Hey everyone!

Wow, there are some great responses here! I'm so happy to hear that everyone is pushing through the comfort zone and getting out there and moving! We are all amazing! :) Thanks so much for sharing the great stories!

Rebekah

I am NOT a runner, not even as a kid did I like to run...seriously, but I did a marathon training for about a month (didn't get finished because my knees were acting up.).  I was shocked out how easy it was to add a little here and there.  I was up to running 5 or 10 min (can't remember). 

Yes, I have taken some dance lessons.  My husband and I went to some group classes for salsa and ballroom.  Usually we look rediculous but we have such a good time and we don't care how good we look together.  I think we would probably do much better with a professional one on one teacher, but it was loads of fun and really good excercize!

Woot! Thats awesome. Seriously... we can do it!

It's so funny how I had kind of written myself off as a runner - then I learned some of my friends ran, it was a revelation... if they can do it - so can we! Good job everyone. Hey has anyone ever taken a dance class as an adult - I want to try it, but I'm a little nervous. I love dancing at parties and weddings, but um - I'm not sure how I'll handle the scruitiny of a professional... know what I mean?

Well since I've started the SF plan on August 30th I've either been going for a 7 mile walk outside which takes me 2 hours or if the weather is bad I go to the gym for 2 hours. Lately it's been chilly here in Maine so I've been going to the gym for 2 hours. I do 30 minutes on the bike, 30 minutes on the ellyptical and 1 hour on the treadmill usually at an incline of at least 7. I feel empowered that I haven't missed a day of exercise yet. Even on days when I think I'd rather stay home and relax I always feel better once I'm exercising.

I've been doing the couch to 5K program to now for about 3 weeks! Whew, I had no idea I was in such bad shape. I may end up having to add a few extra weeks to the program because I don't know if I can keep up with the week 4 times. We will see though, good luck!

Way to go all of you!  SisterC, you always continue to amazing me.  You are out of town, could be posting all the bad choices being made, YET.. here you are continuing to inspire us all.  I know you felt like a million bucks when you won that show down.  Got up there and just did your thing, why worry about the boys, worry about yourself.  I bet that is fantastic feeling to start putting yourself first.  And out of town, I bet those boots are turning heads as you strut around in another city, looking all sexy.  I bet you've turned more heads than just some kids in a workout room embarrassed they couldn't keep up with you.  Rebekah, way to go.  I felt the same way the day I started my mini-non-weight-related-goal.  I may of made some jokes about my run.. but man does it feel good knowing what I'm doing.  Empowering was me stating this change in life.. what an amazing feat I'll be accomplishing to losing so much fat?  What an amazing accomplishment to jog a 5k.  That is empowering to me.  Empowering to me is that I no longer am the "me" I was just a few weeks back.. My mini empowering experience today was going into Aqua East Surf Shop and talking to an expert about buying a Kayak not embarrassed that he was thinking, "what is this biggie thinking?  She is going to sink this boat."  He was nothing but positive, and really gave me some good info.  Empowerment is no longer thinking what I can't do, but what I will do.   

Well, I am out of town (out of state actually) for a few days....staying in hotels...last night the hotel had a fitness room...full of teenage boys.  I bolstered up my courage and walked right in there and started working on the eliptical...then onto to the treadmill....I think they were as uncomfortable as I was...I do believe it wasn't more than 10 min and they all disappeared!!!   So I had the place to myself...walk for a while, do the eliptical for a while...I felt darn good...and even if those boys were uncomfortable with an old lady in there....ahhh, they didn't know this old lady had lost 75 lb and knew she deserved to be in there!!! LOL  Such empowerment!!  Wooo-hoooo!

The hotel tonight doesn't have a fitness room....dang!  but my son and I toured two colleges today...lots and lots of walking...a 4 hour tour!! Whew!  I do dare say I walked my miles for the day!   We are currently in North Dakota...just got here an hour ago...touring another college in the morning and then driving the 8 hours home again tomorrow night....going to be another long day!

Once I get home I will work with some of my exercise dvds...if it hadn't been for SF and walking with Leslie Sansone...there is no way on this earth that I would have been able to tolerate walking all day...so kuddos to me and happiness for my son because I was able to share in this part of his college experience....Life is good!  That is what keeps me going!  Hugs everyone, SisterC

Way to go, Rebekah!  That's awesome.  I can't think of anything empowering I've done off the top of my head...I've been in a bit of a funk the last few days.  But, I'm still sticking to my plan...so that's something!  Keep going, girl.  Those pounds will start dropping off and your heart will thank you.  God Bless -- Hilary

I need to give all of the credit for this happening today to Goldabraun. After reading something she put up about the "couch to 5k" I googled it and decided there is no time like the present. I went for a walk with my husband and dog and I actually JOGGED!!! I'm so excited! Who would have ever thought they would be excited about jogging?! I did small stretches like from one mailbox to two down. It was enough that I felt it and I was losing my breath, but short enough that I could recover quickly. It was amazing! Even the dog was excited! Tomorrow I will just walk, then another jog/walk. How cool!

Has anyone else done anything empowering lately? How can you keep that great feeling going?

Rebekah