Motivation Mail: February

Finally in February motivation mail was revamped and I was given a new partner to swap healthy snacks and other goodies with. That's when I "met" Jenn, a fellow Tone It Up sister; we exchanged addresses, and we were able to message on twitter to find out a little bit more about each other. We learned that we had many things in common, aside from living in the same state - we both love running, tea on cold nights, and baking [cookies for her, cupcakes for me]. Luckily for us it was Valentine's Day, and we were able to add a little pink to our boxes before shipping them off!

I received my mail from Jenn, despite the storm, and could not have been more happy! It truly felt like a Valentine's Day gift from a friend with all the pinks and reds. She gave me a silicone cupcake mold, cupcake stencils and picks, a tumbler to fill with my favorite Tone It Up smoothies, a kind bar, and plenty of luna bars, two of which I had never had before - Luna Protein. Her card was the icing on top of this motivation mail. She's seriously so sweet, inspiring, and motivating. I could not have gotten this package at a better time, because I was unable to workout due to jury duty that week, I was able to stay motivated and fall back into my workout routine smoothly. 

I wasn't able to send out her motivation mail until a week or two later because of the storm and jury duty, of course, but thankfully she understood, even though I felt horrible for the delay. 

I packed the box filled with my favorite snacks, including, BearNaked granola and a few larabars, a Tone It Up sticker, AND Valentine's day towels and a heart cookie cutter set. I always try and include things that I love, as well as things I know they love - to show them I was listening and I've gotten to know them over the month, but also so they can try new things that are my favorites. I also included an inspiring card. I think that's my favorite part - writing a card that will keep my tone it up sisters inspired for the month, a card that they can look at whenever they're feeling upset or down on themselves or just not motivated to workout, and know that I'm there cheering them on to keep going. 

Want to be involved with Tone It Up Motivation Mail? Email Amy @ motivationmail123@gmail.com

Motivation Mail: October

If you still haven't signed up for Motivation Mail with Alyssa at Everything A, then I suggest you go and do that before reading the rest of this post! This is now my third month participating and I'm so grateful that I have been able to "meet" and chat with three amazing ladies.

This past month I "met" Kyle, which I found funny because that's my brother's name! I never thought of Kyle being both a girl's and boy's name, but I love that it can be! Our mail was pretty random, literally. Kyle told me how she loves random knick knacks, and told me to expect a box full of random. Meanwhile I sent her a box of little lists - from to-do lists to to-buy lists. I figured if she was sending me what she loves, random goodies, I'd send her what I love, lists! I also included a smelly pencil, a little package of lotion and a facial, trail mixes, hand sanitizer, and a dream catcher! I was a little delayed sending hers out because Hurricane Sandy, my Child Life Exam, and the Nor'easter, but she didn't mind at all, thankfully!

I received her box a week before I sent hers out, and I was super excited to open it, not knowing what to expect!

Not only was her card super sweet, but everything she included was so interesting! Not only did I love not knowing what to expect, I loved everything she gave me - earrings, nail polish, soap, and hair bands to feel pretty, of course(!), starbucks via & chai tea (pumpkin chai was absolutely delicious and I need to go out and buy some more), Emerald Breakfast On the Go, which was so tasty, Gummy worms, and a homemade bar, notecards, and lastly leis! 

While I haven't used everything yet, I plan on it! I passed on the coffee to my brother, since he's a huge fan, as well as the gummy bears, but everything else was mine to keep!

I'm excited for next month's Holiday Motivation Mail! 

Motivation Mail: September

In August, I participated in Motivation Mail with some of my Tone It Up team, and I have to say, I fell in love with the idea! So when I received an email asking if I'd still like to be a part of it in the months to follow, I immediately knew that this would be something I would do for awhile. It's so great getting inspiring letters, healthy snacks, and motivating extras.

In September I was paired with Bridget, a then, soon-to-be bride, who has since gotten married - congratulations! Her and her husband lost a combined 130 lbs before the wedding - can she be any more of an inspiration!? By connecting with her on Twitter, I was able to find out she loves soccer and cheer for any KS team, and she enjoys baking and technology! Now while I wasn't able to find her things to do with what she loves, I knew that she was getting married soon and decided to get her things that she could use on her wedding day. I packed an envelope full of fall candles and a candle holder (to help her relax and enjoy the smells of fall), luna bars (for a healthy breakfast), dried apple slices (for a sweet craving) and veggie chips (for a salty craving), and chap-stick (to help ensure that her lips were perfect for that 'I do' kiss)! From what she told me, as soon as she opened the envelope, it smelled like Fall - she loved everything and even ate some of the healthy snacks before the big day, but I didn't mind, as long as she loved it!

Now when I received mine, I was way too excited. I don't know what it is about snail mail, but it's a great feeling getting things in the mail with your name on it! The yellow wrapping paper and lovely, kind words in the card made me even happier to have been paired with Bridget.

After I read the card, I opened the remaining motivating items and was so thankful for all that Bridget had given me. She was so sweet and gave me some of her favorite healthy things, an idea I loved! Not only did I get to know Bridget by talking to her, but also by receiving her mail - knowing what she likes to eat inspired me to continue to eat healthier, and find new favorite snacks.

Inside was Emerald 100 calorie packs of Cocoa Roasted Almonds (one of my favorites too!), Luna and Cliff bars, sunflower seeds (to add on to salad), Yogi tea, an inspiring bracelet, a small planner to document my workouts in, and the new issue of Shape magazine. 

When I open my motivation mail, I feel so motivated to workout, and so thankful to have found such an amazing team - the Tone It Up team. Thank you Bridget for your mail this month, I hope we stay connected on Twitter, because you're truly an incredible individual - both inside and out. 

  

Motivation Mail: August

When I became a part of the Tone It Up Community, I met some amazing ladies - became friends on the community, started following inspiring individuals on Twitter, and eventually began participating in Motivation Mail! It was created by Alyssa at Everything A! If you're a Tone It Up girl, and haven't participated and want to - sign up by clicking here!

Every month, she pairs all the girls with a partner. Once you're paired, you can talk with your partner - find out their likes/dislikes and get to know different ladies from around the world! We each spend about $10-15 on each Motivation Mail package! We can include anything from "TIU approved snacks, inspirational books, notes, pictures, and anything motivating or inspiring!"

In August, I was paired with Karli from Maryland! I was way too excited; we started talking right away on Twitter, and we were able to get to know each other a lot more! Even though we already sent out our mail, we plan on keeping in touch, and definitely still continue to motivate each other each and every day!

I received my Motivation Mail from her yesterday, and I nearly cried! It was so so sweet, from the thoughtful card to the healthy snacks she included! I felt like she really listened to me when we were talking. I couldn't have gotten it at a better time either - right after I finished my morning workout! I was more inspired and motivated than ever to do my PM workout, and continue my two-a-day workouts for weeks to come.

Everything she gave me was so thoughtful, and will definitely help me on my fitness journey. I am so thankful - thank you Karli! You're such an fitspiration, and I'm so lucky we were paired.

[included: a sweet, sweet thank you card, a handmade journal (because I love to write - obviously), Jelly Belly Sport Beans, a Kind bar, a Cliff bar, three Justin's butters - peanut butter, almond butter, and hazelnut butter, a Larabar, a Luna bar, Mrs. May's Almond Rice Stix, Barbara's Snackimals, and Guayaki Yerba Mate Chocolate tea!]

Once you're signed up, you are permanently on the list, and now that it's September I have a new partner! I can't wait to send her some goodies! Even if you don't participate, try to motivate someone once a day - they'll return the favor, I promise.