A Blogger Meet-up for a Good Cause

Tonight I will be attending a Blogger get-together with over 40 local blogging ladies.

This will be my second big blogger meet-up in Minnesota. I have gotten to know a few of these ladies over the months I have lived in the area and, let me tell you, I am reminded every day that bloggers are among the nicest people ever. Pair that fact with the 'Minnesota-nice' nature of the people here and the outcome is overwhelmingly welcome and encouraging and, best of all, FUN!


The meetup has been organized by Molly who is an advocate for the Child Hunger End's Here charity organization. Us bloggers will be bringing non-perishable food items to donate to local food shelves. I just love when good people get together to do good things. It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. :-) We'll all be getting together at Nye's Polonaise in Minneapolis. [Find a list of attendees here.]

I can't wait for this get-together to be able to connect with some of the bloggers I met at the last meet-up, as well as meet some of the bloggers I follow but haven't met yet (but feel like I know already!)

If you are in the Twin Cities area and would like to contribute to the End Child Hunger cause, you are in luck! Area bloggers have rallied together to donate items for a local rummage sale where all sales will be donated. And you can go!!!

Minnesota Bloggers Rummage Sale

SATURDAY, MAY 22

8 AM-1 PM

1227 MONTREAL, ST. PAUL

HIGHLAND PARK SHELTER

For more information, check out Molly’s Blog.

Easy, right? Go and pick up some good stuff and help out a good cause! (I, unfortunately, will not be able to attend the rummage sale since I had to work, but I will be making my donation together at the meet-up because I am all about supporting a good cause and helping those in need.)

To all my blogger friends who will be there tonight, I can't wait to see you!

Weigh-in Wednesday

Sam:
Starting weight (1.4.2010): 179.6 pounds
Last week's weight (5.12.2010): 172.0 pounds
Current weight (5.19.2010): 170.4 pounds
That is a loss of 1.6 pounds for a total loss of 9.2 pounds!
What I did: Wow, I am pretty excited about this week's weigh in (I am that much closer to 10 pounds lost!) I think I can honestly say that I did a lot less snacking this past week than other weeks (I have a big problem with snacking!) I could have also worked out more (a lot more) but I will get there.

Jason:
Starting weight (1.4.2010): 216.6 pounds
Last week's weight (5.12.2010)199.6: pounds
Current weight (5.19.2010): 198.4 pounds
That is a loss of 1.2 pounds for a total loss of 18.2 pounds!
What I did: I've had a bit of a frustrating week. I'm still nursing my left leg injury and really being deliberate about taking it easy. I haven't run in a week and a half which has had 2 negative effects: 1) I haven't gotten much exercise 2) I've been home an extra hour in the evening which means more time for snacking. I will continue to take it easy though since I don't want to push myself too hard and make my leg injury worse.

My Soul is Happy

[Comic by Andrea Dunleavy.]

Today I got up and put on my workout clothes.

Then I had breakfast and drank a glass of water.

Then I tweeted "I will go to the gym today... I WILL go to the gym today. I WILL GO TO THE GYM TODAY!!!"

Then I went to the gym!

It felt really good. Even though the arch of my right foot was hurting halfway through, and even though someone had set the TV at the gym to Maury ("the lie detector revealed that you are NOT the father!" ... seriously? I don't care!) I felt GOOD and I felt like, if I could go to the gym today, I could go everyday... twice a day, three times even! Ok, not really, but it was good and gave me confidence.

Then I went home and had lunch and did some blog reading.

Then, even though I already worked out once today, I went to a yoga class. I got a Groupon for a month of yoga at CorePower Yoga and finally decided to put it to use.

Then I was going to be late for the class so I almost didn't go.

But then I did go and it was SO good.

I had to take child's pose once to re-align my breath and I had bunches of trouble with tree pose (and I won't even mention crow pose! Definitely something to aspire to.) but it was GOOD stuff.

And now, my soul is happy.

This is my soul -------------> 8^) (Apparently my soul wears sunglasses...)

If only all my days off from work could be like this.

Do any of you practice yoga? Have you ever tried it? Do you want to join me? :-)

Background: I have been to yoga classes before but have never really made the effort to make it part of my everyday life. The thing is though, I have always really enjoyed yoga when I had taken classes. I hope this will be the start of a beautiful, life-long friendship with yoga.

Organic Spa Magazine (Free!)

I recently came across an offer for a free digital subscription to Organic Spa Magazine. After some research on the magazine (which I had never heard of) I thought it was worth checking out. I thought I would share this offer with you before it expired (not sure when). I haven't gotten my first digital issue yet, but I read some articles on the website and enjoyed them. (Check out back issues here.)

Some articles you may enjoy:
- Tips for Staying Motivated
- 10 Little Known Facts About Tea
- Lunch Hour... Exercise Power
- Enjoy Your Food

I am particularly interested in the 'wellness' section of the magazine. I'm not as into fashion or beauty (which is another emphasis) but maybe you will find it useful. :-) Other categories include travel, green home, and natural beauty.

Sign up for your free digital subscription here.

Weigh-in Wednesday

For the first time on this blog, we are going to record our measurements. We will be including our measurements for Weigh-in Wednesday once a month to track our progress. Since this week is the first time, we will just include our current numbers. Last month we will get to see if we have lost or gained inches! For more on how to take your measurements to track your weight loss, check out this article.

Sam:
Weight:
Starting weight (1.4.2010): 179.6 pounds
Last week's weight (4.28.2010): 172.3 pounds
Current weight (5.12.2010): 172.0 pounds
That is a loss of 0.3 pounds for a total loss of 7.6 pounds!
What I did: Well, I'm back from vacation. I was visiting family and friends on the East Coast for the last week and a half. I'll be honest, I'm really really surprised to have a loss at all (even a small one) since I ate pretty much anything I wanted when I was away (I know, bad Sam) and didn't exercise AND it's my TIM. I know that the choices I have made were not great, so I will continue to train for my 5k as well as eat more healthy because in the end, I know that will get me results I am proud of!

Measurements:
Bust: 41.5"
Chest: 36.0"
Waist: 32.5"
Hips: 42.5"

Jason:
Starting weight (1.4.2010): 216.6 pounds
Last week's weight (5.5.2010)199.6: pounds
Current weight (5.12.2010): 199.6 pounds
No change from last week for a total loss of 18.0 pounds!
What I did: I have not run as much this week as I had been since I came up a bit lame after attempting a long run on Saturday. (I've been limping since then and have had a bit a pain when putting full weight on my left leg.) I am hoping that a week of rest will help. I also have been making some not so great eating choices and have been neglecting to pay close attention to portion sizes. (I'll be better this week. I promise. ;-) )

Measurements:
Chest: 40.0"
Waist: 39.0"
Hips: 43.0"

Weigh-In Wednesday: The Jason Edition!

Sam is traveling this week (Yes, I'm jealous!) so no weigh-in for her. My details are below:

Jason:
Starting weight (1.4.2010): 216.6 pounds
Last week's weight (4.28.2010): 199.8 pounds
Current weight (5.5.2010): 198.6 pounds
That is a loss of 1.2 pounds for a total loss of 18.0 pounds!
What I did: Wow, What can I say? I am now two weeks in a row below 200 lbs. (Let's keep it that way, ok?) I have continued to run regularly and have been very mindful of portion control. I have been having to cook for myself this week but have been doing alright with it. (I am very helped by the meals we prepared at Let's Dish before Sam left.) I am thrilled that I lost weight this week despite a weekend Cinco de Mayo party where more than a few "liquid calories" were consumed. I have also been much more snacky this week than I typically am. I attribute this to boredom as I have been alone at the apartment in the evenings. Snacking when I am bored is a nasty habit that's been a real struggle for me.

It's Official!

Ladies and Gentleman! It is official. As of yesterday, May 2, 2010, I am officially registered to run my first Half Marathon. I will be running in the Team Ortho Foundation Half Marathon on June 6. (There is also a full marathon and a 5K being run the same day.) Their website has a handy countdown on it that lets me know I have just 33 days, 10 hours, and 33 minutes to finish my training and preparation. My goal is to complete the 13.1 miles in 2.5 hours (a pace of 11:26 per mile). I'd be happy to have the company if anyone is interested in joining me! (Just register at the link above and make sure to let us know!)