Hiking and Camping must haves _Review

I had the amazing opportunity to get to try a few products from Mountain Warehouse.  Just a little back ground information about them, via their website. 

Mountain Warehouse has been offering quality outdoor clothing and equipment at the lowest prices since 1997. From hiking clothing and camping equipment to ski wear and running gear we stock everything you need for your outdoor activities.

Most of the products we sell are exclusive to Mountain Warehouse, unlike other outdoor clothing shops. By cutting out the middleman we can produce the best quality products at the best prices. We pride ourselves on providing great value outdoor gear and at Mountain Warehouse you can be sure to receive honest advice from our knowledgeable staff.

The products that I tried exceeded my expectations.  Each one being more than I thought it would be.  

First The Bolt 18L Backpack

This backpack is lightweight and so comfortable.  I like that even after hours of having it on, it still felt lightweight and didn't cause my shoulders or back to hurt.  It has a lot of room in it, and has a hole at the top for a water bladder if you want to add one.  I chose to bring bottled water on our hike to share, and it wasn't heavy at all!

The Bolt also has two straps to help distribute heavier loads, one of which goes across your chest and the other around your waist.  For our hike the waist strap was not needed and I liked where the chest strap laid.  Other backpacks lay too low, and make it very uncomfortable, where this one was just right. 

I have used this backpack on several occasions other than hiking.  It is great loaded with everything you might need for hiking, to adventures out with the kids.  There are no drawbacks to owning the Bolt 18L backpack it is amazing and will be used for several years to come.  

The next item we were privileged to try was a flint starter.  This is a handy, light weight item that provides piece of mind when hiking or camping.  It also makes an excellent addition to any survival kit and stores very nicely in the Bolt 18L backpack.   You don't have to worry about matches getting wet, or a lighter not working.   One thing I can say for sure is that this starter put out more sparks than any other starter I've ever seen.  Starting a fire is quick and easy as seen in the photos below.  Just gather some dry material together, make a little tinder bundle and while applying medium pressure, just slide the striker down the flint stick and watch the sparks fly. 

Lastly, my favorite new hoodie, the Kittwake Womens Hoodie.

It is so soft, and comfortable, that I would seriously wear it  everyday!  There is just something about how it fits and the softness of it, that my other sweatshirts don't compare! 

The sizing chart is different than a US chart, our sweatshirts are S,M,L, but they have made it easy with this chart.

UK	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20	22
Euro	34	36	38	40	42	44	46	48	50
German	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	46	48
Italian	38	40	42	44	46	48	50	52	54
USA	2	4	6	8	10	12	14	16	18
Australian	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20	22
		S		M		L

	cm / inch	cm / inch	cm / inch	cm / inch	cm / inch	cm / inch	cm / inch	cm / inch	cm / inch
Bust/Chest	80 / 31.5	84 / 33	88 / 34.5	93 / 36.5	98 / 38.5	104 / 41	110 / 43.5	116 / 45.5	123 / 48.5
Waist	63 / 25	68 / 26.5	71 / 28	76 / 30	81 / 32	87 / 34.5	93 / 36.5	99 / 39	106 / 41.5
Hips	88 / 34.5	92 / 36	96 / 38	101 / 40	106 / 41.5	112 / 44	118 / 46.5	124 / 48.5	131 / 51.5
Legs / Regular	79 / 31	79 / 31	79 / 31	79 / 31	79 / 31	79 / 31	79 / 31	79 / 31	79 / 31
Legs / Short	74 / 29	74 / 29	74 / 29	74 / 29	74 / 29	74 / 29	74 / 29	74 / 29	74 / 29
Legs / Ski	79 / 31	79 / 31	79 / 31	79 / 31	79 / 31	79 / 31	79 / 31	79 / 31	79 / 31

Womens Footwear

avg. insole length (cm)	24.3		25.1		25.8		26.6		27.5
UK	4	4.5	5	5.5	6	6.5	7	7.5	8
EU	37	37.5	38	38.5	39	39.5	40	40.5	41
US/CAN	6	6.5	7	7.5	8	8.5	9	9.5	10
AUS	5	5.5	6	6.5	7	7.5	8	8.5	9
Slippers	S-M					M-L

I want to apologize for taking so long to write this review.  I received these products right after returning from a camping and hiking trip and didn't get the opportunity until last weekend to use the products out in nature.  The items were given to me, but all opinions are honest and my own. 

Fleurty Bands- Review

I am so thankful to Jasmine Wood, the owner of Fleurty Bands for the opportunity to try and review the BEST headband I've ever used!  I'm not just saying that because I got to try it free, it really is hands down, the best one.  It didn't move, not even once!

Before

After

(sorry for the sweaty selfie)

I have the worst time while working out keeping headbands on my head.  I thought maybe it was just my head.  I have bought different bands, made of different materials, but all of them slid out of place.  The worst is when you are running a race and you are continually having to fix it, or you lose it, because it falls out and you just don't have time for that nonsense!

Fleurty Bands are unique to any bands I've tried.  I don't know if it's the material she uses for the inside, but it stays where you put it.

Besides being handmade with love, they have beautiful craftsmanship,  you can pick from different colors and designs, and she has really cute ones!!  If you are looking for a headband that stays in place, and are adorable, head on over to her shop and grab one or a few!  Now that I'm a believer and know that they don't move, I'll be buying a few!

Thank you Jasmine and Fleurty Bands for being the Headband that doesn't move, so I can!

Monday Motivation- What you eat

I hate when I have those days that I'm stressed out, or lazy when it comes to food.  I think, what is one hamburger really going to do, or I'm going to eat that piece of cake and I'll be ok.  When I know better.  I get so mad at myself, and truly feel like crap when I have those days.  When I think, I work too hard and my body still doesn't look like I want it to, so what should I care?  A treat is one thing, once in a while, but when you decide you don't care, day after day, it does matter.  That's where we began, where we looked like our old selves.  Those were the days we didn't care about our bodies and ate what we wanted when we wanted because it tasted good, not because it fueled our body. We might think, we are going to have one tiny slice of our kids birthday cakes, then when everyone left, we finished that cake.  I'm guilty!  I have a few weaknesses, and it really takes everything in me to not touch certain things, where other things I could care less about.    I have to remind myself...

via

Eating Clean really makes a difference!  I have found this awesome shopping list that makes eating clean much easier!    They say that your body transforms from only 20% in the gym, the other 80% is what you put into it!  When I eat clean, at least to the best of my willpower, I not only feel better, but I also start to see the changes in the definition in the body parts I work so hard to see.  I need constant reminders of why that slice of cake isn't helping the cause, or the Italian bread from back home that I can't eat just eat one slice. 

Having my fit fam, really helps too.  I know that a lot of people hate seeing pics of peoples' meals or their sweaty selfies, but for a lot of us, that's motivation.  Those are the pics that help us put down that donut and grab something not so terrible, to get up off the couch and do our workout video, or whatever it may be.  Some may think it's silly, but I like it, that's why I follow the people I do.  They are the ones that help me stay motivated.  If you have an instagram and post pics of your workouts or yummy food, leave a comment below so that we may follow you too!  

I hope you all have a fabulous Monday!  Make healthy choices and get moving!  xoxo BJ

Motivation Monday- The Friends you chose

When we are kids, our parents say, "you are known by the company you keep."  As we grow older, it begins to makes sense when we get in trouble with them or get praised with them depending on our actions.

Things really don't change when we become adults, our associations might change, and the way we behave around our friends might change, but we still choose friends that for the most part are like minded with ourselves.  We learn that our friends make us happy, they like the same things we do and we can relate to them.  If for some reason these things don't happen, we go our separate ways and find friends that motivate us in our choices and make us feel great in our accomplishments or bring us up when we are down.  Friends that talk about you or aren't there to motivate us, are they really friends?  People who only speak to us when they want something, are they friends?

I have met some amazing friends on the internet.  I may have not physically met them in person, well, not all of them, but they are amazing.  When I'm having a bad day, they are there to bring me up, and remind me that we all have been through it, and it will be better.  When I'm not in the mood to workout, they motivate me to get off my booty and get stuff done!  Some days, all I have to do is check out Instagram and see their photos of their badass selves working out, or running or their amazing meals, or whatever they may have done for the day.  That is usually enough for me to do something that would make myself proud.  The amazing part about these ladies is they are always there for me, and I try my best to be there for them.

Yesterday I had the privilege to meet one of my long time internet buddies.  We met years ago when I began blogging, then started following each other on twitter, Instagram and myfitnesspal.  She is an amazing lady and has been working her booty off on her weight loss journey.  Kandy you are amazing!  Thank you so much for all your hard work, and motivation!  I am honored to have met you and call you my friend!

If you are in need of some amazing fitness minded friends, these are my ladies!  My fitness sisters, my #superwomanfitfamclub ladies, the women that motivate me, bring me up when I'm down, and are just amazing women in general!  I love each and every one of them!  Check them out!!

                                 

                                                                               

         Brooke                      Vanessa                     Kandy                      Ashley                      Dana

                                                                 Erica               Natalie

Don't forget to follow me @DATssocute on Twitter, @Datssocute on Instagram

Remember.....

Surrond yourself

around fitness

minded people.

Positivity can be so

Contagious!!

Watkins Glen State Park

Sorry about not posting last week, but I spent an amazing week with my family, best friend, and her family exploring Watkins Glen, New York.  If you've never been, you have to go at least once!  There was so much to do, not only for the adults, but for the kiddos too!  I'm going to write about our camping fun later in the week, but today, it's all about Watkins Glen State Park.

If you are into hiking, walking, fitness or just beauty in nature in general, this place is amazing!  I could make this a very image heavy post, but I'm just going to show you a few, because it was stunning, and the pictures really don't do it justice.

If you've never heard of Watkins Glen, NY, it is located here:

There is tons to do, not only in Watkins Glen, but in neighboring cities like Corning

The great thing about the State Park is people of all different ages can walk it's many trails.  You can start at different locations and choose the difficulty you want.  We started at the bottom and worked our way to the top.  Once at the top, you can walk down a path with no stairs, walk back the way you came, or check out the snack bar at the top and ride an air-conditioned van back to the bottom parking lot.  

The falls were breathtaking!  There were so many of them, and each one was different.  You could see the way the water wore away the rock to form pure beauty in nature.

There were several falls you walked behind, so be prepared to get a little wet.  

We went the day after some rain, so there were several puddles that we carefully walked around.  I wore a pair of new sneakers and they only got a little dirty.  Sneakers or hiking shoes would be your best bet.  We climbed 832 stairs, so wear comfy shoes and depending on the weather, layer your clothes.  It was cool to begin with, but got warm with the walking quickly!

One of the many views from above.

I would highly recommend visiting this beautiful state park! My best friend that grew up in Corning, had never been until we went together, and said she'd be going back! Isn't it funny, each of us has beautiful spots close to us, but don't go to see them?  I am going to start taking the kids on more adventures right around us on those weekends we have nothing to do, so that I can say, we haven't left Ohio unexplored. 

If you have any beautiful spots that you would highly recommend, please leave them in a comment or share on twitter!  

I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.

E.E. Cummings

Motivation Monday- Holiday week

I think this says it best!  With the Fourth of July only 4 days away, I need to remind myself, even if it's the Fourth, and I really can eat what I want, do I want to fall into old habits and feel the way I use to?  Holidays were a time of eating everything that was made then feeling like crap afterwards.  At what point do we say to ourselves, enough is enough?  We choose what we put into our bodies.  We choose to eat the food that fuels or food that tastes good as it goes down, then our bodies say, "what the hell is this crap, I'll make you feel like crap for putting it in yourself dummy."  Holidays and birthdays are the worst usually, we go to picnics, or parties that usually the crap food is served.  Hot dogs, hamburgers, pasta salad, chips, and so on.  I will be having a burger, but I'm going out and buying myself a chicken burger, will be passing on the bun and having plenty of fruit and veggies to fill me up.  I choosing to feel good about my holiday choices.

I read once in a magazine, eat at home before going to a party or activity.  This fills you up and you usually won't want any of the high calorie foods. If you do get hungry, or need a snack, grab some fruit or veggie, most parties have those trays.

My biggest problem doesn't lie in the food.  I have a sweet tooth, that I usually choose poorly, then feel horrible afterwards, even knowing the end result.  A great example would be yesterday when I attended a kids birthday party.  Most of the time I can refrain from cake, unless it's from one of the bakeries back home!  I seriously, cannot walk away from a slice of cake or a cupcake from one of my hometown bakeries.  I swear not even 10 mins after I ate half of the cupcake, my stomach hurt and I wanted to throw up from how sweet it was!  Oh the torture I choose, haha.  Anyway, I'm hoping since  while we're camping for the Fourth I don't have any bad foods, I'll be good to go.  Plan, plan, plan, is my best way of choosing wisely!

I don't diet, diets are fads that we do to lose weight.  Eating healthy, choosing wisely, is a way of life. I got rid of my fat clothes, because I have no intentions of gaining that weight back, ever!  Staying focused and choosing foods that help me to stay healthy and fit, is what I choose.

I hope you all have a fantastic Monday, set your goals, stay focused, and crush it!

Fit tip Friday, snacks, snacks, snacks.

My suggestion this week, if you don't already do it.  Throw a few healthy snacks in your bag, your car, your diaper bag, heck your coat pocket.  It's always a lot safer to have a protein bar in your bag while your out shopping than to stop and head over to McDonalds to grab a quick bite.  That protein bar has more nutritional value in it than an entire meal from a fast food joint!  Also be sure to carry your water with you!

I hope you all are having a great holiday season!  Stay healthy and eat less crap!

It's not about the scale

It has taken me a long time to realize that the scale isn't the main component to my happiness.  My friends Kandy, Vanessa, and Ashley, have been great support and motivation for me.  They are the ones that have told me over and over not to worry about what the scale says.  Measure yourself for a true reading.  Honestly it has taken many, many months for me to accept the scale tells lies.  I have always been obsessed with what the scale said.  Most of my life, it said you're fat, lose weight!  I now only get on it to see if the way I eat changes the number.  I am more obsessed with if I fit in my jeans, and if when I look in the mirror, I'm happy with what I see.  There are days I look in the mirror and say, yesterday was a bad day, it's ok, but get let's have a better day.  Some days it works and others it doesn't.

We all need to remember that muscle weighs more than fat.  If we have been lifting and we are getting toned, the number on the scale probably is going to go up, but that's ok, we are defining the fat that is there.  We are making the choice to tone up and not just let it wiggle anymore.

Don't get discouraged, I know it's hard, but you need to remember...
1. Don't worry about that scale and
2. Have a couple really great support friends that get what you're going through.

I may not have a lot to lose, but I have goals that my friends understand.  They help me get back and stay on track when I have those days.  They motivate me by seeing what and how they are doing, and I really don't know what I would do without them, (well truthfully, I probably would have quit a couple dozen times)  They are amazing and granted I have never met them, I consider them close friends!  To my #superwomanfitfam ladies, I love you!

If you would like a support friend, I'm here!  @Datssocute on twitter or email me at datssocute@gmail.com

Motivation Monday

It might be a little late in the day, but it's never to late to go get that workout, run, walk, whatever in!! Don't wait until January 1 when you can start today!!

Fit tip Friday- Thanksgiving

I think we all worry about over eating around the holidays.  We love everything we make, and want it all!  Personally I say, eat it all!  Don't deprive yourself of the stuff you want because you will gain weight from it.  When I deprive myself is when I do the most damage.  Have a little bit of everything that you love, even the pie, but don't go back for seconds or have a huge plateful.  Use a smaller plate, and eat a little of everything so you feel like you haven't been deprived of that roll or delicious mashed potatoes, or whatever it may be.

Later in the day, instead of falling asleep from that piece of Turkey you had, go for a walk.  It doesn't have to be a three mile run, but don't just lay around because you're beat.  You'll burn way more calories taking a nice walk around the block than laying on the couch being miserable watching football all day, hehe.

We can do this, you and I!  Keep a positive attitude and don't cave in to want.  Remember want and need are two different things.  Just because our brains want it, our bodies don't necessarily need it.  Make yourself proud!


xoxo BJ

yeah, so, I may be one of those people! hahahaha

Motivation Monday

I have felt like saying screw it a lot lately!  I get on the scale and want to throw it out in the street.  I know not to be obsessed with what the scale says, but I hate it. It's my own  fault for that matter.  I know what to eat, what not to eat, and what to do.  I get to into eating one bad thing and think, might as well just eat like crap the rest of the day instead of saying to myself, you are stronger than this, you can do it. What is worse, I know how I feel when I don't do what I should.  I get mean, feel like crap, and hate myself.  

I can't do much this week but walk and watch what I eat, so I might as well do those things to the best of my ability.  I will not let a few bad days and the scale determine this week!  

It's not easy, especially day after day, month after month, but even some results are better than none!! 

We can do this, and it is worth it!

I hope you all have a fantastic Monday!  10 more days until Thanksgiving!  

Motivation Monday

They say beauty is only skin deep.  For all my fit family out there, we know that we workout, lose weight and feel good for ourselves.  Once we have accomplished these goals, even if they are part of a whole, we feel amazing.  I may not have lost all the weight I want yet, but I fit in a smaller jean size than I have in years!  So when I do put the jeans on, I feel great!  I look in the mirror and see the lines developing in my abs, (when I have good food days)  and feel amazing.  Everyone around me might be able to see them through my clothes, but I know they are there and that's what matters!  When we feel good about ourselves, we exude that wether we want to or not.  So when you run, walk, lift or use a video today, think to yourself, am I giving it my all?  If not, convince yourself you can and get busy!  Work a little harder and it will show!

via

Fit Tip Friday

Today's tip is as simple as can be!   Kill two birds with one stone by parking farther away from the store, and walk the extra steps, not only will you burn more calories, but with all the crazy Christmas shoppers that are starting to creep out of the woodwork, it will save your vehicle doors too;)

Make time for yourself, don't make excuses that you want changes to your body, but don't do anything about it.  I love one of my besties to death!  She is constantly telling me she wants to workout with me, but tells me that I need to find time for her to do it.  I simply said, "if you want it badly enough, you'll make the time."  Needless to say she didn't respond to that one.

If you do nothing else for yourself today, go for a walk.  20 mins is better than 0.  Have a great weekend and enjoy the fall beauty!

Monday Motivation

Since I missed Fit tip Friday, and had a horrible food weekend (thank you Halloween and no willpower) I thought I'd give myself and anyone else that had a bad one a little motivation.

I have no desire to gain my weight back.  I don't want to lose the muscle I've been working hard for, and I don't want to spend the winter wishing I wouldn't eat the crap that put me in that bad place to begin with.  We all have bad days!  We all wish we didn't put that candy in our mouth that looked good to begin with, but we all do it, at least those of us that haven't realized we are way stronger than we think we are.  There are days I convince myself I have no willpower, that I am mentally weak, but that is just me making lazy ass excuses!  I am strong, and I can do whatever I convince myself to do.  I need to realize that a little more often.  I have big dreams for myself, and if I continue to believe I can't do it, it won't matter how many others believe I can.

So to myself and all my fit family.  We are strong, and we can do it.  Throw out that candy that tempts you, you didn't pay for it!  Have a great Monday, get sweating and remember....

via

Monday's Motivation

After having a terrible eating weekend.  I'm using something material for this week's motivation.

Clothes!!!  I hate clothes, well, I should say, I hate shopping for clothes for myself.  I'm not a fashionista, or even own anything fancy.  I've always been a jeans and tee kinda gal.  Hell, who I am I kidding, more like a sweats and tee gal.  Why do I need to get dressed up when most days I don't leave my house, and there is usually snot or something on me.  Gross, right?!

Anyway, this weekend my little sister cleaned out her wardrobe a bit, and let me have first dibs on the amazing clothes she has.  She has always dressed amazing, heels, make up, hair did, adorable clothes, she's like a model!  So with the opportunity of having some of her clothes, I jumped at the chance.  Granted, I can't fit in them YET, I still took out a few.  I am most excited about the jeans from Bebe.  I've never owned anything from there, and have only been in there with her.  Anywho, I'm going to put the jeans where I can see them, and when I have the urge to eat an M&M, or any crab that I know is going to hinder me from fitting in those jeans, I'm going to walk away!  I really, really want to fit in them, and you know, as well as I do, if we put our whole head and heart into something, we really can do it!

I hope you are ready to face this week.  Make good choice and find something to motivate you, find your strength!

ProgressOH! Soup

For all you lovelies that are trying to lose weight, or maintain it, here's a 200 calorie lunch or dinner that is OH SO Tasty!!!

Have you tried the Progresso Light Soups?  There is an amazing variety, and I couldn't even tell the difference in taste between the regular and light.  I'm a stickler on taste, and honestly, these are AW-MAZING!

I eat salads most days of the week, but when it's cold outside, and have I no desire to eat another salad, I pull out a can of Progresso Light.  If you all don't know, I try to be a thrifty shopper, I watch sale ads, and use coupons as much as I possibly can.  I always watch for Progresso sales, because truthfully, it's my favorite soup in a can.  I can usually get 10 cans for $8, sometimes less,  depending on how many coupons I can get ahold of.

Be sure to check out the Progresso Website and become a fan on Facebook!  They have recipes, ideas, and so much yummyness!

Making healthy choices in the kitchen is the first step to any weight loss.  Here are a couple pictures of myself so far.  The first one is in October, and the second is from 2 weeks ago, (2 weeks after I started eating better.)  You can see the difference in my face.  I'm still working on my body, but I will say I've lost 10 pounds in January.

One lucky reader could win this cool prize pack.  I received one, and loved it!  Leave me a comment to let me know your favorite Progresso Light soup, and what you're doing to help lose weight in the new year!  I will randomly select one of you to receive the same thing I did!  US residents only, sorry my Canadian and overseas friends! :(

"Disclosure: The information, products and ProgressOh! gift packs were provided by Progresso through MyBlogSpark.

Monday Motivation

Good Monday Morning friends!!!  I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!  I stayed home and played all weekend long, it was nice to just relax, well other than daily chores.

My question to you today is, what is motivating you this week?  Have you set a weekly goal?  I stepped on the scale today, and decided to work a little harder to lose the pound I gained from cheating this weekend.  I know better than to eat out of my ordinary box, but I get an urge and I can't refrain.  If I get it in my head I want fried rice, I have to eat it, which wouldn't be a problem if that was the only bad thing I ate all weekend, but of course I can't live without my pizza too.  I have to get it in my head that I can only cheat at one meal for the entire weekend, not every meal because it's the weekend.

I am so close to my goal, yet so far away.  I have a number in my head of what I want to weigh, but I also have a picture of what I want to look like.  With that in mind, does it matter what the scale says or being happy with how I look?

I so wish that on December 31st I would have had hubby take a picture of me and measure me, so that I could have seen how good/bad I've done this month.  I know weight is coming off, I just don't know where from.  I still have time to take the pictures and measure and see how much I progress in the next month, but I won't have something to look back at from this past month.

Here's a little picture I found to keep in mind.  I'm beginning to notice, are you?  Make today's workout count!  Get off your booty, and do something, ANYTHING!  Work a little harder and it will pay off!  YOU've got this!  Happy Monday All!! xoxo BJ