Sluggish Start to a Excellent End

<p>So this morning I wanted to hit the gym extra early so I could get to work early to get a few extra things done. So I thought I set my alarm for 5am (usually I get up at 5:40) but when I rolled over it was almost 6am! I didn’t set my alarm. :( So I got up and got lots done at my office before the work day began! </p> <p>I made my <strong>outstanding oatmeal</strong> (<strong>4 points</strong>), but this morning I used <strong>chocolate PB2</strong>! A little something special for Friday! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUgTNhauCTrv4hAWbNiPL_GiFEX95rXoOrs2NmbqJc5LU9ps-l6zOnHVRvbr7pT7tQUpJCom-WZk4uHvSdyn4NnMPukZH-IDZl1neYg01SCKR0J3diDv9iR_-B9gnCjw7J_ShCvExZH6G/s1600-h/DSC05797%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05797" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWg_DH-4SZQ7xPBqcxiCNHoWGhYDaPyvrdT8rumWHL0NsrKlFONEYiiZIs7PZR1HKN8nVqb9_zih656xjmnpbfHto9rJZFoQGNetwFOsNPoZgrlcI4DVOVP3ej2URQtXZi4Vws2jNln8d/?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="DSC05797" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I was <strong>SUPER</strong> <u>tired</u> and <u>groggy</u> all day! Which is quite ironic since I got some extra z’s last night! But I really think it was because I didn’t get my morning workout in! Since my morning was <em>d-r-a-g-g-i-n-g</em> on, I had my snack very early!  I use the other <strong>half</strong> of the sample box of<strong> Kashi cereal</strong> and mixed it with <strong>yogurt</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgmsZrWEbfcLNOHqZU-bcVO5r6gWzzVUqL3sA8JCWrc7ytQq93KS6hQI6pfL5zGvluubGnXUDjKwFwyOXOAio2zxLHPWcUM6hVTPCmXRWNiW80jYq38zvugqO-eMZn5o02VxriQ6MlXg6/s1600-h/DSC05798%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05798" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPPnlzD-BubDNZD1Y15Xp9mAktyBRdQFkFGmWNic98pRwrPrfMIaRQiaTtCzoOAqOITxHKWjmcYDZUs3UEao04wb5RGWL4guHHN9eW5JQDAYKS-2FBIG0_neNXZqoSGm77r_plBJXCOaA/?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="DSC05798" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>I don’t think it helped my sluggish morning that I was working on a<strong> never ending</strong> report! So I had 2 snacks today, 2nd round was a <strong>cup</strong> of <strong>grapes</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvy1QMPPChrQ8Tr0Bv3IbIwKLuaao7jP3gC7cQo33yzMxKL5g77GD-HgBi8ITxQQw4gvoc21Q3Pw7qPq8QFj0_b9Pg8_Hpj46D2flDmuuSoQD-DOYu2cM0oh3oE_jvdvxIHoDUeE01YYR/s1600-h/DSC05799%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05799" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXETFxUYmq_5HpULI3hnb3thoPEliCejkh7CHVA5QbxmiUReU55hD38ldQ3Jy90x_DJZssKq0Rlb-ZcjhJu7T_TkhAt-NXLuKUUcz5_6l3CHOxaahND2cUc5BzYTJnhEPnU6K9rIEIROV/?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="DSC05799" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I went home for lunch hoping it would wake me up. I wasn’t really up for making anything so I took the easy way out and heated up a <strong>SmartOnes</strong> (<strong>5 points</strong>). I hadn’t tried this one before and probably <strong>won’t buy</strong> it again. It had fake little meat balls that were <strong>NOT</strong> good at all.  I also had some <strong>string cheese</strong> and a <strong>fiber one bar</strong> while my dinner was cooking…evidentially 3 minutes wasn’t fast enough for me today(<strong>3 points</strong>)! ;)<img alt="DSC05802" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtS347JReIQA884BFB7D7b0GaxBo9PkGyYD_mD2wmWe2V0SRqBvTj4_HeYYUXi_nHsD-NMn-AnaS6HFU6kDrmv2fvyp7nhg1wWyEATJlewA4BrPSYE8HEVe9Uhmm-BY6nC3P5TNMUIWESC/?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="DSC05802" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05803" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEowqcmVkA2OtsiIBpHJ5m_a2YjiPyoragXVG9pvETlNwQL6xC_cCXpMj_B9AyvC9NWferwez4XgDl24GQ-78CUIlNjKsxVVBxDTDbshD82KMDpeE3jdfFhi2d3je-qSWyAm29t5GsRfrs/?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="DSC05803" width="404" /></p> <p>One thing good about my lunch is that it was pretty late! So when I got back to work I had less than 2 hours of the work day left! I got through it with my favorite “<strong>pick me up</strong>”!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4xbvHxB4SCMMnFJHf5QueP6GUWGeqmffGOW3BcURwVFSeuXyYiRhoOGhIDEwucykTjm-6ohOVw3syHYk8zOjKOh5tQTnKiqX8NAmMKlNbfUkMoec4Sysy-5E5EWoOR6k-uajXMQH57eF/s1600-h/DSC05804%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05804" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCaoVa_BOKiB1TwurXw03GlMktUzAu_4XMHtWYfcjsbqQ1mpIQynl37YOzPWuTIIGMzJh6ARfNgBLZqjzIHM50dRP5Ek303VXTwzrp14vSZMWoft1YcrcARAgM5_LD3cW0NknzQLbHBp5/?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="DSC05804" width="404" /></a></p> <p>4:30 finally came around and I was outta there! I don’t like days like that! Normally my days at work FLY!!! But not today. I guess if I only have 1 or 2 every 3 or 4 months I am ok with that! Kyle and I had dinner plans with some friends, but not till 7pm. So I spent the time<strong> catching up</strong> on the phone with my <strong>sister</strong> and cleaned up a bit. </p> <p>Our dinner date was <strong>FUN</strong>! It was with some friends from church who we’ve known a long time, but haven’t really hung out with much. I think that may change now though, we all had a really good time! We were there for <strong>over 2 hours</strong> just chatting away!! I ordered the garlic herb chicken for <strong>7 points</strong>. So good!<img alt="" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0aGpXCyzthGhfb-rPAQs9a6WPJPW_EvQfLlIMulVWsRqpuAT0hAO8st781lrFq-5UeJqK9V0WznaY5HppRuaO9aIvBONBEY3C6-PZ8s1tQORGzuWx8Zx8g1O_G2gWhZp75Tkd8KM-irl/s320/DSC01479.JPG" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" width="400" /></p> <p>It was after 9:15 by the time we left. Kyle and I both were craving ice cream so we stopped at the grocery store and each got our own! I got <strong>Blue Bunny light vanilla</strong> and Kyle got chocolate caramel commotion. Mine was <strong>2 points/half cup</strong>, Kyle’s was 4 points/half cup! I choose mine! I topped it off with a <strong>small sliced banana</strong> and a <strong>tbs</strong> of <strong>light chocolate syrup</strong>. Total sundae was only<strong> 3 points</strong>! Supper yummy and totally satisfied my hankering for ice cream!! <img alt="DSC05807" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszm4Ac_zhIkiGUJNMx-GtsRv3pmjEgahaYDADQTBZpL9BVCkMQhdujJ6YpCoLhJnNUQnuRcXG5CoLhFZdJYUewgbQzqxTNYLK9CZ36CNLFGG48zX40NyvGfjypHg3EjSWoq8UdAFIcSZN/?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="DSC05807" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05809" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8uB_I_SFV8-RKrR9cV5mPWii2YEmYAUwME1mbKYv3NxPUFVy6or6gsUuomtsCP_w4QJkCpdLkoAO__95GVKEa8h91mDByFBWf5AMSu-7aaC0FWFB_9E0Wt-dvLm_ObS7MKQBhromot7v/?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="DSC05809" width="404" /></p> <p>I know the beginning of my post was quite down, but great fellowship and food with friends made for an excellent ending! Hope everyone has a great weekend! </p> <p><strong>FRIDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 26/24 <br />WATER =  72 oz <br />EXERCISE = Day Off</p>

Sluggish Start to a Excellent End

So this morning I wanted to hit the gym extra early so I could get to work early to get a few extra things done. So I thought I set my alarm...

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Hooray for Two-A-Days!!

<p>I woke up <strong>bright</strong> and <strong>early </strong>this morning for a <u>wonderful workout</u> before work! I got in <strong>31 minutes</strong> on the <strong>cross ramp</strong>, <strong>10 minutes</strong> on the <strong>bike</strong>, and <strong>10 minutes</strong> of <strong>abs</strong> and <strong>stretching</strong>. </p> <p>Afterwards I made my <u>old, faithful bowl</u> of <strong>oatmeal</strong> combined with <strong>PB2</strong> and a <strong>small sliced banana</strong> for <strong>4 points</strong>. I think it is <u>impossible</u> for me to get sick of this combo!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfAF9MQurZBbqBo3pjK6OgpTJocyAPUMmUD-7AOH0FxKgAViceVDDf8lDJWnbdQwAkuKjWvBR4hyphenhyphenKKk8AiUXZmq_lCmPfdp31Eltod602ZaGoxJ3Jcb5aOPM5qblSb1cL39H2FTHZPiBi/s1600-h/DSC05789%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05789" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUARJVnrjCKBUENbfCLS2hbehou5u1HTXNCm_nZ8Zs7mFAHlt-u3AtDwgo4QbmJm9TDNp-yBqSIUn6BRLsIVCvC9du35EUKbjN7hI8oX6-cmecvPsmm6Lq3F0nrJjJ1LZKquXu-yTjv53r/?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="DSC05789" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My morning snack was this wonderful <strong>golden delicious apple</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HyiCilKXybQZdqjcFV1Zq0ecJvWSCfyOyTQ3fyOfEJ2IZO3m54PFX78eD8zLFI-LMHLGDYa1k2YwBNkVcqoJLpMQKJ3jBNGuhgsJVQGLAFHUdQaqjRuMbtP7UQwbBnzwNNBsqtgwXO71/s1600-h/DSC05791%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05791" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1_jC0e-q8fLQ9vEutOIkIMsM_73tP2MP8t8pd3MEK5e8Ct3bRYPYc5N5NfoZAX4MqalO3SVn2rK3XwAuDeIBZExCjtc0lGqLkN4dPqI4qDhfmWm2-aFEmChRrP-dnPrUoeCKzgh2slKD/?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="DSC05791" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I went for <u>2 snacks</u> today before lunch! I had some <strong>cucumber slices w/ranch</strong>. I’m going to count just <strong>1 point</strong> for this (the ranch didn’t amount to much!). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbLT3cg86vivx9LeAICFvFqYXr9afAXTh8LJ0ghppRSfTuZd5JEilNYFb2jbQZgzwdfIFWSyonsoi_ei7nfw6fD6ZRQxTtjQJgupyLwSgZMmTyLwB9KLEXZdvB2VR_YbBCShvQFD6vnO3/s1600-h/DSC05793%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05793" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOGnapCAHV0u1ZUn7kSuhPIxg1jn9Nvx6fvjjGX1s2OCx6r6MewD5wSUsrwex9I5zFhNcnCa_A10M2R-QFyS1Fa5xWvydBZ7XSS7o5k3DBABPqd1yvBp6txNFmD8SvPqUv_q6hqqocwdo/?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="DSC05793" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Lunch was filling and delicious! I had a <strong>turkey & cheese wrap</strong>, <strong>steamed cauliflower</strong>, and <strong>1/2 c cottage cheese w/pineapple</strong> for <strong>6 points</strong>. Today was Kyle’s day off, so I got to see him on my lunch break! I think it’s my favorite lunch break of the week!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3PrpWW1klc0RpDL265-eSnNVkZey8GivqXMkqDBVIC_w4VAB9Dq5_c2yZjKzCplxaYFpVLrlnhbbUCMXQsmCGZoSxURcPdP999c7R6F03AGGhWW66LV7UiL7BjNuDsr7T7qeMq8ZmkMd/s1600-h/DSC05794%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05794" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6rY6is3ZBpfZnuSaq30Zc0K7LZD2EtnFgp2sS-wYGUP7pADFo-qSm-yJv6y_rCB4lWYHklWvSOkBTlavPww5KjpyIBjANZs9493UPws8xfU6Km4yognvLc8a9ZqMav33zphw8QTxWQ5C/?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="DSC05794" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My afternoon at work <u>flew</u>. I have quite a few things I have to get done with the deadlines <u>quickly</u> approaching! I finished up my day at the office and <em>zoomed</em> home to change quick, pick up Kyle, and hit the gym for workout #2 of the day!</p> <p><strong>A 45 minute Zumba class</strong>! My friend Mel and I did the class again, while our husbands ran on the track up above. I feel like I getting<u> more comfortable</u> with the moves. I was <strong>SO</strong> sweaty at the end, definitely a good workout! And I might even incorporate some of the moves into the<u> salsa dance lessons</u> I’m going to do tomorrow night! ;) More on that tomorrow!!</p> <p>Supper tonight was something <em>quick</em>. We didn’t get home from the gym till after 7:30 and I didn’t want to be eating<u> too late</u>. I heated up a yummy bowl of <strong>Progresso Beef Pot Roast soup</strong>. I also had a <strong>sandwich thin</strong> with <strong>cheese</strong> on the side for a total of <strong>5 points</strong>. <img alt="DSC05795" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqQwttpztukRSkQ7uFageJ7rntmXnj-AwDNEfpxM0Ux6jHm8YwYg1h41x1tGXLZOhf0ZGXSl2puHrvdNbyCPw0LLaz3Chk3l4DFentyvadesU4Gloh9RO71qPQu-qiWmTOHQuwFi5WxmI/?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="DSC05795" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05796" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHJKas4xKNS60DC472cHUopALJspN9zUn9kHmP1PgWS-JW5DQmiKgwlXw4u-oL49GZXHE8ysJcFTBUD3j7ySUuYd1aXXmKvRGef1z5s_JMw58maeZlVwOpFMrkyIj0HSq02wmqqDswIML/?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="DSC05796" width="404" /></p> <p>I was informed today one of my sisters only had 9 pounds to lose to win the sister challenge…yikes! I need to kick it in gear, I WANT TO WIN!!! I’m sure my two-a-day workout really helped!!</p> <p>Well I’m off to play “<strong>barber</strong>” and cut my hubby’s hair! :)</p> <p><em><u>Tomorrow’s Friday friends!!</u></em></p> <p><strong>THURSDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 17/24 <br />WATER =  144 oz <br />EXERCISE = 31 min cross ramp, 10 min bike, 10 min abs/stretching, & 45 min Zumba class</p>

Hooray for Two-A-Days!!

I woke up bright and early this morning for a wonderful workout before work! I got in 31 minutes on the cross ramp , 10 minutes on the b...

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Snow Day!

<p>Happy Wednesday everyone! Well as I said at the end of my Tuesday post I had a delay for work and we ended up closing. One of the many perks of working at a college! :) We are in an ice warning, anticipating .25-.50 accumulation of ice!! But don’t worry I didn’t skip my morning workout! I slipped and slid my way to the gym and got in <strong>61 minutes</strong> on the <strong>cross ramp</strong> (burned over 650 calories!) and then I did <strong>10 minutes</strong> of <strong>abs</strong> and <strong>stretching</strong>. </p> <p>I stopped to see Kyle for a few minutes and then went to McDonalds…don’t freak out though, it was to get a <strong>RedBox movie</strong>…not <u>food</u>! But I have to admit when I pulled in, I was thinking, hmm a breakfast sandwich sounds pretty good right now! So instead of completely wasting <strong>14+ points</strong> on a drive thru breakfast (I’d like to say I <strong><u>never</u></strong> intended on doing <strong>AT ALL</strong>, I just like to compare!!!) I came home and made my own<strong> point friendly, nutritious breakfast</strong>!! </p> <p align="left">I picked up these <strong>whole wheat thin buns</strong> at the grocery store the other day. They are <strong>VERY</strong> good and only <strong>1 point</strong>!  They worked <strong>perfect</strong> for the <strong>breakfast sandwich</strong> I was <strong>craving</strong>!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JhjhwJPAa7C5afB6CSltaieq1uw7OykpAzih0F515fj9FRr9o7wkFJlSEE_379xj-tME6vx9hEhDXl4JYeGHl4GMeGaxVF1s81Zjktsh1oIoL-yMxPPOf17Oazy8xyHLKCG1wazAc0Eb/s1600-h/DSC05780%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05780" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUq2_2S_eYSLiYe9YSI3VxXrIuVuNqWpoYJgbjfJg4XqS5Y3xqGdzFQrTrLpMrbGJ8lWjBd6P588qQ5R8eSqkAJlKWixkzFgqNqds6g8-OXh676R_nq_gd2Ud100Y6CmuAMx55JQK54LH/?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="DSC05780" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I made <strong>3 eggs whites</strong>, added <strong>6 slices of sliced ham</strong>, and finally a <strong>slice</strong> of<strong> ff cheese</strong> for a delicious & filling <strong>4 point breakfast</strong> <strong>sandwich</strong>! (I split the ingredients and 2 open face sandwiches…makes it seem like you get more!) McDonalds <strong>doesn’t have anything</strong> on this!! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlisC_6-ZKxnIdDgITIL8kxEjOZcu0t65HET8QZkFCoeGz-bgOiRGGzHsZjCoQVlXtwu9iIhCEEWu8NY4cwZZyR8X5swaGXBIf7Uk2_WdfLfpnFTjJLzH65K4BLQfyE4KAaA0wsngG_gid/s1600-h/DSC05783%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05783" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KEZev48nffVd3Q1n-Dyw4G94mk1-6CmPObZPRYyQ0ubz2kBDWNvMVDxLPlMu4tO7sxEUvHlQA7ISaNW9RkKbQZOdAQnud2SwG4yz2D47nXWmGp9tG3FH5kaJrp1-oA4C69ltPCDcIHSJ/?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="DSC05783" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I also peeled an orange (<strong>1 point</strong>) to have on the side! So juicy and delicious!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAfHUkiZHJyr7xJOQczbymaoz31JoKxBhvVfGmMnW3vDl4KlmEW9U-7AZyri9lCr3xTBKbkqVWe96h3svEGYhTIzZfjSg-V8co7xX5hMepKK8PW9cyUDvjGD6Ecwp3x4-W_1bdV4cLAXs/s1600-h/DSC05782%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05782" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivW6Ss2c2Y_4W0Nj3tAW14vbOXqY-r0km4jsR528gLHM1fUxG49JRhnHc_hHFmfEY8vsF6raDcQoWBgVJp8uUhDvt9W-nGMD-uEakRoU_C98278nXeBgjgEYjLgtgC38Q5Qh66mCaHkxoq/?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="DSC05782" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Well I’ve been back at it for 1 week and I couldn’t be happier! I’m feeling good, full of motivation and dedication! I stepped on the scale this morning and it said 169.5, a <strong><u>5lb loss</u></strong>!!! I was<strong> super excited</strong> to see that. Only <strong>10 1/2</strong> more <strong>lbs</strong> to lose for the <strong><a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/12/sister-challenge-is-on.html">sister challenge</a></strong> and <strong>19.5lbs</strong> to <strong>goal</strong>! <u>I CAN DO THIS</u>!!! </p> <p>Around 11am I got a call from Kyle saying he was <strong>getting off work early</strong> ‘cause they were slow!! I was <strong>SO</strong> excited to have a “<strong>snow day</strong>” at home w/my man!! We took a <strong>quick nap</strong> when he got home and when I woke up I was quite hungry so I snacked on a serving of <strong>wheat thins</strong> for <strong>2 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzGabaNLp08pXhKh7vBeD9-2RbbGYGuxiHAwAeUdIWRBZeP98o5xgUBz6oQqyxxO0S3hIghqbDrLVTtquCFgKOsL65bjxlCoQubWAzxjVZkmmWnFsh1i-IZ9haz77Rgk0uuR9In7VmjGN/s1600-h/DSC057866.jpg"><img alt="DSC05786" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqVvSOdmamgOBX9h9BrrxX3My5IO1mrp_KeLJlMDl7KH5pjvveMrdxaM57xKlhWA4aZHfwMJcwTodWH_ynTLh0bOdHKMgqczt_mowl8QluY4mzZwBbj37iW9Z5yqAAmLLIJFLGA-lWh7_/?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="DSC05786" width="404" /></a></p> <p>The wheat thins didn’t fully do the trick so I ate a <strong>small banana</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong> and that helped my hunger a lot! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-4Ej6WpAnIi6YeRincfaC3lmAZThI4qHFY2-MPxxnIsgXtjSjjc4LIf9cY9aZ_W5ZfuPw9_1UkuDbK_auq3bPgdPBEx84JdAJHCS9bcB_z8S02MaHwNyPYS5mXKt5cvpeOd0uPpRKwcH/s1600-h/DSC057854.jpg"><img alt="DSC05785" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV55riQxY0SRi3OJviEipx20TDZeJgY1NjSDAf5GjLbb9-D74E1tw8Li7SiabmLyrrk_gEL5yiPqG9rpYfNwyyvgIi8qMIt2zwh3_JCrabz_PiWLeQk8ic0pIhJ1oLLJxhqZi1NycVLObm/?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="DSC05785" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I spent the afternoon doing <strong>laundry</strong> and<strong> balancing</strong> our <strong>accounts</strong>. Later we ran a few errands and rented a movie. We ended up picking out the Invention of Lying. While watching it I munched on some <strong>light popcorn</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5zvEBI8eGVIb99_6qinplfiGn9aO4lFmS73WXDfrMjJTGRWt8-wJtBm3C4NJRFEv0KDmkB-d6AjkxmG3lMOXB1NvpUPAUgyOhFVRDDBs4wc31t85VZbeZIHN5dR3o308Lv-Pzay8KVCu/s1600-h/DSC05787%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05787" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRHrC5QQKNj90ebns6WagkRfZ8Cgl7utgudNCZrjJMYZ9pGbMTV57ap5N72n_7v6n50-B1CstI10KZ8TPt1kwGoZRHhyiuPo9ohf7SZUY2ry1x7Ai51WeFEaVgoGC7Gki4erwkxAU57So/?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="DSC05787" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Kyle warmed up some left over pizza for supper so I was on my own. I ended up making <strong>cheesy chicken</strong> & <strong>broccoli</strong> for a total of <strong>9 points.</strong> It consisted of<strong> 3 oz chicken breast</strong>, <strong>2 oz whole wheat pasta</strong>, <strong>2 oz 2% Velveeta</strong>, and <strong>broccoli</strong>! It turned out to be a <strong>HUGE</strong> portion…but I <strong>finished it off</strong> since I didn’t have an official lunch! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNM2OMk6po6n7xteJfarYZBukzUKYfQ1VYCuxeHgCvdwzgCgRKintDUbsymbgd-sMlx50Gxa1N384mNPQ02opPTEoJfhohMNituM2TskySrFVvZyMMeqvFVBlMRSgHsATYugSYmAxIk_X1/s1600-h/DSC05788%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05788" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJASfMOvFpd7Xgvg94sGRv8vIRReqi4piaF3btTEKN1GnbM-09sPpvJT-bop-iKaAaT0oxcsAZzH2WU7ghjufknPt6qxq7axd79PX6kVGZ9p9UdJG46QiRDGGuhJAZdZJ9zcHcYNQqOEtv/?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="DSC05788" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Schools are already starting to delay for tomorrow too, who knows I might get to sleep in a bit tomorrow! I know winter weather isn’t fun, but I sure to love when it gives me a free day(s) off work!!</p> <p>Hope everyone had a <u>wonderful</u> Wednesday!</p> <p><strong>WEDNDESDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 18/24 <br />WATER =  96 oz <br />EXERCISE = 61 min cross ramp, 10 min abs/stretching</p>

Snow Day!

Happy Wednesday everyone! Well as I said at the end of my Tuesday post I had a delay for work and we ended up closing. One of the many perks...

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S'ouvrir les portes des métiers de la coiffure : visite d'entreprise le 02 février 2010

<BR><br />En partenariat avec la Chambre de Métiers du Loiret et l'association <a href="http://www.articlub45.fr/" target="_blank">Articlub 45</a>, la Maison de l'emploi du bassin d'Orléans organise une visite d'entreprise pour découvrir les métiers de la coiffure (postes et conditions de travail) :<ul><br /><li>le mardi 2 février 2010<br /><li>dans les locaux de l’entreprise artisanale de <strong>Mme Emilie VACHER, Coiffeuse</strong> à Saint Jean de Braye.</li></ul><br /><br />Le transport est pris en charge par la Maison de l'emploi du bassin d'Orléans.<br /><br />Le nombre de places est limité.<br /><br />Pour s'inscrire, contacter la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans : 02 38 24 18 03 ou <a href="mailto:accueil@news-these-days.fr">accueil@news-these-days.fr</a>. <br /><br /><strong>Départ</strong> : <strong>Mission Locale</strong>, 9 Boulevard de Verdun, 45 000 Orléans à <strong>09h00</strong><br /><BR>

S'ouvrir les portes des métiers de la coiffure : visite d'entreprise le 02 février 2010

En partenariat avec la Chambre de Métiers du Loiret et l'association Articlub 45 , la Maison de l'emploi du bassin d'Orléans org...

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We are not a statistic

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I hate reading this weight loss statistic: <strong>over 95% of people gain back the weight that they've lost.</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I see this statistic everywhere this time of year, in people's blogs, on the Internet, in the e-newsletters I get from various weight loss groups. Even my Weight Watcher leader mentioned it last week. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Everyone quotes this statistic, but I can't find the research to back it up. I just spent 20 minutes Googling it, and although I found the statistic everywhere, I can't find out where it's coming from. My guess is that some research group did some sort of study and came up with it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This statistic infuriates me for many reasons. First of all, I want to know how they did the research. How did they come up with this number?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Maybe they checked with Diet Center, where I lost 40 pounds in 1978 and quickly gained it all back. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Maybe they checked with NutriSystem and saw in 1992 I lost 50 pounds, and re-gained it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Did Jenny Craig tell them about the 70 pounds I lost on their plan in 1995 and regained the 70 pounds plus an additional 20 pounds in 1996 (putting me over 200 pounds for the first time in my life)? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Or was it my doctor that told them about the 110 pounds I lost with PhenFen in 1997 and then regained it all in eight months?  </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Did Weight Watchers squeal on me, telling them about my first two attempts on their plan, where I lost 30 pounds and then lost 70 pounds, and gained it all back.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm not a poster child for weight loss, and maybe in the past I've been part of the 95% that lost the weight and gained it back again. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On the other hand, I have manage to keep off a chunk of weight for over a year. I was 174 August 8, 2008. I'm 173 today, and I'm on my way back down. That's a 66-pound loss kept off for 17 months. Maybe I'm not a total success (still not at goal), but I'm not a failure either.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Secondly, I don't like hearing this 95% statistic because I think it hurts people more than it helps them. It gives people a feeling of hopelessness, of why should I even try if I only have a 5% chance of winning this battle? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know that feeling because that's exactly how I use to feel. During dark moments I would take that statistic and think I was absolutely doomed. There was no way I could do this if 95% of people couldn't do it either. That is a myth. Of course I can do this.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So why should you keep trying to lose weight when the odds are stacked against you?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>1.) I'm not sure that 95% is even a real statistic. Where did it come from? Let's say it was true five years ago, why would it still be true today? </strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>We're smarter now, we have more healthy food options. Weight Watchers is better than it was five years ago. We know how to do this and make it work. We can make it a permanent change. </strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>There are hundreds of bloggers now that can help us and support us through this journey.</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>It's not the same world it was five years ago.</strong></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2.) Do you really have the option of not trying to lose weight? Imagine if you just totally gave up on losing weight. Where would you be in a year? In five years? Not a pretty picture is it?</span></strong><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I know where I'd be in five years if I gave up on trying to lose weight. I'd either be dead or in a wheelchair or trying to be a contestant on the Biggest Loser or signed up for weight loss surgery. None of those options appeal to me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Don't let this statistic define you. If it's true (and I really doubt it is), fight it. Beat the odds. Why can't you be in the five percent that keeps the weight off forever?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Better yet, what if we all joined together and really do this, maybe we can increase that 5% statistic to 10% or 20% or 30% or maybe even 100% of the people that lose weight do NOT gain back the weight they lost. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We can't change history, but we can sure change the future.</span>

statistics We are not a statistic

I hate reading this weight loss statistic: over 95% of people gain back the weight that they've lost. I see this statistic everywhere th...

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Cleaning Out the Fridge

<p>I skipped the gym this morning because of my late night with my cousin last night! Crazy thing, I still woke up at the time that I would to go to the gym! Could be a good sign!! Kyle took over as hostess though and made pancakes for them for breakfast!! Good job honey! :)</p> <p>I made a quick bowl of <strong>oatmeal</strong> with <strong>chocolate PB2</strong> and a <strong>small sliced banana</strong> for <strong>4 points</strong>.  And then I was off to work.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7Yxe-hgV3TxR0XheXFV5gypkh6CaI5Bu2YoHrlqO-8COZTbFCzLi-I2Xs2h5xsyA8jtfZt2jG1s5027naZ7cuWFJIagFg1SJksdSVqZB6THr15idifzuzNbjJGTPk51oYfEQCgjq7EVr/s1600-h/DSC05771%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05771" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJBLVnR6rSpLgSGD5LmpvESLbXGwBKNXjukvZVlnApNVsVIo62s8S53Cqle4Oinv3fqIxVMmb0Cyiu8n_1q_N54M1wZhArWEv-Cqm3gPsCDmtZec-7T-ojSxQ7iRpXLV4QyzhfvI0hHRC/?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="DSC05771" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I mixed half of this sample box of <strong>GoLean Crunch</strong>, from <strong>Kashi</strong> with my <strong>yogurt</strong> for a mid morning <strong>3 point snack</strong>. <img alt="DSC05773" border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFLZAabeekXnZEXblGi9cGQiA-rwKV9c0Ly2_S4FDQDg7S2hdE67Nb5v8otLeltMQJlC0lpo3qq8u1GOhZiXcmfBYM1IdIX41RDfxfzrXP2Wfrx10pXWf0GzyLkKMjwJQYwwEq0MMIrPi/?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="DSC05773" width="254" /><img alt="DSC05774" border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_Gm0lWTRzjjDvaRxVw6NUaJ54blxc273a_5SJgJVipWn_iYAmRcGEW7sG-Vf4F9C-5uK3SYcHa8E6IQIAZd_cIZlkM3oIwBQlf2LsbilBuf1N6TkA9AA5s6hbYgjLWv0c5t-rdYSm9q_/?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="DSC05774" width="254" /></p> <p>Things are finally starting to slow down at work so I was able to come home for lunch. I had <strong>2</strong> of these little <strong>tacos</strong> for lunch today using some <strong>leftover taco meat</strong> we had in the fridge! Didn’t want it to go bad. They totaled <strong>4 oz in beef</strong>, <strong>1/4 ff shredded cheddar</strong>, and a <strong>flat out wrap</strong> for <strong>6 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdiII2wgICbke0Rnfr8_km4dn0KdyoLuyE4eoZkBlfetCLmCgbTPUhrMFcWrSVCjCdp7dstDlkANRXOmxu-JwsuQJBp1uv4vQvqLKP_UPq34tl7AzuKxN2RWE318vYjif8VxNfQxIakX_/s1600-h/DSC05775%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05775" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kTp0xLYKUHTuA0Juy5Zrkq6jTec6N4z7SWzh59lqkN0ldqIbVmOMnsRIo6PFqfWhiUXWrag57z_tTEJ-inYMfzJRt1PfQ79Jbj8alG-OoJiSC0PKDs27sne5OJo0nNEo9W9rlA_pBkpd/?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="DSC05775" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I sliced up a <strong>golden delicious apple</strong> to eat on my drive back to work for a little <strong>1 point “desert”. </strong>And it looks like I must have one my sister’s containers…see in the initials on the side of it! Sorry Mindi! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZF4BqhxbKkHbZXCrcX0li2c3WzwCPjqljvTan-ZyKRAy2FoaoDYqZHIZj4-koBHgA8cNbFE_Q8BzDAuqNHJsK26-rI8fSECDpYGVlM6zH2oPai7fIII3agGtzqNhkWFkYSNsftVNe7otB/s1600-h/DSC05776%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05776" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oGslSnVSait35UD_7-m0Fl8OZbpTWLr0fTBLN9mYBrEqtiuWOeUaFOPJ2Ljyh23-X5juaIpjNPLKE0qrFJjZqZyWeekBhvzTb0pUeaEJoGHQ77-UCmou7z5zafnqdL-gf-Y36xdt5qqU/?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="DSC05776" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My cute little friend/neighbor, Mel,  texted me in the afternoon asking if i wanted to go to <strong>Zumba</strong>. We were planning on going on Thursday, but I didn’t know they  had a class on Tuesday too! So I said <strong>“of course”!</strong> (this is us a few weeks ago!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNSKnvT_5pgBG1EyvjhD7n4-ZwZ4Mrh-xkGJeXVwWhkdwumJRnjrTgb7LfgbhwICv9eTa1q-E76bhkHpXReYXAdWg5AedT8Uz5HN83lGUMsQ69rNr01S9xm728tp2i6AcL1Z8f5Dj8E7d/s1600-h/DSC05138%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05138" border="0" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ffiqlNu2wc0ysWtHcS9noBvCBW5-GbN3Ok3rDD8lzco931Sp4BhPslnQTxtHrY0Z0VHxC6-qzvjr8OowXZYYZNKd6U1ZTpgU4RgLKtdTdsw_LmNo41Yvi2t1eZyAipqBHSeH_FUnEFfQ/?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="DSC05138" width="404" /></a></p> <p>So after work I quickly changed and headed to the gym. I got there early enough that I got in a <strong>15 minute run</strong> before the class started, which totaled <strong>1.45 miles</strong>. Nice little warm up! Then I headed down to the class, found Mel, and boy did we<strong> shake our hips</strong>!! It was a <strong>super fun</strong>, <strong>45 minute workout</strong>, and it went <strong>SO</strong> fast! One thing I know is that I have NO rhythm! I think we will probably do it again! Hopefully I catch on to some of the moves…I’m sure I looked quite silly! ;)</p> <p>I got home just in time to watch the BL and eat a quick supper. I didn’t realize it until I was posting this…but not only was my supper leftovers, but it was also very yellow! </p> <p>I started out with a <strong>1/2 c cottage cheese</strong> and a 1<strong>/2 pineapple left over</strong> from my Sunday pizza for <strong>3 points</strong>. I <strong>LOVE</strong> the <u>cottage cheese</u> and<u> fruit combo</u>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4za5KyWcbsimbNR5DIztug71gIq6dhZsmqxAgv_zZUg2JAju4T5EBCTeIFQcKMSXa8qZOMAqM6IKp2Uv3DiJfvFuNuJEaMx7Mz6zkbqpyWSPLbErbqaWLcj489GiKjOasqE40-R0NQoy/s1600-h/DSC05777%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05777" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgtKKn0_sQGWmrz6s7n4hAPh8r533f_t-vVRIxrhHQSwJAa8-OQe70MzVCwtfWV6pHEjGAiuO_Wgq4kR9w-mfW2l2UUnCe2J_SnaagjUDTkzMvNKUxPnyucFfOxMvBKgkK4iVTZPeGYnN/?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="DSC05777" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>Then I found a little bowl of left over <strong>mashed potatoes</strong> and <strong>corn</strong> from last week for <strong>4 points</strong> (estimating high). Once again…didn’t want it to go back! So I heated it up and it was just as good as the first time! This is also a favorite  combo of mine, but usually I would LOAD it in butter, but not this time! And I still enjoyed it just as much. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkD0TJGCJ6uNHatej6cMzt0qGenhFfXZUkA4uh5YaSIwrREYOMf5M9JDS37dIof1UR84P5iTleHbp8pZAbN3LR3awfi1gQMVHXmIgT80XYPPdf66U-rGrcDT4fXRriBko0_IUn_WTXoosz/s1600-h/DSC05778%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05778" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSur15Bj8KEtmhlbFKED5BQCbO24FInQoPCkD1RoKc-6-kk0m49PTU5mgjzABTZJv0gyZ_582xNTcTABZy4tWQusZi7NIN4DQ7-1YGIo3d2t7uagjvDti4iQvQmuEQbxx4Iuh6F7o5HlNz/?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="DSC05778" width="404" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Kyle and I enjoyed watching BL…but I <strong>hate</strong> all the <strong>game play</strong>! And what was up with the red team?!?!? They sure did <strong>pi$$</strong> Jillian off…did you see her<strong> run out</strong> of there as soon as the weigh in was over!!</p> <p>Well it’s already Wednesday morning and this girl needs to <strong>hit the gym</strong>! We are in an <strong>ice storm warning</strong> and I don’t want to get stuck at home and not get in a good workout! We already have a 2 hour delay, but crossing my fingers for maybe a <strong>day off work</strong>, but we’ll see!</p> <p>Later friends! :) Have a <u><strong>WONDERFUL</strong></u> day!</p> <p><strong>TUESDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 21/24 <br />WATER = 116 oz <br />EXERCISE = 15 min run, 45 min Zumba class</p>

Cleaning Out the Fridge

I skipped the gym this morning because of my late night with my cousin last night! Crazy thing, I still woke up at the time that I would to ...

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Why yoga?

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm dead, dog tired tonight. I have no pearls of wisdom for you, I'm empty. I've been sitting here staring at my screen trying to think of something intelligent to say, or even something stupid to say, anything, but I'm just drawing a big, fat blank. It's like I've run out of words.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Why yoga?</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I wanted to mention why I was thinking about a yoga class. Not so much for spirituality or chanting to the supreme guru guy (whoever that's suppose to be, I have no idea). I have my own guy I pray to, and he's not some guru in India.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The reason I'm thinking about a yoga class is because I realized last week at the Kundalini yoga that I'm totally out of touch with my body. Even though I didn't like the chanting and weird breathing in Kudalini, there was something kind of cool about actually noticing my body. Paying attention to my breathing, to the stretching, to how it feels to move my body very slowly, to acknowledge my body.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">When I hit the gym in the mornings, I hit it hard. I don't stretch to start, I just jump on that StairMaster or a spinning bike and away I go. My intent is to burn as many calories as quickly as possible in 30 minutes. According to my Polar Heart Rate monitor, it's usually around 220 calories for the StairMaster or 300 for the spinning bike. My goal is to get my heart rate up to around 150 and an average of 129. My resting heart rate is 54.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Then I hit the weights, trying to go as heavy as I can manage. Recently I've backed off a little on the size of weights since hurting my right shoulder and left elbow. Today my trapezius feels kind of shredded (thanks to Seated Rows with 67.5 pounds). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'm still lifting 20-pound dumbbells and using 50-pound barbell for my lunges, but no crazy stuff like the 25-pound dumbbells. I doubt I'll ever work up to the 25-pound dumbbells. I think maybe I'm just not built like a guy and will never lift guy-sized weights. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I rarely stretch afterwards, simply because I don't have time. I'm in a hurry and stretching is a luxury. So that's why the yoga, and that's the only reason. I don't expect it to change my life or make me happy, I thought it might help my balance and make me more limber.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Squat machine</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I discovered a cool new machine at my gym today that</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> I had never noticed. It's a squat machine. I hate doing squats (next to lunges) because I have this fear that I'll squat down and not be able to stand back up, or just fall over. It's part of a small, ongoing fear that the old lady (me) that works out with all the young, buff guys is going to embarrass herself one of these days. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The machine is a MaxiCam (one of the big boy toys) and it's called a squat/calf machine. I totally loved it and my buttocks are super sore tonight. </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4M2MSBRdkeenHA7ztK1ohJlvUu2sX_3oQT5Lkxue3bRTozWNPp9ear0lZyL85meurPb_dUmtqMBxP-pzZD5Xl3FbBzaODa5TeHXdhAJDUwhCnLRg_-3dnOeA4mhbSApPNZNWIRUo0Cn0/s1600-h/squat+machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4M2MSBRdkeenHA7ztK1ohJlvUu2sX_3oQT5Lkxue3bRTozWNPp9ear0lZyL85meurPb_dUmtqMBxP-pzZD5Xl3FbBzaODa5TeHXdhAJDUwhCnLRg_-3dnOeA4mhbSApPNZNWIRUo0Cn0/s320/squat+machine.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Binging</strong></span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I guess I need to mention the elephant in the room. The binging. So far so good. Last night was fine even though I slept the sleep of the damned. In other words, I'm not sure I actually even slept last night. Yet I still didn't go crazy with the eating. I had a couple small snacks, but I didn't eat any cheese (even though I know where to find it now). Actually, it's kind of lost it's appeal. It's just cheese, not crack or something.</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Strength Training Book</strong></span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I bought this book at Costco a few months ago and just started using it. I love it and it was only $11.99. I have six other books on strength training but this one is my current favorite. I love that it shows you which muscles you're working, and exactly how to do the exercises. Great book for a beginner or a pro.</span><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/AVvXsEi-9Sz5QZFwFsMLPjbnUKYj98l-Mo43eeiK61muUkH5gYdA6BAMml83FCc3CaExO1iJfVFNt9kL9Ohf3p7oXil5iXr-Chj6Ai7cSx63_OLyBDruaAv0acQE2UcobtmxFMJI2WE8HeBbAor_/s1600-h/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9Sz5QZFwFsMLPjbnUKYj98l-Mo43eeiK61muUkH5gYdA6BAMml83FCc3CaExO1iJfVFNt9kL9Ohf3p7oXil5iXr-Chj6Ai7cSx63_OLyBDruaAv0acQE2UcobtmxFMJI2WE8HeBbAor_/s320/book.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Long post for someone out of words.</span><br /></div>

Why yoga?

I'm dead, dog tired tonight. I have no pearls of wisdom for you, I'm empty. I've been sitting here staring at my screen trying t...

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Kundalini Yoga...no thanks

It turns out I kind of hate Kundalini Yoga. This is what I hate: the chanting words that I don't know what they mean and I can't pronounce. The weird poses that hurt my ankle bones. The breathing. Oh my God!...the breathing by protruding my belly button when I breathe out makes me light headed dizzy. I hate all of it. <br /><br />At first it seemed kind of nice. It seemed comforting, relaxing in the yoga studio. The lights were dimmed, the soft Indian music, everyone spoke in whispers. We had a really pretty lady Indian yoga instructor. Then she told us to close our eyes and she started the chanting thing. <br /><br />She'd given us a paper with the mantra. I couldn't prounce the words. I couldn't get down the sing-song chanting thing she was doing. It felt weird and uncomfortable. I kept wondering what the words meant.<br /><br />AD GURAY NAMEH, JUGAD GURAY NAMEH,<br />SAT GURAY NAMEH, SIRI GURU DEVAY NAMEH<br /><br />I looked it on Google. The above mantra means:<br /><br />This is the Mangala Charn Mantra, and is chanted for protection. It surroundsthe magnetic field with protective light, and means "I bow to the primal Guru (guiding consciousness who takes us to God-Realization), I bow to wisdom through the ages, I bow to True Wisdom, I bow to the great, unseen wisdom."<br /><br />This just isn't for me. I have three more classes but I have no interest in going. It seems like a total waste of time. <br /><br />I've tried the hot yoga, you might remember my <a href="http://diana135.blogspot.com/2009/05/hell-hatha-hot-yoga.html" target="blank">post</a> on that one. I'd rather have my eyes poked out with a hot stick than go through that torture again.<br /><br />The only thing left to try is good old Hatha Yoga. There's a cute little studio down the street from where I live. They have a good reputation so I think I'll give them a try. I don't consider yoga exercise. I think of it more of as mental calming and relaxation. I could use some of that in my life so I'm willing to give it one last try. It can't be any worse than the last two yogas I've tried.

Kundalini Yoga...no thanks

It turns out I kind of hate Kundalini Yoga. This is what I hate: the chanting words that I don't know what they mean and I can't pro...

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Monday Is A Fun Day

<p>I started out my week just right, at the gym! I got in <strong>40 minutes</strong> on the <strong>cross ramp</strong>…burning over <strong>450 calories</strong>!! Felt great! Afterwards I made up my <strong>favorite oatmeal combo</strong> with <strong>PB2</strong> and a <strong>small banana</strong> for <strong>4 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkE65gREmcqREAyr_zbD7SHwaaFG8Wy9-GYCG8JoG_H1SduVtuI080gL6gDowZw3Wt0r6bs02bNaRsPCghyphenhyphenLtZ74H-z4wWRQoG-KEQe6oqhiXZckiBtqCFp8gK_esPtbZLUwPqQu3GZy_N/s1600-h/DSC05758%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05758" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR76ltz8aa9yvv9-X1moLe8LP6qNV1sO8AyG3oRy9rZahgTiN5BeWBJwakyrVoygePdAAuQ3zaVAXkqEOisYs7l96tmTXbBnRUsNDAW8sCAwVcPlrpTzcA2DDZa0osW9K8Sv-Iqthz4Kjk/?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="DSC05758" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Today was the day of snacks! It was a short work day for me, so I didn’t take an official lunch break. Around 10:30am I had my first snack, a <strong>gold delicious apple</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSobJDdAcUGe2WRyb_e05ZxutLn-N-h159FpIR_qnDXEorvnisClZTNzDWhh4n7w1IVoct14hbQDxkRD26ZZgQwuff8pU2KB7DHkRBvVfnmb9pq_sVTzexWdzAevR5hROd0F8oCRvOyKX/s1600-h/DSC05759%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05759" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuuS7gyywTeUi_dWFQ6Y2mtPO_XNr3y-pm8l7JRTeRlhpXjYY31xL9AaaBmd5EwcVjEKLp9y3w-pU-W-4vNh2ExHFYN0U_xm_YI_NJRIgl1uoVmEOoncGiqR2ZI8I2O72HnZwsb6oWvxc/?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="DSC05759" width="404" /></a></p> <p>A few hours later I munched on these delicious <strong>grapes</strong> for another <strong>1 point</strong> snack!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb15eiDNAnfywiyBBKRrgCa09b6UeshL_AXrgi49izmiBii0OrCM41noqgnuVM47-ZIc2sksz_b98LZFliFqQ4FSTBvJC15sxhnSK7DvNl-ybi-wL1nrEKnfL8-jxaXWX2vYoQPuNO2_zh/s1600-h/DSC05760%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05760" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKeMWNY7y1w1gYo960IgeHWoLqJPIhEh94ofm0YXQmGXFvd56IzZIQJbu7EE7XGh-HZbdZqVeq6Zs-n5CqZ0yzeNCrKBo9f6Ya9xqKYNNXF2X7vhknwerI8S4H_4-cp-4WYByP2VVAARq/?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="DSC05760" width="404" /></a></p> <p>And then right before I left work at 2pm I mixed up some <strong>yogurt</strong> and <strong>grape nuts</strong> for <strong>2 points</strong>. I had to stop at the grocery store before I got home and didn’t want to be<strong> s-t-a-r-v-i-n-g</strong> while I was there and this <strong>did just the trick</strong>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvyrWyYaEOeb-sWosf9_iIYuMizlTOH9T22psRoUFiTBDZ47WoNviO5QAZUbSWfCr3d7xBj3Ade72Ypq7bia77GWmeIOIvsoWcWfgABMTIhQZkG4t9YvHiwqjj6ITmi6k8mEN9LKnIbQY/s1600-h/DSC05761%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05761" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIZYFwBVRSBWuqXjKyVht5NePGOR3rOrGMaKOkmsPx2-gUxZuUdH34EzmzzaTIFOGuYg9FfBxXmBAHZurkvvlyddcCc707aupkvhLD1wMe3K29MRv3Z0wut-s8k0Zp_TeYeqtA7NauIns/?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="DSC05761" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I did a little tidy-ing up when I got home while munching on some <strong>animal crackers</strong> in between (<strong>2 points</strong>)….because my cousin and her <strong>super cute little boy</strong> were coming to spend the night with us! They arrived around three and the <strong>chit chat</strong> <strong>didn’t stop</strong>! It was so fun to catch up with her and play with her lil guy!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjiH4xhyphenhyphenMmH3k9pYngst8rtD4OJOmepiEn9edPEY0Jt9GFYK72NoTwL_3kJesmAhzHqRVaiiIpT8cPlRzb_vuoJeg1l93D0ta5qIh1RDSvgz6QCaklZd7q1HxRnjxyeUI8ztx61szusjM/s1600-h/DSC05767%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05767" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgTzzcx9iMp8wcFxQIvHJI5ufT3gD1GplgTF_vHpCmv0GIRl6bqum6tctpeMBpkBBbjVTDkytIxUOMjzJFb32j4o5KgCXXqEkhkaevFP-oMcEvMC6KHkS1vH8a0-qopi2NdNZhv1_4HER/?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="DSC05767" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Since I was fresh out of baby food we had to make a quick run to Target to pick up a few things for him, but before we did I realized <strong>I still hadn’t eating any lunch</strong> :( so I had snack #5 of the day, a serving of <strong>cottage cheese</strong> for <strong>2 points</strong> to hold me over because it was already about 5ish. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclhx90pt89HaKdYC5WKRliBaFJYWg25Rd2hassDgjCg2DgmGNbll_5O5yQnSeJPlJv-TShR7JW0WYYOTTLB0QHY-2CFMqI8fmDZKjCKK03kkD_suwgdiQGOC21x9CXlZ1_cTOtgJxTUtR/s1600-h/DSC05762%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05762" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsCFZgM7AjIepeHWg-aIdlFwn3rRe0NRZWTSLZFX_Y5iuQosX2-GR4NCmRgWbxKwC_dl50v53FDC5zcPjSNbVCxD3d4TlG7qZffVIuKB3m26_gEbhp3JnvwE9Zc0ZhlCbH8ZZaC3akkxD/?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="DSC05762" width="404" /></a></p> <p>When we got home we had a nice, <strong>low point supper</strong>! I must say, my cousin was quite <strong>impressed</strong>, she couldn’t believe that it was low point! My plate consisted of <strong>green beans</strong>, <strong>grapes</strong>, and <strong>1 serving of creamy baked chicken</strong> <strong>(X2)</strong> for a total of <strong>9 points</strong>. Mmmm, so delish!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURfHNCIo_zm2rOei88UvXNTESgVJukqLZ3P-WjcI6xMswgYh-w7qV6j7TJ1QMCTKFVJjoFTw_QKZAYTSnLW96VelKWOWEdPa8nfveFIH0BmHRAWMgZxvjC1rAnxeMuWiIgHjPrcesYeAS/s1600-h/DSC05763%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05763" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxqd9gEvonDtpgvic0SgjTib2Mvv1WWmSIi2ni5P_f0CUe3IQfkp4NQQKSxcVCt4HJHhwpDHlQM6piYZWKwy-XMo9Ou4P2w4qDiFFfHvVprx5IZdOcof3MWd0yyUZRzV2Ve1xmkaSa2Pe/?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="DSC05763" width="404" /></a></p> <p>If you haven’t tried this recipe, you MUST!!! I got it from <a href="http://happytexans.blogspot.com/">Kelly</a> over at <a href="http://happytexans.blogspot.com/">Happy Texans</a>. Not only is it good, but it’s also SUPER easy!! So without further ado, here it is:</p> <p><font size="4"><strong>Creamy Baked Chicken (4 </strong><b>pts/breast)</b></font></p> <ul> <li>4 6-oz chicken breasts </li> <li>1 can 98% fat free cream of chicken </li> <li>1/4 cup water </li> <li>2 cups Stove Top stuffing mix </li> <li>1 c. fat free chicken broth </li> <li>4 oz. low fat (or fat free) swiss cheese </li> </ul> <p>Cut chicken breasts in half so you have 8. Place in 9x13 pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix soup and water. Put Swiss cheese on chicken breasts. Pour soup over chicken. Sprinkle crushed stuffing mix over chicken. Drizzle chicken broth over. Bake for about 45 minutes or until done. Check it at 40 minutes because every one's oven is different. </p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p>We spent the rest of the evening watching the Bachelor and catching up! She lives in WI, so we don’t get to see each other as often as we would like. And her little boy is probably the <strong>best baby</strong> I’ve ever been around. He  never got crabby once the whole day! Oh and she also help me download <a href="http://skype.com/">Skype</a>. I’ve heard lots about it, but never used it before. Her hubby is in AZ doing some training for the Army so they use it all the time to keep in touch! So we skyp-ed my <strong>SIL</strong> and then my <strong>cousin’s hubby</strong>…it is <strong>SO cool</strong>!!! <strong>Have you tried Skype??</strong> Or was I <strong>THE</strong> last person in the world to download it!! ;)</p> <p><strong>MONDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 21/24 <br />WATER = 116 oz <br />EXERCISE = 40 min cross ramp</p>

Monday Is A Fun Day

I started out my week just right, at the gym! I got in 40 minutes on the cross ramp …burning over 450 calories !! Felt great! Afterwards I ...

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The letter

<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tonight I feel incredibly in control of my eating. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I feel so in control that I started thinking, I wish I could talk to myself when I get that crazy, out-of-control feeling and want to eat everything in sight. The sane, totally in control Diana talking to the crazy, out-of-control Diana, try to talk some sense into her.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then I had an idea. I see people write themselves letters to be opened in a year or five years or twenty years. They're letters of their current self talking to their future self. I thought why don't I write a letter to the crazy Diana. The one that can't stop herself from binging. </span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I wrote the letter and have put it in an envelope, with two of my fat pictures, taped to the refrigerator door. It's to be opened if I start to feel like I'm losing control of my eating.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's the letter, from the sane Diana to the crazy Diana:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Dear Diana,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you're reading this letter, it means you're considering embarking on mindless eating. A binge is about to happen. At least you had the presence of mind to open this letter and read it. That's a step in the right direction.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is your sane self speaking to your crazy self. You need to listen because this part of you knows what's best for you. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Whatever you're thinking about eating, it wasn't planned and you don't have the Points for it. You need to really think about what you're going to do. Answer these questions before you proceed:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1. Do you really want to do this? Don't answer so quickly. Think about it for a few minutes. Never mind that you may have been thinking about it for hours, seriously and honestly think about it again. Is this REALLY what you want? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2. Remember it will only be a moment of pleasure. As soon as you eat the food you'll want more, and you know you won't be able to stop. You wouldn't be reading this if you thought you could stop. You're reading this because you're feeling a bit insane and out of control. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You need to get a grip on your emotions. Calm down for God's sake and think about what you're about to do. Is it really worth it? Is it worth throwing away all your hard work for a moment of pleasure? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3. If you insist on eating the food that you shouldn't eat, do me a favor first. Prepare a low-Point snack. Make it a protein and a complex carbohydrate.Sit down at the dining table and use a real dish and utensils. Do not read or watch TV. Focus on the snack you're eating. Drink a glass of ice water with it or herbal tea. Pay attention to what you're eating. Put down this letter and go have your snack.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4. If you're reading this then #3 didn't work. That's okay. Stop kicking yourself and beating yourself up about it. It's not the first time and not the last time. Whatever it is that's driving you nuts and you think you can't live without eating it, get one serving of it. Put it on a plate. Calculate the Points. Put them in the tracker first, then go enjoy your food...at the table.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you still have the crazies, continue reading before you make the ultimate decision to just give up.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Whatever you're thinking at this very moment, put it aside. Let me tell you what I think. Me, the sane part of you. Food is not your friend. It is not love. It will not comfort you. It is not pleasure. It can't make you happy. It is mere sustenance to keep you alive. If you derive pleasure from it, remember it's only a momentary and fleeting pleasure.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Please take a good look the pictures in the envelope with this letter. Remember that 240-pound woman. Remember the physical and mental pain she went through every day. Remember how tough it was to get to where you are now. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I will ask you one more question:  <strong>Is whatever you want to eat at this moment really worth taking a chance on going back to being that sad woman in the pictures?</strong> The woman with the fake smile, that hurt in her heart and in her body. The one that wore her failure for the entire world to see, and who felt shame at her weakness. The one that hated how she looked and how she felt. The woman that dreaded getting out of bed every day of her life. Who was consumed by her fatness. The one that woke up every morning and thought, I've got to do something about my weight.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">No, I didn't think so.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Signed,</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The sane and in control Diana </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Click on the pictures for a larger view, if you dare. :)</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This picture horrifies me. I don't even recognize this person.</span><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJ_-QaTCSab_TweY7wMT8yIstgRMDDAAjEHLWAZ2wqczkI6UB3Q5bKr9QIR2bXFSVb-Xuj4okTV09VgN0Po8VFOQkkOf_FCF1HukvMs6ctsv2QbWjiDG2Oc_-3lTenEFf6ZTWhYoEiWov/s1600-h/Diana+_240+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJ_-QaTCSab_TweY7wMT8yIstgRMDDAAjEHLWAZ2wqczkI6UB3Q5bKr9QIR2bXFSVb-Xuj4okTV09VgN0Po8VFOQkkOf_FCF1HukvMs6ctsv2QbWjiDG2Oc_-3lTenEFf6ZTWhYoEiWov/s320/Diana+_240+002.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I can't believe I actually thought I was sort of cute in this picture. </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Size 20 shorts are never cute.</span><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2I9re1pfGfv7TwbhbPnjmKpmPOfK4of2gr19St0nXkRHWsOpqoP82WomPU7ypGm_Czt8Y3I9r8eXMKoh7x38tLPTaaZYGkLG5X0HnXJytm83kfVC83yZwjVHenfINeBS3r-vM2_hl4JK/s1600-h/Diana+_+240+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2I9re1pfGfv7TwbhbPnjmKpmPOfK4of2gr19St0nXkRHWsOpqoP82WomPU7ypGm_Czt8Y3I9r8eXMKoh7x38tLPTaaZYGkLG5X0HnXJytm83kfVC83yZwjVHenfINeBS3r-vM2_hl4JK/s320/Diana+_+240+001.JPG" /></a><br /></div>

The letter

Tonight I feel incredibly in control of my eating. I feel so in control that I started thinking, I wish I could talk to myself when I get th...

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Making Headway!

<p>It was so hard to get out of bed for church when my alarm went off at 7:15am since we didn’t make it to bed till after 1am, but we did and it was worth it. Church was really good and we caught up with a few friends!</p> <p>Afterwards Kyle and I headed home and started making breakfast. It was already after 11am and I hadn’t had anything to eat, so I was <strong>quite hungry</strong> so I grabbed a <strong>small banana</strong> to eat for a quick <strong>1 point snack</strong>! </p> <p>It’s pretty much a Sunday tradition to eat breakfast/lunch with Kyle’s parents and any other siblings that might happen to be in town! Today we thought it would be good on our wallets & calories (for me anyway!) to make something at home! I had <strong>banana pancakes</strong> with <strong>PB2</strong> and <strong>sugar free syrup</strong> for <strong>6 points</strong>. I also had a <em>few bites</em> of <strong>scrambled eggs</strong> that I think I’m going to count for <strong>3 points</strong> just to be high. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Q3Gx6ogEGz1TbpQXdLprP-b-GpX2-vUgw5KqdYj1BBgQKhyphenhyphenVC6hZKuW9y9PKj-z6CQoC6G81kmXO8s4mmhbxJR4Y_VudNHEyTz-1uD9tKbjHKbGJTbpRCCTSjzxWInHNOoc_Yxehx9zn/s1600-h/DSC02414_thumb1%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC02414_thumb1" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilp-26k_7JAJMMkHCVnb2RRoUVIsP78FxOffuBhFnj8L4lTiSHaXRmmBer-smLupq-Jv5pRpZ78_-GQh1CeIUdvHxM9emCIG0G6p2_GkqCPpPhIrVYr_ccY8zj0AVOUaZGbWZYmGinIi3c/?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="DSC02414_thumb1" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Everyone else had chocolate chip pancakes with cool whip, turkey sausage, and scrambled eggs! We ate our breakfast, or should I say <u>brunch</u>, while watching the <strong>Vikings game</strong>! It was a great game and they <u><strong>won</strong></u>!! Next week they will play the Saints! Hoping for <strong>another win</strong> and then on the <strong>SuperBowl</strong>!! While watching the half of the game I did sip on Diet Cherry Pepsi. <em>(I’m trying to track my pop intake better to see if it’s really true that whatever is in diet pop leads to sweet cravings…I’m hoping to prove that theory wrong!)</em></p> <p>After everyone headed out I knew I had to<strong> hit the gym</strong>! Kyle has had a nasty cold for the past 2 week and hasn’t been able to go to the gym. But I didn’t let the fact that he was home and couldn’t work out stop me! I got in <strong>40 minutes</strong> on the treadmill with a <strong>run/walk combo</strong>. I went a total <strong>3.33 miles</strong>. Now I know that doesn’t sound too great. But I ran <strong>3 miles</strong> in just<strong> 34 minutes</strong>, the rest was walking. If you recall, a few days ago it took me <em>32 minutes</em> to run <em>2.65 miles</em>, so I was happy with that progress!</p> <p>Oh and this picture is proof that I was <strong>sweaty</strong>…I took it when I got home, but I felt like I had gotten out of the shower for how wet my hair was with sweaty!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFulqizUgQvrTWb9O1m_is_A-Yzt2lkbmXtVQELX8yWzgIbpB82mijs_daht8D9wtfO0vdOyZ6n6KACuayLWyZpCTXtgNQgQhtoDjr0ok6vobX9aQJoa56ILrqMmd7CIeY6D4xYneKMMy/s1600-h/DSC057555.jpg"><img alt="DSC05755" border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR1OMShXXLA-aJAaK5gGu7km9vjx4p5E2JPpwwJIlpRFPeXXGQHcbrMEcnxiVb-a9fPVAFFwBB4RtwhpcuiOM9dG0vKzEEIgEv_MSWQ9aMaf0YXHknaSqlG67ZeHjkb9yUbdK5V_ThUL0/?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="DSC05755" width="304" /></a> </p> <p>Kyle wanted pizza for supper and I was excited because I remembered how much I <strong>loved</strong> <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/03/day-147-tuesday-331.html">making my little pizzas on english muffins</a>! Well, I mixed things up a bit this time! I made a<strong> ham & pineapple flat out pizza</strong>! It consisted of 1/4 sauce, 1/4 2% cheese, 1/2 pineapple, and a flat out, totaling only <strong>6 points</strong>! And look how big it is!! I also had a side of <strong>steamed cauliflower</strong> for <strong>0 points</strong>! Kyle ordered Caseys’ pizza and I said no thank you <strong>without any hesitation</strong>! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfLt1Wg6KR1FwlSFJsffWLxyHAsq_w8D0ciNIj9f6TAm5pTFxsIZ-6xldzK4hGDk5W6nJCgW-CoDbW4FGp5or44fcYx__HPWNnLettaypsRb3WknJZ4pvb4GdtSWmEH3Cfga5ds4y9j6o/s1600-h/DSC05757%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05757" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgP-zRBbzlP2ozsXFKsZeho101kIU37r0xcnX7eTYNzbIcEvwuBjRK3X9SmObqV631d3pjVqI-T9kmMycqPKO_FMeGsuKTOzqXnr3orHJSuCCZkTXted6o44kSEFDqLvpyupHxadIEqWq/?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="DSC05757" width="404" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aa1QATpFwlnBwWGOsEYNN7224D74dsgedg8nWW8avPYYBjM5HdZMH26tzM8f3f8Fa-TtMKMGYXhTg8EM68toyWppoHodkezeftAAWX-Lr3OafnMPJMoV_iqs2Wv-k3CgtLIo6U1Neaqk/s1600-h/DSC05756%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05756" border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlxGHbT9eU9D7zO04Mr-Zpb60rvkxJINaKJtcjYOQVD3e0pMGSC0jKS6XkLTAKDOxoHF8f8Q_IdEoz4laIE0lQ4iQxgB0qBFzaQyIq4iUfefcTnYt-6z9SMjoqKNPZJAB0V1tFQEOhD_P/?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="DSC05756" width="404" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://ajourneytothin.blogspot.com/"><em>Mae Flowers</em></a><em> nominated me for the Beautiful Blogger Award, how sweet! You should definitely check out her blog if you haven’t done so! She is a beautiful fellow Iowan!!<img alt="Beautiful_Blogger_Award" border="0" height="191" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ISSkq8AjaE8/S1IfC6jkTrI/AAAAAAAAAsA/0MXFb7JKfjI/Beautiful_Blogger_Award_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Beautiful_Blogger_Award" width="191" /></em></p> <p>The rules are that I need to tell you all 7 things you may not know about me, then pass on the award to 7 more beautiful bloggers. Here we go!</p> <ol> <li>My husband and I have been together for 10 years & 1 month (as of today…really!!!). We started dating when we were 15! </li> <li>I <u>DEF</u> want kids someday…just not yet! </li> <li>I am teaching my first college course this semester. </li> <li>I love to dance…might not be good, but I love it! </li> <li>I got my Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and have NO desire to work in that field! </li> <li>If you include in-laws & step…I have 8 sisters!! </li> <li>My <a href="http://bangertfam.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-guardian-angel.html">front tire fell off my vehicle</a> last week while driving home from work, yikes! </li> </ol> <p>And the<strong> 7 beautiful bloggers</strong> that I would like to nominate are (& you should <strong>definitely</strong> check out):</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://happytexans.blogspot.com/">Happy Texans</a> </li> <li><a href="http://tippytoediet.com/">Tippy Toe Diet</a> </li> <li><a href="http://www.livesmilerun.com/">Live, Smile, Run</a> </li> <li><a href="http://prettyface59.blogspot.com/">Not Just A Pretty Face</a> </li> <li><a href="http://gonnabethinin2010.blogspot.com/">Gonna Be Thin in 2010</a> </li> <li><a href="http://www.loserforlife.com/">Loser for Life</a> </li> <li><a href="http://simplyfabulousnow.wordpress.com/">Simply Fabulous</a> </li> </ul> <p>That’s all for tonight blog friends! I’m off to bed!</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><strong>SUNDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 16/24 <br />WATER = 104 oz <br />EXERCISE = 40 min run/walk</p>

Making Headway!

It was so hard to get out of bed for church when my alarm went off at 7:15am since we didn’t make it to bed till after 1am, but we did and i...

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4 Things That Can Increase Your Chances of a Promotion

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/qy/ar5c1wr62v7q4g7lmzqy.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/qy/ar5c1wr62v7q4g7lmzqy.gif" /></a><br /></div><br />With some companies beginning to emerge from the recession and pursue growth plans again, moving up the corporate ladder could be on your mind. Taking on a higher-level position -- and, ideally, the corresponding bump in pay -- could be especially appealing if you've assumed added responsibilities or put in longer hours during the downturn. What can you do to ensure you're on the short list of candidates for a promotion? Here are some tips:<br /><br />1. Talk to your manager. <br />Your supervisor has a large say in your chances of earning a promotion. Don't assume he or she is aware of your desire to grow your career. Be proactive and speak to your boss about your long-term plans. Your manager may know of opportunities within the department, or elsewhere in the company, and be able to help you evaluate and prepare for the opportunities. Your boss also has a more objective view of your professional strengths and weaknesses than you do and can provide an honest assessment of what steps you may need to take to assume a new role.<br /><br />By involving your boss in your quest for a promotion, you can discuss with him or her any questions or challenges you face. For example, if you are currently an administrative assistant in the marketing department and are interested in a position as an account executive, your supervisor's feedback could help you determine if such a transition would be right for you.<br /><br />2. Upgrade your skills. <br />There's a good chance you may lack some of the necessary skills or qualifications for a higher-level role. The supervisory position you're eyeing, for instance, may require knowledge of budgeting procedures or recruiting techniques. In some cases, you may even have to earn a new certification, license or degree.<br /><br />You also need to consider if you have the necessary soft skills. A promotion may require you to do less hands-on, technical work and instead manage people, oversee projects, generate buy-in from internal stakeholders or negotiate with vendors. If you lack experience in these areas, work with your manager to identify the appropriate training opportunities. Also, volunteer for projects that allow you to build skills in essential areas.<br /><br />3. Expand your network. Being connected at work has multiple benefits. Most obviously, you could learn of opportunities you might not have otherwise been aware of. You also may meet someone who can provide insight into the job or type of position you seek. A manager, for example, could outline the steps he took to move up from a staff-level role and warn you of any stumbling blocks he faced.<br /><br />Perhaps most importantly, networking with others allows you to boost your visibility within the company, increasing the likelihood that someone considers you when a position becomes available.<br /><br />4. Gauge your interest. The most crucial part of preparing for a promotion is determining if you truly want it. While it's safe to assume that you want any additional compensation or perks the job offers, do you also want the additional responsibilities? After you've learned more about a role you're interested in assuming, ask yourself if you can do everything the position requires. Take into account not only your skill set and qualifications but also your life outside of work. If you have young children, for example, will your work/life balance suffer? Will a higher-level position require you to play office politics? Are you comfortable transitioning from peer to manager if you take a supervisory role?<br /><br />A promotion is a great way to advance your career, but remember that it isn't an all or nothing proposition. You're unlikely to jump multiple rungs on the corporate ladder in a single move. So keep your eye on the position you want to assume eventually and focus on the steps, even if they seem small, that will allow you to get there.<br /><br />By Robert Half International the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.roberthalf.com.<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>

4 Things That Can Increase Your Chances of a Promotion

With some companies beginning to emerge from the recession and pursue growth plans again, moving up the corporate ladder could be on your mi...

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7 Jobs for Associate Degrees

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/jb/ar5c60z6bjhtgd3b3vjb.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/jb/ar5c60z6bjhtgd3b3vjb.gif" /></a><br /></div>Associate degrees have suddenly landed on the radars of many people who hadn't given them much thought. Why? The economy, stupid.<br /><br />Once the recession knocked us all on our backsides, we needed to find a new way to compete in this tough job market. Many people suddenly realized the importance of education when you're trying to stand out. Associate degrees became particularly attractive for several reasons:<br /><br />· You can typically earn one in one to two years<br />· The shorter schooling period makes them more affordable<br />· They can land you a high-paying and in-demand job<br />· You can obtain one at community colleges, which are often more accessible than traditional universities for many people<br /><br />If you're someone who thinks a boost in your education credentials could be the ticket to finding the right job, consider one of these professions. Keep in mind that some employers or states require a specific combination of a degree, experience and certification.<br /><br />Here are seven jobs you can get with an associate degree, their average annual salaries and the amount of workers they're projected to add between 2008 and 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:<br /><br />1. Computer support specialists<br />Computer support specialists work in IT departments and respond to problems employees are experiencing with different technological equipment -- most often computers. They troubleshoot software and hardware issues. Depending on their specific role in an organization, they might work as technical support or as a help desk technician.<br />Projected growth 2008-2018*: 78,000<br />Salary**: $54,963<br /><br />2. Dental assistants and hygienists<br />Dental assistants work under the supervision of dentists and perform tasks that prepare patients for the dentist exam or assist with procedures. They are allowed to perform certain tasks but should not be confused with dental hygienists, who perform more involved procedures and undergo separate training.<br />Projected growth 2008-2018: 105,600 (assistants) and 62,900 (hygienists)<br />Salary: $38,359 (assistants) and $69,907 (hygienists)<br /><br />3. Engineering technicians<br />Engineering technicians address technical issues in a variety of engineering fields and they often assist engineers in the research and development of products.<br />Projected growth 2008-2018: 25,800<br />Salary: $52,753<br /><br />4. Occupational therapist assistants and physical therapist assistants<br />Assistants follow the instructions of occupational and physical therapists to help their respective patients rehabilitate. They work with patients, record their progress and report a patient's progress to the therapist.<br />Projected growth 2008-2018: 7,900 (occupational therapist assistants) and 21,200 (physical therapist assistants)<br />Salary: $42,416<br /><br />5. Paralegals<br />Paralegals research and gather information on legal documents, as well as other relevant materials that attorneys need for trials and other proceedings.<br />Projected growth 2008-2018: 74,100<br />Salary: $58,236<br /><br />6. Radiation therapists<br />Radiation therapists administer radiation therapy to patients based on the instructions provided by the radiologist. They monitor patients' prescriptions and progress to ensure they are in line with what the radiologist prescribed.<br />Projected growth 2008-2018: 4,100<br />Salary: $70,512<br /><br />7. Registered nurses<br />Registered nurses work in every health-care facility imaginable -- hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and countless others. They care for patients in a variety of ways, including administering medication as prescribed by a physician, monitoring their vital signs and assisting with other needs.<br />Projected growth 2008-2018: 581,500<br />Salary: $67,217<br /><br />*Projected job growth figures based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics<br />**Average annual salary figures based on data from CBsalary.com, powered by SalaryExpert.com<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>

7 Jobs for Associate Degrees

Associate degrees have suddenly landed on the radars of many people who hadn't given them much thought. Why? The economy, stupid. Once t...

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