A Week to Remember

This has been a week to remember and I'm glad about it. Last Sunday I was contacted by Megan Rivers, a reporter with the Washington, DC CBS affiliate WUSA9. She was working on a story about people gaining weight during the pandemic, better known as the "COVID-19 15" pounds. However as opposed to interviewing people who've gained weight, she and her producers preferred interviewing someone who'd lost weight. Well that someone was me.  Although a little apprehensive, I decided to do the interview with the hope that my story will inspire and encourage others.  I was honored by the opportunity to share my experience and my weight-loss journey publicly. I enjoyed the time to reflect on on how far I've come (even going through old photos with my mom and grandma) and I'm still stunned by even my own success. I'm also thankful for the many family and friends who reached out to me, shared the news segment, offered congratulatory messages and words of encouragement. Frankly, I was overwhelmed, in a good way, by the out-pouring of love.  The news story turned out to be a hit, well at least in my eyes. It touched on the main points, I didn't look or sound like a complete fool and last but certainly not least it inspired others to get moving and make healthier decisions. So here it, check it, I hope you enjoy!

8 Things to Do After You Lose Weight

Ya'll ready for a praise report? Yay!!! Thanks for celebrating with me in advance. Although, I've seen movement on the scale for years now, it wasn't until recently that I noticed changes in my clothing. Over the past few weeks I've tried on several items that once fit including a bathing suit, a pair of shorts, a dress and jeans only to discover they're too big and in some cases down right falling off of me. Many of the items are things I hadn't worn in a while because I've been in my house for the last six months (due to COVID) wearing leggings and tank tops, which always seems to fit. The irony is that although I've known that my body has transformed, it was only because the scale told me, people told me, my A1c numbers told me and so on. It didn't fully register in my eyes and in my mind until I tried on clothing that once fit. Isn't that funny that we know but until we see we don't always believe. So what do you do when you realize half of your wardrobe is too big. 

1. Take a video to document your excitement, success and progress. 

2. Start a donation pile for Goodwill or whatever your charity of choice may be. 

3. Call your momma or whomever is your biggest fan so they can do a hallelujah shout with you.  

4. Celebrate with your favorite dessert...mine is ice cream. Yum Yum!!

5. Purchase a few new pieces (but don't go overboard because you're still losing weight).

6. Find somewhere to go and show off your new clothes and new body. 

7. Exercise because you're never done working on becoming a healthier you.

8. Thank God for progress and motivation to continue pushing. 

Self Care - Self Love

Last night the world was shocked and shook by the passing of Chadwick Boseman a.k.a. Black Panther a.k.a. Jackie Robinson a.k.a. Thurgood Marshall a.k.a. James Brown and so many more. Boseman was only 43 years old but he played so many iconic roles and touched so many lives during his short time here on earth. It’s sad that we didn’t know he was sick but yet so poetic that he chose to keep his pain private. This reminds me that life is bigger than our personal struggles and that we all have an assignment to do for God. He was already bigger than life in our eyes. Little Black boys and girls and grown men and women were marveled by the Black Panther. Now knowing all that he was going through further exemplifies him as a hero. Unfortunately the last few weeks have been full of losses for me personally. Hell the last few months, the entire year of 2020 has been full of losses for the culture, for our people. I lost a high school friend Larry to a heart attack. I lost a family friend Mrs. Francis to cancer. Both within the past month. Last year was a rough year of losses for my family but my mom and I joke that 2019 ain’t got "ish" on 2020. So yes, we’ve had a bad day, a few bad weeks, a few bad months but we will bounce back. Our people are resilient and strong. So I'm going to have a self-care Saturday and Sunday and then get back to business. I hope you do the same. Here are five ways that I showered myself with a little self-love this weekend. 

1. Watered my grass and flower garden.

2. Gave myself a mani / pedi.

3. Wrote in my journal.  

4. Had a cocktail ... frozen margarita to be exact. 

5. Spent time with a dear friend. 

Public Service Announcement

This is a Public Service Announcement! If you’re not supporting Black businesses right now more than ever before than you must be sleep, aka not WOKE. I saw a meme that said if you’ve ever wondered what you would have done if you lived through slavery, the jim crow era or the civil rights movement it’s exactly what you’re doing right NOW. I recognize that everyone can’t protest and everyone can’t donate big dollars. But what you can do is buy Black.  From fashion and food to house-ware, health and beauty ... buy Black. Supporting Black owned businesses has so many positive effects.  Just recently I was speaking with a friend who’s frustrated about the lack of Black centered news programming and television shows. I informed him that historically, Black news shows have not been successful. They suffer from low ratings and low advertising interest. However, increased success in Black businesses could boost ad sales for Black centric news programming. Obviously this is just one indirect positive reason to support Black businesses but there are host of others direct and indirect ... providing jobs, economic independence, cultural pride and more. Simply put, “I’m rooting for everyone Black” - Issa Rae. So here are just a few of the awesome Black owned businesses that I’ve supported over the past few months. And yes, most are food related...don’t judge me ... I like to eat.

Ruby's Southern Kitchen

K'See Eyewear

Unique Experience Eatery

Sylvester Maith - Independent Contractor

Seafood Cartel 

Hopeful Motivation

The past few months have been a total nightmare for most Americans, and people around the world. However Black people have been in a nightmare for the last few centuries. The Black Lives Matter Movement, the civil uprising and protests around the world is not new to us. Maybe new on this level but not new. We have been fighting this fight since the beginning of time. However, the solidarity, the out-spoken approach, and ongoing movement beyond just a few days or a week is relatively new for this generation ... millennial‘s and younger. I have experienced more awkward and uncomfortable conversations with non-black friends, coworkers, and strangers over the past few weeks than ever before. You see, I have gone to protests, been speaking out about injustices and fighting the fight for equality. But these conversations are a first. To me, that’s a good sign. It’s a hopeful sign. A sign that people that don’t look like me are potentially ready to have real conversations and enact real change. Do I know for certain that effective and lasting changes are on the horizon, of course not. I’m sure Martin Luther King was hopeful, I’m sure Malcolm X was hopeful, I’m sure Frederick Douglass was hopeful, I’m sure Harriet Tubman was hopeful and I’m sure many others before us were hopeful. Many have asked me what they can do to best help the cause and I don’t have the full answers to that either. But what I do know is that if you do one thing that’s better than doing nothing. So whatever you can do, like Nike...just do it.

1. Vote.
2. Encourage others to vote.
3. Have awkward conversations w/ non-Black people.
4. Protest.
5. Sign petitions.
6. Donate.
7. Call and write local officials.
8. Post on social media.
9. Educate yourself.
10. Teach the next generation.

A few weeks ago I experienced my first visit to the newly established Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, DC and it was uplifting and rewarding to my soul. If you have the opportunity to visit one of these BLM plazas, streets, boulevards, parks, benches, murals, etc around the country please go and pray, meditate, talk to our ancestors and gather encouragement to continue the fight. We are not even at the halfway mark of a long road ahead. So let’s keep going and remember Black Lives Matter!

 

Body Buzz - My 10 Secrets

So, I did a thing called lose weight. I don’t often publicly discuss my weight loss journey because I have not, nor will I ever be done working on my mind and body. You see, some people have 10, 15, 20 pounds to lose, others are trying to drop an entire person (sometimes 100 lb. or more). Granted both goals are challenging, but for those of us who are attempting to drop weight that takes months or even years to lose, we have to make serious lifestyle changes. Even once you’ve reached your goal, you have to continue to live the new life. A life that you likely didn’t live for the first 30, 40, 50 years of your existence therefore the possibilities to backslide and revert to familiarity are always lurking. It’s a lifetime commitment and if you’ve struggled with your weight since the beginning of time than you know the battle is real, the struggle is overwhelming and the drive to keep going is necessary. The reason I am finally writing this post comes on the tale-end of a casual picture that I recently shared on social media which sparked a little buzz to say the least. I received an array of calls, texts, DM’s, etc. all asking the million dollar question ... “how did you lose weight?” No I didn’t get surgery, no I didn’t do a fad diet, and no it didn’t happen over night (in fact, I’ve consistently been on this journey for over three years now). So, here’s the tea on how I have managed to lose over 50 pounds. Wait, were you looking for the quick and dirty version? If so ... I ate healthy and I exercised...lol.  Seriously though...it was that basic! However, for those who want the play by play, here are the deets.

1. I eat a high protein breakfast ... eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, veggie sausage, turkey bacon, etc.
2. I keep lunch light because dinner is my favorite meal of the day ... turkey sandwich, tuna and crackers, salad w/ grilled chicken and light dressing, etc. 
3. For dinner I go heavy on the protein and veggies w/ little to no carbs ... steak, half of a baked sweet potato and greens; turkey burger and Caesar salad with light dressing; baked chicken and string beans; salmon and broccoli; etc. 
4. I definitely snack as well, but I try to stick to the recommended serving size ... a piece of fruit, tortilla chips and salsa, hummus and carrots, ranch and celery, ice cream in a portion controlled cup, cookies, etc. 
5. Additionally I meal prep on Sundays so that I avoid eating bad when I’m starving or pressed for time. 
6. I avoid sugary drinks by only drinking water except a glass of wine a few times a week :). I was also recently introduced to a low calorie / low carb hard seltzer, TRULY, which is my new jam.  
7. I limit eating out to twice a week, usually on the weekends which is also good for your pocketbook. 
8. I track my calories in My Fitness Pal which is a great tool that I first recommended here on the blog back in 2012. I've sporadically used the app for years but have been consistent now for about six months. 
9. I weigh myself once a week, on the same day of the week and typically first thing in the morning.  FYI, weighing yourself daily will likely drive you insane. By the way, I invested in a smart scale which I'm loving. 
10. And last but certainly not least, I exercise 25 - 30 min. per day. I usually do an aerobic workout that I find on YouTube. My favorite videos are by Team Body Project.

Obviously every human body is different so this may not work for you but hopefully some of the things that have helped me in my journey will help you in your journey.

Then and Now

Celebrations NOT Cancelled

You might be just as surprised to hear, as I am to admit, that my quarantine birthday was actually fun! Just as I planned, I hosted a virtual happy hour that was attended by many of my friends.  Several cousins and family friends also stopped by to surprise me! You know the virtual turn-up was real when people leave the party tipsy and/or wake up with hangovers. We listened to music, we danced, we played games, shared stories and laughed a lot. It was good for the soul and exactly what I needed. I also had a parking lot dinner date with two of my closest friends. They treated me to Thai Food since we were supposed to be in Thailand for my birthday. We also jammed out to T-Pain and Lil Jon’s DJ battle on Instagram Live. I'm thankful for everyone who helped make the day special from gifts and cards to text and calls! One of the ways that I made the day special was by simply dressing up. Yes, that’s right, I got fully dressed to sit in my living room on day one and to sit in my car on day two. LOL! Dressing up is me. I refused to let coronavirus fully change what I would normally do on my birthday. I always get dolled up, wear a cute dress, do my hair, put on make up and eat good :) ... so that is exactly what I did. And, when you look good you feel good. And on my birthday I felt great. So here’s how I kept it cute, yet frugally fly for my B-day.

Forest Green Off the Shoulder Midi Dress from Rainbow - $10
Shades of Pink Floral Headband from Amazon - $10
No shoes ... LOL!

Pink Crop Top Sweater from H&M - $5
Floral Wide Leg Pants from Gordmans - $10
Blue Pointed Toe Shoes from Rainbow - 10