Skechers Motivation to Walk – Who Do You Walk For?

I don’t talk about my personal life on this blog a lot… But this occasion/opportunity really moved me to share a story with you today that’s personal.

It’s the most difficult post I’ve ever had to write, too…

Meet my grandma.

_DSC9368

Her name is Valentina and she’s my maternal grandmother’s sister actually. I grew up with my maternal grandma living with us – taking care of us kids like only a grandmother can, for which I will forever be grateful. Valentina lived away and would come to visit us occasionally. Those family get-togethers are one of the fondest memories I have from my childhood. My grandma’s sisters were all very loud, funny, witty, strong and powerful women. Growing up with these women around was amazing and contributed a lot into making me who I am today.Continue Reading

FlipBelt Review

Hey guys!

Since this week started off so awesomely amazing and threw all my blogging schedule off, this is not your usual Workout Wednesday post, BUT – it is fitness related.

Gonna drop some knowledge on you today 🙂

Have you ever experienced the dilemma before going for a run/grocery shopping/picking up the kids/to the gym of whether or not you should bring your purse with you, or in case of workouts – what to do with all this stuff you need (car/house keys, phone, etc..) once you get to the gym?

Don’t answer, we all did. 🙂

Well, I got a solution for you – FlipBelt.

Continue Reading

Pro Compression Socks Review and Special Discount!

Hey guys! Happy Monday!

How was you weekend? Mine was busy and active, as always 🙂

Even though I am just training for my first 5K, you might remember me wondering about the benefits/lack thereof of running in compression socks. Well, shortly after I wrote that post I got an opportunity to review Pro Compression socks through my Sweat Pink Ambassadorship.

pro compression

I decided to see for myself if compression socks make any difference while training and recovering!

We were given the choice of reviewing Marathon Socks or Calf Sleeves. I opted for the socks.

I ordered the Marathon Socks in white and got them in the mail just a few days later.

pro compression

Well, I just couldn’t wait to try them in action!

That same day when I got them in the mail, hubby and I had our next run scheduled with the C25K, so I put my socks on about 15 minutes before the run, kept them on and off we went!

Ok, here’s what happened: I felt like my legs were running ahead of the rest of my body that day. One of the reasons why was that it was the first cool day after a few sweaty exhausting runs. Another reason was that we had a 2 day rest since last run, and 1 day rest since the leg-related activity (the cycling class I taught that Monday).

But I know my legs – it wasn’t just cooler weather and rest. Those socks worked, too! For the first time since I re-started running I felt like moving my feet was not hard work, but pleasure.

pro compression

I got home, took a shower and put them on that evening for a while for recovery.

pro compression

Added in some foam rolling and next day my legs felt like that run never happened! No. Tightness. At. All.

From that day forward, I’ve been running in those socks and leaving them on for 15-30 minutes after runs.

pro compression

Here are the Key Features of the Pro Compression products:

1. True Graduated Compression 
2. Arch support with just the right amount of compression 
3. Stabilization zone through the sides to mid foot. Helps provide foot bed comfort.   
4. Open toe box so it will not keep your toes to tight.  
5. Wide cuff for added comfort. 
6. Moisture wicking materials
7. No blisters!  

Testified: ALL TRUE! I have decided that I am definitely a compression socks kinda girl! 🙂

Approved Stamp

Best part?

You guys can use the discount code “PINK” to get 40% OFF an entire purchase at the PRO Compression online store.

Click on the link below to tell your twitter friends about this awesome chance to get high quality product at 40% OFF:
Tweet: I #KeepItTight w/ @PROCompression! Use the code PINK for 40% OFF your entire purchase! http://ctt.ec/W2UDL+ @fitapproach #sweatpink

Stay fit, friends, and #keepittight 🙂

Lean Lena

POPSUGAR Must Have June Box Review

Hey guys! How are you doing today? It is finally Friday!

I look forward to a nice relaxing weekend at home with hubby – some cycling, some swimming, some gardening – a little bit of everything.

Meanwhile, I am combining the two again – my Five on Friday and a review of a super box I received from POPSUGAR Must Have.

I love working with POPSUGAR – great people, very responsible, and you can be sure they won’t send you a bunch of crap when you get a box subscription from them – every experience I had with them (see the Must Have Snacks review) was extremely positive and pleasant.

Speaking of subscription – POPSUGAR Must Have was so kind to send me a $10 discount code to share with you guys, which applies to 3-month subscription:

  • Code: JUNESELECT10
  • Type: Save $10 on a 3-month subscription
  • Start Date: Today
  • End Date: 6/30/14

Click here to subscribe and get your $10 off today!

So here is the box I received in June and the review of some items in it.

popsugar must have box

{ONE} You Smell Wet Wipes

I am not a big fan of wet wipes in general. I hate the way they make your hands sticky and the way they smell.

I have to say, these wipes surprised me by being absolutely none of what you expect a regular wet wipe to be – they smell fresh and don’t make your skin feel like you just wiped it with honey.

We put this product to a good test when we went camping a couple weeks ago. They really helped out – especially for me as I was the “Fire Master” 🙂

popsugar must have box

Two thumbs up for these wipes!

{TWO} Turkish-T Beach Towel

If you’re like me, you like to be wrapped into something thin and light at the beach or by the pool when you get out of the water and had a little bit too much sun already.

This beach towel is just that – light and soft. That has been tested this past weekend by the pool by yours truly 🙂

popsugar must have box

{THREE} One Potato…Two Potato…Hawaiian BBQ Chips

popsugar must have box

I normally don’t buy/eat potato chips. VERY occasionally my husband would buy some and they would be gone before I get my hands on them thanks to the two baby alligators in the house chomping on anything edible 🙂

I had to hide these chips when I got them. Aha – you get the idea 🙂

Now look at the Nutrition Facts label for these:

These are not your regular potato chips, no sir. I actually felt OK about eating them as opposed to the usual guilt and “it’s not good for me” thoughts.

Still not a big fan of potato chips. But if you are – these are definitely a healthier version to go for.

{FOUR} The One and Only by Emily Giffin

Emily Giffin is the New York Times best selling author and The One and Only is her newest novel. I have just started it, and so far it looks like a perfect book to read at the swim club!

{FIVE} SACHAJUAN Body Lotion – Shiny Citrus

I’m in love with this lotion! When it comes to moisturizers, I am VERY picky. Hate the stuff that leaves my skin greasy and shiny. This is just perfect! Gets absorbed fast and leaves you with nice and silky skin.

I also got a pack of three Lollies Hair Ties.

popsugar must have box

Well, I am a little limited in the hair department as far as the use of hair ties goes 🙂

yeah, here's a picture of me NOT in workout clothes for once :)

yeah, here’s a picture of me NOT in workout clothes for once 🙂

I tried giving them to Carmen, but that girl has such thick hair those ties were not big enough for her 🙂 I ended up giving them to my co-worker’s daughter and she absolutely loved them!

So. Here’s the math for a POPSUGAR Must Have Box for you, guys:

Subscription cost: $39.95/month (use the discount code above to get a 3-month subscription and it comes out at $33.29/box!)

Retail value of the items in the June box:

  • You Smell wet wipes – $5
  • Turkish-T Beach Towel – $45
  • The One and Only by Emily Giffin – $16.52 on Amazon
  • One Potato, Two Potato chips – about $.99/bag
  • Hair ties – $8/pack of 3
  • Body lotion – at least $24

Total retail value: $99.51

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me!

And that’s that, friends! Have a great weekend!

Lean Lena

DISCLOSURE: POPSUGAR provided me with a complimentary POPSUGAR Must Have box. The opinions I have shared about the box are my own and POPSUGAR did not tell me what to say or how to say it.

This post has been shared on: Mar on the Run, Northeast Bloggers Network, Let’s Get Real Linkup

Vega Bars Review

Hey guys! Happy New Week!

As you might have noticed from following me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook – I’ve been selected to review Vega Bars through Fit Approach. I am super excited and honored as it is my very first product review and it is for Vega! I wanted to thank both Fit Approach and Vega Team for this great opportunity!

The very first time I ever heard of Vega was when I got one of my Foodie Penpal boxes from Heather over at Kiss My Broccoli – she sent me a packet of Vega Sport Performance Protein. I am not very big on protein powders. I do add them to smoothies occasionally but mostly I dislike them for the artificial aftertaste. I was intrigued by the product of Vega back then for not having that aftertaste! So when Fit Approach sent out an opportunity e-mail to review Vega bars, I jumped right at it and was selected as one of the bloggers!

Anyway, back to the bars. I have received a box of goodness from Vega to try out.

Vega bar

There were four kinds in my box: Vega Snack, Vega One, Vega Sport Protein Bar and Vega Sport Energy Bar – I got 2 flavors of each kind.

I won’t bore you with nutrition facts and such in this post. All that information is available online and you can access it and decide if it is right for your nutrition goals. This post is all about my personal experience trying the bars and how my taste buds felt in the process. 🙂

Of course I had to try one right when I received my box! I just got home from work and was getting ready to go to my Wednesday night yoga class, so I thought that would be a perfect time for a snack!

Vega bars

Well, hello there!

I started with Cranberry-Almond snack bar. LOVED the combination of almond and cranberry! I personally found this bar a little too sweet, but you’re looking at the girl who loves super dark chocolate the most. Otherwise, it did the job just great – it was a perfect snack to keep me going for a few hours until dinner time.

Next up was Vega One meal bar and I tried Chocolate-Peanut Butter flavor.

Vega bars

Let me tell you, this is a one serious bar right there! It has 13 g of protein, it is just the right amount of sweetness, and it has peanut butter AND chocolate in it! I was a little skeptical about the name to begin with – meal bar? There’s no way I can be satisfied subbing a meal with a bar – I’ll get hungry in an hour! – I thought. So I had this bar as a snack between meals at work. Erm…I was not hungry for HOURS! I just wasn’t. I had it for a 10 am snack and didn’t have lunch until 2 pm while my usual lunch time after the 10 am snack is noon. Hey, if you know you’re going to be hellishly busy and will not have time to sit down and eat a meal – this is a perfect on the go solution. My favorite part was that having 13 g of protein in it – you get none of that disgusting artificial powder aftertaste you get after eating a protein packed bar. NONE!

On Saturday I headed out for my usual Saturday double in the morning – indoor cycling class and then yoga. Sometimes I eat breakfast before that, other times I don’t – depends on how early I get up and if I feel like eating. This past Saturday I didn’t – so Chocolate-Coconut Vega Sport protein bar came in very handy in between the classes – it was a perfect snack to keep me going for another hour of exercise after cycling.

Vega bar yoga cycling

Just look at this goodness!

vega bar

Yesterday my husband and I went for a 30K bike ride at our local Rail Trail. I absolutely LOVED the event and the trail, but 30K is a long way to go and you know me – I need a snack every 2 hours. I made sure I am well prepared for the challenge!

cycling

Once again, Vega Sport Energy Bar performed – I had my snack before the ride and then half way through:

cycling vega bars

Don’t mind my face – I just really wanted to finish my Vega bar!

The conclusion, my friends is this:

If you’re looking for a healthy AND delicious snack – Vega Bars are the way to go – no funky ingredients, yummy flavors, plant-based, gluten free and non-GMO.

Best thing – they taste GREAT. They taste like a treat without the guilt part of having one.

I absolutely and sincerely loved being a part of this campaign held by Vega and Fit Approach!

I hope you decide to try Vega Bars, friends. They are 100% worth it!

Have a great week and I will see you back here tomorrow for the Tasty Tuesday linkup party!

Lena

Disclosure: this is a sponsored post. I have received complementary box of Vega bars from Vega and Fit Approach. All opinions in this post are my own.