Say Hello To My Little Friend

Thursday, October 14, 2010

A while back, I was trying to find a free pedometer online. I kept coming up with blank searches and expired offers. However, I landed on one offer from Tylenol's Just Keep Moving Program. If I signed up for it, they said they would send me a pedometer in 4-6 weeks. Well, that time has come and gone. I ended up buying myself a pedometer and forgot all about it.

Well, a few days ago, Mr. Postman brings me something from Tylenol. It is pretty skinny, so I just kind of ignore it, thinking they ran out of pedometers. Well...a little while later that evening, I open the package and find something similar to this inside:




What is it? Why, it is a lovely resistance band! I'm thinking of the low to medium strength. I had just bought some of those too, but mine were tubes that came with handles. This was just a piece of rubber that was cleverly disguised in a large envelope. In other words, perfect to fit in my pocket and take it anywhere!

Now, my gym goes with me everywhere. Yesterday, I took the kids to the park. I needed to work on some ab work. So, pulled the band out of my pocket and used the handy spark exercises for the band to target my abs. The day before, I had it at work. I needed to work my legs, so I tied it to the foot of the desk and did some nice leg work. Anytime people walked in my office, I would stand up, attach the band to my leg and start moving while I was talking to them.

Do people think this is weird? Probably. I'll just say to them, "say hello to my little friend".

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When I Grow Up

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

I've been watching some videos in anticipation of picking up the latest dance game for the Wii, Just Dance 2. It features a song called "When I Grow Up". It is quite a catchy song that also appears on the Wii game, Hottest Party. However, in Hottest Party, they use a clip of the actual video. To be honest, I can't decide which I like better. The song or the video. The video is smoking hot. Here is a link so you can see for yourself:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0K46C82v9o&
ob=av3e

Of course, as well as most of these videos on MTV, etc., they don't feature someone dancing on cars that is huffing and puffing, all out of breath. Nor do they feature people, like my former self, who are sitting in grease stained shirts slugging away the 2 liters and/or 12 packs. They feature eye candy. People who look awesome, can move their body, and are confident about it. In case you don't want to watch the video, here is a little picture from the video:



See, as I was saying, eye candy. Fit, firm, and looking sharp. That is the place that I want to be. Sure, we may not all reach the movie or pop star look, but we can shoot for our own personal best.

In watching the video, one lyric popped out at me. "Be careful for what you wish for, because you just might get it". And just to drive that point again, they repeat the second part, "you just might get it". Which bring me to the question, what am I wishing for?

I really need to get this dream collage done and finish defining my goals. Enough slacking. I want them down because I just might get them, I just might get them.

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Nothing and Nobody Is Going To Stop Me Reaching My Goal

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Today, as I walked to work, I was bugged by something, or someone. But, as my walks have been doing for me lately, my thoughts cleared up and the sky started to shine. OK, this is figurative. No, I'm not on LSD or some crazy drug. And no, I'm not seeing visions. I felt a calmness and a realization that nothing and no one is going to stop me from getting to my goal.

I may or may not reach my goal when I want to. That is fine with me. But, I will reach it. I might be crawling there, I might be hobbling there, or I might even be sprinting there, but I'm crossing that finish line.

It is funny, even though I hurt my foot a bit, I'm still kicking strong. I just checked my pedometer; almost 30,000 steps, which is just over 14 miles. Can I say kick ash? Yeah, edited it...just in case.

How did I get so many steps. Well, besides walking to work and back, I also: ran to get some paperwork to a meeting before 10, ran to get some numbers submitted before noon, ran to find a projector for a noon meeting, ran to get some papers faxed before 1, and then ran to get some ice for coffee. Oh, and I popped someone's popcorn for them...nice me. Oh, and when I say ran, I'm talking about the walking, not sweating type of running.

I got home, still motivated to move and did some dancing on the Wii, some boxing on the Wii, and some Yoga, yes, you guessed it, on the Wii. Fun stuff. And now, 30,000 steps later, I feel pretty pumped up and ready for bed.

And just so I don't feel bummed about not running for a period of time, spark people was nice enough to post a fantastical blog about running, which contained a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful story from the New York Times. I'm dropping both links below for your viewing pleasure. Oh, and don't forget to get those 3 spark points for clicking it.

So bottom line, do what I must, I've got that finish line in site. What is after? Why, another goal, of course!



www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=def
ining_success_when_you_dont_want_to_be
_the_best

www.nytimes.com/2010/09/17/arts/17sl
owrun.html?_r=3&nl=health&emc=healthup
dateema8

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New Exercise: Carrying Beans To Work

Monday, October 11, 2010

Not that I did this intentionally, but I created a new workout for myself today. For various reasons, I had left my backpack at work on Friday. Today I wanted to bring in some of the delicious Lentil soup I had made yesterday. After scooping out 2 ½ cups of soup, I started thinking, “how am I going to get this to work without spilling it?” Even though I had a lid for it, I didn’t want to drip any of the precious calories, which I’ve already accounted for, out. So as I’m walking to work, one hand was pumping away, the other hand was carefully balancing the soup. I’d switch hands from time-to-time to balance things out. And guess what? I actually made it to work in record time! Today was the fastest I’ve ever walked here. Go figure.

Technically speaking, I’m not even supposed to be at work today. After all, it is a holiday. But, due to events on Friday and probably tomorrow, I’m going to miss a significant amount of productivity time, so I volunteered to come in today to balance things out. It is a lot easier that way; especially compared to the days I would come early, come late.

On a separate note, the weather here has been awesome. The family went for a nice walk in the woods yesterday. Who knows, maybe I’ll post pictures tomorrow. Today, I walked to work and plan on walking home. Maybe even taking the kids to the park for a bit. I also spent some time digging up a section of the yard yesterday; getting it ready for the garden next year. Everything just seems so much nicer. For one, because it is cooler and less humid. For two, because I’ve lost this weight, been eating right, and getting more sleep; I now have more energy.

Well, I’m off to get some of this paper pushed around. Hope you all have a great day!

Ryan

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About to Lose A Kid (In Weight)

Sunday, October 10, 2010

OK, so my 10 year pregnancy is almost over. I'm knocking on the door of almost 40 pounds lost. Coincidentally, my son weighs exactly 40 pounds. In other words, for nearly the last 10 years, I've been carrying around more than two preschoolers. Here's a picture of what I've been carrying around, plus two or three more bags of sugar:



plus



equals what I used to weigh.

Now, I'm down almost one preschooler and am feeling great. Of course, now that I've lost that much weight, I'm a lot more energetic. It is funny, because I went to one counselor, who thought I had ADD. I couldn't focus on my work and my mind kept wondering off. Well, this part was true. However, I was getting an average of 4-5 hours of sleep and was over 100 pounds overweight. No wonder I wasn't all there.

As for today, I'm going to take advantage of some of this new energy and try to enjoy this beautiful weather. Had a great day at the park with the kids and wife yesterday and hope to repeat. Maybe even finish up by taking the dog for a nice walk.

Have a great day everyone! As always, happy Sparking!

Ryan

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