A Challenge to A Challenge

Hey yall! (in my Paula Deen voice) So here’s the update of my week… did I focus back on fit or fall back into recklessness? K

Well, I’m happy to report that I’ve been hitting the gym, eating well and getting back on track! It’s starting to feel like second nature to me now (weight watching and exercising) and it’s such a great feeling! J I also am pleased to share with you an executive decision that I made *just yesterday… lol* I was thinking of a way on how I can jump start my 30 Pound Loss by Thanksgiving Challenge and I came up with trying the Special K Challenge! That’s right! I want to see if that promise to Drop A Jean Size In 2 Weeks is actual factual! Sounds cool to me! I visited their website and it’s very nice and informative. You can set up your own profile, meal plans, and they even give you recipes. All for free! I thought to myself "I can do this! I can commit for 2 weeks!" Hey, how about you do the Special K Challenge with me? *assuming you’re nodding your head yes* YAYYY!! Okay, go to their website--> Special K, get the deets and start fresh with me this Monday, October 1^st! Oh, I’m so excited now! J

Well enjoy your weekend my lovelies… and I’ll check back in soon. Until next time… HOLLA! ♥ 

Fall Back Into Focus

Hey everybody!! It’s been a whole week since I’ve last posted *smh*… but I’m still here! J

So… my weekend was great! I had a new addition born into my family Fri., 9/21. A beautiful baby boy! *I call him chink chinx* Aaww... how I love him already! I'm so happy for my cousin as she is a new mom and I know motherhood will bless and enrich her life tremoundously! LOVE HER! I also got the hubby and kids to go to church with me Sunday and service was WONDERFUL! I had such a great time! The Mr even was saying he will start to go with me every Sunday! *Yesss* I love how God works! ♥

Well on to another note… I’ve been SO BAD the past week and some change! I haven’t been to the gym AT ALL! And I know in my heart, I probably haven’t lost an ounce either! UGGHHH! I know, I know… I should just go get another pint of ice cream from Stewarts and wallow in my disappointment! *(I hope you seen I said another pint. I had one Saturday and it was sooooo good. I had half peanut butter pandemonium and half strawberry frozen yogurt. Mmm..mmmm.. you saw how I was trying to be "healthy" with the frozen yogurt selection? HAHA! But it was sssooo bad for me! Cost me 32 PointsPlus value! O-M-G)*  So I said all that to say, today is Monday, a new day! And I’m going to hop right back on my wagon! I gave myself a challenge- 30 pound loss by Thanksgiving - and it is now in full effect! Ya’ll think I can do it?? It’s only... what?... 8 weeks away? That’s almost 4 pounds a week! *biting my fingernails* Uumm… now thinking about it... I don’t know if I can do that BUT I WILL TRY! Yes, I’m attempting the impossible! LOL Tonight, I’m hitting the gym... I HAVE TO! I feel horrible that I haven’t been in so long. Like, part of me really feels bad. *sigh* Ok, I’m over it! *lol* Wish me luck ya’ll! I NEED IT!!

Until next time, HOLLA♥

Freedom

My weekend was by far the awesomeness! Before I get into why is was... let me first say, I weighed in on Saturday and didn't lose a thing! BUT I also didn't gain! So staying the same is still a victory! YAH! But I'm definitely going to work harder this week. I've been slipping on my water intake and haven't been to the gym as much as I would have liked to. But it's a new day and a new week... so wish me luck! J  Now, on to the awesomeness...

Friday I went to this all woman's gathering called the "Help Me Series." It's a series of meetings, once a month in the Fall, for all women, to come together and fellowship. But most importantly, to receive a Word and inspiration from God. This session was "Help Me I'm Single." It's hosted by a woman pastor from one of my local churches. Which she is awesome in itself! She's real, relatable, and  breaks the Bible down in terms you can understand and identify with. I love her preaching! *Note- I don't go to church often. And I'm not a member anywhere. I do like to visit here and there... to hear the Word and to be closer to God. I do know Him and know all that I am and have is due to Him. So between my family and 2 jobs... I don't get to go as much. But I know He knows my heart J * So to make a long story short, guess what? I ended up getting saved! Yes, saved! And I feel NEW! You hear me? NEW! The only thing was, I didn't know what to do next! LOL! But what I did know was I was making it to church Sunday morning. And I did. And you know what was ironic about this past Sunday? It was National Get Back To Church Day! *click on the link... they played this in church. It's funny! LOL* Ain't that crazy? At that point, I knew it wasn't a coincident I was there at such a time as this! This was definitely God's work! And I was truly blessed by that! Next week, the hubby said he would come as well. I really hope he does. I want to start bringing my whole family. It's time to get. back. to. church!

SB: Who knew that when I decided to make a lifestyle change that it would imply all of this??! I just wanted to start to eat healthy and lose weight. But now I'm truly changing my life! *thinking to myself* Thank You Jesus!

Well all, enjoy your day and I'll check back in later. Until next time, HOLLA!!

Tell The Truth Tuesday

I'm having a confessions of a taxi cab moment.... *takes deep breath*... So I'm sharing it with yall. J

Over the past few days I've been in a FUNK!! Like... you see the face on Nicki Minaj??! That's how I was feeling INSIDE! *lol* Seriously though. I didn’t feel like working out or eating right. I couldn’t find the time to. With two kids, two jobs, and a list of things to do daily, I sometimes just FALL OFF!! And it didn’t help that on Friday when I weighed in at Weight Watchers, I had gained 1.4 lbs!! WHAT THE BUMBACLOT?!! UGHHH! So all weekend I definitely just didn't feel like being bothered. Especially with exercising and "weight watching." I was ready to call it quits! It was like every part of me didn't want to participate in this “lifestyle change” I was undergoing anymore. I was really contemplating on hiding under a rock for a few MONTHS! *SMH* But deep down inside, I knew that wouldn’t work. It just wouldn't! I would only be hurting myself and throwing all my hard work out the window. I need this CHANGE! I can't give up after just a few bad days. What was I thinking?! So to get myself out of this funk I did what I knew I had to do... I hit the gym Monday night! And did my favorite class… KICK BOXING!! Ooohhhhh how I needed that SSSOOO MUCH!! Not only did I leave out the class feeling energized and rejuvenated, I had so much energy left I climbed on the treadmill… did a half mile at an incline of 8, speed of 3. I felt wonderful!! And I'm so ready to take back on the challenge of this lifestyle change! And most importantly, I'm back on track! POW!

SB: I’m human. We all are. So there will be days when you just DON’T FEEL LIKE IT!! Allow yourself those days to be in a royal FUNK! You actually deserve it! *lol* But know that you can do anything with a little bit of consistency and encouragement! Remember, nothing is going to be easy! So after a bit, get back up and try again! That's life!J

So until next time… HOLLA!

Do You Gotta Work It Out?

I know I’m serious about this weight loss journey because not only have I joined Weight Watchers, but I joined a gym too! On July 24^th to be exact. And it’s funny because I vowed to never join one again. Especially with all my failed attempts in the past. I’d go a few times and then call it quits. Mind you, I was still stuck in a contract and paying monthly to a gym I didn’t even want to attend anymore! Such a shame… SMH! But here I am… again… but this time I’m not playing games! I go there to WORK! I don’t have time to chit chat or worry about anyone else there... I’m there to WORK IT OUT! (and get away from my crazy household... lol) So let me tell you how I started out and where I am today.

End of July – Beginning of August

I started walking on the treadmill at an incline of 4, speed of 3. I’d do one mile and be sweating like I ran 6! LOL! I then did some upper body weights… 3 different moves for 3 reps of 10. I did that 3x’s a week and was feeling good. I was convinced that was pretty much all I COULD do… until I got caught up in talking to a neighbor…

Beginning of August

Talking to my neighbor on the treadmill was NOT what I came to the gym to do! But I knew her and the conversation was getting really good! *lol* That’s when I looked down on my machine and saw I walked 2 miles!! And I wasn’t passed out?!! =O So thanks to her *hopefully you’re reading this* I now knew I could do more physically and it was time to amp up my work out! So I walked 2 miles on the treadmill at an incline of 4, speed of 3.2 now. Every now and again, I’d up my incline and speed… just to push myself. And boy, I was feeling GREAT! That was until I noticed I wasn’t sweating as fast or as much as I use to… was my body asking for a harder challenge??! Uggghhhh!

Middle of August

I started to jog! Yes ya’ll, jog!! Coming from a girl that never thought she’d walk more than a mile! =O The thing is, I had to run in order to get my heart rate up and start sweating early enough in my work out to really feel a burn. And to my surprise, it didn’t kill me! So I’d run in intervals. 4 minutes in the beginning, 5 minutes towards the end of my first mile, then 6 minutes in the middle of my 2^nd mile, then 4 minutes toward the end. What would help me is while I was listening to music on my headphones I’d run the full length of a song and then go back to walking. That helped me along TREMENDOUSLY!!

Middle of August – September

Along with my 2 miles on the treadmill and upper body weights, I tried a couple classes at my gym. Out of the three I tried, I’m in love with only one... Kick Boxing! This class is 45 minutes long… whereas the rest are usually 60. (probably part of the reason why I love it the most. LOL) But I love the energy, the moves, and the overall feeling of achievement it gives me. So HI-YA! Oh, wait, that's karate isn't it?? Whatever..*lol* ANDDD this about sums it up for me for right now. I’ll post later on this month if/when I switch up my routine a bit.

So, my tip to you is GET YOUR CARDIO IN! I do at least 40 minutes of cardio every time I hit the gym. And don’t forget your upper body. At the end of your cardio workout, grab some light weights and do some biceps curls or bring the weights straight up in the air, over your shoulders/head and then back down. Do 3 reps of 10 or as many as you can. Then most importantly, make sure to STRETCH!! Oohhh it feels sssooo good! Especially after a great workout! J

Well, I hope this post helped you to want to push harder and try new things in your workout regimen or better yet just even get started at exercising. You’d be amazed at what you’re capable of doing with just a little encouragement and consistency! Feel free to comment below with your own tips or questions you may have.

Until next time… HOLLA!

Are You Living With A Hater In Your Life?

Fam, have you ever been extremely excited about something and when you decide to share it with somebody (usually someone close to you) they give you that “I could care less” type of response? And that just totally blows your whole high?! Well you’re not alone! I’m here to testify that it happens… and it happens way too often! SMH! Unfortunately, I have no solution for these situations because you just can’t prepare for them! You just don’t know what’s going to come out the other persons mouth until it’s too late! L But I’m here to tell you… they’re a hater! I know, I know… You don’t want to believe it. Neither do I! But what else do you call someone who is too insecure to actually look outside themselves to be happy for someone else?! Especially if you’re excelling in an area that they’re lacking in? Even if that “lack” is unknown to you. They take it as personal!?? *lightbulb on* A hater! *SMH* But I will tell you this… WHATEVER IT IS THAT HATER IS HATING ON YOU MUST CONTINUE TO EXCEL IN IT!! Believe me, their “negative” response is purposeful and meant to deter you from doing what it is you’re so proud of. So I beg you, don’t let that cause you to break, quit, or get discouraged. Some things are better left shown and not said… so just SHOW them how good you’re doing! Even without they’re support. Instead of going to that same “negative nancy” for advice or gratification, just do something gratifying for yourself! Buy something new, get your hair/nails done, visit family/friends... do something fun! Do what makes you feel good! Because the best comeback from a negative remark/action is to continue doing you and watching them watch you! So let them watch... while you watch them hate! You’re a force to be reckoned with and nothing, I mean nothing, should stop you from DOING YOU!

SB: You want to know what I did for MY gratifying moment? (my 20 lb weight loss) I got my hair did... mm hhmm..  I got it braided in fact. Took the 3 hr drive to Harlem, NY and even got in some shopping on 125th Street. I haven’t had my hair braided since I was in High School! I love it! And you can’t tell me NOTHING! J

Welp, have a great weekend everyone! TTYL...

My Weight Loss Goal

Wouldn’t it be nice if I had shared my weight loss goal from the beginning? A-duh Sharelle! *SMH @ myself* Well... here it is:

By April 2013 I want to have lost at least 80 pounds. Sounds like a lot, huh? Well, it is! LOL! I’m not ready yet to share with you my current weight, clothes sizes, etc…  just give me a lil while longer to get use to this blog life. *lol* But I will tell you this… I’m over 300 lbs but under 400 lbs. THAT’S IT! That’s all you’re getting out of me… for now… so stay tuned. J

Anywho, so I’m allowing myself one full year to reach my goal. Which is very reasonable and should be more than enough time to lose that amount of weight. Remember, set reasonable time for your goals. Don’t set yourself up for failure by wanting to lose weight in a small amount of time. It’s just not feasible… or worse, you do it but then gain all or more of the weight back! THE HORROR!! On average, a person can lose up to 1.5 - 2 lbs a week! And that's doing it the "natural" way (cutting calories, drinking water, exercising). So try to plan according to that. Anything more than 2 lbs a week... I guess it could happen but overall the weight should come off slowly and gradually. I have had weeks where I've lost 5 -7 lbs BUT there are also weeks where I've gained. So this is why you must make it a lifestyle change… not a temporary fix. I know we like to see results instantly, but it just isn't realistic. Besides, I want my skin to catch up with body changes and be less flabby/loose as possible. And what about my clothes??! I rather lose gradually so I can buy new & smaller clothing when I can. I know I can't afford to spend hundreds on a whole new woredrobe overnight! That's crazy! (it would be nice... but it's still crazy!) So whatever your goal is, make it reasonable and most importantly, MAKE IT WORK!J

So until next time, HOLLA! ♥

If you would like to share your weight loss goals, have any questions or even advice, please feel free to comment below. I would love to hear from you!

The WWF

Wondering what WWF stands for? Go ahead, guess. I’ll hold…

No, not the World Wrestling Federation! Nope, not Whopper With Fries! *lol* Ok, I’m going to tell you. It’s what I like to entitle Weight Watcher’s Fanatic! Yes, I’ve joined Weight Watchers, again! (shush, don’t judge me… lol) I joined June 1, 2012 and you know what??! I’ve lost 20 POUNDS!! Yes, 20 lbs in 12 WEEKS!! When I mean I felt (and still feel) so great and accomplished, it’s an understatement! Losing that amount weight is AMAZING TO ME! Like, this is REAL ladies and gentlemen! Sharelle is LOSING WEIGHT!! WOW!! So for all those skeptical about joining the program or care what others may think… I’m here to tell you IT WORKS!! And to not care about what others may think! There is nothing to be shy or ashamed of that you are doing what’s best for YOU and YOUR HEALTH!! Like, when has it ever been a crime to lose weight?! Weight Watchers with their new PointsPlus value system has definitely helped me in portion control and disciplining myself when it comes to my food choices. It’s great! I found that it worked better for me (this time around) when I looked at it as something fun to do! I like sitting in their meetings, hearing everyone’s stories, their success, their stumbles… the Leaders (the ones conducting the meetings) are very enthusiastic and motivating! They make you want to continue with the program and to reach your goals! In fact, they were once members too... trying to lose weight like the rest of us! And it is so important to have people like that, by your side, cheering you on! It does make a difference!

But even if Weight Watchers or similar programs aren't your thing, you can still lose weight! With all the free information and apps online, some discipline and exercising, you can do it! I believe in you!J

So here is me... 20 pounds lighter!!