Wild Card Wednesday

Welcome to another Wild Card Wednesday! 

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!

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."

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:

• "Also, an online acquaintance launched her ‘hire me’ campaign, #HireHoff, today. It’s such a creative way of putting yourself out there. I can’t wait to see the results!" - Amanda Miller
• Twitterview #92 - with Sarah Kay Hoffman (@SarahKayHoffman)
• "Attn. Hiring Managers ... When you see creativity like @sarahkayhoffman 's #hirehoffman campaign you should take action http://bit.ly/cmUWVX" - @socialnicole
• "This is good stuff RT @sarahkayhoffman: @josippetrusa @genychat #GenYChat tries Campaign #HireHoff Thoughts? http://bit.ly/hirehoff" - @GenYChat
• "U of Minnesota grad creates campaign around hiring her: http://www.digitalmention.com/hirehoff/ via LinkedIn group-- http://ow.ly/22hK0" - @wkellyo

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!"

Motivation Monday: 38 Ways to Beat Exercise Boredom

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

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!