'tis the season to be jolly!

Merry Christmas! 

It's been wonderful... I love the Christmas Spirit!

Here's my Christmas in pictures!

My gift to Dad

Cousin Amber and I meeting the REAL Santa.

 'tis the season for awesome sweaters.

Last minute Shopping at Walgreens

 Christmas on Sunday was awkward for everyone... we tried to make it as normal as possible

 Dad's Gift

 Struggling in the Wrapping Department

The sweetest Grandparents you'll ever know

 The married one

The married one and the husband

Christmas was a wonderful time... 

It always is.

I love my family.

Over & Out
Happy Holidays!

These are a few of my favorite things..

In my life I have come to know a few things. First, I have come to know that Julie Andrews is a SUPER nanny. 

(Eloise, Mary Poppins, Sound of Music...Yeah, the woman knows a thing or two). Another thing I have come to realize is the power that comes from finding joy in the little things in life. Things like "raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens."

I believe that being positive is truly empowering. It enables you to turn even the gloomiest day around!


These are a few of my favorite things.

1. Christmas Scented Candles & a warm bath on cold winter days
2. Warm fuzzy slippers
3. The sound of rain

4. Laughing yourself to tears
5. A child sitting on your lap telling you a story
6. The laughter of three little girls
Gabi, Sophi & Ali are their names


Let me tell you a little story.

Once upon a time, there was a young teenager who loved babysitting. At the age of 12 she quickly realized the love that she had for children, and began getting little jobs around the neighborhood. A few years later she was asked to be a nanny for one of those families and there began her career. 

The girl grew up and went off to college. She missed that family dearly, and was sad that she was missing out on seeing them grow up.

Here they are now, a few short years later.


This past week I got to babysit these girls again for the first time in a long time. I think it is safe to say that I was consistently laughing myself to tears. 
Perhaps this video will give you a glimpse of why that is. 

I hope you noticed the sneezes?...Best parts.

"I mustache you a question..."

If you couldn't tell from the pictures and videos, these three girls are overflowing with talent and energy. I literally can't wait to see where their futures take them, I am blessed to be back in their lives again.

This second video is my sweet Ali, dancing her heart out in the NYCDA Salt Lake City Competition. She competed in October. She is 11 years old and won 1st place - high score soloist. 

She is such a beautiful dancer.

It's moments like these that make me so grateful for my life and the little things that fill it to the brim.

Heavy sighs & Goodbyes

The evenings have gotten quite cold,
I think that means winter is quick approaching.
I can almost smell the snowfall that will shortly be upon us.

Once again, tis the season of love, of giving, of charity. I feel very grateful for the wonderful things that have come into my life this year. The people, the opportunities, the trials.
They all combine to make a wonderful year.

In addition to the changing of season's and with the coming end of the year means the end of a semester.
A semester which was very much so a blessing.
I'm unaware of whether or not I have stumbled upon the topic of UVU yet, but that is where the majority of my thoughts are tonight.

The past semester I have been solely attending UVU for institute while I work and save up money. Tomorrow is my last day of class. The last day I will be taught by the two wonderful teachers I have been taught by all semester. The last day I have with two wonderful classes, filled to the brim with special people who have had a serious impact on my life.

I'm feeling a little sad. How to you tell so many people thank you for all the little things they have said and done? Man, I can't tell you what a profound influence these two classes have had on me. I'm not ready to say goodbye. Oh brother, how cheesy does that sound?

There's a guy in my first class who always says the most profound things, I find myself perking up at the sound of his voice. Simply because I know it will be legit. I'll miss him... and everyone else so much.

It is interesting how people come in an our lives like a blink of an eye... Sometimes it is those people who have the most lasting impression in our lives. I think that is the case here.

Anyways. No sob stories, just a little downheartedness about my last day tomorrow.
I wish I could tell them all how much they mean to me.

Goodnight bloggers... wish me luck with the weigh in tomorrow!

-Sydney

"I think I can, I think i can!"

Good Evening dear friends.

It's been a while. 

I promise I have an excuse,

A few of them actually.

November 22 - My dear sister got married (So clearly the days previous as well as the day of were insane.)

November 24 - Happy Thanksgiving... I am SORRY but I was off spending time with my family... you know - the loved ones. So Happy turkey day! Hope you all had as much to be grateful for as I do. As hard as life can be at times, we are all very very blessed.

Next, {Insert work here, there was a lot of it}

I've just been busy. 

Oh... I failed to mention my parents.

Yes, I love them.

I really do.

But when they fly out to Hawaii the Sunday after dear sisters wedding, and leave 3 siblings for me to care for...You start to go insane.

So basically...I am exhausted.

But weigh in day is tomorrow, and I think I am at least down a pound. Woot!

This journey gets more and more intense every week.

I feel like "the little engine that could."

Your mom ever read that to you?...

Here's a clip to explain what I mean.

(Man, everything was better in the 60's)

Moral of the story is... No matter how difficult a situation gets... Don't quit.

Keep telling yourself you CAN... and you WILL.
And then all at once you'll be standing at the top of that mountain, and - like the little Engine - you will be saying, "I THOUGHT I could!"

Goodnight

-Syd

PS.. Coming soon, "Confession Session," and "How I survived the Holiday"

Just a Jot... Or a Thought.

Sometimes all you need is someone to believe in you... even when you don't think you can believe in yourself. I am grateful for the people who support me... the ones who are there to encourage me, even when I'm not sure if I am cut out for the tasks that lie ahead of me.

Whether it be this weight-loss journey, or serving a full-time mission for my church... Both tasks have seemed very daunting to me at times, even now... I am grateful for all the support and love that keeps me going. It's good for me to think that I am not just doing these things for me. There is a greater purpose, a method to all the madness that I am grateful I am realizing now.

Decisions determine destiny.

I am grateful for the decision I made those few weeks ago to start this journey, because look at how far I have come!

I love you all!

Syd Tittle

Ready... Set... ACTION!

If you're a new reader, you probably don't know much about my word of the year.

A year ago in a communications class I was taking, we spoke about new years resolutions. My teacher spoke about choosing a specific word every year, and making it her "Theme" for the year as it were. 

I was inspired. Immediately, I began brainstorming the word which application was needed most in my life. 

After some time, I decided on a word and quickly began to implement it's definition in my day with the new year. And so the journey - in a way - began.

ac·tion

1.

the process or state of acting or of being active

2.

something done or performed; act; deed.

3.

an act that one consciously wills and that may be characterized by physical or mental activity: a crisis that demands action instead of debate; hoping for constructive action by the landlord.

4.

actions, habitual or usual acts; conduct: He is responsible for his actions.

5.

energetic activity: a man of action.

 

 

This is another secret to my success that I want to share with you today:

Have an attitude of action!

wake up EVERY day with the idea in your mind that today you will go out and do something good. Whether it be an act of service, or a brisk walk around the block.

"If you want to do it, all you have to do is DO IT!"

And THERE you go.

Thoughts on success and happiness

"Success doesn't bring happiness. Happiness brings success."

So often we look to the future with a "grass is always greener on the other side" type of attitude. At least I know I used to do that. But that is what is so great about this whole journey for me. I am FINALLY learning what it takes to find true success and happiness.

It feels like just yesterday I was letting those ideas creep into my mind:

-Once I get married, I will be happy.

-Once I finish college, I will be truly happy.

-As long as I pass this test, I will be a happy camper.

-Once I lose 30 pounds I will be happy.

If you are smiling right now, its probably because you can almost hear yourself saying something along these lines. So much of our lives, especially as women is focused on trying to be as "perfect" as possible. Perfect being a relative term, for who even knows what the REAL definition of it is. 

I have been approached by a few dear friends of mine who double as lovely blog readers. Both have questioned about my secrets of success. They inquired about how I keep going, how I stay motivated. In all honesty... that is a good question. A question that I have been pondering about for some time now. 

Here's the short answer. The one that I've found it all boils down to:

The secret to my success is staying positive. Its about not worrying so much about my success but focusing first (like in the quote I began with) on being happy and optimistic. There have been a few weeks where I have been so down...so inwardly focused. And those were the weeks where I did not find much success at all.

So step 1 that I will share with you today is:

-Stay Happy and Optimistic, It doesn't matter what happened yesterday or even 10 minutes ago. It's all about what you choose to do with your time right NOW.

I've said it before and I will say it again.

The time for change is Always, Always, ALWAYS right NOW. It wasn't this morning, it isn't last week. It is right now. Motivation is something that needs to be RE-APPLIED every single day of our lives. 

A funny quote that supports this is one that I got from a dear friend (and "adopted brother"'s) facebook page.

"People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily." Zig Ziglar

And there you go. 

More secrets to success will come in weeks following.

Keep up the good work!

Guess what?... I am the proud owner of a Planet Fitness Gym pass! This will be great for me to have in the cold winter months in Salt Lake City! I am very excited, my first gym pass EVER.

Don't I look FANTASTIC in the morning?

Anyways...

As always, I thank you for your continued love and support, you all help keep me re-focused and motivated every single day! 

I love and appreciate you!

If you have any questions at all feel free to comment! Eventually I will set up an email address specifically for this blog. I would love to address any questions, ideas or concerns in future posts.

Thoughts on The Gym

The woman is hilarious.

This is definitely an ab work out.

Blog-e-VENTory

I am tired, but I can't sleep.

Most times when I feel down, all I want to do is eat.

I wonder where this came from, this "addiction" to using food to cope with all the negative feelings I have.

All I know is that tonight I am going to go to bed,

and I am not going to eat.

As much as I want to go upstairs and grab a huge bowl of the sugariest cereal I can find,

and as much as my second choice would be to lay out here on the couch, and like I have done for years, watch a movie until I fall asleep... I am not going to.

Because for once in my life I am truly determined about something.

Determined about taking steps forward, not so many backwards.
Determined about somehow taking control of myself.

So tonight I am going to go back to bed

and coach myself to sleep.
I may have taken a few steps backwards this week, but I can be proud of myself for taking a step forward tonight.

Remember, the time for change is always, always, always right now.

love you all.

Hope

Webster's Definition of Hope is:

2a : desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment.

Hey. 

Today the definition of hope become real to me. 

What is my desire?
To gain control of my life,

mind, body, and spirit.

Today I specifically felt hope in regards to the second; my body.

As many of you who are reading this may know, 6 weeks ago I embarked on a journey to total health and fitness, knowing beforehand that the treacherous road would not be easy. Especially for a girl who (recently realized) had some sort of a food addiction. 

I finally realized yesterday that this is a righteous desire of my heart. And like all other righteous desires, I must rely on the Lord for strength to fulfill it.

This morning I woke up feeling this very simple, yet true definition of hope radiate through my heart. And I knew that through my faithfulness, I would be able to accomplish ANY righteous desire of my heart. Even if it is healthy weight loss. 

As I weighed in today, I was excited to find that I had lost 2 pounds this week... and I knew at once that I could not have done it alone. God strengthens us through trials and lifts us up when we need him most. 

 Philippins 4:13 - I can do all things through ^aChrist which ^bstrengtheneth me.

What I wanted to tell you today, is that... If I can do this, if I can change my life around... then so can you. I KNOW with out a shadow of a doubt that through our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, ALL of our righteous desires will be fulfilled if we work our hearts out.

Thanks for your kindness, encouragement and support.

I love you all.

PERM!

I usually get a perm during the summertime, but this year I didn't and BOY was I missing that fro of blond curls. SOOOOO I got one!

I love love love it.

Forgotten how nice it is to have one.

 

Want a perm? Get one! It's wonderful!

One of these things is not like the other...

10 Pounds DOWN! 

Here's the picture!

Lovely... I know :S hahah I can definitely see a difference though, and I am feeling better and better everyday!

I can't tell you readers how grateful I am for you. I literally have SO many great friends, and if you are reading this I know that you are one of them. Love and support is what people need the most when they are going through journey's as difficult as this. 

From the sweet comments, to encouraging and kind words in person. I am changing my life, and I couldn't be more grateful for your help. I couldn't keep going without you, I am serious.

If I remember nothing else about this experience, this is one thing I hope to never forget...

The time for change is ALWAYS right NOW.

You are ready.

Love, me

OH HEY!

So I am obviously behind in recording the journey!
The last two weeks have been rough.
Not necessarily because life is hard, but because change of any kind isn't always easy!
You live a certain way and form habits both good and bad.
For me, I had a lot of bad ones.
Bad ones that I am trying to break.
every day I am working on improving myself mentally...Even when things get rough and results aren't as good as we'd like them to be, we can find hope and happiness in the idea that we are already better than we were before we began our journey. We've made a decision to change our lives, and we are taking the time to DO it, so we might as well come out of it a champion, right?

Two weeks have passed and I have lost a little over a pound. But I have still lost at least a little bit every week! And while the numbers at times seem to be a little discouraging, I need to keep going because I am going to be a champion. I just have to be.

Photos will come for every 10 pounds I lose. So far I have lost 9.

Thanks for your continued support!

Good news!

Hey friends! Today and tomorrow, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be watching or listening to living Apostles and Prophets of Christ provide guidance and inspiration to the people of the world. If you are curious what a modern-day prophet says or teaches or if you are in need of a better understanding of the purpose of life, you can tune in here: http://lds.org/general-conference/watch?lang=eng

A little late!

I weighed in yesterday 2 pounds lighter!
Hurray for lost weight!

Keep eating right
Keep exercising!

I'm off to watch the BYU game while I do the eliptical!

Have a great night!

Coming next week will be my first set of transformation pictures.
Gotta make this 4th week my best!

Love, Syd

Peace

In April of 1991, because of the weakened state of President Ezra Taft Benson, Thomas S. Monson was asked to give a few thoughts on behalf of the beloved prophet of the time. A war in the middle-east had just ended, but the prophet then (Benson), as well as the man who would become prophet several years following (Monson) still felt prompted to share this inspired message about peace.

Today we read this talk in institute. Now more than ever, people in the world we live in are fighting for peace. I wish we could all understand that this is the way we will find it!

Quotes Thomas S. Monson:

President Benson has stated: “The price of peace is righteousness. Men and nations may loudly proclaim, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there shall be no peace until individuals nurture in their souls those principles of personal purity, integrity, and character which foster the development of peace. Peace cannot be imposed. It must come from the lives and hearts of men. There is no other way.” 

(The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988, p. 703.)

President Benson has urged: “If we would advance in holiness—increase in favor with God—nothing can take the place of prayer. … Give prayer—daily prayer, secret prayer—a foremost place in your lives. Let no day pass without it. Communion with the Almighty has been a source of strength, inspiration, and enlightenment through the world’s history to men and women who have shaped the destinies of individuals and nations for good.” 

(God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974, p. 8.)

I hope that we all can increase our own efforts of establishing peace in the world! "The price of peace is righteousness." May we make personal purity, integrity, and righteous character big parts of the people we are. Only then will we see peace within the society we live.

Here is the talk I am referring to: http://lds.org/ensign/1991/05/the-power-of-prayer?lang=eng

Read it. It is fantastic!

Love you all!

Sydney

Week 3: Happy happy day!

Hi, my name is Sydney Tittle, and today I am experiencing some serious internal giddyness. 

giddyness is not a word.

But that is okay because this is my blog.

And people make up words all the time.

So there.

Anyways, sorry for the ramblings. Let me tell you about my day.

Because I am guessing that it is for that very reason that you are reading my blog.

Okay... so maybe you aren't....

But bear with me, because days like these make people terribly happy.

Especially little bouncy blonde girls like me.

This week I was about only 80% dedicated to the new lifestyle habits I am trying to get into.

And that is why I woke this morning to the nagging anxiety of weigh in day. 

'Oh dear,' I thought. 

Nevertheless I pushed all nagging feelings aside and decided to begin the day with MORNING scripture study in my Book of Mormon.

And that my friends, was Good Idea! #1.

The regular happenings of Thursday morning were carried out and then I was OFF to Institute.

and BOOM.

Good Idea! #2... Yesss I was on a roll.

Now you are starting to get the picture...

Good Idea! #3 came today when the dashing young fellow came and sat next to me in institute (for the 3rd time in a row...) I said hi. hahah Weak sauce... I know. But nevertheless, I was still a good idea.

My day went on and with the advancing of the day the anxiety of the weigh in creeped back into my mind. 

'Oh dear,' I thought... again. ha

Long story short, I went in, talked to Dan, weighed in, and then BOOM. 

I had lost weight!

 [TWO] [POINT] [EIGHT] Pounds! 

So BASICALLY I feel like a champion.

I learned my lesson though. 

I'd rather go into a weigh in confident that I had done all that I can.

I'd rather go in there and be able to tell Dan that I "behaved" as he likes to call it.

Anyways, I am giddy. Because I am taking control of my life. I feel so great! 

Here's another tip for WEEK 2:

GET MOVING!

Now, coming from a girl who hates exercise...(hopefully the more I do it the more I will love it..)

EXERCISE can be fun.

Running can be SO boring and mundane and... hard. haha

and that is definitely why I don't like it.

The A.D.D. gets the best of me. 

(If you like running, I am sorry... to each his own, right?)

Go Rollerblading! for about 30-40 minutes (Don't kill yourself, just nice and easy low heart rate stuff)

Why don't you have to kill yourself?... well because with the healthy food you are eating.. you don't want to burn it too fast, you want to just take this nice and easy or you will hit a wall and plateau with your weightloss.

Don't have rollerblades?... find something you love to do and do it! Even if it is making a playlist on http://www.grooveshark.com and dancing around for twenty minutes in your living room, office, bedroom, dormroom kitchen... just get your groove on and have a good time!

The point is, get off your tush and have a good time... and then get on blogspot after and pass it off for exercise. 

(No, exercise will not always be this easy... but if you are anything like me... you need somewhere to begin!)

Any questions?... ask!

Thanks again for the support friends!

Love, Sydney

P.S. this is my song for the day...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDxhugRKZ8g
Listen to it if you wanna have a good time.

P.P.S. I don't think I put enough emphasis on that cute kid in my institute class. He is terribly handsome! Something in my stomach starts doing jumping jacks the past 3 times he has sat next to me. Now, I have just got to learn how to talk to the kid...that and how to stop saying stupid things that make my face turn bright red..... ugh. 

HAVE A GOOD DAY!

Week 2: Find Joy in the Journey

Today began the wonderful week 2 of my 24 week journey working with Dan. 

So far, it has been GREAT! I'm starting to feel so much better about my body, not because it looks so good after one week... But because I am so proud of myself for sticking in there and working my way toward a more healthy lifestyle!!

As I jumped on the scale today at Dan's office, I was excited to see how many pounds I had lost in just the first week.

RESULTS.... Drumroll please...

THREE POUNDS!!

The even better part about it was that 2.4 of those pounds were fat mass! That means I must be doing something right! I am losing FAT FAT FAT! And I couldn't feel happier about it.

Now, at the end of every week... I will relay my success.

I will also reveal what I have been eating (You know, In case you want to come along with me on this journey... which I think you TOTALLY should! It feels so great to eat healthy! No matter who you are and how skinny you may be!)

You must realize though, that these menus are specifically tailored to my likes and dislikes. My calorie intake is also something that was set very personal to what my body needs...My advice would be to take the information I give you and do what you may with it.

You must ALSO realize that all of our bodies are different, what works for one... MAY not work as well for another... the key to this process is FIGURING out your body and what HEALTHY steps it takes you get your body to move.

Here's a quick sketch of the menu...I would recommend this to anyone! I has been great for me so far!

Meal 1- GOODMORNING! You wake up and within an hour you MUST eat breakfast. It is, after all, the most important meal of the day! Here's what I typically eat:

100 Calories worth of Cereal (Nothing too sugary i.e. captain crunch, fruity pebbles, reese's puff, etc.)

Put enough milk over the cereal to get it wet, eat, and then dump out the remaining milk.

feel free to also put a half a banana with it... I do something a little different though.

As a part of breakfast you also typically get the option of either an egg or a protein drink. Since I am not a fan of eating eggs plain, I take my 1/2 of banana allotted to breakfast-time and put it in a blender with my one scoop of 100% Whey Chocolate protein powder (from costco) and blend it in with a little bit of water and ice, and voila! 

You have a chocolate shake that doesn't taste too bad. (You'll get used to it... Its PACKED with protein!)

TWO to THREE Hours Later!

Meal 2- It's actually more like a snack, really.

100 Calories worth of Crackers or Pretzels (Wheat thins, triscuits, those good healthy kinds!)

String cheese (yum!)

and a small apple!

TWO to THREE Hours Later!

Meal 3- LUNCH TIME!

Sandwich:

Lettuce

tomato (if you like them.. I don't.)

Mustard

One slice of Provolone cheese (smells like bum... but tastes pretty good.)

two slices of bread

100 Calories worth of any baked chips! (The Kettle Brand is really yummy.)

TWO to THREE Hours Later!

Meal 4- Snacking again!

One Yogurt - Activia Light Brand if you can

10 Almonds (YUM) (You can have the tasty smokehouse kind if you'd like!)

and a Fruit!

TWO to THREE Hours Later!

Meal 5- Dinnertime! 

Dan put on my meal list a specific thing to eat...

Rice, Chicken and Veggies.

BUT because he wants to teach me how to be human and not eat the same thing everyday, and because he knows that I have family and I frequently eat dinner with them, and because he realizes that my age group of people like to go out on weekends, because people my age (even if they don't) SHOULD be going on dates... ha... he wants me to know how to change this meal depending on where I am going and what I am doing.

Here are a few tips.

First of all, he told me...

If you are on a date with some cute guy, lets say he takes you to five guys... For heavens sake! Eat a burger! It wont kill you! Get the smallest burger available and then only eat as many fries as the size of your fist!

Here's another easy measuring tip.

Since I am working in portion sizes...here's what I do:

Look at the palm of your hand. That's how much meat you should eat.

now put your hand in a fist... and there you go... amount of carbs you should see on your plate (i.e. rice, potatoes, noodles, etc...)(Boy am I jealous of you people with big hands! haha)

Then have a bunch of those Healthy veggies, especially the dark green ones! (i.e. spinach, green beans, and that's all I can think of at the moment...

TWO to THREE Hours Later!

Meal 6- TREAT!

Treat yourself to a lovely 100 Calorie Skinny Cow Truffle Ice Cream on a stick thing! (YUM!)

Or have your favorite 100 calorie pack of oreos

or 100 calories worth of something you love, I guess!

It's a yummy way to end your day!

Also... Drink water... and lots of it. Nothing too specific. Just drink.

Time for me to jet. Sorry about the LOONNNNG post! 

Thank you for the love!

Thanks for the encouragement! 

In all you do, remember to find joy in the journey... as hard as your day may be... you can still SMILE and look for the GOOD in everything!

Hurray for doing hard things!

Chow!