Randomness

I really have to stay on top of blogging. Sorry guys! Forgive me? Thanks! :D Let's see.....not much has been going on with my ordinary life. No baby(ies) yet but we are still trying! If you have no idea what I'm talking about, please refer to my previous posts! My weight loss is still going! Haven't loss nor gain! Just maintaining, for now! Ultimately, I want to lose at least 8 more lbs. and from there, toning up and maintaining it for good!! This Summer has been extra busy! July weekends are booked for varies things, birthdays, weddings, outings....One of the reason why I love Summer!! Oh and for some of you that don't know, I'll be starting grad school in August!!! I cannot wait! I'm nervous, yet excited! It'll be another accomplishment to add to my list!! Before I sign-off, I also wanted to introduce our new fur-baby, Bentley! He's soo sweet (majority of the time)! Like kids, dogs have their moments too!! hehehehe!!! Pics below!

Marcus and Bentley!

Progress of my weight loss journey!

Updates here and there.

Hey ya'll (Southern at heart). Happy Wednesday! Can't believe that April is half way gone. WOW. Just wanted to update on my weight loss journey and TTC (trying to conceive) journey. First, I am so, so close to reaching 100 lbs. loss!! Next Tuesday will be exactly a year when I first started! CRAZY!! I was thinking of doing a giveaway or drawing for something cool! I'll brainstorm and get back to ya! On to the TTC journey, I had an HSG test done a few weeks ago. Results: my right tube is open and clear. My left tube is blocked. My doc. passed all my information and the test to a fertility specialist and I am awaiting to hear from them. Until then, we're still holding on to faith and being patience, that's all we can do at this point! So that's all I have right now.

Oh and I am excited to finally visit Vegas in a few weeks!! Our wedding anniversary is 4/28 and we're celebrating it in Vegas as well!! Soo exciting!! If you ever been to Vegas, give me suggestions in what to do, places to eat, etc!! THANK YOU!!

BE RIGHT BACK!

Today, I am brave.

If you met me this time last year, I would never, ever post these pics. I am too self-conscious. Today, I realized that it doesn't matter what others think about me and my body. I am happy. My husband loves me and that's all that it matters.

97 lbs. and 16 inches loss!!

"Beauty is being the best possible version of yourself on the inside and out."

My Journey.

As most of you know, many things have happened in the past months. I lost my grandma in March (can't believe it's almost a year!) and I decided to get fit and healthy. After my grandma passed, I felt like I had to do something to get myself healthy, physically and mentally. I decided to make a change that I thought I was not able to do. Since April 17, 2011, I've lost a total of 85 lbs. My starting weight was 247. I currently weigh 162, wearing size 8/10 jeans from 18/20, size Large in shirts. Back in April 2011, some friends and I did the Biggest Losers and that is how it all began. My first thoughts going into the challenge is "ok, I just threw away $20." The competition lasted 3 months. My original goal was to lose just 20 lbs. When the competition started, my mode changed from "maybe I can do this", to "I CAN and WILL do this". I was just not competing with my friends, but I was competing with myself as well. I wanted to prove to myself and make that lifestyle change happen. As the competition proceeds, the more I was determined and the prize money wasn't even the goal anymore. It was within myself to win and prove myself wrong. Everything has changed, eating habits and workouts. I started to appreciate more organic food, fresh fruits and veggies. I cut out fried foods, ate very low to no sugar, carbs and sodium. I stuck strictly to fish and chicken. Water, water, water! Water and keeping hydrated is very important. I know some people don't like water because there's no flavor. Try adding lemon. A lot of the "flavored water" has all the extras and not as healthy. Exercising became part of my lifestyle as well. I'm excited to go to the gym after work and on the weekends. Sometimes, I worked out 7 days weeks, on some days, it was twice a day (obsessed much?). A lot of people asked me on how I did it. There's no secret, I promise. Just eat healthy, exercise, watch the sugar and carbs intake, drink plenty of water and you'll do it. The key is that you have to stick to it and be self-disciplined. Trust me, it was hard at first, but you have to push yourself everyday. Some days when I don't want to work out or just eat anything, I picture myself in a particular dress or jeans. Then I get back in my mode. When the Biggest Loser challenge ended, I was the winner with a total of 39 lbs lost! I couldn't believe that I won, I amazed myself. A lot of people probably thought that I would gain the weight back after the competition. It did crossed my mind briefly that I could gain it back. There was no way that I was going to let that happen! I kept going. I came too far to go back. It's part of my lifestyle now. I felt great, physically and mentally. I feel like a whole new person. My outlook on life, food, exercising is different. I am not going to lie, it was tough at first. Anything is hard at first when you're first doing it. With the help and support of my friends and husband, I was able to overcome it quickly. During my journey, I've became a runner as well. Never once thought that I would or could run! My friend and I are currently training to run a 5k for Breast Cancer Awareness in April!! I'm very excited to accomplish that goal too! My current goal is lose at least 10-15 more pounds and then I'll maintain it from there. I've decided that when I hit 100 lbs. lost, I will get a tattoo. Reminding me that I came to far to go back and symbolizing my accomplishment(s). Most of you are probably wondering what kind of work out I do? When I first started, it was just all cardio! Then I incorporate weights into the work outs. I do weights first then cardio. I spend 30 mins on weights and 30-45 mins on cardio. Please, whatever you do, don't over do it at first. If you never worked with weights or cardio, ease your way into. It's ok to start off light. Do what YOU can. In time, you'll be able to see what you can or can't do. Then I started to jog, then eventually run. Let me tell you, it's not easy! I had it set in my mind that "Ok, I'm going to jog/run non-stop and see how far I can go." (mind you this is the first time I decided to do it). I was wrong. I had to stop after 30 secs the first time. I was out of breath and struggling. I wanted to give up but I couldn't and I wouldn't. I was determined to keep running and achieve this goal! Many workouts later and many times I wanted to quit running, I achieved it. I ran a mile straight! I acheived my goal! Next goal is the 5k! Anything is possible :)

See, there are no secrets. If you really want to lose weight and get fit, you must be committed. You must be willing to stick to it. You must be willing to challenge yourself and be determined. So, I challenge you! If you want to get fit and healthy, let's do this together! I promise you will feel great, physically and mentally. For my local friends, I'm a member of LA Fitness, so if you need an workout partner, let me know or anyone who is a member at a another gym if your memebership allows you to bring a guest, I'll be happy to work out with you! I live on the SE side of Indy!

Before I sign off, I want to share this quote with you. I love it and live by it everyday::
"I'm not losing weight. I'm getting rid of it. I have no intention of finding it again."

Tough day.

As some of you may know, I want to have a baby (whining voice)! We've been trying for over 2 years and still no baby. We have seen my gyno and did some testings. Marcus checked out fine, it's me. I am hoping my weight loss will have a major factor in this and maybe some fertlity meds to give us that push. Currently, we are awaiting "Aunt Flo" to show and then can proceed to the next stage.

Some days are tough, some days I just go with the flow. Today is a tough one. Lately, a lot of friends on Facebook have been announcing their pregnancy and how excited they are. Who can blame them? I would cry all day for a few days if I found out that I was pregnant right now! Don't get me wrong, I am happy for them. I do, however, get a little depressed because I always ask myself "Why can't I get pregnant too??". It is ok to be jealous? I try not to but I only hope, one day, to experience that feeling and the journey too. Until then, I will never give up my hopes, faith, and patience even though some days are difficult to keep going.

Today marks a decade!

Yes, that's right! Today, January 6, 2012 marks my 10 years anniversary with my other half- Marcus. I never thought that I would meet anyone who I would love and fall in love with, and who I would marry 5 years later! On the night of January 6, 2002, I remember being online and browsing AsianAvenue.com. Out of boredom, I decided to look people up from Indiana (since I was born in Indiana, but raised in South Carolina). Anyways, I "found" Marcus online and we started chatting away. By the end of the night, we exchanged numbers. Let me back-up a little here. Asian Avenue was or I should say still a social site, but mostly for the Asian Community, hence the name. Everyone who was member was able to post a profile picture and design their page, similar to Myspace (seems like a long time ago that I have had a Myspace). I had pictures up, Marcus did not. I automatically assume he was Asian, but that was the least of my worries. Later in the night, while we chatted online, he told me that he was biracial, Black and Asian. Fine. I was fine with that, color doesn't mean anything to me anyways. Days goes by, Marcus calls me, we talk. All of sudden, he said he needed to tell me something. First thing that pops up in my mind, "Uh oh, I knew this is too good to be true, he has a girlfriend or something OR this is just too weird for him". Nope, he tells me that he's not biracial, nor Asian. He's Black?? That caught me off guard, entirely! Not the fact that he's black, the fact that he started this "thing" we had off with a lie! Red Flag, right?? Well, I gave him the benefit of the doubt because he said that he was afraid that I wouldn't want to talk to him because of his race! I found that kinda funny. Looking back, I can see why he did what he did, but the truth from the beginning would have been great. Well, I guess he did say he was "half Black and half Asian", so does that make half a lie?? HAHA! Remember when I said he didn't have a picture up? I didn't get to see what he looked like until a week later, yes a week because he used snail mail to send pictures!! For a whole week, I felt like I was talking to a name, Marcus, no face to match it. I'm not going to lie, I was very anxious to see what he looked like. Of course, looks are not the most important, but it does have a little effect, right? ;) Thankfully, Marcus is a hottie (to me anyways)! Nine months after we met online, we finally met in person. I was soo nervous! For one, I've never met anyone online, secondly, I hid it from my parents. Short story, my parents didn't meet Marcus until July 2004, so 2 years later! Very little people knew that I was dating Marcus. You're probably thinking why I didn't tell my parents? Because I know they wouldn't approve of the long distance relationship and I was only 17. Anyways, fast forward to 2004, After Marcus came down to visit me, it was the first time ever for him to finally meet my parents and family! Two weeks later, I ran away to Indiana. Yup, the traditional running away. I was very scared and nervous but we were love and the long distance was taking a toll on our relationship. Some of you are probably questioning why I was the one who moved. Marcus was going into his second year of school at Purdue with almost a full-scholarship so I didn't want him to waste that. So I decided to make the move. I left everything I had, my car, clothes, everything and got on a bus with just $200 cash on hand. 16 hours later, I reached my destination, Lafayette, Indiana. My parents probably thought that Marcus put me up to it. Ironically, it was just two weeks prior that he visited. Well, it was all my doing. Marcus was the one who was wanting us to do it the right way, talking to my parents about it and making sure it was ok with them. You couldn't tell me any different at that time, (there's a word for that, stubbornness)! If I wanted to do it, there was no stopping me! After it's all said and done, I do regret the way I handled it. We should have talked to my parents and let them know that we both wanted this, the move and our relationship. Luckily and thankfully, I have understanding and forgiving parents and family! They love and adore Marcus, sometimes I feel more than me....hehehe!

Fast forward again, April 28, 2007, we exchanged our vows and are living happily ever after! The rest is history!! :)

I see you!

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to my world! First off, I want to wish you all a Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday and New Year!! So, I've decided to give this blogging thing a try once more. I started in 2008, but didn't have much time to actually blog. This time around, I *think* I do. I'll start by introducing myself. I'm Gina, 27 years old, married to a wonderful guy- Marcus, residing in Indianapolis, IN. We have no kiddies or pets, yet. It's just the two of us in which we're hoping to change that really soon. My blogs will consists of a little bit of things here and there. From my weight-loss journey, photogprahy, and struggling with infertility, etc.. So, with that said, if you think my life will be an interest to you, feel free to take this journey with me!!


Stay tuned....