Thankful Tuesday’s coming to you from your favorite Gordita! This week I’m challenging you to get over the slump that that’s been trying to hold you back. Most recently, I re-dedicated my life to this health and wellness lifestyle and let me tell you I’m on a high. Surround yourself with success, selected energies, & people who want to see you win! Nurture your spirit. Read more, watch the Haunting of Hill House less. It’s so addicting though! We live in a world that tells us to compete with our peers and colleagues. You should only be in competition with yourself. Today’s society feeds women lies about their self-worth and image. “Drink that tea, take that pill and mami, you going to be the sexiest women on the block.” Lies! Ain’t no pill or diet or Keto that’s going to permanently get rid of those chichos! Ladies, own what you got and eat everything in moderation. Do as I say not as I do because lately I’ve been slamming on those goodies! However, forgive yourself for slips ups. Eat when your hungry, stop when you’re not. Oftentimes, you’re not hungry when you think you are. In actuality, your brain is telling you you’re thirsty and your dehydrated self needs some water! Studies demonstrate that a lot of water can go a long way so drink your agua and eat your wheaties!

This week I’m going to highlight my most recent trip to Florida. Florida has become my 2nd home since my mom and papastro decided to leave my lonely ass in Chicago.

I’ll be highlighting the hilarious fat shaming comments Latinos make and how it affects our relationship with food, body image & diet culture.

Prior to booking my ticket to Florida, I could already hear my step dad’s voice “Pero coño, estas gorda, no comas tanto! Vete pal gimnasio pa hacer ejercicio!” (“But damn, you’re fat! Go to the gym to do exercise!”)You gain 5 pounds and these Latinos are ready to roast you like pernil on a stick! Don’t you dare get too skinny, you’ll get flamed for not eating enough! Latinx familias are hilarious. They can’t just let you live without giving an opinion! But hey, that’s why we love them! If it wasn’t for growing up in a house of older brothers and enduring fat-phobic comments from my aunt, wela, mom, dad, step-dad & brother, boyyyyy I would not have the confident relationship I have with all this thickness! Needless to say, I have tough skin! As anticipated, upon my arrival to Florida, my step dad told me to get my butt to the gym whilst slamming a half of avocado onto my plate. I asked for a little! “William, pedí un poquito!” He answered, “Tu me dijiste que quieres aguacate!” I swear my step dad reminds me so much of my grandma. God bless her beautiful soul. You asked wela for a little more arroz con pollo. Mind you, you were not allowed to serve yourself. She would slam a big old portion onto the plate and expect you to eat it all!

Diet culture in society unravels itself in so many shady ways. The unrealistic expectations on social media, instaperfect models, dieticians and personal trainers fat shaming their clients and themselves. I swear I’ve been disappointed by some of my most admirable fitness public figures because they are so hard on themselves when they have slip ups. We’re human y’all. News flash! You wouldn’t be a normal person if you don’t mess up from time to time. Some of the most successful athletes, entrepreneurs, and social agents of change FAIL. It takes just as much time to fail than it does to succeed. We learn from failure, for it is in our downfalls that we are put to the ultimate test. Transform your mind and deconstruct the way you were taught to think about yourself and see how everything in your life will start to change. Your career, health, relationships, and goals will begin to align themselves. This work is not easy and it requires you to put yourself first. You cannot pour into others if you yourself are an empty cup. Make sure your cup is filled so that you can pour into others, serve, and be an agent of change. I want all of my queens to wake up, look in that mirror, and know that they are exactly the amazing vibrant women they are meant to be.