Inspire! Day 28- Jessy

From Madelynn- I hope you are blessed by the stories these brave women are willing to share. I am so encouraged, blessed and most of all inspired. Stick around! we have plenty more to come!

Meet Jessy…

My Journey (Middle Ground)

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not leave you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you CAN endure it.

My name is Astrid Jessenia (Jessy) Ramos-Quintana, just the name alone makes you call on the name of Jesus. People know me as Jessy everywhere I go. I am happily married to a wonderful man named Richard, this past January we made 11 years married. What a journey has that been, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. I also have the wonderful privilege of being a mommy to a beautiful 8 year old girl named Nyasia. My life is forever changed with them in it.

My journey with weight loss started this past summer of 2013. I was at my heaviest at 192lbs and I didn’t have the excuse that I had another human being living inside of me. I said to myself “I’m so sick and tired of being tired!” Always feeling sluggish even though I had slept at times my 8 hours of beauty sleep. Feeling out of breathe and not being able to tie my laces from my gym shoes comfortably with out the muffin top getting in the way. And all my life making excuses since I have always struggled with my weight. I knew that I had to do something to change immediately. God reminded me, that I have have been given a chance at life again cause for the past 2 years I have been blessed to be a stay-at-home mom. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that was possible but God made a way, he always makes a way. I am the type of person to always put others before me and never care for myself. I am very self-less person, ask anyone. Which my body spoke for itself, I had aches in my body that I never knew existed. And not for the good reason. God was telling me “Jessy, it’s time to take care of you!” I started to think “Oh my,” I turn 40 years old in September of 2014, I don’t want to enter my 40’s feeling the way that I feel. I said, “I know time is of the essence and have to get a move on and remind myself to have fun and enjoy this process.” Cause good things cost us something.

I cannot tell you enough how important it is to have pivotal people in your life that will support you. My husband has been my number one fan, and so has my daughter. In the summer along with my family we started to walk around this big park right across the street from my house. Go figure, it would be that easy that the park would literally be right across the street. God has a sense in humor and sets things up perfect however we are just blind at times to see the beautiful set up. So my family and I started walking every Monday then after that I started to invite people close to me to walk with us. Then that lead to twice a week, and then I felt I need more. I liked what I was feeling and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was alive. I didn’t feel as sluggish, I was regaining my strength and building momentum. And was feeling fantastic and on top of the world. So, I meet my BFF on YouTube. I start talking to everyone I can talk to, about my favorite girl (Leslie Sansone). And if you know me well, you know that she instantly became my best friend. You would think I was a spokesperson for this chick. But aside from God, she has given me my life back. I started doing her 2 mile walking video, then did 3 miles, then 4 miles and at times felt really motivated and did 5 miles. And continued to do that and mix up how many miles I would do during the week so it didn’t feel repetitive. On the side lines, I also had my really great friend Betty Frausto. Let me tell you, that girl is just the best present that God could have given me. I found my accountability partner and the rest is history. She has been a key factor to my success. After each workout I would shoot her a text or tag her on my Facebook so that she knew, I did my miles. Still to this day, we keep each other motivated not just in the aspect of health but with spiritual and mental support.

Aside from working out, one of the other things that I have incorporated is portion control. I’m a firm believer that I’m not going to deprive myself from everything however if I have a craving for something I will have it but in moderation. Boy, was that hard at first cause I was used to having 2 big meals a day and being done with food for the rest of the day which was so bad. Now, I had to train my mouth to eat slower to give a chance for my mind to tell my stomach that I was full. At this point, I was really clinging to the word of God and taking every thought captive. The reason I say that is because at times I would eat and I was like I had a good amount of food (portions) and I felt good. Not bloated or sluggish after I eat yet my mind was playing tricks on me telling me that I was hungry. When I knew very clear that I was not hungry. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. God created and made all things to be good and for our enjoyment. And at times we abuse that fact that food is good and we over indulge. Or the enemy starts putting thoughts in our mind like “you know your still hungry, go find something else to eat” I had to EVERYDAY take my negative and toxic thoughts and make them captive and say: I can do ALL this through him who gives me strength- Philippians 4:13. This journey is never easy, I think we can all say that. However, with the greatest supporter God, my family and friends we can truly live a life that is complete, whole and purposeful if you choose to make a difference.

I say to you today with all liberty, for once and for all please put YOURSELF first!!! I stand here today having lost a total of 28lbs not at my ideal weight but aiming towards a better me saying to you, YES, we CAN do this!!! If it happened to me it can happen to you. I cannot close without telling you, that I am here for Y-O-U. Know that you are never alone. I will be your biggest fan and your best cheerleader that you can ever have, trust me. If you need a friend to give you support, don’t hesitate to ask. We have not cause we ask not. I would love, love, love to pay it forward. God is making ALL things new! THANK YOU Madelyn, for creating a generation of woman who will NOT settle. And become the beautiful creation that God intends us to be. So blessed to be a part of this journey!!

Romans 8:37
In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loves us.

Your Cheerleader,

Jessy Quintana