Thanks to the Generous Spirit of Friends Like Marianna – Who Made This Pin – It Will Be an Unforgettable October!

It feels like I blinked and found myself at the last Motivation Monday of September. That means we’re only two days away from the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I couldn’t think of a better time to remind everyone about one of the many reasons to make exercise a part of your life.

You probably already know about some of the major benefits of exercise:

• Controls weight
• Boosts energy
• Improves your mood
• Promotes better sleep

In case you need another reason to get moving, according to the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health, there is also strong evidence that physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer.

As many of you repeat readers already know, my mom is a breast cancer survivor. Because she has always been adamant about keeping up with her health screenings, the doctors detected the cancer early and she beat it. A few months ago, I learned about two women in my age group who joined the more than 230,000 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer before the end of 2014. Because of my mom, my peers and the countless other stories I’ve heard about people being affected by breast cancer, I decided to put my best foot forward and try to do my own small part to fight the disease. Thanks to the generosity of my family and friends, I am exactly 19 days away from doing just that!

I’m happy to report I’ve met the $1,800 minimum donation mark to participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer here in New York City. I can’t wait to join my St. Mary’s High School classmate, Sue, and thousands of others for a 39-mile walk the weekend of October 18th. While I’ve raised what I need to walk the Walk, it isn’t too late to make a donation. Please click on the link below to find my personal page where you can help us top last year’s New York donations of $6.7 million.

http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk/NewYork?px=7671099&pg=personal&fr_id=2366

I close with some very important thank yous. First, I’m grateful for the people who always have my back – not only in my efforts to join the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, but for all the other adventures I’ve taken on since starting this blog three years ago. Last but certainly not least, I want to thank my mom. Her 2008 diagnosis made me want to learn all I could about reducing my own risk and taking care of myself in general. To that end, exercise has been a key component for my own well-being while giving me the energy to be concerned about the well-being of others.

If you’ve been looking for a time to turn your take-care-of-you goals into reality, here’s your chance. Make this Breast Cancer Awareness Month your time to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!