8 years.... Money in the Bank!

It’s Our 8th Anniversary!

Berhane, the best personal trainer in the whole wide world, has been training me for EIGHT WHOLE YEARS! Yes, EIGHT WHOLE YEARS, and we have ninety-nine more years to go.

Recently, we were talking about numbers. Actually, we were taking about the holy trinity of numbers: blood pressure, sugar levels, and cholesterol.

Berhane explained that if you have good numbers, that is like money in the bank. Yep, that is a whole lot of GOOD money in the bank. However, he went on to state that if we continue to spend the money and never replace it, eventful it we will be depleted. So, basically he is saying that if we are blessed to have The Good Holy Trinity of Numbers, then we must work to keep those numbers good. It is like having a brand new car and never, ever doing the required maintance.

If you have MONEY in the Bank.... Work to keep it.
If your account is running low or is empty; it is never to late to get your money right.

It’s been EIGHT YEARS y’all.

If you need or want a personal trainer or need or want a personalized gym, then check out Berhane at BT Fitness. 

Don't Trust Your Emotions, because They are Fickle!

Great ride on a 60 degree day in February!

I believe that one of the reasons why we were put on this earth is to enjoy ourselves.....

I don't believe in doing anything that does not bring me some kind of reward or joy. If I hated my job, trust and believe that I would search until I found another one. (I changed jobs until I found one that was a fit.) 

I think that our hobbies should definitely bring us joy. I thoroughly enjoy reading, writing, going to museums, going to plays, cycling, and the minute that any of my hobbies start to cause me any type of undue stress, then I know that it is time to either re-evaluate the hobby or stop doing it.

You know that I absolutely love to cycle. So, training a whole lot is quite enjoyable to me. I happily ride my bike about five days a week and each and every time, I give it my all. I love the rewarding feeling of working hard and smart and seeing results.

However, Saturday I was really reconsidering whether or not I enjoy cycling anymore....

I went out to ride with the team, it was extremely cold, and the team ride seemed ridiculously hard. For some reason, maybe it was the route or maybe the team was riding faster than we normally do, I was getting my butt kicked. I even had to swallow my pride and walk up one of those damn hills. Eventually, the team disappeared, and I ended up riding back home by myself.

I was feeling no joy, and my thoughts were running completely out of control. Every negative thought that you can possibly imagine, I was thinking them including "Cycling does not bring me joy anymore."

But, I started to remember that I love riding my CX bike on gravel in the woods; that's where I commune with God. I also remembered that I have a group of friends that were going to ride gravel today. I checked in with my off-road buddies, and this morning, I was riding again.

We rode, and talked, and noticed nature, and had lunch outside in Georgetown in 60 degree weather....

My People, I am back In Love!

Don't Trust Your Emotions, because They are Fickle!

Slippery Slope

I want to cycle until I leave this earth!

School is moving alone swiftly, and I absolutely love this time of year when we are on a roll: classes everyday without any breaks, establishing class norms, and a busyness that feels like real work is taking place.

With school starting, I am no longer in my controlled, food environment, and things that I should not eat are around daily. We have had pizza, donuts, pasta lunches etc. I've been doing ok, but not good. I ate the pizza, pasta, half of a doughnut, and one or two of the doughnut holes that I bought for the students... slippery slope.

I also must confess that I have been stopping by McDonald's in the morning to have a cup of coffee with one scoop of sugar and two creams. I have been meaning to stop, but...... slippery slope.

Well, I have been completely paranoid about this slippery slope that I have been on... yep, I got very angry with Berhane last week, because I thought that he was looking at my stomach in an accusatory way. He looked baffled and told me that it was all in my mind.... slippery slope.

My people, yesterday, I stopped by McDonald's, and they thought that I said eight sugars instead of a sugar, and the minute that I put it to my lips, I knew that this was far more sugar than I needed so, I threw the coffee away. I needed that wake up call.....No added sugar, and I won't touch sugar substitutes for no reason; I get enough sugar in peanut butter, fruits, and other foods. So, I am back to green tea unless I have time to have a latte with no sugar added.

Well, I gave myself a good talking to this weekend... There is no way that I will workout two times a day, and that's exactly what I have been doing at least three days a week, and sabotage those workout by being on that slippery slope.. doughtnuts means pizza and pizza means candy and candy means a drink and this means one pound a month then two pounds a month and ten pounds a year..then high blood pressure, high cholesterol, low energy, mood swings, medication.... slippery slope

I am not going down that road at all!

I love my health and being healthy more than I love food, drinks, sugar, my bed, rest, money...

How Bad Do You Want It?

How bad do you want joy, peace, happiness, a new career, to know your purpose, a relationship, good health....

Well, you may have to work, get out of our comfortable zone, be uncomfortable etc.

Champions are MADE!!!

Happy Thursday.

This IS 49.....Our First Lady!!

Let's Do This People!

Develop Good Habits and become their slave....

Stand Up for Yourself!

The other day I was was talking to one of my friends, and we were having one of those conversations that we typically have where we uplift and encourage each other. Well, for some reasons, we got on this topic of HOPE! I think that she or I was saying that we were hoping something for someone, and I said something like "we can hope, want, or wish for someone all day, but at the end of the day, he/she has to make the change for his/herself. She stated, "You should write a blog about hope."

After that conversation I was scanning through Facebook, and one of my friend's FB status stated that "He who has hope, has everything." I really started to think about that quote and the conversation that I had with my friend. Lo and behold, I was watching  the Oprah network, and this great motivational speaker was on named Toni Robbins. Toni was working with this guy named Steve who was a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. Steve was in a very low place and was contemplating abusing drugs again. He felt that he had no hope of getting his life in order. Toni Robbins stated that after the man left the show, he was going to be alone and would have to "Stand Up for Himself." When Toni stated this, I started to cry. I was crying, because I thought about all of the people who are stuck in situations that they do not want to be in, and I really want them to know that they must and can "Stand Up for Themselves." I know from experience that there is nothing better than "Standing Up for Yourself."

Toni Robbins

For instance, I really wish that everyone would take better care of their bodies. I know so many people who complain about their weight, and they have everything that it takes to change their bodies. I have worked out for years and always stayed around the same weight. Over time, I started to pick up pounds slowly but surely. I really thought that I could not lose weight and have arms that were defined. But, once I realize that I needed to make some changes, and I could change my body; I became unstoppable. I can really hope that people will take their health seriously, but they have to do it for themselves.

However, let's talk about the changes that were necessary: drinking less alcohol, not eating fast food ever, not eating potato chips, being mindful of my sugar intake, buying doughnuts for my students and not eating any, and doing one intense hour of exercise almost everyday. I really thought that there was no way I was going to or could make these changes. But I did it, and guess what? I feel invincible. Whatever it is in my life that I want to change, I have the power to do it. I feel so liberated. No one could do it for me. My doctor could really wish and hope that I would lose weight and lower my cholesterol, but I have to "Stand Up for Myself."

How many of us really hope that our friends would leave the guy that is abusing her or would move on from the guy that has already left her. How many people in our lives are hoping that we would change some of our destructive behaviors or would stand up and claim our rightful place in the world without fear? We must, all of us, "Stand Up for Ourselves."

What I have noticed is that there are a lot of people who will stand up for themselves, but there are a WHOLE lot of people who will not. I see people who will not set limits in their lives, will not state with authority what they know for sure, will analyze situations forever in order to not have to make a decision, will only eat chicken, will not get in a pool, will not take a trip alone, and are always hoping or wanting to do something but will not take the leap of faith.  Most people who are living "Their Best Lives" took a leap of faith. Life is about taking risk and "Standing Up for Yourself."

Two weeks ago I went biking with this group that is mostly all men, and they are strong riders. The ride was only about 17 miles, but it was sooooo hilly. It was a really tough ride for me, but I finished. I am so nervous about going back, but I got too; I must face that fear. I can't shy away from challenges, I must "Face My Fears." Believe it or not, when you face a fear like a big hill, I can guarantee that it will carry over to other areas of your life, and you will find yourself having courageous conversations, being more confident in the work place, setting limits on your life, renting a car and driving across the country alone etc. But no one can do it for you, you have to "Stand Up for Yourself."

I really have a lot of hope for all of the students whom I teach. I really hope that they discover their talents, study, respect their parents, value education, cultivate a love for reading etc. I can hope all day and pray about it and preach about it, but I can't do it for them. They must "Stand Up for Themselves."

Today, my heart is not so glad, because today, for some reasons, I really want people, including myself to "Stand Up for Ourselves" and really enjoy all of the things that were created just for us.

Here are some quotes from Toni Robbins:
"Turn your fear into power (faith)."
"Get out and start doing something!"

Part 3: What are you passionate about?

Me in the midst of a ridiculously difficult workout
that I absolutely love!

I am passionate about my health! Period

The best trainer in the entire world, Berhane, always says: "Take care of the inside of your body and the outside will take care of itself."

When I first starting training with Berhane, I was sort of eating right and working out. I thought that I could eat whatever I wanted and "get fine." I was very concern about the outside of my body and was not as concerned about the inside of my body. However, after processing and implementing "taking care of the inside of my body and the outside will take care of itself," my body started to change.

Me in July! Not so bad right but.......

Me in December. HOT!

Here are some things that I make sure I do:
1. I workout five to seven days a week, and I am not talking about reading while on the stairmaster or treadmill. I'm talking about working out to that point where I break into a sweat. After a workout, I normally look like I have been in a shower.
2.  I am conscious about everything that I put in my body. I need my insides to be healthy and clean. I eat lots of green, leafy vegetables, beans, squash, hummus, peanut butter with apples etc, almost nothing processed. I make sure that I watch my sugar intake. I use to eat Kashi cereal until I realized that they have a lot of sugar, healthy sugar, but it is still sugar. I do slip up from time to time, but know that I am even conscious about my slip ups. I make them GOOD.
3. I only drink alcohol every now and then, and I am a happy hour girl, but now I do those same happy hours, but I have water with a lime, and no one knows that I am not drinking alcohol. I have just as much fun, and I can even run the next morning. Why? Because I did not put alcohol in my body the night before.
4. And, I read, read, read about health....... Knowledge is power, and most of the time when people know better; they do better, or at least I do.

Here are some things that I never or almost never do :)
1. I never eat fast food! It makes me feel like crap, and I will not do anything that makes me feel bad.
2. I almost never use artificial sweeteners. Almost never because when I really desire a cup of coffee, I will have it with two splenda and two creams, but I am determined to eventually stop this habit for good.
3. I never, ever go an entire week without working out. I even workout while on vacation. It is so great to go to a new place and see it while biking or hiking. Working out is one of my passions, and I love to do it, and I do it often.
     

One of my favorite bloggers is Erika Kendall who writes the Blog Black Girls Guide to Weight Lost. Erika always tells it like it is whether you like or not. Personally, I always want to know the hard, cold truth, and the truth normally sends me into action.

Here is one of my favorite quotes from Erika:

I don’t care how many miles you run each day, how many pounds of weight you lift or how chiseled your muscles are. You cannot live a fully healthy life if you ingest chemicals to survive. You are cheating your insides – screw what you look like on the outside – if you don’t care for them as much as you care for your abs, your booty, your legs or whatever else you adore. Period.
Excerpted from The Case Against Diet Soda (And Aspartame… And Splenda.. And….) | A Black Girl's Guide To Weight Loss

So, my people, my health is another thing that I am passionate about.

Healthy forever..........

Discover your passion and be passionate about it :)

Me with my "I'll whip your a@# look! lol

Me and Berhane, the greatest trainer in the world!
If you are in the DC area, you must try him.



Read Part 1
Read Part 2
Read Part 4
Read Part 5
Read Part 6 
Read Part 7
Read Part 8

Part 5 THE END "If There is No Struggle, There is No Progress!"

You know how rappers, such as Too Short and Jay Z, will release a CD and say that it is their last CD and then release many more CDs after they promise that the newly released one is the last one? Well, that's not what I'm going to do with this series on health. This is the LAST one, I hope! Just joking! It really is the last one. Eventually, a person has to take all of the lessons learned and live by them: plain and simple.

Too Short!

Jay Z

So, I have been on this journey to live healthy for quite awhile. I have always been an exercise girl. I hurt my knee in college in an aerobic class many moons ago. So, the journey started a long time ago for me. The eating healthy part took quite awhile, because years ago, we did not have all of the knowledge that we have now, and I am not sure if I was ready, years ago, to receive the knowledge anyway. There was no way I was going to give up fast food, and now, I won't touch it. I had to renew my mind.

But, with knowledge comes power. I really started to read everything that came my way about diet and exercise, and it finally dawned on me that the two things go hand in hand. They are really like ice cream and cake, Ashford and Simpson, Ben and Jerry and peanut butter and jelly: they are good alone, but really work better together.

Visiting some of my sho' nuff health conscious friends in Chicago three years ago, they showed me so many films and gave me books to read about beef, chicken, and pork. They made me a believer, and I have not really able to eat beef, chicken or pork since. 

Trying to stop eating meat and my doctor telling that my cholesterol was TWO points high, was enough for me to go a nutritionist and get this eating thing right.

I really know that the nutritionist was wondering, "What is going on with this lady?" I took the packaging from everything that I eat into her office along with my blood work from my doctor, and I said "Help me PLEASE," and she did. We read all of the labels, and she told me what to keep in my diet and what to throw out. She even gave me recipes ideas, and helped me to understand how to get enough protein in my diet without eating beef, chicken and pork. She is so caring that she responds to all of my frantic emails about my diet. The frantic emails have almost stopped: I'm learning to make the right decisions on my own. Cheryl Harris is on my team forever.

Next, one of my friends told me about the best trainer in the whole wide world, Berhane. And I am not exaggerating, he is the best trainer in the world. He is the jelly on my peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and he is the glue that sealed my health deal. He helped me to take my workouts to a whole 'nother level, and I mean a whole 'nother level.

Berhane really wants me to be healthy until I die. He is not just my trainer, but I consider him my life coach, good friend, laughing buddy, confidant etc. He is a complete package.

The results that I have experienced with Berhane are unbelievable. The number one result is the renewing of my mind and the regular reminder from Berhane, "Take care of the inside of your body and the outside will take care of itself." He has made a believer out of me, and he is also on my team forever.

Biking with friends in Montreal!

Biking in Vermont!

So, I am on a roll with this health thing and will not be stopped anytime soon. In the world that we live in with processed foods everywhere, eating consciously will always be a struggle, but remember, I don't view struggle as a bad thing. I am determined to eat things that are good for my body and do some sho' nuff challenging exercises regularly.

There are no easy lasting fixes. A person must be willing to make changes for A LIFETIME, yes A LIFETIME, in order to see LASTING results.

Eventually, I had to stop talking about this health thing and just be healthy.

This is where I am, and I hope that you will join me.

Fit for Life!!!!

I had to add a little TOO SHORT, who is my favorite rapper, and this is also my THEME song. By the way, this song was on what was suppose to be his last CD......Go figure!

Read Part 1

Read Part 2

Read Part 3

Read Part 4

Part 1 "If there is no struggle, there is no progress!"



Frederick Douglass

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning.” Frederick Douglass

The above lines are the beginning of a speech given by Frederick Douglass, abolitionist, in 1857, in New York. He was referring to the struggle for freedom, and the idea that if a man will not fight for his own freedom, he definitely is not going to fight for someone elses freedom, and there is really no reason for anyone to fight for his freedom.

Deep right? Now, I do not want to put my struggles in the same categories as Frederick Douglass'. That would be plain crazy. I have not had to fight for half of the things that Douglass had to fight for: to be considered a man, to own land, to freely travel etc. But, if a person is in the mist of any type of struggle, it may not be the type of struggle that Douglass had, but at that moment, it may feel like it.

So, here is my divergence from literature to talk about struggle and not just any struggle but my struggle. To struggle for something to me is not negative, it is actually positive. It does not mean that you have to fight somebody or struggle against forces for something to happen, but it does mean that you must put in some work and be patient in order to see progress, and a little work ain't never hurt nobody.

I have been working with this trainer, Berhane, whom I absolutely love. Working out with him is the best two hours that I spend each week. Every workout is a struggle, and just when I thought that I had mastered the burbies, he added more burbies and other exercise that are even more challenging than the burbies. If you have never done a burbie before, please try to do at least two and tell me what you think. lol

Each week I look forward to the sessions and spending time with Berhane, but while there, I talk a lot of trash: "You must be mad at me," "Why am I doing this exercise?" "You are ridiculous" etc. One day I was in the bathroom changing into my workout clothes, and I heard a grown man screaming "I AM NOT A MACHINE," so periodically I scream those exact same words.

Today, I rushed in to workout with Berhane, and I was so excited because I had downloaded My Fitness Pal to my phone, and I had started tracking every calorie, and to my surprise, I thought I was doing real good.

Berhane had this look on his face, and that look means that he is really thinking, and that's never good news for me. Like the time when I got on the scale and I was up a whole 6 pounds. He had that look, and he started saying that maybe he was working my legs to hard etc. He was trying to figure out what was he doing wrong to cause that drastic weight gain, and I had to confess that I  felt that if I was doing 8 million burbies a week and was running and biking on my own, I thought that on the weekends, I could go crazy with my drinks and food. And boy did I go crazy.  I got the long, difficult speech about this is about your health blah, blah, blah. In the beginning it was a real struggle not to have lots of drinks and food on the weekend, and guess what? This is a struggle where I have seen tremendous progress. WOOHOO

So, today, he had that same look when I showed him the calorie counter on my phone. He did not say anything, initially, but he had that look as he was trying to kill me. Eventually, he said, how many grams of sugar are you eating in a day. I thought "Oh damn, here he goes again." And I told him the number, but I let him know that the sugar was coming from fruit, and he stated "You should only have 15 grams of sugar a day." Damn, I was just thinking about how good and sweet summer fruits are: nectarines, plums, peaches etc. Oh my!! I was reminded that "you eat and exercise for your health, and tooooo much sugar is not good for the body, even if it comes from fruit." 

Damn, another struggle, now I got to cut back on my favorite summer fruits!!!!!! In my Florida Evan's voice: DAMN, DAMN, DAMN!

When Frederick Douglass stated that if a man will not fight for himself, he definitely will not fight for anyone else, and there is no reason for anyone else to fight for him, I have taken this saying and applied it to my health: I got to keep struggling for my health, so that I can help others struggle for their health, so that I can keep Berhane struggling with me.

Literally, when it comes to my health: "If there is no struggle, there is no progress." It is such a happy struggle, and I am not joking....



Berhane: The Man Who is Struggling With Me!



Read Part 2
Read Part 3
Read Part 4
Read Part 5