Finally Friday!

<p>I started by day out early once again and hit the gym! I got in a <strong>32 minute run/walk</strong>. I walked about 2 minutes for a warm up, 2 minutes in the middle, and then had a 2 minute cool down. I <strong>only</strong> totaled <strong>2.65 miles</strong>, but I have to keep in mind I really haven’t ran consistently <em>since October</em>! Sounds like such a <strong>long</strong> time ago. I know it will take a little while to get my strength & endurance back to what it was when I could run 10+ miles! </p> <p>Headed over to my office and make breakfast…same thing, 3rd day in a row and it still <strong>isn’t old</strong>! I really think this is my favorite way to eat <strong>oatmeal</strong>, with <strong>PB2</strong> and a <strong>small banana</strong> totaling <strong>4 points</strong>.  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdBz63-jJ_qIM1sAOie6CvGGFP_G-ZNJ_te-9qYVvoEAXIZ7fpLs33podwDIa_UrNDxLynblMzvRJwuCU4vDb-TCqKLcwT0CQn5ZWeL9ScSnqeEmuSKuqEUENzBe5R7dhrhPiGZje-orb/s1600-h/DSC05719%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05719" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlnlF0wqlCb-5uom0RSD5rBZEORhwg1oAKVDDfnyp8iguwRzCTWtF0bF9NQM95yjAY_SepvGAQr_5AWX2k1t6VSLqFUQ_54l7TVPNhS4LnFtbQC8AU5FlHfTO96fvvC5eGMuLllDiy2sU/?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="DSC05719" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Well the busy-ness at work didn’t end today! I was hoping for a nice quiet Friday to get caught up on things, but <strong>didn’t</strong> quite end up that way! I didn’t grab these <strong>crisp little guys</strong> (1 cup=<strong>1 point</strong>) until after 1pm!! So much for a morning snack!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VnwmDdstnJnOddDPwcs122KnoFzijiV0xSKqsjVLudFp6inK2V0vq6DOMgAwpwykktszcwVPEjla4He0VDcz37i-jXRDpqkqJ2wIuV14S_bQ7Ew4y7P3zYVQmQNtuEMLGiwb-3fkxoND/s1600-h/DSC05720%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05720" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsE-JGflF6N3WKdZ4vWT9Kpg1pdzhyphenhyphenw7Oe2I8xn46HVDYDfIa4ixKbSJQNFHIHkMRESegHKaEn5JlMbDfAEzjw7khK5xPKHi3Ea6ndUiRIZg5tczc7Jz2vgYFlBB9CE24D6xxhWHCVZpP/?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="DSC05720" width="404" /></a></p> <p>That meant I had a late lunch too! Luckily Kyle was out running errands for work and was able to let our poor little pooch out! She was probably crossing her legs like crazy!! Once again for lunch, I heated up a <strong>SmartOnes</strong> (3 cheese ziti marinara) for <strong>6 points.</strong> I am ready to get back into my normal routine where I can go home for lunch and make something!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7rwlCwTm7jbWJBTevHOhlABUChwARpBLjnM_a_zpNoVLrmbPLZ1eCUnTi9etMv9Tq0L4bmI9fBlBqmPhh2o77p57qUxnhZd6iLgeFTmabgQlZinojlF7Y3G_i2OiPor_tZ_C17oUih8j/s1600-h/DSC05721%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05721" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJG0QM3rCAordUAZPvYY02t0DVohRtak6rEYW8Wd0SnLkpKo9He0gMpudrXUjqGl-1oYblFsXqTX97L0UVF9E-iAfsE3k4YTkwNNAufdnJZFvwrXATdncdqFuh-Vm4yfrw3wuqoTvpOEa/?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="DSC05721" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After all that saltyness I was craving something sweet…that is kinda how my mouth works I think! I like to combine sweet and salty things! Instead of walking 2 offices down and raiding the “<strong>office chocolate stash</strong>” I grabbed this <strong>beauty</strong> from my fridge for <strong>0 points</strong>! It was just what I needed! :) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Lf42_zIe-C36JOgm4QpMDujRMx7dKJafM7Aa0Dn0q62WylBlUkbkeOPbYGe9wNMN47-VXcG5LCrOBALTdDdu6rDL_Z71WSYo7U7waCFpEgvTOnxNDYG3yeH2nXR_Yq9OHhO5-fSdOM6Q/s1600-h/DSC05722%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05722" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAp8hOaoOxmE0pWmuH8Cfjkvd1-cphfveAmdDqBm9HEYrwqB37X4mk8P6xUowWIYFLAw-jMZEtPnb_2NVlSs2TxTT4vm07zsyUFBtmaTevtA-MN6zzn1ZlbD-iOZyEWKOSLxzJpuxTk2I/?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="DSC05722" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I took off from the office at a good time, only to get home and find out Kyle had to cover someone’s shift that didn’t show up. :( So I caught up on a few blogs and tried to think about what we could have for supper! Scouring through my cupboards & fridge I found these few things and decided to combine them with some baked chicken breasts for Chicken Parmesan!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJF3EfytU03zmCKLmsujuZwO7cavHb9uHCw_DXHowSWWnPN3KDqmSrQQnBkrEiGkPglAYyeFC3wjUaWoypqez46ispLwPoGqDmoe6v4SkbWoI1dOo9Nf2fdWrT3ZIMm6hpgS_HS5uF3UH/s1600-h/DSC05726%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05726" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoaUKjo-YcXUPm2JPMYLt0iQ-G8Qv4aJPydoQejVUPB6XxuhtZnaRB3PbliMJnJT1EyQfAIq6mA0unkFYVq-pAYQoa2gv90U2N69j0xD_w_NPbCwbVgwbzkSTCrsu2h2gth9ct3AF94Qd/?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="DSC05726" width="404" /></a></p> <p>While everything was cooking, Kyle got home from work! We sipped on some <strong>hot chocolate</strong> (25 cal and <strong>0 points</strong>!) while talking about our days and decided to stay the <strong>night in</strong>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYKdCJw5iRRPvIMFdinc73Ya38sXQ2lROVbwrjQWTnt5jUlPM_2z2kBKtkdW-im1mkiurM_f3zZF3ALUsSqzSzLA04cW3gwopzEw-jKnuQrJfKi2tOCnOKIYPAeLImLmiPi2Jew7mUcrV/s1600-h/DSC05723%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05723" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe1b6CB6kaGVgUNQdOA3Q9a1KWUA_T7WdLhC7ibF3Xxy-eGw6xkyqFasgisRXfLWtxLeT_sRGS9uqdTxTqpRmsK6lWlC8IeqLUGUpG8DkX9qApSErWICbCfuxKzJ-PT1E97bGnyZ6DlnV/?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="DSC05723" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My plate included <strong>2 oz whole wheat pasta</strong>,<strong> 1/2 c sauce</strong>, <strong>1/4 c shredded mozzarella</strong>, and <strong>3 oz chicken</strong>, totaling <strong>8 points</strong>. I didn’t end up eating this <strong>enormous</strong> serving so I am counting it for <strong>6 points</strong>. I also had a side of <strong>green beans</strong> for <strong>0 points</strong>. <img alt="DSC05724" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZu26bhNaffxDawRWBunfw9i6b-aFtbzDxHCmLmiKOFihKbImiXw7rGyaw2k1AvEsD7ITjlfX9MisgI7Qp7-Q-kQpIZFS9BF9sSH-b2eUZNm5hNHHWX_bI_o7Wdfk0fQewdLZqAkqbWypt/?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="DSC05724" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05725" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGz_RfUdTJ2yrms3B6ExFABPW0hPN8Qn0X3kYzGlKQ4aSN6kfT3WVhW7BGffXCmJCO0SfnFb-LdBwtgGbhCdR_jdIlLRyTlPG9cgaJVCcVuONxAmyRr4beaSi-oMayYem-HpSXwXVdQNu/?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="DSC05725" width="404" /></p> <p>It’s now after 10:30 and I’m exhausted! 6 day/75+ hour work week will do that to you! Just glad that it’s done! :) Hope everyone had a great Friday! </p> <p>Any big plans on the agenda for your weekend? I am get to see 3 different close friends (at 3 different times!) I haven’t seen a while, can’t wait! </p> <p><strong>FRIDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 17/24 <br />WATER = 116 oz <br />EXERCISE = 32 min run/walk</p>

Finally Friday!

I started by day out early once again and hit the gym! I got in a 32 minute run/walk . I walked about 2 minutes for a warm up, 2 minutes in ...

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HAITIAN RAIN<br /><br />The Haitian rain<br /> falls heavy.<br />Birds sing to it<br /> songs in strange bird tongues.<br />By the merest glint<br /> of light,<br /> the lonely curiosity<br /> of the alien,<br /> understands these birds<br /> better than<br /> the people.<br /><br /><br /> HAITIAN LIGHT<br /><br />Haitian light<br /> so other<br /> than<br />Iona’s, Delphi’s, Nova Scotia’s.<br />Softish here the light<br /> and languid.<br />Light’s difference<br /> does not look<br /> different.<br />It others how<br /> all things appear.<br />I would be changed<br /> by a vision<br /> – not something seen –<br /> but a way of seeing.<br /><br /><br /><br />GENERATIONS<br /><br />Les Beaux remote<br /> mountain village.<br />The church concrete<br /> & cinder block.<br /><br />Guilene, in yellow<br /> skirt and top<br /> neatly pressed<br /> and grey New York baseball cap<br /> over tight black ringlets,<br /> may someday be Haiti’s second<br /> woman priest.<br /><br />But now, bent double,<br /> in her Sunday best,<br /> she mops the church floor<br /> with a towel,<br /> pulling outside<br /> last night’s rain.<br /><br /> And now<br /> she sits<br /> beside her mother<br /> in plaid suit<br /> and scarf<br /> yellow, black, purple,<br /> blue, & orange<br /> knotted at the top.<br /><br />They are waiting<br /> for something<br /> to begin.

HAITIAN RAIN The Haitian rain falls heavy. Birds sing to it songs in strange bird tongues. By the merest glint ...

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S'informer sur le statut d'auto-entrepreneur

<BR><br />A l'occasion d'une journée "portes ouvertes", la <strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de gestion d'Orléans</a></strong> organise deux ateliers sur le statut d'auto-entrepreneur le <strong>mardi 19 janvier 2010</strong> :<ul><br /><li>à 10h30 et 14h30<br /><li>7 rue des Lavandières - Orléans.</ul><br />Parallèlement, une journée complète sera consacrée à ce statut récent lors de l'<strong>université des auto-entrepreneurs</strong> qui se tiendra le <strong>vendredi 22 janvier 2010</strong> à l'Ecole de commerce et de gestion d'Orléans - 17 boulevard de Châteaudun - Orléans.<br /><br />Toutes les places pour l'Université des auto-entrepreneurs ont été réservées, mais il est possible de s'inscrire sur liste d'attente. Renseignements sur le site <a href="http://www.universite-auto-entrepreneurs.com/" TARGET = "_blank">www.universite-auto-entrepreneurs.com/</a>.<br /><BR>

S'informer sur le statut d'auto-entrepreneur

A l'occasion d'une journée "portes ouvertes", la Boutique de gestion d'Orléans organise deux ateliers sur le statut d...

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On the seventh day...

<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9r2_Xk4L9_9278Ca0m1RZ5rn1NLisK4JRM51QGMNXQLIP2TYCJzSMWqXuujzx76XrxIurHIRi9f1njvt6UUHMiADNiCSysMZVyuiYwKlKuadZosq7p0yi5YcqDQVekpgQL4S9ciM282ve/s1600-h/Disney-7-dwarfs.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426850098228246210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9r2_Xk4L9_9278Ca0m1RZ5rn1NLisK4JRM51QGMNXQLIP2TYCJzSMWqXuujzx76XrxIurHIRi9f1njvt6UUHMiADNiCSysMZVyuiYwKlKuadZosq7p0yi5YcqDQVekpgQL4S9ciM282ve/s400/Disney-7-dwarfs.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 152px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />Today is my seventh binge-free day. It's a miracle.<br /><br />I've eaten within my Points limit and tracked every bite.<br /><br />It's been months since I've had a week like this one.<br /><br />It wasn't a white-knuckle week like the weeks I've had in the past several months. I didn't have horrible cravings where I wanted to eat all the time. The cravings are gone. Honestly, it feels like a miracle.<br /><br />These are things I think help make this a good week :<br /><br />1.) I changed what I'm eating. I'm avoiding as many processed foods as possible and eating as many of the "filling" foods as possible. I've broken off my relationship with Weight Watchers ice cream bars, Skinny Cows and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dreyer's</span> fruit bars. They are no longer my friends and are not welcome in my home.<br /><br />2. ) I've tracked all my food in the online Weight Watcher journal. My Weight Watcher leader told us last week that is the number one thing that will make a difference in your weight loss.<br /><br />3.) I've been eating a lot of the what Weight Watcher calls filling foods. The ones that have the little green diamonds next to them in the food tracker. These are whole grains, whole foods, not processed junk. These foods make me feel fuller for a longer period of time. I realize I just said this in #1 but I can't emphasize it enough. This has changed my life.<br /><br />4. ) As much as this gives me a big pain in the butt, I've been following the Healthy Eight Eating Guidelines. I save the healthy oil and at least one dairy to have with my evening meal. This helps satisfy me and keep me full throughout the evening.<br /><br />5. ) The absolutely amazing support of the blogging community. Without you guys, I'm sure I would have totally given up a long time ago. You make a huge difference in my life. I can't even begin to thank you for all your support and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">constantly</span> cheering me on.<br /><br />6. ) You knew this one was coming...."The end of overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite" by David <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kessler</span>, MD. The cognitive behavioral therapy in this book has worked wonders for me. I know it won't work for everyone, but I guess I found my magic bullet. Okay, it's not really magic. I have to do all the work, but it provides me the tools to use to avoid binging and overeating.<br /><br />Learning to say "no" to myself is something I didn't even think was possible.<br /><br />I realize it's only been seven days, but I feel full of hope and excitement for what the future holds. I don't fear it anymore. I will not wind up a contestant on the Biggest Loser.<br /><br />The guidelines (in case you forget them):</p><p>5 servings of fruits & veggies<br />2 servings of milk products - 3 servings if you're over 50<br />6 glasses of "liquids"<br />2 tsp healthy oils<br />1-2 servings of lean protein<br />1 multivitamin a day<br />Choose Whole Grains when possible<br />At least 30 minutes of activity a day most days of the week<br />Limit sugar and alcohol</p>

On the seventh day...

Today is my seventh binge-free day. It's a miracle. I've eaten within my Points limit and tracked every bite. It's been months s...

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The Challenge is STILL On!

<p>Today I <strong>HAD</strong> to get up to go to the gym. I met a friend at a tire place to drop off her vehicle. Then we were going to workout together, so I had no choice! The alarm went off at 5:20 and <strong>hopped right out of bed</strong> excited to hit the gym. I picked her up and then got in a <strong>45 minute</strong> sweat session on the <strong>cross ramp</strong>! Boy could I tell I hadn’t worked out in a while, my legs were weak! </p> <p>I made breakfast at work. Similar to <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010starting-again.html">yesterday</a>, except today I used regular PB2 and found out I think I like the chocolate PB2 better in my oatmeal! So breakfast was a total of <strong>4 points</strong>, super delish!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6oUol3KBpaq-2MLKb-p5UJFUCKouxqDhCAd3Pt5yiL54Jq1cAFLYUTeyjgVWxOpDEAVHHsVqFBwCibCH9iuPQxPPo__SrklIGPm_mhKx3HGp_7cDmrojvfjG-TN1gduKrvuGCGUZ3Yw4/s1600-h/DSC05705%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05705" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkVi0kxlP_q487Ar8YXfiOZIU7EFCQCYy1WBxRYHncE73MhdIznxQZ2W3Omx_2b9mNbN-s0Njl1KVkmUr_Pb7eydB-tOGRz49Fhyphenhyphen7TdG2M_DQwUtqfehfq2iARTyGUuTy2AxA3vj9rjfA/?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="DSC05705" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Work is still pretty busy, but definitely getting better! Late morning I had a snack of <strong>1 cup</strong> of <strong>grapes</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLsE9rH4Zizj7sfbgjJ-GcXHokskUv_5llCQwAqkkVSZY5hnwfWzDaIK9BvzaxDKIWcaar-5k_j20FxZ4ghAVNKs5d276QDVHXdkjYzFmk_3_qcXBtyWz8TYHWjd820vrwSrMZtotxtgl/s1600-h/DSC05706%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05706" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3djRKsv2A9vfCv1Kf2yntRAHfRqu6jaENXjWLlgorzUgdhFPIPvXUid9mbc9IHvyhh914Ul0YPLEEGXQbpwYfvywKXwHB6F2vleQLdGYgDeHGHkz3kJDNcJxiTlcWdIhDKFJQ_hoYDOR/?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="DSC05706" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Lunch was a quick one today. I warmed up a <strong>“Smart One’s”</strong> for an  fast and easy <strong>5 points </strong>meal. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkb0YVQlkggEsaKWgY4yOEVjg_wVL5-r5dxlDjth7xMTxdQf_txD9s0IYjqzYmi1fZGEOqErTNVoCzY8mUCekCfXhp44HGHo_n0_QGMtVwTxEsGsAejQaaHmiJm3-JLOeJbMn57xCGey4h/s1600-h/DSC05707%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05707" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTQxU-GnbhPI0yYLD9HfCjEpKfPagR-mwTH_L4_BYAKwqugqERC5tMshdNLHH1KXQm4Tp4EcTczXGVXmHuKfoL7TR3INpsq9kdRlWLZx5GXB8qNSGFUAjNHYcv5GwHhc4qnYvkPesdJvt/?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="DSC05707" width="404" /></a></p> <p>While I was eating I checked out a few of my fav blogs! And I also updated my stats on my side bar to the left. Unfortunately I am heavier than when I started the <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/12/sister-challenge-is-on.html">“Sister Challenge”</a> back in December. But one good thing for me (not for my sisters tho) is that none of my sisters have met their 8% either…so technically the challenge is still on! I <strong>WANT</strong> to win…and obviously not for the cash, but to feel better! Ultimately though I really would like to be 150….24.5 pounds…I can do this!!!</p> <p>Around 5pm I grabbed this to give me a little extra energy that I needed to finish up my day at work! It was<strong> just ok</strong>. When I stopped at the store this morning I was hoping to find a <strong>Cherry Coke Zero</strong>, but they didn’t have any. :( Then I thought I would get a Diet Cherry Pepsi and they didn’t even carry that, so I had to settle for this! But it was the caffeine/<strong>0 point</strong> snack I needed to get a few extra hours of work in!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2L3usbf1EYWKxyTFKfCr7-jkLwnWrmZ4GCD6oBjYUtAN9izeXJ038oFnVL0agDDdb_jKIK69GGbbDn_8Z3Eho3arRpg7_2clvqkVxnDEybhBWNtkSnQWXgUJ_sNpARuC8j31a-AiLqiqu/s1600-h/DSC05708%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05708" border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Nop4QriWiAuKeWtWFEvPM8XQSFo9R_XztjQTVgClRGL1a1rtSbrKWRx5wtjfEJVpprZhbwnlsy4x1HN4QfQqM7itvpzA1hEIO6Cq42yFqG_OPB8_B8xp0yBTlEx3PbVccljaChuj2CS1/?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="DSC05708" width="360" /></a></p> <p>I worked till about 6ish and then decided I needed to call it a day. Kyle was off work today so I figured maybe we could get some cuddle couch time in!! ;) And can I say that I have a <strong>wonderful man</strong>, he had the house spotless when I got home, thanks baby!!</p> <p>I knew I wanted to get some veggies in for supper since the serving amount of broccoli in my lunch was pretty pitiful! So I had a <strong>generous</strong> serving of <strong>steamed cauliflower</strong>, an <strong>orange</strong>, and a <strong>chicken salad sandwich w/cheese</strong> (on a whole wheat sandwich thin) for a total of <strong>5 points</strong>. <img alt="DSC05709" border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTKqB-na41pFz_xRaSaYkcOMVsj4GwEYFs7fBYeoBMP93aDDzBq9mb-BwiYdc1Y3jCDv_AhHzw_2YPt5zH-tACcFJmQbzGrO4Eyu5EkLXkJHPWTG0IHrxvc9yVgYS4G4JoF-V56n0QWkj/?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="DSC05709" width="265" /><img alt="DSC05710" border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUv87vfQTsKy-99dpHG49kMhxupbJhYWiSxRU7Xq-sYz3ywKV6bzF1-D2-PA9pascAD_ZU-qqKaB5Otx60DDTcl08nkjY-91ibZHrF0Ggm-xyOcPqqBuM-fhr_MFOCiHyUcH0wQH_IjSke/?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="DSC05710" width="265" /><img alt="DSC05711" border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhic6_uOhVHxmFgQWSZukaHy_8nN5YPwVIwNMXds1-4gt4Pn5oavKN4z0g7-SWfHEQjZIoDt1I0hXk4DgGVGEQV_E3T9nvl1U2XVpWxpuAXIf4lAQmvwyqvCe9cg9OINlHLC92VWR78Ow4T/?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="DSC05711" width="265" /></p> <p>I was adding my daily points and it only came to 15 after my supper tonight so I knew I needed to <strong>get something else in</strong> for the day.  Searching through the fridge and freezer I remembered all the <strong>wonderful smoothies</strong> I had all summer long and decided to make one…even though it isn’t summer! I used <strong>1+ cup of frozen mixed berries</strong>, <strong>strawberry yogurt</strong>, and 1<strong>/2 c skim milk</strong> (not pictured)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FHHsCRvGTR9QtzxhEPsLZBwLFufOxAH9cZFaPDId1UBWSiElpmKGjB861bXcPrLqlruJgfS5MECkSAcmQBT6HVHPyJXOzpwAyOUmywa6i3HSYZDP7KVJI3_KKT1-0gLwuN0rPOParct5/s1600-h/DSC057182.jpg"><strong>. </strong></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuJWj_eOfrz_AghOg6OunfPMexnRq5_ir09TPDoauFwrqQsF2_np6TbVpzI4xiJjDDTwo_nHul61Ch6W0baWDUzF8Qpkjuc0p2s0j2SroHZVNoW1_Wy3wkdWvthWw3Z1L6iuJPt6niKhS/s1600-h/DSC05713%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05713" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Uia4L78s89dMb2dqw8tEid4mUdGZVY9NuID71QJBrYcsYh-IyE3NwmS7fXYDxulO3TYi3RouKnDvtxfma4Ud9AcIiLkVT1ZdDZYJ5CQdvTcUIFaXJUffbd9mcCmi26GBAP0xp9sBWgEI/?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="DSC05713" width="404" /></a><img alt="DSC05717" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfVlV-OzIO-3TrxQtxseHOHBuYAnNOxTmEBCiXzBAuMPke_6vwWT65zDgx8q8cQ80sDsJs-LcDD-BJIZxzQG7ta2vkyChPdAdmz6Q0ZNcGjw9wm7rEhFICOcytnWZcX4ObiiNZIIyDFMm/?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="DSC05717" width="304" /></p> <p align="center">And <strong>voila</strong>, here is my perfectly purple smoothie for<strong> 3 points</strong>!<img alt="DSC05718" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KrCctYva4bxRYpxzUysSjgCupljbeapoAF5hvlIKe0AvZDS-2GjI7km4UuK2ATLP0aCvuf12CoaGu0ywKsaQI21AhN9SNhkDE-EPr81XH5bFUJev_vaSY62ty-KgJYoUKtfdWesl6dvQ/?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="DSC05718" width="404" /></a></a></p> <p>So now I’m sipping on my smoothie with the hubs watching CSI thinking about hitting the hay fairly soon so I’m ready for another great day!</p> <p>Tomorrow’s TGIF!!!</p> <p>G’nite all!</p> <p><strong>THURSDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 18/24 <br />WATER = 116 oz <br />EXERCISE = 45 minute cross ramp</p>

The Challenge is STILL On!

Today I HAD to get up to go to the gym. I met a friend at a tire place to drop off her vehicle. Then we were going to workout together, so ...

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Socio-Theological Reflection On Hats

This is probably over due. It is one of the few issues on which people have seemed genuinely interested in my views. I have sidestepped the question until now. However something has happened that makes this issue so central to my episcopacy, if not my life, that I can no longer remain silent.<br /><br />I recently changed my profile pic on FaceBook and the responses have been favorable. Every single person who likes the new pic has said it is because of the hat -- a soft wool Western hat (a Scala classico) which I got in Salt Lake 2 years ago. I gather the pro-pic folks prefer this hat to the church baseball cap which I wore in my old pic (as still seen on this blog).<br /><br />During the bishop election in 07, I inadvertently created a stir in the diocese by wearing a hat in the profile pic for the candidates. My hat was for some a decisive factor in their discernment. Generally, it seems to have played pretty well in the rurals, to have been an acceptable eccentricity in Reno, but to have been controversial if not downright offensive in Las Vegas. One clergy person interrogated me at some length as to what I was trying to say with my hat or if there was a psychopathlogy concealed beneath it.<br /><br />The hat, by the way, was a standard white summer straw hat such as I see in stores all over Las Vegas. Some of the hat's critcs called it a Panama Hat. Not true. The Panama Hat is a perfectly respectable style, but I do not now and have never owned one.<br /><br />So here's the story on that hat. I was told by the search committee to wear "street clericals" for the pic and when I am on the street I wear a hat. The reasons are not subtle or complex. I have been bald for decades and without the hat I would be having cancers dug out of my scalp monthly. The only thought that went through my mind as I decided, in the blink of an eye, about wearing a hat in the picture is that it would cut down on the glare from my head. I was concerned that the glare would suggest a halo and so unfairly disadvantage the other candidates who did not have halos.<br /><br />So I was surprised and remain perplexed by the interest in my hat. My sense of the spiritual incidental-ness of hats goes back to an anti-racsim public service announcement in the 60's. Richard Boone (Paladin from Have Gun Will Tavel) appeared on camera holding two hats, one white and one black. He said television used hat colors in westerns to distinguish good guys from bad guys, but in real life we sould never judge a person by the color of his hat!<br /><br />That is obviously true. Hat color tells us nothing about a person. It is the style of the band, the height of the crown, and the strategic tilt of the brim that are the measure of character.<br /><br />Since my first months in Nevada, like St. Paul I have been learning to be all things to all people in the hope that I may bring a few to the gospel. I have learned to wear a black fedora in Las Vegas, and never a Stetson, except at one congreation where the DOK demands the Stetson. In Elko the Stetson always. In Reno, hats suggestive of down jacketed proximity to California. At House of Bishops, usually the Episcopal Chaplain baseball cap, except sometimes I wear my Pioche Nevada baseball cap because it's fun listening to the other bishops try to pronounce Pioche when they ask me what it is.<br /><br />Oh yes, I was also surprised that anyone would be concerned about a bishop's propensity to wear odd hats, given the eccentricity of the mitre. I started out wearing a plain humble Beckett mitre but that was met by groans of dissatisfaction. So now I usually wear the "higher mitre" of medieval pomposity -- the one worn by the pompous clergyman in Princess Bride. (It makes me want to say "Mawiage. Cwistian mawiage." The bands in the back flop around my face making me feel like Jar Jar Binks in church). That seems to better meet expectations, but I would still like to have a mitre with showgirl feathers (of seasonally appropriate liturgical colors of course) for special occasions -- such as diocesan conventions when we meet in a casino.

Socio-Theological Reflection On Hats

This is probably over due. It is one of the few issues on which people have seemed genuinely interested in my views. I have sidestepped the ...

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2010…starting again!

<p>How many times can I say this?  Well I did it <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/09/long-time-wno-blogging-weight-gain.html">here</a> in September and then again <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/12/sister-challenge-is-on.html">here</a> last month. And third times a charm right?!?!</p> <p align="center">Here is what I say:</p> <p align="center"><font size="5"><strong>I will start again as many times as it takes to get to my goal!!</strong></font></p> <p align="left">I’m not sure I can pin point what triggered this start; could be that my size 10 pants are getting <strong>quite snug</strong>, could be that swim suit Victoria’s Secret <strong>catalog</strong> that came in the mail yesterday, could be that I am just not feeling as good about myself physically as I was <strong>last summer</strong>…I think it might be all of the above and probably <strong>more</strong> reasons! Good thing is that <strong><u>I am back</u></strong>! So here is a recap of my day:</p> <p align="left">I started out my morning eating a wonderful breakfast with Kyle before we both went to work. I had <strong>oatmeal w/chocolate PB2</strong>, and a <strong>small banana</strong> for a total of <strong>4 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1U-feGydHo02F0ini3yg3tQTsyU2_EMTo-3fLIb530Ff8zDfs41Ls9fLRlZiCulrjYupIzQl6FsjO22XvITrjNbryTVg4e7tEVrJOheGOKjyeIAAa_LAF5-MqlxX_fuDqgPt6sG5SvP1d/s1600-h/DSC05697%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05697" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31ivX7cTHSvAeiTBkXxkqXcnnNOPgy6GhIC1qy_Pi5VCnBX2q2NQQKgu31rnk7DfMhCPRyEdU1M17LDQtjPf39MMvg6kaJeaizk4d3TUsibSDJ0wLQ7daXuiPsknkrgA5XtN1tC84XQyT/?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="DSC05697" width="404" /></a></p> <p align="left">Today was the first day of spring classes so my office was flooded with students full of questions for me and my staff! One thing for sure is that it makes my day go VERY fast when I’m busy like that! Around 10am I ate just <strong>6</strong> of these little guys, <strong>peanut butter filled pretzels</strong> for <strong>2 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TukZwTXrw65N3WLKLrXfRWapmHjxas-SGHucM_VJGdKzob9XthDcPj-8NcPHf-SjzaxriYNncWp8-VBbEoJleU7aP6xNm-T4chF1Sy5uB0pKWM5Hemn1ImLDlhjaSHoX12bupzeyCr4n/s1600-h/DSC05698%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05698" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmcu1666X6OqlGwF876Uu2YKvZEgWiKOs8PnWtNGsHeYK1xCl01Qz0BVRujt9Q5f9fkjJqVMCpquweWh1I6SVb4ilrvHgulv7_6SGGWfOdFkiD6wWW-ZgblfQZ49TFriK2I2iamFiKoOi/?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="DSC05698" width="404" /></a></p> <p align="left">And since we were so busy I didn’t get to take lunch at a regular time so I snacked on a serving of <strong>animal crackers</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong> to hold me over until I could get time to eat lunch. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xWfGgsrwW9X-OQcgBxDU0c_tqJBfK4Y20lJp7hl14ugFdGGurbLowS_SQNj2bzI_6qBS-kDA9ZWdJ6kJI8hpRvWUTWr6JpV1-DviGbrpG2PWGdLkQmDK2j1SSB42vmdpA0eM1LipY3JD/s1600-h/DSC05699%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05699" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_DFJBWTGW4wnygLd1Uf5x2c0C1AbVKnn-y2X8PD4W8Zt0KB4dPNtWQKQltAqz4zmygoUxSXwlLz8Z01QYu4c2nHxhQ8CUcUiZkGiZWjANpIXiqBWBzdA9Q3Ah9ghizno66-_mZDP0klN/?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="DSC05699" width="404" /></a></p> <p align="left">A little after 2 I finally got a chance to shut my door and eat my lunch quick. I had an <strong>apple</strong>, <strong>ham</strong>, <strong>turkey</strong>, & <strong>cheese</strong> <strong>wrap</strong>, and a <strong>dole fruit gel cup</strong> for a total of <strong>5 points</strong>. <img alt="DSC05700" border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvqP4X3GZPp553IU-ZsPCkhpY37nXxXjjwJbyDyEsqZF8HKXylZ3lVhVSEXl7Uu13PdnmmevvDZRsGwEfJQudng3SFtFd3GfC8e0Jje6YcFC6tl2iBGlBbb9cwXIyNUGOQcSDrTAQCrmf/?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="DSC05700" width="264" /><img alt="DSC05701" border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuTqd1iXSBS_iBJa7lhfaZGAD-A1Kv1f6TP7Yy0GKsuwMXQNU4YUw4O23ygBWJiCPE2rsZz-4OLIqLsiIrN3GiotAhndCZQWsbzwV0A5CHenhCfwpwaTXeGt2Gu7iUIVwKMYCmmaSnuDL/?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="DSC05701" width="264" /><img alt="DSC05702" border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5H-7TaOptWltYGZZT1M_eu9FPdAeyN_vS6u2muPPnosfBuDs4ZHHNJgaj1EvTsjsYz2cYDXlTMLtjMP7adUqh0zZac5_vxkvnird1kTqRmgWFU8FIpidZMFjxuAi12y4sWc_mbLyeBc-/?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="DSC05702" width="264" /></p> <p align="left">I worked till about 7:30 tonight when Kyle called and said he was on his way home too. I ran a few errands came home to find Kyle with supper for me! He wasn’t fully aware that I was <strong>“back” </strong>so he brought me home a 5 pc chicken nugget. I looked up the points and tracked it before I ate it! The <strong>5 chicken nuggets</strong> came to <strong>6 points</strong> and then <strong>1 point</strong> for the <strong>bbq sauce</strong>. Not the supper I had in mind, but I’m giving myself credit for tracking it!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_e0t_R-rbZk90GZBf7c1mpnTJmBH0kpN1YDY8dmxmdkWS0I3iKWfgn0tSU1Rp6qtcDj3ImSBygOn84f1uGyCaA5bG-HNDKVwsXwJf4aOA_gR7yeoIcKa3KoAIjLFzd0vWwPiK41saJKIL/s1600-h/DSC05703%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05703" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WL0xpGT6tu47o0BtRVzc3oOOwFnhZ7cIdp4uH3GgO_ABqJ0uSViWX26aauKo6Po5GLCH6DZTVhoG-8_Jv44_0c8qtiSgn4cGKBg8w8UIQDsQdUKXrT11LqXAWbHJkvvwm5z7JWSEWcap/?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="DSC05703" width="404" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>So there you have it, my first day back! I’m hoping I have many more OP days to follow! Can’t wait to catch up with everyone!</p> <p><strong>WEDNESDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 21/24 <br />WATER = 120 oz <br />EXERCISE = none today</p>

2010…starting again!

How many times can I say this?  Well I did it here in September and then again here last month. And third times a charm right?!?! Here i...

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For me, really?!

I love <a href="http://wwbruise.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Amber</a>. She's sweet, kind, supportive and has a really quirky sense of humor that makes me laugh out loud on a daily basis. I consider her one of my best blogger friends.<br /><br />So why did she do this to me? Award me the Beautiful Blogger award. I kind of don't like awards, because they make me feel like a dork. I don't feel good enough or smart enough or interesting enough to get an award. I don't feel worthy.<br /><br />That's why I usually pretend I don't see them when someone gives me one. I know, that's kind of rude of me. I mean, someone thinks they're doing a nice thing, then I ignore it. So in my efforts to be a nicer person this year, I'm accepting this award from Amber. Thank you Amber. I think you're a beautiful blogger too!<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dmqvjAmxuIA9sRgk9RukS1h8gIIQmqKAn6K5adh3XbZYS3BcUnE_Q-mTvD-hJTZvhpOwJLBXWP9KB47F7AXII_aHitigF8spzEZrLsCZ8H-K0rfnhzEycqh5ZXsNGyz7YH-ueGQxfEMO/s1600-h/Beautiful_Blogger_Award.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426090068497613506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dmqvjAmxuIA9sRgk9RukS1h8gIIQmqKAn6K5adh3XbZYS3BcUnE_Q-mTvD-hJTZvhpOwJLBXWP9KB47F7AXII_aHitigF8spzEZrLsCZ8H-K0rfnhzEycqh5ZXsNGyz7YH-ueGQxfEMO/s400/Beautiful_Blogger_Award.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 179px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 179px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />Of course, there's always a condition with these awards. Something you have to do, in this case, I'm suppose to tell seven things about myself. That right there almost caused me to ignore this award. I read Amber's list and thought Dang! She's so fascinating and interesting. What am I going to say about myself that anyone would ever want to read? I pretty much spill my guts on here on a daily basis. There's really not much you don't already know about me.<br /><br />So I'm doing something different. Instead of seven boring facts about me, how about what I've learned about losing weight (and of lot of it I learned this last week...believe it or not).<br /><br />1. Buying a weight loss self-help book isn't going to help me lose weight. Buying a weight loss self-help book and just reading it isn't going to help me lose weight. Buying a weight loss self-help book, reading it, studying it and actually doing what they suggest will help me lose weight.<br /><br />2. It's not necessary to work out two hours a day, seven days a week. In fact, it's a little insane. I can work out five days a week, one hour a day and still lose weight.<br /><br />3. As a woman, I need to be careful when I lift weights. It really isn't necessary to lift two 25-pound dumbbells over my head 24 times (three sets of eight). I can and have hurt myself. On the other hand, lifting 5-pound dumbbells is a waste of time. Heavier is better, too heavy is bad.<br /><br />4. The Weight Watcher Healthy Eating Guidelines will help me lose weight if I follow them. They won't help me lose weight if I just think about them and are afraid to "waste" Points on things like healthy oil and milk. I need to just "waste" the Points because it will help me lose weight.<br /><br />5. I can say 'no' to myself. I can tell myself to shut up. I can tell myself to not think about certain things and redirect my thoughts. I can listen to myself and follow my own advice. (who knew?!)<br /><br />6. I will not starve to death if I go to bed slightly hungry.<br /><br />7. I will not gain weight if I eat a healthy low-Point snack at 11pm and then go to sleep. In fact, I will avert a binge and actually lose weight.<br /><br />8. Attending Weight Watcher meetings is not optional. Tracking my food is not optional.<br /><br />9. Food will give me only momentary satisfaction. Then I'll want more food and even more. It's just food. It isn't love or comfort or entertainment. It won't make me happy, except maybe for a brief moment...then it will make me sad. It won't solve any of the problems in my life.<br /><br />10. I have to believe in myself, believe that I can lose weight permanently. No one can "fix" me except for me. It's my life, my body, my choice. I can't blame anyone else for the food I eat. No one is holding a gun to my head and making me eat. Ultimately, it really is all up to me.<br /><br />Now for my chosen 7 (I actually could have come up with 70---I read a lot of blogs and love them all!).<br /><br />1. <a href="http://tonysdietlog.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Tony the Pink Panda</a><br />2. <a href="http://bbubblyb.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Dawn</a><br />3. <a href="http://poundsforprom.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Kelly!</a><br />4. <a href="http://mepschronicles.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Mary</a><br />5. <a href="http://gravelandrust.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Roxie</a><br />6. <a href="http://doingaone-eighty.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Helen</a><br />7. <a href="http://losingmyself2.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Ida</a><br />8. <a href="http://thinfor30.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Sarah</a><br />9. <a href="http://ronmichel.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Ron</a><br />10. <a href="http://55aliveandlosingit.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Graciela</a><br /><br />I know, there are more than seven. If I had the time, there would be even more.</p>

For me, really?!

I love Amber . She's sweet, kind, supportive and has a really quirky sense of humor that makes me laugh out loud on a daily basis. I con...

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Still on fire

It's 10:18pm. I'm just about ready to go to bed and sleep. Tomorrow I have my workout in the morning, work all day, and then <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kundalini</span> yoga at night .<br /><br />I almost hesitate to write about not binging. It's like I'm afraid I'm going to jinx myself and totally screw up. I can't remember the last time I was "clean and sober" for four straight days. Although even if I do mess up, I know it'll be okay.<br /><br />"The end of overeating" Chapter 44, Avoiding Traps: On obsession and Relapse<br />(page 231)<br /><br />"Some people find it especially hard to stay in control when they are the highest end of their weight spectrum--at that point, the goal of a weight loss may just seem too remote to be achieved. For others, the greatest challenge comes after reaching their, when they recognize that their struggle will never be completely over and that the battle with conditioned <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">hypereating</span> is lifelong. Accepting those realities helps to keep you vigilant. Keeping relapse at bay is not about being strong enough to beat the temptation of eating stimulating food, but about being smart enough to deal with it."<br /><br />When I was 240 pounds I just couldn't seem to get my head in the right place to actually try to lose weight. I'd think about it every day, sometimes every waking moment of every day. I remember how difficult it was to even start trying to lose weight.<br /><br />When I finally did get <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">thisclose</span></em> to my goal weight, I wasn't vigilant. I wasn't being smart on how I handled the "cue-urge-reward" habit cycle. I have tools now, I'm ready for it if my brain tries to take me to places I don't want to go.<br /><br />I'm right on with the tracking ALL my food (four days!), trying my best to meet the Good Health Guidelines (Lord help with this one, it's almost impossible!). In other words, I'm on fire!<br /><br /><strong>Food, Inc.</strong><br />We watched Food, Inc. last night. Actually, my husband watched it. I had to go into a different room halfway through the movie. I was so incredibly angry watching it that it made me intensely uncomfortable, mentally and physically.<br /><br />I'm not going to review the Food, Inc. since I'm sure there are hundreds of great reviews out there already. Most people have probably already seen it.<br /><br />If you haven't seen it, I strongly advise you to watch it. There's a lot of very horrifying information about the food industry and our food chain. I had already read a lot about this in Michael <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Pollan's</span> book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma". Seeing the visuals that the book is based upon literally made me <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">nauseous</span>.<br /><br />If you see this movie, you'll never look at your food the same again. Great educational movie but highly disturbing.<br /><br /><em>Update at 5:15am Tuesday, 1/12: I made it through the night without binging. It's 5:15am and just getting ready to head out to the gym. I didn't even have a snack last night and only 21 Points all day. I didn't have to fight myself over wanting to eat. It's such a weird feeling not to have that huge fear of overeating. It's like a giant weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Today is day five. :)</em>

Still on fire

It's 10:18pm. I'm just about ready to go to bed and sleep. Tomorrow I have my workout in the morning, work all day, and then Kundali...

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Just say no!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY94aTE5Yu3Mw-8WFm3wmuikQtp4O_hzRjjFPaXWUOJETXRBSzuVV346eKiqG_mvSttqOkQ2KD8gKqAbJZApugOR_xDkHNwn0OawX1OwX-7oWwc8Nigu_aCcjOnp6outFwRLM0sMchqV-j/s1600-h/just+say+no.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425346838732911250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY94aTE5Yu3Mw-8WFm3wmuikQtp4O_hzRjjFPaXWUOJETXRBSzuVV346eKiqG_mvSttqOkQ2KD8gKqAbJZApugOR_xDkHNwn0OawX1OwX-7oWwc8Nigu_aCcjOnp6outFwRLM0sMchqV-j/s400/just+say+no.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 215px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />Tonight I tried some cognitive behavioral therapy on myself. I'm surprised how well it worked.<br /><br />Earlier tonight I had eaten a nice dinner of a chicken breast with spicy barbecue sauce, roasted Brussels sprouts with olive oil and sea salt (my favorite), and a cup of milk (I'm really working on trying to get the Healthy Eight).<br /><br />I have a planned snack for later of fresh pineapple and yogurt. My plan is to eat this snack at 11pm, my normal bewitching hour, but only if I'm hungry. I want to be prepared to stop a binge if all my resolve falls apart. I've had two good nights, I'm going for three.<br /><br />After dinner I was reading some blogs and saw someone had a Kashi granola bar for a snack. It reminded me of the nut & fruit bars we bought a few months ago at Costco. They're mostly nuts and seeds, with a little dried fruit. They're delicious but very high in calories and fat (6 Points each). Earlier today I saw my husband eating one. I remembered how good they tasted. I was leaving for the gym and didn't give it another thought. Until I read about the blogger's Kashi bar.<br /><br />My mind immediately started thinking about the nut & fruit bars, how good they tasted. I thought one would really be good right now. It would kind of be like a dessert since they're a little sweet, and I love nuts. I thought maybe I'll have one. Forget about trying to lose weight, I feel like having one right now.<br /><br />Then I remembered reading this in "The end of overeating" (pg. 182):<br /><br />"Effective intervention draws us away from the conditioning power of a stimulus before it triggers its usual response. It reminds us that it's possible to say no. Intervention begins with knowledge that we have a moment of choice--<em>but only a moment</em>--to recognize what is about to happen and do something else instead.<br /><br />The cornerstone of treatment for conditioned hypereating is developing the capacity to refuse the cue's invitation to the brain in the first place. That refusal must come early, and it must be definitive. It's only at the very beginning, when the invitation arises that you have any control over it. At that point it's still possible to turn away from the stimulus. Once we get started, a cascade of events--stimulation, response, and more stimulation--is likely to drive behavior."<br /><br />I immediately told myself NO! I'm not screwing up my entire day by eating one of those stupid nut & fruit bars. I don't have the available Points, I don't even like them that much anyway, and I'm not even hungry. I just had dinner. I told myself to stop thinking about it because I wasn't going to happen.<br /><br />I refused the cue, the mental stimuli I had in my head. Instead I had a glass of ice water. Easy to do? Not totally. Impossible? Of course not.<br /><br />I really believe we can retrain ourselves to react differently to food stimuli. The trick is that we have to make a conscious effort to do this. We can't waver, keep thinking about the food, should I eat it, should I not? <br /><br />Just like we'd be assertive with someone that wanted to do something harmful to us, to hurt us, we need to be assertive with ourselves.<br /><br />Shut down the thought process immediately. If it's not something you planned on eating and you don't have the Points for it, think about something else. The immediate and temporary gratification isn't worth it. Just say no to yourself.

Just say no!

Tonight I tried some cognitive behavioral therapy on myself. I'm surprised how well it worked. Earlier tonight I had eaten a nice dinner...

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Why Me Lord?

We had a special service at St. Luke’s today. Instead of the usual Sunday morning liturgy, we used Burial Rite 2 to celebrate the life of Anthony Grino, a leader of Bibak, the Igarot Filipino cultural organization, and the patriarch of that wonderful congregation. The junior warden and members of Anthony’s family gave eulogies. Then Fr. Jeff Adiego (St. Matthew’s) told about his giving last rites to Anthony. Fr. Jeff described how Anthony was completely unresponsive, unable to speak or move. But after the rest of the rite had been performed, Fr. Jeff knelt down to where Anthony could see him without lifting his head, then read the Prologue to John’s Gospel and said, “Anthony do you believe what I just read?” Anthony responded with a strong “I do” – and thereafter did not speak again.<br /><br />After the service we went downstairs for a reception. At my previous visits, we have had drumming and Filipino folk dancing. But this was different. There was a music group of four members of the congregation. The lead singer played guitar with a lot of body movement. He wore a frock length sports coat. Another singer had a Mandalay Bay jacket. The first song was a gospel classic:<br /><br />O Lord you know I have no friend like you.<br />My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.<br />The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door<br />And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.<br /><br />The second song was “Why Me Lord?” Remember Kris Krisofferson.<br /><br />Lord help me Jesus I’ve wasted it<br />So help me Jesus I know what I am<br />Now that I know that I’ve needed you so<br />Help me Jesus my soul’s in your hand.<br /><br />That’s my religion and I am grateful to these good Christians for holding it up for me to see and hear. I feel so blessed by our people.

Why Me Lord?

We had a special service at St. Luke’s today. Instead of the usual Sunday morning liturgy, we used Burial Rite 2 to celebrate the life of An...

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Another night of freedom

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawiSJMW9ziFcwcKgYghjxdHTOhAfbrgay3TR5tNPfqCHhDgEOxIVEzvTzlZgThU0cVmFshpS5b0t1p6blNxXXCgq2mOwUXg4WS8HiLjDK9VE1GZXkt331oQVpTE15doWC7oTD_zMw8tXy/s1600-h/cookie+monster.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425224923539507490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawiSJMW9ziFcwcKgYghjxdHTOhAfbrgay3TR5tNPfqCHhDgEOxIVEzvTzlZgThU0cVmFshpS5b0t1p6blNxXXCgq2mOwUXg4WS8HiLjDK9VE1GZXkt331oQVpTE15doWC7oTD_zMw8tXy/s400/cookie+monster.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 282px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>I'm talking about freedom from the binge monster. I made it through another night without going crazy on food. Two nights in a row. I feel stronger than I've felt in months.<br /><br />Last night I used the tip to have a preplanned snack. I knew I wasn't going to be tired enough to go to bed early and actually sleep, so I allowed for a three-Point snack at 11pm.<br /><br />It was a really simple snack but very filling. One orange, 1/2 of a small apple, one container of Light Vanilla Activia yogurt and 1/2 cup Fiber One (which I haven't eaten in months).<br /><br />I ate my planned snack at 11pm with a big glass of ice water, while I was reading "The end of overeating." It completely satisfied my urge to eat.<br /><br />My total Points for yesterday was 24.5, and I tracked every bite. I'm allowed 22 a day, plus the 35 weeklies (and activity Points which I try not to use, but will if I feel like I really need them). I also managed to get in most of my Healthy Eight, first time in months that I even tried.<br /><br /><strong>The end of overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite<br />by David A. Kessler, Md</strong><br /><br />I recommend this book. I didn't start with Part One, Sugar, Fat, Salt. I also skipped over Part Two, The Food Industry. I already know that sugar, fat and salt are bad for me, and that the food industry is out to get us. I've read the Omnivore's Dilemma, I know what's going on with the food industry, although I did skim this section and he had some new information that was even more disheartening.<br /><br />The heart of the book for me are the following: Part Three - Conditioned Hypereating Emerges; Part Four - The Theory of Treatment; Part Five - Food Rehab and Part Six - The End of Overeating.<br /><br />A lot of what this book is about is basically a lot of what we're taught in Weight Watchers. Mental rehearsing, food isn't love, cognitive behavioral changes, but Dr. Kessler goes into a lot more depth and research, and offers some new ideas on how to stop hypereating.<br /><br />I was particularly interested in how part of the population has issues with Conditioned Hypereating. When eating actually becomes dangerous to us and the culture of overeating. His theory on "cue - urge - reward -habit cycle" makes sense. I'll expand on both of these in future posts.<br /><br />I'll leave you with my favorite paragraph, Chapter 48: Fighting Back (page 245).<br /><br /><em>"If they could, many food companies would likely be satisfied with making conditioned hypereaters out of all of us so they could sell more product. Yet the power to resist ultimately rests with us. While a combination of human biology, personal experience, and a determined industry may explain why we overeat, we still have the ability to make choices about whether we allow this triumvirate to dominate our behavior. The fact that the industry helps create this problem, and takes advantage of it, doesn't render us helpless."</em><br /><br />Touché. </div>

Another night of freedom

I'm talking about freedom from the binge monster. I made it through another night without going crazy on food. Two nights in a row. I fe...

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Planning de la semaine du 11 au 15 janvier 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 11 janvier de 9h à 12h30<br />- le mardi 12 janvier de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 13 janvier de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le jeudi 14 janvier de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le vendredi 15 janvier de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://www.egee.asso.fr/" target="_blank">EGEE</a></strong><br />- lundi 11 janvier 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><br />- vendredi 15 janvier de 09h à 12h30</li></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/2009/12/ateliers-cv-lettre-de-motivation.html">CV</a></strong> - mardi 12 janvier de 9h à 12h30 et mercredi 13 janvier de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/12/ateliers-cv-lettre-de-motivation.html">Lettre de Motivation</a></strong> - mardi 12 janvier de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/12/ateliers-cv-lettre-de-motivation.html">Préparation à l'entretien</a></strong> - jeudi 14 janvier de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 15 janvier 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 15 janvier de 14h à 16h</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 11 au 15 janvier 2010

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 11 ja...

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9 Ways Going to Work Is Like a Trip to the Gym

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/fc/ar5b61564xlzs8f2y7fc.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/fc/ar5b61564xlzs8f2y7fc.gif" /></a><br /></div><br />Not so long ago, when you thought of New Year's you thought of inebriated party-goers singing an off-key rendition of "Auld Lang Syne" while wearing tacky party hats. Today, the horde of new gym-goers crowding your local health club is a sure sign of a new year. Blame it on the countless magazine covers touting "a new year, a new you."<br /><br />This year, though, we are going to make changes. So in those last seconds of the countdown, we'll gorge on fatty foods and puff cigarettes because our bad habits stop now. Tomorrow we march into that gym and take the first step toward a healthy lifestyle. We hope we don't lose enthusiasm after a few weeks and end up stuck with a membership we never use. If you find yourself fading, remember that you can multitask at the gym and improve multiple aspects of your life. While you're running on the treadmill or doing bench presses, look around for some tips on how to manage your career.<br /><br />To get you started, here are nine examples of gym etiquette that hold true at work:<br /><br />Gym rule No. 1: Don't drop the weights.<br />Work equivalent: Don't tell everyone how stressed you are.<br />Why? Dropped weights can get damaged or even break, plus the floor gets torn up. If you need assistance, get a spotter.<br /><br />At work, everyone is busy and no one will have sympathy if you spend more time making a show of your to-do list than actually working. If you need help getting things done, see if someone can assist you. Otherwise you're damaging your reputation.<br /><br />Gym rule No. 2: Keep a log.<br />Work equivalent: Record your accomplishments.<br />Why? Studies have proved that people see better results when they track what exercises they perform, how much weight they use and how many repetitions they perform.<br /><br />When you've been in the same job for a while, you begin to forget how much you've accomplished. If you regularly note your daily tasks, you'll gradually see the list get longer. By the time you're ready for a new job, you'll have an impressive list of accomplishments to brag about.<br /><br />Gym rule No. 3: Arrive to class on time.<br />Work equivalent: Don't be late to meetings (or other events).<br />Why? When latecomers walk in 10 minutes after class started, they sneak across the room trying to be inconspicuous, but they end up disrupting everyone. You lose track of the instructor's directions and all that time spent situating yourself is ruined when the tardy party asks if you can just scoot over a bit.<br /><br />You should arrive to work on time, too, and you know that. Too often workers forget that punctuality is just as or even more important for meetings. Everyone notices when you walk in late, which means they're wondering why they managed to adjust their schedule but you were too important to show the same courtesy. Late arrivals might cause a late start and then no one is happy with you.<br /><br />Gym rule No. 4: Don't hog the equipment.<br />Work equivalent: Be considerate of your colleagues.<br />Why? The man who decides to walk on the treadmill for two hours or the woman who parks herself at the abs machine for 10 sets are perhaps the most annoying people in the gym. They inconvenience you and everyone else.<br /><br />Just as the gym isn't your private fitness center, the workplace isn't your home office. Don't get on speakerphone if it means 30 co-workers will end up hearing your conversation. Don't send so many files to the printer that no one else can use it for an hour. Don't throw your half-eaten salmon from lunch in your trash can -- take it to the break room. In short, be the kind of co-worker with whom you want to work.<br /><br />Gym rule No. 5: Change up the routine.<br />Work equivalent: Broaden your skill set.<br />Why? Performing the same exercise routine every time you go to the gym will eventually lead you to stop seeing gains. You'll stay in shape, but you won't lose weight or build muscle. Your body gets used to doing the same thing and you'll hit a plateau.<br /><br />If you've held the same position for the last three years and everything you're doing now you learned in your first week, you need to liven things up. Look into seminars, training courses, professional organizations and other opportunities at your company and elsewhere. New skills will make you a better employee (either here or for a future employer) and will prevent you from getting bored.<br /><br />Gym rule No. 6: Wipe down the equipment.<br />Work equivalent: Maintain good relationships.<br />Why? Do you want to use a weight bench if you see a big pool of sweat? No, because it's gross.<br /><br />If every meeting ends with you screaming at someone or you always resign from jobs by telling the boss just how much you hate her, you're not doing anyone any favors. The moment might have passed, but your reputation and the negative feelings you leave behind won't be forgotten. They might even resurface when a potential employer performs a reference check and decides not to hire you.<br /><br />Gym rule No. 7: Use a spotter.<br />Work equivalent: Know when to ask for help.<br />Why? Serious gym-goers, especially the ones bench pressing twice their weight, know they need to push themselves hard. They also know how dangerous that can be and they won't want a face full of weights when their arms get shaky.<br /><br />Work can be overwhelming. Maybe you're expected to do much more than is humanly possible or perhaps you voluntarily took on a task that has grown into something more challenging than you expected. If you can recognize when you need assistance -- either a person to help you out or an extended deadline -- you can avoid professional disaster. Your boss will prefer your initiative to you showing up on the due date to say, "By the way, I'm not done."<br /><br />Gym rule No. 8. Know your goals.<br />Work equivalent: Know what you're working toward.<br />Why? If you show up to the gym and have no idea if you want to lose weight, build muscle or condition for a sport, you're probably not going to achieve much of anything. Whether you have one goal or five, if you can identify what you want to accomplish, you can find out the best ways to do it.<br /><br />Your career isn't that different. Professional goals can be less concrete than gym goals, and they usually take longer to achieve. But mindlessly going through your career without any clue where you want to end up is a sure-fire way to end up doing the same thing for 20 years. Not everyone needs to aim to be CEO or one of the head honchos. A goal can be as simple as improving your previous sales record.<br /><br />Gym rule No. 9: Don't wear stinky clothes or your junior-high gym shorts.<br />Work equivalent: Appearance matters.<br />Why? No matter where you are, stinky clothes are never appropriate. But more importantly, you need to think about what image you're projecting. Your work appearance should align with your company's image and your role. In other words, remember where you're working, what position you'd like to eventually land and that you're not going to a bar. (Unless you work in a bar; then the rules might be different.)<br /><br />By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.<br /><br /><a class="addthis_button" href="http://addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=rockfordlink"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink" type="text/javascript"></script>

9 Ways Going to Work Is Like a Trip to the Gym

Not so long ago, when you thought of New Year's you thought of inebriated party-goers singing an off-key rendition of "Auld Lang Sy...

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No more excuses

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdOTSMHE_ntF8Rf3jclZOBFP7MoHbpZBYoyI0mH16prr46ojaz4JsQ-y2Ou5GPpgRZpQplfoFMCLQWIZOUBlVPkVsVTRgDVG_AmlPa27PThNVADZmbmlwdGy2Qz3KDFdUXg3oW7KrXEm5/s1600-h/Union76Guy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424947500476438146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdOTSMHE_ntF8Rf3jclZOBFP7MoHbpZBYoyI0mH16prr46ojaz4JsQ-y2Ou5GPpgRZpQplfoFMCLQWIZOUBlVPkVsVTRgDVG_AmlPa27PThNVADZmbmlwdGy2Qz3KDFdUXg3oW7KrXEm5/s400/Union76Guy.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>This was kind of a funny/sad sign I saw at the gas station this morning. Notice the poor guy in the contest looks like he needs to lose a few pounds.<br /><br />Then check out the meal combo they offer for $3.75. I calculated the calories for this little snack. If you ordered a regular Coke for your 44 oz. Thirstbuster drink and had a small packet of mayo with your hot dog, it would be 1,008 calories! The cola alone is 526 calories. Unbelievable!<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Your comments about my 180.2 post yesterday really touched me, and they made a huge difference in my life. Everyone had great advice on how I can stop the binge monster from attacking me every night. Thank you all so much.<br /><br />Because of all your support and because some of you said you suffer from the late night eating/binging problem, I was determine to beat it last night. I thought if other people can conquer this demon, I can too. I had a binge-free night last night, the first one in months.<br /><br />Even though I wanted to eat last night at around 11pm, I made a conscious effort not to binge. Instead, I read some more of "The end of overeating". I'm in the "Rehab" chapter which was perfect.<br /><br />I put a lot of thought into <a href="http://tonysdietlog.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Tony's</a> post: "Why are you binging at night? Once you figure this out you can solve the problem."<br /><br />I came up with a long list of reasons why I eat at night. Things like job stress, my imperfect marriage, feelings of loneliness, not feeling loved, boredom, lack of self worth were a few of the things on the top of my list. Unfortunately, it was a very long list.<br /><br />Then it hit me, I can't fix all this stuff. I can work on some of these things, but I can't fix them overnight. Some of these things I'll never be able to fix.<br /><br />The bottom line is that I'll always have issues in my life. The trick is to not use these issues as an excuse for my overeating. Therefore, no more excuses.<br /><br /><strong>Weight Watchers</strong><br />My meeting rocked today! I LOVE my leader, Janis. She is funny, informative, supportive, sweet, honest and a wonderful person. Every time I go to one of her meetings I leave inspired.<br /><br />Here's my weighin for today, the first for 2010. This is up 4.0 pounds from my last official weighin on 11/19/2009. I'm not going to dwell on my past mistakes. What's happened has happened. It's time to move and start fresh.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsv74aRK99l4Qe-vJRjzUxujmzk0xCSudGlzEi8NMA3Z_D7XalM731k4Zv1E7wKpUBkFPBCHNCWaHFaqIlZAK3fa0TxlhbsDge1VVfWUzBTskdE_GFQOygrw44GDUQgi1-984tGg-jjYQ6/s1600-h/ww+09JAN10.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424953601943338946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsv74aRK99l4Qe-vJRjzUxujmzk0xCSudGlzEi8NMA3Z_D7XalM731k4Zv1E7wKpUBkFPBCHNCWaHFaqIlZAK3fa0TxlhbsDge1VVfWUzBTskdE_GFQOygrw44GDUQgi1-984tGg-jjYQ6/s400/ww+09JAN10.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br />The meeting today focused on tracking our food. I've been extremely lax about this for the last several months. Almost everyone in the meeting (which was packed with newcomers) agreed to track for this entire week, myself included.<br /><br />The second task was to set a goal weight for February 20, 2010. That's six weeks from today. My goal is to lose 10 pounds in six weeks, or 1.7 pounds per week. I'll weigh 170.4 on February 20. I'm adding a countdown on the right sidebar with today's weight and my weighin each Saturday. I feel more determined than I have in months.<br /><br /><strong>Yoga</strong><br />I'm starting yoga on Tueday night. One of my girlfriends is really into yoga. In fact, she's retiring in a couple years and going to yoga instructor school. Her plan is to teach yoga during her retirement.<br /><br />I tried hot yoga the summer of 2008. I hated it! I loved the yoga moves, but couldn't stand the heat. My friend promised me I'll love the class she goes to, she said there's a lot of "chanting" and to keep an open mind about it. She says it's changed her life. :)<br /><br />It's called Kundalini Yoga - “The Yoga of Awareness" uses movement, breathwork, mantra and meditation to help relax and heal the body and mind.<br /><br />I'll still be going to the gym in the mornings. I don't really consider yoga "exercise". It's more for the mind.<br /><strong><br />The end of overeating</strong><br />I'm still reading this book and the jury is still out. It talks about setting up rules to follow to control your overeating. This is what I read last night right before I fell asleep, page 191/192:<br /><br />"Rules aren't the same thing as willpower. Willpower pits the force of reinforcing stimuli against your determination to resist, a clash of titans that can become very uncomfortable."<br /><br />Then it talks about the difference between using willpower to resist food and having a rule.<br /><br />"If you develop a rule, that will allow you to better inhibit the behavior, because you'll have a context that provides some kind of reason for inhibiting in the first place. A rule makes explicit the negative consequences of giving in to your impulses and the positive consequence of not giving in. Without any kind of context or motivation, there's really no reason that you would inhibit the response of wanting it."<br /><br />I don't know if this is really all that helpful. It kind of sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo. However, it was so boring I did fall asleep and not eat. So I guess you could say the book is helping me.<br /></p>

No more excuses

This was kind of a funny/sad sign I saw at the gas station this morning. Notice the poor guy in the contest looks like he needs to lose a fe...

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Kelly - Pounds for the Prom

There's a new blogger I started following recently. Her name is Kelly and her blog is <a href="http://poundsforprom.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Pounds for the Prom</a>.<br /><br />Kelly started her journey December 1, 2009, and she's on the Weight Watchers plan. From the title of her blog you've probably already guessed, she's still in high school and living at home. Some of her problems with losing weight are unique to her age and living situation, yet some of them are exactly the same as the rest of us.<br /><br />Stop by her blog and say hello. Just like the rest of us, Kelly needs all the encouragement she can get. :)<br /><br />I'll post later today with my official Weight Watcher weighin. The first for 2010.

Kelly - Pounds for the Prom

There's a new blogger I started following recently. Her name is Kelly and her blog is Pounds for the Prom . Kelly started her journey De...

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180.2

<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Argh</span>! 180.2...really????<br /><br />What can I say other than I'm a dismal failure at this weight loss stuff. Instead of losing weight this week, the first week of the new year, I gained 3.8 pounds! That's just the weigh in on my home scales, tomorrow at 7am is Weight Watchers. Since I'll actually have clothes on when I weigh in it'll be even more (unless I amputate an arm tonight and trust me, I'm tempted!).<br /><br />I'm perfect every day, all day until about 11pm. Then it's like I lose my ever-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">lovin</span>' mind! All sense of what's important to me disappears into thin air. I even hear myself saying that I just don't care <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">damnit</span>! I'm hungry! And then I proceed to stuff my fat little face with an abundance of healthy food.<br /><br />A banana, broiled chicken, low-fat graham crackers and non-fat milk was my feast last night at 11pm. Not even fun food.<br /><br />All the self-help books' advice, all the weight loss <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">bloggers'</span> advice, all my own knowledge of overeating and weight loss seems to just evaporate into thin air. I'm majorly frustrated with myself right now.<br /><br />180.2. Yes, kind of hating myself right now.

180.2

Argh ! 180.2...really???? What can I say other than I'm a dismal failure at this weight loss stuff. Instead of losing weight this week, ...

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Physical Contact at Work: What Are The Boundaries?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/wq/ar5c5qh6bplsn5b6y7wq.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/wq/ar5c5qh6bplsn5b6y7wq.gif" /></a><br /></div>When most people think about physical contact with a co-worker, their first thought is about sexual harassment. While most workers know the rules about inappropriate or offensive touching in the workplace, many people don't think twice about other forms of physical contact with co-workers like handshakes or pats on the back.<br /><br />"The truth is that workers have very different levels of tolerance for physical contact of any type," says Amy Epstein Feldman, general counsel of the Judge Group Inc., a Pennsylvania-based consulting and staffing firm, and author of "So Sue Me, Jackass!" "In fact, because a person's individual sensitivities and need for personal space varies so widely, inappropriate touching -- from a happy slap on the back to a welcoming kiss on the cheek to an angry pointed finger in someone's chest -- are all the subject of complaints to management."<br /><br />Why should you care? Aside from the fact that you don't want to find yourself unexpectedly slapped with a sexual harassment suit, Feldman says no one wants to be typed as "creepy Bob from accounting" or "desperate Mary" who has to hug everyone who comes through the door.<br /><br />Read on to learn more about what is and isn't appropriate in terms of physical contact at work.<br /><br />Inappropriate versus appropriate<br />Obviously, certain gestures in the workplace are unmistakably offensive or sexual, but many people don't think about other forms of physical contact that might be uncomfortable for others. People do something jokingly, for example, like reaching out and giving a "funny" slap on the behind, without thinking twice, Feldman says.<br /><br />"There are forms of touching that are rarely considered offensive that can be misconstrued. A boss who pokes his subordinates to illustrate a point is seen as a –bully, but the physical contact plays into the monstrous image. A pat on the back or the shoulder, [or] a two-handed handshake while looking into someone's eyes, can give a co-worker the creeps," Feldman says. "The person who is initiating the contact in no way means to be offensive, but the person being touched is often highly offended. When faced with a complaint, it seems obvious in retrospect that slapping someone's behind was a bad idea."<br /><br />So how does "inappropriate touching" differ from sexual harassment? Feldman says that sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual conduct in the workplace and that it comes in two forms: quid pro quo and hostile work environment. In quid pro quo, a supervisor bases your job duties on your consent to sexual acts, whereas in a hostile work environment, the workplace is permeated with jokes, gestures, pictures or offensive touching. It becomes a hostile and abusive work environment, even if the conduct is not directed at the person who is offended.<br /><br />"While inappropriate touching can be a component of either type of sexual harassment, you don't have to be inappropriately touched to be sexually harassed, nor have you necessarily faced sexual harassment just because you've faced inappropriate touching," Feldman says.<br /><br />What should I do?<br />If you're dealing with a co-worker whose physical contact with you is bothersome, Feldman suggests being direct without being confrontational. Try a joke ("In my culture that means we're married. Don't make me take you home to meet Mama!") or a nonconfrontational statement ("I'm not a big hugger because it makes me uncomfortable"). If the offender still doesn't get it, Feldman suggests bringing it to the attention of human resources or management.<br /><br />Here are five boundaries Feldman says to remember the next time you want to high-five or hug your co-worker:<br /><br />1. Hands off <br />"It seems too obvious to say, but it's a lesson some still need to learn: The No. 1 rule is to keep your hands off your own or anyone else's private parts in an office. Even as a joke; even 'man-to-man.' You'd be surprised how many people think it's hilarious to reach out and grab someone. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER do that." <br /><br />2. Know your audience <br />"Any touching -- even a pat on the back -- before you know someone is too personal for strangers. So make sure that you really know your co-worker before engaging in any physical contact, even a high five."<br /><br />3. Think about hygiene<br />"Don't ever shake hands with someone in the bathroom before you've washed your hands. Don't cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and then shake someone's hand. They don't know how to handle it. And remember that in the swine flu frenzy, a warm smile and a nice greeting ('I'm so glad to see you!') without touching might serve you better in the long run."<br /><br />4. Remember than not all offensive touching is sexual -- sometimes it's just hostile<br />"Bullies don't just exist on the playground. Poking someone in the chest while making an angry point, grabbing someone's arm or any other touching done when angry can lead to dismissal if your action is seen as physically threatening."<br /><br />5. Be sensitive to others' sensitivities toward touching <br />"Do they lean in when you go to kiss their cheek or do they grimace and move backward? Do they initiate pats on the back or is it only one-sided? You don't need people to avoid you in the hallway because they fear the dreaded 'man hug' you give."<br /><br />By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.<br /><br /><a class="addthis_button" href="http://addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=rockfordlink"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink" type="text/javascript"></script>

Physical Contact at Work: What Are The Boundaries?

When most people think about physical contact with a co-worker, their first thought is about sexual harassment. While most workers know the ...

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On The 12th Night Of Christmas

On 12th Night, our mysterious benefactors capped off the season with a final gift. They left on our porch the storage box for our white plastic tree. The box was wrapped in blue and white snowflake Christmas paper with a big red bow. It was stuffed with multi-colored tissue paper flowers. What a Christmas. Wit and liturgy. Whoever y0u are, thank you.

On The 12th Night Of Christmas

On 12th Night, our mysterious benefactors capped off the season with a final gift. They left on our porch the storage box for our white plas...

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And Now Mary Daly

So soon after the passing of Edward Schillebeecykx, we have now lost Mary Daly a pioneer feminist theologian who wrote groundbreaking books in the 80s and 90s. She was not my favorite feminist theologian. I resonated more with mutuality Trinitarians like Johnson, God image liberators like McFague, retrievalists like Schussler-Fiorenza, and critical theorists like Soelle. But Daly pushed the envelope and made it possible for these other great theologians to gain a hearing.

And Now Mary Daly

So soon after the passing of Edward Schillebeecykx, we have now lost Mary Daly a pioneer feminist theologian who wrote groundbreaking books ...

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