Loooooong Overdue I know.....but I am Back Now

Its been awhile. Which is an understatement. During the school year it becomes difficult to write,edit, and post meaningful blogs in the midst of lesson planning, grading, meetings, and my second 25 hour part-time job. Plainly stated blogging was put on the back burner to my 85 hour work week. I am back now. Queen of the summer. I have been relaxing, local traveling, exercising, eating out, cooking in, and enjoying my free time. I am loving it.

In the past four months I have ran two half marathons, joined a fitness boot camp, experimented with new cooking recipes and completed a 5 day juice cleanse. I am feeling super focused on my health goals and looking forward to seeing some major results.

Stay tuned for recipes, restaurant and product reviews, progress photos, fitness goal updates and more.

Lean, Mean, and Green in 2014 Fitness Challenge

Every year I create fitness goals for myself. Last year it was 13 races in 2013 which I thematically coined “13 in 2013”. This year is: “Lean, Mean, and Green in 2014”. I have set some pretty high goals for myself so high I am reluctant to share them. I was once told when you share your goals it encourages you to be more accountable so accountable I’ll be. in 2014 I have 4 goals:

1. Complete 2 travel races (somewhere outside of California)

I want to explore other states and what better way to do it... while running. I currently have  my eyes set on Las Vegas and Oklahoma- (I know 2 totally different ends of the spectrum.)

2. Volunteer at 6 races

After completing 13 races I realized the importance of volunteers at races and instantly became grateful for them. They do so much and without them races wouldn't run so smooth. Due to this fact, I want to give back to support races the same way they supported me.

3. Complete a half marathon training plan

Sooooo, I hate to admit that I never created an actual training plan. Don’t get me wrong I  didn’t run completely untrained. I just never followed a plan. This year I really want to complete one to see how my performance improves.

4. Compete in a bikini (bodybuilding style) competition
   My biggest and wildest fitness goal ever. I have always been a fan of lean yet curvy bodies. I don’t want to just be a fan and admire from the sidelines anymore I want to be apart of it. In effort to challenge myself and my body- I want  to say I tried it once. Typically this sport requires a lot of discipline, time, and money all of which I will need to find more of to make this dream a reality.
   
   Root for me yall all support is welcome!

How do you Prepare for Success?

It’s easy to give into being too tired, too busy, too something and not follow through with our wellness goals. I try to create a game plan for when these times arise. A few things I do to prep myself for success are:

1. Set out exercise clothes the night before, including shoes, socks, fully charged ipod, ipod arm strap, and keys.
2. Set my alarm same time everyday including weekends (after a while I just get up on my own)
3. Create a set exercise routine for each day of the week
4. Prepare all meals for the week on Sunday
5. Track my exercise and food in a journal

Please, share your strategies on how you organize and balance health/wellness into your life. 

What's on your Workout Playlist?

Music can make or break a run (at times)- which is why I have many different playlist for different race distances, speeds, and moods. But, there are a few songs that will always be on my playlist to keep me pushing, motivated, and inspired. I will share mine below and be sure to shares yours too.

1.  The Roots and John Legend-The Fire
2. Santigold-Unstoppable
3. Janelle Monae-Violet Stars Hunting
4. Kanye- Power
5. Mos Def-There is a Way
6. Kanye-Stronger
7. M.I.A-XR2
8. Beyonce, Jay-Z, Kanye: Lift off
9. Kanye-I Wonder
10. Janelle Monae-Many Moons
11. M.I.A-Bamboo Banga
12. Prince-Lets go Crazy
13. Kanye and Rhianna-All of the Lights
14. Santigold-Creator
15. Janelle Monae-Faster
16. Little Dragon-Runabout

This is my Marathon (26.2 miles) playlist. Although, only 4 Fela songs got me through my first half marathon (13.1 miles) because his songs are super LOOOOOOONG.

Okay your turn share...share...share...what gets and keeps you going?

Part 2 I did It!!!: Black Girls Run Conference and Race

I just returned from the Inaugural Black Girls Run Race to End Hunger Conference and Race weekend in Atlanta, GA. Words cannot describe how inspired, motivated, and rejuvenated I feel from this trip. Within three days I was immersed in love, sisterhood, fitness, and adventure all in one. But, before I tell you about my journey I must thank those who helped me get here

I usually do not like to bring up God publicly in an effort to respect others beliefs. But, in this case I have no choice because this experience had everything to do with God. I am grateful for every blessing, kind person, monetary donation, and warm heart I encountered through this process. I had a vision, I declared it and it was manifested just as I had seen it. With the help of my mother, father, aunt Sheila, uncle Rob, grandpa, friends Cecile, Jay, and Scott. I was able to attend this great event debt free.

Never in my life have I been surrounded by such beauty, success, health consciousness, and sisterhood among women. Hundreds of women poured in downtown Atlanta’s Sheraton Hotel for a once in a lifetime conference that discussed topics ranging from: Marathon preparation, speed training, hair care, and the psychology of a runner. We closed the educational day with an Honors Dinner in which Oldest Woman Bodybuilder Ernestine Shepherd was the keynote speaker.  It was an organized and beautiful ceremony and on top of that our pre-race dinner was delicious and suitable for every dietary need from Meat eater to vegan to gluten free. Following our eventful night, we ladies rushed to our beds for our beauty rest in prep for our race the next morning. At 7am the popular Atlantic Station was filled with over 4,000 runners (women and men) of BGR ready to  Race to End Hunger. Together we made history.  

Below are a host of pictures and anecdotes I want share with you about this great event.

At airport on my way to ATL

While waiting to board my flight I opened my favorite magazine: Oxygen to find my comment won letter of the month and I win $50 for it. It was a great way to begin my trip.

 I arrive in Atlanta to a wall of History. I stood there for several minutes reading and taking pictures. I felt very proud to see aspects of my peoples history showcased in such a public environment and in a positive manner. I loved it!!!

BGR Founders (from right) Toni Carey and Ashley Hicks with two friends at Friday Night Mixer

 Saturday's Workshops were posted on a screen by time, class, room. It was very organized and efficient.  We were to choose 4 workshops out of  10 workshops options. Guess what I chose to take?

Koya Webb's: "Foods you Love that Love you back"

Queen Sheba, Mari, Kevin, Stickman (from dead prez): "Psychology of a Runner"

Tina Klien:"Marathon Training: How to run a smart Race"

Green Salad lunch at hotel

 We had a two hour break in between workshops. I went to explore downtown Atlanta and not to my surprise there weren't any vegan options. So, I returned to the hotel for a green salad. I ate and read my Vegan Health and Fitness Magazine. My waitress was also very sweet she brought me two salads (one on the house) maybe she thought I would still be hungry :)

My conference gear

Honors Dinner looked so beautiful

Pre-Race Dinner

My plate: Veggies and Pasta

Dessert: Chocolate cup filled with fruit

Night before: Race Day Check-List: race bib, race shirt, fanny pack, wiki head band, ipod holder, earphones, peanut butter, apple, perfume (before race/don't take with), lip balm, water, wiki socks, towel.

6:30 am: Before the Race

Onika and I before race. I sat next to her on shuttle she was so sweet. She adopted me to her New York BGR team. 

New York Black Girls Run Team

After a very hilly 10k I completed it at 1:05

My Medal

There were so many people at the finish line cheering us on. It was so exciting.

Jorie from Chicago and I: we met in line while waiting for a complimentary massage.

The after race party was so fun. Imagine a football field full of Black Girl Runners taking pictures, dancing, singing, stretching, getting massages and just having a great time. We danced the wobble, the BUTT, and the dougie as a group. We even took it way back and made a HUGE Soul Train line. It was so fun and beautiful. I am glad I went and now I am even more dedicated than ever to fitness and sisterhood. Thank you Black Girls Run!!!

After a fun filled weekend, a 10k race, new friends, good food, and 2 flights later I am back in Cali

 I also go to meet two of role models which were major reasons why I decided to go to ATL.

Koya Webb and I

Ernestine Shepherd and I (not a great picture, I don't have a flash, but its something)

Until I get a Trainer

Finding a quality personal trainer takes time and effort. You have to see if there's a connection, factor their rate in your budget, and make their available times work for your schedule. It can be a hassle sometimes. So, until I get a personal trainer I've learned that with consistency, dedication, proper form, and a few tools you can get similar results on your own.

    Fitness is an integral part of my life and maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle supports my well being, happiness, energy, and productivity level. What can I say my wealth is my health. I believe in self sufficiency. So, just as I create my own meal plans I also create my own fitness program. I carve out 60 minutes 5-6 days a week to dedicate to exercise.  Research has shown that in order for the body to see results you have to keep it guessing by switching things up a bit. Thus, you may find me anywhere from the gym, to jogging trails, hiking national parks, jumping rope, to in a yoga studio, in a dance class, or in the quiet of my home kickboxing with Billy Blanks. The list goes on.

     I have a host of gadgets and tools that assist in my weekly routine that manage to keep me on my toes (literally) below are a few of them:

My home gym/fitness tools:

Exercise & Food Journal

 I keep an exercise and food journal to keep me on track with my goals and to continue challenging myself daily to meet or beat the previous days time.

Jump Rope

 Jumping rope is a childhood pleasure and an adulthood treasure. This keeps my heart rate going and its really fun.

Kick boxing w/ Jillian Michaels (this includes weight training)

 If your ready for the toughest 20 minutes of your day- take on this video which will have you pouring sweat and using muscles you didn't know you had.

Old School Throwback: Tae Bo-

This 90's throwback still has a place in my heart. It has a simple and straightforward approach while remaining ultra challenging and motivating.

Weight Training Assistant

Without a trainer I often run out of cool and effective moves. With my free weights this book is full of new and innovative exercises that range from easy to difficult.

Ab Roller

 The ab roller is SERIOUS!!! after just 10 reps I feel the burn BAAD.

Weights

 I use these weights with my exercise videos and with my weight training book. 

An Average Exercise Week:

Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Jog 6 miles outdoors Weight training Abs	Jog 6 miles 60 min dance class Jump rope Stairs Crunches Squats Lunges Abs	Jog 6 miles outdoors Weight training Abs	Jog 6 miles 60 min dance class Jump rope Stairs Crunches Squats Lunges  Abs	Jog 6 miles 20 min Tae Bo Video Abs	Yoga Bike Abs	20 min Jillian Michaels Video Jump rope Stairs Crunches Squats Lunges  Abs

Part 1: I THINK I Can

Preface:

Through my own health journey I have gathered many role models to support me toward success such as raw vegan Annette Larkins, raw vegan business mogul and former model Karyn Calabrese, raw vegan fitness model Koya Webb and bodybuilder Ernestine Shepherd. These women mean so much to me they have propelled me even further on my path toward health.  

Part 1

 The Black Girls Run Conference and Race is the event of the year for me. With my busy work schedule and little time for travel I rarely get the chance to go anywhere. I recently subscribed to Black Girls Run newsletter a few months ago as a source of motivation and inspiration to continue with my running in the midst of my busy life.

Early this month I received their newsletter which showcased a Conference and 5k/10k Race they'd be hosting in the coming month. I was excited to see how they had grown from a blog to a big event planning extraordinaire.

Annette Larkins

As I scroll down and  continue to read the newsletter, my favorite picture of Ernestine Shepherd is there, she is listed as one of BGR's guest speakers. My heart flutters as I imagine the chance to meet one of my role models should I attend. I then begin to think of the money it would cost, trying to get the time off from work and soon I the idea of attending appears unfeasible.

Ernestine Shepherd

They say curiosity killed the cat, well I "meowed" on further into the newsletter hoping to see what attendees would experience at the conference I couldn't attend. The more I read the more I became excited. I read the conference topics and the weekend itinerary. The more I read the more I seen my name spelled out. This was an event made especially for me- how could I not go? 

As I read the names of the speakers quickly, I said aloud to myself: if Koya Webb were one of the speakers I have to go hands down. I continue to scroll down the list of speakers and there it was, Koya Webbs name. Two of my role models in one weekend. WOW!!!

My first reaction was fear and excitement, fear of not having enough money or time to go, yet excitement because I knew this conference was made for me.  Hesitantly, I began looking on every travel site for hotel and flight deals. The next thing I did was truly divine.

Karyns Calabrese

I am a more than occasional meditator and I am true believer that our thoughts create our reality. I knew as long as I allowed fear to exist within my desire to go this conference the less likely I'd go. I would talk my way into believing I couldn't afford it or that my job wouldn't give me the time off. I would allow these thoughts to take over and I wouldn't even attempt to try to go.

So, I decided fear would not make decisions for me.

I found a quiet place to sit in my small apartment. I closed my eyes and visualized myself getting the time off to go, I seen money appear for my trip,  I seen myself packing my bags, buying my flight, getting on the plane and landing. I heard my self talk to the taxi driver and doorman of the hotel. I seen the room I stayed in-I felt the plushness of the pillows- I opened the curtains wide and took in the beautiful view of the city. I seen myself mingling with other women who value health and fitness. I watched new friendships form. I felt alive, humbled, overjoyed, and grateful for the experience. I seen myself return home refreshed, renewed and full of new ideas to improve my own health and fitness. I seen myself happy, at peace, and worthy of all things wonderful.

I awoke from this visualization with watery eyes, tears of joy for I knew I had to make this trip happen for me. After 2.5 years of teaching full-time and working another part-time job I had little energy, time, and money to do anything. I hadn't traveled, I was often tired, I had gained weight, and I wasn't operating from my highest self.

Koya Webb

That day I went to work to see if I could get the day off, ironically no one else had requested those days off.  I got the time off. Next, I went home to order my flight and hotel and I found a great deal. I told a few friends and family about my desire to attend the conference and a few of them insisted on donating some funds toward my trip.

I am EXCITED to say: I AM GOING to the Black Girls Run Conference and Race and I am glad that I did not let fear push me away from an experience that I know will fulfill me.

These events are a true testament that when you follow your heart all else will follow. Martin Luther King Jr. said if you can see, conceive, and believe it you can achieve it. 



Stay Tuned for Part 2: I Achieved It: BGR Conference and Race Weekend