how can my fave part *not* be that she colored outside the lines?!
Being that my first career centered around writing & children I’ve been a friend to Flat Stanley for a while now.
Long before the Tornado entered the scene, Stanley’s skinnyself could frequently be found in my purse *waiting* to emerge at a crazy!new!locale! so I could snap a photo & return him to his owner.
It was for that reason I made the erroneous assumption *everyone* knew about the Flat Stanley Project.
Leave it to twitter (what would we do without Twitter?!) to inform me of the error of my ways.
I give you the Flat Stanley short version:
- Based on a book (though yes, Lord help us, there’s now an app) Flat Stanley has sparked an elementary school movement.
- Flat Stanley is mailed all over the world, the Stanley-recipients take a photo of Stanley’s “visit” and return both photo/and Stanley to his owner.
(see? for once I actually did proffer just the really short version. go me!)
Of course this all started me thinking how fun it would be if we had ourselves a FIT STANLEY!
We could send our FIT little man all over the world to experience (and have photo-documented on our blogs) healthy living adventures!
So I hired an artist:
Who, in turn, fancied herself a philosopher:
And we took the whole thing to this guy to laminate**:
Finally our fantastic Fit Stanley is ready to start his FITventures.
He’s ready to get to traveling & I look to you to get him started and keep him going.
My plan:
- Please leave a comment below if you’d be willing to host Stanley and take his photo doing something Fit&Fun.
- After you take Stanley’s picture you, in turn, will blog your FIT’ventures (preferably with the words Fit Stanley in your post title so we are sure to find him. Feel free also to send me your link and use the hashtag #FitStanley for your post on twitter).
- How you pass Fit Stanley onward is entirely up to you. Id love him to travel the globe. Id love him to be something which connects us to bloggers we dont yet know (translation: try and resist passing him on to a friend).
- That’s it! You can tweak the whole shebang as you’d like (ala this post I plan to include a little treat inside the package when I ship Fit Stanley) the most important thing is keeping Fit Stanley moving & grooving.
So what do you say?
Would you want to host Fit Stanley for a FIT’venture or three?
Are you willing to both blog yer FIT’cursion and mail him on to someone else?
Please to hit us up in the comments below.
I will pick a person at random and contact by email 6.20.11
**Of course the creation of Fit Stanley went horribly awry as most of my arts & crafts adventures do. Suffice it to say I received TWO pieces of Fit Stanley back from lamination. I rehired my artist and we started again…
Hungry for Health says
June 17, 2011 at 4:22 amI love this idea!!
I’m in!
Lila says
June 17, 2011 at 4:32 amWe loved Flat Stanley here, too.
I could bring FIT Stanley swimming!!
Kim says
June 17, 2011 at 4:36 amI would LOVE to get FIT Stanley!!! I would take him with me to my Kettlebell class, or on a run, or to the park, or bike riding……
Helen says
June 17, 2011 at 4:42 amYou have the best ideas!
I would take Fit Stanley rock climbing!
Heather @ Not a DIY Life says
June 17, 2011 at 4:44 amOh, I’d LOVE to host Fit Stanley!! Pick me, Pick me!!!
Amy @ FitMommas says
June 17, 2011 at 5:03 amWhat a great idea! My 5yo had a Flat Stanley project this spring at preschool, we’d love to do this! I’d love to be a Fit Stanley host!
jen (@jeninRL) says
June 17, 2011 at 5:05 amFit Stanley needs to come to South Jersey!
Kek says
June 17, 2011 at 5:25 amI’d LOVE to meet Fit Stanley! And I’ll bet he’d like to come visit me and meet my neighbours the kangaroos.
🙂
Coco says
June 17, 2011 at 5:32 amI am in for the whole shabang!
Laura says
June 17, 2011 at 5:32 amI’m in, I’m in, I’m in! Fit Stanley would love Canada and see we are not just about snow, igloos and stupid hockey riots.
Aimee says
June 17, 2011 at 5:34 amI would START a blog to host Fit Stanley.
mousearoo says
June 17, 2011 at 5:44 amDoes Fit Stanley have a passport? Is he allowed into Canada?
If so, I’m in… after our postal strike is over, of course 🙁
Gail @ Shrinking Sisters says
June 17, 2011 at 5:50 amDefinitely! Stanley will have a great time in Florida.
Lori (Finding Radiance) says
June 17, 2011 at 5:51 amI would love to take Fit Stanley on one of my long bike rides!
I think I know who I would send him off to afterwards 😀
Joanna says
June 17, 2011 at 5:57 amAs a soon to be teacher, and a mother that has had the great opportunity of hosting two Flat Stanley projects (where he visited places like England, India, and Australia), I’d LOVE to host Fit Stanley!!
What a awesome idea!!
Lizzie says
June 17, 2011 at 5:58 amI’m not a blogger, but you have the best ideas!
Maria (RealFitMama) says
June 17, 2011 at 6:06 amOh Miz!!!
My daughters are already talking about all the different city walking adventures we could take Fit Stanley on with us. I’m sure he would LOVE to chill in the stroller with Regan after a long evening of leaping, bounding and trotting down the city streets of St Louis.
LOVE IT!!
Jeanette says
June 17, 2011 at 6:07 amId love to see Fit Stanley at the finish line of the See Jane Run half marathon on October 9 in Austin! He can even do a few miles with me 🙂
Laurie says
June 17, 2011 at 6:10 amYOU ROCK.
And are always thinking about us and fun and creative things.
I wish I had a blog!!
Karen@WaistingTime says
June 17, 2011 at 6:14 amSounds like fun! Count me in. Is Fit Stanley wearing leg warmers?
Miz says
June 17, 2011 at 6:16 amwhy yes. yes he is.
Thea @ I'm a Drama Mama says
June 17, 2011 at 6:30 amOoooh, I definitely want in on this one! What a cool idea!!
Mrs. NoMo says
June 17, 2011 at 6:33 amI don’t blog but would love to have him come play with the little Bits and make Ryan blog about it.
Ashley @adventinmmsocks says
June 17, 2011 at 6:37 amSuch a great idea! I would love for him to come visit Seattle and go to FlyCycle UGI Bootcamp with me!
Jeannie says
June 17, 2011 at 6:38 amMy kids would just have a blast with Fit Stanley! Lucas just finished his Flat Stanely project at school & was so excited about it.
Mel says
June 17, 2011 at 6:45 amI’d love to show Fit Stanley some of our activities here in Calgary.
Neighbor Linda says
June 17, 2011 at 6:52 amI wanna host him !!!
Beki- Wild Child Gone Good says
June 17, 2011 at 6:56 amI would love to get a visit from Fit Stanley! He could go running in Wine Country!
Nettie says
June 17, 2011 at 7:02 amI tweet but don’t blog. I would love to join too!
tj says
June 17, 2011 at 7:06 amOH FUN! Fit Stanley & I would have lots of fun together! I would love to have him come visit me!
melissa mcneese says
June 17, 2011 at 7:16 amI’ll show him the Big Apple. We’ll walk the laminate off his little feet.
He looks like he could be the son of Dr. Fitness & the Fat Guy.
Michelle @The Running Jewess says
June 17, 2011 at 7:20 amHow cute! I’d love to take Fit Stanley with me on many of my Fit’scursions. I’m sure he’d make a fantastic ultimate frisbee player. 🙂
Emmie says
June 17, 2011 at 7:29 amI want to bring Fit Stanley to Kentucky to introduce him to some horses alone some of my running paths, and of course to Zumba and perhaps do a spoga class with me (spin + yoga). And you know I’d be a blogging fool about my new friend Stan.
merrymishaps says
June 17, 2011 at 7:44 amWhen I was in college, my choir went to Italy. One of my friends brought a Flat Stanley along (must have been for a relative). So fun!
I’d love to host Fit Stanley. Maybe he could run a race with me!
Jennifer says
June 17, 2011 at 7:48 amI would take him running or hiking with me in Italy this summer!
debby says
June 17, 2011 at 7:51 amHas anyone offered Stanley the opportunity to romp with their dogs? Come on. You KNOW this is what he would most want to do! How about swimming? Has anyone offered Stanley a dip in the pool? After all, he does have the right equipment (laminate.) And you know I’d blog about it. I might even break out the video camera for this one.
Seems like maybe Stanley needs to clone himself before he starts his travels.
Amy says
June 17, 2011 at 7:56 amI am definitely in! Fit Stanley could run through the mountains with me. It would be much, much fun!
Stephen Vinson says
June 17, 2011 at 7:58 amOoh, I would love for Fit Stanley to be my running partner. I’m in. 🙂
Erica says
June 17, 2011 at 7:58 amoh my gosh! This is like the cutest idea ever! You know I’d totally be in! I’d bring him with me while I teach 😉
Denise @ Do you have that in my size??? says
June 17, 2011 at 8:13 amI think FitStan would like to go kayaking in San Diego, don’t you?
Todd says
June 17, 2011 at 8:20 amI would bring Fit Stanley to my twins’ soccer game and tape him to the ball 🙂
Karyn says
June 17, 2011 at 8:22 amHow cute is your daughter’s quote!
Fun idea.
Foodie McBody says
June 17, 2011 at 8:25 amI want Fit Stanley!!!!!!!!!!!! I do I do I do I do!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will show him a great California Fit Adventure!
Jill says
June 17, 2011 at 8:27 amI would love to have FitStanley come for a visit!! I would take him fishing with me or he could come to my ZUMBA class!!! He would have a blast, I just know it!! 🙂
Pubsgal says
June 17, 2011 at 9:41 amYou could make him some wee little bangles for Zumba!
Runner Girl says
June 17, 2011 at 8:34 amI would run the hell out of Fit Stanley and then bring him with me for a massage!
Brandi says
June 17, 2011 at 8:37 amI would LOVE to host Fit Stanley!! He could come with my to my bootcamps and help me encourage all my fun participants as they moan and groan through sprint ladders and push-ups!
He could help the kids, Ray and I walk the dogs!
He could run around with us on our next squirt gun war in the backyard!!
He could spend a day at World’s of Fun!!
Oh the Fitventures would be wonderful 🙂
Ryan @NoMoreBacon says
June 17, 2011 at 8:50 amFit Stanley seems like he could really make a dude sweat. I need that. You know I’m in.
karena says
June 17, 2011 at 8:55 amI’d love to host Fit Stanley! I’d take him on my power walking half marathon in London, and for a family biking trip along the canals!
Pubsgal says
June 17, 2011 at 9:43 amNow you’ve got a bunch of us wishing we could cram ourselves into an envelope! 🙂
Rachel @RunningRachel says
June 17, 2011 at 8:55 amI would love to introduce FIT STANLEY to my 3 boys. What is one extra little man to the mix? 🙂
Pubsgal says
June 17, 2011 at 9:05 amIIIIIIIIIIIII WANT STAN-LEEEEEEYYYYYY!
(That was belted out at the top of my lungs to the tune of “I Want Candy,” of course. Fit Stanley being much preferred. Shamelessly flinging my arm in an “ooooo-oooooo-pick me!” motion.
We love the “Flat Stanley” books. Things 1 & 2 would have a great time taking him for scooter rides and swimming and to the park for a “playout.” I would take him to hula class. I would also host a blogger meetup doing something healthy, so other Bay Area bloggers could enjoy his company.
Ellen says
June 17, 2011 at 9:07 amI love this idea. Who doesn’t want a buddy on the treadmill, the hiking path, the yoga mat? (Although he doesn’t seem very flexible… but maybe he’ll surprise me.)
Krissie J says
June 17, 2011 at 9:09 amI’d also love to host Mr. Fit Stanley. Such a fun idea!
Shelley B says
June 17, 2011 at 9:26 amSign me up!
Also, I love that the laminator guy actually posed with Fit Stanley, unlike some mean librarians we know. 😉
Evan says
June 17, 2011 at 9:35 am“You need to make exercise” is the best thing I’ve read so far today.
Casey (The Hippie Health Nut) says
June 17, 2011 at 9:50 amHow cool! I’d totally bring Stanley with me. His guns are huge. :p
Allison Peacock says
June 17, 2011 at 10:02 amOh, we’re SO in…
Hit me!
AshleyGeeS says
June 17, 2011 at 10:11 amI’d totally do it! I loved the Flat Stanley books, and was jealous that I had gotten a little too old for it.
I’d take him running (er… jogging. Shuffling.) with me.
Flo says
June 17, 2011 at 10:27 amI would love to host Fit Stanley here in Hawaii. I would take him to the top of Diamond Head and Koko Head Crater. Both are decent hikes up and the view is incredible from the top.
Jeremy Logsdon says
June 17, 2011 at 10:29 amI love Fit Stanley! He needs to come to Kentucky so we can take him caving and hiking in Mammoth Cave National Park. 🙂 He would definitely be blogged about and then happily mailed on to his next fitness destination.
Rachel says
June 17, 2011 at 11:00 amToo cute! I frequently make the mistake of assuming everyone knows about Flat Stanley, as well. I use his name to describe things all the time, like “Gosh, with this humidity my hair is really Flat Stanley today.”
Cat @Breakfast to Bed says
June 17, 2011 at 11:39 amI’d love to take fit stanley to the boardwalk on the rockaways here in NYC!
MrsFatass says
June 17, 2011 at 11:53 amI would TOTALLY take Fit Stanley to my Zumba certification next weekend. He looks like he’d be quite a dancer.
Alicia at Poise in Parma says
June 17, 2011 at 12:26 pmIf Fit Stanley can be in Cleveland on Saturday, July 9th, he can join our chapter of the Ohio Blogging Association at the “Run for the Pierogies 5K”, which is serving as our monthly meetup.
But if his schedule is less flexible than he, I’d find something fun for him to do! Count me in!
Wendy says
June 17, 2011 at 12:57 pmFIT STANLY NEEDS to visit us! He’d love to come and hang out with us!
Jody - Fit at 53 says
June 17, 2011 at 1:11 pmCarla – I can’t even put into words how much I LOVE this idea! I remember Flat Stanley from back when too! And now Fit Stanley with that awesome artist rendering – kudos to the artist. Hugs kudos to you for thinking of this – LOVE!
With me, Fit Stanley can come to the gym for some treadmill work & weight lifting of course. Maybe a visit to the crazy kids too for some fun with 3 to 12 year olds that ruaroundud like crazy.
So cool Carla! Sharing on my FB page!
charlotte says
June 17, 2011 at 1:44 pmI’m in! Fit Stanley has been here quite a few times and my kids adore him! Would love to see him come our way:)
Karen says
June 17, 2011 at 1:54 pmThat laminating guy is priceless.
Did he think you were nuts?
Marisa @ Loser for Life says
June 17, 2011 at 2:17 pmWhat a GREAT idea, Miz! I’d love to take FITStanley on a run with me!!
Katie J says
June 17, 2011 at 3:15 pmFitStanley can help me do some kickboxing! I HEART you MIZ
TB--Milwaukee says
June 17, 2011 at 3:33 pmSounds like a fun time. We’d love him here in Milwaukee too.
Kimberley says
June 17, 2011 at 4:25 pmFit Stanley can join us on our Whirlwind of Waterfalls aka “WOW” tour of 2011!
Amanda says
June 17, 2011 at 4:44 pmI’m down with hosting fit stanley on a burnin’ hot fit’cursion. I canno wait to read about his adventures!
Cassy says
June 17, 2011 at 4:54 pmI would love to take fit stanley on our corporate walk-a-thon!
Charity says
June 17, 2011 at 6:20 pmWe love flat (fit) Stanley ! Would love to host.
Debra says
June 17, 2011 at 6:23 pmLove it! You know I am a big fan of this project and your twist makes it even better!
juliejulie says
June 17, 2011 at 6:27 pmI would love to have Fit Stanley join in any and all fitness adventures I’m planning on trying this summer! I could put him in a ziploc bag and take him Stand Up Paddle Boarding!
julia says
June 17, 2011 at 9:19 pmawesome idea! would love to bring him to my powerlifting competition! some mommy board friends and I sent out an owl stuffed animal that traveled the US, so each family/kid could spend time, then write about their adventures w/ Hootie!!
Vicki Kron says
June 17, 2011 at 9:27 pmI love Fit Stanley, he could come to Myrtle Beach at the same time my grandkids are coming to visit. We could all have a great time at the Children’s Museum.
Erica says
June 18, 2011 at 1:27 amI would love for Fit Stanley to come visit me in Italy! We could go hiking and swimming!
Kerry says
June 18, 2011 at 8:25 amOh, I’d love to take Fit Stanley walking on the Freedom Trail and climbing to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument, and then of course we’d enjoy some fresh fruit from Haymarket. A healthy living experience in Boston.
chely says
June 18, 2011 at 6:51 pmCount me in! I remember running into Flat Stanley during the Inaugural Dineyland marathon (pun intended) six years ago.
Melissa says
June 19, 2011 at 6:24 amI would love to take FitStanley on a Fit Adventure. I know I may to be close to his home, but I am sure I can show him something he’s never seen before 😉
Hanlie says
June 19, 2011 at 6:27 amI love this idea! Fit Stanley is welcome to visit me in South Africa.
addy says
June 19, 2011 at 6:06 pmPlease to consider sending Fit Stanley to Middle America – may chance he would like to chase a cow or a horse or two?……..
Megan says
June 19, 2011 at 8:27 pmI love this idea! It would be so fun to get Fit Stanley and have adventures!
Lazy Personal Trainer says
June 20, 2011 at 1:03 amAdd me to the list! My daughters and I would love to show Fit Stanley how we stay healthy in Las Vegas. (Hint: we stay far away from the strip… although I might take him to pull a slot machine or two.)
Sarah S. says
June 20, 2011 at 1:16 amGreat idea!!
If Stanley can make it to Washington State by June 27th, he can go along with me for 4 days of hiking in the Olympic National Forrest and the Hoh rainforest!! (oh? And soaking up the goodness of the Sol Doc HotSprings!!) woo hoo!! And complete a day or two of my #5Kin100days training 🙂 There are tons of adventures he could go on!!
Sarah
Jo says
June 20, 2011 at 7:22 amWell, it’s deadline day but I’ll throw my name in the hat anyway. =)
Kerri O says
June 21, 2011 at 8:19 amHOW did I miss this post?! I’ve been waiting for it, lol.
MoninaW says
June 22, 2011 at 8:12 amI’m in. Tell FitStanley I want to take him to Disney in October for the Wine and Dine half marathon! Tee hee. Guess that means I’ll have to register… but I do have my flight already booked!
Michelle says
June 22, 2011 at 9:57 amTeam Athleta would love to host Fit Stanley — what a fun idea! He could run in the wildlife preserve outside our office, bike to lunch with us, and come to our in-house yoga class. I’d offer he could also test some clothes, but he might feel awkward wearing women’s clothes… 😉
Irene says
June 22, 2011 at 10:13 amFit Stanley can go to kickboxing class with me!
Karen Boynton says
June 22, 2011 at 10:20 amWould love to participate!
Lori Martin says
June 22, 2011 at 10:23 amwe love it! I run a beach boot camp and would love to host FIT Stanley!
lisa covarrubias says
June 22, 2011 at 10:30 amFitStanley would love a trip to San Diego!
JD says
June 22, 2011 at 10:39 amI’m so bummed that I just read about this today (6/21) and missed the cutoff! Anyway, if another FitStanley project starts, we’d love to host him in the beautiful San Juan Mtns of Colorado.
HealthyLoserGal / Jan says
June 22, 2011 at 12:12 pmI think Fit Stanley and HLG should definitely get together! Perhaps a trip to Cape Cod for the bike path there on the Atlantic Ocean… or hiking in New Hampshire near Lake Winnipesaukee… or seeing the historic spots and a photo with Paul Revere’s statue “One if by sea, two if by Fit Stanley”. 🙂 Tell Tornado that Fit Stanley will send her postcards from Beantown, too! 😉
Jan/HLG
Kendra says
June 22, 2011 at 7:48 pmI love this idea. I would take FIT STANLEY to kickboxing, or yoga, or a run on the beach. Looking forward to following his travels!
Me So Hongry says
June 23, 2011 at 10:20 amBoooooooooooooooooooo! i am just now reading this! I discovered Flat Stanley this year. I teach, well taught first grade and my high reading group read Flat Stanley. I would have loved to take Fit Stanley to ZUMBA 🙁
joy says
June 24, 2011 at 2:35 amOoh is love to host fit Stanley. I’ve had many a flat.Stanley adventure and loved them. and actually I sent my parents on a “second honeymoon” flat and then asked people to send me pics and stories… there was. a yahoo group. they loved it and by that time.mom was too sick to.travel so this really was the. best option
joy says
June 24, 2011 at 2:37 amPs I know I was late.on that but I figured a host may be looking for somewhere to send him
Kara from MamaSweat says
June 24, 2011 at 6:46 amSo late to respond-trying to catch up, is it possible? But of COURSE we want to host Fit Stanley in the house of Mama Sweat!!
JourneyBeyondSurvival says
June 24, 2011 at 11:38 amFit Stanley would always be welcome to come do physical therapy with Chickadee. And then to really wear him out he could come do C25K with me.
Jenn (Gh) says
June 27, 2011 at 12:22 amYou are too damn clever. Been catching up on your blog and saw the Ellen post, then the poem, and now this! I love it and I’d love to do some kettlebells with Stanley sometime!
Me So Hongry says
June 28, 2011 at 6:52 amDid I need to comment again if I already had? I’m a little slow this morning, sleep deprived.
Deanna @ The Unnatural Mother says
June 29, 2011 at 12:51 pmI’d love a visit from Fit Stanely!
amber says
January 8, 2012 at 10:04 amI would love for Fit Stanley to visit.
How Fun and great idea!