340.2

ALRIGHT!!

So - here's the statistics:

I lost 4.6 lbs. this week; 6.5 lbs. this MONTH; and (get ready) - 30.1 pounds so far!

Yes - I've broken the 30 pound barrier!!!

You have no idea how good that feels. Three months - 30 pounds. I'm really truly on my way, aren't I?

Now...it's now the beginning of the May cycle - so that means sponsors - your letters are coming - and I want to try again to convince those of you who are reading and NOT donating that you should - think of it this way - had you sponsored me for April at $2/lb - you would owe a whopping $13.00 for the month. Surely you can spare that to keep me going and to help the Dream Team.

My calves are still a little sore from Cruella yesterday - so no running this morning. Maybe tonight depending on what time I get home, but I might just take the day off from exercise.

A few notes about this week:

1. Don't forget that on Wednesday night I'm recording a roundtable with Lou Mongello (www.wdwradio.com and www.disneyworldtrivia.com) and Mike Scopa (www.wdwtoday.com) on Bryan Ripper's All About The Mouse Podcast.

2. It's nearly season finale time - so if you're a fan of the shows I am (Heroes, Grey's Anatomy, ER, CSI, Boston Legal, Desperate Housewives, etc) - stay tuned for my reactions!

3. Saturday we're going to the local racetrack for the Derby - and then - SPIDERMAN in IMAX! WOOHOO!!!

Just a peek into my head...that's all. ;)

Remember - like Rae's said a thousand times to me - Disney folks (that's us) don't give up. We keep going - and we help each other get there - one step at a time, but we help each other.

And you all are helping me - and I love you for that.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

I Need Cruella - that's who!

Yes - I do. As much as I hate her, Cruella and I are a soul-matched pair.

Today I did 1.134 miles in 20 minutes with my Lion King Mix - in the hopes of pushing past the 340 mark for tomorrow's weigh in - I'd love to be in the 330's in May!

I want to thank Rae for calling me on yesterdays laziness. Walking up stairs with groceries? Oh c'mon! That's not exercise! And I know it!

So today I did my penance.

You know - friends like Rae and Kate and everyone else are the ones who really keep me honest. I'm totally jealous though that they'll do the 08 and I have to wait an extra year. Will you guys stick with me that long to keep my steam going?

Do I get a cool DWT T-shirt too? :)

Regardless, you're all doing awesome - and let's keep it up!!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!!!!

Who needs Cruella?

When you live on the second story and have a Costco nearby. :)

Yup - today's exercise? Walking Costco, Safeway, several other shopping outlets - then carting stuff up our stairs in multiple fast trips. :)

We bought a lot of good stuff too! (Yes, some of my sweet tooth snack needs - but also lots of fruit and grapes and salad stuff and good wholesome ingredients so I can keep nourishing my body to the best of my ability!)

My congrats again to Kate - I'm so jealous that she has her chip now! I can't wait for next year...

But hey - tomorrow - another day on the treadmill gets me one more day closer to that goal, right?

Right!

I'm kinda sleepy - didn't really sleep that well last night - got home late from poker (I won! YAY!)....thinking of a nap...

Main Street Awaitzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

Snack Attack

What the heck is going on here?

I've worked out three days so far this week (2x Cruella, 1x Me) - and am planning two more - and yet - having peeked at the scale, I'm only down like half a pound so far.

UGH!

And to top if all off - I'm snacking like there's no tomorrow. On the bright side, we're almost out of snacks - and I can just not buy as much. But I mean - I'm grazing while I cook - and had a beef jerky run yesterday.

I know my body needs more nutrition while I'm working out - but there has to be a better way...

*voice of reason booms from the sky*

THERE IS A BETTER WAY - try fruits - veggies - celery - carrots - more apples - grapes - yes you can have your Skinny Cow's and your chips, but in MODERATION - measure them - stop pouring a bowlfull - stop not holding yourself accountable - go back to the microwave popcorn - it's filling and low pointvalue. You can do this. I KNOW IT.

Wow...um...*looking up*...that was weird.

But that voice from the sky is right. I just need to reset how I snack - and what I snack on - and as the weight keeps coming off - the snack need will get less and less.

Thanks mysterious voice from the sky!

Don't mention it.

Anyhow - in other news - thank you all for supporting Kate - and lo and behold - I seem to have started a craze - because guess who else has jumped into the blogging/Disney running sphere? RAE!

Check this out: http://raeplace.blogspot.com - go say hi - and tell her how much you support her efforts too! (Plus - see some awesome pictures of her and her BF and kids at WDW on the DisneyWorldTrivia.com webpage)

Okay guys - I have three days until the final weigh in for this month - I'm going to push myself to workout Saturday and Sunday - and to eat less bad food - and keep an eye on everything - so that I can post some decent results for April!

And in May? Just look out world - it's a whole new ballgame!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

Podcast Appearance

So today I'm happy to tell you that next week I'm recording with Bryan Ripper of the "All About the Mouse" podcast a round-table discussion moderated by Bryan about the half-marathon, my efforts, and how to run at Disney.

We'll be joined by two esteemed colleagues: Mr. Louis Mongello, of WDWRadio Fame, and the imminent Mr. Mike Scopa, of WDWToday fame (www.wdwtoday.com).

I'm really excited about this - I've never spoken to Mr. Scopa, but since he inspired Lou, who inspired me, I guess I kinda have him to thank for all this madness. And to be asked to appear on a show about this topic - well that means...gosh - that I'm actually reaching people enough for them to care.

And that feels GREAT.

Side note: one of the mousekattorneys who owed me $8.60 for a pledge, sent me a check for over $100.00. NICE! Thanks!!! That makes me feel wonderful too!

Did 20 minutes with the treadmill today sans Cruella - just walking/jogging - 1.04 miles. Felt great, and now to do some recording for WDWRadio and for MDP. I'm a little behind. :)

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

WONDERFUL NEWS

Do I have your attention yet?

Okay - first a quick update. Yesterday went quite well in fact - no bad food at all - and a decent work day - I got home too late to exercise, but I've already been up and combatted Cruella this morning. 0.869 miles in 20 minutes with a hill incline from 0-7. (If you've been paying attention, that's still iFit workout #1 - which I refuse to move on from until I can do it at the speed it's designed for).

This week's plan is iFit T/Th/Su and my own flat jog W/F/Sa. That should be a nice push towards the end of the month - and should motivate my sponsors to stick around another month.

But...now for the news....

And a call to arms of a sort.

You all remember Kate, don't you? She's the one who wrote me the most beautiful poem I've ever read - one that hangs in my exercise room, and still brings tears to my eyes when I read it?

Well she and I have been conversing via e-mail for some time about some of her goals. And she's finally ready to go public - and I'm officially outing her!

KATE IS RUNNING IN THE 2008 HALF MARATHON. She's also going to run with me in 2009!!! She even has set up her own training blog!!! (And some cool catch phrase about the Castle awaiting her....hehehehe) I wish I could run in 2008 with her and the group from DWT, but I just know I won't be ready - so I have to wait a year, but that doesn't mean I'm not 10000% supportive of Kate's goals!!!! And I want you to be too!!!

Here's the call to arms - after you read my post go to Kate's blog http://katesthinkingspot.blogspot.com - and post a comment there. ALL OF YOU. Every one of you that reads this.

You see - the one thing that has helped me stay on track more than any other in this (more than the charity, more than the health goals, even more than the thrill of running in WDW) is the support you have shown me throughout. And I want Kate to feel that. I want Kate to be overwhelmed with support and love from this community.

She's striving for the same goals as us all - health - Disney running - and a dream to succeed.

So now - CLICK - and comment for Kate! Go there now!!! HURRY!!!

And Kate - I said it before, and I'll say it again - I am so proud of you.

MAIN STREET AWAITS US BOTH!!!

344.8

Well, as expected, I'm up 2.3 pounds this week.

I say expected, because as of Saturday, I knew.

My weekend was jam packed with emotion - both sides of the fence, frankly. The VisionQuest program was wonderful - but it was one of those weekends where occassionally you get a phone call that has nothing to do with why you're out there, and some part of your 'real' life is having a problem.

Mine had several.

They've pretty much resolved themselves by now, and I'm doing okay - but let's just say the weekend kind of beat me up. The rain prevented any exercise to speak of (other than lifting huge rocks and tending fires for the sweat lodge) - and I likely ate too much of the chili and fresh cookies.

Oh yeah - and my stomach is killing me this morning.

This is a reminder from the universe of why I stopped eating like that. Because when I did - I felt like crap!

So here's the good news. I'm back in the saddle now. I have one more week in April, and I'm going to make it count - HARD. Tonight I have a date with Cruella, and I'm going to finish this month under 340. That's the goal.

And then the possibilities for May are limitless. No stumbles or hurdles - just hard work - and great results.

I do want to ask you, if you're sponsoring me - to stick with me through May at least, if not longer. April has been a strange month, and I just know May will be better.

Are you still with me?

Do you all still care and support me?

Would it be terribly selfish of me if I asked for a Mouseketeer Roll Call today? Just to know you're out there will help tremendously!

Thanks guys! You are my rock!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

VisionQuesting

So today I leave on the VisionQuest weekend.

No - not mine.

See - I mentor a group of 8th graders (as well as teach them in the Fall) in a Sunday School program at my Unitarian church. And the culmination of their "coming-of-age" program, which I'm a mentor in - is a visionquest weekend.

We leave tonight and tonight they spend the evening hours in a traditional sweat lodge, preparing themselves for tomorrow.

Tomorrow, we walk them into the woods at a state park, give them an area about 5 feet in diameter to stay in - and leave them alone. For six hours.

Their job is to focus on who they are - and who they want to be. No music, no food, no TV - just.....them.

Then Sunday they are welcomed back by their parents as youth, not children. It's a rite-of-passage weekend kinda....and I get to be a part of it. This is the same program I did the ropes course for last month.

The only problem it presents for me is - being away all weekend means I have little/no control over what I eat.

But I do have control over how much I eat. And over what else I do. So...here's the plan:

1) Small quantites of the healthier options for food.
2) Both Saturday and Sunday doing a 20 minute walk/run in the great outdoors, weather permitting. (especially since my legs are still a little sore from yesterday and I'm not doing so today)
3) Forgive whatever happens on Monday - and keep moving towards the end of the month.

Sound like a plan? :)

It does to me too!

And then this is the last 'hurdle' for awhile - then I can really focus on taking the fundamentals I've been using - and pushing myself to the next level of weight loss and fitness!

See you guys on Monday!!!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

Pure Determination

Well that's what I'm using to get through the rest of this week folks. It won't be perfect, but I'm not giving up and just throwing in the towel on the week - and it's all just pure "I won't quit" attitude inside me.

Yesterday evening I salvaged the day with a nice healthy dinner (WW Oven Fried Chicken and WW Caesar Salad with mixed veggies) - and a small chips and salsa snack around 7:45 while watching TV.

This morning - I actually got my tush out of bed and DID my 20 minutes this morning. Started at 2.5 - did two minutes there, then two at 3, then two at 3.5, then one at 4 and one at 4.5 - then repeat until 20 minutes and 1.075 miles had gone by. (Next week I'm going to try iFit M/W/F and my run T/Th/S to really pop the end of the month)

I didn't peek at the scale today - but I remember yesterday I was up a few...so I'm not expecting huge results this week - but I'm not going to give up! No way - no how!

Tomorrow I'll give you some of the details of where I'm going for the weekend - so you know where I am and what I'm doing. But for today - time to pack my lunch - and a few snacks for the car (NO GAS STATION STOPS!) - think fruit and the occassional couple of lowfat wheat thins...

Until tomorrow, my friends:

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

A Causal Link!

Today I've had a "EUREKA!" moment.

As if I've just figured something out.

Here it is - boiled down: WHAT YOU PUT IN - YOU GET OUT.

I know - stunning, isn't it?

Here's the context:

Yesterday I got home way late (after 7), but still managed to hang with Cruella for 12 minutes - however, I was ravenous when I got home - I'd been on the road a large portion of the day - and had jerky and powerbars to keep me company. Got home and had dinner and a double slice of cake.

Is it any wonder I was sluggish this morning? So sluggish that I slept in, didn't exercise, and skipped breakfast?

No matter, I figured, I'd grab something on the way (2 powerbars, jerky, and a sandwich) - and exercise when I got home...but fate intervened and kept me from my normally packed lunch - and what did I eat for lunch? NOTHING.

So then I got home....and went to Cruella....and only did another 12 minutes before I tuckered out. I wasn't even doing the iFit workout - just my own walk/run.

I've also been peeking at the scale - and have put back on 1-2 of what I lost. And I'm terrified about this weekend.

And then....it hit me.

DUH - I'm putting garbage into my body - no wonder it's not performing how I want it to.

So now - Jerky is out - and powerbars are a last resort. Time to start planning FOR adversity - instead of reacting TO it. And tomorrow I'll do 20 minutes - same with Friday. And this weekend - I'll enjoy our retreat - make sure to enjoy the outdoors - do a run - and do the best I can with the food - and then hit that final week of April running.

Literally.

Let's face it - this is an uphill climb (pun intended) for me - and I'm going to stumble. But as I learn - I'll share - and as you share back with me - we all learn - and the magic starts to happen.

FEEL IT OUT THERE.

Main Street Awaits.

Changes in Attitude - Birthday Post

Originally I was going to post about how I'm another year older and feeling crummy. How last night I had dinner way too late, and munched on snacks too late, and likely gained back a pound from just being goofy. About how this week was going to be hard and I was truly dreading getting through it - because my goals might suffer.

And then....

Then I woke up with my cat wrapped around my hand under the covers, and the wife smiled at me, and wished me happy birthday with a kiss. Then I checked my e-mail and found FOUR e-cards from my good friend Kate (overkill doesn't apply on your birthday) with some wonderful sentiment.

Then I realized - just how lucky I am. And how wonderful 29 will be.

This is a year of transformation for me. When I reach 30 I will not be the same person I am today. I'll be thinner, healthier, happier, have more energy, have stopped biting my fingernails (ewwwww!), and be well on my way to making the dreams of others come true.

Sure I didn't hang with Cruella yesterday - but that's why God invented TODAY.

And so - rather than be glum here on my birthday - I'm going to embrace it. I'm going to enjoy it. I'm going to savour every blessed second of it (especially the angelfood/strawberry cake the wife is making for me)!

Yes, my friends - today is my Birthday. And my RE-Birth day.

Take a good look. This guy is only getting better from here!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

342.5

How's THAT for a nice number for the week?

I'm down a total of 27.8 pounds since the beginning, and with a dramatic drop like that this week, it's clear that as much as I hate her, Cruella is my friend.

More than that - it's clear that whatever plateau I was on is now officially out of the way.

This week should present an interesting experiment. What happens when we combine increased exercise with increased calories?

See - Tuesday is my birthday dinner, so we'll have a little cake.

But Friday - Sunday is that retreat I mentioned previously. I'll be outdoors, so I can get some extra exercise in, but will just have to be careful about the foodstuffs. I'll do my best, knowing that even if things go awry, I can always come back and fix it on Monday.

Two more full weeks until April is over, and May begins.

That means you're running out of time to help me for April if you're not already doing so.

But that's okay - just knowing you're here cheering me on is help enough. Knowing you care pushes me further than you can imagine.

Because of you I've lost nearly 30 pounds. Because of you I'm feeling stronger than ever before. Because of you I believe things of myself I never thought possible before.

And that is the greatest gift anyone can get for his birthday.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

Cruella De Hill

I know - I spelled it wrong, but this morning, Cruella and I went toe to toe again - and this time, I came out on top! A nice big hill climb for 20 minutes at a total of .88 miles (incline at max of 7).

I feel pumped!

And not only becasue - WE'RE CELEBRATING MY BIRTHDAY TODAY! (Truth be told, it's on the 17th, but this is easier)

On the plate is - Meet the Robinsons in 3D and a nice sushi dinner!!! YEAH!!!!

And Monday's weigh in looms - but I have good feelings.

Yes folks - this week things have turned around I feel.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!!!

(more tomorrow)

The King of Pride Rock

Remember who you are.

Today is already a much better day than yesterday - I want to thank you all for helping me through the rough spots - from commenting here, to calling me, to posting on the DWT boards, to e-mailing. EVERYTHING. You are wonderful people, and I love you for it.

I just got off the treadmill (still dripping sweat) - but had to come post. I generated a 20 minute playlist for my iPod for the non Cruella workouts, and tried it out this morning - MAN OH MAN did it work. (I've decided it's the first of many - each surrounding a theme - today's is called "lion".)

In 20 minutes I did 1.18 miles. I varied speeds from 2.5 - 5.0mph and incline from 0-0.5.

I'm EXHAUSTED. But I feel freakin' great! And I wanted to share my playlist with you and encourage you, if you have access to these songs - to listen to them today. All of them. Trust me. You'll feel GREAT.

1. Welcome Medly (Main Street - WDW Celebration CD) - this is just a great fun warm-up song, and if you listen hard enough, you'll start to see the street around you.

2. Circle of Life (The Lion King) - what a powerful song - between the softer parts perfect for a cool off - and the beating drums that pick up your feet.

3. One Jump Ahead (Aladdin) - speaking of picking up your feet.

4. EPCOT Entrance Medly (WDW Celebration CD) - classic EPCOT music for a good 3 minute hiatus in your workout - keeps the blood flowing to the creshendo of...

5. The King of Pride Rock (The Lion King - Instrumental) - sure it starts off slow - but at about 3 minutes into the song, as Rafiki pats Simba on the shoulder and the rain starts to fall, and Simba takes those first steps up Pride Rock...(at this point you'll be at minute 19 of a 20 minute workout - crank the speed and go for a highpoint!) - you can hear the ghosts of the kings watching you - and see the birth of the new king - I kid you not - as I was sweating, and breathing and running - I raised my hands to the light - and as the song ended - I was crying. This song is POWERFUL.

And so am I, it seems. Maybe I really can do this.

On second thought....I CAN. I know it - I believe it.

One step at a time - this is, after all, a half-marathon, not a sprint. If I take it slow, as a good friend suggested, and build up to it - not even Cruella can stand in my way.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!!!!!!

Pain and Doubt

Ouch.

So here's the pain part: I tried to hang with Cruella again this morning...and decided that I was not going to change the settings at all (if it's too hard, you can manually change the incline or speed for that minute) - and at about 9 minutes in - I had to lower the incline. My legs were on fire - my shins (the outside) felt as if they were going to split open and break through my skin. My calves were throbbing. My breath was coming in gasps from the pain. I tried to hold it...but at 11 minutes, I pushed stop.

Couldn't even hold out for the 20 minutes. Did about half a mile.

*sigh*

And then the doubt creeped into my mind.

The doubt about my eating habits: Monday I didn't eat breakfast, and had a 7-11 lunch (which was okay, because I challenged myself to only do that once a week), and a very late dinner and then, due to a harder than normal day at work, a 9pm snack of larger size than I'd have liked...

So I figured I'd come home Tuesday and workout - and have a better day. Except that although I did have breakfast, my lunch was thrown off, and I broke my promise and ate at 7-11 again because I was unexpectedly on the run all afternoon (usually I can plan for it - but not if I don't know it's going to happen). Had some very late appointments, so got home...and it was after 7:30, and knew that if I worked out I wouldn't eat dinner until after 8:30 or 9....so decided not to work out, and to get up this morning and kick Cruella's butt....

Little did I know she had it in for me today.

And now the old insecurity bug creeps into my brain. Can I do this? Am I up for this challenge? If I can't even beat Cruella, what makes me think the Castle will let me in? What if I plateau and can't lose more weight? What if my legs always hurt like this?

What if I let you all down?

What if I let me down?

A good friend, and sponsor, had similar doubts at the beginning of a similar journey. I commented to her that:

"That doubt is what will spur you on to greater heights. Ask yourself - "do I want to be the person I was yesterday? Or do I want to strive to be the person I can be tomorrow?"

Risk is scary - and by declaring what you're doing - you're taking a risk.

But know that if you leap - we're all here to reach out for your hand - to help you get to the other side of that gap - and to pull you to where you have achieved your goals.

And if I have to carry you over my shoulder the last half-mile - no problem. :) I have strong arms. :)"

And so all I can do is keep moving. Just keep swimming. Keep walking. And believe in you, my friends and sponsors...my inspiration...to help push me over this hump. Which you've done before, and I know you'll do again. With your help I can get there.

Main Street Awaits!

Cruella De Vil

Yes. That's her name.

Goodness gracious she's cruel.

And yet a part of me loves her.

Who am I speaking about? Glad you asked....

Remember that "iFit" workout I was going to try tonight?

Yup - there's an 'automated personal trainer'. And OOOOOHHHHH boy.

She's gonna get me there.

Every single minute....."I'm raising your incline. Keep breathing!"

or....

"I'm raising your incline and speed. You can do it!"

But never....

"Now it's time for ice cream!" Sheesh!

Seriously though - a great 20 minute workout. It was a 'beginner' workout and it kicked my butt. Cycling from 2-3.5 mph and from 0-6 incline and back.

0.92 miles in 20 minutes.

That woman is pure evil.

Her name is Rhonda (according to the iFit program) - but I'm just gonna call her Cruella.

And because of her...

Main Street Awaits!

347.1

Okay - this sucks - but it had to happen eventually.

I've gained almost a half pound this week.

Now here's the real kick in the head - it all happened yesterday. Yesterday morning I checked - and was doing fine.

Okay - bad news first: I did have a long week with a lot of unscheduled food (i.e. - lots of driving) - and yesterday, being Easter, did celebrate some with a few un-necessary items (i.e. - a few M&Ms - some crackers - and TiraMisu for dessert) - and other than yesterday - almost NO exercise.

Wait - there IS good news.

Sorta. LOL

I'm having...what you might call...digestive issues today. My stomach hurts a lot and I'm very bloated. That tells me that a good majority of that weight is stuff I'm *ahem* holding onto needlessly. LOL And will let go of...oh - at any moment.

Additionally - now that the treadmill is here - the exercise component of things is really going to kick it up. I'm going to try for six days a week. M-W-F I'm going to use our new iFit Weight Loss Leve 1 workout thingie, and Tu-Th-S I'm going to just do my own rythym and shoot for that mile again (or more).

I know some of you are disappointed in me. Please don't be. Keep believing in me. Give me another week to prove to you I'm serious about this. Because I am.

I want to get to Main Street.

I'm going to.

Main Street Awaits.

My First Mile

Remember when I said this game really started in April?

Here we go folks!

Today I broke in our new NordicTrack 3000. I did one mile. I alternated a minute at 2.5 mph, and then a minute at either 4mph, 5mph, or one minute I did 6mph. After that minute, I'd drop back to 2.5 for another minute.

It took me 17m25s to do a mile.

Shave off 1:30 and I'm at my 16 minute mile pace.

Granted - I'm a sweatbag now and was almost gasping for breath, but as the wife said: "It's a good start."

I think it's a great start.

She did say my music was too loud. LOL The treadmill has speakers built into it - so I didn't have to deal with headphones. Perhaps I'll experiment with the volume.

But the point is - up until now has been rehearsal.

The show started today.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

Why didn't I run?

That's a wonderful question - with a bunch of answers - but none of them good.

1) I was up too late last night with friends watching Casino Royale - and was too tired this morning.
2) I have nine hours of driving to do today for work - and just wanted some more rest.
3) The treadmill is coming tomorrow, and I'd rather do 20-30 minutes than 9 on the concrete.
4) I'm lazy sometimes, too. :)

The important thing is that I did not run today.

But the more important thing is that I am not giving up. I am going to run tomorrow - longer and harder than ever before with our treadmill. I'm going to run Sunday - and try to do at least 10-15 minutes EVERY DAY of this month. We'll see how my body handles it.

This morning was not about 'motivation' - trust me - I'm not losing steam.

But I have to remember that I'm human too, and sometimes life gets in the way of goals. But, to paraphrase Bill Williams: "It's not what you do some of the time that matters, it's what you do most of the time that matters."

Most of the time, I'm very true to my goals.

I'm not excusing not running this morning - I'm simply allowing myself the explanation.

And as long as I'm commited - I'll honor you as my sponsors, the child within Kate's poem, my family, and myself.

MAIN STREET AWAITS! (And it's getting closer every day! I'm so ready to be there!)

Tuppence

Come feed the little birds...
Show them you care...
And you'll be glad when you do...
The young ones are hungry...
Their nests are so bare...
All it takes...
Is tuppence from you.

Above the Cathedral...
The Saints and Apostles...
Look down as she sells her wares...
Though no-one can see them...
You know they are smiling...
Everytime someone shows that he cares.

Feed the birds...
Tuppence a bag.
Tuppence.
Tuppence.
Tuppence a bag.

Though her words are simple and few...
Listen.
Listen.
She's calling to you.

Feed the birds....
Tuppence a bag.
Tuppence.
Tuppence.
Tuppence a bag.


Yes - I've paraprased a little. But this is a new feature here at my blog. Yesterday I was listening to "Classic Disney" in the car - and realized that so many of the songs of the movies we adore are apropo to what it is I'm doing here.

And what with it being the beginning of a month, and me hunting for new sponsors - let me tell you again - that what you'd be doing for relatively little money - is showing the world that you care. Helping me save my own life - and helping a child with a terminal illness catch some of that magic we all love.

Picture that little one hugging Mickey, or whispering in Goofy's ear. Picture her in a princess gown at the Bibbidi-bobbidi-Boutique. Picture him in a pirate eye-patch high fiving Jack Sparrow. Picture them looking as alive as can be.

Feel that swelling in your heart.

And help me make it happen.

E-mail me your pledge for the month of April - Grizzpyre@yahoo.com

(Note: although I've been asked to keep it quiet, I want to congratulate one of my sponsors for choosing to join me in a number of ways on my quest. You know who you are - and I'm so proud of you! And blessed to call you a friend.)

In other news...Treadmill arrives on Saturday. No running this morning - far too chilly. But I peeked at the scale, and we're doing just fine. :) Hopefully a run tomorrow and then Saturday/Sunday with the treadmill. I'm hoping that if I'm consistent with the treadmill for now, when the weather warms up I can do some longer runs out on the concrete to help spice it up.

I can't believe this is all really happening to me. It's...an incredible feeling. To mirror the sentiments of the anonymous friend I mentioned a moment ago - it's great to know you're doing what you're supposed to be doing.

And knowing that Main Street Awaits.

I Have a Dream!

Or rather...had a dream.

It was Monday night. It was awesome!

I was doing it. I was running the half.

It was dark, and I was running - and my body was as it is today - and I knew I was tired, but I kept running. I had no idea where I was...and then a pinprick of light appeared...and grew and grew.

And then...I emerged from the front of Cinderella Castle to a high-five from Tigger.

And I kept running right on down Main Street.

It was there waiting for me.

What a dream.

First one of it's kind - but definately not the last.

Sponsors - your letters are going in the mail today. If you're reading this and not sponsoring me - consider that to sponsor me for the month of March would have cost you (if you did a dollar per pound) a total of $8.60 for the month. So why not sign up for April? And existing sponsors - you're all sticking around, aren't you?

Not much else to update right now - food's been 'okay' so far this week - been doing a lot of driving - which equals a lot of snacking for me - but healthy now (did you know Hostess makes 100 calorie cupcake packs!?!?). And now that my shoulder isn't in constant pain - I'm hoping to get back to running tomorrow morning. I'd like to get in a day or two of running before the treadmill gets here on Saturday.

And then...the game really starts. :) None of this 9 minute stuff - no hills and cold to hold me back. Just wait and let's see what I can really do.

Who's with me?!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

346.7

Alright! 1.3 pounds is nothing to shake a stick at.

Granted, it's not dramatic, but then again - yesterday presented some interesting problems. It's likely that I've lost more than that, but it isn't showing yet. And speaking of showing....keep reading!

Somehow - I hurt my shoulder doing karaoke. I have no idea how that works - but my right shoulder is killing me. As a result, I was in a lot of pain yesterday - and subsequently didn't eat until 1pm and then packed in the calories as the day went on. Didn't really 'overeat' per se, but the later in the day I tend to eat, the more I tend to retain the next day.

But - this now brings my total weight loss to 23.6 pounds - and this month 8.6 pounds. That's a little less than an average of 2 pounds per week (there were five Mondays) - but it's nothing shabby.

For my sponsors - you are going to get your letters this week, fear not. :)

Before I go any further - it's time for those pictures I promised, isn't it?

This one is yours truly just before Christmas 2006. I was confused as to why my picture was being taken...

Notice the double-chin and the puffy cheeks...

This, on the other hand, was taken yesterday.

Do you see a difference?

I do...but not as dramatically as I want to.

On the other hand - now when I look in the mirror - I see that healthy, fit person inside me, trying desperately to get out. He's rising to the surface.

Now - the promised coming attractions:

1) April is going to be a GREAT month for weight loss - the treadmill gets here on Saturday - and then everything changes. Stay tuned. April also has some interesting hiccups - Passover, Easter, my birthday (April 17), and on the weekend of April 20 I'll be away all weekend with the mentoring program I work with - in the great outdoors - good news: plenty of rest, and chance to exercise; bad news: at the mercy of whatever food they bring to cook.

2) This week will present some challenges, mostly just because of the holidays - we've already planned menus for Passover and Easter dinners (I celebrate both) - and they're actually not terrible (both are weight watchers approved, in fact) - but things will be a little richer than normal.

3) Voice Work: More Voices Behind the Magic segments this month, including Wayne Allwine, Clarance "Ducky" Nash, Angela Lansbury, Jerry Orbach, etc. (Note: These are going to be recorded - as for when they air - that's up to Lou). More intros. And more Shandy (who now I believe has his own e-mail address, and can answer your questions!)

I've decided for now not to post my 'notes' for my voices segments. It's been requested, and for now I just don't really have the time...maybe soon. What do you think?

Needless to say - at the end of April, it is my goal to have lost a total of 35 pounds. That's 12 pounds this month. That's very do-able.

And with your help (Rae, Tiger, Kate, Lou, Mike Scopa, the Wife, EVERYONE!) - I know I can make it to May and well beyond....

MAIN STREET AWAITS!!!!!