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Fitbloggin Giveaway #4

Earlier this week I announced the 10 Minute Solution Knockout Body giveaway (still available to enter to win!). Today you can win one of FIVE copies of the 10 Minute Solution Ultimate Bootcamp!

It doesn’t come out in stores until April 6th so this is truly one of the only places you can get it right now!! :)

10 Minute Solution Ultimate Boot Camp DVDHere’s some information on the DVD straight from the creator:

Using nothing more than hand weights and a mat, you’ll sweat through sandbag squats and the obstacle course. You’ll crawl through the trenches and run through tires. You’ll test your balance, stamina, strength and fortitude…even if you only have 10 minutes to spare. After a few weeks with Smith as your drill sergeant, you’ll be ready to toss the camouflage and strut in your civvies.

This is the most intense workout in 10 Minute Solution’s history for good reason. Who has time to waste when it comes to getting in shape? If you want the ultimate in time efficiency, the ultimate in fluff-free moves and the ultimate kick-butt boot camp experience without leaving the comforts of home, the “10 Minute Solution: Ultimate Boot Camp” DVD is for you. The five segments are:

  • FAT FIGHTING SKILLS & DRILLS: This high intensity, cardio interval workout uses drills and skills to help you develop speed, agility and coordination while turning your body into a lean, mean, fat burning machine.
  • ULTIMATE TOTAL BODY TRAINING: Calling all troops: it’s time to report for full body fitness duty! This total body training session uses power, strength and endurance moves to get you into top form fast.
  • ULTIMATE UPPER BODY TRAINING: Maximize your results with functional integrated upper body strength moves that are done at a calorie burning pace to get those arms, back and shoulders into peak condition.
  • ULTIMATE LOWER BODY TRAINING: If it’s your mission to have lethal legs and sculpted buns, enroll in this specially targeted boot camp. These powerful moves will tighten, tone and slim your lower body – in all the right places.
  • SIX PACK AB ATTACK: These hardcore fat burning, belly-blasting exercises will help you win the battle of the bulge once and for all. You’ll work the abs from the back, front and sides. All the while, you’ll be keeping the heart rate pumping.


A pair of dumbbells, and a towel or mat to use for the floor work is recommended. As with all “10 Minute Solution” DVDs, you can choose a single routine, mix and match the workouts, or do all five segments together for the ultimate boot camp workout.

The instructor is Jessica Smith. Here’s a little info on her:

Jessica Smith holds certifications from the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, the International Sports and Conditioning Association, Powerhouse Pilates (in both mat and reformer methods) and Johnny G’s Spinning Program.  Currently, she teaches for Equinox Fitness Clubs and The Sports Club/LA and is part of the exercise and movement team for Canyon Ranch in Miami Beach. Smith was a Virtual Coach for NeverSayDiet.com, part of the iVillage network. Jessica is also the creator of www.livinginthin.com, an online community source for women looking to get their whole life in shape. Smith has appeared in several other “10 Minute Solution” DVDs including “Knockout Body!” and “Belly, Butt and Thigh Blasters.”

To win one of 5 DVDs leave me a comment letting me know if you have ever attended a bootcamp class (or if you have ever done a bootcamp DVD). I will use random.org to chose 5 winners from the comments.Comments close on Tuesday at 6pm and I will pick a winner Wednesday morning.

Disclaimer: I was given 5 copies of the DVD at Fitbloggin to give away on my blog. I was not paid to give them away or to write any type of review of the product.

I Tried It– New Tide Sport with Febreze

Disclaimer: I attended Fitbloggin 10 and Tide was a sponsor. In our conference bags, everyone received a coupon for a free bottle of Tide Sport with Febreeze. I was not asked to review the product.
Tide Sport with Febreze
When I saw the coupon in the bag at Fitbloggin I was so happy- I had seen Tide Sport with Febreze advertised in magazines and on TV, but had yet to see it in the store. Since I love trying new products (and usually end up buying them before the coupons in the Sunday paper come out) I was so happy to have received the coupon so I could run out and try the product gratis.
To be totally honest, I am living with a friend right now for free and I usually use whatever laundry soap she currently buys. Right now, it is Tide Free. I like a smell with my soap, so I have been buying Clorox Colorsafe Bleach so my stuff smells atleast like something when it gets out of the wash.
When I workout I stink. No really, S T I N K. Whatever I ate the night before comes out in my sweat but smells 10 times worse than when I ate it. I also sweat alot (sweating means the workout is WORKING…right??) and my pants and shirts take the brunt of my sweatiness. And don’t get me started on my socks and undies. EW.
So when I peel everything off to take a shower, I need to throw them in the wash pronto. But when they come out, they don’t always smell fresh (see: roommate buys unscented soap).
Enter Tide Sport with Febreze. Man, this stuff is almost OVERPOWERING when you open the bottle. It has a very VERY strong smell to it. Almost too strong. I opened the bottle in the store to smell it, and it almost knocked me over. That strong.I wish I could explain to you what it smells like. Not flowery, not boy-y, not perfumey. Kind of a combination of all three, if that makes sense?  But hang with me, it gets a little bit better.
I threw my workout clothes in the wash with a 1/2 capful, and let the soap do the washing. When the cycle was done, the clothes looked clean and did not have any soapy residue on them. When I took the clothes out to put them in the dryer, the smell was strong, but not as strong as when I put them in the dryer. Obviously not as strong as smelling the bottle– but the clothing no longer smelled like an armpit so score one for Tide. :)
After a turn in the dryer with an unscented dryer sheet (roommate again), The clothing still strongly smelled of the detergent, but actually, the smell was growing on me. And that’s a good thing, after folding the clothes and putting them away, my hands smelled like the detergent.
Note: I got a 50 load bottle for free.
Here’s my recap:
Did I like the product: Yes and no. My workout clothing no longer smelled horrible, but the smell of the detergent was a little strong for my liking.
Will I use the product again: Yes, I have 49 more loads left in the bottle, and I will use it exclusively for my workout clothing.
If the company asked me, would I change anything about the product: Yes. I would dial down the fragrance by about 30 percent.
Would/Will I recommend this product to friends: If they have real issues with stinky clothing and like a strong-smelling detergent? Yes.
If you try/have tried Tide Sport with Febreze, leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Wordless Wednesday: Fitbloggin 10 – Run/Walk picture

[caption id="attachment_1432" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Photo thanks to @carriedphotography's Flikr page"]participants of the Fitbloggin 10 run/walk[/caption]

I’m in the photo behind the man in the front row in the white shirt, behind the gal in the green shirt (mizfit) and in front of the gal in the yellow shirt. I have a black coat on and a peek of yellow shirt on. I am kinda in the shadows! :)

Fitbloggin day 1

Oh. My. God.

I am so freakin tired.

But I am having so much fun!!

I woke at 330am cdt, and am beat. It is now 11pm edt.

The plane ride was uneventful, but it was cool to meet up unexpectedly in the shuttle with one of the other blogger’s Rebecca. ( am on iPhone– will link to her blog tomorrow)

The hotel is beautiful– and our room has amazing views. See pics below of the lobby, the view from the room and of fitbloggers going crazy waiting for food.

I am beat– better recap, photos and other stuff coming tomorrow after the 5k run/walk when I am on my laptop.

Night from fitbloggin!!

Fitbloggin starts tomorrow!!!

Fitbloggin is finally here!! I am busy trying to get over nasty headcold/start of allergy season crap. And trying to make sure I have everything for the conference.

Business cards? Check
PJs? Check
Fun bloggie tees? Check

Everything is packed and ready for my 6am flight to Baltimore tomorrow morning. I am taking ‘the good camera’ so I hope to get some great shots to share.

I need to send a shoutout to true lemon for making awesome products that I love and for sponsoring part of my trip to the conference. If you are a going to be at fitbloggin, be sure to find me to get a free sample of True Lemon, and follow me on Twitter @ajlovestolose for your change to win a few cool prizes. :)

Ok, off to run a bazillion errands before I leave tomorrow!!

FITBLOGGIN OR BUST!!

AJ Finally gives an update!

The past couple of weeks have been extra special busy. First a few bullets to get some quick things out of the way:

  • More on the New Year Challenge below, but I wanted to say that I haven’t weighed-in since before the super bowl, and won’t for a few more weeks due to a little glitch (the scale was in LA). I had a rough week eating-wise, but am keeping up with my workouts.
  • If you read my tweets, you may have noticed I spent a Sunday morning not too long ago waiting in line to buy a Cricut for cheap at BigLots. Well, I got one of the 5 that were in stock and I LOVE IT! I can see more scrapbooking in my near future :-)
  • Cross your fingers that I get an interview this week at a place I applied to a few weeks ago. I have already made it through the phone interview and hope to hear back soon.
  • I am doing a market research thingy on cat food tomorrow — so excited to have a little extra “go” money. What shall I spend it on? New workout clothes? Sketchers shoes? Cricut supplies?? :-)
  • I have been having a bit of trouble sleeping the past few nights– I think the cats are keeping me awake. I need to shoo them out of my room tonight and see if that helps. I need to get a good night’s rest!

OK– here go the long-ish updates–

Naked Fitness New Year Challenge: While my eating has not been the best this week (Valentine’s Weekend was a disaster!! Fries! Fried Pork Tenderloin!! Candy bars!!! (yes BARS; PLURAL), I stopped myself on Monday and restarted. Wait– Actually, I started over search day eating a healthy breakfast but ended each day of my 2 day crap-binge with, well, CRAP. On Monday I seemed to get my healthy-head back on, and really stayed within my calorie goals for each day.

I was proud that I got 2 hours of walking in each day (except 1 or 2– those days I walked 1 hour). I made the realization that every day was not going to be “perfect” because

I.

AM.

NOT.

PERFECT.

Some days I am going to slip up a bit, and that is OK. I can start again at the next snack or meal. I had to realize I was tired and not planning properly so I was not getting my meals at the right time, so I was starving and grabbing whatever I could find (ie: fast food) and shoving it in my mouth. I need to slow down, plan my meals and eat what makes my body “run” the best is can.

I made up 4 shredded chicken breasts in the crockpot tonight so I can add it to my meals over the next few days. I just added the chicken to a can of low sodium chicken broth in my crockpot this morning and by about 6 pm, the chicken was so done it just shredded in my hands. Look at me preparing my meals ahead of time!! lol

I forgot to drink the supplement drink, Elations, that the trainer had asked us to use during the initial 21 days (mostly because I ran out of the bottles). My knee really started giving me problems as I was walking– the joint was really sore and uncomfortable. After being back on the Elations for 3 days, the discomfort was GONE! I really believe in this great little product! Glad Andrea asked us to try it! ;-) (NOTE: I received free product from the trainer as part of the 21 day fitness program, but have run out of the free product and am now purchasing it for myself.)

I spend an hour or so at NBC 5 here in Chicago taping a segment that will be shown March 2nd on the 10pm news to highlight the work we did over the 21 days of the initial program. If you are in Chicago, please check it out.If not, I will try to post it from their website the night it airs. Andrea (the trainer) told us today that NBC 5 will be following us throughout the year to see how we do on the plan. I am HAPPY I will have the follow as I need something to keep me honest!

Within the next few days (hopefully Wednesday) I will post the whole menu, and guidelines to follow if you would like to try this new way of eating/working out. Well, I guess it is not a new way of eating, per se, but a healthy way of eating. I have a very full day tomorrow, so give me a day or so. ;-)

Fitbloggin 10– I can’t believe Fitbloggin is just around the corner. Amerrylife is my roommate and I can’t wait to hear all about her trip to New Zealand to see her love in person. ;-)   I think I may have secured a sponsor (or 2) just this afternoon. More information as soon as I can share. I am SO EXCITED and want to share but want to make sure everything is firm before I do!! ;-) I know you understand.

Speaking of this (awesome) guy, if you have any spare change, and you believe in true love, PLEASE go to this post, read, and donate what you can. Their story is SO SWEET. Thanks in advance!

I leave you with a yummy recipe- Enjoy!

Chili-Lime Pork Chops

4 servings

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt (I used garlic powder)

1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)

1 tablespoon line juice

1 teaspoon canola oil

4 boneless pork loin chops 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick (1lb)

If desired: Chopped fresh cilantro; lime wedges

1. Pre-heat grill

2. meanwhile, in small bowl, mix all seasoning ingredients. Brush mixture evenly on both sides of each chop.

3. When grill is heated, place pork on grill surface. Close grill, cook 5-7 min or until pork is no longer pink in center (AP note: I turned mine once 1/2 through cooking to get good grill lines). Sprinkle pork with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

1 serving: 190 Cal, Fat 10g, Sodium 170g (maybe less with sub garlic powder).

Taken from Pilsbury Fast and Healthy Cookbook.