I cannot tell how GRATEFUL I am. Because let me tell you, my body is not at it's peak. 3 years ago I was dancing 4x a week with leg and arm muscles. I was "fit thick". When I got pregnant I still worked out but only 2-3 times a week. I was loving my body. I was still fit with a cute belly. Then 8 months I doubled in size, my water started to grow inside and I could no longer workout. I was tired, I was irritable, and I was frustrated I could move around as quickly. When I had Violet I was in mommy heaven. I was breastfeeding and lost 20 pounds in 3 weeks. I was nailing it! Then I had to go back to work.... My milk started to dry up because I was working 9-11 hour days. My stress level was high because I wanted to stay home but couldn't afford to. I gained 15 pounds of the 20 pounds I lost... I became depressed, frustrated, and angry with myself and my partner. He would try to comfort me and I would cry. I couldn't go back to dance because I came straight home every night for the baby. I went from dancer to working mom and began to regret my life. It wasn't until my husband told me to start blogging again and to try to channel that energy into something that would uplift me. I started by added old pictures to of me. The good old days. And as I started to post more I felt a change. I started to look at the BoPo community and became inspired. I began to take class once a week. And said, "ok this day is for me. I may not be able to dance everyday but I can do this one day for myself and my confidence and health". And who knew that months later I'd be approached to be a part of such an amazing campaign at my "WORST". At a time where I am the fattest I've ever been. I can't tell you how grateful. How God can really turn something so ugly in my head to a major blessing. I may not look like where I was pre-baby, but dammit I've done a heck of a lot more being fatter and a mom! I'm so grateful and I thank my family and friends who've stuck through all my complaining. Especially my poor husband @bohemio_life because he bared most of it. (Love you babe) I'm a woman of faith and it's pays off everyday!

Punching all the negativity away! BTS look from the @refinery29 shoot. More to come! #bts #refinery29

Starting in TWO weeks! If you've been looking for the mind and body positivity small group, this is the group for you! This group will have a series of body positive exercises, dance classes, and deep discussions about self love and seeing yourself as beautifully made in the image of God. $5 suggested fee per session to cover the cost of rental. When: Fridays at 7:30pm Where: 387 East Fordham Rd (martial arts location) Bronx NY Sign up on: newlifebronx.com/groups

I AM FREE BABY! •••••••••••••••••••••••••• Have you ever felt burdened by your weight? Or even other things in your life like anxiety, stress, work, money, being lonely? What if I told you, that you can be FREE from all of those things? What if I told you there was someone else who already took all those burdens for you and gave you freedom to live in peace? With Christmas coming I wanted to talk about accepting the GIFTS of what God has given to us and not to worry about the things that are temporary. I ACCEPT that the Lord has given me a gift to dance, and as a curvy woman, I have a platform in which to stand out! I will no longer be burdened by my weight and the 'setbacks' I only created upon myself but rather focus on the future and what's to come of my brand! I AM FREE from doubting myself, from stopping myself, from delaying my progress. Stress is temporary. Financial struggle are temporary. Your body can fluctuate. Your state of mind can fluctuate. But your gift is always there, USE IT!! BE FREE. Will you BE FREE with me? Comment on what you think your gift is and how you will use it in the new year!

Happy Friday! Starting a new trend for the blog, Freestyle Friday! Enjoy!!

If you must ask, I dance with power and sass! #bodypositive #celebratemysize #curvygirl #effyourbeautystandards #danceblogger #fatshion #fullfigured #honormycurves #lifethrowcurves #plus_isamust #plusmodelmag #plussize #plussizelife #respectmycurves #goldenconfidence #curveswithmoves #plussizedancer #curvydancer #AllBodiesAreGoodBodies #FatGirlsBeWinning #plussizefitness #dancenyc #nycdance #dancer

Dance Sundays! Here is a number I did for a beginners class for Foxy5 Werqshop #bodypositive #celebratemysize #curvygirl #effyourbeautystandards #danceblogger #fatshion #fullfigured #honormycurves #lifethrowcurves #plus_isamust #plusmodelmag #plussize #plussizelife #respectmycurves #goldenconfidence #curveswithmoves #plussizedancer #curvydancer #AllBodiesAreGoodBodies #FatGirlsBeWinning #plussizefitness #dancenyc #nycdance #dancer #danceSundays

Turn up with me this Thursday at @melisantidancestudio 8pm!!! Only a few spots left, sign up on Curveswithmoves.com/Vixen If it's sold out and you wanna join, DM me for wait list! Let's get it!!!!!!! #vixenarmybronx #vixenarmy #vixenworkout #dancefitness #fitfam #bodypositive #celebratemysize #curvygirl #effyourbeautystandards #danceblogger #fatshion #fullfigured #honormycurves #lifethrowcurves #plus_isamust #plusmodelmag #plussize #plussizelife #respectmycurves #goldenconfidence #curveswithmoves #plussizedancer #curvydancer #AllBodiesAreGoodBodies #FatGirlsBeWinning #plussizefitness #dancenyc #nycdance #dancer #instadance (at Melisanti Dance Studio)

Free Beginner’s Hip Hop Class

JUST ANNOUNCED! In partnership with Fullbeauty.com I'll be teaching a FREE Beginner's Hip Hop Class this coming Thursday!!! Spots are limited so RSVP below. C'mon, "I need a one dance" with all of you (wink wink hint hint that might be the song wink wink hint hint)

New Design = Giveaways

In honor of the redesign of my website and my new Facebook Page I wanted to celebrate by having a giveaway! Here are the details: 6 winners total Curves With Moves Giveaway

Welcome to the Curves With Moves page! Here you will see videos of myself and fellow curvy dancers getting it, links to events and classes you can take with me, and much more. Here is a little more about me:

Vixen Workout at the Redefining Healthy Event for Full Figured Fashion week this past June. Natalie and I are one of the few Vixen Workout instructors who are plus size so it was so fun to share this workout with fellow curvy ladies!

 It was amazing to be back during these events this time as a dance and not as a style blogger. Honestly, being there made me more aware of how much MORE I need to blog about my dancing and the skin that I’m in. So get ready because more to come on Curves With Moves!

Ladies! It's gonna be a packed house with some amazing women! Get ready Thursday! We gonna TURN UP! #curvygirls #vixenarmy #vixenarmybronx

Did you ever feel uncomfortable in a dance or fitness class because you felt out of place? FEAR NOT LADIES! Vixen is all about positivity and women empowerment no matter what size, shape, profession or culture! And to prove that I want to invite all my curvy girls to try Vixen for FREE! APRIL 7th THURSDAY!!!! 💪🏼🙌🏽💁🏽

You don’t have to be thick to join my class but if you are a big girl, I better see you there! I promise you, you will not be disappointed. I became an instructor to prove that. This was the first class that made me feel comfortable dancing and sweating with other women. I want you to feel the same. DM me for more details.

I just found your blog and I LOVE it oh my goodness

Thank you dear! :)

Wednesday was my due date (and still no baby!) and what better way to get labor started than by doing what I love best, dancing!! Doing the #dabbonemchallenge hoping she dabbs her way down my cervix haha

Plus Size Maternity Photos

One of the very few things I was excited about pregnancy (b/c most of pregnancy is being sick, tired, and cranky) was taking maternity photos. Just the thought of looking so majestically motherly with a flowy gown was a photo shoot dream. 

Finding the right dress was crucial!!!! I’m a budget kind of gal, so for me this dress, if I was going to spend more than $100, had to be something I could wear again. So I decided that the dress I would pick would be for my baby shower as well as my photo shoot. 

I found this amazing site on Etsy called Silk Fairies that makes custom dresses for maternity! I was so happy because I could send them my measurements, height and even customizations to the dresses they already have to make my dream dress. Because I have large breasts I needed straps but something I can play with. The long loose fabric they added to the top allowed me to play with it in different ways. I also wanted to show off my legs and belly but have lace to provide a flowy look and hide some of my lady lumps. You can see the photos below from my baby shower and maternity shoot on how I varied the look. 

AHHHH BABY VIOLET IS COMING SOON!!! 2 WEEK COUNTDOWN BEGINS!

Look 1: Shoulder Cover up for Baby Shower

Look 2: Criss Cross Halter for Maternity Shoot

Photos by Nina Méndez-Martí