Lunch with Jared at Subway

Those pants have a 58" waist

Mrs. Bookieboo and I had the opportunity to have lunch with Jared Fogle “The Subway Guy” this past week. We dined at (are you ready for it . . .) Subway, of course. When Bookieboo first told me about the opportunity to meet Jared you should have seen me – I was as giddy as a kid on Christmas morning. Forget about meeting Brad Pitt, Tom Brady, or Kate Beckinsale (ok, Kate might trump this experience) I was going to meet Jared! Everybody knows and loves Jared.

We arrived at the Subway off Kanan Road in Agoura Hills, CA – ironically, the town I grew up and went to high school in (Go Chargers!!!). As I walked in the door I was pleasantly greeted by one of my favorite smells – fresh Subway bread baking in the oven. The store itself was exactly what I’ve come to expect from Subway – clean, relaxing and friendly. Jared showed up a few minutes after we arrived and we sat down to enjoy our lunch.

After introductions Jared gave us a brief synopsis of his story. Let me tell you upfront – it is even more inspiring hearing it in person. Jared talked about his lifelong struggle with his weight and the steps that he has taken over the past 13 years to stay healthy. He said that deep down he always knew what he should and shouldn’t be doing but just made poor choices. Most of his poor eating decisions were made outside the house – something that I can totally relate to.

Jared telling his story

Jared also offered some advice that should be very familiar to anyone who has been a part of Mamavation. He emphasized portion control as being critical to weight loss success adding that “you have to be smarter than the menu”. Once you understand and control what you are putting in your body everything else will fall into place.

Of course, Jared’s go-to restaurant is Subway. Since he travels over 200 days a year it can be very challenging to eat healthy. With over 36,000 restaurants in 96 countries there is a pretty good chance there is always a Subway nearby. Combined with the fact that Subway has been a  pioneer in providing healthy food choices for well over a decade makes it an easy win when dining.

As I sat and talked with Jared I reflected on my own personal journey to healthy living. The things that he was saying resonated with many of my own experiences. The reality is that it is not easy to make the “right” choices especially when it comes to eating. There are many temptations and obstacles that stand in the way of our healthy goals. Achieving your goals requires constant effort on your part but in the end it is so worth it.

Eat to live as opposed to living to eat – Jared

Remember  it’s FebruANYTM  at Subway – Any regular Footlong Sub is just $5 February 1st – 29th. Head on over to Subway today.

Bookieboo with Jared

uiuiuiu

 

Giveaway:

1. $25 Subway gift card

2. $10 Subway gift cards (3 winners)

 

To Enter (Leave one comment for EACH entry):
1. Tweet this message (1 entry per tweet, 30 tweets max.)


Want 2 see Pic of @bookieboo in @thejaredfogle’s pants? @Subwayfreshbuzz giveaway compliments of @MrBookieboo, http://bit.ly/y9LIhw

2. Share on Facebook (1 entry)
4. Leave a message on Facebook Wall of  Subway saying how you loved seeing Leah Segedie in Jared’s pants (2 entries)
5. Join Bookieboo.com (5 entries, new members only)

Winners will be selected by Random.org on Feb. 29th and contacted via twitter. Please leave your twitter name in order for me to get in contact with you. If you do NOT leave your twitter name and you are selected, I will need to select another. Good luck!

Mamavation Two Week Challenge Campaign 6 – Feb 13th-26th

Back by popular demand Mamavation is pleased to announce the 6th Two Week Challenge. Participants have lost an astonishing 519 pounds and 385 inches over 5 campaigns. The results speak for themselves – join the growing movement today!

To participate in the 6th Mamavation Two Week Challenge here is what you need to do:

1) Hit the linky below, include your Twitter ID, and don’t forget to leave a comment after linking

2) If you are interested in the giveaway CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THIS FORM

3) Tweet at @MrBookieboo and let him know that you are joining the Mamavation Two Week Challenge. Important: use the hashtags #Mamavation and #2WeekChallenge

4) Register at www.bookieboo.com if you haven’t already

5) Print out the two-week challenge:

Beginner Workout

Advanced Workout

6) Report your status to @MrBookieboo daily. Use the hashtag #2WeekChallenge along with #Mamavation

Participants who successfully complete the two-week challenge will be entered into a drawing to receive:

Grand Prize: $100 Visa gift card (1 winner)

Runner-up: $50 Visa gift card (2 winners)

Note – in order to be eligible for the drawing you must tweet the completion of every workout to @mrbookieboo

Winners will be selected using random.org at the end of the Two Week Challenge.

Hit the linky below if you would like to sign up!

Two Week Challenge Campaign 5 Wrap-up

Can you believe we have finished the 5th Mamavation Two Week Challenge? It feels like it was just yesterday when I sat down with Bookieboo and developed the initial ideas for the challenge. Even more remarkable is all of the hard work and dedication of all of the participants. 63 people finished this last campaign and collectively lost 160 pounds and 138 inches!

The total loss over 5 campaigns is an amazing 519 pounds and 385 inches!!

The results speak for themselves – the Mamavation community is an amazing place filled with individuals that support and help one another. Best of all – we are just getting started.

The next Two Week Challenge will start on February 13th. Watch Mamavation.com and my twitter stream or more details.

Here are the winners of the 5th Mamavation Two Week Challenge:

Grand Prize: @jweaver05

Runner up 1: @kimtraceyprince

Runner Up 2: @mommayoung

If you are a winner please contact Shelly (@momma_oz) to claim your prize.

Finally, here are the individuals that completed the 5th Mamavation Two Week Challenge:

@amberlou24

@andreaemilien

@april_in_nola

@aries_mommy

@beeacutie2

@blahblahblah410

@bookieboo

@creativekristi

@dee2849

@earlylitmama

@enforcermom

@eva_smith

@ff12a

@ginalaguardia

@highimpactmom

@hornets_darlin

@insightsbyapril

@irishred02

@itsmusictime

@jeanae

@jollytomato

@jweaver05

@karasw16

@kimtraceyprince

@kimworld

@kittenbritches

@krissy_r

@lindsayblogs

@lisamc7

@madhattermom

@mamasarahjane

@marydrazic

@meggankate

@melissavroon

@miacupcake

@modestprincessa

@momma_oz

@mommayoung

@Mommycanrun

@monicazyoung

@mrbookieboo

@mrsjpt7

@mybaybah

@naptime

@nccarterfamily

@nichols0907

@nichole_johnson

@notimemom

@ohiocatfish

@poniabaum

@ronaleeakarose

@sarahdeveau

@seelaurarun

@shawnmh

@taless

@taraburner

@themorrisbunch

@tink4everbell

@tinkebell0625

@tishamarie

@way2gomom

@wideloadroad

 

 

Love Me Some Shoes Earth Review & Giveaway

(Disclosure: I am employed by Earth Footwear as their “Earth Mom.” I work as their spokesperson, create social media strategies, and assist in implementing those strategies. I’m not sort of person who can be bought though. Most of you know that. My words are my own.)

As part of my agreement with Earth, I am given several pairs of shoes per season to try out and wear. This means I rarely have to go shoe shopping unless I need running shoes. Nice, huh? I don’t ever want for shoes. But every season I run across a pair that I wear so much, my husband asks me if I’m planning on wearing any others. And I say “no, not until they fall off my feet.” There are some boots from last season that I’ve over-worn too.

There is a certain pair in particular this season that I wanted to show you that have made me particularly happy to wear. THE BONSAI. I have them in black, but I’m showing you the picture in blue so you can see clearly what they look like. Because I’m pregnant, what I most cherish in shoes is comfort. The Bonsai are not only adorable, but they are comfortable. So much so that I can wear them all day even with the imbalance of my body and new center of gravity. I have a feeling these will be worn so much my husband will ask me if I’m wearing others.

The Bonsai are part of a new line created by Earth. Earth now have three lines: Kalso Earth Shoes, Earthies, and Earth. All shoes are available for purchase at PlanetShoes. Earth Footwear, as shown with the Bonsai, are a more affordable shoe with no negative heel, but they are still earth-friendly as the entire line is. PlanetShoes.com, a sister company to Earth, is offering Mamavation readers two additional pairs of the Bonsai. Wouldn’t they be cute in your wardrobe? Just think of what they would go with. As always, the Earth line is about comfort, style, and earth-friendly design.

Giveaway:

TWO Pairs of Earth Bonsai

 

To Enter (Leave one comment for EACH entry):
1. Tweet this message (1 entry per tweet, 30 tweets max.)


Love Me Some Shoes Giveaway! Win a pair of Bonsai frm @EarthFootwear at @Planetshoes compliments of @Bookieboo, http://bit.ly/zTEiwi

2. Share on Facebook (1 entry)
3. Visit PlanetShoes.com and let me know which are your favorite shoes by Earth. (2 entries)
4. Leave a message on Facebook Wall of  Earth Footwear telling them your favorite Earth Shoe (2 entries)
5. Join Bookieboo.com (5 entries, new members only)

Winners will be selected by Random.org on Feb. 29th and contacted via twitter. Please leave your twitter name in order for me to get in contact with you. If you do NOT leave your twitter name and you are selected, I will need to select another. Good luck!

#Ashamed Twitter Party and Petition For Children in Georgia

Mom blogging and health-based  communities all over the internet are uniting this Friday, January 27th from 9-10pm EST to petition the @Strong_4_Life Campaign and the State of Georgia to cease this campaign before it does any more damage to children. The Strong4Life Campaign has purchased billboard ads all over the State of Georgia in hopes to promote a “wake-up call” to Georgian parents about how many children are obese. Unfortunately, they decided to create ads that are so controversial, they are down right offensive and hurtful to children. We think they have gone too far. As a concerned group of moms we recognize that Georgia has a large scale problem with obesity. No one is refuting that. We are refuting however tactics that would inadvertently harm children in the process.

Overweight children in Georgia have been made to feel #Ashamed with these billboards. And furthermore, children of a normal weight are being exposed to very negative representations of overweight children. These negative representations of overweight children are only succeeding in ostracizing them even more, and leaving them open to more attacks. The children these billboards are hoping to help, they are actually harming. Overweight children will be made to feel even more #Ashamed. As mothers and concerned citizens, we are speaking out about this. This is just wrong.

We believe it’s wrong to fight obesity by fighting obese people…especially children. Children are defenseless and cannot fight back on their own. Obese people are not the problem, obesity IS. Campaigns that have a focus on hope, support, and education are far more beneficial to children. Most overweight children already suffer from self esteem issues, which are going to be considerably exasperated by these ads.

Event: Friday, January 27th from 9-10pm EST

Hashtag: #Ashamed

Purpose: To protest the Strong4Life Ads in the State of Georgia and chat about obesity and ways to solve problem

Here are some of the main mom blogging communities that have come out against these ads and will be at the chat:

1. Mamavation with Leah Segedie @Bookieboo

2. Resourceful Mommy Media with Amy Lupold Bair @Resourcefulmom

3. Type A Mom with Kelby Carr @Typeamom

4. 5 Minutes for Mom Community with Janice Croze @5minutesformom

5. Anissa Mayhew with Slightly Bent Productions @AnissaMayhew

6. Christine Young with Dates for Diapers @youngmommy

7. Cecily Kellogg with UpperCase Woman @Cecilyk

8. DietsnReview @Dietsinreview

9. Sue O Lear as @Mrsfatass

10. Amy Bellgardt with Mom Spark Media @Momspark

11. Stacie Haight Connerty with Divine Miss Mommy @Stacieinatlanta

12. Lisa Morris Frame with A Daily Pinch @Daily_Pinch

13. Social Media Moms with Kadi Prescott @kadiprescott

14. Bloggy Moms with Tiffany Noth @bloggymoms

15. InspiredRD with Alysa Bajenaru, RD @InspiredRD

16. DrMommyOnline with Dr. Daisy Sutherland @DrMommy

17. Sugar in the Raw with Sugar Jones @SugarJones

18. Queen of Spain with Erin Kotecki Vest @QueenofSpain

19. Fitfluential with Kelly Olexa @KellyOlexa

20. Jessica Northley @JessicaNorthley

21. Loralee with Looneytunes @Looneytunes

22. Green & Clean Mom with Sommer Poquette @Greenmom

23. Runhers @Runhers Community

24. EXPERT: Dr. Jen @Playthisway

25. Fitbottomedgirls community @Fitbottomedgirl

26. Jenny on the Spot with Jenny Ingram @Jennyonthespot

27. Greeblemonkey with Aimee Giese @Greeblemonkey

28. Fun and Fit.org with Alexandra Williams @Alexandrafunfit

29. Skimbaco Lifestyle with Katja Presnal @Katjapresnal

30. Pure Natural Diva with Tania @Purenaturaldiva

31. MommyPR with Angela @MommyPR

32. EXPERT: Heather Bauer, RD as @heatherbauer_rd

33. PHD in Parenting with Annie @PhdinParenting

34. Redneck Mommy with Tanis Miller @Redneckmommy

35. Kelly’s Lucky You with Kelly @girlslunchout

(More to come…)

 
GIVEAWAYS (Winners will be selected at random during party):
- FIVE (5) winners will each receive a $50 Visa Gift Card.
- ONE (1) winner will receive a $50 AmEx Gift Card.
- ONE (1) winner will receive a Full Conference Pass to the Type-A Parent Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina plus the book Mom Blog SEO
- THREE (3) winners will each receive My Trainer Fitness for At Work

Join us by tweeting this message:

TONITE moms R joining together in opposition 2 @Strong_4_Life & their irresponsible ads towards kids, http://bit.ly/zA5FCk #Ashamed

OR

Shaming the “Fat” kid is NOT the way to solve the Obesity Epidemic, bit.ly/zFKYOM #Ashamed

OR

TONIGHT: Stop the Shaming of Overweight Children in Georgia. Join us at 9pm EST to chat about #Ashamed, http://bit.ly/zASFCk

O

If you would like to join us in opposing these ads and asking the Strong 4 Life Campaign to cease harming children with them, sign the linky below with your twitter name OR blog.

Shaming the “Fat” Kid is NOT Solving the Obesity Epidemic

UPDATE: We are organizing a chat on twitter this FRIDAY, January 27th from 9-10pm EST to discuss the implications of these ads to children. We will also be discussing the obesity epidemic and effective ways of communicating change. Click here to join us!

I can’t even begin to tell you how incredibly offensive this ad is to me. I was that overweight kid years ago. I lived everyday of my life with shame about my own body.

The Huffington Post reported on these ads earlier this month. Where was I? Today I happened upon this post. It looks like the State of Georgia thought these ads were a great idea and has plastered the state with them. This is NOT one of those times where “I have no words”…I’ve got words. And I’m going to share them with you. Why? Because I WAS this girl. And I’m speaking to you as someone who struggled most of their life with being overweight, later morbidly obese & having an eating disorder, and today healthier YET NO DIFFERENT INSIDE MY HEART.

This is a public health communication campaign that has gone very wrong. Since when it is okay to shame children? I’ll tell you when. When people with fancy degrees sit in their ivory towers and decide that the people in Georgia need to “wake Up and smell the obesity in their state” (my own quote, btw.)

They should be ashamed of themselves. Not only has The Strong4 Life Campaign succeeded in shaming children all over the State of Georgia, but they are missing the point. Here you see a child who is overweight, but what you don’t see is how that child got to be that way. It makes the child look like the problem. Guess what? The child is NOT the problem. The lifestyle of the entire family is the problem. To solve this issue, everyone in that household will have to change. Everyone. More activity and better nutrition. Pointing the finger at this poor child only succeeds in making her feel worse. In fact, I would go even further to say that THIS AD CREATES EATING DISORDERS IN CHILDREN. They are made to feel more shame about who they are.

Quote from Marsha Davis, an obesity prevention researcher, “We need to fight obesity, not obese people.”

I was that child years ago. Every time someone drew attention to my weight, I spent my time eating more. Why? Because food was how I made myself feel better. If you were going to make me feel bad about myself, I was going to run to food again. Does that make sense? No. But since when does having an eating disorder make any sense?

Btw, I assure you this child knows she is overweight. It’s not like drawing attention to it is going to make her have some kind of an epiphany. Like “Wow, I never knew that…are you serious? You mean this roll in my belly isn’t just water?”

And guess what? I’m right. These type of tactics don’t work when it comes to weight. They are counterproductive. I would say abusive.

I think these ads should be pulled. They are harmful to children.

If you would like to voice your opinion you can do it directly AT The Strong 4Life Campaign. They just so happen to be on twitter and Facebook.

Twitter: @Strong_4_Life

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/S4LGA

I live all the way in California, so it’s not like I can show up on their doorstep, but some of you sure as hell can.

I’m summing this up with what has the world come to when we make children the problem? Children are never the problem. Sometimes people with fancy degrees are part of the problem. (And btw, I’m one of those people with a fancy degree…but at least I have the sense to know what is harmful and what is not.)

UPDATE: I’d like to add some links to additional posts that have covered this issue

Diets in Review
Curvy Girl Guide
Skinny Emmie
Mrs. Fatass
Lisa Johnson
Skimbaco Lifestyle
Mommyality
ShePosts
GanzWorld
5 Minutes for Mom

Vote for Mamavation Mom–Campaign #11

It has been exceptionally hard to choose Finalists for Mamavation this round because they were all so dedicated and have really shown what they are made of during the hazing and #2weekchallenge. I based my decisions on the following factors: (1) How they interacted with the community, (2) their hazing and #2weekchallenge participation, (3) recommendations on twitter & on this site, (4) Interviews, (5) their videos, and (6) their overall demeanor, i.e. do I think they will say “Thank you Bookieboo, can I have another?” FYI, this ain’t no Club Med…this is a BOOT CAMP.

For those of you who were not selected, I expect you to stick around to reapply next campaign in April. Sticking around really shows me your dedication and how this community means a lot to you. Don’t give up on us! We can still be your friends and support group!

So what happens now? VOTING…all week long. The voting officially ends 1/30 at 9pm EST and I announce just before 10pm EST during the Mamavation Twitter Launch Party.

Rules: You can only vote once, but you can vote for as many as you want within that vote. I allow all types of garnering votes, so please don’t whine about how people are getting votes. Yes, they can go on TV, radio, church, friends and all sorts of places to get support from others.  In my opinion, the more people they involve in this lifestyle change the better. It makes them less likely to walk away from it all. That is my evil plan. Mwahahahahaha.

After voting, make sure to RSVP to the Mamavation Twitter Party here. That is where your Finalist will be that night and you can support her the entire time by virtually holding her hand. (She will be nervous.)

Next you can send out this tweet to invite other people to join us for the fun,

Celebrate the 11th #Mamavation Boot Camp launch w/ @Bookieboo 1/30 from 8-10pm EST, http://bit.ly/wtZgJW

Good luck to all the Finalists! Take a deep breath….and go get some votes!

 

Who Do YOU Recommend As Mamavation Mom?

It’s that time again where I’m tasked with having to narrow down the Mamavation Applicants into the finalists list.  Mamavation Finalists are the women whom I hand select to go to round two–the voting week starts January 23rd . Two of those five women win the title of Mamavation Mom and start the bootcamp as everyone watches on January 30th.

This is a dilemma because although I know some of these women, others I do not. And it’s hard to tell on video what someone’s strengths are, which is why I’m asking you.

Do you know one (or more) of the applicants?  Have you seen her do something remarkable?  Can you tell a story that shows her determination?  Can you provide an anecdote that will give me added insight to her character?

GREAT!  Leave me a comment below telling me WHY you think your favorite applicant should make it to the finals.  Tell me a story or share her strengths.  Let me peak into the character traits that you think make her prime Mamavation Mom material!

PS: If you are visiting for the first time and like what you see, please “like” Mamavation on Facebook. You will find a widget to the right to help you with that. :)

Thanks ya’ll!

Top 5 Weight Loss Dupes to Watch Out For in New Year

Okay so January is here. It’s that time of year when us fitness peeps become important because ya’ll start paying attention. Why? Well, after the holidays are over you either step on the scale or try on your skinny jeans and realize they don’t fit very well anymore. You indulged. A lot. And now you are feeling guilty and want to fix it. We’ve all been there…myself included.

January/February is the craziest time of year for people to try and wade through the health/fitness marketing and flashy programs that promise you will “lose 20 lbs. in two seconds”…etc.  For the average person, it’s very easy to get duped. Yes, even IF you are highly intelligent. And sometimes it’s easiest to dupe the highly intelligent cause they are so busy thinking and creating, they don’t exercise enough to know the difference. They, i.e. the evil marketing people, know this and so they focus on your emotions rather than your intellect to sell you things. They have the upper hand…especially at 3am when you are just desperate for a change after finishing off that 1/2 gallon of double fudge chocolate ice cream.

Here are my top 5 things to watch out for when purchasing anything health related in the New Year:

1. Shock and Awe. If it includes something that vibrates OR shocks you with electricity…pass. I know it sounds crazy, but you can’t get 6 pack abs by shocking your abdominals into submission. You have to lose overall body fat. I know. Sad, but true. No 6-pack abs will be attained while Facebooking or watching TV. Sorry.

2. Pills and shakes. Okay, this is hotly debated by some who want to believe they work or sell them to you, but they don’t. There is no magic pill and shake that speeds up your metabolism enough for you to actually lose real weight. Trust me if there was, I’d tell you. Although if you remember Fen-Phen from years ago, that actually DID help people lose weight, but remember they pulled it off the market because people were dropping dead of heart attacks. So it’s possible that some “natural” products are still out there that can speed up your metabolism temporarily, but they are dangerous. So just remember, IF your heart starts racing in your chest…THROW IT AWAY!!!

3. Funny looking fitness contractions. Purchase this “thingie ma jiggy” and it will help you lose 5,000 lbs. in one month OR get you looking like Jessica Alba in no time. Okay, that’s nice and all, but I promise you when you finally get it in the mail, you’ll use it about 3-4 times and then forget about it. Why do I know this? Because I have a mountain of them in my house. It’s the shrine to my “get skinny quick” phase of life.

4. Space suits that promise to burn the fat right off you, i.e. sweat suits. If they tell you that you can sweat weight off you, it’s kinda true, BUT it’s very temporary. Your body is comprised of mostly water, so when you sweat you weigh less, BUT the second you drink water again you will put it back on. This is something that CAN work for a special event to make you appear slimmer, but don’t eat or drink anything until you take pictures. Yeah, it’s like that. Celebrities do this, but it’s not a real weight loss tool. So don’t be tool and buy it.

5. Belts OR funny contractions that promise to make your waistline trimmer. As for the belts, I’ve never worn them but from what I hear, they don’t work. They bleed dark ink on your clothing, fall apart easily, and after you measure yourself…nothing has happened. By that time you feel like an ass, have stained your clothes, and are not telling anyone you actually purchased it. The ab contractions are a scam. If you want your waistline to get smaller you have to lose overall body fat. That’s the trick. Once you get trimmer, you can start focusing on v-ups and crunches.

Let’s all do ourselves a favor and stay away from all these things. If you decide to purchase them anyways, make sure to stop by later so we can all have a good laugh.

And of course, how can we forget this from years ago. Yes, I bought it too.

Disclosure Policy

This blog is a sponsored blog created or supported by Bookieboo, LLC and the Mamavation Community. Any opinions expressed herein are those of the respective author and do not imply endorsement from Bookieboo, LLC., or Mamavation™ creator, Leah Segedie.

The terms Mamavation™ and Sistahood™, are registered Trademarked names and should not be infringed upon in any manor – implied or implicit.

Mamavation.com accepts cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions and/or other forms of compensation. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

Any prizes given away through Mamavation™ are provided by the named sponsor. Neither MamavationTM or Bookieboo, LLC cannot be held liable for any prizes that are lost in transit, damaged, or exchanged for a different product. The sponsor of the giveaway maintains any and all liability for fulfillment to the winner. Any questions, concerns, or issued should be directed to the sponsoring organization and not to Mamavation™.

For questions about this site, please contact bookieboo74@gmail.com.