Test Tube Burgers....

As if genetically modified food wasn't enough, now they're straight up creating food in a test tube. Allegedly it's supposed to be a possible solution to world hunger...because you know, it's better to die from a disease brought on by mutated, fake food, than starvation right? The world actually produces enough food to feed all of the people on the planet, so it's ironic that frankenfood has to be even considered as a solution to world hunger. It doesn't taste like real meat (surprise!) but I'm sure they'll fix that glitch. Maybe I'm biased, or just educated on the effects of eating FAKE food, but this doesn't seem like the best of ideas. We've already seen the effects of genetic mutations in food, but I'm sure an increase in illness and death isn't that bad right? Riiiiggghhhttt. Watch the movie Genetic Roulette. It's awesome. As someone who is allergic to several things that she wasn't allergic to before, I know firsthand, gmo is no joke. But don't take my word for it. Go. Watch. Learn.

Lessons from Iyanla

So many of us don't feel that we are enough. It's something about Iyanla that makes me want to get my life SO hard. I consistently end up writing in my journal. I identify with those people more than people in my real life. One thing that resonated with me is that she said to live in pain is easier than to be believe in yourself. This is so true for so many people, in all areas of life. There's a huge difference between a simple lack of food education and emotional eating. One can be an emotional eater who also isn't educated on food. Understanding the effects of preservatives and sugar for example, isn't something that everyone knows automatically. But for those of us who are emotional eaters, it's beyond that. Iyanla asked a great question: When no one else is around, what is the story that you tell yourself that helps you to stay in the pain? In other words, why do we choose to do the very thing(s) that contributes to us being where we are? Why don't we push ourselves to reach that goal? Why don't we believe in ourselves enough to believe that we can reach that long term goal? I'd be lying if I said that I've been working out like I did during my Spartan Race prep. I'd also be lying if I said that I've been making the best food choices. But I'm absolutely honest when I tell you that I've fallen off, but not without examining why. There's a journey involved here, and as we travel down this road we can't be foolish enough to believe it'll be perfect. Keep moving forward. Keep growing. Keep getting up if you fall off. Now go get your life! Make a plan, work a plan.

SPARTAN SPRINT

    I just finished the 2013 Spartan Sprint and I feel like a boss! Today I went beyond what I thought possible. I did the race in Tuxedo, NY and let me tell you.........it was no joke! The ENTIRE race was on hills. I was worried about how much I could run but ironically I spent much more time walking. Some hills were so steep that we had to climb them, hands and all.

   
        I have never been more proud of myself! I feel like I accomplished something significant because I have never been an athlete. In high school and college I didn't even attempt to play sports. And I hated gym from middle school until high school graduation.

   
       Near the end I became lightheaded and a little dizzy. I didn't think I could finish but my teammates were there to support me. After a break and some deep breathing I kept walking climbing up the hill. I was so close that I could see the finish line. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a challenge. We knew some of the typical obstacles that would be there (thanks to internet research) but we hadn't seen the course or the obstacles until we got there.

Being covered in mud wasn't as uncomfortable as I'd expected.  I  was so tired & sweaty that the water was actually refreshing. 

 As if losing 30 pounds (and counting) wasn't enough of a feat, I'm a real athlete now! I spent the first ten minutes after the race in utter shock.

 I could not believe that I had actually finished--and without doing burpees ( the penalty for failing an obstacle). And....I slipped several times but I never fell! 

After doing this, I am SO ready to run the next 5K that I do. I feel like if I can do this, I can do ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I jumped through fire. I didn't look as cool as this chick though. 

This reminded me of the speed and agility workouts with ladders from Asylum.

Sun's out, gun's out! 

The barbed wire seemed to last forever...but I didn't cut myself or snag my naps . Woo hoo!

         




Are you up for the challenge? If so, here's a few tips: 

• Do NOT wear cotton. That includes undergarments. I wore dri-fit type stuff and I'm SO glad that I did. 
• You can get shoes with traction-if you feel like it. I wore my same sneakers that I've had for the last year. I'm glad I didn't invest in some new shoes. Doing the race with muddy, wet shoes wasn't as difficult as I'd imagined. 
• Drink water like it's your job. I think I got lightheaded at the end because although I guzzled water the night before and had some that morning, I could have had more. 
• Train. Maybe this should have been number one. We did Tap Out, Turbo Fire and Insanity Asylum as a team, and we also ran (jogged) on our own a few times per week. We trained for 2 months and I'm SO glad that we did. Insanity Asylum really prepared me for the agility and full body muscle work that was necessary to get through this.
• Bring a shower. There were "showers"-a hose on  a wooden platform which did help. When I got back to my car I used soap and a gallon jug of water to wash myself more thoroughly. I brought old towels to dry off and change (I did a lot of work under that towel!) and riding home clean(er) was a pleasure. I also covered my floor and seats in garbage bags so that I couldn't mess them up. Another important move.

We put on our shirts after we washed off. We each had names based on our fave exercises. I'm Quad Queen

Would you ever do a Spartan Sprint? Let me know in the comments! 

Eat Your Vegetables

    Fiber makes things...well, move. Fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of fiber as well as vitamins. If you thought vegetables were boring, clearly, you haven't seen this video.

Hey, we could all use a good laugh! But seriously, eat your vegetables. Low calories, good for you, and delicious! It's all in the seasoning baby!

10 Things Not to Say to Someone Losing Weight

1. "One tiny piece won't hurt!" You're right. It won't hurt. In fact, it'll probably taste absolutely fantabulous. But what you don't seem to understand is I'm AVOIDING this food because I cannot just eat ONE PIECE. Stop peer pressuring me, clown.

2. "You don't need to do this, you look fine!" Thanks. That's sweet. I am doing this though because I want to feel fine. So please be a dear and pass me a bottle of water and a Crystal Light packet and help me fill my daily water quotient, will ya?

3. "So-and-so lost weight last month and she said dieting was HORRIBLE." I. Know. It's. Horrible. Stop. Telling. Me.

4. "Well where can you go out to dinner?" Why friend, that's awfully nice of you to ask. I am physically capable of going ANYWHERE for dinner tonight -- I just can't eat the same quarter-pounder with cheese as you. PLEASE, don't attempt to make special arrangements for me if I don't say I need them.

5. "You're not going to eat that, right?" Right -- me putting a piece of chocolate in my mouth is one huge joke. You have NO idea that I saved up just enough calories by opting for an afternoon salad to savor this moment and now you're ruining it for me. YES I'M EATING IT. LOOK, IT'S ON MY TONGUE.

6. "Just don't lose too much weight, OK?" Let's focus on the here and now, OK?

7. "I hate that you're limiting yourself so much." Can we just, like, talk about something that isn't food? Let's go see a movie.

8. "You look so skinny today!" Thank you! That's an awesome compliment! But now I'm going to wonder what in the world I was wearing yesterday and why it made me look fat.

9. "What size are you now?" No. Just no.

10. "How much more do you have to go?" I'm sorry, I thought I was done? Cue feelings of nervousness, anxiousness, and who did I think I was kidding? syndrome.

What's the most annoying thing someone's ever said to you while you were trying to lose weight?

truth

Sometimes it's not what you're eating. It's what's eating you. 

Weight Loss and Tag

   I've spent the last few days really analyzing my actions in all areas of life. When it come to weight loss, I've been sabotaging myself on the weekends. I've spent the last five weeks exercising regularly. I am one of the few people who can do Insanity Asylum and still gain weight. Why? The weekends. I go off course on the eating plan I've created for myself and on top of that I straight up just emotionally eat sometimes. I have the solution to emotional eating. It's what's worked for me before and what is helping me to write this post. I realized something today.

Snackercise

I've been working out 3 times per week for the last three weeks.
I've also been snacking and abusing carbs. So I've gained a total of ten pounds within the last two months. Epic. Fail.
Tomorrow is a new day and not only will I work out, I'm going back to what's worked for me-veggies, fruit and meat only. Nothing processed and if it's white it ain't right. So anything made with flour  sugar and white rice and white potatoes are all out of the question.
I have exactly 3 weeks to drop the ten pounds I've put on....with lots of exercise and low calories it is possible, although difficult. Stay tuned....

Lesson Learned: Snackercise is ineffective. Working out is only half the battle.  Weight loss starts in the gym. 

Friday Fitspiration

Friday Fitspiration

Men Treat Me Different After Weight Loss (VIDEO)

Hey there! First let me say thank you to those of you who read my blog regularly. I really appreciate all  (three) of you! The blog now has an official home on Youtube: fitblackchicvids 
Check out my first video below or click here to watch it on Youtube. 

Video: How to Lose Weight

Friday Fitspiration

Fashiongasm

        A fashiongasm is exactly what it sounds like... Good fashion makes my brain release endorphins (so does exercise, and that's much cheaper).

I admire the style of several bloggers and I'm happy to present my new series: Fashiongasm. 

My first interview is with Juanette of Fashion nette-work I can always count on her blog to not only inspire me as I shop my closet, but to also have clothes I would really wear. She has a passion for fashion! 

1. Fill in the blank. My style isn't complete without my ________. 

Fro! I love big hair and I feel great when I'm having a "big" hair day.

2. What is your personal fashion mantra? Dress for you. Sometimes people get caught up in having the newest or trendiest thing or what someone else has and not necessarily the best items for their lifestyle or body type.

3.  Your style is polished, sexy, but also modest and respectable. I love that! Do you find that thrift stores have more modest clothes than popular chain stores? Lol, thanks, I think that I dress like a Quaker sometimes but I'm trying to be a little more daring as of late. I think that thrift stores are very versatile and  have whatever it is you're looking for, you sometimes just have to have a vision in pulling it off. You can make longer skirts into minis or have the sleeves removed or give a dress a sexier neckline if the bones of an item are right.Or keep an item as is and update it with accessories, the choice is yours! 

Sexy, not sleazy. I LOVES it!

4. You know I've got ask about your hair. How do you avoid single strand knots? Hmmm, I don't think I've had a problem with that, I just try to take care of my hair and keep it moisturized. I add grapeseed or coconut oil to my conditioner and to my hair before I twist it so I'm not sure if that helps but I really stress deep conditioning and giving your hair breaks from wearing it out and I rarely use heat on my hair.

The hair, oh, the hair! 

   

5. What's one fashion moment you wish you could take back? I've had many, sometimes I'll look at old photos (or even outfit posts from the blog) and think "What was I thinking???"

6. Why do you have a passion for fashion? I have a passion for fashion because style is so versatile, you can be someone new every day if you want to. Fashion/style can show you someone's personality and they never have to say a word.

Juanette's style says she's level-headed, fun loving, and intelligent. She knows how to make fashion and function meet. It also says I may need to move to Texas so I can have Ross and all the hot thrift stores Juanette goes to.

A suitcase as a purse? You say "why", she says "Why not?"

The woman dresses like she has a job. A respectable one. And no, I am not biased because we have the same job. =D 

A dashiki worn backwards. And you thought Good Times was just a show. Oh no my dear.

Practical and passion are NOT antonyms ladies, You can be fierce, functional, and FLY! 

Maybe I'm just late, but before this post, never thought to wear belts as necklaces. Love the colors too.

  Juanette, thanks again for being my first feature!

Inspiration vs. Motivation

Sometimes the Doritos be calling my name! Sometimes I don't want to work out. Sometimes I want to just slip into old habits. That's when motivation kicks in.

Friday Fitspiration

Haters

                         

One of my favorite tracks is Bring Me Down by Kanye West: "If you ever wanted to ever be anything, it'll always be somebody to shoot down any dream. It'll always be haters that's the way it is. Hater dudes marry hater chicks and have hater kids."

 Recently when I said that the gym was my new boyfriend (I like to speak in illustrations because that's just how I do) my associate said "Oh how sad. This is your distraction since you're single." Ironically this chick is single as the day is long, but I digress. There's this notion that being fully invested in something makes you strange. The same is true of my devotion to improving my health and appearance. Yet it's always directed at me from people who are not making an effort to do the same.
I think these people all suffer from a sickness in their thinking. Here's a few of the most common syndromes.

Friday Fitspiration

Friday Fitspiration

Friday Fitspiration

Friday Fitspiration

Friday Fitspiration

Y'all Eating Horse Meat

     In 2011 Obama signed a bill that allows horse meat to be sold in those tasty burgers you love so much. It's interesting that this fact wasn't covered on television news very much. I've heard more about the cast of Jersey Slwhore  Shore than I've heard about the ingredients in the food people eat everyday. I think one is more important than the other, but maybe it's just me. Horse meat has been found in the meat from one of Burger King's food suppliers.

Friday Fitspiration

It's Time for a Pep Talk

I hope that this video makes you smile, like it made me smile. 'Cause let's face it, sometimes we all need a little pep talk. So go ahead, watch it. And then... go be awesome. 

Friday Fitspiration

Fitness Funnies

Friday Fitspiration

Pace Yourself

In her video: 5 Ways to Start Your Weight Loss, one of my favorite vloggers mentioned the importance of being real with yourself. You can't go from coach potato to athlete in one day. Short term goals are important. While I've definitely reached some goals, I have many more mountains to climb.

Fitness Funnies

Chic Chick: House Party

Any fit chick also wants to be chic (pronounced "sheek"). I went to a house party last night and snapped a few pictures before I left.

Movie Night

Hey everyone! Just want to say thank you so much for reading my blog! I wanted to share this HBO movie I found to be very interesting. Two-thirds of our society is overweight, with more than a third being obese. Childhood obesity is also skyrocketing.  This documentary was an eye opener and I highly recommend it. Enjoy!

Friday Fitspiration

Myth: Meat is the Only Source of Protein

Many people believe meat is the only way to get protein. While meat farmers would like you to believe this, it's actually just another myth. While meat is high in protein, there are other sources as well.

Friday Fitspiration

10 Tips to Easy & Fast Weight Loss

This vlogger has been SOOO inspiring for me! I highly recommend her videos. I though you might find this one helpful. I've found these same tips during my own journey and I've found that they bring results. My favorite part... "food is like crack!" If you understand what she means by that (I been there and got the t shirt!) then you will really love this video. Enjoy!

Q & A: What is pink slime?

Q: I've heard about pink slime in the news. I know it looks gross but what is it? 


A: I'm gonna let Jamie Oliver and his stunt cow answer that one. 

                                   

Burgers anyone? 

Myth: Eating Healthy is Expensive

I'm sure you've heard this one. Many people believe in the myth that healthy food is more expensive. Eating crap is what's really more expensive--you pay with your health (see previous posts on that sandwhich with sneaker juice, white bread and cancer meat).

I purchased all of this for about 20 bucks. For $30 I also got three desserts and two sandwiches from the same store. The processed stuff definitely won't last past today.  This on the hand, will last for a whole week or more.

According to a news report healthy eating is cheaper than you may think:

An Agriculture Department study released Wednesday found that most fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods cost less than foods high in fat, sugar and salt.But comparing the cost of foods by weight or portion size shows that grains, vegetables, fruit and dairy foods are less expensive than most meats or foods high in saturated fat, added sugars or salt.
That means bananas, carrots, lettuce and pinto beans are all less expensive per portion than French fries, soft drinks, ice cream or ground beef.
"Using price per calorie doesn't tell you how much food you're going to get or how full you are going to feel," said Andrea Carlson, scientist at the USDA's Economic Research Service and an author of the study.
For example, eating a chocolate glazed donut with 240 calories might not satiate you but a banana with 105 calories just might.

So not only does clean eating save you calories, it also saves you money. Sounds like a win-win to me. 

Have you tried clean eating on a budget? Let me know below! 

How to Make a Meal Plan

"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." This saying is so true. Making a meal plan is easy, you just need to know the basics.

Friday Fitspiration

Because I love you for reading, I'm giving you two great quotes this time.

"Fitness is like marriage. You can't cheat on it, and expect it to work."
  

Emeril's Vegetarian Chili-Made Easy

Emeril's Vegetarian Chili

I adapted this recipe by taking out some of the ingredients and changing the canola oil to olive oil. The prep work for this is pretty easy.
                                         

January Challenge

In 2012 I lost 30 pounds and I shrunk I grew. I've learned so much about health, about my own strength, and about myself. I'm all about kicking complacency. There's no reason to be complacent. If you don't have the best body you can possibly have, why are you okay with that? If you want to do better, be better and live better, you want to join this challenge!

Results-Vegan Edition

   At the end of the day, we don't want to just be better on the inside. We all want our healthier habit to also pay off in terms of our appearance. If you're stuck in a rut or you're just not convinced that fruits and veggies are spectusome (spectacular and amazing) here's some inspiration.

  

 Now I'm not pushing a vegan lifestyle (although I do think it's awesome) but this just goes to show that healthy eating is rewarding.

Say What? The McRib

Water, flour, yeast. These are the basic ingredients for bread. Yet for some reason (profits) McDonald's says that's not enough. I mean, let's face it, moldy bread just won't sell.

Myth: What You Don't Know Won't Hurt You

I am not one of those people that goes around telling all my family and friends the truth about everything they eat and drink. Most people don't want to hear it and quite frankly, I'm not here to shove anything down someone's throat (no pun intended). I do however, believe in sharing with those who want to know. I want everyone to know exactly what they're putting in their bodies. Whatever decision they make after that is totally on them. I do believe there's power in knowing. Perhaps that's the very reason many people don't want to know the truth. It makes them responsible for the actions that follow. 


      


     The American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund released a study and found a link between processed meats and cancer.In fact, the World Cancer Research Fund says that "processed meats are too dangerous for human consumption."