NOT JUST A CLICHE!

A moment on the lips equals a lifetime on the hips!

This is what my Trainers tell me before they criticize my food logs and before they kick my butt for 2 hours 3 days a week. They tell me that any binge eating of sweets, sugars, salts, and junk foods will promote weight gain in the years to come. Who wants that? It just puts more emphasis on the fact that I need to be more aware and cautious of what I put on my lips for fear of it ending up on my hips. 

I have to be honest with you, my lapse in concentration on my body the last year has really taken its toll on me. The arrow on the scale has slowly but steadily kept moving to the right, my clothes have been feeling more snug, and people say I look "good" instead of "fabulously thin and fit" or any other description that doesn't mean that my face has rounded out a little more since the last time they saw me. This battle I have been on, for the last ever it seems, is finally coming to an end! I have climbed on the horse and have got back on the track. The 3 things that my Trainers are having me do to help spark change in my body is:

1-Reduce food intake to 1150 calories per day

2-Increase physical activity to 60 minutes 5 days a week  

3-Eat 6 meals a day and keep the foods fresh

So far, this plan has worked. I have lost 5 pounds, 1 inch off my waist and lowered my body fat percentage by almost 2% in 1 week. I am thrilled that I can see results and it makes me push myself that much harder. My goal is to get down to a more comfortable weight by the end of October when I have my IVF procedures. Wish me luck and remember:

7 days without exercise makes one weak!

RESOLVE TO FINISH

My April Monthly Goal is to finish my craft room! I know this may seem kind of silly to some of you, but things around our home are quite busy lately and I am finding less and less time to work on getting my craft room up and running. 
The goals for the craft room are:
- clean out and go through all the boxes that are lying on the floor and in the closet 
- organize all my craft tools and put them neatly on shelves and in storage bins
- set up the furniture layout and construct an ideal workspace
- decorate the room with accessories and design it super cute 
- make it my own


I have been trying to work on this for awhile but things come up, so I figure if I make it my April Monthly Goal I will actually get it done!!! I seriously can't wait to have it finished and I can't wait to show you the finished product. 

MAD MARCHNESS

March was definitely filled with lots of "ness"! 

Fun"ness" for the many awesome trips that we both were able to go on together and with friends.

Mindful"ness" of the wonderful friends that we have who have shown us countless amounts of love and concern.

Yummi"ness" for the amazing D-LISH meals that we enjoyed with our families for Birthday celebrations.

Cold/Hot"ness" due to the crazy Utah weather of snow with 30 degree temps one day and sunny with highs of 68 degrees the next.

Decorative"ness" for the awesome and inspiring projects that I was lucky enough to be apart of.

Mad"ness" with being glued to the skinny-tube watching hours of NCAA basketball and laughing at the poorly chosen brackets of Sweets.

Good"ness" in our hearts for the amazing blessings that we have been blessed with in our lives. 

Happi"ness" of being able to do all these things with my bestest friendest in the whole widest world...Sweets!

and Lazi"ness" for the attempted but uncompleted March/Quarter Goals!

Yoga was awesome but I trailed off a little early the last week. I guess I got busy and bored or something, but I was over it. So, I did it, but I didn't, but I did...I don't know how you figure it, but the Biking 50 miles is still on the list. It just was not finished in time. But that's not my fault. The weather has seriously been screwy and I am not about the Hardcore"ness" peeps who bike in the snow! GO HOME is often what I yell to them as i drive by drinking my DP and stuffing my face. No wonder I have the Chubbi"ness" thing going! hope that soon, although not this week, there will be a great warm day for me to take my spin.


I did however read one book for the month - Water For Elephants

SO FAR SO GOOD

As you already know, my March Monthly Goal is to do yoga 4-5 times a week! 

So far, I have been doing a great job and its thanks to this DVD.

I wasn't feeling well last week and couldn't leave me house to go to yoga classes at the studio and then I was out of town over the weekend, so this 40 minute Yoga Meltdown DVD has been my life savor. 

I popped it in the player last week and did this practice at home (which was great because I did have to stop a few times due impart to dizziness), and then I took it with me on my trip and did it with my SIL. 

This week I feel much better and have been loving the way I feel after this workout. Yes WORKOUT! (Apparently there are different kinds of yoga: relaxing, stretching, breathing, sweating etc and I just happen to have the kick-your-butt kind of yoga!) I am so glad I choose this as my goal and look forward to trying other versions of the practice this month.  

MY HOW TO!

So I was lost at the start of January with thoughts of fear for not being able to complete my goals, and although I did, the fear came back at the start of February and its back now at the start of March. Normally, I am the type of person that gives it my all at first, then slowly gets bored and somewhere toward the end just stops doing it completely. But, I have to say, I have kicked butt so far this year with completely my goals and I hope this rockin' mindset lasts until December! I will say though, that it hasn't been easy. I have felt overwhelmed at times thinking:

'how do I do this? how do I complete all these goals, do them well and finish them on time?'

but, I did a little research on the Internet awhile back and found some key points that I could do to help me stay on track with my goals and finish them! Oh, and it also helps rid me of stress and anxiety that I too often get with this sort of thing.

1- I wrote all of my goals down on a piece of paper in order of time consumption. For instance, books that are longer take more time than going to the temple so I put the book ahead on the list. For some, importance may be key in goal attainment (which obviously the temple would be first) but I am better at running on time schedules. I know I can fit the temple in some time during the month but I know I can't finish the 400 page book during the last 2 days of the month.   

2- I wrote the top 3 things down on a separate piece of paper to help me remember what I have to do to stay focused on each individual goal. I wrote things like, drink plenty of water (to keep me hydrated and focused so as to not be thirsty for D.P.) and limit technology (so I would have more time to read my books) etc.

3- I posted the goals in different spots around the house, at my work and set reminders on my ical on my phone to keep my in tune with what I am trying to accomplish. If I see it, and read it, or hear it or whatever often enough, then I will constantly be in check with the goals. I need to be reminded or I am likely to forget about them and give up. 

If any of you are like me, I sure hope this helps you as much as it has helped me!

OH HAPPY DAYS!

March is my favorite month of the year for a lot of reasons. One of which is because my birthday is in March and it is literally the most important day of the year! OK, so second most important day next to my wedding day with my Sweets, but it's pretty important indeed. Not only is it starting off with sunshine on the first day, which I am totally excited about, but I'm pretty sure I will see rainbows, blue sky, flowers and green lush pastures for the sheep this month too. I think March is going to be a happy month and full of lots of great happy things. 

My Monthly March Goal, is to attend yoga classes 4-5 days a week!

I have done yoga just a few times and took one semester of yoga in school years ago, so other than that, I am a newbie at yoga! I keep hearing amazing things about yoga and the rebalance of life that it has, and that is just what I am needing right now. I get Seasonal Affective Disorder around this time and every year my birthday month is the hardest month to get through. I am trying to change my attitude about it this year and look for all the good and happy things in the month and I am convinced that yoga will be the saving grace for me. I am excited to see how to take back control and feel good about my life!

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST

tahoe sun/wind bathing in the snow

After many sleepless nights due to the tornado speed winds coming from the canyon by our house, I have finally made it through the month of February and my goals!

I lost 9.2 pounds on the cinch! diet plan. 

I have read 2 books: The 5 love languages and The Screwtape letters.

I went to the temple once.

Now on to March and the new goals! 

I am still fine tuning them, so hopefully by tomorrow, I will have them all ready to be accomplished! 

AND THE WINNER IS...

yes, i know. it looks gross and you are probably gaging at the sight of this. however, before you get all heaved on your computer, let me tell you the goodness that is involved with this shake! 

It is from CINCH! and it is amazing! 

 if you like oats, chocolate chips, pears, ginger and milk...then you have a WINNER for breakfast! I have been drinking this the last 3 days for breakfast and have seriously been full for hours, satisfied with the taste of practically dunking an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie into milk and getting my chocolate fix! who can resist this for breakfast? 

I seriously encourage you to at least try this. i promise you will love it...and if you don't, then i feel really bad for you and your non-functioning tastebuds! (wink)

1 small pear

1/4 cup oats

1/4 cup chocolate chips

1 cup milk

1/2 tespoon ginger

(mix all together in a blender and enjoy)

CHUGGA CHUGGA...CHOO CHOO!

And I am off! The "train"ing for my Winter Quarter Goal has been going full speed ahead! I couldn't be happier with the dedication that I have made to working out, eating right, and completing my goals. I am getting more comfortable on our Kreitler Roller during my workouts, but with this weather, I really need to be biking outside! There is such a difference with working out inside as opposed to working out outside. So far, my legs are holding up, but my bum is not. I guess I am not used to sitting on a slim piece of metal with no cushion except for the black material! OUCH! Otherwise I am chugging along and will hopefully make the goal of biking 50 miles next month!  

I have been following this plan 3 days a week so far and it has been a great one! After this week I am switching programs to something a little more intense and longer. Pray that soon, we will have a good 40-50 degree weather day, so I can take this "train"ing outside...

Minutes	Level
5	Warm up at an easy level (10 to 12 MPH)
2	Moderate effort (12 to 14 MPH)
2	Easy
2	Moderately hard (14 to 16 MPH)
2	Easy
2	Hard (16 to 19 MPH)
2	Easy
1	Hard, then reverse the order back to start

FAST FORWARD

The "weight" is over...!

We are doing the CINCH! plan for the month of February as our goal.

This entails a 5 day fast forward where you only get to eat 5 ingredients, 4 times a day. The remaining 23 days we continue eating 4 times a day yummy and healthy recipes from the book. This diet teaches about portion control, making healthy choices, adding seasonings and spices to your foods and which foods to combine with what to give you optimal results. There is no "take this pill" or "don't eat that" like so many other diets. This is unique because it allows you to eat what you want, but you just need to do it at the right time of day and in the right amounts. So many people gain back their weight after they finish their diet, but CINCH! is a life-style change so you won't gain back what you lost!  

Here is our grocery list for our 5 DAY : FAST FORWARD challenge! 

- 15 cups spinach

- 20 cups raspberries

- 30 tablespoons Almonds

- 1 jar Almond butter

- 10 whole organic eggs

- 60 ounces yogurt

(minced garlic, jalapenos, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, crushed red pepper, basil, EVOO, mint)

We are so excited to shed some of this winter weight and really get a jump kick on our sexy Spring bodies!

NEW HORIZONS

With the month of January about to close, I can officially say that I have accomplished my goals, or will for sure be accomplishing them by Monday! 

I have managed to overcome my addiction and have been DP/caffeine free for the month. 

I have read 2 books: Cutting for Stone and The Elegance of the Hedgehog. Both great books!

I am planning on going to the temple Saturday morning with Sweets.

WOW! This month has flown by and I feel great about the goals I set and how I went about completing them. I love this feeling of accomplishment! I sure hope to keep it up in February. All I can say, is that it will be a "CINCH"! *hint* 

JUST WORDS

STRESS : a wide range of phenomena, from mild irritation to drastic dysfunction.

It comes in three steps. 

Step 1 ALARM - We were asked to speak in church this Sunday! When we got the phone call from the the 2nd counselor in the Bishopric, both our stomachs dropped to the floor. All that was left was an empty pit. We scrambled our thoughts and tried to comprehend what had just happened to us. After a sleepless night we still we in complete shock.

Step 2 RESISTANCE - We tried to come up with as many excuses as possible, but came up empty handed. A vacation, an appointment, food poisoning and a family reunion all made the list, but unfortunately, we are no good at lying. For the last year, we have managed to dodge the bullet of speaking in church, and now, it has finally caught up to us.

Step 3 EXHAUSTION - We can't run forever and we can't keep finding reasons as to why we won't be able to speak. It is truly tiresome and takes away our positive healthy energy. We are bound to speak at some point and this Sunday just so happens to be that lucky day. Our guards have been let down and our white flag is raised!  

FEAR : the ability to recognize danger and flee from it or fight. 

It is known as the Fight or Flight response.

We were both able to see the danger in speaking in church. For Sweets, it is the idea of expounding in detail and B.S.'ing long enough to cover the 15 minutes we were each given. For me, it is knowing that within the first 2 minutes, my once full-of-life body would then be lying on the floor covered in sweat and vomit. As Sweets gave in to the fight, I was still holding out for flight. Realizing that I had no where to go and no where to hide, I submitted myself and followed his example.   

ANXIETY : created feelings of fear, worry, uneasiness and dread.

Knowing that I suffer from this, I also know that I am doing the right thing. Sweets always tells me "Sometimes in life you have to do things that you just don't want to do", and he is absolutely correct. Although these definitions are "just words", so is my talk. I wrote "words" down on paper, mixed and matched them, rearranged them and twisted them into something more powerful than these words. They read something that I am proud of, and that I believe in. So why wouldn't I, or couldn't I share them with my ward family? 

This year is a new year. It is time for me to tear down my own walls with my own bare hands. I actually can't wait to speak on sunday, for I know that I will rock the pulpit! And the best part of it is, I have my best friend, husband and the love of my life there to do it with me! 

KICK THE BAD HABITS!

This year, my New Year's Resolution is to make Resolutions!

That is not to say that I haven't in the past,

because I make them every year, but they are usually

broken, 

unachieved, 

forgotten about, 

or unattainable. 

The difference this year is that I have learned a little something about myself. I am the type of person that needs gratification. Instant gratification, actually. So instead of making only yearly goals in which I lose sight of starting February 1st, I am making some monthly, quarterly and half yearly goals that I will be able to see
 the outcome of
my time,
and energy,
and feel more confident in myself at an early stage. 
(let's be honest, waiting a whole year for the completion of goals is far too long)
January is "NO SODA" month. Despite having a few cravings early on, I have been successful in letting my DP addiction go. I am sure it will return, but when it does, I hope that I will be able to enjoy it sparingly...
My goal for the Winter Quarter (January, February, March) is to bike 1/2 a century or 50 miles. Sweets is setting up the trainer tonight so I can get started. I am excited to give this a try. 
I am reading the Book of Mormon as my Half-Yearly goal. I pretty much know 1st Nephi by heart and would really like to feel the same about Ether and Moroni! 
My Yearly goals are pretty much monthly goals that last the whole year. Two of them are to attend the temple twice a month (once with my hubby, and once with our ward) and to read 1-2 books a month. 
I hope that you all are making some good, clean fun goals this year!