Starting Over

Last September, I wrote this post proclaiming my desire to transform my lifestyle into a more healthy and active one. The first semester as a full-time graduate student had a few ups and downs, and so did my lifestyle change. There were a few successes and a few more days of poor eating choices, followed by lack of activity. As the new year approached and I returned home to Michigan, I once again attempted to get a heads up in my lifestyle transformation. Instead of waiting to January 1st to resolve to exercise, eat healthy, and eventually lose weight, I did it when I returned to Michigan. Yes, right around the holidays.

Momentum was going strong! Once my internship began, I had my gym bag packed and made it to the gym every evening for one and a half weeks. It was awesome! But then, the unpredicted happened. My work-gym routine strayed away from me as my social and family life collided. New pleasures were explored, while new demands came my way. One and a half weeks later, pent up energy needs to be released (productively) and an abandoned iPod with new earbuds is calling my name.

In my mind, there's no need to wait until January 1st to resolve to become a better you! Strive for it everyday :-)

*Jas*

Foodie on a Diet

Out of all of my friends, I am the one that loves food! There are particular restrauants that I like to frequent because of certain meals or drinks that I can indulge in and I love trying out new spots. I also watch the Food Network and attempt to make their delicious recipes. I love food!!!

Unfortunately, this free-love for food has been one of the culprits of my weight gain (the other--inactivity). Now don't get me wrong, I still love my body and it's curves, but I know that it could look better. I also know that I shouldn't feel certain aches and pains in my body. I'm not looking to transform back into that young girl in my high school prom picture (I had no curves!), but I am hoping to shed some weight and transform my health.

Three weeks ago, I started the 50 Million Pound Challenge spearheaded by Dr. Ian Smith. I used to eat healthy, I really did. However, since starting the 30-day Meal Plan I realized that I wasn't eating the right foods. I ate few vegetables, high-fat foods, and hardly any fruits. My food portions were also larger than a serving, which packed on more calories.

I'm not calorie counting or anything, but I am following these very important healthy eating habits:

1. Always eating breakfast: I usually eat first thing in the morning so that I have energy for my morning workout.

2. Eating fruit with breakfast or as a snack: Fruit adds a needed sweetness to my morning meals and afternoon sweet tooth. Plus, it's low in fat and calories.

3. Always measure portion size: This is very important. I bought a small kitchen scale and I use measure cups and spoons.

4. Eating 1-2 cups of vegetables with afternoon and evening meals: Vegetables are low in fat and calories, but can be quite filling. It also helps to thinking of vegetables as your main dish and meats/grains as your side.

5. Cook at home & bring food from home: It makes my backpack heavier, but I save money and cutback on snacking on high calorie foods.

Weekly grocery shopping, preparing food sometimes ahead of time, and daily cooking have been welcomed lifestyle changes for me. As I approach the last week of Dr. Ian's 30-day Meal Plan, I'm hoping to gain more knowledge on healthy restaurant eating. Be on the look-out for my posting on the weight loss on the 30-day Meal Plan.

Introducing My Fitness Adventures

Last year I began the first part of my fitness adventure by training for a half marathon. I believed that such competition would motivate me to exercise and lose weight. I got up to walking and running 12 miles, so I'd say I accomplished that goal. However, not reaching my fundraising minimum and not being able to compete in the actual marathon really dampened my fitness period. Any attempted of exercise after January was half-hearted and I slowly began to gain more and more weight. With additional stress from my job and former roommate, I began spiraled in and out of lethargy, moodiness, and sleeplessness.

Then I saw the light. Receiving my acceptance to Brown University for graduate school gave me a refreshed outlook and new beginning. I wanted a clean slate in Rhode Island. I wanted to use all my lessons and growth from college and teaching in NYC to be my own person. If I really wanted to lose weight and be fit, I had to change my lifestyle- more activity, fruits & vegetables, and less fatty foods and alcohol. I also had to nurture my spiritual growth and find a church home.

I've been in Providence, RI for two months now and the changes in my lifestyle are beginning to show. Join me in my fitness & weight loss experience!

Team in Training: Disney Marathon

On September 10th, I began raising funds for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and training for a marathon with their Team in Training program. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training^®, provides participants with professional coaching and training for the world's major marathons, half marathons, triathlons or century (100-mile) bike rides. In January, I will compete in my first full marathon (26.2 miles) at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Some of you may be wondering why? Well... not only am I doing this for my God Mother's father who passed away from Leukemia a few years back, but I am also doing this for my students. Leukemia is the No. 1 disease killer of children! The money that I raise funds research and cures for all blood cancers, including leukemia, Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma or myeloma.

As I work to improve the quality of life of blood cancer patients, I am also working to improve my quality of life through fitness and health. I've been overweight for most of my life and for the past 3 years out of college, I've fallen into a state of being inactive. My energy levels have been low and my body is showing signs of stress. Completing this marathon shows my dedication to my personal fitness goals.

Visit my fundraising page to make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission.

Check back for training updates!

*Jas*

Get yo' walk on!

Walking is the new workout plan! There are great health and weight-loss benefits to walking at a moderate pace for 30 minutes a day. To maximize your walking regime, use Google Maps Pedometer to map and calculate distance and calories burned.

Now, go! Get yo' walk on :-)

Game Time!

This is the second week that I've played volleyball at the YMCA. However, this time I decided to go to the Total Body workout class before hand. By time it was game time, I was tired and my arms were weak. That didn't stop me though! I looked forward to it for a whole week...since the first time I played :-)

I don't remember seeing them, but everyone else must have went to that same workout class because everyone seemed just as tired as me! So, after missing all my serves, dropped balls where no one called it, and calling a ball only to have ol' boy not call it go for it and run into to him...I realized that I AM COMPETITIVE!!!

It took the remaining strength that I had to not tell someone, "GET ON THE BALL!"
"THAT WAS YOURS!"
"DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE FLOOR!"
"GET LOW!"
"MOVE YOUR FEET!"
It was JV Volleyball all over again! One thing's for sure, it's still loads of fun! One more week :-)

Healthy for the New Year

Happy New Year!

Many people make New Year's resolutions to better their health. This year, I began my improved health journey long before the holiday. This allowed me to work toward my goals in increments, relapse, and try it again. By the time 2007 arrived, my goals became a lifestyle change.

1. Get Active! Some people call is working out and exercising. Whatever you call it, get active! Every one's body reacts differently to different levels of activity, but mine reacts wonderfully. It helps me de-stress, sleep well, and sweat out toxins. I do two group fitness classes (hip hop aerobics, water aerobics, Pilate's, or step) two times a week, and cardio with weights another two times a week. In addition to walking more, my body feels and looks better!

2. Restful Sleep: My students know that I need my (beauty) rest! In addition to looking well rested, getting a good night's sleep is important for your mind and body to renew its self. Muscles need time to recover from exercise and the mind needs to relax to stay sharp the next day.

3. Food & Liquor: Eating and drinking healthy is definitely a lifestyle change for me. As a recent college graduate, I find myself shifting from "get drunk" drinking and late night snacking to social sipping and eating meals for nutrition eating. I only eat fish and chicken, two servings of vegetables with lunch and dinner, grains every morning, coffee every morning (helps with migraines), no pop/soda just juice and water, and no liquor. At first I tried no beer or liquor, but I decided to be reasonable with my goal. People that know me know I love to drink! However, I've decided to be more sophisticated with my drinking: great beers and wines.

4. Get some help! Talking to someone can be good for the soul! In the Black community, no one wants to seem like they have an issue. We're strong! However, therapy can be simply talking with a good friend, confidant, family member, or even a licensed therapist. I made it a goal to reach out to family and friends more often, and also be there to simply listen and be there for them. I am also looking for a life coach/therapist that can help me through my current life transition.

5. Take your vitamins! When I was younger, my parents made sure I took my Flinstone Vitamins everyday. As an young woman, it is still important for me to take a multivitamin to ensure I am providing my body with all the nutrients it needs to perform at its optimum level. Additionally, there are other dietary supplements that can benefit a healthy life style:

-Melatonin: This natural supplement supports restful sleep. (Recommended by a friend)
-Black Cohosh in Solaray Female Blen Sp-7c Black Chohosh: This Native American herb is used for premenstrual syndrome, menstrual irregularities, and symptoms that can occur during menopause. (Recommended by a friend)

To help you get started on your New Year's goals, try using this tool that a good friend of mine recommended.

Best of luck!