Day 2 continued: Paying for my sins

For most of the day I sat around in my pajamas curled up next to the fireplace, reading magazines, and watching several episodes of Snapped while cuddling my cat. Plus listening to my husband hack and cough and complain as he's recovering from the flu. It was basically a pretty good day. I felt relaxed and warm and comfortable. Happy to be at home.<br /><br />At 4pm I forced myself to get dressed for the gym. It was utter torture working out today. The extra weight has made my workouts painful. My left knee hurts, my left heel hurts. My lungs were screaming at me while I was on the StairMaster for thirty minutes and then the elliptical for another thirty. My arms are still achy and sore from yesterday's workout, and I could barely left them above my head to pull on my workout shirt.<br /><br />This is my penance for having eaten like a pig, not exercised on a regular basis, and gaining 22 pounds in the last few months. Today's workout was painful. Looking back, the last few months really weren't worth it. It wasn't that fun to eat what I wanted, or to skip my workouts. If I had it to do over, I would have done it differently. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Day 2 continued: Paying for my sins

For most of the day I sat around in my pajamas curled up next to the fireplace, reading magazines, and watching several episodes of Snapped ...

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Day 2: It's not easy to start over

This is my second day back on track. I forgot how hard it is to go from eating junk to eating a healthy, low-calorie, low-fat diet. And the exercise. Oh my gosh! I've heard of muscle memory but I think mine forgot everything they ever knew.<br /><br />After 40 minutes of cardio and 40 minutes of upper body weights yesterday I could barely lift my arms last night. I looked in my exercise journal and my last serious weight lifting workout was Nov. 18. No wonder I'm in pain! I've had a few treadmill or elliptical workouts, but no strength training in almost three weeks. I felt weak as I lifted 20-pound dumbells. I hate that feeling. Plus it hurt like hell.<br /><br />My food choices the last few months have been horrible and got worse as time went on. Last week was my absolute worst week. I was eating cookies and candy like an addict. Oakland airport had See's candy booths everywhere (San Francisco is the See's candy headquarters).<br /><br />Unfortunately the Oakland airport was a smorgasbord of unhealthy options. Sure, they had healthy things too, but those weren't what I chose. My attitude was bad and my food choices were just as bad.<br /><br />After just one day of clean eating and exercise I feel like my mind is clearing. It's like I've been in a fog and now it's finally lifting. I think fat and sugar have a very negative effect on my thinking and my happiness. I've been terribly depressed and didn't even realize what was wrong with me. I know the lack of exercise probably played a big part in the depression. Add in the terrible food choices and it's a miracle I made it through these past months.<br /><br />I'm drinking a lot of water, something that's barely passed my lips these last few months. I was living on Starbucks as my beverage of choice. Normally I rarely drink Starbucks since to me it's just wasted calories. Even the "light" or "skinny" options are ridiculously high in calories.<br /><br />Yet I just didn't care and was ordering at least one grande or even venti "light" pumpkin spice Frappuccino every day (sometimes two!). Having one of these beverages first thing in the morning would set my mood for the entire day. Since I'd already "blown" it, it didn't matter what I ate for the rest of the day. And if I eat bad, I don't exercise.<br /><br />Today it's black coffee with a dash of 1% milk, and my normal food which is amazingly delicious. Yet a part of me is thinking about the snickerdoodles and the brownies and the See's candy. I'm like an addict craving my drug.<br /><br />I'm sure I can do this, stay on the straight and narrow. It's not the easiest thing in the world but I know it's possible. After all, it's not the first time I've been down this road.<br /><br />Interesting tidbit in Prevention magazine Jan. 2010 (a really good reason to get to a healthy weight!):<br /><br /><em><strong>What Your Scale Says About Your Brain</strong></em><br /><br /><em>If it registers a healthy weight, your mind is likely youthful too. In a recent UCLA study, overweight people had 4% less brain tissue than normal-weight adults--the equivalent of their minds aging 8 years. One possible cause: a high-calories or high-fat diet, which clogs arteries in the brain, restricts blood flow, and causes cells to shrink. --Lauren Geiman</em>

Day 2: It's not easy to start over

This is my second day back on track. I forgot how hard it is to go from eating junk to eating a healthy, low-calorie, low-fat diet. And the ...

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Planning de la semaine du 07 au 11 décembre 2009

<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 07 décembre de 9h à 12h30<br />- le mardi 08 décembre de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 09 décembre de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le jeudi 10 décembre de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le vendredi 11 décembre 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 />- lundi 07 décembre de 13h30 à 17h<br />- vendredi 11 décembre de 9h à 12h30</li></ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Ateliers</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2008/12/atelier-parcours-emploi.html">Parcours Emploi</a></strong> - mardi 08 décembre de 9h30 à 12h<br /><br /><li><strong>CV</strong> - mardi 08 décembre de 9h à 12h30<br /><br /><li><strong>Lettre de Motivation </strong>- mardi 08 décembre de 13h30 à 17h<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> - jeudi 10 décembre de 10h à 12h<br /><br /><li><strong>Préparation à l'entretien</strong> - jeudi 10 décembre de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 11 décembre de 10h à 11h30</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Informations collectives</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>Intervention Maison de la Justice/CIDFF</strong> à destination des jeunes de la Mission Locale - mardi 08 décembre à 14h<br /><br /><li><strong>Boutique de gestion</strong> - vendredi 11 décembre à 10h</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 07 au 11 décembre 2009

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 07 dé...

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This Girl’s Been BUSY!!

<p>Happy Weekend everyone!!</p> <p>I started out my Saturday VERY early!! I was planning on sleeping in, but I heard Kyle’s alarm and couldn’t get back to sleep. You know what, I never hear Kyle’s alarm M-F…why is it that when Saturday rolls around and I can sleep in…I don’t?!?!? Who knows!! Anway I got up, before 6am, and got my workout done. The gym isn’t open that early on the weekends so I decided to find Jillian and have her give me a good workout! So I did level one of 30 Day Shred. I kinda forgot what a great workout that is for only 20 minutes!</p> <p>After getting my workout in I got right to work. I dusted, vacuumed, and picked up a few things in the living room. Then moved to the kitchen, office, guest room, and master bedroom! Woa…I think I should count all that for AP’s! After everything was cleaned I finished decorating for Christmas. I got the living room, kitchen, and bathroom done the Sunday before Thanksgiving, but didn’t have time to do the office or guest room. So I also got that done this morning. And during all this I kept laundry going…remember that <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/12/orange-italian.html">horrid picture of my laundry room</a> well it NO longer looks like that! Yep…I got all those dirty clothes washed, dried, folded, and put away!</p> <p align="center"><em><strong>Feels so good to have a clean, warmly decorated home!!</strong></em></p> I was so busy cleaning and decorating I didn’t realize it was after 2PM already!! Yikes!! I was hungry for breakfast! The inspiration for my meal was my sister Stef. <a href="http://bangertfam.blogspot.com/2009/11/sister-time-in-omaha.html">Me and my sisters went to visit her in Omaha</a> last week. She was a GREAT host and one morning she made egg burritos! <br />Mine consisted of <strong>3 egg whites, salsa, 1 slice ff cheese</strong>, and a <strong>flat out</strong>. All for only <strong>3 points</strong>! And I also had some <strong>strawberries</strong> and <strong>2 clementines</strong> on the side for another <strong>2 points</strong>! This was sure worth waiting for…even though that’s not food for you, I know! <p align="center"><em><strong><img alt="DSC05203" border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmdk_8H-zLRjsN5Xkm0aM6PMKXQed-ALuMUEwzLitybsAapmeBPJ4_shlcfDiC8G2XPZy3sqTRoqpWNJEEMnKnBIGuxNcOwFcUOMIGFzTTy6wp8o_5IZ9beOuHPOvkBi0K1unv3ntgaj1/?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="DSC05203" width="304" /><img alt="DSC05202" border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4kux5Cs4SHcnRMMzNGEc1Gh3MCAE-A2jRQ2cQl6tj3sF52v1p8MUsv9BEUricRhb5usT7c8fElcxBHJ6S_7UxjIZ-OVgZx_fwpsNMLj-wsncFiaC75OQp70SSVr7wtiPoMQZQSFbnLTT/?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="DSC05202" width="454" /></strong></em></p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td align="center" width="400">I was so busy cleaning and decorating I didn’t realize it was after 2PM already!! Yikes!! I was hungry for breakfast! The inspiration for my meal was my sister Stef. <a href="http://bangertfam.blogspot.com/2009/11/sister-time-in-omaha.html">Me and my sisters went to visit her in Omaha</a> last week. She was a GREAT host and one morning she made egg burritos! <br />Mine consisted of <strong>3 egg whites, salsa, 1 slice ff cheese</strong>, and a <strong>flat out</strong>. All for only <strong>3 points</strong>! And I also had some <strong>strawberries</strong> and <strong>2 clementines</strong> on the side for another <strong>2 points</strong>! This was sure worth waiting for…even though that’s not food for you, I know!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdrTzgv02S_inc_uA6-SzMYfPsqmU-FS7bA7FonvHEzXnfLjPALW70cgdGCpa0dRfraW_bErB8mvRDYeugjzwcwCriUqoP6fkZZhM3RXMXwHF0yDeihW1pMa9FZ5oBcEmmN87PN4LmYyZ/s1600-h/DSC052025.jpg"></a></td> <td align="center" width="400"> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>After my late brunch I finished up a few organizing things and took a blogging break! I had to catch up and see what you all were up to! :p While reading I munched on a few <strong>animal cookies</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4Qw-MY6zw6lVMLU5KF34l0tX0Z1jt4y_RiY6U8tSF4BQUZDrW7FZEVEhQq8x9zW1KMPLiPAZbF9dY7zg5V2dFS5Q3EEYLB7uA0ax1Xjc5Ivgc4tTEW6Xh1Xs4x7W7ZVV3_XJN7ll8YD4/s1600-h/DSC05204%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05204" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgde7VXVnO2HNlHwRn_qf0NTqAvyGIK4OjdVBZwfz4uv9mZkI6qGi_fDlt3CHygy-ettuiVDoI1lwVY-5WSrAM1-bb_IRULDfoXLF8JQjU1xXvaSpssXfoodPJy_J6E9QfZ4HnTQw4-Lk2o/?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="DSC05204" width="404" /></a>I also made a <strong>Target run</strong> this evening. I intended only getting <strong>3 things</strong>…hooks to hang a curtain, mouth wash, and a gift for a friend. Well that <strong>changed</strong>…and I think it does every time I go to Target…I just love that store!<img alt="DSC05205" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdMBUKI8FXoAjoz9abYOMf-WSDPcNQgjyxQ4ejwVcbmjqR_xqS5bUFO8nA3D17YwymKxFRLr6Hk2eI6AahoPhYFAJKr8eNTuj2fqLXtd1yOgr5YKg9X_bhbkv_n5TQJnql8oZHtOo4mO1/?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="DSC05205" width="304" /></p> <p>I snacked on a <strong>100 calorie pack</strong> on the way home. And then I had another one when I got home…I think I was craving chocolate!! Not bad though to get my chocolate fix for only <strong>4 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj228qxQmZr-pF_8JtA_QEzidpLcHD2jwOTXQDgNF15GZIUec-X0j4npDYv2XOr-gheiUfHVbpr3pir1Q38CCH2u2hYUt404CLhOgOTK3N5a3Qkbvu7zbxIhTG6VnBNi-P1neplcBCM55YT/s1600-h/DSC05207%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05207" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXSHmhd1-eI8kcFRRdpt0J7FeJxj_bS6INX1PUHw1rTtyS1aqUSh1kR1bXa-6CNC6dxpY8utcA2p_SgBgaRKKucyqXV_s6I4uWmwNqTg0KJD63EW8OzrYE4kLAdoLAKfrgEqeGvxKmmB8/?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="DSC05207" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Kyle’s parents stopped by for a bit. They had to measure something that Kyle’s Dad is making him for Christmas. I won’t spoil it…but here’s a hint…it is going to be a <strong>huge asset</strong> to our tailgating experience next fall!! While they were over I snacked on 1 serving of <strong>wheat thins</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrKaR6jFFmosML1AtTNLZ4-mjvfyohmLFvNc8_Mvn43-6FACO2375-AirScv5htZUXaHCKNcYPZk_LVA9NLhUbeyQNW2sCRMaUl05d4Z3GT8ZaWLweIC7diRLKvfANCgGpLBzxi4j7Wn7/s1600-h/DSC05211%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05211" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtB3_TDr4SKkk2XTTE7G08-slBqsPnNr9z3_Gw0UrOJA5emPKtdaYR2BD4gpJKQGYabko-X2v2Niq7b93JojzIITzlUpweYRcVYB7ngXWpz2Lx1Syxrf9xDo8WBfvkR9ssi4PsS6IAtNRi/?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="DSC05211" width="404" /></a></p> After Kyle’s parents left I realized it was almost 9 and not only had we not eaten yet, but we also had a Redbox to return before 9pm. So I jumped in the car and <strong>zoomed</strong> to the nearest Redbox. <br /> <br />Got the movie returned and stopped at <strong>Subway</strong>, hoping my sandwich was going to be <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/12/finally-friday.html">better than last night</a>….and it was! It was delicious <strong>11 point</strong> supper! Oh and I also had a Diet Sunkist..Mmmm!! My favorite!! <p><img alt="DSC05209" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkauADlfCtcDddjw1zCbcOoog9zin6ZepBkrOYreFR8D54H0_oZLUkPVVuWynTwLuKCCZHq6Xdj4rdDRQBCjr1shmjs-yvDOUZ_9AxstgDEaU3snf3iSwvriItdkW0eaojbs48c-ngcXaC/?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="DSC05209" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05210" border="0" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbxANEywI7kXtqLB5JCxf1ta9pvyLchZ6-eR-H2jBSo4dhcL8afXWLhqHnFGhytZ332XluoqGrj7ammB4bRyAGA9JrSRLk6yJ7j2F7Hlhj6yPVp4wp5lig5bdvkybmw8sRCDUc3Cxwv7r/?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="DSC05210" width="404" /></p> <p>When I got home I found this…my <strong>two cuties snuggled</strong> on the couch fast asleep! Kyle had to work all day and he was beat. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_3Pl_HllKDdFO3IXcGEHKwxCK2kWY6C7hBcC6Y6naQjrdXwkcko4iV4iDC4kLw-m6wyfA7OEr_qNmKw0zi6Z5eKy6fV12TQ7lM7hAbJooQaDBvvUlkg0tKjbL1JqlxzbJuB1qeYoV13d/s1600-h/DSC05212%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05212" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5ZW87f6okFBdd17FcVYw6Z0gKSThAVfIUGqaDHMUOH8ktup_NiOpQRJUNthLt8TG1Gtqx-p2YEOZ_FgKWYq8MvOoZtloKa83DE9o-AQBVkoRHXU3KoNHOd8YLpKCxydP6PYBfrcR3yI3/?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="DSC05212" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Here is a sneak peak (reflection) of my Christmas tree! I hope to get my “official” Christmas decor post up tomorrow. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeN5yWu694L3mjt_20jV-7hA3oNfuqopuw8IbfrPqvhs5NNvgraL5fMxoMk8fyavNoZRog4j5q3m0W3TwZGWJxadQUg-OkvYvEZc2HXZP9WTM0UfF0jTyd9-SJf_j7_1B-z5hivg8eIYx/s1600-h/DSC05228%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05228" border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3VObsDcn-klR7ocjxzAeDlOAtmEn1UG4YPzUm89jmaeFY6UzNQgLdAgBLXavRkJA2w5VwT0pcDZEvWczHr9lCZhfnHNews3BVlCcV3ALPkr_s8e_kHihsQcChPmJgVonEhUnB5_UdgvU/?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="DSC05228" 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></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></p> <p><strong>SATURDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 24/24 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 31 remaining/35 <br />WATER = 75 oz <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED  = 3 today/26 week <br />EXERCISE = 30 Day Shred, Level 1</p>

This Girl’s Been BUSY!!

Happy Weekend everyone!! I started out my Saturday VERY early!! I was planning on sleeping in, but I heard Kyle’s alarm and couldn’t get b...

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Day 1: Does this mean I'm a failure?

I weighed 154.6 on 2/17/2009. Today I weigh 176.8. That's a gain of 22.2 pounds. I feel like a big, fat failure.<br /><br />My list of excuses for gaining so much weight is long. The main one is I've been on the road a lot during the last four months. Either work, family emergency or vacation kept me away from home and my routine. I don't do well when I don't follow my routine. Even when I was home for the weekends it took me a day to get back into the groove of things, only to leave on a Monday for another trip. I never got a routine down when I was away. I don't know why, but it just seemed impossible and unimportant.<br /><br />My hours were long and erratic. I never knew from one day to the next what hours I'd be working or for how long I'd be standing on my feet, and stressed about the endless problems at work. It played havoc on my body and my mind. I feel like I've been depressed for months.<br /><br />The really sad part is I feel like a complete failure in the weight loss game. It's strange how hard I am on myself. I don't look at other people as failures when they gain weight back, I figure they're just human and that's what happens. We screw things up sometimes. It's just life. I'm not as lenient on myself for a weight gain. Instead I'm highly critical, and consider it a personal failure of the worst kind.<br /><br />One of my favorite <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">bloggers</span> is going through a personal health crisis. I love this person even though I've never met her in real life. Her enthusiasm is contagious. She recently told me about what she's going through and that she doesn't want to blog publicly anymore because she can't stand being a public failure. That broke my heart. She's just like me. I don't want people to think I'm a failure. I want to be perfect. I want to be a poster child for weight loss. I want to be admired and held up as an example of what can be accomplished. Instead, I'm an example of what NOT to do.<br /><br />The fact is, I'm not perfect. Far from it in many areas of my life, but especially when it comes to my weight. It's a fight I've been fighting for a very long time and one I'm not ready to give up on. I figure I'll be fighting it to my death.<br /><br />I know I can lose the weight, again. It frustrates me that I do this to myself. It's damaging to my health and to my mind to gain so much weight. Sometimes I feel like if I don't figure out the real reason for my overeating that I'll never really successful at losing the weight. I have some ideas why I want to eat so much, why I want to be fat, but knowing why doesn't seem to help me conquer my demon.<br /><br />My goal for the present is to lose the 22.2 pounds. I know what to do, count Points and stay within my allowed Points, and exercise. I've been failing in both areas and that's resulted in a large weight gain.<br /><br />I'm also going to try my best to post every day. Not mindless posts about where I am on my trips, but posts from my heart. I've noticed my heart hasn't been in the right place lately. The depression shines through most everything I've written lately. I have to pull myself out of this funk and move on with my life.<br /><br />This is a new day, a new start. No deadlines for me, just one day at a time. I'll also repeat my mantra....I am NOT a failure. I am NOT a failure. Or should I say the positive, I am a successful, worthwhile human being. If only I believe it.

Day 1: Does this mean I'm a failure?

I weighed 154.6 on 2/17/2009. Today I weigh 176.8. That's a gain of 22.2 pounds. I feel like a big, fat failure. My list of excuses for ...

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Finally Friday!!!

<p>This morning I got a BUNCH of stuff together to take to my work. Share What You Wear has been an annual event at Iowa Central since 2004. Last year, the event reached out to nearly 1,000 individuals in need from Fort Dodge and the surrounding area. Participants had the opportunity to select clothing, shoes, coats, toys and household items for themselves and as gifts to be given to loved ones at no cost to them. It is Christmas for some of the people that come. So I got rid of a TON of my clothes that are too big, a bunch of household items that I don’t use anymore, and a vacuum. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5pDuo4yAdJ746EZzSSvGG_R25raj-z0m4InNV3BiqrGHa-o4sSoeSO1RWw4YX-pb-1Zoj3-FKTEBds7CwzytN6raFQ-qfpfy_JYwu5pDxeRBru4RGkB_iQ72QL8yG8j7jCfnBemavjwu/s1600-h/DSC051953.jpg"><img alt="DSC05195" border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFge7j4aR8kODjP09vnUWyllMbsFKbO1cakvbjz9hUHPYyxQxt8GSC5QUyi3W9BXTkZ2rH_J7SnzqencvU5ivOiWArqw-ks3Bte9JUJc7LPQPDr1KosgMpWdmde-RgNEJeCHGTYhic9eg2/?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="DSC05195" width="604" /></a> </p> <p>Oh one more thing I did before I left home is weighed…and I happy to say that I am out of the 170s and <strong>NEVER</strong> want to see them again! The scale said <strong>169.5</strong> this morning and was <strong>SUPER</strong> happy to see that especially after I was unsure on the points value of my <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/12/i-new-moon.html">dinner out Thursday night.</a> </p> <p>After dropping off my stuff I raced to the gym (literally…it was about 10 steps away!) It was already 6:40 and I need to be in the shower by 7:10 to get to work on time. So I got in <strong>30 minutes</strong> on the <strong>cross ramp</strong>, but it wasn’t an easy 30 minutes! I pushed myself and burned almost 400 calories!</p> <p>I headed to my office and whipped of my usual bowl of <strong>oatmeal</strong> with <strong>PB2</strong> and a <strong>small banana</strong> for <strong>4 points</strong>. It didn’t look so usual today though…not sure what the deal was, but it still tasted delish!!!  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTDXdDozkBsM8xVkwRAw3ZdvJzin_2xLETwF14RHBZeaVCwRSrvGU9FdIojUX-t0iEkDDoSUT_A0cTnjcV2FljwPmufDAvvSvOHEVLGW4D7c0iM6F40nWTWK4rJhLJgFvKfrieaYfQUwx/s1600-h/DSC051963.jpg"><img alt="DSC05196" border="0" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyb9gDuqdM6A1tINUlyzGIjHht6hDgQfTYbkJdv60X_mk9QHAMqvJVetcG2f_aEHpOkFjje4YCP-s2Q3lGdbXlkX6I2FL6wQy01ROMi9JLZevNrrtKIVet9Js7ndofrjhhzDqt8gYPjZh/?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="DSC05196" width="528" /></a> </p> <p>Since my work puts on Share What You Wear I was able to send half my staff over in the morning to help set up for it. Boy do I wish I would have got picture of that. They have a SEMI TRAILER full of donations that we have collected over the past month that we unloaded and sorted. It’s a HUGE project. I stayed VERY busy since my office wasn’t full staffed. But I didn’t forget my morning snack. I had the usual <strong>1 1/2 c strawberries, 1/4 c grape nuts, and yogurt</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong> this morning. These strawberries have been SO good. I almost didn’t want to mix them in….but I did! :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmBGKSMXAKThlJaUElL0ZASIyM61hCvWooSX_FnaUsRZusej4kwLFb7tzzXe8wJGEzkQf4Ng0SBfazsi0hXXbKi4xSUZyV6E655FlVAWaYO6lyPPyWXtrArEZ7NCd6H6B4Ux64Qs9FZHJ/s1600-h/DSC051973.jpg"><img alt="DSC05197" border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycpSTL0hI1HZFlPfDQFzyo9gI6_bo5I4LjUMokA1Y69NrzlMz7K35cYAWA6yF7NbLBWykwmNtIPuwrzfMdcUKCnJGLehryUX0FQXvTUQrCiOwzhabwDeVEPhhIffO5ivSDRzTDMESGeeW/?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="DSC05197" width="604" /></a> </p> <p>It wasn’t until after 2 that I left for lunch. I stopped at my church to pick up a card off the giving tree. I think I might do some shopping on Saturday. I had an <strong>apple</strong> while running around town for <strong>1 point</strong>. Like my <strong>Under Armour Cold Gear gloves</strong>?!?! They are <strong>SUPER</strong> warm. Kyle and I each got a pair before <a href="http://bangertfam.blogspot.com/2009/10/our-1st-half-marathon.html">we ran the half marathon in October</a> because it was <strong>SO</strong> cold that day!!! And I am so glad that we did…they kept my hands nice and toasty during the whole race! I picked a little girl who is six years old off the giving tree…I loved her <strong>wish list: </strong>boots, tights, dresses, dolls…all things <strong>girl</strong>!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSI2XrGN5fzJtqAbSw0FtuT9nuRS4bVGEXbXCPeuUTUCvJQ3s3OdugKntdL8t13zYRytQ9u6APs3aVtD7-pdyEf1Km0z4IXg-8wfvnllbcyvfuCM6DCiFvOscUiOVsZv2NhOyG8frhvXD/s1600-h/DSC051983.jpg"><img alt="DSC05198" border="0" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMjnGqg2pGXxtlgpzf-MOpGHeBYCks7iPEuurqZMbzrrxSRlBoCexI_0YcHSB1YDuc6PCNtjShV-wTBckS4x-zKqHo4bK4dFv13E7q4degY01k1XWgZMyVuIvJHf1nNQdtbrmRRAUbBkf/?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="DSC05198" width="655" /></a> </p> <p>I was just going to grab that <strong>395 calorie meal</strong> I’ve seen advertised from KFC and go back to office right away, but when I went there they said something was wrong with their grill and they didn’t have it at this time. :( So sad! Have any of you tried that yet? I’m curious and want to try it. And I also want to figure out the fat & fiber content so I can figure the points value. Since I couldn’t get that I decided to <strong>$ave money</strong> and run home to make my lunch! (Makes the hubby proud!!) So I had a <strong>turkey & cheese sandwich</strong>, <strong>strawberries</strong>, and <strong>animal cookies</strong> (I call them cookies ‘cause they are <strong>sweet</strong> like a <strong>cookie</strong>, not salty like a cracker and then it seems like <strong>desert</strong> !) for a total of <strong>5 points</strong>. Very yum-o!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yA5Aho0gLfmTAibRYhv_-pyBVuZU0E88epGJCrw6oTpgZdHppoMRtDG_bXkw_OgAILVQZc7iGLe8GFvYzbMH00j_SFacxjW_hCr0Q_jOpWY1wdWNvM0KbuTuXjUPVmeDlt9vONbGOfVA/s1600-h/DSC051993.jpg"><img alt="DSC05199" border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jfGLIiAIXxR2GI0Wnc2OEZwKKpyqV6B7jUMC1RtXUKF7QFzHQOlkpSs0WYi-94BXcGR5yfonVLTGZb6e7vdB2P3OJudgLO7sWgFjyIs4LHNjvDF3c-EJ9GI9HIwKc2j7Py0CPClUIOs1/?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="DSC05199" width="604" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I got back to work, had 1 of my staff stay back and cover the office and the rest of us headed over to finish helping set up for Share What You Wear. It really puts things into <strong>perspective</strong> thinking that coming to an event like this is some people’s Christmas shopping and really makes me realize <strong>how blessed</strong> Kyle and I are for what we have. I stayed there setting up, sorting, and cleaning till about 6 and then headed home to meet up with Kyle. We were going to head to Des Moines to use our Kohls cash we got on Black Friday (I think we have<strong> $50</strong> to spend!), but decided to keep it <strong>low key</strong>.</p> <p>We were both pretty drained from a long day. So we got some supper and movie and came home. I got <strong>Subway</strong> and Kyle got Taco Tico. My sub didn’t taste right. I think something was wrong with the bread. I only ate <strong>half</strong> of it and then ate some <strong>chips and cheese dip</strong> of Kyle’s. I’m going to count my supper as <strong>11 points</strong>. Two for the very small half of my sandwich I ate and 9 for the chips and cheese. And I think I fell asleep during the first 20  minutes of the movie! Sorry hun!!</p> <p>And folks, that all she wrote for the day…not too exciting!! But I am sure excited for the weekend, lots to get done!</p> <p><strong>FRIDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 24/24 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 31 remaining/35 <br />WATER = 125 oz <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED  = 4 today/23 week <br />EXERCISE = 30 min cross ramp</p>

Finally Friday!!!

This morning I got a BUNCH of stuff together to take to my work. Share What You Wear has been an annual event at Iowa Central since 2004. La...

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The Snow Man Cometh

And this morning, I found a bag on the front door knob. It contained a tree top ornament snow man. We are having the bag dusted for prints and scraped for DNA samples.

The Snow Man Cometh

And this morning, I found a bag on the front door knob. It contained a tree top ornament snow man. We are having the bag dusted for prints a...

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Salon Emploi Seniors

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zn-aiAPBU9xbaIOPSH-IQ9QXSDdsEs84SjL3b9JoDJzF_4tPNmYsD9-w4BKaMqEHMhZhlYFt65esISBFD3KrbKhgVhO4iYagV0TczQ-ubPWUeB9kvVCpQH73aCn8qNqxZHaEOJVYUg7R/s1600-h/FondHTML112009.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411385775536238402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zn-aiAPBU9xbaIOPSH-IQ9QXSDdsEs84SjL3b9JoDJzF_4tPNmYsD9-w4BKaMqEHMhZhlYFt65esISBFD3KrbKhgVhO4iYagV0TczQ-ubPWUeB9kvVCpQH73aCn8qNqxZHaEOJVYUg7R/s320/FondHTML112009.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 258px;" /></a><br /><BR><br />La Jeune Chambre économique d’Orléans organise un Salon Emploi Seniors :<br /><ul><li>le Mardi 15 décembre 2009 de 9h à 19h<br /><li>au Centre de Conférences – Orléans</ul><br />La Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans présente sur le forum animera l'atelier <a href="http://www.jce-orleans.fr/ateliers.html" "target=_blank">« Seniors et Gestion Prévisionnelle des Emplois et des Compétences »</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jce-orleans.fr/exposant.html" "target=_blank">Liste des exposants</a><br /><BR>

Salon Emploi Seniors

La Jeune Chambre économique d’Orléans organise un Salon Emploi Seniors : le Mardi 15 décembre 2009 de 9h à 19h au Centre de Conférences – Or...

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I <3 New Moon!!!

<p>Happy Thursday everyone!! Tomorrow is everyone’s favorite day!! Well, mine at least! I started out my day today just like the previous one…at the gym!  Today I did <strong>40 minutes</strong> on the <strong>treadmill</strong>. A little over half was <strong>running</strong> and then the other part of it was <strong>walking at an incline</strong>. Boy is that a leg work out! </p> <p>Breakfast was sorta a repeat of yesterday, but with <strong>regular PB2</strong> instead of chocolate. Boy do I LOVE this <strong>4 point</strong> breakfast. It’s super delicious and also very filling! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQ1gy3PEYLwqw5z1RSQPN09HmrU0uRGmNT1QNyuFkfjdHRHkFVDV-TS0IvkpJZgpDOYQ43KeCU6abXup7rf-8GpLRPua8c6MHODGe74Jf4rr0y7_rpPqm8rzFQDB96rpm0i-cLAf1zl9f/s1600-h/DSC05180%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05180" border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NfUtbGTwIaCbV2WSJ6UTpWoPcYoXfF65Xfi8q6kRaeEG8HlyvRSDm4pTIR17Wnr6d4YCfdybo9NUYlmxz8Py6fjZJ8lGFGRmHGuQCROGvhu5JQmwuwduZlP2FpZsyBpvmy9HNc6tC905/?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="DSC05180" width="629" /></a> </p> <p>My morning snack was more like lunch today! Once again my morning flew by and I didn’t get have my <strong>morning 3 point mush</strong> until about <strong>noon</strong>! But it still hit the spot…another combo I don’t think I will ever get tired of! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4LCEaFwjaARHGp4rvjNLBG0CyfB1JAaXzCRF34lCMbp1VAWBqJFJrfGymrtNOicVtSkioZavBuMDDJ6reGThykYAmQf_9Qbwrgz7oYxxknDFnv7askuvPBsUAK8OGDDEXw3ECGZKUMy4/s1600-h/DSC05181%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05181" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX43SRaLf4BZcEg0Ciwx3WzGrpFpphQSxqdtFAdh1ZuVzkFFPqNBL84gszfIFH_YSR3T7wqFGLJIDQhOapf9hev3cc0SjC0C9d2lpWp5-NW1OANcmaT8bX3agBBoA51m4-eHrShKoeKnDp/?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="DSC05181" width="579" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><strong>Look at what I saw almost all day out my office window in the courtyard:</strong></p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa7DAOTG1iUhhxsZOgkCHqk1xsWSpEXlBCWNdBkjgXafY6sfFj24u7qM8-MgGUUheBJ5h6SMsD16Fk3mFqk1H7vm3pOEKPdGp9GqVQhnGlUrWwVgpAS9BpTG0BOFtLdbQa8CR__Rg6PIz/s1600-h/DSC05183%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05183" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehMmsTxs_TjKaJdIMqon72rIuqUGFzt48BY4x1KB1KP7v8_uCtOJ_PDdYLc1PxEeYO3NFxMSqb8zpfUeNyKpIs8vq58xfmxg3wZXEf2sZ1NyWsfbrj1p2HokSn4jBhZWK-sP7GzsiwBsm/?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="DSC05183" width="404" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh484cLNREOz0REZgOHYbYNcwYoXDE4Spvxf3SR_r_mvjYcrBt-RBNj65efl5721gVwJ3hyNll7JIsJzY8s5kXtRasdL6MgZgY1mD0tWPTq3JXAObujNETIk_ZsYc8BTi102yXFDD31Mxgm/s1600-h/DSC05182%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05182" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWWhVAfGdT3QGGRMxapXxUXnrea_7RI9zFkidys17S_alnJRiQJQ2cs-j1njxHXaTwWftK9mtwqHhrZNkqu3yVEJ1dUanw-KDbpsr-nHdlYxwPSz-BQlPMfpb6E9Ach9CWEHJ4mSlBA36/?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="DSC05182" width="404" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p><strong>SNOW!!!</strong> I never thought I would be happy to see the stuff!! But it sure makes it feel more like the Christmas season. But I do have to say I much prefer the almost record high we had on Tuesday for December 1st….like 60 degrees almost! But hey if it’s going to be cold, then bring on the snow! </p> <p>Not only did my morning fly by at work, but so did my afternoon. It was after 2:30 and I still hadn’t taken a lunch break yet. So I decided to skip it and just keep working. So I heated up a quick bowl of <strong>Progresso soup</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. Sorry for the icky looking picture…it tasted much better than it looks!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-TtpPgR04UFGbkF_LPygZkotQCfH1sC0L_bW9gaT-M0USEB2lKXX8rky2YlzRhzYZneFlbdNPsDnYWV6YpL9k_DeT-v8S_3GjVXJZHFU1YGymq_arlx2Tg4sMr8rUXEZso_SOGAAz99h/s1600-h/DSC05185%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05185" border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheodPbR4mFwFgOfPOpCqag9lzFuUWhFMGZu8ne-3xbZDuWryfQUqaVBpV1uySWvqHn5zAX6EpwviqbEr6Onjmd8iaTGIj6gAFxsHrl_otSFUh5yfya70WWYLOcHtnAuEaEmq72t0TMe-tT/?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="DSC05185" width="504" /></a>  </p> <p>I finished off my afternoon with one of my most favorite <strong>0 point</strong> items…<strong>DIET SUNKIST</strong>!!!! Mmmm it’s so good!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEeAv13VcfZ_6k8IZrSAToqIe4m3AevnbogpcxWP8bAqdBBAUC6J1eoW40mXZy-y8-tCtF53_2kHZAAkFHnHGPZr72qyUUK48PMN6az4szI1V8NXLB4LqYjUECzQxqEvuNUH3KfSQbmNo/s1600-h/DSC05187%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05187" border="0" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbDusCS3BoFXV7h5FuZGsnE7rc6SJTaPr_ZPC-EY-73Mgr7sKB2ulBD76ml79xEdGwM93OcN3_1sSmys8GD1Gm_VJgyyTjDpF8ebdeTxhAAxZgs3jvb-ObQfVxcZDW6IgzqLm5PONqqAH/?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="DSC05187" width="435" /></a> </p> <p>My sister and I had a date to (<em>finally</em>) go see New Moon tonight. So I rushed out of my office as quick as I could and look what I found! My car covered in snow and it was still snowing…I think it looks like more than just flurries that the weather man was talking about on the news last night! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVX6bg9Q0zDliuZvP1i0llBDAVQg-A9KW1G_Oae3wOj_Mx_YdUMgkQA-uazufug7UTY5iOQe_6ChLUZaWZjImbrHeSswwLqg3Ol_J5WN30KZHlA7RKqE7XP9rKW6uB-jIYpXPQY9s1DTy/s1600-h/DSC05188%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05188" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrG6n468rvmCKqf2CWh2ikNNhV4MCVRJB4_ysVnMy8bGt3vFp11rcACd73mz7cKIQs56lrnBEf15pytxKV27ggu_4N9xwRmeREqAH-r-liYeFsPFCwywwv2yFmb47aVIkbC48u1UuRf-X/?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="DSC05188" width="578" /></a> </p> <p>My sister convinced me we should try Chen Garden, a new restaurant in town. They have a sushi bar, Chinese buffet, American buffet, and Hibachi (the raw bar where they cook it in front of you)…..a person’s nightmare who is trying to eat well!!! So here are my 2 plates. The first one was filled with bananas, oranges, grapes, and a very small serving of beef & broccoli. And then my 2nd plate wasn’t as good (points wise). It had a small amount of Hong Kong Chicken (I think it tasted like teriyaki chicken), a small slice of cheese pizza, 4 chicken nuggets, and a crab rangoon.</p> <p>Points value = I HAVE NO CLUE!!! Anyone have any guesses??? I know the crab rangoon was probably horrible with all that cream cheese. I think tomorrow I might take some time to figure the points, just so I know how many of my weekly allowance I used. If I get it figured out, I will post an update! <strong>UPDATE</strong>: I googled each food and estimated a total of <strong>20 points</strong> for my supper and I think that was going high on everything because I think I had fairly small servings of each item.</p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGE6Qkm0IIXLr1k0Y4d1fAXkSyz6bqQHG3yE6lfyBc5sNYwSUj342MRdZtDe2PkQ3adp685D3eU2AaIlM2EvFHOl0UXDAWiIbmTcIbiP1B7VWxsbkdt5srodG42Kj9YvZhXNOCcyVOe9R/s1600-h/DSC05189%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05189" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniqCk9oVrHXaqDUyt48zYdzfiUyo1yQwSMHzvQ8AWptsYYXjE3aqcZqsAOqo1eznPHJ9NblCrWm6JUzFJBm-lh81hmdr4iS1KEoBgkDn44VAMGhBJYmTuLHzS5SQzudh06K6VdpJk9b5b/?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="DSC05189" width="404" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM32uX5xBsOquYtw1d0eOxEOYrpLffiSOUcaBCbBukk78Q812T5rS1XkRUC8PI747gZ0Fq9L6QZHAjWR98vBWv9LoeLEGqsozFoYxCJPfoQRwnyjsMqpSyTHKc2HghaL6m-dgJdWGJDc4D/s1600-h/DSC05193%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05193" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-NdKZg1RzxwpeFkgatgkUjKAi_q4srLi5cIt7g2y76mjdAvFiCtZjv5YSIliJaCsgkMrmnSK25TSNvRx_AHStlaaJMzJAa2yuvt5Hcgy8mZu_CGwbNn90EgUEHpxHs5lfvqg_AntE3Vx/?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="DSC05193" width="404" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p> </p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td align="center" width="400">I didn’t try the sushi (and probably never will…I’m not a fish person) or the Hibachi part either. There was a long line for that and we were a little short on time. But it looked pretty cool. They set your food on fire and even launch a few bites for you to catch in your mouth!! My sister was a little braver and got a plate of sushi….  <br /> <br /><img alt="DSC05190" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2PPsljXnkHweJ2MggTXOadMtF7KZeQ5QU_oF6j7zP-FX9H-vhRRobRcF8EFlJHAexbOsFa6aP4n0OhqEDpeV-mlvemhjrisKIyZ-Wb8Ku9pfqhA1hAqHAoHVlmu_6RhkGzFG5nvnG8w2/?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="DSC05190" width="244" /> <br />I don’t think she was a huge fan of it! I tried to get an after face picture…but it didn’t turn out too well!! And that green stuff that looks like guacamole (I can’t remember what it’s called)…isn’t!!! It is some hot stuff and she put way too much on one of her bites… “<strong>Hot, hot, Darci this is too HOT</strong>!” I think those were her words!!! lol</td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRbOoUpg-bwaWXF6FOOec_fBzz2FXa-Nd-tibZHM53fs-DEQwFTVcARoLXz_-UkX5-vFH7IfTghZbru5dKkh6m9JTFWSiMBzfLgB3x2MMg73CYzfn9mSBox4EKSJQYfZ4jv7gGplb6pfr/s1600-h/DSC05191%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05191" border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0b2HaSDN_g4E94WccdwQNUeXMiu4pDHIZmgMVDH69-fpfOFXxfOnOqqBhemV0jdiMogyn1uKiGsbvz9Xf_ZBkUVyQFN59JqZuVlIKkoAJnRwAvlCmsGJFuPb-GmjKtiFRZ4k1cV9j6YC4/?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="DSC05191" width="379" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>Then after our dinner we made a quick lap around the mall, which got interrupted by a few shopping stops! And then headed to the theater to see New Moon. And OMG….<strong>did I love this movie</strong>!!! Wow…what did you guys think??? I think it was much better than the 1st and I am <strong>SO</strong> excited that the next one is coming out in June!! And boy, oh boy is Jacob <strong>FFFFIINNNEEEE</strong>!!! ;) But I think I am still “Team Edward”!!</p> <p>I hurried home to Kyle afterwards and just wanted to talk about the movie SO bad, but didn’t want to spoil it for him. He will probably watch it with me when it comes out on DVD. I got a few more loads of laundry done from my <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/12/orange-italian.html">huge piles yesterday</a>…I think I only have 2 more to go!!</p> <p>My day just kept getting better and better…I found out that one of my good friends (who moved to KC this summer) is coming to visit next week. I haven’t seen her since September and I’m TOTALLY excited for her to be here!!! Oh and the scale was down this morning too…it said 171…so down 2 pounds and 12 more to go for the “sister challenge”!!!</p> <p>Well my favorites, I need to get going. It’s already WAY past Darci’s bed time and I need to get this girl to the gym in the morning!! G’nite all!!</p> <p><strong>THURSDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 28/24 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 31 remaining/35  <br />WATER = 75 oz <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED  = 6 today/19 week <br />EXERCISE = 40 min run/walk @ incline</p>

I <3 New Moon!!!

Happy Thursday everyone!! Tomorrow is everyone’s favorite day!! Well, mine at least! I started out my day today just like the previous one…a...

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Fall and Winter Outdoor Education Ideas

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9S0bDNfpVpW6z9buREsyJyP5K4MyIe4H1CLIZHRnmvbHLBNU0dWr7aYlVbhmVxKSdSZl_-cGF7oEkznwmOVq7OiOkigiT0t_BOyZqLQJZRf4hDnfgMKThwxLPvz41MQX03Fy85jspVAV/s1600-h/coldec08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9S0bDNfpVpW6z9buREsyJyP5K4MyIe4H1CLIZHRnmvbHLBNU0dWr7aYlVbhmVxKSdSZl_-cGF7oEkznwmOVq7OiOkigiT0t_BOyZqLQJZRf4hDnfgMKThwxLPvz41MQX03Fy85jspVAV/s320/coldec08.jpg" /></a><br /></div>It's getting to be that time of year again.  Our calendars here at the Division of Wildlife are jam-packed with requests for Project WILD and WILD School Site workshops at schools all over the state. We finished workshops this fall in Reynoldsburg, Mogadore, Greenville, Xenia, Maysville and Worthington, to name a few. These schools are looking to start their school year with a fresh new look at education, from the outdoor perspective. <br /><br /><div><br /></div>One thing we always talk about in these workshops is the struggle we find in just getting teachers to take kids outside...period! Our mantra is that if you don't get used to taking them outside now, no manner of gardens, woods or ponds that may be in the works will get you out later. Taking kids outside for a class lesson can be a real struggle for some teachers. If you're not an outdoorsy person, it never occurs to you to nurture that perspective in your students. However, if you think about it, it takes a teacher 4 to 6 years to develop their own teaching style. We don't expect you to change it all in a 6 hour workshop. And neither should you. It will take some creativity, patience, and an adjustment in mindset in many cases for your outdoor education experiences to be a success.<br /><br /><div><br /></div>So, if you are someone who is about to venture into the world of outdoor and environmental education this year, take it slow. Try a lesson here or there. Don't try to do it all at once. It will be too intimidating and overwhelming and you'll end up getting frustrated. And the last thing you should appear to your students is frustrated. Outdoor education is supposed to be fun, an adventure! You want your students to enjoy the outdoors, not look at it as a chore. One of the best learning experiences a student can have is when they don't even realize they are learning.<br /><br />If you're thinking that you need to wait until spring, now that our lovely Ohio winter has set in, you're underestimating the potential for great winter outdoor experiences.  Here are a few tips and activities to help make your winter outdoor adventures a success:<br /><br />       <strong>Winter Outdoor Education Safety Tips:</strong><br /><ul><li>Make sure the students are properly dressed for the weather.  That means no flip flops for older kids and definitely gloves and hats for the little ones.</li><li>Make short trips outdoors if it's really cold, and be sure to keep moving.  Standing still in the cold just makes you colder.</li><li>Be careful around large water features, especially moving water.  Stepping through the ice can turn a fun experience into a dangerous one very quickly.  Never walk on ice that's less than 4 inches thick and never trust ice over moving water.</li></ul>      <strong> Winter Outdoor Education Activity Ideas:</strong><br /><ul><li>Have students view features of the school during the winter and compare to how they looked in other seasons.  Have students keep a sketch or photo journal of different features, i.e. trees, flower beds, streams, fields, etc. for a seasonal comparison study.</li><li>Try to find animal tracks in heavy snow or muddy areas.  Setting up bait piles of corn, bird seed or other beneficial food to encourage wild visitors is a good way to find tracks.  Look around pond edges, muddy areas along parking lots and playgrounds, and along streams for tracks as well.</li><li>If you have a bluebird box trail, take a peek in the boxes to see if any mice have taken up residence for the winter.  You can leave them be for now, but be sure to clean out your boxes and make any necessary repairs by March 1st so they'll be ready for any early returning cavity nesting birds such as bluebirds and house wrens.</li><li>Keep bird feeders as full as possible during any significant snow or ice events.  If you have enough warning, fill them up the days before a big weather event.  Your feathered neighbors will be much appreciative of the food during these difficult times.  If possible, keeping a source of water open will really draw in a lot of visitors.  This can be accomplished by keeping a waterproof heating coil in a bird bath all winter long.</li><li>Keep a list of what species of wildlife visit your site during the winter versus other seasons. Have students speculate on why some animals are here only certain times of the year.</li></ul>If you have other ideas or have had great experiences outdoors, please share them here! Happy Holidays and get outdoors!!

Fall and Winter Outdoor Education Ideas

It's getting to be that time of year again.  Our calendars here at the Division of Wildlife are jam-packed with requests for Project WIL...

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An Orange Italian

<p>I started out my morning the best way, at the gym! I do admit though, I hit snooze for a few minutes, but Kyle was up and getting ready so I jumped out of bed and got going! I got in 35 minutes on the cross ramp and did 10 minutes of abs. Nice little sweat session. </p> <p>I got ready and headed to my office to make some breakfast before the work day started. I had one of my favorite combinations, <strong>1 small banana</strong>, <strong>chocolate PB2</strong>, and <strong>oatmeal</strong>. All for only <strong>4 points</strong>.  Mmmmm, good!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhVVK_ts3JVOHu_zNqxaBIbxNVnng76YPkI_FmLaolNPPmkSn1TsPbWQk-uKX8FhgUzYZjMRGt4EL6q7jU_8R_HvOJaWtDVUQhuwUrtqF8iCVPLp2QtTJdnuso02eaoE1aTRJcd7JXqw5/s1600-h/DSC051683.jpg"><img alt="DSC05168" border="0" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKtwrI2JpIw2WNK3321Yi81E2RNHMUv5ICW8GppqQsC-r5HD44o-KwWFJFeTDDmC5oC62w_f-8tZifKJ59ikJoAMICtcwesSjG6X1mawS-j0x10L7kTZVZYtrpwkkoD3uLf0k5rmJcO2x/?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="DSC05168" width="655" /></a> </p> <p>My morning FLEW by. My director is out of the office so I feel like everyone is coming to me, which is ok, but I don’t get anything done! So finally around 11am I had my morning snack, <strong>strawberries, grape nuts</strong>, and <strong>yogurt</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfwvIWdmt8JjzqEaVg42I3wBQFT30FxkTXeW-jFm3xQ1MrpN1uGBOXgQgrvBCc5Nb40RkMprdy5GUIIg-W0E5V5da_DW_nRVgEzcezb2m2TXZZc8NDhyKJeJ9wLihJZ6V-0yMDkP-XwnR/s1600-h/DSC05169%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05169" border="0" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMAh1hZ0XEO6eogPFiA9xyYCA4y1wYOTGwG9sC_p_kfY1lflkz7OekfrZtMn9bojk6Xv64Lzuvt3lgT7r-St83I1zn5LAW0tcO-Prw4Cy2LdiWzMbLxNFgMx7XOlRvsNECDyUTuXSmihI/?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="DSC05169" width="655" /></a> </p> <p>Not only did my  morning fly by, but the rest of the day did! I was training my staff on a new grant and it was past 2:30 and I realized I hadn’t been to lunch yet and I bet poor little Abby (my dog!) had her legs crossed! I ran to the grocery store to pick up some more strawberries ($2/pound!!). Oh and I had an <strong>apple </strong>for <strong>1 point</strong> on the way, no picture though. Kyle called and said he was on his way home which worked out perfect. I grabbed a <strong>Lean Cuisine pizza</strong> (<strong>7 points</strong>) and went straight back to work!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2zliQjSy4KXdswYIVi06zyFxVEeYcBollTfbLj35xXDBb_6vs6pKXHV0tacfn_J5KC-UiPdepSk1EJOQG_WJnD2FEEAclNLw2rd9_A981Hpdu5fdeJ54JE3vLTgH-mxqNSr2Tjyzmaoh/s1600-h/DSC05170%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05170" border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVbAv2ejEPtH2mAjpOpR4KU5Pkz30UpVZzne9pj45ZSEZKBdkWe4p4So2JLKCrlFwj0qDWar-gWgfKjl0LYa2QuKzkZk2LK9sBjKkcETWpnNkxJkuKEHnXVqhS_X_4G3llLv97wDgX3le/?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="DSC05170" width="554" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>I stuck around work till about 6 to get a few extra things done. And I knew what was waiting for me when I got home. This:</p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHL48mGCt3zcHfCnxppVz7piUwpg31t8l-a8QnD4y5dnUOOfp_3TXNWD27CF_U9Gsh20nMQDw3lx-gLgxhBTUmn_uRLhkrbontiwszgdiRBY2TIs4I9ozwEDsLqv6Cr-nYyQkA-2g1ibK6/s1600-h/DSC05171%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05171" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gQLPp-NNj_CKUlgcdCUnDrf9hEh08qyTnnX1v1agnnQ_nh9RGOE3PUN-25czlaMFTkcUMMvdXOnc93Nd78zfoDup1wLvIqbfrFAilui8IHVUwORepYu2lC3_y70UMknK3TfGYEPxFYu7/?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="DSC05171" width="404" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYf_c4Yb98yB4rft_fWYFDAvFF-lqGhbmjqZ6X23htJjbOVV1yZ_UVRFntDSOysK1sro5uyM2OjAz5Y2Xgajzpj2vZ5m0NO4bDj1bVlGlmzS_T7oRtSArpAgZbPeagnS35Xs1CW3pZmqHH/s1600-h/DSC05172%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05172" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgx-K7zZNvaTPv8a4lQq3UMW6FBX_pfkp05X8Vvwxdny4tv5XsYxt1QXKdsQ2gzT3my3jLoVogyDKZY7AnDjHadLY-cu5ibboRx0uWkzeMq3tuGQhP5h-B-Z7zUt7-a0X1k9XGHBa4ND1r/?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="DSC05172" width="404" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p align="center">Loads and loads of laundry!!! 9 to be exact! So if you need to find me…this is where I’ll be!  And you know I’m not sure I agree with my Uppercase Living that I put on the wall?!!?!?!</p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZ2cMxa4E0QrTEwtoK6FBl5zuk_oSvYcyaW8NF_7DkL2hb3ViznuN-If_8B_l5_9XyUcVsdpC1kq8LmZY4dh33Ad2wYdUPT5WPE0JIoUJ_3m36xt3kPu6k0WhbkWB3ogJoIdTjRwnEfiD/s1600-h/DSC05177%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05177" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXbzYmX9La98C77IdDdrqox2-to1lmMqU3TaWb0qIhj_Q29ninfQFaWMAjaxaGYyicFuDQj-ktJRAvFww8oz4wBPBqyrl0SAy9jaP5oi5I7cSTLWhUPcviLSfxlJwJkoR_LFMW40VqWlw/?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="DSC05177" width="404" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhec6I1GimMSTnXrDfANsFXVckvcGNB7jj07JbEon6vUE1EQfaMy8WVJzDi6UpT2xsvZb17d-x7JPVy7AbJdjrRYCeOOqPI6Kff9dkDrMofyDp3U8pf7KPjO0DqZ6-eoA68r9kk09xcBgCa/s1600-h/DSC05176%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05176" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZko2ercLNJD_wv8QNTp7tYE9iTZm_ou9qAlCevaUWluSqsV3XjDliiqwZqXVFNteV5Hfxbzg4HlmKk_5QF5Ja8YT6qSRN3w-Im83qwujxVDXGrOSjmt7vHkCicChif0sRa3mHWm1bSQv/?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="DSC05176" width="404" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td align="center" width="400">In between loads I made an odd, but easy supper! Pizza for lunch, cheese sticks for supper and everything is so orange. Kyle said I’m going to turn into an orange Italian! <br /> <br />My supper tonight was some <strong>carrot chips</strong>, <strong>2 clementines</strong>, <strong>ranch for dipping</strong>, <strong>cheesy bread,</strong> and <strong>cauliflower w/cheese</strong> for a total of <strong>7 points</strong>. <br /><img alt="DSC05179" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56hP83gdnieB88b9nYlUokrzZUyP3Z_JBcEQFuYNF2YLvzY8nUOkxjFlMC2dFTtmgePSEb8gV4nlfNrUe8TBeCQw_7DJRZe4nssXsg8_tg7YH_u2rXmnlAWbVO3euVVS7C-UOMdktedTA/?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="DSC05179" width="244" /></td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3TKgrgtJTrrVrqxKlWnErgg8wRQs4fMAARmADMOkWVS8UKjK-Dt2EQmYwoz1BPaTaZk5wFnfUZGcJ9DSESgLifqrQ_cRwPZaoC87R3rk12Ha03eMVMOaFgHmSmvq9zX0P_nG46i66Fpm/s1600-h/DSC05178%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05178" border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAJ2dDdRYKsrND8w_J0agQpX79XaQVSkYDhPAaH0jqG240d5aOjCGEQC5ONsmSWJYggfeLq0hFpu4LmcYNKdY9XmaEsbC45BD1FhhvqZ_vh6J2dH4JGhbS4F0dhRPQ1Mz8sTWbVFYFVsK/?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="DSC05178" width="504" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><strong>WEDNESDAY'S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 22/24 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 35/35  <br />WATER = 100oz <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED  = 6 today/13 week <br />EXERCISE = 35 min cross ramp, 10 min abs</p>

An Orange Italian

I started out my morning the best way, at the gym! I do admit though, I hit snooze for a few minutes, but Kyle was up and getting ready so I...

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Do References Really Matter? - 10 tips for providing recommendations

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/ky/ar5c2h3773zzmpnkc0ky.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/ky/ar5c2h3773zzmpnkc0ky.gif" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>The importance of references seems to be a hot topic these days. Employers want to make sure they are hiring the right person for the job; but some thwart the process because checking references can be labor-intensive. On the other hand, job seekers provide references they know will give a glowing report, but employers are getting smarter and finding references you didn't provide.<br /><br />So, what's the deal? Do references matter? Do employers even check them anymore? What's the protocol for providing them to a potential employer? Who are the best people to include as references? And, if an employer doesn't call any of your references, is it a bad sign?<br /><br />While the definitive answer to any of these questions depends on the employer, overall, yes, references do still matter. The process has just changed.<br /><br />"References play a huge role in the hiring process, perhaps now more than ever," says Heather R. Huhman, founder and president of Come Recommended, an online community that connects internship and entry-level job candidates with employers. "Oftentimes, hiring managers fall in love with a candidate on paper and then again in an interview, only to find out through a reference check that none of their previous employers would ever hire them again. By checking a candidate's references, hiring managers save themselves the frustration of hiring a person who is not a good fit for a company. In this economy, where hiring budgets are slim, every hire must be a great fit." <br /><br />Provided references are no guarantee<br /><br />Though the majority of employers do check references, others skip this step. Not only is it labor-intensive to check references for people who might not be poised for a job offer, but Jack Harsh, adjunct professor at the University of Richmond Robins School of Business, says that many employers worry about the risk of liability in rejecting a candidate based on poor references.<br /><br />"[Hiring] decisions cannot be based on information that is discriminatory in nature, so to avoid any liability, the checks are forgone," Harsh says. "Sadly, the first reference the employer gets in such cases is from colleagues after employment has begun."<br /><br />Steve Langerud, director of career development at Depauw University, adds that sometimes, the quality of references is benign. <br /><br />"Everyone wants to be helpful and supportive to former employees, but in the end, they offer little substance to a new employer," he says. "Legally, they are limited by what they can or want to say about former employees. I think the old formal system of references is dead in most professional fields."<br /><br />Langerud warns that just because an employer isn't checking personal references the traditional way doesn't mean he isn't checking references at all.<br /><br />"Employers are more likely to check the informal, but tangible, behavioral reference sources like LinkedIn, Facebook, credit history [or] criminal history than the more subjective references provided by candidates," he says. "Candidates should be much more intentional about crafting a professional identity that serves the role of a 'reference' but within the context of the work, profession and colleagues you seek to engage. It eliminates the weaknesses inherent in the old style of references that become so watered down they are useless." <br /><br />Making the right choices<br /><br />The last thing you want to do is give an employer useless references, but many job seekers make the mistake of not taking the time to thoughtfully choose the right people to speak on their behalf, says Elaine Varelas, managing partner for Keystone Partners, an outplacement and talent management consulting firm.<br /><br />"You want people who can speak to your role as a professional, not as a nice neighbor," Varelas says. "Candidates can make their references count by prepping them to discuss their specific skills as they relate to the job and the impact they brought to the job, which can be just the differentiation needed in this highly competitive market."<br /><br />Harsh agrees that when he receives a résumé with references attached, he gives them virtually no weight.<br /><br />"They seldom are specific to the role my company seeks and are not meaningful in considering qualifications or traits of successful candidate," he says. <br /><br />Finally, when it comes to protocol for submitting references, the process has changed as well. It used to be that applicants sent them in with their other application materials, but now, Varelas says, you should wait to provide references until you are asked.<br /><br />"Most companies do not want your references until the end of the process and they will let you know when to provide a list of names and contact information. Do not send written references," she says. "These do not offer the highest impact as they are not specific on how you will fit into the job you are pursuing. It is better to spend your time preparing your references for the kinds of questions they will be asked, and what they can do to help you close an offer."<br /><br />Helpful hints<br /><br />Harsh, Varelas and Langerud offer these 10 tips to ensure you do everything right when it comes to providing references:<br /><br />1. Include references only when requested by an employer.<br /><br />2. Carefully consider whom to provide after discussion with the prospective employer. The time to check references is before an offer is made, but after the candidate is either the final candidate or among the final few for the job. <br /><br />3. Seek references from people who actually know you and your work. Ask for permission to list them as a reference.<br /><br />4. Ask directly if they can provide you with a positive reference for the position(s) you are seeking. If they hesitate, move on!<br /><br />5. Prepare your references about who will be calling them and what to focus on when talking about you. Always ask them to call you after they have been called. <br /><br />6. Prepare your references to speak consistently about your skills, but not identically. Suggest a different highlight for each person. Have 100 percent confidence in what they will say and how they speak about you, or cross them off the list.<br /><br />7. Provide accurate contact information about your references, and ask your references how they prefer to be contacted (e-mail, phone, etc.).<br /><br />8. Let your references know what happens to you and the position(s) you applied for. Thank your references.<br /><br />9. Prepare a LinkedIn site to demonstrate your skills and interests.<br /><br />10. Participate in professional blogs to create a history of professional involvement in your field that is independent of your work history.<br /><br />By Rachel Zupek is a 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.

Do References Really Matter? - 10 tips for providing recommendations

The importance of references seems to be a hot topic these days. Employers want to make sure they are hiring the right person for the job; b...

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Oakland

Just pictures I took today. I take tons of pictures, pretty much every day of my life.<br /><br />This one is the trail that runs in front of my hotel along the water. I went for a walk here today. It looks a lot prettier in the picture than it did in person. The water is terribly polluted, full of garbage. Plastic bags, potato chip bags, even condoms were floating in the water. The grossest thing I've ever seen. Of course I'm only four miles from the airport, always a notoriously bad area of any city.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQBPcduBDSKZSw5KjyxbW5IogzTNiS7opwD0AVmQmHpqqcM2XD45_vh4Bf5t9AKRs37CNQ02SjNi7lVEUBWP1ImrsMd5HCsoO5bqd-Fqo0TPGe2we9ck4ZREYXctH90RXMsQ-Aj7u5Mf7/s1600-h/walking+trail.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410470133692463890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQBPcduBDSKZSw5KjyxbW5IogzTNiS7opwD0AVmQmHpqqcM2XD45_vh4Bf5t9AKRs37CNQ02SjNi7lVEUBWP1ImrsMd5HCsoO5bqd-Fqo0TPGe2we9ck4ZREYXctH90RXMsQ-Aj7u5Mf7/s400/walking+trail.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </p><p></p><p>This was a picture I took from inside the Oakland Airport terminal. They have a great view.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6bpE_QdEt29WnoYbcO4elQSZuv-2k1Aghl9mTXeAwX4t9raUYdCYyO9BcFVGg9FaGrs8QMBK1gNr92CTVZYrJkgcDHXtNKp8drAvIBtxPDXKESt16JAMpsNBoH8FxtHZWqqL3vpJc0IO/s1600-h/View+from+terminal.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410470125447148354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6bpE_QdEt29WnoYbcO4elQSZuv-2k1Aghl9mTXeAwX4t9raUYdCYyO9BcFVGg9FaGrs8QMBK1gNr92CTVZYrJkgcDHXtNKp8drAvIBtxPDXKESt16JAMpsNBoH8FxtHZWqqL3vpJc0IO/s400/View+from+terminal.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />More pictures from in front of the hotel, on the paved trail.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9mORJDdDmkHjZAiCyjfZudz1-IsIRjXFZi3x9Pxz_iEYADOYZRzK-66555b5Lux9nY-n4_MmSvUahFLGBgJTgwfrw8Td08amCE9P0Gn2-aUX29Ibp2SadkSwBlWgDBpprp0WkcEF5N8X/s1600-h/view+from+pier.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410470116109815138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9mORJDdDmkHjZAiCyjfZudz1-IsIRjXFZi3x9Pxz_iEYADOYZRzK-66555b5Lux9nY-n4_MmSvUahFLGBgJTgwfrw8Td08amCE9P0Gn2-aUX29Ibp2SadkSwBlWgDBpprp0WkcEF5N8X/s400/view+from+pier.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUPDD9OTcbFYUT8cgYrAjPyuUYgmQBRWnu1E6waiNpoNBa0SIKE9Wh0PuMmD2wZex5UsBDmXzEDGQ1m9wpc_TYc2FvNdBDorVPP5HZkthloyu9tXjLmLlYXzCqA9BPhVqR8FQ3pC8DXy0/s1600-h/view2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410470106052736130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUPDD9OTcbFYUT8cgYrAjPyuUYgmQBRWnu1E6waiNpoNBa0SIKE9Wh0PuMmD2wZex5UsBDmXzEDGQ1m9wpc_TYc2FvNdBDorVPP5HZkthloyu9tXjLmLlYXzCqA9BPhVqR8FQ3pC8DXy0/s400/view2.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </div><div></div><div>Pigeon picture. :)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCRZEHdWJnwbVWa9XlhSKIZRmQH9UJUiyQAtay-7wdUyVJm51o2stTu6MhotoIVxCGyiOFf-xA3gK2LLb2nxLLJSWzqInZddYPThT-jEm3Z4xYvaJk6X4uT7x_hjhLKfqySdPqfP8pMZQ/s1600-h/pigeon.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410469508434480834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCRZEHdWJnwbVWa9XlhSKIZRmQH9UJUiyQAtay-7wdUyVJm51o2stTu6MhotoIVxCGyiOFf-xA3gK2LLb2nxLLJSWzqInZddYPThT-jEm3Z4xYvaJk6X4uT7x_hjhLKfqySdPqfP8pMZQ/s400/pigeon.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div>The pier in front of the hotel here in Oakland is the San Antonio fishing pier. Guys were fishing off this pier. I'd never eat anything caught in this water. Too gross! And don't they know San Antonio is in Texas?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYw80CV8VRJEW98Pin9eI5ZTkRO0z2kr3HauJTtusTJh95WSxYJCBKOff-P1TkvDE2m5FbWHPx9xtIUnoPepOCqetI65a6WA7eZDDTUoN-lxYDOeD3xhkaAytSYtl93Jo1UBY94tsMMf9X/s1600-h/pier.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410469499066818962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYw80CV8VRJEW98Pin9eI5ZTkRO0z2kr3HauJTtusTJh95WSxYJCBKOff-P1TkvDE2m5FbWHPx9xtIUnoPepOCqetI65a6WA7eZDDTUoN-lxYDOeD3xhkaAytSYtl93Jo1UBY94tsMMf9X/s400/pier.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />Cool artwork in the Oakland terminal, painted on the windows. Not in our terminal, but in our arch enemy's terminal (that other airline who shall remain nameless).</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZ0n9Cdwo0Nx-_bx32h5kKEQ15N_iq_wX_6Z1bTAs0bfHJ0IluL-PE5HYRt7qnPV1mRMCXBtG5R1EUov4n69q1lIjYyhzctLPIu506-t2wwVHEUUsCtjmkyG90_R_-TuihVgjvTVeLoFd/s1600-h/OAK+2+002.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410469494403808274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZ0n9Cdwo0Nx-_bx32h5kKEQ15N_iq_wX_6Z1bTAs0bfHJ0IluL-PE5HYRt7qnPV1mRMCXBtG5R1EUov4n69q1lIjYyhzctLPIu506-t2wwVHEUUsCtjmkyG90_R_-TuihVgjvTVeLoFd/s400/OAK+2+002.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />A view of my hotel from the pier.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvj4po3w8x98bGvgM4tAeIPDzw80HcghiVAh7hyphenhyphenbaNFuGj-kXgntgEu7aSkfqBTOmsjMrncSClSRDDWDfXwPCGhoYbpB-ELYcS-S6ai0toWJ6NuhDFAf74qkxb2tbGjU4J3iUfTq9flZF/s1600-h/Hotel.jp.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410469480214384434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvj4po3w8x98bGvgM4tAeIPDzw80HcghiVAh7hyphenhyphenbaNFuGj-kXgntgEu7aSkfqBTOmsjMrncSClSRDDWDfXwPCGhoYbpB-ELYcS-S6ai0toWJ6NuhDFAf74qkxb2tbGjU4J3iUfTq9flZF/s400/Hotel.jp.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>How on earth did I stay in my room for a whole night, look out the "window" this morning, and not realize it was a sliding glass door with a balcony? The view from my room, that I discovered tonight.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FlaWTjNbOeLzANlPuCdSrljUXwjN2JIvVvdVca1PbyvNyEOktMaglPUXSZXpwKyZg5eFklcMIKGgFHCJiTCy1edAt3EjYJCK98NbiE-rIoMTjRofMSI_kfSQ6DYZ_D8MEy5V929lcOwR/s1600-h/balcony+view.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410469469594041794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FlaWTjNbOeLzANlPuCdSrljUXwjN2JIvVvdVca1PbyvNyEOktMaglPUXSZXpwKyZg5eFklcMIKGgFHCJiTCy1edAt3EjYJCK98NbiE-rIoMTjRofMSI_kfSQ6DYZ_D8MEy5V929lcOwR/s400/balcony+view.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />I'm not going to talk about my day. It was just another day in my life. Difficult. Exhausting. The same old same old. Nothing new.</div></div></div></div></div></div>

Oakland

Just pictures I took today. I take tons of pictures, pretty much every day of my life. This one is the trail that runs in front of my hotel ...

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The Sister Challenge is On!!!

<p>Hello everyone and Happy December! I know my blogging since June has been VERY sporadic, but I’m back now!! I know blogging my daily eats &  activity and your support was key in to the success I had from last November to June.</p> <p>So here I am….my lowest in May was 156, this morning the scale said 173.5. :( I’ve been seeing those upper 160s & low 170s too much lately. Today, DECEMBER 1st, is day one for me….again! I have been thinking I need to get serious again and what happened Saturday was just the key, so sit tight and read along!</p> <p>My sisters and I had breakfast together Saturday morning after Thanksgiving with my Grandma. When I got there they were all talking about about the “bet” and who was going to win. So of course, I wanted to hear what this was all about. Lo and behold, it was about weight loss! They originally wanted to do a certain # of lbs, but I said we should do percentages, which in turn ended up being more weight for me to lose! lol In the long run it will be good for me! We settled on 8% and $20. So whoever loses 8% of their body weight first gets paid $20 by the other three sisters! Bring on the challenge sisters!! I’m ready to be back to my slimmer self!!! :) And beating my sisters wouldn’t be too bad either!!</p> <p>Without further ado, here is my day of eats!</p> <p>I started out the day hitting snooze and wanting to stay in bed with Kyle rather than go to the gym. Great start to the challenge, Darci!!!! lol But the extra cuddle time with my man was nice! It will have to last me all week ‘cause I’m hitting the gym the rest of the mornings this week!!!</p> <p>I had a <strong>small banana</strong> on the drive to work for <strong>1 point</strong>. I love little bananas. Kyle thinks it funny that I always look for the little bananas instead of the big ones when I’m picking them out at the grocery store!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOTikDy3oNVZAS83fOM5C8fCGLJ1JHq3dQxHGup8BgcbyPtMuv7goHA3XMkfQSj1YxfOzl3Mf8jW_sQAx5PfVLrr_Q4bIsyA9IkHd0ygrfxauxuS-AZ7d-iZIeh4B_NR46qYYWWbu_X3u/s1600-h/DSC05159%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05159" border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8HSJI7H3DefXrvP5VcQ8wHOJWuiwftNhMa6HwRDlE7QZULH324DeE6pkRzdqaCXuRO0O9PDG3dsxkxxa2VGzFOSxxU4z3DqwmSx_2ijRU6WWZ2EmEk8SdbY2JqD22TFujwY5PLlFXmFY/?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="DSC05159" width="604" /></a> </p> <p>When I got to work I made a quick bowl of <strong>oatmeal</strong> and added a few <strong>blueberries </strong>for <strong>2 points</strong>. These blueberries had been in  my freezer way too long and ruined my breakfast. I ate the majority of the oatmeal, but it wasn’t good! Note to self: throw out blueberries & buy new ones!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUQqPuIQKJ4yAzup_f8FMA9dOGe4dwS4PCf8e3sHMz3KSAhQb6h0SUwmLs_sf7kbqzQsdbF2kYy9_ku2q8sotB6n9BI6iIN0OQuzwT7zmQkRgvmEDX67PS2zAZDAz3a0h_E8OYMxDgGOv/s1600-h/DSC05160%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05160" border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVT84CzEFsQOe6AGI5nWalDmnaPK5yISSvITtwirEplp5h5VYfkDHQBewKPID150DLDMVg8HcGppS4KRLwwaI95teosIISSpnjbgpp3GdGbskBRXC0GpynzkSLmR6UN3jBW1ktl9to1xN/?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="DSC05160" width="504" /></a> </p> <p>I also had<strong> 2 clementines</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong> with my breakfast. I love the fact that you can have 2 for only 1 point!! And boy were they good, super sweet & citrus-ey!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BreL6nqKVpjNZj2ptNXUXtW982s6HhNyKdVcDbz_fH0_krWcftf_6WeAspYCYy33mRS3-AF96CJzervwCWlyNvrBLz2x5f0QN5luxuaznyZtRk7dRgyH3YTzX3oiAMvFm9qKwFQM4EQ5/s1600-h/DSC05161%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05161" border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwt21NrZecLpRL0LJ6QojdyCDYKrfzTynIu-6eLL_eGo2ghn0eEIIxAC0mbYi26uunv1-genYirWj-gbTq30I6sqsSQAz9iaYU_sP31ioh5DWz2bYGlD8_SRcsxM0vPhznAtQNiKUbqNm2/?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="DSC05161" width="604" /></a></p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="778" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td align="center" width="336"><font size="3">I couldn’t wait for my morning snack. I know you guys are used to seeing this, but it’s a been a while since I have had my “<strong>morning mush</strong>”!! Strawberries really aren’t a fall berry and haven’t been too good or on sale at the grocery store. They were on Sunday, $2/pound! Kyle and I stocked up, I think we got 5 or 6 1lb containers! I thoroughly enjoyed my morning snack for <strong>3 points</strong>!</font></td> <td valign="top" width="440"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuIaNwakycALJ6xB2aeX4e_uxu7AcT8kSWcWydwf8A75Wxa7yjsRIUUZ0F6o8p5fIn96F_a2tSjuOXiTXEk7AAHTo4_6V84USGBDGTHvY_Ns2mB4hVDjuPYXU_laYnzCKmVUITduymDVg/s1600-h/DSC05163%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05163" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyBZ60eiCaRCwmMwErbXme3QLT16mTT2A83Dc4jzA5r1kkC-pLH-zSV3oDTkgoRAe3yi-1E4VUjYwToHcRi2nDQ0J0nzimnl1YTB5_3-lqk5huDX96kxzzgKTuuTqSULPx6Jm2DA_NU9p/?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="DSC05163" width="403" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKEv83GEUbEOWg0HvmNiD1kqMoHIcKcDtXFQnasxQsiLPSPZ8miohpYNErGzReVZtGeVs354AkFwc8biQF2Df46qrjIZIZEKBydFsnYYSocQr2WajeM96_zeiSId5c0HkU6WeCxvAfVvj/s1600-h/DSC05164%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05164" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-iSZ1vixHH3WlzPI3sxHfFs3JlOxe9Xee_btulumcj7l20N_Qynq23YdQgFKWEpjKcW5Qn2q_4NChESVPH97AADZ9dWHDX0HtNDN182ZlW0d-azx1sf_I7KRYaPxGkyyHau_kUzTdQXx/?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="DSC05164" width="403" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>I had a full plate for lunch today and I enjoyed every inch of it! It was fill with a <strong>sliced golden delicious apple, broccoli w/cheese, and a turkey & cheese sandwich</strong> totaling <strong>5 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoKQY4SI4RWYY3eZqSFuX3tCQtRjt7W4DDUD9c5QOOlW8LbrrCyE-bDpXh-ghcglNAE8j3e6gbl9WT1APQoMhPKYN9XYvaYOfHe7WXCWNdDftULduwghM3gZnWhMVKGzMAVcvzeqkfY09/s1600-h/DSC05165%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05165" border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj05FXOqyIKkld5PFt-05EdhGmyPPW8gR8j2sL4evnzVajpj-K1bUONGUH9jurpaSZ5KAPISKtCdinyiCgGjQw16LrC6alNa8prLOwJ822dZ4vs_Bs4wjTtQE-N-KXCjDcdXgs2FEDT5oz/?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="DSC05165" width="629" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>I packed a quick gym bag over my lunch break so I could get a sweat session in after work since I slept in this morning! My afternoon at work FLEW by, which is always good! Afterwards I hit the gym for a great <strong>45 minutes</strong> on the <strong>elliptical</strong> and <strong>10 minutes</strong> of<strong> abs</strong>. Boy was I soaked with sweat by the end of that! I love being back in the gym, but definitely prefer morning work outs, the gym is less busy and not as stinky! ;)</p> <p>Kyle had to work late tonight so I made supper for 1! Someone mentioned macaroni and cheese at work earlier today at work and it had been in my  head ever since. So I decided to make a “lighter” version of that for supper tonight. My mac n cheese consisted of<strong> 2 oz</strong> of the <strong>light velveeta</strong>, <strong>3 oz whole wheat pasta</strong>, and lots of <strong>broccoli</strong> for a total of <strong>8 points</strong>. This was quite a large serving and very filling!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Gg8ebOrqmRTWEQLgC5fHXla_KEdDtUHfk9X-GPY0TO6QDrS35Kjw9_nniGS9kHhVNVxIsqB9khHd3e6l-rb1VWd6pQf2uGeZBSaUM5w8RTIHuDlkOWohVzS_1Nv-DRlNaaS6oDJn5TKn/s1600-h/DSC05166%5B3%5D.jpg"> <img alt="DSC05166" border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWijFkhAIF_Lpxo-pKlFCCIDqDhpo8vjb52-Vf2n_Nhtwzj1dgLMRjiGKGqOAFR7kOtKzpLvlcaX3-OS3CDNul5JaLXdFJ-7rCSdkzHmP2YLNvF7lxIWC7-jVlsOO3Dgs1LV3_Ia8-7U6V/?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="DSC05166" width="629" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong>TUEASDAY'S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 20/24 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 35/35  <br />WATER = 125 oz <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED  = 7 today/7 week <br />EXERCISE = 45 min elliptical, 10 min abs</p>

The Sister Challenge is On!!!

Hello everyone and Happy December! I know my blogging since June has been VERY sporadic, but I’m back now!! I know blogging my daily eats &a...

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