Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Paying rent

I heard a quote recently that said "Being an advocate is my rent for living on the earth".  I LOVE THAT!  More honest words have never been spoken...at least not for me. 

As I was putting my 3 miles in on the treadmill today, I was watching Lady Gaga & Cindy Lauper on GMA talking about the new awareness campaign they are doing to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS among women.  The candid, straight forward approach that they both have is exactly what it means to be an advocate.  Being an advocate for women (or for another cause close to your heart) means standing up for your beliefs & for the protection/betterment of others.  It means being willing to have that straight talk kind of conversation with our friends and loved ones.  It means working together to stop the insanity that causes others to not achieve all they were put here to achieve.  It means standing up for people who can't stand up for themselves.  That's what makes me so proud of being part of the 3 Day.  This isn't about me...this is about advocating for kindness, lifetimes, and health.  What an honor it is to be a part of such a great event!

So as I mentioned, I'm up to 3 miles/day on the tread mill.  I'm also doing 9 miles/day on the bike hoping to build up my cardio strength.  Soon I'm going to have to start dividing my walks into morning and evening walks just because of the time committment.  Its amazing to think that by summer I'll be walking for hours on a Saturday or Sunday.  I can really see it in my future & that's something I never thought I'd see until now.  In fact, I saw a number on the scale today that I haven't seen in over 5 years.  WOOOOHHOOOOO!!!!!!!   No, I'm not doing this for the weightloss, but it sure is a nice side affect!  Since Jan 1 I'm down 21 pounds & am to a weight I haven't seen since my 30th birthday.  I really think the difference this time is that I'm doing this with a goal bigger than myself in mind.  I've always wanted to loose my weight to make myself more attractive, look better in clothes, get more dates (shallow I know), or fit in a new dressw.  It hasn't been until now that I've been able to get myself out of the way & start focusing on things that really  matter.  Things like ending breast cancer, setting an example for others on what it means to be healthy, and being an advocate (paying my rent) for men & women who are in the fight of their lives.  It's damn hard work...please dont get me wrong.  I want to quit at about 25 minutes on that treadmill every day but once I get past 30 minutes, I know I can do it.  Funny what a difference 5 little minutes can make.  I still hate sweating & still wish I was one of those women who "glisten" instead of looking but not smelling like I just stepped out of the shower.  I dont know if I'll ever love that part but what I know is that its part of reaching my finish line.  Today I can feel it...not just see it & I know it's going to be amazing!

2 comments:

  1. Haha - I can totally relate to the sweating part. I take a hand towel with me to the gym and mop my brow as needed. I didn't care until a work associate started working out at the same time I do. He's in great shape and (from what I can tell while trying to avoid eye contact) GLISTENS! And, he's a boy!

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  2. Jillian,

    Glad I'm not alone! LOL. It's so unfair when boys "glisten" and we don't!!!! Way to keep at it though! It can be so challenging when you know people from your outside life at your gym! Keep up the good work!

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