Part 1: How I Approach WW in the Public

<a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-do-you-do.htm">On Tuesday</a> I asked you to share with me your thoughts on whether or not you share your weight loss journey with others.  Thank you all for your candid feedback!<br /><br />I have to give a warning: this turned out a bit "rant-y".  Dang it.<br /><br />Like many of you, this "is not my first rodeo" (thank YOU <a href="http://kimsquesttolose100lbsagain.blogspot.com/">Kim</a>!).  I have been on and off Weight Watchers numerous times in my 27 years of life.  When I was a sophomore/junior in college, I lost 49.5 pounds.  I had 3 roommates at that time who were EXTREMELY supportive.  They didn't judge me.  They didn't tempt me with treats - they simply supported me and let me do my thing. No criticisms, no "two-sense" - just support in a way that made me feel completely comfortable with them knowing my journey (thank you Aggie, Jen, Brittany & Marlin!).  At times they would even participate in exercise with me, which made the whole thing that much better!  I was <i>very </i>lucky.<br /><br />Still, those were the only people I shared my journey with in intimate detail.  Most other times I've been on WW, including today, I choose not to tell others.  However, there have been those occasions where people have discovered I am on WW, because it's become obvious that I'm losing weight, and when those instances have occurred, the reaction is not typically favorable.  What am I talking about here?<br /><br />Let's take the Super Skinny Girl encounter.  "Oh Hilary, I can tell you've lost weight.  What are you doing?"  After sharing my story with SSG, she proceeds to interrogate me as to every minute detail of the Program and how can she "quickly" lose X number of pounds if she does the Program.  Do skinny people not realize how this makes fat people feel?  I mean, SSG is probably no more than 130 lbs and roughly 5'5"/5'6", and you're crying to me about how YOU need to lose weight?! I don't want to waste my time with you! I am 250+ pounds.  I have a legit problem on my hands - I'm <i>not </i>trying to provide comfort/pity to YOU when <i>I </i>have real reasons as to why I need to lose weight.     <br /><br />Then there are the Haters.  "Oh, WW isn't healthy."  "WW encourages eating processed foods."  "WW didn't work for me and it probably won't for you either."  "Counting Points+ isn't nearly as accurate/effective as counting calories."  "Jenny Craig/Atkins/Vegan/<insert eating="" other="" plan=""> is so much better/healthier than WW."</insert><br /><br />Then, my personal favorite, the Wannabe's.  "Hilary, how many Points+ is this chicken breast I'm eating?  How many Points+ is my <i>entire </i>meal?  10 Points+?  Is that bad?  I'm sorry but chicken is extremely healthy and I don't agree with this Points+ value."  And, please, help me understand, you don't pay for WW.  You don't even follow the Program officially.  So why exactly do you need to know the Points+ values of your food, if, in fact, you don't really care? What added value does that provide for you?<br /><br />I haven't had a lot of favorable reactions from people when sharing my journey with them, obviously.  Still, I cannot help but wonder the benefits of being more vocal about it - especially to those who care about me.<br /><br />Have you ever encountered these types of people??

Weight Loss Challenges Weight Watchers Part 1: How I Approach WW in the Public

On Tuesday I asked you to share with me your thoughts on whether or not you share your weight loss journey with others.  Thank you all for your candid feedback!I have to give a warning: this turned out a bit "rant-y".  Dang it.Like many of you, this …

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damn you Ina

It is getting cold 'round these parts and the wind is picking up. We are full of coughs and runny noses. Fall is in the house. So this morning, while reading <a href="http://oliveourhouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">this post</a>, I drooled over this picture.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1w39U8U66qUk-Tjm6TRHO7xRpwcvfme7TyaEo9Yg1M8zHZccfrobTfZbvif6iOjgMK46-ZP1sCieGLdUBDADIyjbqg5hF5cRdPz4oIfNTviQV1htm-HNGMwUeVCNDBr6wAzRkXa2a5DFt/s1600/IMG_9785.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1w39U8U66qUk-Tjm6TRHO7xRpwcvfme7TyaEo9Yg1M8zHZccfrobTfZbvif6iOjgMK46-ZP1sCieGLdUBDADIyjbqg5hF5cRdPz4oIfNTviQV1htm-HNGMwUeVCNDBr6wAzRkXa2a5DFt/s320/IMG_9785.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oliveourhouse.blogspot.com</td></tr></tbody></table>Warm, caramely (is that a word?) apple goodness. I was still dreaming about it when I turned on Ina at lunch and what was she making? Apple Crisp. I took these as signs from the culinary gods that I needed to make some apple crisp. When Ina speaks, I listen.<br /><br />I had made <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/neelys/apple-crisp-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">this recipe</a> a few years ago at Christmas and it was a crowd pleaser. Syrup is the bacon of the dessert world, so anything with syrup is awesome (I did add a bit of Ina's flair though by adding some lemon and orange zest).  I also opt for one baking dish rather than ramekins. I love a cute ramekin as much as the next girl, but it sounds a lot better when you can say to yourself "I only had one <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">big</span> piece of apple crisp." rather than "I ate 4 ramekins of apple crisp."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89zwdKWm3wAU0TkJqXN61CwY05u1Ioj55Sg-mSEA-PEVZZEki8QxhrMBmB21um0ZEPlmwSI0cn6kkoozAZHIzoXjLC8AM9eTNmzV4uuw4bjtrCY6Gf8uoapECgXMVpLkFnwXS204sghRA/s1600/PB100912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89zwdKWm3wAU0TkJqXN61CwY05u1Ioj55Sg-mSEA-PEVZZEki8QxhrMBmB21um0ZEPlmwSI0cn6kkoozAZHIzoXjLC8AM9eTNmzV4uuw4bjtrCY6Gf8uoapECgXMVpLkFnwXS204sghRA/s320/PB100912.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Nice warm apple crisp, cozy slippers and a little Bravo. A good Thursday night.

recipe damn you Ina

It is getting cold 'round these parts and the wind is picking up. We are full of coughs and runny noses. Fall is in the house. So this morning, while reading this post, I drooled over this picture.oliveourhouse.blogspot.comWarm, caramely (is that a w…

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10 things to do after the interview

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></i></b></span><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, helvetica;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="tblContent"><tbody><tr id="trContent"><td align="center" class="cb_style tcContent" id="tcContent" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><div class="cbArticleWrapper" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; width: 750px;"><div class="cbArticleContentWrapper" style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 15px; width: 750px;"><div class="cbArticleRight" style="width: 560px;"><div class="RXart" style="padding-right: 20px;"><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="margin-top: -30px;"><div class="cbmsnArticleImage" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" src="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/1m/ar5l2v07112wwz4f851m.gif?time=7/12/2011%206:00:55%20pm" /></div><div style="color: #333333; font: italic normal normal 16px/normal arial, helvetica;"><span id="cbArticle_lblHeadline2">How to keep the momentum going</span></div><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">Beth Braccio Hering, Special to CareerBuilder</span></b> </div><br /><div class="ArticleContent"><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The interview may be over, but your chance to make an impression is not. Here are 10 strategies to continue boosting your candidacy.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>1. Show that you're still interested.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Leave no doubt in the interviewer's mind about where you stand. Ask for the job at meeting's end with a phrase such as, "I would really like to contribute to this company and am hoping you select me." Also, don't leave the room without a clear idea of what will happen next in the hiring process. Will select applicants be invited back to meet other people? By what date do they hope to fill the position? Such questions demonstrate enthusiasm for the job, and knowing the hirer's timeframe will help keep you from panicking if a week has passed without a phone call.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>2. Set the stage for further contact.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Nobody wants to be a pest, but could your silence as days pass be misinterpreted as indifference? Avoid the guesswork by finding out before heading home what the employer prefers in terms of checking in. Lizandra Vega, author of "The Image of Success: Make a Great Impression and Land the Job You Want," suggests asking the recruiter about her preferred method of follow-up communication and whether it would be okay to touch base again.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>3. Be punctual.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">If you tell the interviewer you'll send a list of references tomorrow morning, make sure you do it. Keeping your word and answering requests in a timely manner speaks volumes about the type of employee you might be.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>4. Know when to sit tight.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">If an interviewer requests that you follow up by phone in a week, respect her wishes. Calling the next day can be construed as pushy and desperate.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>5. Send a prompt thank-you note.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">A positive, nonintrusive way to stay on an employer's mind is to send a thank-you note. Vega recommends emailing one within 24 hours of the interview, then following up with a handwritten note that arrives one to three business days later.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>6. Send each interviewer a personalized, powerful follow-up letter.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">This piece of communication is another chance for you to shine, so don't waste space with generalities. Ford R. Myers, a career coach and author of "Get the Job You Want, Even When No One's Hiring," recommends including specific references to each person you met and tying your accomplishments directly to the company's stated challenges. You also can use the letter to introduce achievements that didn't get discussed and to elaborate on interview answers that you felt lacked punch.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>7. Address one of the company's needs.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Another effective way to follow up is to act more like a consultant than an applicant. "During the interview, you learn a lot about a company's weaknesses and/or areas where the company wants to expand," states Linda Matias, president of CareerStrides.com and author of "201 Knockout Answers to Tough Interview Questions." "Consider creating a proposal on how you would address one of those areas. Doing so will demonstrate that you have the knowledge and also the enthusiasm to make a significant contribution."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>8. Keep thinking and learning about the company.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Be prepared for additional interviews or follow-up phone calls by continuing to research the organization and the field. Gain new information about a topic brought up in conversation. Think of additional questions you'd like answered. These actions show the hirer that you didn't stop caring about the company after the interview was over.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>9. Leverage outside resources.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Networking should never stop. "If you have contacts and connections with anyone who might influence the hiring decision, or who actually knows the interviewer, ask her to put a good word in for you," Myers says.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>10. Accept rejection with grace.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Finally, keep emotions in check and don't burn bridges if someone else gets hired. One never knows what the future might hold. The accepted candidate may not work out, or a different position may open up. "If you are rejected, the first thing you should do (ironically) is send a thank-you note," Myers says. "This will help distinguish you from other rejected candidates and put you in a positive light."</div><i>Beth Braccio Hering researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for CareerBuilder. Follow @Careerbuilder on Twitter.</i> </div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>

10 things to do after the interview

How to keep the momentum goingBeth Braccio Hering, Special to CareerBuilder The interview may be over, but your chance to make an impression is not. Here are 10 strategies to continue boosting your candidacy.1. Show that you're still interested.Leave…

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Do you have enough experience for that job?

<br /><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-top: -30px;"><div class="hdr_org_bld" style="color: #ff6600; font: normal normal bold 18px/normal arial, helvetica;"><h1 id="articleHeadline" style="color: #ff7700; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal;"><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">Alina Dizik, Special to CareerBuilder</span></b></span></h1></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/m6/ar5l33x6js44v7hyh5m6.gif?time=10/3/2011%207:15:10%20pm" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/m6/ar5l33x6js44v7hyh5m6.gif?time=10/3/2011%207:15:10%20pm" /></a></div><div class="cbmsnArticleImage">Just because you were a <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/senior+manager/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">senior manager</a> at one company doesn't mean that your next job won't be a midlevel role. Often, appropriate job titles can get confusing during a job search. "There's no standardization as to how the titles are done," says Jim Beqaj, founder of Beqaj International, an <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/executive+search/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">executive search</a> firm and consultancy.</div></div><div class="ArticleContent" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Not sure which job title you should target when looking for a job? Here's a rough guide to deciphering how to categorize your skills and what to keep in mind:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Entry level</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">This category is misleading, because it's not just for those new to the workforce. Plenty of people who have been in the workforce for five years or fewer can fall under the <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/entry+level/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">entry-level</a> umbrella.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">When going after an entry-level job, try to let your personality and enthusiasm shine. "Entry level is all about personality fit ... basic skills of good communication, eye contact and a sign of eagerness and genuineness are key in securing entry-level jobs," Beqaj says.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Midlevel</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">For job seekers who are no longer newbies in the market, a midlevel position has entirely different demands. "A midlevel manager typically directs people, departments, functions or projects as well as budgets," says résumé writer Deborah Schuster, founder of Lettersmith Résumé Service. "For most companies, this would require a minimum of a bachelor's degree and five to 15 years of experience."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Additionally, conveying to hiring managers how you would fit in with the company hierarchy is key. "Midlevel requires experience in previous jobs, so making sure that you have the experience and skills sets required is paramount. Your ability to articulate your experiences and how they positively impacted your previous employer are critical," Beqaj says.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Senior-level and executive</b><br />Just because you were a <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/senior+level/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">senior-level </a>employee at one company doesn't mean you should be targeting only senior roles for your next gig. "There are many definitions for the word 'executive' and 'experienced,'" Schuster says.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Corporate structures vary and larger companies have few senior-level slots. Before applying, use a site like LinkedIn to see where an employee with duties similar to your desired role fits in. "It helps if you know the size of the company and have a description of the qualifications they seek. And be sure your résumé and cover letter is tailored to show that you have those qualifications," Schuster says.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Match skills not level</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Just because you fall into a certain experience bucket doesn't mean you can't apply for a position that requires your skills but is on a lower level. Most companies are happy to consider a more junior person for a job, especially if that means they can get away with paying a lower salary.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Before you apply, consider whether "your natural instincts [are] making you feel comfortable or uneasy; trust your senses," Beqaj says. Many larger companies may also start employees at a lower level. In other words, your senior-level role at a technology startup may result in a midlevel position with a Fortune 500 firm.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Understand what or whom you're managing</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Another good test for figuring out which level to target is to gauge your current job responsibility. Whether you're getting the information from a recruiter or through your own personal connections, get a sense of whether you would be managing entry-level employees, other <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/manager/" style="color: #3300cc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">managers</a>, a department, a group of businesses, the entire enterprise or just your own time, says George Bradt, managing director of PrimeGenesis, a company that helps executives become established in their new jobs.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The higher the level, the more senior the job title should be for your next position. "What matters when reviewing job descriptions for entry level, midlevel, senior and experienced positions is what people are managing," Bradt says.</div></div>

Do you have enough experience for that job?

Alina Dizik, Special to CareerBuilderJust because you were a senior manager at one company doesn't mean that your next job won't be a midlevel role. Often, appropriate job titles can get confusing during a job search. "There's no standardization as t…

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