My Favorite things to stay Fit and Healthy

I want to share with you my Favorite things to keep me fit and healthy, the perfect time to buy something for family, friends or maybe for yourself a Christmas gift.

As a runner, and a mother/wife who does her best to stay healthy through sport and nutrition here are what I find tried and true.

ASICS / My favorite running shoes are Asics Kayano 23, along with the Asics 3000 I never have had a pain or soreness due to running.

Click here to see all Asicshttp://www.asics.com

Nuun Hydration/Nuun contains an optimal blend of electrolytes that keep you hydrated for all levels of activities — whether you are running a marathon or a marathon of errands.Click here for more info and to order yours  https://nuunlife.com/shop/

ShowerPill/ This is the perfect product when you are out and about, doing strenuous workouts and unable to grab a shower right away.

I keep ShowerPill in my bag for that reason, running Ragnar and may 1/2 marathons ShowerPill was something I definitely needed. ShowerPills are extra thick, kills 99.99% of germs, and contains aloe vera and vitamin E.

Click here to get yours https://showerpill.com

Energybits/ Energybits and recovery bits are another staple I keep at home and in my gym bag. 

They are a great before or after supplement to keep me feeling my best.

Energybits are 100% organicchlorella alga, and contain 40 vitamins and minerals.

Click here for much more information on why Energybits would work for you http://www.energybits.com

Compression socks and sleeves/ When your legs have ben through a long day, running long runs, biking, or long periods of standing Compression socks can help improve your circulation, ease muscle soreness, and relieve tired and achy legs. This is my favorite brand , and here is the link to get yours http://www.orthosleeve

Feetures / I cannot say enough about these socks, the only brand I wear when I run.

I have never had a blister or sore feet no matter how long i have worn them, long races, hiking and biking. You will not find a better sock.

Check out their website and get yours here /https://feeturesrunning.com

Toiletry products/ I have received products from this company to review, I have never been disappointed with their products. The newest item I received is the Aromatherapy diffuser, as we all know how beneficial Essential oils are to our well being this is the perfect item to add to your home or office. This Aromatherapy diffuser is a very elegant bamboo and glass design, It has LED lights to illuminate the water with soothing colors as you sit back and relax with your favorite essential oils scent.

Get yours here https://toilettreeproducts.com

Running belt/ This is a must for me, nice and light and the perfect size pockets for phone, keys and a light energy snack.

So many to choose from.

Spartan/ This is the ultimate race, it is time to get out of your comfort zone and show who you are, very fun and exciting. Do you have what it stakes to be a Spartan?

Click here for more information and find a race for you/http://spartanracemedia.com/#events

 

There they are, most of my favorite things. Let me know if you would like any more information on these products.

And I want to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas!

Stay fit and healthy all through the Season.

Bobbi

Inside Tracker health analytics service

Can a Blood Test make a difference in your health?

I was contacted by Inside Tracker to try their services in

 return of a review. 

What grabbed my attention was the fact that they were 

looking to improve your health from where you are at now,

looking at your blood tests that your doctor would not

normally have you take.

After checking with my Dr. , she had told me that within 3 to

 4 years this is what doctors will be doing. Prescribing blood

 test to look closer in how we can improve our health before

 it becomes serious.

Well.....Inside Tracker is ahead of the game.

It started with the Blood Test.

My tests consisted of 25, I gave 5 tubes of blood ( not so bad)

and waited for my results. ( 1 week )

I was very excited to get these results back.

Here is an example of the result format.

I had 16 optimized results, 9 needed improvement, and 1 that

needed to be brought to my Dr.s attention.

So now that I have my results, I am given a variety of foods

that will improve my sleep, my fitness level and boost my

energy.

Now..... has it been working?

I am an avid runner, and have been looking to improve my

time, endurance and speed work.

.

I needed more energy during the day, I needed to sleep

better at night.

The nutrition information they provided just for me have truly

 helped, and very easy to follow.

My last 5k race I improved by 3 minutes, I improved my 1/2

marathon by 4 minutes,  I know there are many factors that

work into this, better training, nutrition, and rest.

I look forward to continuing on this path, and having this

knowledge of my health is amazing.

If you are looking to improve your health and wellness, here is

the link to get you started.

https://www.insidetracker.com

 Have any questions for me please ask, I will keep you up to

 date on my journey to better fitness, health and nutrition.

Bobbi

Finishing a big race.

Congrats! You finished your big race.

Maybe you ran a full Marathon or a half, do you have a race planned for the fall?
Do you know how long you should rest between races?

I finished 2 half marathons within 30 days, and I know I did not give myself enough time to rest or enough time to train properly for the second half.
The first one was a hard hilly San Francisco race, for such a hard race I felt good.
I trained well for it, and took time to rest when my body needed it.

The second half should not have been as hard, but because I didn't rest well/train properly it took a toll on my body.
So....... how long should you rest?

If you just ran a full, you should take 2 to 4 weeks completely run free. After a half marathon, one
to three week rest period is best.
You also need to consider how hard you pushed yourself: If you trained and raced your hardest to beat a time ( as I did) you will need more time off then if you trained to finish and raced at a
lower intensity.

Lesson learned, when in doubt wait to run.
Too much rest is much more beneficial than not enough.

When taking a break from running, you can work in cross training.
Such as, lower body strength training, and low impact cardio such as swimming and biking.

As you work back into running your first week, run 3 to 4 miles on three to four nonconsecutive
days. Working up from there gives your body time to adjust to the same regularity your plan calls
for.
Build your mileage up slowly, and add weekly long runs.
Keep it easy in the beginning, that will help improve muscle and bone strength and rev up your aerobic capacity.

Happy running, stay healthy and strong this summer.

Bobbi

Running Ragnar

Running Ragnar.

If you do not know what Ragnar is, it is a 200 plus mile relay race run between 6 or 12 of your friends piled into 2 vans and run relay style day and night.
Each runner runs 3 legs, ranging anywhere from 3 to 9 miles and varying in difficulty. 
This year I turned "50" and I wanted to do something exciting.
Knowing I am not yet ready for a marathon (yet) I choose something a bit different yet very challenging.

I decided to run this race as soon as I heard from a group of women that ran it, they talked about how hard, how hot, and how much fun it was.
I trained with my team running hills, trails, and in the heat. 
I wanted to be as ready as I could be, and I knew this course was full of hills.
Now it was time to pack:

There were a few women on the team that have ran this before and helped me put in what to pack, running 3 legs meant 3 running outfits. They are packed into individual bags so you can make a quick change and be ready for the next run. And have a bag to put your first sweaty running outfit in.
Also 2 pairs of shoes, sleeping gear because you are going to be sleeping on the ground at either a campground, school, or a park. So I recommend a sleeping pad to put under your sleeping bag. Also make sure to bring your own food, what works for you on a run. This is not the time to change things up, stay with what works.
I can not eat much when I run ( my stomach is easily upset) so my food was, grapes, bananas, cucumbers, and Cliff bars.

And make sure to pack sunscreen, extra socks ( compression) shower pill, hat, head lamp, rear light,

and reflector vest. 

Ragnar Great River here we come!

My team and I ran the Ragnar Great River, starting in Winona MN and finishing in Mpls, MN

I ran leg 2, which was titled Very hard, Hard, and Moderate.
And I was so happy I trained on hills prior to this, because those hills were not easy.

This is me heading out on my first leg, as you see I do look excited....I did not know what I was in for. 

Sleeping on the ground at a middle school, wasn't the Hilton but wow....were we tired. We got here around 3:00 a.m

This run was so beautiful, at times it took your mind off running.
The Midwest is gorgeous, at times running through Wisc. back into Minn. 

At times your running on a trail, through a park, through farmland, and at times right down the freeway.

Here we are waiting on vans 2 runner to hand off to our 1st night runner, running in the night took some time to get used to. I do recommend training in the dark at home. ( no street lights)
Checking off each leg was the highlight at the end of each run.

I do recommend this to anyone looking for a new challenge, its not easy, you really don't sleep, but you become better connected with your friends, you have this new experience to share, and it is a whole lot of fun!!

 Our Moms On The Run Coaches volunteering at Ragnar.

Nap time, or I should say rest time as no one was able to sleep.

Cheering on our the runners, not just our own.
Everyone deserved to hear the cowbells.

Slapping on the bracelet took some talent, but having it ready before you met your next runner really helps out. 

                                                        Oh' baby it was hot!! 

                       Checking off her 3rd leg, oh' what a feeling.

Had to find shade somewhere.

This is our team, Moms On The Run.

Great group of girls.

We are now Ragnarians!!

There are so many Ragnar relays around the U.S, I don't know which one to do next.

Tell me, have you done Ragnar, does this sound interesting to you?

Water resistant Mp3 player

Stormp3 review.

I was given the STORMp3 player at no charge, in exchange for a review.

This portable MP3 player is water resistant, and weighing just under 12. oz is very portable.

It has a 2GB memory, which holds approximately 500 songs.
You will need no special software to transfer your music. You simply Click & Drag as you would with an iPod or such.
The battery power provides you with nearly 75 hours of use during normal usage.

The STORMp3 player uses 4 AA batteries which are also included.
You are also provided with a mounting bracket if you choose to hang it, or it is self standing.
The sound on this devise is amazing, especially for the size that it is. 
6 1/2" L x 2 1/8"W x3"H

This portable devise is perfect for listening in the shower, lakeside, in the boat, working in your garage or the outdoors.
And for the price 29.95, you can't beat it.
It would make the perfect graduation, wedding, or birthday gift.

Besides listening to it in the shower, I bring it to the beach with me.
It fits perfectly in my beach bag.

Just a few more things to add:
Does not rely on Bluetooth
Shuffle control allows songs to be played in random order
Great sound from 2 speakers delivering 6 watts of power
Includes mounting bracket, 4AA batteries, and USB cable.

This and many other great products are found at ToiletTree.
http://toilettreeproducts.com/bathroom-accessories/

MealEnders Review and Giveaway

MealEnders: The Antidote to Overeating.

I was asked to try out MealEnders lozenges, to use and write a review on what I think.

I received 4 bags, one each of Mocha, Cinnamon, Chocolate mint, and Citrus.

My favorite is the Mocha, but all are very good flavor. After my meal I took one of the lozenges and let it dissolve in my mouth,

 (don't bite) savor it and allow it to dissolve completely.

When eating your meal and have the urge to finish your food, just because its there this is the time to open a MealEnders lozenge.

Or when you crave a second helping, snacking between meals, or just want a sweet treat. 

This isn't like taking an appetite suppressant, that gives you an artificial full feeling.  For me it was more about feeling satisfied, knowing I did eat enough and I truly do not need more food.

MealEnders consist of two components: a sweet outer layer, and a cooling center. The outer layer provides a little dose of dessert, while the center engages your trigeminal nerve, the nerve that senses taste sensations, to cu the end of eating and clear your palate.

I love mealEnders for the flavor, low calorie, and easy to fit into my meal plan. I keep a few in my purse, in my glove compartment, and in a dish on my kitchen counter.

Other information: no drugs, no added stimulants, no herbs, low calorie, low fat, gluten free, and kosher.

So along with a healthy diet, and of course exercise you are on your way to a fit and healthy life.

If you have any questions, or want to order MealEnders here is the link, http://mealenders.com/

MealEnders is also giving me the opportunity to give away to one lucky winner 4 packs of MealEnders.

You will find the giveaway on my page: www.facebook.com/highheelsandpinkshoelaces

Tracking Fitness

Fitness Tracking

When it comes to keeping track of your fitness, it has never been easier.
We have at our fingertips ( literally) access to many apps, and devices to keep track of our activities and eating habits.
What I find worked well for me is journaling what I ate and when, there is something about writing it down and being accountable for what goes in your mouth. It makes you think about it, are you actually hungry, are you bored, are you eating because your stressed, sad, happy. 
With some fitness tackers and apps, you can write in your food intake, or in some devices ( scan ) and it will tally calories, and other nutrition information.
The one I use, and have been for about 4 years now, is the Fitbit.

It fits snug on my waistband, and records my movement through the day.

Being able to see your progress each day, I believe is motivation.
Even though keeping track of your eating habits is good on paper, you will have even better success if you go the digital route.

There is something about being able to see the progress your making each day that keeps you going, looking at your device and wanting to hit that 10,000 steps is motivation.


The more you record, the more likely you are to see results.
I will show you a variety of different devices, and apps to get you started.
With the improvements in health technology, many companies are joining the movement. Oscar, a company that provides health insurance in New Jerseyand New York, is one of them who has started to motivate their members by providing each member Misfit Band with the opportunity to earn back cash rewards when they hit their personal health/fitness goals each month.

 

They come in many styles, and price ranges.


Apps to check out are: Lose it!, Noom Coach, and My Diet Diary.


Are you ready to get fit!

Let me know what you use, and do you find it helpful on your journey to Fit.