July's Save the World Diet Challenge: Running the Family

The July Save The World Diet Challenge was all about family so my husband and I packed up the car and headed to the beach -- Virginia Beach.

We were heading to the Mount Trashmore YMCA's July 4 event to support their We Build People Campaign. Each one of us got to participate somehow. I was signed up to jog/walk the 5K. My husband took a run during the one-mile event. My daughter -- now 17 months old -- was going to do the Tot Trot.

YMCAs are collectively the nation’s largest providers of health and well-being programs, according to YMCA.net. If you didn't already know, the YMCA serves people, regardless of their ability to pay.

I selected the Mount Trashmore YMCA event in Virginia Beach because my friend Bridget works there. In fact, she works non-stop for this awesome organization that does so much for its surrounding community.

I am a YMCA member in my hometown. To me, the place is a godsend. It's an affordable facility with free childcare while I workout. Having a break to be healthy makes me a better parent.
They have family events, and swim time. This summer our YMCA is helping me step up my weight loss routine with an outdoor boot camp and other benefits such as personal training and nutritional counseling. These are just a part of the YMCA's mission, and work.

But back to the race -- I had a great run/walk in the hot Virginia sun (even at 8 a.m.!). I didn't finish last, which was a big victory. Chris had a good run. Then we all went to the starting line of the Tot Trot for our daughter's first race. There were a few stumbles, and a few times when she had to be redirected toward the finish line. But she finished, and clapped as we all yelled, "Yeah!"

(She finished last, but with no other kids under two years old, I suppose she won her age division.)

Like all the other runners, she received a Tot Trot ribbon, a red fabric badge that she watched flap in the breeze, as she proudly held onto its string. She seemed to know that ribbon meant achieving something great.

For me, this event was so special because it symbolized our committment to staying active as a family. We know doing so is fun, and it builds community and character. I'm so happy that the the nation's 2,686 YMCAs are there for so many other individuals and families.

www.fatwomanonthemountain.com

07.05.09: Catch Up With Ruby

Since Ruby's docu-series first aired last year on The Style Network, thousands of people have contacted her, telling her her journey has given them the courage to get started on a path to better health.

So, to celebrate her second season (which debuts 8 pm. tonight -- Sunday, July 5-- on The Style Network) she hosted walks in cities across the country including New York, Philadelphia and Savannah. (The Los Angeles event is July 11).

I caught up with Ruby during the New York Walk With Ruby on June 26.

As the walk began, it was clear Ruby has stepped up her workouts from her first few days huffing and puffing on the treadmill. One of her trainers, Drew Edmonds, led a cardio workout mid-way through the walk. And then, Ruby, who began her television series at about 500 pounds, was off to lead the pack again.

It was clear what an impact she had made as she walked and talked with her followers in the not-quite-a-mile circle around the South Street Seaport piers in lower Manhattan.

Thomas DaCunha and Yoandi Interian of Wethersfield, Conn., left their homes at 3 a.m. that day to make sure they first in line to get the dozens of hugs and kisses Ruby gave her fans.

"She is just so amazing," DaCunha said. The two gave her a "R" they had decorated themselves to cheer Ruby on her journey, and to thank her for the inspiration she gave them.

Ruby has had her own setbacks, even 100 pounds into her journey, as viewers will see in tonight's season premiere. Her father dies unexpectedly. Meanwhile, her exboyfriend Denny returns to the picture, trying to woo Ruby ad her friends with Rascal Flatts tickets. (Ruby is friends with Rascal Flatts band member Jay DeMarcus).

You can catch up with Ruby too. The second season of Ruby debuts 8 p.m. tonight (Sunday) on The Style Network.

www.fatwomanonthemountain.com

Donate To A Great Cause, Get A Chance to Win Inpiring Items from Biggest Loser Trainer & Weight Loss Star Ruby

I had the most amazing day Saturday. I spent the morning walking and talking with Weight Loss Reality Star Ruby at the South Street Seaport in NYC and then drove down to Atlantic City to meet Biggest Loser Trainer Bob Harper.


I came away from the day totally inspired. The great news for you is I also came away with some terrific things from Bob and Ruby to raffle off in this final week of fundraising for my Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Shenandoah Hike! See below for details!



For a donation of $50 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at http://pages.teamintraining.org/nnj/shenhke09/kwhitely, you will be entered to win an autographed copy of Bob Harper's "Are You Ready?" Bob sends his good wishes to you with a message, "To your health... XO, Bob Harper."

For a $25 donation at http://pages.teamintraining.org/nnj/shenhke09/kwhitely, you will be entered to win an inspirational hand-written note from Weight Loss Reality Star Ruby, plus a Style pedometer. Put this amazing message on your refridgerator, on your mirror, or wherever it will give you a boost in your own weight loss journey. Ruby has lost more than 100 pounds and the second season of her show on Style begins again on July 5.

Each month of 2009, I am taking on a physical event for charity. I call it the Save the World Diet.The Leukemia & Lymphoma Socety's Shenandoah Hike was my June Challenge, and I hiked in honor of my friend who was diagnosed last year with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

You can make a difference right now, and have a chance to win some awesome, inspiring prizes, by making a donation at: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nnj/shenhke09/kwhitely

Donations are tax deductible. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training fundraising pages are secure websites.

The rules of the contest are:

-- Those who make $25 donations are entered in the contest to win the Ruby note and pedometer.

-- Those who make $50 donations are entered in the contest to win for signed Bob Harper book.

-- You may make multiple donations to increase your chance of winning.

-- Donations must be made online at: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nnj/shenhke09/kwhitely and must be done so by midnight Friday, July 3.

-- The names of the winners will be picked at random from the list of online donors.
-- The winners will be posted on the LL&S Fundraising Website and on this Blog July 5. Winners will also be contacted that day.

Good luck and thanks, as always, for your support!

06.08.09: Giving Blood Cancers the Boot for My Birthday

i

Every time my birthday comes around, I find some time to hike. It's a tradition I started when turned 31, after I lost about 100 pounds and returned to and conquered Camel's Hump, a Vermont mountain that had left me winded and ashamed years before. Hiking is my way of celebrating life.

This year as I was about to turn 35, I took on a very special outdoors challenge: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Shenandoah Hike. I chose this event in honor of my friend Jen's battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

An estimated 138,530 people in the United States were diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma in 2008. Jen, who has a son just about the same age as my daughter (16 months old now!), learned she was sick when she felt a lump in her neck on Halloween 2008.

Jen's body is doing the healing. I did the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's fund raising Shenandoah hike. You can make a difference right now in the battle against blood cancers by making a donation the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/nnj/shenhke09/kwhitely

A $500 donation could provide treatment to a patient. A $100 donation could mean transportation to treatments for someone without a ride. A $75 donation could provide bone marrow testing. A $50 donation could give provide resources and information to someon who just got a devastating diagnosis. Every dollar of your tax-deductible donation makes a difference.

So please help me celebrate life and give Blood Cancer the boot by making a donation on behalf of my effort. The easiest way to do so is online at, http://pages.teamintraining.org/nnj/shenhke09/kwhitely

Thank you, as always, for your support. I wish you good health and happiness in the year ahead.

5.21.09: Vigil for Laura Ling & Euna Lee

You can be active while you are still.

This year has been about doing physical challenges for charity -- a movement for movement -- but today, I attended a vigil praying for the safe return of two female journalists being held captive in North Korea. They are Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

As a fellow journalist, I can't help but be touched by their story. My biggest risk on the job is getting heckled at a Borough Council meeting. These women were facing greater risk than I have ever known near the border of North Korea, were captured and have been detained for 10 weeks. 10 weeks. I can't even imagine what that must be for them, for their families.

So with the NBC studios behind us, we stood and hoped. We talked to each other about how we were connected to the cause, as five other groups did in vigils across the country for Laura and Euna. Laura's cousin Angie read a letter from Laura, received May 15. Tourists bustled around us, snapping photos of where the Today Show broadcasts, but our group of 20 or so was still and hoped. I stood and felt the wind rustling my skirt, the wax from my candle dripping on my finger, and glad to take a moment to hope for their safe return.

You can be active and be still.

www.fatwomanonthemountain.com

05.20.09: Glowing With Inspiration & Information -- Go Red!

(Me, Joetta Clark Diggs and Mary Tricario at the Garden State Go Red for Women Luncheon.
Photo Courtesy of the Courier News)

I am still glowing with information and inspiration from Monday's Garden State Go Red for Women Luncheon. If you've never been to one of these events, which serve as a fundraiser for the American Heart Association's campaign to empower women about their own health, go -- and bring every woman you know.

I was there as a speaker, to talk about the lifestyle changes I have made and how they led me to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro and across the finish line of my first marathon, which I did to benefit the American Heart Association. I had the honor of introducing Olympian Joetta Clark Diggs, a true inspiration who is actively inspiring women across the globe through her Joetta Clark Diggs foundation. NBC Chief Medical Editor Nancy Snyderman was a knock-your-socks-off-incredible keynote during the luncheon at The Palace in the Somerset section of Franklin.

The event raised more than $200,000 for the cause, but more importantly left hundreds of women on the path to great heart health.

So my heartfelt thanks to the American Heart Association, especially to Courtney and June, for putting on such an amazing event. Can't wait for next year -- hope to see you all there in Red too!

http://www.fatwomanonthemountain.com/

05.18.09: Going Red For Women!

Today (5/18), I will introduce Joetta Clark Diggs at the Go Red for Women Luncheon! I am so honored to be part of such an amazing event, to be surrounded by such amazing women.

In addition to Joetta, NBC News Chief Medical Editor Dr. Nancy L. Snyderman will be there to give the keynote address. It's all about taking care of ourselves, as women. Afterall, heart disease is the number one killer of women.

I'll take lots of photos and will post more later. In the meantime, remember to Love Your Heart!

www.fatwomanonthemountain.com