Hi friends! Today’s an exciting day because I’m hosting a delicious and fun giveaway that’s sponsored by the kind people at Balance Bar. They contacted me to help spread the word about their Summer Shape Up Challenge that’s hosted by the lovely Holly Del Rosso, who hopes to inspire us to pick up some healthy habits this summer.
“Many of us tend to hibernate during cold winter months and don’t know how to get back into a balanced workout routine once warmer weather hits. That’s why I’m excited to partner with Balance Bar® for the “Balance Summer Shape-Up Challenge” to help us all move more, start eating a bit healthier and to feel good about ourselves while we enjoy summer by feeling our balanced best.”
One thing I absolutely love about the Summer Shape-Up Challenge is that it focuses on sustainable and realistic health goals that everyone can benefit from. After reading her top tips for shaping up, I found myself agreeing with each and every one of her philosophies and ideas on how to spiff up your workout routine, meals, and water consumption.
Here are her main tips:
- Take your workout outside. Outdoor workouts are challenging and refreshing so try paddle boarding, surfing, cycling, yoga in the park or group runs like a 5K.
- Eat seasonal fruits and veggies. Most fruits and veggies are at their peak during summer months and by eating them you’re adding more nutrients to your diet. Look to add a host of different colors to your meal with various fruits and vegetables. Try grilling vegetables (corn, eggplant or zucchini) for a delicious side to your dinner or add juicy fruits (blackberries, peaches and melon) to your morning breakfast.
- Find a buddy to workout with. By partnering with someone, you’re more likely to work out when you say you will and it’s also a great way to catch up with old friends. Some of my favorite “buddy workouts” include biking, outdoor dancing classes, canoeing, and of course, hiking (with a healthy picnic at the end!)
- Drink more “fun” water! It’s important to drink a plenty of water especially in the summer when you’re more prone to dehydration. I like to make infused water mocktails to make water more exciting and delicious and only adding 20 calories or less. Buy some fresh fruits, slice them up and add to your water. My favorite combinations are peaches and strawberries, strawberries and mint or cucumber and watermelon and you’ll want to drink it all day in fun infusers like these from the Ball® brand.
- Eat many small meals. When you eat smaller portions more frequently, your metabolic rate tends to be higher (meaning you can burn calories more easily). I always tell my clients to eat 5-6 small meals a day that are packed with nutrients, including a snack in between each meal with something like a Cookie Dough Balance Bar® which will keep you full longer and help curb your appetite. Balance Bar® is also a great snack to put in your purse or gym bag so you always have a nutritious snack on-hand and can avoid making those bad snack choices at that last minute and when on the go.
Annnnnd guess what?! You guys get the chance to win the same mailer full of goodies as I did!
Let me tell you, the minute I got the package in the mail it was officially the BEST DAY EVER. I (not so gracefully) tore open the surprise box and was greeted with the fabulous site of a ton of their cookie dough and peanut butter flavored bars, a pair of nifty Balance Bar-branded headphones, and the cutest fruit-infusing mason jar that brings out my inner hipster (I kid, I kid). Between my housemates and I, the bars were demolished in just a few days and I can attest to how tasty they are. I usually find most protein/health bars to be less than enjoyable, so the fact that I was stashing a few bars to hide from my friends just goes to show how much I enjoyed them. Also, shhhh. Don’t mention that to them 😉 .
Have I mentioned how much I love my new mason jar? I’m pretty bad at staying hydrated and drink way too much coffee. The fruit infuser I was sent is just what I need to inspire me to drink more of the good stuff and I’ve been having a great time exploring delicious new fruit combos!
Here’s how to enter!
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im studying this summer so having quick healthy snacks would be great
I love balance bars! YuM!
I am loving lime and lemon-infused water this summer.
I’m going travelling next week, these would be ideal airport snacks!
yum, tasty bars…
I really, REALLY want that water infuser!!! Like SO bad! 😉 And I love to win the bars for my mom!
I always am in need of healthy bars to have on hand when my “monster” side comes out due to hunger haha I went to a baby shower on Sunday that served lemonade in mason jars and I loved it! I felt so cool drinking out of one haha
because i need some bars in my life! 😀
I’d like to win because I’m currently recovering from anorexia with bulimic subtype and these bars would be great for me
lots of nutrition
I go through so many bars it’s ridiculous. Would love to win some fo free!!
That mason jar is awesome! I would love to win the bars to replenish my office snack stash!
I need that water infuser. I’ve always wanted to try one out.
I’d love the mason jar thing so much! I looove my water
I love balance bars
This would be a perfect way to curb hunger once I start graduate school in the fall!
I NEED that mason jar! haha and I really love Balance Bars!
My mom used to give us balance bars for all day swim meets as a kid. Would love to try them again as an adult!
Having a healthy and quick snack before my 5 am workouts would be great and leave me at the gym feeling strong instead of listening to my stomach growl
Oh, I’m addicted to Balance Bars. The mint cookie crunch has been a long time favorite!
a college girl needs quick yet filling and nutritious snacks on the go! balance bars are delicious and a perfect solution to eating on the run!
You got me at water infuser. I’ve never tried the Balance bars, but the flavors sound amazing!
I love infusing water with lemon but I don’t like putting anything besides plain water in my Gatorade bottle because I lost a couple to mold… Yuck! But I always carry a water bottle around and a few bars in my bag
Ooooh I really like Balance Bars. And you know I am a total mason jar freak so I think that one is just about the cutest little mason I’ve ever seen!! And I totally agree with the “find a workout buddy” statement– makes everything so much easier! Xox
I really need to get on the fruit-infusing bandwagon. Plain water is just SO BORING to me, and so I’ve gotten in the (bad) habit of buying Vitamin Water Zero daily.
I’m the worst with buying flavored drinks! IF I’m not working out, I have a hard time making myself drink much water.
Balance bars were actually the first bars I incorporated into my diet when I started trying to eat a more healthy diet. They were great! That was some time ago haha but I’m sure they’ve gotten better and better as the years have gone by. I’m totally with you on these tips – eating smaller meals, upping my veggies…all that comes into play in the warmer months.
I really love Balance bars!
I would love to try the cookie dough flavor one day. It might end up being the next best thing to cookie dough straight from the spatula, and I can’t pass up the chance to find out!!!
I love Balance Bars but have never had these flavors! I also love to have bars with me all the time.. hangry is never fun 😉
I’d love to win because I work an office job and the come home to run most days, so tasty balance bars are the perfect thing to snack on and keep my energy levels up!
I’m a new mom so quick snacks like these bars are a must
I want to win this giveaway because I am a sucker for protein bars. 😉
I’d like to win because I’ve never tried balance bars before!
Since I am working and in school, bars are a quick and easy way for me to get the nutrients and food I need while I am on the go
I’m always looking for healthy snacks, and these look delicious!