30 Days Of Gratefulness, Day 5

Day 5- I'm beyond grateful for Jazzercise! I have been working out for 16 months now. I have learned that I have a strength I never knew I had. It has allowed me to not only grow health wise but also mentally and spiritually. I've pushed myself beyond a point I never thought I'd ever get to and continue to train and push. It has given me some great friends that pour into me and others God has allowed me to pour back into. 
I can't wait to see where the next year leads me in this area!

Here is a picture of my Sister In Law and I after I completed my first 5K!  Something I would have NEVER thought I would EVER do!  I've always HATED running with a passion. 

Woah Buddy!

Just found a pic of me at about 225lbs.  I can't believe where I was and where I am today!

Here is a pic I just figured out how to merge from ^there^ to now...

I beat my husband...

OH YEAH!  HA HA HA
Really, Mr. Herrera has ALWAY'S been Mr. Fit!  He used to work out like a crazed lunatic back in the days, we would lift weights together, workout together, etc.  He was ALWAYS more fit then me!  I mean ALWAYS!!!
Well, just recently I started working out on the Gazelle that I was blessed with.  And while doing the Gazelle, I started doing crunches, ball lift things and other ab exercises.  Tonight I was doing them and Jose commented that he wants to start working out again.  So I challenged him to get down on the floor and do what I was doing.
He did, but he was struggling!  Is it bad that I find pleasure in my skinny, fit, construction husband not being able to keep up with the core exercises that I'm doing?  I'd like to think it's not all that bad ;-)
So, after showing him up, my daughter thought she could show me up, but was proven WRONG!  HA!
I've still got a LONG road ahead of me to get physically (spiritually & mentally) where I want NEED to be.  But to see that I just outdid someone I'd NEVER thought I'd outdo, it gave me a push and made me feel good...OKAY, I'll admit it...IT MADE ME FEEL GREAT!  HA!!!!
On that note, I was browsing around on Sparkpeople.com.  I joined on there back in 2008 when I was working at the gym.  I found my first weigh in stats.  I am truly proud to say that from 2008, and after having a baby, I am down 23lbs!  2" off of my waist and thighs.  Not where I want to be, again, but on the road to my 'Destination' (I've stolen that word from my new spiritual BFF, Evinda Lepins).
From here, I'm going to start a new blog post, just because that's what I need to do =)

My Friend, Jen

I have a friend from Rodchester, NY that I met a little over 5 years ago on SheKnows (a board where a bunch of women chat about life issues. All of our babies were born in Dec '04).
Jen has been through some major obstacles, to say the least, in her life. She has ALWAYS been such an inspiration to me. Recently she started a journey of weight loss, which at this point, has gotten her 115 lighter than she was. She was featured in Democrat And Chronicle dot com...
Here is the Link: Jen Moore
I hope it inspires you as much as she has me!

Letter To Robin

Boy have I had a hard time writting this! I've really been dealing with depression & heartache over not being able to be at her service. I decided to write this and let it go. I am praying it brings some healing to me.

Anyway, here it is...

November 14, 2009

Dear Robin,

Well, this has been erased about 1,000 & 1 times. I keep trying to write you in the past tense, but just can’t seem to put the words the way I want them. I should have written this 2 months ago, when you could have read it, but I let that time pass me. So here I sit, writing to you & knowing you can’t read it, but I’m sure you hear it.

I want you to know how much I love & appreciated your friendship. I know you will say it was our friendship, but I suck at friendship. It’s something the Lord has been dealing heavily with me about & has once again used you for me to see something. I let my time go to tell you, while you were still here with me, and am now kicking myself for it. I guess a lesson learned…procrastination won’t get me very far.

You have become a true beacon of light in my life, honestly!

I have been in some situations where I have called upon you as a support. You stood with me, not only as my cousin, but as a sister in Christ. Giving me scripture to claim over the situation, prayers to pray over it, love to get me through and support to hold me up during my trying times.

You didn’t feel me with bologna, but truth. As much as it hurt, you said it…Now if that isn’t something we all need to learn!

You are someone who, no matter the circumstance, stood against the raging storms. Not only did you stand against what was given to you, you stood with your head held high, not backing down and ready to take it on, no matter what was thrown your direction. Standing on God’s promise…He is in control at ALL times.

You taught me to take every day as a blessing, no matter what it gave me.

Not to take my health & life for granted.

Robin, there are so many of us, including me, who take our bodies, temples, lives for granted. You fought everyday for yours. So many of us are capable of walking, running, playing with our children, even simple tasks of cleaning our house, mowing our lawn, grocery shopping, and the list can go on! When you wished you could do it, we are capable of it.

Watching you, taught me not to take those little things for granted.

I remember when you had your lung transplant and told me you were training for a marathon. I was awe struck! It made me reflect on what I was doing with my life. I started Weight Watchers and finally said to myself…I am doing this for Melissa! If Robin can do it in her condition, then damn it, why aren’t I?!?! I was working out on my elliptical everyday and told myself I was going to run & told everyone I knew how you inspired me. Robin, I’ve NEVER ran in my life! It killed me in school, but I knew if you could do it, so could I. Well May 24, 2008 was my first time I had Jose take me out to go running…Girl, I did it! Because of you, I did it! It didn’t last long, because a month later I found out I was pregnant, but it doesn’t mean I’m stopping. You have inspired me to take my health and run with it! I am taking hold of my life and making it the best I can, and one day, I promise you, I will be in a marathon.

Who knows, with all the effort I put into my local Relay For Life, I may start a Great Strides Chapter, here in Riverside County, in remembrance of Robin Joyce Stocking! Now wouldn’t that be something…something I need to start praying about =)

Robin, I am truly at a loss of words of what you mean to me! For years, I was envious of the relationship you had with Lourdes. But I now see, He saved the best for last! Who knows, if we were as close as teenagers, maybe we wouldn’t have had the relationship we had as adults. I can’t say. But what I can say is…Our Heavenly Father knew & had a plan all along!
Before I wrap this up…I have a confession to make. I haven’t told anyone, but my mom yesterday what I’m about to tell you.

When we were about 7 & 8 years old, my grandma and one of our Aunts, or even your mom took me out shopping at a department store. When we were there, they showed me a rack of sweaters and told me that they wanted to buy one for you for an early birthday present. Well, for whatever reason (I’m sure you & Lourdes were being “really nice” to me), I was pissed off at you. So they told me to pick out a sweater that you would like. So in my anger, I looked for the ugliest, most disgustingly ‘old’ looking sweater on the racks I could find. After all, I was MAD & I wasn’t about to get you something cute. After I picked it out, they asked me, “Are you sure this is what she would like?” Of course I replied with my sweetest voice, “Yeah, she’ll like it!” Then they asked, “Well, is it something you like & would wear?” Again…”Yeah, it’s way cool (or whatever the ‘hip’ word was)”. And off we went. Later that night, or even the next day, there was this surprise party of some sorts. I happened to have a surprise. My surprise was that my grandparents were taking me to Idaho that summer! Then they handed me a box to open up…It was that UGLY SWEATER I PICKED OUT FOR YOU! They wanted to surprise me with a sweater to take to Idaho & I was able to pick out my own sweater! I had to act surprised & excited to get that god awful sweater…After all, it was supposed to be your ugly sweater.

Robin…I love you! More than words could express, cards could describe or flowers could show!

Until that meeting in the sky…Your Cuzin…Mis, Mit, Mel

2 Month Weigh In

I went & worked out yesterday for the first time, since having Delayna. I weighed in & I don't have all of my stats, but this is what I am going off of...
My highest weight before getting pregnant was 225lbs, yesterday I weighed in at 203!!!!
I am focusing to work hard and get down to 199 right now. I want to be able to say I weigh "one-hundred and..."
I have to really focus on how I am feeling right now. This feeling is awesome, knowing that I have lost 22 (or more) pounds and how I feel physically. I used to be so tired and ran down & not wanting to do anything. I feel so much more refreshed and I can do anything.
Last night I was talking to Noe and he was sharing with me the Pastor Mike wants to do a marathon. I told him that I wanted to participate. So I just may be getting ready to do a marathon. They are looking into a 26 mi marathon, but my idea may turn them and we will do something different.
Honestly, I am NOT a runner, but if we do what I want to do, I plan on training to be in this marathon & RUN!
I am excited!!! My adrenaline starts pumping when I think of it, the excitement builds up and I really want to do something like this. My goal in my life has always been to run. I hate running, always have & was even teased in school for it. But as an adult, running has been embedded in me and I want to do it!
Of course Jose will be my little trainer & that would be nice to do side by side with my Honey =).
So that's that...

My daily concoctions

Everyone knows, before I got pregnant I was doing Weight Watchers & kicking butt!!! I was down 13 lbs in 2 months. I had to stop & ended up losing a bunch of weight & am actually down 7lbs my pre-pregnancy weight.
I am determined to keep it off & continue working out as soon as my body allows it. Well with my daily routine of watching how much I eat, I have a daily concoction of stuff that I take.
Someone was telling me about Apple Cider Vinegar with Mothers when I was doing WW. I didn't buy into it.
Well, when Delayna was about a week old, we were having issues breastfeeding & I thought we had thrush. So I called a lactation consultant & she told me about the Apple Cider Vinegar w/ Mothers. I have been taking it since. It's not the best, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, right. It seems to be doing the trick on my body though. I previously had HORRIBLE stomach issues & haven't had any since taking all of my vites.
Here is a pic of what I take:

From left to right:
Apple Cider Vineger (1tbs), Fenugreek (2), Blessed Thistle Herb (2), Flax Seed Oil (3), Cranberry Juice (I warm this up & add the ACV to it & drink it while taking the vitamins).
Not the best, but it's all worth it!

MOM, that's crazy!

Last night Anthony was on the computer and looking at pics of me (only God knows why?).
He yelled, "MOM, that's crazy!" Then began cracking up.
I asked him what he was freaking out about and he said, "YOU!"
I was like, "OK, what did I do?"
He said, "Your face, mom! You've lost so much weight!"
He was referring to this picture:


Then he pulled up this pic of me & Delayna and was comparing them:


I guess I have a lot of work ahead of me to keep this up. I am glad to say that I gained a total of 13lbs during my pregnancy and have lost a total of 23lbs since giving birth.
It really did make me feel good that my son notices and is complementing me on how I look. He loves me at any weight, but to know that he cares means more!

Comparison Pic

The other day I did a weight post. Well, last night after I saw a pic of me, I went...
"WOW!" My face has really gone down since being pregnant.
So I wanted to do a comparison pic post.
I am wearing the same outfit last year as I did last night, and it about fits me the same (that's eye opening!).
On the left is last year and the one on the right is from last night.





And here's a pic that Adi took just of me

Weight Update

So, I was tracking my weight every month (just for my own info & I want to track my total progress and then see what I am after I deliver), and I took all my stats home to put them in the puter and I can't find them now...
So I am gonna just do from last month to this month. I do believe that from now on I will be gaining big time. Once you hit 8 months your baby gains appx. 1/2lbs a week and then 1lb a week.
So here we go...
November 7, 2008
Weight: 218.8
BMI: 37.6
Fat %: 47.4
Fat Mass: 103.8
FFM: 115
TBW: 84.2

December 3, 2008
Weight: 223.2 +4.4
BMI: 38.3 +.7
Fat %: 47.3 -.1
Fat Mass: 105.6 +1.8
FFM: 117.6 +2.6
TBW: 86 +1.8