Accountability Friday!

It's Friday! It's time for all the Sexy Mother Runners in the Weight Loss Challenge to show some accountability! Send your picture to us, brag to us here, if you had a bad week tell us about it! We've all been there! Whatever you do, don't give up! Week #2 starts NOW! :)

Today I am bragging about three lovely ladies that have 

had a great losing week:

Mindy Daum: -3.4 lbs!

Colleen Carter: -2 lbs!

Amy Cozart: -.5 lbs!

Way to go ladies!

What's the "Biggest Lesson" I have learned this week?

I do not drink enough water!

Below are a few handy ways to get your water in by Livestrong!

How to Drink a Gallon of Water a Day to Lose Weight

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/200955-how-to-drink-a-gallon-of-water-a-day-to-lose-weight/#ixzz28QDuejGx

Good luck this week everyone!

~Danyelle :)

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Plus, you can email us at sexymotherrunner@yahoo.com!

Thankful Thursday!

This Mother/Daughter running story brought tears to my eyes! Meet the

 dynamic mother/daughter running duo, The Renners! 

Good luck Sunday at Chicago you two!

My mom, Susan Renner, inspires me every day.  We have both been running off and on for many years, but this past spring we made a commitment to run a marathon together.  She has run quite a few in the past, but this would be my first marathon.  We trained through the spring, and she got me through my first half marathon in June.  It was a hot day, but we both kept each other going through the whole thing, and it was an amazing experience to finish that race with my mom.  Now we are a week away from the marathon in Chicago, and I'm amazed by everything we have conquered through all of our training.  My mom got me up early on those days I just didn't quite feel like going for a run, and we have had some of the best times over the past few months on all of our running adventures.  I want to thank my mom for believing that I could do this and for being the best running partner/friend I could ask for.  Can't wait to cross that finish line with her next Sunday!

Amanda Renner

 Are you thankful for someone and want to tell them? 

Send us your story to sexymotherrunner@yahoo.com and make their day!

Why I chose the Chicago Marathon!

3, 4, 2 and I am there! All of you in your last week of training know exactly what I am talking about!! I can’t believe that in 6 days at this very moment I will be running the Chicago Marathon!

Completing a marathon has been on my bucket list since college. A savvy Sociology professor (Professor Adamski- your awesome! J) had us make a list of all of the things we wanted to do before we die and this was one of my tops ones. (Yes, I minored in Sociology) Now it is fun to see these things checking off…getting married, having a family, finish grad school, become a college instructor, travel…hmmm…doctorate degree still is on there. Maybe someday, but I am not up for it in the near future for sure. Family is my priority now!

Why Chicago?!

I figure “GO BIG or GO HOME!” I really think this might be my one and only marathon in my life. Now my veteran marathon buddies say I will feel differently after I finish. They are probably right. Although I am ecstatic about Sunday, I must say I am also very excited about not having my life scheduled around my runs. Marathon training has been very rewarding, especially the new PR’s as nothing compares to that 20 mile run feeling! However, it has been hard to come home feel like dirt, swallow ibuprofen, jump in a bath of ice, foam roll, followed by a warm shower then off to Girl Scouts and birthday parties for the day all while watching the watch slowly get to 9 p.m. as you know at that time you get to hop into bed and rest. This is the life of marathon training for a working mom. Oh and I am looking forward to my right eye to stop twitching. It has now been twitching since Wednesday.

It is true, it is a sacrifice! When my husband and I discussed which marathon to do it was a family decision. All of us, yes even our kids agreed to the “Mommy Marathon Sacrifice” this year. My husband and I batted around a few marathons and at the end he said, “Go for Chicago”! He was with me on the “GO BIG or GO HOME” theory. There are many great marathons and everyone has an opinion. Let’s face it, they are all great! There is not one marathon for everyone, but I knew I wanted lots of camaraderie and spectator encouragement. I had heard nothing but how awesome it was and if I am doing it once this seemed to fit the bill. What sealed the deal was when we watched in real time the live stream video of participants crossing the finish line crying and hugging their loved ones! I knew I was sold as tears were rolling down my face as though I was crossing that finish line! This was the one for me. I still can barely fight back the tears when I watch this!

So, I was first in line at my computer with 45,000 others to sign up the minute registration opened! When it said ‘registration complete’ chills ran down my body! It was real! Then I stumbled upon this video:

  

Yes, I picked the right one!! Now the rest is history as sweet home Chicago here I come! Best wishes to all of you running this weekend! If I had the opportunity I would love to meet each and every one of you for a big hug and to tell you how awesome you are! Make sure and tell us how it goes for you!!

Good luck and Happy Running…

~Danyelle

 "When you cross the finish line, no matter how slow or fast, 

it will change your life forever"

- Spirit of the Marathon

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You can always email us at sexymotherrunner@yahoo.com, too!

Spinach Tips AND Smoothie Recipes!

Eat Your Spinach! No, I mean it. And if you have children, make them eat it too! I have a couple of easy ways to help you get your kiddos to eat that highly nutritious green leafy goodness. Best part, I know it works because I used my own kids as guinea pigs. They're handy like that.

According to this study on www.nutritionfacts.org  only 1% of American children are eating the same or less than the recommended amount of non-beneficial (junk food) calories per day. In other words, 99% of children are eating more junk food than what is recommended in a day. The recommended amount is actually 25% of your daily food intake. (Seems a bit high to me) Which means 25% percent of your meals could be junk food like cotton candy and you would still be within the recommended guidelines of the standard american diet. Yet, most people, adults and children both, are not even staying within or below that 25%.

No wonder there is a childhood obesity epidemic in this country. Time to make some healthy changes, adults and kids! Here are a couple of smoothie recipes to help you out!

Berry Yummy Smoothie

1 Cup Almond Milk
1/2 Cup Uncooked Oats
5-6 Baby Carrots
1 Cup Raw Baby Spinach
5 Fresh or Frozen Strawberries
1/2 Cup Fresh or Frozen Blueberries
1/2 Banana
Ice
Blend ingredients in blender until smooth. Add more Almond Milk as needed. The berries change the color so you can't tell by looking that there is spinach in it. You can also use orange juice instead of Almond milk but that is too much sugar for my taste.

Peanut Butter Smoothie

1 Cup Almond Milk
1/2 Cup Uncooked Oats
1 Cup Spinach
1 Banana
2 Tablespoons of Peanut Butter ( I use MaraNatha Organic No Stir Creamy Peanut Butter)
Ice
Blend ingredients in blender until smooth. Add more Almond Milk as needed. This one ends up being a light green color which is fine with my kiddos. Make up a goofy name like 'Green Goo' or 'Green Slime' and most kids will think it's cool and drink it anyway. All you taste is the peanut butter and banana.

Fact: Spinach has anti-inflammatory AND anti-cancer benefits.

Fact: The Vitamin K in spinach helps promote bone health.

Fact: Spinach is a good source of dietary fiber.







Fact: Spinach is high in anti-oxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, manganese, zinc, selenium, and beta-carotene.

Enjoy!
Peace, love, happiness!
~Bekah

Preparing for the SMR Weight Loss Challenge: Are you ready?!

I am ready!!! :)

I am so excited about how many people are participating in the Sexy Mother Runner Weight Loss Challenge!! The pictures keep pouring in! Over the next few days we will have exact numbers and you will receive a confirmation email that we received your photo. Also, there are going to be some fun prizes!

Today I have been preparing for our weight loss challenge. The morning started with my husband and I both weighing in. We are going to complete this challenge together as a team. I am really excited about this as he is also my partner in eating crime! :)

Today I emptied the house of any tempting foods. I find that if I have to leave the house for it oftentimes I do not want it that bad. If I do I consume it I will track it! So, what am I going to do to try to lose these pesky pounds?

1. My husband is counting calories and I will be doing Weight Watchers. It has successfully worked for me in the past. Plus, it is flexible enough for me that I do not feel deprived of anything. If I want it, I track it. It is up to me how I spend my 29 points per day, plus fruits and vegi's are zero points. Winner!

2. I will be journaling everything that touches my lips.

3. I will also be journaling my feelings. It is important to reflect.

4. I will be exercising a minimum of 30 minutes per day. Whether this is a walk at the park with the kids or a run. I will also be incorporating weight training into my exercise routine 3 times per week. Honestly, I am very excited about this as I have missed weight training.

5. Today I will take my measurements. There may be a week that the scale doesn't move but, the inches do!

6. I will prepare ahead for the unexpected situations! Parties, cookouts, etc!

7. I will plan my meals ahead. For example, the soup in the picture is a Weight Watcher recipe that is yummerful! It is homemade vegetable soup that I made in the crock pot. It tastes so wonderful and it is a quick warm up that is ZERO points! Plus, it is vegan and organic! Winner, again! I have posted the recipe below.

8. I will reward myself for success but not with food!! Thinking of rewards as I type...hmmm...more on that!


9. I will also weigh in each week and let you know my loss or gain amount.


10. Most importantly, I will not be disappointed in myself and neither will you! If you have a rough day, remember a new day starts tomorrow. We are in this together!


Happy Losing...

~Danyelle :)

What are you doing to prepare for the 

*Sexy Mother Runner Weight Loss Challenge?!

Are you ready?! I know I am and I am really 

excited that you are joining us! 

There is still time to join us! If you want to participate you must send your weight scale picture with your weight no later than Midnight tonight to sexymotherrunner@yahoo.com or send it in a private message to our Facebook page. We will be sending a confirmation email that we have received your picture over the next few days.

WEIGHT WATCHERS ZERO POINTS GARDEN VEGETABLE SOUP RECIPE

Hands-on time: 20 minutes (I made mine completely vegan and organic in the crock pot on low for 8 hours)
Time to table: 1 1/4 hour
Makes 9 cups

6 cups broth 
Cooking spray
2 carrots, peeled and diced
1 large onion, diced
4 teaspoons garlic, minced 
1/2 cabbage, chopped 
1/2 pound frozen green beans
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large zucchini, diced

Bring the broth to a boil in the microwave. (This is a time-saving tip that can be skipped if there's no hurry.)

Spray a Dutch oven with cooking spray and heat on MEDIUM HIGH. Add the carrots, onion and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes. Add all the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the zucchini and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to MEDIUM and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the beans are tender. Add the zucchini and cook until the zucchini are tender. Serve and enjoy!

*Disclaimer: This is a fun weight loss challenge. Always consult your physician before starting any exercise or weight loss program! We are not doctors, nor do we play one on tv. Please take exercise and 
weight loss seriously. 

Winners must provide weight loss pictures 

by due dates and address 

for any prize winnings. 

The Sexy Mother Runner Weight Loss Challenge!!

Are you ready to lose a few pounds?! Me, too! Today was the breaking point for me as I stepped on the scale expecting to see what I have the past few weeks of a 10 pound weight gain since marathon training began, but in fact that number had rose by another 5 pounds! Wow, a 15 pound weight gain! No it is not the marathon training's fault, but I have been so hungry and making some poor choices. I am a big believer in not focusing on the past, so it is time to get started on losing those pesky pounds and not have the need to buy a new wardrobe! :)

The *Sexy Mother Runner Weight Loss Challenge will last for 10 weeks. It will start this Friday, September 28 and end Friday, November 30, 2012! It's just in time for looking and feeling good during the holidays! Wouldn't it be something to not gain weight during the holidays this year and instead lose?!

Want to join us?!

1. To join please send your name and a picture of your weight scale to our private Inbox on our Sexy Mother Runner Facebook page or email it to us at sexymotherrunner@yahoo.com no later than Friday, September 28, 2012. Please rest assured that we will keep your information confidential!

2. For accountability and pat-on-the-back purposes, each following week send a picture of your scale to either of our private Inbox's whether you lose or not. That way we can brag about you and encourage everyone to keep going! We will be sharing our weekly weigh in information with you, too! Remember, we will never share your actual weight or picture with anyone. We will only announce our biggest weight loss losers of the week!

3. The end of the challenge will be Friday, November 30. We will need to receive your final weigh in picture no later than November 30, 2012. We will announce a winner on December 1, 2012!  Bekah and I will find some cool prizes, too! :)

So, let's get started! Grab a partner if you want, make a team if that helps, start planning your meals, put exercise on your things to do list and send your picture to us today!! Whatever it takes to make it happen, do it! I for one am taking my measurements and starting today! I have everything to lose and nothing to gain!!!

I am so excited that you will be joining us!!

Happy Losing!!

~Danyelle :)

*Disclaimer: This is a fun weight loss challenge. Always consult your physician before starting any exercise or weight loss program! We are not doctors, nor do we play one on tv. Please take exercise and weight loss seriously. Winners must provide weight loss pictures 

by due dates and address for any prize winnings. 

Good luck everyone! ~ Danyelle & Bekah

Want to talk to us?! Email us at sexymotherrunner@yahoo.com!

Running Q&A!

We were recently 'tagged' in a 10 questions post. It was started by two of the sexy mother runners over at Another Mother Runner and we were tagged by Running A Healthy Mind and Body. These games always interest me. I love finding out about other runners, love hearing their experiences. There is a wealth of information to be learned by listening to other runners too. So anyway, without further ado, here goes.


1. Best run ever: Wow, that's kind of tough. My first half marathon in May was probably the best because it was a first and I genuinely loved and enjoyed every minute of that race. As far as a just a run and not a race, I would have to say the 10 mile trail run I recently did during the remnants of Hurricane Isaac. It was an adventure. :)

2. 3 words that describe my running: Happy, strong, and freeing.

3. My go to running outfit is: My Moving Comfort skirt and my sleeveless Sexy Mother Runner shirt. 

4.Quirky habit I have while running: I have to end on an exact distance like 4.0 or 4.5 but it can't be 4.2 or 4.63 and I can't wear any jewelry except earrings.

5. Morning, midday, or evening: Midday is my favorite but morning is what I usually have to do to fit it in. 

6. I won't run outside when it's: Dark AND Storming, dark and light rain is okay but no storms.

7. Worst injury and how I got over it:  So far I've been very fortunate, just a few kinks here and there. I foam roll and stretch A LOT. 

8. I felt most like a badass mother runner when: When I ran a timed mile for the first time in over a year and it was 2 minutes faster than my usual pace.
  
9. My next race is: September 29th, the We Care Twin Cities Half Marathon.

10. Potential running goal for 2013: To just have fun! I'm planning to run a few more half marathons, along with some really fun races like a Warrior Dash, Run For Your Lives, and The Color Run.

I'm tagging 3 other bloggers:

Marathon Mom

Hungry Runner

The Paper Jellyfish

Be sure to check them out!

Now I have a question for all of you! 

What is your favorite thing about running?

Peace, love, happiness!

~Bekah