Update on my healthier me journey

It's been 3 months since I started my journey to becoming a healthier me and I am down 40 lbs. I started this journey because I wanted to be the best version of me. I wanted to live life, be a better mom, a better wife... this time (unlike in times past) I didn't want this to be about the way that I looked. I even told family and close friends to not say anything when they noticed me slimming down - because it isn't about that - it's about becoming healthy!

Working with Dash has helped me in so many ways. He is always talking about loving myself - to stop being so negative and hard on myself (which is something I have always struggled with). He, along with the other coaches at DASH, have helped me realize that the most important thing is for me to love and accept myself just the way that I am. In the process of doing that - weight has come off. I'm treating my body like someone who loves them-self would. I'm giving it healthy foods - enough water - exercise. I look in the mirror and tell myself that I am enough - that I am beautiful just the way that I am.

The mind can be a terrible thing to your waist (another thing DASH always says)... and it can... but it can also be such a powerful tool when you use it for good! We are always so hard on ourselves - why? What good does it do us?

My journey is far from over - and I will have to make the choice everyday to be healthy... but I'm happy. I'm happy where I am at. I love waking up and feeling great and ready to tackle the world. I have a hard time sometimes dealing with some of the emotions and situations that I used to just "deal with" or "bury" with food... but I'm learning and that is whats important. I'm not perfect, I make mistakes, but when I do - I don't beat myself up.... "do your best and forget the rest".

I love the me that is emerging from this, I am happy, healthy, confident, a better mother, a better wife, a better neighbor - I am working on myself and I haven't done that in years... it feels great!

Today and everyday... I will choose health!!!

Take the step

"Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction, ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tip toe if you must, but take the step."

I feel like I have just taken the step. I saw a post on facebook to vote for someone to become an allstar for a weight loss program called DASH. I saw it too late and was not able to submit an entry but I wasn't going to give up that easy. I emailed them and asked if they would consider me as well. I was contacted and told that I needed to get support behind me so I had friends and family email and post on my behalf and after doing all the same things the other contestants had to do (like submitting a video and everything) I was notified that a company saw my video and was going to sponsor me. I am so thrilled. The program consists of me eating healthy, and exercising. Novel idea right? To lose weight you have to eat healthy and exercise... but this time I will be doing it with the help of a coach and team of people cheering me on. This program does not have any meals that you have to buy - or pills to take... you can do a protein shake and have bars as meal replacements... but they are made with organic fruits and veggies - no chemicals or processed ANYTHING. It's exactly what I want/need.

Dash asked me what my "why" was for doing this. My answer was to live life fully. I want to be the best me that I can. I know its going to get hard and I will have to come back to my why to keep me motivated... but I am ready to do this and am very excited. 

2014 quick recap

So a lot of wonderful things happened to our family in 2014.
-Dan got a job with a the law firm Kipp & Christian in Salt Lake City
-We bought a house in Herriman
-Jaxon started Kindergarten
-We upgraded to a VAN lol
-We welcomed our 3rd beautiful baby

Dan is enjoying working for the firm, he works with WONDERFUL people - the hours are great for a law firm haha - and there are lots of other great perks :).

We are LOVING having our own home. Our neighborhood is absolutely perfect for us. There are a TON of kids and young families just like us.

Jaxon loves school. He always asks if it is "long or short" day (they get out early on Friday's) because he loves long days. His teacher Mrs. Wilson is amazing and we found out used to live next to my aunt Kristine and is good friends with the family. Jaxon is doing very well in school... as of today he has gotten 100% on all of his spelling tests and is reading really well. 

Lets be honest... the only reason people don't want vans is because of the image. Our van is the best thing that has happened to our driving life. It is so wonderful and I can't imagine driving anything else (however I did throw a bit of a fit before we got it... now I love it haha).

We welcomed sweet Nora Beth Garner to our family on December 8th 2014. Although she is the "hardest" baby I have had (which is still easy) we love her so much and it feels like she has been a part of our family forever. The kids love and adore her and are always making sure she is taken care of and happy.

We feel very blessed to have the wonderful lives that we do. We know that all our blessings come from Heavenly Father and we are so grateful for the blessings we get to enjoy.

I also just have to say that I am so lucky to be married to such a wonderful man. Dan has worked so hard to provide a good life for our family and he has made all my dreams come true. He is always learning and working to improve himself, he is so generous, the kids adore him and so do I.

Its been awhile...

One of my new years resolutions this year was to start blogging again.
A lot has happened since I posted last and the thought of going back and blogging about everything I missed seems impossible... so I will start with today and try to slowly work my way back.