Game on...Shamelessly Seeking Your Vote in My Journey

When I stumbled upon the Progresso Soup Souper You Contest, I decided what the heck. The only way to have a chance to win was to enter the contest. All I had to do was submit an original photo and write a few words about the soup. Then I would have a long shot at a trip to New York (never been there) and a make over (needed).

My words were simple, limited by the contest specifications - "April 2008 I started a journey to get healthier. Progresso Light Zesty Southwestern-Style Vegetable Soup is one of my go to meals. I've lost 75 pounds & have another 30 to go. Please soup up my style."

And yes, I really do enjoy Progresso Southwestern-Style Vegetable Soup.

For quick comfort meal, mix two cans of the vegetable soup and one can chicken stock. Make some Bisquick dumplings to go on top of the soup and enjoy. Because the soup is so low calorie, this is still Weight Watcher point friendly.

Not concerned about WW points - try a warm mug of Progresso's Tomato Basil Soup with a splash of milk. Spend a little extra effort to make Emeril's Grill it Up a Notch Ham and Cheese Sandwich. The only change we make to the sandwich is to substitute sourdough bread. My guys love this combination.

When it comes to weight loss, there is no magic food or pill to take. Slow and steady is the way to lose. It is important to eat a wide variety of foods in proper proportions. And, current research points to reducing total calorie intake to lose weight. Duh.

Diets don't work. Life style changes do. My advice is to try new recipes to keep things more interesting as you make life style changes. Journal what you eat. Measure at least some of the time to keep yourself honest. Keep quick meals on hand, like soup in the pantry. Eat sensibly, playfully on occasion. Yes, you're going to need to get some exercise. It also helps to surrounded yourself with great friends to share in the journey, encouraging each other, picking each other up, and getting each other back on track as life happens.

Won't you please join me in my weight loss journey and vote, vote often for Janine, through April 12?

Credit Union Association of Colorado - CU Grow Fun

Happy Friday! You never know what's going to happen when the CU Grow team is in town. We had a blast hanging out with the crew from the Credit Union Association of Colorado. Below is a snap shot of the fun we had with Shay Thompson.  Click here to join the conversation and get involved with the collaboration.

Credit Union Association of Colorado - Interview with Nicole Brusewitz

We were able to get a quick interview with Nicole Brusewitz from the Credit Union Association of Colorado about the Annual Meeting. Click here to join the conversation and get involved with the collaboration.

Credit Union Association of Colorado Day 1 Recap Video

Watch the Day 1 recap video below as we are full speed at Credit Union Association of Colorado Annual Meeting and Convention, "The Business of Collaboration".  Click here to join the conversation and get involved with the collaboration.

Live: Credit Union Association of Colorado

Watch the live feed and follow along with @jrwlay @jennbills @mrjlay @mrsjlay Feel free to join the conversation using #CUAC10.

Plus, you are invited to get involved with key note speaker Dr. Michael Hudson as he closes the conference on Saturday, March 27 at 12:00 MST and we will be inviting participation from those following along. You can follow along and leave a comment below or simply use #CUAC10 on Twitter.

Video - Jason Dias - NAFCU SG 2010

CUGROW was at the NAFCU Strategic Growth Conference in Las Vegas and caught up with Jason M. Dias, President, Eloquent Online following his session on the "Power of Performance."  The session featured two live acoustic musicians and gave some amazing insight on how Gen Y Connects with its financial institution brand. 

Check out the video below as we chat with Jason and don't forget to shout back on ways your CU is reaching Gen Y.

Video - Scott and Nyke - NAFCU SG10

This three-day program was designed to connect credit union senior staff, CEOs and board members to the latest strategies to grow membership and increase non-interest income.  Here is a quick peak at some of the action from the NAFCU Strategic Growth Conference in Las Vegas!

Day 1 Recap: 2010 CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council Conference

Watch the video below from Day 1 at the 2010 CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council Conference in Washington, DC.  Click here to follow along with the live stream.

Live: 2010 CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council Conference

Follow along and join the conversation below with @jrwlay @mrjlay @nidajaz @acm1985 @mrsjlay

Tell your friends and co-workers to join and follow along as well to grow through innovation, communication and collaboration.

Video - Credit Union Association of Colorado Annual Meeting