How Do I Feel About Food?

That is a BIG question for me.

 

In the last several years I have realized this is how my Mother showed me her love, as well as my Grandmother. Being raised in a Mexican household, this love consisted of tons of lardy tortillas and plates that large enough to feed a small army. Even when combating diabetes and other health problems, my family never budged on their style of eating.

 

When I entered adulthood and moved to Mississippi, not much changed. In the South - love = food in the form of fried chicken and just about fried everything. I found that I one of the ways I show Michael I care is making sure I cook dinner every night. The kids and I love to cook together. It is one of my favorite times with them. Yum! In 2010, I began the fight. And I was very successful. And proud of how I looked and felt.

 

During the last year, I have slipped quite a bit. Not in the weight department so much, but on how I was eating and feeding my family. The result was a sluggish feeling throughout the day, and feeling tired after a full night of sleep. I woke up this morning, and realized that is how I used to feel. And I did not like it then, and I certainly do not like it now, especially since I am well aware of how awesome the extra energy and less pounds feel.

 

11/18/12

marks the day that I make the permanent change in our lives. Yes, there will be some things I cut out completely that I will not expect my husband to cut out, like soda. Although, since I do the majority of the cooking, this change will be for everyone in my house. I am very excited to begin again, and I look forward to the extra energy.

 

A few things that will become staples in my life will be:

 

1) No soda. I don't particularly like soda. I am a social drinker. (Haha, sounds funny - but true) I genuinely love ice cold water, and I will just get used to the crazy looks I get when I order just water.

 

2) 3 miles of walking or running - 3 days a week. I am going to work my Netflix workouts back in too, but the little ones make it difficult to commit to a certain amount each week.

 

3) Pack my lunch EVERY day.

 

I look forward to updating my blog with my success that I am sure will be incredible. :)

 

4) - Positive thinking.

My Fitness Journey...

November 2010 (206 pounds of BLAH)

 This was me during a book signing in November of 2010. NO, I was not pregnant. I had my final child 8 months prior. EKKK. I did not let these pictures take a real toll on me until around February. I am not sure what happened - but here is what I can recall. One of my best friends, Samantha had just had her beautiful baby girl (my Goddaughter) Astrid Lashay, and she also struggled with weight her whole life, and we just kind of leaned on each other for support. We did not follow the same plan, but it didn't matter because:
1) We worked together, and that always helps!
2) We both incredibly love food.
3) And we go to the beach together, and had a mutual goal to look AMAZING! :-)

November 2010 (206 pounds of BLAH)

Living on a budget, cooking for a husband (who doesn't need to drop any pounds) and 3 kids who do not need to live off of rice cakes and granola (LOL) - I looked into cleanses, Weight Watchers, Low Cal, Low Carb, Low Flavor, etc... Nothing seemed to work for my life or wallet, except for the concept of Weight Watchers. I was able to find everything I needed to participate in the concept, as long as I had the will power. I downloaded a comparable app for my phone, got a book to track what I consumed daily, and began to make a plan to work out. NETFLIX is an amazing alternative if you cannot afford a gym. Since it was POST NEW YEARS RESOLUTION February, I was able to find a mat and weights in the clearance department at Target. These along with the never ending workouts provided by Netflix, and will power - I was ready to go. (Fighting, kicking and SCREAMING though...)

This is the lady, and the book that helped this process like NO other!

Another HUGE helper in my ongoing process is Hungry Girl. I own the books, subscribe to the newsletter and follow on Facebook. She makes incredibly NORMAL meals for normal people trying to drop some weight. In fact, this lady and I did a Superbowl Feast a la Hungry Girl. If you struggle with weight loss, or just coming up with new meal ideas - try this lady out for size. Hungry Girl that is, Samantha is taken. :-)



So the journey began. I counted points, made better life choices, worked out 3 times a week, and magic began to happen. All of the sudden, I was seeing 190...180...170, and 160!!! 46 pounds later, and during the process, here is what I looked like.

She has been my rock in this process, her and I have and are still doing SO great!

This is me, just months after that terrible picture was taken!

July 2011

June 2011

My 27th Birthday - 160 pounds!!!




I post this blog, as a reminder to stay on track! I still have my partner in crime, Samantha. Support is more via text since we no longer work together, but we are still there for each other and still making progress! Keep up for more fitness related posts. We are going to be looking all kinds of SEXY for Valentine's Day. Mark my word! Til next time!