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~

I did it~

Well, after over 11 years with my so-called stable job, I did it; I walked away! Last Friday was my last day and it was a day mixed with many emotions. Above and beyond it all, I was happier than I have been in a long time. Then I was sad because I have been working with many of the same people since the year 2000. I can't lie and say that I wasn't also nervous about walking away from a stable paycheck and top notch benefits. I have a son with Epilepsy, and bills to pay so no longer having the comforts of both is A LOT to digest. BUT-----GOD IS ABLE! I have been doing a lot of praying, fasting, and seious thinking over the past several months and to be quite honest, I was absolutely miserable at my job and it wasn't getting better with time. Ya know, it seems kinda crazy to me to continue to go to a job that you wake up hating EVERYDAY; and for what? Money, benefits, vacation time that they wanna hassel you about if you try to take a day off?? I got to a point where I decided that I wanted a LIFE more than a tenure so walking away was not all that complicated. I am blessed to have a plan B, one that has the potential to sustain my family far better than that "job" ever could have. My decision was just that, MINE, so I still got mad love for those that remain in Corporate America. You gotta do what works for YOU, but that journey was at an end for me so here I am and glad to be here.

I am now at the tail end of my first week as an entrepreneur and it feels amazing. In addition to quitting my job, I also had to relocate from Kentucky back to Michigan. My house is a wreck! Bags, and boxes all over the place. 2 of many things that we have now listed on CraigsList. I'm also adjusting to being a full-time SAHM to a 4 & 7 year old. So far, it ain't half bad! I'm loving the idea that my time is just that...MINE! Make important business calls in my PJ's while I'm making my kids breakfast; how cool is that? It has been my dream to be able to be home full time by the time my daughter started school, and guess who is starting kindergarten this fall? I will be able to take her to school for the first day and be there when she gets home. Mission accomplished!

Okay so on to the business. I thought I had locked in on a location but that fell thru so it's back to the drawing board! I was mad at first but I have re-grouped. God has something better for me so I'm keeping my eyes and ears open for the location that HE had intended for my business. On Tuesday I had a meeting with an awesome lady who is going to team up with me on some things for the business. She has the experience that I am lacking and is willing to take me under her wing- I am in complete awe at the people that I am meeting each day.

I have pre-registered for my next Zumba certification at the end of July. I'm also about to get things in order to get my AFAA certification and the ACE is next!
It's also time to get my body back in tip top shape. Relocating and the stress of all of this transitioning has not helped me focus on the very best of eating habits and exercise. I feel awful because it's been a minute since my last good workout. I strive to be relatable in my blog so here you have it folks...I have slip ups too!! The cool thing is that my body is very well conditioned and it doesn't take long at all for it to snap back after a hiatus. I've set up my schedule to help me balance my day and it will definately include several hours of exercise. I'm excited about that!

Things are on the move for me and Move2Lose fitness so don't blink or you might miss something great!

Mizcardio4lyf!

Don’t think, just drink~

Your body needs water daily…and LOTS of it. I happen to be one of those fortunate people; drinking plain water comes naturally to me so I can down 100+ ounces of the clear stuff daily without batting an eye. For others, it’s a challenge and I have heard some rather creative ways that people try to justify their water intake.  Coffee & tea consumption does not count as water intake for my clients; while I do whole heartedly support many of the health benefits in both of these power drinks, NOTHING compares to a glass of plain old water. Water is one of the BEST known natural appetite suppressants; more times than not, the grumblings that people mistake for hunger pangs, is actually your body’s need for water. Unfortunately, the overweight person needs more water than a thin one. Larger people have larger metabolic loads. It is believed that water is the key to fat metabolism; therefore the overweight person needs more water.

So what about water retention? “If I drink a lot of water, I retain water and feel bloated. My stomach feels huge and I weigh more!” The best way to overcome water retention issues is to give your body what it needs -- plenty of water. Only then will stored water be released. If you have a constant problem with water retention, excess salt may be to blame. Your body will tolerate sodium only in a certain concentration. The more salt you eat the more water your system retains to dilute it. Again, diet plays a BIG part in weight loss; watch your sodium intake. *and high levels of sodium is not just about salty foods. Read labels!*

Please stay away from water pills people!! (I know all the tricks trust me) Diuretics offer a temporary solution at best. They force out stored water along with some essential nutrients. Now besides the fact that losing essential nutrients is NEVER a good thing, your body will replace this lost water at the FIRST opportunity and guess what… the condition quickly returns. 

Bottled or tap? I’ll leave that up to the individual. I know many people who will fight to the death over their Britta water bottles, and or their bottles of Evian. Those are all fine by me, it’s one of those matters where both sides have great arguments and supporting studies. In general I drink tap water. Besides the fact that it has nutrients such as fluoride, let’s be honest, it’s cheaper and convenient! I’m a water bottle junkie, especially personalized ones. I’ll fill my containers in the morning, throw em’ in a cooler with an ice pack and I’m out the door! Every now and again, I do like to splurge and get a Fiji water but I can assure you, it’s only because I think I look super cool carrying that squared off looking bottle. #imjussaying…

If you do opt to rock a water bottle, please…please…PLEASE…clean it thoroughly with HOT soap and water daily! I watched a documentary on water bottles a few years back and was blown away at the bacteria found in water bottles daily. Ecoli being one of the most prevalent! There’s a lot of backwash going on in your beloved water bottle on a baily basis and simply rinsing it out with some more water will kill none of the germs. I try to wash my bottle out with soap and water before I refill it but if there is little time then I make sure I do it at the end of the day. I also replace my bottles every 6 months, I have no scientific reason for the number, I just do it after I go to the dentist. *shrug*

Glowing skin & nails, a happier colon are a few more out of a host of reasons why you should be sure to hydrate your body often. Water is not optional in weight loss, it is key to your success and can make life so much easier in general. Please remember this is if nothing else:

If you wait until you’re thirsty to drink a glass of water, you’re already dehydrated!

Mizcardio4lyf!

A picture speaks a thousand words~

The process of losing unwanted pounds and getting fit is almost always a daunting one. There are highs, lows, and everything in between. I’m such an impatient person. Whatever it is that I want, I want it yesterday! So you can imagine how badly I was waiting to see some results when I weighed over 200lbs, wore a tight  size 18/20 and wanted so desperately to see the single digit sizes again. For most people, the numbers on the scale show a loss pretty quickly in the beginning. Usually the first drop is water weight coming off but it’s still a happy feeling when you are ready to LOSE. You will get to a point where the numbers won’t budge, or worse, they start to RISE again. (see my previous post about throwing out them scales) You’re going to need some sort of sign that all of your hard work and sacrifice has not gone unnoticed by your body. *enter the camera* I was not a big fan of the camera when I was bigger. I’d usually hide in the back or be the one doing all the picture taking. (sound familiar to any of you?) One day, I can’t remember why I did it but I took a “before” picture and every few weeks I’d take another. After a few weeks of this I had them side by side I saw changes! Talk about an ego boost. People were telling me they could tell I was losing weight, but “I” wanted to see; did I mention I’m a control freak too? =) From that point on, pictures became a regular part of the weight loss drill. I have pics at every stage of my weight loss and I STILL look back at them to this day! I can still remember how I was feeling and what was going on in my life at the time when I look at many of the pictures. We all have those, “I feel fat” days and the pics will usually give you the “pick me up” that you will need to go on. You don’t need anything super fancy; a cell phone pic will do if that’s all you got. I don’t care how bad you hate taking pics, take at least one when you begin your weight loss plan; you will be SO GLAD that you did! Remember how you feel when you take the picture, and then put it somewhere to remind you of a place where you will NEVER be again!

Mizcardio4lyf!