The Struggle is REAL

So, it's been wayyyyy toooo long since I've made a post. I've been struggling the last year and have gained 75 lbs back of my 150 lbs that I lost when I first started my journey. I get on a short kick do well for a few days and then fall off... Wayyy off! It's been really hard to face the music and at times I've been in denial.

Pictures don't lie and all the clothes that use to fit, that now don't are a clear sign that I have to make a change. But..... How do I do it?

The problem is, I didn't know how to deal with the stress that I had going on in my life and reverted back to my old ways of binge eating. Devastatingly, it has engulfed my life and not sure what to do at this point in time. I don't want to go back to my old life, yet I can't seem to find the will power that I had when I first started out.. So need to find something to substitute this bad behavior when this situation comes around again.

Loosing weight isn't the hard part, it's maintaining. Finding that balance and keeping it strong and steady. So, now I am back at a point where I need to take control again. Yes, I've done it before and it's so easy to say you can do it again, but finding that will to do it all over again has been the hardest thing.

There's so many reasons why I need to get back to that lifestyle, and I know what I need to do. It's time I face reality and take the plunge. yes, I can and will fail at times, but the important thing is to not let a little setback highly impact my end goal. I want to be fit and healthy again. I want to not have to talk myself into working out or choosing to eat healthy, I want it to come automatically like it use to be. It's going to take time, but I will get there again. Just have to trust the process.

Starting from the bottom and working my way back up again.......

So here it is Day 1 256.8 lbs. Took this pic on July 24th, 2016
I'm also going to take measurements as well

Hoping to be able to drop about 40 - 60 lbs by Christmas..... It's going to be super hard, but I want this I want to get back down to 175 lbs. (Why did I think that wasn't good enough back them?!)

So here's to starting over and learning to love that healthy lifestyle again.

21 Day Fix Extreme Program Results

So, finally completed my first round of the 21 Day Fix Extreme Program, and I have to say... I really liked the program overall. The workouts were awesome and definitely challenged me. The meal plan was pretty easy to follow thanks to the containers, However, I did modify my eating plan due to me being Paleo so that was the only difference.

As far as my recommendation on this program, I have to say, I was a little skeptical at first. I really didn't think it was going to work, however, I decided to embrace it, get rid of the negativity and just see what happens.

So after 21 days of being on this program, following the workouts, eating somewhat to their meal plan, and also doing my supplemental workouts, I can definitely see a difference. I only lost 6 lbs, but when you see the pictures of my results, you can tell the difference.

Yes, I worked out after doing the program, but all I did was 15 mins of cardio at the gym and then about an hour of lifting. I didn't change my workouts at the gym at all besides cutting back a little on cardio.

So, here are the before and after pics.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is wanting to try something different, change up their workout, only has 30 mins out of the day to focus on their health to just give it a try and see what results can happen for them.

If you would like more information on this or any questions or want to purchase this program, please feel free to reach out to me. My email is llam519@gmail.com. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snap Chat and Kik at: ohitzlilia.

I'm here to help people make a change in their lives to live a healthier lifestyle. I've been where you've been and I know exactly how you feel, and I want you to know that loosing weight, while it is a battle, is not a lost cause. It can be done, one step at at time.

So, if you or anyone you know is in need of some motivation or help, tell them to hit me up!

21 Day Fix Extreme

So, started a new workout routine today. For the next 21 days, I will be doing the 21 Day Fix Extreme program while following their food program but sticking to strict paleo.

Today was day one and I just finished the workout program, and I have to say.... It totally kicked my butt. Definitely hit some new muscles and man did it burn! This is going to be a very interesting next 21 days!

So, what's the plan? I will be waking up and doing the 21 Day fix program first and then hit the gym, and lift weights right after. Does the program require me to go to the gym? No, not at all. It requires that you follow their food program and do their workout programs for 21 days for 30 mins a day!

I want to hit a certain goal so I am supplementing the program with some heavy weight lifting. It's not a requirement by any means, I just want to maximize my time and weight loss efforts as much as I can. I might even run after work 2-3 times a week starting next week just to get some extra cardio in.

So, the only non Paleo thing I am doing, is the Strawberry flavored Shakeology shake. Because it's part of the program, I'm giving it a try.

So, for the next 21 days, I will be trying my hardest to get through every workout and eat as clean as possible. Looking forward to see what results I get. Here's to the journey!

Ketogenic Diet

Hello hello all! I apologize that I have not been blogging like I need to. I got so caught up with daily life that blogging just wasn't much of an importance for me. However, I am going to try and put out a blog post once a week from now on. Whether it be blogging about my journey, recipes, articles, etc....

So, I had been doing so well for a while and I had finally hit my goal of 175 lbs back in December. However, I have been stress eating for the past 6 weeks due to work and well, some of the weight has definitely crept back onto my body. Good thing is I know exactly why and what I need to do to get rid of it.

So, I decided that, for the month of February I will change it up and try out Ketogenic Diet. High fat, high protein, low card is the name of the game. It's suppose to help you shred fat, and well, I want to shed another 20-30 lbs so here goes nothing!

While I am still going to keep to Paleo as much as I can while doing this, because I love that diet so much, I am leaning a little more towards a Primal diet because I will be incorporating dairy back into the mix, not too much of it though. Which I am excited to eat cheese again!

So, starting from square one and here are my starting points:

Weight: 192.7 lbs

Measurements:
-Waist: 36 in
- Under Bust: 36 in
- Upper Left and Right Arms: 13 in
- Lower Left and Right Arms: 10 in
- Left and Right Thigh: 22 1/2 in
- Left and Right Calf: 16 1/2 in

Not happy to post these pics, but I think it'll motivate my butt enough to get with it. No more stress eating and getting back on track to my new goals! New Year new obstacles to conquer and I am ready to tackle whatever comes my way!

I will definitely be keeping up with my 5 day fasting morning workouts, which are about an hour and a half each day (lifting and cardio), walking 30 mins during lunch time 3-4x a week and on Saturdays and Sundays, I will do something active, whether it be running outside, working out at the gym and cycling. There will be no rest days, unless I am completely exhausted.

If you want to stay up-to-date with me on the daily, be sure to follow me on my Instagram account!

1 year on Paleo

It's kind of insane how much I have changed my life in the course of a year. I've committed to working out consistently and most importantly, I've found a way of eating that has helped me loose over 100+ lbs. I had already lost 40 lbs by working out a little and eating somewhat clean. I was about 289 lbs and about a size 26 when I jumped onto the paleo ship.

Looking back, I was super nervous about starting paleo.. I thought it was just another fad diet, but about 3 weeks into, I realized it was wrong and this time was going to be different. I started craving the natural taste of the whole foods I was eating and slowly loosing interest in all the crappy food I use to eat. You know the awesomely amazing fatty food everyone enjoys, but then after you've eaten it.... You start to feel sluggish and not so hot.

The more I embraced paleo, the easier it was to commit to the life style and leave my old life style behind. I am not going to lie though, there were times where it was hard to say no and turn things down, but instead of giving in, my new thought process was do I really want to walk on the treadmill for 30 extra minutes to burn off that slice of pizza?... No! :)

The best decision I made was to start my new life style by just saying no to everything I use to say yes to. Just take a small bite.... No! Just have a cheat meal... No! You can work it off tomorrow... No! It definitely takes a lot of desire and will power to be able to say no to everything, but I knew with every decision to say no, it was a positive step in the right direction.

Currently I'm floating in the 180's, doing things I never thought I would have ever been able to do, and I am a lot more happier with the way my life in every aspect these days. I've learned a lot during the duration of a year, and I know I am still learning each and every day. I will always be a work in progress especially when it comes time for me to maintain. So not looking forward to that.

I'm happy to have been able to find something that has worked so well for me. For those of you who struggle with weight, please do not get discouraged! Just keep trying out different types of eating plans until you find one that works for you. Once you get a food routine down, adding exercise to mix will be a fraction of your weight loss success. Remember its 80% diet and 20% working out.

You need to fuel your body with the right types of foods to maximize how your body can perform. Thinking of food as fuel and not just as food can also be another part of helping you succeed. The better quality foods you put into you body, will be a determining factor of how you can take your body to limits you never thought possible.

One thing I thought I would never ever do was participate in a marathon. I was in the 2013 Turkey Trot and the 2014 Warrior Dash which even though I wasn't at my lightest or healthiest, I managed to come through and finish all the way. Running has become a routine that I now welcome with open arms. :) Another tip I can give you is find something active you like to do and just do it. Whether it's bowling, tennis, hiking, just get up and move. 15 minutes of movement is better than zero. Trust me, it does get easier.

If you are looking into changing your life style, and not sure where to start, you can always reach out to me! Either on here, on kik, twitter or instagram; which my username for all of the is ohitzlilia. I know how hard it can be to take that step, and if you need a little support to get you there, I'd be more than happy to!

Whole 30 Challenge

So, for the past two months I have been struggling with my weight in the 180's and it has been mentally exhausting. I know I am not suppose to let the number on the scale define my success, but it's hard sometimes to let that go.

I know I've come a long way and that is what I should focus on, but there are still goals I want to meet, and lately they seem to get further and further away from me. So, I decided to look into doing a Whole 30. What is it you ask? Simple, it's basically -p paleo but just a little more strict.... No sugars whatsoever, so.. goodbye coconut sugar, maple syrup and honey... At least for the next 30 days.

So, I'm starting fresh and hoping that this Whole 30 challenge will help me reset my system and get me out of this rut I've been in. In case you'd like to know more info on Whole 30 here are the rules: http://whole30.com/downloads/official-whole30-program-rules.pdf

Also, here is grocery list of things that are Whole 30 approved: http://whole30.com/downloads/whole30-shopping-list.pdf

I am starting the Whole 30 at 189.6 lbs and I did measure as well. I will not get on the scale (this is going to be hard) or measure myself until I've completed the 30 days. Hopefully I will get some terrific results from doing this. I have read a lot of good reviews about it online.

If you want to join me in the challenge, by all means do so! We can be each others support systems! You can follow my Whole 30 journey on my Instagram! I'll be documenting my food and workouts. :)

Mind Body Green Feature

Hey Guys,

I know it's been a while since I've posted something and I apologize for that! I've been super busy with working. I am currently working at a gym and loving every moment of it. Never that in a million years that I would be working where I am working but I figured it was fate. :)

I wanted to share something that has me on cloud nine right now. A friend of mine reached out to me and asked if I wanted to share my weight loss journey on a blog called Mind Body Green. After some thought, I figured why not, and today my post went live! I wanted to share this with you guys and hope that you pass my story on to others that you know who need a little inspiration in their lives. Here the link to my article! Thanks for the support!