Fun & Productive Saturday

<p>Happy weekend everyone!! We made it! :)</p> <p>I got up early enough to see Kyle off to work. I feel bad for the poor guy, he never has Saturday’s off! :(</p> <p>I did a few things at home…i.e. sorted a winter’s worth of recycling that was piled up in shed (too cold to sort it during the winter!), took back pop cans, made a quick stop at Target and then……</p> <p>the <strong><u><em>GYM</em></u></strong>!!! I bet you guys thought I had given up on exercising! ;) I had a rough <strong>40 minute run</strong> that included a few minutes of walking for warm up & cool down, a few intervals, and a few breaks to stretch because my left calf kept cramping up. :( Hoping my next run will be better!</p> <p>I inhaled a <strong>banana</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong> once I finished up at the gym!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuYiYMGiop7bKz7Y7AJhhGuw8A3cI5dKK9VMz2oHmtYuBVZ-Uc7buI_q7QFLwi0VxLpwsBTIVCE7otsHYugqmFsiQ4ArEzDMTc_IleXCT6Mqqy-ktC017hV8tNk7CdbCfkD17mvhRw-Yp/s1600-h/DSC06760%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06760" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjLUIgyJsGaBokiWMVC3gpuPvvjHCYBFlJvaVUjeqv8gPZIFGbMuqD_wBiT2vbYM9adj86PkA84QC0RCee-zQzJ7Of4908coPPs6AZMI46ypjI-j56LhgU4hjgBR69tZePzuXQbYUmweT/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06760" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I did a <strong><u><em>TON</em></u></strong> of cleaning when I got back from the gym. It felt good to get it done after being gone for a week. Everything is back<strong><u> in it’s place</u></strong> now and we have a <strong><u>spic & span</u></strong> house! :)</p> <p>In the middle of my cleaning I took a <strong><u>break</u></strong> to have some brunch (it was after 12pm already!). I used my new <strong>Krusteaz FF pancake mix</strong> to make some pancakes. I topped them with a <strong>small sliced banana</strong> with some <strong>sf syrup</strong> on the side for dipping. A wonderful <strong>4 point brunch</strong>! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQJRpbqJBFuUWLP-KUSCcZm1GdxYj0ToNd4uJ6keakuOyZyawkmrYztCstWIhr8NR5KhWUPks9afcAz67X8pO46aEhzzeBoavRRWQz0jODVJbkuv2gzzZUBWqJNtIy_iqg4oyWjXa3-y4/s1600-h/DSC06761%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06761" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ98Yq4yCHYbzWwnQdQktmhY0Xao97LrpiqFiNvvpwkGyENW0beubRiB7IBYZCndstzmvQ1Ddo3ANXudUScORbwIABa3OyXElQHzuMOHx1rTMEJbuLBZPm3fE9OkT5KJdM-nTKVXMOmHus/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06761" width="404" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Since I had a clean house I couldn’t help but invite friends over & enjoy it! We ended up grilling out!! If my plate doesn’t scream spring/summer, I don’t know what does!! ;)</p> <p>I had another <strong>Boca burger</strong>, a <strong>turkey cheese dog</strong>, some <strong>honeydew melon</strong>, and <strong>sf jello w/marshmallows</strong> for <strong>8 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoy03UI_kiu2cR6Jzd878SVoGGWA7FDPdxYlMUeolpeUv9IKwNgS6Wg-Z1dTJYT-WZkZbKboOLHmCUUWwJl70vj222mhyphenhyphenz5fmMxSVT_b0wwAEUqHCcEHNCt24RcvaJyJG0wFuQ3U9Ep7d/s1600-h/DSC06763%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06763" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vJsBrc1faWpyWj74akJEAPWXG9-ZiojiTsJ7YN3CQcGhv9jOMVYzE9OB6kmovYalExDYbHIidcTSBOIOqwdhQ7vDlcA9Ex3pVxeSZLh9Sc9gGOt3BaX-Maix5MOwydiPnBmxwXCMNmlo/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06763" width="404" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQPWYdJ-EMB0eg7R7J_pjI3fwLWUAEzXsk5yS1p2_J8aD7tju0iA9QE8x56ULp6vdx2gsFfwSx4wik6MTwXLjEj5XJg4Mx8kjsPisyXHBGEiq4Y8_1DjfcdcKmAw2iwHnF7Lv4m_Hkqxf/s1600-h/DSC06764%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06764" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIu_uOqxoZC27ao9nEDSJkSRkXUi6QU2wawoIcHZew_4arSozbui9QOBLeS56rHSqqE2qo8RxNfbLlooagm5NlX9V6089tEYs-jLGUdY-XkukO7SzERbsZ_tNhIieLe9V-2qDZ9Um0xT5R/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06764" width="404" /></a></p> <p>We enjoyed our evening chatting away. I felt like we had to catch up with our friends and everything that went on while we were gone for the week! </p> <p>Abby even got a special treat. A few weeks ago I picked up a few treats at a “dog bakery” in the mall.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFFa2FOBktJi8mOPhf1ce5-gr7dhzvtz8nlr7JyMssxuJ8hSvfucz-sO8jgIgbXe4MKB700-AW_ArnZv7ZhvSaONFaZdo_a1oAQL8WWYoej0aY6Vr5TcHP5REGuezjHuwh15h2QsiCXai/s1600-h/DSC06767%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06767" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRTLV35KIya4_m4hpUX_w7srwyshtO_ci6zuJnw4lYLie-pYUXM9s8ygSXKxvZ2qBgIwZHD-DRkDD3pow8yqQNOeK9F3kDKAF6q3_kXvEmAIs7vzWOXDxjk6SduhkrdFQJK6sZI-ctBJ0/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06767" width="404" /></a></p> <p> This little pb cup was the last one left! She couldn’t wait to eat it!! :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGR_V_7M1fqeUX_WW0otQpnzQmVQnHLD9bSr-vI02Sdzl3zXGAjm2DGe8yUICpf33YZZQgSEvMpPA9-ItFrrXwcX70g0Tow51b1zSOZMjFLr7Oqn_DBd4bEy48AdzEpd2EazRJ1_LXvSA/s1600-h/DSC06765%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06765" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNXpKFRBRfuolqOzl3WFHfD7CkFZ8mG1RMTzUrgqCRWNJkfHZk1fdfw2Idq6Ko2Dr3D0Vg-kz-egjIuTJ_YCryah8l3J1UNNhWrIGy5ozl2jP73SyAHpIEhSEFC2rE7ZgyLAtPG2NDvGw/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06765" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Of course she inhaled it in about 2 bites!!<img alt="DSC06766" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXT_dZIOD-jz10CHZfZ-pajH3M0RCek1O9t5pODcFoChzRQJ6C10XGs4zTllCalaQTeJRNNzIU7vO0lRG04nIy6nyYUsi0s_p7-5bCwsQaM5qEGel0k4vsOP4XQwaQnGX1p3GsGXhypnqu/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06766" width="404" /> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I ended up munching on some <strong>tortilla chips</strong> with <strong>queso</strong> throughout the evening for an estimate of <strong>6 points</strong>. </p> <p>We ended up going to a movie, Hot Tub Time Machine. It was pretty fun, not like the Hangover though. That is what I’ve been hearing everyone compare it to!</p> <p>Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! I’m off for a walk with my pup…it’s a gorgeous day!</p> <p><strong>SATURDAY’S STATS <br /></strong>POINTS = 18/23 <br />WATER =  96 oz <br />EXERCISE = 40 minute run</p>

Fun & Productive Saturday

Happy weekend everyone!! We made it! :) I got up early enough to see Kyle off to work. I feel bad for the poor guy, he never has Saturday’...

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Life is like a bike ride - up a very steep hill

Yesterday I went for a bike ride in a nearby neighborhood that I've never been to before. I ended up on an extremely steep street as it wound down to the waterfront. Halfway down the hill I decided to stop and take a video (which didn't turn out).<br /><br />When I was ready to take off again, I looked at how steep the hill was going down, I decided there was no way I could do it. I had a fear of flipping over head first. I'm use to hills, but this one was a suicide hill. I decided to turn around and head back up the hill. The problem, the hill was just as steep going up it as it was going down. <br /><br />There were houses on one side and the waterfront on the other side. I kept thinking maybe there were people inside the houses watching me. My pride wouldn't let me push my bike up the hill. I thought I'm strong and powerful, I can do it.<br /><br />After six failed attempts at getting my bike started back up the hill, after coming close to falling over and crashing to the pavement, I finally realized I couldn't do it. I couldn't bike up this hill starting at the mid-point. I swallowed my pride and pushed my bike up the hill. It was humiliating, but I had no other choice.<br /><br />On my way home I starting thinking my bike ride is exactly how my weight loss has been for my entire life. Sometimes I just fly up the hills, sometimes I just can't do it and I fall, over and over I'll fall. My pride gets hurt, I'm humiliated with weight gains, and I finally, I just give up.<br /><br />Right now I'm practically coasting downhill with my weight loss. I'm going through one of those "this is so damn easy, why was I struggling" phases. I'm smart enough to know the easy button won't last forever. It never does. <br /><br />So why is my weight loss different this time? Why is this ride different than the other hundred plus times I've done this?<br /><br />Number one is you. Yes, the you that is reading this right now. I feel like I owe you something, that I want you to know this can be done. <br /><br />I'm just like you, I have a major problem with food. I love food a little too much, and it's been too big of a focus in my life. I use it for comfort and I use it for joy. I've struggled my entire life trying to get to a healthy weight and stay there. I want to prove to you it can be done by eating healthy, regular foods. I want to give you hope.<br /><br />I know how hard it is to lose weight, I've been doing it since I was fourteen. I'm fifty-four. That's forty years of trying to lose weight. You would think with all that practice I  would have figured it out. The fact is I'm great at losing weight. I've lost hundreds of pounds over the years. My problem is that I've never kept the weight off for more than a year. I bet you're sitting there nodding your head yes, and thinking "me too!".<br /><br />I want to show you this is possible. Believe me when I say this...if I can lose weight and keep it off, anyone can do it. Since I'm someone that's failed at this numerous times, it's logical that I'll fail at it again. Yet, I have confidence this time is different from all the other times. I'm not being cocky, and I'm not feeling like I'm superior or I have secret knowledge on how to do this. Or that I'm stronger or more disciplined than anyone else. In fact, just the opposite is true. I'm kind of lazy, I have no discipline, and my follow through on most things suck. Yet I truly believe I can do this, and I believe you can too.<br /><br />There are some other things that are different this time around. It has a to do with my eating, how and what I'm eating. I have a post started which I'll publish later this week. I don't know if it'll help anyone else but it's working for me. Again, it's not secret information or any new revelation. It's just something I've been trying for the last three weeks that has kind of changed my life.<br /><br />Speaking of bike rides, I think I'll go for one while the sun is still shining. <br /><br /><strong>My weighin Saturday, March 28, 2010</strong><br />I set the goal of 170 six weeks ago. I didn't quite make it, but close enough. I'm also losing a little faster than desired these last two weeks. The week before last I lost 3.2 pounds and then this week 2.8 pounds. That's a total of six pounds in two weeks. I was "talked to" by the weighin gal and then the Weight Watchers online weight tracker gave me a warning that I'm losing too fast.<br /><br />I eat all the time (every three hours when I'm awake), but my night binges are under control. Plus I'm sleeping more these days, seven to eight hours a night. <br /><br />Goal for next week, April 3, is <strong>169.6.</strong><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFOk_WNCGUqKBM44u2oMIG9GLIAqBXT84OVP2kepuV1zBfzaGn7PBkHVP2sBhc6SK2757VYog6KgsyuiMThKnhJtSJp_Le0D_S4_IFmUkFF0f_HeZ885dSHB_NJfNc3mb0Q9Cy8Qrv9CB/s1600/68.2+WW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfe-C4SlFfphPNaXg8wX9gnfsvWa5ZgO2lh8cruGx-Xg8hU8mmPCqTXpCPNTCQClI6-WVX_KZ7LtQNE5yfJcoMYs14ZWgP1LNDncYT4ebMxDCeG3SIbQB1-U2zMp-FoFEoxLKmXwEeOPZS/s1600/171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfe-C4SlFfphPNaXg8wX9gnfsvWa5ZgO2lh8cruGx-Xg8hU8mmPCqTXpCPNTCQClI6-WVX_KZ7LtQNE5yfJcoMYs14ZWgP1LNDncYT4ebMxDCeG3SIbQB1-U2zMp-FoFEoxLKmXwEeOPZS/s400/171.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><strong>My most favorite store</strong> <br />Of course it's a grocery store, what else would be my favorite store?! It's not just any store, it's HMart. I'm in love with this place. It's like a super store of Asian markets. It's huge.<br /><br />It's a Korean store, but they carry all different kinds of Asian food and some American food too. The best part is their fresh produce section. It's unbelievable. For example, they have six different types of bok choy. The produce guys, who are all Korean, speak perfect English. The produce section is so huge they usually have four guys working in that area, putting out fresh produce. It's like a huge adventure every time I go there.<br /><br />I wanted to take pictures because it's so amazing, but it turns out grocery stores have a rule of not taking pictures inside their stores. I got into big trouble at the Metropolitan Market in Seattle a couple weeks ago. I thought the guy was going to take my camera away from me. Stupid rule.<br /><br />If you have an HMart near you, you absolutely must go visit it. It's always strange to me that there are so few Caucasians in this store. I was a towering blond amongst a sea of dark-haired, petite people. The variety of their produce and seafood is beyond amazing. I so love this store!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A few of my purchases yesterday (that's yucca in the middle - I'm making a Cuban dish with it tonight)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYbu9FRmhg-7p8CejXuTlr5W1zXDEBzjhOY-KddhKhyPo0kDqvjMkjgFosXw1_UIy4I0adrqhJ6erZfRXxgLvTXCH7QB1tY9gniLMhcjUN0tZejMpEHCLj3JdgDomxDVgH0REbvbbsEue/s1600/Eggplant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYbu9FRmhg-7p8CejXuTlr5W1zXDEBzjhOY-KddhKhyPo0kDqvjMkjgFosXw1_UIy4I0adrqhJ6erZfRXxgLvTXCH7QB1tY9gniLMhcjUN0tZejMpEHCLj3JdgDomxDVgH0REbvbbsEue/s320/Eggplant.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The neighbor cat, Bear. He's kind of in love with me. If I leave anything of mine laying anywhere, he curls up with it and goes to sleep. This was my iPod strap left on the bed. He curled up with it wrapped in his paw and went to sleep. He does the same thing with my clothes or my robe or my purse. Anything of mine, but not my husband's stuff. Which is odd because my husband is the one that keeps letting him in the house. I keep telling him to go home. Although he is pretty darn adorable.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6bWgro_CYUcQTeSwlBtwaWBmGat0Rndooc6dL7qsSD27OoobvlMC5ny6obkMKL9yGCr1KC2-UhM2fDkYNzJOxbZznmpbkR2BXP-nC4TPjqWjZBrTnSDdiYm8UrnJC3B3VmH3DIwfHEhF/s1600/Bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6bWgro_CYUcQTeSwlBtwaWBmGat0Rndooc6dL7qsSD27OoobvlMC5ny6obkMKL9yGCr1KC2-UhM2fDkYNzJOxbZznmpbkR2BXP-nC4TPjqWjZBrTnSDdiYm8UrnJC3B3VmH3DIwfHEhF/s320/Bear.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Life is like a bike ride - up a very steep hill

Yesterday I went for a bike ride in a nearby neighborhood that I've never been to before. I ended up on an extremely steep street as it ...

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Planning de la semaine du 29 mars au 02 avril 2010

<BR><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Permanences<br /></span></strong></h2><ul><br /><li>Le <strong>Conseil Général du Loiret</strong> sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans<br />- le lundi 29 mars de 9h à 12h30<br />- le mardi 30 mars de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 31 mars de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le jeudi 1er avril de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le vendredi 02 avril de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/solidarits-nouvelles-face-au-chmage.html">Solidarités Nouvelles face au Chômage</a></strong> - mercredi 31 mars de 10h à 12h30<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2010/03/droits-devoirs-et-prevention-sante-cpam.html">CPAM</a></strong> - jeudi 1er avril de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de Gestion</a></strong> - vendredi 02 avril de 09h à 12h30 (sur rendez-vous)</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Ateliers</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2008/12/atelier-parcours-emploi.html">Parcours Emploi</a></strong> - jeudi 1er avril à 09h<br /><br /><li><strong>CV</strong> - mardi 30 mars de 9h à 12h30 et mercredi 31 mars de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Lettre de Motivation</strong> - mardi 30 mars de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Préparation à l'entretien</strong> - jeudi 1er avril de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 02 avril de 10h à 11h30<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/07/atelier-situtilises-tu-trouves.html">Sit'Utilises tu trouves</a></strong> - vendredi 02 avril de 14h à 16h</ul>Cette semaine, l'atelier Parcours Emploi aura lieu le jeudi 1er avril à Marigny-les-Usages dans le cadre d'un chantier Formation.<br /><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Information collective</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>RSA - Conseil Général</strong> - mardi 30 mars à 10h</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 29 mars au 02 avril 2010

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 29 ma...

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A body worth keeping

I've had very few dreams in the last couple of years that I actually remembered when I woke up. Since I started sleeping more I've been remembering my dreams. Some of the dreams are good, some not so good, some borderline nightmares.<br /><br />Last night was a good dream. I think it stemmed from something I've started doing every morning after I get out of the shower. The idea came from <a href="http://mepschronicles.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Mary</a>, when she suggested to try and say something nice about our body.<br /><br />I've been doing the opposite for years. Almost every day I've been saying something or several things bad about my body for as long as I can remember. During the past week, each day I've stood in front of the mirror, naked, and found something positive to focus on. <br /><br />This little task is not always easy. My natural response is to immediately go for the negative. Hips too wide, thighs too fat, stomach sticks out too much. You know the routine.<br /><br />Every morning  last week I said something nice to myself about my body. Nice shoulders, strong arms, narrow waist, strong legs. I also touch the body part and could feel the muscles underneath the skin. Skin that's 54 years old and has been stretched and shrunk many times with my yo-yo dieting. Even though it's not the taut skin of a 20-year old, it's still soft with firm muscle underneath in most areas.<br /><br />I still turn sideways and stare at my belly with disdain, as well as the hips and thighs. However, I try to end each one of these morning evaluations with something positive. Love the shoulders Diana! Great triceps! Just one positive thing. <br /><br />The dream last night was odd, but it was a good dream. I was doing the Camel yoga pose. It's the pose where you kneel, bend backwards arching your spine and grab your ankles, and stretch, tucking your hips in and thrusting out your chest. <br /><br />While I was doing this, I was also outside my body. My other self was touching my naked back, admiring the firmness of it. My stomach didn't stick out since I was arched backwards. In my dream I didn't even notice my hips or my thighs. I just remember thinking what a strong body I had, that I liked it. That it was a good body.<br /><br />It was just a dream, but I woke up thinking wow, that was profound. Was that my subconscious telling me it's okay that my hips are too wide and my thighs are fat? That I'm still strong and powerful and should be happier with my body.<br /><br />Another thought I had when I woke up this morning is that I'll never be fat again. I know we all say that when we lose weight. It's the mantra I hear and read all the time. I've done it myself. <br /><br />Recently I went back to some of my old posts where I said "85 pounds gone forever!". I was so cocky and so sure of myself. Then I gained 20 pounds. That knocked the wind right out of my sails.<br /><br />I'm completely back on plan now and have been for about three weeks. I've made some significant changes in my eating which I'll write about in a later post. Things that we all know, but I never actually tried doing. There's no magic pill, but there are things that work like magic (with a little hard work thrown in).<br /><br />I think I want to keep this body. If it means an hour at the gym every day for the rest of my life, I'm okay with it. I've been doing that for over two years now and it's really not that big of a deal. If it means I have to eat less but eat healthy, delicious foods, I can do that too. This body is worth any hard work it takes to keep it as healthy as possible for as long as possible. It's a body worth keeping.<br /><br />I guess I found my words. :)

A body worth keeping

I've had very few dreams in the last couple of years that I actually remembered when I woke up. Since I started sleeping more I've b...

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Finally Friday

<p>I know, I know I only had a 2 day work week, but I'm ready for some down time to clean the house and just chill! Being gone wears you out! ;)</p> <p>I started out my morning with a random breakfast. We haven’t had a chance to go to the grocery store so I’ve been scrapping up things for meals!</p> <p>I used <strong>1/2</strong> of this sample box of <strong>Total Blueberry Pomegranate</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-CVqZJqu1OITXqMI763h3N4kdu81mmjVPnTRQyj7MrJg6aNItD_rGXc9FMH7KoATH3-xitgcm9OfCgRewNFYEW3nXqeWrRv4NpB0cghP9iljyV0nwgUUhUiS-DKRIN9lbHmXIgmzKfkq/s1600-h/DSC06750%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06750" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QqB_7iaiAgDFPGle1TsF3vR5cXr07u9Lqne3X1Q5Ahj-WdIiRxjwpFbK_HF8D7i2dpRDC0jm6RpW6kQaLW9QMc_5ccsL4BjYsEsnP4CbAPGRdxXZ7o2hnyiQFguCnbld2pvrgdIHmAjB/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06750" width="304" /></a></p> <p>And mixed it with a <strong>WW strawberry yogurt</strong> for a total of <strong>2 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeY3p_lgMaZhyfGD5LX5gZOF80JUqjx3921-I7pSGSxYTE_4fQxZDGBlh0TUve4exC0Ks9UZUG_2jmwP0Tt6RcYmRu0pDtFCHD9REcRvqT1WL8JgNdH-QnDSCy-q_iyU1b17EoAQ-KgzS/s1600-h/DSC06751%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06751" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1FltPXtalcmBLWxLG60YfdB6kv4r8tZttsPwtgd9wc6oJJUDj7VOKbjVL2KgDW-IwJm6UNnD0WK4NbSJR3r9KRRuFu4nwVcjALMtsd1saALxeiMeP-6XXQl59jXtN95IodtqCSzHCFrw/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06751" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I also sliced an <strong>apple</strong> to have on the side for another <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOSq6oF9ulCmPilO5wKnFxqSbqt7Z8SLFhcuAGuDdcZKyu2c257ss1Q_wL4Hpd2a2WhyphenhyphenUT1u6dl3LhiX5H0Ih9QU6V3L3c0XMQ-byo-mLNqAHPLp8Q9Ls5VJpkEUGF5hxe6FcsbYIe3Nj/s1600-h/DSC06752%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06752" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVJdYFMENuJsJmLctx2acbzPF6ZIxZ47MKP6BA1JNWfI76KGohFaK4Uh14N_zoIdWH-cF_FQD1wv1n8Nx10KdMwHkfD5capNS29yITNsUPlHJAu1WTT-EDAvCPrpGKDY6Fn7z5Vt35bnT/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06752" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My morning was <strong><u>CRAZY</u></strong>. I ended up having to be gone all afternoon for a presentation so I went to lunch early.</p> <p>I made a quick stop at the bank and then headed home and whipped up a quick <strong>turkey & cheese sandwich</strong> with <strong>1/2c cottage cheese</strong> and <strong>1/2c peaches</strong> for a total of <strong>5 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWMujQVtI_VjX_-qe8MorOFVqQ0dnPcHMgKjAuRKfoZ6kp1IiohnvrvPCGnta4tevhHrycQ537yKlic7XQgryCK6Hvn6OhidxJm0QQRzl_fKZ7of-7wi15ty1-8k1fHItDp1UANzHnB52/s1600-h/DSC06753%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06753" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjW537L7Uxe9hwef5LqHU5IqG90YlKiVWxSjFRAzwuifwFy-wEHeJX5EFk405XrK_LHcEBDh9GLTH1tgplZqjL_MX2LswpS3yyv6aYCGbH8KSI-GRqzyx4xNtO95Ub1ybaAt6IkYkc1qnX/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06753" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My presentation was a financial aid talk to 8th graders…needless to say I put 2 students to <strong><u>sleep</u></strong> and I don’t really think they were too interested since college is<strong><u> 4+ years</u></strong> away for them! But it is a recruitment tool and it was interesting to hear from the middle school students! It’s been a <u>LONG</u> time since I was there! ;)</p> <p>After getting back to town after my presentation I met up with Kyle at the grocery store. Finally we will be re-stocked!</p> <p>One *new* thing I picked up was <strong>Boca burgers</strong>. I’ve seen these all over blogland and they were on sale so I finally decided to try them!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiFlYC5AL6p7ig605LVumBQmbvm3DUj6fIf_aqmQJ1s35y-Q3qdGibY5E61ettpd10i9N1Usfr5Pw34quFlpGhIlzfcb16z-0dv73aBhRwNqjPcw2NYp1rW4AXwwxZ3aduAfzK2ZhPlfc/s1600-h/DSC06754%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06754" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7CSSGgCi5yIDm6ulhvUBbJIfEeMnTNr0kUaxA9oDJYM28Ks83AKWAUZLE9zBiDaBmoaYpwvw66Dt8bsDoTv-kzZJJESy9RxOBtArvDL6OXPISzINXrdqOmOb-ZuQ9eorZNuhXFFxD5WA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06754" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I made mine into a<strong> Boca cheeseburger</strong> on a<strong> sandwich thin</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>.  I think these are going to be a new staple in our freezer, <strong><u>very</u></strong> good! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0SBCKUqL3z1lK9yD2lFfEUKgGwKHYWxWoVPEUuu8gllYdn4byXhoHM4e_mRgdDWDdmPa1TgAORGI6oFaEOX4pA6Hs87WS_DcskHmUsyOa_uiZa4_lKtsqwaaI-ttGAvOrwtxwrVOGETx/s1600-h/DSC06757%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06757" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMuu8HrZtI_4zjVcemojHkslN5VmCSLTs5zksA850HFQ7yTDoOBXfuxsPN1a_eL7RcWFPly1YFhmxmZguGarfXnuFp0oVgdaL0oLhtNKgIRyUZYlb90FjDYlBN8jtPzVfcyqeYfBUC1_t/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06757" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I also steamed some <strong>broccoli</strong> and <strong>cauliflower</strong> to have on the side for <strong>0 points</strong>! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlq1h5-i0FglD03LFcy2Fm9-x3nUglrT60sGlySK82gF9ul8Sas51Tj3iXkviwyxgKxlsA5rqu2L7DD0hrxFA0Cn_nzW5RvLqQv1ZxR9gFZWRGbQUJwTbR7KoBsNh4fY9vt6KmiI8dKcVb/s1600-h/DSC06755%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06755" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigH1qi_SKS-efwnnVzpsB2Cf37F3dU-slPEqM5uVTjfmG-NWxHzBgM213Y-3chpzsT-JpCzbyqLIQUjQhZ4BtZQmlDZwdeMOjFR8tIcXvOfDu2J1tYoSuMGec98869KZ3ibq3VPU5fNVh_/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06755" width="404" /></a></p> <p>To round out my supper I had <strong>1 c</strong> of <strong>honeydew melon</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. Oh my, this was one good melon!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZlN70RrR-KbfrDartci5iP4fCPw68NjbwK0HpGyn-_0tqvYJ26Icp1-frkaHhB7YI-iceNuIVT6_ozrelY-3iEWiaF-9ppxt8GEaOzwFCvhlORnddGNTTYw6e3s2Rvq8HexfKIVMpqZO/s1600-h/DSC06756%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06756" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtDoqf8nEarZ9YP_xuogQbgFflyjSAUmsU0s-ARQw_yHCQPibYoE6uwPBExdS97niuJ-np7i1LQgYbY-tWwQak7zl5zv3_HLFR1wyWs-6uICxJ8WQrPDkHNDUOVg76Ffwc27as3esHbBr/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06756" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I spent the better part of my evening catching up with you guys!! I feel like I’m so behind! :)</p> <p>Oh and I almost forgot! Kyle and I purchased a copy of <strong>Runner’s World</strong> for some reading material while on vacation. And we both <u>LOVED</u> it!! I think we are going to subscribe to it. I can’t wait to try some of the workouts they have in this issue!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNobAT-XDh9wEeVlqZ6P0CPNjKZmJetuxgvdhIuaR6i4n-SFegA1_uj5iV3rVzALIgBIPGXGsoHnP0Mjt6zX7W9zgFn0H8gYKpsNzOEcE5Ayi0Sm2voRVKzHQ7Rsl87iWKI08uDpzxukSP/s1600-h/DSC06759%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06759" border="0" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NaHwUeC94DPAJNNlf6Y6cVaL2MGrLMDkZnolLz9XUFVDAImLwv3FGP_ak3mPfJeoF_3vvy9u3p5EBnCJGbq8XzibZbrsJhNiMy_HU_vtjLmnK6r0HdpU4q4sbQfGt-yOdAnMkovsrRZJ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06759" width="354" /></a></p> <p></p> <p>And one last thing my wonderful friend, <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/guest-post-2-jenna.html">Jenna</a>, who did a guest post for me on Monday while I was enjoying Florida had a few <strong><u>follow up comments</u></strong> I wanted to post!</p> <p align="center"><em>First, I want to thank everyone SO much for their sweet comments!! It took a lot of time and work to get where I am today!</em></p> <p align="center"><em>Tips for shedding lbs!- well the best tip I can give is to stay motivated and keep that desire to want to lose weight in your head... When you do "cheat" a little, just get back to that mind set of losing weight and get right back to your normal routine of eating and exercising and burn those calories you took in!:) I try to eat little meals throughout the day, my normal eat/snack times right now are 9, 12:30, 3, 6, and 8:30.</em></p> <p align="center"><em>I have seen living proof (my aunts) of people that have lost so much weight and put it almost all back on because they let one "cheat" lead to another, and another...and another! That has given me the dedication to commit to myself and my health and to not let that happen to me! </em></p> <p align="center"><em>And one last thing, I do have a blog, but have not been on it in awhile!! It's www.jennamarieslife.blogspot.com... you can email me at <a href="mailto:jbudden_29@hotmail.com">jbudden_29@hotmail.com</a>!</em></p> <p>If you missed any of my guest posts you defiantly need to check them out. All three are very inspiring in their own way! <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/guest-post.html">Melanie</a>, <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/guest-post-2-jenna.html">Jenna</a>, and <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/third-final-guest-post-heidi.html">Heidi</a>. </p> <p><strong>FRIDAY’S STATS <br /></strong>POINTS = 12/23 <br />WATER =  120 oz <br />EXERCISE = none</p> <p><strong><u><em>note:</em></u></strong> Ok I had NO idea I had only eaten 12 points today. That is WAY too low for me. I don’t want you guys to think I’m starving myself. But it’s already 10pm so I really don’t want to eat anything more. I am going to make a conscious effort tomorrow to get all of my points in. I don’t want my body to think I’m going from one extreme (eating a lot on vacation) to another (eating only 12 points/day). </p>

Finally Friday

I know, I know I only had a 2 day work week, but I'm ready for some down time to clean the house and just chill! Being gone wears you ou...

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Home!!!

<p>Hey Everyone! Kyle and I made it back safely late Wednesday afternoon. But we couldn't leave Florida without going to the beach one last time! <img alt="DSC06730" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUcRh0sz7GMuVVwCAvLA6yWYpVAAF70zFZhIECdvTqgXxFCcjMsKVl7qlBoWqIQ7VOetH5ybfclgJnufxdWHGAPhIq0TSO5E3kZ61LD7iJNPMM4m5_tQbyCnWnaZGZyT2vq_xe3XqvuPG/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06730" width="404" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXZn0QUgLZt8mAvkgcSPAcJbmN1AKtk5j9HvBN3hzbqmgZeCXP3mHO784VpQcr7SNAMfLwyhnl-jKNxZWpwyxTX46RwFY3T1hW-dJDFDjCT0yZykHRNtsTqAD9ws4DIPhvy2od6A14lnr/s1600-h/DSC06735%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06735" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQea_nSzqcCFuzBenvDJ7YcvIg_4elZMp5SFP7EnaIwoJFk-AfCi8d4WfAIKxJq-T27DYy9bD1fZs2CV7nfV0WpfqqU4imajVOcXLQt_disMzVhRkEPyuBCFrR5ylu7agJnFSIvvaN0ww/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06735" width="304" /></a></p> <p>We got home and got right to work, unpacking, laundry, a little cleaning, and ran some errands. </p> <p>It felt <strong>so good</strong> to be back in our own bed last night! Vacation is nice, but home is always better! </p> <p>This morning before I rushed off to work I made a quick breakfast sandwich. It consisted of <strong>3 eggs whites</strong> and a <strong>slice of ff swiss cheese</strong> on a <strong>sandwich thin</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>.<img alt="DSC06742" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPMN6Ml4bOSYL6hhPa8T6GUHnpQ1ELyjS3tbueTblQyGMa_7-Hu3dLdnPuZCPUHAPpwsd_bULm1hhfQ6eu5SXRlKTGyLjiMcv5veBbZjpTLPI1ovAOVjO2Sh3DWZ0EY2WCJqSGmZEcLH3/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06742" width="404" /></p> <p>And I also had an <strong>apple</strong> on the side for <strong>1 point</strong>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOPEGvdgBHkWPsG0c9DyguCxxe7CQiHGl5LnWNVmays7QiThqjsBF2S57EfyYLe9o_858TIcQDDJKQ_nU7RYRKOlASM2-2LoSNNCtomkpsDe9GSu93SRXEBOPC7Xi3pVQ5lyJAmRHQU1E/s1600-h/DSC06743%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06743" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHYAf73_eWQ5HpIWoRqW3pTGwkdyVTmibIvcL5r99kGKI7nGFQgzl6q-dYvUGFC3M7T0fkYN1zCvvywaTQzdOPo5VFvXk-VAJHY2pHZeZJ4MTrrq3KYIQUEsW55O1u_63SoDf8vhRvoCW/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06743" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>My desk was <strong>FULL</strong> of things just waiting for me to get back. It kept me busy <strong>ALL</strong> morning long and before I knew it noon was already here and I didn't have a morning snack. I grabbed <strong>1 c grapes</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong> to hold me over till I went home for lunch. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBFiTBrJYcOiCBhaO973xSpuk2VrghEuJnOFElQ7JT2MPf_byOdeX_V49H2yOQ-tATb3RFabcY9G2-2qArQhmD3CwHjWGgOZpXZACxXcxDveRUR5tBgHNChDyRRWWlswjnupBBBLYtCkh/s1600-h/DSC06744%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06744" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfc3S4pf1j3smNFj7loWZEDDiXzk-BL76AZ4kAePNpzoGWi7ysgW_8sHM_YyU2D5lU3I7ipA3_zCaOkfvxKcC7MUR-PTJCIrceot60dyMNLhRvL_55uFmoR1FDXR3pB0MLH6MKrspy5zO/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06744" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I was excited to see Kyle over my lunch. I mean I'd seem him 24/7 the past 7 days! But I am a tad jealous of him, the lucky little dog got off work at 2pm today!</p> <p>I had a <strong>simple turkey & cheese sandwich</strong> and <strong>steamed</strong> some<strong> broccoli & cauliflower</strong> for a <strong>3 point</strong> lunch.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAS1y1WEG6w_VyLFiFdpXlQMIntxxSNdG-dOMmJEHR6L7bfgHkN7eTdZLTre1_qbSLsGJSqBtN-XklvaoHi4sWwa6QBmtkO8CLWEESGnwulHIFvVmqcQFslaRG5kN0af28J6H74X8DODkF/s1600-h/DSC06747%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06747" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcLfzJg_m5a0AcsbH3ZRsU6wT3H303feU32S-_fuHGdjCduPlw_IUwSjkFrq4717KoZcXhlBrqx_ILHxc_MOpj4T-bI13tvvvD-rRLmSj481iiuwKMSbI4SAzQWSCEELWC_iFklt-xPZF/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06747" width="404" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLTYWPIUiV9-PSLN10RSbm-gV9G0WslwjL1kVRO7ZLkyVuP_vOWL1FYuFpx44RvqFtXt8yWB2UF-_ajl1qhWz_p44s8f7EyKHsFj3UstfpuTswnZWhF0mDEYYCQK9Kou_Jqzgqr2pTBgb/s1600-h/DSC06746%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06746" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVTjzp0mV3QFKfxV9gOjURWfk2f-_dxd8t9clLk-_Idz1zl8o2WDG_EZHlemhPWE0F-Xht_kSzQql1ARYlv4pnrUVHgQID1A_YAw5YMTCWF__HvhZJMtbsqebGzWNw5HaKi37YZkVFZCY/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06746" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Since I had a late lunch my last few hours of work flew and I headed to teach my class. I have to admit, it was really hard to go. I just wanted to go home and relax. Which sounds silly since that is what I have done the past 7 days, but I think traveling also wears you out! </p> <p>I made it through my class nibbling on this <strong>Snickers Marathon Energy Bar</strong> for <strong>4 points</strong>. It is high in points, but it was easily accessible and I knew I couldn’t make it past 8pm without eating!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCs0EkKbd9IRMfin7JB5OxJur8zGUgI8ErKORZQqbJjiJjETRsZslaR04mbco2Oyerwwtn4qFo_oJ1l-inBCib5mGWFd2CLpyMBMfTSR-eLmJ573XFVdva0B-QUiDfXGCr9ISCgXr51Y9/s1600-h/DSC06748%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06748" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3fZFRbkxsb7MfSZqA12WDIS0MIPCjpKSva9ULSwqRYxVtTUca30NaeyusTJo2fVrebJ1fpGNgKPIKAvyqtTYskw17O47H6ScK8Vkd5gJnBrB74Kv9SiEMNa7L0jddBrdi1HQI-65ptAN/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06748" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I didn’t leave class until after 8:30 so I wanted to keep my supper light. I had a serving of<strong> Life cereal</strong> and <strong>1/2c 1% milk</strong> for a total of <strong>3 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpNyRZ29lVPqxlxbdA7W2fNthfVAAF-62Kg53ZMjb1Fmm9Mq9zc57tYDNPVpHzMr919mE2WIn0eD1-0LEhpuqdZkMCgekQREkB0zwkwOKZR5_ZqfJB4hflez29JxZVomXCjm4NT14ekyn/s1600-h/DSC06749%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06749" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukEomW6S95aqL6JgLUo9MfIHqemijxpdoaOgsmegbOraunja6wLPo3rgrUWfwXluZFWZVflbF1l6OtNOHybxo_UMUxBM9dE-MiY5x0vbXNoNeFJNFfRqMTzkOy__gWPLZ_LlHyS0h1Uk-/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06749" width="404" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I just finished my last bite of cereal and I’m going to bed. This girl is <strong><u>TIRED</u></strong>!!! </p> <p><strong>THURSDAY’S STATS <br /></strong>POINTS = 15/23 <br />WATER =  88 oz <br />EXERCISE = none</p> <p>I hope you didn’t miss any of my Florida recaps:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/day-1-in-florida.html">Day 1</a></li> <li><a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/friday-in-florida.html">Day 2</a> </li> <li><a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/fun-filled-florida-day-3.html">Day 3</a></li> <li><a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/sundaymonday.html">Days 4 & 5</a></li> <li><a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/final-full-day.html">Day 6</a></li> </ul>

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Hey Everyone! Kyle and I made it back safely late Wednesday afternoon. But we couldn't leave Florida without going to the beach one last...

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Final Full Day

<p>I hope you guys aren’t getting sick of all these Florida updates! I didn’t want to leave anything out though! :)</p> <p>This was our final morning at my Grandpa’s house. You know I forgot to mention my Grandpa’s house is less than a mile from the ocean and it’s one road with a draw bridge over the inter-costal waterway!   </p> <p>Since it was our last morning we wanted to get to beach extra early to watch the sunrise!</p> <p>Luckily a friendly fisherman was there to take our picture!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzp61ON9ZImfWgpgnCiKv9oODRwsP656CF3b-Rmr85sjIxFADVooWpalAvgYiANH6ZLh1wrpToSZeqnpmzpwkt4hyphenhyphen_DdK8UAwEcyp07VrkGqfrTMvvGV5WuNnI8pkPBgk5gHYEwSSjFo4/s1600-h/DSC066553.jpg"><img alt="DSC06655" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzOYDAXnMHYJ-93Zz6yEy1k9UGQvrD1vnOZuAeQ5PDczxXLxr0_cKdKbEP1KTO0sbIeJC4nt0dmcEaSPIhbdbSq7BRadWJcyXIdynthABHFEqU0k_qcQ8KaULUHYa_XE_xhxm46U2waHa/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06655" width="404" /></a></p> <p>The air was still quite chilly, but that made the water feel <strong><em>super</em></strong> warm !<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvWBdb8aCi5Smy4CiCQnW2FkiIxf8_xguq3bviNTtsTDDc8DQMZmp6sJsX7kQlrtYtXD_xmEF2eNg39rfVmaO_mI3ZnNe9YGa2-n0x0oUqZySykKptXLO7LMoQUn4ais5DxUAo0A_e3da/s1600-h/DSC066693.jpg"><img alt="DSC06669" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkJCeg2OZN3yqiHZskKtVfqHDsr4lwVVGS5xTpFz6kfq0O3D-wTbrxnofbCINg8hxCWk05jsugAhgAX4bauT6cxd2gtK4lLic-c6cI1DWPkvxZmPQKyfw4dLhFPxyaHmI4Fd9CF-QqK5P/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06669" width="404" /></a></p> <p align="center">It’s fun to draw in the sand! I might have to frame this for some more decor in my office! :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJKnWZV9KT6D1EY5HVlz-eDXsuSfbIJkRXiwMPwvqQbDiI6UyfA0hpef3rKP9PgZVRm3GbHIvd8Q7GcyVU6r5slcKZsNH0koeew3EODqm0pMr4nGJkRLn6lv-DtanoejoBY3Mm8puDaAf/s1600-h/DSC066773.jpg"><img alt="DSC06677" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxDeS3Q6xnTCaXTVJaZEDf-_R0VI9pnmojB_pA95u28MdT4yCF6KxsLqVl42SleUXJk7qoMpHsJ-8JXxK_atZ2rB3WDqF9Pg92QGF432m8WSf_szHKIJS9lhZ6GYuUUINdHYMW1UpafHi/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06677" width="404" /></a>      <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMZ3T2yfkPRcidfpjGSWqwJrlD1tZkwnQ_j9G9QsRS55W_RBL_kaan-1OBxZIB-h1XGA1Fv7u49alXfR164CuF4XCTbFUIBab3u4buy4Cv10WukLq6qwzkrfHTd2lRzynWeBKm-lzOKb5/s1600-h/DSC066833.jpg"><img alt="DSC06683" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomyB-HAm6j8dD7h50LSLZ7Mnd66fU1GeDjt3oAHkM_pVPEaIERm_gX_qseBe0l6LGiCiP6A6oEBUuRT9-BljLYy5529zK2HzlRZM1m0lRAGM0Ve8a0OzVwaEUL-0acAFM-YzlasIwn1Km/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06683" width="404" /></a> Kyle thinks he’s Super Man! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0h4Xk8Exmg91Q3kCjI-K4eCMcAow3YdWozJnwQE_PtaS2_C79QLSkuWXkxzsPso-LkqO1EKPLnvH9nM3wg4VPM77NJIayMyTFLP_OJu60yWXhPeWYlrZTZpl6pzWJnTKCoS66m_JR9NcY/s1600-h/DSC066849.jpg"><img alt="DSC06684" border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfdiFqe6EUvK6RyF1eoqNM4BGWswuoYs8Ym8g3ekwM1BUsydzHgIMG9z6pBs6lnq2YB3_xfBOxjSgwxpTRmyzpvONz7SSjnq9wVUc1yir0OEg_G8NHFzHUu7ydfsLy-hsBJw0LKzOIoPd/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06684" width="349" /></a>    </p> <p align="center">Perfect way to start our last day in Florida!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQn-MePI76riXTGM_etdwn142T4jQ7w0-eLgALQv5elq3eF-bUYfaAANlmqdkpBY0oNy2VZ3BG9npXdw_EdQ4R6chx8Pr0EnwTi7w3R5GcoGXlDgT_LsbPMsrbxGYEzc5Esb8Tf7HzDbv/s1600-h/DSC066888.jpg"><img alt="DSC06688" border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsRAQLFwV_M2asoDBfyh9ggTrHx8l8-UVdqUyZKE26LDIm8PzGPR4T-O89VkmXeoDCKqEcE71wbQFZjDYqjr_whNmZuywmqez8lczGsy5gr-ZlnPJmxUtyCXV3il6F-3mRL0bXafq9qCf/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06688" width="404" /></a>    <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDG6Gw52S_5BcDnTd-WOeM4WsSaarfJrlCSJY7nMOnmVYhpPTwZHxHm-07QA6y2iyKi9qwlYS8GJMdd6OuQr6uNB_JHLQrq99v9Rjku00XpddtetVBs3QVzmSj8A1plY5KXsjWzwCL6wvm/s1600-h/DSC066926.jpg"><img alt="DSC06692" border="0" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOR-dc780SiNazYTq9wfBZGGkUjF1_300hn73V52gPBM6OR7r-_hMk76BxVM07gh5AWk03QMOooE-X01Iym_vRIWUzUHrTNjrhO4qFzGwIpwHOarLm4YE3MZICRBhODJpnz06u4oJbazM/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06692" width="354" /></a></p> <p>After our serene morning at the beach we went back to my Grandpa’s, packed up and went to breakfast. My Grandpa loves Cracker Barrel. He says it the “old people’s place”! I like to look at all the different things they have in the shop…check out this giant Hershey’s coin bank! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrn38K0dg27E03Ut5k9UqnVibyxIfieQKy5DDZqaV8-fXrTLgJXuM8_PEO_dAHhJBeZaxOlXZBwbs1e5uE_2YXLWHiUlNbJ-8_yljTGcolQpjOPPV3rnnFv9pWRcvPAFRcUR-LEHpp-sf/s1600-h/DSC066953.jpg"><img alt="DSC06695" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAallw5qr8NLeCPOIAgfrudfcZGW6XO_w8nl95YRNrhr-i2HQylw2KzmFELzu2CKHSSqLtVQLH0ukw-7Fs-zmRNB8ZbWklpBeoqMKPyrlx2CMOOR1IP_9AiukQizh7lGAy2TxqAfdH1tVy/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06695" width="404" /></a>   </p> <p>After breakfast Wendi, Kyle, and I headed back to her place near Tampa, about a 2 1/2 hour drive. Kyle enjoyed a movie on the way…he looks deep in thought! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQk2OpBGQToBJGX3bktgrD4oIsnhNkRvSlMVWZsEaGdxpbQLJ3FtXUYoc83Z80EEuOB8hqg2_LhUykPM1FQJbkp89vI50tPuhyphenhyphenMwikmpZJLZHDnmMsCD10Ad-ZsHMIwXpf57rUeGyTbWD/s1600-h/DSC066983.jpg"><img alt="DSC06698" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rrzjGYkp1WiPKbeHh0ysd1ed0yKbFR0OoTtYrVuMQXu8Lzx068eQDBg4U3-M5CuolJ1P_S1bknJi4JCTz7N0NgXjw7IzyMReFZTkAiv-RlKnWTNTT2w8pq8g6e4oR-Pbe8LDoxtvX0bi/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06698" width="304" /></a></p> <p>And Wendi safely drove us the whole way through what she calls the “butt crack of Florida”…the middle of Florida & it’s not pretty. lol<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuY_NyWi-cGLGe4qKjTL_WE16raMYg8I6B_YTfCPaj0GiFGgL7Q8lx5xmlAzQ15bE02cNcpqJtOJgXGVRUMxGpH_5T7QlZZ71Wui1lnzpZnpTmtDF3zUEk_D-tQNyeakgoGA5VMT9IRr9/s1600-h/DSC066994.jpg"><img alt="DSC06699" border="0" height="497" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmfgO2vVGlpre_F9l3vznwKvm6pRLba-rGyU9DBrmfu74lUKm7Xb0SmdvvLWfwOVMryFpHm6qZUzljqbD7lobkqOzaRfWAuoYwP9GefOTAC-rZPoP39J2o1p17B6ofbgNXQkCbOUaoqUp/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06699" width="374" /></a>  </p> <p>Check out this GIANT signs that greets you when you get off the turnpike!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEO9-fQcm_SjmZzS3rdpMJh4PQW9g0Kl4sb2MWWEFZbY-ESQcviBB9DoPrYPMnqUtohidDgXttZbiDUNcoPQEylF7s7VQx86jmlk7mYRGpwPeB0_9JzzDXrHotC0tCw7HyPsRHEeYZUauU/s1600-h/DSC06701%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06701" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQcmd2oPT-l72-j8ifOAuaDXD_nCpgtsDqL2g339JmueNU53YnLZpjawjIAXxzJmvroySwAmlmcJoYS0yicGQf_dsmuQkv-DDf_pLfyNjvpfqZ9jEoYUJ9YWdVNF39R5osEfja3cmwVuX/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06701" width="304" /></a>               </p> <p> </p> <p>Wendi had to work so Kyle & I enjoyed a little date night! We had pizza at Pizzeria Valdiano! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3av2ZJzsfmsM5CzjDeiQQOttb2GUXwWJtdggPTpicVjFoxK7eZqwyQXEK1mpA2iZAyIUcFqrahYY8bDpaoA7B0xQTbdt5nARQDuBC1xxmQ92qohccOqnkksJZDSc28H-6bujmsNcLgo9d/s1600-h/DSC06721%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06721" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gH7oKcnyzdbIeycWo8zjW1O68WybuVDjDaGw36U7L36729juvrYoFUOwZ2x7h3trWxgNzJek_R0c0HJ3ps8Cahs8-CU_efAFkGfgrsS-NQHs4unsVNAkYgpjir-6avXTz3sbJXpDojT2/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06721" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Hawaiian, of course! (it’s our favorite!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP5RUZE6hp0d75CyCJxVXjcW59lLD6cPs3Tu0uy5Yi4Jo11bK4A1OzyQiLQIjiBvce8yUKAOMiZH9bxdC5R1U5UvNDRM2xWco-JWr5wuf6L6nGz2QvIwUFERRu5Kz6SNzQkNR7xYs9zFn/s1600-h/DSC06716%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06716" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJNA2pRRvG1gNdbY5Gmr2cTCTWy-RqvnbdzIo0iGgARktSaaBePPUhh5ojNVOBwfwXbzFEIcwCcfUhvS-RP0At15_QYM1yDTgJvRadJbQjqVqVm7mZ_cObfLef1bwotXq88OiSx1r1hGJ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06716" width="404" /></a>   </p> <p>We didn’t eat too much pizza though because we knew what we wanted right down the sidewalk…Cold Stone!! Kyle made the comment that we had ice cream everyday while we were in Florida!! Just the way I like my vacations! ;)   <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkoLhUEgPDEUB-gbL7Ui6tdVYTA0O1MfGUOyHlQzLcvKEC7-JYD_NHw3Wl7fFQ9sZcjJaL7lhgtmN6Ovm422DsGvGx2_kAAprqeWj84xhrXCiqywgQ-RFGhAWhl9SWByt6jKxiHgzFiA7/s1600-h/DSC06722%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06722" border="0" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidd8eIMXDxNL43efwnYKTM6jEhoF4tovAQORE3eOwNSqBMM3RSZuyWfRsf7ZNC8HiAmhRqPcVB33aFWzjTZUsI8z2Ey_aLeVU9yIYkfPOOia8zSHXZSaIXs3-kBM46-GN3u8lTidmyVQh/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06722" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>Mmmm…PB cup perfection!!! Feel free to drool!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGuE2M5nNF5oWYgjMWU7Jaa_Aib5wn0w8M9GAi3ZVzBM5_bvA76ixv5YA0_lsNQIyGvFF9bmB9eE72IfEJf3VXpqq7lDGcKYtG9Re_xiYP_rrPIb9akVvadX53DpxObBPQXLV3bvF_LHC/s1600-h/DSC06723%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06723" border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBB1Qs9-T6dUWT5rbibPhT_OkC4aZBtTbkzu77tTrcwAn9rNwcS3N7hs6bUzdbGPg74LUCTT0CFBO4EdLt2RhK1m2iYW1gK1z-RzIGR5gWWEHLC6N7A_uUzD7ijE3vMOYFcDOVZ-DgBzGR/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06723" width="329" /></a>  </p> <p>We sat outside and enjoyed the Florida scenery!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZMDYAs2_UBHdj5SUcP8JEAhhav5BODUcPT8_3-mtQTOVcEPDgyM3EcvJlTQMAphSSvdLJc0hY9dXnvumFzco21Jket7aNYrbUbY1VwHlUN6nPGLs0EvbNO2h4uc7Dk0ligF2o-W_6Jou/s1600-h/DSC06725%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06725" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMqjDjISLwqb4D4YJ9D0xwTIAhCGhFpWoa3Jujf2KGlPo4S9Km6cRAxTQqtChMoUQVLCrJGxDJjYj18mrhbLCn-Z57dtsklPsrc-H5ytT1S3xfX1X3IF9nfYNUo0TwSE3QO1dlPVLllDe/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06725" width="404" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XwdmnvKkFT_OvH_ZbwBC1aAxkgdUhvWCPjCr7MVsK323isp7nnGm0SZQ3N35piZXIXI6c33yG6CuGrJ53gLn2b7sD3pIlfLqHF4m50XA0_MfN9vE-fZk7bLTihDfBxjaZgO1kW4MQn7L/s1600-h/DSC06726%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06726" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0NuWvQCSckijr6VToSs7OcnvudW6d8a2MwOCVMypkhaaJnfE2Le-5p3m92L8LXkCnm-_bh0crfz8mgInmIWTzcqfRAJseLxLj-bUqsaZGVURqYnOQCaIlas2aTjzN8zG4momY-e9S3Mi/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06726" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After our date we picked Wendi up from work and hung out at her apartment for the rest of the evening. We were sad that our vacation went by so quick, but it is always good to go home too!</p> <p>I should be back to my regular posts tonight! I have a long day today. 8+ hours of work and 3 hours of teaching tonight!</p> <p>Later friends! <3</p>

Final Full Day

I hope you guys aren’t getting sick of all these Florida updates! I didn’t want to leave anything out though! :) This was our final mornin...

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Please stay tuned

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It's not that I can't think about anything to write, I just don't feel like writing. Yet I don't want anyone to think I've quit or given up or stopped blogging. I know it's silly to post about nothing. <br /><br />Just letting you know I'm still here, still eating right, going to the gym, and my pants are feeling looser these days. I'm reading more blogs too, so that takes up what little free time I have in the evenings before I go to bed and to sleep by 8:30 p.m. every day.<br /><br />A few pictures from a lunch out yesterday with my team from work. They chose a Japanese steakhouse, not my first choice. Especially because they always pour a ton of oil and add what I think is lard (it looks like yellow Crisco) to whatever they cook on the Hibachi. Even if you ask them not to do it, they still do it anyway. I had the Hibachi Chicken, but I only ate maybe 1/3 of it. I'm sure it was still very high in calories and fat (Points). Oh well, I took one for the team. <br /><br />I promise I'll get my writing mojo back eventually. Just not feeling it today. :)<br /><br />And yes, that's a fireman putting out the fire. Very classy. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TLmq2YnWxwdd0ZXSd2s8rvKtcdBz5YmVbONImHIdDinC9GLY8S_TR0FhM5sOxxjGY1OgtuARnRXp2YXiwq9XYdvSawwJlG8Mk10L8YE_d8kdzav6tU_hq7pbSjaaZYvN2OgE6fPX2qyb/s1600/Japanese+Lunch+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TLmq2YnWxwdd0ZXSd2s8rvKtcdBz5YmVbONImHIdDinC9GLY8S_TR0FhM5sOxxjGY1OgtuARnRXp2YXiwq9XYdvSawwJlG8Mk10L8YE_d8kdzav6tU_hq7pbSjaaZYvN2OgE6fPX2qyb/s320/Japanese+Lunch+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /> Most people think this is cool, I don't really like it because I feel like I'm going to catch on fire.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwbhoYh9UuDdouVU8Ai547gpPnB9Js9hF3A-cderlQq14XGbUJqzFpvTG39CFvpkGjRv-HEiLklhgySNEau0rsNGbC3ZGKk3CafK8VoRIlw73M8579byfB9qVhAl-4PAEia14K7N6xdOC/s1600/Japanese+Lunch+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwbhoYh9UuDdouVU8Ai547gpPnB9Js9hF3A-cderlQq14XGbUJqzFpvTG39CFvpkGjRv-HEiLklhgySNEau0rsNGbC3ZGKk3CafK8VoRIlw73M8579byfB9qVhAl-4PAEia14K7N6xdOC/s320/Japanese+Lunch+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>

Please stay tuned

It's not that I can't think about anything to write, I just don't feel like writing. Yet I don't want anyone to think I'...

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Third & Final Guest Post - Heidi

<p>Hello everyone!! My name is Heidi, and Darci asked me to write a guest blog for her. I feel very honored, as I am super proud of all her accomplishments!</p> <p>I have known Darci for about 10 years now. We went to the same church growing up, and I was really close with her younger sister. She has become a great friend of mine and someone I know I will always be in touch with. Like I said, I am super proud of her, and she is a true testimony that you can do anything you set your mind to!</p> <p>I would like to tell a little bit of my "fitness story" and how it has affected my entire life...</p> <p>It all started the day before cross country was going to start my freshman year of high school.  I decided the day before cross country was starting that I wanted to go out.  Before this, I had never run more than the P.E. mile test, and my best time was 10 minutes.  I didn't really even know what cross country was.  I only participated in volleyball, basketball, and softball in middle school.  I went to practice that next day and said I would run at least a mile without stopping and work my way up to two miles (that was how long our races were).  I made it the mile the first day, but it was tough!</p> <p>Before our first meet, I was up to running two miles without stopping, but it was a struggle for me.  Our first meet was in my home town, Manson, IA.  I was so clueless to what was going on. I just knew I had to run two miles without stopping, and I was suppose to do it as fast as I could!  That's exactly what I did! I ran it as fast as I could, and I got third place that day!  There was a volleyball game going on at the school, and I ran in with my medal and told all my friends! Everyone was in shock thinking "Heidi can run?!" I couldn't believe it!</p> <p>I ended up qualifying for state that year, being the only one from my school to go. When we were running at the qualifying meet, I had no idea what I was running for.  After I finished, my teammates ran up to me and said "you made it to state!", and I said "what is state?" haha..</p> <p>After cross country, the track coach asked me to come out for track, and I also qualified for state in the 800 meters that year. I didn't even own a pair of track spikes...I ran in my tennis shoes at state! I improved my times every year after that, and ended up running cross country and track in college too at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA.</p> <p>My goal when I first went to college was to qualify for the national meet at least once. I qualified in both indoor and outdoor my freshman year, and was an All-American in the 800meters with third place!</p> <p>After my freshman year, my goal was to be a national champion, and I wouldn't rest until I was!  I thought about it and wanted it so bad. I missed it my 2nd year, getting 4th place. I graduated a year early, so I had to do it my 3rd year.  I dreamed about winning. For that whole year, anything I did, I would ask myself "is this going to make me a national champion?" I would do anything I could at all times of the day to improve. While in class, I would stretch or down ounces of water or Gatorade. I had all my meals planned out, I never slept less than 8 hours, and I always visualized my races at least 100 times before I actually ran them. I was dedicated!!</p> <p>My third year, I broke both indoor and outdoor school records in the 800. I was ranked number one in the country for division 3 when I went into nationals. I wasn't going to settle for anything less. I wanted that title more than anyone there, and everyone else knew it.</p> <p>I had never been so nervous in all my life. I sat in 2nd place for the first lap of the race. By the last 300 meters, I kicked it into gear and went flying.  I ended up winning by a full second (which is a lot in an 800 and doesn't usually happen at a national meet)! I fell to the ground bawling!!! I went and hugged my family and coach. It was the happiest, proudest moment of my life!!  I don't know if anything will ever top that 2 minutes and 8 seconds of my life!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39ea-zjG-icuBWOhoFLNbsEmMkV1jvmNqNq1W6FaEcdCMrDaIdKNrPAGnXaIialGAp9UDmh5HAuiMjBre-ACKNsKRhDu1F1I7FpVzhMSD39eMA1WSO7rsp0LaW7faejWlnK_juM6hAFLr/s1600-h/hedi4.jpg"><img alt="hedi" border="0" height="553" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnFLr0hQYgWMP0cx3NKRSzBFdqeXCWh0rgAiiAXB_zLgjSBfb3Fxg9Vy1FRc2AqS7XURLa2Er6-aYc-oKcoNYhz909PTRGQDW8KpYDSRfv_PtVX00Sy5bY0NzIsOuiZl_UN_1JYd1K6yY/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="hedi" width="354" /></a> </p> <p>Running has truly changed my life, along with health and wellness. I have now gone on to be a personal trainer, motivating people all day long. I LOVE it! I also run as much as I can.  I am training for a marathon right now, and I am contemplating trying to qualify for the Olympic trials in the 800 in 2012.  I tried in 2008 but missed it by 1.9 seconds. What do you think?! Should I try again??! :)</p> <p>I would not be the person I am today if you took away my running career.  I did not come from the best background, and I could have easily taken a wrong turn in my life, but with my dedication and commitment to everything I do now, I have been able to overcome some of the hardest obstacles anyone could face including sexual, physical, and verbal abuse, and a recent divorce. I know without a doubt that God never wants me to settle for second best, and I never will. I believe you can do ANYTHING you want if you truly want it with all your heart!!!!!!!!! </p> <p>SO GET OUT THERE OFF YOUR BUTT AND GO DO IT!!!! :)  --Heidi </p>

Third & Final Guest Post - Heidi

Hello everyone!! My name is Heidi, and Darci asked me to write a guest blog for her. I feel very honored, as I am super proud of all her acc...

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Droits, devoirs et prévention santé : CPAM à la Maison de l'Emploi le 1er avril 2010

<BR><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecs8cP9CmoFk_oTvWmqBwhmwCn8gl-4-y7HRAjZSqfxBnjUsXajtF_SpvSWZU7OlEJkMcs6k5n2XwmQyT6OaTFVvsLZvAieeY9jVeim51s-wA7A3Dsw7yhfJcrqSisLAqvwtKMLN_lfg5/s1600-h/logo_cpam_loiret.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376121006456646290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecs8cP9CmoFk_oTvWmqBwhmwCn8gl-4-y7HRAjZSqfxBnjUsXajtF_SpvSWZU7OlEJkMcs6k5n2XwmQyT6OaTFVvsLZvAieeY9jVeim51s-wA7A3Dsw7yhfJcrqSisLAqvwtKMLN_lfg5/s320/logo_cpam_loiret.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 316px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 176px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br />Patricia Bayle, Déléguée Prévention à la CPAM du Loiret, assurera une <strong>permanence</strong> à la Maison de l’Emploi <strong>de 13h30 à 17h</strong> : <br /><ul><br /><li><strong>le jeudi 1er avril 2010</strong></li></ul><br />Toutes les questions liées aux droits, aux devoirs et à la prévention (remboursement des dépenses de maladie, droits CPAM, mutuelle, CMU, paiement des indemnités journalières, prévention, examen de santé ...) peuvent être abordées par Patricia Bayle en fonction des besoins de chacun.<br /><BR>

Droits, devoirs et prévention santé : CPAM à la Maison de l'Emploi le 1er avril 2010

Patricia Bayle, Déléguée Prévention à la CPAM du Loiret, assurera une permanence à la Maison de l’Emploi de 13h30 à 17h : le jeudi 1er avr...

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Sorry...just can't find my words tonight

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ducks at the Angle Lake, near my office</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlonLw67lAnaKlj5KFKEXRKuckg4nMz2UKvK5v3nYF-Jh9GMuYFgnHBpnoaaXXrDLH5Cns6EM3GTbR-1aC9jMcgl_dLZXmPMfS2nVhrQf4uCmMJCDJGMx12xBplZ1glnuRuu21es2-a4z/s1600-h/Angle+Lake+23Mar2010+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlonLw67lAnaKlj5KFKEXRKuckg4nMz2UKvK5v3nYF-Jh9GMuYFgnHBpnoaaXXrDLH5Cns6EM3GTbR-1aC9jMcgl_dLZXmPMfS2nVhrQf4uCmMJCDJGMx12xBplZ1glnuRuu21es2-a4z/s320/Angle+Lake+23Mar2010+007.JPG" vt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihU2qimL-HEZSMca0SVOTqP7SunwKix_as0jR0iCN5WF0JCVqsKfB4-K9cnJEWLEuuy-GS7-wUYTTRnGY6UobzqAPjsjMB09PYIpbL81yJFe1694Z_00Lxlxfs580biziYWPSQz3I9-60e/s1600-h/Angle+Lake+23Mar2010+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihU2qimL-HEZSMca0SVOTqP7SunwKix_as0jR0iCN5WF0JCVqsKfB4-K9cnJEWLEuuy-GS7-wUYTTRnGY6UobzqAPjsjMB09PYIpbL81yJFe1694Z_00Lxlxfs580biziYWPSQz3I9-60e/s320/Angle+Lake+23Mar2010+003.JPG" vt="true" width="320" /></a></div>I guess I'm going through a little something. Not really depression, just taking stock of my life. Trying to figure out if I'm really living my best life. My automatic answer to that question is no. <br /><br />The food and exercise are going well. No crazy binges, no cravings, just me eating right, tracking my Points. Going to the gym. Boring stuff.<br /><br />My favorite new dessert, frozen Red Muscat grapes - to die for. One cup is one Point. A green diamond filling food.<br /><br />Sorry, no big revelations about anything. <br /><br />Later.

Sorry...just can't find my words tonight

Ducks at the Angle Lake, near my office I guess I'm going through a little something. Not really depression, just taking stock of my lif...

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