Sum It Up

WOW! I can not believe that it is January 31, 2012 already! Where has the time gone? Remember as a kid we used to wish the days away, now we don't have enough time to even think about wishing them away. *Sigh* We live and we learn.

On to more exciting news...Today has been 7 weeks since I started back on my journey and it only feels like yesterday. I can't even imagine what it's going to be like at 52 weeks!

I wanted to take a look back at my accomplishments over the last 7 weeks just to see the big picture of how much this has impacted my life. So here it goes!

1. Successfully tracking my food every day, learning to balance and stay within healthy limits
2. Burned 9,966 calories by working out
3. Walking, jogging, running, bicycling 85.16 MILES (Must I tell you how much I was moving before?)
4. I have lost 12lbs as of my last weigh-in (1/30/12, measurements will be taken and posted on Feb. 2)
5. More quiet time and prayer time to help me realize some things to work on and help change the inside
6. Realizing my health problems are not just from my diet but some are also medical issues
7. My skin feels and looks so much healthier and radiant from drinking so much water
8. I have been able to encourage some of the ladies at my office to take a healthy approach to life
9. I have been able to set an example to my kids and show them good food is yummy too
10. My clothes are fitting just a little bit looser all over

I have not completed this journey yet but I am still walking through every day, good or bad and giving thanks to the Lord for the strength that he provides me on this trying journey.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His Love endures forever."  Psalm 145:7

Jamie

P.S. I added January's pictures here. I am not seeing the change yet but I am feeling it.

Searching for Purpose

Lately I have really been asking myself what God's purpose for me is. I currently work as a CSR in an insurance agency. I am content doing this job but it doesn't challenge me and I don't feel like I am doing God's work here. I am surrounded by wonderful Godly women that have truly been such an encouragement to me over the last few months. So the question that I keep coming back to is why do I feel like I am not serving out His purpose for me.

We studied Jonah last night at church and I was surprised to find out that Jonah was actually an angry, bitter and selfish person. God told him what to do but he wanted to do it his way. It took the part that we all know of being in the belly of the whale for him to realize he needed God. Even after God showed him mercy and saved him, Jonah went out with a bitter heart to do what God had asked him for a second time to do.

I don't think that its going to take God putting me in the belly of whale to get my attention and obedience but I know he has used some extreme measures with me to get my attention in the past. I wish I could say for sure what it is he wants me to do in the here and now.

I don't have the picture perfect life or past but mine's real, it has hurt, disappointment and many mistakes in it. However, I know that all of these things have been to lead me to where I am today. God used other measures to get my attention and I only wished that I would have listened to him the first time instead of thinking I knew a better way.

I have chosen to make my weight loss journey public. Not because I am excited about my weight being written on the internet for the world to see but because through my journey I may able to encourage or touch even one person and that would be a praise to God. Maybe this is what He wants for me for now, to be faithful in my blogging and encouraging to others who struggle with the same things as I do. I will pray for direction, patience, to have a cheerful heart and sincere motives behind my actions.

In His timing he will reveal to me His purpose for me but for now he has me where he wants me and I will continue to love Him and do what I can to show others his graciousness, mercy and steadfast love.

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace; that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

Jamie

Monday Weigh In~Week 4

Here are this weeks stats:  

1/23-1/29

SW: 210 (12/12/11)

CW: 198 (-0lbs)

Calories burned from exercise: 2235

Miles ran/jogged/walked: 13.36

Avg Calories per day: 1251

85oz-90oz water daily

Well as you can see I didn't see a loss this week on the scale BUT my pants are fitting better and I sneaked a peak at my waist measurement on Saturday and it was down 3.5 inches. I will be taking my overall measurements this week and I am excited to see those numbers! All in all I would say I am pleased with this last weeks efforts and results. I do think I need to try and get in a little more water each day. 

Mini goal for last week:  Less processed foods ---I did do better on the processed foods but I am not sure that I could tell a difference. 

Mini goal for this week: Drink more water

NSV this week:

• More prayer time with God, seeking God's direction for me!
• Incline of 12 on the treadmill with EVERY workout!
• 13.36 miles this week!! From the girl who didn't do more than the required walking on a daily basis 2 months ago!

This is how my week went, how was yours? Did you have a weight loss or maybe a NSV?  

"For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2:18

Jamie

Truckin along

Today is a blah day for me again. I had my doctors appointment yesterday and am hoping to see some change in the next few days. The diagnosis is up in the air but I am willing try it. In an effort to avoid a bunch of lab tests (I don't have insurance) he reviewed last years lab results from my physical and decided to give me a B12 shot. I was a little low for my age last year so he wanted to try this and see if it helps in the next few days. Honestly, with the way I am feeling this morning I don't think this will help. He also gave me a prescription for an antidepressant to start taking if I don't feel like the B12 has made an improvement in the next few days. I hate to be one of those people that are medicated but if you have ever experienced depression or dealt with family members with it you know what its like. Its not a choice that I make to feel this way, it is a chemical imbalance and the medication is able to supplement the chemicals that my body is not producing on its own. This is really hard for me to share here but I want to be open and honest about the struggles that I am going through on this lifestyle change.

Its not always going to be pretty, fun and happy moments that make up my journey. Some of them will be hard, painful, tearful and just exhausting. I hope that no one takes offense to my thoughts on this but I know from past experience with my family that this can be a consuming factor in ones life if its not treated. I want to be the woman that God intends for me to be and if this can help me achieve that then I will make the changes necessary.

On another note, the Crockpot Chicken Tacos (408) were delicious!

Place 5 frozen chicken breasts in bottom of crock pot, sprinkle chicken with 1 packet taco seasoning, fill with water just above chicken. Cook on high for about 6 hours and then remove the chicken (120) and place on a plate to shred apart. I used whole wheat tortillas (100x2), 1T FF Sour Cream (20), 1T refried beans (13x3), 1T mozzarella & mixed cheese (29)

One of my favorite snacks this week

Wheat Thins Flatbread Crackers (60)
Laughing Cow Sundried Tomato Wedge (35)

This is what I was tempted with in kids choir tonight. I sustained and said NO!

Jamie

Mid Week Catch Up

I am having a pretty good week so far and we are half way through it. This is always a good thing in my book. It seems like if the first half of the week goes well the rest just follows in line behind it. I mentioned in my weigh in post that I was able to get a menu planned out for this week and it has proven to be helpful. Except for Monday night when I forgot that we had an orthodontist appointment out of town. It worked out though because there was a Subway right around the corner (my bff decided to torture me though with Wing Stop, what a friend!). Which by the way, she does not follow my blog and I told her I was gonna throw her under the bus for not following me. 

So here is what my menu plan for this week looks like:

Breakfast

Egg White & Quaker Instant Oatmeal

1 cup of coffee with splenda & sugar free french vanilla non dairy creamer

Snack Choice of 1

Apple 

Crackers w/Laughing Cow cheese

Lunch

Turkey sandwich or Egg White Omlette w/Spinach (haven't actually had a sandwich, had crackers instead with my soup)

Healthy Harvest Soups (My favorite is Tomato Basil or the Pasta Fajoli) <100 cals and super yummy!

5 club crackers and topped my soup with Chipotle Tortilla Strips

Snack Choice of 1

Yogurt w/granola

Green Beans

Apple

I usually have a cup of coffee in the afternoon also

Dinner

M-Subway-Flat bread, turkey & ham with mustard, honey mustard, mozzarella cheese & veggies, Baked Lays, Yogurt Parfait

T-Salmon, cauliflower, grilled onions, green beans

W-Crock Pot Chicken tacos 

T-Homemade Pizzas

F-Cereal or Oatmeal w/PB (kids & hubby will be gone)

S-Tuna Salad w/crackers & green beans

S-Healthy Harvest Soup & veggies

I worked out last night and felt pretty good and I am going to try and go every night this week with Monday & Sunday being my rest days for the week. 

Please pray for me today as I have my doctors appointment and I am feeling a little anxious, worried, nervous about it. 

I know this is the hardest time for so many of us because life starts to get in the way of the goals you set for yourself. Please remember that God has only given you 1 body and 1 life to spend with your family. How do you want to spend it? I want to spend mine feeling healthy, happy and enjoying all the fun things we are meant to do with our kids and families.

Jamie

Monday Weigh In~Week 3

Here are this weeks stats:  

1/16-1/22

SW: 210 (12/12/11)

CW: 198 (-3lbs)

Calories burned from exercise: 2161

Miles ran/jogged/walked: 11.28

Avg Calories per day: 1446

85oz-120oz water daily

This last week was a very emotional, stressful & draining week. I am thankful to have it behind me though. I have a doctors appointment on Thursday so I am hoping that I will be able to get some answers on how I have been feeling. Praying this is a better week all together. Oh yeah, I was finally able to sit down yesterday and make a menu out for myself for this week. Looking forward to the simplicity this will bring.

Mini goal for last week: No added salt---I only made it 4 days. At this point I am just not able to have no added salt so I just tried to use less of it. 

Mini goal for this week: Less processed foods

NSV this week:

• More prayer time with God!!
• Incline of 12 on the treadmill
• 11.28 miles this week!!

This is how my week went, how was yours? Did you have a weight loss or maybe a NSV?  

"For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2:18

Jamie

Oh yes she did!!!

I just wanted to brag a little as I just got home and showered. Where from you ask, why I was on the treadmill doing 4.05 miles with hills varying from 4 to 12. I burned 703 calories!!!

I absolutely needed that! I got to talk with God and he got me through every bit of it because "I" was not wanting it at all emotionally or physically. It was like he kept saying, "It's ok, just trust me". I am so thankful to have a father that can handle all things.

Jamie

Better days

Today is Thursday and Friday afternoon can not come quick enough. I posted earlier in the week about feeling blah and dragging...well its now been magnified. I still don't have a real answer as to why I feel this way but I do have a doctor's appointment next week and hope to get some answers. The increased dragging this week has probably come from emotional stress and fatigue. I am trying my best to give this set of problems to God but it is proving to be very difficult when it involves my kids. Pray for strength, wisdom and knowledge for me please.

I have managed to keep my eating in check this week by staying under my daily allowance of calories but I still feel like I am just not hitting the mark. I haven't exactly planned my meals but they have all been satisfactory choices. I have found myself several a few times wanting to just eat for no reason. I know this is the old me trying to cope with the situation and I don't want to be that person anymore. I have given in some what by allowing myself extra Wheatables Cashew Crackers (these will not be allowed in the house again, officially contraband) or Wheat Thins Sundried Tomatoes Crackers but I always make sure to put them on my log. Its not a "huge splurge" but it stops me from making a really bad decision food wise that I will really regret. I have worked out twice this week and will be working out for at least an hour tonight. I always seem to feel at least a little better after I work out.

Jamie

Randomness

I have been having several thoughts for my post today but nothing really sticks out to be motivational or important so I am just going to blog about some different randomness lately.

I have been really tired lately and I am talking about the "I have no energy and I don't wanna get up from desk" kind. I am not sure what is causing this but my husband keeps telling me its just the change in my lifestyle. It is going on 5 five weeks and I would think that my body would be some what adjusted by now but its not. I am loosing concentration when in the middle of something and have trouble bringing my thoughts back around. Again, he says it is my body's way of acting out against my lifestyle change. This is my 2nd week back on my vitamins so I am hoping to see more of a change by the end of this week.

Lettuce! I have never in my life had any problems eating any kind of lettuce. But the last 2 times I had salad I was miserable. For what ever reason my body is not tolerating lettuce (romaine or leaf) at this point. This is not cool because I love having my salads. I mean I get full and feel like I have done a great job with my meals. I do not however enjoy them enough to suffer like I have been. So for now, we will not be having lettuce salads but will be replacing them with spinach salads.

One more thought on my body transition is that I cant seem to be able to wrap my mind around big tasks. For instance, I want to sit down and write out my menu plan for the week but mentally getting myself to that point of thinking it through is exhausting.

My workouts are the one thing that I feel like I am able to enjoy and feel productive with lately. There have only been a couple of days over the last few weeks that I have really not been in to my workout and felt unsatisfied when I was finished. I know the things that I need to do and have in order to be prepared to have a good work out and I want to continue to try and always be prepared for them.

If you would please keep me in your prayers that I can get past this stage and get to the full of energy and ready to go stage I would really appreciate it.

This is a lifestyle not a diet, this is a marathon not a sprint. I have to remind myself of this daily.


Jamie

Monday Weigh In~Week 2

Here are this weeks stats:  


1/9-1/15
SW: 210 (12/12/11)
CW: 201 (-2lbs)
Calories burned from exercise: 1719
Miles ran/jogged/walked: 19.79
Avg Calories per day: 1252.29
85oz-120oz water daily


I have to admit that I weighed on Saturday and was excited to see 200, however I did a really long jog/walk last night that may have affected the scale this morning. I know that the number is not the most important thing but it sure is a good feeling to see that number going down! 


Mini goal for last week: Run 10 miles---DONE!


Mini goal for this week: No added salt (I am addicted to garlic salt)


NSV this week:

• More personal time with God!!
• Avoided a binge yesterday!!
• 19.79 miles this week!!

This is how my week went, how was yours? Did you have a weight loss or maybe a NSV?  


"For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2:18

Jamie

It's my party and...

So this is not really about my weight loss journey but about an idea in my head. That can sometimes be dangerous, if you don't know me very well. I tend to get a little creative and OCD about my visions. :)

Today we were all talking about birthdays here in my office and what we do for our birthday's each year. I am kind of bummed because there has never been "something" that is done for me on my birthday that is a tradition. In the last couple of years, I have gone through ALOT of changes and have tried to make new lasting traditions for my girls. I cant really remember having very many traditions growing up but I wished we had. So I am changing that for my girls, you know changing the pattern of history kind of thing. Birthdays have always been a big deal to me when preparing and planning them for others. So why is my birthday not a big deal with fun traditions or surprise parties in store for me?
*Disclaimer~My immediate family will usually have a meal together but I am talking big, special, important here.*

I can really only remember one birthday party as I got older and that's probably because it was my last one, at the age of 12. Is that normal, or just sad? Either way, it is what it is. I used to dream about an amazing sweet 16 but that was shot out of the water many years ago. I did a lot of growing up in my early years and it was all way to fast.

But now, I am approaching 30 and its my party and I can......if I want to! Can I take a minute to revert back to the 13 year old little girl, and throw a fit so I can have a big party with all my friends, family and all their kids in attendance? Ok, anyways, one of these years I will have a big party even if I plan it myself. Which is liable to happen since most of my family are not very good at planning things (to my standard anyways). My mother in law would be the one that would be good at this, but she usually has my assistance. My husband always says that the idea/vision I have in my head is usually not reality but I think it is, so I can see us all having fun and playing silly games and making memories at my great party. Can you see it? Will you be there celebrating me and all that Jesus has done with me in the past how ever many years?

Oh yeah, at this party I am at least 30lbs healthier and I am glowing with the joy of where God has brought me from.

Tell me about an amazing party, tradition or event that has been your birthday.

If you are interested, I did 7 miles on the bike last night and 2 miles on the treadmill. Oh yeah, and I was under my calories for the day. I am feeling like a million bucks this morning!

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good! Psalm 107:1

Jamie

I was like whoa...

I met a friend for lunch today at a local Italian place, but I was prepared. Or so I thought.

I splurged on calories and got the caesar salad but skipped all the yummy bread they serve, that smells like a garlic heaven. Fast forward about an hour and I am back at my desk and not feeling so great. My stomach has now literally swole up and I have what feels like a child's big red ballon in my tummy.

This is where I was like whoa! I mean how can a salad make me so miserable. I then try and call the restaurant to find out the ingredients of the dressing only to be told (and I quote) "Ummm I'm not sure, it's got like eggs and olives and some other stuff in it". I just said ok, thanks. I won't go into what I was thinking about telling the little girl on the phone.

So its now 6 hours later and I still have a child's big red ballon in my tummy. I had a bowl of Fiber One cereal with almond milk for dinner just to put something in my tummy since I didn't have an afternoon snack and was getting hungry.

I am praying that after church I can get to the gym and burn this big red ballon out.

Jamie

Moving On

I am going to get this out there and move on. Yesterday was ok, I was over by 64 calories (which isn't horrible considering such a great week last week) and I didn't make it to the gym.

When I got off work yesterday I picked up the family and headed to Rockwall for the girl's dentist appointments. In that hour drive, I literally felt myself go from normal to blah! I don't know why, it just happened but I know I don't want my whole week to be like that. As soon as we got home I hit the bed, thankfully daddy was there to get the kids in bed and the rest of the stuff taken care of. I am thinking my body was just tired and needed a rest, however AF is gone and I should be feeling better this week. 

Today is another day and even though I started it feeling yuck, I have been praying for a better mood and attitude. I will not be defeated! 

I have been encouraged this morning by several new blogs I have come across. I just have to remember that this is a marathon and not a sprint. I didn't put all this extra weight on over night and its not going to come off over night, no matter how hard I try. 

Here is a little funny inspiration for today. I hope you all have a great day!

 Jamie

Monday Weigh In~Week 1

I thought it would be a good idea if I had a weekly check in to keep me motivated and accountable through the next week. So here are my first set of check in stats:


1/1-1/8
SW: 210 (12/12/11)
CW: 203 (-2lbs)
Calories burned from exercise: 1850
Miles ran/jogged/walked: 13.91
Avg Calories per day: 1234.25
85oz-120oz water daily


This is how my week went, how was yours? Did you have a weight loss or maybe a NSV? I would love for you to share your success with me. 


"For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2:18

Jamie

Voices

I told myself and my husband this morning that I wanted to get in a work out today at some point.

I got up at 10:00 (yea) had my fiber one cereal, apple and my usual coffee. Then I decided to tackle putting away all of our Christmas stuff and do a little cleaning. Next thing I knew it was 4 and I needed to head to the grocery store in order to make dinner. The kids and I loaded up and spent almost an hour and a half there. How does that happen?? Anyways, we get back and I get dinner made and muffins for in the morning done while the 3 amigos (+1, sleep over) shower. Now its almost 8 and we decide to watch a movie together. Oh yeah, I also need to say that after careful review of my calories today I was able to have 2 chocolate chip cookies (which are ridiculous at 180 calories) with my coffee for dessert, I still wasn't over my calories though. Cozy couch, comfy pillow, squishy blanket and the lights down low. I was loving it and nearly asleep until that little voice started talking.

I said all that to say that I listened to that little voice, which I would like to refer to as skinny me. I got up, tucked the kids in bed and laced up my sneakers. 8 minutes later and I was starting my mile. It was so peaceful and just what I needed to connect with God a little. It was a busy day and I didn't spend much time with Him and He knew I would on that last mile.

I need to remember to listen to that little voice more often.

Jamie

Breaking Free

Hi, my name is Jamie and I am an addict.

Ok, I know I have already established that several times but it is important for me to continue to remind myself of this each day. Each day is a new beginning and another day God has allowed me to show glory in His name.

I am an open book for the most part, those that know me would probably say I am a little to open but that's just me. I don't like the feeling of knowing I am hiding something from someone that I call a friend but I am also terrified that they may judge me for my past decisions.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" Isaiah 43:18

I am not a perfect person but I am covered by the blood of Jesus and forgiven for all of my sins. Today marks 1 year since I walked away from one of my strongest addictions.

(Insert cheers, horn blowing, clapping and dancing here)

I prayed for years for the Lord to remove this from my life all the while knowing that my flesh wasn't ready to let it go. I was selfish and it wasn't until I truly turned my burden for this addiction over to God did he deliver me from it. It is an amazing feeling to not have that bondage attached to my life any longer.

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4


What was it you ask. Does it really matter, they are all the same to God. They are all things that we choose to fill up our mind, body and time rather than filling our selves up with more of Him.

There is still bondage in other areas of my life but I am a work in progress that the Lord is perfecting. Every day I grow a little stronger and it is because of the strength that I gain from the Lord. I will never be perfect but I am me and I am loved by Jesus no matter what my addictions, vises or bad habits may be.

"We are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:24

Jamie

Cravings

Last year I joined a book club and was the winner of a free copy of the book we were going to be reading, Made to Crave aka MTC by Lysa Terkeurst. Needless to say I never got around to reading much of the book. Soooo, after a friend told me she was reading it I decided to give it another try.

WOW! Just a few chapters in and I am encouraged, enlightened and feel closer to understanding this mess we call life. Well not all of it just the food part.

I have talked before about food being an addiction and she totally confirms my thoughts in this book.

God gave us the need for cravings but what the world has tought us is to fill those cravings with food. It should be filled with more God time.

I never feel satisfied after eating that cupcake but I feel bad and most times I am sick about the fact I couldn't not have it. If I stopped and prayed and filled that craving with God, I would'nt feel sick afterwards. 

In the book she ask this question, "Is it possible we love and rely on food more than we love and rely on God?"

Initial reaction was probably no, mine was, but think about it and be honest with yourself. Where do you turn to when any of the following applies to you:

Comfort
Reward
Joy Stress
Sadness
Happiness

I challenge anyone reading this to make an effort to replace food with God for the next week when you experience any of these things. Come back and tell me how you feel and if your closer to God for it.

Jamie

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Shrink Yo'Self Challenge

I ran across this blog, The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans today that I really liked. It seems to be encouraging as well as offering challenges on a weekly basis that I can always use to push myself a little further.

So this is my week 1 check in even though I am a day late. :)

My goals for this year are to become a healthier, happier me. :) I don't think that will be a certain number but more of a change on the inside while the outside is changing along the way. I do have a plan to lose 70lbs with a healthy lifestyle and exercise over the next year.

Jamie

Cracked Pots

Have you read Patsy Clairmont's book God Uses Cracked Pots? She's a mess and I love how she puts things so simply but speaks the truth. In this particular chapter she makes the following statement and I think we all need to ask ourselves the same things.

"I wonder which weighs more: my groceries or my guilt? One makes my scale heavy, the other my heart."
"Are you eating because you're hungry...or hurting?"

This is not a question that can be answered without looking in to yourself and seeing the truth about you. It may hurt, be ugly, embarrassing or humiliating but at some point we each have to ask these questions of ourselves, get the answer and make the choice to change it or continue on like we have been. Your spouse, friend or parent can't do this for you but you can. You can always ask God for the support that you will need to overcome your fears in making the changes you need to make.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Phil 4:13

Jamie

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Visions of me

What do you tell yourself when you are trying to get in that last 5 minutes on the treadmill? You know you can do it, but what is it that keeps you going? I am a visual person so I usually imagine myself being fit and healthy and glowing. That's what keeps me going when my head says you have done enough, when my shins are burning, when my body is dripping sweat.

Its not about how others see you, its about how you see yourself. I may be comfortable at 140 but the other lady on the treadmill that has the same build as me may be comfortable at 160. The other night a lady got on the treadmill next to me and I missed an opportunity. She probably would have been considered "severely obese" but it didn't matter at that moment. She was there walking and getting healthy. She was older than me and I was out of my element. I had a million thoughts about how to talk with her but couldn't get the courage. Me, not able to talk to someone, I know its a shocker. I wanted to tell her she was doing great and she was an encouragement to others but I was afraid she would think I was just mocking her with the words I offered. I wanted to invite her to join myfitnesspal if she wasn't already there. How do I know that God wasn't trying to use me to talk to her with my testimony from my blog or myfitnesspal.com. What a shame it is that I may have missed a blessing. If I happen to run into her again I will talk to her and the next time I have the need to talk to the person next to me, I will.

The person next to you on the treadmill has a story, there is a reason why they are working on getting healthy or staying healthy. Don't judge others because you don't know their story. Don't miss an opportunity to make a new friend, you never know how you might change each others lives.

Jamie

I did it!!

I am so proud of myself! I not only had control over my self with my food choices but I even stayed under my calories while we were gone this weekend. I also managed to get some cardio in while at the hotel. Did I mention we ate out at every meal?

Ok, I just wanted to share. I'm gonna enjoy the rest of my weekend with my hubby.

Happy New Year and I am looking forward to the challenges and changes of 2012.

Jamie

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