 
 
 
Alive ---> THRIVE!Sunday, January 03, 2010
Rivulets running down the windows as I steam up my 50 degree workout room during my hour on the 'mill and a half hour with my dumb bells and resistance bands today. Been percolating thoughts for a New Year's blog for some time now...but somehow during my workout today everything seemed to come together. Seems to be ripe conditions for blog incubation! 
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USARUNNERGIRL
1/5/2010 10:13PM
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Don, What an amazing list of accomplishments! And yet you feel like you didn't do the year justice. You have reminded me over and over again that as long as we keep trying we have won. You are a great and wonderful example and I am proud to know you. I hope that 2010 brings you all you want and especially that coveted onderland that I know would mean the world to you. You deserve the world. You can do it...one step at a time! Report Inappropriate Comment |
ZIRCADIA
1/4/2010 5:22PM
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OOOH I MADE YOUR BLOG! :D hehehee. It was so great to meet you, most especially because it turned us into SparkFriends, which we weren't before, but now I definitely value being your SparkFriend!!!!!! Anyway -- I feel you on the backslide into 2010, the busting the holiday's, but hey -- we're here now and time to make the most of another year. :D You did so many awesome things in 2009 as well! :D WOOHOO! I want to take dancing lessons, too -- like latin ballroom classes in particular... :D haha. Maybe later in the year?
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JOYYAK
1/4/2010 9:54AM
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Don- What a great blog with all of your goals and accomplishments outlined. You have certainly had a busy year and one filled with many happy firsts! Nice job! And now, as we all move into the new year we carry those aspirations another mile, another level...and continue to take care of "us." Keep it up! And enjoy the snow! I canceled my trip to Syracuse today (we were going to leave at 3 a.m. to drive up today) because of the lousy weather. Disappointing but I will get it in soon... Joyce 
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LEELYNN2
1/3/2010 10:31PM
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You had an amazing year and I'm so glad that I've had a chance to follow a bit of it. So many new activities! It's so cool. I am looking forward to seeing how the dancing lessons go. I'm going to be waiting for the updates on this!!!!
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APPYMORGAN
1/3/2010 9:16PM
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Thank you for another amazing blog...err Novel...I love how you are really able to describe and dissect all of last year for yourself. I find it very helpful to read about how others have overcome their struggles. I am just beginning to admit that I am addicted to food. It is affecting my life. While I am successful in the other areas of my life, I am missing out on so much of what I want to do because of my weight. I really hope to participate in a triathlon or the Tevis cup ( a horse riding event) but how can this happen when I currently struggle to walk a mile. I know I can get through and beyond this too. Thanks for sharing your struggles and successes, I have been greatly influenced and motivated by them. I think that maybe part of your ability to maintain will come from the same place that your amazing ability to encourage and motivate others comes. Paying it forward, as you said in response to my blog, is what SP is all about. Thanks Kristi   I guess this was the second chapter of that previously mentioned Novel. lol Comment edited on: 1/3/2010 9:22:18 PM Report Inappropriate Comment |
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DAYHIKER
1/3/2010 8:41PM
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What a great blog, Don! All the way to the end! And I finally found out where your quote is and read it!  Thanks for the blog and book tips!! You're doing  and your enthusiasm is contagious!!  Cindy
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L*I*T*A*
1/3/2010 2:23PM
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such great reminders ............what an inspiration you are to us all..............what a privledge it is to know you too................thanks for sharing your year in review...........blessings and hugs...................lita
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PUDDLE_JUMPER
1/3/2010 11:13AM
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You are an inspiration to me!!!
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ZESTYLADY
1/3/2010 8:45AM
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You rock! I am so envious of your local support group. I've been unsuccessful rallying up a group in my vicinity. I think that makes such a huge difference to ongoing maintenance success. Who else but Sparkers are willing to me moan and groan about the same old challenges year after year. My a-ha moment was realizing that the addiction is lifelong and I will always need to be vigilant. Thanks for your thoughts.
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ZELLAZM
1/3/2010 8:42AM
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Don, I love this blog and reliving all the ups and downs of the past year. You are such a great example of what Spark is all about. Thanks for the reminders, the sharing and all the hope your story gives your readers! Blessings in the New Year! Michelle P.S. Take your next vacation to Florida and you can go Nordic walking with a great group of folks on the beach in Naples every Wednesday and Saturday. Tell them I sent you! ;) Report Inappropriate Comment |
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FRECKS96
1/3/2010 8:35AM
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Don, great job in 2009! With the tools and knowledge that we continue to gather, we can only get stronger as each year goes on. I wish you all the best in your goals and I look forward to hearing how you're progressing. Particularly with the (maybe) dancing lessons. That's something I have been mulling over as well. Maybe this will be the year!
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POEKSTER
1/3/2010 7:26AM
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WTG Don and maintaining is hard work
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DDOORN
1/3/2010 7:23AM
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Re: Refuse to Regain by Barbara Berkeley...have loved her blogs @ http://refusetoregain.com/ ! Don Report Inappropriate Comment |
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FERRETLOVER1
1/3/2010 7:21AM
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Wow - when you list all you have achieved, you really should be proud of yourself. Remember, you are a human being and you will backslide sometimes. It's just a fact of life. However, you can & will take control once again. I've been maintaining for 4+ years now and I certainly do backslide sometimes, too. I am learning not to beat myself up about it anymore. I just put it behind me (sorta literally if ya know what I mean!  ) and start all over again!
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MAZUR157
1/3/2010 4:53AM
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Wow! Looks like you had something to say... Good for you!!! It was an inspiration. Hang in there. You're going to to just fine. I wish you success in all your endeavors. Report Inappropriate Comment |
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4A-HEALTHY-BMI
1/3/2010 3:29AM
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Thanx for the shout out. I've started reading Refuse to Regain by Barbara Berkeley and it looks like it will be interesting. Report Inappropriate Comment |
I enjoyed reading another members' blog about discovering that he could RUN and got to thinking about how I just can't BELIEVE I can run these days! It just doesn't even occur to me that I CAN run except once in a while like tonight while heading out to the car from the mall. I parked at the very end of the lot to give me some walking time...except tonight I thought, hey, you're short on time, why not RUN?!?!
So I DID! Felt GREAT!
I envy runners their fitness and the "high" they get from running....but still don't see myself pushing in that direction very much...at least now...but who knows what the future may hold? :-)
Don
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S318830
12/24/2009 12:08AM
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Every time I can't run for some reason or other, I look with absolute envy at all the people out there on the roads running. I'm going through that right now. You should give the Couch to 5K program a try and see if running is for you. If you think a parking lot feels great, try running your first organized race - now that's a serious high! I LOVE races!
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ZIRCADIA
12/21/2009 8:37PM
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All I know is, never say never or you'll end up running a marathon! :D HAHAHAHAHAA :D
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4A-HEALTHY-BMI
12/20/2009 5:48PM
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Fortunately one does not need to actually run to get a "runner's high" LOL. As you know my arthritic knee won't even tolerate WALKING more than 2.5 miles without telling me about it - but I can get buzzed from spinning and the elliptical. Thanks goodness for those natural endorphins. If I couldn't manufacture them internally for free, I'd probably be in prison for buying and/or using them! LOL 
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UNIDENT
12/19/2009 11:32PM
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Good start! And why shouldn't the future hold running for you, if you want to go there? There is nothing in your way. Nothing at all.
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BOBBYD31
12/19/2009 10:33PM
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don, running can be a great experience but it is not for everyone. i hope that it may be in you future, i have found it very rewarding no matter how fast or slow i go. runners are very supportive of each other, just like sparkers. merry christmas to you and your family. bobby Report Inappropriate Comment |
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JOYYAK
12/19/2009 1:56PM
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I love to walk. I know lot's of people love to run, but I love to preserve my knees. Hope to have the same set for my entire life! I can get the same endorphin high from a nice brisk walk! But, I like your parking lot philosophy. I do the same thing and oftentimes park far away from the entrance of where I am going. Every little bit helps! Joyce 
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FRECKS96
12/19/2009 9:52AM
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When you're ready to try, let me know! I know what you mean about envying the runners with the way they talk about it.
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ZELLAZM
12/19/2009 9:51AM
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Wooohooo! What a great feeling! I see a 5K in your future too! BTW, love the new background - we don't have cardinals here in Germany so I really enjoy the photos! Report Inappropriate Comment |
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FERRETLOVER1
12/19/2009 7:23AM
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I have never really been able to run because of my knees, so I envy those who can. Even just running a short distance to catch a bus hurts my knees. Oh well, at least I can walk & I do walk - lots & lots. I try to walk fast to make up for the fact that I can't really run. Report Inappropriate Comment |
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RENA1965
12/18/2009 10:27PM
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Don, I can't run on a regular basis it annoys my disc collapse- however I walk 10kms daily... Don't have to be a runner to be fit, smart training you can have all the details and less injuries.. Running is high impact, but many people abuse it.. Keep it at a level you enjoy.. I don't have to increase my exercise, but when I want to see my husband grave I pick up the pace and 16 kms disappears faster than waiting on 2 busses.. Report Inappropriate Comment |
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LEELYNN2
12/18/2009 10:26PM
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My Daughter and sometimes my son will race from the car to the store or the store to the car... that's the best! she's growing out of in though unfortunately and has to have a big lead before she'll try anymore. The cardinals in your yard? They're great.
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JCORYCMA
12/18/2009 10:23PM
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Sometimes I feel the "high" sometimes I just feel relief I'm done :) Running just seemed like a natural progression when I was walking at an ever faster pace. It was just a matter of lifting the feet up off the ground AND convincing myself I could do it! You probably walk at a faster pace than I run, so some time give it a try. Why? Because you can. Next thing you know, you'll be thinking 5K... Joanne Report Inappropriate Comment |
-Judy
Cindy in frozen Indiana
Too cool!
I think someone stole it from my mail. 
I mean if I was a non sparker and I saw a copy of the spark, I would be tempted.... 
Just sayin!
