30 Day crunch+Squat Challenge&Weight Loss

So its been over a week and dare I say it. ..... I'M BORED LOL. I thought that this time around I could stick to it but I guess the work out is just too easy for me. I will be honest and say I missed  2 days and doubled up on the days that I missed. I'm just bored really. I have just gotten bored with it. I need a major challenge that's gonna push me a little harder. So back to the drawing board on this one. I will continue to use this exercises formula but I have to either add more reps per session or add another work out to this routine. I've been doing my weekly walking etc but I think it's time to hit the weights. I've been trying to hold off on the weights until the spring/summer but I don't think I can wait much longer. I saw a few started weights at Walmart I want to try out. I'm not a total stranger to weights but I have to retrain myself the proper way of lifting. So far everything is fine minus a couple of days of not so healthy things i.e. snacks, sushi and bday cake this past week. I didnt gain anything major I'm at 260lbs from the 257 lbs mark I hit last week. I have notice a change in my body. Everything from the feeling to the areas of strech marks starting to show up. My face is slimmer, my arms and wrist areas are getting smaller. I've gain a little muscle in my calf areas. I'm okay with the progress but Im shooting for better weightloss progress in the next 3 weeks. 

30 day Crunch+Squat Challenge 2014 Weight loss update

So I'm gonna give this another go. Last time I got kinda bored and started adding things to it, but this time I'm gonna stick to it as is. I will be doing squats using the same outline. This year I'm in another head space with working out I have been doing ok in the fitness department lately. I'm waiting on mother nature and old man winter to get over themselves and let the spring move right on in. I can't wait to take long walks around the block and sweat. I grow tired of in home fitness sometimes, but this should hold me over until spring kicks fully in. So far my weight has been stable and I'm seeing a drop in weight. I also see a change in my body far as stomarch, legs and arms. My clothing are getting loser. Jeans I couldn't fit a year ago are now getting a little too big for me now. I started my healthy journey Jan 7 my first weigh in was Feb 7 coming in at 264.9. I'm proud to see that set of number there was a time when I was 300+ lbs. Ive been smaller 170 ish and gained my way back to 280lbs+. I've been through ups and downs and I must say this time my mind is in the right space. I love my body now Im beautiful and very healthy with no sickness etc but I want to be healthier. I see a vision for myself. I see myself getting married having kids one day running around with them being an active parent. I want to be a better me. Health and fitness outside of inner wellness and  healing is the right way to go for my life right now. I use to lose weight for all the wrong reason in return is the reason I gained it all right back. I give this advice ALWAYS do things in your life for YOU. Never lose weight to fit this ideal image that the world displays to us. Everyone isn't gonna be a size 2 or 22. I don't want to be a size 2 but I do believe in being happy. Be happy with the true you and go into a weight loss journey being realistic with yourself. Make sure your mental is taking care of first before commiting yourself to anything in your life. Without the mind you are nothing more than a zombie. Prepare yourself set up meal plans and workout schedules to fit your life and try to be as healthy as your life allows. Im gonna do my best Im in no rush to drop pounds and I'm just gonna take my time and see how it goes. I have a goal of 80lbs at the most. Wish me luck. :)

Product Junkie Rehab

It's been almost 3 years since I transitioned and 2 years into my natural hair journey. Over the course of that short time being natural I have developed a bit of a problem collecting hair products. I don't even know how this even started it just slowly crept in like a bad fart on an crowded elevator. When I was relaxed I never was into buying and spending money on products. I was like a guy if was cheap and gets the job done I bought it. I think since being natural I discovered a love for my hair that I didn't have before. Let me be honest for a minute here and make this statement . I HATED BEING RELAXED!!!! I only stayed relaxed because it was all I  knew outside of wearing braids and a ponytail. I'm so glad I made the change from relax to natural. No more chemical burns, long noise salon visits, and spending $60+ just to have my scalp burned off every 6-8 weeks (so don't miss those days). After getting rid of one problem I kinda developed another. At first it started by me not knowing what products worked for my hair, because I didn't know the basics  of natural hair and the whole hair typing thing. Once I grasps the basic knowledge about natural hair, then finding out the different kinds of products and how to properly use them for my type of hair things got a lot easier. I started to find a few staple products some not so nice products. Then something created a spark in me that I never had before. The more I researched the more I was interested. The more I was interested the more money I was spending on products. Fast forward I was hooked on trying every product that caught my eye, especially if it was on sale with a coupon marked down in the clearance section type of product. I was watching YouTube product hauls and reviews like they were hardcore porn movies. I looked up one day and notice my bed room was dominated by an organized prison for hair products. They were every where!!! In my closet, in a costume trunk, in a plastic 3 tier container, in the bathroom cabinet, almost a year worth of curl kit boxes and in the shower. I've tried giving some of it away and there is still too much left. So I have to face the music. I am Girl Friday and I am a product junkie. I never thought I would of seen the day I admit I love products because I love my hair. I've been doing pretty good lately using up stuff but still I find myself buying things. At least its things like conditioners that I use up in no time and things to make deep conditioners with. I've been only trying to buy things when I have to or are things that I really use on a daily, weekly, monthly basis. I plan on giving away most of the hair products I have left to newly natural women since I know how hard it was for me starting out. So here are a few tips I'm learning on my road to product junkie recovery.

Product Junkie Recovery Tips

• Clean House- Sort through all your products if it hasn't been used at least 4-5 times in the last 6 months put it in a box to be given away. Most likely your not gonna use them, some one else could.
• Inventory-Make a list of all the products you use by category (Shampoo, Conditioner, Deep treatments, Leave-ins, Moisturizers, Stylers, Oils, Tools, etc) By doing this you know exactly what products you use in your regimen and won't wonder or purchase other products.
• Restrictions&Limits- By setting up ground rules you only use what products you have and only buy what you need.
• Fighting Temptations- When getting the urge to walk down the isles of the supermarket hair section 

1. Stop and turn around you have plenty of products at home you can use.
2. Look but don't touch you won't buy it if you don't touch it.
3. Take mental inventory of products and come back to them when you use up products you already have at home.
4. If its a product you use REGULARLY and its on sale its ok to stock up on but not ok to horde (No more than 4-5 bottles of a product at one time)
5. Always keep a list of the products you NEED not WANT on hand when your out shopping.

• Recover Slowly-Take your time it's a process we are creatures of habit. A "PJ" addiction is just like any other addiction you can relapse if you don't take the steps needed to control it. 

30 Day Crunch and Squat Challenge Final thoughts

What can I say I really enjoyed this challenge. I tried some new routines and I have gain more knowledge of the different kinds of workout there are in the fitness realm. I've learned more about myself outside working out on a schedule and eating on a planned meal. I was able to make a goal and try to stick to it in which I did for the most part. I have found my weakness and gain some new strengths as well. In 30 days I was able to fit into an XL which hasn't happen since 2008. My jeans fit better my shirts are looser and my dress fit smoothly in all the right curvy places. I will continue to push myself and work on my odd eating habits as well. I'm very proud of my self Im actually thrilled to say I will be doing this challenge or rather a new challenge later this summer. I am continuing my fitness jorney one day at a time by my own rules of dedication, time, patience, healthier eating, and good old hard work. I have such a positive thought and feeling about working out now that wasn't always there. I can't wait to see my progress 6 months from now.

30 Day Crunch&Squat Challenge Week 1 Update

Week one check in the good and the bad......
So this week has been better than I thought give or take a few things. Let's start with the good first since everyone always loves good news. I've been very physical and very active. I had to change the routine by kicking it up a notch. I felt the challenge was a little too easy so for the first couple of weeks I will be doing 100 crunches and squats (which is what Ive been doing most of the week). This was a personal choice of mines I need a to kinda push myself a little more than normal. Turns out my body really likes the ideas of this change. I'm really starting to feel it and I like working out. Now the bad SMH... I have been having a bit of a dilema in the food department. Two things have been going wrong either I'm not hungry and don't want to eat or I'm implse eating or PMS eating is more like it. I've been a vegetarian for a year and a half now and not have any urge to eat all day isn't new to me. It freaks me out really. I've been a big girl all my life minus one year out of my 25yrs of life. This has been happening for the past 8 months now on and off and I've been noticing it more now. I have to plan my meals to make sure I'm eating enough to power my body. I didn't plan my meals last week and it showed. Then there is the impulse eating. I didn't go far off in the deep end and chug a dozen of dounuts but I did have some not so healthy things (to my standards) i.e. a coffee drink, banana nut muffin, etc. Nothing horrible but nothing I should be eating right now. I eat pretty clean for the most parts and eat full balanced healthy meals about 85% of the time. I'm very honest and open about my eating. I've always had a eating problem and it's one of those things I'm still working on but I'm doing better since becoming a vegetarian. I'm still amped and excited to be doing this challenge and I will continue moving forward with it. I'm focused on eating better I will be addding more reps to the routine since right now its a 100 x 1 for each workout then it will double up soon. I love how my body feels a little sore but I know it will be all worth it : )

30 Day Crunch and Squat Challenge

It has begon!!! The 30 Day Crunch&Squat Fitness Challenge is live and in effect as of now. I'm very excited to start this challange since my normal routine has gotten so dull and boring. I saw this posted on facebook and had to at least give it a try. I will be following this formula for both challenges (crunches&squats) I may double up on the routine (morning&night) to get the best results out of the challenge. Im gonna start at 6am-9am before work on most days and 9pm-10pm on most nights. Far as nutrition I will be on a mostly greens, veggies, fruit, large portions of water and high solid proteins i.e. tofu, protein bars or shakes (vegetarian grades for me of course). No direct sugars and high carb foods allowed no cheat days!!! I'm very excited and pumped. I've been getting motivated by watching CT Fletcher videos via www.youtube.com/ctthetrainer The man take no BS and says it like it is.... the TRUTH. I'm gonna hopefully work my way up to lifting weights this summer and become an iron addict but we all have to start some where. Why not start with a challenge??? I will be posting updates through out this challenge and keeping an open face diary weekly to use as a reference later on. I wish everyone luck who will be accepting the challenge and hope you give it your all and try your best. Good Luck...XOXO... - Girl Friday