Hiring Managers Speak Out: 9 Things That Seal the Deal

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/09/ar5b0zk6pf9nptlpl709.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/09/ar5b0zk6pf9nptlpl709.gif" /></a><br /></div>One thing about the hiring process is true: it leaves much room for speculation. Whether you got the job -- or you didn't -- most job seekers want to know why. Why were you chosen over the next guy? Or, better yet, why weren't you? Was it your experience, your attitude, your interview answers, your outfit?<br /><br />While you can speculate for days about all the different things that may or may not have gone your way, we decided to ask hiring managers directly: What seals the deal when you choose to hire a candidate? Why do you choose one person over another? All of their answers will give you some insight as to what you should pay attention to the next time you're up for a job.<br /><br />Here's what hiring managers had to say about what qualities they like to see:<br /><br />Initiative<br />"One of the big things for me is [following] up. If I'm on the fence about a candidate but they take the time to e-mail me and thank me for having them come in, it shows me that they are motivated, tactful and professional. On the other side of the coin, if I interview someone and they are using lots of banal business speak and don't give me any impression of what their personality is like, I will usually pass. I hate when I ask a candidate what their favorite thing to work on is and they say 'everything' -- it leaves me with the impression that they either have no personality or won't speak their mind." -- Keith Baumwald, interactive marketing analyst, Shoplet.com<br /><br />Preparation<br />"I know I have a good candidate for hire when they come in prepared with as many questions about the job and company as I have for the candidate -- especially when their questions go beyond just the pay rate and benefits. By showing interest in learning more about what the job opportunity actually involves, it shows that the candidate is just as concerned about this job being the right fit for them as I am." -- Angie Nelson, marketing coordinator, Les Bois, Federal Credit Union<br /><br />Honesty<br />"A quick deal-killer for me is people who are trying to answer questions the way they think I want them answered. Honesty in the interview is refreshing. I appreciate applicants who tell the truth without trying to sugarcoat things. I am not as concerned with bad things that have happened in their past as much as how they dealt with those issues. That shows their true character." -- Phil Wrzesinski, owner, Toy House and Baby Too<br /><br />Confidence<br />"Confidence is important, but there is a fine line between that and arrogance. I once had a candidate state numerous times he was the one and that no way anyone else could be better. This is not only arrogant, but demonstrates ignorance on the part of the candidate. One does not always know who they are competing with or all of their qualifications." -- Thomasina Tafur, president, Thomasina Tafur Consulting<br /><br />Values<br />"When interviewing candidates to join our firm, two things can be deal breakers: attitude and core values. You can't teach attitude, but you can teach skill. A positive attitude, strong work ethic and strong values should trump more experience and skill. I also make sure the candidate demonstrates our company's core values. I ask them to tell me their 'story' of their professional journey. Through their story, I get a better understanding of the decisions they made and the values they have (or don't have)." -- Michelle Roccia, senior vice president of corporate organizational development, Winter, Wyman<br /><br />Desire<br />"When a candidate is displaying a true desire to come work for your company, they are often the one you want to hire once you are looking at the finalist pool. The fastest way to end up with a short interview and ruling yourself out from being considered is to arrive to an interview to only lack energy, give short answers and show no excitement to be there." -- James Thompson, vice president of business development, JMJ Phillip<br /><br />Passion<br />"When I hire, I hire for 'right fit,' which doesn't necessarily have anything to do with experience or training. A 'right fit' candidate is someone who is aligned philosophically with the company, has a passion for the products or industry, and believes that the kind of work that they do is their mission, not just their livelihood. For example, when I was staffing a green business in Orange County, Calif., I didn't hire the people with the longest résumés and the most degrees, I hired the people who were passionate about the 'green' cause and had demonstrated that in some way in their personal life. What we ended up with were employees who were willing to do whatever it took to make the enterprise successful because they were driven by an inner belief, not by a paycheck. They were engaged at an extremely high level from the first day they walked in the door. I hire for passion, and then train for skills, if necessary." --Barbara Farfan, management and retail consultant, Authentic Communications<br /><br />"When having difficulty narrowing down a short list of qualified candidates based on their experience, skills, upward potential and education, I tend to put significant weight on the candidate's passion for what we do as a company and how we do it. If the employee can show evidence that they genuinely align with our company values, purpose and mission, the likelihood of success increases tremendously in my opinion." -- Matt Arrigale, vice president, human resources, Schott North America<br /><br />Creativity<br />"During the interview process we tend to ask oddball questions and gauge [a candidate's] reaction and the actual answers they give. This will give us an idea as how they will fit with our company and everyone else who works with us. For the upcoming semester we chose one intern over the others solely based on her answer to 'If you were a candy bar, what kind would you be?' She sat for about three seconds but didn't think we were crazy for asking it. She smiled and said 'I'd be a Caramello because they're awesome and hard to find, but when you find them you get a happy feeling inside.'" -- AmyLynn Keimach, Border7 Studios<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>

Hiring Managers Speak Out: 9 Things That Seal the Deal

One thing about the hiring process is true: it leaves much room for speculation. Whether you got the job -- or you didn't -- most job se...

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A funny thing happened on my way to writing this post

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've been taking a break from my blog, stepping back and trying to figure out what is wrong with me.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As I do with most things in my life, I was over-analyzing my binging problem. To the point where I was becoming obsessed by it.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was posting the same thing every day. I binged, I didn't binge, I wanted to binge, I need to stop binging, I don't know how to stop binging, what is wrong with me?! Over and over I repeated the same words. If I didn't actually post them, they were running through my head.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then I'd talk a good talk: "I can do this!" "I'm going to do this!" "This will work!"</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When truthfully, I'd fallen and couldn't get up. None of my grand schemes worked on me. The more I worried about it, the worse it became. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I had all sorts of theories about the reasons for my binging: my husband doesn't love me enough, my father died when I was 12, I was spoiled by my mother to make up for not having a father, I was use to getting what I wanted, my job is stressful. Or my personal favorite, I have some sort of mental disease, and I'm addicted to food.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've been mucking about for the last few days, trying to figure out my problem, when this post by a very courageous lady named Velda popped up:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://theclimbandsometimesthefall.blogspot.com/" target="blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Climb and Sometimes the Fall, My story of lung cancer that's gone to my head.</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I read Velda's post, along with the last few posts that I'd missed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then I thought to myself, what the hell am I complaining about? Honest to God, I don't know anymore. </span>

A funny thing happened on my way to writing this post

I've been taking a break from my blog, stepping back and trying to figure out what is wrong with me. As I do with most things in my life...

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Zydeco Snow

Before my first National Cowboy Poets’ Gathering, I assumed it would be nothing but white guys emulating Baxter Black – which is not bad. But the folks in Elko who put this event together are intentionally cosmopolitan. The first event I ever attended was a concert of Mexican corridos performed by artists from our neighbor to the south. My next event was a concert by the Cowboy Poets of Kyrgystan. Amazing Asian folk traditions expanded my horizons.<br /><br />This year’s guests were from the Southeastern United States. That made sense. The Southeast has produced cowboy legends like the immortal Florida wrangler Bone Mizell. So my mind was open to the two Florida cowboy poets who opened tonight’s show, Swamp Tunes. The mediocrity of their verse was punctuated by base insulting rudeness and on one occasion an “inartful” racial slur. The dignity of Elko was saved only by my having failed to bring fruit to the event.<br /><br />However, they were only the openers. The main act was a 5-man Black zydeco band from South Louisiana. Washboard and drum rhythms drove the accordion melody. The artists were more than talented. They were inspired and inspiring. Cajun music, kin to country, has its own charm, but this was zydeco -- a celebratory cousin to blues. The music was so aesthetically compelling I was lost in it. A truly spiritual experience. Someday we must have a zydeco mass.<br /><br />When I stepped outside the Folklife Center, the music still pulsing in my body, snow was falling from a sky my poet friend Lyn Lifshin would call “onyx.” Life is good despite Florida poets.

Zydeco Snow

Before my first National Cowboy Poets’ Gathering, I assumed it would be nothing but white guys emulating Baxter Black – which is not bad. Bu...

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Sunday Post

<p>Like my creative title? ;) Couldn’t come up with anything at almost midnight!</p> <p>I started my Sunday out with an <strong>apple</strong> and a <strong>fiber one bar</strong> on the way to church for <strong>3 points</strong>. I knew we wouldn’t eat anything until 11am or later and I didn’t wan to be <u><em>s-t-a-r-v-i-n-g</em></u> and gorge on anything in sight. And it definitely helped!<img alt="DSC05831" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCDdNVj2yI3c08ZDN6hNgp9H35dEr0WK1B0cN7ZLbA1L6OkLIF32918_3M07DbWMi_gx_jI4E3b6SnFMSfbvBU-Muw7dPvkc2juS1Y47ipX68aRmfdNqkCtCJesMmSHOffb9AlJPVp7wW/?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="DSC05831" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05832" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbclgPN54271O-S7J1Rl5p7fhNm6hU8Hruv6wKA9840blRNrUJMYofrfqMOTNc4aOwc5-C7x-ieU62TtG6utYNwIhRwkWJs-yByfo3qESJz6E0sZAL0Qvshyphenhyphen5nS1RoVPkfMLIcAl0OCLOX/?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="DSC05832" width="404" /></p> <p>Church was great this morning! Afterwards we had our weekly dinner with Kyle’s parents. There is a Chinese buffet in town that has breakfast until 11am and if you get there before 10:30am it’s only $5.69/person! Not bad! I loaded my first plate with <u>FRUIT</u>! I had <strong>pineapple</strong>, <strong>bananas</strong>, <strong>cantaloupe</strong>, <strong>oranges</strong>, and a few pieces of <strong>jello</strong> for just <strong>5 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogRfZb7vfyJLJ_0jGLCBXW_hSDg_hjzAPv1kCp_kQ8OBI74q0VC2U3V9-pDKBDCwBklurfLPHDjdaETvus1VUFyRLLO5ekC4VMMQLcx9Vm7FCudJCC7YC-vir7V5_Rg-VF0DoyQ7Eeriq/s1600-h/DSC05833%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05833" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKw17aJhcdGrAiinNO_xhNLByI1SJtTew6ywVcfMeb8WruCjuTQPFr_qb2H-TfcUpAH0KGxVBlvFlxL-GT7yXGsDMMJV3Ua68KIZUTe1ElWAmX-ObuTmH-KbiJ1d5Hjsy4bQ2KEnoyvSxw/?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="DSC05833" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My 2nd plate was <u>veggie-ful</u> with a<u> little leg</u> on the side! ;) I had some <strong>corn</strong>, <strong>cucumbers</strong>, <strong>broccoli</strong>, and a <strong>chicken leg</strong> (<u>minus the skin</u>) for <strong>5 points</strong>. I’m estimated high: 3 for the chicken leg, 1 for corn, and 1 for the ranch. I really don’t think it was 1 point’s worth of ranch, but would rather go high, than low!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYQlI3SSUtTZbrSyaY5042q2cel9x3a2KF9R7Bsgj5ELPE2PGkzO01XQZIojJTs_WzCD0CsXd89PMfjbp3vK_NfBQyy2IMGeo-tdQIdcNrz5qiJGCtDdyOfvNewJfXkA28hui8RLDTOhl/s1600-h/DSC05834%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05834" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdQ0ys4nzl9HGSPioTfkbZ4lQ-r2paCN5C9dGVSN7SUsOV22XdAA7rHXSjKjL8ifWNjf1mlLtUcvZj26woiJnrqWxUdd0cJjyKjXFV9A4BVbjlwr6EbsNF7m7uAradFmg1WwBWGs7C3xD/?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="DSC05834" width="404" /></a></p> <p>And I finished my meal off with a <strong>little ice cream cone</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmbFcaX14Us-uJHUIyZW8vcPz7cCzG77go-HccpBYA95vko2dOB2ivrdyCeM0L8fB108FBt7xTNoboKaJcS8ucjnTEVg_w9fK9GE-S0OHZMVsaWQgdNs9AFkB_FMVkk5k3QmprYjT_zf3/s1600-h/DSC05835%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05835" border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyxgKVjP5AOjZpTHmbVkNZTaSJkqmKlK0jY3JusrMrC4i0cNRn2ofC0SrRJGvhkyhu2z9hx-cACgRadXc2ekrlThHkB5i0MD6LmXAZ7EFvUjVfUvhAzZQmwGu_lmRYuJJFC6I4J4ZVYIY/?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="DSC05835" width="328" /></a></p> <p>After brunch Kyle and I made our weekly grocery run and headed home for a nap! When I woke up I hit the kitchen and started baking! I whipped up a <strong>double batch of chocolate chip cookies</strong>! Our neighbor works for MidAmerican and has been working <strong>16 hour days</strong> since the ice storm hit in on <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/snow-day.html">Wednesday</a>. He said yesterday it doesn’t look like it will end until next Friday! <strong>Wow</strong>! So we wanted to give him and his buddies a little treat! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUsuibgR9Zm5rZg6hugFUf6MCK4ienO7G4013h1Ty0uWw0ugky71Qk5HZ1oyK6qotCi3mrKQ3lEh8XUxU4llzr1JL3qxV2H7r8Laq67Cv314HxdB_hev9tcOveJB9fH32DEcQFvLOZC6K/s1600-h/DSC05837%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05837" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXCn47aJKm6SjzLbKZv73hHAC4-6hwJlw_jvBFDyRGyJEKNI8r7gd6WDNWIN6dw8_K7I2w5IAV47928_8sgn_BoBjJmcIsc9rXrjZMWanV7vo4mjH8M7489yGtupiKakBM9czv7U8lKzI/?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="DSC05837" width="404" /></a></p> <p>And if you are a<u> living, breathing human</u> there is <strong>NO WAY</strong> you can resist a <strong>few bites of cookie dough</strong> while baking! So of course I had some… and a <strong>warm cookie fresh out of the oven</strong>! I’m going to count my <strong>splurge</strong> as<strong> 7 points</strong>! I think if I would have figured that out before I ate it, <em><u>I wouldn’t have</u></em>. But it was still good!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-Zab1T_UJffZPx4tGDQ-qMbQiOA5LzqFQK1DsAM9Ir-Tz-IBaxMqkOgr5XGs2eYRT4yC-3Et7B4RNp26UY3DQr4ujuyvPUmHH_Kri_bFc3pBgnYDDGqEAIWBYEdtYb9x0RBhYHFthWYb/s1600-h/DSC05836%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05836" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuM87anG2xuIOY224xkzVfMRH6D741wLI9nfgBihBWgwBhxbd8cUC9cZgcjr73D8sEU9tSoHpofE9-coT0wG-Qf1d33i7597ZLNMfOD4Y0zmbnkryD9Dlb0EKDcsZG9JFJhdKCakpuftB/?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="DSC05836" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After my <strong>bake-fest</strong> I hit the gym! I got in <strong>36 minutes</strong> on the <strong>cross ramp</strong>, burning over <u>400 calories</u>!<em> (Maybe that will even out that cookie dough I ate earlier!)</em> ;) I realized it was ten till 6 and rushed home! I didn’t want to miss the <strong>Viking game</strong>! But don’t worry I was supporting my team while working out! This is me…post work out! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsPioyP2iGvFome97NYPRsrBsUG1qN6aY6rkmbuhLAakkh1ggJn-OrYdncveysKbzn9-opUKNpMnNa7PsK2C3j5G_A2WrwwKPi7tiBwhvQDlrYIowNeo3B0WdOFL615hRf3beQvoJFEiL/s1600-h/DSC05840%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05840" border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvFNH9ntgarOOUd2D7r136YWl4XNvAsUlfRrEgzB4BJUDbk7Ju4CC5KSFkA48Z9xYKwTtnYA5aLbClFQ8w8-7DOf1y9FodAms1l5cqCfppN_8sZOncJVeBwQXMgKnDQAAiRnd7q3P8BvJ/?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="DSC05840" width="254" /></a>For supper tonight I tried something <strong>new</strong>,<strong> bbq chicken pizza</strong>! I sautéed some <strong>green peppers</strong> and<strong> red onions</strong> in a teaspoon of <strong>olive oil</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UahCTKe9T7Vh-Jt9lOpHK2_UB89KLALjxSS3ySHBWcoSHn_A5MIyZObCmrs5MnmdGEmia1YETXJOtefLhQMG0eH0rgpkZ7kf3TR_4pCcvj9H1YQGrDnvOLNpuo6yVn5wKehdk6H0JUBd/s1600-h/DSC05841%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05841" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPB7E290I2b9lgyrH9K0rp0Mbfy0XIBbXomb3YoWnMgv1VbnXfZn8Kml81gAMjFcJkVd3thDDjmPxKvsxri_s21o4sTKeSCgApaowRPbPnPfpOwMR2wHQBoOWMARl8tVnfFhiswQfE2-w/?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="DSC05841" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Then I <strong>shredded</strong> a<strong> cooked chicken breast</strong> and mixed it with a tablespoon of <strong>bbq</strong>. I used a <strong>flat out</strong> for my <strong>crust</strong>,  and <strong>2 TBS</strong> of <strong>bbq </strong>for the <strong>sauce</strong>. Then I topped it with the <strong>chicken mixture</strong>, <strong>sautéed veggies</strong>, and <strong>1/4c 2% shredded mozzarella</strong> for a total of <strong>8 points</strong>. MMmmmm!!!</p> <p align="center">Pre-bake:<img alt="DSC05842" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyy8UcRGsqngw9agTth1LUT3HbdMm2ll0GpZ7nf-pBuEGRG5J4hq2bnpPEXp_ttIm10raUgRwJJvdRhUDPQdHnzV666GrJpTP65WI7HEwfYBL8tN8mXdaZjnhlGf0Rm-n0pJBNwoKONn7H/?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="DSC05842" width="404" /></p> <p align="center">Post-bake:<img alt="DSC05843" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtkPWDHF4AgRwT8TdGmOuDKHT5QxeQ1_Lr_fKwr8kPgt-LFzTVdcibIF0c0AI70TJAzmXXokSfRFzw53IQSZsMR-JcRuKQuv5wKK2j5Yaz8vjKbdskEniHfaC_Xib9C0ZX91PjA5-4QG6/?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="DSC05843" width="404" /></p> <p>And the stinkin’ Vikings couldn’t pull out a win. It’s a sad day around our house. I guess we’ll be cheering for the Colts in the Super Bowl now!</p> <p><strong><em>Do you eat cookie dough or are you the <u>toughest human being on earth</u> and can resist it?!?!</em></strong></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><strong>SUNDAYS STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 31/24 <br />WATER =  74 oz <br />EXERCISE = 36 min cross ramp</p>

Sunday Post

Like my creative title? ;) Couldn’t come up with anything at almost midnight! I started my Sunday out with an apple and a fiber one bar ...

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Productive Saturday

<p>Happy weekend everyone! I started mine out nice & early! Kyle works every Saturday and I usually get up when he does around 6am to get a jump start on my day! Today this is what I had on list of to-do’s:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1GCZM4Eg0V2ij0MJpt1abncwLqYOdrkjsfDIFyrVKGz1Y7BFDsTUd63Awx9eihitjBRUzNEoJUkQPKS0BaMwroSmqPiK2tw7r4GHAM0Lx-zk2VLGMwfQhOW6OzMP_wtOOT976jGilfXg/s1600-h/image24.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7SovGduPFUAstr35bHgtGO8viyqWourwJpB1zPxLFWpRHBIKZs9IgGsDVZ0Wxd0DftKzgMxeFupGIyVIq5aQa3ifWxiwDCxiM2DGeSojYnhoGCan7wOrNCJxfdZtHoR4u0ufROlUdNna/?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="image" width="333" /></a> </p> <p>I got right to work on the first few things on my list! Balanced our checkbook, started our tax return, and made a new header for my blog! Btw, <u>what do you think of the new look?</u> While I was <strong>busy</strong> on the <strong>computer</strong> this was what Abby was doing! Yep, it’s <strong>raining</strong> here! I guess it could get bad later because it’s supposed to <strong>drop below freezing</strong>. I’ve even heard some thunder, weird for Iowa in January! But for now Abby has been watching the rain come down! Can ya tell she needs a haircut?!?!?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqrr8m-Kf15su3UiczQ7uTswedlPHKGdFtK38qA-fM-Hik1uI3odW3wiehpsprqkautwYDXh6bIN9qjNcYBsCZkO4K2AQSEKF3xdbhY8fRcLEHcGHl8NvqRwVD0hFi_a_mE3Z6lxaio-q/s1600-h/DSC058104.jpg"><img alt="DSC05810" border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUdwXjgdGsvXmhIA7xXFEtnzzCnHT0xiHy2Ay2kOl72_PpgHk9LSd0Yf3EpbrNgUdAidkny30URpGu4PxyAjVVsHGKfWEmEgbLbLvvnv2ufCvZSyhT4sHM01msVjv5Jx4jQRZ-Ihb7zMz/?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="DSC05810" width="404" /></a>  </p> <p>Mid-morning I made my <em>favorite weekend breakfast</em>, <strong>banana pancakes</strong> with <strong>chocolate PB2</strong>, and <strong>1/4 c sf syrup</strong> for <strong>6 points.</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIA29PldI_VeHDMEgnYcw2NV_Pial4Sqp4P4kXkb2MBZh1ghyPjjk9cWqNn8wuS6pDymksD9h9pZo2GnPMpLt3Yk5iZdNqb1DZJMmDibSRYmwlUSDLdm7d0Ib_0xlX0I1jF6OFdJC930p/s1600-h/DSC05812%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05812" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw80WhEPQ2YdJna8L2epuKQ-vy-JwEIaN3fBEdNdGzOC1YF7vSRxAFAIrBMldQsyrKOPbRP_OmLd-6wlGQEZAnCeinaqAv7tqBoa_ajsvq4ppimLWHHrTK7jmFN8YmUDkDnV99vgsfogfd/?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="DSC05812" width="404" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>After breakfast I cleaned a little and then I got to work on <strong>something new</strong>! Kyle and I do the same thing every night, “what do you want for supper?” “I don’t know, what do you want?” So instead of doing that all the time I made up a<strong> menu planner</strong> so we knew what is for supper each night. And it also has a shopping list. I found meals for each night of the work week and made a grocery list from those recipes. I’m going to print it and keep it on the fridge. I’m excited to see how it works this week!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZquzQ6WArd0AhH2j5_ZPa-Th_bPLWkXhzJGNg2rfPkHU7yjsRK6cVFQDokuNe-ODZ0Wr6APjMu7wVYKrw-aNhN3eemsWM1xhFujzXiG3oTR21wLTNxovpYbgz1S_CCijz0bfwdA2TZqJd/s1600-h/DSC05826%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05826" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLp0ujopjhcDby0Ua0tvhKvkm4GVX543xfByoDVI3jugRv9XLMnpM1Gf9MiprxErwiS9nA5s7m8zKnPxAACzcHZ8p7bzbxZoqcVrXfasgmNhpYU9A8THAQS6Wahy6U5BsqIhBfIf9Ucj7I/?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="DSC05826" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Around 2pm I snacked on an <strong>orange</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. I knew Kyle got off at 3pm and we were going to <strong>hit the gym</strong> right away so I knew my pancakes weren’t going to hold me over all throughout my workout!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_10AjMcJfogz9zOz1qcUnzeqAqQUu9PvR5QxVdUNuAaG1BSuX-HIyGyrcjj7nkQQAeE-o8iZDXApxO6BTh9C_3FbwTznl7XyxvCLMBurQ5r5bnRB2Z0rFFzWSvHCge7zkEKLX0IXIiuC/s1600-h/DSC05827%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05827" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTudUAvAocJyvZVchwF4ySELh5s5bWOhAz4vO1uSxckQLNoUhLMX9EFFhnmDwABVLPDJFhif0F-wj3rs_ihOOFQJ2eBmMyLNqoDjL4W1g_Kng7wVihkjuYhPG_u0TQA8Jj_7-hD8vzj3Uj/?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="DSC05827" width="404" /></a>  <br />When Kyle got off we went right to the gym. And I am happy to say that I ran a<strong> 5K</strong> in <strong>31:40</strong>! So only 40 seconds from my <strong>Feb 1st goal</strong> of running it in 31 minutes or less! Total I did <strong>38 minutes</strong> on the <strong>treadmill</strong>, then <strong>17 minutes</strong> on the <strong>elliptical</strong>, and finished with a <strong>few sets of abs</strong>! Great workout and it was <strong>SO</strong> great to have Kyle by my side too! He hadn’t been to the gym with me in about 2 weeks or so because of a nasty cold. So it was good to have him back!</p> <p>When we got home we each had an <strong>orange</strong> for another <strong>1 point</strong> snack! While getting supper ready I also had a<strong> fiber one bar</strong> and a piece of <strong>string cheese</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLDvM5MOoVWfyatyURWnmIfDmL0yyGW7NNSLb45xIIhDlGWU5a9IWtzzrgi1rGk-cmnW9DXUnE8GjiEStuEa6jDgJloxHjj8MQ98jgm4vm3J9sNEAFEOfYqsE2kNfDsoREVOR0g1-dvvV/s1600-h/DSC05828%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05828" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ap8UlVwMPdHrM9F8sTJB-iQqSu5fNtt-t1Evi7ywjrKCB_-jr5ZsMjyew08-oHcmPmQJEUSf4Nihkc-g1xHM0nBLeC6J5lsWLnu8qiAmsnNoqjXP6vEBVb3w1mtJn0AZRj4bk8fEI13V/?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="DSC05828" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>I baked some chicken breasts and we used those to make <strong>bacon chicken ranch wraps</strong> for supper! Mine contained<strong> 3 oz</strong> of <strong>chicken</strong>, <strong>1 TBS of lite ranch</strong>, a <strong>flat out</strong>, <strong>1/4 c ff shredded cheddar</strong>, and a <strong>sprinkle</strong> of <strong>bacon bits</strong> for a total of <strong>6 points</strong> (estimating high)! <u>So delicious</u>!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOhmevmE-ZA2Pb3-rkR-K864e_KJ9CH_hO0r7Bl3GQCSszleNR_HvJ7c-gEN2rouzYH4KgQ07YLXRxyIWebrqRAmgy1BwR42tkXIs-7unXkAvrFIkKF0lQ0HhrRCLdHSVgfR_efvEV0py/s1600-h/DSC05829%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05829" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsKJZGX1IGAzmSyNLSr33Ju1F3aPOzE3MQ5P1Pq-bst5F505jbmj3okXWfvBoE99-bMTz-Bq6I8GRBcizQe_LcQ7yXoDjrLCOkBGRd8lxBCrZZpkqInlq3q24YXgkLIaKC6hKmU0K24CO/?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="DSC05829" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I also had a <strong>1/2 cup</strong> of <strong>corn</strong> on the side for<strong> 1 point</strong>. Wonderful supper<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uGAb034hdFwhJeS_wxogD3czqmCikZ1PBeZOr12GO_85ykX-_m7Fxgjgm8QQ25byKem3pGn7aUCUkpV0895DphovjRA9olzKKHFpYKbGLWkfDPP0imtzA3Xb-tn7EPnYc_VyMHIBIryB/s1600-h/DSC05830%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05830" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eJZ2chml4r3c2_-D1pDUr8BUaMoudrRdrlTH2lJM7fUf6CKB2iHhPjgX2kbWmaS3J6_Z-MVfRgPPF5H9bkeFp59ww8wxp2mgL9Q2j8Ve16VOmHthD5Z5BypuFxIwUXe8V5734diqypni/?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="DSC05830" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Kyle and I were undecided on what to do for the evening. We thought about going to a movie, but decided just to chill at home and save some $$$! We have some big changes coming up and it’s a good time to $ave right now! Felt like an old married couple, we were in bed by 9pm! That’s ok though ‘cause we had to get up early for church!</p> <p>I also had a <strong>ice cream sundae</strong>, pretty much just like Friday night’s, but it had <strong>2 servings</strong> of <strong>ice cream</strong>, so it totaled <strong>5 points</strong> instead of 3! (no picture…sorry!)</p> <p>Oh and check out my to-do list! I<strong> crossed off</strong> a lot of things…not everything though! I even added a few things I need to get done this week, but hopefully I will get more checked off on Sunday! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-eVLCkM7sGKi3wLDUa5AxEV5l4Ft06SAHeHKmvmOA8DHM97QLlXqYxuXYiqjgv1ImZhTtBog4yLHOp7wfE6g4etVY199px-3TseNuV4M_L1VmmaTGYcUO8Ri51FAmXF7JF2JAjhlQlHd/s1600-h/image%5B4%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3o2c0tFqDvwEKpyVO2AYC_bJKokeT3u3qOBhivUB4Iq6fXeQYfivW8hvR-n0NEN3YkUAH_4FVuNIVpwhkZMTYTbN2X4mRChXkjeSXXGCKb8THX4MBRNoL_H0n7a8bFA8HwLJwbRMV5oVn/?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="image" width="334" /></a></p> <p>Hope everyone is enjoying your weekend! Can’t wait for the Viking game to come on…we’re hoping for a win! Later blog friends!</p> <p><strong><em>What do you think of the new look to my blog? </em></strong>I used a picture from my first race, the same logo I had before, and then took a few more pictures of things that have been important on my road to weight loss!!</p> <p><strong>SATURDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 23/24 <br />WATER =  120 oz <br />EXERCISE = 38 min run/walk, 17 min elliptical, & abs</p>

Productive Saturday

Happy weekend everyone! I started mine out nice & early! Kyle works every Saturday and I usually get up when he does around 6am to get a...

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Planning de la semaine du 25 au 29 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 25 janvier de 9h à 12h30<br />- le mardi 26 janvier de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 27 janvier de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le jeudi 28 janvier de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le vendredi 29 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 29 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>CV</strong> - mardi 26 janvier de 9h à 12h30 et mercredi 27 janvier de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Lettre de Motivation</strong> - mardi 26 janvier de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Préparation à l'entretien</strong> - jeudi 28 janvier de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 29 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 22 janvier de 14h à 16h</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Informations collectives</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>Boutique de gestion</strong> - lundi 25 janvier à 14h<br /><br /><li><strong>RSA - Conseil Général</strong> - mardi 26 janvier à 10h</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 25 au 29 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 25 ja...

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Mystery & Redemption On The Road To Elko

Maybe it was the cloud of unknowing. My day long drive from Las Vegas to Wells was mostly uneventful -- skies variable, roads mostly clear. At Wells I turned west on I-80 shortly before sunset. The skies by then were partly cloudy, but mostly bright, enough blue to lift the spirits. Then I saw a cloud in front of me -- not in the sky but lying across the road -- a dark cloud mass come to earth.<br /><br />I drove into the cloud, then saw an orange circle of light straight ahead -- the sun "as through a glass darkly" -- bright but not at all too bright to look at directly. The sun shown into the cloud, which had been grey on the outside, but on the inside, the cloud was like orange smoke shifting.<br /><br />At first, it was not snowing in the cloud, but dry snow was blowing across the highway from south to north. This this was not a small cloud. I was in it for awhile. About halfway through, it began snowing, the flakes rushing toward my windshield as if they were flying parallel to the ground. It stopped. Then I drove out of the cloud and the day was bright again.<br /><br />We had a good clergy conference today at St. Paul's. One of the good people there treated me to a ticket to tonight's opening of the National Cowboy Poets' Gathering. I arrived early and was browsing in the bookstore of the Western Folklife Center when I had my moment of redemption. I was redeemed not from my moral failings but from the regrettable hat blunder I committed in Fernley last year. See blog entry for 8-23-09 "The Social Risk Of Hats In The American West."<br /><br />Dressed for Elko in jeans, a heavy long coat, and my Frontier Collection Renegade style cowboy had from J. M. Capriola's Western Wear, I was standing stock still, hands in coat pockets, focussed as I was on the covers of some chap books on a bottom shelf. That is when a nicely dressed lady mistook me for a manequin.<br /><br />Feeling grateful for the gift of the tickets and somewhat pleased with myself for having "passed," I especially enjoyed the show which featured Virginia City troubador, Richard Elloyan, and perhaps Nevada's premier cowboy poet (he at the least has the premier mustache), Waddie Mitchell.

Mystery & Redemption On The Road To Elko

Maybe it was the cloud of unknowing. My day long drive from Las Vegas to Wells was mostly uneventful -- skies variable, roads mostly clear. ...

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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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