8 months ago...

I quit smoking!
Which means I didn't smoke 2,705 cigarette's and saved $757 dollars.
In 2011, I was able to:
* bike over 300 miles
* run 150 logged miles
* participate I a relay marathon
* finish 2 5k races
* increase me average pace from 20 min/mile to 13:24 min/mile
And most importantly, I added years back to my life. Giving me more time to spend with the people who have inspired me to be me!
Wishing you all a great new year!

Jari

Repost of a GREAT YouTube Video Regarding Your Health

A friend of mine shared this with me. I thought I would forward it on!

Scroll to the bottom of the blog and mute the music. Then plug in your headphones or turn up your speakers.

Getting ready to go the distance

It's been a while since I blogged. Partly because I haven't done much training because I am struggling with toe pain. But to catch you up -

My sister Barb and I ran the TD5K put on by Lifetime Fitness, benefiting a local food shelf on Thanksgiving. With no training, I finished in 40:35! Mom also did the 5k, but as a walk and in reverse! Barb and I were very proud of her.

Last week I mapped out my training plan for the Half Marathon I am planning on doing at the end of April.

I am posting it in hopes that some of you will help keep me honest.

Thank you in advance for  your support during the next 4.5 months!

It's been a great 100 days!

On April 6, 2011 at 8:44pm, I extinguished my last cigarette! Why? For many reasons:

First - I should have never started anyway. It's an expensive yucky habit. But caved to fitting in with my post college buddies and roomates. Everyone else was doing it - why not jump on the band wagon and be cool!

Second - I had been trying to quit for years. I had tried the patch, gum and chantex. But I had always tried in the late spring/summer season. Never saw it through. This time, my quit date fell in the early spring. Wearing the patch when it's not hot and humid makes a bit of difference.

Third - I had begun training tio fun in a relay marathon in late April. Cutting back wasn't helping, so I challenged myself to quite. I finally said, "That's it. I am not buying one more box of these or the patch. I will keep track of the money I would have spent on these nasty things and buy myself something special with the saved money."

Today marks 100 day's since I had my last cigarette! Tomorrow - my 100th day smoke free! It's been an amazing jouney and I feel so much better for having done it.

Thanks to all of my quiet supporters/cheerleaders during the last 100 days! You ROCK!

Back on Track

Trying not to get too excited - but it appears I am back on track.

I've held true to my goals for this week:

• No caffine (Coffee or Soda)
• Minimum 40 sit-up's daily

Now, what to make for next weeks goal.

Taking Control!!!!

The week after being diagnosed with Diabetes I decided that I was going to take control of my life. The disease, nor anyone else was going to take that control.

It's been two years and though I have lost a little control in recent months I am back on track. To do that, I had to create a list of things to keep me on track!

• I'm signed up to run a 5K in October
• I'm back on track to hit my goal weight by the end of September
• I got a tune up on my bike this weekend and will begin cross training with that
• I will continue working out at the gym as well

Remember - Only you can control your destiny. If you think or say you're going to have a bad day, you will! So take control - grab the reigns and enjoy the ride!

Meeting Goals

It's been 6 days of:

18 Months Ago

I can't hardly believe it! 18 Months ago today I was diagnosed with Diabetes.

I was looking at pictures on my Shutterfly albums this weekend and couldn't believe the difference. So I thought I would share.

Me and my niece Mia in April of 2008 - 1 year before diagnosis.

Me and Mia October 2008.

This was me in September at Fall All State Convention 2009

Lastly - here is a recent picture of me.

Taken October 2010!