Smoothie Zealot

Sigh.  I am stressing.  I tend to micro-manage like a perfectionist as a way of dealing with stress. In business, this is a good thing.  With friends and family this can be really obnoxious and annoying. As long as I am putting this micro-managing to good use; and distracting from stress-eating.   At the beginning of the this, my major new years resolution was to trust in God.  Each and everyday this is a struggle for me; and I will admit I have no problem praying for guidance from my Savior on how to trust in Him more. Just when things were getting intense my King and Savior  reminded me : 

Philippians 4:6-7New International Version (NIV)

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This is what He knew I needed to hear. I serve and amazing God.  

For a couple of months there has been this rave among my friends and family  about smoothies. The rave kind of by passed me.  The gym I have been going to offers smoothies, but i have never purchased any.   There have been several suggestions to possibly replace a meal with a healthy super food smoothie.  All I could think was "Eh I'm good,- I would rather have food".  This thought process covered up the fact that I just didn't have a blender, quite well. Then, I was at Walmart, and they had a clearance on appliances.  I am the new proud owner of a Health Master Elite.   I was super excited to get this baby home and try it out.  I had everything except ice-but i had a plan for that too. I try to keep healthy foods and fruits on hand.  I didn't have ice but I bought a super sized (as this is the only size everything come in) bag of blueberries from Sam's; since they were frozen, I would use these for the ices cubes.  In my zealous state I didn't think my first smoothie through full. Though my Health Master Elite came with a recipe book-that I read through, I threw it in the junk drawer and went rouge.  A disclaimer, was what should have been provided.  The " back lash" from the first smoothie I made is still haunting me. 

My first smoothie was made as such:

1.5 cups steamed carrots

1.5 handfuls raw spinach

.5 cups strawberries

2/3 cups of blue berries

1.5 teaspoons Tumeric

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon Splenda

My daughter said she thought it was a chocolate smoothie when she saw it. She suggested we make a smoothie consisting of Watermelon, Strawberries, pears and kiwi.  This creation has been named the Passion smoothie. 

On Thursday I picked up my  gym travel pass for spring break.  This was the last time I was going to be at the gym until spring break was over.  I had already done strength training for the day; thought I would stop  and get in some cardio while I picked  up my pass.  About half way into a 2.0 mile stint on the elliptical, guess who pops up on the machine right next to mine? Catch.  It was nice getting to work out along side him for once.  The  thought entered my mind a few times to  just turn and ask his name, ask his zodiac sign, or what church he visited most often-but each time it played in my head, I sounded funny or didn't know where to go from there, or chickened out. Ugh. I'm horrible at relationships and getting to know people stuff. Believe it or not, for me relationships work better with the other person taking charge or being dominant. Relationships are actually one place where I am more introverted until i get to know the person better or I dont mind not taking the lead. 

So this Saturday I found myself at Redbox scanning through the options of entertainment.  After not very much deliberation I came to something called : RED TENT.  The synopsis said it was the story of Jacob from the bible  and his children mainly Diana and  Joseph. I thought it was going to be like the movie with the "Hot Jesus": SON OF GOD.    I was pleasantly surprised- the amount of eye candy was unpredictable.  I have a new respect and out look on the dark beard-heck the beard in general. The movie was nice and  a good choice.  The question lingering in my head would be would I recommend this to someone else or a fellow Christian.   Since all the intimate scenes were within the confines of marriage-I would. 

The reason I initially started this blog was to eventually  work out a group therapy.  It would be like Over eater Anonymous, but more Christian based.  Mental note, my next goal, after I look more into defeating my arch nemesis: the Sugar-would be to look into having these meeting or group sessions. Even  though, I work out regularly, without eating right it makes all my work for nothing.  

  I'm going to finish preparing for my birthday. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for the love of my Savior.  He has blessed me with another  year of growing closer to and serving Him.  I pray the year ahead will be for His glory. 

Staying In My Lane

I got my first compliment at the gym! This guy actually stopped me and said "you are doing a good job, you look good"-or something like that, I cant remember exactly.  I'm just grateful for the compliment. Someone else has noticed the work.   It motivates me to keep going. 

I'm still going strong with the water challenge, I managed to bump up to drinking to two bottles of water before leaving in the morning ( a couple of days out of the week anyway).   Of course I'm still going to the gym- if for no there reason than to see Catch. My biggest challenge, the biggest obstacle- my arch nemesis: Sugar. This inspired my next challenge, to cut out the refined sugar in my diet. Now this is going to take some research and a structured plan.  I will utilizing my Spring break to educate my self further on the conveying trickery of my nemesis.  

Stay in my lane, and run the race. A suggestion, instructions or guidance perhaps. I see this as constructive criticism.  The good thing about constructive criticism is the positive spin you put on it. Good constructive criticism allows you make assessment and see where you can implement change for the better. This gives me an excuse to be in my zone also.  

My Savior, my King  has blessed me in so many ways.  I cant help but thank Him and give glory to Jesus Christ, my Father.  .  Getting super pumped about this concert. Its a night we get to give praise and lift up our voices. 

This is Lateya signing off, until next time, I will be. . . . Staying in my lane and running the race.  

Third Day: Update

I had a fire in my fireplace for the first time yesterday.  It was really nice.  So nice in fact, I fell asleep on my couch  wrapped  in a warm toasty blanket ; watching the flames glow.

 Regular visits to the gym is still part of my daily routine.  It is time  to start figuring out ways to change things up and push my body more.  My body is adjusting and rate of weight loss is decreasing.  There is this women's bible study that meets at my church on Mondays.  I haven't been going to the gym on Mondays and it seems I dont see Catch  there as much.  It had almost been a week since I had seen him.  Either Im losing my mind and thinking I am seeing him outside of the gym or I actually did. This morning on my way to church, I could have sworn the guy running with this FSU hoodie was Catch.  By the time I was close enough to tell for sure if it was him; I had passed him- at the same time as going through a four way intersection ( The last thing I want to do is explain to my insurance company; "thought I saw Catch and ran into another car").  Last time I got the opportunity to see him at the gym he was on the pull up bar.  If Catch on the rowing machine wasn't enough to motivate me; seeing him on the pull-up bar made my knees weak. I had to look away so I didn't get caught staring.  His upper body is looking really good.  Apparently the time and hard work he is doing on the rowing machine and the pull-up bar is paying off. 

There is a concert I would like to get up the nerve to invite him.  (I never got the never to invite him to the pre-screening of The Kingsman; or leave the ticket at the gym for him); but I doubt inviting him will go beyond this post.  

The concert is Third Day.  I have another problem with the Third day concert. The concert is the week of my birthday.  It is like a birthday (March 24th) present from my Savior; a night of praise and worship. My issue is I have a close friend whose wedding date has recently  changed to the night of the concert and its out of town.   Would it be selfish or self -centered of me to go to the concert? Just the other day my friend said I have a decision to make.  I let her know then; I really want to go to this concert. Right now I'm so torn about this; I have prayed about what would be the right thing to do.  Leaning more toward buying a nice wedding gift and going to the concert (Face the dilemma of whom to take with me later).  The concert isn't until March 28th.

                                                 

Speaking of selfish or self-centered; the title of today's message at church was: The pitfalls of being self-centered.   To understand the relevance of the title, I have to explain what I heard on my favorite (and only) radio station last week: 88.1 WAY FM.  One of the radio personalities was talking about relationships.  He was specifically mentioning how he had been in relationships in the past because he liked the accolades he was receiving from a girl or he was just attracted to her. The the realization hit  me; in my search for a potential partner I find myself looking for what they can do for me.  I am being selfish. So this week message entitled the pitfalls of being self-centered was really what I needed.  God is still working on me, and I can see that.  There are changes that can be seen; and there is work still to be done.  My new years resolution was to trust in my Savior. He has not failed me thus far; nor let me down.  I will take this as a  sign to wait and let God continue to work on me and when He is ready, in His time-He will send that right one for me. 

Update on my 30 day water challenge: One thing I noticed when I watched the video of the women who inspired me to do the challenge.  Her before and after photo was great.  It was actually her after video.  Her skin looked so good, clear and smooth.  I realized it was the water.  I noticed the same with my skin.  It cleared up significantly since starting this 30 water challenge.  It gives me motivation to keep it up. 

Im still working on doing better with my eating choices.  I am a stress eater.  Consuming more water with meals helps; but i am going to have to do better to see more changes ( Still not up to 3 L a day). 

                                                     

Valentine's Day: Fat and back.

Im going to admit, I was glad Valentine's day fell on the weekend this year.  Granted, this didnt stop my office from looking like one of St. Valentine's cherub babies up-chucked his love all over the the place. It wasnt nearly as bad as last year.

The Kingsman was great.  I recommend all to go see it in the theater.  There has been a lot transpire since my last post.  A lot behind the scenes anyway.

So TLC ran a documentary called Fat and back.  The special featured controversial UK media personality Katie Hopkins and her harsh view of our big world. In the documentary, Hopkins gained 50 lbs to prove the point that fat people are lazy due to their own bad eating and lack of exercise. Hopkins proved her point, in her less than warm, from  across the pond critique. One plus size woman Hopkins spoke with in her documentary asked her to leave her home. I understand Hopkins view and the point she is trying to drive home.  However, her method of expression is a little wanting.

I am getting discouraged again that my weight loss isnt going as fast as I would like, but I also know the more weight I lose the harder my body has to work and adjust to lose more. I am still doing the weekly meal prep.   I have been doing weekly meal prep because it just makes the weeks easier.  My 3 liter a day water intake is not so much an epoch fail; as a good faith effort.  I am not making it anywhere near 3 liters a day.  Though, my water intake has more than doubled; so though I may not have succeeded, by trying I am still improving.  Keeping in mind to continue to strive  for personal best;  helps to keep focus of goals. I have a trip and a wedding next month.  I am still going to the gym, if for no other reason than to watch Catch do planks, squats and the rowing machine.  Cant forget the rowing machine.  I sometimes wish the confidence was there for me to approach him, you know to get to know more about him. When there are people like Ms. Hopkins in the back of my mind, actually approaching him seems the  last thing possible.  I am going to continue to go,

People such as Ms. Hopkins, i think  ultimately want to see us all healthy and productive members of society.  Its just their well intent meaning or  expression get lot in the  deliverance.  Such is the case with my late grandmother. She would always tell us we needed to watch our  sugar intake and  the amount of food we we consuming.  Instead of explaining it in a way that could be understood or related to she would say something more along the lines of " You need to push away from the table". I am not saying these things don't ever need to be brought up.  I saw a nutritionist when I was younger; I remember the nutritionist asking me many times "Don't I want a boyfriend?", Wouldn't I want to be asked to the dance?" "Didn't I want to experience life like other young girls my age?" To me there was emphasis on being like everyone else or fitting in; not focusing on how to make better choices.  That was a long time ago and I have learned a lot since then.

I found out my friend Ric, from high school was in town. We have been friends for over 15 years.  He told me he was in town doing " wedding stuff".  It was his way of telling me he had asked the girl he has been with to marry and spend the rest of his life with him.  I had wondered in the past if I would ever be that person for him.  Early in our friendship, I though it possible.  Later, he mentioned to me it would be lowering his standards to be with someone overweight.  Im going to use his visit and this update as a reminder to stay focused.

Something In The Water

I am happy to report my laptop is back up and running-for the moment.   I ordered a new charger for my laptop on Amazon, only to receive my package and find out it was the wrong size charger.  Luckily, in mentioning my frustration to one of my close friends, she was able to let me borrow hers.  It was the same one for my laptop; so I'm temporarily using hers until I'm refunded for the wrong purchase and I can buy the correct model.

( Is it just me or are some contractions in the English language pointless?  For instance don't=do not and I'm=I am-both versions utilize the same amount of characters.)

I have a dilemma-more so a conundrum.   I have been blessed to have obtained two passes for a pre-screening of Kingsman: the Secret Service. Since I am a "full-throttle, action-packed" movie junkie-I'm a little excited.  My conundrum comes is with who I should take with me.  Should I ask Thor, since this week is his birthday?  Our history is what you call "complicated".  I used to loath when people would say: "Its complicated".  Now I get it- hind sight is 20/20.  Or should I, could I get up the gumption to leave a ticket at the front desk of the gym for Catch? I don't have any kind of history with Catch, but there may be a hindrance. On the one hand, the screening is closer to Thor.  On the other hand I would be leaving the invitation at the front desk for Catch to pick up and make decision. Who am I kidding? Thor would never go and I would never get the nerve up to leave a invitation to a movie at the front desk of the gym (lol, they will think I have lost my mind). 

Right now I am trying to figure out how to get water down.  Of course, I know how to drink water, however; getting in 3L a day-seems unattainable.  I think three of the five mornings this week, I was able to get a  whole 20 oz bottle down.  I think I read in a magazine you should  have at least 3L a day.  I couldn't get 8-8 oz glasses down in a day, so why I moved up to 3L escapes me.   I  remember now, the magazine also said drinking lots of water would boost your metabolism by 33%. 

When I watched this video-it inspired me to do a 30- day challenge for the month of February.


February's 30-day Challenge video inspiration. 


Carrie Underwood's song poignantly puts it: there must be something in the water.

No rest for the weary

I am tired, and weary. Today, I felt the effects of not having a man in my life. It was one of those days. I ended up breaking down and crying to my friend about how God has not put a man in my life yet. I got a flat tire today. It was bad enough, but on top of it I didn't have a jack or a lug wrench (on a positive note- had a spare ). So I'm stuck, with my kid, at night in the rain; with a flat tire, no jack or lug wrench.  Of couse I had to start putting my thinking skills into high gear. I got my sister to take my daughter home, and the most unlikely coworker (he has this Shrek-ogre-dont bother- me personality) came and helped me obtain a lug wrench and jack. Two hours later, I made it home. I missed the gym ( and the opportunity to see my eye candy "Catch") and ended up going over on my calories ( it was only 51 over) because I stopped by the Burger King drive through for dinner (fast-food therapy).
Nothing seemed to be going in my favor, and all I can think is if I had a man in my life-this might be easier. On the other hand I am often reminded, I should not settle for "a man"; but the right man for me who will love and treat me the way I should be treated. Sofia Vergara, the Columbian TV producer and actress comes to mind. Vergara has recently become engaged- to heart throb Joe Manganiello. I read in a magazine, it was the way he treats her  that really hit home for her. Many of my friends are engaged or already married. I can see from the outside things are rocky in some of these relationships- if I can see this from the outside, I can only image the full extent of what is actually happening in these relationships.
I just get lonely which makes my journey seem more like a struggle. I have had time to think about everything- so I'm OK with being alone ( it can be overwhelming at times). One of my new years resolutions was to trust in my Savior Jesus Christ more. This is something I struggle with also; allowing God to work in my life and trust in His pure and perfect will for my life.

The last time I worked out guess who ended up on the machine right next to me? None other than Catch.  Im sure he has no clue I even go to the gym, but he gives me something to look forward to at the gym. It was nice.
 I seem to be thinking about my ex more lately.  You see a friend of mine told me he couldn't take care of me the way I should be. I had never heard a guy say this before; so I replied with how "safe" of an excuse I felt this statement was (I never said I was good at realtionships). When Thor said this to me the question popped into my mind as to if there was ever a guy I was with that could. This is where my ex came to mind. He was am amazing guy, humanitarian, who really took care about of me. We are not on good terms. He is the one I left in Miami, but I really feel we should be able to be friends. This happened years ago; and I thought we should be able to be in a better place. What Thor said did make me think, what I'm looking for in a relationship. I want a man that can ( man that is able to take care of me, but i work hard to take care of myself) take care of me, that has ambitions and goals.

All summed up, this helps me to  realize I want to wait, I need to wait on Gods time. I will trust in my Savior for the right time for that special guy in life.

"To burn with desire and keep quiet about it is the greatest punishment we can bring on ourselves.". -Federico García Lorca,Blood Wedding and YermaYermaYermaYerma

"Unrequited love is the infinite curse of the lonely heart. " -    Christina Westover

Every broken heart has screamed at one time or another: " Why can't you see who I truly am?". -  Shannon L. Adler


This video inspires me to go to the gym and "throw some weight around":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN7lt0CYwHg

Ready. . set. . . 2015

So, I haven't gotten a new computer yet, but I thought since iit the weekend I would see about posting from my phone.  I have tried to implement a couple of changes for the new year. By the way Happy New Year.
I have noticed that I tend to progress better when I have multiple projects t going at one time. Which bring me to the first new change of 2015: Weekly meal prep ( currently, making g dessert for the week: apple cranberry oatmeal crisp)

I make all the meals for the week; lunch and dinner, and portion out. I had seen this before on Pintrest. My girlfriend Char sent me a link to this guy named Kevin from #fitmencook. Thus sparking my inspiration to update me journey. 

The first one was Spanish brown rice Turkey and spinach meatloaf with brussel sprouts; the second one was braised kale and mushrooms boiled carrot with baked chicken and the third one was fish it was either tilapia or salmon with asparagus and roasted sweet potatoes.  This was the link my friend text me: Www.youtube.com/fitmencook. I had also gained four pounds during  the holidays. Since I have implemented the weekly meal prep and have had all my meal options already planned; I have lost 7lbs.  So, I'm back on track, just a little behind schedule. When I think about what I can learn from that little "hick up", I think how this time last year a set back of this calibur would have sent me reeling and would have been a lot more detrimental to my progress.   Now, thanks to God, I have learned how to handle it better:

When the world says, "Give up,"

Hope whispers, "Try it one more time." 

~Author Unknown

By evaluating and implementing  some changes; I am able to us my set-back to move forward. 

Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there. ~Josh Billings