Resolution Run Makes 12 of 12 Races!

Boy it feels good to have this goal checked off the list! A big huge thank you to the master-mind behind the Resolution Run, Johnna. She made the race so much fun by having 5 different challenges along the race course. Below you can see Johnna, Sharon and I doing our challenges. It wasn't as cold as it looks in the picture. I definitely over-dressed for the occasion-it got super warm under my layers and winter coat mid-way through the race!


Anyway, I'm so proud to say that Sharon completed 12 races in 12 months with me. Johnna joined our goal in February so we'll be celebrating her victory next month as she's so close to the 12 in 12 goal!

In retrospect, the year of races has been a lot of fun. It's surprisingly going to be difficult for me to give up this monthly race goal as a month won't seem complete without partaking in a race. Especially since most races are for a good cause! It's definitely time to move on though, as monthly races is a way of life now. I think that's the beauty of setting a year long goal. By the end of the year, it's a lifestyle and isn't too much work anymore. That makes room for a new goal next year. I hope at the end of 2009 I can say the same about sweets as I did for races in 2008!

Come Alive People!

In the last two months I've come across two different instances where I've been in amazed by something.

1. The first was on television. I was watching an interesting documentary on the blue zones . Dan Buettner, the founder of Blue Zones, talked about the research he'd done in five or six regions of the earth that he found people lived the longest. I thought this was very interesting. In one situation he found a 92 year-old heart surgeon that still practiced! When interviewed he was asked why he still performed heart surgery. He said he loved it, it was his purpose. He doesn't believe in retiring and thinks everyone needs to always do what they love.

2. The second situation was in person. I have many clients that I meet with on a "periodic" basis, meaning I see them every couple months. This particular client I met with is a 67 year old woman. She's in impeccable shape! Her BMI is a very healthy zone, she's only got 25% body fat, she still takes up water skiing every summer and she's always made eating right and exercise a priority. She's 67 and wants to do her first 5K and half marathon in 2009. Proof that it doesn't matter what age you are in order to do something new! That night I just couldn't get over how great of shape she's in. So I asked her, "how have you always stayed in this good of shape?" and her answer was simple, "I have a purpose for living, I love life."

I thought it was no accident that these two occurrences happened so close together in my journey through life. It was so interesting to see how others lived and how even later in their years they had an amazing quality of life; doing whatever it was they wanted to do. They truly love living. Then last night I stumbled upon this quote and haven't quite been able to get it out of my head. I love love love this!

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

So figure out what it is you love to do....AND DO IT! Life is too short to do things that you don't like to do. Plus I firmly believe that if a person does what they love, typically they are really good at it.

Come Alive People! Do I have to shout this?

Client of the Month: Jenn

One client that's really stood out to me this month is Jenn. I've only been working with Jenn for a couple of months but she's really come a long ways in such a short period of time. Here's the wonderful things I've noticed that she does.

1. She does her assignments. (YAY-Happy Trainer!)
2. She eats right but is also honest with me about when she doesn't.
3. Jenn researches herself. I love this about her! It's so important for people to find out things on their own.
4. She's lost over 15 pounds in the couple months we've been working out together!
5. She accepts my help but yet doesn't use me as a crutch. She does it all on her own and I know she'll go all the way because she has this concept.
6. She's just like all of us, she balances work, being a wife and working as a mother of a toddler.
7. She never makes excuses.
8. I don't ever have to tell her to do something twice.
9. She's got a great attitude and outlook on life.
10. She knows what she wants and she's going for it!

Way to go Jenn, you've done an amazing job...keep up the great work!

Resolution Run Tomorrow!

Since there was a horrible thunderstorm this morning, the Resolution Run or Walk has been rescheduled to tomorrow morning at 8am at the community center. I hope you can make it even though we had to change the day!

Week 6 In Review: 100 Push Up Program

I've been horrible at finishing up the sixth and final week of the 100 push up program. Week 6 ended up being two weeks long in total. So the verdict? Can I do 100 push ups after completing the program? Is the program worth it? Does it measure up to all the hype? The answers are mixed. Here's the summary:

1. I can't do 100 push ups. I got 60. I'm pretty happy with that considering 6 or 7 weeks ago I could only do 12. Pretty pathetic for a trainer, I know, but at least I've come along. That's a 500% improvement...not bad!
2. Yes this program is totally worth doing. My upper body strength has really improved not to mention my biceps have more shape!

(well they might still be kinda scrawny but I can tell a difference---yes this is my bicep!)

I haven't given up on the 100 push ups. The program suggests to repeat weeks 3-6 if 100 push ups haven't been achieved at the end of the program. I'll probably start week 3 again next week. I won't do weekly updates but I'll be sure to post when I get to 100!

My Happening

The other day I decided to scoop the driveway for my husband. Typically he does this every time it snows so it was kinda new to me. As I grabbed the shovel off the hook I thought to myself how much easier this would be if I had a snow blower, not to mention how much more convenient it would be for me. I wouldn't have to work as hard and it would get done so much faster. I wouldn't have to put forth much effort or energy.

As I was rearranging the snow I couldn't help but think how snow blowers relate to most of our overweight problems as Americans. Most everything in life needs to be convenient, easy, and quick. After all that's what sells. We won't buy it unless it offers us an easier way of life.

Why are we so conditional to something we all so desperately want? No, I'm not talking about the snow blower! We all want to be at our ideal body weight and we want to look at feel great, yet we don't want to:
1. Give up or reduce our soda intake.
2. Make exercise a priority.
3. Hire a trainer or join a class because it's too expensive.
4. Reduce other activities so exercise will fit into our schedule.
5. Give up all the short-term satisfactions in conjunction with food.
6. Stay away from fast food.
7. Stop complaining about being overweight and doing nothing about it.
8. Give up the friends that tell us we can't.
9. Stop talking and begin doing.
10. Make a commitment to ourselves knowing we'll really keep it this time....even if it kills us.
11. Stop saying we'll do one thing and then do another.
12. Realize weight loss takes 110% dedication.
13. Face our real issues that lie within and know that they hold us back.
14. Take time for ourselves.
15. Understand we are worth the fight!!

I can't help but let out my frustration with all the conditions we put on ourselves. Why do we never have rules for ourselves except when it is linked with success? Weight loss is HARD WORK! Remember that when you're watching all the "quick and easy" workout systems on infomercial this holiday season. They know we all want something for nothing so they'll use it by telling you what you want to hear.

Dig deep and know you're worth all the sweat, tears, and hardship success will bring.
You have the fight within you, find it, keep it and start using it!

Notice

I'm going to try and be very faithful in putting up an inspirational/motivational "quote of the week" as well as a health/weight loss "tip of the week" each week! You can find them to the right. Check back often to see what's new as those won't get emailed out. Maybe you'll see one that you love or that really hits home. As for the tip of the week, if one speaks to you...try it. Who knows, it might just be the thing that will work for you!