Well This is Awkward...

So... Me and Mariss didn't end up going running at 6:30am. 

Instead... we slept. 

BUT in our defense we went running again that evening. We are running buddies now and I love every second of it. 

So for those of you who actually read and check in on me (Mom, Susan, Aunt B and Emma) sorry I lied. The alarm went off. We texted about it and agreed on a more rationale time. 

Anyway. Yay for running. When I get the money I need to get new shoes. Oh the life of a poor college student.

Just a couple of runnin' fools. 

Crazy

Welp. I think I am legitimately crazy. I just set my alarm for 5:30am. Why? To get up to go running with Mariss at 6. Yes, I do want to commit myself.

I'm not sure if it's in the water... all I know is that I've gone crazy.

No picture for this one. I can only imagine what a 6am run looks like.

I Work Out...

So, it's been two weeks since this whole "transformation" process began. For those of you who don't know... I am working out. I have a couple of goals. Hard goals to reach but, Kara and Jenna are right there with me! Anyway, this post is more just a facilitator for pictures:

So, this is our photo shoot before we went in...

I thought I would humor you...

1 pt cookies sounds delicious right??

That's what we thought too.. Till we made them. Maybe check out why these are one point... And it's not because they are made with ANY healthy ingredients..

It's their size.

A nice after and before if you will.

Let the Workout Begin...

Workout- Noun. A session of vigorous physical exercise.

I guess I should start by explaining what this post is all about. First of all I gained a little bit of weight last semester. Not that it would be really noticeable to anyone but myself. But, I figured it was better to lose the weight now instead of risk that I add more on top of that this semester. However, when I tell people all that I normally get a scene similar to Mean Girls... Regina George: "I really wanna lose 3 pounds..." (silence) (hurriedly) Gretchen Weiners: "Oh my gosh why you're so skinny!?"

Just kidding! I don't tell anyone the reason for me and my roommates starting weight watchers (our own little small group... it's free this way) and our own 30 day shred.

With a lot of help from my mom on the weight watchers side of things (she has all the materials), we've devised our plan of how many "points" we get per day. Then we sit down and make a schedule of what days we are eating what and how many points etc... and then we grocery shop. AND all 3 of us stick to it! I like to think that I spearhead the food side of things, but Kara helps a lot as well.

Kara, is our Jillian Michaels... she is the workout Queen. And let me tell you my abs are feelin' it today!

It went something like this...
Me: "Kara, I can't go here my shorts are too short."
Kara: "They don't care... girls are here with shorter shorts than you."
Me: "I can't go. I look like a lesbian in work out clothes."
Kara: "You DO NOT look like a lesbian. I think you could pull of a really cute sweatband/headband thing though... but you look too girly to be a lesbian. Trust me..."
Jenna: "Day one and you're already backing out?!"
Me: (In my head "...yes"). "No. I just was stating my concerns."

I'm kinda a workout wuss.

Kara: "30 minutes on the elliptical."
Me: "30 minutes? That's too long."
Kara: "Get on the elliptical and do it!"
Me: "Yes ma'am."

And thus began our work out. She is the workout queen and has enough motivation for all 3 of us. I normally want to back out... but, she doesn't let me. She let's me and Jenna take rests... but, never give up completely. It's both rewarding and humorous.

We did insanity yesterday. Ha! what I wouldn't have given to have a small camera in the apartment to video tape us. She knew all the moves and me and Jenna struggled to learn them. Good times...

Later that night after we made our dinner, we wanted to go and actually do something. Someone suggested a place called air extreme sports... basically a big warehouse with foam pits, trampolines, rock walls (that you jump off of into a foam pit), rope swings (that you drop off of into a foam pit), basketball hoop games via trampoline and of course all things to make it as extreme as can be.

It was actually a lot of fun. It's more fun if you know tricks like most of the boys there did... I was happier watching them get enough air to do 8 front/back flips in a row and land in the foam pit than I was jumping. But, I had fun with them and we all left with the notion that sleep was going to come quite easily.

And it did.

My body is sore. And adjusting. So, six pack here I come. ;) Haaaa. Right.

Afternoon Runs...

As much as people think I didn't gain weight at school... the truth is, that I did. Not in my face (I think?), not in my butt (sad huh?), not in my legs or arms (other than the lack of exercise deteriorating my muscles) but just a little bit in my stomach. I don't like it!! Not at all.

After being at my grandma's less than 24 hours I decided that I hadn't exercised since... Saturday I believe. Or was it Friday? Either way it had been too long. I felt better after I had exercised. It killed me, but I felt so much better.

Anyway today I went on a run. I was gone less than 20 minutes and did around 1.5 miles. I was dead. But, it was a good dead. I felt horrible yet, so refreshed. I hated it though. I hate running. I hate making myself run long distances because I do NOT enjoy it. I love to walk. I literally could walk miles. But, I don't know how much good walking does? Either way... I am going to walk more. And hopefully get back into shape.


I know it was 1.5 miles because I tracked my route on the car. Hopefully, I can do 2 miles tomorrow.

Will can do a little more than 8 miles no problem. That number makes me sick! My goal is not 8 miles. My goal is something smaller... get a flat stomach back.

So,  Today I have my second day of ice skating class! I am excited to go and perfect my moves on the ice. ;) Hopefully I can get to go a couple times outside of class as I really like skating! I am super excited! I also got to see Condeleeza Rice today! She came and spoke for our forum! It was really good and she is quite funny!

She talked a lot about the importance and difference her family had made in her life. Which is so true. I am so grateful for my own family. And their love and support. For my parents willingness and means to start a fund for my education and the help they've been able to offer me. I know very few people have that opportunity. I know when it comes to parents I am TRULY blessed.

She also addressed the unique country we live in. That we are able to live in a country where we have a Democracy. And what a wonderful system of government it is. She talked about how different it is that we live in a country that when we get tired with the people leading us we have the power to "kick the bums out." How true!! And how lucky we are that we are able to switch up our leaders. There are so many countries out there that are continually oppressed but are unable to actually do anything about it.

Then she talked about the opportunities we have and the importance of an education. Which are both things which are also unique to the United States. The fact that we are able to go and do what we want, when we want (essentially) because of the country we live in is one that I think the majority of us take for granted. I know I certainly do. A lot of times I don't think about the fact that I am able to get a job, go to school and worship the way that I want where there are millions  billions of other people who do not have the ability to do so.

She talked about having a firm belief that you brightest future and change for good are possible. She also stated that "the headlines of today are not how history will remember it." That it is the overall outcome that is remembered. It is important that we live with that same idea. That the trials and downs of the day are not how our life will be remembered. That what we do with our life and knowledge is how we will ultimately be remembered. She talked about remembering the past. That in 1989 after the USA kicked Russia out of Afghanistan we abandoned them. We allowed a group called the Taliban (the meaning of Taliban is students), we allowed a group of students to come in and take control of 95% of this failed state. They created their government and rule and on 9/11/01 they attacked the United States. She stressed our importance to remain there and to help Afghanistan, to not abandon them a second time but, to work to build them up with an inspired outcome in mind.

Finally, something I thought was interesting was that she is a classically trained pianist! It was her major for 2 years in college. When the summer following her sophomore year she went to a piano camp that was filled with prodigies. She said when she saw a 13 year old boy sit down and play perfectly the first time a song that took her months and months to learn she realized something. She said "it was then that I came to the realization that with my degree I was going to end up teaching 12 year olds how to murder Beethovan or playing in Nordstrom. It was then I decided I needed to change my major."

Such a jokester. :) Haha anyway! Here are the promised pictures! And their explanation! Since I didn't blog yesterday... I have a couple of pictures!

Sam and her Boy were cuddling on the couch. In an attempt to break up the
lovefest... I wore the weirdest outfit I could come up with and walked into the
kitchen to make a drink. They weren't quite sure how to react. I dunno. Don't ask
it was late.

Me and Jimmer Fredette the star BYU basketball player!

My favorite boys! Lewis (with the sign) Mitchell (side profile)
oh. And their turbans.

At the Woman's game!

Bellatrix! She is in some guys room in our new ward! Needless
to say we were fast friends! We hang out with them a lot!

Oh. And I love Justin Bieber.