cHaNgEs : 8 Week Weigh In!!!

I am excited about today's post- I can honestly say I am quite proud of my progress so far. I had a bad couple of weeks on my journey, and I had a hard time figuring out what was holding me back. I would get up in the morning ready to eat healthy, but by the end of the day I would have had at least one slip-up. Most times it was having too large of a serving of healthy food, or eating a bit too often. But there was also the chocolate chips and peanut butter incident, and I must confess that one day I even got burger king! But I kept at it day after day because I knew something had to give and I would eventually find my motivation once again. I told myself when I started this June 1st that I would not let any slip-ups derail me longterm. Even if I didn't do so well for days or weeks at a time, I would push myself to get back on track. 5 days after my last weigh in I hadn't lost a single additional pound, and I wasn't terribly surprised. Last Monday morning I woke up and said 'that's enough!'. That was 9 days ago. The main thing I focused on was not eating anything after dinner (which is usually between 6 & 7 pm). That was a very important rule that should never have been broken, and  I'm glad I went back to it! I also think that sleep deprivation plays a part in poor decision making. One day I read a quote from a health guru who said their  biggest tip was to get enough rest, because it is one of the most influential things on our daily health. I thought about it, and when I looked back through my food & exercise journal I kid you not that the days I did the worst correlated DIRECTLY with the nights I was up with the baby the most! But I'm not going to hide behind that and throw my hands up in the air when I miss out on sleep, as I often do. I think the key is to do something that provides an atmosphere of motivation in the morning- anything that gets you up and doing something. My morning walks can do wonders, and so can getting Xia ready early and moving around with her. Good decisions = good decisions = good decisions.... anyway enough of my chatter, here's what I accomplished in 9 days :

  In 2 weeks, I have lost : 8 lbs
                                       2.25 inches off the smallest part of my waist and
                                       1.75 inches off the largest
                                       0.5 inches off my hips
                                       0.5 inches off my thighs
                                       0.375 inches off my arms
                                       0.75 inches off my bust

Cumulatively, I have lost : 34 lbs
                                       6 inches off the smallest part of my waist and
                                       7 inches off the largest
                                       3.75 inches off my hips
                                       2.5 inches off my thighs
                                       2.25 inches off my arms
                                       4 inches off my bust

I cannot believe I'm so close to the 100s! And almost fitting in all my clothes again!!! I haven't decided on a goal weight for sure, but I'm at least a third of the way there! Comment below to tell me what you think of my progress :)

Bumpy Road - 3rd Weigh In

So I am 6 weeks into my healthy eating lifestyle, and although I am still feeling great, there have been some rough patches.. some meals I still struggle a bit with portion control, and I have had a few moments of weakness. I have adapted my strategy accordingly- rather than being so strict, I know that in order for this to be a sustainable lifestyle for years to come I must carefully balance healthy eating and happy eating- that is, allow myself to have some quick, easy alternatives to the 'straight from the earth only' approach (ie. healthy frozen meals, treats in moderation, etc). One thing I have found is that I need to be careful with chocolate- I found fiber one brownies with only 90 calories each, but ended up eating all 6 that came in the box the same day! Needless to say, they are no longer allowed into my shopping cart. Instead I found 30 calorie frozen fudge pops that I have managed to eat one at a time lol. I have given myself more structure in planning the day's meals a bit ahead of time, and make sure I keep track of how much water I drink every day. I am in the process of recording nutrition info for my frequented meal combinations and snacks, so that I am at least vaguely aware of calorie counts, and I have recently discovered the perfect sized tupperware container that only fits a small amount of food- which has been helpful. The last couple of days I haven't been able to exercise because I have a possible hernia, so I am trying to be extra careful what I take in. As soon as I get the go-ahead from my doctor it's back to daily fitness! Sounds funny but I can't wait to do crunches again! Here's how I did:

  In 2 weeks I have lost: 4 pounds
                                     1.25 inches off the thinnest part of my waist and
                                     1.25 inches off the largest
                                     1.25 inches off my hips
                                     0.5 inches off my thighs
                                     0.625 inches off my arms
                                     0.25 inches off my bust

Cumulatively, I have lost: 26 pounds
                                      3.75 inches off the thinnest part of my waist and
                                      5.25 inches off the largest
                                      3.25 inches off my hips
                                      2 inches off my thighs
                                      1.825 inches off my arms
                                      3.25 inches off my bust

So, as you can see, I definetly struggled these past 2 weeks- not losing too much weight. But I still made progress, especially inch-wise. I have resolve to try harder and eat even better the next 2 weeks to achieve better results, but I am proud to have reached my first short term goal of 25 pounds lost! On my way to 50! Wish me luck :D

Going Strong- 2nd Weigh In!

So here I am 4 weeks in and going strong! I still have so much motivation, which is leaps and bounds beyond how I usually feel after 4 weeks of weight loss- if I can remember the last time I lasted this long! What has changed is the focus; I'm not constantly worrying about the scale while feeling deprived of the foods I wish I could be eating. My ultimate goal is to be healthy, and I know that if I eat right and exercise the weight loss will happen naturally. It is empowering to think this way because it allows me to realize that I have reached my ultimate goal- I am healthy. All I need to do is keep going. In fact I have really enjoyed finding new healthy foods and recipes to try, so much so that I am thinking of becoming a nutritionist! The more information I find the more excited I get. My boyfriend is going to be a personal trainer, so we would be quite a pair! All that being said, I must admit that it isn't always easy to eat healthfully. Just last night I ate a whole wheat tortilla with light cheese and a bowl of special k at 9:30 pm. No good! But I knew that my whole diet wasn't going down the tubes because of my slip up, and I woke up this morning with resolve to eat extra clean. Once in a while I eat too much, but it's still healthy food and not often. I know that eating healthy for life means I need to have options that satisfy cravings- namely chocolate. I fould delicious low sugar, 90 calorie mocha ice cream bars, and I have read that you can make cupcakes using devils food cake mix and canned pure pumpkin in place of the oil and eggs. It cuts out most of the calories and saturated fat, and adds vitamins and antioxidants! Ok, enough babbling, here's how I did:

  In 2 weeks I have lost: 10 lbs
                                      0.5 inches off the smallest part of my waist and
                                      3 inches off the largest
                                      0.5 inches off my hips
                                      1 inch off my thighs
                                      2 inches off my bust (hope that's mostly loss of backfat, lol..)

Cumulatively, I have lost: 22 lbs
                                      2.5 inches off the smallest part of my waist and
                                      4 inches off the largest
                                      2 inches off my hips
                                     1.5 inches off my thighs
                                     1.25 inches off my arms
                                     3 inches off my bust

So the best part of my progress is losing 3 inches off my postpartum belly in just 2 weeks- I could not believe that, and all I can say is crunches work!! Since I didn't lose anything from my arms I know I have to incorporate arm workouts into my schedule. I am glad to report that I am fitting in more clothes every day, and the pregnancy jeans have officially been retired!!! I am very happy with losing 22 pounds in just 28 days, and I can see a difference in the photos- can you??

 Thank you so much for taking the time to read this- please comment below to show support and feel free to share this page with anyone who may possibly be inspired, or is on a like journey. Until next time, full steam ahead!!!
                                                

Drumroll Please... First Weigh In!

  Finally, I reached my first of many 2 week checkpoints, and it was great to be able to check my progress thusfar into my journey. I know that future weigh-ins will most definetely yield less considerable results, but it is just what I need to fuel my motivation moving ahead. I would like to compare all weigh-ins to my first one. That way I don't get hung up on week to week progress, but instead focus on overall progress- what I have accomplished from the beginning. I must say, as happy as I am of the weight loss, I am even more proud of the inches lost- that equals my clothes starting to fit me again!!! So like I said- much more to come in the next weeks and months, but for now check out how I did: (click on the photo if the font is too small to read)

So here's the breakdown: I've lost 12 lbs
                                                    2 inches off the thinnest part of my waist and
                                        1 inch off the largest
                                        1.5 inches off my hips
                                        0.5 inches off my thighs
                                        1.25 inches off my arms
                                        1 inch off my bust

Personally the best part I think is losing over an inch off my arms- I have struggled to squeeze them into shirts for so long! If ever the sleeves fit, the rest was baggy. This is one reason I am a fan of stretch fabrics. I never used to have a problem with my stomach, but after having the baby it is a new trouble spot. I will have to find some good lower abdominal exercises to do daily.

Here's how I did it: I am eating foods as close to earth as possible- avoiding processed, sweetened and fried foods, and keeping an eye on fat and calories, without counting. I try to have as many veggies a day as possible, stick to whole grains, fresh fruit, lean, lower sodium proteins, limit starches at dinnertime, take in as much fiber as I can, and eat every 3 to 4 hours - but not after dinner. Basically, if my body can't benefit from something, I don't eat it. I like to have many veggies at once in a salad or healthy stir fry (no oil or butter), with a protein mixed in. I am having smaller portions than I used to, and I find that if you eat nutrient rich foods, they are actually a lot more filling than unhealthy options. Oh and I drink lots of water- in fact it's the only thing I have been drinking other than skim milk, protein shakes and green tea.
 I usually take a morning walk and an evening walk at about an hour each, or substitute one walk with some cardio from playing DDR- I like it because there is a workout mode where your burned calories are estimated based on dance intensity and weight. I need to do crunches more often, and I have a beginners yoga video that is good for building strength, stretching, and relaxing. Still haven't found a time when both Luis and I are free to do some boxing drills..

  Thanks for following my progress- I hope to make all who read along proud. Happy to be a slightly less fat fat girl! Please click 'follow' on the right hand side of the page to show your support!
                                              
Question: do you think I should list future weight/inches lost as the difference from the beginning of my journey, from the last weigh in, or both? Please comment your answer below!

Step It Up (Lb 4 Lb)

  So here I am, over a week into my weight loss journey- usually about the time I give in and give up, due to fatigue, hunger & cravings. I am incredibly happy to report that if anything, I have even more motivation now than I did on day 1. That's because I'm doing it right this time, not starving myself and counting calories while I long for my favourite fatty & sugary foods. In fact, my boyfriend sat right next to me on the couch eating a delicious smelling fried empanadilla and I felt no twang of jealousy. I am now viewing food and health itself quite differently than I ever have before. I want to do away with the things that my body has no use for- excess sugar, processed grains & empty calories. I aim to eat a variety of fruits, veggies, lean proteins & whole grains throughout the day. I usually start off with a fair amount of fiber and protein, try to keep starchier foods to lunchtime & have a predominantly veggie dinner with a protein - although veggies end up in most if not all meals in multiple varieties. I also try to have something to eat every 3 hours or so, and do not eat after dinner (usually 6-6:30). As far as exercise, I usually take at least one long walk a day (my favourite time is after dinner) and most days incorporate cardio & some strength training / calisthetics. Today I got my heart rate up nicely & burned 400 calories in about 45 minutes playing a dance video game, and it was super fun!
  Already into my second week, I am experimenting more with ingredients & flavor combinations, keeping an eye on portion size & emphasizing physical activity. I look forward to trying new & exotic foods that this planet has to offer, and I feel a sense of accomplishment when I fit a myriad of vitamins, minerals & antioxidants on my plate, with little fat. I plan to post some of my favourite meals on this page in the future.
  I used to think of losing weight as being strictly a long term goal that you simply had to suffer to achieve. That, I think, is the definition of a diet. But I am finding that if the focus is on being healthy, you reap a plethora of benefits starting on day 1, and the weight loss comes in time. I am happier & less stressed, more content with my meals, never feel overly stuffed, bloated, lazy or guilty, I have more energy and less aches & pains. In fact I find it exciting to learn about different foods, prepare meals & research the best nutrients. I never thought being healthy would bring such joy! Now I am proud to know that my daughter will have a good example of healthy choices as she grows, because I am not going back!
  Lastly, I must comment on a crucial factor in my determination- my incredible boyfriend, who has been more supportive than I could have ever asked for. He has given me so much to fight for, not to mention tools to fight with, as he is very knowledgable in the field of health & fitness (as is my beautiful, perfectly fit sister- she constantly gives me great tips!). We are nothing in life without the people that surround & nurture us, & I happen to be lucky enough to be surrounded by love & greatness beyond measure.

Question 3: would anyone like to share a gealthy recipe or product of note found in the market?

And We're Off! - 'Before' Photo & Stats (Lb 4 Lb Journey)

It's a good thing the beginning of any venture is when I have the most motivation- otherwise I would be far too scared (or smart, perhaps?) to post the details of my starting point. But now that I am flinging myself into cyberspace humiliation, I have no choice but to kick ass and shed this extra weight. If you are ever in need of a 'pick-me-up', allow me to assist. Just read my measurements, then measure yourself and record them to compare. You're welcome. (Note - the side photo is not a snapshot of my recent pregnancy)

[if font is too small to read, click on photo]


To start off, I am choosing healthier options for my meals, and smaller portions. Also not eating late at night (my #1 vice, I must admit). As far as exercise, I am still working out a proper routine. I would like to take a calorie-burning walk at least 5 times a week, and whenever possible do calisthetics (butchering that term, I'm sure), an upper arm boxing workout with my trainer boyfriend, and a simple lightweight routine. Adding to that the 'mommy baby dance parties' Xia and I enjoy to electronica, and if only I could get that damn DDR mat to work- I used to burn like crazy from that! Still searching online for good workouts..

Question #2: Is there a good indoor place for purposeful walking other than the mall??

I will weigh in again 2 weeks from now. Wish me luck!

Pound for pound?!

Ok so I started off with a very scary first post... and incredibly personal. But go big or go home right?? I have had a lot of anxiety and unhappiness over my recent weight gain during my pregnancy. My beautiful, amazing daughter Xiamarae is 11 weeks old and I have been putting off the massive task of getting my body into shape. You see, I was overweight prior to the pregnancy- so there is the added pressure of losing the extra weight I was already carrying around before I gained even more. I am fortunate enough to have a natural hourglass figure, and I carry my weight well (most people would guess that I weigh less than I do thanks to a good muscle structure found somewhere under there...) but let's be honest- enough is enough. I am sick of being 'a pretty face'. I want to be hot, dammit! My gorgeous musclebound boyfriend deserves at least that much! I am actually unaware of my current weight- and quite hesitant at hopping (or schlepping, maybe?) onto the scale. And I have gotten deep into a pattern of unhealthy eating habits. Very unhealthy. I know I need to change my eating ways and make exercise a stable part of my daily routine... but motivation is lacking. You would think that looking into a gigantic closet full of clothes that are either too small or unflattering would be ample 'kick my big butt into gear' catalyst, or the fact that I am still wearing my pregnancy jeans almost 3 months after giving birth, or the fact that I have an incredible daughter and 5-day-a-week gymgoer boyfriend to live a healthy life for, or the fact that my mom and sister are rediculously thin, or that I face a large framed print every day in which I am 40+ pounds thinner... ahhh the list goes on. Moral is, wtf is my problem?? Well tonight I watched the Biggest Loser Finale online, and they were talking about the 'Pound For Pound Challenge', in which $0.11 (equal to 1 lb. of groceries) will be donated to families in need via food pantrys across the nation for each pound of weight a person pledges to lose. My 50 pound pledge (the maximum allowed) will equal 50 pounds worth of food supplied to people who actually need it! And if I can think of it that way, I am happy to donate all my extra weight away! (Taking offers, wafer-thin models...). As it turns out, I have just made the cut off, as today is the last day to pledge. Ahh I feel so good to have done that, but wait- what have I gotten myself into??! It is going to be a bumpy ride and a serious journey to lose 50 pounds. Of course, I would like to lose more than that overall (at least 75, depending what I weigh now) but we must baby step. I shall set each short term goal at 25 pounds, and weigh in (honestly) every 2 weeks. But to be brave enough to do this I will need some assistance - so please sign up to follow my blog and read your way through my trials and tribulations along the way! Comments of encouragement and/or healthy tips are much appreciated! Thank you so much for the support!

Oh, and one last thing- I will pose a question to anyone who reads this at the end of each post. Please comment your reply below! It will be so helpful!
     
Question 1 : What do you think is a suitable amount of time to aspire to reach my first 25 lb weight loss goal?
          The next post will include my starting weight, overall timeline, and basic weight loss schedule. Please support!!!