POOW NOW- Snacking on CARROTS!!

Day # 13 of the 30 Days Challenge

Who would have thought I would be enjoying carrots as a snack--NOT ME. Don't get me wrong carrots were okay to me but I never thought about have them along side of say, pears and blackberries. We today as my snack I made a snack pack of just that carrots, pears and blackberries. I didn't eat them all at once but the point is I would have never had this as a snack. This has been an interesting journey so far and I look forward to more to come.

I want to fuss up and tell you I had a small amount of beef the other day and it made me sick as a dog. So, I won't do that again! I believe my system has gotten used to this clean eating so I will keep on plan. Even if you mess up and go off plan don't stay off and don't use it as an excuse to eat whatever you want---get back on plan as soon as POSSIBLE. Another thing I want to address when someone finds out you are changing your eating habits and trying to lose weight everyone knows exactly what you should be doing. The advise never STOPS but don't listen to all of that. True the plan you have search out and you stick to it and stay the course! And don't let others lead you down a long windy road of try this try that.

POOW NOW First Week Down!

Day # 10- 30 Days Challenge

I lost 9 lbs in my first week of this CHALLENGE! I can't believe it. I am truly amazed and in awe. I know that the loss will slow down but for now I'm cheering. But why is it when you're doing well and people are giving you compliments you want to go eat chips or something else you said you won't have. Today, I was driving home from church and I had this incredible craving to stop at the 7Eleven and get some chips. I actually pulled in the lot and go out of the car and then I thought "why are you doing this?" I told myself no and I got back in my car and drove away.

Why do we sabotage ourselves? I had gotten some very nice compliments at church but better than that I felt good about what I had accomplished so far. But still I had that little voice inside of me saying "yeah, now we can have chips." Do any of you do this to yourself? I believe this is a defeating attitude to have and you have to call it as it is--sabotage! I want this for me and I want to finish this challenge knowing I gave my all. So today, I said NO to CHIPS!! Ten points for me.

POOW NOW- Day #7 of 30

100 Days of Weight Loss- The Secret To Being Successful On Any Diet Plan by Linda Spangle is really a good book. She points out many things you already know but do not practice and even more things that will make you think. Day 6 she talks about protecting your plan and how no one cares about your plan as much as you. This is so true! If you tell someone what you're doing to get healthy you will hear, you don't have to do all of that, or really you're doing that, I could never follow that plan or you get the good old "good for you" as if you are a kid asking for a star.

The author says not to discuss your diet plan with other people. She says when people say you are sure losing weight how are you do that? She says you should say by eating healthy. I must say I have to disagree and agree with her on this one. I hate it when I ask someone how they lost weight and they say to me by eating healthy. This makes me feel like they're give me the hand or saying get lost. We all know eating healthy is the way to lose weight and we have all tried that but if you have truly found a method that really worked and someone goes out of their way to ask you I think it is my right to tell them more about what worked for me and my plan. Even if the bottom line is eating healthy I would give more details. Because I believe the real question the person is asking is how were you able to stick to a plan and how difficult was it to change.
That is really what they want to know.

For me I find it helpful if someone shares their plan if I ask the question. I want to hear an example of how you now eat compared to before and what do you do to maintain your weight loss. Linda Spangle does make a great point about not sharing your diet as well because some people become a diet police and they tell you how everything you're eating will kill you or make you gain a million pounds. If the person doesn't ask you about your plan then don't discuss it or if they do ask but they only asked a surface question give only a surface answer. You will know if the person really wants to know so they can learn something for you or they are just being kind and complimenting you and your efforts.

So, I say to all of you out there that have made the transition, help out those who are on the journey if they ask for your direction and plan. I hope you will be willing to say this is what worked for me. I believe that's all any of us want to hear. I am an open vessel and I will share my journey with anyone who wants to know because maybe it will work for them or simply led them to what will work. Remember Each One Reach One.

POOW NOW- Day # 5 of 30 Challenges

BREAKTHROUGH

Today was a breakthrough for me! It was as if a light went off and my body and mind became one. You know nothing happens until your mind buys into the "PLAN" and today my mind owned the plan. I am so happy about this lastest development. I have always been a very determined person and once I made my mind up about any situation that was it. But for some reason no matter how much I talked about this challenge my mind was so to sign on.

As you know, you always have the no sayers telling you you shouldn't do this or that and I for one never listen to them. If I have researched and committed to something that is all that is needed. But this time by mind was not joining in to what my body was doing. I can't explain it but I'm sure you have experienced this on some level or another. It really don't matter cause I'm TOTALLY IN THE CHALLENGE!

My body is reacting to it and I think its enjoying the fruits of my labor. The other benefit of this challenge is I'm reviewing life and people in my life. The funny thing about weight loss and change is it affects all of parts of your life. I for one has always said its about more than the "weight."

POOW NOW- Day #3 of 30

Okay, let's just say this has been a long weekend!! I noticed something on this challenge, you just don't know how or what you eat until you make a list of "can't"haves. Even though I did not make a like of "can't" but just looking at my list of allowables makes me hungry. I know this will pass once I find balance with my fruit and vegetable meals. I remember when I did the fruit fast I was not hungry at all and this time with fruits and vegetables, food is all I think about. I know it will pass. I have to get my mind in the plan.

I'm reading this book called the 100 Days of Weight Loss- The Secret To Being Successful On Any Diet Plan by Linda Spangle and it is really a good book. I am enjoying it so much that I want to finish it all at once. But they do not want you to read it at one time but you're suppose to read a chapter a day for 100 days. The author has exercises for you to do at the end of each chapter. I have food this book to be very helpful and thought provoking and I'm only on day #3.

I want to take a moment and ask you all to pray for the peopel of Haiti. Here we are with all the food we want to eat and they don't have NOTHING. So be grateful and pray that peace, food and balance soon arrive for our Haitians brothers and sisters.

Pray for Haiti

POOW NOW- Day #1 of 30

30 Days Challenge- Fruits and Vegetables and Chicken ONLY

January 15 - February 15, 2010

I guess I should say yesterday was day 1 (since I'm writing this so late) of my 30 days challenge. Today, at work I was so HUNGRY!! There is about 6 people joining me on this journey at work and today was a hard day. I thought I was prepared. I got up this morning and prepared a snack to take to work. It included strawberries, blackberries and apples and I figured about noon or so I would have them as a snack after lunch. But by 10AM I was so hungry. I started the morning with a grapefruit and apparently that was not enough food for my breakfast because I was so hungry by 10 am.

I guess this is normal because my breakfast was about 7:30AM. And 10AM is a good time for a snack. But it didn't stop there by 12PM I was so ready for lunch. I actually bought my lunch to work, I had broccoli and cheese and corn and peas. This was a good lunch but by 1:30PM I was HUNGRY again. People kept coming to my office and asking can I eat... or .... I just had to laugh because normally food is never a true topic at work. It was as if something evil had step in and all it did was keep my mind on food and everyone else's mind as well. We all had to laugh at that! Well, I managed to eat well today and keep my commitment! Let's see what day #2 brings!

Some people asked about what foods I was eating so I created a list and I will share that with you. Please note somethings add to the list may not be fruit or vegetables but have been deem okay such as oatmeal and yogurt because those at work need something quick they could eat and yet healthy. Some of the fruits on the list I don't even know but my research says they're fruit so I added to the list to help the people who may join me and those at work who may know these ideas it is on the okay list.

30 Days Challenge- Food List

Fruits

Peach, Banana, Apple, Crabapple, Hawthorn, Pear, Apricot, Nectarines, Plum, Cherry, Blackberry, Raspberry, Mulberry, Strawberry, Cranberry, Blueberry, Barberry, Currant
Gooseberry, Elderberry, Grapes, Grapefruit, Kiwi, Rhubarb, Pawpaw, Papaya, Melon
Watermelon, Figs, Dates, Olive, Jujube, Pomegranate, Lemon, Lime, Mandarin, Orange,
Tangerine, Avocado, Passion Fruit, Tomato, Bitter Gourd, Bottle Gourd, Cashew Fruit
Coconut, Mango, Neem, Okra, Pineapple, Vanilla,
Vegetables
Broccoli, Spinach, Green Leafy Vegetables, Lettuce, Cabbage, Green Pepper, Yellow Pepper, Red Pepper, Peppers, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Cucumber, Asparagus, Artichoke,

Carrots, Corn, Lima Beans, Kale, Mushrooms,Onions, Sweet Potato, Potatoes, Beans, Peas
Greens
Etc.,

Other Foods
Soups, Cooking oils, Salad Dressings (watch calories), Condiments, Cheese
Yogurt, Oatmeal, Nuts
Chicken

POOW NOW- Getting Ready For the Challenge

Why is it when you're about to start a fitness and eating plan something inside of you wants to eat everything in sight? Why do we do this to ourselves? I had to stop myself a couple of times already this week because I know on Friday I will start eating fruits, vegetables and chicken only. And I keep wanting to eat this or that because I won't be able to have it for a month. This is the wrong mindset! I'm eating fruits, vegetables and chicken only for the next week to allow my body to detox not because this is the way I will eat for the rest of my life.

I will probably start the month off eating mostly fruits and vegetables and add chicken in only when I'm tired of fruits/vegetables and when I need protein. I realize that my body do need a detox moment. We eat so many different foods and I read that it is good to cleanse the body with a detox.

Detox can be done by fasting, eating fruits only, vegetables only, drinking only juice, drinking only water, the list goes on forever on methods to detox the body. I have chosen the one I think I would commit to and go the long haul. Not saying that the other ones I couldn't commit to because once I put my mind to any plan I can DO it. I once did a fruit fast and my goal was 14 days but I ended it at I think 10 or 11 days because I freaked out once my skin began to breakout and I became very weak. I was on a fruit fasting and I was in a challenge to exercise for 100 days straight. I was DOING to much. I have since found out it is best to fast when your not exercising extremely hard.

I also spiritually fast but that is all together different. I have never experience weakness (to the same extend as fruit fasting) or skin breakouts during a spiritual fast. I have been know to spiritually fast for 16 hours a day for 30 days and not once have I had the experience I had with the fruit fasting. I was advised to come off that fruit fast and I did because I got afraid of the changes I was feeling. I was working out doing Tae-Bo and yoga everyday and only eating fruits and drinking water. However, I read that when you fast the breakout I experienced is normal it is the body's way of clean out all of the toxins from your system. I think I could have gotten through the breakout but the faint feelings really freaked me out.

Okay, I have rambled on long enough, the point I wanted to make is don't go eating everything in sight just because you're about to undergo a challenge or a change in your behavior for the betterment of yourself. I think the best diet (I hate using that word) is to eat in moderation and don't deprive yourself of anything. So, that way it becomes a lifestyle change and not a diet. I have 2 more days before my first challenge of 2010! I am mentally preparing myself to change my life so I can walk into my BEST LIFE YET!

POOW NOW-The 30 Days Challenge

30 Days Challenge

I will start a 30 Days Challenge January 15 -Feb 15, 2010. I will be doing T-Tapp for my as primary exercise during the challenge. Along with T-Tapp I hope to get in a few Bikram Yoga classes. As for my eating, I will be eating fruits, vegetables and chicken only during this 30 Days Challenge. This challenge will allow me to get back focus on my goal of getting the weight off.

I developed the POOW NOW Agreement as a personal contract and a way to be held accountable. This is a commitment I have made with myself. Last year from October 19 to December 31, 2009, I led a POOW NOW challenge group on YouTube. I posted videos on my YouTube channel and asked people to join me in the challenge. I have over 20 participants. I lost 15.5 lbs during that 11 weeks challenge using POOW NOW as the foundation for my plan. I did however have to stop my exercise during the challenge due to an accident I had during the challenge period. As I have stated before POOW NOW is a personal contract that can accompany any exercise and eating program. You could do Weight Watchers, South Beach or Atkins and still commit to POOW NOW. One of the clause in the contract is that you commit to doing something (I like to call it a threat) if you do not meet your personal goal.

The contract has to be signed and witnessed. There is a clause in the contract that allows you to back out if you get hurt. But otherwise if you do not meet your goal you have to keep you commitment to the agreement and do whatever you stated you would do (the threat) in the agreement. You are the one who decides what you will or won't do for the agreement. For example, I stated if I did not lose 20 lbs. I would have to post pictures/video of myself on YouTube in a bikini! Thank God I didn't have to do that one!!

Anyway, if you would like to see the contract and join in for the 30 Days Challenge leave me a comment and I will get you the information. I have decided to post my video from Sunday (1/10/10) in which I did today letting my YouTube community know I need them to keep me accountable. I also need you to keep me accountable to my weight loss goals and I will do the same for you. So I will start the count on Friday, January 15, 2010 for my first POOW NOW challenge of the New Year. Believe me this is not my only challenge I will do to get this weight off of my body. I'm thinking about posting pictures to keep track of my journey here on the blog. You can also visit me on YouTube at www.youtube.com/nappybeauty. Please join me.

"Love who you are today because tomorrow is not promised to you."

My YouTube video: #1 POOW NOW- Weight Loss Journey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmBdFckgLRA

POOW NOW- Holiday Party

Well Friday night we had our Holiday party at work and I ate some of everything including a cupcake! I'm glad that on Monday I will begin a new thing to keep me focus because I have discovered for me, without a plan and a focus point I fall off track easily! And I can't afford to do that it's time for a change in this BODY.

I hope that your plans are working for you.

POOW NOW- ANNOUNCEMENT

I'm thinking its time to get on with my plan and decide what direction I'm going in 2010. On Sunday, I will announce my plans on my YouTube channel (NappyBeauty). It has been about a week or so since I end my first challenge and I have notice my focus going from here to there and I need to stay on point.

My YouTube channel has helped me remained focus on my goal of dropping 100 lbs. So, if something is working why stop right? Stay tune to hear the full plan for POOW NOW 2010!

POOW NOW- DECISIONS AND CHOICES

We have so many choices when it comes to what to eat, when to eat and how much to eat. And depending on what you read just about everything is bad for you!! This is why you have to find a method that works for your lifestyle and body then do that. It is wise to read about many different plans but do not jump on every bandwagon that comes along.

I know when I'm trying to lose weight I want to buy every book with the words lose 10lbs quickly or eat what you want and lose weight. You know and I know that this is not true nothing about losing weight is "quick" and you sure can't eat what you want and still lose weight. You must decide what do you want to give up to get what you want--this is when I find myself once again. What can I live without to really LIVE? DECISIONS and CHOICES that is where I am today.