04
Mar 2015

Make It Happen! Weekly Health Goals

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Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment- Jim Rohn

In December I set my goals for 2015, and I have to admit, it has been a rocky start. It is the first week of March and I am not where I thought I should be at this point in the year. I can’t cry over spilled milk. I just have to keep it moving. On Instagram I constantly see people meeting their goals and seeing results. I am super happy and proud of them all, especially the people that I actually know like my bestie Erica who is a meal prep goddess! I see everyone making progress and I’m just scrolling and double tapping on IG, which is not helping me meet my goals at all.

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On one of those posts from the IG_Weightl0ss page was of a woman who was my height and roughly 7-10 lbs pounds heavier than me said something that clicked with me…

“It wasn’t until my 5’4” frame hit 160 lbs that it really clicked- our bodies are a direct reflection of our lifestyle. So I changed mine- I started exercising, eating clean, and laying off the cocktails. I started goal setting, 5 lb milestones at a time…The process has taught me the ability of the body to transform when you train and feed it with the right foods. Patience and perseverance are key in any transformation.” Source

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OUR BODIES ARE A DIRECT REFLECTION OF OUR LIFESTYLE!

Boy did that resonate with me. In order for me to see change, I have to truly change my lifestyle.

She started small with goal setting. Usually when I get on this fitness and healthy lifestyle track I try to go all in at once. That was my first mistake. Humans are creatures of habits and it takes a lot to break those bad habits. We have to make a conscious decision to break those habits by setting Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely goals. Yes SMART Goals. I need to set goals that I know will require discipline, but I will have a greater chance of success.

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So my first set of goals is to increase my water intake (At least 6 glasses daily-It is a struggle for 4) and minimize the amount of times I eat out per week. Last week I ate out at least 4 times, and I want to bring that number down 1. Sometimes I get lazy and don’t want to cook, or I don’t want to eat what I did cook. I need to get over that. Also, I just need to increase drink more period. It’s not like I’m drinking juice or soda, I’m just not drinking anything at all, and that is a problem.

Next week I’ll report back on my progress. Do you set fitness and health goals?

How do you stay on track?

Categories: Beauty Bubble, Health and Wellness, The GOOD Life Tags: , , , ,
08
Sep 2014

Motivation Monday: Time to Grow Up and Life Updates!

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Hey my loves!

I know the last time I wrote a post I said that I was back to blogging because I finished school, and guess what that wasn’t the case. I know I said I was in the process of moving and I would still blog, but I didn’t. I am a woman of my word, so don’t hold my lack of consistency against me, but A LOT has changed since I last wrote that post. So here it goes…

Life Updates

  1. I got a new job. Well this isn’t just a job, I am advancing in my career as an educator. This year would have been my 9th year as a teacher, but God had a different plan. I am now an AP (Assistant Principal)! How awesome is that!
  2. I moved. New place, new life, new responsibilities.
  3. This is the first season in about three years that I missed fashion week and…..I’m not bothered by missing it.

I will be 30 in less than a month and so it is time to grow up. I have a new career that requires a different level of thinking and time, and I have new responsibilities. I am no longer solely responsible for the 150 students in my classroom for my content area. I am now responsible for making sure a school is functioning; that includes supporting a teachers, operations staff, support staff, students, parents, and the community. I am now responsible for helping the principal fulfill the mission and vision of the school. I literally went from 0-100 real quick (I can’t give up my hip hop lingo lol).

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Over the last year God has been pushing me in a different direction, and the things that I used to do, I don’t do anymore. I’m not referring to any type of “ratchet” behavior, that’s not me. I’m talking about what my concern and focus used to be is not the same at this point in my life. When God brings you to a new stage or level in life He expects you to act accordingly, because you have now accepted a new level of responsibility. This time last year I was probably looking at my schedule of shows for fashion week. This year my schedule does not have Lincoln Center anywhere near it. I would have been attending lounges and getting pampered and tweeting or instagramming looks straight from the runway. This year I’m revamping my professional wardrobe and not concerned with the runway because quite frankly some things do not fit my new lifestyle.

I struggled with accepting this new level of responsibility, but I know God will not give me more than I can handle. I was not expecting this change to happen so quickly although I went to school for this very reason. I’m still in shock about all that I have accomplished this year. God never ceases to amaze me. He knows exactly where He wants us, but we just need to listen to His word and follow His command. Over the last few month’s Pastor Bernard has been teaching about God’s Mediatorial Rule, which deals with God’s Rule and Presence. Under God’s rule He directs, corrects, and protects. I know that I am where I am for a reason. I know that God will never leave me or forsake me. I know that as long as I have faith the size of a mustard seed anything is possible.

So I’m finally accepting that I’m growing up. 1 Corinthians 13:11 says,

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.

I am excited for this new season that I am about to enter and know that without God’s love, grace, mercy, direction, protection, and correction, I would not be where I am today. So as I continue on this journey, walking in my purpose by meeting the needs of others, I know that God is my source and without him, nothing is possible.

Categories: HGB Go Getter, The GOOD Life Tags: , , ,
04
Aug 2014

Motivation Monday: Next Steps

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Hello My Loves!

Yes it is been forever and a day, but I am happy to say that I officially finished graduate school last Sunday! Working on my 2nd Masters was definitely a challenge. I was in an accelerated program and completed what normally takes two years or longer for some people in 14 months. The program consists of six weeks of pre-course work, two 5-week intensives (five weeks for Summer I and five weeks for summer II) and a 10-month long internship. As I said in an earlier post practically everything suffered because of the intensity of the program. I was so busy I barely wore heels and if you know me, you know I love my heels. The last 2 1/2 weeks were the most intense. I haven’t pulled so many all-nighters since undergrad over eight years ago. Completing this degree was by far one of the most challenging and rewarding things I’ve done in my life. My degree will be conferred in October, and I will be able to walk across the BIG STAGE in May 2015.

Now that I’m finished I keep getting asked the same question…what are your next steps?

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Besides catching up on sleep and catching up with friends and family I haven’t had much time to really relax. While I was in school I decided to look for a new apartment. I know…what was I thinking right? Well this was my logic, I wanted to find a place before school was over, so once I was done I could just pack and move so I could be settled by September when the school year starts. Well I found a place and I am in the process of packing and moving. Don’t worry, my laptop won’t be packed up, so I will have time to blog!

I’m also planning a birthday/graduation/house warming shindig. I figured why not celebrate all three at once. This way I can catch up with my family and friends who I have not spent that much time with over the last few months because of school and the internship.

So what’s next? I need to relax, but I can’t get restless. I have to stay motivated and put to use what I learned over the last 14-months.

Yesterday in church was “Graduation Day,” and that is when everyone who graduated from high school, college, and graduate school go up to the altar and one of the ministers pray over everyone for guidance regarding their “Next Steps.” This brings me to my favorite scripture Jeremiah 29:11 (I reference this scripture all of the time to keep me grounded and to remain faithful to God’s promise). It says,

“11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” New International Version

I know what God has placed in my heart and I am not sitting around hoping for something to fall in my lap. 2014 has been a HUGE year for me and everything that I set to accomplish, I have by the grace of God. I gave myself a list of things to do before I turn a certain age (I’ll tell you what that age is in October) and I’m working hard to do that. I know that God is calling me to advance in my career, and I am taking the necessary steps to do that. Besides moving up the career ladder,  my next steps really are just following God’s word and plans that he has placed on my heart. That deals with improving my spiritual life, relationships, finances, health, and blog (Yes I pray about HGB constantly-this is my baby).

God has taken me in a totally different direction than I was going two years ago. Honestly, two years ago I didn’t think I would have my 2nd masters degree because I didn’t want it. I thought I was done with school, now look at me lol. I can only laugh and think about this:

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Of course I set goals…don’t think I’m just out here waiting for a “sign” from God, that isn’t the case. What I’m saying is that you  may have one plan for your life and it may not be what God called you to do, so instead of trying to do things your way, follow God’s plan because He always has your best interest at heart.

Categories: HGB Go Getter Tags: , , , ,
30
Jun 2014

Motivation Monday: Life Update!

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It’s been WAYYYYYYYY too long since I’ve written a Motivation Monday post, so instead of giving you all of the fluff I’ll just tell you what’s been up.

1. Work– This year I had a lot more demands with work that occupied a lot of my time. I will have some of those same responsibilities, but with a more flexible schedule this September.

2. School– In about four weeks I will have completed my 2nd Masters program. I had a year long internship (at work), which consumed a lot of my time, so as of August, I will have a lot more time to dedicate to the blog.

That’s mainly it. My graduate school program has been extremely intense and I am almost at the finish line.

Although I haven’t been posting consistently here, I have been guest posting for my friend Kim on her blog Makeup By Kim Porter. So check out a few of my beauty posts.

One thing that I promised myself to work on for 2014  was to have balance. I would let work and school consume my life, but I have been managing my time much better. Although I’m not where I would like to be, my family and friends have been extremely supportive during this time. So that’s my update.

Categories: HGB Go Getter Tags: , , ,
29
Jun 2014

2014 BET Awards Top 4 Looks from the Red Carpet

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The BET Awards Red Carpet was a little uneventful for me. First of all, 90% of the women showed up in white gowns. I understand that it is hot and all out in LA, but there was really no variation of color or dress style. Here are my top 4 looks from the red carpet.

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Eva Marcille (she just had a baby a few months ago and she looks amazing!)

Amber Rose has this classic look that I love. It is not over done like some women. She kept it classy and simple.

I’m not a huge fan of Adrienne Bailon, but I am a fan of Michael Costello and he was the designer of this gown.

Regina Hall did something a little different in a white pants suit. I’m loving the short bob!

Now two looks that I didn’t particularly care for come from two very talented young women, Keke Palmer and Sevyn Streeter.

So I was watching the news one day and they did this entire segment on something called “Pevage” which is cleavage of the pelvis. So this include extremely high splits, cut-outs, sheer panels, around the pelvis area. Check out this article from the Daily News. I honestly think it is becoming extreme. I’m all for taking risks, but with more class. It seems like anything goes nowadays and it is ok to leave nothing to the imagination. I may be in the minority with my opinion, but I don’t conform to what society thinks is right, and “pevage” is just wrong.

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What was your favorite look from the night?

Categories: HGB Exclusive Tags: , , , , ,