Good morning and Happy Thursday!
My Wednesday night was relaxing! I attended an evening church service after dinner while Ryan was out at a business dinner with some of his colleagues. We were both home by 8:30 p.m., with plenty of time to hang out together and relax for a bit before getting to bed nice and early.
Workout
This morning’s workout was nothin’ unusual. I began with a 20-minute warm up on the elliptical before completing the following leg workout:
One day lunges will be easy for me. One day. 
Breakfast
Today’s breakfast was a two-egg, cheese and jelly sandwich on toasted whole wheat bread.
It never gets old, I’m tellin’ ya!
Most Loved States
This morning at the gym, a news story about the most loved states in America caught my attention.
Silly polls like this one conducted by Public Policy Polling always seem to interest me. They’re oddly intriguing!
According to the poll, the most-loved states in America include:
- Hawaii
- Colorado
- Tennessee
- South Dakota
- Virginia
- Montana
- Alaska
- Oregon
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
I know what you’re thinking… Hawaii!? Number one? You’ve got to be kidding me.
I never saw that one coming. 
I actually was quite surprised by the most commonly disliked states:
- California
- Illinois
- New Jersey
- Mississippi
- Utah
These states had more people think “unfavorably” of them than “favorably,” according to the poll, with California taking the lead with a 44 percent “unfavorable” opinion of the state. (Twenty seven percent of respondents reported a “favorable” opinion of California, with the remaining respondents saying they were “unsure” how they felt.)
(Source)
Another part of the survey I found interesting were the findings that reported that women had a higher opinion of the following states than men: New York (27 points higher), Massachusetts (22 points), Delaware and California (16 points each), New Hampshire (15 points), Vermont and Illinois (13 points each) and Connecticut (11 points).
Men, on the other hand, see the following states more favorably than women: North Dakota (17 points higher), South Carolina (15 points), Wyoming (14 points), Montana (13 points) and Iowa and South Dakota (10 points each).
Democrats’ favorite states included: Hawaii, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, Vermont, Colorado and New York, and their least favorite states are Texas, Alabama and Mississippi.
Republicans favored Alaska and Texas, and disliked California, followed distantly by Illinois and Massachusetts.
Not so surprised by those findings.
Question of the Morning
- What is your favorite state? Why?
My favorite state is North Carolina. I absolutely love the mountains and friendly people. I need to make more trips out west because I feel like some western states would be right up my alley!
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Very interesting! As a resident of New Jersey, I’m only surprised it wasn’t number one up there in least liked states! 🙂
And I’m shocked New York didn’t make the list either way. I didn’t think it was such a neutral state. Most people either love it or hate it.
i was surprised by that as well!
Probally because NY is so undefined. Growing up there there are 2 NYs, right? Upstate and the City. Most ppl would only use NYC as their basis for love it or hate it. But NY is really pure city and pure country all in one big state!
I live in Colorado, yea! It is a great state I love it here, but I want to visit more east coast states!
My favorite state is Georgia. I think it’s so pretty! However, I want to go out west so bad to somewhere like Wyoming or Montana. It looks so beautiful.
I LOVE polls like this!
As someone who has lived in a variety of states (Alaska, Minnesota, Washington, Nebraska, New York) and visited most of the others, I am constantly blown away at how different and unique each of the fifty states are. My goal is to actually visit all 50…right now I’ve been to 29 🙂
Hawaii is absolutely incredible. But I’d also have to pick New York, Washington and Alaska as my others faves as I’ve lived in all three and loved every one of them.
I recently moved from the bustling city of Seattle to rural Minnesota, which has been QUITE a change (I’m blogging about it here (http://www.sotaissexy.com/). I tend to prefer states that are slightly more metropolitan, but I’m trying to embrace being a small town girl.
I think there are good and bad things about EVERY state and that you can be happy anywhere, as long as you are surrounded by good friend and people who care about you.
I live in NH and it’s a great state! However, I would have to say I’d love to live in the south. We have family in Georgia and I love it there the city, the country, the coast and everywhere in between!
I’m not surprised Hawaii is number 1. It is heaven on earth!
This is interesting! I live in PA and I’m glad to see that it made the list as one of the top loved states.
I think Florida is a great state! There are so many parts to it that are wonderful especially Disney World! 🙂
That is surprising to me that California is one of the most UNliked states! I feel like it’s so expensive to live there because everyone wants to live there. It’s one of my favorites 🙂 Love Colorado though!
I can’t believe California is in the unliked state list! I love it there that is my favorite state, but I wouldn’t want to live in LA it is wayyy to busy, I am assuming it is so unliked because of that.
Lunges are perpetually difficult for me, too! Give me squats over lunges any day 🙂 The egg + jelly combo sounds really intriguing; I’ve never tried that but I might have to give it a shot. Those stats are really interesting – I definitely see how Colorado is near the top of the most-loved states because every single person I’ve met who lives or has lived there always sings its praises. I am surprised about California, though! I think my favorite state has to be Ohio by default because I grew up here and most of my family is here, and after living out of state for 5 years I was actually very happy to move back.
Very interesting! I thought California was super popular?? Certainly overseas (as in Australia) its one of the most popular. Second only to New York which is awesome (although most people only know NYC not NY state).
I would love to explore more states. High on the interest list: Oregon, Colorado and North Carolina. Outdoorsy ones! 🙂
I love these kinds of polls haha. I’m really surprised that Texas isn’t in the most favored states – it’s my most favored state for sure :). I’m also surprised California is so unflavored!
I agree, NC is pretty perfect 🙂 We ended up in Boston and are trying to work our way back home.
My very favorite state is Colorado! So clean, beautiful, and such active communities! One day I would absolutely love to call Denver home! 🙂
I can’t believe PA is in the top 10 most loved. I lived in Harrisburg for a bit. Did not like it. I think the best state I’ve lived/visited is Georgia. But, then again that’s my home state, so I’m partial. 🙂
i was born in harrisburg! 🙂 i was also actually surprised to see PA on the list, mainly b/c i feel like it doesn’t get discussed very often as a “must see” state. i love gettysburg!
Oh yeah, it’s a nice state to visit and I don’t think that it’s discussed as a “must see” state as much as it should be. I’d recommend to anyone visiting and seeing some of the state parks and fall foliage. It’s absolutely beautiful. And, Pittsburgh and Gettysburg were fun to visit. Pittsburgh has a very midwest feel compared to the rest of the state. But, there are just so many other reasons I didn’t like LIVING there.
I loved seeing PA on the list! I’ve lived in western PA my whole life and had the opportunity to travel all over the state for work…it is VERY underrated! Pennsylvania countryside is so beautiful and even though I don’t really care for city atmospheres, Harrisburg and Philadelphia have a lot of neat history. Pittsburgh has also been climbing up the list of most liveable cities in the US which has also been cool to see! 🙂
andddddd now I need to travel more often.
I live in NC and I absolutely love it! It is such a great State and has great proximity to the beach and the mountains! I was really shocked not seeing NY and Florida on either list!
So proud of North Carolina, my home state!! It is a great one and I love that it gets so much love 🙂
I’m surprised that Florida wasn’t on that list.
I am very happy that NC was on the list as I’m from there! I live in DC now, but always have home state pride!!
I live in Colorado now, and I can see why it’s #2 on the list. This place is incredible.
But I think Oregon and Washington will always be my favorite states. I was born in WA and went to college in OR, and both hold such special places in my hearts. They’re just beautiful, amazing places. I’m a Pacific NW girl for life!
Living in Pennsylvania, I’m dying for some time in Florida right about now!
I personally LOVE Northern California and Texas, even though i haven’t been to the latter nearly enough. I’m a west coaster though. I’m surprised California was on the least liked list haha but I think that’s because only people who’ve lived there care about it.
South Dakota is number 4?? I guess I’ve never been to SD so I wouldn’t know… haha but I wouldn’t expect that!
ha! the news anchors were saying the same thing about SD! i’d love to visit!
HA I am from SoDak and was surprised to see that we got some love! The eastern side where I live isn’t that exciting, but the west side of the state is amazing. There is SO MUCH to see and do in the Black Hills & Custer State Park areas. Best time to visit is early fall; fewer tourists, less pricey, still good weather, and beautiful fall foilage!
Texas & Florida are tied for my favorites, although I haven’t been to enough states to be a fair judge. I just find that EVERYONE is Texas is super friendly and Florida is just plain awesome!
Least favorite is easy – Jersey. Worst. Traffic. Ever.
My favorite would have to be California. With the mountains and the ocean, there’s so many beautiful things to enjoy there.
there are some awesome aspects of california, but i wouldn’t put it at the top of my list either. it’s so expensive to live there and incredibly crowded. it sure is fun to vacation to and go to college there though! my all time favorite state would probably be arizona simply because it’s home to me. it’s not the most beautiful state by any means, but i love the weather during the fall, winter, and spring months. i also love that all my family is there.
Haha I don’t think I know anyone who wouldn’t love Hawaii, including myself, and I haven’t even been yet! I haven’t really traveled much in the US, but I really loved Florida (what kid doesn’t – Disney!) and South Padre Island in Texas. Also loved California when I was in SF, but wish I’d had more time to see it!
I just moved to NC from my hometown in Alaska this last summer and I have to say I am absolutely LOVING NC.
I love alaska too though but people there are either miserable or absolutely love it. The winters are long and the darkness during the winter gets to a lot of people too I think.
Psh! Where the heck is Florida!?
Tie between California and Illinois! Ha funny cause they make the top 2 most disliked!!!
Guess I’m an odd ball. Maybe cause I haven’t been to Hawaii, Colorado, New york, etc. Someday hopefully!
I love Maryland…where I live im 3 hours to the beach or 3 hours to the mountains. I love escaping to either on a long weekend! I have family in Montana and I LOVE going out west…its so beautiful so I know why it’s a favorite state!! My 3rd close favorite would be NC its so beautiful!!
I think Cali is definitely the best (even though I live in FL). I’m surprised it took #1 spot for most disliked; there must’ve been a lot of Republican voters that participated in the poll 😉 Cali is a mecca for wine lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, not to mention the awesome mixture of cultures and great weather! I’d move in a heartbeat!
I live in Montana right now and I’d have to agree it’s pretty awesome! But my favorite state is Arizona. I lived there briefly and LOVED it!
Woohoo! I live in the 2nd most loved state. I love random, odd polls, too. It makes for fun dinner conversation material 😉
I’m excited that my state (TN) made the most loved list! It is a great state. 🙂
As a lifelong resident of NC, I was surprised to see it in the top 10. I would have guessed more touristy places like FL and CA would have beat out NC, but it is nice that we have pretty awesome beaches, mountains, and historical places. My favorite state is WA. Mostly because I love Seattle, but also because it is such a beautiful state.
The Republican/Democratic results are shocking! ha-kidding.
It’s really hard to pick a favorite state. I’ve got a big time yearning to move back to Florida, I miss it, it’s weather, the proximity to the beaches without the price tag of Cali and it’s lack of income tax a lot! But, the west coast is pretty amazing too. I don’t think I’m laid back enough to live there though.
Ha, Hawaii and Colorado! I have never heard anyone say a bad thing about either states. I have yet to visit the former though, so my opinion is up in the air 😉
Breakfast looks delish! Have a great day, Julie!
My favorite state is Massachusetts! Not only because I live here but I love the change of seasons a long with being able to enjoy the city, rural areas, beaches and mountains!
My favorite state, hands down, is California! That’s where I am from! I had to move to Oregon for work after college, but am getting transferred back this weekend!!!! Your post comes at the perfect time – I’m SOOO excited! 🙂
ps. I love those random articles, too! I can’t help but always click on the teaser icon/headline for them on Yahoo!
Michigan! I grew up there and only moved because of where I was offered a job out of college a couple years ago. It has everything! Seasons (I live in FL now and didn’t realize how much I’d miss fall!), lakes, and UofM football 😉
I’m a Michigan girl too! I moved because of job as well but I will always be a Michigan girl at heart! I love it there!
Question for you…because this surprised me….when I talk about Michigan to people where I live now (which is Maryland) I make mention of ‘Up North’ or the ‘U.P.’ and people have no idea what I’m talking about when I say Upper Peninsula. Have you ever noticed that?!
Glad someone else has some Michigan love too!
YES! I say “up north” or “U.P.” and just get this blank stare back…and then I use my hands to show them what I mean and get laughed at haha. Try using “yooper” if you haven’t yet…you’ll get some fun reactions to that one too 🙂
Yes, blank stares! I never realized that people didn’t know there is more to Michigan than just the mitten! I definitely use my hands too! I have told my husband (who’s from New York) about the whole yooper/troll thing and I think he just thinks we are just weird!
Psssh, everyone’s just jealous of California.
I do hate NJ. Driving through it is unfortunate at best. This may be because I am from NYC.
ouch! jk… sorta.
i’m surprised Texas isn’t on the lists of favorite because of it being stereotypically over the top friendly! haha And florida isn’t a top choice?! there’s gotta be a flaw in the data! haha
I cant believe NJ isnt on the most loved..such beautiful scenery and people here…hahaha
I do love NJ, but i can see why people wouldnt. there are some charming parts to this state though.
NY is nice because it has both the city environment and the upstate section. i want to say Mass is my fave, i LOVE boston!!
I live in CA too-where do you live??
I live in Ca, and even though I’ve lived in several other states and visited many, it is by far my #1 place to live! I am guessing people have preconceicved notions about LA because of Hollywood, traffic, smog, and it being very expensive to live here. All true, but the other coastal areas of Ca are incredibly gorgeous and surrounded by mountains and ocean, and the weather is perfect. Do I sound like a “come visit Ca” commercial, or what?
Other states on my top list would be TN, VA, and NC.
I’ve lived in 6 states, but my current “home” (I’m currently away at college elsewhere) of Colorado is by far my favorite!
I’m so happy Montana made the list–my home state and favorite place to be 🙂 Nothing like the smell of fresh mountain air….
I’m sad people hate California, it’s the best! last fourth of July I went to lake Tahoe with friends and while some of us were laying out on the beach in bikinis reading magazines and swimming others in our group had a great ski day on the mountain behind us. Where else can you do that!!!
Although I’ve never been, I’m shocked that California isn’t on the most loved state! Was this poll taken just asking people about how they felt about the state they lived in? Interesting!
I’m also surprised NY didn’t make it on there!