cubaricangirl’s BodyBlog

Ok so back on track…and feeling good. Note to self, do not mix Atro-Phex with Low Carb Monster…unless 1) you plan on doing 3 hours of cardio,  or 2) Want to rebuild a volkswagen engine.  However, this combination has certainly brought me more focus at work. So I will file this recipe away for mid month reports.

Hope everyone is having an awesome day.

 Stay focused.

 j.lo.

Hi Y’all,

It sure has been a while since I have written. And I want to start by saying that I have been in "Jill World" these last few weeks. And I have to say… Its pretty lonely here. Ive been sick twice on antibiotics changed jobs and moved my home….all in the last 4 weeks. I have been dealing with personal and emotional stuff on my end, and my friendships and workouts, diet etc…have all begun to suffer. I pretty much have eaten everything that wasnt nailed down just as a coping mechanism against what LIFE has been throwing at me lately. As a result I am up in my weight, and not feeling so good. But here is the best part of being human. Tomorrow is a new day, and WE can always start over.  This is something that seems so simple, yet, I have to really stop and listen to this. "Tomorrow is a new day". Just because I have been less than perfect the last 4 weeks, does not mean I have undone all the hard work I have done. It just means, I have gone back a few steps and its time to stop….Turn around and continue along the path I have chosen. I guess, if it were easy, I would have done it a long time ago right? I miss the gym, I miss my workouts, I miss my progress.

So new goal, as of Monday September 1, 2008… I will be on a 60 day cutting cycle. High Intensity Training, Cardio, Training with my trainer.  My trainer always says, your body is a business, if you are sick, or dont come into work, sh** does not get done. Business comes to a hault. Well no more…Business as usual. Back on track.

Thanks again to those who support me everyday, and check in on me. You guys are the best. And to those I don’t know yet. Keep an eye on me, I will not disappoint. We are in this together. And its a journey not a race.

Have an awesome Labor Day!

xoxo

j.lo

If I can do it anyone can!

Ok, so today, my post is a song, that I have been listening to over and over the last few days. It really hits me and I just know I need to share it…Since we cant have Music on our page…(um hmm…admin, wink, nudge) I thought I would share the lyrics with y’all….this song pretty much sums up what I feel, what I should be feeling, what I want to feel….and Im so excited to share it…enjoy!

"Strength, Courage & Wisdom" Indie Arie

Inside my head there lives a dream that I want to see in the sun
Behind my eyes there lives a me that I’ve been hiding for much too long
‘Cause I’ve been, too afraid to let it show
‘Cause I’m scared of the judgment that may follow
Always putting off my living for tomorrow
It’s time to step out on faith, I’ve gotta show my faith
It’s been illusive for so long, but freedom is mine today
I’ve gotta step out on faith, It’s time to show my faith
Procrastination had me down but look what I have found, I found

Strength, courage, and wisdom
And it’s been inside of me all along,
Strength, courage, and wisdom
Inside of me

Behind my pride there lives a me, that knows humility
Inside my voice there is a soul, and in my soul there is a voice
But I’ve been, too afraid to make a choice
‘Cause I’m scared of the things that I might be missing
Running too fast to stop and listen

It’s time to step out on faith, I’ve gotta show my faith
It’s been illusive for so long but freedom is mine today
I’ve gotta step out on faith it’s time to show my faith
Procrastination had me down but look what I have found, I found

Strength, courage, and wisdom
And it’s been inside of me all along,
Strength, courage, and wisdom
Inside of me

I close my eyes and I think of all the things that I want to see
‘Cause I know, now that I’ve opened up my heart I know that
Anything I want can be, so let it be, so let it be:.

Strength, courage, and wisdom
It’s been inside of me all along,
Strength, courage, wisdom
It’s been inside of me all along, everyday I’m praying for:

Strength, courage, and wisdom
To find me, yeah,
Strength, courage, and wisdom
Inside of me

I found it in me, I found it finally
I’m sure to keep it’ cause I like it, I say thank you

Happy Friday again y’all.

So after thinking about it for a few weeks, and looking at my progress photos….I have decided to remove my heaviest moments and I wanted to explain why. It is not that I want to forget her, the person I was before, its just its time to let her go. She will always have a special place in my heart, but for now its time to let her rest. Those pictures represent alot of uncomfort and disconnect. I can honestly say I am no where near that place anymore and never want to go back. I am more than happy to share any before pictures with anyone. And please dont hesitate to PM me. But as of today I am this new person and I am moving forward. This is a new life and whole new world and I embrace a whole new set of challenges and obstacles. If it doesn’t kill ya it will make ya stronger.

Again, I appreciate all the LOVE and Support I get from my friends here in BodySpace land. I honestly and truly could not do this with out you.

Keep an eye on me, I will not disappoint. Next stop Contest prep!

Hope everyone has an awesome weekend and keep up the great work!

xo

J.Lo

If I can do it anyone can!

Ok, so it has been like 3 weeks since I have done a squat….and oh how I miss them. The burning in my quads and glutes. Ive been doin the motrin, and the rest, and the ice….If i dont get to do a squat soon, Im gonna go crazy…ok. that was my rant.

Hope everyone is having an amazing week. Thanks again my fellow bodyspacers for your loving comments and support. I could not do this with out you guys. Shouts out to all my military friends…you guys inspire me most. Thank you!

Happy Friday y’all

xo
J.Lo

If I can do it anyone can!

So I went to the sports doc I go to…and after a few tests, bend you leg this way, resist when I push your knee this way…the diagnosis is I have a sore adductor muscle. Plan of treatment, icing after workouts, ibuprofin and limit leg excercises….OK, now i can do the first 2, but the last one…I dont know. Thats gonna be hard. Anyhow, just wanted to share. Like I have said in the past, this is a journey, not a race, and along the way, we are gonna hit some bumps and curves…this is just one of them.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Im right there with you!

 xo,

J.Lo. 

Well, here I am 60 lbs. Gone forever. Never to return! I promised myself that I would be as raw and honest with all my friends in bodyspace land. So here goes….

This last couple of weeks has been very overwhelming. Not only have I busted my butt to get to my goal and hit it, but emotionally and spiritually I was exhausted. Thank God, I have had this week off to really regenerate and reflect. And of course rest my body and allow my hip to heal. And Im so ready for round 3!

A lot of times we get caught up in the physical part of working out and achieving our goals, that we don’t realize its an emotional process too. I mean, its a huge deal to completely transform how the world has seen you for so long. My point is, now I am getting attention from people that never in a million years would have talked to me before. And here is the deal, its not that they are shallow, or only about the physical. But when you are heavy and uncomfortable in your own skin, people pick up on that and they want nothing to do with you. Now that I am finally starting to love my body, and embrace the woman I am, people want to be around me, they want to get to know me. Its a little scary cause I can no longer hide behind the fat. And sometimes, I think they are crazy cause I don’t see what they see. Now people can get to know the real me.  

Anyhow, I just wanted to share this with all of you and let y’all know that taking care of your body, and achieving greatness starts in the heart, soul and mind.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

More good things to come….

xo
J.Lo.

I never thought I would see the day that I would be working out and see muscles just popping out. I mean maybe a tricep here and there. But last night I was doing a bi and tri workout and my shoulders, bi’s, & tri’s actually looked….well the word I used was "SICK." I actually had to look away cause it was so intense. I have NEVER seen my body look like this. Holy Crap, I didnt even know I had those muscles. Anyhow…He** ya, Im so gonna take this training all the way to a competition. I can’t wait to see what my body will do next. My trainer has always said…J.LO…this is what your body was born to do. I didnt believe him until now. My body has been wanting this for a long time. The fat is just melting off and revealing the most beautiful physique. Im beyond excited. And for the first time in my life. I am falling in love with this body. The one that I have hated for so long. There is no stopping me now. Thanks again to all my friends in bodyspace land. You guys are the best!! If I can do it anyone can.  

xo
Jill

That’s right, i just cleaned out my closet, and what a cleansing it was. I NEVER want to see those size 16 pants again. Or that 2XL top that supposedly hid my problem areas. Im sorry but when you are that big, nothing hides your problem areas. And please, don’t get me wrong…if you are reading this and you are a size 16 and you are happy….embrace it, love it. But I could never get there. I was always miserable. But I can honestly say now….I’m on my way to being healthy and lean….and no more plus size jeans!!….

wow, i didn’t mean for that to rhyme.

Ok everyone, have an awesome week.

xo
Jill

PS I never throw anything away…I always give to the Rescue Mission. The are always appreciative of donations.

Quite a few peeps have asked me about my cardio workouts, which I love…so here is some general info. If you would like deets, then send me a PM

I cannot stress enough how important it is to keep your body guessing. The minute your body knows what’s coming next. You can forget about seeing any progress. That’s why I never do the same workout 2 times in a row. Im always changing it up. Intervals, Tae Bo, Yoga. And its great cause you don’t get bored either.

Mon, Wed, and Friday’s I strength train with my trainer. After our workouts I do a quick set of intervals on the bike or the treadmill. Tues, Thursdays and Saturdays, I do 3-6 sets of intervals, and then cardio at a moderate level for 20-30 minutes. Very important, I do intense cardio sessions in the mornings. This sets my metabolism, and really taps into my fat stores. And God knows, I have enough. Im always playing with the intensity. And here is a good rule of thumb. If you can talk to the hottie next to you on the treadmill, text on your blackberry, or fiddle with your iPod, then you are not working hard enough. If you don’t feel like you are gonna puke or look like a sweaty mess when you are done. Then you still got some work to do.

Hope this helps.

Happy Saturday Y’all!