Review: Hydration Pack with FREE Waist Pack & 2 Liter Hydration Bladder by RiskbekTM.

Hydration Pack with FREE Waist Pack & 2 Liter Hydration Bladder by Riskbek

 

I was in the market for a hydration backpack after seeing loads of people with them at Lalapalooza.  Initially, I wasn't sure what they were, so I came home and did some research and knew I had to have one.

I found that depending on what type of hydration pack you choose, they can be really expensive but I found this pack by Riskbek to be the most economical for my needs.  I absolutely love this hydration backpack and the added running belt/fanny pack is just icing on the cake.  It allows me to carry my phone keys, snacks and a few other essentials when I'm out and about.

While I originally bought this for outdoor festivals, this hydration pack would also be great to use for hiking, running or short day trips.  I haven't really had an opportunity to use it for my intended purpose, out door music festivals/concerts so I tested it out in my Zumba class and while running and I found it to be very efficient and durable.

The Hydration backpack by Riskbek is very easy to set up.  It arrived virtually ready to use ( just fill and go) and I was pleased that the mouthpiece was shrink-wrapped as well ( but I still chose to give it a quick wash first.)  

The hydration pack is fully adjustable and fits snug on my back.  It didn't bounce while running, jumping or dancing and we do get down in my Zumba class lol.   The shoulder straps are comfortable and durable, and the waist strap, although fairly thin, works well given the size of the backpack.

The mouth piece dispenses water freely without too much force necessary. While running it's difficult to have to try and figure out the best way to bite the mouth pieces sometimes but this one is soft  and pliable enough to just work without much effort and I haven't had any issues of leakage.


In addition to running belt, and did I mention that it is free...FREE...who still gives free gifts with purchases these days? The hydration pack  has two side mesh pockets which are great for snack bars or even an extra water bottle as well as a front zippered pocket which can hold a sandwich or other essentials.  The inside of the backpack also has an additional pocket which you can use for keys, phone or anything else you want to keep a little closer to you. You can also throw an extra change of clothes inside the pack as well which makes it super economical.

If you're in the market for an awesome hydration back pack/bladder/water reservoir.....this is a great choice. I'm very pleased with my purchase.  Want one as well? 


Click the link and pick up your Hydration Pack with FREE Waist Pack 2 Liter Hydration Bladder by RiskbekTM today!



Disclaimer: I was provided this backpack at a discounted price in exchange for my honest opinion!

Getting it right,

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In the next few weeks I will be embarking upon an 8 week challenge with a group of ladies.  I have purchased and read the book that will be guiding us through this challenge.  The book recently released and I purchased it and devoured it in a matter of hours.   I was really excited for this book because others seemed to have such great success with it... losing a good deal of weight effortlessly and in a relatively short amount of time.  I just couldn't wait to read it and find out the secret, no tracking meals, no points, no calories, and I can have ice cream, cake and alcohol ( granted I'm not much of a sweets person unless I get a craving) but it seemed right up my alley.

Like I mentioned, I devoured the book a few hours after purchasing and was a bit disappointed because there was no  magic secret, no holy grail to losing weight.  Honestly, I already knew everything included in the book so I felt a twinge of discouragement because it hasn't worked for me in the past.

I haven't always been overweight....as a matter of fact, I didn't gain weight until I was 30 ish...after the birth of my second child.  With my first...I lost the weight within two weeks of giving birth and actually ended up smaller than I was pre-pregnancy.  Oh, did I mention I did nothing to lose the weight, NOTHING!...No dietary changes, no working out...it just happened  and I was back into my size  nines within two weeks and I delivered at 211lbs and a size 18.  So...naturally with baby number two I figured it would be the same...I'd get back to my pre-pregnancy weight in no time.  I delivered at 214lbs with baby number two and was only able to waft back and forth between that and 189 lbs.   Lol,  it's funny because I looked damned good at 189 even despite my bit of a belly but what I wouldn't give to be there again.

Although I still blame my weight on my "baby" who is now a teen, I just haven't been able to make much progress.  Similar to the author...I became obsessed with losing weight after not being able to get back down after giving birth.  I read any and everything that had to do with weight loss, nutrition, etc.  So all of the things that were included in the book, not only did I know but have attempted to practice at one point or another during my journey.  There's really nothing new to the author's way of losing weight.  The one thing that reading this book has done is made me really examine what I'm eating.  Sure I'm not a bread person and don't really eat it at home but if I'm out and I order a burger yes, I will have it on a bun even though I "don't eat bread"..  Sure I've cut out  sugar at home and don't really eat it but when I'm out and having a coffee give me those 7 creams and 7 sugars.  I also realize that I do tend to add a bit of sugar to my sauces and chili that I make at home as wel  without even realizing it...it just happens naturally.

A lot of the "don'ts" in the book, I have been doing for quite a while...years even and have been losing and gaining the same 5-8 pounds for more than 10 years now.  My weight tends to fluctuate between 230 and 238 lbs and has for about that long as well.  Yet and still, I will participate in this challenge and concentrate on what I am really consuming which will be the hardest part for me.  I tend to drink smoothies and juices that I've juiced myself with veggies and some fruits.  Water is my main drink of choice and has been for about 16 or 17 years now.  I rarely if ever drink soda and if I do...it's a sip of someone else's maybe twice a year if that.  I do have the occasional Gatorade( which I know isn't that good for you either) and a Bai( formerly bai5...wonder why they got rid of the 5...lol) when I want something more.  I'm also a tea drinker...Iced and sweetened when I get a taste for it.

But come this challenge which should be starting soon, I will be going over what I''m eating with a fine toothed comb and really cutting out the  things I need too cut out.
I already exercise and really have no problem doing so...I love Zumba and lifting...I also do a bit of treadmill and track walking/jogging...wayyy more walking than jogging as I have some knee issues,,,  IE pain.  I've started the couch to 5k several times and have never made it past day 3...I may give it another go for this challenge though.

While this challenge isn't big on lifting...I believe it's an integral part of losing weight so I will continue to lift while doing the challenge. Some of the people who have done the challenge...while losing weight..... seem to have issues with loose skin  I believe that it is such a big issue for some because they don't lift weights.  Now I'm not saying that weight lifting is the holy grail to avoiding loose skin but I do believe that it will help fill out  the skin in some of those areas and the less loose skin the better.

Anyway,  I will be back  when I start this challenge with beginning stats etc.

that's it for now....toodles!







Getting it right,

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Goodbye January, Hello February!

Wow! Time sure is flying by. It seems as if only yesterday, I was wrapping gifts, decorating the tree and getting ready for Christmas. Needless to say January is gone and it's now time to say Hello to February and I haven't made any progress. 

While I have been in the gym, very sporadically I might add, I haven't really accomplished anything. I'm not sure what it is that I am not doing that others are but It gets really frustrating seeing others be successful at weightloss while I'm having no progress. I see people losing 20, 30, 40, 50 pounds or more and they have changed nothing other than cutting out soda and walking for a half hour a day.  What? I stopped drinking soda so long ago that I can't even remember the last time that I had one and I'm in the gym lifting and doing cardio in between. I know consistency is the key so I have deemed February, the month of consistency.

• I will be consistent in my eating 
• I will be consistent in my working out 
• I will be consistent in my water intake
• I will be consistent in my posting on this blog. 

I hope to see some changes this time around...doesn't need to be big changes but I need to see something!! Now, I'm off to start my day with a fabulous green smoothie. What will you be doing differently this month in order to accomplish your goals?

Getting it right and hopefully tight,

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Review: Prefer Green 7 Piece Portion Control Containers with Guide Instruction

My aunt recently purchased the 21 day fix and fell off rather quickly. She let me borrow her DVD's but refuses to part with her containers leaving me to fend for myself. When I saw these containers, I thought they would work perfectly in helping me get my portion sizes under control.

The fact that these containers are color coordinated and portion-sized perfectly, should mean a foolproof eating plan...Right?

This right here...NO BUENO!

Basically, whatever food fits into its required container is how much of that food you can have...simple as that!  Now, as with everything, there are still ways that you can over do it, so you really have to stick to proper portions.  That means that you don't pack your tuna down extra tight in order to fit more into the container, nor should you suddenly develop an affinity for heaping helpings. While it's obvious that you may have to do some cutting or chopping in order to get your food into the container, especially with your proteins (where my drumstick and wing people at? ) You really do want to stick to reasonable portion sizes.



The containers cover every food group and consist of:
One Green— For Veggies
One Purple— For Fruit
One Red— For Protein
One Yellow—For Carb
One Blue— For Healthy Fats and Cheese
2 Orange— For Seeds and Oils





Although they are much smaller than I expected, after reading the included pamphlet and realizing that depending upon my allotted calories I am, in fact, not relegated to one or two container each per day,  I think these containers will work well to help keep me on track during my fitness journey.

They appear to be durable and  pretty well made. The plastic is a hard, sturdy plastic that doesn't give when squeezed and they held up well in the dishwasher.   They're also BPA free and microwave safe although I have yet to try them in the microwave.

I love the pamphlet that is included with the set. It has so much information on figuring out your calories and how much you should be eating depending upon your specific goals and caloric needs. It also tells you how many containers of each food you should have based on your caloric goal as well. While there is a shopping guide included, keep in mind that it does not include a specific eating plan or diet  that you should be following…you have to do your own research for that. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be really surprised to find out how much you’ve actually been over eating. The good thing is that I didn’t feel deprived when using these containers at all and I hope to finally be able to lose these pounds while adopting a healthier lifestyle.

My only complaint is that I did experience some leakage. The container lids do not appear to be as 100% leak poof as claimed.

I even tested a container by filling it with water to make sure.  Quite surprisingly, when it was turned completely upside down,  it held up well.  The problem came when it was turned on it's side which would most likely be the case when transporting your food. If you’re a fan of soups and or you need to pack dressings, sauces and/or oils,  I suggest you use the portion control containers to measure it out  first and then pack it in something else leak proof so it doesn’t leak or spill.


Other than that, I really love the simplicity  of these containers and the idea behind them! No calorie counting, no food logging, just fill the container and eat. Can’t get any easier than that!

Want your own? Click the link   Prefer Green Portion Control Kit
to purchase your kit.



Getting it right,


 
 Disclaimer: I was provided this kit at a discounted price in exchange for my honest opinion!

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Review: Premium Cross Training Glove and Wrist Wrap Set by Double Dagger.

 

I'm planning to get serious about my health and fitness and was in the market for some new training gloves being that my last pair is about 12 years old or more. These gloves are exactly what I have been looking for to take my work out to the next level.

The description stresses the importance of purchasing the correct size, as fit is very important. By measurement, I was right on the cusp of the small and medium size (7.7) so I opted to go with the larger size medium because my right side (hand and foot) tends to be a tad bit bigger than my left.

While the gloves fit comfortably on most of my fingers, I do have a bit of extra room on the edge near my pinky finger but aside from that, the gloves fit perfectly. I think if I had gone with the smaller size they would have been a bit too snug.

These gloves are very lightweight and comfortable and the added wrist straps provide a great deal of support....especially during those exercises in which your wrist may be likely to give out or become a bit weaker. (ie. push-ups, clean and presses, snatches) They appear to be made of neoprene with extra padding in the palm to protect well, against calluses/blisters, those areas of the hand which tend to take a beating during certain exercises.

The open back design allows your hands to breathe so you don’t have to worry about sweat and the Velcro closure is wide and does a great job of holding the glove closed. They’re easy to put on and to take off during a workout and because the wrist support is separate, you can add and remove them as needed depending upon the particular exercise and amount of wrist support required. I love that! They're hand washable and come with a risk free money back guarantee. If you aren't happy with your purchase, #DoubleDagger will refund you or send you another pair free of charge. Who wouldn't love that!! Whether you are a novice or a pro, this is a great, well designed glove fit for any workout!




Click the link and pick up your Premium Cross Training Glove and Wrist Wrap Set by Double Dagger TODAY!

 

#Doubledagger Premium Cross Training Gloves and Wrist Wraps

*Disclaimer: I received this product at a discounted price in exchange for my honest opinion.

Getting it right,

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Review: Lift Fitness Solutions Quick Release Locking Olympic Barbell Collar Set for 2-inch Weights Bar

For the past month, I have gotten into lifting and decided to take a break from all of the Zumba classes and the treadmill.  I have a light barbell set (20 lbs) that came with a locking clip which I absolutely loved .  When it was time to upgrade to a set with heavier plates, the set that I chose came with a pin and screw collar which is very time consuming to remove and to replace.

I was super excited when I came across the Lift Fitness Solutions Barbell Collar.

So much so that I couldn’t wait to show my son since he and I would both be using the weights.  Imagine my surprise when he told me they wouldn’t fit our (what I now know is a standard barbell.)  Even though it says "Olympic" and "2 inch weight bar" in the description and on the packaging,  I'm new to lifting and a bar is a bar is a bar to me.  I doubted him until they arrived and saw that he was correct but nevertheless, I can still use them at the gym where collars are coveted because they are few and far between.

I went to the gym soon after they arrived and I must say, these locking collars are perfect.  They appear to be well-made and very durable.   Not to mention the fact that they come in a convenient, nice looking  little nylon bag that came in handy while carrying them around the gym and for storing them when not in use.  They slide on the barbell effortlessly and the locking mechanism is tight and secure.  These collars hold the plates very well and I feel safe in knowing that there is no chance of the plates moving, sliding, or falling off (yes, I've had that happen with a pin and screw collar that wasn't tight enough.)

During high intensity workouts where drop sets or pyramid sets are the focus, changing plates is a breeze:  simply pull the latch all the way open, slide the collar onto the barbell and then clamp it down...easy as that! 

Keep in mind that the locking/unlocking mechanism is very tight, so initially, it can be tough to unlock (at least for me it was) especially when brand new.  After a few uses I got the hang of it and now I'm an old pro..  lol.

Still secure and in place after being dropped

Lift Fitness Solutions Quick Release Locking Collars are much easier to maneuver on and off the weight bar than the spring collars and they lock on the barbell more securely as well.  Most importantly, they stay locked, even when dropped! No need to check or re-adjust them numerous times during your workout  because once you put them on and lock them, they are not budging or coming undone.

If you’re into power lifting, Olympic style weightlifting, or just plain old functional fitness like me and are looking for a high quality collar that can be used and abused... this is the collar for you.  Click the link and pick up your
LIFT Fitness Solutions Barbell Collar PRO today!

Disclaimer:  I received this product at a discounted price in exchange for my honest opinion.

Getting it right,

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 I'm still here and still working out but I need to revamp a few things.   Mainly my diet.  I'm not a terrible eater but I'm not really restricting myself either.  a typical day of eating for me is I usually have a smoothie or juice for breakfast...( veggies, fruit, coconut water, flax and chia seeds).  I then may have a boiled egg and a slice or two of buffalo turkey breast...in between I may eat a pack of orbit gum and then I won't eat again until dinner which most often consists of a meat and veggies.  I really don't thin that I'm eating enough and I also know that I'm going too long between meals.   right now, I'm all about focusing on nutrition.  I believe that I know what I need to do as far as my eating goes but you can never know enough.  I'll be doing some more research on nutrition, taking a closer look at my numbers so that I can know how much I should be eating.  I also plan to keep a close eye on what it is that I am actually eating and how much.  This should bring me some type of progress as it seems that i am constantly gaining and losing the same 5 pounds and I have been for quite some time.

My mother has cut back on her eating and has lost about 20 pounds without really doing too much. she's retired so when she isn't lying around she's picking up my kid and taking him from school to work and that's about it. I'm tired of being fat and self-conscious about the way that I look. I'm tired of hiding out from family and friends and trying not to be seen, I am so ready to get out of the 230's and into the 100's for good.  this will be my time and I'm starting right now!






Gettng it right,

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Time to get with it and stick with it.

 I'm back again and have decided to really get serious with this weightloss.  I have been messing around for at least 14 yrs now losing and gaining the same 5 lbs.  the good thing is that I haven't gained any additional weight during that time but my weight  has been fluctuating between 230 and 235 for the past 14 years.   I'm extremely motivated but really need to work on my eating habits.  If I'm totally honest with myself, that is the real reason why I'm failing to see any progress, that and the fact that I haven't been able to get back into lifting in order to incorporate it back into my routine.

As fara s food is concerned,  I really think that I am not eating enough.  most days I'm not eating until 11 or noon and by that time I am starving.  I also have an addiction to chips and cheetos,  A lot fo times I will have that as it is quick and readily available.  so this time I will focus on changing my eating habits.  I'm good with smoothies and juices and have them fairly regularly.  I just need to get on some type of eating plan that doesn't really cut out any specific food groups so I won't feel deprived.

I also need to be more consistent with my workouts. I'm good with the cardio and have been doing Zumba regulary  but now I need to get  back into weight lifting.  I ordered a total gym knockoff by Weider and when it arrives,  it's on!

As I've mentioned before I am very competitive.  Everyone seems to be losing weight but me.  I have a cousin who has 5 kids and has managed to lose at least 30 lbs in a short amount of time and yes...I'm hating.  Granted  she didn't have nearly as much weight to lose as I do but she is in a bikin...a bikini Ya'll.  time to get my butt in gear.

I'm tired of hiding out, not going to see family members out fo fear of being the only FAT girl. I'm tired f not taking pics because of the way I look.  well that's not entirely true.  I love taking pics and I still do so constantly but no one will see them  lol.  At least not anyone who knows me  haha.

but anyway that is the plan and it starts today..well Monday because I have things to do but I will defintely get some form of work out in today!

That's all for now


I'll be posting regularly but I now have an instagram account where I am documenting my journey and addmittedly, it's addictive.!





Getting it right,

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