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.

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.

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. 

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.

Pure Barre With My Contest Winner

On Wednesday, my contest winner Heather was able to join me for Jess' 5:20pm Pure Barre class.

I wasn't totally sure how to prep her for the experience. I made sure she read up on all my blog posts about my previous Pure Barre classes and that she brought socks. :)

Heather, our winner, also happens to be a fellow Weight Watchers Leader in Boston - who lost over 75 lbs with the program.

"I took my first pure barre class and LOVED it!!"  - Heather

She is always open to try new classes at the gym so I knew she would be a perfect newbie for Pure Barre!

We got to class early and I made sure she was all set up. I grabbed my normal 3 lb weights, while Heather went big with 5 lb weights for the opening arm workout.

The class was full, but I was able to grab us a spot together in the back. ;)

Class started right on time and we were off. It kicked off by warming up the legs, abs and arms.

I love a good plank as many of you may know. I actually take part of the #plankaday challenge so one of my favorite parts of the abs warmup at Pure Barre is the 90 second varied plank - which includes a front forearm plank with leg lifts, straightarm plank, left side straightarm plank, right side straightarm plank then right into pushups (real and modified) and tricep pushups.

And wow are my arms burning by the end of that.

Then we lead right into arms - biceps, triceps and shoulders - which is a true burn. I am happy that I can now make it through the whole arm portion without putting down my 3lb weights (yay!). So as I looked over Heather was rocking the 5 lb weights, but taking the breaks when she needed to.

"Within the first few min my arm's were on fire.. and that was just the warm up!!" - Heather

I tried to let Heather know that the shaking in the muscles was normal and about to ramp up as we headed to thigh work... ;)

Jess was ready to kick our Pure Barre ledges (the area between your butt and your upper thigh area) and I could tell that Heather was loving these exercises. She was smiling, which is all that matters.

All of a sudden it was time for seven minutes of abs and the final 2.5 minutes of class, which is all squeezing and tucking while in a bridge. The lights are off during this time and the music gets nice and low. A perfect way to end the class.

As we were cleaning up, Heather let me know that she loved the experience so much that she would be back. She and a couple other Weight Watchers employees were looking for a way to celebrate the Holiday in a new way - instead of just going out to dinner - and she was going to suggest taking a Pure Barre Burlington class together.

YAY! Another Pure Barre convert... ;)

"This work out truly works your WHOLE body!! Not sure how much I will love it tomorrow when I can't hold my toothbrush..." - Heather

*WINNER ANNOUNCED* I Got My #SparkleOn At Pure Barre!

**WINNER ANNOUNCED**

Thanks to Random.org, the winner of the giveaway is #32:

Congrats to Marisol!!!

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

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Lifting. Toning. Burning. Sparkling.

Sparking you say?

Yes!

For those that follow me at all through Social Media or this blog know I have a slight love obsession with Sparkly Soul headbands. ;)

So last night like most Pure Barre Burlington classes, I wore one of my many Sparkly Soul headbands...

... and I was finally able to snap a few action shots of me during class. For all of your enjoyment of course!

---

I was nervous heading to class last night because I hadn't been since Friday due to some back/hip soreness over the weekend.

But, I was pleasantly surprised that I actually felt stronger and more comfortable in the class than in any of the previous three classes.

Okay, yes, we tend to get more comfortable as we attend/work on any sport/exercise, but I didn't know if the time off would set me back.

But, folks - I felt STRONG tonight.

Wha?

Yes - me!

---

My girl Jess (owner  extraordinaire) taught last night's 5:20pm class and I was looking forward to seeing what she had to offer ... and boy did she bring it.

We kicked it off with the normal warmup of arms (biceps, triceps, etc) and core (90 second varied plank/additional ab exercises on the floor).

I was wicked excited because for the first time to date I was able to hold the 3 lb weights throughout the entire warmup! YES!

Normally I have to stop halfway through or put them down and then pick them back up later in the workout. But not last night, I actually was able to hold them the entire time.

That must mean I have some baby muscles in there somewhere, right? :)

---

I was feeling confident making it through the first section of class without having to alter the moves...

...then we headed into "thigh" work!

Can you tell I knew the camera was on me here? ;)

This is one tough portion of class where you have to be up on your tip toes, bend your knees, squeeze the ball and tuck your tailbone - sometimes all at the same time. Woo, the tops of your thighs definitely burn!

Then Jess instructed us to get higher up on our toes and deeper into a squat at the same time - hence my smile disappearing. ;) Note the concentration on my face.

Another successful section of the class where I didn't have to pause (another first). I did slightly lessen my squat while on my toes, but I kept tucking and squeezing the ball the whole time. :)

---

After shaking out the legs a little and some light yoga stretching, it was on to seat work (aka booty work ;)) at the barre facing the center of the room.

It is fascinating how such tiny movements of the leg can work so many areas of your body.

With a slight bend in the standing leg, it was time to work the seat of the lifted leg through slight lifts, circling the leg, pointing the toe and straightening the leg. We did additional seat work on the lifted leg side on the floor (think tabletop position) before doing the whole segment again for the other side of the seat. :)

Woo! Three for three in making it through a section.

---

And then came seat work in chair position at the barre ... and my streak ended. :P

Jess upped her game to a whole new level during this section.

We got into a chair position at the barre with straight back - like sitting in a chair - and we went on our left foot on tippy toes before doing dips and pulsing in this position ... then doing the same with the right foot on tippy toes ... the finally with both on tippy toes.

And here is where the burn got a little too much for me. So I did stop once to shake out the legs, but I made sure to get right back into the position as soon as I felt ready.

I didn't think I would make it through that section, but Jess' calming voice and constant reassurance to all of us that we could do it helped me out!

---

Before I knew it, it was time to wrap the class up with 7 minutes of abs and 2.5 minutes of bridge work.

Thankfully for the ab work, Pure Barre wants everything to be done injury free so they have red balls available to tuck under your back and offer that extra support. Jess even suggested for my back to use two so I did that last night and the back survived the 7 minutes of core work without any pain. :)

I did a TON of bridge work in PT after my back surgery so I love this portion of class ... I got this. :P

We were able to snap a pic of pre-tuck...

...and post-tuck!

Can you spot the difference in the pelvic/hip area?

---

Well I entered last night's class unsure and nervous, but left feeling confident and realizing that I am already feeling a difference after just four classes.

My inner sparkle now matches the outer sparkle of my headband...

... so now comes the giveaway!! :)

Sparkly Soul has agreed to give one lucky reader of my blog one wide and one thin Sparkly Soul band of their own.

Here is how to enter:

*Please answer the following question on the blog below: “How will a Sparkly Soul headband help you sparkle?” … I will take responses until 9am ET Monday (December 3).

The winner will be picked at random … Good luck! 

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Feel free to follow Sparkly Soul on Facebook (www.facebook.com/sparklysoulinc), Twitter (@SPARKLYSOULINC) and Instagram/Pinterest/Tumblr (SPARKLYSOULINC), Google + (Sparkly Soul) and LinkedIn (Sparkly Soul, Inc.). And here is the link to their press release for more information on their headbands: http://sparklysoulinc.word press.com/about-2/press-release/

*WINNER ANNOUNCED* Pure Barre Class With Me Giveaway!

**WINNER ANNOUNCED**

Thanks to Random.org, the winner of the giveaway is #7 .... AND #18:

THAT'S RIGHT! Jess at Pure Barre Burlington was nice enough to give away 2 free classes with me instead of 1! Thanks Jess...

Congrats to Heather Federico AND Robin Nichols!!

Thanks to everyone who participated and keep your eyes out for the next giveaway - which will be launching TOMORROW for Sparkly Soul headbands … 

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Are you ready to lift?

Do you wanna feel the burn?

Looking to tone?

Then Pure Barre in Burlington is the place for you! :)

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Just a reminder of what Pure Barre is courtesy of the Founders:

Pure Barre is the fastest, most effective way to change the shape of your body. Using small isometric movements at the ballet barre set to motivating music, Pure Barre lifts your seat, tones your thighs, abs and arms and burns fat in record breaking time. Clients see results in just 10 classes, lose inches in weeks and have fun doing it!

---

I've been attending the class for just over a week now & am starting to drink the Pure Barre koolaid :P

Check out some of my thoughts so far: Class One, Class Two and Class Three!

It is definitely a unique workout that hits spots on my body I never knew you could strengthen.

So now it's time for the good news!

You ready?

Are you sure?

Well, here it is ...

... I'm giving away a free class with me at Pure Barre Burlington!

And following the class - we can grab a Dunkin Donuts coffee or a beer (pending time of class) ;)

---

So here's how to enter:

*Follow @IrishEyes1982 and @PureBarreMA on Twitter (if you have an account) - leave one comment after following both

*Like Weight Off My Shoulders Blog and Pure Barre Burlington on Facebook (if you have an account) - leave one comment after liking both

and

*Comment below answering the following question: “What about Pure Barre makes you want to check out a class with me?” 

… I will take responses until 2pm ET Wednesday (November 28).

The winner will be picked at random … Good luck! 

**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? ;)

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And now the fun part … the giveaway! Popchips 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!