It's Time.

Day One- 

It’s time.  It is time to get my life in order.  It is time to get my health in order.  What I have been doing isn’t working and so what does that mean? If what you’ve been doing isn’t working then change it! That is one thing I have learned here and I have had the freedom to do this.  So IT IS TIME!

Fitness Goal 1- Finish Podrunner intervals first day to 5k podcast

Weight loss goal 1- 170lbs by the time I return home. 43 days.

I just completed Podrunner 1^st to 5 week 1 today.  It was a half hour and I did well.  The walking is easy because all I ever do in China is walk.  It has been great conditioning for this. If you can walk a solid 30 minutes then you can do week 1.  So it’s some walking and then I believe to be a minute of running.  My goal was to do my very best at the running parts and not stop for the entire 30 minutes.  I was successful in that.  After every minute of running I found myself saying “thank god!” I even had to talk my way through one of them.  Come on you can do this just a little more.  I went .6 miles in 30 minutes of running and walking.  Bonus I did not get hit by a car or bike.  (This is kind of a big deal in China) Have you ever tried to cross a street in China?  Nightmare.

I am not sure on my current weight but at my last weigh in a few weeks ago at a friend’s house I was down about 27 lbs from my first weigh in at Weight Watchers Shanghai.  I think.  I will go to Walmart and weigh myself today or tomorrow.  I figure I have about 18 lbs to go before I return home.  Do able? I don’t know but I am going to try.

Podrunner Intervals also available on iTunes podcasts. FREE!!!

Life is Short

I was reminded over this past weekend just how short life is.  A friend of mine from elementary/middle school passed away suddenly.  Vinnie you will be remembered dearly.  I remember him as always being very nice to me.  Which for some of you who knew me back then was not always easy.  Thank you for your friendship. 

I want to take this opportunity to thank those in my life who mean the world to me.  So many of you have touched me in ways you will never know.  I will be across the world for a year and a half but I know through your friendship and love I will not be alone.  Thank you.

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them and we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

It well may be
That we will never meet again in this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you


-I Knew You
Wicked
(ps. Wicked is coming back to Chicago this winter. If you haven't been you should really go!!!)