Latoya Williams
Octane Orange Team
I am Latoya Williams.....I am 29 years old....I love to encourage and take care of people.....I am originally from East St.Louis, IL and have been in Fort Wayne, IN now for 3 years.....I am engaged to my wonderful finance Chilos Norris III of 7 years.....I am ready to make a life change....
Follow My Blogging Journey
July 2, 2016
All I can say is...we did a half marathon 13.1 miles on Saturday!! I am so proud of everyone. 14 weeks ago who would have ever thought that we season 10 contestants could accomplish this great challenge....my heart is full!! I am so scared and sad that this program is about to come to an end. But i am very confident that most of us will remain in one another's lives and continue this great journey together because we still have goals that we want to accomplish after the program! A huge thank you to Selmita for staying with me the whole race and for all the encouraging words throughout! She even talked me into doing the Fort4Fitness race with her in September!! This program has been great!! Thank you to all of our trainers, Mike, Lenny, Rick, and Tina!! I am so grateful for everyone who has had a hand in this great journey!!!
June 25, 2016
I lost 4.4 pounds for a total of 41.2 pounds down....We had a wonderful 4 course meal planned, prepared, and served to us by the staff at Eddie Merlot's!! Everyone looked so beautiful/handsome...this week has been a struggle for me physically....a lot of different factors together had me just drained of energy.....but I will prevail!!! I need to loose 8.8 more pounds to get to my 50 pound loss for the season....I feel it is out of my reach and I am kicking myself for the 2-3 bad weigh ins I had...but you learn from your mistakes and pick yourself up and keep going...CiCe kicked our butts at workout Wednesday and it was just what I needed!! And on Friday she let us do my favorite class steps!!! I will be finding some classes to take once the program ends...talk about full body workout....That class will get your right!!! ...we did 6 miles Saturday 3 on our own and then we participated in the "Run like a hero 5k"....it was for a great cause....hard to believe this great program is almost over!!
June 18, 2017
At weigh in on Monday i hardly lost any weight and I take full responsibility for that. Needless to say I didn't get to my goal of a 40 pound loss overall. But I ate right all week I attended extra credit (except for Friday), I completed all of my challenges that Rick assigned us, and I gave my all to our 3 marathon training days...So lets talk about Wednesdays work out...My oh my our trainer CiCi always has something up her sleeve! She made up a game where you had to spell out the letters of your first and last name and do the exercise that corresponded to the letters..Mom and dad thank you for giving me a name that has 14 letters in it...remind me to give my future children a first name the only has 2-4 letters lol!!! It was a fun work out though all in all!! Saturday morning we all completed 10 miles!! Yes I said 10 miles! God gave us the strength to get through..and I told everyone to look at it like we only have to add 3 miles to what we just did! Just 3 more miles when we do our half....Look how far we have all come..week 1 some of us couldn't even do a mile now we can check off 10!!! Thank you to everyone who came out to support us during that journey..It was hard but we got it done!! 3 more weeks and then the hard part starts!! We can do anything we put our minds to!! We have to stay strong!!!
June 10, 2017
This week started out great...I lost 2.6 more pounds and I only need to loose 4 more pounds to have 40 pounds off of me ?!!!! Wednesday night we participate in our 2nd 5k down at the German fest...I'm sure I beat my time from the first one!! Today I didn't get to go back home to my family's annual fish fry back in E.St.Louis,IL...but we as a group along with everyone who supports or coach Michaela raised $20,000+ in efforts to help find a cure for eye disease!! We did the vision walk with her and others suffering and let me tell you nothing could be more gratifying!! We are so blessed and need to all humble ourselves and give back to others every now and again!! We did 9 miles combined today to stay on track with our marathon training.....it was a good week I really don't have much else to say!! I'm still high off of all the great things that happened today!! Life is good God is Good!!!!
June 4, 2017
Well on Wednesday night we set out to do our walk/run and I was having trouble taking deep breaths and was getting side stitches so bad that I had to stop several times to do the stretching and breathing exercises that Coach Tina showed me and thanks to Kaitlyn for tracking my pace and staying with me the whole way back...But the great thing is with Tina's help I was able to make it to the 2 mile mark and get 4 miles in in 60min...I was so happy...When we first started this I could barley make it to the fire station in 30 min....This week we had to do the sled challenge 20 fire drills (down and back = 1) times 2...My 1st one was Tuesday and then I completed my 2nd one on Thursday....It is Sunday and from my shoulders to my lower back and my quads are just so sore smh....hopefully it passes after this week....I love doing the sleds I feel like it is a great full body workout....On Wednesday we got to do Step with Coach CiCi and that workout was so intense and it felt great...That is one of my favorite workouts to do....On Friday Coach EJ had us do relay type races for workout and it was so much fun to get a little competitive and change up the workout a bit!!! Saturday we did 8 miles for our walk/run and we all made it!! I was a little over my goal for staying at a 15:09-15:30 pace...But I will get it next time.....We did the full loop for the first time....One of the subdivisions we went through the road was very rough and and made my knees and feet hurt pretty bad...but once I got on Illinois rd it was smooth again and the pain lightened up...I felt so accomplished to get 8 miles done...I never would have thought that I would go that far!!! On Thursday my Dr. perscribed me a new inhaler so I can proudly say Saturday during our walk/run I did not not feel winded at all....and my breathing stayed under control....Thank you God for the beautiful day you provided for us while we were out on the trail!!!! This program is 100% legit and if you want to change you life, get healthy, and get fit, you should apply!! I encourage you!!!!
May 28, 2017
I have to set an alarm to do my blogging...sometimes my days and weeks all run together and I become forgetful!! After a gain in week 8 I lost 4.8 pounds in week 9!! I made myself go to extra love the days it is available and it really paid off...Monday, Wednesday night, and Saturday morning during our run/walks I kept my 15:05-15:30 pace with my power walking!! I'm so grateful that Tina and Rick are allowing me to do this....I feel like I am pushing myself to go faster every time I get out there and it feels amazing!! I experienced side stitches and a small breathing problem a few times during Saturday's 5 miles and I started to feel a little down...but coach Kaitlin and Tina picked my spirit back up with their kind words!!! I see the Dr. Thursday it's more then likely my asthma messing with me!! But I will prosper!! I loved the workout on Wednesday with CiCi using the steppers and on Friday during boxing...along with swimming those are 2 of my favorite workouts to participate in.....Ricks challenge for us this week was to do 750 feet on Jacobs ladder x 2.....let me tell you...that is one heck of a workout!!it works every muscle in your body!!! I like these little challenges!! To everyone out there the devil is busy at work...don't let him get you down....stay humble and focused!! You/we can do anything we set our minds too!!!
May 21,2017
Week 8 was incredibly hard for me....I gained 1.8 pounds....running 5min/walking 5min Monday and Wednesday felt nearly impossible to me... it to mention when I have worked 8 hours standing on my feet the whole time me legs feel like bricks trying to run in the evenings....My allergies were also acting up all week....but through it all I prospered and made it out!! I completed extra credit all week and I completed Ricks stair master challenge this week as well. So let's talk about the 7 mile run on Saturday morning....well I could not have finished without momma Tina by my side...when I was at about the 2 1/2 mile mark She said some of the coaches had been talking and they all agreed that I walk faster then I run...so she made a deal with me..she set the pace and the rule was I have to keep up with her the rest of the time to hold this theory true! She told Robert and I about a study that was done basically saying walking is better then running...well I can attest to that! My knees were not hurting/sore nearly as bad once I stopped running and started power walking and I was able to catch up and eventually pass the persons in front of me.....all the pressure from running is doing harming my body...I actually felt like I was working harder power walking the rest of the miles...I was sweating more and my heart rate was more increased...I averaged a 15:09-15:20 pace power walking with Tina....thank you coaches for making me better and continuing to help us all believe in ourselves especially when we start thinking negative thoughts!!!!!! I will make it to the end of this program and I will finish that 13.1 miles!!!! #boundanddetermined
May 14, 2017
Monday running 5min/walking 5min on the treadmill kicked my butt...I barley made it through...went to weigh in at Rick and Tina's house before we hit Kroger for nutrition class and I had lost another 5.6 pounds...I finally got the number 1 spot for the women's weight loss...I was so happy and proud of all the contestants!!! It did surprise me..I am not by any means saying the workouts were easy last week, but I was not struggling to breath and keep up like I had been so I did not think I would have that significant of a weight loss...I was so happy with it though...Wednesday night we headed out to do our 5min run/5min walk and Coach Ashley coached me and and encouraged me the whole 50min..like Coach Tina the previous week she was trying to teach me to pick my feet up when I run how to try and catch a little extra speed...sad to say I am still struggling with that...when I run my feet and legs feel like bricks to me...I feel like I power walk faster then I run...but hey at least I am doing it!!! That is what counts!! The past week my knees have been bothering me again...so our physical therapist Andreas put me on a few restrictions for my workouts...no full squats, no full wall sits, no stairs...every time I even attempt to do one I feel sharp pains in my knee...so I will follow his instructions...but I can not wait until I'm back to 100% I need to work on my thighs and getting a bigger/toner gluteus Maximus lol!! I went to extra credit on Tuesday and Wednesday and boy oh boy Coach Rick made muscles hurt in my core, back, neck, and shoulders that I knew existed, but that I did not know my body had lol...those were some great extra workouts..I was sore for days! Thanks Rick!!! I wrote this on my FB page: On Saturday During our 6miles...we were doing walk 5/run 5...but the first time we went to run Coach Mary asked me if I thought I could do 6min running/4min walking...i am so glad she challenged me with that question (CiCi say's "if it doesn't challenge you...it doesn't change you")...well I'm happy to report I did it the whole 6miles...Thanks Mary and Britney Warfel for being by my side and for the motivation to get it done!! Here we come week 8...halfway there!! ?
May 7, 2017
It's not an excuse but I lost track of time today and by the time I looked up at the time it was 5:45 and I realized I had not turned my blog in by 4 like we are supposed to ?....This week I only lost 2.4 pounds...it's an improvement but I wanted 3-4 but I know I can't be hard on myself....I am still number 2 in % lost for girls and Octane Orange is number 1 right now....I could not be more proud of my team!! We got the medals and Mike was so gracious enough to get a trophy for the teams to also have with their teams name on it every week!! Thank you all for making the teams feel extra special when they have a great weigh in....Rick showed Jessica and I how to do Jacobs ladder and oh my...that is a full body workout....but I will get on it again and try not to stop for a whole 3min!!! I struggled a bit with my run 6 min-walk 4 min this week when we were outside...I seem to be able to power walk faster than I am running....but the important thing is that I run the whole 4 min even though I struggle...a couple of goals of mine will be to learn to breathe when I run and learn to pick up speed when I run....we have 5/5 starting Monday and I want to stay on track...my friend Candice joined our public runs Wed night and Sat morning and she was saying she wishes that she could be a part of the program and how great she can tell everyone is that is a part of it...Tina and Rick this program touches everyone it come into contact with...Thank you guys so much for doing this!!!! You are appreciated!! I have to add that I was able to get into a dress that I bought 2 years ago and was never able to wear!! I am also finally able to start seeing some of the loss in and around my face and knock after looking at some old pictures and pictures from orientation day....it made me smile from ear to ear!!!
April 30, 2017
I Just realized that I had been putting 2016 as the year on all my previous posts and nobody told me lol...Well we just rapped up week 5...Monday I found out I lost 5.2 pounds for a total of 21.2 pounds lost....I walked/ran 7min/2min on the treadmill and I made it through...We did stations on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday...Those were great workouts! It was nice to switch it up a bit...guess what? My knee magically stopped hurting this week...thank God for that....Wednesday night on our walk/run again Angie was gracious enough to run by my side and keep me motivated along with her friend Jen...I want to thank them! Jen and I also learned we work at the same hospital...on our Saturday morning walk/run we did 5miles....Stephanie B. pushed me to keep with my 7/3 plan. Thank you for all the support, encouragement, and kind words you give me every week....We used to work together in the same department and I forgot that when I first met her she was doing this program!! We have become closer now and keep in contact weekly! She is a great gal with a good heart! Her and CiCi ran the last part of the the 5 in with me and it made me feel great!!! I can't say thank you enough!! I did my stair master challenge that Rick assigned us this week. The first time I did 100 floors in 41.02 min...The second time I beat my first time and did 100 floors in 35.38min!!!! The first time I did it Alumni Kurt, my team mate Jessica, and her husband David really helped me out and kept me going...A big thanks to them! Great people! So Friday night I completed my 2nd stair master challenge and then got with Kandace to support her doing her's....a gentleman (who is ripped ?? By the way) that is always working out in there walks up to Kandace and I and say's "I just want to let you all know that you give me strength...sometimes I want to stop, but seeing y'all here at 8:30 on a Friday night gives me motivation to keep going and I just want to thank you all...great job keep it up ❤️!! That made my day!!! Im ready to keep going!!!
April 22, 2017
Weighed in on Monday the 17th and I was down another 4.6 pounds.....That makes a total of 16 pounds down for me in the first 3 weeks...I did spin class Monday morning and i have been having pain in both of my knees but mainly the right one. I have been icing it, stretching it, and praying that the pain subsides....I do not want to be injured.....I will make it through this!! Tomorrow the 23rd, we are participating in our 1st 5k for FORMULA FOR LIFE....I am excited to see how well I do...It is getting a bit easier to jog/run, but I need to learn how to breath correctly while doing so and then it will be a bit easier for me...CiCi coached me through our 8min walk/2 min run on Saturday the 15th...She taught me to breath out through my mouth since I can't seem to master breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth yet lol...She really got me through that 3 miles...Thank you so much!!! On Thursday the 20th I did my 8min walk/2min run Rick and Frank were amazing and Stephanie(Alumni) stayed by my side while i was running to get me through it with her encouraging words....This program is awesome and to all the men and women that help out WE THANK YOU AND WE APPRECIATE YOU!!!!! 
This week I have really been struggling with trying to find the right combination of food to hold me over until I can eat again....I often feel like I am starving at least 2 times a day....I have to speak to my nutritionist about this matter! I also have been fighting some intense cravings this week. Seeing foods that I can no longer eat, I have been getting a pit in my stomach and wanting them, but I have been fighting the urges and will continue to for my health!!!
April 12, 2017
Week 3 Tuesday was a huge challenge for me...we did sleds for the first time.... I was breathing very heavy and went to do stairs next...before I knew it I felt dizzy and light headed...Tina (being the great caring woman she is) pulled me from the stairs and Jen (my wonderful nutritionist) joined together to check on me! I started crying and said "I look like I'm weak"! They asked me where I would be if I were not in this program and I replied "on my couch"...They said see how far you have come....over 11 pounds lost we don't ever want to here you say that! You are doing a great job!! And now I will think about that day forever! Thank you both so much for the encouraging words!!!!!
On monday I went to the gym and walked 8min ran 2min for 40min on the treadmill!! I couldn't believe I could do it...and then today the 12th we met at Deer Ridge for our Wednesday night run...and I actually did the same thing on the trail out in the open air!!! I'm am so grateful that yet again Tina and a woman from season 8 (Angie) were right by my side cheering me on the entire time while I ran for that 2min...I haven't ran since high school when they made you do it in gym class!! I am a happy woman and so appreciative of this program and the people who dedicate their time to us!!!! God bless you all!!
April 8, 2017
Week 2 is coming to a close...Friday we got to use our boxing gloves with trainer EJ....that was a great workout...I'm looking forward to the next time! On Wed nights and Sat mornings I have been just a couple minutes away from hitting the mile marker..I am making it my goal to get there this next week!!! A big shout out to all of our trainers, the volunteers, and Rick n Tina!! We APPRECIATE you all!!!!!
April 3, 2017
Tonight was our week 1 weigh in...I lost 9.2 pounds!! I am so happy! Every contestant did a great job I'm so proud of everyone! Awesome job octane orange 51.6 pounds lost between all of us! We have to keep this up!! Stay focused!!! Stay positive!!! But God!!!
5a.m. My team and I have decided to come to Spiece and take the spin class before our work day starts!!
April 1, 2017
We all made it through week 1 sore and all....I really enjoyed swimming this week...it was nice to get back in the pool again although I learned I need to learn to swim again lol....ready for week 2 bring it on!!!
March 26, 2017
Tomorrow marks the day that our lives will forever be changed....It's go time!!!