Sometimes you just can't do it alone

If you're anything like me, you hate asking for help.  You ask for help once in a while, but you wait until you have no other options, or you wait until the very last second before giving in.  I learned the hard way, sometimes you just need to swallow your pride and ask for help.

It's easy for me to ask for small favors, but it's so hard for me to ask for help in the ways I need the most support.  Let's take writing for example.  Writing on this blog comes easily to me, but writing fiction is a B.I.T.C.H.  I have so many story ideas but I get stuck.  I've tried so hard to get myself unstuck, to unblock my inner Stephen King (or J.K. Rowling), but I can't.  And since I can't do it myself I give up.

But I never really give up.  Things that are meant to be don't just disappear because you are having a hard time with them.  My stories bug me.  They nag me to be written and I can't get rid of them. So I joined a couple of writing groups but didn't feel comfortable, yada, yada...bottom line is I set up obstacles to make the task harder than it needed to be.  Finally I decided to send out a few emails asking for a writing partner.  I was divinely inspired one day to do so (listen to your inner guides folks!). I sent one on Craigslist, a few messages on some Facebook groups, and one through my sorority's email list.  After a few responses I felt really good about working with one of my sorority sisters.  The best part is she pushes me to write more.  The challenge keeps me motivated, and you know what?  I've been writing more now than ever.  We're even working on a few stories together (coming soon!).

So what's my point?  My point is if there's something that's been nagging at you, something you can't get rid of; something begging you to be done, to be created--do it!  The best way to get started is by just starting.  I shared the secret to success in a previous post, and I've been incorporating the very easy and basic principles every day.  The hardest part is taking the first step, trust me I know. But if taking the first step is the hardest part, then in essence, the rest is easy breezy, right?  If you're not sure where to start, seek the guidance you need.  Follow the people who inspire you and learn from them; who did they learn from?  What resources did they use?  Your first step can be working towards asking for the help you need.

ANNND if you'd like to start by creating more positive shifts in your life, check this out.


By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

12-Week Body Transformation + Lifestyle Blogger Conference

I previously entered a contest for a chance to win a scholarship to attend the upcoming Lifestyle Blogger Conference.  Latina Lifestyle Bloggers is also hosting another opportunity to not only attend #LALLBLOG14, but also serve as a Brand Ambassador for one of the conference sponsors, 12-Week Body Transformation.

Imagine what your life will be like in 12 weeks.  12 weeks from now it'll be either on the same trajectory it's in or be on track towards fulfilling your goals. If one of your goals is to transform your health, 12WBT can be a great option.  They offer meal plans, fitness plans, and tons of support.  12WBT is more than just giving you options to lose weight, it is truly about a lifestyle change.  I underwent (and am still going through) a major lifestyle change which began December 1, 2012.  I committed to changing my eating and fitness habits to lead a more fit and fabulous life. I am still working on my fitness goals and am taking it day-by-day.  I think working with 12WBT can help to give me a clearer focus on what my ultimate health and fitness goals are.  As Deepak Chopra affirmed in one of his heart meditations, "the body is the garden of my soul".  I am taking out the weeds in my garden and making room for roses, so to speak.

Being given the opportunity to attend this conference will also greatly help me with my blog.  I am truly passionate about writing and sharing my story.  I know that I am vital to this world and my voice is a vital force for the Universe.  I want to take my words and wisdom to new heights, and my blog is a vehicle to get the messages out there.  I know attending this conference will allow me to learn more about sharing my story effectively, and will also help me network with other like-minded individuals.

The Lifestyle Blogger Conference will be held on March 27-29 in Los Angeles.  Feel free to check out the event page for more information.

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

O2 Max and Operation Prom - #PromFit and Free Dresses!

Operation Prom has partnered with O2 Max  to provide fitness and nutrition resources to our youth.  Right now they are hosting a contest to win a package, to get you fit in time for prom!

Operation Prom is a nonprofit organization which provides many useful resources and mentoring opportunities to teens. There are many chapters of Operation Prom within the US. One of the major initiatives the chapters of Op Prom do every year is provide hundreds of free dresses, and tuxedos, to students looking forward to their proms. Many of these students come from low-income families who cannot afford the costs associated with proms. Please feel free to visit the Op Prom website for information on a giveaway event in your area.

On April 19th, one of the NYC chapters of Operation Prom (via Dominican Sunday, Inc.) will host the 6th annual giveaway in Manhattan. I am co-director of this chapter and have been organizing the giveaways since 2009.  Please check out our event page for details on the April 19th giveaway. Please spread the word!

If you are not able to attend one of the giveaways and/or would like to help out, you can also purchase donated dresses (in brand new or gently used condition) from the Op Prom web thrift store. Proceeds from the web store will help fund Operation Prom, in order for us to continue with our initiative.

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

Weight Loss - one step at a time (3 simple steps to start)

Hello all!  In this post I am sharing what my current status and goals are, and a little further down 3 simple steps to get you started with your weight loss goals.

So I have a goal to lose 50 pounds by July 1st, 2014; that's about 10 pounds per month.  My eating habits have improved greatly since the holidays and now I am getting back to incorporating exercise.
First off I am searching for food options I don't have to cook or prep.  Right now I prep about 75% of my meals and I would like to bring the number down to at least 50%.  I currently prep about 3 times per week because unfortunately I share a fridge with 2 other people so as you can imagine, it gets pretty crowded in there.  Food prep takes time for me, and it's time away from working out.  I'm looking into some healthy, low-calorie frozen options which I can just nuke in the microwave, and of course keep some live food options (raw fruits/veggies) for snacks and weekends.

I'm not a fan of working out.  I would prefer to lose weight by taking naps if I could (hehehe) but that's not gonna work, at least not for my goals.  So I'm taking it back to when I first moved out here.  Back in December 2012 when I first moved to San Diego I walked A LOT.  I wanted to learn the lay of the land so walking helped me discover some "go-to" places.  I walked up and down the city of San Diego and lost 10 pounds in about 3 months, just from walking and cutting soda, and juice out (without changing my eating habits).  I figured if I could lose 10 pounds just from that, imagine how much more I could lose if I ate better and exercised more.  So I joined Beachbody and lost another 12 pounds in about 2 months (22 pounds lost as of July 2013).  My weight fluctuated since the holidays but I'm aiming to get back on track. I have been walking 2 nights per week for 20-30 minutes, and 2 other times per week doing Focus T25.  In a previous post I mentioned which were my favorite workouts from T25 (you get a bunch of different DVD's with the program), so I alternate those.  In addition, I recently purchased a sauna suit to help me sweat more when I'm "working out".  I wear it when I walk and when I'm doing T25.  I've been doing this for about a week and already noticed my belly feels a lot less bloated.  Here is the suit I purchased:

Just an FYI, I read in the reviews the suits run a little small, so get a bigger size.  I am between a 2x and 3x, and bought a 4x.  It fits me big but not uncomfortably so.

So if you're looking to lose weight but don't know where to start, start one step at a time: