Monday, March 28, 2011

Preparing For a Major Milestone


This is a sponsored review from BlogHer and Slim·Fast.

*****

We spent our first wedding anniversary at a Baltimore Ravens game...


On our second anniversary, we watched cops chase a car thief through
our backyard (that's a story for another day)...

But I really remember our third anniversary. I was seven months
pregnant with our first child. I wore a long black skirt, a blouse
with orchids on it, and sky-high heels. We went out to Olive Garden
after work. I remember eating my chicken marsala and talking about
how we should do something special for our 5th. We should go
somewhere. Our child would be two and I figured we could surely
enlist some grandparents to watch him or her while we got away for a
weekend... right?

Little did I know that our fourth anniversary would find me one month
shy of delivering our SECOND baby.

It probably goes without saying that we did NOT get away for our fifth
anniversary. Matter of fact, I spent that landmark day driving four
hours round trip to a children's hospital to pick up my baby girl's
first pair of glasses.
Good times, good times.

No problem. We'd just push that goal forward. We'd do something
exotic and romantic for our TENTH anniversary. By then, our children
would be five and six and not so hard to watch or care for. Surely
we'd be able to find someone to keep an eye on them for a night or
two. Right?

We welcomed baby #3 in 2009.

Sooo... our tenth anniversary is happening this year. Our children
will be 6, 5, and 2 at the time. It's not as easy to find someone to
watch three kids. People work. They have their own kids. It's just,
well, complicated.

But, since this been rolling around in my head for about seven years
now, I'm determined to make it happen. I'm also willing to be
flexible.

The plan?

  • Take a family vacation (<-- read: yes, our children will be along) to somewhere warm and exciting.
  • Make sure there are children's programs and events so that my main squeeze and I can have some adult time while the littles have a blast.

The steps I'm taking right now?
  1. Squirreling away any extra money from bonuses and blog-work.
  2. Deal seeking and comparison shopping bunches of different travel sites.
  3. Working to get back to the six side of an eight.
  4. Setting expectations for the children.


So... guess what we're planning on doing? Anyone?

A cruise. Later this year. Probably Caribbean. Almost definitely
Carnival. We've been on five cruises before, but never with children.

Who says you can't take children along on a romantic trip? After all,
they're a huge part of the joy we've shared over these past ten years.

Bon voyage to all of us.

*****

It's exciting to celebrate major milestones! For many, looking our best (*ahem*, that would be the 6 side of an 8 I'm aiming for!) is a part of that. While I'm mostly an exercise girl when it comes to losing weight, Slim-Fast (Visit the Official site) is another option to help achieve those goals.

I'm happy to able to give away a a Slim-Fast gift pack (worth $100) to one of you! To enter, please leave a comment answering the following:

What's your favorite way to get in shape for a major event?


Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry
methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment
on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on
this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about
an alternate form of entry.


This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be
selected.

The Official Rules are available here


*****
For even more chances to win, please see the BlogHer round up page and visit the Promotions & Prizes Section.

Sweepstakes will run: 3/28-4/20

87 comments:

  1. Walking, its the favorite way to get in shape for everything.

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  2. Pilates is my new love! I absolutely LOVE pilates!

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  3. Zumba!!! I scoffed when it first came out, but it really is so much fun :) I walk away from an intense work out smiling I love it so much!

    judywhatilivefor at gmail dot com

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  4. I start walking more and do a little more portion control! :)

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  5. Ah, if I had a favorite way to get in shape for a major event, I'd be in shape - since my husband's 40th birthday AND my brother's wedding are both this summer. Nonetheless, I'll continue to work out more frequently, and *perhaps* say "no" to a second slice of cake (I jest!) karianna-at-karianna-dot-us

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  6. My friends are going to Mexico with their kids for their 10th as well. Our 10th will be July 2014 ... and I'm wondering if we won't have a very small Vanderbilt #3 at that time. Hm.

    We really haven't done much since our first anniversary, sadly.

    But the question! Getting in shape! Um ... eat low-carb and attempt to exercise.

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  7. After having my baby boy I'm now facing the challenge of getting in shape for the first time. So I have no idea what's my favorite way!

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  8. myfitnesspal.com has helped me lose 27 lbs so far...

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  9. I like to walk especially at the park and have changed my eating habits and weaning myself off sodas and some juices
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

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  10. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/52542647537106944
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

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  11. I try my best (though not always good enough) to always eat healthy and throw in some exercise
    disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com

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  12. My favorite way to get ready for a big event is to deprive myself of sweets until I give up and cave in. Maybe I need a new way of doing things... ;)

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  13. I walk, workout and am very vigilant about my food intake. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. My daughter and I take walks in the evenings after dinner.
    MCantu1019 at aol dot com

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  15. My favorite way to get in shape is to walk and do lots of leg exercises.

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  16. I'm currently walking 5 miles a day in preparation for an event coming up. I find it monotonous, but necessary to shed the pounds!!

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  17. My favorite way to get in shape for a major event is to eat a lot of salad and steamed vegetables. I also drink lots of water and cut out sugary drinks. And exercise as much as I'm able to. LPoser1[at] gmail [dot] com

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  18. Hello-

    I eat lean proteins and green vegetables , water and green tea for 2 weeks straight.

    Thank you,
    evrywoman at yahoo dot com

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  19. I like to walk/jog on my treadmill and also do a bit of yoga.
    maddiemb {at} comcast (dot) net

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  20. I am a 41 year old working mother of three who gets up every weekday morning at 5 a.m. and runs seven miles. I also do strength traing with weights and watch what I eat. I'm more fit now than I was in my twenties and I still feel like I'm in my twenties not to mention everyone says I still look like I'm in my twenties.

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  21. Jogging is my favorite way to get in shape for a major event

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  22. http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/54064788522811392

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  23. Exercise bike and swimming are my two favorite ways!
    bleatham*at*gmail.com

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  24. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/sleatham1/status/54120711509377025
    bleatham*at*gmail.com

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  25. running!!!
    emmy1981 at aol dot com

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  26. My husband and I are on a weight loss journey! We have joined the gym and our goal is to workout every other day! The hardest part is eating better and/or substituting meals with something like Slimfast!

    Thanks!
    kmassmanATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  27. my favorite way is lots of tennis.

    hlee99 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  28. I prepare by doing yoga every morning.
    eugeniewu (at) gmail (dot) com

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  29. Tweeted - http://twitter.com/#!/3psmama/status/55721504712826880

    tara@3psmama.com

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  30. Eating healthier and trying to walk often.
    Thanks so much.

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  31. We love to hike, so we get some extra hiking or find new places to take our bikes so we dont get bored

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  32. I like lifting free weights and running.

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  33. I eat healthier foods, limit carbs and exercise more

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  34. I get obsessed with the treadmill, 45 minutes every other day and a 30 minute ab workout on the treadmill on the off days

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  35. I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/eyzofblu63/status/56049975485935616

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  36. walk and dance
    tvollowitz at aol dot com

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  37. This summer is my 50th bday. I am trying to add more fiber to the diet and drink more water.

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  38. I try to walk every day and eat healthy foods. I just need to watch portion sizes more carefully.

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  39. Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/clc408/status/56332394227187712

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  40. I've been struggling with this all my life and just can't find the right way for me to win this battle. I’m going to the Caribbean this summer and am desperate to drop some of this extra weight before we go.

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  41. tweeted
    http://twitter.com/#!/fairydancer35/status/56760628236390400

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  42. To get in shape, I walk and watch my carb intake.

    sueellison@hcecwildblue.com

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  43. Tweet
    https://twitter.com/suebaby05/status/57587138757275648

    sueellison@hcecwildblue.com

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  44. my favorite way to get in shape for an event is to ride my bike. It makes me feel like a kid again so it's not even like I'm exercising.

    teechbiz at gmail dot com

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  45. Walking, its the favorite way to get in shape for everything.

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  46. Not much time for exercising these days. I do get plenty of work-outs chasing around my 2,3 & 4 yr olds.

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  47. My husband and I are working out at the gym our job provides. I am hoping to be back to my wedding weight by our 18th anniversary, next year. I am queenesperfect at yahoo.com

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  48. I have been runnnig on a treadmill every morning to try to get into better shape.

    mmburdette22 AT yahoo DOT com

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  49. I have to have a motivator and a group it seems so I joined a gym so someone can prod me. I have a family reunion in August so I have a goal. Enjoy your cruise with the kiddos. Sounds like a blast!

    mail.nw415 at gmail dot com

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  50. i get in shape b keeping away from junk food and walking whenever i can!

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  51. I stay in shape with walking.
    lazybones344 at gmail dot com

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  52. My favorite way to get in shape is to do the 6 Week Body Makeover. It has both an eating and exercise plan which really work for my body.

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  53. I like to exercise to lose a few pounds. I have a hard time limiting my food choices:)
    nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

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  54. tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/KerryBishop/status/59396327884341248
    nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

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  55. Before a big event, I just do an extra day a week of exercise.

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  56. i like walking, now it's warmer and flowers are coming up it's fun to walk around the neighbourhood. i'm trying to get fit for my friend's wedding in the summer.
    songyueyu at gmail

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  57. tweet https://twitter.com/#!/syytta/status/60156298477568000

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  58. running.. its the only thing i can do that really works
    addictedtorodeo at gmail dot com

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  59. I’m doing it the old-fashioned way, watching my calories, portion control and moderate exercise. I'm more focused on long-term weight loss than short-term at the moment.

    Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

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  60. I try to eat healthier and walk as much as possible.

    oldnavyash@aol.com

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  61. I tweeted it http://twitter.com/smash906/status/60341010902958080

    oldnavyash@aol.com

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  62. My favorite activity to get in shape is walking and biking. I can burn calories at the same time I am enjoying the outdoors.

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  63. My tweet: http://twitter.com/njhhb/statuses/60352234596220928

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  64. I'm working (again) on getting in shape right now. I find having a very crunchy, needs lots of chewing snack helps a lot. Think carrot sticks, jicama (can't stand celery sticks), low cal, high fiber, takes a while to eat... and then I'm satisfied and don't eat as much at meals. Oh yes, the ever needed exercise - doing yard work and walking at this point.

    sksweeps (at) earthlink (dot) net

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  65. slimfast and a low carb diet work best for me

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  66. My favorite way to shape up is going to my fitness class.

    annettekz2@yahoo.com

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  67. Low carb diet and plenty of exercise is the key for me!

    sweepyhead at gmail dot com

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  68. I usually go on a three day fast, makes me feel and look better.
    spiersrp at gmail dot com

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  69. I wish I could answer this one, but I have been so out of shape for so long I dont know how to plan to get in shape
    sweokgrl@gmail.com

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  70. I tweeted
    sweokgrl@gmail.com
    http://twitter.com/bdiane34/status/60497842611032065

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  71. I love to swim when the weather is nice. Thank you for the fun giveaway!
    jessibear19(at)aol(dot)com

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  72. To get in shape for a major event I cut out sugar and processed foods. I also move all of the clothes covering my exercise bike and atempt to ride on it daily! Thanks! ard1977@gmail dot com

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  73. to eat less food, and eat healthier

    itsjustme62613 at gmail.com

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  74. tweet

    http://twitter.com/MistySunrise/status/60613215633162240

    itsjustme62613 at gmail.com

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  75. to get in shape for a major event i work on counting calories and increasing exercise. it's not easy but it works
    susansmoaks at gmail dot com

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  76. I always look forward to getting in my exercise for the day... usually on our treadmill. I store my email over in my Blogger profile. Thanks for the contest!

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  77. I used to join a women's only fitness club with machines and aerobics and exercise classes. That combined with dieting on Weight Watchers was a tried and true method of getting in shape!
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    email in blogger profile.

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  78. tweet: http://twitter.com/js22222222/status/60743189203652608
    email in blogger profile.

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  79. Running!!

    s.mickelson at gmail dot com

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  80. I just turned 40. I have again started working out and eating better. I feel much better these days. My husband does slimfast and swears by it! He would absolutely love it if I won this for him!

    shelleymikey at gmail dot com

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  81. I eat healtier and work out double time to get ready for a big event. trinitygsd at yahoo dot com

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  82. Since the beginning of the year I have added an extra fruit and veggie to each of my meals.
    I am eating healthier and exercising more, so I can lose 30lbs for my 20th class reunion next spring.

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  83. tweeted...
    http://twitter.com/#!/katklaw777/status/60793303758675969

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  84. My favorite way to get in shape is by dancing or walking the dog.

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  85. I try to get in shape but I'm mostly unsuccessful. I've learned to accept that I'm not longer a size 6.

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  86. My favorite way to get in shape for an event is by exercising more (yoga and biking).

    longbarb1@aol.com

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