ZUMBA, ZUMBA, ZUMBA…….. If you have been traveling with me on this journey you would know that I next fitness class for the month was Zumba. And yes I took the class and I was very surprised. Okay let me explain what I mean by I was surprised. Continue reading “My Weight Loss Journey: 675 Days-1 Year and 343 Days”
Category: losing weight
My Weight Loss Journey: 665 Days-1 Year and 333Days
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 Loss Journey: Day 512-1 Year and 148 Days
A couple of days ago I expressed how my journey has began to feel like a chore, and I also said that even though I felt that way that I was going to continue to go to my Weight Watchers meetings. And that is exactly what I did.
So, the week before last we were asked to change the negative thoughts that we have/had into positive thoughts and the one negative thought that I have is working out is a chore. Now, my challenge was (and still is) to change that thought into a positive one, and the only thing that I came up with is the Nike slogan-Just Do It..… The slogan to me now means don’t just sit around and compliment about things that are wrong with your situation do something to change it. Yeah, working out does feel like a chore, but I feel so much better about my self when I go workout, so Just Do It. When I start to feel that negative feeling come up (which happens an hour before I am to go workout) I tell myself to Just Do It…
This week we were asked to choose one best practice that is key to our weight loss success and to plan on incorporating it into our maintenance plan; and my one best practice is planning. I have learned how to plan meals out, plan how many points I want to use on a meal, plan when to workout, and plan for the unexpected. So, the key to my weight loss journey (one of the keys) is the plan it out. The last time I attempted to lose weight (with some success) I really did not plan things out. I kind of just planned out my workouts and that was all I really thought was important. And then when I moved the Chicago, it got hard to find time to workout, but I still eat the same way and the weight came back. So, learning how to plan out almost everything has helped me to be successfully this time around.
I have to admit that I still have somethings to learn about myself, but the more I remain on this journey I am learning that gaining weight is really not all about the food; there are unresolved issues in someone’s life that causes them to turn to food because food really does not criticize or breaks your heart. Food’s job is to sustain you and that is what everyone is looking for in this world-something that sustains you, feeds you, fuels you. Food does just that, but toooooooo much of it is bad and learning how to have self control with food will teach you how to have self control in other areas of your life. You will be able to make better and smarter choices when you learn how to deal with food. Weight Watchers is showing me this and the being on this journey is teaching me how to use what Weight Watchers is showing me. I still have a long way to go, but I can say that I am proud of where I am on this journey. So, the take away from this post for everyone reading this post is plan, and stay positive. #PlanItOut and #JustDoIt…
Until next time…..
My Weight Lost Journey: Day 422-1 year and 57 days
I have been on my weight lost journey for little over 1 year now, and I must say there have been a lot of ups and downs, and some eye opening moments. And all of the ups and downs and eye opening moments have helped me to begin to understand and love my body. So, of course I have to share some of the frustrations that I have encountered while on this journey, because I don’t want people to believe that it is an easy journey I want to be real with everyone that reads my blog.
Soooooo, I will start from day 1; the day I made the decision to walk into Weight Watchers and start the journey. I was so depressed and I knew I needed to change my lifestyle but all I heard (in my mind) was that it was not going to work and this would be a waste of my money. But I walked into the meeting and began my journey. A month into the journey the weight was just coming off with little activity, I was just doing what I was told to do. But as the days turned into months it began to get harder for the weight to come off, and I could not figure out why. I start working out more, but I also began to go over on my allotted points and guess what, the weight began to come back. So, I began to get mad at myself (because I was over eating) and I was mad at the program because I did not think it was working. But I continue to go to the meetings and track what I was eating. While I was tracking I began to notice that I was a late night snacker and that I had to get that under control if I was going to continue to lose weight. I cut out certain foods and I worked out 6 days a week, and still I was gaining weight. As the weight continue to come back, in spite of what I was doing, I began to get more frustrated. But I continued to go to the meetings and track what I was eating, in spite of my frustrations. And then one day I woke up (mentally) and made the decision to stop snacking at night. Once I made that decision I began to see it on the scale, but I don’t get too excited because I have learned that I need to stay focus on the overall goal and not just the short term goal that was accomplished. Now some of you may say that I should celebrate, but the reason why I don’t do it too big when a short term goal is met is because I go over board with it and then the achieved goal is null and void because I gained the weight back. Let me try to explain what I mean about me going over board.
I have learned, while on this journey, that I really can’t just eat whatever I want when I want because I will gain weight. Which is so frustrating because I want to be able to eat a cheese burger and ice cream (regular ice cream) and not gain weight. But during this journey when I have met a goal weight that I set for myself I would get soooo happy and tell myself that it is okay to have the ice cream and cookies (but I would have 2 bowels instead of 1 bowel) and then I would get weighted in at Weight Watchers and I would up a 1 lb or 3 lbs, and shame, angry, and frustration would come-then negative mind talk would happen-then the cycle would continue. See-overboard….
Losing weight can be sooooo frustrating because there are ups and downs, and at times there can be more downs then ups but you have to make up in your mind to continue to make the right choices (working out, being active, and making health food choices) and the weight will come off. But during the tough times( the downs) you have to be able to motive yourself, so I would suggest finding some positive quotes and putting them up where you will be sure the see them, and look at them daily. My faith in God kept me moving forward (staying active, working out 6 days a week, being mindful of what I eat) during the time when the weight was coming back. I am not out of the woods yet, but I have gain more clarity on why I ended up over weight in the first place and I am willing to work through them to reach my weight lost goal. Until next time…..
My Weight Lost Journey: Day 322 (New Year Reflection)
Well I am a month into the New Year and I have had some time to reflect on 2014, and what I learned about myself and my weight loss journey. So, here are the 5 things that I learned about weight lost while on my weight lost journey, and I can tell you that I was a little surprise.
The 5 Things That I Have Learned On My Weight Lose Journey:
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Number 5: Food Is Not The Enemy:
-I know that we are taught from birth that fat and sugar is bad; they will kill you. Well, that is not totally true. The truth is that over eating food in general will kill you. I am learning (truly learning) how to listen to my body and when I have had enough-then that is enough. While on this journey I have eaten cheeseburgers, and ice cream (regular ice cream), cakes, and cookies and I am still losing weight. Food is not the enemy—-not listening to your body and over eating is the enemy.
Number 4: Plan For It:
-When you are over weight you always feel like you are not in control; or shall I say that is how I felt-out of control. But while on this journey I am leaning that people don’t plan on failing they just fail to plan. Having a plan of what you will or will not eat during party times, holidays, regular days, everyday is setting yourself up for success. And by not having a plan you will fail. So now I plan out what I am going to eat almost everyday, and I have found that I have more control over what I put in my mouth. I no longer just eat food mindlessly-I plan it out. But I can tell you that it was not easy to do at first, but now it has become a part of who I am. So, PLAN FOR IT…..
Number 3: Be Mindful Of Your Mind Talk:
-We talk to ourselves everyday all day, and we tell ourselves the most negative things that anyone can imagine. STOP IT….. I had to learn to tell myself that I can do it and that I am losing weight (even when I come to a stand still). I had to learn to tell myself I am beautiful, smart, professional, and strong. I had to learn to tell myself that, and then I have to learn to believe it. I also had to learn to stop listening to the excuses that my mind gave me for why I can’t go work out or why I should be able to eat another piece of cake. I have learned that we (you-me) are the only ones that can stop us from being successful, and it starts in the mind. So, I have to learn to say (speak out) the opposite of what my mind is telling me, that way my mind will start saying the positive instead of the negative.
Number 2: Take It One Day At A Time:
-When you start to lose weight it comes off quick and then your body gets use to what you are doing and eating and you have to change it up. When this occurs it is so easy for you to say why can’t I lose the weight faster or this is taking tooooo long, and then stop trying. This almost happened to me, I almost gave up on changing my life because of how long it is taking for me to lose the weight. But then I remembered that it did not take a day for me to gain the weight (it was a little easier) so that means that it is going to take time. So now, I don’t focus on the big goal of how much I want to loss I focus on the one day. I get through that day and when the next day comes I do the same all over again. God tells us not to worry about what we will eat or drink or wear because He will provide all of that for us. He also tells us to focus on the present because worrying about the future adds nothing to your life. So, I am learning how to take it one day a time.
Number 1: Forgive Yourself:
-We carry a lot of emotion baggage that we think we have dealt with. And most of the time we have not dealt with it, but we have gained weight. So, I have to learn how to forgive myself for some of the choices that I have made. I have to learn how to celebrate my mother’s life instead of continuous grieving for her. By forgiving myself, and letting go, I get back power over my life. Fear does not win. We all make mistakes, but it’s those mistakes that help us to grow and become better. By holding on to the what ifs, and could haves, should haves causes us to gain weight, and it makes it difficult for it to come off. So, I am learning how to forgive myself, I haven’t yet but I am headed in the right direction. LET IT GOOOOOO…… and watch the pounds come off…….
So, there is still more that I need to learn but I am ready to change. Let me know what you think of what I have learned thus far, and please share some of what you have learned on your on personal journey. Until next time…….
My Weight Lost Journey: Day 260
Well, I made it through Thanksgiving and I did not gain any weight. I lost 0.8lbs and I was soooooooo happy to see a decrease in my weight that it did not matter that it was only 0.8lbs. I bet you are wondering what I did this Thanksgiving that was different from the last thanksgiving, and I would have to say a little more control of myself is what I did different.
I cooked the same food that I cooked last Thanksgiving, but I did substitute some ingredients. Instead of me using whole cheese and milk, I used reduced fat dairy products. For my dressing I used corn bread made from wheat flour. And I made 3 sweet potatoe pies, 2 regular pies and 1 reduced fat. I must say that I was little skeptical about the pie that I made for myself, but it turned out really good; even my husband said it was good and that made me feel great.
The food that was made was not the only thing that was different this Thanksgiving, my inner man was a little different as well. I will admit that I have been a little sad this holiday season but I know that everything will work out for me best, and I just have to focus on the things that God has given me stewardship over (which includes my purpose). I cannot continue to worry about the what ifs in life, because God has already figured it all out for me I just have to trust and believe in God ONLY, and everything will work out for my good. SO, I guess I can say that my inner man was a little stronger this year than last, so I had more self control because of it.
If you take nothing from this posting but 1 thing, I hope that it is this- focus on your inner man, and listen to her(him). That still small voice will never lead you in the wrong direction. We need to all stop worrying about the what-ifs of this life and be thankful for what God has given us stewardship over, and lets focus on groooooowwwwwwing it. The every day stressors of this life will make you lost focus on what you need to focus on until you really think you are doing what you are meant to do. JUST STOP………Listen to that small voice and go with it.
This Thanksgiving I had many things to be thankful for and if I did not stop to hear my still small voice tell me just that I would have been really sad and depress. How was your Thanksgiving? What did you eat or better yet what did you learn this Thanksgiving? Please share. Until next time……
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| Low Fat Sweet Potatoe Pie (Only 3pts per slice) |
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| Low Fat Sweet Potatoe Pie (Only 3pts per slice)
Part of what I am thankful for…… |
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| Lee V |
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| Lee III and Lee V |
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| Lee III and Lee V |
My Weight Loss Journey: Day 252
During the holiday season we are suppose to be happy and joyous. This is the time of the year when families come together to eat, give present to each other, be thankful for each other, and just plain old love on each other. Well, at least that is what the media tells us that we should be doing. But my question is, how do you do all of this and still stay on track with your weight lost plans? Great question, and I have been asking myself that question every day of this month thus far.
So, let me start by saying that I have gain almost 1lb (0.6lbs), and I am soooooo disappointed with myself. I know what some of you are thinking, come on it is not even a pound. But for someone that has been on this journey for years 0.6lbs up is a big thing, because that could start a downward spiral and cause a person to collapse and just gain all the weight back.
Now, I am not saying that is what has happened but I am saying that it has caused me to lose some focus. So, being who I am I began to question why am I losing focus now? And I think it is because of the holiday season. This was the time when I would go home and lay under my family (my mother, sister, aunt, cousin, etc.), but I haven’t been home in years. And the reason that I have not been home in years is because my mother, my best friend in this whole world, is no longer here in the flesh with me. I grieve her every day, and it gets worst during the holiday season. During this time of the year I just fell alone and lost. And all I want to do is eat. So, I do and I feel better for a moment but that moment quickly goes away. So, instead of me doing what I would normally do I decided to search within myself for the answer. And this week I have really been trying to listen to my body and hear what it is trying to tell me, and what I believe that I am hearing is that I still miss my mother. I miss her and it is having an affect on my weight loss journey.
Don’t be fooled to think that grieve for something or someone will not affect you in your life, because you would be lying to yourself. Like I stated in my previous post about grieving, it never truly goes away. It will get better, and you will be able to deal with it but it will also affect you. And when we all recognized that and accept it we can grow from what the grieve has to teach us. I am not happy that my mother, my best friend, had to leave me so soon. But what I am thankful for is that I have the opportunity to have a mother that loved me unconditionally. She was proud of me even when I made mistakes. She was my biggest supporter and my toughest critique. But I knew and know she loved me no matter what.
Yes, I am disappointed that the scale went up instead of down, but I am not going to quit and throw in the towel on this journey. My mommy would not like that, she would say the winners never quit and quitter never win; so which one are you. She would also say that she is proud of me for even attempting to lose weight, to acknowledge that I have a weakness for cakes and cookies, sweets in general because most people would lie to themselves and continue to do what they have been doing.
I ask my self that question everyday, which one am I? So, now I am asking you; which one are you? There are something in this life that we must fight for, and right now I am fight to lose weight; which will lead to something bigger. Which one are you? And what are you fighting for? I am up now but I will be down, and I will reach my weight lost goal…..
Please share your own personal stories of lost and triumph. Until next time…
My Weight Lost Journey: Day 233
The weight loss process is said to be an up and down process, and I am here to tell you that the statement is soooooo very true. Since I have been doing Weight Watchers my weight has gone up and down, but mostly down (which is what I want), but when it goes up I question myself, I question what am I doing wrong and what should I change. Of course when I lose weight I am motivated to keep up the hard work, to keep pressing forward and remain focus on my weight lost goals. The up and down process of losing weight brings about different emotions and thoughts that I really did not pay attention until I started Weight Watchers, which I think is a good thing because I am more aware of my thoughts now. But when you hit a plateau what do you do?
Plateau is defined as a period when something does not increase or advance any further; an when this happens to someone losing weight it can be very frustrating and disappointing. Well, at least for me it has been very frustrating and disappointing because I feel that I am working hard to lose this weight. Even though I am frustrated, I am also looking within because it is something that I am doing or not doing that has caused me to hit a plateau. And you know what I uncovered-that I am fearful of what is going to happen when I lose all of the weight. And with that aha moment that I realized that sometimes we sabbotage ourselves because we maybe fearful of what’s coming, fearful of change.
So, the question on hand is what do you do? How do you over come the plateau phase of weight lost? And the only answer that I have for you, as well as myself, is to stay focus on your goals. From going to the meetings I have learned that this phase is all apart of weight lost because your body begins to become use to what you are doing and makes adjustments. I must remain focus, so that means that I must workout on the scheduled days (no excuses), and I must manage my points better and make better food choices. Because the reality is that it is up to me to make the Weight Watchers program work for me, and if I don’t reach my weight lost goal that it is my fault. There will be ups, downs, and plateaus but if I stay focus on my goals they will come true.
In short, being in the plateau phase sucks, but I am in the plateau phase and a while ago I was just in he depression phase. I am doing something about what I don’t like and don’t want so I am proud of myself for that. And this to shall pass…..Please share your own story of overcoming a difficult situation or just let me know what you think. Until next time……
| The feeling that I will feel when I reach my goals…. |
My Weight Loss Journey: Day 191
I am happy to announce to you all that as of yesterday I lost 25lbs (lost 10% of my body fat); which means that I achieved my 4th personal weight lost goal. I am currently in a size 16, so I am down 2 pants sizes and I am so happy about my accomplishments thus far. I have a birthday coming up and I am so happy that I am the size I use to be, but I don’t want to stay this size for the rest of my life and with Weight Watchers I actually believe that I can reach my weight lost goal. I my previous posting I stated that this month I would be answering questions that were given to me by Weight Watchers in an attempt to go deeper, and I have been doing just that. So far, I have realized that I am causing my weight gain because I don’t believe that I should be smaller, and that is probably because I have always been a big girl. Me being overweight is a mind thing (I see myself as being over weight). What’s funny is that every person that is over weight always say the same thing-I have always been a big girl/boy so this is just who I am. They come to accept their unhealthy self as how it is suppose to be. And this is so far from the truth. The reality is I am overweight (225lbs at a height of 5’7″), but the truth is I am born to prosper even as my soul prospers-meaning my soul has to know the truth in order for the truth to become reality.
Question posed by Weight Watchers: What’s limiting your belief that you can be successful? My answer is that I think that I don’t have self control concerning certain foods (sweets), so therefore I don’t think that I will be successful in losing weight.
Question posed by Weight Watchers: How will you change it to an Empowering Belief? My answer is that I will find a scripture that tells me the truth about self-control and mediate on it until the word is embedded into my heart and changes the reality. The scripture that I chose is Galatians 5:22-26. This scripture talks about the fruit of the spirit and temperament (self-control) is one of the fruit of the spirit that believers have within. So, the truth is that I have self-control but because of years not knowing the truth about my spirit I believed that I had no self-control, so I gained weight.
My ah ha moment for weight lost and gain is that it is all in the mind, and what you believe in your heart will become your reality-so I need to know the truth because it will make me free. I have to continue to dig deeper into the why behind my weight gain because I don’t want to ever be this big again. Please share your thoughts and advice, or share your own ah ha moments that you have uncovered on your own personal journey. Until next time……
| Gift from Weight Watchers for losing 25lbs |
| One of my motivating factors-Lee A. Smth, V |