Hurting... In a good way

Ouch...  That's what I've been thinking and saying the past few days.  I've been pretty diligent with working out and staying relatively active the past few days and I think its catching up with me!  My whole body is sore....  legs, arms, back... everything!! Although it's not necessarily a bad thing since this week showed a loss of 1.4lbs. Woohoo!! And that was even with a company picnic and some not so great meals where I threw caution to the wind while making choices.

Nothing too exciting has been going on lately...  Just focused on making every choice a wise one,  whether it is food related,  or just life in general.

Right now I'm pretty tired and have to get up early for Zumba so that's all for me....  Plus writing on my phone isn't very fun!
G'night peeps!

Encouragement

I just read a Dear Abby column (don't judge!) where someone who is overweight and has to lose over 50 lbs was walking with a friend and was ridiculed by a passerby.  This post brought me to tears (which isn't hard, but that's besides the point) because I know all too well how hard it is when you are overweight to exercise - and then when you do, you get made fun of!!

It's easy for people to tell you to brush off people's comments, but when you are overweight and self-conscious about it, words hurt more than anything else.  I still remember being made fun of in middle and high school.  The hurtful comments from classmates have never left.  Even comments from family or friends who love you, which aren't meant to be malicious, leave hurtful impressions. I know what it feels like going to a party or get together with family and/or friends and barely eating because you feel like you are being judged because, "Look at the fat girl - look at what/how much she's eating".  Regardless of if anyone is thinking that or not... that's how we feel because of those hurtful words in the past come creeping back in when you least expect it.

I've finally come to a place in my life where I know the family and friends I surround myself with love me for me, and don't judge when I eat a big ol' burger, or pizza.  But I've also come to a point in my life where I'm ready to make a change.  I've started WW for the 500th time (it seems), and this time making a real go at it and I've started exercising.  And to be completely honest...  the strangers at the Zumba and TurboKick classes are the most encouraging about exercise.  I'm without a doubt the biggest girl in the class, but everyone tells me how great I'm doing.  I remember a specific lady in class - I have no idea what her name is, and I don't even know if I've seen her again - but she made a point to come over to me during class and tell me, "Keep it up - you are kickin' butt!!"  Those words, whether she knows it or not, have kept me going back and feeling good about myself.  

So this is  me...  a big girl, making a fool of herself during Zumba or TurboKick, but having fun and keeping at it in order to continue my journey to happy and healthy!

The Results are In!

I made it to WW 20 minutes late because of an accident and crazy rain, but I made it in time to weigh in, and I'm glad I did.  I lost 0.4lbs, which doesn't seem like too much, but after this past weekend I take it as a win!!  Between taco night on Friday night with friends, the immense amounts of food at the family get together on Saturday, the scrumptious Cuban bread that was had for breakfast on Sunday, and the soft serve ice cream Sunday evening... losing 0.4lbs is a total win!!! 

Not that I think eating all that is good for me, but working out 5 days must have really helped my cause.  I'm pretty positive that if I wouldn't have worked out I would have totally gained this week!

This just motivates me that much more to keep at it.  Tonight I'll be headed to TurboKick to work off the Tijuana Flats Taco Tuesday I just had.  I was good and figured out that the tacos were 8 PP each, but I didn't think about the chips that come with it...  *sigh*   Oh well, I'll work extra hard tonight and then have a salad and shrimp for dinner! :)

New Week

Today starts my new WW/ActiveLink week - as well as the start of a new work week!  I started off the day with a Zumba class at 6AM.  It was my last chance workout (as Biggest Loser would say) and I was so tired I didn't even give it my all.  Granted I still did more than if I wouldn't have gone, but definitely didn't hit it as hard as I have in the past.  I guess we'll find out how it all pays off this evening at weigh-in.  I'm hoping for a loss, but I also know my body could be in shock from the sudden change in work outs.  I worked out 5 days last week... 4 of those 5 were Zumba or TurboKick classes!

Speaking of... my ActiveLink stats for last week were 18 Activity Points Plus earned and an average of 132% of goal!  Not too shabby for my first week!

I'm searching the Interwebs now for some new recipes to make this week...  I'm already tired of my standards and need to find good alternatives so I don't make the fattier choices!  Thank goodness I'm headed to the grocery store this evening!! :)

Wish me luck tonight!  Think skinny! :)

Family

I traveled to my hometown this weekend to celebrate my little cousin passing the FL Bar and turning 25 all in the same week. It was great seeing family and even seeing some that I haven't seen in years!

I was able to show my mom how the ActiveLink works and she was  pretty amazed and excited for me all at the same time. I plugged it in to my dad's computer and was shocked to see my highest percentage since starting to use it...  180% and 6 points plus! It's a good thing too - the abundance of food at the party was ridiculous. I tried to stick to fruit, veggies,  and the cocktail shrimp.  Temptation got the best of me and I ate a handful of Cuban pastries and summer sausage, but all in all it could have been much worse.   Regardless, Monday morning it's Zumba for me to try and work some of it off before my weigh in that evening.

It's been great seeing family this weekend but I'm ready to get back into routine and be able to really count points for what I'm eating!

Walking... and Pain!

I just recently purchased the ActiveLink from WW and it really does make me think about how much activity I get in one day.  Truth be told, if I could sit on the couch and watch TV and/or Movies all day - I totally would.  Plus, my job of sitting behind a desk all day doesn't bode well for much activity.  But, since getting the ActiveLink, I'm really trying to reach and exceed that 100% goal everyday.  

Yesterday was my first day using the ActiveLink that I didn't have a workout planned.  When I got home from work I was only at a little over 50% for the day so I decided to go for a walk.  I decided to walk to the post office that is down the street from my house so I actually had a purpose for my walk.  Phone in hand, earbuds in, and Pandora rockin' I start on my 1.2 mile trek.  

I get right outside of my neighborhood and my right shin starts aching.  I tell myself to push through it and keep going.  By the time I got to the post office I was seriously contemplating calling the hubby to come get me because the pain from the shin splints was so bad.  I finally told myself to just keep going - it's only 15 more minutes back to the house.  

So I did it!!  I made it back - pain and agony and all... but I finished my walk!

(Come to find out - even if I had tried to call the hubs - he would have never answered.  He spent the time I was walking, outside in the yard fertilizing and treating the shrubs, with his phone in the house!  Good thing I pushed through!)

I did reach 131% of goal so that was great!  For the first time I noticed that the different types of exercise definitely yields different Activity Points.   On previous days when I did Zumba or TurboKick (Cardio Kickboxing) and exceeded 100% I got 4 Activity Points.  Yesterday I got 2 Activity Points.  Not that I’m complaining… I still got out there and reached my goal, but it definitely motivates me more to go the classes, as I get more out of it!!

This weekend I'll be going out of town to visit my parents and celebrate my little cousins 25th birthday AND she passed the BAR!  I'm going to try really hard to make the right choices and just keep drinking tons of water so I don't overeat on the yummy Cuban food that will be there!

Have a great weekend peeps!

The Beginning

Never did I think I would start/write a blog. I'm a reader - not a writer. After some thinking, and some pushing *ahem, Heather*, here I am. This is my little space in the Interwebs to call my own and talk about life, weight loss, recipes, working out, and everything and anything in between. 

A little about me, in bullets, because it's easier: 
~ 32 years old 
~ Married - Hubby = Ryan 
~ No Kids - nor do we plan on it. 
~ 2 Dogs and 1 Cat 
~ Live in Orlando, FL 
~ 1st generation Cuban American 
~ Visited Cuba in 2008 - one of the greatest trips I've taken. 
~ Love my family dearly 
~ Love my friends immensely (they are my chosen family!) 
~ Work in government contracting 
~ Love to read 
~ LOVE puzzles (although I never have time for them) 
~ Going to start my MBA soon (thinking June!) 
~ Weight Watchers member 
~ Always searching for new recipes 
~ Social Network addict (I love me some FB, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.) 
~ Been overweight all my life, but finally doing something about it (for realz this time!) 
~ On a never-ending journey to be happy and healthy  

Hubby & I - Christmas 2012

Here is to hoping that I can keep updating and let you peek into my life and journey!