Short but Sweet!

Hi all!

So updates.... yesterday my dad's chocolate, chocolate birthday cake was screaming at me. It grew eyes, these burley eye brows, a mouth, shark-like teeth and a really deep voice that said....

"Ha ha ha. You know you want to eat me. You know you want a piece of this. You can't avoid the smell and I'm so sweet and chocolatey and yummy. Come over here. It's worth the BILLION calories..."

It went on like that ALL day I tell you. But I won in the end! I did NOT eat a piece of that chocolate monster. No sir. Not me!

Have a great day free of temptation but know that you are stronger than that craving! Walk away. Walk away. Walk away.

Super Foods! Just EAT Them!

Just thought I would share this with my readers. Thanks Ajeet for sharing! My grocery list is sure to be SUPER!

3.2 Miles Down... 9.9 Miles To Go!

I did it! On Sunday, April 25th I finished my first 5K! As I crossed the finish line I went into the ugly cry! I was so emotional because I've never been able to do that before. Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to be able to run. I equated running with flying. I used to and still do have dreams that I can run as fast and as far as I want and even fly to get myself out of precarious situations. I'm not sure why in the conscious world I believed I couldn't run. I might have to explore that but for now let's rejoice in the I DIT IT part of this story.

I have so many people to thank and hope I don't forget anyone.

THANKS SO MUCH TO:

My parents have always taught me that I can do anything I put my mind to... a lesson I share with my son almost every day!

My husband who supports me above and beyond on this journey... I feel the pride you have in me and the admiration and all the encouragement not to mention the freedom you allow me to train by taking on more responsibility at home sometimes.

My original muses in this journey... Colleen and Dave S. who have taught me that you make no excuses - you get out there and you do it because you can (and thanks for volunteering for the kids - love you for that)!

To all my running partners Lisa (love you for making the trip), Leah, Tia (sp?) and Rachel.

To Ginny - girl I was so happy there was a familiar face across that finish line... thanks for the hug, words of encouragement and water!

Again, to my TNT trainers... Adam, Steve and now Joseph part of the team... listen I know that you guys have physically made me stronger which has made getting mentally stronger that much easier. I wouldn't be able to do all this without you!

Kamesha... you're crazy girl but I adore you for keeping me on track at work!

And to all of my friends, family and blog readers who encourage, motivate and inspire me every day.

I'm so proud to report that I have lost a total of 20 pounds so far but way more impressive.... since I started TNT last summer I have lost over 16% body fat! That's huge guys! I finished my first 5K in under an hour. I think my official time was 57 minutes and 8 seconds - which I know is long but I ran the whole thing - I finished it!

AND now look out world... I registered for the Baltimore Run Fest October 16th. I'm doing my first 1/2 marathon! That's 13.1 miles folks. I have NO doubts that I can do it! In my training so far I've run 7 miles and just last weekend did 5 miles in 1 hour and 37 minutes. So if I can do this... no seriously if IIIIIII can do this.... anyone can! Enjoy the photos and get outside this weekend. Do something good for your body. You won't regret it!

Food Addicts Unite! Cheers to our new mantra!

Woo hoo! Spring is here!

If you read my last post you know that we've established that my relationship with food is an addiction. That's heavy right? Perhaps about 100lbs heavy? Every talk show expert, every doctor, every therapist asks why do you do it? Why do you drink? Why do you gamble? Why do you eat? "They" (whoever they is) say you can't stop the behavior until you figure out the why.

Over the years I figured out the why. I pretty much summed it up in my last blog entry... I'm addicted to food based on the learned behavior of eating for every reason other than sustanance. Celebration, mourning, entertainment, recreation, comfort, reward, among others are all reasons to eat in my family, my circle of friends, in my African (American) culture and in my American culture. Well guess what? Now brace yourself because this may be an eye opener for a lot of people including those who aren't addicted to food but maybe struggle with other things in their life...

...if I learned this it's not mine! It never was! And guess what else I can unlearn it! If it's not mine and never was than it's my choice to choose the road less traveled! I'm an intelligent person. I can make my own decision to change. WOW the weight is literally lifted because I am no longer defined by this!

Let me break it down for you so it truly resonates:
- I learned this so it's NOT MINE!
- It never was mine!
- I can choose to unlearn it!
- This NO LONGER defines me!

Let this be my new mantra. You can borrow it if you like. It's incredibly freeing. Not a sermon! Just a thought!