This isn’t going to be like my regular posts. It’s going to get a little honest here and possibly long-winded. I am hoping you read on but if you are here just for the recipes, no problem. I will always share recipes with you. It’s kinda what I love to do.
I have always been a confident person. Actually, I’m not sure it was confidence or the fact that I don’t put too much weight on what others think, but no matter. I felt pretty good when I looked in the mirror but, if I looked at myself in a picture, I pretty much wanted to hide under a rock. As long as I can remember, the moment I saw a camera, I would immediately look for a way to make myself scarce. And, that is a serious challenge this day in age.
How My Weightloss Journey Started
I had a long history of starting a workout routine or a diet just to have it fall apart. Be it because I would get bored or busy, I just couldn’t stick with it. Then 3 years ago, give or take a few months, I got on a scale (which I rarely did) and the scale was kind enough to inform me that I was 210 lbs. To say I was shocked and disappointed was an understatement. It was the heaviest I had ever been. And, as I thought about it more not only had I been avoiding the camera lately but I hadn’t really been looking in the mirror either. I knew it was time to do something, anything.
A few days later I joined a boxing gym and I managed to convince my husband to join with me. Over the next 3 months or so, I managed to shed 10 lbs. I stayed pretty consistent with the boxing gym and I was making better choices with food but, I could feel myself starting to get bored. I was dreading going to the gym. I felt it happening again. If I didn’t do something soon, I was going to end up back where I started.
And Then I Joined a Crossfit Gym
About this time, my husband tells me he is planning a backpacking trip with some friends and he really wants to do some strength training, but he’s not sure where to start. I had been toying with the idea of possibly trying out a Crossfit gym close to our house. And, with a little convincing, OB and I joined Crossfit Mansfield and registered for our first elements class in August 2016.
Crossfit Mansfield offers a boot camp program for people to ease into Crossfit if they choose, but OB and I decided to bypass the bootcamp and dive head first into Crossfit. It was hard at first. We modified and scaled everything. We started going consistently 3 times a week. I couldn’t do a decent push-up (still kinda can’t). Doing a push press with just the bar was a struggle. And, at one point, I had to nurse a knee injury (not Crossfit related). It’s now been 2 years and 5 months, I now go to the gym 5 to 6 times a week and I can confidently say I finally found my “thing”.
It was Time to Dial In My Nutrition
But here is the deal, you can’t out exercise a bad diet. Believe me, I tried for years. When I joined the gym, I was eating ok but I knew I could do better. However, I love all the foods! I knew I couldn’t do a diet that doesn’t allow certain foods or food categories. I did some nutrition coaching at my gym and that is when I first learned about counting macros. But as I got closer to my goal weight, I plateaued.
At this point, I had lost a total of just over 41 lbs. Which was awesome! But, over this time, my overall fat percentage stayed the same. And my goals were starting to change. I didn’t want to just lose weight. I wanted to perform better at the gym, get stronger. In May 2018, I decided to join Stronger U for more intensive 1-on-1 weekly nutrition coaching. Eventually, OB decided to join Stronger U too. This is when we started to see big changes. I did two 6-week cycles with Stronger U and I started to perform better at the gym, get stronger and I lost another 21 lbs plus 9.5 points in body fat percentage.
Here I am in all my glory the day before I started at Crossfit Mansfield (August 2016) and the day I finished my last cycle with Stronger U (October 2018).
I also learned a lot about eating right without depriving myself of foods I love. Like Chick-fil-a chicken biscuits. How? I meal prep and tracked my numbers. But if I am craving something, I make adjustments and I plan for it to make sure it fits my macros. Since late October, I have been on my own in regards to nutrition and guess what? I made it through the holidays and maintained my weight. And trust me, I enjoyed my Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Pictures Aren’t So Bad Anymore
This year OB and I went to the annual company Christmas party. And every year they have a photographer to take glamour shots of the guests. (Seriously, my facial features are basically airbrushed out in 2016. LOL) When we got the picture back and compared it to previous years, we were blown away at the difference. I also noticed it was time to get OB a new tie. We have both come a long way and I admit I am pretty proud of us.
I’m still not a fan of having my picture taken, but now it’s not because I don’t like how I look. It’s more because I don’t like the process of having my picture taken. I’m naturally awkward and never know what to do with my hands or how to stand. But at least I am more confident in how I look even if I don’t know what to do with myself.
This year, I turn 40 and I’m in the best shape I have ever been in. I plan to continue my journey not because I feel I have to, but because it truly brings me joy. This year my focus will not be the scale but the barbell and clock. This year I want to get stronger and faster.
If you have set some fitness and nutrition goals for yourself this year, stay tuned. Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing more details about Crossfit, nutrition, and tips on how I stay on track. And if you haven’t, it’s never too late to start. 😉
You look stunning! You go girl!
You look so changed! Way to go, girl! Congrats!
¡Se ven bellos! Congrats on sticking to the goals and for making health the impetus. Love your recipes and your energy. Have shared with my fellow Boricuas and non-Boricuas. Muchas bendiciones en tu camino.
Wonderful! Hard work pays off! You look amazing! I love your site! Would love updates on how living smaller is going or changing for you… Take care! -Jill 🙂
Wow…I actually have to leave a comment and say CONGRATULATIONS and keep the details coming including recipes and details like what you eat regularly everyday etc…Love it.. Buen trabajo.. J
You look fabulous! Don’t be scared to have your pic taken. Congrats on the journey you have taken.
Congratulations on such an accomplishment! Thank you for sharing such a personal story and best of wishes to both of you as you continue this new lifestyle!
I think that it’s great that you found your passion. I too struggle with weight and not liking pictures. I look forward to reading more. I also enjoy and have used your recipes. My husband is from Puerto Rico and I have been able to make some of his favorite things. Sincerely, and many blessings, Vi
Te ves fenomenal! Saludos desde Bélgica!
This is great! The past few years my weight has been gradually creeping up as I got busier – I ate whatever I wanted and convinced myself I didn’t have time to exercise or would only do it for a week before stopping. In August, a few friends and I decided we needed to make a change and started a weight loss competition with each other. Being a competitive person by nature (and not wanting to lose my money) it sparked a fire in me. I changed my eating and slowly incorporated more activity into my daily routine. I ended up winning but the best part is how much better I feel, and that I’m not in a healthy routine – and I’m not turning back. I also get bored easily when it comes to exercise so I decided I needed a new challenge and am now training for a half marathon this April. Not a runner, but I know I can do it, even if I don’t run the whole time, and it’s an amazing feeling when you get to experience just how strong you’ve become.