Weight Loss Rewards

It's been since February that I've reached a weight loss goal.  In fact, I've digressed quite a bit (this shouldn't be news!).  Well, the other day I was in Target and I found these super cute rose gold bangles that I <i>want</i>.<br /><br />Naturally, I cannot find a picture of them anywhere to share.  I <i>have </i>to have them.  Rose gold is my <i>color</i>.  They would go perfectly with that <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/04/happy-28th-birthday.html" target="_blank">new watch</a> Joel gave me for my 28th birthday, or my <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXjtFX_i_UOyMly-Uj1_FaaKTgHH7e6d3YGddK9Go-cnhIde9rFd6RAOgYlEd_KZUv3DkIks2pNlQUO0MjQYH6b2_qf0odVMa2ZHU8MzjzIt9zslRDqbK5eqNH2Cd7OZ9FJGWrytXjdU/s1600/053_53+%282%29.JPG" target="_blank">wedding rings</a>, or my cross necklace!<br /><br />Can you sense the urgency through your computer screen for how much I desire those bracelets??  Well, they will be mine tomorrow if I have a loss - <i>any </i>loss (well, more than a pound)!<br /><br />If there is no loss, then I will reward myself next week if there is a loss.  I haven't been perfect all week, given the travel to Pennsylvania and various opportunities to eat out with the holiday.  However, I feel that I still had a fairly decent week overall, especially with the lack of sweet treats.  <br /><br />I am going to get back to my next <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/p/goals.html" target="_blank">real goal</a> soon.  I am. <br /><br />I will lose another 30 lbs by March 2013.  I will.  <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;">*************************************</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yesterday, our wedding license came in the mail!  I am so excited to get to the Social Security Office and get my name legally changed once and for all.  It's no fun still signing my maiden name on everything.  I think marriage will feel even more real once the legal stuff is done.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Then</i>, Joel surprised me with a wedding gift!  He couldn't wait until I had his gift ready (which hasn't even shipped yet), he just <i>had </i>to give me mine :).  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwzDZZxhxrQ6oT8kChkartle8wr4uNJwZC-CcEBKOJZ81-RYi_12Pt9ca4o9Lx4Ce8JWxKiqQb03bICuSTFcG_2VzeYLgX-2AD2TOEyWUXAojfQNHGjVpjKecX1jZb4uMRvIY1u6i2hI/s1600/kindle+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwzDZZxhxrQ6oT8kChkartle8wr4uNJwZC-CcEBKOJZ81-RYi_12Pt9ca4o9Lx4Ce8JWxKiqQb03bICuSTFcG_2VzeYLgX-2AD2TOEyWUXAojfQNHGjVpjKecX1jZb4uMRvIY1u6i2hI/s400/kindle+1.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kindle Fire!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This could not be any more of a perfect gift for this girl.  First, I <b>love </b>reading,  Second, I love technology gadgets!  While we already have the iPad2, it is technically Joel's that I often like to pretend is mine :).  Now, I have my very own reader!  But the glory is, it's not just a reader - it can do almost everything the iPad can do, just in a smaller size!  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I never thought I would want an eReader, until we got the iPad and I installed the Kindle app.  I always enjoy the smell of a new book.  Though I have to admit, it was pretty nice not having to balance the crease of a book between your thumb.  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Naturally, I had to go out and buy a cover for it straight away :).  I pretty much ran to the closest Vera Bradley retailer for this.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jYtBpsJlU8Xt8YcugWKH7N10rrCLmwGggP93PHm6kNGSZdK_psW-CY3Jrcl0SyJnwzr61eybEKpMCPUe6W1-8sU7iKLAUW8-1GkW8lbjl6HO3N6iR_Meb1rO-elEWQRx0Y7Yq781xFs/s1600/kindle+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jYtBpsJlU8Xt8YcugWKH7N10rrCLmwGggP93PHm6kNGSZdK_psW-CY3Jrcl0SyJnwzr61eybEKpMCPUe6W1-8sU7iKLAUW8-1GkW8lbjl6HO3N6iR_Meb1rO-elEWQRx0Y7Yq781xFs/s400/kindle+2.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is one of VB's newest colors (Indigo Pop) for the Fall 2012 collection.  It's my favorite from this collection.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ONX5ET_cr1xj2cFJkASx5u7sIaA-AqINrgpqx2PO_d8gZHqdDVXfz_z7XeHgaODuSs8QfdHsV-utRjChRtR3CvqKp4FCzExibYY8UpXRlph1xdyELduc2iMexi8EJnnG4gdLbpcHe7Y/s1600/kindle+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ONX5ET_cr1xj2cFJkASx5u7sIaA-AqINrgpqx2PO_d8gZHqdDVXfz_z7XeHgaODuSs8QfdHsV-utRjChRtR3CvqKp4FCzExibYY8UpXRlph1xdyELduc2iMexi8EJnnG4gdLbpcHe7Y/s400/kindle+3.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">droopy Droid pics</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It also happens to be the perfect size for the Kindle (as well as other eReaders).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzIjEfFhKIC6shKpIdA_qvPC3NiOyssNkxT2sIuFUW2cNI23jq4sbhyphenhyphen9ubQP6Zsogjy4YMSh2mF51XPqWRK5M4chySCt1Fp7Bh9xX13rvEK3J9_xoH15QqG8F5WnV7V_bQPvj5YLeMyQ/s1600/kindle+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzIjEfFhKIC6shKpIdA_qvPC3NiOyssNkxT2sIuFUW2cNI23jq4sbhyphenhyphen9ubQP6Zsogjy4YMSh2mF51XPqWRK5M4chySCt1Fp7Bh9xX13rvEK3J9_xoH15QqG8F5WnV7V_bQPvj5YLeMyQ/s400/kindle+4.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I. LOVE. IT. </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While I still have this to dive through...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoybCa8J2IUHqGbTyuvnELsgFc69QIgLRBUXQQTJ0IYcVC22ag07gKA4Qov03eB8YYm789gjMLiQHyQsF64k5RKIkUnF8Dt1r1U1OFEwpgp7Izi2njhdmka0oWIc4h7I1wtZg19L4GIVU/s1600/NYE+2012+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoybCa8J2IUHqGbTyuvnELsgFc69QIgLRBUXQQTJ0IYcVC22ag07gKA4Qov03eB8YYm789gjMLiQHyQsF64k5RKIkUnF8Dt1r1U1OFEwpgp7Izi2njhdmka0oWIc4h7I1wtZg19L4GIVU/s400/NYE+2012+006.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ALL of these are unread!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">I plan to alternate between the Kindle and my bookshelf from now til those books are done!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: left;"><b>Do you have an eReader?  What do you think of eReaders? </b> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you my darling Joel for the lovely wedding gift!  You sure do know the key to my heart :).</div>

goals wedding Weight Loss Rewards Weight Loss Rewards

It's been since February that I've reached a weight loss goal.  In fact, I've digressed quite a bit (this shouldn't be news!...

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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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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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Weigh In & Other News

Good Friday morning!<br /><br /><b style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Weigh In Results</span> </b><br />If a Friday is your weigh in day as well, I hope it went as well for you as it did for me!  I've known all week that the scale was moving in the direction I wanted, but I can honestly say I didn't expect to be in a new decade come today!<br /><br />I have now entered the 230s and weighed in this morning at 239.4!!!!!!!  That means that I am down 2.8 lbs from last week, and I'm just 0.6 lbs away from meeting my next <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/p/goals.html" target="_blank">goal</a>!  LOVE it!<br /><br /><b style="color: #674ea7;">How I Did It </b><br />So, as my WW leader always asks us - what worked this week?<br /><br />It is a rare week when I follow WW exactly to a tee {this wasn't one of those weeks either!}, so that is not the reason why I had a tremendous loss.<br /><br />In fact,  just last weekend I made Oreo truffles, and it was Sunday night when I went a little overboard with them {I'll share the recipe!}.  They are 2 PointsPlus each - even using reduced fat Oreos and the WW cream cheese block.  Lord!  So anyhow, that plus an unplanned night of eating out with Joel.... having a VERY delicious basil fried rice.... I thought I was doomed. <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/AVvXsEjCoIgUdPaygKaCjlLPilFyjtEOQtRv0cYcAiluLmdU2Fv0wZAmdR87_OewcmuE5d5clGRvcK4Usso3wpiuHEVibX9pJJ7DASL5wSAYVHmIMBB1CU6ffdT9unSJlsOmN1ZM5Nv6YK_eOi4/s1600/basil+fried+rice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoIgUdPaygKaCjlLPilFyjtEOQtRv0cYcAiluLmdU2Fv0wZAmdR87_OewcmuE5d5clGRvcK4Usso3wpiuHEVibX9pJJ7DASL5wSAYVHmIMBB1CU6ffdT9unSJlsOmN1ZM5Nv6YK_eOi4/s400/basil+fried+rice.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from Pho Thom - next to Univ. of Maryland</td></tr></tbody></table><br />But here's what I suspect contributed to the 2.8 lbs removal of lard:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ol><li><b>Filling breakfasts + lots of fruit daily.</b> I had that amazing <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/01/papa-bear-oatmeal-some-housecleaning.html" target="_blank">oatmeal</a> this week, and getting that fiber from the oatmeal plus the fruits had to have made all the difference!  Let's just say it added some much needed "regularity" to my daily routine.  TMI?  Oops.  Honestly, I'm terrible at getting in my fruits/veggies every day because those are things that I just don't crave {or want}.  BUT, this week's loss is a prime example and reason why I need to keep up these good habits.  That oatmeal kept me full from 7 AM to 12 PM every single morning this week. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrP0VkBoSiPHDhsQN9tn9peY8lHxS8-fv_WIdoBOchElf7b_zXuoKkPVLkqmornRJxbOnG9W6eQ_IE0vJqxfsV7Oo7fslzjlBKxuwNNzI0gFkA7-ZUB8NhzropjUpAs9q6-S197aKp2k/s1600/oatmeal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrP0VkBoSiPHDhsQN9tn9peY8lHxS8-fv_WIdoBOchElf7b_zXuoKkPVLkqmornRJxbOnG9W6eQ_IE0vJqxfsV7Oo7fslzjlBKxuwNNzI0gFkA7-ZUB8NhzropjUpAs9q6-S197aKp2k/s400/oatmeal.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></li><li><b>Sharing my journey with others.</b>  I spent about 4 hours on Saturday with my friend Ang and ventured over to her house for lunch.  Ang is already a very health conscious person, so I didn't for one minute think she would be serving up greasy delicacies.  Still, I wasn't prepping lunch, she was, and that means I didn't really have control over the situation.  However, we enjoyed little pizzas made on pita bread, complete with turkey pepperoni and 2% cheese.  A perfect WW lunch!  Thank you Ang! <br /><br />Additionally, as nervous as I was to ask at first, I simply said: "Hey Ang, do you mind if I take a pic of the nutrition facts on those pitas so I can figure out the PointsPlus later?"  Of course she didn't mind!  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEFKfWJ7nxgqBUBvDn8vLoakeHFdQQWI2lRxLWOw4rCf7TvMYlUy-eOdEnhNN8BYFTRAuWKjVpRgiAkbsH7Ts2RBqefb7zkOyTaSzaEjktLGOdDFhaPopThgHYZCfT3oa5kWe2DWpeAg/s1600/pita+nutrition+facts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEFKfWJ7nxgqBUBvDn8vLoakeHFdQQWI2lRxLWOw4rCf7TvMYlUy-eOdEnhNN8BYFTRAuWKjVpRgiAkbsH7Ts2RBqefb7zkOyTaSzaEjktLGOdDFhaPopThgHYZCfT3oa5kWe2DWpeAg/s320/pita+nutrition+facts.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/11/part-1-how-i-approach-ww-in-public.html" target="_blank">In the past</a> I would have never even attempted to ask this question - I would have rather kept everything a big secret.  But, asking that one simple question helped me stay on track the rest of the day - because I was able to definitively calculate the PointsPlus value of that mini pizza and not stress about "estimating" it.  <br /><br /></li><li><b>Exercise.</b>  Unfortunately, as much as I wish this wasn't the case, I've never been one of those WWs who can <i>really </i>lose without exercising.  Sticking to my 2 days/per week commitment has definitely contributed to my losses.  Not only that, but I've been inadvertently adding little lunch walks 1 day per week with my coworker, Meghan.  Meghan and I just chit chat about wedding stuff and the time FLIES by!  <br /><br /> </li><li><b>Plenty of sleep.</b>  I normally always get 7 hours of sleep every night.  Sleep is just not something I am willing sacrifice.  I know I can be fully functional on 7 hours.  This week, however, I was getting upwards of 7.5 to 8 hours of shuteye, which makes life<i> even better </i>for me!  Did this added rest allow me to burn more calories?  I hope!</li></ol><b style="color: #674ea7;">Other News</b><br />My plans this weekend include meeting with the caterer on Saturday to go over food options for the wedding.  I also plan to get started on the wedding website.  I wasn't planning on doing this but someone already asked if I had one, so I figured I'd better throw one together.  Do you ever use these when you've been invited to a wedding?  I'd also like to throw together a few posts for next week.  I have a few more recipes to share with you that I think you'll like!  Oh yeah, and then there's that <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/01/papa-bear-oatmeal-some-housecleaning.html" target="_blank">school</a> thing.  <br /><br /><b style="color: #674ea7;">What's on your agenda for the weekend?</b><br /><ol></ol><br /><ol></ol>

Deen Family Cookbook goals Loss Weight Loss Weight Watchers Weigh In & Other News

Good Friday morning! Weigh In Results If a Friday is your weigh in day as well, I hope it went as well for you as it did for me!  I've ...

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Winning Outcomes

I really want 2012 to be THEE year that I achieve some strong weight loss goals.  While I would love to reach my ultimate goal weight of 165, I still want to be realistic.  After all, I'm gonna have <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/p/wedding.html">a lot</a> going on this year! <br /><br />Not only am I planning our wedding, but I'm about to begin my 4th semester of pre-nursing school on Tuesday.  On one hand, this seems stressful at first glance, but when I really think about it, it's actually exciting.   By May, I'll be that much closer to pursuing my dream career, and by October, I will be a married woman!<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/AVvXsEgh5OFuR3gX_TJHV3b4HSBu6fnCslfQjkUyVJbGtH5Tp2cTdWXUe3Eg12mu6IesH5x_o9coViy4618nlEm-c035tDaDDarro1bS7JNuixA0D0nXeDva7GLPv_OX3rJc4Xp_h4dybCO-BOI/s1600/biology+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5OFuR3gX_TJHV3b4HSBu6fnCslfQjkUyVJbGtH5Tp2cTdWXUe3Eg12mu6IesH5x_o9coViy4618nlEm-c035tDaDDarro1bS7JNuixA0D0nXeDva7GLPv_OX3rJc4Xp_h4dybCO-BOI/s400/biology+011.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm sure these guys are going to OWN me before it's all said & done too!</td></tr></tbody></table>Mixed into that equation will continue to be my successful journey on Weight Watchers.  Though, I cannot just make that statement and magically expect to achieve my goal of 190 lbs. (Man, do I wish it were that simple!)<br /><br />A few weeks ago at a WW meeting, my leader handed out the Winning Outcomes pamphlet.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ONRv1yeUtGpDBU2fL4BqYTY4fyLfyxIxtSLPCydE9LQGShcXBWIDUwe_ukHf-50s86v259pK9ziFuH97Vf5wJthEAbAd78ecTLSGo6gJoBB4AcyBLqDnq-3AHhJKxe80dx3p3ReXx38/s1600/Winning+Outcomes+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ONRv1yeUtGpDBU2fL4BqYTY4fyLfyxIxtSLPCydE9LQGShcXBWIDUwe_ukHf-50s86v259pK9ziFuH97Vf5wJthEAbAd78ecTLSGo6gJoBB4AcyBLqDnq-3AHhJKxe80dx3p3ReXx38/s400/Winning+Outcomes+011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This pamphlet talks about the power of goal setting (perfect for all NYR makers!) as well as <i>how </i>to make clear, obtainable goals for yourself.<br /><br />Weight Watchers wants you to plan ahead in order to achieve your goals.  They give you 3 strategies to help you do this:<b> </b><br /><br /><b>1. Use Weight Watchers Tools for Living: Winning Outcomes</b><br />"Winning Outcomes" is basically WW's fancy way of referring to a "goal".  And listen, even if you're not on WW, it doesn't matter!  There is absolutely no PointsPlus tracking involved in ironing out your goal(s), whatever they may be.  When stating your Winning Outcome, WW advises you to:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAecbEzxIhVcEAzh7mNkakQVLhWSQeBfP36uQ8NmnMXehu1vizfako2UP0zfaa0doa_S7MbLBeP9ZrhvOU-7KatvoxenrStf-REoLXpmY74_ThnlZ9A61IbxvB1Qym1oYgOojfcK2ehU/s1600/Winning+Outcomes+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAecbEzxIhVcEAzh7mNkakQVLhWSQeBfP36uQ8NmnMXehu1vizfako2UP0zfaa0doa_S7MbLBeP9ZrhvOU-7KatvoxenrStf-REoLXpmY74_ThnlZ9A61IbxvB1Qym1oYgOojfcK2ehU/s400/Winning+Outcomes+014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li><b>Positively state it.</b> <i>I want to weigh 190 lbs by October 6, 2012.</i> <i>(as opposed to "I don't want to be overweight anymore.")</i></li><li><b>Be very specific.</b> <i>I'm going to achieve this goal by committing to exercise 2 days per week, as well as staying within my Daily PointsPlus Target 5 of the 7 days (DPT).</i></li><li><b>Have the goal be within your control.</b><i> I don't have to rely on anyone else but myself to achieve this goal.</i></li><li><b>It must be a good fit with your life.</b>  <i>Stating, for instance: "I will exercise every single day for 3 hours each day 5 days a week."  I don't have that kind of time, and I'd venture to say most of you don't as well.</i><b></b></li></ul></blockquote><b>2. Use Weight Watchers Tools for Living: Storyboarding</b> Now that you have your Winning Outcome defined, how do you plan to achieve it or what is going to help you achieve it?  Tell me your <i>story</i>:<br /><ul></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4_Rv98Eeyx0CFLQF-XxuuzoikX1_El38J_JatE9laBYZ2UFgV80UcQA1GCSmpk-Q_L1dyql95u0YIaNR3uHV9rpMD-zXr8x_dWtjoaiixp8S3tCgXgOhX5lovuV7DupwwH_amBoCoSo/s1600/Winning+Outcomes+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4_Rv98Eeyx0CFLQF-XxuuzoikX1_El38J_JatE9laBYZ2UFgV80UcQA1GCSmpk-Q_L1dyql95u0YIaNR3uHV9rpMD-zXr8x_dWtjoaiixp8S3tCgXgOhX5lovuV7DupwwH_amBoCoSo/s400/Winning+Outcomes+016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i>I plan to reach 190 lbs by October 6, 2012 by committing to meal planning every week.  I will plan for 2 weeks at a time, utilizing the Friday I have off every other week to do this.  My exercise plan will go as follows:</i> <br /><ul><li><i>January/February: 2 days per week at the gym for at least 35 minutes</i></li><li><i>March/April: 3 days of activity per week - 2 at the gym, 1 at home (at least 35 minutes)</i></li><li><i>May/June/July/August/September: 4 days of activity per week - 2 at the gym (varying workouts), 2 at home (varying workouts) (at least 35 minutes)</i></li></ul><i>Anything beyond the stated exercise goals above will be a bonus!</i> <i>I am going to allow one day per week to eat out (NOT including Mon-Thurs), but still be mindful of what I'm eating at the restaurant.  Additionally, Starbucks is no more Mon-Fri! </i><br /><i> </i> <br /><b>3. Reward Yourself All Along the Way.</b><br />I certainly don't have a problem doing <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/p/goals.html">this</a>!  But really, I quickly gravitated away from food rewards, because it became detrimental quickly.  "Yes! I had a loss at WW tonight.  Hey Joel - let's go gorge ourselves at XYZ restaurant to celebrate!"  No more.  The non-food rewards are SO much better, not to mention long lasting.  I get to see the results of my weight loss success daily, thanks to my <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/12/weekend-recap-1-day-late.html">bracelet</a>.<br /><br />Also, feel free to use my Goals as a guideline for your own, but by no means compare what you're capable of getting yourself to what I am (not that I'm a baller, but if you have the same idea as the Pandora, for instance - that crap is expensive!  They make <a href="http://www.chamilia.com/">comparable bracelets</a> that are just as nice and MUCH more affordable).  I'm a 27 year old girl with no kids and a fulltime job.  If you're not in that boat, then reward yourself with smaller, less expensive rewards.  Any kind of makeup item would be a good start here (I <3 nailpolish!!), or a new book, slippers and/or pajamas for your shrinking bod, a new top... the inexpensive ideas are really endless.  Just do SOMETHING.  Working toward these SMALL goals (i.e. 5 pounds at a time) has made ALLLLLL the difference for me! <br /><br /><div style="color: purple;">For the fellow WW, have any of you filled out this pamphlet?  What is your story<i>(boarding)</i> on how you're going to make your big goal this year? Share, share, share - it can only help us all!</div><br />

goals Storyboarding Tools for Living Weight Watcher Pamphlets Weight Watchers Winning Outcomes Winning Outcomes

I really want 2012 to be THEE year that I achieve some strong weight loss goals.  While I would love to reach my ultimate goal weight of 165...

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Weigh In & New Charms

Today I had a 2.5 pound loss from last week! Yay!  I am getting closer to meeting my next 5 pound goal too.. I'm so pleased with the recent momentum.  Joel did not weigh in this week (yet) because he is still away in the mountains camping.<br /><br />Also, the two new charms came in mail yesterday.  I decided on the cross and the teapot.  These charms represent my first two 5 pound goals.  Now I have a charm that represents them all!<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/AVvXsEh8DLewP8w926U6S1p3t3cJ9lVpokB-0Zi6hl7jY4Dt2mASGh22gb4fzUxg-0A74cDJ30xe5BP23H0ckxV2MmZSTG-yVxbsNRKcfs-Ib8n03dtiavVqRqSYvza8F9CS2QDTPikGJ7fclPE/s1600/Food+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DLewP8w926U6S1p3t3cJ9lVpokB-0Zi6hl7jY4Dt2mASGh22gb4fzUxg-0A74cDJ30xe5BP23H0ckxV2MmZSTG-yVxbsNRKcfs-Ib8n03dtiavVqRqSYvza8F9CS2QDTPikGJ7fclPE/s400/Food+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pretty little box from <a href="http://www.wilkinsandolander.com/">Wilkins & Olander</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Pretty boxes make it even more special, wouldn't you say? <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWi-81bhPMt1h7ujYZiazF1KflFXmyLHdYUXQXDKPAb75DS02oc3zR1URENO9hTGoc-YmX4yjFAv-NekV8As43j_kr5r3dfGO_NMbk6IU8d9xm54LxLLPWIQZEjls5V_Eyq2g6CVh9rmU/s1600/Food+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWi-81bhPMt1h7ujYZiazF1KflFXmyLHdYUXQXDKPAb75DS02oc3zR1URENO9hTGoc-YmX4yjFAv-NekV8As43j_kr5r3dfGO_NMbk6IU8d9xm54LxLLPWIQZEjls5V_Eyq2g6CVh9rmU/s400/Food+008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />I chose the cross to represent the faith in God that is needed during every facet of this journey.  I'm a lover of tea (chai!), and I feel that reaching for a cup of tea often helps me stop eating.  The flavor of a nice, hot cup of tea is sometimes all I need to curb a craving.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8zu7GWvFB8LrYkFWD_zO4zhUcPhKfaJfoWyPpKpxa41sFzKqWq0QsgKYXjnKKKmCU0OEwaskAifsf1E494mpUtvb-vyxEZ3govt7efHNCOzONDeye-5XmEt8gvLDlafTOkwOPP-8t_4/s1600/Food+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8zu7GWvFB8LrYkFWD_zO4zhUcPhKfaJfoWyPpKpxa41sFzKqWq0QsgKYXjnKKKmCU0OEwaskAifsf1E494mpUtvb-vyxEZ3govt7efHNCOzONDeye-5XmEt8gvLDlafTOkwOPP-8t_4/s400/Food+011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />I'm so pleased with how the bracelet is turning out.  With the exception of the fish, there are 3 charms there representing 15 lbs of weight loss (even though I'm now at 18.7 pounds removed).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqhGrQuMm-u1BT4Q3GPBLfn-M5ZnmerzbzLRzhIxlRbkCnKYsYu7Gta318HTuuO751zAo3xTAQW3TlltumiigE4mO36o2Xog3pjMZcEk8hyh6BqdiBGxAraVe-LC4hX94on5zDNk1-mo/s1600/Food+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqhGrQuMm-u1BT4Q3GPBLfn-M5ZnmerzbzLRzhIxlRbkCnKYsYu7Gta318HTuuO751zAo3xTAQW3TlltumiigE4mO36o2Xog3pjMZcEk8hyh6BqdiBGxAraVe-LC4hX94on5zDNk1-mo/s400/Food+014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Charles is pleased as well!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0zJOtwhyphenhyphenvcmyXUeoFrXapQbEikmxZ7souTpdUjUGbD5wOCPpaQSSSDg6MSz5rhtSw9r2pjzTLbmRQVOvF8SspsfsIOtTsNsww9UoHd_LYtcPNpNNdgFW9MLCod5eXeo8rEGoMpYrGW4/s1600/Food+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0zJOtwhyphenhyphenvcmyXUeoFrXapQbEikmxZ7souTpdUjUGbD5wOCPpaQSSSDg6MSz5rhtSw9r2pjzTLbmRQVOvF8SspsfsIOtTsNsww9UoHd_LYtcPNpNNdgFW9MLCod5eXeo8rEGoMpYrGW4/s400/Food+015.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He is desperate to knock that bracelet off the table, I can<br />see it in his eyes!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have to remember to keep this bracelet hidden, or someone is clearly going to make it their next toy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CTg9CJ1WiqCMAi5q_k0glKhk6KEcuDNLDZ6lTdgDxzpheHf9tzLQX2YYGwhHQGY4aqtSCzA_hS8olfuoQLjiH2YKHNaaGS2RYivPPHHDy0QcMFycraY3U_fcYmsa_qBWQVQe1pxEJiM/s1600/Food+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CTg9CJ1WiqCMAi5q_k0glKhk6KEcuDNLDZ6lTdgDxzpheHf9tzLQX2YYGwhHQGY4aqtSCzA_hS8olfuoQLjiH2YKHNaaGS2RYivPPHHDy0QcMFycraY3U_fcYmsa_qBWQVQe1pxEJiM/s400/Food+018.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />

goals Weight Watchers Weigh In & New Charms

Today I had a 2.5 pound loss from last week! Yay!  I am getting closer to meeting my next 5 pound goal too.. I'm so pleased with the rec...

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Pandora Bracelet

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I picked up my new Pandora bracelet on Saturday in lieu of <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/11/4th-weigh-in-results-sickness-update.html">achieving another weight loss goal</a>.  This bracelet has been a long time coming, and I'm so excited to have finally purchased it.  My original plan was to get a charm for every 5 lbs goal I meet, starting with the most recent one.  However, there are two other 5 lbs goals I met and I would love a charm to represent those first two achievements as well - as a clear reminder as to how far I've come.  I'll be on the lookout for two more charms in the coming weeks for sure.<br /><br />What do you think of these?<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/AVvXsEjDSbnhfZNi5_kTrHv5rOYCDEozuclRAvjkSDC-GYtXUdrq577xk9weMj9RNDEP8W_GxzAHfG6DiLKMXxC_fOchULz_X7XosAbve5vOfZ4qTnYZ-UcwmSv-VLEPXmTS3uPSQYE_zJyEmBw/s1600/charm+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSbnhfZNi5_kTrHv5rOYCDEozuclRAvjkSDC-GYtXUdrq577xk9weMj9RNDEP8W_GxzAHfG6DiLKMXxC_fOchULz_X7XosAbve5vOfZ4qTnYZ-UcwmSv-VLEPXmTS3uPSQYE_zJyEmBw/s1600/charm+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h1> <a href="http://www.wilkinsandolander.com/003527.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bead Cross W And Cz</span></a></h1></td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEhZBDlLtklniBBncFVp-bwZ6juWrhiBnZBr2YB5uwOIHpI0CHCtp16_UY8qywFAYA0vJmEWxnGf_U9tIE1y5UYYfj5PcKJPJVNA7pd8baKD37hNWCiBrqdst_M5do9RcM-nCnOy9mueHII/s1600/charm+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBDlLtklniBBncFVp-bwZ6juWrhiBnZBr2YB5uwOIHpI0CHCtp16_UY8qywFAYA0vJmEWxnGf_U9tIE1y5UYYfj5PcKJPJVNA7pd8baKD37hNWCiBrqdst_M5do9RcM-nCnOy9mueHII/s1600/charm+3.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wilkinsandolander.com/000365.html">Bead Tea Pot</a></td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEhrIpkgjUnJVr6fPQsYiIFc9TUspJaf0Rf7aPoguYLh2osKEjpNjq1MUA26QxN1hNtsXpJ_5JbeOOBjlI_PWtFZ100-Sk9PmyoDPqGGbz1odZYoT_M-iHFWpvxASpDJrMbiBX0PTSSJApY/s1600/charm+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrIpkgjUnJVr6fPQsYiIFc9TUspJaf0Rf7aPoguYLh2osKEjpNjq1MUA26QxN1hNtsXpJ_5JbeOOBjlI_PWtFZ100-Sk9PmyoDPqGGbz1odZYoT_M-iHFWpvxASpDJrMbiBX0PTSSJApY/s1600/charm+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wilkinsandolander.com/012715.html">Inner Strength</a></td></tr></tbody></table>I will probably go with the first 2, but I'll have to see them in person to make the decision!<br /><br />After selecting the specific Pandora bracelet style (a sterling silver one with the Pandora clasp), I moved on to the decision of what to get for my very first charm.  This charm was going to be very meaningful for me on so many levels.  Not only would this represent my having lost over 15 lbs so far, but it was going to serve as a reminder to me as to why I'm doing this journey.<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/AVvXsEhNi23fRk94cXSv-Eu83diHA6oaKuoq0p6rX2cGvW6rbzDfEfZyX1Kua9gM-KX1sKTOzA4186MVnXFSU3ggyaJ1HSmMziFySBiCGXi5CpZ1gfG75hWCXlZdQXky_5_QWR56_5XU3oNFp-Y/s1600/bracelet+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNi23fRk94cXSv-Eu83diHA6oaKuoq0p6rX2cGvW6rbzDfEfZyX1Kua9gM-KX1sKTOzA4186MVnXFSU3ggyaJ1HSmMziFySBiCGXi5CpZ1gfG75hWCXlZdQXky_5_QWR56_5XU3oNFp-Y/s400/bracelet+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the "Pandora" clasp</td></tr></tbody></table>You see, on Wednesday, November 9, my family and I will be honoring the life of my grandmother, Clara Mabel, as we mark the one year anniversary since her death.  Earlier this year, <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/04/drawing-inspiration-from-places-other.html">I shared</a> how seeing her in the hospital last November, suffering from cancer and a host of other illnesses, made it abundantly clear to me that I needed to make a life change now while I was fully capable.  The same week my grandmother passed away, I joined the local gym. <br /><br />Now, almost a year later, I am happy to say that I haven't given up on this journey, despite the slow rate of weight loss I've experienced.     <br /><br />It was my grandmother who inspired me to do this once and for all, and I know she would be especially proud of me today for removing these 16 lbs.  It's not an easy journey.  She knew that just as well as the rest of us Weight Watchers. <br /><br />And so my first charm had to be representative of her.  Something that I could glance at and immediately know, "Yes, that is the first charm I bought on this weight loss journey.  That is the one that honors Grandma."<br /><br />I chose a sterling silver flower with a purple amethyst stone in the center.  Purple was her favorite color.  The charm is perfect!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxJb_4KgW75219uJe9z67mdTcwPXv_2MSYaF0Ho7cTgL9NXbq7gaVXrFinkKSZzpMbwrm7DfVvHUIe3XwznoXEfixdXdgtWJ6cQxrMROs05pSqKtsfcctw3ESw4vGo5_Y2dlEIZZZOSc/s1600/bracelet+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxJb_4KgW75219uJe9z67mdTcwPXv_2MSYaF0Ho7cTgL9NXbq7gaVXrFinkKSZzpMbwrm7DfVvHUIe3XwznoXEfixdXdgtWJ6cQxrMROs05pSqKtsfcctw3ESw4vGo5_Y2dlEIZZZOSc/s400/bracelet+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And while we were in the store, Joel liked the idea of the bracelet so much that he also bought me a charm.  I know not many of you know Joel personally, but if you do, you can imagine which one he picked :). <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8bZvaEj0o3yVX8mbpr2kKNTgacfL6y-EQN3Maw3AWJ-ibp9xmgxayObmrwyHbhjKjUxGjdZ6IGuGj7aXikPqCsf7f0ID5BE76grFezRGMgGLyHpdQ4WaxZWBl5rnXH1T7zaLE2LeMF0/s1600/bracelet+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8bZvaEj0o3yVX8mbpr2kKNTgacfL6y-EQN3Maw3AWJ-ibp9xmgxayObmrwyHbhjKjUxGjdZ6IGuGj7aXikPqCsf7f0ID5BE76grFezRGMgGLyHpdQ4WaxZWBl5rnXH1T7zaLE2LeMF0/s400/bracelet+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I'm so pleased with my Pandora bracelet, and would strongly recommend it as a great tool to showcase your weight loss, if to no one else but yourself!  It is a constant visual reminder as to how far I've come (and will be even more so once I add those two additional charms).  Not only that, but I don't want to reverse the progress I've made, and so when I'm craving a snack size Reese Peanut Butter pumpkin, all I have to do is glance down at the bracelet and it forces me to ask myself, "Is it really worth it?". It is quite a large investment up front (the bracelet itself was $65, the flower charm $75, and the 2 clips were $35 each), but after that initial upfront cost, charms vary in price enough that they can be (somewhat) affordable (as low as $30 that I've seen).  <br /><br />How do you put your weight loss efforts into perspective?

goals Weight Loss Weight Watchers Pandora Bracelet

I picked up my new Pandora bracelet on Saturday in lieu of achieving another weight loss goal .  This bracelet has been a long time coming, ...

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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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September Goals and a Chai Tea Recipe

3 weeks in a row of losses! Yay!!<br /><br />Oh hey - notice something a little different?  :)  While my old layout wasn't bad, black wasn't exactly the most chipper color.  I <3 purple, and so I present to you a new layout.  I hope you find it a little more refreshing/inviting.<br /><br />It's time for me to think about what I want to work on for the month of September.<br /><br /><ol><li>Have an average of 4 days of activity per week instead of the 3 that I had for August.</li><li>Track what I did for activity, how often I did it, and for how long.</li><li>Track the days that I've stayed On Plan.</li><li>Add 2 servings of fruit and 2 servings of vegetables into my daily menu.  <i>This is up from August's goal of just 1 serving of fruit and vegetables per day.</i></li><li>Continue on with the <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/08/staying-on-track-with-august-goals.html">New Rules of Lifting for Women</a>.<i> </i></li><li>Continue reading <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/08/staying-on-track-with-august-goals.html">The Beck Diet Solution</a>.</li><li>Set a weekly goal for myself that I will determine on Monday's.  Thanks <a href="http://www.1year100pounds.com/">Ryan</a>!</li></ol>These goals are all similar to that of August with a few tweaks.  Since I had success with this in August, losing a total of 3.6 pounds, I want to keep setting attainable goals for September.  <br /><br />I am a lover of tea.  In case you haven't figured it out yet, my favorite tea variety is the chai.  I particularly like the spiced chai flavor.  Now, I frequent Starbucks a lot, and they serve a chai that is a liquid version.  I love this chai, but I don't love the 7 Points+ value for a venti skim.  While I can almost afford those Points+ now, I know I won't be able to as time goes on.  Still, I like the liquid chai for it's creaminess, a consistency I cannot seem to achieve using just half and half and chai tea bags.  Until now!<br /><br />Enter: Coffeehouse Chai Latte.  This is yet another recipe from <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/search/label/Eat%20What%20You%20Love">Eat What You Love</a>.  I'm not sure how/why this tea tastes so great but perhaps you can figure it out by the ingredients:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkcgZttoiBKDsCqSU4XkP6Mk_QqcRhUpQrZsdw-3NoAtKRSZLapfl7PT6A8NTgjV1RDnVJosW3j3n0Sg4noqhvb9pzD0RJLaWaf39ILD2La08DcIiF7nBjUPHQqL7uoB-Z4UUvz0upbE/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkcgZttoiBKDsCqSU4XkP6Mk_QqcRhUpQrZsdw-3NoAtKRSZLapfl7PT6A8NTgjV1RDnVJosW3j3n0Sg4noqhvb9pzD0RJLaWaf39ILD2La08DcIiF7nBjUPHQqL7uoB-Z4UUvz0upbE/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><ul><li>1/2 c. fat free evaporated milk</li><li>1 1/2 c. water</li><li>3 packets of Sweet 'n Low</li><li>2 individual chai tea bags</li><li>1 tsp honey</li></ul><blockquote>Combine the evaporated milk, water and Sweet 'n Low packets together in a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat.  Stir frequently, so as not to scorch the milk.  As the liquid begins to simmer, add the tea bags and allow to steep for 3 minutes.  Remove pan from heat.  Remove tea bags from liquid.  Add the honey.  </blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9ZRZ-foyl1611OBXxos5qhah2TtsvBSgVnGcj-WkabV0WkrXwq3IMiHyS02y2SeG98x5kmpeBUHOPfyxssG2ok8-1L_TD7aMr-tgTLA3aTAewY4lmiFivuK_D3uoug4PhVSsJZ3djUw/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9ZRZ-foyl1611OBXxos5qhah2TtsvBSgVnGcj-WkabV0WkrXwq3IMiHyS02y2SeG98x5kmpeBUHOPfyxssG2ok8-1L_TD7aMr-tgTLA3aTAewY4lmiFivuK_D3uoug4PhVSsJZ3djUw/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />This is supposed to make 2 servings at 1 cup each.  This entire concoction makes just 1 for me :).  This delicious chai only costs me 4 Points+, as opposed to the 7 from the Starbucks version.  Winning!<br /><br />Do you have any beverages that you cannot go without on your weight loss journey?

Eat What You Love goals Loss New Rules of Lifting for Women The Beck Diet Solution Weight Loss Challenges Weight Watcher Recipes Weight Watchers September Goals and a Chai Tea Recipe

3 weeks in a row of losses! Yay!! Oh hey - notice something a little different?  :)  While my old layout wasn't bad, black wasn't ex...

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