250 of Anything is A Lot!!!

On Friday evening I was privileged to hear Martin Parnell speak.  He was the keynote speaker at the Finale of Calgary Co-op’s Health Challenge this year.  If  you want to know more about this man and his amazing accomplishment, here’s a link to start with: http://www.cochranetimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2901873

The article itself is quite informative, but it lacks a picture.  Here’s one from the Calgary Metro paper that says a lot about just what it took to get it done!

This man, in all kinds of weather  showed up.

One of my goals for this year was to show up for my life.  I indicate my accomplishments by making a tick mark at the gym.  He showed up by completing 250 marathons in 2010.  To put that into a bit of perspective, we’re talking about 10550 kilometres or over 12 million steps.

Now, most of us aren’t going to run 250 marathons in one year – or for that matter in one lifetime.  I know it’s not going to happen to me (I don’t think!)

However, we could do 250 somethings in one year!  And I think, if we did, our world would be a better place.  Here’s some “250 things” you might consider doing:

1. Write an encouraging note to someone – and mail it (maybe even in a red envelop!)
2. Carry a bag and pick up 10 pieces of litter.
3. Declutter 5 things from your home and living space.
4. Smile at people you don’t know and say hello.
5. Pray for someone.
6. Go to the gym.  Eventually you’ll end up on one of the machines, but showing up is a start!

Got any more ideas?  I know I’m on track for showing up at the gym 250 times this year (That’s 5 days a week, by the way).   My decluttering efforts are going smoothly – although I seem to spend more time on that than I had planned.

Mark Parnell did his marathons and inspired everyone who saw him run.  We, within our circles of influence, can also “run” our mini marathons!

Have fun and enjoy the journey!  If the planet gets a little cleaner, we’ll know why!

Marcia

Challenge One is in the Books!

Well it is almost in the books!  12 weeks.  6 mini challenges.  One 5K walk.  Several interesting and informative presentations (and many more that I was unable to attend).  Well done Calgary Co-op – and I’m very impressed with what was made available to our city!

I had intended to write about this more often, but I didn’t.  Here’s a summary, and if you live in or around Calgary, there’s always next year!

The challenge started at the end of January, just when resolutions might be flagging! There was an information fair with lots of treadmill reading available.  Our TOPS chapter quite enjoyed the “Little Books of big health tips” presented by Pfizer.

One of the challenges (Number 5) focused on family meals.  But for those of us who are single, these meals are just as important.  Meals and meal times keep us from grazing mindlessly because we don’t feel like cooking.  This challenge reminded me that it’s a good thing to take the time to roast some asparagus once in a while!

These were my goals:

• Break into a sweat more frequently!
• Do one or two 1 hour workouts on the elliptical machine.
• Eat less in the evening.
• Increase vegetable consumption.
• Eat meatless meals twice a week.

The final challenge is to write a short essay type of response to the challenge and how it made a difference.  Here’s sort of what I’m submitting!

My Whole Health Challenge actually began on January 3, 2011 when I joined the gym down the street.  I weighed in that day at 253.5 pounds.  Now, 15 weeks later I weigh about 232 pounds.  I’ve lost over 20 pounds, at least 14 inches and I’ve got my first “event” t-shirt of the year!  But…I’ve gained so much more!

I’ve gained a cheering section.  Every morning when I show up at the gym there are people who are glad I got up and out of bed – important when you’re a single gal!  They notice changes before I do.  The same goes for my friends.  They’ve sent me red envelops of encouragement.  They ask me how I’m doing – and I know I couldn’t keep it up without their support.  People are reading my blog and that encourages me too.  I have a much larger circle of encouragement – and I’m going to need them as I keep on going.

I’ve also gained  the acceptance that “sweat happens” and it’s a good thing.  I do NOT  like to sweat.  But rare is the day that I don’t use my towel to wipe my perspiring brow.  It wasn’t that way at first.  I didn’t even need a towel in my gym bag until the day I decided that I was going to do an elliptical mile in 12 minutes!  Did I ever sweat then!  It hasn’t stopped since.

While I’ve not been able to do the hour long work-outs on the elliptical machine (Too boring – I’m one of those people who really needs change)  I have developed an hour long routine that fits my style.  I start with the mad dash on the elliptical, where I sweat profusely and move quickly (11 minute milestone is achieved).  Then I head over to the stationery bike and pedal at a moderate pace for another 15 or 20 minutes.  I get a good bit of reading time in here when I’m not stretching my arms and upper body.  Then it’s off to the treadmill where I spend most of my time adjusting speed and incline so that my heart rate stays around 110.  And after these twelve weeks, I can say that my speed, distance and endurance has increased!  That too is a good gain!

I do plan to participate in other challenges along the way.  They are motivational.  They focus your attention on the matter at hand – in this case health.  They are also a bit of a diversion – and add some fun to getting up and getting to it!

Have a wonderful evening and a restful Sabbath day.

Marcia

And I Finished….

In any kind of race or game someone wins.  They get medals, cheers and slaps on the back!  They are at the top of the list.  When I was in school I liked being at the top of the class.  It was my main motivator – be on top – everywhere except gym class.

After the prizes are given out for second and third place finishers, there’s everyone else – a mass of active, fit (or getting fit) humanity.  And then there’s the bottom of the list.  The last person in.

You’re looking at her – the person behind the name at the bottom of the list of 5K participants.

I didn’t plan to be at the end – at least not while I was waiting to start.  But as I got to walking I fell in step with a lovely lady who was walking simply to see if she could do it.  Together we chatted about our journey through life – she’s older so the challenges are different.  She had reached her goal weight and used walking to keep herself there!  It was a  good day for walking in Calgary today.

The river ice is breaking up and I saw a pair of Golden Eyes (ducks) diving in the chilly waters.  I got my first glimpse of the “Peace” Bridge which has created a lot of controversy in our lovely city.  There was time to see so much.

And at the end, the decision to stay back just a tad and finish last.  Most of us know people who finish somewhere in the pack.  Fewer know the persons who finish first (I don’t know anyone who’s finished first) Maybe even fewer know someone who finished last.  Well, now you know me.

Who knows, maybe I’ll be last again next time out, but I’ve got a time to beat – Officially its 1.01.45.74 hours which is what I figured.  The net time is a little less at 1.01.29.47.  And the pace, whatever that was, was 12:18.  Those are the numbers to strive to overcome!

I’m sure this won’t be the last event I’ll be participating in on my journey to health and fitness.  It’s too much fun!

Have a wonderful Saturday, and a restful Sabbath!

Marcia