We've Moved.  Please join us at: Inperspire .

Day 112 of OUR 365 Day Odyssey

We're Moving House

Well, really, we're moving from Blogger to Wordpress.com.

Yep, we are taking the plunge.

I'm scared.

It's scary moving, but I think it will help in the long run.

I will keep our blogspot up and running for the next week or so in case you forget (also as a way to hedge my bets because moving is HARD :)

Hopefully the move will make our blog faster so it will be more convenient for you & me.

Our new address is: http://inperspire.wordpress.com/ .

The new blog is not complete yet - what or who is - but I hope to have our mascot of the month and all the important things, e.g., gold stars of the month up and running by the end of the day. 

Please let me know if you have any difficulties.  I can always change back.

As a person who avoids change it is a relief to know I can "change back".

I am, however, optimistic that this will be a good move.

All that being said...whew!

Hope you have a great Sunday! 

 It's Zumba day today!  Yay!

This is where I tell myself, take a deep breath everything will be okay.

Lotsa,

Day 111 of OUR 365 Day Odyssey

Hey, look what I got!

No, not a new pair of shoes, but a Stiletto Award!

I am so excited...and I just can't hide it...I'm about to lose control

and I think I like it (okay, enough of the Pointer Sisters)!

This is my first award and it was given to me by

Cynthia O'H from Balls in in Air.

Cynthia received the award and then passed it on to five bloggers who motivate her.

The thing that I love most about blogging is how all of us lead very busy lives and yet we manage to find time to exercise (even if we aren't always consistent, we know what we need to do) and to give each other motivation by writing our "stories" in our blogs and comments. 

Thanks, Cynthia O'H, for such a kind and motivational gesture.

Now I get to pass the award on to five bloggers who inspire and motivate me...this is SO much fun!

The Stiletto Award goes to (in no particular order):

Fashion Meets Food

Girl Get Strong (Sian)

I Run Because I Can

And Her Little Dog Too

Truth2Being Fit

I have learned so much from these "girls" and they definitely deserve an award.

Have a Super Saturday!

Happy Sweating :)

Day 110 of OUR 365 Day Odyssey

It's Friday!

Time to get our booty in shape for the weekend!

I thought you might like this video, especially when they get to squeezing right then left.

Try it in your chair at work, in the car, when you are standing, wherever.

I am going to try it all day long today.  I need a little lift in my life :)

Have a Fabulous Friday...tight tushes to all!

Day 109 of OUR 365 Day Odyssey

Diane Murphey - Lose A Ton Challenge - The Final 3! 

 Diane's hardwork and dedication has paid off.  She made it to the Final 3 in St. Louis' Lose A Ton Challenge.  At her weigh-in this week she totally rocked the scale.  At the last weigh-in she was 192 lbs - this week 186 lbs!  She lost a total of 3.12% of her body weight.  Can you say proud - yes we are.  I am also in awe because Diane has made big changes in the midst of living a busy life, working long hours, and working late a night.  I think you said it best, Diane, and I believe this may be your new mantra:

Bring It On!

Here is a video of yesterday's weigh-in  Booyah!

Lose A Ton Challenge

Day 108 of OUR 365 Day Odyssey

It's Wednesday, also known in my house as the day after the Biggest Loser day.  Love that show.  My favorite quote from last night's episode was:

"Our contestants have to leave their unhealthy pasts behind."

I think it was Bob who said this when talking about what the contestants needed to do in order to move forward in and toward their new lives.  I especially liked this quote because it brought up the PAST (the archaeologist in me loves the past) and it reminded me of a quote I use in archaeology class:

"The Past is Never Dead.  It's Not Even Past."  ~William Faulkner

Yes, Bob is right, we must leave our unhealthy habits and ways of thinking behind in order to move forward.  However, while we may be able to put the past behind us, we must also remember that our pasts will always be with us - the past is never dead - it's not even past.  No matter where we are or what we do or how much weight we lose our pasts remain with us.  They are a part of us.  To forget our pasts is to make possible the same mistakes.  This doesn't mean we can't rise above our pasts - all of you are a testament to rising above past habits and past thoughts - rather than forget - we must let our pasts be the motivation for our future.

P.S.  The pioneer women in the picture seem so different from us but their struggles are a part of who we have become (with the exception of Jimmy and Greg, our two male contributors - heehee).

Day 107 of OUR 365 Day Odyssey

'Nuff Said.

Happy Tuesday.  Workout Hard.  Be Fierce.  Believe.

Day 106 of OUR 365 Day Odyssey

Today's post begins with a riddle.

How do you eat an elephant?

Answer:  One Bite At A Time.

You Must Eat An Elephant One Bite At A Time. ~Twi proverb

The meaning behind this proverb is a powerful one.  A big goal can be reached through a series of small "bites".  It's like Haba na Haba Hujaza Kibaba (little by little fills the cup).  When the distance between where I am now and where I want to be gets a bit overwhelming, I just say to myself, little by little fills the cup...or...one bite at a time.  Reminding myself that it's the little steps that will take me there - really helps put whatever I am doing at that moment (struggling on the treadmill, trying to run an entire 5k, trying to run up a big hill, or getting through a weight workout) into perspective. 

Many of us have set some lofty and wonderful goals for oursevles: eating healthier, working out more, working out more consistently, incorporating weights, running, running faster, running longer, running a 5k, losing weight, toning up...our list is long and honorable :)  In the midst of all this goal setting and pushing through, it is easy to lose track of the beauty and wonder of the small goals we reach in our climb to the top.  You may not have reached your goal yet, you may still have a way to go, but don't forget to enjoy the trip.

Happy Monday!  Happy Sweating!

Day 105 of OUR 365 Day Odyssey

And on Day 105 he built...

It feels good to make or create things with your own hands - as you can tell from the picture of Greg here.  We are getting ready for the IDEA Conference in Chicago (4/22-25) and Greg built a display for our towels to hang off the backdrop behind our booth.  Greg, you get three thousand thumbs!

Does this really work?  It does!  Yay!

 

IDEA has a 28-year long history of providing fitness education and bringing the newest fitness programs and trends to all of us through fitness conventions and events.  We are excited to be exhibiting at this year's IDEA Conference. 

Okay, I'm off to ZUMBA.  Have a fabulously fit and fun-filled day.  And, while you're at, why don't you make something :)

Day 104 of OUR 365 Day Odyssey

Today is a day for boot camp and crochet!  It's gonna' be a lovely day.  If you missed the post last week about Handmade Especially For You, an organization dedicated to making scarves for women in need, you can check it out here.  If you like to crochet or knit, and have the time to help make scarves, you are welcome to join us.  There is no rush in making the scarves, whenever we get 10 or 20 done I will send them to Handmade.  I started to crochet my first scarf last week, but unfortunately I did not put my work away when I finished and my kittens had their way with my yarn.  Sad, but not to worry.  I will start again today!  Carolyn D said she has about 3-4 scarves started.  She's fast!


The cartoon is from Natalie Dee.  I added the crochet:  http://www.nataliedee.com/

In case you didn't catch yesterday's post I mentioned that we had a new mascot for the month of April.  Leslie of And Her Little Dog Too fame did a photo shoot with an Inperspire towel and her dog Jackson.  Here is the official mascot picture.

This should definitely make the cover of Vogue!  Thanks Jackson and Leslie.

Day 103 of OUR 365 Day Odyssey

Are You a Tortoise or a Hare?

Do you run like the wind or is your pace more like a tortoise where you can record every detail from the things you pass along the way?  I fit the latter category, although Jimmy claims that I am getting "faster".  We have some really great runners in this group.  Many of you post impressive times for your races and paces.  I am always amazed!  I am getting stronger, but running is still a struggle for me.  I often feel like the tortoise.  I know I will finish, the question is how long is it going to take me.  I have always wondered why I don't run that fast.  Certainly, my short legs have something to do with not being able to run at Jimmy's pace, but is it something more? You see, I have this pace, this speed at which I feel comfortable.  When I hit this pace I just feel good, James Brown good, but if I speed up a little bit or slow it down a bit things feel off kilter.  Do you know what I mean?  Even the fastest among us probably have their "personal favorite pace".  Well, I might have an explanation...some of you know I am an archaeologist.  I study hunter-gatherers.  I came across this article while doing some research and it offers a possible explanation:

Optimal Running Speed Associated With Evolution Of Early Human Hunting Strategies

ScienceDaily (2009-03-30) -- Runners, listen up: If your body is telling you that your pace feels a little too fast or a little too slow, it may be right. A new study shows that the efficiency of human running varies with speed and that each individual has an optimal pace at which he or she can cover the greatest distance with the least effort. Such efficient locomotion probably provided our ancestors with an advantage for hunting and gathering food. ... > read full article

Anyway, it's something to think about on a TGIF kind of day :)

More Fun Friday News

Look what Leslie at And Her Little Dog Too has cooked up...an Inperspire Giveaway Contest!  Her blog is just too awesome and Jackson modeling the towels...priceless.  We were thinking of having our friend Happy Bob as Inperspire's Official Mascot of the month, because he is running his first marathon (St. Louis Marathon) this Sunday, but I think Jackson may have won the title this month.  What do you think?

By the way, Bob,  Big G little o - Go! Go!  We are behind you all the way :)

Day 102 of OUR 365 Day Odyssey

Here's a shout out to the weightlifters!  Our second towel of the month, To Be Is To Lift - To Lift Is To Be - encourages you to think deeply and do more than just exist in the gym - Be! 

Now, time for a story.

Once upon a time, long, long ago, in a far away land, I was a weight trainer (that's what we called them back in the day, now we refer to them as personal trainers) and was I ever in good shape!  Through the years I lost my love for the weights, but this story has a happy ending, I am ready to begin again.  I know from personal experience that lifting weights, combined with cardio, will get me where I want to go.  I am ready to take the plunge and I will report on my efforts.

And, she lived happily ever after - that is the ending I am hoping for :) 

Have a fairy tale Thursday!

Day 101 of OUR 365 Day Odyssey

It was Biggest Loser night last night.  As always, I watch because seeing the struggles and triumphs of these brave people gives me hope that people can and do make big changes in their lives.  I always hear or see something on the show that motivates me to be a better and healthier person.  As I do each Tuesday, I wrote down my favorite quotes from the show.  My favorite quote from last night:

I didn't just make that 2% (weight) loss, I smashed it! ~Sam

You know, I could use this kind of ATTITUDE in my approach to fitness.  I know what I want, but I do not always go out and really go after it!  What's keeping me from smashing it?  It may be my own fear about what I am really capable of...hmmm...I may need a visit from Jillian :)  What I do know is that Sam's quote made me realize that I need to pick up my intensity.  I need to see it, eat it, breathe it, focus on it, AND smash it.  What about you?  Did you smash that goal you set for yourself last week?  What about this week?  Do you need to pick up your intensity - or - do you need me to call Jillian for you?

Day 100 of OUR 365 Day Odyssey

Happy 100 Days of living the good life! It's been 100 days since we began our Odyssey. Some of you joined us that week, others have joined along the way. We came together at different times and from different places, but now we are all in this together, with one overarching goal in mind: Living the Good Life, which for us means eating well, working out regularly, making good choices about sleep, taking care of ourselves, and knowing that we are worth it. We are worth every single drop of sweat. That's just nice to think about and I think Homer would be proud of us, although, I don't think he would appreciate the addition of the cupcake to Odysseus' ship (heehee).

All for one and one for all!
Happy Tuesday. Happy Biggest Loser Day. Happy Life!

Day 99 of OUR 365 Day Odyssey

It's the beginning of the week.

It's the beginning of the month.

It's a new day.

Put your sunglasses on.

It's time to let your light shine!

Let it Shine is one of our towels of the month for April.  This week, when you are on the treadmill, out for a run, running stairs, jumping rope, on the stairmill...sing it, say it, or think it to yourself, "this little light of mine, I'm gonna' let it shine" and then do it! 

Have a great Monday!  Let it Shine!

P.S.  Tune in tomorrow or Wednesday (I haven't decided yet) for the towel we chose as our second towel of the month.  I almost forgot to tell you what being the towel of the month means - we select a towel that we think represents the month or our goals for the month and then we offer it for $8.

Day 98 of OUR 365 Day Odyssey

Happy Easter!  I am off to Zumba this morning.

I am working out this morning with this is mind - I love chocolate bunnies :)

Truth to Being Fit has a great post today about the benefits of chocolate. 

If you are going to indulge your love of all that is chocolate

read Jody's blog - it will make you feel better.

Remember moderation is key to everything.

Day 97 of OUR 365 Day Odyssey

Happy Saturday!  I have a mish mash (whatever that means) of things to post about today so here goes.

"Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." ~Pablo Picasso.  It's National Poetry Month!  Release your inner artist.  Draw, color, take a picture, write a poem.  Give the left side of your brain a rest today.  It's healthy for mind and soul.

Workout Mommy was featured as one of the best blog's on the web by Shape Magazine.  Check out Lisa's review of our towels and her great blog!  Thanks, Lisa!

Leslie of And Her Little Dog Too fame :) is now carrying Inperspire Towels in her OpenSky Shop.  Thanks, Leslie!

Day 96 of OUR 365 Day Odyssey

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes - can you feel the changes you have been making in your lives?  From reading your posts it seems like we are all experiencing changes as a result of living healthier lives. Some are seeing changes on the scale, some are running faster, or running longer, or just running.  Some are getting stronger and eating better.  Let's celebrate the changes.  Take time today to think about what has changed for you - it may be as simple as being just a little happier and more satisfied each day.  Happy "Changes" Friday!

Day 96 of OUR 365 Day Odyssey

And the Winner is...

Well, actually, we have several winners.  When you look at the calendar, at all the gold stars we earned this month, you will see that we just rocked March!  So we chose three Gold Star Winners this month - why not spread the love around?

Diane - Girl, you worked out every day of the month, you lost a ton (reference to the Lose a Ton Challenge) this month, and you are down to the final four!  You have won this award before and we are proud to crown you as a winner again.  Choose another towel for yourself - whatever your heart desires - or choose a friend to send one to - it's your choice :)

Cynthia - You ran 30k at one time.  That is by far the longest distance any of us have walked/run at one time and that deserves an Inperspire towel.  I am so impressed!  We are happy you joined us :)

Smith - Your workout sandwiches and your determination to do what it takes no matter how long you are at work or what shift you work are inspiring and you deserve a towel!  Your towel will probably inspire you to make even better workout sandwiches! We love reading your posts :)

Dana - You started a new job and we know the transition has not been easy - so you deserve a towel - so go upstairs and pick whatever one you want!  Heehee!  April Fools :)

Winners (well, we are all winners)...Winners of the Gold Star Contest, just send Jimmy an email: jimmyspin.314 at gmail.com and tell him which towel you would like and your address.  We truly hope your towels inspire you on to even greater fitness heights.

And, finally, here is our (Jimmy and Karma's) calendar for March.  It looks pretty good with the exception of the week of the 21st, which got a little shakey, but we have recovered and finished strong.  Thanks to all of you - we read your posts and draw inspiration from you.  Keep it up!