A Few Days Late…

<p>But I will take it!! My goal was to be 166 by 1/31/10, well I’m ok with that coming 2 days late!! So that means I’m down 8.5 lbs in under just 3 weeks. Only 7 lbs to win the sister challenge and 16 lbs to goal!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJWQ-SbcVv74LCaElctasemO-dnoNAOlOk5mIwIohjww7ZPjxit27KD5Q9QEbRraOfY8SilIhFAM0HNy49SaW53OktmK1S922bpRvLkZZBXBz__mXVdtBgRQWvK_C-7tGWXQmXZgNs1nN/s1600-h/DSC05916%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05916" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYNvUX8mIx9cmuWg2eqwq54XZWyXbmrbuT1AgVadFLc2KyXhi6Q_62SwqY6YNxjh6-RvEZPeUNur1hfpuSEsKGp1QF8LQ33g1KfOmUwFUIju_PXCX4XF-9pwAuyVWeYP-qu_osDBfugtV/?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="DSC05916" width="379" /></a></p> <p>I got in <strong>22 minutes</strong> on the <strong>cross ramp</strong> at the gym this morning. Kyle even joined me. He usually has to be to work by 6am so a morning workout doesn’t really work for him, but today he didn’t have to be there till 9am! It was fun to have him next to me! :) </p> <p>I had my old faithful oatmeal this morning. It contained <strong>small sliced banana</strong> and <strong>PB2</strong> for<strong> 4 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBjuR-gyXYbcaji0xSwxyLlHxt7hFiZwZMqHTE2MMopem-3WLIilV4nwb10P4nBiky_KfATZMJ3kgmeg6-KcSDhXhdQzZodcoBGOXh6SZPlXsRtGtraLYJgBa_VevdpArxG695kHdy49M/s1600-h/DSC05917%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05917" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_7rD54XGcqUjVoj1vd_9WtyjG7uA62UuRALjxQA86GXEH3O2AKKx9g3xUJMtNI8BRRE54ZxQqkE0iWrfe9PMN3TW_JiA7lSO7361OUnpfYJXFC9WtWbrREU9s0WuT6V6myGviBwbtnh9/?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="DSC05917" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Work was <u>INSANE</u> today!! It was “refund check day”, so today was the day I had to put on my tough skin on and stay focused!! Wow!!! Glad this only happens a few times a per year! I snuck in my morning snack in between students.<strong> Strawberries, grape nuts</strong>, and <strong>strawberry yogurt</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVv4JmqHXEHM3V4c5XjGhhubUuOfq8VR7G9tq_qNTp7K9tNIu472zQBzVxjPILPtTq73HVpxRdITQJ_gJEzWxL6VSRyUz3no3OAjxfyGp3Up5pcrVqKfC0aOiP2QJ8DXN1fySi-X-lVmb/s1600-h/DSC05918%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05918" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSm6b6Z7Huk_TBl3_NYH1zpmXkhyphenhyphenlbUmp8WwCHX3C9jbT2DjyWC1ZLscShivEWgcR5nesoKqSILkL9ZGTLHUr3jS-bgQiU3kKty2fjj973-d0sqfC7zihkq8j2wM3CEZk-4sITNzHw9iU/?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="DSC05918" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Lunch was late, but delicious! I had a<strong> 7.5oz smoked pork chop</strong> with a few <strong>slices</strong> of<strong> pineapple</strong> and a side of <strong>green beans</strong> for <strong>6 points</strong>. I didn’t know smoked pork chops were relatively low point! I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot of these when grillin’ season rolls around!<img alt="DSC05919" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVvePFgTdHA2bTwOBBO7kLvL9e2EChJOd0157Op3gPgLce5b-BcHQqGWckSaYwvcA1t7DPiqnxEvLQziQ2V1RMAesH4TelpLp473LU7-xemP89aEmK8VBtqlnEj-gx4a1y86TmfdBrbZ5/?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="DSC05919" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05920" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4xk-dNrORFJcHlPBzZy8BgNDDxT9zdfcOQOi2iP1TD6RdEfniR5CPE8EXcIMvkTzkn2w6_-55fVYldrtl7KoGnkIHP-a5HrLaD9VO1p7aL4THqRgr0pfgoKzQXJe1KxsYziP6fR92pCl/?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="DSC05920" width="404" /></p> <p>I peeled an <strong>orange</strong> for a<u> sweet treat</u> after lunch for <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WlQHjlfArT9NjPlqsJ9jnvWFtmhAQQg7fFO6GbKpCdbok5qypo6_FLugnIeDcbNFv4pEs6qKI5neW6HWunCf6TC-y_2NmMmwwcmyQW9qAOxMZwVjJv0DUKQ1BB9iwKp-wDKNmXtWakxv/s1600-h/DSC05921%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05921" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQP_FVeys5ZBvhuu0eUSSPedX-BLNv_zC-3wEwnjYC7Lsgl6iw2Ck9sCZSUt9_XGrrAtqxxLuYNlqUAJCo3gkCO4lAQaLiQJQ7aq6EsBq6MUxsFDsZBPQ1TRHlzCZi-BMySTuM6VhVgGAY/?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="DSC05921" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I, once again, got in 2 workouts today! My 2nd one was Zumba!! I just LOVE this class. My sister joined me today and really enjoyed it as well. 45 minutes of shaking our hips and sweating like crazy!!</p> <p>Supper was a new try! My sister joined us as well! I made <strong>Fiesta Chicken & Rice Bake</strong>, my serving was <strong>6 points</strong>.<u> SUPER YUMMY</u>!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmeqP7BRiyS86Y7VCm915GzE5uHOUtFIja0SuraptB_n0BR3-oxrqKSK9B4iPsxzqAolohGM6ollgGCXL6iI4zOWIZK04gQ2UFgOpsD1NSQ4R1dxsETkRaeSpScBzRBeakYzhpTwuOpre/s1600-h/DSC05922%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05922" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCt4fc35mJT9mOobkZnBByfhrSM9sIFMyHigu0p6UP7NrHdV0T56okwaMb7FMTNuTrMLhxqK4b92TRXvk_jMBsbSwtOlxRf3mG6SGPo6_h6hY7DXXHNkoZ0xvLHPrb08iD5UsaeKs2lPaI/?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="DSC05922" width="404" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><strong>Fiesta Chicken & Rice Bake</strong></p> <ul> <li>1/2 tsp paprika </li> <li>1 can 98% ff cream of chicken soup </li> <li>1 c salsa </li> <li>1/2 c water </li> <li>1 can whole kernel white shoe peg corn </li> <li>3/4 c uncooked minute brown rice </li> <li>5 boneless chicken breasts </li> <li>1/2 c 2% shredded cheddar </li> </ul> <p>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. </p> <p>After supper I peeled another <strong>orange</strong> for<strong> 1 point</strong>. I don’t want those <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/saturday.html">Texas oranges</a> to go bad! They are the perfect snack to keep me in my points range!</p> <p>Kyle and I are settled in watching the BL. I can’t believe how much the yellow team Dad lost…51lbs in 1 month on your own! AMAZING!!</p> <p><strong>TUESDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 21/23 <br />WATER =  140 oz <br />EXERCISE = 22 min cross ramp/45 min Zumba class</p> <p>Thanks for the <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/02/ready-for-fabulous-february.html">tips on the breakfast cookie!</a> I hope to try it again later this week!</p>

A Few Days Late…

But I will take it!! My goal was to be 166 by 1/31/10, well I’m ok with that coming 2 days late!! So that means I’m down 8.5 lbs in under ju...

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Ready For a Fabulous February

<p align="left"><strong>Happy February</strong> everyone! Sorry for my downer post last night. Not sure where my focus was, but I<strong> got it back</strong> today!!!</p> <p align="left">Last night I whipped up a<strong> breakfast cookie</strong> that I’ve seen for quite sometime all over the blog world. I followed <a href="http://fitnessista.com/?p=178">this</a> to make mine. It consisted of <strong>1/3 c oats</strong>, <strong>1 small banana</strong>, <strong>chocolate PB2</strong>, <strong>1/8 c skim milk</strong> and <strong>1 TBS chopped chocolate chips</strong> for a total of<strong> 5 points</strong>.</p> <p align="left">Ok my<strong> “cookie” needs help</strong>. It didn’t set up like I thought it would. It was pretty much the <u>same consistency</u> that it was last night when I spread it out on the plate.<strong> <em>Is this right?</em></strong> <strong><em>Would protein powder make it set up more?</em></strong> <em><strong>What should I do different?</strong></em> Anyone who has perfected this I would love to hear from!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eoim1PbEygdG6RJ9Utm2txqtub80pKv4BJMwScGPHKrb5-2IBZOVTpdXBTKNqXf9Ls4vV55b2v9ZS23kk5-v0ee6HpRvNLVBRcgLKClYyafKGgLEwLgMhklue7uhq4jCTQ_KLd8s8lA5/s1600-h/DSC05910%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05910" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqbHoPzDiYr5dmWIAXYFYW4bnQlMoxWXmTvo0Ko4LzTvANfMzS030nq_kzMp5ksE2FOLFYgeqOLkaSxwbfY7oiEOBCcdaWFB6dPqPxXRuLcLVkHy6Rf6Y1oVnYtxyksdIFaIS-YCzckHd/?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="DSC05910" width="404" /></a></p> <p align="left">But before I enjoyed my breakfast I got in <strong>25 minutes</strong> on the <strong>cross ramp</strong> at the gym. I did <strong>intervals</strong> and rocked out my heart rate! Wow…it was a short workout, but a great one! </p> <p align="left">I couldn’t wait for my morning snack. Kyle and I picked up strawberries at the grocery store this week. They were on sale for <strong>$2.38/lb</strong>! Best price I’ve seen all winter long! It was the usual combo, <strong>1 1/2 c strawberries</strong>, <strong>1/4 c grape nuts</strong>, and <strong>light strawberry yogurt</strong> for <strong>3 delicious points</strong>! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nTosqfQMhitpB1928yxREUA33oSxWGbhBQD1OUMHLTt0aH5ePH8ko0VXbU0-SqhCFuKvl5AdYtdCsOxarFUM5dHwNdorfiBGGweKYVBP1Dj6f2FZT5kDFV2c8wzsH1t1bd2McQEwVicc/s1600-h/DSC05911%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05911" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0kLJ7_jrro_U_hWV0SwFQsJNMUL6xiTKsd785OpHUesrMANLE57D1TH9E4bTaO5wjxkqEaj9PTDA5GXwEqVA1Jz23DaQew3DpGuCP-keRewh8VCrjvpKTlyOmuieiS_wCJP_IRv-Judz/?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="DSC05911" width="404" /></a></p> <p align="left">One of my staff members is on vacation this week so it’s defiantly going to be a <strong>busy week</strong> at <strong>work</strong>! It was after 1pm and I still hadn’t gone to lunch yet. I decided to test of a new (to us) flavor of fiber one bars we picked up at S<a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/saturday.html">am’s Club on Saturday</a>, <strong>oats & strawberries with almonds</strong> for <strong>2 points</strong>. It was just ok, I like the<u> chocolate</u> or the <u>peanut butter</u> one better. But the price was nice, only <strong>$4.41</strong> for <strong>20 bars</strong>! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBq8auBmE_SwGDpYH8tH2gswdtLvOTktLmWOLXJmjnc_d6DZVVaJWkyDeEYcKMciOrszZm0373DIiNEiPWuFf0q_aehGvzlayFZYVrhVF6X3FXj8MEOQ8tPSZlG2hHuYlEwiukOCduCfw/s1600-h/DSC05912%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05912" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlY-8hcVWb_XchVicon0-MsbMYMZaOWeIn3wtOdkjxQKbVNQAGcwE8CkqV2W8Nu1wxNbKZBCNQUxuyu5kxSC4f3IQ-ruQMELP08nALCznAuuCfraZU-WSnoPG2lHJSlReFvMWacPSm3rA/?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="DSC05912" width="404" /></a></p> <p align="left">Lunch was <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/yet-another-snow-day.html">left-overs</a>, but it sure didn’t seem like it! I had the last serving of <strong>cheesy crock-pot chicken</strong> with <strong>2/3 c brown rice</strong> for<strong> 8 points</strong>. I went high on the points because the piece of chicken was quite large. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDGdTkNkLqJcyizGIstHdRkrsYCsnkQB_sW6kY1YqvpENv4rAS8VqAwAAV4OPR8aKcZEAwuQSSRJ1USf02k7JZxaIlRQaRA5bM0HZwH4NGc5BWnzZ4wUZvL0ders1r9A_g5lU8yGrGEHR/s1600-h/DSC05913%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05913" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfPKb5CaA6tthWlK8IFAbSNUsWDulcQ737ivnPaGehoT9136L87U7oEZJvXSWM2suW4n1lyvou9rDaTp_kkyS1RikZgxn84kQi3qUQ9R3P0gvQv2jsKwpvbdORE5d05jFFZph3J158Vkc/?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="DSC05913" width="404" /></a></p> <p align="left">I peeled an <strong>orange</strong> while I was home to have later in the afternoon for <strong>1 point</strong>. But man I didn’t get back to work till almost 3pm, so I didn’t have much of an afternoon left!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaKsgIYRVGdaxOFrUYVcFoWzq84IycyCu0Mb5ROkS-niUrmxl9O-A639HBNzbtFdNwQ-hb5pEQiQK08FCJ0RrkKbsJhkmV5nVzojM-4O-utrNw4TuyNWGBqXq3_uP8lvGTUPofqRTTzcM/s1600-h/DSC05914%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05914" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCVdMpZm0UnPQ0vPTlcIjqzUweNqaU3Rf2oduaydcp2IbY8IbWPcxRwcGe4-8J6Cw6Lur80JWx8dmGbJKXWY0-xM6YaHeUYAtgcJlZQT3e8-4G56crt3G_TRmNyB9KzrstOMjyUvcADVG/?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="DSC05914" width="404" /></a></p> <p align="left">After work I met Kyle at the gym for my<strong> second workout</strong>! And I was determined to met my goal I was supposed to make by the end of January, running a <strong>5K in 31 minutes or less</strong>. And I did just that! I <strong><u>smashed</u></strong> my previous time from last Saturday, running 3.1 miles in 29:51!! Kyle was right next to me on a treadmill ready to high five me when I was done!</p> <p>After our workout we headed home for supper. I knew I didn’t have many points left over. I decided to start out with a <strong>protein shake/smoothie</strong> and see how I felt hunger wise when I was done! My smoothie consisted of <strong>2c of strawberries</strong>, <strong>1 vanilla yogurt</strong>,<strong> 1/8 c milk</strong>, and <strong>1 scoop</strong> of <strong>protein powder</strong>. <strong>5 points</strong> for both glasses! I was <strong>double fisting</strong> it tonight!! But I didn’t end up drinking both, Kyle had a <strong>sip</strong> and <strong>LOVED</strong> it, so I shared! <strong>3 points</strong> for my serving. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6hpuzaSmIS1C3-XhpQH3sS2CqHktM2hC1Fsz9j5TWMLxARfa3Z4wyv5nwFIzjS2eMxjettIlXVlSrq4PIlLspRGTTQDBRgw-GbkIopGI6SjvM5KouW_YAZsaIlwLH5rGjOWOBfeBQbT6/s1600-h/DSC05915%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05915" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5WdzRFqd6Y6XkRDgZG0oArN5qJGZeMZZ6jMUKSCa3ZG_lbK590bErcNnlXNcicI2-r8BsLwy8bozDOpBRDpF2Chpa_Zm4g5yljD1Q02K5RT6BTK51uTwa8R6sXDLpvZ57HjBxKRZknsd/?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="DSC05915" width="404" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>It’s now after 8pm and I still feel completely satisfied, so I’m calling it a day for my eats! </p> <p align="center"><strong><em><font size="4">January Goal Recap:</font></em></strong></p> <p>1. Run 5K < 31min – well you already read about this!! Boo-yah!!! Ran 3.1 miles in 29:50 today!!</p> <p>2. Workout 6 days/week -- I started back on 1/13/10. So out of 19days in Jan that I was back, I worked out 14 of them. Which averages out to about 5 days/week. I was hoping to go for 6, but <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/still-kickin.html">feeling under the weather didn’t help last week</a>. </p> <p>3. 166 lbs 1.31.10 -- And I also didn’t make my last goal of being 166 on 1/31/10. On Saturday I weighed 167, so close! </p> <p>January was a great month with a wonderful start (again!) on the road to a healthier me! In just 2 ½ weeks I lost 7.5lbs and I’m gaining back my endurance! Hoping to make a February an even better month!! Check out my February goals on the right under my progress pictures! </p> <p><strong>MONDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 22/23 <br />WATER =  116 oz <br />EXERCISE = 25 min cross ramp/35 min treadmill (29:50 5K)</p> <p><strong><em>Don’t forget: If you have any tips for the breakfast cookie I would love to hear em!</em></strong></p>

Ready For a Fabulous February

Happy February everyone! Sorry for my downer post last night. Not sure where my focus was, but I got it back today!!! Last night I whip...

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Lazy Sunday!

<p>Hey all! I’m always a slight bit sad when Sunday  nights roll around. It means its the end of the weekend and another work week is ahead. But today I am a little happy. I didn’t have the best day,eating wise, and I’m ready to at work where my “routine” makes it easy to eat good.</p> <p>Kyle and I made it to church this morning. Afterwards we picked up some groceries and then met up with his parents for lunch. Once again, <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/sunday-post.html">like last Sunday</a>, it was a buffet. :( But I feel good about the choices I made there. </p> <p align="left">First plate: peaches, cottage cheese, hard boiled egg white, broccoli, & ranch. I didn’t eat the cucumbers, they had a funny sauce on them. <strong>5 points<img alt="DSC05904" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1Qmp2_aDh_d0bcOuEwxKp9lVKXhntbsLZCrGqhcaCPGz7YwZrxnGX8lg5jNM-3_bhK-8aTuIDVtCWFkKKu8kRpbYeNiia82CjfXbzzJAozl2WOkpWSSZecnN7I5lj8VHo21MY_lxpN2x/?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="DSC05904" width="404" /></strong></p> <p align="left">Kyle brought this sweet little piece of monkey bread back and I thought I wanted it. I took a little nibble and decided NO WAY!! I knew I did NOT need all that sugary sweetness. <img alt="DSC05905" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlq_WGqiiJBGFttzN-iqLFzfNTpAluUVsbM4GaJ0s0nBAYvY4eRiPgre9LvHCA5_ywsskfoQtAW4I87lclOg7-C66VeT917dHWcckCSh9YgL31CexsqAOP9g2_cS41nY_qsU5sGY1YWsAV/?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="DSC05905" width="404"/></p> <p align="left">And my last plate: 1/2 c mashed potatoes, corn, and chicken thigh (I took the skin off). I didn’t eat the peas (forgot that I’m not a fan!) and or the ham (too salty).<strong> 7 points<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVD247omad5YEzJCqtETaIqBxeBPZPOFauoNT83RhBTghT31qy8bUsZfLXzPCr9f_lMQRP8JulqdQ6j_-Kyoi2vsrHHO-PvuKRH1gq8KErma-Kv2TcBLJFkiD5llf5Mq7X2-BS4cfB4rxf/s1600-h/DSC05906%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05906" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRvbGiU-B3QrcSMlkgkXKA64ci3bwXIXefp9qe85T96cB6JsRgU96AR2r6tdlGk9TAFDhDlo-BpTB8WYCVwzYdyg6QjFYJV1cxZw-wlgP4eALoUglEt8zXD-zCQyuQywcWtuSFcRUS1RT/?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="DSC05906" width="404" /></a></strong></p> <p align="left">I rounded out my meal with this yummy<strong> little ice cream cone</strong>. I’m estimating <strong>4 points</strong> for it. Kyle took the picture and wasn’t paying attention to what he was doing! :p<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGwJUg8foluqnYNgyTPQnU1CEgngVPWqK8i3gF4e2fnRsY1vtUmxkWGx1t5sOjI-m4AKM3DI7d-QGgqDLvj80HywvZTXkoKnrb5yAq99nWimAGAUyfdwS1TYfXxTmtf6VeSKRf4mkZAED/s1600-h/DSC05907%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05907" border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56wAn6uOoiJnJCrWUTo0nhy8RnvV3NHO5YQsBG7nhjlsmpxOiUzBxTBssCVHSKqjE5kE4w9S64KjtI8hP1tfkqv21S6PV39TMHif3_Ls8MezbQ4NCmQ-RmBNBH13Aznmj1E-_FFHSTimg/?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="DSC05907" width="304" /></a></p> <p>Kyle and I decided <strong><u>NO BUFFET FEBRUARY</u></strong>! Ugh…there is NOTHING good about them. I would WAY rather go somewhere else, order my food, and only get that amount and not be tempted to go up for more!</p> <p>We helped a former co-worker of mine get her house back in order. She was on a 3 week vaca and got new carpet all throughout her house while she was gone so it was in quite disarray! </p> <p>When we got home Kyle and I both had the same idea…nap time! But for some reason before I went to to sleep I had a ton of BLT’s in the kitchen while putting away the groceries. Ugh, I have no clue why I do this. I wasn’t hungry…NO CLUE on the points. But it’s over and I’m moving forward. </p> <p>Oh and I did end up napping…for almost 2 hours! It was divine! :)</p> <p>Supper was another <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/sunday-post.html">Sunday repeat</a>. <strong>BBQ chicken pizza</strong>! Click <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/sunday-post.html">here</a> to get more info on it. <strong>8 points</strong>. Like my pink china? This is the only plate big enough to hold an entire flat out! I got the china at an auction before I got married for about $5! I LOVE anything pink! :) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhCMpnaQ5_0vRKluzINUO_ZG5G8zRhESpo1Xe9J8xjyb90jUnd24oR_DQkB39zk8WtMjJmv8AFRZPG3RG0eQ2a8tk3YZcyxrckO7l5sfz0HkrdayiehGYbkiaxveOX2tZLpdppNW3Cw24/s1600-h/DSC05909%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05909" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGwxWU_LTU2CRyhqW_0j7xwHQsXQ79w78jgr9hNMfnwyqPfynNTpeIqUzradOZsfJQJsqTB-5nhVmg6dCXm0VIZYWffxPvERtnyg7MNudtYI1wB8ADd1hYgu48Vx4WIstcSnqpbPXX1sO/?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="DSC05909" width="404" /></a>   </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Sorry this post is a little blah, I’ve just felt like that all day! But I am happy to say I got a little gumption and I have my gym clothes ready, bag packed, food ready, and breakfast in the fridge! I’m gonna have a SUPER week!!</p>

Lazy Sunday!

Hey all! I’m always a slight bit sad when Sunday  nights roll around. It means its the end of the weekend and another work week is ahead. Bu...

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The lost weekend

First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for your incredibly supportive and sweet comments on Thursday's post. I was overwhelmed by your kindness.<br /><br />I was really worried about posting it, but I felt compelled to get it out in the open. Someone commented the truth shall set you free. So true. <br /><br />I haven't binged once since I posted "My Secret". I haven't figured out why sharing that information made a difference, but it seems to have opened a door for me. A door that might lead me to freedom from the shackles of my food issues.<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Now about my totally boring weekend....<br /><br />I'm not sure where the last two days went, but I feel like I didn't even have a weekend.<br /><br />Yesterday I woke up at 4am with the worst headache of my life. I rarely get headaches but this one felt like someone had taken a sledgehammer and hit me right between the eyes. I was wondering if I had a brain aneurysm or something equally fatal.<br /><br />I couldn't bear to have the blinds open, a light on, or the TV. I couldn't read because it hurt too much. I took a handful of aspirin (three) and went back to sleep until 2pm. I can't remember the last time I slept that long (maybe never). <br /><br />Even after I woke up at 2pm I felt like the headache was just on the verge of coming back (I still kind of feel that way). It was like my head was bruised inside, right behind my eyes.<br /><br />I still managed to get to the gym by 6pm and get in an hour of cardio. That's about the only thing I accomplished Saturday, plus grocery shopping.<br /><br />Today was another wasted day because my husband insisted I upgrade my laptop to Windows 7. What a fiasco that turned into (darn Microsoft and their stupid software!). <br /><br />After being on the phone with four different Toshiba support techs (I was using the Toshiba upgrade CD they sent me), I finally found out that in the last two days they've been swamped with calls from people that are getting errors when upgrading to Windows 7. They thought Microsoft had sent out a Windows update that conflicted with their Toshiba Upgrade Assistant CD and it was throwing errors. Nice.<br /><br />They talked me through the incompatibility issues, and after uninstalling some programs, I finally have Windows 7. They told me iTunes might not work anymore, but it does (thank God!).<br /><br />All I can say is big whoop. It looks almost like Vista to me, with a couple cool new features (but totally not worth the hassle). My husband said they removed all the crappy code that was in Vista so it'll work better now. I guess the better stuff is stuff I can't see.<br /><br />I went to the gym at 3pm today and did 30 minutes StairMaster and an hour of lower body strength training. Did I mention how much I hate lunges and squats? <br /><br />The most exciting, yet disappointing, thing that happened this weekend is I found House Foods Tofu Shirataki noodles at my local Fred Meyers store, in the nutritional section. I was so excited because I've wanted to try these forever. Geez, I just re-read this paragraph...I get excited over tofu noodles?? I think I need to get a life. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVI35jcvIBdlb1O8iufy-eCGeTzCcWLS_oEtYYoHBU7cgckFkWXVeZr73ktvcmVpOsQ6PrnVscF_0_yghIdprAVXO5Gw6jTnx39rt3wW-pirnHgebS_U368dhV8yY5urglxQz2qrnksGq/s1600-h/shirataki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVI35jcvIBdlb1O8iufy-eCGeTzCcWLS_oEtYYoHBU7cgckFkWXVeZr73ktvcmVpOsQ6PrnVscF_0_yghIdprAVXO5Gw6jTnx39rt3wW-pirnHgebS_U368dhV8yY5urglxQz2qrnksGq/s320/shirataki.jpg" /></a></div><br />Hungry Girl is always talking about how wonderful they are and they're super low calorie, low carb, and low fat. I'm one of those strange people that loves tuna casserole (my husband hates it, even made with real noodles). I made HG's Rockin' tuna noodle casserole with the Shirataki noodles. GROSS! Actually, super gross.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GAAa_veVsm2_CEtQ-OOkg0reC0BTReP0GkqzYcftT7QS5l4ersra3eu9U2KFjEWxkWPQq47Az2pyxmOnakC6aY3CsEa0MuZk8PY_60hBq0Kep2-djTkHg-ofbcApyUFXNMNDbMCfTGP9/s1600-h/tuna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GAAa_veVsm2_CEtQ-OOkg0reC0BTReP0GkqzYcftT7QS5l4ersra3eu9U2KFjEWxkWPQq47Az2pyxmOnakC6aY3CsEa0MuZk8PY_60hBq0Kep2-djTkHg-ofbcApyUFXNMNDbMCfTGP9/s320/tuna.jpg" /></a></div><br />It's not that the noodles taste bad, it's the totally weird, rubbery texture of the noodles. It tastes like tuna casserole, but it doesn't "feel" like tuna casserole.<br /><br />You get a huge serving for only 3 Points, but I don't know if I can ever get over the texture of the tofu noodles. It's just kind of icky.<br /><br />Almost forgot, because of the headache I didn't make it to Weight Watchers on Saturday, but I weighed on my very accurate scales at home - 174.6. Up  1.6 pounds. It is what it is.<br /><br />That's it, my totally boring weekend.

The lost weekend

First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for your incredibly supportive and sweet comments on Thursday's post. I was overwhelmed by ...

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Saturday

<p>Happy weekend everyone!!! </p> <p>I started mine out without an alarm going off!! Unless you count the slight whimpers of Abby (my dog!) begging us to wake up to let her outside to do her duty! Kyle & I hit the gym first thing. I did a <strong>25 minute run</strong> on the <strong>treadmill</strong> and finished off with <strong>25 minutes</strong> on the <strong>bike</strong>. For some reason I just wasn’t <em>“feeling”</em> the run, not sure what my deal was. </p> <p>We came home and Kyle got ready for work and I made us breakfast. I made<strong> mini pancakes</strong> for myself and chocolate chip pancakes for Kyle! My<strong> 7 little pancakes</strong> with<strong> 1/4 c sf syrup</strong> was just a mere <strong>4 points</strong>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFDVa_yTKh81f344BTfPbWH52NRukBrggpdkAZZyd1UH4lR0EwN7Qlt56oRhK5YVqQQhqv9uII1N8lzgVMfr-wkRTuv6Q3lZZgFegp26kAIftyYI6K0RMgMML11xiJiaimiG-HLsV5cpo/s1600-h/DSC05887%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05887" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nZFwGFln-fg0YR96tBc3QCWTKpBwXfKxs3TmjZ4cmSCl-iBrKLX8mBk1XgPJQDJSJ5mvUcaqLgUNyp7hiamtcuPa4fmAMaH4fyyGC2FnFh14Lzsque6bla6BRTOegqFfjMzMhyphenhyphen6cHBkp/?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="DSC05887" width="404" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Kyle headed off to work and I caught up on blogs….<u>until the doorbell rang</u>! Look what the mailman delivered, a <strong>whole box of oranges</strong> from my <strong>Momma</strong> & <strong>her hubby</strong>, who are wintering in Texas. The oranges are organic, i.e. never been sprayed with chemicals! So of course I had to peel one to test them out for a yummy <strong>1 point</strong> addition to my breakfast! It was <u>juicy</u> & <u>delicious</u>! Thanks Mom! :) <img alt="DSC05888" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuFU_f7dIz5Lq3zUANG0Cq0qo2-sGWvtxz9T1onGarVxTPIvCdjnYteME2rgBC5G47ZZ-u70lP98-xj4lDkaS0aVSi78sVU9O0uujD5H0wb1FOP21IVyiAASsMrAb4_VPXJTgMG2PjZHX/?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="DSC05888" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05889" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTcWcmmFEGtBTmMv4PCXzYYRKgh2yNF5jp0Tll07eKpXiq-dj1tZxWq7xJyXkugiP0i5PRMNt-ZUVpAbRXoWMO4IZSZRxmEV-0x-kbYVFKoXJs02bRLhI4L7sjiIUBTl1XhQB4Bum20zT/?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="DSC05889" width="404" /></p> <p>I had a lunch date with my sister & her hubby from Omaha and then also our Dad and G-ma. They picked a new Chinese buffet in town. Well since Kyle and I ate a<em> late breakfast</em> I decided to go for the <strong>company</strong> & <strong>conversation</strong>, but <em>no food</em>! I just sipped on a <strong>diet pepsi</strong> and didn’t feel deprived at all!!</p> <p>Afterwards I came home turned on some Black Eyed Peas and got to work! I <strong>cleaned</strong> the kitchen, <strong>sorted</strong> the recycle, <strong>ironed</strong> clothes, <strong>started</strong> the laundry, <strong>picked out</strong> my work outfits for next week, and did our <strong>menu</strong> & <strong>grocery list</strong> for next week! </p> <p>Using the menu planner last week was a <strong><u>TOTAL SUCESS</u></strong>! I love that we know what we’re going to eat each night and have the groceries on hand to make it! I’ve got mine all ready for next week, along with my grocery list in order of how we walk around the store!<img alt="DSC05903" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLBuzBgvrTZxQiVcsjAM5_iobZtAYC8wNqtXxHB3SMqOiH6vfQg_fJ_LIrZkMQ3-0UeEPmjYEa6432jHjh93CXZSGAHBo6IZagQ16HS14Cggfui_gQn15gcwRC7tfP20NhmA5JJe_zNTo/?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="DSC05903" width="404" /></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBBdFvysJ1NDdg31eRpdhaf9zlUeqnj8xhr9_USrcAr-DVMHvYZ3Aj-9ZuX0dI_5ixDmgOsZp1EUVFijD-pmYJ9p9pG-oIXj7bR7-LIwAxTydJnlM-mn0B2xbMol52wiqqb6m72uIj5eg/s1600-h/DSC05902%5B3%5D.jpg">I found these magazines in my recipe book stash and got <strong>SO </strong>many ideas from them!! I might just have to get a subscription!</a> <img alt="DSC05902" border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipi7aGiCpDKZbm4p1fK102ET7HElNYgQWtExJwBqynFTewM_6QYQFy8efMC-MxoMQJJsAr4pd47HDtErnfnf55nCKfol1BGTtdOtPh_e6DS6T2IpoIhJ81zuO3HfrP1ruvDALH0iVUfbGB/?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="DSC05902" width="328" /></p> <p>I had a <strong>late light lunch</strong> because we had plans to go out for supper! I made a <strong>chicken salad</strong> with <strong>cheese</strong> on a<strong> thin bun</strong> with a side of<strong> cottage cheese</strong> and <strong>peaches</strong> for <strong>6 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQu-FZAz4V8O6pEuJ71VVB2k88C_uTALVztXpAbmMN4wamOocbH1exUfi23-QxSAaXvTGHHftbjA9Vteku0aYEt1XQmLNckLLYdYBhNDAupdLy5LndsJ6VGIzanzJs2wkrf2e3Q11NgGg/s1600-h/DSC05890%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05890" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcVBFz44WYTCbioeczUfZwkDRjza-N__2OOtksv8l3fRUQaTaRo8mzgZXxf2eDOJPodpAy9g-VOyJLOmywDzDOsMbb2VTI9zWWY04FYzjdzOJ0hAxnQL0d6T39M_-L3OyfThBrryf9VQ4/?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="DSC05890" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Kyle got home from work and we headed to a town just a bit south of us for a Sam’s Club run! The moon was a cool shade of orange right in front of us on the drive down!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkceMCqj9PBPx9Yj4ZtdiF4P49aH75zbh3nyK4JcqMYAA9Vm7pg3eIgH4NeRT4O7NMvre7yktoMBbJLBDxDoNumRUfsP3INhJOKAhRsPIs9arZO-LNo3FaOkO7idPFmtPHPqMZVouE-AV/s1600-h/DSC05892%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05892" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi998U0CE08aUIdL29H9Ds9jSu2Ma57iRHx47Qoe9hezLleWIxCv-r2-YHG_tLx6lUcVIg0Rj0Rr6zTzu0017npA9IJ5RF25uf3GBrMoHAxz-kPJzRhHDbYW39FYEYL-qIicNTxSop1Iura/?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="DSC05892" width="404" /></a></p> <p>We wanted to go to <strong>Hickory Park</strong> (it’s a local favorite) for supper, but there was a <em>45 minute wait</em>. So we went across the street and got <strong>Subway</strong>! I got the <strong>6 inch turkey</strong> & <strong>ham</strong> on <strong>wheat bread</strong> with <strong>cheese</strong>, <strong>pickles</strong>, and <strong>cucumbers</strong> for<strong> 7 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97p0nBZf5S7tBoOEoUVcgYS90qw8X6BiB82JkIb2OoNWY2oKt8XXzpIf4vLHFP4mbWROUCgx1lmFS07ynsoEHyV0zjYbP-VGltX6iTU4ABXtYG9MCdwtAmfLvlnjcCxiEPs3aqFYPoc2N/s1600-h/DSC05897%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05897" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCyGFodH90RILrfUXKVGCN_xluIBVi2Qj0penLgFAXteVtLz0gKgufSYVgeKA_Ca3uF0DXtlxAlMNAYHs44YO842_ZcXvsva0fl3pYHcqnj1q1oMwzvEIH8Mor6lsStCrxuTnFtS4j7Xw/?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="DSC05897" width="404" /></a></p> <p>We stocked up on a some essentials we like to get at Sam’s Club, such as, Krusteaz pancake mix, gum, animal crackers, popcorn, fiber one bars (20 for $4.41!), hot chocolate, cereal, etc!! Almost $100 worth! :) </p> <p>We stopped by my favorite ice cream place in town, <strong>Cold Stone</strong>! And I <u>didn’t order</u> the<u> <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/01/day-76-saturday-117.html">23 point option</a></u> either! I got the <strong>love it size sinless sansfat sweet cream</strong> with <strong>strawberries</strong> & <strong>granola</strong>. The total points for this came to <strong>6</strong>, but I couldn’t finish it all. I should have just ordered the like it size! I am estimating I ate about <strong>4 points</strong> worth. <strong><em>So yummy</em></strong>!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuc-ZhNyPEod_Q1IMRS5XtKaQ40_NHK-oHtz3nWAUpC2AviYn8-gCd-66UoBQXAgpigzCZ2Oksze0YlNZrzE4efVHfhzaD9tFC936LOozKivmqMUczSxCsgJsj93fAXUEGB_I-CvGC9Rx/s1600-h/DSC05899%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05899" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHd3yHcZrla7o6X3F_dwrmGN7Hazw6JiSLX9FzXZjKxCQLKRvAOiEYhWaioNChkHqwphc5J82A6U3xYrLiOkoIhNub3PO46_v-hQXwzr33IBZOmX6zw0yBg0WW-CTBlZjb54RGv5BCDFP8/?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="DSC05899" width="404" /></a></p> <p>We <strong>enjoyed</strong> our<strong> ice cream</strong> on the way home and I was going through my <strong>newest reads</strong> I picked up at Sam’s. I can’t wait to try a few of the work outs I found in <strong>Oxygen</strong>! And I think the<strong> WW magazine</strong> paid for itself, I found <strong>$5.60</strong> worth of <strong>coupons</strong>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmO3EoYnU3UBcgHeF_XzO08py_eHqhZuJdELUT3MXN3aW0nYnVQPm15j8SXoNVAZ-NrvioKjbUJTgiirJ0QO8EZ6AqMlzowVRJN9nIA8kUPmrTK-Et1mPC23NcnMugNfs3M2OfhuWqegM5/s1600-h/DSC05901%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05901" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMbOBnph9lWxGq-9lHX8a5I20ILepXe2iHE4EFENKUi40-mXH2hvJA-6K8jYWj8J_rOuCQ8BX-pEhZZAe94hpvWmjzybguEsg8kKlBJSyv8l9VhAUikxoTMX4DUgP5MW4O8zNx0knwfkB/?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="DSC05901" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Man the blog world is full of giveaways these days! Check out <a href="http://enduranceisntonlyphysical.blogspot.com/2010/01/running-skirt-saturdays-giveaway.html">Endurance Isn’t Only Physical</a> for an AWESOME <a href="http://www.runningskirts.com/">runningskirts.com</a> giveaway! I don’t have one yet and I’m crossing my fingers that I win!! Would be a great addition to my workout wardrobe! </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 = 22/23 <br />WATER =  102 oz <br />EXERCISE = 25 min run/25 min bike</p>

Saturday

Happy weekend everyone!!! I started mine out without an alarm going off!! Unless you count the slight whimpers of Abby (my dog!) begging u...

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Planning de la semaine du 1er au 05 février 2010

<BR><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Permanences<br /></span></strong></h2><ul><br /><li>Le <strong>Conseil Général du Loiret</strong> sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans<br />- le lundi 1er février de 9h à 12h30<br />- le mardi 02 février de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 03 février de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le jeudi 04 février de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le vendredi 05 février de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/solidarits-nouvelles-face-au-chmage.html">Solidarités Nouvelles face au Chômage</a></strong><br />- mercredi 03 février de 10h à 12h30<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de gestion</a></strong><br />- vendredi 29 février de 09h à 12h30</li></ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Ateliers</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>CV</strong> - mardi 02 février de 9h à 12h30 et mercredi 03 février de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Lettre de Motivation</strong> - mardi 02 février de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Préparation à l'entretien</strong> - jeudi 04 février de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 05 février de 10h à 11h30<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/07/atelier-situtilises-tu-trouves.html">Sit'Utilises tu trouves</a></strong> - vendredi 05 février de 14h à 16h</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Visite d'entreprise</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2010/01/souvrir-les-portes-des-metiers-de-la.html">Visite de l'entreprise d'Emilie VACHER</a></strong> - mardi 02 février à 09h</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 1er au 05 février 2010

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 1er f...

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Still Kickin’

<p>Hey everyone! I know I’ve been MIA the past 2 days. Well Thursday was definitely an exception of a day. I slept in past my alarm and just wasn’t feeling “right”. Got to work and by noon I was <em><strong>miserable</strong></em>. I closed my office door and laid on the floor for a while, but I wasn’t feeling any better laying down than I was sitting at my desk. I pushed through, got my stuff done, and went home around 4pm. I was dizzy, nauseous, and had a horrible stomach ache. I feel asleep around 6pm and didn’t wake up till 7am Friday morning, feeling much better!</p> <p>Not sure what it was, Kyle thought I ate something that didn’t agree with me. Whatever it was I’m glad to be feeling much better! My eats were a little off Thursday, but here is quick snapshot of what I ate. <img alt="DSC05872" border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPJUvkTmjjZ50C9HH1s_mmtdIDY2MDwragAZHcH55WrHsUHXrPAZD9vwXnZEscnyB7RjPIIs7xSsyqp9TzhND3nCdnnorFSrUUH1fEEM3felBBo9mBItkpMeYMhC36V9pGpX4j6NQkiQu/?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="DSC05872" width="304" /><img alt="DSC05873" border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5VLG6YQYdZ4ivEMJb2xcv041HfgbVMt2ojy4kJVp-1MVh1qNY8-7_S-6iEovipD9lXM31O8B_PREgGo6NnMlD_EUwMDPDkDs9fZfz8XJhZu6KnbBYuyCNYZN8Bix9wRXkbLdFrOk1pkP/?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="DSC05873" width="305" /><img alt="DSC05874" border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURrxF9hAnqdmASF1dRoQyYrNOCwO2-urrpDwLyKbUO8RMZm-PGhk6MvFWXpsduBti8EGf_YJTU6-aXohK31gyV71Pj9F7tD6fJsONGqZqzzqiD-_LXKm5gzOenFlm9jDK_8g7y_4WE2wp/?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="DSC05874" width="305" /><img alt="DSC05876" border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicciLN847NDumP8gnXoQHiy1DB1xzl_cKS5ofZoDzUR8yr5068cpykIhyphenhyphen-GkMIoiPZSNTgelct9xD_7S1FCyClxNGFxZ6CozkiZ-6gG87ScKl1kIJIYI0EpXjF2ZIhZRkRZP0q5XH_ApX/?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="DSC05876" width="305" /></p> <p>I made a <u>simple</u> breakfast Friday morning, a little worried it would upset my stomach. I had <strong>2 slices</strong> of <strong>toast</strong> with <strong>chocolate PB2</strong> and a <strong>sliced banana</strong> with an <strong>orange</strong> on the side for<strong> 4 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCJEb_TEPhIYpnXwOaNvm_YlnUTBUC5mvdZ_soi0keJ2nJsVsAksdxnkq3n7tyhd2Z-mrquZP_OlFML4pQWyCRokE9kTNPlNntNJcrD5Y_MFVGs2mb3NyMXqUEIsFIe7ZcUG8NaqM9r8P/s1600-h/DSC05877%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05877" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopdtvOCJmg0QZy-J1E-fZOe1b_Vkp1MncE-1SQjiHuHQZdFO6cGcE1nGoUO2D9rwphkNmU1asi9TFIDxzkRF_dMm_L5D77BSV_6kIjcl-TFM23Bin_S8qOk_ZThYu75gExekKVwyWhwRs/?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="DSC05877" width="404" /></a></p> <p>It’s been quite cold here lately! Check out what my vehicle thermometer said on the way to work on Friday!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUp0hWr6jU5bRI_nshveGM65V25LuB7JPGOe81yU1h6GC0Bs0odF89G6JnyMYVj0IDw0vfZxQMFzgk_rhewAbFiMff-kOtnFcuA4Nu99soZQXVuDI33O4qQzEDVtjCqyg1SVobc5K9FGUu/s1600-h/DSC05870%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05870" border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlU0kmLYbdkZKhhuTk2zI2CiZtBMesdGcV7bmF9jxT9Xb1bgQeTuaA76kOqKFLKJcAeMEYIRnRfBXAO2lnC24bhDd51IRWUb8cvBordT5i4bMr1WiHivfyQXqh7S3-PC7ne8Ya7BkzFm2/?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="DSC05870" width="429" /></a></p> <p>Felt good all morning long, I think not feeling so good on Thursday was a <em><u>fluke</u></em> thing. I bought some pears last Sunday at the grocery store and finally sliced one up for my morning snack for <strong>1 point</strong>. It was still quite hard…had the <strong>crispness</strong> of an <strong>apple</strong>, not the <strong>softness</strong> of a <strong>pear</strong>. :( Need to wait a few more days before eating the rest!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOutnHNFz624R8AMd6kH01_kJCx35LHng52P7k3RYIHk-T3TrcgDwF-0EgpZ4jKk8s9hDmBEVill4k5zoJAhYYyEwZqbbuRywMTDGxS8vxBs7KMAfBC_ZZkbW6rGQHAyoMxpsm_sUk34m-/s1600-h/DSC05878%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05878" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6a5kbtyGKYdgMyNQvH53duPxK7F-cMUxrLVTOAyz85ytwnLuWwf-Pkyx8EKx6x_7dNeHL2H97Jy9-1VmUrS-J3V3fOPC58tHaQc7H8UIRV4lqKH04s4i0dHj12L2ioGvQ2gnFXSwSRxx/?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="DSC05878" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I wasn’t able to get out of the office for lunch until after 2pm. I snacked on an <strong>apple</strong> on the way home for <strong>1 point</strong>. See those nice rays of sunshine? They are quite deceiving…it’s still cold out!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YNRG4lfnsION4jTC7uvlR_8__9yHDsX3yrtdW-PvYGKH-di4v0AxODteASTNdMRelrThoOYU2Fe97rup8WaENbc2lIDAzEFpPcKpGqE7w4pWsKR8mZt2p09Xv7BUUBEkG-XwT4wFYYv3/s1600-h/DSC05879%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05879" border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5try7KQ22i3YbbgbuYh28DtmgpuFrN_ErXyOtmnKv0alxBJGZqCPcfHIZSoUyVsCB624fJXrUBFnm3hOIHTmPQjU7LZvXKnBtSKcSvwi7_EzL0lypXDR4QfNzZnuJh1sDBk3x96zfq2DB/?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="DSC05879" width="430" /></a></p> <p>I made a quick lunch. I had a <strong>turkey & cheese flat out wrap</strong> with a side of <strong>peaches</strong> and <strong>cottage cheese</strong>. I only ate <em>half</em> of the wrap. The store only had the light italian flat outs and it just has a different flavor. I really liked it with my <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/sunday-post.html">bbq chicken pizza</a>, but <em>not so much</em> just as plain as a wrap. So my <strong>lunch</strong> was just<strong> 4 points</strong>. <img alt="DSC05880" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_E3DF2eFFon9LFadijMiCBij26aP8riWi6KkwqO5XeBovhq9QmKxc59tEEyNcuT1YiJdVBQ0l4RIZsghyphenhyphenasxfukwdzW4WDYCrXQli0VlA_g9SYYSvTUGJH_QbUYjKmykdizgp7cTR4iAK/?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="DSC05880" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05881" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2I4981NVbMyjgGmpW5-c7T1f-RcZvavW-t15HPJ8t5CVJaQQ4n3fTLxiHSLyUHOKXkPrINrMzTjQfGWboigL_mH9hc_Zk7PWEncsyBE9Y36E6uy305Fmzi-rW-OorY35NQBl0hMbDj1Dv/?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="DSC05881" width="404" /></p> <p>Since I had such a late lunch I only had about an hour and half when I got back to the office and it <em><strong>flew</strong></em> by! When I got home I grabbed a <strong>fiber one bar</strong> to snack on for <strong>2 points</strong>. I didn’t want to gorge on supper since my lunch was quite light!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhCvprfilpbEnShZ3I0M8pjg1tED0fHQc_PtUTfXl911mW5dHQr-58yd1ztF6pU93qaeyXDZQLE79LeFzR_d8pVtRaYUlyAwWaUmBAgU8EW_tOcdjOLSjdxEfAh4-vTrMAQ6i0EFRcshA/s1600-h/DSC05882%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05882" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaC9QGf8kV2Qc-X3pQ0oZhFjh1oTivijoLf3aAuI7Y3bIUX8JLBsVmlPIq8u-OL6cdS6pxh86XD-PDypYzyPmkMKmb4JqhP6yesc4cnXw9Zq1TpSkVqWkm8EMGWj9D5GW5w2IrVG7EBGzX/?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="DSC05882" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Kyle and I headed to my sister’s house for the evening. My other <strong>sister</strong> from <strong>Omaha</strong> was coming for the weekend! We had the <strong>perfect supper</strong> for a cold Iowa day, <strong>chili</strong>! I had <strong>1 cup</strong> with <strong>1/4 c ff shredded cheddar</strong>, a <strong>grilled cheese sandwich</strong> on the side, and some <strong>carrots & ranch</strong> to round out the meal for <strong>9 points</strong>. <img alt="DSC05884" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UjyYBbcUa8-hrDKk05tcAzkFXw_oXCHRTbW0q106wkA7OxWRucfNZPo0_SakWB0BAlUc25UJkM7zmkH7GKScxPnueEEbqPt5dDcQCCP7vhptAfEACYxyg93w_YI3rjPNIb51J-HjUIlJ/?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="DSC05884" width="244" /><img alt="DSC05885" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJG4SK1ClMsRc8CXRF6e6XFnkLPA_rMcUNeUaR8rvd4eNbgkrwQTGmwjie7QDcCUFAjtwW4sfkG6A24B7_-L2V9UiUiDUB5mUKdsbctkEFuIZ_4Ybik69OOO0YKBv6Hp3Xr80NHdzTnEA/?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="DSC05885" width="244" /><img alt="DSC05886" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJmfTaODYZ34Tum4i_xaPgvghMT3hcArVbmhe1SbYo6F_OQusMGT8Khu7K8ZndR7JO_r-puvWS3iHtxJzciGra-D9w_UHEVJmqyGl8K1e5DgxvojXm9RPYAr5AjPiGF_q_pntFCcDxkpC/?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="DSC05886" width="244" /></p> <p>We spent the evening<strong> chatting away</strong> and the boys played Rock Band! Gotta love <strong>family time</strong>! :)</p> <p>It’s now Saturday morning and I’m off to get in a <strong>workout</strong> with Kyle before he has to go to work. I didn’t get a workout the past 2 days. Then I’ll be catching up with all of you!</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><strong>FRIDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 21/24 <br />WATER =  80 oz <br />EXERCISE = none</p> <p>Make sure to hop on over to <a href="http://tjstestkitchen.blogspot.com/2010/01/tjs-giveaway.html">TJ’s blog</a> for a wonderful giveaway!</p>

Still Kickin’

Hey everyone! I know I’ve been MIA the past 2 days. Well Thursday was definitely an exception of a day. I slept in past my alarm and just wa...

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My secret

I may lose a few followers over this post, and some of you may not like me anymore, but here it goes....<br /><br />I know why I ate like a woman possessed last night. I even knew when it was it was happening why I was doing it. <br /><br />My best friend knows some things about me that very few people in this world know. They're dark, ugly things. Things I wish had never happened. <br /><br />About two years ago I met someone online. A man. A funny, witty and charming man that lives in a far away city. Emails were exchanged, online chats started, then there were the phone calls, lots of phone calls. I've never met this person in real life, but I thought I was falling in love with him. It became an online affair. <br /><br />Some people don't believe having an online relationship is cheating in a marriage, and they think no one will get hurt. If that's what you think, you're wrong on both accounts. <br /><br />My marriage was going through a rough patch at the time. After almost a year, my husband found out about the other man by reading my emails, but he didn't know the emotional attachment I had establish with this person. We talked about divorce and went to marriage counseling. <br /><br />I saw a therapist on my own and told her everything. She told me I needed to come clean and tell my best friend and be accountable to her. If I felt like calling the other man, I was suppose to call my best friend. The therapist also told me I have extremely low self-esteem (I really didn't need to pay her $150 an hour to find that out...I already knew.). <br /><br />A little about my best friend. I've known her for twenty years. She's the kindest, sweetest, funniest and most moral person I've ever known. She's not a prude nor is she judgemental. She's what you would call "good people".<br /><br />When I'm with her, I can't stop laughing. Last night I laughed so hard I was crying and my jaw hurt. She's a very strong Christian, but she doesn't shove it down my throat. She doesn't just talk the talk, she walks the walk. I've always wished I was more like her. I love her to pieces and consider myself blessed beyond words that she's my best friend.<br /><br />When I told her my secret about a year ago, she reacted just as I suspected. She was shocked, but kind and supportive. I told her things I haven't told anyone. It was embarrassing, but it was a relief.<br /><br />The last year I have slowly been trying to pull myself away from the man that I was so totally infatuated with. Because of the emotional attachment on my part, I couldn't just stop cold. I don't blame him or hate him for any of the emotions or feelings I've gone through. It was all my own fault. I pursued him, and he reciprocated. He's not a bad person, and neither am I, but we did some bad things.<br /><br />The phone calls have stopped completely, as well as the online chatting. The emails are fewer and farther between, and these days they're always initiated by me. I think he's moved on to greener pastures, which is good for both of us.<br /><br />I often wish I could have amnesia for that part of my life. I wish I could forget. It was against everything I believe in. It hurt my husband, it hurt my best friend and it hurt me. The other man, I don't think he really cared about me or even notices I'm gone. I was a slight diversion from his daily life, that was all.<br /><br />I'm just starting to get back to being myself, to being a wife to my husband, a friend to my best friend. I've been in a strange, and often scary place for almost two years (my crazy period started in April 2008).<br /><br />Last night my girlfriend kept saying over and over, "it's so wonderful to have you back! It's like you died and have been resurrected!" She must have said this at least a dozen times at dinner. I know she meant to make me feel happy, to feel loved. Instead I felt embarrassment and shame.<br /><br />She said it was just like when her sister was addicted to prescription drugs and disappeared out of her life for about a year. Even after her sister went to rehab and kicked her habit, it was about another year before she was back to being her old self. <br /><br />When my girlfriend kept telling how happy she was that I was back, I kept thinking about where I'd been for so long. My dark secret still haunts me. I still feel bad about it. Last night I ate, and ate, and ate some more. I'm not much of a drinker, and I don't do drugs. I eat. <br /><br />If you've read this far, you're probably thinking I've totally misrepresented myself the past two years. You're right and you're wrong. Even though I did things I regret, I'm still the same person. <br /><br />I'm the girl from Alaska that grew up on a homestead in the middle of nowhere. I was brought up in the Baptist church, I know right from wrong. I believe in God and in his divine forgiveness. I had the best parents and best family anyone could be blessed with. I'm married to a man that still loves me in spite of all my flaws. <br /><br />I'm still the same woman struggling day after day with her weight. Speaking of weight, I feel like one has been lifted off me by sharing this with you, my dear readers, my friends. You know me a lot better now, maybe this explains some of my eating issues. I just hope you don't hate me.

My secret

I may lose a few followers over this post, and some of you may not like me anymore, but here it goes.... I know why I ate like a woman posse...

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Be a STAAR - Help the Interviewer do a Better Job and Stand Out

I’ve been interviewing people for all kinds of positions for the past 25 years and rarely do I see anyone really prepared to answer a “Targeted Selection” question. A “TS” question differs from the standard fare of "what would you do" questioning. TS questions ask you to provide detailed information rather than share your feelings. For example, most untrained interviewers, who are wearing the interview hat for a half-an-hour or so and who aren’t professionally trained interviewers, may ask you something like, “Tell me <em>how</em> you’d handle…[fill in the blank]?” Perhaps...“Tell me how you’d handle a difficult situation.” My answer to them would be, “Tell me what you <em>want</em> to hear and I’ll say it!” This kind of interviewing benefits neither the interviewer or the interviewee. <br /><br />Burn this acronym into your mind: “<strong>STAAR</strong>.” STAAR stands for “<strong>S</strong>ituation OR <strong>T</strong>ask” – “<strong>A</strong>ction” – “<strong>A</strong>chievements AND/OR <strong>R</strong>esults.” A <em>trained</em> interviewer will ask you what are known as “behavioral questions.” They are designed to get you to answer with facts and details. They seek to answer all elements of the STAAR question. They don't elicit your “opinion,” but rather seek out the facts and details of something that DID happen rather than what MIGHT happen.  It gives interviewers a much better understanding on how you WILL handle a situation and it gives YOU a better opportunity to show what you’ve got to offer the organization! It will also make you stand out among your competition who most likely will fall into the, “This is HOW I would handle it” trap. Facts vs. feelings. Which would you prefer to tell your story?<br /><br />Even when you get (about 80% of the time you will) an untrained interviewer who asks you “feeling-based” questions, you’ll be prepared to give real-life examples instead  You'll have facts, figures, dates, names, times, etc. to paint your pictures and fill in the STAAR. At the end of the interview the interviewer will have pages of specific information to share with the hiring group about you and only a few notes on the "feelings" of those who were ill-prepared to answer STAAR questions with details. Burn this into your mind: <strong>Past behavior predicts furture performance</strong>.  If I'm interviewing you, those specific details will tell me how you <em>will</em> perform in the future.  I don't need to know, nor do I care about, how you <em>think</em> you will perform.<br /><br />If you’re asked a question like, “Tell me how you’d handled a tough customer” instead of trying to create an example and think on-the-fly you should have already anticipated this question and, if you’ve practiced, you will be prepared to give a “STAAR” answer. If you’re asked that kind of question you should respond with something like; “That’s a good question. Let me give you an example of a situation that recently happened. One of my customers called me with a complaint about our price [The SITUATION]. I asked him to tell me why he thought our price was too high [The ACTION – ASKING FOR DETAILS - PROBING]. After he explained I shared our value statement and statistics on our high service levels from recent customer surveys. I asked him if he gets the same high-level of service from his other vendors and if he was happy with our service. He said our service, "is the best." He also said it takes a long time to get a call back from our competition. I asked him to compare our service with the competitor’s and he said ours was ‘superior.’ He said he, "loves our service." I then compared our prices to the competition’s and when he saw it side-by-side [ACTIONS – SHOWING] he said the price really wasn’t that much of a difference and he also said its worth the smaller premium to get the great service I, and the company, provide him. When I asked about continuing our relationship he even increased his last order!” [RESULTS]<br /><br />Do you think the interviewer got the information they were looking for? Of course they did. If they got a “feeling” answer it was going to be just like the other 50 “feeling answers” the other 50 job candidates gave. Your STAAR answer will stand out. YOU, the candidate, helped the interviewer find what they were looking for and it not only benefited the interviewer, but you the candidate.<br /><br />The key to being successful in and interview is to understand the specifics of the jobs you’re applying for <em>prior</em> to showing up for the interview. Anticipate what kinds of questions you may get so you can practice targeted selection answers. Try to have a STAAR answer for every question regardless of whether they ask for results or your feelings. If you can not use each of the three components of the STAAR then it’s incomplete and invalid data. <br /><br />Master this and you’ll shine like the STAAR that you are!<br /><br />By Bob Kinnison.  Kinnison has more than 25 years of professional sales, sales training, management, interviewing and recruiting experience and authored the book "Interview Experts."  He is currently working on his new book, "What Are You Selling?" which provides help on better communication for both your professional and personal life.<br /><br /><a class="addthis_button" href="http://addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=rockfordlink"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink" type="text/javascript"></script>

Be a STAAR - Help the Interviewer do a Better Job and Stand Out

I’ve been interviewing people for all kinds of positions for the past 25 years and rarely do I see anyone really prepared to answer a “Targe...

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This little piggie went to town

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9k43TJgbya69JANAlQwNQbmYBTgUb-RDqP0BlLxpq37-yl73ANUd-yeO-3eFtkLBhLMYXBVFCf6lFfOOyQrJgVp4aiaPX2uKC8ijIo2zUJFKqEeIbhZC7ZbjgByQcRgouJsPwwzEVi_VO/s1600-h/claimjumperhome_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9k43TJgbya69JANAlQwNQbmYBTgUb-RDqP0BlLxpq37-yl73ANUd-yeO-3eFtkLBhLMYXBVFCf6lFfOOyQrJgVp4aiaPX2uKC8ijIo2zUJFKqEeIbhZC7ZbjgByQcRgouJsPwwzEVi_VO/s320/claimjumperhome_logo.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div>My best friend and I went out tonight to celebrate her birthday with dinner and a movie. I seriously don't know what happened to me, but it was like I checked my brain at the door.<br /><br />I had the evening planned, exactly what I would eat, where I would eat it, how much and how many Points I would consume. I'd had my normal breakfast and a light lunch. I'd eaten 11 Points so I had plenty left for dinner.<br /><br />We went to <a href="http://www.claimjumper.com/" target="blank">Claim Jumper</a>, my girlfriend's favorite restaurant (and not somewhere I would chose - but it was her birthday - her choice). This is one of those places that serves portions fit for a lumberjack. It's totally ridiculous but that's their trademark, huge, unhealthy, fat laden, high calorie, delicious food. <br /><br />I looked up the nutritional information and the rotisserie chicken looked like my best choice for 14 Points. I knew it would be half of a chicken, and I would eat half of the half for 7 Points. Then there's the sides, sweet potato without the brown sugar or butter. Roasted vegetables in a ton of oil (no choice here because they're already prepared). I ordered the apple-cinnamon muffin with the intention of taking it home to my husband.<br /><br />All I can say is I think I went temporarily insane. I ate the entire half chicken, all of the sweet potato which was huge (518 calories!), and I ate the entire muffin. It was gigantic, like three muffins in one and it tasted like coffee cake. The meal came with vegetables roasted in oil, lots of oil. I ate all of them.<br /><br />After we finished dinner, the waitress brought us TWO giant red velvet cupcakes with at least an inch of frosting, and a lit candle on each one. She said she saw us opening presents so she thought it must be our birthdays. <br /><br />If you think I turned down a red velvet cupcake you're crazy. I ate it, every last bite. It was on a giant plate covered with little hearts made out of chocolate syrup which I mopped up with the cupcake. Who am I???<br /><br />It gets even worse. We went to the movie, Leap Year (great movie, loved it!). I bought candy! I never buy candy. It was like I was possessed by a demon. I bought a box of Raisenettes and a box of Milk Duds. My girlfriend couldn't believe I was still hungry, but I didn't feel satisfied. It was so weird. I ate both boxes of candy by myself. <br /><br />I'm home now and literally feel ill, like I'm going to throw up. It's like there's food stuck in my esophagus. I'm sweating and nauseous and kicking my own butt for being so incredibly stupid. What the hell is wrong with me?<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />OH MY GOD! I just added up the calories and fat grams for that meal at Claim Jumper (it should be called Heart Attack Central!) and the candy at the movies.<br /><br />3,935 calories and 78 grams of fat!!!!!!!

This little piggie went to town

My best friend and I went out tonight to celebrate her birthday with dinner and a movie. I seriously don't know what happened to me, but...

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Working Wednesday

<p>Well friends, the storm calmed down and I finally went to work today! And it sure it a <strong>GOOD</strong> thing. I had some <strong>MAJOR</strong> reports I had to get through.</p> <p>Backing up a bit, I slept in a bit and had to make a stop to pick up a gift card for my one of my staff’s birthday today, so I only got in 25 minutes on the treadmill this morning. But the way I look at it is that 25 minutes is <em>WAY</em> better than 0 minutes! I <strong>ran</strong> for <strong>12 minutes</strong> and my legs just weren’t wanting to go much more so I finished it off with a<strong> 13 minute walk @</strong> an <strong>incline</strong>.  </p> <p>After my short workout I made the usual oatmeal. But today the banana was <strong>much bigger</strong> than the little ones I’ve used in the past so I’m counting <strong>5 points</strong> for my <strong>banana</strong>, <strong>chocolate PB2</strong>, and <strong>oatmeal</strong> combo. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrKIZ3M0Vw-vq0CwJ8ijTF2lRvpyquiaePzwsCv07o_hgKn99YhFxsYISCPky81BgwdaAkHNqwNGtPz1T3oeOJCUFlI5l0K0QpwQw08TEF4otFnOuCWLYuE8Y061rI6esyOT2ZWE4KiA6/s1600-h/DSC05862%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05862" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSB5Np4EDf4xrZqTzpH2fyl5pD5tga_SBYGuXWcYL8TPoPCTlSvtJCLiNTqCqxwPkKl6ING8GI31QyzJ5ZVUKDaz2RRYyhZI1vOhLRWFi8d3gxGOfZ3UD8xF4VAYTNrxKRw94VUsbH69Q5/?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="DSC05862" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Mid morning I snacked on a <strong>sliced golden delicious apple</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. Can you see the <strong>2 GIANT reports</strong> I worked on <strong>ALL</strong> day today?!?!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeED0LhNpBJeMkpUG2GXUvKZXeaMRBguh3kgGTA-IUZrvZaSpJt5yaAJ92LSPAc7DoNnBUsIzm_TbVPKVccQoqhufqxoEcjmGr9oynr8NVdXLv0DtYVfRrodTH0O0GdEGo3amMf_10gs1b/s1600-h/DSC05863%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05863" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkgFoZXRRzZJEijh5AXCDcygXATUcCCyIbpZVQgIKX1wJC2JNqY-vWsQOKqJghLZJ1ms9hVdt857lN2fEvPTn5t527uk4DvW-EUvWF7_Pde89kYC8ncdcT7RZgpujrULCmcsyOBF0dSFU/?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="DSC05863" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My 2nd morning snack was a <strong>cucumber</strong> with a side of <strong>ranch</strong> for dipping for <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6OovWaGKFGnjNBuyFjv-wM-nWiEqOVXN9_kITi51vfAa8w4bNSSgydVZ35qSotqykNE3a9Nznz0O00pLyCzr3x7xmn1OIMgfMFn8ZLKzkGVzKljiZiyZex_mKs20KGVD6N0z93s0AIwY/s1600-h/DSC05864%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05864" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupoP8XgdDEL0lBUTcgK5WaSYHIfMkQ6uMI_i6iEvGQP424WXd99h0lBu31wTdadQ-E_GxyoM6nFPCqXc6VGgLbtx32R8gSaxvOUybivQLK5-4mxM1ck-_fbM4OA09NvsiyA0BSMWCIhLB/?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="DSC05864" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Kyle got off work early today so he was able to let our puppy out so I didn’t have to go home on my lunch break, which was nice since I had <strong>LOTS</strong> to do today! So I had a working lunch, a<strong> SmartOnes</strong> for <strong>5 points</strong>. Quick & easy! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReb1UdNKytTRAuDF77rR-6I2PJmyGgHOUoU6R-xyTRKGQkgRNT8jAlq6LaSQ83umkGjsT9CLyKX4uyroyRt6jho8sICus0zXwsYxklrU6WGWD3UK7Xk0u3duOixui1B-BNU_OjCcAzwUS/s1600-h/DSC05865%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05865" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjko431Of4vwZcPEsaQTJpKduyI_kGwZrAjqOGY8rZ7OP-BUZRNvyxYVMNkNYKOd-kqA3q8hyphenhypheniaMJr3wTEI2prT5Wks8T23-8wYuWOk4mdMW8f6Q34eH4XH001pPgaqu4QxUI8yCb-bMns/?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="DSC05865" width="404" /></a></p> <p>One of my staff members left this on my desk for me! I looked it up before I ate it and it was only <strong>38 calories</strong>, so I slowly enjoyed this <strong>1 point chocolate snack</strong>! :) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEUIzfpnrIQbFsspwyqbP8cZpYE1IX5g1ZEAkWPlXoiBNNTxhYjSRboSGBriNGjKdSO6oPi6NRA1SIAXXOjsi1tOCvlfIElhwXoODZ_WxRv612OpJaBTJkA3SCTmb6CBwK7sIZm67mcBf/s1600-h/DSC05866%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05866" border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAb8dsEQhBh_BH8zquC6hcddeDtsgIKNe5YGjj6xJyNRkcFcwRzHmEQeTYO-1eywVeeNhEvneey_YwEtGWcG4ISU9CYc9zJCKEADkixrv-UG0kL3Cz44jHp-dJOgg7829iyg0bF1U7wXyT/?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="DSC05866" width="430" /></a></p> <p>Kyle called me and said he was going to hit the gym. So when I got off work I headed over and joined him. I got in another <strong>22 minutes</strong> on the <strong>cross ramp</strong>. So overall I am <u>pretty happy</u> with my 2 short workouts today!</p> <p>For supper tonight I made <strong>ugly fries</strong>! I haven’t had these for a LONG time. My sister made them for me when I first did weight watchers back in 2005. I modified the recipe a tad because I couldn’t find vegetarian chili. Mine consisted of <strong>16 crinkle cut fries</strong>, <strong>2 ff hot dogs</strong>, <strong>1/2 c Hormel turkey chili</strong>, <strong>1/4 c ff shredded cheddar</strong>, and just a <strong>tad bit</strong> of <strong>sour cream</strong>. All for<strong> 7 points.</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xa0om-4PGgAcM5pLTs4R1UUCEK_OCddbwlIHOrIlito-5FiPUoJiCxd1wHyzOdFAWrxQX8DsYZAtrOzvaTi42b7Js7K6s54xz2N17OYULSgrmOeuNDpOhn3TFgNDqfmeBAiwRSTz9KWH/s1600-h/DSC05867%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05867" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWscAKgVi8TnTDtG4rJWQLHrn9-yTmRktXdHeZVKw5dYLgqiKZxwgiL-Z6Agw008mys4wjgP4lgr7cP6jCX4iqBsq6PPCHwLcdNwLGO1zFFwDCCGWVCD2eH2IY_-o9_bo_FqDhmjyzDj0j/?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="DSC05867" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I would say this is the ultimate “<u>kid food</u>”…hot dogs & fries!! :) It is <strong>WAY</strong> too much though for one serving…look how much I had<strong> left over</strong>:<img alt="DSC05868" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_F7hv0YFqqvFj660xoCHYWAerjtBafeYDaTKS6V-KmvokogZiNJrGgj0CRdoI0Jkwntfz8cE2AmNhwxiWvZAs-dDT9qJkqXFckGhxBDgYQ4h1ls5pPfPXwCFMObjwzEfFW5AIGF-kMOCx/?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="DSC05868" width="353" /></p> <p>Here is the recipe from my ww cookbook: <br /><strong>UGLY FRIES <br /></strong>16 large crinkle cut french fries <br />1 cup Hormel vegetarian Chili – low fat <br />1/4 c ff shredded cheddar cheese <br />2 TBS ff sour cream <br />2 ff hot dogs <br />2 TBS onions <br />1 tomato <br />Bake the fries. Cook hotdogs. Warm chili. Chop onion & tomato. Place fries on plate followed by hotdogs, chili, cheese, onion, tomato, & sour cream. </p> <p>A little later on I had a “<u>hankering</u>” for something sweet, after all I my lunch & supper was quite sodium packed! I peeled an <strong>orange</strong> and it did just the trick for just <strong>1 point</strong>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrdqHc9V88QZ5oPFPeTPjuv8bUn2nibjBUmRiaCGtJ4uIC7G3FOeXUIvPMraC6TCcq-YUaXYwaCAZIqS1Vy7-AN35o2jjg1e1DZyTfFZ9qAlus8QDXPDXDmwU78uVuuuIPil_tAFxHgy9/s1600-h/DSC05869%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05869" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cYaxLddbweYgbASsUVDer2o2oc4pEOnG2nVgaDW83myw0aCVqLBJtyP_SEGjtSnFzXjxDwhhPxGNexFuPK2MblkWPyHcrWjC5T1zW366x5AlJrHC3-J9Ge_EyuOIUF4FmdZBN5UbzqIz/?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="DSC05869" width="404" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>It’s barely 9pm and I’m already ready to<strong> hit the hay</strong>!! Hope everyone had a <strong>wonderful Wednesday</strong>, tomorrow’s ‘<strong>Friday Eve’</strong>!! :) </p> <p><strong>WEDNESDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 21/24 <br />WATER =  116 oz <br />EXERCISE = 25 min treadmill (12 min run/13 min walk @ incline) & 22 min cross ramp</p> <p><strong><u><em>EDIT</em></u></strong>: <em>I can’t believe I forgot this</em>. But today is the end of my first 2 weeks and the scale went <strong>down 1lb</strong>!! I was pretty happy with this because it was TOM 5 of the past 7 days! So total I’m down 6lbs in 2 weeks, not too shabby! (PS Thanks for the reminder Kelly!!) 9.5lbs to win the <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/12/sister-challenge-is-on.html">sister challenge</a> and 18.5 to goal! </p>

Working Wednesday

Well friends, the storm calmed down and I finally went to work today! And it sure it a GOOD thing. I had some MAJOR reports I had to get t...

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Programme 2010 des formations financées par la région Centre consultable sur internet

<BR><br />L'ensemble des formations financées par le Conseil Régional est consultable sur le site <a href="http://www.etoile.regioncentre.fr/" target="_blank">Etoile</a>.<br /><br />Il s'agit d'actions de qualification, d’insertion professionnelle et de savoirs de base et ce programme concerne à la fois les demandeurs d’emploi et les salariés.<br /><br />L'article <a href="http://www.etoile.regioncentre.fr/GIP/cache/offonce/accueiletoile/seformer/formation/actualites_formation/Suivre-une-formation-financee-par-la-Region_1;jsessionid=9E822F9E6039CF291C50014AE015526A" target="_blank">Suivre une formation financée par la Région</a> publié sur le site Etoile fournit quelques clés pour pouvoir bénéficier d'une de ces formations.<br /><br />L'espace <a href="http://www.etoile.regioncentre.fr/GIP/site/etoile/rechercheformation" target="_blank">Rechercher une formation</a> permet d'accèder à l'ensemble de l'offre de formation :<ul><li><a href="http://www.etoile.regioncentre.fr/GIP/cache/off/accueiletoile/seformer/formation/rechercheformation" target="_blank">Recherche simple</a> qui permet de combiner 2 critères de recherche : mot clé et lieu<br /><br /><li><a href="http://www.etoile.regioncentre.fr/GIP/accueiletoile/seformer/formation/rechercheformation/cache/off?url=http%3A//www.etoile.regioncentre.fr/metier-formation/rechFormation/recherche_formation.asp¶m=modeAcces%3DGRP&displayscreen=full" target="_blank">Recherche avancée</a> qui permet de combiner plus de critères de recherche.</ul>

Programme 2010 des formations financées par la région Centre consultable sur internet

L'ensemble des formations financées par le Conseil Régional est consultable sur le site Etoile . Il s'agit d'actions de qualific...

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