Friday Finds: Be Like an Olympian, Bye-Bye Diet Coke and Lots of Deals!

I think I mentioned a few times that I am obsessed with the Olympics. The bags under my eyes are testament to this. The other day I read the outcome spoilers and went home with my tail between my legs like the kid who looked at the hiding spot for all of the Christmas presents.

So here are some articles that I have been hoarding on Olympians/Olympics this week!
Fitday has a ton of cool stuff including:
Even Olympians Battle Weight Fluctuations
5 Olympic Sports You Can Make a Part of Your Workout
– (one I need to read!) Is Visualization a Key to Olympic Gold?
the Eating Habits of Olympians

An Olympic quote that made me grin:

I also had to chuckle about this post from Cafe Mom about what Ryan Lochte finds sexiest for a woman to wear. It also reminded me that last week when I was complaining about my “awesome” racer back suntan line, my friend Jason (a cute, young, single runner) told me that he thinks fit women with obvious tan lines from working out are hot, I decided maybe it was awesome after all! (Thanks, Jason!) That said, I am not likely to be seen wearing the 2nd favorite item of Ryan Lochte any time soon!

On a totally unrelated note (but something I have seen a bunch of articles on recently…) I saw a Naturopath at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Mass in April and he gave me some great health and nutrition advice. The only thing I have completely adopted was getting rid of my beloved diet soda. I quit cold turkey. I have not had a diet soda since the beginning of April. You know what? I don’t even miss it. Why am I telling you this? I saw two articles this week that talk about the benefits of quitting diet soda. So… I guess I am patting myself on the back for adopting at least one healthy change. Here are the articles:
– From Everyday Health: Is Diet Soda Making You Gain Weight?
– From Well and Good: Do you have a dirty little dietary secret? And is it called Diet Coke?
– Quitting diet/low cal drinks is also one of the Examiner’s Top 5 Things You can do to Be Healthier
(He also said to get rid of sugar and artificial sweetener — one step at a time, people!)

Here are some fun deals, freebies and giveaways I found this week:

You have to be in it to win it!

Win a “Foodie Getaway to Portland” from Blackboard Eats! Click here for more information.

Gilt City National has an awesome deal on weekend stays at the Peninsula in NYC – $1,000 toward your next stay at The Peninsula New York, a luxurious hotel on 55th and Fifth Avenue for $550! Almost 50% off. The roof deck and bar, designed to evoke the lair of a 1920s Shanghai socialite, offers staggering views of the city and is open all year long. This hotel boasts suites with TVs above soaking tubs, for the ultimate in relaxation. I want to go! I hope someone will get this and tell me all about it!

Gilt City National also has a deal $30 for $60 credit for awesome baby apparel and accesories from Trumpette – you know the adorable booties?

Hey NYC friends want a $5 cocktail in a swank rooftop in NYC? Impossible? Not with Lifebooker Loot! Well it is not without some restrictions. They are offering admission to Hudson Terrace—anytime between 5-9pm, Tuesday through Thursday—and a complimentary specialty cocktail for $5 (reg. $35). Pretty good deal for the after work bevvie!

Want to “Eat Like an Olympian”? If admiring the nutritious, well-rounded diets of Olympic athletes has got you reevaluating your own diet, you can get back on track with today’s Lifebooker Loot: $25 worth of Element Bars for just $10, or $36 worth of the wholesome bars for $18. Every bar is loaded with protein and carbs to fuel energy and focus. For the $10 package, you’ll score your choice of 12 delicious pre-made bars or you can design 12 custom bars for the $18 option, mixing and matching ingredients to support your specific needs.

Hey runners – has anyone tried these HVLO Headphones? Headphones in a headband? I am curious. If you are, too, Active Schwaggle has them 50% off

Still like to read or listen to books (not on kindle or ipad)? Me too! Daily Candy Deals has $20 for $40 worth of books from Simon and Schuster.

Hey Chicago friends, check out some free and inexpensive movies at the Chicago History Museum. The free series includes: Outdoor Film Series in Lincoln Park (near North Ave and Lasalle) – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (Tuesday, July 31), The Princess Bride (Wednesday, August 15), The Blues Brothers (Wednesday, September 5) and Free Horror Movie Nights on Sundays at 7:00 p.m at the Beer garden at Sheffield’s, 3258 North Sheffield Avenue – Silence of the Lambs (Sunday, October 21) and Halloween (Sunday, October 28). Also, travelzoo is offering 50% off on tickets to Cirque Shanghai at Navy Pier.

There is still time to support George Gallego in his NY Ironman fundraiser for Wheels of Progress! Check out my post here to learn more or go directly to his First Giving page.

Wow! that is more than enough for now! Find anything fun this week?