My "WHY?"

Let me introduce myself...

My name is Tami Torero. I'm the mother of nine children (seven I gave birth to and two who came along a little later and stole my heart as well). I've been married to my "Latin Lover," Paco, (who I first met when I was a high-school exchange student in Peru) for a little over three years now. We have two adorable grandsons, two crazy dogs, and a house that is never quiet, dull, or without dirty dishes in the sink.

I'm a bakery manager for a retail grocery chain and work 50 hours a week. In that rare spare moment of at-home time when I'm not helping someone with spelling words or passed out in my bed, I like to write. I have eight published novels (all but one written in a former life as a stay-at-home mom), and many more half-written manuscripts on my hard drive. When I grow up, I'd just really like to be J.K. Rowling.

I've started this blog because I'm about to take on an exciting new challenge in my life and I figure what better way to stay motivated in this challenge than to chronicle my progress and basically commit myself online to all my friends and the cyber universe by declaring my goals, intentions, and motivation. And since there is only one direction in my life--FORWARD--failure isn't an option!

So what the heck am I doing? What is this big challenge?

Lemme 'splain...

FIRST: I'm starting a 90-day weight loss challenge. I plan on losing 30 pounds in the next 90 days. Just watch me!

SECOND: I'm encouraging others to join me in this 90-day challenge, and in doing so, share the possibility of better health and happiness, or even the opportunity to achieve financial rewards as well. (Can you say, free BMW?). Oh, and there's so much more...

I know, I know. I can hear you now. "But Tami, you just lost a bunch of weight a few years back." Yup, yup...I did. Back in 2009 I lost a whopping 50 pounds--that's half of a high school freshman (referring to the mass of a cute little freshman living at my house). That was a huge accomplishment in my life, and I was able to keep all but five pounds of the weight off for the better part of two years...until I was promoted to bakery manager. That's when my stress level increased significantly, and once again food became my comfort. Can you say, "Someone pass a donut?" In the past year I've packed on another fifteen pounds. It. Has. To. Stop! NOW!! 'Nuf said.

So how are things different now, allowing me to lose weight?

Well, I'm still a bakery manager (and I thank God every day for this job which allows me to pay my bills), and actually I'm heading into our biggest, busiest and most stressful season of the year--Christmas. Am I crazy? Masochistic? Delusional? I suppose you can debate that amongst yourselves, but here's the one thing I KNOW...

I AM MOTIVATED!

My motivation is my "WHY?"--the fuel empowering me to achieve my dreams and goals. It's not until you define your motivation that you can then reach within (and without) to find the strength necessary to achieve your goal. Not only do I have a fantastic and scientifically proven weight loss plan, but I have my "WHY?"

• My kids--they deserve a healthy mom who isn't continuously exhausted, cranky, or stressed out! And oh, how I crave to have more time to spend in my children's lives. I will have this again. Soon!
• My husband--we are doing the 90-day weight-loss challenge together. We've both gained stress-related weight, and together we will conquer this challenge. Not only that, but my sweet husband was at the top of his career as an insurance executive in Peru, and gave all of this up to come here to the US and be with me. I love him so much for this, and I'd love for him to live "The American Dream" at its finest--entrepreneurship! Not every country has the amazing opportunities available here with a little hard work, resourcefulness, and determination.
• Myself--I must fulfill my potential (back to that J.K. Rowling thing) but it's a little difficult to achieve without the energy (due to my excess weight) or time to write (due to my busy work schedule). But my time to write is coming... And hey, isn't that what I'm doing right now?

I hope you'll check in now and again over the next 90 days to see how we're doing. I'll be posting our progress, as well as thoughts, frustrations, insights and useful tips. Better yet, WHY DON'T YOU JOIN US? Ask yourself this question: What do I have to lose? Or maybe, "How much do I need to lose?" Then email me! Also, please feel free to share this blog with others who you feel have a desire to lose weight or might just need a little weight-loss motivation. We're all in this together!

Happy Holidays!