Day 22 of My 30 Day Countdown

I missed my Jiu-jitsu class today. You know, I've mentioned before that this new way of living has given me a new lease on life, new perspective and a lot more courage. I'm taking a lot more chances, setting high goals and GOING AFTER THEM FULL FORCE!!!

One of the things I've always contemplated with my career is to go into management and for whatever the reason, I never felt that I was ready until now!! So a couple months ago, I applied to a management process. This is quite a difficult process to go through. Every year, there are approximately 1000 applicants which will eventually be dwindled down to 50-75 participants!! Well I decided to GO FOR IT. I was recently screened into the process and today (this morning) wrote my first test. The way I feel about it is simple, whether or not I succeed isn't really what is driving me (don't get me wrong, my goal is to SUCCEED), however, if I don't I will be proud of myself for actually taking the step forward to try to get it done - and I would probably try again. I'll keep you posted.

So anyway, the testing lasted until 12:00 noon so I unfortunately missed my JJ class today. I ate very well today -healthy, even brought my snack (almonds and water) to the testing so I could stick to the plan. I'm feeling really great. My colleague and I actually walked back to work afterwards. It was about a 20 min walk. Not a big deal, but a year ago, I would have DEFINITELY cabbed it back to work! :)

I'm getting so many emails and messages from people telling me that they can't wait to see me and my pix. I'm getting kinda nervous! I know there's a HUGE difference in my appearance. I run into people who haven't seen me in a while quite frequently and they tell me how different I look and how much weight I've lost. My awesome friends tell me all the time (especially my friends Kim and Linda) who would never lie to me, good or bad!! I am writing a post about the two of them and what they did - will post in a few days!

Anyway, I notice a difference especially as I've been going through a lot of "BEFORE" pictures and I myself am amazed at the differences. I mean, I'm not like "Biggest Loser" small, but I think I've done a great job this past year and as I've said all along, the journey continues - it only gets better from here!

Anyway, it's late - I really need to get to bed!! NINE DAYS TO GO!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!

Until next time...
Joania (2KMINE!!!)

CHANGES: Before and After Shots

Hi guys,


My friends from ParticipACTION sent me a few pix today taken from the ParticipACTION SunLife Inspire the Nation Tour. (Thanks Katherine!)


As I looked at one of the pics, I thought it looked really nice. It's one of my son and I. I decided to pull up an older (before) pic of my son and I taken in December 2008. WOW!! I can really see a difference. I will be going through some old pics as I think it would be cool to see the changes.


Anyway, here they are...let me know what you think. The photo on the top was taken Dec 2008. The photo on the bottom was taken July 2009. My son is still as sweet as ever but I really notice the difference in my face, cheeks, chin, neck, shoulders etc....
















Until next time...
Joania (2KMINE!!!)

PICTURES!!! Finally!!!!

Hi guys...so my husband and I finally got a chance to take some pix...it was a gorgeous day today so we went out and had some family fun with our 2-year old! We just got home about an hour ago and took the following pics.

A few things...

You will notice that I've changed my outfit...I wanted something different and new and SMALLER :))...I will use the original outfit in my final pics which I will take in December. But for now, I've changed it and who knows, I may get a new outfit with each new pic...we'll see. Anyway, this outfit is SIZE L for Large y'All!!! Not, 3x or 2x or even XL...it's L - LARGE. I love it...I kept it similar to the colours of the other outfit. Here's a couple of pictures showing the size I am now wearing.

Top - L/G...Large/Grand (en framçais) YEAH!!

Pants - L/G...Large/Grand

A pair of size 'L' pants fit over my butt!! Incredible!

I noticed a few things with these pics and with me overall. First of all, those "Lagana Lunges & Squats" have really started to shape my butt. Now I know that we black women have been "blessed" with having a little extra junk in the trunk, but for some reason, it skipped me - if you look at my 'before' pic from December (Back Shot), you'll notice the bootie wasn't as "shapely" as it now is. I'm not sure that I want everyone staring at my bootie but take a look at the pic below of me from the back....LOOK AT MY BUTT!!! LOOK AT IT!! All I have to say is "Lagana Lunges and Squats!!!"

Now for the pics....

Front: Me NOW...201lbs..June 28/09

In my new outfit, I might add

Me THEN: 258lbs, Dec 2008

Back: Me NOW - 201lbs June 28/09

LAGANA LUNGES & SQUATS!! LOL!!!

Me THEN: 258lbs Dec, 2009

SIDE: NOW 201lbs June 28/09

THEN - 258lbs Dec, 2008

This is my "Just for Fun - I think I'm Kinda Hot Shot" lol!!













THAT's IT!! Let me know what you think!

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

This is ME...Then! (Before Pics)

Okay, so I "borrowed" that title from a J-LO album (which I don't even own) but I just thought this title was appropriate for when I'm looking back at my pics, "this is me...then"
I can't believe I am about to make myself so vulnerable. So many of my friends have told me that I'm nuts for doing this, but this is only temporary - in a short while when I look back, I will truly be able to see how far I've come!! I have been the master of disguise for such a long time. I know what to wear, what and how to tuck and suck in body parts so that I just look that much smaller ( I know I'm not alone here). Well, no more. Here I am, all 258 pounds of chocolate goodness *smiles*. OMG, this is harder than I thought it would be. How ever did you do this, Rosy????????? .
It has taken me about 3 hours to FINALLY post these pics. My husband took the pics and boy was he ever making me laugh. Looking at these pics just makes me want to re-affirm my commitment to this journey. Wow! Some of these ARE NOT pretty, specifically the shots of me from the back.
I decided not to wear loose shorts and a big tee, because I would still be hiding/covering up. So all my rolls and ripples are exposed. . I am more determined than ever..anyway....here goes...
Okay, so I will post updates as follows:
I will post weight loss numbers on a weekly basis (same day every week)
I will post a progress picture (s) every month (the 10th of each month)
I will continue to blog/diarize frequently, some weeks may have more/less posts than others, however I will keep it current.
The "weight" is over...here goes nothing!!! (okay, I'm stalling here...)

December 10, 2008 - Day 1
Starting Weight: 258 lbs