My once a week restaurant challenge!

The roller-coaster of weight loss is nothing new to any red-blooded American.  We live and breathe food--not only for necessity but for entertainment.  Today, I have already probably had my days worth of calories and I haven't moved an inch. I've had visions of exercising, enjoying the sunshine and dancing the night away but, I'm still in the bed.  Fortunately for me I have a few hours of sunshine left and tons of options.

This month I've challenged myself to only dine out at a sit-down restaurant once a week. I'm hoping this will assist my weight loss goals and help me to make healthier choices at home.  This challenge is meant to help me to look at restaurants as a new treat where I can indulge. It's also a way for me to refocus my finances on things that I can enjoy when I reach my weight loss goal.

I'm five days in and already this goal has been pretty challenging. I can't wait to look at my bank statements and my waistline next month to see if I've made any progress. Instead of rewarding myself with food I will buy myself a new outfit to celebrate my success.  What have you given up to reach your weight loss goal?

I dare you to lose 30 lbs

I call myself Biggie Smalls because I'm a skinny fat girl. I've always been rail thin, but as the years have passed I've undeniably gained more weight that I would care to carry. Though the masses do not see me as fat, I'm not comfortable with myself. I long to go back to the carefree days when I could eat any and everything without gaining an ounce.

I'm on the eve of my 40's so that notion is long gone. So today is the day I begin my journey to lose 30lbs within a years time. I will take periodic pictures of myself and record the various up's and downs of my weight loss journey. I'm hoping this live documentation of myself will give me the positive results that I deem to have a healthy existence and a sexier body.

Will you join me in my journey and spread love the healthy way? I dare you!

xoxo,
Biggie Smalls

Last week was amazing! I exercised four day's last week and practiced some choreography from my Zumba DVDs.  My eating habits were on  point and I came across a new blog that gave me a fabulous idea.  A woman complained that after six month's of exercising, she lost very little weight and became discouraged to continue her journey.  She confessed that although she exercised almost daily, she continually ate fast food and engaged in a poor diet.

After feeling sorry for herself and taking a brief break, she decided to cook her food cravings to control the ingredients.  Putting in the work of cooking fries, apple pies, shrimp scampi and the like made her earn those high calorie low nutrient foods.  Over time she wanted them less and less, and began making healthier choices that aided her weight loss.

Her journey gave me the noble idea to try the same thing, and starting tomorrow I will cook all of my food--healthy or not.  As I sit eating dulce del leche cheesecake, I vow this will be the last time for at least a few months that I give in to my food cravings. Although I am a foodie and enjoy dining at nice restaurants, I will refrain from eating decadent foods until I accomplish my weight loss goal.  I will only  concede during very special occasions.

I'm very happy I came across that blog.  It gave me inspiration to indulge in my greatest love--cooking!  Who knows, maybe this will be the start of my new career!

Beijos

Zumba newbie on board for 2013!

It's so funny to look a your previous conversations with yourself.  And I must say, I'm a funny chick.  In 2009 I had a goal to lose 30lbs--three years later I still have the same goal.  I've been unsuccessful over the years at losing weight, and I can't seem to get over the 184 hump.  No I don't look fat, but in my head I'm a size 26 and have the energy of a walrus.  OK, I'm not that bad.  As the year is coming to a close I can't be too hard on myself. Earlier in the year I joined a running group, ran a 5K, and as of yesterday I am a licenced Zumba instructor.  I haven't lost any significant weight but I look and feel better.  I still see a fat girl when I look in the mirror but her body is shifting for the better.

Me, I'm getting better!  I am so proud of myself for taking steps to change my life and hope to continue my Zumba journey into 2013. Watch out, this new instructor will have some moves to shake and party the pounds away...

Ciao for now!http://shamyraedmonds.zumba.com/

Carbs again...

So I can finally have carbs again and I must say I've been od'ing on bread for the past 5 days. I actually had five pieces of bread today which was totally insane. I'm glad I'm finished binging because I really need to get back to my routine. I'm determined to get my sexy back and I obviously need to be on a strict diet to achieve my goals.

I joined myfitnesspal.com a few days ago and I think it will prove to be my saving grace. Since is shows actual calories and allows me to create my own recipes I can get a better perspective on what I need to be eating throughout the week. I'm on schedule to lose 1lb a week which should not be too much pressure. I know I can do it! I will win this year.

I feel so bad because I just got an invite to visit my friends family in Trinidad but I'm going to pass. As much as I can use a much needed break in the Caribbean I want to go looking proper. Hair, skin and nails will be fabulous. I want to glow and be healthy and fit to walk the beach in my Brazilian bikini and take no prisoners with those fine Trini men.

Only time, hard work and persistence will tell my whole story.

Monday 4/9 189

bjs