New Shoes

This is Mom on February 16, 2011

I want to report that I went out and bought me a new pair of walking shoes that cost me an arm and a leg. I tried to get them to take two legs as my arms seem to work without much pain -- if you don't count my hands. I also bought me a pair of shoes to wear to church which also cost me an arm and a leg. Then I went to the grocery store where I parked on the far side of the parking lot. Then I walked to the dollar store and back to the car and then into the grocery store where I pushed a cart around and around -- at least 10 miles. It was at lunchtime so I killed two birds with one stone. I usually eat oatmeal for breakfast twice a week but I told Dad this morning not to make me any because he makes it with very little salt and I can't bring myself to eat it. I bought some celery to eat everyday at lunchtime. I want to tell Ashlee that I love her and I'm glad she is working to improve her health and happiness. I am so proud of her. So that's a pretty good start on the first day after I received the challenge. Please keep in mind that my walks are more like strolls, but I'm trying.

Keith Checking in Mid February:

I am excited for the challenges ahead for the year. Specifically this coming week as we head to Beaver, UT for a snow trip. My plan has been to climb 12,001' peak of Mt. Holly at the out of bounds gate & ride down that. This will be a pretty good physically challenging feat! 2 years ago, I could not have even considered this as 'part' of my day. It would have taken me the entire day and quite frankly it would not have even been somewhat enjoyable.

My bi-weekly progress is coming along very well. I usually ride my bike 8.3 miles to work fri/sat/sun nights & 8.3 miles home sat/sun/mon morning. This equates to 50 miles of riding over the weekend. Then we work out all week. We have been adding a day of swimming at the YMCA into our week I am up to 975 yards of freestyle stroke and 25 yards of butterfly(more like the caterpillar without the wings yet!) I am feeling awesome! We hike a lot also. I figured it out the other day and I excersize about 12 - 14 times a week. I am down to 36.5" around the big part of my waist. This is down from 38". So I am very excited about that! I hope you are all making the most of this opportunity. Next year when you can do more than this year you will feel so accomplished as I do. Plus I don't think Sharon has made it extremely clear but so far there is $100 up for grabs for the winner! Plus I will be making a "Golden Sneaker" Trophy to go to the winner. Get up off the couches everyone! Sitting is over rated!

Bonus February Challenge!!!

February is over half-way gone, but you've still got just about 2 weeks to earn an extra point this month.  Since it's all about love, valentines and hearts this month, do a little something extra for your heart health!

For 1 bonus point toward the "Not-So-Dumbbell" award you must do at least 3 on the following list of activities:

• Take the stairs instead of an elevator or escalator when the opportunity presents itself.
• Park your car at the far end of the parking lot.
• Spend a few minutes of your lunch break taking a stroll.
• Perform your housework like vacuuming, shoveling snow, etc., a little extra vigorously than usual so you notice your heart actually pumping.
• Schedule an after-dinner family walk. Make it quality time.
• Eat oatmeal for breakfast or snack (preferably with minimal sugar/butter).
• Add a fruit/vegetable to at least one meal every day (preferably green and/or fibrous).
• Say this phrase to a person you love:  "I love you and I'm glad you are working to improve your health and happiness."

Easy way to earn an extra point, huh?  Keep track of which ones you do by Feb. 28 at 12 midnight and let me know so I can award you!

Sharon's Progress Report

I'm sorry that I've been a slacker on reporting.  I mean I expect it of the rest of you guys... kidding!  Well, kinda.  Keith points out that I need to stay on top of it because nobody else thinks about the Golden Sneakers or remembers things about it the way I do.  And he's right!  And I honestly don't expect you to; this is my baby, after all.  Really, you can report in any time you want to.  You can post something to boast about your progress (this is a competition after all), you can post something as a cry for help (we are family, after all) or you can post something simply to ramble (I do that a LOT!)  So I'll be more on the ball and make sure I post at least bi-weekly and encourage you guys to do the same!  I can easily shift the blame this weekend, though, to my poor, sick girls who gave us a couple of bad nights around here. 

Anyway, I had a pretty good week last week:  5 workouts and logged 13.6 running miles.  I'm pleased enough with that.  I'm still not recording my eating habits like I want to.  I did put a little notebook in the kitchen where I think I wrote down one single meal I ate last week.  Well, it's a start.  Progress, not perfection!

Sigue Adelante! (Sometimes Spanish phrases I used during my mission just pop into my head!)

Rebecca's Mantra

We got another motivating mantra:

"The mind (body), once stretched (shrunk) by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions."  -Ralph Waldo Emerson

I like it.  Thanks Beck!

Al's Progress

I guess we need to update everyone on how we are doing, which I not sure that I want to do, but figure it is my for my own good to be accountable. Plus it might motivate me to keep a report of my progress. I have a goal to loss 100 lbs, I was worried about this but if I do it I will be happy for accomplishing my goal. Well, since January 1st I have lost 19 lbs. Many of you haven't seen me and for those who have probably just didn't notice but since October I have lost 70lbs. The greatest thing about this is even losing that much weight my body feels better. It has been easier to get around, not being so tired and being able to do more. My problem now is I can't keep my pants up and I am going to have to either get a new belt or some new pants. The thing that has helped me is cutting back on what I eat. As a result my appetite has changed and I eat half of what I used to. One of the things that has also helped me is that I feel the Lord has been helping me over the last several months. I feel like he is making me a better person. I have been working on many aspect of my life and things have been improving. I look forward to some better weather and have plans to stay active with my kids this summer.

We are planning on planting a garden and many other things as a family. I am not one who has ever enjoyed running, but I do like to stay active and my kids need to be able to release that energy. My quote: "Do what you can and can the rest" This is a quote that came from my Mission Presidents wife. It is something that I have always tried to live, somethings are out of our hands and when we can't do it, that is when the Lord will help us.

Latest Report

This is Mom making my report for the last two weeks.

We just got back from Spokane but I knew I would have to report before I went to bed. I was a little negligent in my workout this past week. I met my goal the first week but this week I only walked three days out of the four. I don't know what I did on Wednesday but by the time I got home from my walk, my feet were killing me. We got up on Thursday and headed up to Spokane. I still had every intention of completing my goal. However the wind was blowing out of the north and really cold and Dad took my coat, gloves, and head band up to Mount Spokane with him and I'll be darned if I was going to walk in the wind without them. So I didn't get out on Friday. However, I still had Saturday ahead of me to complete my goal. I just didn't get out and do it. I'm like Ashlee! I feel so much better when I have completed my goal. There's just something about getting outdoors in the sunshine and enjoying a brisk walk. However you wouldn't recognize my walk as a brisk one -- more like an old lady one. So there is my report for what it is worth. I will try to do better during the next two weeks.