I had forgotten why I loved walking (jogging) outside. Today’s walk reminded me. It was a very brisk 36 degrees when I left the house. My goal was to walk my “easy 3 miles” that was the training for today. Well when it’s only 36 it’s kinda tough to take a light stroll, so I’m sure I pushed myself a little more than I was supposed to. But the views were gorgeous. I have a park right by my house and I hiked down to the walking trail. The exhilaration that comes from walking in the cold makes me understand why the Winter Olympians might be willing to deal with the crazy weather to compete. The cold wakes you up- it makes you feel alive- it gives you energy — it makes you want to move! (and it’s always great to get the benefit of sweating without being hot!) Of course I was also listening to my favorite band, Great Big Sea- and my favorite songs of theirs. The park was near empty so it was very quiet. In fact so quiet that I almost missed the 6 deer that were munching near by. That’s right – SIX. Can you see them all?
Yes, I know it's blurry - I was moving...
I was pleased with my first day of official training – 50.05 mins, 3 miles.
Food wise – today was ok. I didn’t eat anything I wasn’t supposed to, however I didn’t eat everything that I WAS supposed to. My stomach is kinda feeling weird right now.. but I’m hoping a good night’s sleep will cure whatever it is. My feet are a bit tender. I injured the soles of my feet on Dec 26. This is the first time since Jan 2 that I’ve tested them out. I think I’ll be doubling my socks from now on.
I think I’m long overdue for an “early to bed” night. So goodnight.
p.s. I’m so excited – I’m up to 39 fans on Facebook for my PinkPear Page!
So I had a pretty lousy day at work. If you want to know details – shoot me an email. But I was determined that I was NOT going to let this sabotage me.
I left school as soon as I could (to the shock of most of my co-workers.) I quickly made it to my car to have a Zone Bar (my afternoon snack) then popped a piece of gum. I drove PAST the Arby’s, I drove PAST McDonalds. I got home, vented to my parents a bit. Sidestepped the brownies on the stove, ignored the ice cream in the freezer, and put my chicken in the oven. I then sat to watch the Olympics and even took a short nap. When it came time for dinner, I resisted the urge to take a “little extra” rice.
After letting my dinner settle I hit the bike for 30 minutes. Went another 7.3 miles but this time I only reduced the level once (for a much harder workout than yesterday).
I am proud of myself. I did not let my work issues trick me into comfort eating, or slacking on the bike. My stomach is still a bit queasy when I think about work, and I am still pretty irked, but
WORK WILL NO LONGER SABOTAGE MY LIFE.
So with that, I need to go finish my lesson for tomorrow and watch Greek!
Food note: Today I only ate what I PLANNED to eat – YAY! Go Me!
I’ve been so proud of our US Olympians, I know there has been perhaps one unbecoming event, but in the face of criticism, success, and defeat, I feel our team has represented us well – especially Evan Lysacek, Apolo Ohno, Lindsey Jacobellis, Shaun White, Lindsey Vonn, and Shani Davis.
I’ve also been watching a lot of curling that I decided to watch the movie that got me interested in it in the first place.
From IMDB: Men With Brooms
Paul Gross stars as the leader of a recently reunited curling team from a small Canadian town. This offbeat comedy follows the team as they work through their respective life issues and struggle to win the championship for the sake of their late coach.
(Rated R for language, sexuality and some drug use.)
While I was watching Men with Brooms, I also tried out the new recumbent bike. 30 minutes. 7.3 miles. I like it. It felt great to be exercising again. I even wore my 5Fingers which I haven’t worn since before Hawaii. The official training for the 3 Day starts tomorrow (with a rest day).
I am also in the process of organizing a golf outing. I will be working out some of the details with the golf course tomorrow (I hope). I’m aiming for early June. If you have any ideas or suggestions about the golf outing or other fundraising ideas, please let me know!
Thank you to Irene (Magazine Smiles). She awarded me the Sunshine Award.
The rules for accepting this:
Put the logo on your blog or within your post (right click and save). Pass the award onto 12 bloggers, then link the nominees within your post. Finally, let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
Unfortunately I do not yet know 12 bloggers. So I will try my best to award some sunshine to the ones I do know.
Evolution B – This is my college bud, Ben (that I went to Hawaii with). He is responsible for getting me into CrossFit and helping to keep me on track and focused. =)
SPC Crossfit – This is the CrossFit that I belonged to. They have taught me to believe in myself – that I CAN do all this craziness. I can train like an athlete and be successful. I will always consider myself a part of the Barn crew, but due to distance and time issues, I cannot attend there regularly enough. (It’s an hour from my house).
As learn of more blogs (or find friend’s blogs), I will award my other 8 Sunshine awards.
YAY! I have created a CafePress store with several items sporting the PinkPear logo. If you have suggestions or products you’d like to see (& order) let me know! All proceeds will be donated to my 3Day fund! Check it out.
In order to be successful in this life changing endeavor, I need to have all my ducks in a row…
Today I signed up for the Biggest Loser competition. They made me weigh in with my shoes on! I also weighed myself at home and will be reporting(and recording) that number since I will have my scale to compare it to on a weekly basis. You can visit my weight log page to see my progress.
Schwinn 220
I also talked to my Dad and we ordered a recumbent bike. Why? I wanted some machine at my house that I can just “go burn a bunch of calories” when I feel like it. Sure, I have a jump rope, but I’m in NE Ohio (brrr) and our ceilings are not high enough for proper jump roping… Plus my hopes is that both Mom and Dad will find themselves using it as well. I’m hoping Dad’s back will allow him to use it, and Mom can read a book while she pedals if she likes. I would have loved an elliptical (I used to have one) but they are too expensive for my budget right now. And I wasn’t sure if Dad would be able to use it or not. So it should be arriving tomorrow… a fun project for Dad and I to put together.
I will be creating a food log page of some sort. But for now, let’s say today was no where near perfect. But there is something to be said for NOT having bad stuff in the house — you can’t eat what’s not there!!
It doesn’t look like I’m getting a snow day, so I better head to bed.
I’ve long been a fan of the Biggest Loser, it has proved to be very motivational. In past years the gym I belonged to ran a 6 week Biggest Loser right after New Years, I would achieve success but never had a real chance to win. Some of the people competing would the things necessary for short term weight loss to win, while I was trying to maintain my program for long term success. Anyway — my Mom showed me this Vindicator Article and my interest was piqued.
The Official title is: The Pink Ribbon Weight Loss Biggest Loser for a Cure. It is a 3 MONTH long Biggest Loser competition whose proceeds benefit the Boardman Relay for Life Breast Cancer Fund. Could it be more perfect? An opportunity to help myself while helping others raise money for the Cure. So now it’s time to be brutally honest with myself.. go get weighed in and share that information with the world. EEk. (When I am most open and honest about my “data”, I tend to do better…I have people holding me accountable) The final check in is May 15 during the Boardman Relay for Life.
I think the pasta basket for 3rd prize seems a bit off the mark, but I know it’s the thought and willingness to donate that counts.
So stay tuned…
I’m heading to Rocky’s now to get my official stats. Let the Games Begin.
P.S. Have you been watching the Olympics? Breathtaking!!
One of the steps to becoming a Cinderella aka Princess aka My Best Self is to “Look Like Cinderella”
“…Start with your hair and feet while your body catches up. Become a stunning blonde or a sultry brunette. Get your brows done. Your pores minimized. Your wrinkles eliminated. Treat yourself to the most fabulous shoes you can afford.”
Well I started with my hair, I try to do my brows regularly (so now I’ll won’t just TRY, I will do them regularly). I thankfully do not have to deal with wrinkles yet, at least not that I care about. My pores… well.. I’ll work on those soon. Shoes really aren’t my thing (I’m sure this will all come out as training starts) but I have bursitis in my left foot (plus high arches and wide feet) which makes shoe shopping a nightmare, so right now I’m going to skip the shoe step — but will reserve it for getting myself some good training shoes!
So that leaves my hair. Those who know me know that I don’t ever do much with my hair. Sure, way back when I’ve had my hair permed (once it came out ok!) I’ve done highlights, my hair turns naturally blonder in the summer and my highlights just kept that look into the winter. However for the last 3 or 4 years I’ve done nothing. I’ve let my hair go natural. I have however started noticing some grays popping out!!! (Did I mention I’m only 31!!) Anyway I decided to be daring and try something I’ve NEVER done, with a color that is pretty out there — especially conservative me. So check it out below — my before and after pics.
This all started a few weeks ago when I caught part of a Lifetime movie – “Lying to be Perfect” which is based on the book “The Cinderella Pact” by Sarah Strohmeyer. It got me thinking..
I need to find myself some good friends who will support and encourage me to not only lose weight but to better myself in all aspects. To become the person I was meant to be. If YOU are one of those willing to support me on this journey, please feel free to comment on my posts, send me messages.. either anonymously or through registering.
In the book, Strohmeyer includes a “Guide to Indulging Your Inner Cinderella,” I am trying to accomplish some of these along my journey.
To understand what some of these mean, you must read the book – and I highly recommend it.
– “Take that photo of you as a little girl off your mother’s refrigerator. Tape it to your bathroom mirror. Admire how happy she is, how sparking. Be her, again. ”
– “Buy a tiara”
– “Believe it. Be it.”
– “Remember that you do NOT need a prince to be Cinderella.”
– “Find your fairy godmother. Or godsister. Or godgirlfriend.”
– “Stick with the program!”
– “Act like Cinderella.”
– “Look like Cinderella.”
–”Unveil your inner Cinderella.”
So I am currently taking applications for a Fairy god????? and I am making this pact with myself. This is it. I have wasted too much time and cannot afford to waste anymore. I hope you will all come along for the ride and perhaps change yourselves for the better along the way.
Honestly, my initial reason for doing this 60 mile walk is purely selfish and I’m not ashamed to say it. I needed a BIG motivational event to get my life back going where it needs to go.
The fact that 5 of my immediate family members have had breast cancer, made this an even more perfect choice. I have had 3 aunts who lost their battle, but my mother and my cousin are both Survivors. (My Mom is 25+ years in remission.)
But I’ve been a procrastinator my whole life. Which most of the time does not get me into too much trouble – I work well under pressure. But I realized that I’ve actually been PROCRASTINATING MY LIFE. I have been sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else have a life. I know one of the reasons I stopped going to church as often was that I kept seeing young people coming in with their families and looking happy and I still have no one. I teach in a position that is not my calling. (and haven’t done anything about it yet.) I still live with my parents (largely due to the job I have not paying enough). I am not happy with my weight, yet I procrastinate about that too. I had huge success but then let it all slide. I find myself being envious of people with significant others and families — and feel left behind by many of my friends, but yet I do nothing to change that.
THAT ALL CHANGES NOW.
I’m taking control of my life and going to DRIVE.. instead of using cruise control. I will DO what I want. I will DO what needs to be done to get what I WANT.
WealthTV takes you to the streets of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk. Catch one of the most inspiring charity events ever created as people across the country join to raise money for the fight against breast cancer, here on Giving Back.
Follow Me
I have a park right by my house and I hiked down to the walking trail. The exhilaration that comes from walking in the cold makes me understand why the Winter Olympians might be willing to deal with the crazy weather to compete. The cold wakes you up- it makes you feel alive- it gives you energy — it makes you want to move! (and it’s always great to get the benefit of sweating without being hot!) Of course I was also listening to my favorite band, Great Big Sea- and my favorite songs of theirs. The park was near empty so it was very quiet. In fact so quiet that I almost missed the 6 deer that were munching near by. That’s right – SIX. Can you see them all?
Men With Brooms
I’ve long been a fan of the 
