When the going gets tough...

...the tough get going! Lately, I've found myself slacking in the working out department, but I haven't changed my eating habits. In fact, I've incorporated more water and liquid-based fruits into my diet with a hope of taking in LESS calories than I usually do. This is all in hopes that a big pay-out of getting to my target weight loss by December will happen...

In looking at how I've slacked on my cardio, I've thought of other ways to get in exercise every now and then:

1) Parking further away from the entrance to the mall and other stores: Every little bit of walking helps, even the long walk to the store from the car :)

2) Taking the steps instead of the elevator: At one of my jobs, I enter on the second floor, but have to go down to the first floor. I take the stairs to and fro when I work there instead of waiting for the elevator for just one floor. I think this also helps not to aggravate the other people who work in that building and just watch me go inbetween one floor :)

3) Dancing: I love dancing and never feel like I'm working out when I bust a move. By dancing up a storm, I am getting my cardio in, enjoying myself and being sociable with those around me - three of my favorite things :)

What are some ways you still get your exercise in even when it's tough to fit it into your day, or you're tired?

But, I don't want to mess up my hair!

So, as some of you may know, I've been growing out my relaxed hair (it will be a year next month that I will have gone without a relaxer...yoo-hoo!) Over the summer, when I first started to think about my weight loss goals, I went ahead and got my hair braided so that I could deal with the warm weather, sweat and workouts. However, last month, I took those suckers out and was left wondering how in the heck I would care for my hair, and workout and lead my busy lifestyle all at the same time!

Then, I found this great brochure online that came out of a story regarding black women's hair care during workouts. The thing is, for a black woman, our hair is so much more coarse and thick than white women's, so our hairstyling, on average, takes much longer than it does for a white woman. The wash-and-go days are not as easily done for a white lady as for a black lady. So...I've been perusing the article, trying to get some inspiration and ideas of what my next hairstyle with me. I'm not afraid to try something new, cut something off, add something in (lol) to keep it professional but also funky.

I'm attaching the link for the site below so that others can take a look at it. Props to Harvard for starting this initiative!

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/sisterstogether/hair.pdf

http://www.powerabrightfuture.com/gallery?id=1532&cp=vote&affiliate_id=Inbound11

Speaking of better health, this is a great grant my school has applied for. Help us vote for our school and the chance to win $50,000 towards new playground equipment so that our students can play safely and benefit from regular physical activity :)

http://www.powerabrightfuture.com/gallery?id=1532&cp=vote&affiliate_id=Inbound11&sms_ss=blogger&at_xt=4cb670305ab3d25e,0

Working out with a partner...or 11 of them!

First off, things have been ultra busy for me, so I apologize for not coming forward with measurements...they are sure to drop soon (it's like the record release of a P.Diddy album up in here! When she gonna drop those numbers for us?!?! She keeps pushing it back! lol)

Second of all, today I had the great opportunity of walking around the neighborhood of my job with co-workers. Yes, we know all the good information out there about how much more motivating it is to work out with a partner...but, it was 12 of us total! We had clear skies, great weather, and tons of conversation to keep us occupied that the time just seemed to fly by! We averaged about 2 miles for our walk, and also got to check out the neighborhood around our job.

Starting a walking/fitness program at your job is one great way to stay motivated and encouraged to engage in physical activity consistently. You can trade weights (and goals) with the people you exercise with, and check in with them (as a co-worker of mine does) to make certain they are staying focused in their goals. It's also nice because it's a great stress release and helps you get to know your work colleagues on a much more personal level.

Some jobs even do incentive programs with their employees where each employee "enrolls" in an incentive program where they are weighed weekly, and their progress is charted to see who is dropping the most weight (or inches.) Employees pay a small fee for enrolling, BUT the person who loses the most weight/inches can win the pot of money all the employees paid to enroll! Of course, everyone has different starting points and level of physical activity, but a program of the sort really gets people motivated to at least START some sort of diet and exercise routine for themselves.

Well, my next post will include some personal stories I have dealt with regarding my weight and (hopefully) those darn  measurements. Night!

Mindless snacking...

So, I have a really bad habit of snacking while sitting at my desk! Which, is part of the reason why I like working with different sets of kids, and not just in the classroom all day long (you know, burning calories of walking up and down a LONG hallway, right?!? lol) So, I've been trying to work a lot better at what I'm snacking on at my desk, since I've realized how much of a snacker I am (this is just great info to put out there to my school family, since now I've let the cat out the bag that I hoard snacks in my office!)

But, to the bigger issue, mindless snacking is a thing many of us tend to do, whether it's at the office, in front of the tv, in the car...we might do it anywhere. And, all of those calories we take in sitting on our bums and snacking can add up in the end. So, blogsphere, I implore you to do better about what you snack on and be conscious in your efforts when it comes to snacking, etc. Substitute those fruit juices and sweet teas (which is my kryptonite!) for hot tea with some honey. Also, fruits are great snacks because so many of them are water-based and contain sugars, which can satisfy your sweet tooth. Not into fruits or don't feel like cutting them up?!? Just invest in one of those fruit salads at the grocery store or start making smoothies that are fruit and yogurt based for a good blend of dairy and fruit.

So, due to some difficulties this afternoon/evening, the measurements didn't get taken...but, stay tuned, cause Thursday, they should be happening :) Night, FB!

My first post!

After careful consideration, I decided to give this blog thing a try! I'm a 28 year old lady from New Orleans, LA (originally) who has ALWAYS struggled with her weight! As a young girl, I was always the thicker, larger one in the classroom...but, I was short too. So, thickness and shortness don't always go well together. I was never"plus size," but I sure wasn't "petite" as my height was. Between the big boobs, short waist and stocky legs, I just never felt content with my body. As I progressed into high school and college, the weight just never seemed to let up. Sure, my weight yo-yo'd, and I'd always stay between certain sizes or get slimmer for a while, but that's it: just for a while!


As I turned 28, I started to become fed up. Being "this size" just didn't seem to be okay anymore. I thought back to the times when I worked out more, and how good I felt overall: not just about my body, but also my health! I never had a problem with working out, so why not jump back into it again?!? And, yeah, the physical changes that would take place with my body would be an added "perk" to the weight loss.

I talked to my good, and quite fashionable, friend "S" about it, and she had the perfect idea: why not start a blog chronicling my weight loss?!? It would hold me SO accountable if I blab about it to the whole world wide web, plus it would give me an outlet to "air my frustrations" about growing up in a not-so-friendly short, but round world lol. So, I present to you this blog. I welcome your feedback, comments, suggestions, etc. The whole goal in this endeavor is to curb my unhealthy eating habits, incorporate more physical activity, and lose 40 lbs by, you've guessed it, my 29th birthday. Any tips along the way are greatly welcomed...

My next post I will do the unimaginable: have someone take my (gulp) measurements so that I know exactly where I'm starting out at now...and post it for the internet to see...Night, guys!