Face It Friday: Feelin' It 12/12/14

I've been at this weight loss game since birth. I was born over 10 lbs. Yes destined to be a Weight Watchers member from day one. It's been over 5 years since I walked into my first WW meeting and almost 3 since I moved to the other side of the scale as a Leader.

So why hasn't it gotten any easier?

Oh I know!

Because for me this whole weight loss and healthy living journey is more emotional/mental than physical. It is more than eating the right foods and portioning out my snacks. It is about dealing with the WHY I turn to food when happy/sad/angry/bored/you name it! And that is why for me this will be a life-long journey to take control of those inner demons.

But I continue to win as long as I keep trying.

After a little gain last week, I was determined to right the ship this week. I went into my week wicked motivated by my amazing Weight Watchers members. I let that motivation and inspiration pour over and be ever present in the front of my mind.

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And for maybe the second time this year, I came out of the week in the positive. That is right folks. You read it here. I had points left over.

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Now that the shock is wearing off. I can tell you it was an proud feeling. I merely wanted to prove to myself that it could be done.

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There were some realizations this week:

^ Cut alcohol down to 3 drinks this week and only on one specified day (following the Santa Hustle half marathon) That was tough. So I replaced with a nightly hot cocoa from the Keurig (2PPV). Now quite the same, but still a way for me to sit back, reflect and end the evening.

^ Earned 90+ Activity Points for the first time in almost two months. PLUS I hit 1,000 miles for 2014 last night (12/11)!! <<Raise the roof>>

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^ Weighed, measured, tracked and OWNED a 17-point snack attack that occurred Monday Night. Accepting what happened allowed me to more easily get right back on track the next morning instead of letting the guilt hang over me. Which would've led to further bad choices.

^ Shared my slip-ups with my members and readers allowing me to again release the guilt.

^ Did my weekly walk with my friend and fellow WW Leader Susan. Now this is a weekly occurrence but on Tuesday it was downpouring so instead of canceling we came up with a plan B. We walked the floors of Macy's (leaving our CCs behind) for almost an hour. So we got our weekly check-in, which I so desperately rely on now!

^ Asking myself "How am I feeling right now?" before I eat something. Most of the time for me my choices are driven by emotions rather than actual hunger. This pause to check in with myself and my emotions can catch a slip before it happens.

^ I do make a difference in my members lives. I received a sweet gift from a member on Wednesday and it totally touched my heart and has left a huge smile on my face all week long.

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^ Overall feeling better, more in control and happier. I felt so blah the past couple months and I am happy to report slowly, but surely that is starting to turn around. :)

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Tomorrow marks the beginning of Boston Marathon training with Tedy's Team (donate here). I wanted to go into the training feeling good about myself and my weight ... as I did for the Half Ironman back in September. I am proud to report that I am. I still have work to do. 1.2 to lose to be back in Lifetime range and 3.2 to go to be back at goal. But I am closer than I was back in June and have more resolve now.

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I cannot believe I am beginning training for my 7th marathon. When did that happen? I never thought I would run 1/4 of a mile let alone set out to CHOOSE to run 26.2... for fun!! :P

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Do you stop to check in with your emotions before making a food choice?

#TransformationTuesday: Charity Athletes Shaping Lives Through Miles

One can transform their own life through weight loss and fitness journeys. One can transform the lives of others through charity donations and charity work.

But it takes a special kind of person to combine the two endeavors...

Enter Charity Athletes.

Charity Athletes are people who commit to raising a certain amount of money for a charity, while undertaking a physical challenge: running a race, competing in a bike race, playing in a hockey tournament, fighting in a boxing bout or any other number of events.

I am a proud charity runner! I completed the 2013 Boston Marathon, 2014 Boston Marathon, 2014 Rock 'n' Roll Nashville Marathon and the 2014 Falmouth Road Race as a member of Tedy's Team and the American Heart Association. Oh and I am going back for more in the 2015 Boston Marathon! Bring it on baby.

My goal is to hit a combined $21,000 raised since September 2012. As of today (12/9/14), I have raised $19,429.20. I am just $1,570.80 away! Woo! :) (Click here to donate)

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I joined Tedy's Team in honor of my Stroke Heroes - my grandparents and my wife's Father - all Stroke Survivors.

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My Gramma and I this summer

While training for the 2013 Boston Marathon, my grandpa passed away quickly. It was unexpected and emotionally tough, but I dedicated every single step and mile to his memory.

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Through Tedy's Team, I have met some absolutely amazing and inspiring people. The team is made up of Stroke advocates as well as Survivors. The long training runs allow for the group to get close and the resolve to #FightStroke gets deeper with each Stroke story shared.

So when some runners came out against charity runners being in the Boston Marathon, I got a tad wicked angry. But that is not what this post is about. I bring that up because it allowed my teammate Megan  to remind me of these amazing words from her pasta dinner speech this past April.

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Amen sister! ;)

Charity athletes not only train for the race/event itself, but add fundraising on top of it all. Committing to raising any amount of money is no small feat and can be daunting. I know I get a little pang of anxiety when I sign my commitment form for Tedy’s Team because if I don’t hit the fundraising goal the difference goes on my credit card. Eek!

So charity athletes get creative when fundraising and it really can be time consuming... more so than the training itself.

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But enough about my love of being a charity athlete, it's time for you to share your #TransformationTuesday Charity Athlete story!

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Please comment below with your experience about being a charity athlete: share the charity, the event and how it impacted your life. Also feel free to share a link to your fundraising site if available! :)

#GivingTuesday: Help Me #FightStroke With Tedy's Team!

While I did not take part in Black Friday or Cyber Monday this year, I was ready to rock and roll on Giving Tuesday!! ***

WHAT IS #GIVINGTUESDAY?

We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

It’s a simple idea. Just find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to come together to give something more. Then tell everyone you can about how you are giving. Join me and be a part of a global celebration of a new tradition of generosity.

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And look at that I just HAPPEN to have a charity for you to donate to! How lucky is that??

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$1,590.80 away from Goal! :)

I will be lacing up my sneakers to run the Boston Marathon in 2015 with Tedy’s Team in honor of my Stroke Heroes – my grandparents and my wife’s father – in addition to all of the others affected by Stroke. This will be my third Boston Marathon with Tedy’s Team and I am excited to take on the challenge and hit my fundraising goal of a combined $21k raised to #FightStroke!

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Three year total: $19,409.20

If you would like to help me reach my goal AND virtually share a mile with me on that day, a $20 donation to Tedy’s Team would make any mile you want yours!! Sound like a fun plan?

Let’s Do It!

Click here to donate today

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Leave a blog comment letting me know which mile you would like to sponsor

Miles Available

1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- Gregg Bard 8- 9- 10- 11- 12- 13- Samantha Avnet 14- 15- Mary Ellen Valverde 16- 17- 18- Sarah McDowell 19- 20- Dan Foley 21- 22- Barry Gagne 23- 24- 25- Angela Gillis 26- 26.2 For ME :)

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Thank you all for your support!!!!

TWOsday: Charity Edition

It's TWOsday! You all see what I did there? Gosh I am so witty. I should probably trademark this before EVERYONE starts using it. I mean now I see where the folks came up with Three Things Thursday and Five Things Friday. But mine is just to another level. Am I right? Anywho, let's get back to TWOsday! I wanted to share a couple of donation opportunities with you all.

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My friend Barry is taking part in the 2015 New England Classic 150 and 550 Tour De Cure bike ride. How awesome is that? I couldn't imagine riding that many days for that many miles. More power to ya Barry! He is fundraising to Stop Diabetes!

To help his fundraising efforts, he is raffling off a Garmin product, which he is purchasing himself.

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Options are: 1. Garmin Edge Touring GPS Cycling Computer, with GPS and Maps 2. Garmin Forerunner 310XT Multi Sport GPS Training Device 3. Garmin Forerunner 220 GPS enabled running watch

Here's how to enter: For every $10 Donated, you get ONE chance to win For every $20 Donated, you get THREE chances to win For every $30 Donated you get FIVE chances to win For every $40 Donated you get SEVEN chances to win For every $50 Donated you get TEN chances to win!

Seems like a pretty SWEET deal to me. Head on over to his website to enter today!!

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Woo! Boston Marathon training with Tedy's Team begins on December 13! I cannot believe I have the honor to run my third-straight Boston to help #FightStroke! :)

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I'm ecstatic to be $1,642 away from my first fundraising goal! ;) 

If you would like to help me reach my goal AND virtually share a mile with me on that day, a $20 donation to Tedy’s Team would make any mile you want yours!! Sound like a fun plan?

Let’s Do It!

Click here to donate today

Leave a blog comment letting me know which mile you would like to sponsor

Miles Available

1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- Gregg Bard 8- 9- 10- 11- 12- 13- Samantha Avnet 14- 15- Mary Ellen Valverde 16- 17- 18- Sarah McDowell 19- 20- Dan Foley 21- 22- Barry Gagne 23- 24- 25- Angela Gillis 26- 26.2 For ME :)

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So if you are feeling in a giving mood today and want to help Stop Diabetes or Fight Stroke, we really appreciate it! :)

Get Outside & Explore Your City With LÄRABAR Plus Giveaway!!

And The Winner Is...

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Congrats Sharon!!!

Thanks for all that entered and as a thank you use this LÄRABAR Coupon for $0.50 off a bar!

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Trails aren't the only way to get out and enjoy nature. Us City Slickers can get outside and explore just like our friends from more rural areas.

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I have the joy and pleasure of residing just outside Boston allowing me access to city, beauty, history and nature.

So how do I get outside and explore my city?

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Here are my top 3 tips to enjoying your city:

1) Take a walking or running tour of the city. I've done the Freedom Trail Run, a run along the Freedom Trail in Boston offered to tourists and residents alike each day (value $40 per person).

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The Freedom Trail Run is geared to all fitness levels and ages. It was such a cool and different way to explore the historical aspect of Boston and not be stuck on a trolley tour.

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2) Take advantage of the amazing nature trails just outside of the city. While New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine offer glorious views and countless hills/mountains to climb, we don't always have the time to travel that far. One can go just 30 minutes outside of Boston to the Blue Hills Reservation.

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Pack up your friends, your pups and your LÄRABAR bars and get out there!

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Enjoy a breathtaking view or two.

Can you spot Boston out there in the distance?

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3) Lace up your running or walking sneakers and just do it! I know it is a deep and brilliant idea, but it is true. And Cheap!!

Meeting up with friends? Take a walk around the Charles River!

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Looking for a new date idea? Lace up your sneakers while your partner rides their bike.

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Want to take your racing off the road and onto the trails? Check out the VERT Race Series - a great trail series for beginners!

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Phew! Now I am working up one serious appetite thinking about all of these sweet activities. Thankfully LÄRABAR sent me this sweet LÄRAbag with bars and RENOLA. RENOLA is a grain-free, gluten-free mix of non-GMO fruits, nuts and seeds.

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LÄRABAR the Original Fruit and Nut Bar™ features a delicious, gluten-free blend of unsweetened fruits, nuts and spices, with some flavors including coconut oil, chocolate chips or other simple ingredients. The bars are made from whole foods and each indulgent flavor contains no more than nine ingredients and at least ¼ cup of fruit or more.

For my Weight Watchers snackers, the 1.6oz LÄRABAR bars are 5-6 PPV each, while the single-serving RENOLA granola are 5 PPV. Definitely a manageable PPV for a snack, while being active on-the-go!

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My favorite flavors for LÄRABAR are: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Chocolate Chip Brownie. Are we seeing a theme? ;)

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Now in honor of National Take A Hike Day on November 17, LÄRABAR has been kind enough to offer me 16 LÄRABARs and RENOLA to give away to you amazing folks!!

So here's how to enter the giveaway (open to US Residents 18+):

Comment below with an answer to one of the following two questions!

1. Which flavor of LÄRABAR they are most excited to try and why? 

2. Share your #getoutside story and why they would love to receive the LÄRABAR to compliment their outdoor adventures.

Winner will be chosen Monday November 3 at 10am EST.

Can't wait to know if you are chosen? Use this LÄRABAR Coupon for $0.50 off a bar!

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by LÄRABAR, but all thoughts are my own - ain't nobody got time for lyin'!

Honor #WorldStrokeDay By Sponsoring A Mile Of My Boston Marathon Journey

October 29 is #WorldStrokeDay!

1 in 3 Americans don’t know how to recognize a stroke. When you don’t know what to look for, you can’t save a life. Tedy's Team and I want to change that and you can help us!

Download and share American Stroke Association’s stroke warning signs.

F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of stroke. When you can spot the signs, you’ll know that you need to call 9-1-1 for help right away. F.A.S.T. is:

F.A.S.T. Letter F Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?
F.A.S.T. Letter A Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
F.A.S.T. Letter S Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
F.A.S.T. Letter T Time to call 9-1-1 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.

 

Today, approximately 1,300 Americans will lose their life to, or become severely debilitated by a stroke.

THINK YOU ARE HAVING A STROKE? CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY!

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I will be lacing up my sneakers to run the Boston Marathon in 2015 with Tedy's Team in honor of my Stroke Heroes - my grandparents and my wife's father - in addition to all of the others affected by Stroke. This will be my third Boston Marathon with Tedy's Team and I am excited to take on the challenge and hit my fundraising goal of a combined $21k raised to #FightStroke!

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If you would like to help me reach my goal AND virtually share a mile with me on that day, a $20 donation to Tedy's Team would make any mile you want yours!! Sound like a fun plan?

Let's Do It!

Click here to donate today

Leave a blog comment letting me know which mile you would like to sponsor

Miles Available

1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- 9- 10- 11- 12- 13- 14- 15- 16- 17- 18- 19- 20- 21- 22- 23- 24- 25- 26- 26.2 For ME :)

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Thank you all for your support and remember F.A.S.T!!!!

And the LIE in Two Truths And A Lie Is...

And the Lie was....

3) I took a mid-run selfie with Bill Belichick during the Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville marathon.

While I did speak with Bill during RnR Nashville I did NOT snap a selfie. Congrats to those that figured it out!!

#1 occurred during the RnR Savannah Full Marathon in November 2012. I was bit by a dog on the course.

#2 happened in July 2011 - read about it here!

Thanks for playing!! :)

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I love the game two truths and a lie and sometimes play it with my running buddies during those cold winter long runs. Since I love it so much, I thought I would share the game with all of you.

Okay the rules are easy. Of the three statements below – two are truths and one is a lie. Your objective: pick out the lie.

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Got it?

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Here we go:

1) I was bit by a dog while running a marathon.

2) While running in Chicago one morning, I discovered not one, but two dead bodies.

3) I took a mid-run selfie with Bill Belichick during the Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville marathon.

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Soooo it is up to you: which is the lie?

Come Play Two Truths And A Lie With ME! :)

I love the game two truths and a lie and sometimes play it with my running buddies during those cold winter long runs. Since I love it so much, I thought I would share the game with all of you. Okay the rules are easy. Of the three statements below - two are truths and one is a lie. Your objective: pick out the lie.

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Got it?

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Here we go:

1) I was bit by a dog while running a marathon.

2) While running in Chicago one morning, I discovered not one, but two dead bodies.

3) I took a mid-run selfie with Bill Belichick during the Rock 'n' Roll Nashville marathon.

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Soooo it is up to you: which is the lie?