Weakness is a Choice! (review/giveaway)

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One thing that I have learned on this amazing journey of Fat to Fit is that life is about choices.

You can choose to change your life for the better

 or 

you can choose to sit around and do nothing about it

I am generally an upbeat & happy person, I tend to have a very open heart and try to give the benefit of the doubt to people. However, the is one thing I don't have any patience for-
that is excuses.

So-what does this have to do with anything??

Let's back up:
Several weeks ago, I was lucky enough to win a super fabulous giveaway from The Athletarian (go, check out her blog) from Fashletics. The tank top that I won was awesome-super cute AND super soft!!

The GORGEOUS Athletarian in her tank from Fashletics!

I was pretty excited about the win and spent some time hanging out around the Fashletics website. Having recently started CrossFit'ting, I was super intrigued by Sarah, the owner and creator of Fashletics. 

I liked the message that her line conveyed and she has got to be a NO EXCUSES kind of girl.

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Fashletics is a collection of handmade jewelry inspired by a passion for fitness, competition, and a strong desire to empower others who have made a commitment to a fit and healthy lifestyle. Each piece of jewelry serves a badge of honor and an expression of strength.

Fashletics is based in Miami, FL. All pieces are designed and created by Sarah Wilson who is a certified CrossFit trainer at South Florida CrossFit Endurance. Sarah is also a nationally ranked endurance athlete who competes for Team USA at the World level in the sport of Duathlon. One of the only things that rivals her interest in athletics is her strong desire to design and create. Sarah is an established jewelry designer and has been working as a metalsmith for nearly 10 years.

Ultimately, Fashletics is the result of the combination of two distinct interests. Sarah is as much an athlete as she is an artist. She takes pride in the craftsmanship of her designs and works hard create jewelry pieces that celebrate and inspire the athlete within. 

 Athletic Background:

• Certified Level 1 CrossFit Coach- South Florida CrossFit Endurance
• Certified CrossFit Endurance Coach - South Florida CrossFit Endurance
• Nationally ranked Duathlete Member of Team USA 2009, 2010
• 2010 Duathlon World Championships • Edinburgh, Scotland 

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I was also equally impressed by some of the inspirational jewelry items available, like:

• BELIEVE was "my word" for 2011
• I just love the YOU vs YOU (perfect for you Ange!)
• That kettlebell is bronze!

I got to chat with Sarah via email about a review for the Miles, Muscles & Mommyhood readers!!
She was more than happy to participate, LUCKY US!!

Sarah sent me the kettlebell and tag necklace that read "weakness is a choice"

Perfect.

The kettlebell is hand carved and cast in pewter and the accompanying charm is pewter as well. The 16" bead necklace is stainless steel.

The necklace is sturdy as are the charms. That kettlebell is heavy duty!!
It is a lovely piece that reminds me that I have a choice with each workout-
I can choose to be strong or I can choose to weak.
I am sure you know what I CHOOSE to be.
I have been wearing this necklace for about a week now and it's very comfy and Lola proof. She has not managed to break this one and I have a feeling it'll take her a while too.

As for the tank I won? I love it. It's soft, lightweight and very comfortable. Of course, it's cute and easy to wash!

I am very pleased with the items from Fashletics and I know I can take care of some of my Holiday gift shopping right with them!

Now for the exciting part-how do you get a chance to win your very own Fashletics  $25.00 Gift Certificate??

Leave a separate comment for each entry

Mandatory: You must be a follower of Miles, Muscles & Mommyhood. It's easy, just click that blue botton on the right side of the page that says JOIN THIS SITE with the little Google symbol.

• Visit the Fashletics website and tell me what you are going to get with your winnings!
• Like Fashletics on Facebook
• Follow Fashletics on Twitter
• Follow ME on Twitter
• Share the love! Tweet, Facebook, link on your blog. Tell all your friends about this awesome review and giveaway. Earn ONE entry per share per day!!
• Visit the Fashletics blog and tell me something awesome you learned.
• Tell me about a time you made a CHOICE to be STRONG.

Entries accepted until midnight on November 30, 2011 and then a random winner will be selected from all eligible entries. The winner will then be announced shortly thereafter.  

DISCLAIMER: All products that are reviewed in this blog post were provided to me for free from Fashletics. My review is my honest opinion, I am not paid for it.

C is for Candy, Cardio, CrossFit, Chucking, Contests, Coaching...

C is for

It's been an "interesting" week so far-
(how about craptastic!)
This weekend's workout scheduled got totally FUBAR'd due to family stuff, wicked weather (snow!), losing power, etc. Meaning NO TRAINING GOT DONE Saturday OR Sunday.
It's amazing how BLAH! I feel when I don't get my sweat on...combine that with a little Halloween indulging --can you say too many Reese's PB cups AGAIN!! I don't even like CANDY!

I swore last year I would never do that again. I had so many of 'em last year, it gave me a tummy ache for days. At least this year I did not go overboard but still. Too many sugary treats. I feel like a bloated carcass. BUT That's ok-it's a new day and every day is a new day to attack. Ya!!
So, gonna get my Cardio on for a couple hours this morning....

I got in another CrossFit session this week. I'm really, really liking it too. I love that it is strong, powerful and competitive!! I just wish I could go more often!! So far I can get in two sessions per week and work on some of the other WOD's on my own but I really like getting feedback on form-especially for some of the Olympic lifts and stuff.
Yesterday we did some skill work-deadlifts, snatch and reviewed hand stand push ups (HSPU) and wall crawls.

Then we did DIANE.

21/15/9 reps of deadlifts and divebomber push ups or HSPU's for time
(I did 6:24) I can definitely go heavier on the DL and gotta get those divebombers bangin'!!

I did the divebombers and boy! are my shoulders and tri's feeling it today. LOVE
Then we did 50 CF style sit ups with weight for time (1:55)

Monday's interval workout was pretty epic. Almost make me chuck!! You know-hurl, puke, vomit....
I did my own bootcamp class in the morning, which was a 1,000 rep challenge.
Then I ran 7 miles on the TM

Zuzana from BodyRock.tv

Then did this little gem from BodyRockTV:

6 Rounds 20 seconds active/5 seconds rest

• push ups with side jumps
• elbow to knee plank

3 minutes AMRAP

• 5 side to side 1/2 squats with a drop down & power up

12 Rounds 20 seconds active/5 seconds rest

• jump squats
• side crunch, alternating

It was awesome and I felt totally spent after. The hallmark of a good ass kicking. I can't wait to try this again in 2 weeks and see how much more I can get in.

I have several contests going on right now-

1. Did you enter my Sparkly Soul giveaway??
2. Did you LIKE IronCowboy on Facebook?? see this link for details...
3. Did you LIKE my picture on the GoTribal INSPIRATION contest?? This ends Thursday, 11/3 so your Like is MUCH appreciated!! And yes, it is the picture of me hugging Chrissie Wellington :)



I am SOOO ready to start working with Coach (coach awesome) Sonja.

This year is gonna change a lot for me and I am really looking forward to seeing what kind of improvements I can make as an athlete with her in my corner. I also know I will work 110% harder just to please her so that is extra motivation to kick ass. Not that I lack it (motivation), but answering to her will just push me that much harder.



not THAT Coach...



So...are you Coached?

I would love to hear the WHY's and WHY NOT's.

If it is money that holds you back from hiring a coach, what WOULD you pay??

There are several valid points on both sides of the fence with this one.

Please share your comments, insight, thoughts, opinions!

Happy Wednesday

 

Three Things Thursday

Thing One:

Perfect timing for Halloween.
Yesterday I got to welcome the Little Green Monster to my home

Say Hello to my little friend-the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine.

 I know we will be bonding a lot over the long fall, winter and spring days when the Maine weather is not kind enough to let me outside to ride.
I am super excited to welcome the Little Green Monster to the family-this is a nice little upgrade from me (my previous trainer was a magnetic)

The trainer came with a Kendra KK Trainer tire and a Spinervals DVD too so BONUS!!


As much as I am dreading taking my bike inside for the winter, I am actually a little exited to have this new trainer! I am getting the pain cave ready (as mentioned in THIS post) and I know those dreaded hours of intervals will be a lot more "fun" on the Kurt!! I am super excited to try out the Spinervals DVD too. 
Do you Spinerval? Which is your favorite??


I really want to try some from Sufferfest-
you gotta love a tagline like 
I will beat my ass today to kick yours tomorrow


Thing Two:
I finally did my first "official" CrossFit session today. I have had a lot of interest in CF but the closest facility is at least 40 mins away, making it difficult to fit into my day with Lola. Luckily for me, there is now a local option for me.
I have done may WOD's on my own but it was nice to get some specific feedback on form with some of the exercises.
Today's workout was a warm up of basic skill review for today's session 


Curtis P x 5 
clean
left lunge
right lunge
push press

the above complex is performed with out putting the bar down, the lunges are done with the bar in the racked position 

not me source

and then 

air squats x 20

AMRAP for 10 mins

Then we did 75 CrossFit sit ups (a tad different than traditional-feet together and in a "frog" position to keep the hips out of the mix to focus on using core)

I got in 10 full round and had 3 Curtis P's done when time was called. I went light with the weight today (35lbs) to be sure my form was on point. This is a little different than the traditional weight training I do so I really wanted to be sure I was using my hips to clean and keeping the elbows UP while lunging.

I loved it and can't wait for more. I think this is going to be something that is easy to incorporate into my regime.

Thing Three:

I'll leave you with some fun pictures of Lola in action

she's flexing-showing me her muscles

90% of the time this is her expression SMILES

she's a runner!!

the Mommy and her princess

doing Princess Ballet!