Look at those bent knees. I give him a 8.9. 9.0 if he sticks the landing. Perfect 10 if he jumps up and screams “I totally meant to do that!”Some of you more experienced bloggers out there are used to getting all kinds of cool swag. I’m picturing the ultimate Blogger Party by a pool somewhere with tanned hotties eruditely discussing the latest in Google Analytics and audience reach while various peons serve you scrumptious food and tempt to you with fancy swag bags and give-aways. Celebrities kowtow to your sheer luminescence. So, okay, the hotties are probably a little on the pasty side and the “celebrities” are probably just Heidi & Spencer but other than that – that’s totally how it goes down right, guys?
Somehow I don’t get invited to those parties. So for me, this is a first.
My First Official Give Away!
And it’s a doozie. The people at Lipton Tea are all about “Freeing your Y” by staying active, eating healthy and having fun. They’re hosting a video contest over at YouTube where you can submit your youthful spirit for public examination. The youthfull-est spirit of all wins $25,000! That’ll buy a lot of plastic surgery, er, I mean yoga sleep-away camps.
In addition to that (who doesn’t love to be on camera??), they are offering one of YOU a Fuji Crosstown 2.0 bike. So if you missed your chance over at Cranky Fitness and slept through the contest at MizFit’s, you get one more go at it here. Here’s a hot tip: I think your chances are better on my site as I have less readers than those two venerable ladies. So, you know, bad for me but great for you! And I love you guys and want nothing but happiness for you and bikes for all!
Alas, only one of you fitness freaks can win. So, you know the drill, leave me a comment below telling me your deepest, darkest secret. What? That’s not how it works? Fine. Tell me something that you do to stay so youthful that people still card you… when buying milk.
Note: The Pepsi/Lipton Partnership will provide a check for $75.00 to be used for professional assembly of all Lipton Fuji bicycles awarded. Neither Pepsi Co. nor Unilever is liable for any injuries, damages or accidents that may result from the receipt, assembly or use of this bicycle.
But Wait – There’s MORE
I have a second prize for you! This whole contest is all about Lipton’s new White Tea products – called “white” because they pick the tea buds early in their life cycle thereby preserving more of the nutrients. The kind folks at Lipton have offered to kick in a free sample pack including a whole slew of FREE coupons to a second winner.
So, first winner gets the bike. (How bad do I want that bike? Whoever gets it must take a pic so I can photoshop my head onto your body and pretend. Also, while we are pretending, please give me six-pack abs also. Thank you.) Second winner get the Tea Prize Pack. You have one week from today to get all youthful up in here:)
A Favor
Since I am LDS, a.k.a Mormon, and therefore don’t drink tea, I’m asking any of you that have tried Lipton’s White Tea products to please leave your review of them in the comment section! And yes, I only have one mom. And no, I don’t know Mitt Romney, any of the Osmonds or Napolean Dynamite. (You know you were thinking it!)
Thanks and Happy Winning! Wheeeee!
Wow, that’s exciting! Congrats, Charlotte.
To stay youthful, I lift weights 5 days a week and run about 10 minutes per day. I sometimes ride my bike to work, but not that often.
Thanks!
Staying youthful is easy… I bathe in Lipton tea twice a week!
Just kidding…
I think you are as young as you feel.
When I was young I didn’t have patterns to my activities. I did something different almost every day. I played tag, catch, kickball. I played on different equipment every day. Now that I’m growing up, I have to work to keep that freshness and variety in my workouts. It’s that freshness and variety that keep me feeling young.
Awesome comp Charlotte – I don’t know if Lipton would be willing to send the bike all the way to me in Ozstraya though!
Fully, my trick to appearing young and stuff is like to totally stay like young and sound like a thirteen year old. For serious yo.
fun! i love free stuff! aging is overated! if your think your young, i believe youll stay that way! (btw, thanks charlotte for supporting my with my blog fiasco)
I’m waiting for the blogger party where we each get our own pool boy. Woo-hoo! Hot pool boys who serve tall cool drinks of manjoyment…er… delicious tea definitely keep me young.
But seriously, it’s all about sunscreen and water which is also very important when riding that new shiny mountain bike. I wear like SPF 550 whenever I’m out, and drink lots of water. Also, clearing out all your emotional baggage helps to keep all those stress wrinkles away, as well as creating more room for vibrance and happiness in your life.
(LOVED THE TEA. We Jews are all about the caffeine :))
it’s all about the mindset for me.
and, while Im so not as good about it as you are, TRYING NEW THINGS!
(greetings Over the Knee Socks! Howdy Nia!)
M.
Swerdna- All the cool kids are bathing in the blood of virgins. Wasteful, yes, but someone has to pay the price for youth & beauty! (I kid, I kid).
After failed attempt at looking youthful by rolling my eyes and saying “WHAT-everrr”, my plan now includes challenging myself in my daily activities. Run a little longer, lift a little heavier, try a new yoga pose. This approach also involves learning to look at failure as a tool for learning, not an ending. Mentally, I keep my brain moving by always learning new things. On the “want-to-do” list are Spanish, salsa dancing, playing the harmonica, and martial arts.
Wow!! A second chance for the big yellow, to go with the yellow Jeep, sweeeeet!
Actually, I took my old cruiser, Desperado, through town yesterday. Only three close calls. Biking ain’t what it used to be. Too many cars with people doing a lot more than driving while behind the wheel 🙁
My secret, no alcohol or milk, sorry!
Dr. J
To stay youthful–laugh many times every day, no smoking or drinking.
Oh boy – one more shot! To stay young and active, I minimize stressful people and situations in my life, stay active and take care of my skin (you can feel as young as you want but if your skin looks like old shoe leather no one can tell!).
a mormon told me once i wasn’t getting into the “good heaven.” awww.
To stay youthful, I often exercise at playgrounds or in schoolyards. I get out, get some sunshine, and use my favorite childhood hangout to keep my body, and mind, young and healthy. It brings back memories and keeps my routine fun. It also reminds me to share when a fellow playgrounder wants to use the monkey bars while I am doing my pull ups, and to take turns while climbing the rope or using the ladder.
BIKE ME.
http://www.everygymsnightmare.com
Oh, very fun–thanks, Charlotte!
To stay young, I love to play and laugh with my little boy. 🙂 I also love to take him on walks and heft him through fields of tulips to take pictures (amazing how 23 pounds of cuteness builds muscles fast!).
Thanks, again! 🙂
I want to relive my glory days of winning races and beating my husband on hills. It appears that the bike he bought me although it seems very light must have some defect like a brake rub or quirk that doesn’t allow me to go faster than him ever. Only he and the bike shop know for sure.
I have been lurking here forever. love your wit and daring, charlotte. nothing like the chance for a free bike to bring me out of hiding!
to stay youthful i play. flower garland in the craft store? instant shopping mojo headress. fully loaded grocery cart? riding on the back of it all the way to the car (you know you want to, too).
ps- i have tried to post this 3 times, so please make sure i am not entered three times for the bike… that wouldn’t be fair. (such a goody-2-shoes…)
I guess at 18 I am still semi-youthful….but I love free things especially a new BIKE!!! Heck yes. Anywho, I tend to not act my age at all, and with younger siblings its very easy. I ride my bike everywhere and am starting to train for a triathlon. Plus I play rugby which is a work out in itself. Wahoo
Oooh bike! Charlotte, I have been having issues leaving comments on this site lately, but I have so much to update you on! For instance, I can now do 6 – count ’em 6 – push ups. Hoo-ray!
To stay youthful, I ride my bike to work, work out 5-6 days per week, and laugh often.
🙂
To stay youthful, I workout 5 – 6 times per week, eat clean, and in a general sense, try to live a more healthy life.
So, can I use my daughter’s body and photo shop my head onto it? I don’t think my currently preggo body will be winning me any cash or bicycles this year. =(
But I did just share a deep dark food secret on my blog today, just for your enjoyment. =)
Ok, so when I’m not preggo my secrets to staying young are:
1. Playing with my kids. I take great pride in being able to do the monkey bars the best, swing on the swings the highest, push the merry go round the fastest, and win at tag everytime. It is amazing what playing like a kid can do for an adult body and an adult attitude.
2. Having fun with my husband. I refuse to settle for dinner and a movie when it comes to dates. We go bowling, dancing, play at the park, exercise together, and go swimming.
3. Keeping a cheerful attititude. Kids are naturally happy people and happy adults just naturally seem more youthful.
And that’s it.
I try to never act more maturely than my kids.
Kidding!
I ride my bike to work, teach pilates, change up my workouts, and play with my family. I also take my dog to the dog park, ’cause it’s so much fun to be surrounded by happy pups!
Youthful for me means having fun. Thanks to my 2 yo DD I spend lots of time playing in water and sand, running just for the sake of running, dancing around the house, singing our favorite songs and seeing things as though it was the first time. Keeps me feeling young…at least until I sit down at the end of the day and realize all of that youngness is exhausting 🙂
Also wanted to ask if you’ve tried the action hero workout during your experiments. Was led to a blog today through Back in Skinny Jeans and it looks interesting. Haven’t really looked at it in depth yet but thought I’d ask around.
Leigh anne
POOL PARTY!!!
White tea = happiness.
I stay “youthful” by forgetting my ID at the liquor mart. Twice. And then being escorted to the door by the security guard. Because, you know, at my impressive 5 feet I’m likely to get up to all kinds of mischevious antics!
One of the best ways to be all youthful-esque is to be spontaneous. Sometimes straying from the plan can be very liberating!
That is exciting, your first contest!
To stay youthful I constantly have a water bottle at my side. This ensures I am getting enough fluids without all the empty calories. I also apply moisturizer with sunscreen every morning.
Yes, I get a second chance!!! And here I was, thinking that Jesus did NOT want me for a sunbeam anymore…
(By the way, I live in Utah)
To stay young, laugh a lot. It builds laugh lines, which look much better on anyone’s face than the frowny ones…
First, I just want to say that I love your blog! I read it religiously and I’m afraid I’m becoming a stalker because I’m constantly checking to see new comments and posts.
Although I’m only 27, my husband and I have reverted back to our high school/college days by doing things that don’t cost any money, or cost very little. There is a beautiful park near our house with miles and miles of hiking trails. We go there almost every other weekend and we always take a lunch. To top off our beautiful day we go home and fix a healthy dinner and we’re too exhausted (in a good way) to go anywhere else. I must say it feels wonderful going to work on Monday knowing I didn’t break the bank and I still had a fabulous weekend! We’ve now gotten so tight with our money that we only go out to eat about once a month, and we’re constantly on the lookout for more ways to incorporate fitness into our “cheap weekends.” This may not be exactly what you’re looking for, but I’m always reminded of my high school and college days where funds were low, and anything free was perfect for a fun time out!
Kelly T.–sorry if one Mormon rubbed you the wrong way. Not to hijack the comment thread, but I just want to say we’re not all like that!
Anyway, to stay young I second the sunscreen and I second the laughing a lot. Getting silly with my kids helps too–although I think all the sleepless nights they’ve caused have made me look about ten years older 🙂
I have been a bit of a lurker, but nothing like free stuff (or the potential to win free stuff) to bring me out of hiding. I love your blog Charlotte – you are very witty, something I don’t have much of myself, but appreciate (maybe a little envy too??)in others.
To stay young – well, at 28, I feel that I am young still – I exercise about 5 – 6 days a week, and have started trying a new sport or activity every season – last summer it was rowing, this past winter it was cross country skiing and now I am running this spring/summer in addition to the ‘gym’ work outs etc. I also have used sunscreen and a proper moisturizer on my face since I was about 13. I still get carded at the Liquor store occassionaly (that’s in Canada, where you can drink at 19) – so almost 10 yrs older than legal age and I am still getting asked for ID! Sweet!
Though I did just recently buy a new mountain bike, I would love to win this road bike so that I can choose which to ride based on the terrain. Oh, ya, that’s another activity I will be re-taking up this summer – used to mountain bike a bit, am getting back to it. Pedal Power!
Hi, I’m new here, is that OK? 🙂
I am about to turn 38 but people more often than not think I am ten years younger. I think that is because I generally try to stay out of the sun (or use sunscreen), I don’t smoke, and most of all, I never had kids! Seriously, I don’t know how all the moms do it, but that is one taxing job to handle.
Also, I have lots of hobbies, I dye my hair and stay relatively hip. Hey, I got carded yesterday while buying Grand Theft Auto 4! 😉
Take care!
Amy
I am with stephanie—young pool boys would make me feel young again!
but in reality, I stay youthful by exercising and playing with my kids.
and lots of hair dye.
🙂 lisa
This blog is great! 🙂 It was worth me creating my first ever blogging identity name-thingajig!
To stay youthful, I try new things. Life is all about getting out there and experiencing. There’s so much to learn! And struggle through, and fail through… but it’s that challenge, that risk and danger, and ultimately that hope of finding a new passion, that keeps me young. For instance, I just tried Bikram yoga the other day… it was amazing! Next I want to train for a triathalon. We’ll see how that goes!
Oh, and I still eat maple syrup and peanut butter sandwiches, just like my mum used to make.
The only thing that I have to do to get carded while buying milk is shave now and then. I am 29 and my new patients occasionally ask me if I am still in high school. I suppose at some point I will consider this a good thing. To stay young, I fit in exercise at the office. When I am in the lab between processes I do push ups, single leg squats, planks , etc.
Thanks
Hey, can I still comment? What I do to stay fit/healthy? Vitamins…lots of vitamins and chasing 3 girls under the age of 5. I get the occasional DVD workout in…but I hope to get running again for a 4 mile race coming up in June.
E
I entered both the Cranky Fitness and MizFit contests, so c’mon, c’mon, let the third time be a charm….
Also, I am completely ripping off what I said over there, because what I do to stay youthful is still the same. Or if it is different, I forget in what ways — hopefully not due to age?! ANYWAY …
I think speed keeps me feeling young — I *hate* “grown-up” fitness routines, but I tend to forget to find a way to cut loose, whether it’s sprinting with my doggie, playing rugby or even just jumping in place for 30 seconds a day. And rumor has it moving super-fast may increase the amount of HGH in our bods, too — so maybe science is telling us to break the speed limit to feel younger?
How fun! The way that I stay young is by playing with my two boys, ages 6 and 4. They know how to play hard. There’s nothing better than playing a game of tag, soccer, or on the playground with those two! What a workout!
I didn’t read every single comment, but I think the real answer is : dye your hair.
🙂
Oh whatever, you totally know Napoleon…
To stay young I buy Lucky Charms. And eat them.
To stay young I stay in school! That way I never have to be a real adult and hold down a serious job! My husband joins me in this endeavor, and fully supports my professional student lifestyle.
To stay young I try to work out as much as I can! I want my high school body back.
Realistically? To stay young I can never turn down a quick episode of Hannah Montana or a root beer float. Shhh.
I try to get 8 hours of sleep every night (actually happens about 5 nights a week, so I am pleased).
I am also a fan of the Re9 line from Arbonne.
And of course, I try to exercise regularly and pay attention to what foods I eat.
That photo is great. Hopefully winner won’t have that problem if the bike is professionally assembled.
I run to stay fit while trying to recapture the ease of running when I was younger.
For me its easy, I have a large family full of youthful spirits. We keep each other young by making each other laugh hysterically. When you are having fun you don’t see time flying.
Just last week we celebrated one of my many cousin’s 6th b’day with a spontaneous afternoon of sidewalk games. 3 generations of city girls and boys, jumped rope (straight and double dutch), played redlight-greenlight, hopscotch, Steal the Bacon, and hand games.
With my family the things I starting doing to stay healthy like regular exercise, sleeping well, taking vitamins, drinking lots of water and eating healthy are bonuses. Those things keep me healthy enough to laugh and play with my 50 yr old mother as well as my 14 yr old cousin (who that day taught me at 28yrs how to jump double dutch).
We make memories together so that when we lose someone, which happens all too often, they live on in our shared experiences.
Great contest!
After years of letting myself go, about four years ago I really started to take my health seriously. Now I do resistance training about three times a week, and some form or cardio a couple of times. I also spend a fair amount of time playing with my three children — that keeps me young!
I stay youthful by constantly staying active: lifting weights three times a week, running, belly-dancing, etc. I’m planning to learn how to swim this year (something I’ve never learned how to do before!). Now I just need a bike! 🙂
P.S. I’m giving away a bike, too!
I want a bike too!
You’re as yoo you feel. To stay youthful, I like to go to the dollar movies, eat junk food and run all the way home. I also like spinning around the living room with my two year-old until we both get dizzy and collapse or until “daddy” tells us to calm down. My son loves bike rides in his trailor but I could really use a new bike now that I’ll have to tow two kids in July. 🙂