Doug and Mary's Blog

This fired people up!

2012-02-17T11:53:00.000-08:00

I posted this photo on our 95.9 Kiss Fm Facebook page and WOW did people get fired up!!!! I am not sure how I feel about it. It is hard to look at but it is also hard to see kids get diabetes, asthma, and a million other problems form being over weight. I guess I would hope the Billboard will cause a stir (which it looks like it has) so that we can elicit a change!!!

Mary

This is way too cute!

2012-02-07T04:58:00.001-08:00

Sometimes it is fun to just watch something that makes you smile!

Email from one of our Biggest Losers....

2012-02-02T06:39:00.001-08:00

Thank you Laura for sharing this and you are SOOO not alone in these thoughts!

Here is her email:

Hello Doug and Mary,
Today not so good, mentally. I'm back to school this week. Today is my first day of full nursing classes for the semester. Yesterday, there was too much rough play on the play ground while my daughter was waiting for the bus and a kid broke her front adult tooth (approximately 3/4 of it).

She had to go to the dentist this morning and I was not able to be there for her because of my commitment to classes. To top off all the stress of the Nursing Semester starting up and my 7 year olds broken tooth, I'm PMSing.

All I want to do is get my Starbucks and a big Chocolate cake, get on my pj's, and sit in front of the tv and watch the bachelor while pigging out.

I never really realized how awkward that thought really is. Hmmm...I'm stressed so lets eat? Really? Instead of organizing better, holding my daughter, and taking some calming relaxing measures or midol? How does one get to the point of being so addicted to food.

I always justified it by saying " at least I'm not doing drugs or trying to drink my emotions away". But I am teaching my kids awful life lessons and I'm slowly killing myself.

So, instead, I pushed through. I got to school, had a good cry, and continued with my day and I'm doing much better now.

Talk to you again soon,
Laura

45 degrees in January...not good for a lot of reasons!!

2012-01-31T07:12:00.000-08:00

Poor Frosty!

Life is SHORT...DUH right?

2012-01-27T04:54:00.000-08:00

How many times have you heard that line...Life is short!!!!???

I met a mom yesterday whose baby died after 15 min of being born. Those 15 min are the most important minutes of her life. She cherishes them like you could never imagine. Those min are engrained into her mind forever. Life is short. I met another mom yesterday who had two months with her baby...and yesterday would have been her babies 7th birthday. Life is short. Believe me those two months are precious to her. They both say the same thing...THANK YOU! How can you thank a place where your baby died? That is just how amazing this hospital is!!! They give you the minutes, the days, or the months with your babies...I can't of anything more miraculous than that.

We are lucky to have Children's Hospital in our community! If you ever need it...it is here.

Today is the last day of Radiothon...please donate to this amazing place filled with miracle makers!! 866-916-0959.

Life is short...love the people around you...you never know how many minutes you have left.

Mary Love

I LOVE THIS!

2012-01-25T04:07:00.001-08:00

Source: Uploaded by user via Just on Pinterest

This is a genious way to deal with someone's cell phone going off during a concert!!!

2012-01-24T05:13:00.000-08:00

This really made me laugh and kind of cry!

2012-01-11T06:25:00.001-08:00

Don't always believe the hype!

So sick!

2012-01-11T05:44:00.000-08:00

My entire family has had this NASTY, UGLY Bug!!! It started with Cole...then Emma...then Doug. I thought I had made it! I was so proud of myself for fighting off the nastiest bug to hit our family in years! AND THEN Wammmmm-O! I got nailed!!! I was so down and out I could NOT even believe it. I finally went to the doctor and got some antibiotics and I finally feel human for the first time in almost two weeks!!!

I hope you all stay healthy!!!! If you do get sick, listen to it right away. Take care of yourself! Don't let it go too long...I have learned my lesson!

Mary

Biggest Loser on the Planet 2012

2012-01-05T06:06:00.001-08:00

Sign up to be the Biggest Loser on the Planet!!! We will pay you $10 per pound to lose weight!!!! It is couples this year so grab a friend, your hubby or boyfriend and lets get to working out and feeling great!!! Sign up today at www.959kissfm.com We will pick the couples by next Friday 1/14/2012!!! The couple who loses the most weight wins a TRIP!!!!

Happy 2012!!!

2012-01-05T04:18:00.001-08:00

Dove Chocolates

2012-01-04T04:27:00.000-08:00

I swear I eat them just so I can read the little saying inside the wrapper!!! Today's (yes I know it is really early in the morning and I am eating chocolate) "What if the season to be jolly was all year round!" SUPER CUTE! It would be nice if everyone thought about each other more...

Our Family Chritmas Card for 2011

2011-12-09T04:27:00.001-08:00

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Merry Christmas everyone!!! It has been the best year ever!

Powerful...

2011-12-01T04:55:00.000-08:00

This guy is only 19 and he makes some really amazing points. I love his very last line...

Come to Mexico with us!!!!

2011-11-03T06:12:00.000-07:00

Doug and I are taking a group of listeners to Rivera Maya, Mexico!!! Took a group to Jamaica last year and we had so much fun! Vicky at Fox World Travel put another fabulous trip together...$250 down saves you a spot on the plane!!!

Here are all the details:
http://www.gofox.com/promos/kiss-trip2012.php

WE DID IT!!! Bras ACROSS the FOX was AMAZING!

2011-10-29T06:23:00.000-07:00

How do you even start??? How do you say thank you to people you have never seen or known in your life!!!??? From watching six year old boys walking up the hill to the bridge swinging bras above their heads to the CEO of Women's Care taking down the HUGE rope we had strung across the river...so many THANK you's need to be said!!! Doug and I literally could not have done this without all of you!

This was a crazy idea I had as I was crossing the bridge shortly after a friend of mine died of breast cancer. I had this vision...bras linked like women standing together in unity. ARM in arm...fighting, laughing, crying, celebrating, mourning...

To see 1,400 bras hooked together flying in the breeze...one of our coworkers said to me, "is this your vision?" I just about had an Oprah ugly cry right then and there. YES!! This was my vision. Exactly what I had seen in my head. It was perfect!

I really think we will do this again next year. Maybe we can do it in two places? Two bridges? Not sure but I love the idea of celebrating women. If we can have some fun and laugh together more...we can make it through anything that comes our way...including breast cancer!

Thank you everyone!

Mary Love

Bras Across the FOX River

2011-10-17T07:57:00.000-07:00

Doug and Mary are going to try and stretch bras across the FOX RIVER on Oct 28th from 6am to 10am. ALL in the name of breast cancer!! Women's Care of Wisconsin said they would give $2,500 to The American Cancer Society if we can do it! I just know we can do it!!!! Here is why we are working so hard for this...it really is all about birthdays!!!

Sick of Saying I can't do Pull Ups!

2011-10-12T08:18:00.001-07:00

My goal is to be able to do five pull ups by the time Thanksgiving rolls around...but really by the time my older brother comes!! He is the king of upper body strength! He is a rock climbing beast! Loves it, climbs even in the winter...ice climbing...totally CRAZY! I have NEVER been able to do pull ups. Well, since I did a couple of Ironman's I figured I can do just about anything I put my mind to...why not the thing that has evaded me for so many of my years???!! I have been working so hard. I can feel myself getting stronger. I can hardly do them but with a little assist I can do about 5. So, soon, I can just feel it...I will be doing them. I have done two with no help in the basement but Cole says I am cheating because I jump up to the bar??? Well, no matter how you look at it I am getting so much stronger and soon I will be doing them with no "jumping."

I plan on freaking my older brother out!!! I can't wait to say, watch this....and BAM roll out five of those puppies!!

Why not? I am sick of saying I can't do pull ups!

This kid is too adorable!!!

2011-10-05T08:06:00.001-07:00

I was thinking for a second I wouldn't hear him so good when he moved the banana away from his mouth...ummm...right...it is not really a microphone! CRACKED me up!!!

What is your excuse...?

2011-09-16T04:43:00.001-07:00

The Today show is in GB!

2011-09-08T06:52:00.001-07:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

This was a ton of fun! The entire world can see how great it is to live here!

Marines having a pillow fight to celebrate coming home!

2011-09-02T03:53:00.000-07:00

<a href='http://video.msn.com?vid=321f938a-a064-4bc6-9022-0173d00776f7&mkt=en-us&src=FLPl:embed::uuids' target='_new' title='Marines Have Pillow Fight On Airplane To Celebrate Return' >Video: Marines Have Pillow Fight On Airplane To Celebrate Return</a>

Time to get a Mammogram

2011-08-26T04:23:00.000-07:00

St. Elizabeth's Hospital started the coolest program for women! They created Walk In Wednesdays!! It is so easy and so fast! You can literally walk right in to the Breast Center at St. E's in Appleton and get a mammogram. No appointment needed at all! When I did it literally took me 30 minutes start to finish and that is with an extra little tour of the place!!

At first I was thinking...ummmm...I am only 40 why on earth would I get a mammogram??? BUT I guess the cancer society wants women starting at age 40 to get a mammogram EVERY YEAR!!! The sooner they catch something the faster they can get rid of it!! I like that idea!!!

I work so hard on being as healthy and strong as I can be so I am adding a mammogram to my list of things to do...and St. E's is making it SUPER easy for me to get that done each year!!

You can check out a virtual tour right here if you want to see just how nice and easy it really is...

Mary Love

Say Something NICE...

2011-08-23T03:59:00.001-07:00

Running at High Cliff

2011-08-18T06:09:00.000-07:00

I have been missing my brother so much lately! I have been dying to go for a run with him like the old days. So, when I went on my run yesterday I took photos of everything I would want to show him...and make this video on my phone.

By the way...how cool is my phone??? I love that I can do this and it was SOOOO EASY!

The Final Road to Ironman...

2011-08-10T06:48:00.000-07:00

Ironman Wi is on Sept 11th this year. They will be marking the 10th anniversary of not only the day the world stood still in total fear and disbelief...but also the 10th year they have done IM in WI.

I think it sort of changes the way I think about doing the race. I think in such a big event you can easily get caught up in a lot of superficial things that really don't matter. $2,000 race wheels, wet suit or no wet suit, these $120 shoes or those $150 shoes, who has what and who has what NOT....blah blah blah! This year I am going to try remember what it is all about for me: FREEDOM. Freedom to live a life I have chosen for myself. The pure freedom of my body working toward a huge goal. The honor of having a husband and a family that allow me to have something of my own. To have my own hobby that means something to me is so important. The freedom to stand up to what ever obstacles come my way...because if you do an IM you know in your heart you can handle just about ANYTHING!

So, I am ready to go and enjoy the weekend with a ton of my friends and my family. I am ready to go celebrate living in a free country, and to honor the day we will all never forget...Sept 11th.

Mary

Girlfriends Fall Fling...

2011-08-03T05:57:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! I got asked to host this first ever Girlfriends Fall Fling in Green Bay! Let's get those kids back to school and then spend some time together shopping, eating and drinking (of course!!!!) It is September 17th and it starts with a fun brunch...with mimosa's and tons of prizes. TONS of local shops, restaurants, hotels and bars have HUGE deals for us!!!! There is even a shuttle bus to drag us around town from shop to shop! We will end the day with a fun Show and Share Happy Hour!! I will give away prizes for the best deals of the day, worst deal of the day, and even for the person who buys the most!!!

Check out the details of the day here!

Make sure to get tickets to this right away!!! I am sure it will sell out!

I just know we will all have a blast shopping til we literally drop!!!

Mary Love

Training RUN

2011-07-20T04:57:00.000-07:00

This Saturday at 7am I will join the Pacesetters to do a training run for the Fox Cities Marathon. They really help so many people get in shape for the half and the full marathon in September! It is FREE and supported with water and Gatorade.

There are two options an 18 mile run, and an 8 mile run so you can pick. Even if you don't want to go that far you sure could come and do a few miles! They have maps so you wont get lost.

I am looking forward to trying this out! I usually end up running a lot of my long runs alone so this is a great way to mix it up!

Everyone is welcome! Come join us!!

Mary

Girls Weekend...

2011-07-14T05:06:00.000-07:00

Headed to Door Co this weekend with a group of really great friends. We will spend the weekend eating, shopping, sleeping, reading...and topping it off with a fun half Ironman!! The temps are looking HOT but that is ok! We can take it!

This is my third year in a row doing this weekend/race! I love it. Can't imagine missing it.

Doug and the kids will meet me after the race on Sunday to swim, eat and chill for a couple of days! The kids just can't miss a weekend in Door CO! It isn't summer with out it!

We stay at the Alpine Resort, eat at The Good Egg, beach it at Peninsula State Park!

Mary

This little kid meets a gay couple for the first time...

2011-07-12T04:07:00.001-07:00

This little guy's reaction to two husbands is just great!

Firecracker 5K on the Fourth of July

2011-06-29T05:41:00.000-07:00

This is so much fun! The best way to start your 4th of July!!!! You can walk or run the 5k!!! You can dress up in red, white and blue if you want! The UW Marching Band will be there playing, guys fall out of the sky from planes, they have day time fireworks, and even veterans shooting guns! They serve homemade APPLE PIE after and it is amazing!!!

You still have time to sign up! Once you do this event you will put it on your list every year!!!

Here is the link to sign up and for more info!

http://www.foxtriclub.com/fox5k/index.html

Awwwwwww.....

2011-06-28T04:24:00.000-07:00

President Obama soothes baby...

2011-06-22T07:04:00.001-07:00

Michelle's face is priceless when the baby stops crying!!!

Wow this was amazing!

2011-06-13T05:48:00.000-07:00

I would love to see more of this!!

Holy COW! Barbara Walters cracks me up in this viedo...

2011-06-10T05:13:00.001-07:00

Rhianna's new video "Man Down."

2011-06-03T05:18:00.000-07:00

Family groups want this video off of tv. They are furious that this video shows someone getting shot...Rhianna stands by it saying it is empowering to young women. What do you think?

"I feel happy of myself!" I love this!!!

2011-06-02T04:44:00.000-07:00

This little guy just learned to ride his bike and gives a little speech! It is so cute.

Awwwwwww....Best Marraige Proposal EVER!

2011-06-01T06:24:00.001-07:00

This guy had a mural painted in NYC on the street where his girlfriend walked every day!!!! So COOOL! You find out her answer at the end....

This is so cute!

2011-05-21T05:41:00.001-07:00

Cancer...and being naked

2011-05-12T04:12:00.000-07:00

The biggest scar on my body (and I have quite a few war wounds) is from having melanoma removed from my arm. SCARY!!! I tiny little freckle turned into the scare of my life. I got burned so many times as a kid. We didn't wear sunscreen and we lived at the beach. I am not really a lay out in the sun kind of girl, nor did I ever go tanning, but I am always outside!!!

Wear sun screen!! Why not? I wear spf 30 or higher and I still get super tan! You don't want melanoma!!! It is the worst! It kills 20 people a day!! I was so lucky I found it so fast...but I get to live with a HUGE scar on my arm. It is ugly but it is a huge reminder everyday to take care of myself!!

Mary~

Mother's Day

2011-05-09T05:10:00.000-07:00

This is a super old photo of the kids in Door County but I just love it! I had the best Mother's Day ever! The kids CLEANED the entire house (all three floors!) They started laundry, did the dishes, vacuumed and even mowed the lawn. I came home from a bike ride and the place was looking so good! I was shocked!!! Doug took Emma to the store and then Cole grilled burgers for a late lunch!! It was so wonderful! Can't even tell you how much I loved it!

We went to the Appleton Art Center to see Emma's art work for the Compassion Project! It was the coolest thing I have seen in forever!!! 10,000 piece of art depicting the area school kids ideas of what compassion means to them!

Cole and I did some shopping and then we all watched a movie snuggled on the couch!

The best Mother's Day I have had so far! LOVED IT!

Mary~

Michele does the Dougie and the Running Man at a middle school!

2011-05-04T04:00:00.001-07:00

This is so great! She really loves to dance. She is pretty good too!

Teacher grew a beard until Osama was found or died!!

2011-05-03T04:39:00.001-07:00

Gary Weddle, a Washington middle school teacher who vowed on 9/11 that he wouldn't shave until we caught Osama bin Laden, broke out the razor last night. At first Weddle figured he'd shave within a few months, but at the beginning of each school year he's been telling his students that his increasingly scraggly beard is a reminder of the attacks. The beard was gone before President Obama made his address. "I spent my first five minutes crying and then I couldn't get it off fast enough," said Weddle.

This says it all...

2011-05-02T06:37:00.000-07:00

I love Sunday mornings...

2011-05-01T09:10:00.000-07:00

Maybe it is just because I am hardly home in the mornings but I just love a lazy Sunday morning. I get up way before my family and just relax. I usually make myself French Press coffee and then create a magnificent mocha!! Delicious. I walk the dog, do the dishes, and even throw in a load or two of laundry. The best part of early Sunday mornings is talking to my mom. I usually try to call her and we can literally chat for hours. We talk about everything in the world! My brothers, my dad, the world, my kids, and everything in between. I have really come to appreciate and understand her so much better and that has made our relationship so great!

I usually head out for a nice long run on Sundays. I usually meet a good friend in the woods and we just head out for an hour or sometimes even two or three (depending on the shape we are in!) I love it! It recharges me and I am ready for a nice long busy hectic week.

It really helps the mood this Sunday that the sun is out! Now my family is stirring and the busy fun day begins!

Mary

Livestrong.com

2011-04-26T09:17:00.000-07:00

I love this website! I use it (almost) every day to track my food and exercise. It has some really inspiring stories and I love all the nutrition and fitness info. This story today really hit me for some reason! Click here to go to the actual story.

Or You can read it right here:

A family health crisis was the major turning point for me. During the summer of 2005, my then 78-year-old father, was gravely ill and had been hospitalized for about a month. I had braced myself for the phone call from my mom to come at anytime (I live 400 miles away from them). The phone call came, but it was a good one. Mom told me that Dad was finally getting better. By the end of July she told me that he was actually going to be released from the hospital. On the day of his discharge she brought him home, helped him settle into his chair, stood up to get him a soda, and promptly died of a massive heart attack in the middle of the living room. Dad was so frail he couldn't even get out of his chair to do anything except call 9-1-1 on his cell. The call that day was not the one I expected.

blog post photo

A few months later my father's health had stabilized and I started looking at mine. I was 44 at the time, weighed about 420 pounds, and smoked about a pack and a half a day. My blood pressure was 179/103 and I knew that if I ever had a blood test I'd show up as diabetic (I had seen the signs and every one of my relatives was an overweight diabetic). I started tweaking my eating and trying to work out a bit. A year later I was no different. Another year goes by and I had probably managed to lose 20 pounds (I didn't have a scale that would go that high so I'm kind of guessing here). In the late summer of 2007 I finally decided I had to do something NOW. I started weighing my food and that's when I discovered that the steak I considered a dinner portion was really big enough for two and sometimes three dinners. A medium pizza is not designed to feed two people. We all have been here, haven't we?

My local health department offered smoking cessation sessions using the patch and the Cooper-Clayton method to quit (Dr. Richard Clayton was an old professor and colleague of mine so I knew the method but never followed it before). In 12 weeks I was done with the smokes. It was time to deal with the next task, so I started by cutting out the sodas. I had been having at least three cans a day, usually closer to a 6 pack and on a tough day I might have a couple of extra ones. I cut them out since I hated the taste of diet cola. Wow. I suddenly noticed that my size 58-60 pants were a touch loose. Duh. I stopped going to fast-food restaurants and soon needed to buy a size 54 to replace the 58s.

I started to walk in the park. A mile took me the best part of an hour and made my ankles and knees so sore I could hardly walk for two days (I should add here that because of a birth defect my legs are not as sturdy as the average pair of legs and I have a bunch of issues there which included more surgeries than I want to remember). A couple of months later I was up to 1.5 miles per day, four to five days a week. I decided to challenge myself to walk in a 5K, so in July 2008 I completed a 5K Road Race for the Bluegrass State Games and finished dead last, with my wife, in just under an hour. I also met Jared Fogle that day-- the Subway spokesperson on Oprah and the Subway commercials (Subway sponsors the BGSG and paid him to come and host the event and give out the awards). I bought a scale in October 2008 that would go to 350 and expected to break it. I didn't and I literally cried when I saw it had 320 on it. In December 2008 I bought two pairs of size 50 jeans and started walking just about every day. Soon I noticed that I could walk two miles almost every day, no matter what.

Along the way I've adjusted the portion size of my meals to something more in line with normal. I have not really changed the content of my food, only the amount and the way it is prepared. Almost everything is cooked on my grill now with no added fat (I can't remember the last time I had something fried) and the portion sizes are close to recommendations instead of restaurant size. Other than a few substitutions of ingredients (ground turkey in my chili in place of half the ground beef and fat-free half and half instead of regular) I haven't really changed what I cook at home. I just eat a normal amount instead of supersizing it. Also, I killed the donuts and pies I used to bake all the time. A snack now is a handful of cashews or some carrot sticks (which I still dip in full fat beer cheese--I just dip it now instead of covering it in the cheese). I eat a pretzel rod instead of a candy bar now. When I want chocolate, I have a Hershey's Kiss or a fun size candy bar instead of a full size one. A quick handful of trail mix also works well. Now my nightly dessert is a portion of sugar-free Jello pudding made with 1% milk. And I have one cookie with my lunch instead of the 3-4 I used to have.

In May 2009, I bought a bike at a garage sale in my neighborhood and started riding it. My favorite Loop is known locally as "Walnut Hill" -- it's about 14 miles long if I ride from my driveway. The first trip around took me two hours and four rest stops. Soon I was riding it non-stop every day and joining a bike club to get longer rides under my belt. In January 2010 I wound up with a new Giant road bike as my present for losing 200 pounds. By the end of October I will have rode 2,500 miles on it.

Now I weigh 195 pounds and my blood pressure is 105/62, last time I checked. My blood sugar tested within normal parameters a month or so ago. My bad cholesterol was 89 (but good only 19) and my triglycerides were about a third of the recommended level at 61. Now I'll have a regular soda when I want one, but once a week at most. I did go through a Wendy's drive thru once last summer when I was exceptionally hungry and had forgotten to bring snacks from home. No restaurants though since the portion sizes are so out of whack. Now I wear a size 38 jeans and I think a 36 is in the near future. My former 3X shirts (and an occasional 4X) have been swapped for Large. I work out virtually every day now, either by walking or biking. My standard is to walk 3-4 miles depending on the weather and how I feel. I have rediscovered my love of a bike-- I ride every day if I don't walk. I've completed several half centuries with my bike club (50 or more miles at one time) and I'm working on a training plan for my first century next spring. Most weeks I hit in the ballpark of a hundred miles or so total.

I still plan to lose more weight. I think I'll look good about 180-200 pounds so that's where I want to go. The BMI charts tell me I need to be 150 pounds but I'm 48 years old and I think I'll let 30 pounds slide. 225 pounds down and about 15 left to go! I think I can get there from here.

My wife has been my biggest support system. For three years I focused (maybe even obsessed) on my weight. She had to put up with everything from my learning how to cook all over again, to ranting and raving about not losing enough weight fast enough, to the nightly ice packs and ibuprofen schedule.

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The biggest challenge for me was discipline. I used to have none when it came to food. I grew up in a Southern culture that equated food with friendship and hospitality, so you always ate or drank whenever you saw a friend. Discipline is still my challenge since I allow myself an occasional donut, beer or restaurant now.

Calories in--calories out has been my secret to success. Nothing else matters. Forget the obsession with trivial details and focus on calories in and out. Sure, other stuff is important too, but nothing else matters as much. Worry about the big picture, not the smaller stuff. Change one thing at a time by small amounts rather than going cold turkey. Once you get that thing under control, focus on the next one. I got comfortable with cutting sodas, then restaurants, then portion size. All three at once failed in the past for me, every time.

My words of wisdom:
1. The mind is the hardest to change. I still go immediately to the big and tall section to buy clothes and I still head for the table instead of the booth the few times I go out. None of my new friends knew me at 420 pounds and they don't really understand. Of course, neither do I. My mirror shows me a 195 pound man, but my mind still sees me at 420. But it is fun when I have to tell someone I haven't seen in a few years who I am. Their mouth flies open and the eyes bug out like Daffy Duck.

2. Plateaus happen. Shake up your routine, stick with the program and the weight will start to fall off again. Always stick with it, even when the scale doesn't move a lot. Sometimes you will lose a pants size but no weight-- jeans never lie even when the scale doesn't move.

3. Celebrate the small victories. Finish that 5K and have a candy bar or something special. Buy a new shirt when you drop a size.

4. If you splurge today, track it, shake yourself off and start over again tomorrow since one meal won't wreck all your work but one month might. This is a long term thing, not a week to fix it all.

LIVESTRONG.COM has taught me to count calories and track everything. Calories in-- calories out. Focus on those details. And above all else, support is crucial. Venting online with my frustrations, seeing that others have the same concerns and worries, cheering them on and being cheered on by them. Support makes all the difference in the world. LIVESTRONG.COM helps others by promoting healthier lifestyles in the kitchen, the park, the gym, and creating a supportive community to help. I've never met any of my LIVESTRONG.COM friends but they mean the world to me.
read more

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/blog/#ixzz1Ke9gXcWC

It's all fun and games til someone writes down the fat content!

2011-04-21T06:11:00.000-07:00

Here is a mini list of how many calories are in some of the fav Easter candies! YIKES!

WOW! The Chocolate Easter Bunny looks so innocent but geeeeeze that is a LOT of calories!!!

This is super cute...

2011-04-20T04:45:00.001-07:00

Not sure why but this really cracked me up!

Crazy "quad" busting trail run!

2011-04-18T07:11:00.000-07:00

I woke up early Sunday morning and headed out with some friends to a trail run on the ski/mt bike/Ice Age trails in Iola!!! It was a total blast! Cold, snowy, muddy, and crazy huge hills!!! Tons of rocks, roots, holes...and even a few downed trees! I had a blast racing through this wild course! It was 15K and that felt just about right...I was ready for the finish line when I hit it! I am not a huge runner...but I can tell you I really LOVE running in the woods! It feels more like exploring than running to me!

I might just have to find a few more trail runs!!! I have a few crazy friends who are getting into them too...so at least I have some others to "go get LOST in the woods with!"

Mary~

How about getting an invite to this party??!

2011-04-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

She had a party to kick off the sale of her new cook book! I guess she was involved in every detail!! This looks so lovely! She is adorable! From singing F*You on GLEE to throwing an adorable party for friends...oh yeah and being in a bikini on the front cover of People Magazine! YIKES! For being 38 she really has it going on!

Mary~

Last Day...

2011-04-13T04:40:00.000-07:00

So today Doug and I have the final weigh in for The Biggest Loser on the Planet! We are getting ready to write some seriously huge checks! WOW! Ryan Marx...he has lost over 80 pounds!! Jess, has lost over 30 and was our smallest contestant to start the competition! The major difference this year is that all the contestants utilized the free personal trainers at Planet Fitness!! Those personal trainers really know how to kick some BUTT!

Jerry and his wife Missy have been such an inspiration to everyone!! Missy has lost 45 pounds and she is NOT even in this competition!!! They made a video to try and get on the program The Biggest Loser and we all have our fingers crossed that that get on!!!

I really hope these 10 contestants keep up this hard work and really become strong and fit! They can do it...but after tonight they are on their own. Hard for me to let go...

Mary

This is a video from Merill. WOW! This storm on Sunday was so bad!

2011-04-12T05:48:00.001-07:00

This girl sings the Doug and Mary Jingle! So cute!

2011-04-11T04:05:00.001-07:00

Awwww....

2011-04-10T05:46:00.000-07:00

Blind pooch comes with own guide dog: krqe.com

Make your own pizza!

2011-04-07T06:08:00.000-07:00

The kids and I made our own pizza's last night. They made just a regular white flour crust...but I made a whole wheat crust for Doug and me. More than tasting good it really was a blast! I have to find away to make the crust a bit less chewy!! I think the whole wheat crust can be tough to work with!!

Emma made a pepperoni (turkey pepperoni) and cheese.
Cole made his classic Canadian bacon and pineapple.
I made a pizza with all of the above plus feta cheese!

So fun!

I want this guy to win the $750!!!

2011-04-01T06:35:00.001-07:00

Wow this must made my day! We are picking a winner for the $750 from The Bank of Luxemburg on Monday morning. All you had to do was tell us how hard you worked in college to get the money...this guy just made it way more interesting! THANKS!

This guy is CRAZY!

2011-04-01T04:47:00.001-07:00

Awwww....one of the good ones died! RIP Elizebeth Taylor

2011-03-23T04:48:00.000-07:00

Job Guilt

2011-03-12T04:49:00.000-08:00

I have the best job ever! I get to go on the radio and just chat about things that are going on in the world! Everything from Charlie Sheen to much more important things like the Tsunami! I get to go to great concerts, fun events, and go on fabulous vacations. Doug and I are taking a trip with listeners to Jamaica. We leave tonight to go to Milwaukee and then fly out in the morning. How fun is that? It is hard to think of that as work but it is! Laying on the beach, drinking a rum punch is WORK! Hiking up waterfalls, eating tons of great food, and zip lining through the woods is work! I do have major guilt about this job sometimes but I will tell you what....I appreciate this job more than anyone will ever know! It affords me to have the nicest life! I have tons of time for my kids, to train for Ironman and to have a LOT of fun. I guess I should change it from Job Guilt to MAJOR JOB APPRECIATION!

We promise to update you from Jamaica.

Mary

5 year old wont marry a guy before she gets a job!

2011-03-07T04:29:00.001-08:00

Wow this had Doug and I laughing so hard today!

Frost bite and frozen corneas...

2011-02-28T05:34:00.000-08:00

The Birkie was EPIC this year! -10 below at the start and it only warmed up to 5 degrees!!! I have never been COLDER in my life! I figured the best way to handle the race was to just NOT STOP!!!! I skied as hard and fast as I could! It is so amazing to me to see 11,000 people ski through the woods in WI!

Learning to ski has changed my life! It proves to me their is WAY more power in this human body than I ever thought! You can push yourself so much and you don't break!

I told my kids last night how I appreciate them so much for supporting me in this crazy new sport /hobby! It is hard for them when I am gone but I figure moms go away from time to time...some go on girls weekends, some go to Jamaica (with us) some go away to do marathons...this is just what I chose to do for my time. I told them it makes me a better mom...to have just a little time to myself every once in awhile...and that I encourage them to find what they love in this life so that they can feel the same way!

Doug was with me for the first few days in Hayward and it was so much fun! We had a blast driving up there together...even went off the beaten path a few times (I LOVE the Gazetteer) we listened to great music and had fun just laughing and talking. He skied with me on the Birkie trail and he had the biggest smile on his face I have ever seen!

I feel like I am really taking full advantage of the life I have been given!

"I am on the right track baby, I was born this way." Lady Ga Ga

Mary

Lady Ga Ga goes WILD...

2011-02-22T04:59:00.000-08:00

...and what is with the little boy on the set?

$32 bucks....

2011-02-21T06:35:00.001-08:00

LOVE LOVE LOVE HIM!

2011-02-10T06:38:00.001-08:00

This MADE my DAY!!!!

2011-02-02T05:15:00.000-08:00

Ski weekend...

2011-01-31T06:11:00.000-08:00

I had a ski marathon up in Marquette on Saturday and it was the hardest/wildest/most amazing experience!! After the race I met up with Doug and the kids, we went out for pizza and then skied all the next day at Marquette MT! We had the best weekend EVER!

SUPERBOWL here we come...

2011-01-24T07:02:00.001-08:00

What else can we say...WE LOVE YOU RAJI!

GO PACK! ALL THE WAY TO THE SUPERBOWL!

2011-01-21T07:18:00.001-08:00

Weigh in Wednesday...

2011-01-19T07:20:00.000-08:00

Today is the first day of our Biggest Loser on the Planet!!! All 10 contestants weigh in, we take photos, we give out some prizes and we all start a new journey live on the radio!

If you would like to follow and PLAY along at home please join us on the Facebook page I created Biggest Loser on the Planet 2011. Post what you are doing and your progress! You never know when you will inspire someone else!

What if this was the year you really turned it around...just think how much better your life would be?

Mary~

I LOVE Betty White!

2011-01-19T05:33:00.003-08:00

Betty White really knows how to have some fun!

Mary~

I wonder what she was texting when she hit the water...

2011-01-17T04:44:00.000-08:00

The Packer Anthem...

2011-01-10T06:20:00.001-08:00

This is great!! A group in Madison made this! I love it!

This really cracked me up!

2011-01-09T04:55:00.000-08:00

This is hysterical!

Mary~

Honestly, SNOOKIE is totally adorable in this...

2011-01-07T05:24:00.000-08:00

This cracked me up! She does SUCH a great job acting in this...CAN NOT believe I just said that!!!!!

Biggest Loser on the Planet 2011

2011-01-05T06:11:00.000-08:00

We are doing it again! Sign up to be a part of the Biggest Loser with Doug and Mary! This year we have DOUBLED everything! 10 contestants, and $1,000 for the top losing woman and man!! Of course we will still pay you $10 per pound you lose until April!!

So fun!!

Click here to sign up!

Daddy it's COLD Outside!

2010-12-23T04:45:00.000-08:00

Skip ahead to 3:14 and listen to this song! SO CUTE!!!

This is in Darboy, WI!

2010-12-20T07:11:00.001-08:00

Can you imagine living next to these people!?!?

She is in Jamaica...

2010-12-17T04:34:00.000-08:00

Honestly all the cool people go to Jamaica! Of course she is recovering from a torturous marriage to Ryan Renolds I mean...wow it had to be tough to be married to such a rich hot guy!! Our Spring Break trip in March is SOOOOOO close to being sold out!!! As of yesterday there were only four seats left!!! Check out the details here and how you only have to put $200 down right now!!!

My 40th Birthday was PERFECT!

2010-12-14T04:58:00.000-08:00

So I tried to ski 40K on my birthday but I ran out of steam (seriously out of steam) at 25K. I had so much fun I don't even care that I didn't make it! It was the best day ever on the snow. My first day back on skis for the season and I have to say it felt great!

When I got home I spent some time with Cole (eating...because that is what teenagers do!) And it was so nice.

Our neighbor boy (my adopted son) came over with the nicest present and a note that was literally the sweetest thing I have ever read! He is the most amazing guy! I just love him!! The perfect 17 year old...I swear! When he leaves for college I will be the biggest mess!

Then Doug and Em came home from basketball and it was presents and CAKE!!! Doug got me tickets to Kenny Chesney at Lambeau Field this summer! I can NOT wait to be a part of that!! Emma made me a bracelet and it is so sweet! She wrote me the greatest card!! It was so nice. The cake was amazing. THE best part was sitting around the table just talking and laughing!! I have the greatest family and friends.

Thanks for the best b-day!

Mary~

We love the SNOW!

2010-12-13T06:09:00.000-08:00

So our weekend was all about gearing up for the snow and PLAYING in it big time.
First we waxed skis! This is Cole and one of his pals waxing my Rossi's.

Then we (I mean Emma) made a snowman!

Honestly we LOVE this snow and can't wait to spend the winner having a blast.

Thank you Mother Nature!

Here is what she really wants for Christmas...

2010-12-10T05:32:00.000-08:00

We are giving away a trip for two to Vegas. I am SOOOO SHOCKED at the amount of women who have written to me to say they want to go with their boyfriend or husband to Vegas for the weekend. ALL the women are saying the same thing...they want some time with you GUYS. Just the two of you...no interruptions, no one else!! This is good news don't ya think! All they want for Christmas is YOU!!!!

I think Vegas would be nice but if this is really true I think you should give them the gift of seven nights in Jamaica!! Come with us, bring you sweet heart, reconnect take the time to say..."ya I dig you!!!" I bet the rest of the year will be SO much nicer, easier knowing you took the time to enjoy each other for ONE WEEK!

What if it was really JUST THAT EASY? For $200 you can reserve your seats on the charter with us to Jamaica. You can pay the rest later. www.959kissfm.com for all the details!

Mary~

Jingle Ball 2010

2010-12-09T05:25:00.000-08:00

What a BLAST! We had the best Jingle Ball ever last night! It was the first time Emma has been to a Jingle Ball and we let her bring a friend. They had so much fun going backstage and meeting all the great artists! Especially Mohombi...since he kissed them on the cheeks! Cole and his best buddy (we call him our adopted son) Taylor had so much fun meeting Nick Barnett! I think they really enjoyed going backstage to meet Auburn...she was adorable!

Literally it was the perfect Jingle Ball! Thanks everyone for making it such a fun night!

Mary~

Miley has a hard time keeping clothes on...

2010-12-03T06:37:00.000-08:00

I guess someone stole her iPhone and found a bunch of photos! Why does she continue to take naked photos of herself???? WTH?

Mary

Thoughts and Prayers for this family...

2010-12-01T07:02:00.001-08:00

The Hengel Family has a sign out front of their house that says we Do NOT wish to speak at this time. My heart is just breaking for them and their terrible, senseless loss! They are left to face all the questions, fears, and grief all alone. They have become the face of this horrible situation!!! I hope they can get some help dealing with this...

We will pray for everyone involved.

Click here for an update on the story.

Mary Love~

I had a million excuses...

2010-11-21T11:30:00.000-08:00

I so did not want to go out in the rain and cold weather today and run! I had so many reason to not go. My calf hurt, my kids wanted me to hang and watch a movie with them all snuggled on the couch. I headed out to meet my friends just sort of going through the motions. When I was parking the car I saw this old man walking with his walker! My friend and I walked over to talk with this old guy and he said he just loved to get out everyday to get some fresh air! He made my day! He would walk about 100 yards, sit down in his car for a few minutes and then get out and walk again...he did this over and over! It was incredible and made me realize the power of fresh air and exercise.

Sometimes in life it is the simplest things that can help you to have a good day!

$200 is all it takes...

2010-11-18T05:12:00.000-08:00

I guess I did not realize you only have to put $200 down to save a seat on our Spring Break Trip to Jamaica!!! How sweet is that? So if you are interested put your money down on this trip right now and then you won't have to pay till after Christmas!! PERFECT!

7 nights in Jamaica...I can't wait! I had some serious mom guilt at first about going away for so long but now that I think about it Doug and I could really use some time alone! I can NOT remember being with just Doug for YEARS....probably 14 years to be exact!

I am more of the get up early and find some adventure kind of girl but Doug is more of a hang on the beach, get a tan and drink some serious beer kind of guy! BUT we are perfect for each other...I love that he knows how to relax and I love that he thinks I am crazy and fill my life with wild adventure! I can guarantee that I will leave no rock unturned in Jamaica! Zip lines, water falls, motorcycle tours, snorkeling, and anything else I can find!! I am so in...

Join us...I promise we will come back with some seriously great stories and memories!

Mary

No clue why this made me laugh so hard...

2010-11-18T04:18:00.001-08:00

40 mph winds in NYC and these crazy people are on top of the Empire State Building...funny and scary at the same time! I have been up there and the building actually sways with the wind!

Can't WAIT for GLEE this week!!!!!

2010-11-15T05:29:00.000-08:00

Gwyneth Paltrow is the Substitute on GLEE this week and she sounds AMAZING in this song!

Mary Love~

That GLEE GQ Shoot was really naughty!

2010-11-13T06:20:00.000-08:00

So since the photos didn't get enough attention (yeah, RIGHT!) GQ releases the video from the photo shoot that got those kids (I mean 30 year olds) in trouble!

I love the last second of the video. FINN...Not bad for a Saturday.

This MADE my DAY!!!!

2010-11-11T04:03:00.001-08:00

This guy is so funny! He really doesn't take himself too seriously does he?

OMG! We are going to JAMAICA!!!!

2010-11-05T07:33:00.000-07:00

Fox World Travel put a trip together for us to go on with our listeners! We have NEVER done this before in our lives! NO come along trips, no trips to JAMAICA!!! We are so excited. It is for SEVEN nights!! Pretty sure I can relax in seven days!! They made it a great deal for anyone who wants to come with us!!

It is all inclusive so we can all just go nuts and have a blast. We have some fun stuff planned like snorkeling, zip lines, hiking waterfalls. We have so much fun on vacation...and we promise you can join us on all of it (or NONE if you want!!)

Check it out...

Come join us!

Mary Love

If you are bored at work...this should keep you entertained for a few minutes.

2010-11-04T04:33:00.001-07:00

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

My crazy brother...

2010-11-02T06:24:00.000-07:00

My brother is an artist and an art professor in MN. He is gathering some info. for the sake of his art (lol!)

Take this crazy poll to help him out! Don't over think it...it will take one second to do.

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BEC374EFE

Mary~

What a blast!

2010-11-01T04:41:00.000-07:00

So, this 10 miler at the Reforestation Camp in Green Bay was a total blast! We ran the race on the single track mt bike trail!! It was crazy technical but really fun! We really got a kick out of the fact that you won Beer for first place, Maple Syrup for second place and Dill Pickles for third...ONLY in Wisconsin!!

The money raised for this race was for the Ashwaubenon XC ski team! Literally the perfect way to start a Sunday.

I am secretly obsessed with the show...it is insane but I am.

2010-11-01T04:15:00.001-07:00

This is SUPER FUNNY!

2010-10-24T06:07:00.000-07:00

Two runs in one week...

2010-10-22T05:05:00.000-07:00

I actually got Doug to run with me twice this week! SO COOL! I have taken him up to High Cliff both times and of course he thinks I am a rock star because I know where I am going. I have run there so many times I know the place like the back of my hand. I did have to trick him a bit yesterday because he was so stuck on only running for 30 min and that was making me crazy! I like to run until I feel like stopping...and he wanted a concrete number of when it was going to end!!! So since I had a watch and he did not I had to fib a bit! We were about 28 min in and he said ok this is getting kind of long and I said oh we still have about ten min left to get to the car! OMG! He just rolled his eyes. So I got him to run 43 min instead. He did great and could have so ran longer! I told him he had to work on letting go of the numbers and just enjoy the experience...of course he thinks I am nuts!

I could run in the woods with no watch, and no plan and just enjoy myself so much! Meet up with a friend and talk talk talk...it is one of my favorite things in the world to do. Right now High Cliff is AMAZING! The leaves are covering the trails, and it is just spectacular. I can't get enough of it.

I am trying to convince Doug he could run for an hour now that he ran for 43 min. Wish me luck with THAT!

Mary~

This sums up the phrase, "no excuses."

2010-10-21T06:57:00.000-07:00

Honestly, this photo says it all to me. You can do anything you want in this life. It does not have to be an IRONMAN but it could be anything you want! You pick it...and go for it! I love what Burgandy from the Biggest Loser said on our show yesterday..."pick your hard, being fat is hard, sitting around doing nothing is hard, working out is hard, living life is hard...just pick your new hard!"

Rajesh Durbal is a triple amputee and just finished IM Hawaii in about 14 hours.

Mary~

This woman has MS but is sure is NOT stopping her!

2010-10-19T04:38:00.000-07:00

I read this on active.com and I thought you would love it! The last line is my favorite!!

Karen Stewart knows what endurance is all about.

Fourteen years after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Stewart continues to fight a daily battle against the incurable disease while pushing her physical limits at endurance events across the nation.

Stewart, who is 65, has walked five full marathons, more than 30 half marathons, seven MS Challenge Walks (a three-day, 50-mile event aimed to find a cure for the disease) and counting.

"I just decided that if MS wasn't going to kill me I was going to walk, and I did," Stewart said.

Before her diagnosis, Stewart was a nurse and avid exerciser. She would hop on the treadmill at her local YMCA before work. With determination and the help of her MS medication, Copaxone, Stewart got healthy enough to exercise again.

"After my MS diagnosis, everything really went downhill for the first three to four years," Stewart said. "I couldn't work anymore, one side of my body wouldn't work and my brain wasn't functioning the way it should. In 2000, things started to turn around. I started walking with my walker and my cane, and pretty soon I was back to the Y on a treadmill."

One day on the treadmill, Stewart read a magazine story about a 250-pound woman who planned to walk the Portland Marathon.

"I thought, 'Well I don't weigh 250 pounds, but I have other issues,'" Stewart said. "I read that whole article and I got so inspired. I got off the treadmill, and I called my husband and said, 'I'm going to walk a marathon.'"

Other articles Stewart read at the time told her too much exercise was bad for individuals with MS and could lead to overheating and fatigue. Many people doubted she would be able to complete such a hefty endurance event.

"I think I just defied all the odds," Stewart said. "I told my doctor I was going to do this, and he told me I was nuts. Everyone told me I was crazy, but I just decided what's the worst thing that's going to happen? I'm not going to be able to do it."

Stewart didn't have the first clue about walking a marathon but did the research and started to train. She trained from May 2000 to October 2001, when she walked the Portland Marathon in 8 hours and 39 minutes.

After crossing the line, Stewart immediately thought, "What's next?" Nine years later, she has a stacked race calendar and hopes to continue pushing the envelope in her athletic endeavors.

"It was a huge accomplishment, but I knew it wouldn't stop there," Stewart said of completing her first marathon.

This year, Stewart will walk 10 Rock 'n' Roll races to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Team Copaxone. The team, named after and supported by the medication of the same name, is comprised of individuals who have had success stabilizing the disease with the medication's help and have gone on to do the unthinkable.

Stewart is a firm believer in the advantage of aerobic exercise for MS patients. She credits the exercise with decreasing her symptoms and has been told by her neurologist that staying active helped parts of her body to start working properly again.

"I like the Rock 'n' Rolls because they are walker friendly," Stewart said. "Even though the walkers are at the back of the pack, at least you're not run over. Once the runners are out of the way then you're in your own zone, and it's just 30 to 40,000 of your new best friends."

Stewart's training includes gym work five to six days a week. She spends three of those days doing weights and aerobic and the other half on the treadmill and elliptical. She and a walking partner also do long walks two to three times a week.

"When I meet with other patients and share my story, some of them will say, 'So what, I can never do what you do,'" Stewart said. "My message is really one of hope. Maybe you can't do what I do, but you can do more. We're all capable of doing more than what we do. Wherever you're at, just get out of that comfort zone."

The World is Celebrating with the Rescued Miners!

2010-10-13T05:56:00.000-07:00

11 men as of 7:30am have been lifted out of the mine!! It feels like the best news ever! The stories of the men, the photos, the videos are so amazing! I am enjoying the break from talking about people from Jersey Shore, Kim K and her naked body in W, or who is divorcing who....

This story is the best news!

Mary~