Tuesday, August 10, 2010

I'VE MOVED!

Thank YOU for being such a great, dedicated follower of my Blog! I've MOVED!!!! As of today, this Blog will no longer be used (except for post-archiving purposes). Come join me on our BRAND NEW SPOT....


Sunday, August 8, 2010

Ahhhhhhhhhhh........

My brand new website (taking the place of this one) is almost done!

Stay tuned - Tuesday will be the day! Come back for the announcement of "where I am!" 

I am absolutely THRILLED:)

CHEERS!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Foodie Friday: Mango Macadamia KIND


I've been gone a lot lately, and I will be gone again next week so finding things to always keep me full while on the "go" is not always the easiest thing. It is even more important, I think, when I'm away from home that I am feeling optimal!

I discovered the KIND Bars when I was in Montana. I was at a Starbucks and they had them. I picked up the Mango Macadamia one and it stated, "Mango Macadamia is delicious, all-natural, gluten-free and dairy free. This healthy snack bar is a rich source of fiber, low in sodium, and contains low GI and no trans fat." 

Runner's World Magazine even lists them as "Road Tested: Energy Bars!" 

Sure, there are a lot of calories and even fat, so it's not a bar that I would eat 4 times a day, but for those days when I'm on the run or just want something new they are perfect! They taste amazing! I love the Mango Macadamia combination - a little sweet mixed with a little salty!

There are many other flavors and types of KIND Bars. You can find them HERE. Go out and get yourself one today!

Speaking of Foodie Friday, I have been feeling Foodie Phenomenal! I have laid off on larger amounts of anything with seeds and nuts, though - even my flax. I believe it's those that cause me my lower stomach bloat. I have cut them for the most part this week and have not had problems. I did have 1/2 of a Mango Macadamia KIND Bar yesterday and no problems. Even when you eat healthy, you still must remember - everything in moderation!

Please forgive me if I'm not around yakking all things health/food and fitness this weekend. I am busy, busy, busy trying to finish my brand new website! The domain has been bought, and I am now just trying to get all the "ducks-in-a-row."

If you (or someone you know) have/has a health/fitness/foodie (or general passion for life) Blog that you want added to my BlogRoll on the new website, please email me, facebook me or tweet at me your link for consideration!


Happy Friday! CHEERS!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Dear Leg Workout: Ouch. That's All

black and white close-up of fists with love and hate tattooed on the fingers


I have a love-hate relationship with Legs Day. Kinda-Hate the during, absolutely love the post and really hate the day (and two) afterwards. So wait, actually it's a kinda-hate-love-hate, but since the love still outweighs the hate I keep on rockin' it!

Yes, yesterday was my Legs Day. And as promised from yesterday, here is my workout: 

Legs (+ Set of Abs)

1 (a). Bulgarian Split Squat w/ weight
1 (b). DB Calf Raises
- 4 sets; RI = 30 sec. -

2 (a). Walking Lunge-to-DB Bicep Curl
2 (b). (slow count) Ballerina Squats
3 (c). Walking Planks
- 4 sets; RI = 30 sec. - 

3 (a). Hanging Knee Up
3 (b). Ab-Rope Pulldown
- 4 sets; RI = 30 sec. -

4 (a). Quad Extension
4 (b). Hamstring Curl
-  4 sets; RI = 30 sec. -


5 (a). Bench Step-up-to DB Shoulder Press
5 (b). Deadlift
5 (c). Jump Squat
- 4 sets; RI = 30 sec. - 

The end. At the end of that workout yesterday I was extremely fatigued and shaky. The exhaustion felt great! And yes, that's the "love part" that is ultra-addicting!

(And ps. my Abs are also sore. Working your abs to the max in just one or two exercises will far outweigh hundreds of mindless situps. And besides, please remember - your abs are made in the kitchen!)
 
CHEERS!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

7-Week Program

I began my new 7-Week Workout Program on Monday. (Side Note: Why 7 weeks and not 4, 6 or 8 - something a little more normal?! Because I'm headed to MN again in 7-weeks, so I wanted it to extend right up until then!) 

Each time a workout series ends for me, (roughly 4-8 weeks) I typically take a week or two off and just do whatever I want at the gym, outside or wherever! This keeps me motivated, fresh and defers me from any burnout!

So I started a new Program this week! I am loving it already, especially because after Day 1 I was extremely sore! This is kind of a "quirky" program, but it's one that changes, yet doesn't change each week. The weight/reps/sets will change each week. The movements won't!

So here is what I did on Monday that left me sore up until today (and I am still mildly sore!):

Woman lifting dumbbell

Shoulder + Tricep + Bicep (+ Set of Abs)

1 (a). Rope/Cable Overhead Extension
1 (b). DB Military Press (Make "Y")
- 4 sets; RI = 30 sec. -

2 (a). King Throne with 5 lb weight
2 (b). Grasshoppers
- 4 sets; RI = 30 sec. - 

3 (a). Bench Dip (w/ feet up on other bench)
3 (b). DB Front Raise on one-leg
- 4 sets; RI = 30 sec. -

4 (a). Cable Pushdown
4 (b). DB Lat Raise on one-leg
-  4 sets; RI = 30 sec. -


5 (a). One-Arm DB Tri Kickbacks

5 (b). Alternating DB Shoulder Press
5 (c). BB Curl
- 4 sets; RI = 30 sec. -

I loved it & it loved me because I was exhausted and shaky at the end. This always tells me I gave it 110%.

Stay tuned to tomorrow, when I'll give the Leg Workout I did today!

CHEERS!

Wild Card Wednesday

Welcome to another Wild Card Wednesday! 

Triathlon montage

Feel free to ask me any question, as usual! 
This week, though, I have a question for all of you:
What are the best races (Running and/or Triathlon) for the Fall Season? And where are they held? Looking for events all over the United States! 

Please comment on this post via Blog or email me

CHEERS!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

The Ugly "D" Word Meets its Match

I was gone from my home in California from July 8 - July 27th. That's an entire 20 days! The night before I left my Mom said to me, '"I can't believe you didn't "cheat" with food once."'

It was at that point when I realized how powerful my mind is.

Every other trip to Minnesota, even if just for a weekend, ALWAYS resulted in a "food mistake," which I told myself was okay because I'd "get back on track once I was back in California."

silhouette sophisticated woman in black dress hat as she holds shopping bags and kicks up her foot

That old thinking is nothing more than another failed diet. Yes, the ugly, sinful "D" word: DIET. The old thinking says, "I'm on a gluten-free diet when it's convenient for me and so that I can tell all my friends I'm a trendy, gluten-free, intellect."

I never meant to be that way, but looking back that's exactly what I was.

I am proud of what I accomplished! But more than that....I am proud to say I'll never prescribe to the Ugly "D" Word again. And that "unprescribed" kind-of-medicine yields that beautiful, strong mind!

I've Been Hired!

 (In case you don't follow my site www.digitalmention.com - post from today!)


There is one less person on the job market now that #HireHoff has been hired!

If you remember, on June 14, 2010 I launched my Campaign #HireHoff.



I had an overwhelming amount of support during this time. Here were some of my favorites:
Here are some Stats:
  • According to this Poll, most people think it will take them 4-7 months to find a new job. It took me 43 days.
  • Here is what you get if you Google #HireHoff.
  • 409 people clicked on the direct bit.ly link.
  • Viewer Geography: US, Canada, Australia, UK, Argentina, Netherlands, Germany, Latvia, Italy, Brazil, Japan, Norway, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Russia, Belgium, France and Singapore.
  • Direct Traffic: 29.33%, Referring Sites: 67.03%, Search Engines: 2.91%.
  • Currently a Top Landing Page for the site.
I had multiple people contact me during this time for various positions. I was able to network with some wonderful people, and I learned a lot about being proactive and managing my own brand: Sarah Kay Hoffman!

So what position did I take on that 43rd day?
Community Manager - Fitness/Sporting Goods (FitClub) - Sears Holdings Corporation.
If you know anything about me, you know that I am most passionate about Social Media and Health/Fitness/Food. Merging the two is an absolute perfect fit for me! I believe that a company who can take advantage of this will benefit - at least that's what I am making a 100% commitment to!

I look forward to learning about and engaging with the "community." I am excited to embrace change, growth and success in this role and bringing forth many posts to accommodate it all! (Please note: This blog will continue to be based on my personal views.)

At the end of the day, I can honestly say that even though I was forced into Campaign #HireHoff, it only re-confirmed that, "everything happens for a reason!"

Monday, August 2, 2010

Motivation Monday: 38 Ways to Beat Exercise Boredom

Contemplative Overweight Woman on an Exercise Bike in the Gym

It can be hard to find your Monday Motivation when your bored with your workout! 


Working out should not be a "chore." It should be something you look forward to. And if you are constantly changing it up and finding new things to add to the mix, you will likely never be bored!

Here are 38 ways to Beat that Exercise Boredom:
  1. Go for a hike.
  2. Go horseback riding.
  3. Change up your lifting workout every 4-8 weeks.
  4. Make a (short term) goal (Ex. Complete 10 full pushups by week 4).
  5. Make a (long term) goal (Ex. Complete a half marathon in 5 months).
  6. Make a new Playlist.
  7. Join a walking/running club.
  8. Listen to Podcasts/Audio Books while working out.
  9. Sign up for a Charity Event.
  10. Hula Hoop.
  11. Hot Yoga.
  12. Table Tennis.
  13. Take a spin class.
  14. Multi-task with Circuit Training.
  15. Join an Online Fitness Community.
  16. Get new workout apparel - shoes, shirts, shorts, headbands, etc.
  17. Get a new workout "gadget," like a fancy heartrate monitor or step counter.
  18. Workout at a different time of the day than what you are used to.
  19. Write down 10 reasons you workout. Place this list somewhere you'll see multiple times a day.
  20. Always use machines? Try free weights or cables or resistance bands.
  21. Go for a long bike ride.
  22. Swim laps.
  23. Play beach volleyball.
  24. Live near a lake? Go paddle boating. 
  25. Take dance lessons.
  26. Try Pilates.
  27. Check out Tony Horton's P90X. 
  28. Always run or walk? Mix it up with the Stair Master, Elliptical, Stair Stepper or Bike.
  29. Take a new group class you've always wanted to take, but never got around to taking. (Ex. Zumba)
  30. Mow the lawn.
  31. Go to a track and do sprints.
  32. Indoor wall-climbing.
  33. Have kids? Wash the car together! (Ok, so you don't really have to have kids for this!)
  34. Jump rope.
  35. See how many sit-ups you can do in between each commercial of an hour-long show/movie or more.
  36. Wii-Fit. Need I say more?
  37. Take a martial arts, Tae-Bo or kickboxing class.
  38. Get your booty in gear - participate in a Boot Camp.
If, after reading this list of 38 Ways to Beat (Exercise) Boredom you are still bored, then perhaps it's just your attitude that needs an adjustment!


Clearly there are many more than 38 Ways to Beat this Boredom! So tell me - how do you beat exercise boredom? What are some good ideas (activities - things to do) to add to this list?


CHEERS!



http://digg.com/d3Qj4r

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch

It was Ryan's birthday this past week, so I surprised him with a mini-vacation to Quincy, CA to Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch

We had an amazing time! I always learn something new about myself each time I step out of any comfort zone. And this is the reason I love taking mini-vacations - traveling and exploring new places, especially with Ryan!

This time, we also brought the dogs with us. Greenhorn is extremely accommodating to dogs, so it worked perfectly for us!

Heading out of Town.

My Babies.

Ryan & Ms. Rae.

Ranch Chuckhouse.

Absolutely gorgeous views.


Getting ready to ride.

Ryan ahead of me on Dolly.

When Cody met Dolly.

Ranch Saloon.

Fiona hanging out in the Saloon with us.

Sweet, little girl who loved Fiona.

We loved the Saloon! Best Saloon Bartender around:)

Always in love with the country look.

Simple, beautiful and open!

The dogs loved all the space!

Running back to our room. Trying to catch up to Ryan & Reagan.

Driving home. Absolutely exhausted. (And yes, somehow we all fit in the front seat!)

If you ever have the chance to get to Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch, I highly recommend it! They were the nicest, most down-to-earth people I've met in a long time! Everything about the place from the people to the atmosphere to the activities and overall ambiance is simple, stress-free, active and yet magnificently peaceful! 

Furthermore, I really love them because when I was researching "dude ranch" and stumbled upon them, I was able to find out even more about them via their Facebook Page and Twitter Profile! I was impressed with what I saw, and I truly believed that "sealed-the-deal" for me!

So what did I learn about myself this weekend?
  1. Being active does not just mean "24/7 in-the-gym bootcamp-style rah-rah-rah." It can mean a weekend getaway (or any "daily getaway") with movement. We were highly active this weekend - always out running around with the dogs and horseback riding. I didn't feel an ounce of guilt for not being in the gym! (But I am also excited to begin my new program tomorrow!)
  2. I love horseback riding! 
  3. I CAN disconnect from my "digital life." I had no cell service. I barely jumped on my computer. Though it was tempting to be on the computer more, staying away from it from time-to-time is not only a good thing, but an absolutely critical thing for my mind, body and overall well being!
FINALLY, my husband and dogs reminded me that no matter where I am - California or Minnesota - HOME is truly where they are (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RYAN - hope you loved it)!

And I hope all of your weekends were healthy, fit and fantastic as well! 

CHEERS!