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

From Fat to Fierce: My Weight Loss Journey | Week 1

This isn't just a weight loss journey, this is proving to be quite an emotional one as well. And that's okay. Sometimes we need to breakdown entirely to rebuild completely. This isn't the beginning post or the I hope I'm going to do this post. This is the "I've already been at this for a week so I'm kind of committed" post. Follow along with me on this journey as I attempt to not only transform my body, but also transform my mind. 

Each week I'm going to give you a basic run down of my feelings. Gettin' all emotional up in here! I'm also going to include my weight and measurements of each new week. You'll be able to see how many inches, in specific areas and in total, I've lost as well as how much weight. I don't have any before pictures, as I'm sure you can guess I try to avoid the camera at all times, but I do have a video showing you my beginning body frame/size/whatever you want to call it, my "before". My sister tagged me to do the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and of course I wasn't going to say no, so I did it. But that'll be at the end, so if you want to see that, scroll ALL the way down. 

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)

Total Inches Lost: 9 

Total Pounds Lost 6.8 

If you want to join me on this journey and want to share anything with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, use the hashtag #CMxoxoGetsHealthy

P.S. - Please no negative comments. This is a place for positive words only. If you have something negative or snarky to say, take your crap else where. 

How To: Avoid Getting Sick - My Top 5 Tips

I used to be notorious for getting sick around very important events in my life, for example, exam week.  And being sick doesn't really help you study effectively for your midterms and finals. I also used to get sick during high volume months at work, holiday time and back to school season. But after implementing my top 5 tips, I've felt so much better and my colds seems to have run for the hills! Of course there are seasonal allergies, but that's what the allergy doctor is for!

Take a Daily Multi Vitamin

Drink Emergen-C Daily

Stay Hydrated

Wash Your Hands and Use Hand Sanitizer

Get Plenty of Sleep

How do you avoid getting sick? 

Healthy Eats: 3 Delicious and Nutritious Smoothies

I love having smoothies for breakfast! Especially during the summer: healthy, cold, and refreshing! Today I have 3 healthy smoothie recipes for you that are super easy to make and are even more delicious! And you end up getting your fruits and veggies in during breakfast! Even better! I like sneaking in some veggies during breakfast because I'm not a huge veggie fan, I at least know I'm getting it somewhere!

Smoothie #1: Mango Strawberry

1/2 cup of mango chunks, frozen

1/2 cup of halved strawberries, frozen

1 handful of spinach

1/2 cup of coconut water

1 cup of orange juice

Smoothie #2: Blueberry Peach

1/2 cup of blueberries, frozen

1/2 cup of peaches, frozen

1 handful of spinach

1/2 cup of coconut water

1 cup of apple juice

Smoothie #3: Pineapple Cherry

1/2 cup of pineapple chunks, frozen

1/2 cup of pitted cherries, frozen

1 handful of spinach

1/2 cup of coconut water

1 cup of cranberry juice

Motivational Monday: Being Comfortable and Confident

Today I went to the gym. Yes. It happened. I woke up still kinda of in shock that I was going. And then I was there, on the treadmill, actually walking. It was such an awesome feeling! I was concerned about people judging me or looking at me weird. I was just so happy to actually be back at the gym. And it was so rewarding. I even went and did my leg workout by myself before Briam showed up. I was, and still am, so proud. 

And that's the thing, I didn't go to the gym this morning to lose weight. Okay, yes I did but that's not the root reason. The really, deep down there, root reason was because I want to be happy again. I want be comfortable with myself and be confident. TMI, but, I want to be able to run through a field of flowers naked and be happy with it. My body is my home, and I want to treat like I do my own personal belongings. I don't trash my room, so why trash my body? 

I want myself, and you, to be so completely comfortable with our bodies that we love them unconditionally. We love others unconditionally, so why not ourselves? It's time we do that. It's time we let go of what others think of us and begin focusing on how we feel about ourselves. 

Weight Loss Wednesday: Week 4 Update

I gained 2.8 pounds. This is getting stupid. Not the weight loss journey, but the fact that Every other week is bad for me. First week good. Second week bad. Third week good. Fourth week bad. I'm sure this type of up-and-down can't be that good for me, right? I'll be surprised if I've lost any inches... let's check it out!

Well let me break my week down for you. Thursday was Briam's birthday. He wanted Chinese food for dinner. I had pork lo mein, pork fried rice, and an egg roll. Friday was Briam's birthday dinner with my parents. He wanted Cuban food. I had Lechon Asado and Papa Relllenas. Both fried. Oh, and flan. Saturday night his parents wanted to BBQ for him. So we had BBQ chicken wings, yellow rice, and red beans. Sunday I had carbonara tortellini. Twice. Monday night I had 2 orders of sushi. Oh and somewhere in there was some Hamburger Helper. And last night I had Orange Chicken and some ice cream. Like, what in God's name did I do to myself? I ate. I ate everything. 

Weight Goals:

Starting Weight: 244.6 pounds

Goal Weight: 130 pounds

Current Weight: 240.0 pounds (-4.6 pounds)

Pounds to Lose: 110.0 pounds

Measurements:

Left Forearm: 10.5 inches

Right Forearm: 11inches (-.25)

Left Bicep: 15.5 inches

Right Bicep: 16 inches

Chest: 41.5 inches

Waist: 38.5 inches (-.50)

Hips: 49.5 inches (-.50)

Left Thigh: 28 inches (-.50)

Right Thigh: 28.25 inches (-.75)

Left Calf: 15.25 inches

Right Calf: 15.25 inches

Total Inches Lost This Week: 2.5 inches

Total Inches Lost: 12.5 inches

It never ceases to amaze me how I can gain weight and then lose inches at the same time. I'm quite happy that my limbs are starting to even out. It was always weird having my right side be much bigger than my left.

As I say every week, maybe I'll get some exercise in... 

Weight Loss Wednesday: Week 3 Update

Week 3? What happened to week 2? Well I'll tell you what happened to week 2. Week 2 got busy and fell off the band wagon. Last Wednesday I worked 2 shifts, had school stuff that needed to be done, and had to take Briam to his doctor's appointment. Not that these are excuses, but that's why a video didn't go up, or a post. But the other truth to this is that week 2 had some hardships. I got very snacky and ate a ton of food. I ate hotdogs, pizza, cookies. A bunch of "shit" that I didn't need. So for the past week I've been trying very hard to keep my diet extremely healthy. So let's get to the results.

Weight Goals:

Starting Weight: 244.6 pounds

Goal Weight: 130 pounds

Current Weight: 237.2 pounds (-7.4 pounds)

Pounds to Lose: 107.2 pounds

Measurements:

Left Forearm: 10.5 inches (-.25)

Right Forearm: 11.25 inches

Left Bicep: 15.5 inches (-.50)

Right Bicep: 16 inches (-.25)

Chest: 41.5 inches (-1.5)

Waist: 39 inches (-1.0)

Hips: 50 inches (-1.0)

Left Thigh: 28.5 inches (-.50)

Right Thigh: 29 inches (-.25)

Left Calf: 15.25 inches

Right Calf: 15.25 inches (-.25)

Total Inches Lost This Week: 5.5 inches

Total Inches Lost: 10 inches

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

Get Fit Tip: Surviving the Gym

The dreaded day has come, as I knew it was going to, when I had to join the gym. I have never been a fan of the gym. I feel that the people who I would see at the gym were judgmental, extremely fit, and attractive. When I go to the gym, I look a hot mess. But because of what I'm going through health wise, it was a mutual decision between my doctor and I that I join a gym. For this post, I wanted to share with you guys my tips on surviving the gym! 

What's your best tip for surviving the gym? 

Get Fit Workout: Take a Hike!

Going to the gym everyday or working out at home can become boring, even if you switch up your routine. The best thing you can do to get out of this workout funk is to go outside! Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all had gorgeous hills and continuous views of nature to hike around? Yes, yes it would be. But sadly, we all don't have that. I've put together some outdoor workout spots that still work great, even if you don't have lush amounts of nature where you live.  

At a Park

On the Beach

In an Open Field

On the Bridge

What's your favorite place to workout outdoors?

What kind of workout do you do outside?

Get Fit Recipe: Easy Chik'n Sandwich

Need a quick meal for lunch or dinner? Then try this super yummy chik'n sandwich! I'm going to be honest here, I enjoy veggie chicken much more than I regular chicken. I had this sandwich for lunch today and it was so filling! But you could easily serve it with some fruit or your favorite snack! B and I actually had this the other night as well, when I had to stay late at work and wasn't really in the mood for cooking a big meal. This recipe takes maybe 5-7 minutes total. Quick, easy, and delicious! 

Ingredients:

2 Slices of Ezekiel Bread

1 Chik'n Patty 

1 Small Handful of Organic Arugula 

1 Small Handful of Organic Baby Spinach

1 TBSP of Go Veggie! Cheddar Cheese

1 TBSP of Sweet Chili Sauce 

Quick Note: You can substitute in any healthy bread of your choice. Also, you can use any brand patty for this sandwich. My favorite is Morning Star. Feel free to add more veggies, use different cheese, or even use a different sauce! It's super easy! 

1. Heat chik'n patty according to directions on box. I also warm up my bread because it has to be kept frozen. 

2. Top bread with arugula and spinach. Add patty. Then the cheese. 

3. Top with sweet chili sauce and the other slice of bread. 

4. Enjoy! 

Would you try this recipe?

What other recipes have you tried using a veggie chik'n patty? 

Health Update: 2 Weeks

It's been two weeks now that I've drastically changed my eating habits in attempt to get my thyroid back in order. I've been limited to only fruit, poultry, and avocados. I tried my first avocado the other day and I loved it! I was so excited! It's been an emotionally taxing two weeks. There's been many tears, questions and hunger induced fights. 

I know it's been tough on B too. He's the one who has to deal with my emotional roller coaster. Obviously he can't stop eating what he normally does just because I can't have it. He works hard, he needs his fuel. But to watch him eat some of my favorite food while I eat some grapes is tough. There have been nights that he doesn't want to eat dinner with me because he does't want to upset me. Which is a nice gesture, but the fact that he didn't want to eat with me upset me too. But I think he understands. I mean he's being a serious trooper. He's been so supportive. 

I only have two more weeks left before I can start eating vegetables again! Except for mushrooms and garlic, I have to wait 2.5 more months for those. I've never been so excited for veggies in my entire life. I've been looking up recipes and pinning recipes on pinterest for vegetarian/vegan meals. Also in two weeks, I get most of my grains and dairy back. This kind of scares me because I don't want my body to get freaked out and gain back all the weight I've lost. The whole plan is to ease my way back into dairy and grains by only having them a few times a week for the first month or two. 

Updates: In the past two weeks my energy levels have drastically increased, I've lost 12.8 pounds, I've started eating things I would have never thought to try, and my anxiety about certain aspects of my life has decreased. I've also come up with some great recipes and found some amazing workouts! 

Recipes:

Basic Fruit Salad

Pineapple Chicken with Quinoa

Baked Apples 

Workouts:

Yoga for Beginners  

Kickboxing

Tip:
Alternate Your Workouts

To check out these recipes, workouts, and tips, scroll through my blog archive for that and other great posts! 

Have you been working on improving your health? 

Get Fit Recipes: Baked Apples

I love apples. I love apple pie even more. But alas, I cannot have apple pie. I've been wanting to come up with a recipe that allows me to enjoy my apples in a way that would remind me of pie, but obviously wouldn't be pie. I wanted to keep it simple, but still hold plenty of flavor. This recipe is delicious and perfect for yourself or for two! It's also been boyfriend approved! 

Ingredients:

2 Royal Gala apples 

4 tsp of cinnamon (to be split)
Light Agave Nectar

Quick notes: You can use any apple of your choosing. Just pick your favorite apple and go with it! My favorite apples are the Envy apples. But Publix didn't have any yesterday, so I went with the gala apples. Also, I prefer the taste of the light agave nectar to the darker ones, but this again is up to you, which ever one you like better!

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350
1. After removing the stems from the two apples, cut them in half and remove the cores. Place in a glass baking dish. (or what ever you have on hand!)
2. Sprinkle 1 tsp of cinnamon on each apple half.
3. Drizzle the agave nectar over each apple.
4. Let bake in the oven for about 45 minutes or until apples are slightly golden on the top.
5. Let cool for 5-8 minutes and enjoy!

What's your favorite healthy dessert?

Have you tried baked apples before?

My New Year's Resolutions

Every year I make new (or repeating) resolutions that normally end up vanishing around March. But this year, I've come up with five measurable resolutions that I'm very confident that I can stick to! 

How can I measure each of these resolutions? I'll tell you how!

1. I've made a list of all the books I own, that I haven't read yet. Once I finish reading one, it will come off the list. Once my list is gone, I've completed my resolution! 

2. There are plenty of fitness trackers out there on the internet that allow you to, well, track what you do each day. I like to write mine done on my calendar. Being able to see it every morning will remind me that I need to do yoga. Once I've finished my workout, I'll put a check next to the task. 

3. Now I'm pretty good when it comes to school, but last semester, even though I got all A's, I felt very unorganized. This semester, I plan to keep a better handle on my assignments and not wait until the last minute to study. This can be measured by what my teacher posts in the online grade book. 

4. I get an email from Bloglovin' everyday telling me about my daily feed. Do I look at it? Maybe once every two weeks. But then I just end up passing over some really good blog posts that I should have read! Now to measure this, instead of deleting the email right away, I won't delete it until I've read through my daily feed. If my emails start to pile up, I know I've gotten behind! 

5. This is by far the most important resolution on my list. As far as I know, and my doctor hasn't gone into much detail yet, it's an autoimmune thyroid disorder. So, once we figure out the true problem, we can work on the solution. This can be measured by how much my overall health improves. 

What are your New Year's resolutions?

How do you stick to them and keep track?

Side note: I am not endorsed, sponsored, or paid by Bloglovin'. But you can follow me on it by clicking the Bloglovin' button (fourth one, top row) in the upper right hand corner.