One of the good things about the Plus Size Princess Fitness Challenge is that it forces me to cook. I’m a good cook, its something I enjoy, but sometimes I just don’t have (or make) the time for it.

For those of you who are used to easy meals that you can warm up, sometimes the idea of cooking a full meal can be daunting. My suggestion? Commit to cooking one fresh, clean side to do with your premade meal.

For example, I’m testing out pizza for American Flatbread this week (Download a $2 coupon here). These pizzas are all-natural, with no preservatives, artificial colors or flavors, handcrafted from scratch, made with a 100% organically grown wheat crust and baked in wood-fired ovens.

As frozen foods go, this is pretty top-notch, but I knew I needed a veggie, so I chopped up a head of cabbage and some garlic cloves, heated my skillet with olive oil and sautéed the cabbage and garlic while my pizza cooked in the oven. Even though I was looking for a quick meal, cooking a veggie while my pizza baked took no extra time. Within 15 minutes everything was done, I sprinkled a generous helping of pepper onto the cabbage, sat down and was pleased with my easy/organic meal.

A serving of this pizza is 340 calories. Delish!

Its Ash Wednesday!

I’m protestant, but Lent is something I’ve participated in seriously for a few years now.

The most intense sacrifice I’ve done so far was when I gave up bread. Going 40 Days without bread was eye-opening because it showed me how strong the PCOS hold is on my body. Not eating bread for 40 days made me a crazy person, but I’m glad I did it.

As I read about fasting as a spiritual practice, I’ve learned that weight loss might be a side effect, but it’s not the goal. The goal is to deny ourselves in an effort to get closer to God. For example, praying with every hunger pain during an absolute fast would increase my prayer life a WHOLLLLE bunch.

Because I have such a weird relationship with food, I find that my Lent sacrifices often center around what I consume. Denying myself certain foods/drinks works for me, but I have to remind myself that it’s not about the food/weight… on the other hand, some people practice Lent in order to lose weight.

So, a few questions:

-For those of you who do the Lent thing, do you choose things that will help you lose weight?

-For those of you who aren’t religious, do you join in on Lent in order to lose weight?

-What are you giving up this year?

p.s. I lost two more pounds this week… getting back on track!

Okay lovelies, I’m going to make this one quick.

Between the holidays and Miami I somehow managed to gain 10 pounds. (Womp Womp) Remember last week when I said my scale was going up and down? Yeah, well it settled on 10 pounds heavier than my lowest weight on Thursday.

Since seeing that number on the scale I’ve jumped into action, I haven’t had any wine/cocktails, I’ve been cooking relatively clean and I’ve been taking different types of cardio classes like African dance and boxing. I’m on MyFitnessPal now too, add me as a friend! Those things have enabled me to drop seven pounds, thank God!

I swear, this weight loss thing is not easy!

The numbers on the scale are starting to look better and I have three more pounds left till I’m back at my lowest weight. Then I will jump into my next goal of losing 15 pounds. I’m thinking no wine/cocktails until that goal is reached… I love having a yummy glass of wine here and there so abstaining from alcohol will be a good reminder of what I need to accomplish. It will also be a good reward when I can finally have it again.

Maybe I should dangle a bottle of Cabernet above the treadmill?

How are YOU guys doing? Any big losses? Big gains? Plateaus?

xoxo

So… I’m not losing weight.

For the past 2 weeks the scale dips down and then it zooms right back up again. I don’t think I’m in a plateau situation but I’m trying to see what changes I can make to get the scale moving in the direction that I would like. The first thing I’m doing is nixing alcohol from my diet. My life in NYC is very much surrounded by cocktails. My week can have a combination of wine with Robert, after work cocktails, open bar blogging events, etc. and those are calories that aren’t necessary, so I’m starting there. The Plus Size Princess Fitness Challenge (#PSPfit) is 100% about getting fit and healthy and I’m definitely doing that but I want weight loss to be one of the results of a stronger healthier life.

The other thing I’m doing is finding inspiration to keep trying. I spent the weekend looking at plus size swimwear by Simply Be and fantasizing about wearing a more daring bathing suit this summer. Of course, I find inspiration from the #PSPfit girls on twitter/instagram/tumblr. I’ve also found motivation in having legit workout gear because new gym clothes make me want to go work out more.

The latest addition to my #PSPfit wardrobe is from JCPenney’s Xersion line, The pieces are perfect for an active Plus Size Princess. Their racer-back tank flares out at the waist, so its not tight on my tummy. Their colorful jackets are designed to loop your headphones through the pocket so you don’t drop your phone. Best of all, they make really amazing workout leggings with reflective stripes and a pocket in the back for your phone/keys/credit cards. Its nice to have plus size active wear that goes beyond leggings and a t shirt. Just call me “Sporty Spice”

Photos taken with the HTC One phone!

The sizing on these items is pretty standard. Everything I have fits like a glove and the shirt and pants have adjustable draw string waist bands. Also note that the tank doesn’t have a shelf bra, so I’m wearing a sports bra underneath, but the shirt is made to camouflage that.

How are YOUR 2013 fitness goals coming along?

Snag Plus Size workout clothes from JCPenney & Xersion below!

Today at 4pm EST, I’ll be doing a live #curvyconvo chat on about PCOS on twitter and facebook. PCOS stands for Polyciystic Ovarian Syndrome and a LOT of Plus Size Princesses have it, whether they know it or not.

I have PCOS and I think its important to discuss it from time to time because there is often a connection between the syndrome and weight. My initial post on PCOS can be found here and a small debate about PCOS and weight can be found here, you can also click on the PCOS tag on the blog to see everything we’ve discussed so far.

The conversation will continue this afternoon at 4pm, hopefully you’ll log on and share/ask questions.

Now onto our Plus Size Princess Fitness Challenge! You guys are inspiring me by hitting the ground running this week, here are a few of the girls who are rocking this challenge by eating well, working out 4 times a week and logging their efforts on twitter/instagram:

We are off to a great start! #PSPfit

2013 is just around the corner, which means its time for us all to reevaluate our lives, where we are and where we’re going.

Gaiam has released a video that sparks the question “What makes you happy?” For me, I’m finding that my happiness comes from doing the things I love: music, writing and trying to create a fulfilling life for myself. A lot of the things that will make me happy take time to cultivate, as sites like GaiamTV.com remind us; one thing I can control, is my health.

That post-workout “high” that comes after taking time towards my Plus Size Princess Fitness Challenge goals gives instant gratification while helping me achieve the fitness goals that will improve my daily life.

For those of you looking to start the New Year with happiness releasing endorphins, GaiamTV is offering streaming video with over 2,000 titles. Gaiam TV is like Netflix with streaming capabilities on your computer, iPads and smartphone.

Sign up for a GaiamTV free 10-day trial and you’re automatically entered to win a 3-month subscription!

Here’s to a healthy and happy New Year!

I was scrolling through instagram photos tagged with #PSPfit, Plus Size Princess Fitness Challenge and I came across a before/after shot that made my jaw drop. After seeing this photo I had to interview the girl who had clearly put in so much work and embodies what #PSPfit is all about. She tracks, she logs and she’s active on the #PSPfit twitter and instagram timelines. Best of all she inspires me and I hope she will inspire you too, Meet Kiya!

Disclaimer: Before starting any diet or weight loss program, consult a doctor or your personal physician. I am not an expert, a dietitian, a physical trainer, nor are any of the #PSPfit members featured here. What works for them may not be right for you, so CONSULT A PHYSICIAN BEFORE YOU BEGIN A LIFESTYLE CHANGE THAT INCLUDES A CHANGE IN DIET AND/OR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.

How much weight have you lost and how long did it take?
As of that picture, I had lost 75 lbs, and right now, I’m at 85lbs. I started messing around with losing weight in early March 2012, and got really serious with it in late April. I’m 5’4.5 (yes, that half inch matters!) and I started out at 240lbs. I was a 22/24 and now I’m a 10/12

Wow, that is so impressive… What’s your weight loss process?
In order to determine WHAT my calories are - I follow the Anything Goes Diet (by John Barban) - which basically means, I eat what I want. Anything I want. As long as it fits within my weekly calorie budget - I can have it. There is no such thing as a ‘forbidden’ food - merely high-calorie foods that I have to ‘budget’ for. It removes the pressure of ‘falling off the wagon’.

I’m finding that eating plans that don’t have ‘forbidden foods’ work best for me too… Do you use any apps?
My main support tools are two apps on my iPhone - LoseIt and FatWatch.

Do you have a workout plan?
You notice, I didn’t mention exercise. I didn’t exercise for most of my journey, and when I did, it was solely weightlifting (relatively heavy). I hate cardio with a deep and burning passion, and so I don’t do it. *lol* Besides, it makes more sense to me to NOT eat the additional calories in the first place.

OMG, so those before and after pictures are mostly from changing your eating habits? *faints* that puts things in perspective! Will you ever exercise?
I’ve started exercising now, because part of it was one of my rewards. I do many things including Krav Maga/yoga/weights and glaring at my treadmill once a week. *lol*

*wrygrin* I’ve either gotten compliments or silence - no real in-between reactions. Folks didn’t start noticing until I hit about the 60lb mark, and when I hit 70lbs the floodgates of comments opened. I’ve gotten a couple ‘don’t get too small’ comments, and my response has been ‘If I DO get too small, it’s REAL easy to get big again!’ which shuts them up nicely. My mama told me I could admit to her if I got gastric bypass done on the low. *lol* One of my good friends said that even though I was SO much smaller, my spirit still filled the room.

Awww that’s sweet! Has #PSPfit been helpful?
I just recently FOUND #PSPFit - and it’s definitely been encouraging! I love having a ‘reason’ to track various elements of my journey - even though now, a lot of them are ‘habits’ rather than ‘challenges’.

How has your weight-loss affected your fashion?
Oh, dear gods. *lol* It’s weird - I’ve radically shifted how I dress, because I can FIT the stuff I’ve always wanted to wear now. I’m really looking forward to reaching goal so that I can start investing in some really nice pieces.

How has weight-loss affected your dating life?
*laugh* It hasn’t - I don’t date. I was married for almost 10 years, got divorced in late 2010, and I’m so happily NOT dealing with the opposite sex (or any sex!) right now - it’s heavenly peaceful and restorative, and provides me with the time that I need to reshape myself - inside and out!

Gods, there’s so much! Urm. Don’t worry about breaking your metabolism - it’s virtually unbreakable. Skip listening to what ‘everyone’ knows (but yet works for so few people) and find/read the science behind a lot of the fitness tall tales that WILL keep you fat.

Treat yourself! My goal reward is a GORGEOUS sapphire ring I’ve had my eye on for years - it’s going to be my ‘championship’ ring of Victory.

Accept the fact that not everyone is going to support you. Some of the people who were silent - their reaction kinda hurt, but to be honest, it’s better than the people who started pushing food on me at every turn. *lol* It has nothing to do with YOU really - it’s just that you are changing, and you are being SUCCESSFUL at your change - and that makes them start to wonder if they should change, too. And most folks don’t like change.

And last but not least - You aren’t broken, you aren’t weak, you aren’t a failure - you’re human and part of the essence of humanity is imperfection. Accept that sometimes, we all stumble, but stand back up, and keep walking forward. Be more stubborn than yourself, and you’ll be able to reach the goals you desire.

Follow Kiya on twitter here

Wow, thanks for that Kiya… I’m so glad you’re a part of #PSPfit and I can’t wait to watch you hit more goals, I’m right behind you! lol (p.s. I lost 4 pounds this week )

How is everyone else doing? Also if you want to join the Plus Size Princess Fitness Challenge, leave your twitter handle in the comments section below and follow me on instagram “PlusSizePrincess”