Meat Eater Body vs. Vegan Body

Ahhh...the senses...  strange these days walking Downtown on a weekend night...with the smell of steak, seasonings and fried portions floating thru the air.  What once used to stimulate my tastebuds and my tummy is no more... I am beyond thrilled...I mean above and beyond thrilled that the following changes have taken place... seriously I thought I was afflicted with the "TOO MUCH FOOD... TOO LITTLE TIME" disease...and that I would never "be free" or "feel normal".

Even after losing over 60 lbs...I can go further, I am going further, I am taking down the walls...only to reveal my true sense of self.

• The smell of rich and heavy foods bother me
• I would much rather have a good quality meal as opposed to quick and fried
• If it's too sweet...eeewwww!
• I know when to STOP...holy smacks... who would've thunk it!
• I now buy seaweed snacks by the case
• I cannot tolerate processed foods...I get sick
• I have learned I need to buy Tofu by the case too

Since September 5th, I have been a Vegetarian.  I heavily lean on a Vegan lifestyle at this stage...

This weekend I was involved in alot of Zumba events...and had the opportunity to see pics that were taken of me...  I was like "what, that's me?".  My husband...a psychologist, has often times talked to me about "distorted body image"...and I have to say after years of holding hurts in my heart ...years of dealing with my image...  I am slowly but surely starting to see the real me not the picture painted by others of me.    Since childhood I had to deal with being the "fatty"... even in my adult years... a former boss giving me a twisted compliment of "you look good today, even for a fatty"...then even to a couple of instructors close to me ...unfortunately saying they could not respect me because I was fat.  These are some big hurts to get over...and shame on them right?  I mean who says stuff like that...people with no hearts that's who...

The road to wellness is that of deciding, planning and doing.   Along the way...so much healing will take place...it is unreal!   So onward...let's take on month 2 of the new me...let's go shopping for more Vegan good-finds... and I am about to toss out all  those"too big" clothes... really...why should I save them in my closet ...I'll never wear THEM again...

--------> one of the pictures from this weekend with my bucket of sunshine ZIN friend, Ruthie!  next on the list is finding my "whatever-pack" that is hiding under the tummy...

Fried Food, Pork Skins, Rice and Beans OH MY!

I just celebrated my 2-WEEK Vegeversary!  HOLLA all you health nuts and green people!   This is huge for me...here's why...

I am part of a secret breed of Latina women who truly love, enjoy, eat, overindulge, fantasize and obsess over Latino foods...is it fried? I love it! is it pork? I want it! is it something we boricuas like to call "cuchifritos"? I will take a dozen!...  I grew up eating all the wrong foods in a Puerto Rican household...I mean we ate pigs feet...and it was yum! AND, here I am at whatever age making this huge life change....(thought I'd share that w/ ya, huh!)

 

Sure, I have lost over 60 lbs...but when you lead a lifestyle of all the wrong foods as I have ...with the many and mucho visits thru a drive thru and the many YO YO diets ...I may have the results...but I am not done! 

 

Honestly...when I see the new incredibly and abnormally thin generation eating at restaurants I want to kick them in the face (sometimes)...I mean how easy it comes to these teeny-something's....to eat just a salad with dressing on the side and not once touch the dressing...I mean who does that ...really? A teenage mutant person...that's who!  Did I mention that they also happen to be  GLAMAZONS!  Strange right...is it all the GMO stuff they eat, or don't eat?  GOSH, it is a mind trip... really!

Then, here you have the greater majority of Zumba enthusiasts...day in and day out...doing their shake, wiggle and giggle...

--->and even with our best efforts we will not ever, ever, ever have the ___________________ they have.
(fill in the blank).  

Well, ditch that thought my friend!  Because in my heart I know, we can do great things!  and feel great!  and look great!  as we were designed...let's show 'em how its done ladies...

My reasons for going vegetarian have to do with HEALTH and COMPASSION fully and completely.  I saw the movie FOOD, INC...and holy smacks did that break my heart, then it freaked me out.   I love animals...and cannot eat something that has a heart, feels fear, has feelings, experiences emotion and more (sappy, I know...)...and I can't believe it just never hit me before...even w/ two vegetarian step daughters...

Now, here's what else you need to know...I suffer from a disease called PLS.  PARANOID LATINA SYNDROME.  Yes, we are known for our Passionate Loud and Sassy natures...but what most people do not know is that we WILL diagnose ourselves into any and every potential sickness and disease once we feel something...  Laugh With Me on this one!  It is true...thank God for my husband who talks me down...oh yeah, once I thought my spleen exploded...

So I started to ask myself what the heck is in my body...how hard is my body working to sustain itself...if I eat dead stuff...won't I feel dead-like...low in energy etc... then there were the PLS thoughts...how about watching commercials having to do with medications...I will swear up and down that I may have that disease...SO AFTER I SAW FOOD INC...that night much like I research every disease imaginable...I researched the best steps to take to transition into a vegetarian lifestyle...and bought a few books on Raw Foods.

After I saw FOOD, INC...I went shopping for some stuff...like...

• raw kale chips - ok, seriously who the heck eats these...cut my tongue off and sew my mouth shut, gag me with a spoon!
• seaweed wasabi snacks - love love love these!
• raw seeded crackers - really enjoy these during tough rehearsal times
• tempeh patties - really, soak the freakin' patty before use...no patience/no time
• veggie burgers - love them!
• smart dogs - I am a New Yorker used to eating "dirty water dawgs" off the street...yet I cannot even stomach these nasty little processed things

And, when I want comfort food???  Watercourse Foods Restaurant in Denver CO...love love love that place!  Vegetarian, Fresh Foods, no GMO's...it's all good!  Their fresh potatoe french fries are the bomb.com!  Everyone knows I love fries!

What is great!  I do not have cravings, I know when I need to eat and what, My tastebuds are changing...and everyone has commented on how great I look...which is BONUS AND SCORE! for sure! 
------------
And to my good friend Tisha...no I have not told my family yet I am vegetarian...oh boy!  All I can hear is "pero que pasa con la rubia Doritita...que ella no come carne...estas enferman?"

Planes, Trains and Choreo-To-Go!

I'm back from the Zumba Convention...was in town for two days...then off to Ohio...am now back from Ohio...woa!  Planes, Trains and Choreo-To-Go...I managed to whip out quite a few songs on those planes!

Thankfully I am here for a couple of weeks before heading out to Louisiana and Texas.

As far as the convention goes...I have to say there were loads and lots of Zumba instructors floating every which way.  In past conventions, it was so awesome to be able to see everyone buzzing about in the hotel, halls and lobby bars.  An energy was present that was undeniable.  As the convention size grows...well...'nough said.  I was SO HAPPY I was able to see my Zumba friends like Lindsey T, DEEJAY Francis, Camilo and too many more to name...and before the convention began I am happy to say I was working out in the gym while Beto was too....did I interrupt him for a hug or picture??? NO, HECK NO...that is the man's private time... honestly to be around the Mr. B himself is nurturing and healing...I wonder if he knows how anointed he is and how his natural gift just does wonders! 

And, for as many times as I ran into Diane F...you would think we would get an updated picture!!!  we were too busy joking around!

This particular convention, there was soooo much to choose from...alot, really.   Session rooms were far far away from eachother.  I spent a great deal of break time walking to the next room or boutique.  It was not until the day 3 that I thought...even though I am staying in the hotel...there is NO way I will get from point A to B in time...so I had to travel with my carry on suitcase full of Zumbawear changes, snacks and stuff! 

The sessions I participated in were FULL...sad that unless I got to the room an hour early, good dancing room was not even a chance... so stand in the back...and try to see (without my glasses). 

The ZIN Jam Sessions offered more of an opportunity to get up close and personal with ZIN and presenters...this I LOVED! 

The Zumbathon Fitness Concert was amazing!  What strikes me as ODD... are those people that actually think they are at the concert to WORKOUT BIG! You know those that go full out on movement, arms and legs..."c'mon really...you have to mindful of who is around you and realize that this is also entertainment, especially in the front..."

The party that was OFF DA CHAIN was of course PITBULL...  well I did visit the lobby bar with my ZIN family prior to the concert...so by the time the concert came, I wanted to throw down some serious 305 moves...thank God for flip flops!

Again for these parties...unless you lined up hours ahead...you simply had no chance of getting near the front.  Then, if you are in the front ...you can't move... OK, so you can't win on this one!  I am always just incredibly grateful that in my life I can say that each year, the one and only thing I look forward to the most is the Zumba Convention.  Really, seriously...is anyone else out there like that.

The Glimmer and Glow party was nice...everyone in their outlandish "notice me" costumes...LOVE IT!  I really hope you all get in ZLife!  You put time and effort into those costumes,woa!   Wycleff was awesome!  I almost got a picture with him, as my hand was on his shoulder and a very tall girl decided life could not go on unless she got her picture taken w/ him...so unpolitely she came between us... "breathe, I am Nuyorican after all...people have been known to be rude to me and not say excuse me...and they are still alive and well" :)

I did not spend nearly as much on Zumbawear as I have in the past...I am an EXPERT shopper...mastering the art within minutes...my motto is I DON'T TRY...I BUY!  On Sunday I returned 2 items out of the gazillion items I bought! :)~  What did I love...the new Zumba capri's...  What has me baffled ...the new Z Performance line...  REALLY!  all of us are hooked on cargos...we actually have a support group for us cargo lovers...and now we have this "weird does not look good on everyone performance pant"...ugh!  I loved how they looked on others...those with no belly... but if you even have a little in the middle...performance pant...not so much.

And what about Zumba thongs...AHHH!!!  yes I bought some... I'm such a sap!

OK, well I've got to get some of more choreo out of my head and onto the dance floor...so more to follow on another post...

Words of Wisdom: 
Be Grateful...Be Happy...Don't Smack People...Thongs are your friend...Continue to work on the little in the middle!

HELLO Z-CON!

The excitement around this year's Zumba Convention is outstanding!  From the forums on zumba.com to all the facebook buzz...this energy alone is FAB!  I can only imagine what Zumba home office has in store for us!

So, really...I have so much to do today...can I get an AMEN from all my superwomen sistas out there that are overly organized and obsessed with details.  There's laundry and cleaning, organizing, outfits to assemble, bling to bling, bling to pack and packing a 50 lb suitcase so it feels like 20...

Close to my heart is the first Zumba Convention in 2008...on the first night I was on stage and was blown away when the famous GINA gave me a thumbs up!  Then, landing on stage right next to Beto during a merengue song...YES I felt his sweat...just sayin'...and then taking the stage during the Zumbathon Fitness Concert with Sarina Jain of Masala Bhangra...good times and amazing people!   

This year the action starts on Wednesday during Zumba Jammer happenings (HOLLA ZJ's)...then on Thursday night I will be teaching at the Zumba Jammers Master Class at The Rosen Hotel (I'm kinda nervous! did I just say that)...then on Friday I hit the stage during the ZIN Jam Session presentations...Friday night, I will be chasing Mr.305...DALE! (ssshhh Mark!)  Saturday night I will be doing what I do best which is MOVE, SHAKE, BLING and POP during the Glimmer & Glow Party...I can't wait to visit my favorite Cuban restaurant, also on this  trip!  and on Sunday it's back on stage during the ZIN Jam Session presentation!  and enjoying all my session capsules throughout the convention.  NO REST for the WICKED!

Noelle & Dorie

I look back through the years...faces past and present...and I am so proud to congratulate Noelle Landcraft!  This year she was hand selected by Zumba to be a Zumba Jammer.  I know exactly how excited she is!!!  In the midst of all that happens behind the scenes on the Zumba dance floor, where many personalities come and go...it is quite a gift to know a person who truly is unconditional and humble!  Someone who loves Zumba from the inside out...not from the outside in. 

WOW, that one will make you think right?

Through the years I have impacted the lives of many...people who come my way seeking something...many come and go...  those that come and stay are those that are unconditional and humble...those that go...well I wish you luck as you seek what YOU seek on the dance floor. 

Words of Wisdom for this blog...

patience and trust are key in this industry...align yourself with winners not haters...serve the dance floor and watch great things happen...you will NOT get rich teaching fitness, so what are you really after...cut yourself off at 30 minutes of facebook time! 

www.flavors.me/dorie