7.16.2012

Cool Running

Professional runners know that running on the pavement is deadly for your knees and shins. Pavement running is completely different from running on a treadmill. 
A treadmill is stagnant, it’s easier on the knees and you don’t really do much work on it. But when you run on the pavement you have the elements, and distractions.  You’re physically propelling your body forward and asking your heart and lungs to support you while you run for miles and miles, not to mention the pavement to foot contact. Because I am a runner and very results driven I prefer to run outside-but when my knees start to hurt I go indoors on the treadmill.


A long time ago when I was younger I wasn’t able to eat or drink anything before my morning runs. Now that I’m older I have to eat something. I eat protein within the first 30 minutes of waking up. I’ll have anywhere from a handful to two handfuls of cashews, almonds or peanuts and a banana. 

Ladies, I suggest that if you’re a morning runner (like I am) that you eat something. Eat an apple, a banana, nuts, and yogurt. Whatever you choose you need to help your body supply the energy you’ll need to get through your run.
After eating, I begin stretching. I stretch my back, my shoulders and then focus all my energy on stretching my legs and shins since my legs take a beating on the pavement. Then I grab my sunglasses and hit the road. 



After eating, I begin stretching. I stretch my back, my shoulders and then focus all my energy on stretching my legs and shins since my legs take a beating on the pavement. Then I grab my sunglasses and hit the road. 


Let’s discuss running gear. Ladies, ladies, you only need 2 very important items to run. Whether you choose to run, walk, tennis, kick box anything please make sure you have these two items on.
1. A good sports bra
2. The appropriate shoes i.e. Running, walking, tennis etc.


I’m very particular about my footwear. I only wear Nike Air Max 90’s. I wear them because I am obsessed with a funky running sneaker with vivid colors.


                          Here are a few pairs of my in rotation Air Max 90's

Lastly, I want to discuss running or walking posture. Be mindful of the activity in the area of your chest cavity. Your heart is working harder to pump blood and your lungs are working harder to supply oxygen to the body. When you run try to keep your head up and high and your back straight. It’s natural for you to get tired and hunch over, when this happens take a deep breath which will naturally straighten you up. Try not to hunch this will cause constrictions and make your heart and lungs work harder. 

Next, your hands should swing naturally by your sides, your hands should be slightly closed, act as if you are carrying a delicate potato chip in each hand. Don’t swing your arms unnecessarily, or run with your shoulder high or your thumbs up. Remember this burns energy and you need all the energy to get you through your run.

Ok, ladies it sounds like you are ready to start running or make improvements on your running. Just remember it’s all in the name of good health!

Cool Runnings, 

XOXO!

                          

6.20.2012

My Enemy

My enemy has many names. She’s affectionately called aunt flow, or a visiting cousin by some.
She’s also known as the red sea. But it’s medically known as a menstruation. Well for many, many
years my period has been my enemy. I vehemently dreaded her monthly visits, there was nothing I
could do to avoid it but wait like a sitting duck for my enemy to come a ruin my month.

At the time no sanitary napkin could contain me; I had accidents and changed with furious frequency.
I had the largest bottle of Advil the drugstore sold until Advil could no longer help my cramps and I
had to switch over to Aleve. Women, you get my point.

But with this fibroid everything was magnified times 10! I would menstruate and clot so badly I could
not leave my house for the duration of my period. When i did venture out, I walked with an entire
bag of sanitary napkins…that means if the bag carried 24 napkins-all 24 were in my purse!

It got so bad I started wearing all black, stopped wearing jeans and added tights to my wardrobe.
They were cheap and sold 3 for $10 and could be easily ruined and discarded.
But there’s good news! Every cloud has a silver lining.  Since I’ve changed my diet, by adding fruits,
more vegetables, nuts and drinking more water I have seen a significant change in my period. I've
begun seriously working out; I’ve been running and doing strenuous exercises. And I have seen
and still continue to see changes in my enemy. I keep a journal to document my trials and tribulations
with it. I am so grateful and thankful that these changes are occurring. With these significant changes
I can’t afford to go back to my old ways of eating and not exercising. I am hooked for life!

Cool Runnings,

XOXO

Raw spinach & light olive oil for sauteing

Yellow Snapper (top portion) with a small salad &  sauteed unions and carrots

 6.13.2012

To eat or not to eat

There are many changes I have made in my diet. First off, I have a fast metabolism. This means I am unable to maintain a stable weight. I shed weight quickly and have trouble gaining. So with my diet and exercise regimen I have decided to not lose but to keep my weight.
I am 5’6 and 165 lbs. I’m naturally slim build but this is the heaviest I have ever been and this may sound funny, but I’m kind of liking the extra weight.

So, I eat often and a high protein diet so as not to lose any weight. I’m not a big snacker and I’m not crazy about junk food.  However, I do have episodes where I have cravings for cake, chocolate (Kit Kat or Almond Joy), soda, ice-cream, chips (Doritos), and whatever junk I see.

I’m concerned about my reader’s thinking I may contradict myself at any point during my posting.
I want you all to know that I am human, I will slip and make mistakes and eat things I shouldn’t.  We all do-but don’t make yourselves crazy about it. If you want pie eat pie, just eat a slice not the entire pie!

Every little thing you eat matters. You may not think so but it does. What you put in your mouth definitely affects your fibroid. I have done a sweep of my fridge and stricken many foods from my life. I know I just made that sound easy like I waved a magic wand and foods disappeared. I have no food allergies or issues with foods. I just removed the unhealthy items.

I am one with my fibroid and at times it speaks to me. It hurts when I run so I know I am doing the right thing. It hurts after I eat certain foods and that also lets me know to stay away from that food.
Research shows that genetically altered foods affect the growth of fibroids for example:  cow’s milk, white sugar, white flour, and chicken.  There was a time when I would drink milk and I was using Ensure and Nutriment (which are milk based) for my after run shakes.  And my fibroid would hurt and have me doubled over in pain! So, I no longer drink milk. I don’t drink any kind of milk NOT almond, goat, cows, soy, nothing, nada.  Not even in my tea.  I’m not lactose intolerant, I made the choice to remove milk from my life for the sake of my health plus it was hurting my body.

I've stricken white flour and white sugar from my diet.  White sugar makes my fibroid hurt too.          
So I stick with brown sugar and honey. Although, I don’t drink milk, I love cheese & ice cream.                                              
At times its difficult for me to resist-so when I crave, I eat in moderation (like a pizza or a slice of cheese on a cracker, toasted almond ice cream on a stick) or find alternatives like soy Ice cream, a slushy or popsicle.
Let’s move on to vegetables. Visit your local fruit market or farmers market. Get acquainted with vegetables-these will help you with weight loss, diabetes, lowering cholesterol and lastly shrinking the Fibroid.
They will also help the body with much need nutrients (since I don’t drink milk I have to get the vitamin D from somewhere). For example I have discovered my love of Spinach (I’m serious, I really really love it) which is high in Iron, especially good for women who menstruate. I also love cucumbers which is high in vitamins A & C and is also a good source of dietary fiber!
Talking about all these veggies is making me hungry, but you get my drift.
When I get to my local veggie mart I write down the names of the veggies I see.  I write down what I like or even what my friends like (like asparagus or eggplant both of which I don’t eat) then I go home and research it.

I keep a few things in mind when choosing my veggies.

1. The good Lord puts nothing bad on this earth. All vegetables and fruits are good for you!
        Genesis 1:9 And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and        
        good for food.
2. The nutritional value of the vegetables I chose.
3. Ways to incorporate my new found vegetables in my diet.

And lastly, once you’ve decided on your newfound veggie you want to also discover innovative ways to cook them. I steam and bake a lot of my meats and veggies. Yes, I know this may seem time consuming but it’s not.
You simply pop the food in the oven, set the timer then take it out when the timer goes off. Oven cooking is a lot better than slaving over a hot stove. I also suggest the small convection ovens which work well too and fit nicely on your counter top.

For a more detailed account of what foods are and are not in my Fibroid –stricken life or how to choose veggies or if you have any questions, please email me.

Cool Runnings,

XOXO

String Beans washed & ready to be sauteed in Olive oil of course!

Sweet Potato, wrapped in foil ready to bake!

Finished, and ready to eat!

6.5.2012


Here goes...


Believe it or not, I am one of the 20% of Black women suffering from Uterine Fibroids.   
This condition affects women during their child bearing ages of 20-40. I am 36.
It started when I was 14, heavy periods, throwing up, and oh the debilitating pain. I missed many days of school and had accidents like crazy because my flow was so heavy. This continued into adulthood until one day in 2009 my period came and never left. In 2010 I had a hysteroscopy and here I am again battling this issue.  Women, we know there is 80% chance of a reoccurrence after surgery. My fibroid is back. However, this time it’s different…I’m armed with a wealth of knowledge and I am going to SHRINK this Fibroid, oh yes you read correctly. I am going to SHRINK this Fibroid!
This blog was created to chronicle my experience with the shrinking process. Through diet, exercise and good ‘ol fashioned prayer and determination. I am going to SHRINK this Fibroid. I cannot reiterate this enough; I will continue to say this until it reverberates through my soul.
I AM…GOING…TO…SHRINK…THIS…FIBROID!
Please follow me as I open my world to the public and chronicle my life to help every woman suffering from Uterine Fibroids.


Let me start by saying, if you choose to follow any advice you may find useful on this site, you do so at your own risk. You must know I am not a certified trainer nor am I a certified Nutritionist nor do I intend on becoming any of the fore mentioned. Again, I am following an old “common sense” recipe and doing what inherently feels right. I cannot stress my point enough, let’s make this our mantra. Say it with me. Diet + Exercise + Prayer + Determination = HEALTHY. It’s a win, win situation!


Many are probably wondering. Can it be done? Many doctors would say no and homeopathic doctors may say yes. I’ve already begun seeing results.
The idea of a second surgery is a definite option in my life.  But what will happen after my second surgery? Will the fibroids return again? Am I damned until I’m menopausal? I refused to wait for an answer and decided to take back my life.
I wonder to myself…can I shrink this on my own? Can I become an example for other women by using myself as a guinea pig to demonstrate that this does work? 
Ladies this is no way easy, I battle myself every day to get up and go to the gym.
But what motivates me is what I see daily in the mirror.

That's me Christmas 2011. It may not look it, but I was suffering.