Jump Start on the New Year

As I sit here and look at the calendar I see how quickly 2009 has gone by. I also think of the many friends and family that swore to me they would get their act together and get fit and healthy in 2009 and never started or gave it up quick. Well the only thing I can say is start again! It's never too late! But this post is dedicated to my cousin Alicia Cross McDonald aka Sixfeet&sexy who asked me back in January of 2009 to give her some weight loss tips and asked me about the gym I went to and joined immediately. That's all it took and in a few short months she shed 70 pounds and has never looked back. Dare I say her new healthy and fit lifestyle has even brought us closer and I am forever grateful! She will be a wonderful example for young son and I know she has inspired many people around her. So much so that she is doing it national now by being featured in the January 2010 issue of Essence magazine (on your news stands now)in their fit&fab section and that she truly is!

So make your New Year's resolution now, here on December 30, 2009. I will continue to be here to push you all because you all push me and hold me accountable and that's a great thing. See you in 2010 slimmer, fitter and healthier! Let's get thin in 2010!

Snowed in!

I am an on-the-go person it literally kills me to stay still. So now that I'm in the house because its about 2 feet of snow outside my window I made the most of it with a great work out today and getting ready to do a part II. Why not? Summer will be here before you can blink because as soon as Christmas is gone it's on! Snow shoveling is great for the abs and the arms too. Hiking in this stuff will get those quads burning too! Can't wait to get out in it tomorrow!

Did you hear about Jared?

It seems the Subway guy Jared has gained a little weight. This apparently is news worthy since I heard it on the radio the other day and the deejay said Jared looks like he has been stopping in Burger King instead of Subway. Okay this guy has had his weight off like 10 years. Nonetheless, it's the nature of the world we live in when people crave failure. Keeping weight off is more difficult than losing it. Stay focused and make a plan. If you are just beginning to lose weight or if you have reached your goal with your weight loss what is your next step? I tell people all the time you must make the lifestyle change you cannot go back to your old eating habits or sedentary lifestyle and not expect to gain weight. There is good news though. Once you really change your lifestyle for the better you get used to it and you enjoy it. It's no longer a chore. When you are craving something bad to eat sure indulge a little so you don't feel deprived but don't give in to that temptation every time because you may have cravings several times a day and giving in each time will surely show on the scale. Try to focus on something else, drink some tea or water and praise yourself for your hard work if it's day 1 or day 100!!

Holiday Time

The holidays are just around the corner and this can be a time when all the healthy eating habits go out the window! Make a conscious effort to get moving now, to start planning meals now, to avoid the drive-thru and have one small plate on Thanksgiving. I can't tell you how many times I have heard in the last week "Oh I am going to start eating right after Thanksgiving." Why wait until then? Make today the day and stay focused! Do anything you can to find the strength to see it through! If it takes finding a buddy that is on the same page, subscribing to a new fitness magazine, going for a walk daily or something that inspires you to be committed to a healthier lifestyle! We all fall into slumps but don't let your MO-JO slip away completely! Personally I am getting a little bored at the gym but lucky for me every time I feel I am slipping into boredom I recreate my experience in some kind of way. I have challenged my cousin to do back to back spin classes with me on this Saturday and we are amped! I can't wait! This is something new for me to look forward to! By no means am I doing two classes every Saturday but I do plan to mix it up as much as I can. Anyone want to join us, let me know!

The Dynamic Duo

Hard work pays off! I would like to share with all of you that one of my followers, my cousin also know as Six feet & Sexy (Alicia Cross McDonald) will be featured in the January issue of Essence magazine for her stunning results after losing 70 pounds and devoting her life to being healthy and fit. I am so proud of her! She works out hard and encourages everyone around her to take that leap of faith to turn their life around to be healthy not only for themselves but for the people they love. That's what it's all about. She is also my devoted work out partner at the gym. When we can we love working out together and get excited like kids at Christmas when new equipment arrives at the gym. We also have to make our 8:30 am Saturday morning spin class no matter how long we are out on a Friday night! If we are in town we are there or find a way to get into another. Nonetheless, between the two of us we have lost a whole person! We have each lost 70 pounds and continue to keep the weight off and maintain our healthy and fit lifestyle all while being a Mother, working full-time and having a life with family and friends and other interests. Get on board share the word, you too can be like the dynamic duo! Start now!!!!!!!!!!

Still Amazed

It is so funny how some people that know I am a workout fanatic still find it necessary to ask how many times a week I workout. Sometimes I wonder why they are asking the question. Nonetheless, I press on because I know what I am doing is for me and for no one else. Staying fit and healthy is a lifestyle for me and a priority. So much so that I plan my workouts when I know my schedule will be altered in the least to make sure I get my gym time in. It's so fulfilling in so many ways. Feeling my heart rate soar and feeling like I need that extra push to make it through the workout all for the final reward. The reward of feeling euphoric and energized at the end no matter how short or long my workout is. Stay encouraged and "do you". Find what makes you feel good and embrace it. I do every time I go to the gym and will continue to as long as I take a breath!

Feeling great!

Hey all I know I've been slacking on my postings but I am still on it more than ever. I am determined to work off these thighs of mine. Being thick in the thighs are where some women are trying to get but I swear I seem to build muscle in them that makes them bigger. I know you all must have your trouble zones too that make it hard to find some clothes. Lately it's really been pants & jeans for me. I am sick of having to take in the waist because I have to accommodate my thighs. I swear I'm a size 4 or 6 in the waist and a 8 in the thighs ughh. It is driving me crazy however I am not complaining. Just got to work on toning and not building so I can take some inches off these suckers. I hope you are all on your game and keeping up the work. Please add your feedback for inspiration for me and others! Has anyone ever tried those thigh bands while exercising?