Back and ready for more!

My vacation was awesome!

Unfortunately there wasn't that much healthy eating throughout that blissful week of tropical relaxation. Fortunately, however, I was able to avoid dairy completely (witch the exception of a slip up towards the end- I'll explain in a minute), was active (hiking through the rain forest), and didn't gain a single pound (yay!). I was also inspired, as I hoped I would, to re-create healthy versions of criolla foods.

With me planning on cooking more, the whole dairy situation has me wanting to quit cold turkey. Completely dairy free, till the last day where the vendor had put a cheese sauce on my hot dog. Now, during my trip, my skin has cleared up completely. That is, till that one hot dog. Not only did I break out (minor), but a cystic pimple started to form. Further confirmed my suspicion of some kind of dairy intolerance. I do plan on seeing an allergist to help further pin point what exactly am I intolerant too (whey, casein, lactose, etc)- in the mean time, I'll be continuing to experiment with elimination diets till I feel better.

During this vacation, I was also able to squeeze in some reading time. Had the pleasure to read "Digestive Health with REAL Food" by Aglaee Jacob. The information it contained about digestive health was not only interesting, but it also lead to bits of info relating to PCOS, in terms of how these "fake" foods can wreak havoc with your digestive organs then in turn lead to PCOS. Although I'm only about 30% through, it has become further confirmation that a Paleo Diet might be best for me. I recommend checking this book out.

I'm hoping to get started with a Paleo diet soon. I say hoping since I'm dealing with a car accident (of course the day I arrive back home). So stay tuned as I clean out my fridge, turn on the stove, and get back on the ball in working towards a healthier and ultimate version of myself.

Stay healthy coquis!
Tati

Getting ready to get away

Excitement! First my scale decided to work for a minutes (not sure what's wrong with it) and shared with me that I didn't blow everything I worked for the past couple of weeks. I'm a good 178 at the moment. So I'm pretty stoked that I'm under 180 before my vacation starts! That's right, tomorrow I'll be flying to Puerto Rico with my boyfriend for a blissful week. <3

It's my first time flying to the island without family, and will be the first time I won't be staying with family (hotel stay!!). Also, it's the first time I'm going on a getaway with a boyfriend, and our first together. So I'm super pumped and looking forward to lots of fun. Besides that, I'm also looking forward to being inspired. Especially with healthier food ideas. When I originally created this blog, I wanted to include healthier spins on traditional Puerto Rican dishes. Which I feel, needs a bit of creativity, considering a lot of the food is fried. Not all the food, but a good portion of it. 

Hopefully this inspiration leads to further content, especially since I've looking to building this blog further. Especially after my last post, which reminded me why I started this in the first place. To help and inspire other women with my experiences, trials, successes, and lessons learned. Which led to my journey on becoming a nurse as well. To make a difference, and help women like me. I look forward into building this blog further!

Till next time!

Tati

How I didn't wait till perfection to wear a String Bikini

In the beginning of the year I found myself just shy of 200 pounds. If you know me well, you would know that about three years ago I was heavier then that, and had started my weight loss journey- nearly loosing 50 pounds. Unfortunately, I had gotten lazy despite my hard work and slowly climbed back up to almost 30 pounds. I decided to get serious again and take a different approach this time. Among different techniques to help me stay motivated, one of them was going out to purchase a 2 piece string bikini. Not only did I hang it up on my wall, but I took the infamous before picture wearing it. I started lifting (which I learned I enjoyed) HIIT cardio, and took my nutrition seriously (especially with my PCOS). Next thing I knew, I had lost 20 of those pounds I had regained and decided to take another picture of me wearing that same bikini.

Although I felt a difference and noticed a little change in my appearance- nothing could have prepared me for how big that difference truly was when I compared the before and after pictures. It forced me to look at my body in a whole new light. Instead of struggling with the idea of still not being perfect, still having such a long way to go before I reach my big goals- it opened my eyes to how far I've gone. It showed me how big of a loss 20 pounds actually is, and made me appreciate what my body can do.

Since I was celebrating my birthday at the beach this past weekend- I toyed with the idea of wearing that string bikini out in public. On the day of, still torn, I had consulted with a friend who encouraged me to go for it. I'm so glad that I followed her advice! Taking off my cover and revealing my work-in-progress bikini body to the world was most definitely a different kind of rush. Sure I've gotten a couple of looks here and there, but by that point it truly didn't bother me (even though I thought it would). I was too proud of how much I've accomplished so far, to care what others thought. It gave me confidence and a different kind of motivation to continue my hard work. Instead of getting upset or frustrated that I'm still not "perfect," it's changed to a mind set where I ask myself "How much farther I can go", "What else can I accomplish", and "How can I keep this 'high' to continue?" Instead of focusing on what I can't do and comparing myself to others, it showed me what I already did and what I'm capable of doing. Which is the most effective motivation and inspiration that I've had in regards to my health, ever.

If you are going to take anything out of my experience that I'm sharing with you today, please take this. Stop comparing yourself to others. You may not realize how destructive that can be to your efforts- but it is. It makes you forget how far you've gone and what milestones you've accomplished. It will frustrate you because you still haven't reached your (or others') idea of perfection, which in turn can undo everything you've worked so hard for. I know this to be true, because that's exactly what's happened to me all these years. That is, until now.

Left: 180 lbs Right: 200 lbs

Tati

Marching forward

So as you know, I've been using the 21-day method to help build good healthy habits. Although it's been effective, I've seem to have plateaued at around 186-187. My eating isn't exactly 80-20, and i sometimes feel that I'm not getting the most out of my work out. With this, the plateau isn't much of a surprise to me. I've been wondering how I can pump up my works outs while I plan on better meals when I came across this magazine. 

The 8-week transformation is what hooked me to buying this magazine, and guys it's exactly what I was asking for! I'm not expecting to look like the cover girl, but I am expecting a difference in my performance and reaching some health/fitness goals. A much more focused workout routine, coupled with a more focused nutrition plan should help me break this plateau, and Im so excited to start! 

I start the program today, and I'll keep you posted on that happenings. In the meantime time lets share some pics!

So here is a current before pic before I start the program. I've taken progress pics during the last two phases of 21-days, and although there's a difference I'm still embarrassed to sharing those at the moment. Maybe one day I will. ;) Super excited to getting started today!!

Till next time my coquis!

-Tati 

Feb update

So for the month of February I stuck to a 21-Day habit forming routine. Where I wrote down my goals/habits I want to accomplish in the first 21 days, and for every day I achieve it, I take down a post it note. It helped me a lot, to where I'm doing s second phase.

The first phase I focused on making small habits stick- such as, recording everything you eat, drinking 8 glasses of water at least, and commen sense food habits (no soda, fast food, eat whole grains etc). Success!

The second phase, which I'm currently on, is to keep up phase one and focus on work outs. Which I have learned is my weakness. At first I thought I had a problem with both being active and eating healthy. Turns out, eating healthy comes easier to me (although not always), then bring physically active. I really have to focus and motivate myself to start a work out. I'm still thinking of strategic ideas to help me be successful, but if you have any ideas, please share. :) in the mean time, here are some pics of my motivation boards, and my 21-day habit post its. 

Till next time coquis! ;)

Rising from the ashes

I'm actually surprised that I didn't take a longer hiatus from my health goals, if I was being truly honest. My last post was November 4th. So a little over two months and I'm back at again. Although I fell off the wagon (yet again), coming back is good right? I guess any attempt to get healthy is good, but seriously, when do I say enough is enough and just stick to the process?! 

Since I'm back on the horse, it's time to share my stats. Of course, I've gained quite a bit of weight back since the last time. So here it goes. *takes a deep breath* I'm 193.5 lbs. There, I've said it. Originally I was up at 199 nearing 200 lbs, and I nearly cried. I once promised myself that I would never get up that high again, let alone nearing 190 lbs. And I miserably broke that promise to myself. Which just keeps reminding me of the quote "health is a relationship between you and your body" and how little commitment I have with myself. Ugh.

Well when I was near my ultimate breaking point (almost passing 200 lbs), I felt horrible. Constantly bloating, my period was irregular, no energy for anything, not to mention my awful looking skin. My face broke out all the time, was oily, and just looked so haggard. Just awful. So I decided to do a detox.

I didn't complete the detox (it was a week detox plan), but it served it's purpose. It helped flush out toxins, reset my eating habits, and cleared up my skin (for a moment). Since the detox, and continue good eating habits, dropping close to 7 lbs was an added bonus. Now I'm focusing on getting back into the groove of things and honing on the right inspirations and motivations to keep this process going. Speaking of, take a look at my inspirational wall. 

I'll do a detailed post on this later and if it's been effective. :)

I feel that wanting to be a nurse, I should also be an example of good health. An advocate of health so to speak. Especially if I want to help others, I definitely need to be a good example. 

Well, till next time my little coquis!

-Tatiana

Gym vs Home

All day I've been thinking of working out again. Super proud of myself that I got dressed, laced up my sneakers, and drove to the gym. Unfortunately, a huge traffic jam forced me turn back around. But that didn't stop me! I dusted off a home workout DVD (ENVYgirls) and followed through. Since I wanted to work out my legs and glutes, I specifically played the buns and legs of envy. 

Guys, I couldn't even finish both work outs. I struggled through the buns, with a couple breaks, and cut the legs short. I was dripping in sweat and felt that I got a more instense work out then I did from the gym the night before! In fact I got less points from Fitocracy for today then yesterday. 

But I can say, that according to My Fitness Pal app, I did burn more calories today then yesterday. I'm just glad that I followed through with the work out today, and didn't let my all time nemesis procrastination take over. If it did, I would have felt guilty and like a failor.

So where do you get a more effective/intense work out? Gym or home? 

As I enjoy my picadillo, stay healthy lil coquis. ;)

-Tati