Recently, I was strolling through my emails and found information on a couple that created fitness program and foundation to support students in Atlanta. If you are local with younger children, this might be something to look into for your family. I love the concept of the program because it is a combination of fitness and tutoring.

More information about the program:

Challenge Accepted: The FiberChoice 30 Day Get Picky Challenge

Sponsored Post

Losing weight and maintaining weight loss is not for the faint of heart. It truly takes hard work and dedication but for some of us there are challenges and obstacles beyond our control that makes the process much more difficult. I've been on my journey to living a healthy life for awhile now and I decided to changes things up to give myself that extra boost. 

Keep Pushing

Hello and Happy Monday!

Well after my visit with the Endocrinologist, I am encouraged. He told me to keep doing what I'm doing. I have more testing to do but he didn't want me to get discouraged. He was impressed by my numbers and that let him know I have been dedicated to losing weight and being healthy. My cholesterol is perfect and there is not indication that I'm at risk for diabetes.


Now, I did reach out to a national nutritional program to participate in a blogger program they are running.

Running with Pain

I will be the first to admit that I am addicted to running. However, the last two weeks or so has been extremely difficult. I'm getting stronger and faster; however, it seems I can't get my muscles to relax while I'm running. This causes spasms in my hamstrings, but I can deal with those. The major issue I'm having is my entire legs aching when I'm not running. The other night the pain was so bad it woke me up out of my sleep. For awhile, I laid there hoping it would pass. Over time, the pain got worse and I began to cry. I'm not a crier and I have a high tolerance for pain. So this pain was something serious. Anywho, I finally realized that I had to take something. I reached for my muscle relaxers and about  30 mins or so later the pain has ease to a tolerable level. I got up the next morning and hit the pavement like nothing happened.

Meal Plan for 4/29 - 5/4

Hello All!!!

I'm working on my menu for this week a little late. I'm also making my grocery list at the same time. I never did make it last week so I have a few things that I need to add to my last list. Sadly, I was scheduled to go on yesterday but was feeling lazy and for that most of my coupons expired. It just dawned on me while I was writing this post. It's a shame but lesson learned.

Here goes the menu for this week:

Mon and Tues: Baked chicken and green beans

Wed: 

Lunch: Egg Drop Soup and grilled chicken breast
Dinner: Buffalo Wings

Thur: 

Breakfast: Green Juice III w/w/1 scoop of BioPro Protein and KyoGreen
Lunch:  Grilled Salmon and Steamed Broccoli
Dinner: Turkey Burger w/cheese, mayo, ketchup, and turkey bacon

Fri:

Breakfast: Green Juice I w/1 scoop of BioPro Protein and KyoGreen
Lunch: Chicken and Spinach salad
Dinner: Steak w/onion, pepper, and mushrooms & Shrimp Alfredo using Dreamfield's Pasta or Tofu noodles

Sat:


Breakfast: Green Juice II w/1 scoop of BioPro Protein and KyoGreen
Lunch: Fried Cheese and Bacon Cheeseburger
Dinner: Tuna on a Spinach Salad (spinach, olives, bacon bits, feta, and dressing)

I normally don't eat breakfast but I'm trying to add juice in after runs and workouts. I slacked earlier this week and I have a busy day today so a juice today is out of the question. Also, I have a review coming for the BioPro Protein.

What's on your menu for this week?

Meal Plan for 4/21- 4/27

Hello Low Carber!

I need to get back to posting my meals for the week. You will notice I do have a few complex carbs in the mix for the week because I'm upping my cardio and adding strength training back in. I adding the carbs on the days I run and workout. Friday and Saturday evenings are in limbo. I have friends coming in town for a hair show this weekend and I already know Fri I will be having Chicken and Waffles at Gladys Knight's restaurant. Saturday, I'm not sure if the ladies want to go out or have me cook. I do know I will try to find a low carb option on the menu of where ever we go.

 Lastly, I'm still doing intermittent fasting but I opened up my eating menu to 2pm - 10pm. This should be more than enough time for me to eat a nice lunch and dinner. If you are wondering why so late, I'm up normally until 2 or 3 am and I've been known to forget to eat. This helps me eat when I remember without guilt and not be hungry in the middle of then night.

Here is the plan so far:

Sun:
        Lunch: I forgot to eat lunch today and doubled the amount for dinner, except the broccoli.      I  just had one portion of that b/c it is high in carbs.
        Dinner: Baked chicken breast, broccoli w/cheese, and sauteed mushrooms

Mon:
         Lunch: Green juice w/a scoop of unsweetened and unflavored protein powder
         Dinner: Baked Chicken Parmesan w/broccoli

Tues:
          Lunch: Oatmeal w/pecans, peanut butter, almond milk, and protein powder
          Dinner: Chicken Roll Ups and green beans

Wed:
            Lunch: Baked wings and tomatoes w/mozzarella
            Dinner: Corned beef and cabbage

Thurs:
           Lunch: Baked Tilapia and salad
           Dinner: Corned beef and cabbage

Fri:
      Lunch: Juice w/a scoop of protein powder
      Snack: Tomatoes and mozzarella
      Dinner: Chicken and waffles w/butter and syrup?

Sat:
       Lunch: Bacon and eggs
       Dinner: Unsure

I plan on running and working out three times each this week. I'm going to run Mon, Tues and Fri. I plan to lift weights on Mon, Wed, and Fri. On Wed and Thurs I will workout using a video, ONdemand, or the elliptical
       

No meat? What was I thinking?

Hello all,

So, as I previously mentioned I am giving up pork and beef for the month of Sept. I don't know what I was drinking when I agreed to that b/c this is so hard. LOL! I really don't know if I'm going to make it ya'll. I keep thinking of bacon, cheeseburgers, LC grilled cheese with bacon. Oh my! This really is a challenge and my self control is about to fly out of the window. Must have bacon!!! I'm such a carnivore! 

Otherwise, I'm doing great with my challenge for this month. I won't be able to run for a couple of days. My running pants split on the inside seam and rubbed my leg raw. I now have an open sore. So I have to let that heal but I will find other things to do that won't cause friction in that area. Yep, leave it to me to have this happen. LOL! How is everyone doing on their Sept goals?

Sept Challenge

 

Hello All!

So, Sept is my birthday month and I wanted to be back in a certain size. That goal didn't happen. I still believe it was from the extra running b/c I lost everywhere but my thighs. This month I'm going super hard. My 35th birthday is on the 28th and I must have a better body.

 

My goal for this month is to eat as clean Low Carb as I can. That includes fruits, veggies, and meats. I'm going to cut back on my frying. I still lose when I have my buffalo wings but I'm going to do more baking this month. Plus, my baked version of wings are just as good. I'm having some tonight as a matter of fact. I'm also trying to cut back on my peanut butter and plantain consumption. I've discovered that homemade banana ice cream over plantains, topped with peanut butter, SF fudge, and coconut is quite addictive. Delicious but I think I went a little over board on a very good thing. hehe 

 

 

Anywho, here are my plans:

• Juice no more than twice a day followed with protein
• Stay consistent with my water intake and cut back on flavor packets in my water
• Exercise 5-6 days per week
• Eat clean LC
• Get more sleep (even if I have to take my sleep meds)
• Stretch daily (yoga or basic stretching)
• No eating out unless I'm with friends 
•  
•  

If anyone would care to join me, you are welcome to do so. I will be back tomorrow with pics and measurements. 


XOXO,

Tiki

Run for My Life!

I had a much needed conversation with one of my running partners. She is an advance runner and I enjoy running with her b/c she pushes me. She told me this morning that I'm growing as a runner and she can see the difference. It's time for me to learn myself as a runner and work on my endurance. My focus has been building my pace and endurance back up to where it was last year before my accident. She told me to just focus on endurance and pace will come. Last night I ran at my old pace just for a moment and it felt so good. It was the push I needed to step it up and push harder.

I will say some disagree with me adding juicing to low carb. However, I have to do what is best for me on my journey. I'm not on a diet. I'm trying changing my life style and I'm learning the thing that I can sustain long term and permanently. Juicing is one of them. I no longer have issues with hydration. Overall I have a ton of energy and I think juicing has helped in my running progress.


As always I will say, what works for me may not work for other but at the point I'm experimenting and doing me. I think some people get confused and think I'm still on Atkins. I'm not. I'm low carb...Tiki's version of low carb. I'm juicing low GI fruits for the most part.


Hope everyone has a great day! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them on my blog or email me. Thanks for reading!

First Official 5K Race

As you all know I run on a regular basis. However, I never entered a sponsored race until last Saturday. I finally ran my first officially publicly sponsored race. LOL Yeah, I know.

I had fun. I had an injury thanks to new shoes that were too big but I don't care. My knee has been bothering me since and I've tried to rest. You know me that whole resting thing isn't working out too well.

I ran with Black Girls Run. No, you don't have to be black to join. The will let a half of a sister join. LOL There are other mixed folks other than me and some Latinas. I'm sure there are some still trying to figure out what in the hell I really am. Oh well! LOL

Anywho, hope you enjoy the pics!

Yes, I had on eye shadow and lip gloss with a mini hat. You didn't know I was a diva? Now you know! LOL

I earned that beer and I'm not a really a beer drinker

Run for my life...

July is coming to an end. I didn't reach my goal for the month but I'm fully aware of why. In the beginning of the month I had waaayyy too much mango margarita mix. I swole up like a balloon. It was not cute. My face blew up and everything. Once that came down, I had an epiphany about my birthday. I will be 35 and it's five years from the age my mother died. I realized that I began my journey to prevent certain illnesses but I really hadn't dedicated 100%. You get out what you put in. I was losing but I wasn't feeling as good I should health wise. So, a couple of weeks ago I went all in. I started doing two a days and I just started pushing my body harder. I began running through the pain instead of easing up when it began. In two weeks, I see a differance already. Which brings me to reason number two...working out so hard has caused a pause in my weight loss. I know I'm building muscle and I'm fine with that. I'm sure next month I will start to see the .25" drop again. But if I don't, I know that will be the result of Insanity. Yep, I said INSANITY!!!  I'm waiting for my disks to arrive so I can begin on Mon. I'm going to make it drop one way or another to meet my birthday goal and to feel better overall.

So, if you need me I will be running at 430 am or 545 (depending on which running partner I'm with) and again at 7pm. I refuse to let my illnesses stop me from doing anything. They may slow me down but never will they stop me.

Running for my life!

They got me! I went out Mon with my running group. It went from running to plyometrics. It was straight out of the Insanity video. This is supposed to happen every Mon. I thought for sure I was going to be sore Tues but I wasn't. I felt good when I woke up.

I managed to get on the elliptical, do kettlebells, and an ab workout for Tues. Today, Wed, I did the unthinkable. I ran the bridges in downtown Jax. Oh lawd! The first bridge got me. I was literally about to vomit b/c I was running so fast. I told someone they had me running life someone was chasing me with a knife...or Maybe I was running after some buffalo wings. IJS LOL Anyway, I slowed down once we got off the bridge to catch my breath and get ready for the second bridge. I was happy when the bridge went and we had to stop for 30/45 secs. You have no idea. The second bridge wasn't as bad. Now that I've finished both bridges, I can't wait to do it again next week. In the meantime, I will go walking Fri and running again on Sat. I will update if anything interesting happens on those outing.

Now let's keep it moving!

I know I've been slacking. I will post my June goal this weekend. Better late than never:)

New Episode: Run For My Life!

If you are wondering about the multiple posts with the same name, these are dedicated solely to the events and obstacles I face while trying to run. As the name suggest, my life depends on me running and exercising. I've stated it before but I will say it today for the last time b/c I'm not trying to invoke sympathy. I just want you all to know how important exercise is on your weight loss journey and for healthy living period. I suffer from a number of healthy issues, all of which are worsened by stress. The biggest one that dictates my day to day life is renal (kidney) failure. I have stage 2 renal failure now. I began with stage 1, acute renal failure but in the last couple of months my kidney function dropped. I am trying to prevent my function from dropping more b/c I absolutely do not want to be on dialysis. I have a cousin that is 22/24 that is on the donor list that has dialysis multiple times weekly. I don't want that to be my life. Therefore, running and other forms of exercise are very important for me. I have to be careful while I do exercise b/c I can't let my electrolytes drop. So I HAVE to drink Propel, Powerade, or Gatorade while I'm running. I can't have water b/c it doesn't keep my levels up on it's own. My neuphrologist is the one that monitors me and make sure that running is helping while not hurting my conditions. It's funny he supports it along with low carb (keeps swelling down). Sometimes we take the true importance of exercise for granted and only see it as a necessary evil for losing weight. Sometimes we don't understand how important it is to our overall quality of life.

Now for my latest update. I'm sorry to say that I was only able to run yesterday. The started out with Beryl messing up my plans and then my ulcers started acting up. Last night I was having sharp shooting pain from my knee to my hip but I was determined to push through the pain and get some running in. I'm glad I did. Yes, it hurt but the sense of accomplishment despite that pain me proud of myself.

New Episode: Run for my life!

I did not move off my sofa other than for essential functions today. Why? I didn't sleep last night and I decided to go out at 7 this morning with the local running group. I only planned to do Couch to 5K. The program is 30mins. I was going to turn around & head back when it told me I was at the half-way point. Did I do that? Nope! I kept going. I turned around after I finished the cool down. Of course I had to make matters worse by deciding to continue to jun/walk instead of just walking. Needless to say, my legs are killing me. I need to get new insoles b/c it felt like I was running on the ground barefoot. My shoes don't have many miles on them but I bought them right before my accident. So, I was 50 lbs lighter at the time. I think my feet are shifting differently now. I don't know but Dr. Scholls is calling me! The insoles below are the ones I really want to try but I have a $3 off coupon for Dr. Scholls. So, they will only cost me $7 at Walmart.


Did I mention one of my group members wants me to run with her tonight at 6pm? Oh, I'm going to have to pray on that one b/c my legs said heck no but my brain is all in. They are trying to kill me with exercise. Lol! I'm hoping this raggedy body of mine can get back on schedule. I want to run at least Mon (with group), Weds (group members in my neighborhood), and Sat (with group).


If I can go back to 4 to 5 days of running I would be so happy. I really need to talk to my neuphrologist on Mon. I'm hoping my kidney function has gone up. But, I need to ask him how often I can run b/c this am I got dehydrated and started swelling. I had some powerade before and after my run but I think it was the coffee I had the day before that caused the problem. I have had this problem one time before. I was swollen, my face was crusted with salt, my finger were numb, and I became weak. There is a name for it but I remember it off hand. Given that I have issues with renal failure I'm learning to not push myself:(


In the end, I realized that I rather hurt from running than my other issues. I'm hoping that going back to running will improve my health and quality of life as it did before. I'm literally trying to run  for my life.