I Conquered My Ridiculous Craving

Hello perfection...blissful perfection.

You can't have warm straight from the oven cookies without a cold class of milk. It's a sin.

I've been craving these bad boys for weeks on end. I finally gave in. Oh how I love you chocolate chip cookies. And yes, they tasted just as good as they look, if I may say so myself.

Now off to my second hour workout of the day...If only I had some self control!

Current Obsession: Exercise

When January of every year rolls around, I become a little obsessive about exercise. All of the food from the holidays has made its way through my mouth to my lovehandles (first place I gain), then to my thighs, and my gut. Why can't I EVER gain weight in my chest? I'd gladly eat a couple slices of pie or some homemade cookies for that. But no, weight gain is non existent there for me unless I'm pregnant. But I'm not about to go there again anytime soon. Oh and by the way, it's the first place I lose weight. Seriously, how depressing is that? Ok enough with the boob talk. I figure only females read my blog so I'm safe :) Well, I got off on a little tangent there. Anyways, I'm really enjoying my workout routine this time around. Here's what I've got going:

1. I try to do 45-60 minutes on the treadmill alternating between walking fast on an incline and running. I've been trying to take it easy with the running since I'm walking a very thin line there. Erik says I need surgery again on my foot and I'm in denial about that. Even though it hurts when I run too much. It's definitely holding me back and is very frustrating and depressing for me because I absolutely love to run.

2. I've also been doing Winsor Pilates, which I highly recommend. Each DVD is only 20 minutes and they go by really quickly. I seriously notice results really fast when I start these workouts. I alternated every other day with the Bun and Thigh workout and Abs. It doesn't really get me sweating at all but it really tones and strengthens those areas.

3. I've been doing Kathy Smith's kickboxing workout since high school. It's a really good workout and a lot of fun. I'm definitely sweating when I finish.

4. Since I liked the 30 Day Shred so much, I decided to buy the Biggest Loser's Cardio Max dvd. What I love about it is that its a really intense workout that keeps you working hard the whole time. There are three different cardio workouts each done by one of the trainers plus a warm up and cool down. It's also customizeable. You can do just workout 1, or 1 and 2, or 2 and 3, or 1 and 3.

5. I've been incorporating strength training into my daily workout more seriously than I ever have before. One of the things I'm doing is Jillian Michael's 30 day shred dvd. It has three different levels with level one being the easiest. But it's not so easy at first. Each workout has 3 six minute series of 3 minutes strength, 2 minutes cardio, and 1 minute abs. I've been doing it for the last 2 weeks and I've been sore the entire time. Really sore actually. Today was the first day I tried level 2 and let me tell you it was a super intense 2o minute workout that left me sweating like a pig. I love that I can get a kick butt workout in 20 minutes. Since doing this my muscles have exploded! I was actually really not excited about this at first because I'm a little obsessed about the number on the scale going down. It was actually going up at first, even with eating super healthy and reducing my portions. But, I'm glad I have stuck with it because I feel so good! I seriously feel so much stronger.

I'm wishing I would have taken some before pictures. I've almost been doing this for 3 weeks straight and although I've only lost 2 pounds I've noticed a HUGE change in my body. My love handles have shrunk considerably and I'm a lot stronger and more toned. I'm still frustrated my weight hasn't dropped much but I'm hoping that changes soon if I keep sticking with it.

Oh and one last thing. Is it just me or does anyone else whose had kids think it's a bunch of crock that you can completely get rid of and tighten that post baby pooch? It's much smaller but still very much there! Those movie starts have to be getting all sorts of plastic surgery. That's all I've got to say about that.

Sunny California

I have really not been motivated to blog the last few months. But you already knew that :) We have been sick a lot since the fall and I've just not been motivated. This 4th year of medical school has really run me down. Lets just say that I couldn't be more thrilled that we have less than a week until Erik is with us FOR GOOD! 8 long months without him was way more than I ever want to be away from him again. My poor girls, especially Reagan, have had a really hard time with daddy being gone.

Well, we're now in California. We left Rexburg on December 29th. I cried like a baby leaving my family. It was the last time I'd see my brother until he gets back from his mission. He's leaving for Johannesburg South Africa on February 17th. Let me just tell you how much I am enjoying sunny California. It is fantastical! Oh how joyful it is to be able to play outside with my girls in January in 60 degree weather. Sorry to all of you who are surrounded by snow and below zero temps.

What's new with our family...

Reagan is 2 1/2 and talking like crazy. It's so fun to have a full conversation with her. Lately she's been saying how much she doesn't want a baby sister. I don't know if that means Sarah or a future baby. Good thing I'm not even close to being ready to have another one. Although, it's nuts how often I get baby hungry. I don't understand that one at all. She still doesn't care for her sister at all. There is constant drama. Any suggestions there? It makes me so sad (not to mention frustrated) that they're constantly at each other's throats. They're only 2 and 1 for crying out loud! But when she's sweet, she's the sweetest thing in the world. She loves to pretend play and I love her cute little imagination. She loves making me black pie. It's her original recipe. We also love to exchange recipes :) I'm hoping she'll share my love of cooking when she's older!

Sarah turned 1 last month and boy is her personality coming out like crazy! She loves to go bye-bye and constantly tells me she wants to go. She loves to play with her sister but is starting to fight back now when Reagan isn't so nice. She has the craziest temper! I think she's very frustrated because she can't communicate very much and wants to talk so very badly so she can feel a part of everything. She is so social at heart! Her facial expressions crack me up! Everyone says she looks so much like me with all of her expressions. Especially the furrowed brow. I'm always doing that...can't help it.

I've just been trying to keep up with the girls and I'm in a major exercise mode. I have been sore (really sore) for the last 2 weeks. I can't do exercise half way. It's all or nothing for me. I'm hoping to drop 20 pounds but it isn't coming off as easy as I'd like! Other than that just trying to adjust to being in a new place and can't wait for Erik to be here!

Erik is finishing up his last week in Detroit. He's very anxious and stressed about getting a good residency program although I'm not worried a bit. I wish he would realize how capable he is. I always get those "I told you so" moments so I like to rub that in! We're both anxious for him to get here on Monday next week. I'm so so proud of him for all that he's sacrificed the last 8 months. You're the best sweetie!

Sorry for the lack of pictures. I am so bad at taking them. Erik has most of them on his camera so I need to do a major update when he gets here.