2,000,000 steps and counting

Yesterday someplace between advising a student and adverting a graduation crisis, between my tenth cup of coffee and spilling my lunch on the floor, between a staff meeting and a budget meeting - I stepped my 2,000,000th step since my journey began.  It occurred without ceremony or fanfare, without balloons or fireworks, without sweat or tears.  As I knocked out another 45 push-ups on my quest to 15,000 by years' end, I recognized that I have learned to feed my body, brain and heart in a way that will continue to fuel it for strength, success, and peace.

As mundane, expected, or drab as any other office furniture

It really didn't strike me until today, that not once during the 3.5 hours of academic advising on Friday did one of my advisees make mention of the fact that I had a treadmill in my office.  In their defense I was not aboard the tread when they arrived.  This coupled by perhaps the anxiety, excitement, or both of registering for their first term at our college, it is understandable that they had other things on their minds. The oddity of their lack of response versus the students who I have encountered since then has reinforced my decision to bring the tread to work in the first place.  I was greeted with big smiles, a few whatthe*%#&, and one wave (from the outside sidewalk below).  One of my bosses dropped in and told me to keep walking as though this would be commonplace -- me walking while we discussed registration, orientation, communication, or one of the other -tions.  I chose not to keep walking, but in the future, I just might.  It will be interesting, as the student interactions are increasing with their return to school,  to see the continued response (or lack of response).  Regardless, I think it is fair to say that the tread is here to stay - to brighten someone's day, make someone stop and take a second look, or just consider how they might think differently.

365 days of good health

As mentioned several times before -- I am a geek.  I love all things gadgets, tech, numbers, stats, and learning.  I have already figured that if my daily mileage continues to average around around 5 miles per day, by this time next year I will have walked a bit over 1900 more miles and will be on track to walking the length of Interstate 40 by my 40th birthday.  When (not if) I continue my 40 push-ups per day, by this time next year I will have completed 14,600 push-ups.  While the numbers might be daunting for some, I find comfort in knowing to where and to what I aspire.  I encourage you to do a bit of number crunching for the new year and find yourself at a healthier, happier, and some resolute place when 2010 rolls in.  Happy New Year to all!

From my vantage...

...it looked kind of like my treadmill, which made it a whole lot easier to shovel the 16" of snow that had accumulated in the driveway and along 150' of sidewalk.  Not only was my shovel just about as wide as the tread, but when I got to the end of the walkway, I turned around to discover that I could also follow my progress in the icy remnants of my treadmill.  As I look back over the 50 some posts that make up this blog, I realize that this is much more than a report about how I set up my treadmill desk and how much (or how little) progress I am making.  Rather, it is the tidbits of a life being rediscovered.  Friday marked my arrival at an unexpected crossroads, one that I hope to speak to early next week.  I'm not sure if I would have been mentally or physically prepared as I was had I not jumped on this tread and committed to do something solely for me.  The investment in my physical wellbeing is also paying off dividends in my emotional, psychological, and professional health.  So as I stand at the crossroad, ready to take a hard right turn, I am thankful for a forum to explore the ideas and for the family and friends who have been so supportive in this journey and whose commitment to me for my next journey is palpable.  "I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it." Rosalia de Castro

My Goodwill shirt

So here is a confession - I LOVE shopping at Goodwill.  For awhile it freaked out my husband (what would people think), but when he realized that I could regularly purchase 3 pairs of jeans and two shirts for under $12 -- his freakiness diminished. It has been super helpful to have a great Goodwill in our little college town - particularly since my weight has fluctuated nearly 40 lbs in the last four years.  A few months ago I bought a fun, Columbia brand shirt (hence the X on the tag, which equals name brand, which means no additional discount).  Unfortunately, when I got home, I was busting out of it -- literally.  I sadly put it in the end of my closet that is reserved for stuff that needs to go to the consignment store.  But life got busy, I didn't get to the consignment store and lo and behold this morning, I got adventurous and tried the shirt on again.  Project Treadmill Desk strikes again!  Not only have I lost 11.5 pounds, but I have also lost a little more than an inch in my chest -- just enough to go from "busting out" to a nice tailored fit.  While this might seem like a small thing, when you look good and feel good, it is quite amazing how everything seems good - despite dreary weather  and disappearing sabbatical days.  If you are still debating whether a similar program is right for you let me once again assure you that when you look great and feel great chances are very high that you are great!

Forty-nine days of fun fitness

This morning, I greeting the beginning of week eight by frantically finding a pair of jeans and a warm sweatshirt so that I would be ready to go walking with a friend right after sending the kids to the bus.  It was fun to feel the change in myself physically and emotionally as we traipsed along our 5.44 mile course (stopping midway for Starbucks).  We carried on a great conversation while keeping up a good clip.  I'm not sure if I would have been able to walk as fast or as far while talking as we did today.  This experience, coupled with my continued progress in several important health variables has strengthened by resolve to walk straight through the winter doldrums and avoid (probably for the first time in the last many years) adding on any "hibernation" weight.  I have updated my blog template, my Route Tracker map, and my health variables.  By Thursday I hope to have walked across the 1,000,000 step threshold.  My unswerving enthusiasm and motivations have inspired me to challenge my other soon-to-be-40 friends to join me in a year-long birthday celebration to good health.