Boost Your Weight Loss in 2017 with These 8 Tips!

Thanks to Horizon for sponsoring today's discussion, regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.


I wish it wasn't true, but I'm like most new mamas and I have a little "pooch". I suppose you could call me, uhhh... dare I say "fluffy" in the middle. While this isn't something I'm proud of, I am proud of the fact I'm committing to a lifestyle change and because of this I'm going to be healthier in 2017!

With so many gimmicks and silly rumors about how you can lose weight, it's easy to see why some people fall for all of that. The truth is, the best, most efficient way to lose extra weight is to work at it.

So instead of wasting money on some silly new pyramid scheme diet drink, I suggest you look into upping your fitness gear and start monitoring your diet. With that said, here are 8 things everyone hoping to shed some pounds should do:

1. Start by taking a Multivitamin, daily - Whether you are a new mama or a seasoned parenting veteran, taking a multivitamin is an important part of your daily routine and it's an easy step to take! Grab a bottle that has everything you need to balance your diet and start feeling the effects immediately!

2. Add The Perfect Workout Machine to your home - Finding the time to go to the gym isn't always a possibility, but when you bring the gym to you... you have no excuse! Horizon Fitness Machines are the answer to getting in a daily work out. The simple, easy to assemble and use fitness machines make getting started and sticking with your new year's resolution a breeze. Having a machine that's designed to fit your body so that you can move naturally while working out is life changing... and, not only are Horizon Fitness Machines easy to use, they offer featherlight folding technology - meaning your machine will fit perfectly in your living space without having to make room for bulky equipment. Click here to find out more about which Horizon Fitness Machine you want to add to your home and work out routine.

3. Start dressing comfortable while working out - This one is a no-brainer... but sometimes I forget! I'll blame it on my mommy brain. None the less, dressing comfortably for a work out is a game changer for me. Wearing gym shorts or athletic capris and a loose cut off shirt is my "fashionable" choice for work out gear, you have to find what works for you and wear it! If you feel like working out in little to nothing, that's an option too (if you invest in a Horizon Fitness Machine)!

4. Use a calorie/step counter - Using a calorie counter helps you keep track of what you are ingesting and on that same not, a step counter helps you keep track of what you are burning. Finding that fine line of eating well and eating the right amount while also burning enough calories can be tricky for some, so choosing to keep track of what you eat and your workouts can really elevate your weightloss to the next level. Aim for a certain calorie amount each day, to take in and burn... and your weight loss will be noticable in no time!

5. Find some support in a waist trainer - This one is more for the new mamas... but can help anyone with some extra fluff in the middle. Wearing a waist trainer a few hours a day can help keep your middle section looking fit... and it's been proven to help with posture as well! I'm not suggesting you always wear a waist trainer but wearing one while netflix and chilling after a long day won't hurt!

6. Do Double-duty & include baby in workouts occasionally - Make your daily work out fun for you and your kiddos. If you have a tiny tot, including them in lifts as a "weight" can be a fun way to make sure the whole family is included... and if you have big kids be sure to get them in on the fun and encourage them to start going for walks or doing your yoga routine with you!

7. Rest whenever you can - Resting is easier said than done, especially as a parent to a little one... but get in some ZzZz's while you can! Not getting enough sleep could upset your metabolism and ruin all the hard work you put into your "new you"! So don't feel guilty if you lay down and snooze while your baby is napping too, it's important that you are well-rested for yourself, your fitness, and your kids!

8. Believe in yourself - This last tip is a bit cheesy but so important, knowing you are capable of accomplishing your goals is the first step to making them a reality. Start a fun way of tracking your progress, maybe with a jar of marbles that you transfer to a new jar with each lbs. you lose or by taking weekly progress pictures.... Not only are you keeping yourself accountable with a way of tracking your weight loss, it'll also show you how far you've come once your fitness journey is completed!

With all of that said, I'm so incredibly happy to be celebrate the new year and I can't wait to see what 2017 brings... I know it'll include a healthier version of me. So tell me, what do you hope to accomplish in 2017?

Stay Accountable: 6 Ways You Can Include Your Dog in Your New Years Resolutions!

Celebrating the new year means there's all kinds of resolutions being made. Whether you're hoping to lose weight, you're trying to become a better person in general, or you just want to pick up jousting... It's easy to think about your resolution and talk about it, but to actually stick with it is a whole other ball game.

Speaking of ball games... This year I'm trying something a little different to hold myself accountable, I'm involving my dog in my New Years resolutions. Their loyal little personalities will be the reason I'm able to stick with my resolutions.

I was lucky enough to spend New Years with some of the best dogs I know, not just my own, but my mom's dogs as well, because we were dog sitting. After spending time in a household of dogs, I realized it wouldn't hurt to be a little more like them, hence today's post.

1. Be more outgoing like a silly poodle - I used to be fairly shy when meeting someone in person, but this year I have the goal of changing this. I want to be more like my poodle, he's a "yes" kind of guy and will do anything and is friendly towards everyone. Imagine if we all were more inclined to help others and flash a friendly grin. The world would be a better place if we all were a little more poodle-y. It's easy to be friendly and it goes a long way, in my personal experience... whether you smile and say hello to a stranger or you pay it forward the next time you are standing in line at Starbucks, being friendly is really the only way to be.

2. Don't be afraid to follow your instincts, dogs do it... we should too - Okay, well, maybe the logic is flawed on this one but I bet you can see the idea behind the thought here. This really goes hand-in-hand with #1 up there. I want to stop questioning myself and just do things, keeping my eye on the prize instead of worrying about what could happen. Every dog in my life has had this attitude towards what they desire and most of the time, they get what they want... maybe it'll work for me too? If you show determination, I think things are bound to happen for you... you just have to never give up!

3. Eat well - We feed our dogs Beneful because it has what they need, with real meat as the first ingredient. I'm doing the same for myself in 2017, I plan to add more protein and veggies and less of the other stuff. Adding healthy foods into your diet, isn't necessarily just for weight loss (although it helps), your body NEEDS those nutrients in healthy foods. If you are prone to choosing junk food over health foods, now is the time to start changing your diet, no matter your size! While your adjusting your diet, be sure to look into Beneful for your furry friend.

4. Exercise often and bring your dog with you - This may be my dogs (and your dogs) favorite part of the New Year... more walks means some happy pups in my house! Going for walks, or runs, will make you both feel better and stronger in the long run.

5. Take it easy - On that same note, exercising can be exhausting so be sure to allow your body to rest. Take a cue from your doggies and be sure to fit in some resting time too. Whether you decide to take a "cat nap" on a Sunday afternoon or you spend an entire weekend soaking up the sun, be sure to take a moment and relax so that your body remains healthy and stable!

6. Be a loyal friend- Being a good friend is so rewarding... and a dog knows that as well. Take some cues from your pooch and be there when your buddy needs you. Spend time with your friends, forgive them for their flaws and mistakes, be someone who just listens, and when someone reaches out, be there! Dogs make the best of friends because they do all of this and more.

With all of that said, I think we all can make 2017 great for ourselves and our dogs... it'll just take a little bit of determination (and maybe a treat or two for your little fido). So tell me, what resolutions have you AND your dog made?

Thanks to Beneful for sponsoring today's discussion, regardless all opinions expressed above are completely my own.

Tips to Help You Save + Earn Money This Holiday!

Please note that I was compensated by Upromise for the content in this post. However, all opinions expressed below are my own, based on my personal experience with Upromise. Any requests for personal information are not associated with Upromise, nor will any information collected be used or maintained by Upromise.

I can't even believe it, there are 11 days left until Christmas! I've always been a big fan of the holidays, but this year we are celebrating with our child for the first time and I'm even more excited to get into the spirit of the season.

With that said, we have decided to try and budget our expenses this year. I'm normally one to buy whatever I want, for whoever I want, for whatever price - while this has resulted in some epic gifts, it's also not a wise way to spend money around the holidays and now that we have a little one to care for, I'm trying to be a little more conscious about my spending habits. The thing is, we don't just want to give her nice presents around the holidays, we want to be able to afford everything she'll need in life. From diapers to degrees - it's all expensive and we don't ever want her to struggle or see us struggle. So, this year and for many years to come, we are trying to save money around the holidays... even if we are spending some.

How do I plan on saving money while spending? We'll start there first, I plan to save money while spending with Upromise. All I did was set up my account and I'm able to shop online at over 850 retailers, book vacations, and even dine out and earn with my Upromise account. After I earn money, it's deposited in my Upromise account and I can make it work for me, either by boosting my 529 savings, opening a "GoalSaver" account, or paying down school loans.

It's easy to see why I'm using the credit and debit cards I've linked to my Upromise account to pay for gifts this year. No matter what I buy I'm earning cash towards Delainey's future... That means when I'm buying her gifts, I can also dream about where she'll end up going to school. What are you waiting for? Join Upromise today!

Another great way to ensure you aren't overspending this holiday is to set an amount to spend on family members and friends. Know your overall budget, break it down, and set an amount to spend on each family member. So if you only have $500 to spend on your family of 10 - then it's easy to equate that you'll be able to spend $50 on each person, if you spread out the funds evenly. It's up to you how you break down the spending, but be sure you have set spending limits before you head out looking for gifts. If you feel so inclined, go ahead and print out the printable above, it'll help you keep track of your budget & spending.

Speaking of heading out to shop for gifts, I suggest you shop online first! Do your "homework" and make sure you are getting the best deal on everything you buy, whether you're going in stores or waiting for the item to be shipped to your home! I know several stores will price match their competitors, you just have to ask! This year we'll be saving money at stores like Babies R Us by showing them their competitors prices, you should be saving those extra $$$ too! Plus you can earn cash back from Upromise if you shop one of the 850 online retailers listed!

One of the most thoughtful ways to save money is to make a gift for your family and friends instead of buying one. I'm not talking about glitter and craft glue, unless that's what you want to get your hands into. It's easy to make some thoughtful gifts with a little one in your home. I plan on making some ornaments for family (and ourselves) with Delainey's little handprint in paint. Get creative and make something your family will love... after all, it's the thought that counts and something handmade is always appreciated! Plus, you can earn money back if you buy your supplies online through Upromise.com!

Speaking of handmade and saving money, if it comes down to the wire and you're still trying to decide on a fun gift for family - consider making baked goods! The way to most people's hearts is delicious dessert, so put on your baker's hat and get into the kitchen and whip up something delicious! Whether it's a pumpkin pie or gingerbread cookies, dessert is a great gift.

One last way to help your budget this holiday is to use coupons. Whether you cut them from the newspaper, peruse online for discount codes, or stock up on rewards points at your favorite retailer, be sure to use your coupons this holiday season, your bank account will thank you!

So tell me, how are you preparing for the holiday? Do you have a budget laid out already? I'd love to hear all about your plans and how you save money in the comments below!

Microsoft Surface Pro: the Perfect Tablet for a Blogger on the Go + Huge Savings & Giveaway

As a blogger I'm always working whenever I get a chance, especially now that Delainey is in the picture. Whether I'm trying to respond to emails while I'm at an appointment for Delainey or I'm writing a random post while we are in the car running errands, it literally never stops. The second she falls asleep I do my best to get to work and spend hours late at night working on projects, don't get me wrong... I'm so lucky that I get to do what I love and share everything I find beautiful with you, but sometimes it gets a little difficult to find the time to get it all finished, especially because lately I've been doing most of my work mobile.

Lugging my laptop around has worked out okay and occasionally using my phone to get work finished has proved satisfactory, but this year I've decided to treat myself and I've added a Microsoft Surface Pro to my Christmas list of things to buy for myself.

Why a Surface Pro? It's lightweight, portable, and lightening-fast... everything a blogging gal could ever need! I love that I can use it as a tablet when I'm out and then when I come home it can convert into a laptop, offering the best of both worlds. So if you are trying to decide what you want for Christmas this year and you are seeking some flexibility with your technology, maybe a Surface Pro should be on the top of your list as well or if you want to treat yourself click here and save $150 on Microsoft Surface Pro 4 i5 128GB (this offer is only good through 12/24)!

Want to know the best part? YOU have the chance to win a $500 Microsoft Gift Card to put towards your Surface Pro purchase (or whatever else you desire)! Want to put your name "in the hat"? Use the rafflecopter form below to enter to win:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is a Fashionista Event and a promotional item was provided to me. Hosts for this event are Still Blonde after all these Years and ModlyChic