Mels Box of Chocolates

Bullies Aren't Just In School

2012-01-19T09:30:00.000-05:00

Every time I turn around there is another article, tweet, post, or status update about anti-bullying.

Yes, bullies suck.
Yes, bullying shouldn't be accepted.
Yes, schools need to vigilant about bullying and do something about it.

But, let's face it.
Bullying is nothing new.
Just look at Cain and Able for goodness sakes. If that wasn't bullying, then I don't know what was!

Every.single.person has met a bully at one point or another in their life. Actually, I'm sure you have met way more than just one bully. Many probably could even name a bully, currently, in their life.

Bullies are everywhere.
Not just in schools.
They're at work.
They're on Twitter.
They're on Facebook.
They're at the beach.
They're at the park.
Bullies are part of life.

Instead of giving that bully all the attention that they so blatantly are trying to attain, why not focus on those who are being bullied. Why not teach our children how to handle the bully? And no, removing them from the school, sport, activity, etc, is not handling the situation. It is totally telling that bully...YOU WIN.

It is horrific to think that some people who are being bullied care so little for themselves that they think there is no other way to escape, but to end their own lives. Beyond sad.

As parents, teachers, friends, we need to help build confidence in our children...in each other. Nobody...NOBODY... should be given the right to tell you your self worth.

While bullies need to suffer consequences those being affected by bullying need even more attention. They need to be taught confidence, self-worth, self-respect. We must focus our attention on building them up. Find something that they excel in and get them involved. Teach them about friendship, how to choose "good" friends and be a "good" friend. Help them find these friends. Listen to them. Don't allow them to shut themselves off. Pull them out the room, unplug the ipod, computer, video games. Show that you care. Let them know they are not alone. Show them they matter. They are loved!

Give them power.
Power to stand up to the bully.
Power to believe they are worth it.
Power to say, "Forget you, bully"
Power to survive!

Blog210K - Week 2

2012-01-16T09:56:00.000-05:00

I'm still running.
Yesterday, I started week 2 of my running program after doing week 1 for two weeks just to make sure I didn't overdo it to start. Week 2 consists of five, 4 minute runs with a 1 minute walk in between each of the runs. Of course there is still the 5 minute warm up and 5 minute cool down as well so it's a 35 minute workout.

To be honest, I was a little worried about running for four minutes straight. I'm not really sure why. I was running 5K's without walking at one point so four minutes shouldn't have intimidated me. I realize it is only one more measly minute, but considering that I was sweatin' the timer for 3 minutes I couldn't imagine tacking on another for each run. But, I DID IT!

I ran all five of the 4 minute runs!

I'm averaging about 11 min per mile and yesterday I finished 2.5miles.
I really would like to try to get to around 10 minute miles, but don't know what to focus on first.

When I trained for 5K's I focused on just finishing without walking and not necessarily my time. My first race was about 38 minutes and my best was 32. I would love to get a 5K in consistently under 30 minutes.

Any runners out there?
Do you focus on distance or time?
Any tips for how to increase your run time?

So this week my running plan is to complete week 2 and head right into week 3 when I'm finished. While the plan is based around 3 days of running I am thinking of aiming for four and then the days I don't run complete Jillian's Kettlebell DVD. I did that last week and it worked.

Until next time...
Stay Strong!

12 in 2012

2012-01-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

In honor of 2012, I've devised a list.
I'm thinking I may skip the resolutions and instead focus on this to do list of sorts.

So without further ado, my 12 for 2012.
12 things I ~~want to~~ WILL accomplish in 2012.

Stay in touch better with my family and friends. It's so easy to get caught up in our day to day lives that I forget to connect with those around me and especially those further away. This year I will write letters, send cards, check in on FB, email, and ((gasp))...call those I love!
Read more. After getting my Thrive for Christmas I downloaded the Nook app and proceeded to read almost a book a day over break. It was awesome. I want to continue this in the new year, taking time to go wherever the books take me.
Paint every room in our house. After 13 years, 2 kids, 2 dogs, and a cat, our house is in desperate need of some fresh paint. It may have to wait till this summer, but this house is going to get a fresh coat.
Run a 10K. A couple years ago I did the C25K and ran a few 5K's. Then I stopped. Stopped running races and stopped running, period. I've downloaded a 10K running program and I'm off.
Lose 10 pounds and then do it three more times. After the last few years watching the scale creep back up, I'm done. It's coming off. That's THAT.
Blog more. Along the way my blogging has evolved. It went from hobby to work to hobby to extinct. I can't believe that a couple months last year I had exactly 2 posts. I miss my blog and sharing me. So I'm taking it back. I've enjoyed the freedom after letting go of the extreme blogging, but I need to find a happy balance.
Take more pictures. In my defense October and November were sketchy because I lost my darn camera in NYC, but the other months, no excuses. While I took tons of pictures over the summer, I need to work on capturing the fun during the school year too. I know it's there!
Visit one state I have never visited before. Anybody want company?
Take a getaway with my husband. Don't know where, don't know when, but definitely on my list. I love when I get to just hang out with him.
Play more. My kids will tell you all the time that Daddy is better at playing cause when I'm home I'm always working. Well not this year. I'm giving daddy a run for his money as being the fun parent. Oh yes. I am.
Relax and take risks. I'm one of those who likes to have a plan for a plan. Order is how I survive, but there are times when I wish I could let my hair down and just go with the flow. I have some big ideas for 2012 and I may just need to let go and jump to see where I can go. Who knows maybe I will fly!
Social Media Adventures. I've been very excited about some social media experiences I've been given lately. I launched Delaware Beach Families awhile ago and am working on breathing life into it, I am currently working on Delaware Social Media Moms, a site to bring Delaware social media women together, I've arranged some local tweetups and one Beach Bloggin' event, and recently I was offered a social media manager position. I LOVE social media and can't wait to see what it brings this year!

So there it is.
My 12 for 2012.
Posted on January 12, 2012.
I was thinking of posting on 12/12/12, but that would be defeating the purpose I suppose.

Time to start working on crossing things off my list.

Did you create resolutions or something similar this year? Leave me a link so I can come check them out and encourage you.. 2012 is going to be our year!

Blog210K - Week 1

2012-01-08T09:40:00.000-05:00

In March 2009, I declared myself a runner or more like asked the question, "Dare I Be Called a Runner"?

If you read that post then you will see how I used the Couch 2 5K program to begin running. I completed the program and ran a few 5K's. The feeling of power that I felt completing the program and then finishing races, was empowering. Indescribable. Me, a person who would get out of breath running a few minutes with my kiddos, was actually running races. Crazy.

Then somehow I lost my mojo. Part of me thinks it was because I didn't set another goal. After I ran a few races, I became complacent thinking I met my goal and that was that. I started running less and less until I just didn't run.

Last spring, one of my co-workers presented a challenge for me to run a 5K with her. The interesting thing is that the race was actually the same race that I had ran for my first 5K ever. So I did it. I walked as much as I ran, but I got over that finish line. I thought after the race I would be motivated to keep running. I decided to search for a new running program that would give me something to reach for and found the B210K app. The program was supposed to help runners go from running 5K's to 10K's following the interval training that I had used for the c25K. But, downloading the app was pretty much as far as I got. I didn't run hardly any more last year.

That brings us to this past week. I started itching to get back to running. I still had the app downloaded on my phone so I started looking into it to see how it was set up. The first week consisted of 5 intervals of 3min running and 1min walking. I truly didn't think I was going to make it running 3 minutes, but figured I would give it an attempt. So last Monday I hooked up my Nike+, started the app, and hit the treadmill. I was astonished to see that the first two intervals I competed entirely. I then started slowing down so decided to run 2 minutes and walk 2 minutes for the middle two intervals and finish strong completing the last 3 minute run. Lo and behold, I did it!

I was so proud of my accomplishment.
So proud that I went out the next day and did what any runner would do. I bought a new pair of running shoes. Ok. I actually bought two pairs of running shoes. They were on sale, what can I say. I needed a pair of Nike's that were Nike+ enabled so I could put the sensor in the sole.

Then I finished the week with three more runs.

Now that I have the shoes, my Nike+ sensor is working, and I've discovered that I can do it, I'm determined. So determined that I made that cute little button up there to record my journey through the Easeinto10K program.When you see the button, you can plan on a running update post.

Anybody want to join me?

This week my plan is to complete the Week 1 again so I don't overdo it right away and am truly ready to move on to Week 2. The plan is based on three days of running so I'm planning to also do some shredding on my off days.

Wish me luck...