Eat What You Like....Hanging with Friends

I am still feeling good and on the workout wagon.  I had a great friend come into town and we had a wonderful weekend. We ain't and drank and lived it up all night.
I ate so much I normally wouldn't but its OK.

I don't feel guilty

I don't regret it

I do plan to do it again


Nkenge

Hi Ho Hi Ho...It's off to work I go...

Well me and the 2700 other dwarfs that teach in the state of Texas are headed back to work for our 1st days of school. I have been busy this summer preparing. A lot of the time neglecting my workouts and diet due to late night prep work.

I won't say I am the perky super teacher but this year I plan to try to be.  I will be back on my routine and I am going to challenge my students to work for their best also.

Materials Used: Sheet protectors,fabric tape, cardboard, white paper

My husband has always supported my career and this year is no different. Since I had surgery he will be at the school helping me set up my room and decorate.  He also made my student white boards. He finished them in about an hour. THE MAN IS TALENTED!

Finished Product Student Whiteboards!



Thanks for Reading,

Nkenge

Little Black Bag..Small Rewards

I think that I have been making great progress with my works and decided to reward myself with a little treat.  No, don't worry it wasn't a sweet treat in the traditional sense.  I treated myself to a new bag and some accessories.
I joined the sight called Little Black Bag.

Basically its a subscription service were you pick 1 bag from a list of designer goodies. Then they give you two more items for your bag.  After you accept and open the bag all the fun happens. Other people with open bags will begin to trade with you or offer trades for the things you have. It happens immediately. So, don't worry if you don't like the other two items in your bag(I often get earrings but don't wear them) you can offer trades or accept trades with the other girls.  You get roughly a week to swap until your hearts content. Then the bag is shipped in a BIG black box.

So I have gotten 2bags and loved them. Right now I have an open bag containing 3items worth an estimated $133 but I'm paying the regular service fee of $55.  It includes

what i actually selected  1st

Traded for this. BEST TRADE EVER.
I also have a long picture frame that people are clamoring for but not offering anything trade worthy.

If you want to check it out here is my personal referal link:  http://lbb.ag/1bg0
or go to LittleBlackBag.Com <--------Click Here..




So how do you reward yourself for sticking to the plan?




Nkenge

Missed Workouts

I think Ive hit a wall. I didn't want to go to the gym today. I took a long nap after class today work up and went back to sleep. I'm not sure if I was a little sleep deprived or what.  I am rested and so glad my class is done tomorrow. I will get back in the gym next week.  I did buy Jackie Warner's book "This is Why You're Fat(and how to get thin)"  Will start reading it this weekend.

weight gain...

This week I checked my weight for a weight loss challenge I am in. I gained 3lbs. 3LBS..... I was pretty upset and took it hard. I worked out daily and ate on my program.
I am not upset anymore since leaving the gym.  It happens. I could try to explain it away but I'm not I will embrace the lbs and move on.

Next week, I plan to continue on my 2 a day workouts and continue eating right.

Classes, Classes, and More Classes!

This week I managed to make it to the gym so far 2x a day. I'm trying my best to keep up that pace for the next two weeks.  I have learned that I get better calorie burn from group classes. This is fine with me. You work those forgotten muscles and get pain(in a good way) in news spots.
I tried a new class tonight. Body Pump.  I have passed this class a few times on my way to kickboxing.


They always seem so serious. The class requires you to pull out lots of equipment see:

LOTS OF STUFF. 

 I was slightly overwhelmed when I came in. Luckily, folks at the Y are friendly and helped me get it straight. I will say I liked the class. Its a good strength workout.  Also, it got my heart pumping.  Its good for all fitness levels like it says.   I recommend switching up your routine every now and again. Had it not rained I would have been in my usual water exercise class. The rained forced me to try something new. I liked it and will be back again.  It felt good to hang in with people who have been doing the class. Slowly, very slowly I'm getting into better shape.

Nkenge

Traveling on Healthy

I am on the last day of a family trip. My niece graduated from High School and is heading to nursing school.  I knew traveling with my family would be hard on a diet but I didn't know it was be so difficult.  I didn't exercise. But I did dance like nobody was watching.  I didn't eat on program but I did feed my soul.  I didn't get much rest but my spirit was refreshed by my family and friends. I had a few good healthy cries at seeing my baby walk across the stage and metaphorically become and adult.  In short I had a great time.  I will be back to my routine on Tuesday. Oh, and all my family noticed my lifestyle changes and commented on me losing weight. It felt GREAT!
I learned this weekend to not be so rigid with my plan. To relax and be flexible with myself and my goals.
Congrats to All the 2012Grads I proud of you and those who supported you where ever you are.

Me the Hubby and Kids with  The Grad!!!

Nkenge

Love and Support

I am a big believer in pushing myself to be the best when I start something.  I giver 100% in every endeavor but  getting my body 5lbs healthier this last week has been a real challenge. I feel like I'm not even giving 10% let alone 100.  So after losing my mind over Memorial Weekend and eating totally for target. I came home to watch some of my favorite You Tubers and found an AWESOME sister who motivated me back into the exercise loop.  Her channel is called Concede Nothing. She was talking about getting back to the gym after missing a few days. (LIKE ME).  She led me to another channel and blog by http://divaslimsdown.blogspot.com  (same name on YouTuber). She went down from 341lbs a little at a time and lost approx. 160+lbs. Amazing!  

These two ladies really inspired me.  I was feeling like the giant pink elephant in the room for awhile. Going to classes where I'm the odd man out I really was letting negative thoughts creep in:  that nobody understood and I'm the ONLY one my size and everyone is zipping by  me. 

See this two ladies helped snap me back to reality. I'm not the 1st person to try and lose weight. I wont be the last. I just have to remain focused on my goals. 

One very silly goal I would love to share is that I want to wear knee boots next winter.  

I know silly right. I've never worn proper all leather zip up knee boots because my calf us so large and I want a pair this winter.  When I make it will be sure to take some pictures. 

Nkenge

Holiday Curse

I do know what you do for the holidays but the holidays for me and my family is generally about two things:
1-Being with my family and friends
2-EATING


After catching up with my family and friends we tuck into some of the best food you have ever seen or eaten.  Since I'm so far from my parents and siblings I spend most quick holidays (a day off work or two) with my 
in-laws.  I love my in-laws they are the best and they BOTH can cook.  My father in law makes these cheese biscuits that I can literally eat an entire pan of.  My mother in law can cook anything. They lady could turn leather into some crave worthy.  So its Memorial Weekend and I've already haven't step foot into the gym since Thursday.  I had fried chicken and fries on Friday after work, followed by salad on Saturday( a decent day), followed by meat lovers pizza on Sunday, God only knows what my mother in law has cooking up for Monday!!!!  


So here's the dilemma:

1. Do I get up Monday and make my swim class (YES, Okay, maybe).
2. Avoid everything with gravy, grease, and fatty meat on Monday (Not going to happen)
3. Make it to the gym for at least 1hr. to make it up for the totally AWESOME meal I plan to consume on Monday.(YES, Totally doable

How do you manage the holidays?

Ribs or Manna from Heaven?

Cheese Biscuits fit for Queens

There is No Crying in Aerobics

Tom Hanks said "There is not crying in baseball" in one of my favorite movies. A League of Their Own" I'm sure if my morning aerobics instructor had seen me shed tears after a class she would have said the same thing. "Nkenge, There is not crying in aerobics"

I take a aqua aerobics class 3 times a week. My instructor is a 5ft tall, 40-50ish, Asian lady named Mona.

I knees are going south due to my weight and I was told that this class would be a good workout without all the impact to my knees. My 1st thought was my hair. Girls of African decent and our hair do not mix well with water.  I wanted to go ahead and give it shot so I went to my 1st class. 

Mona, scanned me up and down with narrow eyes and said "what is your name" Worse mistake ever. For the next 50mins I heard my name repeatedly. Straighten your leg, more power, faster, more, less this way that way...

Needless to say I hung in there for that class and a month more.
One class at the end o the month really broke me down and hurt my spirit.
Moaning Mona made me feel like I was the most uncoordinated person in the world. I was so frustrated and couldn't do anything right.

That day I took my shower after class and let a few tears fall for the last time. I told myself I would never let anyone make me eel bad about myself again. I was doing what I thought was correct and pushing to my personal limit. There's really nothing else any of us can do. I've keep up my classes and have found some really fun ones to replace that morning class. I will go back eventually. But when I do I will be quicker to speak my peace and get the little lady off my back.

Nkenge