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Timex IRONMAN GPS+ Giveaway

As you guys know, I have more than a few miles to run between now and the end of the year. I’m currently signed up for seven races and eyeing a few more. I love Fall running and the energy that races, regardless their size, provide.

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Part of me thought that coming back to the United States I would need numerous races to keep me motivated and on track. But, as Jess and my other friends know, these days I am always staying busy whether running, going to yoga, or cross training with Fhitting Room and The Bar Method.  If I want to succeed during these races and finish the year strong and healthy, I have to make sure that each run is the strongest possible.

After a Summer of running for fun, I’ve started tracking each run, ensuring that I hit the paces Jess prescribes for each weeks’ workouts. However, since moving back to the US, my GPS watch has had constant issues finding satellites and holding a charge. After one too many frustrating runs, I swapped to using an activity tracker app on my iPhone. Trying to fumble around and take screen shots of your paces after each 800 repeat is laughable. While it seemed to work well for other types of runs, it drained my phone and forced me to hold my phone during the run which was cumbersome and not good for the phone. As my post workout pictures show, I sweat a lot. The last thing I want to do is ruin an iPhone due to excess moisture and sweat during the dog days of summer runs.

Luckily, my friends at Fitfluential and Timex have helped ensure that my past eight runs were near perfect.  After just a few weeks using the Timex IRONMAN GPS+ I’m already in love and doubt I’ll ever go back to my old methods. I’ve been able to precisely track my paces for each run without having to stress or fumble around. In fact, dare I say, that the Timex IRONMAN GPS+ has made me enjoy running just a bit more?

What makes it so helpful?

  • It’s easy to read, even in the direct sunlight! 
  • The instafix GPS picked up signal within seconds of leaving my house in Brooklyn and even exiting the subway in NYC! 
  • Activation took just a few minutes and once that is done, the portal and system will allow you to do everything from interact with others to email you reminders when your watch battery is low.
  • The texting capability and SOS support allows me to leave my phone at home without running worried. I can text Bo or friends in case of emergency while still enjoying a lightweight run.  
  • When paired with your favorite Bluetooth headphones, it can hold and play over 1000 of your favorite songs due to the 4 GB of storage and bluetooth capabilities. 
  • The easy to read summary screen shows your current pace, average pace and total time all on one screen which makes hitting those paces even easier. 
  • Valued at $399, the watch is currently retailing for $199 which makes it a great deal within the GPS watch arena.

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What don’t I love?

  • The screen, though easy to read, isn’t necessarily always easy to use when running due to the touch screen capabilities. 
  • It’s a bit larger than I’m accustomed to wearing but due to the light nature, the size didn’t bother me during the run. 

But, instead of making you take my word for it, I want one of you to have the chance to try this watch for yourself! Thanks to the team at Timex and Fitfluential, I’m able to give one lucky reader a Timex IRONMAN GPS+ of their own, just in time for Fall running season!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will announce a winner on September 14th within Monday’s post. If I do not hear from the winner with contact information within 48 hours I will be forced to draw another name. In addition, unfortunately this contest is only open to residents within the United States.

This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Timex.

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ashleyd /

Amped Up Protein Powder: JAVAPRO

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

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I’ve been spending a lot of quality time with my VitaMix lately. I’m not sure if it is the warmer weather or my way of summoning Spring but I’ve been craving smoothies constantly.

In the evening I’ve been whipping up different types of smoothies for dessert before curling up on the couch to read or watch TV. I find that a smoothie helps satiate my sweet tooth, give my muscles some much needed protein which helps with repair after a hard workout, and is the perfect way to end the evening. I try to limit the sugars I add since it’s late, instead adding primarily just protein powder, small amount of milk, spices, almond butter or peanut butter, possibly some fruit, Fage yogurt, water and ice.

Coconut Banana Smoothie

However, when the team at Nature’s Best offered me a bag of their new Mocha JAVAPRO whey protein powder, I was excited to try it. While the caffeine packed protein powder isn’t good for the evenings it has allowed me to perk up my breakfast routine this week!

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This is protein powder is unlike one I’ve tried before. It actually includes real coffee and caffeine! As someone who enjoys a cup of cappuccino or coffee each morning, I’m more than happy to kill two birds with one stone and enjoy it as part of my breakfast smoothie! This morning I took a few extra minutes at home to make a delicious green smoothie which combined the JAVAPRO protein powder with a few other breakfast essentials to make a delicious smoothie that kept me going until 1pm!

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Mocha Power Breakfast Smoothie

1 banana

1 scoop JAVAPRO

1 cup skim milk (or milk of choice)

1.5 cups spinach

10 almonds

1/2 tsp cinnamon

ice

Combine ingredients in blender and blend until reaching desired consistency.

The mocha flavor was a fun change for me and I definitely felt a boost of energy following breakfast. What’s even more important for me is that the powder blended well, didn’t have any chalky consistency, and didn’t leave me with any negative side effects. Considering that one serving packs 20 grams of protein, 80 mg of caffeine, and just 100 calories I will definitely be building this into my morning smoothie routine and possibly even taking a few servings to work for an afternoon pick me up.

For  more information, please visit their Facebook Page. Link: http://facebook.com/isopure.

Your turn: When do you use protein powder? Morning? Afternoon snack? Evening?

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Rethink Your Day with the Polar Loop

DISCLOSURE: The following post is sponsored by Fitfluential LLC on behalf of Polar. All of the opinions on my new Polar Loop are my own.

When I arrived in Savannah on December 20th I had great plans for my vacation. My mom and I were going to work out each day together whether in their home gym or during long walks on the beach. While I love winter and know that I will certainly get my fill of snow and cold weather this year living in Geneva, I was excited to enjoy quite a few warm weather workouts while home. In fact, I packed two pairs of shorts and tank tops especially for glorious, sweat filled runs in Savannah. In my head when Bo and I arrived in New York City for New Years Eve festivities I would be bursting with healthy energy and tan skin.

The box which greeted me under the tree upon our arrival would further support this healthy visit in Savannah as my friends at Fitfluential sent me the new Polar Loop and H7 Heart Rate monitor to track my fitness as part of the Rethink Your Day Campaign.004 (2)Unfortunately wicked cold viruses and bronchitis got in my way between December 24th and December 30th absolutely no physical activity took place other than testing how much my lungs could expand when I coughed or walking to fill up my water bottle. Being sick takes lethargic to an entirely different level.

Yesterday was the first day that I was able to enjoy my Polar Loop and now that it is around my wrist, I’m loving it! 045As obesity is the number one difference I noticed between Switzerland and the US during this trip, I am more motivated than ever to ensure Bo and I both stay healthy in 2014. The Polar Loop is a bracelet you can wear 24 hours a day to track your movements including sitting, walking, running, lying down time and more. In order to make wearing it easier the Loop itself is fully waterproof. The black color and non-descript style makes it something I can wear daily with workout clothes and business clothing alike. While I’m sure some of my European friends will ask what it is as the Loop and other fitness tracking devices are not very common in Europe, I barely notice it even when I’m typing.  1032The loop features the time, number of steps taken, calories burned, and a movement status indicator which looks like a treadmill track. As you progress towards your movement goal for the day the loop progresses towards the “finish line.”  In addition, once you download the Polar Flow app on your smart phone the Polar Loop syncs automatically to update you on sitting time, activity and more! I love that you can go as in depth as you want with the Loop app spending hours comparing each days activity levels or even sleeping time and eventually even compare months. I can’t wait to see how the Polar Loop computes my skiing activity in January!    1034

As I have a job which keeps me at my desk or sitting in meetings most of the day, squeezing in movement whenever possible is important. Yesterday just after setting up my Polar Loop my phone vibrated and the Polar Flow app told me it was time to get moving!  That was the only motivation we needed to head to the beach for a long walk.  I strapped on the Polar H7 heart rate monitor so I could get a better overall understanding of my activity as it also syncs with the Loop and Polar Flow app. I think being able to integrate and study heart rates is a huge advantage over some other trackers.  1004 1010 1013We both loved being able to see our steps and calories burned during the walk while not having to worry about fumbling with getting satellite reception on a Garmin or MapMyRun. While I know that my Garmin will still be my tracking source for running, this is a great option for everyday health.

The one issue I have with the Polar Loop is the work that it takes for someone to alter the Loop itself before you can start using it. It is great that Polar made an item which can be personally fit to each person’s wrist so it fits perfectly BUT making the alterations is not easy. While you can use kitchen scissors to trim the ends, in my cold medicine stupor I threw the box out before taking out the tool needed to take the pin in and out. Luckily Christmas tree hooks work well in a bind but regardless it was still a challenging process before the Loop was fastened around my wrist. 1030

The Loop retails for $109.95 and the Polar H7 Bluetooth Heart Rate Sensor retails for $85.00. But don’t just trust my review, check out more information on both these products on the Polar website.

Would I spend $200? I would definitely spend my own money on this item for either myself or as a gift for my mom. I think that this is a perfect health and wellness tool for someone who is looking to either get fit in 2014 or stay fit. It’s a great way to motivate people to rethink their day and take a few extra steps by parking further away or choosing the stairs over the elevator!

DISCLOSURE: The following post is sponsored by Fitfluential LLC on behalf of Polar.  All of the opinions on my new Polar Loop are my own

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