6+2

You guys.....I quit. I threw in the towel. I gave up. I text my group telling them I was done. I had gone 6 clean days and 2 cheat days. I know this sounds dramatic but honestly I have never been so tested mentally than I have this past week. I really love food and it was like someone taking away that favorite thing from you as a kid. ugh
But then I went to crossfit last night and had a rude awakening. Along with the guilt trip and peer pressure from Ben who was rooting for me....I had NO energy. I was definitely feeling those cheat days. Basically I had a pity party for myself the whole workout and then my guilt really set it. Who was I to quit. You can't just quit. You committed to this and you have a whole group counting on you. I need to stop feeling bad for myself for not being able to put all that garbage in my body. Instead I should be thanking and congratulating myself for the clean foods I am fueling my body with. It's time that I have a complete attitude change and a full commitment to this thing. I know I am a week late but it took a week of hell for me to realize that this is for real and most definitely a "challenge". I don't want to be my teams weak link. It is 3 solid weeks of clean eating. I can do that. It will be hard no doubt but I want this and truly our bodies are the most important gift we have been given. For the next few weeks I am just going to have to suck it up and be "that girl". "Excuse me sir what do you cook your meat in?" "Can I have no dressing or cheese or well anything on that salad please?"....you know "that girl".  I will say I was shocked at how badly my body craved bad food. Almost to the point of tears and feeling like I had to have it or I might die. It felt like a bad addiction that I couldn't break. You'd think I ate cheetos and doughnuts on the regular with how bad I was craving them!
 I wasn't prepared enough last week with being out of town and having the right foods available for me so that I was still getting the proper calorie intake. This has been a day by day learning experience. I think I am finally grasping what it takes. A whole lot of WILLpower. It is financially a lot harder to eat this way and all the more tempting to eat moms free dinner at home. It's also hard living with a head pastry chef who has fresh cookies on the counter and dough in the freezer. I mean who can resist frozen cookie dough. Ugh not me. I need to keep from getting too hungry cause that is when I get mentally weak and start to cave. Today is a new day. I am AGAIN committing to eating clean and chugging water like its my job. I'm going to take it one Sunday at a time. Only 3 more to go. 3....I can do 3! I am already half way through today and feeling awesome. Thanks for joining me on this journey. Here's to a healthy, happy life.

Preparation is key.

I've been in the kitchen and on my computer all day googling recipes and cooking up a storm. If I'm gonna do this I'm gonna do it right. I planned out my whole weeks worth of meals. Week one is going to be tough especially since I'll be in Vegas working not having the comfort of my own pantry. Wish me luck! 

a WHOLE new me.

Originally I planned to start 2013 off with a personalized 30 day challenge. It consisted of a few personal and religious goals, a few physical goals, and a few adjustments to my eating habits such as NO soda, No fast food and No fried food. Well as of Monday January 14th this challenge is about to have a WHOLE new meaning. I have officially signed up for the Crossfit Whole 30 +12 days -Team Challenge. Or some may call it... officially loosing my mind. I am herby announcing this mid-life crisis on my blog so that all of you along with my team can hold me accountable. I have never been one to make drastic changes in my eating or try intense dieting. I believe in making healthy choices and portion control. The fact is I like food... well love is probably the more accurate word. I really LOVE food and I love trying new flavors. One of my favorite things is to enjoy a good quality meal with good company. The problem is how often is that food really good for us. Am I really giving my body that same party that happens in my mouth while I am enjoying that processed, greasy, sugar filled food. Sadly no. But I am excited to be starting off this year with a challenge and new experience of enjoying real, naturally grown, nutrient dense food with lots of vitamins and minerals. Now THAT sounds like a party;). This is most definitely going to be a challenge. I am quite positive I have never completed something this extreme and I am determined to prove to myself that "I" can do anything for 30 days. Especially something that will jump start my body into a healthier happier 2013!

{ This is not hard. It's only thirty days, and it's for the most important health cause on earth-the only physical body you will ever have in this lifetime.} - The Whole30 team

You're my person.

So there's this girl. Naturally we've been besties since birth. Mostly because our moms are sisters but the older we got the closer we grew. She knows me best and I know her. I tell her everything and she tells me well....most. (just kidding) We just 'get' eachother. We are always honest, sometimes to a fault but always have each others best interest at heart. I am pretty sure I can't finish a text, go on a date, do my nails (well have her do them), get my hair done, buy a new pair of shoes or do anything creative on the computer without her or her approval. I love it. I love her. And I couldn't live without her. She's my PERSON and I wouldn't want it any other way. I love you Bryn Bateman!

Sorry for the language..it's too good and not to share! 

Family.. forever, for always, no matter what!

This past month I have just been soaking up my family. I have genuinely enjoyed every minute spent with them. I love my parents, siblings, and niece more than anything. I truly believe that family is the most important thing in this life. You are together through thick and thin. They know the good, the bad, the ugly and they STILL love you! What more could you ask for. Here is a little glimpse of some of my favorite times with my favorite people:

 

There is something so magical about this holiday season! 

I love it all...the lights, smells, holiday treats, fashion and cold weather. 

There is no one else I'd rather be spending my time with than these beautiful people! 

xoxo - a girl in the city 

A day of giving thanks!

Our one year anniversary! haha 

Met this girl last Thanksgiving and my life has been just a little better ever since! 

We spent Thanksgiving in St. George. Cameron had the weekend off so he rode down with another marine that morning. We had the most amazing dinner at my aunt Heidi's. Thanks for cooking B. Seriously some of the best food I've ever had..plus get a load of that presentation plate. Nothing better than having a chef in the family! Hope you all ate yourselves sick and spent lots of time with the people you love. Happy Thanksgiving 2012! 

xoxo - a girl in the city 

Superman

This video has sparked something inside of me. It honestly makes my heart flutter. It tugs at my sensitive, hopeless romantic heart strings. It makes me want to move and dance and feel this beautiful song in a way only dancers can feel. I miss dancing so much. This video is pure art and I have huge appreciation for every bit of it. I hope you take a minute to watch and let if bring a smile from ear to ear on your face like it has mine! Enjoy

xoxo  - a girl in the city 

So this one time I ran a half marathon...

I loved it so much...ok except maybe mile 11 1/2 to mile 12 1/2

 but other than that I can't wait for my next one!! 

xoxo - a girl in the city 

Fall 2012 via insty!

These girls make living in Utah so much fun! 

Hiked Timp with the Fam.. Remind us to NEVER do that again! 

#whosideawasthis #dontletthesmilesfoolyou

Spontaneous camping trip. #ohwhatanight

First BYU game for me in about 4 years! Love me some college football(players) 

Nannying cute London Riley at just 4 weeks old! 

Gettin our groove on rooftop style! 

Teachin Tov's how to be a lady!

 #auntieduties #gettinghernailsdid #ovbiouslyshelovedit

First time firing up the pizza oven! #proudsister

Birthday Fun! 

The big 22

Taking the boys to the Haunted Forest #nannyoftheyear 

One for each hand! #whoneedsaboyfriend

Sister Larsen..love this girl! 

My longest run in the history of ever..12 MILES! Training for the St. George half! 

Thriller X's 3 #imtheirbiggestfan

Halloween 2012 

 I miss my life in Vegas a little more everyday. But living back home in Utah sure has been fun. I am grateful for the people here who keep me busy and always laughing! Nothing like quality friends and family time! 

xoxo - a girl in the city