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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No More Cheat Days

For the newbies to the dieting game, a cheat day is a day (or days) when you are [technically ‘allowed to ditch your diet and eat whatever you want, eat however much you desire and basically let yourself go. Some people actually build ‘cheat days’ into their diet plan/regime. I was very guilty of this. I would eat so much you would have to call my walk a waddle! I would ditch my work out that entire day, and laze around…eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.

My cheat days were excuses to binge and basically go off the reservation. But recently while reflecting on my healthy lifestyle (some call lifelong diet) and stumbles along the way, I could see a common thread appear (one of several, I assure you)…CHEAT DAYS.

This may not be everyone’s reality, but it is mine – so please think of this from that perspective as you read. Anyway, I realized that I invariably had difficulty bouncing back after cheating for one day – be it my work out, healthy eating, intentional eating…whatever, I kind of lost my mojo. And restarting was almost like jumpstarting a faulty car – difficult.

It’s my personal belief that when you engage in repetitive behavior, the action gets easier as you continue doing it. Yes? You move into what motivational speakers like Tony Robbins would refer to as ‘state’ or in my terms ‘the zone’! Does it make sense now how jumping back to ‘form’ after a cheat day(s) was so difficult and played a tune on my mind and body? I have come to believe that my ‘cheat days’ prevented me from getting to my ‘zone’ where waking up to work out is easier, upping my pace is not such an ordeal, where saying no to mega carbs or processed sugars isn’t an uphill task.

Don’t believe me? A wee question…how many of us took a little ‘holiday’ (aka cheat period) over Christmas and the New Year and found that bouncing back to their work out regimen was a nightmare? Or Returning to the healthy meal plan was almost like starting from scratch. Or the biggie: how many of us actually put on weight when we took our wee holiday?

I won’t put all of the blame on cheat days, but I know in my heart (chuckle) that they have played a role in my fumbles in the past. So, over the last month, I have had NO CHEAT DAYS WHATSOEVER! Yes you heard me! Where previously I would work out on alternate days, I now work out every day (except Sundays). Let me never say never... I plan for, and make every effort to workout everyday save Sunday. And those cheat days when I would stray and eat my ‘off limits’ foods some days of the week, I now follow my healthy eating plan everyday (including Sundays). But let’s balance this: remember I created a system to guide my eating? I shared it with you in ‘Before I eat’ – so I pretty much stick to this.

So this ban on cheat days stays unless I find reason to change my opinion!

What do you think about cheat days? Do they help you? Or have you found The Formula for cheat days that actually works? Pray do share…

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Benefits of Walking

If you have followed this blog for a while you will know I've been on my soap

box about the benefits of walking in our bid to DROP IT FOR LIFE! Yes! I totally believe that you can turn back your health clock from negative to positive, reverse health issues, and lose weight to boot all by utilizing your "Legedes Benz" (ie your legs).

So I will stay on my soap box as I share this infographic I found on the Prevention website (credit where credit is due). Does the information tickle your inspiration bone? It did mine...to the extent that I will keep walking longer, brisker and further! (Wink).

Let me challenge you! Will you commit to walking more by:

• Taking the stairs instead of the elevator
• Parking your car further so you walk further to get to your destination
• Walking to your neighbourhood shop/mall rather than driving there
• Pacing in your office while doing routine things like talking on the phone for extended periods of time

If you are with me in this, go ahead and drop a comment saying 'I committ to ......'; you will be suprised how this public committment will be your first step towards accountability and yes, a new you!

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Get My Groove Back

I stepped into this new year really revved at my new goal to hit a size 14(US) by December 2015, but to my surprise and dismay I have really struggled over the last week. I can hear someone saying ‘what are up about Liz? You are the one that’s supposed to be motivating me’.

Be that as it may, but the truth is that like everyone else engaged in the battle of the bulge, I have periods when I struggle. I am HUMAN! LOL

I will be frank and spell out my struggles with you, I am sure a couple of people will be able to relate:

In my ‘real life’ I work in a financial institution, and the last few weeks of a year and the first few weeks of the new year are notoriously stressful at work; suffice it to say I have really been stressed of late. And when I am stressed, I don’t sleep well. And when I don’t sleep well, waking up to work out is the last thing on my mind.

Speaking of sleep, research has shown that adequate sleep actually promotes weight loss. You can imagine the stress produced just thinking of this.

Also, I don’t know about you but when I am stressed I tend to lose control of my eating – I have come to the conclusion that stress like alcohol actually diminishes your restraint. So if you could walk by that luscious bar of Sneakers with great focus on your goals and almost no regret when you are NOT stressed; when you are stressed you are more likely to pick that bar and then some up and end up quaffing much more than is required or healthy.

But you know what? I think these are all excuses! I am in charge here, am I not? I call the shots and my body had better roll out of bed and WORK OUT! LOL!

 

Seriously though, in writing this, I realized that negative thinking aka allowing the stress to overwhelm me robs me of my power to live the healthy life I want to and need. I realize that staying positive, taking each day as it comes, being true to myself & ensuring that I honestly do not slack off…and above all reminding myself of WHY I embarked on this in the first place. Plus bringing to mind the benefits I’ve enjoyed so far and the benefits I hope to enjoy at my new weight/size.

Why are YOU doing this anyway?

I don’t know about you, but I am in this to LIVE, and in 2015…

• I am going to re-inspire myself!
• I am going to be a size 14(US) by December 2015!
• I am going to get my groove back!

Again, why are you doing this? And what is your goal in 2015 (I ask because I strongly believe that when you put it down on paper, you are more committed to actualizing it than when it’s just a random wish/thought in your head). Go ahead, share (you may just win a pedometer in the process *wink*)!

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2015 Resolutions, Goals or Wishes

Almost everyone I know makes resoloutions for the new year.

We all want to:

• Lose weight
• Stop some bad habit
• Develop some new 'good' habits
• Become something better
• Make more of life
• Travel somewhere
• Have more financial freedom

...I could keep going...

What are your goals in 2015?

I found this poster on Pinterest and thought it would help someone (it definately has helped me). You from me to you...

If you could share, what is your biggest (shareable) goal in 2015?

Mine is to get to a size 14 (US) by 31 December 2015...you?

Have a wonderfully brilliant 2015, and as we continue this journey...may we find health, wealth, wisdom and freedom!

We are DROPPING IT FOR LIFE!