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2014 Influenster TLC VoxBox for Moms

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.
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At the end of May I received my TLC VoxBox with a variety of products geared towards moms. Influenster is a site that allows you to create a profile and by filling out surveys and doing product reviews on their site you can qualify for free products to test and review. Below is a listing of the products I received and my thoughts on the products.

Shell Fuel Rewards Network
The first item in this box was a reward card that can save you at least 3 cents per gallon on gasoline at Shell stations. The only downside to this for me is that there is only one Shell station in my town, but it’s not too far out of my way so I have been by twice. The first time I saved the 3 cents per gallon and I pumped more than 8 gallons qualified for 25 cents off on my next fill up. I also found that the Shell station has a lot better quality of service, the attendant even pumped my gas for me. On my second visit I actually saved 29 cents per gallon, the 25 cents for meeting guidelines on my first fill up, and an additional 4 cents because I linked my Hyvee fuel rewards card to the Shell card and was able to use the discounts from buying specially marked items at Hyvee. So far, pretty satisfied with this card.

Breyers Gelato Indulgences
The next thing in the box was a coupon for a FREE carton of Breyer’s new Gelato Indulgences. I used the coupon to get the Tiramisu variety (and then went and bought a carton of Triple Chocolate the next week). This gelato is amazing. Very smooth and creamy. So far there are only 4 varieties: Tiramisu, Triple Chocolate, Vanilla Caramel and Raspberry Cheesecake. At my local Walmart Supercenter a carton (which has 7 one half cup servings) is $4.42, so a little pricey, but definitely worth the splurge every once in a while.

Puffs to Go
The small purse size packet of tissues is definitely handy for a busy mom on the go. This particular packet was lotion infused, so very nice for my late spring allergies. I’ve always liked Puff tissues, but it was great to get a little freebie.

Neosporin Neo to Go
Another travel sized item, that has been neatly tucked into my purse for small injuries when my boys and I are out and about. I’ve had to use it a few times already. It is and antiseptic spray rather than the antibiotic ointment, very easy to use. The only down side is that it takes a few minutes to dry so you have to wait to apply your bandage.

Ivory Bar Soap
Ivory is another product that I already regularly use and thoroughly enjoy for both bathing and cleaning my make up brushes. Since we got a free bar I decided to do the Ivory soap cloud experiment with the boys. We put the bar in microwave for a minute on a plastic wrap covered plat and watched it expand like crazy. They thought it was amazing, and once we pulled it out and it cooled for a minute they took chunks of it and shaped their own mini soaps so nothing goes to waste.

Avon Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother
This was the priciest item in my VoxBox, and the one I’m still not completely decided on. I’ve been using it daily for 2 weeks, but my issue is that I just don’t have a lot of wrinkles yet. I did pat it around my eyes, and it seems to blur the look of them slightly, but I just don’t feel I can give it a really good, thorough review yet.

I’m very satisfied overall with the products I received, and even found a couple of new things that will definitely be added to my regular routine.

Influenster TLC VoxBox

Influenster TLC VoxBox

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My Couch to 5K Journey Week 1, Day 2

What I had forgotten I love about getting up early to exercise:  the rest of the day I have so much more energy and my mood is upbeat and positive. 

What I hate about exercising after not having done it for a while:  the soreness.

When I woke up Monday morning after my first run/walk interval set on Sunday I was surprised by how much I hurt, and where.  I had expected for my legs to be sore after pushing myself harder than I think I ever have before, but my torso ached as well.  Definitely wasn’t expecting that, but if running will help tone my stomach areas= as well help me burn fat I am even more excited to progress with this program.

Today’s run was good with a 5 minute warm up and then intervals of 60 second running and 90 seconds walking for 20 minutes.  I know it may sound strange but it seemed like this workout was easier today than it was on Sunday, even with a touch of lingering soreness in my quads.  I suppose that today felt easier because I knew I had done it once already; it’s always easier to accomplish a tough task rather than blazing new trails.  I’m really looking forward to Friday’s run, and will log in again that day with my progress.

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My Couch to 5K Journey: Week 1, Day 1

Back in June, much to my shame, I found myself looking down at a scale that read 250 pounds.  I’ve always been heavy, but for me that was the “I’ll never be that fat” number.  There it was though, so I immediately removed all the ice cream and soda from the house, stocked up on fresh fruits and veggies and started taking my lunch to work every day instead of giving in to the siren’s call of the drive through.  With just those changes I lost 15 pounds in 3 months.  Nothing to sneeze at to be sure, but I know I still have a ways to go before I can consider myself “healthy”. 

Every year on Thanksgiving Day my town holds a 5K Turkey Trot.  I’ve participated a few times in the past as a walker.  This year that is going to change.  With help from a free app on I found in the Google Play store for my phone I am going to train to actually run the Turkey Trot.  I’m not expecting to break any records, but I feel this is something I need to do to prove to myself that I can be in control of my health and my life.

This morning I got up about 5:30, drank some water, cued up a custom Christian music station with I<3Radio and started the first day of my Simple Couch to 5K app.  5 minutes of walking to warm up followed by 15 minutes of intervals with 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking.  I will not lie; I wanted to give up after just a couple sets of the jogging.  I can walk forever, but jogging is a whole other animal. 

In the past, I would have definitely quit, just walked for another 15-20 minutes and patted myself on the back for exercising at all.  What kept me going?  I flashed back to seeing 250 pounds on my scale, having to buy size 22W jeans and dresses, never being able to wear the clothes that I see in the store and fall in love with because they stop at size 16.  So, I kept going.  My pace may have slowed a bit the last 5 minutes and my breathing sounded like I was channeling Darth Vader, but I KEPT GOING. 

I’ll keep posting about my journey to running a 5K November 28, 2013 and my health and wellness journey in general.  Hopefully I can inspire someone else to make a change for the better in their own life as well.

 

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Sunday, 9/8/13  235 pounds