My Christmas Shopping Simplified! Affordable Gift-Giving Options For Fit People! (And Those Who Want to Be)

Wow!
It is upon us! I'm not really into the commercialism aspect of the holidays. Christmas is not something that Micah and I go into debt over. We'd rather focus on making memories. Oftentimes, we make homemade gifts, and those are some of the best gifts I've given through the years. We have lots of fit friends, and enjoy giving because it blesses others, not because we have to compete. I will be doing a local business post listing business run by people I know that really offer great products/services, that your friends and family will really enjoy, but today's theme is frugal gift giving. Here's a list of affordable and high-quality brands that  I highly recommend for your fitness friends!

Disclaimer: Some but not all products in this post do contain affiliate links, which compensate me a percentage of your purchase amount. However, I do really love these brands or I wouldn't mention them in this post. Thanks for supporting Grace, Lace, and Iron!

 1 Beachbody's Semi-Annual Sale: So, it starts today at 5 p.m. The entire P90X Series is drastically marked down as well as programs from Shaun-T and Chalene Johnson. The last sale they had sold out really quick, so I wouldn't wait on this one. There's also fitness apparel and equipment on sale!

 2. Natalie Jill Fitness: This lady has some awesome cookbooks, and workouts. She's down-to-earth and friendly, and knows her stuff. You can read my review of her Rev-4 workout dvd on this blog. Her Stay Lean III Cookbook is awesome too! You could even have these downloads sent via email to someone. Or create a fitness binder for them from one of her e-books.

3. Oh-Sweet-Heavens: Jillian is NC-based and specializes in allergen-free desserts. They taste amazing too! She also ships, and her products hold up well over shipping. I love her brownie sampler. This is perfect for anyone on your list who you won't get to see over the holidays!

4. Nak'd Raw Bars: $9.99 + shipping for a box of 13. They taste great too. I loved reviewing this product. They have so many flavors too!

5. Mash-Up Conditioning DVD - 7 -  15 min. workouts that use minimal equipment. You will sweat! You can read my review on this dvd Here.

6. Petal and Stem Wrist-Hugger or Hip-Hugger: This is a great gift for a group fitness instructor, or really anyone who travels, it's a pouch that stores your your id, some, cash and car key. I have one and love it! I've reviewed this product as well!

7. Cross Rope. Girls Gone Sporty introduced me to these nifty ropes. That are customizeable, Choose the thickness of the rope, along with the weight of the handles, and you have a high quality jump rope you'll be using for years. Use the code GGSCROSS for a discount.

8. Oh and just a side note, the products in my selz store will be 50% off until next monday, so this would be a great idea for those of you needing healthy recipe ideas to take to gatherings, or making fitness notebooks for your friends! julieauler.selz.com

Petal and Stem Wrist-Hugger Review!

Hi There!
Hope you're having a great Monday! Today's my birthday, so I can't wait to have a blast and do some fun stuff!
 Anyway, it's back to business, well, some pretty fashionable cute business, and while I received free product, I was not monetarily compensated for this post. :-)

I love accessories, and I was looking over these cute wrist-huggers and hip-huggers fro Petal and Stem, and let me tell you, it fits my style. Being a fitness instructor, I love fashionable and funtional items, and I'm always needing a pocket, because yoga leggings don't have pockets... When I saw the wrist-hugger, I was super excited, because I needed a way to keep up with my keys, and chapstick without lugging a gigantic purse around...which is what I normally do. So I decided to give this wrist hugger a try.

This pretty little wrist-hugger arrived at my door. They also have lots of other beautiful patterns! I loved wearing this to class because it was so light-weight but durable. I teach a lot of PiYo, so this was perfect for holding my keys, and cash. I even used it to hold some cough drops when I was sick a few weeks ago! The wrist-huggger has two sets of snaps to give it some adjusting power, and is sealed by velcro at the top to keep your items secure. The cotton material was also breathable, which is a major plus for me.  I was so glad it didn't flop on my wrists, and I got some great complements!  Now, I think they need to make one for holding id's.. ;-) I really loved going straight from class to running errands with this because I had all I needed in one spot. Yay! I would definitely recommend this product as a great stocking stuffer.You can check out their very fashionable waist-huggers and the other wrist-hugger patterns at petalandstem.com

Get Shopping!
-Julie

A New Chapter: An Awesome Monday Present and Accountability

This past weekend held some big changes for us. Micah just got a much better job, and I started working a different job as I segway out of my old one. I'm also reaching a new stage in my online coaching business that I mentioned in a previous post.

Micah's job - the pay is better, the job security is better, it's first shift. There's also overtime involved....we're thinking Outer Banks Camping Trip end of May. :-) Never been there, but have always wanted to go! I'm so blessed and thankful to have a husband who works hard.

What I've learned about myself is that I'm just not your typical 9-5 girl. This has been a slower month, but last month was so insane for my coaching business that a couple of weeks of rest was more than enough... I'm ready for my challenge/accountability groups to fill up, and hit the road for May. If you'd like to join us, Click Here. It's free; you just need to bring the tools to succeed. That aside, I love helping people lead healthier lives....if it's not apparent, then I'll write it on my forehead in sharpie....LOL...The reason I chose to open a coaching business is because I saw a need that was missing in my own health and fitness journey. That need wasn't being fulfilled, and it was stopping me from achieving results...I needed to be held ACCOUNTABLE. Accountability is a scary word for many people, but the fact of the matter is, that should not be the case. Accountability means you can be free to make better decisions, and break the cycle of bad habits that are holding you back....I ate clean a lot, and exercised, but accountability made me work on the areas that I needed to work on most, but hadn't made a priority of, like portion control and the variety of foods I was eating, as well and building my upper body strength. No one is intended to walk through life alone. We need and value the support and opinions of others....Case in point, you're reading this blog right now. The biggest reward for me last month was seeing a challenger 5 lb, 3 inches off her waist, and 3 inches off her thighs and now how her young daughter doesn't fight healthier meal choices, as well as hearing Stephanie, another challenger, talk about how much more energy she has now....those are the true rewards, but this reward wasn't bad either....

The plyo/jump mat is amazing....I tested it out as soon as it arrived yesterday!! That mat doesn't move either, it stays put! The weighted gloves made my Les Mills Combat workout so intense, I thought I would need a mop later....lol. The moral of this rambling post is...choose to be accountable to someone.. Let go of your pride or whatever may be holding you back. You have no idea how close you are to making better choices until you try.

I hope your week is off to a great start!

- Julie

p.s. please check out my guest post and workout at i'm fit possible 

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