My Weight Loss Journey: 665 Days-1 Year and 333Days

IMG_20160211_210206_111

IMG_20160211_200254_462IMG_20160211_210152_855

Okay guys, welcome to my new home. As I told you all, this year is about stepping out of my comfort zone, and believe me when I say making this change was big step out of my comfort zone, and I have to say that I was able to take that leap because of my weight loss journey. As you can see I have been on this journey for a while now, and I must say that I have been tested, and scared, and push down so many times on this weight loss journey; but I have the strength to continue to get up and continue to move forward. So, before I get into my story I would like to thank you all for your continue support and patience during my transition. Okay, enough of that now time for the nitty gritty-my final hip hop fitness class (what happened?).

My last hip hop fitness class was on Thursday, February 11, 2016, and I and so much fun. I actually learned the moves and I was able to add my own flavor to the moves. The first day I went I just knew that I was going to look a hot mess, and I was right. But I was able to catch on the moves quickly-but I stilled looked a mess. The second class I was less nervous, and the women in the group actually stared to talk to me; so I was becoming a part of the group. By the third class, I felt like a pro and that I belonged in the class. I was so comfortable in the class that I took picture of myself. Not only did I feel comfortable, but I was looking forward to the class on Thursday because that class was like my little get away from the stress of the world. And then the fourth class came I was happy and sad all at the same time. I was happy because I did not quit because of my fears and I was sad because it was the last class. During this class I noticed that I was really confident in myself, and even when I messed up (and I did) I did not feel like I was a hot mess; I stop watched and jumped right back into it.

So, what did I learn from attending the hip hop fitness class (taking a leap and doing something new)? I learned that walking by faith can feel scary, but my God did not give me a spirit of fear, but once you actually take that first step by faith that the fear will go. I also learn that I can do anything that I put my mind to, and that it is okay to be myself.  The first class that I attended I tried to dance just like to instructor of the class, but as I continued to go to the class I began to be myself. And when I was just me I had more fun in the class, then when I was trying to imitate the instructor. I learned that I just have to continue to move forward and not look back. Even though I am a little sad that I am not going to the hip hop fitness class anymore, I am so excited to attend my next fitness class-ZUMBA…..

Weight loss is a journey that is ever changing, and that somethings on this journey I can control but somethings may fall out of my control and that is okay. As long as I continue to move forward I will reach my weight loss goal (life goals). Please continue to travel with me on this up and down journey, as I continue to step out of my comfort zone. Please share your own personal journey. Until next time keep moving forward…….

Please check out Shop JAccessories to buy some cute bracelets. And please visit my booster page to help me bring awareness to obesity and the effects of obesity.

My Weight Lost Journey: Day 638- 1 Year and 306 Days

I know that you all have been waiting for my update on my how my first Hip Hop Class went, and I am soooooooo happy to say that it went good. Of course you all know that I was sooooooooo excited and nervous all at the same time, because it was something new and different. Not knowing what to expect makes you think of the worst that could happen.
So, what did I expect when I went to the class- I expected to see these super tone and really good dancers and I would be in the class just looking a hot mess. But that was soooooooooo far from the truth. I walked into the fitness studio and I saw an array of people that ranged from young to old, and they all where on different levels of fitness; which helped to calm me down and just do me and have fun. I really felt like I belonged there and that I would be able to catch on quickly to the steps. I felt good about myself, which is important when you are trying something new. And then the music started and I thought here I go no turning back, and I began to do the dance steps-and I felt good.

I found myself having fun in the class.  The nervousness I felt was gone. I was sweating and moving around, and the time just went by so fast. Now some of the step I did get lost on and I was like oh no I look a hot mess-and I did. But you know what, it did not matter because I was having so much fun. I was doing something different but it was for me, and I felt really powerful. The instructor was super upbeat, and that was great because she made me want to try to keep up with her tempo. The one thing I would have to say that I would change about the whole experience would be my shoes. I really needed some dance type sneakers because I was sliding a lot, and I could have hurt myself if I was not careful. So, if you are think about doing any type of fitness class, please make sure you have the proper shoes for it because you don’t want to hurt yourself.

Doing this class has motivated me to want to just move, and that includes doing my regular workouts. Just being around like minded people also motivated me to want to keep pushing forward on this journey. I heard somewhere that it is so easy to give up when it gets hard, and it is true. Last year during the times when I was going up and down on this journey the days I was going down I just wanted to keep going down because I was already moving in that direction. But then I would get around like minded people (a Weight Watchers’ Meeting) and I would get back focus. However, taking that step to refocus was harder than losing the focus. So, the take away from this blog post, at least I hope the take away will be, try new things because staying in one place can cause you to lose focus on the over goal. Also, get around people who are striving to achieve things in life because that will inspire you to want more for yourself. Remember change is good and when we learn how to embrace change we will get so much further in life.

I had so much fun at my Hip Hop Fitness Class and I can’t wait to go to the next class this Thursday. My journey continues… Until next time……..  Please visit my health awareness page for information on obesity. And visit my booster page to help me bring more awareness to obesity.

My Weight Lost Journey: Day 632-1 Year and 299 Days

OKAY guys, I did it-well, I did part of it. I decided on what new workout activity I will be doing for the rest of this month, and the winning activity is-a Hip Hop Fitness class. So, the class is a break down of the newest hip hop dance moves that are choreographed to the latest music. It sounds fun and scary. But I am sooooooo excited to try something new and out of my comfort zone. The other thing that I have been trying to do consistently is do more cardio in my regular workouts. So, now I am walking/running on the treadmill for at least 30 minutes (40 minutes on a good day, and if my favorite treadmill is not available I will use the elliptical for at least 30 minutes) and I do each activity on level 16 (increase by 1 level each month). After I have completed my cardio workout I will then figure out which body part I want to weight train (chest, back, legs, shoulders, and arms). Once I decide which body part I am going to focus on, I then decide on what cardio workout I will do in between the weight training sets. And I have to say that I have been making progress with my weight lost; I now weigh 224lbs and I am so happy about that. This year I have decided to embrace and love my body now (at my current weight). And the reason that I have chosen to do this is because the more and more I focused on what I want the more frustrated I became when I would fall down. This year I want peace and positivity, so I (me) have to bring them into my life. Please don’t misunderstand me, I am still focused on where I want to be, but faith is now and God can’t get me to the places I want to go if I don’t appreciate where I am now and praise Him now.

Even though I am working out consistently and adding more cardio into my activity, the other part of the weight lost journey (for anyone and everyone) is the nutrition piece. I still believe that I should be able to eat things that I like to eat, but I have to remember to be mindful of what I am putting in my mouth and not go overboard with the foods I know cause me trouble. Because it’s the going overboard that gets me in trouble. I have also started to add more veggies and fruits into my diet. I switch out my ice cream with fruit, so my fruit has become my dessert. But that does not mean that I don’t eat ice cream (I make better decisions concerning the ice cream).  So, if you don’t take anything away from this post take this-NUTRITION is KEY in Losing WEIGHT…… The reason that I say that is because I can run and do all of the activity that I am able to do, but if I don’t monitor what I am putting in my mouth the activity will not do to much. I know this to be true because at the end of 2015 that is what I was doing and I was gaining weight not losing. Again-NUTRITION is KEY.

Well guys, my first hip hop class is this Thursday, so wish me luck. And I can’t wait to hear about you guys stepping out of your comfort zones to get to the places you want to be in your life. Until next time…….