I haven’t been very good about my walking recently. With all the travel and pre-travel prep I just didn’t take the time. But this past Saturday I spent the morning walking about 3 miles for a cause. I went to the Memory Walk here in Chattanooga to help raise support for Alzheimer’s.

I signed up in August and raised about $150. I still want to raise about $100 more and if anyone wants to donate, there is still time.

I’ve never done anything like this for a charity before, but my experience was a good one. I signed up online and when I went to the registration table on Saturday they didn’t have my information, but they believed me and still gave me my t-shirt.

The walk was pretty easy for me, about 3 miles. It is similar to the walk I take to Blockbuster and back, so I knew it wouldn’t be difficult. I did walk alone, not with a team, but it was fun to people watch and see the teams show their spirit with costumes and cheers. There was a spirit award given for the team with the most spirit.

My Pop Pop suffered from Alzheimer’s for many years. He passed away in 2003. My grandmother has been involved with her local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and done the Memory Walk in Auburn in the past. I told her to let me know when the Memory Walk is in Auburn next year and I will go down and walk with her.

I look forward to doing it again next year.

If you want to participate in Self Portrait Sunday, post your picture and leave a comment at today’s DigiCass (our lovely host) entry. Hope to see you soon!

[tags]self portrait Sunday, Memory Walk, Alzheimer’s Organization, fundraising[/tags]

Over the last few months we have gotten to know the store manager, who is tickled to see Fuller and gets a kick out of the fact that I walk most of the times we visit the store. I told him that round trip it is about 2.5 miles. (I started varying my route to make it about 3 miles.) Last night he asked me again, “So do you really walk here every time you come?”

I told him not every time, but I try to walk most of the time. Even the day before (Tuesday) I drove there because it was in line with a bunch of my errands. But I figure, maybe I am like the Subway Guy for Blockbuster- I trade the time I watch movies for the amount of time I walk. Well, not minute for minute, but still it has been a lot of walking. The store manager laughed, but as I walked home I realized I missed an opportunity to explain to him how I also like to be as car free as possible and if I can walk, I prefer to. Next time.

I am really thankful that the weather has cooled down so when I want to walk in the mornings, around the time Blockbuster is open, it isn’t as awful temperature wise.

[tags]walking, weight loss, blockbuster, exercise[/tags]

WELL DONE! You’ve recorded a loss this week. That’s great news!

However, we notice that you’ve lost more than an average of 2 pounds per week over three or more weeks. This rate is too rapid — it may be unsafe or unhealthy.

I lost 2.5 pounds. I last recorded my weight on Friday, which is probably what triggered the upset nature of WW’s congratulations notice. What the Weight Watcher’s weight tracker doesn’t know is that 1) I was on my period this past week and 2) I ate two Krispy Kreme donuts last evening. So, who’s unhealthy now?

Oh wait, that would still be me.

Well, 2.5 isn’t anything to sneeze at and I am really proud of myself. I worked harder at moving more. I did Pilates one day and then remembered why I had a hard time being motivated to do it again- I don’t really like it. I mean, it is ok, but I always feel like I am doing it wrong. During “The Hundred” (I do it on a mat) I shake like a leaf. Is that normal?

The weather has cooled down a bit (low 90s is definitely cooler than 103) so I think we will be able to walk more in the mornings. I started looking for more ways to add steps to my walk and Damon suggested I zig zag from block to block, which I think will help.

Here’s to decreasing numbers and cooler weather.

Update: I realized today my wedding ring fits back on my finger comfortably. I was wearing it, but it wasn’t very comfortable. Now I am comfortable again. Whoo!

[tags]weightloss wednesday, weight watcher’s, diet, exercise[/tags]

But, I wonder about the boredom factor. I mean, I haven’t been walking as much because of the weather (it was 105 today!) but I can’t seem to get motivated to do something else. I know other Titleist golf isn’t something I will feel like it is accomplish much for me. And I can’t feel like I am killing myself- I don’t fall for the “no pain, no gain” mantra.

Someone ask me tomorrow if I did my Pilates DVD. I think I have to revisit that approach. At least until the temperatures cool down.

I also have started walking in the late evening- around 8 pm- to keep from fainting from heat stroke. The weather around here has been dancing around the 100 degree mark, making the excuse to not walk very easy. Since my destination, Blockbuster, is still open at that time, it works out for me to walk in the cooler hours. I miss pushing the jogging stroller, but without the kid I can listen to my iPod.

So, new shoes and a different walking schedule… it looks like I am still on track.

[tags]weight loss, walking, shoes, exercise[/tags]