Steph Says: Bulu Box Review & Discount Code!

Hey friends!

After two beautiful weeks in Pensacola, I arrived home to my very first Bulu Box delivery!

I love getting packages and letters in the mail. Who doesn't?! Mail is so much fun! Except for bills. And junk mail. I mean, how many times are you going to offer me this credit card? I already spend too much money I don't have- can you NOT tempt me any further? Kthnxbye.

So when FitApproach offered its SweatPink ambassadors a chance for a free Bulu Box, I jumped all over that. Bulu Box is, according to FitApproach, the first health, nutrition and weight loss discovery box designed to help you feel your best. Each month, you’ll get a custom box filled with a new mix of 4 to 5 premium samples from top brands to try. Every sample is sufficient enough to decide if the product is right for you.

Here was the delicious and nutritious spread waiting for me! I was a little sad (at first) that it wasn't all edible, but that quickly changed!

So fancy!

Right away, I tried the Earth's Care Anti-Itch Cream. Living in the deep south has its perks, but the thriving mosquito population is not one of them. And they adore me. First time I took the Rascal to the park upon our return from Florida, I was promptly eaten alive. I couldn't wait to get home and slather myself in this cream. Thankfully, it WORKS. Two minutes after putting it on my bites, they stopped itching and I could again focus on something other than wanting to scratch my legs raw. It's thicker than I expected,  more like a balm than a cream. I'd definitely buy this in a larger size to keep on hand. I love that it's made of natural camphor and menthol so it won't irritate my skin any further than the mosquitoes already have!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Then I tried the Quest protein powder- peanut butter flavor. I have been wanting to try this brand ever since I first heard about it, so I had high expectations. Quest surpassed them! I mixed it with skim milk in my Blender Bottle and it came out like an actual protein SHAKE- thick and creamy, not like slightly thicker flavored skim milk. The peanut butter flavor was on point as well. And they gave you not one, but TWO sample packets of this! Way to win me over. Next time I need protein powder, this will be my first choice.

Like buttahhhh. Peanut buttah.

Then I tried the Herba Prima Fiber Plus Powder supplement. Honestly, I didn't notice much of a difference in my regularity?? I don't really pay attention to that in the first place, unless there's a problem, so who knows. The dark color of the drink was rather unappealing and the apple cinnamon flavor wasn't my favorite either. I noticed that the label claimed this was the "new and improved flavor" so I shudder to think of what it tasted like BEFORE the improvement...

Bottoms up.

I brought the Mediterra Sundried Tomato & Basil bar along with me on a day trip to Baton Rouge. Okay, real talk? I am a firm believer in the idea that any type of wrapped-up bar should be sweet in nature. This did nothing to change my mind. The granola/protein bar texture does not lend itself well to a savory flavor. It was just weird. Really, really weird.

I just can't. Can't even, even. 

Last, but SO not least, were the Movit Energy Gummies. Y'all,  they were good. They tasted like legit fruit snacks, like the ones I steal from my kid. Exactly unlike the way those gummy vitamins can taste. I tried my bag before a 5 mile run instead of my usual Spark or preworkout and I had the same amount of energy that I usually do! I was worried they wouldn't give me the kick I need at 5:45 a.m. on Saturday, but they were perfect. I think these could really give me a burst of energy in the middle of a run or a race.

All smiles.

To sum up, three out of five products were fantastic, which is pretty sweet odds for a sample box. I was really happy with the variety between all of the different samples, and it was a fun way to try out some new products. That Quest protein powder won my heart hands-down!

Interested in giving BuluBox a try? The lovely people over at FitApproach have given me a discount code to share with you! Visit their website and use the code SWEATPINK for 50% off a 3-month subscription to BuluBox. That's like five bucks a month. That's like, less than one grande salted caramel mocha.

Oh dear God, someone bring me a salted caramel mocha. 
Now.
Please?

Steph Says: Except...

One of the girls in my run group is injured. I FEEL for her because she WANTS to run, but she has to take it easy. So last week I decided to stick with her and walk 4 fast miles instead of run the usual 5 with the crew. Then on Friday night, as we're planning our Saturday run for the weekend, she throws out "Hey anyone wanna bike with me tomorrow?" And I'm like SHYEA so we decide we're gonna bike 12 miles and I'm like praise Jesus, I don't have to run tomorrow!

Then I had a small realization. Revelation, if you will. My group is running 5 miles twice a week and ramping up to 5 plus on Saturdays to prepare for race season. That's also with hitting the gym Monday-Wednesday-Friday. 

That's a lotta fitness going down and I AM ALL ABOUT IT.

Except.

Except I get burned out on running REAL quick. And my first race of the season isn't until Cajun Cup 10k in November. And my first half isn't until December or maybe even January. And I'm also planning to run another FULL ZYDECO in 2016. In short, there are many, many miles in my future. I'm already burning out and it doesn't even need to get that real yet. 

So I made an executive decision. I'm going lighter on my miles, higher on my intensity. I've been wanting to work on my speed for, oh, four years or so. Why not now?! Dial down the miles, dial up the pace. Boom. Done. Plan, planned.

Except.

Except I feel like a failure. 

In my warped brain, twelve miles on a bike isn't good enough.

Here's the conversation my brain is having lately. 

Buckle up. 

Biking? Pffft. I should be running eight or more miles. I should be eating better. I shouldn't have eaten Cheez-Its for dinner. I should try IIFYM again. I AM trying Weight Watchers again. Wait, that teensy kid-sized granola bar is three points? I have to run 2 miles to earn back those points. What is my life? Ooh pumpkin spice latte M&Ms? It's fall y'all, get in my basket and get in my belly. I need more FitBit steps. I want a cheeseburger. Why didn't I burn more calories this morning? Am I not lifting heavy enough? It felt heavy. I'm sore! I didn't think I could lift my kid out of her crib after those chest flys! Should I have just one tablespoon of cream with my coffee? Or two? I think I earned two. I want some of Rascal's cereal. Why don't I remember Captain Crunch being this good? I should be having egg whites. What's for lunch? I'm eating breakfast thinking about my next meal. Diet starts Monday. Diet starts Monday. Diet starts Monday. 

There is something seriously wrong here.

Except.

Except five years ago, a lap around the neighborhood on my bike was like WHEWWWW FITNESS. Now I'm biking twelve MILES.

I've changed so much as a person and my body is totally different but, still, I feel like a complete failure for gaining back a solid 15 pounds when I was SO CLOSE to my goal. And furthermore, HOW WILL I EVEN STAY THERE if I ever manage to reach the goal?!?!?!? One sunny day, in the near-distant future, I'll hit goal and be like yeaaaaaaaaaa let's go get Route 44 milkshakes at Sonic to celebrate!!!

Except.

Except goal will never be reached if I continue to find little reasons to "celebrate." Oh, it's Tuesday? We need cupcakes. Oh, I ate really healthy all day? Gotta have some Oreos to balance that out. It's all about balance, right? WRONG KINDA BALANCE, STEPHANIE. 

Except.

Except on Saturday morning, I got on my bike and rode over 13 miles. I rode through a neighborhood that inspired me to possibly start a major renovation project on my grandparents' old house. I rode down a wooded private road with beautiful homes and decks on a hidden pond. I rode over the bridge and saw the sun rising over the Vermilion River. I rode with...this is SO CHEESY but I can't help myself...with the wind in my hair and the sun on my face and I had SUCH a good time with two of my favorite girls. When it was all said and done, I'd  burned over 600 calories. 

Except.

Except no more excepts. Because maybe it's enough just to be happy and enjoy the journey right now. I'm not who I used to be. I like who I've become over the past two years. I just wish this me had a little more wiggle room in my size 12 jeans.

Except.

Except ok I lied, one more except...Except tomorrow is a new day to start over. To make the good choices. To eat the healthy things. To be happier than I was today. 

Now THAT'S a plan I can be all about.