Laura Lohr

Not Just an Alliteration

Beam Me Up Samsung Galaxy S4 #Verizon

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Samsung Galaxy S4
Mr. Bear and I have been loyal fans of the Android operating system on our phones. We’re always excited when the newest features and releases come out. When Verizon Wireless asked me what phone I wanted to review next, the Samsung Galaxy S4 was at the top of my list! Mr. Bear and I had been waiting somewhat impatiently for the release date of this phone.

As it turned out, we bought Mr. Bear the Samsung Galaxy S4 for his birthday and that coincided with the date Verizon sent me the same phone to tryout. This was awesome, because we were able to “bump” our phones, using the S-Beam technology to share photos, files and videos. It was really cool. We were able to discover and learn about the phone together. We sat on our patio one evening, enjoying a glass of wine (okay, a bottle!) and playing with the phones. LOVE THIS PHONE!

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Mr. Bear chose the black one and Verizon sent me the white one

There are so many cool features about this phone. One I really like, is when you find a contact in your phone, you simply put the phone to your ear to dial. The Bluetooth connection in the car is so incredibly simple. You can program the phone to automatically connect to the Bluetooth, as soon as you start the car. Easy, peasy!

As a fitness lover, my favorite feature is the Fitness Tracker. When Mr. Bear and I went to Sonoma, he had his phone track our steps, as we spent our days in Wine Country. At the end of the day, we could add in a walk, take a swim, or whatever to make sure we got our exercise in. It definitely made us more aware of our activity.* We always have our phones with us and it was something we didn’t have to think too much about. We got our 10,000 steps in every day! Woohoo!

Samsung Galaxy SG4
We took tons of photos on our recent trip. The GS4 was a great camera to use! The Drama Shot and Eraser features. When we were traveling down the road in the car, I could use the drama shot to take a “burst” of photos and I could choose between them to fit together the perfect shot. The Eraser feature was great when someone decided to photobomb our photos when we were trying to get some photos of the landscape.

I still have several months before I can upgrade my phone, but I am keeping my eye on the Samsung Galaxy S4. Mr. Bear loves his and I am trying to not to be too jealous. It is super fast, super light and really the best phone I have had the opportunity to review so far.

*It has a lot of other cool features too, like can be synched by Bluetooth to a heart-rate monitor, blood pressure meter, body scale and S band bracelet.

**I was sent the Samsung Galaxy S4 for review purposes only. I was asked to return the phone after the review period.

FitBit Zip—A Healthy Way to Connect with Friends! An Amazing Fitness Gadget!

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I love gadgets. I love technology. I especially love fitness gadgets! I love new ways to help me measure my effort, progress and to hold my interest, I always look for the best gadgets reviews online, for this. For me, exercise is a ritualistic and I love any tools that can aid me in reaching my goals. That is why I was thrilled when Verizon loaned me the FitBit Zip to try out for myself. I have many friends that have one of their own and I couldn’t wait to link up and get to calculating my steps. [Read more…]

Back to the Basics with Weight Watchers

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Disclaimer: I was offered a three-month trial to participate in Weight Watchers.  I was given the choice to join online or in person.  I chose IN PERSON, however the Weight Watchers E-Tools were not included in this trial, so I purchased the E-Tools with my own money.  I have participated in Weight Watchers before and would only recommend brands and products I personally believe in.

It has been a few years since I did Weight Watchers.  After having my daughter, I lost about 40 pounds, ran a marathon six months post-partum and I felt amazing.  Somewhere along the line, I let some negativity creep in and I lost my motivation.  I am not even sure how it all happened now.  All I know is that I stopped giving myself the attention I know I deserve.

Years later, I am working my way back to getting fit.  I have been running on the treadmill and doing about 20 miles a week.  I’ve been doing interval training, which consists of a quarter mile of running all out and alternating with a quarter mile of walking at a 6.0 incline.  I’ve noticed that my endurance has improved tremendously and so has my confidence.  I keep my 5 and 8 pound dumbbells near the treadmill.  I do several sets of dumbbell work during the walking part of my workout, including shoulder presses, bicep curls, triceps extension, hammer curls and lateral raises.  I have been really sore, but I am noticing tiny little changes in my arms.  It makes me feel strong!

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This is my treadmill and Surf Shelf.  I’ve made this my own little corner.  I’ve been consistent with my exercise and I’m completely addicted to Drop Dead Diva.  I’ve been watching it when I’m on the treadmill. You can see my smaller hand weights on the right and my large water on the left.  Heart rate monitor is up at the top, with my Yurbuds headphones, pedometer and Garmin.

I have completed two weeks with Weight Watchers now.  [Read more…]

Are We There Yet? Good Times

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GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) Product Image (1)

"Are we there yet?"

“Why can’t we just be THERE?”

“Why does Grandma live so far away?”

"How much further to Grandma’s?"

"How long is an hour?" (It’s two Phineas and Ferb episodes—FYI.)

Sound familiar? Yea. Fun times.

When you are seven years old, sitting in the car for long drives is, in a word, B O R I N G. It is also frustrating to us, as parents to answer the same questions over and over. We love our kiddo, but when she is bored, we are responsible to bring on the entertainment, or suffer the incessant questions. I remember how it felt on long drives. When I was a kid, we drove to Texas from California many times. My dad was not the "Pull-over! I got to pee" sort of accommodator. If you went to the restroom in New Mexico, you were holding it until the Texas State line. I remember it being a pretty boring drive, in some parts and I am assured that I drove my parents crazy with the incessant questions, just as my daughter does on long drives now.

[Read more…]

Gadget Girl Achieves Resolutions With Polar FT40 HR Monitor #Fitfluential

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Getting back in shape is tough after months and months of inactivity. I cannot measure my workouts the same way I did previously because I cannot perform the same way I did previously. When I was offered an opportunity to review the Polar Heart Rate Monitor, I jumped at the chance. With the heart rate monitor, I can calculate my exerted effort and use it to guide my training.

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The Polar FT40 Heart Rate Monitor is so comfortable. I have experienced chafing when wearing various gadgets through my years of running, but not with the heart rate monitor. The sensor band fits nicely around my rib cage. This little gem conformed to my body shape and I hardly noticed I was wearing it. The band is It stayed in place, no matter my activity or intensity. The monitor is comfortable and light weight. Love!

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The heart monitor is easy to use and the display is large enough that I don’t have to squint to read it while I’m exercising. You can set heart-rate based target zones and set an alarm to let you know when your target is reached. This is extremely helpful with my training and helping me find the right intensity. I will be back in shape before I know it!

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My FAVORITE feature, however, is the calorie counter. I was able to put my personal information into the Polar FT40, including my age and weight, and the monitor tracks my calories burned. As I am trying to get back into tracking my activity and my calories consumed, it is helpful to see for myself how many calories I burn. I love watching the calories tick away as I crank up the intensity of my workout and imagine myself reaching my New Year’s Resolutions.

If you are looking for a way to step your workouts an help meet your New Year’s resolutions, the Polar FT40 is a sure way to help you meet your goals. You can find the Polar FT40 for women HERE.

Connect with Polar:

PolarUSA.com
Polar on Facebook
Polar on Twitter

Disclaimer: I am a FitFluential Ambassador, and I was offered a Polar FT40 Heart Rate Monitor in exchange for my honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I honestly love the Polar HT40 and enjoyed using it.

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