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<blockquote><span style="color: #800000;"><strong> </strong></span>

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<span style="color: #800000;"><strong>Late Bloomer says,</strong></span>

<span style="color: #800000;"><strong>"A journey of 1000+ miles begins with 10,000 steps."</strong></span></blockquote>
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Today I started my trek around the world!  I took my first step in Milford Sound, New Zealand.

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Of course, this is a <em>virtual </em>trek.  Details, details!

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As part of our health and wellness program, the Noble Publishing Superpower that is my employer offered to sign us up for <strong><a href="http://gettheworldmoving.com/" target="_blank">The Global Corporate Challenge</a></strong>.  Overachiever that I am, I signed up to be a Team Coach and recruited 6 other colleagues to join me on this quest.

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<span style="font-size: medium; color: #ff6600;"><strong>Everyone enlisted in the GCC has the same goal:  to take at least 10,000 steps a day.  This effort will lead to a healthier, happier Corporate America.</strong></span>

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When I volunteered for this, I thought it was for a week.  This must have been when my head was spinning with Big Work Stuff which necessitated email skimming.

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When our team welcome email arrived, we found out that the Challenge runs for 16 weeks!!!

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Bwahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

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At least<em> I </em>found this terribly amusing.

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My recruits did not laugh.

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<span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Most frequently asked questions amongst my recruits:</strong></span> "Do I have to wear my pedometer everyday for 16 weeks?"

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<span style="color: #800000;"><strong>Captain Michelle: </strong></span> "Uhhh...Yes."

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<span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Little Michelle B</strong>:</span> "Do I have to wear it when I'm out for the night in Scottsdale?"

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Oh, brother.

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But I quickly saw her point.  After all, I am a girl, too.

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<span style="color: #800000;"><strong>Captain Michelle:</strong></span> "Uhhh...Yes.  Unless it completely ruins your outfit.  Let's tackle this thing with moderation, shall we?"

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<span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Lenore aka NJ contingency:</strong></span> "Did anyone read the directions???  It's so easy to cheat!"

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<span style="color: #800000;"><strong>Captain Michelle</strong>:</span> (<em>to Lenore)</em> "Pipe down over there, Jersey!  Drop and give me 50!"  (<em>addressing the troops)</em> "Ladies, if you cheat, you are only cheating yourselves!"

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On kickoff day, I logged in 13, 349 steps.  Wahoo!  I parked farther away than I usually do at work, I scheduled two stair climbs with the team, ran an errand at the mall at lunch, wandered the aisles of Whole Paycheck after work to stock up on goods for the <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/" target="_blank">Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>, and walked Little Miss B for half an hour at night.

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However!  On the 2nd day, I telecommuted, only had time for a 15 minute walk with Little Miss B due to an evening event, and...found myself pacing while brushing my teeth before bed in order to sneak more steps in.  I squeaked by at barely 10,000 steps.

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So...it's more challenging than you think!

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<strong><span style="font-size: medium; color: #ff6600;">Who wants to try this at home? </span></strong>

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All you need is a pedometer and a bit of motivation.  Once you start, I promise that you will be HIGHLY motivated to make it to your 10,000.

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