Friday, April 26, 2013

Sexy Mother Runner Featured Runner Friday! Meet Chunky Wonder Woman!


Every runner has a story...

At Sexy Mother Runner we believe that sharing those stories is a great way to share the gift of running while helping to motivate others!

I can't even express how much I love this woman's story, thoughts, and motivation! She is inspiring!
Meet Darcy A.K.A. Chunky Wonder Woman!





I started dabbling in running summer of 2012 after decades of thinking running was beyond me. Despite encouragement from many parties, I was still tentative about committing myself to the sport.  

And then I saw The Costume. 

I am a lifelong science fiction and comic book nerd with a love of cosplay. More than once I have been asked if I was going to dress as Wonder Woman. I usually roll my eyes and say, “The world is not ready for a chunky Wonder Woman.” A friend responded, “The world needs Chunky Wonder Woman.” 

I had this exchange in mind when I saw a running costume offered by This Princess Runs on Etsy. I made the decision that if I was going to put myself out there and run races, I was going to go all the way. I didn’t have to look perfect (and being in my 40s and 50 lbs overweight is certainly far from “perfection”). I just had to be brave enough to do it. 

I ran my first 5K in October 2012, and I have tried to run at least one 5K race a month since. I’m currently training for my first 10K in May. I’m still pretty slow, but I’m steady. 

In the process of all of this, I’ve come to a way of thinking: Every Woman is Wonder Woman. We do amazing things every day. We change lives every day. Most of these actions are so mundane that we forget how incredible we are. For some, simply the act of getting out of bed is a heroic. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be bold and go. 

That’s why I run in a Wonder Woman costume. Because I am a superhero--to my family, to myself, every day, in a million small acts of kindness and courage.


I am Wonder Woman. And so are you.





Darcy shares her running adventures, deep thoughts, and nerdy passions on www.chunkywonderwoman.blogspot.com and www.facebook.com/ChunkyWonderWoman


Thank you for sharing your story with us, Darcy!
We also had to share another Wonder Woman, Chanel making her debut
with her Wonder Woman running mama friend of ours, Robynn!



Would you like to inspire someone?
Then become one of our Sexy Mother Runner Featured Friday Runners
&
inspire someone today!

Email your story to us at sexymotherrunner@yahoo.com

Friday, April 12, 2013

FlipBelt Review and Giveaway To Celebrate 5000

We recently hit 5000 followers on our Facebook page so we wanted to have a Giveaway to celebrate! Well, the awesome people at FlipBelt are helping us make that happen!

My FlipBelt with my phone, car key, and Sports Beans even
fit if you fold the package. How handy is that?!?!
What's a FlipBelt? Well, I'll tell you. FlipBelt is a running belt that holds your personal items for you. It's different from other personal items carriers though because it doesn't have a pouch to hold your items. The items actually slide into the belt once it's around your hips or waist. Then you flip it and all of your belongings stay nice and secure.

I just got my very own FlipBelt this week. So far I have used it twice and so far I'm very happy with it. My favorite thing about the FlipBelt is that it doesn't feel like an extra piece of equipment when you are wearing it. It slides around your hips and doesn't move. I forgot I even had it on. This is huge because I do not like to have any excess baggage when I'm running. I don't even wear my wedding rings on runs. For me, my hydration belt is a necessary evil on long runs and I feel pretty much the same about my Garmin. I really don't like feeling encumbered in any way when I'm running. Thankfully, the FlipBelt does it's job without me even noticing it's there.


On one of my runs my FlipBelt held my Android phone and my car key. The items are secured by sliding them into the belt. Genius. I was a little worried about my car key sliding out during my run but it stayed nice and snug in it's place. My phone also never bounced or slid around. I especially love being able to stow my belongings so that they don't feel like an added weight while I run. Often they are bouncing in a pocket or pouch which can get very irritating for me. In the FlipBelt though, I wasn't aware of them at all. I seriously love that feature! I could have easily fit more items as there is plenty of room for several GU's or a small box of raisins, money, ID, or whatever other small items you may need when running...such as pepper spray, pictures of Ryan Gosling saying he's waiting for you, or a light saber.

At first I was concerned about the belt actually staying in place. I positioned it around my hips and was very happy to find that it stayed in place the whole time I was running. I never once had to stop to adjust it.

The FlipBelt is lightweight and comes in a variety of cool colors for both men and women. It retails at $24.99 or you can get a slimmer FlipBelt for $19.99. I usually expect running apparel to be more on the expensive side (seems like I'm always spending money on running gear!) but I found the FlipBelt to be a reasonable price. 

In case you haven't figured it out yet, I'm seriously loving this FlipBelt! It will definitely be accompanying me on my future runs.


How do you get a FlipBelt of your very own? 

Go to their website here and order one! 
Or... you can 'Like' and 'Share' this blog post on Facebook in order to enter our FlipBelt Giveaway! 
One lucky person will be chosen at random to receive a FlipBelt of their own but you have to 'Like' and 'Share' this review link on Facebook sometime between now and Thursday April 18th. 

Winner will be announced Friday April 19th.

You can get TWO entries if you also post on our Facebook Page  and tell us why you want a FlipBelt! 
Also, be sure to check out FlipBelt on Facebook here, tell them Sexy Mother Runner sent you!

Peace, Love, Happiness!
~Bekah

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Tried Something New Today, RPM


My oldest daughter and I, she won't
let me take a pic after we work out
so I had to use this one. :)
This morning my oldest daughter came over to ride with me to drop off my 7 yr old at school and then hit the gym for Body Pump. This has become a new routine for us, one we really enjoy. So, we got to the gym, dropped my 5 yr old off in the kid care room and went to Body Pump. Once again, it proved to be a fantastic class. Partly because the instructor is really good at what she does.

After the class, the instructor caught up to us and basically threatened us with our lives if we didn't follow her to the next class she was teaching, RPM. If you aren't familiar with the Les Mills classes, RPM is a spin class. Okay, she didn't actually threaten us but who can resist a super nice and energetic person telling you to do something really good for you. I'd never taken RPM (I know, I know...) so I was intrigued. Plus she used the word 'fun' a lot. We were like fish in a barrel... naive fish in a barrel.

Here's where I discovered that 'fun' was really code for 'so much pain that you will need one of those inflatable donut things every time you sit down for the rest of the day... maybe longer.' I'll get back to that in a minute though... but seriously, who designed those torture devices and passed them off as seats???



The class just released a new launch and we were the lucky victims  participants to get to try it for the first time. Since this was my first ever RPM class I have nothing to compare this particular launch to so I'm not sure where it really lands among the seven circles of RPM hell awesomeness. It was tough though, even the instructor was sweating and breathing heavy. Which made me feel better. Turns out, RPM was everything I was afraid it would be, challenging, tough, uncomfortable... and I think I loved it. Some weird form of Stockholm Syndrome perhaps???

My RPM class was just like this. Except there weren't any hot guys with great bodies...
and we weren't on a rooftop somewhere with a super cool city skyline behind us.
Other than that, it was just like this picture.

All in all, I'm hooked and will now be doing Body Pump followed by RPM on a regular basis. I'm hoping that I will eventually be able to sit again without having shooting pain in my booty. I'm told it goes away as you get used to it. However, if Fred tries to slap my behind one more time as I walk by him today he may get throat-punched.

Peace, Love, Happiness!

~Bekah

What are some of your favorite classes? 
More importantly... 
Will the booty pain really get better???

Monday, April 8, 2013

Diet Soda is out of my life for good!


Can this be true?! Finally, I can say diet soda it is out of my life with confidence.

I have been drinking diet soda since I turned 15 years old and started working my first 'official' job at Aurelio's Pizza. It started with a fountain drink here and there. Then as I made my 'own' money I started buying Diet Pepsi in the glass bottles.  I can still hear that bottle top pop, fizz, and roll out it's carbonated coolness. Yes, I just salivated. Addictive?! Obviously!

I have tried to quit drinking diet soda many times. I tried cold turkey, I tried limits, I tried everything! I validated it to myself that it was my little vice....I don't drink, don't smoke....yadi, yadi, yadi....however after reading many of the studies on aspartame it is just as unhealthy for you. I have posted just a snipit of what I have found regarding aspartame:

The unsuspecting community, for the most part, is oblivious of its dangers. Aspartame is made up of three chemicals: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. The neural booth hurt that undue aspartate and glutamate use can begin is why they are termed excitotoxins. They excite or stimulate the neural (wits) cells to fall. The danger to infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with certain constant shape evils from excitotoxins is great.
Methanol breaks down into formic acid and formaldehyde in the body. The formaldehyde exposure from aspartame is significant since it is a deadly neurotoxin that is worn for embalming! Formaldehyde is known to origin gradual harm to the worried and immune systems and has freshly been shown to grounds irreversible genetic wound at long-span, low-stage exposure.
An EPA assessment of methanol states that it "is considered a cumulative poison due to the low ratio of seepage once it is absorbed. In the body, methanol is rusty to formaldehyde and formic acid; both of these metabolites are deadly." The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends a ceiling of consumption of 7.8 mg./day. A one-liter-about one quart of aspartame-syrupy potion contains about 56 mg. Of methanol. Heavy users of aspartame-containing crop consume as much as 250 mg. Of methanol daily, or thirty two times the EPA handling. The latest independent inquiries shows that the condition allied to aspartame may be more deep than just habitual formaldehyde exposure. This sought on animals demonstrates that the formaldehyde appears to accumulate as adducts (clear to protein molecules) in the organs and tissues of the animals when aspartame is ingested at relatively low doses.
41 Toxicity Effects of Aspartame Use 
seizures and convulsions 
faintness 
tremors 
migraines and unadorned headaches 
recall deficit 
slurring of discourse 
confusion 
numbness or tickly of extremities *(I have a friend that noted this problem and resolved it after she quit drinking diet soda!)
habitual fatigue 
depression 
insomnia 
irritability 
panic attacks 
striking personality changes 
phobias 
express concern beat 
asthma 
chest pains 
hypertension 
nausea or vomitting 
diarrhea 
abdominal nuisance 
swallowing smarting 
eager 
itchiness / urticaria 
other allergic reactions 
blood darling control problems (e.g., hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia) 
menstrual cramps and other menstraul problems or changes 
impotency and sexual problems 
food cravings *(Yes, it is true as it stimulates a chemical in your brain that wants more sugar especially when it does not actually receive it!)
influence collect 
pelt harm/plainness or reduction of fuzz 
burning urination & other urination problems 
extreme thirst or undue need 
bloating, edema (fluid custody) 
infection susceptibility 
locale throbbing 
reason menace (pre-esteem studies in animals) 
reason, breast, uterine and pancreatic tumors 
death

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1336188

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1336188


After reading that do you feel sick to your stomach? The facts are that you are better off drinking regular sugared soda than diet. Best practice is to kick them all to the bucket!

What helped me quit drinking Diet Soda?!

1. You have to want to quit. As with anything you have to want the end result bad enough. If your heart and mind are not into it you will not succeed. I knew I wanted to quit so I put the following steps in place.

2. Educate yourself! Reading the studies helped me realize that I was putting poison in my body. Who knowingly does that to themselves?

3. Stop buying soda! If you do not have it readily available in your household you are much less likely to go for it when you have a craving.

4. Realize that it is going to be hard and you are going to crave it. You may even slip up. It took me a full 6 months to completely say that I have conquered it. Be forgiving to yourself and then get back on the wagon. I promise with time the cravings will subside enough that you have control over them.

5. Realize you will get withdrawal headaches within the first two weeks that you are quitting. Flush your system out constantly with water and healthy fruits and vegis to help remove the toxins.

6. Watching dollars? Add up what you spend on soda a week...Lets say you have 2 sodas per day at a conservative $.75 to $1.00 a pop. That equals nearly $50 at the end of the month. What can $50 equal? A new shirt, pair of jeans, a massage, or even better yet a gym membership!

6. Most importantly have healthy alternatives on hand. Green Tea and my "Natural Soda-Like Alternative" recipe have saved me. I have both daily! Green Tea is amazing for your body. Your body will thank you and when you need that fizz try my recipe below!

No matter what keep your eye on the prize! If you truly want to quit, you can! Trust me if I can do it, so can you! I can finally say in my life that I am eating, exercising, and living for my health and not for a number on a scale. Oftentimes, I might have been thin, but not healthy...Now I am healthy and happy! I feel better and I can see a difference in my family. It just plain feels good!

Little changes each day = Big changes in the end! What's stopping you?!

~Danyelle

Danyelle's Natural Fizz
Ingredients:
Seltzer Water i.e. plain Carbonated Water
Organic Lemon
Organic Natural Mint
Organic Fruit of your choice: My fav's are strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and peaches

Mix: Crush and chop the fruit and mint. Add this to one glass filled with ice. Fill the glass half with Seltzer Water and 1/2 with water. Mix lightly with a spoon. This gives you the fizz and flavor you like from soda. If you are having a hard time with it not being as sweet add a teaspoon of sugar. You will be able to ween yourself off the sugar in no time. Also, if you have a blender handy this would be an amazing blender drink!

Concerns about seltzer water? No worries! Read on and put those worries to rest! http://www.livestrong.com/article/504733-is-carbonization-in-seltzer-bad-for-you/

Replacement Option Number Two: Organic Yogi Decaf Green Tea 
This is my favorite afternoon treat! It can be served hot or cold and you can add peaches to make a great bellini!

To read more on the benefits of green tea read on :http://www.vitguide.com/green-tea-benefits/
Minimally, you should have green tea once per day! The benefits are endless!



Are you going to join me in removing diet soda from your life?
~or~
Have you successfully quit?

Please share!




Want to chat more?
Email us, Facebook us, Twitter us, Pinterest us or just comment below!

We love hearing from you!

~Danyelle

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Running A Family

When Danyelle and I started Sexy Mother Runner we wanted a good part of the content to be about, well, about mothers. Mainly mothers who run but really we have evolved into a blog for anyone who runs. As parents ourselves, we both have some pretty strong feelings about raising kids. We love our kiddos and always want the best for them. We also hope to set a good example for them by making healthy choices for ourselves. If you are a parent, I don't have to tell you how hard it is at times. It's by far the hardest job I've ever done ... I used to tame lions. Okay, not really, but still, parenting is really hard. It is up to us, the parents, to set the course and sail it along with our children. So, when Danyelle told me about 'Color Blaze', a family friendly 5k race where participants get showered with color, I knew my family had to do it.

My hubby, Fred, and I are spending Spring Break in his hometown in Michigan. We went for a run today and upon returning thought it was time to start training our kiddos for the 5k Color Blaze. So, we got their running shoes on them and went outside. We wanted to start them out slowly of course. My son has a tendency to run all out and then collapse after about 20 feet. So, we told them that we were the 'line leaders' and they could not run faster than us.

Off we went down the residential street in front of my mother-in-law's home. This is a very low traffic area so it was quite perfect for a family run. We went to the corner and back which according to my Garmin is .32 miles. They did great but my son said he was tired and his legs hurt. My daughter asked if we could go again. Fred took her for another run while I hung back with my son. Upon their return, my daughter was so excited she was beaming a huge smile. She said, "If I run that one more time it'll be one mile! Can we go again?"

Of course we went again. All of us this time and my daughter ran her first full mile. I cannot even tell you how proud I was of her. I didn't want to push either of them for fear that they would wear out too quickly and/or not enjoy themselves. She loved it though and kept saying how she couldn't believe that she ran a whole mile. It was awesome.

Sidewalk chalk candy land in the driveway after our run. :)
After the run, we played with sidewalk chalk and enjoyed the sunshine. My daughter asked if we could go for a run again tomorrow. Happiness. :)

Peace, Love, Happiness!

~Bekah