Posts Tagged ‘giveaway’

With the 6-Week Slim-Down sadly coming to a close, and I'd love to congratulate each and everyone of you who followed the program. I would love to read your stories and hear what you have to say. Leave a comment below telling us about your successes and challenges, favourite or least favourite exercises, and which recipes you liked the best. So, what did you think about the 6-Week Slim-Down?

One lucky respondent will win a suite of awesome health books to keep you motivate, including:

• Pilates Practice Companion, by Alycea Ungaro
• Carrots 'N' Cake: Healthy Living One Carrot and Cupcake at a Time, by Tina Haupert
• Eat Your Way to Sexy: Start Losing Weight in Just 7 Days!, by Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.
AND
• The Obvious Diet, by Ed Victor

I'll announce the winner here next Friday, February 17.

Also, winners of the 6-Week Slim-Down contest will be selected next week and notified by phone or email.

Thanks to all who participated. It was a blast!

I've got a great way you can meet your weight loss new year's resolutions - join Canadian Living's 6-Week Slim-Down. The program started this past Monday, but it's not too late to join so make sure you sign up today.

The Slim-Down program will become your best workout buddy and motivational coach over the next few weeks. Whether your goal is to lose weight, eat better or simply improve your overall health, we’ll help you meet it. The program runs until Tuesday, February 14, 2012.

Join the 6-Week Slim-Down today!

You could win a fantastic prize pack!
Sign up today and you’ll receive a newsletter every Monday morning with your weekly slim down plan chock-full of weight loss tips, the latest nutrition information, expert fitness advice and healthy Tested-Till-Perfect recipes. You’ll get an exclusive extra calorie burning tip with each newsletter!

Plus, everyone who signs up is automatically entered to win one of six prize packs containing a $100 President's Choice gift card, $100 worth of President's Choice Blue Menu products, and one Nike+ SportBand. Each prize pack is valued at $280. You can find more information on the prize packs here.

Also, I'm giving away a suite of 4 health books to a luck winner. Simply tell me if you've signed up for the 6-Week Slim-Down and why. You could win:
• Pilates Practice Companion, by Alycea Ungaro
• Carrots 'N' Cake: Healthy Living One Carrot and Cupcake at a Time, by Tina Haupert
• Eat Your Way to Sexy: Start Losing Weight in Just 7 Days!, by Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.
AND
• The Obvious Diet, by Ed Victor

I'll announce the winner of these 4 books here on Friday Jan 13.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about super cool health, nutrition and fitness apps and also ran a giveaway. I also asked folks how they motivate themselves to stay healthy for a chance to win one of five GelaSkins. Congrats to the five randomly selected winners below. I've also shared their tips for staying motivated, in case you need some ideas

1. From Mike:

I like to pick a goal like running a marathon or hiking to machu picchu that requires a sustained long term change to achieve. Then the sense of accomplishment is doubled you feel great and you have an unforgettable memory of your achievement.

2. From Cheryl:

I have a 20 month old son who I love to bits.  I really look forward to watching him grow up.  This motivates me to eat well and work out to keep myself healthy.  I also want to look great in my summer dresses and this motivates me too!

3. From Pat B:

I have a dog.....need I say more!?  He gets me out and about for long walks a few times a day, and loves lounging in the yard while I garden.  I have always enjoyed eating simply and with a large proportion of raw foods in my diet, so no problem there - and those are just the things tha pup of mine likes to be thrown as a treat (cantaloupe and banana pieces being his all-time favourites).

4. From Aleesha:

I love to garden! This helps me work for a healthy purpose and stock my fridge with yummy vegetables and herbs.

5. From Emma:

By keeping a small pair of jeans and making sure I can still get in them. Also by walking with my baby where ever we can.

Thanks to everyone who shared their great tips!

What is your favourite thing about summer?

Mine is ice cream. In a cone. That is hands down that greatest thing about this time of year, in my humble opinion anyway. Mint chocolate chip, world class chocolate, banana, peanut butter chocolate, anything with coffee .... oh man I need an ice cream cone right now ... BRB!

OK, I'm back. And boy do I have some fantastic news to share with you.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

How to cut calories AND eat ice cream
Our good friends over at Baskin Robbins - one of the most well-loved Canadian ice cream chains - recently shared some amazing news about their delicious frozen treats. Back in January, they released a new line of ice cream called BRight Choices, which feature some calorie friendly ice creams that are:
• dairy-free
• fat-free
• no-sugar-added
• calorie-reduced

You can take your pick from ice cream, frozen yogurts, sorbets, sherberts and ices. The BRight Choices flavours range from 90-160 calories per 2.5 ounce scoop. It's amazing. You can go for a treat and not feel guilty.

Guess what? I tried some of the flavours from their new line. I just couldn't resist. My faves were Rainbow Sherbert. It only has 130 calories and 1.5 grams of fat per serving. Bonus: It reminds me of being a kid.

And, because I'm a choco-holic, I fell in love with the no sugar added Chocolate Overload. At 120 calories and 5 grams of sugar per serving, you can't go wrong.

See a complete listing of Baskin Robbins BRight Choices line here.

Amazing contest
Guess what? We're giving away 8 free ice cream scoops from Baskin Robbins. Leave a message here telling us what your favourite thing about summer is and you could win! I'll announce a winner on June 23.

We all need a little motivation when it comes to keeping our health in check. Here are 3 health, fitness and nutrition apps that will keep you moving toward your health and weight loss goals. (Giveaway info at the end of my post.)

3 awesome apps to keep you healthy

Get moving with Couch to 5k

1. Couch to 5k (by Felt Tip Inc.)
If you're looking to get to get off the couch, shed some pounds or are just hoping to get into running, Couch to 5k is just what you need. According to the description on iTunes:

"This workout training coach will help you get into shape using the C25K system, a series of interval workouts, each about 30 minutes, spanning 9 weeks, culminating in your ability to run 5 km (3.1 miles) without stopping or walking."

Apparently there's a nice lady who talks to you. One of my friends admitted she talks back to the nice lady (imagine how crazy she looks while running!).

There's also a Couch to 10k.

Price: $2.99

Available at: iTunes

Know Flo with Period Tracker Lite

2. Period Tracker Lite (by GP Apps)
Sick of trying to guess when your next period will arrive, only to - surprise! - get it when you're on a boat ride wearing white pants with zero tampons on hand (has this actually happened to anyone?). According to GP Apps, Period Tracker Lite:

"... is the easiest way to track your periods! Period Tracker™ is the SIMPLEST period tracking app and now, it's CUTER than ever!
* Press a button at the start of your period every month. Period Tracker™ logs your dates and calculates the average of your past 3 months' menstrual cycles to predict the start date of your next period.
* View your current and future period dates, ovulation and fertile days, your moods and your symptoms in a simple month-view calendar. "

You can also add notes to record your moods, symptoms, cravings or whatever you feel like!

Price: Free!

Available at: iTunes

Track your food and exercise with Lose It!

3. Lose It! (by FitNow)
I'm certainly not a fan of calorie counting, but I must admit: this app is cool! You can create your very own weight loss or maintenance plan, and track your food intake and exercise. Here's what FitNow has to say about Lose It!:

"Set goals and establish a daily calorie budget that enables you to meet them. Stay on track each day by recording your food and exercise and staying within your budget. It is simple and fun to use, but includes great features:
- Simple, attractive, streamlined interface
- Comprehensive database of foods and activities
- Quickly add new foods or exercises to the database
- Setup recipes for more complicated foods
- Quickly add to your log with previous meals, my foods, and other shortcuts
- Track nutrients such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, and more
- Email or print detailed reports directly from your iPhone or iPod"

Price: Free

Available on: iTunes

Great health apps our Twitter followers recommend:
• @geekmommymel: I love @loseitapp and @runkeeper for #fitness #nutrition #health apps. They are the best of the best!
• @susie_parker: LOSE IT
• @jennjam: Tap and Track. If only I had the motivation to use it properly though. I'm sure it's very effective!
• @SarcasticKliker: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ http://runkeeper.com/
• @melodiegardens: Anyone recommend any #fitness, #nutrition or #health apps?" <~~ @myfitnesspal is a gr8 website &app 4 nutrition & fitness
• @PLisaLou: MyFitnessPal is a great tool to track calories and exercise daily

A super fantastic giveaway!
Toronto's very own GelaSkins has offered to give away 5 skins for your digital devices. GelaSkins are removable covers designed to protect and customize your portable devices. They feature super fun graphics, and trust me, there is something for everyone. Check out their nifty skins here.

All you have to do to be eligible to win is leave a message here telling us how you motivate yourself to stay healthy. I'll announce 5 winners on Thursday, June 16.

Last week I blogged about the fab book Prevent, Halt & Reverse Heart Disease: 109 Things You Can Do. Now you have a chance to WIN this super-informative book. It will help keep your ticker in tip top shape.

Just leave a comment here telling me what you do to keep your heart healthy.

I'll announce a winner on Monday, March 14.

Do you need to lose weight? Do you hate going to the gym? Do you love watching TV? If so I have the perfect solution for you: Work out at home! Honestly, it's genius. The other night I watched Jeopardy and did an upper body workout. I learned fun facts, while trying to improve my body. It doesn't get any better than that.

And now for the giveaway!
Home Workout might be what you need to help you put together the perfect home workout. Just leave a comment here telling me why you want a chance to win this book. I'll select a winner on Monday, January 31.

Do you ever workout at home?

Wow! So many of you entered into the Mott's healthy holiday giveaway. It's a shame I could only pick one winner because you all had such wonderful advice about staying healthy over the holidays.

Congratulations to Shirley P. You've won a Mott's Garden Cocktail Healthy Holiday Survival Kit, including a bunch of different kinds of Garden Cocktail, a $50 Loblaws gift certificate, fitness supplies, and what looks to be a very handsome basket.

Shirley P's says:

"I stay healthy by the old adage 'moderation in all things'."

Great advice (which I too often forget).

Thanks to all who entered!

Does melted cheese, pastry, chocolate and booze threaten to become your main food groups over the holiday season? The onslaught of holiday fare might make it difficult for you to keep your healthy eating goals on track. If you're struggling to get your 5-10 a day you may want to consider incorporating a beverage like Mott's Garden Cocktail into your diet - it has two full servings of veggies!

An exciting Mott's Garden Cocktail prize pack!

And Mott’s Garden Cocktail doesn't have that thick, tomato-y taste, so if you’ve tried vegetable cocktails before and didn’t like 'em, Mott’s Garden Cocktail might be your thing. There's also a low-sodium variety that has 78 percent less salt.

For a chance to WIN a Mott's Garden Cocktail Healthy Holiday Survival Kit, including a bunch of different kinds of Garden Cocktail, a $50 Loblaws gift certificate, fitness supplies, and what looks to be a very handsome basket, just subscribe to The Health & Wellness Blog and leave a message here sharing how you stay healthy over the holiday season. I'll announce the winner here on Wednesday December 22.

Congratulations to jentam, who has won our Day 6 contest by telling us about her  favourite non-workout way to get exercise.

jentam says:
"This may sound strange but I enjoy cleaning the house and getting exercise doing so. I move quickly when I clean and I try and stretch as I reach to clean windows or sweep under the bed. It feels great to have a clean house *and* feel like I’ve been working out."

Ooh, extra points for multitasking! Nice work. Your prize is a copy of Move a Little, Lose a Lot: New NEAT science reveals how to be thinner, happier and smarter by James A. Levine, MD, PhD.

In other news, today is World Hypertension Day. Who knew? Not I. But to help . . . celebrate . . . wait, I don't know if we're meant to 'celebrate' World Hypertension Day, but anyway, to help 'mark the occasion', we're giving away a great prize pack from Mrs. Dash. It contains all 12 flavours of Canada's favourite salt-free, flavour-full seasoning plus a step counter and a jump rope. The folks at Mrs. Dash say that using Mrs. Dash instead of salt is a great way to cut down on your sodium intake.

Mmm. Sodium. I confess that I put salt on everything. It's a habit I really have to break. Is there something that you put salt on even when you know you really shouldn't? Do you add salt to your food before you even taste it? Do you ever add a visible layer of salt to your food? If someone served you a bowl of salt, would you proceed to put salt on it? For a chance to WIN this fab Mrs. Dash prize, just Subscribe To This Blog and post a reply telling us about your bad salt habit.

You have until Sunday, May 31 to let us know. I'll announce the winner here on June 1.