Last year 25 of you joined me under the tent in the parking lot at Big Vanilla Arnold to spin for an hour (or two) and raise funds for Truckin' For Troops.   (We even had a little tailgate going.)

This Friday& Saturday (May 10/11) the Spinathon is back. This year's event will benefit the National Capital Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Association.  This is a local, all volunteer, not-for-profit organization committed to helping patients diagnosed with tick-borne illnesses.  Many of us know someone who is suffering with Lyme.  "NatCapLyme" provides literature, educational materials, organizes support groups, and more.  They are a valuable resource to help those struggling with a nasty illness. 

Will you join me?  I'll be spinning from 10-11pm.  (Crazy way to end the week, I know, but it's when I can fit it in.)  Victor, a spin instructor at BV Arnold & Pasadena, will be leading the ride this hour and I guarantee it will be entertaining!  

Registration is a donation of $25 or $30 if you register on Friday.  There are prizes being awarded every hour.  You can register at the club or online  HERE .

C'mon.  Do something a little different this Friday night.  Get your Saturday workout in a little early while you support a great local organization.  Hope to see you there!

* This was originally posted to the Circle Time Forum on 4/22/13.  

TAKE A DAY AND CELEBRATE

As I was running the last mile to a finish line yesterday, I started to cry.

I was overwhelmed.  With gratitude.  My feet were sore. My legs were tired. I was almost out of energy.  But I wanted time to stand still.  I did not want the moments to end.  I couldn't get enough of it all.  I didn't want that finish line to get any closer - I wanted to keep on running. 

I was grateful for so many things; the race that I really enjoy, the beautiful morning, the amazing friend I was running with, the crowds cheering for the strangers running by.  

And, I was grateful for my body. Actually, I was loving my body.  I was asking a lot of it.  I had just covered 10 miles and I had not prepared well for it.  I wasn't at all nervous going into the race.  I figured I would just walk a lot, enjoy the route, the day, the company, the energy.   I trusted (expected?) that my body would cover the distance. 

I realized on that last mile that I had run far more than I thought I would,  and now I was running even faster.  And I was loving every step.

Much of my work is spent with women trying to change something about themselves physically.  They overlook their beauty, their spirit, their intelligence, their gifts and focus on what they perceive as flaws.  We all do it.   I see the wrinkle.  The spider veins.  Aging skin.  Greying hair.  Migraines.  Hot flashes.  Disappearing eyebrows.  Flat feet.  I get annoyed when my body gets hungry.  I skimp on sleep.  

And yet, I trust (expect?) that I will be able to run 10 miles with minimal preparation.  

Yesterday as the gratitude was overflowing, I was loving my body.  Because despite all the flaws I might be able to find, my body does so much for me every day.  And every now and then, it gives me more than I have a right to expect.  

I'm going to hold that thought.  Act on it.  Nurture.  Support.  

Loving my body exactly as it is. Celebrating what it does every day; that which allows me to experience, appreciate, enjoy, love.  See, taste, hear, touch, explore.  Run. Celebrate. 

Take a day and see no flaws.  Treat your body as a most precious possession.   

What happens?

Join us for another Circle Time Forum  group call on Thursday, April 18 @ 1:00pm.

This time: 

Spring Clutter Cleansing for your mind, your body and your space.  

Aka: Taming your Clutter Bitch!

Learn how clutter ultimately affects your mind, your health, your finances, your relationships, your business and your career.  You will be surprised to learn why clutter happens, and you will learn ways to identify the reasons for it, and tips to manage it and keep it under control so it doesn’t overwhelm.  

Are you ready to tame your Clutter B*tch?  

Becky Bacon is passionate about helping busy professionals and businesses identify and clear mental, physical and environmental clutter blocking their personal and professional success and happiness. As a Certified Mind-Body Life Coach, Reiki Practitioner and Professional Organizer, she guides them to find the clarity they need to thrive and live a healthy, sustainable lifestyle – from the inside out.  

If you can't join us for the call, you can receive monthly tips on how to live an organized, healthy and sustainable lifestyle by signing up for her BaconBits newsletter/blog at:  www.beckybacon.com

The call is recorded for Forum members.  Learn more about the Circle Time Forum HERE.  

Contact me for call-in details.  Hope to see you on the call!

Nutritionist Ginny Mirenzi, MS, RD is hosting a series of 4 nutrition lectures at the Big Vanilla in Arnold.   These are not talks about the latest dieting fad, miracle product, or super cleanse. Ginny will be talking about food and nutrition in safe, practical and sustainable terms, supported by extensive education and both her clinical and private practice.  

The lectures are open to the public, limited to the first 10 registrations, and pre-registration is required.  (Register at the Front Desk of BV Arnold or with your online account.)  The groups are small so that she can offer some individualized attention. Please share this information with anyone you think may benefit.   $15 each.  All sessions start at 7:30pm.

Wed. April 10:    "Hunger Games:  Using the Chemistry & Timing of Appetite to Manage Hunger" Genes, neural wiring,  hormones, blood sugar, and so much more play significant roles in your response to food.  What can we learn from the current science to help manage  hunger & satiety? In this session we will plan the timing and substance of meals and snacks for more successful control. 

Wed. April 24:  "Sorting out Food Allergies & Sensitivities "  Gluten free foods  have become the fastest growing market in the food industry.  Should gluten be avoided?  What about soy and dairy?  This session will define  allergies and sensitivities and discuss food choices in dealing with these challenges.

Wed. May 8:  "Healthy Nutrition when Dealing with Digestive Disorders"  The very foods that are the superfoods everyone is recommending may be the  ones that cause you discomfort.  The only recommendations your doctor makes are, "Just go with trial and error"!   Join this session for  some direction with balancing your food with a digestive challenges like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) , Crohn's, Hiatal Hernia, Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or ulcers . 

Wed.  May 22:  "Preventing and Managing  Heart Disease & Diabetes with your Diet" Your healthcare provider recommends lifestyle changes to help manage your high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, but what does that mean at the grocery store and when eating out?  Food choices can have a powerful effect in controlling  your health.  Join this session for ideas for meals and snacks and supplementation.

We hope you'll join us!