Power Walking For Exercise

Power walking for exercise has long been my "go to" exercise. I used to frequent 24 Hour Fitness to enjoy the aqua aerobics classes, but have fallen off. I wanted to purchase a bicycle, but that hasn't come to pass. Power walking is the next best thing! 

"What is power walking?" you might ask. Power walking is walking at a brisk pace and swinging your arms that are bent at the elbows. Swing with full range and motion. Remember to breath in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. 

Have you ever race walked? We did as kids. We race walked to see who could get to the dinner table first - walking without running! Try it with your kids for fun.

The best three things about my power walk this morning:

• Accomplishing a goal: I've put myself in an arena with some amazing women and I must prove myself, to myself. I am now a contributor to an online women's magazine that will debut soon. I can't get shown up. This is like "The Hunger Games" so to speak. We all come from various backgrounds, have different priorities and ideals, and all want to win, in our own right. A wise old prophet [George Clinton of the Parliament Funkadelics] once said: "There's enough light under the sun..." There is enough light under the sun for everyone! I like light. I like sun. 
  
  In this forum I will be discussing my amazing weight loss of 50 plus pounds and walking has been, well you know, my "go to" exercise. I haven't walked in a while, but I've been speaking about it. Today was the day to BE about it.

• Enjoying my neighborhood: I realized while I walked how much I enjoyed walking around in the hustle and the bustle, rather than driving in it. I have become so spoiled working from home. When I do work in the field the amount of traffic in the evenings is almost unbearable. Coupled with coordinating my schedule with my daughter since we share a car, I'm frazzled when I get home. Seems I just want to crawl in my cave and stay there! But while walking, I felt alive. I enjoyed seeing the people almost miss their turn signal because were watching me! The driver was probably thinking, "That should be me!" The jogger I encountered encouraged me to pick up the pace even more. "Burn more calories!" he huffed as he smiled and trotted in the opposite direction. A couple of the young adults offered greetings and salutations and a couple of youth failed to make eye contact. They were on their way to the college prep school near my home. We'll have to do better on Monday.

and the third best thing about my power walk this morning;

• Enjoying nature: Spring has sprung and the sun is out early! It was cool in Los Angeles this morning, but the sun was shining bright like a diamond. As I age, I take more care to cover my neck when I am out of doors. I want to stay healthy so I donned hats, gloves, and sweaters, etc. I wasn't a couple of blocks from home before a sister got HOT! All of the layers started coming off. By the time I arrived back home they were wrapped around my arms, waist, or wherever they could ride! I'll have to do better tomorrow.

Power walking is a fun way to stay in shape, get out in the sun, and have some fun!

Now that I've done something for me, I'm ready to get the rest of my day started. I'll be working with EBT/SNAP (food stamp) vendors today and volunteering this evening. 

by Michelle Brown

Photo Credit: http://fitness.makeupandbeauty.com/do-at-home-walking-exercises-for-winters/

I hate re-runs!!! Or, do I...?

When we say "re-run" that is the old school term for a show that has come on already. I'm sure the kids say, "It's OLD."   Back, in my day old shows were re-runs. I guess they'd start coming on after 10-13 weeks that the shows taped. Summer time was re-run time!

And who didn't love Fredrick "Re-Run" Berry from the 70's hit show What's Happening!?

In the field of Field Services, re-run means going back to a location to do something again, or to do something you forgot to do. That sounds like double resources. Time and petro. Again. Twice. But, I've learned to see it as a silver lining. There are also lessons to be learned. There are some photos I shall never forget, less I drive back to the next county, AGAIN, for one photo.

Sometimes I forget a photo because I am being interrupted by anxious vendors. Everyone is so happy and excited to see me come in. (I love my job.)  My inspection or review is one of the last steps in a long process for vendors (your neighborhood Mom/Pop stores) to be qualified to accept SNAP/ EBT (food stamps). The staff is eager with questions: "When will I get my machine? How did I do? Are we ready, yet? Can I sell Monster drinks with EBT?"  *I don't know. I have to remind them that I don't work for the USDA and that I am an independent contractor. I can't say YAY or NAY. I wish I could qualify everyone to accept SNAP/EBT. 

What I have learned for certain is to chalk up re-runs to the game. I know some of my competitors don't want to use the extra resources; some might think the mistake wasn't their fault. Maybe they also work a 9 to 5,  Monday through Friday job and conduct inspections in the field on weekends. They can't rush back out. Can you say, "Money GONE!"?

Re-runs should be completed within the next 24-48 hours. I have room in my schedule for re-runs as I am always in the field. What is one more stop among 10? Most times I do not balk, whether the mistake was mine or Quality's. I acknowledge the need to re-run and then I "get 'er done"! My manager has never seen me but answers my call, "Hey Sunshine. What's up?" Now that's business development.

In the end, I continue working. It's been a year and a half with the USDA SNAP/EBT program. I've obtained FDA recall reviews and continue to seek other ways to develop my business in Field Services.


A wise old woman once told me some days you are the windshield and some days you are the bug!

I am just ever grateful to be back in the game again (today)!  ;-)


by Michelle Brown

A Spontaneous Day Off...

A spontaneous day off is always cool, isn't it? If so, why do I feel like I'm behind?! As much as I enjoy life and living for me, yesterday mommy had to take the backseat. I didn't see the Floyd Mayweather vs Canelo Alvarez fight.

I didn't get my laundry done. I did no field services work. Not a door-knock, not a mystery shop, not a nothing! 

When I realized in the early afternoon that my daughter wouldn't be back with the "get-away" anytime soon, I determined the day was a wash! May as well eat pizza, donuts and watch videos. Heavy sigh.

So, now it's around 5 am and I must produce today. As I schedule my day, there is a mystery shop in Beverly Hills and loads of SNAP/EBT (food stamps) store reviews all over the Los Angeles area.

Is it just me, or does everyone else see the economic downturn of the US. Not just see it, but experience it? I cry on the days that I go to Malibu, Huntington or Redondo Beach. Some of the most affluent communities in the nation are requiring government assistance in the form of "food stamps". Of course they haven't been called food stamps by the government in a long time, but it's hard to change such brand recognition.

If I was really on the ball, I'd schedule myself a nice mystery shop lunch, but that would be too much like RIGHT!  Doing the right thing isn't so much fun, is it???  Or is it? My pocketbook would be happier to receive the check back, but fitting it in the schedule and NOT going bonkers isn't a better price to pay. So "Brown Bag Cafe" it is! If only I were that organized! HA! I will probably end up choosing something terrible to eat while out and about.

I plan to do better next week! Which is tomorrow, for me.

If you want to check the eligibility for SNAP/EBT (food stamps) for you, a friend or family member, click here.



by Michelle Brown

Starting a New Chapter

Today has been interesting. As I struggled with loads of contracts last week, this week seems dry. Slow. Famine-ous. After a few relaxing hours this morning, I realized today would be the day to press forward on my Internet Marketing gig. Other avenues are fading away.

Being a Field Services Professional for more than a decade has been an interesting ride....

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