Last Night...

...I went to sleep in my workout clothes.

On purpose.

I had had that random thought on Sunday night but didn't do it. Then yesterday I was inspired by my sister who old me that she had slept in her workout clothes on Sunday night in order to minimize excuses to getting up early.

So I tried it last night.

Other than waking up at midnight, 2:30, and 4:20, there wasn't much difference.

Unfortunately, that's kind of a big difference... So I'm not sure if I'll do it again tonight or not.

But, I did finally wake up - and GET up early!

And here are the fruits of my labors (not bad for being done before 6 in the morning, right?) -

this was during my three minutes of cooling down (rounding out the 45 minutes).

the other 42 minutes were split 50/50 between running 5 mph at a 4% decline (totally works the abs)

and walking 3.5 mph at a 15% incline (with 1 minute of 40% incline thrown in there just for fun).

 i'm sore.

Week 1 of the 6-Week Plan

(written on 5 June)

I'll start right off by saying I haven't been sticking to it flawlessly. I'll own up to eating some brownies and pizza over the weekend... Thankfully, that was as bad as it got. And they were deviations, not the norm. I also shared the brownies with my dogs, so that's good, right?

Overall, I've made some pretty major changes in my diet. A few weeks before this I stopped buying the frozen smart ones entrees (which, you may think is gross, but I really, really like some of them - mostly the pasta dishes). I started making more of an effort to make lunch and bring it with me. Sometimes that worked, other times I ended up in the cafeteria downstairs. This past week I never bought lunch. That was definitely made easier by staying at home one day, and going home early on some other days, because then I would just eat something at home. This week... it's only Tuesday and I don't have a lunch. I was exhausted when I got home last night and figured that the fresh fruit that I had bought yesterday could work as breakfast and lunch and that I'll make something - with leftovers - when I get home today.

I haven't really been too adventurous so far. I've been sticking with what's easy and familiar. I made a stir fry last week with onions, cabbage, zucchini and pineapple. Sometimes I'd eat it plain, other times I'd have it with quinoa pasta.

(written on 6 June)

 Last night I got home around 5 and didn't leave the kitchen until after 8. I only sat down for 5 minutes for eating. Other than that I was cooking. Or cleaning during/after cooking.

I was looking at my sister's blog for meal ideas (the stir fry was already getting old) and had smelled some really good things being heated up in the microwave (I'm very close to the break room here which means I smell everything being heated - for better or worse -- and trust me, sometimes it's been for the much worse.) so I wanted something that I could cook and would have good smells. In this post she mentioned sweet potato quesadillas being a big hit with her family. I looked at the recipe she linked to and didn't love that I'd have to cook the potatoes first (remember, I was surviving off fruit for the first 9/10 hours of my day yesterday and was really hungry) so I googled other recipes for sweet potato quesadillas. I found this one, and ended up kind of combining the two.

On the way home from work I managed a trip to the store that followed my grocery list exactly - always a trick for me when I'm shopping hungry. The one thing I added at the end was a French loaf of whole grain bread for a snack while making dinner.

My version of the sweet potato quesadillas -
(note: I didn't measure everything exactly, so amounts are approximate. when I'm dealing with vegetables, I don't hesitate to add more than it calls for, so I didn't actually measure the onions, peppers or sweet potatoes)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped onions
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup red or green bell peppers, chopped (I used both red and green - I forgot to add the orange that I had also bought.. The more color the better, right?)
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chilli powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
• 4 cups peeled and grated sweet potatoes
• salt
• pepper
• cheese - I used a tiny, tiny bit to help the tortillas stick to the sweet potato mix
• 8 flour tortillas (my mix filled 7 - I was generous with the filling. and I used whole wheat tortillas)

Directions:

•  Saute onions, peppers and garlic until onions are transparent (I sprayed the pan with a little Pam so I didn't have to use oil.)
• Stir in oregano, chili powder and cumin
• Add sweet potatoes, cover and cook for 10 minutes stirring frequently so it doesn't stick (I would add a little water occasionally if I hadn't stirred it soon enough and that helped pick up the things that had started sticking to the pan.)
• Add salt and pepper to taste
• In another pan (I don't think I sprayed the second pan at all) I put a tortilla in to barely start to toast one side then I flipped it over, put a tiny (literally, tiny) bit of cheese down, dumped in the filling on half of the tortilla, sprinkled another tiny, tiny bit of cheese on the filling,  folded it and toasted both sides.

I ate mine plain, but you can serve it with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, etc.

Very good.

My dad had one too and said it had a meat-like texture which he liked. So it may be a good way to sneak in vegetables for people who don't necessarily love them...

After making one, I ate it, and then made up the others for leftovers. Then I took this recipe for layered vegetable enchiladas and put the filling together. I didn't layer anything, and just mixed in the beans with the vegetables (again, no measuring for me - be generous with veggies!). I'm planning to use the mix as a burrito filler or something simple like that. I wanted to get a few things ready so I couldn't use exhaustion or lack of time as an excuse for the rest of the week. So I'm feeling pretty good about what I was able to do last night.

That's it for now.

But to sum up, week 1 went pretty well even though it wasn't perfect. And I ended up losing 3.8 lbs. Not too shabby, right?!

Sometimes...

I look in the mirror and I think

how did this happen?!

And then I think

Blast.

And So It Begins

All right. I'm doing it. It's official. I have to do something, and I've known for a long time that this is the healthy way to get done what I want to get done. I just haven't done it. But now I'm going to. Do it, that is.

If you followed that, you're awesome. I'm not even reading back over it to make sure it's possible to follow it. So good luck.

Anyway, here's what I'm doing. Dr. Fuhrman's 6-week plan, as outlined on this blog.

-----

UNLIMITED (eat as much as you want):

• all raw vegetables, including raw carrots (goal: 1 lb. daily)
• cooked green vegetables (goal 1 lb. daily)
• beans, legumes, bean sprouts, or *tofu (minimum 1 cup daily in total of these)
• fresh fruit (at least 4 daily).
• eggplant, mushrooms, peppers, onions, tomato and other non-starchy vegetables, cooked and raw (unlimited)

*Beans should be eaten daily; tofu should be eaten less frequently.

LIMITED (not more than one serving):

• cooked starchy vegetables OR whole grains–Maximum 1 cup per day (butternut or acorn squash, corn, sweet potato, brown rice, cooked carrots, whole grain breads*, whole grain cereals*)
• raw nuts and seeds (1 oz. or 28.5 grams a day) or 2 ounces avocado
• ground flaxseed (1 tablespoon a day)
• soymilk, low-sugar preferred–Maximum 1 cup a day

*avoid breads and cereals as much as possible

OFF-LIMITS:

• dairy products
• animal products
• between meal snacks
• fruit juice, dried fruits
• salt, sugar

NUTS and RAW SEEDS, but not ground flax, are optional for obese or overweight persons while they follow this weight loss plan. People who have difficulty losing weight may also eliminate the starchy vegetable/grain.

 -----

I'm glad they typed it all up because I really didn't want to.

Anyway, I'm doing it. If you read this book, you'll see how compelling the evidence is and how much healthier a more natural and raw foods diet is for you. I've tried it before, with great success. My sister and brother-in-law have been following it pretty religiously for the last while and have had amazing results as seen here.

So now I'm in. I'm all in. I wasn't going to mention it on here, but I feel like I need to put it out there in order to be more invested. The more people that know, the better. Feel free to check up on me. I'll need all the support/help/reminders I can get. Especially at the beginning.

So Much Fun

Thursday evening we had a relief society activity called something like - 'Apples, Aerobics, and Autumn' (I may be getting the order wrong). We had apples, we did aerobics, and it took place during Autumn. (:

A counselor in the presidency brought her Richard Simmons Sweatin' to the Oldies DVDs. We put volume 2 on (my favorite is Volume 1, I think... it's been so long...) and started sweating.

I had forgotten how much fun those videos are! I remember doing them with my mom and some siblings. It was so much fun. I loved the music (big Oldies fan here).

So, as an early Halloween present (you are so lucky, who gets Halloween presents?!) I'm giving you this link.

No need to thank me.

Just know that I'll be doing that video sometimes.

Promise.


Oh, and in case you were wondering, we had a 100% satisfaction rate with that activity. The 6 of us that were there loved it. (:

(read more about Richard here)

I Really Want a Snickers Bar

Make that a Snickers Peanut Butter bar.

I also want -

- Krispy Kreme doughnuts
- a pudding/cream cheese dessert my mom made last night
- ice cream - cookies and cream
- pizza

I think that's it.

Am I going to have any of those things?

No.

Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope.*

Why?

Because I'm back on 'Eat to Live' as of Monday.

I knew the cravings would come, but ugh...

I'm leaving work in 20 minutes.

I'm stopping at the store on my way home.

I'm buying -

- kidney beans
- zucchini
- broccoli
- dog food

That's all.

No Krispy Kremes, ice cream, etc.

I really hope this craving period ends.

SOON.

*that's a movie reference, obscure though it may be. probably a jazillion points if you get it.

Bringing the Kitchen to the Bathroom*

I know a lot of people are blogging about 9/11 today - with good reason. I really don't have anything to add to what I posted last year, except for maybe - God Bless America. We need Him so much (always, but even more so now than before I think), for so many reasons. I love this country and am indeed proud to be an American. I don't agree with everything that goes on, but I don't want to live anywhere else. America truly is great.

(*those of you who know me well may know how hard it was to write that title. i refuse to take any food or water into the bathroom. it's disgusting. but read on, and then the title will make sense. :)

For a little over a week I haven't been using shampoo or conditioner on my hair. Don't get freaked out, I'm still clean (promise!). I've just been using an unconventional method.

Ready to hear it?

Baking soda.

That's it.

Well, baking soda in water. 1 Tbsp baking soda for every 2 Tbsp water. About. It's not a scientific process. I put it in a little squirt bottle and shake it up before every use (it separates), and after wetting my hair, I squirt some baking soda/water on my head. Rub it in really well (it's a different feeling and takes a bit getting used to), then rinse it out really well. The post-baking soda/water feeling take a bit of getting used to as well.

A few days after doing this, I read this lady's blog who mentioned putting an apple cider vinegar/water mixture in your hair after washing with baking soda, or lemon juice/water. I put some lemon juice (about 1 Tbsp to every 1 cup of water - again, not scientific so it doesn't really matter) and water in a squirt bottle and after rinsing the baking soda out, I put some of that in. I love how my hair has been feeling. It feels clean and is easier to manage. I'm sold.

Next crazy idea:

brown sugar/honey/olive oil/vanilla body (and face!) scrub.

I've tried this for a few days too (a couple of days without the olive oil, then I saw a recipe with olive oil and I mixed that up last night and used it this morning).

Once again - SOLD.

I love it.

This also separates, but I keep it in a little tupperware-type container and keep a plastic spoon with it so I can just quickly mix it up before using it.

With my hands, I scoop some out and start scrubbing.

My skin felt so soft and moisturized even before getting out of the shower. I didn't put any lotion or any kind of moisturizer on my body or face after getting out of the shower - because I didn't need it.

I know I posted about the greatness of baby oil gel a little while ago, but this trumps that. There's no contest in my opinion. It's really amazing.

One warning with the brown sugar mix - careful about it getting into your hair; or wash your hair after using the body scrub. I got some of the mixture in my hair from my hands and shoulders where my hair touched, and my hair was just a bit oily (because of the olive oil). I'm still going to use the scrub because it's awesome, but I'll probably clip up my hair after washing it just to keep it out of the way.

And the best thing about using these things - if you get really hungry in the shower you can just make yourself a cake or something. (:

Which reminds me of this:
(skip to 2:33 - or a bit later - and watch to the end to see what I'm talking about)

also, in honor of National Honey Month (who knew that even existed?) read here.

Learning to Balance

via
I love this picture

So, I've been losing weight recently. Hallelujah. It hasn't melted off, but it's been fairly steady, and that's healthy and longer-lasting, right? It's all been through the way I'm eating* since I haven't taken time to throw exercise into the mix. I'm hoping I can make that change soon since I just feel better when I'm exercising. I was telling a friend the other day that the minute I exercise, I feel like I'm thinner. Exercise is like magic in that way.

Anyway, back to how I'm eating, and balance...

I've been eating mostly raw and/or whole foods. Lots of salads, fruit, beans, etc. I feel a lot better when I'm eating better things (go figure) but what I'm trying to figure out is amounts. Based on my weight watchers training, there's a certain amount of 'points food' we should eat a day. When I tried that equation it worked great for me. So I'm still keeping that in my mind as I'm working to lose weight. But, most the foods I'm eating are zero points. All vegetables - with the exception of corn, potatoes, etc. (really starchy veggies) are zero points, and all fruits - with the exception of avocados (I think that's the only exception) are zero points too. My daily points target right now - according to weight watchers - is 32. So... if I'm eating mostly zero point foods, I'm having a hard time meeting that target. Beans are not zero points - a can of black beans is 8, and a can of kidney beans is 9, etc. - so when I eat those, I'm getting something. I also will eat 9-grain bread from bountiful baskets that is amazing - and also not zero points.

Here's the problem. I'm eating so well, but I don't know that I'm eating enough. I've noticed that on days where I've eaten more non-zero point food than I thought I should I've actually dropped more weight than on days where I'm restricting so much what I eat and sticking to almost all zero-point food.

Obviously there's a balance in there somewhere that I need to find. Since I've started this internship I've had to bring food to work with me. The first month+ it was because they didn't have any kind of cafeteria or vending machines to eat from. Which was probably a good thing. Now, I'm in a building with a cafeteria but I'm still bringing my food since it's so much better.

I try to space out my meals so I'm not eating everything at once, but I'll have my salad or fruit sometime between 11:30 and noon, and then another part of meal around 1 or so... but I've noticed that when I feel hungry and I haven't 'scheduled' my eating, I ignore it until I want to eat. I'm not sure that this is the best approach. Especially when I'm eating all good things**, then it probably really doesn't matter if I'm eating when I think I should as opposed to eating when my body needs to.

I hope this makes sense. I'm still trying to work it out in my head, but I think I'm on the right track.

*I've focused on 'Eating to Live' before and had amazing results. Good things happen when you eat good foods!
**I don't want to deceive anyone into thinking that I'm eating 100% healthy, all the time, because that's not true. But I must say I'm eating pretty blasted well these days.

Finally!

If you've visited my blog lately (instead of viewing it through google reader), you may have noticed this super-attractive widget I have at the top under the title.

If you've been paying attention, you may have noticed that today's number is different from yesterday's.

It's about time.

I'm tracking the weight that I want to lose in August. All too soon, I'll be adding to it the weight I'm hoping to lose in September. Yeah... I don't know that that's how it will all pan out, but hopefully it'll average out to 30 LBS. GONE BY 10 NOVEMBER.

Wouldn't that be awesome?

It would.


84 days left.

No, I"m not counting.

My phone is.

Thank you 'days left' widget. (:

A Few Things. All Connected. At Least in My Head.

1 - As I've mentioned in recent posts - I've gained weight recently. I blame it on my thesis. And my apparent (sometimes complete) lack of willpower/self-control when I'm stressed out over my thesis. Which is almost constantly.

Today, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

I did not like what I saw.

My first (and only, really) thought was - 'I'm fat.'
(before you go needlessly jumping into platitudes/explanations/sympathetic mumblings, please hold. that's not the point of my story)

I walked out and immediately saw two women who were bigger than I. One of them muchly so (I know that's not a word). My first thought was (as I've been told by my oldest sister on numerous occasions) - 'Some people would kill to have my body.' to which I add - 'and if they wouldn't, they should.' (not that I'm being vain - see above.)

Not that that makes me want to stay where I am, but I can appreciate the fact that I'm not as bad as I could be.

Thank heavens.


2 - I went running tonight.

For the first time, in way, way too long.

Especially considering that I'm signed up to run (I mean walk) a half marathon next weekend.

However, it's in Bryce Canyon and I figure it will be a beautiful walk/run and I can enjoy it for what it is.

The run tonight felt great, by the way. I remembered how much I love running.

Even on a treadmill.

And compared to outside running, I hate treadmill running.

But Sabrina helped me.

Have I mentioned how much I love that movie?

maybe once.

or twice.

or three times...

... or four.

But not enough, I'm sure.


c - I'm totally not on track to lose 30 by 30... sadly.

However, I can still do it. I've just got to be more invested. And start acting on it. 1.67 lbs a week for the next 18 weeks (exactly!) and I've got it. I can do this.


4 - I eat better when I exercise. Which is why I made myself get on the treadmill tonight. I went to a Relief Society presidency meeting in my running clothes so I wouldn't have an excuse when I got home.

It worked.


e - I'd say more. Because I'm sure there was more. But I've forgotten what it was.

And I was hoping to be in bed by 10. Which isn't going to happen since it's 9:58.

And I still need to shower.

Because I went running.

Did I mention that? (:

More Good Food!

Today I had coach's oats for breakfast, flavored with cinnamon and whey low (sugar substitute), a bunch of fruit and left over pancakes for lunch, and vegetable & bean fajitas for dinner. I was even going to make whole wheat tortillas from scratch, but remembered the TON of tortillas I found in the two refrigerators when I cleaned them out on Saturday, and couldn't justify adding more to the LARGE pile. (did I tell you that we have a WHOLE LOT of tortillas in this house?)

So, dinner wasn't quite as healthy as it could have been, but it wasn't bad.

I've been trying to eat more natural / whole / healthy foods. Since Saturday. And aside from Sunday when I had lunch at my sister's house, I've been doing pretty well. Lunch there wasn't even that bad (health-wise, that is - and it tasted really good), but I had too much dessert. But it was SO GOOD. So good. I had already decided that I'd give myself Sunday 'off' (to 're-tox,' if you will), but that doesn't mean I have to take Sundays off.

Tonight when I was craving something sweet... I actually thought about making more pancakes (because they're that good), but settled on a couple of oranges instead. And they were delicious. And satisfied the sweet-craving.

I think that's what they call a 'win-win(-win).'

Which goes something like this -

Every Summer

I found this when I googled 'radiation-attacked-lobster'
you'll see why I googled that in a minute

I found out years and years ago (I'm 29, so I have 'years and years' behind me) that when I get sunburned, it turns tan, and then I proceed to get darker from there. And if it does happen to peel, it peels to the same color underneath as I was on top, so I don't have to start the sunburning process again.

Is this the healthy for your skin?

Fact: No.

I am so aware of this fact, that yesterday while basking in the glorious sunlight I almost texted my classmate who's always been cancer-focused and is now working in the cancer dept. at UDOH saying, 'I'm in the process of giving myself skin cancer. Just thought I'd let you know.'

So, while I obviously know what sunburns can do to my skin, it's not enough to keep me from being in the sun. And I've never been a great sunscreen-user either. I do, however, use face lotion that's spf 15...

So that's somethin'.

Anyway, yesterday, I sat in the sun for a little over an hour. It felt wonderful. It wasn't too hot, and there was a light breeze that kept me cool. It was perfect. And also deceptive. I've long ago realized that my worst burns come when there's a breeze outside. It's almost as if I believe, 'well, if I don't feel the uv rays beating down on me, then they're not beating down on me.'

This is a lie.

I came inside looking for tan lines and seeing a few faint marks.

Until later.

When I was getting dressed to go to my temple shift I noticed I was kind of red. When I got to the temple I noticed I was redder than I had initially thought. When I crouched down to reload some clothing bins I realized that the backs of my knees hurt. A lot. When I changed out of my temple clothes and was standing in my full-length slip... I looked like a lobster. I looked like I should have super-radiation-powers. I looked like a radiation-attacked-lobster.

Wow.

I was red.

I went home, put aloe vera on, and went to sleep.

This morning when I woke up - not as red. It's already fading.

Looks like my plan is working.

Gum Disease and Other News

Every once in a while I'm reminded that my gums above my front two teeth are uneven. One is higher than the other, and makes the tooth look a little longer. Have you noticed this? Probably Hopefully not.

Occasionally when I run my tongue along my teeth, I'll feel the difference in the position of my gums (this is what reminds me).

I immediately freak out thinking that my tooth is horribly exposed and starting to look like a corpse's teeth, and I'm never ever ever going to smile again.

Then I jump up and run to the bathroom to brush my teeth.

I do this regardless of what time of day it is, when my last meal was, and even though I may have brushed my teeth some few hours earlier.

While readying the toothbrush and toothpaste, I look in the mirror with my lips pulled back in a snarling grimace so I can take a look at the offending gumline.

After scaring myself I immediately brush my teeth, focusing on that one spot trying to encourage my gums to lower themselves on that one tooth.

It never does.

After the frantic brushing, I run to my computer and google 'gum disease,' 'gingivitis,' 'uneven gum line,' and 'am i going to die because my gumline is uneven'. Not necessarily in that order.

Good news, I'm not going to die.

Other good news, I probably don't have gum disease or gingivitis either. My gums have never been inflamed or tender, my teeth never feel loose, I've never had a lip piercing*, and the dentist has never said anything to me about my gum line.

*

So I'm in the clear.

For now.

Until I get a lip piercing.

In other news -

After reading this article that a friend of mine shared on facebook, I've been working at a makeshift standing desk.


For the last two hours or so (some, but not all of that spent searching frantically for proof that my life was not in jeopardy due to my hideously disfigured gums) I've been standing at this box-on-the-island desk.

This isn't a sales plug, but if it were, I would point out the isagenix box that my computer is resting on. And how it seems to made for creating your own standing desk. My elbows are almost at a 90-degree angle, and there's no strain on my wrists. These are both good things.

Granted, because it's a laptop I can't have the screen at the right height and the keyboard in the right position at the same time. Baby steps people. At least I'm standing.

My legs are tired, but I think that's kind of the point.


Separate topic now - I just got this in the mail -


- it's a horrible picture, but it's a little angel.

I'm normally not much for things like this, but I love this one.

Not sure why exactly.

I got it here.


Now I'll go back to practicing ways to hide my gums from you when I smile.

If it looks something like this -



- well then, I'm sorry.

Race #2

This morning I woke up early to run in the Susan G. Komen 5k in downtown SLC. After waking up, checking to make sure Dingo didn't mess in my room during the night (he scratched on the door multiple times and I was too exhausted to get up so I ignored him, knowing as I did so that he could quite possibly be leaving me something to clean up - thank goodness he didn't!), getting dressed for running, trying to convince the dogs they couldn't go with me, and sneaking away from them to my car, I headed for the train station. On the way there I noticed tht I had a 'brake lamp' warning on my dashboard (more on that later).

Now I'm literally falling asleep as I type this, and having to check and recheck typed in sentances because I'm not always making sense to myself.

I wouldn't even publish this, but I told a friend that I'd publish a post a least once a day in May.

More to come (in an updated version of this same post):

• cute dogs running
• thousands of runners
• my cousin and his family
• catching the train on the way home
• fixing the brake lamp
• picking up my weekly basket
• and maybe more... (:
  

Beauty / Health Tip

Sometimes I have itchy-skin problems. After my mission, my skin itched almost constantly for over a year (no joke). It was horrible. It's definitely not that bad anymore, but occasionally it comes back and it's not so fun, and seriously distracting.

I was reading a random blog a few weeks ago (I do that sometimes...) and saw a post on a soft skin secret.

Are you ready for this?



She said that after she showers, before toweling off, she rubs Johnson's baby oil gel (in cocoa butter) all over her body, then blots dry with a towel, and her skin stays soft. When I read this, I had been battling an itchy back for the previous few days and was desperate to try anything. So I tried it. And, oh my goodness, it's working miracles. I'm a believer. My back isn't itchy (and my skin feels softer - bonus!). I do this after every shower, and even use a little on my face. I haven't used lotion since doing this (except occasionally on my hands), and my skin has felt great.

Let me know if you try it and what you think about it!

My Second Half

Yesterday I ran in the Thanksgiving Point Half Marathon.

Was I ready?

No.

Did I fully train?

No.

Was it snowing?

Yes.

Did some of the uphills just about kill me?

Devil take it, Yes.

Did I average just under a 13-minute mile?

Yep.

Did the winner average just over a 5-minute mile?

I can hardly believe it, but yes. (I can't imagine running that fast for ONE mile let alone 13.1)

Did I track over 22,000 steps on a pedometer?

Yes. And I earned every one of them.

At the end, did I deliberately pick up my pace in order to beat a Ute fan?

Umm, with school pride involved, I absolutely did.

And did I beat him?

By at least a couple of minutes, thank you very much. Go Cougars!

Did I have fun?

Yes.

And that's all that matters.

Earlier this year I had been training really well, and even got to the point where I ran 14 miles - with NO walking breaks - on the treadmill.

That was a long time ago.

I got sick for a few weeks. (no fun)

And stopped training regularly during that time.

It's so sad how quickly you lose the ground you've gained if you stop running.

I'm looking at yesterday's half as a new start to training.

And I'm thinking all those runs posted on the left sidebar will help me keep running.

At least I hope so.

So Many to Choose From!

I picked up my packet for the Thanksgiving Point Half Marathon tomorrow (less than 9 hours to go!) and just now looked through all the handouts of upcoming races. Here are a few more I'm interested in...

• 5 May - Cinco de Mayo 5k Fiesta run/walk - I'm Mexican, I feel I have a duty to do this
  
• 21 May - Live Your Dream Charity 5k
  
• 30 May - Run of Remembrance - you pay for a shirt if you want to, it's free if you don't. they accept donations that all go to afflicted war heroes. I'm definitely doing this one. Read 'Unbroken,' and you'll want to do it to.
  
• 11 June - Utah Valley Half Marathon
  
• 25 June - Lehi Round Up 5k/10k
  
• 30 July - Timpanogos Half Marathon
  
• 10 September - Little Grand Canyon Half Marathon
  
• 8 October - Love Your Body 6k/10k - did this one last year with a friend, women only!
  
• 15 October - Chick-fil-A SoJo Half Marathon

Some of these conflict with others on my previous list, so I'll just have to make a decision about which one to do. I'll tell you this though, as cool as I think the State Capitol Half would be, I'm definitely running the Run of Remembrance instead.

Some races found here. I'll have to look through the website more to find others.

Things I Hope To Do This Summer

• 30 April - Thanksgiving Point Half Marathon
• 7 May - Komen 5k Race for the Cure - a friend asked me to do this one with her
  
• 14 May - Volunteer @ Girls on the Run 5k Fun Run
  
• 21 May - Armed Forces Day Challenge Course - I need a partner for this one, interested?
  
• 30 May - State Capitol Half Marathon
  
• 4 June - National Trails Day Dog Run - if I can talk someone into doing this with me, I may bring both the pups
  
• 2 July - Dirty Girl Run @ Wheeler Farm - mud runs are the best!
  
• 4 July - Freedom Run 5k or 10k (maybe because I'll be mud-running it 2 days before I'll stick to the 5k)
• 16 July - Bryce Canyon Half Marathon
• 29-31 July - Garlic Festival in Gilroy, CA - the garlic capital of the world

I'll most likely be adding (and possibly subtracting) from the list as the summer progresses. Stay tuned for updates (but only if you're interested). (:

Most races found here.

Not Seen on Above List:

• Finish my thesis. I walked in last week's graduation, now I just need to wrap everything up and I'll be done!
• Find a job.
• Hike. A lot.

Motivation

Body scans of two women:

image found here

Amen.

'You cannot think yourself into a better body.'

- Tanya Becker -
creator of the physique 57 technique

I've tried.
It's not possible.

Remember this?

Well, thanks to:
- my continuing weight loss (after a stagnant period - and a bit of a weight gain - over the holidays),
- my training for a half or full marathon (I haven't decided which yet),
- and my sister Bethany's suggestion that I start cross-training,

I put physique 57 on again today and started working my way into a better body.

And I did it for the full 57 minutes.
And my body is sore and shaky now.

And I love it.