Start your electric razors...

It's head shaving time again.   On Friday, March 11, the Body Solutions Team will for the third year shave their heads (and raise money) for childhood cancer.  Once again this year, I'm the FUNdraising manager.  What FUN and such an incredible cause. 

St. Baldrick’s volunteers shave their heads in solidarity with kids fighting cancer worldwide.  The St. Baldrick's Foundation uses the donations to fund more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the United States Government.  What began as a challenge between friends has grown into the world's largest volunteer-driven fundraising event for childhood cancer research. 

The funds we raise are saving lives.   Any and all donations (any amount) are really welcomed. 

Check out the team page @ https://www.stbaldricks.org/donate/donationinfo/teamid/68670/nouser/1

Thanks and check back later for post-shave photos! 

And make that ten!!!

Miles that is....I ran 10 miles yesterday!!! I still can't believe it myself.  It went much better than the 8 miles the prior week.  I guess all this training is really paying off. 

After finishing my run, I decided for sure......the More/fitness half marathon is for me.  I CAN DO THIS! 

It all started TWO YEARS ago!!!!

Today marks the TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY of my weight loss & better health journey!!!  There are times it seems like I just started and others that feel as if I've been eating this way and exercising forever.  Amazing!!!!

It all started first with a quest to lose weight; a diet.  I was so tired of being fat.  I also had terrible balance; I really couldn't stand on one foot.  I saw and read terrible things about the aftermath of falling.  I didn't want that to happen to me.  Things had to change!

I started with my Atlanta personal trainer and Body Solutions guru, Dan, and the goal setting began.  Lose 10 lbs, another 10 lbs and on to 50 lbs; master (?) squats, walking lunges, curls & presses.  Walk the IJT 10 miles for breast cancer, run 1 mile, run a 5K, start boxing and now train for a half marathon.  The goals got bigger & bigger and I'm hooked! 

The weight came off, some came back on a little and I took it back off.  Two years later and I'm still at my goal weight!!!  My fitness routine has remained;  still doing 3x/week w/Dan plus 5x/week cardio!!!  Two years later and I still journal every day!!! 

My life has changed!!!  No diet for me; lifestyle change.  The physical changes are great - weight loss, strength, endurance and so are the changes to my mental & emotional well being.  I won't even go into that, trust me. 

Yeah me and as I've said so many times..............NEVER AGAIN and I'M FOREVER GRATEFUL!!!

Big weekend ahead.....

Big day Saturday - 2 years for me!  Hard to believe.  Weigh in and measure! I just love my data. 

Sunday morning, I'm lookin @ 10 miles.  Whoa, I can't believe this is happening. 

The weekend forecast is sunny and mid 50's.  Perfect for hitting the streets and knocking off some to do's.  For sure this will be a weekend to remember!!!

And I'm up to eight......!!!

MILES that is.  I almost can't believe this myself.  Yesterday was my long run day and I was lookin at 8 miles.  The first one is always a struggle for me but I kept going.  The next couple, not so bad and then it started getting pretty tough around mile 5.  But I was over half way there and that kept me going along with great music and the SUN. 

My last 2 1/2 were up/down Peachtree Street.  I think I was a pitiful site.  Running in "slo mo" for sure and at times, I think I was more likely doing a shuffle vs. running.  The drivers must have been wondering, - what the what?!  (as my favorite Mr. Brown would say).

After the groaning, grunting (all to myself I hope) and sweating, I RAN 8 MILES!  What an accomplishment.  I am pretty psyched. 

I'm still working on the mantra, confidence in myself thing.  I'm going to have to reach down deeper next Sunday when I'm looking at 10 miles.  I am self motivated but I have to say, the atta boys and support from my run coach, Mike, is awesome!  Can we ever get enough of it?! 

What a week....

A most unusual week, filled with deep emotions. 

On Tuesday, we learned of the death of my wonderfully, funny, generous, loving Uncle.  He was sick for a while and fortunately I was able to have two awesome visits with him before his passing.  This man touched people globablly.  He was a leader in every community in which he lived; father of four wonderful sons, lots of grandkids and great-grandkids.  He leaves the most wonderful & special legacy. 

From this and him, I gained & learned:

- Don't put things off until tomorrow.  Yep as the saying goes, you never know what tomorrow will bring.  I was able to visit twice with my Uncle. Both times, these visits were filled with laughter and good times.  Either him checking out my outfit (seriously head to toe) & how I looked or the discussion on finding me a "fella."  Keep in mind, he was not able to talk so all this took place via facial expressions, body language and a little writing on a tablet. 

- Drop everything for the important stuff; the other stuff will be there when you get back.  I mostly do this around my work.  I have this project or that call; yep, they'll understand and wait when it's really @ the important stuff.  I'm fortunate to have a wonderful biz partner, team & clients.  I did drop the stuff this week and was able to be with my family to pay my final repects to my Uncle (he was buried in Israel) and to visit with my cousins as they began their mourning period. 

- Just visit!  No TV, no computer, no radio - just sit and talk.  I can't remember the last time I did just that until this week.  We spent a couple hours talking & sharing stories/memories, laughing and crying (mostly me, I'm a cry baby).  A warm, close, special time I'll not soon forget. 

What a week!  Sad but inspiring at the same time.  A man so great; who touched so many; who did so many wonderful things for his family & strangers (although he knew no stranger) lives on in our hearts and memories.  Thanks Uncle Benny and may you rest in peace! 

Happy "Chinese" New Year!

Today marks the Year of the Rabbit on the Chinese calendar! 

If you were born under the Rabbit - 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 - Luckiest of all signs, you are also talented and articulate. Affectionate, yet shy, you seek peace throughout your life. So marry a Sheep or a Boar. Your opposite is the Rooster. 

I'm an observer and often intrigued by coincidence, a 6th sense, bashert or whatever you like to call it.  My dad, may he rest in peace, had a nickname given to him when he served in the Army of which it continued the rest of his life - Rabbit!  Yesterday, my dad would have been 100 years old.  Just one of those things that make me go hmmmmmm!!!

SIMPLE and great!

Oh my, what a spectacular weekend in so many ways and now I get to relive it in this post.  The weather in Atlanta on both Saturday and Sunday was over the top fabulous.  Bright, bright blue sky.  NO humidity.  Prob in the mid 60's.  Perfect weather in every way.  Everyone in the city certainly thought so because the parks were PACKED; kids, strollers, dogs.....everywhere.  It was a very cool site. 

My Saturday was so very great; simple stuff but I loved it.  I started it off with my 9am BodyBlitz class @ Body Solutions and after had coffee w/my cuz.  Can't remember the last time I sat and had a leisurely cup of coffee w/a friend?!  Next up was boxing with Dan!  I'm not a fighter but love the boxing.  Then my fav lunch (chicken salad @ http://cafeatpharr.com/ - if you live in Atlanta and haven't tried it; run there quickly.  You will love it).  More visiting with my friends @ Dora Rae - these sisters are adorable and the jewelry....addicting.  Surprise visit to my neice @ her work followed by a mani and then new dinner favorite.....smoothie!  Now how @ that for a wonderful day!  Simple stuff and so much fun!

I woke Sunday to a beautiful, sunny morning but mucho on the tired side.  I had worked out for @ 2+ weeks straight and was gettin a little tired.  I decided to indulge in a lazy morning and was anxiously awaiting my noon massage!!!!  Every good massage for me is followed by a restful nap so that's how it went.  When I woke up I was so excited to see the beautiful weather remained so on went the running shoes and out the door I went for.............my SIX MILE RUN!!!!  Longest distance ever!  I did it and that's just the beginning!  My official half marathon training has started. 

What a great weekend.  Spent quality time with friends & relatives; had great workouts; new accomplishment - good times!  Really all quite simple.