Eat well, Give thanks, and Love yourself

As much as I sleep, eat, and breathe health and fitness there are still times when I need an extra push to get into the gym or turn down sweet treats. To keep me focused I surround myself visually and mentally with positive and encouraging affirmations. Below is an example:

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)

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

Juicy Gratitude

I have been juice cleansing for 8 days now, two more days to go. I feel good, I have a lot of energy and I am enjoying the taste of my new daily concoctions. Another aspect of this cleanse I am thoroughly enjoying is the overwhelming sense of reflection and gratitude I have. It seems not worrying about what to eat next or being bogged down by a full and heavy stomach has allowed my body and spirit energy to focus on other important things in my life. I find myself listing all that I am grateful for.

For instance some of the wonderful things I am grateful for today are: my Orchid which has finally re-blossomed after a year, the abundance of fresh produce in my fridge, access to clean running water, the fresh jasmine that grows near my home, my bodies ability to move freely and effortlessly, and a warm cup of spice tea.

These things may seem super corny to you- which is fine - I am known to be a corn-ball. I realize that I sometimes take these pleasures for granted as though they should always just be this way. Unfortunately, the fact is I have friends in Burkina Faso who are without a home, running water, or food. There are people in my neighborhood who cannot afford fresh produce and are glad just to have one meal. I met a little girl who had never seen flowers before and thought them to be only in story books.

It is not merely the possibility of lack thereof that makes me appreciate what I have so much (because I’d find something to be grateful for in any situation), but in truth I genuinely appreciate all of the good in my life and this cleanse has helped me to recognize these things even more.

I believe that our thoughts create our reality and we attract what we think about most. With that said, if I focus on all the good in my life then I will attract more goodness. However, the same is true the other way around. In an effort to continue  focusing on gratitude I created something special to support in this process.

Today I found one of my many blank journals and I decorated the cover with my favorite stickers and it has officially become my gratitude journal.  Now, even after this juice cleanse I will be tracking all of the wonderful things in my life (that I sometimes overlook).

My Gratitude Journal