It's a New Year for a New You! 7 Years Younger Book Review and Giveaway

UPDATE:  WE HAVE A WINNER! I used Random.org to select the winner (but while trying to cut and paste it here, it reloaded the site.  I'm cool like that.)  The winner is Megan from WatchMegoRun!

Meg O @watchmegorunDecember 30, 2012 5:12 PM

It definitely sounds like an interesting read! I would like to change things up in terms of what I cook/eat. PS - one day, just for fun, can you please do your make up like the above picture? :)

Congrats Megan!  Email me your address so I can mail you the book!  (Not sure if I can do the makeup request though...maybe one day :P )

Thanks to everyone who entered!


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 A while back, I was contacted by the editors of Good Housekeeping to review their new book 7 Years Younger.

Their media packet states that "This is an easy-to-follow guide that delivers proven results, based on established science as well as testing in the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, to help women look and feel their absolute best."-Rosemary Ellis, Editor-in-chief, Good Housekeeping. I thought it would be fun to get some tips on how to look and feel my best, so I requested a copy.  I'm not sure what I was expecting, but the book was not quite what I was expecting.  It was a little bigger.

Perhaps it was so heavy because there were two...I got one for one of you!

The book is laid out in such a way that they introduce the concepts of the chapter, then give you a quick start.  This is followed by a 7 week plan and testimonial by one of their panelists.  I like the fact that they back up their information with research.

They have lists of the best makeup and skincare products based on price and test subjects' responses.   This is very helpful if you are anything like me and get completely confused about what to put on your face.

If you are ready to spend some time focusing on your health, this is a very good book.  It gives you the reasons behind the foods you should eat, what vitamins you need, and the best sources for them.  It also has a great plan for starting to exercise if you currently do very little to none, has healthy recipes, and ideas for choosing better meals when eating out.

If you would like to win a copy of this book, leave a comment below telling me how you would like to change things up this year!

*Contest open to US residents only (very sorry my international friends...I still love you!)

The contest will be open until Sunday, January 6th at noon PST.  I will choose a winner using Random.org   WE HAVE A WINNER! Please make sure I have a way to contact you! (e.g. email or Twitter)

Want extra entries?  Leave a separate comment for each of the following:

1.  Follow me on Google Friend Connect, or let me know if you already do.

2.  Twitter @triingathlete, or let me know if you already do.

3.  Tweet about the giveaway, and come back leaving a comment that you did so.

UPCOMING POSTS:  MY FRIEND WANTS TO TAKE ME TO TRX, AND MORE RUNNING

Running Against the Wind (or Why I Force My Klutzy Self onto the Treadmill)

Over the past month or so I've been easing my way back into running.  You see, after my last half marathon I kind of didn't want to run so much.

But with Ann Marie on the mend from her stress fracture, and thinking ahead to race goals for next year, it was time to start getting serious about running again.

I started with mostly weekend runs, building up to 3 or 4 miles.  When Ann Marie said she was cleared for a 3.5 mile walk/run, I was ready to rock!  We planned to go to the trail around the lake by her house.  It was a chilly day, so we dressed warmly.

The activity itself went very well, as we were able to run most of the way (yay Ann Marie!)  The trouble was the wind.  It was fierce.  And completely unpredictable.  One moment we would be moving along, chatting about her adorable baby niece and nephew, and the next I would be apologizing.

I went running again the next day, and the wind was still an issue.

There were tailwinds.

There were crosswinds.

And there were headwinds.

Because of this, and the fact that it gets dark here around 4pm (seriously, when did I move to Alaska??) I have to commit to running on the treadmill if I want to run during the week.  And if you think that running indoors on a machine is safer, well, you've never seen me run on a treadmill.

For instance, I get very hot in about 62 seconds.

I should put up a splatter screen at the back of my treadmill.

And, I'm easily distracted.

This little incident left me with a bruise the size of a silver dollar on my forearm.

And then, there's this little situation that happened last week:

I went to the gym to do some speed work.  I did a little over 4 miles and kept about 1.5 miles near an 8:30 min/per mile pace.  It was ultra-fast for me and by the end I was drenched in sweat liquid awesome!  So since I'm a considerate person, I went and got the spray bottle and a paper towel to wipe down my machine.

It was super clean.

I saw a girl looking at me strangely but I couldn't figure out why...until I was walking out the door and I realized that I had cleaned the treadmill NEXT to mine.

I haven't been back to the gym all week.





Please tell me you've done something as ridiculous as this in your life!  And if you have, share it in the comments below!


UPCOMING POSTS:   I'm actually not sure yet, but I will be doing more running and swimming soon so that's probably what the subject matter will be.

Finally, thank you to all who commented on the blog birthday post!  I have listened and agree that it is time for a new banner, so stay tuned for that in the coming weeks!!

Linking up once more with the talented folk at Yeah Write. Click on the button below for some great reads!