Part 3

My throat is swollen and I feel like I can't breath.

Part 1

I've taken a long hiatus from blogging. Unfortunate life events occurred and it's been difficult dealing them.

I'm assuming someone will eventually find these. I don't know how else to express myself or get my feelings for the past year or so out. I'll just paste old entries here.

Welcome 2015!

Welcome to a new year and the opportunity to turn up the gear on your weight loss! New year means many to us. It can mean, fresh start, new beginnings, turning a new leaf. Whatever it means to you, own it.

Weight loss never ends

I've mentioned before on my blog that weight loss is more of a lifestyle journey rather than a diet. It's a paradigm shift that only you can shift when you're ready. You put all your sweat and tears at the gym, focus on your nutrition, say no to the beer.. and once you achieve your goal weight.. what's next? Maintaining?

Well, it's easy to say maintaining is easy by just eating the amount of calories to maintain your weight and exercising the amount of days needed to maintain your weight. But weight loss and maintaining is not just plugging in numbers and getting a deficit.. it's much more difficult.

Weight loss does not take into account any life struggles, traumatic experiences, sickness, hormonal imbalances, fear, sadness, addiction, and others like such. Weight loss just the outer appearance. Once you reach your goal weight.. how will you maintain it when life happens?

You see, what I did not warn you guys is that life happens. I am not going to pretend and say I have not yo-yoed the past four years. It has been a difficult journey for me and my weight sometimes reflects on that. I know many of you look up to me, and I admire that, but I need you to dig deep inside yourself and find out why YOU need this. Weight loss is so much deeper than vanity.

Weight loss never ends because life is always happening. You will be upset at times when the scale rises, or when your clothes do not fit, but just look at that as an opportunity to push through and fight.

I will be updating the blog and focusing back more on meal planning and exercises. If you do not follow me on myfitnesspal please do at @blackgirlfit. Also tweet me at @fitgirljess.

xoxo Jess

5 easy steps to start your weight loss challenge

It's almost the end of January, and some of you are still wondering where to begin. I have 5 simple steps on how to reboot and take charge of your weight loss goal! Lets get to it shall we?

 1. WATER ONLY

Water is a natural cleanser, detoxifier, moisturizer, and more. Water helps move your bowels, and get things going. On average, you must consume about 8 glasses of water a day, minimum. I know it's hard to drink water, especially for someone who use to despise only drinking water. But now, I can't do without it!

***My tip: carry a gallon of water a day everywhere you go and a sharpie pen. 8 cups of water is about half of a gallon. Make a line with your sharpie pen. Try to aim to drink under the line. Once you start,
you'll notice your body will want more and more. I bet in two weeks, you'll be drinking a gallon a day!

New Year, New You

Fitness doesn't have an end journey. One can say, my goal is to weigh X lbs, my goal is to drink only water, my goal is to run 5k, my goal is to fit into size 2 dress, but what about after you reach your goal? What next?

Fitness is a lifestyle. It's a constant flow of highs and lows. It's forever. Everyday is a new challenge, a new opportunity to reach a higher goal. Embrace the moments. One moment I will never forget is getting my bachelors degree at 154 lbs (9 months prior I was 196). That moment reminded me that during those times of fear, doubt, and despair, that I made it.

Right now you are probably one of the millions trying to start a new workout plan. You got the DVD, you got the cookbook, you got the new Nike's, you got the gym membership, but do you have the mentality? Do you have the mentality to keep going even if the scale hasn't moved in 4 weeks? It's moments like these that determine whether or not you got it or not. 2014 is ours!

I love fresh starts :) 2014 is going to be an amazing year here at Fitgirljess. I will still be uploading my recipes, but I'll also start adding more personal entries so there will be a face to the blog. Entries about what I did for the week, things I'm dealing with mostly that affect my exercise or nutrition, love life :), travels, and more. 

I want to thank you soooooo much for sticking around with me. This blog was a little idea I thought of a couple years ago and now the audience is picking up all across the world :) You guys are amazing .

Now let's get to it ! #fitin2014 

2013: A Reflection

I want to thank all my readers and new readers for checking out my blog. I decided to share with you my recipes, workouts, and more because I believe you can do it! 

This year I truly studied and researched about nutrition and and fitness. I took an online nutrition class from UCLA which was amazing ! I learned about proteins carbs fats and how they work in the human body. 

I also started juicing more which not only aided in weight loss but also helped balance some of my hormonal imbalance, acne, and digestion.

I did Turbo Fire, Insanity, and Fitness blender training programs. All programs were a challenge but I leaned and toned out.

My weight did not drop as much as I would have liked it to but my body fat percentage did! And hey that's more important in my book :) 

Next year my plans are to take it up a notch. Participate in more physical activity, start to take vitamins , get my ninja blender, and continue to work out. 

I hope you all continue this journey into 

2014 with me. Remember this is not a diet it's a lifestyle !

Happy Holidays and see ya in January !