Steph's Giveaway!

Hey guys!

 My good friend and coworker Stephanie Romney (um, Miss Cache Valley 2011!...also, stellar A-Teamer and cute blogger) is giving away this O.P.I. nail polish (as well as the top coat) on her blog! You have to enter by TOMORROW so go check her out! http://stephanieromney.blogspot.com



Hope life isn't too busy for all of you! I'm going nuts this week. Can't wait for it to be over! I also really need to get going on my Christmas shopping. Haven't even started! This month is just flying by way too fast for my taste.

Also, I've rediscovered N*Sync Christmas thanks to Pandora. Good times! :)

No Time for Resting!

This week has been really busy at work and this next one is going to be absolutely insane!!! Why you ask? Well, we have started the hiring process for next year's A-Team, an endeavor that I have the pleasure of running now. We had a great response to applications this year, record breaking even! We had 112 applications come in! Crazy! We have a total of about 40 spots (we always hire 2-3 extras because something always comes up for a couple people and they have to drop out) and we have 20 A-Team returning. So that leaves about 22 spots for 112 people. It's not going to be easy! Friday we had group interviews for the first time and I thought it was rather successful! We were able to narrow down the number of applicants invited back to individual interviews to 66..or 67, I can't remember. That will be a lot easier to handle. (last year we conducted 95 individual interviews!) However, it will take most of my Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Then we'll decide who to hire and post our decision Friday at 5 pm! Crazy! It's really stressful and tiring but at the same time so fun to see all these people applying. I also like that I have a different perspective this year because I get to see all the people who apply, rather than just the few each coordinator gets to see.

The downside to all of this (besides getting backed up in other work I really need to get done) is that I have been sick all this week and haven't been able to really recover. Yesterday I was even running around a little trying to get things done (and I even went to work for an hour). Today I'm going to rest as much as possible so I can get better and last through this next, stressful week! Hopefully, all the work dreams will go away too. I've dreamt about work a ton this week. I need something else on my mind! haha Like Christmas shopping. I haven't even started! ah! It will have to wait until hiring is over!

Due to my busy schedule and my body feeling sick and tired, I didn't do very well with working out this week. I was able to fit in about 3 days of work outs though...

Tuesday: I honestly cannot remember what I did but I know I worked out! I recorded it on my calendar. Just take my word for it.

Wednesday: I have a cool new app called "Nike Training Club" and I love it!!! It has different workouts on there that lead you through the whole way. I did a "get lean" work out for 30 mins and then an "abs" work out for 15 mins. Felt great! I totally recommend this app! It has tons of different workout depending on what you want to work on, it keeps track of your progress and gives you rewards when you reach certain levels. If you don't have this yet, you're gonna want it! I already converted Jennie to it!

 

Saturday: I hadn't worked out in a couple days and wasn't feeling well but I couldn't just do nothing, so I just did a little bit of yoga. It wasn't much, but at least it was something. It's all about getting into the habit right?

So yeah, that's my weak sauce attempt at working out this week. I know I can do better, I just really, honestly have not felt well. But in an attempt to help with my desired weight loss, I have also downloaded an app that helps me keep track of what I'm eating and gives me a calorie goal. It's helped me not eat a bunch of extra stuff just because. We have to remember that even if we're working out a ton, it's not going to help at all if we just eat it back with unnecessary food and snacks. This week I've done really well at not snacking at work on the junk that's always in the office. I didn't even have a donut the day my boss was nice enough to bring some in! Well, part of that was because just thought of a donut made my stomach churn. If nothing else, being sick might help me lose weight haha

I've tried to have a good breakfast ever morning so that I don't get hungry before lunch time. Because of this, I've avoided cereal because let's be honest, I eat that and an hour later I'm starving. It just doesn't tie anyone over. Well, one time about a week and half ago, I decided to have some cereal just because. Oh man did it make me sick! I just couldn't handle the super sugary cereal that I always used to love! It was too much for my stomach. And I've noticed that I can't have two greasy items with one meal without getting sick. Gone are the days of having a hamburger and fries. Now I have to choose one or the other. It's kinda sad but ,at the same time, will help my body be healthier. My body is changing what it can handle! I'm too young for this! ;)

Anyway, that's all for now. Wish me luck with this next week! It's going to be tough, but I'm also very excited for the new A-Team! I'm also very grateful that I have a whole office that will be helping me make this decision.

Serendipity

I had the most awesome case of karma this week. Here it is:

When I was leaving for work, my roommate's car was next to mine and I got the thought for the second day in a row that I should scrape her car. So I did. There wasn't any ice and it was way easy. I was done in like 30 seconds.

Later that day I decided to look on ksl to see if there were any washers or dryers being sold. I wasn't looking to buy any. I was just curious to see how much I should be looking to pay eventually, because it's annoying to have to always have quarters and lugg my clothes across the complex. Well, I didn't find anything great on ksl so I decided to check craigslist. The second or third thing listed was a washer and dryer for $300. I researched the machines and realized it was a steal of a deal. So I emailed the guy who had posted them. We emailed back and forth all day trying to figure out if I wanted to buy them. Then it came out that he and his family were moving to Florida in two days (their new place already had machines) and they needed to sell them now! I was hesitant to make such a big purchase. I think he could tell because he emailed me and told me if I came over that night and picked them up, he'd give me both of them for $200. Um, yeah! SOLD! So I called everyone I knew with a truck, finally found one and took two of my guy friends to help me pick them up. So in one day, I accidentally purchased a washer (2 years old) and a dryer (5 years old) for only $200. Can you say awesome deal??!! I haven't tried them yet, because I had to buy a new plug for the dryer (different socket in my wall, so it didn't fit) and an extension for my drain tube. But I'm looking forward to started doing laundry in my own apartment!

Guys I'm totally an adult! I own major appliances! haha My dad told me I'm becoming domestic. haha

This week ended up being busier than I expected (I went on two dates. In ONE week. That's a record! haha and no, nothing is going to come from either one of them), plus other things came up, so I only got to work out three days. But it's better than nothing so here's how I did:

Monday - 100 push ups, 100 sit ups, 100 squats. Then spinning machine for 40 mins. Total about 60 mins

Thursday - 35 minutes eliptical

Saturday - Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred Level 2. Just about killed me! It was great!

So I think I can do a lot better this week, but it's a good start and a good way to get into the habit of working out regularly. I'm doing what I can!

Today I was watching the CMA Holiday show thing on Hulu and I discovered a new singer/celebrity crush. Have you heard of Scotty McCreery? Turns out I already knew his most popular songs. But man is his voice AWESOME! I love it! Too bad he's barely 18 haha That would make it less weird to crush on him. Oh well. Here's a taste in case you haven't heard of him.

That's all for now. Have a great week!

Gratitude Challenge

So I was on the Church's website trying to prepare my lesson for Sunday and as usual, I got distracted. I started reading the First Presidency's Message because the title caught my eye, "The Choice to Be Grateful". At the end of the message there was a gratitude challenge. It says it's for the youth, but I think it's good for anyone to do. So here it goes.

Gratitude Challenge

1.Write 10 physical abilities you are grateful for: walking, running, the function of all 5 senses, dexterity in my fingers and hands, jumping/skipping, raising my arms as much as they can (which probably isn't 100%, since I don't have great shoulders), eating (chewing and swallowing), use of my voice box to talk and sing, crying, laughing

2. Write 10 material possessions you are grateful for: car, phone, computer, washer and dryer, cute clothes, jewelry, heels, boots, scarfs, my fingerless glove/mittens

3. Write 10 living people you are grateful for: Mom, Dad, Christian, Emi, Torie, Kaili, Deborah, Desiree, Laura, Stacey

4. Write 10 deceased people you are grateful for: Papy, Joseph Smith, Emma Smith, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Jane Austen, President Hinckely, Sassy, Dax, Nettie

5. Write 10 things about nature you are grateful for: warm sunny rays, smell of rain, magic of snow fall, shady trees, soft grass, pretty sunsets, mountains to conquer, the quiet of nature, beautiful fall colors, soft breezes

6. Write 10 things about today you are grateful for: great job to go to, fun people to work with, lots of interested applicants to pick from so we get the best team possible, turkey broth ready for me to make into yummy soup, exercise room provided by my complex, laughing til I cried with Snow, roommates to chat with, cute sweater my mom got me, the church website to help me plan lessons, a nice warm apartment that saves me from the wind

7. Write 10 places on earth you are grateful for: temple in general, Logan temple specifically (the peace there has helped me through many things), my own apartment, my parents' place in Salt Lake, Brighton Ski Resort (keeping my Dad sane), Cache Valley (thanks for being my home away from my family), good ol' USA, Texas (this one is hard for me, but it did help me grow and it took good care of my family), Dee Glen Smith Spectrum (silly I know, but I have very fond memories there and made great friends there), my home in Cottonwood Heights

8. Write 10 modern inventions you are grateful for: cell phone, water heater, cars, computers, internet, dishwasher, electric lighting, A/C, iPod (any music player), medicine (does that count?), indoor plumbing

9. Write 10 foods you are grateful for: bread, squash, strawberries, apples, pasta, ice cream, clementines, CHEESE, eggs, tomatoes

10. Write 10 things about the gospel you are grateful for: family can be together forever, the Atonement, the knowledge that God is our father, we know where we came from, we know the plan of salvation, Book of Mormon, repentance and forgiveness, the gift of the Holy Ghost, gives me peace and hope, the truth will never again be taken from us.

Some of those were a lot harder than I thought they would be. That was an awesome exercise and one I really needed. It's always good to be grateful and that is something that is not always easy to do. My mom is an awesome example of someone with gratitude. It's something she's tried very hard to remind her kids to do.

Do the challenge. You'll be glad you did. Grateful even.

123 by 23

I have a new goal. I'm calling it 123 by 23.

I am very self conscious about my weight and the way my body looks. I studied health, exercise and fitness for 4 years plus I have parents that are very into all of that, so it's not something I am unfamiliar with or lack any knowledge of, I'm just bad at the motivation part. and it's definitely caught up with me. My freshman year I did the freshman thing to do and was terrible to my body and gained about 10 pounds. Gross. Through small efforts here and there I tried to lose the extra flub and while I had small successes occasionally, there hasn't been much to be excited about. But this week I found some motivation so I came up with my 123 by 23 goal. My 23rd birthday is coming up in two months on January 25. That means I have to lose 3.5 pounds by Christmas and another 3.5 by my birthday. Not only is that a totally healthy rate of weight loss but I think I can do it. I'll be working out at least 4-5 days a week and if I do well, maybe I can up it to 5-6. I will also start to limit my intake of sweets. I know that will be difficult during the holiday season, but I think I can do it. The month before my half marathon this year, I cut out all sweets, treats and desserts. If I can do that for one month, I think I can limit my intake for two months. I'm pretty sure I lost some weight that month too, so that should help my efforts. I also want to find healthier snacks to eat at work so I stay full and avoid mindless munching on all the junk that somehow finds it's way to our office ALL the time! I also don't drink soda very often, but I think it would be good to continue avoiding it so that I can avoid drinking empty calories and all that sugar. My roommate suggested I cut out carbs. I don't believe in completely cutting anything from my diet. I don't think that's a way to be successful, plus you do need  some carbs in your diet to be nutritionally healthy. But it is a good idea to limit my carb intake to healthy levels. This will be tough because I lovvveeee carbs! Yum! Moderation is key!

The idea behind posting about this topic that I think is very personal and am kind of sensitive about is in the hopes that any of my friends and family who read this will help hold me accountable. I really, really want to do this. I don't have a scale at my house but my parents have one so I will not be checking my weight until Christmas.  I want to post on here every week with my workouts and how I think I'm doing nutritionally. If I don't post, call me out on it. If you've found something that works for you, let me know. I am well aware that exercise and healthy eating are the way to go, so I'm not asking for weird "diets" or cleanses or anything. But maybe tell me about a workout you enjoy or that really challenges you. Healthy meals and snacks you like to prepare. Stuff like that.

I really hope that by feeling accountable to anyone who may read this that I'll be able to get this done. It's time I felt good about my body again and it's time I stop being lazy and making excuses for not being in shape.

Here's this week's workout log:

Monday: 100 push up, 100 sit ups, 100 squats. Ouch! Sore for days.
Tuesday: 15 minute ab workout
Wednesday: 35 minute elliptical "weight loss" course
Saturday: 15 minute run 25 minutes on the elliptical

Here's to 123 by 23!!!

Truth Tuesday

I had already thought of stealing Kelsey's Truth Tuesday idea when I saw that Katie had already done so. But that did not hinder me so here I am. Here are my truths for today:

• I love cheese. Sooo much! I even add more cheesy to already cheesy things (ie. Mac n Cheese). Not healthy, I know but it's not like I do it a lot. But when I do ohhhh boy! I just LOVE cheese!
• I'm a little overwhelmed with my new job. There's just so much to learn and so much that I am suddenly in charge of. However, I am very grateful for it. I also love everyone I work with and am very happy where I am. It's a learning curve you know? Just like any other new job. 
• Ok...I'm one of those people who refuses to allow Christmas music before Thanksgiving has taken place. I just feel like it gets jipped and it's a pretty good holiday! But I've caved a little. Not just for any Christmas music...I have fallen in LOVE with Michael Bublé's new "Christmas" album. My roommate bought it the day it came out and I liked it so much I bought it yesterday. I may have gotten ready today to Christmas music. Judge me if you want.
• I got called to be a Sunday School teacher and it totally freaks me out. I know so little when it comes to scriptures and church trivia and remembering all these facts and stories and everything. I'm afraid I'll look like an idiot up there trying to teach people who know a ton more than I do.

That's enough for now. Thursday and Friday I have a trip to Boise for work and then Friday is our basketball game against BYU. It's always a big deal but this year is super scary. We're looking really young and inexperienced (because we are...rebuilding year and all) and it would break my little heart  if we lost to BYU in the Spectrum! Please bless that does not happen!!! Hopefully our crowd will be able to pump up our team and scare theirs a little. We're good at that.