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Holy Crap Mrs McGuire!! :)
I wanted to re-post what you said below so everyone can see it (fresh post). I'm totally proud of you-you go ahead!
"Yeah 26 pounds. I had my polar body age done one day in mid December and it shocked me. I was 7 years older than my physical, chronological age.Then, when it snowed in December I hurt my back shoveling snow. After 4 years of back pain I thought i was dying, it was so bad. I hurt badly. Sitting, laying, standing hurt, but walking didn't.
I started walking for 5 minutes at a time on my treadmill about every hour (off work for 2 weeks). When I went back to work, I made sure to walk for my morning and afternoon breaks. This added .62 mile x 2 of walking each day. I would also walk for 30-45 minutes afterwork. I kept at it for many weeks. I then invested in some Brooks running shoes in early February and noticed that my feet, ankles, hips, and up felt better with the new shoes. So in mid to late February, I picked up the pace and started walking a lot faster, usually 3-3.5 mph (I know, I was a slow walker).
I made a pact to myself that 2009 was going to be a year of good, small changes. Changes to make me a better person and to get in touch with a part of me that I lost several years ago before my head on colision. I have a blog that I write in monthly to reflect my progress, races, feelings etc. It's kind of more for me than anything else, but others who hav read it have found it inspirational, which in turn inspires me. I also write down every single mile I walk or run and the time that I give myself to acomplish this. I keep my log in a spiral notebook then transfer onto my Excel document at the end of the month, and then tally everything up. It's actually kind of fun. In a nerdy sort of way. I started walking in January, and now it's the end of August, and I am a begining runner. I run an average of 3 days a week, logging 12-15 miles.I have completed a race every month since April, and my big goal is a half marathon in October. On Saturday the 22nd I ran 8 consecutive, non-stop miles. I beat my own best of 6.2 miles. It was amazing! But I did hurt like hell afterwards.
I don't obsess over the scale either. I had my polar body age perfomed again, and the running made it clear, the changes I have made. However, I think that by looking at the numbers for my mileage and minutes is concerned on a monthly basis is far more impressive than noting one pound here and there. I have only weighed myself 8 times (polar body ages count in here) since and only taken my measurements 3 times since this journey began. I started this to be better to me, not to tip the scales. The number on the scale is just a pro to activity, not how I feel as a person. That's the way I like to look at it.
If you ask me what motivates you, my first response it going to be that running helps rid the back pain. Running gives me space to clear my mind and all the worldy contents and stresses that fill it daily. I look forward to those moments (even if it's only 20 minutes) that I can have that time, solely devoted to M - E. In fact I crave running. I feel addicted to the air in my lungs and that worn out feeling that I know will provide me with the best nights sleep. This year I have learned that being fit is more of a mental strength, than a physical battle to be won. About a month or so ago, I wrote on a sticky note and placed it near my desk at work, "Running is a state of mind." As silly as it sounds, I believe it to be true.
Sorry that was so long, but It felt good to write it and not write another paper for school...
:-)
I wish you (all) the best of luck in transforming your minds toward physical activity, no matter what level, age, or capacity you have."
Thats pretty amazing-I look forward to hearing about your adventures. It makes me want to put down the gelatto too 
Re: Holy Crap Mrs McGuire!! :)
Holy moly! Wowser! Thank you for the complement! That's very sweet of you! I'll be sure to post my adventures in running land :-) when the opportunity presents itself!
In regards to your gelatto. You can't deny yourself those sorts of things. It would not be human to do so. You have more control and power than you think you do. I can promise you that!
Congrats, that's so amazing!!
And...whatkind of @sshole gives thispost 1 star, Lame. I give you 5 stars!!!!!
another congrats here!!! that is AWESOME! and i am loving your advice
also, thank you for your advice on my portland state thread....i'm confused, though...what program are you in and where are you going? out of curiosity...i know you mentioned concordia (i had never even heard of it, so i'm looking into it now...) but i wasn't sure if you meant that is where you're going or not
Visit my blog about my family's experiments in eco-living
Learning to start all over again... Blog
I think someone clicked the star by mistake? Thats my only explanation
Either way, I 5 starred it just to be sure!
oh my stars! you ladies are so stinkin's sweet! Thanks!
In regards to what program I am in... I am attending Warner Pacific College and I am in the Master's in Management and Organizational Leadership program. I absolutely LOVE it. 4 classes and my thesis is all that I have left! Woohoo! It's similar to an MBA, but I like to explain it to folks as the "other" side of the MBA, the softer side. How to lead and manage change. How to be an inspirational leader. How to be empowering to your followers. How to be a good follower. How to manage projects and lead people. I think the program focuses on the softer skills that managers and leaders need in a business environment that often get neglected in many MBA programs. I have learned so much about me, what I am capable of and how to work in teams. I just love it. I am having so much fun, despite the accelerated pace and massive amounts of papers I write. And the student to teach ratio is most excellent. My cohort is currently holding strong with 8 people per one teacher.
In regards to Concordia, I know of 4 people that have graduated. 2 from the MAT program, 1 from nursing, and 1 from BA. Additionally, my father in law actually teaches graduate & now undergraduate classes in the MED and MAT programs. All of them speak glowingly of their experiences with Concordia.