Hello December! Day 355 journey to becoming FIT!

Its late and I should be sleeping but heres a quick update. Yesterday was a great day because I finally jumped. I tried doing box jumps a couple of months ago and couldn't do it. Every time I went to jump, I stopped myself.

Even at home that same day I couldn't jump to my second stair. Yesterday something clicked and I told myself, listen you can do this, you will do this, your not going to fall and I did it. That moment right there confirmed to me that I CAN, DO ANYTHING I put my mind too. It reminded me when I change the way I think about things, I am capable of anything; I just have to stop limiting myself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziOOM5mOqm0&list=UUI1Xa8LosIJplOcTLCPRtJQ

December is my month :), I graduate with my MBA on the 17th and I hit my year mark on my journey.  A year ago I made one of the best decisions of my life; I stop making excuses and made this lifestyle change my priority. I still have a long way to go but I am proud of how far I've come. I proved that you don't have to be extreme to lose the weight, if your consistent and determined you can reach your goals. 80/20 rule!

Goals this month:

#gallonENDsatisfied challenge (drink a gallon of water a day Dec 1st-31st)
#upgettingmylife challenge (AM Workouts at least 4x's a week)
Santa Toy Trot 5k
NYE 5k
Graduate!!!!!! #MBA #BUSINESSCHOOL

Stress will not be my excuse! No emotional eating!!! 13 pounds till 100 pound lost :)

This journey is more mental then anything else; at times I have to talk to myself to stay on track. If your like me and have been overweight most of your life, not working out and eating unhealthy foods on the regular, making a lifestyle change can feel like one of the hardest things you've ever done. 

I basically had to change everything in my life because I never really drank water or ate vegetables or fruits. The thought of healthy foods just didn't interest me, I would say I didn't like certain things but never even tried them. I've joined a couple of gyms and purchased workout stuff throughout the years but never went consistenly. Eventually I thought losing weight was an impossible task and I was meant to be overweight. 

I've always loved myself, had great friends and family and been pretty confident but I still wasn't 100% happy with my body. I always wanted to be smaller but it was just to hard for me. I see now that I just was ready mentally. I never actually committed to a lifestyle change, I would just "diet". There were times I would lose weight but then quit and gain it back eventually. This time I committed to a lifestyle change, made small changes and was excited to document my journey on Instagram. 

October 25th 2014,  my Father's kidneys failed and he was diagnose with lung & liver cancer and that brought on a lot of stress cravings. Late night Checkers, pizza or Popeyes; I 'm on a lifestyle change not a diet, so yes its okay for me to eat those things, time to time but when you eat something when you know your not even that hungry that's just binge eating. 

I continued to workout but eating wise and drinking wise I wasn't doing what I needed to do. If this was the past I would have quit my "DIET" but this time around, it wasn't a diet it was my new lifestyle. I told myself only you have the power to control how your story goes. You can either let this break you or motivate you to work even harder. 

My Father loves me, I am is little girl but he's been talking about my weight since I was a kid. I've heard for years how I need to lose some weight. So instead of using food as a comfort tool, instead of using his sickness as an excuse not to workout or eat whatever I wanted, I told myself you fight to reach your goal. You make sure you lose that 100 pounds for him to see!!!! I was over there the other day and he kept calling me skinny lol, I'm far from skinny but so happy thats what he sees now.

I said before my one regret was that I took so long to start my journey, now I'm just happy that I did decide to start my journey last year. My dad is home now (kidneys working again :) no one knows what the future will bring. You just have to cherish the time we all have together and stay positive. 

Working out and reaching my goal will be my stress reliever! Food does not control me, this is my new lifestyle not a diet and I'm NEVER going back. I will lose 100 pounds by December 11 2014!
I will have thanksgiving dinner with my Dad :), I will spend Christmas with my Dad! I will live the life I have imagined. #SPEAKITTOEXISTENCE 

Before and Now Picture 84 Pounds Lost (Link to my IG)

This year I did the one thing I spent my whole life thinking was IMPOSSIBLE and that makes me feel I can DO ANYTHING I PUT MY MIND TO! I don't know what the future will bring but I really do believe good things will come :) 

Not where I want to be but I will get there! BEFORE & NOW PICS!!!

Day 280! My Story, how I lost 74 pounds in 9 months!!! #sheenafitzai

Sitting on a bus in Cancun on my way to the Xplor excursion.  It's an hour long trip and I don't want to kill my phone battery listening to music so I figured it would be a great time to blog my story. I feel as if I've been on this journey forever but truthfully it only been 280 days.

It's crazy how much can change in such a short period of time.  One decision to lose weight has the power to change your entire life. People ask me how I started and how did I lose the weight?

My story sounds like so many others, I've been over weight my who life. I don't really remember a time which I wasn't the chubby/big/fat whatever you want to label it girl.

As a child I got made fun of a little but not really to my face. It was more of me feeling others got chosen over me because of my weight. I've always had a lot of friends and even though I would have preferred to be smaller I still loved myself. My weight issues probably bothered me more inside then I let it show to the world. 

I tried so many DIETS and QUIT that eventually I embraced the cute big girl look. I went to college,  worked, partied and traveled I usually didn't let my weight stop me.  I tried some more DIETS during and after college but quit those too. I had my son in 2011 and I believe I was back to weighing the same 225 soon after so I can't use the gained weight after baby excuse lol.

When 2013 came around I weighed in at 248 pounds and I knew if I didn't do something soon I might hit 300 pounds. I followed an account on Instagram for months with such inspirational post. I found a whole world of people on Instagram documenting their weight loss journeys.  I watched real people, shrink in a matter of months. I watched them post recipes, workouts, tips and motivational quotes. 

It was December 2013 and my Fall semester of Graduate school was coming to an end. I remember how much trouble I was having earlier that semester and thinking wow you really turned it around at the end.

Then I asked myself why is it that no matter how hard school gets, I complete it . I might cry, be mad or whatever but the work gets done now matter how crazy work or life gets. I told myself that I needed to look at going to the gym as school and eating right as my homework.  If all those regular girls on Instagram can do it then why couldn't I?

Finally after almost a year of watching other people transform their bodies I opened up my own Instagram journey account @sheenafitzai. On December 11th 2013 I weighed in at 255.6 pounds.

When I first started I made small changes. A normal day drinking wise for me before my journey started would be maybe some OJ in the morning, a bottle of grape soda for lunch and maybe some coffee with lots of sugar and milk.

I didn't really drink a lot during the day but whatever I did drink something it wasn't water. So when I started my journey I decided to drink WATER only. I stopped eating out as much and changed what I ordered when I did eat out.  I started to workout but focused more on just being consistent. 

I worked out at home and used guest passes at different gyms before I actually joined Synergy. I would go to the gym walk a mile and go home. Doesn't sound like much now but it was a lot for me at the time. So many times in the past I joined a gym or workout program then never went back. I wanted to commit to working out before joining anything this time.

The more I went, the harder I pushed myself.  I tried different classes and completed different challenges I found on online and on Instagram. I posted pictures and documented my journey on IG for motivation and support. 

My advice: This journey is 100% mental; you should embrace the journey.  Commit to a Lifestyle Change not a DIET. Take it slow and do your research. Just because someone does it one way doesn't mean that's how you have to. Take the things you see and make them work for you. Meal prep things that work for you; meals you will eat. Keep an open mind and try new things. Start cooking your own meals and find ways to make the unhealthy meals healthier.

Be reasonable when setting goals. Don't compare your day 1 with someones day 300.  You are amazing & if you put your mind to it you can do it :). I used to make a lot of excuses, I used to say the one thing I couldn't do was lose weight . Now I'm proving myself wrong. If I can do this, I'm telling you so can you. Make this Lifestyle change a priority and the results will come .

RECAP :)

Embrace the journey #thinkpositive

Try to change the way you think!!

Do your own research!!

Find out what works for you!!!

Use all your resources (IG, YouTube, Pinterest, MyFitnessPal, countless apps)

Change things slowly!

Don't be too hard on yourself!! 

Take lots of pictures/videos

Make goals other than pounds loss

Believe you can do this!!

When in doubt, Drink more WATER!

Wake up with Determination & go to bed with SATISFACTION!

So did I make my Birthday weigh in goal?????

Its been a while since I last blogged but if you follow me on Instagram or watch my video on YouTube you probably already know the answer to that question. 

So my big goal was to hit 80 pounds lost by my 9 month journey mark/29th Birthday which was September 12th 2014.

I started at 255.6 in December so the goal was 175 pounds or lower. I weighed in at 181.4 pounds on September 12th 2014.

It would have been great to hit my goal but I'm still proud of all the hard work I've done. I think it's important to set goals but don't be too hard on yourself if you don't make it. Use it as motivation to work even harder.  Be proud of all the things you did do. It was HARD work losing 74 pounds and I'm proud of every pound I lost.

I refuse to let not hitting 80 pounds lost take away from the joy of losing 74 pounds. This journey has no end date, I started because I wanted to lose weight but I have gained so much more; pushing myself to do things I always said I couldn't.

I'm proud of myself for changing the way I think, for trying new things, for saying NO when I wanted to say YES, for saying YES when I wanted to say NO, for taking the first step and for believing in myself & my future.

I will reach 100 pounds lost and will enjoy the journey getting there. I'm committed to living a healthy lifestyle and I will not go back.

80/20 clean eating, working out, drinking lots of water, no magic pill, shakes, wraps just natural weight loss.  I found what works for me and I will keep pushing NO matter what!!!!

Me & my friend on vacation working out 9/14/2014

Pushing myself to meet my Birthday Goal!! I will lose 15-20 pounds in the next 30 days!!!!

I've been saying for awhile that I wanted to be 175 pounds by my Birthday. Well time to start pushing myself to make sure I reach my goal. I thought about doing a 30 day no cheat challenge but since this is a lifestyle change and not a diet I decided it wasn't the best thing for me. In the past when I restricted myself too extreme and eventually end up over eating.

Instead I'm just challenging myself to be the best ME I can be for the next 30 days. I created another vision board (Pic on IG) where I included an area for STARS. I give myself a STAR for each goal I complete.

Today went okay I gave myself 7/15 STARS.

My goal is to wake up every day and say 3 positive affirmations out loud to myself. This journey is all mental; I will do anything possible to stay motivated. Even if some might think its obsessive, corny or crazy; I'm doing what works for me.

It's getting late so this is going to be a short post; for a video on how my day 1 went, head over to my YouTube channel.

STARS  

1 Finish a gallon of water

2 Eat clean

3 Morning Workout

4 At least 600 calorie burn

5 Log meal on MFP

6 Publish on blog

7 YouTube Video

8 Lunch Time Mile

9 Before bed Workout 100 cal

10 Weign-in

11-15  4 stars NO CHEAT EVERYTHING CLEAN

I will post a video weigh in on YouTube every Friday mooring until September 12th!!!!!!!!

How I lost 7.2 pounds last week! (Miles, Food and Weight-loss)

I was MIA last week on the blog, but the GOOD news is I still got my miles in!

Monday went okay I went to the Freeport HS and completed my 3.1 miles a little over 41 minutes. I was so tired before and I really didn't feel like doing it but I told myself “look just go and get it over with”. I told myself “even if you walk just complete your miles MWF no excuses!” (LOL YES I talk to myself #thestruggleisreal)

I started out walking but after 2 minutes I got some energy and started going faster, the idea of beating my last 5k, motivated me to push harder. After my run I went home and complete Week 2 Day 1 of T25. Which turned out to be my last day of T25; it’s not that T25 is too hard to complete but I’m not consistent with making it my double workout.  I told myself the days I don’t wake up early enough to go to the gym I would do T25 before work and the days I do wake up and go to the gym I would do T25 after work but that didn’t last for long.

Monday was also DAY 1 NO CHEAT – Went great, I ate all my prepared meals and for dinner I made some baked fish and salad. I'm not really a salad person but for some reason I enjoyed my dinner. I think its because of the new dressing I found (Lite Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette).

Tuesday I did wake up before work and hit the gym, I got on the elliptical but just didn't have it in me. I got off after 5 minutes and did some reps on the back, abs,leg and arm machines. In between I did some jump ropes and some exercises I found on YouTube with the TRX suspensions.

Wednesday was a GREAT run; I completed my 3.1 miles under 41 minutes J my fastest 5k to date. It’s crazy because I recorded myself January 2014 after my first 5k (dedicated to my sister J she was away traveling so I ran 3.1 miles for her birthday) it’s a short video but I’m out of breath and talking about how I wanted to give up and didn't and how I was pushing for under 45 minutes but finished a little under 51. Now 7 months later I can complete it under 41 minutes and feel so much better than before. 

Thursday was a little ruff on me and end up becoming my rest day. I found myself getting bored with the food I was eating and wanting to eat something for the sake of eating. During lunch I decided to add some laughing cow cheese to my spinach and mix it with some of my guacamole. Turned my veggies for lunch into a little healthy spinach dip that I ate with cucumbers. That made me happy because it didn't feel like I was eating the same exact thing again.That evening I wanted some type of snack, takeout or ice cream I don't even know why. I settled for some Fruit Loops with some fat free milk so not terrible but I still know I could have made a better decision. I probably should have just went to sleep, I think I was more bored than hungry.

Friday was a lazy night for me I didn't wake up or go to the track after work but I did walk 3.1 miles around my neighborhood with my boyfriend before going to bed.

Today I’m happy to say that I ate my meal prep for Breakfast/lunch/snack EVERY DAY last week. My department order Wendy’s Friday and I still said NO thank you and ate the food I brought. 

It isn't easy saying no but I felt so much better than if I would have ate it. Once I saw the Wendy’s arrive, I went straight to the kitchen and warmed up my meal. I’m trying to change the way I think about food. I hope one day a healthy meal will be as appealing to me as the smell of that Wendy’s, shoot I would be lying if I said I wasn't tempted. 

List of what I meal prepared: (Videos can be found on my YouTube Channel Sheenafit Zai)

Breakfast:

Egg casserole: eggs, liquid egg whites, spinach, peppers & onions

Turkey Bacon cook in oven

Lunch:

Turkey Muffins: Ground turkey, carrots, celery, peppers, onions, (2) eggs, bread crumbs

Sweet potato baked chips

Frozen spinach sauteed with a can a mixed Veggies

Snack:

35 calorie Rice cake, peanut butter and half a banana on top

Fresh Cut up pineapple pieces

Fresh cut mango pieces

On Saturday I picked up a shift at IHOP so the temptation was high but I stuck to my NO CHEAT (well I did have a bit of a chicken finger LOL but just a bite) I brought a mango, almonds and rice cake with me so I ate my snacks throughout the day. For breakfast I had the cooks make me Whole Wheat French Toast using egg whites only topped bananas and two pieces of turkey bacon. Then for lunch I order a Bacon Cheese Burger (NO BREAD), onions, spinach and an egg on top (plus 3 fries).

I'm happy with the decisions I made at IHOP, I knew Sunday was weigh in day and didn't give in to all the temptation. Yes a Cheese Burger wasn't the healthiest choice but I made it healthier by eliminating the bread for spinach and asking for only 3 fries instead of the handful that usual comes with it. I didn't need to eat a whole order just a taste satisfied my craving.

 

I’m happy to say that all my hard work and dedication did pay off this week. I got on the scale on Sunday and weighed in at 186.4 which is 7.2 pounds less than last Sunday.

No cheat week was a success. It feels good to know that if I put 100% into it I will see results; the harder I work and the more disciplined I am, the better the results. I know this week won’t be as much of a loss since I don’t plan on being as strict but seeing those results will make me think twice before I eat something unhealthy.

My goal this week lose 3.4 pounds!!!!