My Weight Loss

238 Pounds                   125 Pounds

I lost 113 pounds, 55 inches and I wear a size 4!!!!!“. It is still so surreal!!!! It took me a year and two months to take the weight off.   The first question that everyone ask is: “How did you do it?”  Well, be surprised,  I had NO surgery (not that there is anything wrong with that, if that’s what you and your doctor decide is the best possible way for you), I had no magic potion, I don’t have a secret or a special pill.  I did it by just plain hard work known as sensible eating. portion control, and exercise.

BEFORE

It is an equation that I am sure you have heard over and over, just simple math, good calories in and calories out (not all calories are the same). I learned sensible eating and portion control through the Jenny Craig program.  I was religious to a 1,500 calories intake based on 6 small meals a day and I cannot emphasize enough that we have to move (exercise).

The nutritional part of the journey is very important, but so is the emotional part– especially if you are an “emotional eater”. I think emotions play a big factor on making this journey a success –emotions can makes us fail.  You have to stay motivated, determined, consistent and focused throughout the whole process. Nothing worth while comes easy or on a silver platter.

Now let me give you a small synopsis on how I got this heavy and what made me decide to make a U-turn.

Before the Journey

I have never been what we call “thin.”  I had “curves” for lack of better words, and I’ve always struggled with my weight.  Yo-Yo diets are not unfamiliar to me.

I had to battle cervical cancer in 2008.  I’m one of the lucky ones that conquered the battle, and I’m grateful God gave me a second shot at life.

So you might think that I should have been capitalizing on that fact, but far from it.   Even though, I was grateful and trying to pay it forward by advocating the prevention of cervical cancer to other women, I was licking my own wounds and drowning in my own self pity. I became a food addict.  Food gave me comfort, food gave me short lived satisfactions, and even though I knew this– I liked the temporary feeling it gave me. It was like filling up a barrel without a bottom. 

It’s ALL worth it!!!!

As time went by, the pounds began to stay with me tipping the scale to 238 pounds and wearing a size 22.  This was a very unhealthy weight on a  5’3″ frame, and making me morbidly obese according to the BMI chart.

The consequences of being morbidly obese began to appear.  I developed diabetes type II, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Here I was being a health advocate for women when I was an unhealthy individual myself. I was NOT practicing what I was preaching–

I had to be on several medications to be able to control my illnesses,  to be specific, I had to take up to (3) pills a day for my diabetes, (1) for my high cholesterol and (1) for my high blood pressure.  My doctor warned me on many occasions to lose some weight.  I must confess that I attempted many times and failed.  I wanted to do it, but somehow my willpower and determination would leave me. Often I asked myself, –I beat cancer why can’t I beat this???? I guess I was NOT mentally ready.

It was until the doctor told me that my medications were not quite controlling my diabetes and that our next step of action was to start injecting insulin.  OMG!!!!!! The light went on.  Fear took over.  I had to make a decision and I became determined that I was not going there!!!!

Same Blouse, Same Person, Different Mindset

The Journey
My journey began July 9, 2011.  The first thing I had to admit to myself was that I needed help.  It was obvious that I couldn’t do it alone. Support, knowledge, and a plan are important keys in any journey.

So I needed a plan, some structure and people that will know how to guide me. I did not know how to start– I was over 100 pounds overweight.  Just seeing the three digits can discourage anyone. So I set small goals instead.

 I had to dig very deep within me to make the determination that I will stay in the path to the end– no matter how long it took, no matter what it took. By no means is this an easy journey, and unfortunately there are no easy programs, and no easy fixes. Ultimately, you are your own driver. 

I knew I had people supporting me (my husband, my family and my friends), but I knew that it was up to me to carry the torch.  So, I gathered my strength and armed myself with several tools.  (You can check them out under “MY TOOLS” page).

As the pounds come off and the body changes so does your mind set.  The mind moves a little slower so you have to give it time to catch up.  Sometimes I use to get a glimpse of myself in the mirror and it was like seeing someone else.  It didn’t quite register in my mind that it was me.  The journey of weight loss is kind of hard to explain.  It is not only dealing with the nutrition and exercise, there are more dynamics that goes on behind the scene. I’m still in the process of catching up.

My #1 Fan and Supporter, my husband, Freddie

Unfortunately, on this journey I encountered negative people, and non-believers that would have love to see me fail. Not a good feeling when you feel you are going up hill all the time.  This was the time I had to dig deep, stay focus, and kind of ignore the “unnecessary noise”.  I stayed close to the positive vibes and the amazing energy that people that care provided me.

The majority of us want to reach our goal over night.  This will NEVER happen, you have to remember that you did not get where you are over night.  Patience and consistency go together.  Be patient –be consistent– and you will see the results.  You might not see it when you want to, but I promise– you will get back what you put in.

As of September 12, 2012, a day before my birthday, and 14 months from the start, I’ve reached my ultimate goal.  I had lost 113 pounds, and I have reversed my diabetes, my cholesterol, and my high blood pressure.  I have DONE  it!  An accomplishment that seemed far away to reach at one point of my life–  I was healthy!!!!

The End?
No!!! this is not the end.  There is no end to healthy living,   As a food addict, I have to be vigilant of a relapse, or going back to old habits, but I do it one day at a time. I don’t take any medications, I eat well, and I exercise. I am stronger, healthier and happier than I have ever been. The benefits of this journey have been endless.

I have change my  lifestyle. The lifestyle I will follow for all my days to come. I still have my off days, but they are fewer than more. I have learned not to be hard on myself — we all have bad days, but I don’t let them dictate my tomorrows.  If I have a bad day- it’s OK as long as I pick up myself the very next day and continue on my path.

Unfortunately, I still encounter non-believers and negative people, that are swearing that I will gain all my weight back tomorrow, but I ignore that kind of noise in my life, and I use it as motivation.

The end of one journey is the beginning of another………………

The day I hit– 101pounds lost July 11, 2012

September 12, 2012  125 Pounds – Size 4-

Whether or not you reach your goals in life depends entirely on how well you prepare for them and how badly you want them. We are eagles! Lets Stretch our wings. ~ Ronald Mcnair

Editor’s Note:  Words seem to escape me  to express my gratitude to the many people that supported me and still support me on this journey.  My cheer-leading squad list is too long, but you know who you are, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Without every single one of you, I wouldn’t have had the strength and energy to conquer what I did.  All my love goes to the man that held my hand through this whole journey, my husband, Freddie.  To my cheer leading squad captains, my brother Rudy, my good friend Maria,  my Mom,  my Aunt — Thank you!!!!!!  Special thanks to the two awesome women that became my personal GPS’ and were instrumental in guiding me to reach a better place. They both taught me how to be strong and stand proud. Thank you Ronni (my consultant at Jenny Craig)) and Ketsy (my trainer).  You both will always have my most sincere admiration and gratitude.  All of my love. xo