Being a Lifetime Memeber is hard....

Dear Santa,

Okay I've been a terrible example of an aspiring skinny mini and I'm probably on the naughty list. I finally become a lifetime member at WW and in spit of my personal pep talks I went all out Ka-Razy!!!

I haven't counted my points, or even exercised in 2 weeks. I fell of the wagon, wriggled around on the ground and then my wagon ran over me. I'm afraid to get on the scale at this point. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!!!!

I've made lots of excuses for my new found habits. I bought a thing of cookies because we were having people come in from out of town to stay with us and for some reason I thought they would just love to have my favorite cookies around. I ate them before they even came to town. I've pulled out all the classic excuses! "Its the holidays", "I'll really kick it up for New Years", "I'll start tomorrow", and my personal favorite "I didn't gain any weight when I ate crap yesterday so I think I'll be okay today because I must have really boosted my metabolism."

Did I get hit with the Crazy Bus?!?!? I need help. All I want for Christmas is some new motivation. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Love,

Sunnie

Feeling like the worst blogger ever!!

I know I've been slacking on my blog lately... But a healthy lifestyle can be very busy! This is the sixth week of maintenance at WW and even though Thanksgiving hit us hard and the pounds are still lingering I've managed to stay below goal! One more weigh in until I'm a LIFETIME MEMBER! Wow even typing that it feels a little surreal.

So what do I do now that I'm not plotting a grand robbery of the local bakery truck? I have 2 weeks left of my Yoga Teacher Training, something I always wanted to do but I let myself be held back by my weight. This has been an amazing journey in and of it's self and I'll be sad that its over. I've been putting some of my new found skills to use by teaching at a few gyms during the week.

Another amazing thing that happened this last week.... Drum roll please..... Someone took a candid picture of me and when I saw it my automatic reaction wasn't "Well its better then before..." I was actually comfortable with the photo. This picture actually looked like the way I see myself! I've learned that there are many reasons that we gain weight. Just one of the reasons I did was because I just didn't see myself as an overweight person. It would actually shock me when I would walk by a window and see my own reflection. So this simple innocent candid picture was a huge success for me!

Now that I only have one more weigh in until I am a LIFETIME MEMBER and only weigh in once monthly those creepy, sneaky, indulgent thoughts have begun to resurface. I drive past a restaurant and it occurs to me that I wont have to weigh in for a month.... I could go there... probably more then once! The old Sunnie is excited! The LIFETIME MEMBER in me is ticked! Its going to be hard still. I will struggle with these choices daily. Just like the first day I started WW. Thats life! But I never want to feel so out of control as I did 45 pounds ago. My emotions and feelings towards food will not control. My goals and aspirations will.

A Zen State Of Mind

I've been attending the Yoga Teacher Training at the U and I'll be finished in a month. The first week of school I was exhausted and cranky about the program. Doing 4 hours of yoga on each day of school and all the hours we had to complete outside of the class room were intense to say the least!

There are 7 others students in the class and they all bring their own spice to the mix. Its been so amazing to learn so many new wonderful things from the instructors and my classmates. I've tried things that I thought I might never do, I've done things wrong for years without knowing, I've felt inspired by something as simple as breathing. Not to mention that its done wonders with my weight loss goals! Its a lot of extra physical activity but I think the real trick has been in the meditations practices. Accepting where you are on any giving day and allowing yourself to be human but to also improve.

I know that if I hadn't changed my habits a year and half ago and I had let myself accept that were I was in life was all I deserved I would never have taken this program. I would have never believed in myself and my ability to make the things that I want happen for me. Nothing is beyond reach if its something that can enrich your life and the life of those around you.

Something like being a healthy weight seems so simple now but I remember when I really didn't believe that I would ever feel thin. I actually believed that it was just not the way my body was built. Now when people say to me, oh I couldn't do that, or I've tried and it just doesn't work for me I want to shake them. It's a mind set and of course our naturally amazing, intricate and self balancing bodies want us to healthy!

Looking back I don't miss a single food that I said no to. I don't feel tired from the mornings I had to literally drag myself out of bed to work out. Looking back it seemed so easy. So worth it. So rewarding! If you are thinking that you want to loose some weight or you want to shape up for the new year my only piece of advice would be to JUST DO IT! Its not as hard as it seems and the benefits are manifested daily.

Thanks for the love.

As a side note I've been teaching Yoga on Monday and Wednesday at Far East Fitness in Cottonwood Heights at 6:30 and I would love it if you came.

The Day has finally arrived!

I reached my WW's Goal this week!!

I've lost a total of 42.6 pounds! After years and years of being over weight I can finally say that I am within my healthy weight range! I thought I would list some of the things that I love about being 131 pounds!

• Having my neck back!
• I thought I just had collar bones that couldn't be seen.....
• I would go running right now, no hesitation!
• I'm in the Yoga Teacher Training and I would never have done that before.
• I don't have to have my sweat shirt of shame whenever I go out... even if its 90 degrees.
• Talking to other people about what they have been doing for their health.
• I wear a 6! I wore a 6 for a very short amount of time in Junior High.
• The way people look at me now.
• When the people I love tell me that they can tell a difference in the way I look.
• Clothes shopping!!!!
• Feeling healthy! My body, and mind feel so much different.
• I'm in the best shape of my life and its getting better every day!

My own personal goal is only 6 pounds away! 6 pounds! I am in a "Maintenance" period at WW and have to stay at my goal weight for 6 weeks to become a lifetime member! I feel motivated and excited!

It was a great idea to set a group goal with my sisters and mom. It has been so helpful to be able to call each other and celebrate together. Thank you my lovely's!

Also thank you to everyone that has said I looked good or that I was doing a good job. It helped every time to hear someone else say it.

I love you guys!

Week 2!

When we all weighed in this week we had lost a whopping

5 pounds!!

That's 12 pounds in two weeks. Congrats Ladies!

Well... I didn't lose this week... but I also didn't gain! That's right! I stayed the same.

I'm interested to know what everyone else has been up too! What have you been doing to stay healthy? I need some new ideas and some fresh inspiration. Leave a comment about your plans or what you have been doing.

I love you all! Thanks again!!

Band of Sisters/Mom

Brought together under the common

threat on our hotness!

With the Holiday's right around the corner and with the looming danger of

Halloween Candy, Pumpkin Pies and Christmas Cookies

we have banded together with the united goal to have

steamy bods

for all of the family functions and joyful holiday pictures.

This was week one and I must say ladies we rocked it!

As a whole we lost 7 pounds!!!!

Now to week two. If you want an extra boost in your efforts join our smokin' hot team. Just give me a call! It's working for us! Not only will we be well on our way to accomplish our goals but we won't get the Holiday pack on this year!

Personal Weekly Weigh-In: -3.4

Weight: 131.6

Total Lost: 42 lbs

Thanks again ladies!

The Biggest Loser Challenge - Gillespie Family Style

After Gary told me that he and his brothers were going to do a biggest loser challenge between them I thought I had to follow his example.

I've banded together a support group for the holidays! We will weigh in together weekly and keep each other on track!

Its been very helpful!

Hola to my girls!!!!

Biggest Loser Is Back!

I love it! Its so inspiring!

Tuesday Night at 7 on Channel 5 NBC!!!!!

Ever heard of a little thing called the Freshman 15?

I use to think that the "Freshman 15" was a myth. A story made up by college fraternity's. I haven't been in school for a long time and now that I'm back I can see how this could happen.

But I will not be another unsuspecting victim!

I could tell it was creeping up to me... but I knew I was a goner when I found myself eating a huge double layered covered in caramel rice crispy treat with 3 kinds of chocolate drizzled on top.....

Before your mouth starts watering and you are standing outside Rocky Mountain Chocolate fogging up the window I'll have you know that while I was trying to survive my self afflicted sugar induced coma I had an epiphany.

I gave up the big thick salty meaty foods to help my over all health and now its time to say goodbye to some of the sweeter things in life that I've let hold me back. At first I thought I could just swear off all sugar and be fine, but sugar is in everything! I went shopping and I was having such a hard time finding foods without sugar in them. I decided that I had to make a compromise so I could maintain a lifestyle with less sweets. I decided to go for more natural options or small amounts. For example I'm drawing the line with High Fructose Corn Syrup and Aspartame completely and Sugar as a predominate ingredient. But saying yes to Evaporated Sugar Cain, Stevia and foods with Sugar as one of the last ingredients.

I call it my "Kick Ya In The Sweet Tooth" diet. It will help me keep my interior less sugary so my exterior can be super sweet!

If you can think of any other alternative sweeteners or some of your favorite sugarless finds I would love that!

HCG... Awe the temptation!

I have spoken with a few friends that have tried HCG and liked it. It is so tempting to get big results like this so quickly! With less then 10 pounds to loose and my dwindling motivation I have to admit to being tempted.

I have lost 40 pounds just from eating better and exercising! Its not that hard, its proven to work, and I can eat more then 500 calories and not mess with my bodies chemistry. So there are my cons for trying HCG.

The pros..... I could lose a pound a day!

Lets discuss,

What is your opinion about HCG?

Weekly Weigh-In

So... I didn't make it to WW this weekend.... It was my first week of school and because of poor planning I didn't go during the week. So this week I'll be searching for a new meeting hopefully with my awesome, amazing, inspiring leader from Saturday.

Weekly Goal

I was reading my Shape mag and I found an interesting article about being a vegetarian "The Right Way" It said that vegetarians have a tendency to fill in their daily calorie intake with refined sugars.

It got me thinking...... because I'm counting points there are some days were I have a meal say a portobello burger, in comparison to a regular hamburger its about 4 points less. I just thought that opened up a lot of snacking opportunities for me.

In the article it says that a vegetarian diet "Done Right" would be at least 50% fruits and veggies. Needless to say.... that is not what I have been doing.

So I've resolved to make yet another small goal for big change!

Check out the article:

I'd like to thank the academy

I just wanted to say thanks to my mom for the gloves so my hands didn't get scratched. Thanks to Sam for telling me to wear my helmet because I broke the visor off it by face-planting into the sidewalk. Thanks to the ladies that pulled over to make sure I was okay. Without all of you I wouldn't have been able to finish the ride home with mild bumps and bruises.

Well I guess that takes me down a notch or two.... I totally fell off my bike on my first ride home!

Hahahahaha!

Can't wait to ride to work in the morning!

Its a Bird! Its a Plane! No its just Sunnie on her new bike!

I rode my bike to work this morning!!

I have wanted to ride the four miles to work for awhile and I borrowed a few old bikes and started to ride around the neighborhood to get the hang of it.

There is nothing like a new bike! The other bikes had a few issues.... like flats and gear problems. It makes a big difference to have a bike that actually works like it should. When I first started riding all I could think was how in the world did I ride a bike everywhere I went as a kid?

HOW WAS IT POSSIBLE!!!

It was so hard. I kept trying but never worked up the courage to ride to work with the other bikes. Now with my new, sweet, fast, bike I've opened up a whole new world of possibilities. Its still harder then I remember from my childhood years but now it doesn't seem impossible

anymore.

Weekly Weigh-In

I know this weigh-in is just laying the foundation for a big loss this coming week.

Weekly Weigh-In: +.2 lbs

Lost: 39.6 lbs

I was feeling crazy yesterday so I blew through my 35 points. Now I'm feeling great and ready to ride my new bike and start Yoga school this weekend!

Its going to be a great week!

Hey Look! A Weekly Weigh-In!

This week I've taken a different approach

• I decided not to weigh myself at home all week
• I used all my 35 points but used my tracker
• I did a few miles of running but kept things light

It paid off!

Weekly Weigh-In: -2.4 lbs

I haven't lost that much in a week since February 21st!

Total Weight Lost: 39.8 lbs

Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Lasagna

I tried this recipe tonight and it was very good. I found it on WW online. It was a little more complicated then most meals I like to make but it was worth it! Yummy mushrooms and sweet onions and just a little cheese. Let me know what you think!

POINTS® value | 6 Servings | 8 Preparation Time | 28 min Cooking Time | 65 min Level of Difficulty | Moderate main meals | Nothing satisfies like a piping hot lasagna. Our version is stuffed with sweet,sauted onions and mushrooms and then smothered with a creamy white sauce.

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound(s) dry lasagna noodles
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 large Spanish onion, peeled, cut in half and sliced into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 1 Tbsp rosemary, fresh, chopped
• 1/2 cup(s) water
• 1/4 cup(s) Coca-Cola Diet Coke, or other brand
• 1 spray(s) cooking spray
• 6 medium portobello mushroom(s), stems removed, caps cut in half and sliced into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 1/2 pound(s) cremini mushrooms, stems removed, caps sliced into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
• 3 medium garlic clove(s), chopped
• 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 cup(s) grated Parmesan cheese, fresh, divided (Parmigiano Reggianno recommended)

Instructions

• Place a large pot of water over high heat; bring to a boil. Add noodles; boil for 10 minutes, stirring to prevent sticking. Drain noodles and briefly rinse under cool water to prevent sticking; set aside.
  
  
• Place a very large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and onions; cook, without stirring for 3 minutes, and then continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for another 7 minutes. Add rosemary and water; scrape up any food from bottom of pan using a wooden spoon. Cook until water evaporates, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add soda and cook until onions are nicely browned and soft, about 3 to 4 minutes; remove to a large bowl and set aside.
  
  
• Coat same skillet with cooking spray; place over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook, without stirring, until they start to brown, about 2 to 3 minutes; sprinkle with salt and stir. Continue to cook mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until liquid evaporates and mushrooms are browned, about 3 to 4 minutes; add to onion bowl. (If mushrooms are too cramped in skillet, either use 2 skillets or cook them in 2 batches.)
  
  
• Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  
  
• To make sauce, place same skillet over medium heat. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and butter; allow butter to melt. Add flour, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until combined, about 1 minute. Add milk, a little at a time, stirring to prevent lumps; bring to a boil. Stir in garlic and cook, stirring continuously, until thick, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add nutmeg and 2 tablespoons of cheese; stir to combine and set aside.
  
  
• To assemble lasagna, spread 1/3 cup of sauce over bottom of a 9- X 11-inch lasagna pan or baking dish. Place 3 noodles over sauce in a single layer; spread with 1/3 cup of sauce and about 1 1/2 cups of onion-mushroom mixture. Top with 1/4 cup of sauce and then 3 more noodles; spread with 1/3 cup of sauce and about 1 1/2 cups of onion-mushroom mixture. Top with 1/4 cup of sauce and then 3 more noodles; spread with 1/3 cup of sauce and about 1 1/2 cups of onion-mushroom mixture. Top with 1/4 cup of sauce and then top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of cheese.
  
  
• Bake for 20 minutes; change oven temperature to broil. Broil until top of lasagna is crispy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 to15 minutes before slicing into eight pieces. Yields 1 piece per serving.

Notes

Although this recipe is a bit labor intense, the end result is well-worth it. Double the recipe, tightly wrap one lasagna in aluminum foil and freeze it for another night. To defrost, remove lasagna from freezer and place it in the refrigerator the night before you want to serve it. Bake, covered, in a preheated 350ºF oven until heated through, about 20 to 25 minutes.

AHHHHH!!!! I'm wiggin' frustrated!

I just looked back through my weight watchers book to see how long I've been teetering in the 139-135 weigh range.

As of last weeks weigh in I've lost 3.2 pounds in almost 6 months!

What the heck!

I'm frustrated and upset with myself and in serious danger of just accepting this as the

best I can do.

Its time for serious reform because obviously what I'm doing now is not working!

The defeatist in me wants to say.... "You've tried everything. You've work out long and hard. You've not counted points and still lost and counted points and had a huge gain*. There is nothing left to do."

But the fighter in me wants to say..... "Come on Sunnie. Do you really feel like you've done everything you can do and that the last 10 pounds are just never going to come off...... get real! I saw you eat that cookie last night! I heard that thought about it being only one or two extra points in a day and you probably walked enough in the week to burn that... Really? Seriously? You can do better!"

NEW WONDERFUL SUCCESSFUL LIFE CHANGING GOALS!

• Be a better blogger! Blog on the weekends, that is when I have the most temptation to go overboard. Get back to putting up my WEEKLY WEIGH-INS and WEEKLY GOALS.
• Track what I eat.... No really! Track exactly what I eat! Not what I intended to eat with a few muddled point totals and miss measured portion sizes. That's bull crap and gets me no where... seriously!
• Working out is only half of the puzzle! It wont make up for me eating whatever I want and it makes it really unpleasant when I have to dedicate so much time to sweating because I've blown my dinner, day, or week! Its not worth it and its not getting me where I want to go**.

I've seen huge successes! But that success from 6 months ago is no longer enough to keep me driven! I need new success! I need to finish what I've started! Stop all the talk, talk, talk about it and

JUST DO IT!

*WW still works its the best program for me in the whole world!

**Tony Horton is still awesome! I had some pretty great results from his program but had I been more committed.... well you get the picture.

A Skinny Mini has found divinity in Tony Horton

I had the time and I conquered! I can see some definite muscle toning since I started the program but I have been eating like a wild mongoose!..... Okay I'm not really sure of the eating habits of wild mongeese.... or if mongeese is a word... but I have been living in a world of plenty for the last couple of days. Figures that I would see such a monstrous success on the scale and immediately self sabotage. I've got to do some serious thinking into what I am afraid of about finally getting to goal.

But I have continued with my workouts. Yesterday was day 10 and I decided

that I would make some minor changes to the program and start for another 10 days.

Tony Horton may actually be a weight loss butt busting saint! I will praise the muscle god by doing my 1o minutes all over again tomorrow. Join me my fellow flab fighters!

Yoga Teaching Program

"Hi Sunnie,

We are happy to inform you of your acceptance into the Fall 2009 Yoga Teacher Training Program at the University of Utah. We are very impressed with your commitment to health and sharing your knowledge. We enjoyed reviewing your application, and getting a glimpse of who you are. Thank you for sharing.

We will be contacting you closer to the starting date with more information to help you feel connected. Please feel free to contact us with any further questions you might have. Thank you again for your interest in our program, we are excited to have you as part of it.

Sincerely,
Vicki Yost"

And so it is written. I will be attending Yoga Teacher Training in the fall! Woohoo!! Wish me luck!

10 Minutes! It will change your life! 10 Minutes!

I've had this catchy theme song stuck in my head for 7 days now! I've started Tony Horton's 10 Minute Trainer. I heard about it from my weekend infomercial routine. I was sitting on my couch enjoying the hot bodies when it hit me.... I have to do this!

I have recently decided to back off my hardcore attempts to loosing weight. It was making me crazy and getting me nowhere. I was weighing myself about 2 to 3 times a day. I was working out twice a day as intensely as I could manage. I wouldn't eat anything that was off my healthy eating plan, even in a small quantity all week and then just go crazy on the weekends. I was burned out, frustrated, and ready to quite WW.

And so a new goal was born! This goal was simple, short, and straight to the point..... STOP BEING CRAZY!! If I'm making lifestyle changes I have to be able to maintain them and enjoy life! So I had been searching for a new exercise plan. I've seen about a million commercials for P90X and I think it looks really cool and the results look amazing but I don't want to through myself into another training program that will make me..... What? Yes, CRAZY! I want something to help me loose my last 9.6 pounds, easy to accomplish, effective, and help me tone up a little in the process. So I started 10 Minute Trainer.

Its done but the same guy as the P90X but like the title says, its only 10 minutes. Now I am trying out his Lean Jean plan which is two 10 minute work outs in a day but seriously 10 minutes is nothing and I can fit it in anytime. 20 minutes is still very obtainable.

Today is day 7 and I've finally broken the 136 barrier on the scale and weighed in at WW at 134.6! That's a total of 39 pounds! I also took my measurements at the beginning of the Lean Jean program and I'll let you know how it works out in 3 more days. I'm loving it so far. Its challenging, yet there are modifications for easier workouts or harder workouts. Its a sweat-fest and I am seeing results.

All I have to say (and I'll sing it to you next time I see you, by request only) 10 Minutes! It will change your life! 10 Minutes!

For your viewing pleasure I present you with the infomercial that inspired me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgj9c9naZho

And the website www.10minutetrainer.com

Yoga Teaching Program

I've applied for Yoga Teacher Training at the UofU for this coming September!!!!!! I am so excited and a little nervous while I wait to hear if I get into the program. Wish me luck and I will keep you posted.

The Closet Overhaul!

I've held on to all my old clothes and I am ready to bust out everything drop off my old baggage at the nearest DI. This was an occasion that I needed a little help on so I asked Ivy to come over to assist with the closet overhaul.

It was hilarious to try on my old clothes! This is a dress that Ivy gave me last Christmas. I also wore a the same dress in Black on Anya's baby blessing. Needless to say... it didn't make the cut!

Next we went after the pants drawer! It was amazing to see all the sizes that I've gone through in the last year all lined up. Wow!

I did decide that I would keep a few things so when I want to look back when this is all over I have a reminder of what I will never go back to and feel the sense of accomplishments whenever I put these babies on!

It was also AWESOME to put on things that I bought when I was 15 again! I haven't worn this belt since I worked at Target and that was almost 8 years ago!

I ran out of garbage bags so these clothes are still lingering in my house but I'll make sure its not for long! This has completely pumped me up! With only 10 pounds to go until I'm at my goal weight I am going to stay focused without getting all crazy. No weighing myself more then one time a day, no killing myself with hour and a half work outs, and no crazy binges on the weekends because I've deprived myself all week. Losing weight is easy and my body wants to naturally be at a healthy weight so with a little assistance I'll make it an enjoy the journey.

You'll be seeing less of me next time! Woohoo!!

Ps. Don't know if anyone is interested but I have a lot of clothes that I'll be giving away in the very near future...... If you want a look let me know. They are as you have seen in varying sizes.

The next project to tackle!

So I've finally broken down and I'm going to clean out the closet. Saturday is the day! Don't worry it will be thoroughly documented. I need a change... again. This should be interesting. Its also going to be a little sad to let go of some of those things. I held onto them because its nice to see them in the closet and think, well I can't wear that because its too big! But out with the old and in with the new!!

As a side note.... There is only a month and a half until I start Yoga Instructing School! Ahhhh!!! I did yoga this morning for the first time in a few months and I am so sore! I need to step it up before classes start! I just bought two new Workout DVDs tonight. I'll let you know how it goes.

Lastly but not least.... I lost 1.2 pounds last week :) Oh happy day!

Another one for the books!

Thanks to Ivy's ambition and my refusal to back down from a challenge I can now say that I've run a 10K! It was a beautiful July 4th morning and we arrived at Sandy City hall pumped up with nerves and adrenaline. After a pre-race leg massage from Ivy I was feeling pretty confident that we would finish in about an hour and 20 minutes. We took our places in the crowds of people and the anticipation built and then we were off!

We were pacing together very well but I was not feeling up to par when the race started. I started to feel pretty ill but I was just going to push through it! I didn't want to tell Ivy that I was feeling sick because it might hurt our Race Day Mojo! I thought that the feeling would pass and I would start to get into the swing of things soon enough........ A mile later I finally started to feel okay. The cramping had stopped and I was finally falling into my stride. That first mile was through a neighbor hood and was pretty much all up hill. It was the hardest part of the race. The rest of the first lap was a piece of cake! It went by quick and when we came up on the second lap we were greeted by an exuberant Shawna cheering us on and Sam snapping away with the camera!

Then it was time for the up hill neighbor hood again. Then like falling into a frozen pond the mental butt kicking began! Ivy said mostly to herself "If I can make it up this hill I can run the rest of the way!" and my personal favorite "Channel the inner Tara!" referring to the biggest loser contestant and an amazing inspiration! I was repeating my usual mantras "Am I really going to die if I don't stop? I'm not going to let the race beat me! Its not the hardest thing I'll ever have to do." We busted out the hill and were panting like crazy and then we knew it was down hill and we only had 2.4 miles left to go!

Sounds a little easier when your not in the thick of it! When we came out of the neighbor hood our faith full cheerleaders were there to push us along! The rest is kind of a blur. I think I had to let go of the mental and let the physical take care of itself for awhile. When we knew we were almost there and all we wanted to do was STOP RUNNING we did the only logical thing and ran faster! On the home stretch our cheerleaders had returned and Shawna was screaming! "Your almost there! Sprint! Sprint! You can do it!"

Crossing the finish line is always an amazing experience. Its like a little slide show of all the things that you've done to get healthy and everything you've done to prepare for this just rushes over you! Its so worth it!

We ended up with a better time then we were expecting! We were pretty proud of ourselves! A year ago this would have been impossible for me! It could have taken my hours to finish this! I wouldn't have had any confidence to even attempt a 5K and a 10K would have been completely out of the question. So blowing those bearers to shreds always feels surreal and empowering!

Little did we know but our Mojo would have been impossible to destroy that morning because a few states away Bliss was busy with labor for our beautiful new nephew! Thanks for the help Bliss! We were right there with you sista give you our all!
Now on to the next challenge!

I must be a little crazy!

Good weigh in this week! I lost 2.6 lbs! Woohoo!! I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things now that I'm home. Sometimes I have severe sugar urges from all the chocolate I ate but I'm coping.

I registered to run a 10K this weekend!!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!! So I've been running like crazy to get ready for the race. Only 4 days to go and counting. This will be my 3rd race and I have plans for 2 more to finish out the summer.

What can I say about running 10 Kilometers.... Its hard, it takes a long time and I'm excited! Because I was a slacker on my vacation and I didn't work on running a 10K at all I've had to crunch in some serious running time. The only snag I've hit is because I had Osgood-Schlatters diseaseI might be getting some tendinitis in my knees. I have to be careful and really listen to my body because I don't want to over stress and hurt myself. I talked to the Chiropractor and he told me to wrap them for a long run and it has been helping.

If you want to come down and do a 5 or 10K this weekend! just go to Sandycity.com and search the site for races. If you want to come down and hang out with Ivy and I at the race its at Sandy City Hall at 7:15am!

I'm back in the States!

I'm back!!! What a trip. It was so amazing. Let me just recap what has been going on for the last 3 weeks.

Before my trip I was stressed and working very hard to loss as much weight before we left as possible. I also want to run a 10K on July 4th so I was working even harder to prepare myself for that. So it was a very big shock for me when I stepped on the scale and in spit of my efforts had gained about 4 lbs. I was devastated! I couldn't understand how I could be working so hard and eating all the right foods and still I could be gaining weight! So I went on my trip frustrated about my weight. But I was determined to enjoy myself. I tried to count my points the first day...... It was pretty hard so I decided that portion control would have to be my friend on this vacation.

So I ate whatever I wanted! I relaxed! Weight loss was finally NOT constantly on my mind and I have to say I felt amazing! I managed one run of about a mile and a half down a tiny country lane with farms and fields which was really different then the run around my neighborhood and very refreshing. I walked constantly to the sites we wanted to see so I was being active but it wasn't timed or at a high intensity but exercise all the same. I had some really great food! I tried many ice creams, chocolate, pastries, and incredible main courses and I didn't count my points for my entire vacation. It was the break that I needed to unwind from a health nut to just a normal person again. It felt really good to loosen the reins and just enjoy where I was.

I avoided the scales like the plague! I thought I would leave that part of me at home and deal with it again when I stepped on US soil. Instead I wore T-shirts without a sweater, a bathing suit without a cover-up and I didn't feel ashamed or self conscious! Even though I didn't make it to goal before my vacation, which is what I had been killing myself trying to do. I was at a very comfortable weight and enjoyed myself without having to constantly worry about what I would look like in pictures or bringing my sweater even when the weather was nice. It was liberating!

Now I'm back at home and I had to face the scale. So Sunday morning I stepped on and prepared myself for a number in the 140's... again.

139.6!!!! That is exactly what I was when I left! I didn't gain a thing! I was shocked and excited and learned some very important lessons!

• Stress really is a factor! I was going crazy before this trip to make myself loose anything else that I could and I was working ridiculously hard and it had the opposite effect on my weight loss. Now I feel like I should just enjoy the ride a bit more. Relax a little and I'm sure I'll have better results. I resolve to enjoy the weight that I am! Every pound is a milestone.
• Enjoy the ride! Not all my exercises has to be sweat my brains out intense. Any activity is just that... ACTIVITY.

What a great vacation! I'm so happy I had the chance to go!

Takin' Care Of Business!

My trip is only 9 days away!  I've been making the most out of the last few weeks until I head out for the Queens Country!  I've kept up with the exercises and the healthy eating even though I hadn't seen a big drop in the scale for 2 months!!!  I knew a plautu was a lurking possibility but I had high hopes anyway.  It was very discouraging to be working just as hard as I always had and not to see the results that I wanted.  But thanks to my Brother-In-Law who said just don't give up, been there and done that!  Just don't do it!  I kept on keepin' on!  

I also didn't want to buy to many clothes because I wasn't yet satisfied with the look of my new bod.  I'm sure there is some deep phsycological reason why I've held on to my old clothes but we wont get into that today.  I decided I had to have more then 2 shirts to take with me on my trip.  I set out to a store that 35 pounds ago I wouldn't have dared to venture into!  Charlotte Russe!!!  I've always been an accessory shopper.  I have no trouble finding shoes, jewelry, sunglasses, jackets, and lounge clothes.  Anything with a "one size fits all" tag!  but I haven't had a real t-shirt in years.  So with a little inspiration from my sister I set out for the dreaded GRAPHIC T!  

I'm a big baby because it was awesome!  Why didn't I do that sooner?  I left the store with a multitude of new shirts and of course like always a new sense of self!  

Down to business.  I weighed in on Saturday and I've been dying to share the results with EVERYBODY!!

Weekly Weigh-In: -2 glorious whole pounds!

Total Weight Lost: 37.2 lbs

Weight Left To GOOOO: 11.4 lbs

I just can't believe this!!!  I'm so close!  11.4 pounds I can burn in my sleep....... Well nothing will stop me from trying!  Here are some HUGE milestones that are approaching!!

• In 2.8 pounds I will have lost 40 pounds!
• In 4.4 pounds according to the BMI I will no longer be overweight!
• In 5.4 pounds I will have reached my WW goal!
• And of course the Ultimate goal!  In 11.4 pounds I'll weigh 125 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!

Food is good!!!  I happen to love it!  But nothing beats how good I feel now!

Weekly Weigh-In

Another loss to report!  

Weekly weigh-in: -0.2 lbs

I know it seems tiny... and it is but hey its another loss!!  That's 3 weeks in a row!  It may only add to about 2 pounds in total but its still coming off!  And after 2 months of staying the same I'm ready to loose anything!!!  

I have HIGH hopes for next week though! The trend on the scale is changing and I know that I can pull a great number next week!  Right now I'm sitting at my desk noticing how sore my arms are from yesterdays work out!  I'm lovin it!  I'm going to a cycling class tonight because I needed a change from running.  If you have a Golds Gym membership on Wednesday nights at 6 at the West Jordan gym there is a great cycling class!  The instructor makes it so interesting and invigorating!  I look forward to my Wednesday night ride!  4 days till the weigh in and everything counts!  Only 2 1/2 weeks till ENGLAND!!  

The Veggie Lovers Diet

Being vegetarian has been pretty easy.  It makes food choices so much easier because it eliminates about half of the items on the menu.  I have to plan out more meals and be more creative to make things that are filling and provide protein but don't involve meat.  Because I grow up as a vegetarian I knew all to well about Garden Burgers....... I hated them.   You know those commericals where the restaurant is serving cardboard food?  Well I would have rather had a cardboard salad then eat a Garden Burger.  So as you can imagine I was nervous to give them another shot.  I probably looked at all the different kinds in the freezer at the store for half hour before bringing myself to put one in the cart.  When I finally made it I was really really pleasantly surprised at the leaps and bounds they have made in the taste, texture, and color of the Garden Burger.  Now I'm hooked.  I have had the rib lets, spicy chicken, ground meat, and of course the garden patty.  It just makes things that much easier! Poor Sam has been such a good sport and has eaten the new experimental food that I've been making and hasn't ever said anything bad about it.  

I've been talking to him more about becoming a vegetarian with me....  I'm not making any head way with that.  I was going to try not to mention this in this entry but it just keeps coming up on the page. I read another chapter of the "Skinny Bitch"  book last night, which unfortunately reduced me to tears and horrifying dreams about murder.  There was a part where they said they knew it was going to be hard to read but to please read it anyway because these are things that are happening and we need to be aware of.  While I agree that we should educate ourselves....  I couldn't finish it.  But I also cried like a baby for a solid 20 minutes in Marley and Me.  So because I can't stand to think about the evil things I read last night for a minute longer all I'm going to say is that it all comes down to supply and demand.  I'm only one person but I can make a difference!  

There are a few things that I haven't cut out of my diet that I've been struggling with, dairy and fish.... Any thoughts?  I could live without fish if I felt like it was hurting my body with the chemicals that they feed the fish and the processing, like other meats, was inhumane (even though I just discovered the joy of sushi).  But I love dairy products!  I don't know if I'm ready to make the jump into a Vegan lifestyle.  Like I said before taking the meat out of the diet was easy!  Its just one ingredient in a recipe but no animal products takes away eggs, cheese, yogurt, milk, ICECREAM, and makes going out to a restaurant nearly impossible.  So I'm torn.  Let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions or information. 

I have noticed some changes since I stopped eating meat!  My skin looks great!  The color is different then it was before.  My moods are better in general!  I have more energy and I wake up earlier.  I feel good and I feel happy!  I'm sure the continued exercises and calorie counting don't hurt much either!

What A Race!!

Wow!  What an amazing experience!  When they said to take Trax.... They were right!!!  I've never seen so many people in once place before!  Not so much a run as a shuffle through the crowds!  

When we got to the race the traffic was backed up from the free way all the way to the parking spot that you might find about 10 blocks from the race.  When Ivy and I finally got the start line and found Cozy I had to go to the bathroom!  They had a bunch of Porta-Potty's with huge lines so I started to wait.  I probably moved 3 feet before I heard someone on a megaphone say "On your mark!  Get set!  GO!!!"  So I ran to where Ivy and Cozy where waiting and we started the shuffle!  

At this point I really had to go!  I thought that maybe I could ignore it for the next 30 to 40 minutes.... but it wasn't likely.  So when I saw a guy that worked at a Mexican restaurant hanging out outside looking at all the commotion I asked if I they had a bathroom.  I guess I wasn't the only person who had the same idea because I had to wait in another, shorter, line.  Then we were off.  

I would say about half way through we got our stride and we started to jog.  Ivy had been pushing the stroller with a mesmerized Anya in it and she had been pushing it up hill and through the swarms of people and I knew it must have been harder then it looked.  So I asked if I could push it and she handed over the stroller.  Believe it or not, it was MUCH harder!  Kudos to Ivy because wow!  

When we were about 3 blocks from the finish we passed Sam, Mom, Mike, Greg, and Roz cheering us on!  At the finish line the crowd came to a dead stop and it was like being at the start line again!  We finally found an uncrowded spot to meet everyone and we celebrated the race and the cause!  It was amazing!  I refused to take my "Race For The Cure" shirt off for the rest of the day!  That was an incredible experience that I'm so happy I was able to be a part of.  Thanks again to every one's support and love and don't worry if you couldn't make it because Mike took some amazing pictures for us and I can't wait to see them!  

Race For The Cure is finally here!!!

The race is finally here and I'm ecstatic!  I did the Law Day Run last week to get a feel for it because I had never done a race before.  Besides the rain, (I was soaked!) I loved it!  

Race for the Cure is this weekend!!  May 9th at the Gateway 400 W. South Temple.  Festivities will start at 7am but the race begins at 8:30.  The starting point is 300 W. North Temple and it will finish at the Gateway Legacy Fountain.  I would love to see you there to race or to support. The foundation has suggested taking trax.  You can sign up for the 5k run/walk or the 1 mile fun run/walk at komenslc.org.  

Thanks to everyone!  Its been amazing to make these changes in my life and this race is the embodiment of my accomplishments.  I love you all and the support and love that I've had from you is amazing!  I can't wait to see you this weekend!

The Final Countdown!!!!

Exactly one month to go until my trip to England!!!  Its time to get focused for the final leg of the race!  I've accomplished so much and I love the new body I'm in but I'm not finished yet.  I want to be at my WW goal by the time I leave and that is 7.6lbs away!  When I weighed in last week I lost another .8 for a grand total of 35lbs!  

I think I have also finally moved past the plateau that was plaguing me over the last month or so........ Ahh the agony of the dreaded plateau!!  I had to make a change and at first I thought MORE EXERCISE!!!  I was killing myself!  I was running 8K 3 times a week and doing the Biggest Loser Cardio Max, Power Sculpt, and Yoga video's 3 times a week.  It was to much and my body knew it.  So I've relaxed and taken a step back and instantly noticed better results on the scale.  

The other change I made was giving up meat.  I know what its like to be a vegetarian because my mom is and we grew up that way.  I read some interesting things in the book "Skinny Bitch"  (which by the way is a very education book but be prepared to feel bad about yourself..... they really are bitches....) It was just a reminder of things I already knew but this time I felt more prepared and capable of maintaining a diet that didn't involve meat.  Its been little over a week and I feel good about my decision.  

So like always I have to remind myself of my goal and then make a plan (which involves lists because I just love to make a good list of things to do)  and put it in action!  Let the final countdown begin!

TGIF! Wish me luck!

Sam and I are going to St. George tonight for the weekend.  This is also the weekend that I have vowed to keep my act together and not get all crazy.  I've been thinking about the game plan to get through this without even an ounce of a gain!  Here's what I've come up with.

• I've got to pack my own food.   I can't just arrive with nothing to eat because for me that is the surest way of letting loose.
• Bring my exercises clothes!  There is no reason I can't squeeze in a run in the beautiful weather and I finally found a swim suit..... don't ask because the shopping trips are still haunting me with anger as well as other emotions.....  So I could take a few laps around the pool as well!
• Mentally prepare myself for going out to eat.  I'm sure it will happen at least once but I've got to stay strong and plan ahead and not let myself get to hungry before we go.  
• Keep busy and have fun!  The more I'm doing the less likely I'll eat because I'm bored.  I think I may have trained myself to think I'm hungry when I am sitting around.  I'll even get the growling stomach.  This is just a rouse that I've come up with to give myself an excuse to grab a snack.  But it wont work on me this time!

I've been doing amazing all week and have seen a difference on the scale.  I was getting all caught up in the exercises that I was neglecting the eating right part.  I've eased up on how much I'm working out and really paid attention to the choice I was making about what I was putting into my body and I've seen great results and I feel even better then when I kill myself with exercises.  I'm excited to prove to myself that I can keep up my healthy lifestyle even when on vacation and a weekend.  So have a good weekend!  I know I will!

The Swimsuit Issue

I've been looking for a swimsuit for months now.  I haven't bought a new suit in upwards of 5 years. I eased myself into the idea with a little online browsing.  Now I need one in 2 days and have been trying them on and I just have one questions.......... WHO MAKES THESE!?!?!  Because I would really like to sit them down and give them a piece of my mind!

First of all why would a logical thinking person decide that we don't need any kind of support when we hit the beach or the pool and if we do its because we must obviously also love to wear eccentric floral patterns and only one cut of swimsuit, full absolute coverage one piece that might as well come with a pair of thermals.  I've lost 34.6 pounds and I'm a 22 years old with a generous rack!  I want to show some skin!  But I wouldn't be caught dead on the beach looking like something the vegetation throw up.  

There are just so many things wrong with the way a swimsuit is made in this day and age, such as, pricing or sizes. But I think that I'm just going to keep the rest of my cynicism to myself.  But if any of you have direct contact with a swimsuit designer could you please pass on my sentiments?  I will continue the search this evening because a Skinny Mini in Training's work is never done!  

Weekly Weigh In

Last week when I weighed in I lost 1.4 pounds!  But...... I'll never weigh in on a Wednesday again.  I lost control.  I kept up with my workouts.  I even finished a 10K!  But I didn't monitor my eating.  So the viscous cycle continues.  I have been thinking about this post for days.  I'm really tired of having to say that I eat like tomorrow the sun wasn't going to come up.  I'm doing 50% of what I should be doing.  Eating and exercise go together.  They don't work one without the other.  

I'm really disappointed that I let myself blow the weekend again.  Its a pattern that I'm having a very difficult time breaking free from.  

So here is the choices that I can make right now.  I can make this post negative and dwell on bad decisions that I've made... even though by the end of this post I know I'll make a promise to everyone that reads this that I will not let myself give up on a weekend again.  The second choice is to think about the amazing things that I have accomplished.  Just another easy decision to make!

• I'm going to buy a swimsuit this week!  
  
• I finished a 10K!
  
• Only 7 pounds until I am not overweight!
  
• Losing weight is easy!
  
• I love being able to wear a size 8 comfortably.
  
• I wouldn't have considered going to yoga school 35 pounds ago. 
  
• I haven't felt this good in years!  
  
• I haven't looked this good in years!
  
• I will not give up!
  

Nothing tastes as good as being thin!  I'll be remembering that and using what WW calls an Anchor this week.  An anchor can be a phrase or an object that you can refer to that reminds you of your ultimate goal. 

I will not give up what I want for what I want right now!