One Million Dollars? and other fun news

Last week, I was notified that I was one of 200 people selected as a finalist for Dr. Oz's Transformation Nation- Million Dollar You.  Luckily, they called because the email went to my spam folder.  Long story short, I had just a few hours to write an essay, fill out some paper work for a background check, and answer some questions on the phone.  Am I the only person that gets a little creeped out/freaked out when filling out background check paperwork?  Even though I know nothing will be there, I'm always afraid I'll miss a zip code or something simple and mess it all up.  *Side note- when I filled out my CORI form for the YMCA, I spent five minutes trying to figure out what to write down for "hair color". Natural? Current? Recent?*   It was a very long questionnaire involving past addresses, work places, and web stuff.

I'll spare the suspense, I did find out today that I have not advanced any further into the competition, but I DID earn an American Cancer Society Spin for Hope beach mat.  So, I think it all evened out.  I think what did me in is that I'm an actor.  I had to list any TV or movie appearances and I did have to admit that I appeared on The Scariest Places on Earth a few years back.  Plus, if you google my name or look hard enough on Facebook or any theater website, you're going to find some weird (but easily explained) pictures of me. Ah, well.

For example.  Me as Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show.  

In other news, I started my new Zumba class at the YMCA today.  It was a strange week to start (I realize now) because it's school vacation week.  I had two students. (Yes, two)  They were super sweet and had both done Zumba before, so that was great.  It's just a wee bit awkward dancing with two other people in a small room with mirrors.  Each Zumba teacher has their own style and I happen to be a huge fan of fast songs and booty shaking. The two ladies? Not such a fan of the second part and that was unfortunate considering my playlist for the day.  I even tried to lure then into it by pointing out that it's great for the core, but no such luck.  I figured I'd continue to shake my butt at them and they'd eventually give in and join, but nope.  They did the moves minus the shaking.  Ah, well.  At least they did the robot with me.

Also, I'm having a BLAST in The Full Monty at Stoneham Theatre.  I'm so lucky to be a part of such a talented, passionate, and kind group of people.  We've had some great audiences and are getting wonderful reviews.  And then there's the costumes and wigs... lots of fun!  

Fun costumes, but again, perhaps a reason to not put me on an episode of Dr. Oz

One more thing before I sign off, I was interviewed by the local paper about my work with Deana's Educational Theaer. I'm just one of many actors that are involved in this wonderful organization that strives to educate people of all ages about bullying and dating violence.  You can find the article here.

I'm not good at updates.

Ok, so I haven't felt super inspired to write, but great things are happening.  I've lost 79.2lbs (!) and I set my Weight Watchers goal weight. I've never set a goal there before.  I'm only 6.8lbs away from my WW goal, but I have a feeling I will want to keep losing (not in an unhealthy way, of course).  I'm really excited that I'm so close, but it doesn't really feel real yet.

I've taken the Zumba training again and after I take CPR on Wednesday, I'll be ready to teach again!  I've really missed teaching and taking the fabulous ZES Ann Saldi's class again really inspired me! I'll be subbing at her studio (Vavavoom Dance) and hopefully picking up my own class eventually!  I'm also looking around to get on more sub lists and maybe picking up a couple classes at other clubs.

I've really been trying to step up my work outs. I am at a point where I truly enjoy going to classes and running again, but I also hate feeling like I'm wasting my time.  I've added weight gloves to Body Combat. I'm not going to lie, I feel like a bad ass wearing them in class. That is, I feel like a bad ass until I do a side kick and lose my balance for a second.

The Spin for Hope is in one week.  Three hours on a Spin bike next Sunday. I'm not worried about the amount of working out, but I am concerned for my butt.

Ok, here's the crazy thing I decided. I'm going to do Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge next January in Disney World. It's a half marathon on Saturday and a full marathon on Sunday. I got a sign last night when our friend Josh invited us to Disney for that exact weekend. I've ALWAYS wanted to run that (those?) race(s).  I've put all of my training IN my calendar for the next 46 weeks and I just have to keep my eyes open for the registration.  I'm going to run as much of it as I can, but the pace requirement is only a 15 minute mile, so walking won't be the worst thing ever. I can do this.

Non scale victories

So my car has been in the garage again for the past couple of days and I haven't been able to get to the gym. That sounds like the beginning of a long excuse, right? Nope! Even though I've been car-less, I worked out at home.  Luckily, I have my old choreography DVDs from BodyPump and Zumba AND a barbell.

It was actually kind of wonderful to revisit BodyPump 66 yesterday (it's the release I trained on).  I was so proud to make it through that training weekend.  It was probably the hardest thing I've done physically.  If I had known what it would involve, I wouldn't have signed up, honestly.  Three days of crazy weight lifting, techniques, and boot camp craziness.

The Zumba today was partially because I'm going to re-certify and hopefully teach again!  It's surprising how much you can remember once you hear an old song you used to teach.  Looking forward to starting that up again!


One more thing- I signed up for Spin for Hope.  It's a three hour spin ride on March 4th for the American Cancer Society.  Please consider a donation if you are able!  My mother and grandfather are cancer survivors, so the cause is close to my family and heart. (actually this is where the car thing becomes a pain- I thought "I'll take a few spin classes a week to train. Sadly, I do not have a spin bike at home)