Do Over

Hi, everyone! I haven't written in a while and I'm sorry for that. I have been through some life changing events these past 6 months that were pretty tough. I think we can all agree life is really hard at times. What I call life right now is reckless and spinning out of control. I'm slowly getting my ducks in a row and planning for things to come that will only benefit me and my son. Yes, I said me and my son. I am no longer associated with his father other than co-parenting. So that is new since I last blogged, also I am in school full time and working part time. See, I told you my life took a huge turn and so did my health.

Although I have been going to the gym periodically and trying to loose weight on my own, I know now that I cannot do this alone. When I started my blog I said the same thing, but come to find out, I don't have the will power like much of you think I do and I realized I need your help to keep my journey going. So here I am asking for you (my viewers) to help me start this new chapter in my life by getting my health and weight under control.

The next few days I will be doing what is called a "flashback" of the beginning of my journey which started with the birth of my son. On Monday, I will update my current numbers with you and come up with a plan of attack. Along the way I will take any feedback that comes my way! I have given up twice before on the journey and I don't want to ever again. Please stay tuned and look for my blog updates by adding your email on the right. Thank you for the support!

Hard

 "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. You are good and do good; teach me your statutes."Psalms 119:67-68

It's hard to get back into a healthy routine especially when you are on the go most of the time! I struggled this weekend with eating right but I'm right back to my routine this morning. I need to learn to adjust to this lifestyle or I won't see results. 

Some of you might have seen my Instagram or Facebook post last week about Plexus. 

Aka the "pink drink". I am trying not only loose weight but also get healthy from the inside out. As u may have seen from my very first post on this blog, I had my gal bladder removed. Along with that came a lot of struggles and it has now been a year later and I was still having digestive issues.

Plexus has helped with a lot of my symptoms though. There are these two vitamins they offer for optimal gutt health. 

The Bio Cleanse is taken between meals and the Pro Bio 5 is a probiotic with 5 different good bacteria to help your digestive system stay healthy. My tummy has never felt better. Although sometimes I forget a vitamin or forget to drink my plexus 30 minutes before I eat, I know that it's working because my stomach feels better than ever. 

Although it's hard to get back on a routine, I'm trying hard to stay on track. I just want to say thank you for all the love and support and if you have any questions regarding Plexus just ask! 

Battle

 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12

I chose this word today because I was really having a drawn out battle with my son today when it was time to go to the gym. Although this sadly ended in me not going to the gym, I have learned that even though I didn't make it to where I wanted to go, I still did something to get me closer to my goal. I picked up my grandmothers 6lb medicine ball and did some exercises while my son was throwing a temper tantrum and he ended up falling asleep at 7:30pm.

Sometimes life happens and you battle it out whether you should go or not. This was a decision that I had no problem making because imagine taking him to 24 and he threw a fit and they had to come get me, that would not be pretty. I had to do what was best for him and he obviously was acting out because he was exhausted more than usual today.

By the way, we didn't sit at the house all day. We went to Sky Zone today where Noah and his cousin jumped for almost an hour. Then after his nap we had to grocery shopping and when we got home from that, he had a snack and played outside for 30-40 minutes until dinner and then had his crazy melt down. Sometimes, your kids come first, but that doesn't mean you give up on what you want either. Just adjust to the occasion.

Restart

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:18-19

So here are my beginning stats! I am not going to show the before picture this time because last time I forgot to do an after picture and I would have really liked to see them next to each other. I think every month I will take a before and after and post it at the end of the 4 weeks so all of you can physically see my progress. Until then, every week I will get on the scale and show my numbers.

So,yesterday was day 1 of my new journey and I am feeling pretty good about today. So to start off, I am going to the gym and trying to go 5 times a week. I started yesterday off with leg day. below are the excercises I did as well as doing the elliptical for 10 mins before I started.

Here is what my workout schedule will look like starting next week:

Monday- arms, back, abs (machines)

Tuesday- legs and butt (machines)

Wednesday- arms, back, abs (free weights)

Thursday- legs and butt (free weights)

Friday- cardio only

Saturday- arms, back, abs (at home)

Sunday- legs and butt (at home)

This week is my first week so I am going to start off by doing every exercise 10 reps x 3 sets.

I am confident that I will be able to get on a good schedule and achieve this goal. I need to get into that bikini body for summer!

New

"...to be made new in the attitude of your minds;" Ephesians 4:23

So, I fell off the wagon. My blog says I have not been on here since October 2015. YIKES! So I ended up getting sick on and off since then and a whole lot of things changed at the New Year. I know excuses right? Literally, I am at this point in my life where I am figuring out what I want to do when I grow up ALL OVER AGAIN!

In January I lost my job and also had to move out of my apartment all within a month. When I was working it was very hard to find a babysitter on Saturdays. If you didn't know, I am a hairdresser and I worked for Blow Dry Bars for the last few years because I keep moving back and forth from San Diego to Orange County. After all these factors came about, my boyfriend and I decided that it was best that the baby and I go live with my Grandma in Los Angeles County. Since then, my world has been turned upside down. It has been almost 4 months since I have not worked (granted I do some hair in Orange County on the side but mostly for family).

I am also changing careers in the process because I have developed Car-pole Tunnel and Arthritis in my hands since having my son. Its difficult to hire a hairstylist for the last 3 years as an Administrative Assistant.

So here I am trying to figure out my life once again at age 26 with a 1-year-old and no husband. Needless to say, I gained all my weight back that I worked so hard to get off last year. Stress seems to not be my friend. I am trying to turn to a new outlook on life now!

As you can see, I put a bible verse at the top, this is simply for reassurance. Whether you believe or not the Bible has good wisdom for us all! I am struggling with my faith so that is why I am choosing to pull quotes right out of the bible. Choose to ignore it if you choose but please don't let that get in the way of enjoying my blog. Believer or not, I'm sure you have all been in my shoes one way or another.

I will be starting my journey all over again and doing things a little differently. I hope you stay tuned to see my struggles and lift me up when I need it because I really could use all the help I can get (Don't we all?)!

Power

There are many definitions of power but the one I am referring to is the ability to do something. Watch what I am able to do! 

Click Here to watch my work out video!

Diligence

The definition of diligence is careful or persistent work or effort. I chose this word because it takes persistent work to get to your goals. 

I have been eating poorly lately yet I am still loosing weight. For some reason I can't get myself to workout at home. I feel as if their are more important things to do. I really want to work on this more.

I want to set up a more strict diet. I am going to post it by tonight and maybe put together a morning and night workout routine to target my stomach, back and arms (these are the areas I don't like right now.  

I have set a new goal to be down to 170lbs by Halloween. I believe I can do it and from then on every holiday will have a goal. By Thanksgiving I want to be 160lbs, and by Christmas I want to be 150lb. My ultimate goal would be 140lbs but I could definitely settle for 150lb, especially if I have muscle definition! 

Strength

The definition of strength is the quality or state of being strong. Having the strength to go about your day and face challenges might be hard for some. Others, may have strength referred to as physical strength. I have gained the strength physically and I continue that on a daily basis. What I need, however, is the strength to face every day before me. 

When I started this journey, I said I wanted to transform not only physically but mentally. I want to work towards having the strength to face anything I go through on a daily basis. I first need to have the strength to love myself and that I can honestly say I do. Now all I want to do is to improve! 

This is my lunch most days. It's easy to grab and go when I need food for work. All I do is put frozen veggies and frozen chicken in a container and when I'm ready to eat I just microwave it! So simple and yummy!  

I know I said I would post my workouts that I will start doing at home. I am talking to my personal trainer and coming up with a routine to do at home so when I get that I will share! 

Progressive

Today I chose the word  progressive meaning happening or developing gradually or in stages; proceeding step by step. 

Loosing weight is definitely a progressive process. My journey is slow but steady and I am starting to see results. Here is a picture of me today and I can see a huge difference already. 

There is still work to be done but I know I am capable and the struggle is worth it! So when you feel like giving up, just remember the progressive process it takes to reach your goal. Although you want results over night, it takes hard work and patience to see those goals being met! 

Courage

The definition of Courage is the ability to do something that frightens one. 

Today I have the courage to post pictures of myself that I never would have done before because of the way I look. Although I still don't like them, here is the proof that I am working my tail off. 

So here I am at personal training today and she kicked my ass! Literally, my ass is so soar at the end of the day. 

So these pictures have one thing in common. I hate the way I look. The rolls and back fat are too much. My legs are toning up nice but I still think my arms are too big. But, my weight your gain! If you are looking at these pics and thinking you are looking in the mirror or worse, then get off your tush and do something about it! 

I really struggled with this one. It was hard to pull up on one foot. I definitely want to improve with this. I think that women in general don't think of doing pull ups as a part of their routine. I definitely want to be able to do 5 pull ups  without struggling by December. 

I had the courage to put myself out there and get in the best shape of my life. So do the same and do something about it! 

Thanks for the 2,000 Pageviews

I just hit 2,000 Page views! Thank you everyone for all your support, this journey has not been easy but I think you will get a lot out of my mistakes and success. Keep following and sharing my story!

Persistence

The definition of persistence is firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.  

The most important thing I have learned this past month in a half is that I need to persistent with my diet.  The more times I cheat the harder it will be to loose weight. I can't stress enough how tough it is for me to make good choices. I work in a mall and I am constantly running around and sometimes too busy for healthy food. It's very hard but I strive for persistence every day.

Also, you must be persistent with your exercise routine. I just recently went hiking which added a 3rd day to my workout days per week. It felt good to do something fun like that and not just be in a gym setting. I think I'm also going to try and do abs on my own if not daily, then when I remember (because I am a mommy and mommies forget a lot). Must be persistent if I want results!

Overcome

The definition of overcome is to succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty. I want to overcome my excuses and start to make things happen! If I keep making excuses for myself I will not be at my goal weight! 

So I didn't get to do anything yesterday because I was cleaning my house and getting ready for the Chris Brown concert that I went to. Me and my co-workers had so much fun. 

Anyways, I woke up this morning urging to do something that would work off the pizza and alcohol that came with the fun concert I went to. I ultimately decided to go hiking and not just anywhere, some place I have never been before. 

I chose Torrey Pines State Reserve and we didn't do a trail or anything but there was a huge hill from the beach to the very top where the visitors center was. My little guy had so much fun while mommy carried his 20lb self to the top! I used my money wrap because it is more comfortable for the both of us! It was hot but not unbearable because we had the ocean breeze. It was amazing and I want to do it again. Man are my legs going to hurt tomorrow! 

Capable

The definition of capable is 

having the ability, fitness, or quality necessary to do or achieve a specified thing. I know I am capable of loosing the weight and I know I am capable of keeping it off. 

My will power needs to be strong enough to know that I am completely capable to do what is necessary to loose weight. It's hard sometimes because we think that we need to fulfill the need to listen to those cravings we get. It is so easy to say "Oh just one won't hurt!" Well, one becomes two, and two becomes three, etc.  So be careful of those sneaky cravings and your justifications on why you don't have to follow your diet today. I am famous for this. I did so well the first month of eating good that I just got lazy and started wanting all my cravings. I know more than anyone how tough it is, but it's all in our heads! 

Today I didn't have any personal training and I searched Pinterest for excercises. I ended up getting overwhelmed and I just did 20 crunches. I know I am capable of much more! 

Also I have been lazy about my diet! Above is a Kabab place by my work that I usually will buy when I don't bring my lunch. Although I choose chicken and salad over hamburger and French fries I still am not eating as well as I should. The struggle continues but I am CAPABLE! 

Consistency

The definition of consistency is conformity in the application of something, typically that which is necessary for the sake of logic, accuracy, or fairness. I chose this word for the day because I feel that a routine is important in order to produce results. For instance, ever since I have have been eating better and working out twice a day, I have been seeing results. Also, I would like to gain more of a routine like, taking all my vitamins throughout the day, or working out more than twice a day, or drinking a gallon of water throughout the day. These goals are great to have, but if I am not consistent then I will not see any results and my goals will not be met.

Today, I noticed that when I got ready for work I had a little (I mean HUGE) muffin top. I was so excited because I wanted to wear these pants that I couldn't even wear right before I got pregnant. I got into them and  everything, but when I put on my shirt, I could see all the extra baby skin hanging over and it was not cute. I had gotten a waist trainer right after I had the baby, but because I had the gallbladder problem I couldn't use it anymore until months after my surgery. I'm not going to lie, it is super uncomfortable especially when you are not used to it. I am going to try and wear it for a few hours a day to kind of help my skin shrink back and shape up to where it should be. I love how it just makes everything fit nice and makes me look slimmer and my muffin top disappears. I know some people are against them but I asked my trainer about it and she brought up a good point. She said that if I held a baby in my stomach and the baby squished all my organs, then why would a waist trainer be bad if people claim it squishes the organs.

Today was legs day at personal training. I did squats and used the Smith machine. I also did some of abs in between some of the legs I did. By the end of tonight my legs felt like jello. I am already gathering ideas for working out at home and I feel good about trying to workout more than two days. I love my results I have gotten so far, but there are always ways to improve. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. 

Struggle

The definition of struggle is to make forceful or violent efforts to get free of restraint or constriction. I chose struggle because I really struggle with getting getting and keeping weight off. Even though I have been eating well and working out two days a week for the past month, I still seemed to get a week of fast food that is bad for me and no exercise except walking. The efforts to get free of restraint from bad habits is very difficult. 

My vitamin regiment needs to be more consistent. As for my water intake, I am getting better but there can be more improvement. From the beginning, I wanted to keep bread out of my diet and that has obviously failed. I am going to try to minimize my bread intake and also make more wise choices. 

I had personal training today and we did arms. I am still benching 95lbs which I am very proud of. We also did kick backs with weights of 8lbs-25lbs which was very difficult to do the 30 reps of each set of dumbbells. I am researching some workouts to try at home for the days I am not going to personal training. 

My struggle is real and I am constantly in battle with it. I know some of you are struggling too. Let's struggle together. Follow me and see how my struggles can help you with yours. After all, this is My Weight and Your Gain!!!!!

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This Past Week: Time for a Change

                                  

So I have been falling off the wagon this week and I have failed to take the time to write. I am sorry for anyone who have been looking forward to my journey. Good news is that even though I ate out a lot and strayed from my diet, I didn't gain anything back. I am happy to say that there will be changes, good ones! 

From today forward I will no longer be numbering the days but rather posting something every day about my struggles and accomplishments. Each day will be given a word that would describe my day. I am trying to make my blog more appealing to people who might think posting what I eat is boring. Some days I will have extra bonus' like my recent beauty day tips, etc. I hope you all will continue to follow my journey! tomorrow I will post my new numbers and get back on track!

Day 41

Wednesday

We traveled to my parents and so my eating habits were horrible. For breakfast I had cereal. For Lunch I had shared a salad from Protillos with my friend. The salad had a mix of fresh lettuce mixed with Ditalini pasta, chicken breast, bacon, tomato, red cabbage, Gorgonzola cheese, green onion and House dressing. For dinner I had The Habit, I did get a burger (bad girl), but I got a whole wheat bun and sweat potato fries. All in all I think today was my cheat day because this was all too much goodness in one day. I really needed to exercise all of these calories off but I didn't have time. We drove home super late. It was a long day! 

Day 40

Tuesday

I had personal training today and I was so sore so we did some abs and legs. I was having some pain in my right hip flexer and they said it was normal but to be careful.

For breakfast I had a plain Gluten Free waffle. For lunch I had a sushi and chicken Teriyaki Bento Box that I was craving and was so good. I don't think I needed so much food though. For Dinner it was date night with "The Man" so we went to Pieology and I got the wheat crust with all veggies and chicken, pesto, and mozzarella. It was so good. I for sure had left overs though.

Day 39

Monday I had personal training and we did dead lifts and benched again. I tried to bench 100lbs but I couldn't get it back up. My dead lift weight is at 125lbs. My back was so sore for a few days after too.

I started drinking whey protein after my workouts. I got it from Trader Joe's. It was really good actually and I really like it.

I have a picture of the Nutrition facts for you below so you can see if you would like this whey protein or not. I know there is a lot of stuff out there right now and it could be hard to choose. 
For breakfast "The Man" made me eggs with ham and salsa and it was a real treat for him to cook because he never does. It was very yummy and I only had a tiny bit because of all the yolk, which means more calories. For lunch I was at work so I had brought a big salad with no meat. Dinner I forgot to take a picture but I had another salad with chicken.