Breaking Habits --- Try It For ONE Week!!!

Often times in life, we make sacrifices on various levels. Sometimes we sacrifice money, time, energy, and so much water. What sacrifices have YOU made for your life and your overall health and well being? Be honest with yourself!!!
One of the first things YOU need to do is recognize and admit to a habit(s) of yours that is not contributing to your overall health. Maybe that habit is frequent trips to restaurants/fast food establishments, soda/pop, snacks at the vending machines, or those sweets that satisfy your sweet tooth. Whatever it is, I'm pretty confident YOU could give up this habit for at least a week.

Don't start doubting yourself right out of the gate. You haven't even started off the week yet and you are already saying what you can't do. Have faith in YOU! Believe that you can handle this challenge with NO problem. After all, it's just ONE week. Come on, YOU can do this!!

Many of us know it takes about 21 days to start and break a habit. Imagine this, WHEN you complete this challenge, you will feel some much better about yourself, your abilities, and YOU, overall.  You will be amazed at what you can do!!!

For the last 28 days, billions of Muslims have been observing the Holy Month of Ramadan. For those that are not aware of what that entails, the observance includes NO eating, drinking, or sexual activity during the daylight hours. Now, you might be saying to yourself, "There is no way in the world that I could go that long without eating or drinking." You know what, you would be amazed at how much strength you really have. Plus, as the month goes on, you really start to appreciate those things that you take for granted, like a simple glass of water or a morsel of food. It puts a whole lot of things in perspective. It has made me more grateful than I have been in awhile.

Try to give up one thing for one week! Get a buddy, partner, neighbor, friend, or family member to do this challenge with you.

When you are done with the challenge, add a comment to this blog and let us know how successful you were. Even if you found it challenging, share that as well. None of us are perfect and masters at this whole health thing. We all struggle at some point or another. It's what you do during those times of struggles that are important to your success.
I wish you the best on your challenge. Take a leap of faith and Just Do It!!!

*** New *** - "You Are Worth It" Consultation Packages, Workshops and Seminars now available...Just for YOU!!

http://findtimeforyou.blogspot.com/2011/08/consultation-packages-and-workshops-now.html


** 588 Days article appears in The Final Call Newspaper

http://findtimeforyou.blogspot.com/2011/08/588-days-appears-in-final-call.html

Consultation Packages and Workshops Now Available - How Can I Help You?

Announcement -- now I have a Consultation Package JUST FOR YOU!!!

Price: $75 ($63 if already own a copy of the 588 Days! book)

Duration: 3 months from receipt of payment

Includes:

·         Autographed copy of 588 Days! book

·         Weekly consultation sessions and monitoring

·         Weekly inspirational messages

·         Access to Lorraine via email, phone, Facebook, or Skype

·         Response to inquiries within 24-48 hours

·         Accountability contract

·         Monthly support group conference call

·         Tips on cooking, recipes, eating, fitness and planning

See the flyers below for more information, including Workshops/Seminars. They would be great for your organization, church, mosque/study group, classroom, or other gatherings.

Eating on the go -- restaurants, buffets, fast food, etc.

Although our schedules aren't always conducive to eating at home, that doesn't mean that we need to lose our minds at the restaurants, fast food chains, and buffets. Look, you are paying your hard earned money for the food that you order, you have the RIGHT to order your food they way that you want to.

What do I mean? Well, just because you are not in the comfort of your own kitchen doesn't mean that you can't take control of the food that you order. Your food does not have to be buried in butter, oils, sauces, cheeses, etc. just because it was on the restaurant menu. You have every right to ask the waiter/waitress to take off the oils, not tp put butter on your food, or to put your sauces/dressings on the side.

Here's an example. Most of the time when you order a salad, it is drenched with more salad dressing then you really need. It's like you are having dressing with salad versus salad with dressing. Here's a tip... the next time that you order a salad, have them put the dressing on side instead of on top of your salad. This way, YOU control how much dressing you put on YOUR salad. You will probably find that you won't put the entire saucer of dressing on your salad that accompanies your meal.

Another thing that you can do is ask for a box so that you can put up some of your food as soon as it comes to your table. Just because all of that food was on your plate DOESN'T mean that you have to eat it all. Now, I know that many of us were taught and trained to eat whatever was on our plate. Well, that has contributed to our larger than life waistlines, thighs, hips, and stomachs. You can share your meal with your dinner-mate or simply ask the waiter for a box to put half of your food in right away. Again, change your thinking and mindset...it's for your own good.

Now for the buffets...I bear witness that this can be a challenge. It don't know what it is about buffets but we tend to have the mindset that "I need to get my money's worth" when you go to a buffet. :-)

We get in line at the buffet and our eyes become bigger than our stomachs. We start thinking about all that we can eat and drink. We go up for seconds, thirds, and even fourths, right...or is it just me? :-)

Even at the buffet, we have to have some control, otherwise, we will lose control and then our waistlines will expand. I bear witness to it this past weekend. At our Family Reunion, we went to the buffet on two occasions. Man, I had a good time but now, I have the 4 pounds to show for it. It happened over the course of 3 days. Although I had a good time eating, I am paying for it now. I have to hit that gym harder this week to work off the fun that I had this weekend with our family.

With all that I've said above, I hope that you realize that we all have choices. I know that there are times when we want or need to eat out but remember, there is a consequence and reaction for EVERYTHING that we do. It's okay to have fun with your eating and explore new things ONCE in awhile and in MODERATION, but remember, you may have to work a little harder once the fun is done to regain control and get back on track.

Don't be frustrated and quit though. Get back on it quickly and don't beat yourself up.

"Remember...YOU Are Worth It...Just Do It...No Excuses!!!

Think Before You Eat - what do you use food for?

Food...let's think about it. What do you and I use food for? Do we use it to maintain our life? Work through stress and disappointment? Socialize with our friends and family? Relieve boredom? Has food become your best friend and comforter?

Now, after you've answered the above questions, reflect on how your use of food has contributed to your current condition. Are you happy with your current condition? If not, what are you going to do about it?

Here is an exert from 588 Days! Balancing Act of Faith, Family, & Finding Time for ME in the chapter called "The Childbearing Years" -

"Additionally, I could have, and should have controlled my eating. I shouldn’t have made food my comforter and friend. I should have utilized food for the purpose that it served which was to provide nourishment to me and the baby, not to take away my pain, as well as take my mind off of my disappointment in myself."

Here is a video tidbit that might help you - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cR5EmZJAvo

I hope that something from this blog will help you on your journey.

"Remember...YOU Are Worth It...Just Do It...No Excuses!!
http://www.findtimeforyou.com/

Tips for the summer and holidays

It's the beginning of summer. School is out, graduation commencements/parties have begun, the family reunions are planned, the weddings will start soon, and the grilling season is on and poppin'. What does this mean for your health journey?

Hold on...don't give up. YOU can still work on your journey in the midst of temptations of summer and its festivities.

Here are some tips from 588 Days! Balancing Act of Faith, Family, and Finding Time for ME" in Chapter 17 entitled "Let's Hit the Road":

Let’s say you aren’t going to eat out at a restaurant but rather you are going to eat all of the lovely food prepared for the family reunion, wedding, or somebody’s bbq. How do you handle this? Here are some tips that might come in handy:

1.    Eat before you go to the event. If you find foods you know you can eat and are the right portion size BEFORE you go to the event, then you might not be so tempted to eat the spread that will be laid out in front of you.

2.    Bring your own food with you. If are able to stop at the grocery store or maybe go to a place like Subway® to buy yourself a sandwich, you can bring your sandwich or food with you to the gathering. That way, you are still in attendance at the gathering and can still control what and how much you eat.

3.    If you find yourself indulging in the food that is being served at the event, monitor your portions! You don’t have to sit there and starve, but you can partake in the delicious food, within reason!

Stay focused but yet have fun. Time spent with family, friends, and co-workers can be enjoyable. You don't have to overindulge to have a good time. Think before you eat!!!!

For your own copy of the 588 Days! book, visit http://www.findtimeforyou.com/.

Video Tidbit - Reality Check - Regain Control of Your Health NOW!!

"Just Do It!! - Reality Check - time to regain control of your health!" Don't wait for tomorrow or Monday morning. Do something right NOW!

Check out this video tidbit - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPYygSiCyAM


Remember...YOU Are Worth It...Just Do It...No Excuses!!!

588 Days! Video Tidbits - Reality Check, Goal Setting, Being a Mommy, Busy Lives, Support System, and Why I Eat the Way that I Do

Greetings,

Attaced you will find some video tidbits that will help you on your journey toward better health and weight loss.

Video #1 - "Reality Check" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG6YX8OoKgk
Video #2 - "Goal Setting" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4jENrUUzac
Video #3 - "Busy Lives! - Finding Time for YOU!!!" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dngIFLjzbSA
Video #4 - "Being a Mommy / Getting My Body Back" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za2WNAMiYSY
Video #5 - "Support System on Your Journey" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPz-dzh9gSc
Video #6 - "Why do I/We Eat the Way We Do?" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhKGj2Iys3Y
Video #7 - "Reward Yourself -- You've Worked Hard For It" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl6k6ObJZqs


After viewing the videos, let me know what you think. Also, share them with a family member, friend, or co-worker...anyone that is struggling to start or maintain their own journey.

It's my prayer that something that I've experienced over my journey will help you on your journey toward better health.

"Remember...YOU Are Worth It!!!"

Resist the urge...fight the temptation!!!

How many of you are surrounded by food on a constant basis? Maybe you are at work and there are food days on every floor or everywhere you turn. Maybe those temptations come in the form of commercials on television or by your family/friends sitting next to you eating and talking about your favorite foods.

Resisting the urge can be very difficult, but not impossible. Even though you may have a desire to eat something sweet, dive into your favorite food, or even drink a nice, filling drink, sometimes you just have to say, "no, it's not worth it."

I'm not saying that it's always going to be easy. Here's a trick that I've utilized to help me resist the urge. Maybe it will help you.

I told myself that for every donut that I may desire to eat, it would take me an EXTRA hour on the treadmill (on top of the 30 minutes that I already spend) to work off that donut. Now, the donut may only take me a few minutes to eat, but is it really worth  1 1/2 hours on the treadmill to work off those calories. I think NOT!!!

The next time that you desire a donut, a slice of cake, or a scoop of ice cream, think about this. Yes, those foods would taste wonderful but how much time and effort will it take me to work off that delicious treat? If that wonderful taste really worth it? If your answer is, "no", then BACK AWAY FROM THE DONUT!!! (smile).

Now, don't get me wrong, a treat now and then is not bad as long as you've put in the hard work to earn that treat. We are all worth an OCCASIONAL reward but remember, it's OCCASIONAL.

Do you have any tricks that you've used to control your sweet tooth? If so, please share.

Stay focused and be blessed. We're all in this together.

Remember, visit www.findtimeforyou.com for your copy of "588 Days! Balancing Act of Faith, Family, & Finding Time for ME".

Stop Teasing Me - Have you been teased about your weight?

How many of us have been teased, at one point in time, about our weight? Maybe it was a family member, a friend, a co-worker, or even a stranger. How did that make you feel? Do people realize what impact their words have on those that they tease?

What has been your experience? Have you been teased? How did that make you feel?



Here is a quote from my book, "588 Days! - Balancing Act of Faith, Family, & Finding Time for ME"

"How many of us have been told we are fat, overweight, large, thick, big boned, or other names that aren’t flattering? Maybe it was our friends from school that called us names or made references to our weight; maybe it was our mother, father, brother or sister; maybe it was our boyfriend or someone that we really liked; maybe it was our husband or our best friend. Regardless of who it was that made the comments…it probably hurt our feelings, didn’t it?

You may not admit that it hurt your feelings but you probably have given these negative comments some thought at one point and time. Maybe these thoughts have caused you to become quiet and reserved when you are around others. Maybe you’ve masked your feelings by telling jokes about yourself before others tell jokes about you. Maybe you’ve bought in to the theme that “big is beautiful” or that “men like some meat on their woman’s bones”.  For many people, they have turned to one of the loves of their lives for comfort in these situations….food!"

Take care of YOU and don't let people's words about you damage your self-esteem and confidence. At the same time, find time for YOU. Get up, take care of yourself, focus on your health, and make all of those that have teased you eat their words!!! Prove them wrong and show them that you are more than what they perceive of you.

"Remember...YOU Are Worth It...Just Do It...NO Excuses!!!"

www.findtimeforyou.com

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!