The Mudderella Training Program and the Final Countdown to Mudderella 2016!

Thus far, 2016 hasn't been my year in terms of making the best decisions for my health.

While I haven't taken up smoking or gone down to two hours of sleep per night, the tiny sliver of willpower that I used to have against eating every bit of chocolate in sight or snacking at all times of the day seems to have disappeared. On top of that, the modest amount of exercise that I used to get seems to have dwindled down to mowing the lawn, an occasional stroll over to my kids' school, and... well, walking in and out of the kitchen for more snacks.

However, with Mudderella 2016 less than four weeks away, I'm pleased with the way that I've been kicking myself into gear lately. If I'm going to take on this course and "Own Your Strong" for myself, then I want to be as ready as possible!

If you didn't see my post last month, then you missed hearing that three of my amazing friends and I have decided to take on Mudderella Chicago for the second year in a row. Last year the rain and cold temperatures put a damper on the event, but this year I have been willing Mother Nature to take it easy on the Midwest on June 4th.

Instead, I can't wait to lace up an old pair of tennis shoes and hit the trails for this incredible 5- to 7-mile muddy obstacle course for the second time. We'll be running, climbing, crawling, balancing, jumping, and more through grass, over walls, and, of course, in mud. Bring it!

But let's be real, my excitement over getting to participate in Mudderella 2016 is only going to get me so far and then I'm going to need some actual muscles and endurance in order for me to not end up passing out, right?

Fortunately, that's where the Mudderella Training Program comes in.

I love the way that this exercise guide is broken down into six different workouts that are designed to get you up and moving (while also mixing things up enough to keep it interesting). No special gear or tools needed, simply find an open spot and follow the instructions to perform a few circuits of each of the moves (which are shown in videos in case you aren't sure or don't recognize the names).

Planks, squats, mountain climbers, jumping jacks, lunges, rocket jumps, and more — I find that each of the steps are definitely challenging, but that's the point, right? If I think that my legs are burning doing step ups, I just have to remind myself that each exercise is making me just a little bit stronger for taking on the full challenge of Mudderella!

Along with their Training Program, however, I also love that the Mudderella blog has a Weekly Training Program that currently has 12 weeks worth of day by day training cards that are perfect for downloading onto your phone, printing and bringing to the gym, sharing with friends, and more.

Much more detail is listed for each day on the blog.

While I can't claim that I have been 100% following Mudderella's Training Program each and every day, I am happy that I've made much more of an effort to get myself physically ready for event day.

Even though my inner lazy voice still wants to stay put, what better inspiration than knowing that I'm soon going to be surrounding myself with a group of my closest friends while conquering a muddy obstacle course?

Have you signed up to spend a day overcoming personal challenges, giving your fitness goals a boost, and filling your soul with feelings of empowerment and support yet? There are six Mudderella 2016 events planned (so far), so be sure to head over to find the one nearest you:

• Grayslake, IL - June 4, 2016
• Englishtown, NJ - June 18, 2016
• Epping, NH - July 30, 2016
• Kitchener, Ontario - August 27, 2016
• Whistler, British Columbia - September 24, 2016
• Melbourne, Australia - December 3, 2016

For an even better reason to sign up soon, Mudderella is offering a Buy 2 Get 1 Free special right now so that you and two (or more) of your friends can save a bundle of money when you register to take part!

Visit Mudderella.com to find out much more and be sure to connect with this incredible event on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Mudderella 2016, here we come!

I have been provided with Mudderella registration codes in order to facilitate my review, but all of the information and opinions shared are 100% honest and my own.

Hosting Tips with Weight Watchers Sweet Baked Goods! {#TasteAndBelieve}

This post was sponsored by Weight Watchers Sweet Baked Goods as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

Even though my husband might complain that I'm a bit of a homebody sometimes (can I help it if I'd rather stay comfy on the couch in my pj's instead of going out some nights?), I do have a special place in my heart for hosting. There's something just so satisfying about inviting family and friends over for food or drinks or games or celebrations or simply to hang out and chat!

That's not to say that hosting isn't a little daunting sometimes though, right? The house needs to be cleaned, food needs to be prepared, all of my daughters' socks need to be collected and removed from the living room, etc, etc. My house doesn't typically end up looking like this, but at least I like to know that I've vacuumed up the cat hairs and have put out a clean hand towel in the bathroom!

However, over the years I've found that a few simple tips have helped tremendously in removing the stresses of hosting everything from large, detailed birthday parties to small, intimate gatherings.

They include...

Relax! This is the one that I need to remember most, as it always seems like I'm rushing to get things done right up until the last minute. But leaving yourself an hour before the party starts to change and sit and enjoy the silence for a bit can help put you in an even more welcoming, cheerful mood. Who doesn't want that for any sort of gathering?

Plan ahead. Seems pretty obvious, right? But if you're anything like me, there's always a chance that you'll wait until the last minute and will end up pushing your husband out the door to go get the forgotten balloons, more wine or the plastic forks that have mysteriously gone missing. Staying organized and planning ahead in the weeks before your event are extremely important for just about everyone's sanity.

Cater to your guests. Again, it makes sense that a birthday party or play date will feature juice boxes and finger foods while a moms' brunch will have coffee and homemade bread, but I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has been met with confused looks when I put out a bowl of pasta salad in front of 5-year-olds or cute cut up sandwiches for adults.

For the latter, I also have a secret weapon that not only provides delicious flavor but also always ends up a talking point for anyone and everyone. I can't tell you how many friends I've surprised by introducing them to Weight Watchers Sweet Baked Goods and the way that it is possible for me to indulge my sweet tooth without going overboard in calories! For them, Tasting Is Believing!

So, so, so good. These Weight Watchers Sweet Baked Goods Salted Caramel Brownie Bliss are a sweet and salty decadent treat that delivers the perfect combination of rich chocolate brownie and real caramel at only 80 calories and 4 SmartPoints®.

To be honest, the lower calories wouldn't really matter to me if these individually wrapped little brownies tasted like pretty much every other low-cal dessert that I've ever tried (which tend to leave my cravings less than satisfied). However, in this case Weight Watchers Sweet Baked Goods has actually done it! The Salted Caramel Brownie Bliss is really truly bliss!

However, if you don't want to take my word for it, then you still have no excuse to not try Weight Watchers Sweet Baked Goods right now due to their Love It Or It's Free Challenge.

Easy as that. Simply purchase any Weight Watchers Sweet Baked Goods treats until May 31st and, if you aren't in love, you'll get a full refund (complete details and full customer reactions can be found at TastingIsBelieving.com).

In my opinion, I can't imagine even a single rebate being issued after people have tried the Salted Caramel Brownie Bliss. They're just that fantastic!

In fact, at my most recent gathering (having an amazing group of ladies over for Moms Night Out), I immediately knew that Weight Watchers Sweet Baked Goods would be a bigger hit than if I spent time baking or buying more traditional desserts. Quite a few of my friends live fairly healthy lifestyles and I knew that they wouldn't touch calorie-laden snacks anyway!

I couldn't help but just one plate of cookies!

Filling my table with mainly fresh fruits and vegetables for this informal gathering, I added in a plate of Salted Caramel Brownie Bliss and waited for my guests to arrive.

Without question, eyes lit up around the room as soon as people took a look at these little bites of perfection. And then when they bit into the Weight Watchers Sweet Baked Goods Salted Caramel Brownie Bliss the reactions were just as positive. I knew that they would love these!

Only after everyone had tried the Salted Caramel Brownie Bliss did I spill the beans that they are from the line of Weight Watchers Sweet Baked Goods — words that were met with complete shock and quite a few, "I never would have guessed that!" responses. How something so incredibly delicious can only contain 80 calories and 4 SmartPoints® still baffles me as well!

What are you waiting for? Weight Watchers Sweet Baked Goods Salted Caramel Brownie Bliss are available at grocery stores now for a suggested retail price beginning at $3.29 per box. Or, if chocolate and caramel isn't your thing, other Weight Watchers Sweet Baked Goods products include Red Velvet Crème Cake, Peanut Butter Brownie Bliss, Mint Chocolate Brownie Bliss, Carrot Crème Cake, Oatmeal Raising Cookies, and more.

Find out much more about all of the delicious Weight Watchers Sweet Baked Goods products, where to purchase them, the Love It Or It's Free Challenge, and more at TastingIsBelieving.com.