Where do I start? I guess the beginning is as good as anywhere -
FRIDAY
My Friday began with an interview that I am hoping went well. I spent the rest of the day visiting Walmart. No really- 3 times! I went hiking in Towner’s Woods. It was a pretty nice little park between Streetsboro and Kent. From their website:
Comprised of 175 acres of forest, wetlands, and meadows in Franklin Township, the park is the site of a 2000 year-old Hopewell Indian mound that overlooks Lake Pippen. In addition, Towner’s Woods boasts what many regard as one of the best cross-country skiing trails in Northeast Ohio and is adjacent to the PORTAGE Hike and Bike Trail.
I had a hard time finding all the trails that I wanted, so I didn’t quite get my 6 miles in like I had planned. It was incredibly hot out there, though. I did see several really neat animals, including an entire butterfly trail, a heron, a few squirrels, woodpeckers, and geese. I took several pictures that I will upload to sqpear.com as soon as I can. I also met a gentleman that told me about some other trails that I should check out.
After returning to the hotel, eating dinner, and getting cleaned up, I did some last minute studying for my Praxis exam that was on Saturday. (It was during this last minute relaxing study session that I realized the batteries were dead in my calculator and necessitated my THIRD trip to Walmart).
SATURDAY
The Praxis setup was a bit ridiculous. We met in one building for about 20 minutes then they escorted us to yet another building to the room where we were taking the test. The test itself wasn’t too bad (but I feel bad saying that — especially since I haven’t seen my results yet! – I’ve talked to many people who have take it several times) I’m pretty confident that I did ok, but I won’t know for sure on July 13 – or July 9 if I want to pay an additional $30. (I have to score 139 to pass – I think 200 is the highest)
After the test I headed to the Golf Course for the Brown Jug Tournament. This is essentially 20 women getting together for some friendly competition. This time it was Red vs Blue. I was on the Red team. I shot decently well Saturday, considering I’ve only played once this year (in April). I shot 42-43.
Our first nine was Best Ball (a team of two, you take the best score for the hole)
Our second nine was straight up match play.
We continued this tournament on Sunday. Sunday we played the first nine as alternate shot and the fourth as a two person scramble. I was on the winning team — we won by ONE!
Sunday morning, before heading out on the course, I walked down in the park for 3 miles. I was tired. It was humid. But 3 is better than 0.
The best news of the weekend is of course my weight total! I’m DOWN 1.6 LBS.!!!
I started writing this blog by thanking the people who came to Handels and then I went into upcoming events. Then I realized that is the problem with the way these things are going. So I’m rewriting. If you’d like to see the Thank you or upcoming events, scroll down.
But what I really need to say is that I NEED HELP, and not the fundraising kind. (Obviously we always need that) but I’ve lost sight of the reason I took up this campaign. I wanted a large project to get me on track with my weight loss. I was going to train hard, work hard, eat right, and get skinny. Unfortunately, the task of having to raise almost $5000 has taken over. I’ve barely been getting out to walk, I’ve not been on the bike, my food has been atrocious. I’ve been too focused on how to raise this money, how to get people to come to events, and thinking of new and inventive ways to raise money. I enjoy throwing myself into projects, but now it’s time for the project to be ME.
I’m done giving in to everyone else. It’s time for me to be selfish. I need to be a spoiled brat and demand that the junk I can’t keep my hands off of, needs to stay OUT of the house. I need encouragement. I need motivation. I need kind nudging (or brutal– depending on the day) I need friends. I need supporters. I need teammates. NOT saboteurs. I hope you will join my team. That you will offer me the kick in the butt I need on lazy mornings when I don’t want to exercise. You’ll support me when I cave on a brownie and reassure me that it’s not a disaster as long as I jump right back on the horse. You’ll gently remind me that I haven’t updated my food log. You’ll also cheer me on as my weight goes down. You’ll give me a virtual high five on the days I eat perfectly in the zone. You’ll encourage me to drink more water, less pop, eat more of the better healthy choices and less of the “ok” foods. You’ll get excited with me when I walk a new farthest distance, or discover a cool new trail. (You might even volunteer to keep me company – if you live near by). Messages are welcomed in many forms — comments on the webpage, comments on my facebook page, comments on the PinkPear Facebook Page, text messages and emails to me, even a phone call occasionally =)
I created a few documents that I can update on my iphone. It’s time for me to become transparent. It’s time for everyone to know where I stand… where I need to go… and how to I’m getting there. I welcome you all to read these charts and visit them often. Since I am just starting with them, there isn’t much data in them yet, but come back and visit them often.
Exercise Log- There are separate tabs for walking and other activities. (EXERCISE LOG)
Weight Log- My goal weight for right now is 200. After I reach that, I’ll aim for 150. I’ve lost it before. I CAN do it again.(WEIGHT LOG)
Food Log- I’m following the Zone. I’m eating a 3 block breakfast, 3 block lunch, 2 block snack, 3 block dinner, and a 2 block snack.(FOOD LOG)
Ok now for those upcoming events and thank yous…..
Current Total – not including Handels, about $3000!!!
THANK YOU to everyone who came out to Handels on Thursday. I don’t have the numbers yet, but I’m hoping we did well. I’ll let you all know as soon as I know.
Upcoming Events:
The Rivers Casino Bus Trip – we have about 20 seats left!!! If you are interested you can find details here.
Our Garage Sale is also rapidly approaching. If you have items you would like to donate, please contact me. (any items not sold will be donated to local charities)
TODAY: Made 2 new friends (that have been there all along!)
Tonight was a good night. Actually the last two nights were pretty great. I had two birthday parties to go to…technically they are distant cousins – if you looked at the tree. Last night’s party was for my cousin’s (my Godmother) granddaughter. Tonight’s was for her son.
Why was it so great? Well, aside from screaming children — which is a necessity at all birthday parties — I got to reconnect with my cousin Jeff. He and his wife Jenn have gone through a lot of the same things I have. Dealing with parents, losing weight, juggling crazy jobs, and trying to eat right in a hectic world. As I write this, I imagine most people my age must deal with these issues. But it was nice knowing a few who have been successful and I think they will be a good support system and motivation for me. They have offered me their house if I need somewhere to escape to, and I’m pretty sure (given our conversation tonight) that they will be there to lend an ear or offer USEFUL advice.
So with that.. a true support system beginning to build — I also feel my motivation and resolve growing. I will get back on track. I will exercise more (walking and cardio) I will NOT eat fast food on my way home from work. I will start to cook more (or at least have more healthy food available). I have a wedding in three weeks. Lets see how great I can be till then. And by then it will be a habit right?I CAN DO THIS! I WILL MAKE A CHANGE! I have done it before. I have been successful. There is NOTHING preventing me from being successful again!!! (I’m going to start.. by going to bed, it’s late)
Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers out there! I hope you have a great day!
Sorry I haven’t been here lately. Life has been crazy.
I’ve been starting a new project for school, OAT Baseball. I’m excited about it, luckily MOST of the work is done from last year, but I still have plenty to get ready. In addition at school we’ve been studying the Olympics, so it’s been rough trying to keep caught up with current events.
So in real Pear News. Food has been going decently well. I weighed in on Monday morning and was down over 2 pounds. That makes me happy and helps me stay on track. I also went on my first TRULY 3 Mile walk. I’m short (5’3″) so my nike+ sensor hadn’t been calibrated on my last walk. Yesterday I calibrated it and went a FULL 3 miles. It took almost exactly an hour.
The Zone has been working out well as far as food. While the Zone does not require food to be “pieced” I like eating that way. What do I mean? I mean – I can grab some strawberries, a few shrimp, a few pistachios, and a glass of milk. I don’t have to worry about making a full entree, I can grab and go. Like this morning, when Mom woke me up at the moment I was supposed to be leaving for work, I was able to grab enough odds and ends to make a proper meal. (yogurt, apple, cheese, & banana)
Events. Mom and I have been planning several new events. Details will be coming soon. I’m excited. But still exhausted, so I’m now heading to bed.
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.
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!!
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.
Pink Pear 60 is about my training and preparations for the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure 60 mile walk. In addition to raising $2500, and training to be able to walk 60 miles in 3 days, I will be working on losing weight once and for all.
Follow Me
and not the fundraising kind. (Obviously we always need that) but I’ve lost sight of the reason I took up this campaign. I wanted a large project to get me on track with my weight loss. I was going to train hard, work hard, eat right, and get skinny. Unfortunately, the task of having to raise almost $5000 has taken over. I’ve barely been getting out to walk, I’ve not been on the bike, my food has been atrocious. I’ve been too focused on how to raise this money, how to get people to come to events, and thinking of new and inventive ways to raise money. I enjoy throwing myself into projects, but now it’s time for the project to be ME.
I’m done giving in to everyone else. It’s time for me to be selfish. I need to be a spoiled brat and demand that the junk I can’t keep my hands off of, needs to stay OUT of the house. I need encouragement. I need motivation. I need kind nudging (or brutal– depending on the day) I need friends. I need supporters. I need teammates. NOT saboteurs. I hope you will join my team. That you will offer me the kick in the butt I need on lazy mornings when I don’t want to exercise. You’ll support me when I cave on a brownie and reassure me that it’s not a disaster as long as I jump right back on the horse. You’ll gently remind me that I haven’t updated my food log. You’ll also cheer me on as my weight goes down. You’ll give me a virtual high five on the days I eat perfectly in the zone. You’ll encourage me to drink more water, less pop, eat more of the better healthy choices and less of the “ok” foods. You’ll get excited with me when I walk a new farthest distance, or discover a cool new trail. (You might even volunteer to keep me company – if you live near by). Messages are welcomed in many forms — comments on the 
Men With Brooms
I’ve long been a fan of the 