Back on the Treadmill

Okay - just a quick update. Managed to get out and do a workout on the treadmill at the gym - and did so in the afternoon - which was a switch (not this morning because of the allergy crud this morning) - but felt GREAT. Aiming to make April a much better month than March was. Not that March was bad - just that it wasn't successful.

HEY - TOMORROW IS CLUB 8 DONATION DAY.

Remember!

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Under the Weather

Maybe it's allergy season coming to kick my butt sooner.

Maybe I'm getting a cold.

Maybe my body is finally starting to process stress and sadness.

Regardless, just as I'm building steam to get my head on straight and get on a treadmill and really pound some miles out - I get sick.

Ugh.

But I'll have some soup tonight - and try again tomorrow.

I'm NOT going to let myself, my family, my friends, or my father down.

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Proud Owner

I know Dad would be proud. See - growing up - we had a timeshare in Nassau (which is why that's where we're taking him next month) - and it was very important to him that we took family vacations. He loved our trips together. WDW - Nassau - all throughout the country - etc.

Well as of yesterday - we've secured 50 years of family vacations for Amber, Elizabeth and myself. We are now proud owners of DVC points at the Bay Lake Towers at Disney's Contemporary Resort.

The process was so incredibly simple and rewarding - and our guide, Jenna, was wonderful!

We have already reserved NINE nights in a Magic Kingdom View One Bedroom Suite for January. And that feels WONDERFUL.

Speaking of January (and October) - have you booked your trips yet? If you do - please go to www.mousefantravel.com and book through them - and make sure when you do - you mention code: CLUB8 - if you do this - a donation will be made to the Dream Team in your name. It's a great promotion we've worked out. :)

Now - as for me - still not sleeping great. Don't think I will until after Nassau. Had a big "come to Jesus" talk last night about all this. Not sleeping leads to oversleeping leads to no exercise leads to missing meals leads to bad food choices leads to not reaching my goals. Must break the cycle. So until Nassau, I'm really going to buckle down - really focus on what I want to accomplish - exercise - eating right - everything. And after Nassau, hopefully get my sleep back in order - and get back to a more regimented training schedule. Might even get a trainer for a bit to help jump start things. We'll see.

Regardless - I'm up now - so I'm going to go do some exercise before I start my day! And knowing that I'll be doing that and achieving a goal right at the outset - feels good. I'm proud. And I know Dad is too.

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Still Having Sleep Problems

Whether it's not being able to get to sleep, or horrid nightmares, my sleep pattern is still way off. Amber thinks, and I think she might be right, that perhaps subconsciously, I won't rest until I lay Dad to rest in the Caribbean. Either way - lack of sleep leads to less productive days. I'm down a bit of weight, and heading in the right direction - eating well - AND managed to drag myself out of bed and do a Safeway Loop this morning for another 1.5 miles to add.

I'm working on it - and will continue to do so. And it'll get better as time goes on. But as the "stuff" to do surrounding Dad fades away, the pain and loss is really starting to sink in.

Anyhow - I hadn't checked in for a few days - and didn't want you all to worry too much about me. I'm still here and still plugging along. I can STILL hit my 8 pound goal for March if I'm really careful for the next 8 days. :) And I intend to be.

Trust me guys - Dad is with me - and he's NOT going to let me fail you. Or myself.

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It's Official!

I received this shirt in the mail yesterday - and wore it to the gym this morning - and felt AWESOME in it.

I did another 1.75 miles this morning, and plan to double that tomorrow. (unless the cold breaks, in which case, I'll be outside and do around 3 miles)

Either way - I'm back on the training wagon this week so far, and plugging along to try to hit my Club 8 goal for March!

How is YOUR March going?

Are you staying on track? Are you losing weight? Are you running to Disneyland/world/wherever?

And most important - are you reading and commenting on blogs? Rae had a birthday - did you go say hi? Byron is struggling - did you go give him a "hi howdy hey"? Leave a comment today - and go see your teammates!

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Sleep Issues

Good news - I just got back from the gym and did 30 minutes on the elliptical (wanted to do 45, but they asked me to stop so they could move machines around. UGH.).

So - my weight has been stagnant for about 2 weeks. Understandably. But more than that, I'm struggling to get up in the morning and work out.

No - it's not the depression rearing it's ugly head again. That's under control.

I'm having trouble sleeping overall. Either I can't get to sleep when I want to, and lay awake for hours. Or I have restless nights and bad dreams. Some incredibly vivid.

But as every day goes by, it gets a little easier. It's not easier to believe that Dad's gone, but it's easier to live each day with the knowledge, I guess. I mean - it's never going to be "okay" that he's gone, but I'll find a way to be okay myself. To go through this process.

I just have to accept that it's a process and I have to go through it in my own time and in my own way.

And in the meantime, keep working out, keep eating right, keep striving for my goals, and I'll get there. And I still think I can accomplish my Club 8 goal for March - despite it being half over. Let's see what we can do in two weeks, my friends!

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Roaring into Action

Okay - it's been a rough two weeks since Dad passed away. (God - has it been two weeks already. I can't believe it - still in denial I guess).

But today starts a new chapter. I've managed to hold my weight fairly steady through this (I'm up like a pound or two) - and managed to stay away from most stress eating.

And in about three minutes I'm heading to the gym for a 45 minute elliptical workout. Yes - 45. Not 20. Not 25. 45. And I'll be repeating that workout until the weather clears and I can get back outside to do 3-4 mile outside workouts. (Editor's Note: 3.70 miles in 45 minutes COMPLETE)

We're going to hit our Club 8 goal for March. And April. And beyond.

And in October we'll record a PR for a 1/2 Marathon.

And again in January.

Time to go put my feet where my mouth is. :)

Um...wait...

You know what I mean. :)

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Registered!

Okay folks - this is where the rubber hits the road. I've been dealing with some personal stuff lately - but it's time to get serious.

Today here's what I've done.

1) I've REGISTERED for the 2010 Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon. I WILL BE THERE.

2) I've REGISTERED for the 2011 WDW 1/2 Marathon. I WILL BE THERE.

3) I've cleared my Club 8 goal and made room for March. 22 days to go - 8 pounds to lose. Doable. (and remarkable that through this all, I'm still in the 330s)

4) I've decided to DEDICATE every step. Every pound. Every mile. To my dad. I love you so much, Dad. And I miss you.

I realized that if my dad could tell me 2 things they would be: how much he loves us all; and to learn from what happened to him. To finally get healthy. And stay healthy.

And to honor him - and to honor myself - and my family - and my team - and all of you - that's why I created Club 8.

That's why I've registered.

And once I'm registered - look out. Time to buckle down.

Let's all do it together for my father.

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Focus

Okay - March has started out and we're doing alright. Last night I had a very heavy dinner out - but in fairness - yesterday was my wedding anniversary, and we went to an awesome dinner show. It was nice doing something "grown-up" and not "grief" or "baby" oriented for an evening.

So I'm holding onto a few extra pounds this morning - but we'll take them off and then some. I'm determined to hit my goal this month, and win my office competition. I'm hitting the gym, the pavement, and the exercise hard. I'm focusing on less snacking and more good food.

And I'm remembering my dad with every step and every breath.

I know I can do this. I've done it before - I just need to focus.

And focus I shall.

I've got a lot to overcome right now - but I will do it! And your help has been so wonderfully helpful. I have to thank you all again. And I'll keep doing it.

Believe in me - because I know I believe in you - and I know my dad believes in me too.

And as a bonus - here's a video of something that makes me smile every day! (turn up your volume)

She'll join us in WDW soon enough!!!

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In Honor

In honor of my father - today I walked 3 miles - outside. I talked to him while I walked.

In honor of my father - I can tell you that I have lost 16.6 pounds as of March 1. And will keep going with Club 8.

In honor of my father - I will run in the Wine and Dine and WDW 1/2 marathons - and will dedicate every pound I lose, and every dollar I raise - to his memory.

In honor of my father - I will never forget everything he taught me - and how much he loved me - and how much I love him.

In honor of my father - I will become the healthiest, fittest father I can be for Elizabeth - and the healthiest, fittest husband I can be for Amber.

In honor of my father - I will keep on going.

I want to thank you all for everything you've done for me over the last week. It means so much to me I can't even express it. It means a lot to my family as well.

Keep the comments coming. And keep going strong.

And don't forget your February Club 8 donations.

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