Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!!! Yes, I'm still here =) What can I say? It is a journey right? It's been six months since my first post back in June and even though I haven't lost all the weight I had wanted to I have gained more than what I had envisioned.

My total weight loss has been 18 pounds. Not too bad. But it can definitely be better. My gains have been much more exciting to tell you the truth. Gaining freedom, peace of mind, control, discipline, faith, knowledge, some muscle, strength, flexibility and a new found me are making this journey well worth it.

Sometimes we get stuck on the numbers and it's not really about that at all. I'm focusing on all the lessons life has taught me throughout my 31.5 years of existence. Lessons that are far more greater than any number on the scale.

I'm not going to post a New Year Resolution. I've figured out it's pretty pointless. What I am going to do is LIVE. Live without regrets, LEARN from my mistakes and the mistakes of others and LOVE unconditionally. I believe as I start to put those things in perspective everything else I set my eyes upon will naturally occur. Concentrating on all the negative things won't help me at all. By aligning my thoughts towards the good I instantly cancel out the bad.  It will take time to control and train my mind to do what it is meant to do but I WILL do it.  Each day is a new beginning. I will fall but will get back up stronger every time.

I encourage you all to take control of your mind, of your life. There is no way you can have a positive life with a negative mind. Think about the things you are thinking about. Try building your character this year by going against the grain. The only way you can build character is by doing what you know is right even when you don't want to. Feelings are our worst enemy. If we continue to live by our feelings then we will honestly never live a fulfilled life, a life with purpose. Feelings are fickle, they come and go. Feeling happy is not actually a feeling, it's a choice. You choose your happiness no matter what circumstance you are in.

Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Let us, through God, learn how to strengthen our mind. It is through our thoughts and actions that we express who we really are. May this year bring us the ability to take hold of our purpose filled life.

Blessings,
G

P.S. If you have a myfitnesspal account and would like to follow me please look me up under GiselleRoldan.

I'm Back!

Aloha everyone.

It's been a while since I've posted anything. Anyhow, I'm back and still fighting! It's been a busy couple of months. I've fallen off the fit wagon a couple of times with my eating and lack of exercise. Even gained back a few pounds, but happy to say that I also lost them and more. Yay! I am currently under my pre-pregnancy weight by 5 pounds along with a few more inches lost. I'm very happy about that. I will update the pictures next week.

So here goes a little rant. Procrastination is evil ... just evil!!! I've been struggling with this demon for years and I'm just about done with it! Little by little I've learned to conquer it. I've made it a priority to do what's best for me today, not tomorrow. Swimming against the current makes you stronger, right? I'm so tired of saying, "I'll do it later" and actually never doing it and then getting upset at myself for not doing it instead of doing it, lol. Ughh! Life can get as complicated as we allow it to be. I'm so done! It will be a struggle but I will get through it- day by day. This is definitely not a habit I want my children to pick up on. It will hurt them in the future. I know it. It's hurt me. It's delayed my blessings, my life, my happiness, but not anymore. I have control over this, over my life through God who gives me strength.

I'm now a stay at home mom ( super thrilled about that). So I make sure to wake up before the kids do and get my sweat on. If I don't do it in the morning I won't do it at all. No procrastination here! Halleluyers! It can get a little crazy with a 4 1/2 year old and 7 month old, lol. My workouts usually are no more than 30 minutes long. After the kids wake, I go about my day which consists of changing diapers, kissing booboos , cleaning and cooking and everything else in between and I enjoy every single minute of it! Taking care of my family first has been of great change in my life. It's not that I didn't before but now it's different. I take care of my own kids. What they see is what they mirror. They are my supervisors, lol. I have to be what I want them to be. What I eat, the way I act is what they will remember. So I am trying my ultimate best to show them and live with them a healthy lifestyle. I have to practice what I preach everywhere!

You know it really is all mind over matter. The more you think about something the more you believe it and eventually act upon it. I like to consider myself a very positive and optimistic person for the most part. But there are or rather were some things that I just couldn't be positive about. The biggest issue being my weight and self confidence. Those who know me well can testify how miserable I was. Being held hostage in your own body is not fun. It not only makes you feel horrible but it also drains the life out of those around you. Thankfully, I can say those things are in the past.

My advice to those starting, thinking about or still on this journey is to remember that it's not about the number on the scale. It's about you. Your mind, your body, your soul. When all those things are aligned, it is the most amazing feeling ever. When all of you is going in the same direction the possibilities are endless. There is nothing, absolutely nothing you can't conquer! Forget about what people say. You CAN and WILL do what you put your mind and heart to. It may take longer than others but you are on your way. Your story is different. You are different. Different is good. Believe it. Live it. Do it!

Blessings,
G

30 Day Challenge Results

Hey everyone. I completed my 30 day challenge a couple of weeks ago and I must say I like the results. I lost 7.4 pounds and a total of 12.5 inches. WooHoo! The pictures say it all. I was truly surprised. I'm still hyperventilating at the thought of posting them up only because of the way I look, bleh. But, I know this will motivate me more to get to where I want to be. This is a huge step for me. I've never felt comfortable with full body shots. Heck, I've never felt comfortable with my body. I was always hiding behind pillows, people, clothes, etc. I became a pro at taking pictures on angles that would make me look slimmer. However, this time I'm letting it all hang out. I'm exposing myself and my fears. Here it goes..... aaahhhhh:

Before (5/29)                     After (6/29)

          

I can definitely see a difference in the tummy area, back and face. Not bad, right? I'm even standing taller! Hopefully this inspires others to reach for their goals. I'm trying not to think about the 40 pounds left for me to lose. I'm setting my mind on mini goals I know I can achieve.  It's not going to be easy but it will all be worth it. I'm not only doing this for me, but for my family. They deserve to see me happy and enjoying life, not hiding from it.

Here's a little motivation I received today. I hope you like it as much as I do!

Stay positive,
G

My first official blog and vlog!

Well hello there everyone! I'm so happy ya'll decided to read this little blog of mine. I look forward to updating you on my weight loss journey, more like a never ending story but NOT FOR LONG! I proclaim there will be an ending to this... a thin one =) 

So, I decided to start vlogging and blogging to keep myself accountable during the next 3 months. I began this adventure pushing myself way out of my comfort zone. I took pictures of myself ( full body pics) YIKES! Front, back and side views. Oh Dios! The minute I took a look at them I wondered why in the world were people telling me me that I look good?! Uhm no.. I don't. lol. Well maybe a little bit, jeje. But, I want to FEEL good!!! And that is why I'm here. I want to live a healthier, clean, fulfilling life on all levels. I was made to be happy and I am going to fight, squat, lift and sweat my way to it! 

I started ChaLean Extreme, one of the Beach Body workout dvd programs on May 30th. I am going to be honest, it has been a tough month. I haven't followed the program religiously but I have been seeing results. . I try my best to get in 3-4 workouts a week. I love the fact that they include weight lifting and some cardio. Muscle burns fat has been embedded in my mind thanks to Chalene, lol. I also joined a walking club at work which has ended due to the hot weather, but as an incentive to keep working out, they have offered me a free six week membership to the fitness center. I intend to go at least 4 times a week for 45 min in addition to the workouts I will be engaging in at home. 

As for my nutrition, it's clean eating all the way. I buy mostly organic produce, lots of fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes, green smoothies and lots of juicing. Oh and I can't forget my green tea. I try my best not to consume any processed foods or breads. 

For more accountability I will be posting a few videos and pictures a week. Some will be of my meals, others of my workouts and pretty much me venting along this life changing path I have chosen to walk on. 

So that's enough for now. I look forward to your comments, tips, support and prayers. 

I know I can do this. I will do this. 

Peace,
G