Growing up, I didn't really have a desire to learn how to cook as a child. It could have been because I was raised by my single mom for the most part, and she really did not have the time to teach me how to cook while she was trying to be the best mom she could be, work full time and go to school part time. I only got to see my dad(who is a pretty good cook), on weekends. While the food he cooked was great, half the time, I didn't know what it was(he tends to get pretty creative). There was always some kind of variation to traditional spaghetti or pot roast, so it got kinda hard to follow.
Becoming more nutritionally aware has allowed me to discover that while I don't always have the time to cook, I actually like to cook. There are foods out there that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less, which are healthy and delicious. I was never a really a big meat eater, because I didn't know how many ways you could creatively prepare meat. I began to research different recipes and discover ways I could spice up my bland meat life. One food that has always been consistent in my life was fish, so I have even discovered ways to make fish even more enjoyable. Even veggies can be made differently than what I only knew. I discovered that the key to enjoying healthier meals is seasoning (my favorite poultry seasoning is Bet's Seasoning located at Harris Teeter, in case you wanted to know :))
So, on this journey, I have been cooking at least 3 times a week. I usually try to prepare the meal the night before. I look forward to eating that meal all day, and when I get home all I have to do is nuke it the microwave. I am actually saving money too, go figure! I am cooking right now as I am typing this blog, got my ribs in the crock pot getting all good and tender for me!lol
Please, feel free to share any quick, healthy recipes that will help me and others along this journey to a healthier lifestyle.
WEIGHT LOSS TO DATE AFTER 8 WEEKS: 23 lbs...I am 3 lbs away from my first short term goal!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
JENNIFER HUDSON: MY SHERO
Jennifer Hudson: a girl who didn't win American Idol, but is probably the most noteworthy contestant in the history of the show---grammy, Oscar, numerous other awards and accolades. I was reviewing her life through some interviews she has had, and I realized how similar we were. Besides being Black, and female, we both love to sing (though she is like 10 times more amazing!), we both continue to overcome family tragedy (nearly her entire immediate family murdered, my sister commited suicide), we both have son's named David (what a wonderful name of character!). We also have another significant similarity between us: we are both overcoming our struggles with weight.
Now, perhaps she is a bit farther along in her journey than I am, but I am amazed at how far she has come. For her, it wasn't just about being constantly scrutinized by the unforgiving media about her weight, but it was about being a role model for the people in her family, most importantly her son. She was recently on an episode of Oprah, with some members of her family, who have also joined the Weight Loss Challenge with her. Not only is her triumph a testimony to her family, but to the African American community as a whole. We have to take charge of our health...forget the hair, the clothes, the nails. Sure, we will look pretty. But is it worth dying a premature death just to look pretty in a coffin?
As morbid as that sounds, it is the truth. It is a truth that I see every day in the hospital I work at. Young, obese Black males and females, with kidney failure, diabetes, amputations, and strokes in their 40s! I see wives who should be enjoying an early retirement with their husbands, sitting vigilantly for hours at the beside of their mate. I see children trying to figure out how they are going to take care of mama or daddy, who needs 24 hr care at home, and they have to work full time. These truths I try to reveal regularly to my husband, who never really takes into account the importance of healthy eating and quality of life. To be honest, the reality of me being that wife at the bedside of my husband, scares me.
But I digress, back to Jennifer. She is definitely on the right path. In a recent interview published in April's Essence magazine, the author took note on how "Jennifer's weight loss is having a powerful effect on other people". "Now people come up to me saying 'You've inspired me'," she says in response to that. What a great feeling to have, to know that you have inspired someone to want to live a healthier lifestyle. I want that feeling. I hope that I can give birth to that feeling by inspiring my family and others in my community as well.
My new favorite quote for living an empowered life: "If you don't like something, change it, fix it, and celebrate"---Jennifer Hudson. And that is exactly what I intend to do.
WEIGHT LOSS TO DATE: 18 lbs! Go me! Go me!
Now, perhaps she is a bit farther along in her journey than I am, but I am amazed at how far she has come. For her, it wasn't just about being constantly scrutinized by the unforgiving media about her weight, but it was about being a role model for the people in her family, most importantly her son. She was recently on an episode of Oprah, with some members of her family, who have also joined the Weight Loss Challenge with her. Not only is her triumph a testimony to her family, but to the African American community as a whole. We have to take charge of our health...forget the hair, the clothes, the nails. Sure, we will look pretty. But is it worth dying a premature death just to look pretty in a coffin?
As morbid as that sounds, it is the truth. It is a truth that I see every day in the hospital I work at. Young, obese Black males and females, with kidney failure, diabetes, amputations, and strokes in their 40s! I see wives who should be enjoying an early retirement with their husbands, sitting vigilantly for hours at the beside of their mate. I see children trying to figure out how they are going to take care of mama or daddy, who needs 24 hr care at home, and they have to work full time. These truths I try to reveal regularly to my husband, who never really takes into account the importance of healthy eating and quality of life. To be honest, the reality of me being that wife at the bedside of my husband, scares me.
But I digress, back to Jennifer. She is definitely on the right path. In a recent interview published in April's Essence magazine, the author took note on how "Jennifer's weight loss is having a powerful effect on other people". "Now people come up to me saying 'You've inspired me'," she says in response to that. What a great feeling to have, to know that you have inspired someone to want to live a healthier lifestyle. I want that feeling. I hope that I can give birth to that feeling by inspiring my family and others in my community as well.
My new favorite quote for living an empowered life: "If you don't like something, change it, fix it, and celebrate"---Jennifer Hudson. And that is exactly what I intend to do.
WEIGHT LOSS TO DATE: 18 lbs! Go me! Go me!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
No Gain, No Loss, just Resistance
Well, this week, I did not reach my mini goal, but thankfully I did not gain any weight. I did miss a couple of workouts this week, but I tried to make up for that with time on my treadmill. I guess it just wasn't intense enough to warrant a loss in pounds. Nonetheless, I feel a bit lighter, especially after the message at church today.
We started a new series called "The Resistance", and our pastor Steven Furtick initiated a co-pastoring session between 3 of our campus pastors on three different ways that we face resistance in our lives, that resistance being something that keeps us from being all that God has called us to be. We face resistance from 1. the world 2. the flesh 3. the Devil. Obviously, my struggle with weight is a struggle with the flesh. Pastor Bishop made this statement "Don't let your desires derail your destiny. Instead subject your flesh to the Spirit".
So 2 questions popped in my head, as I was crying my eyes out during the sermons. 1. What is my destiny? and 2. How do I subject myself to the spirit? I really don't think I can know what my destiny is until I arrive at it. I have dreams, I have goals, but ultimately God's plan for me will prevail. Whatever his plan is, it is only for my good. I venture to say that I hope that I have some kind of epiphany once I've arrived to the place God wants me to be. However, I do know that there is a path that I must take to reach that place. I do feel that losing and keeping the weight off is a small stepping stone along the path to my destiny. I have attained the knowledge that being disciplined and prayeful at times when I feel like my flesh is weak are ways to subject my flesh to the Spirit. The Spirit keeps us in line with God's will.
I desire to eat whatever I want and not suffer the consequences. I desire to not have to exercise just about everyday to keep my weight down. I desire to be able to go to a restaurant and not have to be conscience of my food choices. But these desires have the potential of keeping me from my destiny. I am not willing to keep taking that risk.
WEIGHT LOSS TO DATE: Still just 16 lbs...
We started a new series called "The Resistance", and our pastor Steven Furtick initiated a co-pastoring session between 3 of our campus pastors on three different ways that we face resistance in our lives, that resistance being something that keeps us from being all that God has called us to be. We face resistance from 1. the world 2. the flesh 3. the Devil. Obviously, my struggle with weight is a struggle with the flesh. Pastor Bishop made this statement "Don't let your desires derail your destiny. Instead subject your flesh to the Spirit".
So 2 questions popped in my head, as I was crying my eyes out during the sermons. 1. What is my destiny? and 2. How do I subject myself to the spirit? I really don't think I can know what my destiny is until I arrive at it. I have dreams, I have goals, but ultimately God's plan for me will prevail. Whatever his plan is, it is only for my good. I venture to say that I hope that I have some kind of epiphany once I've arrived to the place God wants me to be. However, I do know that there is a path that I must take to reach that place. I do feel that losing and keeping the weight off is a small stepping stone along the path to my destiny. I have attained the knowledge that being disciplined and prayeful at times when I feel like my flesh is weak are ways to subject my flesh to the Spirit. The Spirit keeps us in line with God's will.
I desire to eat whatever I want and not suffer the consequences. I desire to not have to exercise just about everyday to keep my weight down. I desire to be able to go to a restaurant and not have to be conscience of my food choices. But these desires have the potential of keeping me from my destiny. I am not willing to keep taking that risk.
WEIGHT LOSS TO DATE: Still just 16 lbs...
Sunday, March 6, 2011
When Stress Tries to Get In the Way of Your Progress
This week, I did not think I was going to make it to my short term goal. This week, or more like the last 2 weeks have involved stressful situations regarding my loved ones. This week, I wanted a double cheeseburger from Wendy's!
While my typical reaction to stress is to turn to food, I had to really find it in me to push myself more at the gym to release some endorphins. I was at a breaking point, on the brink of feeling sorry for myself and the circumstances that almost literally drove me to Wendy's. Well, I did drive to Wendy's. But I got a salad! Yay for me! I also took some time in the mornings to wake up about ten minutes early, which was pushing it because I already get up at 5:45. I just started praying random prayers. Sometimes I think my prayer life is so erratic, and I have trouble keeping my thoughts organized. But I know God knows my heart, as cliche' as that sounds, so sometimes I would just lie in bed and just cry for a moment, just hoping he would hear what I was trying to say through the tears.
Before,you start to feel sorry for me, this process was actual therapeutic. Though I was a wee bit cranky because of the lack of sleep, I did feel better. I was ready to push through and stay on track with my healthier way of living. I didn't have to search very far to find the fortunes that I have been given in life. That even though I struggle with certain things, I am very blessed. I have four men in my life who love me very much (my father, step father, husband, son). I have a wonderful and supportive mother. My friends are few, but the ones I have are lifetime friends. I have a a good career that pays well (though you wouldn't know it when I pay the bills at the end of the month, but hey they get paid). I have a God who loves me---who hears my cries and knows my struggles.
So, at the end of this past week, I was able to reach my goal, clearly by the grace of God, because I did not feel like I put in as much effort as I should have. However, I have resolved to keep going forward and give my stresses to Him.
WEIGHT LOSS AFTER 6 WEEKS: 16 lbs!
While my typical reaction to stress is to turn to food, I had to really find it in me to push myself more at the gym to release some endorphins. I was at a breaking point, on the brink of feeling sorry for myself and the circumstances that almost literally drove me to Wendy's. Well, I did drive to Wendy's. But I got a salad! Yay for me! I also took some time in the mornings to wake up about ten minutes early, which was pushing it because I already get up at 5:45. I just started praying random prayers. Sometimes I think my prayer life is so erratic, and I have trouble keeping my thoughts organized. But I know God knows my heart, as cliche' as that sounds, so sometimes I would just lie in bed and just cry for a moment, just hoping he would hear what I was trying to say through the tears.
Before,you start to feel sorry for me, this process was actual therapeutic. Though I was a wee bit cranky because of the lack of sleep, I did feel better. I was ready to push through and stay on track with my healthier way of living. I didn't have to search very far to find the fortunes that I have been given in life. That even though I struggle with certain things, I am very blessed. I have four men in my life who love me very much (my father, step father, husband, son). I have a wonderful and supportive mother. My friends are few, but the ones I have are lifetime friends. I have a a good career that pays well (though you wouldn't know it when I pay the bills at the end of the month, but hey they get paid). I have a God who loves me---who hears my cries and knows my struggles.
So, at the end of this past week, I was able to reach my goal, clearly by the grace of God, because I did not feel like I put in as much effort as I should have. However, I have resolved to keep going forward and give my stresses to Him.
WEIGHT LOSS AFTER 6 WEEKS: 16 lbs!
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