Send FitYap to an IHRSA Conference!

Dear Family and Friends,

We are asking for you to please consider helping us attend our very first conference. As you know, FitYap is a company we've been working on for the past year (for Liz, 3+ years). You've probably heard us talking about it like it's our baby and, quite frankly, that's because it is! We work every minute outside of our day jobs trying to get this off the ground. We are passionate about it and we believe it will truly change the fitness industry!

Attending the IHRSA conference will benefit FitYap in a number of ways. However, as we've basically maxed out our credit cards building FitYap, stocking up on marketing materials for launch and paying others to mine data and write copy, we are finding it hard to fund this conference. So this is where you step in. We need your help to send us to the IHRSA Conference in San Diego in March 2014. Remember, any amount helps. :)

How will FitYap benefit from the conference?
1. We'll be able to market our services to over 7000+ attendees including facility owners and executive managers of large clubs from across the United States.
2. FitYap's logo and information will go out via email and print to all IHRSA members, brand awareness.
3. We will meet with the owners and members and gain a better understanding of the fitness industry, identify pain points, and think of new features to offer on FitYap.com.
4. We'll be able to calculate ROI and determine how best to continue promoting FitYap to the fitness industry.
5. We will network with current and potential clients. These people will be able to put a face to FitYap. They will understand that we are real and that we mean business.
6. The merchandise purchased for or booth can be used for future publicity events.

$13,000? That's just crazy! Where is all of the money going?
Conferences aren't cheap to not only attend but also to exhibit at. We'd like to break this down so you know where the funds are going:

Logistics

IHRSA Membership = $825
Booth 10'x10' = $3300
Accommodations = $1195 ($239/night/shared room)
Taxi to/from airport - $100
Meals = Daily Allowance for three meals =$65 pp - Total = $325
Flights = $430 pp Total= $860

Booth Set-Up Costs

Ipad Stands x4 = $199*4+shipping = $846
Ipads - need 4 = $499 per ipad *3 = $1497
Backdrop = $1099 + shipping = $1199
brochures = $300

Grand Total= $10447 

We have included an additional $300 for unforeseen costs.
We have set up a few rewards for the more generous donations and we want to thank you in advance for any help you can give us! If you are not comfortable making a donation online, we will also accept offline donations. Thank you for helping us move forward with our passion, sweat and tears. We love FitYap and know you will too!

Love,

Liz & Lindsay

Only in Anchorage, Alaska

The Secret To Avoiding Stretch Marks During Pregnancy!

A friend of mine from high school who has had three kids has had some problems with stretch marks in the past with her pregnancies. Her most recent pregnancy (which she just gave birth earlier this week, congrats!) used Bio Oil every single day and swears by it that she did not get any stretch marks this time around. I am making a mental note with a direct link to buy this stuff for the day (down the line) we decide to have kids. I do not want any stretch marks and this sounds like an awesome tip! Thought I would share it all with you too!

Bio-Oil Skincare Oil

Say GoodBye to stretch marks!

WANT: Pomsky. Mix between a Husky and a Pomeranian.

Liz Dean= Lindsay Lohan Look-A-Like, Doppleganger.

Who is your doppleganger? I often get Kate Bosworth, Marcia Cross and before Lindsay Lohan became a train wreck and aged 40 years, Lindsay Lohan. You know, I used to be proud of looking like Lindsay Lohan. Think Mean Girls time, when she was cute, fun and still sort of innocent. Before the botox, the collagen injections and whatever other plastic surgery procedures she's had. Also not to mention the drug use wearing on her body and looks. But now I am not sure of how proud I am about it...

Interesting fact about me- I was chosen in 2005 as the official Lindsay Lohan look-a-like. I was flown to Los Angeles, pampered, hair dyed like hers (she had dark brown/blondish hair back then) and make-up done like hers plus some special affect on my nose to make it look skinnier and more like hers.

Then I was put in front of a camera and shot for a whole day in a hotel room with a whole crew. I was to become the look-a-like for productions companies who needed a Lindsay Lohan look-a-like. This is the same company that represents Michael Jackson's look-a-like (in Scary Movie 3 and 4) and the Paris Hilton look-a-like (from The Simple Life) etc. I had signed on for a 3 year contract. The images would be used as promotional material and if someone wanted a Lindsay Lohan look-a-like, I would have likely been casted. But this was during Lindsay's downward spiral, and NO ONE wanted Lindsay Lohan for movies, let alone were they prepared to use a look-a-like for anything. So in those 3 years, I did not once get casted.

But hey, it was fun while it lasted! And here is the pic that landed me this gig. I don't think I really look anything like her here. But if you see my last post, I really think that image #2 really looks like her.

Fun random fact: I have a cowlick in the same exact spot as Lindsay Lohan.

2014 Patriot Cheerleading Tryout Headshots

Friends and family, please help me pick a headshot to use for the cheerleading tryouts! These photos were taken by my friend Kendal Kelly and by Kim Bokeh. Special thanks to them! Please vote below. Thank you!

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Headshot 1

Headshot 2

Headshot 3

2013-2014 Patriot Cheerleading Tryouts Personal Prep Schedule

I've been working on building up my stamina and fitness regimen in order to prepare for the grueling tryouts for the 2013-2014 Patriot Cheerleading squad. While doing my research and reading an interview article about the tryouts with Tracy Sormanti, Patriots Cheerleading Director, I've learned the running, push-ups, stretching, and loads of high kicks are involved with the tryouts. I'm pretty sure the running part won't phase me, but I definitely need to work on the push-ups and splits/high kicks. First I need to nail down those splits. This is by far the biggest hurdle for me and I am focusing the most on it.

In order to get into tip top shape and to prepare for the tryouts, my fitness plans have been outlined (by myself, not a professional) and I am working towards these goals. As time goes on, I'll add more depending on how my body is reacting and how quickly things progress.

September

• Monday- Gym- run 5k+ and work on weights. Come home and stretch it out.
• Tuesday- zumba (half class) at home on the Kinect. Stretch it out.
• Wednesday- Gym- run 5k+ and yoga class offered at the gym. 
• Thursday- zumba (half class) at home on the Kinect. Stretch it out.
• Friday- Tentative Gym/Zumba- run 5k+ and work on weights. Come home and stretch it out. Depends on Friday night plans.
• Weekend- get out and do something active outdoors- hiking, biking, rock climbing, etc

October

• Monday- Gym- run 4 miles+ and work on weights. Come home and stretch it out.
• Tuesday- Salsa Dancing Lessons. What?! (gives dirty look at you because I know what you're thinking! However, all types of dance are incorporated into cheerleading dance, so I want to broaden my dance skills)
• Wednesday- Gym- run 5k+ and yoga class offered at the gym. 
• Thursday- Laps at the pool
• Friday- Tentative Gym/Zumba- run 5k+ and work on weights. Come home and stretch it out. Depends on Friday night plans.
• Weekend- get out and do something active outdoors- hiking, biking, rock climbing, etc. Start working on high kicks and cheerleading jumps (did I mention I was often a candidate for the UCA jump offs at camp (two girls from each squad were entered into the competition) each year? I can't recall if I ever placed- I'll have to go through all my ribbons/medals and check, but the fact that I was chosen to represent year after year makes me think I should be able to "jump" right back into the high kicks and jumps required!

November

• Monday-  zumba (full class) at home on the Kinect. Stretch it out.
• Tuesday- laps at the pool/high kicks and jumps
• Wednesday- Gym- run 5k and yoga class offered at the gym. 
• Thursday- Gravity Pilates
• Friday- Tentative Gym/Zumba- run 5k+ and work on weights. Come home and stretch it out. Depends on Friday night plans.
• Weekend- It'll be too cold to get outdoors so an hour at the gym doing weights/running and work on jumps/high kicks

December

• Monday- Modern Dance Class (hip hop, etc)
• Tuesday- laps at the pool/high kicks and jumps
• Wednesday- Gym- run 5k+ and yoga class offered at the gym. 
• Thursday- Gravity Pilates
• Friday- Tentative Gym/Zumba- run 5k+ and work on weights. Come home and stretch it out. Depends on Friday night plans
• Weekend- Skiing!!!

January

• Monday-  zumba (full class) at home on the Kinect. Stretch it out and work on high kicks and jumps.
• Tuesday- TBD Dance Class
• Wednesday- Gym- run 5k+ and yoga class offered at the gym. 
• Thursday- Gravity Pilates
• Friday- Tentative Gym/Zumba- run 5k+ and work on weights. Come home and stretch it out. Depends on Friday night plans.
• Weekend- Skiing!!!

So far for September I've been on track, except for today as I am traveling to Kansas to visit family. I have, however, packed my gym clothes and plan on a run or maybe sneaking in on a yoga class... I will try to get some sort of physical activity in over the next 4 days. It's so hard to keep up with fitness goals while traveling, as well as keeping a healthy diet! Oye Vey! More on that to come soon!