Cynthia D’Amour on Leadership and Life

From my life.
This week has been hard.

Three trips in one week.
Overpacked schedule.
Drama from new heart rate monitor.

I took charge of my day.

Decided to visit my parents.
Packed up James and the dogs.
Headed to my childhood home.

My folks were happy to see me.

We shared stories of adventures and memories.
Goofed around with the camera in my phone.
Played with [...]

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Darn heart rate monitor!

Today I used my monitor for first time with the elliptical.

I was excited.
What would my real numbers say?
I was thinking big.

And boy was I wrong!

My monitor calories burned were 100 less than the machine numbers.
In spite of working hard.
Setting a new personal record for timed distance.

Drama Queen engaged as I stomped [...]

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No hiding now.

Mollie convinced me to buy a heart rate monitor.

It gives me constant communication about my heart.
A band goes around my chest.
Sends data to the watch on my wrist.

No more guessing how many calories I’m burning.

I glisten easily.
And turn bright red.
Doesn’t that mean I’m working hard?

I used the monitor for the first [...]

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Maybe? Maybe not?

It’s the question of the day…

I got a lot fitter in 2011.
And still have a ways to go.
Asked myself if I really want to get thinner.

Trying to be real with myself…

I always gain weight on the road.
My exercise log has some cardio gaps.
I don’t like to log my food.

If actions speak louder than [...]

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Lucky us.
My first round of graduate work focused on teaching.

Had a stiff teacher who droned about being life-touchers.
The content was good.
But she was not believable.

My friends in class were creative yet rebellious people.

We had trouble buying what the teacher was saying.
So we manipulated her content a bit.
Came up with a little ditty about being a [...]

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Wonder if it works with trainers too?
I worked out with my trainer Mollie today.

She’s leaving for some glamorous beach tomorrow.
I won’t see her again for 12 days.
Will be on my own.

I travel all the time.

And sometimes don’t see Mollie for over a week as a result.
But it feels different this time.
I’m home - and she’s [...]

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Beats me.
Saw a new billboard on the way to the airport.

Wasn’t sure what it was about.
Had a photo of an older guy on it.
With 1-800-CALL- in front of the photo.

I have no idea who the guy is.

James didn’t either.
Older white guy with glasses.
But not Santa.

Someone spent a lot of money for a “clever” ad.

Assumed drivers [...]

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At least for me.
Today I walked the Wicked Halloween 5K.

It was my second race.
It was 29 degrees out when we left the house.
I was determined to better my record.

Decided to try a new strategy with my walk.

For my first walk two weeks ago, I listened to many experienced runners.
“Don’t start too fast so you can [...]

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