Transformation Tuesday | Making The Impossible, Possible
I moved to the United States from Puerto Rico when I was 4. I started playing baseball at a very young age and continued playing until high school. But after feeling “burned out” from the sport, I decided to call it quits to focus on my academics. At this point, I went from a very active lifestyle to a completely non-active one and my weight started to build up. Heading to college just made things worse. Since eating healthy seemed to be pretty expensive – many college students eat what they can, I was no different. Thus continued my weight gain.
Given that my weight was always in the back of my mind and being unsuccessful so many times – I decided to go to a lap band consultation. Hearing the requirements for the procedure, I decided against having the surgery.
It all really set in after a group of friends and I decided to take a little vacation in November 2011 to the Bahamas. Looking at some pictures afterwards, I noticed that that my weight had gotten to an all time high and I had to do something about it. My health was horrible and I was already starting to feel the effects of my families disposition to hypertension and diabetes. Something had to be done!
Single, 26, and just having come out of a four-year relationship that ended as a result of me being overweight, I set my goal to drop 100 pounds from the time we got back from the Bahamas in late November 2011 until my next trip which was in March 2012. I had a total of 4 months to try to reach this goal, and I was determined to have nothing stand in the way of accomplishing this goal.
I began by walking 45 minutes a day. Trying to do anything else was complete torture to my body and upping my risk for injury. Each week I would pick up the pace until I reached the point where I could jog the entire 45 minutes.
With the cardio, I started a high protein/low carb diet. Fish and chicken with a combination of fruits and vegetables became my best friends during this process. Coming from a Latin household, the food aspect was extremely difficult to stick with, but I was determined to do it! Going from eating rice and beans with fried chicken, fried plantains on a daily basis to grilled chicken and broccoli, was extremely hard.
I also had to put away all the sweets and soft drinks, which were my two favorite things in life. There was nothing like a Dr. Pepper with a Snickers bar – I can recall eating around 10 mini chocolate bars a day!
I didn’t completely eliminate carbs from my diet because they are a major source of our energy – instead, I used the “little rule”. If it was originally white in color, I eliminated it from my diet. This meant I avoided rice, pastas, breads, crackers and tortillas. Instead, I ate whole vegetables, whole fruits, and whole grain cereals.
When it came time to hang out with friends and eat out, I ordered a salad and made sure I ate it dry with absolutely no dressing – dressing takes the “healthy” out of the salad! I also stayed away from ketchup and mayonnaise, while completely removing sodas, juices and anything else that wasn’t water – I drink nothing but water!
I permitted myself one cheat meal a week – which usually fell on Friday nights. If I went out to dinner with my friends, I’d eat whatever I wanted – but I stuck to water as my beverage.
The Saturday before the trip came… and with it, my final weigh-in. I was super excited to see that I reached my goal and had lost a total of 101 pounds! It took tons of hard word but I reached my goal.
I am currently at a total of 160 pounds – and my passion in life is to show others that their impossible is POSSIBLE. It just takes lots of drive, dedication, determination, and discipline. I’m now certified by ISSA as a personal trainer and absolutely love helping others reach their health and fitness goals!
Other advice and tips…
- Never do it for anyone else! Do it for yourself, you deserve it!
- Surround yourself with positive people and those that will support you no matter what!
- Meal prepping is key and takes away the excuse of eating bad!
- Last but not least, BELIEVE in yourself! You have what it takes! Find that drive, dedication, determination, and discipline to make your impossible, POSSIBLE!
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Team Quest – We are here for you! Share your transformations and triumphs with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or email them to us at [email protected]. Remember that these transformations took hard work, discipline and a plan. Quest products are a delicious component of, and not a substitute for, an exercise regimen and effective diet. The Quest Community is always there for you if you need help, inspiration or motivation!
