Category: Weight Watchers

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…….

My Weight Loss Journey: Day 626-1 Year and 293 Days

Well, first let me wish you all a happy new year. I really hope that it has gotten off to a great start. 2014 was the year that I admitted that I need help with losing weight. 2015 was the year I realized that the mind is truly where weight loss takes place. 2016 is the year that I must step out of my comfort zone, get outside of my little box, stretch myself so I can reach the purpose that God has for me. So, this year I will try 12 different types of activities/workouts. And I actually got this idea from a close friend, she will be eating 12 different types of veggies (veggies that she would never pick) and blog about it. And I said to myself that is a good idea, so decided to do 12 different activities/workouts ( I will also be doing my regular workouts) 1 different workout/activity each month.

Now I know some of you may be saying, why don’t you just continue to do what you are doing because you are losing weight in spite of the small set backs. And my answer to that is that God wants me to be a blessing to this world and that will require me to do things that will feel uncomfortable to my flesh, and I might not do it. I think that by doing this (stepping out of my workout comfort zone) it will help me to train my flesh and grow my faith. I have a purpose that I was born to complete, and only I can complete it. But if my soul is not prospering it will be very difficult for my body to prosper. Stepping out on faith requires us to step out of our comfort zone (step outside of the box) but the end result of it is you being blessed to be a blessing. Don’t you want to be BLESSED!!!!!!! I know that I do. I am tried of being in the same spot while other people are taking chances and the risk they are taking pays off big. Just think about all of those people that went on the Biggest Loser or Extreme Weight Lost;they stepped out of the box and look at how they were blessed and now they can do more for this world because they stepped out of the box. I know that I watched both show and I would always say to myself if they can do it so can I, but I did not want to be uncomfortable. Until one day I just took one step, and that step has lead me here weighting 226 lbs. I have lost 30 lbs because of that 1 step. But I have more weight to lose and I feel like I have to shake it up do something different so I can get a better result. And trust me I am soooooooo nervous about it. I like doing things by myself, but that is a comfort zone for me.

So, I have decided that I am going to do a cardio class by myself. And what I mean about that is that I am not going to ask a friend to go with me so I can have support, I am going to let God be my support. So, guys make a decision to step outside of your comfort zone so you can get your blessing and be a blessing because you can’t afford to remain in that comfortable place. At least I know I can’t afford to stay in this comfortable place because I have a purpose to complete because millions are waiting. My weight loss is not just about me- it’s about my family, you guys, it’s about being a blessing to this world. I can’t wait to share this journey with you all and please, please, please share your journey’s with me also. We can motivate and inspire each other. Until next time….#OutofYourComfortZone

**Please stop by my booster page to help me bring more awareness to Obesity. Obesity is a growing heath condition and the only way to stop it is if we all understand it because it is not just the reallllyyyyyy fat person that is at the buffet, it could also be the 180lbs person that you work with (because they have a BMI of 38%).. God says that His people perish because of a lack of knowledge, let’s not perish, let’s get the knowledge…. Visit me health awareness page to get more facts, and visit my booster page to buy a shirt to help raise funds for Obesity Awareness…….

https://www.booster.com/life-is-but-a-jounery-obesity-awareness

My Weight Lost Journey: Reflection on 2015

Hey guys- I know, long time no hear from…. I have been really busy trying to revamp my blog site for you all. If you haven’t noticed I have added some pages to the site which include: about the author, shop JAccessories, my product order form, health awareness, and my disclosure and privacy statement. So, I have been a little busy trying to make me page a little more inviting. Please visit each page because you may learn something interesting or see something that may be worth purchasing. Okay-enough marketing my page, let’s get down to the topic at hand-my weight lost journey…..








Well, I must say that this year (2015) was very different from last year (2014) as it brought a lot of challenges and changes, and every challenge and change that I faced this year affected my weight lost journey. I remember when I started this journey, I was scared, nervous, and excited all at one time. And as I followed the Weight Watcher’s process given to the participants I lost weight quickly and it was very easy. I had some challenges and changes that came up, but I still lost weight.  And at the end of 2014 I went to get my yearly physical, and this year I was soooooo excited to go to the doctor because I could not wait for the midwife to see my weight lost progress. Last year I was in a place of euphoria as it concerned my weight lost journey. I was focused on getting to a healthy weight and the weight was coming off easily. I felt like a million bucks. Now fast forward to 2015, (and I know that you are wondering what happened did you gain all of the weight back?) and the answer is no, not all; but I felt like I had the process down pack, and I started to say to myself I got this and if I have 2 cookies that will not hurt, and for the most part it did not. But what I do believe happened, that hurt me later on in the journey, was that I began to tell myself that I got this, I already know what do to now so I don’t have to go to every weight watcher’s meeting. And when I began to tell myself this I noticed that I would gain 2lbs the next time I went to a meeting, after the meeting I would be focus and energized ready to dust the dirty off and get back up and work the process correctly. But my mind would say, you work out 5 days a week you can have a piece or cake (but that piece of cake would turn into 2 pieces). Soooooo, I know that you are still wondering what happened? I got a little prideful and everyone knows that pride comes before the fall. The more I told myself that I can eat this or that, or that I got this, I would over eat and gain weight at my next weight in. The challenge that I faced in 2015 that I didn’t face in 2014 was overcoming a spirit of pride. And its because of that pride that I have gain weight this year instead of losing causing me to take steps back instead of forward with my weight lost journey.

The next major challenge that I faced, which I did not really realize until I began to look back, was the fear of the physical change of my body. I know you guys are say what are you talking about, how can you be afraid to change your physical appearance? And my answer would be I have been this way all of my life, heavy, so there is a fear of the unknown. During 2015 I would ask myself, during quiet times of my day, how will it be when I reach my weight lost goal? What am I going to do with all my clothes? How will be view me? Who would I be once I reach my weight lost goal? Every question that I asked myself came from fear. God says that I am to prosper in my health even as my soul prospers; meaning that He wants me healthy and prospering in my life not just standing still in the same place. But because of fear I unconsciously began to do things that would cause me to gain weight-becoming prideful. BUT every challenged that I faced last year started in my own mind. God tells us that His thoughts are not our thoughts because His thoughts are to prosper us, so the negative thoughts that I was having was not of God and yet I decided to take them into my heart, and the result was leading me to death.  

The other thing that I said 2015 brought me was changes, and there have been many of them. Some good changes and some bad changes, but they all affected my weight lost journey. Well, let me try to explain what I mean. Good changes in my life usually caused me to stay focus on losing weight, I followed the Weight Watcher’s process and my weight would come down. But the bad changes brought unhealthy stress in my life and I would make not so healthy choices and I would gain weight. The one thing that changed in my life and it really affected my weight lost was the company that I am currently working for (the company that I have worked at for 10+ years) is closing and I am now looking for another job. When I was informed of the closing of the company I was devastated, and the stress of knowing that I now have to find a new job made me want to eat and eat and eat… I wanted to eat every sweet type of food (cakes, cookies, ice cream, pies, etc.) that I could get my hands on. And as a matter of fact that is just what I did. Even though I was eating all types of sweets I still continued to go to my Weight Watcher’s meeting, and I was gaining weight. And as I gained weight I would get sadder, madder, frustrated, and more disappointed in myself because I was failing yet again at losing weight (at least that is what I told myself). In total I have gained 6lbs, and I end 2015 weighting 228lbs.

Now, you may ask me, well what did you learn? And I would say that I have learned that the mind is the key to any weight lost journey (any journey in life) because this is the place that every good or bad thought enters and where decisions are made.  I realized that I have to remain humble and thankful for accomplishment that I achieve. I learn this year that I really don’t know anything, and that I must remain focus and humble-open to processes and procedures that move me forward. I also have to realize and understand that bad things happen, change comes, jobs are lost, and stress is in this world which means that I have to learn how to remain focus and mentally strong and aware. I have to be mindful of negative thoughts that will try to creep into my mind so I can choose not to take them but to focus on the positive. Every journey has ups and downs, good times and bad, and difficulties that we have to face, but positivity is the only thing that can and will remove negativity. And I also learned that I am not failing a losing weight as long as I continue to get up and continue to take steps forward. Sooooooo, in 2016 I have to surround myself with positivity so when the bad times come (because they will) I will have a strong spiritual army in my heart and I will be able to fight back and have what God says that I am to have. 

I hope this year (2015) you all learn something new about yourself that will help you grow to be the person that God made you to be. I know that I have learned something new about myself this year, and this new piece of wisdom will help me do better in 2016. I also hope that my story is helping to motivate you all to stay strong, look to God, and achieve what you were born to achieve. 2015 was a hard year for this whole world but it has made us stronger, and I hope to see you all in 2016. The journey continues, until next time………..

**Hey guys, please visit my health awareness page to help me raise money to bring more awareness to a growing condition-Obesity. I have a booster page link in my health awareness page, so please check it out. Thanks…..**

My Weight Loss Journey: Day 512-1 Year and 148 Days

Image result for just do it 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.

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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…..

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My Weight Loss Journey: 504 Days-1 Year and 140 Days

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I know that you all want to know how I have been doing since I ran my first 5k, and I have to say that I have not been doing so good with my journey.
For some reason I am mentally blocked with my workouts and my nutrition. The journey has become a chore mentally which has caused me to not want to do it anymore. So, I am finding myself eating foods that I know I should not eat, and I don’t care. But then I go to a Weight Watchers Meeting and I am up on my weight; and then I feel bad and guilty for eating the foods that I ate and for not working out which makes me want to just eat. But then I leave the meeting motivated to do better, but then I hear a voice telling me that I am never going to be able to lose the weight so why try. And the negative cycle continues. I have been feeling like this ever since I ran my 5k and I have not been able to shake it off. I am not sure what is going on with me and I am not sure why this is happening, but what I do know is that I like wearing smaller clothes, and I like being able to walk up the stairs at my complex and not get winded, and I really liked the fact that I ran a 5k. So, why have I been mentally blocked as it concerns my weight loss, and how do I get over it?

The last time I was this close to my weight loss goal I was in graduate school and I was so focused on health and being healthy that it was easy to go and workout, but then I joined the real world and my focus changed to paying bills, and becoming a grown-up. I now have a family to think about, and I want to be around a long time, so my focus is just wanting to be healthy, looking good is just a bonus. But lately my major focus (my family) has not been able to motivate me to want to stay on track, and I find myself not caring about my weight loss journey. It all just feels like a big, boring chore; it’s not fun anymore and I am not getting motivated by wearing smaller clothes, or getting compliments. What’s happening and how do I get over this obstacle, because I have come to far to just go back to how I was-depress, sad, really over weight, and just not healthy? Well, I don’t know the answer to my question but what I do know is that I plan to continue to go to my Weight Watchers meeting, tracking what I am eating, and working out, in spite of feeling like it is a chore. Maybe, just maybe, the motivation will come back and I will want to continue to workout and make better food choices and not feel like it is a chore.  

If anybody has any advice on how I can move pass this feeling I am open to suggestions, and if you are feeling the same way please know that you are not alone and it is a mental thing and we will get pass it and back on track, just don’t give up. I am telling myself the same thing too…https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5029725650024945545#editor/target=post;postID=3448776774907382198;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=4;src=postname

Until next time……

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My Weight Lost Journey: Day 464-1 Year and 99 Days

It has been a while since my last posting and I have a lot to share with you all. First let me share with you guys that I currently weigh 217.8 lbs, and I have lost a total of 36.6 lbs. For a while I was gaining weight and it was so frustrating. However, I figured out that I just needed to have some self control during the late nights and once I cut out the late night snacks (that costed points) the pounds started to come off again. I am so excited to see the numbers go down and to have figured out what I was doing wrong. But I also have another exciting update for you all; I just completed my first 5k run/walk race.

I decided to do a 5k after talking with a co-worker who has been doing them for a while, and at the beginning of the year I signed up for the 5k in my neighborhood (Super Strive For 5 given by the Mount Prospect Park District). When I submitted the application to register for the race I was excited and very nervous, so I keep it to myself for awhile. After I signed up I also began to do some research on how to train for a 5k, because I did not want to hurt myself trying to run this race. I came across a blog by Jason Fitzgerald (strengthrunning.com). He discussed different types of exercises that I would need to do in order to strengthen my core. Jason stated that he had been doing this routine since college, and he simply called it the Standard Core Routine. See below for the 6 exercises that I did based off of the advise of Jason:

  •  The Modified Bicycle
  • Plank
  • Bridge
  • Side Plank
  • Modified Bird Dog
  • Supine Leg Lift
I liked the routine because I did not need any equipment to perform them, I only needed myself and time. So, I began training for the 5k in February, and that is when it was real for me-when I began to train for it. For 6 days a week I would go work out (trying to get ready for the 5k) doing cardio training, weight training, and core strengthening. Some days I was physically tried, but I could push through that and I did. The days when I was mentally tried were harder to push through, but some how I did. I had to keep telling myself just take it one day at a time, and don’t focus on the time just know that you are getting stronger. I trained and trained and finally the day came when I was to race. I was soooooo nervous because I wanted to do good because my family was going to be there, and also because I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. I was soooo out of my comfort zone that it was funny. But I have to learn to step out of my comfort zone if I want to grow and move forward in life. On Saturday, June 13, 2015 I completed my first 5k run/walk race in 40:48.3 minutes, I came in 13th place for my age group, and my pace was 13.10/m. After I crossed the finish line I felt great. I felt really strong and powerful; I felt like I could do anything. I also wanted to cry because I was sooooo happy that I actually completed the race, and I completed it strong.
I really had fun and I plan on doing another 5k race, I will keep you guys posted. But if you are interested in running a 5k please check out Jason Fitzgerald’s blog to gain more information and a plan. And also know that you can do it and it is totally worth it. Until next time….
Completed My First 5k Run/Walk

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:

 
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 285

What is the secret to losing weight? This is a question that everyone is asking and everyone is trying to answer/or claiming to have the answer too. Well, I believe that I have the best answer to this very common question, and it is you.

Well, how can you be the secret to losing weight you may ask; especially if you have yet to be successful with it? And the answer is, it is your will to want to lose weight that is the secret. Your will is your mind, and in order for you to lose weight you must be mentally ready and mentally strong in order for you to be successful (met your weight lose goal).

Society will have you thinking that there is a magic pill that you can take and the weight will go away, or that plastic surgery is the way. But this is so far from the true because what you may not know is that the magic pill will have a side effect on your body (so you lose weight but now your heart is beating too fast) or all of the money spent to get lipo and 6 months later the weight comes back. So, why is this you be be thinking and that is because the true secret is in your mind. You must be determine and focus on losing weight. And understand that there is not a quick fix to losing weight. It took years for you to gain the weight so,when done correctly, it will take years to get it off.

Now, how does this all relate to my journey you may be wondering? And it relates because today I have gained 3 lbs after losing 25 lbs, and I have to understand that during this journey I will go up and down, but I must continue to put one foot in front of the other and continue to focus on my over all goal. It is soooooooooo easy to lose focus especially when you have people coming up to you and tell you that it looks like you have lost weight. You began to look at yourself in the mirror and say, yeah, I can see it because my clothes are much bigger. And then you start to lose focus on the bigger picture–the weight lost goal that you set at the beginner of the year, month, week, etc, and think that it is okay to eat that doughnut (2 doughnuts), the piece of cake (2 pieces of cake) and before you know it the scale is moving up, and your self esteem is going down. The next thing that happens is that you just stop trying because what is the point you have already gained 5 lbs, and your journey is over (yet again).

Can you see why I say that the secret to weight lost is you???? 

Because if you aren’t ready to go through the ups and downs of weight lost, the compliments, the baggy clothes, your other inner voice then you will fall off the wagon and gain all of the weight back and then some. And I must admit, it almost happened to me this time around, but I chose to join Weight Watchers, and going to those meetings are honestly helping me remain focus on my weight lost goal (to lost 64 lbs). This time I will accomplish my weight lost goal because through all of my trials with my weight I have gotten mentally tough and wise. I am wise enough to know that it took time to gain the weight, it will take time to lose it, and that I need help. If you have the WILL there is A WAY, I have the WILL and by seeking out help I am  finding the WAY……

Share your ups and downs because you never know who will be inspired by your story, and you can also share any advice for me that you may have (or what you think thus far). Until next time……