Mimi's Fitness and Things!

Alright so it's picture day today.  For the last four months I've been chronicling my journey in this blog. What you didn't know was that I was also taking photos of myself once a month, sort of like a visual blog to follow also.  The last four months have certainly been a journey.  As I look back on the photos I must say even I was surprised at the results.  When you lose weight I swear you're the first person and last person to see it.  In the beginning when you're losing 2, 3,and  7 pounds you notice it when your clothes start to get a little loose. But after a while you stop noticing the weight loss and then that's when everyone start noticing. I swear I lost 15 pounds before people really starting commenting on it.  Sometimes I have to take a step back and look at my self and say "dang what do they see" because their reactions are so  out there. Looking back on these photos I know see what they see and even I must say "Wow Miriam"  LOL...

That was what happened in South Florida this weekend. My sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., hosted it's regional conference which consists of sorority members from Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.  During the course of the conference which started on Thursday and concluded on Sunday we went to plenary sessions where they talked about the state of the sorority, did committee reports and talked about all the community service we've been doing in our local communities and how it made an impact globally.  This weekend alone we collected shoes for a organization called Soles4Souls. Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you, according to their website.   This weekend alone between the hotel staff at the Westin Dipolmat and the members of the sorority in attendance ( over 3000 ladies) we collected over 6,000 pairs of shoes to go to people in need...

As I travel along on my fitness journey lots of things have been happening. As you all know, because I told you, I work out about 5 days a week some days I work out twice. I've been making much better food choices and doing the whole portion control thing, limiting processed foods. I'm not saying I've mastered this whole thing but I think I've finally gotten into my stride after about 3 months of really doing this. The weight is coming off and my muscle tone has increased along with my endurance and stamina. And people are really starting to notice now.  I can't tell you how many compliments I'm getting from friends, family and co-workers. I love that all my hard work is paying off and people are starting to notice. But of course with all this new found exposure people start asking me questions.  How much weight have I lost? What have I been doing? Are you on some kind of diet? This question sort of drives me crazy! I'll tell you why.   I know in our mi...

We missed Shamu :( So this weekend I went to Sea World. We received a free ticket in the mail a couple weeks ago. I must say this was a great marketing tactic by Sea World. It was a trip we probably would have never made if it wasn't for that ticket. And in addition to the free ticket up to 6 family members could have received $20 off the price of admission. Which is ridiculous now. $77!!! But I digress.... so after having  lively debate with my husband on when we should go. Like his first response to anything is always "NO!" I'm like dude really relax. So we talked about it and decided to go this past weekend because he starts class again next weekend. So we packed up the Venza and the baby and we were off on our 2.5 hour trip to Orlando. So first stop before we leave is to get something to eat for the road. Anyone who travels knows trying to find something healthy on the run is next too impossible.  I think it's something ingrained in us as humans to want ...

My Fitness Blog: March Madness! : "Ok so I borrowed this from the college basketball hoopla that happened this month but this is how I can best describe this month in terms ..."

Ok so I borrowed this from the college basketball hoopla that happened this month but this is how I can best describe this month in terms of my fitness journey.  I can't believe I've completed three solid months and I'm still going strong as far as working out is concerned. I think I found a schedule that works for me. I do cardio on Mondays with a couple guys from work. It's fun working out with men because they push you like another woman couldn't. You don't want to come off looking like a punk because you can't keep up with them so it pushes to me to work harder. They still call me a punk because I don't do an hour of cardio like them but they are not married or have kids to take care so I can't afford to spend all that time on the elliptical. Secretly I don't want too.  LOL Tuesday I  affectionately refer to two a day Tuesdays. I do bootcamp during my lunch hour then in the evening I work out with an old college friend and ex-...