Here I stand...

 

My how time flies!! It has been 6 months to the date that I worked as a full time employee in corporate America. Life has been many things for my family and I but still I rise! I have learned so much, and thoroughly enjoy each day as it comes; in prosperity as well as the hiccups I have encountered along the way.

My business... I AM THE BOSS!! I simply cannot get enough of that statement. I have completely switched gears from my original business plan. My intention was to lease a building and teach Zumba along with other group fitness classes. Long story short, I'm NOT going to do the "building thing" right now. I have been teaching Zumba as an independent contractor, meaning that I travel to teach at different locations, people pay me direct and I'm good to go. I have ran into a few snafoos with people trying to "be in my pocket" when it comes to my classes. NOTHING burns my butt more! Miss me with that one immediately...

I'm keeping my business simple, because being stressed out is NO LONGER an option when it comes to how I make a living. I did that for 11.5 years and in the end that company put me out like yesterday's trash. I am pleased to share that I'm currently working on plans for an even more successful 2012. I've still got A LOT to learn about being my own boss but I will say this..."I'm learning!"

My kids...they're so happy that mommy is home for them. I have given them quality time like never before. I feel more patience with them and they seem more relaxed-it's hard to explain but just know that this SAHM thing is awesome!!

I'm going to make sure to post more often on my blog. So much happens so quickly in my life but just know that I sure do appreciate your comments and feedback!

and if I don't post again before next Sunday...

Mizcardio4lyf~

The ups & downs of the workout buddy~

I'm a fan of the "workout buddy". The person who keeps you accountable, works out with you faithfully, and completely understands the ups and downs of your weightloss journey. Ohhhh...the WB is an awesome part of a person's fitness plan. I encourage people to team up with another person but I also offer a word of caution as well. Not long into my weightloss journey, I teamed up with someone who had similar weight loss goals. We talked fitness often, swapped recipes & helpful websites, and were a great encouragement to one another thru it all. I'd even go so far as to say that we grew closer outside of the weightloss realm. As luck would have it, we both met our weightloss goals...BUT! my "buddy" began to gain the weight back while I maintained. I noticed a distance that my "buddy" placed between us and eventually there was no communication about fitness or anything else;I was really hurt. I finally confronted my "buddy" and I was told that the embarrassment of having gained back the weight is why the friendship was severed. My attempts of encouragement fell on deaf ears, I was crushed, but I kept going anyay. Now I know this story doesn't exactly make you want to rush out and team up with someone, that is 100% NOT my intention. The bigger picture here is to KEEP GOING no matter what! 
Things happen, and priorities change, so you have to make up your mind to keep YOUR focus even if someone else loses thiers. As the other half of the fantastic fitness duo, it IS your duty to TRY to help your buddy get back in the saddle but there has to be a limit to that or you'll soon find that you begin to backslide yourself. You can lead your buddy to the treadmill and even turn that sucker on...but you cannot make them get on it so keep that in mind. I'm not saying to cut someone off if they miss a workout but geez...if EVERYTIME it's time to workout they're MIA, you might need to consider going solo.
Choose your buddy wisely...working out with someone with similar weightloss goals, and a mirrored tenacity when it comes to diet & exercise should be your goal. Now I know this is going to sound crazy but it's also a great idea to team up with someone who is physically a little farther ahead of you. They will challenge you without even trying! Don't be intimidated by someone who runs and you can barely walk a mile, especially if your goal is to one day be a runner! Guess what, NOBODY who runs, actaully started out running...how bout them apples?? *smile*

By now, you should know that I blog about different perspectives when it comes to all things fitness & weightloss. It's one of those things that is personal to the individual so you want to tailor it to fit your needs as closely as possible. For some folks, the workout buddy has been an amazing and rewarding experience and to those individuals I say...ROCK ON!!!!
But then there are those of us who weren't so lucky with it an that's okay too. Besides...who can be a BETTER WB to you than YOU???

Mizcardio4lyf~

 

Well, on July 31st, I completed my second licensing to teach Zumba. It was super fun and exhausting at the same time but I'm happy to have completed it. I am turning my focus to completing more certifications in the fitness industry. There are a million and five things that I must do to open my fitness studio, and I'm DOING THEM...but in the mean time I am soaking up as much fitness knowledge as my brain can handle. I have registered to take the exam for AFAA (Aerobic & Fitness Association of America) September 9th and I've been a studying maniac. I am still a practicing personal trainer so I'm very familiar with what I have been studying but I feel like I'm actually back in PT school at this point. Those days were super tough. I swear I was "quitting" every week *LOL* I'm so glad my husband was a level headed fella and kept me focused on the bigger picture; he wasn't about to let me quit!
I'm now knee deep in negotiations with my building and it's been an emotional ordeal for me. One minute I'm all excited because things appear to be moving smoothly. The next, I'm blind sided by what appears to be a "setback". Uuuugggghhhhh....I'm just ready to get on with it and open my studio already! This process is teaching me something that I DO NOT have much of....patience.
I'm thankful for it all because I know that on the day of my grand opening I'm going to look back on this process and appreciate the day even more. ..

Mizcardio4lyf~

I am the boss~

There's just something about the above statement that makes me giddy. I'm a natural born control freak and I don't apologize for that so I guess it just seems fitting that at some point in my life I should be my own boss. I've had a lot of people ask me if we're OK since I quit my job in June and I am able to confidently say, "We're better now than when I was working". When you've got Gods favor over your circumstances, it just works out that way and your job is to testify to folks and enjoy the ride! I have now been home, and an entrepreneur for a month and a week and I'm just as happy today as I was on June 17th. I think the biggest joy is that my time is now MINE. I don't have any idiots micro-managing me and harasing me about some pointless "busy work". My days are now filled with my daily personal workouts, errands for my business, and time spent with my kids.

My business is coming along just fine. I found a great location and I'm negotiating a contract with the property owner...things are working in my favor so far! I applied for my business license last week, and should hear back sometime this week. Once I'm approved for that license, I'm good to go. My awesome hubby drew up a great floor plan for the studio and I've got folks in place ready to make it happen. As soon as I legally can, I'm gonna post pictures of my spot. I've never done anything like this before and I'm amazed at all that goes into starting a business. What's more surprising to me is how easy it has been in spite of all of that goes into starting a business =D

For those of you out there who are on the fence about making your own career dreams come true, let me just say this..."DO IT NOW!!!" I am so proud of my little fitness empire that I'm building and one day, yall are gonna see me on that show"How I made my first million". watch and see...

Mizcardio4lyf~

When it IS ok to lose weight for someone else~

I have always felt that weight loss is a very personal matter. I tell my clients all the time that you have to want to do it for YOU and nobody else. There is, however, and exception to this rule.



You are happily going about your "single" life and then suddenly you meet the man of your dreams. You date (and eat), get engaged (celebrate & eat), get married (eat some more), buy a house (eating gets worse), have a couple of kids (cravings make you EAT!), and suddenly you realize that you're heavier than you've ever been. Now of course, your supportive spouse is still very much in love with you, the compliments have not stopped and he assures you that he'll love you no matter your weight. Now I love the scenerio I really do, but the only thing that bothers me is that there is a chance that your weight IS an issue for your spouse and he just doesn't want to hurt your feelings. I can remember a time not long after I hit my goal weight, I asked my hubby if he was glad I had lost the weight. When I say that I had barely gotten the question fully out of my mouth before he answered, without hesitation, "YES"...I was like huh?? REALLY??? So I then asked him why he never said anything and he said he was trying to figure out a way to say something; poor dude. Can you honestly picture any man in his right mind telling his wife he wants her to lose weight???? I can't picture a man who likes having teeth! I'm sure Jason wudda caught 5 accross the lips for telling me something like that. *giggling* The truth is, I KNEW I needed to lose weight, I wasn't no dang on size 18/20 when he met me and unless he had expressed a sudden interest in plus sized women (WHICH HE HAD NOT), I realy should have been on my weight loss grind a long time ago. Like it or not, I'm a relatively honest chick. MOST fuller figured women  are not so because they really want to be. You're heavier than you wanna be so you start to complain about your belly, thighs, blah...blah...blah. The sexy nighties that you used to shimmy into have been replaced by jogging pants and big baggy t-shirts. YOU don't even feel sexy so how in the world do you think your man feels?? If you happen to be a sistah who is proudly rocking her curves then this post ain't for you; BUT... if you are on a diet every other week then it's seriously time to take action.
Oh and fellas, don't be so quick to show this post to your girl...especially if YOU'RE sporting extra around the middle yourself. News flash, women like muscles! Yall like to look at Beyonce'?? Well Tyrese is looking good to us! Fellas yall need to tighten it up too...

Ultimately I lost weight for a healthier me but I also did it for my husband and there's nothing wrong with that kind of a motive. You are a representative of your spouse and vice versa so why not look your very best? If you met him/her at a smaller weight then it's even MORE important to get back to how it all began. Team up with your Boo today. Go for walks after dinner each night, take turns cooking healthier meals, support each other as you BOTH find your way to a healthier lifestyle.

 I'm not saying that packing on a few pounds means that your spouse is somehow secretly wishing you to lose weight. What I AM saying is that the fact that they haven't commented that you need to lose weight doesn't mean he (or SHE) ain't thinking it...

MIzcardio4lyf~

When words hurt~

I don't know when or WHO decided that it was cool for people to openly (and without warning) comment on someone's weight. I can remember an incident right before I decided to start my own weght loss journey where a "well meaning" person slapped me on my butt and hollared, Wooooooooo!" Now let me help you understand that I was at work, and there was several people around when this person did that to me. I was MORTIFIED!!!

WORDS HURT!!!I don't know how to make it more clear than that...it is NEVER cool to comment on someone's weight even if you call yourself "just playing". If you happen to be rocking a slamming body then I'm happy for you but it doesn't give you license to speak on someone else; you don't know thier story or thier pain.  My feelings were hurt and the sheer embarrassment of that incident made me just that more determined to make that person have to one day comment on how fantastic I looked after I lost the weight; of course that never happened...LOL But I was proud that I didn't allow that hurt to sentence me to a life in a body I was not happy with.
For those of you struggling with your weight, and you're ACTIVELY doing something about it, don't you let the ignorant comments of others sway your efforts. I was watching Joyce Meyer one day and she said, "People who hurt you often do so because they can't see past thier own pain" I have since adopted this philosopy when it comes to people and the hurtful things that they might say or do.

Weighloss is very personal, and emotinal highs and lows come with the territory. You will often find yourself on the receiving end of unwanted advice, and comments from people who are not qualified in ANY capacity to offer it. Just smile and nod....that's what I do!
You are NOT a failure...

You CAN lose your belly...

You will NOT look like a crackhead if you lose any more weight. (tha has got to be THE MOST ignorant comment ever utterd by a human being.)

You are NOT doing anything wrong if you're not losing weight as fast as "so-in-so"

You also don't have to be a size 4 to be beautiful. Marilyn Monroe was about a size 14 and she is STILL considered the epitome of sexy. If you decide that a size 14, 16, or 18 is your goal size and your doctor says that you are in good health then ROCK ON!!!!








If no one else has encouraged you lately, please allow me the opportunity to do so now. You CAN have the body you want; let the unwanted comments motivate you to get to the next level in your weighloss journey! Pray for them, they're hurting in some form or fashion trust me!!

Love you like I love cardio!
Mizcardio4lyf!

Issues of belly fat~

1st off, that is NOT a picture of me, however, there was a time that it could have been. I must say that of all areas to lose weight, the belly has to be one of the top areas that my clients complain about; both men & women. I'm thinking it runs a close second to the thighs and butt. My hubby has a little nick name for the big belly, he calls it "booty do". He says it's when a belly sticks out farther than when your "Booty Do" Kinda funny but the reality of "booty do" is NOT. For one thing, carrying extra fat around the midsection puts you at a higher risk of developing several life threatening diseases. The words, "LIFE, and THREATENING should have your attention.
"Hello?? Is this thing on????"
Ok so for the ladies...you've had kids...Yes, I know...for some of us the belly does linger longer than others. You ladies that can pop out kids and strut your stuff in a bikini the following month better count your blessings! I am a mother of three and I can say from experience that losing the belly is not impossible. It may be tough for some, but just cause you've had a kid (or kids) is no excuse for you to claim a big belly for the rest of your life. The one thing that I can tell you about losing the belly is that it has absolutely nothing to do with crunches; it's about what you're eating. Sorry, but you might as well get up offa the floor now if your diet is wack. I'm not going to debate which eating lifestyle is best, I'll just say that if you clean up your eating, the belly will come off. Exercise does have its place. It tones as you lose so please DO NOT think I'm telling you to NOT work your abs. I'm a low carber for life and I have witnessed my own belly whittle away the longer I cut the sugar, increased my water intake, and didn't eat junk food.
Fellas, the "beer belly" is not working for your lady. I challenge you to stop drinking for 30 days and see if you don't notice a differnce. Just like yall see eye candy from the scantily clad chicks, we see hot bods too; do us a favor and tighten things up. As the head of the household, you all (especially) should be demonstrating healhty living so that the family follows your lead.  
Belly fat might take longer to come off, but believe me...IT WILL COME OFF.
Be patient...stay focused...be determined to get that belly off at this time in your life. Kids or no kids...

Mizcardio4lyf~