Working on My Fitness, You’re My Witness.

It’s been a little over 8 months into my fitness journey. It’s been a busy several months and I haven’t blogged in a hot minute. (Hey! Keeping up good eating habits, working out, making moolah, getting enough sleep, and keeping up relationships is a lot of work!) My health goal was to: 1. Lose at least 10 lbs. 2. Begin to build muscle. 3. Gain overall strength. 4. BE CONFIDENT and AWESOME. 

To recap the start of my journey, check out my original blog post on my fitness journey. I wanted to reach my goals before Stephen and I went on our first anniversary trip to the Dominican Republic. Thankfully, I reached my weight goal and then some within a few months. I spent the next little while before the trip increasing the amount of weights I was lifting during my gym sessions so I could tone up. You can see my steady progress in the pictures below!  

Now the the trip has passed (which was AMAZING), I’ve tried to be more lenient within myself regarding my diet and gym time. Instead of going to the gym 5-6 times a week, I now try to go every other day, or 3-4 times. I’ve still been slowing increasing my weights and adding in heavier machine exercises to my workouts, as well as decreasing cardio. In order to make sure I’m fueling my body enough to build muscle, I increased my calorie allowance by nearly double. Surprisingly, that’s been the most difficult part: keeping up with the amount of calories I have to consume each day. I used a nifty app on my phone (S Health) to track my meals and make sure I’m meeting my calorie intake, as well as water intake, sleep cycles, daily steps, and exercise routines. It’s actually a great way for me to have a well-rounded view of my health and makes it easy to manage day-to-day health info.  

It’s been nice not having to be as strict with my diet and exercise, although I really enjoy my gym time and I look forward to reaching new goals! 

March 2017

March 2017

April 2017

May 2017

July 2017

Free to Be Me

​I can be really insecure at times. My skin might start acting up or a roll on my tummy is extra rolly. Sometimes, it’s something I said or something that someone else said. I compare myself to others, thinking that if I could change “that one thing” about myself, I’ll feel better. When it gets really bad, and I’m sure other girls can relate, you start to not only find faults in yourself, but faults in others too. You begin to focus on their faults, hoping it’ll erase yours, but it won’t. I’m learning to celebrate myself, insecurities and all. God knew me before I was even a thought. He loves me and cares for me. That alone helps me remember that there’s beauty and kindness in me. Today, I choose to revel in my flaws and in my greatness.

Beautiful You

“I’m already in love with myself, so in love with myself”

As Iggy Azalea so elegantly put it “I’m already in love with myself, so in love with myself”. You’re probably thinking, “What the heck…Juana just quoted Iggy..here comes a feminist, girl power blog post”. And you’re kinda right.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about who I am at my core. Am I a daughter, sister, friend, dancer, producer, writer? What drives my purpose in life? What is my purpose in life?

As I prepare to become a wife in just five months, I think back to my single days and remember the desire to have a significant other. In the Christian community, girls tend to get married fairly young. It was difficult, sometimes, seeing girls getting to experience dating, engagement, and marriage before I did.  It’s easy to complain and envy those couples. Marriage is great, right?  One thing is for certain, God taught me (and continues to remind me daily) that I’m His child. He will never forsake me. All I need is HIM! Everything else comes second place.

And you know what else? I learned to love myself before loving a man. It’s a dangerous place to be when you put your value, self-worth, and happiness in someone else. Don’t do things to impress anybody but God and yourself. If I could stand on a mountain and scream this at the top of my lungs I would.

So, women, you scream it too!

I’m FLIPPIN’ awesome!

I graduated with 2 degrees because I value my education. I work out because I like the way it makes me feel. I dance until I can’t breathe because I feel free. I do things for me.

It’s important to focus on yourself and your identity in God. If those foundations aren’t set, it’s easy for someone to come in and muddy your confidence.

So, women, fall in love with yourself. You’re pretty great , after all.

The Selfie

The older you get, the more you realize that the way you look is a reflection of how you treat yourself.
– Hope Davis

You see it everywhere:  The girl or guy extending their arm just so that their smart phone can catch the light properly.  They smile. Make a face.  Pout.  Put up a peace sign.  Call others to join in.  Or look around to make sure no sees.  They inspect the photo.  A filter is chosen.  The post button is clicked.  And just like that, someone’s portrait is available for all to see.

While the selfie is so popular, so is the hate of the selfie.  Instagramers warn their followers, “Forgive my selfie!” or “I NEVER post these”.  Selfie-takers are judged and get eyes rolled at them.  We judge them for being “vain”, “self-absorbed”, and “society-centered”.

But, I see the selfie as something different.  With the amount of self-hate that drowns society, we should be glad that someone had the courage to show us their portrait.  That’s how they view themselves.  They feel beautiful at that moment.  They want to show you their new sunglasses, their new shirt, their new new hairstyle.  And perhaps, their new found confidence.

As someone who stills deals with confidence issues, I love being able to express my beauty through social media.  It’s not about fishing for compliments, but rather proclaiming, “Here I am, world! I may not be your classic definition of beauty, and maybe you think I’m superficial for posting my selfie, but hey, here I am.”

Selfies tell a story if we’re willing to look close enough.  What’s your story?