Product Review: Contour Core Sculpting™ System and LIFEPRO™ Cold-Filtered Whey Isolate Protein

I was contacted by Contour Technology and asked to review their Contour Core Sculpting™ System and LIFEPRO™ Cold-Filtered Whey Isolate Protein products. After the birth of my last child, and considering I am over 40, stubborn belly fat has been an issue. Despite the fact that I am not overweight, I just don't like the way I look these days. I'm not big into exercise, but I want to stay healthy and tone up.

Within a few weeks of my acceptance, I received a box containing the Contour Core Sculpting System and LIFEPRO Cold-Filtered Whey Isolate Protein in Dutch Chocolate and French Vanilla flavors.

I wanted to use the Contour Core Sculpting System for at least a month before I provided any type of review. The package I received contained everything I needed to start using the Contour Core Sculpting System.

Contour CoreBelt™

M2 Electronic Muscle Stimulator

4 AAA Batteries (For Immediate Use)

4 Electrodes (Contour Gel Pads)

Use and Care Manual

Diet and Exercise Guide

Instructional DVD

1 Year Warranty

Travel/Storage Clutch

Contour Fitness Plan

After watching the instructional DVD, I found the Contour Core Sculpting System very easy to use. After a quick assemly, you simply secure the belt around your waist, set the program you want to use and let it go to work. I've used Electromuscle Stimulation devices in the past during physical therapy for back injuries, so I was familiar with the technology. At the same time I started using the Contour Core Sculpting System I also began a moderate exercise program three times a week and made modest adjustments to my diet (added more fruits and vegetables and cut out a few sweets).

This definitely made a difference. I only dropped a couple of pounds over a month's time, but I wasn't going for weight loss--I was looking for toning up my muscles, which did happen. My husband even commented on it. Am I ready to get into a bikini? No, but if I stick with the program, I'm sure I'll be much happier with my overall appearance.

Once you purchase the Contour Core Sculpting System, the only recurring cost is the Contour Gel Pads. They worked well for me all month long, but the last couple of days the impulses weren't as strong as in the beginning.

I am seriously considering purchasing the Core Enhancement Back Care Kit to improve my posture and hopefully prevent new injuries.

My only disappointment was with the Customer Service Department. I contacted them through their website with a question on how the belt was working and no one ever responded.

It took me some time to try the LIFEPRO Cold-Filtered Whey Isolate Protein. I have tried protein products in the past and have never liked the taste. I added these to my new program about halfway through. I don't use them every day, but at least a couple times a week.

While I don't think I'll ever be a huge fan of any type of protein product that dissolves in water or a favorite beverage, the LIFEPRO product is okay. I prefer the French Vanilla version to the Dutch Chocolate. Both dissolve well and provide 27 grams of pure protein per serving. The product label states that the filters remove unwanted lactose, fat and cholesterol, making LIFEPRO virtually fat free and sugar free. Each serving contains 40 mg of sodium.

I'm glad I got a chance to try both the Contour Core Sculpting System and LIFEPRO Cold-Filtered Whey Isolate Protein. They will be part of my plan to help me stay fit and trim.


I received these products for free in exchange for my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation of any kind for this review.

WSJ Wednesdays - Middle-Aged Job Seekers Finding It Tough Out There

When I decided that I would begin looking for work, I had no idea how hard it would be. That's why this front page article from the Saturday/Sunday June 23 - 24, 2012 edition of The Wall Street Journal caught my eye.

"For Middle-Aged Job Seekers, A Long Road Back," by Ben Casselman, discusses the obstacles middle-aged Americans are facing in this tight job market. As Casselman points out, much of the focus has been on the jobless rate among young people. For those of us attempting to support our families or those stay-at-home parents looking to re-enter the workforce, the picture isn't very bright. According to the article, 3.5 million Americans between the ages of 45 and 64 were unemployed as of May, and 39% of those have been unemployed for a year or more. This rate is higher than among young workers.

Instead of building wealth, middle-aged workers are struggling to find full-time employment. Some have stopped looking. I know that I need to find an alternative to what I was doing. I know I have valuable skills to offer, but even when I secure an interview, I don't get the call backs. That seems to fall in line with what is happening around the country. Cassleman's article states a 59-year-old Bridgeport, Connecticut resident spent a year earning his certification as a computer technician, but that hasn't helped him secure employment. His unemployment benefits ran out last year. He has been able to secure some part-time or seasonal work, but nothing more substantial.

The article also touches upon the typical frustrating moments of job searching--unreturned phone calls, lost applications, and interviews that lead to nowhere (tell me about that one). It also talks about reasons middle-aged people struggle to find work: reluctance to change industries and larger financial commitments. They also tend to work in industries in decline and are less able to move to find work.

I'm spending today and tomorrow looking into local opportunities, but not sure of what success I'll have. I'm willing to switch industries, but hope to put the skills I already have to work.

Are you looking for work right now? Is the job market tough where you are? If you're unemployed, how long has it been? Also, what do you think it will take to get this economy going again?

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The Consultant - Book 2 of the Barry/McCall series: The friendly takeover of CSS Inc. leaves computer executive Chris Barry unemployed, very wealthy and pleased with the situation. But the hiatus is short-lived… As a result of his involvement in the recent Vigilante investigation, Barry is approached by Jonathan Addley and invited to join Discreet Activities, a government agency of the clandestine variety. Accepting, he promptly takes on his first assignment under the guise of an IT consultant, to investigate possible links between a local import business and the murder of its MIS director. As he discovers the firm is being used to import narcotics, his cover is blown and things get personal, spurring him to show that murderers, drug lords, biker gangs and kidnappers are no match for… The Consultant. Note: You really should read Vigilante first.

The Sweetest Touch by Marie Higgins Giveaway at A Family Friendly Blog

Title: The Sweetest Touch

Author: Marie Higgins

Blog: Linda Weaver Clarke’s A Family Friendly Blog

Giveaway Link: http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com/2012/07/interview-with-sweet-romance-author.html

Genre: Regency Romance

Giveaway Dates: July 17 - 22

Open to: International

You've Got Mail Mondays

After two weeks away from home, the table was filled with piles of mail. Some of it made its way quickly into the recycle bin. There were, however, several items of interest.

An offer to try a free sample issue of Discovery Girls. This magazine helps connect tween girls with other girls and offers tips on how to handle life's ups and downs.  It looks like it might be a good magazine for the girls, so I sent away for the free issue. If we agree to subscribe, we'll get another 6 issues for only $19.95.

A donation request came in from Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society. I'll pass this along to the hubby. We have gotten our last four cats from Dakin, so we like to support them.

In an envelope from Suzanne Woods Fisher, I received postcards and bookmarks to help promote her upcoming release. I agreed to do this as part of a contest, but I would have done it anyway. I love her work. Her upcoming book, The Haven, is available for pre-order right now.

On the book front, I received some books that I had won from blog giveaways and two I agreed to review. I won Homefront Hero by Allie Pleiter and The Exceptionals by Erin Cashman. From the Amazon Vine Program, I requested Personal Branding for Dummies. I'll review that on their website. I'm also reviewing, 5 Easy Steps to Financial Freedom by Duane Harden in August at The Book Connection. We'll be offering a giveaway for this book here on August 17th.

Several catalogs made their way here too--one of which I haven't seen in a while. Harriet Carter® is a catalog I used to get all the time when I lived in my old apartment. I haven't seen it much since we moved here. They have neat gadgets and gifts. Macy's is having a Home Sale that runs from Wednesday, July 18th - Sunday, July 22nd. The front cover offered an extra 15% Off on select sale and clearance home items, so I might stop in. We could use new curtains for our bedroom. I had bought some to match our old comforter, but when we changed our bedding, the curtains never got updated and they don't match well.

Gardener's Supply Company is running a Summer Sale with savings up to 81% on more than 215 products. I'll definitely be browsing their site to see what I can find to bring me through the end of the growing season and into next year. Land's End sent two catalogs--one for limited quantity sale items and the other with backpacks, lunch bags and back-to-school clothes. Ugh, hard to think about that time of year when we're enjoying summer. I might be looking for new lunch bags for the girls this year. We bought Packits® last year. They are great, but they are heavy, so the little one doesn't use hers that much. They were perfect, however, for our trip down south and back home. It kept the Lil Diva's (10) and Lil Princess' (8) snacks and drinks cold during the car ride. Just in time for the Lil Diva's birthday, the Oriental Trading® Birthday catalog arrived. I'm not sure which theme she wants this year, but they have tons of party favors.

Last, but not least, the July/August issue of the AAA Times arrived. I think I've been a AAA member for around 20 years. They help us with roadside assistance and travel information. They coordinated our Disney trip last year. I like that I can get discounts on hotel stays and car rentals when necessary.

Phew, that's a lot of mail. Now that we're back home, we're trying to catch up on everything we missed. I'll be posting some product reviews soon. I'll also be implementing a new feature in the not so distant future and deciding about domain names.

Hope you have a great week!

Christmas in July Giveaway Hop!

Christmas in July Giveaway Hop is hosted by Matter of Cents, Just Married with Coupons and Sweep Tight. Grand Prize is sponsored by Maggie Bags and is valued at over $600. Maggie Bags takes high-quality recycled material and gives it new life by creating sophisticated handbags that are eco-friendly! Save 25% off the Linear Line with Coupon Code: Christmas-n-July through 9/30. The 2nd Prize is an Ultimate Munchkin Gift Basket, Munchkin offers clever, innovative solutions to help make parenting safer, easier and fun.

The Book Loving Busy Mom's Daily (formerly Books, Products and More!) is excited to be participating in the Christmas in July Giveaway Hop. Here is what we are offering for giveaway items:

Holy Stable: Celebrate the Miracle restores the tender joys of the season! Discover how sharing the gift of Jesus' love blesses relationships, as you enjoy the magic of children's narration, original music and song. Mary and Joseph's devotion to God and sublime caring for each other will bring you to experience the story of Baby Jesus' birth as never before.
Exclusively illustrated gift set with mailing envelope also includes: the listening and pageant background CD which makes it easier than ever to celebrate your own Nativity Play with the downloadable bonus script.

RETAIL VALUE: $17.95

Obed is in the hills outside Bethlehem on the night of Christ’s birth. Can he trust the miracle of Christmas to keep his flock safe while he visits the newborn King?

RETAIL VALUE: $9.95

The result of sixteen years of research in Talmudic, gnostic, cabalistic, apocalyptic, patristic, and legendary texts, the classic reference work on angels is beautifully illustrated and its reissue coincides with the resurgence of belief in angels in America.

RETAIL VALUE: $12.56

Also included in this giveaway package is a nautical momento from our recent trip to the Outer Banks that retails for $12.95.

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE OF THIS GIVEAWAY - $53.41

Enter our giveaway using the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck to all who enter.

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Visit more Christmas in July Giveaway Hop participants to win more great prizes.

Outer Banks Update

So much has been going on that I haven't been able to post updates. It's hard to believe that our two weeks is almost up. Tomorrow we will celebrate my birthday--hopefully with a trip on the ferry from Cape Hatteras to Ocracoke Island. Ocracoke is the only lighthouse here I haven't seen yet.

The water has been between 72 and 81 degrees our entire trip, but we had rain yesterday and most of today so far. When we went to the beach yesterday, we couldn't really swim much because of the riptides. The water was rougher the past two days than we've seen it since we've been here. I did manage to take the Lil Diva (10) fishing yesterday. I hope to bring both girls out again tonight. We bought the Lil Princess her own fishing rod this week.

Last week, we visited the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. We thought our 17-month-old nephew would get a kick out of it. The girls also enjoy going. They no longer have the inside waterfall in the lobby. It has been replaced with a huge aquarium full of sea life. They have also done away with their room dedicated to hurricanes. Instead they have a huge room dedicated to news about the planet, which also includes information about weather patterns. Another newer addition is the sea turtle lab, where computers help youngsters diagnose sea turtle ailments, learn how to treat them, and then release them back to the wild. These are rubber sea turtles, but the kids still get a ton of information. The tank of sea otters was a huge hit with everyone. Some of those sharks were scary, though.

We ate at Big Al's Soda Fountain and Grill for lunch before the aquarium. We ate there last year, and were so thrilled with it, we knew we wanted to share it with the rest of our family. It's set up like a 1950's soda fountain and burger joint. They have tons of Coca-Cola collectible items and other memorabilia in their gift store. You have to stop by even if you don't plan to buy anything. I had a scrumptious philly cheesesteak sandwich and classic fries. It was so-o-o-o-o-o good, I ate every last bite, but I couldn't even think about trying to fit in desert after that.

Here's hoping you've had a great week so far. I'll bring you more of our trip soon. I'll also discuss some of the places you need to see if you plan a trip to the Outer Banks--which I highly recommend. I'll probably save that last one for once we return.