Terrific Thursday

<p>Did you miss my<strong><u> BIG news</u></strong> from Wednesday? If so click <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/big-news.html">here</a> to check it out!!</p> <p>I didn’t go to the gym this morning. I planned not to because we didn’t get to bed at a good time. But I did have <strong>oatmeal</strong> for breakfast again, just a different kind. Today I mixed in a <strong>small banana</strong> and <strong>1 T</strong> of <strong>peanut butter</strong> for <strong>5 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjMq1h0xuQXWruLBMu51jjz_9jXAfR-Ao9EwjcTQnywrWKyeEqubPV986qqs0Lr4H_R-p_kUftLaiQi-GfVAifQZSqf6D_2z5HhCOjBxr3oANI8U2X1xHd3-s9Oc07x8n_BP2U6f4PTHF/s1600-h/DSC07889%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07889" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTS6V4J9f12eE7YqQYT4UAF3llsmwiMHpLyKON-jbSAD_xgK_5r4BxwbWrXYi4HYcKlsdBbTC-QnIPtFAYM9foT3dGRNz1NzaET_I_C__OoBjM_Ky2G0Ed8SjYEuHwuwBKkI2Itt9_H6_z/?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="DSC07889" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Once again my morning flew by. I didn’t have a morning snack till 12:30! I had <strong>1 c</strong> sweet, juicy <strong>watermelon</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrghR-VxaOZlPOvz74wdFEHIWgSZLlxpzYj33Z9-pYYc-IkzUDbSYZS3a_tGKe1YY1LIAYDn56czPWsmm1VLyjlTU3-xA__OORsxhvkPraWc6Gzcrr3TmM8yrt2ZhUSD-OffwKnMQq77tO/s1600-h/DSC07890%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07890" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7eZQZ8h1Y8WYEXQUPesrqp9E4oqL2WetxCyX2afa9lYEWB8oz75fD9FsNVKOWcYy-5nzsLJ21vKIofHZG7dg83mrNrEc-tuxUDG70Ndd_FWlOVWM0JWJksrwzpdYwpfXbdEd88BcWj34/?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="DSC07890" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Lunch was, yet again, <u>leftovers</u>! Don’t worry though, this is the last of the <strong><a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/take-that-week-1.html">fiesta chicken and rice bake</a></strong>! My serving was <strong>6 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UMdgAIys-Z5_wdKDzilKKxMutdZP2InsElFlsNoO0FC2ZR963KPhf7eRqt8XvtSzsdilA27pt4Mc8xZ4v58EfMCAlgmtZmnrRukvPHobyqjl9jKRtLMSaTqnps7cfN9aOACctrdYSGJ0/s1600-h/DSC07891%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07891" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyn6ZqyWPrF4gCep58lkmrvtikWyjiLOcphA-NwpRIzvOwrdx2CqfdFTgr8DdxI1gJ4S5DNUFRoHRk-aLvZ1nXuY2FptI2VDsCKYRBI4lOdNer2cg58Q0RWSA9zcAJAbdgL5Gc9dFDqWe/?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="DSC07891" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My afternoon went even faster than my morning! I left work an hour early to hang out with one of my best friends, <strong>Sara</strong>, and her 16 month old daughter <strong>Emma</strong>. They live about an hour north of me and we don’t get to see each other as often as we’d like. </p> <p>We made a trip to Target so Sara could stock up on some essentials. Emma and I had fun playing with a hula hoop…and she loved my cell phone! Isn’t she just the cutest?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrc7PiOF2vUBhUJsu66Qwey1VeKrsWM8qATIZPOjt88pywvSB1ID8LdhPU4PKVUcStnIUZ_RmmGNIPFOFJy1-hyWQuyw_RvNt4i7yv3pTfw6UDiG1N3XdLWP0r-z8trkdD-5c2PNTfHhf8/s1600-h/DSC07893%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07893" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Q8oLOBOWCmS_TWiOmqdgE5taY-WZ4KnLa5EMqVImHvPsOwWjvY6t8MGzS_8EatmIxQ08pALXbh1Nb7mWy9aJHTnhsuuFF3u11JWqCrOJSiYqK6ldPxTypHRHVHYu_Lml1BtiKW1TP1VV/?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="DSC07893" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After our Target run we came home for some <strong>grub</strong>! Emma was a <u>hungry girl</u>! ;) Mac-n-cheese for her…<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XlgnBTo_d3viEzyw3YJbH64qa2CjKwrDds55uxFVhjwaWaBPmMKO43gCFSvLxTBARnBee-gkhJDsjC3fq53zQQVj4KoYz6TUSbnwRyijRaNjXeRbnwE4VgRaAB3G1kHK2DCzJALiH1lO/s1600-h/DSC07902%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07902" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1BPPNQBfMYKLaaYSCRGOIOBtvUxCGamMlFIhrSq-qNjT15kEGhDnTg7L6teVDgWBBGEExPTv8xVq2uoiC5eV30uj-P1E7ZWZL10hIcu8OZeqqlz4Oewn40NYhTu9fUM-l9TKfBBymGUR/?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="DSC07902" width="324" /></a></p> <p>…and <strong>homemade spinach artichoke dip</strong> for us! I also had a serving of <strong>reduced fat wheat thins</strong>, <strong>strawberries</strong>, and <strong>watermelon</strong>. I am estimating about <strong>6 points</strong> for what I ate.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWryDSEKqAsbF92krXdnNatAu08N-y7XF4zKUULIDmTIuBULJS9xo7UMbR6g6f0zLtcGKbrQ57vIZQq6cRyv5HDvi4EY1q2fRBlKg9nBdvS-cCS2-saahdqSugfU8sYDU50ICBEW0JQXv/s1600-h/DSC07903%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07903" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnV8ZhMTNywgT_at2voPzRinmvlr4Ul5WmgcbbOjIirOKxPlc9O_mlr9TJUtvHBqc8gF7pihZdHaLPzFzPvtysmKirzutjaxWfZ3KQuO-oIMJT36U8UWFzwG1y0qaoR2HR2SjD7CQcztw/?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="DSC07903" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After supper Emma got her jammies on and we got down on the floor to play! Needless to say, we had lots of fun!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcsrGNMxGLUbrcSqcVHN8YYW0g12WmngI2cIIZagHRkyAbgNaVhlPzXavXIXg9IEFAYT6q1mLBoHL4qjneYH-3_JJPwnFEMizCxp8dHLWjGaxYMb-V9y2asQxDR_sJ77Y1fM0NHZdvIq9/s1600-h/DSC07908%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07908" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptbmiFiyQlxNFbFEKZDavzgOrjatoif8KziZXiwGpswWahJI0io1qyzPtp3tsHHdgBMLX8WTWjffye4x1mLZR5EeGHxSA3kVOU9uzavGJSJbvIzmdUZ9GhIzjKKaepW8iRQiS2HSTWowp/?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="DSC07908" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Sara thinks Emma is getting more teeth in because she kept wanting to put her hand in her mouth, so that is why Sara is holding her hand down. Sara is expecting her 2nd baby Christmas Eve!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWA2XWQUYyUhyphenhyphenQhWVr8CXXeKPZhMRYbwKWQj6d15VcS9hX1nDxxUxHzg_cBZZx5PWNUsJUCjnY9aUn1NPBsVHLWvlquXupmrAWYCWqTg9YhH0pz9TgtXirUiLbxo4wBVfbF398RvXUCdJ/s1600-h/DSC07911%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07911" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZAXFoaJmg-HoUjkBXAMRFYFl1NzqAyLM7bDstGjKmhTUGgP45fW-WY_YbUDD6rDruyluPP7ANSW6aEkeu0C27_MXEqJ_FzP5oEfdwRGMXB5MJohAO73XkCwHK3BkrE8bRbJKpNjDv9Yq/?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="DSC07911" width="404" /></a></p> <p>We ended up making an unexpected trip to Menards for a few <strong>household projects</strong> that Sara and I both want to do. Emma was a big help! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufFSujbapXhOT7qvt7uwHabBzXMDur5QIVzX03YAAqml-ZdIGSA0stAegdJzLRFI29kfuSfofmpVCH4U0rgP7JfyIDMApl1BJtfoFnaXgwc_Ot76H9Ut1LqgYWTegel4RNpLqhyphenhyphen9G50Dw/s1600-h/DSC07913%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07913" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCPuYSxztsoUPybtOy1YrxY5k-P8OxVcf4AYeC88Y3ZgZJosSWNE3oW_URg5_rTUq9JiS9SzMbm2YATQLbKapTM4U3HS8T8VvvzJWjheMjpY9OiHLLN1bAWibS4hddP5Q4lkPtW-vk3QT/?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="DSC07913" width="324" /></a></p> <p>She insisted on carrying <strong><u>BOTH</u></strong> cans of spray paint for me!! Such a big girl!! :D<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGyiW9DN4unaLESyhfHeuVmTL8kOjn194pFc0_IRPg-6wopuzXpPNPHd0ZuUk47mD_6KRRyPsVLnaQjdicGJa5WXjj3vVWJL8hyapLJTCuZYNY0yFxdsfVmUQTWDQt0LSPQdE4J9OALRH/s1600-h/DSC07914%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07914" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWd2eidEUoGTrHOiPYip0aumyj0UV50p2O_sd_ybNToopwhgQdVTrsd1NjSjA34M0C5PzF48E_k2bLe08Bg-6NV8lbsQam1174_lVEurtdR4nHJ715SaMmhwiQTBzn4NuF6f1t9YWMhqe/?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="DSC07914" width="404" /></a></p> <p>It was after 8:30 so Sara and Emma headed for home and I <strong>hit the pavement</strong>. I knew if I didn’t go right away to workout I wouldn’t do it. I ended <strong>running</strong> for about <strong>25 minutes</strong>. It was <strong><u>HOT</u></strong>!! Can you see the<strong> beads of sweat</strong> dripping off my chin?!?!?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0GTNiQ0dWFCGvBYrcSfvLy2bH3GdIN-GoFAhiAlkxXH7h7oE_ZXHAp34Wjj_wXQ6uELOqZkAF-j9z-5WON9fbxGMGfoAfFmmgrcBNKt7QQmwfajxVM2A5iNu-ipTv7tYwtwDUSeeXLcU/s1600-h/DSC07915%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07915" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZLf2QxFeYhFlx_QmRM7SNuY0Tn0Nal1DufdHfL5xQA2wgTVps20Yk8wZkvDepsSCZ47C7TPDwVEAU9qvdw_ohUZ7Bv2qA4nNhI173nRBEFPDlFBktExDZ11L5Ef_K4kVNZgBO8j95O5f/?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="DSC07915" width="324" /></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></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>THURSDAY’S STATS</strong></p> <p>POINTS = 18/23 <br />ALLOWANCE POINTS = 5 used/30 remaining <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 4 today/12 week <br />H2O =112 oz <br />EXERCISE = 25 min run</p>

Terrific Thursday

Did you miss my BIG news from Wednesday? If so click here to check it out!! I didn’t go to the gym this morning. I planned not to becau...

Read more »

BIG News!!!

<p>Hope everyone had a great “hump” day!! Mine was SUPERB!!! I’ll tell you why in just a bit, but first here was my day in a nutshell. :)</p> <p>I got in a quick workout in the gym before work. I did <strong>32 minutes</strong> on the <strong>cross ramp</strong> burning over <strong><u>350 calories</u></strong>. I was a sweaty beast! ;)</p> <p>After I cleaned up I headed to my office and make breakfast quick: <strong>blueberry muffin oatmeal</strong> with <strong>1/4c fresh blueberries</strong> for <strong>2 points</strong>! <u>Good stuff</u>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYYAN-y9hNlHRZsDtnongNhjJmk0j85dtSz0exXBy8lsokjDJAYy_IWIG28p5m0UzVjVQ_HP6UFm4GR5nPAcpBFA87LPxeIZGra7jSV5QsQbzaHNXIufNMNQSrGnqiGSMgzJitylj84TU/s1600-h/DSC07882%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07882" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPnDuMdsu1YuMHjcMzoMuRsinX3Jo63wInhPofTDGZMW7E81k-doCGZWcnoCpSxXHNuPrwNVAZF9vXrrNEnhcGuoRtB6wb2v0lN5ZeVNvIXQMVrsVODp5TnHFaV8wwbrS-aM_AD729_3m/?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="DSC07882" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My day was busier than <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/take-that-week-1.html">yesterday</a>, if you can even imagine! I had meetings from 10am-11:30am and then from 1pm-4pm. One was a webinar so I snuck in my <u>morning snack</u>. I had <strong>1 1/2c strawberries</strong>,<strong> ww vanilla yogurt</strong>, and <strong>1/4c granola</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>. <a><img alt="DSC07883" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6aoVMXsVOj34C75dkwQ9Ap7jhAWy8cyzWGdWUE5N-B3UiaN483E4l-gdLkxu2V-LB_lk_fPPjiuHqcFmpltiSY3lZoWnqBZ_OujGautMIAVUmdtvGPWZ5UIFsRpLAeN6YgbXhMk0QaK7/?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="DSC07883" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I heated up <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/take-that-week-1.html">leftovers</a> quick before going to my all afternoon meeting. I had a serving of<strong> fiesta chicken and rice bake</strong> for <strong>6 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OwPaP_Mm4VPVwTgPIXwFah_FtOS64CCsKP1VDqleF04cGA0OnTAxvHnUMis32w_ILjhL5h0k1XPEPM24W5p_63h4wzvGKWFhTBabeaz6M8KsQqZi6uDQ11rl3QghRN9aPuyMxZYXtOTG/s1600-h/DSC07884%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07884" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVxPwHXz_ltZDP3_AU6-eo0NdKXBwIEon852pGhqHJnGozFeCF6Zu49qIg-QM3aRYqYZq4kLkLi4Dyk7WwQxbXPDCL2tUiFHsyKwdERgtriVQhMMuaowajII6xJ61RGac17MHDRXflPe6/?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="DSC07884" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I ended up working a little late after my meetings got out and then went with my sister, Wendi, to the 2nd half of her classes. We did the 1st half <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/busy-day.html">last week</a>. That is something else I need to tell you guys about!! We’ll save that for another day. </p> <p>On to my BIG news!</p> <p>Anyone remember <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/05/announcement.html">this post</a>? I finally told you guys why Kyle and I were tightening our budget belts. Well, if you don’t, Kyle left his job April 30th and went back to school full time. It was a hard choice that has been coming for a LONG time! We decided that <strong><u>happiness</u></strong> and<strong><u> time off</u></strong> are <em>WAY</em> more important that any amount of money! The goal was for him to find a less stressful job and take night classes. Well…he has been taking night classes since May and today……..</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>he had a <strong><u><em>job offer</em></u></strong>!!!! We couldn’t be happier!!! So we had to go out to celebrate!</p> <p>Wendi and I met up with Kyle at Applebee's when the class got over around 9pm (I know not the best time to eat supper!). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRG4XsZF4VtseilJoFai-ALmipwQqFWp91Jxd_sZ-XTvypTGpMHyA6IB4vmpY78ttZ0CBaPVBZF-OvBQ-UcqSGA3oD1KQtuRvB6HV5SDY3F2y4VjCtgVcJtIh3BoQ7fN1EDFw4FKv92T6N/s1600-h/DSC07886%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07886" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtQ0gGqiomSecq0nQqSn0nszgcNMQwV6qX0O847rW54JV0JXl6nLN1napSZBbn51is5Ok7d-k9E7sP6YlAmd-PWRe_vA74wmsLl00LMvfB0MAN8xmCzBuMguseobkmZInUZsJcv5EZ9-R/?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="DSC07886" width="404" /></a></p> <p>The cool thing about it being so late was that they had<strong><u> 1/2 price appetizers</u></strong>. They ordered boneless wings and I ordered <strong>chips & salsa</strong> (<em>only $1.74!</em>). The platter was <strong>HUGE</strong>!! I am estimating I had about<strong> 2 servings</strong> for <strong>7 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyvgJds_hwzX5H9Dn_-3ww5ttcJ0EESKps4JftupMPQwxKJoJ8Eh1Jft966ebMOWaYW32TtEPTUzpZHsYi-lBUqK4D3CktSAn_BOZ1TM0sLP8TZg6yTBw3vsVuDnS46eJlb7Ki_CyVzcf/s1600-h/DSC07885%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07885" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQSXi5XUkeCh5F7MlwDQZ3OFQtGzbL16C4c51AsW_73NNdhPbyILDkKZ95T1DiQQQ7GtaQUFMXts_YkXBYgQVSZ0fnvqSe9hi-iIUxxYQtpnEuEG6pdRejenE7xJCbLi8Myy1vJyectod/?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="DSC07885" width="404" /></a></p> <p>For my entree I had the WW option, <strong>Garlic Herb Chicken</strong> with a side of ranch. I didn’t end up eating it all, but (if I remember right) the portion is <strong>7 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LXPGHqTtyftdX9F2pNjR6P3SyUDaVYTcYLVPCO0icBJXUKBkbDvPRvL7NhtqIcf26WQyEr-TEPYLruF0kNt6wad7lgGP097bLjzTMHsMXHxjKYlUfFTbQQp_4dnvIekaan7nFxBcpP3U/s1600-h/DSC07887%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07887" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_PRDt_Y2avZ7wM7qR7G1Aoa3ojhgnZyTygrP7_b95McyC66vC8Febn3ehIzKh4WSbV1q7CwjKlK3D0_AZ800YdR3QYCaCAEeZprZFL2hGmSscHRa1GEi2CE7k6xvBxnT8w3Yak_ALlOu/?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="DSC07887" width="404" /></a></p> <p>We had a great time talking everything about Kyle’s new job. The cool thing is that he will be working at the place that I do and it just so happens that my sister, Wendi, is working there too!! My family is taking over! ;) j/k</p> <p>We came home and finished the night off with ice cream sundaes. I had <strong>1 c ff frozen yogurt</strong> topped with a few cut <strong>strawberries</strong>, and some <strong>lite chocolate syrup</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>! <strong><em><u>Delicious!</u></em></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJ6IoI2_i5LhpfsIUqIn6VuyTqpi-sTajffInbuPnA3HJI2tT8Rn7faYzaOJwUwz5jK-3Bn3jjb-RKQDrSAK8CpQQrfhyWOTS3SR28_sb7yBkkpnRcXek0RFTgxe3VdMyaAWW9beOuMut/s1600-h/DSC07888%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07888" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaGQHLoh5kgsXzG78y3oFGfJsnpi8o0UcJ6ZqjbbcwrlKYNRXfOprYaoWZ-rMkWpgLVqOgBjThGRyquTqiHu_nA0D4NU2VIJTBRIQyRH9FI1RML9f5-BeSIkcPm-32oyVLLnyaz6xMwG7/?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="DSC07888" width="404" /></a></p> <p><strong>WEDNESDAY’S STATS</strong></p> <p>POINTS = 28/23 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 5 used/30 remaining <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 2 today/8 week <br />WATER =  112 oz <br />EXERCISE = 32 min cross ramp</p> <p>Alright guys, obviously, it’s now Thursday morning and I need to jet off to work! Hope everyone has a <strong><u>superb day</u></strong>! :D</p> <br /><strong><i>So tell me, what life changing decision have you (or spouse) made and how did it turn out? So far the decision for Kyle to leave his previous job, go to school, and now a new job...I'm loving it!</i></strong>

BIG News!!!

Hope everyone had a great “hump” day!! Mine was SUPERB!!! I’ll tell you why in just a bit, but first here was my day in a nutshell. :) I g...

Read more »

Un portail web pour l'emploi

<BR><br />Un nouveau portail internet est lancé en commun par cinq syndicats et deux organisations patronales pour donner accès aux sites utiles sur l'emploi, l'orientation, les formations et les métiers aux salariés, aux chômeurs et aux employeurs.<br /><br />L'objectif est, "pour la première fois", de mettre à la disposition des demandeurs d’emploi, des salariés, des jeunes, de leurs familles et des entreprises une plateforme unique vers l’ensemble des informations utiles à chacune des étapes du parcours professionnel", selon un communiqué commun.<br /><br />Ce nouveau site (<a href="http://www.liens-vers-emploi.fr" target="_blank">www.liens-vers-emploi.fr</a>) se veut simple et efficace pour accéder rapidement à tous les sites pratiques sur les voies d’accès aux métiers et à l’emploi.<br /><BR>

Un portail web pour l'emploi

Un nouveau portail internet est lancé en commun par cinq syndicats et deux organisations patronales pour donner accès aux sites utiles sur l...

Read more »

Walking is highly underrated

I went for a walk last night. A real honest-to-goodness walk, outside, in the fresh air. I haven't done that for weeks. Usually if I walk it's during lunch at work with a coworker. I don't consider it real exercise, more of a mental break to get away from the office for an hour. <br /><br />Last night it was 67 degrees, and clear skies. I'd skip the gym yesterday morning for the first time in several days. I couldn't remember my last day off without looking at my exercise log - it was last Wednesday. I'd convinced myself I needed a break from the gym so I asked my husband to walk with me on the trail where I bike at least a couple times a week. <br /><br />It was strange to walk on this trail. I saw so many things that normally I never even notice. There were all kinds of flowers and especially flowering trees along the trail that I'd never seen before. There were several lilac bushes and some sort of tall bush that had big blooms of white fluffy flowers. I rode my bike on this trail last weekend and it was like a different trail last night. I'm always so focused on keeping up my heart rate, pushing myself as hard as can, that I've been missing a lot of cool things.<br /><br />We also saw a lot of these little guys, the Washington state bird, yellow goldfinches. I forgot my camera so I didn't get any pictures. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFv-H09vEQxPpCR6r78lztFXj4OD_FjTeFhx0tsqSM2StfqMWUCXLzF_EegeMU2iZJL5IkYjE8Pe1iorPuLF5ILSYjyX9AbHubqsPxZ3u-cbDTNEgj58aXFTLC6ejkSBgWPJHQ-LksNNEA/s1600/Yellow+goldfinch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFv-H09vEQxPpCR6r78lztFXj4OD_FjTeFhx0tsqSM2StfqMWUCXLzF_EegeMU2iZJL5IkYjE8Pe1iorPuLF5ILSYjyX9AbHubqsPxZ3u-cbDTNEgj58aXFTLC6ejkSBgWPJHQ-LksNNEA/s320/Yellow+goldfinch.jpg" /></a></div><br />We decided as long as the weather holds out we're going to start walking at least a couple times a week. I forgot how fun it is to just enjoy yourself and not be so focused on keep my heart rate up, burn lots of calories, feel the pain. It was nice to just enjoy the outdoors and talk. <br /><br />Tomorrow I leave for Fairbanks to visit family. Woohoo! I probably won't be posting much while I'm gone. I'll be in Fairbanks for a week and then back home for a week. <br /><br />I also purchased the Geneen's Roth new book, the one I slammed a couple days ago. There's probably something in there to help me, plus I need something to read on the plane. I'm going to try and keep a good attitude about it, even though what I heard from the interview with Oprah sounded kind of silly to me. I can certainly use all the help I can get when it comes to my issues with food so it's worth a try.<br /><br />Have a great week!

Walking is highly underrated

I went for a walk last night. A real honest-to-goodness walk, outside, in the fresh air. I haven't done that for weeks. Usually if I wal...

Read more »

Take that week 1!!!

<p>So today marked the start of week 2. So this morning I hopped on the scale first thing to see the results from my first week.<strong>        Drum roll please……………..</strong> </p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>The scale said <strong><u>174</u></strong>!! If you recall <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/8-weeks.html">last week</a> I was 179.5, so that means I’ve <strong>lost 5.5lbs</strong>!!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiaVVepsqwRUBEFOHBw26CQa2wKDRFV8bHhZZ9E8LLFqSNawzebLpvvafdgNSiQ095jmpq2QKDTtn_Sh9jGcwk03Syduq14rYx2_q46JwaojOeOs86B15IIoiRJUDKwdGL6PZeij-8c5L/s1600-h/DSC07863%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07863" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_5dJJl_zZAWOfh3TNx_8eZYah-UX1TI6pqvNA3Q-JdDxODOn21x_j4HSBQ-Guar4cIIUYZ5OHuzzKR4O9jAP3lCO-tl0fCynsYHrRakgiMlFjGTkvYb6vKMl0EHfVjCdFB_Iu98UqYf5/?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="DSC07863" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My breakfast was a <strong><u>repeat</u></strong>, but still good. I had <strong>blueberry muffin oatmeal</strong> with <strong>1/4 c blueberries</strong> for <strong>2 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9UMr7021EO572rQ_Q6uk19OU3dudpuQd9H01qB1__ShGJLu7H8jGcgGSbxArKkDUx9SGpoopG969oMUozm56PnNbH0104Atr4gAjOytYViTqlj6TFswD4xJ0YNWdpicxdsflHbwv-Ncl/s1600-h/DSC07864%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07864" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDX67PfABmCegV84woWTihOZjh6yoZ-zDRBFYvm1u-EohoASkBzwCLx5x5izg-nUmzp15Bfd_p9SmTHH0aV7T4gpfkt87oVcS4NeE3DCQkfzPDO6XEivZWbDmIWvwb860n-y_NooBN2cA2/?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="DSC07864" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I had a busy morning. I needed to get lots done because I knew my afternoon was full of meetings. I did manage to sneak in <strong>1 c watermelon</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wNjK6lceA-5lby7gYdDyxAsFpNb11DGDY0SUbwZMPu0CrkkoBwOZ7MlXZ_878prlxS6wmOAe6NifdYXN1fOOpOkiEfWxgv35UOM6gIv0AdFBLsneHMFVqEPsEm8fCvhAAE-ZCnUorc0z/s1600-h/DSC07865%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07865" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrYO6Lvcd-_qRVUvOm8J4KwHr8z8ET9RwgAnXJOezoglgDUKdBsojkf9tr1Bt2ORGuhSL1PRcxpJSJ6BCMwwgbxGhQnDTG8shIZOgj6nChbyuk6V2m_0lDwGMHutKpCyPl0Mlg4cz4vbk/?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="DSC07865" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I jetted home for a quick lunch! I had a serving of <strong>steamed broccoli, 1 c cantaloupe, 1/2 cottage cheese</strong>, and a<strong> toasted ham & swiss sandwich</strong>. I ended up only eating 1/2 of the sandwich because I <strong><u>burnt</u></strong> (woops!) it pretty good, so my lunch totaled<strong> 4 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4TliFYj6SiFyXz_Y7Qzbf43JA2OeGZfGiqPOO2raLJZL6dPrVtAhgeR8dbt0kZo8o-GziYwUB3cZxE7gMoPSHthvBlXe9kIi7eXOw4Yj-aXyV2VksqaUKw3G9tKRC8xeatzbjdLe1QKf/s1600-h/DSC07866%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07866" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVsFhmshl0VMKdy36udHQ6skpVxl5siELOoOkU_aWftRWepPVv1fhRwcpj0A5w30yFaCM-MxTbkhGT_FgzADDI5jyDLsFNGimP99JhDsaWRoIliArZ9QLvbfp8oDaIE8DeGXyZwEalUZL/?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="DSC07866" width="404" /></a> <br />Since I didn’t finish my sandwich I counted out 1<strong>5 animal crackers</strong> to snack on throughout the afternoon for <strong>2 points</strong> to help tide me over till supper. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6zoKaCAtdG3pdihwNjVDL8uHCbJUW1Oq29hyUTZJBA-UoFDHWuNNfH5QB7dvyKxdDZ1QCzNhOtFrfyiORB7QDlKOe-3Wqb7wBo9UaA8PxSBpkb8Mc3Vqu9a7gmQ8aUmMr5A-K7TiBQfL/s1600-h/DSC07867%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07867" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASxCpdXVAXkV5paEshfOesfoFUSzYE6R1TfUL-WRDr5q8pFwUjF10dq-lPh_KXm8GRiwRuTLqVIv8AZwKJ0QycI_XVKa4Oiz0DEsWwsjmZmemd40XpWEIXF8QKaJFjjkda4reM25CmZdX/?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="DSC07867" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I spent the majority of my afternoon in a <strong>little conference room</strong> with 3 other people. Not too fun, but we got lots done! I did have <strong>3 twizzlers</strong> for <strong>2 points</strong> during the meeting. Afterwards I put in some <strong><u>extra time</u></strong> in my <strong>office</strong> to get some things done and came home around 6:30pm. </p> <p>Once I got home I<strong> <u>threw supper</u></strong><u> <strong>together</strong></u> quick and put it in the oven. I had 45 minutes while it baked to get a run in! I ended up running <strong>3.5 miles</strong> in <strong>40 minutes</strong>.<u><em> Whew!</em></u> I was wore out by the end, that heat is rough!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrssGu700Dd0zwCEKmqu7E9pHahXOiE6oFlWGp9JK2JKavjYXt-A7AvNEPSs0CDWwPo6HUfMuVCCoFLH-b4dGkYyy_DcOc7Env2wgi8bIbcqy6KBKmksDD6R2Epp_kmpn7C7yRHycRE1vk/s1600-h/DSC07878%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07878" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHVw7r4DRm0uYAxSiiBNGJpwK6dWsAtkkWC5e-jJlfGD4E3tz1vuHRlOXQ_1FTMuDH01OTzZ8kJ1wdnh5J9z0bnTDQGRQ_pdvz8rR23Hw2rTCKWmmhq_PIM8sJ3djzEeMA6oxxlaRZc2R/?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="DSC07878" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Supper tonight was another one of my favorites, <strong>fiesta chicken & rice bake</strong>! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PlV6d0M5w1TC48ZE88KzruoHoYEFq8kdTLfWsifKoJDDhhmUXXiFg6qXBoQYN3TIUzeQp-j1k2npjNN-WE1CGE0eoXyBdqIwhwdSYWPgrl39MIUPqP9K48I1CQhE3_D9FRRJUK07f-EC/s1600-h/DSC07879%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07879" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXb492dY6vAuVBTWsvWY674Qdn8q_yOYQSFYSBxFfSFegntCZlfbSF_gmREBp3Aors6lQ1ngPAXqHeIrPN2-RSVHUWrYv8Xcx4YrLApd5dLLcePjhUWQO4qOFRDh3cVETopv5C6uf8mQA/?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="DSC07879" width="404" /></a></p> <p><strong><em>Fiesta Chicken & Rice Bake</em></strong></p> <ul> <li><em>1/2 tsp paprika </em></li> <li><em>1 can 98% ff cream of chicken soup </em></li> <li><em>1 c salsa </em></li> <li><em>1/2 c water </em></li> <li><em>1 can whole kernel white shoe peg corn </em></li> <li><em>3/4 c uncooked minute brown rice </em></li> <li><em>5 boneless chicken breasts </em></li> <li><em>1/2 c 2% shredded cheddar </em></li> </ul> <p><em>Mix soup, salsa, water, corn, and rice in baking dish. Top with chicken and sprinkle with paprika and cheese. Bake @ 375 for 45 minutes. Enjoy! Makes 5 servings, 6 points/serving.</em> </p> <p>I also had <strong>1 c</strong> of <strong>watermelon</strong> on the side for a<strong> 7 point</strong> supper. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUVNCAcsSVrxaF9pmeZ-WL3rzcZv1QMXjrDW0H4CANCgM1_XclloPnWRPKMllgy8y4f14pnVb8U2nWiAUH6_ymXgxuze-VnJVu-F3txOTpPXiMZ8peKVUKIPXNlH4j4q3NwWStQbhuZFr/s1600-h/DSC07881%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07881" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEqXQwIijWZKSTJ-MY-YEDHyvwmN45pU5HRsDDGs2t0GBdKzgYdn-Wnw4kDUG4OO9V_NoMW6OTneScCndv5AdfGq2uola5DlGKOZYj4-9guztoZtWP6TEQltr3qlJPqzZAZQlrkZ28IJ8/?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="DSC07881" width="404" /></a></p> <p></p> <p><strong>TUESDAY’S STATS</strong></p> <p>POINTS = 18/23 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 0 used/35 remaining <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 6 today/6 week <br />WATER =  168 oz <br />EXERCISE = 3.5 mile run</p> <p>I only have <strong>14.5lbs</strong> <strong>to lose</strong> in<strong> 7 weeks</strong> to meet this <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/8-weeks.html">birthday challenge</a>!! I think that seems <strong><u>VERY</u></strong> <strong>attainable</strong>!! Look out week 2, this girl is ready to rip you up! ;) </p> <p>So tell me, <strong><u>what motivates you?</u></strong></p>

Take that week 1!!!

So today marked the start of week 2. So this morning I hopped on the scale first thing to see the results from my first week.         Drum r...

Read more »

Sweeteners - NuStevia - good stuff

I've always had a sweet tooth that just doesn't stop. Anything with sugar in it was my favorite food. Unfortunately, as with most foods, my off switch is really broken when it comes to sugar. I just can't seem to stop. Other than natural sugars in fruit (and yes, I know that's still sugar), I've given up regular, processed sugar. Yet I really miss the sweetness of sugar. <br /><br />I've always hated artificial sweeteners. All of them have a bitter, chemical aftertaste that kind of gags me. I can taste it regardless of what people tell me. Maybe some people just get use to it and really can't taste it.<br /><br />I finally found a sweetener that I like and it has zero calories. NuNaturals Stevia. It's less processed than some of the others, like Truvia by CocaCola. Of course a big corporation would have to mess it up by adding chlorine. Seriously CocaCola, chlorine?<br /><br />Anyway, NuStevia is pure, natural, delicious sweetness and zero calories. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf7KwpzrprOiCNv0PnB4WV0pAV3iw429aAbq102KINd2i11hluA2QOxvP6oOy4QG7-LWkWieWCOS8tcI8Mzl1BzNi0X-5ueZ4AEXqv9aMnwAcFpw2PkA1xRMIKrIp-FGBm6FJU-Yqsobq/s1600/nunaturals.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf7KwpzrprOiCNv0PnB4WV0pAV3iw429aAbq102KINd2i11hluA2QOxvP6oOy4QG7-LWkWieWCOS8tcI8Mzl1BzNi0X-5ueZ4AEXqv9aMnwAcFpw2PkA1xRMIKrIp-FGBm6FJU-Yqsobq/s200/nunaturals.png" width="200" /></a></div><br />Here's a good blog <a href="http://healthyindulgences.blogspot.com/2009/03/product-review-nunaturals-stevia.html">post</a> about NuStevia by NuNaturals, much better than my review (and I stole her picture above because I was too lazy to take my own). She has a lot of tips on how to use it. I haven't tried the NuStevia extract yet, but it's next on my list. <br /><br />You can't find NuStevia with the regular artificial sweeteners in grocery stores, I only saw the Stevia products by the big corporations, like the Truvia (aka chlorine). I found the NuNaturals products in the nutrition center at my local Fred Meyers, and also at Whole Foods. <br /><br />Give it a try. You'll be sweetly rewarded. :)

Sweeteners - NuStevia - good stuff

I've always had a sweet tooth that just doesn't stop. Anything with sugar in it was my favorite food. Unfortunately, as with most fo...

Read more »

Women, Food and God - really?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsO3Ud4dsVPPuXI1vCeWYSpn-XZE7kxowj6lvc8UHLooqtzY1P_CSSvPl6mvUyn-CpvjsOAAt8pCuYUpGL66to3yhKpq8IU5WnVN8BDSe0P1NQ1CUOmPLELARficY-Ed_f-Un0vYhkXjx/s1600/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsO3Ud4dsVPPuXI1vCeWYSpn-XZE7kxowj6lvc8UHLooqtzY1P_CSSvPl6mvUyn-CpvjsOAAt8pCuYUpGL66to3yhKpq8IU5WnVN8BDSe0P1NQ1CUOmPLELARficY-Ed_f-Un0vYhkXjx/s320/book.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>At first I was all set to run out and buy this book. I buy almost every weight loss book that comes out, every strength training book, every new book on the latest health fad of the moment. I have book cases full of these books. I'm always looking for the magic pill. <br /><br />I've been reading about this book, Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth. It sounded like something I should read. Maybe I could learn something. <br /><br />Tonight I caught the last thirty minutes of Oprah's interview with Geneen. Sadly, I realized this book doesn't have the answers for me. I've already tried making peace with food. All the stuff they talked about in that thirty minutes, I've done it. Don't watch TV and eat. Eat in a calm, quiet place. Enjoy your food. Don't count calories. Don't weigh and measure your food. Trust yourself with food (gotta love this one). <br /><br />It doesn't work for me. I've tried it all and seriously, all that happened was an ugly weight gain. None of this stuff is new. I've read the same theories in different books and magazines for years. It's just a regurgitation of the same old theories. <br /><br />That's my book review on a book I haven't even read. I just watched an interview with the author. <br /><br />Have you read it? What are your thoughts on this book? Did you watch the Oprah interview? Do you really think this can work for you? <br /><br />Maybe there's more to this book than what I saw in a 30-minute interview. Maybe I'm missing something and it would be worth using that Borders gift card I won at Toastmasters. Still, I was a little put off by Oprah's revelations that this book held the answers we're all seek regarding weight loss, but sometimes, Oprah kind of annoys me.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm really curious what other people thought about the interview and the book. Should I buy it?<br /><br /><em>4:15am - Tuesday</em><br /><em>I thought about this post and this book several times last night (another bad night of sleep). I think Geneen Roth's theory might actually work for most people. Unfortunately, for me, when it comes to food there's something inside of me that irreparably broken. My off switch doesn't seem to work. </em><em><br /></em><br /><em>The part of my brain that should tell me when I've eaten enough food to keep my body functioning at peak condition simply doesn't work. Maybe it's from years of dieting and deprivation. Binging and purging. Whatever the cause, I don't think I can easily fix it by just wishing it worked. I have to be very consciously aware of what I eat and how much or I will gain weight. Years of experience has proven this to be true.</em><em><br /></em><br /><em>I wish it was that easy that I could just believe in myself and trust myself to eat the correct amount of food and eat what I want when I want it. Then magically all would be well in my world. Unfortunately, for me, it just doesn't work that way for me. I'm okay with it, the counting and measuring, the vigilance about what I eat. I'd rather do this than go back to what I was before, 100 pounds overweight.</em><em><br /></em><br /><em>Maybe it'll work for you, maybe it won't. Regardless, there's something that works for everyone, you just have to figure it out.</em>

Women, Food and God - really?

At first I was all set to run out and buy this book. I buy almost every weight loss book that comes out, every strength training book, every...

Read more »

Let the week begin!

<p><strong>Monday, Monday!</strong> It isn't the most fun day of the week, but I with my day yesterday, I was <strong><u>ready to meet it head on</u></strong>!! Except... </p> <p>I skipped the gym. Kyle had a hard time sleeping last night and I think as a result I did too! I'm usually a sound sleeper, but for some reason I wasn't last night and heard every time he got up or moved. I forgave him though, just ‘cause he’s cute! ;)</p> <p>For breakfast I made the <strong>blueberry muffin oatmeal</strong> again! I just love how it smells!! I added<strong> 1/4c fresh blueberries</strong> for a total of<strong> 2 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYU8CAYE5-kXTHJL1ANNqeeoLJgpAzkucTddKQO5gkLUnSMBcKTTpO8BhHTasOWF4r24YW_oHr5UWhBdlDV0og_S7wjjvmRArPGzxg8I-2rH8ImHlLK4flniTe-S-ZIvlhG8buKMte_UgK/s1600-h/DSC078583.jpg"><img alt="DSC07858" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSxkfjidco9w6laHenrQYALTC12Uxs8vAquS71bjxUdJ1lB7eid0YWYSbfRK63SXlQZjcsGCjJUZu3-EQvlHbDxhRfAjsGcHZl5ereqsTXpNwqMlpa66Q2uxucsLddP49sHQ2qMaZY124/?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="DSC07858" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I didn't stop once I got to work! It was a crazy day! The positive: makes the day fly by! I didn't have my morning snack till a quarter to 1pm!! I mixed up <strong>1 1/2c strawberries</strong>, <strong>ww vanilla yogurt</strong>, and <strong>1/4 homemade granola</strong> for a yum-o <strong>3 point</strong> snack! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5t2HNo39gX0BA8164_CKlmrKki1DsxYPLB6i_SDcYW5MyRyg27UJ9kK2XcvayVlMxmaXoUe6zrpsTm6XroSBR7654aeWZbc_M23k3OBQ8a4xASTXu9EU1LuuDWWJLhiCoVbCVGlxhgT5/s1600-h/DSC078593.jpg"><img alt="DSC07859" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gNqXfH5cEdqcQLlz4lmQ9Pv4yKGdnuy_W6huk7edjK1mPBvBpqYrcnVK1DPJK2SGWj1bgbb45TZsZNA0oh0D9Br-1MyE8s6X9Bg79zFsvwZXB66YnRZMJQ4Z_0SqblyxFb3CPkoFQkr2/?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="DSC07859" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Lunch was eaten at my desk. I had <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/pain-in-mymouth.html">leftovers</a> once again...but it sure was good!! My serving of <strong>creamy chicken bake</strong> was a tad big so I'm counting it for<strong> 7 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHoMKCjd6lMIAAc-DO6VK1ottfGnWuvQJ5BA-MR2jgmnt00YVUNyuCKgiKqgHtcvD-3ohM-u0T6yW55dBzx3HtVhe_QSjCHw9hB7c_W_KFia3WsCKx6tm5AjjGLuGAf8QbUCwV9pYR09y/s1600-h/DSC078603.jpg"><img alt="DSC07860" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpIP4cvWAbcc4rFrm276_fhI7Owxm94YcbqkW4b21lq7-oAopneCF0i-68YDnAR_WzqlYcB4mYWls3m9ptDcm-NVov5Z3vPJQNs1-ab1WL2dWGnPf18wObdBFXIX__BRMKU43LIxi8tEc/?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="DSC07860" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After work I met up with my neighbor and her 2 little boys for a <strong>run</strong>. She got a jogging stroller this summer, so now she’s able to join us on our runs! It was a cut a tad short because we went by a <strong>park</strong> and the boys insisted on going. So we spent about <strong>1/2 hour</strong> chasing the 2 lil guys around the playground!</p> <p>In total we ran about <strong>2.5 miles</strong> in <strong>25 minutes</strong>. I was hoping to get more mileage in, but I think if you combine that with chasing kids and running up and down the slides, I got in a good workout! ;)</p> <p>Kyle has class on Monday nights so I made a simple supper for one! I had <strong>2 mini pizzas</strong> and a serving of <strong>broccoli</strong> for <strong>5 points</strong>. My pizzas consisted of 1/4c mozzarella cheese, pineapple, 2 oz turkey ham, 1/4 pizza sauce, and a thin bun. MMMMmmmmm good!<img alt="DSC07862" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHStVJ7wOhMK6ts6N2fc-XZobvT_B9DBSWn3FNumEmEw9eBLzLpkZ8m6S43r0yQaSMDI53xCw5l6KnzJewcKoYTbj4M_vAyUVAg5GS0ZDnieZu_fsErBzb-a1l3aYI0ODqPhm2ubKXj5d/?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="DSC07862" width="404" /></p> <p><strong>MONDAY’S STATS</strong></p> <p>POINTS = 17/23 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 1 used/34 remaining <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 4 today/24 week <br />WATER =  144 oz <br />EXERCISE = 2.5 mile run</p> <p><strong>Tomorrow’s WI day!! I have a confession….I peeked….!</strong></p>

Let the week begin!

Monday, Monday! It isn't the most fun day of the week, but I with my day yesterday, I was ready to meet it head on !! Except... I ski...

Read more »

Art In Goldfield & Tonopah: Contrasting Aesthetics

The art scene in Tonopah could never be mistaken for the art scene in Goldfield. The main feature in Goldfield – and there is no competition – is right along 95 on the northern outskirts of town. It is a field of car art. There are simply no words to describe what some post-modern sculptor has done there to blow function apart, without obliterating the vestiges of function, while celebrating form for form’s sake. It is a parking lot with cars. But the cars have been mixed and mingled with all sorts of things. One small car sits atop another. One van wears a speedboat for a hat. On the grilles and fenders, the cars are adorned with toys, cattle skulls, whatever you call those curved little metal troughs that you spit (or worse) into in the hospital -- all manner of objects, generally having once had a practical use, now displayed like something from Andy Warhol for the sake of their shape and color – unremarkable when seen apart but amazing in the context of a community of forms assembled according to a design formulated in a uniquely appreciative mind. Yes, Goldfield. Who would have imagined it?<br /><br />The public sculptures of Tonopah are of a mostly – perhaps not entirely – different order. The Tonopah exhibit is not concentrated in a single parking lot, but adorns the whole downtown. There are two basic kinds of sculpture. One is rust colored impressionistic representations of people from by-gone days. It is a historical theme – like the bronze statues of Boulder City – only the Tonopah figures are deliberately rougher and rustier. The other Tonopah kind of sculpture is arrangements of machinery – cog wheels, beams, mining equipment – which is somewhat like the cars of Goldfield. But Tonopah’s collections of metal are one color while the Goldfield displays are deliberately garish. And there is a deeper difference. Tonopah’s machinery sculptures and human sculptures are of the same color and texture – both roughly rusted. It doesn’t take an art critic to know that this similarity is deliberate and it is saying something. The question is: what? And here context may help to interpret. If I saw this likeness of humanity and machinery in Berkeley, I’d think it was a Herbert Marcuse critique of utilitarian capitalism dehumanizing workers. But not in Tonopah. I may be wrong. There may be some remnant of IWW radicalism at work in this art. But I don’t see it. This looks to me like a tribute to the resilient strength and courage of a mining town where people work like their equipment and with their equipment – together digging a life out of the earth, the iron rusty earth. We are more than what we do, these sculptures say, but we become ourselves while doing. Unlike the post modernist form for form’s sake of Goldfield, Tonopah’s art suggests stories as wild as the West and as human as anything by Zola or Hugo.<br /><br />Speaking of great writers, not all the art in Tonopah is visual. There’s literature too these days. The best used bookstore I have yet found in Nevada is Whitney’s Books – open well into the evening. Whitney’s also hosts the AA and Al-Anon groups, which strikes me as showing some social conscience. Like any used bookstore, they carry the good, the bad, and the ugly. Someone at some point appears to have been a fan of Rod McKuen – groan. But I picked up two A. B. Guthrie novels and found several by Susan Howatch, as well as lots of classics – all for low, low prices.<br /><br />So if you should be driving through Tonopah someday, don’t just think of the Mexican food at El Marquis, the historic ambience of Tonopah Station with its 1940’s Coca Cola posters and vintage gaming machines, or the educational value of touring the mining museum. Look around at the public art. And by all means stop in at Whitney’s Books.

Art In Goldfield & Tonopah: Contrasting Aesthetics

The art scene in Tonopah could never be mistaken for the art scene in Goldfield. The main feature in Goldfield – and there is no competition...

Read more »

Sunday Prep

<p>I hope everyone had a great weekend! They are my 2 favorite days of the week! :)</p> <p>Kyle, Wendi, and I started our Sunday out with church. After church we got right to work. Kyle trimmed trees in our front yard and I got to work in the house. I did 5 loads of <strong>laundry</strong>, <strong>made brunch</strong>, <strong>vacuumed</strong>,<strong> cleaned the kitchen</strong>, and <strong>cleaned & cut</strong> our <strong>fruits</strong> and <strong>veggies</strong> for the week! I was a<strong><u> busy girl</u></strong>!!</p> <p>For brunch I had<strong> 2 ff pancakes</strong> with <strong>1 T peanut butter</strong> and <strong>1/4 c sf syrup</strong> for <strong>5 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RgHyVFoIXa7Dtzau82Q1b-FqQmYLOo4uJXlHCmWBhd4BfXAOpH47Vg8j2x22LF1Bu6QYgMSgg-Ip2qOP4dvqScvDuAzSgI7FHGVAAx5DJMKd4TdSFz6DfPMQzNUtfR8ot4pHh4QB4UFf/s1600-h/DSC078523.jpg"><img alt="DSC07852" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmVs86dkQ-1PCNSKb53H7ek1VLny4LtqH5DaGgvqH4h5Tkgq3gW1amp6X0SjHa31TjN_7Exrd__BlSUCLkTfDl90ZI7qSv7INGA9igQx53EX7-q76IeOqcJHuiK18cQgFEus2Ai3ymaQa/?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="DSC07852" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After all my busy-ness in the house Wendi and I decided to go for a <strong>bike ride</strong>. We rode on some trails near my house for about <strong>45 minutes</strong>.</p> <p><strong>Watermelon</strong> was  the perfect way to cool down after our hot afternoon ride! I had <strong>1 c</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8P8jx4BK-vaR-b2BcKFCSFvfLNullIUp03Q55eoYoSzb1QzhWD764zMf8HJKJg9QPhnnqsQ_uk6rC09RgzAV3ClB42SVoaPItka8a7LoZeGZzTW8Bz0T0O97Opo0h_86FVJfFLlOy9DG3/s1600-h/DSC078533.jpg"><img alt="DSC07853" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyZXkNLee8A0eqR4Ak2cAhlJls-qGIN2OhmC1jP2ye-6IQQ4fLxXw-VjflqQ3iYJfnJNRKTqzEAONoIT5-h9R8OxujGXdl4nVBeAXVNx37R-uYjLzQD0Xjv8HViP4y-iSnkynA8nAUQuq/?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="DSC07853" width="404" /></a></p> <p>For supper I mixed some <strong>yellow squash</strong> with<strong> 2oz whole wheat pasta</strong> and<strong> 1/4 c ff mozzarella</strong> for <strong>5 points</strong>. I ended up not eating the sweet corn that is pictured because it really didn’t have much for taste. :( <u>Pretty disappointing!</u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sqUHH15ZD_NzW9wW9dzpYTsJSUpLlWfW85vm47DZXIjxEs3otYQcyTfpmWDwbpseHrqfHjFbeucf7FK-QyFsLTRnTz-BYHLor_wsSLguIIMrZV7mauOz_RokyoKI8j1wW4VhY3FZdBz0/s1600-h/DSC07857%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07857" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsgGtwgttmQ9uxGtwxGVK6HrwfbDHQCJwcnYEJkB97CMQqBVr0TiQkUtSCfTXT3HSh5Vv73qNWN1W2LvYvURgvJktqv7K2eTWNlY-2lG_Au9eVt8ehSrS8NCEmHskkM88jzG_OB7OK5Z2/?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="DSC07857" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I was still <strong><u>hungry</u></strong> after supper since I didn’t eat the sweet corn so I ended up snack on some <strong>chips and salsa</strong> for <strong>5 points</strong>. </p> <p>Once again I had some ice cream and forgot to get a picture! Tonight I had<strong> 1 c ff frozen yogurt</strong> with <strong>lite chocolate syrup</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>. </p> <p><strong>SUNDAY’S STATS</strong></p> <p>POINTS = 19/23 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 1 used/34 remaining <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED =  3 today/20 week <br />WATER =  152 oz <br />EXERCISE = 45 min bike ride</p> <p>Sorry for the boring post! Sunday was a day I needed…getting my food ready for the week, laundry, and cleaning! I feel like if I don’t get a day like that on the weekend I’m not ready for the week ahead! <strong>Anyone else feel like that?</strong></p>

Sunday Prep

I hope everyone had a great weekend! They are my 2 favorite days of the week! :) Kyle, Wendi, and I started our Sunday out with church. Af...

Read more »

Where do bloggers go when their blogs die?

I cleaned up my blog list tonight. There were blogs on there where people hadn't posted for over a year. Several hadn't posted for over two months. I deleted 34 blogs from my list. <br /><br />It's sort of sad that these were people trying to lose weight that either gave up on losing weight or at the very least, gave up blogging. I can only hope they went on to live healthy lives, but unfortunately, I really doubt that's what happened.<br /><br />I had contacted a few of them by email the last few months asking if they were ever coming back. If they responded at all, they said no, they probably weren't coming back. Blogging had lost it's charm for them or they found it to be a chore or they said it was boring. <br /><br />It's funny, even though I have days where I feel like it's sort of a chore, most of the time I enjoy blogging. Both reading other people's blogs or writing on my own blog. It's sort of like free therapy.<br /><br />When I read about other people's weight loss struggles, I realize they're just like my own. We're all fighting the same battle and it's somehow comforting to know other people are going down the same difficult path of weight loss. <br /><br />Not only do I find comfort in other people's blogs, but often I gain enthusiasm from reading other people's thoughts. Or a recipe, or a tip on how to overcome a binge cycle. There's so much helpful information out there that I can't imagine stopping reading weight loss blogs. In three years they have been a life saver for me. <br /><br />I'm still sadden by the loss of my 34 friends. Yes, I considered them friends. If they were on my blog list that meant they were blogs I read on a fairly consistent basis. I left thoughtful comments on their posts. I cared about them. Now they're gone, probably to never be heard from again. <br /><br />On the other hand, there are lots of friends that are still blogging. Along with a lot of new people just embarking on this journey. They're old friends and new friends that I haven't met yet. Friends that unbeknownst to them, will make a difference in my life. That's the bright side, the one I shall remain focused on for now.

Where do bloggers go when their blogs die?

I cleaned up my blog list tonight. There were blogs on there where people hadn't posted for over a year. Several hadn't posted for o...

Read more »

Sunshine + 70 degrees + bike = happy girl

I just finished the perfect bike ride. The weather is spectacular, slight breeze, 70 degrees, not a cloud in the sky. It was on my normal trail, which is only ten miles round-trip, with several good hills, but it was just a gorgeous ride today. I stopped in at the gym for a 45-minute upper body strength workout, then I rode home.<br /><br />I can't believe how much the trail has changed in just two weeks since my last ride. Daisies, peonies, sweet peas, Dianthus, lavender, and roses all growing wild and all were all in bloom along the trail. I didn't take many pictures since I was sort of in a hurry, trying to keep my heart rate up. <br /><br />At one point when I was trying to keep up with a couple of skinny guys on bikes, both wearing identical racing gear (like they were a team), the bikes had skinny tires like racing bikes. As I was pedaling my heart out to keep up with them my heart rate was at 161 (my resting pulse is 50, so 161 is high for me). They passed me going up a steep hill but then I caught up to them and stayed behind them for about three miles until I decided to back off. I didn't want them to think I was stalking them or something, and it was wearing me out!<br />Two hours and fifteen minutes, bike ride and gym, I burned 700 calories according to my Polar F6. I can't imagine an easier or more fun way to burn calories. <br /><br />When I got home I grabbed a bowl of cherries out of the fridge. I counted out 35 cherries and enjoyed them, savoring each sweet, icy cold cherry, for 3.5 Points. So good! I can still eat fruit, I just have to count the Points. <br /><br />I feel so much better after my bike ride. I'm still a little upset by the six-pound gain, but I know I can pull it off quickly. It's not here to stay. <br /><br />Vacation next week at my sister's house won't be a foodfest either. My sister is notorious for not eating. She's always eaten like a bird, but since my brother-in-law (her husband) passed away last fall she's lost all interest in food. She even asked me yesterday what she should buy for me to eat, I told her I'd just eat whatever she eat. That's a guaranteed weight loss right there.<br /><br />I've decided I'm here to stay in blogland. I had thoughts this past week to stop reading blogs and stop writing. It seems that lately a lot of people are abandoning their blogs. Sort of sad. I really believe my blog has helped me stay on track for three years. Even if no one reads it and even if it doesn't really help anyone, it helps me. Therefore, I'm here to stay.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Peonies there were growing wild along my bike trail, right among the blackberry bushes. Check out the sky. Remember, this is Seattle. Land of the eternal monsoon season. Summer is finally here and it took it's sweet time getting here!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefCSEQnQiEnfgMrjwtJtEt3o1shpmEFFO8ZzxYj0pffBrnFgNCsjiYUCyxuxW0C0Xk0DyS47wR9YI0Q5dzeuqNVugdbDQff18BR7MlWx8Tp2FM6r57ggFdflTmk5d66XLHDxbHgQxVAJt/s1600/Peonies+and+green+blackberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefCSEQnQiEnfgMrjwtJtEt3o1shpmEFFO8ZzxYj0pffBrnFgNCsjiYUCyxuxW0C0Xk0DyS47wR9YI0Q5dzeuqNVugdbDQff18BR7MlWx8Tp2FM6r57ggFdflTmk5d66XLHDxbHgQxVAJt/s400/Peonies+and+green+blackberries.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some sort of flower, growing wild.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKIzFhQ2u5Lz1qhcxO6RF_a5qJZ03KwZkzF-x8rJIyb9suG1_0lKNzWqNnqBr0L3dhWlw0vpxyqXxHnzO4YncAHKBbxWbhr1SNFAtBj4IVSv8GmOEeLlPJusM-inTEN2bWty6fH_HN-89/s1600/flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKIzFhQ2u5Lz1qhcxO6RF_a5qJZ03KwZkzF-x8rJIyb9suG1_0lKNzWqNnqBr0L3dhWlw0vpxyqXxHnzO4YncAHKBbxWbhr1SNFAtBj4IVSv8GmOEeLlPJusM-inTEN2bWty6fH_HN-89/s400/flower.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A picture my husband took at the Gorge last weekend. It looks better than the ones I took.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1g2h1mEUxWVm9sAVtkbm7ui7jxkcxjRKVEcyMRe6zhzzl3jlUD1i4KVwYfhbb7bKsC3H5R1e19lwqDlCMUbZRNfLxcVxXantSGV6gqcey0FgoppCEp8P9Ky6kNDIwMmmGzv_4gD9NellQ/s1600/Gorge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1g2h1mEUxWVm9sAVtkbm7ui7jxkcxjRKVEcyMRe6zhzzl3jlUD1i4KVwYfhbb7bKsC3H5R1e19lwqDlCMUbZRNfLxcVxXantSGV6gqcey0FgoppCEp8P9Ky6kNDIwMmmGzv_4gD9NellQ/s400/Gorge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>

Sunshine + 70 degrees + bike = happy girl

I just finished the perfect bike ride. The weather is spectacular, slight breeze, 70 degrees, not a cloud in the sky. It was on my normal tr...

Read more »

Danger, Will Robinson!

“Danger, Will Robinson!” is a catch phrase from the 1960s’ American television series Lost in Space spoken by voice actor Dick Tufeld. The Robot, acting as a surrogate guardian, says this to young Will Robinson when the boy is unaware of an impending threat. In everyday use, the phrase warns someone that they are about to make a mistake or that they are overlooking something.<br /><br />I'm not about to make a mistake, I already made it. I stepped on the scales this morning, the first time in three weeks. Talk about burying my head in the sand. I was sort of pretending if I didn't know how much I weighed then it must be okay. It's not okay. I weigh 168.2, up six pounds from three weeks ago. <br /><br />My downfall has been fresh fruit. Yes, you can gain weight from eating too much fruit. I love fruit and had been limiting myself to two to three servings a day. Then summer came, with cherries (Vans and Rainiers), nectarines, raspberry pluots, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, watermelon, and piel de sapo (like a honeydew melon but better) all came into season at the same time. <br /><br />I've been like a kid in a candy store. I love them all and have been eating large amounts of fruit these last few weeks. I completely stopped counting Points. I was using the logic that since it's just fruit and it's only in season for a few months, I should eat as much as I want because it'll be out of season soon.<br /><br />That line of thinking has led me to a six-pound gain. Even though my eating is healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables, chicken and fish, very little processed foods (I'm still eating Frantz whole wheat sandwich thins - I just can't give them up), I still gained weight. Basically, a calorie is a calorie, whether it's sugar cookies or a pound of cherries. Too many calories will lead to a weight gain. This isn't any big revelation, but it just amazes me the crazy logic I can use to allow myself to overindulge. <br /><br />Today I'm back to counting Points and limiting my fruit intake. It brings a tear to my eye, but it's just the way it has to be. I can't eat with abandon, even if it is "just" fruit. <br /><br /><strong>The exercise</strong><br />I'm still going to the gym, doing one to one and a half hour workouts. I'm just not loving it too much these days. I'm doing it more because I have to than because I want to. I've added the treadmill back into my routine and have been doing a little bit of jogging along with 4mph walking. My knees have been holding up well and haven't hurt at all. I'm mainly doing it just to do something different. I'm bored.<br /><br />Strength training is still my favorite part of working out. I sort of hate cardio and only do it because it's required. My cardio routine is a minimum of 35 minutes, yesterday it was 53 minutes of treadmill, elliptical and crosstrainer (I was really bored so did different cardio equipment for 15 to 20 minutes each). My StairMaster is still broken which makes me sad. I love it, but it's been broken for about six weeks. I suspect it's not repairable. <br /><br />I completed the workout with a 45-minute strength training, lower body. Also not my favorite. Working out my quads, glutes, hamstrings hurts the most. Upper body workouts seem easier and more "fun". Again, I do it because I have to.<br /><br />Biking outside has been put on hold for now. The temps here have been running in the high 80's and low 90's. Too hot for a bike ride. <br /><br /><strong>The Lilith Fair</strong><br />I suppose I should mention last weekend's trip to The Gorge at George. It was okay. The day was perfect, 80 degrees, sunshine. The scenery at the Gorge is beautiful. The music was good, especially Sheryl Crow, Sugarland and Sarah McLachlan. <br /><br />Sitting on a 45-degree grassy knoll on a blanket with girls making out in front of us got kind of old after about six hours (we were there eight hours), not fun. Plus our blanket kept sliding down the hill. If I ever go again I'm taking stakes and pounding them into the corner of the blanket. About every hour we'd slide down a foot and have to pull the blanket back up.<br /><br />The place was packed with hundreds of people. They weren't all lesbians, I'd say about 1/3 were straight women, 1/3 were lesbians, and 1/3 were guy/girl couples. It was interesting. :)<br /><br />A beer was $9. I walked around and looked at all the food. It was typical fair food. Elephant ears, a Margarita line that was never less than 30 people in line, hamburgers, gyros, philly steak standwiches. Honestly, none of it appealed to me. We had a cooler full of healthy food and we each had one beer. I didn't feel deprived, nor was there really anything there I wanted to eat. One thing I noticed, almost every person I saw carrying around an elephant ear (deep-fried dough covered with sugwas ar and cinnamon), was very overweight. That alone made them less than desirable.<br /><br />At about 9pm the sun went down and the wind started blowing. Even though I was wrapped in a blanket I thought I was going to freeze to death. It had gone from 80 degrees to proably about 55 degrees with wind. Not fun. We left in the middle of Sarah singing because it was so cold. Walking to our car about a mile away we could hear her beautiful singing. That woman has the most incredible voice. <br /><br />Even though it was kind of fun, it was a long day. When we got to our hotel in the little town of Ephrata at 11pm and it was closed. The owner finally showed up at 11:30pm and gave us our key to the room, which turned out to be one of the nastiest hotels I've ever stayed in. In my youth I stayed in a lot of fleabag hotels during my travels. This one ranked right down there with the lowest of the low. It was old, dirty and I suspect that our room had been used as a meth lab at one time. Not exactly a romantic getaway. <br /><br /><strong>Vacation</strong><br />Sorry this whole post is kind of a downer. On a more positive note I have a two-week vacation starting this Thursday and I'll be heading to Fairbanks (husband staying home). I'm really looking forward to seeing my sister and her family and my brother. My brother has a big adventure planned for me, taking out to the middle of no where on his new track vehicle he just bought. I just look at it as any day away from work is a good day. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The Gorge, general admission. The grass was nice, but too far from the stage.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7H5YeRe-AcL4Vu1aHJO9sqPoFRxXmfbB4eYRkn201I05Fx9AYAHsddQ7Durbda8x92ydL-YgIg-ooFOChRsIcTss_QF93ucaSExhtjNtJ7_22lxy7UF6kKVr20CBjFrAljS31Cgxvlse/s1600/Gorge+view2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7H5YeRe-AcL4Vu1aHJO9sqPoFRxXmfbB4eYRkn201I05Fx9AYAHsddQ7Durbda8x92ydL-YgIg-ooFOChRsIcTss_QF93ucaSExhtjNtJ7_22lxy7UF6kKVr20CBjFrAljS31Cgxvlse/s400/Gorge+view2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The sky at The Gorge. I was fascinated by the sun because I had seen it for months in Western Washington. Of course, last week made up for it with temps in the 90's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrbIq8EGH9aG_5_iHFZMvDqpbTqv2S7Uhkpd8DgU8J1VThMtNdja76eGXzOr3bzD9ztwT11l5zm4WmL09S5uT_Lxj7moPsK7yTLEhG6uI4vBLGrS7PsrjODPjTPxK6orccjGLGkkRoQ_v/s1600/Sun+Gorge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrbIq8EGH9aG_5_iHFZMvDqpbTqv2S7Uhkpd8DgU8J1VThMtNdja76eGXzOr3bzD9ztwT11l5zm4WmL09S5uT_Lxj7moPsK7yTLEhG6uI4vBLGrS7PsrjODPjTPxK6orccjGLGkkRoQ_v/s400/Sun+Gorge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me with the wind in my hair</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPShONVNAkXllW-ECOCsM5HOxk2wS0R3AG_uzWYivvMrkfvyNTr6VTzR1Ih2fK0xaAr2ugFBsURApHfgLlwvg0s_Skel1jqsM1j7NCyvMLkVFDKpi5ReYImwzz-PJU2qTxDCun9V7gipEk/s1600/Me+at+Dry+Falls+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPShONVNAkXllW-ECOCsM5HOxk2wS0R3AG_uzWYivvMrkfvyNTr6VTzR1Ih2fK0xaAr2ugFBsURApHfgLlwvg0s_Skel1jqsM1j7NCyvMLkVFDKpi5ReYImwzz-PJU2qTxDCun9V7gipEk/s400/Me+at+Dry+Falls+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dry Falls (somewhere in Eastern Washington)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs4msLxV8DCBzkA3AYh4ShD1V8hKXYVt98yipEMzKSdQnBeMDM5m8rAgjg-eSUHfnL91_iOgSOFUi84GC-3vny34LnkhcdS4YjLZKKu4TC4_b02Epir5TQrgr6UG11dpC5yxdRlPlUn_6/s1600/Dry+Falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs4msLxV8DCBzkA3AYh4ShD1V8hKXYVt98yipEMzKSdQnBeMDM5m8rAgjg-eSUHfnL91_iOgSOFUi84GC-3vny34LnkhcdS4YjLZKKu4TC4_b02Epir5TQrgr6UG11dpC5yxdRlPlUn_6/s400/Dry+Falls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jack and me at Grand Coulee Dam</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCq-reN4hronRZI7b06jty7hU4J_TqnpugFHBLevoyesYH6IMC0ACLA6hVPvtsOEF9TyRoaNdVxbztSJnjR4AlW3GiuZT_oY96ycRrRP8iITxN50DSwkZu-kuQQP7uI6DReGXdwmgzpphy/s1600/Jack+and+Diana+at+Grand+Coulee+Dam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCq-reN4hronRZI7b06jty7hU4J_TqnpugFHBLevoyesYH6IMC0ACLA6hVPvtsOEF9TyRoaNdVxbztSJnjR4AlW3GiuZT_oY96ycRrRP8iITxN50DSwkZu-kuQQP7uI6DReGXdwmgzpphy/s400/Jack+and+Diana+at+Grand+Coulee+Dam.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>

Danger, Will Robinson!

“Danger, Will Robinson!” is a catch phrase from the 1960s’ American television series Lost in Space spoken by voice actor Dick Tufeld. The R...

Read more »

Sunny Saturday

<p>Happy weekend everyone!!</p> <p>If you follow me on twitter you may have noticed an early morning tweet. That’s right, 6am on a Saturday Kyle and I got up and hit the road for a workout!<img alt="image" border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUexIdoJFN4eR9c68kAAgQ1pkpa2oipfAoSp_bYp_eLUzLYzLj7zFVC5Z6o7gcuue3P0Vvkc_5uSLNhvrGTHQzEUL5cwOWR_QnBTUTdMz8FUOKDJ2UFtxYEwDsYs0ya7dQ8r0WMnkMrQh1/?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="404" /> </p> <p>Kyle ran first and I biked with him. We decided to do this because he wants to train a faster pace, but this way we can still <strong>workout together</strong>. Around mile 5 he got a bad pain in his knee and so I ran. I got in<strong> 3.33 miles</strong> in <strong>39 minutes</strong>. I took a few walk breaks because my legs were really tight & heavy. I’m guessing it because of the <strong>45 minute bike ride</strong> I had before my run!</p> <p>After our workout I had a new “try” for breakfast, wild blueberry muffin oatmeal! My friend <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/guest-post-2-jenna.html">Jenna</a> had told me about this and I couldn’t wait to try it!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIhwKdkns8rhbj2GK2j7NvZFxTTmxlCnOCny6E006Dg4B1hvclsf-r_S5TeuoF0JdpYt9IKnpAqHKmk5gmdX75X_vpL0AQdYBO4HqcwSotZ1wrEQI7bejyfRDC4OVXkWpRypBRdjWtKNR/s1600-h/DSC07841%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07841" border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkem8aEWT8OT5FNQ-knuS81r4tcXsuEBFp29I0SQTfjemSwylB29gKnQfdmmjXWrTbPjbnCdvHhPlhLesBUyVKTIdAoNJLvRyApnp5ZCbMH3VrvYYJafFzmqBOl1gUWgPrvorlzO7hLury/?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="DSC07841" width="279" /></a></p> <p>It worked out perfect because <strong>blueberries</strong> were <strong><u>on sale</u></strong>, so I added <strong>1/4c</strong> to my oatmeal for a total of a <strong>2 point</strong> breakfast. Oh and I loved the oatmeal, not only did it totally smell like blueberry muffins just came out of the oven, but it also had that taste too!<u><font color="#c94093"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvkGAWkxhYD-u-w0ILRtx2h03NsJF0GsIH6Ttkwn7EFbdhPALu6AI4DM_oGZz4PtYRoTgXNLQN4Iu9poBYfjpvU4H18RXmbrbC8-WP0xyZZ_YWAJb1tJrXqSJmZxDk9vUakGVDGbIEF1o/s1600-h/DSC07842%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07842" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4xl4Cb63lGh2oS8NMzsEEyujpV3uwG-rtuAe3uTqNwqyQfZyiV-JymW3GenrKjrMRowo86lzrtuIiD_u85XRKerd0JrHvGyqXdIkRxrgqVVgyfEhWfDgnEhg4FjRvymxr48wAytZFzV_/?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="DSC07842" width="404" /></a></font></u></p> <p>It was sunny and 88 degrees so the rest of the day was spent at the pool! My sister did have a quick dress fitting we had to do on the way. I snacked on an <strong>apple</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong> while the girls were doing their thing!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDH0ApuHqe-jJT553sXGBOdohQijgPuubuvlVhYyEvemzGkGEn5UPGs_jg-_hooYIEAe9ap8JvQQ4tWvTYMb0dTFFnYNdal0X95OhAEM8kZBxe9_IS6Beph3HdDxxfLDekWgwKSAfOQ1n/s1600-h/DSC07843%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07843" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2HUW7JWTWBwONjAQdD3vyekE46Kugvzyp8f0UEAJSnvnop17HblgF1-5BY39w3aPFx_1VeaCcnisn3KY-L8S5oXGHgnG11FNUtBZyJ3Ae3Ok-pliaTMBs-2UKE6NDWY2g31zeK4IfpFQ/?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="DSC07843" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Then I had some fun in Claire’s! :p Don’t worry I didn’t buy the spectacles! <img alt="DSC07844" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8WshzUw_4rcWsxOmsI8hObeJ8RscJNyzaqriwbA22sgBAlMDlHKgdrDSdCNKFKavoNxEvpV_pSWNWAmu3fl-lQz_CA8aamOdHNhnwvOpi8RYyzdJhPpnSXSrjKf8FetagrGRu_DX10gh/?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="DSC07844" width="404" /></p> <p>We ended up spending more time than we thought with the dress fitting and it was already around noon so we stopped for something to tide us over while we were at the pool. <em>Gas stations are not ww</em> friendly, but I did find this <strong>bar</strong> for only<strong> 3 points</strong>. It was pretty good!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSnexwRqV6dbzDVG_TpUGri2AcNgdi9nQ9WfjBzTpCZy1JkAIv2UTfodRcXrw9yHuCk08SeSIP-6I6J_unC6eCnL8vhkksFzjQh7A3bNG4VjaSCBsycMrdHGrFN63kWlb4862MOaL0_NJ/s1600-h/DSC07845%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07845" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7ehxkFXNLBhKJ7iSWo2rZAEpetH4lMuyg8SaBsYi0n5IedRCMQJoOg7n0KhRRAJbYCs4ilUINCqk-V0YSVpduyrr3R9ZlrlfAkheQFXyEoNU-MGiGHm24LNGvbtLyITA_wFICLIm3aU5/?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="DSC07845" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Wendi and I spent the rest of the afternoon lounging at my cousin’s pool! It was <strong><u>wonderful</u></strong>!</p> <p>After our pool time we came home and got ready to go out with another one of my sister’s and some friends for some <strong>mexican</strong>!!! <img alt="DSC07850" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKTID5B4mVHrs1llqSG_ljXlZsysK3WF65overhmCnfvfvV0AwZOwXXPuizktWGY7GtsAY4ayW3Qu6KW3-l6tiNJOZmUwwi1z6nkVNQ9RVcyWpqjlGx42YNtBF50mSUP0sjn5aQXoHxEi/?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="DSC07850" width="404" /></p> <p>I went with <strong>chicken fajitas</strong>, but <strong>split</strong> them with my sister! So I ended up making <strong>2</strong> and my estimate after checking nutrition facts online was <strong>7 points</strong> (estimating high). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jSRks43iAhCsQ73vdqZ_pvtfnZfO7fKWb0PVwEOV0B9KxATcEL4mVeNjQcA3uFrXFtrvWAGrchY68k1bqNsqZVuvpMaMRe7EUjuCO_B7wJCTKdl3Tf6S7q7TpQS5zqHcnTT6lYfoZTZG/s1600-h/DSC07848%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07848" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCbaHXFBZoawA_Yj7WZrHr6RDiXUTnNsgWYUc31nCbnq_hzuJwLzo5zShShOBxCosNo31e7ljpHkfA9aYrEBSqZpS9ilNj2-NVGSLxMlwzR4P35R27XWLkOylpQVbH1xp6Zp7Hshsuc6G/?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="DSC07848" width="404" /></a></p> <p>But before our main course I did have those awesome <strong>chips & salsa</strong> that are always at Mexican restaurants. I tried to keep count of how many chips I had, but I lost track! I am going to estimate that I had <strong>2 servings</strong> for <strong>6 points</strong>.    </p> <p>Wendi & I called it a night and came home to lounge on the couch w/Kyle. We ended up watching an intense movie, Law Abiding Citizen. I had a pretty similar <strong>ice cream sundae</strong> as <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/feelin-better-friday.html">last night</a> while watching the movie except I added a few <strong>animal crackers</strong> for a total of <strong>5 points</strong>. </p> <p><strong>SATURDAY’S STATS</strong></p> <p>POINTS = 24/23 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 1 used/34 remaining <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 6 today/17 week <br />WATER =  136 oz <br />EXERCISE = 39 min run & 45 bike ride</p>

Sunny Saturday

Happy weekend everyone!! If you follow me on twitter you may have noticed an early morning tweet. That’s right, 6am on a Saturday Kyle and...

Read more »