UPDATE: Special K Challenge

Good morning my lovelies!! First, I would like to apologize for not posting and updating you all on Friday. I thought to myself that Friday wasn’t exactly a full week on the Special K plan, Monday is. So I was ready to post Monday. But then Monday came and I was busy RELAXING that I didn’t get a chance to! *lol* So please forgive me. J

Ok, now on to the business at hand… Special K update. I’m glad to report that I followed the Special K plan to the T. Well not exactly to the T. When it came to having a "real" meal for dinner (with meat & sides... lol), I did my own thing. I didn’t do any of the suggested meals they had on the plan. But I’m sure that was fine. On top of that, I never went over my daily PointsPlus values. I actually had as much as 15 points left over, like every day. J So- I found that the foods did what it’s supposed to do. It suppressed my hunger BUT it didn't make me feel full, I just didn’t feel hunger pains!! That’s what I got out of it. After every Special K snack or meal, I felt “ok.” But if someone put a plate of food in front me and said “Help yourself.” I would have HELPED MYSELF! *lol* While at work all day it was much easier to control my eating and stay on the Special K plan because I didn’t have those kinds of temptations. I found the best tasting Special K foods were the protein shakes and fruit pastries. The shakes were actually satisfying to have as a meal replacement, which was a shock to me! I just knew that a drink alone could never replace a filling meal, but it did and it worked! The fruit pastries taste just like pop tarts! So they are A+ in my book. I also seen Special K has out new breakfast sandwiches in the frozen aisle. I saw the sausage, egg, and cheese ones. I didn’t get a chance to try them yet but I want to! I’m sure they’re probably good!

So I was great on the plan during my work week (Mon-Fri) but then… *sigh*… the weekend came. And let me tell you, I didn’t touch not one Special K product! I know, I know, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I gave in to the freedom to eat whatever was in my fridge that DID NOT have Special K on it! *lol* I was just tired of their foods! Uggh! I thought I could do it... just 2 weeks. But eating the same Special K foods beat me down! They weren’t appetizing to me anymore. And I love food way too much to be eating things that aren’t even satisfying. *SMH*

So in conclusion, the Special K Challenge for me was indeed a CHALLENGE!! And I fell short! But I'm not opposed to trying the challenge again. Just not anytime soon. *lol* I do, however, know that I must have lost some weight. I can feel it. It may not be those 10 pounds I was looking for but it’s definitely something. I haven’t weighed in at Weight Watchers in a few weeks. It’s time for me to pay them a visit. (literally... lol) So sometime this weekend I’ll be weighing in and letting you in on my status. I have 6 more weeks until Thanksgiving… and I’m still in hot pursuit to lose 30 pounds. So, continue to keep your fingers crossed for me and wish me luck! I NEED IT! J

Well that’s all I have to report for today. If anything good and juicy comes up, I’ll be sure to check back in. So until next time… HOLLA ♥

Hey, did any of you try the Special K Challenge with me last week? How did you do? What did you think of the foods and the plan? Comment below and let me know.

I'm Ready

Good morning ya'll! First let me say, I had another AWESOME WEEKEND! Ya'll just don't know! *SMH* Glory to God! J

Ok, now to business... It’s Monday, October 1^st and the Special K Challenge is ONNNN!! I weighed myself at home this morning and my next “at home” weigh in will be in 2 weeks, October 15^th... after the challenge is over. I’m anticipating on losing 10 pounds like the challenge says. So who’s with me??! YOU ARE!!

I picked up the following items for the challenge:

I still need to pick up a few more, and even different flavors, but this is the bulk of it. I’m praying I can stick to this. Because according to my Special K meal plan it looks like I’ll be starving myself! LOL! I’ll definitely be updating you on how I’m doing on this. You know I’ll keep it real and tell you if I'm surviving or thriving! J Also, I'm still going to count the weight watcher pointsplus values on the Special K foods. I still want to remain in the habit of tracking and keeping within my daily pointsplus allowance (even though I know with this challenge I shouldn't go over) and I'll be continuing my weekly workouts. So yeah, I’m ready ya’ll!! I’ll check back in with you guys this Friday with an update. Enjoy your week everyone! And until next time… HOLLA ♥

SB: HEEYYY!! It's been officially ONE MONTH since I started this blog!! So HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MEEEE!! YAYYYY!! I’ve gotten over 400 views, countless compliments, and have discovered some "surprising" followers!! I just want to thank everyone who has tuned in, read my posts and who has even taken some of my advice and challenges!! Your welcome (in my Sadie's voice from MTV's Awkward) *LMBO* But seriously, THANK YOU SO MUCH!! You keep me motivated to continue blogging and pushing to be better!! J

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!