Creating Fits: Displaying your Fits

By: LL
Let me put this out there first: my dad loves woodworking. Pretty much anything wood-related that someone in my family discovers and covets, my dad will make it - and he will probably go even farther to give it some extra detail or flair. This includes, but is not limited to, cedar chests (which are ideal for storing wool sweaters), book shelves (tall, narrow, short, wide), jewelry boxes, shoe organizers, you name it.

I think that he especially enjoys a challenge - something that he has never made before and for which he doesn't have the exact measurements, so he can "wing it," as much as engineers ever really "wing it."

So, imagine his delight when Cool J asked him to create a way for her and her husband to tastefully display their growing marathon medal collection. Yes, she gave him some ideas of ones that she had seen during her research of the idea, but he more or less took the design on himself and created a piece that is functional and also displays the medals in an organized, artistic fashion. (This is the one he later made for me).

He also has been kind enough to make all of his daughters, and many of our friends, dresser-top, rotating necklace holders - which have only gotten fancier and more functional over the years. These are perfect for keeping your favorite necklaces on display and avoid tangling them in a drawer or dish. 

And, most recently, my dad solved the common problem of "whose bridesmaid dress is whose" at my wedding this past summer, when he made beautiful wooden hangers for me and each of my bridesmaids. This was a major hit with the girls who can now use them to hang a favorite outfit on the back of a door, etc. 

| (c)Tiffany Brubaker Photography |

I think that we all, in one way or another, enjoy showing off our favorite fits, and keeping them organized. Plus, there is something extra special when they were custom-made by someone you know. 

Fit Fanatic: Sore legs all weekend!

By Jessie

My "fit fanatic" weekend started out Friday morning with a yoga sculpt class at Corepower with Aldrin. I hadn't been to sculpt in 4 weeks- since the week after St. George when I went to Austin's class (which I wrote about here) I'm not sure if it was my lack of recent attendance at a sculpt class, or that Aldrin's class was actually that tough, but the class seriously kicked my butt! At one point, I left the studio to fill up my water bottle, and was sure it was nearly over. I checked the clock, and there was still 30 minutes left! Aldrin did tons of "frog squats" and lunges. My legs were burning!

After the yoga sculpt class, I had an appointment at the Uptown Natural Care Center, where I have been seeing Jenna for some help with a sore IT band. She spent about an hour massaging and stretching the leg. The deep tissue massage seems to be working to help my IT band, but it does leave the leg pretty sore afterwards.

Saturday, I ran about 16.5 miles as part of my training for the Memphis marathon (in 4 weeks!) I could already tell my legs and butt were sore before the run started, and the high mileage definitely didn't help.
By the end, my pace had slowed quite a bit, and I was ready for it to be over.

And then today, I did a "Save Your Bucks Sunday" barre class at Align. As I mentioned here, the barre class incorporates a LOT of butt toning and lower body work. I love the class, but my legs and butt were already so sore from the rest of the weekend, I had to take multiple breaks. I may have "Saved my Bucks" but I probably should have skipped the class and "saved my butt!"

Now it's time to relax. I will be working on a paper for grad school for most of the afternoon, sitting on my sore butt, but no more lunges and frog squats for this girl!

Tomorrow will just be an easy run in the morning...especially if I want to be able to walk or sit down like a normal person for the day!

Did you do a good leg workout this weekend? What did you do? Any tips for recovering from sore legs?

Favorite Fit: At the Arts Festival

By: LL
A few weekends back, my husband and I went to a local arts festival held downtown each fall. Despite the rain and clouds, we spent the afternoon checking out all the unique art from all over the states. I knew that we would be doing a lot of walking, and that the weather was chilly from the rain and little sun, so I opted for my cowboy boots (to keep my pants dry and try to incorporate them into my wardrobe more now that I am a southern girl!), a light cardigan, and my favorite fit - a scarf! It was "right" for the context and the activity - laid-back and practical, yet stylish and fun! Even got a few compliments on the boots!!

Jeans: The Gap (here)

V-Neck T-shirt: Threads for Thought (similar)

Tank: Target (here)

Cardigan: Target (here)

Boots: Jama Old West (here)

Bag: Coach (circa 2009)

Sunglasses: Persol (similar)

Watch: Swatch (circa 2006)

Fitting Debates: Marathon Training Ideal for Weight Loss?

By: LL
The director of my local running club brought up the issue of losing weight while training for a marathon. He asked the general question to all of us whether or not we believed that a marathon was the proper training method to lose weight. Looking at the run club members, you might think so, since everyone is relatively thin and in good shape. Yes, many of us have areas that could use some work (who doesn't?), but for the most part we are a fit bunch. And for most of us, training for a marathon might have changed our physique, but it was not a weight loss method for us. So, most of us said that no, marathon training probably wasn't the best fitness method for weight loss (just think of the skinny fat men who complete marathons every weekend). On the other hand, almost everyone had a personal story (about them or a friend) where weight loss occurred when training for a 5k or 10k. A shorter race that requires less endurance? Why is that?

Anyone who has trained for a marathon probably knows the reasoning behind this. First, marathon training is not conducive to the common weight loss formula: decrease caloric intake and increase caloric burn. In marathon training, you are increasing your caloric burn, but your body requires more calories in order to even function, let alone perform at an optimal fitness level. That means that you require more than the average 1800-2000 calories/day diet touted on nutritional labels. In addition, endurance athletes (or distance runners) are more likely to experience "rebound hunger," which is where they have an insatiable appetite post-fitness activity and end up negating that activity.

Second, when training for a marathon, you are building muscle mass. And, as you know, muscle weighs more than fat, so you might be heavier in pounds, but you are losing fat (or inches). So, definitely do not just use the scale as a gauge for your health. Also, since endurance athletes repeatedly deplete their body's glycogen (or fuel), your body adapts by storing more glycogen - and the water that is used to assist with the glycogen breakdown - in order to help you avoid "hitting the wall." This also translates to "weight gain" as judged by a standard scale.

Conversely, when training for a 5k or 10k, your body doesn't demand as many calories and doesn't store as much glycogen (and water), so it is easier to lose "weight" or pounds.

Back to the dicussion from run club, there were a few individuals who mentioned that they notice a weight loss in the weeks after a marathon, when they are recovering with less miles and more circuit training. According to Jenny Hadfield in Ask Coach Jenny on Runner's World, this commonly occurs because your body continues to burn calories at the same level as when you were training for a marathon, but yet you have a lessened appetite and are consuming fewer calories. Also, without continued use of your muscles at that same level, your muscle mass will begin to decrease, causing a drop in pounds.

A good place to visit regarding this issue is the Nutrition and Weightloss Section of Runner's World online.

So, marathoners, what do you think? Would you recommend marathon training to someone trying to lose weight? What is your experience?

Creating Fits: Southwestern-Inspired Jewelry

By: LL
One hot fashion trend you might have noticed for Fall 2011 is what is called "Navajo-Inspired" or "Southwestern-Inspired" prints and accessories. (Please note: after the recent Urban Outfitters debacle, I will refer to the trend as the latter of the two). This fashion trend includes signature "native" prints and color combinations for anything from maxi dresses to bags to socks to shoes (as seen here). And much to my childhood memories' delight, Minnetonka Moccasins are back in style (more on that later).

I was inspired by this fashion trend for the fall and put together a few different "southwestern" pieces, playing off the turqouise, browns, and corals that are common in traditional Southwestern United States jewelry.

Southwestern Diamond Bead Necklace

(reserved as gift)

Southwestern Diamond Bead Bracelet

Southwestern Ten Strand Necklace

Southwestern Eight Strand Bracelet 

(reserved as gift)

Fit Fanatic: Running with man's best friend

By: Cool J
Even before we were married, my husband and I both knew we wanted to get a dog. We did our research on different breeds, and decided that the Hungarian Vizsla was the "Right Fit" for us. They are very smart and easy to train. They also do not shed much. They are clean, low-maintenance pets in terms of grooming. But one of the biggest reasons we wanted a Vizsla...

(other than their good looks and cuddliness)

...is that Vizslas are GREAT running companions. 

Ms. Matilda could probably outrun anyone in my run club. Hands down.

At the time that we were looking to get a dog, I was running alone a lot, in the dark. Usually I would bring one of these hand-held Mace canisters, just in case. 

I thought the added security of a dog would be even more of a deterrent for any potential creepers along my running route. 

So, we met with a breeder, and went to his place to pick out a puppy from a recent litter...and we were sold. 

How could we ever resist this face?

Before we knew it, we were the proud owners of a puppy, whom we named Matilda Sloan.

The vet recommended that we wait to run with Matilda until she was at least a year old. Even though she would run (and run and run) off-leash on her own, we wanted to make sure she was physically ready to go for structured runs. We took several obedience classes, as well as additional "Leash Behavior" classes. 

But even after she was old enough, just like with humans, we had to ease her into running. We built up slowly- first just a mile or two. Then, perhaps we would do four or five miles. Before we knew it, she was showing us that she was a natural runner, easily joining us for eight to nine mile runs.

She gladly joined us for multiple 5k's.

She took first place in the family Turkey Trot 5k last year:

Matilda is a FIT FANATIC- she loves to run!

As mentioned here, I normally run with the Calhoun Beach Run Club. However, on the days that I don't make it there, Matilda is my running buddy.

I highly recommend a hands-free running leash for your dog, like the one shown in the above picture.

This one is "Stunt Puppy" brand, and we picked it up at our local "Chuck & Don's Pet Food Warehouse". It works very well, as it doesn't interfere with your regular running form.

Just like humans, Matilda needs some cold weather gear to run through the winter: a performance fleece, some booties, or a high-tech jacket.

With proper training and a little equipment, your dog can become one of your best running buddies!

From Runner's World: 5 Reasons your dog is your best running buddy....


1) People don't have tails that wag... On days you're dragging, Matilda can remind you that running should be joyful. Her relaxed stride and frisky vigor are contagious. Dogs even look like they're smiling when they run.

2). It's better than bonding over a bowl of kibble... You like to run. And dogs are natural runners. You might be surprised how much you get out of sharing this common interest. It's even better if you both take a nap afterwards.

3) They don't worry about negative splits... Human partners can get caught up in how many calories they've burned and their GPS stats, but a dog will remind you that the best workouts are the ones where you run free.

4). They won't accept your excuses. When that tail starts wagging, it's hard to say no. A University of Missouri study showed that people who exercised with a dog were more likely to stick with it than those who go it alone or with a human partner.

5) A tired dog is a good dog. Get Matilda sufficiently tired, and when you get home, she's more apt to snooze at your feet than chew up your new Nikes.

So lace up your shoes, grab Fido's leash, and head out the door for a run with man's best (running) friend!

Featured Fit: An Artistic Evening

By: Cool J

It's that time of year again- Halloween! And, who doesn't love an excuse to wear a costume? 

What did you wear- anything creative? See anything good while you were out?

When my sister decided to come up to run the Monster Dash 1/2 marathon, she mentioned that she had a Frida Kahlo costume she would bring.

We tried to come up with other recognizable artists, and decided the D-man should be Vincent Van Gogh...

And I would be a paintbrush!

We constructed the "brush" part of the costume with a hula skirt and wire. Aluminum foil was the base of the brush. A black turtleneck, tights, and a running skirt were the "handle".

A few splats of paint were the finishing touches.

However, no one knew what I was supposed to be. Some common guesses were that I was a troll, Carrot Top, Lady Gaga, and a Fraggle from Fraggle Rock.

So, it might have been a bit of a "failed fit" in terms of recognition, but that's what Halloween is all about, right?

Cheers!