Staying the Course

Growing up in America, I was constantly told that when I grew up that I could be anything that I wanted to be. You know, the good ol' "American dream." For some, that means securing a house with a white picket fence that comes with a spouse, 2.5 kids, and Fido. I've always believed that there are different strokes for different folks. And that, well, I was a little different.

As a kid growing up, I would change my mind every other day about what I wanted to be when I grew up. It ranged from an opera singer to a medical researcher to the first female president to author to teacher and I'm sure other things that I can't even remember. The common themes of these aspirations were to make a difference in the world and to leave a lasting legacy. But it wasn't until I was fifteen that I felt like I was being nudged towards something that I was meant to do with my life.

I went to Tanzania and Kenya with my church when I was fifteen and I haven't been the same since. It was a trip that I believe was divinely appointed. 

I felt God's hand on me heavily through that time which led me to graduate from high school when I was sixteen. God prepared the way and I was accepted into Hope International University with scholarships! While at Hope, I got involved in tutoring for a local after-school program within an organization called Solidarity. I loved working with the kids and it was first time that I learned of the term "at risk kids." 

Because of my love of working with kids, especially ones deemed as "at risk," my academic adviser recommended that I check out going to Fuller Theological Seminary for grad work. Logically, I ended up going into the school of Intercultural Studies and graduated from there with a Master's in Cross-Cultural Studies with an emphasis in "Children at Risk." It was there that I was really introduced to the reality of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC).

The fight against CSEC is something that I am truly passionate about. I want to be involved in advocacy and prevention, which includes research and teaching. It will require a lot of hard work and travel. One day, I will go back to school to earn my doctorate. My focus will most likely be related to the "Girl Child." My goal is publish articles and books on related issues. Another goal is to work closely with a network of non-profit organizations and churches. At this point, it is unclear if I will create my own organization or partner with various organizations through research and teaching. 

But let's get real. Most likely, that is not what is going to pay the bills. The idealist in me, says, "Who cares?" The realist responds, "I do." And the optimist says, "Why can't it?"

Although I do believe that there are jobs out there that can help pay the bills, I want the freedom to not rely on that money and to feel free to give my time as resources without limit. Someone once said, "You can help far more people as a millionaire than you can when you're a pauper." 

So when I had the opportunity to start my own business three years ago, my inner entrepreneur was overjoyed. What I love about it is that I get to help people with their health and to help them build their own businesses.

I have decided that 2012 is the year that I'm really going to put in the needed effort to get to a place where I can replace my current income. Because I know that if I put my mind to anything, it WILL get done. Plain and simple.

My fortitude to go my own way and to carve out my own path is not without its struggles though. The whole impetus for this post stems out of the irony that as I get older, the more people try to talk me out of following my dreams.

The louder that some people say that I can't. The louder I counter that I CAN. And, I WILL.

I refuse to believe that God placed certain dreams in my heart without providing a way to make it happen. My business is that way. It is the way out of no way. Giving up is not an option, because there are far too many children out there who do not have a say in what happens to them. Any resistance I encounter in my life is minor compared to the life and death struggle of far too many children and women.

They are why I continue to fight. The thought of them fuels the fire within my heart to keep fighting. I will NEVER give up and I will NEVER surrender. This is my resolve. May God give me the strength to stay the course. Amen.

My Fitness Journey Thus Far

Several months ago, I had to face the music. I weighed 165 lbs and I was unhappy with the way I looked, but I was more unhappy about the way I felt. I joked with friends that if your pants are too tight, it's not time to get bigger pants; it's time to get a skinnier body. So, that's what I did. I didn't really know how I was going to do it (or that I would fall in love with the journey) but I knew I needed to start somewhere.

In this blog, I just want to outline 5 of the things that I worked for me. I truly believe that everyone has to find what works for them (as individuals). However, maybe something I did could work for you as well. :)

1. The 17 Day Diet

This diet was the first step for me. Several women I knew were trying it out and were happy about the results they were getting. It is simple enough to follow but it required a lot of self-discipline and not eating certain things that my friends were eating. My friends and family were incredibly supportive during this process and that made this diet a little bit easier. But as with anything, you have to COMMIT yourself. Set a goal and follow through.

I must note that the title of the book (at first glance) is a little misleading. The diet has phases of 17 days (of which, there are four phases listed in the book). What I liked about this whole 17 day bit is that it is temporary. You can handle doing without something for 17 days. 

My final "word to the wise" is that maintaining a weight loss goal requires you to adjust your lifestyle. Today (many months after initially going on that diet), I still follow many of those guidelines and tips. This book taught me how to enjoy food but also how to use self-control and have balance in my life.

2. Reliv's Slimplicity Meal Replacement Shake 

I must admit that I have been on many a "diet" during my life. Weight issues started young and I became aware that I was heavy when I was in the 5th or 6th grade. With that being said, I have tried many-a-weight-loss-shake. Some tasted better than others. Some worked better than others but none have worked as good as this one. 

As someone who regularly takes Reliv's basic nutrition products (and has had great results with them), I figured Why wouldn't their weight loss shakes work too? Well, they do. Not only do I find them effective (I don't get hungry for 3-4 hours after drinking my shake), but I also find them to be cost effective. It saves me money and I'm not hungry. Go figure.

I have experimented with different ways to make my shake and I do have a favorite:

2 TBSP of plain yogurt

6 oz of water

1 TBSP of peanut butter

1 scoop of Chocolate Slimplicity

1 handful of spinach

1 banana

Crushed Ice 

I usually put all of the yogurt, water, peanut butter, and Slimplicity into the blender first before adding the spinach and the banana. After I blended in the spinach and the banana, then I add as much or as little crushed ice as I would like for the consistency that I want. It is a quick, easy, and delicious way to do lunch! 

3. Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30

My good friend, Kim Wood, introduced me to Jillian Michaels. She told me that she loved her, because her workouts were short, but intense. I took my friend's word for it and took the plunge.

After initially losing 15 lbs from dieting and using meal replacement shakes, I was looking to tone up. I wanted more. More definition, more muscles, more energy. I just wanted more. The first Jillian Michael's DVD that I purchased was the 30 Day Shred DVD. 

That DVD whet my appetite. Once I finished its 3 levels, I wanted something else. So, I got this DVD which had 4 levels. I was smart to do the 30 Day Shred first, because I don't know if I would have survived Ripped in 30 without that preparation. 

Anyways, needless to say, I was hooked. I am a true Jillian Michael's believer. In fact, I purchased her Extreme Shed and Shred DVD (which I don't necessarily like as much as Ripped in 30 thus far) and ordered her newest 90 day program today. Jillian Michael's 90 day program will include (15) 30-minute workout DVDs and I am stoked. 

The bottom line of all of this is that my favorite Jillian Michael's DVD to-date is the Ripped in 30 DVD. We shall see how that 90 day program works out, but I have no doubt that if I am consistent with working out and eating right that it will work wonders!
 

4. Reliv's 24k Energy Shot

This is one of Reliv's newest products released almost a year ago. It won the People's Choice Award (Stevie® Award) as the “Favorite New Consumer Product” in 2011. And it's no wonder why... it has 5 calories per serving, no caffeine, and no sugar. It's the energy without the CRASH!

I didn't initially think to take a shot of 24k before a workout until a couple of weeks into working out with my good pal, Jillian. WOW! What a difference. I felt like I had more focus and I could "dig a little deeper" whenever I took a shot. 

Conversely, I could feel the difference whenever I didn't take my shot before working out. It is a miserable feeling knowing that I don't have the greatest advantage when working out if I don't take my 24k. Working out with 24k and Jillian is like the perfect marriage. For anyone looking to maximize their workout, 24k will help you do it!

5. Reliv's Provantage

I also did not think to incorporate this product into my regiment until later (like I didn't think to take a 24k shot before a workout). I guess I didn't really think about it until I was hurting from working out. I was so sore all of the time that it was difficult to do the workouts each day, but I was bound and determined to do them!

Little did I know that I could have incorporated Provantage into my Slimplicity shakes and made my life a whole lot easier. When I did that, it made a world of difference! Provantage helps with muscle recovery and makes me feel less stiff. 

I always joke that when I'm feeling sore from a workout that "rigor mortis" is setting in. Of course, I know that that is not the case. But Provantage helps tremendously with that feeling of muscle fatigue after a workout. When my muscles are feeling shaky or weak, I can add a little extra Provantage into my shake and it takes care of me. I wouldn't be without this product because it work so well!

 

When I put it all together, this is what I got!

I gained back 5 lbs. Originally, I panicked a little bit (since losing 5 lbs is so hard). But then I looked in the mirror and saw a difference. Now, I maintain my weight between 152-155. Unfortunately, I didn't think to measure my waist size, but I think that the pictures are sufficient enough.

I'll be sure to measure myself before starting Jillian's 90 day program and I'll chart my improvement. I can't wait to see further changes and to share them with you!