Sexy for South Beach

137.

That was the number I saw when I stepped on the scale this morning. Not exactly where I’d like to be, especially since I have a trip planned to Miami next month.

Let’s face it, mini Latin America in south Florida is known to have some (and probably most) of the best-looking people in the US. Everybody’s got that sexy beach-bod; flat tummies and six-packs.

And at 5’3 (and 137 lb), I’m not so sure if I’ll be able to be my confident, cheery self; more like a quiet, self-conscious version of myself with a wittle belly that looks more like a baby bump. Ouch.

I've struggled with my weight since I reached my teen years, and being Latina didn't necessarily help. I'm not just talking about the latin curves, I'm talking about the food culture; arepas, tres-leches, chicharrones. It's all so good, but so bad for the waist-line. As a Venelombian (Venezuelan & Colombian) with strong cultural roots, foods like these are often difficult to avoid.

Two years ago, it would have been easier to get down to a goal-weight – I simply would just not eat. If I needed to lose a few extra pounds for an upcoming occasion, water took place of meals for the few days leading up to it. (And after, I’d simply binge).

Of course, that was not the best way of life; I was miserable being a victim of two eating disorders. I lived that way for almost three years and, even though I was fitting into size-2 jeans, it wasn’t worth it.

This time around, I’m going to re-approach my dieting smartly.

Since I am going to Miami, it only makes sense to go about a diet that originated there – the South Beach Diet.

Written by a medical doctor, The South Beach Diet has become my summer reading after purchasing it at a local thrift store in Brandon, FL.

This diet will not only help me “get sexy” for Miami, (and hopefully it will), but will also curb and diminish my cravings for ice-cream and Nutella; my two guilty pleasures. (God, I hope it works!)

Reality is:  If I want to lose the weight, the chicharrones and Nutella must wait! 

I’ve got everything I need; my bible (South Beach Diet book) and my RunKeeper app to keep track of my daily exercises.

So, dear Miami, be ready!

If you, too, are on a quest to lose weight this summer, I challenge you to go for it! Join me!  :)