So, so much to read...

Not a lot has happened since I got my appendix out.
I've done a lot of sitting, waiting.. Gossip Girl-ing, Biggest Loser-ing.
I've learned a lot about myself too.
I'm a sap when it comes to watching the Biggest Loser, and Christmas movies and listening to Christmas stories. I'll elaborate on that in a little bit.
I've picked up my bass for the first time since I bought it.
I figured out that I really need school right now.
I've learned that even though I would recover fast, I didn't..
I learned that JUST A WEEK OF NON ACTIVITY RUINS EVERYTHING! (I'm so out of shape right now)
I've learned that I have so many more friends than I thought I did :)
I learned that soup was the best thing to ever happen to my breakfast..
I figured out what style of clothes I REALLY like and what style I want to  fall into now.. at least for this week..
I've learned.. a bunch.


There are a few things I've wanted to write about and I kind of gave you an introduction to them above which is a cool way to start.
I've had a hard time figuring out what I want my New Years Resolution to be, and in all honesty, I still have no idea. Here are a few things I want to do. (Fitness wise first)

1. Become a Zumba Jammer
2. Compete in an IRONMAN competition, or at least half
3. Run a half or full marathon.
4. Compete in another bodybuilding competition. (But I already know that's not going to happen. too controversial i guess.)
5. Run Ragnar. (Mostly for the Free T-Shirt and car sticker...)

In every other aspect of life I want to:

1. Make a real life Patch work quilt.
2. Write in my journal more often.
3. Become a real blogger
4. GRADUATE SCHOOL
5. Get better at reading my scriptures
6. Become a better homemaker/wife/daughter.

I know I can probably do most of the "Every other aspect" resolutions, but in my fitness resolutions I'm afraid I can only pick one or two... But WHICH ONES?

I'll let that sit for a minute I guess.

Oh and GOOD NEWS! I've gotten more opportunities to teach for the new year! I was recently hired to teach Zumba Fitness at UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY! Everyone should sign up!
ALSO, I just became a sub at GOLDS GYM!
That is such a big deal! SERIOUSLY! I'm SOOO Happy! Things are looking up in ways I never thought they would! So I guess the humbling experience of having "Robert" removed, (Yes I named my appendix Robert), has made everything work out for the better. Like I said, there's so much I've figured out and have had time to focus on that my busy life has really taken me away from! But lets Celebrate for a minute and do a happy jump for all this good news! *jump, squeal, jump*


Woo! Okay, like I said, I'm so out of shape now! That tiny jump got me all worn out! 


K so today's topic of discussion kind of goes with the theme of New Years resolutions. *Drum roll*
Today we're talking about that 4 letter "D Word" nobody appreciates.

DIET

I know you hate that word too.. This will be quick! Diet doesn't mean not eating anything ever. It meals your overall food consumption. If you want to eat better and lose weight, Eat more often. Eat 6 times a day, small, nutrient dense meals that keep you full all day. It speeds up your metabolism which is EXACTLY what you want! Drink LOTS of water. Eat LOTS more protien!

Daily meal example:

Breakfast :Eggs and Multi Grain bread

Snack: Cottage cheese and a friut

Lunch: Spinach salad with a chicken breast

Snack:Protein shake or plain Greek Yogurt

Dinner:Something like a salad or whatever with more chicken/fish/ beef equaling 15+ Grams of protiein.

THEN Don't eat anything after 10 PM.

For any questions tag on a comment.

Now, onto RESOLUTIONS!

Many of you out there might set a resolution to shed some pounds and tone up this year! This is a GREAT resolution! I don't know what I'd look like if I hadn't started my resolution last year to be in shape and have a "Flat tummy" by May. There are a few things you have to figure out with this resolution though. 

1. What EXACTLY am I trying to do?  My goal wasn't to simply "Lose Weight", but to have a flat tummy! It's easy to lose weight! I would have stopped at 10 LBS and finished cause that's weight lost right? Little did I know it would take losing 47 LBS to gain a flat tummy! But I did! Figure out a SPECIFIC goal!)
2. When is my deadline? Something a LOT of us do when we set goals is forget them. Why? It's easier to? Haha Our goals are too hard? Here's the fix. Set a date to finish your goal. I wanted my flat tummy by MAY 2011. Did I get it by then? No. My tummy wasn't completely flat till July 2nd! That's when my goal was FINALLY achieved. But by May 1st, I was so close to my goal that there was only some minor work to do. Some final dieting, and July, I was finished. I had reached and maintained my flat tummy till my appendectomy. Haha and it IS COMING BACK! SET A REALISTIC DEADLINE!
3.  Write out your plan or action. There is a lot that we don't think about when figuring out our resolutions, that we don't figure in. For example.. When on earth do I have time to go to the gym? Many of you have families, jobs, etc that keep you away from taking care of yourself and your goals! Those really are GREAT reasons to miss out on some things... But there's ALWAYS time for the gym or for any goal if you make time. There's always time for updating Facebook status' and getting our nails done or watching the game.. Take that same time to put in the work to attain your goal, make those healthy dinners etc. Here's how. Get a pen. Get a paper. Write down a schedule of what you do every day and see what time you're free. In January, I was going to school full time, working, teaching Zumba (12 of them!) and trying to take care of my apartment! So the only time I had to hit the gym was 6 AM. I saw that was my only option, so I set my alarm at 5:30 and was at the gym by 6. Done by 7, showered and changed at the gym and went on with my day. It's possible. MAKE THE TIME.
4.  Do your research on your goal. When I first started training in January I had no idea what the H I was doing. I walked into the weight room... and walked right out into a Group Fitness class. There's NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT! But instead of doing that, research workouts online. We're so lucky to have YouTube videos of trainers showing you a FULL WORKOUT and Google or Fitness Apps on smart phones! WE HAVE SO MANY TOOLS at our fingertips! USE THEM! You can even hire a trainer and instead of just working out with them, ask them "So what muscles am I working?" "When you say to Super Set, what does that even mean?" "What machines do I work on when you're not here?" Trainers LOVE to dump their knowledge on you. You just have to ask.
5. TELL EVERYONE YOUR GOAL. It's hard to pump yourself up every day and be like "WOO GYM TIME!" especially after that first week in January where the gyms are packed and everyone's so motivated.. It ends FAST! Haha The spark of a shiny resolution flickers away fast if you don't tell people "Family! I'm starting this new diet/exercise program! PLEASE help me keep going. Be annoying in reminding me I can't eat this or I NEED to wake up and go on a walk." And you know what? They will. They will ask you all the time, "How's that diet coming? Have you seen results?" and they'll ask you forever.

With all that said, write down everything that you want to do whether it's a goal in weight loss or in anything else and DO THEM! Focus on one or two of the big ones and set a deadline, write our your plan of action, do your research and tell everyone! You can do hard things. Post that quote as well as your goal with the fishing date somewhere you'll look every day. Keep it up even when you finish your goal to remind you of what you've accomplished! TAKE BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES!!

LASTLY, I want to announce something I've always wanted to do.

I want to throw my own BIGGEST LOSER COMPETITION! More details to come but with this, the idea is to start January and go through March of putting everyone participating in teams, and every team on a diet.

Weekly challenges and last chance workouts! Tell your friends and I'll post details within the week!  Gather your friends and family! I want to do a "Youth edition" ages 10-18 and adults 18+! It's going to be a BLAST! Tell everyone!

Ode to Appendix.

Appendix.
My now missing body part.
It still hurts like you're inside of me.
But you're not.
You're now a missing part of me.
Now that space you lived in is an empty hole.. in my intestines or wherever you were.
Thanks for the good times.
Sorry I had to get you removed...

Now that THAT's over, I'm stuck in bed. I spend the night at the hospital Saturday night through yesterday, Sunday, evening.
Surgery Sunday morning.

Left last night around 8:30.

Slept okay..
Woke up this morning and ate toast.
Ate soup for lunch.

Watching 500 days of Summer with the sisters.
I'm gonna die.

I need to go to the gym..
I need to be able to walk now..
I'm not allowed to lift more than 10 lbs.
I was lifting like a million times more than that last week...

I need to be teaching Zumba tonight.
But I found subs instead hahaha

This is the worst blog post ever.
My bad.

I love you all.

Lately..

It's been a while since I've written and so I feel almost like I'm letting someone down because they're not able to read what's going on in my crazy life.. Whether that's true or not, I'd like to fill you in!


There are so many things going on and whatever time I've had, I've spent burning through Gossip Girl episodes or at my new found obsession, CrossFit!


That's what I'm gonna be talking about first! Check it out..

 It's the BEST! It's so hard core and it's a full body workout and they make you feel super strong and super good to know that you can get through something so tough in about 45 minutes! EVERYONE DO IT! To get more info about my place i go to, check out crossfitants.blogspot.com
You'll LOVE it i promise!


Something else I feel like talking about is my cute husband!

Last week celebrated our 1 year anniversary! It was SOOOO ROMANTIC! He is seriously the best husband EVER!!

Haha! Okay so Scott wrote in the part about him being the best.. but I'm deciding to leave it since he really is the best in the world! 

Things I love about my husband, Scott:
His sense of humor. Even though most of the time I STILL have no idea when he's being serious or when he's teasing me.
His love for the LDS gospel. He's so faithful and he's always doing his very best to be the best person he can be at all times and in every situation. He's such a great example to me!
His love for his family. He always talks about how much he loves adventures with his dad! And I love the respect he has for his mom and the love he feels for her and all his siblings. He always has something good to say about everyone.

His brain. He's way too smart. Enough said.

His determination to know how to fix EVERYTHING! Scott will never be the guy to call a repair person. If he doesn't know how to fix something, he'll google/youtube it, or take it apart and put it back together forever till he figures out how to fix it.

His skinny legs... I love that he looks so good in semi skinny jeans... Haha!

He's fearless! Put him on a snowmobile, and he'll ride it up crazy mountains or over lakes just to say he did. He's SO BRAVE!

He asked my dad for permission to DATE and MARRY me..Can you say IMPRESSIVE?

His eyes.. I get lost in them..

The quiet romantic he is. He's not one of those guys to always shower me in flower petals and chocolate, or say cheesey things all the time, but when he says something romantic, or leaves flowers for me, I know it's coming straight from his heart. I know it's for real.. :)

His laugh. I mean his real laugh, when it gets kind of high pitched and his eyes and smile are all big! haha

His hugs. When I die, I hope it's in his embrace. I could stay in his warm hug forever..

I love how the only time I've ever seen him choke up or almost cry is watching the "Goodbye Michael" episode of the Office.. Not during a big fight.. not when we got married... during The Office..

His dedication to projects! His goal is to build a Powerstroke Bronco.. and nothing is going to stop that from becoming a reality!

He always knows how to make me laugh.

He always makes me feel beautiful when I'm having a fat day.. No matter how terrible I really look..

He's a hard worker. He starts a project and always finishes.

He notices things. He will never gossip, or say anything bad about anyone, but he always notices things about everyone good and bad.

He's so wise. He knows how to word things in a way that he's so "politically correct" but he's not scared to punch you in the face with honesty when you ask for it.

At the top of my head, that's all I can think of.. So Let me hurry and tell you about our Anniversary  celebration!

It started Wednesday night.

I got home to a BEAUTIFUL bouquet of roses.

We went to dinner at our favorite place, Osaka, in Provo.

Went to see FOOTLOOSE! Which by the way was AMAZING! I couldn't help but dance in my seat the entire time!

Friday, we went to Salt Lake and went to the Temple there! So beautiful!

Then dinner at Tucanos.. OOOH BABY that was so good.

Then after that we arrived at the Marriott Hotel and we were treated like ROYALTY!

Vallet parking,  King Suite, Cider and chocolate strawberries delivered to our room, room service-d breakfast, which was AWESOME! People answering the phone to Scott saying "Hello Mr. Veenker how may I serve you?" WHAT!?

Can I just say, the hardest part was leaving!

After that we left and went to the cabin for another adventure, Bronco-ing and 4-Wheeling in snow and 12 degree weather..

Needless to say, It was a great celebration! I can't wait to see what Scott has up his sleeve for NEXT YEAR! The pressure is officially on Scott!!

Anyway, I hope I didn't kill you all with the cheese. I just LOVE my little family. Scott, you're the best man I know, and I'm so glad/ lucky to call you mine. :)

I love you all too.. 

Least Effective Workouts!

Hey yallz!

Sorry I haven't updated my blog in so long! I've been so crazy busy! When I actually do have time to write though, I don't really have anything too awesome to say too so that's also been a reason!

Announcements!

I now have a twitter, and have no idea what I'm supposed to do with it, but in case you wanna follow me my username is "andimaree21" so, add me or whatever you do on Twitter! haha

ALRIGHT!

So for all you working out and pumping iron all the time, I wanted to fill you in on workouts that people seem to do all the time, but really don't do much for you except DAMAGE! Check it out.

#1: Lat Pull-down Behind the Head

 

The problem: Only people with very mobile shoulder joints can keep their spines straight enough to do this exercise properly. So the move — done wrong — can lead to shoulder impingement or worse, a tear in the rotator cuff. And if the bar hits the back of the neck, it could injure cervical vertebrae.

A Safer Lat Pull-down

 

On the pull–down machine, lean back a few degrees, use a wider–than–shoulder grip, and bring the bar down in front of your body to the breastbone, pulling shoulder blades down and together. Contract your abdominals to stabilize the body, and avoid using momentum to swing the bar up and down. The lat pull–down works the muscles of the upper back.

#2: Military Press Behind the Head

 

This shoulder move, in which you lift weights or a barbell up and down behind the head, can cause the same problems as the lat pull–down behind the head.

A Safer Military Press

 

A safer shoulder alternative: When doing the military press, keep the bar or dumbbells in front of your head. Stand with the weight no lower than the collarbone and keep your upper body upright. The exercise can also be done seated. Always sit straight against a back support, and keep the natural curve in your spine, with upper back and glutes pressed to the chair.

#3: Upright Row (I actually do this one all the time :s oops)

The problem: Pulling weights, a barbell, or a weighted cabled bar up under your chin is a big no-no because it can compress the nerves in the shoulder area, impinging the shoulder.

Safer Alternative to the Upright Row

 

Instead of doing an upright row, work your shoulders with a front or lateral shoulder raise, lifting weights out to the front or side of the body.

#4: Leg Press with Poor Knee Position

 

From a reclining position, you push the plate up and bring it down in this common exercise to work the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. The problem comes when you bend your legs too far -- past a 90-degree angle -- which can hurt your back and knees.

Leg Press: Safer Moves

 

If you want to do a lying leg press, keep your butt from rotating off the back of the machine, and don't bend past 90 degrees at the knee.

#5: Squats on the Smith Machine

 

The problem: The bar on the machine doesn't give, which can force the body into risky positions. Plus, people tend to put their feet farther in front of their bodies when doing squats on the machine, which makes matters worse.

Squats: A Safer Alternative

 

It's not necessary to use weights when doing a squat, but if you keep good form, adding weight will intensify the move. Standing straight with your feet shoulder-width apart, slowly lower your body, back straight. Move the hips back as if you are going to sit in a chair. Try to maintain your weight directly over your feet, keeping heels on the floor. Lower yourself to about a 90 degree bend in the knee. Slowly return to a standing position.

#6: Bad Form on Cardio Machines

 

The problem: Hunching over or using a death-grip on the handrail cheats your body and can throw off your alignment, jarring your spine, shoulders, and elbows. Watch people in cardio rooms. People allways seem to be leaning on the stair machines or all over the place on the eliptical trainer.

Better Technique on Cardio Machines

 

Don't set the incline or resistance so high that it causes you to hang on to the machine too tightly. Use a natural gait with a light grip. For a more challenging workout, hold on lightly with one hand and move the other arm, switching arms periodically. And save the reading for after your workout so you can focus on good form.

#7: Exercises for Spot Reduction

 

People who do strengthening and toning exercises in an effort to trim fat from a certain area -- thighs, hips, stomach, or arms -- have the wrong idea. Although these exercises can help firm muscles, if the targeted area still carries an extra layer of fat, it won't look much different. You can't isolate fat loss to one part of the body.

Effective Ways to Reshape Your Body

 

Cardiovascular exercise will torch calories, but resistance training is a big part of the equation if you want to burn fat. Boosting your muscle mass increases your metabolism, so you burn more calories all the time, even when you're not working out.

# 8: Always Lifting with a Weight Belt

 

The problem: Too many people wear weight belts too often. Unless you have a back injury or other medical reason -- or are lifting a lot of weight -- the weight belt may let your core muscles slack off. And you need your core muscles all the time in everyday life.

The solution: Back off the weight belt unless it's necessary.

#9: Exercising in the Wrong Shoes

 

Even if you're doing everything else right, your efforts can be undermined by improper footwear. Working out with the wrong shoes increases pounding on the joints, and can lead to injuries like plantar fasciitis or tendonitis.

Shoe Solution

 

The key, experts say, is to choose a shoe that is specific to your activity and that suits your particular foot. They recommend shopping at stores specializing in athletic shoes, where you can seek advice from a knowledgeable salesperson. And don't forget to replace your shoes when they show signs of wear.

Please speak well of me.

I just heard this song, and I'm in love. Everyone, look up and fall in love with my favorite band - "The Weepies"

They're simple and simply amazing.

Song of the day.  For all those to whome I've ever offended or even my best friends...

"Please Speak Well of Me"

I’ve been away a year and a day
You recognize love after the fact
You did what you did and that was that

Don’t say words that you don’t mean
When I’m gone, please speak well of me

Looking back now
I only wish I had been kinder
Did I ever know love, did I ever know love?
And could I have been blinder?

Don’t hold back all your love for someday, for someday

I would say that I’m sorry if it would do any good
But to never regret means you have to forget
and I don’t think that I could

Burn more fat in your workouts!

Hey everyone! I've gotten a lot o questions asking how to burn fat better in work outs, or what the big "secret" is to burning better. Here are a few tips to help you burn better! I pulled some info from this artical by Team Beachbody.

1. 
   Crank up the intensity early. A study from the College of New Jersey found that people who work out harder during the first half of their workouts and ease up a bit in the second half burn up to 23 percent more fat than people who start out slowly. What does this mean for you? After you warm up (never neglect this or you may end up injured), bump up your workout intensity and give it your all. You don't have to pace yourself so you can make it all the way through; take breaks as necessary later in your workout.
2. HIIT it hard. By now, you've probably heard that the one of the most effective ways to burn fat is with High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). This involves short intervals of maximum intensity cardio, followed by intervals of low intensity cardio or rest. Researchers at Laval University in Quebec have discovered that people who do HIIT can lose 3 times as much fat as those who do steady-state moderate cardio. Try hitting the stair machine one minute as hard as you can and one minute off for 12-15 minutes! it keeps your metabolism burning ALL DAY!
3. 
   Lift heavier weights for fewer reps. Boost your metabolism long after your workout by training with heavy weights. As researchers at the Norwegian University of Sport and Physical Education have learned, the heavier you lift, the greater the rise in your metabolic rate and the longer the boost will last. The result? Increased fat loss.
   
   Special note for women: Don't be afraid to increase the size of your dumbbells! You don't have enough testosterone to bulk up like the Incredible Hulk, and a lean, strong body will help you burn calories around the clock. Plus toned and shapely muscles look beautiful and give your body symmetry. Still not convinced? Read my related Beachbody^® newsletter article, "10 Reasons Women Need to Lift Weights."
4. Lift lighter weights for more reps. Wait . . . what? Didn't I just tell you that you have to lift heavier to burn more fat? It's true that training with heavy weights for fewer reps will burn more calories post-workout and give your physique a much more dramatic transformation. But there's also a benefit to using lighter weights at higher reps. For one, you burn a lot of calories during your workout. And if you're very out of shape or haven't lifted weights in a while, going lighter will help you condition your muscles and joints and help you prevent injuries. 
5. 
   Stay in shape. Once you become physically fit, keep it up. The more active you are, the better your body is at burning fat. According to researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, you can avoid regaining belly fat by exercising as few as 80 minutes per week. Keep stoking your fat-burning furnace with regular exercise and good nutrition, and you'll be lean for life.
   Let your kitchen help you burn fat.
6. Get your omega-3s. Fish and fish-oil supplements are helpful fat-burners because of their high levels of omega-3 fats. Two recent studies in Iceland and Australia demonstrated that people who consume fish oil burn more fat than people who don't. Additionally, the Australian study showed that when fish oil is combined with exercise, the results were even better. 
7. 
   Don't cut calories too quickly. You know that in order to lose weight, you need to eat fewer calories. But dropping them too quickly can cause your metabolism to slow down, because your body thinks it's starving and desperately holds onto fat. A dramatic reduction in calories can also lead to what author Martha Beck calls "famine brain," a condition in which your poor starved brain starts to freak out and all you can think about is food until you go nuts and eat everything in sight. The stress makes you much more likely to binge and end up fatter than ever. So what's the easiest way to cut calories gradually and keep your sanity?
   
   
8. 
   Drink green tea. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that the catechins—antioxidant flavonoid compounds—found in green tea may stimulate the body's fat-burning activity. You'll get the most benefits from about 4 cups of green tea per day, but if you don't want to drink that much, green tea extract supplements appear to have similar benefits. It's kind of cool to think that you might be able to relax with a cup of green tea and burn fat at the same time!

Somethin worth thinking about..

I stumbled upon this thing shared by a friend on facebook which I thought was worth echoing. All this time I've been talking about being your best you. Part of that is being comfortable with knowing that you won't ever be jillian michaels, but the best thing you'll ever be, is your best you. I hope that makes as much sense as it did in my head...  Anyway, I thought I'd share this!

A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was 

"This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:

"Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.
They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.
They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on CD's. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.

Mermaids do not exist.

But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?
They would have no sex life and could not bear children.
Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.
And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?

Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.

At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.

We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.
We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.
Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: "How amazing am I ?! "

(The girl on the picture is French model Tara Lynn)See More

 

 

Learn to love yourself and your curves. You're beautiful.

What happens now?

It's been 2 weeks since I finished my 6 Week Goal of training for a body building competition..
I've gotten a lot of opinions about what people thought of my competition and most of it was amazing feedback! I'm so grateful to all those who supported me and still support my decision to participate in a competition through your kind words, donations of fresh produce, asking me how my diet was going etc. Thanks again to all those who still cheer me on.


Also, I've started training people. I've seen results and a fire in those I've trained and a need to be better for themselves.
I have been training the most amazing girl. You know who you are. ;). She is on FIRE. She knows what she wants and she'll do anything to make sure she's eating right, even though her family isn't 100% behind her all the time, she still fights. She's working so hard on her diet and working out every week and she's lost 15-20 lbs already! She's so amazing! Gurl, I love you and your willingness to work so hard. And not for anyone, but YOU.

Besides this cute girl, I've been training a brother who's already lost 5 INCHES around his tummy and waist. He's workin so hard too and I love when he tells me that he's too sore to walk the next day! GREAT JOB D!

I've loved training all those who have asked! If you're interested in seeing lasting results message me on Facebook.

As for me, I'm sad to say I haven't made as much time to work out. I tried to eat junk though but my body rejects it, so slow and steady I'm trying to bring bread into my diet, AT LEAST! Since my competition, I've lost another 4 lbs, so I now weigh 118 lbs, and have gone down to 13% body fat! AWESOME RIGHT? Unfortunatly, it's not exactly healthy to keep dropping, but my metabolism is so crazy fast now that I can't eat enough to gain any weight so, I've gotta figure out how to keep the numbers the same, and see some more tummy results! Anyway so I decided that I don't get too much done without a goal set with a FINISHING DATE! Therefore....
As of today, I set a new goal. What is it you ask?
HERE IT GOES
Training for my competition helped me lift SUPER heavy! I have loved seeing my definition come in as well as the numbers go up in lifting weight every week in whatever I'm working, but because of the short HEAVY lifting sessions, my endurance is completely SHOT. I can hardly finish my Zumba classes or anything cause I get so exhausted so fast! Whether its my lack of fat, or lack of being able to stomach bread, I don't know. Therefore, I'm going to set a new goal to better my endurance. My new goal, is to run 

RAGNAR 2012! 

AWESOME RIGHT? I know! EXCEPT, I'm a terrible runner! haha That's why this new goal is a big deal. A few years ago, I was actually pretty okay at running. I have NEVER really enjoyed running, but hey, I was okay at it. In 2008 though,  I had a knee surgery done and I've never been able to run again. My legs are too clumsy and I just really have terrible form in running, therefore I just don't run. So let it be known everyone that I'm now gonna pretend to be a runner! I guess I need a team of 12 so if you're in, and wanna train and stuff with me, LET ME KNOW!
PS I think I'm just gonna keep writing on this blog. I have become addicted to blogging and I don't really wanna start another blog! Haha i love you ALL

WEEK 7! THE END!

I FINISHED!!!

The big secret was, I trained and competed in an NGA body building competition as my FINALE to losing all my weight!

(I'm the one on the far left!)

I accomplished a VERY hard thing and I owe all my success to my trainer, Christy Stevenson! She was so amazing helping me look the best i EVER have and helping me when i most doubted myself! She is suh an amazing girl and she took time to answer silly questions and to make me so comfortable and make me proud of everything I've done!

I've lost a total of 47 lbs!

Thanks everyone who helped me through this journey and reminded me of my own sayings.

I CAN DO, and DID HARD THINGS!

You know who you are! 

Christy,

Thank you for making me feel beautiful.

For making me confident and helping me do something that I would never have been able to do to myself. For taking the time to answer silly texts, and helping me improve my walk and poses.

For taking the time to check on me and help me with my work outs and diet.

For helping me Love myself.

For reminding me I don't need a trophy because my weight loss this year is prize enough.

I love you for all your hard work and support! Thanks so much for spending the day with me and helping me not be scared!

Mom,

Thanks for standing behind me when I needed a hug, or to talk. Thanks for always being with me and coming to my night show with the family and showing me and reminding me of how awesome my accomplishment was.

Thanks a million for always having an extra package of cottage cheese to make me feel better when I was hungry or stressed.

Thanks for being the best mom ever. I love you I love you I LOVE YOU.

Scott (husband),

I know you weren't to happy at first with my decision to do this, but thank you so much for still helping me eat right. For reminding me what would happen if i cheated on my meals or ate that bite of a brownie. Thank you for loving me when I was grumpy and hungry and tired or sore. Thanks for the massages. Thank you for the talk last week when I wanted to quit. For letting me cry and for your sweet words of encouragement.

Thank you ALSO for spending the day with me, though the crowd at the show was making you uncomfortable, you stuck with me, and you cheered and you helped me back at the hotel by judging my walk.

Thank you for your honesty, and your support.

Thank you for the push out of bed when I was feeling too tired to go to the gym.

Thank you for helping me with my last minute purchases for stuff I needed.

Hayley, J Thug, Angie, Kaytlin and All blog readers,

Thank you for your encouraging messages. 

Thank you for the fresh produce and for calling me your inspiration.

Thank you for your love.

Thank you for asking me how I'm feeling and for caring!

Thank you for making me feel like I was doing something big and worthwhile!

You changed my outlook on life and fitness and I loved hearing about all your success stories and hearing all the sweet things you're accomplishing in your own life!

Thank you for teaching me how to put in my extensions.. haha

Thank you for everything you did to help me keep going!

THANK YOU FOR COMING TO MY SHOW!

I love you all and everything thing you've done for me! This is something I will never forget! 

Remember, you're stronger than you think you are

You can do, and already HAVE done hard things!

Keep going!

Love, Andrea

(Sorry yall. Picture's removed.)

WEEK 6: I'm living life. I am happy.

Last night I had a really hard time. Now that my goal is only 2 days away I'm starting to feel all the confidence I had Monday go away and I'm left with nothing but fear and doubt.
I had a break down because I still don't 100% feel confident enough to stand among people that look a million times better than me, and even though I've put in so much work, I don't feel ready. I'm scared. I kid you not, everything that possible COULD go wrong has, and when I think things are looking up, something bad happens again. This has been the hardest week, mentally, physically and emotionally. I stayed up last night crying. For the first time, it's not outside forces telling me to quit. It's my own fear, and I couldn't stop. I've felt so strong and I've built up such thick skin through all this so that "no one can tear me down". I just didn't think I'd get to the point of ever wanting to quit because of my own doubts.

I'm so grateful for Scott though. He wasn't for what I'm doing at all in the beginning and last night he was so good to tell me stuff like "You've done so much.You can't quit now you're so close!" I love him.  He helped me all through the night to feel pretty, strong etc. He listened to me cry for like 2 hours and let me ruin his MOM'S TEAM shirt with my tears.

Also grateful to my mom who after telling her how i was feeling this morning, she showed me this video. It's exactly what I needed to hear.
 "It's not about winning, It's about FINISHING"

"There are times in life when you've fallen and you don't have the strength to get back up. Do you think you have hope? ...You see, I will try 100 times to get up, and if I fail 100 times, if I fail and I give up do you think I'm ever going to GET up? NO. But if i fail, I'll try again, and again, and again... You will find that strength to get back up."

Thank you everyone for helping me. Today's gonna be rough but I'm going to face it with no fear and no doubt.

I can do hard things.

I love you all.

WEEK 6: 4 days left...

To say the least, I'm FREAKING OUT.

There's been so much good coming out of this challenge and I can't wait to finally finish and reveal why all the crazy working out and dieting!
UNTIL THEN, I only have 4 days to eat better than ever, and workout three times as hard as I have these last few weeks.
I've had a few health punches in the face this week so far, but there's NOTHING getting in my way of making everything happen THIS SATURDAY!
I just wanna shout out to all my friends and everyone who's helped me in this so far. A lot of people have given me TONS of produce, and have been calling me at like 5 AM and asking if they can help me workout that day or something and just crazy things that people have been doing to be a help and support!
It for sure out weighs all the haters from the beginning of my Six Week Secret, which I'm so glad for. It's kind of hard to understand the reasoning behind me doing this and why it's even worth it, because it's been so hard and is just so "ridiculous" and stuff, but my main reason is... Say it with me...
I'm doing this because I can do hard things. 
There have been days that I've gotten so discouraged and have seriously just cried and wanted to give up. People being mean, or me wanting to eat "real food" and just different obstacles have gotten in my way, but like I said, thanks so much to all of you who have continually been cheering me on, though a lot of you don't even know what I'm working for! Haha it all means the world to me. YOU mean the world to me.
I love you all!

I'll fill you in a little more  throughout the rest of the week!

WEEK 5, Day 7!

OKAY PEOPLE! ONLY 8 DAYS LEFT TILL MY GOAL DATE!

I'm seriously FREAKING OUT! 

There's so much left to do still! But here's what I've got.

1)The suit... :)

2)Hoochie Shoes!

3)Right Body Fat and BMI!

4) HURR Extensions!

5)Bleached Teeth! 

6)The Tan

All I've got left to do is to continue how I've been going these last few weeks! Scott's been doing great at helping me fight temptations with foods and he's been so good to help me find good food when I'm starving! He's been so supportive! All you gents take note! He's been such a great help through all this and as my goal is getting closer, the more artificial I become, yet he's still called me pretty! He's still in shock as I am with the new hair and the tan. He was joking yesterday that people in our neighborhood are probably going to start thinking he's cheating on me with some long haired hoochie.. oh wait.. I'm the long haired hooch. Hahaha! I love his humor.. :)
Something else that was totally awesome, I went to BodyPump with KT Smith this morning which was the body shock I've needed! I thought after lifting so heavy in all my training, that I'd be way stronger than I really am! I was still so sore from my upper body workouts this week that I could hardly lift any weight! I'm such a wuss, it's so embarrassing!

OH! Another way Scott's been supporting me. Push Up Contests. He's gotten quite the ego knowing that even though I work out every day, He still dominates at the push ups! He even "One ups" me by doing the DIAMOND PUSH UPS! OUCH! I love a good challenge though, and I'm proud to say that now I can do 21 REAL push ups in a row... up from 13ish? Less?

Things are going to great! I've also created quite the following here as well as within friends! I have the biggest support group! I've had produce mysteriously left by my car, I've had anonymous texts from people saying they're starting their workout goals because I inspired them or something. Seriously, I'm walking on cloud 9 with how amazing these last few weeks have been! I'm so happy with how I look and feel and I've set ANOTHER goal after this! Same thing again, but in the Spring! More on that to come!

Something else I wanted to mention is, I've done this whole transformation with absolutely NO DIET SUPPLEMENTS or Weightloss things or miracle supplements! 

All it takes to gain the body or fitness level YOU WANT is TIME, HARD WORK, and DISCIPLINE and a GOAL. 

One of my new favorite quotes I just saw a week or so ago, is "The best way to make your dreams come true, is to wake up."So wake up everyone! Start today! Set a goal and a date to finish and DO IT! I'm here to help! 

Bragging time... I just got my personal training certification! So Now I can help you and everyone else achieve what they've always wanted to be. Which is, The best version of you. No one else, but you.

I love you all. :) Next week begins the FINAL HELL WEEK! Bring it.

WEEK 5! Chances are..

If you see me in the street or anywhere for that matter, I'm in workout clothes. Either my Zumba attire right out of teaching a class, or in shorts and a T-shirt cause I'm headed to or back from the gym/tanning salon.
If you see me at the mall, I'm looking for athletic wear or new shoes cause all this training has pushed my dinky shoes to the limit...
If you see me shopping anywhere else, it's probably for fresh produce. I think I spend, without Scott eating, a good 45-50 a WEEK on just my food. Sometimes more or less thank goodness... for the lesser times...
If I'm ever at the gym, yeah you've probably seen me or know my name. Everyone sees me often enough that they're like "what's up Andrea" or "your tan's already ready for you Andrea"(before I even walk in). It's awesome cause I feel like a celebrity, but it also means I'm EVERYWHERE a LOT.
If you ever walk into my apartment, it's a disaster. Scott and I have both been lacking on time to clean ANYTHING! Labor day, we did a pretty deep cleaning and the next day, I kid you not, it was back to the way it was the previous morning.
If I tell you I can't hang out, don't be offended. I have ZERO TIME and any time I do have, which is only at night, I spend it sleeping. I'm so physically WORN! Don't be offended! Not against you at all!

Bottom line, if there's any thought I'm in this 6 Week Project for myself and my own vanity, I'll admit, that's how it started out. But at this point, it's just something I'm fighting for like CRAZY as a goal and I'm down to the wire! The pressure is on and I'm all for any challenge now! But seriously, looking the way I do, as in no make up, no cute clothes and always in tennis shoes, That's NOT NEAR how I'd be looking if I was in this for my own looks and Vanity. I would have stopped a LONG time ago! Haha!

Anyways, updates on everything..
Last week I was so tired. Every time I sat whether in the car, or at work, or anywhere I'd start falling asleep and just be so worn out. In talking to the father figure, he told me it's probably a lack in carbs seeing as I'm burning almost twice the food I'm actually taking in. I decided to increase my carbs by taking in more FRUITS AND VEGGIES! Not breads ya'll! WRONG CARBS! So I've added some steamed veggies to my portions including my mid morning and afternoon snacks. I just don't have enough energy no matter how much I've slept! I was seriously feeling my whole body just shut down so by Friday I was too tired to stand on my own and to focus on ANYTHING! Make sure everyone that you're always eating the RIGHT amount of calories and often to keep you going! I always keep a protein shake on hand just in case I start feeling that weakness or cravings kicking in. Don't let yourselves ever get to the point of feeling hungry. Always carry snacks and eat ever couple hours even if you're not feelin that hungry. That's a HUGE secret to weight loss is BLOOD SUGAR REGULATION.

Anyway, pictures to come this week I hope! I love you all! Have the best week EVER!

Week 4: The Schedule...

My weeks have been getting so crazy I don't know what to do anymore. I've had to bump up my workouts to 5:30 to be able to get them done before going on and facing the rest of my day.. Here's my weekly schedule, except this week was semi different seeing as yesterday was a holiday...

Monday:
5:30-7 Gym time at 24
7 Breakfast
9-5 clean and get all the house chores done, etc. (My only catch up day)
6 Teach Zumba at BYU

Tuesday:
5:30-7 Gym Time
8 Zumba Curves
10:30 PGCC
1-5 Work, Tomlinson Graphics
6:30 Zumba Curves
8 Dance Party.. (New class starting tonight at the PGCC)

Wednesday:
5:30-7 Gym
8-2 House stuff, produce shopping and weeks lunch prep)
3-5 Tomlinson Graphics
6 Zumba BYU
8-10 Softball (PG league)

Thursday:

5:30-7 Gym Time
8 Zumba Curves
10:30 Curves PGCC
1-5 Work, Tomlinson Graphics
6:30 Zumba Curves
7:10 Zumba PGCC (Also New)

Friday:
5:30-7Gym
8 Train
9 Train
3-5 Tomlinson Graphics
SLEEP.

It's crazy cause it may not even seem like that much, but every day I take forever trying to fall asleep just thinking about how much I have to do the next day. I'll tell you what though, I'm grateful and totally value time with my husband that we can both be home and just be together. Any time to just sit and think about anything but work is like better than Gold... That is, unless you offer my gold I'll still happily take it off your hands...
Anyway. It's crazy.
Also my diet is going a lot better. I'm just struggling with making time to prepare it. I've already downed all my food that I thought would last another WEEK! I can't believe how much food my diet calls for! At least it's easy cause I know what I'm having everyday, so I don't have to waste time or money on fast food!
My skin has been clearing up and I'm feeling super healthy! I'm not gonna lie though, I miss eating the fatty food.
I'll make a confession. My mom made the most AMAZING looking brownies.. And PS, Might I just add that if you EVER consider going on a diet, just live with my husband, Scott. He's great at making you not want ANYTHING!
Back to the story, so I'm eyeing these AMAZING brownies.. just dripping with this shiny frosting fudge deliciousness, and I'm just thinking... "Maybe just a bite.. maybe like half of a half of one.. Maybe just..." Scott caught me -"You realize that if you eat that brownie, it will quadruple in your stomach immediately and you'll have to put in another 8 hours at the gym and skip your free meal this week.. But it's totally up to you.."
I gave him the stink eye.. and as soon as he left the room.. I did it. I ate just a corner of a brownie.
Not even kidding.. I felt sick in MINUTES. Not only from the guilt, but from the brownie itself! I've gotten so used to eating so well that this tiny sliver of sugar just killed me! I was on the verge of throwing up all night long..
I tried to be strong..ish though so Scott wouldn't be able to tell. We went to sleep and when woke up in the morning, I was looking at myself in the mirror and noticed  the pooch I've FINALLY started seeing change in was back.. Scott walked in the bathroom and saw and he was like "I told you that would happen.. hit the gym."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" 
HOW is it that just a SLIVER of a brownie could make such a huge effect so fast!?
So for reals. No more cheating. I can't handle what it does to my body and how I feel after.. That little brownie was sure delicious though.. That darn MOM! Why do moms have to be so good at cooking/baking?

Today i make a for real vow to all of you. No brownies. Only the healthy stuff FOREVER!! I'm trying to figure out if even after these 6 weeks are over if I still might stay on a relatively close diet to this one just because I love the way I'm feeling/looking... I will not turn down my occasional Panda Express or Fried chicken though...
I love you all. Have the best day ever!

WEEK 4: "A thing of vanity"

The neat thing about weight loss is how much better you look.. the terrible thing is how NOTHING fits anymore. I've had to go get a new bra 2 sizes down from my normal size.. I have yet to buy a new sports bra cause not even my size small sports bra fits anymore.. My gym shorts and even stretchy workout pants are getting loose which really is a thing to celebrate except I don't have moneys to buy anymore gym clothes! Haha!

This challenge so far has been crazy fun! This begins the next 3 "Hell weeks" though. I've planned to make these last 3 weeks the hardest so far by:
1. STICKING TO MY DIET FOR REAL! No more temptation!
2.Working ALL THE WAY TO FAILURE.
3. That's all I've got...

So with that said I just wanna add how awesome it is to see progress. I met with Christy, the trainer, last week and she gave me a HUGE motivation boost that made me leave with even more excitement that before. I was totally embarrassed when I walked in, but she's got this excitement and joy about everything that just makes anyone think we can achieve anything. She's so great!
I also had an awesome experience today at the gym when a guy I see all the time who's this HUGE body builder, He walked up to me as I'm like covered in sweat and on a rest and he was like "I've been watching you since the beginning of the year, and I just want to say that you look so great and have done such a great job working out every day and pushing yourself so hard! Keep it up girl! What ever you're doing, you're doing great!" He gave me a high five and left the gym. I felt so pumped that I repeated my entire workout again. hahaha!! What an amazing guy. I love compliments and recognition. I mean, who doesn't?
I just want to say for all of you who are working on any goal, whether in your health and fitness, or in school or spiritual goals even, You can do anything. There are so many haters out there that just don't understand what you're doing or why and they don't see the beauty in setting a goal and following through. You can do hard things. Keep going and always remember for every hater criticizing and being mean to you, there's someone else watching you and you're their inspiration and reason for following their own goals.

I love you all! We're getting so close!

WEEK 3... O..em..gee...

I love Mondays... unlike a lot of people out there I look forward to every Monday cause it's the beginning of a new week.
But these last few Mondays have been so hard to motivate myself to get going.. WHY? Monday's LEG DAY.

Leg workouts just got a million times harder than I'm used to with this 6 week challenge! I don't know ANYONE that just absolutely loves leg days cause they're just so wearing! You use your legs every day so to put them through just crazy work at the first of the week is asking for death cause you can't walk for the rest of the week.
It actually takes the entire week to recover from it, so when you're finally NOT sore, it's leg day again.

TERRIBLE.

Today's workout felt amazing though! I pushed myself to do 3 sets at the heaviest weight I've ever attempted! It felt so good to do it! I also mastered doing lunges all the way across the 24 HOUR floor there and back twice! The first few Mondays, I'd only make it once. Like, not there and back, just there. Haha! I feel so accomplished! I have 3 weeks to go and I'm seeing great results! It's so intimidating to be at the gym though because I see all these other super hawt ladies around and keep thinking- "They're here training for the same thing I am... They look way better! They're gonna win and I'm just gonna be a loser standing by them!"
I try not to let it phase me too much but it's kind of scary! But I like turning that fear into motivation! "I can look like that too." I work like 3 people away from them and turn it into a competition. Which ALSO made my leg workout feel so good today knowing I was lifting twice as much as those other girls and way more reps than most people would with such crazy weight.

Training is hard. But I feel better than I ever have! I love the results I'm seeing and watching the numbers on the scale go down every week! It feels amazing!
The hardest part is letting the numbers ruin me! I've gone down another half inch this last week around the tummy! I have yet to measure the rest! WISH ME LUCK THO!
I'M TITANIUM! I can do this!

Love you all!

Week 2-Day 3 Titanuim

I rocked the gym today.
I'm pumped and ready to keep going on this diet! There's this song by David Guetta feat Sia and it's kept me going this whole few weeks I've been on this journey. Favorite lyrics...

I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose
Fire away fire away
Ricochet- Take your aim
Fire away, fire away
You shoot me down, but I won't fall
I am Titanium.

I LOVE THIS SONG cause after a mini break down, I realized that nothing people say or do can affect me goal. This is ALL ME. This is MY GOAL and it's up to ME to finish it and there's nothing that anyone can do to tear me down. :)
It's empowering.

ALSO I want to stop for a second and talk about my mom.


Whenever I used to ask my mom about tans or extensions or working out she'd be like "you're so vain just be you and not a fake you" but through this whole thing she's been so supportive and she's like "lets color your hair" or "I bought you a yummy protein drink and cottage cheese so you don't have to buy it!" or she'll just show up at work with healthy, "Diet approved" meals. I LOVE HER because even  when I'm wrong in anything, she'll stand behind me and support me till the end and she loves me no matter what crazy attitude or trend, or boy or whatever I've EVER gone through, she'll always be blunt and tell me what she feels about it, but she's always stood behind me to catch me if I ever fall or if I need help she's always there with her arms reached out.

I'm so lucky to have such strong parents and examples. I love my family and I love my husband, Scott that though he doesn't fully understand why I'm doing this challenge he's still there to remind me what I can't eat, and to wake me up in the mornings  like "5:30! Time for you to go to the gym!" haha I appreciate him. I love him.

Thanks to all of you for your love and support.

Week 2- Day 2: Epic Struggles

Day 2 and I'm already having a hard time.

I've had a realization that I think I'm getting a slight image disorder.
I'm not looking the way I should.
Not as skinny or fit as I need to be..
 I'm meeting with my trainer this week, but I don't think I'm ready. I'm really scared, and I don't feel as confident about it as I should.

Its been 2 weeks since our last meet and I've lost 6 lbs in 2 weeks, and about 2 inches. But I don't really see it.

I really hope for my sake as well as my trainers that I'm not wasting our time cause I really want to make this goal, but I don't think I'll have a chance in 5 weeks.... I won't stop trying though.

I WILL follow thru.
I promise.

The questions is, will I be able to finish confidently?

Wish me luck- I love you all.

WEEK 2!

Hey everybody! So Today begins week 2, technically week 3 of my training, week 2 of my blog! Only 5 weeks to go and I can't wait. I saw an old friend the other day who was like "DANG! What are you doing? You look awesome!" So of course I referred him to my blog as well as my diet.

I'm feeling great (Thanks to Beano and other helps cause this diet is KILLING my digestive system... that's as much information as I'll give you...)

I'm feeling so much stronger and I can actually walk! I did a crazy legs and glutes set last MONDAY and it took till yesterday to be completely NOT sore! It's crazy but it burns so, so good! I love waking up and not being able to move. It's such an accomplishment... My husband probably doesn't feel the same though seeing as he hears my groans and complaints when I can't make it up the stairs.

GOALS OF THE WEEK:

Drink MORE WATER

Follow diet EXACTLY

EAT ON TIME!

These are the things I struggled most with last week! Thanks to this end result I really have to be watching not only what I eat, but when I eat it. The goal is every 2 hours. The meals in my diet are filling but still pretty small compared to my Panda Express and such, so in order to keep my blood sugar up and healthy I really have to make sure I avoid the feeling of hunger. The hardest part of eating on time though is the fact that at like 11 am, I'm really not that hungry, but I still have to eat right then or at about noon I start to crash due to lack of food to turn into energy, then it's all down hill from there. 

Anyways, I made a short video for you all to kick off this morning so hopefully you enjoy it! WELCOME WEEK 2!

I'm down  another 3 lbs and half an inch around the tummy so lets hope I can keep it there!

 

I love you all.