Becoming Zsa Zsa Gabor

Jill's post about her daughter has inspired me to relate my own story about "losing it." Let me preface this by saying that rationally I know that speeding is my own fault and that I am not usually a loud, irrational, attention-hogging, obnoxious person. In fact, I'm usually the opposite. But Zsa Zsa Gabor is who I became last Saturday night.

A few days before, I got a speeding ticket coming back from picking up my son from school. There's this strip of road where the speed limit is 40 and goes to 55, and where it goes to 55 used to be in a different spot than it is now, so traffic usually goes faster than it should. I was just lolly-gagging along, going with the flow of traffic, not paying attention to my speed, and a cop clocked me going 52 in a 40. Not only that, but he said he pulled me over (i.e. singled me out from the other cars) because my registration was expired. Huh? I KNOW I paid it! I remember waiting in line FOREVER to pay it! Sure enough, the police officer ran my plates, and they were current. I'd just forgotten to put the sticker on. Aarrgh! So, that was my first speeding ticket.

Snap back to Saturday night. There'd been the usual traveling frustrations around Thanksgiving. I was doing all the holiday shopping while were were in Utah with all the post-Thanksgiving sales and Zen stayed back at my Mom's helping to watch the kids, and there were complaints from him and the teenagers that they were stuck watching the babies while I was out running errands. Hello! I watch babies 24/7, what's the big deal?! And besides, I'm out buying your presents and taking care of Christmas for you! But 99% of the time I'm the caboose when it comes to getting out of the door, and they all hate it, even though that's because I'm the one who can remember all the little things we need, and there are always little last-minute things that have to be added to the pile of things to pack in the car. I try hard to delegate, I really do. In fact on this trip, every time I handed Zen an assignment for packing, I said, "See, I'm delegating!" But despite all that, I was still the person holding everyone up late Saturday afternoon as I finished one more errand before we headed back to Rock Springs, Wyoming.

Plus, there's stress from being away from my business and knowing how much work is waiting for me when I get back. It's overwhelming sometimes! Working for yourself can be harder than working for someone else. But that's a topic for another time. Also, it had been probably 2 days since I'd taken my anti-anxiety meds, because I was just frazzled from traveling and I forgot. I don't want to use them as a copout, as if I don't have the ability to make my own choices, but let me tell you, they do make a difference if you've ever had to battle with depression. They just give you an extra edge over your own crazy biochemistry.

Okay, now finally down to the nitty-gritty of my story. Zen and I were traveling in separate vehicles, me in the mini-van and him in the truck, because our 7-person family and all our luggage just don't fit in one car anymore. I was taking it easy, letting him be the pace car, because I do have a lead foot I'll admit, and Zen likes to brag about the functioning cruise control on his truck (mine on the mini-van is broken.) I was falling behind, enjoying the scenery or something, and after falling behind about 1/4 to 1/2 mile Zen called me to ask if I was going to try and stay together in our little caravan. Yes, of course, you slow down, and I'll catch up. I went faster to catch up, and then spent the rest of the trip falling behind and then going faster to keep up. I fell behind again, and was speeding up to catch up just outside of Evanston, and that's when the flashing lights came up behind me for the second time in four days. I'm pretty sure I swore outloud, or was thinking about it. My emotional reaction was to feel anger, anger at Zen for going so darn fast and bugging me to keep up and anger at the cops for "picking on me." I know they are just doing their job, but come on, 2 tickets just days apart?! I just wanted to say, "Leave me alone!!!"

So, he clocked me going 87 in a 75 and he did his license and registration spiel: "Do you know why I pulled you over?" (I'm thinking, that's a stupid question!) "Ummm, probably for my speed." (Zen later told me I should never admit to anything, play dumb or something. Whatever, I was so strung out, just numb from the stress of vacation and having been pulled over twice in four days.) He took all my paperwork back to his car to write me up. I didn't time him, but it felt like forever before he came back. The longer I sat there, the more upset I became, angry at Zen, angry at the universe, angry at the cop, until I started crying and sent an angry text to Zen about what a lousy pace car he was. So, the cop finally came back, and I'm sitting there bawling my eyes out.

I think that's when the cop started treating me like a nuclear bomb about to go off. I'm sitting there crying, with my three youngest children (who I always refer to as "the babies" because they are so much younger than my teenagers. There's Connor who's 5, Emmas who's 2, and Sammy who's 7 months), as the dvd player is running How to Train Your Dragon for the 2nd or 3rd time. Blessedly, none of the children are crying, but I sure am! And these are angry tears. He tried to continue with his script of how to deal with the ticket, and I just blurted out in an angry way, "How much is this going to cost me?!" "Ma'am I know you are upset-" blah, blah, blah. Of course I'm upset, and if you don't want me to cry, take your stupid pink ticket and go away! But I don't say that, I just sit there fuming.

After he handed me the paperwork, he went back to his car. I just sat there, so upset, and not wanting to move. He came back after a few minutes, "Ma'am I know you are upset, but you really can't stay here on the side of the road." That's when I abandoned nearly all grip on good manners and emotional control. "I've got a stack of dvds, a bottle of formula, diapers, and wipes, and I will sit here as long as I want to!!" Yes, I really said that. And regrettably, it still feels good. "Ma'am, no, it's not safe here by the side of the road. Please drive on to the next exit and pull over." He went back to his car. Only now, I'm just angry, so I decide to sit there and play a game of chicken to see who will move their car first. I'm a passive-aggressive psycho now. Sure enough, he came back after a few minutes and asked me to move on.

But I'm in an angry, snotty mood and I decide to move my car, but only 20 feet down the road. Again, he got out of his car, came up and tapped on my window and asked me to move on. I decide to move my car another 20 feet down the road, only now my car is stuck in the snow bank. "Ma'am, let me call a tow truck for you." I quickly retorted, "Are you going to pay the bill?!! Get back there and push!" "No, ma'am I will not push your car." So, I got out of my car to start kicking snow out of the way, so I could move my car. "Ma'am, please don't do that. Get back in your car where it's warm and let me get my shovel." So, he's shoveling snow and I'm kicking snow. The car won't budge. At one point when he was standing back to let me move my car, I got out to kick snow again and grabbed his shovel where he'd left it and started heaving snow out of the way like a demon, thinking "I'm in so much better shape than you! I can do it faster!" He'd had a few too many donuts or chili dogs in his career. "Ma'am, here, let me do that." (Ma'am please quit being an irrational pycho.) And at one point, he did wind up pushing my car. Yes, that was satisfying, even though it didn't budge the car. Eventually I did get my car out with my persistant snow kicking, and I bet he was really, really glad to see me go.

I was still pretty angry, and now that I think about it, probably in need of a really, really long workout (it had been 3 days since I'd had a good workout.) Anyway, I was driving really, really slowly, only about 30 to 40, hoping he'd catch up just so I could be a pain in the butt again, but he must have 180'd just as soon as he could, so he wouldn't have to deal with me anymore. This whole time, Zen and the teenagers, who were in his truck, kept trying to get ahold of me, but we were in some kind of dead zone out there in the middle of nowhere. And this is making me angry, too, that they keep calling me but the call keeps getting dropped. I sent a couple angry texts when the phone calls didn't work, so I decide I will go home slowly, driving only about 50 to 55, taking my sweet time, just so I can be irritating. Irritating to who, I'm not sure, but I was one cranky chick.

I double-dosed myself with my meds Sunday, bawled my eyes out in sacrament meeting, apologized to Zen afterwards & bawled some more, got a lot of sleep, goofed off Monday, and then got back in the saddle yesterday, starting to take care of things I'd been procrastinating. I'm pretty much back to normal, and I think Zsa Zsa Gabor has left, but her perfume still lingers...

Tasty chicken

So I "made up" this chicken breast recipe last night based on a vague memory of something similar I found on a blog once that I failed to bookmark. I didn't even measure the ingredients. Literally just threw them together in unscientific looks-about-right-guesstimation. And the kids ate it (with the initial complaining that disappeared after they ate a bite.) I also had couple leftovers so I cut those up and put them on my salad today with Santa's nose sized cherry tomatoes, avocado, and some Paul Newman light dressing. It was delish!

Pecan chicken
1 package of chicken breasts: pound (meat mallet) and cut up
Pecans - about 1/2 c pecans, blend or pound those out to a crumble
Sea salt - 2 tsp maybe
Paprika (sweet) -1 tbsp maybe

Yum and, with four ingredients, I'm tellin' ya, you can't go wrong.

Having "one of those days"

FRAZZLED!

OK, I have to vent for a minute; you don't mind do you? Of course not!

I just got my kids off to school, it is a huge miracle since I COMPLETELY LOST my head!!! I would like to say I am usually pretty good at letting things roll but my youngest has pushed one too many buttons the last few days and unfortunately I forgot to keep my "I don't care" face that Love and Logic teaches so well. Instead, I took all of her actions PERSONALLY and I LOST it! UGH!!! I feel sooo bad, how could I let an 8 year old get me so worked up??? Now she feels horrible and I get to feel guilty for spanking and screaming and well, throwing my own little huge tantrum! 

Looking back as to WHY I lost it: I was frustrated about the way she was acting last night, (throwing things at me during scripture study and prayer because I wouldn't let her play with her toy; then refusing to go to sleep) I went to bed ornery then when I went to the gym this morning, my heart rate monitor told me I burned a whole 220 calories in an hour and 1/2! (I don't get it!) SO, when I walked through the door finding my daughter had wet the bed (because she drank water I told her NOT to drink last night), then listened to her rant and rave about hating her jeans because they aren't comfortable and that she isn't going to eat or do her hair... I think you get the point... who could blame me right?!

SORRY, I don't know why I am even posting this other then it just feels good to get it off my chest. I guess I will chock it up to a bad day... Oh yea, it's only 8:30 in the morning, let's just hope it doesn't get worse. Wish me luck this afternoon when my sweet little angel comes home as I try to put her self esteem back together and come to grips that I am the mom and I need to act like one!

THANKS FOR LISTENING... I feel much better now :)

Water

I have a real problem with water consumption.
It just doesn't taste as good to me as Pepsi. I did not drink any Pepsi yesterday though. Yay!
I usually add a Crystal Light packet to my water so I can drink it, not a fan of the lemon slices in water.
But, I feel like I shouldn't always be adding those packets to my water. I also forget to drink it.
If I have a soda handy, I NEVER forget to drink that. But water? It will take me all day to make my way through a 16 ounce bottle of it.
So, give me some suggestions girls. How do you get all your water in?

A reintroduction! :)

Hi. My name is Rebekah (aka Jaded Butterfly) and I have alot of weight to loose. :) I'm actually not new here, but I was one of the quite non-posters. I have actually been here from the beginning, but rarely posted, just read every so often. It's a boring story, but my original email I gave Audrey when I signed up, is from an email account that I rarely use. I didnt want this blog to come up with "Jaded Butterfly" which was my (private for only me) blog. Unfortunately, because I stay logged into this email account all day, it was a pain to log out of that email and into the one I use for this site, so I eventually just asked Audrey to change the email account associated with this blog for me, so I couldnt use that as an excuse to not come here.

So, Jaded Butterfly is actually me, Rebekah, mom of 3 fun little men and a tiny princess and wife to one amazing man. I'm a stay at home mom who enjoys playing with her kids, gardening, decorating, sewing/crafts, home improvement, and dabbles in a little bit of photography, although I dont have the time to devote to becoming good - yet!

I was a swimmer and waterpolo player in highschool, a spinner (as in bikes, hahaha) and yogalaties crazy in early married-hood, and have now taken on running. I have running asthma, so it has takent me a long time to build a base in running. When I first started running last spring/summer, I couldnt even run a half of a mile without going into a full on attack. But with perseverance, smart coaching and learning some new techniques, I have been able to work through some of the side effects and now I have built up my lung muscles so I can run several miles at a time. I ran 5 miles the other day. My chest was tight and on fire and I was having a hard time towards the end, but I did it. I never thought I would be able to do that long of a run.

I'm probably insane for signing up for a half marathon, but it has been a dream of mine for several years. I found the perfect race for my first half marathon and I'm excited to do it. I'm determined to do it.

I wont lie. I really hoped that running would help me loose weight, but so far that hasnt been the case. I've tried working out at home with DVD's and such, but I'm just too comfortable in my own home and too tired at night, so I havent found success in that. In September I signed up for a beautiful new gym down the street from my house, and I have been counting down the days until it opens (and right now it is 3 weeks late). I cant wait to start spinning again. And I look forward to adding in some swimming and Pilate's.

So, this is me. Not some crazie who decided to randomly post one day... ok maybe I am, LOL. (oh and sorry the picture is old. It is actually from last winter. I dont have any recent photo's, so this will have to do :) )

Oh my...

I feel like I should be in one of those anonymous meetings...My name is Chelsea and I've completely fell off the wagon. I'm (way) overweight, I feel disgusting and I'm addicted to food....but I'm back....and I want to win.

My emotional eating is out of control but I'm in the process of changing that!! I broke down and got a treadmill since I've been paying for a monthly gym membership that I haven't walked into for probably more than a year. I really want to RUN, but am far from it right now. I've never felt this horrible when I've exercised which is just another indicator of how bad I've let it go.

Anyway...on with the new! My goal is to lose 10lbs by Christmas.

Good luck ladies!!

The Disney Dining Plan

I've been away far too long. Part of the reason was a trip to see family (including Audrey, the Queen and Dragonfly) and partly because of a week long surprise trip to Disney, our first ever family vacation.



And I just want to say for the record that the Disney Dining plan is way too much food.

A fountain drink and dessert come with lunch and dinner. And the portions were huge. And I felt compelled to eat and drink it because of the price tag. And I don't even drink soda.

A quick glance around Disney World told me that most Americans are on their own version of the Disney Dining Plan 24/7/365. Many parents and grandparents were riding those little motorized carts merely because of their weight. It made me sad to see the obesity epidemic on such a large scale in the happiest place in the world.

So, I'm recommitting to water, exercise and vegetables. Because the magic starts here. With me.

Yes, we had a winner!

Congratulations to Jill!
She won the last challenge before Thanksgiving! She has been a great example of sticking to it this fall! You're the woman!

Now, some of you may have noticed the new blog!
A BIG THANKS TO MY SISTER CHELSEA WHO DID ALL THIS HARD WORK.
When I was home this summer I told her I wanted to change it up but didn't know how do it! She used her amazing talent and put this together. Isn't it awesome?!?!

Thanks Chelsea, I love you!

Make sure you check out the post below. We have recommitted participants and a new one! Welcome Mikki!

I'm on the wagon again....

In august, I signed up for my first half marathon! If you know me at all, I am NOT a runner. when I started running again last June, I couldnt even run a 1/2 of a mile without needing an inhaler for my running asthma. I just ran my longest run ever 2 Saturday's ago... 5 miles!

After running a 5K turkey trot last week, I'm wondering what I am doing!!!!! I was dying after the first mile because I forgot to go to the bathroom that morning. I had a goal of running it in under 31 minutes because I had wanted to qualify to sign up for a second half marathon in March. Despite my asthma flare up and wanting to wet myself on the run, I did qualify, JUST barely! 30 min and 57 sec.

Seriously! Could I have cut it any closer??? LOL
I have decided even though I did qualify, that I am not going to run the March 1/2 marathon I was wanting to. I think running a 2nd half marathon 3 weeks after my very first one, is a little insane and a bit too hard on my body. No worries though, I am looking at one in April to run! :)

So, I have 2 big challenges starting for me this week.

First, even though I've been running, it has been conditioning and building my base. Today is the first day of my official half marathon training program. Running in the cold is going to be a big challenge for me. I actually love to run when it is 45-50 degrees out. But trying to get me out in 30 degree temps is very hard. I have no choice but to run early in the morning at sunrise, because of Jeff's work and school schedule. So freezing cold runs are inevitable. I am NOT a treadmill runner. I hate it. Loathe it. BUT... I did sign up at the new LA Fitness.... if it ever opens! That will be a great way for me to cross train, and give me no excuses to not workout. I am actually looking forward to it and am getting impatient for them to open (they are late by 2 weeks so far).

Second, I am going to really make myself accountable for my intake.... eating, drinking etc. I actually eat extremely healthy, and low calories, but I must be doing something wrong because my weight is not coming down.

Last winter, after I had Eden, I dropped from 185 to 170. Then when I got serious about running, I dropped 2 pounds. That's IT!. Now, before I'm told I'm "loosing fat and gaining muscle" I will agree. I have dropped from a size 16 post baby, to a size 10 (probably an 8 if I didnt have the excess muffin top of stretched skin - thank you pregnancy!) BUT... my weight is not coming down. And I know we arent suppose to be focused on a weight goal, but... I am tired of going into the dr's office and being called obese because all they go off of is my weight and not my overall health. So I do need to loose some actual weight.

I'm excited to get "on a program", but I'm a little nervous to post here. I only really know 2 of you in really life and it is a bit lonely and vulnerable to post to people I dont know. BUT, I think it will be good for me. I need to be accountable to someone other than my husband who loves me too much to be tough on me and keep me in line. And I love that you all focus on the overall health, not just weight loss.

So here I am. Today it starts and today *I* start! :)

Helloooo Ladies!

My name is Mikki, and I'm so excited to be joining the challenge.

I did the Ladies Olympic Challenge earlier this year, and I lost about thirty pounds. I've since gained back between five and ten of those pounds. Not horrible, but not terrific either. And definitely not the way I want to see the scales move.
Ok, here's the nitty gritty.

I'm 5'4" and I currently weigh about 165 (last time I checked, which was last week, before Thanksgiving! So now I'm probably five pounds heavier LOL).

I would really like to lose another twenty to thirty pounds. I know I can do it.

The accountability is really key for me. That's when I lost the weight last time, when I had the LOC to report in to.

My goal for the extra thirty points is to read my scriptures every day.
I've been so bad about it lately, and I can feel the loss of that in my life.
So, I think I'll take an hour in the mornings to dedicate to myself.
A half hour of physical improvement, and a half hour of spiritual improvement.
If I miss a day of scripture reading, then I lose those thirty points.
Seems like pretty good incentive!

I really look forward to getting to "know" all of you.

Here is my personal blog, if you'd like to stop by and get to know me a little better.

Good luck everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving

Tonight my brain has just about shut down along with any eloquence I might have had, never-the-less I wanted to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Audrey for creating and maintaining this wonderful blog which has brought us all together.

I also want you to know that I think you are all amazing and extraordinary women!

You've made my life richer and helped to make me a stronger woman both physically and emotionally. I'm grateful and thankful for your support, courage, wisdom, sense of humor, good advice, great recipes, friendship, encouragement, beauty, love and your ability to do hard things.

As you gather with your loved ones and friends, on this great day of Thanksgiving, may it be one filled with safety, good food, gracious hospitality and hearts filled with true gratitude. I don't know about you but I plan on eating a lovely large meal (including the pie and rolls) with some family and close friends and I'm going to enjoy every single bite without any guilt. I suggest that all of you do the same.

In the words of Erma Bombeck, "What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?"

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

POINTS AND IMPORTANT INFO

Even I had a really tough last few days, no posting, no commenting....I'm walking out the door in minutes to drive to Florida to see a dear friend for Thanksgiving.

PLEASE POST YOUR POINTS IF YOU HAVE ANY AT ALL! Only did 5 days? How many points did you get?

IMPORTANT NEWS:

We will not start another challenge until the Monday after Thanksgiving!!! BUT, it will last three week.

Consider this a jump start on the new year and a way to not let

I'M PUTTING UP A REALLY REALLY COOL PRIZE! YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS OUT! TRUST ME! I'm having something special made that truly epitomizes what we are doing to better ourselves and all aspects of our lives.

So, enjoy your Thanksgiving week with your friends and family!

Best Wishes,
Audrey

How to survive Thanksgiving

Hi Girls. Wanna know how I am going to survive the Thanksgiving temptation? I've got the best solution in the world!!!......

I'm getting my tonsils out on Thursday. My deviated septum will be straightened out at the same time.

Ya, it's not really the best solution for getting through the holidays.

Have any of you gotten your tonsils out as an adult? I had my freak out moment Sunday evening. Hopefully it's out of my system and I can think clearly now.

I am usually sick about 4 months out of the year with throat and sinus related problems. In fact, I have had a sore throat every day for the last 6 weeks. My wise mother put everything into perspective during her last pep talk to me yesterday. She reminded me that it was indeed worth it...that in my lifetime if I continue being sick like I have in the past, I will have spent the equivalent of 16 years sick. That was all I needed to hear.

So, my next 10 days will be spent in bed, drinking whatever my throat can tolerate. No Thanksgiving dinner for me.

I don't mind.

The typical Thanksgiving menu is not my most favorite. I'm more of a Christmas dinner kind of gal.

I can do this...I can do hard things that scare me to death!!!

This will also be my first break from HWHL since Audrey started the challenge. I will miss you guys while I sleep a week of my life away. See you all next month!!!

My Nemesis

See these little puppies, they've been my nemesis for the past 6 weeks. I'm sure I've consumed at least 100 of them if not more. I had such discipline till I brought the Halloween candy into the house and then my will power collapsed. Thank goodness they're almost gone.

I read an article last week about chocolate. The hypothesis of the article was that in 20 years there is going to be a huge shortage of chocolate. I hope in 20 years if I'm still alive that maybe I won't care for chocolate anymore. In the mean time I've got to learn to ration it better because now I have to lose weight that I had already lost before I started in on these sweet yummy chocolatie mini treats. As someone said in an earlier post, "50 calories a day starts adding up and before you know it you're up a pound or two." I'm here to tell that is true.

What Is It?

Is it the cold weather? (Cold weather just makes me crave comfort food.)

Is it increased busy-ness (so many things to do!!)?

Is it the achievement of a goal, and so what's next? (I broke 200, and I'm down in the 180s, where I haven't been since I started having children. My size 16's are loose, and size 14 is probably only 1 month away.)

Is it a times-and-seasons thing? (You know, "For every thing, there is a time and a purpose under heaven...")

I'm not sure what is the reason, and maybe it's a lot of things together, but I am just so "snacky" lately. I'm counting my calories, and at the end of the day, if there's any left, I go use 'em. It used to be a challenge to see how much I could scrimp on calories. I'd be so proud that I could eat in the 2-to-3-pounds-a-week loss rate. But right now, I hardly care. I just try not to eat over my weight maintenance allowance. Is this okay? Should I just stay in this zone until the holidays are over, then hit everything hard again?

Although, I have to say, I am looking forward to Audrey's next challenge, the BIG ONE coming in the next session. My curiosity it peaked. Maybe that will give me the final push I need to get back in a more determined frame of mind.

Random Recipe:

Crustless Spinach Pizza - I don't know why, but I totally crave this every day. It's just about as easy as a sandwich, and super tasty!

2-1/2 cups chopped frozen spinach
dash of salt
1 tsp. minced garlic
3/4 to 1 oz. finely shredded parmesan (the real thing, NOT the powdery stuff in a can!)
1-1/2 to 2 oz. mozzarella cheese
1 roma tomato, chopped

Heat the spinach in the microwave. Stir in the salt and garlic. Then sprinkle on the cheeses and top with the tomatoes. Heat in the microwave until the cheeses melt. It will be hot, so you might have to let it sit for a few minutes. But I can hardly ever wait, so I eat it up hot and yummy, burning my tongue almost every time!!

Food for Thought

I was at a baby shower and this piece of advice was given to the soon to be new Mom.

"Do something every day that can't be undone."

The gal giving the advice then went on to explain that we need to do something every day that doesn't have to be repeated. We clean, cook, etc everyday just to wake up and do it all over again the next day, but reading our child a book, finishing a sewing project, reading scriptures, sending a thank you note etc. are all things that can't be undone and allow us to feel a small piece of accomplishment.

Tomorrow do something that can't be undone and then pat yourself on the back. You are all amazing women, don't let anyone tell you differently.

"Finishers wanted"

This story is so INSPIRING! His story was on the back of the Church News a few weeks ago (excellent article)


He ran 486 miles without sleeping! He didn't even know there was prize money at the end! He KNEW he could do it even when everyone else thought he was CRAZY!

In the past, runners would run for 18 hours and sleep 6 but Cliff Young didn't know this. He did it his way, explaining that he grew up chasing his sheep on 2000 acres when storms would come in. He said "It took a few days, but I always caught them!"

President Monson gave a talk entitled "Finishers Wanted" in 1989.LDS.org - Ensign Article - “Finishers Wanted” He talked of passing by a store window that had this sign. He talks of the Lord wants us to be FINISHERS!

We all have our own way of doing things, our own "shuffle" so to speak but don't discount your abilities. Cliff Young WON with that shuffle and today this race has been won at least 3 other times by people doing the Young shuffle as it is called now.

We just need to keep our eye on the finish... what ever that finish may be for each of us, I know we ALL realize it is so much more than a fitness goal. Our fitness goals are going to HELP us get to the REAL FINISH!!!

LOVE YOU GUYS!

Face your challenges HEAD ON!

My nephew is at a 6 week wilderness "camp" in Arizona. He is living on lentils and rice and whatever he finds... this week he and his small group went out with a knife and a blanket. I can't wait to hear how it went.
He actually asked for the chance to do this. What an awesome kid to realize his needs and ASK for help. He has amazing parents who jumped at the chance to help him AND themselves.


I have thought a lot about what he is going through and about facing our challenges. My sister wrote this  in one of her letters to him:

" Overcoming our weaknesses is what refines us. Facing challenges head on makes us stronger. Making mistakes and then correcting them provides depth of character. This is why we are here. It is a life time journey, taking one day at a time to become more like the Savior so we can one day be worthy of his presence. It’s a lifetime journey, a test. Every time we obey, we are given a little more. With every correct choice and leap of faith, we are blessed with more faith and greater joy. But we have to take that leap first.

I often think of Laman and Lemuel and how they had many of the same powerful spiritual experiences as their brother Nephi!  But what happened? Thinking of this has really helped me; it provides the incredible example of what a difference the little things make. The little everyday choices we make. I believe the main difference between Nephi and his brothers….is what they did in between these powerful spiritual experiences.

 Powerful spiritual moments are a great gift from God and can provide us with spiritual strength. But these alone, are not enough, we have to show effort, faith, and most importantly willingness to obey. This sustain us."

We may be sore and tired. We may want to eat that 2nd helping. We may want to give up but is it what we REALLY want? It is doing these things when we DON'T WANT TO that will make ALL the difference!

What we do daily will determine where we end up. Don't think of more than just today, what are you going to do TODAY? We can do ANYTHING for just a day right?! :)

Here's to a great DAY!

Turkey Trot Anyone?

So as the joyous Thanksgiving holiday approaches I have been thinking about doing a turkey trot. There are quite a few available in my area and despite the potential for very cold weather, I am actually quite excited about it. I figure it is a great way to insure I get my workout in on Thanksgiving day and maybe take a twinge of guilt away when I go for a second piece of pie :P. How about all of you? Any one else considering a turkey trot? It is called a trot after all so you don't have to be fast and walking is always allowed. Anyway if you haven't thought about it maybe you should. Love you gals!

Hello Muscles!

So after taking a 10 day break while I was sick I hit the gym yesterday. Funny how every time I go back to my weight lifting class I'm so sore again for days.

So, when something is hard do you think it's just easier to stop or if you keep working at it it will get easier?

Just wondering? No one else has posted for days so I thought I would give who ever is reading this tonight something to think about.