The Beauty of Exercise.

Working out doesn't just burn calories. There are many motivators when it comes to hitting the gym. This is also a post for me to read when I really don't feel like going to the gym. So, I think I'll start with the biggest one, then move down.

• Releases frustrations. I would love to find a person who has never been sad or frustrated in their lives, because I can guarantee they are bottling up much more inside. It's normal. Let me repeat, it's normal. Just drop everything and go for a run. You can run as fast as you want and let it all out. It works, I promise!
• Endorphins. So while you're releasing those frustrations, the endorphins that are created are actually making you happier. I have never come back from the gym angry. Unless I didn't even try in the workout, but then I'm just angry at myself. A whole other story. But if there is a decent amount of effort being made, you just get that amazing feeling of accomplishment.
• Reward for your body. Turning to the physical side, your body pleads with you to workout. It's a treat for your body. It makes everything work so much better together, and in turn, your body is happy with you. Remember, you're not going to die on the treadmill. It's a mind game.
• Less health issues. Have you seen The Biggest Loser? Half of the people are diagnosed with diabetes at the beginning of the show. Then it takes all of that work to maybe lose it. It's better to just avoid that and all other problems altogether.
• Obesity. This is in the "burning calories" category. If your body is used to burning calories, it will keep them off a lot easier. My heart is so sad for kids and adults that aren't aware of any of the benefits of exercise. 30 minutes a day, people! And let's be honest, I love food way too much to not exercise.
• Getting toned. The last one I'll touch on is the outward appearance. Most girls love the stick skinny appearance, but I love feeling like I won't break in half. Okay, so I have been blessed with an athletic build (that takes more than usual to maintain...) but I wouldn't change it for the world. Besides, I want/need athletic children. As girls, we'll never look like body-builders without major steroids, so the weight room is actually our friend.

You don't have to run everyday. In fact, I don't encourage it. Run only when you feel like it. The rest of the time, do something you actually want to do! That will be the biggest motivator to actually get you to exercise. Play tennis. Go skiing. Swim. Ride a bike. Download some new songs to run to. Anything to get yourself off the couch! 


Yes, I did just go on a huge rant about it because I'm a firm believer in exercise. Especially after starting this tough semester...there are already so many unknowns and what-ifs! The only thing that is really keeping me sane: the gym.

via: http://bamkapowxo.tumblr.com/post/12981840611/
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Another dedicated post to skiing.

"Skiing: the art of catching cold and going broke while rapidly heading nowhere at great personal risk." -Unknown


That about sums it up. I think the only moments that make me tear up in the early morning is looking outside the window with inches snow on the ground. (That's not a joke, either. I know I'm weird.) Especially after this drought we've had! Anyway, yesterday was phenomenal. I got to spend the day with Jake and my dad up at Deer Valley. Since there has been no snowfall for 100+ days, (exaggeration) all the out-of-staters cancelled their trips to Utah. Needless to say, we had the mountain to ourselves.


Why do I love it? It's because I can go as fast as I want--and not get a speeding ticket. It's because I love the thrill of carving in control while focusing on technique. And, it's because I get to set aside a whole day to go enjoy the beautiful Utah mountains. The greatest thing about yesterday though, was I got to shred on these little beauties:

via: http://www.evo.com/skis/rossignol-avenger-82-ti-axial-120-bindings.aspx

Rossignol Avenger 82 Ti's. I got to demo them last year, and fell in love. They are thick enough to cruise through crud, but versatile enough to basically turn by themselves. So of course my dad got a pair this year, but chose to telemark this time, so I got to use them! I almost kept them for myself. Hehe. But, he also told me I may be getting a new pair of Rossignol's next year...hopefully I can hold out until then! 

So this was the picture of the day yesterday. I don't look as cool as Jake because I'm in the process of getting a new helmet and goggles. But he's got it covered with this new pair he got for Christmas. Man, this kid is a good skier! It was especially cool when he admitted to me on the lift that I was the only girl he'd consider going with because I'm the only one that was "good enough," and the only one that would race him. We actually had a record in our history yesterday: 45 second run. Yes, 45 seconds. He won though, sadly...only because I came upon some unexpected moguls. I may or may not have seen my life flash before my eyes. Of course this is after Dad told us to not get caught by ski patrol this time. Psh.

We were trying to get him to smile...what braces do to 14-year-old boys.

I think the reason I love skiing so much is because I grew up going with my family. It's been our favorite family activity ever since I can remember. I think it's safe to say that anyone that marries into the Hawkes family must enjoy skiing...or at least snowboarding. But then we'll just convert them.

First day of school.

I have three more.  Only three more times I get to wear the best outfit in my closet. (Some things never change.) And of course, today I got to buy all new notebooks and pens, plus get a brand-new planner. One of my favorite things could very possibly be looking at an unmarked planner, and wondering what actually will happen on those days. It's just so exciting! Anyway, I didn't have class until 4 today, so I got to hit up the gym and the temple before I had to go into work. It's been a very productive day.


To make things even more productive, Rebecca and I had a great conversation last night about what our priorities in our 20-year-old lives are. (Almost 21-year-old lives!) We decided on this list, and will make posters tonight to hang in our rooms as a daily reminder:

• Church. Jesus Christ, Ward callings, and weekly meeting/temple attendance.
• Family. Always being there for family members.
• School. I am in Provo to get an education, ya know.
• Work. I have arguably the coolest job on campus, but also requires a LOT of work.
• Sleep. As many of you know, my ideal bedtime is 10:30.
• Social life. This includes dating, and blowing off all homework to go to a party.

So, this is what will be displayed in my room. It is sad that my social life is number six, but at this point, it really needs to be. I'm totally not worried about not having friends--what do you think broadcast journalism majors do all day? Every class period is social hour. (Yes, we get work done, don't worry.) I guess we could interchange numbers five and six...if, say I was talking to a cute boy...but we'll deal with that when it comes. For now, this is what it is. 

I have some other exciting news. I was officially hired today as a reporter for True Blue! I'm still going to be producing and that will take precedence, but I get to do a couple stories a month in front of the camera. I can't wait, it will be so much fun. I love that at BYU Broadcasting, they really want input from the students, and they want us to get to our full potential. It's perfect, really. 

I hope everyone else had a great first day of school!

Live the questions.

While wondering and hoping on what I'm going to do this next year, I came across this quote:

"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given to you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. 

Live the questions." -Rainer Maria Rilke

I guess the only thing I can do is keep every door wide open for opportunity. I'll eventually walk through the right ones. However, I'm well known to get way too excited about things way in advance. And I just want to do something about it right that second. So I'll remember that the mystery of what will happen--is sometimes the best part.

And in today, already walks tomorrow.

It's 2012. Finally. Not that I disliked 2011, I really loved everything about 2011. I learned more about myself last year than I ever thought I would.   I learned that I'm more capable of what I think I am. I learned that my capacity to love is a lot bigger than I thought it was. Most of all, I learned to be a woman instead of a girl. But knowing that, I know I can learn just as much if not more in the next 365 days. 


In 2011, I found the most amazing friends and family. Found--as in--yes, I met new people, but I want to use the verb in a different sense. I came to find out how insanely incredible my "old" friends are. From that good group of friends I had growing up, my true friends emerged and nestled their way into my life forever. Putting them on top of everyone I've met in college, it's incredible. I'm really loving this "having two lives" thing. And then of course my family. I've gotten so much closer to my sisters, and for sure more than I've ever been with my cousins; it's such a blessing. (If you ever have the chance to live with cousins--do it!) 


In 2012, I'm excited to find out who else I'm going to meet. Everyone I want in my life right now, is in my life. And it's time to add more. It's always time to add more. I think the best life in the world would be to meet at least one new person a day. That's my goal for the first couple weeks of the semester, actually. If I did it longer, I'd feel annoying, so I'm just sticking with the first little bit. Anyway, I know that come December 31, 2012, I'll have even better things to say about the past year. 


I really have never been more excited for what's to come. I know exactly how I want to spend my time. But, the beauty of it, is everything I want to do, probably won't happen. Because it will be replaced with something better. 


So, moral of the story: Even if the Mayans aren't correct, this year will still go out with a bang.