"Find something you love to do and then it won't feel like working out." The quote I heard over and over and over. Each time I imagined punching the person (usually someone with a perfect body) who said it.

Says Mr. Triathlete, "I just LOVE running. It's so addicting. If I don't do it, I don't feel good." (Imagining myself kicking him in his fit little shins)

Says Mrs. Swim Master, "Swimming makes me feel so good. I just get in the pool and go and I go for miles and miles." (Imagining myself snapping her goggles on her head)

Says Ms. Bikram Yoga, "It's like a drug. I just do it because I HAVE to do it, for me." (Imagining myself forcing her to put her face on that sweat-filled floor)

I'm that girl now. I LOVE hiking. It IS like my drug. For me, it is a whole body experience. Mind, body, and soul. I'm so glad I found something that I enjoy doing. I love that I can do it with friends and socialize (one of my all-time favorite things to do) or do it by myself and have just as much fun. People on the mountain are always happy and positive which makes for great surroundings. The dessert in bloom is, quite possibly, one of the most beautiful sites in the world.



The time of day and my mood determine my playlist, and I just cruise. Sunrise hikes, in the morning make me feel closer to God, and my mom, and my grandma. (No, this isn't a commercial for the Catholic church, you're still on the right channel). Afternoon hikes help me clear my head after a day of putting new thoughts in there. As I hike, I get to be with just me, my music and my thoughts. By the time I'm done, my head it clear, I feel like I've sweated out tons of toxins and I have a ton of energy.



This has been, by far, my best hiking season yet. I put in more miles than I ever have, and I saw so much progress in myself. I went faster. I could go further without stopping. I had more endurance. And each time it got easier.

Are you that person imagining yourself poking holes in my Camelbak? I would be so excited if that were the case because that would mean I'm making at least one person think...or just making them nauseous. Either way, YEAH!

I love the concept of a Bucket List. I made one when I was 13 and still have it somewhere but thought I'd make my online version. I bet a forgot a ton of things...but here's what I have so far.



What's on your Bucket List? Any that are the same as mine? Let's start crossin' shit off these things!

http://www.bucketlist.org/list/Kcartier/

Ahh, I've been a bad blogger! I'm getting back on it.

Here's the update:
I did Biggest Loser with 23 of the staff members at my school. I busted my booty, eating right and exercising. I lost 23 lbs and got second place. It wasn't first and my competitive side didn't like losing but...I won.

Things I won:
My "Real" Clothes Fit.
All my good clothes (i.e. clothes that are NOT from Old Navy or Target) are in my regular size, and I haven't been in them for a while, but I'm back! Hello, beautiful clothes that I paid good money for. Oh, how I've missed you!

My Smile is Back.
My mom used to always say, "All of your happiness is wrapped up in your weight." It's a sad but very true statement. It's amazing the confidence you have when you feel good about yourself.

I'm Dating Again!
Due to lives extenuating circumstances for the past few years, I haven't really felt ready to jump into a relationship. I am a fairly happy person, but at that time I wasn't. So, I needed to get my head straight so I didn't end up attracting a man who wanted to take care of me and put me back together. Mission accomplished. About a year ago I got back to being myself, standing on my own two feet and ready to date. The only problem...no confidence because in the process of putting my head back together, I ate a LOT of sugar.

If you know me from college, you know that Social Butterfly Cartier was the name of my game...and I had game. Ha! Ha! Kidding (a little bit). But...when you put on weight and don't feel good, Socially Retarded Cartier was what you got. But I'm back! I'm ready to be dating. I have dates lined up, fingers are crossed, life is good!

However, question for my blog enthusiasts...where do I meet people? Everyone I know says, "Try online dating. You're a teacher, you don't meet people." All true. I know that online dating works. I have friends who have married their eHarmony "matches," but I just don't think it's for me.

When I think of all of the best couples I know, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have been a "match" on eHarmony. Also, why do I want someone who has everything in common with me anyway? That's boring!
"What are your political views?"
"Oh, really, mine too."
"What's your religion?"
"Really, me too."
"What was the economic background of your family."
"Cool, me too."
Zzzzzzzzz, Excuse me while I try and wake myself back up.

I once read a statistic that "Only 30% of single men over the age of 30 are mentally stable." AFKM (You can figure out that acronym)? Awesome, I can't wait to jump into this pool.

I gave up my Bikram V-Card today. Yeah, that's right, I did it. As with most first times, it wasn't quite as good as I had hoped it would be but I'm sure it will get better.

Here are some mental notes I made during the 90 minutes of hell class.

1. It's hot.
No, it's really freakin' hot. I walked in and thought, "Hmmm, this isn't that hot." I was secretly patting myself on the back for being so tough when all my friends, who have talked about it, have said how hot it was. So I sat and waited for class to start. Then the instructor came in and went to the thermostat. LPIMH: Why is she going over there? Then the heat kicked on. WTF?! It's gonna get hotter. It got a LOT hotter.

2. Carpet??!?!?
Who was the genius who designed this place to have carpet on the floor?!?! It stinks in here. LPIMH: Maybe it's my imagination. Maybe that's the smell of carpet. I'm sure nobody actually sweats on the carpet. That's why we have towels and mats. During class: We sweat ON the carpet. People, myself included, were DRIPPING on the carpet. SICK! I wonder how much sweat is in that carpet. Ugh, let's not think about it anymore.

3. L-O-N-G
It's 90 minutes. That's as long as most movies. Ok, not as long as Schindler's List, but they have an intermission in there. That class is only 20 minutes shorter than Forgetting Sarah Marshall. It's 6 minutes shorter than Juno. Ok, I'll stop googling the running times of movies. You get the point. It's a long damn time to be that hot.

4. So, I can't drink water whenever I want? I thought I was 30.
So the first "party time" (their term, not mine) which is the time you're ALLOWED to drink your water was 20 minutes in to class. Note to self: drink a lot of water BEFORE you go next time.

5. The teacher talks A LOT!
She talked for 90 minutes straight. For 90 minutes there were words coming out of her mouth. That's a whole lotta talking!

6. These people are RIPPED!
Men, ripped. Women, ripped. Men, in Speedo-like shorts, ripped. Women, in tie-up fancy colored bathing suit like bikinis, ripped. If this is what Bikram does to your body, I'll keep torturing myself.

7. I got "called out" at least 20 times.
"Ok, everyone put your hands under your heels and pull straight up. Katie (on a microphone on an elevated stage, no doubt), I actually need your hands under your heels." LPIMH: Yes. I heard you. Can you see me trying? It's not like I'm trying to be defiant. She said my name more than anyone in the class. I'm sure the other people were like, "Who the f*** is Katie and why did she come if she can't do anything?!"

8. It was actually really rewarding...when I was done...and home.
I felt awesome when I got home. I was shaking trying to walk to my car and driving was a bit dicey but when I got in my door, life was good. My body tingled like it was happy.

My body is happy. I'll be back tomorrow morning. Does it get easier? Will ALL of the instructors call me out? I'm never telling anyone my name again.

It goes without saying that I'm addicted to my iPhone. So, unfortunately, Droid users...this may not be your favorite article.

Here are my favorite apps that help me move and groove...and a few I stole from www.fitperez.com. Hey, don't judge! You have your vices too! One of mine just happens to be a flamboyant, shit talking, celebrity whore.

My24
This has my group fitness schedule right there for any 24 Hour Fitness that I'm near. So quick! So easy! Now, if it would just drive me there too.

Chipolte
Ok, so it's not THE healthiest...but if you cut your portions and order carefully, it's way better than most. You can place your order AND pay. Just walk in and pick it up :)

AllTrails
Hiking is my favorite exercise when it's nice. Ok, not when it's just "nice." The weather has to be perfect and for about 3 months in AZ it is just that. Anyway, this will find the trails closest to you and has ratings of them and levels of difficulty.

GoodFood
This is the COOLEST one ever! If you're on the run or, even, heading to a restaurant (Sidenote: Why is that the most difficult word, in the English language to spell. I have NEVER not had the red line under it). Click it and it will tell you the healthiest things on the menu, how many calories, fat, carbs and protein!

Pandora
Click it on, plug in your headphones and go. Current favorite, thanks to my workout buddy...Black Eyed Peas. It plays lots of Peas but other upbeat jams too.

C25K
I feel like this made this FOR me. It's "Couch to 5K," and I made give it all the credit if I actually finish this race (I use that term "race" VERY loosely) in April.

Facebook
Ummm, because I can Facebook WHILE working out.

100 Pushups
This takes you from being able to do 1 push-up to 100. Ok, so I'm not so religious about using it. I downloaded it in August and now I can do 3 push-ups...but I bet it would work if I used it.

Ab Workout
A different work-out each day. It's good!

Livestrong
I'm not counting calories right now but for those people who are, this one is AWESOME...and it gives you little ribbons that keep you motivated! Who doesn't love ribbons?!

Do you have good ones?! Share! Share!

I can think if at least 9 reasons NOT to run.

1. It's hard
2. I get shin splints.
3. I'm clumsy and I trip often while I'm walking. I don't think I'll be coordinated enough to go faster than my everyday walk.
4. The ground is hard.
5. It's hard.
6. I get shin splints.
7. My dog can't run and tries to jump up and play while I run.
8. I look like a fool while I'm trying to run.
9. I don't have cute running shoes.



I mean, seriously, what sounds fun about putting on shoes and moving your feet so fast. I'm not in that big of a hurry so I see no reason to run. If I were being chased, I see the reason. But for a daily exercise regimen, it sounds perfectly awful.


So, I'm signing up for the Pat Tillman Run.

I'm so scared to weigh in tomorrow. Why? Why, you ask? Because I sucked this week. Yep, I fell off the wagon and hit the ground with a hard thump...a hard thump on several cookies.

How is it that I have a need to eat crappy when I'm feeling crappy? Most people get sick and lose their appetites. Not me. Awesome.

I know I have to just suck it up and face the consequences of my bad decisions. I'm ok with no loss but please, please, please Scale Gods...no gains!




Either way, I'm back on track. We all make mistakes, right?!!