As of late, I’ve been on a “no excuses” journey and it brought me to do this really cute video with my niece, Azalea. There are times when I’m playing with her and I realize what I’m doing can actually be turned into a pretty good workout. It’s fun and entertaining for her (and wears her out) and gets me moving if I haven’t been able to get a workout in that day. Even when she was smaller, I was using her as a free weight. LOL! So, check it out!

Hope you enjoyed!

Be Renewed!

Ok, let’s get to it…

If you don’t already know, yesterday, Paula Deen officially announced to the world on the Today Show that she has been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Paula Deen has been crowned the Queen of Southern Cooking, with dishes full of butter, sugar and even a pound of bacon. It had been rumored that she may have diabetes but she wouldn’t confirm those rumors until yesterday during her interview with Al Roker:

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Are any of you surprised? I’m not. In fact, I’m actually outraged and a little upset at the message she’s putting out. It was pretty inevitable that she might develop a disease like this based on her “very fattening” (as she puts it) dishes. And yes, it should be noted that there are many factors that can lead to a diagnoses for Type 2 diabetes, not just your diet. But, what you eat is a huge part of the risk factors involved. For years, Paula has been on television cooking up dishes that can and will surely clog your arteries.

Here’s my issue…

In her interview, Paula repeats herself many times saying that she has always stressed “moderation” and encouraged folks to eat these fattening dishes in moderation. She also mentioned that she doesn’t always eat what she cooks. I call bullsh*t. Paula is deflecting and doesn’t want to truly admit that this fat-filled cooking and eating, being overweight, inactive and over 50 has contributed to her diagnosis. She’s not taking responsibility. As a celebrity in the spotlight, I think it’s extremely important to admit to your fans that your lifestyle may not be as great as you thought it was, and in some way CHANGE the way you cook.

The "Lady's Brunch Burger". 2 glazed donuts, a burger, egg and bacon. www.pauladeen.com

Forget the moderation thing.  Seriously, who makes an entire pie and only eats 1 slice of it, Paula?  Why not think about learning how to alter your dishes to better cater to your diagnosis? Why not propose a cooking show with your son, who actually cooks your dishes in a much healthier way, to help your audience learn how to make your dishes with less fat and sugar? Paula has known about this for 3 years. 3 YEARS.  If you ask me, she’s still in denial about it. She’s had plenty of time to put her and her health first. I do understand that she has a career and cooking is primarily how she makes money, but I believe some alterations can be done to her approach to food now that her life is at risk. The bottom line is that if Paula does not change the way she eats, cooks and lives she will die of Type 2 diabetes.

My grandmother on my dad’s side passed away in 2008 because of complications with Type 2 diabetes. A very close family friend who used to babysit myself and my siblings passed away this past summer of a rapidly moving infection caused by Type 2 diabetes. My uncle Jerome (my mom’s brother) has gone to dialysis for his kidneys very week, for years, due to Type 2 diabetes and if he doesn’t try to change his diet or get at least a little bit active, he will also die of Type 2 diabetes. You catch my drift?

Situations like this are why I am gunning for the health and wellness of everyone around me. When we don’t take our health seriously, or we’re just ignorant about how important it is to eat well and be active, we run the risk of dying of something that can be reversed. Yes, we all love food, especially Southern food. In the African American community this Souther/Soul food is a staple we are fighting tooth and nail to change or get rid of. We seem to immediately push away any healthy alternatives before we’ve even tried them. This saddens me to no end. It’s my hope that people understand that being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes is SERIOUS and not something you should just shove under the rug, take a pill, and keep eating the way you have. If you care enough about yourself and the folks you love, you’d take that kind of news and take the steps to being to take better care of yourself.

What do you think about Paula Deen’s announcement and diagnosis?

Be Renewed!

www.bittenandbound.com

Let me start by saying I am in no way against Weight Watchers and their programs. Quite a few people in my life have used Weight Watchers to help them lose weight. They seem extremely happy with their results and I have yet to hear a testimony from someone saying it didn’t work for them. A program that features a points system with rewards and “extra points” for working out has had tremendous success with all kinds of people…including Academy and Grammy award-winning artist, Jennifer Hudson.

*sigh*

If you aren’t familiar with Jennifer’s relationship with Weight Watchers and her wonderful commercials, here’s her first one:

*For the rest of this post, Weight Watchers = WW*

No harm, no foul, right? Just Jennifer, telling the world that before WW she felt limited and now she has something she can stick to that’s helping her lose weight. Great! We love it Jennifer! And I’m pretty sure WW target market (folks who probably have tried everything and are really looking for something that works) was convinced that if Jenn could do it, so could they. Awesome.

Then, as Jennifer lost more weight and was feeling even more confident, she made another commercial. A little slimmer, more confident and singing a slight remake to “Feeling Good” which is also sung by Nina Simone (with a few other variations of course). You can see that one here.

Ok. Nice. She’s lost more weight and she’s happy and flyin high. I don’t remember her first commercial being played as much as this second one. I mean, on every network, every commercial break, Jennifer was flyin high, feeling good and loving WW “Points Plus” program because for her, it works. Now, I’m no marketing or advertisement expert at all but there has to be some kind of limit to how much you can saturate your market with the SAME commercial, song, singer, words and message. I wish I could’ve saved and favorited every tweet I saw that expressed the pure disgust of how many times they’d seen that ad and didn’t want the birds to be flying high anymore. It was hilarious. And then, (at least to me) the commercials disappeared and we saw more “regular” folks doing WW testimonials.

And then…this:

What. In. The. Hell? What was Weight Watchers thinking when they decided to let even the IDEA of this commercial leave the drawing board? It is HORRIBLE! Terribly produced and just tacky! She’s singing with and to herself (which sounds very flat) and at this point it’s just ridiculous. How is this going to convince people to believe in themselves OR in WW? I am truly happy for Jennifer. And she seems happy herself, which is great. But I’m sure WW target market needs something else. And the reaction I’ve seen from folks I’m following on Twitter and friends with on Facebook is all the same. Consensus: This commercial is terrible and WW needs to stop. I get the idea – Jennifer is talking (singing) to her former self that she believes in her and that she’s strong enough to lose weight and feel great. But it could’ve been executed differently. It’s not even cute or clever. It’s too much.

I’ll speak for myself because I know everyone isn’t a fan, but I do love Jennifer’s singing and her voice is amazing. But after all these commercials, I don’t even want to buy another album or hear her on the radio. Over-saturation is real and in this case, we are all drowning victims.

At this point I’m, quite frankly, sick of Jennifer. It seems that WW has run out of ideas on how to keep her and her journey relevant. The reaction isnt: “Oh yay! Another Jennifer Hudson WW commercial! I’m so happy for Jennifer and I want to be just like her, so I’m going to sign up.”  The reaction is: “That’s enough! We get it! Now stop! Just QUIT!”

I think people are more inspired by real, true life success stories. The WW commercials featuring real folks who’ve been through the program seems more genuine to me. People need to know that it works and need to be convinced it can work for them too.

Am I over-reacting? What do you think about this new WW commercial?

Be Renewed!

I love myself more than I hate the exercise.

This was said today in a conversation I was having with a young lady named Alexis. She has a very inspiring story that would encourage almost anyone to get off their butt and get moving. You see, Alexis used to weight well over 300 pounds. She’s 28 years old and has struggled with her weight for most of her life. About a year ago, Alexis joined the Y (where I work) so that she could start the journey to losing weight and getting healthy. Everyday, she comes in to train with a personal trainer, take a class, swim, walk the track or just do her own workout. She has made significant progress and even ran (and walked a little) the Hot Chocolate 5K this past November.

She’s a very shy, reserved and meek girl and I always enjoy talking with her. But today was different. Our conversation was bold, and every time I asked her a question, she answered with a confidence I’d never seen. Alexis seems to be truly coming into her own and finding who she is despite her weight. So in the middle of our conversation, she says something so profound…

Alexis: So why do you workout?

Me: I have so many different reasons, but mainly because diabetes, heart disease, cancer…all kinds of stuff runs in my family and I want to beat the odds. I don’t want to be sick and end up dying from something that can be prevented. And I love the way it makes me feel. I always feel great after I workout or run.

Alexis: *nods*

Me: Why do YOU workout? What keeps you going?

Alexis: ‘Cause I have nephews and I want to see them grow up.

Me: That’s cool. That’s a great reason to stay healthy. What keeps you going during your workouts? I know sometimes I just want to quit!

Alexis:  *pauses for a moment* I keep going ’cause I love myself more than I hate the exercise.

Me: Wow…

After she said that, she smiled so big. She was beaming, and so was I. It was almost like she finally heard in her own ears what she’d only said in her head. It’s amazing and truly a testament to how changing your mind will change your life. Alexis has had to overcome obstacles I can’t even fathom. She still has a long way to go but she’s lost a significant amount of weight and is gaining her health, confidence and life back. Alexis believes that SHE is important enough not to give up on herself.

Now THAT is some inspiration.

Do you have a mantra that keeps you going through your workout? What keeps you from stopping?

Be Renewed!

Looks a little intimidating, doesn't it?

I can not tell you all the horror I experience every day, watching people walk into the gym lost and uninformed. Not because I’m a know-it-all, but because I just want to help them all figure out what their doing so that they can effectively meet their goals. But also realize that their not knowing how to work a machine, or wandering around to different areas aimlessly isn’t entirely their fault.  The idea of joining the gym and taking charge of their fitness life is always such an exciting thought. It’s taking a step in the right direction and most people feel like their finally getting it together. But, raise your hand if you’ve ever walked into a gym, looked at all the machines, and just stood there for a moment wondering “where do I start?” “what kind of machine is that?” “wow, that lady’s body looks amazing.” (raising my hand) …the gym it can be extremely intimidating and for some folks a deterrent to actually working out. Have no fear (no, really, get rid of that F word), I’m here to help guide you to making the gym your friend. You conquer the gym, don’t let it conquer you.

#1 – plan. Plan. PLAN!

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” – (attributed to) Alan Lakein. The truth of this phrase applies to almost everything, including going to the gym. Plan your workout. Walking around the gym aimlessly, not knowing what you’re going to do next is not the best way to spend your precious time. Once you know how much time you’re going to dedicate to your workout, you can plan it out. 1 hour? 30 minutes? 45 minutes? Be sure to include some changing/showering time before or after if necessary. Below is an example of a 30 minute workout which includes the time in each activity and what piece of equipment (if applicable) will be used:

Warm-Up (5 mins) Brisk walk on the treadmill/elliptical

Cardio (15 mins) Intervals on the treadmill/elliptical – 1 minute fast, 2 minutes slow

Weight/Strength Training (10 mins) Upper body – bicep curls, tricep kick backs, lateral shoulder raises, 5lb weights

Cool-Down/Stretch (5 mins)

In no way is this plan the guru of all plans, but you get the idea. Write down what you’re going to do so that when you get to the gym, you know exactly how you’ll execute your workout.

**(Be on the look out for a post with 5 30 minute gym workouts you can print out and take with you…coming soon! I might even do some videos!)**

#2 Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

I cannot stress this tip enough. You’re never too old or knowledgeable to ask for a little help with something. Especially in a big and potentially dangerous place like the gym. Those machines can be scary and intimidating. Attempting to operate a machine that you know nothing about is extremely risky and you don’t want to injure yourself. In most gyms, there are floor people walking around or personal trainers or even someone working behind the desk. If you choose to try a machine that looks intriguing, and you have no clue how to operate it, ASK! Believe me, you’ll look sillier trying to do something and hurting yourself than simply saying, “Hey, how do I work this machine?” We all have to learn and start somewhere. Don’t let your ego or self-esteem get in the way of mastering the gym.

There may even be a free program or a couple of personal training session where a trainer can show you the ropes. Notice I said FREE. It shouldn’t cost you any money to be shown how to get started with operating the machines with proper form. Beware if they try to charge you for that.

#3 Dress to sweat, but try not to look a complete mess.

Now please don’t take this point as permission to walk into the gym looking any kind of way. I’ve seen it all. Sweat pants with holes in them, ripped shirts, shorts that are too small, dirty and stained t-shirts, leggings that try to pass as tights, pajama pants. You name it, folks at the gym have had to suffer through seeing it. It’s always good to invest in a few really good pieces of clothing that you can workout, sweat in, and feel confident in too. Just because you’re going to sweat in it, doesn’t mean it has to be falling apart. Two of my favorite places to get great workout clothes that will last are Target and Marshalls/TJMaxx. You want moisture-wicking, slightly fitted clothes that will take the sweat and water away from your skin so that you stay comfortable as you get hot. Check out some of the examples below.

C9 by Champion: Lightweight, long-sleeve, moisture-wicking tee found at Target.com

C9 By Champion: Women's Ribbed Tank found at Target.com

#4 Be prepared for almost anything.

Most preparation for success in the gym starts before you get there. So, before you venture into this new land, pack your bag. Take a few extra minutes in the evening (or in the morning if you’re a morning person) to get your bag ready, then you can just grab it and go. In my experience I either pack heavy or light depending on what I’m doing after my workout. Some essentials you may include: Fresh, clean clothes to put on, deodorant, soap, shampoo, lotion, comb or brush, hair ties or bobby-pins, a towel and washcloth, female emergency kit (ladies, you know what I’m talking about). Of course, you can eliminate some of these items if you won’t need them.

Also, unless you’re renting a locker through the gym, bring a lock with you. There’s nothing more terrifying than putting your stuff in a locker, thinking it’s safe, and returning to find your belongings are gone. You can never be too safe, so lock your stuff up.

Lastly, pack a snack. I don’t know about you, but I am ravenously hungry after a workout and I tend to grab the first thing I see because I’m starving! Your body has burned every ounce of energy you fed it and it’s craving more, so feed it GOOD stuff. An apple, a bag of almonds, a cup of greek yogurt, a bagel with peanut butter, a granola bar. This post has some more “after workout” ideas for you.

#5 Go in confident and determined.

Last, but certainly not least, go into your workout knowing you’re on your way to meeting your goals. No one’s looking at you or judging you or thinking you suck. All of your insecurity is made up in your head. So, change your thoughts. Everyone in the gym is trying to meet a goal. They’re trying to get through their workout just like you. You’ve only got a certain amount of time and you’ve planned what you’re going to do, now execute it. Push hard to get through each of your sets, keeping in mind how awesome you’ll feel afterward. Don’t half-ass it. You came there to do a job, now do it. It’s that simple.

I hope this post has helped those of you who may be embarking on a new fitness journey when the new year hits. There will be thousands of folks who will start the year fresh with a new gym membership just like you. Go in there knowing what to do and how to do it.

Be Renewed!

www.tmcm.com

Just about any and everything we do from day to day requires a certain amount of motivation to begin. We all know this and we all seek it to get ourselves jump-started into a task. I’m sure most of us have uttered the words (or some variation of them): “If I could just find some motivation to get this done.” And me being the sometimes extremely analytic person I am, I’ve gotten into some deep conversations with myself about where motivation comes from, and why it’s different from person to person.

Not too long ago, a Twitter friend of mine asked a question to her followers:

She’d gotten a number of responses, but I responded that she should just get up and do it. Even if she didn’t feel like it. I believed that once she did, she’ll gain some momentum. That usually happens for me, so why wouldn’t it work for her?

I’ve gotten numerous email from people looking for trainer and most of the time, at the end of explaining the reason they need a trainer, the words “and I just need someone to motivate me” pop up.  And I think: “Oh, I can do that! I can motivate you! No problem!” But a series of events usually occurs afterwards and ends with the person “losing motivation” and needing to start over, or be inspired again. It becomes pretty consistent that no matter how much I call myself motivating someone to workout or eat right or study or just get out of bed, true motivation doesn’t come from anything I could ever say or do. It comes from inside that person.

Think about it…

And we can even think in terms outside of just working out. Whether it’s studying for school and classes, taking the necessary steps to getting ahead in your career, writing your first book, raising your kids, getting a blog post done, going grocery shopping, or just getting off your couch to go run some much needed errands, the actual action of doing each of these things can’t be executed without YOU. Every single action you take (and non-action) starts with a thought. After that, you either go get it done, or you don’t. I believe you can choose to be inspired by things all around you and not everyone gets inspired by the same things. But, once you are inspired, the choice is yours.

We all love to feel successful and accomplished. Just going back to the feeling of knowing “hey, I did it” is enough to take the steps to get that feeling back. No one can take those steps for us. We can’t be forced into something we don’t truly want for ourselves. And until the fire in us is lit, nothing will be done. For me, I’m inspired by my friends’ testimonies of success and the blessings they receive everyday. I’m inspired when I see stories or movies of “rags to riches”. I’m inspired by quotes and songs and sayings that speak to whatever situation I’m in. All of these things motivate me into action. I have to do something. Not to fully emulate the exact same success, but to once again absorb that successful feeling. Even in the little things. It feels good, don’t it?

We are all constantly seeking motivation to get our butts up and do whatever it is we’ve set our hearts and minds to do. It’s truly never-ending.  But if we truly think about it, motivation really doesn’t come from an offering of a reward or a drill sergeant yelling at us to do it. The choice is ours and starts with just one thought. You either do it, or you don’t.

So, can motivation be found? Or is motivation really something that has to be found IN us? Let me know your thoughts!

Be Renewed!

]]> http://www.renewedfitness.org/the-never-ending-quest-to-find-some-kind-of-motivation/feed/ 2 http://www.renewedfitness.org/shoppingpartyrecap/ http://www.renewedfitness.org/shoppingpartyrecap/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:00:54 +0000 Renisha Renewed http://www.renewedfitness.org/?p=769

This past Wednesay afternoon, I had the honor and the privilege of co-hosting a holiday shopping party at Marshalls with my awesome friends Afrobella, Luvvie of MustLuvvShoes and Aramide of TheSassyPeach. (HUGE thanks to Afrobella for inviting me to do this!) I’d never done anything like this and didn’t know what to expect, but boy did I have FUN!

We started with a few introductions on who we were, why we blog and our areas of expertise for the day and then the fun began! By the way, all the pictures in the post are courtesy of the amazing photographer Chuck Olu-Alabi (@chuckstr on Twitter) who came to capture this incredible event. He is so talented! Anywho…

Luvvie and I showing off these really cool iHome Speakers for the "Off-Price is Right" game.

One thing that’s always consistent about Marshalls is their unbelievably low prices on brand name, quality items. This fact alone makes shopping for the holidays (or any day, for that matter) so much easier. We played a really fun game called “Off-Price is Right” where the party-goers had a chance to guess the Marshalls price on three very cool items. The person closest to the correct price, got to win the item. How cool is that!? Needless to say, we had some very happy and surprised party goers who won the items, but it also helped us educate them on the fact that most of the prices in Marshalls are 20-60% off the retail price. So, they can always look forward to catching a good deal.

Antoinette of @AuthenticNoise won this really cute Michael Kors clutch!

After the “Off-Price is Right” game, it was time to find out what we hostesses picked as our favorite items. The always stylish and fashion conscious, Aramide (DeeDee) of The Sassy Peach began by showing us some of her favorite finds in the Designer Wear section of the store. Most of the items in this section are from brands like Michael Kors and featured gorgeous capes, sequined dresses and a fabulous winter white coat. A lot of what you can find in that section for this time of year, is perfect for special occasions like New Year’s Eve and Christmas parties. She also got a lot of “oooh’s and aaah’s” for all the fur selections.

One of Aramide's sequined finds. Love this for New Year's!

Love this coat too!

Luvvie Ajayi (shoe-addict and red pump rocker extraordinaire) showed us her selections in the shoe department and she really picked out some awesome shoes. Leopard print wedges, boots, color blocked janes, red pumps and sparkly platforms were just a few of Luvvie’s pics. Her enthusiasm and love for shoes definitely permeated the crowd. Folks were even picking up the shoes from her display before she could even get started!

Most awesome leopard print wedges EVER!

Gotta have something sparkly! Love these too!

After Luvvie showed us all the fabulous finds in footwear, it was time to see what Marshalls could offer in the fitness and activewear department from yours truly! Something can be found for ALL levels of fitness. From the casual walker, to the marathon runner. What’s also really awesome about Marshalls is that the fitness enthusiasts can find more than just clothes and gear. If you’re looking to get some equipment to workout at home or you just need a new yoga mat, you can find it with no problem.

My rack full of items. I found so much great stuff!

This Under Armour Wind and water resistant jacket was one of my favorites.

And these neon socks! Too cute!

Last, but not least, Afrobella was excited to show off her finds in the plus-size department and was really ecstatic about all the prices. Pointing out the various trends that are in style this season, Afrobella’s picks were a big hit. She also picked some great beauty items such as make-up bags, eye-shadow palettes and fragrance gift sets.

A rack full of the hottest finds in Plus Size wear. Love it!

Very cute Betsy Johnson make-up case.

Dress it up or dress it down.

By the time we were all done showing off our low-priced finds our party-goers were well educated in what could be found in the store and were in for a surprise. If they RSVP’d to the event, they got a $25 gift card to do some shopping! How cool is that!? Most of the items we picked out were picked up and we hung around to answer any questions or help people shop for gift items. While they shopped attendees could munch on mini cupcakes and chai tea from Chi Bakery. The red velvet cookies were a big hit. I had to stop after three!

Overall, the experience was phenomenal. I mingled some of my favorite twitter buddies and got to meet some new faces. A few folks seemed really eager to learn more about some of the items I showed and I even had a “motivating” conversation with one young lady about getting back into her workout regimen. It was awesome to experience Marshalls in a fun, new way. I’m definitely thankful for the opportunity and look forward to doing something similar in the future. So much fun!

Be Renewed

Most of us are looking forward to setting some goals for 2012 and tackling them come January 1st. It just seems right. New year, new start, new goals, new opportunity. Right? It just seems so perfect to start back at 1. Well, I’d like to  jump the gun a bit and challenge you all to do something different… Why not start NOW!? Crazy, huh? Well, not really. If you start making small changes now, (like, today!) by the time the new year hits, you’ll have already mastered them and made big difference in your fitness life. I’m a strong believer that making small changes, little by little, will not only boost your confidence in your ability to meet a goal, but also your resolve to change your life. For those of you just beginning a fitness journey, this little guide is perfect for you. Check it out and start NOW, don’t wait until the New Year.

Water with lemon. Make it fun!

#1: Drink ONE MORE glass of water than you usually do.
We’ve heard it time and time again (and you know it’s true): water is good for you. Forget it, it’s GREAT for you! Most of us don’t get enough. Your body is made up of mostly water, and it needs water to function properly and keep you in good health. Now, this tip can go two ways. If you NEVER drink water, start off by drinking a glass a day. If you do drink water, add another glass. Add fun stuff like cucumbers, lemons, oranges, limes and even frozen berries to your water to make it more “enjoyable”. But either way, drink up!

Write it down. Plan it out.

#2: Block out 30 minutes of time each day to get moving.
If you always find yourself strapped for time and you “don’t have time” to workout, MAKE TIME. Take out your calendar or your planner or pull up Outlook on your computer, and schedule your workouts for the week. Make it visible to you. Set an alarm. Most of the time, we make everything else a priority and push working out to the back burner. Make it an integral part of your schedule.That way, there’s no excuse.

It's so tough, but it's for your own good!

#3: Stop eating about 1-2 hours before you go to bed.

This is a tough one, but it can be done. Late night snacking is something we ALL do without even noticing or realizing that it’s not good for us. When you’re busy and stressed with work, or just a night owl, staying up late is inevitable. So of course afterdinner (if you even ate dinner) you get hungry. So, you eat. But here’s the deal: Your body naturally craves energy (food) to help keep you going. When you eat late at night, and don’t burn off those extra calories, your body doesn’t process the food as energy and instead, stores it as fat. I know it’s hard, but you can do it!

Get it in! Even at your desk.

#4: Deskercise.
(Cute word, right?) If you’re at a desk all day for work, you can still get some exercise in. Every 30 minutes or so, stand up and stretch. Walk around while you’re talking on the phone. Sit on a stability ball instead of a chair to engage your core and work on your balance. Sit down and stand up several times to work your legs. When you’re sitting in your chair, squeeze your glute muscles and hold your abs in tight for about 5-7 seconds, then relax. Repeat that about 10 times. Whatever you can think of to get moving while at your desk, do it!

Take the stairs.

#5 Inconvenience yourself.

Instead of always doing things the fast or easy way (standing on escalators, using valet parking, taking the elevator), rethink the things that may curb your activity level. Take the stairs instead. Pull into that parking space that’s further from the door. Walk or bike to work if possible. Also, don’t keep junk food in the house. Try your best to have healthy options. It’s slightly more inconvenient to have to leave the house to get food, than to just choose something you already have at home. Am I right?

Soooo yum

#6 Pack healthy snacks to take with you everywhere.

“When preparation meets opportunity, success is inevitable.” I’m not really sure who said this, but it’s SO true. If you’re better prepared when opportunities come, you’re more likely to encounter success. Situations where food is involved is no different. We all get hungry through out the day and most of us find ourselves reaching for the first thing that gets placed in front of us. Fast food, doughnuts, chips from the vending machine, your co-workers left over pound cake… whatever it may be. If you pack healthy, filling snacks to munch on, you can better stick to your goals. My favorites: almonds, pistachios, fiber-filled granola bars, bananas, apples and peanut butter, greek yogurt and granola, sweet potato chips, and orange slices, just to name a few. Prepare your snacks the night before so that you don’t snack on the bad stuff.

Who's up for a challenge?

#7 Join a challenge.

Fitness fanatics are always enthusiastic about a challenge. Challenges are awesome motivators to stay focused. For the beginner, a challenge can be an awesome way to gain some consistency in your routine and often helps deter distraction. Whether the challenge is through Twitter or someone’s blog, it feels great to know that there may be 100′s of other folks who are doing the exact same thing you are. Everyone has the same goal in mind: stick with it, and finish it. I’m even partial to the challenges that offer a giveaway at the end. Who doesn’t want the chance to be rewarded (even more than just meeting the goal) for all their hard work? An awesome challenge going on right now is called #30For60 from RunCupcake .  The gist of it is to get moving some kind of way for at least 30 minutes, for 60 days straight. I’m definitely up for the challenge. Are you? Perhaps your gym is offering a challenge, join it! Or propose a challenge to your friends and family so that you can all be accountable to each other. Get it done!

I hope these seven tips can give you some idea of the way smaller, more precise changes can lead to a big difference and make you more fit. With the emphasis on getting started NOW. You don’t have to wait until January 1st.

Try them out and see how they work for you!

Be Renewed!

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The holidays can be a bit overwhelming when it comes to cooking, entertaining, and shopping. So T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and Patrice Yursik of the fabulous beauty and fashion blog Afrobella are turning the shopping craziness into a PARTY! Yup, a party!

Right here in Chicago, on November 30th, join myself, Afrobella,  Aramide Esubi of The Sassy Peach and Luvvie Ajayi of Awesomely Luvvie and MustLuvvShoes as we host a shindig like no other. The shopping party will be held at the Marshalls on 600 N. Michigan Ave. from 1pm -4pm. Cupcakes, hot chocolate, games to win gift cards and shopping advice is just the beginning. The best part is probably that fact that you can always find great deals at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. So join us!

Each one of us will be there to mix and mingle but also to offer our expertise on various gift ideas. Luvvie will give you latest and greatest in shoes. Aramide will get you versed on designer fashion. Patrice has got you covered in the Plus Size department and I will be in fitness and activewear. So come on out! Hurry and RSVP because space is limited!

Click here to RSVP! Hope to see you!

I absolutely love getting unexpected packages in the mail and when I got this mystery package from Klout, I was pleasantly surprised. Inside were three nutrition bars from a company called Two Degrees. Their mission totally reminded me of a “food version” of the TOM’S Shoes. On the package, it says: “For every bar you buy, we give a nutrition pack to a hungry child.” I’m IN! I think this mission is awesome. We often take hunger, food, and access to healthy food for granted. Or don’t realize how many children there are that don’t have food on a daily basis. I’m all for this great effort. I get to eat something nutritious and wholesome for me, while in turn helping a child get something nutritious to eat as well.

So after getting all excited about the mission, it was time to analyze the product. I’m a stickler for a good natural granola/nutrition/meal/snack bar. I try to stick to ingredients I can actually pronounce and don’t have to look up in the dictionary. The Two Degrees bars were definitely within my criteria. “Consciously crafted with simple, wholesome, ingredients: real fruits, heritage grains, and toasted nuts and seeds.” The sample pack came with three flavors: Chocolate Peanut, Cherry Almond and Apple Pecan. You can buy a box of each flavor or a variety box for $19.95. Each box comes with 9 bars. That’s 9 meals for 9 hungry children. Can’t beat that.

The taste? Absolutely delicious. I could actually taste every ingredient in each bar. The flavors didn’t over-power each other because of the simple ingredients. I think Two Degrees has won me over in both taste and mission. I’ll definitely be supporting their cause. You can find out more about these great bars and their mission to help feed 20 million hungry children at their website: www.twodegreesfood.com Go and be supportive!

Be Renewed!