So, I started back to the gym yesterday.

I got on the treadmill and used my C25K app on my phone which, by the way, is awesome. I mean, at first I was a bit surprised. I really thought that with an app called "Couch to 5K" it would start with something a little easier like: Day 1- Remove your ass from the couch and put on your gym clothes. Day 1 complete.

Apparently my iPhone wants to push my a little harder than that. So, Day 1-5 minute brisk walk to warm up, then alternate 60 second run, 90 second walk for 20 minutes followed by a 5 minute cool down. Not too intense. This thing is great. It tells me exactly what to do and when so I can just listen to my music.

Though, it IS a little bossy. I was hoping for a sweet, "Ok, it's time to run. Good job!" It says, in a manly military-like voice, "Run." "Walk." "Run." "Workout complete."

What?! That's it?! "Workout complete." How bout, "Way to move your ass today. I'm so impressed at your endurance (can I even use those words without laughing when I run for 60 seconds at a time). Way to only watch 2 episodes of Khloe and Lamar and not 12!" So, I need more accolades than most. Oh well, I guess I'll have to call my friends for those because apparently Mr. Drill Sargent voice on Couch to 5K won't be giving it to me.

Today...Day 2 of C25K.

"I'm ready for another blog. You only posted once in May." I'm sure you can imagine my surprise when I got this text from my cousin. I mean, on one hand, she's family so she's practically required to say that but I was so stoked that someone reads it! Yes! Mission accomplished.

So, now I just have to think of something to write about...

What I really wanna write about is the most recent date I went on because I'm way funnier when I'm making fun of someone, but I fear he would find this blog and have his feelings hurt, and while I don't mind making fun of people behind their backs, making grown men cry is never something to brag about. So, I'll give it to you in a nutshell: super nice, cute, did all the right things, and I'm just not that in to him. Why? Why, you ask? Because I'm an asshole, that's why...and a glutton for punishment (and singlehood, apparently).

And that's what I have for today. I promise I'll be a better blogger soon.

I love this and perhaps I should morph my blog into this:

So...the losing the weight part wasn't that tough...it's the whole, "You're going to have to maintain these eating habits for the rest of your life," thing that's a little tougher.

I'm doing it already..."Well, I shouldn't grab fast food on the way home...but I lost some weight so it won't really hurt." "No sugar Katie...but I lost some weight so it won't really hurt." "I should only eat a handful of popcorn...but I lost some weight so a bit more won't hurt." YES IT WILL!




So, I need to get back on track and that's what I'm doing...starting tomorrow, just kidding, starting today, now.

Goals for the summer:
1. Get into ALL of my old shorts and no only have them button but have them button WITHOUT the muffin-top. "Just because they button, doesn't mean they fit."
2. Run.
3. Eat frozen grapes-frozen grapes NOT popsicles.
4. Swim...that means swim laps not lay on a raft in the pool.

"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.