14 Days to Slim

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Slimfast, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #14daystoslim http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV.

Many of you who read my blog know that I've been working really hard to lose weight and get in shape over the past few months.  Not only have I been counting calories, but I've worked really hard to hit the gym as much as possible.  I've had great results - so far, I'm down about 15 pounds!  More importantly, I feel so much more comfortable in my own body.

Like any diet, this one has required hard work.  Do you guys ever feel like you've kind of hit a wall after dieting for awhile?  I was there a few weeks ago.  I definitely needed something to knock me back into the game.

I've used Slimfast products before and had great success.  They are such an easy way to stay on the right track with your diet when you lead a busy life.  Not only are their products delicious, but they help cut calories and maintain a balanced diet.

So imagine how excited I was to receive this a few weeks ago...

What a fun early birthday present!  This definitely inspired me - after receiving this, my goal, from the beginning of June, was to lose 10 pounds by my birthday (July 15th).  

So far, my secret weapon for this last part of the diet has been the Slimfast 14-Day Slimdown.  It's super easy - replace 2 meals a day with a Slimfast bar or shake.  Eat 3 small (100 calorie) snacks a day, eat a sensible (500 calorie) dinner, and get plenty of water/exercise.  Nothing extreme or crazy at all.  You can lose up to 6 pounds in the first 14 days with this plan!

I've been using the new Have Your Cake... Vanilla Slimfast bars for lunch each day.  Y'all - no lie - these taste just like birthday cake.  Really.  Each bar is only 180 calories and has great vanilla cake, frosting, and sprinkles.  I actually look forward to lunch each day!  And, unlike other meal replacements I've tried, these bars control hunger wonderfully.  

They're great to take on-the-go - if we're out running errands or at the pool, it's so easy to fit lunch in. No prep and no mess.

To make the plan even easier, I made a little "cheat sheet" to keep up with what I'm doing each day.  If you'd like to download the .pdf to print your own copy of this, click here or click the graphic below!

This has been the best way for me to keep up with the Slimdown each day.  As I eat a meal, snack, or drink water, I check it off in the box for that day.  

 

The plan recommends getting 30 minutes of exercise per day - but, honestly, there are days that I just can't fit it in.  So, instead, I shoot for doing 3 1/2 hours of exercise a week.  So, if I get an hour in 1 day and can't get to the gym the next, that's ok!

Using this checklist has made an easy plan even easier.  And obviously the plan is working - as of Friday (12 days into the plan), I was down 4.2 pounds!  If I'm being honest, that's even with cheating for a meal or two. :)

If you'd like more info on Slimfast's 14-Day Slimdown, click here - there's a great deal on their Slimbox through Groupon over at this site (I'll definitely be taking advantage of it).   You can also check out their Facebook page or Pinterest page for more info!

Quality You Can Trust (Without the Quality Price)

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kroger® Private Selection® for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Y'all probably know that I am a huge fan of a great deal in the grocery store.  I love to find quality products at a great price, but sometimes that can be a lot of work...searching weekly ads, clipping coupons, even combining coupons for the best deal.



I was so excited to find a product that takes out all of the work, but still ensures a great product.  Enter Kroger® Private Selection® products!  This a premium line of meats, cheeses, baking/cooking ingredients, and bakery items that Kroger® has recently rolled out.  You can get the quality of a premium line without paying the premium price!

With Kroger® Private Selection® products, you can spend less time chasing down the best deal at the grocery store, and more time preparing great meals for family and friends.  That's important year-round, but especially this time of the year, when time is at a premium too.  Don't trade that precious time - let Kroger® do the work for you!



You can find your nearest Kroger® location here: Store Locator.  These products are also available at many of Kroger's® affiliated stores, including Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Fry’s, Gerbes, Pay Less, QFC, JayC, King Soopers, Owen’s, Ralphs, Smith’s and Fred Meyer.

Like Private Selection on Facebook and Follow Private Selection on Pinterest to get the latest updates on their product line!

Kroger® Private Selection® is hosting a "Culinary Creations" sweepstakes, where one lucky winner will receive a new Viking range, WUSTHOF 26 piece knife set, 10-­‐piece Culinary Arts cookware set, and a $1,000 Kroger® Family of Stores Gift Card!

Click here to check out the giveaway. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Must be at least 18 years old and a legal resident of the 50 United States and D.C., (except FL, NY and RI). Subject to Full Official Rules. Game ends on 11/14/13. Full rules available here: Sweepstakes Rules