Making a Difference

"Each one of us can make a difference. Together we make change."

Barbara Mikulski

Today I had to go to Ottawa to pick-up my baby after her work day and while I was downtown run some errands.

I didn't have time to walk my usual number of steps but I had over 11,000 done before breakfast.

Took a quick shower, get in the car and drive as fast as possible away from home. The speed limit in our park is 10 KM (6 miles) so I was going a little less than that when I came across a couple that I always say Hello to when I'm walking. I don't even know their name. I waved at them.

They flagged me to stop... they came to me and said: “We have already walk 10 kilometers this morning!” It's the first sentence that we exchange that is not a hello... and it's to tell me their walking distance, I was a little suspicious about what was happening and then the lady added: “It's because of you, you inspire us!” Typing this, I'm still choke up... because they see me everyday, they started to walk further.

I know of a few people who bought a Vivofit because of my recommendation. One of those person is a lady here on the park. She wants to lose weight and tried several way but nothing seem to be working for her. Now every time I see her, she is walking. She even told me that she go in the lake and “walk” sitting on a tube, obviously she moved her arms to do like walking.

I am so proud of all the ones that take their health in their own hands and I'm humble to learn I might have been a trigger.

I am also 'High five' you all for being my inspiration, we are all making a difference, I assure you.

Have a great weekend!

Vivofit Challenge is Fun

Last week was such a great week. I was competing in a 100 K step's challenge. I had the goal to brake my most steps in week personnel record. Which I did! 

 I end up finishing first in the challenge, but really there was no competition, from the first day, I was so much ahead that the closest person to me couldn't even see my dust.

Fast forward to this week... My intention was to take it easy, my goal was to do 15,000 steps per day for a grand total of 105,000 steps for the week. I know so lazy right? haha

BUT, when you do good and your step count increase, you get in more advanced challenge. So I was moved to the 125 K challenge. Darn those people are CRAZY-er! (just my personnel observation)

Within the first 2 hours, I was number one (no one else had synch their vivofit). But it didn't last, few more hours later; I had slipped to 6^th.

For me those challenge really work, for instance because everyone was doing so good, Tuesday I walked 22,000 steps instead of the 15,000 I had planned. And that was not even enough to keep me on the podium. It just kept me within range!

This morning, I'm back to 6^th, but I'm having fun. How so you might be wondering... I go the extra mile (literally and figuratively).

One thing I think is strange is that no one comment on those challenges. It's call Garmin Connect, but no one else is saying anything. I always write comments, I'm not sure if it help motivate or torment them but, hey, I'm having fun!

 

New Secret Strategy to Lose Weight

Why pay thousand of dollars in gym fee and special get-lean-quick diet when this very simple inexpensive secret could work?

Before telling you about it (just doing some built-up folks) I want to caution you; It might not work for the ones that doesn't have them. Those one might just be doom to stay on the side of the road and cheer us going to Thin City.

After EVERY (yes in caps and underline) meals, BEFORE the dessert and even BEFORE cleaning the dishes (because the one cleaning the dishes take care of the left overs, if you know what I mean) go brush your teeth. Don't take chances go the extra mile and floss them as well.

Genius right?

 

From Rachel's blog, I found out a new (to me) blogger last week, her name is Geraldine.

Here two link to her posts that had me tearing up. I could so relate. It's well worth reading and keep a box of tissue beside you...

Trading Joe

Exercise Class

Welcome to Java

I have been brewing this post for a few days. So this morning after roasting from bed, I decided today was the day that I will spill the beans.

I have been drinking coffee for the past 37 years. On few occasions, my doctor warned me to stay away from my must-have-to-waking-up cup of freshly brew. However I felt guilty to swallow my steaming Java.

But still, I indulged! I remember doc asked me how much I drank and I honestly told him 1 or 2 cups a day. It never crossed my brain that a cup was a cup. When you go to your favorite coffee place, do you ask for a cup of coffee meaning you want ONE cup! No you asked for a large coffee or in my case extra large coffee, it comes in a cup that is big enough to hold the hot stuff, right?

These days, I drink 1 mug, it contain 3 and a half cup. My compromise is that I don't drink any more than that and NEVER past noon or I turned into an owl at night and can't sleep. Once in a while, when I drink soft drink, I'll have a diet caffeine free Coke. I'm that dedicated to stay away from caffeine.

During all these year I never questioned myself about why is it bad? Or is it really bad!

Last weekend, I was reading a magazine (CSANews – Summer 2015) and there was an article title “Longevity and coffee” my first thought was “oh shit how many years did I cut off my life!” So I started to read the article. I was shocked it stated: “there could be huge health benefits to drinking coffee... so much so, that it can even extend your life!” Say WHAT???? 37 years of GUILTY drinking my cup of Joe and it might be good for me. I had to read more.

From serious studies, it seems to prove that coffee can:

Reduce vascular disease;

Lower the risks of cancer;

Prevent Parkinson's and Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia;

Mitigate diabetes and obesity

Now that is what I call Coffee perks so I continue my research on the net and finally found this graph (at http://www.lifeextension.com/Magazine/2012/9/Protective-Effects-Of-Coffee/Page-01):

This was enough to get the aftertaste of Guilt out of my favorite cup of morning elixir. Cheers you all!

Question from Ivy

“Is there any advice you can offer with regard to shopping for an activity tracker? He likes the monitor the sleep part some offer, as well as the step tracker.”

Thanks for your question Ivy, since I'm not sponsor by anyone and I only own one of those gizmo, I highly recommended the one I have. The best thing I can say is if the one I have would brake, I would get exactly the same kind.

I purchase my Vivofit from Garmin at Costco. It is less expensive than most worthy activity tracker (so you can pay in full haha), the number on the display are easy to read (when I walk I don't want to wear my glasses), and it is light and comfortable.

I'm a low tech kind of person so it is easy to use, it doesn't have a heart monitor (it could for more $$$$) but personally I think it's a gadget...

Once you have set up your account on the net, you get a wealth of information available about your activity and your sleep. I think the best way, I'll show you all the one that I use (but there is a lot more). Now the data you will see is my very own, don't try to duplicate it without a good pair of running shoes :-)

 http://www.costco.com/Garmin-VivoFit-Activity-Tracker-Bundle.product.100169458.html?catalogId=10701&keyword=vivofit&langId=-1&storeId=10301&refine=

The followings are all from my Garmin application. 

I used to run and keeping record was important so I enjoy having this feature available. Just want to point out, I explained more the next slide: "Longest Goal Streak"

This is my activity for yesterday.

The total calories count is not from the steps itself, it's my daily calories' count, it takes into account my weight, my age and the level of steps. It's not that accurate because I might be working hard but not stepping and it thinks I'm not being active. So I considered the counter as a minimum amount of calories I burned for the day.

Total Distance could be set for KM, I prefer to keep it in miles.

Avg Daily Steps is since I got my Vivofit.

At the bottom of the above display there is "your Daily Goal". You can have Vivofit to set it up for you. It will take into consideration YOUR number of daily steps or like mine you can decide the heck with that I'm going to walk that much and that's MY goal. The "Longest Goal Streak" mentioned earlier is the number of days in a row that you exceed your goal.

 It even keeps track of when in the day I was busy and when I was lazy or as it say "Inactive"

A display of steps per month. Look at the total... you can't lie to Vivofit, it's real folks.

 You badges for accomplishment. When I have visitors, I spend hours showing off my accomplishments. Strangely there is less visitors lately!

 This is my sleep's pattern. The dark blue is Deep sleep, light blue light sleep and red is awake... so I slept all night (no trip to the toilet) 

 My weight since I started Vivofit. I had already lost about 15 lbs but it is lost forever (hopefully)

You can join the challenge, as you see on this one, I am in the lead, I am that good! hahaha

I am a Disgrace

Last Sunday,I proclaimed loudly that I was back on the losing team. I further push the audacity stating that I would lose 1.5 pound in a week.

This morning when I stepped on the scale my number was 169 lbs. This is a drop of only 1.2 lb. I will be living in shame for the rest of this week, I'm short .3 lb from my goal.

I'll understand if no one read my posts ever again. I wish I had excuses, but I have been too busy walking and had no time to come up with good ones, so instead here some bad one:

I was force fed while sleeping.

My bowels were full (I told you it was bad excuses).

I ate too much fruits.

By mistake, one morning, I put cream instead of milk in my coffee.

I walked by a neighbor and it smelt like bacon, I overfill my lungs.

I was wearing my socks.

I have wax in my ears.

Two Millions

 

Yesterday I reached the 2,000,000 steps since I got my Vivofit at the end of February.

Just to put things in perspective, the distance traveled in my sneakers amount to 920 Miles (1480 KM). This is like walking from New York city to Jacksonville, FL. Only one way but still a great distance in only 4 and a half month.

Today I'm still on pursuit of my weekly best record but you might not know it (if you were naughty) Santa is coming to town. So my schedule is going to be crazy as I'm one of Santa's elf.

My role in this North pole organization is to collect presents for the kids, safeguard them with my life (the present not the kids!) and delivered everything intact to Santa (no peeking). You can say that my stress level will be out there in the red zone, but beard with me!

So my usual training routine will be as messed up as a reindeer droppings. However, to be in the mood, I loaded Christmas music in my MP-tree.

Feliz Navidad you all