1st day of work, continued

BACK TO WORK!!!!!!!! First Day :)

Whoo. Made it through my first day.
It felt like coming home, as I knew a lot of people at my new/old workplace. I worked there in 04 and 05! Anyways, no real nerves, other than the clothing thing. But I felt confident in my new shirt and a skirt that I had. I will be taking my new pants over to BFF's house tonight to get her opinion. I'm never sure on the length! Being 5'4" it can go either way.. and this time, I picked out the petites so I want a second opinion incase I need to return it!

Had a sensible Breakfast of 1 piece toast w/ some peanut butter, and a bottle of V-8. Lunch, not as good. I had oriental chicken sald ( bredded chicken, crunchy noodles, lettuce, slivered almonds, and some honey mustardy dressing) and apple crisp which really was more like bread pudding (YUCK) and a diet Orange crush.

FASHION BUG!

Do you wear women's shoe size 5, 6 or 9.5, or 10??

If so,
RUN to this page on Amazon.com for New Balance Running/Training shoe WR725
for only $24.12
Avail. in color black/lavender only ( I think it looks cute!)

Men's Sleeveless Performance Fitness T-shirt

Lands End has Men's Sleeveless Performance Fitness T-shirt on sale for $6.99. Shipping is Free if you enter code: RAFT and PIN #: 6785 at checkout.

food finder on -the-go

U.S Residents
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded Healthy Dining a grant to develop HealthyDiningFinder.com. The first phase of the program entailed outreach to the nation’s largest chains. This phase was very successful, as nearly 60,000 restaurant locations have joined Healthy Dining Program. Yet, this is only the beginning. We will continue to add restaurants to the program and website – it is our hope that every restaurant -- throughout the nation -- will join the HEALTHY DINING PROGRAM to offer you, the customer, a delicious selection of healthier choices.Healthy Dining Finder for your area


Chew on that while I procrastinate on my taxes!

random

Realized that crunch-time is coming up SO soon. I'm sad that today was my last day "on-the-clock" watching BFF's two girls, as my unemployment is quickly drawing to an end. I start my new job on THURSDAY! Yikes.

I am sad to say that I have nothing to wear to the new job :( I sold most of my big girl stuff @ a garage sale last year, and I never really had business clothes since my old job I wore jeans! Now, I'm expected to have business casual/dress most days, sometimes more formal... YIKES! I've been having a recurring nightmare that I am pregnant and starting a new job for which I only had 2 days worth of clothes to wear. The pisser is that it's close to the truth. At least at this job, no one knows that I weighed 35 pounds less just one year ago.

But my friend/old coworker does and I was talking with her today..she thinks that I should try Weight Watchers since my new job is supposed to have WW meetings over lunchtime on Wednesdays. I don't know if I will be working on Wed but might look it to that.. just for the support that the meetings offer/ good advice & accountability.

I know that the accountability piece really helped me in the beginning when I was trying to lose weight before because I used the Employee Assistance Program through work to have free phone "counseling" sessions which were basically exercise/diet goal planning. I had to check in with my rep once a week for the first month, then once a month for the next 5 or 6 months. Knowing that I had to talk about my struggles and successes, had to account for the pounds when she asked my weekly weight, etc.. I know that it did me some good.

Virtual model- virtual ME

My new friend Timothea66 posted about Virtual Models in her blog.

I did one a while back but "recreated the magic" just for you guys..
check it out on my before and after pics! ( I forgot to switch the jeans.. I would never wear skinny jeans, unless it was cute on me, so please excuse my model) And I couldn't find a normal sweatshirt, which is what I would be wearing on a casual day!

Do one for yourself at My Virtual Model


Today, barely made it through 20 minutes on the elliptical... my foot was killing me/ going numb, and I just didn't have the energy.  The best part about the exercise was the shower afterward.
I've been dealing with wax buildup on my hair, and my hairdresser suggested washing with Woollite. Well LOL! I didn't use Woolite original, which might have had something to do with it, but felt it wasn't clean still... tried vinegar, helped some, but not enough, and it was too hard to pour vinegar over my head in the shower.
So TODAY, I made a loose paste of vinegar and baking soda and that did the trick!!! My hair feels loverly, though smells like vinegar but that'll go away :) The buildup is completely gone, and my hair is like a little dandelion head gone to seed.. so light and pooufy. I think I look like this guy!

That first step.....

April 8th is National Start Walking day and I've pulled this from Readers Digest, April 2009 pg 82 

How to... Make Walking a Habit

You know walking can help your health, weight, and mood, but are you having trouble with that first step?

Try walking to your computer. Beginning April 8, you'll be able to create a personalized walking plan on the American Heart Association's Start! site.

You will take a ten-question quiz,; the site selects one of seven walking plans matched to your fitness level, goals, and lifestyle. You can even plug in your zip code to find a walking buddy and beginner-friendly local route maps

Restaurant Lingo

Today, I plan to attack my living room and kitchen area and do some "weeding". It's my last Saturday unemployed  and I need to do something productive to show for my time off. HA! I've reserved next Saturday to do my taxes


Yesterday, I went bowling with a friend I met in my last year of high school, while I was in college. I didn't realize we'd know each other for so long until her oldest asked! 14 years! Yikes. We've managed to keep up even those she's lived in Wisconsin, Ohio, and China. Time sure flies, doesn't it?

My size 16 jeans aren't really fitting.. too small.. though I purchased a few things for my job starting Thursday and they were size 16 so who knows. At 191, I need to make this graph point downward. It's not a good size for me. I told bowling friend that last year at this time, I was 35 pounds lighter. She almost fell over. I feel bad :(




Excerpt from Fitting Fitness In: Even When You Are Pressed For Time, a booklet published in 1996 by the National Cattleman's Beef Association, in conjunction with the American Heart Association and Shape Up, America

These preparation methods require added fat, and produce rich dishes. When you select foods prepared in these cooking styles, balance with lower fat choices and be sure to get plenty of physical activity.

au gratin
basted
batter-dipped
bechamel sauce
bernaise sauce
bordelaise sauce
breaded
buttery
cheesy
creamy
crispy
en casserole
en croute
fried
hollandaise
in gravy
rich
sauteed
(en)scalloped
smothered
stir fried in oil
stuffed

These preparation methods require little or no butter or oil, and bring out ingredients' great tastes and flavors. Words with a * indicate lean cuts of beef

au jus
as vin
baked
broiled
consomme'
dry rub
fresh
herbed/herb crusted
light
light pan sauce
loin*
marinara
marinated
poached
red sauce
roasted
round*
steamed
stir-fried in broth
tomato-based
whole-grain
yogurt sauces

Restaurant staff are happy to answer questions about menu items and accommodate special requests, whenever possible.  Make your waiter your new BFF!  Ask your waiter to:

• clarify how a menu item is prepared
• remove extra chips, butter, and rolls from the table
• suggest a lowfat menu item
• find out what's in the "diet" or "vegetarian" platter- these items are not always low in fat and calories
• serve salad dressings, sauces, gravies, and whipped toppings on the side
• have the chef prepare your food without added oil, butter or margarine
• hold the mayonnaise on sandwiches- use mustard or lowfat dressing instead
• substitute one food for another. For example, request a baked potato or tossed salad instead of French fries
• investigate fresh fruit and vegetable options. Even when vegetables and fruit are not featured on a menu, many restaurants will serve them on request
• serve vegetables steamed and plain, without sauce
• provide skim or lowfat milk with your coffee instead of cream
• wrap extra food to go; refridgerate and enjoy for lunch the next day