Highlighted in the LiveStrong Newletter

My Trainer, Katelyn,  in the LiveStrong Program contacted me and asked if I would be willing to share part of my story in the Fargo YMCA LiveStrong Newsletter. I have always felt like I don't have much to share but I wrote a few things and sent them to her. Here's our highlight she wrote in the newsletter:

Remember the Walk

I thought this was fun. I got this email from the Fargo YMCA this week. We participated in this event last year, And here's my little family [top picture on the flyer] on the advertising for this year's Walk. We're so cute!!! Too bad we weren't in Fargo to participate.

Join us for the Red River Valley Breast Cancer Walk 2013! Formally the Fargo-Moorhead Breast Cancer Walk and the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event, we have now united to strengthen our impact on the community and the movement!    Sunday, September 29 | Scheels Arena    Schedule of Events: 11:00 - Registration, Activities, Games and Bouncy Houses 12:30 - Fashion Show featuring beautiful survivors of cancer - Z-Bo "Unique Traveling Boutique" 1:00 - Opening Ceremonies and Walk begins 2:30 - Guest Speaker- Kathy Honey Murphy 3:00 - Closing, Walk and Event Ends  Registration: There is no charge to walk, however individuals and teams are encouraged to participate in fundraising efforts for the walk and support the two causes.   Rally your team - grab your friends and family and sign up a team today! When you register online you can set up a fundraising webpage, making it easy to spread the word and get donations.   (Registration and fundraising packets are also available at either YMCA location.) Funds Support: The Red River Valley Breast Cancer Walk is unique in the fact that the proceeds benefit both local and national wellness and research programs. LIVESTRONG at the YMCA - A free program that builds strength and self-confidence in cancer survivors.     More information American Cancer Society, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer  More Information For more information or to register, visit us online at rrvbreastcancerwalk.org.

Volunteering at the Run or Dye

Since my diagnosis, I've had several of opportunities here in Fargo to participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Events. One of my favorites has been the Run or Dye. ***At Run or Dye, you get showered with safe, eco-friendly, powdered dye all throughout the 5K course...turning you into a technicolor canvass of fun! *** I think it was my favorite because it was something I got to do with my family.

I'll just copy the day's events from my Family Blog:

The members of this Seamons Family are NOT runners!!! But this particular Run or Dye teamed up with Fargo's YMCA to help fund the local LiveStrong Program. The Livestrong Program has changed my life. I am extremely grateful (and continue to be because of the very generous discount my family receives at the Y for the next year for completing program). I have wanted to be able to give back somehow and this looks like their last big event before we leave. But instead of running, my family and I decided to volunteer.
Unfortunately, that entailed being at the Fairgrounds at 6:45 AM. Holy Moly! That is WAY early for our family. But they were all quite the troopers. Lucky for us, we live 3 minutes away and got to park in a special Volunteer parking lot. They did feed us donuts and we all got a Run or Dye T-shirt so people would know we were volunteers. We were excited to see Katelyn and get a picture with her. [She was my LiveStrong Trainer and we LOVE her!]
Then, we joined Volunteer Team 9 which was assigned to handing out Waters at the Finish Line. Our team was great! They were way friendly with the kids. We had a lot of fun and really had the best seat in the house for the race. It was awesome! Liberty and Dad handed out waters at the finish line the entire time. (like from 9-12) The other kids helped keep waters stocked, painted each other and helped clean up. I was way proud of everyone for being willing to serve so early and so long!

Run or Dye's signature quality is the color dye they throw at the crowd before, during and after the race. Right next to the finish line, they had a stage for the After Party. They played music, danced and did lots of "Color Throws". Because we volunteered right there by the stage, we got to see and participate in a lot of them. They were crazy!!! So gorgeous at the beginning and then a big huge cloud of dust for several seconds after. *Cough*Choke*Blindness*LOL* And then of course.... being covered in color. Lots of fun!

One of the ladies in our volunteer group had bought the kids each a packet of dye. They spent hours painting each other and throwing dye. We will be lucky if we ever get all the color out of the girl's hair! LOL By the end, we were all covered. We even got Katelyn to stay with us for the last Color Throw. So fun!

We definitely had one Color-rific Day!

Thanks Run or Dye & LiveStrong!

Call of the Wild Workout Posse

Since Breast Cancer made me into a worker-outer, I spend quite a bit of time at the YMCA getting and staying buff! At the beginning of the year, my Workout Posse (Robbie & Katie- BFFs forever!) and I signed up for the The Trek: Call of the Wild Challenge put on by our very own Caleb Johnson (our LiveStrong Buddy!).
For the past couple months, we have been tracking our workouts in hopes to complete our 20 hour Trek. It was hard work but we all made it! Way to go us!!!

Here's what the information the Y sent out:

Stay active this winter and you could WIN!
GRAND PRIZE = $3,000 Vacation Package
This fitness challenge is designed to keep you motivated to stay active during the harsh winter by recording a virtual trek across the Yukon in search of gold!

Through your own strenuous efforts, you can retrace the journeys of Jack London or Martha Black. Jack London, the author of The Call of the Wild, was inspired from his 1887-1898 journey for gold in the Yukon. Martha Black, a determined pioneer and business women, journeyed the Yukon in 1899 in search for wealth and adventure. The trail will be challenging, but with a little grit and perseverance, you yourself will be inspired, find adventure, and strike it rich with prizes and improved wellness.

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES?

PARTICIPANT PRIZES: Prize #1: Travel bag
Prize #2: Dry Fit Shirt      

GRAND PRIZE:
$3,000 VACATION PACKAGE -
Choose Your Own Destination!

ADDITIONAL FINISHER DRAWINGS: $50.00 Gift Cards

HOW DOES IT WORK? After registering an d submitting the $25.00 entry fee, each participant will receive an official map of The Call of the Wild. Participants will choose ONE of two possible routes and have eight weeks to perform 20 or 30 hours (depending on route chosen) of aerobic activity to complete the Trek. For every 15 minutes of aerobic activity you complete between January 11 – March 8 you will earn ¼ mile. As you progress through your journey, you will be rewarded with individual prizes at specific check points and will also be eligible for the Grand Prize Drawing and additional finisher drawings upon completion.

CHOOSE ONE ROUTE: The Dyea Route (Jack London) (20 hours) is the basic route that will qualify participants for the participant prizes and the grand prize drawing. For the exerciser in search of a challenge, the Skagway Route (Martha Black) (30 hours) adds 10 additional hours to the Trek. Upon completion of the Skagway route, you will qualify for additional gift card drawings to celebrate your heroic efforts.

Please Note: Although you do not need to be a YMCA member to join, participation in this challenge does not include a YMCA membership or access to the YMCA for participants who are not members.

For more information, please contact Caleb Johnson, Healthy Living Director at 701.356.1447 or caleb.johnson@ymcacassclay.org.

P.S. Robbie won a couple extra things at the end. Fun for her!!

YMCA Commercial

After Robbie and I graduated from Livestrong, the Y asked for comments about our experience with the YMCA and the Livestrong Program. I was in my "angry at the world" mode of life, so I didn't feel I had anything worth saying. Robbie on the other hand, had very nice things to say and sent them in. As a result, her and her family were picked as the local Y Family. I'm so excited for them! The honor comprised many things including a photo shoot that landed them on the Cover of the new Spring/Summer Program Guide (their story is on page 3) and being featured in a YMCA commercial. How cool is that?
What does this have to do with MY cancer journey? Well,  part of her comments included things about me and how she started coming to support me. AND because of that, they asked if I would be willing to be part of some of the filming. So today, I met Robbie downtown at the Fercho Y to shoot a YMCA Commercial. LOL first, we met the Y staff and the film crew. Then headed upstairs.
We started out in our Zumba class. They had to have everyone sign a waiver in case they got in the shot. It was a LARGE class so it caused quite the excitement. It's always an upbeat class but you bring in a film crew and the energy jumps through the roof. Too funny! Then, we danced while they filmed. I think they mostly shot Robbie but I was standing next to her so maybe I'll be in there? We only did a couple songs then slipped out to go downstairs.
Down in the weight room, they filmed us doing some exercises on the arm and leg machines. We also both did a few reps for our biceps in the same shot. Our next filming op was on the treadmills. I even did a little running just to show off.  Go me! We finished our time together by doing a few exercises with Katelyn. It was fun to have us all back together for a bit! It was so hilarious to have the camera man walk around us and zoom up close. I obviously have a smaller "personal space bubble" than I thought. LOL But it was still a fun Adventure to do together.
Thanks for letting me be a part of it, Robbie. You have been an awesome friend through this journey of mine. I will never be able to repay you and your family for your kindness. Luv ya, lady!
They continued to film Robbie and her family doing other things around the facilities but we made sure we got a picture to remember our experience. (Hopefully, I can link the commercial when they get it all done!) But, here's us with our film crew for the day. Thanks to the Y for the opportunity to be a part of your great program!

It's like drowning!

Even though I graduated from LiveStrong, I am still going STRONG in my workouts. Wahoo! It shocks my friends (and myself as well) that I have made a lifestyle out of it. LOL Who knew that I'd have to be diagnosed with breast cancer before I would figure out how to be fit? I'm one for always learning the hardest way possible. Grrrr!
Now that I am a Y member and a worker-outer, here's what my week usually consists of:
Monday- cardio and weights @ Schlossman with Robbie and Katie
Thursday- Pilates @ Fercho with Katie (and Angie C.  is usually there with us)
Friday- Zumba @ Fercho with Robbie and Katie (Angie is there then as well)
Every last Monday- we do a Step Class together @ Schlossman (ouch!)
When I have Herceptin- I end up missing Zumba so I do one of my McDonald DVDs (Totally sounds funny but I love them!)
Yeah! Go me!
OK..... Now the reason for the title of this post is because I actually HATE Pilates. Mostly because I can't do it. I thought that having a flat stomach meant you had a strong core. Pewwwwww! That's a crock! I have a completely flat stomach and I can NOT do half of the "core" moves in Pilates. Pilates is NOT like Zumba or weight lifting. In Pilates, there is no grunting or cheering or wahoo-ing going on. It has a calmer music background and the participants keep their anguishing pain to themselves. Everyone does the moves with such grace (minus me). And the whole time, I silently feel like dying. It's become a joke with Katie and I that Pilates is like drowning! You silently die and no one knows! LOL I hope some day I will actually go and surprise myself by being able to do some of the moves. Oh that will be the day! ;)

Thought this was an appropriate place to document my most recent measurements that I took. I'm shooting for those Barbie Doll Measurements. LOL Ok, not really! Isn't that 36-24-36 or something? Don't ask me how they think anyone who's had kids could get a waist that skinny. Wowzers!

	In the Beginning 09/12/12	6 week 10/29/12	12 week 11/28/12	19 weeks 1/17/13
Anthropometric Measurements
Weight	133.8	138.6 (muscle?)	136.4	136
Body Measurements	Didn’t do- Bummer!	Chest- 33 in	Chest- 33 in	Chest- 36 in Oops! That’s with my boobs on!
		Waist-  31 in	Waist-  30 in	Waist-  29 in
		Hips/Butt- 39 in	Hips/Butt- 37 in	Hips/Butt- 37 in
		Thigh- 23 in	Thigh- 21 in	Thigh- 20 ½ in
		Calves- 14 ½ in	Calves- 14 in	Calves- 14 in
		Bicep- 10 ½ in	Bicep- 10 in	Bicep- 9 ½ in

LiveStrong Celebration

It took one amazing LiveStrong Leader, a couple different reservations, and a few date changes but we finally managed to get our whole LiveStrong group {well... almost! All except for someone who got purposely left at home. LOL} together for a Celebration! Yeah! I always love an excuse for a ParTay! We met at HuHot for dinner. We got the "HuHot for Dummies" rundown from the waiter (LOL) so we could enjoy an amazing dinner with even more amazing friends! 

Let's "Start Here"---

My fun LiveStrong Friends-

Top: Denise, Shay, Brett. Bottom L: Nicole, Katelyn, Caleb. Bottom R: Matt, Jennifer, Robbie

Next, our group wanted to do something special for Katelyn as a thank you for all she has done for us. With the help of my very creative Hubby, we came up with a very clever letter which turned into a pretty awesome thank you gift. All the BOLDED words were bought and put into a package for her. We're pretty funny! Luv ya, Katelyn!

There were other gifts given as well.
1- I gave all the ladies one of my HOPE Ornaments for Christmas. Hopefully a little reminder of me and the fact that whatever craziness there is in our individual lives, there is always HOPE!
2- Robbie & I have had this personal joke since we began LiveStrong. Her and I decided that since both of us hate to sweat that as long as we were working out together that we would "Glow" not sweat! LOL So she made us all these keychains that say, "You GLOW Girl!" How fun is that?
3- Katelyn also gave us all a present. Yeah for presents!!!! Inside our gift bag, we found a few calendars & fun brads to keep track of our continued Work-out sessions. We love them! Thanks lady!

We ended the night with some yummy cake pops made by our amazing leader and a chance to be a little silly one last time! I'm so sad that our time together is over but what a fun Adventure we have shared! Thanks friends! And good luck in your continued, healthy life! Chow!

Yeah for LiveStrong!

Benefits of my new Work-Out Lifestyle

Since my life revolves around working out now (Go ahead and laugh KBro!) ...

I have done a little research on exercise and it's benefits. Since I have had a few months of depressing things [and I'm not even thinking about the Cancer part], I thought it was interesting that I came across this article from Wedmd.com that address the benefits of regular exercise on depression. I LOVE everything it has to say! It would be interesting to see how hard these last few frustrating life events would have been without my new Work-out Lifestyle. Crazy how God looks out for us and puts the things that we truly need into our lives right when we need them! Lucky me! ;)

What Are the Psychological Benefits of Exercise With Depression?

Improved self-esteem is a key psychological benefit of regular physical activity. When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain. 

Endorphins also trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine. For example, the feeling that follows a run or workout is often described as "euphoric." That feeling, known as a "runner's high," can be accompanied by a positive and energizing outlook on life.

Endorphins act as analgesics, which means they diminish the perception of pain. They also act as sedatives. They are manufactured in your brain, spinal cord, and many other parts of your body and are released in response to brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. The neuron receptors endorphins bind to are the same ones that bind some pain medicines. However, unlike with morphine, the activation of these receptors by the body's endorphins does not lead to addiction or dependence.

Regular exercise has been proven to:

* Reduce stress

* Ward off anxiety and feelings of depression

* Boost self-esteem

* Improve sleep

Exercise also has these added health benefits:

* It strengthens your heart.

( It increases energy levels.

* It lowers blood pressure.

* It improves muscle tone and strength.

* It strengthens and builds bones.

* It helps reduce body fat.

* It makes you look fit and healthy.

Is Exercise a Treatment for Clinical Depression?

Research has shown that exercise is an effective but often underused treatment for mild to moderate depression.

Are there Types of Exercises That Are Better for Depression?

It appears that any form of exercise can help depression. Some examples of moderate exercise include:

Biking

Dancing

Gardening

Golf (walking instead of using the cart)

Housework, especially sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming

Jogging at a moderate pace

Low-impact aerobics

Playing tennis

Swimming

Walking

Yard work, especially mowing or raking

Yoga

Because strong social support is important for those with depression, joining a group exercise class may be beneficial. Or you can exercise with a close friend or your partner. In doing so, you will benefit from the physical activity and emotional comfort, knowing that others are supportive of you.

How Can I Decide What Types of Exercise to Do?

Before you begin an exercise program for depression, here are some questions you should consider:

What physical activities do I enjoy?

Do I prefer group or individual activities?

What programs best fit my schedule?

Do I have physical conditions that limit my choice of exercise?

What goals do I have in mind? (For example: weight loss, strengthening muscles, improving flexibility, or mood enhancement)

How Often Should I Exercise?

Try to exercise at least 20 to 30 minutes, three times a week. Studies indicate that exercising four or five times a week is even better. Take it easy if you are just beginning. Start exercising for 20 minutes. Then you can build up to 30 minutes.

What Are Some Tips for Getting Started Exercising?

When you first start your exercise program, you should plan a routine that is easy to follow and maintain. When you start feeling comfortable with your routine, then you can start varying your exercise times and activities.

Here are some tips to help you get started:

Choose an activity you enjoy. Exercising should be fun.

Put your exercise routine into your schedule. If you need reminding, put it on your calendar.

Variety is the spice of life. Make sure you vary your exercises so that you don't get bored. Check your local gymnasium or community center for an assortment of exercise programs.

Don't let exercise programs break the bank. Unless you are going to be using them regularly, avoid buying health club memberships or expensive equipment.

Stick with it. If you exercise regularly, it will soon become part of your lifestyle and will help reduce your depression.

Live Strong Results

Today was the final assessment of my LiveStrong program. It's a little lot bitter sweet! I have really come to enjoy spending two days a week with these awesome people. I even asked Katelyn if I could just be a life-long Livestrong groupie but she just laughed. Do you think that's a NO? LOL I will miss being part of this fun group so much! I do have to admit though that I have been amazed at how much I have enjoyed working out! It makes me laugh every time that I say that out loud! LOL 

Here are my outstanding final results for my LiveStrong process. Go me!:

	In the Beginning 09/12/12	6 week 10/29/12	12 week 11/28/12
Anthropometric Measurements
Weight	133.8	138.6 (muscle?)	136.4
Body Measurements	Didn’t do- Bummer!	Chest- 33 in	Chest- 33 in
		Waist-  31 in	Waist-  30 in
		Hips/Butt- 39 in	Hips/Butt- 37 in
		Thigh- 23 in	Thigh- 21 in
		Calves- 14 ½ in	Calves- 14 in
		Bicep- 10 ½ in	Bicep- 10 in
Cardiovascular Options:	3 minutes walk- 4.2 laps	6 minutes run-  9. 2  laps	6 minutes run-  11 laps
Functional/Upper and Lower Body Strength
Balance:	60 seconds on left foot	60 seconds on left foot	60 seconds on left foot
Chair Stand/Squats:	19 repetitions executed in 30 seconds	24 repetitions executed in 30 seconds	22 repetitions executed in 30 seconds (my chair slipped LOL)
Arm Curls in 30 seconds:	3 lbs. 15 reps  Left hand	5 lbs. 22 reps Left hand	5 lbs. 23 reps Left hand

And then simply just for MY benefit (cuz I realize that not many people care what my butt looks like {except maybe Brett. LOL oh... and KBro when she comes with me to the Infusion Center. ;)}, I have been keeping track through pictures of my LiveStrong transformation. It's only subtle but I can totally see the lift of my butt and the loss of some love handles. Go me!!! 
Feel free to NOT scroll down if shots of my butt make you uncomfortable. I won't be offended! LOL

Robbie, Katie and I have plans to keep up being Fitness Freak Groupies. Hopefully, this work out thing is just a part of me now.
Thanks LiveStrong (and Katelyn, since she'll always have a special place in my healthy heart) for the jump start on healthy living and my tight butt!!!!  Wahoo!!!!