I’ve been avoiding writing this post because it makes me want to hyperventilate. Not for any logical reason, it’s just how I feel. Back in August my husband and I made a decision to get healthy. We both had been ignoring our weight and it had snuck up on us. It felt like suddenly one-day parts that shouldn’t be touching were touching and clothes weren’t fitting anymore. It’s easy for weight to sneak up on you. Especially when you are a food blogger that’s in denial, avoids mirrors, and cameras as much as possible. It’s kind of like I knew there was a problem but, I just couldn’t deal with it, or didn’t want to deal.
Finally, back in August, we made the decision that it was time for things to change. I even made a video about our plan. I made the video below figuring if I put my plan out there into the world I would be required to stick with it. I had planned on doing consistent updates about my progress but, I got in my head that there was no real visible difference. It’s crazy how your mind messes with you! I knew I was losing weight and my clothes were getting bigger but I’d convinced myself that there wasn’t really a visibly noticeable difference. These are the mind games we play with ourselves. I think in my case it’s to protect myself from disappointment.
Well, it’s been nine months of consistent hard work and, yes I am still doing CrossFit and love it! I have lost a total of 35 lbs, lost fat and gained muscle. Not to mention my wedding dress is now too big and I’m comfortably in a size 8 pair of jeans. ( I was a tight size 12) But, even with the scale ticking down and clothes fitting better I was having a hard time accepting that I had made much of a change. What finally convinced me? I took pictures. You have to understand that I have been avoiding the camera forever. Even when I took a before picture back in August I never looked at the pictures. They stayed on my memory card for months. Finally, this past month I decided to bite the bullet and take pictures. Want to see? EEEEK! Please look past whatever it is that I am doing with my face and the fact that I don’t seem to own a brush.
Well, that was nerve-wracking and embarrassing. But, I did it! And I am still doing it. How did I do it? The old fashion way. Working out regularly and making good choices with what I eat. There were no tricks or gimmicks. No fad diet or hours on the treadmill. Just a lot of sweat, hard work, and quality food. For a long time, I would only focus on my calorie count and not take into account on the quality of the calories I was eating.
The things that have been most important for me have been working out consistently, drinking water, getting rest, and breakfast. They say that what you eat is 85% of weight loss and to be successful at eating right you have to start your day with a solid breakfast. I start every morning with two eggs, two strips of uncured bacon and one of these protein pancakes. I make a double batch of the pancakes every Sunday morning and freeze them so I have pancakes for the whole week.
I have made a lot of progress but I’m not done yet. Stay tuned, I will go more in-depth what has worked for me. This will include what I eat, how I prep meals, recipes, how I keep from getting bored with food, what I am using for tracking, and even a little math lesson to figure out something called macros. Anyway, make sure you subscribe for email updates so you don’t miss out on upcoming posts.
You look beautiful, Meseidy. Keep up the good work. You’re an inspiration.
Which application are you using to track the macros and calories?
it would be interesting to see what is your husband or yours daily menu 🙂
I actually just wrote an entire post about that! http://thenoshery.com/counting-macros/
Congratulations! Alexis has lost about 25lbs so far so I know how much better you feel! It’s not easy so I’m proud of how hard she has worked at it and I’m having to change my diet some to be more supportive of her.
You look great! Good job on the hard work… it is VERY noticeable in the pictures – you should feel so proud of yourself!!! I love your site… the recipes look amazing but I’m really interested in your camper living. Are you planning any changes or upgrades in the near future??? Thanks for all you do!!!
so happy for you! thanks for sharing your accomplishment with all of us.
I am familiar with you from your guest posts on PW. Recently been looking for new (to me) food blogs to love. I applaud you for posting your before and after pics! This resonates with most of us. I’ve always wondered how food bloggers stay so slim, but have to realize that usually only the best of photos are posted for everyone to see. I love it that you are being real, and sharing, so that you can inspire others.
Nice work!! Taking pictures is so convincing. 🙂 My husband’s lost 45 lbs (over the course of 4 years—he’s not into hardcore fitness and never will be, but he walks and lifts regularly now and we eat 75% vegetarian). I need to dig up the photos I took of him at his biggest to show him he’s made progress (he doesn’t see it since it’s happened over such a long time).
Anyhow, keep it up! It feels good to get into a groove with the fitness and healthy eating stuff. 🙂
As someone who has done the roller coaster of weight management I applaud you! Good job! And may I say, you are so brave! Putting it out there to friends & loved ones. Wow! Seriously brave! Good work & keep it up.
Awesome job !!! You look great
I have been making your recipes and reading you blogs for a while now.
And you’re right not only did you exercise you made smart food choices that decision will always be the ingredient for weight loss. I myself have lost 70 pounds the same way
This is fantastic! I’m not a regular on your blog, but I do pop on every now and then for your delicious Puerto Rican dishes, since my hubs is from PR and I try to be a good “latina by marriage” wife! Good for you! This is so hard! No matter anyone’s size or shape it is so hard to post pictures of yourself for the world to see. (and scrutinize and criticize and blah blah blah) Especially us women! We are so mean to ourselves and each other. I don’t know you, but I’m so proud of you! Thanks for sharing! (ps- I guess I should suck it up and try crossfit!)
You look awesome, great job
OMG!!! Good for you!
I watched that video last summer and thought to myself that I should join you. I didn’t but that doesn’t mean I am not happy for you!!!!
Congratulations. Be proud of yourself
OMG! That’s fantastic!!!! Congratulations. (And all while eating yummy food. 🙂 )