Monday, January 25, 2010

Day Twenty-One - Vegan (230 Days til 30)

“There's literally nothing more important to our health, happiness and success than what we put into our bodies and the energy, clarity and stamina that come as a result.”
— Jennifer Aniston

Well looky here, looky here! I made it!!! 21 Days Vegan! Damn! And the best part is I actually loved it! So much so that I am going to go Pescetarian for as long as I can. The hard part about being vegan was that I wanted Fish more than anything else. So I decided I will keep to vegan/vegetarian for as much as I can, but have fish. So Pescetarian here I come. I am also going to try to stay away from as much processed food as possible as well. Cook more for my self and not eat out unless for Sushi, like tomorrow night!

It is also weight day. Woo Hoo!!! I lost 8 lbs total! A nice way to start the day! I just finished my 30 Day Shred DVD, and am going to take a shower. And Start my day.

Happy Monday All!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Day Sixteen - Vegan (236 Days til 30)


Hey Everybody, sorry I have been MIA for so long. With the past week events I have been a bit emotional, and not to mention my back was hurting. I took me a while to get myself back together and start focusing on what my goals are.

So lets catch up. In the past week, even without exercise I still managed to lose 1.1 lbs just by being Vegan, fab huh? The good thing is I am not craving meat anymore. The great thing is there is only a few days left and I can have Sushi! I have decided that I will be a Pescetarian, a vegetarian who eats fish, for about a month before I venture back towards the meat. So I can't wait for the Sushi!

I started today with the Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred. And Let me say OMW!!! It was Hard!! And its only a 20 min workout, insane right? But I feel good. I have never sweated so much in my life. I just hope tomorrow I can do it again. I am also going to check out her website for her Diet recommendation.

On another Resolution Note. I am sure you remember my goal to volunteer more. Yesterday was Martin Luther King Day, otherwise know as the Official day of Service. I went along with my sister and nephew to the Venice Boys and Girls Club to volunteer. It felt so good to do for others. It felt even better to hear my 10 yr old nephew ask me if he can volunteer more with me. Thats what its all about, getting other people involved to help others.

With Everything that is going on in Haiti, I would like to add a resolution. I want to go to Haiti this summer for a month and rebuild. My Goal is to get at least 30 volunteers to come in one week or more increments and help rebuild the country I hold so dear to my heart. I want to go during the summer, so if you know of anyone who would be interested please let me know.

Happy Tuesday Everybody!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Day Ten - Vegan (242 day til 30)

“For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.”
— Wendell Berry

I come to you today with a heavy heart. If you haven't heard, which I find hard to believe, the island of Haiti was hit with a 7.0 magnitude earthquake late Tuesday night. I am Haitian, and the last 36 hours has been a nightmare. Places where I once played, ate, hung out, have been destroyed, along with lives.

I was blessed enough, that my family, who are still in Haiti, are safe. But so many are not, its heartbreaking. The news just keeps showing suffering, and pain; as much as I want to stop watching, stop seeing the pain, my heart longs to be there. Brings me back to volunteering. I can't wait until I can actually do something, help my people. Give a hand, a shirt, glass of water, anything. Pray for them, pray me, pray for my country.

Whatever you can do, send donation, clothes, food, please, please, pleas, do it. Contact your local Red Cross () and see what you can do. It would mean the world to me.

One another note. I have hurt my back, and have been taking it easy, which I think its good for me right now. I am still vegan though. And Honestly as an emotional eater I really want chocolate. but instead I am drinking water which need since I am flooded with tears.

Please help when you can, and pray for them.

All my Love.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Day Eight - Vegan (244 days til 30)

“You are full of unshaped dreams...
You are laden with beginnings...
There is hope in you...”
— Lola Ridge

Ladies and Gents, I would like to announce that I lost 4.5 lbs this past week! That makes all this heartache worth it! Woo Hoo Me!!! LOL. Being Vegan has its upside. As of right now I am 274.5 lbs. Still not good at all but the pounds are coming off!

I woke up with morning and did an weight lifting circuit and some yoga stretches. So far my Vegan meals has included oatmeal, but I am getting hungry so I'll need to eat something else soon.

One thing I have been noticing is that my mood more and more has been getting worse. I think am being really grouchy. I am not sure if it has to do with the toxins being released or just lack of real food, but I am mean. I am trying to keep myself under control and channel my anger toward exercise so hopefully it will get better. Wish me luck!

By the way, I just wanted to let you know if you go to Self.com You can sign up with their Jump Start Diet 2010. It will send you tips daily on losing weight. It also allows you to keep a food journal, a workout log, and provides you with excerise tips. It also keeps track of your progress with an online log. Its great!

Happy Monday all!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Day Seven - Vegan (245 days til 30)

So tomorrow will be one week Vegan. Hope am I feeling. I have my moments. Moments when I am so mad that I am vegan, I just want chicken, or even fish. I get frustrated that food is not easily found when your out and about. Its like you always need to be home cooking something, which is the annoying part. But the food is getting better, so being vegan is alright. The main thing is I made it through one week. Two more to go, I can do it.

Happy Monday Everyone!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Day Six - Vegan (246 days til 30)


Sorry about the missed day yesterday everyone. I went to the Getty villa with my family. It was such a beautiful California day, and when you add beautiful architecture and great views you can lose yourself.

I spent a lot of camera memory on the statues of the statues of the Greek gods and goddesses. When I look at those statues you can see how the world view on beauty has changed. The statues were taking from an ancient Greek villa, and to think that they were crafted in marble by hand is just one of the most amazing things. But when you look at the bodies of these goddesses you can see that they were not skinny size 0. They were real women. They had Curves and big breast and where beautiful. It made me wonder how the view on beauty had changed so much. When did being big become a bad thing. Don't get my wrong obesity is a terrible thing. But to be a healthy 12 of 10 is not a bad thing. I thought about this last night, that maybe if I was a 6 or 8 I would look weird. I think that a 10 or 12 would be good on me.

Well here is my Vegan up date. Yesterday I found it pretty hard, being out at the Getty and look at the fabulous lunch menu, I almost wanted to be like forget vegan. And they didnt have thing huge vegan menu option. So that made to curving my hunger a bit difficult. Today was better. Being able to be home and cook for myself, makes a huge difference. I made this fake BBQ chicken thing and added it to a wrap and grilled some veggies that was nice.

As far as my work out update. I did a 20 min Yoga session yesterday a long with some weight lifting. Then you can add in a lot of walking at the Getty. Today may have been an excerise break day, but it was not a day of rest for me. I cleaned all day. All in all, everything is good.

Have a great Weekend All!

P.S. Some one told me today that I looked like I lost weight. Could it be? :)

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Day Four - Vegan (248 days til 30)

“It's this simple: When you give your body the right fuel it will function effectively.” — Gary Smalley

Today was one of the weird Vegan days. I was hungry throughout the day, then when I got something substantial in my stomach, besides salad, I got sick. My sister would say its because I have too many toxins in my body. Usually I disagree, and give up. But what if she is right? What if my body has been full of toxins all these years? What if all my illnesses have come from what I have eaten? And this process of cleansing is actually freeing my body of these so called "toxins"? Interesting possibility, right?

You are what you eat they say, ff this theory is correct, would that make you change how you eat? Does that mean before now I was pizza and some fired foods. Do I want to be salads and healthy foods? The fired stuff does taste good though. But that will just lead me to an early grave I want to see more of life. I pick salads and healthy foods. So cleanse continued.

I haven't shared my views on music. Music makes everything better. Try making a playlist of upbeat songs for when you are working out. If you check out the newest issue of Fitness magazine, they have 100 songs to work out to. Its a pretty great mix you should check it out.

Lastly, I was asked out today, by a man that works at the auction house my sister and I got to every Thursday. I have to say I was completely caught off guard. Even though my new year resolution is to date more. I feel like it came to quickly. But I did say yes. We will see when he calls. Hmmm.

By the way, my exercise took a break today. I left early this morning for the auction, and I was suppose to work out with my friend tonight, but my stomach wasn't up to par. So my weekend off is no more. I have to make it up.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Day Three - Vegan (249 Days til 30)

“Real beauty isn't about symmetry or weight or makeup; it's about looking life right in the face and seeing all its magnificence reflected in your own.”
— Valerie Monroe

Good Morning All! Lets get started. Day 2 of Vegan was a little harder in the food department. We has pasta last night, with this unbearable sauce, I really missed my Alfredo. Thank Gosh Mom came to the recuse; she made the vegetable soup I love, and I just stuck with that. I can also say that the gassiness is gone too.

Anyways, if you have a chance to pick up the January issue of Self Magazine, you should check out the section "This Is Your Year for Slim". It gives you some great tips on simple ways to getting thin. Its interesting when you think that doing things as simple as changing your bread from whole wheat to high fiber bread, or even keeping a food journal can make a difference in your weight loss. The magazine also has some great work outs and even one by Jillian Michaels. So you should check it out. I even had to order the year because it was so great. You can get a subscription for $8, thats an amazing deal since one magazine is $4.

Thats enough shameless plugging for now. ;) I started today off with an intense weight lifting curcit, so I am feeling energized. I also looked into signing up at LA Fitness. The thing about going to a gym is that its hard to get yourself motivated if you just go by your self. I think LA Fitness will be good, because I will have my sister and my friend Brittani who also go there. Work out buddies make exercising easier.

Eventually I will have to start working towards my other resolutions. One being Volunteering more. Since MLK Day is coming up, and has now become the National Day of Volunteering, its only right that I start looking towards that resolution.

I checked out www.Serve.gov, its a great site that the government has set up to get people involved in their community. So I have signed myself up for Mural Painting in Venice at the Boy and Girls Club on MLK Day. I am looking forward to it. If you need an added motivation to perhaps volunteering yourself, try signing up for Give a Day. Get a Disney Day. If you volunteer once this year, for any of the Disney sponsored Volunteer events, Disney will give you a free pass to the Magic Kingdom. If thats not incentive what is?

Have a great Wednesday!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Day Two - Vegan (250 Days til 30)

“Good health is yours for the choosing. You have to want it.”
— Joseph C. Piscatella

Okay I am sure I don't know you well enough to tell you this, but since you don't know me well enough to tell people, I know I am just going to come out with it. Vegan food, even though quite tasty, gives you gas. No not that once in a while gas, but that every 15 mins gas. Its funny and terrible all at the same time, lol. Just thought I would have to tell you that in case you decide that this is something you might want to do.

Anyways, Yesterday went well I was very energized from my morning workout and was guite pleased with the Vegan food on my plate. I had Oatmeal in the morning, which might have been the best oatmeal I have ever had in my life. (Apple Juice is the Key people!) Then at the Interim Cafe, I mean really, who knew you could make a veggie patty taste good- Not Me, I had a patty melt. Dinner, was a little too salady. I really needed some fake me out meat to feel like I eat something real. But it was good. All in all day one was quite enjoyable.

I even checked in with Laurel and she managed through her first Vegan day too. It is easier for her I think with the whole vegetarian thing. But I am proud of her nonetheless. She also took her first boxing lesson, which I am jealous about. I need a gym membership. I should check the YMCA. Anyways, all in all everyone made it through day one satisfied, and a little gassy.
--

One bad sleeping night can totally effect how you wake up when your on a resolution mission, especially if it has to do with working out. So My parents are in town visiting and I gave them my house for a few night, and went to stay with my sisters family next door. I live alone so they get there own place that way. Well here is the thing, I stayed in my Nephew room, and his bed was horrible. To the point where I think this kid will have back issues when he is older. Its terrible. Anyways, I woke up all bitchy and not wanting to work out. But I dragged myself out of bed and came to my house ready to workout. But when I got here my parents were up and my mom was using my stuff. Fine and dandy you know, but it threw me off. So instead I decided I would write to you guys first.

This is a great situation, because I have to decided what to do. I have to make the conscious decision that even though my daily schedule has changed, I still have to do what I promise myself. That is my problem I get easily distracted and frustrated and give up. And giving up isn't going to cut it anymore. So I have to push through, so that that Dragon dies.

Its true for everything in life, you will have ups and downs, but if you stay focused and determined to do what you have to do, nothing can throw you off track but you. Remember that. You make your own fate. You and you alone.

I have this list of things I am going to do, but I am taking each one day at a time. Because thats another thing if you overwhelm yourself, you end up throwing yourself under the bus. Thinking about that.

Okay, since my yoga mat is free, I am off. Happy Tuesday Everybody!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Day One - Vegan (251 Days til 30)

Beep, Beep: 7:00 am the alarm goes off. I then spend the next 15 mins trying to think up excuses why today is not the day to start this weight loss. Finally, I kick off the covers to the semi-warm air and jump out of bed. I can do this! After about 45 mins of stretching and light weight lifting, I am feeling awake, and good. I feel all energized. Thinking about all the good this will bring. Then I think I want to go back to bed. Stop. Reset Mind to Weight loss plan... Okay Try that again. I am awake, energized, lets go.

So I start thinking lets see where I am jumping off from. How much do I weight? I am all confident as I walk up to the dreaded scale ready to slay the dragon in my head telling me I am 350 lbs. There can be no way really. I have never been that big, but nevertheless that is my fear. And I step on the scale. OH DEAR GOD! OKay I am not 350 lbs, but I'm not that far. I AM 279 lbs! Seriously. ME? What? I knew I felt fatter than I have ever felt but this is more than I expected. The Dragon Won! He managed to knock me over, I am his dinner. Its like those stupid video games. And just like that. I was a Super Mario Brother, and I am coming back on the next restart.

This is my moment, my momentum is going. I am ready next week I will coming back. Yeah I know that the dragon will still defeat me next week, but eventually I will lose more weight and get stronger and faster and I will give him a run for his money. Until the day when I win. I slay him! Because I will slay him and I will reach my goal. And Never again will he return! (Crowds go wild. LOL.)

Okay I have been known to get ahead of myself. But I do feel like today is my reset button. I don't like this. Not one bit, and I am over it now. Its my re-birthday. I Get to start over grow all over, but this time I am starting as something and shedding pounds as I go. Today is my Day One.

Alright Done with my rant. Okay so as you know I am Vegan today, along with my Sister and her Husband and Laurel for the next 21 Days. Its this whole jump start your metabolism thing. And I am excited to see what my food choices are. I love trying new foods. I did manage to get an lunch location for today, The Interim Cafe. Hopefully the food will taste good. Its so horrible when you go out to eat something, pay for it, then leave even more hungry then you were before. Positive thinking Xan. Positive Thinking. I can tell you that I am hungry now. Gotta go see what I my Sister is making me for breakfast ;)

I will give you a run down on my days meals and such and continue to bore you with my life later.Plus you get a bonus on how Laurel is doing too.

Alright People. I Got Dragons to slay! Woo Hoo!

If you want to check out the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart here is the link.
http://kickstartdev.pcrm.org/mealplan/index.cfm

Happy Monday Everybody!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Last Day.

It is here the last day of my previous life ends tonight. At least I am going out in style, I threw in a McDonald's grilled Chicken sandwich at lunch, and we are having a holiday party tonight at my house. Where I get to eat all my favorites. Bad I know, but I got to do it.

Even with my stylish exit, I am faced with my first vegan woe. My friend and her husband have been in town for the holidays and leave tomorrow. We planned on brunch tomorrow and since I will be a vegan, the problem is where to go? This is usually where my jumping off the band wagon occurs. But I have sent out pleas to my vegetarian friends to see if they have ideas. Hopefully that will help me come up with some ideas.

They make dieting so difficult. I have been reading all these different magazine articles about finding the right diet for you. But really how are you sure you picked the best one for you. Thats where my fears come in. I really want to make this work, but sometimes I feel like problems will constantly be thrown at me. I guess all I can do is have faith. Faith that I can lose this weight and do everything else I have resolved to do.

To help me on my Dieting trek, I have kidnapped and put on my band wagon my good friend Laurel. Together we will face the world of dieting. Hopefully we can do this. Wait of course we can do it!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

92%

Did you know 92% of New Years Resolutions won't be kept? I am determined to be one of the 8%!

I turn 30 this year. How it came so fast, I have no idea. I was just 10. But nevertheless its here. I have been on this planet for ALMOST 3 decades, and I don't feel like I have done squat! So I am making New Year Resolutions and I am going to keep them. Best of all you get to come for the ride.

Here we go... This is what I resolve.

1. I will lose 90 lbs
2. I will go out on dates more.
3. I will volunteer at least once a month
4. I will get a 3.0 or higher in school this year.
5. I will take one international flight
6. I will not say No, to situations or events, if other wise I would be at home sleeping.
7. I will be in Jamaica on my 30th Birthday.
8. I will try new things.
9. I will get a tattoo
10.I will Enjoy Life More.

Usually my resolutions last maybe 3 months at the most, but I am really trying this time. Trying so hard, that I am going Vegan for 21 Days. Vegan. No Dairy. Whats wrong with me? But supposedly it jump starts for metabolism to get your body working. We will see. I can do it. I got 90 lbs to lose.