hey guys!

this has been a long and stressful week for me but it has now turned around, and the new week shall be a good one.  Ive been stressed with the absence of my husband who is away for military training for his deployment and its been rough.  im still proud of myself for continuing my diet but also still juggling everyday life. i had a few days where i just wanted to not care anymore but i just reminded myself of my goals and purpose, and kept trucking. so this week im gonna work a lil extra hard at working at my goals.  im also going to try go walking in the evenings to wrap up the day to get ready for the next day, and maybe release any stress or tension i had for that day. this one will be tricky since where i am by the evening time it is still like 90 but that is a new goal im trying to add. :-)

WW

So I used to attend Weight Watcher meetings but do not anymore, due to lack of money. I still do some of the things I was taught from WW meetings. One thing I still keep track of sometimes is points and calorie intake. Points is actually very easy once you get the hang of it and continue to eat the same things over and over again. There is a nice site you can go to that isnt WW related but it still tallies up the points for you which is nice.  WW isn't for everyone but it does teach you some good tips and advise.  I also liked the meetings and the support a lot.

Weight Watchers Points Calculator!

My Diet- Catered to Me

Everybody is different when it comes to dieting but this is what works for me. People have been asking me what I've been doing so here it is. Much of it is common sense, some of it is preference. I've combined a few things that i have learned from some other diets and sticked to what i was able to do with out changing my diet to the extreme, some dieters biggest mistake.  I do not deprive myself, some what i like i just modify it and/or cut my portions.

Key things in my diet:
High Protein
High Fiber
Low/No Fat
Low Sugar
Low Sodium
Water/ Clear Beverages
Lots of Fresh Veggies and Fruits
No red meats
Decaf Tea
Low-Fat Dairy
Low Carb

Calorie Intake: 1900

ZUMBA

Zumba is a dance fitness program created by dancer and choreographer Alberto "Beto" Perez in Colombia during the 1990s. The program combines Latin and international music with dance in an effort to make exercise fun. Music is the key ingredient to Zumba classes. The score, created with specific beats and tempo changes, transitions the workout from one toning, strengthening or cardio move to another, and targets every major muscle group in the body. The Zumba program borrows Latin flavor from the following dance styles: Cumbia, Salsa, Merengue, Mambo, Flamenco,Chachacha, Reggaeton, Samba, Belly dancing, Bhangra, Hip Hop, and Tango. (excerpt from Wikipedia).

:Learn more about Zumba (<- brings you to the actual website)


What Zumba has done for me: 
I first heard about Zumba three years ago in college, but no where near me offered classes. It wasn't until recently that I joined a class offered near our house.  After one class, although I was winded, I was hooked. This was the type of workout I was looking for and needed, something that made me feel alive and reconnect with my passion of dancing again. I work out every inch of my body and its fun!  Zumba may not be for everyone, but it is definitely working for me.  So far I've been doing Zumba for 6 weeks 3-4 times a week for an hour, I have also been dieting for the past 4 weeks along with the exercise combined. Zumba changed my life!


this is an example of Zumba in a gym:


This is an actual video from the basic learning video from Zumba:

Intro: a lil bit more about ME

So like most people, ive been struggling with weight since forever. i tried all types of diets too, some worked some failed.  i was never and will never be model skinny. ive excepted that.  Though i was once healthier and slimmer then what i am now.  It all went down hill after high school when i went to college. The sad part is that when i was in High School and i did dancing and theatre....i thought i was fat. i was bulimic and no one knew. I look at my pictures now and think how could i think i was fat? i looked awesome! i was a hott lil mama. Though now here i am eight years later and i'm still not happy.  I had unrealistic goals and made a lot of excuses for myself.  I'm now done with it all because after having my first born 8 months ago, i realized how happy and fulfilling it is to be a mom, but its hard! Though i know a lot of it is how tired and weak i feel with all this weight on me.  My husband and i talked about having more children but before i can do that i need to be healthy enough to raise my kids.  Me personally i just am exhausted with my son and my body is so achy from all this weight that i put on and i need to be more healthier and alert.  I don't want to have more kids and keep putting on more and more weight each time. So here's to the beginning of being healthier again, for my family but most of all this is for ME <3