Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall...

I can't believe it is already Fall again. Seems like just yesterday we were celebrating New Year's Eve with Matthew's Family. This summer seems like it was full of trips. I was fortunate enough to visit home several times this summer. Matthew and I also made our yearly trip to California. It was great spending time with loved ones and friends. As the holidays approach, I am looking forward to many more family gatherings. Fall truly is my favorite part of the year. Unfortunately for me, Arizona doesn't realize it is supposed to be Fall yet! haha! Guess that is what I get for moving here. I'm ready to break out my boots, jackets, and scarfs. 

Here are some pictures of things we did over the past few months...sorry for the overload. PS: if you follow me on Instagram, some of these are repeats :)

Ladies Night 

This summer we made our first trip to an amusement park together

Roadtripping to CA...

...making random stops to take pictures with Dinos

We were able to go to our first Pro Football game this summer

Lights of Vegas...taken on my way home from one of my many trips to UT this summer.

Sunset in UT

Family reunion trip to the rodeo

We went to a cult classic movie showing of Neverending Story

Sienna being a sunglasses model :)

Laura and Aria

Summer fun with these kiddos...water fight

Diamondbacks game

Jess and Laura playing the Michael Jackson dance game on Wii...I'm pretty sure Matthew still holds most of the records.

Ladies night ended at some crazy biker bar...this is one of the bands that played that night

Cute baby Aria...I helped pick her name...sort of :)

Jess and Sienna making Dixon's fathers day gift

Late night hangs with Parisa and Evan

Matthew and I in Vegas this summer

We witnessed a plane "crash"...more like a fender bender. It only crashed through a fence but we were stuck on scene for 2 hrs waiting to be told we could leave.

xoxo,

Megs

The Weight Loss Chronicles: Sometimes doing everything right...

...gets you no where!

After four months of working out 4 times a week, I was hoping my progress would be right on track. Unfortunately, my genetics decided against that plan. From my initial weigh in to August 15th I gained almost 10 lbs. Gaining weight while working out doesn't necessarily mean that something is wrong. Muscle does weigh more than fat, so it is possible. All would've been great except some of my measurements went back up to their original size. This mixed with other symptoms made me wonder if something else was going on with me. 

My mother has a history of hypothyroidism (under active thyroid). Some of the symptoms include itchy skin, brittle nails, tiredness, and weight gain. Knowing this, I met with my doctor and explained everything I had been doing during the last three months. She decided it would be best to have my TSH levels tested, along with a few other things. I had my blood drawn the following day and two days later made a follow up appointment with her to review the results. As I thought, it was under active thyroid. She prescribed me medication and ordered a follow up blood test for two months down the road. I've been taking the medication for a month now and have seen some improvements. My hope is that by the time I see the doctor in two months I've lost the almost 10 lbs I gained.

On another note, I also switched personal trainers. Long story short, mine decided to quit. She was almost 7 months pregnant, in school, and working. I don't blame her for focusing on other important things in life. My new trainer has had me doing some interesting things. For example, he had me switch up my cardio routine. I do a total of 30 mins of cardio every time I go to the gym. Lately I've been doing the treadmill. I walk at a 8 incline and 3 speed for 5 mins and then turn around and walk backwards for 3 mins, same incline but I bump down the speed to a pace I feel comfortable with. I alternate back and froth until I hit my 30 mins.  Doing this will allow you to burn more calories and work muscles that don't normally get worked during cardio.

xoxo,

Megs