My Weight Lost Journey: Day 285

What is the secret to losing weight? This is a question that everyone is asking and everyone is trying to answer/or claiming to have the answer too. Well, I believe that I have the best answer to this very common question, and it is you.

My Weight Lost Journey: Day 260

Well, I made it through Thanksgiving and I did not gain any weight. I lost 0.8lbs and I was soooooooo happy to see a decrease in my weight that it did not matter that it was only 0.8lbs. I bet you are wondering what I did this Thanksgiving that was different from the last thanksgiving, and I would have to say a little more control of myself is what I did different.

My Weight Loss Journey: Day 252

During the holiday season we are suppose to be happy and joyous. This is the time of the year when families come together to eat, give present to each other, be thankful for each other, and just plain old love on each other. Well, at least that is what the media tells us that we should be doing. But my question is, how do you do all of this and still stay on track with your weight lost plans? Great question, and I have been asking myself that question every day of this month thus far.

My Weight Lost Journey: Day 233

The weight loss process is said to be an up and down process, and I am here to tell you that the statement is soooooo very true. Since I have been doing Weight Watchers my weight has gone up and down, but mostly down (which is what I want), but when it goes up I question myself, I question what am I doing wrong and what should I change. Of course when I lose weight I am motivated to keep up the hard work, to keep pressing forward and remain focus on my weight lost goals. The up and down process of losing weight brings about different emotions and thoughts that I really did not pay attention until I started Weight Watchers, which I think is a good thing because I am more aware of my thoughts now. But when you hit a plateau what do you do?

My Weight Loss Journey: Day 191

I am happy to announce to you all that as of yesterday I lost 25lbs (lost 10% of my body fat);  which means that I achieved my 4th personal weight lost goal. I am currently in a size 16, so I am down 2 pants sizes and I am so happy about my accomplishments thus far. I have a birthday coming up and I am so happy that I am the size I use to be, but I don't want to stay this size for the rest of my life and with Weight Watchers I actually believe that I can reach my weight lost goal. I my previous posting I stated that this month I would be answering questions that were given to me by Weight Watchers in an attempt to go deeper, and I have been doing just that. So far, I have realized that I am causing my weight gain because I don't believe that I should be smaller, and that is probably because I have always been a big girl. Me being overweight is a mind thing (I see myself as being over weight). What's funny is that every person that is over weight always say the same thing-I have always been a big girl/boy so this is just who I am. They come to accept their unhealthy self as how it is suppose to be. And this is so far from the truth. The reality is I am overweight (225lbs at a height of 5'7"), but the truth is I am born to prosper even as my soul prospers-meaning my soul has to know the truth in order for the truth to become reality. 

My Weight Loss Journey: Day 177

I want to begin this entry off by saying that all it takes is one step in the right direction to get the momentum needed to continue to move forward, but taking the first step is the hardest part of the journey. One hundred and seventy-seven days ago I took my first step on my weight lost journey and I must say that I was a little skeptical about Weight Watchers because I consider myself a serial dieter (I have always been on a diet), and I thought that this was just another diet plan. But I can honestly say that I was wrong about Weight Watchers. It's not just another diet plan, it's a plan for transforming your life one day at a time. I currently weigh 226.8lb and I met my third personal weight lost goal back in July. I am now working on meeting my fourth personal weight lost goal which is to loose 10% of body fat ( down 25 lbs).

So, some may ask me how do you stay motivated to state on the plan, and I would have to say that my family and my God given purpose are the two major motivating factors for me. When I start feeling down I think about my family and God's purpose and how both need me, and in order for me to be around for a long time I have to be in the best possible health; and this will keep me focus on what I need to do. But those motivating factors are a part of my long term plans. When I need an immediate motivating factor I look to a personal goal that I set for myself, and that will push me to get up at that moment and go work out. That is why I set small personal weight lost goals for myself, because it helps me state focus and once met it allows me to reward myself and gain some gratification for the hard work that I am doing.

In this past Weight Watchers meeting we were given calendars for the month and on the calender there are questions and suggestions  that they want the participants to ask themselves or do. This month I think I will actually post the calendar and answer the questions and try some of the suggestions. I think that by me doing this it will help me go deeper into the way I gained weight. Please share your own personal journeys or give advise. Until next time.....

Reward for meeting my 3rd personal weight lost goal...




My Weight Loss Journey: Day 150

Hey all, I am back and I have good news that I would like to share with you all-I did it. I accomplished my 3rd personal goal and I am working on my 4th personal weight loss goal. I currently weigh 227lbs, which means that I have lost a total of 24lbs in 17 weeks of attending Weight Watchers. I am also very close to being back at my pre-baby weight, and I am so excited because I did not think that I would get back to my pre-baby weight before I started on this journey. My 4th weight loss is to lose 10% of my body weight (25lbs), so I have really been working hard this week to make sure I meet my 4th goal. So many people at my job have been telling me that my hard work is paying off and that I look good; but all I see when I look in the mirror is a body that can look better, a body that can be better, a body that needs more work. 

When I decided to join Weight Watchers and start my own personal journey (instead of watching others go on extraordinary journeys), I really did not believe that it would work because I had done every fad diet that came out. And I know what you guys are thinking, you are a doctor and you should know that there is no quick fix to anything, and I do. But I am still human and I wanted the easy way out, the quick way out; when in reality it took years for me to put the weight on so it is going to take time and hard work to get it off. What society does not realize or understand about gaining weight is that it is so not about the food, well not all about the food. The foods that I chose to eat in the past (sometimes in the present too) was comfort for me; when things got too hard, when I was not accepted by someone, or when I was not viewed as the best I would turn to food. And the reason that I did that was because food never let me down, so to speak. The food will fill you up and it taste sooooooo good (well the kind of food that I would eat). But after I ate the food I would feel bad because I knew that I should not be eating it and the cycle would start all over again. So, gaining weight is mostly mental and if you are not mentally tough life will take you down. I can honestly say that in some areas of my life I am not mentally tough, and for me to acknowledge that is an accomplishment all in it's self. I fall short in so many areas of my life but I put this wall up to the world and I act like I am so tough and together, when in reality I feel like a fake. But what I am learning from this process is that you don't give up, no matter how many times to fall short, you get up and continue to take 1 step at a time. The key to it is not to beat your self up for falling down, but just acknowledge that you have fallen, get back up and continue to move forward on the right path (the right path is the path that you will succeed on-you not the Joneses).

As you can see I am learning alot on this journey; what is even more important is that I am realizing that I must accept my faults (all of them) and continue to move forward no matter what. The bible tells me that I can do all things through God that strengthen me; it tells me that God will give me the strength to do all things. What it doesn't say is that I have to use my own strength, and that is what I have been trying to do for my entire life (but I call myself a Christian). See, falling short; but I do believe God's word but I must believe it with everything because that is what God means when he says to transform your mind. God has been here with me every step and in every situation, and I know that He will continue to be here, but He still wants me to be apart because He wants to use me to do amazing things in this world. God wants me to be a doer of His word and while on this journey I can truly say that I am learning how to be a doer of God's word one step, one situation, and one pray at a time.

Well, I just shared another personal part of my journey and I still have so many more layers to shed. Please share your journey or encouragement, because you never know who you will inspire to do and be great. Until next time........   

My Weight Loss Journey: Day 114

I did not reach my third personal weight loss goal as I hoped I would, I missed it by 1 lb. So, as you can imagine I was disappointed with myself because I felt that I worked really hard last week. Yesterday's Weight Watchers Meeting was all about encountering set backs on your weight loss journey and what you should do when it happens (because it will happen). Well, last week I encountered a set back which was caused by mother nature-my cycle.  The question that you may ask is how could you overcome mother nature, even if it was a set back? And I would say that is a very good question, and the answer would be you don't. You don't try to overcome mother nature you embrace it. Because when you try to cut something out of your diet that will make you want it more, and the minute you get it you will over indulge and then the weight will come back. The advise that was given to us in the meeting was to make sure that you have healthy treats on hand, drink plenty of water, and if you want to indulge in some not so healthy treats just make sure that you account for it, but don't feel bad about eating not so healthy treats just keep moving forward.

We were also asked to write down a motivational saying that will keep us on track when we fall down, and I chose winners never quit and quitters never win, so if I want to win I can't quit even if I fall down. This week I plan to workout on my workout days, count my points, and stick to the plan. I can't get discourage or dwell on what I did or did not do. I must continue to take 1 step and that step will turn into my weight loss goals met. So, I encourage you all to find some words of encouragement that will keep you encouraged when you fall. We all have to learn how to encourage ourselves when we go through hard times. I have lost a total of 19 lbs, and by this Saturday I will met my 3rd personal weight loss goal and I will be able to get my leather purse. Please share your story or share words of encouragement, until next time....

My Weight Loss Journey: Day 107

I have passed the 100 day mark on my weight loss journey, and I must say that the small changes that I have made in order to loose weight have now become a habit, and they are good habits. Since I have been on Weight Watchers I have become a little more aware of what I put in my mouth on an every day basis; which is really what I needed. I am so happy that I made the decision to join Weight Watchers, because I have learned, as well as seen, that I can enjoy all the foods I like to eat and still be at a healthy weight. I have also learned losing weight, or shall  say, working toward becoming healthy is really a mind set. And the reason that I say that is because there have been many days that I just did not want to workout or watch what I eat, but I can now hear the positive voice telling me do the work out you will feel better, or don't eat that piece of cake chose the fruit instead because you will feel better, and I always feel better. I also have learned that when you try to deprive yourself of something that makes you want it more, which would cause you to over indulge. The one thing that Weight Watchers tells you is to eat things that you like and don't feel bad if you eat something that is not on your plan (just pick your self up and move forward). And there have been many days that I have over indulged on a certain food (sweets), I felt bad for a minute but I got over it and continued to move forward. In the past I would have dwell on the fact that I over indulged and I would not have gotten back up from the mistake. But now I realized that it's okay to make a mistake, because making a mistake does not mean that I am a bad person it just means that I am still a work in progress.

So far I have lost 18 lbs, and I am 2 lbs away from my 3rd personal goal (20 lbs). I don't really see the weight loss but other people do, and I must say that I really like the positive attention. But that is not what keeps me motivated to continue because that type of attention comes and goes; what keeps me motivated to continue to move forward is my family-my husband and son. I know that they need me so it is up to me to make sure that I am around for a long time.   

If you are thinking about losing weight but you don't now how, my suggestion to you is to just do it; just get up and start moving and everything else will fall in place. Please share your own story. Until next time......

My Weight Loss Journy: Day 62

Last week I was given the task by Weight Watchers to reflect on my week. I was asked to go look at what I was eating during the week and reflect on how I felt when I followed the plan or when I fell short, and I what learned this week is that sleep is soooo important for weight loss. This pass week I really had to push myself to workout on the days that I was scheduled to workout, and it showed on the scale because I only lost .02lbs (which is not even a full pound). I also found myself not eating regularly because all I wanted to do was sleep. Even though I was not eating regularly I still made healthy choices, and I still made sure that I ate up all of my allotted points for the day. Many may ask why is sleep so important for weight loss, and the reason that it's important is because our bodies need time to refresh, and sleep is the time the body refreshes. So, when we push ourselves and don't get enough time to refresh our bodies slows down; which means that our metabolism slows down, and fat is stored. Think about it, when you are tried you can't function properly, your mind is not functioning properly, your energy levels are low, you just feel bad. So, if you are trying to lose weight but not getting enough sleep the process will be very frustrating because the pounds will come off very slowly. Even though I did manage to workout last week (which I am very proud of myself for doing), my workouts weren't as challenging as they should have been so the weight did not come off. Like I stated before, this is a journey, it's a process, and in order for the weight to come off and stay off I must learn from this process. And I must say that this time around I am being very honest with myself, and I am learning from the mistakes I am making, and I do believe that this will be the difference in my overall outcome. The last time when I attempted to lose weight I did it to gain attention from men, I wanted to be seen; but it was not a personal journey so I did not learn anything. This time I am doing it solely for me and my family, I really want to be healthy so that I will prosper and fulfill my God given purpose. I am not looking for attention from anyone, because I now know that that is not important, that is not want I was made for. So, because my mind set is so different this time, I am open to learn from the journey and gain wisdom that will allow me to make better choices and remain at a healthy weight.

Currently, I have lost 12.82 lbs (which means that I have lost 5% of my body weight) and I now weigh 238.6lbs. I met my 2nd personal weight lost goal on May 10, 2014 and I was so excited. The only thing that I really wanted at that time was a pedicure, so I got one and I felt alive and beautiful. I am now thinking about what my next personal goal will be and once I figure it out I will let you all know. But I am so motivated to continue on my journey because my purpose depends on it.

I am excited that I get to share my journey with you all, but I also want to hear from you guys. Please share your journeys because you never know who you will inspire.Until next......

My Weight Loss Journey: Day 49

While on this weight loss journey I am learning so much about myself and my eating triggers. I have learned thus far that my life stressors have really hindered my weight loss. Let me explain what I mean by that last statement. On days that I am to workout either I am so tried from working all day or my home life is not at peace that all I want to do is sleep and eat. And a while back I would have done just that, went to sleep and ate. Weight Watchers has taught me how to manage what I eat and how much I eat, and I am very happy about that; because the way that I am eating now is becoming a habit. Since I have been on this journey I am able to recongize the stress triggers better, but now I must figure out how to push through and not let those issues punch holes in my life. I really like the fact that I am actually losing weight, and I am doing it the right way. I still get to eat what I want to eat and enjoy the foods that I like. My problem now is handling the stresses of life. And because I am going to contiune on this journey until I reach my overall weight loss goal, I know that I will figure it out.

But on a happier note, I am now down 10lbs. When I look in the mirror at myself I really can't tell, but numbers don't lie. So, I am very happy about that accomplishment because that means that I have 2 more pounds to lose to reach 5% body weight lost. Because I am learning to set small goals for myself, instead of just focusing on the big picture, I can say that I am encouraged to continue because I am seeing results no matter how much stress I may be under. What doesn't kill me will make me stronger, and this time around I will be mentally strengthen. I know that God wants me to prosper and be in good health even as my soul prospers. This tells me that as I go through this journey this time I will prosper both spiritually and naturally. And I am so looking forward to the prosperity that is coming my way, that God promised me in His word.

Let me know what you think and I also want to hear some of your stories. Please stay tune because there is more to come.

My Weight Loss Journey: Day 28

So guys, the last time we met I told you that I met my first small personal goal of losing 5lbs. And because of that I was able to reward myself with a new pair of workout shoes. So, this weekend I went out and brought me some new shoes.

I really like the color; if you did not know blue is my favorite color, and they are very comfortable. Now I am working on my next small personal goal, which is to lose 5% of my body weight (12.5lbs). And I have already gotten off to a bumpy start. This past Friday I was not felling well and I did not work out, nor was I able to eat anything. I just felt really weak, so I laid in bed all day and drank tea. Because I wasn't feeling well yesterday I did not go to my Weight Watcher's meeting, I slept in and tried to get some rest. And by me resting up I felt better that evening so I went to workout. Every health professional and fitness professional will tell you that sleep is important for losing weight, as well as maintaining a healthy weight; so I think the reason that I did not feel well was because I was not getting enough sleep. I am constantly working, taking care of my son and my house, and making attempts to take care of my husband, while studying for my upcoming board exams and making time to work out, among other matters that I deal with daily. I guess my body just needed me to take some time for me, and not feel guilty for taking the time needed. Feeling guilty is another story that I might get into at a different time, but today I want to express to everyone that we all need time for ourselves, time to just be, time to just relax, time to breath; and you should not feel bad about it. Because if you don't take care of you who will?

Before I end this post I want to say that in spite of me not feeling well, I still got a chance to celebrate me meeting my first personal goal which motivated me and pushed me to continue despite me not feeling 100%. So, I am excited about what is yet to come for me on this journey. I have already learned so much about myself and some reasons way I continue to gain weight, but God has more things to show me. So, stay tune because there is more to come....

My Weight Loss Journey: Day 22

Well guys I have been on my journey for 1 month now, and I must say that joining Weight Watchers was a great idea. On my last weight in, which was yesterday, I lost another 2 lbs which gave me a total of 5.2 lbs lost. I was so happy that I accomplished my first small weight lost goal, and I did it eating the food that I like, that I gained more motivation to continue the journey. The reason that  I am writing this blog is not to just focus on the highs of the journey, but to tell my truth about my weight in hopes that I can help somebody while I am on my journey. So, the question you all should ask me is am I learning from the jourmey, because when on a journey you should be learning something? Great question, and my answer to the question would be yes; I have learned two very important things. 1.) I have learned that when I am stress that I want to eat so I can feel better, and the foods I want to eat are sweet (cake, cookies, ice cream, chocolate, etc.), and 2.) I have to learn self control and in order to learn self control I must listen to my body.

On day 9 of this journey I was face with some personal challenges that caused me to be stressed. And because I was stressed I did not want to workout and I could not focus on counting points because all  could think about was the issue at hand. On day 9 is when I learned that stress was a negative trigger for me, and that in order for me to loss the weight and keep it off I have to learn how to handle my stress. So, day 9 was a very important day for me, because it opened my eyes to see some of my shortcomings as it concerns my weight.  On day 10 of this journey I found myself not eating what I needed to eat which resulted in me getting a headache, which caused me to just eat so my headache could go away. This to me was a lack of self control. I did not control my schedule to ensure that I ate something, which caused me not to eat throughout the day, which caused me int he end to just eat. This is a cycle that I have noticed myself doing since I have been on Weight Watchers. So, when you hear health professional, fitness professionals, and people in general say that losing weight is all in the person's mind they are absolutely correct. Because as you can see from day 1 up until now I have talked about what was going on in my mind which caused me to acted in a negative manner, which in turn effects my weight.

The bible tells us that as a man thinks so is he, which means what I think about will come true. So, if I think negatively negative things will happen to me. But when I begin to focus on positive things, positive things will happen to me. What I am learning thus for on this journey is that I have to get my mind right also. I can loss all the weight I want but if I don't see myself as God sees me then the weight will come back, and I might gain more than I started out with. This is the first of many breakthroughs, but I don't believe that this is the main breakthrough- the thing/matter that actually caused me to gain weight in the first place. That matter is what I must get to, deal with, and overcome if I hope for permanent weight lost.

Please share your own stories of challenges and how did you overcome them. Stay tune because there is more to come.

My Weight Loss Journey: Day 1

Well guys I did it, I took the first step in the right direction as it concerns my health. On Saturday, March 15, 2014 I started Weight Watchers. March 15, 2014 was the day I had to admit to myself that I need help with losing weight. I thought because I went to school to become a chiropractor and took classes in nutrition that I knew it all and I did not need help, but I was wrong. I will admit that I know more about health, fitness, and nutrition than the average person, but I still need help with being motivated to do what I know I should be doing as it concerns my health and fitness. I will also admit that I was ashamed of myself because I had gained so much weight after losing a lot of weight. The first time I really tried to lose weight I was in chiropractic school, I had help from my friends, and I got down to 200 lbs on my way to my goal weight of  185 lbs ( a size 12). I was so proud of myself, and I had son much confidences in myself. And then we all graduated and life started. I moved to Illinois and began working. I met a man and got married, and then had a baby. And while I was living my life the weight began to come back and I found myself weight 250 lbs. During my pregnancy I gained more than 60 lbs, and I felt that it was okay because I was pregnant. After I had my son, and gained release for my midwife, I began working out. But I felt so guilty about leaving my son to go to the gym to workout that I stopped, and my weight kept increasing. My self esteem continued to decrease and depression began to creep into my life. So, I began working out again, but guilt began to creep back into my life. But this time I thought that I could workout before I came home from work. I thought that since I am already out of the house, I am not leaving my son, so when I get home I am there to stay. This plan worked for a while and I began to see some weight lost. However, this did not last for long and the weight came back. This back and forth cycle continued for almost 2 years. What changed you may ask? Good question, and my answer would be that my mind changed.

God says that I am healed, and this includes obesity; so I believe that I am healed. And because I believe this my spirit began to speak to me. I began to see me healthier, having more energy, and being more active with my son. I told a friend that after I had my baby I wanted to join Weight Watchers, but after I had my son I found every reason not to join. But when the new year came I just thought that if other people can do it why can't I. I began thinking about where would the money come from, because I don't have extra to pay to Weight Watchers. So, I prayed and March 15, 2014 I took my first step.Taking that first step was very scary because thoughts of failure began to creep in my mind, but I took the step anyway. My spirit began to speak to me and it told me that God has a purpose and a plan for me and in order for me to reach it I have to be at my best and right now I am not at my best. So, I sat in the meeting and after the meeting was over the discussion about payment came, but I knew it would. I almost said forget it because where would the money come from, then my spirit told me to pay weekly ($14.00 every week), which may seem like nothing but it is when you have  child to tak care of. Nevertheless ,I did it. I signed up and moved forward with what I was told to do by my spirit.

So, Day 1 I weighted in at 251.6 lbs and my overall weight loss goal is to lose 67 lbs. My weekly goal is to workout 5 days a week for 30 minutes. Many will say that this goal should be easy to complete, but if you have read my story you will know that this will be difficult for me, but I know I must do it and I will do it with help from God. I will do it one day at a time, because my spirits tells me to only look at and focus on that day.

Continue to read about my weight loss journey and wish we well. You can also share you own personal jourenys. See below how I look now: