One week down, lifetime to go.

I am officially one week into the Golds Gym Challenge and I am still motivated to work hard! I know a week isn't very long but I have truly learned a lot this week.

First of all, I LOVE FOOD. I love to cook, I love to eat out, I love to snack...I love it all (Sweet, sour, salty and most of all spicy). I have a history of hitting the nutrition hard core then I get bored and I not only jump off the wagon but I dive into the deep end. MODERATION has not found its way into my vocabulary until now. I need to think about the consequences and if it is really worth it or if there is a healthy alternative that will serve the same purpose. I am going to continue to take this one day at a time until I master the art of eating healthy. (Any and all pointers are welcome.)

Second, I am great at hitting the gym.....for a couple weeks.  I then find that I have overdone it, my body hurts, and then I get sick. Once I'm sick I no longer have the energy necessary to work out. I then get better and by then I am out of the habit and decide I will start the following Monday (that Monday never comes). It has been a never ending cycle that I am ready to break right now. I have learned that you have to schedule time to workout and try your hardest to stick to that schedule. I have also learned that sometimes schedules don't work and a day might go by where I don't make it to the gym but that is ok and it will happen, however it is no reason to give up and wait until the next Monday to start again. From here on out I will pick it up the next day and try a little harder.

To help out with the weight loss goal I have decided to join Weight Watchers. Registration has been paid for and I am signed up and ready to go. This program is being offered through my work so I am excited for the amazing support system I will have as I take my goal a step further.

Challenge still Accepted, 11 more weeks to go!

2 for 1

Tickets have been purchased, place to stay has been arranged, and Number 4 and 5 will be completed in no time. (Go to Arizona to visit family and friends and Attend the Phoenix Open.) After convincing my Mother and Aunt Donna, I purchased tickets. We fly out Thursday, February 2nd and return Sunday, February 5th. I have so many great memories from Arizona, one of which is of my Grandma Behrend's house. No one could leave the house without first taking a picture in her backyard (preferably by one of her fruit trees.) I thought I would post a few for fun:

Don't judge me! :)

Mom and Dad

Mom, Dad, and Me. The sun was a little bright.

Grandma Behrend and Me (Yes, those are overalls, no worries though they were in style.)

I miss my Grandma Behrend and wish I was going to Arizona to visit her. I do hope I can meet up with all of my Arizona cousins and friends. Looking forward to making even more great memories. 

Shorty Shorts?!?

Scream!! It is time to focus on Number 15-Lose 50 pounds. (Phew I finally got it out there, I am overweight.) I'm not going to lie this was one of the hardest items to add to my list. I have struggled with weight for most of my life but I have never wanted to admit it to anyone. Yes I am fully aware you can all see me and I do not have magical powers that hide the weight but I have never wanted to admit to anyone that I am big. I am ready to put it out there and there couldn't be a better way than to add it to my blog, I want to be held accountable for my choices and I am asking for everyone's help. I need encouragement, suggestions, and most of all support. To jump start this little goal I went way out of my comfort zone and joined the Golds Gym Challenge. To begin the challenge I had to face one of my biggest fears-allowing others to see me in a sports bra and shorty shorts. (Yes, I said shorty shorts) The picture has been taken, the measurements have been recorded and the Challenge has been accepted! Go Me! I have 12 weeks to prove to myself that I am capable of making a change in my life. Here is to the beginning of a long and HEALTHY life!

1.     

ROCK ON!! Number 2 has begun.

Let the concerts begin! I have 10 concerts to attend this year so I figured I better get started.  Right now it is looking like March is going to be the month of concerts. I can't wait for other groups to start posting their 2012 tour dates.  I have officially booked 2 concerts, 8 more to go.....(any suggestions?)

First concert is Boyce Avenue on March 17th at The Venue in Salt Lake City. I just started listening to them a few months ago (after they were recommended by a friend) and I love their music. Can't wait to see them live. (Secondhand Serenade will be opening for them, seen them live and well...they are ok :) )

Next up is Donavon Frankenreiter, March 29th at the Knitting Factory in Boise. This should be a great sit back an relax concert.  (Thanks to Wes for recommending him after we attended a Jack Johnson Concert). Matt Grundy will be opening, haven't heard him but I just googled his music, could be another great find.

Matt Nathanson will also be returning to Boise with Kelly Clarkson in March but I haven't quite figured out how to fit it into my schedule.  For those of you that don't know I am a little obsessed with Matt Nathanson, even more so since I attended his last concert in Boise (at the Knitting Factory actually - amazing venue) This was by far the best concert I have attended and the inspiration for #2 on my bucket list. After arriving early we walked in to find the place almost empty, the lower level by the stage had a few people and I thought for sure we would not be allowed to go down there.  (It would be too good to be true.) Well no one said anything and we walked right up to the stage and remained there for the entire concert. Scars on 45 opened for him and they were great! (I highly recommend you google them) Then after the concert I was looking at some of his older CDs when I was asked if I would like a ticket to meet him (HELLO! Are you kidding me I would love a ticket.) Thanks to Sheri and Whitney for sticking around for another hour to watch me become star struck as I talked to Matt Nathanson. (Totally worth the drive back to Pocatello that same night.) Here are a few pics from that night.

Backstage Wristband! Woot Woot

So excited for the concert to begin.

View from the front.

LOVE IT!

Can't wait for the concerts of 2012, not sure if they will top the concert of 2011 but I'm hopeful!

Inspiration

Happy Friday the 13th!! :) Well I am one day into my 29th year and it has already been great! I had a long day at work yesterday but I received a great surprise......

Anyone that knows me knows that I absolutely love flowers and these couldn't have been more perfect! Thanks Mom! And thanks for a great dinner at Outback Steakhouse!

Then it was FRIDAY THE 13th!! No worries though I'm not superstitious at all! :) One of the first emails I received today seemed to fit in with everything I am trying to do right now so I wanted to share.

"If your dreams don't scare you they aren't big enough." - Lowell Lundstrum

I know my list might not seem like much to most but honestly it scares me a little. A lot of the items are out of my current comfort zone but I am excited for that. Im ready to start crossing things off, one by one!  

Whitney and Mick also caught the fever and decided to give me a little starter kit to help me accomplish the items on my list. It was absolutely perfect. Contents included: 

1. Idaho Map (for random road-trip without an itinerary

2. Memory Card to document my Adventure

3. Camping pillow (Amazing!)

4. Magnetic flashlight to hang in the tent! (Again so smart, have you ever tried to hang a regular flashlight without a rope of any kind?)

5. Handwarmers for when I go skiing.

6. Itunes giftcard for road-trip mixes

7. Racquetball with goggles. (Did you know if the ball hits you in the eye it can suck your eyeball out of the socket?!? Thanks for the info Mick!)

and last but not least Lacey gave me the coolest bag within a bag to always have with me, I can definitely see a million uses already!

The best part of the day was spending it with just a few of my friends. Nothing better than pizza, cake and a little competitive bowling. I honestly had a blast! Thanks again Ryan, Travis, Whitney, Mick, Lacey, Eric, Danielle and Daija for a great time!

BUCKET LIST - JANUARY 12, 2012

It is official, I have started the last year of my 20's.  I am super excited to begin this journey. To make the most of this year I have finalized a so called "Bucket List" for the entire year (ending January 12, 2013). I want to be held accountable for the goals I have set so I decided I needed to go public. I have created a bucket list that consists of 32 items that I want to accomplish during my 29th year.  I will post updates on my progress throughout the year to make sure I am accomplishing my goals. The rules are as follows:

1. I have to be honest throughout my journey.

2. Items can be added to the list but not removed. 

3. I have until 1/12/2013 to accomplish everything.

BUCKET LIST FOR 2012 – Last year in my 20s

      1.     Learn how to ski/snowboard

      2.     Attend at least 10 concerts 

      3.     Visit my best friend

      4.     Go to Arizona to visit family and friends

      5.     Phoenix Open

      6.     Drive to Vegas and the Grand Canyon

      7.     Take a random road trip with no itinerary

      8.     Go to Yellowstone/Island Park

      9.     Attend temple every month.

    10. Buy a house

    11. Attend a Steelheads game

    12. Attend BSU game

    13. Run Red Rock Relay

    14. Run Dirty Dash

    15. Lose 50 pounds

    16. Play my violin in church

    17. Read Jesus is the Christ and Miracle of Forgiveness

    18. Learn Spanish

    19. Make a family cookbook

    20. Go to Lagoon

    21. Learn how to play racquetball

    22. Ride a horse

    23. Ask out a guy :)

    24. Learn how to shoot a gun

    25. Float a river

    26. Learn to play the guitar

    27. Complete one round of P90X

    28. Try Sushi

    29. Volunteer for Make a Wish

    30. Go Camping

    31. Raise $500 for Relay for Life

PLAN A TRIP FOR MY 30^th BIRTHDAY!

I am super excited to see where this year takes me and I hope I can get everyone's support and encouragement while I attack a list that kind of intimidates me, but like I love to say "It's an ADVENTURE!"

2012 is the year!

Well here it goes! This is my first attempt at a blog and I am excited.  I will be turning 29 in ten days which means I only have one more year in my 20s. Ahhhhhh! I have decided to make the best of it and create a type of "bucket list" for 2012. Im still perfecting the list and will post it on here on my 29th birthday. I want to document my journey and make sure I am held accountable for reaching my goals. Any and all suggestions are welcome! Here's to nothing and remember....

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE ADVENTURE!