Here I go!

I have been avoiding this post for a long time. I think mainly because I didn't want to announce it and then fail. I always thought, if I just keep it to myself and close friends then it'll be easier. But it wasn't. It's something I've wanted for a long time but didn't have enough motivation to do it. You all are probably thinking, 'what is she talking about?' so here's what I'm talking about:

Getting in shape, losing weight, and being happy with myself.

While Shawn was on his mission, and while we were engaged, I was 'dieting' and 'working out' for him. Not like he wanted me to, but I wanted to be that hot bride for him. But for some reason, I didn't care that much. Especially when he came home and I realized he loves me no matter what!! He really does. So then I gave up. Food is great. We loved going out to eat and eating like crap. I mean, who doesn't like a huge bowl of ice cream and Red Robin?!

Then I realized I wasn't completely happy with myself. It's sucky being a girl and comparing yourself to everyone around you. Especially because I go to beauty school.

NOW LISTEN.
I don't want you to think I'm depressed and hate myself. I love myself. I've been comfortable in my skin for a long time. But I've definitely put on some weight. So it's time for a change.

You're probably all wondering what makes this time different than all the times I've tried before. All the other times before, I did it for other people. I thought I needed to be super skinny and a six pack for Shawn. I thought in order to go swimming with my friends, I needed to wear a cute bikini and be skinny or they'll judge me.  And maybe for some of you, that's a good reason to work out and get in shape. But for me, it wasn't motivating. Especially when everyone was trying to get ''summer skinny'' and results weren't coming quick to me. (okay I'll admit, I'm a terrible dieter haha)

So what makes this time different, is that I'm doing it for myself! My friends love me no matter what, Shawn loves me no matter what, and my family loves me no matter what. So why would I need to change for them? That's just silly. But knowing that I'm doing it for myself, makes it so much more exciting. I am so excited to go into Fall being happy with my body. I'm excited to go hot tubbing and not be insecure about my body. I'm excited to love myself and wear cute tight clothes. I'm excited to get healthy and feel healthy.

So there ya go people! I've finally announced it. I feel like sharing it with the public will make it more motivating to get in shape. I'm excited to post results and share with you while I go through this journey. I've taken a before picture and can't wait to take an after.

I've talked to Shawn about my goal and even though he thinks I'm skinny and perfect, he's agreed to help me and support me 110%. We've made it a goal by October 1st that I'll lose the weight I want and be the pant size I want. And if I reach my goal, he's taking me on a shopping spree :) What a great reward right?

So here I go. Day 1 has been a success so far. The real test will be going to a wedding tonight and avoiding the sweets ;) hahaha.

I'm really SO excited!

If any of you have suggestions on what I should do, I'm all ears!


NO MORE negative body thoughts
NO MORE "I'll do it tomorrow"
NO MORE sitting and wishing to be more fit
NO MORE eating because I'm bored
NO MORE waiting for this to be easier
NO MORE muffin top or love handles
NO MORE "Buts..."
NO MORE "I can't..."
NO MORE "I'm too tired"
NO MORE "It's too hard"
NO MORE EXCUSES!

See ya in 2!

See ya in 2 Elder Elkins. You will be missed. I love you! 

Follow his blog:

www.elderelkins.blogspot.com 

Farewell-

Okay, weird. Today was my brothers farewell. Seriously, it's weird. Didn't Shawn just have his farewell and leave me for 2 years? Yeah well now that's my 18 year old brother. WEIRD. He did so good on his talk. SO good. We all bawled when he said his 'Thank You's' to each one of his siblings, brother in law, cousins, grandparents, grandparents that passed away, to my parents, and so we all cried. Especially Tyson. For those of you who don't know Tyson, he's my 8 year old brother. Broke my heart to see Ty cry so hard. Like-the ugly cry. :(

Now we are dropping him off on Wednesday at the MTC which will suck. I didn't drop Shawn off because it's way too hard. So now here we go, dropping off my little brother! CRAZY! I'm so excited for him to serve tho. Watching Shawn go through everything was incredible and I'm so excited for my brother to go through it all. He's going to love his mission. Especially the Netherlands. Beautiful!

Now I'm blogging his whole mission. So if you want to follow that one too, you should. I'll make it a fun blog to follow.

www.elderelkins.blogspot.com :)

Thanks Lauren Conrad

K this is going to sound completely silly but all morning I've been watching The Hills. I absolutely love the show and it's totally got me thinking. I watch all these girls dating and having so many problems with guys, especially Heidi and Spencer. (poor girl) and Poor Lauren, Such a sweet girl but all these guys treat her like crap. After I watch all these shows, I'm suuuuper grateful for my marriage.

I was watching an episode where Lauren really likes this guy named Brody but one of her friends, Jen, hooks up with him thanks to Laurens so-called-best-friend Heidi. And they get in a huge fight and Lauren now hates Jen and blah blah blah. Quality TV right? And for some odd reason it got me thinking about kissing Shawn. And that led to our first kiss. I was laying on my couch thinking about our first kiss and out of no where I just started laughing to myself because the story is so cheesy. Sometimes I wish my life was on TV. It would be super entertaining to people.

The First Kiss

So I was a junior in High School and Shawn was a senior. I asked Shawn to the Christmas Dance and I was super nervous. Before the dance we hung out a couple times and there was a definite connection. I totally had the hots for him but I wasn't so sure what he was thinking. He's a guy. Do they even know what they are thinking? -haha- The night before the dance, Shawn and I, including the other people in our group, went to Temple Square in Salt Lake City. We went on a carriage ride and walked around in the cold. I mean I can hardly remember details but of course I remember the best part. It was time to leave and so I grabbed Shawns hand and said, "K lets go!" (and I started leading him to the group ahead of us to catch up) and he pulled me back and said "Not yet". He pulled me in closer to him and hugged me. A really long hug. and I kept saying "Shawn, lets go! They are leaving!" but he would not let go of me. But to be honest, I didn't care. I loved being in his arms. After what seemed like forever, I said "Are you ready to go now?" and he said "No." and I said "Why?" and then he lifted my chin and kissed me. Then said, "That's why." We caught up to the group and we were both smiling SO big and everyone knew we totally kissed. 

Now I'm sitting here thinking, Wow I'm married to that cute boy who was so nervous to kiss me. I love thinking back to our dating years in high school and how adorable of a boyfriend he was. I was so lucky to have him in high school. Having a boyfriend like him was so rare. People always asked me, "Are you going to regret having a boyfriend all through high school?" and I always said NO. Because I knew I was going to marry him someday and this was just the start of the memories. I absolutely love that I married my high school sweetheart!  He's amazing in so many ways. 

I love being married to him and I love days like today when I think back to so many great memories. 

Alright, before I continue blogging, let me inform you that I've been on my blog for the past hour messing around with the title. I'm so frustrated that it doesn't blend in with the background. So if there is anyone out there that can help a girl out, pleeease let me know!

So, I got my wedding day pictures back and absolutely love them. My photographer did a great job. It was so fun looking at them with Shawn. but it kind of made me-sad. I never thought I would say this but..

I miss planning my wedding.

I'm crazy! That was so stressful! But when I think back, it was so much fun and went by so fast. All the crafts, the countdown, engagement pictures, showers, ya know-all the fun things that come with planning a wedding. Two of my very best friends are getting married. One next week, and the other middle of August and I'm attending both of their bridal showers this week. I wish I could do it all over again. I wouldn't change a THING but I just want all the excitement of counting down again. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love being married, but you get my point. I'm so excited for my friends. I'm now standing in my married friends shoes when they were helping me plan a wedding. It's exciting watching your friends prepare for the best day of their life!

Jess & Kelsey,
I'm so proud of you. I'm so excited for you. Being married is the biggest blessing and it's so much fun. Waking up to your best friend every day, having a sleepover every night, making dinner together, decorating, all of it, is great. Even the sucky stuff, like saying goodbye in the morning or little arguments, in a weird way it's still the best. Because saying goodbye, but counting down the hours til you see him again is exciting. fighting and then watching him try to make you laugh is hilarious (even though you just want to stay mad so bad). I'm beyond excited for you two and I'm so happy that I get to be by your side through it all. My best advice to you while you're coming to the end of planning:

Have fun. Laugh. Make crafts together. Walk away from the stress because this is the moment you've been waiting for your entire life. and you only get to plan a wedding once! (hopefully) but you two have great guys and you are amazing girls so I know that this is for eternity. I love you both and just have so much fun because it does go by so fast. You'll be married before you know it!

Love, Em.


Here are some pictures from the best day of my life.

Jess                                                    Kels