One Man, One Bike, One Fight

Today I had the pleasure of meeting a great man of our time. Drew Marinelle, after 2 years in the Peace Corps, set out on a journey. He didn't consider himself an athlete, but set his mind to do something many of us would have thought him crazy for. His goal, to raise money to fight hunger, by biking across the country. And not just straight across the shortest distance. No, he started at the southern most tip of Florida, rode a "scenic" route including up to Washington and back down to San Francisco. You can read more about his journey, see the map of his trip, lots of pictures from across the US and donate to help him reach his goal of $10,000 for WPF, on his website at www.onemanonebikeonefight.com


Now, his journey wasn't all sunshine and roses. Between the bike problems, rain and wind, he had some tough going, but starting at April 1st (go figure, starting on April Fool's Day), and ending a week ago Saturday, he made it to his final destination of San Francisco. You may have seen him on the news since his arrival, shortly after which he had that very bike stolen. What a horrible way to end a journey! But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Now to how I got to meet him. It was brought to the attention of the CEO of 24 Hour Fitness, who called all us corporate employees to the executive area this afternoon. Where we met Drew and heard his story. At the end of Drew's story, Carl (that's the CEO) presented him with a goody bag including a biking jersey and jacket, and some other little things. But the best part was when they wheeled out the new Trek bike, to replace his stolen bike. Makes you feel good.


I thought to myself a few times while I heard Drew talking, "Here's a guy, who didn't consider himself an athlete, that accomplished something that many of the professional athletes in this world wouldn't dream of. So what's stopping me? He biked over 6,000 miles. Took under 6 month's to do it. That's more than 1,000 miles a month! And I think twice before going for a 2 mile walk? Well, now I won't think twice about it now. Drew is an inspiration, not only did he accomplish such a feat, but he did it for a good cause too!

Healthy and Happy Living

Proud To Be Me!

Today I find I have a new outlook on life. I was out for my walk, taking the route I had taken many times before. It's familiar, I know the distance (2 miles) and about how long it will take, since I need to get back to work. Today as I was walking, I stopped thinking about all the things I had to do, problems that may be going on, how far I still had to go, and what people I may see were thinking of me. I suddenly realized how much I was smiling, how warm the sun felt, the sounds of the neighborhood, and how good I felt. Even stranger was that as I approached my house, I felt an urge to put in another couple miles! Now, I didn't do it because I had to get back to work & had to check on my dogs since no one else was home at the time. Just having that thought made me realize how different things are this time around. Before I would have been eager to get home 10 minutes before I got there. It was a very exciting revalation. 

Now it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, when I realized I wasn't worried about what people thought of me out there, I was reminded of an incident that happened not too long ago. I was taking a nice long walk with my husband, son and our dogs. About 2 miles in, a man driving towards us stuck his head out the window and said "Walking ain't going to do you any good fattie!" and drove off. I was so wonded by that comment it was all I could do not to break into tears right there. 

This time, I felt differently about it. I realized that regardless of what this ignorant jerk thought, I was out there changing my life and trying to get healthy. I shouldn't have let him get me off course. Now I truely believe that anything negative anyone has to say about me or my journey I can shake off and not let it get to me. I know who I am, I know where I am going, and I know I will get there. It all came down to a bright reminder how important it is to make a lifestyle change not only in your eating and exercise habbits, but a mental change too. I haven't felt this happy for this long in a long time. Even looking in a mirror doesn't up set me anymore. I may still have a ways to go, but seeing the small changes and knowing I'm on my way, I no longer see what's wrong with my body, I see the potential and what it's been able to do so far. 

Today's Random Act of Kindness: Today I started my participation in the American Cancer Society Notes to Neighbors program, helping to gather donations for the ACS. 

Twitter Support Group

All I can say is WOW. Through all the trials and tribulations of previous weight loss attempts (and failures), I've never had such a quick to respond, widespread, active and helpful support group. Today I was VERY tempted to fall back on good old soda, and my wonderful Twitter friends talked me out of it, letting me know how good I was doing & giving me other options to try instead. With a support group like this under you, how can you possible fail? My spirits have been lifted, my resolve renewed.

Not only do I have my tweeps, but a growing support system at home. My mom is behind me, a couple friends and co-workers and keeping me lifted, and my husband has been so supportive. He tells me all the time how proud he is of me. He even made me my healthy breakfast this morning. Then there is the Biggest Loser challengers at work, our wonderful team leader (Zen) who is supportive, encouraging, and gives us those gentle reminders to do what we're supposed to (like when I didn't take the stairs this morning, after talking to her I walked back downstairs and up again). I feel like everything in my life is falling into place to get me to where I want and need to be. Pretty soon, I'll be one hot mama!

Went for a nice long walk at lunch today with a group that is participating in the Biggest Loser challenge at work. As much as I enjoy walking by myself, I realized that walking with other people pushes me to walk faster than I normally would. I was quite winded when I got back. Follow that up with a 3 flight stair climb. Pretty good workout for the afternoon. Need to do my floor mat exercises tonight too, going to be like 2 hours of exercise today by the time I'm done. It's a good day.

Today's Random Act of Kindness: When looking for a counter to put on the blogs I manage (my 2 and my mom's 2), I found one that include a link to a charitable org under the counter. So instead of going with one that was just normal, I went with the charity link. Even if it only generates $1 for a charity, every dollar counts.

Random Acts of Kindness

Today is a good day. After not being able to stop smiling yesterday, I decided last night that I like having days where I smile all the time, so I was just going to have nothing but good days. Well, to my pleasant surprise, the wonderful Fabulous Fatties had decided that today all the Healthy Challenge participants would get points for following & saying "Hi" to me today. What a great way to start the morning, a dozen or so messages saying "Hi" telling me how great I was doing, how fabulous and nice I am. My face hurt from all the smiling. Now everyone I work with will benefit from this, since I'll be in such a good mood today. Even my water tastes delicious today!

As part of the healthy challenge the Fabulous Fatties are putting on, we are challenged to perform one random good deed (or as I like to put it a Random Act of Kindness). One of the people I follow in Twitter recommended this site for inspiration http://365daysofgoodness.com/ (You can find her on Twitter as well at http://twitter.com/daysofgoodness). This wonderful lady has decided to perform one random good deed a day for 365 days. Everything from signing for a neighbor's FedEx package, to donating items and time to various charities. I find her story inspirational, and it makes me suddenly think about all those good deeds I haven't done or keep meaning to do. 

So today, in addition to my Journey to a Healthier Me, I'm now on a Journey to a Better Me. I will be looking for and doing my daily good deed with Alli as my guide. Today as my good deed, I am spreading the word of her site to as many people as I can. Remember, what goes around comes around.