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!