::My Bathroom Scale Broke:: Coppelia~Guest Houston Latina Blogger

**This is a guest post provided by a fellow Houston Latina Blogger**

"My Bathroom Scale Broke" 

by Coppelia Marie, Author, Blogger, Speaker and TV Personality. She's a puertorrican living in Texas, laughing through life and sharing stories with a little latina flavor at www.CoppeliaMarie.com

I left home for a few days to visit family in Dallas and when I came back, I was wondering how much damage I did eating out ... eating birthday cake ... eating chocolate mint Kit Kats and other goodies that my brother brought from Japan!

... And when I stepped on the scale, it was like a fairy godmother had touched it with her wand!!!

I normally weigh close to 150, but the scale said 110!!!

I hadn't stepped on a scale and seen that number since I was in high school! (Honestly, back then, it was more like 115, but STILL!)

LOL!!!

Of course, there are no fairy godmothers (as much as I wish they existed. Especially the bathroom scale kind.) This can only mean one thing. My bathroom scale broke.

Awww, man!

I've spent the last few days sort of joking that I wish the scale was true! And tonight, when I joked about that after dinner (which happened to include chips and queso), my 10 year old son heard me and had a very curious reply. 

He said:

"Mom, that should be the title of your next book. "I Wish the Scale Was True." And the book should be about how you stepped on the scale and you really liked the number, but you were sad that it was only because the scale was broken. But then, you work really hard to make that number come true."

What a concept.

I can actually work to make the number I wish I saw on the scale come true!

Wait, can we actually make our dreams come true without fairy godmothers???

For years I have read many books, blogs, articles and emails; seen TV shows and infomercials, heard radio shows and podcasts that all say YES! Yes, you can make your weight-loss dreams come true. You just have to CHANGE.

Dang it. I was still hoping one of those books or TV shows would have a fairy godmother that I could wish for and she'd appear.

But here's the thing: I WANT to lose weight. I really, really, really WANT to. But I don't want to change.

I don't want to have to meal plan and buy groceries and cook. (GASP!) I admitted it.

I love the idea of healthy eating, but I seldom do it (every now and then I actually attempt meal planning and grocery buying and (gasp) cooking, and I find it's really not that hard. And I feel better physically and emotionally (because I know I'm doing the right thing.) 

But then, I'm not 100% sure why, other than "bad habits die hard," but I go back to the Starbucks drive-thru the next morning, have Chick-fil-A for lunch and get a Chili's email coupon that's such a great deal it convinces me to go out for dinner.

I'm a super Dave Ramsey fan and I've heard his money advice enough times to know that, not only is eating out all the time bad for my health, it's also bad for my budget.

So CHANGE is a no-brainer, right? DUH! Why am I not CHANGING overnight to a healthy-eating, meal-planning, money-saving person?

Because there are no fairy godmothers.

I can't wish myself into a new person.

But I can dream. And if "a dream is a wish the heart makes" (yes, I'm a Disney girl!) And "the dreams that you wish will come true," ... then I'm going to keep dreaming about that magical number on the scale actually being the reality when I wake up and not just a dream.

And as I dance between dreamland and reality, I'll keep reading those books and blogs (like 100 Days of Real Food), watching those TV shows (like NBC's Biggest Loser) and listening to those podcasts (like Jillian Michaels and Dave Ramsey) that, in true fairy godmother form, remind me every day of my dream ... and give me the little sprinkles of pixie dust that inspire me to live out my dream.

Dreaming ... and excited about what I'll see on the scale when I wake up.

~Coppelia

Why I am not hating on Coco and her post-partum body.. really! #nohaterzone

A few weeks ago I posted a somewhat "controversial" post over on Facebook. And, funny. If you know me, I take very little serious. We only have one life, we can't spend it over analyzing or criticizing everyone. Trust me easier said than done. But, this post, is not meant to be mean or controversial at all. 

Here is why I am not hating on Coco and her near perfect post-partum body. Y'all she is a celebrity. It's her job to look that amazing, an hour or two after birth. Could I look like her, maybe? If I really tried and had some more money. I didn't look that way with either child cause well I am not shaped like her. And, because with my son I decided I wanted to be a nice plump pregnant woman and then it got out of hand. I had all sorts of complications and water retention in places I had no clue could retain fluid.  I tried to stay healthy and loose the weight after him but guess what 10 months later I was preggers again.

With Camila, I was a whole different person. As we all are individuals, each pregnancy is different. I only gained 7 pounds and was still very much pregnant but a bit healthier and not as big. Which was perfect. She weighed 8lbs 14oz, I gained only her weight and then lost 15 pounds afterward. I stayed on the low end of the scale for a year or so. Then, let's get real, I won't be on TV half naked like Coco anytime soon, so I ate.

My love for food and the number on that scale are rarely in agreement. Fast forward to where I am now. Almost 35, hopefully, no more kids and seeking to remain healthy and fit. All the time. So, am I hating on Coco? Well, not in a bad way. Would be nice to look like her, but truth is, I don't really care to put that much effort into it right now. I do what I can and look like a somewhat, not too chubby Momma most the time. 

The point of this is, no matter what or how Coco got back to her slim shape, we should each embrace what we look like and strive to be better. Not cause Coco looks amazing but because we want to be happy and content with where we are, plus my kids hug me and kiss me all the same. They have no clue about my weight or shape struggles. And, I love them for that. The only judgment here is my own and from those who have judgy opinions all the time. We can't change them.

Now Kim Kardashian though... KIDDING. I am joking. No judgment. (HAHA)

Ok, Momma's let's hear your opinion!! Be real and honest but respectful, please. It's all I ask.

:: My Weight Loss Journey- Q&A:: #InspiredSeries

I love meeting new people and listening to their stories, or following it on social media. That has been the case with today's Guest Blogger her name is Susana and she is from Houston. I started following her through a family member on Instagram, soon we became friends on Facebook and her goals and story just motivate me more and more everyday! 

I did a short Q & A with her so that you too can learn from her weight loss journey and follow her! 

Tell me; what is it that you were after when it came to your weight loss/what were your original goals?

I wanted to be HEALTHY and not have any medical issues... My original goal was to lose 100 lbs and to be able to do a 5k run.... 

What motivated you to start on this journey? 

Honestly MY EX BREAKING UP WITH ME....  I felt like I was not gonna be good for no one at me weight witch was close to 400 lbs...  

What was your plan of action?    Eat healthy and workout..... 

How did you first get started and what was the most difficult part? 

Getting up and taking my self to the gym when I first started! I could only last up to 30 minutes at the gym before I wanted to call it quits.

Did anyone help push you or inspired you to get here? 

Yes..... My family and friends but my BIGGEST INSPIRATION was my personal trainer Josh Norris.... 

What has your progress been? I have lost over 150 lbs!

How are you keeping motivated to continue down this path? 

I don't want to gain any of this weight back.... I am my biggest MOTIVATION!! 

What advice do you have for others in your place? 

It's not an easy road, don't give up, &  keep pushing YOURSELF! Always remember why you started. 

We all struggle daily with so many self issues; what has been your favorite quote, book, movie, item, or website that has helped you keep strong and move forward? 

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.~Buddha

Did you run the 5k? If so, when and which one? 

Yes, I ran and walked it took me over 2 hrs to do my first one but I got it done and I did the color me Run. 

What is your favorite workout? 

LEG DAY........ you can't go wrong with working out that booty... I am really getting into cycling and swimming at the moment. 

What is your least favorite? 

I will have to say upper body chest and arms ohhh no I cant stand it at all... I would say I don't like CARDIO... haha!  

How do you feel about your progress? 

I feel great I have a lot more to go but I love how I feel and how I look..... I love my CALVES.....

::Contact Susana::

Facebook: Susana Martinez 

IG: susemtz82

Snapchat: Susemtz82

::Momma Fitness:: Recipe~Caldo de Pollo #weightlossbattle

{::Momma Disclosure:: I know the health benefits of eating well. I reap the benefits of healthy choices when it comes to my weight, family history of diabetes, anemia and on going kidney issues.}

Let me be totally honest in this space. 

First of all, I have not really worked out since maybe the 2nd week in January. I have probably gained about 6 lbs. Not too worried considering where I was this time last year...over 180 lbs and now I am in the 160's. Trust me 6 lbs is not much!

Fact number 2; I don't do well with, "eating well"... "eating clean" or clean eating, or healthy eating. Eating well and I are not exactly friends; as a matter of fact if I could I would eat oreos and pizza all day. No really. It's beautiful.  Not sure if I have told you this little bit of information, I am Mexican. Big time. Ha. And, being that my family is superbly and awesomely Mexican...you know el cafecito,el pancito, las tortillitas, los taquitos, y mas taquitos;  bottom line I have not been eating well. Oh yeah did I mention el PAN!

The awesome sweet smelling colorful pan dulce...ok, done.

So, for the last month {or two} I have been a lump on the couch {not really but you know what I mean}and a face stuffing Momma.

But, this week. Back on track after a horribly wonderful food filled weekend. My Hubby said to me Sunday night we need a detox man! I agree man!

So, by Monday it was green tea and soup time. One of my favorite soups is chicken soup or Caldo de Pollo. Another honest truth about me. I don't like the word diet, thankfully I have learned to detox and exercise regularly.

Caldo de Pollo is so simple and a great detox tool, I think. One friend really simplified it because she used the Paleo food list, still looked so good.

My caldo is not really a diet recipe, I just took my Momma's ideas and made it mine, so here you are:

I usually buy a whole chicken and gut it myself, but for healthier options I dice chicken breast and  add chicken legs for my kiddos.

What you need:

• 2 large chicken breast {diced or whole} and 4 to 6 legs depending on how big they are.
• 2 large cloves of garlic
• ½ of a large onion {diced}
• 2 small red tomatoes {diced}
• 2 to 4 Serrano Peppers {depending on the heat you want, you can also leave them out}
• About 10 small red potatoes {cut in half}
• 1 bag of baby carrots
• About ¾ cup of brown rice
• 1 celery stick
• 2 or 3 sprigs of cilantro
• Optional: corn on the cob halves about 6 to 8

First, in a medium to large pot add about 10 to 12 cups of water, the water should completely cover all of the chicken. Add, the celery stick, your springs of cilantro and garlic cloves with seasoning and salt to taste. I use Knorr de Pollo about a spoonful or so.

Cover and bring it to a complete boil, once it’s boiled once and your chicken looks semi cooked, bring it down to a medium heat. At this point you will add all of your onion, tomatoes, whole Serrano peppers {optional}, the red potato halves, your baby carrots and the ¾ cup of rice and corn.

Allow everything to cook for about 30 minutes…you will know it’s ready when all your veggies are tender and the rice has fully cooked. Brown rice is tough and it could take a bit longer to fully cook.

It’s so simple and as my Hubby would say…one of those “set it and forget it” meals! Just a little note; my caldo is never the same, it all depends on what is in my fridge that day. Ha. I do though make it often, because it's easy and my kids love it. 

Momma Fitness #ResolutionMakers

I have a problem with commitment. Funny story and bizarre admission? I have been with my Hubby for 15 years, I have 2 toddlers and the word commitment scares me?

Here is why: I have a  family that depends on me in so many ways. Maybe the statement should be commitment to the outside world and myself scares me. But, it's necessary sometimes. 

And, while it is a new year and we are all inspired and motivated to be more and do the most, there comes a time period when that motivation, well honestly it runs out! I didn't fully commit last year to a fitness "plan" per say until about April, and I lost 15 lbs in 2013.

By that time all those people who had committed in January had already lost weight and maybe continued to but then, fell off the wagon. It's a normal process I believe. 

I will say this, I have so much going on already and my calendar looks eeeekk but  I will try to post about my weight battle and goals reached as they come. I will also be posting over at Houston Moms Blog, along with a couple of other Houston Moms Blog Contributors about fitness goals and how to achieve them. If you wish to follow us check every Friday on Houston Moms Blog and feel free to share your own experiences in this #weightbattle!

I also post a lot about this on my Instagram and I host a private group called Momma Fitness on Facebook, where we motivate and share with other women who are looking to lose weight, stay healthy and get fit!! It's been a great experience so far and we all help each other and give one another advice. It's a difficult task to do all that we do as Momma's, Wives and outside world contributors so we can all use some support and encouragement.