Freeman Beauty #FeelingBeautifulin5

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I received a complimentary sample of some wonderful face masks from Influenster. Freeman Beauty masks have me feeling like I'm in a spa at home! My favorite by far is the Avocado & Oatmeal Clay Mask. I enjoy the application process, the mask is smooth and creamy. The coolness of the mask is so refreshing. I also love the cucumber and aloe peel. I could see an immediate difference in my skin. This mask left my skin refreshed, soft and smooth. I can't say enough good things about these masks! Walmart as well as numerous other retailers carry full size products of each of the masks I received and I highly encourage you to try them out!


Be an Influenster and receive free samples to review like me!

http://Influenster.com

http://freemanbeauty.com

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Uni VoxBox from Influenster = LOVE

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I have to admit, I have received many samples to review in the past, and haven't always been impressed. With the most recent Influenster VoxBox I received, I am impressed with each item!

Playtex® Sport® Tampons

Perfect for the girl on the go (or not!). Lovely scent, stays put and easy to use!

Rimmel London Stay Matte

I am hooked. I don't use foundation all the time, especially in summer, but when I do, by the end of the day I feel like I have an oil slick floating on my face. Not with Rimmel London Stay Matte foundation. I actually don't have to use powder with this foundation. Available in many different shades, any girl could find her perfect match!

imPRESS press-on Manicure

These are not the press on nails of 15 years ago. Ones these nails are on, you can count on them to stay on. In fact, I wore mine for two days and needed to remove them to change up the color and was really surprised how hard they were to remove. 

Pilot Acroball

I admit, I am a bit of a pen snob. My pens have to have a fine point. Period. These pens rock. I make sure my Acroball pen is always in my purse!

Red Rose Real Tea

Easy to carry with you and easy to use. I love the flavor and the fact that I can add a little or a lot of flavor to my water. But I don't limit myself to just water, I added some of my tea to a bottle of lemonade for a tea-lemonade mixer that was ah-mazing!

NYC Expert Last Lip Color

I don't wear lipstick, I am more of a lip gloss/chapstick kind of girl. However, I used this lip color to add a little tint to my chapstick and was pleasantly surprised. Glides on easily, and slips right into your pocket or purse. Love!

Are you an influenster? Check out their website to sign up!

I received all of the items above complimentary from Influenster.

Palmolive Soft Touch - A review

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When I first received my complimentary bottles of Palmolive Soft Touch, I wasn't overly excited. You see, I HATE washing dishes. Mainly because I hate how my hands feel afterwards. Soon after washing dishes with the Vitamin E Palmolive Soft Touch my skepticism was erased! My hands were actually SOFTER! My cuticles looked awesome and my wedding rings sparkled! Don't believe me? Checkout these other reviews!

But don't think that it doesn't still having amazing cleaning power... My dishes were clean, and my pots and pans were clean of the grease from the day's greasy Italian lunch. I'm sold! Get your own bottle of Palmolive Soft Touch at your nearest Walmart! 

Thanks, Palmolive, for an awesome product!

"I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. All opinions are my own"

#Mamavation Monday - Whoa Nelly!

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Hi friends! Thought I jumped ship, didn't ya?

I am still around, just been dealing with family matters and my own health. I have been having stomach issues again for about 2 months now and it has drug me to the ground. I recently started some new medications which have really helped me in my daily life. I had been suffering with some depression and anxiety for well over a year now and I finally found a doctor who took the time to listen to my concerns. Since then I feel like someone has opened the curtains and let the light back in. I still have days when I feel down in the dumps, but I don't seem to get stuck there!

I am ready to get back to my healthy ways now that everything has slowed down. I stocked up at the grocery store, signed back in to my MyFitnessPal account, and am charging up my FitBit. I am starting slow with activity and focusing on nutrition initially. 

My work schedule changed and I am working late in the evenings now which is really hard on me and my family. It does, however, give me more time in the mornings to get my food ready for the day and get some activity in.

So here's to a good week!

#Mamavation Monday - Time to Plan

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Happy March! I am having a hard time believing its March already!

The past couple of weeks have been off. I didn't quite get going on my Paleo-ish diet and quite honestly I have just been wreck less this past week. I had a stomach virus or something Sunday - Tuesday night (on top of having stomach issues the week before) and just flat out ate like crap when I did start feeling like eating again. My hubs and I went on a mini vacay Thursday evening through Saturday evening, and we ate out every single meal. My choice of breakfast today wasn't exactly great either!

So, the plan for today is to get unpacked and hit the grocery store for some fresh fruits and veggies.

Have a great week y'all!

#Mamavation Monday: Back to normal

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Wow, the last few months have been a whirlwind of crazy! The Mamavation Grad campaign ended, I had a little time (to gain some weight) then the #iheartOmron Fitness Challenge started! That ends this week, (don't forget the twitter party Wed 2/20 ) and life should get back to "normal".

I decided this week I am going to start following a Paleo-ish diet. I am following the specific carbohydrate diet, it is geared towards people who have issues with their digestive system. I am not in an ulcerative colitis flare right now, however, I do have a little symptom here and there, and I figure I need to take the reins before I do flare up. So this week I am working on getting rid of "illegal" foods (based on this list), I still have a lot of dairy and some whole wheat in the house, so I will be cutting back, but still eating those til they are gone. Don't wanna waste!

Thanks to everyone who supported me during the challenge, it was fun, exhausting, and competitive but I truly enjoyed it. It was an awesome opportunity and I am so thankful I was chosen.

#iheartOmron Fitness Challenge update!

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Just a short update in the last week of the #iheartOmron Fitness Challenge.

I ended up with a diagnosis of Bursitis in my right knee Monday night and got a fun cortisone injection. I will say that it helped tremendously, however I do still have a little numbness around my knee cap. I have been taking it easy on the lower body workouts and have tried to keep the weight off that leg. Another eye-opener, the doctor says the bursitis is probably caused by my weight. Ouch. That was a motivator to keep this momentum going as the challenge ends.

Thanks again to Omron Fitness for providing us ambassadors with the Omron Strapless Heart Rate Monitor (HR-5ooU) , Omron 510W Scale and the HJ-323U USB pedometer.  Thanks to Mamavation for their support during this challenge. I have learned a lot, met new people and had lots of fun losing weight with the help of these awesome gadgets!
 
My weight loss is now at 17.2 lbs since applying to be an ambassador! This is CRAZY and puts me less than a pound away from my Valentines Day goal!

This post is sponsored Omron Fitness as a collaboration with Bookieboo Blogging Network and Mamavation – a community dedicated to weight loss for women and obesity prevention for families.  I was provided with product and compensation for my time and honest opinions.

#iheartOmron Fitness Challenge - Strapless Heart Rate Monitors

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Boy, this week is like Christmas all over again, in February! On Friday I received the most awesome weight loss tool ever. My new Omron Strapless Heart Rate Monitor (HR-5ooU) arrived and like a child waiting for that very special toy, I ripped into it immediately!

I was very impressed with the sleekness of this device. In the past I have used heart rate monitors that I had to strap around my chest and make sure it synced up to my treadmill, and to be honest, it was uncomfortable and just a flat out hassle, I rarely used it. The Omron Strapless Continuous Heart Rate Monitor is just like wearing a watch. It is comfortable, easy to strap on (and it is easy to forget I am even wearing it!) This tool in addition to the Omron 510W Scale and the HJ-323U USB pedometer have taught me so much more about my body and how it works. 

Any type of activity is good, but to get into that zone where you are getting the maximum effect from your workout, you really need to monitor your heart rate. I love that the HR-500U provides not only a number, but a light letting me know when I am in that zone. The blue light lets me know that I am in the warm-up or cool down period, green tells me I am in the zone for fat burning and endurance. Orange is the level for cardio fitness and red, or maximum, is when I am at my highest level or speed. If you are like me and wondering, "how in the world does it do that?", then you are in luck, a short description from OmronFitness.com explains that this device "measures blood flow through capillaries via an optic sensor on the wrist to determine heart rate on a continuous basis." Pretty cool, huh?

Not only do I recommend this awesome heart rate monitor, but so does Oprah's personal trainer, Bob Greene. Checkout the video below to see what Bob has to say!

If you are looking to become more fit and learn more about your body, I encourage you to grab these 3 devices, the new Omron Strapless Heart Rate Monitor (HR-5ooU) , Omron 510W Scale and the Omron HJ-323U USB pedometer and get started on a journey to a healthier you! 

Don't forget to join me, Mamavation and the other #iheartOmron Fitness Challenge Ambassadors on Wednesday February 20th for a twitter party celebrating this awesome challenge! For more information, visit this link!

End of challenge results:
Measurements:
Before/After:
Arms: R - 16" L - 15" / R - 14.5" L - 14"
Waist: 44" / 41.75"
Hips: (largest part of stomach): 62" / 57.5" (!!!!)
Bust: 50.5" / 47.75"
Total Inches Lost: 12 inches!!

Weight Loss: So far I have lost a total of 15 pounds! 

This post is sponsored Omron Fitness as a collaboration with Bookieboo Blogging Network and Mamavation – a community dedicated to weight loss for women and obesity prevention for families.  I was provided with product and compensation for my time and honest opinions.

#iheartOmron Fitness Challenge Halfway Mark

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The #iheartOmron Fitness Challenge is halfway completed!

Since applying to be an #iheartOmron Fitness Challenge Ambassador I have lost a total of 12.8 pounds! I am sure I have already shredded some inches, but for the sake of the surprise, I am not measuring again until the end of the challenge. 

This week was a little more challenging than the first week. My body started getting used to the workouts but, uh-oh, life happened. That is why I always plan meals, workouts, etc in advance, because if you are not prepared when life strikes, it could throw you for a loop and sometimes it is hard to catch back up to hop back on the wagon. 

As mentioned in previous challenge updates, this challenge would not be successful without the tools supplied to us. The Omron 510W Scale and the HJ-323U USB pedometer have supplied feedback that is essential when trying to lose weight. Some days, my step count wasn't quite what it should have been, and if not for the pedometer, I would not have pushed to reach my goal. The scale provides so much information besides just how much I weigh. I can see how much body fat I have, and see when it goes down and more. 

At the end of the challenge we will be supplied with the Omron Strapless Heart Rate Monitor (HR-5ooU). That is when the real challenge starts! I will be excited to use the heart rate monitor to gauge how my workouts are going and if I should step it up or back down a little for maximum fat burning!

Stay tuned as myself and the other fitness ambassadors continue our journey to lose weight and become healthier!

This post is sponsored Omron Fitness as a collaboration with Bookieboo Blogging Network and Mamavation – a community dedicated to weight loss for women and obesity prevention for families.  I was provided with product and compensation for my time and honest opinions. 

#iheartOmron Fitness Challenge : Week 1 Recap

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Oh wow! The first week of this challenge was, well, challenging! In the past I have not done much in the way of strength training but this past week I discovered muscles I forgot I had! I also discovered muscle failure this week, and while that sounds bad, it's not. Muscle failure is what you should push towards when strength training. I am already seeing an increase in the reps with each workout. 

Using the HJ-323U USB pedometer and Omron 510W Scale is so motivating. Without the pedometer I doubt I would push myself as hard as I have been this week. Like I posted last week I was overestimating how many steps I was getting each day. I can't wait to get the Strapless Heart Rate Monitor (HR-5ooU) and learn more about my heart rate while working out! 

I want to extend a very sincere appreciation to Omron Fitness and Mamavation again for this opportunity. Since applying to be an ambassador I have lost a total of 7.8 pounds and can already tell a difference in the way my clothes fit!

This post is sponsored Omron Fitness as a collaboration with Bookieboo Blogging Network and Mamavation – a community dedicated to weight loss for women and obesity prevention for families.  I was provided with product and compensation for my time and honest opinions. 

 

#iheartOmron : Challenge Accepted!

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Check out this video from Bob Greene welcoming us to the challenge!

The #iheartOmron Fitness Challenge with Mamavation has finally begun. This week brings new workouts, meals that have been meticulously planned and excitement. Now that I have the tools provided to us by Omron, I feel more empowered and am ready to take charge of my health. Weighing on the scale is a whole new experience with the Omron 510W Scale. Not only can I see what my current weight is, but I can also get a body fat reading. Speaking of weight, I have lost 4.2 pounds since applying to be an #iheartOmron Fitness Challenge ambassador! Seeing those numbers go down is exciting! 

Wearing the pedometer is a different experience in itself. Think about something for just a moment. If you had to guess how many steps you are walking every day, how many would you guess? Now, do you think, if you aren’t correct, that you are underestimating, or overestimating? For me, I overestimated, largely. I sit behind a desk for around 7 hours a day at my job. The activity I get, if I do not work out, is getting ready in the mornings, bathroom and snack breaks at work, and preparing for the next day when I get home. Before I started wearing the HJ-323U USB pedometer I would have guessed I was getting around 5,000 steps a day. WRONG! Without extra activity I only get around 1,500 steps a day! That is an eye-opener! Wearing the HJ-323U USB pedometer helps me gauge my activity needs during the day. I can look at the pedometer and if it is 2:00 pm and I am only around 4,000 steps, then I know that on my break, I need to walk. A few months back I was challenged by a weight loss mentor to make it a point to walk for five minutes straight every hour while at work. Even if I had to stand behind my desk while work, walk once an hour, every hour at work, for five minutes. I started doing this. I kept track of the extra steps I was getting each hour and at the end of my shift, that extra five minutes of activity an hour was giving me over 4,000 extra steps a day! I still struggle to get to the recommended 10,000 steps a day during the work week, but my number has greatly improved since implementing this little trick. So I challenge you, put on your pedometer (if you don’t have one click here to check out the HJ-323U USB pedometer!) and get to stepping! I can only imagine how using the Omron Strapless Heart Rate Monitor (HR-5ooU) will motivate me even more as I continue my journey to eat better, get more activity and improve my health and well-being!

This post is sponsored Omron Fitness as a collaboration with Bookieboo Blogging Network and Mamavation – a community dedicated to weight loss for women and obesityprevention for families.  I was provided with product andcompensation for my time and honest opinions. 

 

#iheartOmron Fitness Challenge Ambassadors Announced

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Ambassador. Ambassador. Ambassador. I like the word ambassador.

I am an Omron Fitness Challenge ambassador.

On Friday, the twenty five ambassadors for the #iheartOmron Fitness Challenge were announced on Mamavation.com. Out of a total of 600 people who applied to participate in this awesome opportunity, I was chosen. (insert high pitched squeal, accompanied by a smallish happy dance) The challenge officially starts on January 13 and will end February 10. During that month I will be supplied with a fitness plan as well as some nutritional advice. I am excited to experience the tools that Omron will be supplying during this challenge. For one, I am not sure I have ever calculated my body fat percentage. I will however guess that it is close to 50%. (Wanna hold me to that guess? Come back in about a week after I receive the Omron 510W Scale and I will update this post! Update: 59.5%! WOW). I am also super excited to strap on the HJ-323U USB pedometer to count my steps. USB? Yes, this pedometer plugs in to a PC or Mac and syncs with Omron's Fitness Dashboard to help keep track of day to day activity, trends and more! At the end of the challenge each of us 25 ambassadors will receive the Omron Strapless Heart Rate Monitor (HR-5ooU). I am looking forward to jumping right into this challenge and losing a grip of weight!

Make sure to follow our progress on twitter by using the hashtag, #iheartOmron.

Let's get this party started!

This post is sponsored Omron Fitness as a collaboration with Bookieboo Blogging Network and Mamavation – a community dedicated to weight loss for women and obesity prevention for families.  I was provided with product and compensation for my time and honest opinions. 

Welcome 2013! Now, play nice!

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2012 sucked. Sorry so blunt, but it truly did. I lost 2 grandparents, my dad was hospitalized 6 times, my mini-van bit the dust, I fractured my elbow... You get the idea.

But, I'm leaving 2012 behind and welcoming 2013 with wide open arms. In this new year I am returning to college to finish my RN degree, and I will become an aunt for the first time around July/August.

Also, in 2013 I have set a goal, along with Meagan (@NCCarterFamily) to lose 50 pounds. Reaching this goal would put me at the weight I was when my husband and I first met almost 10 years ago!

So, once again, I welcome you 2013. I have big plans for you!

#Mamavation Monday - Oops!

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Wow! The campaign is over! If you're stumbling upon this post and wondering, "what the heck is she talking about?!" I was one of nine Mamavation Graduates who just completed a 7 week bootcamp. In those 7 weeks I lost a total of 15.2 lbs! (Interested in becoming a Mamavation Mom? Check out www.Mamavation.com) If you didn't already hear, the campaign shall go on! In a more lax manner, some of us Mamavation Graduates will continue posting and weighing in weekly through the next Mamavation campaign! I instantly agreed when offered this chance because, hey, who doesn't need extra accountability during Christmas?! I have lost about 25 lbs since June of this year and am not trying to gain that all back pigging out on Christmas candies! I do want to apologize for my slacking this week in getting this post up (and the lacking scale pic) it's been a crazy few days car shopping (pulling my hair out here)! Tomorrow morning bright and early I shall snap a photo of my pedicure-needing feet on my scale and paste that bad boy in the bottom of this post.