Yes, that's right folks, I'm selling my body for charity. Obviously, not in the "traditional" sense (please, I'd make about a quarter if I was). But I am willing to "sell" you a body part the day of the marathon, on which I will write whatever* you wish.
Note my little asterisk? Here's the rules:
1. This offer is valid on new donations only. The point is to raise MORE money. Sorry, those who have already donated. I still love you-and appreciate the money you have already given me.
2. It has to be concise. Yeah, I've got some surface area on this body, but I'm not looking to write the Declaration of Independence or the lyrics to "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" on my thigh.
3. Keep it rated G to PG. And nothing mean, derogatory, etc. Its not sportmans-like. And it's just not nice. But I doubt I'm friends with you if you are mean anyway.
4. I will not write anything about a sports team UNLESS the team is Boston based-and POSITIVE things ONLY. Come on people, I'm going to have enough trouble running this thing, I don't need to run with a black eye for writing "Yankees Rule, Red Sox Suck" on my upper arm.
That's it, not too hard. Anyone who is interested, my body is for sale for a minimum donation of $26.20 (or MORE obviously)
You want to advertise your company? Use my calf.
You want to ask your girlfriend to marry you? I've got a nice shin at your disposal.
Do you need a more "lucrative" body part? Oh yeah, let's negotiate....
Monday, April 5, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Positive Accountability
I help to run a weight management class at UNH through the Center for Health Enhancement. My role is more of overseeing students, but also to impart them with the counseling experience that I have gained through the years.
One of the topics I plan to discuss, with not only the students but with the clients of CHE, is what I am calling "Positive Accountability".
This concept is not new, but I thought that by putting it into my blog, it would give me a chance to not only practice what points I would like to make to the students, but also give others the benefit of this concept.
When we decide to change something about ourselves-whether its to lose weight, begin to eat better, or to exercise, the first rule is that to be successful, we need to make the changes in our lives for us, NOT because someone else thinks we should-whether it be a spouse, loved one, or even our physicians. We need to decide to make the change for us.
That being said, some people need more than just internal motivation to get to the gym or to cut back on sweets. Some of us thrive on being held accountable to others. In my opinion, there are two types of accountability. First, there is negative accountability. This is when the people around us, in order to "support" our efforts, decide it is their role to police our behaviors. Its the spouse that thinks saying "should you be eating that?" is a way of being helpful. This negative accountability is not something that is helpful. It makes us feel bad about ourselves and our action, and potentially can cause us to fail at our efforts.
Positive accountability is when we are accountable to others, no matter if we succeed or fail. Its being able to share our successes with others and receive praise AND being able to share our failure and have positive encouragement not to give up.
For those of us that need this positive accountability, how can we achieve this? First, many of us do these things already, but don't realize it. Social media is a great way to start. If you are on Facebook or Twitter, start by telling people what you are doing. If you are trying to get on a workout regimen, tell people this. Post when you do finish a workout and feel great-but also post when you don't want to go. You may not have the internal motivation to get to the gym, but the encouragement of other may be the push that you need. It makes you feel accountable to others, as though others are "counting" on you to meet your goals!
Another thought is to sign up for an event, such as a bike race or a 5K. Not only are you accountable to other (by telling them you are going to do this), you are also adding an element of fiscal responsibility. Money can rank up there as a high motivator.
Another way is through the use of a blog. My sister-in-law, Erin, has been so successful at not only losing weight and exercising but blog writing as well!
(www.cormarama-is-losing-it-too.blogspot.com) When I asked her if she felt her blog was integral to her weight loss , she felt it was a huge part of her success. Not only is it a way for her to be accountable to others, its also a way for friends, family and loved ones to be up-to-date on the happening in her life. She is someone who needs the positive encouragement and reinforcement to be successful-and it has worked!
I know this accountability is not for everyone, and I respect that. And I know that some people feel the use of twitter, facebook and blogs has turned us into a society of self-absorbed, egomaniacs. These are the people who cannot relate to the positive accountability concept. And most of us don't need their "support" anyway!
So go ahead-tell everyone you know what positive changes you are trying to make in your life-you'll be surprised at the positive encouragement you will receive!
One of the topics I plan to discuss, with not only the students but with the clients of CHE, is what I am calling "Positive Accountability".
This concept is not new, but I thought that by putting it into my blog, it would give me a chance to not only practice what points I would like to make to the students, but also give others the benefit of this concept.
When we decide to change something about ourselves-whether its to lose weight, begin to eat better, or to exercise, the first rule is that to be successful, we need to make the changes in our lives for us, NOT because someone else thinks we should-whether it be a spouse, loved one, or even our physicians. We need to decide to make the change for us.
That being said, some people need more than just internal motivation to get to the gym or to cut back on sweets. Some of us thrive on being held accountable to others. In my opinion, there are two types of accountability. First, there is negative accountability. This is when the people around us, in order to "support" our efforts, decide it is their role to police our behaviors. Its the spouse that thinks saying "should you be eating that?" is a way of being helpful. This negative accountability is not something that is helpful. It makes us feel bad about ourselves and our action, and potentially can cause us to fail at our efforts.
Positive accountability is when we are accountable to others, no matter if we succeed or fail. Its being able to share our successes with others and receive praise AND being able to share our failure and have positive encouragement not to give up.
For those of us that need this positive accountability, how can we achieve this? First, many of us do these things already, but don't realize it. Social media is a great way to start. If you are on Facebook or Twitter, start by telling people what you are doing. If you are trying to get on a workout regimen, tell people this. Post when you do finish a workout and feel great-but also post when you don't want to go. You may not have the internal motivation to get to the gym, but the encouragement of other may be the push that you need. It makes you feel accountable to others, as though others are "counting" on you to meet your goals!
Another thought is to sign up for an event, such as a bike race or a 5K. Not only are you accountable to other (by telling them you are going to do this), you are also adding an element of fiscal responsibility. Money can rank up there as a high motivator.
Another way is through the use of a blog. My sister-in-law, Erin, has been so successful at not only losing weight and exercising but blog writing as well!
(www.cormarama-is-losing-it-too.blogspot.com) When I asked her if she felt her blog was integral to her weight loss , she felt it was a huge part of her success. Not only is it a way for her to be accountable to others, its also a way for friends, family and loved ones to be up-to-date on the happening in her life. She is someone who needs the positive encouragement and reinforcement to be successful-and it has worked!
I know this accountability is not for everyone, and I respect that. And I know that some people feel the use of twitter, facebook and blogs has turned us into a society of self-absorbed, egomaniacs. These are the people who cannot relate to the positive accountability concept. And most of us don't need their "support" anyway!
So go ahead-tell everyone you know what positive changes you are trying to make in your life-you'll be surprised at the positive encouragement you will receive!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Uno's Fundraiser-Feb 18th
I am attempting another fundraiser at the Dover, NH Uno's on Feb 18th. 20% of all purchases made will go to my fundraising efforts-however, you MUST bring this beautiful flyer with you!!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Flatbread Company Fundraiser
I am not lucky. My sister is, though. She's the kind of person who finds $20 in her old coats. I am the one who loses $20 because I have a hole in my old coat. But this time, I was lucky.
Starting to get a bit more panicky about my fundraising, I decided to get my butt in gear. (or as I have been known to say, "get on the mother.") I went to Margaritas to discuss having one of their "Blue Moon Madness" fundraising events, but I guess I needed to be a visionary and booked this ahead of time, as they are booking well into 2012.
I know the Flatbread Company (which I think everyone calls Flatbread Pizza, even though it isn't really the name) holds benefit nights, as the New Hampshire Dietetic Association holds one yearly. I decide to call.
Once the perky young lass answers the phone, I explain my situation and seem already apologetic by saying to her, "and I'm sure you are probably already booked up."
"Well, today is your lucky day! Jan 19th we happen to have an opening as someone backed out." (mind you, I am thinking, "Who backs out of a fundraiser?!?")
"SOLD! I will take it!!!"
Miracles do happen. Of course, so do fires. I did find out today that there was a fire in the building on Saturday. According to the paper, they are to re-open this week. Let's hope my lucky streak continues.
As it stands, you should get your pizza loving family to Flatbread Company in Portsmouth on Jan 19th between 5 and 9pm and order pizza (take out counts!) No flyer needed, just come with your family and friends and have a good time. I'm going to be scrambling this week to get items to raffle to try to raise some more money as well. If you have anything to raffle-whether its an item or a service-please let me know!!
As always, I thank you!
Starting to get a bit more panicky about my fundraising, I decided to get my butt in gear. (or as I have been known to say, "get on the mother.") I went to Margaritas to discuss having one of their "Blue Moon Madness" fundraising events, but I guess I needed to be a visionary and booked this ahead of time, as they are booking well into 2012.
I know the Flatbread Company (which I think everyone calls Flatbread Pizza, even though it isn't really the name) holds benefit nights, as the New Hampshire Dietetic Association holds one yearly. I decide to call.
Once the perky young lass answers the phone, I explain my situation and seem already apologetic by saying to her, "and I'm sure you are probably already booked up."
"Well, today is your lucky day! Jan 19th we happen to have an opening as someone backed out." (mind you, I am thinking, "Who backs out of a fundraiser?!?")
"SOLD! I will take it!!!"
Miracles do happen. Of course, so do fires. I did find out today that there was a fire in the building on Saturday. According to the paper, they are to re-open this week. Let's hope my lucky streak continues.
As it stands, you should get your pizza loving family to Flatbread Company in Portsmouth on Jan 19th between 5 and 9pm and order pizza (take out counts!) No flyer needed, just come with your family and friends and have a good time. I'm going to be scrambling this week to get items to raffle to try to raise some more money as well. If you have anything to raffle-whether its an item or a service-please let me know!!
As always, I thank you!
Status Update
Let's see, now where were we?
Ability to stay on top of updating my blog: Very Bad
Ability to stay on top of the ever growing pile of laundry: Terrible
Ability to stick to my Boston Marathon training program: Excellent
At least I can do something right. And laundry gets done when I've exhausted my supply of sports bras. However, I have also been known to just go and buy more, because its easier.
Boy, lots has happened since my last post. I am officially running the Boston Marathon as part of the GoKids Boston group-aptly titled-the Motley Crew. I just finished week 6 of my 20 week training period and I haven't missed a run yet. I've also taken it up a notch, really adding hills into my training because I dont want to look like an asshat in Boston. I've named myself Hills Hetrick, in a poor, poor attempt to motivate myself to include hills in most workouts. So far, so good. I think this extra kick in the pants is what lead me to finishing a 10K that I ran on Jan 1st in 58 minutes, the first time I've ever cracked a hour.
I've been to 2 GoKids meeting so far and they have been great. Too bad my sense of direction isn't, causing me to be a half hour late to the first meeting. The first one focused on fundraising and this last one focused on injury prevention. I don't stretch, its a well known fact. But this meeting did sway me into buying a foam roller to help with injury prevention-almost like a self massage (dont be gross, get your head out of the gutter). My sciatica is thanking me for this purchase.
One of the most stress-inducing part of this process hasn't been the training. It has been the fundraising. I sent out a "hey I'm running the Boston Marathon, please oh please send me money" letter with my Christmas cards, and I was completely overwhelmed by the response. I raised over $1000 alone from just this (I have awesome friends and family). Ok, still have $2500 to go. I've got some ideas, but if anyone who reads this is a man (or woman) with a plan, I am all ears.
Other than that its sleep, eat, run, beg for money, repeat.
Ability to stay on top of updating my blog: Very Bad
Ability to stay on top of the ever growing pile of laundry: Terrible
Ability to stick to my Boston Marathon training program: Excellent
At least I can do something right. And laundry gets done when I've exhausted my supply of sports bras. However, I have also been known to just go and buy more, because its easier.
Boy, lots has happened since my last post. I am officially running the Boston Marathon as part of the GoKids Boston group-aptly titled-the Motley Crew. I just finished week 6 of my 20 week training period and I haven't missed a run yet. I've also taken it up a notch, really adding hills into my training because I dont want to look like an asshat in Boston. I've named myself Hills Hetrick, in a poor, poor attempt to motivate myself to include hills in most workouts. So far, so good. I think this extra kick in the pants is what lead me to finishing a 10K that I ran on Jan 1st in 58 minutes, the first time I've ever cracked a hour.
I've been to 2 GoKids meeting so far and they have been great. Too bad my sense of direction isn't, causing me to be a half hour late to the first meeting. The first one focused on fundraising and this last one focused on injury prevention. I don't stretch, its a well known fact. But this meeting did sway me into buying a foam roller to help with injury prevention-almost like a self massage (dont be gross, get your head out of the gutter). My sciatica is thanking me for this purchase.
One of the most stress-inducing part of this process hasn't been the training. It has been the fundraising. I sent out a "hey I'm running the Boston Marathon, please oh please send me money" letter with my Christmas cards, and I was completely overwhelmed by the response. I raised over $1000 alone from just this (I have awesome friends and family). Ok, still have $2500 to go. I've got some ideas, but if anyone who reads this is a man (or woman) with a plan, I am all ears.
Other than that its sleep, eat, run, beg for money, repeat.
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