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 4 "If There Is No Struggle, There Is No Progress!"

Music is very important in my life, especially gospel music. I can think of a song that can fit almost any situation.

Today, on my mental music box, I am listening to a spiritual that says I Just Can't Give Up Now." Many of you know this song, but for those who don't, here it is:

On this journey to be healthy until I die, I remind myself every time that I want to eat something really awful like, well I was going to give an example, but I don't want to offend anybody, but on my mental radio, I hear "I just can't give up now."

This summer I have managed to workout just about everyday, even on vacation, and I must admit, as stated by James Brown, "I feel good."  So good until I can't imagine ever feeling any different. I really love feeling good.

I went to Georgia, and I mean this in a really good way, and I did not workout, because they have heat on loan from hell. Well, that's the excuse that I used, but really, Tamika tried to get me to run with her, and being a sister, I had just gotten my hair done, and there was no way I was going to sweat my freshly done hair out.

Also, I had to eat out a lot, because my momma doesn't cook any more, and I was not going to cook while out of town. But thanks to discipline and friends who understand my journey, I was able to eat right, go to a cool bar and not have a cocktail and leave Georgia feeling real proud, because "I just can't give up now."

Soon, my body will be a "lean, mean, burning machine" and at its optimum health, and I am never going back to mindlessly taking care of my body. Look Out Now!!!

I know that there are other readers who are going through the struggle with me and having much success. So, don't be afraid to share your stories so that we can inspire and encourage each other.

Off to make a kale, my favorite vegetable, pesto!

Holler.......



Workout Buddies for Life!! He is stuck with me.

Read Part 1
Read Part 2
Read Part 3

Part 2 "If There Is No Struggle, There Is No Progress!"

Me, doing what I love to do!

So, my trainer told me to cut back on my sugar intake, and I was not happy about it. The next day I started tracking my calories and by lunch time, I was already over 15 grams of sugar. Not added sugar, but sugar from blueberries, nectarine, a little peanut butter and my favorite Ezekiel Bread. Now, if this bread is named after the chapter in the bible, how can it possibly have that evil sugar?  While the sugar in the bread is all natural, it is still sugar.

I texted Berhane and said "It's impossible to eat 15 grams or less of sugar a day."

He responded, "I'm going to need you to do it." 

This is when I wanted to do something crazy like throw a chair, scream, tell him that he was ridiculous, but instead I made up in my mind that I would try it.

So, the next day, I modified my breakfast and had a fourth of a cup of blueberries with my oatmeal, I did not eat peanut butter nor Ezekiel Bread, instead I had a boil egg and a few nuts. I also made some other adjustments throughout the day. I did not reach the goal of 15 grams of sugar  or less by the end of the day, but I was definitely a whole lot closer to the goal.

I am learning, "Rome was not built over night" and neither will a fine, health body. I had to throw fine in. Although I am concerned with the inside of my body, I'm just as concerned about the outside. Sorry Berhane, I know you stress health more than anything else, but I had to be honest :)

In my head, I am singing a spiritual "One Day at a Time Sweet Jesus" ............

If you know the words, join me.........................



Me, in the middle of the day, during a workout

 Read Part 1