Body Post Update!

Remember this post?

I've debated over and over about posting this series. I still feel as if I have a lot of work to go, and I am self conscious to the point where looking at photos of myself 5 months ago make me cringe and think, "I can't believe I let myself look like that!" So if anything, I'm posting this for more motivation.

Lately, I've been at a standstill between 103 and 106 lbs. Previously in April/May, I had gotten up to 120lbs!

My exercise intake has somewhat decreased since the summer, but I'm still walking whenever I can, doing some yoga here and there and just being outdoors.

Eating wise, I've been out of control! Recently, I've still been making sure my calorie intake isn't over what it should, but trying to cut back on sugars. This past week has been hell for me. All I have been craving is soda, chocolate, candy, fatty foods! I know if I start to deprive myself of it then the cravings will go away. But I can't help it. Damn you, work, for always keeping a full candy dish. It doesn't help that my face has been breaking out so bad because of all the junk.

Anyway, here's the update. Since May, I've been able to maintain a 15-17lb weight loss. I'm hoping to lose 10 more. Just 10 more and I'll be completely satisfied. I'm also only 5'l" tall. What seems like a lot of weight loss really isn't that much for my height.

May 2011:








October 10, 2011:







My problem areas are clearly my arms, legs and hips! Nomatter what I do, I feel like I'll never get to where I want to be with those areas. 10 more pounds gone by the end of November? Attainable goal, I think!

*Accepting guest posts! I would love to see/share more weight loss inspiration. Contact me through email- Sparkleee@msn.com

Day 3! and MyPlate, a Wonderful Health and Weight Loss Tool

In terms of working out and eating better, I'm pretty proud of myself!

Yesterday, I drank 4 8oz cups of water. That's a pretty big thing for me! I watched what I ate and stayed within my calorie intake guidelines.

For exercise, I was pretty motivated :) I did P90x yoga for 45 minutes, and then decided to get in some cardio. Wouldn't you know it, I went for a run. I ran to the park, and I ran around the baseball field 3 and a half times, walked 2 and a half times. Then I ran home. I pretty much felt like I was about die, but I feel good right now. Tired, but accomplished. When I was running, I just kept pushing myself- it was SO hard but an excellent challenge. Having asthma, it's pretty difficult for me to breathe when I'm doing something like running. Even though I felt like I was on fire (lol), and after I threw up (shouldn't have drank mucho agua before going), I guess I just have to get into a solid routine again. It is what it is, I really don't want to do it today. My legs still feel so dead! But I'm gonna make myself, and get a good pace going this time. I hear there's a certain rhythm to running- hopefully I find it soon. Today I plan to run one more lap than I did yesterday. Gotta build stamina!

On sunday though, a friend of mine introduced me to this AMAZING program. On Livestrong.com, you must check out MyPlate. I am seriously addicted! You can set calorie goals for yourself, and whatever you eat or drink you enter into your food log- which amazingly, all you have to do is enter in whatever you had, and it automatically counts the calories for you! There is also a fitness and equipment log, it's pretty much the same as the food log. You write in what you did/used, and it calculates how many calories you have burned (you won't believe the things they count- taking out the trash, playing with the kids, etc!)

Not only does it track pretty much everything, there are also great articles, advice, recipes, and a section called dares, where you can take on challenges. Pretty cool :) I'm looking for a few to do. That right there is another motivator!

You can also enter in your weight daily, but a tip I have to keep reminding myself: You'll lose inches before you lose pounds, and muscle weighs more than fat. I'm trying not to be so obsessive over the scale, and I'm somewhat succeeding.

I know I'm going to reach my goal much easier when I see my downfalls and my food logs.

This website is seriously keeping me in check, and I'm super thankful to know about it! If you're looking to be healthy but need to be kept in line, you have to try MyPlate. It's free with wonderful features, but you can also upgrade if you'd like.

Are you on a weight loss journey? Have any tips? Just remember- Don't give up! You can meet your goal!

The Body Post.

So here it is, my body post. It has taken me quite a while to work up the nerve to post a full body picture, but I will. I am SO self-conscious, but I figure if this doesn't give me motivation, then what will? I'm setting a goal that by the 4th of July I will be where I want to be.



I'm currently weighing in at 114 pounds. This month last year when I lived in Florida, I was 103. I gained 11 pounds when I moved back to RI!

What the F.

So here are my target areas:
Tone and tighten tummy (hip bones please come back!)
Lose inches from hips
Tone legs a bit more
Work on upper arms
+ hopefully lose some boobage.


I mean I'm not completely horrid. But I do have a LOT of work to make myself happy.
But I'm determined. I've cut out my junk food and am noticing that my stomach is getting used to it. (I ate a piece of pizza friday and potatoes yesterday and it didn't digest, so you know how that goes). Wierd.

My exercise routine is going to continue:
Yoga - the whole week (amazing de-stresser)
Cardio - walking/ running every day (every other day is okay too)
Random exercises to throw in there

By July 4th I'll look like Malia Jones or something, haha. Just kidding, but I feel good about doing this and I can't wait to chart my progress along the way.


My goal is not exactly long term, and if it takes me longer, that's ok. I chose the date because it's my favorite holiday, and you can't look good in shorts if your ass is sagging down, right?

I'm being harsh, but I think that's necessary to succeed in a diet/ workout regimen.

If anyone else out there is getting in shape for summer and feeling unenthusiastic:
YOU CAN DO IT! It's work, but if you want it enough you can totally do it. I could definitely use some tips, so send em my way!

Here's to this journey and succeeding! Xo

The Food Challenge

So in a post yesterday, I touched on my eating habits and how that was changing. Yes, as of today I am officially on a diet, not juuust to lose weight, but a diet of the mind - to change my relationship with food.

My relationship with food and my eating habits aren't all that great. Sure, I make nutritious dinners for my family, especially little A. But I truly need to push myself to be healthy, no joke. I like fruits and vegetables, but the truth is, I am addicted to sugar.

There. I said it. Completely. In. Love. With. SUGAR. Twizzlers, Arizona teas, sour gummy worms, Skittles, everything chocolate... I consume(d) on a daily basis. BAD.

Not anymore. I want to be healthy. My goal is not to get thin, it's to be satisfied with how/ what I'm eating, and not letting food control me anymore.

Why do humans *Americans especially* place food on such a pedestal?! Mcdonald's here, BK there, Super size or triple size it! Food is there to keep our bodies going, not for us to obsess over.

I'm cutting out red meats, empty sugars, dairy *but not completely, I love cheese*, and whatever else I find to just not be up to my standards. 3-4 vegetarian meals a week.

And I just need to make more of a schedule for yoga. I love it, but I need motivation to make it past the second week of doing it pretty much every day.

I'm sure that blogging will help me stay more on track, since it's not just me I have disappointed if I fail. By the same token, I'm wierd about my weight so I'm learning to shift my focus from dropping pounds to getting healthy, which is SO hard..

But I know I'll be happier with myself once I just change the way I think about food.


So here's to new, healthy beginnings- and a lot more food posts! :)