My Weight Loss Journey II
“A Continuation of My Journey Down the Road to a Healthier & Happier Me”
By Chandra L. Pinto Martinez
Overview
When last I wrote I spoke about how on August 9th I would be 42 years old and that I realized that I didn’t like who I was or who I was becoming. I have always struggled with my worldview, my reflection that was looking back at me in the mirror as I stared back every morning as I brushed my teeth and washed my face. I was growing tired of the never ending cycle, the tug-a-war I was having with myself was centered around the love and hate I had with food and with myself. I loved the life I had, my children were amazing (and crazy at the same time), I was in school, church was great, friends are awesome, and a job that was not a nightmare (which honestly says a lot for me). But, and there is usually always a but, I was not happy with myself, with who I saw in the mirror, and so I was determined to change that image into the one that I wanted and thought depicted the real me on the inside, out.
I have been on my current journey of generating wellness wealth for about four months now and it has been difficult, trying, illuminating, enlightening, uplifting, exciting, terrifying, and all together wonderful! This article covers a span of the past four months to document the middle of the road of my journey. It has been and continues to be my intent and objective to extend and implement this as a permanent part of my lifestyle. The journey will cover four key components: Physical Activity, Nutrition, Structured Maintenance Plan, and Developing a Strong Support System composed of Family & Friends.
Goals
The previous goals for my weight loss journey were to improve my overall health by reducing my current weight with an aim of losing 1 to 2 pounds per week, improving my nutritional lifestyle by implementing a low carb/low calorie diet plan. To improve my physical activity level from zero to active, working out no less than four and no more than six days a week consistently. In addition, I wanted to develop a strong support system filled with family and friends, nutritional guidance and coaching, and spiritual support from my bishop and other church leaders. It was my desire to, at the end of the four weeks, lose at least four to eight pounds. Well I had surpassed my goal, losing an incredible 17lbs in just three of the four weeks. This was after I had joined 9Round Fitness boxing gym and enlisting the nutritional counseling services of Physicians Plan.
My current goal is to train to run a marathon first, and a triathlon second in 2022. Realistically, I know that it will take me at least a solid year of training to get prepared for this and I am committed to doing it! I have joined Planet Fitness in recent weeks to get the weight training I need as well as utilizing their bicycle and treadmills as preparation for the races. Of course, I want to continue losing the weight to get down to my ideal weight of at least 180 lbs, but no more than 170 lbs. That, for me, would be a comfortable weight and something that I can happily live with.
Structured Maintenance Plan & Nutrition
As we all know having a structured diet and exercise program can promote favorable changes in weight loss, body composition, and weight maintenance. For this I decided to utilize the services of Physician’s Plan Weight Loss and Wellness Clinic.
With their help I have been able to adjust my eating habits, keep up with my weight loss and metabolic changes in my body, and build a great support system on which I can lean on for encouragement and sound advice.
Weekly weigh-ins and twice a week b-12 injections has helped me stay on track and give me that extra energy boost I need to push me through my daily workout routines, job functions, and home duties. I speak to the nutritionists when I have questions about calories counts, certain foods, or advice on what to do next. She is an awesome resource with a wealth of knowledge and an encouraging spirit. I am blessed to have the entire team in my corner.
Recently I started purchasing some of the snacks and drinks they have to offer in their clinic. It has helped me to reduce my urge to get my go-to favorite junk foods, peanut m&m’s and snickers bars. I have also increased my water intake and started creating my own protein smoothie recipes instead of purchasing one for $6 or more at the local health shop. I enjoy making them and creating new concoctions with my son, its fun to experiment and I would definitely suggest that for anyone traveling on this road with me.
I have been eating foods low in carbohydrates and calories, but high in healthy fats and protein. I went from an 1800 calorie/60 carbohydrate diet to a 1600 calorie/40 carbohydrate meal plan. Consisting of mostly fresh veggies and lean meats, I cook all my meals and create lots of protein infused smoothies that I drink at breakfast and before I workout as a snack and last minute energy boost. To keep track of the nutritional values of my meals, my nutritionist suggested that I utilize the app My Fitness Pal. Now in the beginning I had to admit that I didn’t do it because I just didn’t want to and felt that I had no time to. But in December I started using the app, and learned that it is fairly easy to use. It has an option to scan the barcode of the foods and drinks you consume, or you can search for the restaurant and meal you ate, or you can enter in the recipe of the food you cooked at home. I also found another resource that can provide you the nutritional facts for the meals you prepare at home, visit One Ingredient Chef to try it out.
Physical Activity
On August 1st I joined a boxing class at 9round Fitness which comes with a personal trainer and 9 intense workout stations that you complete in a total of 30 minutes. It’s perfect for me because I do not have a lot of free time, it’s relatively inexpensive at only $78 a month, and the trainers are great motivators, friendly, and always pushing you to give your all and do your absolute best. I have been going consistently and spend no less than four days a week there. I have also become great friends with the owners, Jill and Chad, who have been great motivators, and great sources of knowledge and encouragement. Chad has been a great voice and shining light in my journey, pushing me to my limits, and then pushing me even further. He enticed me to signup for a 5k walk/run/jog race, Wiggle to the Finish, that supported a local animal shelter his friend owned. So on December 5th, I ran my first 5k in over seven years. My best friend came down and ran with me, it was amazing. Although I got injured during the race, I am proud to say that I crossed the finished line and earned my participants medal. I may have been last, and not so fast, but at least I can say I passed!
Doing that race was the highlight of the year for me, especially after all the craziness that 2020 had brought with it. It also rejuvenated my love of just being out in nature and feeling part of it. As a result I joined several virtual races and challenges and even joined a race group on Facebook called Black Girls Run and 100 mile a month club, you can visit their website and find a group in your area to join. It’s an awesome way to connect with locals, and support each other on the same journey.
In December I joined Planet Fitness as a way to get my weight training in and also utilize their treadmills and bicycles to train for the marathon and triathlons that I want to participate in in 2022. Still looking for a swim coach, because of course this girl can’t swim, so if you know of any, hit me up! Many may not know this, but Planet Fitness also comes with a free personal trainer, I met with mine to discuss my fitness goals and my journey and she gave me a structured plan and routine to follow. I have to admit it’s rough, but I feel myself getting stronger everyday because of it.
Support System
For my support system I have enlisted my father John, my son Johnathan, my best friend Amy, and a host of cousins. I have also decided to post on social media my workout and meals for accountability and moral support. I think having a support system is very important because they can hold you accountable and also push you to keep going and stay motivated when difficult times and days come, because they will come. My followers on social media have increased dramatically and I have been able to connect with people from all various walks of life, countries, backgrounds, fitness levels, and more! It’s been amazing to know that they find inspiration in my journey, and it’s been wonderful being part of their journey as well. I have also found myself leaning more on my faith and finding scriptures that impact my journey even more than before in a new and exciting way. It’s been great combining my faith with my fitness journey.
Conclusion
At the end of the four months I did my weigh in, which was just yesterday, and the results are incredible. I have lost an amazing 86lbs over the course of my journey, and this is just the beginning. I took in account my weight in February 2020 which was 422lbs, I started my real journey in August and had already lost weight prior to starting the fitness program, which at that time I was 361.7lbs., today I weigh 336.4lbs. I am healthier and happier than I have ever been and my journey has really just begun. I plan to continue until I reach my ultimate goal of getting down to 180lbs.
The most difficult part of the journey in the beginning was simply to find the right thing for me to commit to that keeps me motivated and wanting to pursue it. Boxing has done that for me! When it comes to food, I love to eat as much as I love to cook, but I had to come up with creative and healthier ways to do it, so I started experimenting and discovering new vegetables and meats to try out, and boy when I did I discovered how much I enjoyed them. That fueled the engine for me wanting to create my own healthy cookbook. And so, in 2022, I will become a published author, having published both a memoir and cookbook telling all about my journey and the food that helped me along the way.
The journey has been a beautiful and exciting one, I am glad and proud to say I am a traveler on. I have rediscovered a passion for food, fun, nature, and friends to share these life memories with. I have learned so much about who I am and where I want to go, from making healthier lifestyle choices, and finding the joy in physical fitness. My goal is to continue on this journey of mine and follow it all the way through to the end, which for me is not the conclusion of this report, but it’s the end of my being uncomfortable in my own skin. The true gain for me is the wealth that comes by way of wellness, joy, self-confidence, and self-esteem. I did not like who I was or who I was becoming, but I am falling in love with who I am and who I am growing to be. My unsolicited advice to anyone and everyone on this journey of self discovery and healthier living is to find joy in the journey, peace in the struggle, and faith in the freedom that it will undoubtedly provide as you continue to grow, mature, and enhance your true inner and outer self.
