Diet

I finally realized my mission in life…..Inspire and Change Lives!

Only a person who has been there and has faced the same challenges and struggles can truly understand the difficulty, physically and emotionally, of trying to lose weight. I have been there, FACED the challenges and OVERCAME the struggles, and I truly understand how difficult it is. It's never too late to get yourself in the best shape of your life!!

If I had the option to choose my dream job, it would have to be Chris Powell's on Extreme Makeover Weightloss Edition.

Helping others transform their lives and showing them that IT CAN BE DONE is my Ambition in life. This is something I am very passionate about.

"Making the Impossible, POSSIBLE!"


This must be the most asked question.
What did you do?

I would not call it a diet but rather a life-style change.
After being challenged by a friend of mine, WBFF fitness model Andrey Davidenko, and speaking with a few people on what I should eat, I chose a High Protein Diet with a Moderated Carb intake. I did not completely eliminate Carbs because they are a major source of our energy. I used the "little rule" If it was originally white in color, I removed these items from my diet. These foods consisted of rice, pastas, breads, crackers, and tortillas. When it came to eating Carbs, I would eat whole vegetables, whole fruits, and whole grain cereals. When eating out and ordering a salad, I completely ate it dry. Absolutely No Dressing! Dressing takes the HEALTHY out of the salad. I also stayed away from Ketchup and Mayonnaise. I completely removed sodas, juices and any other item that are not Water. I strictly drink Water!!

I allowed myself one cheat meal a week which usually fell on Friday Nights. When going out to dinner with friends, I would eat whatever I wanted, but sticking to water as my beverage.

When it came to Exercise, I stuck to straight Cardio. I began walking for 45 minutes a day and did so for at least 1 week. The following week I began jogging, working my way to where I completely jogged for the entire 45 minutes. I am currently running anywhere from 5 to 10 miles a day.

If you have Question you can email me at EdwinVelezSuccess@Gmail.com or just add me on Facebook and send me a message. To add me on FB just Click Here
I have also created a FB page just about my weight-loss and you can join that by Clicking Here
You can also follow me on Twitter @EdwinVSuccess

Here is a little write-up the Gym I attend did about me as I was chosen May 2012 Member Of The Month.


Jul 6, 2013

CNN FEATURE

After seeing photos from a beach vacation, Edwin Velez decided he needed a change. At 310 pounds, he embarked on a new diet and exercise regimen in November 2011. Today, he weighs 155 pounds, and is working on shaping and toning his body.After seeing photos from a beach vacation, Edwin Velez decided he needed a change. At 310 pounds, he embarked on a new diet and exercise regimen in November 2011. Today, he weighs 155 pounds, and is working on shaping and toning his body.
HIDE CAPTION
Vacation shock drives success
<<
<
1
2
3
4
5
6
>
>>
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Before Edwin Velez began his weight loss journey he was 310 pounds
  • Velez cut out soda, sweets and carbohydrates while focusing on foods high in protein
  • His new lifestyle has made him a healthier individual and altered his outlook on life
(CNN) -- Edwin Velez used to have to suck in his stomach in order to tie his shoes. He requested tables at restaurants, rather than booths, and constantly made jokes about himself in order to hide how uncomfortable he was about his physical appearance.
"I may be big, but I'm sexy," he would say.
But on the inside, Velez, an English-as-a-second-language teacher from Albertville, Alabama, really wanted to make a change.
He attributes his weight struggles to eating habits he learned as a child. He grew up in a Latin family, with a diet consisting of rice, beans and plenty of fried food. His family moved from Puerto Rico to Florida when he was 4.
When he was younger, Velez loved playing baseball, but after his sophomore year of high school he weighed 250 pounds and had to give up the sport because it exhausted him.
In college, his eating habits worsened. Like many students, he ate whatever was readily available and cheap, such as cafeteria hamburgers, French fries and chicken fingers.
It was not until he was reminiscing over photos from one spring trip to the Bahamas with friends that he realized he was significantly overweight.
Velez set a goal to drop 100 pounds in a year's time before his next trip. He changed his diet, exercise routine and most importantly, his attitude.
He began walking 45 minutes every morning and soon after was able to jog.
"It was only after I lost 30 to 40 pounds from jogging that I joined a gym," says Velez. "It's intimidating."
Once there, he began lifting weights and building muscle to sculpt his ideal body. But "it doesn't just happen at the gym, it happens after (the gym), too," Velez says.
He cut out soda, sweets and carbohydrates while focusing on high-protein foods such as fish and chicken, pairing them with fruits and vegetables.
Since Velez had never been a gym-goer or calorie counter, many people who knew him discouraged him from starting his weight loss journey. They told him he was working toward an unrealistic goal because of his past habits.
Velez says that he's competitive and that their words fired his desire to prove everyone around him wrong.
"You really have to want it bad enough," says Velez. "Once you get the mental part right, you can't let the negative Nancys get you down."
After a year and two months -- and 155 pounds lost -- he decided to reward himself with skin removal surgery. He now has plans to tone and sculpt his body to compete in men's physique competitions for the 2014 season.
Velez says he has no problem maintaining his diet and exercise plan and that the temptation to eat unhealthy food is no longer present. He takes his own meals to work to ensure he sticks to his routine and sacrifices the candy he once had a sweet tooth for.
After seeing Velez transform into a more confident and fit individual, his sister, Zorry Padilla, began her own healthy journey to shed the weight she gained after the birth of her children.
"I always had an excuse," says Padilla.
Velez helped his sister lose 40 pounds in nine months by following the same meal plans he does. Padilla plans to run the next 5K in their area with her brother.
"Though I'm not a personal trainer, I know what it takes, and I want to help others as much as I can," Velez says.
Long-time friend Angel Ramirez says he is amazed at Velez's life changes.
"On Facebook he has so many followers that are trying to do the same thing he did," says Ramirez. "Every time he posts something, he's got instant feedback."
Velez says his outlook on life has been altered for the better; he now creates goals and sticks to them.
He finds he is more confident in his own skin and his day-to-day decisions, unlike before when he would frequently change his mind and had low self-confidence.
Velez says he was once known as "the big goofy guy." However, now, both Padilla and Ramirez say his jokes come in moderation because he doesn't need to hide behind his weight anymore.

"Drive, determination, discipline and dedication are the four D's to my success," Velez says.

May 17, 2013

Fitness for Travelers- A Little Research Can Go A Long Way


By: Mike Manning

Just because you lead a healthy lifestyle at home doesn’t mean you will find it easy to maintain healthy habits while traveling. Changes in schedules and routine can make it difficult to get the exercise you need. Fortunately, some advanced planning and self-awareness can help anyone make good fitness decisions while traveling.

Those good decisions should begin before you leave for your trip. If possible, research hotels where you plan to go, and book accommodations at a hotel that offers fitness amenities that suit your preferences. On a recent trip to San Francisco I was able to book a hotel with a great 24-hour gym by looking through a travel review site beforehand. This site gave me a list of the best hotels in San Francisco and from there I could scroll through and see which ones had great fitness centers. Whether or not you are able to select your own accommodations, be sure to find out something about the community where you will be staying. Are there local running trails or tracks that you can use? Does your fitness club have a gym in the area where you can work out while visiting?

Your travel fitness routine can begin while you are still en route to your destination. While you are flying or riding take the opportunity to walk through some basic chair exercises and stretches. These will keep you limber and help you avoid swelling and pain that often accompany long flights or rides.
 
Upon arrival at your hotel, take the time to learn where the fitness center and other amenities are located. In your room, spend a few moments stretching or do some basic yoga to center yourself before moving on to meetings and other activities.

Be realistic about your fitness goals when traveling. You probably won’t be able to keep up with the pace you set at home. Instead, take advantage of what time you do have, and make the most of it. Try getting up before breakfast to take a 20-minute run. Instead of simply relaxing by the hotel pool in the evening, get in and move around. If you find yourself stuck inside a revolving door of seemingly endless meetings, take advantage of short breaks to get a little exercise.

As long as you keep moving, you’re doing yourself a favor. When you get back home, going back to your usual exercise routine will be much easier than if you hadn’t made a point of staying fit on the road.


May 7, 2013

Motivation


~A Little Motivation

I wake up everday with one thing in mind, to make sure I give 100% in working hard to reach my goals and dreams. Yes, I have days where I feel like I am accomplishing absolutely nothing and sometimes question what I want to pursue. Is that the image I want to portray? ABSOLUTELY NOT! So, I shake it off and find that DRIVE inside to keeping giving my all. "Do as I say not as I do" is not what I represent! I do what I do to prove that anyting is possible! 

With that said, we are human and sometimes just feel like throwing in the towel. Thats when you take a step back, take a deap breathe, clear your thoughts and find that initial drive! Keep working hard, Stay Positive and NEVER give up!

Drive. Determination. Dedication. DISCIPLINE.