Tag: Health

Fitness Recaps and Noon Naps

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I have been experiencing some major fatigue lately. Not quite sure what it is but between early starts and late finishes at work and working out a sister has been 'bout ready to fall out. As a result, my blogging has fallen by the wayside. Forgive me. OAN: I have discovered how blissful lunchtime naps in my car can be. 

My exercise has lapsed a bit. Although I have successfully completed the Abs Challenge, I have also skipped a few trail walks. I am learning that when my I skip exercise, I feel crappy. The more I feel crappy the less I want to exercise. Insert enigma into conundrum.

I called a good friend to check on her and she ended up encouraging me. By the end of the conversation, I was arriving at the park to begin my 3 mile trek. I felt so energized and rejuvenated. Consistency is key. It is so good to have a support network who can help you on those lazy days. Plus, I do not want to be the fat friend anymore lol. If everyone is working  out except me then hello rolly polly.

I almost hit a dude walking across the expressway. I guess people do this. This is the second time this has happened over my driving career. Good thing God is always looking out for me, keeping me from dangers seen and unseen.

I am trying to go gluten-free. I say trying because it seems that everything has gluten in it. I will say that  my stomach feels better – no pain and no bloating. Sounds like a win to me.My next purchase is to be a Magic Bullet Blender. I am trying to catch  it on sale. I would search Craigslist but I am wary about buying blenders from strangers. What if they have been blending kittens or something? lol. I know that is extreme and gross but it gets the point across.

Debating on if I should take a guitar class. I wanted to take piano but the classes at the community college is full. Guitar class was open. I could totally see it. Sitting on stage wit my afro strumming a guitar.  I guess I would need to but a guitar. I wonder how many calories could I burn playing the guitar for an hour? I guess I should go buy a hat, too. How else can I collect my change?

I need a nap.

When It Comes to Weight Loss Advice, I Am Missouri

Published on by Super Nerdy Church Girl4 Comments

As you are well aware off, I am on a weight loss journey. I am sharing my experiences with my readers and everyone I know in the hope that it will help inspire others.

One of my pet peeves, however, is the person who always knows a little more than you.

Do you exercise and diet to lose weight? Well, you should diet and exercise if you really want to lose weight.

Get it?

People love to give advice, particularly, unsolicited advice. Everyone has all of the answers. I do get it. I really do. I am partly to blame because I am a little obsessed at this point. In my excitement, I share my journey. I love hearing of new methods, recipes and workouts. . .

. . .however. . .

I will take your advice with a grain of salt until I see some results. Hey, if you were interviewing for a job, you would throw in some examples of how you are driven by results and all that jazz.

Call me Missouri. It is, after all, The Show-Me State.

I have written all of this to say, do not let the unproven advice of others take you off track. Surround yourself with people who are happy for you and will encourage you. . .like me 🙂

Anyway, I am wearing my jeans that had been hanging in my closet – brand new- for two years since we are talking about results and all.

What weight loss milestones have you passed?

Weight Loss: It’s All Mathematics

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After  many diets, books and fads, I had to face the simple truth. I am overweight because I consume more calories than I expend. Inversely, to lose weight, I must expend more calories than I intake.

Point. . . Blank. . . and the period.

Sure there are extenuating circumstances but nothing changes that fundamental truth. Slow metabolism? Expend more calories than you intake. Hate exercising? Expend more calories than you intake. Lost your dog? Expend more calories than you intake.

Well, you catch my drift.

I remember going to the doctor for my annual exam. He told me straight up that in order to lose the amount of weight that I needed to, I would have to exercise (walk specifically) 90 minutes 4 times a week. I remember thinking, how in the heck can i do that? I was barely able to walk 30 minutes at a time. I started slowly and gradually increased my stamina to 45 minutes. Good but half the mark.

At the size I was, walking 90 minutes at a speed of 3 mph would burn 797 calories. I started cardio dance class. One hour burned about 800 calories. So, cool. I can dance 4 times a week and be good. I was doing fantastic and then the stupid gym cancelled my class!!!!

One more excuse added and my workouts waned. I resolved dance class or no, I have to get it in. I started Get Fit with Fe, an accountability group. We complete challenges and post our daily workouts. I am a lot stronger now and can do a lot more than walk. I alternate between walking(trail or treadmill), Insanity, and Shaun T's dance dvds. I have also found some great free YouTube workouts. 

As for diet, it is all mathematics. Caloric intake 1500-1800 per day. Exercising adds numbers to my daily caloric intake. As long as I end the day in the positive, I am good. 

I achieve by lean protein, fruits and veggies. I keep food natural and preservative-free and cook my own meals. No junk food. Afterall, I am not a garbage dump.

How am I doing? Today, I put on capris straight from the dryer that I would have to hold my breath to fasten and they are literally falling off. I would say that that's fantastic mathematics.

 

This is an excerpt from Love Rain Down by Jill Scott and Mos Def. It is more accurately an excerpt from Mos Def's verse on the song:

 

"I said, “You are the beautiful, distress of mathematics.”
I said, “For you, I would peel open the clouds like new fruit.”
And give you lightning and thunder as dowry
I would make the sky shed all of its stars like rain
And I would clasp the constellations across your waist
And I would make the heavens your cape
And they would be please to cover you
They would be pleased to cover you
May I please cover you, please."

 

This verse makes me feel as pretty and good as eating right and exercise does. How is your journey coming along?

 

 

 

30 in 30 – No Eating Out: Day 4

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I got a real challenge yesterday to my 30 in 30 – working off site. Thankfully, a coworker had gone the day before and had given me the scoop on the amenities – fridge, microwave, breakroom.

We have all heard the adage – if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. This is very true concerning following an eating plan . So, I got up early and ate a quick breakfast wrap at home. Lunch/snacks consisted of a turkey with 100 cal wrap, avocado spread, grapes, 2 bananas, snap peas with a little kosher salt n vinegar.

Throughout the day, when I got hungry. I could snack on healthy stuff.

Good start so far. Tomorrow? Free lunch. Yeah me !

The Daniel Fast – Results Update

Published on by Super Nerdy Church Girl2 Comments

Tomorrow will be 21 days of the Daniel Fast. In the interest of full disclosure, I was strictly began for 7 days (my previous record). I fell off into Chic Fil E on Day 8 and got back on the wagon day 9.

While on the fast, I initially felt totally energetic. After 7 days, I was noticeably lethargic. I did this fast with a co-worker who reported feeling similar. In retrospect, I think we were not eating enough protein.

Apple

I have found that with preparation this diet is feasible. There are a lot of great dishes that can be prepared vegan. God bless the avocado. Whenever I felt as if I was not getting enough to eat, I would add an avocado and felt satisfied.

I have also learned that health is about choices. We all get hungry but how we choose to satisfy that hunger is a choice. Granted, depending on where you live, your options may be limited. There is always the option to start a garden. Even one on your balcony.

The initial cravings for sugar and salty snacks dissipates after a few days. When you are not consuming overly salted and sweetened foods, your taste buds become more keen. A Fuji Apple and scoop of peanut butter is the best midday snack.

You are also forced to read labels and search out options that are not chemically laden. I found these 100 calorie whole grain wraps that have a good flavor and no sugar added. This item is a keeper. I think now I will try to have 2 vegan meals a day and a lean protein at night. I feel too good about my results to go back to my old way of eating.

To date, I am down 10lbs.

Sugar Is As Addictive As Cocaine?

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I ran across this video over at Clean Eating. It echoes a lot of what I have been reading in Eat To Live by Dr. Furhman. Sugar is as addictive as cocaine? That is what one neuroscientist claims due to the way our brains respond to it. 

 

 

Ironically, I remember having a discussion with my mom years ago. I told her that when I eat something sweet it instantly makes me feel better. As a consequence, when I am upset, eating something sweet was a knee-jerk reaction for me. Joining the gym and meditation have become other coping mechanisms for stress because, apparently, the sugar is killing us.