From Fat to Fierce: My Weight Loss Journey | Week 2

So at first I felt disappointed in myself that I had only lost 1.6 pounds. But then I realized, after much self loathing, that I should be proud of my accomplishment. I ate pretty healthy for the week, even got to enjoy pizza, worked out for 5 days, and still lost weight. I didn't have to starve myself or slave at the gym! My disappointment came from a never ending need to see large results, quickly. That's why I was so pumped last week. But if you stop and remember, if you saw my vlog, I started the week (5 days) doing the 17 day diet. And it was so rough. I felt like I was dying and cried almost every day. Towards the end of the week I downloaded his amazing app called My Plate, and I've been happy ever since. 

So the point of this post, besides showing you all what I accomplished this week, is to be proud of ANY accomplishment you make! Only lost a little like me? BE PROUD! Didn't lose weight but lost inches? BE PROUD! hey, at least you're still getting smaller! Just don't ever let yourself get down for the things that you do that are actually good! I step forward is a step in the right direction! 

Beginning Weight (lbs) and Measurements (ins)

Weight: 265.2

Neck: 16.25

Chest: 46

Right Bicep: 17.5

Left Bicep: 17

Right Forearm: 11.75

Left Forearm: 11.25

Waist: 44

Hips: 53.5

Right Thigh: 30.5

Left Thigh: 30.5 

Right Calf: 16.5

Left Calf: 16.5 

Week 1 Weight (lbs) and Measurements (ins) 

Weight: 258.4 (-6.8)

Neck: 15.75 (-.5)

Chest: 44.5 (-1.5)

Right Bicep: 17 (-.5)

Left Bicep: 16.5 (-.5) 

Right Forearm: 11.5 (-.25)

Left Forearm: 11 (-.25)

Waist: 42 (-2) 

Hips: 52.5 (-1)

Right Thigh: 29.5 (-1)

Left Thigh: 29.5 (-1)

Right Calf: 16.25 (-.25)

Left Calf: 16.25 (-.25)

Week 2 Weight (lbs) and Measurements (ins)

Weight: 256.8 (-1.6)

Neck: 15.25 (-.5)

Chest: 43 (-1.5)

Right Bicep: 16.75 (-.25)

Left Bicep: 16.25 (-.25) 

Right Forearm: 11.5 (0)

Left Forearm: 11 (0)

Waist: 41 (-1) 

Hips: 52.5 (0)

Right Thigh: 29.5 (0)

Left Thigh: 29 (-.5)

Right Calf: 16 (-.25)

Left Calf: 16 (-.25)

Inches Lost: 4.5

Pounds Lost: 1.6

Total Inches Lost: 13.5

Total Pounds Lost 8.4

Motivational Monday: Trust Your Journey

This is something that I have to remind myself everyday. It's hard when you see your goals and they feel so very far away. I know I've talked about understanding your happiness and following your dreams and what not, but that can get really hard sometimes. I find myself having to step back, take a deep breath, and continue moving forward. I have to trust my journey. My step-mom likes to say, "It's not your time." Eh, moms always know best, right? 

Most recently, and my step-mom unintentionally laughs every time I freak out, a large amount of people I know have been getting engaged and/or married. And every time I see a status on Facebook or a post on Instagram, I lose my shit. And I don't mean to be profane, but I really don't know how else to describe it. I seriously just lose it. Best example, and God bless Briam for handling my "moments" with stride, I saw on IG today a post about a Maid of Honor proposal and how that date had already been set, despite getting engaged like 3 weeks ago. And the month, October, has been my month for ever, as long as I can remember. I legit lost it about this girl planning her wedding in October, MY MONTH. Poor Briam just looks over at me and says, "November is nice too! October is scary, with Halloween and all. November is about being thankful. That's better for our wedding." Bless him. Bless him so much. 

I told this story to my step-mom and she just laughed. Because she knows that I'm not losing it in a "jealous, crazy, psycho" way, but in a "Why isn't it my time?" way. 

So the whole point of this post is that if there is something in your life that you really want, but aren't receiving, then it's not your time. We don't always remember that God has an exact plan for how our lives are going to turn out. And of course He's not going to lead you in the wrong direction. So just know that it's not your time. You will have what you want one day, and if it doesn't happen, God will provide you with the peace to accept that. You'll never be left hanging. 

Trust your journey. 

Weight Loss Wednesday: Week 1

I'm quite surprised this week. I didn't think I had lost weight. But honestly I did feel like my body had changed a little bit so I'm not too surprised by the inches! I'm very happy with my first weeks progress. I have the motivation to keep going and try harder this week. Watch my video below to hear about a new thing I'm going to try this week! 

Weight Goals:

Starting Weight: 244.6 pounds

Goal Weight: 130 pounds

Current Weight: 241.8 pounds (-2.8 pounds)

Pounds to Lose: 111.8 pounds

Measurements:

Left Forearm: 10.75 inches (-.25)

Right Forearm: 11.25 inches (-.25)

Left Bicep: 16 inches

Right Bicep: 16.25 inches (-.50)

Chest: 43 inches (-1.0)

Waist: 40 inches (-1.0)

Hips: 51 inches (-.50)

Left Thigh: 29 inches (-.25)

Right Thigh: 29.25 inches (-.25)

Left Calf: 15.25 inches (-.25)

Right Calf: 15.5 inches (-.25)

Total Inches Lost: 4.5 inches

Weight Loss Wednesday: The Beginning

If you saw any of the posts on my other blog (which no longer exists anymore) then you know that I tried to start losing weight. Well that failed. And there aren't any excuses, but I can try to give you some. But I won't. The point is that after a few things happening in my life over the past month I'm ready to start again, and for real this time. 

Weight Goals:

Starting Weight: 244.6 pounds

Goal Weight: 130 pounds

Pounds to Lose: 114.6 pounds

Measurements:

Left Forearm: 11 inches

Right Forearm: 11.5 inches

Left Bicep: 16 inches

Right Bicep: 16.75 inches

Chest: 44 inches

Waist: 41 inches

Hips: 51.5 inches

Left Thigh: 29.25 inches

Right Thigh: 29.5 inches

Left Calf: 15.5 inches

Right Calf: 15.75 inches

Get Fit Recipes: Pineapple Chicken with Quinoa

You have to understand, I'm not the biggest fan of chicken. I LOVE steak. I was raised on it. And although on my IgG chart, I can have beef, I was instructed to limit my red meat consumption. So to do what's best for my body and health, I'm sticking with chicken and turkey. Also, even though quinoa wasn't on the food list, Dr. Leo said I was cleared to eat it!

Ingredients:
1 package of boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 C of freshly diced pineapple
1/2 C of Sugar Free Orange Marmalade
1/2 C of dry quinoa, to be prepared
1 tsp of salt
1 tsp of pepper

Quick notes: I used organic chicken breast. I had to dice my pineapple fresh because the prepackaged pineapple was prepared in factories with food that I cannot eat. I'm not 100% sure if I can have the marmalade. I read all the ingredients and there's nothing that I can't have specifically. All the ingredients were purchased at Publix.

1. In a gallon zip lock bag, mix the diced pineapple with the orange marmalade.
2. Trim any fat off the chicken breast and cut into 1" chunks.
3. Add the chicken to the pineapple/marmalade mixture and let sit for at least 1 hour.
4. In a large skillet, set to medium-high heat, add the bag of chicken, pineapple, and marmalade. Add salt and pepper.
5. Cook for about 15 - 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked thoroughly.
6. While the chicken is cooking, in a small saucepan, bring 1 C of water to boil, add the quinoa.
7. Allow the quinoa to cook for 10-15 minutes until all the water is absorb and the quinoa has become transparent.
8. In a bowl, smooth out 1/2 of the cooked quinoa. With a large spoon, add 1/3 of the chicken mixture to the quinoa.
9. Enjoy!

To me, it kinda looks like a curry in some way, but not spicy!
(I got my bowls from Home Goods when I went to FSU!)

B had teriyaki rice with his chicken, he loved it! I saved the other half of the quinoa and the remaining chicken mixture for the next day's lunch!

If you have any recipes that you think would work for me or you would just like to share, email me or leave a comment!!

Side note: I am not endorsed, sponsored, or paid by Publix. I just like to shop there.

Get Fit Recipes: Basic Fruit Salad

Okay guys, short (jokes, long!) back story! My whole life I've been overweight. I played soccer, did karate, was a cheerleader and danced for 11 years. I was still overweight. I had a pretty normal diet for a kid, all the way through my teens and even now. I tried so many diets and lost so much money on things that just didn't work for me. I would lose weight, but it would come right back. After many mental breakdowns, I decided to go see a doctor, Dr. Leo. 

After being poked with more needles than I can handle, Dr. Leo discovered that I have Hashimoto's, also know as thyroiditis. (See, I had my last two wisdom teeth taken out the same week I had my blood drawn twice.) So what's happening is that my thyroid is actually making the correct amount of hormones, but my immune system is attacking the hormones, so my body isn't using them. Also, my body has no good bacteria, it's not keeping in vitamin D, and it seems to think fat is good. I'm a hot mess. 

Dr. Leo also did an IgG Food Antibody test. I have "delayed allergies" to almost everything. I posted a picture on Instagram showing the results and the breakdown of what I can and cannot eat. Basically, I can only eat fruit and poultry. I have delayed allergies to all dairy, fish/shellfish, nuts/grains (except sunflower seeds), eggs, and most vegetables. So here I am, attempting to create recipes that I enjoy and follow the guidelines of my new diet. I also have to include shakes (not sure of the name) and supplements into my diet. But on a happier note, I'm very excited to get my health in order and final feel good about myself!  

So here is the first recipe in my journey towards a healthier life! My basic fruit salad! 

Ingredients: 

1 package of Blueberries

1 package of Raspberries

1 package of Strawberries (sliced)

1 tsp of 100% Agave Nectar (Light)

Zest of 1 Lemon

Juice of 1/2 Lemon

1. Rinse all the fruit and pat dry. 

2. Slice the strawberries however you like them. I like small chunks!

3. Add the Agave Nectar and mix the fruit together. 

4. Zest the lemon over the fruit. 

5. Juice half the lemon and pour over the fruit. Mix the fruit... again. 

6. Enjoy! 

(Sorry the picture is a little blurry, but this my fruit salad!)

You don't have to add the Agave Nectar, or the lemon zest or juice. It's all to personal taste. I like the Agave Nectar because of the light sweetness it adds. The lemon zest adds a freshness that make the salad happy! (lol!) And of course the lemon juice helps the fruit last longer! 

If you have any recipes that you think would work for me or you would just like to share, email me or leave a comment!! 

Also, if any of you are in a similar situation, let me know! I would love to know how you cope with the emotional side of all of this!