Why you should go..

My friend at work emailed me asking me to give her three reasons why she should go to the gym tonight. Here is my answer:

Better yet.. I’ll show you!

Because you’ll feel better after going








It will help with long term goals









And support the Save the Chairs initiative.







So if you're needing a little push to get off the tush (I know, I'm so clever), here ya go!

If you need some inspiration...

My friend sent me this link. It's a great story, very well written, and motivating. One of these days I'll have a similar story, but maybe without Italy and Leo.

http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com/2011/04/04/my-exercise-history-part-1/

It has 3 parts so make sure you read all of it!

Stay tuned for a big post on Thursday.

soapbox

So in my attempt to fall asleep during the early hours of the morning I started thinking about a situation I am currently in and thought I would share it with the 3, maybe 4 of you that read this.

There's a guy in my ward who apparently thinks that I am amazing. Or at least verbalizes the thought About 3 months ago he said he was going to take me out on a date, but never did anything about it. Then it was like I was supposed to plan it and just give him the details so that he could pay for it (because money wasn't a problem). So I gave him some suggestions, but nothing came about. Then he posted on my facebook an invitation to go with him to a work shindig. I let him know that when he calls me I'll give him my response. Stepping on soapbox.

Dear single men,

I am a 30 yr old, single woman living in good ol Utah. I have been on 3 dates since graduating high school. I may not be proficient in the ways of dating, but I do think I have an idea of what women are looking for.

Please don't complain about not dating, or dating unsuccessfully, when you really don't put forth an effort. Even if it is just a "friend" date, the girl would really like to feel a little special. And when you do ask her out, try to do it nicely, you know, like how they did it before facebook and even text messaging. I would love to have a guy call me up and ask me out. It makes us feel a little important.

When you do ask us out, please don't list off all the other girls that you need to ask out, or take out. It kind of puts a damper on us feeling good.

I should stop.. i'm getting snarky in my head and it will only get worse. But that's how I feel for now.

I'm considering...

posting those monthly body shots.. like reverse pregnancy pictures, but for a more extended time. Would you guys be interested? I may just do it for me too, to personally keep track of my progress.

Tonight was a good cardio night, a full 60 minutes on the elliptical. I kept it at a level 1, but increased my speed a full 5 rpms (65). Is it just me or do the first 20 minutes just suck rocks. Once I get to my half way mark I'm good to go the rest of the time. It's just pushing myself to get to that point. I did 15 leg lifts (lifting both legs to a 45 degree angle and back down) without having to stop. That's a milestone for me. I almost did the other core workouts without having to stop too. One day at a time. Matt told me I needed to start putting the lunges in my own workouts so we can build up to walking lunges. and by we I mean me. But I'm okay with that. It's all about progress, even if I don't particularly like how I'm getting there.

I bought a pair of pants at the beginning of this adventure and I couldn't button them. Now I can button them and sit in them too. I might even wear them to work one of these days.

I love getting random things in the mail! Feel free to send me presents :)

Both of the interns at work said they were going to be out of the office the day after thanksgiving, which I don't think they've actually had approved. So if the bosses decide someone needs to answer the phones, guess who that someone is going to be? Yup, I'm that cool.

My friends are getting married on Saturday and I'm in the wedding party. I'm super excited to have something to do at the wedding/reception besides just standing there.

Crazy girl rant

I decided to get this all out tonight before I go to the gym in the morning and accidentally tell this horror story to my trainer when he asks how my week went.. I really hope this works.

So I've been in one of those moods this week where I really just want to lay on my couch with a pint of ice cream and watch Pride and Prejudice. I've been listening to sappy love songs the last two days and it doesn't help that I'm 127% hormonal (that's for you Kayla). Anyway, instead of being the smart girl and staying home to watch said movie, I decided to go to a wedding reception of a guy that I had a huge crush on, for a very long time. Again, very smart choice. I even spent a good amount of money on a present for them. So we get there and it's quite nice. Kayla and I put our presents on the table, I forgo the sign in book and we stand in line. According to Kayla he looked really happy to see us. He gave us both super big hugs, thanked us for coming, chatted a bit about the good ol days. He introduced us to his wife, who I think has heard about the pathetic things that I did in hopes that he would notice me a little more. I swear she gave me the stink eye.. like THE stink eye. And that was it. Kayla and I grabbed some cider, stood around and people watched for a few minutes, discussed the decorations and left. It looked like it was mostly family sitting around, didn't notice any hot single guys wanting to mingle (like I would anyway) so we took off.

I decided to nurse my wounds with a chocolate shake, burger and fries from in and out. After going 2 months without something like that I think I'll be okay. I just have to work extra hard tomorrow at the gym. And you know, sometimes you do have to emotionally eat. Just as long as you don't do it ALL the time, like I used to. Kayla was very supportive the whole time, asking me how I was doing, letting me know we can go whenever. Why do we do this to ourselves? Did I really need to go? I feel like THAT girl who shows up to ruin the wedding reception. But seriously, nothing ever happened between us. He just made me feel pretty. But then I went all apes**t crazy because that's what I do. I swear. I can't like a guy without turning into a 13 yr old girl, stalking him (I mean.. you know..), writing his last name with mine, reading into things way too much.

So here I am.. writing about the crazy, hormonal, teenage girl that I am at 1:30am on a Saturday morning/Friday night while he's out.. ya know.. celebrating his marriage. Yay for being single!

Things I've learned on my journey thus far

1. It takes a lot just get started. You need to use the momentum to get you through.
2. Don't sabotage all of your hard work for things (food) that you don't need.
3. If you do give in to temptation (food) don't let it ruin you. Get back on track that day; don't wait for "next week"
4. Everyone has bad days. Keep going! Even if it's not the best workout, at least you're working out.
5. Good habits build better habits.
6. People want you to succeed, but you need to do it for you, not for other people.
7. Don't be intimidated by new workouts. Your body needs a change every once in a while, be up for the challenge
8. Have a workout buddy that will get you to the gym and encourage you along the way.
9. Make time for other things
10. Find new ways to reward yourself.

bonus
11. Having a crush on your personal trainer is too cliche (you can thank my little sister for that one), just enjoy the time you have together, it's a business deal.

What are things you have learned on your journeys through life?

Picture Proof

These aren't the best pictures in the world.. but you know how people always say that you can see the weight loss in your face.. well here ya go

This is the beginning of August (I think). I just got my laptop and I was really happy



This is tonight. I'm all ready for bed (aka wet hair, no makeup, glasses) but it proves a point





one of these days I'll be brave enough to do a full body shot photo journal - like a reverse pregnancy.. we'll see

work out update

I know you're probably freaking out that I haven't posted something in almost a week, asking yourself if I'm still working out, still alive for that matter. Well dear loyal readers, every aching muscle in my body (meaning every single muscle in my body) can tell you that I have been true and faithful to my better half, known as 24 hour fitness.

This week has been a bit rough with work and all, but I've been able to get my workouts in. Saturday I went to the gym with my sister down in Provo. Wouldn't you know it, I forgot my shoes! Luckily I was just doing cardio so I borrowed a pair of flip flops from Katelyn. Yes, I was one of those people doing the ellipitcal in flip flops. But, I did a full hour! I was pretty proud of myself seeing how I had just made it to 30 minutes. I kept the incline at 1, but my heart rate got up to where I needed it to be. I did the same thing on Monday just to prove to myself that it wasn't a fluke. I think my cardio health has improved dramatically since I started this adventure.

Oh and in case you didn't think I was crazy, because I didn't make it to the gym on Friday and wasn't planning on going on Sunday, I went BACK to the gym in Salt Lake that night and did my weights. Yup. I'm that person.

On my way to the gym for my training session Tuesday I told myself that I wanted to do something I was good at, something that I could power through, feel good about myself and just have a great workout. I DID NOT want to do core. My core is super weak and it just exhausts me. Plus I feel really dumb doing the core work out. So, what did we do.. you guessed it.. straight core. I almost died. Matt commented a few times how much I looked like I wanted to kill him. I assured him that it wasn't him. I survived and realized that it's not that I hate core, it's just something I need to build up to do (like the elliptical).

Thursday was an even more difficult workout because I was still sore from Tuesday. We worked out everything. Crazy holding leg lifts, squatting back rows, stupid 1-2-3-1 bicep curls (my right bicep is equal to that of a 5-yr old), and tricep extensions. All of my FAVORITE workouts (read with sarcasm font). But Matt told me that it was a harder workout, more reps, more holding, plus they were different than what we have done in the past. So I feel good about it.

I'm still super sore, bloated, and exhausted so I don't feel like I'm seeing the results that I want, but hopefully with a weekend to rest (from work) I'll be all sorts of better for Monday.