Fit For Life

June 22, 2015

STILL IN THE STRUGGLE!

Wow! it's been over a year since my last post to this page. This part of my life needs more discipline, I can't even tell you the last time I was in the gym, but I have been going to the track (4 miles 4-5 days a week) but this up and down with my weight is a pain in the tookus. I've been primarily trying to focus on my health, not just the scale.

This past Friday I had blood work done, the NP (Nurse Practitioner) was just ecstatic when I told her I wasn't on any medications. She was equally impressed with the fact that I get my eyes examined and have dental exams and check-ups. Next month, I will have a mammogram and PAP.

My blood work came back positive, and I mean in a good way... cholesterol was good, everything was good, I only need to increase my iron intake. Woo Hoo! definitely doable. There is a long history of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease in my family and I'm not trying to be about that life... NO WAY! With that being said, I need to strategically make plans to stay healthy... more juicing, more iron, lots of veggies, plenty of water. keep moving (outdoor activities and working out). This is my temple and I've got to take care of it.

ARE YOU TAKING CARE OF YOUR TEMPLE?


May 14, 2014

Hey Everybody,

Okay, so one of my friends called me out... he said, "you haven't been posting on your 'Fit For Life" page, what's up with that". What's up with that? A lot actually, I knew that it had been a while since I'v posted, a little over six months, whew!. Well... I hit a wall, and I've been hitting the same wall for months, so I tried making some adjustment, tweaking here, twerking there... no just kidding, no twerking, lol. Although, I've heard that some places offer twerking classes, Hmmm! LOL.

Seriously, tho... what worked previously, helped me lose 30 pounds, BUT, it ain't working no more and I gained a little of it back. Down from 235 to 210 presently, so... I gained 5 pounds, not bad... but I've been flirting with those same five pounds since February, it was time to do something different.

The one thing I thought I would never do... I DID. I joined a Gym on April 29th and my experience has been wonderful. It is a 24/7 facility, so I have NO EXCUSES. The classes are so much fun, the instructors are knowledgable and the equipment is really easy to use. On top of that the diversity is what I like, you see all nationality, ages and sizes... NO INTIMIDATION whatsoever.

The classes of my choice have been BODY PUMP and BOOT CAMP, these classes will kick yo be-hind and that is what I've needed. I also, get a lot of use out of the machines too.

 

This is one of my Instructors, Sean Crawford... who happens to be my cousin, he talked me into joining his BOOT CAMP Class. I almost walked out, but I was determined not to quit, no matter what... I hung in there and my reward is on the way.

Like I said, I weighted 210 as of Sunday May, 11, 2014. Now, that I'm trying to build muscle, I know that the numbers on the scale is not what I will be using to gauge my progress. MEASUREMENTS, I will keep up with my results through body measurements. I can tell you this, my body is changing, the weight is coming off my back, thighs and chest area. Clothes that I couldn't get into before.... I can get in, YAY!!! I still have a long way to go and I'm cool with that.

I will report back in June.... June 15th, that's my birthday... I will do it then. Oh, I will be 45 on that day.... I KNOW RIGHT, but I thank God for it.

Blessings <3

October 6, 2013

"Minor Setback"

Since my last weight-in which was Sept. 30th, I gained 4 lbs. That will happen when you eat Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits and only work out 2xs that week. I love bread and the biscuits triggered my cravings for bread and even though I was eating Subway sandwiches through the week, that bread stuck with me. I have a weigh-in day, which is Saturday, but I still monitor my weight through the week.

My weight shot up to 221 lbs. Boooo! So through the course of the week, I got re-focused and came down to 216.8 lbs. Yaaaay! I just did what I know works for me. I tell you this so that you know, we will have those days and it's okay. It's okay to cheat a little but there will be consequences, so be prepared to do the work later. 

This weeks workout was a little tough, I may have only done 30 min. of a 45 min. work out, but that was okay as long as I did something and I managed to get in my 4 days and the results were proof that it was enough. So as of today I have lost 18.2 lbs. only 80 lbs. to go. 

It is my plan to introduce new work out DVDs into my fitness routines and if I like them I will be sure to add them to the list above. It is always good to try other work outs, because we don't want to become bored and I think its good to shock the body every now and then.

I raise my glass of veggie/fruit/protein smoothie and say, "here's to being back on track".

Until next week, Be Blessed.

September 29, 2013

“It’s what I Do”

No gym membership, No food to buy, and No counting points or calories. Of course if that is what you want to do and it works for you, go for it. This is what I do, I try to work out 4-5x’s a week about 30-45 minutes max. My work outs take place in my bedroom (privacy). I usually work out a couple hours before bedtime, some of you may prefer mornings or afternoons, it’s just a matter of what works for you and the DVD’s I use are so much fun.

Zumba, had this on my shelf for almost 2 years (none of you do that right), this is so much fun.  Just give yourself time and patience and eventually you will find your rhythm.

Hip-Hop Abs, my initial thought was this is going to be hard, because it’s hip-hop, not so. It has the time monitor on the screen and it really encourages you to tough it out. It’s great!

Leslie Sansone’s Walk at home (3 mile walk & comes with work out belt), I know what some of you are thinking, boring, not so. I must admit that I had this DVD a while to, I just wasn’t committed to it. Leslie is a great instructor and motivator, but because I know the routine I walk with my Ipod.

Leslie Sansone’s Walk Bootcamp (3 mile walk & figure 8 bands) A lot of the same moves as the first walk at home, but a little more intensified.  You will get a great work out. It’s great for those individuals who may not have a safe place to walk.

Now, I do have a knee injury from a year ago and I am careful to not jump around in the work outs because I don’t want to hurt myself, so I never do more than my body will allow, but I do keep up and sweat and the results are proof that it is enough.

Now as far as meals go, portion control is crucial. Be mindful of what you eat and how much you eat, you don’t want to slip back into old habits. I don’t have a set meal plan, but I do eat healthy and I take my multivitamin and Whey Protein in s juice smoothie..

I do weigh myself every Saturday, It helps me to stay focused and driven so that I reach my goal. The scale that I use is by Health O Meter, it is a weight & body fat monitoring scale and I like it. It logs your progress for up to 4 individuals.

Sweets and bread use to be my kryptonite, but not anymore. I avoid processed foods, sweet drinks and I drink only water and I juice a lot, usually twice a day.  We have the NutriBullet MagicBullet and it is such a great investment (about $100 at walmart), it comes with 3 cups, 2 lids, 2 extraction blades, recipe book and guide.

If you are under a doctor’s care you should consult your doctor first.

Main Points

1.     Have fun with your work outs.

2.     Think before you eat.

3.     Take a Multivitamin.

4.     Document your progress (weight and food journal).

5.     Be realistic, 1-2 lbs. a week is pretty good.

6.     Stay motivated. Encourage yourself to “Do the work”.

7.     Keep a “To Do List” it’s a good distraction, you won't think about food.

8.     Keep the habit. "We eat to live, not live to eat".

Until next week, Be Blessed

September 22, 2013

The Sensitive Fat Girl:  You really don't have to tell me that I gained weight. I KNOW!

All through High School I weighed 150 lbs. I thought that was a lot then and compared to some of the thin chicks I went to school with, it was or maybe they just needed to eat more, LOL. Anyway after High School I managed to hover around 160 lbs (I say that like it's a good thing).

Then in my early twenties I was pregnant with my first child (Michael), I went from 160-180 lbs. and soon after that I was pregnant with my second child (Jessica, they are 13 months apart), I don't remember what my weight was then. When they were around 2 and 3 years old I did manage to lose some weigh with discipline I got down to 145 lbs., well that was short lived.

Over the course of about 5 years, I put on a lot of weight and now I am 210 lbs. WHAT!!!, I can not believe I just passed the 200 lb. thresh hold. My sister Devonne (a.k.a D.J.) joined Weight Watchers and she gifted me a 3 month membership and I loved it "Because It Works". I lost 24 lbs. in 3 months, so then I weighted 186 lbs. YAY!!

But since I did not continue with the program, after about a year or so I gained it all back (all together now) AND THEN SOME. Okay, 10 years have passed and like so many people I tried "this and that", but I just was not fully committed. As of July 2013, I weighed 235 lbs. "WHAT THE WHAT" "REALLY" as if I didn't know. I knew I was heavier, I could feel it in my bones, nothing fits and I am miserable in my own skin.

At this point I was somewhat addicted to watching Iyanla Vanzant "Fix My Life" and her catch phrase is "Do The Work", well it got stuck in my brain. So, I said to myself, "if you want to see results, Do The Work" and it was like, everything clicked and I am committed. I feel great and I am motivated by some awesome people: D.J., Dale, and Mimi G.

So I started this weight loss journey July 29, 2013 - For Life and as of September 21st (I weight myself every Saturday) I have lost  17.8 lbs. in 8 weeks, YAY ME!!!

Until Next Week, Be Blessed.