Old Flame

Tonight I rekindled an old flame with my sweet high school friends. It's amazing when life changes, you quickly forget how long it had stayed the same. I have so many crazy, funny, happy, heartfelt memories with these girls that occurred on a daily basis. Then one day we quit making them. So grateful there's still enough love to make these catch-up sessions work when they can. I love you gals!

Stay tuned for adventures from Aug. 17...

Not too busy...

So remember a couple days ago when I posted a video of my role models Chris and Heidi Powell (aka, the TV celebrity trainers from ABC's Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition) sharing their tips for staying motivated to live healthy and exercise?

This just made my day...

 

Big-world people who aren't too busy to connect with small-world fans. As if they weren't already, this interaction made them seem even more down-to-earth and real (something we need more of in this world). Their responses alone give me motivation to keep working hard at my goals and make me want to be a positive influence and inspiration for others. Beyond any kind of physical challenge, the blessing of helping people believe in themselves, proving strength of mind, is so priceless.

P.S. If you haven't watched EMWLE or heard about Chris Powell's story, I highly recommend both! You will be inspired.

#1 Mom

Today is my mama's 60th birthday. She may not approve of that first sentence, but anyone who knows her can understand what a compliment that is. She doesn't look a day over 40 and by the way she plays with her grandkids, you wouldn't know she was past her thirties. She's such a wonderful example of the kind of mom I want to be. Always taking care of others' needs before her own, bringing life and fun to every party, staying young on the inside and putting her heart into everything she does.

I love you, Mom! Thanks for inviting us to your carnival party. We had a blast.

Integrity Momentum

I've recently been watching a lot of Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition and every time I do, I am so inspired to live a healthier life. Watching people make big changes in their lives (even if it has nothing to do with health) always seems to trigger some self-reflection and soul-searching for me. Because I've been riding this motivational high for the past week, I wanted to post a video I found (from the host of EMWLE, Chris Powell) so I can remember how to overcome the cycle of losing motivation and how to get it back. He and his wife, Heidi Powell, aren't the most natural on camera together, but I love their passion and positive messages. Enjoy!

Killer Workout

Matty started Cross-Fit training last week and it's totally revamped my interest in setting new fitness goals. Today was my fifth day in row of gym workouts since I started my 90-day challenge. I'm  challenging myself to see what I can accomplish with my health and strength in 90 days. I've decided to keep things as simple as possible. I'm not writing down my workouts in a journal (although I've done this and it's a good way to track progress) and I'm not keeping a food journal. I have utilized and proven these methods before, so I'm not saying they don't work, I've just increased my ability to retain all this info in my head. And sometimes monitoring too many details makes any fitness journey feel like a 'project' instead of a lifestyle.

I have no intention of blogging all of these details either. I just had a killer workout today and wanted to record how good it made me feel when I finished.

What I did...

1. Cardio (light cardio on heavy leg days)
          a. 5-min warm-up elliptical intervals at level 15

2. Stretch

3. Abs
          a. Roman chair (4 x 20 @ 0 lbs)
          b. Back extensions (4 x 20 @ 0, 0, 5, 10)
          c. Horizontal leg lifts (2 x 20)
          d. Crunches (4 x 25)
          e. Oblique crunches (4 x 25 @ 35 lbs each side)

4. Legs / Glutes
          a. Squats w/ fitness ball; 10 lbs at chest (3 x 15)
          b. Lunges (4 x 20 @ 0, 0, 15, 25)
          c. Glute glider (3 x 15, 12, 10 @ 50, 50, 60)
          d. Leg extensions (3 x 15, 12, 10 @ 70, 75, 80)
          e. Hip adduction (3 x 15, 12, 10 @ 50, 50, 60)
          f. Hip abduction (3 x 15, 12, 10 @ 60, 60, 70)
          g. Calf extensions (4 x 25 @ 35, 45, 55, 65)

I wanted to throw up by the time I was done. This usually happens on leg days, which motivates me even more to keep working at getting my legs stronger. I've always wanted to be a personal trainer so it's fun to try new things with myself as the client because it teaches me new limits and forces me to step out of my comfort zone (the first step to getting results).

I'm not the type to post photos of myself in workout clothes, so I'll keep those to myself for now. Perhaps in 90 days I'll have a cool before/after comparison to share.

Cheers to great health!

My week of Hawaii in Utah

This past week was a busy one. My client from Hawaii was in town to perform two evening shows to promote their upcoming 50th Anniversary next year, and to celebrate the pioneers of Polynesia by participating in the Days of '47 Parade on Tuesday. I had many early mornings with media interviews and late nights executing the events. But I still found time to soak up some Samoan culture (and humor) with Kapp Te'o Tafiti, and I swear I felt a few breezes from the Pacific that reminded me of a little moment in time when I lived on the islands. Aloha.

Buon Compleanno!

Happy Birthday to my lovely mother-in-law today. To quote her, she is 56 years old, born in 1956 at 12:56 pm. ;) We enjoyed a nice dinner at Macaroni Grille with "real" tiramisu and the waitress sang a beautiful Italian birthday song. I'm so lucky to have such a loving mother-in-law and especially grateful to her for letting me steal her handsome son away. We love you, Terri! Happy Birthday.

Another day, another birthday (or two).

So many of my friends have had babies in the past week or two. And July is definitely birthday month in my family and Matt's (which means October is a busy month for the birds and the bees, if you know what I mean). Today we celebrated my brother Kyle's (July 10) and sister Stefanie's (July 18) birthday at my parents' house. We got rained out of the canyon, but had just as much fun at home. My mama sure knows how to pull off a delicious bbq and the desserts were no exception. Happy Birthday, Kyle and Stef! We love you.

Birthday Fun

Happy Birthday to my Matty today. He woke up early and went golfing. Then we worked out, had dinner with his fam (and made funny faces with Michael), then headed to Boondocks to pretend he was only turning 12. (Thanks, Ricky, for the surprise visit and double dose of ice cream sundaes!) It was a fun day and I'm so grateful to have this wonderful guy in my life. I love you.