Campaign #HireHoff

Click HERE to view full version in flickr.

When the going gets Tough....

How many times have you been kicked down and thought, "Wow, how am I going to get myself up and ready for the next challenge?" I guarantee that every single time this has happened you ultimately have gotten up and moved on with it. The only question is,

"HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU?"

Don't let anything take you down for too long, if at all! Get up, look it in the eye and keep moving! 

Of course you have no idea what I'm talking about (okay, maybe like 5 people reading this do). I will reveal it soon - what I'm up to - what I've been up to! 

It's so true...."When the going gets tough, the tough get going (and creative!!)"

Until then, CHEERS!

Confused about Twitter?

Since part of my goal through this Blog is to reach an infinite amount of people, it should come as no surprise that I love Social Media. I have talked about it some on this Blog before, but it is a huge part of my life. I have made a career out of it. 

My love for Marketing meshed with Technology, the Digital and all things Social lead me there! 

If you haven't seen my website yet, you can find it by clicking HERE OR you can see it in the right column titled, "Digital Mention by she." (she = sarah hoffman enterprises)

From time-to-time I am going to put up Social Media-related posts here. I think people enjoy them and can benefit from them. 

Today: Confused about Twitter? For the full version click HERE to be taken to my original article. (QUESTION: What types of Social Media information/articles/how-to's do you want to see??)


One piece of advice to kick this off, go out and get yourself Hollis Thomases’ book, "Twitter Marketing: An Hour a Day." (I got it directly from Amazon - link/picture to the left.) I bought the book just recently. I learned so many new things, but it would have done even more wonders for me had I picked it up from the beginning!

So, Twitter: not a nasty 7-letter word

• The very basics:
  @xyz = saying something to someone, everyone in your network – people that follow you will see it
  d @xyz = sends the person a direct message – which they can only receive if they are following you
  RT @xyz = retweets something the particular person has already said – goes to your entire network
  #hashtag = a trending topic – an index of finding everyone talking about that topic
• Don’t spam.
  Don’t go on Twitter expecting to “sell, sell, sell.” As a matter of fact, until people like and trust you, I recommend not selling at all.
• Show up to Participate. And Add Value.
  Participate in the conversation happening. Engage with people. Show your personality, without talking about yourself or your business in every tweet. Say you are a Local Fitness Club. For every one tweet you put out that makes “noise,” (ie. I’m listening to my iPod and wondering what workout to do at the gym tonight) you should put out 3-5 “added-value” tweets (ie. Great article on the best fitness routines for summer). See the difference? People care less about you and more about WIIFM (What’s In It For Me.)
• 140 characters. Wait, maybe just 125 characters.
  You are allowed 140 characters per “tweet.” But if you want to be retweeted, try to fall under that so there is enough room left for added commentary by the “retweet-er.”
• Shorten that Link.
  When you want to include a link into your Tweet, make sure to use a URL-shortening service. You have many to choose from. Here are just a few: tinyurl.com, zi.ma, bit.ly and budurl. Not only, will they reduce the overall characters used, but they also provide you with a platform to track how many people click on the links you have provided!
• Find Locals Talking about things Relevant to You and Your Business
  Didn’t think this was possible? It is! One of my most favorite tools to use is socialoomph.com. You can actually track anything on Twitter you want. For example, for my clients, I always set up certain keywords that happen within a certain distance. I have them sent to me 2 times/day so I always know what’s going on. It is a great lead-generation tool, among many, many other things.
• Don’t Underestimate the Power of Twitter Advanced Search
  Local Business will always benefit from the standard Twitter Advanced Search. Just a couple of minutes navigating through it will show you all the capabilities.

Twitter is not scary. Twitter is not useless. I have skimmed over very, very basic Twitter applications and “tips.” There are thousands of tools out there to help you get the most out of your Twitter strategy.

Of all the tools, tips and tricks, nothing compares to the fact that in order for it to work, you must show up and actively engage. People like to share and talk on Twitter. They don’t like to be sold to, and they are definitely turned off by the classless “salesman” pitch. Keeping your “voice” authentic and consistent on Twitter can do wonders for you. Just give it a little time, patience and personality!

An Unlikely Pizza

 One of my most favorite things to do is to take "bad" foods and make them "good." Why? Because I'm just like you. I love food - and I don't want to eat lettuce all day. I refuse to. But because I'm (supercalifragilisticexpialidocious) when it comes to food, health, fitness and working out, I am overly conscious about everything. Some call it annoying. I call it "why the hell can't everyone see the benefit of this?!" 

Since not everyone can or cares to, I do it, post it and hopefully those of you who try it love it, too! So....
 
Have at it! Brought to you by the CalorieKing.com, nutritionals on all your favorite pizzas! Scared? I'll help you with one. The average 14" Pizza, Cheese Topping, Original Crust has (per 3.6 oz/1 slice serving): 272 calories, 9.8g fat (4.4g saturated), 33.6g carbohydrates and 551mg sodium. And consider, this is the average, with only cheese and just one small slice. And let's be honest, we never have just one slice. Ever!

Pizza, done right, can simply be alright - for all of us! I wanted to gauge whether or not people are interested in this sort of "foodie post" before I put a ton of work in it. So I have to be honest when I say that I don't have the exact nutritionals, products and brands. But here is what I do know about my Pizza I made:

• Low-Carbohydrate, High Fiber Tortilla (80 calories and 12g fiber)
• Made with tortilla, low-fat cheese, sauce, extra-lean turkey and mushrooms
• We guessed it was less than 350 calories (for the entire pizza!)

Taste = A (you will only find an A+ when it's done exactly right to my "likes:)")

What you could do differently = Add more vegetables. They are super-low calorie and great for you (I have to be careful with them due to my stomach issues)  

What I would definitely do differently = 

1. Different sauce (Don't get me wrong, it tasted great, but I know there is a much lower-sugar one available at the same great taste.)  
2. Sprinkle some herbs and spices on after the sauce is on (zero-calorie flavor!)
3. Use a different cheese. I would attempt to make a Laughing Cow Cheese work because it's one of my favorites.

Beyond that, I'm all set! We had it on Friday night. It's a great Friday-night meal. Really...it's a great meal any night!

So tell me....what is your most FAVORITE "junk food" or otherwise "unhealthy food?" I'd love to cook up another "unlikely health food!"


CHEERS!

Leg Workout: Circuit Version

This is the last "lifting" part of the workout. Today was Day 5. I really loved this workout. It's hard, short and sweet and to the point!


Recap:
Day 1: Chest/Back + HIIT Cardio

Day 2: Legs (lift)

Day 3: OFF

Day 4: Shoulder/Tricep/Bicep + HIIT Cardio

Day 5: Legs (Circuit)

Day 6: OFF

Day 7: HIIT Cardio + Abs

Here is what my Day 5: Legs (Circuit &/or Reps) Looks Like

1 (a). Bulgarian Split Squat - no weight

- 3 sets; 12-reps/leg; RI = 30-40 sec. -

2 (a). Squat - no weight

2 (b). Moving/walking pushups - no weight
2 (c). Medicine Ball Chop

- 3 sets; 10-15 Reps/each; RI = 30-40 sec. - 

3 (a). Hamstring (in-and-out) on Ball

3 (b). Calf Raise -no weight

- 3 sets; 15-20 Reps/each; RI = 30 sec. -

4 (a). Bench Stepup - no weight
4 (b). Medicine Ball Chop + Squat
4 (c). Jumping Split Squats

-  3 sets; RI = 30 sec. -

5 minute cooldown. Stretching.

It might look "simple," given that most of it is weightless. But try it, I guarantee your heart will be pumping. I was dripping with sweat. The workout only took me 30 minutes. I was definitely fatigued, but I may try 4 sets on all next time if I'm feeling ambitious! 


After the hard workout, I'm rewarding myself with a Manicure and Pedicure from The Jellyfish Spa! Are you in the East Bay - or Bay Area in general? If so, you should check out this phenomenal deal from PASSBOX! Today is the last day to get this Deal: $30 for the 'Moon Signature' luxury manicure & pedicure (Normally $75) at The Jellyfish Spa at the Blackhawk Plaza! (and ps. 5% of every purchase you make goes back to the Local School of YOUR CHOICE!)


Do yourself a favor and reward yourself (or someone in your life who deserves it) with pampering vs. food! ("Well....I did this Leg Workout today so I deserve a cupcake.") WRONG! You deserve to treat your body good. So eat your lean protein, get your pampering at The Jellyfish Spa and then go have a glass of Red Wine:)

CHEERS!

Workout: Day Off

Today is an "Off Day." And we need these days. They help us repair, recover and rest so that the next day we are better, stronger and ready as ever!

In case you missed them, here was Workout Day 1 and Workout Day 2.

Since it's an "Off Day" today and I don't have a workout to share with you, I wanted to offer up a deal! If you live in the East Bay area and are looking for a killer workout, I highly encourage you to check out the UFC Gym in Concord, CA. This is not just a Gym for Men. No, Women and Children participate in many things as well there! It's the Ultimate Fitness Experience. And remember what I said - ultimate usually yields faster results!

Click here to PAY ONLY $49 for a 1-month membership, 2 Personal Training Sessions and a Free Kids Club (normally $199). (But hurry...you only have today and tomorrow to take advantage of this!)

Maybe you'd like a shot at winning one of these? Click HERE to do so!

Have fun! If you are taking this as your "Day Off" with me, remember 2 things:

1. You should still get some sort of movement in. I will probably go for a walk with my husband and dogs or a bike ride. 
2. If you get the 1-month membership to the UFC Gym that will take you through this 4-week program. You could substitute any of your "cardio" for classes there!

Questions? Let me know! Feel free to reach out to me HERE!

CHEERS!

Attention: HUGE Announcement for Bay Area Runners!

It's that time of year again when we all start heading outside, moving, enjoying and - RUNNING!

So I have some great news. And (semi) bad news.

The (semi) bad news is that this year to train for the Nike Women's 1/2 and Full Marathon, there won't be an "official" training location. Instead, they have launched a 2010 Mobile Running Campaign. I have heard a lot of complaints about this, as many people were depending on that "group-based" training each and every Saturday/Sunday.

But never fear.....I come bearing GREAT NEWS here!

This year, you can still run. You can still train. And you can still fight your way like a champ all the way to the finish line with Coach Suzanne Cordes! In case you forgot, Coach Cordes was the Nike Coach last year for the runs. Here is more about her:

Suzanne is going to offer a "steal" of a deal for her training program! For 16 weeks, you can have the pro train you for just $125! (See Sunday Training Runs)

So what are the benefits to YOU?

1.  Professional Training and Coaching
2.  More Personalized
3.  Didn't get in to the Nike 1/2 or Full? No worries - she will help you train for: Primo's, Chicago Marathon &/or the Humboldt Redwoods as well as the Nike Race! 
4.  You can run in any type of shoe that fits you and makes you feel like a million bucks when running! (Nike's are great. I'm just saying!)

So what are you waiting for? The clock is ticking. You have goals to achieve. You have an awesome summer to look forward to. And space will be limited (because, like I said - personal attention from the Coach herself!)

Click HERE to contact me for more information! Or see the sheets above for all Coach Cordes Contact Information. And when you sign up with her...just say, "The Former Pied Piper Leader sent me:)" She'll like that!

CHEERS!