One thing that is absolutely helping me stay grounded during this pandemic is working out. Trouble is my beloved gym is closed. While I hope they will be doing online workouts soon, I need to keep moving in the meantime. So, what can you do? Either get outside and take a jog or a stroll (while social distancing) or find a good online workout that will make your time at home valuable.
Obviously the biggest resource is YouTube. YouTube is an easy way to find free workouts. I love The Fitness Marshall, Leslie Sansone (I used to buy her DVDs in the early 2000’s) and Blogilates. There are also some great programs that I use like Aaptiv through the WW app. There are other workout platforms, but I’m only talking about what I use.

If you’d like to let me know about one you use, please leave a comment below!

Great Workouts

The Fitness Marshall

The Fitness Marshall offers so many workouts to popular songs. I know he also has a paid version and frankly, he’s worth it. I’m not an affiliate, just a fan. I’ve posted about him several times and he is a treasure. He’s funny and I just love dancing to his workouts. There have been several times when I grab my kids to dance with him. If you look at his playlists, you can easily do a 30 or 60 minutes.

I like to chose one of his playlists and just dance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fial2WIIUnc&list=PLAPUEAObdbMZ2ZgS_xfEg_pDUQ7nO4jf6

He does have a paid section and the price is very reasonable (plans start at $5.99 per month)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJpldchN5nc&list=PLAPUEAObdbMY44wK6t2GRgRMlVuJ9fdiQ

Leslie Sansone

Leslie Sansone just makes walking fun. Everyone can do her workouts, they just vary in time (meaning you can do a 1 mile walk or a 2 mile walk, etc, right in your living room). She’s friendly and encouraging.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVl6ZdslZz2Zj-34bMJFPbg

Sarah Fit is another great YouTube Channel. She’s relatable and I really like her workouts.

https://www.youtube.com/user/SarahsFabChannel

Blogilates

Cassey Ho is a certified fitness instructor and very amazing. Her workouts are not easy, but I do like that she offers targeted and interesting workouts.

https://www.youtube.com/user/blogilates/videos

PopSugar Fitness

PopSugar offers a Workouts section on their site with links to different articles with links to videos and ideas -They also have workouts that you can do with your kids.
https://www.popsugar.com/Workouts

Aaptiv

I actually do the audio Aaptiv workout throught the WW app, but they have their own platform you can sign up and use. If you don’t have WW and are looking for a great workout platform, Aaptiv is terrific. You can choose a walk or run and then pop your headphones on and head outside to do it. Or you can do a walk in place, yoga, cardio, or strength training.

WW – Pay $0 until Summer: Get Your First 3 Months Free!

OpenFit is another online weight loss plan that you may like.

For Kids

Avengers Tabata Workout for Kids – Glenn Higgins Fitness

Old Town Road Tabata Workout for Kids

Fortnite Warm Up – Glen Higgins Fitness

A 20 minute Full Body work out – Nate Bower Fitness

Great Products to Workout at Home With

LINK to my storefront
https://www.amazon.com/shop/themamamaven?listId=248QRHXKIKNCU&ref=cm_sw_em_r_inf_list_own_themamamaven_dp_mbkJV539QVPP5 

I’m going to keep adding to this list, so let me know if I’m missing a great workout or a great wellness/fitness product.

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay.

The post The Best Free and Paid Online Workouts You Can Do at Home Now appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I am doing everything I can to stay healthy and that means adding a lot of activity to my life. One of my new habits is to go bike riding and my new favorite thing to do is the ride Citi Bike around my city instead of taking the subway or the bus! I get where I need to go and some exercise! I just keep a helmet in my tote bag or backpack and I’m good to go! Remember a few weeks ago I participated in Free Ride Day, thanks to Healthfirst?

I’m excited to say I was part of the 25K New Yorkers that jumped in the saddle that day. Together we rode over 66K miles. Healthfirst continues to help NYC communities with great initiatives including their Reduced Fare Bike Share program with Citi Bike!” Healthfirst Makes Taking Care of Your Family’s Health as Easy as Riding a Bike

Last year, Healthfirst announced that it had joined Citi Bike to make its bike-sharing service more accessible. The Reduced Fare Bike Share program offers New Yorkers that qualify access to a $5.00 per month Citi Bike membership.

Remember to take your helmet with you!

Go here for more info on the reduced fair bike share:

Follow Healthfirst on Social:

Healthfirst on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealthfirstNY/

Healthfirst on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HealthfirstNY

Healthfirst on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthfirstny/

I’m excited to say I was part of the 25K New Yorkers that jumped in the saddle that day. Together we rode over 66K miles. Healthfirst continues to help NYC communities with great initiatives including their Reduced Fare Bike Share program with Citi Bike!” Healthfirst Makes Taking Care of Your Family’s Health as Easy as Riding a Bike

I am doing everything I can to stay healthy and that means adding a lot of activity to my life. One of my new habits is to go bike riding and my new favorite thing to do is the ride Citi Bike around my city instead of taking the subway or the bus! I get where I need to go and some exercise! I just keep a helmet in my tote bag or backpack and I’m good to go! Remember a few weeks ago I participated in Free Ride Day, thanks to Healthfirst?

I’m excited to say I was part of the 25K New Yorkers that jumped in the saddle that day. Together we rode over 66K miles. Healthfirst continues to help NYC communities with great initiatives including their Reduced Fare Bike Share program with Citi Bike!” Healthfirst Makes Taking Care of Your Family’s Health as Easy as Riding a Bike

The post Healthfirst Makes Taking Care of Your Family’s Health as Easy as Riding a Bike appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

It’s been a weird season – as the weather continues to get a little colder and fall arrives, my desire to keep up with my weight-training regime had faded a little and I fear that I’ve lost my inspiration. I’ve come so far, and my health has really improved, and I don’t want to go back to how I was feeling before. I came up with a few ways that I can keep getting my workouts in as I try to find my mojo again. Hopefully this will inspire some of you, if you are losing your mojo, too! How to Keep Exercising When You Lose Your Mojo  

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

1. Change Your Routine

Try a new type of exercise you haven’t done before: consider yoga, a spinning class or a fun dance class. Learning new moves will not only banish boredom, but you will also be using different muscles in your body and strengthening them. I used to do Zumba and I’m going to take a class a week and see if I can get some cardio in! How to Keep Exercising When You Lose Your Mojo

2. Get the Whole Family Involved

Grab your partner and/or kids and go for an after-dinner walk or a weekend hike. It will be a great opportunity to catch up with everyone. If you have a dog, be sure to bring it along! We have wonderful trails in the park near my apartment and it brings me back to the days when I used to stroll with my double stroller! How to Keep Exercising When You Lose Your Mojo

3. Treat Yourself to Cute Outfits or Equipment

Whether it’s a new set of dumbbells, a pretty yoga mat or a super-comfy sports bra – treat yourself to something new that will get you motivated and excited about your workout. You deserve it for all your hard work! I look for sales and then love the inspiring things I can pick out. I also just got a super new pink insulated 32-ounce steel water bottle and besides inspiring me to drink more water, if I fill the bottle 2x a day, I can easily hit my 64 ounce minimum water intake goal.

4. Download Fun New Songs

Create a new playlist of fun songs that are upbeat and bring new energy to your workout. Look up online lists or go back to your favorite high school and college top hits. You can also simply play them at home and start dancing for an impromptu calorie-burning session. And yes, Lizzo’s “Juice” or “Truth Hurts” is totally workout friendly for your playlist.

Image by Jess Watters from Pixabay

5. Get a Workout Buddy

Whether it’s a friend or your neighbor, find someone local that has the time and motivation to exercise and schedule some workout sessions together. You will find that on days you are making excuses, your buddy will get you going and vice versa. As a bonus you’ll get to socialize while you work out. If you can’t find a buddy, no worries – get a friend on the phone for a quick chat while you go for a walk.

6. Schedule Mini-Workouts

Find time in between activities to add an extra short workout. For example, if you have a doctor appointment and you’ve arrived a little early, go for a walk around the block. Or if your kids are at an after-school activity, instead of waiting around and going on your phone, use this time to get in a simple workout, such as a quick jog or even a brisk walk.

There are also workout apps (with quick workouts) you can do that are free or subscription-based that you can use to get a workout in. Even if you are standing next to your car. Also – walk up and down stairs as much as possible.

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

7. Start a Journal

Writing down what type of exercise you did, when you did it and how long you exercised is a great way to keep yourself accountable. You can quickly keep track in any note taking app if you don’t have a small notebook handy. Another trick is to write down the exercise before you do it – simply schedule it in your calendar so that it pops up on your phone and you have no choice but to go exercise.

Image by dh_creative from Pixabay

How to Keep Exercising When You Lose Your Mojo | The Mama Maven Blog

What are some tips you would give a friend on keeping up their exercise mojo?

As I’ve shared on the blog before, I, along with nearly 65 million Americans, experience bladder leakage. But I definitely don’t let it get in the way of how I want to live my life, like getting the exercise I need to feel good – and that’s exactly what I would tell a friend.

If you’re worried about leaks when working out, Depend® FIT-FLEX® Underwear has you covered. Ultra-soft fabric makes you feel comfortable while working out, and you know you’re protected all-day. I’ve been sharing lots of tips in a closed Facebook group called The Incontinence Community , and if you or a loved one experiences incontinence, join the group here for even more advice.

http://bit.ly/InconCommunity

The post How to Keep Exercising When You Lose Your Mojo appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I’m on a journey to becoming healthier, and drinking water is a huge part of that. I often forget to drink water and find myself feeling dehydrated. But how do you drink a lot of water when you have a bladder leakage problem (like I do)? There are several things that I do to hydrate myself and I hope I can help you to drink more water by sharing my tips. Plus, I’m going to challenge YOU with a 30 Day Water Challenge to drink more water. The Importance of Drinking Water and 30 Day Water Challenge 

Nearly 65 million Americans experience bladder leakage in one form or another, but bladder leakage doesn’t have to get in the way of living a confident, uninterrupted life. I recently spoke to my doctor and found some great tips from WebMD about getting that H20 in.

Tips to Help to Keep You Hydrated When You Have A Bladder issue

Water needs to be part of your daily routine. Figure out when you get your ounces in. Experts say that you should drink 8 ounces of water, 8 times a day. That’s 64 ounces and easier than you think!

– Try to drink a glass of water after you wake up and brush your teeth. I try to do this every morning and it forces me to slow down a little and relax before the morning rush with the kids starts. (- 8)

– Drink at least 8 ounces of water with each meal (that’s 24 ounces really easily) (-24)

– During your workout, fill your water bottle with at least 16 ounces of water. You can easily squeeze in a bathroom break before, during, or right after your workout. I go to a small gym and there’s a bathroom that is available to me (which makes me feel more confident). If I go out for a 30 minute fast cardio walk, I sip water as I walk and then go home and use the bathroom. (-16)

– As I sit and get work done in the afternoon, I sip on a glass of water or two (-8 or -16)

-My husband and I will watch Netflix before we go to sleep, so I try to have a glass of water next to me as we watch our favorite shows (-8)

That’s how I can easily get 64 ounces in per day. Now, I know what you may be thinking: What if I have a bladder issue? I do, and this is how I handle drinking my water.

5 Easy Ways to Drink More Water

1.Kegels! Ladies, do your kegels! This can really help. My doctor said that I need to make sure to do this every day and it’s helping me so far.

2.Cut back on the caffeine – I know, this may be a hard one for you, but try to cut down on drying liquids like coffee and teas. I feel a difference when I drink iced coffee (which I love). 

3.Get an aluminum (or reusable) water bottle and take it around with you. I know if I drink cold water, I am likely to drink more. I try to take the water bottle with me and take small sips. I always have an urge to go anyway, so if I sip slowly, it’s totally doable for me. I love this one by ZAK – it helps me to track how much water I drink: https://amzn.to/2Qah6Lp

4. Sweeten using fruit. I will also add berries to my water to sweeten it naturally. Frozen ones work wonderfully (and then I end up eating the berries once I finish my water — score!

5. Realize that you are protected if you are wearing Depend® FIT-FLEX Underwear®. If I know I’ll be out for long stretches of time and I’m not sure where the nearest bathroom might be, I know I can count on Depend® Underwear to make me feel comfortable and confident. Not getting your daily water in can actually irritate your bladder, so I ensure I can stay healthy by turning to the Depend brand.

So, if you do have incontinence, what tips do you have for me about drinking water?

30 Day Water Challenge:

This is really simple – I’m going to challenge you to drink at least 64 ounces of water per day with me.

To take this challenge with me – either follow the directions here or in the giveaway below:

1. Keep track of the water you are drinking. I use tally marks in my Notes app. 1 Tally mark means 8 oz of water.
2. Every day, either leave a comment on this post, tag me on Instagram or twitter with #30daywaterchallengeTMM and be sure to tag me @themamamaven 
3. At the end of the month (now July 23), let’s see how many days we were able to get our H20 in! I will pick two random winners who have tagged me with #30daywaterchallengeTMM or entered on the Giveawqay form and give them a $20 Starbucks Card (electronic delivery).

If you experience incontinence, join The Incontinence Community to connect with others, get advice and even share your own tips: http://bit.ly/InconCommunity

The post The Importance of Drinking Water and 30 Day Water Challenge appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I love to listen to music when I work out because it really helps me center and get into my groove. I’m loving SkullCandy Push True Wireless Ear Buds available at Best Buy because they are so easy to use and can keep up with my workouts. They fit right in my ears and don’t fall out, plus they were so simple to set up. ‘Memba those days when you would fight with your mobile to pair your new earbuds to bluetooth? With the SkullCandy Push True Wireless Ear Buds, that is a distant memory. Plus they have a 12 hour charge!

I had them set up and paired in less than 30 seconds. I love the little case it comes it. It will charge the Push Earbuds (wirelessly) as well as hold them. I’ve lost so many pairs of earbuds that I appreciated that touch. 

The SkullCandy Push True Wireless Ear Buds have a great fit, cool color and work amazingly well. You can listen to up to 12 hours of music on a single charge. They use Bluetooth so no wires needed. Use a single button to control volume, music, and call control. They offer the secure FitFin gel ear tips to fit comfortably and they have a water-resistant design to withstand exercise and outdoor use. 

I love to listen to music when I work out because it really helps me center and get into my groove. I’m loving SkullCandy Push True Wireless Ear Buds available at Best Buy because they are so easy to use and can keep up with my workouts. They fit right in my ears and don’t fall out, plus they were so simple to set up. ‘Memba those days when you would fight with your mobile to pair your new earbuds to bluetooth? With the SkullCandy Push True Wireless Ear Buds, that is a distant memory. Plus they have a 12 hour charge!

The post The Perfect Wireless Ear Buds for Your Workouts appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

• Fitbit Versa Lite Edition is their most affordable smartwatch yet and is the latest addition to the Fitbit Versa family. Versa Lite has all of the core fitness and smart features of Versa like activity, sleep and heart rate tracking, notifications, apps and 4+ day battery life — plus an easy one-button design. Versa Lite is easy-to-use, lightweight, comfortable and comes in new vibrant colors to appeal to a fun-seeking, youthful audience. Versa is available for presale on Fitbit.com for $159.95.

• Fitbit Inspire HR is an easy-to-use, stylish fitness tracker that helps you build healthy habits with 24/7 heart rate tracking, 15+ goal-based exercise modes, Sleep Stages and up to 5 days of battery life for day-to-night wear – all at an approachable price. With a modern, minimalist, comfortable and swimproof design, plus options to personalize to your own style, Inspire HR offers more features for less and helps motivate you to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Inspire HR is available for presale on Fitbit.com for $99.95.

• Fitbit Inspire is our most affordable fitness tracker. It has essential health and fitness features including all-day automatic activity, exercise and sleep tracking, goal celebrations, Reminders to Move and up to 5 days of battery life. Inspire is an approachable tool to help keep you motivated while developing healthy habits, with the same elegantly minimal design and style options as Inspire HR. Inspire is available for presale on Fitbit.com for $69.95.

• Fitbit Ace 2 makes it fun and easy for kids to get active and build healthy habits that last a lifetime. Designed for kids ages 6+, Ace 2 brings a new swimproof design with fun colors and patterns, challenges and kid-friendly features while encouraging more family time through physical activity. Ace 2 has parental controls to help safeguard kids’ privacy. Parents can also review their kids’ activity and sleep habits to encourage healthy behavior changes. Ace 2 will be available for $69.95.

Read our original Fitbit Ace review: https://www.themamamaven.com/fibit-ace-the-new-fitbit-activity-tracker-for-kids-8/
Read our Fitbit Charge 3 review: https://www.themamamaven.com/tips-to-stay-healthy-and-connected-this-winter-fitbit-charge-3-unboxing/

We were not compensated for this post.

The post Fitbit Debuts 4 New Models for Spring appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

As I come off my recent surgery and start to get active again, I’m very excited that I have my new Fitbit Charge 3 on my wrist, gifted from Fitbit, to help me stay on course this holiday season. I’ve been a Fitbit fan since 2012 and was excited to check out the Charge 3. I’ll tell you what I liked in a little bit, but first, I want to know, are you planning to stay healthy and connected this winter? Here are some terrific tips, courtesy of Fitbit. Tips to Stay Healthy and Connected This Winter (Fitbit Charge 3 Unboxing) 

Find the balance.
Set an attainable goal that you can achieve even while traveling. You can still get your steps in while walking through the airport while waiting for your flight, getting up early and walking to a coffee shop near your hotel, etc.

Take a breather.
Travel delays or crazy mall crowds got you feeling stressed? Take a quick moment of mindfulness by trying out a guided breathing session on your Fitbit.

Get connected.
Download apps like Lyft or United Airlines to make your travel day seamless and make it easy to stay on schedule without needing to juggle both your phone and luggage.

Stay in the know.
Get call, text, calendar and app notifications so you can stay connected no matter where you are.

Show off your style.
Ugly sweater party? Swanky Soiree? Hop from one-holiday activity to the next by swapping out the bands on your Fitbit device to best express your style.

Fitbit Charge 3: 

The Fitbit Charge 3 has a lot of terrific features: 

• Smart, Sharp Touchscreen
• Up to 7 Day Battery Life (HUGE improvement over the other versions that I’ve had)
• 24/7 Heart Rate (this encourages me to keep it up when I’m walking outside and will be good when I am back at the gym).
• All-Day Calorie Burn
• 15+ Goal-Based Exercise Modes
• Sleep Tracking & Stages – See your time spent in light, deep and REM sleep stages and get personalized insights to help you improve
• Guided Breathing Sessions
• Female Health Tracking – Using the Charge 3 with the Fitbit app to track periods, record symptoms, see a predicted ovulation calendar and more
• Swimproof -water resistant to 50 meters, automatically tracks your swims and can be worn in the pool or shower.
• Cardio Fitness Level
• Wireless Sync – can automatically sync to 200+ Android, iOS & Windows devices to show your stats, trends and progress on your Fitbit dashboard.
• Fitbit Pay – Load your favorite cards to your Wallet in the Fitbit app, then use Charge 3 to make easy, secure payments on the go. Only available on special editions. See participating banks.
• Apps – with key everyday apps, a quick swipe shows upcoming calendar appointments and lets you check the weather for your morning commute or an outdoor run. Calendar app coming soon.
• Reminders to Move – know how long you’ve been active or inactive throughout the day and get personalized reminders to fit in a few extra steps if you’ve been sitting a bit too long (this is one of my favorite features)
• Real-Time Pace & Distance – Connect Fitbit Charge 3 with your phone’s GPS to see pace and distance on screen during outdoor runs and rides, and use your stats to get better each time.
• Smartphone Notifications -stay connected with call and calendar alerts, text notifications and quick replies, plus notifications from smartphone apps. Available when your phone is nearby, quick replies coming soon to Android only.
• Automatic Exercise Recognition – Fitbit Charge 3 automatically recognizes exercises like runs, swims, elliptical, sports and more and records them for you in the Fitbit app.
• Heart Rate Zones- use real-time heart rate zones to see whether you’re in the Fat Burn, Cardio or Peak zone and use what you learn to know the impact of your workouts.

Check out my unboxing and set up video. 

Fitbit Charge 3 Impressions:
They’ve improved the Charge a lot. It won’t budge off my wrist now (which is a problem I’ve had in the past) and I love how well it tracks everything. It’s noticably lighter and I love that the battery life is 7 days. Makes it a breeze to take on the road! 

Get your Fitbit Charge 3 here: https://amzn.to/2QS8QlN

My Fitbit Ace Review: https://www.themamamaven.com/fibit-ace-the-new-fitbit-activity-tracker-for-kids-8/

This post contains affiliate links. 

The post Tips to Stay Healthy and Connected This Winter + Fitbit Charge 3 Unboxing appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Update: The newest Ace is the 3 and it’s what I would buy for my child these days — link here: https://amzn.to/3AUdST9. As I’ve mentioned, my 12-year-old son has Type 1 Diabetes. Even though he has gained 20 pounds since diagnosis (he was underweight and sorely needed it), I am hoping to instill healthy food and health habits while he and his younger siblings are still young enough to listen to me. That includes making exercise a daily priority. Right now my oldest son is healthy and even though he has an autoimmune disease (which is what Type 1 Diabetes is) he needs to do whatever he can to make sure he stays healthy. I want to build habits that last into adulthood. The Fitbit Ace Activity Tracker for Kids is made for ages 8 and up and this showerproof wristband tracks steps, active minutes and sleep — and rewards kids for making their goals. While my son does exercise, he isn’t wild about it. However, he’s competitive and I was wondering if challenging him to do 10,000 steps would do the trick to get him to reach that daily goal. Did it? Read on for our verdict and the chance to win one for your child! Fitbit Ace Activity Tracker for Kids 8+  

Fitbit Ace is sized for kids. It fit my 12-year-old son’s wrist perfectly and was secure on his wrist (with a watch-like closure). Here are all the features.

Features include:
Activity Tracking
Rewards and Badges
Step Challenges
Showerproof
Battery Life up to 5 days
Sized for kids
Sleep Tracking
Reminders to Move
Wireless syncing
Clock Faces
Clear Display
Fitbit App: Parent view
Fitbit App: Kid view

To set up:
If you have a Fitbit account, log into it on your smartphone to start setting up. You want to do this so you can then set up a child account and then set up your child’s Fitbit Ace.

Your child doesn’t need their own phone, but if they have a phone, you can set it up so your child’s Fitbit Ace can connect to the child account on their phone. The Fitbit app literally walked me through it and while there were several steps, it was super easy. Once you install the Fitbit app on your child’s phone, sign into your account and then go into your family account on your child’s phone. Select that child and then switch to “Kid View” and then set up your Fitbit Ace.

I do limit what apps I put on my child’s phone, but I want him to really get the most out of his Fitbit Ace, so I was happy to put it on his device.

Your child will need to have their Bluetooth on, as the app will ask to pair to it.

Your child can choose which wrist to put it on.

Then you add a nickname. I tend to leave my children’s names off anything that would be displayed, so I picked a name that he likes to use on social media. And no, this isn’t the name we really used for this, just an example.

What I’ve always liked about Fitbit is that you can customize – I let my son pick the way he wanted his clock face displayed.

It will let your child know the ways to access it. I did tell my son to be gentle, as I didn’t want a broken Fitbit Ace on my hands if he whacked it too hard.

The Fitbit Ace has reminders to move. This is great for squeezing it at least 250 steps an hour.

Keeping A Charge:

Let’s talk charging cables. This is the only thing I don’t really like about Fitbit. I want a universal charging cable. I lose cables and I need a cable that I can run out and buy from a big box store, not a special cable that costs $20 and I can only get online. I’ve owned several Fitbits over the years and I always end up having to buy extras, and the ones that I still have in the house aren’t compatible with the Fitbit Ace. Make it a micro USB Cable or something that is widely available. The good news about the Fitbit Ace is that you can charge around every 5 days. However, if you are going on vacation or maybe travel often, I would see about ordering another one to keep on hand.

My son challenged himself to reach 10,000 steps on day 2 of wearing his Fitbit Ace and has been able to keep that up daily.

The Fitbit Ace is certainly inspiring my son to move around more and in my opinion, this is something I can totally recommend. Buy here: Amazon

Related Posts:

The post Fibit Ace: The New Fitbit Activity Tracker for Kids 8+ appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

With the promise of every new year, I vow to renew. I won’t exactly say they are resolutions, but ways to make myself better. Happier. Healthier. Much more self-care on my forefront. I need to make sure I don’t fall by the wayside. When you create a healthier lifestyle for yourself, it helps in so many other areas of your life. I’m excited to partner up with Babbleboxx again to check out some fantastic new products to ring in the new year and reach my wellness goals. Let’s check out what was inside! Have A Lean Clean and Green New Year with Babbleboxx

In my box was:

• Waterpik: PowerPulse Massage Shower Head + YAT 963 Chrome PowerSpray + Hand Held Shower Head
• CW Hemp: Hemp Infused Oil, Cream, and Balm
• Casio: G-Shock S Series Step Tracker (GMAS130)
• The Synergy Company: Organic Matcha Powder
• Primal Life Organics: All Natural Peppermint Toothpowder and a Charcoal Ion Toothbrush

Waterpik: PowerPulse Massage Shower Head + YAT 963 Chrome PowerSpray + Hand Held Shower Head

We had a new shower head installed almost 10 years ago, so I realized what I was missing out on once my husband installed the Waterpik PowerPulse Massage Shower Head ($39) in our bathroom.

My husband was able to easily able to install it. In fact, he was asking me why we didn’t do this sooner. The shower head was terrific and very reasonable for a shower upgrade.

This shower head has up to 2X the massage force of other shower heads to maximize water flow and produce more spray force. There are 9 spray setting options. It was amazing (ahh, I just felt so pampered under it). The only complaint that I have is that everyone in my family wants to stay in the shower longer now.

For more info on Waterpik Shower Heads:
https://www.waterpik.com/showerhead/lp/powerpulse/ 
https://www.waterpik.com/shower-head/products/hand-held/YAT-963T/ 

Facebook: WaterpikShowers
Instagram @WaterpikShowers
Twitter @WaterpikShowers

CW Hemp: Hemp Infused Oil, Cream, and Balm

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the CW Hemp products in this Babbleboxx — I had been checking out this company because I have heard about the wonderful wellness benefits of hemp products and Charlotte’s Web has a terrific reputation. I had been looking into the oils, specifically, so I was so excited to try this. My skin has been very angry since the really cold weather has blanketed New York.

I tried out the Everyday Plus in MCT oil in the Mint Chocolate Flavor. It’s a hemp extract oil and it offers beneficial botanicals to help support skin health. It’s non-GMO, preservative free, gluten free, cruelty-free and packaged in BPA-free containers.

I drop this in my morning tea (usually mint tea) and feel that my skin is happier. I’ve also taken used the dropper straight into my mouth – at first, I am hit with the chocolate mint flavor and then I taste a bit of the hemp.

I’ve also been using the Hemp Infused Cream and the Hemp Infused Balm. I now keep the Hemp Infused Cream with me all the time. With 730 grams of hemp inside, this nourishing botanical blend keeps my hands softer and my fingers aren’t cracking anymore. The cream goes on very light and really hydrates. The smell is light and pleasant. I use the Hemp Infused Balm to soften my feet and elbows  – which are severely chapped right now. I also use this on my lips and it has a soothing, minty scent. The moisturizer and balm with hemp extract work so well that I may never go back to my usual hand moisturizer and softening balm. These are great products and I will definitely be buying more.

Exclusive Discount: CW Hemp Use my code for 10%: BABBOXF2XIKGZYJSEB

RULES: 1 USE PER CUSTOMER (Not valid on Bulk Products)
Expires 2/15/17

For more info on CW Hemp products:
https://www.cwhemp.com/all-charlottes-web-cannabinoid-hemp-cbd-supplements

Facebook: CWHempOfficial
Twitter: @CWHemp
Instagram: @CW_Hemp

Casio: G-Shock S Series Step Tracker (GMAS130)

I was excited to see the Casio G-Shock Watch, as I’ve worn them many times over the years. But this one was a huge step up. I was sent Casio: G-Shock S Series Step Tracker (GMAS130), which is an Ani-Digi Step Tracker watch for the women’s S Series Line. It has the G-Shocks durability and toughness AND the S Series GMAS130 features an automatic step counter display, plus 200M water resistance, and shock resistance – so it can hold up against my busy life. I like to keep an eye on the steps I do during the day and the G-Shock inspires me to keep moving. I can this women’s timepiece it all the time and not have to worry about getting it wet in the shower or the pool. I liked the pretty light pink color (I think my daughter wants to steal this from me).

Find out more info about the G-Shock here:
http://www.gshock.com/watches/s-series

Instagram: @gshock_s_series

The Synergy Company: Organic Matcha Powder

Matcha is the rarest, but the most beneficial form of Japanese green tea and it supports energy, focus, and lifelong vitality. It’s also linked to cell protection, healthy heart function, healthy cholesterol and blood sugar balance, memory support, and healthy weight management. While I haven’t attempted a matcha latte yet — I’ve added it to my green smoothies. I’ve been feeling great lately — so I think it could be the matcha!

For more info on Organic Matcha Powder:
https://www.TheSynergyCompany.com

Facebook: TheSynergyCompany
Twitter: @thesynergyco
Instagram: @thesynergycompany
Pinterest: @synergycompany

Primal Life Organics: All Natural Peppermint Toothpowder and a Charcoal Ion Toothbrush

I was intrigued seeing the Primal Life Organics: All Natural Peppermint Toothpowder, the Charcoal Ion Toothbrush Dental care is something that my family and I take seriously — my father-in-law is a retired dentist and my brother-in-law is our dentist.The all-natural, best-selling Toothpowder is filled with natural nutrients to help remineralize, detoxify, whiten and strengthen teeth. The toothpowder was cool to use — you wet your toothbrush and dip it into the powder. It did take a few times to get used to — it’s not as sweet as the toothpaste you may be used to — but the minty aftertaste was actually stronger.

I’ve definitely drank my share of coffee and tea – the activated charcoal in this toothbrush binds to and removes the tannins that cause discolorations of teeth. The toothbrush is anti-microbial, antifungal, antiviral, non-toxic and BPA free. Note, when you go to spit out and rinse, you will see the darkness from the charcoal. It’s natural and didn’t stay on my teeth. I loved how light this toothbrush is and enjoyed using it.

The Coffee Bean Face Serum was included as sample and smelled delicious (yes, it smelled just like coffee) and worked pretty well. 

For more information on Primal Life Organics:
https://www.primallifeorganics.com/

Exclusive Discount: Use PLOBOXX217 for 20% off purchase  

Instagram: @PrimalLifeOrg
Facebook: @PrimalLifeOrganics

So, I’m off to a great start to have a lean, clean, and green new year in 2018! Which product would you want to try?

@babbleboxxofficial  

#BBoxxLCG2018 

The post Have A Lean Clean and Green New Year with Babbleboxx appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Can the power of friendship encourage you to say yes to something that you wouldn’t normally say yes to? I say yes! This summer I didn’t feel well and I wasn’t sure where to start to make myself healthier. While I had considered myself a healthy eater, I wasn’t doing exactly what I needed to do and I was eating too much sugar and not enough nutritious, whole foods. My neighbor, Valerie, had made a big change in her health throughout the year prior. With her support and friendship, I decided to take steps to get healthier. She took me to see her nutritionist who gave me a plan. I added a lot of proteins, fruits and veggies into my diet and also started juicing and taking shots of wheatgrass. Valerie took me food shopping right after and pointed out some good options for my meals. Without her, I wouldn’t have the courage to make this change. Without her friendship, I never could have changed my health. I started feeling better and getting more sleep. I started exercising. It just changed everything. The Power of Friendship Can Really Inspire Change in Your Life #ThePowerofFriendship 

To me, that’s #ThePowerofFriendship. Valerie helped me at a time when I really needed help and never judged me or said, “You should have done this a while ago.” She just helped, because that’s what true friends do. They help when you need them to. And it goes further than that – several weeks later when my older son was hospitalized with Type 1 Diabetes, Valerie also was a wonderful friend. She helped me pack my two younger kids up stay with my in-laws and pack a bag for me to stay over in the hospital. I had left my older son at the hospital with my husband and I came home to pack up the younger kids and pack a bag for Ben. I was staying over and I didn’t know when I would be home again – frankly, I was a mess. I wasn’t even sure what to pack, but she finished it for me. After my son was released from the hospital and I needed to go shopping for low carb and no carb snacks for him, she came with us and read labels to help me make good choices for him. Valerie did research on Type 1 Diabetes so she could understand how to help me to help my son! She learned things that I hadn’t even discovered yet. She even covered for me one day when I had to work and he needed an adult to supervise him at school to take his insulin. When I asked her why she helped me so much, she told me that it was because she was my friend and that’s what friends do.

And that’s what Friendship Dairies new video shows. Take a look and see for yourself!

I’m proud to partner up with Friendship Dairies on this post. Friendship Dairies is a brand that I’ve used since I was a kid and I always either have their low fat cottage cheese or sour cream in my fridge around 100% of the time.

Friendship Dairies® www.friendshipdairies.com has been making high-quality cottage cheese, sour cream, farmer cheese, and buttermilk for the last 100 years. As a product, they have integrity. As a brand, they hold together, stay true to who they are, and encourage others to do the same. They’re purveyors of friendship and believe that friends open each other up to new experiences. They turn their loyalists into advocates, and their easy, crowd-pleasing recipes prove just how surprisingly fun sharing friendship can be.

• Facebook: facebook.com/friendshipdairies
• Twitter: @FriendshipDairy
• Pinterest: com/FriendshipDairy
• Instagram:  @FriendshipDairies

What does the power of friendship mean to you?

The post The Power of Friendship Can Really Inspire Change in Your Life #ThePowerofFriendship appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Now that it’s warm outside my kids have been playing outdoors every day. Between that, school recess and my son’s soccer practice, there’s a lot of energy that’s being burned and, inevitably, there’s a lot more sweat. With that sweat comes a very unpleasant odor that’s not always easy to get rid of – or so I thought! I recently came across FunkAway, a spray that can be used on clothes, sneakers and sports equipment – anything that’s smelly – and it gets rid of the smell quickly and easily. Banish Sweat Odors with FunkAway

FunkAway comes in the form of a 13.5 oz. bottle ($7.99) and a travel-sized 3.4 oz. bottle ($3.99) -perfect for the gym bag. Using it is very easy – just spray generously all over the item (including nooks and crannies) and let it air dry. I tried it on a pair of old sneakers and it worked beautifully! FunkAway has a very pleasant and MILD scent so it doesn’t overpower anything else, just gets rid of the bad smell. Plus the scent is not too “girly”, so my boys have no problem having their shoes and sports gear sprayed with it. 

The way FunkAway works is that it absorbs the odor molecules, encasing them in a bubble. The odor molecules get broken down inside the bubble, thus odor is eliminated and all you have is a pleasant-smelling shoe.

Here’s what FunkAway can be used for:

• shoes
• boots
• clothes
• shoulder & elbow pads
• shin guards
• helmets & hard hats
• wristbands & headbands
• gloves
• cleats
• skates
• And anything that has built-up funk (i.e. sweat odors)

FunkAway also comes in the form of laundry detergent booster ($8.99) that not only eliminates odor, but also removes stains – a win-win!

Shop FunkAway on Amazon to learn more and to purchase the products. 

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier. S

The post Have an Athlete in the Family? Here’s How to Get Rid of Sweat Odors appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Healthy Choice Power Bowls

Healthy Choice Power Bowls are made with a combination of nutrient-dense vegetables, proteins and whole grains catering to people living an active lifestyle. Meals are inspired by Korean, Cuban and Latin cuisines and are made in new bowls made of plant-based fiber instead of plastic.
 

Adobo Chicken Bowl by Healthy Choice offers delicious flavors inspired by Latin cuisine. It’s made with pulled all natural chicken breast (raised without antibiotics) with vegetables served on top of brown & red rice, red quinoa and black barley with a guajillo chili sauce topped with roasted pepitas. Every Power Bowl is made with an intentional balance of nutrient-packed veggies, natural proteins and whole grains to fuel your lifestyle. There is over 16g of protein and 6-8 grams of fiber in every bowl. And did you know that the physical bowl that the Power Bowl comes in is made from plant-based fiber (recycled bagasse and soft wood). 

This frozen meal is quick and easy to make – perfect for a healthy lunch when I am busy working. I work from home 4 days a week and frankly never take the time to make a good lunch. I make do with grabbing a slice of turkey and munching on snacks and frankly, it wasn’t helping me. The Adobo Chicken Power Bowl was perfect for me and something I would definitely keep in my freezer. It was delicious and I LOVE that it was packed with protein. It totally filled me up and gave me enough fuel to get me from lunch to dinner. Did you know that Healthy Choice is the only major brand in its category that can call 100 percent of its products “healthy” as approved by the FDA. 

Other flavors available now are a Korean-Inspired Beef Bowl, a Cuban-Inspired Pork Bowl, and Chicken Sausage & Barley Bowl. I’m definitely a fan and will be stocking up. 

Buy at healthychoice.com

23andMe 

Get $20 off through 5/14 – No special code needed

I was very excited to try out 23andMe – it lets you find out where your DNA comes from around the world. Your DNA can tell you where your ancestors lived more than 500 years ago – which is pretty amazing, since I only know where my family was starting in the late 19th century (Russia, Roumania, and Austria). 

While I am waiting for my results and I will give you an update when I get it – I will see a percentage breakdown by region, including eastern Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and more. 23andMe looks at 31 populations worldwide, and they will continue to refine my results as their database grows.

I’ll get to see my Ancestry Timeline – traced through the generations and discover when different ancestries were introduced into my DNA. I’ll also learn how many generations ago that I had an ancestor that was descended from a single population or ethnicity. Color me intrigued!

It was really easy to take this genetic test. Simply spit your saliva into the collection container, close it (and the stabilizing solution will immediately go into the container) and then screw the container top on. Place it into the bio-specimen bag, seal it and place into the container with the mailing label already on it. Just pop it in any US mailbox. Make sure you register your kit on their website before you mail it so you can get your results sent right to your inbox.

Get $20 off through 5/14 – No special code needed. 

Check out 23andMe. 

ARM & HAMMER Peroxicare Toothpaste

Dental health has always been important to me, even more since I married into a family full of dentists. But my gums aren’t doing as well as my dentist (my brother-in-law) would like, as they are receding and I have a lot of plaque. I was excited to try ARM & HAMMER Peroxicare toothpaste – which uses the gentle power of Baking Soda to clean deep between teeth and along the gum line to help maintain healthy gums! After using it for a couple of weeks, my mouth feels a lot cleaner and I hope my dentist sees results when I go for my next checkup in a few months. I would love to see plaque removal, as well as healthier gums. 

Get more info: http://www.armandhammer.com/

Mio SLICE Heart Rate + Activity Tracker, Featuring PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence)

PAI is a scientifically-validated metric based on heart rate that tells you how much activity you need to live a longer, healthier life.* The ideal goal is to maintain a PAI score of 100 or more over a rolling 7 days, and you can do this with all types of activity, even those that don’t involve steps like biking, rowing and fitness classes. PAI is calculated based on age, gender, resting heart rate and maximum heart rate. 

Mio PAI is supported on: iPhone 5S and above, running iOS 9 or above & Android phones running Android OS 5.0 or above. To get started, pair it with your phone, download the PAI 2.0 App from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Then set up your PAI account with an Email and Password and complete your personal profile: Name, Height, Weight, & Max Heart Rate (resting heart rate taken and updated in the app when you wear your SLICE to bed.) It’s water resistant up to 30 meters/100 feet. 

The SLICE gives me continuous All Day Heart Rate Monitoring, 24/7, tracks steps, distance, calories burned as well as resting heart rate, sleep tracking and analysis, as well as smartphone notifications. I can see when someone texts me or calls me and then check my phone.I’ve been wearing this for a week now and I’m impressed with what I see. 

I’ve been wearing this for a week now and I’m impressed with what I see. I actually make a game to see if I can keep my heart rate above 100 as much as possible!

Get more info at MioGlobal.com and MioGlobal.com/slice.

#BBWomensHealth

The post In Honor of Women’s Health Month – I’m Taking Charge of My Health and Fitness appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Who says that the kids get to have all the fun! I’ve been looking for inspiration to get moving and Neon Kyx LED Light-Up sneakers have definitely done that. I was so excited when I was sent a pair to try out, because in 2017 my goal is move much more and have a blast while getting my steps in. I was sent the white sneakers and they have many different color effects. There are four different speed settings available – pulse, flicker, strobe, and gradual. Not only do the sneakers have 4 different light speeds, but they also have 7 different light up different colors. I had fun running around in these!

Check out my video: 

Wear these Light-Up LED shoes when you go out, to a party, or even to the gym! You’ll have to charge them (the cable is included), but I was able to wear them right out of the box for a whole day without recharging. I did find that I couldn’t just leave them on all the time, they did shut down from time to time. All I did was reach down, turn the sneaker back on and I was good to go. Mind you, this was without charging them up before I wore them. 

To turn your lights on, it’s pretty easy – simply reach into the outer sides of the sneaker and press the button on the cord. You can change colors and speeds by pressing several times. To turn off the lights, hold down the button for 3 seconds. 

Features:

• Each pair is designed using high-quality material with adjustable LED coloring and with a comfortable fit.
• Changeable light speeds and colors on demand – 7 different color options 4 different light speeds
• USB Charging cable is included
• Battery lasts for 6 hours
• Charging time: 2-3 hours via USB

Verdict: These were really fun and they inspired me to get my steps in. 

You can buy them in white, black, or red at Toys R Us (online or in-store) for $74. Comes in adult sizes and kids sizes. 

Thank you to Neon for providing a sample pair. No compensation was received. 

The post Neon Kyx LED Sneakers Can Light Up Your Days and Nights appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

But the first thing you need to know is how a Bitbelt works.
It’s a little piece of silicone that slips onto your Fitbit and holds it securely. The owner, Trey, started his company to fix a problem – which is keeping expensive activity trackers like Fitbit on your wrist! Since I’ve had my Fibit Charge, I’ve almost lost it almost a dozen times. Bitbelt was the answer to my prayers.

Here’s how to put the Bitbelt on your Fitbit or wearable activity tracker:

Who should use a Bitbelt? If you have any kind of Fitbit (that goes on your wrist), the Jawbone Up, Garmin Vivo, Samsung Gear Fit, iHealth, Soleus, Disney Magic Band, & more. If you need to start by buying an activity tracker or Fitbit, we recommend buying via Amazon.

The post Bitbelt Can Help Keep Your Fitbit On appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

To give myself a little piece of mind, I did two things.

1) I googled how to keep from losing Fitbit and found this post on reddit-  https://www.reddit.com/r/fitbit/comments/28b7g9/never_losing_my_fitbit_flex_again/

Instead of taking the waxed cord, I took a hair elastic and tied it around one of the grooves (in a slip knot) and then it went around my wrist.

2) I bought the Bitbelt, which is a little band of silicone that slides on (make sure you slide it on both the outside and inside pieces of the band). It’s snug so the band won’t move. Go to Bitbelt.com and tell them that The Mama Maven sent you!

In the occasion that your Fitbit still falls off, call or email the company immediately. They can give you tips on how to find it and in some cases get you a new one.

Buy it on bitbelt.com or Amazon.

I bought my Fitbit and Bitbelt with my own funds. This is NOT a sponsored post. This post contains an affiliate links in this post. We get a small commission if you buy through this post. So buy through this post!

The post How to Keep Your Fitbit From Falling Off appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Family movie night is a popular activity in our household but for the most part, we try to get out and be active as much as possible. It’s good for the kids. It’s good for mom and dad. I recently found out about the Active Family Project, a free resource for activities, tips and tools for getting the entire family active.

I attended an event with actress and spokesperson Ana Ortiz (from Ugly Betty and Devious Maids) and learned more about the Active Family Project and how it works.

The Active Family Project is, as mentioned, a free service brought by Merck Consumer Care. It’s mission is to give moms and dads resources to spend quality family time. On the site you will see tools for locating various activities in your area, as well as tips. For even more information you can visit their facebook page. In celebration of Youth Soccer Month, through September 30th, 2014, for every like, comment or share the Active Family Project will donate $1 to the U.S Youth Soccer (up to $15,000). The money will go toward soccer equipment and training in undeserved communities and give families opportunity to stay active together through soccer games.

Visit the Active Family Project site and their facebook page: facebook.com/activefamilyproject

I was not compensated for this post. I received a gift bag.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for thirteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 7, 5 and 1) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Keep Your Kids Moving with the Active Family Project appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

by Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman

Spring is in full swing and I have officially run out of excuses; I need to start exercising. My body hasn’t changed much since the birth of my son, 7 months ago. In other words, I have a lot of weight to lose. For Two Fitness is a company that makes adorable maternity fitness clothing but since I only look like I’m pregnant, their clothes fit me perfectly. The clothes are made in the USA and are worn by professional athletes and celebrities such as Josie Maran. (Read more after the jump)

The Signature Racerback Tanktop ($47.99) is a beautiful tank top that comes in 8 colors. I got a chance to sample it and loved how soft the material was. The side-ruching made it snug and slimming and it was super-comfortable. There’s no excuse not to exercise with such a pretty tank top!

Visit For Two Fitness to see more apparel and to purchase online.

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample from  Celebrity Baby Trend Expert, Rachel Florio-Urso.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been l been living in New York City for twelve years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 6, 4 and a baby) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post For Two Fitness: Cute Fitness Clothes for Maternity and Beyond appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

But I didn’t overeat, had enough access to fresh vegetables and fruit (for 4 of those days) and I didn’t gain weight. But I didn’t get enough activity and frankly, my nerves were a wreck. I’m still pretty much a wreck, with seeing all the things happening to good people. We were only able to get outside 2 out of the 5 days and then the Halloween Candy came! I am grateful to be okay and not have any damage to my area, plus my friends and family are okay (with a few minor exceptions). But this is my question, can you watch  your weight when everything is NOT Okay in the world around you? My answer is yes and no, but it depends on what category you fall into.

If you or your family was directly affected by Hurricane Irene or any other disaster: If you lost everything,  the last thing you are going to think about is dieting. Most likely you’re worrying about the roof over your head and feeding your children. And that’s the way it should be. So, this post isn’t for you. Your weight loss plan will be there when everything gets back to as normal (or as normal as it can’t be).

If you maybe lost power for a little while or had no power loss: This post is for you. Yes, we had a couple of stressful weeks, but instead of reaching for the cookie dough and bemoaning the state of the world, there’s a lot more you can do.

1) Keep eating healthy:  You’ve got access to fresh food, keep your fridge stocked. Roast butternut squash (cube it or cut it into “fries”, toss with a cooking spray, and bake. Roast a spaghetti squash (by roasting, scoop out seeds, add a teaspoon of lower calorie buttery spread, bake for 45 minutes, top with a little parmesan. Cut up apples, grapes, honeydew…etc..

2) Keep active: Since I couldn’t buy gas for a while due to the gas shortage going on, I tried to walk as much as possible. Wearing a pedometer helps me to see how many steps I’m walking and inspire me to walk more. I try to get to “beat” myself and get around 11,000 steps a day. I’ll admit it’s addictive!

3) Give back: Instead of sitting on the couch with a container of ice cream on a Sunday afternoon, volunteer. There are so many people who need help (whether or not you are near an area affected by Hurricane Sandy, there are always places and organizations that need some help).

4) Get the kids involved: No time to go to the gym? Or maybe not enough money for a membership? Take the kids out for a walk. If they’re young, put them in the stroller, but get moving. If you have a gaming system (like the wii), pull out Ubisoft’s Just Dance. Have dance parties in your living room. Get to your local park. Just do something!

5) Stay on Plan: If you are following Weight Watchers, like I am, stay on plan. If you’ve stopped tracking what you eat, restart. The ETools and the Weight Watchers App has been amazing to help me. But attending meetings has been essential also. It’s not about deprivation, just make smarter choices about what’ you’re eating. And, going forward, I expect to be able to post about my losses (weight) in the next couple of weeks.

*The SUV damage above was from a nearby street, that is not my vehicle.

The post Weight Watchers Update: Can You Lose Weight While Things are Insane Around You? appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.