A Time To Lose

*PPP = Pinky Promise Project for more PPP posts go HERE

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love Biggest Loser.

Before I saw this show I thought, "What? Some reality show that embarrasses people who struggle with weight loss?" No, no, no. It ENABLES people who don't know how to get out of the rut that, yes, they have created for themselves due to one issue or another. It's brilliant and motivating and even brings legitimate tears at times...unlike some other reality shows I could mention.

I started watching this show...what? Season 7? Was that the one with Ron and Mike? Anyway, it changed the way I looked at health forever. It does every time I see it.

Did you know obesity kills 112,000 Americans each year?

Did you know obesity increases the health risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancers, fatty liver disease, chronic venous insufficiency, gallbladder disease, breathing problems, deep vein thrombosis, arthritis, expectant mothers and their babies, etc.

source

Sad, isn't it?

Is food really THAT good?

I think the American mind has confused us in A LOT of areas. One being our intake of the most nasty, fattening, lame excuses for "food" the world has ever put on a plate. Jillian calls it poison. I thought, "That's a bit of an overstatement." Then she said, "Is it killing you?" Then it's poison." ...eeesh. The truth hurts.

But then there's area two, the part of America that tells you that you have to look like a model on the cover of a magazine to have value. P.S. It's called Photoshop.

Both are sick.

The world's ideals are not what we should be worried about anyway, right? Our first priority, believe it or not, should be ourselves and our own health.

Anyway, I don't know where I was going with that, but...

I'm recommitting today to living a healthier lifestyle.

That includes exercising more, sleeping better, eliminating junk from my diet, and so-on. I hope you'll do the same.

Change starts with you.

And the journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.

Need inspiration? Motivation? Watch Biggest Loser every Tuesday night on NBC 8/7c.

People are changing their lives TODAY! Are you?

You can expect more PPP comin' attcha! YEAH BOY!

The Time I Got Shot

Remember this?

Well there's MORE!

You know? You too can enjoy the utter fabulosity of Kristin Brown Photography in person and have her take pretty and/or handsome pictures of you. Yes YOU! She's very friendly, easy to work with, accommodating, and open to your input. Not to mention her skill with a camera and her artistic eye, which are both impeccable, as you can see HERE! Note: She also took the picture in my sidebar and my profile picture. Yup yup! She's good.

And no, she did not pay me to say that.

I honestly just love her!

Thanks, Kristin! :)

Lindsay's Life Lessons - Part II

21. New bed sheets: Wash before sleeping on/rubbing face in.

22. Make your life easier - learn Spanish.

23. If you want to see a miracle, take a human anatomy class. If you want to see two miracles, pass it.
24. No bath is a success without neck pillow, bubbles, scented candles and chick flick.

25. If you want to show someone your soul...sing them a song.

26. Who invented New Years resolutions? The same person that realized it is impossible to diet during the holidays and be completely happy.

27. Deodorant: The quickest way to shower in college ;)

28. Some of the most attractive men on the planet take on the disguise of "nerd."

29. The key to understanding is communication, not assumption. If you must assume, assume the best.

30. Folks are simply hotter who have read the books of Potter.

To be continued...

Lessons 1-20

Pointing

Wanna hear something

CRAZY

?!

Next week I'll be sitting in a classroom

Like sitting at the helm of a ship

A ship setting sail on my

final semester of

college!

Graduation from

College

May!

:)

Now that is

CRAZY.

Yup

!

Suddenly everything is pointing me

Down the path that I've walked

Since before I can recall,

Toward the light at

the end of the

tunnel

!

May!

(this is me being typographically artistic)

Have You Lived Today?

What is something that we cry about for feeling so deeply,

Laugh about for receiving so joyfully,

And ache for wanting so considerably?

Something we can give and give and never run out of?

Something we can receive and receive and never get sick of?

Something we are richer for having and yet it is priceless?

It is LOVE.

And love is life.

Comic Relief

Just checkin in to make sure you're not taking life too seriously...

Be The Change

First of all, I love President Gordon B. Hinckley.

Secondly, if you (yes, you) and I were more like these young boys, just think how quickly the hearts of people would be changed for the better and how much more love there would be in the world.

Mahatma Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."

No pun intended ;)

So...what are we waiting for?

Remember, Remember

I'm pretty sure I'm one of the happiest people on the planet right now.

Now, if you had asked me that this morning my response would've been a laugh...

Yeah, most likely a laugh. Like, "HA!" right in your face. Sorry...but it's true.

That's not to say I wasn't happy this morning, but my happiness was deep...really really deeply hidden under layers of inadequacy, nerves, and, to be honest, terror. Lack of faith, in short.

I've got a new calling. That's LDS-talk for a new assignment in my church.

An in depth description would be something like:

Calling: an assignment given by a bishop, through prayer and a confirmed belief that it is God's will as confirmed by the Spirit, to individuals within the church allowing them the opportunity to administer in various capacities within the church.

Too much?

Anyway...I've been thinking a lot about it and I've come up with many answers to the question that keeps popping into my head,

"What does Heavenly Father want me to learn?"

Love - check.

Service - check.

Hard work - check.

Collaboration - check.

How to delegate - check.

I mean, I think those are all inevitable if I do my best.

The thing that hit me the most was this:

I think God wants me to learn that I can rely on myself.

Like, I can do really hard things with His help.

Therefore, I should in no way be limited by fear of my own personal inadequacies IF what I really want to do is right for me.

I don't know why I do that. Why I limit myself. But I do. Perhaps too often.

Laziness kicks in. Satan says,

"Psh! You? Really? Have you seen your spiritual biceps? You can't handle that."

And unfortunately, an illogical, small, but no less present part of me sneaks past the "Do Not Disturb" sign hanging on my brain...and agrees with that lier.

In some ways, that can be called humility, but in most ways that's called stupidity. Lack of perspective. Forgetfulness in the fact that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)

What it comes down to is faith in my Savior

And the enabling power of His atoning sacrifice for me.

The knowledge I have that He lives and that He truly did pay the price for my sins, imperfections, ailments, struggles, sicknesses, etc. etc. is what sustains me everyday and gives meaning and happiness to my life.

The kind of happiness that I feel right this very instant.

And, ya know, I didn't have to look hard for it, it was right in front of my face.

All I had to do was remember Him.

So, maybe that was all just a big rant to get some things off my mind and sorted into discernible thoughts and words...

...or maybe it was something more.

Whatever the case,

Just know that I know it's true

With all of my heart.

Fun To Say on New Years Day

I haven't showered since last year.

I haven't been in a fight since last year.

I haven't eaten fast food since last year.

I haven't exercised since last year.

I haven't left the house since last year.

I haven't seen most of my family since last year.

I haven't been to church since last year.

I haven't made my bed since last year.

I haven't hugged anyone since last year.

I haven't even listened to Beyonce since last year.

*GASP*

Don't worry, I'll fix that real quick ;)

Arrivederci to 2010

You know the best part about the New Years Eve? Reviewing how much you've done in the past year. For instance:

• I met Nie Nie,
• Made some resolutions,
• Discussed the many uses of pillows,
• Introduced snowmen to their spouses,
• Wrote poetic memos to myself,
• Said some really smart things,
• Redesigned the blog,
• Wrote love/hate letters to school,
• Thought random thoughts,
• Laughed about Gilmore Girls,
• Prayed for Haiti,
•  Shared random music videos,
• Listened to Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech,
• Introduced you to my sister Kim,
• Diagnosed myself with school-induced narcolepsy,
• Got my wisdom teeth removed,
• Shared things that will get worse first,
• Revealed my recipe for flight,
• Brushed off some stitches,
• Debated a new do,
• Introduced the Pinky Promise Project,
• Relived childhood,
• Loved Sunday,
• Explained my writing,
• Shared some PPP health tips,
• Introduced one of my favorite websites,
• Discussed the phenomenon of boys and girls,
• Ran my first 5k and loved my Dad,
• Shared some MORE tips via PPP,
• Wrote in the moment,
• Shot some Cats,
• Was charmed by Blogger,
• Discussed natural tendencies,
• Compared myself to a comic strip,
• Shared a profound story,
• Forked over a yummy recipe,
• Swooned over Mr. Friday,
• Gave you a sneak peek of my new design,
• Shared a healthy book,
• Swore off donuts,
• Revealed my proudest illustration,
• Was busy,
• Gave away a healthy book,
• Shared the story of my header,
• Talked about clouds and the sun,
• Was featured on "Or So She Says",
• Cried over some beautiful photography,
• Thought some more random thoughts,
• Enjoyed a girls night out,
• Explained my thoughts about broccoli,
• Looked forward to Spring Break,
• Rewound...or is it rewinded?,
• Moabed,
• Fell in love,
• Enjoyed Easter and Conference,
• Shared what I know,
• Ate breakfast,
• Reminded us that it tends to snow in Utah,
• Shared a thought,
• Riddled,
• Ranted,
• Counted down my finals,
• Housekept my brain a bit,
• Decided to take up boxing,
• Experienced the inevitable "blah",
• Counted down some more,
• Introduced you to Kristin,
• Blinked

And that's only January - April. For more visit the "Once Upon A Time" section of the sidebar on the right side of the screen -->

Don't let regrets seep into your reminiscing, nope nope. Just thoughts of the good things that have been accomplished. The regrets come in when you're doing your goal setting. Can I just say, don't stress yourself out with the goal setting thing? Make a few long term goals and a lot of short term goals. Some easy, some hard. Celebrate your victories and be patient with yourself. 2011 might be just another year that they haven't yet solved world hunger, but it could also be the year you accomplish one of your greatest dreams simply by living life each day to the best of your ability by loving.

After all, LIVING and LOVING are practically the same word.

There are just 1 too many I's in LIVING

Me, myself and I, I, I.

So why not replace it with an O.

O for others. Then, rather than just LIVING,

You're sharing something that we all need...

and that's LOVING.

So, we don't yet have hover cars or robotic housekeeping

And we don't have a world that will keep us from weeping.

But we've got the sun in the morning at the moon at night

And a brand new year to get things right! :)

Happy 2011, y'all!