I truly can’t believe that I am saying this, but the holidays are coming. Wow. Where have you gone 2014? Well, with the holidays comes parties, lots of eating and drinking and (for us) cooler weather. I did a few “challenges” last holiday season to stay on track, and they worked! I want to tell you about the ones I am doing this season and to invite you to play along, too! Can’t hurt and could help us to stay on track. For me, just telling all of you that I am doing these is a big motivator to stick with them! My friend, Eric, is also continuing his “Make Black Friday, Track Friday” fundraiser tradition, so I want to remind you about that while there is still time to participate.
Last year I participated in a holiday challenge hosted by Amanda at Run to the Finish. The 2014 Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge has transformed in to the Holiday Sweat Challenge thanks to a new partnership with Finds’ friends Sweat Pink/Sweat Guru!!!
The challenge runs from November 24 – January 5. The program is only $16 (that’s about $2.50 a week – less than a Starbuck’s coffee!) It includes: expert tips, 3x weekly emails, a Facebook group and over $3000 in great challenge prizes. [Did you say prizes?!] I signed up because I enjoyed the comraderie of the Facebook group and the extra motivation to stay on track during “party season.” It is definitely worth the cost of a cup of coffee a week to me!
It’s super easy to play along! You can earn points for being active and for eating your veggies. You indicate your level of activity in the period and compete against people like you. There is a great support group to encourage and support you and awesome menu ideas and tips. Join now and please tell them that Erica A. sent you!
Because I am not busy enough, I also joined Coach Jenny’s Holiday Challenge The Holiday Challenge is “a simple and easy way to stay fit during the busy holiday season, avoid gaining the “Holiday 5” (pounds), win prizes and connect with other like-minded runners and walkers.” You sign up, set realistic mileage goals (cross training counts, too) based on your schedule and then track your progress. There will also be a “virtual race.”
There are two options – Green and Red:
- The green level is free and includes the challenge, access to the Facebook group, chances to win the weekly “spirit awards” and weekly emails with tips recipes and deals.
- The red level (limited to 500 participants) is $59 and includes everything from green plus a long sleeve tech shirt, entry into the virtual race, a bib and medal and entry into Coach Jenny’s awesome holiday challenge wish-list gift giveaways (awesome prizes!)
Join me and click here to register in either level.
You may remember my friend, Eric R., who created an awesome event following Hurricane Sandy called Track Friday (2013 post.) I asked him for an update on this year and he said:
On the day after Thanksgiving, runners across America will be turning Black Friday into Track Friday, a day focused on philanthropy, community, and health.
Track Friday is like a charity group run where participants can support any charity they wish, can set their own distance, and can participate at any location they choose. Some folks like to use the event as a personal fundraiser for a cause they care about, or to supplement a fundraising effort they’ve already undertaken. Others may donate to someone else’s cause or may be active fundraisers at other times of the year and participate simply to advocate the concept in unity with other participants. Some folks go for a remote run alone, others coordinate meet-ups at local tracks and spread the word. It’s free to participate; the idea is that the registration fee is paid when you support your charity.
The goal is to create an event that each participant can customize based on his or her own goals and abilities, all while generating funds and awareness for the cause they hold most dear and burning off a few of those extra holiday calories!
Check out Track Friday for more information. You can also follow on Facebook. They have raised over $40,000 since 2012! Not too shabby.
Any Chicago friends interested? I will hit the new Montrose Track for some miles if anyone is around!
It’s Friday and great deals abound on the internet. Here goes:
- Through 11/8, get an extra 20% off at Active Gear Up with code 20NOW.
- Get 15% off of your next reservation at Luxury Link with code WINTER15 through 11/13 and $50 off your first reservation, too!
- Get 40% off at the Gap with code GAPEBATES through 11/11 and get an extra 4% cash back if you start from ebates
- Get $35 to spend on deeply discounted sports and entertainment tickets at Score Big for $8 from Amazon Local.
- Save 50% off on personalized children’s books from Put Me in the Story at Amazon Local. Great holiday gift!
- Get double cash back on a ton of awesome websites including Orbitz on ebates.
- Get $10 free products with orders of $25 or more at the Feed if you sign up for their newsletter.
- Save 33% on canvas prints from Vistaprint with the code BEMERRY.
- Save 50% on Taste Trunk’s “BBQ Grand Master” Kit from Plum District
- Gilt City has awesome national deals at the moment on many things including 50% off cards at Moo.com (new users only – I love mine!), Urthbox and Nature’s Remedy Shea Butter.
- Check out tons of great national, local and travel deals at Travelzoo
- Get groceries delivered in one hour from Instacart and get $10 off first order + free delivery. (Plus $5 for every friend you refer up to $25, too!)
- Get 10% off on subscription boxes from Bestowed with coupon code LOVEHEALTHY. Does not expire.
- Need a new logo or some help? check out Fiverr – a huge marketplace of services (online) starting at only $5.
- One King’s Lane is having awesome limited time sales on everything you need for your home and more!
- Get up to 50% off on hotel rooms with Travel Pony plus new users get a $35 off credit to use on hotel stays of over $200.
- Check out a ton of great sales and coupons on all of your active gear and get cash back with Active Junky.
- Check out Hautelook. Hello… flash sales from Nordstom/Nordstrom Rack
- Do you have an American Express Card? Sign up for Amex Offers for great easy to use offers. Just click and buy and your account is credited
- Check out great local deals at Groupon. And don’t miss new Groupon Coupons! More to come on that soon.
- Buy one get one free on boots for fall with code BOGO plus free 2nd day shipping and free returns at Heels.com.
- Check out awesome deals on athletic gear and trips from The Clymb. Act fast deals are up for a limited time. Start with Active Junky to get an additional 12% cash back.
- Get 50% off your first outfit at Fabletics. I LOVE mine!
- Save 25% on EnergyBits with code EricaFinds.
Happy weekend all! We have a wedding here in Chicago and friends in town – fun! What are you up to this weekend?
PS. Don’t forget my great giveaways!
*Please note: This post contains some affiliate/referral links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Some are just good deals I found and shared. Either way, you win!