Cleansing Me

Well it’s Friday and I feel great!! “Ma Nature” has said farewell for the month and today I was able to go swimming for the first time this week. I didn’t make my swimming goal for the week, (which was to swim 3 hours a week) but I got in one real good hour today. I did 22 laps in 58 mins. which is a little over a half mile and I stretched the last two mins. It’s been several weeks since I last swam, but I felt that I swam much faster today than I did in the past. I weighed myself yesterday because one of the challenges I’m on in Weight Loss Wars  has a Thursday weigh-in and I have to take a pic of my feet on the scale and post it in on my journal. So Tuesday when I was trying to make my updated You Tube video (<–click) I weighed myself to get a pic to post up and to my surprise I weighed 318.6 lbs. Of course I was overjoyed, then I realized that my cycle was coming to an end for the month and that definitely affected my weight. Yesterday I weighed 317 lbs. and I know for sure that I’ll be under 300 lbs. by the 1st of December for my Christmas Concert. So all in all things are going well. I have to go update my WLW’s profile now and I think I’ll enter the some recipes tonight too with pictures. Stay tuned for my Sunday Weekly Update!!

Fat Burning Diet, Fitness, Food, My thoughts, Weight Loss Wars, You Tube Weekly Updates

Well, I’m back on track as of today and glad to say that today was a very good day. I’ve been  slacking on my commitment to exercise and stay on a restricted caloric diet. However, I am proud of the fact that I’m doing very well at being a vegetarian and that 90% of the foods that I ate in the past 6 weeks have been raw fruits, veggies and whole foods. 10% was pretty much junk food!! Even when I’ve gotten in my little moods, I at least turned to healthy choices to comfort me. We all know that weight loss and trying to make a lifestyle change is not easy, but it is very doable. 

This weekend I was chatting with a friend from YouTube, Daphne, and you would think that we’ve been friends forever the way we’ve been corresponding with each other. Her You Tube videos are very entertaining and inspiring. We’ve been sharing ideas back and forth all weekend and she’s decided to try “The Fat Buring Diet” to achieve her goal as well. It’s because of Daphne that I joined this really cool site called Weight Loss Wars. Basically they use community and competition as a means for everyone to obtain their goals, stay motivated and accountable. I think joining this site was the extra kick my behind needed for me to get out of my slacking mentality. I’m pumped, and motivated and I really see me getting to my final destination. Check out my profile right here  (click–>) UneBelleNoir. You can check my stats and track my progress.  I’ve already entered two public challenges and I’m trying to get in the private challenge Daphne’s in. She also had a website to track her weight loss  journey. It’s really cool, check it out (click–>) Aninchbyaninch.

Day 1 of 50 complete!! I WILL NOT enter the new year weighing 300+ lbs.!!! This year, 2007, is the last year that I will see a 3 as the first number in my weight and if I work extremely hard, December will be the only month of this year that I can claim being 200+ lbs. I’m back at 323 lbs. I’ve seen that number reappear one too many times and now it’s time to say good-bye & farewell to it forever!!

I’m using Jay Robb’s “The Fat Burning Diet” as my weight loss guide and vowing to follow it exactly. Today was a low carb day and I consumed 1,683.9 calories. I’m a bit over because I miscalculated but it’s ok. I did 60 mins of cardio today, Turbo Jam Cardio Party (40 mins.) and Running/Walking in 2 min. intervals (20 mins.) I’m excited because I really feel that I’m going to achieve my goals. Here’s to a new day, a new beginning, a new me and a new you. One day at a time, that’s all we can do right?

Fat Burning Diet, Fitness, Food, My thoughts, Weight Loss Wars

Well, my first month of being a vegetarian is going well. I really don’t miss the fact that I haven’t had meat in the past 29 days. It does take a lot of work though… you know  being healthy and all. Notice I stopped the daily food journal thing. I have a notebook that I’m keeping that info on and periodically I’ll probably put a day on here, but I want this to be a blog not a food diary. I want to talk about my changes and information that I find helpful to you guys.

Back to what I was saying… trying to live a healthy lifestyle takes a lot of work!!!  We are so use to things being quick and easy and we believe everything that’s put before us. The majority of the food items that are labeled “healthy” are not. I know for a fact because I have spent too many hours in the grocery store reading labels trying to find foods that I can have.  Here are some tips that I want to share with you so far about making this healthy lifestyle transition.

1. Read, read, read the labels for the ingredients!! I can not stress this enough. You would be surprised to see how many foods you thought were good for you that had high fructose corn syrup as the 2nd ingredient usually after enriched flour. When you buy food, the first 5 ingredients should NOT be sugar, high fructose corn syrup, enriched flour (of any kind), saturated fat or hydrogenated oils.
2. If you don’t know the ingredients or the calories of a food item, don’t eat it.
3. Start cooking for yourself and family!! I have been preparing my meals because that’s the only way I can keep track of what I’m really putting in my body.
4. Don’t drink empty calories! That 130 calorie juice or soda could be used for something more filling.
5. Watch your portions and measure everything out just so you don’t go overboard.
6. Make sure that you have 12 hours of fasting between dinner and breakfast the next day. Just to make sure that everything you ate the prior day is digested properly.
7. Consume less processed foods and more whole foods. Makes a huge difference!!

I haven’t been consistent with the exercise like I should be so that’s what I have to work on the most. So, I’ve made a commitment to myself to exercise at least 40 mins a day. If I happen to do more that great but I have to do 40 mins straight of something, walking, workout DVD, dancing, swimming etc. daily. Also I’ve decided to just weigh myself on Mondays only and use the Calories Needed for that weight for the entire week. For instance this morning I weighed 320.8 lbs so I need to consume 3502 calories to maintain this weight or consume between 2560-2802 calories to lose weight by next Monday.  I realized that I don’t need to come up with new calculations every day especially if I’m consuming 1600 calories daily anyway. I don’t have a personal chef, dietitian, nutritionist, or personal trainer so I have to do all the calculations and food preparations myself and hold myself accountable for how I take care of my body. The one thing I do notice that it will get easier as time passes by.  Counting the calories and shopping for the right foods at the grocery store is way easier and faster than it was the first few weeks. I also love how creative I’ve been in the kitchen. All the meals and snack I’ve prepared are really tasty and healthy full of lots of protein and fiber. I’ve taken  pictures too which I’ll share with you on a Recipe page plan to create as well as my long awaited You Tube update video. Until next time, happy living.

Fitness, Food, My thoughts

On this day I went to Boston for a family event and did my best to stick to plan as close as I could with the food choices that were around me. No calculation today but I did keep track of what I ate.

Weight: 319.2 lbs.  (Update for Saturday Oct. 6th)

Calories Needed to maintain my weight with little to no exercise today. Maintenance: 2,561 cal. Fat Loss Range: 2,552- 2,552 cal.

 Breakfast(high-carb): ? calories

11.5 oz. can of Minute Maid Apple Juice (160)

2 bags of Kings Honey Roasted Peanuts (160)

1/4 cup of mixed nuts (?)

1/2 banana

Lunch (high-carb): (Budweiser Bar & Grill @ Newark Airport)

Veggie Burger on Sesame Wheat Roll w/ a ceasar salad (?)

Unsweetened Ice Tea w/ stevia

Dinner (high-carb): (Joe’s American bar & Grill in Boston)(?)

Spinach and Artichoke Dip w/ pita chips, tortilla chips, carrots and celery sticks

Ginger Ale

Fat Burning Diet, Food

Weight: 319.2 lbs.  (Update for Friday, Oct. 5th)

Calories Needed to maintain my weight with little to no exercise today. Maintenance: 2,561 cal. Fat Loss Range: 2,552- 2,552 cal.

 Lunch (high-carb): 947 calories

Trail Mix Spring Spring Salad, (857)

• 1 cup Organic Baby Spinach (10)
• 2 cups Organic Spring Salad Mix (20)
• 1/2 med. cucumber (22.5)
• 6 pieces Mrs. Mays Natural: Cran-Blueberry Crunch (172)
• 1/4 cup BJ’s raw shelled walnuts (200)
• 1/4 cup BJ’s raisins (130)
• 2 oz. Cracker Barrel Vermont White Cheddar Cheese (220)
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. BJ’s Balsamic w/olive oil dressing (82.5)

3/4 cup Dole Frozen Mangoes (90)

Dinner (high-carb): ? calories

Veggie Sesame Beef w/yams and brown rice (take out from The Vegetable Garen) (? calories)

2 cups Spring Mix Salad (20)

1 1/2 Tbsp. BJ’s Balsamic dressing (82.5)

Calories Burned (<– click here for calculator): 338.3 calories

20 mins. High impact aerobic dance (338.3)

Really can’t do the calculation today because I couldn’t obtain the calories for that vegan dish I had for dinner. I can safely assume that the meal was under 1,000 calories. It was firm tofu, yams, brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame seeds and about 2 cups of cooked brown rice.

Fat Burning Diet, Fitness, Food

 Weight: 321.4 lbs. (Update for Thursday, Oct. 4th)

Calories Needed to maintain my weight with little to no exercise today. Maintenance: 2,572 cal. Fat Loss Range: 2,568- 2,568 cal.

Calories Consumed: “Two M eals A Day”

*12 oz. water w/ 2Tbsp. of fresh lemon juice (7.5 cal.) **First thing when I wake up**

 Lunch (high-carb): 662 calories

Trail Mix Yogurt Parfait (662)

• 1 cup Stoneyfield organic fat-free plain yogurt (110)
• 1/4 cup BJ’s raisin (130)
• 6 pieces Mrs. Mays Cran-Blueberry Crunch (172)
• 1/4 cup BJ’s raw shelled walnuts (200)
• 1 Tbsp. Organic Maple Syrup, Grade B (50)  

Dinner (low-carb): 525 calories

Veggie Burger Pizza Salad (525)

• 1 patty Morning Star Veggie Patty (150) 
• 2 cups Organic Baby Spinach (10)
• 1 cup Organic Spring Salad Mix (10)
• 1/2 med. cucumber (22.5)
• 1/4 cup Classico Tomato Sauce (30)
• 2 oz. Cracker Barrel Vermont White Cheddar Cheese (220)
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. Berkley & Jensen Balsamic w/olive oil dressing (82.5)

Snacks (high-carb): 762 calories  

Trail Mix (672)

3/4 cup Dole Frozen Mangoes (90)

Calories Burned (<– click here for calculator): 766 calories

45 mins. Turbo Jam Cardio Jam (766)

Total calories consumed for the day 1,949. My workout was 45 mins. today, I should see a drop in weight when I get on the scale tomorrow morning, because mathematically speaking : 2,572 -(1,949-766) = 1,389 of calories cut out & burned for the day.

Fat Burning Diet, Fitness, Food

Weight: 323.6 lbs.

Calories Needed to maintain my weight with an intense workout today. Maintenance: 3,713 cal. Fat Loss Range: 2,584- 2,970 cal.

Calories Consumed: “Two Low” (2 low-carb meals and 1 high-carb meal)

*12 oz. water w/ 2Tbsp. of fresh lemon juice (7.5 cal.) **First thing when I wake up**

Breakfast (high-carb): 492.5 calories

Fruit and Yogurt Parfait, 14 oz. (492.5)

• 1 cup Stoneyfield organic fat-free plain yogurt (110)
• 1/8 cup BJ’s raisin (65)
• 1 cup Dole Frozen Starwberries (50)
• 1/4 cup Dole Frozen Blueberries (17.5)
• 1/4 cup BJ’s raw shelled walnuts (200)
• 1 Tbsp. Organic Maple Syrup, Grade B (50)

Lunch (low-carb): 837.5 calories

Cheesy Nutty Egg Salad, (837.5)

• 2 cups Organic Baby Spinach (10)
• 1 cup Organic Spring Salad Mix (10)
• 1/2 med. cucumber (7.5)
• 1/4 cup Berkley & Jensen raw shelled walnuts (200)
• 1/8 cup Berkley & Jensen raw whole almonds (85)
• 2 large Egg*Land’s Best Organic Eggs (140)
• 2 oz. Cracker Barrel Vermont White Cheddar Cheese (220)
• 3 Tbsp. Berkley & Jensen Balsamic w/olive oil dressing (165)

Dinner (low-carb): 397.5 calories

Veggie Burger Salad (397.5)

• 1 patty Morning Star Veggie Patty (150) 
• 2 cups Organic Baby Spinach (10)
• 1 cup Organic Spring Salad Mix (10)
• 1/2 med. cucumber (7.5)
• 1 oz. Cracker Barrel Vermont White Cheddar Cheese (110)
• 2 Tbsp. Berkley & Jensen Balsamic w/olive oil dressing (110)

Calories Burned (<– click here for calculator): (intense workout) 1,688.4 calories

60 mins. Turbo Jam DVDs: Cardio Party & 20 min. wkout (1,027.7)

60 mins. Turbo Jam DVDs: Turbo Sculpt & Ab Jam (660.7)

Total calories consumed for the day 1,727.5. My workout was an intense 2 hrs. today. I should definitely see a drop in weight when I get on the scale tomorrow morning, because mathematically speaking : 3,713 - (1,7275-1,688.4) = 3,673.9 of calories cut out & burned for the day.

Fat Burning Diet, Fitness, Food

 Weight: 325.4 lbs.

Calories Needed to maintain my weight with little to no exercise today. Maintenance: 2,594 cal. Fat Loss Range: 2,600- 2,600 cal.

Calories Consumed: “Two High” (2 high-carb meals and 1 low-carb meal)

*12 oz. water w/ 2Tbsp. of fresh lemon juice (7.5 cal.) **First thing when I wake up**

Breakfast (high-carb): 460 calories

Kashi “Go Lean” Yogurt Parfait (460)

• 1 cup Stoneyfield organic fat-free plain yogurt (110)
• 1/4 cup BJ’s raisin (130)
• 1.6 oz. Kashi Go Lean cereal (130)
• 2 Tbsp. Organic Maple Syrup, Grade B (100)

Lunch (high-carb): 917 calories

Trail Mix Spring Spinach Salad, (917)

• 2 cups Organic Baby Spinach (10)
• 1 cup Organic Spring Salad Mix (10)
• 1/2 med. cucumber (7.5)
• 6 pieces Mrs.Mays Natural: Cran-Blueberry Crunch (85)
• 1/4 cup Berkley & Jensen raw shelled walnuts (200)
• 1/8 cup Berkley & Jensen raw whole almonds (85)
• 1/4 cup Berkley & Jensen raisins (130)
• 2 oz. Cracker Barrel Vermont White Cheddar Cheese (220)
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. Berkley & Jensen Balsamic w/olive oil dressing (82.5)

Dinner (low-carb): 370 calories

Veggie Burger Salad (370)

• 1 patty Morning Star Veggie Patty (150) 
• 2 cups Organic Baby Spinach (10)
• 1 cup Organic Spring Salad Mix (10)
• 1/2 med. cucumber (7.5)
• 1 oz. Cracker Barrel Vermont White Cheddar Cheese (110)
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. Berkley & Jensen Balsamic w/olive oil dressing (82.5)

Calories Burned (<– click here for calculator): (little exercise) 275.8 calories

16 mins. High Impact Aerobic Dance (275.8)

Total calories consumed for the day 1,747. Even though my workout was 16 mins. today, I should see a drop in weight when I get on the scale tomorrow morning, because mathematically speaking : 2,594 - (1,747-275.8) = 1,122.8 of calories cut out & burned for the day.

Fat Burning Diet, Fitness, Food

Hey guys!! I know I’ve been MIA, but a lot has been going on these past two weeks. As you can see … No more Master Cleanser for the rest of this year 2007.  I will do it for no more than 10 days every other season. So the last 10 days of Winter 2008 is when I’ll do the cleanse again.  Now it’s time to focus on losing weight on a restricted 1200-1600 calorie diet and an intense workout regimen that will help me get to my final weight range. 

I’ll be using the Fat Burning Diet by Jay Robb as a guide, tailoring it to a way of eating that I know I can stick with. 75%  of what I’ll eat will be raw veggies, fruits, nuts and grains and 25% will be something cooked or processed like boiled eggs, veggie burgers cheese and non-fat plain yogurt. I will  eat 3 meals a day allowing 4-6 hours in between each meal for proper digestion and 12 hours of fasting between dinner and breakfast the next day.  I’ll be rotating between Low-Carb and High-Carb Meals. I’ll also be using variations of the plan for days that need it, like today for instance I did the “Two Meals A Day” because I didn’t get a chance to eat something til after noon. I’m not using his suggested daily menu, I’m just choosing  from the list of food that I’m allowed to have to make meals that are more convenient for me at the moment and I’m avoiding the foods he says to avoid. My main goal is to eat more raw, less processed foods and stay with in the 1200-1600 calorie range. I will be doing a better job of blogging about this daily. I took my  before pictures today and well as my measurements and I’ll takes those every two weeks. So here are my stats for the day:

Weight: 327 lbs.   

Calories Needed (<– click to get calculator) to maintain my body weight with little to no exercise today.  Maintenance: 2,605 cal.  Fat Loss Range: 2,616 -2,616 cal.

” This calculator uses the Mifflin formula, which currently appears to be one of the most accurate predictive equations for both normal weight and obese individuals. The calculator predicts REE (Resting Energy Expenditure). Exercise levels are then factored in. Fat loss levels are calculated by subtracting 20% of daily calories. There is always a “rock bottom” value factored in - which is 8 calories per pound of body weight.” 

Calories Consumed: “Two Meals A Day” (no breakfast, high-carb lunch & dinner)

Lunch (high-carb): 130 calories 

1.6 oz. Kashi Go Lean Cereal Dry (130 cal.)

Dinner (high-carb): 1,092.1 calories

Trail Mix Spinach Salad, (984.5)

• 2 cups Organic Baby Spinach (10)
• 6 pieces Mrs. Mays Natural: Cran-Blueberry Crunch (172)
• 1/4 cup Berkley & Jensen raw shelled walnuts (200)
• 1/4 cup Berkley & Jensen raw whole almonds (170)
• 1/4 cup Berkley & Jensen raisins (130)
• 2 oz. Cracker Barrel Vermont White Cheddar Cheese (220)
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. Berkley & Jensen Balsamic w/olive oil dressing (82.5)

14 oz. Lemonade (2 Tbsp. each of fresh lemon juice and maple syrup) (107.6)

Total calories consumed for the day 1,222.1. Even though I didn’t workout at all today I should see a drop in weight when I get on the scale tomorrow morning, because mathematically speaking : 2,605 - 1,222.1 = 1,382.9 of calories cut out for the day.

Fat Burning Diet, Fitness, Food, My thoughts

Update for Aug. 31st-Sept. 9th

Hello, hello, hello …… So I have three more weeks to go!! Which I started yesterday Sept. 10th. I got off of it for a stupid, wack social occasion that was not worth even going, let alone getting off the cleanse for. Here’s my You Tube Update on that. I was suppose to be off for 24 hrs. which ended up being 10 days. But you live and you learn.

Why do we do that? Ok!! I really don’t even want to waste time thinking about the stupid decision I made. It’s in the past and I’m here NOW  handling my business!! Those past 10 days were a real eye opener!!! For 3 weeks I felt clean, clear and fresh. My skin was glowing and feeling smoother (naturally) as the days went by. When you see my vblog, you’ll see the difference in my skin and in 10 days actually 3 days that changed.

I got off the cleanse right, I did the OJ and still taking the herbal tea. I ate fruits, veggies, turkey salad, chicken salad, and even had pasta (whole wheat), w/organic tomato sauce. During the first 7 days I was fine with the exception of the constant sneezing, coughing, and nose blowing because of all the mucus getting back into my system.  Yes, I had dairy and the very next day all of that started happening.

The other huge thing was that last Friday I had some Mc D’s. What is it with Mc Donald’s? Is it Ronald that draws us in when we drive by? Or maybe it’s the red and yellow color pattern that has us in a trance! Oh no, I know what it is!! It’s those damn golden arches sending wave signals to our brains to turn left and go through the drive-thru and Super Size!!!

I think it’s a combination of all three. When I went to buy it, it wasn’t like I said, “Hmmm, I feel like having Mc Donald’s today. Let me go make a trip out there and buy some.” I basically went to go drop something off to my brother, who happens to work near a Mickie D’s establishment. I was driving out of the shopping center to head home and just turned right into the drive-thru lane to pick up a Double Cheese Burger Combo w/mayo (Yes, Mayo!). Oooh then I called myself being good because I got a regular fries and drink instead of the super-sized version. Why do we do that?

Anyway, that weekend I had a cluster of pimples forming on my face and they freakin’ hurt. The majority on my nose and right between my eyebrows on my forehead. I’ve never had an acne problem. I’ve had  one or two pimples but never like what I described above. I felt like I was ready to make a freakin’ ProActive  commercial, but of course it didn’t stop me from getting Chinese take out on Sunday, as my Last Supper Meal since I knew I would finally make myself get back on track and do the cleanse for the last 3 weeks of September!! So I order my favorite, 1 order of Crabmeat Wontons and the “Lunch Special” Sesame Chicken (comes w/fried rice and an eggroll). The good thing is that my stomach shrank so much that I have yet to finish any meal like I use to. I enjoyed as much of my last supper as I could and that night I took the herbal lax. tea to start off the last leg of my Master Cleanser Experience.

So I wake up Monday morning, with a massive headache. My head hurt so bad that it hurt to open my eyes. Good ol’ Ma Nature is here visiting too so that made my condition worse with the bloating, water retention and the other discomforts associated with that time of the month. In addition to starting the cleanse yesterday, I also began my new workout routine, which consists of my ”Neighborhood Workout” (walk around complex and stairs), Swimming 5-8  hours M-F, and doing my Turbo Jam DVDs Mon-Sat. Sunday will “rest day”. The other 6 days will be a combination of 2 or all 3 of the activities I’ve listed or some other form of exercise for at least 30 mins., depending on the day. You would think I was on the Biggest Loser or something (love the show BTW & pissed that I missed the season opener).

I know it’s a lot, but I’m trying to prove a point as well as challenge myself. I’ve blogged here and there about my experience and the changes I’ve noticed in my physical, mental, and emotional state. I have exercised in the previous months but like 3 times a week. A lot of people assume that they will be fatigued and weak because they are going through this fast. I’m going to prove to you that this notion is false.

Update Mon. Sept. 10th

As crappy as I was feeling Monday morning, I just stayed in bed and a few hours later I got up and ready to do my morning “Neighborhood Workout” (NWk/o). I recorded it and I’m trying to splice the clips together to upload it on You Tube.  I also recorded my starting weight so you’ll see that in the video as well as my starting measurements. The weight will be recorded daily and my measurements weekly. I also took a picture of my swollen calves and feet, as well as my nose and face sans make-up to show the hideous state it was in with all of those pimples. I slept most of the day to rid myself of the cramps (since I can’t take meds.). I drank the HL tea and my headaches became tolerable after my first elimination.

NWk./o took me 30 mins. in total to complete. 20 mins. for the walk around the complex and 10 mins. to do the 4 flights of stairs 3 times.  I stopped for a few mins. in between the walk and each round of steps to stretch.

Last week when I came up with this NWk./o plan and tried it out I did the whole thing in one swoop and was shocked and proud of myself because I wouldn’t have been able to do that a couple of months ago. Well, for three days after my calves were really sore and every time I moved them I got a mild charlie horse. So that’s why I stretched in between everything on the first day of the routine.**No Swimming today b/c Ma Nature is visiting, also No Turbo Jam today b/c the cramps were to unbearable.** Weight: 326.6 lbs

Update for Tues. Sept. 11th 

This morning it was raining a lot so, I did my NWk./o when I got in from work around 7:30 pm. Much better than yesterday because my cramps were tolerable. I did the walk in 20 mins. and the stairs (3 times in a row) in 10 mins. I stretched for 4 mins. before the stairs part and for 10 mins. after the entire workout. ** Still no Swimming today do to Ma Nature** 

I still have a headache but it’s not as bad as Monday’s. It seems to go away when I have my eliminations, but comes back through out the day. The blemishes are clearing up and they stop hurting. Sinus cavity feels a bit clearer that yesterday. I still have to blow my nose a lot. My breath is kicking, no matter what I do so I try not to talk too close to people today. The swelling in my calves and feet has gone down significantly. Weight: 323.0 lbs

Fitness, Food, MC Daily Log, My thoughts, Pictures, Women's Health, You Tube Weekly Updates