Health and Fitness

Who Are Your Accountability Partners?

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accountability

At the beginning of this year, I knew I wanted to make some changes in my life. One of the biggest obstacles I currently face is my weight. Last year I wrote a blog about wanting to lose several pounds, but life happened and well….the weight was still around.

That weight loss goal somehow faded to black. My clothes still felt the same, if not a little more snug. I vowed not to buy any new items until I lost some weight. The good thing is I have actually stuck to that promise. The unfortunate part is I’m still wearing the same clothes. I know I really could use a new wardrobe, but that’s just not in the plan…..right now.

I live in a wonderful complex with access to a 24-hour gym. Naturally, you’d think I would go every single day especially since I didn’t have to pay a single dime. That’s just not where my head was in 2015. Even though when I looked in the mirror and wasn’t thrilled with the physical body, it still didn’t manage to motivate me enough to put on workout clothes and a sports bra. [SIDENOTE: Ladies with a large chest like mine definitely understand that struggle. It’s not exactly comfortable to have the boobage tied down that way. But I digress….]

I’m fairly certain my best friend in Indianapolis tried to convince me to purchase a FitBit for at least the last year if not longer. Well, I finally joined the team thanks to my dear friend here in Memphis who happened to have an extra one still in the box and never even used! Now, I’m so #TeamFitBit! As an extremely competitive person, I am finding myself participating in five challenges (the maximum) every single day. When I check the latest numbers, I take a walk through my office building or go to the gym to make sure I’m still in the lead or trying to grab the lead from someone else! These ladies and gentlemen have become my accountability partners, and I love it!

Having accountability partners is extremely important. Mine motivate me to go to the gym at 5:30 a.m. when I really wish I could sleep for one additional hour. Mine push me to hit my 10,000 step goal when at 4:00 p.m. I’ve only logged 8,000. Mine encourage me to laugh more. Sure, I laugh plenty, but I have some amazing people in my life who keep me genuinely laughing all day [social media and group text messages are AWESOME]! Mine truly challenge me to do better and be a better person.

Do you have accountability partners? Are there people in your circle who will not only push you to be greater but hold you accountable for each and every one of your actions….whether good or bad?

If not, I highly encourage you to reevaluate those closest to you. I promise it will make a world of a difference. Your burdens will be lighter. REAL TALK: Your blood pressure will probably be lower too! You’ll find yourself enjoying life more. So, this week…ask yourself who are your accountability partners?

As always, these are just a few thoughts “From My Hart.”

Motivated and Determined

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motivation

About two weeks ago I decided to tell the world (okay, technically just those who read my blog) that I weigh an astounding 265 pounds. Hell, I was just as shocked as y’all to not only see it on my scale but to actually admit it on the internet. Most women don’t tell their real age let alone their weight. Yet, I did. I wanted to not only hold myself accountable but to document the process of losing it pound by pound.

Since that blog entry, I have been walking on the treadmill every other day for 45 minutes at an incline (definitely feeling bootylicious these days!), using free weights for my arms/back and finishing with a round of abdominal exercises. I’m not going to lie. Some days are much harder than others, especially with how busy I have been at work. Hell, I even took my tail to the gym yesterday when the temperature was only 16 degrees outside.  I believe I earned a gold star for that one. In addition, I have been drinking nothing but water which is no easy task when you’re used to drinking Diet Coke several times a day. Don’t judge me. I would drink Diet Coke the way most people drink coffee. It was my source of caffeine.

To my surprise, I have kept up the routine and have friends who continuously hold me accountable. Last weekend I really, really, really wanted some bacon, but my dear friend Brandee reminded me it was no longer on my “approved to eat list” unless it was turkey bacon (yuck!). Tonight, I even joined my co-workers for a one-hour long line dancing class. That was a fun way to burn some calories! My boss even joined us! Good times!

So I guess this is the part where I give you my weigh-in results. As of today, I weigh 255 pounds! A whole ten pounds down in two weeks! I don’t’ know about you, but I am freaking excited!

The hard part will be to keep up this momentum and continue to lose more pounds and inches. I have set goals for myself, and, once I reach each of them, I will be rewarded. For example, I want to go skydiving before the end of 2015. In order to do that, I have to be no more than 200 pounds. I believe I can do it, and I will get there.

The struggle is real at times. I am not even going to lie. I know there will be times I will need to stay in the gym an extra 30 minutes because of the piece of birthday cake I may have consumed at someone’s party. I know there will be times when I want just one more martini but will remember my goal weight and have water instead.

My next goal is to reach 230 pounds. When I do, I will let you all know. I am determined and motivated.

 Until next time…….these have been just a few thoughts “From My Hart.”

Goodbye 2014, Welcome 2015!

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2015

Well, this is it. The end of 2014 is here, and it has surely been an eventful year.

I lost friendships but gained new ones. I lost weight but then gained it back and then some. I helped to create three mobile apps for my employer (that was pretty exciting)! I celebrated my 34th birthday both in Memphis and Indianapolis (I always go big for my birthday….more on that in a future blog post). I colored my hair red….like serious fire engine red. That was fun while it lasted! And yes, you can have red hair and still manage to look professional. I was introduced to online dating (more on that later). I bought a new car! I had an opportunity to not only attend but give a presentation at a national conference.

This blog entry though isn’t just about what happened in 2014 but what’s in store for 2015! Many new adventures are on the horizon, including my quest to fulfill 35 things on my Bucket List during my 35th year on this earth. I am determined to do things I have either never done or done in quite some time. I am determined to truly live MY life this year. I am determined to smile more than frown. I am determined to laugh more than be stressed. I’m claiming love in my life!

God works in such mysterious ways. As I’m typing this, one of my favorite songs just started playing on my gospel music station. “For every mountain You brought me over…..For every trial You’ve seen me through…..For every blessing…..Hallelujah, for this I give You praise!”

For all things I have had to endure in my short amount of time on this earth, I am truly blessed to still be given the opportunity to see yet another year. And for this, I give Him ALL the praise!

I am really looking forward to 2015! I believe this is going to be an exciting year!

Please be safe tonight and get a designated driver if you are going to drink!

Until next time…….these have been just a few thoughts “From My Hart.”

265? Oh Hell Naw.

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Oh hell naw

The season of 2014 holidays is just about over, and there will no doubt be many who look at their beltline and realize they may have eaten two (or three or four) plates too many between Christmas, Hanukkah and Thanksgiving. But let’s be honest. We all know we inevitably gain a few pounds during this time of year just based solely on the amount of food at the work place, holiday parties, etc.

Well, I know I did.

So, what’s the meaning behind the 265? Is it the number of songs on my iTunes account? Naw.  Is it the amount of money in my checking account? Naw. Is it the number of days left before my next vacation? Naw….but close. 

The other day I chose to weigh myself. I purposefully hadn’t done it in quite some time because I knew I had gained weight and figured if I didn’t acknowledge the actual number then it would somehow mean the extra weight really didn’t exist. I know, I know. That sounds crazy even as I type it, but in my mind it made perfectly good sense at the time.

I paused for a moment before stepping onto the scale realizing there was no turning back. I had to take the first step to reclaiming my life and curvaceous body. See, I love my curves. I embrace them. I feel they add to my personality. Unfortunately, life (and all that entails) turned my curves into much more and now I want them back. My hips! My thick thighs! My derrière! My breasts! Yep, all of that!

Okay, okay….I’m once again delaying the inevitable. Yes, I stepped on the scale. I was unbelievably shocked. I was saddened. I was speechless…..well, almost. The scale read 265. Oh hell naw. I wanted to cry. I really did. Instead, I looked at that scale and told myself (yes out loud) enough is enough.

I am a fighter (you’ll learn more about that later in upcoming blogs….duh, I’m a communication professional so of course I have to leave you with a teaser), and I will fight this weight head on. For the last two days, I not only woke up early when I really didn’t have to, but I took my butt to the gym. Talk about a shocking experience….my body didn’t know how to react when I walked through those doors! Nevertheless, I did it. I spent a solid 30 minutes on the treadmill (20 of which was on an incline), and I have to say I was pretty damn proud of myself. It may not seem like much to some of you, but to me it was the first step in the right direction. Hey, you have to start somewhere, right?

Why am I telling you this? Well, for one it is pretty damn therapeutic for me. It’s also a way to hold myself accountable. I mean think about it…..in two months I should be writing about my weight loss instead of gaining another 10-15 pounds, right? But there really is another reason for this blog.

With the new year comes many around the world who make New Year’s Resolutions, most of which are to lose weight. With these resolutions comes an influx of individuals at the community gyms. For those of you who regularly frequent these establishments, I know you absolutely HATE this time of year because the new gym goers take all the treadmills, elliptical machines and free weights. What these people need is encouragement from you. Tell them to keep up the good work. If you see someone sweating profusely and struggling to even walk to the locker room, let them know the pay off will be so well worth it!  

As for me, I have set my own personal weight loss goals, and I will keep my blog updated on my progress.

Until next time…….these have been just a few thoughts “From My Hart.”