I didn’t realize how much weight I lost until fans began telling me I did. Media Take Out reported I had gained 100 pounds. Which was FAR from the truth and I didn’t care to address it as these media blogs do not affect me in any way. My REAL life is happy and not full of drama. These blogs love to spin stories and  exaggerate the truth for hits. When I began shooting Season 2 of Love And Hip Hop I was 12 lbs heavier. I lost it around the gallery episode with Emily & Teiarra Marie . I hadn’t seen Emily in a few that’s why she mentioned I looked slimmer I’ve always been someone that gains weight in their face. I already have chubby cheeks so if I even gain 3 pounds it goes to my face.   Living in NYC it is nearly impossible to not fluctuate 10 pounds and most women do. I didn’t do much to lose it. However. I did buy a full at home gym and I decided to change my entire life and food intake to reflect the one I had in Cali. In NYC everyone delivers! And after filming long days, the last thing I wanted to do was cook. Finding “health food” stores like the ones I am used to in L.A (Trader Jones) just simply isn’t easily  accessible. I was new to New York and had to re adjust myself to how I live in L.A. Buying a at home gym was GREAT. I know that sounds expensive but it worked for me. I also did the at home cardio class work outs. As far as other daily exercise, I don’t walk as much out here as I do in L.A. There are no hiking trails or running paths close to me. If I do get out to walk, it just gave me anxiety at how many people are out on the street in Manhattan. While I was off the show I dedicated my time to giving my fitness  a full time spin, recording music, went to the Dominican Republic to shoot my single “Eh Mama”  and I locked in the deals I needed so I can have  life beyond the show.  As you guys saw from the reunion, I have a new look and am 16 pounds lighter back to a size 10/12. I don’t plan to lose any more weight. I am very confident at the size I am. Representing the CURVY GIRLS of the world

Here’s a timeline of my weight loss! Click on the photo to enlarge.

Readjusting your lifestyle.

I had to learn to re adjust my NY life to match my L.A life. Using my at home gym everyday helped a lot due to not being able to run or hike out here. You have to at least work out 4 days a week. If you can do more, that is great but not necessary. 30 minutes to 1 hour of cardio and weight training or the fitness class style CD’s work too. I know it sounds like blah bah blah everyone says to workout a few days a week? Well, here’s the reality of this. If you don’t workout at least 4 days a week. You can’t and will NOT maintain your weight. Why? Because you will not be able to burn off the daily calories you take in. You eat a few slices of pizza and go home to go to bed. Where do you think those calories go?

Get REAL!

Why do you want to lose weight? I never wanted to “get skinny” I just needed to trim up and be back to my
healthy body weight that you remember from Season 1. Mind you the cameras add pounds so gaining 10 doesn’t help. I work with my body frame. I was never meant to be skinny. I will never look like this photo EVER again. Why? Because I was never “naturally” that skinny. I constantly have people who bash me online and in the media saying “what happened to Somaya she was so hot”, on the outside I appeared to look healthy, but after collapsing at an audition. It was time for me to GET REAL! When I tried to be very skinny what people didn’t know is I was “dying” to be  skinny. I was starving myself. I had a SEVERE case of anorexia & bulimia which I still suffered from as recent as just a few  years ago.  I had to learn to be confident with my body image. After years of recovery, I have now accepted that I wasn’t born with a supermodel figure. I LOVE being curvy and do not want to go back to being a size ZERO which I once was. I work with the curves I have. I am a healthy size 10/12 and love it. I am the complete opposite of what is acceptable in the media and society. But I represent the majority of women in the world. Don’t try to lose weight because you want to “fit in” all you need to worry about is how to stay fit for YOUR size and body frame. Be happy with your self, be realistic about your goal, and DO NOT feel discouraged. Love yourself at any size

Go shopping!

Shopping is fun huh? lol A big part of maintaing your weight is what you have in your fridge and cabinets. Here is a small list of foods to eat and buy at the grocery store.

***LEARN TO READ INGREDIENTS! The fat content, the sodium, the carbs, sugars etc

• Lactose free milk  (fat free)
• Egg Beaters or Eggs (cook with no yolk)
• NO MORE DAIRY! NONE!!!
• LOW SALT on everything, opt for Sea Salt
• Replace your sugar with  Stevia
• Use only Olive oil or Pam cooking sprays
• STOP FRYING YOUR FOOD! BAKE INSTEAD!
• Use only REAL 100% wheat breads not “white flour” breads. That means it is made by white flour,  colored, the wheat content is less than 2%. Basiclaly it is a FAKe wheat bread.
• No more juices unless they are freshly squeezed from organic fruits. Try Crystal Light.
• Salads! Do not buy ice berg as it doesn’t contain any nutritional value or vitamins. Buy mixed greens, baby spinach salad, red leaf or  romaine lettuce.
• Use only light dressings that are vinaigrette based or just use olive oil (extra virgin)/a pinch of salt/a squeeze of lemon.
• Fish, chicken, no more red meat!
• Brown rice and occasional white rice on a cheat day only.
• Low Carb protein shake. GNC makes a good one (click here)  I carry it in my purse, when I don’t have time to eat and I know I have to I put a few scoops in some water or a small milk and drink it.
• Pre packaged ready to drink protein shakes. I buy these by the case and carry it in my purse as well as the powder as an option (click here) Shop around for the best deal on a case.