Quick Update!! :)

Howdy from Flagstaff!!

Well here's a quick update before my big road trip! Yay! I'm going to go to General Conference with Dan and Jill for my first time ever! I've been dying to go to Conference ever since I got baptized, but never had the chance. Now I get to! YAY!!

I had my Docs appointment this past Wednesday, and she was very impressed! Turns out on their scale I've only lost 8lbs...which is probably really 9-10 cause I still had my layers of clothes on (its been cold) and other things. She was so proud and impressed with my weight loss. I got a "You Go Girl!" at the end of my appointment. Haha.

At this appointment we also established a weight goal. I asked her if there was a certain weight I should be shooting for, and she asked me what I thought. I said I would at least like to get down to 150lbs. She said that sounds good to her. I will never be able to be 100lbs (not that I wanted to be that small) but I can at least get smaller. It will probably take me a good year to get to 150lbs- I hope, but that is my goal and I want to do it.

Ever since I've felt like I've had more energy, and just feel healthier. Heck, a guy even sat by me today in Sunday School (wearing boots and wranglers- yeah I was a fan) and talked with me. It made me feel self-confident and pretty. I know that sounds so stupid, but for a guy to sit by me and talk to me, that does a lot.

Only down side to all this, is I will always have the risk factor of diabetes. I might not have it now, but if I don't follow this new life change I will. Which means in the long run I have to keep this diet my entire life. I'm kinda bummed. I mean what cowboy doesn't eat mashed potatoes with his steak? Or all the good country cooking that really I can't have now. I'm going to be a pretty pathetic cowgirl. Though my doctor rensured me I can cheat every once in awhile- just as long as its not more then eating correctly.

Today in Fast and Testimony Meeting a girl got up and said "Heavenly Father doesn't give us trials that we can't over come." I have to remember that Heavenly Father gave this to me for a purpose, and He's right there with me to help. He wouldn't give this to me if He knew I wasn't going to be able to handle it.

Let's see, that's pretty much all I got. Right now I need to focus on the school work for the week and try to run a few errands before Utah! When I return I'm sure I'll post bunch of pictures and stories. Wish us safety, luck, and for a good time!

Keep Holding On!

You Get What You Give

Howdy Folks! Let's give ya a 8 second ride, shall we?

I just returned from Spring Break to NAU last night, and man I did not want to go back. Don't get me wrong, I love NAU but I just want to be done. It was so nice having a week long break from classes and stress. This Spring Break was different compared to the last couple. Normally on Spring Break I go on a trip with Dan, Jill, Alan, and Jared somewhere but Alan is busy and well Jared is gone. Haha. I did however go down to Tucson for the second half of Spring Break and spent time with Dan and Jill. The rest of Spring Break I relaxed and spent time with my family and Huey.

Last time I wrote I was talking about my sudden life change. Well it'll be a month from this coming Wednesday that I got the news from the Doctor. In fact, I'm going back in for a follow up this Wednesday. This month has not been easy, that is for sure.

I have my ups and downs with this. I have my good days where I don't mind veggies and I say "Bring them on!!", but then I also have my bad days where veggies and lean meats do not sound good at all. Instead I want a 12 oz. steak with mash potatoes!! I never really thought I ate a lot of carbs before, or well at least more then what you should until now when I can't have them. Okay well I can have them, but tiny amounts and none of the white stuff. Spring Break was a good week, cause my Mom cooked stuff we normally have, but I made sure not to get the rice, potatoes, rolls, etc and load up on the veggies. Though towards the end I wasn't so good. I gained a couple pounds back, but only like 2 or 3. Not too bad.

One up side about this, I figured out that I really like to work out. Again I have my bad days where I'm busy with school or Im sore and tired not wanting to do anything- but then I regret it later. While I'm here at school I've been taking a dance-work out class called Zumba. I highly suggest it to anyone if it's offered to you! I also found out tonight, cause Zumba was wicked crowed that I like the work-out bikes. I did 12.5 miles tonight in a half hour, not too bad for my first time. My goal was 10 miles. During the break I would take hour long walks, and loved it. I would either have my Mom with me, or listened to my ipod. Even though I was working out in a way, I was relaxed and was able to think about different things. I love the way I feel after working out, and I'm excited that I'm loving it. Reminds me of when I use to play sports! Oh, I miss it! This is going to make losing the weight somewhat easier.

Before I left for the break I had lost up to 13.5lbs! Granted I have gained some back, but still. I'm very proud of myself. I do have my days where I look in the mirror and just feel so fat or that I'm gaining and get so frustrated. But I have to remember that you want to lose weight slowly, and I think 13lbs is pretty amazing for me.

I'm very nervous for my Dr. appointment Wednesday. When she asked about my medical history before, I totally forgot that my Grandpa who passed had diabetes, and apparently I have two Aunts on that side who also suffer from diabetes. When I was with the Dr. last she said if I gained 50lbs more, I would be classified for Type-II Diabetes. I'm scared now that after I tell her about my family, she's going to be like "Oh, you have diabetes!". I know the meds I'm on now are for those who have Type-II Diabetes, and I hope that by being on that and losing the weight I won't have them. But we'll see. I'm scared to see what she's going to say. I hope she's impressed and says I'm doing things right. I have lots of questions for her, and one is being do I have to do this for the rest of my life. The exercising no problem, but the diet change...I'm a little nervous I can't do it.

I guess I'm just going to have to wait to see what she says, and see what happens. I have a new motto about this and that is "You Get What You Give". If I give the effort to do this to succeed, then I can do it! Though if I fall or don't try, then well it's back to where I started. My family has been very supportive, and so has Jill. -But I bet I'm driving them all crazy.

So I never took like a before picture of this, but here's a picture of me before and then as of right now. Well at least my face. I notice for sure I have lost weight when I look at my face.

What do you think?

Life Changes

Howdy Y'all!

I hope all is going well with everyone! Things have been very busy and stressful for myself. School is crazy insane. I think I get on top of things, but then do bad on a quiz or lab in Chemistry. I hate it! All I want to do is pass and get closer to graduating. I'm worried about Physics, Genetics, and Chemistry. I hope I can pull this semester off. :S

I've also had some life changing things happen as well. I have decided along with my friend Jill, that I want to lose like 50lbs (she wants to lose like 30lbs or something). I want to be able to fit in those cute cowgirl wranglers and get those cowboy's attention. Lately I've been going to the doctor to talk about a few things.

Well after a doctors appointment after another each week and a blood test (4 vials worth...oh man I almost passed out on the nurse that morning, luckily she caught me) I've recently been diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome and PCOS. They aren't serious serious, but they are not fun and need to get under control.

What does this mean? Well... first off my body isn't using insulin correctly. It produces insulin but my cells reject it and the other energy from the food I eat. So that extra digested food goes to my waste, and results in fat build up. So my cells are starving, which results to my brain telling me to eat more. Due to this it's making me a "Carbohydrate addict". I need to cut down on my amount of Carbs. Right now I can't have rice, pasta, bread, and the worse one-potatoes!!! I can't live without my potatoes. Luckily I can still have these by very rarely and in small amounts. My diet has now changed to lean meats and veggies! It hasn't been easy one bit. I'm starting to eat more veggies that I never knew I liked, but it seems like a lot of stuff I know how to make or whatever has carbs. If any of you know great recipes for chicken and veggies, or have any suggestion I would love to hear them. Along with the diet change, I'm taking a medicine to help disguise the insulin so my cells will take in the food and energy they need which should result in me being more energetic and not as hungry.

The PCOS means that I'm producing an egg every month, but my body isn't releasing it. So it gets stuck and hard resulting in larger ovaries than usual. My female hormones also are at different levels, which they should be the same. For this one I need to lose weight (which my diet change should help) and I'm on the wonderful pill! The down side to this one is that it means complications when it comes to having kids later. I'm really bummed, but the Dr. said I'm young and there is a lot that can help me to try and have kids. She was telling me about a pill that actually has a high rate of twins- oh boy! I might be carrying twins later! Haha.

My Dr. said it's good that we're catching it when I'm so young, which means I can help keep it under control. It's not curable, but she says I have a mild case and we can easily do things about it.

So now my life is about exercise and diet- which really I guess is how every one's should be. This hasn't been as easy as I thought. In fact I'm frustrated with it. I was doing so well at first, but now I'm still at a consistent 8lbs lost. I want to lose more though. Like today I just looked at the mirror and felt fat. Ugh.

I know I can do this, it's just going to take time to get the results I want. :S

I'm Back! 8 Second Update...

Howdy Y'all! I know it's been awhile since my last post- sorry! Things just get so busy when you start school again. You ready for an update on me?? Strap on your spurs, grab on tight, throw your hand in the air and give a nod cause here we go!!

Last time I was on here it was Thanksgiving, well that was long gone so I'm not going to really talk about that. Haha. I had a great Thanksgiving though with my family and got to spend some time with my best friends Dan and Jill. Jill and I went shopping for my very first Black Friday. It was intense, but a total blast. We'll probably go again next year. :)

Christmas was great! It wasn't a big Christmas for the Dillon Family, but that really didn't matter. All that mattered was we were all there and could celebrate it together. I love Christmas. It's the one day where my whole family is just in the best of mood- specially my Dad. I always look forward to Christmas cause I know my Dad will be in all smiles and shows his love more then he does any other day of the year. This year I got the biggest surprise and probably best present. New Boots!!! That's right, brand new Cowboy Boots! Oh, I love them to death! My Mom picked them out and I think she did awesome!! What do you think? (Forgive the basketball shorts, but hey its my pjs.)

The rest of Christmas Break I got to go to my best friend Jill's Graduation, spend time with her and Danny, be with my family, and work at the dog kennel. I love the dog kennel I worked with. It helped me to see what kind of dogs I want for the near future. My heart is pretty set on a Boxer when I move out and get my own place. If not, it will for sure be a big dog. I'm also leaning towards a Great Dane or Mastiff.- Like I said, big dogs! :)

School started back up in mid January, and believe me it's not a easy semester. I finally have started my Junior year here at NAU and sadly the courses are only going to get harder. Right now I'm taking Genetics, Stats, 3 hour Chem 151 Lab, Physics 111 with a 3 hours lab as well, Az Forest and Wildlife (probably my easiest and most relaxing), and then doing research for my Animal Behavior professor. I'm currently working on analyzing the difference between aggressive and non-aggressive vocalizations in dogs. I'm pretty stoked. Right now I've been reading past journals and experiments. Hopefully I can start my actual research soon.

NAU really hasn't changed, except for the fact that we got another snow day! ROCK ON! I guess I should state that it is very, very, very rare for NAU to have snow days. The Elementary and Jr. and High Schools get them all the time but not us. My first semester up here we got one, and then again this semester. It was the first time NAU history they had to close the school for two years straight due to snow. This time we got a huge storm. We got 2 feet of snow in just one night- it was awesome! Here's what it looked like. Pretty eh?

I have discovered something really cool though up here at NAU. There is work-out/ dance class that is offered here at our Rec-Center called Zumba! It is so much fun, and thanks to it I have already lost 8lbs! I go every Monday, Wednesday, Friday if I can. It's a great work-out, I'm learning lots of fun dance moves, and the music is pretty cool. It's not country, but if it gets me into those cute Wrangler Jeans- I'm all in!

Some other things to add that really don't have to do with school, but are my part of life are the following...

My good friend Jared Bienz left for his mission to Tampa, FL for two years a little over a week ago. I'm very excited for him and think this will be such a great experience for him. I did get a letter from him yesterday and he seems to be doing well. I look forward to the changes in him as he grows in our Heavenly Father's work.

I'm currently working on trying to get an AZ Game and Fish internship over the summer. I think it would be a great opportunity for me, but it seems pretty tough to get in. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping something will be offered to me.

There is some sad news though. This weekend, more like tomorrow, the PBR will be in town at Glendale. Unfortunately due to school I won't be able to make it. It starts at 6pm Sunday night and won't be over till late, so I'm pretty upset that I don't get to go. I was doing so good the past two years about going but not this year. I'm glad they decided to come back to AZ but totally bummed it was in Feb and not in the summer like usual. Maybe I can make an event in TX this summer- that would be pretty sweet! So yeah, best of luck my boys!!! Go get 'em and show 'em what you're made of!!!

Anyways, that's about it for me. There's other things, but I'm probably the only one that finds it funny or entertaining. Haha. I'm looking forward to Spring Break so I can have a break from school, but I'm so ready for this semester to be over. Ugh.

Oh well. I just have to Cowgirl Up, and hang out tight!

That's all for now...keep holding on!

Coming Soon- Thanksgiving

I would love to write a Thanksgiving post right now, but I really need to head to bed. I have a busy day tomorrow and week. I had an amazing Thanksgiving, and I'm so grateful for my family and friends. Heavenly Father truly blessed me this weekend, and I love Him so much. Hope you all had a good one. I'll be updating soon.

Love ya!

Just My Dog

So this weekend while working on my bug collection for Entomology I was watching Grey's Anatomy Season 2. In this season there is a point where Meredith buys/rescues a dog from the pound named Doc. Sadly he only loved Meredith, and she had to give the dog to someone else- who was that someone? McDreamy of course! Anyways, in the episode I was watching Doc had bone cancer and cancer reached his brain. You then see Meredith and Derek putting Doc down. OMG- I forgot all about that part and I was in tears!! I couldn't help but think of my boy. My Baby Huey, who is no longer a Baby but getting up there in age. I miss him tonz right now and just want to go home and see my boy. I found this poem online and it's perfect describing him.

JUST MY DOG

He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds;
my other ears that hear above the winds.

He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea.

He has told me a thousand times over that
I am his reason for being: by the way he

rests against my leg; by the way he thumps

his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he

shows his hurt when I leave without taking him.

(I think it makes him sick with worry when heis not along to care for me.)

When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive.
When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile.

When I am happy, he is joy unbounded.

When I am a fool, he ignores it.

When I succeed, he brags.

Witout him, I am only another man. With him,

I am all-powerful.

He is loyalty itself.

He has taught me the meaning of devotion.

With him, I know a secret comfort and a

private peace. He has brought me understanding

where before I was ignorant.

His head on my knee can heal my human hurts.

His presence by my side is protection against

my fears of dark and unknown things.

He has promised to wait for me...

henever...wherever--in case I need him.

And I expect I will--as I always have.

He is just my dog.

--- Gene Hill ---

Cowboy For Christmas

Yes I know Thanksgiving hasn't even come yet but hear me out!

Every year on my Mom's side we draw names for Christmas, that way everyone at least gets something. It's usually suppose to be a secret, but with this family it doesn't last long till you find out who has you. This year my Grandma got me, and she always does a really good job! Anyways, I was talking to my Mom last week and she said she needed a Christmas List from me so she can give ideas to my Grandma.

Well the past couple nights I have stayed up to think up a list. Needless to say my interests are pretty pricey. Who would of thought to live the Western Lifestyle it would be pretty pricey. So on my list I have some items from the PBR, new Cowboy Boots, my traditional Stud N Spurs calendar (until I get married), basically anything western/cowboy/cowgirl-ish along with some books and movies as well. I saved the best for last though. At the bottom of my list said:

Reese Cates

Now, if you have been following at all or seen the pictures I post of him (if not, there is one right on the side) you know who he is. If not, he's a PBR rider who actually just won the 2008 Daisy Rookie of the Year! GO REESE! Anyways, Reese is one of the sweetest guys I've seen/meet on the PBR Tour. I pretty much love his guts after reading his blog posts on pbrnow.com and meeting him in person. He made my whole day when I asked for his picture and he came around the tables to where I was and put his hand on my back (yeah I was a little excited). Yeah, I want him for Christmas, naturally.

Well I sent my list off in a email to my Mom last night, and after getting home from classes today I got a reply back. Basically my Mom thinks I'm kidding. If you know me at all...I'm totally not kidding here. I would love to find Reese sitting on the couch where my presents from Santa go.

If not Reese, I will settle for another cowboy! If any of you run into one for sale while you go out shopping on Black Friday or any Christmas shopping you know where to send him!!