Thursdays at the Market

I love spending my Thursdays at the Millcreek Community Market. Tonight we are having a super fun giveaway from our Perfect Statement booth.  We are kicking off football season by giving away some awesome Utah Utes signs. This is a facebook contest that you check out HERE!

1-is an amazing Utah Utes door hanger and 2-is a super cute CTR table piece.

The Millcreek Community Market is such an amazing local farmers market. I have really enjoyed meeting new people and seeing all of the fun local fares. Harlee and I meet a hula hooper and even took a hula class on Monday night. I think I giggled myself silly. Not to mention my abs were so so so sore the next day. It was hidden workout. Even my calves were sore. Below is a pic of an amazing belly dancer that graced our presence one week. There is even a petting zoo. 

If you are in the neighborhood (3400 S and 2300 Eish) stop and say hello. They have unique bands in the park. You can grab some food and just relax. I highly recommend it. 

My Excuses

I had a minor set back this week when I rolled a rib. It just plain hurt like hell. I wasn't sleeping, and even after a trip to the chiropractor, I still couldn't turn my head or raise my right arm. I wanted to skip cardio on Friday. I really, really, really wanted to. In my head I was justifying it. I had the perfect excuse to skip a workout! No one would even know. If my hubby asked I could just say I didn't go because I was too sore. After spending about 30 minutes thinking it over, I had a revelation. The rest of the world would not know. They definitely would not care, but I would. The only person I would be letting down is myself. If I'm not doing this for me then who am I doing it for? I'm doing it so I can walk taller and feel proud of who I am. I am not letting myself down. So, I gathered myself up and had an amazing run! I felt truly lifted. Exercising improves my mood and lifts my spirit. I love the thrill I get when I reach out and take it. I overcame the negative self loathing voice in my head, and I move forward. The next time I am coming up with excuse, I am going to remember how great I feel after I push through it. Here is my Sunday inspiration for the rest of the week! 

And if you are wondering, my body felt better after I was done. The soreness and stiffness in my back relaxed. Its amazing how great I feel when I complete a workout.  

Hiking to Lake Mary

On Saturday we decided to enjoy some of Utah's beautiful scenery and take a hike up Big Cottonwood Canyon to Lake Mary! It was a steep climb upwards to this beautiful lake, but after a few stops we made it. You can also hike on from here to Lake Katherine. We passed several boy scouts on their way back down from an overnight camp out.  We are adding a backpacking trip to Lake Katherine on our to do list. It would be a great trip with the kids. 

The view from the top was far more impressive than anything we could have viewed from the couch. Hiking is always such an amazing thrill. It was a definitely a welcomed change from my usual cardio routine. The sun was shining and the weather was perfect. It was a great motivator to make it to the top. 

Below are some amazing pictures of Lake Mary and our trek to get there. 

Hello Monday

Today was day two of my 5k training plan and I totally rocked it. I am so proud of myself for getting the motivation to do it.

Saturday (day one) I went with a friend. I couldn't back out. She would know that I didn't step up. But today, all by myself, I conquered that jog. It did however take me about 10 minutes to talk myself into getting out of the car. What if people see me? Well of course people are going to see you! They are all
here doing the same thing. Duh...

I think having my 16 month old screaming from the back seat was some pretty good motivation as well. And it was totally worth it. I feel amazing. I conquered my fear and I mentally overcame a huge hurtle. So hello Monday. I just showed you who was boss.

My Body Situation

Here's my confession/situation for today. Everyone ready to gasp? I am about to post my fitness numbers right here for the public to see. The reason...my body image. I have struggled obsessively for the last 7 years about the way I look. It really hit me how much I hate my body when I heard my stick thin 7 year old repeat something about her body that I have said about myself. What kind of world and environment have I created for her? It has to change. And change I have...but I have to step it up for myself and beautiful little girl.

Those of you who know me best have been subject to my recent changes I have been making over the last two months. If you are going to eat with me it has to be clean. No processed foods. Only what nature gave us. The result is a 19.6lb weight loss in two months. I also can attribute this to an increase in exercise and all around I am being much more active. I have so much energy!!!! But, I have to step up my game! I have been challenged by a very close personal friend to run a 5K this spring. I thought she was drunk. I haven't ran a 5K post baby. Crazy lady! She said something that really hit a nerve with me this afternoon, "I know you will take this challenge and run with it." And run I will! Tomorrow we embark on a new adventure. There will be ups and there will be downs but I will run again!! So here before the myself and whoever happens to read this blog I will do it. I will be proud of myself again. I will show my daughter that its not whats on the inside that matters. Its what we can accomplish when we put our hearts into it. The sky is not even close to the limit. Here's to stepping it up and stepping out from behind my protective shield.

My name is Samantha Parker. I am 5' 9". My current weight is 200.4lbs.

There, I said it. It's just a number. It no longer owns me. I own myself. I will no longer compare my legs, stomach, arms, etc to anyone else. I am me and I love me.

I will continue to blog my success and my experience on the way to discovering my inner beauty.

Encouragement encouraged!

"Remember, happiness doesn't depend on who you are or what you have. It depends solely on what you think" -Buddha

Utah's Bonus Holiday!

I love the 24th of July. Its like we get a replay of the 4th of July 20 days later. Thanks Utah for at least letting Utahans enjoy fireworks and BBQs twice in the same month. Its the least you can do considering all your crazy booze laws. Here are some highlight pics from my in-law's festivities.

Tera, Lucy and puppy Botwin. Jake and Caiden. Harlee and Lucy eating cookies in their swimsuits. 

Crisis Averted

I think I am having a midlife crisis at the age of 27. Yes midlife crisis. Except still being in my 20s I really hope that this is not a midway point. So I should call it the WTF am I doing with my life moment. I recently found myself wondering why I never finished college and why I was working for something/someone that had no meaning to me. Then things just started falling apart. Yes, I was devastated but now I am loving it. I still have a few moments of rage but for the most part I am simply moving on. My husband was able to transfer his post 9-11 GI bill to me and BAM things just started falling in place. I love college. I love being home with my kids. Lets not lie. I love being home with my two kids 92% of the time.  My friend and I have a booth at a farmer's market. I have been able to spend a few days working at my grandma's floral shop. I even did flowers for an entire wedding again. All things I love to do but was not able to do because I was stuck in a corporate box of horror. Yes my bank account is suffering but I feel so much better. Its a Wednesday morning and I am trying to decide if I should take the kids to the park before or  after lunch. So I guess everything had to fall apart for me to finally come to the realization that there is so much more out there for me. Midlife crisis averted :) Here's to the rest of my life that I am finally just beginning to truly live.