Bottom's up

I didn't need a good race to tell me I was back. I already knew.

I knew it when I was trying on shoes last week at Old Navy.

Don't see what I'm talking about? Look a little closer.

The nail on my second is a lovely shade of black. A black toenail. I have one! And, I have to say, it complements those sassy wedges quite well :)

While this is not my first black nail, it's my first post-baby (who's tired of that phrase?) and it's an outward sign of all the miles I've put in the past few months. I shall wear it like a badge of honor.

Or until people tell me it's gross. Which happened today.

I guess it's ballet flats for me.

By the way, those cute shoes are also from Old Navy. I was lucky enough to score another Sample & Share opportunity via Crowdtap. This time around, I got a coupon for a free pair of shoes and a free bottom - plus coupons for three friends. It was a Bottoms Bonanza!

I took a few girls from work on our lunch break because shopping during lunch = Awesome.

Between the four of us, I think we tried on everything in the store. I tried a couple pairs of shorts but 9 times out of 10, I am not comfortable in them - even if the size on the tag was one I once envied.

A 5-inch inseam sounds long but I always feel like my butt is hanging out. Or, (as not evidenced) in this poorly taken photograph,  I feel like I'm wearing a diaper. Shame, the shorts were cute.

In the end, I felt most comfortable in a skirt - my go-to summer item. You get the cooling effect of shorts without fearing that your overexposed.

By the way, I do not recommend Vibrams with this skirt. I always try to take Tim Gunn's advice and make it work but I just couldn't. My 5-year-old aqua wedges from Target were a much better option - especially for work.

The Vibrams, I guess, I'll save for the weekend ... or casual Tuesday. 

Does anyone else have trouble dressing in anything other than running clothes? I used to consider myself a fashionista - or at least well-dressed - and now I find myself struggling to pick out more than Nike coordinates.

Baring it all

Move that body: 2.3-mile walk

Walking.

That was the only thing I ever intended to do in my Vibrams. I understand there are benefits to barefoot running and that people really enjoy it but it’s not just something I’m interested in. I am, on the other hand, interested in preventing injuries and thought walking in Vibrams would provide some of the benefits of barefoot running without actually barefoot running.

Of course, that all changed tonight when a little someone woke up about a third of a mile from home and let me know he was hungry. Very hungry, I gathered from the, err, volume of his request. Some moms might be able to listen to their young one scream as they finish their walk but Miles’ cries make my blood curdle.

So I ran. I ran the third of a mile home in my Vibrams.

How did I like it? Umm … let’s just say I didn’t love it.

I enjoy walking in my Vibrams because they are lightweight and easy, offer my muscles a chance to work on a walk and remind me of playing kickball barefoot in the cul-de-sac as a child. (Yes, I was the girl with the black feet all summer long. I’m pretty sure my mom hated me.)

Running that short distance in my Vibrams wasn’t an experience for me the way walking in them is. Sure, it could have been the reason I was running in them. I mean, no one like a run motivated by an unhappy child. But … I don’t know … it just didn’t seem, well, me.

What’s your stance on barefoot running?

Saturday snapshot

On you mark. Get set. Wog!

Our jogging stroller has arrived! Woot, woot! My in-law’s purchased the BOB Ironman for us – it was the only thing I asked them for when prompted – after hearing lots of positive reviews. Right now it’s parked in the dining room as we need to order a car seat adapter (the one we bought at the local bike shop was for older BOBs). We should get it just in time for my 6-week post-partum checkup where I expect to get the all-clear.

Green envy rides again!

This picture is obviously from last summer.

I’ve been riding my bike to my Weight Watcher meetings (four blocks away), and it has given me an itch. An itch to really ride. So, on Thursday, I asked Mark to keep Miles all by his lonesome for an hour or so so that I could go out by myself for a bit. I rode just over 6.5 miles in 35 minutes and it was … it was … well, freeing. Painful but freeing. I felt my quads and my heart each time I pedaled, a reminder that I need to ease back into a cardio routine. Hence the 6.5 miles and not 10 I naively thought I could do.

Barefoot and not pregnant.

I’ve been wearing my Vibrams. I promise. Even if there is no photographic proof. In fact, I went zero to 60 (or 0.5 mile to 2.5 miles) in the stretch of two walks. I guess I’m not good at easing into everything. No worries – there are no strains to report - just some calf pain.

Best friends forever.

Denali is doing as well as can be expected with Miles around. There are some signs of jealousy and depression but he doesn’t seem to want to hurt Miles. In fact, he just wants to lick him. All. The. Time. It’s just me Denali is pissed at. We’ll see if he changes his tune the first time I lace up my Nikes.

What do y’all have going on this weekend?

Fitness on the side(walk)

Move that body: 3-mile walk

Forget long walks. Forget Jackie Warner. Heck, forget that the BOB Ironman should be here any day now.

There is one activity that is going to be key to my post-baby body: the sidewalk bounce/shuffle/please stop crying dance.

   

I am not sure if you can tell from the photos but I am on my tip toes 90 percent of the time when I do this, and I do this, oh, 10 times a day. My calves are going to be rocking!

In all seriousness, let’s talk about my get back in shape plan. I hope to do Jackie Warner or some strength training 2-3 days a week and walk at least 5 and use the Vibrams for at least two of those. Once I get to the six-week mark, I’ll swap 2-3 walks for a run-walk until I feel in shape. If I’m feeling super sassy, I’ll add in some yoga once a week. I’m trying to schedule workouts in my Weight Watchers weekly planner to keep me accountable. Almost like a training schedule. Almost.

For those who have come back from baby or injury, what did your shape up plans look like?

And guess who’s a month old now …

Well, a month and a day.

Love, forever

Move that body: 30-minute Jackie Warner DVD and short walk in VFF

Once upon a time, on a blog oh so familiar, a girl would share things she liked. Well, loved, actually. And then she got knocked up. Food didn’t taste the same. Workouts weren’t as fun. And life? It revolved around one thing: a baby.

While life still revolves around that baby, things are a changing and slowly (very slowly) getting back to normal. So it is only appropriate to bring back Friday love.

Food. When I first read the directions for this recipe, I thought it was insane. The Food Network wanted me to sear chicken breast and then bake it for 10 minutes. Insane. Seriously insane. There was no way those thick as thieves chicken breasts would cook in 15 minutes. And, if they did, it wasn’t going to be right. But right they were. Oh, very, very right. Juicy. Flavorful. And very versatile. The Tequila Chicken itself is good (and as leftovers in quesadillas, on a salad or as a sandwich) but the method works with any marinade. Try it. Now.

Fitness. I’m not sure this is a certified love but the newest accessory in the Healthy Strides is a definite like. And it, well they, just might surprise you.

A pair of Vibram Five Fingers KSO. Yep. I’m going barefoot.

Well, sort of.

I have been contemplating a pair for a while now and bit the bullet yesterday after seeing the running store’s Facebook post about a new shipment. I plan to walk – and only walk – in them as a way to strengthen my lower body and prevent injuries as I make my post-baby comeback.

Life. Can I just say that I do have one of the best husbands – if not the best ever – in the whole world? He took Miles and Denali for a walk this morning so I could get my workout on with Jackie Warner. I may regret it tomorrow when I can’t walk but it was nice to have that solo sweat session.

Life, part two. There’s nothing more fantastic than a napping newborn – especially one who naps long enough for you to go to grocery store … all by yourself. 

P.S. Did you really think I’d do a love post without this little one?

What are you loving today? Who’s tried Vibrams and has words of wisdom?