weigh-2-go.org

Thanks to everyone who made Tunes for Ta-Tas a success: my brother Charley Brown; Kevin McKinney at UUCG; the performers: Allison Adams, Billy Gewin, Liz Lee and Jeff Silver; the guys in the band: John Marlar, Tim Suchalla, and Charley and Kevin; Cathleen Chartier of Hugs & Quiches; Brenda Brown and Bill Benshoof and his family who managed the house and set up the room; and all the folks at UUCG who staff the Universal Sensations coffeehouse events!

I received over $800 from cash at the event itself, plus the donations that came in on the web site to support the event.  I have reached my fundraising goal!!!

Although  my ulterior motive for doing the 3-Day walk was to have an excuse to train and keep exercising, I must admit that the fundraising part of this project has its own challenges and rewards.  Challenges because it is a fundraising project, and not an insignificant one.  I pledged to myself that I was not going to spend my own money to meet the goal–it’s my job to do the walking!  I have met that challenge–yay!  The rewards are in the ways that the fundraising has put me in touch with people who share their storioes about how breast cancer has affected their lives–the stories are heartwarming, tragic, and inspirational!

More soon about preparing for the actual event.

Some amazing talent has volunteered to perform at the benefit concert for my 3-Day Walk, and the official web page is now live! Please check it out at www.veronicabrown.com/benefit.

Tunes for Ta-Tas
Benefit for Breast Cancer Research, Susan B. Komen for the Cure
Saturday, October 18, 2008  7:30 pm
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Gwinnett
Sponsor and Caterer: Hugs & Quiches
Visit www.veronicabrown.com/benefit

OMG, this is a serious event now!  Y’all better be there!

In addition to the usual email solicitations, I am organizing a “coffeehouse” style musical event to raise money for the Breast Cancer 3-Day. So far the time and date are set: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Gwinnett (right next to Ronald Reagan Parkway on Bethesda Church Road exit), on Saturday, October 11.

So far the performers include myself (yes, I will blog about that), the UUCG House Band, and singer-songwriter and recording artist Jeff Silver.

Save the date!

Today I trained with a 3-Day Team and walked 10 miles! It was challenging—maybe even more challenging that I was expecting—but we did it in less that 3 hours and it was inspiring to know that I could go that far already. Woo hoo!

There were 14 women walking all over the neighborhoods between Peachtree Battle Shopping Center and Howell Mill Rd. We must have looked like quite impressive walking through the neighborhoods in such a pack.

Many thanks to Mary Sorrel and Lara Lowman, (They are on a team called “For The Love Of Boobs”–click here for their web page) for being my connection to a great training group.

Shameless Solicitation: Support my 3-Day Breast Cancer walk by donating here.

This evening I attended an orientation meeting for Team in Training (TnT), for the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society. I have heard nothing but great things about this program from others who have participated. The events are mostly running and/or walking 10Ks, half-marathons, and marathons.

Unlike the Breast Cancer 3-Day, where travel is not part of the package, the L&L Society has fewer events and incorporates the cost of travel and expenses into your fundraising goal. So, I could sign up with these folks, get several months of coaching for a half-marathon, and get a “free” trip to a warm place next January (Phoenix or Orlando) in exchange for raising about $3500.

The L&L Society has their act together, too. Their orientation meeting was very well put together. They offer what looks like really great training and support. There were plent of TnT veterans on hand to tell personal stories about the positive impact of the fundraising, as well as the benefits for participants: camaraderie, inspiration, and doing something worthwhile.

My only reservation—only one!…but it’s a big one—is that if I start signing up for these events one after another, I will be asking my friends and family for money constantly. Not only will I have the hobby of training for a marathon…I will take on the hobby of fundraising for charity. Perhaps I have been naive but the depth of commitment required has only just now hit me.

Am I up for this?

Here we go…as I blogged back in April, I did sign up for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day, a 60-mile walk to raise money for breast cancer research. Last week, my first round of emails went out, and I’ve started training.

I hope any readers I may have here will go to my page and make a donation!

Click here to go to my personal page on the Breast Cancer 3-Day Web Site. I hope you’ll make a donation–thanks!

So, I’ve lost a bunch of weight. I can trot up and down the stairs, my blood pressure is great, and now I shop for clothes in all the stores at the mall–not just Lane Bryant. I’m happier–there’s no doubt. But now what?

It’s hard work to stay this way. My goal is just to maintain the new status quo (or in my case, re-lose the last 12 pounds–but I will blog about that some other time). The hard work isn’t as easy without the reward of seeing a brand new number on the scale (just about) every week.

One thing is the same as it was 75 pounds ago: my most compelling motivation comes from being accountable to others. So, I’d like to make myself accountable for staying healthy. Here’s how I propose to do that:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* *      I dedicate my good health,     * *
* *       for which I am grateful,      * *
* *    to helping others be healthier.  * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
 

My motives aren’t so altruistic. My real objective is to stay motivated to stay healthy. But, as we see say in cheesy business lingo, this is a “win-win.”

My first activity is the Breast Cancer 3-Day in Atlanta, the last weekend of October. I will raise at least $2200, and walk 60 miles in 3 days to help fight breast cancer. (I will post a link to my personal page once I get it set up.)

I’ve also thought about Team In Training, a marathon training program that raises money for Leukemia and Lymphoma patients and research. And then there’s a whole slew of 5Ks and 10Ks. Maybe this concept could motivate other newly-healthy people, and help those of us who aren’t “born jocks” to think like athletes.