Wait…Success?

I haven’t actually POSTED on my blog in almost two months.  I have a few blogs half-baked (like my July 5th one entitled “Blowing Shit Up” which was a recap of what it must be the only outlet the “community” here can embrace that let’s your inner frustrations out to air and RELAX a bit:  JULY 4TH FIREWORKS and that was eclipsed by Pioneer Day a week later.   Not a lot of alcohol sold but tank loads of pop and candy did!  It’s WILD how different things are here compared to pretty much every other place I’ve lived.

What’s with my SUCCESS?

It’s about my body and a little challenge I embarked on alone.  Pilates and Yoga.

My mid section had taken on extra inch-age and I was feeling way too plump.

I know my waist was spilling out over the top of my pants (uncomfortably) which resulted in hiking my pants up giving me “high-waters”.  BY THE WAY, DID YOU KNOW THAT WAS A FASHION TREND IN 2017 ACCORDING TO GQ MAGAZINE??

My job keeps me behind a counter which is why no one asked me “where’s the flood?”.   I do not like looking in the mirror to begin with but now that I’m “working for the man” I have to check my appearance before going to work to make sure I’m neat, tidy and professional which is where I began noticing the extra muffin top!

My success is: without changing my diet much at all (including having cocktails) I put myself through 4 Pilates Classes and 4 Power Yoga Classes in the last ten days (July 24th to be exact) and today when I put on my jean shorts and belt in it’s usual hole IT WAS LOOSE!  I’ve shrunk my torso/hip area as well as my thighs!

I’ve managed to tighten my body up and that’s what I wanted to do…no idea where the extra “body” went but it’s gone.  Only lost 1 lb overall.

So, today I’d like to encourage you to find something exercise-like and privately set out to do it for “____” (insert number of days).  Not a huge goal – just a calm one you can stick to.  If it has to do with changing your body, use your clothing and how it fits as a guide NOT THE SCALE!

I am stronger in my core.  I can hold Boat Pose and drop down to Low Boat and hold it for the counts.  My down-dog is more flexible and actually feels GOOD (my wrists would get so tired I had to stop).  I did a LITTLE at a time as well.

Pilates has been insanely helpful.  SLOW movements, core strength, few reps.

I hope you give it a try!

🙂 Sarita

Resources:

Power Yoga, Provo Recreation Center, Chenea Duerden Class on Tuesday 6am and Saturday 6:30am

Pilates, Provo Recreation Center, Heather Jenson’s Class on Thursday at 6am

Pilates Abs and Booty Workout on YouTube by BohoBeautiful

30-Minute Strength, Cardio and Pilates Core Workout by POPSUGAR Fitness

My Current “Diet”

Raisin Bran, Coconut Hemp Granola using non-sweetened almond milk or my home-made museli (sunflower seeds, oats, coconut, chia, cranberries with ripe raw fruit on top) using unsweetened OJ as my “milk”.

Giant vegan veggie wraps every day for lunch (like a 5 cup salad squeezed into a wrap).  Always using Randy’s Hummus.  We use our food processor to make shredded celery, radish, zucchini, carrots then store them in small containers.  I add 1/3c of rinsed beans, 1/4 avocado (when we had them), lettuce and hot sauce.  Two days I baked a potato and sliced it length-wise and put 1/4 of it in the center of my wrap then the hot sauce on it to soak in while I worked).

Corn tortilla chips or celery/carrots dipped in hummus when I got home from work as a snack.

Spaghetti squash with home made veggie-packed red sauce, baked potato topped with hummus and salsa, garden burger packed with lettuce on a bun, home made pizza with veggie toppings LOADED, tangy corn and mashed potatoes.

Cocktails:  Vodka shot with cranberry juice, fresh margarita or a Stella Artois beer.  I did have one cocktail almost every day (don’t judge me!) because, well I LOVE THEM!?!  Plus: I didn’t have any alcohol for the entire month of June and GAINED 5 LBS.

OTHER NEWS AND UPDATES

AN ACTUAL VACATION

We had time off and went to Arizona where I discovered they must have moved it closer to the sun.  IT WAS SO HOT.

We drove through two thunder and lightening storms as well as a haboob (see video  above).  I also discovered Flagstaff and if I could, I’d move there in a minute IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL with green and trees (didn’t see if there was water).

Our pets stayed home with an incredible house sitter.  I have to show you a pic she sent me of her little sister giving Zoey love.  My heart was so relieved and happy!  Finding someone that you trust to take care of your pets is tough and we found a gem.  She is a nursing student (pediatric is her goal) and just graduated…she works full time at the hospital AND works at the place I work at and she is a bad ass there (knows how to do EVERY job you need).

We also saw THREE car crashes along the way – I wish I knew how the people were that were involved.  Crossing my fingers they are OK.  I was taking pics during two crashes as we passed.

WEATHER REPORT

We have 12 forest fires plus 7 controlled burns happening here in Utah as of today.

The Air Quality is TERRIBLE.

Three fires are blowing smoke here into Provo.

I’m watching the news about California where 25 of them were reported last night!

It has been over 100 regularly but the mornings are in the 60’s (which is AWESOME) but it is dark (NOT AWESOME) and not safe enough (IMO) to be out running the streets or trails.

SUNDANCE MOUNTAIN (RESORT AND TRAILS)

We FINALLY got it together on a day we both had off to ride the lift to Red’s at Sundance! The smoke gave limited visibility but it was still spectacular.

We got to the top and hike into areas that were untouched.  It reminded me of our trail running/hiking experiences in Simi Valley California.  Each step through the weeds pricked on my legs and at first I was irritated.  That’s when I realized HOW MUCH I LOVE BEING OUT IN THE WILDERNESS AND MISS IT.  So, I walked intentionally through brush and weeds just for the feeling of “nature touching me“.  Mel, if you ever read this…I put that there just for you.

On our descent (WHICH WAS EXTREMELY STEEP) we landed at a Funk Jazz Concert by the Christian Mills Band where brews and food were in abundance as well as dogs and kids.  It was Sunday so I’m guessing nobody was LDS (?) plus pretty much every group had beer.

FAMILY GOOD NEWS

Life is never perfect and our family has had plenty of ups and downs.

Between all of the noise of surviving on this planet there is one thing we (Randy and I) care about more than ANYTHING: our kids accomplishing their goals as well as being a good and positive member of society.

Morgan our youngest daughter is about to begin the Fall Football Season as a BYU Cheerleader!
We plan on attending the BYU vs Cal game (which team should we root for!?). Claire graduated Cal and Morg is at BYU.  I love OSU and Randy USC.  Hmmmm…

Our daughter Claire appeared in Forbes Magazine!  Her company, Next Energy, is making the planet a better place.  We are so proud of her accomplishments in the field of science.  Pretty soon Neil DeGrasse Tyson will be asking her for info about science stuff… I can feel it!

Our son Jordan earned his Associates and has been immersed in Native American History.  He also has filled me in on what is happening and has happened in Congo.

I finally graduated High School!

OK that’s all for now.

I have some letters to wrap up and get sent!

A few more pics, in case you are curious…

Some good memories here.

My bee and butterfly garden is blossoming

The Concert in Sundance.

Piper. Still rules here.

Dinner with family!

This is where they spend every evening after work.

Off the chair lift on the trail…in street shoes (DUH).

Spectatcular view!

Haven’t seen this in almost a year. It worked! I was happy right away.

I think it still has beauty.

Working on youthful skin (you get what you pay for)

A Happylope!

It pains me to see this knowing our food either helps or harms.

One of my dinners, plated.

Rolled up to the crib the other day and everything was alright again.

Prickly and awesome!

Let’s ride! At noon. 100 degrees. Uphill from Nunn’s to Big Springs!

U-Scare-Ways! Not good signage.

Having “the talk”.