Cheese Cake Overload

At our Idaho Wedding Reception, we served Costco Cheese Cheesecake, with all sorts of fun toppings. Crushed reeses, oreos, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, and cherry pie filling, caramel syrup and chocolate syrup. It was delicious. We planned for close to 75 people, so we bought 6 cheese cakes. Well 75 people did not show up. So by the end of the night we had only served 2 the 6 cheese cakes and part of a third. My aunt took home the partially eaten one, my mother took one home, and Brandon and I took home the other two.

For the past two weeks we have had Cheesecake every night for dessert, and I can honestly say that I am cheesecaked out! At first it was so delicious! I was stoked that I we had two whole cheese cakes to enjoy! HEAVENNN! By the time we finished the first one, I was starting to feel guilty that I was eating so much sugar every night, I looked up the calorie count of one itty bitty slice of it, and I was shocked that there were a whopping 440 calories per slice, that doesn't include the calories from the toppings I was putting on it too. This made me feel even more guilty. I told myself that we only had one more cheese cake left to go and then I would be good, andcould then  back away from the sugar for a while. About a quarter of the way through our second cheese cake, the glory and taste started to diminish. I began treating it like a chore... "oh, gotta eat our daily slice of cheese cake."  I would count the pieces left, and count how many days we had left to eat the delicious, delectible, desirable, cheesecake. "three more days, just three more days and then I can be good."

Well three days clicked down to two days and two turned into one. We ate our last two slices of cheesecake last night at 10:00 and we celebrated! No more darn cheese cake!

I now more fully understand what "everything in moderation" means. Before the the Idaho reception, before the two cheese cakes, and before our sugar overload, cheesecake was one of my most favorite desserts. I loved the taste of cheesecake. I looked for it on menues when I would go out to eat. Especially at the Cheesecake Factory. But after ingesting 16 pieces of cheese cake in a little over 2 weeks, I am here to say that I wont eat a piece of cheesecake for quite a while. I am so SICK of cheesecake, the thought of ingesting another piece about makes me gag.

"Everything In Moderation" AMEN!

Blahh!

I look forward to our apartment being cheesecake free. I look forward to dessert free meals for a while... yep really, I just said that.  I look forward to working out and burning off the (roughly) 7040 calories. I look forward to training for the Ragnar Relay, and I look forward to eating healthy and getting in the best shape of my life for summer!

Good riddance to you, cheesecake.

First Run of the Year

Last night, my husband (I finally get to call him that) Brandon and I went for our first outside run of the year. It was great! It wasn't raining which was so nice. I get so tired of the rain here in Washington. We have be curious about what trails are around our new little apartment, and so we set out on an adventure.

Right behind our apartment complex we found a little nature preserve, it is so cute. It has lots of trails throughout it. Being that we are in Washington, there are tons of trees and moss and thick foliage that cover the ground surrounding the trails. It makes running more enjoyable, not to mention I can escape the engine fumes of running on the main roads. While most of the trail is flat, every now and then there are hills. These are challenging, which is also nice because this summer Brandon and I are running in the Ragnar Relay. Which is why we decided to start running in the first place.

Because I just got married, and because the last couple weeks I have been soo busy with wedding stuff, I put my exercising on the back burner. Last night was the first time in three weeks that I had the opportunity to work out. And BOY oh BOY did my body feel it too. It is amazing to me how easy ones body can get out of routine and how out of shape it feels after just a few short weeks away from the gym.

I know that this week will be the hardest to get out of the way. But once I have it under my belt next week should be much easier, and the weeks to follow should increase in ease as well. I am excited to see the progress I will make. I am also equally excited to explore the new area around my apartments.

The Time Draws Near

** Disclaimer; This post has sappy, heartfelt, lovey dovey moments Proceed with Caution.

I will be getting married in THREE days!

It seems like forever ago since I got engaged and even longer since I met Brandon, but it has only been a short year. Time has flown by. If someone would have asked me last year around this time where I thought I would be in a short years time, I don't think I could have predicted my future. It is amazing to me how so much in your life can change in just one tiny little year. 

I met Brandon at the end of February 2010. March 26th 2011 I am getting married to him for Time and ALL of Eternity. I get to be his wife, be the mother of his children, and enjoy spending my life here on this earth and after this earth with him.

Brandon proposed to me on October 16th 2011. It was an exciting moment in my life, one I am sure I will never forget. From October to the end of January we had to wait to set our date. During that time, we both waited patiently for the time in which we could finally set our date. That time came at the end of January. Three Months Later! It was painful waiting, and seemed like such a long time. Its funny tho, looking back now, those three months passed quickly. Once we set our date, time quickened. Before I knew it the month of my wedding arrived.

I had my Bridal Shower, that my soon to be sister in law threw for me. I went home to Idaho to visit family. Last Saturday was my Bachelorette Party. Monday after work I went in for my last dress fitting (I bought a Tiara)  After my fitting we moved into our apartment. We spent last night organizing our apartment. Family showed up yesterday afternoon and more family showed up later that night.

Here I sit, Wednesday Morning, three days before my wedding. I don't have much to do today, except hang with family, but tomorrow, more family shows up, and I get to pick up my dress. Friday we get to go to the sealing ceremony of Brandon's sister and brother-in-law followed by a celebration for them. Then we get to spend the evening setting up our reception hall.

At some point Friday night, I hope to get to bed because Saturday is my wedding day! I have a hair appointment that morning followed by pictures then my ceremony and then my Reception Saturday night!

It is all so exciting and I cant believe how slow (yet fast) time has gone getting to this point.

Three days until I get to marry my prince charming, and they can't come fast enough.

Temptation

 I first spotted them outside my bank. It was friday. I needed to cash my check.  As I get out of my car and walk up to the front entrance they just smile. I expect them to ask, but they don't, guilt feels my stomach, should I? Shouldn't I? I want to, I definately want to, but I made a comitment to myself. Will I walk out of the bank and get in my car victorious? or will I fail, and succomb to temptation? As I enter the bank with my deposit form and my weekly pay check, I get in line. The call of the dark and delicous and satisfying table of greatness lies just meters from me. They ask a small price. A small price indeed for such a magnificant indulgence.

I can feel my will power crumbling, and shaking. The pen in my hand wills itself to alter the cash back line, just $20.00 "Thats all..." my heart and soul tells my mind. As I stand in line. Just two people in front of me, I guestimate that I have atleast 5 minutes to make up my mind. To decide if I am going to give into the pressure, or stand firm in my committment.

...One person in line now...... And now its my turn....

 I decide to take out $20 dollars, my will power wasn't strong enough. "Can I get $20 dollars cash back?" I ask the teller. She complies. As she is completing my transaction, I realize the magnitude of my decision. Its been a whole two weeks with NO errors! How could I think of faltering now? But my decision has already been made! The teller hands me my receipt and my cash back. I walk slowly towards the door. Knowing that the moment I walk out the door they will ask me the question I had been dreading since I walked into the bank. As I walked, the inner battle between my angel and devil continued. I finally reached the door, I pushed it open I braced for the dreaded question. 

"Do you wanna buy some Girl Scout Cookes?"



The smiles, the rosy red cheeks, the cute little uniforms. The delicious boxes of cookies laid out before me, so many choices! Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, my three personal favorites! "They are only $7.00 a box ma'am" the little girls tell me. But I am aware of the price. I have had that price logged in my mind for years now. I take a deep breath in. My imagination plays tricks on me, I can smell the chocolate and peanutbutter, and carmel, and mint. I can taste it! I breathe out and I politely say, "Thank you, but maybe next time"

Then I smile, turn quickly and walk as fast as I can to my car before the temptation grabs a hold of me and wrenches me around and drags me back to the darn table where moments of pure bliss are packaged into little cardboard boxes sitting waiting for me to buy them. I start my car. A bitter sweet feeling consumes me. I didn't give in to temptation, but, I will not get to enjoy the satisfaction of those sweet little cookies. It was a test well conquered.

Until next time, Girl Scouts, Until next time...The End

This was the temptation I faced this entire week, first outside of my bank, then out side of my gym, then outside of the movie store. Everywhere I looked they were there to tempt me. But I didn't give in! Its been just two weeks since I gave up sugar, and I am happy to say I am still fighting the battle. I measured myself on saturday and I had lost two inches off my stomach. PROGRESS! What they say is true! Sugar does bloat your stomach. haha My wedding dress is sure to look great! I cant wait to see the end results.

I have however given myself two cheat days, because I just don't think I will survive the events, one is my Bridal Shower, and the other, my Bachelorette party. I hear there are going to be tasty chocolatey treats at both of them! and I cant wait!

Week 1 of No Sugar

Today marked the end of week one of cutting sugar out of my diet. Like I said in my previous entry, I am cutting myself off of all things sugar and chocolate until my wedding! They say sugar causes your stomach to bloat, and BY GOLLIE! that is something a soon to be bride definately doesn't want! So I am avoiding it like the plague.

Week one wasn't so bad. Actually it was much better than expected. I guess when you eat right all the time, it is easier to give up those things that are bad. Nonetheless, I did have cravings, I wanted that chocolate bar so bad. I especially wanted warm gooey right out of the oven chocolate chip cookies... those definately would have hit the spot, not to mention that they are making my mouth water even as we speak. But I didn't give in to those cravings.

I was tempted many times to give in. Cookies and cake were at my disposal, I don't even care for cake and yet it sounded good.  I went to the grocery store and there they were staring at me in the check out line, reeses, snickers, whatchamacallits, twix, 100 grands, Cookies and cream! What I wouldn't have given for a cookies and cream hersheys chocolate bar. Don't know about you but I just love the way the white chocolate melts in my mouth til all I have left is cruchy cookies. Its pretty much heaven. BUT I DIDN'T GIVE IN!

I have to say tho, I kinda found a little bit of a cheat. One of the things I enjoy doing is sampling the protein bar that happens to be on sale that day. And last week I stumbled upon the Triple Threat Energy Power Bars. Carmel Peanut Fusion Flavor. It tastes just like a snickers. So I stocked up! I have one a day. So I dont' feel totally deprived of my chocolate, and they are a much heathier option. Especially when eaten right after a hard workout!

About thursday/friday of last week my cravings finally broke. I found that I wasn't so hungry, My body wasn't constanly craving sugar, so I wasn't constantly wanting to eat. I found that today I had to constantly remind myself to eat my food. Which is GREAT! I am now in the zone of feeding my body and not my stomach! Eating because I need to not because I want to.

Week one was a success, I hope it gets easier from here on out! Lets just hope! =)

Power Bar Triple Threat Energy Caramel Peanut Fusion- tell me that doesn't look tasty!

First Fruit of the Year

Last week I went to the store and saw that they had just put out the first picking of peaches.  I LOVE peachs. They are one of my many favorite fruits so I was excited. But when I went to pick them up they were hard as rock, Clearly not ripe. So I didn't buy any. Well I went back today, and they had even more crates of peaches out, and they were just perfectly ripe. So I bought some, along with some really red strawberries and avacados!

When I got back to my office, I cut up some strawberries in my yogurt, and bit into my first peach. And man oh man was it tasty!!!

SO delicious! I cant wait for the rest of the summer fruit to arrive! Nectarines, Plums, Apricots, Watermelon, Cantelope, really tasty honeydew, and all sorts of fruit that I look forward to through the dreary orange and apple winter. If only I liked oranges and apples. =)

And whats so great about them finally having good fruit in the stores, is that I can eat all the fruit I want, I am thinking that I am going to have lots of fun substituting my peaches and strawberries for the chocolate I have sworn off. Until next month chocolate, then we will be reunited!

No Sugar Until My Wedding

When a woman gets engaged, future brides back me up, one of the first thoughts that goes through their minds besides getting to marry the man of their dreams is,

 "OH MY GOSH! I need to start working out STAT!"

There are a number of reasons for this thought, wedding dress, wedding pictures, wedding reception, wedding night, Honeymoon, ect. So we rush to the store to buy ourselves a pair of running shoes, some work out clothes and work out gear and then rush to the nearest gym we can find. We calculate the amount of time until our wedding and we divide that by the amount of extra chocolate pounds we need to lose and then begin to stress about those 10 little extra pounds that just HAVE TO COME OFF!

Well this was almost the scenario that I found myself in back on October 16th 2010. Luckily at the turn of 2009 to 2010 I made myself a little New Years Resolution to make fitness a priority in my life and I am proud to say I had stuck to it. So when I found out that in a few short months I would be marrying my sweetheart, I figured my chances of shaving off a few inches and dropping a few pounds wouldn't be too unattainable.

Shortly before I became engaged, Brandon and I had signed up for a gym membership so I knew I wouldn't have to go through the grueling first few weeks of working out because I had already been through those. The thing I needed to do was modify my diet, and up the physical fitness. Now by diet, I don't mean the Low carb or low protein diet, that you do for a short time just to lose the weight. What I mean by diet, is that i took out some of the bad stuff I was constantly eating and added in a few healthier options. I started monitering my calories and refined my daily caloric intake, keeping it more regular and not so sporatic. All good things, and all things the body requires, Basically Healthifying my life. I started playing soccer with friends from church too! Tons of fun by the way but I will save that for another blog entry.

After analyzing my progress I figured I was doing pretty good. Well the turn of the year came 2010-2011 and I decided to define my previous New Years Resolution even more making it stronger. Work out more during the week, work out for longer amounts of time, eat healthier! Become Stronger!  I truely wanted to become a health addict. Now addiction in any form is unhealthy, and I knew this. And about this same time I stumbled up on a great website called MYFITNESSPAL.com. Which is basically a facebook for health freaks Its great! My profile is created specifically for me. This website has helped keep fitness a balance in my life without letting it rule my world. 

Well now I have reached the "One month to go" mile marker and I analyzed my progress, I feel Im doing pretty good, but I want to do even better. So I made myself a goal.

**If you don't take surprises well I suggest sitting down if you arent.

I decided to give up sugary sweet treats and desserts for the last thirty days before my wedding!!! GASP* I know! OMGOSH!!! What's a girl to do! How Shall I EVER survive!?!!? I'm pretty sure this challenge is impossible. Or darn near at least. But Hey! That is why they call it a challenge. 

Those that know me know I can't resist chocolate. I LOVEEE Chocolate. I crave chocolate. I crave chocolatey things. Brownies, Brownie sundaes, cookies, Pudding, Chocolate bars, Hersheys kisses, Reeses, you name it, if its got chocolate and/or peanutbutter in it its on my list of delicious things that I cant live without.

But they say that the quickest way to a flat stomach is cutting sugar and salt out of your diet! So that is what I am doing for the next thirty days. I am on day three so far and the cravings haven't kicked in yet, but I know they are right around the corner. And I am prepared with mase in the form of will power to kick them in the butt! It will be hard. But hey, I am determined to look great in that wedding dress and the few weeks to follow it!

Gotta look cute in my swimsuit too ya know!

Stay tuned for weekly updates!