tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91927971097174756782024-03-10T12:13:23.123-07:00Me, Exactly Weight loss BlogWelcome to my blog! Losing weight and learning to survive it!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-80704312674336321002017-01-12T18:45:00.001-08:002017-01-12T18:45:15.394-08:00Back in the saddleSo much has happened in the last few years!<br />
I met someone, got married, have 2 jobs, so much!<br />
I will be expanding on all of these and more in the coming months. Stay tuned!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-12547580996626392112013-06-17T04:25:00.000-07:002013-06-17T04:25:59.474-07:00Natural Remedies For Gingivitis<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No longer is the word ‘gingivitis’ as scary as is used to be
a decade ago. With the increasing level of research and development in the
field of medicine, gingivitis is as easy to treat as seasonal fever. Moreover,
it can be cured with the help of natural and home made products. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Natural remedies for gingivitis are surprisingly simple and
cost effective, as compared to the professional treatment of the disease. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h1>
<a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Dentistry_g416-Tooth_p151491.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img 212="" 320="" border="0" height=" width=" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpZVz7JInJWFSXoYlX1-xMzOk1bdtX0Z8UdIUQx2IwUf5saC1B5qnEvm5peaPYZNvhy1SAYFtvoznDtwxOEeeZa-BCOK3uVv3IimT00v7b1w2n2_enB0ZUb4WfPtOzLzWynFQWfaIAlw/s320/ID-100151491.jpg" title="Courtesy of artur84 at freedigitalphotos.net" /></a><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Eat
Citrus Fruits <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lack of vitamins is the most common cause of any gum disease.
The antioxidant properties of Vitamin C strengthen the gums and help them fight
against bacterial attacks. Increase your consumption of oranges, limes and
broccoli. Vitamin C supplements can also be taken as an alternative medicine
for the treatment of gingivitis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h1>
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Enjoy
A Sun Bath<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Vitamin D is another important feed of gums. It keeps them
strong and healthy. Numerous researches have shown that deficiency of Vitamin C
and D increases the risk of gum diseases, including </span><a href="http://www.trustedhealthproducts.com/health-resources/oral-health/gingivitis/#sthash.cE090mAH.dpbs"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">gingivitis</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">. Fortunately, the most rich and
effective source of vitamin D is free of cost. All it requires for you is to
stand under the sunlight for 15 minutes per week. The ultraviolet ray of sun
stimulates the vitamin D in our skin. However, sun baths are not for you if you
have skin allergies, instead take vitamin D supplements. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h1>
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Use
Coenzyme Q10 Containing Tooth Pastes<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Like Vitamin D, Coenzyme Q10 is also found in our body. It is
an antioxidant which strengthens the gum tissues and prevents from dental
diseases. Lack of this enzyme damages the gingival tissues. Coenzyme Q10 is
easily available in the form of toothpastes. Use the toothpaste with the
highest amount of Coenzyme Q10 enzyme for at least 3 months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h1>
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Gargle
with Green Tea<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Most of us are aware of the benefits of green tea. From
obesity to high blood pressure, green tea is beneficial for a countless number
of diseases. But how many of us knew that it can also be used as an alternative
medicine for several gum diseases? It is one of the most cost effective
remedies for the treatment of gingivitis. All you have to do is stir some green
tea leaves in hot water, let the water cool for some minutes and then apply it
to your gums and teeth. You can also gargle with it; just make sure it is warm
enough for you to bear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h1>
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Drink
One Glass Of Cranberry Juice Daily<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Another major cause of gingivitis is the plaque that is
formed as a result of sticky and sugary foods. Such things trigger the bacteria
and help them in building up tartar. Cranberry juice, without sugar, is known
to prevent the bacteria from sticking to the teeth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In today’s era where technological advancement is replacing
the traditional modes of daily life utilities; the field of medicine is taking
a U-turn in a sense that people are moving more towards the home made and
natural remedies for treating different diseases. It is time for you to realize
the benefits of natural remedies and save your gums from the torture of
gingival removers and scalers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Author Bio:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/115832992435053857164/about"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kevin Kerfoot</span></i></a><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> writes about health, nutrition, oral
hygiene and skin care for </span></i><a href="http://www.trustedhealthproducts.com/"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Trusted Health
Products’</span></i></a><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> natural health blog and newsletter. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-46820571035042926952013-06-03T10:41:00.000-07:002013-06-03T10:41:49.944-07:006 Ways Stress Makes You Gain Weight<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We will be getting under the hood and trying understand how stress makes people fatter. It is no secret that
obesity is causing undue stress to the American economy.
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention found out that the total
indirect and direct cost of fighting obesity in America is $147 billion in 2006.
The study also revealed that obese people spent $1,429 more on medical bills
compared to people with normal weight. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Craving carbs<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have you ever felt good after eating a huge bowl of pasta?
Chances are you did and there is a good reason for feeling that way. Craving
for carbohydrates is one of the common responses to an increase of stress
hormones circulating in the body. Sugar is the best and quickest way to
replenish energy that is needed to execute a fight or flee response to stress.
Carbohydrates are known to supply sugar which the body needs. But if the sugar
stays in the body, it will be stored as fat.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Increased cholesterol
levels<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having symptoms of anxiety can actually give the body a hard
time. Stress is known to increase cholesterol levels which if left unabated can
lead to several cardiovascular diseases and may also cause strokes. Higher
lipid profiles are observed on people who are unable to cope with stress and it
has something to do with the body’s inability to ward off inflammation caused
by the rise of cortisol in the body.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Comfort eating<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recent study suggests that there is a gene that is thought
to have an influence in metabolism. This gene is produced when the body is
under stress. It is thought that this gene may cause comfort eating which can
add thousands of calories and significantly increase weight. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Hormonal imbalance<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stress is notorious in causing hormonal imbalance. Hormonal
imbalance causes additional inches on the waste line. Hormones may prevent fat
breakdown or can stimulate more amounts of insulin which can make cells insulin
resistant and make it doubly hard to get rid of fat. Getting quality sleep and
relaxation together with proper diet and exercise can help get rid of stress
and help the body recover from hormonal imbalance. Consult a doctor if you are
having problems with your hormones. Naturally, an endocrinologist, a specialist
in hormones, is the best doctor to consult if ever you are having hormonal
imbalance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Slows down fat
burning<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stress can be a tough customer and it could interfere with
fat burning. Unresolved stress can cause the metabolic function in the body go
haywire. Healthy DHEA and cortisol ratios are important to keep the metabolism
rate at normal levels and allows the body to burn fat efficiently. Aside from
coping with stress, it is best to cut down on fat so that the body will have
less to store and burn some of the stored ones through exercise.<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Elevating your blood
glucose<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the body thinks that it is in danger, it secretes the
stress hormone called cortisol. As the
body feel the stress, the heart pumps faster, the blood pressure gets higher
and the blood sugar increases. Now if the blood sugar remains elevated, the
cells in time become insulin resistant which can develop into type-2 diabetes.
The elevated blood sugar levels have nowhere to go but are stored as fat which
contributes to <a href="http://healthfinder.gov/News/Article.aspx?id=668841">weight
gain</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Exercise alone will not help in lowering stress. You need to
have a healthy diet and a nice disposition to constantly elevate the mood. It
would help if you incorporate other stress-busting activities such as yoga and
even laughter. Kicking out unhealthy habits like eating fast food will also
help. Drinking water will also help in keeping the body hydrated. Lose weight,
be happy and feel better because these will serve as your weapons against
stress.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About the Author:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ryan Rivera writes about stress, depression, and <a href="http://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/attacks">anxiety attacks</a>. Please check out his <a href="https://twitter.com/CalmClinic">Calm Clinic</a> Twitter account for more
information regarding these topics.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-64401783899159266022013-05-28T08:06:00.001-07:002013-05-28T08:06:38.315-07:00Dance Studio Schedule<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjlOtJ9GtUnnb8D9r3H75-znNHneiq95_85mEf_Z8_iMtveDJFXcNLww3atYP1kBkTnNyRaWh-gnLNyjlW-sWXEVpXEDSCUQyuRiHucgdSrQBiA2MpweZJlpPop37lBDlxlT_UqA-KiQ/s1600/peep+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjlOtJ9GtUnnb8D9r3H75-znNHneiq95_85mEf_Z8_iMtveDJFXcNLww3atYP1kBkTnNyRaWh-gnLNyjlW-sWXEVpXEDSCUQyuRiHucgdSrQBiA2MpweZJlpPop37lBDlxlT_UqA-KiQ/s320/peep+show.jpg" title="facebook candy meme" width="320" /></a>Doesn't it suck when your bedroom refuses to clean itself?<br />
Well in the mean time, I've been planning my dance DVD workout schedule, reading through my Ballet for Dummies book and trying to fight a sinus cold. Yay me. On the bright side it's almost the end of the month, and my financial aid stuff for college is close to being finalized.<br />
<br />
Now as far as the dance schedule goes, I made it based on the fact that I'm normally very sedentary. I've tried workout programs in the past obviously, but most don't work because of this one sucky fact: even if you do the 1 hour a day workout and eat a decent diet, sitting at the computer the rest of the day does not much weight loss make. I also just found that I have a couple random Zumba cardio workouts as well that I can throw in.<br />
<br />
<title>Dance DVD Workout Schedule</title>
<br />
<b>Day 1</b><br />
30 min Body Revolution workout 1<br />
60 min NYC Ballet workout 1<br />
14 min Yoga Booty Ballet Rehearsal and Guided Meditation<br />
45 min Yoga Booty Ballet Total Toning Basics<br />
30 min Hip Hop Abs Fat Burning Cardio<br />
55 min Slim in 6 Cool it Off!<br />
<br />
<b>Day 2</b><br />
30 min Body Revolution workout 2<br />
60 min NYC Ballet workout 1<br />
36 min Yoga Booty Balley Cardio Cabaret<br />
30 min Hip Hop Abs Fat Burning Cardio<br />
30 min Zumba Workout (pick one)<br />
55 min Slim in 6 Cool it Off!<br />
<br />
<b>Day 3</b><br />
30 min Body Revolution Cardio 1<br />
60 min NYC Ballet workout 2<br />
30 min Yoga Booty Ballet Advanced Fat Burning<br />
24 min Hip Hop Abs Ab Sculpt<br />
30 min Zumba workout (pick one)<br />
55 min Slim in 6 Cool it Off!<br />
<br />
<b>Day 4</b><br />
30 min Body Revolution Workout 1<br />
60 min NYC Ballet workout 2<br />
49 min Yoga Booty Ballet Hip Hop Abs<br />
30 min Hip Hop Abs Fat Burning Cardio<br />
30 min Zumba workout (pick one)<br />
30 min Power Yoga: Mind and Body Adrienne Reed (via Youtube)<br />
<br />
<b>Day 5</b><br />
30 min Body Revolution Workout 2<br />
60 min NYC Ballet workout 1<br />
30 min Yoga Booty Ballet Advanced Fat Burning<br />
25 min Hip Hop Abs Hips, Buns and Thighs<br />
30 min Zumba<br />
55 min Slim in 6 Cool it Off!<br />
<br />
<b>Day 6</b><br />
30 min Body Revolution Cardio 1<br />
60 min NYC Ballet workout 2<br />
36 min Yoga Booty Ballet Cardio Cabaret<br />
42 min Hip Hop Abs Total Body Burn<br />
30 min Zumba<br />
55/30 min Slim in 6 Cool it Off! or Yoga (your choice)<br />
<br />
<b>Day 7</b><br />
Relax and pamper.<br />
<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoyed the Peep Show :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-30673147917122554072013-05-27T06:04:00.000-07:002013-05-27T06:04:19.790-07:00Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Weight during PregnancyIf your weight is or has ever been a
concern, the thought of going through a nine-month weight gain marathon can be
nothing less than terrifying! This can even put a damper on the joy of finding
out you’re expecting.<br />
<title>How to Maintain a Healthy Weight Through Pregnancy</title>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Rest assured, however, that being pregnant
does not have to be synonymous with a life-changing increase in body mass. In
fact, it can be an opportunity to implement the type of healthy lifestyle you
may be after. What could be more motivating than getting fit and fabulous for
the sake of your child? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.amoralia.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Amoraliabutoonnursingtop.jpg" border="0" height="400" src="http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/anoceanlover/Amoraliabutoonnursingtop.jpg" title="Comfy Yoga clothes. Photo Courtesy of amoralia.com" width="266" /></a><span lang="EN-GB">If you’re already in the groove, finding
out you’re pregnant can give you an extra boost to stay on track and focus even
more attention on your diet and exercise routines. And if you’re just starting
off in the world of healthy awareness, you can really use this time to up your
knowledge and implement smart routines into your daily life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Don’t let anything get in the way of
enjoying your pregnancy to the fullest- follow these tips for integral wellness
and maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">Focus
on Foods<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">It’s important to keep in mind that
pregnant women only need about 300 more calories per day to nourish baby. So,
while you may be eating for two, the second person in question here is of
course much smaller than the first. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">If you haven’t already, read up on what
really constitutes healthy food choices. A balanced diet of lean proteins,
whole grains, good sources of calcium and vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables
has never been more important. Not only will your diet provide you with the
energy you need during pregnancy, it will help stave off cravings for fatty or
sugary foods. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Another essential factor in maintaining a
healthy diet while expecting is dedicating some time to it. Schedule in a good
hour each day for preparing healthy meals. Use a weekend morning to shop for
options you can have on hand for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks throughout
each day. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">Feed
your Cravings<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Of course you’ll have cravings for tasty
things (or strange combinations!) during pregnancy. You just need to remember
to recognize them for what they are and satisfy them smartly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Ask yourself why you’re craving a certain
food item. If you’re dying for a cheeseburger and fries, for example, your body
may be low on protein and iron. Or, you may be suffering from low blood sugar
altogether from having skipped lunch. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">You can then determine what to do- have you
eaten well today and generally satisfied most of your hunger with healthy
options? Then go ahead and have that cheeseburger! If you haven’t earned your
‘cheat’ meal, you might be better off making a good low-fat cheeseburger at
home with some carrot sticks on the side. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Feed cravings for sweets with low-fat dark
chocolate or frozen yogurt topped with a handful of blueberries. Tempted by processed
potato chips? Try tortilla chips instead, dipped in some homemade guacamole
with plenty of tangy lime, tomatoes and onions. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">Stay
Moving<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">There is no secret to exercising during
pregnancy, other than avoiding any activities that could result in a fall or
hard impact. You don’t have to sign up for yoga or join an aqua aerobics class
(although these can be great ways to stick to your routine and meet other
mothers-to-be). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The key is to stay moving, every day. Twenty-thirty
minutes of gentle exercise will keep your blood circulating well and stimulate
your metabolism. Think of it as your time to focus on your health and well being Treat yourself to an invigorating morning walk or peaceful evening
stroll. This will do wonders for clearing your mind as well. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Swim whenever you have the chance- the
feeling of weightlessness is delicious during pregnancy. Or, dance around in
the living room with your older child. A body in motion is a naturally healthy
body, and it doesn't take much!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Maintaining a healthy weight during
pregnancy doesn't have to be a scientific or painful process. Use this as an
opportunity to implement healthy lifestyle changes- you can then pass them on
to your child. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.amoralia.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Amoraliamadewithlove.png" border="0" src="http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/anoceanlover/Amoraliamadewithlove.png" title="Be sure to check out amoralia.com for wonderful maternity clothing" /></a><i><span lang="EN-GB">Sonia
Moran is a mother of two active boys who struggled with weight gain during
pregnancy and losing the weight afterwards. Her journeys lead her to realize
that there’s no way around it- you simply have to adopt an overall healthy
lifestyle, the sooner the better! She is also a writer and consultant for </span></i><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.amoralia.com/"><i>www.amoralia.com</i></a><i>. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9192797109717475678" name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-51767751591217820052013-05-25T06:07:00.001-07:002013-05-25T06:07:58.320-07:00Weight Loss Weigh In<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEixVvCOYDvFvbcTRi76EM-5dMznqIbmZ55VI5tCr359EhTT-vHg-FllR02EQwKACDJlAM-ekqaEpcNkEWvCDfULQ24bGYjyHLUYB06MBjGtuByf3Yiras91bPVAKGq2wo-wvJjjST3SE/s1600/Feb+22+2013+344+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEixVvCOYDvFvbcTRi76EM-5dMznqIbmZ55VI5tCr359EhTT-vHg-FllR02EQwKACDJlAM-ekqaEpcNkEWvCDfULQ24bGYjyHLUYB06MBjGtuByf3Yiras91bPVAKGq2wo-wvJjjST3SE/s320/Feb+22+2013+344+Front.jpg" title="Weight loss blog before photo" width="240" /></a>Well whoda thunk it! I've already lost weight! Granted I've had a cold the last few days...<br />
Before this week, the last time I weighed myself was a month ago and my highest weight was 350 lbs. I now weigh 338 lbs, so thankfully I'm already starting off at a loss. Time to add to that number!<br />
<br />
This is a short post mainly to put in my current weight plus a couple before pics. I'm not overly proud of them, but alas I have to start somewhere.<br />
<br />
I hope everyone has a great weekend!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLgANQrzy4oA0nJ3l29nH4yWp66Q-AuGJrnZWmXGDVmcbgTcBB43k0-lsE4RNiQca-t_LurYrt7iPJSr3z0ahneQj8fXcsMAalcNZ-PTlkJx3-VMj-w8czMt8mNN8bOOYrGEZmCusz4M/s1600/hair+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLgANQrzy4oA0nJ3l29nH4yWp66Q-AuGJrnZWmXGDVmcbgTcBB43k0-lsE4RNiQca-t_LurYrt7iPJSr3z0ahneQj8fXcsMAalcNZ-PTlkJx3-VMj-w8czMt8mNN8bOOYrGEZmCusz4M/s320/hair+2.jpg" title="Weight loss blog before photo. From the top." width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lbs lost so far:</b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">12</span></b><br />
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P.S. I bought the Biggest Loser shirt for motivation, plus they make great workout shirts. Go figure.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-9907265672421639392013-05-24T05:39:00.001-07:002013-05-24T15:35:07.584-07:00Firmoo Sunglasses Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.firmoo.com/z/images/material/s-p-2183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://www.firmoo.com/z/images/material/s-p-2183.jpg" title="Firmoo Sunglasses Giveaway" width="320" /></a></div>
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<title>Giveaway for Firmoo Sunglasses!</title>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.firmoo.com/" target="_blank">Click Here to check out Firmoo's Sunglasses and Be sure to Leave a blog comment below mentioning your favorite pair.</a></span><br />
<b>In order to be counted in the giveaway, also make sure to log into the Rafflecopter Widget and enter!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a41c4f1/" id="rc-a41c4f1" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
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I'm extremely happy to announce that I've teamed up with <span id="goog_24000446"></span><a href="http://www.firmoo.com/" target="_blank">Firmoo</a><span id="goog_24000447"></span> for an awesome giveaway! Firmoo is one of the world's leading online sunglasses companies, providing high quality fashionable glasses for great prices.<br />
You might have seen Firmoo sunglasses giveaways before on other websites/blogs, but for those who haven't I'll explain the process.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Prizes</span></b><br />
There are 7 possible prizes in this giveaway.<br />
1 Grand prize winner could win a pair of their choice of sunglasses from firmoo.com, shipping included.<br />
The winner can also choose glasses that have prescription lenses, visit <a href="http://www.firmoo.com/prescription-sunglasses.html" target="_blank">this page</a> to see how it's done!<br />
<b><u>In order to unlock the grand prize, though, there has to be at least 50 valid contestant entries. </u></b>So be sure to share the giveaway with your friends and family! I really hope someone's able to win the nice pair of sunglasses!<br />
<br />
6 Contestants, regardless of how many enter, will win a $20 sunglasses E-Voucher good for sunglasses from this <a href="http://www.firmoo.com/wrap-around-rx-sunglasses.html" target="_blank">firmoo wrap around sunglasses</a> page. This is also a great page to pick your favorite pair to mention below!<br />
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<a href="http://www.firmoo.com/z/images/material/s102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.firmoo.com/z/images/material/s102.jpg" title="Fashionable Sunglasses" width="308" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Eligibility and Valid Entries</b></span><br />
In order to qualify for any prize you need to be 18+ years old or considered an adult in your country/state, and you'll need to visit <a href="http://www.firmoo.com/">firmoo.com</a> from this blog and leave a blog post comment below. This is important because firmoo will be checking Google Analytics to make sure that people click any link to firmoo from my blog. They'll also use Google to check whether 50 unique people have clicked it for the grand prize.<br />
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No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this promotion. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Void where prohibited.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shipping</b></span><br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: red;">Not in the United States?</span> </i>That's ok! <a href="http://www.firmoo.com/help-c-10.shtml" target="_blank">Check out this page</a> to see what countries firmoo ships to as well as other info about shipping to other countries. If they ship to your country, you can win the sunglasses! You can checkout their other shipping policies on this page; including tracking policies and minimum purchase prices on regular orders for free shipping.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Winners</b></span><br />
The winners will be chosen randomly via the Rafflecopter widget. The more entries you have, the better chance you have to win.<br />
The winners will be announced within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. An email will be sent to the winners and a response will be required within 48 hours of the minute the email is sent.<br />
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That's pretty much it! Good luck everyone, I really hope someone wins an awesome pair of sunglasses just in time for summer!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-31537748417332177992013-05-22T02:43:00.000-07:002013-05-23T05:22:49.273-07:00Dance Studio...a la Bedroom: My Dancin ToolsI've thought long and hard about what tools I have access to; both in terms of weight loss and really learning how to dance. As I've been leading to via <a href="http://meexactly.blogspot.com/2013/05/internal-dialogue.html" target="_blank">Internal Dialogue</a> and <a href="http://meexactly.blogspot.com/2013/05/dance-studioa-la-bedroom-part-1.html" target="_blank">Dance Studio...a la Bedroom: part 1</a>, I intend to lose weight via dance! Do I expect to be admitted into Julliard within the year? No, not really. Alas all I want is to lose weight, be more expressive with my body and who knows- maybe one day I'll actually feel comfortable shaking my groove thang with friends at the club! Granted the club isn't high on my totem pole of priorities, the point is I want to actually feel comfortable with my body.<br />
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<title>My Learning to Dance Weight Loss workouts</title>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001M508N6/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001M508N6&linkCode=as2&tag=meex-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B001M508N6&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=meex-20" width="200" /></a><br />
<b><u>Hip Hop Abs</u></b><br />
Anybody who's a fan of Jillian Michaels or Bob Harper knows that you can't spot reduce body fat. BUT! The perk about Shaun T's Hip Hop Abs is that it's mostly <b><i>cardio</i></b> with a LOT of core work to build up core strength. That is pretty much what I'm using it for. I've never tried these particular workouts, but they look fun!<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=meex-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000H1RG6S" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b><u>New York City Ballet Workouts 1 and 2</u></b><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HRMAR2/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000HRMAR2&linkCode=as2&tag=meex-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000HRMAR2&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=meex-20" /></a>Now we get down to the nitty gritty. I must be honest, I've actually owned these two workouts for years now and have never actually done them. I've been wanting to. I've pulled them out of my DVD collection multiple times, even popped them into the DVD player to get the feel of what they're like. But I've never actually done the moves. I think it's because I'm intimidated by them. I want to be at their level so badly, but I know I'm so far from it that I discourage myself and the DVDs end up back on the shelf. Well NO MORE!<br />
These two workouts are some of the best you can get in DVD form without going to a ballet class. They display the positions, the movements and the stretches with music while also giving you a workout to get that dancers body. Of all these tools, I'm most excited to start this program.<br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=meex-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000HRMAR2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0091UIMK0/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0091UIMK0&linkCode=as2&tag=meex-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0091UIMK0&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=meex-20" width="320" /></a><b><u>Jillian Michaels Body Revolution</u></b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=meex-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0091UIMK0" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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I've done phase 1 of this system before, and it is a good system. The only issue I personally had is based on my body's abilities. Because of that, the workouts do get repetitive. That's not a rip on the program as much as I'm 300+ lbs and have had 2 knee surgeries on my right knee....of course now that's the better knee! The further you get into Body Revolution the more jump training there is (also known as High Intensity Interval Training). That means you work harder and you get better results...if you don't injure yourself first that is lol. Obviously if you make sure your technique is correct, the chance of injury is very low, but with my weight and knees I don't want to push it.<br />
On Jillian's podcast, she's instructed people to keep up with phase 1 until you've built the strength to move on. Which is cool and makes sense, but brings me back to the repetitive problem. As I'll be combining this with the dance programs, that shouldn't be an issue anymore.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=meex-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000A3XER8" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<b><u>Yoga Booty Ballet</u></b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=meex-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0764525689" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000H1RG6S&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=meex-20" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000H1RG6S&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=meex-20" /></a>I've also had this system for a few years, and I have tried it. It's tough! Obviously that's a good thing, but damn. I was lighter at the time I tried it, too and damn! I'm not sure if my muscles have forgiven me yet... My guess would be because of the dumbbell weights. The NYC Ballet DVDs don't use weights, but YBB does and daaaamn. For those that don't know, Yoga Booty Ballet uses different disciplines in one workout. Total Toning Basics for instance is a full body workout that alternates weight training, Yoga and Ballet in kind of a circuit training style. Advanced Fat Burning goes even crazier into that vein. Then it has it's own "Hip Hop Abs" DVD (not related to Shaun T's workouts, except they're produced by BeachBody) and Cardio Cabaret as the fat burning cardio part of the program. Damn.<br />
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<b><u>Slim Series Cool it Off!</u></b><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A3XER8/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000A3XER8&linkCode=as2&tag=meex-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000A3XER8&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=meex-20" /></a>Ahhhh I love this DVD. It's my favorite workout DVD ever...ever! I've tried Cool it Off Express! and it's only half as good as the original. The first 5 minutes is very light warm up followed by 50 minutes of relaxing stretches combining light Yoga and stabilizing exercises. Despite it being a light workout, it's still very easy to get a sweat. No equipment is needed except a chair for an outer thigh exercise. I always feel happy and relaxed afterwards too, and I don't care what workout I'm doing, this DVD can go with it too.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764525689/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0764525689&linkCode=as2&tag=meex-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0764525689&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=meex-20" /></a></div>
<div style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">
Ballet for Dummies</div>
You can snicker if you want, but this book, written by award-winning conductor Scott Speck and Prima Ballerina Evelyn Cisneros of the San Francisco Ballet is to me the epic for my ballet beginnerness! It talks about everything from clothes to wear, positions, centering yourself, barre work, French translations, choreography, The Art of Ballet Mime, etc, etc... I'm sure there are other good books out there that break down Ballet, but for an American novice, this is the one I'm going with.<br />
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Now, the reason I'm not going to any regular dance class are for reasons I've already mentioned: I'm 300+ lbs, I hate doing group exercise classes because of the cow feeling and of course I have no money. The resources I have, I've collected slowly over the last five years or so, and I figure I might as well use them.<br />
I do see a light at the end of the tunnel, though, starting Fall Term I'll be getting financial aid to go back to school! When I finish my Associates Degree I'm transferring to my local University that has beginner ballet classes. By that time I'm hoping I'll have lost over 100 lbs.<br />
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<b><u><i>Do you have any suggestions for books or dance workouts that you really like? Let me know!</i></u></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Side Note:</span> I use the amazon.com images because they're royalty free and they look spiffy. Whether you want to actually buy the products I'm using is completely up to you.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-21998605092533971512013-05-20T18:52:00.000-07:002013-05-23T05:27:20.630-07:00Chiropractic Care Benefiting your Overall Health<a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Healthcare_g355-Physiotherapist_Shoulder_Assessment_p120575.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo ID-100120575.jpg" border="0" src="http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/anoceanlover/ID-100120575.jpg" title="Getting Chiropractic Help. Photo Courtesy of Ambro of freedigitalphotos.net" /></a>
<title>Gaining Health through the Chiropractor</title>
Younger generations are starting to acknowledge the need
of taking care of their bodies earlier and earlier in their life. As a person
ages they go through many different changes, personally, mentally, and
physically. No matter what your age is, you can benefit from chiropractic care.<br />
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At any age you can see the benefits of chiropractic care
for your overall health. Chiropractors treat the spine and your spine
correlates with your nervous system. Your nervous system controls every
function of the body, so if the nervous system is not performing properly your
health can deteriorate quickly. </div>
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Your body's changes and the daily grind
causes wear and tear over time. Your back, neck, legs, arms and entire body
wears down and you might not even be aware of the damage that is being done.
Without proper care, you can be forced into early retirement if you're unable to
perform your job and you'll notice your body isn't able to withstand simple
tasks as easily anymore. </div>
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Chiropractic care benefits many things such as
headaches, asthma, allergies, difficulty sleeping, blood pressure and digestive
issues. Since your spine correlates with your nervous system, every single
function of your body depends on your spine. When your spine is not properly
aligned, your nervous system is missing important signals from your body. A
chiropractor works on realigning the spine so that the spine and nervous system
are working as optimally as possible. </div>
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Chiropractic care is helpful as it creates better motion
and improved blood circulation, better flexibility, faster recovery times, less
muscle spasms, enhanced immune system, improved comfort, reduction of soreness and better nutrient delivery to all of the body’s cells. No matter what your
pain is, it can be solved with the proper chiropractic treatment.</div>
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A chiropractor will evaluate you and discuss any issues
and concerns you might have. If you are just seeking to gain better overall
health, the chiropractor will set up a general treatment plan for you. No matter
what you're going to a chiropractor for, your treatment plan is meant specifically for you and is there to help you. They
understand that every person is different and that every body is unique in its
own way.</div>
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When your overall health is a concern, a chiropractor can
help treat you and answer any questions that you might have. Your body deserves
to be treated and cared for properly, and over time you will notice wear and
tear that may raise concern for you to seek some professional help. </div>
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<b>About the Author<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Dr. Ruland, a <a href="http://www.chiroplusclinic.com/">chiropractor
in Fort Worth</a>, TX is pleased to bring you this article on chiropractic care
benefiting your overall health. If you are interested in <a href="http://www.chiroplusclinic.com/">Fort Worth chiropractic</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9192797109717475678" name="_GoBack"></a> care, please be sure to check out their website today. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-21478103503589328442013-05-17T08:17:00.000-07:002013-05-23T07:01:44.926-07:00Health Benefits of Treating Yourself to the Spa<br />
<title>Health Benefits of going to the Spa</title>
<br />
<div class="normal">
Ever want to go to the spa but don’t think it’s worth it? While
the idea of stepping into a spa may be to get the pampering effect it’s sure to
ignite, there are also many health benefits to consider when you decide if it’s
worth opening the wallet for! Whether you make time for a trip to your local
day spa or one of the trendier week long spa getaways; you’ll be taking a step
toward relieving yourself of life’s daily stresses. The variety of services
that spas now offer for both women and men range from the typical massages and
facials to more extensive treatments like cellulite reductions, body scrubs, reflexology
and corrective peels. Each treatment has its own health benefits making them
worth every penny.</div>
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<b>Relax and Rejuvenate</b></div>
<div class="normal">
A massage therapist knows just the right buttons to push to
find those tense spots. While working the knots out, they can help you relax
your muscles and manage those aches and pains. Many scents, such as lavender
and rosemary used in aromatherapy spa services also help to awaken the senses
and leave you feeling refreshed.</div>
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<a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Healthy_Living_g284-Facial_Massage_At_Spa_Salon_p156394.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8Y1qsM5z3MsR0qEmRl6aqkeZnv-l8VPAENXy5t4uISZauG-gv9wg3SnXOtgxoCxPs7_-8eueIJOP_TZqFzUXdJOu0d9kGR6BZ2VwxgDNQIkjE7xAx3nFEd1i-yNxf7_S0EFzXF3YrqI/s320/ID-100156394.jpg" title="Getting a Massage rub down. Photo Courtesy of Marcus at freedigitalphotos.net." width="320" /></a><b>Detox</b></div>
<div class="normal">
Spa treatments<b> </b>are a
pleasurable way to detox your system, reduce fluid retention and inflammation.
Mud baths nourish and exfoliate the skin with the natural vitamins and minerals
found in the mud while drawing out toxins. Heat therapies, like the sauna or
steam room, aid in creating intense perspiration, ridding the body of toxins via
the skin while increasing your heart rate.</div>
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<b>Improve Poor Circulation</b></div>
<div class="normal">
Massages, body scrubs, cold water or ice treatments and body
wraps work to stimulate blood circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to
your cells and minimize the risk of arthritis. Hydrotherapy also increases
blood flow as the body temperature rises working to decrease blood pressure.</div>
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<b>Better Sleep</b></div>
<div class="normal">
We all know a good night’s sleep is key to productive
functioning the next day. Almost all spa treatments can help reduce sleep deprivation,
improve the quality of sleep you get, ease your mind and enhance your immunity
to sickness through the boost to your lymphatic system. </div>
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<b>Keep a Youthful Glow</b></div>
<div class="normal">
Choosing the type of facial you want depends on the results
you’re looking for. Some are designed for deep cleaning and moisturizing, while
others serve to brighten the complexion and reduce dark circles. Getting frequent
facials can help fight off wrinkles, refine pores and promote cellular
renovation. Facials also reduce pressure from the neck and skull, preventing
future tension headaches.</div>
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The spa is a great way to recharge your mind and body, and shouldn't be something just to experience on vacation or a special occasion. Recognize
the spa as a natural part of living a healthy lifestyle! With all the added
benefits they provide, there is no longer a need to think of the spa as a
“guilty pleasure,” but rather a healthy way to spend your time indulging in the
finer things in life.</div>
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<b><u>Guest Author Bio</u></b></div>
<div class="normal">
My name is <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108684383809471399396?rel=author"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Tiffany Olson</span></a> and I love to blog about the
everyday experiences of living a happy and healthy lifestyle. I live in
beautiful Northern California (Redding to be exact!), and when I need to
rejuvenate I visit this <a href="http://infusionskinspa.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">spa in Redding</span></a>. I love to read, to cook, and
to take weekend road trips with good friends. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-4179882329824801462013-05-14T23:31:00.000-07:002013-05-23T05:42:30.377-07:00Dance Studio...a la Bedroom (part 1)Ok, so dancing.<br />
<title>Why I want to dance</title>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Dancing_g399-Silhouette_Women_Dancing_together_p88518.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7GmGNaVAl8Yjzqe9p22qq9uTG5iryKOzCdkHR1eF39m3ARG84IEV2uICNAc3rKM2yXcDdQKFzurR3ErU0k5lYOPtzFQv6p4KHxok-HbPEt_OyunhG6J_p-QxHP0MuDhP3HvSMYIt5Tg/s320/ID-10088518.jpg" title="Dancing Silhouette Photo courtesy of Sattva at freedigitalphotos.net. Click the image to see their website!" width="314" /></a></div>
It's fun, it burns calories, I've been wanting to learn for years. Why haven't I? Well when I was a youngin in a wee small town in Oregon, we <i>did</i> have a couple dance studios, but we also had a great Karate School as well. Guess which one my parents went with? Now am I angry about this? Hell no! I enjoyed Karate tons, plus the self defense skills have come in handy! But on the flip side I am a little sad that I didn't learn ballet when I was a kid.<br />
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I danced when I was in elementary school, though. We had a dance team(ish) headed by one of the moms and we would do halftime shows during basketball games. I was eleven or twelve at the time and did ok, but my parents went with Karate due the potential value as an adult.<br />
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I started gaining weight after I hit puberty and my metabolism slowed down. By the time I was an adult any "graceful swan" action was long gone. Taking group classes in exercise <i>let alone</i> dancing just made me feel like a cow; so I just stayed away. Flash forward and here's me. 300+ lbs and still struggling. So: it's something I think I'll enjoy, and if I dance in my bedroom I don't have to worry about looking like a cow.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-23689801507545871352013-05-13T14:53:00.000-07:002013-05-13T14:53:32.500-07:00Internal Dialogue"You know, you really need to start exercising again"<br />
"I know, but I lose motivation. Sometimes even when I'm doing well..."<br />
"Why do you do that? If you're doing well you should keep going..."<br />
"I know. I guess I'm afraid of getting to my goal and still not being happy."<br />
"Are you happy now?"<br />
"No."<br />
"Do you see yourself being happy in the future if you keep doing what you're doing now?"<br />
"No."<br />
"Then what have you got to lose?"<br />
"Apparently my sanity as I'm talking to myself"<br />
"Ha, ha. Why don't you find something you really like to do? You could combine it with something that's more intense but you don't like as much, that way you're getting the benefit of both."<br />
"Hrm. It's an idea. But what's something exercisey that I really like? In the end I almost always get tired burned out on it anyway..."<br />
"Well you've always wanted to learn how to dance."<br />
"...How did you know that???"<br />
">.>"<br />
"Just kidding, just kidding. Yea you're right. Dancing would be fun, plus I have a BUNCH of dancing dvd workouts that are just sitting around."<br />
"Exactly."<br />
"And when I get to a certain point I can start taking Ballet Classes at the local College!"<br />
"Very good."<br />
"Thanx, we should talk more often."<br />
"I try, but for some reason 'Ms. Negative' always gets first dibs..."<br />
"Weird. Where is she today?"<br />
"I shot her with a tranquilizer dart and stuffed her in a trunk"<br />
"O.o Remind me not to piss you off..."<br />
"Noted."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-75909845181872509892013-01-28T10:33:00.004-08:002013-05-12T16:48:02.433-07:00Booby Beanie Giveaway<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoM_cLiJHQ0BgY3nNJpJdssVnId8TRboPd8FBU4OBG2X7e6J9vYANbCPPOMyctUGsaT8A5_Rz1tIcO9kGsX4dzDE2ECclvcZUHg_Nkmvk6iGH6KA8S57nwezabgef2TuCeNa8w5CSIQYs/s1600/tri+14+beanies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoM_cLiJHQ0BgY3nNJpJdssVnId8TRboPd8FBU4OBG2X7e6J9vYANbCPPOMyctUGsaT8A5_Rz1tIcO9kGsX4dzDE2ECclvcZUHg_Nkmvk6iGH6KA8S57nwezabgef2TuCeNa8w5CSIQYs/s320/tri+14+beanies.jpg" title="Booby Beanie Giveaway" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
-Giveaway has ended-<br />
<br />
Welcome back! I'm having a giveaway if you hadn't noticed ^.^ It's in support of my Etsy shop as well as getting my other stuff out there. I hope you have fun with it and please leave a comment if you have any questions. Ty much :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-51846567467155309832012-08-31T10:00:00.000-07:002013-05-13T14:30:31.373-07:00Get the Weight Loss Support You Need Weight loss is not easy. It can be a long and painful journey, but so worth the struggle for the end result. One of the best ways to make the journey a little easier is to find a support system that will keep you motivated through the good and bad days. Take these six steps to build your weight loss support for maximum results. <br />
<br />
<b>1. Start with Your Doctor</b><br />
<a href="http://www.everydayhealth.com/forums/weight-loss-support-group.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVRFY0w_QM8qmG41ttx06gopi-gflkNY70nQ57Gbv0Rm9A8nNMMXcDlskqH71wsYkHx60nQ4pm6zI8HJuRvhhCiOZDcNGv09zwrojR2wfooM5yBmMDYKq5XZthpEhUi0ZLDGARZmWTjA/s320/workout+buddy.jpg" title="Image courtesy of Everydayhealth.com" width="320" /></a>Before you begin your weight loss journey, talk to your doctor about your goals. Explain to her how you feel about your body and the changes you want to make. She may have some suggestions on how to get started and will be able to help you determine the best plan for you.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Get Your Family on Board</b><br />
Tell your family why losing weight is important and how you are about to start your endeavor. Be clear about the changes you are making in your diet and exercise so they understand what’s coming. <br />
<br />
<b>3. And Engage Them</b><br />
Getting fit can be a family activity. Ask them to join you for a bike ride or walk or make a healthy recipe together. <br />
<br />
<b>4. Tell Those Closest To You</b><br />
You don’t have to broadcast to everyone that you’re on a diet, but it is a good idea to tell the people that are close to you-- maybe your best friends or co-workers. Tell them how they can help you reach your goals.<br />
<br />
<b>5. Find a Diet Buddy</b><br />
You’ll be much more likely to stick to your diet and exercise plan if you have someone to keep you accountable. Find a friend or family member to be a gym buddy to keep you honest. Or, <a href="http://www.everydayhealth.com/forums/need-a-diet-buddy.html">find someone online here.</a><br />
<br />
<b>6. Join a Weight Loss Community</b><br />
How awesome would it be to find hundreds of people who are going through the same things as you? <a href="http://everydayhealth.com/forums/weight-loss-support-group">Check out this online group</a> for some weight loss motivation and support. <br />
<br />
With the added support, you'll be on your way to a healthier you. Good luck! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://everydayhealth.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKXPELlHFELGtOa6ZjwqzxEfpRi_qIdXEccF6j0fXSYeYzXLTYgzWY6IpPbuV2osjt0zLnUaQzg_YlMvITI30oX4PRIoqI7O-sIS1VuuF2xkZwP2bIi_sRTXRYqSryufumyfNiD79Y4w/s1600/Everyday+Health.png" title="Everyday Health" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Guest Poster Caitlin Heikkila is the Community Manager at <a href="http://www.everydayhealth.com/">Everyday Health.</a></span></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-61638306638582150242012-08-28T10:00:00.000-07:002013-02-03T15:52:25.373-08:00My Exercise Plan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindy31MRczCknGLAlH5692lgqkKXcJAkjMSeMHS2Bm767sK9Rd718yJxB9aylEQByP3g6ye_Fa1keDYf_nl09ZLhMgy7VSS29JA6NKe_h3IXaC5A9CTNtA8f8n_YGejqcZg3G2q-KOx3A/s1600/dumb+bells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindy31MRczCknGLAlH5692lgqkKXcJAkjMSeMHS2Bm767sK9Rd718yJxB9aylEQByP3g6ye_Fa1keDYf_nl09ZLhMgy7VSS29JA6NKe_h3IXaC5A9CTNtA8f8n_YGejqcZg3G2q-KOx3A/s320/dumb+bells.jpg" title="Image Courtesy of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Well now that things have calmed down a bit, I can get to doing some exercising! Not that I didn't burn quite a few calories when I was moving, though. On the main day we moved stuff with the Uhaul my BodyMedia Fit arm band recorded 4137 Calories total that day! But even with moving my activity level's been hit and miss.<br />
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<b><u>The Plan</u></b><br />
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<a name='more'></a><b><u><br /></u></b>
My basic plan to start with is doing at least 1 hour of intense exercise with a cardio and/or strength training DVD (making sure to not strength train the same muscles 2 days in a row). With DVDs that have 30 minute workouts I'll probably follow it with a short cardio DVD such as Hip Hop dancing or a cardio boot camp.<br />
<br />
With that, my goal every day (even on rest days) with the help of my arm band, is to walk 10,000 steps. I've been averaging about 4000 a day doing normal activity, sometimes reaching 5,000-7,000 while moving.<br />
<br />
I'm doing this as opposed to joining some "plan" because I've done so many "plans" that each have gone down like Lindsay Lohan trying to stay sober.<br />
<br />
I'm kind of excited to see what my calorie output is going to look like with all the exercising, and my goal is to lose at least 10 lbs over the next 4 weeks.<br />
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TTFN!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-23848060493207399972012-08-26T13:31:00.000-07:002013-02-03T15:53:17.098-08:00Wow What a MonthMan this last month has been exhausting. Between moving me, then moving my room mates AND me into a new apartment, donating plasma, winning Daily Dose prizes, getting scammed on Craigslist from trying to sell stuff to help pay rent; it's a rare day that I haven't been exhausted by the end of it. Hence why I haven't really been posting much lately. Every time I thought "Man, I should really write a blog post" the other side of me went "Fuck you, bitch. Go to bed!"<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvDZC0eYZuU6SYiLthD553LcM02_IFZhNJ9w4FuyahMPcSQaKgUetCZNwfsgeqxXaXOY0FEVGXbRTv3-6cugzNcWTd4HhyphenhyphenMVz3AVihWnH7g-gVv8JKYvSnRG7MttuEclkdshaZbSFG4w/s1600/New+Home+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img 320="320" border="0" height="240" separator="separator" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvDZC0eYZuU6SYiLthD553LcM02_IFZhNJ9w4FuyahMPcSQaKgUetCZNwfsgeqxXaXOY0FEVGXbRTv3-6cugzNcWTd4HhyphenhyphenMVz3AVihWnH7g-gVv8JKYvSnRG7MttuEclkdshaZbSFG4w/s320/New+Home+3.jpg" style="text-align: center;" title="My Bedroom" width=" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class=" /></a>Things have slowly been calming down, though, and the new apartment is awesome! It's 1600 Square feet, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom with a den, 3 balconies, and a space for a washer and dryer. We all were reticent to go through moving a 2 bedroom apartment, but the second we walked into this place everyone wanted to move in as soon as possible!<br />
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My weight has gone up and down a little over the month, but I've been hovering around the 315 mark that I was at the beginning of the month. I'm going to be able to do more regular workouts now that we're getting settled in.<br />
Well that be all for now. I'll leave you with pics of the new place.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xOX9FRas7brfe6cxhN0wDsThu7PmcUV1cMX-skAFgZkE2j-fF79JxvdV6ZZDKeJKN8i-9IBYVvEi_2JFiD2Rt-Tu-PkoeHTw5HsGsb-LBWIKsTI2WnFYajHQN2ULDvUCGbCUIJOJVoc/s1600/New+Home+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xOX9FRas7brfe6cxhN0wDsThu7PmcUV1cMX-skAFgZkE2j-fF79JxvdV6ZZDKeJKN8i-9IBYVvEi_2JFiD2Rt-Tu-PkoeHTw5HsGsb-LBWIKsTI2WnFYajHQN2ULDvUCGbCUIJOJVoc/s320/New+Home+2.jpg" title="The Kitchen" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mArdXONbYxNxhDBlramGFhtkxZLYuhwXOkAWAVHdIg3vEPEvi2fySddHWl3WMi8hZj9Chwk6ySYRwY473LXUV9B6uN0af0192BzJmwpQzx6HPoBYoo0IuOzFQ2p3wXcqKVdliT3Crm0/s1600/New+Home+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img 320="320" border="0" height="240" separator="separator" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mArdXONbYxNxhDBlramGFhtkxZLYuhwXOkAWAVHdIg3vEPEvi2fySddHWl3WMi8hZj9Chwk6ySYRwY473LXUV9B6uN0af0192BzJmwpQzx6HPoBYoo0IuOzFQ2p3wXcqKVdliT3Crm0/s320/New+Home+4.jpg" style="text-align: center;" title="The Den with Balcony" width=" /></a></div>
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<div class=" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mArdXONbYxNxhDBlramGFhtkxZLYuhwXOkAWAVHdIg3vEPEvi2fySddHWl3WMi8hZj9Chwk6ySYRwY473LXUV9B6uN0af0192BzJmwpQzx6HPoBYoo0IuOzFQ2p3wXcqKVdliT3Crm0/s1600/New+Home+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbG3eJ_bAS20NGQyKoYrFENXzMabp6LaNWBubMD-cDBAcXQ9jA_MLfJMP2mzTYjJm2Y7bxMUNC5PjCHNRo5JgKYMXyXUnadGaGn1w6i16XYiT3khW31irNkBNBhvZa5oQ0m5yp2Cu8BvQ/s1600/new+home+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbG3eJ_bAS20NGQyKoYrFENXzMabp6LaNWBubMD-cDBAcXQ9jA_MLfJMP2mzTYjJm2Y7bxMUNC5PjCHNRo5JgKYMXyXUnadGaGn1w6i16XYiT3khW31irNkBNBhvZa5oQ0m5yp2Cu8BvQ/s320/new+home+1.jpg" title="The other side of the den that has a wet bar! Woot!" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-46491166282605605202012-07-29T13:42:00.001-07:002013-02-03T15:53:47.258-08:00Moving: An adventure in suckedgeI hate moving. I hate moving even more when in the course of one day a move that was originally going to take a couple weeks gets compressed down to 3 days with very little money. The moving sale I had was a bust. I sold about $25 worth of stuff and my items that are worth a good amount of money just sat there looking sad. What didn't help me there was that I only had 2 days to prep for it, I could only do it on a Thursday, and it was on the last week of the month where hardly anyone has money.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
I do have people to genuinely thank for helping me move, though, and that's my Mother and my good friends/new room mates Jess and Joe (my brother Josh as well of course because he helped get the money too me! Can't discount that at all). Without their help it would never have happened, and true friends are the ones that help you move your shit!<br />
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After the dismal moving sale, I was able to get some money from my mother that was originally going to go for a U-haul trailer to pack my stuff in. We go to the U-haul place in Independence and low and behold Joe's Honda doesn't have the hitch required to pull the trailer, and getting one installed would cost a couple hundred dollars. Yay. After that I was close to having a mini meltdown because all the planning I had had to put together over the few days previous was crashing around my ears. After we took a few breaths and thought about it, we decided that a lot of the big things I have can either be easily replaced, or I just didn't need that badly. Over the next few hours we went through all the stuff I had originally packed plus everything else and took out what I didn't absolutely need. By the end we purged at least 40% of my stuff: a lot of it furniture-ok all of my furniture, laundry basket and misc. I'm really kicking myself for having to leave a few of the things because I'm REALLY missing them right now, but we didn't have the space to pack it.<br />
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The stuff that I decided to take was put out on the lawn in front of the car so that by the time we were done we'd have a baring of how much stuff I had and how we would pack it into the car. Well when I say car, it's actually one of those Jeep/Honda CRV/SUV things. It has a lot of space potential and a luggage rack on top, but it's not designed to be a mega mover. Still, maneuvering some things, transferring stuff from a bag to a bin, or a bin to a bag, we were able to get almost every single thing I really needed into that car + Jess and Joe's luggage and cooler + have room to sit. VICTORY!<br />
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Next on our adventure was the 5-6 hour drive with all that stuff packed into the car. Woo, riding in a car with stuff jammed by my face is how I want to spend my Friday nights from now on!.....not. But still it could have been a lot worse.<br />
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Everybody in the car had a hard time staying awake after the long day. Joe included, and he was driving! By the halfway point he said screw it, pulled off to an empty parking lot and we all took a nap for an hour. After that he had an easier time staying awake. We finally arrived in Ashland at 4am, grabbed essentials from the car, and crashed in our beds within 15 min (if that).<br />
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Not one of the easiest moves I've ever done, but I have awesome friends :) This post is dedicated to Jess, Joe and my Mommy :) Love you all<br />
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P.S. After we found out we couldn't use a U-haul we decided to use the money I got for some supplies for packing the car. So while I started the repacking I sent Jess and Joe to Walmart for a roll of duct tape, some rope, a Styrofoam cooler and a bag of ice. When they returned Jess was laughing at the list commenting that it was only a couple ski masks and a shovel short of causing some concern with the authorities LOLAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-37587188859315482342012-07-23T20:56:00.002-07:002012-07-24T02:13:03.404-07:00Having a Moving Sale! Come One Come All!Well what does anyone do when they need money to move? have a Moving Sale! sounds good to me!<br />
Find garage sales in <a href="http://www.yardsalesearch.com/garage-sales-monmouth-or.html">monmouth</a> on <a href="http://www.yardsalesearch.com/">yardsalesearch.com</a>
I posted my Moving sale via this website as well as every avenue I can think of! <a href="http://corvallis.craigslist.org/gms/3159098109.html">http://corvallis.craigslist.org/gms/3159098109.html</a> is the Craigslist ad.<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Please Help a Poor Girl out! :)</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-76937722280137914982012-07-23T16:10:00.001-07:002012-07-23T19:08:31.701-07:00Crunch TimeNo lists today. It's crunch time. I originally was going to move a few weeks from now. That got turned into this Saturday since my new room mates are coming up from Ashland to visit my friend's father. So we're trying to coordinate my move with them heading home. Hopefully it works out. I'm short on money so I'll be doing whatever I can to raise the required amount this next week. Wish me luck! I'm going to need it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-52861018220577693502012-07-22T15:52:00.000-07:002012-07-22T15:53:28.082-07:00Weigh In<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZyK-p3HVWIbC6qLa0gy4ZvFS7hiKh74WM0MPIb6XNmDxPx3wflnJ33XOS3hHnSsZ-qt-gRSGNrGsMpKSTW_UjHIZp1Dv6h4ceQMyvItW6t4FzI06DUJtDks0BIylObS3Hgc0nyoC0tU/s1600/ID-10035581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZyK-p3HVWIbC6qLa0gy4ZvFS7hiKh74WM0MPIb6XNmDxPx3wflnJ33XOS3hHnSsZ-qt-gRSGNrGsMpKSTW_UjHIZp1Dv6h4ceQMyvItW6t4FzI06DUJtDks0BIylObS3Hgc0nyoC0tU/s320/ID-10035581.jpg" title="Courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net" width="212" /></a>Well, I'm actually surprised because even though yes I've been watching my calories with my arm band, I haven't been as diligent as I should be with my exercise. I've been walking, but not really "working out". That'll change tomorrow.<br />
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July 9, 2012 Weight: 320<br />
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July 22, 2012 Weight 315<br />
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Five pounds is a start! Time to go for a walk I think now. Burn some more calories! I love this arm band for that. 90% of the guess work is gone now!<br />
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TTFNAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-64447881058255238132012-07-19T14:12:00.001-07:002012-07-24T02:11:55.033-07:00The Image of Body and Mind<span style="background-color: white;">Are you happy with the way you look and/or the way you are? Big or small, I don't care. Are you happy? If you are then you have achieved what evades most of this country as well as much of the world. Feel proud of yourself. I'm not kidding, I'm not being mushy. Give yourself a pat on the back and shout it from the roof tops! (Safely of course, I don't need a lawsuit lol) </span><br />
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The main thing I would love to see changed is this country's mindset of body image. I am not among you lucky ones. I honestly hate the way I look. And it's not just a body image issue; it's what that weight represents for me. I'm a compulsive over-eater which is causing <i>many</i> health problems such as <a href="http://women.webmd.com/tc/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos-topic-overview" target="_blank">PCOS</a> to name a big one. I really need to get into some therapy and/or a support group. In the mean time I blog.<br />
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Have you seen the Yahoo article <a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/beauty/kate-upton-defends-her-curves-8220-gorgeous-very-181300013.html?ugccmtnav=v1%2Fcomments%2Fcontext%2F17d7526c-0d88-3a2f-9328-ae7303e9550f%2Fcomments%3Fcount%3D20%26sortBy%3DhighestRated%26isNext%3Dtrue%26offset%3D20%26pageNumber%3D1" target="_blank">Kate Upton Defends Her Curves</a>? My first question on seeing it was "what curves??" After reading I seriously did not want to believe people in this country would call Kate Upton "chubby" and "piggy". Those are the people that piss me off. Not many bring that reaction out of me, but it happens. The good thing that came out of the article was Kate Upton saying [p<span style="background-color: white;">araphrasing] </span><span style="background-color: white;">"Screw you! I look good and I'm healthy", and what I say to that is "Boo Yea!" You mean we have a female celebrity who eats real food, exercises and does what she loves?? Can we get more like her please? There are a few women out there like Jillian Michaels and Gwyneth Paltrow, etc. but we could use so many more women (and men too) big or small just liking themselves for who they are. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-size: x-large;">"If you want to be somebody else, change your mind"-Sister Hazel</span></blockquote>
Our bodies begin in our minds. What we eat, how we perceive others, how we think others perceive us. If there's one thing I've learned about myself these last couple years it's that I wouldn't be where I am in my life, good or bad, if it wasn't for my mind. <span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
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With my mind being the root of my problems, it is also the center for my solutions. <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, 'bitstream vera sans', clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">"Be </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, 'bitstream vera sans', clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">master</b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, 'bitstream vera sans', clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"> of </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, 'bitstream vera sans', clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">mind</b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, 'bitstream vera sans', clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"> rather than mastered by </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, 'bitstream vera sans', clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">mind</b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, 'bitstream vera sans', clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">." - Zen Proverb. Wow, I'm throwing out a lot of quotes right now lol. That's because this is not a new problem, nor does it only apply to me. Our minds control our actions so it's time to control mine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, 'bitstream vera sans', clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Wish me luck and a lot of inner strength!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-12464713761310865632012-07-16T22:44:00.001-07:002013-05-23T06:19:32.083-07:00Jillian Michaels 360 Navigator First Impressions Ongoing BodyMedia Fit Review Pt 1First off, my opinions are just that: mine. Someone else doing the same thing as I am might have different impressions or experiences. Thankfully the internet provides many ways to explore opinions and develop your own! Another thing I should mention is that the armband is a tool. It doesn't lose the weight for you. You've still got to put the work in.<br />
<title>Jillian Michaels 360 Navigator Review First Impressions</title>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5yrC8-uzoHJ_DJ2ry2Ti8gXJcE8LFVgAO8gzTbTMY__ZP4jKFhRWRA-94Db9_o16UIR2LYi5oBkqv4BcE71ktUUfttQDUgdvOPKDX82meRrZTjr65nJgh2L2P9baRaJO5htyJ_yje8E/s1600/bodymedia+arm+band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5yrC8-uzoHJ_DJ2ry2Ti8gXJcE8LFVgAO8gzTbTMY__ZP4jKFhRWRA-94Db9_o16UIR2LYi5oBkqv4BcE71ktUUfttQDUgdvOPKDX82meRrZTjr65nJgh2L2P9baRaJO5htyJ_yje8E/s320/bodymedia+arm+band.jpg" title="My 360 Core Armband" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I've tried many programs for weight loss. Insanity, Slim in 6, Yoga Booty Ballet, etc. All of those pale in comparison to the knowledge and </span><span style="background-color: white;">work ability</span><span style="background-color: white;"> of the BodyMedia fit Armband plus the 360 Navigator by </span><span style="background-color: white;">Jillian Michaels. From what I've gathered, the regular BodyMedia fit device comes with: </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-bUUCOSa_RDwNDZTvgLyn4oAEfGKconyt-nuSc68maKPSrNaPYdCK4yuzONXZGYjbH6zYenpleAKKPitGoikOSPUzgQ7GE0b5Rd-YtZmUW5aeFE-rkXEUQEpMH_gY5DHCD61j9RwV3Y/s1600/July+12+stats.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-bUUCOSa_RDwNDZTvgLyn4oAEfGKconyt-nuSc68maKPSrNaPYdCK4yuzONXZGYjbH6zYenpleAKKPitGoikOSPUzgQ7GE0b5Rd-YtZmUW5aeFE-rkXEUQEpMH_gY5DHCD61j9RwV3Y/s320/July+12+stats.png" title="My First Day of Jillian Michaels 360 Navigator activity" width="320" /></a>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">online activity manager measuring calories burned </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">energy levels </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">steps taken </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">sleep efficiency </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">a comprehensive nutrition area to input your food intake </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">a free android or iPhone app to keep track of that info on the go. </span></li>
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The Jillian Michaels version comes with all that plus specific info from Jillian Michaels including notifications on what you need to work on, tips to get the most from what you're doing, a 360 Navigator email newsletter giving motivation, more tips and menu ideas. PLUS, from what I have noticed, I'm pretty sure that the 360 Navigator program is included in the jillianmichaels.com membership! Now you still have to buy the device (for however much it's going for at the time). I think it's currently going for $149.99 on Jillian's website down from $179.99. I don't know whether you HAVE to get the "core armband" instead of the regular BodyMedia Fit version in order to get the perks from her website, but it wouldn't surprise me.<br />
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The one thing that you have to have is some sort of online subscription either from BodyMedia or from <a href="http://jillianmichaels.com/">jillianmichaels.com</a> in order to get your info. Jillian's site charges $4/week billed quarterly, but remember that includes the 360 Navigator for the armband plus Jillian's main website program. <a href="http://www.bodymedia.com/Products/Learn-More/Subscription" target="_blank">BodyMedia's Subscription </a> is a bit different. They charge $6.95/month with the first 3 months of your subscription free. This I can understand and it's a good price for those who just want to calculate their activity levels and input their food and that's it. Jillian uses that as a starting off point then ramps it up with how to use the information to transform your life. Understandably that would cost more LOL.<br />
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The only 'con' that I can think of at the moment is that the main jillianmichaels.com website and the 360 navigator area don't sync their info. So if I want the badges and nifty progress kudos from the main sight I have to put in the calorie info from the armband and my food intake manually. I don't really like the idea of inputting the info twice plus blogging about it. A bit overkill. So for now I'll probably just use the main site message boards when needed and check out the many other nifty info bits scattered about the website, and they're so many!<br />
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With all that said, I do really really like this product so far. I've been wanting something like it ever since seeing the BodyBugg on The Biggest Loser, but have never been able to afford it.<br />
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<b>Questions to answer in time:</b><br />
How the hell does the device's battery charge so fast and power last so long?? Seriously, I plug it in to grab the info from it and just leave it in for 5-10 minutes while i'm looking at things and it'll go from 70% to 90% charged then last for hours before it gets down to the same level again! Not complainin' it's just kinda weird lol.<br />
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Grr, there was another question that I was wondering about, but can't remember it now. Oh well, next time. TTFN!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-72971614129318062042012-07-15T12:10:00.000-07:002012-07-19T14:13:57.351-07:00Don't Wanna think about Monday-list 1: 5 Random things about yours truly<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAVipN6dXTTIY4qXX8XEtyt7rc-vx4KWOLzD8xkV7_bRay4_NVujv-x4qKydT-xH85clI-CumUX-7qfK6635eGbdTsfJVGLGAKRkDfqX2ch3iGW0usEWHMUeHAPYtVTEy1kLOAHjp844/s1600/428657_171034056347394_1531597077_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAVipN6dXTTIY4qXX8XEtyt7rc-vx4KWOLzD8xkV7_bRay4_NVujv-x4qKydT-xH85clI-CumUX-7qfK6635eGbdTsfJVGLGAKRkDfqX2ch3iGW0usEWHMUeHAPYtVTEy1kLOAHjp844/s320/428657_171034056347394_1531597077_n.jpg" title="This image was floating around facebook and I found it funny and strangely fitting. I don't know who the artist is. If you know feel free to mention it" width="203" /></a>Time to get listing again! We humans seem to like lists. They make us think we have more control over things. I guess it's that age old question of free will or fate. Do we control events? Or do they control us? I actually think it's a combination. I'm rarely ever black or white on a subject/issue. Unexpected events occur: we decide how to respond to them and those choices spawn more events.<br />
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I like thinking of random and weird things. It's fun. So my first anti Monday list is 5 random things about yours truly (no particular order of course, otherwise it wouldn't be totally random!).<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">5.</span></b> I</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">read magazines from back to front</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">4.</span></b> I like to burp when I step outside of my bedroom</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">3.</span></b> I have stitches scars on my right arm from when I was 10. Had an accident with a rabbit cage where I was standing on a bucket and tried to pet the rabbits. Over went the bucket and ouchy went my arm.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2.</b></span> I usually need to have a movie or audio book on to help me fall asleep.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">1.</span></b> I love being an Aunty!</span><br />
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Got some random things? Please share em!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-27611048660296589172012-07-14T13:01:00.000-07:002012-07-15T12:11:15.198-07:00Won the Daily Dose GiveawayWoot! I won! And on Friday 13th no less! Thank you to all who checked out this nifty giveaway and I hope you won a prize as well!<br />
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For those who are unaware of what prizes were offered, in this week's giveaway they did the skull candy headphones for first place, 4 people won a free month on jillianmichaels.com, and 10 won free digital download content (...I might not have the exact numbers right on those, but still the prizes were there).<br />
I'm told by the rep from Blaze.com that they're not doing a giveaway this next week but will the week after so I'll keep you posted. I like winning prizes and helping others do the same!! Good times ^.^<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192797109717475678.post-55057917010506660652012-07-11T20:12:00.004-07:002012-07-15T12:18:47.216-07:00Fast Delivery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5yrC8-uzoHJ_DJ2ry2Ti8gXJcE8LFVgAO8gzTbTMY__ZP4jKFhRWRA-94Db9_o16UIR2LYi5oBkqv4BcE71ktUUfttQDUgdvOPKDX82meRrZTjr65nJgh2L2P9baRaJO5htyJ_yje8E/s1600/bodymedia+arm+band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5yrC8-uzoHJ_DJ2ry2Ti8gXJcE8LFVgAO8gzTbTMY__ZP4jKFhRWRA-94Db9_o16UIR2LYi5oBkqv4BcE71ktUUfttQDUgdvOPKDX82meRrZTjr65nJgh2L2P9baRaJO5htyJ_yje8E/s320/bodymedia+arm+band.jpg" title="Jillian Michaels Daily Dose Giveaway" width="320" /></a></div>
Wow that was fast. The woman who sent me my prize over-nighted via UPS and I woke up with it on my door step! I didn't ask her to do that and was expecting it to arrive via regular mail by Friday. I am NOT complaining about that lol! The only sucky part is that I won't receive my included free 6 month online subscription till tomorrow or Friday. Eh, oh well. As far as expediency is concerned I am very happy with how this giveaway went. I've heard many a horror story about not receiving a prize from companies until 2-3 months (sometimes more!) after winning. Ouchy.<br />
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In the mean time I'm using the opportunity to completely charge the device so that it's all ready to go by subscription day.<br />
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On an end note, for those interested in a regular Bodymedia arm band:<br />
It's not quite as involved as the Jillian Michaels version (because Jillian offers more online info) but the base things about counting calories, showing your stats, and bluetooth abilities are the same. <a href="http://www.bodymedia.com/Shop/Armband-Packages/Armband-Activity-Manager" target="_blank">BodyMedia.com</a> is now having a sale on the device plus 12 months of subscription time for only $99 (plus tax and shipping of course if applicable). Being that the device normally goes for $150-$180 and the regular subscription for them is I think $7/month that's a savings of $165 over the course of the first year. I'm not getting anything for mentioning it, and though it'd be all nice on my end for you to buy it through the amazon link on my previous post, this is really the better deal. If you want to find out more about the Jillian Michaels version you can <a href="http://jillianmichaels.shop.sportstoday.com/Product.aspx?pc=JIAM242" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">check out her site here.</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Now I'm off to visit my good friends and their kids in Eugene. I am determined to have a fun packed weekend! Peace out :)</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429106231194746324noreply@blogger.com0