191.5!!!!

I have officially become a workaholic.  I am working a minimum of 64 hours a week.  Am I exhausted? Yep.  Am I still doing my 2 hour Muay Thai workout 3-4 times a week? YEP!! I gotta tell you though, I've never been this happy!! I'm down 48 pounds since December and feel FABULOUS!!

There's so much that I have to share from the last month but I'll just cover the main points.

I got another fill...so now I'm at 6.1cc's.  I am eating A LOT less!!!! It's only a bit challenging when I'm in a hurry and don't seem to have 30+ minutes to eat a regular meal.  I can see the differences though.  Although sometimes I feel hungrier than before, I have a bite and I'm full!!  We'll see how my next appt turns out.

On another note...I'm down to a size 12.  14's are doable (I'm still wearing some of my old jeans), but they're not form fitting.  I look at myself in the mirror and still find it hard to believe that I'm so much thinner.  People are definitely able to tell now and they make sure to point it out to me.  I still haven't told family that I got the band...most of my co-workers already know though.  It's just easier for them to know because they see me every day and know my tiny portions fill me. 

I am headed to Las Vegas this weekend.  I expect to drink a lot and eat very little.  I know, I know....it's NOT the right thing to do BUT it IS Vegas ;)

All in all....I'm LOOOOOVING the new me!! I'm so happy I decided to get the band and would gladly do it all over again if I had the choice.

I'll post Vegas pictures next month.  For now, here's a picture from two weeks ago at the Hello Kitty Dodger game against the New York Mets.

Adjusting, Exercising, Living.

It's been such an awesome month!! I'm still under 200...196 to be exact.  I am definitely enjoying the perks of being smaller.  I am working out an average of 8-10 hours a week while working 50-64 hours at the big J-O-B.  I couldn't be happier.  I am juggling everything very well and still find time for family, friends, and ME.  It's amazing how much a few pounds off does for the mind and soul.  I enjoy this life SO much more!!!

My favorite new part about the weight loss??  Wearing sky high heels!!! I always "hated on" those girls that wore the cute heels and pulled off great outfits.  It feels amazing to finally be able to do that.  I can shop anywhere now and actually find a size that fits.  I always loved fashion...I just couldn't be a part of it as freely.  So here I am...lighter, happier, and sexier ;)

This is my before and NOW picture.  I am about half way through my goal weight.  I don't think I can fully picture myself at 145 lbs yet...I'm loving 196 too much! LOL

December and May

My Thai boxing is still in play...I love it more and more each day.  After seeing these results, it's safe to say that I'm addicted.  I have much better conditioning now and it's only been seven weeks since I started.  I have most of the equipment (hand wraps, gloves, shin guards, mouth guard, and oil for bruises) already...I'm fully committed.  I want to make it more than just a workout- I want to make it a hobby.  I think this has also helped me feel more confident; physically and mentally.  And so, the journey continues and so does my passion for life. 

“I want to grow old without face lifts. I want to have the

courage to be loyal to the face I have made.”
― Marilyn Monroe

No mo' 200's!!!!!!!

Yes, I am officially out of the 200's!!! I don't know how long it's been since I last looked down and saw a ONE at the beginning of that cruel three digit number.  I got a fill last week.  I'm now at 5.6 cc's.  I think it's easier now that I'm almost at 6.  When I was at 3.6 cc's I felt VERY little restriction.  I ate too much and was still struggling with my addiction to food. 

I am still doing Muay Thai 2-4 times a week.  To say I love it is an understatement.  I have so much more to learn and to get better at, but I already feel a difference.  I can do my sit ups with much more ease...which means-- this belly is slowly disappearing!!

I am thrilled with this new lifestyle!! I almost want to yell it at the top of my lungs to the world and spread the joy that lives within.  I would gladly pay another $16,000 just to experience this freedom.  I have another 50+ pounds to go, but I have a feeling it's only going to get more fun from here on out. 

My trip to New York was a huge success.  I did almost everything on my to do list.  Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Diego Rivera exhibition, New Jersey (Carlo's Bakery), Brooklyn Bridge, Ground Zero, Fifth Avenue, Central Park, Madame Tussaud's, pizza, cheesecake, bagels, etc!!  Eating was a challenge.  I think I ate too much during those four days.  Luckily, I didn't gain a single pound.  (I actually lost 1 lb)...I have plans to go back next year.  I need to experience a Broadway show and the fabulous nightlife! ;)

So there you have it...I'm happy, healthy, progressing, and am having the time of my life in this new skin!  I'm excited to get to the finish line and see the complete transformation.  Here are a few pictures from New York...enjoy!

"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and

the thrill of creative effort."

-Franklin Roosevelt

Muay Thai- Thai Boxing

The last month has been pretty interesting.  I'm finally getting a day off (I've been working non-stop...7 days a week...since February 6th) and that makes me very happy :)

I recently started Muay Thai which is Thai boxing.  It's a COMPLETE workout.  I train for about 2 hours a night...4-5 nights a week.  It's an amazing workout and I'm learning about self defense.  I haven't lost much weight in the last month but I definitely see myself shrinking.  I want to focus on toning my body as each pound is shed. 

My next fill is in two weeks (when I come back from New York).  I hope they take me up to 6 cc's.  I want to see a bigger difference in the next few months.  People have already started noticing that I'm slimmer, but I have a LOOOONG way to go. 

I'll keep you all posted on my fill appointment.  Today's weigh-in: 203.7.  I'm less than 5 pounds away from a HUGE milestone.  I can't remember when I was last under 200.  To celebrate: a new tattoo!!! (details to come)

p.s. I got these awesome new heels!!! and I plan on breaking them in tomorrow night at Tyler Perry's "The Haves and the Have Nots" play!! (let's hope I don't stumble and fall lol)

Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.

-Benjamin Franklin

MIAMI Graduation, 3 pounds, and work!

TWENTY days.  That's how long it's taken me to get back on here and give a quick update.  However....

I'm officially a Masters graduate!!!

The trip was short and exhausting!!! After working 31 days straight, I took a red eye to Miami Thursday night and was non stop till I got back on Sunday.  I feel so fortunate for the experience and thrill of walking that stage.  I know my Daddy is shining down on me from heaven....happy for ALL that I've achieved in the last few months.

I feel so much slimmer now...and they say pictures speak volumes so here goes...Here are two SCARY before pictures.  I'm not proud of either one, but I am in awe of how far I've come in the last three months. 

It's a hard pill to swallow when you face pictures like this.  I can't say I didn't have fun but looking back, I just wonder how I could live in peace in that size.  Both of these were taken in the last 8 years.  It's safe to say that I've been a big girl for a pretty LONG time.  I'm slowly becoming the woman I've always dreamed of being and it feels pretty darn good!!! =)

I haven't lost a lot since I got my first fill.  I've lost three pounds since I last posted.  My eating choices haven't been the best but I do manage to have my 65 grams of protein a day and workout at least 4-5 times a week (when I don't do all 7 days).  I'm finally jogging but I might have to change my workout a bit in the next few weeks.  (I'm playing tennis tomorrow!! Always a fun workout). 

Work has been pretty insane but I don't let it wear me down completely.  I still manage to workout before or after my 8 or 12 hour shift. 

Here are a few recent pics from nights out ;)

So there you have it...I'm at 205 and very happy.  I am going to New York at the end of April and I plan on being under 200 by then.  Wish me luck!!!

"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments."

-Jim Rohn

Exhausted.

It's hard to believe that someone can physically reach complete exhaustion but I'm here to say that I'm borderline there.  I have worked 28 consecutive days (including a few 12 hour and back-to-back shifts).  I have 3 days to go before I have a few days off.  Did I mention I still workout almost every day and am now running over half a mile non-stop?  Yup, pretty ridiculous but very possible. 

I've lost a few more pounds.  I'm about 207 (when I weigh-in in the morning).  When I got my fill last week, I got 3.6cc.  I had 1cc in there from surgery.  The PA said I lost 5 lbs on 1cc in a month.  Not too bad considering it was only 1cc.

I'm off to Miami on Thursday night.  Graduation is Saturday and I'll be back on Sunday....QUICK trip =D

On a weight-loss note, I feel FABULOUS!!! My old clothes no longer fit.  I've bought quite a few outfits and they're all Medium and Large.  No mo' XL and XXL ;)

I'll post a few pictures next week.  I have a long, busy week ahead of me...and some lbs to lose =)

"Your schooling may be over, but remember that your education still continues."

WORK, WORKing out, and FIRST fill tomorrow!!

Sorry.  I know it's been 16 days since I last posted.  I have been working for 15 days straight and have been working out for 13 of those.  I think I mentioned it before but just in case....I really like to push my body beyond its limit.  I will probably work for the remainder of the month and some of March (without taking a day off).  Crazy right?  Yup.  That's me =)

I plan to continue working out as well.  I am doing two miles a day with a few hills and some neverending stairs (please see pictures below).  I've even started running a bit!!

I'm excited for my first fill tomorrow.  I was told I would be given 4cc's.  I'm so new to this that I don't really know how much it is but I know the total is 10, therefore, I am looking at a drastic change from here on out.  My scars are healing nicely.  They're still very visible and there is still some glue residue but I don't want to scrub just yet.  I am only massaging the area around the scars.  Fortunately, I don't feel pain anymore (only when I eat too fast and don't wait my five minutes between bites). 

I am now at 210.  That's a whole 29 pounds from when I first weighed myself at the orientation class in December.  I'm sure after I get my first fill, I will start seeing a quicker weight loss.  To be honest, I don't want to lose weight too fast.  I want to tone as I drop the weight.  I'm scared at the thought of having too much excess skin and needing surgery later. 

I'm really focused right now though and plan to continue this journey with dedication.  My life has changed in so many ways. I'm grateful for each pound lost and every new feeling gained. 

March will be a very memorable month for me.  I am flying out to Miami to walk the stage and receive my MBA in International Business.  (I will also face the challenge of being a new bandster on a mini vacation- any tips?)

Here is the cap I'll be rockin' ;) and the tickets to the ultimate show!!

To say I'm excited is an understatement.  I prayed that 2012 would be MY year and so far...it's turning out to be one to remember!!

"Growth is the only evidence of life." 

~John Henry