Keith Zwahlen

It was brought to my attention that a dear friend of mine has passed away. Over the last year I have had a lot of issues in my life but compared to Keith... I have had no problems. You see, my friend Keith had Cerebral Palsi (CP). I remember him in High School. He play with me in the marching band, he was a very hard working guy. Nothing and I mean nothing came easy to him. Guys we take so much for granted... Imagine going thru your whole life fighting and battling a disease that in the end you will die from it's complications.

To me and so many other people Keith (aka Pete) was just another person and when you talk to him he just conveyed himself as a normal person and you know what... you believed he was. Imagine going to band practice and marching for 5 or 6 hours. Imagine playing an instrument while marching in cold or hot weather. Or standing at attention for an hour so that someone can inspect your uniform. For the average person that would be hard. Well Keith did it and enjoyed it. I had and will always have a lot of respect for him.

I remember going to Atlantic City with Keith because The Lakeland Regional High School band was playing and this was really big to us. We just didn't do well... I believe we won. There were so many times, while in high school, when we would be in a marching band contest and I remember all those wins and all those good times after. Pete, I never told you this but you inspired me to do as well as I did my senior year in track, and now if I could give you anything, it would be my perfect Senior year season. Thank you Pete.

I remember graduation and when you went up to get your diploma if you recall... you were the only one that got a standing ovation. The whole class, all 300+, were proud to know you and your accomplishments. You walked up there so proud and we were proud of you.

Pete, I know that your final years were not good ones. I know that life got really hard for you. I know that you felt as if you were dealth the "crapy hand of life", but just know that I truly love ya guy. I am sorry that I did not have much contact with you after gradutaion, but you have been on my mind. You will always be on my mind. Thank you for your friendship. May God rest your soul. See you on the other side Pete.

The Weigh in 2/27/10

Ok today lets do this a little different. I will give you their rankings in decending order. it will consist of their percentage of weight lost and total weight lost since the beginning 1/9/10.

1) Rick A 9.40% 32lbs
2) Vicki D 8.75% 18.2lbs
3) Dawn S 8.63% 25.8lbs
4) Cindi Z 8.24% 19lbs
5) Barb J 8.21% 19lbs
6) James B 8.17% 31.8lbs
7) Jayne S 7.28% 15.4lbs
8) Ann S 7.28% 14.8lbs
9) Bill W 7.01% 18lbs
10) Donna H 6.99% 13.8lbs
11) Lynn D 6.34% 15.8lbs
12) Amy R 6.14% 13lbs
13) Sue I 6.00% 14.8lbs
14) Gina S 5.56% 13.6lbs
15) Christy D 4.08% 8lbs
16) Michelle M 3.27% 7.8lbs
17) Kay H 0.78% 2.0lbs

Most of them are doing really well... We have some though that are really struggling with the Nutrition thing as you can see. This wekk will be their week to get on the board and begin kicking their habits... Stay tuned!

The general workout

Doing a shuttle run and leaving it there. All the challengers did not want to lose so they all left it here at Parkers Place.




Now "LET THE WORKOUTS BEGIN..."





In the end all were glad they did it. They all have come so far. Even in just 2 months. Yes it has been 8 weeks now. We have done 7 weigh-ins and all are in double digits now.

nutrition and Weigh Loss

60% of our fitness can be made or broken by our eating habits. Here at the weight loss challenge we come along side the challengers and help them with their nutrition by providing them with good health alternatives. Here Nancy is share some ideas on a way to get the vitamins and minerals in your system in a healthy way. This could also be used as a breakfast substitute.

Running Shoes... What to wear?

(This is only 3 pairs of the 5 pairs of shoes I currently have. At one point I have over 10 pairs.)

What is the one thing that shoe companies have in common... To sell as many shoes as possible and at the highest price possible. All over America I see new shoe companies popping up all over the place stating that they have the "LATEST IN TECHNOLOGY" when it comes to running shoes. When in the end... They don't. It is just another way to squeeze more money out of the consumer.

90% of Americans do not compete at such a high level that they need really expensive shoes. All you really need is something that is comfortable and durable. Without getting into specific brands this is what I look for...

1) What does the shoe look like: Can I wear it outside without attracting too much attention to me.
2) How heavy is the shoe: When I put it in my hand it should almost feel as thought I have nothing in my hands. Heavier is not better. The shoes today are being made lighter which will take the strain away from the legs for those that run long distances.
3) Does the shoe have arch support: Most shoes today don't. Especially the really high priced ones believe it or not. I have found that the lower more economical shoes have enough arch support for my needs and most of Americas needs.
4) Is it the latest make in the market: If so I put it back. Today's shoes are not made well and are just too high priced.
5) How much does the shoe cost: Have you ever found that a 25 cent pen , in most cases, out lasts a really expensive pen? Well the same with shoes. The more expensive is not better in most cases it is the opposite. You can get shoes for $45 or $50 dollars that will wear very well and out last your $125 pair of shoes.

Did you know that even the athlete that competes on the highest level possible doesn't even buy their own pair of shoes. And those are usually custom designed for them. Take your track runners, especially your elite sprinters. You would think that they would spend $1000's of dollars on shoes. Nope... not even close... THEY ARE FREE. You spend more money on your shoes then they will ever.

My point is this... If they are not spending a lot of money on their shoes and they wear them much more than you will ever, why should you spend a lot of money on shoes. My experience has shown me that the shoes that can be bought off the rack at your local Kmart is just as good as going to a shoe store and buying those $150 pair of shoes and in the end much more economical.

Life and its problems...

"Kevin, You just don't understand... I have so much going on right now I don't have for myself. I have a family crisis that needs my undivided attention. My mom is on her death bed and my finances are in trouble. I don't have time to think about fitness!!!"

I have heard this so many times, that I can recite it by memory. I understand stress more than you think. I have dealt with more stress over the last 12 months than most have dealt with over their lifetime. What I have found out guys is this... You need time for yourself. You need time to rewind. You need time to refuel yourself. What better way of doing that then working out. But before we look at that, let's look at some other possibilities.

You could...
1) constantly complain about your problems to everyone. At first it may get you sympathy but in the end those same people will begin to rebel against you because they will sense the same old same old coming from you. At first you may feel good but in the end you will becomes a burden to those people or you may begin to get frustrated that what once made you feel good no longer does.
2) drink yourself into a stupor. Now do I need to go here. There is nothing good about this. All you are doing is feeling sorry about yourself and remember alcohol is a depressant so you will get even more depressed.
3) you can eat. Some people call this comfort food. Well, at first it is but then a few weeks later when you look in the mirror, what do you see... more of you. Then you get really depressed because you are bigger than you were just a few weeks ago. Which can cause a whole other group of health problems.
4) you can workout. Now I am not talking about Olympic training type workouts. What I am referring to is something in the morning or during the day that will give you the ability to just spend time with yourself and give you body something good to remember. Working out is a great stress reliever. I know that in my life every time I get stressed I find myself fighting the urge to hide or eat or complain and find myself going to do even just a little workout. After I am done with it... It is not that the problem has gone away.... It is however, that I can think thru it much better... and in some cases find out that in the end everything may just be OK.

Put 30 minutes aside for yourself... you won't regret it. That I guarantee!!!

challenge 2/20/2010 Step

The purpose for this challenge is to see how long you can continue to step up and down on an 8 inch box at various speeds. It starts out at 126 beats per minute and increasing speed every 5 minutes and in most cases ends up at 184 beats per minute after about 30 minutes of stepping. Cardio endurance and consistency is the key and they all did very well. Here are some pictures of this challenge. The winner ended up at 184 beats per minute.



Kevin keeping the step time and pace

It's OK girls... you gave it your all just try and do better next time

Second and third place winners Jayne and Vickie. Sport Authority Gift cards for you both.
Your eventual winner at 184 beats per minute. She was even talking while doing it. Good job Christy.Enjoy your gift cards.
Great Job to all who participated...