I am having trouble believing that the holidays are almost upon us. Maybe I have to get through the NYC Marathon first? Whether I am ready or not, the holidays with all of the fun, food, festivities and (yes) stress, will soon be here. One thing that will keep me more mindful of healthy eating and fitness… or at least fitness… is the fact that I signed up for the Houston Marathon in January. So December will include long runs to counterbalance the cookies. But like everyone, I can use some other reminders and challenges to keep me focused in the midst of holiday chaos.
Last year I joined a challenge on the blog Run to the Finish called Clean and Lean. Amanda provided guidance, tips and a Facebook group to help members focus on clean eating (and healthy exercise.) I just got an email about a “Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge.” What is it? It is an 8 week health and fitness challenge to “help everyone get a jump start on feeling great for the new year or stay on track with fitness/clean eating goals.” It is also “a friendly competition” to exercise, eat healthy and even “do a little soul work.” There are different fitness levels, so everybody can compete with a bunch of ways to earn points.
The challenge runs from November 17 – January 5. The base program is only $16.50 (that’s $2.06 a week – less than a Starbuck’s coffee!) It includes: expert tips, weekly emails, a Facebook group and great challenge prizes. [Did you say prizes?!] There is also the option to add a “Clean and Lean challenge” with 30 days of clean eating tips ($24.50). You can add an 8 week workout plan to get you through the holidays ($43.50).
I signed up for the basic program because I think the information that is provided is great. I like the comradery of the Facebook group and any motivation to stay on track during “party season” is worth the cost of a cup of coffee a week to me!
Head over to Run to the Finish to learn more. What do you do to stay on track for the holidays?
Speaking of the holidays…I wrote a post for the Manilla blog on finding the best holiday shopping deals. I will post the link when it is live. To get prepared for holiday shopping, I recommended setting a budget for your total spend and then making a list of people you give to (with estimated amounts). Depending on who you are buying for, you may consider asking for a wishlist (try amazon wishlists or even a SoKind registry). Once you have the items in mind, you can do a few things to get prepared to find the best deals.
Once you know the key items that you are looking for, you can set alerts on items that you are looking for on sites like Track<IF> and Poach It.
Track<IF> lets you monitor prices/sales on over 500 major retailer’s websites using a plug in so that you don’t have to keep checking a bunch of sites and getting tons of emails. You set up the items you are looking for on the sites you shop (with the click of a button in your toolbar) and then you can see if items you want go on sale or become available. You can set up specific rules, too, like “alert me when this item is below $100.”It’s easy – you just register with Track<IF> , add the button to your browser and you can start receiving Track<IF> alerts from many sites on the web. Track<IF> monitors the sites, pages and searches and alerts you when, or if, they meet your Track<IF> criteria – which will keep you on top of sales and specials that could save you a lot of money on the holidays.
Another tool you can use to track sales is PoachIt; It also helps you find coupon codes when you are ready to buy! First you get the PoachIt button and install it on your tool bar. Then search for the items on your shopping list online. When you are on the product detail page for the item you are looking for, click the PoachIt button. You will see any available coupon codes. Click “Track It” and you will get e-mail alerts when the price drops. Pretty awesome. I always click this AND google for coupon codes. PoachIt shows codes for this site only. Sometimes a quick Google search will even uncover a better deal.
Here’s another tip: Experts recommend waiting until mid-November to start shopping. Retail analysts indicate that prices are highest in October and April (after tax refunds). One other thing to keep in mind is the store return policy. You want to make sure that the recipient can still return the gift for full credit after the holidays.
I will post more holiday shopping tips and trips in a few weeks to prepare you for Black Friday/Cyber Monday! Are you getting ready or in denial?
As usual, I found some great deals this week:
- Orange is the new black and Splits59 is the new Lululemon! Save 25% on orange and black items at Splits59 with the code PUMPKIN25.
- Today only, ModCloth outerwear is 25% off! And don’t forget ModCloth always has free US shipping on orders $50+.
- October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, check out this press release from Energy Bits on how algae helps prevent cancer. This month (through 11/7), they are also offering a 25% discount on all algae tabs with the code EricaFinds. Learn more about Energy Bits in my review.
- Today only, download the Dracula audiobook free with code freedracula at Downpour.com.
Add Dracula to your cart and use the code for the promotion. Also, download any audiobook for $6.95 – no membership required. Note: Complimentary download applies only to Dracula, produced by Blackstone Audio. Download code expires October 25, 2013.
- Take 20% off on Lifebooker Loot deals for spa and beauty deals in your city with code TREATYOSELF.
- Check out local deals near you on Travelzoo Local Deals. They have $19 for brunch for 2 at Las Palmas in Chicago – more than 50% off.
- Save 20% on Anti-Aging beauty products this week at Beautorium
with the code AGEWELL.
- Online only:
- Have you tried Gilt City? If not, the time is NOW. Get 40% off of your first purchase of $30 or more (up to $50 off) on great deals in your city (if you are not a member use this link to get 40% off). They are having huge number of national and local sales for brides to be – including $100 for $200 credit to Blue Nile. You don’t have to be a bride to be to enjoy that!
Still Available:
- Get $10 off your first Healthy Surprise snack (GF/vegan/no GMO) box with code HEALTHY10.
- Get $15 off on your first purchase of $50 or more from The Clymb. Then invite friends and get $15 for each who uses the deal! Great deals on active wear and gear!
- Self Magazine is offering a “prize bonanza.” Click HERE to enter for a chance to win 537 prizes! Enter to win up to 5!
- Get 20% off sitewide and free shipping with the code Secret20 at Shoes.com through 10/30
- Newton is having a daily shoe giveaway through 11/8!! (instant win and daily entry – today the winner is not me!)
- Save 20% on purchases from Costume Supercenter ! Find your most amazing Halloween costume yet with more than 20,000 costumes and accessories to choose from and free shipping/free returns! Use promo code HUGE20.
Chicago ladies (and gents), don’t forget you get $10 off your first service at Pretty Quick with code ericafinds through 11/1.
That is all for now! What are you up to this weekend? We are celebrating the husband’s birthday and I am getting a pre-marathon massage and pedicure. Then the taper madness continues!
PS. Don’t forget my “Not Your Standard Energy Bar” and my Sony Sports MP3 Player giveaways, too! And, if you really want to win a Sony Sport MP3 Player, Kelly is giving one away, too!