Sharing is Caring: PRO Compression discount code

July 13, 2013 by scootadoot

We are huge fans of PRO Compression socks so when we got this email offer to share with our blog readers, we were all about it! If you’re looking to buy PRO Compression socks, sleeves or visors, check out this discount code.

Huge Summer Savings from PRO Compression

Get 40% off ALL merchandise at procompression.com, including their brand NEW Neon Calf Sleeves and Team PC Gear such as hats and running visors!

Simply enter coupon code JULY at checkout. You’ll save 40% and also get free shipping. (US only on the shipping deal.)

Click here to stock up today:
http://www.procompression.com/products/

Coupon code JULY expires Aug. 4, 2013.

Proper Support is Necessary (and I’m not talking about bras)

July 12, 2013 by beewhobabbles

Happy Friday, friends! I need to brag for a minute. I don’t do this often, so I hope you won’t mind. I’ve been exercising four or five days per week for two months! This is no small feat for a mama of three small kids and wife of a man who works long hours. HIGH FIVE!

I caught up with some friends last week, and I mentioned to my girlfriend (who is an amazing- and busy- working mom) that I’ve been strength training twice per week, and doing cardio-mostly running- two to three times per week, and her first question was “Where do you find the time?”

The quick answer is that I just make the time to do it. Sure, I have laundry to fold and dishes to wash, but darnit, I need to work out, and as long as the kids are fed and happy, I will get it done. But that isn’t entirely accurate (the laundry part totally is, though). The better answer is, I have a lot of support.

Twice a week, I have Trainer Jen, who kicks my butt for an hour, while my husband watches the kids before he leaves to work. Another two mornings are spent running with my pal Sara, who lets me babble about nothing and everything while we pound the pavement. I usually head to the gym on a weekend day too, while the Mister B. hangs out with our kids.

Trainer? Check. Running Buddy? Check. Helpful Husband? Check. I guess the quick answer could be, I’m fortunate. I’m really grateful to have these people around to help me reach my goals.

Which brings me to another reason I have to get it done; I have goals!

In the short term, I’d really like to fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes. The weight isn’t shedding as rapidly as it did with my girls (Baby number three, I’m over thirty, blah blah, blah), which suuuucks, especially since I’m working so hard. Don’t get me wrong, I think I look good, and I don’t mind buying new clothes- just ask my husband. But I have cute shorts, just sitting in my closet, and I want to wear them!

I also want to run a successful half-marathon this fall, which means respecting the miles. I’m building my base now so I can start adding mileage, and hopefully some speed (though I’m not really concerned with that right now).

In the long term, I’d really love to run a half marathon under 1:50.

The best answer to my friend’s question? I’m really motivated. And it takes a village. I’m lucky to have such terrific people in my corner.

One of those people is back in his running shoes again. My husband (and all of our kids) joined me for our first family of five run last weekend. I’d been looking forward to this day since I had Little Dude!

My dudes, ready to run.

Mister B. has a different relationship with running than I do. He enjoys it; but he prefers to run short and fast, and never during football season. Now, fitness often takes a backseat when pregnant, and if you’re the husband of a pushy exerciser who isn’t being very pushy…well, football season drags into basketball season, and maybe baseball season too.

Last Saturday, I registered for a local 5 miler and 2 miler, and pushed Mister B. to do one or the other. He committed to the 5 (!!!), so off we all went for an afternoon run.

Hopefully, the first of many.

Usually, I have a question for you. Instead, I’d love it if you’d give a shout-out to the people who support you and your running goals. Or just go and give them a hug. Have a great weekend!

Bon voyage, BOB

July 8, 2013 by Meridith

In second grade, I wrote a story called “Unfortunately, Fortunately”. It went a little something like this:

Once upon a time, it was a beautiful day so Meridith and Jenereesa went to the park.

Unfortunately, there was a bear that came out of nowhere and started to chase them!

Fortunately, there were many places for them to run.

Unfortunately, there was a cliff! (In New Jersey? Really, little 2nd grade Meridith?)

Fortunately, as they jumped off the cliff to get away from the bear, there was a cloud pillow to catch them.

And so and so forth. Don’t worry, Meridith and Jenereesa are both alive and well and still intact. I know that was so believable that you’d be concerned.

Anyway, I’m having a bit of an “Unfortunately, Fortunately” moment here and now, at age 36. (No bears are involved.) As Jess mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I’ve sent her the BOB Revolution.

My final moments with BOB were spent cleaning. This is my life.

While I’m overjoyed to know that one of my prized possessions is still going to be put to good use, I’m a little sad. Let’s take a trip down Meridith memory lane, shall we?

I got BOB as a birthday present from my husband. Who asks for a stroller for her birthday? This girl.

Storybook Land with my Pooks.

Originally I got the BOB because I taught Stroller Strides and I needed a stroller that was easily maneuverable, both on and off-road. I needed an awesome stroller. And the BOB was/is/and always will be awesome.

Pregnant with Littleberry at Longwood Gardens.

After Littleberry was born, Pooks “graduated” from the BOB to preschool and Littleberry took over.

Little was 6 months old when we visited Disneyland in CA.

LB was 6 months old when we visited Disneyland in CA.

The BOB was used for everything. No other stroller measured up to its supreme awesomeness so I didn’t even bother with others. After a couple of failed prior attempts, when I started (really) running in 2011, BOB was ready to roll.

And so was this kid!

Both kids loved cruising along – I have very fond memories of them telling me “Faster, mommy! Faster!” And of thinking, My goodness, children, Mommy is going AS FAST AS SHE CAN. You try pushing this and running. Only I didn’t say “my goodness” in my head.

As you can see, I’ve a lot of moments with my kids that involved the BOB stroller. And I suppose that’s why it’s a bit bittersweet to send it along to Jess. I know it’s going to the best place ever and will be treated with love and respect.

I am also fully cognizant of the fact that it’s a thing and not possible of emoting any type of feelings. (I guess.)

It will have the hills of San Francisco! The safety strap will get use (it’s a little flat around these parts)! It will have Bug as a passenger and Jess and Mister Jess, some of my all time favorite people.

But this is sort of the end of a era for my family. We’ve started giving away baby clothes. We no longer need strollers.

We’ve graduated. I wouldn’t say that’s unfortunate… it’s just time to transition. Change is hard for me, okay?

Just don’t make me get rid of the Big Red yet.

Fortunately, I know the BOB has a lot of miles left in its tires (p.s. Jess, they need air) and Jess is just the Chick for the job.

Fare thee well, BOB. Hopefully I’ll see you soon because I miss Jess and I’m slightly jealous that I’m not the one being packed up and shipped out to her.

What changes have you gone through in life that have made you a little sad, along with the happy? Did you have to write an “Unfortunately, Fortunately” story in 2nd grade? Aren’t my children adorable?

So Hot in Herre

July 3, 2013 by beewhobabbles

It’s been an exciting week at our house; Little Dude is learning how to crawl! I guess my new cardio is going to be running the vacuum, and chasing after him.

A baby’s first year is filled with so many milestones; first smile, rolling over, crawling, first word. For the mother, there are almost as many firsts. Since he is baby number three, there weren’t as many “parenting” milestones (that he can pee on me when he’s WEARING a diaper was a new one though), but I still celebrated my first run, my first outing with three kids, our first date night, and last Saturday, my first hot yoga session.

We have an amazing yoga studio nearby; Orlando Power Yoga, where they practice the style of power vinyasa yoga. The classes are fast-paced and performed in a room heated to about 90 degrees. I took classes before I got pregnant, so I was eager to get back to it.

Sara and I arrived early enough to get a good spot in the middle of the room, and once the door closed, I was in my own little world.

This type of yoga is the first with which I’ve really connected. It’s quick enough that I feel like I’m getting a good workout; and between the heat, the sweat and having to concentrate on my breathing to hold the postures, my mind really does clear. In other yoga classes, I would think about my grocery list, or what I wanted to do later. I felt like all that ommmmming and sighing was pretty silly. Not so for this class! I have to focus on my breathing. The sighing? Amazing. It truly feels as though I’m releasing toxins and stress and finding inner peace.

I could tell that my work with Trainer Jen is paying off. Postures that require more upper body strength were easier for me than they’ve been in the past. I actually held crow for about 2 seconds, which has never happened before! I can’t wait to go back.

Hot mess mamas after yoga.

My other first this week was an early morning run. Like, before 6am early. Dude doesn’t sleep through the night yet, and my middle girl is an early riser, so I am usually up at 6. With coffee, the news (Facebook), and my couch, that is. Getting up an hour earlier to exercise was a bit of a challenge, but it felt terrific to sit down for coffee at 8am and realize that my run was done.

Sara wrote about her first hot yoga experience and offered some yoga etiquette tips on her blog, The Classy Crafter. Check it out!

Any firsts for you this week? Where do you like to stand for group fitness classes? The front, middle or back? Have you tried power yoga? Are you are early morning runner? Any tips for me?

edited to add (by Mer):

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeZZr_p6vB8&w=480&h=360]

The Power of Words

July 1, 2013 by bec2point0

Two weeks ago, I sat down and wrote a post. It was a candid, no holds barred look into my life as a morbidly obese woman. Those words were hard to write. Every one of them was a little piece of me, bared to the world, encapsulated on a screen. My fears. My regrets.

My weight.

Those words were meaningful to me, and based on the tremendous amount of supportive responses I got, they were meaningful to other people as well. I had to have Meri actually publish the post for fear I wouldn’t be able to hit the button. I wanted to erase the words, to take them back, as if doing so would make it less real, would make it all go away.

It wouldn’t have. Those realities don’t go away. They will change, when I change them, but they will never cease to be exactly where I was on that day.

The response was incredible. As soon as the post was published, my phone immediately starting buzzing. Tweets, emails, blog responses, Facebook notifications, texts, IMs from people in my office who I am FB friends with.

I couldn’t look right away. I didn’t know what the words coming in were, but I knew they would be too much. And when I did look? They were too much. Wonderful, kind, empathetic… but overwhelming. I cried more times than I can count. It took me days to fully process all of the messages, and days more to respond in a manner befitting the words that were given to me.

I’m so grateful to each one of you that reached out. I’m so touched that people found inspiration in that post, or solace at the idea that they were not the only one with those feelings. I’m so incredibly lucky to have such wonderful people in my world.

I gave myself a few more days to process how I was feeling, and then I started to ask myself some questions.

That is where I am, how do I get where I want to be?

I could sit here wishing I’d done things differently, wishing that I’d had the courage to face my demons years ago, but it wouldn’t change anything. I could blame the people in my life that failed me, blame the diet industry and the food industry for making me fat and keeping me that way, but it wouldn’t change anything. I could sit on my couch with my buddies, Ben and Jerry, crying about how hard it all is, but it really wouldn’t change anything.

Or I could build a bridge and get over it.

How am I going to change habits that are twenty eight years in the making?

I can change, but not without help. I am a prideful person, independent, and I hate needing help. But I need help. And my very wise lifelong best friend gave me some words this morning.

“If you need help, get help.” Right. I love you, Jen.

What diet do you try when you’ve tried every diet?

It doesn’t matter. Some are better than others, some are truly healthier than others, but at the end of the day, this isn’t about the diet. It’s about my commitment to doing what needs to be done, and about knowing that when something isn’t working, you find something else that will. It’s about me making the decision to change my life and my health. (I spent the better part of the last week trying to decide what was the best way to go about this, and I have a plan…you all know how I LOVE a plan. I’m not ready to talk about the plan just yet, but I have one.)

So, I’m going to get help and work on forgiving myself. I’ve made a commitment. And I’ve got a plan.

Where do I start? How? When?

Old Chinese Proverb: The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.

Okay, then. Now works.

We are Family

June 27, 2013 by vfreile

My cousin Kristen and I are a decade apart. But as we grow older, we also grow closer.

Our mothers are sisters, and like Kristen and me there’s a large gap between them — 8 years. But as they aged, their bond has strengthened.

Kristen and I have much in common — our hair color, posture, body type and other family traits. Our love of Harry Potter, dark chocolate, hiking and good wine are also not to be forgotten.

But most importantly, we’re family. We share an unconditional love that sees one another through tears and laughter. I often describe Kristen and her brother Keith as my younger siblings rather than my lone first cousins.

Opening Christmas gifts with Kristen in 1989.

Hiking with Kristen in 2003.

With Keith and Kristen at my 2005 wedding. (I look tired.)

Kristen turns 21. Kristen, Keith and me toast with a legal drink (2009)

Hiking in 2011 with Keith’s wife Laura and Kristen

Cousins, 2013

We tease one another and confide in each other. We spar, we hug, we cook and eat (a lot) and we travel together. We share the good and bad, even when we feel alone.

After all, who else understands what it’s like to head to our grandparents’ house for Easter dinner where succotash and sliced ham are divvied with military-style precision? And who else comprehends a family throwdown mid-vacation that ends by baking bread then breaking bread?

And of course there’s the family tradition of stuffing the fridge to the gills, mainly with freshly-picked veggies from the garden.

We do.

Kristen was actually born while I celebrated my 11th birthday with friends at a roller rink. I was thrilled to share the day with her and even more excited to meet her several weeks later.

Last weekend, our family gathered in Bethlehem, PA to celebrate Kristen’s wedding. She married her best friend Erik and we welcomed him to our slice of insanity with open arms. Kristen was a stunning bride – confident, happy, gracious and glowing.

Aunt Martha, my mother Barbara, me and Kristen

We don’t see each other as often as we’d like. But when we do gather, we have a great time.

I feel so blessed to have such incredible, strong and loving women in my family. Sure, we all trip and make mistakes, but we learn from those errors. We evolve, we grow, we become who we are today.

What’s the last family gathering you attended? Are you like me, with a close family that lives far away? How do you cope?

Pink Sweat

June 25, 2013 by bec2point0

I am such a girly girl. I love sparkle and shoes and bags and makeup. And I love PINK. Anything Pink. The first time I saw the #sweatpink hashtag over on Twitter, I thought ‘well, that sounds AMAZING.’

So now, I am delighted to tell you that the Scoot A Doot Chicks have been asked to be Sweat Pink Ambassadors. How cool is that?

Does this mean when we go bust our tails running or working out, our sweat is actually pink?

Sadly, no.

What it does mean is that the fine folks over at Fit Approach think we are a great representation of what it means to ‘sweat pink.’

On their Become a Sweat Pink Ambassador page, they ask the following questions:

Do you have a passion for inspiring others on their journeys to health? Do you believe that strong is the new skinny, pink is the new black, and that a positive attitude and whole foods are a healthier route to happiness than self-loathing and 100-calorie snack packs?

Yes. Yes! And YES!!

And this is their mission.

We believe that kicking ass is best done in pretty shoes. We’ve learned that real women sweat, and sweat hard. We know that assertiveness, strength, and ambition are the ultimate feminine qualities. We concede that sometimes it takes hours to get ready, but we’re also no strangers to just rolling out of bed and going. We’re convinced that we run faster in pink shoelaces. We believe in pushing ourselves, and we believe in giving ourselves a break, too. We’re all about the rush of endorphins and the thrill of the challenge. We’re all for looking great and feeling even better. We’re committed to finding our best fit, and making it stick.

Totally rockin’.

I think it’s clear which color station Bec liked best at last year’s Color Me Rad.

And we’re tickled pink (insert cymbal crash) that they asked us to be part of their Ambassador crew, because all those things? That is what we’re about. Our resounding YES was a total no brainer.

This isn’t about being the strongest athlete in the world. It’s about being the kind of athlete each of us is, and pushing ourselves to be better.

This isn’t about being in the best shape. It’s about the journey we’re all taking to be in the best shape we can be.

This isn’t about being perfect when it comes to diet and exercise. It’s about being tireless in the pursuit of our own personal health and fitness goals.

And now, it’s about kicking butt in shoes laces up with pink shoelaces. (And for me, it’s about adding being able to fit into a Sweat Pink tank to my fitness bucket list… SO CUTE).

Bec, sweaty in Pink!

So, our sincerest thanks to Fit Approach for selecting us to be ambassadors for your awesome mission. We think your fab, and we give you our biggest, sweatiest, PINKEST hugs of gratitude.

BOB’s Your Stroller

June 24, 2013 by writeitdownjess

Actually, BOB’s my stroller now. Or it will be once it makes its way from Chick Meri’s house in New Jersey to mine in California. What started as a conversation with me whining about the cost of jogging strollers and how much I wanted one but dude, expensive, turned into Meri shining up her much-loved but no-longer-used BOB Revolution jogging stroller.

That’s right, people, this beauty is about to become mine all mine for the cost of FREE (plus shipping).

Do you know how stoked I am about this stroller? I am designer-handbag-on-super-sale stoked! I can’t wait to get this bad boy in my greedy little hands and take it for its first spin on the West (Best?) Coast.

As I’ve blogged about ad nauseam, I’ve yet to really get back into the swing of running. Part of it is that I’m tired and out of shape and kind of lazy and someone is stealing all of the hours in my days. But the other part of it is that I’ve got a kiddo at home who I don’t get to see a ton during the week. And with our weekends often filled with laundry and errands and family and tummy time – his and mine – I just haven’t been able to fit running into the picture.

But now that I’ve got a jogging stroller, all of that is about to change. Because now I can take the kiddo with me. Now I can take Mister Jess with me! The couple who runs together actually runs, I’ve found. I know that I’m more motivated to get out there when I have someone poking me in the arm about it. Mister Jess is a great arm-poker.

All of this means I’m officially out of excuses. I have to run now. And I’m super excited about that (who am I?). In fact, I’m already planning some of our dates. We’ll go to Crissy Field:

Maybe run along the Embarcadero (stopping at Gotts Roadside for breakfast sandwiches, of course):

We’ll just generally explore the streets of San Francisco:

Er. Maybe not all the streets.

Regardless, I can’t wait for my new (to me) jogging stroller to get here. It’s had a great life in New Jersey and I hope it’ll have a great one here, too.

Hey, BOB? I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Any stroller aficionados out there want to give me tips on how to get started? I’d love advice, even if it’s just “Strap Bug in and GO, Jess!”

Middle of the pack

June 20, 2013 by vfreile

Apparently, I’m pretty consistent.

I never would’ve predicted it, but at my last two 5k races I placed fourth in my age group, with an 8:26 pace. Both events were small, local fundraisers in Rochester, NY.

Teenage me would scoff at this pace. But adult me is pretty damn proud.

For years, I couldn’t drop under 27 minutes for a 5K race. I hovered just above, as the elusive 26 taunted me. I’m not a sprinter, but tend to hold my own as a distance runner, swimmer or rower.

So to find myself flirting with the edges of the winner’s circle is a bit exciting, and unexpected, especially for a self-proclaimed middle-of-the-pack runner like me.

My goal at the start of the summer was to beat my best previous 5K PR, 26:56, set last June at an evening 5k race that took us through random and unmarked athletic fields for the last mile. It was hot. And I know from experience that I don’t run my best in heat or humidity.

My best-ever 5K time is in the low 24s. But its been years – 18 years since that day. If my PR was a person, it could vote this fall.

My first summer race was on May 25 and produced perfect running weather. Temps were in the 40s when we set off and my legs felts great. With just 80 people running the course that morning, I finished with a sprint up a hill and smile on my face knowing I did my best.

I finished 26:10, fourth place in my age group. I was freezing, but thrilled. I reached my goal straight out of the gate.

On Sunday, I ran the 5K to Cure ALS, which started and ended at Frontier Field, home to Rochester’s minor league baseball team, The Rochester Red Wings.

Zipping by at mile 2

I wrote a detailed race recap on my work blog – But my race highlights included running my first mile under 8 minutes and rounding the bases on the baseball field before crossing the finish line, right behind home plate.

That’s me in the bright green skirt, about to round the last turn into the finish at Sunday’s 5k. (I passed the dude in the blue shirt, by the way!)

Of 650 runners, I again finished fourth in my age group, with a time of 26:11. This was extra special since the race was one day after I ran a 6-mile loop through suburban Rochester with the local women’s group, Rochester Moms in Motion.

I actually learned my place I went to check my time on the race website Monday morning. I had hoped to get my chip time, but one wasn’t listed. Instead I got a better surprise!

I’ve got one more 5K race planned for the summer before I move into marathon training mode. So who wants to guess how I’ll fare at my next 5k race on July 4? Will it be a hat trick?

Who else plans to run a race on July 4? Have your ever surprised yourself by running faster than expected at a race? Tell me in the comments!

Do Good, Feel Good: Out of this World Alex’s Lemonade Stand

June 18, 2013 by Meridith

Last week, I wrote about our first Alex’s Lemonade Stand. This past weekend we hosted our second annual event.

The goal this year was to beat last year’s total of $566.

This kiddo wants in on the action. He wants his name in lights.

Which we did.

By a lot.

Not by a couple of hundred… but by over double.

Despite it being Father’s Day.

And with the assistance of my bro-in-law, Matt, who said he’d shave his hair and beard to help raise more funds.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmEdo5eQ_7c&w=420&h=315]

No longer looking like he’s on Duck Dynasty.

We raised $1,292.35 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand!!!

Because when life gives you lemons… you make LEMONADE!

A couple of tips we followed to make our stand a success:

Send fliers home to all the students at school! There are nearly 500 kids in Pook’s elementary school. After getting the “okay” from the higher ups, we made copies and sent them out to each class. Next year Littleberry is getting in on the action and hopefully we’ll be able to expand this to his school as well.
Set up an online donation page through Alex’s Lemonade Stand. This was a key step in our success as many of the donations to our stand came from far and wide. Even if people couldn’t partake in a delicious cup of lemonade, they were able to take part in the giving.
Take advantage of the fundraising kit! Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation sends out kits a couple of weeks before the stands are being held with information, giveaways like lemon shaped silly bands (the kids loved these), papers to fill out names to show participation, bandannas, and balloons.
Post to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter throughout the event. Live updates are especially fun because it makes those people who are far (see number 2) feel like they are part of the action.
Have a really amazing person who is willing to shave off his hair! In other words… Gimmicks! Bells and whistles! Razzle dazzle!
Ask for donations – don’t have a set amount for lemonade. Whatever someone can give is the perfect amount; nothing is too big, or too small.
Instill the love of helping others within children early on and show them that hard work pays off. This weekend was exhausting, busy and incredibly gratifying.

Mix. Pour. Find a cure!

How have you given back recently?

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