Can't believe I miss being sore!!!

So I'm going to make this a quick one. The week started off well with the awesome lower body workout on Sunday and cooking 2 meals that same night. By Monday afternoon the muscles in my legs were burning. I was sore. Sore as hell to be exact and still am. My walking pace decreased as I felt the muscles from my ass and legs burn. Someone at worked asked me if I was ok and I was. I haven't had this feeling in a long time. The feeling that I really worked out my muscles and have the soreness to prove it. Maybe some of the soreness would have been eliminated if I would have stretch after that workout, but I had to get home in time to watch football of course! I also went to the gym yesterday and today. Getting in the groove, working it out! Goal is to wake up and get in a morning cardio session in and kickboxing in the evening. I can do it. I will do it.

I've made some new purchases to help in my weight loss efforts and I'll write more about them later this week. I've also been making lists and I plan to be sharing them soon! Alright that's all folks! Goodnight and don't forget to include the Dallas Cowboys in your prayers! :)

It's Monday Fun day!

Now that is a damn lie! lol. I don't have this overt aversion to Mondays, but I do love my weekends, so Monday just begins the countdown to Friday. It's not that I don't like my job, I'm just not in love with it. Working in the hospital is draining, but whatever I'm here, so here goes another Monday fun day! lol

It was a beautiful weekend in Atlanta. There was so much going on like the Midtwon Music fest and the HBCU classic FAMU vs. SU. If you wanted to get into something fun, this was the weekend! But, honestly there is always something going on in Atlanta. If you can't find anything to do it's b/c you're a boring person or b/c you just don't want to do anything. I was the latter, I had no agenda and I loved it. I worked out, I watched movies, I did a little shopping, I cooked, I watched football, everything done within a 5 mile radius of my house. It was a good weekend for me, just chillaxin.

Last week I worked out 5 days and even had one day where I worked out twice. For the most part I ate very good. This weekend, I went to Cheeseburger Paradise but I ate good for the remainder of the weekend. I worked out both weekend days and really pushed myself hard, I have the sore legs and but to prove it! And guess what I worked out this morning too! Hell yea! I haven't gotten to the point where morning workouts give me extra energy in the day, but it is a good feeling to know that I have already worked out and if I decide to work out in the evening, it'll be my second one.

Last week, I came across a cooking website Skinnytaste and saw some pretty amazing recipes, so I made 2 of them last night. One of them was Chicken Rollatini with Spinach alla Parmagiana and the other was Crockpot Santa Fe Chicken. The Rollatini is awesome, having that for dinner sometime this week and the Santa Fe is tonight. My goal is to make different dishes just to add variety b/c I think that's when I fall off.
Pictures will be coming of the dishes I made!

Have a great Monday and go Cowboys!!

Another I'm back post...

So yea, I've been M.I.A. for a little over a month now from the blog world (even though I stalk my faves). I don't know why but when I fall off the bandwagon, I have a hard time being transparent here The primary point of this blog, is to keep me motivated and show accountability in my weight loss/healthy lifestyle efforts.  It's hard to come here and talk about how I've gone out to eat every day for almost 2 weeks, I've been drinking like a fish and that maybe I've worked out 6 times in the last month and half. It's hard to face it, it's hard to talk about it. Now don't get me wrong, I would have some good days in there, but overall the last month was an epic fail. And honestly I can't even tell you how I slipped so hard. I can make a dozen excuses why, but that's all they are, excuses. I work 5 sometimes 6 days a week, that's nothing new, I still belong to the same gym, I still have a car and the grocery store is in the same place. So there aren't any real built in excuses, just old, detrimental habits creeping in. Procrastination, drinking and not planning. In the month and a half I have been away, I've gained 3 lbs, 296 to 299. That's about the only good thing that's happened since I've been away for over a month. Honestly I thought it would be more but I'm greatful it wasn't. So I'm slowly but surely back. I'm not motivated everday, but I think the dedication is in place (for the most part anyway). I've been trying to build the good habits back up and cut the bad ones out. One day at a time.

Anywho, now that I've filled you in my non-weight loss efforts, I will fill you in with everything else. :) I went to the Dominican Republic. Had an awesome time with girlfriends. It was towards the middle/end of August and when the hurricane was forming and went up the east coast. Fortunately we only got one day of really bad rain, all other days were pretty good. Fun in the sun! Loved it. And the funny thing, I actually lost weight there. Didn't last long.

Then another thing was introduced in my life for the first time ever...Fantasy Football! This is my first year doing it and I'm in 3 different leagues. 2 money leagues and a regular fun league. I honestly am obsessed with it. Now if I could only be that way about weight loss! I love it. I look at my team, I look at other teams in my league and look to see if there are trades to be made. I read team reports. Hell I watch football differently now. I watch it with fantasy football eyes. I'm always looking to see if there is a sleeper waiting for me to pick up. Maybe it's b/c money's involved that I am so active in it or that it is new to me, but I am enjoying it.

So that's all I have today. I do plan to blog more frequently again. Sometimes getting started again is the hard back. T.G.I.A.F!!!

T.G.I.A.F!!!

What's up peeps!!

It is almost Friday, woo hoo!! Honestly sometimes I don't know why I get that excited, b/c lately I've been working Saturdays, but the weekend is almost here none the less...

This week, I have been good. I have clocked in a good 3 days at the gym and today will be my rest day, but who knows I might go in for 30 minutes. I have been on point with eating, the only slip up I had was the homemade strawberry cake I had at work yesterday during the lunch meeting.  Literally, most of the meeting I was battling in my head whether or not I was going to get a piece. I did end up getting a piece and I didn't feel bad about it either. It tasted damn good. The girl who made it is notorious for making awesome desserts and this was one of them. Anywho, I made sure I took my ass to the gym and ate a salad for dinner!

I'm going to the Dominican Republic in T-8 days and I can't wait!! the only thinkg I'm worried about it is weight gain. I'm on a roll with my routine and in a few days, I'll be at an all inclusive resort. Food and liquor at my disposal. Damn...I am bringing my workout clothes and a min I plan to workout 3 days. I can't let a few days derail what I'm doing. I am so tired of this yo yo game with my weight. So I'm going to work hard leading up to the trip and during the trip. That's the plan and I'm sticking to it!

I kicked the weekends ass...for the most part

What's up peeps!!

So every once in awhile I read on people's blogs that blogger has been a little tricky and not cooperating. Well I just had my first incident. I was updating my weights and then I tried to publish it and then it went crazy on my ass. The content on weigh in page disappeared, ughhh!!!! I hadn't been tracking it anywhere else. It's a little frustrating, to say the least. I'm going to let blogger calm down before I do anything with it. A sister is a little upset...

Anywho, this weekend I did pretty good. I would grade myself a B+. I worked out on Saturday and I ate all my meals at home. That is a big accomplishment for me, weekends are my weakness. Sunday, I almost didn't eat lunch or dinner b/c I was reading "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" by Stieg Larrson and I couldn't put the book down. Literally. I read the book for about 6.5 hours straight. I didn't go to the gym, I didn't do laundry, I didn't answer my phone b/c I was so engrossed in the book. The series was great and I recommend it to any and everyone. Fortunately I did go grocery shopping before I started on the book.

The only disappointment of the weekend was my choice of dessert on Sunday. It's called Dessert Sunday's at my place. My roommate and I both have a sweet tooth, so instead of indulging randomly, we chose to do it on Sunday's. I bought a rocky road brownie and some ice cream from Walmart for my treat. Long story short, the brownie was gross. I could only eat half of it and I threw the rest out. There are no re-do's on Dessert Sunday's, so my sweet tooth was not satisfied, but hey there's next Sunday.

Today's weigh in had me at 297, down 7 lbs from last Monday. I'll take it! I am going to be in the 280's by the end of the month, I'm claiming it! Time for me to get my True Blood on since I missed it yesterday. Goodnight peeps!

T.G.I.F!!

Hey blogville!!

T.G.I.F!! It has been a great week!!! I mean a great week! I have worked out 4 times so far including 2 in the morning and if you don't know, morning workouts are so not my thing! My eating has been on point and I know that the scale will reflect it on Monday. After my last post, I read the comments (thank you guys) and it made me realize I need really set some goals. I have all of these thoughts of what I want to do, but I haven't committed them to paper. Someone said goals are only ideas until you commit them to paper sohat's exactly what I did last night. I made health, personal, financial and professional goals for 3, 6 and 12 months. It's a rough draft now, but I'll polish it up and post it everywhere! In my room, bathroom, my car, anywhere where I think I need to be reminded and motivated to keep going. I've been stalling and need to get my butt back in gear! This week has mos def been good!

Happy Friday!!

I'm Struggling

Hey Blogville!

I am back from one my mini hiatus. I missed you guys!! Seriously, I did. I have been going back and forth between the same 5-8 lbs for months and I'm disgusted with myself. I haven't given up, but I need to really get a handle on some things, primarily my eating. My working out has slipped a lot and I'm trying to catch myself before I completely backslide. It's been hard. It's been a struggle, but when I catch up on the blogs and see what I have accomplished, what others have accomplished I know I can't stop now. I have so much more to do. 

So here I am. Trying to be transparent. I need help. I need support. I won't give up. This journey is not over yet.

The wheels are turning...

I'm getting back in my routine of working out and making the right choices with my meals. And it feels good. I don't feel so bloated and I'm pretty sure there might be a good number on scale for Monday's weigh in. i've worked out every day since Sunday and they haven't been the easiest workouts. I'm still going to work out tonight and tomorrow.

Tomorrow night I'm hitting up two places a cookout and a house party. I don't think I'll do too bad with the food as long as I stay away from the desserts, it's the damn drinks! I can get. it. in. when I'm drinking. I can do without the sweet fruity drinks, but if there is some Crown Royal or Hennesy, it's a wrap, lol. My saving grace is that I am the driver to both places and my homegirl doesn't know how to drive my car (stick shift), so I can't get slizzard. I just don't need to take in all those empty calories. My sister says it's better to eat your calories, than drink them. That is the truth!

Happy Friday peeps!!! Remember no hospitals, no jails!!! :)

Sometimes I may lose the battle, but I will win the war!

What's up  blogville!! Long time no see! It's been over a week and I have been doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Maybe a lot of this and a lot of that. I won't like I did a big back slide last week, well maybe it started towards the end of the week before last, but it ended this past Sunday. In my defense I was sick last week from a very long hangover and then I just didn't bounce back into eating right. I finally did get back to working out last Friday and when I looked in the mirror I could see the lbs I had packed back on. Disgusted, but not discouraged. So I'm mostly back on track and still look to be smaller when I go to Dominican Republic in T - 5.5 weeks. Wish me luck!

Freaky Friday!

Hey Blogville! I know most of you are going to be enjoying the 3 day weekend and I am jealous!!! I work tomorrow and Monday, so there goes my weekend. Fortunately I get a different pay rate on weekends and it's time and a half on holidays, so at least I'm getting paid!! :)

This day started off on the wrong foot. Honestly this whole week hasn't been the best. I'm drained spiritually, mentally and physically. My old friend doubt has been creeping up behind me and whispering "This is too much," "You can't lose all this weight," "Just eat it, it doesn't matter." It's just a whisper, I know I can quiet it, I guess I'm just tired...So this morning started off with me jumping on the scale, for whatever reason, and being 302 lbs. GASP! Not surprising, I had another late night and found myself eating a sandwich at 1 am at Waffle House. Not a good look. I think I'm realizing that late nights are my downfall when I don't have snacks readily available. So this weekend I will search for car friendly snacks. Suggestions appreciated. :) After that blow, I open the door to let the dog out there is a huge cockroach just laying there. As soon as the door opens, it starts running towards the door. I'm kicking at damn thing and it keeps running back towards the door. I try to close the door fast and I slam it on 2 fingers! OUCH!!! I did manage to kill the damn thing, but with 2 bloody swollen fingers as casualties. Work was work. Nothing eventful there.

I'm not going to make this a woe is me post, so I will end on a high note. :) Despite my feelings and funky morning I did eat right and worked out. So that makes 5 days this week! :) I am also treating myself to Transformers IMAX. I'm packing my water and Kashi bar and I'm ready. Woo hoo! Can't get too wild, I have to work in the morning! ;)

Happy Thursday!

Hey Blogworld!! Sorry I have been MIA! Things have been hectic and I've been tired so I haven't been able to wrap my head around posting. Fortunately I have a little break at work, so it's time to update you. Weighed in on Monday and it was soo not good, up to 298.8. I think a 6 lb gain from last Monday (I'll post the scale later). I know it was all due to TOM being here, but it still doesn't feel good to see it on the scale, esp when you've worked out 7 days in a row and only had 2 minor indulgences. So I chalked it up to bloat and kept it moving on Monday. Then Wednesday happened...oh the horror...

I had a late Tuesday/Wednesday morning and was hungry so I was in a McDonald's drive thru at 1 in the morning and pretty much the day went to hell from there. I pretty much ate out all of my meals yesterday and they weren't healthy either. So I can only imagine what may have started off as a bloated weight gain is being maintained by fat girl Wednesday eating. I don't know why I let myself get out control some days. :( But today is a new day and I refuse to repeat Wednesday again! So even though I didn't pack my lunch, I did bring my snacks and I plan on getting a veggie tray or salad for lunch and I do bootcamp tonight. I'm picking myself up and getting back in stride. Can't let one day derail my efforts! Alright now it's time to get back to work. :) 

Just a Quickie!!

What's up blog world?? It's Saturday and I have worked out 6 days in a row! Yay me!! Didn't make it to bootcamp this morning b/c I had a late night, but I did still manage to make it to the gym when I woke up. Last night I met up with a friend for drinks and I only had one drink and we split a quesadilla (2 pieces). Not so bad...then this morning happened. On my way home I made a stop at Chick-fil-a. I do love that place. That was so not on my menu for breakfast but I had it, it was good and I'm over it. I've eaten good for the rest of the day and now I'm getting ready to go out with the girls. No alcohol for me tonight, I used my extra calories on chicken biscuits this morning. :)

Today I didn't even have to use my A.K...

I gotta say it was a good day! (in my Ice Cube voice) lol...But for real it was a good and insightful day. Today one of the nurses brought me a belated birthday gift, the first season of The Cosby Show and some lotions. She remembered me telling a patient that it was one of my all time favorite sitcoms and she bought it. Love it!

Met with a nutritionist at the gym I've been going to and love, X3, today. I thought she was insightful but maybe I was expecting more. She did bring some things to the forefront, that I guess I never thought about such as I'm sabatoging myself when I treat my good number on the scale with a meal.  She also mentioned that the reason I may have a hard time losing weight is because I can't visualize myself smaller. I do think she is on to something. I didn't have children and now trying to lose baby weight, I wasn't small and then gained weight in college or during a relationship or whatever. I don't have a reference of, "I want to be the size I was when..." I remember being 205 lbs in 7th grade and 300 lbs at 21. That's all. I have always been overweight. I have been in size 22 and above since...since. There was a brief moment in time when I did get down to a size 20 and maybe some 18's when I lost weight doing Atkins. I got down to a low of 257 lbs, but then I had bread and that was all she wrote. So I know that I don't want to be classified as 'morbidly obese' anymore and I would like to have a healthy and active lifestyle in onederland. One of the problems is that I'm a realist and when I picture that person, she looks older with loose skin and is self conscious about it. I know I have a lot to lose before I even get to that point, but the puckering of my skin in places where I have lost weight does keep it in my mind. So it's an obstacle, but not big enough to stop my efforts. What's a little loose skin compared to adding more years to my life?

So I guess the nutritionist wasn't so bad, but I have to see her a few more times before my mind can really be made up about her.

As far as working out I kicked ass in kickboxing and then did some weights. It was a good day

Is it only Tuesday?!?!?

Hello Blogville! I.am.tired.com and we still have 3 more days of the week! Damn! It could be to these past 2 days I have been killing it with my workouts or it could be the fact that "TOM" reared his ugly head yesterday morning. I'm going with the latter. I woke up this morning and I was in a funk all day. I didn't want to really talk with my co workers, I ate lunch by myself and I found patience was a little short with my patients. That damn TOM!!! Tom didn't keep me from starting my fitness class though. :)

I started back with a fitness class that an RN at my hospital does. She is also a certified personal trainer and a certified health nut. She just had her first baby at 38, gained 34 lbs and lost 44 lbs in 3 months. Show off...Anywho she did the classes last year and I had some success, losing weight and watching my body change. Unfortunately after I got back from my Jamaica trip ( last August), I couldn't keep it together and gained 20 of the 31 lbs I lost while I was in a food coma until this past January. Her classes are hardcore. Today was a cardio day, so we ran a mile, did sprints on the track, did stairs and treadmill intervals and finished with abs. It was one killer hour and I am happy to say that I did better than 2 people in the class maybe even 3 (not a whole lot, but better). I mention this b/c last year I was the one who was always last and needed encouragement, but I was the one encouraging today. :)

So now lets tally it up...I do the fitness class 3x/week, I meet with a trainer 2x/week and my goal is to kickbox at least 2-3x/week. This is weight doesn't have a chance! 

This is the post that never ends...

LOL! I am so going to abbreviate it as much as I can, but I have so much to share! Please feel free to skim through, but I hope you read it all!

Recap: Friday: I met with my new trainer Kimberly and she is totally kick ass. Our session was 30 minutes and she worked the hell out of me. (Insert NSV: I was able to hold a plank for 30 seconds, 3 times! That core is coming baby!) Before we met I had done 30 minutes on the treadmill. Got my 2 miles in! Meals wise I stayed on it. No problems there **happy dance**


Saturday: Day 12 of working out in a row. Totally felt the PT session taking its effects all over my body. I knew I wasn't going to make it to X3 but I still wanted to get my Zumba on, so I did make that. Needless to say, I was almost incapable of keeping up the first 30 minutes. My limbs were sore, but I pushed through. Tonight was one of my girl's birthday dinners so I made sure I prepared myself by lookng at the menu beforehand and this is what I got:

 Almond Encrusted Salmon Steak over Boy Choy with a Curry Sauce! Yum! I was still hungry after that, so a friend and I did order a salad after and split it. Anna Mae, you would have been proud...I said no to the cake! LOL! A good night!

Insert NSV: I was able to rock my banana yellow shoes that I bought last summer but was unable to wear b/c I was afraid I would break my neck!

The other perk of my weight loss: I can wear the hell out of my heels now! Their purpose has grown from looking good sitting at the table to I can walk around in them and not look like my feet hurt! Amen! LOL

                                                                                                         

So here we are Sunday and I have two challenges I am starting today! Hot Damn! One of them is a challenge that I am doing with one of my best friends and the other I am joining that already stared with the nutritionist at the gym I go to.

Challenge #1:  Operation Dominican Republic!

As some of you may know I am going to the Dominican Republic 2 months from today! So my girl Kennesha and I made a pledge to lose 30 lbs by then. I know I know, that is a big number to lose in a short time. I should be more focused on changing the habits that got me to this weight, which is what I am doing and at the same time I hope that I will lose weight with these changes...maybe 30 lbs, lol **insert big cheesey smile** So since the challenge starts today, I jumped on the scale a day early:

6 lb loss since Monday! Woo hoo!!!

I am very realistic and know that 6 lb losses won't come every week, but my goal is to lose 2-4 lbs a week. Even if I don't get to 30 lbs by the trip, I know that I will be making habits that will help me continue my weight loss goals after the trip.

Challenge # 2: The Do it Do it Challenge!

This challenge is done with the nutritionist at X3 and its goal is to develop "awareness, achievement, direction, focus...that will create better habits in your life."  So basically she kind of made a template of things she wants us to complete each week with alloted points for each one. Some of the things are things that she wants us to do every day (drink 80-100 oz of water )while others are a specific amount of times a week (lift weights 3x/week). She wants us to add personal things that we want to add to our lives and allot our own points for it. Develop good healthy habits, that's the challenge.

So today is the day I rest. No day 13 of working out for me.  I will come up with my goals, rewards and things I want to accomplish now that I am owning up to the fact I won't live my life forever overweight. Exciting and scary at the same time but I can do it!

When did you know you could do it?

I woke up this morning and just knew that I will get to my goal weight. It was such a definitive thought that it struck me like a ton of bricks. I know I can and will do it! These past 6 months have been full of growing pains and tests of my strength. I am in a season where literally my mind thinks about my health, weight loss and fitness. I mean my systolic blood pressure (the top number) went down 55 mmHg! That is such a huge fucking big deal! I almost got suspended from work in October until I came back on meds b/c my blood pressure was bordering too high.

Outside of blogging, only my closest and dearest friends know the extent of what I am doing and how important it is to me. Co workers and casual friends may know a little, but not much. I am so fortunate that I have been blessed to have friends who will listen to me over and over and over and did I say over again? :-) My roommate jokes that if she leaves me alone too long I might turn our place into a gym! LOL

Has my social life taken a bit of a hit? Maybe. I don't regret it though. Now don't get me wrong, I still make it out, but if I have to choose between going out and being tired vs. getting a good workout in the next day, sometimes the workout wins. Do I talk about it a lot? Probably. But hey those who matter don't mind and those that mind don't matter, that's what they say anyway. This is one of the hardest journey I have ever done in my life. Starting college over again at 23 and going straight through to get my Masters' a little tough. Moving to a new city 3 states over from your home town, yea that was hard. Embarking on a journey to lose the equivalent of a normal sized person your height (140 lbs) that is hella hella hard! I am so lucky to have people on my side. :-)

I so can do this and you better believe I'm sharing this journey with everyone who will read it! I have a busy day today meet with the trainer and have to do my hair and of course get through work ughhh! Happy Friday!

Just call me a Go Girl!

Hello Blog world! So it's after midnight my time, but of course this post is pertaining to Thursday...

I got it in at the gym for 10 days in row! Where they do that at?!?! Right here!!! LOL! I so wanted to go to X3 today and kick some my ass, but when I was going up and down the stairs, my knees were a little achy and I had to take a shit. That is one the thing I try my hardest not to do in public, taking a shit. I love the comforts of my own home and I know how mine smells and I know how it feels when I walk in after someone just did it, so I do try to hold it. There are exceptions to the rule of course, like when I'm going on a long plane trip. I'd rather do it at the airport than on the plane, if the urge hits. Also if I have the bg's (bubble guts), then you know I'm looking for the nearest bathroom in sight! LOL. Fortunately that has only happened to me once and I was at work of all places. I made sure I went to a bathroom no one goes to and I laid the smack down! LOL. Thank God no one came in after me! So now that I've given insight to my bowel habits, I'll tell you after I handled that at home I took an hour and 45 min nap. OMG it was so what I needed! I really felt good. I was able to wake up and go to the gym and get my fitness in!

Today's Workout:
15 minutes on the stairstepper. (I'm so proud of myself b/c I can finally do 15 minutes without stopping!)

30 minutes with trainer Valerie (I have been working with her a little bit at LA Fitness, but our sessions end in the next 2 weeks) We did upper boddy and core

2 miles in 30 minutes on the treadmill! This is big for me b/c this was the first time I did 2 miles in 30 minutes.

I took some pictures of what I look like now in my 'progress outfit', not a pretty sight, but it can only get better from here. Tomorrow is my first official training session with Kimberly at X3 and I'm excited to see what she has in store. On Sunday I'm starting a challenge that the nutritionist is doing with all of her students at X3. It's 6 weeks long and I've already missed the first 2 weeks, so I can't win but I'll at least be a part of it. I'll post the information about the challenge and any tips that I get here on my blog. I'm fortunate that I'm in a position where I can pay for extra services to assist in weight loss/fitness endeavors and I'm not going to be stingy with the info! Happy Friday!!!   

Hump Day!!

The week is almos over and my favorite day is almost here (Thursday). It was a busy day in the world of a trauma hospital. No interesting cases today just the same ole swallowing issues and cognitive impairments.

Today was a pretty good day for me eating wise, no cheating except for I did make two turkey wraps on wheat tortillas, in hindsight I should have had just one. Today was my coworker's birthday so there was cake for the occasion and I said no to the cake! It wasn't that hard, I just didn't put myself in the situation to be tempted. The cake did look damned good though.

A mantra that I have been using since yesterday is Mind over Matter. It has helped me in my weak moments when I have wanted to stray. I remind myself that it really is mind over matter and it kept me from eating that cake and going to the gym today for the 9th day in a row! Hot damn!

It's a numbers game

I so meant to post yesterday with my weight, but I just got tied up. So first things first here's my Monday weigh in:

I'm claiming this again, I will never be over 300 lbs again!!!

Yesterday I met with a personal trainer, Kimberly and I signed up for 2x/week for 6 months. We did a session yesterday before we talked about prices and it was pretty good. The sessions are only 30 minutes, but she says she can do a lot in 30 and she proved it to me. The PT sessions are not cheap at X3 but I already knew that. I also knew I would most likely sign up, so I shift some money around before our session. Well it's more like I decided to defer my student loans for 6 months. I figure my 50k+ in student loans aren't disappearing anytime soon, so what is 6 months of deferment vs. investing in bettering my life. I'm happy with my choice. On top of that I will be working wih a nutritionist (included in the package) to help me with food intake. I meet with Caroline the nutritionist next Wednesday, in the meantime I have to keep a food journal. I totally suck ass at keeping up with those, but since I'm making a significant investment in bettering my life, I'm going to have to get with the program.

Today was my annual woman's check up and as much as I hate those, it was also with a new doctor. I got great recommendations about her, but it still doesn't ease the fact that cold slimy forceps are going up your cooch as well as fingers. Gross! Anywho, they took my blood pressure and I was so happy with the number! It dropped a lot! In October I was 166/86, not a good number at all and today I was at 110/80. Talk about happy dancing!!! I refuse to take meds at 31 for something I can help.

I have officially worked out 8 days in a row and plan on going tomorrow. H.A.M!!!

H.A.M!!!

I went H.A.M this weekend with my workouts! In case you don't know H.A.M means, it means hard as a mothaf*****!!! On Saturday I went to X3 and then went to my Zumba class and then today I went to the gym did a 20minute interval on the stairmill, 30 minutes of weights and ended with a 15 minute mile on the treadmill. Oh but it doesn't end there...went to X3 after that!! Now don't get me wrong 10 minutes into the class, I was wondering what the hell I was doing but I pushed through! So yes I went H.A.M.!

Congrats goes out to the Dallas Mavericks, because they went H.A.M in the NBA Finals! I won't lie, I'm not a big NBA follower, but I did watch the series and I'm very proud that my old city brought home a championship.

Anywho I'm going to list some goals for myself this week:
1. Post current pics of where I am now
2. Take my measurements
3. Make a weight loss chart for the blog
4. Workout 2x/day at least 3 days this week
5. Add more pics to my blog
6. Make goals

Stay tuned b/c tomorrow I meat with a trainer at X3 and I might be making a big decision.

I'm Back...Again!

I know that it is true for me that when, I am slacking on my blog or not reading blogs, I am somewhere enjoying something fried and something sweet (sometimes the foods are both, lol). As of Monday Tuesday, I have gotten my act together. I have been to the gym 3 days in a row! One day I even went to two different gyms. The countdown to DR is getting shorter and I will be at a least 20 lbs lighter. I'm claiming it!

I just have to internalize that so much of this weight loss journey is depending on what you eat. Outside of not working out for 2 weeks prior to this week. I have been working out consistently. I got down to 294.8 and then when I woke up out of the food coma I was 308. Damn!! Now I'm at 302.6, the same weight I was at the end of February. That's 3 months of bullshitting and it's time to get off the pot! Really...

This weekend is going to pretty laid back. I'm going to an art exhibit tonight and I work tomorrow, ughh. After that straight chillin! I plan to get some working out in, but that's not new.

Well there are few things that I like...

I am here on a Saturday night with an itch to go out, but the laziness to keep me in the house. I know I'm going to get out and do a few things next weekend so I'm not so pressed about it. I do wish there was a movie that I was interesting in renting and watching at home, but I guess I'm not in the mood.

This week I did get in 4 good days of working out and ate pretty good this week. The scale is still under 300, but I won't really start tracking it until Monday. I have 3 months until DR and I have to get it right!!

So this has been a good week on the compliment front. I got 2 comments at work today about my slimming down and it does feel good when other people notice your hard work. When I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror today, I was able to see some positive changes in body. My legs are getting smaller and so are my sides and I think my humps are shaping up. Now the last comment can be wishful thinking, but I'm pretty sure it's trying to do something. So on one hand while I see the positive things, I also see the not to positive things...Cottage cheese thighs, the fact I have no definition in my knees, my huge ass arms, and the stretch mark road map on my stomach, to name a few. While I was thinking about these things, I was reminded about an article that I read. It said people should identify the things they do like about their body and think about that. So now I am going to tell you what I like about myself:

1. My feet...Yes they are flat as a board, but I think I have pretty toes, which stay manicured, so I think it overshadows the fact that I have no arch.

2. My breastesses! LOL Yes they have a little hang time going, but they are still full and look pretty damn good if I don't say so myself!

Me between 320 and 325 lbs.

3. My smile! I have always been complimented on my smile and if you look hard enough I have dimples. It's a crooked smile, but I think it photographs well :)

4. My overall body! I feel that I have been lucky that I didn't have the worst shape in the world. Yes there is no reason that a woman of 5'8 should peak at a weigth of 350 lbs, but I am fortunate that my weight went everywhere and not concentrated in one area. I've always thought I had a decent shape with a lot of layers. :)

Me at 323 lbs.


So I guess I have a few things that I do like about my body and I just have to keep striving to finding more!

I think the 'Operation DR' plan will be up tomorrow night and become functional on Monday!

I feel good!!!

Happy Thursday!!!

It's almost the weekend and I.can't.wait!!! I have no major plans but I do have to work, clean up and do my hair, but that's all on Saturday and Sunday I'll be free!

This week I have worked out 3 days so far! Two of those I was trying to find excuses not to go, but I did. I did 2 days at my new favorite gym and one at the regular. I have only been going to X3 for a little over 2 weeks and I already feel stronger and dare I say it, I feel like my body is changing!

I went home last weekend and my only goal was not to gain weight! Mission accomplished. I did manage to work out one day and while I did eat a litle off than what I have been doing, I didn't do any major damage! When I was home I got a lot of comments about how I look good and to keep up the work, so that was very motivating, but scary at the same time! It's like people notice a difference and they will expect to keep seeing a difference and if they don't you're obviously failing. Fortunately, for me I'm not going to fail! I'm claiming it. I'm still weighing in at 300, but I vow on my birthday June 2nd when I weigh myself, I will be under 300 and will never be over it again!

I can't believe I will be in the Dominican Republic in 3 months exactly! I can't wait seriously!! The sun, the drinks, the men, Oh my!

I'm going home!!!

I have finally finished packing for my trip back to Houston! I so can't wait! I'm happy I was able to fit everything into carry ons. Maybe my purse can classify as luggage, but as long as I can get it past security checkpoint, I don't mind the luggage being stowed under the plane when I get there! lol

Today I did kickboxing at X3 and it was with an instructor I never had before. He was awesome! He kicked our asses and still came to help when needed with a smile on his face. I most definitely worked it out today and plan on being at his other classes! For dinner I had a tuna sandwich and salad. I almost went got 2 slices of vegetarian pizza slices from a spot down the street, but I decided against it. Also at work we had a catered lunch for hospital week and I opted for the salad and said no to the ice cream. I said 'no' two times when it came to bad food choices. I'm proud of myself now that I think about it. :)

I am a little scared about going home. I still don't have this eating thing down packed and I'm afraid when I get there, I will act a fool. My goal is to really win this weekend and not take 2 steps backwards. I just hate having to lose weight I gained over the weekend. A bad weekend can negate my whole week of doing good. I spoke with my friend about it and she said she has no intentions of derailing her or myself this weekend (She is also on the weight loss mission, but waaaay closer to her goal). So I have packed workout clothes and plan on making the best choices possible when going out to eat, b/c I know that will happen on more than one occasion.

So here is to a good weekend, where I will maintain or lose weight!

I know I can, I know I can, I know I can...

This morning I woke up and felt a renewed spirit, knowing that I will win this war with my weight. I don't know if it's the new gym or what, but I just woke up knowing that I will get down to my goal weight. Maybe it could be attributed to the fact I finally broke through my plateau and I'm under 300 lbs! Yes!!! I'm seeing changes in body and I'm happy about it. The only thing is now I can't get too comfortable b/c I have a long way to go and I don't want the winning of this battle to cause me to let down my defenses. It has happened so many times before.

So yesterday and today I ate pretty good and then did a light workout yesterday and then did my kickbox class today. I really enjoy the class and am proud that I went 4 times last week. I go out of town on Thursday and I'm hoping that I will be able to make it to X3 at least 3 times this week and work out twice while I'm in Houston. If I can do that then I'll be good. It's just this issue with food I still have. I am still a work in progress, and do very well in controlled environments, but when I'm out in the world my decisions aren't the best. I just have to really internalize that I eat to live, not live to eat. It's so much easier said than done esp when you love the taste of food. Anywho, if anyone has any tips please let me know! It's so hard changing a relationship you've had all of your life..

It's the weekend baaabay!!!

So first let me start off by saying I'm doing this post from my phone so forgive me in advance for any mistakes! :) So I started the day very well! I went to X3 and kicked ass and then went to Zumba! Oh yea, your girl got it in. Eating this week, I've done very well. Today I've done pretty well, I'm at a party and I did partake in some potato and pasta salad, but just a spoonful and some chicken salad and crackers. I did say no to the cake, you would be proud Anna Mae, lol. Any who this is my brief check in b/c I'm being rude. Holla!!

It's Hump Day!

So hear I am at work doing my post for today b/c I have been too tired lazy to do it at home and I have a break right now, so why not? So where do I begin? The Charleston trip. It was not a complete fail, by any means, but I didn't win either. If I were in a race with 10 people I would say the way I ate would put me in 5th place. I stayed away from making my own waffles in the morning, even though I wanted to so bad and I even worked out one day. I went wrong with the 2 times I decided to have dessert. I won't lie, they were probably the best desserts I ever tasted. I had a slice of pecan pie with vanilla bean ice cream after my meal of shrimp and grits and I had chocolate cake/brownie with ice cream after a chicken salad sandwich. I don't regret them, but maybe I should have had dessert on just once, esp since it was all in the same day, ouch!

It's Wednesday and I have already gotten in 3 workouts and I plan on going to the gym tonight, so that will make it 2 today! I joined a new gym called X3 Sports and OMG it is kick ass. I did a class and joined and then I went this morning. This is kickboxing on steroids. You wear gloves and have your own bag, and is taught by actual MMA fighters. This morning's class was totally tough but I made it through. My goal is to go to that gym 3x/week in the morning before work and once on the weekend and continue my regular workout routine in the morning. I think that will really amp up my weight loss.

I am starting a challenge today where I write down everything I eat for 7 days. Hopeully this will help me cut down on my mindless eating. I have been working out pretty consistently for about 4 months now and am yo-yoing with my weight and I know it's b/c of my diet. It just sucks that I eat nothing like I used to and workout, but a day or two of cheating will mess things up. So b/c I really really want this weight off, I have to get my eating together. Wish me luck!!

Road Trip!!!

Happy Friday!!!

Today me and some of my girl's are going to Charleston, SC to celebrate a 30th birthday. I won't lie this is a lot different than how I celebrated my 30th (Jamaica:)), but to each his own. I have never been one to appreceiate nature, history, etc. much and Charleston, that's what it's known for. It's supposed to be a historic city known for it's charm, beauty, shopping and you guessed it food! Damn, why does it have to be known for food?? My friend's are hyped up on the different restaurants we are going to try, while I'm trying to figure out how to put this weekend in the 'win' column as far as eating is concerned. My goal is to just make better choices. I don't need to make a waffle at the hotel, even though I love to do so, I don't need to have every piece of meat to be fried or add the most caloric starch I can find as my side. The goal is just to make better choices..

I did start the day off good. :) I went to the gym this morning, yay!! The first time this week that I was able to actually get up and go. I think it was extra motivation that I didn't go yesterday and ate a little on the bad side to add insult to injury. I slept in my workout clothes and when I woke up, I turned the tv on and low and behold the Royal Wedding procession was going on. I made it my goal to be at the gym and getting on machine in time to watch Catherine walk down the aisle. I got on the stairmaster when she was en route to the church. :) I was able to watch the actual ceremony (Catherine's dress was beautiful) and do 20 minutes on the dreaded stairmaster. I loved it when you saw Prince William tell Catherine she looked beautiful. Prince William's voice was like velvet. Man I need to catch an English man! Anywho after 20 minutes on the stairmaster I did lower body exercises for 30 minutes and finished with a 15 minute mile on the dreadmill. That made me happy b/c I was able to do a mile in 14:58! Woo hoo!

I packed some workout clothes, in the event that I am able to break away from my girls. **crossing fingers** On another note there are some big things going on in my family this weekend, so if you are reading this, send a prayer out that everything works as it's supposed to. Here's to a WINNING weekend!!!

Today was a good day...

Today was administrative professionals day, so it gave my department yet another reason to have a potluck. The last one was on Friday. Usually the potlucks are themed and this one was a salad theme and not the healthy kind. Any and all creamy type salads were there: egg salad, chicken salad, tuna salad, pasta salad, etc. and of course I didn't pack my lunch. The temptation was there to go up to the office and fill a plate with all the different salads, but instead I went to the cafeteria and got a vegetable platter consisting of broccoli, squash and mashed potatoes with a wheat roll. I know I could have done without the roll but hey, I'm still working out my carb addiction. I ate my lunch downstairs and when I finished I went upstairs to join in and thankfully they were done. Even if I wanted to try a little, they were already cleaning it up. Then I saw someone walk away with pieces of strawberry shortcake, one of my faves. I was a broken woman, I knew as soon as I saw the dessert I was getting a piece, but low and behold the greedy heffas I work with ate the whole pan! I guess it was a blessing in disguise, but damn it looked good! Anywho, I regained my composure and for my snack later on in the day I had cucumber slices.

Today was my Zumba/Yoga day which keeps me in the gym for a min of 2 hours. Sometimes 2.5. Well when I got home, I decided to take a 40 minute nap that would get me up in time to make my classes. So did not happen that way. I missed Zumba, but I got to the gym in time to do an 8 min inclined walk on the treadmill and then go to Yoga. Yoga was a beast!!! The yoga class I go to is more like a yoga/pilates fusion and I think very doable. The instructor is great and the way the class is set up all movements are done to music and you have the same routine for about 6 weeks, which is great for me, and then they change. Well I haven't been in 2 weeks and the routine has changed, very challenging! I made it through but barely! My flexibility and balance are so not the business, but hey that's why I go to the class. After class I worked on upper body for 30 minutes and then I did 30 minutes on the elliptical! Not bad for someone who snoozed through Zumba! :)

Today I was looking at pics that I took at Easter and I can't help looking at this one pic.

My face looks so small! Now granted the body part looks a little distorted b/c the shirt is big and my friend was standing really close to me on his toes to be taller than me, but damn my face is unreal. It almost doesn't look like me. The pic is very motivating at the least that I am somewhat on the right track even if I stray (which I am so going to cut down).

I still haven't been to the gym in the morning yet, but I know Thursday morning is the day for it to happen! I am still working on making my plan to get it right, get it tight for the Dominican Republic trip and beyond, but it will be coming soon. Sorry for the novel! Goodnight!

Another Monday...

So here we are again, starting another week and another chance to "do better." Last week wasn't awful for me, by all means, but it started way better than it ended. The end of the week saw me at a happy hour and a carribbean restaurant twice and not to mention the drinks. I was proud of myself though, b/c I did make it to the gym 4 times and did some pretty kick ass workouts and I made better choices when I did eat off plan. I did have some non scale victories this week. A coworker told me I was looking 'skinny' and at the gym a guy said "girl, you're looking good, I see you're losing weight." All in all could have been better, bet could have been way way worse. Anywho that was last week..

Today my eating started bad and got better throughout the day. I also made an appearance at the gym and I put it in. Today was my lower body day so I know I'm going to be feeling it in the morning. Tomorrow is personal trainer day and I will get on the awful stair stepper, I swear that machine is the devil! So I have a few things going on this summer such as my trip to the Dominican Repubublic!!! I so can't wait! Like Young Jeezy says

said I'm stressed out...so tired my days...so long said I'm stressed out...so tired gotta...move On I needa vacation..

Not only do I plan on getting it in while I'm there (use your imagination:)), I plan on showing off a slimmer me. So b/c of this upcoming trip, I am going to really be consistent and will be making plan to make sure I do so. As soon as I get it together, you know it will be here! Anywho, it's time for me to go to sleep so I can attempt to get up for my morning workout.

A month and half of recap

So I have been missing in action! For a little over a month and half now to be exact. I've read on a lot of blogs that usually when a blogger strays away from posting, they usually have strayed from a healthy living lifestyle. In the case of this aspiring blogger, that is somewhat the case. In the month of March my weight fluctuated from 298-308. Yep I saw under 300 lbs for about 3 days in March. You would have thought that would have motivated me to keep going, but it only gave me a false sense of comfort. That false sense of comfort led me to eating a lot more of the good bad stuff and thinking that working out will right the wrongs. The one thing in this month and a half I have realized is that consistency is the key and I have to be more accountable to what I put in my body. That is so much easier said than done!!

So now that I have finally gotten my ass back in gear, I have come up with some goals to address different aspects of my life (including updating my blog at least 3 times a week:)). So in these upcoming days look forward to seeing more and reading more b/c I'm ready to commit to blogging and chronicling my journey.

I need help...

Hello peeps of the blog world! My story begins like everyone else's, I read a million and one blogs and decided I should start my own. Just reading how sharing the journey of weight loss, the goods and bads, has kept people on track, I figure maybe it can help me.

I guess I should start by saying a little about my weight history. I have never been a small girl, always the biggest and the tallest in my class when compared to my female classmates. I can't say I was ever really teased about it though. Maybe a little here and there, but not enough for me to have had a scarred childhood. Now there were instances that do stand out now that I think about it, but of course I don't want to divulge everything in the first post, gotta have some material for later! :) I remember weighing 205 lbs in the 7th grade (man I can wish I could weigh that now) and then I remember weighing 305 lbs at 21 years old. 100 lbs in 9 years...damn I wish I new then what I know now. I have pretty much lived in threedom all my adult life, except for 2004-05 when I did the Atkins diet and I got to twoterville and peeked at 257 lbs. Then of course I tripped on one step, threw myself down the rest of them and threedom welcomed me back. So here I am, kicking and screaming to get out of threedom. The heaviest I have ever seen on a scale was 350 lbs and I'm pretty sure that was in 2007-2008. When I started at the hospital I am at now (7/09) I was 341. I have had some minor success with weightloss since then and started this current weight loss journey at 323 lb on 1/03/2011. As of this morning, I'm 303 lbs. Not bad if I don't say so myself, but I could have done better, if it weren't for the existance of the binge girl inside of me (we'll talk about her later) that rears her ugly head ever so often.

So as I sit here, trying to keep my mind off of going to Burger King and getting a slice of pie or getting a burger, I hope that this blog helps to keep me on track. I won't lie, I do believe that this is my time and I know this journey is the real deal. I am fortunate this time around to have a great support circle and hope I can gain more blogging! Ok that's all for tonight folks! Now off to find some interesting things to pretty up my blog and stalk blogs!