Ever since our Design and Organizational Expert, Bobby Berk, announced his Spring Cleaning challenge to help us CLEAN IT UP, I’ve been super pumped to ditch my “you never know when you might need it” attitude and embrace Bobby’s “when in doubt, throw it out” mantra. I was so excited about purging my home (in a healthy way) of all of the junk I’ve acquired over the years. As the challenge progressed, it was so inspirational to see that so many of  joined the Facebook event and were uploading pictures of your awesome soon-to-be-tossed clutter, too.

Many of the items I personally ditched were from my 3-bedroom apartment. I live in a “craigslist apartment,” that is to say that I found both my apartment and roommates online. (No, I didn’t know them before I moved in, and yes, I brought a friend along with me before I went to meet them and see the place for the first time. And double no, they’re not serial killers.) Many things in our house, including the living room couch, TV, toaster and microwave are not technically ours. They were left behind by previous craigslist roommates. This may be creepy to some (like my best friend who thinks these left-behind items carry left-behind energy), but to me they’re like hand-me-down place holders of things I’m really happy I didn’t have to buy in order to furnish a new apartment. Throughout the challenge I seriously pondered the purpose, functionality, emotional attachment and beauty of all the items in my apartment, including these communal leftover items, too.

Overall, this adventure was a challenging, yet liberating journey of self-discovery. I decided what stuff made the cut, what stuff got kicked to the curb and most importantly why. Here’s a look at a few of my recently purged items and why they got the boot:

Weird Cushion

This cushion has been in my living room since I moved in. I don’t know who it belonged to. It doesn’t match anything in our living room and smells funny. It definitely got tossed.

Punctured Stability Ball

This too is a left over item in my living room. It’s got a whole in it somewhere and whenever  you sit on it, air squeaks out. Bye bye blue ball!

Garbage Can? Vase? Who knows!

This white ceramic pots has also been in my living room since I moved in. Not sure if it is a garbage can, plant pot, flower vase or what. But what i do know is that this is now gone, forever!

Random Piece of Wood

You guessed it — It’s a left over random piece of wood. I am pretty sure it was part of a shelf at one point. But now it’s trash!

Paisley Pillow

This isn’t mine either, but it’s time for it to go! What a weird pattern… I really do wonder who this belonged to at one point.

Queen Mattress

Yes, there is a queen-sized mattress in my living room, and for once, I actually know who it belongs to. You see, my roommate got a new bed and schlepped the old mattress into the living room for her brother to pick up. That was in December… now, 6 months later, it’s still here. But not any more! I told my roommate about Bobby’s Challenge and she called her brother to have him pick it up that night!

Now, we’re sending one lucky spring cleaner to the spa…

As promised, one of the lucky RSVP’ers to the Facebook Event Wall will receive a $50 Spa & Wellness Gift Card by Spa Week. But first, thank you to all those who shared and expressed your struggles, successes and setbacks during this 10-day cleaning spree. And the lucky challenge participants is…

Jennifer H.

Jennifer ventured out on Bobby’s Spring Cleaning Challenge with every intention of tossing one item a day and uploading an picture of it to the Facebook Event Wall, that is, until her husband was hospitalized for heart emergency surgery… Check out her posts, below:

Day 1

Okay, here goes! Day 1 – this is my mother-of-the bride dress. I’m 5’6″ and don’t think I will ever be a size 4 again, so guess it’s time to pass this along to someone else. Besides the photos look great from that very happy day! : )

Day 2

Day 2 – Good-bye old TV set! I’ve kept you around to view my exercise videos, but it’s time to part ways! I’m a runner now, or at least well on my way! Week 9 of 10; losin’ the inches, too! ( sorry the photo is a little shaded.)

Day 3

Day 3 – Cleaning off the decks for good summer socializing. Old worn-out grill has to go. Bye-bye old friend. New one to carry on the wonderful tradition you started.

Day 4

Day 4 – I did most of my spring cleaning in March. But, I did not finish my seasonal wardrobe switch . Time to put away the warm coats and sweaters. Here comes the light and lovely summer finery.

Day 5

Day 5 – Coffee maker gets the boot today! Received a nice new one as a gift; sharing the older one with another today!!

Day 6

Day 6 – Just completed my early morning run in my final week of training for 5K!!!! To celebrate; donating my Brooks running shoes. Several organizations cleanup athletic shoes in good condition and provide them to homeless shelters or even to prove rushed nations. I already had another pair that will service me for awhile.

Day 7

Not quite sure how I will finish the last few days of the challenge, but it’s been fun! Hubby hospitalized for surgery, but I did put out some worn put pillows for garbage pickup before heading back to hospital this morning. Good luck to all challengers!!!! I will follow as I can from my iPod.

Day 9

I won’t be doing any spring cleanup/clean out for the rest of the challenge. Emergency heart surgery on hubby has my full attention. Keep going challenge mates! : )

 

Thank you sticking with the challenge as long as you could, Jennifer. Your courage and well-wishes for all of the other challengers is truly admirable. Thank you for sharing!

Jennifer, please contact daily(at)spaweekmedia(dot)com within 3 business days to redeem your prize. We can’t wait to hear from you!

We here at Spa Week are all about a good spa deal and a great giveaway, but when we heard that Reve SalonSpa in San Mateo, CA was giving away a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 to one of their clients this Mother’s Day season, just for spa-ing, our jaws dropped.

So here’s the deal: You buy two mini day spa packages for $125 each (normally $205), and you’ll be entered to win your hot new Benz. That’s $250 total for a three-part day of spa and wellness for you and your mom, your lover or your best friend, and you just may drive off in a Mercedes. BUT – you must purchase by this Thursday, May 17th at 6pm PST. Click here to buy!

Mini Day Spa Package includes:

• 60-Minute AVEDA Elemental Massage
• 60-Minute AVEDA Elemental Facial
• Day Spa Pass for Sauna and Steam Amenities

Fine print from Reve SalonSpa:

No limit. Must be purchased by May 17th 2012.  Call the front desk at 650-343-7383 to purchase OR purchase online click here and place your order under Instant Gift Certifcate.  A confirmation will be emailed after the order is processed.  Purchased packages expire 12 months from purchase date. May be used before, on or after Mother’s Day. May not be combined with any other offer. Taxes, tips, gratuities extra. Standard appointment/cancellation policy applies. Promotional value expires on date specified above. Drawing for Mercedes on May 17th 2012. There is no limit on the number of packages that have to be sold. This sweepstakes will happen regardless of the number of people who enter

This May, Spa Week and Denise Austin have joined forces with the prestigious Hilton Head Health, a premier weight loss spa and health retreat. (Spoiler alert: you can win a trip there.) Celebrating over 35 years, Hilton Head Health (H3) prides itself on being way more than a “fat camp,” delivering an exceptional 360 wellness experience in Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition, and SELF (Stress Management, Empowerment, Longevity, and Fulfillment) through personal and interactive sessions designed for the individual who is ready to embrace a lifestyle change. Located on the beautiful island of Hilton Head, South Carolina, H3 provides so many options for weight loss, healthy eating and enjoyable exercise. For decades this wellness haven has helped hundreds of guests get healthy from the inside out… but many of them and you may not know these 8 interesting facts about the world-renowned property…

8 You Probably Didn’t Know About H3:

1. Bob Wright, H3 Director of Education, has been educating Guests for over 30 years!

2. Hilton Head Health was featured on A&E’s weight loss docudrama Heavy in 2011.

3. The original Hilton Head Health Institue wellness program started out as a strict 28-day residential program (in 1976) and has now evolved into a weekly Healthy Lifestyle program.

4. H3 offers 50 different types of fitness classes/activities

5. Guests workout on Woodway treadmills, which are also used by profession NFL athletes

6. It’s not uncommon for guests to get a view of the friendly alligators that live in the lagoon next to the facility

7. Weather permitting, which in Hilton Head it usually is, they offer at least one opportunity per day to put your feet in the sand and watch the waves on the beach

8. Hilton Head Island is shaped like a foot

More photos of H3…

Don’t miss out on you’re chance to enter: One winner and guest of the Get Fit with Mom Giveaway will experience a broad range of activities that target his or her individual interests. Whether they are looking for a no-nonsense fitness and diet retreat, want to get their eating habits in check, or hope to escape from the stress of a demanding job, H3 weight loss spa provides the perfect environment to create a deeply personal experience for each guest. The grand prize resort package includes:

• Participation in H3’s award-winning 7-day Healthy Lifestyle™ program
• Accommodations for 7-nights in a private room, which offers a private bedroom and private bath
• Three healthy gourmet meals and snacks daily
• Health assessment, where the winner + guest will be weighed, measured and receive a blood screening
• 45-minute private session each focused on goal setting, meal planning and exercise strategies
• Unlimited participation in all daily fitness classes
• Access to additional resort activities such as yoga, beach walk, forest preserve walk and more
• Two group cooking demonstrations in H3’s state-of-the-art cooking school, the Culinary Arts Center
• $25 (non-transferable) coupon each to apply towards a cooking class in the Culinary Arts Center
• Group discussions and lectures on nutrition, stress management and self-discovery
• One 50-minute joint Personal Training session for the winner + guest
• One 55 Min Swedish Massage per person
• 24 – Hour use of all fitness and recreation facilities

ENTER NOW!

By Jamie G. Dougherty

There are so many things to think about when embarking on a exciting trip or vacation. What to wear, where to stay and dine, how many pairs of shoes to pack, should I bring my floral or leopard print bikini? (I assume both, right?)

However, the one thing we usually forget about while traveling… is food. What the heck are you going to eat in the airport, on the plane, or sitting in the back of the screeching cab on your way to the hotel? Airports and airplanes are rife with food that can easily derail all your good Spring eating (or as Ellen illustrates, is a downright humiliation to mankind).  And by the time you get to your lovely destination, all the crappy, crazy-salty, under-satisfying food you’ve eaten while in transit makes it tough to get into your super cute outfit. Believe me sister, I hear ya!

As I’m traveling for most of May, here is my personal list of the foods I pack for any airborne trip. They all travel beautifully and don’t need to be refrigerated.  Score!

1. Dried fruit and nuts – Favorites are peaches, apricots, cherries, dates, prunes, walnuts, almonds, cashews, brazil nuts and pecans.  Make sure the fruit is un-sulphured as sulphur is a preservative that can cause tummy upset. (AKA gas!)

2. Fresh fruit with hard cheese – Apples with cheddar or pecorino work best.

3. Tamari sunflower and pumpkin seeds – A perfect snack when you want something fatty and salty. They also add that crunch!

4. Cut veggies with Muhammara - Celery, radishes, cucumbers, carrots, and sugar snap peas work well. They also help keep you hydrated on the dry plane.

5. Your favorite dark chocolate bar – What can I say? Never travel without chocolate. My favorite is the Alter-Eco BlackOut bar.

6.  Crackers – These will keep you way from the baggies of pretzels. The best brands are Ryvita, Dr. Kracker, and Mary’s Gone Crackers.

In the comments below tell me what your favorite, leavin’ on a jetplane snacks are.  Enjoy and safe travels!

Jamie G. Dougherty, founder of JamieLiving.com, empowers busy women to break through body and food barriers to see their life and body bloom!  She is also the creator of the Delicious Detox Program: 10 Days to a more Divine and Delicious YOU! If you feel hungry, stuck and unsatisfied with your food and your body be sure to visit Jamie’s website to get her FREE 5-Step Guide to Fabulous.  Seriously ladies, get ready for Jamie to rock your world!

When a fit mom is faced with a situation in which she can no longer be, where does she turn? This day-after-Mother’s Day Hot Mom Monday, one of our newer Squad members Elena Sonnino of Ciao Mom shares her journey in doing just that. Elena is a freelance writer, National Board Certified teacher and cancer survivor. She describes herself as a (slow) runner, (aspiring) triathlete, and chaser of dreams.

By Elena Sonnino

What do you get when you take a woman who strives to be fit and give her a hysterectomy?

You get a woman that was beside herself to see the light at the end of the recovery tunnel.

Except of course that after six weeks off from any real exercise, my body was by no means ready for a victorious return. My brain wants to be there, actually it wants to be much farther along. But my body needed a plan. It needed steps to make sure that my return to fitness is one that lasts for the LONG HAUL.

So I came up with a plan. A reasonable plan that allows me to start from scratch and still be kind to myself knowing that it is enough that I am taking control of my life again to be as fit and healthy as possible.  A plan that will ease me back into starting to exercise after recovering from surgery. A five step plan to return to fitness after a hysterectomy.

5 Steps to Fitness After a Hysterectomy

Step 1. Set Realistic Expectations.

Step 2. Create Habits.

Step 3. Formulate a Training Plan.

Step 4: Find Motivating Workouts

Step 5: Be Patient. Be Flexible. Be Determined

I would LOVE to head for a great run or fabulous bike ride on one of my favorite trails. But those things are not physically possible right now. So instead of feeling like a failure because I am not ready yet, I am going to let myself be enough and work towards the goal of getting back to my favorite workout haunts. When I am ready. When my body is ready.

After this long hiatus,  I need to retrain not just my muscles, but my mind to get up early in the morning to exercise or find time to squeeze in a workout in the evening if the day got away from me. My brain needs to be taught again, that despite the excuses that might line the path to getting things done, it is worth it in the long run. Part of my mental retraining involves developing a systematic, well thought out, consistent plan that will help me realize a goal. Not just a “lets see what I can do today” plan. A plan to achieve a goal that is realistic yet challenging, that lies just beyond what is comfortable.

My long term plan is beginning to take shape and is looking forward to a possible Disney marathon in January of 2013 with several shorter running races this fall. I still have a triathlon on my docket for this fall, but I am realistic enough to know that my first international distance triathlon will probably be more successful in 2013.

My first back to fitness month is ALL about building my fitness base, slowly and safely. So far, two weeks in, I have walked on the treadmill, adding in one minute run intervals. I have taken a Zumba class, and kicked and punched through a cardio kick boxing workout on the Xbox. I have even taken my indoor bike trainer for a spin. The goal right now? Four or five days a week to make sure that I allow for rest days and my body to understand that it is time to rise again to be fit and healthy.

Starting from ground zero, with no fitness base is not easy.  I need to be mentally strong enough to push myself and ignore the voices of doubt, but smart enough to listen to my body when it has had enough.

Because in the end, it is not about how long my run was today or how long I rode my bike tomorrow. It is about the long run of life.  The life that nothing is going to keep me from living with great health and fitness.

Italian by birth, a mom, a teacher, a wife, a runner & triathlete, and a cancer survivor, Elena shares every day moments in parenting, life, travel, education, fitness and health from her perch in the Washington DC suburbs. Read her “travels through life” at CiaoMom.com, and is also the founder of JustBeEnough.com, where she celebrates the art of how to “Just. Be. Enough.”