Busy March!

It was another great week in the world of Sarah Kay Hoffman. Sometimes I feel like these "happy-go-lucky" blog posts need to STOP! Really, who cares if I'm happy-go-lucky, right? But then again...my goal here is not to boast - my goal is to spread my cheer. It's to spread what I hope will be even one small thing for someone else to say, "Wow, that made me smile."

I digress....

It was a great week for me. I feel so alive, so productive and so useful within Yolo Industries! I have waited a very, very long time to get to this point in my life. Now that I'm here, I'm working so hard to stay here, grow here and get "famously" successful here! The company is growing at a rapid rate, and I feel that the success can be attributed mostly to the fact that everyone who works there is passionate about who we are! And that is something you cannot put a pricetag on!

I welcome each and every one of you to follow The Yolo Life Blog! Today we put up a posting, "Perfect for Your Spring Purse," and we are giving away a few goodies! Follow the blog and check it out!

In other news, I have a few more big things to look forward to this month:

1. Running: And a lot of it! (I am training for the Rock 'n Roll San Diego Marathon!) I will be completing a 14-mile run this upcoming Sunday. This will mark the furthest distance I have ever run! I am nervous and excited, but mostly excited! My long runs are getting up there in mileage. I like that - it's a great mental challenge for me!
2. Running: On Monday, March 22nd I will begin Ms. Ashley Kumlien's journey with her as she begins her 6-month trek across the United States! Ashley is running to raise awareness for MS, which her Mother battles. Ashely is amazing and inspiring. Though I was not able to go on a 2-month "tour" with her, I will see her off on an approximately 15-16 mile run in San Francisco (across the Golden Gate Bridge). IF you are in the Bay Area we would love to have you join us! Please post any comments if you think you might be able to come. I know Ashley would love to see them! In the meantime, you can check her out via: MSRuntheUS Website, Facebook Fan Page, Twitter and Flickr.
3. Social Media: On Monday, March 29th I will be speaking in Portland, OR at the social fresh Social Media Conference. I am absolutely thrilled to be doing this, not only to share my experiences, but also to meet some incredible people! Just to name a few:  @gwenpeake with Ford, @skydiver (Peter Shankman) with HARO, @foomanpdx with Nike, @waynesutton with Twine Interactive, @cspenn with Blue Sky Factory, @mattsingley with M80, @shaunacausey with Comcast, @lorelleonwp with Lorelle on WordPress - and last, but not least - Mr. Social Fresh himself, @jakrose Jason Keath. (Side Note: These are just  A FEW - there are so many I can't wait to meet!)

I'm hoping for a super productive and successful March! And I'm hoping that each and every one of you has the same:) CHEERS!

Stay Fitness Motivated

Good Morning! Only 7am, but I am up and full of life already.

As I was laying in bed, I couldn't help but think, "How can I help people get even more motivated to stick with their fitness routines?" And then I was reminded of two fabulous articles I have recently stumbled across. They worked for me, and I hope they will work for you as well!


Article 1: Runner's World - 101 Kicks in the Butt (by Calvin Hennick)
I will not list them all, but here were my most favorite:

1. "CREATE A BLOG where you post your daily mileage, then give out the Web address to your friends and family. Do you really want Aunt Ellen to ask why you skipped your four-miler on Wednesday?" (Side note: My Blog has kept me super motivated. It allows me to become "accountable" for my health, fitness and nutrition. I recommend blogger.com OR wordpress.com)
   
2. "GOOD-TO-GO PLAYLIST
   Country
   "Cocaine Blues," Johnny Cash
   "Ain't Going Down (Til the Sun Comes Up)," Garth Brooks
   "Wide Open Spaces," Dixie Chicks
   "Chasin' That Neon Rainbow," Alan Jackson
   "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," The Charlie Daniels Band" (Side Note: Yes, this playlist was from Mr. Hennick, BUT the point is that it's his playlist. Country, hip-hop, jazz, classical, pop - whatever it is that makes you move, create it! I am biased with this Country List, since I'm a total country girl. THANK YOU, Calvin, I will now add these songs into my own!)
3. "PAY YOURSELF. Set a price for attaining a certain weekly mileage goal. When you hit it, pay up. Keep your mileage money in a jar, and once it accumulates, buy yourself that new running jacket you've been ogling." (Side Note: I have now incorporated this into my life. I have saved various gift cards and money. When I reach a certain health, nutrition or fitness goal, I'll dig into my stash and buy me something new. Notice - I did not say, "I'll go get me an ice cream cone!")
4. "RUN FOR A REASON. Do a race for charity. Helping kids with diabetes or women with breast cancer makes it much easier to get out the door." (Side Note: Do anything for a reason. It will inspire you. I'm working on a couple "reasons" currently. One I am very passionate about is Ms. Ashley and her fight against MS. Check out what she's doing HERE.

You can find the entire list HERE at Runnersworld.com. Sign up for even more Runnersworld.com Inspirations HERE.

Article 2: Woman's Day - Lose that Weight for Good (by Denise Austin)
In the January, 2010 issue, Denise mentions 12 ways to Stay Motivated:

1.  Music is Key
2. Give yourself a No-Food Reward
3. Find a workout buddy
4. Put your workout clothes out the night before
5. Hang a Calendar where you can see when you eat/workout right
6. Pick a time of day to workout and stick with it
7. E-mail your workout log to a close friend each week
8. Slip on your workout clothes the night before
9. TV - watching ESPN while working out to see all the fit athletes
10. Make healthy foods look pretty
11. Keep a food log
12. Remind yourself that you'll always feel better after you exercise than you did before it (of if you skip it)
    

Click HERE to read the full list of these motivators.


My final thought for this Sunday morning on health, nutrition and fitness motivation is: "Because You are Worth It!"