Being a Healthier and fitter me! PART 1

Before and after. Exactly one year after and around 15 pounds lighter.

Since this is going to be a long post I am going to split it into different parts, this one is about how and when I started being healthy. In the second one I'll talk about exactly what I do and what exercise program I have been following. Lastly, I'll post a later one saying what I would like to accomplish this new year, my new goals, and how I am planning to get to them.

On the left side it is my before, on the right one it is the after on 2012. :)

I don't think A new year has passed where I have not set myself a resolution about getting healthier, being more fit, or losing some weight. My 2012 resolution was to lose 10 pounds or more... so in June I started a new routine and lost around 15 pounds, accomplishing my goal for the year!

To start with, I will like to say that... honestly it is hard to get into the habit of excising, and I HATE the word diet just as much as the next person. I have been losing and then gaining for too long, and frankly I am very tired of the yo-yo effect diets have had on me.

This year I came back to Venezuela (my home country) for my brother's wedding. When I got to thinking about it I realized that 3 years ago (last time I came) I was also on a healthy kick, where I lost about 15 pounds. 

The difference in between last time and right now is that I wanted to be thinner when I came home, to avoid the complaining and judging from the ones I loved about the pounds that I gained. I feel this time is different, because I did not do it to please anyone or not be judged, I did it because I felt I needed it.

On August of 2011 I had an accident. I fell from my bike and tore my right ankle ligaments and even needed surgery. I was not able to walk, much less run for 8 months or so. It is crazy how we take for granted things we do on a daily basis.

The month that I injured myself was when my husband started exercising, I guess to him it was a stress relief and the hour he got to himself, since he was pretty much taking care of all the aspects in the house while I was in bed.

He later became my inspiration to also get fit and just healthier overall. I again started trying diets, different types of exercises, and I can say that I have now a pretty good idea of what works for me. A routine that I can keep up with without feeling the stress of breaking some rules.

I aim to work out five times a week but if that doesn't happen it's okay. Some weeks are harder than others, so I make sure that even on the tough weeks I do at least three days of exercise.

Angel hair pasta with tomato, basil and a little bit of brie. Recipe from Cupcakes and Cashmere book, you can visit the blog which it is awesome here link. Perfect example about a treat that need to be portion control!

With food I am a lot more chill, I do not limit what I want if I really want it, I try to monitor portion size, count calories, make sure I am actually hungry when I eat and not just anxious or bored. If I do have a treat I try to keep it small.

So far I have lost 14 pounds since June 12th when I started, and I am very happy with what I have accomplished. I did not gain the weight and fat in a month, so why even try to put my body through a  starvation diet when I have time to lose what I gained?

This slower method I think will help me keep it off.

Disclaimer: I am not sure if anyone it's reading this post, but if you are I am not an expert. I am not a doctor, dietitian or trainer. I am just a regular chick trying to get in shape. Also, I guess it is worth mentioning that I am not aiming to look super thin, so if you are into that model thin look, this might not work for you!