Music Motivation

     Hello again. Today I was thinking about how much music has helped me push through the hardest of workouts, on days that I just really didn't want to do it. And I realize how hard it is to put together a great workout playlist that really makes you want to move. Because of this, I thought I would post my workout playlist to give you an idea. You may have a different taste in music than me, but that's okay. These are just some upbeat songs that keep me at a good pace.

• Absolute- The Fray
• Alive- Relient K
• All In- Lifehouse
• Apologize- OneRepublic
• Are You Gonna Be My Girl- Jet
• At Least We Made It This Far- Relient K
• Bad- Michael Jackson (Glee Cast version)
• Be My Escape- Relient K
• Beautiful Day- U2
• Before He Cheats- Carrie Underwood
• Bills, Bills, Bills- Glee Cast version
• Bite My Tongue- Relient K
• Black or White- (Michael Jackson)
• Born This Way- Lady Gaga
• Brighter Than Sun- Colbie Caillat
• Burp In Your Mouth- The Opskamatrists
• Chapstick, Chapped Lips, And Things Like Chemistry- Relient K
• Check Yes, Juliet- Boys Like Girls
• Crazy Little Thing Called Love- Michael Bublé
• Curl Up and Die- Relient K
• Dance Like There's No Tomorrow- Paula Abdul
• Don't Mean Nothing- Richard Marx
• Don't Rain on My Parade- Glee Cast version
• Don't Stop Believin'- Journey
• The Edge Of Glory- Lady Gaga
• The Eye of the Tiger- Survivor
• Falling For You- Mia Rose
• Footloose- Kenny Loggins
• Forget You- Glee Cast version
• Freeze Frame- J. Geils Band
• Haven't Met You Yet- Michael Bublé
• Heartache Tonight- Michael Bublé
• Hello, Seattle- Owl City
• Hey, Soul Sister- Train
• Hit Me With Your Best Shot/One Way- Glee Cast
• Hold Me- Jamie Grace
• Holding Out for a Hero- Bonnie Tyler
• I Wanna Dance With Somebody- Whitney Houston
• It Had Better Be Tonight- Michael Bublé
• Just Dance- Lady Gaga
• Let's Hear It for the Boy- Deniece Williams
• Love's Gonna Get You Down (Lollipop)- MIKA
• Love You Like A Lovesong- Selena Gomez & The Scene
• Man with the Hex- Atomic Fireballs
• Money Can't Buy Me Love- Michael Bublé
• Mr. Pinstripe Suit- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
• Not Quite Paradise- Bliss 66
• Paparazzi- Vitamin String Quartet
• Payphone- Maroon 5
• Raise Your Glass- Glee Cast version
• Sadie Hawkins Dance- Relient K
• Save the Last Dance for Me- Michael Bublé
• Supermassive Black Hole- Muse
• The Way You Make Me Feel- Michael Jackson
• Who I Am Hates Who I've Been- Relient K
• Bellas Finals: Price Tag/Don't You Forget About Me- Pitch Perfect
• High Heel Leather Boots- Baby Bee
• Life is a Highway- Rascal Flatts
• Don't You (Forget About Me)- David Cook
• Runaway- The National
• Midnight City- M83
• Rock You Like A Hurricane- Scorpions
• Shelter From The Storm- Bob Dylan
• Hungry Heart- Bruce Springsteen

I hope you like these! Find what gets you motivated and keep working to achieve you goals and make your dreams a reality. You can do it!

My Progress:
Pounds lost: 39.6
Inches lost: 68

I thought this picture was funny and somewhat true. Enjoy!

Obesity Is A Disease

     Yes, that's right. As of last week, the American Medical Association officially declared obesity a disease. I already knew this... Why else would something so contradictory to your health be genetic? However, I drew some inspiration from The Anti-Jared. He lost 225 lbs and has been able to keep it off for years now. Just like me, he has obesity. But he is not obese, and that's what I'm striving to get to.
     I mention this because it just emphasizes my point that changing your eating habits and exercise has to be a lifestyle change; it's not temporary. Maybe for those of you who don't have obesity, doing a small diet to get those few pounds off is fine for you. But for those of you like me, it's an every day struggle. We have to fight to get and keep the weight off. Maybe it's not fair, but who does it hurt to live a little bit healthier and strive to make the best of what we have? No one.
     Now that I have ranted a little bit, I decided recently that I wanted to put some healthy food ideas out there for those who want some. So here they are:

• The first one is a salad. One day I just decided to make a berry salad, and this is what I had- spinach, strawberries, blueberries, sunflower seeds (without the shells), and poppyseed dressing (light). It was really yummy! In this picture, they have watermelon in it as well, which I may have to try soon.

• I also really like to make smoothies because it's easier to get in my fruits and veggies. I'll try to post more as I experiment, but here are a few combinations that I liked:
• Strawberry, banana, grapes, and spinach (not a lot; just enough to get those extra nutrients. You can't even taste it)
• Pineapple, peach, banana
• Peach, blueberry, strawberry

That's all I'm going to post here for now, but I also have a earlier post on healthy recipes that has a link to some healthy recipes, and you can get to it by clicking here. Good luck with your goals, whatever they may be. Most importantly, don't give up. You can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

My progress:

Pounds lost: 37.4

Inches lost: 68

How Do I Do It?

     Hello! Lately everyone has been asking me how I've been losing all of the weight so fast, so today I thought I would post some tips and some of my "rules" that have gotten me where I am today... 37.2 lbs lost, by the way!!! And I finally hit 200 lbs today, which means that if I lose anymore, I will be in the 100's for the first time in over 9 years!
     First off, I have to say that there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that part of the reason I am able to lose it so quickly is because my Father in Heaven is helping me. There is no way I could do it on my own. Seek for His help and guidance. He will give you the strength to do what needs to be done.
     However, I did have to do my part as well, and here are some of my "rules":

• 1. Don't eat after 6:30 pm.
• This rule is one of my most important rules. One reason for this is if you eat late at night the food will just sit in your stomach instead of fully digesting right away, because when you sleep all of your body processes slow down significantly. I have broken this rule a couple of times, but nearly every time I have I go up in pounds (Yikes!). I didn't notice the difference so much at first, but after having lost a bit more, it would make a huge difference.
• 2. Don't deprive yourself!
• There are so many "loose weight fast" diets out there that work for a little while, but as soon as you stop, you gain all of the weight back again with maybe more. This is why: During the diet, you deprive yourself of certain foods. When you get where you want to be, you stop the diet and start eating all of the foods you've been depriving yourself of... and we wonder why we gain it back. People are so surprised to hear that I still eat treats and eat the foods I really want and am still able to lose weight. The "secret", which is actually not so secret after all, is to only take a small amount. "Everything in moderation".
• 3. Cut down your intake/portions.
• This one is similar to rule 2 in the sense that everything must be in moderation. Today our world has distorted portion sizes so much that we eat way more than our body actually needs. Cutting down your portions will be hard at first because your stomach is stretched out and will need time to shrink back down to normal size. It is amazing how little your body actually needs.
• 4. Figure out why you want to eat.
• This rule is critical. Before I was losing weight, I used to feel like I was hungry all the time. However, I learned to know the difference between when I was actually hungry and when I was just bored or eating because of some other emotional reason. Another point to make for this rule is that when you do eat, eat until you are satisfied, not until you are full. Eating until you're satisfied means that you are not full, but you are not hungry either. You are at the point where you aren't full yet, but you think that you could stop where you are and be okay.
• 5. Drink a lot of water.
• I have emphasized this rule a ton on this blog. I actually have a post about some water facts and why it is so important. You can refer to it here. This is important because in most of us, our thirst mechanism is so weak that we mistake it for hunger and so we eat when all we really need is a drink of good ole' water. Did you know that when you actually feel thirsty, you are already chronically dehydrated?
• 6. Get some exercise.
• Yes, exercise is hard, and it's never really fun... at least not for me. And yes, you can lose weight for a while without it. But what happens when you hit a plateau and you are doing everything else you can? This will help, I promise! The more you work out, the easier it gets, which is also why you need to try to push yourself more every workout. You don't want to get "comfortable" in your workout or your progress will stop.

Those are my rules. Only 6, and they are actually not that hard! To loose weight and keep it off effectively, you must change your lifestyle. Being healthy is not short-term; that's why most diets don't last. So, now that I've stated my rules, here are a few extra tips for those who want them.

• Feeling sore or drained after a workout? Drink 1 cup of milk. Actually, chocolate milk is the best option in this case. I know, your thinking "Chocolate milk is actually good for you?". I thought that too, but it is true. Chocolate milk specifically has exactly the right nutrient content to replenish and restore your body after a workout.
• Not able to see your physical difference or are not losing weight and are beginning to get discouraged? Measure yourself. If you are not losing pounds, it is more than likely that you are losing inches. I can't tell you how many times measuring the inches I've lost has kept me going when the pounds just didn't seem to be coming off. Taking pictures of yourself and putting them side by side as you hit milestones is also helpful, because you now have a visual of your progress to look to.
• Need help/encouragement/support? Ask for it. There are people around you that love you and there may be more people willing to help you than you may think. You are also welcome to ask me. My email is in the "About Me" section in the top right corner. I am more than glad to help, because I know how difficult it is.

     Well, this is all I'm going to post for now, but I hope it is helpful and has answered some of your questions. Don't give up. You are too important to let your life pass you by. I never knew just how miserable I really was until I started doing something about it; now I know better and I am never going back. I don't want to be that girl anymore. I want to be better. Believe in yourself, and you can become great.

This is my progress so far. You know how with weight loss

pictures, people say "They don't even look like the same

person!"? Well, that's probably true. Same, but improved, 

body, different person. I know I am a different person than 

I was when I was at my heaviest. And that's a good thing.

Still going!

     Hello again! Today I'm just giving an update, as I've hit another marker in my weight loss... 35.8 lbs and 65.5 inches lost! I am super excited because I am now a lot more confident that I'll hit my goal of 40 lbs lost by the end of this month... I've got a week. O.o The other exciting news is that when I lose 1.7 more lbs, I'll finally be under 200 for the first time in many years. I am so happy.
     I just want to reflect that the past few months I have learned so much about myself and about life. If you had told me at the beginning of the year that I would be able to make this amount of progress in such a short amount of time, I would not have believed you for one moment. It's so amazing how much more you're capable of when you have a strong determination to be better with the Lord on your side. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
     For those of you reading my blog who are struggling and feel like you want to give up, just remember how badly you want your goal. "Even the word impossible says "I'm possible". Go for it. It will make your life so much better. I promise. Everyone is different, and life is hard. However, life is a gift, and it is a beautiful one. Your body is a temple, and it would be such a waste to just throw it away. Take care of your body and it will take care of you.

Say What?!?

     In all reality, the title of this post really describes how I'm feeling today. And that's wonderful! Exciting things are happening and life is good. :) Moving on...
     As you probably know by now, a little while ago I talked to my bishop about contacting the mission office (Eeek!). I found out that my stake president had my papers, so he told me he would call him and see what we needed to do. Later on, I got notified that the stake president was looking into it... and I knew nothing more (Uhmm, more details please?). This morning, I found out from my bishop that they had figured things out and my papers are now resubmitted! So yeah, I'm super duper excited. So much so that I literally cannot contain my joy and excitement. That being said...
     Today I hit 32 lbs lost in about 3 1/2 months. What an accomplishment. The thing is, my mind cannot seem to comprehend how far I have come. I have struggled my whole life to lose weight. It is not easy, by any stretch of the imagination. And now, in a few short months, I have accomplished more than I thought possible. 50 lbs seemed like such an overwhelming goal, and I let myself get discouraged for a little while. Then I decided to get out of my comfort zone and get my butt in gear. Now, I just have 18 lbs to hit that 50 lbs lost mark, and I have no doubt that I can not only reach it, but pass it within the next month or two. Wow.
     Life is hard. We go through so many struggles, and each person has a different struggle that they must overcome. It takes a lot of hard work, courage, and dedication, but through each of our struggles we grow to become better people. And we need the people around us to help, support, and encourage us. And we need to to the same for them. Everyone comes into our lives for a purpose. As we learn to love others, we learn to love ourselves.

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom;

that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your

fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

~Mosiah 2:17

     I really hope that I have been able to help to inspire you to make your life better. Even if you are a random stranger that happens to come across my blog, know that you are worth every effort. You are a child of God. We all are, and we have the potential to be like Him someday. Know what it takes to find your life's purpose. Seek for guidance and live in a way that makes you worthy to receive that guidance. You are loved, and there is always help for those who ask. Strive to be the best you can be and make your dreams come true. YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS.

     I know that God lives. I know that He loves each and every one of us more than we can comprehend. I know that we will always be blessed if we continue to strive to do what is right. The gospel of the LDS church has brought so much peace and so much joy into my life, and I am so excited to go out and help others find that same peace and joy in their own lives. I know serving a full-time mission won't be easy--but I know it will be worth it. Anything worth having doesn't come easily.

Guess Who Has A Pair Of "Fat Jeans"?!?

     Hello! As you can guess by the title, I now officially have a pair of "fat jeans". I waited for this moment to put up the picture, because as of today, I have lost 30 LBS!!! Woohoo!! I am so proud of what I have accomplished, and I feel great. I am also super close to being in "onederland", which is being within the 100's. I haven't been beneath 200 since before Jr High. HOLY COW. :D

     Just as a closing thought, I hope you take my progress as an example that if you believe in yourself and work hard, you can achieve anything. Don't just sit around and let life pass you by like I did for so many years. Get up and make your dreams come true, whatever they may be. You deserve it.

"When others believe in us, we reach mountain peaks: when we believe in ourselves, we move those mountains."

~Jonathan Simango

Are You Eating Your Fruits and Veggies?

     Hello! For my post today, I have to admit that though I have been eating a lot healthier (mostly cutting down my portions), I haven't really been as good about eating my fruits and veggies. It's not that I don't like them; we just never really seem to have them around the house, and I never really make the effort to buy them. But it's time to step up, and if you have the same problem, or even if you don't like your produce, I want to challenge you to step up with me.
     To combat the 2 most common excuses:

• "They're too expensive."- If this is you, think about it this way--how much do you spend on those random cravings that consist of junk food? You know, the daily soda or coffee run, ice cream, chips, chocolate, etc, etc, etc... Would it really hurt to maybe skip those and get something that will help your body instead of damaging it? It's not too expensive unless you want it to be. I'm not saying that the occasional treat is bad, but if it's a constant and consistent thing, it's not exactly good either.
• "I really don't like (enter fruit or veggie here)" or "I can't stand the flavor/texture of anything"- For those of you with this issue, yes it's harder, but you can still do it. Trust me. If you don't like a specific one, you don't have to eat it--go for the other ones. If you think you don't like any of them (yes, I said think), try mixing it into something else. There are multiple healthy recipes that will help you get your fruits and/or veggies into your favorite daily meals. Try it out! For example, I like spinach, but the idea of putting it in a fruit smoothie somewhat grossed me out. However, I decided to try it anyway. I couldn't taste it at all, and I got the extra nutrients. Yay!

Okay, so there isn't a lot to this post. But it's still very important. And for those of you who want, here are some sources to help you out with a healthier diet:

http://greatist.com/health/83-healthy-recipe-substitutions
http://lifewithnature.com/detox-foods/7-detox-smoothies-with-added-health-benefits/

My Progress:
Pounds lost: 26.4
Inches lost: 63.5

Exciting Times Ahead (PLEASE?!?)!!!!

     Hello, everyone! Before I tell you the bigger exciting news, I thought I should tell you that I am now at 25.6 lbs and 61.5 inches lost. Yay! I should be farther, but I was slacking on my exercise. Shame on me. I will make up for it though. :) Also, I was curious to see what the amount of fat I lost would look like, so I looked it up. Sadly, I couldn't find a 25 lb example, but I did find a 5 lb one:

Note: I do not know this person. This was just the best picture perspective of the size.

Can you believe I lost 5 of those babies?!? Holy cow! No wonder I feel so much better. 25 extra pounds is a lot to be carrying around every day. And I still have more to go--and I wonder why I've always had a hard time having the energy to get around. :P Anyway, back to the other news...

     This Sunday, which I guess technically is today since I'm posting this after midnight, I am talking to my home ward bishop about contacting the mission office! EEEK! I'm really hoping that they will say it's the right time to receive my mission call, as I know I will have the rest lost by the end of July. I was going to wait until the end of the month to take this step, but recent promptings and other things happening have made me feel the need to do it sooner. So we'll see!

     I just have to say that even though this past few months have possibly been some of the hardest months of my life so far, they have been by far the best. I want to thank everyone for showing me so much love and support and helping me push myself harder to reach my goals. I am in better shape than I have been in my entire life, and I feel so much better about myself than I thought possible. Overcoming this life-long struggle has been amazing, and I am so much more capable of achieving my life's dreams. I never once thought I would be one of the people who would pay for a gym membership and work out an hour a day. But more importantly, my testimony is so much stronger and I feel so much closer to my Savior and Heavenly Father. I know more now than I did about how much they love me and want to see me succeed. Making them proud is the best feeling ever.

     Well, that's all I'm going to say for this post. Keep working hard and never give up your dreams. You can make your dreams a reality if you put the effort into it. Stay strong. You are loved.

"Whether you think you can, 

or you think you can't. 

YOU'RE RIGHT."