Why I'm In A Plateau

So, as many of you have heard me bitch, I am in a plateau. First of all, what is a plateau? Its when you are stuck at a certain weight during your weight loss journey. Second of all, I've been stuck between 172-177 for, oh I don't know, the past 5- 6 months. It's so frustrating because my body has grown accustomed to the workouts that were once so hard to achieve.
In these past few months, I have also become a little more lenient with my journey. I used to be so strict on myself every single day. Now, I still beat myself up over food choices and workouts... but only during the weekdays. That means the WEEKENDS are the culprits for the damage done.
Okay, so maybe not the weekends themselves, but my willpower on those days. I make up excuses like "I deserve to rest on the weekends because I work so hard during the week." With that mindset I indulge in BBQs, booze, and anything unhealthy I can get my hands on. to top it all off, I don't workout al all on Saturdays and Sundays.
So I ask myself why I keep crying over the fact that I'm in a plateau, if I know exactly why Im stuck where I am. I have to change my mindset and treat the weekends as any other weekday. These are some steps I've been taking this month to stay focused.
The biggest step is meal prepping.

 

Its unknown territory for me but I've been doing it for the past couple of weeks and it feels good to have all my meals prepped for the week. Also, there is no excuse to go grab something "fast" to eat over the weekends. Prepped meals are as fast as you can get. Just stick in the microwave for a couple of minutes, and ta-da, fast and healthy meal straight from your own kitchen. I've only been prepping for Monday-Friday, but this week I'm taking it up a notch and prepping for the ENTIRE week. Even if it means having to use someone's microwave and pass up on the mouthwatering crappy foods.
Next: Staying hydrated. I've increased my water intake this month also. I t helps keep me full and alert. I've also added Spark into the mix. An awesome friend hooked me up with free products just for referring some people to her. I've never tried Advocare (except for the Spark Energy Drink), but I have seen some amazing results from so many people. If you need a distributor, let me know and I can give her your information!

Also, I had been on Herbablife for a while maybe about 4 months ago. It really helped me stay in check with maintaining my weight. So this month, I'm back on it. One meal replacement shake a day is all I need. Now, I know the plan says to replace two meals a day for successful weightloss, but personally, I feel like I'm missing out on too many nutrients when I do two a day, so I'm sticking to one shake.

Lastly, I am increasing my weight lifting sessions. They say muscle burns more calories, so I am determined to build more muscle.

 

 

Hoping I can break my plateau with these little steps Im taking this month. I'll check in next moth around this time for an update. I would really love to break into the 160s... but we will see.

 



Do You Want It Bad Enough?

A year and a half ago I would have never believed I would come this far. I wouldn't have believed that I could lose 55 lbs. on my own without help from a personal trainer, a magic diet pill, or a famous wrap. Sometimes, it's even hard to believe now that it's been said and done.

Galleria Mall Dallas, Tx. April 2011



April 2011

2011

Being overweight, you never realize how much you can improve your life if you just stop making excuses and put in the work. The beginning is the hardest part, yet its the most essential step for weight loss. I mean, you have to start somewhere, right? I've said it before, and I will say it again: To be successful in this journey, you have to be ready to commit yourself 100%. You really have to want it for yourself because we are our only true motivators. Other people can nag you for so long, but if you're not ready to make the change for yourself, it's never going to happen. You have to be the one to put your foot down and be ready for change.


March 2012

April 2012

April 2012

First week doing Zumba March 2012

Fitness is a destination, but in the process, this journey has given me more than just a smaller pant size. I t's boosted my confidence, it's taught me discipline and patience, and above all, it's made me a happier person. I love life. I love waking up in the morning and looking forward to a good sweat. I love how my husband feels the need to hold me closer to him when we go out in public. I love not having to go to the plus size section at Target to find a decent outfit for a special occasion. I love it all. It was not always this way and for the last couple of years before I began my journey, I was drowning in a state of depression. I never let anyone see it, because I didn't want help. I just wasn't ready to commit. But behind closed doors I hated myself. I envied girls who were thinner than me. I hated going out with my husband because I just didn't feel comfortable being by him. He has always been thin and slender and being next to him just made me feel worse about my weight. I suffered alone because I knew if I seeked help, I would have to hear the cold, hard truth: GET UP AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. And I didn't want to. I would blame genetics, I would blame the pregnancy, I would blame anything but myself. It wasn't until I accepted the reality, that I knew it was time. It was time for me to turn my life around and start TODAY. Not Monday, not New Years' not next week.


Aug 2012





At the beginning of my journey, March 2012, I was too embarrassed to go to the gym so I opted for Zumba at-home workouts. A friend of mine had the newest version of the Zumba DVDs and had fallen off the wagon and sold them to me for cheap. For a whole month I would do Zumba every day in the comfort of my home. I remember being so fatigued only about 5-10 minutes in and having to pause the video to take a break. As I sat there I wondered if I would ever be able to get through the whole workout without having to stop for water. By the end of the month I could do just that and I lost my initial 10 lbs. I was feeling good. At that point I knew I was ready to Zumba with the ladies at the gym. Things took a turn in the wrong direction when the unexpected happened. My son was NOT loving the daycare at the gym and would cry every single time I tried to drop him off. Understandable. Since I stopped working we were inseparable. It was no surprise he would have to be eased into the whole thing. I told myself I would wait until he was ready. But nothing was going to stop this desire to succeed of mine. No sir. I started hitting the gym at 4 AM. This was a couple of hours before the hubby had to go in to work. So by the time he was ready to go, I was already back and able to fix his breakfast and pack his lunch for the day. I was on a roll. By the second month I had lost 15 lbs. total. Then vacation happened. We went to San Antonio for 5 days and that's all it took for me to gain 10 of the pounds lost. I was so disappointed and angry with myself. How could I have let it happen? I was angry about the fact that it took me two months to lose weight and in one week just like that I gained it almost all back. It just wasn't fair. I knew what I had done in order to gain the weight during vacation. No workouts and I ate chips and salsa and had Margaritas every day. It was depressing but I was determined to get back on track. Once we were back, my 4 AM gym sessions continued, I began Google-ing meal plans and effective workouts, I got into calorie counting, and found inspiration in fitness blogs, especially Mama Laughlin's.I continued losing the weight and things were definitely looking up. I was able to talk my son into staying at the daycare while Mommy worked out (now he loves it!). Then I discovered Instagram. Instagram has been a very helpful tool in this journey because there is always so many people showing support and sharing their success stories. I began to document my weight loss there, and is where I continue to go for support. Also, I find so many people looking to me for support or calling me their "inspiration". Who would've thunk it? Who would have thought that I could impact so many lives and have people ask ME for help. The girl who had no clue what a 5K was, how broccoli tasted, or how many calories a day I was consuming before I started my journey (around 2500). That girl is now part of a fitness community that she loves and thanks God every day that she is able to touch so many people's lives on the daily with inspirational quotes and transformation pictures. ME.

March 2013

July 2013

Aug 2013



That's not to say I don't fall off the wagon, skip a workout here and there, have a cheat meal or cheat DAY at times, but I'm conscious of all my actions and get back on track the moment I get a chance. Lifestyle changes require slip ups here and there because no one is perfect, but I know that as long as I keep trying I WILL NOT FAIL.

Fun Fitness Facts

Need a little boost?
Want to fill your brain with awesome knowledge?
Need something interesting to read while sitting at your desk at work?
Want to know approximately how many calories you can burn by doing day to day things?
Of course you do!
I Googled 10 random facts that'll make you think....



Fact #1: Scientists estimate that laughing 100 times is equivalent to a 10-minute workout on a rowing machine.
Go rent a funny movie off Redbox on your way home from work today and don't be afraid to laugh out loud!

Fact #2: Kissing Burns 2 Calories Per Minute.
A two minute kissing session can only lead to the next fact.

Fact #3: Sex burns about 360 calories per hour.
Come on ladies! We all knew this one was coming. Ain't nothing wrong with having a little sexy time with your partner, especially if it involves burning those calories!

Fact #4: Dieters who sleep more take off more fat that those who sleep less.
More sleep= Less fat. Excuse me while I go overdose on some Nyquil.

Fact #5: Fidgeting can burn about 350 calories a day.
Now I don't totally hate my Restless Leg Syndrome.

Fact #6: Every time you lick a stamp, you're consuming 1/10 of a calorie!
Hmmmm... you may want to reconsider your day job at the post office.

Fact #7: A person will burn 7 percent more calories if they walk on hard dirt compared to pavement.
Consider trail running or taking a hike as opposed to running on the sidewalk.

Fact #8: Gardening is said to be one of the best exercises for maintaining healthy bones.
Maybe it's about time I pull out the weeds in my backyard that have been on my to-do list since the beginning of summer.

Fact #9: Building a sandcastle burns 100 calories an hour.
For those of you who live near the beach, instead of just soaking up the sun, how about burn some calories while you're out there. As for me... I may just have to take a road trip to the nearest beach and make sure I burn those calories off. Or I could just go to Home Depot and buy a few sacks of sand and build my own sand lot....Nah.

Fact # 10: 16 minutes of mowing the lawn can burn up to 102 calories!
Get your hubby into the fitness craze (and into mowing the lawn) by hinting on this fitness fact!

Source:

http://www.funfactz.com/health-facts/

Mother of the Year

Being a Stay-at-home mom has really gotten to me lately. Not that I don't love spending every waking minute with my toddler, I just feel I can be doing more productive things with my life, like getting a job, and feeling more content with myself. I'm to the point where I love my son dearly, but I need to find him a good school so he can get his learn on and Momma can catch a break. Is it so wrong that I need time to myself?? As I type this, I feel guilty about the fact that I'd rather be working than tending to my motherly and wifely duties, so today's post is me ranting and boasting about me falling off the wagon lately. Hopefully some of you can relate. If not just go ahead and crown me Worst Mother of the Year.


I can't seem to keep Adryan out of trouble any more. He has suddenly become obsessed with ropes and ties. The other day, while I was folding laundry, he tied my shoelaces from both my shoes together into all sorts of knots and ties. took me like 20 minutes to undo them! That's not all. he will take the shoelaces off some of my shoes and tie them around stuff like cabinet door knobs, his toys, and sometimes I even have to help him untie his wrist from his ankle. Sigh. I may just be dealing with a future Christian Grey ladies, so keep your daughters locked up.

It seems like he is going through a massive growth spurt because that child is hungry 24/7. He will eat all day if I allow it, which I usually do because if I don't, I feel I'm making him go hungry or depriving him from a basic need. So I basically live in the kitchen tending to his every growing pain.
                                          
My husband definitely gets it easier. He works all day and comes home to a more calm setting. I'm the one who deals with the hectic chaos all day, all week. On top of caring for a three year old, I still tend to the house cleaning, the cooking, and somehow manage to fit in my one hour gym sessions and take a shower. Sometimes there is no shower until right before I go to bed.
Ive planned lunch on four different occasions lately, and I've only managed to actually go to lunch one out of those four times. My mind is usually filled with other crap I have to remember, that I forget to tend to little things like a nice lunch out with a friend.

END RANT.

With that being said, I love my munchkin and I do admit he is growing up way too fast. Surely once we get a schedule going, our days wont be so hectic.

Back to Reality

After having an amazing time on vacation, it's finally time to get back into the groove of things. Although before we left for vacation, I was already getting off track with my eating right and exercise regime.

Lately,  I haven't been doing anything to help me lose these last 20-30 pounds except maybe hit the gym once or twice a week. That's not helping me get to my goal one bit. I have to kick my own ass into gear cause nobody helped me lose 55 lbs, and no one sure as hell will try to stop me from gaining them back. I know that for the past month or so I have been doing a lot of talking about getting back into it. I'm not gonna lie... it's been hard. This is what I was afraid of. Once you take a short break, it's twice as hard to get back into it. Today though, I'm working on making it my routine again. Here's some of the stuff I want to commit myself to:

• Start counting calories again. (I use MyFitnessPal app for that)
• Work out at least 3 times a week. (I was working out 4 to 6 times a week when I was taking it seeiously)
• Eat healthier foods.
• Track my progress.

It's not to say that I won't have a slice of pizza or some Margaritas here and there. It has never been about being perfect and not messing up because I am only human and I accept the fact that I will fail. Sometimes willingly.  It's about hustling. Sucess and failure.  And failing cause I succeeded. But I will say that I will give it my all. Sure, I'll let Fat Claudia visit every now and then. That's why it's worked so far for me. Because I don't deprive myself fron what I want. If a burger and fries makes me happy at the time, you're damn straight I'm gonna get me a burger and fries. Even if it means calling some of my body parts "Tina the Talking Tummy" or "Backfat Betty" for the next few hours.

For now though, I'm very ready to get back to working out and making better food choices for myself. And between my readers and I, I miss posting pics at the gym and tagging with ridiculous hashtags (#gymflow, #gettingmysexyback). That being said, if you don't already follow my Instagram, the username is @sweatpants2skinnyjeans. Follow that shit.

Favorite Vacation Link Up

<a href="http://www.thestanfieldclan.com/"><img src="http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd296/AmyRS81/VacationsDreamingLink-UpButton_zps86f0644e.jpg" alt="button" width="250" height="250" /></a>

Today's link up  with Holly couldn't have come at a better time! I just got back from the best vacation I have ever experienced.

Cancun, Mx.

Think white sandy beaches, beautiful blue waters, all inclusive resort, perfect tans, room service, fun activities and anything you can think of that makes an awesome vacation....that was pretty much my perfect getaway. My brother's wedding at the resort was definitely a  plus. It was a gorgeous ceremony and the views were absolutely breathtaking. Though I cant comment too much on the reception because by eight, I had to be rolled away in a wheelchair because of my lack of judgement on alcoholic consumption.

We stayed at the Gran Caribe Real resort.
The remainder of the days there were filled with  relaxation, excavations, parasailing, fine dining, drinking and dancing. The entire staff at the resort was very nice and helpful.

I'll let the pictures do the talking, though some don't do the scenery justice.

Wedding Details Link Up

<a href="http://thestanfieldclan.com/"><img src=" http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z468/suit1/new%201/weddinglink_zps6d0abc4e.jpg" alt="button" width="300" height="225" /></a>

Linking up with Melanie & Holly today to go over my Wedding Day deets.

Let me set the stage. I was 17 and stupid. Do I regret it? No because we are still together and very much in love after almost 6 years. Do I think we could have waited. Sure. At that moment though, waiting another minute to get married was absolutely unnecessary. We knew exactly what we wanted, dammit! 

Hispanic culture (or at least my family) sees getting married at a young age as normal behavior. It's typical to be invited to a relative's wedding just months after her quinceañera. Keep in mind most of the decisions for decor, food, etc., were made by little old 17 year old,  naive me. Looking back if I could describe my wedding day in one phrase: Ghetto Fabulous

Theme color:
Nothing shouts "Mexican Fiesta" than a loud color scheme. Turquoise and white.

Bouquet toss: As if we weren't already encouraging marriage before puberty, lets get the kids involved in the bouquet toss. And lets not forget the altercation between two married women as to who touched the bouquet first.

Alcohol: What could be more classy than underage drinking and wedding theme colored Boone's Farm all captured in the same picture?

The kiss: the most awkward wedding kiss

in the history of ever. He wanted tounge, I wanted a peck. Lack of planning and practice.

Nonetheless, almost 6 years strong. However, David Tutera, if you are reading this, I would like a wedding do over.