Showing off my awesomeness

Since becoming a part of the Mamavation family, my awesomeness has soared to a whole new level.

According to The Awesomeness Manifesto, "awesomeness" happens when thick — real, meaningful — value is created by people who love what they do, added to insanely great stuff, and multiplied by communities who are delighted and inspired because they are authentically better off.

Tell me this doesn't sound exactly like the Mamavation community?

Now, give me a really good reason why you don't want to be a part of this in 2010?

Just in case you decide to go after a little awesomeness of your own, here are the details on the next Mamavation program:

Mamavation Campaign #4
March 22 to April 1st--accepting applications on the website
April 5 to April 12th--voting
April 12 twitter launch party 8-10pm EST
Campaign from April 13th to May 28th

Apply to be the next Mamavation Mom!

Before (October 2009) and After (March 2010)

Since I have hit the 60 pound mark recently, I thought it would be fun to post a few before and after photos!

Here is me before I entered Mamavation in October 2009.

And here is me now:


One more time...just for fun:



About 9 pounds to go to the goal!



Updated March 15th:










And another two pounds down, with a new hair do!








Here's how you can make a transition to a healthier lifestyle through the amazing Mamavation program:

Mamavation Campaign #4
March 22 to April 1st--accepting applications on the website
April 5 to April 12th--voting
April 12 twitter launch party 8-10pm EST
Campaign from April 13th to May 28th

My entire Mamavation journey is chronicled on this blog. From my struggles of just starting, to where I am at today -- I am here with you because I understand what you are feeling.

Take the next step for yourself and your family today and apply to be the next Mamavation Mom!

Skewed Perception?

Because it has been multiple years since I have held a number on the scale as low as this one, I have begun to realize I have a bit of a skewed perception of my body. Even as the scale keeps decreasing and my clothes are getting smaller – I still make jokes and refer to myself as a “bigger” person.

I wonder when I will wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and think that the person staring back at me isn’t fat? And, if that never happens, does this become an obsession? Lead to an eating disorder? Or, have I clearly just been fixated with being overweight for so long that I am mentally certain I will never be “average” or dare I say “thin”?

I am pleased with my progress made in round two of Mamavation. For this, I am certain. As we are nearing the one-year birthday of my son Henry, I realized that I am almost 60 pounds down from the day I delivered him! 60 pounds! That is an amazing accomplishment in under a year! So, for that would make is just about 40 pounds since I applied for Mamavation near my 30^th birthday!

How close am I to my ultimate goal? Less than 10 pounds. Right now, I am concentrating on one pound at a time. Taking each day at a time. Making each exercise and meal choice the right decision for me. Focusing on being fit and being healthy. And ultimately fighting off that skewed perception.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Slow and steady wins the race, right?

It seems like these last few pounds have some type of a deep attachment to me. Probably a deep attachment to my hips and abs!

I have been maintaining a one-pound/week weight loss since the beginning of January, for a total of 4.4 pounds down. That would be about 31 pounds since the beginning of October! The hardest part is just to keep reminding myself that a healthy lifestyle and weight loss is a marathon and not a sprint. Fifteen pounds to go!

In the meantime, I am really excited to be partnered up with @LisaSamples on her #Mamavation journey. She is an amazing woman and I am thrilled to see her progress!

Together, we will tackle the challenges, sheds the pounds and tears and become friends on a journey to success!

This is the WEEK!

This is the week that two women’s lives will change, hopefully forever and for the better. I remember back three months ago, when I was in a similar situation as these amazing finalists. The nerves, the distraction, and the unknown!

In just a few days, I will meet my partner for the next seven weeks. Soon, I will know whom the person is that I will hold accountable and that will hold me accountable for continuing on our trek for a healthier lifestyle. I cannot wait for the Twitter party Thursday night!

If I learned anything from the last Mamavation campaign, it was that it is never too late to start making changes. The hardest part was the discipline. Holding myself accountable for my actions. What really kept me focused was the sistahood, knowing full well that there were many others out there that wanted a chance at what I was so fortunately allowed to do – to represent the Mamavation program.

The last month, since the campaign ended, I have relied on my friends to keep me motivated to go to the gym. Also, keeping track of what I’m eating is very important. Chance are, if you have to write it down, you will really think twice about what you are consuming.

I am just beginning my new goal and I know that it will be a lot of hard work in the next two months. I am going to need help staying on track and perhaps for the first year in decades, I may even buy a swimming suit?!

Together, we are going to make this the best start of the New Year!

It's GO TIME!

Welcome to 2010!

I have big plans in 2010 and there is no time like the present to get started! My team is assembled and we are ready to go to support each other in this next phase of this journey to personal health and positive state of mind.

I am taking all of the tools, tips and secrets I learned in the last campaign and am coming out in a vengeance to finally reach my ultimate goals. It has all boiled down to planning the work and working the plan.

That is exactly what I have done. Planned my fitness routine. Planned my meals. Now, it’s time to shed the last of the pounds and tone up those “mamavated” muscles. My goal is to be buff and tough by April 4, 2010. This entails shedding about 20 more pounds, toning up some muscles and crossing the finish line faster in my next 5k race in March. Think I can do it!?

And, just as importantly, I am ready to be your mentor, too! I look forward to partnering with one of the new Mamavations Moms as we take on this quest together. Mamavation is a wonderful program, moms are superheroes and the best is yet to come!

Final Confessional Vlog