tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80190586398747416032024-03-13T15:08:13.314-05:00My Journey Being BandedOne Woman's Journey Living With The Lap BandKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.comBlogger211125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-20354378108848525432012-12-06T12:03:00.004-06:002012-12-06T12:03:36.264-06:00I'm Baaaaaccccckkkkkkk!!!!!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Forgive me, for I have sinned. It has been two months since I last blogged! I was recently reminded by my beautiful daughter Nichole, that I started my blog for me and no one else. That I should not let the actions of others keep me from journaling here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">So I have returned! I will say that I have missed reading and keeping up with each of you. Some are friends with me on Facebook so I get to see what is happening with you, but for those that I am not, it was nice to read your life happenings here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">You know they say "Heaven is just a SIN away"! I believe that LOL. I have been so busy since we last saw each other. I got back from Chicago, and school descended upon me hard. I had a ton of homework to wade through and then it was finals and I got "A's" in both of my classes I was excited about that. I had a birthday since we last spoke. Yes I am now 51 years young!! I truly feel blessed to be able to say that. I feel better this year than I have in forever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"> Then it was time to prepare for Thanksgiving. We had a great Thanksgiving feast, Nichole and I cooked and the boys were with their dad. It was a quiet few days but it was still wonderful to be with my family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Adam and Cole are doing great in school. Cole is starting to talk more and more. We are so proud of him. He also peed on the potty this week for the very first time. It was a huge deal. He is 6 and trust me it is so time for him to be potty trained. Being non verbal for so long was hard to figure out if he knew what he was suppose to do. I believe he knows and just was holding out, as it was something he could control.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UhcVJ-xkGn0/UMDdob_xpwI/AAAAAAAACM0/oRmTOwWmuwE/s1600/gramms+with+boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UhcVJ-xkGn0/UMDdob_xpwI/AAAAAAAACM0/oRmTOwWmuwE/s1600/gramms+with+boys.jpg" height="320" nea="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gramms with Adam and Cole Halloween!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">As far as my weight, I am standing still. I have not moved in two months. So I obviously need to step up the workouts and really pay closer attention to my calories. I am thrilled I have not gained though. That is the best news for me. I just want to get the last 50 pounds gone damnit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">It is good to be back and I look forward to posting more!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">FYI: Nichole has lost 70+ pounds I am so proud of her!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nichole with boys on Halloween</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-76983071317470117232012-10-02T07:02:00.002-05:002012-10-02T07:02:34.285-05:00BOOBS 3.0 is history....but the memories last forever!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am back at work today after my long hiatus with my BOOBS in Chicago! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I will give you a recap of my weekend in bullet style.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Last Wednesday I left work at noon to get things done since I had not even begun to pack, as it turned out, I still had not packed at 10:00pm. School came first here, I had two quizes to take before I left. Alan helped me pack, he kept telling me you are taking too much stuff. Sigh...sadly he would be right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thursday morning 4:00am it is time to climb out of bed and shower and drive the 45 minutes to Bloomington and the train. Nichole and I were so excited to spend this time together, especially right before her birthday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The train was on time, and we got to experience the brand new train station in Bloomington, it was nice. We boarded and enjoyed the 2.5 hour ride to the Windy City. The weather was perfect.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We checked into the hotel and left to go meet one of Nichole's old high school friends who lives near the city for lunch. That was great. We made plans with her to meet back up with us that night for our night with the BOOBS girls at the Blue Frog!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We shopped and met for the informal meet and greet at 4pm! It was great seeing old faces and meeting new ones. We had a great time that night with Beth and I loved getting to know her better. We left for the Blue Frog where singing and drinking took over. I got a tad we bit drunk, but it was all good, I was able to walk back to the hotel just fine. LOL My roomie Jen arrived at the Blue Frog with her best friend Shannon who is newly engaged and it was fantastic getting to meet her. She is the genuine deal ladies, love her and am glad she is part of my life now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Friday more shopping, and time spent getting ready for our room crawl! We hosted, and our drink was pretty stiff. Clara loved it so much she called me on the phone, and asked if there was still some left!!!!! Love you dear, so good to meet you finally. I love your blog. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Saturday was more shopping and meeting up with Neal and going to Navy Pier. That was a fun time. Nichole and really did not eat that much in Chicago. We did venture out and find Sprinkles and we did partake, but we also shared them. LOL If you make it Chicago, you have to try Sprinkles cupcakes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Saturday night we got all dressed up and went to eat. Sadly, Nichole got sick, just as she sat down with her plate from the salad bar, and she had to excuse herself and head back to the room. Within 25 minutes I too was not feeling well, and I headed back to the room. Not sure if it was food, or alcohol or a combination of both. I know for certain that I drank more those three days than I have in three years. LOL</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It was really nice to get to see everyone! You are all very special and unique individuals. I know without your support this past year, I may very well not have made it as far as I have.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Everyone who knows me, thinks it is awesome that I have you in my life and that we all get together each year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">With that, I will say thank you to all of the planners for putting this weekend together. The hotel is awesome and I know you put a lot of work into this weekend. Trust me it does not go unnoticed and certainly not unappreciated.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sunday it was time to head home, and this is when I realized that I had taken way too much, when I had to fit in what I had purchased. LOL So a trip to Marshalls and another suitecase later and all was saved. Hint for next trip pack lighter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well back to the real world sadly, must get back to work, and plan my workouts for the week. I have been roped into running a 5k in Naperville on the 27th. Body pump and Zumba here I come!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-47971974488520114422012-09-24T06:40:00.001-05:002012-09-24T06:40:23.412-05:00CHICAGO, CHICAGO!!!!!!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I know it has been awhile since my last blog post, I confess totally unacceptable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Life has me rushing from here to yonder. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Only three more SLEEPS and BOOBS 3.o will be here! WOW, how time as flown this year.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3nH4KT4-cXU/UGBDdXW35GI/AAAAAAAACJg/AV51K_m1hOs/s1600/Chicago-Skyline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3nH4KT4-cXU/UGBDdXW35GI/AAAAAAAACJg/AV51K_m1hOs/s320/Chicago-Skyline.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have to tell you Nichole and I are so looking forward to this trip! Just being in the city is magical! Having time spent with you ladies will make it even better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I wanted to update everyone on the weather. Since some of you are coming from the warmer parts of our country including my roomie!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For those of you coming in on Thursday:</span><br />
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thu<span class="wx-label" style="color: #9a9a9a; display: block; font-size: 12px;">Sep 27</span></h3>
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66<sup style="font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top;">°</sup><span class="wx-label" style="color: #9a9a9a; display: block; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1; overflow: hidden; width: 54px;"></span></div>
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49<sup style="font-size: 14px; vertical-align: top;">°</sup><span class="wx-label" style="color: #9a9a9a; display: block; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1; overflow: hidden; width: 54px;"></span></div>
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Partly Cloudy</div>
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<dd style="line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">20%</dd></dl>
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<dd style="line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">NE at 7 mph</dd></dl>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and for those traveling on Friday:</span><br />
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Fri<span class="wx-label" style="color: #9a9a9a; display: block; font-size: 12px;">Sep 28</span></h3>
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<img alt="Partly Cloudy" class="wx-weather-icon" height="70" src="http://s.imwx.com/v.20120328.084156/img/wxicon/100/30.png" style="border: 0px; float: left;" width="70" /><div class="wx-temp" style="float: left; font-size: 36px; margin-left: 6px; margin-top: 21px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; width: 72px;">
68<sup style="font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top;">°</sup><span class="wx-label" style="color: #9a9a9a; display: block; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1; overflow: hidden; width: 54px;"></span></div>
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49<sup style="font-size: 14px; vertical-align: top;">°</sup><span class="wx-label" style="color: #9a9a9a; display: block; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1; overflow: hidden; width: 54px;"></span></div>
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Partly Cloudy</div>
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<dt style="color: #999999; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: top;">CHANCE OF RAIN:</dt>
<dd style="line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">20%</dd></dl>
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<dt style="color: #999999; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: top;">WIND:</dt>
<dd style="line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">NE at 10 mph</dd></dl>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The weekend will be similar in temps and chance of rain!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So please plan for cool weather. In Chicago the wind can get the best of you coming off of the Lake. We are not that far from it, and all the walking you will be doing, it could get quite chilly for some.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">No matter what you decided to do or see in Chicago there are some terrific things and you cannot go wrong with any of them.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJOnKf2ZvgA/UGBGSLzkZEI/AAAAAAAACJ4/1hOssBpVHo8/s1600/zumba-for-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJOnKf2ZvgA/UGBGSLzkZEI/AAAAAAAACJ4/1hOssBpVHo8/s1600/zumba-for-web.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Nichole and I will be venturing out to Indigo Dance studio for ZUMBA on Saturday morning at 9am. The cost is $18 for the drop in class. If you want to come please join us in the lobby at 8am.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am so looking forward to seeing everyone and having a great time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am certain that the planners have done a smashing job once again this year! I thank them one and all from the bottom of my heart for taking time to put this all together for us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">See you soon!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-69649887408384777502012-09-05T07:01:00.003-05:002012-09-05T07:01:51.033-05:00Can you Cheat on your "DIET"? The Age Old ?<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for welcoming me back, I know it has been far too long. LOL</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wHlD2KOp2dM/UEc9nNdyXUI/AAAAAAAACHk/4uomkrKOzO8/s1600/cheating_rect-460x307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wHlD2KOp2dM/UEc9nNdyXUI/AAAAAAAACHk/4uomkrKOzO8/s320/cheating_rect-460x307.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Cheating" is the act of being dishonest or deceiving others. This word conjures up all sorts of images, cheating on a math quiz, fudging your taxes, counting cards. Needless to say, it does not breed positive thoughts. So I asked myself does, the same negative connotation with this word apply when I use it in regards to my eating.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Can cheating on your healthful choices when it comes to food be beneficial in the long run or even better-----fun? Or is it simply setting the stage for failure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I think most ask this question out of desperation. They become exhausted from counting calories day in and day out. I hear people often say "I want a cheat day once a week, where I can eating anything that I want without worrying about counting calories!" But will this cheat day hurt my efforts in losing weight? In other examples some eat so "clean" that it is difficult to maintain it day in and day out. They feel they need this cheat day to maintain or keep them accountable to their strict "diet" days.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-61JErVTldZk/UEc97MBCruI/AAAAAAAACHs/-Xk_iHBkTX0/s1600/Calorie-Counting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-61JErVTldZk/UEc97MBCruI/AAAAAAAACHs/-Xk_iHBkTX0/s320/Calorie-Counting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I think everyone of us would agree, that even though it has been documented to help us lose weight, that counting calories is a big pain in the butt. You have to read labels, measure portions, and keep track of so many details that food selection is constantly on your mind. Focusing so much on calories makes it easy to get into the trap of "good food" versus "bad food". You eat the good stuff so much that you fall off the wagon and over indulge on the bad stuff because you felt deprived. Our vocabularies and thoughts are consumed with the extremes: good foods vs bad foods, cheating vs being good, restricting vs over indulging. It is pretty easy to see why you would want to cheat with a system like this. But is cheating really the answer?</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yEsnFmclbzg/UEc-M9nqroI/AAAAAAAACH0/1yt1jRHSSUU/s1600/Calorie-Count2-505x336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yEsnFmclbzg/UEc-M9nqroI/AAAAAAAACH0/1yt1jRHSSUU/s320/Calorie-Count2-505x336.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Scientifically speaking, cheating has not been studied enough to glean any clear cut answers on whether or not it works or not when trying to lose weight. However, the science of calories in vs calories out, and the psychological implications of counting calories and cutting them has been studied extensively. So let's explore what we do know and apply it to the idea of "Cheat Days."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Calories in vs. calories out is called the "golden rule of effective weight loss." To lose weight we must burn more calories than we consume. This seems so simple to me, but we all know it is not. Let's assume that you are cutting a total of 3,500 calories over the course of a week to lose one pound. Since one pound is equivalent to 3500 calories approximately. In this example your daily calorie intake would be 1,200 - 1,500 calories. Say you choose to eat right in the middle of your recommended range: 1,350 calories per day. How would an innocent cheat day effect your efforts?</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Scenario #1 - On your cheat day, you indulge in a few extra sweets or treats and take in 2,500 calories total. This brings your daily average to 1,514, which is still within your weight loss range. Therefore you should still lose weight for the week.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Scenario #2 - On your cheat day you eat anything and everything that you have been craving - a fast food meal, potato chips, a milk shake and some buttery popcorn. You take in 4,000 calories. This brings your daily average to 1,729, which is over your weight loss calorie range. Therefore you will probably maintain your current weight for the week.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This simple example exhibits how a cheat day can derail your weight loss effort. If you eat with reckless abandon with no real plan, or calorie counting, as in scenario #2, you will stall your weight loss. But scenario #1 shows how an occasional higher calorie day can can still fit into a weight loss plan when it is properly planned and somewhat controlled. Planning for that little indulgence on occasion is easier than you might think. It uses the weight loss technique of calorie banking. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This works similarly as you checking account or debit card. If you plan to go to dinner and a movie on Sat, then you must conserve your funds during the week, so you will have enough in the bank to cover your outing on the weekend. Same goes for your calories. By eating at the lower end of your calorie range through the week you have a few more calories to spend on your night out on the town. This still requires planning on your part. This works because a single day of higher or lower calories will not break your weight loss efforts. It is the overall trend of weekly average of calories that effects changes in your body.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have found something better than cheating: I have begun to embrace all foods, and not look at any as off limits. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If you feel the desire to "cheat on your diet" it may not be your fault. The "diet" or your view of how you "should" or need to eat to lose weight or be healthier is the real culprit. If you are being so restrictive, plain, boring, tedious, or perfect that you cannot stick with it forever, then you should try one of these ideas to help bring your eating habits back to normal:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Embrace all foods - remember not one food or food group causes weight gain. Weight is based on total calorie intake, not the restriction of certain foods, ingredients or food groups. All foods can fit into a healthy eating plan. We need to change our food language. Instead of thinking of good or bad food try this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This food has a lot of calories, do I really want it right now? If the answer is yes, then follow it with "I will have it in moderation!!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Instead of saying "I cheated" try saying "I ate more than I intended to, but that happens to everyone once in a while and I refuse to beat myself up over it!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Instead of saying "I was bad" try saying "I ate more calories than I intended, but I am in control now!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Slowly incorporate those bad foods into your eating plan. Start with small portions, never eat anything out of the bag. Use a bowl or cup. Make your snack last 15 minutes, and your meals at least 30. Make the food special by placing it on a plate and using utensils. Limit distractions, do not watch TV or use your computer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Enjoy your "off limits" foods in the company of others. This can often help you keep from over indulging as you might do if alone. When you are out with companions order what you want not what you "should" have. Savor every bite and eat slowly. Stop eating when you feel the first signs of being full. Do not listen to your mom and "Clean your plate!"</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jJBkIrZ2Ku0/UEc_Dnj8gXI/AAAAAAAACIE/_d7KAPjJmEI/s1600/Stop-Smoking-For-Good.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jJBkIrZ2Ku0/UEc_Dnj8gXI/AAAAAAAACIE/_d7KAPjJmEI/s320/Stop-Smoking-For-Good.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have a dear friend who quit smoking after 30 years, and I ran into him recently. I said Steve I hear you quit smoking, and he sternly looked at me and replied. "I did not quite smoking, as I am not a quitter. I simply chose not to smoke!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What a powerful statement, that you can apply to your weight loss journey. You are not a "quitter" or a "cheater"! If you are feeling the desire to cheat, I strongly recommend that you examine your relationship with food, and whether you are actually taking steps to leave dieting behind forever, in favor of adopting a healthful eating plan that you can live with for life. To ditch the "diet mentality" can greatly reduce your stress, anxiety and obsession you have with food. This can help you avoid out of control binges that derail your weight loss efforts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">BOOBS 3.0 in 22 days I am so excited!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-27123888126757673782012-08-26T12:09:00.002-05:002012-08-26T12:09:59.900-05:00School has resumed....life gets tougher!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ok, no excuses I have just let life's curve balls get in the way of blogging. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have been quite busy this month, work is always a challenge and my 10 hour days still do not afford me enough time to get things done. I am sadly a perfectionist, and I hate having work left at the end of the day. Stress, yes and caused by me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I began school this past week. I am hopeful to be done with my associates by the end of May and at the latest the end of summer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I love learning, but it is so hard with all the other responsibilites in my life right now. I am still working out, and going to Zumba, doing body pump (which I love) and running. I will tell you, that I have not seen the scale move much in the past month, I am not letting it side track my goal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am just even more resolved than ever to keep focused. I have not been as good this past week getting in my water. Why is it, that water is always the first thing to get forgotten when busy. I do really well when tied to my desk at work, but once freed oh wow, do I fail.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FVjzfwRplWQ/UDpW5uIy0GI/AAAAAAAACF4/oK9q6i51lU4/s1600/dr-oz_vitaspelt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FVjzfwRplWQ/UDpW5uIy0GI/AAAAAAAACF4/oK9q6i51lU4/s320/dr-oz_vitaspelt1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mental note, drink more water. I wanted to share with you Dr OZ's prescription to restart your metabolism. I have been doing it for three days, and I pee like a banchee! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">80z of tomato juice (NOT V8)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1.5 tsp of horseradish</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">dash of hot sauce</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I drink this each morning after getting up, and it really is helping, I can tell.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I also drink water with real lemon juice in it. Did you all know that lemon helps our bodies rid themselves of excess salt? Yeap, the lemon juice gives the salt a vehicle to jump on and exit the body. Try it and you will see the effects and how it works for yourself.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SXBO0WGm7dM/UDpYVHH6scI/AAAAAAAACGQ/2fY6onw7IYs/s1600/BBS-2012-BlogHeader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SXBO0WGm7dM/UDpYVHH6scI/AAAAAAAACGQ/2fY6onw7IYs/s320/BBS-2012-BlogHeader.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am excited that I was the BOOB of the day on Friday! That was so cool and everyone made me cry. <span style="font-weight: normal;">To read what others think of me here is heart warming. I never imagine that I would have that kind of effect when I began blogging, I am certainly glad I have.</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I am so excited as is Nichole about BOOBS 3.0. It is one month away and I cannot wait. I know it will go by fast, but the time spent with all of you will be priceless!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I love you all and look forward to meeting the newbies!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dxv_fdrD1uU/UDpX4OTuLXI/AAAAAAAACGI/J3nmRp80-Ys/s1600/Kristin+7-17-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dxv_fdrD1uU/UDpX4OTuLXI/AAAAAAAACGI/J3nmRp80-Ys/s320/Kristin+7-17-12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-86359013450457935792012-08-13T06:57:00.001-05:002012-08-13T07:01:22.836-05:00What I used to only imagine, I am now living<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ok, I know I have not been the best blogger of late, but working out 6 days a week and getting ready to go back to school, has really zapped me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I also, feel like my journey is entering a new phase. The whole theme of my journey seems to be centered around YOU CAN and taking baby steps on a path to self discovery. A path where I am learning that the only limits that I have are the ones I allow myself to be fettered with. I look back and reflect on my past and I can plainly see my self confidence and self image die a slow and painful death. When you become morbidly obese, the walls of your world close in around you slowly until your comfort zone becomes a straight jacket.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I never viewed any challenge as an opportunity for growth, it was always viewed as another opening for all the world to see my ineptness and to suffer embarrassment. That is the one thing that makes morbid obesity such a killer. We all know what it does to our health, but obesity is a destroyer of the soul. This is so much more than merely shedding pounds, it is about reclaiming my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This is where I feel that running and Zumba and Body Pump have brought so much healing to my life. It is far more than simply a redundant process to be endured for the sake of burning a few extra calories in the same sense that one endures the side effects of some medication for the sake of getting well. Once the desired effect is reached the routine ends. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Before, I used to just imagine what it would be like to have self confidence and passion, now I am living the dream every day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yes Kristin, you can.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I know longer need the permission or approval of others to finally live my life. Each time I honor a commitment to myself to exercise, when I do not feel like it, or work through a problem and see it through, something inside grows stronger and stronger. When you begin to climb the smaller mountains the bigger ones do not seem so intimidating. It takes the same skills. After awhile one rock looks just like another, except that there are more of them piled up.......I just have to climb a little longer that is all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One thing that I have learned on this journey is that consistent effort in never unrewarded. My dreams are not so far fetched anymore. No bravado, just a deep settled confidence that tells to me to keep climbing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What a sense of peace this has brought to my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">NEVER EVER GIVE UP!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The skirt in this picture I have not had on in 10 years! It is a wrap around skirt with two buttons. I still think my hips look huge, but my legs are melting away.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATY-ptk2T7A/UCjq2VRbK8I/AAAAAAAACDY/Mf8yjeZDCTU/s1600/Kristin+8-12-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATY-ptk2T7A/UCjq2VRbK8I/AAAAAAAACDY/Mf8yjeZDCTU/s320/Kristin+8-12-12.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristin 8-12-12</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I still find that I am not comfortable with pictures of myself, I hope that this will go away at some point in time. Seeing my body change however, is the best NSV in the world. I am stronger, and healthier than I have ever been in my adult life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So again I say, "NEVER EVER GIVE UP!"</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-10423252939005175432012-08-06T13:51:00.002-05:002012-08-06T13:51:53.948-05:00The Perfect Pico de Gallo.<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ok I know, I have not been blogging and that is just not acceptable. I have been reading though, and I am not sure if my comment problem with blogger has been fixed or not. Time will tell I suppose. I have been very busy however, I have so much to get done before school begins for the fall. My classes start on August 21st. I cannot believe that is two weeks away. My summer went so fast. The boys are getting ready to head back as well. Cole will be in Kindergarten and it is going to be hell for a few weeks I believe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am so excited for BOOBS 3.0! Nichole and I both are. We look forward to seeing some old faces and meeting some new ones.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It will be a blast.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CmhRhDMdfJg/UCAR2rJRpWI/AAAAAAAACB4/QAAbEP6eytE/s1600/pico+de+gallo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CmhRhDMdfJg/UCAR2rJRpWI/AAAAAAAACB4/QAAbEP6eytE/s320/pico+de+gallo.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ok as promised. If you are like me Mexican food is my ultimate favorite quisine. A great mexican meal is not complete without Pico de gallo. However, I have had some really bad, salty stuff, and I have a great recipe for the perfect batch. I thought I would share it with you all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I know some of you may be tempted to buy some that almost fresh looking stuff in the container at the grocery store.....but stop......seriously just try making this at home. A few fresh ingredients and a little chopping and OLE! You will have some of the best tasting Mexican Pico de gallo north of the border.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This is one of those loose recipes where the quantities are merely a suggestion than hard and fast rules. Here are in my opinion the key ingredients for making a KILLER pico de gallo.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wz8yV-b2xys/UCAR8VKE2_I/AAAAAAAACCA/zIdBMOJ5J0E/s1600/picoo+de+gallo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wz8yV-b2xys/UCAR8VKE2_I/AAAAAAAACCA/zIdBMOJ5J0E/s320/picoo+de+gallo+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1. Start with fresh vine ripe tomatoes, the fresher the better. Please do not use ones that you have stored in the refrigerator or bought last week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2. Use fresh lime juice. A lot of recipes skip this and it is just plain wrong.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3. Use a fresh chilli, like a jalapeno ( my favorite) or if you prefer more heat, perhaps a serrano or habanero.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">4. Don't be shy when adding your salt and pepper.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1K19ah8-OU/UCARsRhW3QI/AAAAAAAACBw/6pLtjyCIo6o/s1600/limes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1K19ah8-OU/UCARsRhW3QI/AAAAAAAACBw/6pLtjyCIo6o/s320/limes.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Perfect Pico de Gallo</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ingredients:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2 large tomatoes chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1/2 large white onion, chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2 large cloves of garlic, minced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 jalapeno seeded, and very finely chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 small bunch of cilantro, chopped finely</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1/4 tsp of cumin</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1-2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">salt and pepper to taste</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Instructions:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mix all ingredients together. Refrigerate at least one hour for all flavors to mingle. Check seasoning and add more lime juice, salt or pepper if needed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now wasn't that easy?</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-62516589135152005852012-07-29T08:10:00.002-05:002012-07-29T08:10:34.116-05:00Your Comments Not Coming To My Email<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Hey everyone, thank you to all who have posted on my Anniversary post!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Your comments did not get to my email and so I cannot comment. I do not know what is going on with blogger right now, I just wanted you to know I appreciate you all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I will try to figure out, why this just suddenly happened.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-79177780075186614592012-07-28T11:41:00.001-05:002012-07-28T12:54:11.506-05:00One Year Anniversary of my Blog!<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So today is the one year anniversary of my blog! I cannot believe it has been one year since I began writing this blog. So much has happened in my life with my band since then.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Some wonderful, some heart breaking, but the most important thing, is I have never given up! I have kept moving along and am working to get to that place where my health is not just good but is great!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have done some amazing work this past year. I have also done it with Nichole which has made it that much more special, she has worked hard and has lost 70 pounds with out a band or surgery!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">What have I done....you might wonder, to have this type of success. I have revamped my reward system and concentrated on making good decisions, and logging my food choices each and every day. I still live by my band rules. I also have incorporated exercise 6 times a week into my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I lost my band in March of this year. I was devastated and scared when this took place. I had fear and anxiety that was just awful. I know many who have lost their bands now or are probably headed down that road as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I think the biggest thing I have learned through all of this, is that the band is not what makes us successful, and it is proven itself for me to be true. I have continued to lose even without the band, and I contribute that to my resolve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I made a point to heal what was wrong with me in my head!! Please hear that, I fixed what was wrong in my head, that made me choose food as a reward, and use it as a comfort. I no longer do this. I have realized that years of eating like a garbage disposal just made me horribly sick. Obesity is a disease, and it is something that we as a country and world need to really focus on. We are raising children with these bad habits and eating disorders and now our children are obese.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am proud to say that my almost 9 year old grandson is now conscious about what he puts into his mouth, and he chooses water over soda. Watching his mother and I this past year is rubbing off. He asks to go walking with me, or running even. He can walk 5.25 miles with ease.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am not the same woman who found this blogging community a year ago. I was a beaten down, and feeling as a total failure a year ago, because of me regain!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Finding all of you, turned my life around. I found support, friendship, and most of all inspiration. I found that others were struggling as well, and that together we could achieve our goals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I made a point of getting to BOOBS 2.0 and it was the best time and I felt so welcomed by these women. I love them. I feel a part of their lives and they a part of mine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I look forward to the next year and what it hold for me. I no longer have a time frame for when I must be a certain weight. I know that doing this only puts undo pressure on myself. I just plan on eating right and exercising regularly and letting my body find it balance and normal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Yes, I am still a scale whore, once a scale whore always a scale whore for me LOL. I am happy to see each day what my body does or does not do. The days that the water weight creeps on, can still be maddening, I just am better equipped now to handle those days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I look forward to BOOBS 3.0 and to the next chapter in this journey!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am thankful for the 86 people who chose to follow me and this blog and journey, who take time to comment on my craziness and to give me encouragement along the way. You make my blog worth so much more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Love you all,</span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-57070109879970209722012-07-25T11:33:00.001-05:002012-07-25T11:33:51.775-05:00Crazy busy....but working out and doing well!<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have been crazy busy with work, and working out and my family life, but I am doing well. I cannot say the same for Nichole, Adam and Cole however.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">They all three have been sick with a throat virus since last Tuesday and still are sick. It is awful. They said it can last up to two weeks. Ugggghhhh I just want them all well again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I cannot believe that in three days my blog will be a year old! That just seems crazy to me. How time flies I guess.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I do not know where I thought I would be at this point, but I am thrilled with how I am feeling and even though I still have weight to lose, I am moving in the right direction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am still going to Body Pump three times a week, and Zumba three times a week, I have stopped running as it is too hot to run outside right now, and my schedule does not allow me to run early in the am or later at night. So for now it is on the back burner damnit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am excited about the BOOBS 3.0 coming up and I am working hard to look my best LOL! Things are nuts in my life and I do not mean to be absent, just know that I am reading and I will try to blog more.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-65735070531532160402012-07-17T07:33:00.000-05:002012-07-17T07:33:00.319-05:00Absent and bruised!<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have been absent, I cannot believe it, I have been here reading, just not writing. Wow, me, Kristin the woman never without something to say....LOL</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am going to recap the past week bullet style.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So I am into Body Pump big time and I now have two weeks and six classes under my muscles LOL It is hard shit, but I am loving it, I feel myself getting stronger every day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Thursday was my day off, so the plan, take the boys swimming. It is great exercise and it wears them out, and I get to spend quality time with both of them. That morning was great, until I stopped at the DMV to renew Alan's car sticker and his Harley sticker....lol. Coming back outside, my unstable self, stepped in a hole in the asphalt in the parking lot that I did not see, wearing flip flops. Well you can imagine, this 200+ pound woman going down like a bull in a china shop. I was wearing my swim suit and cover up, so not much. I had a lot of skin showing to get road rash on, needless to say my left knee and lower shin, took the brunt of the beating. I also broke a prong on my engagement ring damnit and my diamond cut my hand pretty darn good. I was sore and embarrassed.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xU1mhhxjXO4/UAVPEDr-QZI/AAAAAAAAB-s/xJ6KQcAC9K0/s1600/Kristins+Knee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xU1mhhxjXO4/UAVPEDr-QZI/AAAAAAAAB-s/xJ6KQcAC9K0/s320/Kristins+Knee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It swelled like you would not believe, my whole leg did. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x9h1sswT0tc/UAVQfiL43dI/AAAAAAAAB-0/ERvdyY7U9d8/s1600/Kristin's+knee+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x9h1sswT0tc/UAVQfiL43dI/AAAAAAAAB-0/ERvdyY7U9d8/s320/Kristin's+knee+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It is healing, but it hurts like hell, and I cannot do my push ups or mountain climbers in Body Pump damnit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Saturday took Adam to see Ice Age and it was so good. What a cute story and funny movie. I love those characters so much! It was a great day! Nichole went to Chicago with a friend and we kept the boys.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Sunday I had lunch with a girlfriend who used to work with me. It was nice seeing her and catching up. We went to my favorite resturaunt, Los Jimidaores. Yummy, Yummy in my tummy. LOL Then Alan and I took the boys swimming. It was the first time this summer he has been in the water with the boys. It was great seeing them interact. Alan used to teach swimming, he is an awesome swimmer. Being 6'5" he is tall and thin and glides through the water much like Michael Phelps, and I know he would laugh if he knew I wrote that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday was a very busy day for me at work, and I was unable to make it to ZUMBA because when I got home Alan was sick, and so I chose to stay home with the boys so he could go to bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I will definitely go to Body Pump tonight, and I am happy to report, that I put on a skirt that I have not worn since 2005 maybe! It is one of my favorites, and I was pumped when I put it on!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have had quite a few of those NSV's lately with clothes. I can tell my body is reshaping, even though the scale seems to be just sitting there at the moment. I am not worried at all, I can feel and see the difference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have been reading all of your blogs, and I will do better I promise you. BOOBS is coming and I am thrilled so thrilled I cannot wait to see you all!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YVGx6M9BIO0/UAVa8jcmjhI/AAAAAAAAB_0/cJVHzoI0yHw/s1600/Kristin+7-17-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YVGx6M9BIO0/UAVa8jcmjhI/AAAAAAAAB_0/cJVHzoI0yHw/s320/Kristin+7-17-12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-52446601900642445672012-07-11T06:44:00.001-05:002012-07-12T08:14:25.065-05:00BOOBS in 73 days!!!!! WOO HOO<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am so freaking excited that the planners are actually talking about BOOBS, because it has been on my mind. So the first Challenge has been launched by Jen and Draz. Go check it out, it begins today <a href="http://www.bandofoutrageousbabes.com/2012/07/boobs-or-bust-challenge.html" target="_blank">BOOBS or BUST Challenge</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IYl8Ft8kmV0/T_1mFeECaaI/AAAAAAAAB9I/4r1Mof8QeNU/s1600/body+pump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IYl8Ft8kmV0/T_1mFeECaaI/AAAAAAAAB9I/4r1Mof8QeNU/s1600/body+pump.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So, two Body Pump classes are now under my belt, and I will add a third this evening. I have to tell you how strong I already feel. YES, after just two classes I can tell a difference in my strength. Isn't that incredible. Who would have ever known. Yes, soreness is a part of it, but that is a good thing, because my muscles are working! This means my metabolism is working and not dragging like a hog through a mud trough! I love that I am pumping iron, I would never have believed that I would be able to clean and jerk anything. Let alone do it for an hour. I am super proud of me! I love getting healthy have I told you that lately?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I wanted to give you a quick update on Nichole, I am so freaking proud of her. She is the incredible shrinking woman, no lie. She has gone from 329 pounds in August of 2011 and today she is 274.8 pounds. Nichole is 5 feet 10.5 inches, so she is a tall woman, she looks fabulous! She has done all the work, she is not banded. She has changed her life, and in doing so her body is reshaping itself. I love her zest for life right now it is infectious. Her choices are fantastic, she gave up soda, she leaves the junk food alone, and even though on occasion will indulge with a glass of wine, or mixed drink, or piece of cake or pie, she is happy to eat clean in fact she will tell you she craves it! I like how this happens to our bodies when we rid them of the crap!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I recall late last summer in the pool one workout day with her, and we were talking about my band. I told her I wanted her to check into getting it. I have to say I am so proud of her for proving to herself that she had what it took inside of her to follow the road to being more healthful. She used to tell me that she could not run, well she is. We are both signed up to do our first 5k in Chicago 10 days before BOOBS! She is also coming to BOOBS with me, so you all will get to meet her!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So for the nay Sayer's, and the people who say "I can't do that", or "that doesn't work for me", or "how did you do it"! The only way I see that weight becomes a non issue in your life after a lifelong battle with it, is to not give it control any longer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">If you are wondering how to do this.....well you have to incorporate not only clean living and eating, but you have to become more active than you ever have in your life. Instead of coming home exhausted from work, I now come home and head to the gym, or outside to run or walk, or play with the boys. It is so rare to find me sitting anymore. I no longer have excuses for NOT doing it! That is just plain and simple...no excuse! If someone is not dying or dead already, I will no longer let it take precedence over my working out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So I welcome the challenge for BOOBS 3.0 with both arms open wide. I love to challenge myself, and this is a huge one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am getting closer to my goal each and every day, and more importantly, I feel like a million bucks! Yep, I am still 38 pounds away from my original goal, and yet I am thrilled to be where I am. This morning I put on a size XL skirt that is an A-Line. I have had this skirt for years, I love it! I have not had it on my body in 10 years! I kept my clothes that I loved, because one day I hoped to wear them again, this skirt is black, so it never goes out of style. I feel amazing today!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It does not matter how quickly you finish, it matters that YOU FINISH!! Never give up the fight!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-29268454701776968072012-07-05T07:23:00.001-05:002012-07-05T07:23:34.555-05:004th of July is gone....was hotter than a 2 peckered goat!<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Yes the holiday is passed, and I am down another 2 pounds this morning. Can you say holy damn!!!! I am thrilled.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have to tell you of my new found fun!! BODY PUMP....oh yeah! I am loving it...although I cuss Joe the instructor up one side and down another, like a sailor in May!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Nichole and I went to our first class yesterday morning at 7:00am. First of all, do you know that even a year ago, I would never have wanted to go pump weights. I would have rather have been flogged.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have to say, it is not as horrible as you imagine. I liked it a lot and I will be doing it at least a couple of times a week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am so sore this morning, but it is a good kind of sore ya know. I thought I would die doing the squats, in fact I thought I had....LOL!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I felt muscles I did not know we even had on our bodies. I think mine were in hibernation for the past 40 years or so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I look forward to the changes that will be coming with this new class, and how my body will like me pumping it up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It was a quiet 4th at my house. The boys gone and it was 100+ degrees outside, left me with not much desire to be outside, I thought about heading to the pool and even that did not sound like so much fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So I stayed in, and just did odd jobs around the house. Went to bed early and headed into work this morning at 5am.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Looking forward to my next Body Pump class!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-6068925783115681002012-07-03T07:30:00.001-05:002012-07-03T07:36:51.897-05:00"They Always Ask"..........is that on your diet?"<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am sure you all have been asked this burning question at some point along the way. Perhaps it was a family member, co-worker or friend. "Is that on your diet?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am on a life journey. On this journey I have to carefully plan my caloric intake and exercise to maintain my momentum. While I try to make my calories consumed count by eating (lean proteins, fresh vegetables, whole grains, and low fat dairy products and of course fruits) I know that I must spend some of my calorie budget on a treat now and again so that I do not feel deprived while I am learning to live my plan. You see I build my treat into my calories. If I eat a 150 calorie ice cream bar, it is because I have allotted for it in my daily food plan. This is why logging food is so effective, when you know exactly how much you are consuming, you know how much you can give for a treat or not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">There is nothing more frustrating than to have carefully calculated my calories to allow for a special food or even a meal, and then have someone ask "Is that on your diet?" First, I am NOT on a diet. Second, yes I have planned for this food.</span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hWcFxes5r2I/T_LliVIBdcI/AAAAAAAAB6A/ADIilwiGFCg/s1600/no-diet+(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hWcFxes5r2I/T_LliVIBdcI/AAAAAAAAB6A/ADIilwiGFCg/s320/no-diet+(1).png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Now some people are truly trying to help. They think you are "blowing your plan" which might be true if I just ordered the large Georgia Mud Fudge blizzard at Dairy Queen for 1450 calories, but it might not be true if I ordered the kid size cone at McDonalds for 45 calories.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So how do you deal with these "helpers"? I suggest that you tell them that you plan your food budget and live within it including the food that you are now currently enjoying. Use the opportunity to educate.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FPRQfizLs-o/T_Ll8ZZu1YI/AAAAAAAAB6I/0nvhd8Jt_xc/s1600/budget.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FPRQfizLs-o/T_Ll8ZZu1YI/AAAAAAAAB6I/0nvhd8Jt_xc/s1600/budget.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Yes, I have lost 160+ pounds. Have I eaten a steady diet of broccoli and watercress? NO. I have had a well-balanced approach to my nutrition. I make the MAJORITY of my calories be high quality, nutrient dense foods, but I have had treats. I eat out every week. This is how you succeed in changing from a DIET mentality to LIFESTYLE CHANGE. You have to learn to live on a BUDGET. Just like we do with our finances. If you want that high calorie meal with friends at the end of the week, then you better work it off in the GYM before hand, and watch the other calories during the week. Every time I eat ice cream, my scale sees a drop the next morning. This has been the truth for the past five years. Why? I think when you are limiting your foods to healthy the majority of the time that a fat laden meal or treat causes our bodies to let go of fat. It is the only way that I can explain why that happens for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So next time someone sees you eating the Hershey Almond chocolate bar (210 Calories) and thinks that you have fallen of the wagon don't get upset, just explain to them about your "plan". They most likely will be impressed on how you have learned how to include those occasional treats and still managed to lose weight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Life's lessons!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-84554540163304132972012-07-01T06:41:00.001-05:002012-07-01T06:41:06.513-05:00A week flew by<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I cannot believe it has been a week since I posted on my blog. I was pretty sick last week with the stomach flu for four days. I missed work, and did not go back until Friday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">My desk was a nightmare! I had a mile high stack of work that was waiting for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I was really glad it was one day, and I got a reprieve for the weekend. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday Nichole graduated from College, and it was an amazing ceremony. I really enjoyed the speaker and the message. So proud of her, and the boys with her, seeing her was so special and I cried, and cried. I will post pictures later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Neal sat next to me and he rubbed my shoulders. What a great guy he is and best friend to her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I had the most amazing NSV yesterday morning as I was getting ready to head to the Conference Center. I could not decide on the dress I wanted to wear. I looked through my closet and kept saying No, No.....till my hands were on my little Size M dress that I had bought last August as my GOAL dress. I loved it and I wanted to one day be able to wear it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Well I decided to put it on, and it slipped right on and actually fit. Alan said I looked very nice, Nichole was already gone so I could not get her opinion. She is always so honest with me about such things. Alan is too. So I felt confident in my dress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It made the whole day worth it. I know I have come a long way, but that was just icing on my cake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Beth Ann my goddaughter's birthday was Friday. We had made plans months ago to do dinner, and go see Magic Mike. She was so excited and we have known since almost day one of production that this movie was coming out. Nichole, she and I love the men in this movie. So it was only right we go and pay homage. We had dinner, and wet to the Theater only to find all shows sold out, so we left and went to the other Theater in town and yeap SOLD OUT! We bought tickets for the matinee showing yesterday afternoon, after graduation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have to tell you the eye candy was awesome, but the movie sucked! It was sooo slow, I ended up texting during it. I never do that!!!! So ladies beware if you haven't seen it. I could have waited for DVD for this one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So that was my week. I am down 5 pounds this week. I will take that any day. I did not work out once, being sick kept me from it. Back to ZUMBA tomorrow night with Jose~ it will kick my ass.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have signed up to do my first 5k in Chicago a week and a half before BOOBS! It is for Make A Wish and that is a huge charity close to my heart because of Adam. I have to get my ass in gear and start training for it.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-85866611703369448812012-06-25T19:12:00.003-05:002012-06-26T05:31:12.453-05:00The Party was Wonderful....down another two pounds!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v_nkoptFI2g/T-j38zXxklI/AAAAAAAAB2I/Fgt5uweFk1A/s1600/my+rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v_nkoptFI2g/T-j38zXxklI/AAAAAAAAB2I/Fgt5uweFk1A/s320/my+rainbow.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The party was great! I took off on Friday and already had Thursday off so that I could prepare for the party on Saturday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I got up on Thursday and began baking the cookies that I wanted to serve. They turned out wonderfully. They were really good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">After the cookies were done, which took me all of Thursday to do, it was time to prepare the Lebanese feast on Friday, that Nichole had wanted so badly. My best friend Kristie is Lebanese and I have grown up with this cuisine, and so has my family. Nichole and Alan both love it. She had requested Kibba, Chickie Rice, green beans, and cabbage rolls. They all turned out fantastic. I have been cooking this food for years, but always worry, when I am making it that it will stand up to my best friends mother's memory. She was an amazing cook, and the tastes I recall from childhood, are so intense that too ruin them would not be good. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-puhzCMRkSc8/T-j4KeL9mWI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/36OWiNISIRA/s1600/graduation+caps!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-puhzCMRkSc8/T-j4KeL9mWI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/36OWiNISIRA/s320/graduation+caps!.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I enjoyed making these graduation caps. They were really easy and fun. I got the recipe off of Pinterest I love that site!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0BVHAA5yo2Q/T-j4RIAdhyI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/qO5hy71jU8c/s1600/Fabulous+picture!!!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0BVHAA5yo2Q/T-j4RIAdhyI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/qO5hy71jU8c/s320/Fabulous+picture!!!.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Nichole with Sam, they loved goofing off. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lsC7lLxvMxE/T-j4ZiJaz3I/AAAAAAAAB2g/Itq2M2PR_Mk/s1600/Family+fun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lsC7lLxvMxE/T-j4ZiJaz3I/AAAAAAAAB2g/Itq2M2PR_Mk/s320/Family+fun.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Alan and Nichole swinging Cole, and pitiching him onto the couch, he loves this!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Otgcc9RN9yI/T-j4j29Gi-I/AAAAAAAAB2o/UnbuwbQj2sY/s1600/Nichole+and+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Otgcc9RN9yI/T-j4j29Gi-I/AAAAAAAAB2o/UnbuwbQj2sY/s320/Nichole+and+James.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Nichole with James. He was a hit of the party! He is Kristie's grandson he will be two in August!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejBSEtr1-q8/T-j4t7Gds6I/AAAAAAAAB2w/cnyn9zUeeng/s1600/Nichole's+beautiful+sunflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejBSEtr1-q8/T-j4t7Gds6I/AAAAAAAAB2w/cnyn9zUeeng/s320/Nichole's+beautiful+sunflowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Nichole loves sunflowers, they are here favorite flowers!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iheSxl9T7m8/T-j42twX2uI/AAAAAAAAB24/Z5Qp2mWni8M/s1600/Nicholes+diploma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iheSxl9T7m8/T-j42twX2uI/AAAAAAAAB24/Z5Qp2mWni8M/s320/Nicholes+diploma.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The diploma and her business plan, along with her transcript.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-errKa_8f3hE/T-j4-LRC1PI/AAAAAAAAB3A/ffHlXYlHOlQ/s1600/Nichole's+graduation+cake+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-errKa_8f3hE/T-j4-LRC1PI/AAAAAAAAB3A/ffHlXYlHOlQ/s320/Nichole's+graduation+cake+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Nichole loves orange cake, and the only person who can do it justice is Dorothy from The Cake Shoppe in Bartonville, IL. She has been doing cakes for Nichole since she was 16. It was fabulous as always!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yj0YOwxkacw/T-j5D0dFupI/AAAAAAAAB3I/eVNvfOdfCjo/s1600/Bowling+for+Cole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yj0YOwxkacw/T-j5D0dFupI/AAAAAAAAB3I/eVNvfOdfCjo/s320/Bowling+for+Cole.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Uncle Paul, Aunt Suzanne and Sam brought Adam and Cole presents, they were excited!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FwTcEgQ2lOM/T-j5MuiHMUI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/MNUSmOebE3g/s1600/Building+with+Sam+and+the+new+blocks!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FwTcEgQ2lOM/T-j5MuiHMUI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/MNUSmOebE3g/s320/Building+with+Sam+and+the+new+blocks!.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Rylan and James were so cute, loved this picture of the two of them!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i_n1aXrpsU8/T-j6LdK6FuI/AAAAAAAAB3g/1EiB7AkIAvw/s1600/sunflower.....so+fun!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i_n1aXrpsU8/T-j6LdK6FuI/AAAAAAAAB3g/1EiB7AkIAvw/s320/sunflower.....so+fun!.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I made two of these and I also got the recipe from Pinterest! Loved doing them and everyone thought they were cute.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nichole with Sam apparently Zumba is paying off!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I love seeing Cole interacting and showing affection, and he loves his cousin!!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVN71D5mYnY/T-j6pjn16BI/AAAAAAAAB34/cFrkRm-Upo8/s1600/Cole+kissing+Sam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVN71D5mYnY/T-j6pjn16BI/AAAAAAAAB34/cFrkRm-Upo8/s320/Cole+kissing+Sam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So proud of her, and am glad the party went off so well!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I had my doctors appointment Thursday, and my weight and blood pressure check and everything was great! I also, woke up this morning and lost two pounds, so it was certainly a great weekend!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px !important;" /></a></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-23563245276648216752012-06-20T11:32:00.003-05:002012-06-20T12:14:58.830-05:00So Proud of my little girl!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lULgbL99WD8/T-H3RpWwegI/AAAAAAAABzw/-6Rz9NYUrWo/s1600/so+proud+of+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lULgbL99WD8/T-H3RpWwegI/AAAAAAAABzw/-6Rz9NYUrWo/s1600/so+proud+of+you.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am so proud of my little girl, Nichole Marie. She is an amazing woman, a fabulous mother, and she is rocking her weight loss! She has lost 50 pounds and this is without a band. She also graduated in August 2011 with her Bachelor's degree with honors. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSaMpGs4Ugs/T-H4Vl-wFwI/AAAAAAAABz4/ljL7w1Im5iM/s1600/Nichole+and+Cole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSaMpGs4Ugs/T-H4Vl-wFwI/AAAAAAAABz4/ljL7w1Im5iM/s320/Nichole+and+Cole.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This weekend I am hosting her graduation party! Next Saturday the 30th, she will actually walk with her class. She graduated Magna Cum Laude, and this is not an easy thing to do, especially as a single mother of two young boys!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I think she has faced adversity quite well. When she moved in with us, with Adam and Cole, after her separation, she was the lowest I have ever seen her since the death of her brother Adam. She had lost sight of herself, and was a beaten down woman. Her self confidence was shattered, as well as her self worth. She had gained an enormous amount of weight during this time of her life. She was unhappy.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xbj9rbUheM/T-H6h0gsF6I/AAAAAAAAB0A/H11H7G5N2NA/s1600/Nichole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xbj9rbUheM/T-H6h0gsF6I/AAAAAAAAB0A/H11H7G5N2NA/s320/Nichole.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I saw this woman, put all of her energies that she had left into those two boys. She became active in Adam's school. She took the diagnoses only months later of Cole's autism with both arms wide open. Yes, there were tears and lots of them, but she never lost the courage deep within her to never give up. She told us that she wanted to go back to school, and to finish her degree. We were thrilled to help her do this. Watching the boys in the evenings while she was in class, or when she needed to study, whatever we could do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">She began that chapter of her new life, and she sailed through it. She not only completed the degree she did it with high honors to boot! Yes, I am so very proud of her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Last year, when I began getting my life turned around and working out and doing all the right things again, she told me she wanted to join my gym with me. I was very happy. She and I are so close and this would give me a workout buddy! Little did she or I know that this decision would transform both of us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">To date she has lost a whopping 50 pounds, and is looking very good, she is determined to move in a positive direction with her weight and never look back! This past weekend she bought a size 16 dress for graduation and was thrilled. She used to wear a size 26!!!! She loves the clean eating, and being more mindful of healthful choices. It is even rubbing off on Adam, which is a good thing at the age of 8.5! </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ttz0w5E8Ju8/T-H7DCscUBI/AAAAAAAAB0I/BveAEUx0oME/s1600/hats-off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ttz0w5E8Ju8/T-H7DCscUBI/AAAAAAAAB0I/BveAEUx0oME/s320/hats-off.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So hats off to Nichole, who will be celebrated on Saturday by her closest friends and family. Those who love her and know the sacrifices that she has made for her children. She is now ready to begin the next chapter, and as her mother, I know she is ready for it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">She will be accompanying me to BOOBS this year and I am so excited for everyone to meet her! She is both beautiful inside and out and she is a real inspiration!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">My little girl is all grown up.......but she will always be my baby girl!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I loved her first!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-62477626771278829502012-06-18T08:54:00.002-05:002012-06-18T09:29:52.671-05:00The Path to the Holy Grail - Final Chapter - Response-ability<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Mastery of response-ability</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Any guide, no matter how good they are, can only take you as far as they have been themselves. I started my journey in 2005 at 295+ pounds. To date I have lost 163 pounds. The first 83 pounds I did not keep off, I regained 70 of that. I have since lost that 70 again plus an additional 11 pounds as of this morning! During this time, I have survived many battles. I have waged a valiant war against old habits and behaviors. I have earned my stripes and I have something to say. While I am not yet at my goal weight, I have managed to accomplish something that few do. I have lost a significant amount of weight and in doing so this time, I also was able to rewire my brain. I have beaten the odds and am now sharing what I have learned with others, in hopes of helping them become stronger. I am not blowing my own trumpet. I am simply sharing, what I have come to know as the 4 most important aspects of my journey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I did not learn this over night. This has taken many, many hours of reflection on why THIS time I have known success, when all of the other attempts, would end with me crashing and burning and regaining even more weight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I believed when I was banded that this would be the 'last and final time" that I would ever have to battle my weight. That was my first error. ( This is a life long battle for me....which is OK, because now I have the right army for the fight). You see, the BAND is not a cure for what was wrong in the first place. It only masked, for a little while, the things that needed to change deep within me. This is why I regained weight, and a significant amount after 15 months of living a nearly perfect band existence. Once, this was recognized and accepted by me, I finally was able to heal, and move forward in my journey, I only plan on looking back to remember where I have come from. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So the four points to my Holy Grail are - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Emotional Stability</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Reprogramming the reward center</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Drying Out, Food addiction recovery</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Practicing Response-ability</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VIM4jrXHwUo/T98sVbloh3I/AAAAAAAABxA/PHH6Lbt7gZw/s1600/table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VIM4jrXHwUo/T98sVbloh3I/AAAAAAAABxA/PHH6Lbt7gZw/s1600/table.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">These four concepts are synergistic in nature, working together like the four legs of a table, to provide a stable platform on which you can build your journey. If one of these legs is missing, the platform can become unstable and can fall over at the slightest nudge. If you notice not one of these principles involves an eating plan or an exercise routine. These principles are the structure that supports the plan and routine. I believe that the key to my long term success is the practice of creating a proper internal environment because in the long term, that is what will keep me. Just like a submarine diving to great depths, if the proper internal pressure is not maintained, implosion will follow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The last in this blog series in mastering Response-Ability.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZm9BmZIjJE/T98sw_6H2VI/AAAAAAAABxI/SaYC814J834/s1600/150px-The_7_Habits_of_Highly_Effective_People.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZm9BmZIjJE/T98sw_6H2VI/AAAAAAAABxI/SaYC814J834/s1600/150px-The_7_Habits_of_Highly_Effective_People.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I read the book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey. In it, there was one habit that really caught my attention. Response-ability. Response-ability is the ability to step into the narrow gap that exists between stimulus and response. This gap is what makes us uniquely human. Without exercising ourselves in the ability to choose our response, we are no better than Pavlov's dog. The iconic Pavlov's dog was the dog subjected to the famous stimulus/response experiment by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov. In these series of experiments, he was testing the theory of conditioning and it's effects on the stimulus /response process. Ring the bell, show the steak, dog drools. Done often enough, you can ring the bell, and the dog drools without showing the steak. The dog was conditioned by the stimulus sound of the bell to drool.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Without response-ability, we are reduced to animals driven by stimulus rather than logical thought. I needed to bring reason into my choices rather than reacting and diving into the ole donut pile at work simply because the opportunity and stimulus presented itself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Here are some of the biggest battles I faced and won over time:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Goodies at work - this was a HUGE battle for me. As I have blogged many times, the 25 people in my department, think that treat day should be each and every day. We constantly have unhealthy, high calorie, sugar and fat laden foods abound. I would of course have great intentions. I would pack a good healthy wholesome lunch, only to be derailed by someone offering me an unhealthy lunch choice, like fast food or worse. I would arrive at my desk early in the morning, only to pass two dozen donuts, or bagels with cream cheese and muffins, chips with dips, cookies, and even cakes. These of course were from very notable bakeries in town and they were just beckoning me to indulge and so I did. The same would apply to pizza, we would work overtime, and the company would order pizza. To the tune of 12 t0 13 pizza's for 25 people. They would be neatly lined up on the counter by our copier, the smell resonated everywhere. Imagine being hungry, and POW get slammed with the sight and smell of a wall of fresh pizza. I hear a bell ringing, here comes the drool. A difficult scenario indeed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Then there is the all you can eat buffet - I am not talking about a well stocked salad bar either. I am talking about a Home Town Buffet or Golden Corral with unbelievable entrees, steak, chicken, prime rib, fried fish, and every imaginable dessert. Please, let us not forget the Chinese ......the yummy, delicious, divine, unbelievable taste explosion of Chinese....oh dear. The Pizza Parlor lunch buffet's that have 15 different varieties to choose from including that absolutely mouth watering dessert pizza...oh baby hold me back!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, all of the scenarios begin to have some common threads when I began to pick them apart like an autopsy as to why my resolve melted and my instincts took over just because something "rang the bell".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Fear of loss/"The Last Supper" trigger</b> - There is a limited supply of pizza or donuts. If I do not act now, I will lose out. Another scenario would be if I am traveling or out of town and find some place that we do not have at home that is not known for the healthiest of choices, be it a buffet or pizza joint or whatever. I would have to stop because of course this was my only choice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>The fix for me was</b>/Hey they make this stuff EVERY DAY. This will not be the last time in my lifetime that I see this. I do not have to be like an inmate on death row facing his last meal. There will be another opportunity, really.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>The OMG this is Soooooooo Goooooood trigger</b> - It took a great deal of time of stepping into this gap over and over again until I came to a place where I can walk away rather than self-destructing over a plate of cookies, or gooey cake, or a pile of crab Rangoon on a buffet. It took a long time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>The fix for me </b>- The Law of diminishing returns applies here. How many times has the first plate, been an almost out of body experience, the second plate was tasty but not as stimulating, the third I was simply eating it because I could, because I had access to it, and the memory of that first plate was still ringing strong in my brain. Sound familiar? I came to realize that I needed to slow down, and the following plates that I am conditioned to eating will not taste as good so why bother? Live in the moment, savor that first plate realizing that this is as good as it's gonna get. It only goes downhill from here. I would totally savor the first plate, focus and be mindful of the moment rather than being driven to get more before someone else gets it. I made myself wait a while before I would even entertain a thought of having seconds. With my band this helped me, because seconds truly was not an option if I followed the rules. It was when I would eat things that slid right through that I had trouble saying no to seconds. This fix was essential during these times. It took a long time, but after awhile one plate would do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">You do not undo years of conditioned response to stimulus, in just a few weeks. It can literally take years of making alternate choices in your response to stimulus before the re-programming takes place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The greatest victory in my journey did not happen when I broke the 100 pound weight loss mark. It didn't happen when I finished my first Zumba class. It did not happen when I ran my first mile. It did not happen when I swam laps for 60 minutes. These were all notable events sure, but the greatest event of all was when, for the first time, I stepped into the gap between stimulus and response. I said NO, and walked away, and I did not feel a sense of loss. No gravitational pull threatening to engulf me in its grasp, drawing me back to the pleasure of the moment and the self-condemnation that is surely to follow. Long term success is and has always been how one reacts to the moment by moment challenges that arise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Each time I stepped into the gap and said no, something inside of me gets stronger and the gap gets wider. When I first started the gap was so narrow it seemed like all I had to do was see the food and SHAZAM, I'm chowing down. Slowly, overtime, decision by decision, the gap got progressively wider until I felt I had more control. I, not the food, was calling the shots.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Fujior7tdY/T98x8SQ0V3I/AAAAAAAAByo/u1EUh2bDYuI/s1600/moderation.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Fujior7tdY/T98x8SQ0V3I/AAAAAAAAByo/u1EUh2bDYuI/s320/moderation.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes, the stimulation was so strong with certain foods that I could not exercise moderation but had to exercise abstinence. There are times, when moderation is just not enough. I had to walk away from certain things, until I could take it or leave it. Until I was back in control. The best example of this is my relationship with SODA, especially Mountain Dew.....I loved it, craved it and drank it as if it was my life source.... water. I would easily consume 8-10 servings a day or more. PLEASE, I could not drive by a gas station, or fast food place without feeling the pull, I needed that 32oz drink to get me through my morning meeting, it was almost invading my thoughts. Each time I drove by, and caving in many, many times, I was finally able to drive by and say NO and drove right on past. It felt like I was cutting off my own arm to escape a trap. Sometimes it is a painful separation. However, each time I did, I got stronger, until one day it never entered my thoughts. I was finally free. Then came the day that I would make the decision to stop and enjoy one. It had been months since I had any soda. After all, we were instructed in our nutrition classes to never go back to drinking soda after the band, as we had to give it up before being banded. I wanted to try it though, because I could do it in moderation ( I thought). The anticipation was building.....I literally could not wait. I got my mountain dew and pulled off in parking lot, and began to drink it and ewwwww is all I can say!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It was the biggest non event of my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Not only had it lost it's pull on me, it also had lost its taste BIG TIME. What once was heaven in a cup, tasted like drinking pure sugar, I felt the same when tasting diet soda as well, the after taste was disgusting, and it cause me to recall back when I first drank a diet soda when I was 14 years old. I hated it, it was horrid. I forced myself to like it until it became palatable to me. WOW, did I really do that? Yes, I certainly did, if I had only known back then, what I know now!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">By practicing the ability to choose my response, I broke it's pull. By breaking its pull, I bought the necessary time to dry out from my compulsive addiction. By drying out, I was able to clearly taste it for what it truly is, empty calorie junk food!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have not had any since, and I have no compulsion to do so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This is only one example out of many. Anyone who has been successful in the long term process of weight management can tell a similar story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As I close this blog series, you can see the sequential nature of these habits that I have expounded upon over the last several weeks.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XToHtqakF4k/T98y-f2oorI/AAAAAAAAByw/8xEwNfFF0fk/s1600/emotional+stability.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XToHtqakF4k/T98y-f2oorI/AAAAAAAAByw/8xEwNfFF0fk/s320/emotional+stability.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Practicing the things that make for emotional stability puts out the inner fire and anxiety that drives so much of our over eating, creating a calmer inner environment. This allows us to re-examine why we do what we do and seek out new things that will bring us a sense of reward. Having something other than food that brings us a higher sense of achievement and self respect. Clean eating that gives our bodies a chance to dry out from the non stop flood of addictive processed foods and exercising the ability to say no gives us greater control and self respect which in turn makes for a more stable emotional environment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">These are not individual principles, they all work together in one continuous cycle until we are empowered to succeed, until we can truly believe that we can do this and earn our own self respect. From this empowered center flows the exercise routine and the eating plan. When these principles are practiced and reinforced, they provide for a continued stability that will keep me, when life gets in the way of my routine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It keeps me grounded, settled, and headed in the right direction.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-76532319821795749182012-06-15T11:48:00.001-05:002012-06-15T13:38:15.694-05:00I am a turtle, hear me...wait, do turtles make sounds?<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Ok I admit it, on this whole weight loss journey thingy, I am a turtle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">That is ok, though......turtles are strong and enduring creatures. I know this, because recently we rescued one from my back yard. If you recall, Adam found him and as it turned out, we thought we had a box turtle, when in reality it was a red-eared slider..... a water turtle! (We nearly killed him, because he was not in water). He has since been truly rescued by the curator of the reptiles at our local zoo who has his own pet turtles and came to our rescue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Getting back to turtles in general, they are able to carry their houses on their backs, they can take on the weight of the world and move with it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So I am a bit slow, weight-loss wise. I had a great start back in 2005 after my Lap Band was placed. 80 pounds in 15 months, not too darn shabby. I have since hit the 80 pounds mark once again. Since June of last year and my revamped attitude an outlook, I have lost another 80 pounds. I realize even with my weight regain, that we slow losers are not failures at all, we are successes in training!! We are learning every day how to better ourselves, what to do, and what not to do and the only way we fail is when we give up completely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This kind of saying though - the "doom inspired sayings" almost all of us make everyday, are negative absolutes in our lives and we really should resist them. As I have said before here in this blog, Words are powerful and have weight, both to ourselves and others. Some words should just come out of our personal vocabulary all together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Can't" I am so tired of people saying they can't do something. (I have a dear friend who has lost 42 pounds over the past year. She was teetering on 400 pounds when she began her journey. She would constantly tell me she could not do something, it was like this word was ingrained in her head or something! She has just started doing Zumba with me!) Really they Won't do it or they shouldn't do it because someone else has told them so. Just remember my friends, people play basketball with no legs, people with no arms swim. If you won't or shouldn't do it that is fine. It is your choice. The problem is once you tell yourself you "can't" do something. It is like a trigger in your brain goes off and you begin to tell yourself that you should not even try. You have just walked away from a door of opportunity without even checking to see if it was unlocked. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Impossible" Nothings impossible. Perhaps it is improbable, but you need to believe that you can beat the odds.........especially if you can take matters into your own hands.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Never" remember the old phrase.....never say never? It still rings true. Negative reinforcement is just that. Pigs may not fly just yet, but when someone figures out how to get a pig to actually sprout wings, you are going to feel pretty silly having said never! Remember, never is a really, REALLY long time.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vOwEh6CbucU/T9tkybhZdWI/AAAAAAAABug/YVXFUgH4uo8/s1600/Yoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vOwEh6CbucU/T9tkybhZdWI/AAAAAAAABug/YVXFUgH4uo8/s320/Yoga.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">For those of us who practice yoga, why do you think they call it practicing? They never say DO yoga! If we could all do it then there would be nothing to work towards or enjoy. Sometimes we have to learn that life's enjoyment comes from being challenged, or learning something new. I sort of realized this back in 2010 when I went back to school to get my bachelors degree. There is always great excitement when we accomplish something for the first or (50th) time but if we could always do it, without effort, wouldn't it be likely that we would take it for granted?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Today, as I looked in the mirror for a second I thought, if you had not regained all of that weight, you would be 135 pounds right now today Kristin! It is easy to be mean to yourself, it is easy to slip into "I should have done this" or I "could have done that". Frankly, that's not fair. The past is the past, and you must learn to leave it there. You may have made some decisions that held you back from reaching your goal. But what matters is what comes next.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">What matters is....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am still here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am still trying.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am still moving forward.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I can. I will.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And so can you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Remember, if at first you don't succeed.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">then try again!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Msje2qRx0GM/T9tnI1Zr0UI/AAAAAAAABvk/8CfX8lD0Ct4/s1600/If.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Msje2qRx0GM/T9tnI1Zr0UI/AAAAAAAABvk/8CfX8lD0Ct4/s1600/If.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-77289841712372111232012-06-15T10:01:00.000-05:002012-06-15T10:01:02.237-05:00My Refusal Letter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Dear Kristin:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I REFUSE to delay or postpone my workouts, even if I am tired, aching, or have another offer! Can't do it, won't do it. I need it. I crave it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I REFUSE to break my minimum 8 glasses of water a day streak. If I don't have 8 by 4:30pm, I can feel the difference. I have been drinking 14-15 a day on average, and pissing like a race horse on a flat rock! (smiles at least I know I am hydrated).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I REFUSE to let the unhealthy decisions of others tempt me back to my old ways. I am stronger than that. I am smarter than that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I REFUSE to become stagnant. Personally, professionally, Fitness - ally. Do you know how many people have told me they want to do Zumba with me? Of course not, because I have not told you. But YAY for in person accountability partners.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I REFUSE to settle. For anything, Be it a job. A relationship. An unhealthy meal. A negative person in my life. People have always told me I deserve better, in so many aspects. Guess what? I do, you should shoot for the stars. Even if you don't make it, you will land among the clouds. I am worthy, we are worthy. Don't settle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I REFUSE anything that will not help me succeed. Which is why I will never refuse to listen to advice and insights from my BOOBS. Even if you all say something that I may not want to hear, I know that it comes from a place of understanding. A place of friendship. A place of love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I REFUSE to leave you behind. I will not walk in front of you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I REFUSE to be left behind. I will not follow you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I REFUSE to be anything but right here beside you, as we cheer each other to our goals. Rah-Rah each other's accomplishments. I love giving inspiration, and encouragement to others, it is heart felt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">These are my REFUSAL promises to me. And to YOU!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We are in this together, Let's get it done!~~~~</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-58244068785939833172012-06-12T10:41:00.001-05:002012-06-12T10:48:32.427-05:00Wedding, Death, and another pound...80 pounds done gone!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I had an absolutely fantastic weekend. It was a whirlwind, I will admit. First let me tell you that I took off on Friday at 11:30 from work just to get a jump start on all that needed to get done before 10am on Saturday morning. The boys left for their father's for 10 days, they will back on the 17th in the evening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">My best friend, Kristie's son Alex was married on Saturday and there was so much to do before. On Friday night, Alan, Nichole and I met all of her immediate family at the Itoo Hall where the reception was going to be. We had to decorate it and prepare for the next day. My best friend is Lebanese and comes from a honking big family. We had 300 chair covers to place and beautiful white Satin bows to tie around those chairs. The bride and groom did not want a traditional wedding cake, they wanted cookies. So we had to arrange the cake table with these cookies. Kristie made 1360 homemade cookies for this shindig. She decorated by hand, all but the chocolate chip ones. There were awesome. A lemon cookies with lemon butter cream frosting, a strawberry with strawberry butter cream frosting, and her regular sugar cookie with butter cream frosting. They were a huge hit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I got home on Friday about midnight, and we got up at 6am on Saturday morning, and Alan and Nichole and I went out for our 5.47 mile walk. It was a beautiful morning for the walk and a great way to start a very busy day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I had my manicure done after and headed home to shower and get ready. Alan picked up my mother, and we all headed to the ceremony. It was beautiful and went off without any problems. Here are a few pictures of the event.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D7Gq3y8SEU8/T9dbQZmbpAI/AAAAAAAABp0/A2YhNrIYDSk/s1600/Alex+with+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D7Gq3y8SEU8/T9dbQZmbpAI/AAAAAAAABp0/A2YhNrIYDSk/s320/Alex+with+James.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rxpO6Lqa1IQ/T9dbV5PAMAI/AAAAAAAABp8/6qS2abm1uc4/s1600/Alex+and+Lisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rxpO6Lqa1IQ/T9dbV5PAMAI/AAAAAAAABp8/6qS2abm1uc4/s320/Alex+and+Lisa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EfdExD9421s/T9deQaL_cxI/AAAAAAAABqk/yihmKuYNB8c/s1600/lemon+cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EfdExD9421s/T9deQaL_cxI/AAAAAAAABqk/yihmKuYNB8c/s1600/lemon+cookies.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon Cookies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-93ac_UtOjzE/T9ddUTHPV3I/AAAAAAAABqc/50Qs8ItlYvg/s1600/wedding+cake+cookies+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-93ac_UtOjzE/T9ddUTHPV3I/AAAAAAAABqc/50Qs8ItlYvg/s320/wedding+cake+cookies+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> Then it was on to the reception. Kristie had pulled me aside and asked that I head straight to the hall as all of her family had to remain behind because of family pictures. When I arrived at the hall Alan and Nichole began lighting all of the candles, and I assembled the cookies on the tiered round pedestal that her brother in law had made. Which we covered with white satin and hot glue gunned lace all around the edges. It was shaped like a wedding cake and it looked like one once we finished with it. I got them all put out and the small 8 inch wedding cake that Kristie had made placed on the top. Just in time for the first guests to begin arriving.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vpH2zH73duU/T9den9p_6II/AAAAAAAABq0/wvoLBHRL9o0/s1600/strawberry+cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vpH2zH73duU/T9den9p_6II/AAAAAAAABq0/wvoLBHRL9o0/s320/strawberry+cookies.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8yOHmWHVto/T9dcd52stHI/AAAAAAAABqU/K-JZz8QSCAw/s1600/Manners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8yOHmWHVto/T9dcd52stHI/AAAAAAAABqU/K-JZz8QSCAw/s320/Manners.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Now I don't know about you, but my mother taught me manners. Never in all of my 50 years have I ever attended a wedding reception and gone over to the cake table and cut me a piece of cake and swallowed it BEFORE the actual "cutting of the cake took place." Well let me tell you, three couples, all above the age of 40 proceeded to go over to that table and take cookies, handfuls of them. I was so mad, I guess we needed to have a sign there, but really. Who the hell does that kind of shit?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IIJ-47nRK1I/T9dhcl0K95I/AAAAAAAABrw/okgEZQgE8GA/s1600/lebanese+salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IIJ-47nRK1I/T9dhcl0K95I/AAAAAAAABrw/okgEZQgE8GA/s320/lebanese+salad.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lebanese Salad</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We had great food, and so much fun. I had a piece of chicken and about 1/4 cup of the turkey that was served in a very light gravy. I had a 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes because this girl cannot say no to them. I also had a spoonful of steamed veggies and a large plate full of Lebanese salad. I also ate three cookies, and I had a delicious Amaretto Stone Sour....my favorite. I did not eat lunch on Saturday and I had 260 calories for breakfast so I was not at all worried about what I ate at the reception.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zwvm4Pc2Feo/T9dkrjXmYrI/AAAAAAAABsI/twHlfJ4oXg8/s1600/3-musketeers-truffle-crisp-packaging-high-res1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zwvm4Pc2Feo/T9dkrjXmYrI/AAAAAAAABsI/twHlfJ4oXg8/s320/3-musketeers-truffle-crisp-packaging-high-res1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love these so much!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We had to leave at 8pm and drive to Chicago for Alan's Aunt Vickie's memorial service. We stopped for gas about half way there, and I made a junk food run for everyone in the car.....including me. I had a three musketeer truffle candy bar...these are addicting as hell. I also had a handful of mustard pretzels. When we arrived in Naperville, at my brother in laws house, it was 11:15 pm. I was not really tired, but more wired from driving. I drove because Alan consumed much more liquor than I had at the wedding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I ended up visiting with family until about 12:30am and then went to bed. I got up on Sunday morning with the intention of doing a 4 mile walk/run, but was so tired I could not muster the will to do it. I instead made a huge fruit salad as my sister in law prepared a Gluten Free Quiche which was the best damn quiche I ever have eaten. It was divine. I had one small piece of it and a large bowl of fruit with some granola sprinkled over it for breakfast.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-igq_Jn7GL9I/T9dZhju45XI/AAAAAAAABpk/_KoC6kZVfCQ/s1600/intelligentsia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-igq_Jn7GL9I/T9dZhju45XI/AAAAAAAABpk/_KoC6kZVfCQ/s320/intelligentsia.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Chai from Intelligentsia</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We left Naperville around 12:15 and headed to Chicago city center for the memorial service that was held at St. Peter's Episcopal church. We arrived early at 1:15 and so we walked two blocks to a little Tea shop. It was called Intelligentsia and was fantastic. I had a cup of Chai and it hit the spot. The memorial service was beautiful and everyone was teary eyed as each of her three children spoke. Her oldest daughter lives in Australia and she spoke first, then her son who lives in NYC and is a very successful musician. Who has played for the Queen of England, and many other notable things. From there we went to a reception in the church that was catered by Ann Sathers. The food was good but I did not eat, it was just too blooming hot, I did have a bite of Hummus on pita bread and a chocolate covered strawberry, but that was it.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sN6iTe84Pq8/T9diP6ULGAI/AAAAAAAABr4/7SsA5WU515Q/s1600/Lake+Michigan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sN6iTe84Pq8/T9diP6ULGAI/AAAAAAAABr4/7SsA5WU515Q/s320/Lake+Michigan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Michigan</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We left the memorial at 5:30 and walked to his Aunt Vicky's condo where she lived with her sister for over 20 years. It was three blocks away and right off of lake shore drive, with a beautiful view from the 14th floor. They live off of Melrose and you not only see Lake Michigan but if you look in the other direction you can see Wrigley Field. It is a very cool building. We stayed til 7:30pm and then headed back to Naperville. We picked up our bags and said our goodbyes and headed home. We arrived back in Peoria at midnight. It was a long and exhausting weekend. But we had so many good memories from it. We really are glad we got to do both things, that we made it happen.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rpOAh97spxQ/T9dijYD7gmI/AAAAAAAABsA/QPaCQ9RJOu8/s1600/neighborhood+walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rpOAh97spxQ/T9dijYD7gmI/AAAAAAAABsA/QPaCQ9RJOu8/s320/neighborhood+walk.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My walking route</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday I did not got to work, I was so tired. I did walk however in the morning my 3.47 miles, and it was so humid. I thought I would keel over before I got back home. I did not run, just walked. I was a little upset when I got on the scale yesterday after not being on one since Sat morning, and I had gained 4 pounds. I knew it was not a gain at all, but because I had not drank enough while I was away. This morning I was rewarded.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I climbed on the scale and not only was the four pounds gone from the day before so was an additional pound. I am officially 80 pounds down and coincidentally I also have 80 followers.....I think that is funny how that keeps happening! I thank you all who think that what I have to say is worth reading.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am back at work, and missing my boys terribly. They are with their dad this week and I hope they are having a good time. I am trying to stay busy and pray that the week goes by quickly. I have plenty to keep me busy as Nichole's graduation party is the 23rd and her graduation is the 30th. We also have father's day thrown in there as well.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-29321420604720497902012-06-08T13:40:00.000-05:002012-06-08T14:03:24.698-05:00The Holy Grail - Drying Out From Food Addiction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Hello, my name is Kristin and I am a recovering food addict. No, this is not a broccoli addiction or a craving for my fruit fix. I have never lurked in a dark alley trying to hook up with someone who could help me mainline a chicken breast. My pusher had a neon sign out front, was open whenever I needed him, and was 100% legal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Processed fast food is probably the only addictive drug that is totally legal, always available, and is protected by commercial lobbyists whose only loyalty lies in the worship of the almighty dollar. Don't kid yourself. They spend hundreds of millions of dollars in pursuit of yet another way to crawl inside your head and manipulate you like a trained monkey. Any casual research on this will yield disturbing results.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Our self satisfied Western culture does not like to have the boat rocked. This is one subject that cannot be ignored any longer. We are a nation of addicts.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Hxj3XQkS6Q/T9JBJUkWl2I/AAAAAAAABn4/Y2dyZYoqgl0/s1600/what_is_food_addiction1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Hxj3XQkS6Q/T9JBJUkWl2I/AAAAAAAABn4/Y2dyZYoqgl0/s320/what_is_food_addiction1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Don't think so?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">If the thought of going without any "non life support" essential type food ie....... soda, drive thru, sweets, restaurant foods etc ........sends you into frenzy of panic or justification, you are an addict. I can live without burgers and fries and soda (yes even diet) or any candy, cake or pies, or restaurant food indefinitely without any side effects but if I were to exclude any fruits, vegetables, whole grains or lean proteins, their would be troubles down the road.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The mechanics of food addiction -</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rKf1kgNN2f8/T9JBteikofI/AAAAAAAABoA/USbCKipTbbg/s1600/restaurant-sign-generator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rKf1kgNN2f8/T9JBteikofI/AAAAAAAABoA/USbCKipTbbg/s320/restaurant-sign-generator.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Our brains are hard wired for survival. Our brains also possess a reward system to ensure survival. In basic terms, when we behave in a certain way that ensures our survival, there is a release of mood enhancing hormones and chemicals that gives us a very, satisfied, safe, and well rewarded feeling. During times of stress, our bodies are hard wired to look for "easy calories". Calories that do not require much expenditure to acquire. In business terms, this is how you make a profit. Obtain the highest gain with the least cost. For our bodies, our brains look for and identify those easy calories in the form of sugar and fat. On a smaller scale, we also respond to salt as well, but the biggies are sugar and fat.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cpk8IAB_530/T9JG3znu-KI/AAAAAAAABoo/79aLwWHX56g/s1600/food+industry+scientist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cpk8IAB_530/T9JG3znu-KI/AAAAAAAABoo/79aLwWHX56g/s320/food+industry+scientist.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The food industry has scientists who are paid handsomely to feverishly work to find new ways to find the right combinations of sugar, fat and salt to tweak your "bliss point" ( their terminology not mine). Not to be crude, but this is similar to the bliss point in the chemical release found in an orgasm. How else do ultra rich chocolate cakes earn the name "better than sex" cake? I will not delve deep into this but if you are serious about getting a handle on your own addiction, then I highly recommend that you take time to read the below articles. </span><br />
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<span class="journal_edit" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/23/health/23well.html">www.nytimes.com/2009/06/23/health/23well.html</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/1025347">www.healthzone.ca/health/article/1025347</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.hopeforyourhormones.com/blogspot-58321/sugar-blog-3sugar---fat---salt.html">www.hopeforyourhormones.com/blogspot-58321/sugar-blog-3sugar---fat---salt.html</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">When I read the above articles I did not have to be a rocket scientist to understand that food is not a neutral substance that I take in, then pass out, that merely takes away the hunger feeling for a little while. Certain food combinations produce reactions in the brain hormonally. I am totally convinced, that in the pursuit of the almighty dollar, fast food conglomerates, and food companies and the industry as a whole has been on a long standing quest to make their product stand out from the rest so that you will buy it, even if it means exploiting your biology to do it. Our sense of food palatability and satisfaction has been severely skewed by years of the food industry persistently raising the bar when it comes to sugar, fat and salt content in the name of profitable flavor enhancement. Like the addict who needs higher and higher doses to get the same high, so our tolerances to high fat and high sugar have increased to the point where "clean food" tastes bland or gross and must be doused with some flavor intensive or high fat dressing or condiment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Scientists in the food industry work tirelessly to research how the compounds in their food will trigger the response centers in your brain to keep you coming back. Follow the money and you will find the truth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">My Recovery -</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I was so out of touch with how food tasted. Many times I did not even think about what was in my mouth, I was only reaching for another handful. The only way that I have found that works for me ( notice I did not say worked as I am a work in progress) is to dry out like any other addict. There is NO other way for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So how did I do it?......I had to lower my satisfaction threshold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I had to become so "tripped out" on the high sugar/fat lifestyle, that real food lost out every time I had the chance to choose between the two. Let's face it what chance does a lean chicken breast and light spinach salad have against pizza and chicken wings?</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tKAG7J7E1aE/T9JDV2ghu3I/AAAAAAAABoQ/1ZAgPS4EGs8/s1600/food+machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tKAG7J7E1aE/T9JDV2ghu3I/AAAAAAAABoQ/1ZAgPS4EGs8/s1600/food+machine.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">There is no substitution for clean food.....and I do not mean processed prepackaged diet meals that are low fat, high salt facsimiles of their high fat cousins. I am talking about fresh fruit, veggies, leaner cuts of meat, fish and whole grains, all without being doused in high fat/high sugar anything to make it more palatable. There comes a time when we need to shake ourselves and get back to what REAL food tastes like without all of the enhancement. Sometimes the process was painful with real withdrawal symptoms. If real un-enhanced food tastes gross to you, then you know you are a victim of the food industries manipulation of your brains sensibilities. I cleaned up my diet, one meal at a time, in the beginning before the band. When the band was placed. I followed the rules religiously for the first 15 months or so. I did have some indulgence moments during that time, because drying out is not easy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I rebelled, and I kicked and I had my moments until I experienced the following revelation:</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R92ZPt0Rm4w/T9JFVyn0dqI/AAAAAAAABoY/xWYTPsAISYU/s1600/revelation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R92ZPt0Rm4w/T9JFVyn0dqI/AAAAAAAABoY/xWYTPsAISYU/s320/revelation.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">A person with a serious illness never quibbles with the Dr. about finding time for treatment. Family or not, job or not, hobbies or not, the job gets done. Life's priorities are upended. Everything evolves around obtaining the necessary treatment. No worries about what is on TV or Face book. What was so bloody important before our diagnoses is now regarded as a waste of time in the light of the crisis that is now consuming us. When it comes to life saving treatment everyone knows it is not done at our convenience and neither is it done between the commercials. It is a priority and little else matters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It finally sunk in that I was in deep trouble. This isn't about looking sexy, or a smaller pair of britches. This isn't about fulfilling some dream in the middle of some midlife crisis. This is about saving my life. Obesity is a slow, painful disease that will eat my body alive and destroy my soul.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vrf19m2ZMuE/T9JFyGMuIxI/AAAAAAAABog/0KQobqwxpQc/s1600/Save-Life-Think-Sign-S-4161.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vrf19m2ZMuE/T9JFyGMuIxI/AAAAAAAABog/0KQobqwxpQc/s320/Save-Life-Think-Sign-S-4161.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Liberty and freedom from obesity is something that cannot be legislated through following some restrictive plan, it must be yearned for and pursued from the heart, fueled by the belief that it IS possible to change. I have to want it more than my pet addiction and nothing else will do. When you truly believe that the treasure that you have searched for is buried in a certain area, you will stop at nothing, sell all that you have, pull every string possible until you are standing in that field with a shovel in your hand. Then it becomes a labor of love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">There is the mental addiction of ingrained habit. We are what we repeatedly do. "I always get <u>_______</u> (fill in the blank) every morning on my way to work". Then there is the physical addiction to the stimulation that the desired food delivers to your brain via salt, sugar and fat. It is because of this that I have watched so many journeys crash and burn. They got the fat off the body but not out of the head. Once they reached some perceived goal they backed off the routine because they feel they have arrived. It is almost and unconscious involuntary reaction. They slowly return to "normal" because the transformation did not take place in the mind. To them, exercise and a balanced, clean diet, was something radical and out of the normal routine. Slowly the old version of normal creeps back in, the drive-thru, the couch, the blowing off working out for the flimsiest of reasons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Why did I reach the measure of success that I have so far enjoyed? ( I have not arrived)......my version of normal has been redefined, both in nutrition and in routine. To do that I had to dry out from my food addictions and introduce a new routine, one thing at a time, slowly. Sometimes VERY slowly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I broke the addiction by eating as cleanly as possible, refining my technique until the results started coming.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Next.....The final blog series.......Holy Grail - Mastering Response-ability.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-12106431254217770102012-06-07T13:33:00.002-05:002012-06-07T13:33:12.182-05:00C25K going very well!<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am amazed at how well I am doing with the C25K workouts. I am surprising even myself. I do not like it, mind you, I still do not think running if my thing. However, just to be able to do it is such a huge goal for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am planning on trying to do this at least 4 to 5 times a week along with ZUMBA, I am not certain I can stick to that but so far I am not too tired.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have upped my protein and calories to 1500 because of the additional working out. Sparkpeople suggested that I do, so we shall see. I know the trainer said I will see results by increasing my calories in the losses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have been so conditioned to eating so little for so long this whole idea stresses me a bit. I am faithful however, and I believe in myself. Right now I suppose my confidence is at an all time high!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Happy Thursday everyone!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cT9DABZZATE/T9Dzw_wFknI/AAAAAAAABm4/GXX38Wo4dHw/s1600/Kristin+6-7-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cT9DABZZATE/T9Dzw_wFknI/AAAAAAAABm4/GXX38Wo4dHw/s1600/Kristin+6-7-12.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-25690862298406060892012-06-05T08:16:00.003-05:002012-06-06T05:47:34.664-05:00The Path to the Holy Grail - Reprogramming Your Reward Center<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The human heart needs sense of purpose and accomplishment. The energizing why behind the what. Obesity is a destroyer of lives , not only physically but emotionally as well. When I was 295+ pounds, my entire existence was defined by what I could not do. The clothes that I could not fit into, the stairs I could not climb, the walks I could not take, the inability to fit comfortably in a chair or a booth at my favorite restaurant. My world revolved around "I can't"! The larger I became the smaller my reward system became until the only thing left to stimulate or satisfy me was FOOD. It was always there. I was slowly robbed of my life as the weight crept on. With each pound that I put on, my brain adjusted to the new normal, until I was seeing the world through rose colored glasses. Everything was fine and normal until someone took my picture. Stupid camera's they never catch my good side.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TP0GoLv4VuM/T84HHR0_8RI/AAAAAAAABmA/WpE7egCZvGA/s1600/Kristin+11-1-2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TP0GoLv4VuM/T84HHR0_8RI/AAAAAAAABmA/WpE7egCZvGA/s1600/Kristin+11-1-2007.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristin 11-1-2007 295+ lbs</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I can honestly say things are different now. I operate off of a totally different system. What I unwittingly did was begin to reprogram my brains reward center. The human brain is the most complex computer system known to man and we have yet to tap into only a fraction of its capabilities. With my disordered eating, there have been associations and behavioral patterns deeply ingrained into my system so that when certain stimuli are present, I would almost automatically "execute" the script......see food, eat it!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Like any other addict, I had to learn to replace one addictions reward with another set of rewards. You cannot take away a treasured reward system and replace it with nothing. For the exchange to take place and addictions to be surrendered voluntarily, the addiction has to be surrendered for something perceived to be of equal or greater value. This is why deprivation diets do not work. You are trying to exchange something of great value with something worth nothing. Who in their right mind wants to replace pleasure with lack and suffering? So long as there is nothing of greater value, addictions will always have power. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This is one reason that I have spent so much time hammering out the different avenues that my quest for emotional stability has taken me. It was the path to calm the storm within. To get me to realize that I too have worth and value. That I am worthy to be loved. That I am worthy to be respected and that I am a worthwhile person. I do not need food to sedate me anymore. I am no longer a slave who needs approval of others to validate me. I now stand on my own two feet. Without this realization, it is impossible to let go of an addiction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Zumba, swimming and running have all been a game changer for me. While this is not a cure all for everyone, there is a point to be made here. I was able to derive a sense of accomplishment from challenging myself, and working out until I could cross over to even more strenuous workouts. The "feel good" associations in my brain were being created, linking self worth, empowerment, and a sense of accomplishment with something other than food.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Recreating new response pathways in the brain is key to overcoming old behavior patterns. This is why emphasis is made on creating a competing behavior. When you are feeling down, instead of eating this, make yourself do XXXX instead. Over time, new response pathways will be created and will eventually take hold if they are nurtured.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I soon learned that if I set my sights on a seemingly "out of reach goal" and managed to make it, my sense of accomplishment was a powerful motivator for me to keep going. It proved to work. My first ZUMBA class I stayed for 20 minutes and left, it would take me months to go back, but I did and I finished the class. I began to swim laps, only 6 minutes the first time I dove in. I kept coming back, until I can now swim 85 minutes without stopping. When I began to run and thought my lungs would burst, I kept forging ahead until now I can run/walk 5k. Who would ever have believed it? Not Me. I keep coming back for more, pushing myself a little harder. I recall where I became afraid of exercise in public....it was gym class. I was thin back then, not heavy at all. Still, I was laughed at in gym class, I was not as cute or pretty or whatever...ahhhhhh the scene of every negative reinforcement that associated physical exercise with public humiliation. Why was I always picked on as the, weak and uncoordinated one, the girl who was not athletic. Gym, the class paid for by public funds that would ensure that I would grow up hating exercise, because it validated that no one liked me because I was always picked last, and because every class highlighted that I was not the most athletic person among us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The finishing of a ZUMBA class, or a 3.5 run/walk, or swimming laps longer became my prize, my reward. I became addicted. I learned that I am not a quitter. I now have tangible proof that I have the courage to do the most unthinkable goals and actually succeed. My new addiction was born.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">That day I found that I not only had the courage to start but I also had the will to finish. That day I earned my own self respect. That day, I looked at myself in the mirror and I saw a champion staring back in the mirror. That day, at 250 pounds I became a runner and I have not looked back.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JDVI2v7uZmg/T84Ggso7xfI/AAAAAAAABl4/LQ2doF3l8Lg/s1600/courage-is-the-discovery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JDVI2v7uZmg/T84Ggso7xfI/AAAAAAAABl4/LQ2doF3l8Lg/s320/courage-is-the-discovery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">That is the day I exchanged one addiction for another. Taking on greater challenges has proven to be greater than the cheap thrill that food abuse delivered. Overeating is seen as a threat to the reward much in the same way that you do not want to be standing between a junkie and his fix. I crave the reward so much now that nothing else will do. Food cannot touch it now unless I allow it too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The point of a dedicated commitment to daily goals, even just 10 minutes a day, goes beyond simply burning a few calories. This is reprogramming the habit and reward center of the brain. Don't just shrug off a short session simply because you do not have enough time to create a significant calorie burn. There is a sense of reward every single time we honor a commitment. Over time, the desire for the positive reward will become stronger and more influential in your daily decisions. This is what is often termed motivation. The rewards of accomplishing your goals will never grow to a competitive strength unless it is fed daily.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It takes time to find what empowers you but it is worth the effort to find it. Finding it puts you one step closer to finding your Holy Grail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Next.....Drying out.....My Food Addiction Recovery.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019058639874741603.post-51460683314513033482012-06-01T11:44:00.001-05:002012-06-01T11:45:30.201-05:00Holy Grail - Part 5 of Emotional Balance - Independence<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2UupnmO6SSY/T8juO8iyQgI/AAAAAAAABjY/o9AbbQOaoy4/s1600/seek-is-unique-puzzle_opt-400x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2UupnmO6SSY/T8juO8iyQgI/AAAAAAAABjY/o9AbbQOaoy4/s320/seek-is-unique-puzzle_opt-400x300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Independence is a stabilizing force. Early after my Lap Band was placed I learned that it was more important for me to cultivate an at home routine than it was for me to go to a class. Now make no mistake, I love my ZUMBA classes and swimming and all of the socialization and support I gain from them. However, I may not always be able to afford my gym membership, or a trainer or my work out buddies may cease their own journey. Ultimately, this is my journey and I cannot become dependent on anything to prop me up. So what would I do if I lost access to my current workout environment? Would I lose my direction and wander off? One thing that is a constant to my core existence is my home. I will always be living somewhere. I have to find a way to workout in my core environment and let the rest be icing on the cake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This was a hard lesson, because another reason I had 70+ pounds of regain, I stopped going to the gym regularly for any number of reasons, when Nichole and the boys moved in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">First, I had to toss the idea that I would do everything by the book. That I would be the model bandster. My life does not fit the "one size fits all" cookie cutter, 9-5 lifestyle. I would also dare to say that most of yours do not either. I have found that plans are rather a "serving suggestion", an example to be customized.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ys5D7Cl6g1s/T8jw97BQJnI/AAAAAAAABkQ/pLX9LmTNOI4/s1600/freedom_s2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ys5D7Cl6g1s/T8jw97BQJnI/AAAAAAAABkQ/pLX9LmTNOI4/s320/freedom_s2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Cultivating this independence has freed me from always looking elsewhere for a solution or blaming my circumstances. There comes a point when enough is enough. I woke up to the fact that it doesn't matter what my circumstance is, how little support I think I have, I don't have enough time or whatever. The bottom line after all the reasons are laid out for why I am the way I am is this: I am 50+ years old and running out of time to change things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">After all is said and done and I am in my elder years, will I look back at this time, as the time I took it back, or will I be sitting in the nursing home with drool running down my cheek wondering where my life went? Why did I waste it? Why oh why could I not pull myself up off the sofa, and away from the TV and out of the damn drive thru and simply LIVE? Now my time is spent and wasted. That is the time when all of my excuses, reasons and justifications will not mean a damn thing. It is uncomfortable to face opposition, both from your own addictions and from a health unfriendly environment, but the fact remains that the possibilities of living your best possible life dwindle with each passing day that you allow yourself to cling to another justification or excuse until you wake up one day and your vitality is totally spent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Then the bitter tears will flow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This is strictly my opinion and I will probably catch flack for this but I firmly believe the reason that only 20% succeed in long term weight loss and maintenance (statistically speaking) is that, in general, there is a lack of total commitment. Yes, I know that circumstances happen, it happened to me, and I regained 70+ pounds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Life happens to all of us, and all of the crap that goes with it, but ultimately when you are totally committed, circumstances will influence only the short term, but will not influence the long term because your vision will keep you coming back. If you visualize a boxer who keeps getting knocked down, and continues to get back up over and over again, you get the picture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Unfortunately the culture that we have created is our own worst enemy. We have been made docile by our push button, instant gratification, fast downloading, drive-thru, pamper me society until we have lost our will to dig in our heels and fight like hell for what we want. The determined person, if they do not see the result they want, will seek out information and education, and go back to the drawing board until something clues them in that they are headed in the right direction. I have yet to meet someone who is really passionate about something that does not search out and devour any and all material about that subject.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I know that this is rather pointed but this is part of the reason I have made it this far. I had to quit making excuses, because besides what seemingly good reason I had, at the end of the day, I was still a great candidate for a heart attack and may die. If I wanted to change that, then I had to pull out all of the stops and make it happen......this time!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x9T0pmfu-zw/T8jxc-I5WFI/AAAAAAAABkg/kMs1-1O0Gbc/s1600/survival-425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x9T0pmfu-zw/T8jxc-I5WFI/AAAAAAAABkg/kMs1-1O0Gbc/s320/survival-425.jpg" width="304" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Survival instinct is pretty powerful, so powerful that we will eat anything and do anything to survive even if it crosses our petty preferences. Tap that instinct, realize that our unhealthy lifestyle is slowly killing us, and we will be unstoppable. Keep relegating this to the "when it is convenient list" and we will fail every time. It is a law of nature that will never change. We humans are a funny bunch. We spend millions to be able to view the farthest corners of the known universe, but we are unwilling to give up the least comfort because we can't see past the end of our noses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Always remember this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Success in the journey is affordable to all, but comes at a price few are willing to pay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I had to ask myself these ?'s</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Are you willing to fight for your independence?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Are you ready to be your own champion?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">If you say yes and mean it and are willing to commit to it each day in some small way, then success will be yours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">With independence comes freedom. Seek out like minded support but rely on no one. This is YOUR journey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Make your journey your passion..........</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/44/692CB0A37C23A8B9CF68B3D60A647804.png" style="border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13156943361193851644noreply@blogger.com1