Get Moving Walking Challenge

It's almost time. Have you gotten your mileage to me, or your tracker code? Here's the details, if you missed it.

In order to help you along in tracking your mileage, I've found these mileage tracking sites where you can map out your route and it will determine your mileage.

dailymile This one you have to sign up for, but you can track your workouts & sync to Twitter, Nike+, Facebook & Seesmic (I just started using this one)

Gmaps This is a simple route planner, you draw it in, it tells you the miles. No sign-up, no recording.

Sport Distance Calculator Similar to the Gmaps in usage and simplicity. Also does not require sign up. Has a Calorie burn calculator at the bottom as well (only works for running, cycling & rollerblading).

Good luck in the challenge. See you all at your respective finish lines!

Healthy and Happy Living

De'Anna

Everyone has a bad day once in a while

And today was one of mine. I had a moment this morning when I asked if all this effort is worth what seems like such a small payback. To quote my first morning Tweet "Is it really worth it? The sore muscles, the sweat, the hard work, the avoiding favorite foods. Just to see a tiny half pound loss?! Really?" Moments like this are bound to happen to us all. Judgeing by my past experiences, I'd have to say that tough moments in the begining of a diet (although I'm not "dieting") are to be expected, along with those same tough moments whenever you hit a plateau.

How did I get past this? You may ask. Well let me tell you. It was largely thanks to my Twitter support group. After posting that tweet, I had several responses encouraging me along. The main points I got from everyone were 1) YES it is worth it, 1/2 lb here and 1/2 lb there, next thing you know, you have hit your goal and are feeling Fabulous! 2) Don't lay everything on the scale, that is only one small piece of what I'm trying to accomplish. I need to put more stock in how I feel, how my clothes fit, and what I'm able to do now that I may not have been in the past. After all, I'm now regularly climbing stairs, taking 2 to 3 mile walks, going to the gym, and have been on a hike. I haven't done anything like this in a long time.

I've also learned just how important a support group is. If you are trying to lose weight and/or get healthy, and you haven't built a support structure to help you when you fall, why not? It's like walking a tightrope without a net. Sure, you can accomplish it after a LOT of practice, but you wouldn't start out that way. You can expect difficult days when you start out on a new journey like this, and it is imperative that you have people who can help you up when you fall and pull you through it. Family & friends are great, but people going through or that have gone through the same journey will have more insight & will understand what you are going through. You can make friends with other bloggers (like me!) and encourage through comments, make friends on social networking sites like Facebook (yes, I'm there too), or for instant reactions 24/7 make friends with some of the many Twitterers who are on a similar journey (yep, you guessed it, you can find me there too).

Whatever you do, and however you need to do it to work for you, just stick with it. You will feel so good about yourself and everything you are able to accomplish. Take pride in the little things you do. And remember to smile as much as possible, it feels good, and smiles are contageous - you might just make a stranger's day.

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.