Mimi's Fitness and Things!

Ok not really but I am in print. And unlike the Kardashians or the Lohan's of the world I was featured for one of my favorite passions right now and that's health and fitness!!   Back in early October Self Magazine had asked the masses to send in their weight loss success story to their magazine, especially those who had used their Jump Start Diet.  So I wrote to them telling them of my weight loss journey and how the Jump Start food plan really helped me along my journey.  It really made me realize that I was eating all wrong!  Like we're talking all kinds of wrong. My portion sizes were out of control, I was eating out ALL the time and even when I cooked it was processed/packaged foods. This plan taught me how to eat better and make more nutritious selections.  So anyway I told Self Magazine all of this and of course attached some photos and a couple weeks later one of the editors contacted me!  I was so excited!  She called me and we chatted...

Last Sunday I ran my first half marathon!  I ran the  Rock N Roll Latin Music Miami Beach Half Marathon. I know in my previous post I said that my first would be in January but this opportunity fell into my lap and I couldn't say no.  So I laced up my sneaks, attached my heart rate monitor and put on my bib number and ran 13.1 miles.  Ok it wasn't that simple but to say I was nervous was an understatement.  I was so nervous that I went into total denial about the whole thing.  My running mates would ask me if I was excited and I'd say yes but in my mind I would be thinking that there was no way in hell that I was running this race. I was so much in denial that I didn't book my hotel room until the night before I was supposed to head down to South Beach. After that I went to put my race gear together.  My sports bra, my "Black Girls Run" tshirt, my capris, socks, sneakers, and my ankle brace. I had my energy gels and water bottle ready to go....

What do you mean eating clean Miriam? I don't eat off the floor or dig threw the dumpsters for dinner!   Well that's not what I mean by clean eating.  Eating clean is the new catchphrase that is used to describe a person who eats natural whole food.  It's sad that our society must categorize food into areas such as real food and fake food, or like some people like to call Frakenfood.  That's food that's put together in a lab somewhere.  Clean eating also scares people because they think it means eating plain boring food with no flavor. But that couldn't be further from the truth. Eating clean simply means getting your food source from it's most natural source.  So dinner every night doesn't have to be bland chicken breast with broccoli and brown rice.  You can still eat hamburgers and fries! No I'm not joking. Only thing is you'll have to get lean meat and eat it on whole wheat bread. And cut up some sweet potatoes to make into fries.  Pres...

Here's another recipe that I found online and tried for myself! This one comes from the Toneitup.com girls. Karena and Katerina.  I mentioned these girls and their site back in May .  I love this website and these trainers.Why? Because not only are they uplifting and motivating their website is the bomb. You can find all sorts of healthy and clean recipe, workout routines and beauty tips on their site. On Twitter and Facebook  they are always inspiring you to workout and giving out challenges to do throughout the day.  Well when they posted this recipe I just had to try it. I was having a sweet tooth craving and this came about right on time!   BLACKBERRY COBBLER Melt 1 stick Earth Balance 'butter' stick in a 9x12 baking pan as you bring your oven to 350 degrees. Add in dish:  8 cups blackberries, fresh or frozen and 1 cup honey In a separate bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups each:  all purpose flour, organic light brown sugar, almond milk...

I wanted to start posting more on my blog but couldn't figure out what more to talk about other than my workouts. I mean there's only so many ways you can say "I worked out today." Then I thought about it and it came to me while scrolling through the 600 pictures on my phone. I take a lot of pictures of my food.  I don't know why , maybe it's because I was never a cook. I was never that creative in the kitchen.  I don't like to experiment at all.  Unlike my husband who will throw anything within arm's reach into the pot to cook. I have to follow directions down the very teaspoon.  That's why I love recipes that are clear and concise!  Otherwise my meals would be complete disasters. Just ask my husband. LOL Anyway, like I was saying I like taking pictures of my creations.  Feel a sense of pride when it comes out good and my family eats it up!  The fact that it's healthy is an added bonus! So I will start featuring some healthy recipes that I...

It's been a while since I've added to my series of "Exercises I do so you don't have too....." I didn't think I tried anything that I haven't mentioned already until I started thinking about running. That's when it dawned on my that I haven't shared my new love! Running, what a great sport.  You don't need any expensive equipment. It can be done anywhere, at anytime with anyone or alone.   But let me tell you running with someone really pushes you to go faster and longer.  I run with a group of ladies from my running group Black Girls Run .  This is a phenomenal group. Met some wonderful ladies who want to stay active and fit. We meet up once or twice a week depending on our schedules. We support each other and push each other to run faster and longer than we probably would on our own.  I've really taken to running.  I never thought that I could more more than a mile. Now I'm up to 6 miles.  So if you've been thinking about go...

Wow summer is winding down and so is 2011.  If I would recap this past year as far as my fitness journey is concerned I would say it has been amazing.  I can't believe all that I accomplished in the last year. Since January I've lost over 37 pounds of fat and gained almost 10 pounds of muscle.  I started this year at 172 pounds and 9 months later I weigh 141 pounds and fit into a size 4 pants!!  Even I couldn't believe it when I put on those pants and they fit. I did a dance of joy in the fitting room at Ann Taylor!  Which by the way is my new favorite store for pants because they have a curvy line for women like me who have hips and big butt going on.  You just don't know how hard it is to find the perfect pair of pants for "curvy" women. Every store should have line of pants. But I digress..... Since I've reached my weight loss goals I've noticed that motivation to exercise has waned a little. The month of August I was really lax when it came to ex...