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!
Saturday, October 24, 2020
Monday, September 28, 2020
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.
Sunday, August 30, 2020
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.
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Public Service Announcement
Ruby's Southern Kitchen |
K'See Eyewear |
Unique Experience Eatery |
Sylvester Maith - Independent Contractor |
Seafood Cartel |
Monday, June 29, 2020
Hopeful Motivation
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!
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Body Buzz - My 10 Secrets
- I eat a high protein breakfast ... eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, veggie sausage, turkey bacon, etc.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Additionally I meal prep on Sundays so that I avoid eating bad when I’m starving or pressed for time.
- 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.
- I limit eating out to twice a week, usually on the weekends which is also good for your pocketbook.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Then and Now |
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Celebrations NOT Cancelled
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 |
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
When Shopping Was Still A Thing
Stay Safe...Stay Healthy...Stay Blessed...Stay Home
One and Only |
One and Only |
Fashion to Figure |
Fashion to Figure |
Monday, February 10, 2020
Curvy Crew
Beanie Feldstein |
Chrissy Metz |
Rebel Wilson |
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Good Riddance 2019
- Spent Two Months of Invaluable Time Living with my Mom and Grandma
- Successfully Survived Knee Surgery and Six Months of Therapy
- Invited to Join the Women in Cable and Telecommunications Board of Directors
- Designed and Began Furnishing My Home Office and Dressing Room
- Executed a Soft Launch of Clutch Queen Style Servicing
- Traveled to Colombia, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Nashville, Detroit and Miami
- Lost an Additional 20 Pounds (Down 45 Total Pounds!!!!!!)
- Developed a Financial Plan and Met Financial Goals
- Started Journaling, Reading Scriptures and Praying More Often