Stadiums!!!!

Are you ready for some football!?!?!? These are stairs of the world famous Ben Hill Griffin Football Stadium home of the Florida Gators.  So lately my weight has been all over the place.  Up and down and around and around.  If its water I dont know.  Ive stayed inside my calorie boundaries but I am just not making head way to lower this weight the way I want to.  So a great friend of mine invited me to run the stadiums one night a week.  My first instinct was....NO! Ive done stadiums before...NO JOKE!

Though I didnt want to...I knew I needed something to break this cycle and move on to the next set of 10 pounds.  So Ive been at it for about three weeks....the cycle has not yet been broken completely but MAN IF I DONT FEEL THE IMPACT!  My quadriceps are sore...my glutes are in PAIN and my head spins.  Its a fairly simple task in theory, you start at one end of the stadium and run down a set of stairs and then run up the next set.  I try to get as far around as I can...my last time I think I did 75% of the stairs....Im working on going around one full time!  I even walked 75% up the actual stadium seats...that's when I saw the white spots.  My cue to STOP!  According to my favorite site (myfitnesspal.com), in 3o minutes you can burn around 823 calories (that info is for my weight and height)!!!! Thats amazing...

Wondering what it can do for you?

Looked up some benefits of running stadiums:

1. It works your cardiovascular system
• When you run up those stairs your heart leaps into the target zone in a short amount of time...its a great way to train you body to endure exercise.  Remember cardio = calorie burn = fat loss = NEW CLOTHES (at least for me)
2. Gets Legs and Butt in Shape
• Your legs are the biggest muscles in your body and when you build muscle you it will help your body burn fat more efficiently.  Plus muscle just makes everything look better.  Running up stairs also lifts and shapes your behind.  Most of us women want that.  Some of us are born with this gift but others need some help. Ive noticed that gaining weight has caused parts of my body to just get warped out of shape.  I want that old thing back!
3. It increases hormones in your body that promote fat burn
• Everyone who is working out wants to either prevent or lose fat and if we can get help from our good friend the Endocrine System then why not!  When you force your body to ramp up the heart rate it automatically sends signals to your brain to produce certain hormones so your body can use energy effectively.   These hormones will dig into your fat stores...this is what you want!

These are just a few benefits that stood out to me, I would encourage you to look up some for yourself.  Know what youre doing and how its helping you!  It encourages me to keep going, hope it does the same for you! I would love to hear from you about how your workouts are going.  What new things have you tried?  Whats working? Whats not?   Its good to switch things up so your muscle dont adapt and hit that dreaded plateau.

Till Next Time...
Running the calories off

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Christian Yoga?

Since working out, Ive noticed something.  That Yoga has infiltrated EVERYTHING...from the The Biggest Loser workouts, Taebo and even Wii Fit! Its everywhere!  And quite frankly it works....not so much for burning lots of calories but it trims you up and makes you appear thinner.  Its also difficult! I can barely complete the movements but it leaves me sore...very sore! I'm sore RIGHT NOW!  But there is some controversy about Yoga and its origins.  It is said to be deeply rooted in Hinduism.  So rooted that they two cannot be separated.  According to some sources Ive been reading, each pose represents a god and the longer you can be in said pose, they more that god is willingly to accept you.  Its supposed to be relaxing that is why they advise you to clear you mind.  Now as a Christian that presents a problem. A serious one.  Our minds are supposed to be focused on God and His word at all times...so it should never be empty, right?

Most routines involve yoga without the meditation and accompanying chanting; but should Christian really participate?  We are cautioned actually commanded not to give honor in any way to false gods.  Yet and still it cause you to wonder, its just poses right?  If I don't empty my mind and chant....I should be good right?  Its almost impossible to do any routines without ending up in a downward dog or a sun salutation.  Its so intertwined into the fitness world that you would have to just stick to a walk/run regimen to be safe.

Ive even seen sites for Christian Yoga...but is that an oxymoron?  Its not like you can be a Christian Hindu. 

What are your thoughts on this? Can Christians do yoga without being in violation? Let me know...

Till Next Time...

Contemplating the Boat Pose

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Do Something With Your Hair!

Ive experienced many great moments in life...from financial gain to educational pursuits. So many accomplishments but to be honest one of my favorite moments in life was the day I decided to go natural.  Seriously.  Whats the big deal?  Its just hair...nappy hair at that.  Well when I went natural a few things happened.  I saved money (LOL!), I did what I wanted to do and most importantly I was set apart from everyone else.  It caused me to stand out...something I have always wanted to do.  It made me different and though it isn't the only thing that defines me as the awesome woman I am, its a big part of who I am.  I made the statement that "I create my own trends and I wont be bottled into society' s beauty standard" #POW!  Now I look around and I am not so alone...everyone and their mama is natural...I love it! Finally, others have caught on!

The best thing to me about hair and especially natural hair is that it is VERSATILE! Now that isnt a message that has caught on just yet.  I wanna encourage you natural girls to DO SOMETHING WITH YOUR HAIR! That puff is not enough....

Do you know there is more to natural hair than an afro...

Switch it up sometimes....I love to see girls wear up-dos, twist outs, fro-hawks, rod sets or a simple bun.  YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL! Its your world! Lets show the rest of the world that our natural can not only be trendy but professional as well.  Depending on your profession....your huge fro may not be appropriate...dont give natural a wack name :).

Here's some of my favorites....

Is she natural? YES!  Flat irons can be our friends....

A simple up-do....super cute! One of my favorite styles!

Basic Fro...hair was stretched with a twist out :)

I dont know who this woman is...but this style is HOT!  I am so tempted to cut my hair for this :)

Dont know her either...but this is a MUST HAVE! This is super hot!

 Im not saying dont wear a puff ever again...Im just saying switch it up sometimes...have fun with it!  

Dont really know what to do....its OK!  Natural hair stylists are becoming more popular everyday! If you are one determined to be a home stylist like myself....check out youtube...it is a paradise for how to videos.  Just type in "natural hair" and you will be occupied all night long....literally.  I may even post some....you never know.  Also check out the links on my home page under natural hair....some really useful links!

Hope this helps...dont forget to comment and subscribe!

Till Next Time...

Keeping my Crown Shiny :)

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Its Just Water....I Hope

So Ive been busting my CHOPS! Using my Wii Biggest Loser Challenge Game and have increased my workout time from 30 to 40 minutes a day and even lost 3 pounds on my last weigh in...things are looking UP!  But yesterday I ate....two slices of pizza, a cup of chips, a small serving of pasta, and at least 5 sugar cookies....AHHHHH! SN: Not in one sitting but throughout the day/evening. Now I know I didnt eat over 3500 calories (which would equal a pound of fat) but when I got on the scale.....I gained an extra 4 pounds!  Now I know that its water weight....I did not eat an extra 14000 calories BUT I still get angry because one day of bad decisions seems to keep me going around the same mountain over and over and over again.  Too late now for regrets....

I understand from science that when you eat carbs that they naturally bring in extra water into your system by binding to it.  Believe it or not water is HEAVY...16oz of water weighs more than a 1 pound!  So there are a few ways I can get this off...

1. SWEAT!
2. Breathing...yes you lose water each time you exale
3. Drinking more water
4. And getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night (it does matter...)

Ive gathered my thoughts and have found solace in what has happened.  I know that I need to increase my water intake and eat real light today...because tomorrow is my Slim Down Saturday vlog and I cannot fall short.  I want to see some new lower numbers....hopefully with some extra exercise tonight, light eating plus my 6 mile walk/jog tomorrow I will see the results Im looking for.  Im determined to not get off and end the process.  I will not be moved by just the scale alone....Ive see some subtle changes and I feel a whole lot better; my energy is up and my belly doesnt protrude as much (The curse of the belly bulge has been reversed...hallelujah, see my previous entry for clarification).  I think I look slimmer, not sure...my eyes are always playing tricks on me.

Still working on my endurance during workouts...
I have a lot of difficulty doing push ups of any kind...my upper body  strength is not the best yet.  It doesnt help that I completely avoid doing them.  I know its important to train your whole body but my aim is not be athletic in any way....lol.  I will do better...I promise!

Till Next Time....
Drinking Lots of Water

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Belly Battle!!!

I dont know if its just me but....every time I start a good exercise flow and things start to shift the worst thing happens

MY BELLY ACTUALLY GETS BIGGER!!!

Now many people credit this to a mind trick or that other things are slimming down therefore its an illusion.  WRONG!  This may be my third round of this...and each time Ive had this problem.  Literally inches gained around my belly...

Ugh! The very place I want to lose weight gets bigger....now usually this would frustrate me endlessly and this would be the beginning of the end of my fitness plan.  Now this time around Ive had my struggles and now yet again my belly is protruding like never before...yet my abs are SORE! Obviously there is a pattern happening...

So I started to look up information to ease my mind and this is what I came up with:

Apparently its the muscle layer underneath is firming up which is causing my belly to lift and stick out more....though its unsightly and not cool for my waistline....its all apart of the process.  So instead of giving up...I will just see what the next stage of this belly flop will be.  Hopefully this doesn't lasts long...as I tackle this next ten pounds!

So dont fret friends...keep pushing!

Till Next Time...

Wearing Elastic Waistbands ;-) 

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Waiting to See It...

Am I the only one that sometimes gets really excited about seeing the results of your hard labor?  Alast, you look into the mirror and you look just like you did yesterday, last week and maybe even last month.  ARGH!  Its annoying!  I find myself thinking my clothes feel looser but I am really not sure if its just my mind or the real thing...

I know I am supposed to measure myself but the inches just seem to stay the same.  It leaves me just wondering if its working or not.  I digress....

I understand that anything worth having is worth working for....the virtue to develop is CONSISTENCY! And I will do it!  Short. Sweet. To the Point.

Till Next Time
Sticking with it!

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Its been so Long...

Truth is....

Blogging helps me stay focused on my goals...

It keeps me accountable because I have followers who use me as a point of reference...

I live to help people...

By helping them...I become better...

So my laptop...DIED...just shut down and never came back on so I cant blog....

Blogging went down...weight went right up!  I gained over 10 pounds in a month!  I got a new job (YAY!) and that changed my workout schedule....changed it right to...NO WORKING OUT!  But Ive been slowly getting back in gear...me and my Wii have become friends again!  So far Ive lost 7 pounds of what Ive gained...so I am getting back into gear.  I have started controlling my eating again.  I have committed to bringing my lunch to work instead of eating out with the co workers. 

I brought the new game Zumba for Wii...its a BLAST! I do it every morning now before I go to work.  It really has given me energy! After work I am usually comatose until the morning literally!  Now I am able to stay awake, get things accomplished and I even workout lightly before bed...which makes my sleeping so much better!

Anyway....my total weight lost is 11lbs!  Im focusing on 10 lbs at a time....

Stay Next Time...
Staying Motivated :)

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