Waiting on Winston

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sir_Winston_S_Churchill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="English: Sir Winston Churchill." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="374" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Sir_Winston_S_Churchill.jpg/300px-Sir_Winston_S_Churchill.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Sir Winston Churchill. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sir_Winston_S_Churchill.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table>I've been reading <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Last-Lion-Boxed-Set/dp/0316058165%3FSubscriptionId%3D0G81C5DAZ03ZR9WH9X82%26tag%3Dhttpwwwbrighc-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0316058165" rel="amazon" target="_blank" title="The Last Lion : 2 Volume Boxed Set">The Last Lion</a> by William Manchester. It is a biography of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston_Churchill" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Winston Churchill">Winston Churchill</a> and a must-read for those who love history or understanding the lives of great men.<br /><br />As I read about how "Sir Winston" was catered to by his maids, secretaries, butlers, valets, etc. it might be easy to look down on that as an excess. Manchester says that he never even drew a bath for himself. However, he used the time he gained - really, just about every bit of time in reading, polishing speeches, and writing as well as building relationships. He focused his time for where he could do the most good.<br /><br /><h3>Is it OK to hire help?</h3>While I don't want anyone to "draw my bath" or wait on me to the nth degree, I think that there are times when the "help" in doing things makes sense. For example, I have a wonderful young lady who has become my right arm over the past few years since I started writing extensively. Without her help with the loads of laundry, getting food on the table, and cleaning - I wouldn't be able to write at all. That six hours of help is literally the 6 hours a week I have to blog. I still do at least 10 loads of laundry a week and a 6 hour set of chores and errands on Saturdays that help my family run well the rest of the week. But that little bit of time, I believe, makes me more productive and (hopefully) helps me improve the lives of others.<br /><br />I've just hired a very faithful, trustworthy student (she just graduated) to help me with my filing and email. She organized my files in four hours and I've spent days trying to do that. I don't think like that but she helped me so greatly.<br /><br />There are those who look down upon me for getting any help. Others assume this means I have no housework at all or that somehow I'm shirking my responsibilities. However, for me, I ask myself how I'm using that time. Am I improving the lives of others? Am I improving the lives of my family? Am I fulfilling the mission for which I have been placed on this planet. <br /><br />But I also wonder if there is yet another double standard eeking through the crevices of the comments I get. If my husband were a single Dad and responsible for all the cooking, cleaning, and home management, would anyone look down upon him for getting help 3 days a week? <br /><br /><h3>Wowing your family!</h3>When Sir Winston arrived home every day, he exclaimed "Wow!" to which his family would reply "Wow!" and run into his arms, to which he is reported to have often teared up. His own mother didn't really pay him attention until he was "old enough to become interesting" and spent her time in many dallyings with great men on both sides of the pond but Sir Winston wanted to pay attention to his family.<br /><br />I want to as well. So, when I consider getting help for anything, I ask myself:<br /><br /><ul><li>Can I afford it?</li><li>Will I directly use the time for a task that will make more money so I can afford it?</li><li>Is the person I want to help me trustworthy? Does this person "have my back?"</li><li>Is this something that my children should be doing instead?</li><li>Is this something that only I can or should do?</li></ul><br /><br />Winston Churchill is certainly one of the great men of history. I think history is the better for him having people around him help with running his household so he could focus on affairs of state.<br /><br />I think that there are also times that it is ok to guiltlessly get help with tasks around the home.Some of you would look down upon Winston Churchill and the amount of catering he had done for him in his life, but when viewed in the grand context of his accomplishments, it is one of those things that is excusable. Yet, oftentimes we turn a leering eye in judgement of others who we think don't have problems, don't have to work as hard, or don't have to struggle like we do. The fact is, unless we can see into the heart, soul, mind, and pocketbook of the object of our judging eye, we cannot know what that person is really going through. I think women, in particular, are pretty hard on other women who "get help."<br /><br /><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;">Don't live your life for the approval of others</span></h3>If you spend your life trying to somehow achieve some sort of friendly stasis with the world's attitude towards you, you're not a very smart person. <br /><br />If you're doing anything and work very hard, you'll have those who look down upon you who want what you have by doing nothing.<br /><br />Do your something and do it with everything you've got. Don't go on petty guilt trips for the decisions you make about how you spend your money that the petty people would like to send you on. As my Mom always says "If you go on a guilt trip, you have to pack your own bags."<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by for a bit of a random rambling today as I sit and ponder the life of a great man.<br /><br /><div class="zemanta-related" style="margin-top: 20px; overflow: hidden;"><h4 class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles</h4><ul class="zemanta-article-ul zemanta-article-ul-image" style="margin-left: 0; padding: 0;"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="display: block; float: left; font-size: 12px; height: 240px; list-style: none; margin: 10px 40px 20px 0px; text-align: left; width: 80px;"><a href="http://greatfinds.icrossing.com/winston-churchill-the-ultimate-ceo/" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/87757173_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; box-shadow: 1px 1px 3px #999; margin: 0; padding: 0;" width="80" /></a><a href="http://greatfinds.icrossing.com/winston-churchill-the-ultimate-ceo/" style="display: block; height: 90px; line-height: 14pt; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; width: 80px;" target="_blank">Winston Churchill: The Ultimate CEO</a><div style="clear: both; margin: 10px 0 10px 0;"><hr style="margin: 0;" /></div></li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="display: block; float: left; font-size: 12px; height: 240px; list-style: none; margin: 10px 40px 20px 0px; text-align: left; width: 80px;"><a href="http://jamesdez.wordpress.com/2012/04/14/a-moment-with-sir-winston-churchill/" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/89734081_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; box-shadow: 1px 1px 3px #999; margin: 0; padding: 0;" width="80" /></a><a href="http://jamesdez.wordpress.com/2012/04/14/a-moment-with-sir-winston-churchill/" style="display: block; height: 90px; line-height: 14pt; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; width: 80px;" target="_blank">A Moment With Sir Winston Churchill.</a><div style="clear: both; margin: 10px 0 10px 0;"><hr style="margin: 0;" /></div></li><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="display: block; float: left; font-size: 12px; height: 240px; list-style: none; margin: 10px 40px 20px 0px; text-align: left; width: 80px;"><a href="http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/8a3e2671-6203-49fb-8063-fa227076bc30.aspx" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/88847228_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; box-shadow: 1px 1px 3px #999; margin: 0; padding: 0;" width="80" /></a><a href="http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/8a3e2671-6203-49fb-8063-fa227076bc30.aspx" style="display: block; height: 90px; line-height: 14pt; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; width: 80px;" target="_blank">5 writing tips from Winston Churchill</a><div style="clear: both; margin: 10px 0 10px 0;"><hr style="margin: 0;" /></div></li></ul></div><div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_c.png?x-id=f930cc07-4485-49ea-9447-43b6e7e35158" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div>

Inspiration productivity Waiting on Winston

English: Sir Winston Churchill. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) I've been reading The Last Lion by William Manchester. It is a biography of ...

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10 Inexpensive Ways to Be Kind

<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><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 data-mce-href="http://pinterest.com/pin/49117452156449905/" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/49117452156449905/" style="color: #007bff; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-mce-src="http://media-cache2.pinterest.com/upload/256353403759050220_TPOGL595_c.jpg" height="789" src="http://media-cache2.pinterest.com/upload/256353403759050220_TPOGL595_c.jpg" style="border: 0px;" width="600" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Source:</span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://thephobia.com/post/3750781935/pride-prejudice-is-my-all-time-favorite-book" href="http://thephobia.com/post/3750781935/pride-prejudice-is-my-all-time-favorite-book" style="color: #007bff; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">thephobia.com</a><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">via</span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://pinterest.com/mel_dillard/" href="http://pinterest.com/mel_dillard/" style="color: #007bff; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">Melissa</a><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">on</span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://pinterest.com" href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #007bff; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Being kind is so simple.</b> It has often bothered me that we say "random acts of kindness." What if kindness were so common that we just had "random acts of unkindness" but we don't. Everyone wants to be appreciated and encouraged. You can do it too. Here are some neat ones.<br /><br /><h2> 10 Inexpensive Ways to be Kind</h2><ol><li><b>Give someone a permanent reminder.</b> In the picture above, you see a $3.50 mug from the "dollar store" written on with Sharpie marker and baked for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Cost: $3.50 plus a sharpie. Do something nice, not tacky.<br /></li><li><b>Buy someone's favorite soda,</b> write a note on a sticky note and put it on their desk. Cost: $1.00 (Tip, if someone likes Mountain Dew, you can make a sign that says "Thanks for all you Dew." or you can come up with something creative for other beverages.)<br /></li><li><b>Write a private message </b>to someone on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or anywhere to encourage and be kind. Don't do it for recognition just to be nice. This is great if you know someone is having a hard day or tough time. Cost: Your time.<br /></li><li><b>Write a public message </b>or blog post to recognize someone out of the blue. Notice people that not everyone notices and use your audience to point them out. Cost: Your time.<br /></li><li><b>Make a cool hand soap dispenser. </b>This inexpensive teacher gift uses soft soap. Remove the label with "goo gone" Create the label on your home computer and take it to a copy shop to have them run it off on transparency (or run it through a copier onto copier transparency sheets). Roll it up and put it into the bottle. Use the straw inside the bottle to help guide it to the front of the bottle. (See full instructions at <a href="http://www.designmom.com/2010/05/teacher-gift/">Design Mom</a>.) <i>(Pictured below.) Cost: soap dispenser and cost to copy on a transparency.<br /></i></li><li><b>Give someone an app. </b>If you have a favorite app on your iOS and have a person you'd like to give one too, you can go into iTunes and click the button "Give this app as a gift." (<a href="http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57336902-285/how-to-gift-an-app-from-the-app-store/">Cnet </a>has some <a href="http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57336902-285/how-to-gift-an-app-from-the-app-store/">nice instructions</a>.) Some of my favorite apps that cost money are <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mr.-reader/id412874834?mt=8">Mr. Reader</a> $3.99, <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/homeroutines/id353117370?mt=8#">Home Routines</a> $3.99, or <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/camera+/id329670577?mt=8">Camera+</a> $.99 are three great choices.)<br /><br /></li><li><b>Give a teacher pencils or pens in a bow.</b> Teachers and many Moms love pens and pencils. You can go get a large number at an office supply place and tie a ribbon around them. A note like "thanks for being so sharp" or "you're the penultimate" work great! Cost: the price of pencils.<br /><br /></li><li><b>Say thank you.</b> There are people who do so much and should be thanked. Many people don't thank because they are afraid to leave someone out. Well, you may leave someone out the first time if you only thank people once a year, but if you make it a habit, eventually you'll get around to everyone.<br /><br /></li><li><b>Leave a secret surprise. </b>The reason that so many people click on those viruses that say "someone is saying nasty things about you" or "have you seen this awful picture someone uploaded of you" is that most of us have a scant bit of paranoia. Turn their worries around and leave a secret note in several places saying thank you. In their box, under their locked door after they've left for the day. I've put these in my husband's jacket pocket before a trip. Everyone likes to know that someone is thinking of them.<br /><br /></li><li><b>Just be thoughtful. </b>Notice people and what they like. You can pick up a box of fudgecicles and take them into work. Go around to everyone's room until you've handed them all out. Take a cake and put it in the teacher's lounge with a note saying thank you. Make a delicious pot of coffee and bring it into work with a carafe and flavored syrups and invite people for coffee in the morning to the teacher's lounge. Think of others. </li></ol>When you do this and you're struggling with your own attitude, you'll find that your own mood turns around. You'll also wake up one day and realize that people are starting to be more thoughtful to you! I don't know why or how but the kindness just moves through people. The habit of being kind and thoughtful can do a lot to improve your workplace, school, or home. But don't do it to be fake or to get something, people can see through a charlatan like a spotlight through Gypsy Rose Lee's fan. Be real and be kind. </div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Being kind may be free but when you're kind you become priceless.<br /><ol></ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/67976275595913616/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://media-cache1.pinterest.com/upload/67976275595913616_2AMfzqwN_c.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="500" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.designmom.com/2010/05/teacher-gift/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">designmom.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/wthill/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Wendy</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a><br /><br /><br /></div></div>

Inspiration Teaching 10 Inexpensive Ways to Be Kind

Source:   thephobia.com   via   Melissa   on   Pinterest Being kind is so simple.  It has often bothered me that we say "random acts of...

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Yay - 6000 visitors!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><img border="0" height="0" src="http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEzMzcwMzE*NjM4MTEmcHQ9MTMzNzAzMTQ2NTU*NiZwPTc*MzIxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWM4Mjg3Njg1NGNiZjRjNDc5ZmU1/NTE*Mjc1NTQyN2Q3.gif" style="height: 0px; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;" width="0" /><a href="http://www.sparklee.com/"><img alt="Myspace Text - http://www.sparklee.com" border="0" src="http://img-s3-01.mytextgraphics.com/sparklee/2012/05/14/359d7b95f68107e447d5b5b07f09dc5c.gif" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div>

Inspiration Yay - 6000 visitors!

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Changing Things Up: Weigh In Day

To get myself back on track, I've been trying to change things up in the food/eating portion of this weight loss journey.<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/AVvXsEher_R5Q-0FFExwX2YzdX3LDkjg1dT2Q5eD4ACBs5Rq5EwYRja9fIQerKSa8B4mhQXIUxVovSYzylU2w4R0VRCwOUw5EH6JNJPng_xTumC9R-iLaGNO-uwJTHDhXG9cilOTx7LoNup_DWU/s1600/change+quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEher_R5Q-0FFExwX2YzdX3LDkjg1dT2Q5eD4ACBs5Rq5EwYRja9fIQerKSa8B4mhQXIUxVovSYzylU2w4R0VRCwOUw5EH6JNJPng_xTumC9R-iLaGNO-uwJTHDhXG9cilOTx7LoNup_DWU/s400/change+quote.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/226939268692495647/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I've started with changing my weigh in day from a Friday to a Wednesday.  I did this for a number of reasons.<br /><br /><ol><li>I found that I was blowing through my entire Weekly Points Plus balance by Sunday (weighing in on Friday's).  Then I had nothing left from Mon-Thurs as a back up.  This caused self-sabotage, and I would just eat what I wanted to anyhow.  My logic is that if I weigh in through the week, the likelihood of me using/blowing through the WPA is slim to none because I'll want to try to ration them better pre-weekend.  My work week provides some much needed structure around my eating.  I typically have an easier time staying On Plan M-F than I do on the weekends.  Depending on how this goes, I may even opt to move the weigh in day to Monday's!<br /><br /></li><li>Change is good.  I've been using Friday as my weigh in day for YEARS (more than 4 at this point), so picking another day is just a good way to shake things up.<br /><br /></li><li>Knowing that my new "week" will start in the middle of the work week kind of relieves some stress.  It provides a mid-week "start over" that helps sustain me through the rest of the work week (I'm on my second week now for Wednesday's).</li></ol><br />I picked Friday's to weigh in initially because it gave me the WPA to indulge over the weekend, but with plenty of time to regroup for Mon-Thurs.  The problem was, the regrouping wasn't happening.  I would get so upset with myself for blowing through the WPA during the weekend that I would just let the downward spiral continue through to Thursday.<br /><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/AVvXsEgrGZpTXGcI0MM8L2qq8RpPt59FK8CBpKqZesvu7pBdYIyYzKVS2AXUdAWDR4uBZbcQPDCv4RgdEFUDbp0T7Q6k7bWcleuV4OWkFlweNGhoQQIcEssfgavCaPN-_7hWAI_IBM1jrNfZ7uc/s1600/change+quote+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGZpTXGcI0MM8L2qq8RpPt59FK8CBpKqZesvu7pBdYIyYzKVS2AXUdAWDR4uBZbcQPDCv4RgdEFUDbp0T7Q6k7bWcleuV4OWkFlweNGhoQQIcEssfgavCaPN-_7hWAI_IBM1jrNfZ7uc/s400/change+quote+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/186899453255386809/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I read a <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=1961&sc=3009" target="_blank">great article</a> on Weight Watchers that talked about how the day you choose to weigh in can serve as a key strategy in our weight loss journey.  For example, many people use Monday's as an anchor to get them through the weekend (to encourage them not to over indulge).  I like this idea and will consider it after a few months at Wednesday's!<br /><div style="color: #351c75;"><b><br /></b></div><b style="color: #351c75;">Why do you select the weigh in day you do?  Is it just because that is when your meeting site is open, or do you have a special reason why you choose the day you do?</b><br /><br /><br />

Inspiration weigh in weight loss anchors Weight Watchers Changing Things Up: Weigh In Day

To get myself back on track, I've been trying to change things up in the food/eating portion of this weight loss journey. Via Pinterest ...

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Ten traits of the teacher I would like to be...

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>  <br /><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This is a guest post from Sean Hampton-Cole who teaches Geography to senior students at Crawford College in Lonehill, Johannesburg.  When I read this post on his blog </i><a href="http://ideasoutthere.posterous.com/"><i>http://ideasoutthere.posterous.com</i></a><i> I really liked his thoughts and asked him if I could use it on our SchoolNet blog as a guest post. I have never met Sean, but it must be great being a student in his classes. </i></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i> </span> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I would consider myself a good teacher if I were able to get even most of these right…</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">☺ Sets up an atmosphere of trust, openness, supportiveness and collaboration where ideas and opinions can be exchanged without fear of failure or ridicule.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">☺ Leads by example by being passionate about the learning experience.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">☺ Inspires and nurtures innovation, creativity, critical thinking and individual expression.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">☺ Possesses a general knowledge of other fields of study and incorporates this knowledge into lessons, encouraging connections between different fields of knowledge.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">☺ Has an original and unique style of teaching (follows a spontaneous, intuitive and original methodology).</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">☺ Encourages students to learn experientially by exploring, manipulating, researching, questioning, finding connections, experimenting, thinking, and reflecting.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">☺ Knows the importance of fun, humour, personal stories, relaxed / informal / open-ended instruction and games in the classroom.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">☺ Makes good use of learner-centred activities in order to get them interested, thinking and innovating.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">☺ Treats students with respect, integrity and care.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">☺ Allows students to fail safely.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div></div>

Guest post Inspiration Ten traits of the teacher I would like to be...

  This is a guest post from Sean Hampton-Cole who teaches Geography to senior students at Crawford College in Lonehill, Johannesburg.  When ...

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5000 visitors - yay!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img border="0" height="0" src="http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEzMzQzNDE*MjM1NDcmcHQ9MTMzNDM*MTQyODI*OSZwPTc*MzIxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPTBkZTE1MTU5ZDIzMjQ3NWM5MDAx/NTU5ODMwZTEzZWJh.gif" style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" width="0" /><a href="http://www.sparklee.com"><img alt="glitter logo - http://www.sparklee.com" border="0" src="http://img-s3-01.mytextgraphics.com/sparklee/2012/04/13/c3010e2e35bcb9c64add4947ee1753f4.gif" /></a><br /><br /></div>

Inspiration 5000 visitors - yay!

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Believing

I hit 227.1 on Friday!  To be in the 220s again is.... amazing!  I feel so much better and lighter, and clothes are getting too big and it's all such an awesome feeling.  It's that feeling of being in control of your life that I love.  Do you know what I mean?  It's like... I'm not allowing my body to give in to life's shenanigans... I'm taking control of it and I'm reaping the benefits.  It's that whole "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels" concept.  <br /><br />On Friday I went ahead and bought the next two charms I have earned.  The purple one is simply because I love purple and I wanted to add more color to my bracelet. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cZh7lXIH0rDYii5QQSUHGeS7l_-Z_CxRvprHQ4mh8MudmVXwPQ_S5E6rlu7Fo_uq5gJM_v8OxanEPEKjup_q2HrSRza4rOICmchTlYMvy_1-fnRfmBaH7jtf_1O2p_QDOzLlxE9X-NU/s1600/bracelet+with+heart+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cZh7lXIH0rDYii5QQSUHGeS7l_-Z_CxRvprHQ4mh8MudmVXwPQ_S5E6rlu7Fo_uq5gJM_v8OxanEPEKjup_q2HrSRza4rOICmchTlYMvy_1-fnRfmBaH7jtf_1O2p_QDOzLlxE9X-NU/s400/bracelet+with+heart+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />The entwined hearts symbolizes many things to me at this point, but one of which is the love I have for myself and this journey.  I can only have that love by God's grace.  It is important that my life, my "heart", be intertwined with His in order to experience the life I'm meant to have. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxp_I_jqMgpZvM4fh2gdSxyzb2AKu_pFjcQBvQ1-mdWd4athJRvv3_yCift8J3fzkFQl2zDWAEGQlgPdU2o_N1liIs9S8w1q_JqfY8rT5VG4xedx2twyqMFUWBP1jqBL_8AwM3hl2A-0/s1600/bracelet+with+heart+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxp_I_jqMgpZvM4fh2gdSxyzb2AKu_pFjcQBvQ1-mdWd4athJRvv3_yCift8J3fzkFQl2zDWAEGQlgPdU2o_N1liIs9S8w1q_JqfY8rT5VG4xedx2twyqMFUWBP1jqBL_8AwM3hl2A-0/s400/bracelet+with+heart+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Last week I picked up this curling iron too.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptwuWWa4cbPGed3n0nJPPpdk6_ebd99mUbBCsfK2iyJ7gQpRCXC3qr1LwPWcMcygekI2CM56BhrS-6-eQ0kqgxhzht7d9mVuTrbhYe6aNFDZWAikc7CA2VxRLxo6tv2Xa6D5BtIe_tNA/s1600/curling+iron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptwuWWa4cbPGed3n0nJPPpdk6_ebd99mUbBCsfK2iyJ7gQpRCXC3qr1LwPWcMcygekI2CM56BhrS-6-eQ0kqgxhzht7d9mVuTrbhYe6aNFDZWAikc7CA2VxRLxo6tv2Xa6D5BtIe_tNA/s400/curling+iron.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And this week I picked up the <a href="http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3900691" target="_blank">Clarisonic Mia 2 from Ulta</a>. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuEm-a6L_TshHaVjqM3918Co-g84LkmRy_M4tlCN33HqLlW8U_8odRh0SLQz3-wylS31QWAg5yqWdtYBEys7_eepuYIagM7UtfTCOK8pJ29JiPaza_AR3C_ODkODSFE2X2mSWobpThv8/s1600/mia+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuEm-a6L_TshHaVjqM3918Co-g84LkmRy_M4tlCN33HqLlW8U_8odRh0SLQz3-wylS31QWAg5yqWdtYBEys7_eepuYIagM7UtfTCOK8pJ29JiPaza_AR3C_ODkODSFE2X2mSWobpThv8/s400/mia+2.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><br />I first saw this device on QVC right before Christmas.  It seemed cool enough, but I'm always a big skeptic on "miracle" products such as this.  Then I read <a href="http://honeyishrunkthegretchen.com/2012/02/02/skin-care/" target="_blank">a post from Gretchen</a> about how much she loved her Mia, along with the other commenters from her post.  <i>Then </i>I went to my friend's house to discover that she had one too and loves it.  Given that I still suffer from acne like a teenager, I decided I wanted to give this a shot.  I wear a lot of makeup everyday, and I know that there is no way a wash cloth and my Olay Foaming Face Wash was doing the trick entirely.  That is also the good thing about this device - you can use whatever nonabrasive wash you'd like (do not use an exfoliating cleanser - it will end up being too harsh for your skin).   <br /><br />I was also able to move 2 more beads from one jar to another!  Yes!

goals Inspiration Loss Weight Loss Believing

I hit 227.1 on Friday!  To be in the 220s again is.... amazing!  I feel so much better and lighter, and clothes are getting too big and it&#...

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Weight Loss Jar

It feels good to share your weight loss journey with others in real life {i.e. not in the blogger's world!}.  Once upon a time I would have disagreed with this, but today I feel differently.  Sure, I've gotten negative feedback and/or unwarranted comments from others in the past, but lately that hasn't been the case.  In fact, I think I owe a lot of my success to the encouragement I've gotten from others!<br /><br />I shared recently with a friend the story behind my bracelet.  She's been so supportive ever since!  She is actually the one who gave me this idea:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ukhf_FNaKgm8zfnaz70ObKJXVI48Xfk0Hs7efEXb91Ta9xaF6-Rv0Ea_s_HdX2y35UQKcicVSEcusRljavfONoESEfO9quXLkMbk_h-HLKRiU2ITmBQublFLImplHQWX1G8xxL0way8/s1600/weight+loss+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ukhf_FNaKgm8zfnaz70ObKJXVI48Xfk0Hs7efEXb91Ta9xaF6-Rv0Ea_s_HdX2y35UQKcicVSEcusRljavfONoESEfO9quXLkMbk_h-HLKRiU2ITmBQublFLImplHQWX1G8xxL0way8/s400/weight+loss+beads.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I would have gotten smaller jars to really show the true difference if I could have more accurately visualized the end result, but I still like them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNaN08rji3yVa-6z7aekojEk6H8BmczRNwGb606hnTMFvIbp2RrqPL1WSMzHD_a5aRadhTKH7RwCo-yU9JrqBSPKMuCEuMhUxNcF__HsuHUkkE63xsI8W2h5gB2SdhBV1yNsHaIVXhj0/s1600/weight+loss+bead+jar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNaN08rji3yVa-6z7aekojEk6H8BmczRNwGb606hnTMFvIbp2RrqPL1WSMzHD_a5aRadhTKH7RwCo-yU9JrqBSPKMuCEuMhUxNcF__HsuHUkkE63xsI8W2h5gB2SdhBV1yNsHaIVXhj0/s400/weight+loss+bead+jar.jpg" width="336" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpBgeHIn_0kVyg4nWC5KpwW3le5Fa5vEd5emhId7ae6ax2YoaysDTU_kzPtZvAwcKKguKIxCxeLpSTx8zn2axTvlmXc590PJ1Er7YxeDakYQxlrVvXZP6UiOrtiiNyMWSEYlwrpgRdmo/s1600/weight+loss+bead+jar+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpBgeHIn_0kVyg4nWC5KpwW3le5Fa5vEd5emhId7ae6ax2YoaysDTU_kzPtZvAwcKKguKIxCxeLpSTx8zn2axTvlmXc590PJ1Er7YxeDakYQxlrVvXZP6UiOrtiiNyMWSEYlwrpgRdmo/s400/weight+loss+bead+jar+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />She found the idea on <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/204702745532718263/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>.  I am a big fan of these "anchor" methods to weight loss.  I like having a visual of what I've accomplished so far.  I also like that I have a tangible item to move from one "side" of the journey to another.  <br /><br /><b style="color: #351c75;">How do you feel about anchor methods for visualizing your own success?  Do you have any neat ideas to share?  I can never have too many :)</b>

Inspiration weight loss anchors Weight Loss Jar

It feels good to share your weight loss journey with others in real life {i.e. not in the blogger's world!}.  Once upon a time I would h...

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Persevering

Sometimes there are just no words. Given that I tend to be such a "chatty Cathy" at times, this might seem unimaginable to those who really know me.  I'm going to try to find the words though. <br /><br />I once said that if I could accomplish my weight loss goals, I could accomplish anything life threw at me.  I would know that I had the perseverance necessary to get through <i>anything </i>at all.  It's a really hard journey for us at times... losing weight.  It takes hard work, dedication, heart, self love, discipline, focus, and most importantly, time.    <br /><br />When things don't go the way we want them to <i>when </i>we want them to, <i>those </i>are the most important times for us on this journey.  Afterall, when things are going well, there is nothing to worry about right?   Our character isn't being challenged.  But when we hit those stumbling blocks along the way, we need to know that we will get through it eventually.  It is during <i>those</i> times that our character is being developed.  Do we choose to react to our emotions, and eat away the pain of our current problem{s}, in other words, do what we've always done?  Or do we choose to be positive and know that in God's bigger plan for us is something better - a bigger loss next week, perhaps, if we stay obedient to the plan we've been asked to follow.<br /><br />We didn't put on The Big Weight over night, so the troubles are not going to go away over night either.  Still, we have to really work at achieving what we want and when challenges come along, <i>as they always will</i>, we need to face them head on.  We need not run away.  We need not get angry.  We need not feel hopeless. <br /><br />Someday The Big Weight will be no more.<br /><br />Someday I will look back and say instead:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"> <i>"</i><i>It wasn't weight loss that was my greatest accomplishment in life.  It was that after having my heart broken into a million pieces by someone whom I trusted would never do that, I still managed to put a smile on my face and trust in God that it would get better.......and it did!"</i>  </blockquote><br /><i>That </i>will make me unstoppable.

Inspiration Persevering

Sometimes there are just no words. Given that I tend to be such a "chatty Cathy" at times, this might seem unimaginable to those w...

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3000 visitors to our SchoolNet blog. Yay!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">3000 visitors to our SchoolNet blog. Yay!<br /><br /><img border="0" height="0" src="http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEzMjk2NDY4NzQ3NjgmcHQ9MTMyOTY*Njg3ODM2MSZwPTc*MzIxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWM4Mjg3Njg1NGNiZjRjNDc5ZmU1/NTE*Mjc1NTQyN2Q3.gif" style="height: 0px; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;" width="0" /><a href="http://www.sparklee.com/"><img alt="logo maker - http://www.sparklee.com" border="0" src="http://img-s3-01.mytextgraphics.com/sparklee/2012/02/19/8e43162ba6814d4e203bf059b847bd03.gif" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.docloop.com/">doctor reviews</a></div>

Inspiration 3000 visitors to our SchoolNet blog. Yay!

3000 visitors to our SchoolNet blog. Yay! doctor reviews

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Happy Valentine's Day!

I want to wish you and your loved one{s} a <i>very </i><b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Happy Valentine's Day</span></b>!  I hope you're enjoying this day that is dedicated to love - why <i>not </i>have a holiday dedicated to one of God's most wonderful gifts?<br /><br />I know some people do not enjoy this love-inspired day, but I do!  I love it, and I loved it even when I was single.<br /><br />Thanks to Pinterest, there are endless ideas for days like today.<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/AVvXsEgH6YllQU4Q47FzC2Ndp-44F_IPOxWI2Py3_D7W7CbxRwpkmtiBajSt-xlnVkl_YIR4co8qeZuCintP2mOCTXSaP-bNe3rJ5G6pk2N7FIZQbkRiN6HM62XkqX2tUa-vkPXDgogS9dbMsQY/s1600/valentine+breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6YllQU4Q47FzC2Ndp-44F_IPOxWI2Py3_D7W7CbxRwpkmtiBajSt-xlnVkl_YIR4co8qeZuCintP2mOCTXSaP-bNe3rJ5G6pk2N7FIZQbkRiN6HM62XkqX2tUa-vkPXDgogS9dbMsQY/s400/valentine+breakfast.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel's breakfast from Saturday</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I really enjoy doing things for others, especially when I can put something together for them that is both something I know they'll like, but also allows me to exercise my creative muscles.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT30UL-KL4kU6MpRgA6KBhjsGzAYS5yUZQumc_mmcav4APze2T3s_1i_-qD-UqMEntw0d4_TGW9CbjZGjpz6ErZQp-ynNbKp9Qvin4AGm4VuXJy-FoF9OTksS_mwB8La6e3jHL-nl5S6A/s1600/joel%2527s+valentine+gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT30UL-KL4kU6MpRgA6KBhjsGzAYS5yUZQumc_mmcav4APze2T3s_1i_-qD-UqMEntw0d4_TGW9CbjZGjpz6ErZQp-ynNbKp9Qvin4AGm4VuXJy-FoF9OTksS_mwB8La6e3jHL-nl5S6A/s400/joel%2527s+valentine+gift.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><br />Joel surprisingly doesn't mind wearing boxers that have hearts on them.  Every year I buy him v-day themed undies and he always wears them throughout the entire year.  <span style="color: #999999;">{I almost always get them at Target - they always have cute ones!}  </span><br /><br />By the way, could there be a better gift for a fisherman on Valentine's Day? <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y9H-pLldIX-vQeb3fo-OUuw5tz_kWEA20mJcKuBoa6HNQqOTPj2M3S8QoK1TpRo-bhWeVWIdDGIl7Im7NHH7AG3KonU5X3wJVy-fphxFJoSI31b5Q7BhlLOk0PAZh7GX01fs3pX8Q2w/s1600/joel%2527s+valentine+gift+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y9H-pLldIX-vQeb3fo-OUuw5tz_kWEA20mJcKuBoa6HNQqOTPj2M3S8QoK1TpRo-bhWeVWIdDGIl7Im7NHH7AG3KonU5X3wJVy-fphxFJoSI31b5Q7BhlLOk0PAZh7GX01fs3pX8Q2w/s400/joel%2527s+valentine+gift+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Then there are these cuties.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEETpHGeopq7UU96hFHCXzUvl0NFGlyXIuJD5xySz59AzMP6Wno-FutDvIWYv2ZHzQLoVeM_1Apkhn3SzQ6dwQDTmDkUNl-oxuH2niKvRYYQCIqdZ69gLC8TxMsHqFEcUIbqMxaWwbedk/s1600/ww+vday+cupcakes+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEETpHGeopq7UU96hFHCXzUvl0NFGlyXIuJD5xySz59AzMP6Wno-FutDvIWYv2ZHzQLoVeM_1Apkhn3SzQ6dwQDTmDkUNl-oxuH2niKvRYYQCIqdZ69gLC8TxMsHqFEcUIbqMxaWwbedk/s400/ww+vday+cupcakes+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And friends, that's as far as it goes with these mini Weight Watchers Red Velvet Cupcakes {from the January 2012 issue}.  They sucked! Whole wheat flour really doesn't cut it when you're trying to achieve the goodness that is red velvet.  I think Joel said it well: "They taste like bread."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3gIqQksERfMm-Zii2Vba5Xj5EPgqFnsXgbgspTI6_JgY2MxaQUR3bdjWtaUekXPwvCdp696xmjlTJtnurEQ0lYo5P08WirK7QrqEbZ2k1lDR2MczwOY_GArsVt-V1mufq0V1hlIjvB0/s1600/ww+vday+cupcakes+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3gIqQksERfMm-Zii2Vba5Xj5EPgqFnsXgbgspTI6_JgY2MxaQUR3bdjWtaUekXPwvCdp696xmjlTJtnurEQ0lYo5P08WirK7QrqEbZ2k1lDR2MczwOY_GArsVt-V1mufq0V1hlIjvB0/s400/ww+vday+cupcakes+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Now this little gem on the other hand.... perfecto!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KgyNQL4EzwzFi6WVFvcH0jvm2Dom_dF5OqjWH1LklYawwm-ddwzNmwKiZrThyphenhyphen9yfH9233TKkuGrr5kDTmjbaNIW7uhQ7kks3wZfhClbAh_eENdB_RRkwccwHxaN5w60D93fiE4xv-VQ/s1600/red+velvet+cake+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KgyNQL4EzwzFi6WVFvcH0jvm2Dom_dF5OqjWH1LklYawwm-ddwzNmwKiZrThyphenhyphen9yfH9233TKkuGrr5kDTmjbaNIW7uhQ7kks3wZfhClbAh_eENdB_RRkwccwHxaN5w60D93fiE4xv-VQ/s400/red+velvet+cake+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Adapted from the Better Homes & Gardens Breast Cancer cookbook <span style="color: #999999;">{and tweaked with advice from my gynecologist, who moonlights as a professional pastry chef!}</span>,  this Red Waldorf Cake was both dense <i>and </i>moist.  This is the<a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/12/weigh-in-weekly-goals-more-christmas.html" target="_blank"> same cake I made at Christmas time</a>, but that one was fairly dry.  After talking with my doctor, she informed me that red velvet is a tricky cake for which to achieve perfect moistness. But I'm proud to say I did.  This time I baked these in mini-heart shaped spring-form pans purchased at Target. The same batter used to make the previous cake, also made six personal heart-shaped cakes as well {taken to a friend's house for a dinner date}.  By the way, this cake is named Red Waldorf Cake because the Waldorf-Astoria hotel were the creators of what we know today as Red Velvet Cake.<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/AVvXsEgo9jmH2enPXs8OgmjeUorYb67GuXPXGpzm3exTO8VJ0CzB9Mevvr6yAjf4_rC1ENEwAeoq5C0SdH4kO_GJ1m908DTT0cuc4VlkeBzo5xCAooxj-vuP4Xoq5L1bfZsgrOxlzZ94IFWNlZU/s1600/red+velvet+cake+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9jmH2enPXs8OgmjeUorYb67GuXPXGpzm3exTO8VJ0CzB9Mevvr6yAjf4_rC1ENEwAeoq5C0SdH4kO_GJ1m908DTT0cuc4VlkeBzo5xCAooxj-vuP4Xoq5L1bfZsgrOxlzZ94IFWNlZU/s400/red+velvet+cake+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Divine.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b style="color: #674ea7;">How About That Weight Loss?</b><br /><br /><br />I had another successful weigh in last Friday, removing another 0.7 lbs for a total loss of 28.6 lbs!  Very exciting!<br /><br />It took a while to receive my goal "prizes" from the previous weigh in, but alas, they came!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccrorFteABsyVFbid9B8aaSxqUQdCkUaz7HQinB0G93LQcWN_cR08OkNImUdrcfWOjtGhCn_df_Uc0KIPeU89DMauc9q-nK6wNwq1_wPI9wyA9hThUQNwvWnd_AxZzOTOewT16qTLJjI/s1600/bracelet+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccrorFteABsyVFbid9B8aaSxqUQdCkUaz7HQinB0G93LQcWN_cR08OkNImUdrcfWOjtGhCn_df_Uc0KIPeU89DMauc9q-nK6wNwq1_wPI9wyA9hThUQNwvWnd_AxZzOTOewT16qTLJjI/s400/bracelet+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> She's really getting filled up.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBLS7eX5mNEJFYLrEs2m4cCGba_Ox5iuH3-IJ5p-kthM9yba-pA5NMJ3LipnzpsrYJhMjHzVMhZnenBOP29HE9k9Jw2XDUcO_ecVYo3X0-21zPCgphQa4vUx3GUA9HYp5_uFxQ5y5AN4/s1600/bracelet+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBLS7eX5mNEJFYLrEs2m4cCGba_Ox5iuH3-IJ5p-kthM9yba-pA5NMJ3LipnzpsrYJhMjHzVMhZnenBOP29HE9k9Jw2XDUcO_ecVYo3X0-21zPCgphQa4vUx3GUA9HYp5_uFxQ5y5AN4/s400/bracelet+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The Penn State one and the bead immediately to the right of it are the two new ones.   I love them both, and I'm so proud to be displaying my Alma Mater as part of my weight loss journey.  We are tough cookies, us Pennsylvanians :).  That is what the Penn State charm represents.  <br /><br />The jewelry hanger is proving to be an AMAZING purchase.  I should have taken a before picture of my dresser - it was a nightmare of tangled necklaces.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRE0K7ISomYboBqopro2A0gscl9tnvUlCMdQ-JGp3zuvc8YBj1CKHT6pO-kU3SgqRBwIsUhxwhB97tYf76ka6W2XedgAcEZWFzH1RGnGlm64clRUeIqUvrE4jnoOfynymHLB85QUYVHfE/s1600/jewelry+hanger+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRE0K7ISomYboBqopro2A0gscl9tnvUlCMdQ-JGp3zuvc8YBj1CKHT6pO-kU3SgqRBwIsUhxwhB97tYf76ka6W2XedgAcEZWFzH1RGnGlm64clRUeIqUvrE4jnoOfynymHLB85QUYVHfE/s400/jewelry+hanger+3.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><br />Not now!  Thanks to that little Etsy shop for this perfect jewelery organizer!<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/AVvXsEgF_iJB-9K29wF4-BTlDfy-BvJERhH8rsGcpxxq_ioLFTxwq1G3cKWViaGkNiKo_ZcMAkWT0LF8fKdrB9bMdIMyrwRZvXgg0xIe-vLgHrxeZUZegPzoIgUk2bqJn-blg0hBVVTi8mNr9vU/s1600/jewelry+hanger+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_iJB-9K29wF4-BTlDfy-BvJERhH8rsGcpxxq_ioLFTxwq1G3cKWViaGkNiKo_ZcMAkWT0LF8fKdrB9bMdIMyrwRZvXgg0xIe-vLgHrxeZUZegPzoIgUk2bqJn-blg0hBVVTi8mNr9vU/s400/jewelry+hanger+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">notice how some earrings don't have their mate.  Thank YOU Charles!</td></tr></tbody></table>I absolutely love this weight loss award.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIX4VdnpmJ3oX4nJmBLHEFjkPMvc0SClCUCuqWf-K2McO85mtV1zJxaqbDQ_BoY7PG-RzK16sgRmJdNNoqCmhf3twpxgzZAOfaOcvLIumkJPGNbMneWEPIqsCc2Wn8-UEtKL-42ZSL44/s1600/jewelry+hanger+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIX4VdnpmJ3oX4nJmBLHEFjkPMvc0SClCUCuqWf-K2McO85mtV1zJxaqbDQ_BoY7PG-RzK16sgRmJdNNoqCmhf3twpxgzZAOfaOcvLIumkJPGNbMneWEPIqsCc2Wn8-UEtKL-42ZSL44/s400/jewelry+hanger+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Other than all that, I'm still chugging away at school {again, why my posts are lacking!} and trying not to indulge too much in the V-day goodness.  As of today, I've only completed 1/2 workouts for the week.  While I don't like to let it go this long into the week, I had a very packed weekend and zero time to squeeze in both gym visits.  I plan to go either Wednesday or Thursday.  <br /><br />Happy Lovey-Love Day!

Better Homes and Gardens Breast Cancer Cookbook goals Inspiration Success Valentine's Day Happy Valentine's Day!

I want to wish you and your loved one{s} a very Happy Valentine's Day !  I hope you're enjoying this day that is dedicated to love -...

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Weigh In Results & What Worked This Week

There are a number of things that I believe contributed to my <b><span style="color: #351c75;">amazing </span></b>loss this week.<br /><div style="color: #351c75;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><b><u style="color: #674ea7;">What Worked This Week</u>:</b></div>1. <b>Decreasing my DPT from 39 to 38.</b>  I've been at a 39 Daily PointsPlus Target for several weeks now.  I wanted to switch things up to see what decreasing it by 1 PointsPlus would do.  Turns out it did a lot!  Though I know this wasn't the only contributing factor, and I'll explain more.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIYrfSrAY9P2uKQnFsAtXziOsqJf_zfJ8NAPmGlJZIrT6jlBNnjCR6NT1-Pbg6WjUCqCMIunBHCvZevTfBRkkiC1vc7pXpd3IA-VXv2LuyMVEuz_IELsxYIboA04lIQOoEGHgiThyphenhyphenDZE/s1600/DPT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIYrfSrAY9P2uKQnFsAtXziOsqJf_zfJ8NAPmGlJZIrT6jlBNnjCR6NT1-Pbg6WjUCqCMIunBHCvZevTfBRkkiC1vc7pXpd3IA-VXv2LuyMVEuz_IELsxYIboA04lIQOoEGHgiThyphenhyphenDZE/s1600/DPT.JPG" /></a></div><br />2. <b>Plenty of fruit.</b>  The bulk of my snacks this week were of the fruit kind: strawberries and blueberries.  I've heard some meeting members in the past say that if they eat too much fruit, they either don't lose or they gain. For someone whose sweet tooth is the size of my head, eating fruit in place of chocolate or some other snack that is on the sugary side was a much better alternative.  Not to mention the fact that it was filling AND 0 PointsPlus!  And, let's be honest, I did not get to 263.8 lbs by overeating fruit! <br /><br />3. <b>Filling Breakfasts</b>.  This week I had another oatmeal breakfast. If I give myself a delicious and filling breakfast, it really sets the tone for the rest of my day {<i>most </i>of the time}.  I find I am less ravenous throughout the day.  Oatmeal in and of itself is filling, but add some dried apricots, dried blueberries, and a little splash of milk and it's right on par.  I tried this oatmeal from my Weight Watchers cookbook called Baked Fruit Cinnamon Oatmeal {7 PointsPlus}.  So good!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJXlCNP6Pn0ZRzRcJ7nYu1P3q_FEP2LGstnjCozUxY_czjKAbMObMjB5qfCpDrDNgfvQeQbJ0sBIEOmoX19mc03vqyXx2McB1b4VkzfPgPGfUagGoSfcmNlDMckeTXG-O4pM1UZJI16E/s1600/ww+new+complete+cookbook.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJXlCNP6Pn0ZRzRcJ7nYu1P3q_FEP2LGstnjCozUxY_czjKAbMObMjB5qfCpDrDNgfvQeQbJ0sBIEOmoX19mc03vqyXx2McB1b4VkzfPgPGfUagGoSfcmNlDMckeTXG-O4pM1UZJI16E/s320/ww+new+complete+cookbook.JPG" width="284" /></a></div><br /><br />4. <b>Meeting Weekly Activity Goal.</b>  Again, this week I got in both days of activity.  That definitely helped me drop the weight!<br /><br />5. <b>Not Eating All of My DPT.</b>  There were 3 days this week that I didn't eat all of my 38 PointsPlus.  I didn't do this on purpose, it was just because I was busy and food was not on my mind.  What does that tell you? I typically eat because I'm bored and it gives me something to do.  This week I was busy with school, among other things, and thinking about food wasn't at the forefront.<br /><br />6. <b>Allowing One "Indulgent Meal" Per Week.</b>  I've been living by this rule since the start of the new year.  I allow myself one meal each week where I can eat whatever I want.  Yes, I still count it {even if it puts me in the red for the Weekly PointsPlus}, but I enjoy it without guilt.  I don't feel deprived and when I find myself craving an indulgent meal {which for me, this just means going out to eat and consuming whatever I want}, I remind myself that I can have it next week for my "indulgent meal".<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/AVvXsEgqJwMSM62rTLGTwrCM_sDst4PfoYGXAjNkFd0213i6EynsmS-djh40jGRUts-JdlkIytU8EO3UNZEK8axsrn-0H7YtA5kQqSSX7OsFHR6Y1u1je4uu2nNoyT9uWGJGh9KVnMpN-lVyDCE/s1600/cieling+fan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJwMSM62rTLGTwrCM_sDst4PfoYGXAjNkFd0213i6EynsmS-djh40jGRUts-JdlkIytU8EO3UNZEK8axsrn-0H7YtA5kQqSSX7OsFHR6Y1u1je4uu2nNoyT9uWGJGh9KVnMpN-lVyDCE/s400/cieling+fan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the ceiling fan at a pizza shop where last week's indulgent meal was consumed!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="color: #674ea7;"><b><u>Upcoming Challenges This Week</u>:</b></div><ul><li><b>Super Bowl Sunday.</b>  We are going to a party on Sunday afternoon.  I'm making some food for it, but it's not really PointsPlus friendly food {I don't intend on eating it either, it's just what I was asked to bring}. So, having said that, I do plan to make at least one more dish that is WW friendly, which will most likely be <a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/745" target="_blank">these</a>.</li></ul><div style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></div><span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span><b style="color: #674ea7;"><u>Weigh In Results</u>:</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uWX9Jh57QroTc3oQaj-bWilwmRw-PI86r7hsAlnAOoOoiZ1ORgCPEdHXGyQBHW3so0_o7oH4HqnrWz9WZonG8vEP_ORRQtLfrF746xMAuCwR8D-zx5NWbNnIQTtrL8gzEktyzgS9iRU/s1600/scale.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uWX9Jh57QroTc3oQaj-bWilwmRw-PI86r7hsAlnAOoOoiZ1ORgCPEdHXGyQBHW3so0_o7oH4HqnrWz9WZonG8vEP_ORRQtLfrF746xMAuCwR8D-zx5NWbNnIQTtrL8gzEktyzgS9iRU/s1600/scale.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">   <b>Hilary (5'8")</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Starting Weight: <span style="color: black;">263.8</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><b>Current Weight: 235.9</b></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">This week I lost 5.1 lbs!  AND I met <i><b>two </b></i><a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/p/goals.html" target="_blank">goals</a>!!!!!!!  I reached another 5 lbs goal AND I reached my first 10% goal as well. This means I get two charms and one other reward.  This is what I'm getting:</span><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: black;">1. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/82637669/jewelry-display-holder-cabinet-grade?ref=sr_906ba8f6168e1dde064c918da815dfb5410d78f651f00462338779b1722c3565_1320777427_14107390_necklace_holder" target="_blank">The Jewelry Organizer</a>.  I have an endless supply of necklaces and earrings that are a constant tangled mess.  Not to mention that Charles likes to use my earrings as his toys!  This gem is coming from the Etsy store <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/JewelryHoldersForYou?ref=seller_info" target="_blank">Jewelry Holders for You</a>.</span></blockquote><span style="color: black;"> </span></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFZT3WOeZ4qKy0ua5JrPgtWP5ySJk8sR68A1AMpZMUEs00X_I6no5uRWACgTvSPewf8gtVwLmvadImcAj90OqAdh6wYvDJu9vBoXrT0Rb7ZJNTGTirfFZ2W_R516-eBvJB69tTBiut0s/s1600/jewelery+hanger+reward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFZT3WOeZ4qKy0ua5JrPgtWP5ySJk8sR68A1AMpZMUEs00X_I6no5uRWACgTvSPewf8gtVwLmvadImcAj90OqAdh6wYvDJu9vBoXrT0Rb7ZJNTGTirfFZ2W_R516-eBvJB69tTBiut0s/s400/jewelery+hanger+reward.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: black;">2. Charms.  I've already chosen the one charm I am getting for sure, and it's in honor of my beloved alma mater:</div></blockquote><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/AVvXsEit3Nu63X-6V-wSOGE_Tqa3FRyeG9B23mJDshSiBo0MD3-RfTAffGfzFjdaPXwshfRUx_b3pBqfBYZiPrFSzUQOf5irGPm1qhd2Iaq3wWTf3oZycyDrJysXmXwKnpMx8zfn61zxYIejlxY/s1600/psu+charm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3Nu63X-6V-wSOGE_Tqa3FRyeG9B23mJDshSiBo0MD3-RfTAffGfzFjdaPXwshfRUx_b3pBqfBYZiPrFSzUQOf5irGPm1qhd2Iaq3wWTf3oZycyDrJysXmXwKnpMx8zfn61zxYIejlxY/s200/psu+charm.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sold on Ebay by <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/BeadazzlingBeadsdotCom?_trksid=p4340.l2563" target="_blank">Bedazzling Beads</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><insert charm="" penn="" pic="" state=""></insert></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: left;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: black;">I'm going this evening to pick out my other charm.  Sorry Pandora, but I am not going with you this time on the charm selection.  These beauties are on my <a href="http://chamilia.com/" target="_blank">Chamilia</a> wishlist {I'm only getting one}:</div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlk5CbqYurfLP-vqdzbMjcfTXqqRgZ-MdRfvKmComrf0729vGbRMGcsrrbeP88fuYKiWpzfDMZBzR-Y3z5iOAQcRFzHYTVs02GqCl2R0DjUPB-OR-_C2Ohy3Pg0pzsxgqiT8ngFOuYh_k/s1600/chamilia+beads.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlk5CbqYurfLP-vqdzbMjcfTXqqRgZ-MdRfvKmComrf0729vGbRMGcsrrbeP88fuYKiWpzfDMZBzR-Y3z5iOAQcRFzHYTVs02GqCl2R0DjUPB-OR-_C2Ohy3Pg0pzsxgqiT8ngFOuYh_k/s400/chamilia+beads.JPG" width="165" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: black;">I've also updated my <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/p/progress-pictures.html" target="_blank">progress pics</a>, which, I honestly cannot say that I see much of a difference in those pictures just yet.  The most I can see is with my face.  The first set of pictures were taken at an odd angle, and I'm trying to be consistent with the angle now so it more accurately shows the losses.  </span><span style="color: black;">But that's okay, I can FEEL the difference that 27.9 lbs removed makes.... and it's a lot!</span><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>What is working for you this week?</b> <span style="color: black;"> </span></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><insert jewelery="" organizer="" pic=""></insert></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><insert chamilia="" charms=""> </insert></span><b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

goals Inspiration Loss Success Weight Loss Weight Watchers Weigh In Results & What Worked This Week

There are a number of things that I believe contributed to my amazing loss this week. What Worked This Week : 1. Decreasing my DPT from 39 t...

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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We have just reached our 2000 mark. Yay!<br /><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img border="0" height="0" src="http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEzMjY*MzcxMzc5NjMmcHQ9MTMyNjQzNzEzOTY4MiZwPTc*MzIxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPWM4Mjg3Njg1NGNiZjRjNDc5ZmU1/NTE*Mjc1NTQyN2Q3.gif" style="height: 0px; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;" width="0" /><a href="http://www.sparklee.com/"><img alt="sparkle - http://www.sparklee.com" border="0" src="http://img-s3-01.mytextgraphics.com/sparklee/2012/01/13/d362ed04e510595ea2c311184f37e77c.gif" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div></div>

Inspiration

We have just reached our 2000 mark. Yay!

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Visitors to our blog!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"></div><img border="0" height="0" src="http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEzMjAyMjE3NjI3NDQmcHQ9MTMyMDIyMTc3MDU1OCZwPTc*MzIxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPTE2ZDUwN2QxYzY5ZDQ5NGFiY2U4/MjUyMDY3NjUwZWFl.gif" style="height: 0px; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;" width="0" /><a href="http://www.sparklee.com/"><img alt="Myspace Text - http://www.sparklee.com" border="0" src="http://img-s3-01.mytextgraphics.com/sparklee/2011/11/02/92777254fab9c96920e9542acea6fa37.gif" /></a></div>

Inspiration Visitors to our blog!

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Why Do You Want to Lose Weight?

<a href="http://123glitter.com/comments-graphics/file/7888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://123glitter.com/comments-graphics/file/7888.jpg" width="185" /></a>I have come across 2 situations this week where I was reminded of that question yet again.  I mean, I think about being heavy ALL the time, but this question was kind of spelled out in black and white on 2 separate occasions for me this week.<br /><br />First, it was at the Weight Watchers meeting on Wednesday night.  When asked that question, most members said they wanted to lose weight for health reasons. <br /><br />As part of the Beck Diet Solution, one of the first items we are tasked with is to come up with our reasons for wanting to lose weight. <br /><br />Here are 17 of mine in no particular order:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. Get to wear nicer, age appropriate clothes</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. More confidence, especially at work</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Healthier - not so sore in the muscles</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. More comfortable in the summer - less sweating</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Can fit more comfortably in chairs</div><div style="text-align: center;">6. Can do more social activities</div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Joel could pick me up</div><div style="text-align: center;">8. Feel pretty</div><div style="text-align: center;">9. Feel more in control</div><div style="text-align: center;">10. Overall happiness</div><div style="text-align: center;">11. Improved love life</div><div style="text-align: center;">12. Not being self-conscious in a bathing suit</div><div style="text-align: center;">13. Exercise without embarassment</div><div style="text-align: center;">14. More assertive</div><div style="text-align: center;">15. I'll feel that I've accomplished something great</div><div style="text-align: center;">16. Make Joel proud</div><div style="text-align: center;">17. Doing what is right by God - not being gluttonous</div><br />Then I came across <a href="http://www.itsuxtobefat.com/weight-loss/100-reasons-thinner-is-better.html">Jennifer's post on 100 Reasons Thinner is Better</a>.  She has lost close to 100 lbs!  Many of her reasons for why being thinner is better coincide with my reasons for wanting to get rid of these 89 lbs. I especially loved these:<br /> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,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" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,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" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,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" /> </div><br />Why do you want to remove the weight?

goals Inspiration Weight Loss Weight Loss Challenges Weight Watchers Why Do You Want to Lose Weight?

I have come across 2 situations this week where I was reminded of that question yet again.  I mean, I think about being heavy ALL the time, ...

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Do You Have 100 Pounds to Lose?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOiJT3bP3dogngfP8ihqqvLoJ23KuMn-hx2IwSTlJsTtyeA94eYdVC_-hCv4YHeW-mY6GC0sjRajQ9jWBIzi8O1rkRs4aU0gvCre3VWueeikcHVjg6PPSCu07y-6mGquwPeFaSCm0Piw/s1600/scale+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOiJT3bP3dogngfP8ihqqvLoJ23KuMn-hx2IwSTlJsTtyeA94eYdVC_-hCv4YHeW-mY6GC0sjRajQ9jWBIzi8O1rkRs4aU0gvCre3VWueeikcHVjg6PPSCu07y-6mGquwPeFaSCm0Piw/s200/scale+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Yesterday I happened upon <a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/10-tips-for-losing-100-pounds">this article on Webmd.com</a> on tips for those of us who have 100 lbs to lose.  If you're in this boat too, I would encourage you to go check it out in detail.<br /><br />Below is a summary of it and how it applies to my own journey:<br /><br /><b>1. Shrink Yourself: Analyze the Payoff You Get From Excess Weight</b><br /><i>Anne Fletcher, the Registered Dietician who was consulted in this article, says to ask yourself: "What are you getting out of NOT losing weight?"  Are you hanging on to the weight because you're trying to hide from a particular situation?  </i><br /><br />I think for me, I'm so used to being in the background that I don't want to be in the spot light.  I think I'm a little afraid of success as well.  Like if/when I actually do lose this weight, how much more it's going to change my life.  I'll be able to actually do things I've told myself I cannot do right now because of my weight.  <br /><br /><b>2. Assess Your Readiness</b><br /><i>For this, Fletcher says to ask yourself these questions: "Is my job and my spouse's job likely to stay the same [for the foreseeable future]? Is my financial situation reasonably stable? Do I have time to devote to weight control? Are my relationships stable?"  She's basically saying, the least amount of stress you have going on in your life, the more successful with weight loss you are likely to be.  Obviously, if you want to lose weight and you're determined, you can do it, regardless of how many stressors exist in your life.  </i><br /><br />I know for me, if I didn't have this subconscious worry about the way I look floating around in my mind DAILY, a lot of my stress would be eliminated.  Not only that, I have noticed that over the years when my stress level is high, it's harder for me to stick to a healthy lifestyle.  Last year, when I was enduring an almost 2 hour one-way commute to work each day, I had no desire to come home and cook, much less go work out.  Trust me, it shows on my body now - I gained about 40 lbs in that 1 year.  <br /><br /><b>3. Consider the Options</b><br /><i>Try to be as informed as possible about whatever healthy plan it is that you're going to follow, whether that be an organized plan like Weight Watchers, counting calories, gastic bypass surgery - whatever strategy you decide upon - know all there is to know about it!</i><br /><br />I know I always have room for improvement with WW, and so I continue to attend meetings regularly to learn more about it.  I also like to get my tips/tricks from you guys and your blogs, especially fellow WW members.<br /><br /><b>4. Build in Accountability</b><br /><i>No matter what plan you follow, hold yourself accountable.  Weigh in on a consistent schedule.  Report that weigh in to someone else.  Blog about your journey.  Whatever you have to do to keep yourself accountable, do it.</i><br /><br />This is why I created this blog.  Holding myself accountable to Joel alone wasn't cutting it - we can sometimes be each others worst enemy when it comes to healthy activities!  Attending WW meetings certainly helps of course.  However, I knew I could find what I needed by writing it out.  <b>Thank you</b> for reading along :).<br /><br /><b>5. Adjust Your Expectations</b><br /><i>Don't expect to lose 100 lbs in 10 weeks.  Have realistic expectations of this weight loss.  It didn't happen overnight, so it's not going to come off overnight.</i><br /><br />I added the <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/p/goals.html">Goals tab</a> to help me focus on 5 lbs losses, instead of the 10 lbs that had originally been the focus.  Even 10 lbs seemed overwhelming - especially at the rate in which I'm losing.  Now that I've decreased it to 5, I've even been thinking about cutting it down further than that.  Still, my weekly goal is to lose at least SOMETHING - I don't care how much it is, just please give me a loss.<br /><br /><b>6. Develop a Healthy Selfishness</b><br /><i>This means realizing that, if you want to lose this weight once and for all, you need to keep your healthy journey front and centerm and you need to do what you have to do in order to keep it there.  Don't make exceptions to the rules for other people and what you think they want you to do.  Do what YOU have to do to stay on track.</i><br /><br />This is something I struggle with quite a bit.  For example, when people see I'm not eating at a work luncheon or that I'm not drinking at a happy hour, I'm immediately interrogated.  I don't particularly like to announce to everyone that I'm trying to watch what I eat.  I don't want to draw any more attention to myself than necessary.  In fact, I actually find it awkward to be the fat girl and not be eating/drinking.  Those things seem to go hand in hand, right?  It's as though I'm drawing <i>more </i>attention to myself by not doing what people think I should be doing.  So, I have been known to just do what everyone else is doing to avoid the harrassment.  I'm sure you've been there too.  Some people don't take "no" for an answer.  Even if I say "I'm just not hungry right now" (despite the fact that I really do want that cookie or that beer), they still have to press the issue.. "Who cares - just eat it".  You get the picture.<br /><br /><b>7. Fat-Proof Your Environment</b><br /><i>This is simply summed up as: Keep the trigger foods out of your house.</i><br /><br />Last week I made these Hershey Kiss pretzel sandwiches for a work function, and I had a lot left over at home.  I asked Joel if he could please hide them from me, and he did. AND it worked! :)<br /><br /><b>8. Pick the Brains of Healthy-Weight People</b><br />I take advantage of this by reading weight loss blogs.  I'm a private person when it comes to my weight loss journey - it's a highly sensitive subject for me. Therefore, I don't know many people in my life today who i would willingly consult about how they stay healthy.  Still, I know without a doubt if I hadn't started reading your blogs, I would have probably given up a dozen times over by now.<br /><br /><b>9. Find Your Secret Weapons</b><br />I'm still searching for these secret weapons.  In the exercise realm, lately my secret weapon has been the NROLFW.  I do not think it's a coincidence that since I've started doing that program, I've also started losing more weight at a much rapid pace.<br /><br />I'm still working to find my secret weapon for eating (or, better yet, NOT eating)!<br /><br /><b>10. Reward Your Success - in the Right Way</b><br />Again, I reference my <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/p/goals.html">Goals page</a>.  It felt SO GOOD when I was able to purchase 2 of my rewards off of that list.  I REALLY wanted those walking shoes and I was so excited when the day came that I could finally get them.  <br /><br />Which one of these tips is the most applicable and/or informative to you?

Inspiration Random Weight Loss Thoughts Weight Loss Do You Have 100 Pounds to Lose?

Yesterday I happened upon this article on Webmd.com on tips for those of us who have 100 lbs to lose.  If you're in this boat too, I wo...

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A little bit of inspiration

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><em>Submitted by Fiona Beal</em><br /><div closure_uid_jgvxf0="112">What do you think of the idea of now and again spending a few spare minutes in a lesson showing an inspirational video to your learners, followed by some pertinent questions? This one is just 2:47 minutes - "Born to succeed". If you have any suggestions of inspirational videos for this purpose, please share them with us. </div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/B7r7YY_EO0A" width="480"></iframe></div>

Inspiration videos A little bit of inspiration

Submitted by Fiona Beal What do you think of the idea of now and again spending a few spare minutes in a lesson showing an inspirational vid...

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The Benefits of Meal Planning

I've been so proud of myself this week! <br /><br />Actually, for the last two weeks I completely stuck to my menu plans.  "Menu plan" to me means that every weekend I pick out 3 dinner dishes and 1 breakfast dish to make for the upcoming week.  The breakfasts are the only meal I make ahead.  The rest gets made the same day.  For the past two weeks, I have selected meals that I have stuck to and actually made.  The norm had been that I'd make 2 out of the 3 dinners or 1of the 3.   Sometimes I wouldn't make any. <br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://mesotheliomaz.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/todaysmenu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://mesotheliomaz.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/todaysmenu.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I found this happening more times that I care to admit while living at Joel's 'ex-house' (not his ex's house, his EX-house!).  I also found this happening a lot just last year whenever my commute was an hour and 40 minutes at night - we ate out A LOT during that time.  I know that the eating out was the reason for this huge weight gain.  I had been easily maintaining at 220 pounds until I moved to that apartment and endured that lengthy commute.  And during that year plus the 8 months living at Joel's ex-house, I put on an additional 40+ pounds.  </div><div><br /></div><div>The meals I've been making over the past two weeks have been so delicious too!  Some I've shared on here already, and I have upcoming posts to share even more of them.  This week's breakfast was <a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/566">Hungry Girl's Apple Pie Pockets</a> for a whopping 3 Points+ (calculated using the recipe builder and my own ingredients)!  Do you realize that this Apple Pie Pocket is very similar in taste to that of the McDonald's apple pie (7 Points+), but with far better stats?  It's been so delicious this week, and a great way for me to get in some fruits.  </div><div><br /></div><div>I also made fish covered in dill and a lemon butter sauce (sounds scary but was, again, only 3 Points+!).  I <3 fish!  </div><div><br /></div><div>Last night we had this sausage rigatoni soup dish with spinach and cannellini beans - again - amazing!</div><div><br /></div><div>When enough time passes where I've stayed on plan really well and I haven't been eating out, or indulging in fast food, I start to crave french fries and Chick Fil A and all those things that are only good in moderation.  However, over that entire year and 8 months of mainly eating out, etc... there comes a point where you're just sick of it.  <i>No<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>fast food sounds appealing,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>no<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>chain restaurant sounds appetizing.   </div><div></div><div>The foods I've made over the last two weeks are not high in calories and have proven very filling and delicious - but I've found that preparing those foods takes work and organization and time, and that's not always something I care to do or want to do.  </div><div></div><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="http://www.christophercleary.com/images/boredom_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://www.christophercleary.com/images/boredom_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sometimes I'm bored and/or lazy and don't want to go to all the effort.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div><div>Yet if I want to maintain a healthier lifestyle, and believe me - <u>I do</u>, then cooking and meal planning needs to remain a priority in my life!    </div>

Hungry Girl Inspiration Random Weight Loss Thoughts Success Weight Watcher Recipes Weight Watchers The Benefits of Meal Planning

I've been so proud of myself this week! Actually, for the last two weeks I completely stuck to my menu plans.  "Menu plan" to ...

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March of Dimes - March for Babies 5K

The mission of the <a href="http://www.marchofdimes.com/">March of Dimes</a> is simply stated:<br /><blockquote style="color: #674ea7;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 11pt;">"We help moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the health of babies."</span></i></b></blockquote>Though the actual mission itself is nothing short of being simple.  I'm sure that you know someone who has had a miscarriage or has had a child born prematurely - I know several women who have been affected by this.  Participants in the walk on Sunday who have directly been affected by the issues mentioned above wore beads around their necks - purple beads signifying that their baby was born prematurely and had to fight for their life early on, and white beads signifying that their beloved child did not win the battle.  My heart went out to those people wearing the white beads - how tragic, how sad, how life shattering.   <br /><br />Even though I'm 99.9% certain that none of my donors are reading this blog, I'd still like to let it be known how grateful I am for their generosity toward the March of Dimes-March for Babies walk that was held this past Sunday (May 1) in La Plata, MD.  I successfully raised $455, which was $255 over my goal!  <b>THANK YOU!!!!!</b><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpevr9P7aXKDBHUoLpxzEMWxlHeIcSWMYzbej7Hn6uGBlT4KVYI049f9UWgINpE1f8UFOWXXsoXNT40aaSZuDTqGfTqEBlZ4XBAF-l4oZPiel4zNGeoGHlNtkpS6cnYiK_RF7-Rs5h0U/s1600/dimesmarch4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpevr9P7aXKDBHUoLpxzEMWxlHeIcSWMYzbej7Hn6uGBlT4KVYI049f9UWgINpE1f8UFOWXXsoXNT40aaSZuDTqGfTqEBlZ4XBAF-l4oZPiel4zNGeoGHlNtkpS6cnYiK_RF7-Rs5h0U/s320/dimesmarch4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />I was pleasantly surprised to learn a few days before the walk that we would have two options for the race course.  We could either do the standard 5K (3.1 miles), or actually go ahead and do 5 miles.  I knew ahead of time I'd being doing 5 miles - there's no reason why I couldn't!  <br /><br />I've also learned enough by now from the last two 5K's I've done that I wanted to position myself near the front.  When a race starts, it takes a few minutes to get your own momentum going because of the shear number of people clustered together.  And afterall, this was a noncompetitive walk, so there was no harm in me plopping myself within the first few feet of the start line.  It took me a few minutes to get around the slower people, but I finally did and was on my merry way.<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/AVvXsEi9VVIHNqkBBv1FoUKlHWaDhn9e0vAFqklqO9JkDNGLaD-QZe6EoLYPTstUbimC2rG2OTqeCLgUpBPUz6N05HqdQXUCfQVrruLfrsTBQzbc9PuZs_tcurKDGChUKGh1-c5sHbtQ9oBIpAY/s1600/dimesmarch5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VVIHNqkBBv1FoUKlHWaDhn9e0vAFqklqO9JkDNGLaD-QZe6EoLYPTstUbimC2rG2OTqeCLgUpBPUz6N05HqdQXUCfQVrruLfrsTBQzbc9PuZs_tcurKDGChUKGh1-c5sHbtQ9oBIpAY/s400/dimesmarch5.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The starting line</td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEiXivXjT6G9HzMnxEPihJZgKDVdLdBCxM2AW45DW3M1LXZlduoUIp_hcFg_plATPGxrlPHTTAhrhQflC8LPGuoNN9pzhdv7JIn8luIQ6EfUVkzbuDLZ2Y1KF3yeJv_JkHWFZrDnviSdwNk/s1600/dimesmarch1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXivXjT6G9HzMnxEPihJZgKDVdLdBCxM2AW45DW3M1LXZlduoUIp_hcFg_plATPGxrlPHTTAhrhQflC8LPGuoNN9pzhdv7JIn8luIQ6EfUVkzbuDLZ2Y1KF3yeJv_JkHWFZrDnviSdwNk/s400/dimesmarch1.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look how cute this team is with their pretty outfits!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />There were about 7 people in front of me for a long time and then a few people started running and subsequently passed me.  Running was not an option for me Sunday due to the recent back pain I've been experiencing, and I definitely wanted to do the entire 5 miles - pain free if at all possible.  But I husseled in my 5 mile walk.  There was this one lady who ran ahead of me in the beginning.  I ultimately caught up with her and I wanted to finish in front of her.  That ended up being my little race goal - I wanted to beat this lady who had actually jogged for parts of the walk when I only walked the entire thing.  I was able to pass her with about 2 miles left!  <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/AVvXsEjohokAq7gDBBVVMLrIJtkcL2Nz-O1LQnCPy1TGx6HwNeYP_a959yTE1QmWUxYy1deT91UozQH3tgF1KJgVJu9Y5VHrfY-O7PRqzUDlGyEd5Fc82Gor0JQNyEa1IzzpvyUMY1CS5hVgrrY/s1600/dimesmarch2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohokAq7gDBBVVMLrIJtkcL2Nz-O1LQnCPy1TGx6HwNeYP_a959yTE1QmWUxYy1deT91UozQH3tgF1KJgVJu9Y5VHrfY-O7PRqzUDlGyEd5Fc82Gor0JQNyEa1IzzpvyUMY1CS5hVgrrY/s400/dimesmarch2.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">signs posted along the route to help you understand what your donated money goes toward..</td></tr></tbody></table>As I was coming in to the final stretch, my right heel started hurting and I felt like I had a pebble in my shoe beneath the front of my foot.  Then I realized - crap!  I'm getting blisters!  I was shocked - these shoes are not brand new and I was wearing my typical cotton socks.  Sure enough, I developed an inch long blood blister (gross!) on my heel and 2 blisters started to form on my other foot.  Oh well - the exercise was well worth it!<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/AVvXsEgoapanYiFZlY_YLjReKFZNYrHt24hDjcQiF_YxxiFHee26xf1UziL711EdfsQTz4a51e8yVgFG5Fyooxvdro8APrWN9u_KbPbmq4lLn111gdJBk1tKEDAqa8VTdhs-KYPrTW7HWgiqCao/s1600/dimesmarch3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoapanYiFZlY_YLjReKFZNYrHt24hDjcQiF_YxxiFHee26xf1UziL711EdfsQTz4a51e8yVgFG5Fyooxvdro8APrWN9u_KbPbmq4lLn111gdJBk1tKEDAqa8VTdhs-KYPrTW7HWgiqCao/s400/dimesmarch3.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I estimate I was in the top 20 of walkers at this point - I was actually passing a huge crowd of people on my way back as they were still on their way to finishing this part of the course.</td></tr></tbody></table>It was on this leg of the course (pictured above), as I was personally feeling proud for staying ahead of this entire crowd (from a fitness standpoint), when I passed a lady who was walking by herself pushing an empty stroller.  My first thought was "Her child must have ran ahead to join the other dozens of children" and almost as soon as that thought ended I saw her white beads and I knew.  I knew that this woman was pushing the stroller of her child that did not win his/her battle for life.  This woman and I made eye contact, and I felt like she read my mind and the expression on my face as I pieced together what I was seeing, because she gave me a sympathetic nod and kept going.<br /><br />That, folks, is why <i>we </i>walk for the March for Babies.

5K Inspiration March for Babies March of Dimes Success March of Dimes - March for Babies 5K

The mission of the March of Dimes is simply stated: "We help moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten t...

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