2012 – Challenging Myself: I have lost 49lbs (54% of my goal to lose 90lbs)

Last week was a good bounce back.  Lost 3lbs!  Started running this weekend, mixed with walking.  Lots of training to do to be ready for the LIVESTRONG Challenge Philly and NJ MUD RUN.

Category	Numbers
Weight Loss GOAL	90	Weigh In
Starting   Weight		340
Week #1   Weight Loss	11	329
Week #2   Weight Loss	6	323
Week #3   Weight Loss	3	320
Week #4   Weight Loss	4	316
Week #5   Weight Loss	2	314
Week #6   Weight Loss	2	312
Week #7   Weight Loss	2	310
Week #8   Weight Loss	1	309
Week #9   Weight Loss	2	307
Week #10 Weight Loss	3	304
Week #11 Weight Loss	2	302
Week #12 Weght Loss	2	300
Week #13 Weight Loss	2	298
Week #14 Weight Loss	1	297
Week #15 Weight Loss	2	295
Week #16 Weight Loss	1	294
Week #17 Weight Loss	0	294
Week #18 Weight Loss	3	291
Total Weight Loss	49
Weight Loss % of GOAL	54.44%
Current   Weight	291
Weight % Loss of Starting Weight	14.41%

Bill Bottino Mud Run against Cancer – September 15

There is a great event in South New Jersey (Vineland) in September that I wanted to share with you.  I understand if you are not interested or have prior obligation, but I just wanted to share and let you know I think it would be a great time and great fun.  There is no obligations, just wanted to share it.  I am signed up already.  The following a a good summary of how to register and what to expect – it will be FUN.

We are looking for people who like to get dirty and want to take action against cancer. Join our team “Jersey LIVESTRONG Mudders” for the Bill Bottino Mud Run on September 15, 2012 for 4 miles of muddy, mucky, obstacle challenges and most of all, fun! …Let’s Kick Cancer in the Mud! 

To register go to http://www.njmudrun.com and click register.  Then select to register for active.com and then select Individual / Team Member.  Select the registeration type which is MUD RUN.  When it says select team remember to select Jersey LIVESTRONG Mudders.  It is $49 to register!

The Mud Run for Cancer Starts with a Mud Crawling, Perseverance Requiring, Multiple Skill Obstacle Course That Will Reward You With A Sense Of Accomplishment and An Extremely Good Time!

Where:
New Jersey Motorsports Park:
8000 Dividing Creek Rd.
Millville, New Jersey 08332

Course Feature 4 Miles of:
•         Multiple Insane Mud Pits!
•         Steep, Slick, Hill Climbs
•         Bold Obstacles That Will Test All Your Abilities
•         Challenges Requiring Cooperation with Your Fellow Mudders
•         Water, and Other Types, of Crossings
•         A Well Organized Course with Minimal Lines
•         Easy Lanes and “Prove Yourself” Lanes (Where Appropriate)
•         Our Final, Signature, Main-Stage, Crowd Screaming, Finale 

Your Mud Run Ticket also earns you:
•         A Rousing Party Featuring The Most Mouth-Watering BBQ You Ever Tasted
•         Superb Live Music
•         The Opportunity to Earn Awards for:
•         Best Fundraising Individual/Team
•         Best Costumed Team
•         Most Represented Team
•         Our Awesome Event T-Shirt
•         The Ability to Honor Cancer Survivors Through Our Moving Candle-Light Walk 

This Ticket is Appropriate For:
•         Teams of Any Size Who Are In It To Have Fun – Not To Compete
•         Individual Mud Runners 

Rules:
•         All instructions given by the race director must be followed.
•         Good sportsmanship must be maintained at all times.
•         It is NOT necessary for a team to finish together – but it is encouraged
•         The race director may modify the course for the safety of the participants.
•         It is NOT necessary to complete all the obstacles. 

Be Sure to Bring:
•         Your ID
•         Your Costume!
•         Sturdy Shoes
•         Clothes That Can Get Dirty
•         Your Own Towel…And A Change of Clothes
•         Your Appetite!
•         A Sense of Adventure and a Team Focused Attitude!

Need more info? Message me on facebook me.  This is on my list of events to do in 2012 while I work to get my fat butt into shape. I would be honored to have you join our team.  

Come on let’s do this!  Let’s get a bunch of folks together and foster some good old fashion team work and play in the MUD   If you decide to join please share with family and friends.

Regards,

Brian

Event: Sunday July 29 5:05PM LIVESTRONG Theme Night with the Lakewood BlueClaws

Facebook Event Page:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/212169048893194/

WHO:  The Lakewood BlueClaws and Jersey Shore Area for LIVESTRONG  

WHEN: Sunday, July 29 2012 at 5:05PM

WHERE: First Energy Park – Lakewood, NJ

TICKET PRICE:  $10 each ($3 of this price goes directly to LIVESTRONG)

WHAT: LIVESTRONG Theme Night – WEAR-YELLOW TO THE GAME – Let’s create a sea of YELLOW to support LIVESTRONG and CHEER on the Lakewood BlueClaws vs. West Virginia Power.

–>THE FIRST 750 PEOPLE IN THE GATES GET A FREE LIVESTRONG WRISTBAND

–>Jersey Shore Area for LIVESTRONG will have an informational and awareness table in the concourse and we will have numerous volunteers through the concourse to help any any questions you might have about LIVESTRONG.

–>  The following is brought to you by the Lakewood BlueClaws and their partners.

1.) Sundays are Kids Character Sundays, thanks to Monmouth Park. We’ll bring out a special children’s character to the game for pictures on the concourse.

2.) Kids Eat Free on Sundays, thanks to ShopRite. Like Monday, children will receive a voucher for a hot dog, bag of chips, and a soda upon entering the gates.

3.) After the game, Kids Run the Bases, thanks to TD Bank. We invite all the children onto the field after the game to run the bases the BlueClaws players ran just minutes before.

CONTACT BRIAN DOWD to PURCHASE TICKETS or QUESTIONS:  Any questions about this event please message Brian P. Dowd (732)773-8272 via email jerseyshorearea4livestrong@comcast.net  or via Facebook.

Thank you and LIVESTRONG!

2012 LIVESTRONG Assembly Summary & New Projects

As most of you already know or have seen the pictures on my facebook page I recently represented the great state of New Jersey and Region 1 (NJ, CT & RI) as a Senior LIVESTRONG Leader at the annual LIVESTRONG Assembly in Austin, Texas. 

The 200 LIVESTRONG Leaders from 26 countries are highly engaged constituents identified by the Lance Armstrong Foundation to be representatives within their communities, where they support and promote the Foundation’s mission to serve people affected by cancer and empower communities to take action against the world’s leading cause of death. 

During the Assembly, we were trained and educated on the goals and priorities of the Foundation and learned our role in supporting the organization’s mission here at home. We were also able to meet and share best practices with other LIVESTRONG partners who run programs in cities across the nation and around the world. 

I was given the opportunity to sit on a panel and discuss how I work with our community organizations and hospitals to ensure they have the material and information about LIVESTRONG free One-on-One support, Navigation services and programs.  It was a great experience to share my successes and challenges over the years and I received great feedback afterwards.  It is a great feeling knowing you were able to help others.

Upon returning home, I have recently joined the New Jersey DHSS – Office of Cancer Control and Prevention work group on Advocacy and participated in my first meeting with them this week.  Focus of this group is Advocating in NJ for specific bills, awareness, etc.  I can see there will be a lot to learn and a lot I can offer.

I have also started to work with Camp Kesem UPENN.  Camp Kesem UPENN is a student-run summer camp for children who have or had a parent with cancer and they are a LIVESTRONG Partner Program.  I will be assisting them with raising awareness about the camp, fundraising and visiting the camp in August.  I am also in discussions about joining the Camp Kesem UPENN Advisory Board.

On the awareness front I am working with the Lakewood BlueClaws to hold a LIVESTRONG Theme night in late July.  I met with their Director of Special Events this week and we all agree we can do a theme night.  Now we need to select a date and do the planning.  This gives us an opportunity to reach between 7000-8000 people and let them know about LIVESTRONG and their free services.

In the area of fundraising I focus my effort on my participation in the LIVESTRONG Challenge Philly August 18-19.  Currently I have raised over $2,600 and my goal it to raise $10,000.  I formed a team called Jersey Shore Area for LIVESTRONG and I am working with other NJ LIVESTRONG Leaders to try and raise $20,000.

All of us in attendance made new connections that we will build up over the next few weeks and months to help make a difference in our communities.  I plan to continue to advocate and fundraise on behalf of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, as well as educate the residents of New Jersey about the Foundation’s many free resources and programs that help improve the lives of people affected by cancer. 

LIVESTRONG! 

Websites:

LIVESTRONG:  http://www.livestrong.org

Jersey Shore Area for LIVESTRONG: http://jerseyshorearea4livestrong.wordpress.com/fundraising/

New Jersey DHSS – Office of Cancer Control and Prevention:  http://www.nj.gov/health/ccp/

Camp Kesem UPENN:  http://www.campkesem.org/upenn

Lakewood BlueClaws: http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t427

2012 – Challenging Myself: I have lost 45lbs (50% of my goal to lose 90lbs)

Big milestone!  I have reached 50% of my goal.  No time to stop and celebrate as I still have a long road, but to date this has been a great experience.

Category	Numbers
Weight Loss GOAL	90	Weigh In
Starting   Weight	0	340
Week #1   Weight Loss	11	329
Week #2   Weight Loss	6	323
Week #3   Weight Loss	3	320
Week #4   Weight Loss	4	316
Week #5   Weight Loss	2	314
Week #6   Weight Loss	2	312
Week #7   Weight Loss	2	310
Week #8   Weight Loss	1	309
Week #9   Weight Loss	2	307
Week #10 Weight Loss	3	304
Week #11 Weight Loss	2	302
Week #12 Weght Loss	2	300
Week #13 Weight Loss	2	298
Week #14 Weight Loss	1	297
Week #15 Weight Loss	2	295
Total Weight Loss	45
Weight Loss % of GOAL	50.00%
Current   Weight	295
Weight % Loss of Starting Weight	13.24%

2012 – Challenging Myself: I have lost 43lbs (47.7% of my goal to lose 90lbs)

A little late with updating my progress.  Last week was a slow week, but I still lost 1lb.  Hoping for a better report this coming Sunday.  Enjoying the ride!

Category	Numbers
Weight Loss GOAL	90	Weigh In
Starting   Weight	0	340
Week #1   Weight Loss	11	329
Week #2   Weight Loss	6	323
Week #3   Weight Loss	3	320
Week #4   Weight Loss	4	316
Week #5   Weight Loss	2	314
Week #6   Weight Loss	2	312
Week #7   Weight Loss	2	310
Week #8   Weight Loss	1	309
Week #9   Weight Loss	2	307
Week #10 Weight Loss	3	304
Week #11 Weight Loss	2	302
Week #12 Weght Loss	2	300
Week #13 Weight Loss	2	298
Week #14 Weight Loss	1	297
Total Weight Loss	43
Weight Loss % of GOAL	47.78%
Current   Weight	297
Weight % Loss of Starting Weight	12.65%

2012 – Challenging Myself: I have lost 42lbs (46.6% of my goal to lose 90lbs)

After a great week in Austin at the LIVESTRONG Assembly I was able to lose 2 more pounds and that is after many beers.  I was able to mix in 4 days of exercise (2 days of 5-6 mile walks) which really helped.  Overall I am glad to be home and still on course.  I am getting close to hitting the half way point of my goal to lose 90 lbs.  Getting exciting!

Category	Numbers
Weight Loss GOAL	90	Weigh In
Starting   Weight	0	340
Week #1   Weight Loss	11	329
Week #2   Weight Loss	6	323
Week #3   Weight Loss	3	320
Week #4   Weight Loss	4	316
Week #5   Weight Loss	2	314
Week #6   Weight Loss	2	312
Week #7   Weight Loss	2	310
Week #8   Weight Loss	1	309
Week #9   Weight Loss	2	307
Week #10 Weight Loss	3	304
Week #11 Weight Loss	2	302
Week #12 Weght Loss	2	300
Week #13 Weight Loss	2	298
Total Weight Loss	42
Weight Loss % of GOAL	46.67%
Current   Weight	298
Weight % Loss of Starting Weight	12.35%

2012 – Challenging Myself: I have lost 40lbs (44.4% of my goal to lose 90lbs)

Great week!  I was able to get in 3 basketball sessions, two days of heavy liffting yard work and dancing last night at the Michael’s Feat Spring Gala.  A big milestone to be down 40lbs in 84 days.  Feeling great and loving the entire process.

Keeping this weekly blog updated on my progress is a great way to share my experience and help others while doing it.  If anyone wants to chat about Weight Watchers please send me an email dowood27@comcast.net

Category	Numbers
Starting   Weight	340
Weight Loss GOAL	90
Week #1   Weight Loss	11
Week #2   Weight Loss	6
Week #3   Weight Loss	3
Week #4   Weight Loss	4
Week #5   Weight Loss	2
Week #6   Weight Loss	2
Week #7   Weight Loss	2
Week #8   Weight Loss	1
Week #9   Weight Loss	2
Week #10 Weight Loss	3
Week   #11 Weight Loss	2
Week   #12 Weght Loss	2
Total   Weight Loss	40
Weight Loss % of GOAL	44.44%
Current   Weight	300
Weight %   Loss of Starting Weight	11.76%

2012 – Challenging Myself: I have lost 38lbs (42.2% of my goal to lose 90lbs)

I have dropped moved down in pants size, even the new size is dropping off my waist and I am now fitting into XXL shirts.  I’m headed in the right direction.  Soon I will be out of the 300s.

Category	Numbers
Starting   Weight	340
Weight Loss GOAL	90
Week #1   Weight Loss	11
Week #2   Weight Loss	6
Week #3   Weight Loss	3
Week #4   Weight Loss	4
Week #5   Weight Loss	2
Week #6   Weight Loss	2
Week #7   Weight Loss	2
Week #8   Weight Loss	1
Week #9   Weight Loss	2
Week #10 Weight Loss	3
Week   #11 Weight Loss	2
Total   Weight Loss	38
Weight Loss % of GOAL	42.22%
Current   Weight	302
Weight   % Loss of Starting Weight	11.18%

2012 – Challenging Myself: I have lost 36lbs (40% of my goal to lose 90lbs)

A very good week!  Down another 3lbs.  I hit the 10% of weight loss mark.  I was sick with a head cold all week, no exercise, but still pulled out a good week.  Back to exercise this week.

Category	Numbers
Starting   Weight	340
Weight Loss GOAL	90
Week #1   Weight Loss	11
Week #2   Weight Loss	6
Week #3   Weight Loss	3
Week #4   Weight Loss	4
Week #5   Weight Loss	2
Week #6   Weight Loss	2
Week #7   Weight Loss	2
Week #8   Weight Loss	1
Week #9   Weight Loss	2
Week #10 Weight Loss	3
Total   Weight Loss	36
Weight Loss % of GOAL	40.00%
Current   Weight	304
Weight %   Loss of Starting Weight	10.59%

Thanks to Kristy for all the support! Could not do it without all the great meals.  Special Thank You to all my friends who have been sharing words of encouragement and support.