Anzuree lost the weight for Carnaval

Anzuree lost the weight for Carnaval. After participating in Carnival San Francisco with her family in 2017 she decided that she wanted to do it again. This time, she wanted slim down to wear a different costume in 2018 so she set a goal to lose 20 pounds. Check out how she achieved her goal.

I started my health journey in April 2013 at the age of 51.  I’m 5’3 and weighed 247 pounds when I started. I lost 40 pounds by September 2015 by walking 2 miles a day and counting calories using the LoseIt app.  Of course, as most people do, I celebrated and lost focus.

Then, the knots on top of my feet began to hurt and had to have surgery on both my feet at the same time. Next, a ganglion cyst came from all the walking and tying my walking shoes too tight… in addition to being overweight. I was laid up for 8 weeks and my family and friends took very good care of me (which meant FOOD).

Just when I was scheduled to go back to work, I had to have an emergency appendectomy. I was out from work for an additional 8 weeks. I gained 20 pounds of the 40 pounds back in a very short amount of time.

My sister decided to participate in SFCarnaval 2016 with a group called Karibbean Vibrationz and she needed to get in shape. This is a huge parade in San Francisco, CA. I told her to walk 2-3 miles a day and you will be ready. I would walk 2 miles with her on the weekends. Before we knew it, she was up to 3 miles a day. After the walking together and cheering her on at the SFCarnaval 2016, I was motivated to participate in the Carnaval with her in 2017.

In January 2017, I said yes to the choice of costume I wanted to wear. I also made a 5-month health and exercise plan to be ready to go on the road. The parade is 3+ miles long and we would be doing a 2-minute dance routine 2-3 times during the parade.

I worked really hard to lose the 20 pounds I had gained. I had 5 months to do it. I walked 2 miles every day, exercised with the stability ball, and took a dance class on Mondays. I also had dance practice on Saturdays with Karibbean Vibrationz. I was building stamina and toning. I drank 128oz of water a day. I ate protein and vegetables or carbs and vegetables 3 times a day with snacks.

I DID IT! When we made it to the end of the parade I knew I wanted to be a masquerader in 2018. It was so emotional. It was my 25th Anniversary from the last time I participated in SFCarnaval. I was with my sister, my daughter, my grand-daughter, my goddaughter and a host of cousins dancing in the streets of San Francisco.  Our Mas Band came in 3rd place for the dance competition part. (We also performed at Oakland Carnival in June 2017.)

I loved how I looked in my Backline/Karibbean Vibrationz 2017 costume.  I can’t explain the feeling. However, I also knew I wanted to wear a Midline Costume and look physically different in 2018. My plan was similar to my 2017 plan, only this time I added weight lifting, using 3lbs and 5lbs weights.

The road to 2018 SFCarnaval with Karibbean Vibrationz: My goal was to lose 20 pounds in 16 weeks.
Mondays:  Walk 2 miles and Dance Class
Tuesdays:  Walk 2 miles and Weights
Wednesday: Rest Day
Thursday:  Walk 2 miles and Weights
Friday:  Walk 2 miles and Cardio
Saturday:  KV Dance Practice
Sunday: 4 Miles Sunday Stroll

My current weight is 203 pounds! My journey continues. I have signed up for SFCarnaval with Karibbean Vibrationz MasBand again, their 10 year anniversary.

Advice: Without a plan, you will not succeed. Look in the mirror and learn to say “No thank you. I can’t eat that.”  Carry protein bars and a water bottle with you all the time. Staying healthy is a lifestyle change. It is not a quick and easy process.

Instagram: @56izallthewaylit