My March Madness

Hey, hey hey! Hey my lovely ladies and gents! I am here for another update! But wait, can ya’ll believe it is MARCH?!  Like, seriously?! How about I only have a few more weeks before my weight loss goal is suppose to be achieved! I just can’t believe how fast time has flown by. I will admit to you right now, I will NOT be meeting my initial goal. And I’m not even mad. I’ve lost… but in more ways than one! J I may have lost reaching my weight loss goal, but I’ve lost weight period! And that’s all that truly matters to me! >>Reality Check>> It has taken me over 25 years to gain this weight… so allowing myself more time to take it off is not going to kill me any. J So grant it, it’s not April yet and I’m still counting the pounds lost. So it would only be right to give you the full run down on my total weight loss experience next month. So April be looking out for that. That should be interesting.*lol*

Ok, so February and its endeavors were great! I still drink protein shakes… almost every day too. And I do think it truly has helped in my weight loss efforts. On top of being actually tasty, they are convenient. I don’t always have time to make a meal. Better yet, feel like cooking. So a protein shake has always served its purpose in that alone. And when I’m out and about and start to get that itch to go through a drive-thru, I always have a shake in my purse along with a piece of fruit. And that will hold me over until I get home to eat or some place I can make a better food choice.

The B.I.G. Mentorship has been amazing! I love the group of women that were selected and we all are coming together so well! The workouts are starting to get longer and intense… which is what we need! And our “talk” sessions are always a breath of fresh air. A time to just vent and express ourselves. We have a great time together! I’m so glad I was picked to be a part of it. We have a few more weeks of it and I’m looking forward to seeing all of us really achieve some lasting lifestyle changes, friendships, and of course some weight loss! J

Now, you know I keep it 100% real with you guys on my blog. So even though you didn’t ask *lol* I’m going to let you in on some things. I have had some major setbacks over the past few weeks. In my personal life, at my job, and just emotional things that have went on that threw me off my weight loss "high". I didn’t totally fall off like I‘ve done in the past. But enough for me to start to feel like blahhhhh :/ I mean, this is life and what matters is how you bounce back, right? So I made sure not to dwell too long in this “state of mind” or beat myself up for all the McDonald’s and oreo cookies with peanut butter I devoured during that time either. *lol* I just took it one day at a time. And I’m happy to report that as of today, I’m at a place (mentally) where I’m ready to move on from those setbacks and continue with my lifestyle change. I even woke up a 6AM to do a 2 mile Walk Away the Pounds DVD today. And I'm promising myself that during my lunch breaks at work I will do some type of exercise. I might go out for a walk or go to an empty office and bust out in some squats. Yes... I’m truly focused. And I know if I can do it… then YOU CAN!

What are some exrercises/routines that you do during the day? Or when you have time? I would love to know. Feel free to leave me a comment.

Well everybody… until next time.. I’ll HOLLA ♥ And thanks for reading.

February Is Fabulous

Good morning my lovely ladies and gents! I can’t believe the first month of the New Year is over! Has anyone been successful in starting any of their New Year’s Resolutions? I’m happy to report that I have!

So here’s my update:

ü  I’ve been taking care of my hair, getting wash and sets every two weeks;

ü  I’ve been taking care of my skin day & night with the new products I purchased at The Body Shop;

ü  I’ve been hitting the gym 2-3 times a week for an hour; and

ü  I’ve lost a total of 5.2 pounds for the month of January

YYAAAYYYYYY!!!!! I’m starting off this New Year fierce!! J

February for me is going to be something spectacular! I have been accepted into this weight loss mentorship at my church that my Pastor has put together. She too wants to lose weight and she decided to select 12 other women to be a part of this journey with her. To enter, you had to apply on-line at her website and write a little bit about yourself. (This was some official business J) I applied ASAP! *lol* And long and behold, I am one of the chosen! Oh how I love my church and Pastors! They have the most awesome mentorships and ministries I have ever heard of! This is my first mentorship I’ll be a part of. So I’m super duper excited to get started and to get to know my Pastor on a personal level! It’s a 12 week program where we’ll meet twice a week for workouts and to create healthy meal plans. I cannot wait!

I also have lined up a new personal challenge for the month. Since February is the shortest month of the year, I decided in order to boost my weight loss I will drink a protein shake for one meal replacement every day! Think I can handle that for 28 days? I know it will be a challenge… but that’s why I picked the shortest month of the year. *lol* There are a lot of protein shakes out there but I only tried one brand and fell in love with it. Back in October when I did the Special K Challenge (and failed it... lol) was the first time I even had a protein shake. But they’re my favorite now! They have 4 delicious flavors. I have tried the strawberry-banana, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate. I think they’re pretty good and they do actually keep me feeling satisfied until my next meal. They’re good for after a workout too! Have them with a piece of fruit or yogurt and I’m sure you’ll fall in love too! Anyone up for the challenge with me? Come on…. Anybody?

I just can’t wait to see what my protein shake challenge and the mentorship will bring to my weight loss goal. I’m praying for high numbers folks! April is around the corner…. And I truly think I can reach my goal.

Well ya’ll… until next time... HOLLA♥

SB: It is BLACK HISTORY MONTH! And I’m sure all of you know the significance of this month. So I just want to say Thank You to all the innovating and inspirating people of the past, present, and future for our Black heritage. We've come a long way. And the path the past has paved for us is getting wider and greater today! Thank you for taking the risk of standing up when you were made to sit down.

No Turning Back

Breaking news ladies and gents…
I just can’t hold this one in…

So I went back to Weight Watchers (as promised) last week to re-register and get all the new info on the program. And to most importantly, weigh myself for the first time since the “hungry hungry holiday” season has passed. *lol* I stepped on that scale ready to hear the worse. I definitely was not prepared for what I discovered. *drum roll please* I have lost 32 POUNDS since I’ve started my weight loss journey!! 32 POUNDS!! OMG!!! I-AM-SO-PROUD-AND-AMAZED-OF-MYSELF I can’t stop grinning!! All of my efforts… all my ups and downs… have paid off!! 32 pounds in 6 months! I still can’t believe it! And you guys know I haven’t been following my “diet” religiously. There were weeks I confessed to just eating whatever I wanted, doing drive-by's to the drive-bys, and literally driving by the gym! *lol* To know that through all those rough patches I still somehow remained on top is AWESOME! There is NO WAY I am ever going to turn back now! I will not and I refuse to jeopardize my 32 pounds loss for anything! When I said “Let’s make 2013 our year!” I meant that thing!! And I am so ready to be a LOSERRRRRRR!!! *lol*

Thank you guys for riding this rollercoaster with me! I truly appreciate all my readers and your support! I look forward to an astronomical year with you! Well until next time… HOLLA ♥

HAPPY NEW YEARRRRR!!!

WWWOOOWWWW we made it to another year!
Thank You Lord!  \o/ (ß this is my shouting w/ arms up face) J

Well I’m happy to announce that my family and I had a WONDERFUL Christmas! I mean WONDERFUL! I’m so thankful for all the things Santa brought my children and what their grandparents and other family members blessed them with! I unexpectedly received gifts as well... including Beyonce’s Midnight Heat perfume and a 32” flat screen TV! AAAHHHHHHHH!!! *screaming with excitement* I brought in the New Year with my family... I love them so much!! And I sssooo love the month of January! The best month of the year! It's the month of new beginnings, a fresh start, AAANDD the month yours truly was born! WHOOP WHOOP!!

So ladies and gents… on to the business at hand~New Year’s Resolutions. I only have one, yes one! It’s really not even a resolution... but a project that I plan on implementing for the rest of my life. And that is BETTERING ME! And what I mean by that is making sure I’m happy with ME. I’m putting time and effort into ME. I’m making smarter choices for ME. I’m starting to take better care of ME! So 2013 I’ve officially launched Project Better Me (PBM). To jump start PBM I’ve already purchased new facial cleanser, moisturizer, body lotions and oils. I’ve started a “natural” hair journey. This simply means that I’m no longer going to get relaxers or put any harsh chemicals in my hair. I’m already 7 months post relaxer and got my ends clipped last month. I ultimately want to have thick, healthy, and subtle hair that just blows gracefully in the wind and brushes my face oh so lightly as I strut through the city. *lol* Now normally “natural hair journeys” are associated with wearing Afros and not washing/grooming your hair often. That simply won’t work for me! I still need to be me… and with my hair I need style and sass! So I’m going to still wear styles I love… I’m just improving my natural hair by nourishing it with natural oils, conditioners, and making sure it’s deeply moisturized to promote healthy hair growth. With all my new products and hair journey, I instantly feel luxurious! And delighted that I’m a woman on a mission! J

Now don’t think I forgot all about losing weight… because I DIDN’T! *lol* Part of PBM is definitely emphasizing on a healthier me as well. I plan on joining Weight Watchers again. (Shush! Don't you say a word! lol) Since the promotion is now FREE to join you know I’m running in there! *lol* I know I need WW to keep me on track and focused. They hold you accountable week to week and at this point in my weight loss journey... I still need that! Over the holidays, I personally think I didn’t do that bad. I ate until I was full, didn’t go for seconds, and watched my food intake. And times when I felt I might have overindulged, I made sure to hit the gym hard that week. So I’m very proud of myself. I definitely wasn’t in “diet” mode at all times but I didn’t completely fall victim either. I must admit though, I haven’t weighed myself in a few weeks. I think I'm a little scared GiGi’s succulent honey ham and famous creamy macaroni & cheese I ate on Christmas cost me to gain 7 pounds. *lol* (Oh well... I tore it up!! lol) Thinking about it now, I might just go tomorrow to re-register at WW. Who’s with me??! Anybody??! *lol*

Well that is all for now folks! I pray your holiday season and New Year is wonderful and blessed as ever! Do you have any New Year’s Resolutions? What are they? Please share and comment.