & a Popchips GIVEAWAY *WINNER ANNOUNCED*

*WINNER ANNOUNCED*

Thanks to Random.org, the winner of the giveaway is #25:

 

Congrats to Liz:

My favorite flavor is definitely Original!

My favorite part of healthy eating is the feeling I get of more energy and knowing it makes my body lighter and healthier.

Thanks to everyone who participated and keep your eyes out for the next giveaway… :)

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As the wife and I were sitting down to dinner a few weeks ago, she remarked how different her food choices are now compared to when she was a child ... heck compared to a couple of years back.

It got me thinking about how I will feed my kids when I become a mom. I don't foresee as many trips to Friendly's or McDonald's as when I was younger. There will be many more meals at home ... home cooked ... even with some of those fruits and veggies I can't pronounce. :P

(And I owe all of that to Weight Watchers!)

While at the grocery store this morning, I witnessed a mom LOAD her cart with the prepackaged snacks - the chocolate cakes, the mini donuts - you know the aisle I'm talking about.

I just stopped and said to myself, I will NOT do that to my children. I won't make them bring kale chips to school every day, but I will try to stay away from the snacks loaded up on sugar, etc ... the ones I used to eat.

I DEFINITELY will be sending them to school and games with fruits, veggies, baked chips or Popchips. How can they not love all these options, especially Popchips? I eat them all the time to get that chip taste without the calories/points. But, more on the awesomeness of Popchips later.

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So this is my first Mother's Day home since 2010, but my mom doesn't really want to celebrate. I guess having me home permanently is enough of a gift.

I know! I'm the gift that keeps on giving. :P

While I may not be a mom to any humans yet, I am a mom to two adorable - yet trying - pups.

So the wife and I are celebrating Mother's Day May 13 by participating in the M.O.M.'s Run 5k in Somerville.

I absolutely love starting ANY holiday with a run. If you can't tell, I'm really trying to make this stick for any holiday I can...

Will anyone else be kicking off Mother's Day with a run? Maybe with your own mom or your child?

---

And now the fun part … the giveawayPopchips has agreed to give one lucky reader of my blog a free Popchips prize of their own.

Here is how to enter:

*Follow @IrishEyes1982 and @popchipsboston on Twitter (if you have an account)

*Like Weight Off My Shoulders Blog and Popchips on Facebook (if you have an account)

and

*Comment on the blog below to the following questions: “What is your favorite flavor to pop?” and "What is your favorite part of healthy eating?"

 

… I will take responses until 10am ET Friday (May 11). The winner will be picked at random … Good luck! :)

Sparkly Soul Headband Review & Giveaway

**WINNER ANNOUNCED**

Thanks to Random.org, the winner of the giveaway is #35:

Congrats to Mandy Ferrara!!

Thanks to everyone who participated and keep your eyes out for the next giveaway... :)

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I love headbands. Okay let me rephrase. I have such out of control hair that I must love headbands. :) I used to buy all of my workout bands from CVS or Walgreens. But, those either gave me headaches or stretched out after one wear. So I am always on the search for better workout headbands. In came ...

Sparky Soul!

This is a relatively new company - I believe they have been around for just five months or so. They sent me a couple thin bands and a wide band to try out. Since my friend El is just as active as I am, but with more bangs ;) I gave her the wider band to try out for me.

I tried out the thin blue sparkly band. It is super cute as you can sort of see in the pic. :P

On Sunday I tried out the two thin Sparky Soul bands they sent me - one blue and one red - together while at my hour Spin class. I was not a fan of wearing two at the same time. I could feel them moving on my head during class. I think it might've been the pressure from wearing the two at the same time because...

When I wore the blue on its own tonight while on the Stairmaster for 30 min, it didn't move an inch. I actually forgot I was wearing it, which is a great thing when working out. I hate fussing when I am in the zone. :)

I liked the touch of Sparkle added to my workout look. It is a simple way to add a lil sass ... especially if you were doing a Zumba or Hip Hop class.

Also, I could easily wear this while running errands on the weekend. With the number of colors they offer, you can easily find any Sparkly Soul band to match your outfit.

-

Ellie was gracious enough to try out the wide Sparkly Soul band for me in her favorite color, Violet.

From El:

"As a runner with a very heavy bang and lots of little fly always around my face I am always on the look out for a great headband. What I love about the sparkly band is that it's very tight and keeps all of my hair off my face without being so tight that it gives me a headache. I find that most tight headbands tend to hurt after a while but sparkly band proved to be the exception. I love that the band is sparkly and girlie. When I'm exercising I'm not dressing up or wearing make up but it is fun to have a cute sparkly headband to give me a little hair flair during my run. These are great headbands for all the female runners out there who want a little sparkle during their workouts."

-

So from El and I ... we give Sparkly Soul bands two big thumbs up!! Give them a whirl and add a touch of sass to your workout!

-

And now the fun part … the giveawaySparkly Soul has agreed to give one lucky reader of my blog a free Sparkly Soul band of their own.

Here is how to enter:

*Please leave the following comment on the blog below: “I Want One!” … I will take responses until 9am CT Thursday (December 15). The winner will be picked at random … Good luck! :)

Sweaty Bands Review & Giveaway!

*WINNER ANNOUNCED*

Thanks to Random.org, the winner of the giveaway is #45:

Congrats to: "kerrin" aka Karen Mishler Brown

I need one of these, my medication makes me sweat profusely during workouts and this would be awesome!

Thanks to everyone who participated and keep your eyes out for our next giveaway… :)

Let me just start this off by saying I freakin' love these Sweaty Bands. It is exactly what I have been looking for. There are a ton of cute designs, but they work really well.

I reached out to Sweaty Bands for a couple samples and they happily obliged. They even said I could give one away to my awesome readers, but we will get to that later.

I wanted to put Sweaty Bands through the ringer.

On Saturday, I decided to wear the thicker multi-colored band just out and about as I ran errands. Basically, I didn't want my first experience with it to be during my 8k run the next day because if it bothered me I would've thrown it on the ground and never looked back. :P But I digress, it was super cute and stayed in place the entire day. I did not have to fuss or mess with it once, which is so refreshing. I was worried since the band was thicker that it would poke the back part of my ears, but thankfully it didn't!

On Sunday, I wore it again during my 8k run. It was perfect. It didn't move. My wisps stayed out of my face. It actually held up through a downpour that ocurred for the last mile of the run. Plus, it looked cute with my running outift ... which is always a nice bonus ;)

On Monday, I decided to give the thinner band a try. I wore it all day at work and everyone complimented me on the cute new headband I had on. But, what was even better, was how easy it transititioned to the night. I went straight from work to the gym and it survived a nice 45 min date with the Stairmaster.

On Tuesday came a new challenge. I wore the skinny band to the gym, but also had to wear my glasses for awhile. I was worried the side part of the frames (ie the "earpiece") would dig in the band that would in turn dig into my head. But, it didn't. I could feel the earpiece for about 5 minutes then the feeling went away. That may have been more on me since I so rarely wear my glasses.

I really enjoyed the versatility of the bands! They can be used during the day and at the gym, which is a great way to get the most bang for your buck! :)

And now the fun part … the giveawaySweaty Bands has agreed to give one lucky reader of my blog the Sweaty Bands above.

Here is how to enter:

*Please leave the following comment on the blog below: "I Want One!" ... I will take responses until 9am CT Friday (September 30). The winner will be picked at random ... Good luck! :)

Sweaty Bands is also on Twitter and Facebook

Bondi band and Giveaway!

*WINNER ANNOUNCED*

Jessie had our favorite way in which to rock a Bondi Band:

"You know how a super hero always has a cape? Well, if I had a Boni Band, it would be my version of a cape. I'd wear it when I worked out, and it would help me focus on becoming stronger and healthier. With my Bondi Band, I'd be invincible. :)"

Thanks to everyone who participated and keep your eyes out for our next giveaway... :)

 

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Hey All!

I don't know if you all have a problem keeping your hair out of your face when you are working out, but I sure do. Damn curls! :P Well, for years I have been using the cheap headbands from Walgreens/CVS, but I find they stretch out wicked easy and don't work all that well after a couple wears. Also, they are usually just a boring color like black or brown...

So, I finally started doing some research and found Bondi Band online.

I reached out to the wonderful ladies there and they sent me one to try out. (Comments/Thoughts are my own)

I am bad at taking self photos, but you know I had to pick the one with the Shamrocks all over it. They had a ton of designs and different types of bands/hats that you can choose from.

Well, I gave it a whirl last night at Zumba and really liked it. It definitely kept my hair out of my face and didn't give me the "halo of curls" I usually have after a workout.

Here is a side shot:

So you can tell the band is pretty wide. When I first put it on it covered my ears, which I didn't like. I guess that would work well for outside activites (ie fall running), but it just bothered me while inside. Then my lovely wife suggested just tucking it behind my ears (she is so smart). That felt much more comfortable. The only problem with that was that it buldged up a little behind my ears due to the extra fabric. It bothered me while I was just sitting there, but once I was focused on Zumba, I didn't notice it at all (which is all that matters).

I am a big sweater. It is just my nature. The band was able to remain dry during the workout and I didn't feel any extra sweat in my hair due to the width of the band.

It didn't slip or slide at all during my workout, which I appreciated. I didn't have to fuss or fix it once. I hate when I need to alter any of my wardrobe, while I am in the middle of a workout.

So overall, I would give the Bondi Band an A-. I would definitely rock it again ... and I will tonight at the gym! :)

 

And now the fun part ... the giveaway! Bondi Band has agreed to give one lucky reader of my blog a Bondi Band of their own.

Here is how to enter:

*Please leave a comment on the blog below telling me how you would rock a Bondi Band if you won! I will take responses until 11:59am CT tomorrow and is only open to residents of the United States. Good luck!

Bondi Band is also on twitter and Facebook...