347.1 - February here we come!

Alright! I made it through a looooong work week and a week of feeling bloaty and weird - to find myself down another pound! (I'll note that the club 8 graphic has me down 7 - when in fact I'm down 7.9 - but I'm rounding DOWN not up) - and I made my Vinylmation goal last week. :) So far I've opened Mushu and Pinnochio. :)

This week is a lot less stressful at work - and I've ramped up my goals for the week to match.

Vinylmation Goals:

1) Weigh in. Check.

2) Stay WITHIN my daily point allotment for WW. (5 out of 7 days is a pass - meaning I can dip into weekly points twice this week)

3) Workout FIVE TIMES (4 out of 5 is a pass).

My workout plan this week is to start a new EA challenge. I know - I'm not done with the three week. Except that I am. Because when I used it last - I changed a setting, and hit a button wrong, and it ERASED my progress - forcing me to start over. But I like it enough that I'm going to start the NINE WEEK challenge.

On NON EA days - I will be in the gym making friends with the Elliptical. :) Sweaty shirt goal in place.

So - for Club 8 purposes - February has now begun - and at the end - I will be 339.1 or better. :)

I want to congratulate all my teammates for taking on the monthly Goofy Challenge - GREAT idea Justin - and I can't wait to get my hands on one of those bronzes. :) Maybe I'll shoot for that in March or April as EA winds down and mileage winds up. :)

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The Trip - Part I

Before I get to the trip report - let's check in on how the week is going.

I'm doing well on my Vinylmation goals - I have two more EA workouts scheduled - tomorrow and Saturday. I'm counting my points (although Tuesday nearly spent all my weekly overflow points) - and feeling good about the program.

Although I feel very bloaty. Like I feel like I'm carrying extra weight. And sure enough I checked the scale today - and I'm up a tad from Monday. Sure - there are fluctuations and we're looking for an overall trend - but I'm going to be extra diligent the rest of this week.

And next week I'm adding an exercise element. Now that I'm back (sorta) in the swing of accounting for my food and exercise - on days where I do NOT do EA Active - I'll hit the gym for the elliptical machine. A very good friend of mine gave me a fun goal to try - every time I work out - do so until the shirt I'm wearing is good and soaked. I like it! I'm gonna try it. :)

And now without further ado - let's do an overview of our trip! I'll likely talk more about individual topics in depth in other posts.

Ah....Bay Lake Towers. This was the view from our room. And what an amazing room it was. HUGE living room and kitchen area. We used the Goodings delivery service and really found it convenient. Shortly after checking in our luggage, our floral, and our groceries arrived. So we unpacked and made ourselves at home. We had a wonderful dinner at Citricos that first night - and really. WHAT a dinner.

I can't leave our first day though without mentioning having Amanda join us on the DME bus from the airport! What a nice surprise! It's always good to see her smiling face!

After doing the expo and preparing for the race - we used the day before for our Photopass portrait session. This time at the Floridian. And here's a great shot of Elizabeth and grandma! Having my mom with us on this trip added some interesting layers - all good of course - but with her mobility issues - we got her a guest assistance card. It speeded along the waiting for attractions - but we moved at a very slow pace. This allowed us to just take in the atmosphere that much more! Mom says she had a really nice time - and we really enjoyed having her! Family vacations are the best!
Speaking of family - here's one of my favorite shots from our portrait session. REALLY love seeing Elizabeth up there on the shoulders.
Second favorite? This one. Mostly because I love hugs. :)
Park touring was slow given the baby naptime issues and the grandma mobility issues - and the OMG it's fricken freezing in here Mr. Bigglesworth issues - but we still had a WONDERFUL time. One note to Disney though: when it's freezing - put a warming lamp in the wind tunnel vortex of doom connecting the Contemporary to the BLT. Just saying. :)

Some of the high points from the trip (and there'll be more photopass photos as soon as my CD arrives):

Citricos

My mom on test track (wait until you see THAT photo)

Seeing Team Voice

Riding the carousel with Elizabeth

Watching Amber ride Dumbo with Elizabeth

Watching my mom ride Tower of Terror and Everest

Spending a day in the Animal Kingdom with my friends Mark and Elaine and little Mark

Dinner with Uncle Michael at the California Grill

The view from our room

Watching the Dapper Dans on Main Street with Amber and Elizabeth

So - all that being said - here's my question for you, dear reader.

What do you want to know more about? Ask and you'll receive. :)

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Pride

So today I'm proud of my accomplishment yesterday.

What accomplishment you ask? Glad you asked.

See - yesterday was a day from heck - it really got away from me - and I found myself somewhere I didn't want to be having lunch in the car - Burger King.

But - no excuses, right? That's our new mantra.

I accounted for what I ate. I dipped into my weekly "overflow" points.

I didn't let it get me down.

And I came home and worked out. (Speaking of which - I can barely sit - EA Active is KILLING me. LOL)

So what did I really do? I had a day that didn't go as planned - and I rolled with it and did NOT let it derail me. And when something like that happens - I prefer it at the beginning of the week - so I have five days of good stuff ahead of me before Monday. :)

Okay - since you've all been waiting SO patiently - TOMORROW starts my January 2011 Trip Report. :) WITH PICTURES. Maybe. ;)

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Trace and Lisa FINALLY do it

They finally tie the knot in about an hour.

What were YOU thinking? Sheesh! This is a DISNEY blog. :)

And I wanted to convey my most sincere congratulations, and give all of you who might not have a place or the ability to watch their webcast, to say the same.

Lisa - Trace - you guys are totally made for each other - and I wish you all the love and happiness in the world.

And I can't wait for our next 3am Monorail ride together.

Mazel Tov my friends!

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348.1 - Getting Active

Wow - what a great start - down 6.9 pounds this week! I'm really proud of that! I stuck to WW - didn't really feel deprived or like it was a struggle - and got in three workouts. So I get my Vinylmation! (When they arrive.)

Including one on my all new PS3 EA Active 2 game.

And WOW.

Let me tell you something folks - I'm SORE today from it. And I worked harder for 20 minutes that I have in awhile. Walking is no biggie for me - nor is elliptical. But squats, presses, kick-ups, jumping, and a lot of fun intense cardio is. I was sweating buckets and got my heart rate above 150 for most of it.

I started their "Three-week" cardio jumpstart program. It's four days a week. And I'm going to focus on completing that. Change things up a bit. Keep my body guessing. :) Besides - weight loss and health are my primary goals - so working harder on those than distance and pacing right now seems like the right thing to do.

Goals for this week:

1) Weigh in. Check!

2) Keep within points. Measure each day.

3) Complete week one of the three week EA challenge.

What are yours?

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One Little Spark

Alright - I'm staying!

I never imagined how much of a positive response yesterday's post would generate - and yea - some folks were less than positive - but for the vast majority - you either told me that I should do what I needed to for me - or that you'd miss me and that you draw inspiration from my trials and tribulations.

And as I pondered what to do - I glanced at my wrist.

And saw my new custom watch. A final gift of sorts from my father. And it bears Figment on it - and the words "one little spark". And it IS my inspiration. It helps me remember why I do what I do. And to remind me that I'm succeeding already.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Originally I'd promised myself a watch as a "success" gift for 20 lbs lost. However - using some money that I'd been given by my father (through sale of some of his jewelry) - I chose to purchase one as a memorial to him - and a reminder of why I'm still fighting every day to get better. Amber even said to me, after purchasing it: "I know why you originally said you wanted the watch - but now the message on it is - 'this had better work'." So it becomes a symbolic push forward.

Thus far this week - I'm well on my way to my vinylmation goals for the week - I've counted points every day - and have stayed within my goals. And I'm feeling energized, jazzed, inspired, and just overall....

GOOD

about things.

And I'm going to use this blog to chart my progress. My trials. My ups. My downs. My goals. My successes. And my journey from me - to INSPIRED me. :) And I hope you'll all join me.

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Should I shut down this blog?

Hey everyone - first a quick update. This week so far I've kept within my point balance every day. I'm going to the gym today for my first of four days of workouts. And I'm feeling really good about this week's progress! I've done everything I've set out to do. One quick note - Amanda - I'm not keeping track of January mileage because a) I'm more concerned about getting the weight loss started; b) I have no accurate count of my walking mileage from my 11 days in WDW. Doesn't mean I'm not putting mileage in. Just that I'm not going to keep track of a monthly total for KOTH.

Now - today's topic was supposed to be a trip report. I'm pushing that back a day or two.

Yesterday I had a really rough day. Long. Work stuff mostly. But I also had a long talk with my mother regarding our trip. She had a great time, but is concerned about my health and my future. But one of the REALLY big things she's concerned about is this blog. And she asked me to tell you all about her concern.

She thinks that this blog has become a place for people to come together to dump on me. A place for me to recount failed goals and for you all to throw negative energy at me because of it. She thinks that putting myself out there is a bad idea - emotionally and spiritually. She is concerned that I give you all access to my private life through my posts - and many of you are strangers - you could be ax murderers - or just people who enjoy tearing others down. And if you surround yourself with negativity - you're asking for problems - both small and big.

She really thinks that I should shut down this blog and walk away from it. And from all of you. In fairness, I believe she's only really thinking about the non "team" members here.

I disagree.

This blog has existed for four years - and I had a separate blog for two years prior. It is a useful reflection tool for me. And it is a place where in the past, we have done MUCH good. We've raised a lot of money for charity - and formed a team of friends and supporters. The reason much of this blog has turned negative lately is because I've been moving backwards instead of forwards. And now as I turn the other direction and move forwards again - maybe you'll all turn around with me?

I consider most of my readers and commenters friends. Some of you I don't know. Some of you I don't agree with. Some of you make me downright angry at times. I can't even tell you how upset I was on Tuesday reading that Hug thinks I should throw my medal in the trash.

And mgreene - who I'll admit - is now starting to turn positive. Still upsets me. Why?

Because I'm making progress NOW. And yes - I have a long way to go to get back to where I was - but if you want to help out our charity drive - you start at the beginning and you stick with us the whole way. You don't choose an arbitrary line in the sand and say "Hey - reach this and THEN I'll support you." If I'm willing to put myself out there - you ought to be willing to put your money where your mouth is.

But long gone are the comments from Deb and Kate and Byron and many of the original posters.

So the question remains.

Should I shut down this blog?

I really want your opinions. Not only if you find what I post to be helpful or useful - but also if you think it's in MY best interest to shut it down.

If I do - I will remain active in Team Voice - and remain active in health and fitness and running - and continue with all my goals. I will keep raising money - I'll go on podcasts and plug our charity - I'll keep losing weight. So don't worry about that - I'm not going anywhere.

I just won't chronicle my life here for you all.

If I don't shut it down - I may change it. I may not. I'm really not sure. I know I don't want to shut it down - but sometimes we can't see past what we want to what we need.

So I'm coming to you.

My friends. My commenters. The people who apparently care enough to register for an account and want to comment.

And if you're a lurker - GET AN ACCOUNT.

Today is the day I need to hear from ALL OF YOU.

Tell me you'd miss me. Tell me you want this blog to stay. Tell me WHY you read this blog.

Tell me you think my mom is right and I should shut down immediately.

Just tell me what you HONESTLY think.

And I'll HONESTLY listen. And maybe we can get past some of this stuff and back to the business of doing good.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

Club 8 - and a MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT

Today we're going to tie up a few loose ends from yesterday's post-a-palooza - and talk about the future of club 8 and Team Voice. And I have some EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENTS!

First - yesterday - wow - what an amazing response! I sparked a debate that generated 16 comments here, and two or three full blog posts elsewhere. Here's what it boils down to for me, after reading everything and thinking it over.

1) Disney should NOT give medals to non-finishers if they say they're not going to. Period.

2) It will NEVER be an issue for me again - as I will never not finish again. Period.

I think that second part is the more important one. And I think it's realistic. Sure - things happen - injuries, etc. But I'm not leaving room for them in my thinking. I'll deal with them if/when they happen - but until then - it's all thrusters forward.

Speaking of goals - it's been speculated that my goal of losing 100 lbs this year is too grand. And perhaps it's a grand gesture because I've fallen short of others. Well let's make it a more simple goal. I will commit to following WW all year. Here's the great part. If I do that, I should lose an average of 2 pounds per week. 50-ish weeks in a year. BINGO. 100lbs. Plus remember that we're also setting more manageable weekly goals here at home.

And you're right - all of you. Hug, mgreene, GVK, Amanda, Jeff, Rae. EVERYONE. I've made goals before. And sometimes succeed and sometimes not. All I can do is keep trying. And that's what I'm doing. :) And all you can do is sit back and watch the results. And trust me - there will be.

Now - CLUB 8. Yes my friends - the Club 8 challenge is back - and for those of you who maybe are lurkers or WANT to get in shape - or WANT to run a half marathon but need to lose some weight - this is FOR YOU. Club 8 is an official monthly challenge for Team Voicers who want to participate. The commitment is eight pounds per month. Two pounds per week.

There will be a link to the rules on the new Team Voice site.

Oh right - there's going to be a new Team Voice site! And here's the GREAT NEWS.

The Team Voice/Voice of Mousetunes official 2011 MAKE A WISH FUNDRAISER is officially ON. We have garnered our very own sponsorship page for Make-a-Wish to send seriously ill children - TO WALT DISNEY WORLD. We need to raise $6000 to do it. And so now I'm asking YOU for your help again.

Help me lose weight and help us grant wishes.

Commit right now.

"Jonathan, for every pound you lose from this point forward, I'll donate $1 per month!"

Or 2, or 4. Or even just 50 cents. But commit. Do it in the comments right here. Let them ALL hear you! JOIN IN.

And if you really want to push me - try this one.

"Jonathan, for every MILE you run from this point forward, I'll donate $1 per month."

Talk about motivation to make King of the Hill! (FYI - since I got back late in January, I'll start keeping track of mileage in February)

Look - if I complete my goals of 8 pounds per month - you're talking about a donation of 8 bucks a month. That's two less lattes for the MONTH. By the we get to the point where you have to donate, we'll have a page, a link, and a great status bar to show how much we've raised as a team. And all of Team Voice is in on this!

And in case you were wondering - we're going to take this WIDE - because I'm going to get on every podcast that'll have me to tell EVERYONE about this fundraiser - this team goal.

And we won't let ANYONE down!!!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

On Finishers Medals

Okay - first of all - the 50 pound challenge. It's between Jeff W and I right now - but the rest of the team seems jazzed about it as a Biggest Loser type competition. Here's what I'll say right now. I welcome any and all into the challenge. :) And to spice it up even more - if I win (I'm the first to 50 pounds) I'll throw $50 into the charity ring. If I lose - I'll throw $100. Who's gonna take that action?

Now - medals.

Let's first go back to October. The W&D. If you remember - I sat dow at mile 11, and was given a choice by medical. Get up and go NOW or hop in the van. I wore that medal until I got back to the Poly that night - and took it off - and have never worn it again. Why not? Because I didn't earn it. I was given a choice - and chose to stop.

Now - January. I never chose to stop. I simply slowed down to a point where I was below pace by about 2 minutes. If I'd had two more minutes under my belt, I'd have passed that bus, and finished. To me this is a crucial difference.

Now - I agree with BOTH Jeff and Amanada. Disney NEEDS to be consistent. Either you get your medal if you finish ONLY - or you get your medal no matter what - as long as you try. None of this wishy washy stuff. Especially when we know Byron didn't get one in 2009.

But that being said - I disagree with Jeff about one thing - this medal has not in any way given me permission to be complacent. Here's what I know. Every time I wore it (which was sparingly) someone asked me what my time was. And I had to explain. And I was ashamed and embarrassed. And every time I told the story it made me want a finishing time THAT MUCH MORE.

Sure - there's nothing to shake a stick at going 10 miles. Sure between the monorail - the starting corral and the finish line might be another 3.1. And I can justify it any way I want. But I didn't finish. And I know that. The medal doesn't change that at all. And the looks from my teammates when they saw the medal, knowing I didn't finish - that's all the motivation I need.`

If anything - the medal is a reminder that I gave it all I had - but that I CAN DO BETTER. Because without a finishing time - there's no finishers certificate to frame with it - so it never gets displayed. No discussions of PRs or time improvement. Nothing. It means I tried. But the 2009 medal means way more.

I proudly wore it - because I know that I gave the 2011 WDW Half Marathon every ounce of get up and go I had. Unlike October - where I wonder what would have happened if I'd gotten up and kept walking.

But it also serves as a reminder that I can, have, and WILL do better in the future.

So where does this leave me?

With the following statement:

In future races - if I give it everything I have - and for whatever reason (injury, etc) do not finish - I will accept a medal. If there is any doubt in my mind - I will refuse it.

As for Disney - my only request is consistency. Tell us what you're going to do, and do it. I mean - if someone is injured trying their hardest - did they work less hard than someone who finished?

And yeah - I probably fall into the camp that says that if you don't finish - you don't get a medal. I think it SHOULD be something to be cherished and really worked for.

But I ain't giving mine back. :)

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

355 - 2011 Planning - 2012 Dreaming

Okay - so - here we are.

Today's post topic is: what does 2011 and 2012 hold for "the Voice" and my family?

First thing's first. Club 8 WILL CONTINUE. And we're restarting the clock with today's number. 355. Jeff W and I are racing to 50 pounds lost, starting today.

So what's this year about?

WEIGHT LOSS. Plain and simple. Weight loss and training.

In 2011, I WILL LOSE ONE HUNDRED POUNDS.

I logged my weight on WW today - and am tracking my points already. And - speaking of competitions - Amber and I have one going on at home. We ordered a case of Animation Series I Vinylmation. And when it arrives it will stay UNOPENED.

Each week we are setting personal goals from Monday through Sunday. If we accomplish them - the on Sunday we each get to open ONE Vinylmation. If not - they sit there taunting us.

This week's goals for me:

1) Weigh-in on Monday. Check.

2) Track my WW points each day (must have a minimum of 5/7 to pass)

3) Workout 30 minutes 4 times this week (must have a minimum of 3/4 to pass)

So what am I training for? What's the outcome of all this, other than health?

Races. Disney races in 2012. Four of them.

Now now now - don't panic - I'm not ignoring my teammates suggestions. I WILL do other races in 2011. But they are merely stepping stones.

In 2012 I will run ALL FOUR Disney Half Marathons. Three in WDW and one in Disneyland. I do reserve the right to add Disney 5ks and/or UPGRADE my races. But I will at LEAST do four Disney Half Marathons.

I will also achieve a sub 3:00 half marathon (thanks Justin for the idea! LOVE IT!) - preferably in January 2012 - and then improving.

How do I accomplish my health and running goals?

Simple - training and weight loss. Weight loss - we're going to really really pound WW hard. Training - first we just get back into the swing of things - and then I'll be using Jeff Galloway's training program to run/walk training for a half marathon.

Also on the horizon for 2011 - the Dichter family is moving to a new home. Likely in March or April. And we will be building a workout room into this new home. It won't be far from our current home - just larger. :) And closer to the office and Elizabeth's Day Care.

So - LOTS of goals (don't worry - I AM including charity fundraising - but that'll be addressed on Wednesdays post) - but lots of support and wonderful teamitude!!

So how's that?

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

Coming Attractions

Hello friends!

I'm back from Walt Disney World and the 1/2 Marathon Weekend - and boy is there a LOT to talk about. But rather than have a "marathon" like post (hehehe) - I wanted to use today to give you a roadmap of what to expect over the next week.

Monday: Official Weigh-in and a detailed accounting of what 2011 holds for me and my family (think health goals, weight loss, and training training training)

Tuesday: On Finisher's Medals - there's been a lot of talk about this one, and I feel I should chime in. So if you can wait until Tuesday for it - you'll hear my two cents.

Wednesday: Team Voiceitude - what's next for me in terms of Team Voice and Club 8

Thursday: Trip Recap - not a full report - but more of a highlights version

Friday: Weekly wrap-up - we'll cover everything we haven't covered - and keep the dialogue going.

I see a year coming of positive changes - team unity - and charitable contributions!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

1 Day - Allergies and Excitement

Tomorrow morning we take off to head to WDW. Tomorrow night I'll sleep in my bed at BLT for the first time. How nice. :) I'm VERY excited.

I can't wait to see Amanda and Jeff and Justin and Rae and EVERYONE! I can't wait to see my friends Mark and Elaine (who, it seems, I have to travel to Florida to see, even though they live around the corner! LOL). My uncle Michael, his husband Richard, and of course MICKEY!

I can't wait for this race!

But here's the fun part - just as I was getting OVER being sick - and tooth problems - my allergies hit like a ton of bricks. I haven't been able to breathe out of both sides of my head for days, and I've been running a fever off and on for three days (low grade though).

This is not an excuse to not give it my best! But it is a fact. As is the fact that I've been sick the last 2-3 weeks, and haven't done too much to finalize race prep.

That being said - I'm still going to give it 140% and surprise myself with what I'm capable of.

And take Claritin. LOL

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU ALL!!!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

3 Days - Getting Excited

REALLY getting excited now.

Disney Floral has been ordered.

DVC is ready.

We have a 1BR MK View for 10 nights coming our way.

DME is ready.

We're packing.

HOLY CATS. I can't wait for Main Street.

And speaking of which - Amber made a comment that made me feel wonderful.

"You know - knowing how crazy weird and at times awful 2010 was - if you give it your all - I won't be disappointed if I don't see you at the finish line - I want to see that smile on Main Street for sure, though."

And it reminded me of how much DIFFERENT of a race the half is from the W&D. I want to see that finish line - so I'll saddle up to the start - and give it 140% of myself. :)

Speaking of which - go listen to Nando over on snowytundra. :) GO JEFF!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!