Mother's Day Gift Ideas for the Active Mom!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Do you have a Mom on your gift list this Mother's day that is an avid bike rider?

Then you will love these gift ideas from Bryton and Allen Sports! They are helpful to any bike rider whether doing it for exercise or just as a casual rider seeing the scenery and enjoying nature!

Bryton Rider 100

The Bryton Rider 100 is an awesome cycling GPS that now goes everywhere with me and my bike! 

The 36-function, waterproof device has a battery life of 25 hours and a history log of 300 hours. With ANT+ and Bluetooth smart capabilities, it also comes ready to power on and go with Auto Start/Pause/Stop, Heart Rate sensor, Cadence and Power meter features on a 1.6" display screen.

No speed sensor installation required, the Rider 100 features Power On and Go with Auto Start/Stop, keeping you in the mood for cycling. The large auto backlight easy-to-read display works great with 36 real time data functions including customizable data pages, allowing you to be always on top of your workouts. The GPS recording option gives you the opportunity to compare and compete with other cyclists by sharing the recorded FIT files to popular training websites after workouts. Designed for everyday cyclists, the Rider 100 is simple, powerful and affordable.

I love that with the Rider 100, I can now tell how fast I am cycling so that I can work on improving with each ride! It also has a great auto stop and start feature so I don't have to worry about fumbling with it at a stoplight or intersection when I need to stop! It is really great for improving my fitness, logging miles and increasing my speed each ride!

Available from Amazon.com for $65.95

S525 Premier Two Bike Hitch Rack

And for transporting my bike from path to park to home, I am now using the awesome S525 Premier Two Bike Hitch Rack!

The Allen Sports' Premier Hitch Mounted 2-bike carrier mounts quickly and easily to your 2" or 1 1/4" trailer hitch. The arms "snap" into place right out of the box. Allen's new dual-compound cradle system securely holds your bicycles in place and the rack's large padded Spine Shield protects your bicycles as well. In addition to the easy folding arms on this rack, the new innovative internal tilt-away release makes it a snap to access your vehicle's rear lift gate. The powder-coated rack installs in just minutes with a no-wobble bolt and an integrated locking loop offers a place to secure your bikes.

The Allen Sports model S525 delivers capacity for up to two bicycles (up to 70 pound) and installs onto most standard Class I, II, III & IV 1 1/4 inch and 2 inch receiver hitches. The S525 features easy assembly, folding carry arms, quick lift-gate access, and a dual compound Spine Shield.

My favorite part: the Quick Assembly and Easy Install! With only three bolts needed to assemble the S525, the rack is out of the box and has me on the road with my bike in minutes.

Plus, I really love that it has the patented easy fold arm design which allows the carry arms on the racks to be dropped out of the way when not in use by simply squeezing the two red release buttons on the carrier. So easy and so great for when it isn't in use!

And most importantly, it keeps my bikes safe and protected with its durable, UV resistant rubber cradle straps that quickly secure my bicycle in place and tie-downs that include a soft cradle bed to fully protect your bicycles during transport. Plus, it features the Dual Compound Spine Shield that snaps in place over the vertical mast on the rack and offers a soft gray landing pad to protect the inner-most bicycle during transport. My bikes stay safe, protected and secured during the car ride!

Available from Amazon.com for $121.99 

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Tips For Staying Active and Eating Smart & #Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

According to a recent survey by Balance Bar, 43% of Americans feel most balanced during the summer! As we’re approaching the official start of summer on June 21st, it’s the perfect time to get outside, enjoy the beautiful weather and start feeling more balanced.

To help you feel good inside and out this summer, Balance Bar is sharing Gabby Reece’s tips for staying active and smart eating.

Tips For Staying Active and Eating Smart 

From Gabby Reece

• Make it your own: 

There is not one right way to get it done. There is the right way that works for you. When it comes to eating healthy, find the foods you like and implement those into your daily diet. The same goes for exercise. If you hate the gym then find something outside that is manageable for you. This is not about torture; this is about creating a lifestyle that you can do week after week.

• Watch the calendar: 

Use summer for motivation to shape up but don’t wait for June 21st. If you wait until summer actually starts, you’ll feel rushed and end up crash dieting or doing a crazy workout schedule. I personally like to keep a calendar in my kitchen and cross off the days as I countdown to bikini weather. The visual reminder – right where you eat – is helpful in keeping you on track.

• Sign up a friend: 

We tend to be more successful at accomplishing some type of exercise if we have an accountability partner. Solicit a friend and maybe use this as your time to connect. You can train for a 5k together or join an outdoor boot camp; there are a lot more options now that the weather is improving.

• Plan to snack:

Take snacks (like fruit, nuts or a Balance Bar®) wherever you go to prevent mindless eating. If I have an afternoon or early evening workout planned, I make sure to have one of these handy an hour or so before so that I have plenty of energy to get in a good workout.

• Variety is key: 

Make as many meals as you can at home so you can control your nutrition. These are some of my favorite recipes,– fresh and full of veggies for springtime! To keep things interesting and fresh at my house, I try to rotate foods. One night I may go for something heavier with veggies and grains, and then the next night focus on proteins. I really try to change up the food and create a great deal of variety.

• Each day is a new chance and it's never too late: 

If you fall out of your summer shape up routine one day, don’t sweat it. Forgive yourself and move on – and just keep moving!

To see some of Gabby’s favorite fitness moves, go to http://bit.ly/1HL3eO8 and for more of Gabby’s tips for balancing fitness and a busy schedule go to http://bit.ly/1Qj0pYC.

Win It:

Balance Bars is generously offering (1) Prize Pack including Balance Bar Bare bars and a Balance Bar headband to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Balance Bar Summer Fit Prize Pack including: 
Balance Bar Bare bars 
AND 
a Balance Bar headband

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you to Balance Bar for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*