Fun Fitness Gear with a GIVEAWAY!!

Tomoson

One of the many perks of my jobs is getting to try the latest and greatest new gym toys! Recently I got sent some fun new toys that I recruited some fellow "Gym Rats" to help me test!

First....  wrist wraps and straps from  Eagle ProFitness.

I recruited Matt to try these out. Being big and strong, Matt uses wrist straps often so I thought he'd be perfect to try these out!

He said the wraps have a spot near the wrist that itched him a little bit but that was common for almost every pair he has owned.

He really liked the straps. He said these were the first straps that were long enough and gave him a great grip on the bar....especially since he's about to deadlift 405#

You're welcome Ladies!

Next...Infernal Innovations sent me an adjustable Speed Rope.

It is completely adjustable, which I love, I have 5'2" clients and 6'4" clients and this jump rope works for both! It's light, speedy, adjustable...just what I need!

I also got sent MuvUSA Iphone 5 armband. I have to tell you...this was perfect timing!

My iphone 4...committed suicide. It jumped right off the treadmill and landed directly under my foot. So I had to get a new phone. I was due for an upgrade and got an 5, but none of my 4 stuff fits the 5 stuff. So when I got sent the MuvUSA armband...I was stoked.

Bonus....it works really well! It is light weight, fits perfectly, and doesn't irritate me when I run! It was truly a win-win in my book!

Did I mention I had products to give away??

Well I do....

here's the deal...

1. Go LIKE Kendall Personal Fitness on Facebook...click Here

2. Check out Eagle Pro Fitness website...click Here

3. Check out MuvUSA's website...click Here

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Feeling Clueless

Tomoson

As you know, I am all about going green, eating organic, and when possible I am a "DIY" kind of gal. So, when I got the opportunity to try to make my own almond milk using "nut milk bags" I got kind of excited.

My excitement quickly faded when the bags arrived without an directions, recipes, or guidance. I don't mind "DIY" project, but when it comes to something you should eat/drink....I am a bit more cautious. I prefer to have some assistance just to be on the safe side. If you have ever gone through food poisoning, you should understand why....it is awful!

Then I started doing a little pricing. You can order almonds on amazon for about $7 a pound. Hmmmm.....the almond milk I buy is under $4 for a half gallon. In this case, I am not sure making your own almond milk is worth the time and price. I understand I am much more in control of what goes into my milk but again...my time is my most precious commodity. 

However, these bags can also be used for other things like making homemade juice and herbal teas. I grow veggies and herbs at home and there is always an excess in that area. I think these bags will help me get more out of my garden then they will helping me make almond milk. So....stay tuned for 

ADVENTURES IN GARDENING!!!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Tri Training and Skin Care

Tomoson

As an athlete, I put my body through the ringer. Long workouts, heavy weights, lots of sweating. I am pretty good about taking care of my body with stretching, massages, foam rolling etc. What I often forget is that the body that I so lovingly punish is covered in skin. Skin that I need to take care of as well!

I tend to have dry, sensitive, acne prone skin. Pool Chlorine does a number on my skin, so I was really excited to try 100% pure, raw African Shea Butter from Cleopatra's Choice.

Cleopatra's Choice states.....

" #1 RATED SHEA BUTTER ON THE MARKET! Natural Relief from Dry Skin, Psoriasis Dryness, Eczema and Acne. Excellent for Stretch Marks for Pregnancy or Other.
100% Natural and Organic Pure Shea Butter - Made with Hand Selected Finest Nuts of the Shea Tree in Ghana.
Deep Moisturizer for Skin - Contains VITAMIN A, VITAMIN E AND VITAMIN F - DOES NOT CLOG PORES - Highly Moisturizing and Long Lasting - Beneficial for Hair & Skin Health and Beauty"

Do I agree?? 

Well....it is insanely thick. It is like playdoh. But when you get it smoothed on, it is absolutely amazing! I happen to have friends who own an candlemaking and aromatherapy company. They have a specific machine used for mixing wax/soy/whatnots with scented oils. So I ordered some organic ylang ylang flower oil and will have them mix my own special grade of lotion!! Pretty exciting.

I also got the opportunity to try a couple more skin care products. One specifically for stretch marks and the other for cellulite.  As a 35 year old mom....I have both.

Unfortunately I wasn't very impressed with either product. 

Don't get me wrong, they smelled good and made my skin feel amazing, but I didn't get the results I was hoping for. Maybe I was hoping for a miracle in a bottle, but all in all, not impressed.

One thing I always try to remember is to take a vitamin. What we put IN our body, we wear ON our body. I  tend to take an all natural vitamin specifically designed for active women. Recently I have started adding Phytoceramides. 

Phytoceramides are plant based lipids that help regenerate cell growth and apoptosis. In other words, it helps your skin stay looking youthful! Plus it has Vitamin E, K , C and D. Good stuff for the bod and the skin!

What about you? How do you care for your skin? Has your products changed with age or do you have some tride and true stables?

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

State Fair Detox

Tomoson

This past weekend, the kiddo and I joined up with Team Wallis and headed to the Iowa State Fair and Adventureland Amusement park in Des Moines Iowa.

We rode rides, checked out farm life, ate way too much food, and piled on a few beers to boot.

We had a really good time!

We clearly ate well too!

Needless to say....I am suffering from some gut rot. Fried foods, over indulgences, and booze make for an unhappy hippie.

So when I got home I decided it was time for a quick detox. 

I used Miracle Cleanse. What is nice about this product is that it uses natural herbs, fibers, and laxatives to cleanse your colon and intestinal tract but also has acidophilus to protect your intestinal lining from getting stripped away! You can use it for a quick one day detox or use it as a 15 day full detox. I opted for the single day for this weekend and will do a 15 day cleanse post holiday season. Let's be honest....I love christmas cookies way to much!

My insides are already feeling better. I feel flushed out and ready ready to properly fuel my system.

I also tried Yacon Syrup this morning. Yacon is a plant that grows in Peru. This is 100% organic syrup and is a powerful antioxidant, just what I needed after this weekend. It is a dark color and not as thick as regular maple syrup. I tried it on pancakes. It tastes like raisins to me. Not bad, just different.

I am back on track and ready to tackle my workouts and my race at the end of the month!

What about you?

What do you do after a week of over indulgence?

Products you recommend?

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Race Day: Omaha Triathlon

Tomoson

I am very happy to report I finally got my first olympic distance triathlon of the season under my belt!

I am even happier to report that it went REALLY well!!

It was a wet suit legal swim, which makes me happy, although I did get a little beat up the first half of the swim. I always seem to have the largest age group and we always start the swim together....makes for an interesting first swim half!

The ride was super hilly but it was a closed course, which is nice. The run was ridiculously hilly, it was my slowest 10K time in a long time, but I laughed so hard I spit GU and I got complimented on my rear end. So I am going to chalk it up to a good run!

When it was all said and done....I ended up placing 9th in my age group with a new distance PR!!

I will say that after a triathlon, I probably feel the grossest of any race. I seem to be dirtier and slimier after tris.

Lake swimming and a grassy transition area do not make for the cleanest of races. When I get home from any triathlon, I make it a point to completely scrub/exfoliate/shave my entire body!

My newest fave scrub...Adovia Dead Sea Salt Scrub! It's 100% pure dead sea salt and it works wonders! It is a rough scrub but it gets the job done and leaves your skin feeling refreshed, clean, and brand new.  It is just what I need to get the lake slim and transition area dirt and hay off of the bod!

Next race?? 

30 DAYS!!!

I will be going for a race PR and the HYVee Triathlon August 31st in Des Moines IA!

Wish me luck!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.