Interview about the "588 Days" book with Bean Soup Times and Brother Toure Muhammad

Enjoy a radio interview that I did for the "588 Days!" book for Bean Soup Times with Brother Toure Muhammad - http://beansouptimes.podomatic.com/entry/2010-12-24T11_34_28-08_00

Goal Setting - Break it on down!!!

“We must break the pattern of the self-made victim and take responsibility for making choices in life. The best way to break self-defeating patterns and become positively motivated is to break down large goals into smaller, more attainable objectives. Human beings are result-oriented, so it is important that we see progress. This increases our perception of success and our belief that we can complete even the most difficult tasks.” ~ Dr. Minister Sister Ava Muhammad - "Queen of the Planet Earth – The Rebirth and Rise of the Original Woman" – p. 17

Why do I eat the way that I do?

Root Cause-I had an epiphany that many do on their journey. It's about facing your thoughts/fears/emotions/feeling in order to get to the root cause of your circumstance.

Without facing your situation, you are bound to repeat your habits & tools for coping. So many of us turn to food to help us cope but look at where we are now. Did you think that you would have gained all of this "extra" weight?

Figure out how to not turn back to your old habits of coping. Find a new, healthier way!

NO Excuses in 2011!!!

No excuses in 2011!! As Kat Williams said, "You've got to get in touch with your STAR player (YOU)!" Set your goals, ask for help, believe in yourself, pray to God for support, strength and encouragement, and JUST DO IT!

Take a picture!!!!

Greetings,

They say that a picture is worth a 1000 words, or a lot of pounds :-) Well, it's time to smile and have your picture taken!

Now, you may be wondering why this is important for this journey. There WILL be NUMEROUS times on this journey that you are going to get frustrated, disappointed, and just upset with your progress (or in your mind, the lack of progress). You are going to get on that scale and notice that the numbers either aren't moving in the direction you want them to, not fast enough, or not at all. The key is not to give up. JUST HOLD ON! This is where the photo comes in.

You may not realize how much progress you've actually made because the scale doesn't say what you want it to say, but you very well may be making progress. You may notice it in the reduction of inches around your waist and stomach, your face and neck may start to slim down, your shoulders/arms/chest may be shrinking, and so on.

Now, go pull out that picture that you took at the start of this journey! Then, go take another picture and compare the two. See if you don't notice a difference. It may be small or it may be large, but at least look.

A word of caution.... Don't take a new picture each week and expect to see a very noticeable difference. Maybe take a photo once every 2-3 months or more. Give yourself time to allow your hard work to show!

If you are happy with what you see then CELEBRATE your success and be proud of your hard work. You DID it!

If you are not pleased, then ask yourself, HONESTLY, if you did all that you could do, within your power, or were you just half stepping. Don't lie to yourself...keep it real!

Keeping this picture journal can help you with sustaining your motivation and drive on this journey. When you look at yourself and start to see a healthier, skinner you, it gives you the courage, drive, and energy to keep on trucking through!

I pray that the few words give you what you need toward a better you. Remember...NO Excuses...Just Do It!

Inspirational words for December 7, 2010 - YOU are Worth It!!

Greetings!

On December 7, 2010, I read from the book entitled “Acts of Faith Daily Meditations for People of Color” by Iyanla Vanzant. The entry for December 7 really resonated with me and what I’ve often referred to in the mantra called “YOU are Worth IT!!!!”

The entry reads as follows:
“Act the way you want to be and soon you will be the way you act.” ~ Dr. Johnnie Coleman

“The next time someone says, “How are you?,” try this answer on for size: I am whole. I am complete. I am perfect. I am happy. I am dynamite. I am lovable, loving, getting lots of good love. I am well off and doing well. I have it all together. I am basking in the riches of life. I am prospering right here and right now. I am being richly rewarded, even in my sleep. I am a miracle worker expecting a miracle right now. I am peacefully peaceful. I am walking the walk. I am talking the talk. I am claiming the victory right now. I am successful. I am wealthy. I am living by pure grace. I am a believer. I am standing on faith. I am on my way to the top. I am what I am because I just can’t help myself. And how are you doing, my dear?” ~ Iyanla Vanzant

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I pray that we all realize how special and blessed we are to be living in these times and to have Allah (God) on our side.

Be Blessed!

588 Days! - Why did I write the book?

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH (GOD) THE BENEFICIENT, THE MERCIFUL.

I believe in the Golden Rule that says, “Do unto others as you would have done unto you!” Another similar saying that has been taught to me via The Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan is, “You should want for your Brother or Sister what you want for yourself!”

I did not write this book out of vanity or the pursuit of fame and fortune. Quite the contrary! My goal for writing this book is to inspire women, mothers, youth, or anyone else that is embarking, or wishes to embark, on their own journey towards better health and weight.

I am by no means a professional trainer or one that has a degree in medicine but what I do have is faith, a strong will, dedication, and personal experience on my side.

We all need help and support in finding ourselves and becoming healthier. Consider me as that friend or sister that is here to help you, not to hinder you. I will be that friend we all need that will tell you the truth about yourselves and what you are going through. I’m not here to sugar coat the details and aspects of a health/weight loss journey. I am here to share my experiences and help you with your own personal journey.

Throughout this book, I will help you to face your fears, deal with your present and past, challenge you to take it to the next level, and praise you for your successes. Additionally, I will give you a glimpse into my life and share with you my joys, pains, sorrows, triumphs, challenges, and rewards.

Come on and get ready for some “tough” love. We are about to commence the journey of a lifetime. Are you ready to meet the New YOU?

          Your Sister,

          Sister Lorraine S. Muhammad

http://www.findtimeforyou.com/

Do you like what you see and how you feel?

Do you like the way that you look right now? Have you looked in the mirror and asked yourself, “Who is that?”

Have you looked through your old photos from high school, college, your wedding day, and/or before you had children? Do you still look the same? Did you ask yourself, “Where is that person now that use to look like that (much smaller)?”

What are you doing to make the necessary changes in your life?

Words of Encouragement / Testimonials #1

Below are some testimonials from people that have witnessed the journey that I've been on for nearly 2 years. I share these with you, not for vanity purposes, but illustrate the power that this journey had on others. My goal is to inspire others to start and stay on their own journey.

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“Dear Sister Lorraine, I have truly, truly been blessed by you in this wonderful writing. It has touched me in a way words cannot explain. You have put together the masterpiece we needed – APADTA (All Praises Are Due To Allah)! I know Allah is pleased with you. I am very honored to be chosen to read your soulful experience. I didn’t want to put it down once I started reading. It touched every aspect of my life. This is the juice I need to keep on going to get to the other side with you. Congratulations on your success – weight wise, spiritual, and mental and on this great book!” ~ Sis. Beverly Muhammad

“Lorraine's commitment to herself was inspiring.  In the midst of taking care of our families and other obligations, we tend to remove ourselves from the equation.  Lorraine reminded me how to get back on the track and run my own race.” ~ -Felecia A Williams, MPA, RHIA

Welcome to the New YOU!

Greetings and As-Salaam Alaikum Dear Friends and Family!

Welcome to my new blog! I pray that this blog will provide the opportunity to share our health and weight loss journey, experiences, trials, and successes.

We all need support to get through our individual journeys. This blog can provide the inspiration, motivation, and support that many of us need to make it through to our ultimate goal (better health and well-being).

May Allah (God) bless us all as we strive to weigh properly and take control of our health!

Peace!

Sister Lorraine S. Muhammad