FFF Diva Inspiration: My Brother Paul Anthony

My brother's journey. My brother's words. He is 21 years old and used to weight 330 lbs. I am 25 years old and used to weigh 320 lbs. My sister Leilani is 24 years old and used to weigh 283 lbs. In the last 2 years we have lost almost 300 lbs in total AND COUNTING.



LOL. So on Monday 10.18.10, I went to the Hospital because of chest pain and shoulder pain. It turns out my body is just tired, the chest pain was muscular. The shoulder with the numbness and tingling was because of as pinched nerve.

Anyway the cute girl at the Pharmacy stared at each of my id's for 2 mins each. She asked me what my birthday was and I was like it's on my license and she is like you don't look like your license. [= I actually weigh less than my license I BS ofcourse before. Also, I then showed her my B.O.A. card which I was 12 when I took that picture and that doesn't look like me neither. She was confused.



These scrubs fit flush in April. And no they are not elastic Michael Truong.



I got this as a gift in Junior Year in High School. I could never fit it. Now it's too big [=

My brother recently wrote this on his Facebook:

I am thinking of writing out all my thoughts of being overweight.

Thanks for everyones support!
Especially Steve Vuong, Denndy Nguyen, Michael Truong, and John Ramirez for being my trainers and first line of support at the gym.

I also thank my Sisters, because they lost weight, it gave that so could I mentality.

I learned it doesn't matter if it's hard or easy...being my size it's all going to be hard so I just fcuking do it. [=

I wrote this to him in response:
There are times when I feel unmotivated. You have reinspired me in the best way possible. Thanks for all our late night sibling couch health chats. All 3 of us (Leilani in spirit since she's in Texas) have come such a long way. We used to be HUGE people. Between the three of us we have lost almost 300 lbs in the last 2 yrs. That is a major accomplishment and in the process we have gained mutual respect among each other as siblings. We have been to obesity hell and back. No one will understand that accept us. ♥ you. So proud!

I am such a proud sister. You don't even understand. Although my brother said that my weight loss journey kept HIM going, his weight loss journey has really kept ME going. And for that I am thankful to him.

In health,
<3 FFF Diva Mo

FFF Diva Sports MOment: Don't Stop Believing in the SF GIANTS!

FFF Diva Song of the Day: "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart" by Alicia Keys

At the beginning of this music video the following statement is said:

THERE ARE THOSE AMONG US WHO ARE BLESSED WITH THE POWER TO SAVE WHAT IS LOVED BY ANOTHER,

BUT POWERLESS TO USE THIS BLESSING FOR LOVE THEMSELVES.

Lately, during my weight loss journey I have been experiencing a lot of emotional ups and downs around: support, lack of support, close friends moving far away, letting certain friends go because they aren't good for me, family, work, school, commuting, challenges of boot camp, meeting personal health goals, cutting social activities, sleeping earlier, coming to terms that I am no longer considered severely obese but now viewed as chubby (by society) therefore I need to recognize how much privilege I have gained from although being still fat but more accepted in society now than before, using a scale to weigh my food, realizing I can say "no," and boys (enough said). In any case I have been realizing that I need to live my life only for me. Once I live my life for me I will be in a healthier position to help others such as family and friends. I am happy when I am healthier, so once that happens I know it will cause a ripple effect in everything else in my life from school to work to even (dare I say) love.

I have the power to inspire and motivate people by sharing the successes and challenges surrounded by my weight loss journey, however I also need to inspire and motivate myself to get to that end goal weight and healthiness I want to possess.

With that...enjoy the FFF Song of the Day: "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart" by Alicia Keys

This is the link on YOUtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvjuEsfdiT4

Here is a live performance of the song by Alicia Keys, but not the official video:


Always being fierce,
FFF Diva Mo : )

How do you remind yourself how fabulous you are?

QUESTION:
How do you remind yourself how fabulous you are?

ANSWER:
Fashionista Photos

One faithful day last week my friend Katrina was following me around with a camera like she was paparazzi. In reality she was doing 2 things: 1) testing out her brand new digital camera 2) proving a point to me that it helps to motivate my weight loss journey by taking chic photos of myself. I didn't believe her until she showed the above photos to me...

I realized that when a person goes through a life journey or a self-realization process they have to remind themselves how fabulous they are or sometimes hold themselves accountable. I like to do it through writing this blog, but for those who are too lazy to write (trust me I get lazy too that's why sometimes I write an entry once a week and usually on Wednesdays) I suggest photoblogging or microblogging.

Photoblogging Example: http://www.photoblog.com/
How it works: Photoblog helps you preserve your memories and share your life through photographs. You have a limit of uploading up to 5 photos per day and writing a paragraph describing it.

Microblogging Example: http://twitter.com/
How it works: The concept of Twitter relies on messaging services, whether it uses a cell phone, instant messager, such as Yahoo Messenger or MSN Messenger, or through specific websites. It allows the user to send messages to friends and family quickly and easily. Twitter only asks one question, “What are you doing?” As long as an answer is 140 characters or less, it is possible for thousands of people to see the answer immediately.
Source:
http://onlinepublishing.suite101.com/article.cfm/what_is_twitter_and_how_does_it_work

It is my hope that you explore these options of capturing your journey. Other methods include scrapbooks, journaling, and food log journaling, but we will save that for another day and another blog. Muchos besos~~~Miss Mo

FOLLOW ME and my weight loss journey:
My Twitter: http://twitter.com/MOtastic