Run for your Life

+ M O T I V A T E +

I've kind of been crazy for getting healthy lately. Not in a "I only eat green food and run 100 miles a day" kind of way, but in a Weight Watchers (I lost 6 pounds!) and getting out and romping through the woods kind of way. And I am not going to lie, if I could wear my rain boots every where, I would, but it just isn't practical. Especially for bike riding and dog walking and the like. I've been spending a lot of time perusing the internet for women's athletic shoes that are great for running and I though I would share them with y'all because I know I am not the only one who needs to be smarter about running shoes.

Puma Geselle Stud Shoes

Keds Champion Wooly Sneakers

Nike Air Pegasus Trail Sneakers

I have so many favorites, but I could die a happy lady if I had those three shoes. And maybe I would be more inclined to run, walk and bike rather then trench through the swamp if I had a more diverse selection!!

What shoes do you use for working out? Why do you love them?

xo,

Beca

Guest Post // Danielle from Dinosaur Toes

Hi guys! Beca had asked me to do a guest post on how i get motivated to run, and really, my motivation is these three simple things: shoes, health, vanity.

Shoes. I know it may seem weird to find motivation in something as boring as running shoes, but there's a reason! for months and months i ran in a pair of new balance running shoes that i'd had since the dawn of time. or, more precisely, since about 9 years ago. i know that running shoes should be replaced a minimum of once every 5 years depending on usage, but staying true to my cheapskate nature, i couldn't bring myself to get a new pair of shoes until the soles fell off of those. i noticed after i'd run that the tops of my feet would hurt, especially when i'd take a step, and it felt as if someone was dropping a bowling ball on my feet. a few weeks later, when the pain had gotten even worse, i started to see this bruise appear from my toes almost up to my ankle, spanning the entire width of my foot. my sister the nurse swore to me that i had metatarsal stress fractures, and that i HAD to stop running for a while. i did, and i didn't like it. enter The Shoes.

i decided that if i wanted to run at all without ruining my feet, i'd need a new pair of shoes. if you've ever looked for running shoes you'll know that there are about 1,592,308 different pairs to choose from, so i really didn't know where to start. just as i was starting to feel deflated because everything was either too expensive or not stocked in my size, i saw them. The Shoes. i tried them on, jumped around, jogged on the treadmill in the store and knew that those babies would be MINE! when i say that i feel like i'm running on a cloud, i'm not exaggerating. my running shoes are so comfortable and such a good fit for my foot and neutral pronation that i really want to run! and i feel like i can go further!

health. beca and i have a shared love for deep fried food and coca-cola (i think it's because of our southern nature) which we discuss at length, and i'm not afraid to admit it. i know it isn't the healthiest guilty pleasure, but i also know that i include physical activity into my life to burn it off. in addition to sweating off my french fries, i also like to work on sweating off excess body fat. i'm in close contact with a couple of people who've remained stagnant for so long that even something as simple as walking across a room leaves them breathless and gasping for air, and i refuse to let that be me. whether i jog a half of a mile or three and a half miles, i feel a great sense of accomplishment because i know i'm doing something beneficial for my heart, my lungs, and my vitality in general.

vanity. i'd be lying if i said that i didn't want to look hot - for my husband, as well as for me and my self-esteem. while i know i'll never have a smokin' hot and toned supermodel body, as long as i can stay in shape enough to continue wearing my favorite bikini, then i'm happy.

i was on the track team for several years when i was in school, so i learned a few things between sprained ankles and screaming coaches. if you're thinking about starting to run, here's some info that may help you:

1. when you start, don't try to set records. it's more about building your endurance that winning races. start off running at a comfortable pace for just a couple minutes and then follow that with a brisk walk. each time you run, try to add on 30 seconds or a minute to your running to build your endurance.

2. figure out your foot type, and whether you're an underpronator, neutral pronator, or overpronator and find a pair of shoes that will work with you instead of against you. seriously, this will make all the difference in the world.

3. don't just start running! be sure to stretch for a few minutes before you start as well as after you finish. also, there's nothing wrong with walking for a few minutes to get warmed up a little before you start running.

4. don't run everyday. if you run more than 3 or 4 times a week it can be harmful to your body, so on your days off, either relax and recuperate or try crunches, jumping jacks or other bodyweight exercises.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks Danielle! We all need a little inspiration in the new year! You can visit Danielle's blog here!

xo,

Beca

PS, I wanted to share my favorite running commercial. It makes me laugh every time!

Death of a Card Reader & I need your Help!

We went to the beach yesterday with Charlie. It was pretty fun, and so nice outside. Doug took this photo on his new camera, that he loves. Today after work, I wanted to take photos of my new dress that took a ridiculously long time to get to me, and then sat on my porch for two days (oops) and I am just now wearing. BUT, I was scanning photos, and looked over at the coffee table and noticed that an entire bottle of glue had spilled (thanks, dogs) and was creeping like lava onto EVERYTHING, including our card reader for the camera. Sooo, I can't upload any photos and honestly, that's okay, because I am not really feeling into photos of myself right now.

I know, I know, I have said it 100 times, but I really really want to lose weight. This is the most I have weighed in a loooong time and now that summer is rolling around, I can't really hide it anymore. I normally rock jeans or cut off shorts, a black teeshirt and a hoodie or sweater. That's my all time favorite outfit, and has been since I was an early teen. It hides the weight pretty well, except that my weight fluctuates a lot and lately it's been leaning to the heavy side. So now, clothes that fit me well a month ago, are not fitting as well. I know this is so sporadic and random, but so is my weight.

I don't know what to do. I ride my bike to work 3-4 times a week, I can't stick to a diet, I have a serious caffeine addiction and I am totally broke, so can't afford to take classes or sign up for weight watchers (which would be a total waste of money anyways.) PLEASE HELP! What has worked for you? What kind of foods do you eat that fill you up but don't taste gross. I am eternally picky, but in a weird, 5th grade boy kind of way. Like I could eat junk food for the rest of my life, if it wouldn't kill me. Give me a bag of doritos, a 12 pack of coke, pepperoni pizza, mac&cheese, french fries and a soft pretzel, and I'll still be hungry for more. My metabolism, however, is that of an old tabby, and I will keep every single one of those calories all for myself. Greedy greedy.

I also have a pilates dvd and ride my bike often, but those don't seem to be helping. I mean, i guess if I did them more....but I'm pretty sure I can at least start this battle with food and moderate exercise?? I'm not going to lie, the last time I lost weight and was down to 135 pounds, I was smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, riding my bike obsessively, eating a lot of pizza and only sleeping a few hours a night. Insomnia + hipster track bike + chain smoking - pizza = grossly skinny for my 5foot8 broad stature. I don't want to do that again. I just want to feel better about myself.

Please, if you have a second, tell me what you do to stay healthy and maybe it will give me some ides. I stopped drinking soda, and I don't even crave it. One cup of coffee in the morning, and thats it, water for the rest of the day. I'm not eating junk right now either but that's harder. Ugh. I'm so frustrated!

That's all for now. Thanks, in advance.

xo,

Bec

Morning in Bloom

Our pomegranate tree in blooming. The tiny white flowers and little red fruits are so delicate and pretty. I'm so excited for the fruits to grow big and juicy so we can pick them and juice them. I LOVE pomegranate juice.

Our roses are beginning to bloom also. I got one good, full bloom, but a whole mess of buds. It's so funny to me that in order to make your rose bush flourish, you have to clip all the prettiest flowers off. At least we get to enjoy them in our home. The daffodils are from the market. They might be my new favorite. They're so pretty and bright. I love having a little spot for them when they are in season.

I am going to take the dogs for a warm up run right now and then start my pilates routine. I'm excited! I love it so far. Very intense. Also, I am having serious withdrawals from coca-cola. I had a headache all day yesterday and woke up feeling hungover this morning. I'm drinking a lot of coffee, so I am not a total bitch-fest, but it's going to be hard to not constantly have a coke in my hand. I'm not joking, it's been a staple in my life for a long long time. (I'm not completely cutting it out, but I am not buying it for our home anymore. We are weaning off it with clear, natural soda, juice, coffee and lots of water. It will be extra special when we go out and have a coke.)

I'll be back later today with some photos of new items in our shop and possibly another Lovely Ladies feature. What is your morning routine? Are flowers blooming all around you?

xo,

Beca Lew

Video Blog Vol 3 - Flea Market Finds and Dieting

***I wrote this post before I went to work, but the video wasn't done uploading...so it's a little late...sorry! AND for some reason cuts off after the kitchen timer.....I can't figure out why...but will try to fix it...sorry.***

Okay so, there is a lot going on in this post. Firstly, here is a video blog of some of our flea market finds from this morning. Don't mind my cat, he's an asshole. I love him, but seriously, he's a total jerk.

We went to Phil's BBQ for lunch today after the flea market. There was a line around the building to get in 15 minutes before it opened, but we stuck it out and in no time, we had gotten into the bar (and didn't have to wait in line for-ev-er) and then experienced the best BBQ in the world. If you are in the San Diego area and you are not a vegetarian, then you should definitely visit Phil's BBQ next to Kobey's Swap Meet.

It is our farewell (for at least a little while) to insane amount of heart attack inducing food. Is it true? Is it really true? Yes. I am afraid so, we are starting a diet, ahem, making healthier choices. No fun at all. But to be perfectly honest with you, I feel like crap. I ride my bike all the time, I walk to the post office and take the dogs on walks every day. I move around at work constantly. But it isn't enough. I don't feel good. So, Doug agreed to go on a no-processed foods diet with me. That means no more coca-cola (I'm dyyyyyying, already, just thinking about it) and no more junk food, chips, mac&cheese, hot dogs, gummy bears, alfredo pasta, etc etc etc. I don't know how long it will go on for, and how we will adjust, but I will definitely be updating (and complaining) as much as possible.

I also just bought Simply Pilates and will be exploring how I like pilates. I HATE doing yoga, and after talking to some friends, I am going to give pilates a shot. Gosh, I sound like such a nerd. Dieting, pilates-ing. What's next? I'm not one to really get behind anything, especially these kinds of things, which makes it so hard for me to share them with ya'll, but I'm tired of feeling like I am gaining weight again. I'm scared. I just want to be healthy.

I am excited about this weekend. Our friends Sarah and Cody are going to be in town and we don't get to see them often. I am trying to get tomorrow off...we'll see what happens. Gotta get ready for work now, have a wonderful Friday night!

xo,

Beca

New Years Resolutions

I know it isn't New Years Eve yet, which is when I planned on posting this, but the next 4 days are going to be crazy at work and I have a lot of things to do around the house and with the shop, that I wanted to post this today so it didn't get neglected. New Years resolutions have always seemed like a hoax to me, an excuse to try and do better things without the real oomph it takes to actually do them. I grew up in a house where making new years resolutions was looked down upon because if you really want to do something, you do it no matter the time of year. Hence, nothing ever changed or got done. I'm an adult now and I have recently decided that I want to celebrate Christmas and I want to make New Years resolutions. That's that.

Like I said, I have to work on New Years Eve and on New Years. This leads me to my first New Years resolution. I resolve that within a year, I will no longer be working a job where I have to be away from my home on holidays. I never planned on continuing to work in the service industry as a drink slinger. I don't hate making bloody mary's or milkshakes. I don't hate my job, not in the slightest, I actually really like it. I love my bosses, and the people I work with. I like helping people, but this is not what I am going to do for the rest of my life, or even the rest of the year. It's a priority for me. I don't want to miss memories just to bring home a few bucks.

When it comes to work, what leads to next is money. I know that money isn't the most important thing in the world, but I am not naive. I have been taking care of myself since for a long time and I have been paying my own bills for as long as I can remember. Now that I don't have school to pay for, I haven't been saving money at all. I think it is important to start saving. So, 2011, let's fill up those piggy banks with loose change and start saving money for some important life-things in the future.

I want to read more. I want to read more, and I want to write more. I used to read too much, to escape some really gnarly shit going on in my life, and as soon as I started being happy, I forgot that books make me happy too. (Isn't this little tiny book adorable. I love gingerly turning the pages and looking at the miniature words.)

I am going to try to eat healthier this year. I love junk food. I am a serious addict to chips and soda and mac&cheese and bacon. I'm not going to get rid of those favorites, but I am going to try to incorporate healthier stuff into the mix. Doug's on board too, so that inspires me too.My "office" is nothing of the sort right now. It is a room filled with boxes and crates of stuff and it is driving me crazy. I want to turn it into a functional office where I can do all of the work for our shop and also keep all of my projects in the same place. I am also going to try to be more organized this year and hopefully forever. It's a struggle. I'm NOT an organized person. But, I'm going to try harder. I'm embarrassed to show you this photo, but here it is. Maybe this will inspire me to change it!I'm going to finish this Blanket for Doug that I have been neglecting for the last 6 months. It is a king size blanket. I am making a goal to finish it this year! I will keep up with it's progress.

Some of my resolutions are simple. I want to walk the dogs more. I want to eat out less. Some of my resolutions won't happen in a year so I have a 5 year plan and I have every intention to follow through with it.

-We want a shipping container home. It has been Doug's dream for a long time, and I have adopted it as my own. It's honestly all I want and totally feasible.

-I want my own pie shop. I have had a lot of jobs, and the one I enjoy the most is pastry chef. I love baking, I love rolling our pie crusts and I love mixing ingredients to make something really delicious that makes people happy. I want to do this forever. I love vintage and I love my shop, but I don't think I will ever be able to pay my bills selling online, and I don't think I would want a brick and mortar vintage shop. I want to make pie. Quiche. Tarts. Forever.

-I want to really be better at saving money, and I am working really hard on making that a reality.

-I want for Dougie to have more photo shows. His last one was so incredible and I had so much fun helping to make it a reality. That is not in a five year plans, that is in a 6 month plan.

Anyways, I have some work to do with the shop and then I have to go to work. Another busy night I hope. Happy New Years if I don't get on here before then. Can't wait to read about everyone else's resolutions.

xo,

Beca