Mid-Week Boost

These past few weeks have been a little trying. I love me a good snow day but my rhythm has been a little off lately. I haven't made time to sit and actually read the word like I know I need to. So, I made an effort to do that yesterday and today and I feel so much better. It also gives me better things to write about and points of reflection. We have to really make sure we cover ourselves in the word because you never know what each day will have in store for us.

So since we are right in the middle of the week, here is a little inspiration to help all of us finish strong.

"God blessed those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12 NLT)

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27 NLT)

Also, this video was shared by one of my girls over at Lo's Notes last week. I had to repost it because how can you not feel better after listening to this song. Check her blog out too!

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. (Psalms 23:1 NLT)

Week 3: Rome Wasn't Built in a Day

So Week-2 I was like this:

(Instead of footballs imagine me kicking away unhealthy foods)

 But last week I was like: 

I didn't really have a cheat meal per-se just a crappy eating week. I have really tried to cut down on "fat talk" but to be honest last week I just felt like a fat girl. I was only able to stick to my calorie goal 4/7 days. And since y'all know I am all about getting A's, this was a huge disappointment. Without being able to exercise daily, I am struggling. Now because I want this to be as authentic as possible, if I can get 6/7 days at or under 1,500, I feel like I am winning but last week I wasn't. I managed to loose a pound though but I am not happy with that. I just can't get out of my perfectionist ways fast enough but slow and steady wins the race right?

Here is my recap:

Monday-Today I fared well because having a day off really doesn't require energy so I wasn't really that hungry--breakfast-snack-dinner-Zumba-snack and the day was over. If everyday was like today I'd be in shape in no time.
Tuesday-So because we had a midday snow storm my commute home with a toddler was about 3 hours. We had to have snacks (carrots for me--Yay!) in the car. But by the time I got home I was ravenous. Salted caramel popcorn did me in.
Wedneday-Today was a snow day and I had more salted caramel popcorn lol. I had a salad for dinner though so even though I didn't make the healthiest food choices, I was under my calorie goal.
Thursday-I got my life together today. To God be the glory. I planned well and my calorie
Friday-I could have made it this day but the way my day went, I needed a glass of wine at the end of it. *sigh* Not too bad though--1,605.
Saturday-I made it through a Saturday and even made cookies--4-ingredient chocolate chip cookies. These were the bomb and super easy! I also tried some Parmesan Crusted Tilapia and is was also a win.
Sunday-Kid birthday party fail. I almost didn't want to track what I ate because I was ashamed. Which caused me to come home and have more cookies and wine. If I would've tracked in the moment, I could've saved myself 1,000 extra calories by not diving into those cookies but hey you live and grow right?

I know people say they want to get healthy by it right now I'm trying to be this:

This Gif and the one above are courtesy of Awesomely Luvvie

In all seriousness though, each day is a new day. Paying attention to what I am eating is a start. The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. (Proverbs 24:16 NLT)
I already know that because I have church tonight I can't go to Zumba but I plan to go Saturday instead. The Super Bowl is Sunday so I will be looking for light snacking options for the family or just go lock myself in a room lol. I am also going to try to eat a little more seafood this week and a little less bacon--maybe. I also enlisted the help of my weight loss buddy extrodinare. Together a few years ago, we were some weight watchers beasts so I'm going to use her more for support because she knows my struggle and can help talk me off an over eating ledge as needed.

Planning and support are really crucial in any attempts at weight loss.

I claim victory over this week for all of us in the name of Jesus. 

Hug Your Babies

I started this draft a while ago after witnessing a student having a seizure in my class. But after watching Fruitvale Station this weekend, I am compelled to finish it and take it in a new direction. Our children are so precious for so many reasons. This movie only further confirms for me that parenting is one of the toughest jobs in the world.

First, my stomach ached the entire time I watched Fruitvale Station. I knew what was coming but I didn't know when. The fact that this was some one's son and father (not to mention he was murdered in my home state of California) was unsettling. I remembered this story from when it really happened but just reliving it from the beginning to the end was almost unbearable; especially knowing that the man that was responsible for Oscar Grant's death served only 11 months in jail.

All I can keep thinking about is that I have a son and something like that could happen to him. What am I suppose to do lock him up in a bubble to protect him? Oscar's mom thought she was keeping her child safe by encouraging him to not drink and drive and look what happened--he took the train and was murdered by a police officer who beat and shot him (while Oscar was handcuffed by the way) but then claimed he mistook his gun for a taser. What can we, mothers of black boys, do?  Feeding our son's organic foods, reading to them every night, and enrolling them in the right schools can only take them so far. What happens when they go off on their own and encounter the big bad wolf?

My heart aches for Oscar's mother and all the mother's of black boys who have to teach them carefully because so many people don't view their life as having value. Oscar is only one of the countless examples of young black men who have died at the hands of police officers and senseless acts violence only to have their perpetrators walk away free.

The funny thing is kids are so oblivious to the racial hate that exists in this country.  I see this in all the different kids groups my son is in. Even in the movie, you can see Oscar having many lighthearted interactions with people of the opposite race. Everyone was just trying to celebrate New Year's. So when/where does the breakdown occur? Are other parents teaching this hate inside their homes? Do kids grow up mimicking what they have seen play out in the media so many times? Will racially charged behaviors go away as more and more generations pass? To be honest, I remember in about kindergarten or first grade when I realized that being black really in fact made me different. I guess it wasn't cool to talk about TV shows like A Different World or the Cosby Show with a kid who wasn't black. Her mama was not pleased.

This is what scares me about parenting.

At times, education is everything but you can't wear a degree on your forehead. Heck, I have definitely gotten the side-eye when I have mistakenly left my wedding ring at home and I am running around with my son. Police officers have been extra rude the few times I have encountered them. An older woman even told me to slow down once as I struggled to get my nephew and son in my car--they are very close in age. *insert shocked face* If this can happen to me as a Master's Degree--Career Having black woman, who knows what this world will serve up to my son.

*Takes a deep breath*

In the midst of all of these thoughts and frustrations, I ultimately am calmed because I know that my son is in God's hands.  Not all people will like him. People may even do and say mean things to him; but God's will for his life will be done. I will keep him in church and immerse him in the word so he will know who matters and that he matters irregardless of what others say. I will teach him to love and not hate. I will cover him in prayer each day because some of the cruelties that this world will serve him he will have to endure and learn from them.

Hug your babies, husbands, boo's,  mama's, aunties--hug everybody because tomorrow is not promised.

My kingdom does not belong to this world. -John 18:36

Week 2: All Things Are Possible

This week to God be the glory I was not nearly as hungry as I was the first week. That was just the little push that I needed.

Here is my recap from last week:

Monday: Today I stepped on the scale for the first time since October (well I think I did once but I hadn't gained or loss at that point). I have gained 6 pounds since then. I have been avoiding the scale because I figured I had gained like 20 pounds because I was not focused at all in the fall/during the holidays but all hope is not lost. I didn't binge eat everyday and ate relatively healthy when I could so thank God. Now I have a real starting point for this journey. I'll update you when I hit the scale again. Still hitting Zumba like a boss. I don't have many days to work out so, I am sticking to this one.

Tuesday: So yeah, I think this is my busiest day of the week. This is good and bad because I don't have time to think about being hungry but then I also don't have much time to eat. The hunger pains got better though. I am grateful for that. I just have to make sure that I don't dive into whatever it is that I do eat when I do finally get the chance.

Wednesday: Today felt good. I had a work lunch and I didn't know what would be served so I had a light breakfast to prep. Luckily they always serve healthy food so I had good options. I ended the day well under my calorie goal and I had a cookie at lunch. I chatted with a friend during lunch and took my time eating so I didn't even want everything I put on my plate anyhow. Tuna wraps are my new favorite thing (on a whole wheat tortilla by the way).

Thursday: Today I ate one of my faves--a plain bagel with veggie cream cheese from Dunkin Doughnuts. I opted for a lighter options throughout the day to allot for this treat and it worked in my favor.

Friday: I had a date night dinner with the hubs and managed not to go over my calorie limit! *insert praise dance here*. Planning is key on a day like this--shoot everyday for that matter.

The Weekend: This weekend's treat was Salted Caramel Popcorn. OMG delicious!!! I had way to much on Saturday but managed to sneak away with only eating 1,817 calories for the day. Over my 1,500 but not as bad a last weekend's 2,119 calorie Sunday. This Sunday was low-key. I had more popcorn but cut out some other snacks and managed to stay under my calorie goal.

Overall: The only thing that wasn't super great this week was getting in 106 ounces of water a day. You really have to focus. I got close most days but that was tough when I didn't make time to always refill my bottle or when I was just at home lounging around. Also, this plank challenge that me and my husband are doing is no joke though. We are up to 1.5 minutes now. INSANE. After a minute, I am done UGH. I am ready to give it up lol. Overall though, I really feel like I can do this. Hopefully as the weeks go by, things will continue to get easier and healthier eating will become second nature. I am trying my best to make this as normal as possible so I will be able to keep up with steady weight loss throughout the rest of winter and in to the spring.

Continue to pray for me. I hope all are doing well with your New Year's Goals!

Salted Caramel Popcorn

Salted Caramel Popcorn is the name of the game tonight courtesy of Shelly over at Cookies and Cups. To God be the glory that I had enough after one serving and didn't dive right in. All things in moderation remember? If you love caramel this one is for you.

Note: I didn't pop my popcorn in a popper. I used a good old fashion pot on the stove. Also if you wanted to make this a tad bit healthier, I think you could cut down a little bit of the butter and sugar and get the same effect. I think a 1/2 cup of each would be fine. (I'll try this next time and post an update if it works out good).
Also make sure you take out the popcorn kernels before you pour the caramel topping on.

Let me know if you try it!

Happy Saturday!!!

Salted Caramel Popcorn

Makes about 16 cups of caramel corn

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels (about 16 cups popped corn)
• 1 cup salted butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup light corn syrup
• 1 1/2 - 2 tsp kosher or sea salt, divided

How to Make

1. Preheat oven to 300°
2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Set aside.
3. Pop popcorn kernels using air popper into a large bowl.
4. In a small saucepan melt butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and 1 tsp salt together over medium heat. Bring to boil. Boil for 4 minutes without stirring.
5. Pour caramel mixture over popcorn and stir to coat evenly.
6. Pour popcorn into lined pan, sprinkle remaining salt on top (1/2 tsp - 1 tsp depending on your personal taste preference) and place in oven. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
7. Allow popcorn to cool on a parchment lined counter.

Notes

You can add in 2 cups of nuts to the un-coated popcorn if desired! Coat with caramel as states!

Everything Ain't Easy

Making grown up decisions isn't really that hard---unless they involve other people (at least for me). It is even harder when you have to break some not-so good news to someone when there was no wrong doing on their part (and when you are just naturally an easy breezy girl like myself who wants everyone to be happy).

A few weeks ago, I had to break up with my sons daycare provider of almost two years. I knew it was coming. I had started looking a while ago and when me and the hubs actually had time to visit some, we knew instantly when we had found a winner. The problem is that our son has developed so much under his current daycare provider so telling her that "her baby" wouldn't be coming back after this month was hard. The thing is, even though there were things I liked about the daycare, it just wasn't a hell yes anymore so I knew it was time to move. That didn't make me feel better about having to have that conversation with the daycare though. Sure I feel good knowing that I have always treated them with respect and showed my appreciation when I could but it was still like -50 on the list of things I wanted to do.

The build up to the conversation though made me uneasy. The hubs broke it off with the last daycare so  this time it was my turn. However, I didn't want to head into the weekend with the anticipation weighing me down so I just went for it.

*sigh*

Why do uncomfortable conversations have to be so tough? My issue is that I don't want to hurt any ones feelings. The reality is though, his daycare provider took it like a true professional. She didn't even flinch. She loves my boo but it is the nature of her business. I was probably more worried than I had to be. I felt relived afterward but still a little sad. At the same time though, the reality is that I am excited for my sons new adventures at his new school. It is just the logical next step for his progression.

I have a few other difficult conversations on the horizon (I think I may have a friend/enemy lurking y'all). So I wonder does it get any easier?? Maybe with age and more practice?

Who knows.

If there is one thing I have learned about motherhood though, is it will give you just a little more nerve to do what you have to do when you need to. It may be uncomfortable but if it is for my son, I will grit my teeth and get it done. I just need that to translate into other areas.

Oh well...big girl panties are on in 2014. I'll take a little uncomfort in the name of me and my families progress, sanity, and over all well being.

How do you handle difficult conversations? I'd love to hear your tips.

Week 1 Pt. 2: All Things in Moderation

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NLT)

 

Can I just say a sistah is HUNGRY!!! Well not actually right now but that was pretty much how I felt all last week. Hopefully this week my body will start to get use to the lowered calories. I also have to be a little more strategic about which meals are my larger ones. I'll survive but I wanted to be real. Hunger pains are real y'all. I just keep giving myself mental pep talks. 

God is with me.

I can win.

Keep going.

This reminds me of my days on the tennis courts.

It always feels great to be victorious over urges though. I have two February dinner dates that I plan to thoroughly enjoy so I need to handle business now. I know it is all in my head so my #1 advice right now would be to keep your head space in a good place.

 

Here is my recap for the rest of last week:

Wednesday-I think being busy definitely helps you to eat less. I was so busy that I only had a few minutes for snacks and had to have my lunch on the go. When I did get a minute to breath and the hunger kicked in, I treated myself to some sun chips. I swear when you are trying to eat healthier, not so healthy foods taste 10x's better. But, then later my mom made hot water corn bread and I had 2 pieces. I had all kinds of internal convos to keep me from eating a 3rd. I had to do 2 minutes worth of jumping jacks to not be over my calories. That may sound like nothing to you, but it was tough but I really broke a sweat because I didn't mess up my goal only a few days in. My extra built in days were for real indulgences.

Thursday-I made it with only 2 snacks! Huge win. I think my mind is getting trained. God bless fun size candies. I was able to indulge in a Hershey Special Dark Chocolate. 40 calories of pure goodness. I was able to resist the yummy temptation of Munchkins. I knew if I went for it, I wouldn't have come out victorious.

Friday-I promised one of my students Chinese for lunch. Not too bad on the calories but you have to watch the portions. I opted for vegetable spring rolls and fried chicken wings (who knew this was a good thing from a Chinese spot). I love spring rolls and they are very filling. I was supposed to have a little get together with some girlfriends but the weather said uh-no. So, since I had prepped the night before, I ate some of our treats with ebony and ivory. They were more interested in the strawberries than the cookies---that was a first.

I tried a recipes for fruit pizza's (if you want to make this low calorie get reduced fat everything except the sugar cookies) and apple chicken sausage (if you make this, choose the apricot preserves wisely. Depending on the brand you by, you could add 100 extra calories for no reason). All of these recipes were wins and not too bad on calories either. I think the key to hosting when it is not a full dinner is choosing smart things to serve and pace yourself so you don't over eat. Also, eat lighter during the day so you have some extra wiggle room calorie wish.

The Weekend-This is where I usually struggle the most. I love making different types of pancakes or desserts on the weekends so instead of giving up something that I know I will do once this is over, I just planned ahead. It was raining and cold so I didn't walk outside so I stuck to the foods I planned out on Saturday (which included more fruit pizza's, cheese pizza, and fried fish--keeping it real). I also tried a very good slow cooker Banana Nut Oatmeal recipe for breakfast (I added a little brown sugar and another banana to the recipe--I would also add a few more of the spices). Who knew homemade oatmeal tasted better than the store bought and it was very filling.

I was going to go to Zumba like I used to do with the ladies at my church but I had to take my son to his own gym class. This is why I need to get a new treadmill for the house. Working outside of the house is never guaranteed and it is just too cold/wet to be outside these days.

Sunday evening though, I dove all the way in and ate more fruit pizza's than I should have. So I ended up eating about 2,000. Normally, I'd mark this as a total fail and just keep eating but given how I haven't been eating the best on weekends in the past few months, this was still a victory. Rome wasn't built in a day. The lesson though is if I am going to try a yummy recipe, make only one batch. 

Overall-I am convinced that eating healthy is a mind game. Hopefully I can stick with it and it will eventually become more of a habit. Drinking all this water (106+ ounces a day) sounds good but these trips to the bathroom are not a game. I didn't quite drink that much water on the weekend though (I drunk around 70 ounces). I am in it to win it though. Me and my husband are killing this plank challenge though.

I pray for the strength to keep the momentum in week 2. Grad school starts back up so I will really know the struggle.

When it comes to desserts for now, I think I will stick with cookies. Cookies are way safer than cakes or brownies because you can control the portions better and count them easily for tracking. This journey will be very real so desserts will always be apart of my life so as I find smarter dessert choices, I'll be sure to share.

Continue to pray for a sistah please!

Slow and Steady Wins

So I have been dabbling in a few different devotionals and Proverbs keep coming up. In Dave Ramsey's Financial Wisdom From Proverbs he drew from this verse today: Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. (Proverbs 21:5 NLT). He tells about how he talked to a billionaire about things he could do today to get closer to where that man was financially and in business and the man suggested that he read The Tortoise and the Hare.  Dave was of course shocked by that seemingly trivial recommendation but the man said that this day in age, everyone wants to be a rabbit but in the end every time, the tortoise always wins.

I will admit that there have been times when I acted hastily. I think that is a gift and a curse for our current age. You can literally have whatever you want with a click of a button or with the swipe of the finger or credit card. Just because we can get it right now doesn't mean that we should. This is especially true for me in my educational journey. I always say to myself that if I can't get certain things in a certain time frame then something must be wrong with me but the reality is, slow and steady always wins the race. Ramsey stated that we have to have patience (which I don't always have) and be able to persevere. This ties into all of our goals, especially financial ones. I can't get rid of all my debt in one year but I can get rid of some. I can't lose all the weight I want this year but I can lose some.

Think about this: Octavia Spencer received an Oscar at age 42. If you look at all the different types of roles she had leading up until that point (or lack thereof), could you imagine if she had given up at 30 or even 35? Nelson Mandela was not released from prison until age 72 and look at his impact! He lived to be 95 years old. Can you imagine living that long? If we give up on our goals and dream in our twenties, thirties, even forties will we truly be satisfied if we are blessed with a long life?

The truth is, if we never start, we won't ever get anywhere. If we don't persevere when things get rough, we will never know what the end will be.

Let's press on my friends because no matter how long it takes us, slow and steady always wins the race.

Week 1-Snacking Smart

 

I know Week 1 isn't over yet but I figured I'd give you all a mid-week update. I would have to say I have been doing pretty good. I even got my husband in on my plank challenge! A sistah is hungry though lol but I am staying within my 1,500 calorie limit. It is really hard for me because I am a snacker (more so when I am working than when I'm not). This week I had to really snack smarter.

My main snack has been carrots. I don't love raw carrots but they are low in calories and they pack a nutritional punch. I paired them Herb Ranch flavored greek yogurt dip and that made all the difference and was under 70 calories! I don't love carrots but I will keep these in rotation.

Highlights:

Monday- I made it to Zumba=big win.

Tuesday-I had made some yummy banana muffins over the weekend that I really just had a taste for Tuesday morning. It was so yummy but muffins don't really do it for me as something really solid for breakfast (even though they had 250 calories). I survived the day but I will not be starting a workday with a muffin again that just wasn't enough.

New Snack Alert:

-After hitting up Zumba of course I was starving. I was initially going to go with some frozen Greek yogurt but I went with a banana and some double chocolate pudding. Having flashbacks of an awesome chocolate covered banana I had a while ago, I decided to dunk my banana in the pudding and would you know it tasted just as good. If you are a chocolate lover, this one is for you. Chocolate and sweet for only 165 calories...I'll take it. I will be having this again.


How are you all doing with your weight loss/fitness/healthier eating challenges?

We got this!

Back to the Grind

Weight loss is like a curse word to me at times but in line with a renewed focus on goals for the new year, I have decided to breathe new life into my weight loss/fitness goals. I was so inspired by my friends weight loss journey that I am ready. I have decided to embark on 95 days of eating 1,500 calories. YIKES!!! I am already hungry as I type this lol. Why 95 days you ask? I was going to go with 90 but I want to be realistic. I have a date night, my birthday, some ladies nights lined up in that time frame so instead of setting myself up for failure, I built in a few extra days so I don't have to beat myself up for the days I might not make the cut.

My overall goal this year is to lose 10% of my body weight. I can't wait to see how much of that I can knock out by April 11th (just before Easter...look at God!!).
Like I have said before, I am not into resolutions but I do have goals. I am sharing this one with you all so you can hold me accountable. Proverbs 15:22 says "plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed". Hopefully we can advise each other and completely smash our weight loss/fitness goals this year.

I will be writing about this journey at least once a week. I will also be trying some new healthy recipes and sharing those as well (if they are good).

Do you all have any weight loss/fitness goals this year?

I'd love to hear.

 

Here are some things I am starting with:

 

Get back to seriously using the MyFitnessPal App: I will track my 1,500 calories each day there. Add me bdxn637 if you want!

 

Start using my UP band again: I ordered a replacement over the weekend. It is great for tracking steps and sleep. 10,000 steps a day is my goal.

 

Use the waterlogged app: I will be logging 106oz of water a day!

 

Zumba/Walking: When I can. Hopefully 2-3 times a week.

 

Challenges from Pinterest: I don't have a ton of extra time as a working-grad school going mom so I always love these challenges that I can do at home at anytime. These are the two I am starting with.

 

Bury Your Worries

Yesterday's sermon was a great way to lead into 2014. The sermon was titled, Faith is the Grave for Worry (see Mark 9:14-27 for context). My pastor said that faith is the core of our being as members of the body of Christ. This is something we all know but it gets little tricky as we move throughout our hectic lives and encounter different struggles. Above all else must be believers. Faith can bring blessings we just have to focus. If we really believe that God can help us get a new job, heal our sickness, help us to become debt free, *insert whatever here*, then we have nothing to worry about.

However, the reality is that we tend to worry about everything and often don't really worry about things that actually should concern us. I am guilty of this too. I have gotten better but I still worry at times. My pastor reminded us that worrying can cause some serious problems. If that ain't the truth!?!?!!!! I have gotten plenty of headaches from worrying. He said most of the time what we worry about it stuff that we can't control. All we need to do with our worries is to turn to God in faith and then our faith is the grave for all our worries. When we give our worries to God and believe him at his word, we don't need to worry any more. Our worries are buried in a grave of faith and grave is a final resting place.

I encourage you all to worry a little less this year. You will get all of what you need and probably even a few things that you want. If you hit a bump, embrace it and learn from it. If I think back on so many things that I have worried about, what I thought was going to be horrible wasn't so bad. Bills got paid, work got done, life went on, etc. I was usually always worked up for no reason.

So this year, because I have faith,  I want to worry a little less. I know that God has got it and I truly believe him at his word.

I already feel better.

 

Winning While Losing

You know how you have those friends that you hold dear to your heart but you don't really see them or talk to them that much? Well that is how I feel about my boo Clee. Thanks to Facebook and Instagram, I can secretly stalk her and feel connected even though we are miles away and haven't seen each other in a while. She was always an inspiration to me as a budding Zeta and HU student. Who knew she was younger than me?? Anyhow, I have watched her weight loss journey over the years and have been in awe. You always hear of people losing hundreds of pounds but I always wonder what's the catch or if they've been on some crazy diet with nasty food. But her story, I know is real. And because it's so real, I know that weight loss is really possible (even though I still struggle myself).

For those reasons, I asked her to be my guest blogger today on her birthday to give us all some weight loss and fitness inspiration for the New Year. Ladies and Gentlemen it's my pleasure to introduce you to my fitness hero Attorney Clevette Williams.

Here is her story:

I have been heavy all of my life, so heavy was sexy in my world. My family is on the heavier side and we throw down (food wise) so being over weight was a norm. However, during law school, I gained about 60 pounds. I did not realize it until I went to the doctor and stepped on the scale. I remember it as if it were yesterday. The doctor was very handsome and he said, "I'm just going to stop the scale here (310). You are very pretty, but have unhealthy habits." At that point, I started looking at myself differently. I was uncomfortable and it was finally called out. Diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. runs in my family and I was skating on thin ice. I could not wear stockings because I was too big and I could barely fit my already size 22/24s.

In 2009, I made a decision to eat 1500 calories a day and to limit my juice and drink strictly water. The first month, from sticking to 1500 calories, drinking water, and working out in my living room, I lost 20 pounds. Next, I joined a gym for more activity (classes, treadmill, etc.). I worked out 5 days a week, stuck with eating smaller portions, and the weight dropped. Note: I still would eat pasta, pizza, chips, etc. but I made sure that if I did, I stayed within my calorie allotment so it meant a smaller dinner. Because I did it the natural way, there were times when I screwed up and would gain weight, but I had a goal and was determined to get to it. Now, in 2014, I have maintained my goal weight. I've lost over 110 pounds and have kept it off because working out and drinking water have become a habit. I log my food in the My Fitness pal app and I log my water intake in the app called Waterlogged. I still workout and I love to challenge my body. 

If I can do it! Anyone can!

Remember that you can eat anything you want, but self-control is key. I'm love golden Oreos. So why would I deprive myself? The days that I feed my cravings are the days that I work a little harder in the gym. Do not deprive yourself or else you will DIVE in when you decide to indulge. Self control is key!!!

10 Tips:

1. Drink water (half your body weight in ounces) a day!

2.Get a workout schedule and stick with it. Once your body gets used to it (you will know because you will not sweat), switch it up.

3. Get a polar heart rate monitor or fit bit to track your calories.

4. Download my fitness pal.

5. Download the app waterlogged.

6. Eat 3 meals a day and 2 snacks.

7. If you want to lose drastic weight, lower your calories by 200-400.

8. Workouts should be half cardio/ half strength.

9. Eat more veggies and fruits.
10. Be consistent! Practice makes perfect.

Top Posts of 2013

Well I didn't blog for all of 2013 but I had a lot to say in six months. Here are my top 10 posts of 2013 (in no particular order).

Enjoy!

1. Get Pregnant Again, Please
2. I Believe in Jesus and the Chinese.
3. Calling All Mamas
4. Confessions of a Perfectionist
5. So You Want to Be Rude
6. Don't Take It Personal
7. Work Life Unbalance Part Duex
8. Praise Out Loud
9. Imperfectly Perfect
10. Don't Judge Me and I Won't Judge You

Honerable Mentions
Red is IN!
Dealing with Jealousy
Take it Easy

Did you have some favorites that I didn't list? Let me know!

Fake Out

 

Have you ever met someone you thought was awesome and realized later that they were a fraud? I have seen this happen so many times with relationships, in work, church, school, etc. Now I don't put people on little perfect pedestals by any means, but it really blows my mind when people say that they are one way but then their actions are the complete opposite the majority of the time. Again, no one is perfect but witnessing this repeatedly has been a little frustrating lately.

In some instances, I think it is appropriate to be a little different. I am definitely different with my students than I am with my son. I also interact differently with my husband than I would with a co-worker; but the essence of who I am, is still the same--at least I think so.

Why do we often feel that we have to hide who we really are or pretend to be something we are not? I know the pressure to be perfect is real. We all feel like we have to be the best worker, perfect mom, wife, etc at times. Maybe it would be easier if more people talked about the struggle instead of trying to live up to the fraud (remember wonder woman does not exist).

In the end though, I think it is so much easier to be yourself than to be a fraud. This is why Christians, woman, etc get such a bad rap. I can't say that I am a Christian and then run around judging and backstabbing others. I can't say that I want to lift my sisters up but talk about thier private business with someone to try to get ahead or to make them look bad.

I don't know what drives people into fakeness but I pray that more people start to rebuke fakeness in 2014. I try not to take it personal, but sometimes fakeness can sting especially when it shows itself in a "friend". I got hit with some fakeness today and I was not even ready. I probably should've called it out but I'm really not confrontational.

Can't we all just get along?

A Prayer for the New Year

I can't believe that Christmas has come and gone and we are at the start of another New Year. I don't have resolutions but I do have some goals. I am grateful for another year of life with my family and friends and for opportunities when so many others don't have them or live to see their dreams fulfilled. I look forward to a year filled with new experiences, clarity, love, joy, growth, and blessings. There are some scary things ahead, but I am ready to step even further out of my comfort zone this year in order to be able to truly operate in and use my God given gifts to the fullest.

If I had to give 2014 a theme, I think I'll call this the year of if it is not a hell yes then it is a hell no. I only have one more year in my 20s so it is time to end them with a bang.

I wish you all many great things this year.

Happy New Year!