If I can do it, You can do it! // Smoke Free for 950 days

Hands up: How many of you put "Quit Smoking" on their New Year's Resolution list? If you are sitting in front of your device right now with one hand in the air, please continue reading. If you are curious, keep reading as well.

As of today, I am smoke free for 950 days. I started smoking when I was 15. I quit every once in a while, but the last time I quit seems to be the most successful. D'oh. Obviously.

I remember the day I quit smoking EXACTLY, as if it was yesterday. It was a MONDAY MORNING (what was I thinking), and my boss was about to leave for a 2 week business trip... What meant: me being alone and taking care of everything while he is away. Again: WHAT WAS I THINKING?!

Well, we all know smoking is bad. It is one of the worst things you can do to your body. It stinks. It's freaking expensive. Eventually it will kill you.

Then again, it can be really relaxing... No it's not. It raises your heart rate. So stop thinking like that! Yes, this was a trap.

I've had a whole bunch of reasons to quit. The main reason was, that it just didn't really fit into my healthy lifestyle anymore at all. Stepping out of the gym after a workout, lighting a cig right away? Yea... No...

So how did I make it through these 950 days? Willpower. Willpower. Willpower. Every day is a struggle. Face it, if you smoke, you are a junkie. A drug addict. No sugarcoating! I still have days where I just sit at my desk, craving a cigarette.

What helped me besides will power, was this app:

Click on the image
to get to the app store!

This was a good motivator. But an app alone didn't do the trick. Yes, I'm going to play the junkie card again! To me, addiction is addiction. If you smoke, drink, or shoot H. If you have to have it, you are addicted. I started watching DJ AM's (may he rest in peace) "Gone Too Far". All the time.




After I ran out of episodes (DJ AM passed away while filming this MTV show), I started binge watching "Intervention".



You might not have to steal from your family and friends to feed your addiction. But face it: you are just as junkie as they are. So I watched these shows, over and over again, and kept telling myself "I'm smarter than him. I'm smarter than her. I am stronger than this freaking addiction."

And watching one or 2 episodes of either show still helps me today. If I feel the urge, I grab my phone and watch them on YouTube.

I agree, this might be a very unconventional way to quit. But hey, it worked for me. Maybe it will work for you, too?

Bye Bye July! // Still running!

Happy August 1st! Is it just me, or did July fly by? This will be our last month of summer in 2014 - well, maybe not for us, since we are in southern Arkansas. But I'm hoping for a wonderful Indian summer during September & October for all of us though!
What happened in July? Exercise wise I have started a new challenge. Means: I have started a new running training plan, and this time together with M. Since he applied for the Police academy, he has a fitness goal as well. Let me tell you: Working out with him is pretty awesome! He keeps pushing me, which is really motivating! He quit smoking end of June as well; still uses his Vapor every once in a while though. Nonetheless, I'm super proud of him!

I WANT THEM ALL!!
Left & Middle: via ConstantlyVariedGear on ETSY // Right: via teespring.com

So this new app we started using is called "Learn To Run". As I told you earlier, I have hit a plateau when it comes to running. I was doing alright on my 5k runs, but I wanted to run longer and especially faster. So this app is all about intervals. Walk. Run. Walk. Run.... 

The App comes with 2 training programs:

• Basic: 0 to 60 mins run

• Advanced: 60 to 120 mins run

Since I do 2 mile runs at the fairgrounds and take rest days as well, I finished "Day 15" of the Basic program today:

It's tough, especially when it is super hot and humid outside, but it's pretty effective as well! When I started, I was running the 2 miles in 24:54 minutes. 2 days ago, I achieved one of my goals:

2 miles in 21:06 minutes!!! And I've still had power and energy left, so next time I can try to push harder and go a little faster. Man, I was so happy when I checked my Polar FT7! Next goal will definitely be a 5k in under 31 minutes. My PR so far is 32:50. 

I still have tons of weight to lose. I still have to work on my push-ups and sit-ups. But I will get there! It's tough, but I will make it!

Another app I'm using to track all my workouts is called "Sports Tracker". Are you using it? If so, add me as a friend! My Username is: annischenk. So, while checking the app online today to see how I'm doing so far, I have realized this: 

I'm speechless. And this is just the beginning! :)

  Check out my amazing sponsor:

Wordless Wednesday LinkUp // One Year Smoke-Free :)

<center> <a href="http://grapefruitprincess.blogspot.com/search/label/Real%20Wordless%20Wednesday" target="_blank"><img alt="Real Wordless Wednesday" src="http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af126/anneeversary/wordless_wednesday.png"/></a></center>

get the InLinkz code



  Check out my amazing sponsor:

Expat Problem Solved: Access Hulu+ (and other sites) From Every Country

As you guys probably know by now: M and I are huge TV junkies. Since we don't like commercial breaks, waiting week/s before watching the next episode, or buying DVD box sets for $$ and only watching them once, we decided to get a Hulu+ account. And man, do we love it! We don't even have cable or satellite TV yet! 

The bad part about being an expat, traveling back and forth from USA to Europe: We can't use our Hulu+ while being abroad. The smartypants internet realizes we are using a non-US IP, and booooom: BLOCKED!

I will be going to visit family in Germany mid June, and I will stay 3 weeks. Since I will be on vacation, and my family and friends will probably be working during the day, I was very, very happy to get the opportunity to check out Tunnelbear.com so I will be able to use Hulu - and I will share my opinion with you in this little review!

TunnelBear is an app that makes it really easy to browse the internet like you're in another country. More than 2 million people have used TunnelBear to unblock websites like Hulu, Netflix, and Pandora.

There are many reasons why you might want to use TunnelBear.com, even if you are not a TV junkie like me:

• Unblock Pandora / Spotify when you’re traveling or out of the country
• Use TunnelBear to unblock sports feeds for Soccer, NHL, MLB and NFL
• Vote for contestants on reality shows when you’re outside the country
• Keep yourself safe while using public WIFI networks 

The best part: TunnelBear is available for your PC, Android devices, AND Apple devices!

Installing the app is as easy as 123. If not even easier: 

• Step 1: Download Tunnelbear for your iPad/iPhone //  Android Phone/Tablet // PC
• Step 2:Turn it on

Yep, that's it! There are some awesome YouTube videos that guide you through the whole installing process as well. Here goes an example, but you can check them all out here: CLICK!

And some screenshots from an Android device! I hope it helps :o)

Depending on how much data you intend to use, TunnelBear offers 3 different packages: 

• FREE – 500MBs of free data each and every month. You can also get a bonus 1GB of free data by participating in their twitter promotion. There is even a gauge that lets you know how many MBs you have used.
• Unlimited $4.99 per month - Have an iPad, iPhone or Android 4.01+ device? Purchase a TunnelBear on your PC or Mac and you will also receive unlimited tunnelling on two additional mobile devices!
• $49.99 per year – Pay for 1 year of unlimited service and you will save 17%. Your service will NOT be automatically renewed.

Great deal! What would or WILL you use TunnelBear for?

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post from Tunnelbear.com with my unbiased thoughts.

 

Karlified

Howdy dear readers!

The weekend is clooooooose :o)
I don`t know about you, but knowing tomorrow is gonna be Friday makes me REALLY happy!
What a week...

While browsing through the internet today, I found something hilarious:

Now we all can look like my dear Karl Lagerfeld!

How?

Just get "Karlified"! With this App:

NET-A-PORTER KARL
By THE NET-A-PORTER GROUP LIMITED
To celebrate the launch of Karl by Karl Lagerfeld, available exclusively at NET-A-PORTER.COM from January 25, they’ve created a very special app:

I sure Karliefied myself already.... a couple of times :oD

If you want to, e-mail me your pics and I´ll post them on here!