My Weight Loss Journey and Beyond

It's As Simple As That!

2013-06-14T10:41:00.000-04:00

Photo from: http://ginabishop.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/inspire.jpg

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

2013-05-10T17:14:00.000-04:00

After my ski job wrapped up for the season I've been definitely spending a decent amount of time traveling and staying as active as possible! Until the next official post here are some pictures of my recent adventures :)

One of the last weekends at work - miss this place!

Skiing the backcountry bowls in Breckenridge! The view was incredible :)

Testing out the ski bikes at Keystone Resorts, which were a total blast.

Amazing view of the Rockies!

Red Rocks in CO!

Walking around Washington, DC.

Had the opportunity to see Jillian Michaels on tour. Completely inspiring!

Biking around Denver using their bike share program :)

Did the 40 mile TD Bank 5 Boro Bike Tour!

Riding through Manhattan during the bike tour

It's Been A Minute...or Two!

2013-01-24T15:37:00.001-05:00

Well I fell off the radar with my blog for a months - life really does get too busy sometimes! Anyways, I want to get back in the swing of things by updating the blog more often and finally getting around to do a video blog with more post-op deets! In the meantime, here's another little motivational quote that I found and love :)

Skispiration On A Fall Day

2012-10-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

Commercial with one of my favorite alpine skiers Lindsey Vonn. Apply the words to your life :)

Pursuit of Perfection or Happiness?

2012-10-24T11:01:00.001-04:00

Last week while driving to work I was listening to the radio and the hosts were having a discussion about certain celebrities' weight fluctuations over the years. People were calling in, ridiculing and criticizing their appearances because a society we have such an infatuation with the status of celebrities and their to adherence of perfection. It made me think: as a nation we're getting heavier, but yet we're obsessing over looks and the idea of perfection more than ever. First things first, no person is flawless so we need to stop setting such unrealistic goals about how we and other people should look. We're so quick to judge not only others, but ourselves as well. I'm fully aware that I'm my own worst critic, but I'm working on embracing the flaws that I cannot fix and improving the ones that I can. As a person who has been overweight most of her life I can say that it's a definitely a mental challenge because although I've made such great steps at becoming in shape and healthy I'm finding myself criticizing myself more than ever. The second I hit a goal I'm already thinking about a slew of other things I want to achieve or fix. Proverbial overachiever much?

Then a few days ago I saw a photograph on Facebook taken of a NYU student named Stella Boonshoft. As a self-proclaimed size 12, Boonshoft posed in her underwear as a way to promote body-acceptance and to show all those that tormented and bullied her years prior that she is happy just the way she is. I found her to be outstandingly brave and courageous, to stand up to criticism so confidently because she fully embraces herself flaws and all. Listen, I'm not promoting people being overweight and unhealthy by any means I just really appreciate what she stands for. Inspired, I've begun to re-evaluate my thoughts and to write this blog entry because I've always been miss positivity, but this issue of body acceptance is something I've been struggling with some time now. In part, I can say that some of my lack acceptance strives from being bullied and made fun of for my weight in my elementary/middle school days and those memories linger on in my subconscious. Maybe you can relate? It's created an all-or-nothing mentality that I'm going to kick because I think it's more important to be happy than to be "perfect". Let's all strive to be more aware of how we think about ourselves because we are all worthy of unconditional self-acceptance while we're on this journey of self-improvement.

http://todayhealth.today.com/_news/2012/10/23/14643621-underwear-bloggers-message-to-her-bullies-it-didnt-work-i-love-my-body?lite

Photo Credit: http://weheartit.com/entry/37689786/via/Strength_In_Pain

Too True Not to Share!

2012-10-04T09:44:00.000-04:00

First Post-Op Update!

2012-09-20T15:02:00.000-04:00

Right before going into surgery!

I did it! So my surgery was one week ago today and I'm feeling pretty fantastic all things considered. Mind you, I'm writing to you on day seven not day one, two, three, four, five, or six. If you look at the picture above you'll see me cheesin' big time before going under the knife. Yes, I was excited for get this procedure over with, but I was also very naive about how extensive and painful this surgery actual is. I don't have a single ounce of regret I'm just saying I definitely underestimated how much this operation would temporarily halt me from doing regular daily activities that we normally take for granted.

Last Thursday around 9AM I arrived at the surgical center to fill out paperwork (aka signing my life away) and prep for surgery. Once I got there I threw on the cap, gown, and socks then Dr. Altman (my plastic surgeon) came into the room to mark my stomach up with markers. I think that's when it really hit me that this was really going down. I was shaking a little bit, but he assured me that this surgery was "going to change my life in such a profound way" so that definitely put a smile on my face because I knew he was right. He jokingly said "okay we're doing this now so you better not gain the weight back". Pshhh I can confidently say that after ALL that I've gone through I would never ever go back to the way I was before. A day doesn't go by where I'm not grateful for making this change! Now getting back on topic, I was laying in the hospital bed when the anesthesiologist gave me morphine to relax me. Next thing I know I'm in the operating room and I was moved onto the operating room table. The rest, well I was knocked out for that, so...

Approximately 3 1/2 hours I woke up feeling groggy and out of it. I had a large white band around my stomach as well as two drains coming out of both sides of my hips (yes I know the visual sounds delightful) so I couldn't see any of the incision at the time. Dr. Altman came in and let me know that he removed 10 lbs, tightened my stomach muscles, and essentially reconstructed my abdomen. For the next hour I had the most friendly post surgical nurses checking in on me which made the experience of coming out of the surgery so pleasant. After a few doses of morphine, instructions on post-op care, and clearance from the doctors it was time for me to leave. The process of getting me changed into my clothes, into a wheelchair, and into the car definitely took some time, which again was another clue that this recovery process is no joke. Once I arrived home I used a walker to get into the house and had my family's help slowly walking up two flights of stairs to my room. My entire core just felt tight and heavy at this point. The rest of the day was spent in and out of sleep and trying to keep movement to a minimum.

For the first two days I definitely became very paranoid about moving because I was nervous about the stitches coming undone or getting an infection. I'm pretty sure my mom had to reassure me a hundred times that I wasn't going to break in half when I sat up or walked around. In my defense, this was my first (and hopefully last) surgical procedure so I didn't know what to expect! Getting up the first couple of days was quite the challenge. While laying in bed I had to wrap my arms around one of my parents neck and then they'd slowly lift me up. Then I'd have to one by one place my feet down on a stool to adjust myself to sit upright and then use a walker while walking in a hunched position to get around. You really don't realize how much you use your abs until you've had them cut open, ouch! Well anyways, I won't give you a play by play on my every move from the past couple of days but let's just say I went from being completely helpless days one through three to now being able to get out of bed by myself, walk without the walker, go up/down the stairs, and just move around in general. This morning I even went for a walk outside, which was amazing to finally get some much needed fresh air. I finished my anti-biotics yesterday and haven't taken any pain medicine in 48 hours! Yesterday, I went for my first post-op appointment and everything looked great. I can definitely see some swelling particularly near my hips, but I know over time that's going to subside. The plan was to take the drains out as well, but as a precautionary measure we're keeping them in until tomorrow so back to the doctor I go!

It's really amazing how each day I wake up progressing a little bit more each day! It's very encouraging to know that my body is healing and getting better because those first couple of days were rough and I wouldn't wish the pain I experienced on anybody. This whole experience so far has been profoundly life-changing and I haven't really left my house! The first time I took the bandage off it took about ten minutes because I became really emotional about seeing my new stomach for the first time. As I slowly peeled off the velcro band I was obviously crying because at that moment I was scared and anxious to see the new me. When you're used to having something on you for literally over a decade and poof it's gone it takes you back a little bit. Now that I've seen my stomach on multiple occasions I'm getting more adjusted to it and happier and happier! :) All and all this has been a wonderful experience (minus the pain and discomfort obvi)! Be on the look out because I'll be writing again soon about my continued progress and if I'm feeling brave enough even post a picture or two. Later gators.

This Ain't No Ordinary Game of Operation

2012-09-13T00:57:00.000-04:00

So I may have failed to mention on here that I am having surgery and that surgical procedure is going down not in a few months, days, or weeks but in a few hours! I honestly feel like I've had my own personal episode of Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition minus the adorable Chris Powell and his camera crew. Well after sixteen months of fully committing myself to health, nutrition, and fitness I will now be getting an abdominoplasty. What's that you ask? Ya welcome.

I've essentially gotten to my goal weight months ago with the exception of this problem, but getting a procedure that is technically considered cosmetic covered by your insurance company is quite the process. Back in February I met with my plastic surgeon for an initial consultation, but without much medical backing I knew there wasn't a chance insurance would consider covering this. Throughout this time I've gone to my chiropractor, general physician, endocrinologist, etc all which found this procedure to be a medical necessity. With their well-written letters and the persistance of my plastic surgeon (even after it got initially denied) I was approved! I remember the distinct moment when I found out the surgery got approved. I was at work and received a call from an unknown number. It was one of the nurses from my health insurance company who was delighted to tell me that I approved. I immediately blurted out "Are you serious?!" at least three times, but I obviously had to keep my composure at work so I ran into the bathroom for a minute and literally had the happiest tears fall down my face. It was truly one of those moments where I felt so unbelievably grateful and lucky to have this opportunity. Let's face it with all my student loans there was no way I was ever going to be able to pay for this.

Anyways, after filling out a decent amount of paperwork and getting my pre-op tests done I'm all set to go! To be honest, I'm not too concerned about the pain because I know that's to be expected with any sort of medical procedure although an incision essentially from hip to hip will hurt (ouch!) What gets me most is the fact that I'll have to be resting and lying down for a good chunk of the day during the the first two weeks. Now I know some people might think that's all great and relaxing, but it's the opposite for me. Anyone that knows is well aware of the fact that I can't sit still. I'm always on the go whether it be spending time with friends/family, traveling, and/or exercising/working out/playing sports. I have such an active lifestyle that I think it's going to drive me nuts to leisurely watch TV, read, surf the web, etc because I rarely do these things on a regular basis. I know in the long-run that this surgery will be totally worth it (oh hey low-rise skinny jeans and bikinis). I plan on fully following the doctor's orders because I want to heal, get better, and get back out to doing the things that I love ASAP. Let's just hope I can pick up a couple of entertaining hobbies while bed-ridden!

I've spent the week mentally/physically prepping for the surgery. I did a three-day juice detox, trying to get rid of as many toxins as possible and wein myself off of coffee/caffeine. I've made sure to take all my vitamins, drank lots of water, worked out as much as possible, and got a good night's sleep (with the exception of tonight). On my end, I feel confident that I'm going into the surgery in excellent condition, which I'm hoping will make this process whiz on by! Can you tell I'm a little impatient?

I'm off to bed now and very unbelievably excited and nervous for this next chapter in my life! I'm sure I'll be blogging about my experience in the coming days. Wish me luck :)

Photo from http://www.ackxhpaez.com/operation.html

Open Roads, Clear Skies, and Fried Food?!

2012-09-06T13:30:00.000-04:00

I recently came back from a roadtrip down south to Charleston, South Carolina then over to the Smoky Mountains and finally to Nashville, Tennessee. My adventures have led me to my next blog topic, which is how so many parts of this country do not have access to healthy foods. I believe after getting a small glimpse of other parts of the nation I have a better understanding as to why there is such a obesity epidemic in this country.

Living in the greater NYC area I've been spoiled with health food and fitness stores, farmer's markets, juice bars, and healthier alternative supermarkets like Whole Foods and Trader Joes. What I'm saying is that the right foods have essentially been at my fingertips. Even finding vegetarian-friendly has never really posed any problems. As many of you are aware when traveling anywhere of distance on major highways you'll pass a slew of rest stops that typically have a lot of the same fast food joints like McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell, Arby's, Dunkin Donuts, and Subway. It is super frustrating when you're trying to not eat processed garbage, you're hungry, and there isn't a legitimate supermarket and/or restaurant for miles. On a six day trip I had Subway 9 times essentially giving that Jared guy a run for his money. I had 1 of 2 things either the Veggie Delite (all the vegetables) on a 6' whole wheat bread with vinegar or I just ditched the bread and had that in salad form. All things considered I think I did the best I could for my surroundings. I'm super glad I packed snacks for the car like apples, oranges, raisins, kale chips, trail mix, granola bars, peanut butter, etc. It's just disheartening that one of the "healthier" fast food places is the healthiest option people have on the road in certain states.

Another observation I made was that so many small towns have general stores typically attached to gas stations where people go to grab a meal. I was frightened at the lack of options, not to mention the overabundance of fried chicken, wings, hot dogs, chips, and candy. Many of these places had packaged deli meats (oh hey sodium) and cheeses that has that flappy rubber texture (yum!). I went to the nearest town when I was camping that was about 9 miles away from my campsite and the two stores/gas stations didn't even carry fruits/vegetables or eggs! This is what so many people are accustomed to eating in this country. It's sad that it is literally easy to find a tub of processed fried chicken than it is an apple! We really need to do something as a country to give all people equal access to healthy foods. I know what I'm writing about isn't new at all, but to actually experience compelled me to share my thoughts. Hopefully one day as a nation we'll be able to pull away from processed foods and eat clean, local, fresh foods!

The Dressing Room Is No Longer the Dreading Room

2012-07-18T13:35:00.000-04:00

Motivation is defined the act or an instance of motivating, or providing with a reason to act in a certain way (no judgment for using the word in the definition please). This week's entry is about what motivated and still motivates me to continue this lifestyle change. Perhaps, it'll even get you think about what's important to you to either make a change or keep going with goals! Of course I can answer this with the most common answer possible and say to get healthier, but I think I can dig a little bit deeper than that. I wanted to like myself, to be able to look at myself in the mirror and be proud of the person that I am and of the accomplishments that I've achieved. With little to no self-confidence this was something that I wanted to feel the most. Being able to look forward, not down at the ground because I'm not longer ashamed of myself has been amazing. Being able to fully participate in physical activities with my friends while not having my weight limit me has been amazing. Being able to wake up in the morning (on most days) and have an outrageous amount of energy has been amazing. The list can honestly go on and on.

There are so many things that I can do now that never even cross the minds of people that have never struggled with their weight. For instance, I can go to the mall and practically go into any store and they'll have my size. The options for clothes are endless and I am no longer confined to wearing clothes that I strongly disliked, wasn't representative of my style, and aged me about 20 years. Honestly, talking about clothes may sound materialistic, which I am not, but it's such a great feeling to have the freedom to choose what I want to wear. Before my weight loss journey began, I dreamed of wearing pencil skirts with my shirt tucked at work and form-fitting dresses when I'm going out on the weekends with my friends. I can run into a store to grab an outfit really quick and no have to spend a lengthy period of time frustrated that nothing fits right. Now it's a reality and it feels great! Am I at the point where I think every article of clothing I try on fits me perfectly? Pshh no way, but who truly is? I still have my trouble spots that I'm working on, but I can wear so much more now and that's what really matters.

About a year and a half ago I went to an amusement park with my friends. I'm a fan of roller-coasters and rides so I was extremely excited that was until I got onto one of the wooden coasters. The seat was definitely snug and the bar that comes down over your stomach was tight. I went from being excited to completely embarrassed and I didn't want to experience something like that ever again. That was another motivating factor for me losing weight. I did not want to be ashamed of my appearance.

From a medical standpoint I wanted to make changes so I could improve the quality of my life as well as the length. I also knew that if I lost weight it would help alleviate the chronic lower back pain I have been experiencing for years. Between the weight loss and my weekly trips to the chiropractor my back has improved tremendously, which has improved my daily mobility. As a person who has PCOS I knew there were detrimental symptoms to having this syndrome, but that I did have the ability to reverse most of them. Back in March I went to my endocrinologist to get blood work done to see if my weight loss really did have a positive impact on my health. It did indeed. Normally an overweight person with PCOS needs to see their endo every three months and take Metformin, which is a medicine that helps with insulin resistance. I didn't want to have to take Metformin anymore (and I wasn't for a while because it also made my tired and groggy). Getting the confirmation from my doctor stating that all my numbers looked excellent and that medication was unnecessary was the biggest relief. As I was leaving her office she said "Okay see you in a year. You don't need to come in every couple of months anymore." #winning

Honestly, there are so many reasons why I wanted to lose weight other than the most typical answer of "Oh I just want to get healthy". When I really thought about it I was able to clearly see what things have value and importance in my life. The desire to live long, active, happy, successful life inspired me to lose weight. What's your reason?

Picture from: http://myveganweightlossjourney.blogspot.com/2012_02_01_archive.html

Informative Web Series Gets the Thumbs Up

2012-07-10T22:30:00.000-04:00

Well I've been slacking with this blog just a little bit, but with the gorgeous weather and my desire to do every outdoor activity humanly possible can you really blame me? I suppose you could, but I'm just going to say that hiking, running, longboarding, beach(ing?), etc take precedence over being on a computer - sorry! Anyways, while I write my next entry I found this fantastic web series created by a doctor at the University of California San Francisco. There's seven episodes total so watch away and get informed on the skinny on obesity!

Ban the Soda Can?

2012-06-08T12:25:00.000-04:00

As many of you probably heard, New York City's Mayor Bloomberg has proposed a ban on the sale of all sugary drinks greater than 16 ounces at city restaurants, delis, food trucks, movie theaters and sporting arenas. Initially, I thought this was a great idea because there is absolutely no nutritional benefit from consuming soda. Having all those chemicals, artificial colors, and sugars does have a direct correlation with weight gain especially when consumed consistently and in large quantities. On the other hand, I completely understand a person's right to chose whether or not they want to purchase a 24 ounce Coke while they're at the movies or a 36oz Mountain Dew while they're at a basketball game. Do I think that people should be drinking that much soda, absolutely not! I believe that NYC officials are proposing this ban in good faith, but if a person is not committed to making healthier choices then there will minimal effect on the obesity epidemic. Believe me I am not an advocate for soda, in fact I haven't consumed any soda in well over a year, but I just feel like if you start limiting how much soda people can purchase what's next? People need to be better informed about the detrimental effects of soda and unhealthy foods. As I've stated in the past, you can't help someone that doesn't want to be helped so trying to force people to drink less soda will only irritate individuals more as they see it as an invasion of their right to make decisions for themselves.

Below are just some articles/videos that I found on the topic some funny, some informative. Feel free to leave your comments below!

http://www.hulu.com/watch/366623/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-drink-different-pick-your-poison

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsoLHOPdWeU

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/01/new-york-soda-ban-government-restriction-public-health-regulations_n_1562060.html

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-06/D9V8IJGO0.htm

Feel Good...

2012-06-04T19:27:00.002-04:00

song of the summer! Every time I hear this song it puts me in an instant good mood. If you're looking to turn that frown upside down or smile even more this is highly recommended. Maybe if you're feeling inspired a nice gym session will follow :)

Jason Mraz - Everything is Sound.

Your Path At Your Pace.

2012-06-02T18:13:00.000-04:00

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the reasons why I was able to stick to my weight loss and health goals, but failed miserably so many times in the past. The answer is actually quite simple: I did it for myself. It’s so easy to be influenced by other people’s expectations for you. Maybe in your own life you’ve had a relative that makes comments about every food you pick up or a boyfriend/girlfriend that presses you to get to the gym. It wears on you and possibly even makes you resent reaching your health goals even more. You can't reach any goal or dream until you are ready. Nobody can force you to be ready, quite frankly that does more damage than good. Trust me, when you're ready you'll know. It's pretty powerful. No person or temptation can steer you off course instead these distractions help you thrive.

Personally, I had an aha! moment, which made many dreams, big and small, more attainable. After years of feeling sluggish about life, I feel rejuvenated. Once I started my health regiment I began to think about all the things I wanted for myself. I want a long, healthy, and happy life in the most simplest terms. Digging deeper, the meaning of this sentence is much more elaborate. For me this means I can wake up everyday I can look in the mirror and actually love the person that's looking back at me. It's about self-confidence and acceptance. I gained perspective about my career path and how I want to be doing something meaningful that will impact others in a positive way. The relationships I have with people have strengthened because of my newfound outlook on life. All the activities and sports that I gave up hope on ever participating in again became a reality. Personal happiness and health are beautiful freedoms.

Think about everything you've ever wanted for yourself now write it down! Yes, I know I encourage writing activities, but hey it's therapeutic. It could be wanting to run a 5K, not having to shop at plus size stores, getting your energy level up, reversing an illness, becoming an active parent, going to the beach, opening up your own business, etc. Define what health and happiness mean to you and maybe that moment of change will happen faster than you think!

-

Thanks Marilyn

2012-05-10T23:25:00.001-04:00

Absolutely love this!

The Not-So Gymtastic Days

2012-04-27T13:42:00.000-04:00

The photo above, that's my lovely mugshot that pops up on the computer screen every time I check-in at the gym. If it weren't for an employee at the front desk thinking that I was someone else the other night I probably would would have never seen this and been so... um shocked? So thanks Planet Fitness front desk lady for reminding me of those earlier, unhealthy days and indirectly inspiring me to write this entry!

I know I haven't really touched upon what exactly I do/did in terms of exercise, but I'm getting there! Since I'm all about talking about feelings let's start with that first. Well, the first time I stepped into the gym when I started my weight loss journey it was mortifying. Paranoid doesn't even begin to describe how I was feeling. Opening the door and approaching the front desk, I had this overwhelming sense that every single person was staring at me and judging me for being overweight when in all actuality that was definitely in my own head. Don't you just love that? In my all black-outfit, because that's the only color I would wear for the longest time, I proceeded to go to the treadmill ALL the way in the back corner. I figured if I isolated myself then nobody would look at my sad excuse of a work-out. It's truly how I really felt. Isn't the self-esteem just radiating?

Well anyway, I hopped on the treadmill and starting walking at 2.5 mph and every couple of minutes I increased the speed by .1 mph and eventually I was at 3.4 mph. I kept staring at the time hoping that the next thirty minutes would just be over already because being there felt like torture. Towards the end of the thirty minute interval, I was curious to see how much I could run so I kicked it up to 4 mph, which now is a slow jog, but then felt like an intense sprint. A whopping three minutes later I was severely winded and breaking a sweat. I had to stop and I remember being beyond disappointed and angry with myself. I went on to do the elliptical and a few strength training machines that day, but on the car ride home I thought about the personal disappointment I was carrying. Then I thought, you know at least I went to the gym today and I'm making a positive change so I need to stop knocking myself. Yes things are going to be hard at first, but it will get better. Over a year later I can proudly say it did get better. Three minutes at 4 mph has now turned into ninty minutes anywhere between 6-7.5 mph. Each time I continued going to the gym I gained more and more confidence with the exercises I was doing and with my overall attitude in that environment. After about a month or so I lost that initial fear that others were judging me and I even began to go in the front row of machines. It was a small subtle step, but it meant a lot to me.

I'm sure there are many of you that might dread going to the gym or exercising for the same reason that I did because it meant you had to come to terms with how out of shape you are. My advice is just to take the first step, which is getting up and doing something active. Nobody right out of the gate will be able to perform like a professional athlete, but if you stick with a schedule and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts you'll see the progress, I promise!

Truth!

2012-04-26T13:45:00.000-04:00

"If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse." - Jim Rohn

Did You Really Just Spend 30 Minutes Looking For A Parking Spot?

2012-04-23T20:02:00.000-04:00

Maybe you're unable to make it to the gym as much as you'd like every week or you have a love-hate relationship with exercising well either way the good news is that you don't necessarily have to hit the gym to burn some extra calories. I'm not saying you're going to be burning as many calories as if you ran a marathon or went to a cross-fit class, but hey every little bit counts. So what I'm talking about here is making small changes in your day to day activities to get you moving more. For many people just starting a health transformation, there's a lot of information to take in that can be pretty overwhelming. Perhaps, what might work best for someone is to just get active more with their daily routine before they start vigorously exercising. Whatever you may decide, I believe that becoming more active will help you maintain a healthier lifestyle in the long (pretty obvious stuff).

When I was at my heaviest, I used to hate moving around because when I did it always reminded me of how out of shape I was. So instead of doing something about it for the longest time I would just take short-cuts to get things done or get somewhere faster. Nowadays, I'm the complete opposite and hopefully you'll be like that too, if you're not already!

Need examples? Lets get to it....
- Drive a car? Whenever you and your car happen to be in a parking lot park all the way in the back. Yes, even if the lot is practically empty or if you think you can snag a spot in front if you circle around long enough
- If you have the opportunity to take the stairs instead of an escalator or elevator take it! No stairs? Walk up the escalator!
- Make brushing your teeth more eventful by throwing in some calf raises or squats. Who doesn't love clean teeth and toned legs?
- Say goodbye to your television remote. This is when you go and hide it from yourself. If you need to adjust the volume or change the channel you're going to have to do it the old-fashioned way and, gasp, get off the couch.
- If you find that you're calling all your local food joints more often then you are your friends, this one applies to you. No more food deliveries, go walk and get the food yourself. Plus it makes the (healthy) food you got that much more enjoyable knowing that you went and got it.
- Who doesn't love their cell phone and of course, multitasking? When you're talking walk around, and if space is limited where you are, pace around. Anything's better than just sitting!
- Morning routine a little sluggish? Kick it up by dancing around while you're getting ready in the morning. It's fun and hey it might actually take away the need for that morning coffee!
- Since you're already drinking more water (ahem, look at a previous entry), burn some extra calories by frequently getting up and filling up that water bottle. If you work in an office and have multiple coolers go fill up at the farthest one from your desk.

These are just a few, but the list is endless. Think about what you do everyday and how you can tweak your daily activities to be move your behind a little bit more. No more cutting corners!

Time To Start Throwing Some Recipes Into the Mix

2012-04-14T20:01:00.000-04:00

Cucumber Salad

Ingredients needed for 1 serving:
- 1/4 cup quinoa
- 1/2 cup cucumber slices
- 1/2 cup grape tomatoes
- 1/2 small sweet or red onion
- 1 teaspoon dill weed
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar

Directions:
Bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Reduce heat, add quinoa, cover with lid and cook for approximately 15 minutes. Once the quinoa has cooled down mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Easy, healthy, and all-natural :)

It Only Took 525,600 Minutes.

2012-04-10T14:00:00.000-04:00

Heaviest: 261 lbs

One of my biggest pairs of pants: Size 20!

Standing on top of the massive pile of clothes that don't fit me anymore. Don't worry, I'm donating them :)

So today marks the one year anniversary of my weight loss journey. I am in disbelief that one short year ago I was 261 pounds, eating unhealthy processed foods/fast food, and barely moving around on a day to day basis.

For me it's upsetting to reflect back on those days because I was so unhappy. Every morning getting ready for work I would avoid looking in the mirror because I was so disgusted with my body. Going up a flight of stairs or bending over to tie my shoes would actually cause me to be out of breath. I dreaded buying clothes or worse having my picture taken. Food was my comfort and I'd binge eat whenever I was feeling upset, stressed, angry, or even bored. Sneaking fast food into my house was a common routine. Getting out of bed every morning and trying not to fall asleep throughout the day was a challenge. I had no backbone, no confidence, no inner strength. I was my worst enemy.

Everyday I am so grateful for this second chance at truly having a happy life. I've gained so much clarity, purpose, and knowledge at every step of this journey. For every single person reading this I hope you know that change is possible, but you just have to want it and realize that you deserve it. Nowadays, eating healthy and exercising regularly are second nature to me, but months ago that certainly was not the case. It wasn't easy for me to make dramatic lifestyle changes, but I've learned nothing worthwhile comes easy. I'm glad I struggled because I wouldn't have realized how strong I am today.

When people ask me how I lost the weight I'm usually pretty modest about it by responding "Oh you know, I just started eating healthy and going to the gym". The truth of the matter is that this process was so much more involved. I researched and learned so much about the corrupt food industry and about the foods I was eating and their effect on my body, I spent hours upon hours at the gym pushing myself harder each time I went, I occasionally sacrificed going out with my friends because I knew the foods I were going to be around weren't healthy, I spent ample time at multiple grocery stores scrupulously staring at every food label I picked up, I had to rearrange my budget because eating healthy organic foods are definitely not the cheapest, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and went to fitness classes by myself, I learned how to prepare healthy meals, I tracked all my foods and exercise regiments, I had to face my inner demons and come to terms with why I allowed myself to get this heavy, I had to then forgive myself for becoming so overweight, etc. The list could go on and on. As previously mentioned most of these things are now instinctive to me, but at time it required a tremendous amount of self-discipline and motivation. It wasn't easy and there were days when I discouraged, but I will say that this entire experience has been worth it. I would relive every moment again to get me to where I am now.

One year ago I don't even think I would of believed it if someone told me by April 2012 I would lose 90 pounds (still going!) and completely change my life. I'd like to thank my family, friends, co-workers, and everyone along the way for their tremendous amount of support and words of encouragement. I'm unbelievably excited for this new chapter in my life and cannot wait to help those that are battling with their weight. :)

Think About It!

2012-04-08T13:27:00.001-04:00

Today I want you to ask yourself this one question - “Why not you?” Why not you to do something for work that you love? Why not you to have a healthy body? Why not you to have healthy love? Why not you to be, have, or do anything you have ever dreamed?! We are so quick to think others are deserving over ourselves. The truth is that we are all deserving so why not you?!

- Jillian Michaels

Wait, hold on..it's not true?

2012-03-24T10:39:00.001-04:00

Okay so I'm guilty of believing the myth that I'm about to debunk. Fat does not, I repeat, does not make you fat! When I first started losing weight I was super uneducated about health and believed everything that I heard from all sorts of media sources over the years. As a society we've been brainwashed that fat is the enemy and that we need to cut it out of our diet completely in order to lose weight. I understand because between the news, internet sources, advertisements, television shows, word of mouth, fad diet books, and even walking up and down the grocery aisles we're told to say NO to fat. It's around us everywhere; Low-fat cheeses, reduced fat chips, non-fat milk, 98% fat free soups, 99% fat free yogurts, 50% reduced fat crackers, etc. My main emphasis of this post is for everyone to have a better understanding of fat, it's importance for our body, and to understand that all fat is not bad for you!

Let's jam out some important nutritional facts! So as I stated earlier the fact that you eat fat does not create the fat on your body. The reason why people gain weight is simply because they are eating too much (too many calories) and are consuming foods of poor quality. A calorie is a unit of energy and fat is a stored energy. Therefore, if you consume too much energy whether it be fats, protein, or carbohydrates (the three macronutrients) you're most likely going to gain weight because there is an energy surplus.

There are 4 types of fat: Trans fat, saturated fats, polyunsaturated fat, monounsaturated fats. Trans fats are formed when hydrogen is added to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid. More commonly, you'll see this on food labels as partially hydrogenated oils. Since this fat is industrially manufactured it should be avoided at all costs! Typically trans fat can be found in fried and highly processed foods. Saturated fats are derived from animal and some plant-based sources such as dairy, meat, eggs, coconut/palm kernel oils. When consumed in moderation saturated fats do not impose any danger to your health. Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats are the two healthier fats. Some studies have shown that these fats in moderation can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Avocados, olives, olive oil, almonds, and canola oil are examples of monounsaturated fats. Safflower, sesame, corn, and soybean oils are examples of polyunsaturated fats. Besides acting a source of energy, fat actually transports important micronutrients throughout the body (Vitamins A, D, E, and K). Additionally, fatty acids in the body are known to elevate mood, improve cognitive function, improve vision, and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

If you take one thing from this post it is that we need to healthy fats in moderation to have a well-balanced diet. Think quality and quantity! Based on some readings that I did it seems that a healthy range for fat consumption is 20-35% of your daily caloric intake. Alright time to go eat some avocado - bye!

Strut Your Stuff

2012-03-16T10:00:00.000-04:00

I remember a couple years back when I first saw Morgan Spurlock's documentary Super Size Me (which I'm sure I'll address at a later point) I was shocked to discover that the average American takes roughly 5,000 steps a day. This is only half the amount that is recommended to take on a daily basis. After reading article after article it seems like taking 10,000 steps or approximately 5 miles (depending on your stride) seems to be a good number to strive for to living a healthy lifestyle.

On top of exercising at the gym, I knew that I wanted to reach this goal so alterations in my day to day routine had to be changed. The first thing I did was purchase a pedometer to track my steps. Last April, I was surprised to discover that everyday I was taking just over 4,000 steps a day. Shocked by this extremely low number I became more aware of how much I moved around just as I did with how much water I was consuming. I made minor changes that made major differences. Working in New York City, I began to take brisk walks on my lunch break adding an additional 3,000 or so steps to my daily count. Additionally, I made smaller changes like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walking to stores that were within reason instead of taking my car or public transportation.

It's incredible how these changes really increased the amount of walking I did and still do to this day. I used to be the girl that everyone passed on the street because I was so slow and slouchy, but now I'm that power-walker that's zipping by everyone. Walking is a great way to clear your mind, become empowered by doing something for yourself, and of course burn those calories! Over time you'll see you'll be walking faster and with more confidence. I challenge everyone out there to purchase a basic pedometer (you can get one for under $20) and try to take about 10,000 steps a day. Depending on your fitness level, working up to 10,000 over a period of a couple of days, weeks, or months might be your best bet. Walking - it does the body good!

Trying Is Planning To Fail

2012-03-06T23:30:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered how the language you use shapes how you think? Eleven months ago I came to a crossroad where I had two simple choices regarding my overall health. It was to either be miserable and continue down the same unhealthy path I have been for years or make a permanent lifestyle change and live a very happy and fulfilling life. I knew I wanted to make a change, but after examining how I spoke of my health goals it was going to be a far reach with my attitude. One of the primary reasons why I was successful this time around was because I completely eliminated the word 'try' from my vocabulary.

All too often I'd say or nowadays hear others say "I tried to lose weight", "I'm trying to eat healthier", "I try to go to the gym", "I try to change, but nothing's working", etc. No people, we cannot be using this kind of language! As the title of this blog states trying is planning to fail. The word 'try' does not imply certainty and allows room for failure and poor excuses. I realized that when I began to change my language in a positively affirming way the goals I set out for myself became more achievable. "I am" became a frequent phrase in my day to day conversations.

Everyone has the innate ability to make positive changes in their lives, but the first step really comes from within you. Here's a simple exercise: Write down all the goals that you want to accomplish whether they be big or small, short-term or long-term, health-related or not. The key is to do so using the positive affirmation "I am" and then begin incorporating this vernacular in the brand-new positive you.

Here's a few examples:
I am going to go to the gym 3-4 times a week
I am going to go to my favorite yoga class once a week.
I am going to incorporate more fruits and vegetables in my diet.
I am going to give up drinking diet soda and using artificial sweeteners.
I am going to go for a walk every morning before work.
I am going stop eating fast food and avoid processed foods when possible.

Easy enough, right? Don't try, just do!

H2-Uh-Oh!?

2012-03-03T16:06:00.000-05:00

Water - it's everywhere, but yet many of us don't drink nearly enough of it on a daily basis. The most common excuse I hear people say is "I was so busy that I forgot". Before I started my weight loss journey I too was guilty as charged with this excuse. If I drank two 8 ounce glasses by the end of the day it was an accomplishment. You might also be thinking that can of soda, cup of coffee, or bottle of beer have water in them so that must be sufficient. I applaud the attempt, but those aren't healthy fluids because they are dehydrating while water, the most pure fluid you can consume, obviously hydrates the body and has no calories or additives.

So what did I do to change my poor hydration habits? Well first things first I set a goal to completely cut out all soda and other carbonated sugary beverages. Next, I replaced these drinks that I would normally consume with my meals with water. Drinking a glass of water before a meal not only helps fill you up, but you're less inclined to overeat (often times we actually mistake dehydration with hunger!). To get a little flavor occasionally I'll add a wedge of lemon or lime to my water or I'll have sodium-free sparkling water. Today, you'll usually see me sporting my reusable water bottle whether I'm at home, work, gym or out running errands. I make it a point to gradually drink water throughout the day and at the end of the day I track it online. Once I began to drink more water I wasn't always hungry, I became more energized, my skin cleared up, and the weight started coming off easier!

To win you over here are just a few benefits when you properly hydrate yourself:
- Alleviates fluid retention
- Improves liver function (increases percentage of fat used for energy)
- Metabolic function improves
- Nutrients are distributed throughout the body

If that'd didn't work here are some the detrimental effects of dehydration:
- Fatigue
- More inclined to overeat
- Lower blood pressure
- Water and sodium retention
- Increases heart rate
- Lower cardiac output
- Decreases blood from to the skin

Internal and external factors (gender, weight, exercise level, climate) come into play when deciphering how much water you should consume daily, but a good start would be 8-10 glasses per day. A good rule of thumb is to consume an additional 8 ounces for every 25 pounds that you are overweight.

Here's a link to video with more tips on how to drink more water.

Happy drinking!