Taking A Break...

Hello Fam,

 

I don't usually publish my blog on weekdays so I don't disrupt your day, but pardon me for today.

 

It was recently brought to my attention (I got a direct mail) that my blog name is clashing with another web site. And so, rather than risk a law suit I'm considering winding this down. I have searched over the last week for new names but it seems everything is taken. I have prayed for inspiration, for options, for ideas...nothing comes to me. So, for now I am just going to take a break until I find a new name.

 

I will come back when I have an idea. Maybe you can help me... Give me suggestions for a new name and I will search them and see what is free. It's been an amazing journey so far, and I really want us to continue our journey...but I need a name!!!

 

Help me fix this so that we can get back on track sooner rahter than never.

 

So, until we find a new name for our blog...

 

ps: don't bother using my name...with a name like Liz Taylor you can be SURE those names are taken!

 

Till then,

 

Liz

Look Who Is Waist Training

I am not trying to make a case for waist training, but forgive me if I gush about the amazing responses I have had all week while I was wearing my cincher/waist trainer. Without being vain, I certainly LOVED the attention I got, as I stepped out with NO (ie ZERO) giggly bits, a totally flat tummy and accentuated bust line (the girls got a good lift).

It is not for everyone though; definitely not for the faint of heart coz that first day is a battle. Actually getting the ‘contraption’ on is … interesting and it is a tight fit. It took me about 15mins to get mine on the first time – persistence is the name of this game. I found that I retain a lot of gas (don’t laugh! You probably do too) in my tummy. That had to come out – don’t as how! he!he!he! Then I was in and out of the loo to pass water – to be frank I don’t think it had anything to do with the perspiration and more to do with the cincher squeezing my bladder.

When I wear my waist trainer, I lose a good inche from the smallest part of my waist – that’s nothing to turn your nose up about. Like I said in an earlier post, I am starting at a waist measurement of 39 inches, and my goal by the end of the year a waist measurement of 34 inches! Let’s see if this works. The question would then be how much of the change came from cinching and how much came from my work out routine? We’ll leave that for the gods to answer.

As always, I research and see what people are saying about a fad or rave; and I have found out that a lot of the celebrities we have been looking at and admiring of late are actually cinching – I call them my cinching sisters (I Wish!!). I’ve plucked some pictures off the net…see if you can recognize and identify any of them used in this post…

I’m interested in knowing, would you give waist training a try either as a means to control all your giggly bits and streamline your silhouette or as a means to lose weight. What’s your opinion?

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I Am Waist Training

I am having a milestone birthday soon, and like every woman out there I want to look my best for my birthday. So I decided to do something drastic to see if I could WOW myself on my birthday – get the coveted hourglass figure. Thankfully I do have SOME curves, but I was thinking that I could really accentuate them and look totally fab. [I'm doing this to please myself, and if people like it that's fine, if not...].

A friend of mine recently transformed herself, lost inches from her waist and now spots this amazing figure 8 curve; so I thought to emulate her. Guess what she did? Not much of a guess coz my title kind of let the cat out of the bag, right? Okay, it’s waist training! So, I got it in my head to give this a try, after all everyone from Jessica Alba to Kim Kardasian and [Queen] Bey do! So I made my big announcement on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/dropitforlife) earlier this week. I’m starting from a 39” waist and my target is 37” by May, and possibly 34” or less by December 2015! I'm dreaming BIG! What have I got to lose? 

For those new to this fad (truth be told, it is a fad); waist training using a waist cincher or trainer [which I read someone refer to as Spanx on steroids] is meant to ‘train’ your waist to be(come) smaller. To achieve this you have to wear a very snug fitting waist trainer or cincher for about 5 to 10 hours each day. But it’s advised that you start with 2-4hours before you can wear your cincher for longer periods.

But what to these waist cinchers really do? And what has my experience been like using my brand new latex waist trainer? Well, they are said to:

CLAIMS: Compress your core

My Experience: Yep! I can attest to this, it’s a really snug fit)

CLAIMS: Restrict abdomen thus reducing food intake

My Experience: Yep! I can attest to this, coz with the snug fit, if you over eat, you will really feel like you are about to burst)

CLAIMS: Ramp up perspiration

My Experience: Definitely YES! I got a latex cincher and in the sweltering sun of West Africa I had perspiration rolling down my back in buckets. Plus I had to use  some powder on my trunk and back...cos I had heat rashes after the first day.

CLAIMS: Metabolize fat

My Experience: Don’t know how this is possible, but ‘they’ claim this happens)

CLAIMS: Release toxins

My Experience: This could be possible, giving that you perspire a lot especially if you have a latex cincher on. 

I also hear they are really good in helping new moms get rid of their post-pregnancy tummy. 

Then my personal experience (about a week though) leads me to believe the claims that it could help with back pain, coz its doing wonders for my posture. 

Some people also claim that you could lose weight waist training; arguing that since it’s a snug fit which restricts your food consumption on the long run you lose weight. But I’ve read other say that the weight loss is actually simply the loss of water weight (from all the perspiration) and that whatever weight seems lost is the middle is not actually lost, but redistributed. Be that as it may, but I have seen Kim, Bey and of course my friend…and they don’t look half bad. Fad or not I’m going to give it a try and will dish out once in a while on this blog my progress.

I’ll keep up with my workouts and intentional eating though, this is just a little something I want to leverage on to become (hopefully) Fantastico! [smile]. So far, I do feel rather fantastico when I wear my cincher. This is me wielding my waist trainer/cincher at work yesterday... 

What do you think?

So, what’s your verdict? Am I crazy? Do you know anyone who has or is waist training? Has it worked for them?

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Yummy Mommie: Getting Rid of Post Baby Weight!!

So, a few friends sent me emails talking about how one could loose weight after having a baby. They wanted my advice...Seeing that I have NO experience in that arena YET...I went a Google-ing. I found these on Pinterest.

So ladies (you know yourselves) this is for you. A few things you can do to shed baby weight! Using the best gym tool ever...your baby!!! *Please practice the moves before engaging with baby! So don't hurt yourself or your precious bundle! 

Cinnamon Weight Loss

If you follow this blog or sister Facebook page, you would have heard/read me mention the fat burning benefits of the common spice cinnamon. I was so intrigued by the reported benefits (at least to my aim of losing weight) that I went searching for further evidence of benefits. 

So, the big question is what can Cinnamon do for use? Plenty you will see…

Speed Up Metabolism

Researchers have noticed that cinnamon can alter (in the human body) the metabolism of both sugar and carbs, so that your body is better able to use carbs taken in in food so they don’t turn into excess fat. As you must know when your metabolism is boosted, you burn more calories.

Helps Burn Belly Fat

Everywhere I go to these days, whatever I read, I see people hyping about the benefits of cinnamon particularly in blasting belly fat. For me, this is excellent news as I really need to blast the tire in my middle (if you get my drift). Also you all know that abdominal fat is the most life threatening, right?

Suppresses appetite

Some researchers claim that cinnamon can actually slow down the process of moving food to your stomach; which could make you feel fuller for longer. In plain language, it you help you eat less in the long run as you will feel fuller for longer.

Sweet Substitute

Everyone who wants to lose weight is usually off sweets, right? Not only did I hear, but I have found cinnamon a good alternative when you are controlling your sweet consumption. It helps add that extra yummy flavor to food that (for want of a better word) tricks you into thinking you are eating just the thing you sweet tooth craves.

You & Cinnamon

The question now is how to incorporate cinnamon into your daily meal. I normally add half a teaspoon of cinnamon to my bowl of oats (porridge). It darkens the oats, but what you lose in color, you gain in yummy factor; then it smells heavenly. Also, I love tea, so I mix ½ a teaspoon of ground ginger, with ½ a teaspoon of cinnamon in my tea, for all the metabolism speeding, fat burning benefits mentioned above. I like to take this at night because I found it helps me get to sleep easier (no scientific research backing this).

I’ve read that you could also:

• Mix ground cinnamon into your butter or spread to give it a wonderfully appetizing fragrance with the weight loss benefits.
• Real honey (1 table spoon) and cinnamon (½ a teaspoon) mixed in hot water or tea is also an excellent choice.
• A dash of cinnamon in any beverage of your choice is a good way to gain the benefits of this amazing spice.

Do you have any ideas for incorporating cinnamon into my (J) diet? Care to share?

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Pedometer Winners Box

I won't take too much much of your time today.

I want to dedicate today's post to the three phenomenal ladies who have engaged with us and commented furiously on our blog posts during the promo.

In first...Nana
At 2nd...Aisha
Finally ...Modupe

I thank you...

May we all drop it for life, in life.

ps: I wish Aisha would allow me use her before and after pictures...she is looking totally FAB! Congratulations dear! You inspire me! 

The pedometers are on their way to you...

Finally, keep visiting this blog, and if you need some spur of the moment motivation flip over to our Facebook page (also Drop It 4 Life)...we have fabulous motivating posters, recipes and tips to encourage us all to drop it 4 Life.

Ciao! 

Learn How To Walk

It’s no secret that I think that walking is a fabulous way to shed weight and stay fit. It not only tones your muscles but also builds stamina PLUS it gives you an amazing cardio workout! Having said that, if you recall I had mentioned previously that I have struggled with back pain over the last few months caused by several things like my sleeping position, sitting posture etc But I just realized that the way I walk also could contribute to muscle and back pain!

 

You see, my mom drummed it into me while growing up that ladies walk with their heads high, shoulders straight and tummies tucked in (hope I’m not the only one whose mom told this?). Anyway, I was walking recently and realized that tucking in my tummy has become such a part of me that I do it without thinking. So even while working out, I still tuck in my tummy – holding my body stiffly. I don’t think the posture is that’s bad, but I realized that while tucking in my tummy, I tensed up my entire body.  Everything….abs, gluts, quads, butt… the works. The result of that was that my muscles were stiff while working out… hence my epiphany. I knew then that I needed to learn how to walk more EFFECTIVELY. So in my bid to learn, I picked up some nifty tips, which I want to share with you…

Footware: The wrong footwear will compromise your walking. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, nor does it have to break the bank- but the rule (from what I gather) is that your shoes should have maximum cushioning and flexibility in the front of the shoe.

Stand Straight: When you stand straight and your body is aligned, you are better able to work more powerfully thus walking faster and burning more calories.

Breathe: The importance of breathing properly cannot be overemphasized. To present it simply – breathe deeply while walking. Some articles I have read advice that you breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth … but that is a bit too complicated for me at the moment. LOL!   

Use your arms: Keep your arms bent, and vigorously pump them (forward and backwards) as you move. This actually helps you increase your speed and momentum. I’ve found that holding weights as you do this adds some tension and more burn to the work out (I use 1kg dumb bells)

Step it UP: Boost your burn, by taking shorter and faster steps – no long jump strides here.

Hear Drums: When my heart is beating powerfully I like to say I am hearing drums beat in my ears just for me (don’t mind my silly analogy). But seriously, if you don’t increase your heart rate when you walk, you aren’t doing much damage to ‘em fat cells/calories. The rule is ‘short & fast steps’ - as brisk as you can to the point that you have to catch your breath if you are going to have a word with anyone.

Set Goals: Either have a steps goal (ie the number of steps you will cover in x amount of time). You still have ONE DAY to get with the program and WIN a PEDOMETER which helps you track your steps goal. If that fails, use your eyes…identify a mark ahead of you and aim to reach it in x amount of time. It’s all about the speed you can muster in short/faster steps.

Having said all of this, tightening your muscles while you walk could be the cause of stiff muscles after your work out. And it can cause a lot of [unnecessary] pain – believe me, I know! It is important to consciously loosen your muscles while walking, and hydrate all day long.

You can achieve a whole lot more toning and burning when you walk properly – ensuring that you indeed Drop It 4 Life.

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