The Journey to Getting Healthy...

  

With all these shows out there focusing on the problem of obesity in America (and really the world,
but especially here), it's interesting to see how many people really take what they see into consideration. I for one, until recently, would watch the shows, get emotional about the people on the shows because of their unhealthiness, feel for them, then go on my way. I never realized that I really wasn't in all that better of a place than they were. I wasn't exercising like I should (yes I know I work at a gym but that didn't matter to me), and I DEFINITELY wasn't eating the way I should (and once again, yes I teach nutrition classes at Curves). I didn't realize all of this until I got engaged, and started thinking about wedding dresses, my wedding day and well you know the rest of where I'm going with that! ;)

Now, I am really trying to watch what I eat and I'm doing at least an hour of cardiovascular exercise on the elliptical 6 days a week. And ya know what, it's working! I've lost 18.5 pounds since Matthew and I started on this journey at the end of January! It came off fast in the beginning, but now its slowing down and its rather discouraging to tell you the truth! My body fat percentage is no longer in the "very high" category, but its still in the "high" category and my BMI, well its the same story. My goal is to have 25% body fat by the time I get married and weigh around 150. Believe it or not, I don't care to post that on here. I'm proud of what I've done and I want you all to come with me in this journey! It doesn't matter if it's purely supportive or you want to join me in getting in shape yourselves!

The hardest part for me, honestly, has been the change in eating the right things! I am from the South, born and bred here....and I love me some good ole southern cooking. I also happen to love Chinese, Japanese, and Mexican food (all of which have a lot of sodium and a lot of fat if you don't watch what you eat). I can't help it. I'm a girl who likes to eat, and I"m not afraid of admitting it! Having Matthew hold me accountable has been the BEST thing for me. I know he's gonna ask me what I ate today and I know I'm gonna have to tell him, and if I've slipped up...well I don't even want to have to admit it. That alone, keeps me going.

Now that I have slowed down in losing my weight, I need to shake it up and change it up and see what I can do get a jump on it again. So for all my friends out here, you have any suggestions? I really want to see that 150 on the scale and I really want the body fat percentage to drop down. I'm really focusing on Cardio, and have been for a while, but I'm thinking I'm going to have to had some serious strength training in here to get that body fat percentage to drop as well. Maybe along with my cardio 6 days a week I should do strength training 3 days a week? What do you think? I'd love some feedback! :)

This is what I keep looking at to remind me to keep going...I know I can do this. Its just hard as all get out and its taking time....this is a look of me from 5 years ago...at my heaviest in 2006 to now!                                                                                                              

2006 

2011

                                                                                                                     

Engagement Pictures, Wedding and Life Update :)

Ok, so I feel that most of my posts involve lots of pictures, and this one is going to be no different! However, there will be a bit more information about what's going on in my life specifically and of course wedding planning updates as well!

To start off, Matthew and I had our engagement pictures taken by the wonderful, amazing, talented photographer, Morgan Trinker! If you want to check out more of her amazing work, please go to www.morgantrinkerblog.com :) We took our engagement pictures on Saturday, February 19th! It was an absolutely gorgeous day outside, and relatively warm for February (which allowed me to wear some really cute outfits lol) We started off at the Apple store (where we eventually got kicked out of thanks to Mall Security), then we ventured on over to Starbucks (where Matthew and I met) and then we went over to a park behind the YMCA for some outdoorsy pictures! :) Here are some of our favorites!

Well, that about sums up all of the engagement pictures! We had so much fun taking the pictures with Morgan and with each other! It just made me want the wedding to get here even sooner and made me more excited to marry Matthew :)

Next up...wedding plans! So far, here is the checklist of things done!
set the date: check (December 31, 2011)
find a place to get hitched: check
reception venue: check
dress: CHECK (woohoo)
photographer: check
colors: check
bridal party: check (all 12 of them)
flowers: check (matthew's mom is a godsend :))
officiant: check
place to live: check
engagement pictures: check (hehe obviously)

Now, for new things going on in our lives! I have two interviews next Tuesday. One with Wackenhut for an HR internship position and one with Northwestern Mutual for an internship position. I am a little nervous and excited at the same time! My last interview, which I thought went well, didn't really turn out the way I wanted (though now that I think back on it, its probably a good thing based on what i have heard from the girl who got the internship). I also am going to have Dr. Mackey send my resume to ALCOA for a possible internship position there as well. I am so excited about all the opportunities presenting themselves to me for possible internships and job opportunities. Its kind of scary at the same time though, its like I'm really growing up and everything! Also, Matthew has some great news too! He is going to be working full-time at Apple now...which he is sooo excited about! It is such a great opportunity for him! He enjoys working for Apple so much and it shows in his every day life. Also, he graduates in 64 days and will start grad school in 74 days to get his Masters! I can't wait to see him start grad school and begin his journey to being a teacher! I know he is going to be such an excellent teacher and an influence and inspiration in the lives of young children as he has been in mine! He has such a passion for learning and for people in general, and I can't wait to see where that takes him in life!

Finally, this whole joining a gym thing rocks! Matthew and I have both lost weight, changed our eating habits tremendously and are now tracking our weight loss, calories and exercise on MyFitnessPal on our iPhones and on line. Its such a great tool for us. Being able to workout together and share what we have eaten and done throughout the day has really added that accountability that makes it work so much better! I love having someone there to encourage me and tell me to keep going, or to smack my hand away from the "cupcakes" sitting on the table (I can't help it, I love me some sweets) :) Being able to do this with him has brought us just that much closer! :) Not to mention, I feel a whole heck of a lot better too! :)

Well folks, thats all for now! I'm going to try and start blogging more...I kind of miss it! Espero que todo tengan un buen dia hoy :)