Day#66: Around the world in one Epcot mile

Today we did the world showcase at Disney World.

66 Days Down, 0 till Disney World.

Tomorrow will be checkinh out. I'm bummed it has to end but it's been amazing, I really wanted and needed a break from work and life! What better way to do that than with Disney Magic?

Visiting all the world pavilions at Epcot was fun. Not what I imagined, but even better. It was a slower moving day, which I was grateful for.

Some high lights: Eating breakfast at the French pavilion, tried quiche, chocolate pastries, macaroons, and other tastiness. Loved the pavilion for Mexico, what a neat experience, built like an indoor outdoor marketplace. We had lunch at the German pavilion, a buffet of German food called the Beargarten, which was tasty. Food and a show there... the band played horn, drums, guitars, and the accordian!!!! My mom used to play the accordian :) they also played bells, a xylophone, and the long horns like the Ricola commercials. So Cool!!!

We sat by two couplesbwho were both celebrating anniversaries. Grace and Alan danced to the Polka, it was awesome! After that, toward the end of the day we watched the light and fireworks show, with a dessert buffet. That was spectacular; and our seats were perfect.

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Hopefully sleeping in tomorrow will help me feel prepared for the long say ahead. We don't have rooms tomorrow night so we'll be pulling an all nighter and probably sleeping on the plane. Alan says he can sleep anywhere. Judging by how true that is of his kids I believe it. I may have worse luck.

Other than checkout we will finish  wrapping up our visit tomorrow by visiting whatever parks we want... probably ending in magic Kingdom because it's open the latest, 10:00.

What an experience. I'm so grateful for this experience and I can already feel the desire for another  vacation on this one's coat tails.

Day#65: Harry Potter my Heart!

Today was Universal Studios... or more accurately it was Harry Potter Day!!! Yay! I was almost as excited to see Harry Potter stuff as I was at Disney, I know, I know; Blasphemy!

65 Days Down, 0 Till Disney World.

Today we got up even earlier in order to take an Uber before the park opened. We got Carlos to drive us again. He wasn't scared away by Alan's Book of Mormon offering. Ha!

Arrived to the entrance space, which was packed full, only later did we realize that it wasn't this crowded in the park. It seemed like the Harry Potter parts of the parks were the most busy. But golly with good reason.

There was eye candy everywhere, signs and attention to details. So so neat. Went and watched a sorting, bought a wand. And drank frozen butterbeer, which I enjoyed, thought it was very good.

If you were wondering, I'm a Ravenclaw. My cousin heather who went with me is a Hufflepuff. Which was only sad in the fact that half the merchandise was all Griffindor. Lame.

The true tragedy though of an artist or crafty person, is that they constantly say stuff like, "I shouldn't buy this, I can make something on my own. Art, costumes, this curse applies all over!

With the parks, there's tons I really loved. Highlights: lunch at The Three Broomsticks. Watching the Dragon a'top Gringots, buying a wand. Seeing the castle tour. Drinking butterbeer while meeting some nice ladies from China and a older local gentlemen who was with his granddaughter at the park. I'll say, theme parks neighbour the worst or best in people. We've witnessed both at then parks.

After a long day at mainly Harry Potter, we came back to the hotel and swam, followed by a fancy dinner. Yum!

Tomorrow we're going to be doing Epcot. Should be awesome... can't wait.

Day#64: Shopping my feet raw.

Today was shopping day! Yay!

64 Days down, 0 Days till Disney World.

Today we went to Downtown Disney. A huge mecca of shops and stores. It was a good four miles of walking before we got back to the resort.

I love and yet hate shopping, a trait my mother helped ingrain into me. I experience profound pre and post purchase anxiety when buying pretty much anything other than food. At least until recently when food became this thing I also got purchase anxiety about as well, buying "healthy" food, is hard.

Anyway, we shopped our hearts out. Spent money and ate some tasty chocolates. All this while my uncle Alan was at his conference, which was good - he doesn't like the shopping part.

Following downtown Disney, we came back to the hotel and freshened up, gathered Alan and headed back to Magic Kingdom both for shopping but also to do some more rides.

The Tiki Room is a personal favorite, I really wanted to find a tribal mask to be able to have a piece of the tiki room as a souvenir. So today I got myself a tribal tiki mask. It's awesome. So happy!

Went on pirates, big thunder mountain, Buzz Lightyear's blaster game, and Haunted Mansion again.

The park was cram packed today which surprised us, we assumed that a week day would be a bit less busy. Huh... we were wrong.

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Tomorrow we're doing Universal Studios, which means Harry Potter world!!! Aww Yeah! Can't wait. Going to get myself something ravenclaw and a wand. :)

My feet are pooped but still doing alright.

Day#63: Sunday in Florida

Today was beautiful and restful, which I appreciated.

63 Days Down, 0 Till Disney World.

Got to go to church today in a Florida singles ward. Crazy to watch how all the boys flirt with Heather. We took an Uber to get there. Our driver Carlos was from Venezuela, but moved to Florida! He was very nice and Alan gave him a Book Of Morman, he is completely comfortable talking to anyone and everyone.

After church we got to take naps in our comfortable rooms while Alan headed to his conference. We girls chatted and then planned out the next couple days.

Tomorrow we're doing Downtown Disney, and a half day of Magic Kingdom while Alan is at his work conference. Which he probably doesn't even mind since shopping isn't his ambition while here.

We later walked around the beach looking for the bonfire and marshmallow roasting, but it was relocated so we couldn't find it. :( so... after that we spent a few minutes in the pool and hot tub.

Love this vacation thing! So fun.

Day#62: Still alive!

62 days down, 0 to go.

Today we did Disney's Hollywood Studios. It's a smaller park than yesterday's Magic Kingdom. Don't was a nice change of pace.

We took a boat ride to the park entrance and got into the park later than we wanted, but I'm okay with that. I like sleep. I love sleep. Sleep and I have a serious relationship. Sleep and I have been dating steady for years now. You can expect wedding invitations soon. Haha.

If Magic Kingdom can be equated to a much grander Disneyland, than I'd say Hollywood Studios is a good equal to California Adventure. They have some similar rides and a lot of the same ambiance. But as with everything, it's bigger here.

Some favorites of the day. Mickey shaped ice-cream, married or engaged couples looking cute. Explosions, fireworks, and Anything Star Wars related. We watched shows, met a couple creepily creeping Jawas. They were so cool. I'm telling you. Disneyland and Disney World are going to be awesome-er-er once those new themed areas in the parks are done.

Another highlight was eating at the Prime Time Cafe. We got reservations so that was a cool experience. Our waiter was from England, and it was an interesting experience having him set the tone for our meal. He had a dry humorous personality. There was to be no cell phones, no elbows on the table, no whining and absolutely nothing other than perfect manners ;)

Alan loved this, and our server (named James) loved teasing me particularly. I just have a face that screams tease me... heather thinks he was flirting with me. I however just think he was good at making me feel silly.

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I haven't bought any merchandise yet. Though they have some great stuff. Holding out to see what else they have.

Neat experience disneybounding today as Bing Bong. Passed a cast member who was emptying out the garbage. He smiled as we passed and I nodded. He then looked to my cousin heather who was dressed as Aurora from Sleeping Beauty and said. "Hey it's Aurora and her friend who likes to play!" Made my day to be recognized for my Disney bound! Kinda like being a celebrity. ;) although it was heather dressed as Cinderella yesterday who actually got asked for a character autograph. She signed it while I sang the mice song, "cinder-rellie cinder-rellie, night and day it's Cinder-Rellie!"

(Said my singing helped her misspell the name. Haha! Yes!)

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My feet are pooped, good thing tomorrow is our rest day. Love those!

Day#61: Adventure is Out There!!!

61 Days down, 0 till Disney World. The wait is over. Golly Gee! I can't believe it.

I have the coolest opportunity to go on this awesome trip with some really cool peeps. My aunt Grace and my uncle Alan and my cousin Heather the great and powerful Dixon. ;) heather is a huge Disney fan and completely obsessed with Mary Poppins. She's the bees knees, we're sharing a room and she's a great liar, says she didn't hear or notice my snoring.

Slept in a bit and enjoyed that, got into the park at around 9:30. Set to work on mozying around. There's so much to do and look at, and not to mention eat!!! Oh baby, EAT! Everything we ate today was good. But I think food is improved when your famished. Lol.

We tried throughout the day to pick up a cancelled reservation time for the fancy Be Our Guest place. But fate wouldn't let that one budge. Oh well we were only hoping.

Highlights:

Frier's Nook, best Mack and. Gee wiz, yum. We got ours with pot roast. Watching Captain Jack Sparrow teach kiddos how to be pirates. Tiki Room and the singing tribal masks and birds - Love! Pirates Ride, always a goodie, rode it twice. Dole whip. And surprisingly a super cute show, a monsters inc. "It's a laugh" show. Fun and interactive... not to mention... air conditioning!

Today has been magical, especially when you consider my potential feet issues. Up to even the last days leading up to the day. I was still getting blisters. This was disconcerting, I've got to walk a ton, so my feet needed to be as tip top shape as could get um.

So, pleading with my shoe guys we discovered that I'm wearing the wrong size! So, I purchased another pair of shoes, all before leaving for the airport hoping that I could get something to work. But theses shoes are wonderful. Wore them all day. No blisters. I repeat, no blisters. Huzzah!

All my prep has paid off, at least for our day one in park.

Gave up a churro, will power for the win!

Went reluctantly on Splash Mountain, not my favorite ride. First turnover ever really been apprehensive of. That drop, plus the water... the anticipation is what got me riled the most. My uncle Alan sat in the front and would nacre am and wave his hand at every decent, big or small, what a tease.

Magic Kingdom is a lot like Disneyland. So much to do!

Well, got to get to bed. My feet are tiered after walking. Took over the 10000 steps today, so that's cool.

Another day a not herb fun adventure!

Day#60: Flying is so much fun!

So, I've discovered through past attempts that posting pics to my blog through my phone or tablet doesn't in fact work. :(

60 days down, 0 till Disney World. That's right I'm here at my hotel, the wait is over. Yay!

Two whole months have passed, 13 lbs lighter, and epiphany shoes broken in, I'm ready for the awesomeness that is Disney World.

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Spent the morning packing, yes it's been established that I'm a procrastinator... then I got picked up and headed to the airport. Last time I flew on a plane it was to North Carolina back in the summer of 2008. Where I worked as a camp counselor. The things I remember about the east coast then was: jumping spiders, always being wet/sticky and lots of trees.

So far they all have proven to be true of Florida, I don't know about the spiders here, but I here they have crocodile and gators, Sooo, yeah... scary critters, check.

Flying is strange and terrifying. I wish I had sat by a window so I could watch the world get smaller but it's not always meant to be.

In Florida time, I'm writing this post at 2:30 in the morning. Which means it's already my sister Kjarsti's 25th birthday! Happy Birthday little sis! Love you!

(Got to find a great present while here...)

The flight was long, the way my back and feet hurt you would think I had already spent time in a park ;) I think that's just due to the pressure change, up and down...

Tomorrow we head to Magic Kingdom, can't wait. Loves and all that jazz. I'll try and post pics on facebook sine that will be easier than here. Then after bib get back illusory a big picture dump post. Sorry peeps. Stay awesome!

Day#59: Packing

Who's up super late packing because she's a procrastinator? (points two thumbs at self)... I AM!

59 Days Down, 1 Day Till DisneyWorld!

Tomorrow I fly out and I couldn't be more excited. I even went to the gym today because I'm just that crazy. No rest for me. Got to keep moving, got to keep going!

It's going to be a whole new month before I see Kendra for a work out again! coco loco. If only I could hide away all the wonderful supportive peeps in my luggage and take you with me, That'd be so fun, Unfortunately I can't. ;)

#sweatyselfie



Nearly done packing... I think!? Hopefully I don't forget anything.

Day#58: 13 LBS BABY!!!

(Queue Rocky Music) Kendra: "Look in the mirror and say "I AM STRONG!", because you are."

58 Days Down, 2 Till Disney World!

So today I got measured and weighed, all that scary awesome stuff. Apparently my arms are super stubborn and refuse to change... But Kendra assures me that that's a harder spot to get. I'm just disappointed in my arms because they are the only measurement that isn't a total rockstar!

Waist: Lost .25''
Hips: Lost .5''
Thighs: Lost .5''

And over all... drum roll please....



That's right baby! I've lost a total of 13 lbs since I've started this thing. YAY!!! I can't believe it!!! I know those scale things have been lying to me my whole life, so what are they up to now??? jk. What a great boost of confidence!

As a bonus, after feeling so good about my success! I'm going to post my swimsuit pic. Brace yourselves! ;)



New swimwear, I've been in desperate need, and I did it, only took me 10 years... (Yikes... How see-through is too see-through a swimsuit?) Feeling good, hopeful that I can do this disney vacation and still make progress! If anything it'll be a lot of muscle built in my legs from all that walking right?!?! Haha.

Got a lot to do and only two days to do it in. Crazy how this trip is now upon me, I swear it was forever into the future, and now it's a mess all over my apartment. Getting things gathered and prepped for the big day. I know I'll be scrambling, such is my nature... (silly Elyse!)

If there's one thing I'm taking away from all of this so far, is that I can do hard things, and that I need to be more forgiving of my own mistakes. I'm such a perfectionist, that when I don't reach perfection I often beat myself up. Learning to love myself, learning to love just doing my best! If I can do it, You can do it! I believe in you! ;) (hugging you all across the expanse of the internet)

Day#57: Glutton for punishment

I've been working out for how long? That's crazy!

57 Days Down, 3 Till DisneyWorld.

So Today I had training with Kendra, being the gluten for punishment that I am, I asked to have another session before leaving for Disney... and after having it, I'm so glad I did. I really need that encouragement and support. Today while working out, another trainer was nearby and was basically doing the "tough love" thing. "That all the pushups you can do?" he grumbled. I turned to Kendra and said, "Thanks for never being like that with me." She smiled and agreed that she would never. Love her!!! I scored the coolest trainer ever.

Hey, If anyone is looking for a trainer I'm sure Kendra could hook you up. She's looking for referrals, and has to have 10 by the end of the week. She says that sometime they even do a free first work-out session for those that are referred. So if you want to just see how awesome a trainer can be, I can "refer" you... It'd also help out my super awesome trainer. No pressure though. ;)

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So only three more days till I'm flying off to the happiest place on earth. I'm so so excited. This is going to be a fun adventure. Been pondering though, since my count down will be completed soon, what's a girl to do? should I keep annoying the world with my daily posts or cut it back to a couple every week or just every so often? I like writing these, and I find they help me stay motivated and accountable. However I worry that It's annoying you peeps. Something I'm considering.

Learned some back stretches today, Yay! It's part of my game plan, stretching when I can, got to keep my feet and back happy so that I'm not miserable, because that would ruin the magic of DisneyWorld.

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Sweat Selfi, I know you missed it. ;)



Asked Kendra if we could do Measurements again tomorrow, so that'll be fun. I'm hoping that it really helps me stay motivated to make good decisions while on vacation having seen how far I've come. Yay! Who would have thought I'd ever be excited about getting measured??? Not me, that's who.

Day#56: Prepping, into the final week.

Hello Sunday, Hello Cravings.

56 Days down, 4 Till DisneyWorld.

Being all alone on Sunday makes it harder for me to have the will power I should. Thank goodness each day is a new day that I can try and do better.

Tomorrow I'm crossing my fingers to finish my catalog project at work! I'm close to being done, and that will feel super amazing. I've never done a project like this, so i'll really be proud of this accomplishment, especially since basically all the other category designers aren't as far along on their own catalogs. It may be the competitive nature in me, but that makes me feel a bit of scathing joy. I work hard, and it's nice to the the one that people are looking as a benchmark of what a successful catalog looks like. Yay me!

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Four days till I'm off to DisneyWorld, I'm so excited, excited and scared. I hope that I can get my ducks in a row in time. Particularly since I've decided to ask Kendra to schedule me for another training session earlier in the week (tomorrow to be specific) since Thursday I'll be leaving.

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I don't have a picture for you today. I suppose you can't always be so lucky as to see a giant picture of my sweaty face on your Facebook walls. ;)

Any suggestions on what I should pack for a trip to florida, I'm freaking out, I don't want to forget anything important. I hear a poncho or umbrella is a must, and obviously sunscreen. Any other thoughts?

Day#53: Sisters who sweat together, stay togeather

Love weekends, Today I walked a lot.

53 Days down, 5 Till DisneyWorld. AhhHahahahaha! Yeah, every day closer makes me more crazy excited.

Friday Night my sister came to visit; which was super fun. love my sisters. She helped me plan my disneybounding outfits and faithfully delt with my laundry day landing on Friday night. What a trooper!

Saturday, We even went to the gym together. She and I worked out, and then came back to my place exhausted, only to pick everything up and truck it down to Orem to spend some more time looking for those other little pieces to round out my outfits. What fun.

Sweat-Pic, now with TWO TIMES as much AWESOME!



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Must be my lucky day, I had exactly 7777 steps, Woah?! I kid you not!

Day#52: Goals & Glam Shots

Today was a productive day at work, feel like that doesn't happen too often lately, so I thought I'd spend a moment of recognition of the occasion.

52 Days Down, 6 Till DisneyWorld.

So after getting new blisters over the last few days I've grown a tad discouraged, I want to be prepped for D-Day and my feet aren't cooperating. Stupid feet. Guess its going to be more important than ever to take time to rest and treat my feet as we go. If I can get through day one with little to no blisters that'd be amazing. I've never prayed for my feet before - not like I have these past few weeks. Interesting the things you learn to be grateful for.

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Decided to take a rest day today. I had so much laundry to do before I can even think of packing, so had to get a head start on it. I got half way before it was too obscenely late to be washing clothes anymore... Time for sleep. :)

It's great though, I've got a few new disneybounding plans, so tomorrow I'm going to do what I can to round those outfits out so that should be fun. Hopefully I don't melt too much in my black ursula dress/shirt in the 90 degree weather were supposed to have in Florida the next week. Yikes. Wish the weather would be a bit more mild, but then again, it could be July and 120 degrees. So I shouldn't complain I guess. Crossing my fingers that I don't burn to a crisp.

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Got a Facebook invitation to my 10 year high school reunion. I can't believe that it's been 10 years since I graduated high school... but then I think about it, and am so grateful that part of my life is past. I wouldn't want to go back. So that reunion is in June... Maybe I make a few goals for June, so that when I go to the reunion I feel more confident and happy about myself.

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No sweat pic, instead I've got a wind-blown-glam pic.



I was going to show off my new swimsuit... I even got it on to snap the pic, but honestly I have to say that I didn't feel like the pic gave justice to the amount of progress I've been making. I've been loosing my weight in my butt and legs, even a bit in my chin, but not really around the middle. I was ashamed, so I didn't upload the pic here. It'll come... when I've got more confidence.

Less than a week now, So excited.

Day#51: One Week!

Work had an all day meeting that would have made my appointment with Kendra impossible... So I got out of it and my really kind co-worker pretended to be me and went instead. Bless her heart! :)

51 Days Down, 7 Till Disney World.

Thursday Baby, How did we get here? It's so close I can't stand it. This time next week i'll be crashing in a hotel and waking up to my first day of DisneyWorld! Ahhhh!

Working out today was great. Kendra taught me some stretches in anticipation of all the walking I'm going to be doing in DisneyWorld. Next week she's going to teach me some for my back, which should cover all my aches and pains, she's the best.

Got to be honest though, the treadmill is getting boring... I need new forms of Cardio. Maybe that can work into these new goals I'm supposed to start thinking up. Mmmmm, you guys have other ways to get cardio, I'm going to have to start mixing things up!?!

Rolling around on the Burnt Tootsi-roll ("foam roller") is painful. My muscles are super tight, but hopefully the foam roller should help with that. I just have to apply myself more and do it. I really appreciate learning about why my body hurts the way it does, and also how best to work out while accommodating for the issues I have from just being overweight for so long.

I can do it, Hard things are only as hard as I make them.... putting on shoes is easy, getting in my car is easy, entering the gym is easy... it's all just small steps. Yay!

No sweat pic today... sorry forgot to snap one. I assure you it was spectacularly drippy! Instead though I can remind you all of how cute my nephew is, here's a pony picture I drew of him, you can see the resemblance can't ya?! Love that kid!



Gosh I love being an aunt!

Day#50: Disney and Taxes

Still so much to do... 50 Days Down, 8 Till Disney World.

Working out was a rough one today, not because I didn't want to do it, but because I'm a procrastinator of a great many things... like Taxes. But I'm happy to report that I got taxes done. Turns out even by the same lady that helped Michael File his taxes. #itsasmallworld

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Working out is getting easier, I'm not nearly as self conscious as I was. Plus, as I get more capable i'm more comfortable than ever just sweating up a puddle and getting myself good and tired.

Sweat Pic of the day.



I'm going to be a busy bee this weekend to get ready for D-Day. Lots of laundry, got to look cute but also be comfortable. it's a balancing act ;)

Walking was harder today... bumped up the difficulty level on the treadmill... it makes a difference in those inclines when you are moving from a level 3 difficulty to a level 4. Plus side, my legs are really sturdy. Or as my co-worker awkwardly commented the other day "Your legs are looking really good." I think she has leg envy, Skiing into a tree in the middle of the night will do that to a person. Ha!

Still walking.



Get to train with Kendra tomorrow... Since Tuesday next week with be our last regularly scheduled meeting before D-Day, I'm going to ask her when we can add an extra training session before I go. I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Kendra has promised to show me how to do streets that I can do after each long day of walking to help my feet take on more walking... and more walking... or at least fair as good as possible.

#feetlove #only8moredays #disneyworldorbust

Day#49: Single Digit Count Down

It's the Final CountDown!!! (Bobs head up and down and sings that Europe song)

49 Days Down, 9 Till Disney World.

Here we are, in the single digits, only 9 more days till DisneyWorld and all that awesome-sauce. So much to do in such little time.

Told Kendra today about my Pants Size Goal! She was so cute, we even shared the highest of fives! Feeling good about my progress. Now that D-Day is looming, I've got to figure out what my next short term goal will be. I need to come up with a good one, one that will keep me motivated. Hope I can find some short term goals that will work, Disney-World is a hard shadow for these new goals to live under. ;)

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Kendra is so great, Love days when I get to work out with her. Today we talked about nutrition while on vacation. I'm concerned that I'd loose all the progress that I've made. But Kendra assures me that I won't, and that I can do it! I just have to be conscious of making the better choice, but while still enjoying the experience of Disney World. I needed to hear it, I genuinely don't want to get back from vacation to find that I've gained all that weight back.

I'm determined to make good choices as well as indulge responsibly. (grits teeth and crosses fingers) Just got to do my best and forget the rest ;)

Because you guys never get tired of my sweat pics... Here's a pirate sweat-face. Arrrg!



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Doing research on Universal Studios Orlando, because were going to do Harry Potter World, I'm trying to figure out how to do the park as well as what to focus on. If you've got ideas and suggestions on what to do and where to go, Lay um on me! Also, if you know where to get tickets cheeper that'd be great info too!

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Still Stepping...



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Can't wait! So close I can almost taste the dole whip, and butterbeer!

Day#48: Magic Polka-Dot Pants

48 Days Down, 10 Till Disney World.

Today I wore my new polka-dot pants to work. This was not only fun because they are really adorable, but also because they are a whole pants size smaller than my other jeans!



That's right I've lost a pants size! WOOHOO! :) Couldn't be more excited about it. I made the goal to be a pant size smaller by Disney-World and I did it with a whole 10 days to spare. I'm excited to tell Kendra tomorrow that we hit the goal!

Yay!!! Small victories all add up to big victories. I like this small victory very much.

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Worked out in a frenzy today because I got off work late and had to make it to Orem to meet and plan for DisneyWorld... It's all happening fast, I can't believe it! Eeeeeek~!

Sweat-pic.



It may have been a shorter work out than normal, but that's alright, I'm still having back pain, and a shorter work-out was something that I welcomed eagerly... but it still counts... I still did it, still sweat up a storm and got moving.

Day#47: Pause

It''s Sunday, 47 Days Down, 11 Till Disney World.

Honestly I have very little to report/post about today. Truthfully I've been so super lazy today. Read an entire book and just enjoyed not doing much. Haha!

Here's a picture of a tiny puppy... Yup, that's all I got.

Day#46: The importance of Body Language; HA!

I've got a shirt that Ursula would approve of... It's true.

46 Days Down, 12 Till DisneyWorld.

My sister Kjarsti helped me alter a super fun shirt that I got that has quite the awesome Ursula pattern on it. I'm planning on wearing it in DisneyWorld, and now it fits better! Yay! Love knowing people with sewing skills. My Family is awesome!

Check it!



I've even got a shell necklace and twirly shell earrings to go with it. Putting together fun outfits is the best. Adult Dress-up at it's finest.

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Saturday is a great day, love those! Wasn't sure if I was going to work out today. I hadn't decided yet. But ended up not going. Which is just fine. I walked quite a bit today anyways!



Walked 5294 Steps by just being out and about enjoying hanging with family. Not to shabby considering none of those steps are from a treadmill. :)

Day#45: Do your best and forget the rest!

It's Friday & I worked out, Even if I didn't have to! Go Me! Little victory dance!

45 Days Down, 13 Till Disney World.

I can't believe that WDW is so close. Its coming so fast I'm freaking out, Like I've got to start packing or something; Haha!

Worked out today after taking my car in to get an oil change. (why do those always end up being more than just an oil change... it's always something else to. :( poor wallet.) It was a shorter workout because of timing, arriving only an hour before close. I did strength training, same cardio heavy strength training like the last few days. Killing me a little each time, but I still do it.

Today I read this awesome article that my cousin Susie posted, It was from this celebrity trainer; Tony Horton - There was this line in it where he said something that I think will become my Moto in the whole working out craziness... "Do your best and forget the rest." Because that's what this whole thing is going to be for me. That's how I'm going to be successful. Taking it one day at a time and not beating myself up for those times that I didn't live up to these crazy expectations.

I'm working on loving me, and being kinder to me... It's hard. I've gone a long time giving myself doses of self-harming words and thoughts. It's got to stop so that I can be happy and so that I can move forward. Goal for myself... No more body shaming myself. Got to love what I got, and work toward making myself better all the time. Can't tell myself that I can't mess up, that's just setting myself up for feeling like a failure when I do... and I will. Because I'm human.

In honor of loving me here's a ridiculous picture, a pose that it all me! I call it Window-Smasher or as some of my collage friends know it as "Exotic Bird" :)



Soo... Steps weren't as high today, which is fine, only walked half as long, so that explains it.



Tomorrow is Saturday, Isn't that awesome? I love weekends!

Day#44: The Quitter Button

I call it the Quitter Button! Because only Quitters use it!

44 Days Down, 14 Till DisneyWorld

Today was a long day, had to work through lunch so yeah, that sucked... On a happier note though, I finally feel like I'm making a significant step forward on my catalog project at work. It has to be done before DisneyWorld, so It's going to be tight, but Yay, I'm getting there!

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So At work there are these sensors, they used to be just in the lighting above the art department, but when we finally banished the light sensor goblin king (you guys remember him right?) He and all his minions took refuge in the one remaining sensor where they could truly be a terror evermore! The employee entrance! DUN DUN DUN!!!

The employee entrance is a glass door which to enter it you need a pass-key. The door sensor picks it up and unlocks the door when you come. But when you go, the sensor doesn't work that way at all. In an effort to keep you trapped inside forever the sensor must sense movement... and people so so often fail to make enough movement to trip the sensor. (I blame goblins!)



So the company decided to instal a big red button to help employees out, to hit it to engage the sensor and thus letting you leave. But this large red button might as well have quitter inscribed across it in flaming gold letters! For that's what I feel i'd be if I gave in to the taunting, tempting, shiny red button. NO! I refuse to quit, I will wave my hands and jump around to ensure my successful exit.

In the words of John Wayne "Don't much like quitters son!" Me either big guy, me either!

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Worked with Kendra again today! Yay! love trainer days, always way more productive than just by myself. Today we did the "fitness test." Let me tell you what that is. On the very first day that I worked with Kendra, we did a series of exercises aimed at seeing where I was at physically and then these same exercises would then be a gauge of the progress I've been making as I go. Today was the first time we'd done this test since day 1.

It was a great motivator for me. Good to see just how far i've come. Imagine with me, if you can... just how un-fit I was to start and see where I've made it to in just over a month of training. The fit test is comprised of three excursus: Pushups, Planks, and Sit-to-Stand(s).

Day1:
Pushups: Able to do 3 (from the knee)
Plank: Could do 15 seconds
Sit-to-Stand: 1... That's right, 1! (this one is pathetic really) It hurt my knees to do, so Kendra didn't have me do it more than once that day.

Day44(today):
Pushups: Able to do 15 (from the knee) - that's like x5 :) A HUGE improvement.
Plank: Able to do for 30 seconds. - That's DOUBLE my time! Yay core muscles.
Sit-to-Stand: 25 in 60 seconds. Since there wasn't a gauge of where I was, this is now my new base line to compare against.

I love seeing this progress. It's hard to see how far you've come when you're always focused on where you're trying to get. Past progress seems so small when your blinders are firmly directed toward the future. So jazzed to be getting better. Go me!

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Did a bit less cardio today since I got my wonderful heel blister yesterday. Got a heel support sock, in hopes that will reduce friction, going to try that out for my next workout.

Tomorrow is Friday, another day closer to DisneyWorld. Kendra says I have to take awesome pictures at WDW so that she can live vicariously through me! HAHA! Love her. I asked her what constituted an "Awesome" picture, and she couldn't say. I'm thinking it means I have to get pictures with all the handsome princes while on my trip. What do you guys think?

Another day, And I can still do this!

Day#43: To nap, or not to nap; that isn't even an option....

Over the hump; sometimes that hump is a mountain.

43 Days Down, 15 Till DisneyWorld.

Today I got home from work and was just sleepy and disinterested in doing any kind of anything. Laying in bed and taking a nap sounded pretty awesome. But I knew that If I didn't do my workout today that it would mean that I'd have to do another day this week either Friday or Saturday. It's much more gratifying to have those days be bonus days rather than mandatory ones. :)

So I went to the gym. I'm telling you guys, I had to chant on my way there "I can do this, I can do this..." somedays are just downright harder than others.

On the plus side I think I may have figured out a way to modify how i'm taking my meds to keep me from feeling disgusting... If I don't take the evening dosage of one particular pill on those days that I work out, than I don't have a blood sugar crash. It's when I take that pill and work out that I have the crashing hypoglycemic episodes. The morning dosage can still get me, but it's easier to address than if it happens suddenly in the middle of the night where i wake up blindsided by it.

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So Decided to do more cardio, got to step up my game right? did a whole hour on the treadmill after 18 minutes on the bike, and golly are my feet pooped. Also, Found a new friction spot for my darling feet... On the outside of my right foot, back on inside of the heal is a perfectly round deep blister. It makes me feel like there was something rubbing specifically there, not like a general pressure... I can't figure it out though... nothing was in my shoe, and it wasn't too bothersome until the end of my hour walk. Maybe my sock got a wrinkle and that's what caused the friction. Oh well, guess these are the things I'll have to deal with in WDW so this is just prep for the real thing ;)

Sweaty Pic, I know how those are your favorites! If I look scared; it's because I am! Scared of my own AWESOMENESS! ;)



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Steps today looking good, looks like I did roughly the same amount of steps as Monday when walking around the mall! WooHoo!



Got to make some serious headway on some stuff these next couple weeks both in the gym and personally... Still have to get my taxes done... (yuck) Grown-up stuff is no fun. NO FUN I SAY!

Only 15 more days, that's two weeks to the day tomorrow. Ahhhhh!

Day#42: Kendra Came Back! Yay!

Kendra's back, and boy am I glad! :)

42 Days Down, 16 Till DisneyWorld!

Today was a rough day at work, I find things seem to be getting more and more complicated, and as a byproduct i'm getting more anxious. I really hope that I can get everything sorted before D-Day. I've got several Packaging pieces and an entire catalog, plus a number of other maintenance design projects to keep moving along. I may have to pull a couple late days to ensure that WDW isn't spoiled by something as stupid as work stress!

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Kendra's back, I am SO, SO, Sooooooo happy to have her back. It means everything to have her encouragement and to talk through concerns that I have and have someone so willing to work with me, teach me and guide me through the preverbal rainforest that is working out.

It sure is night and day from my experience with my doctor. Who seemed super pessimistic about me getting back into the swing of things. Kendra's outlook and encouragement makes me resent my doctor a bit. Isn't your doctor the one who should be encouraging you and making sure you know that can do hard things? Poo... I say to her POO! I feel frustrated that she seems so disinterested in me and more interested in making me feel bad for the fact that I fell off the wagon, so to speak. Hey! I feel that having a parent die is a pretty good reason for some set backs. >:( Grumble...

Still feeling the ick from my new meds. I know that when I call my doctor though, she'll basically tell me to test my glucose levels and then she'll do something... I'm annoyed. So I guess I have to finally get my glucose monitor thing sorted... Sigh, I hate that stupid thing, and pricking my finger. Not fun.

Upside, Kendra agrees with me, (take that doctor lady!!!) that with me working out so much that some of the meds should be adjusted to smaller doses so that I don't have an experience like I had this morning.... In the wee hours of the morning (3:40 am) to be exact. I woke up in an anxious shaking state. During the night my blood sugar dropped and I started having symptoms of hypoglycemia, shaking dizziness, weakness, and sweating and disorientation.

I'm not jiving with that AT ALL! Desperately scarfed a fig bar to bump up my sugar levels so that I didn't pass out. Yikes! Super Scary feeling, I'll tell you what. I don't want to experience that again.

Worked out today, did a ton of cardio. Kendra taught me about using these stiff foam roller's to loosen and stretch and work out your muscles. Crazy, I felt so awkward rolling around on this thing that resembles a burnt toosie roll... But It's nice to do new things, and to continue to learn new ways to work out and get stronger. Love that!

Sweatmagetton strikes again. Doing extra cardio really gets me going.



Feels good to work out! It's just a day over two weeks from now that I'll be in the happiest place in the world. Ahhhhh! So pumped. Hope that these next couple weeks of working out really get me ready for all that walking.

Didn't do nearly as much walking today as yesterday. I didn't really realize how little of my steps came from the workout and not from the walking around the mall yesterday! Crazy.



1685 Steps today... I feel like this is an average step day for me... But I guess I'll see what happens as I go. I can do hard things, even when the doctor doesn't believe in me! IN YOUR FACE DOCTOR LADY!!! HA!

Day#41: Stepping Up

It's Monday, Not sure how that happened, but there it is.

41 Days Down, 17 Days Till DisneyWorld!

Today is my good friend Amanda's Birthday. Happy Birthday Amanda! The cool thing about this birthday, is that today I got to see her and spend some time with her. It was so fun to see her. Walked around the mall, ate cheesecake (shhhhh Don't tell Kendra ;) ) But don't worry I picked the most sensible and calorie scanty kind - which was torture, because I'm telling you that their Crazy Carrot Cheesecake is the bomb-diggidy-dog! A 2000 Calorie Bomb-Diggidy-dog-goneit!

Here we are, Posers! I always feel kinda like a giant when I hang out with Amanda, Haha!



Needless to say that after my gluttonous venture, I had to go to the gym. No exceptions! So off I went, a little later than usual but It had to be done, or the cheesecake gilt would eat me inside out!

Hey... It's my first day of wearing my fitbit while working out and I can see what my average steps look like. Check it! 7434 Steps, not counting anything before lunch since I forgot to put that baby on my wrist before running out the door. Opps!



I'm impressed that I've walked that much today... but I guess an hour of cardio adds up. ;) If People walk an average of 8-14 miles a day in WDW, and the 7434 steps I took today roughly count as about 2 hours of walking (something like that with walking around the mall)... then I still have a bit of improvement to make on my endurance before D-Day.

Sweaty-Selfy!



Tomorrow should be my first day back with Kendra since her family emergency. Should be interesting. I hope we can address a couple concerns that I have about my back pain that I've been having lately, Maybe Kendra can teach me some stretches or something.

I didn't end up calling my doctor about my meds which were making me sick, today I took the offending pills and they didn't cause my icky symptoms as they had over the weekend... mmmmm, interesting.... (dubious expression goes here)

Only have a couple weeks, it's getting close, so so close. Ahhhhh! :)

Day#40: I'm only human, at least that's what I've been told.

40 Days Down, 18 Till Disney World.

I'm freaking out, and making myself anxious. I want DisneyWorld to be awesome, and I want to feel better and get better. Working out has been hard and good at the same time. But then I get emails from my doctor which are super overwhelming reminding me of all the stuff that she's expecting of me. I don't know how to deal with it sometimes; I can handle small steps, but thinking of all the things I should be doing, I feel super inadequate and it makes me want to quit.

Today I cheated and ate cookies... I immediately felt guilt, and the subsequent achyness from eating the sugar. No I'm not perfect. I make mistakes. Truth. Somehow I just have to keep reminding myself that I can do it... It's hard when I feel discouraged to move past it. I fall into funks far too easy.

Nobody hates on me as effectively as I can hate on myself.

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Feeling frustrated;

Tomorrow is a new day, I get to try out my Fitbit for the first time at the gym. See how that goes. I was actually surprised just at how much I walked around today considering that I didn't do much! Guess that's a good sign, I'm more active than I thought at the get go.

I hope to discuss my meds making me feel sick with my doctor tomorrow to see if I can't determine how to improve that situation. If the medications are making me feel worse instead of better, that seems to be counterproductive... I'll let you guys know how that goes, as long as I can remember to call before their office closes.

Tomorrow is Monday. (Deep Breath) A new day to get this thing back on track.

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(Check out the cool peeps that came to watch #LDSConf with me!)

Day#39: The Fit of Bit

Happy Saturday to you all.

39 Days Down, 19 Till DisneyWorld.

Today I had the pleasure of hanging out with two of my sisters. Kjarsti and Melisa. Came up north to hang with me for #LDSConf. Enjoyed that, aren't we cute.. (snapped this pic while Melisa was out with a boy).



Kjarsti (shown above) is awesome. She's also started a fitness journey and I'm so excited for her. What a cool experience to have at the same time with each other... She has a trainer too. Though I admit I'm a little biased toward my trainer Kendra, Kjarsti's trainer Jennifer is really helping Kjarsti; and she's loving it - and that just makes me so happy! :D

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So, today was a rest day, Love those. I decided to try something that I've been thinking about for awhile now... a fitbit. That's right, I'm going to see how much more I can measure myself, steps and all. (I'm really a glutton for punishment).



Got to get prepped for all that walking I'll be doing in WDW. Hoping this helps me be more aware of everything, how much I'm walking being only a piece of the equation. Also, I ate like a timid cave person today... Meat and veggies. I need more variate in my life; this is getting a tad dull.

Hummmm... (Thoughtful Expression!)

Day#38: The meds are trying to kill me...

38 Days Down, 20 till DisneyWorld.

So, I think my meds are conspiring to kill me. I feel totally yucky! It's a roller coster of trying to manage my blood sugar and my calorie intake... I don't know where the balance is; I just know that I feel gross. I'm going to call my doctor to see what I can do.

Worked out today in hopes that it would help me feel better, it did until I got home. Sigh. My body is a mystery and I'm still figuring this thing out. I hope that the queasiness and feeling like puking subsides. The glory of modern medicine.

30 minutes of cardio, 30 minutes of strength training. Missing Kendra, I really do need her motivating voice to help me through the week. Without it I get more easily disappointed in myself and my progress.

Still Going Strong, even when feeling yucky!