5 #Mamavation Mondays

This week we are focusing on food swaps. Simple changes you can make in the kitchen that will make a big difference in the waist line. I encourage you to tweet about it all week and try to implement it in your daily life. You might even be able to sneak something by the kids or hubby this week without them knowing.

There are several books that have come out with this in mind. @Stacieinatlanta, one of our Mamavation Moms, just received Simple Swaps from the Biggest Loser and I have one by Hungry Girl and several Weight Watchers cook books. If you don't have a cookbook, get one. They are very useful in your weight loss journey.

Do you have any low-fat cookbooks that swap ingredients OR have alternative ways of spicing up a meal? I'd love to hear about them. I'd also love to hear about your favorite recipies, etc. What was good and what was NOT good, so we can all avoid.

If you are new to Mamavation, the Sistahood would love for you to join us! Tweet with us this week and come join us on MomTV!

Join in the fun with us today:

(1) Hit Mr. Linky down below so we know you support the Mamavation campaign
(2) Leave a comment on what you are going to do this week to live a healthy lifestyle.
(3) Tweet with us by using the hashtag #mamavation all day
(4) Join us for Mamavation on @MomTV at 7pm PST/10pm EST for an hour and support one another.
(5) Create your own Mamavation Post and talk about your diet/exercise last week as well as your experiences learning a healthy lifestyle.

Looking forward to seeing you tonight on @MomTV!!

0 @AlyssaBecthold #Mamavation November 28th Vlog

3 @AlyssaBecthold #Mamavation Post: Friday, November 27

Week Five is in the books and I survived Thanksgiving and an illness. Only two weeks left in this Mamavation campaign. The time has gone so fast; it just doesn’t seem possible that it all will be coming to an “official” close in a short amount of time. However, the lessons that I have learned and the changes in habits that occurred for me in the last month will last forever.

This week was extra tough to stay focused. I missed a few workouts and spent extra time resting. But, the more I rested, the more I wished I were more active. It was a terrible twist. Thanksgiving went okay at my mom’s. I kept to the plan of small portions with a kid-sized plate. I will be curious to see how Monday goes on the scale.

Thank you to our amazing sponsors for staying with us during this journey to personal health and positive state of mind. I can’t go a day without my Earth Footwear. I have become so accustomed to these shoes that I have a hard time wearing anything else. Everyone should try a pair of Earth Footwear to accelerate their calorie burning.

Thank you to EA SPORTS Active for the amazing workouts and support. Your programs are intense, but enjoyable at the same time. And, it keeps the children entertained watching me huff and puff in the living room!

Thank you to Smooth Fitness for the treadmill. Our interval running program on the treadmill is tough. But, the machine truly keeps me entertained the whole time. Plus, it reports my progress as I go and logs my profile. It’s as if it knows it me when I arrive. How cool is that.

Thank you to the amazing Mamavation team and sistahood. Not a day goes by that I am not appreciative of your gifts of time and talent.

As we close out the last few weeks, I challenge everyone to take a snapshot of the next month and focus on getting through the holidays in a healthy, active manner. Together, we will be here to support each other. I am living proof that this program can change lives.

3 Stacie's Thursday Confessional Vlog

3 Stacie's Mamavation Wednesday Post – What I am Thankful For

On the eve of Thanksgiving, this is a year for me that I am much more thankful than I have been in previous years. Or at least a little more forthcoming with my acknowledgments.

There is so much to be thankful for this year. So I am just going to list it all. I am feeling very philosophical and analyzing everything since the ordeal last Friday. There must be something about seeing a gun in your face, being robbed and laying face down on the ground that is making me really examine my life a little closer right now.

I am thankful for my children. These three wonderful children have changed my life in so many ways that I could spend the rest of my life explaining and most likely never finish. Their faces, their smiles, their laughter, their wicked sense of humor…just so many things that I love and adore about them.

I am thankful for my family. Slightly dysfunctional. Often funny. Never a dull moment. My family could be the subject of many books or movies. The same is true of my husband’s family.

I am thankful for Mamavation. This has been a life changing experience for me. It was a hard step to take and it is not that I don’t still struggle every day but the fact that so many people are on my side, cheering me on is so uplifting and motivational. I never want it to end. Mamavation has changed my life for the better.

I am thankful for my husband. He is usually last and only get the scraps of what I have to offer but he never tires of it. He is most amazing father and truly worthy of every ounce of adoration that his children bestow upon him. This guy works something like 80 hours a week, cleans house, dresses the kids and takes them to school every day so that he can spend a little time with them. What a wonderful man he is. I don’t tell him this nearly enough.

What are you thankful for?

3 @SmoothFitness: a great #Mamavation Sponsor

I have had my @SmoothFitness 6.45m treadmill for just over a week now and I am loving it! My custom interval training program on that beautiful machine gives me an incredible workout! In fact, last week alone I had my biggest weight loss yet and I attribute it to adding in the interval running (with my Earth Footwear!)

Also, I am training to have my best 5k time yet in a race in Spring. My treadmill has a 5k competition training feature on it that will put me through the paces right in my own basement!

Smooth Fitness is also offering incredible deals from Black Friday through Cyber Monday. Check out their website for savings like these:

5.45 treadmill - $699 (MSRP $1,497)
6.45 treadmill - $999 (MSRP $2,497)
3.7 elliptical - $1,299 (MSRP $2,297)

Here's a peak at my Thanksgiving morning with my very own treadmill from Smooth Fitness!

0 Win the New Exer-Walk from Earth Footwear

Would you like to win the same pair of shoes the "Change Your Body in 30 Days" Moms wore? Earth Footwear choose several "digital moms" to test drive the new Exer-Walk before it's release. Here are the moms who participated: @extraordmommy, @Craftymamaof4, @mombloggersclub, @JylMomIF, @Banteringblonde, @frelle, @picklesugarplum, & @Shash. Every mom had rave reviews of the product.

Earth Footwear is giving away 3 pairs of Exer-Walk, the same shoe that helps you burn more calories with every step:

Here is how to enter:
1. Go to the Earth Footwear Facebook Fan Page and answer this question: How does wearing Earth Footwear help you to be healthy? (If you don't have Earth Footwear, answer this question: How do you burn more calories during the holidays?)
2. Fill out your information on this form.

And to really show Earth Footwear the love, tweet this: "I wanna burn more calories this holiday with the Exer-Walk from @EarthFootwear, http://bit.ly/4vHw4Z"

Here's what @MomRN said about her Exer-Walk:
"I'm a believer in the power of Exer-Walk! More calories burned and no extra time at the gym equals one very happy and healthy me!"

And here is what @Banteringblonde said about her Exer-Walk:
"I was a little skeptical at first, but I've been wearing Earth Exer-Walk now for 30 days. I was really surprised when I took my measurements and realized I'd lost 2 inches in my hips!"

Join these moms and get a leg up on the holiday!

Discount: If you are interested in purchasing Earth Footwear, PlanetShoes.com is providing a discount on all Earth Footwear in their inventory. Use discount code "chrismom" for 15% off till December 31st.

3 @AlyssaBecthold #Mamavation November 24th Vlog

4 #Mamavation Mondays

Welcome to Mamavation. Mamavation is a social media experiment and weight loss campaign that supports moms as they learn to live a healthy lifestyle. We have two Mamavation Moms that get the full support and encouragement of the team: Alyssa Becthold & Stacie Connerty. We also have a phenomenal "Sistahood" comprised of a group of moms that are trying to lose weight and bring home healthy habits to their family. The "Sistahood" supports each other and everyone else interacting with the campaign.

Mamavation Mondays are the day that everyone associated with the campaign writes a "Mamavation Monday" post on their blog keeping us all updated on their progress. It's also a day when we tweet and get together for a MomTV show.

Tonight and throughout the day we are discussing Thanksgiving and the holidays. What to eat on Thanksgiving day. What to do during the holidays. How to get through the holidays without gaining weight. Dr. Renna, our Mamavation Nutritional Doctor, will be joining us for some tips.

Join in the fun with us today:

(1) Hit Mr. Linky down below so we know you support the Mamavation campaign
(2) Leave a comment on what you are going to do this week to live a healthy lifestyle.
(3) Tweet with us by using the hashtag #mamavation all day
(4) Join us for Mamavation on @MomTV at 7pm PST/10pm EST for an hour and support one another.
(5) Create your own Mamavation Post and talk about your diet/exercise last week as well as your experiences learning a healthy lifestyle.

Looking forward to seeing you tonight on @MomTV!!

5 Stacie's Sunday Confessional Vlog

4 @AlyssaBecthold #Mamavation November 21st Vlog

4 @AlyssaBecthold's Friday Post

Another week down – can you believe we have been doing this for a month together? A month! And all our hard work is starting to pay off.

Significant, noticeable changes are occurring inside and out. The biggest thing I am experiencing is an almost panic if I don’t get to exercise. My body is starting to crave the physical activity again. Finally! I have waited a very long time for these feelings to show up again! Thank you to the Mamavation team for helping bring them back. If it wasn’t for your encouragement, it wouldn’t be happening.

Also, thank you to our amazing sponsors that make this campaign possible. Thank you to Earth Footwear and to EA SPORTS Active. You have given me the strength and confidence to get moving in a forward direction. I will never forget the role you have played in my journey. Also, thank you to Smooth Fitness for your donation to my positive personal health with your amazing treadmill.

Two important phrases have been running circles in my mind this week. I will talk about each one individually.

The first one is, “Mind over Mattress.” If you go back and review my Bookieboo.com daily food and exercise logs, I have yet to get up and exercise in the mornings, which was a personal goal for the week. Why? Because of the darn “snooze” button. I have the same excuses as everyone. The baby is up half the night. I am up working late. I am sick and tired. Perhaps, my team of supporters can help me to be disciplined and clear-minded these last few weeks to fight the “Mind over Mattress” battle and get out of bed and get my exercise done in the morning. This will give me more time at night with my family. Who’s with me?

Second phrase is “Everything in Moderation.” Some would say this phrase is an untruth, especially when dieting. Others will rely on the phrase as a way to let you off the hook when you slip up now and then and grab a bit of the sweets. Is this the same thing as saying, “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” or “Don’t major in minor things?” I would like to hear more opinion on this topic because I did have a few food slips this week. Nothing that would create tidal waves, but also these slips were not listed on my nutrition plan by Dr. Renna.

For example, I had a small portion of a pumpkin bar at a holiday party. I had a craving and I went for it. Perfection is really hard to maintain. So, it seems that if you eat some things in moderation, you are less likely to fall off the wagon and end up binge eating.

We only have a few weeks of the official campaign together – but I know that this bond will last a lifetime. I hope each and every one of you have a weekend filled with quality time for yourself. Take a few moments to reflect on your goals for personal health and positive state of mind.

6 Mamavation Wednesday from Stacie

I am thinking that perhaps I need a serenity prayer. Not the usual one though. More like a little strength to not over-indulge on the cruise this weekend. Do they have one of those?

Every time I mention the Disney cruise I am going on, most people say "Oh you will love the food" or "Wait until you see all of the food."

It's making me nervous. Why isn't anyone saying "Wait until you see that fitness center" or "You will be surprised at how great a late night walk feels." Those are the kind of things I want to hear. Those are the kind of things I need to hear.

I really have checked out the fitness facilities online and looked at the track on one of the decks. I looked at all of the activities available and realized that this is an amazing opportunity. This should be really fun. I am really looking forward to it.

Everyone in my family is a little sick right now so I am feeling a little guilt about even getting away for a few days. But I am a little sick too so I figure that it all evens out. I have almost lost my voice.

I think that it is that change in the weather thing we have going on here in Georgia. It is getting a little colder. I may have to find my winter jacket. Well, actually it is more like a heavy sweater. I don't really own a winter jacket.

I went to an event last night and have another event tonight. As usual, I have overscheduled the heck out of myself. So I am and always will be running around like a chicken with my head cut off.

Time to get a little sleep.

4 Stacie's Thursday Confessional Video

3 @AlyssaBecthold #Mamavation November 17th Vlog: Working out with @TraceyMallett

8 #Mamavation Mondays

(Make sure to come to our MomTV Show tonight at 7pm PST/10pm EST for a chance to win an EA SPORTS Active "More Workouts") "More Workouts" will be available in stores on Tuesday, November 17th!!!

Tonight we are celebrating our relationship with the EA SPORTS Active and giving away a "More Workouts" during the MomTV show tonight. But you gotta be there to win!

Join in the fun with us today:

(1) Hit Mr. Linky down below so we know you support the Mamavation campaign
(2) Leave a comment on what you are going to do this week to live a healthy lifestyle.
(3) Tweet with us by using the hashtag #mamavation all day
(4) Join us for Mamavation on @MomTV at 7pm PST/10pm EST for an hour and support one another.
(5) Create your own Mamavation Post and talk about your diet/exercise last week as well as your experiences learning a healthy lifestyle.

Looking forward to seeing you tonight on @MomTV!!

2 @AlyssaBecthold #Mamavation Vlog: November 14

5 @AlyssaBecthold Mamavation Post: We Can Do This!

As we bring week three of Mamavation to a close, I am so thankful for the new faces and changes that have entered my life. So many of you have become so important to me in such a short amount of time, that now I wonder how I ever lived without you.

Thank you to Earth Footwear for hanging out with me every waking hour of everyday. You have become a permanent fixture in my life and I count on you for constant reminders of my goal with every step I take.

Thank you to EA SPORTS Active for constantly kicking my butt into gear. I enjoy our time together, even though it is a bit of a love/hate relationship.

This week has been more of a mental challenge and that is where having a support system becomes so critical to success. You can follow the plan to the letter, do your workouts, eat right and sometimes your body goes through a stall for a few days. I am in a transition and my body is sensing it.

Some days I think I may not be eating quite enough food to keep my metabolism moving fast enough. Thankfully, I have an awesome Mamavation team that is keeping close track of my progress and helping me make adjustments along the way. I trust them completely. They are the experts.

I know what I am good at and I know where my weaknesses are. Surround yourself with strengths. That is a lesson I learned years ago as I was beginning my career. You will go further in life if you surround yourself with people you can learn from, they will move you forward.

To recap this week, it’s been a week of challenges and celebrations. The funeral of a close friend taken from us too soon. A birthday party for my little girl turning six-years-old. The circle of life.

And in the end, I realize this is our one and only chance to get this right. I am so proud to be here with each and every one of you.

As we begin our last month together in this Mamavation campaign, let’s vow to make it the best one yet!

We can do this together.

3 Stacie's Thursday Confessional Vlog

First, let me apologize. I did not even do a vlog on Sunday. I completely forgot. I am so sorry! I am working on something with my kids that I will post soon.

12 Weekly Wednesday Post from Stacie

Gosh, this thing is hard.

This weight loss and lifestyle change. All day I rush, rush, rush around to do all of the things that I need to do. Well I do most of the things that I need to do. There simply isn't enough time to do all of the things that I need to do. Inevitably a few things get pushed to the next day. It happens. These are the same things that then get pushed to the day after that.

Before Mamavation, most of the time it was exercise. Time for myself. The time to make food which allows me to make healthier choices. A little reflection each day on how the day was.

Nowadays, I am actually trying much harder to fit these things into each day rather than pushing them off another day. So far so good although there are days when I slip up. When it is so easy to revert back to old habits. Creating new habits is hard work. Exercise is hard work. Weight loss is hard work.

Every day it seems to get a little easier. All of these changes become...well a habits. My life is changing everyday. For the better.

There are still struggles. Very often it is the end of the day and all I want to do is veg out in front of the tv. Or play on the Internet. Tweet people. Be witty. But instead, I exercise. I plan my food for the next day. I sit back and think, "I am freakin' doing it! YEAH!"

I was one of those people for a long time who just waited for tomorrow. Put off so many things because I thought that it was not worth the effort. Or I didn't have the energy. I am here to tell you that it is. It is worth the effort.If I can do this, anyone can.

Until next week...

A special thanks to:

@EarthFootwear, the people who are toning my legs with their fabulous shoes,
EA Sports Active, the program that is causing me to "feel the burn on pretty much a daily basis,"
and the Smooth Fitness people who will soon be invading my living room!

5 @AlyssaBecthold #Mamavation November 10th Vlog: Meet @Mariah808

2 Mamavation Monday Live Giveaway on 11/16/2009 - EA SPORTS Active More Workouts

You've watched the show.
You've chatted with the Mamavation Moms.
You've cheered us on.

Now it's your chance to win a little something in return. Actually it's a big something.

Next week, live on the Mamavation Monday MomTV show we will be giving away the brand new game from EA SPORTS, the EA SPORTS Active More Workouts. You probably have heard of the EA SPORTS Active. You may have seen the tweets. You might have tried the 30 Day Challenge. Now you get a chance to try the brand new game that will be released on November 17th, 2009.

The EA SPORTS Active More Workouts allows you to:

Keep going on your journey towards better health with EA SPORTS Active More Workouts, the next iteration from the EA SPORTS Active franchise, the proven fitness alternative for the Nintendo Wii. Stay motivated, with over 35 all new exercises and fitness activities that will challenge you and help you obtain results. With all-new cool down/warm up stations, abdominal exercises and a 6 Week Challenge EA SPORTS Active More Workouts is a full body, complete workout experience and a great addition to the EA SPORTS Active family.

Join us next week for our first live giveaway of the EA SPORTS Active More Workouts. Please RSVP on the linky below and attend the show on Monday, November 16, 2009. You must be present to win!! Oh yeah and you kinda need a Wii to use the game.

EA SPORTS Active is one of the fabulous sponsors of the Mamavation campaign.

8 #Mamavation Mondays

Everyone hates Mondays, including me. In fact, I spend the entire day saying "looks like a case of the Mondays" (Office Space reference...just in case you don't know). That's exactly why I put Mamavation on Monday--to remind myself to stay focused on a day when I'm barely registering my coffee in the morning. If this sounds like you too, we have a lot in common.

In my weight loss journey, I've found that I'm more successful when I recommit myself to my goals. So I do this on Mondays. Mondays are also a day where the Mamavation family recommits to a healthy lifestyle. We would love for you to join with us today. Here is how you can join in the fun:

(1) Hit Mr. Linky down below so we know you support the Mamavation campaign
(2) Leave a comment on what you are going to do this week to live a healthy lifestyle.
(3) Tweet with us by using the hashtag #mamavation
(4) Join us for Mamavation on @MomTV at 7pm PST/10pm EST for an hour and support one another.
(5) Create your own Mamavation Post and talk about your diet/exercise last week as well as your experiences learning a healthy lifestyle.

Looking forward to seeing you tonight on @MomTV!!

3 @AlyssaBecthold #Mamavation November 7th Confessional Vlog

4 @AlyssaBecthold Mamavation Post: I'm Alive

This week, I started to take down the Halloween decorations from my house, I came across and flipped one of my calendars that was still stuck on “October”…stuck in the past. As I turned the calendar to November and glanced at the dates, my mind starting wandering to all the activities planned for this month. One thing led to another and before I knew it, I was reflecting on Thanksgiving and my own personal blessings. While it is a few weeks too early to truly be a “Thanksgiving” post, it is never too early to do a little blessing counting Mamavation-style.

It goes without saying that hours turn to days and days turn to weeks and life gets so busy that before we know it, we’ve gone too long without thanking the people in our lives and giving credit where credit is due.

One thing I learned after undergoing a life-altering medical procedure a few months ago was to never wait to tell people how you feel about them. This year, I count Mamavation and the changes brought to my life among the top of the list.

The sponsors of Mamavation, Earth Footwear and EA SPORTS Active, have positively impacted my life tremendously in the last two weeks alone. So, thank you.

Thank you to the team of leaders behind Mamavation for taking on my countless questions. Thank you, thank you.

To the community of supporters cheering us on, counting on us and believing in us – what a difference you make in our daily lives. Thank you and please don’t go away. I only hope that one day you will call on us to repay the favor. I will be there for you, too.

But let’s get real before I close this post. This campaign is not a walk in the park. It’s tough to be exposed, to have our lives unfold in front of the world everyday. And the more honest you are, the tougher it is. But, we rise and fall as a team.

However, it is rewarding to learn and grow and change for the greater good. And that is what we are doing…together. I see it happening and I can feel it in my bones and I am most proud to have made it this far. Mamavation is about change and it is designed for success. The best IS yet to come. Let’s stay focused on the prize: personal health and positive state of mind!

I find inspiration and reflection in words and music. Perhaps that’s because I’m a writer by trade. Regardless, there is a popular country song out on the charts right now that kind of sums up how I feel about my life and I want to share the lyrics with you:

I’m Alive by Kenny Chesney
So damn easy to say that life's so hard
Everybody's got their share of battle scars
As for me I'd like to thank my lucky stars that
I'm alive and well

It'd be easy to add up all the pain
And all the dreams you've sat and watch go up in flames
Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain
But not me... I'm alive

And today you know that's good enough for me
Breathing in and out's a blessing can't you see
Today's the first day of the rest of my life
And I'm alive and well
I'm alive and well

Stars are dancin' on the water here tonight
It's good for the soul when there's not a soul in sight
This motor's caught its wind and brought me back to life
Now I'm alive and well

And today you know that's good enough for me
Breathing in and out's a blessing can't you see
Today's the first day of the rest of my life
Now I'm alive and well
Yeah I'm alive and well

1 @JylMomIF Whrrls Her Way with @EarthFootwear

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6 Change Your Body in 30 Days and Earth Footwear's Exer Walk Shoes

My name is Jennifer, and a lot of people know me as @frelle on twitter.  I am new to the BookieBoo site, and wanted to post about how I got  involved with Mamavation.

I first met Leah, known as BookieBoo, on MomTV during the Chicks Keep Chatting show.  I met her in person at the TypeAMom Conference in September in Asheville, NC.  We had a short but memorable conversation about changing little things bit by bit in my life to help make my goal of getting more fit and eating better a reality.

I was not involved in thefirst round of Mamavation, but it caught my interest.  I submitted a video for the current round of Mamavation, but I was not one of the moms selected.  I have started my own fitness program and have been very committed to it for several weeks. Still being involved with the ladies at BookieBoo, I was recently chosen to be a part of the Earth Footwear "Change Your Body in 30 Days" program!


My sweet friend and BookieBoo editor/cheerleader Jen over at Savor The Thyme attended the Mamavation twitter party the night the winners of the Mamavation contest were announced, and she won a pair of Earth Footwear shoes. I don't know if there was a conspiracy with BookieBoo afoot, but  she chose to give them to me as a gift, hoping that they would help in my weight loss efforts! Can you imagine?! I was floored!

When BookieBoo found out that I had been given the shoes as a gift, she asked if I would be interested in being part of the Change Your Body in 30 Days program. I will be wearing these fantastic, sleek looking Earth Footwear Exer-Fit walking shoes for 30 days!  I'll be tweeting occasionally as well as blogging at day 15 and day 30 about the results I am seeing and opinions I have about them.

The Earth Footwear site has this to say about their innovative Exer-Walk shoes:
"Kalsø® Negative Heel Technology®

The most defining feature of Earth footwear is Kalsø® Negative Heel Technology® – a unique inclined sole that positions the toes 3.7º higher than the heels. The slight angle shifts weight subtly back over the heels, and can help strengthen and tone the body while also burning calories.

Anatomic Arch Support

To complement Kalsø® Negative Heel Technology®, all Earth footwear features reinforced support through the arch. The arch support maximizes the effectiveness of the heel design in promoting a natural walking motion.

BioFoam™ Cushioning

Inside all Earth footwear, a form-fitting footbed provides exceptional comfort with BioFoam™ cushioning. The proprietary material molds to the shape of the foot, displacing and absorbing shock with each step, and is environmentally-considerate, using 70% recycled content."

And finally.. the technology and the research behind the Negative Heel Technology®.

Thank you again to Leah, to Jen, and to Earth Footwear for providing me with the tools as well as the encouragement to reach my goals!

5 Mamavation Thursday Confessional from Stacie

4 BanteringBlonde ~ "Halloween Candy Doesn't Scare Me!"

Mamavation guest post: "Change your Body in 30 days" challenger, Fiona Bryan blogs at BanteringBlonde and MomActive.

I fell in love with Earth Footwear a few months ago just before the Type-A Mom Conference.  I purchased a pair of the Kalso light shoes because my buddy Leah from Bookieboo swore they were comfy and that I'd burn calories just by wearing them.  I'm an exercise freak but if I can tone and burn calories just by wearing a pair of shoes?   I'm all over it!  I was skeptical though.  I've spent a gazillion dollars on the ugliest MBT shoes you've ever seen, simply because my skinny minnie gal friends wear them.  Honestly, I don't think they did much for me except that I did feel mighty tall in them.

So, you can imagine my surprise when I felt totally SORE after working out with Tracey Mallet and Leah at Type A Mom Conference Earth Footwear booth.  Keep in mind that I'm a strong girl that hits the gym hard consistently.  A fluke, perhaps ... or not?

I was totally excited when Earth Footwear contacted me and asked if I'd like to participate in the "Change your Body in 30 days" program.  Who doesn't want to change their body?

They sent me a pair of the new Exer-Walk shoe that will be released to the public in January.  (They "sent me" means FREE, just in case you are the FTC) It is a nice enough shoe - designed with the patented negative heel technology.  It's a little heavier than the Kalso that I like so much but it's a comfortable enough shoe.  I didn't truly appreciate this shoe until today.... when I weighed in at Weight Watchers.... the week after Halloween.  Halloween is a chocolate infested holiday that holds my sweet-tooth hostage for a good week every year.  This year was no different and I fully expected to weigh in with a gain today.  BUT.... I neither gained nor lost and let me tell you friends, that is a victory!

I've been wearing my Exer-Walks for almost two weeks now and had definitely been noticing my glutes and inner thighs feeling a bit tighter.  I wasn't giving them any credit for calorie burning though because it all seemed a little "black magic" to me.  I'm sold now though, because this weekend we were in the mountains doing our usual activity (we are active, keep in mind) and I wore my Exer-walks most of the weekend.... while shoving Twix, Snickers, and Milkyway chocolate into my trap for three days straight (not that there was any candy in the house earlier in the week ...).  Honestly, I should have gained weight this weekend and I normally would have gained.  When I weighed in today with my jeans and winter gear I still hadn't gained a single pound.  I was exactly the same weight I was last week.  Phew....  so, do I think it is because I burned 4 times more calories, as Earth Footwear claims?  I have no other explanation.  It has to be the shoes.  So, is my body changing two weeks in to a 30 day program?  I have to say yes, despite the chocolate train that threw me off track, I do think that wearing the Exer-Walk every day has made a difference.  I do feel that my legs are toning and for sure, I feel my glutes are tighter.  I'm a runner so I've only actually exer-walked three times in these shoes on the treadmill, but even just wearing them in my daily life has definitely made a difference.

8 Needing to Pick Myself Up Today - Stacie's Weekly Post

It has been a good but trying 12 days so far. I have lost over 12 pounds from the time that I first applied to Mamavation. I am excited. I feel better (for the most part) My watch and ring are a little loose. Woo hoo!

I am also thrilled for Alyssa who is doing very well. I like having two moms in Mamavation. It doesn't at all feel like a competition but it feels as if we are working together. I get her struggles. I am sure that she gets mine.

I have been working hard to get the nutrition plan down but I still have to refer to it everyday. My next step is to change more of my family dynamic. It seems that I only see the rest of my family around food. We meet for dinner. We go out for birthdays. Aren't other families like this? I am not sure what else to do with my extended family. I will have to think on that one. Sad isn't it?

I am feeling pretty down today and I am thinking that it is because the change in the weather. Not exactly sure. Maybe S.A.D. I will have to make certain that I take my depression medication at the same time on a daily basis and not skip a day (I tend to forget at least once or twice a week).

I work from home and my husband works long hours. Very often the only adult interaction that I have during the day is the wave to the carpool lady or with the people on the tv. It is true! Stand outside my house one day and you may here me yelling at the television or rather the people on it.

My goal for the next week is to get to the gym. We joined the Y over two years ago and I have not worked out there once. If I can lay it all out there for you guys, I should be able to do it to go to the gym. They even have FREE childcare. I think that just the act of getting out of the house will make me feel a little better.

Exercise was a total struggle today because of my attitude. I know that it's me. I did it but I wasn't really that into it. I did not work as hard as I could have.

I guess what I am most annoyed about is that I should have told you guys today. I am horrible about asking for help. It is so easy just to slide back under the covers and not see the outside world.

I should have jumped on Twitter and said the words: "I NEED HELP. I need some love today. Feeling down." But I didn't do that. This won't happen again.

Tomorrow is another day and I am determined to wake up with a better attitude. Or at least drink a ton of caffeine.

P.S. If you guys are not wearing @EarthFootwear yet, you seriously should be. And EA Sports Active?? Get it.

1 @EarthFootwear Change Your Body in 30 Days Campaign

Earth Footwear loved meeting "digital moms" so much at the Type A Conference, they decided to create a special social media campaign with moms in mind in preparation of the Exer-Walk launch in January. I've been helping Earth Footwear create a cast of everyday moms to try out their Exer-Walk, their newest athletic shoe. The Exer-Walk won't be released till January, but 10 moms have received a preview shoe straight from the factory to try out for 30 days. Hence, the Change your Body in 30 Days campaign.

Moms selected by Earth Footwear for the "Change Your Body in 30 Days" campaign will be featured on Mamavation as they test drive the new Exer-Walk. All Earth Footwear have the Kalso Negative Heel Technology which allows for you to go about your everyday life and burn 4x the fat than a normal shoe. Earth Footwear is great for moms because they can wear them and go about their day. The shoes do the work for you.

Here are our participants:

1.) Danielle Smith, @Extraordmommy
2.) Jyl Pattee, @JylMomIF
3.) Jennifer James, @mombloggersclub
4.) Kim Janocko, @craftymamaof4
5.) Fiona Bryan, @banteringblonde
6.) Shari Keating, @shash
7.) Jennifer Huffstedtler, @frelle
8.) Ali Rehan, @picklesugarplum
9.) Tamara Walker, @MomRN
10.) Karis Bellisario, @Kariscm

When you get a chance, tweet with these moms and ask them how their experiences with the new Exer-Walk have been. And make sure to join us for the 12/1 #gno party to celebrate the launch of Earth Footwear's new Exer-Walk in January.

6 @AlyssaBecthold #Mamavation November 3rd Confessional Vlog

7 #Mamavation Mondays

So you got through Halloween? Did you do well OR did you overdue it? Or was it somewhere in between? Regardless of what your answer is, it doesn't matter.

Mamavation is about the here and now...we are unconcerned with what you did in the past. Today is a new day. Don't beat yourself up. Move forward.

Our "Sistsahood" in the #Mamavation hashtag on Twitter are here to offer you support. Get in there and let us know how we can be a sista to you as we all try and live a healthy lifestyle. We would love for you to come along for the ride with us today. Here is how you can participate:

(1) Hit Mr. Linky down below so we know you support the Mamavation campaign
(2) Leave a comment on what you are going to do this week to live a healthy lifestyle.
(3) Tweet about the healthy things you are planning on doing this week using #mamavation
(4) Join us for Mamavation on @MomTV at 7pm PST/10pm EST for an hour and support one another and ask questions of our experts, Tracey Mallett & Mary Ellen Renna, M.D., and Dr. Loretta.
(5) Create your own Mamavation Post and talk about your diet/exercise last week as well as your experiences learning a healthy lifestyle.

Looking forward to seeing you tonight on @MomTV!!

8 Mamavation Video Confessional - November 1st