RECAP 2011-2014

August of 2011 I became pregnant after finally getting close to my pre-*pregnancy weight. I lost that baby on November 2011 (thanksgiving day) at 8 weeks. I gained 12 lbs in those 8 weeks, I don’t blame it on the pregnancy, but mainly my food choices due to the holidays. In January of 2012, we relocated from Texas to Miami, FL. I continued working out and changing things up everyday. I went to FITNESS DEPOT USA for my protein supplements and fatburners/thermogenics to aid with appetite suppression. I did bootcamp and body scult classes at LA FITNESS, in addition to my regular Cardio. I finally got fit and reached 143 lbs (my pre pregnancy weight). I felt lean and in ultimate shape. February 14, 2012 I became pregnant once again. Our daughter Sienna was born on November of 2012 at 35 weeks. Unlike with our Son Gianmarco who I gained over 70 lbs, with Sienna I only gained 45 lbs. Fast forward to July 2014 Since I had Sienna, I have been struggling with weight loss. I became frustrated after trying my old ways of losing weight and obtaining zero to minimal results. I followed a low carb, low fat, high protein diet. I work out regularly (with a personal trainer) and nothing worked. I would become discouraged as I saw the scale remaining on the same number. I never saw my body change drastically as before, and my energy levels were always low. I became emotional and went to the Dr. for blood work twice (12 months apart), all blood work came back “normal” but I never felt my body losing weight as I used to. I looked as if I was being careless with my nutrition, and as If I was not working out at all. I noticed my nails and skin were not normal. Nails were brittle and would break off in layers. After 20 months, While talking to a friend she mentioned the “Bible Daniel Diet” (you can google it) I had never heard of it and it caught my attention. I decided to try something totally different, I figured I could benefit from it spiritually and healthwise too. This diet was more about eating things in that natural state, mostly raw fruits, veggies and grains. Nothing that comes from an animal (not even Honey). I eliminated all sugars , sweeteners, and all processed foods. I did research on a Vegan diet and learned a lot about many different nutrients. I incorporated Quinoa, chia, and Flaxseeds into my diet. Week 1: The moment I began my diet, I noticed the weight came off surprisingly. I lost 10 lbs the first week. I continued and noticed a rapid loss! My clothes started fitting lose and that hadn’t happen in months! I had been stock in a size 12 since I had my daughter. That gave me motivation to continue my eating plan. The Daniel diet is a time of prayer, so that I did more praying than usual. Week 2: I lost another 3 lbs. Week 3: another 3 lbs Week 4: another 3 lbs Week5: another 2 lbs Week6: another 2 lbs. Total weight loss in 6 weeks was of over 22 lbs. I felt my energy level go up! I lost 4 dress sizes. 4.5 inches off my waist! I was thrilled, not only was I eating ANTICANCER, ANTI so many deceases like Diabetes, heart decease etc. but the weight came of easily. I slept better, woke up with energy and didn’t get the 3 ‘o clock sluggish time. Things that I eliminated or replaced: Diet products with artificial sweeteners ALL SUGAR (no sodas, cookies, desserts) ALL PROCESSED FOODS (nothing from a BOX) Replaced pasta for Quinoa ORGANIC PASTA Replace Rice for QUINOA Replaced Dairy for Almond Milk Added coconut oil to my coffee (bullet proof coffee) Eliminated CUBAN COFFEE (EXPRESSO COFFEE) Began drinking Green TEA, and WHITE TEA Ate 3 fruits a day (natural not from a can or jar) Ate SALADS AND SOUPS EVERYDAY FOR LUNCH AND DINNER Eliminated all fried foods. In addition to all this, I did PORTION CONTROL. I did not eat the quantities I ate before. I purchased small containers to limit myself from overeating. I know eat normal and fill full, but I stop eating when I feel full. Later I will post pictures of my meals and my before and after pictures.

Running progress

Today was a good day! Went out running with my friend Rosalinda and ran 3 miles in 45 minutes. I am running at a very comfortable pace, as my goal is distance and endurance but I realized that I improved my time drastically. Years ago, I used to run every single day and never allowed my body to rest so I would feel even more tired the following day. I have done some reading on running techniques and have learned that training every other day works best. I think that if I continue at this pace I will be able to double my distance to 6 miles by next month.

If you are a beginner runner, there is this website called Couch to 5k, which offers this training guide to get anyone from zero to 5k in 9 weeks.
Here is the link in case anyone is interested!
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Many who have followed have loved it and kept on going.

Good night, time to rest :)

Today's run

So today I had a hard time going out to run because I ate a little too close to my running time. I finally went out but it was already dark and I don't like to run at night time alone. I took a flash light, but luckily the full moon helped me see where I was going the whole time.

Today I improved my time a little, I ran 2.24 miles in 38 minutes. It is still a very low pace, but I am hoping to be running a little faster sooner. I have never been a fast runner though, I have short legs and I rather run long distance versus time. I am aiming to run 3 miles every other day starting Saturday. Hoping to be at 5 miles by the day of the run October 23rd.

Tip: I used to get light headed after running over 3 miles, did some research and learned that my sugar was getting low. I tried eating 1/2 a wheat toast with nutella or peanut butter and jelly right before running and it worked! What this does, it helps your body use that sugar while you run so your blood sugar doesn't go down! And ofcourse stay hydrated before heading out to run. I stop drinking water 1 hour prior my running time.

Back from a break!

I took a break from this blog due to a busy schedule and some traveling, but I am determined and back with more enthusiasm. I have gained 4 lbs in the past month as I have not been working out and I also think it has to do with the weaning off breastfeeding my 15 month old baby. Nursing helps us burn up to 500 calories a day and I owe a big part of my weightloss to breastfeeding for this long, but I thought it was time to wean him off this past month and I did. Now I need to watch my nutrients intake even more than before and I think that is why I gained the 4 to 6 lbs in 4 weeks.

Coincidently, a friend invited me to join a relay half marathon in October 23, my part is 4 miles. I began training yesterday for this run, I ran 2.2 miles on my first training day. I did it in 40 minutes which I think it was horrible lol, but at least I ran it lol. This week I will train every other day for 2.5 miles and add .5 mile next week until the day of the run. Wish me Luck!

I love to run, I am just not a fast runner

stay positive and strong

I hope that everyone has been doing as good as I have, even though I have been really busy with our son and a few photoshoots here and there; and working on the branding of my photography business...I have some how managed to continue eating healthy. I am not going to lie, I have not been working out much lately but I have remained positive and strong with my eating habits. I have not cheated (only one meal on the weekends) and I have not gained any weight, instead I keep noticing my body changing and looking a little leaner. I will be posting more often this week. Stay strong because in reality that is the key to any lifestyle change! 

Patience is a virtue

It is very satisfying to begin seeing results, many people get discouraged after a few days of a new diet and excersise plan and consequently not obtaining the desired results. I am a strong believer that patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to healthy habits and life style changes. The first 4 weeks are the hardest but being patient can help us pass those four weeks and make new habits a permanent change in our life. I have been travelling a lot in the past weeks and this makes it more difficult for me to make healthy choices and keep track of my calorie intake, but I have learned that just because I go out to eat, it does not mean that I must have a sugary drink, a fattening appetizer, a main course and a dessert...and not to mention the bread and butter before dinner with a salad and a high caloric dressing...

Instead, I have taken advantage of the fact that I'm not cooking and that I can request anything from the menus. I have remained firmed and faithful to my veggies, and lean proteins. No bread, no sugars...excercising while on the road can be difficult, but eating healthy has kept me from gaining weight. In fact, today I slipped into a size 6 white shorts that I hadn't wore in over 2 years; that made me feel very happy! So keep up the good work and do not get discouraged, remember to indulged yourself one meal a week of anything that you crave for and behind your healthy eating the following day.

Weekends While Dieting

Weekends can be difficult for dieters as we are exposed to all kinds of foods and drinks while attending social events, but we need to stay strong and understand that just because it is the weekend we can not go crazy eating junk food and ruin our CLEAN EATING habits we are trying to create. This weekend, we went to a concert and it was a few hours away from home; so we decided to stay at a hotel for the weekend, this meant that we were going to be eating out for two days.

 I decided to enjoy the weekend by making smart choices.

For breakfast we went to and old favorite "Crackerbarrel" where most of the food is fried, but I chose Eggbeaters, and turkey patties instead of fried eggs and regular pork sausage or bacon. Instead of ordering my own pancakes I ate 1 of my hubbies whole wheat peacan pancakes with sugar free syrup.

For lunch, I ate from Jason's Deli and ordered a buffet salad bar and ate a large plate of vetegables along with hummus and couscous and boiled eggs.The salad was so filling that it made me feel very satisfied for a few hours.

Snacks: I brought along some oranges to snack in between meals.

Dinner: This was my CHEAT meal. I ordered a delicious Jambalaya at BJ's Brewery and a glass of red wine. I ate most of my plate, the only thing I left was some rice since it was such a large portion I decided to eat the shrimp, chicken, and sausage with a little rice. I enjoyed my glass of Chianti Classico Gabbiano and headed out to our concert.

So here is proof that we can still go out and have fun while dieting, we just need to make healthy choices as most restaurants now days offer Splenda products, Egg substitutes, and a variety of veggies with lean proteins. The choice is yours!