Day 1: Pictures/Measurements

Here are my beginning pictures and measurements.

So far the workouts aren't too bad. I get through them pretty quickly so I've been doing each workout twice for a total of an hour each workout. I've also tried some of Jamie’s recipes, such as: turkey muffins and protein carrot cake bars. Both were delicious, although i’m not picky with what I eat. 

Weight: 121 pounds

Stay tuned for my continued journey!

xoxo,

Ashley

This guy...

I'm really, really, REALLY missing this guy right now!

Isn't he soooooo attractive? Yeah, i think so too ;) This lucky guy got an all expenses paid "work" trip 

(but really it's nothing but fun) to San Jose California with his best friend Neil. How lucky are they? He is now in Denver for an Architecture convention. Even though he hasn't been gone more than a few days, and I do get to see him tomorrow, I still miss him like CRAZY!!

Summer Bucket List

I came up with a list of things I want to accomplish this summer:

·         Lots of hiking

·         Maintain my weight

·         Go camping more than once

·         Learn more about blogging and do it regularly

·         Spend a week in Vegas with my girlfriends for my 21^st birthday

·         Get a summer job

·         Donate plasma- 6/4/13

·         Make new friends

·         Try new things (golf 6/9/13, Indian food, make sushi)

·         Make fruit popsicles

·         Watch two of my good friends get married (Tristen&Enoch and Kaitlyn&Michael 5/13/13)

·         Drink a fruity cocktail on my 21^st

·         Visit the Capital building

·         Read lots and lots of books

Obviously I haven't crossed many things off yet, but I am determined to do all of these things before the new school year begins!

What is on your summer to-do list?

Millcreek Hike

Yesterday morning I had the privilege of going hiking with the lovely Cassie. We went up Millcreek Canyon and hiked 2 miles up and 2 miles back down. We were even a little ambitious and ran for a bit! I am so blessed to be able to drive a short distance and feel like I am hours away from the city life. It was definitely needed after a semi-stressful week. It was so fun getting to know Cassie more, share our hopes and struggles, and even give each other Godly advice. She is such a sweetheart and a beautiful person inside and out. Even though she is a newer friend of mine I look up to her so much and can share things with her that are hard for me to open up about with others. Thank you God for a friend like her.

I strongly feel that God brought her into my life at the exact time I needed it most. We just happen go through the exact same body image struggles and eating challenges. It is such a weight off my shoulders knowing that I'm not the only one feeling the way I do. I have someone who I can confide in and who knows exactly the feelings I am having.

While on our hike she shared with me a book she was reading. It breaks down Psalms 23 verse by verse.

[The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.]

 Long story short, we as humans are comparable to sheep and God is our Shepherd. If we have a bad shepherd (the devil), we will be underfed, malnourished, and straying far away. When we put God as our ultimate shepherd, he fills our every need, he provides us with food (his word), and genuinely cares for us.

I was so encouraged by everything Cassie shared with me while hiking. It was great to get some much needed girl time while enjoying God's beautiful creation!

 

Late nights and waffles

I’m Exhausted.

Unfortunately, it’s my own fault.

My really good friend from Wyoming, Kaitlyn Lowry (soon to be Kaitlyn Taylor! Yay!) came to visit.

We stayed up late talking and got up early to workout.

Not the smartest idea.

Running on 2.75 hours of sleep.

If any of you know me well, you know that I need 8+ hours.

Regardless, it was worth it.

This morning we attempted to make whole wheat waffles.

They tasted a little too healthy, but were still pretty good.

We started with six basic ingredients.

 Combined them all together.

 Stirring until smooth.

Put them in the waffle maker and tada! Waffles!

It was so fun getting catch up with this lady.

I cannot wait till she moves to Utah for good.

Body Image

I have body image issues; I an insecure about my weight and body. But nowadays, what girl isn’t? I wish I wasn’t but that is what makes me who I am. I am currently taking steps to overcome it (it’s hard, REALLY hard).

I’ll have good days and bad days; ones where I look in the mirror and am disgusted with what I see and others where I’m completely happy with my image. The bad days usually dictate how the rest of my day will pan out; which is something that needs to change.

I’ve struggled for years with self-image. I’ve constantly been trying to lose weight and look better. Finally it got to a point where I wanted to overcome this problem. I began seeing a counselor August of 2012 when I moved to Salt Lake City. I love my counselor, she is wonderful. She is helping me realize that my worth isn’t based on the number on the scale or how good or bad I ate that day. She helped me realize that there are a lot of other things I like about myself and that I have many other people who love me no matter if I am a size 10 or a size 0.

Because fitness and nutrition are such a big part of my life and potentially my future career, it makes it hard to not become obsessive about them when I like them so much. I am working on finding the balance between enjoying them but at the same time, not being consumed with them (such as making them an idol, as Kelly Minter would say in her book “No Other Gods.” I’m in the process of reading this, it’s an eye-opener.) 

April 2012 I hit my highest weight of 142 and decided something really needed to change, and change for good! Between April and November I lost a total of 18 pounds. I still wasn’t happy with where I was at and looked into getting an online fitness coach (I did. It’s been a cool experience and quite the journey). Nico put me on a customized eating and exercise plan. It has definitely been a challenge these past couple months, but I have seen great results and look forward to the results that are to come. I am noticing that I am gaining more confidence in myself with every new day. Since then I've lost another 8 pounds and a couple inches from my stomach area.

I didn't really do that great over the holidays but I jumped right back on the band wagon in January. This is my 7 week progress pictures. Another 7 weeks until summer vacation and I am very excited to see the changes that I can make and the challenges that I can overcome.

My boyfriend, Colton, has been such a great supporter throughout all of this, making lots of sacrifices because of the goals I have. He is eating healthier and exercising on a regular basis, he listens to my rants and frustrations when I’m having a bad day or screw up my eating, he goes to the gym with me, he gives me pep talks, and supports every decision that I make. I am truly blessed to have a Godly man such as him on this journey with me. 

I am still learning that just because I screw up one day doesn’t mean I cannot do better the rest of the day. Today is one day out of a lifetime. I’m learning to not let circumstances like that or the number on the scale ruin the rest of my day. It’s a journey and I’m learning to enjoy it. Motivation is only going to get you so far. Dedication is what keeps a person going.

New year; New me

I’m trying to decide what I want this blog to be. Do I want it to be about my passion with fitness, my everyday life, my walk with God, or a combination of all three? How vulnerable do I want to be? Am I willing to be completely open and honest with people and take the chance that they might view me differently after I post this? These are all things that I have been thinking and contemplating recently. I haven’t entirely made up my mind yet, but as of now I think it will be a mix of everything. So, with that being said, I am on the journey of being healthy/getting in shape (aren't we all?) and deepening my relationship with God. In between all of that is balancing school, fun, and having a boyfriend. It’s a lot to balance out and has definitely been a struggle already this year. Hopefully this next year will strengthen me and help me grow more and more into the woman that God wants me to be. With that, I am going to start off with sharing my new year’s resolutions (I know, I know, it’s the middle of February and I should have done this weeks ago). If anybody reads this, please hold me accountable ;)

·         Don’t “nit-pick” my relationship

·         Read my Bible actively.

·         Get more involved in church and college group.

·         Make Christian girlfriends.

·         Try my best to stay in a positive mood.

·         Run at least 1 10k this year.

·         Find a workout partner.

·         Less than 4 cheat meals in a month.

·         Get in the best shape I’ve ever been in.

I feel a little vulnerable posting these for anybody to see, but I do want to strive to be more open with people and not care what others think. I hope blogging will be a good start to opening up.