A new kind of workout...kinda sorta

Although not directly related to Favao, I would like to take a moment to share part of my workout regime with anyone interested enough to read this blog.

For my Facebook friends, you may have noticed the pretty constant status updates referencing Charity Miles and Wounded Warrior Project. In case you thought it was me spamming my own wall with meaningless Facebook activity, you were wrong. It is so much more.
 

Almost a month ago, on Jan. 19, 2013, I was reading the latest Shape magazine when I noticed an article about these free iPhone apps, one of them being Charity Miles. According to the article, you can actually earn money for various non-profits by downloading the app and running it while you workout.
 

Corporate sponsorships are behind Charity Miles, and for every mile you walk or run, 25 cents will be donated to the organization of your choice, and 10 cents for every mile biked. Now I normally walk my dog a few times a day, so for me it was a no-brainer, donate to a charity while doing my daily exercises? Sign me up. I downloaded the Charity Miles app that same day and have been walking ever since.
 

When I joined there were 15 organizations you could walk for, since then two more have been added.
Currently you can walk, bike or run for: Girl Up, Shot at Life, World Food Programme, RED to benefit the Global Fund (to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria), Every Mother Counts, The Nature Conservancy, Pencils of Promise, Partnership for a Healthier America, Habitat for Humanity, Autism Speaks, Feeding America, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Stand Up to Cancer, Wounded Warrior Project, ASPCA, Ironman Foundation, www.dosomething.org, and Achilles International.
 

Another great aspect of the app is you get to pick an organization every time you walk, run or bike. You could choose Autism Speaks one day and Partnership for a Healthier America another day. Or if a particular cause is close to your heart, feel free to do the same one every time. I personally choose to walk for Wounded Warrior Project every time.
 

Every little bit adds up. It has been almost a month since I downloaded the app and to date I have walked more than 68 miles for Wounded Warrior Project, which totals more than $17 for the organization in one month. Granted with slippery sidewalks and an even slipperier dog park I do not get out as much as I should, but I expect those numbers to keep ticking higher and higher as the weather warms up and I no longer have to worry about slipping and cracking my skull open.
 

If you are like me and wish to do something to make the world a better place but do not have a lot of extra cash to donate, this app is perfect for you. The download is free, all you need is a little space on your phone, and you can get fit and make the world a better place at the same time.
 

I must admit, I walk even more since getting the app. I find myself thinking, I need to get out and walk some more, have to do another few miles for Charity Miles. I walk to Wal-Mart, walk to the grocery store, Family Video, sometimes I walk just to walk. And all that walking not only burns calories, but it saves me gas as well. And with prices at $3.67 and climbing, that is definitely a good thing.
 

Check it out - Charity Miles - and get started today!

Back in time

When I stepped on the scale, I was transported back in time about 2.5 years. For once, that was a good thing. When I started working for The Star in June of 2010, I weighed about 175 lbs. During the next two years my lifestyle changed from a part-time athlete working out 24 hours a week to maybe 3 hours a week. Instead of walking 6 miles a day going to class and back and running errands, I sat at a computer for 8+ hours a day. It is no surprise that I packed 15-20 pounds on within a year.
 
But this morning, when I stepped on the digital scale, the red digits popped up 178.8 – my first time weighing less than 180 lbs. in probably a year and a half. That is even more miraculous considering the holiday season – the bean dip, the cookies, the chocolate, the chips, the homemade sloppy Joes! Oh, it was so delicious. Thankfully I was able to maintain my weight of 180-182 lbs. during the holiday season. Frankly, I view that as a triumph – maintaining my weight during the holidays, especially considering the average person gains 10 lbs.
 
I have been back on track for a couple weeks now though, and I definitely feel the results.
 
I will admit, I recycled my Favao plan. I was up to probably week 9 (granted there were some weeks I went off the plan otherwise I would be a lot farther along), and really did not like the meals, so I recycled week 3. Mmmm,..Hawaiian pizza for dinner.
 
Another great thing I recently discovered, thanks to Shape magazine, is the Charity Miles app for the iPhone. I really recommend it. You select a charity (I pick Wounded Warrior Project), hit Walk, Run or Bike, and then hit Start. The app keeps track of how far you walk, run or bike and when you are done, you report your mileage. For each mile you walk or run, corporate sponsors will donate 25 cents to your charity, and 10 cents for each mile you bike. It is a great way to get in shape while helping out others.
 
I downloaded the app on Saturday, Jan. 18 and so far have earned almost $2 for Wounded Warrior Project.
 
 Other possible charities include Partnership for a Healthier America, RED, Stand Up to Cancer, Feeding America, Every Mother Counts, Autism Speaks, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, World Food Programme, dosomething.org, ASPCA, Habitat for Humanity, Ironman Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Pencils of Promise and Achilles International.