Wellness Wednesday: Better Choices

Since the New Year, I'm down seven pounds. Rejoining Weight Watchers has probably been one of the best decisions I've made in quite awhile. I'm extremely happy with my progress so far, and even happier with the food choices I've been making. Take a look at my breakfast, lunch, and snack from today.

Not only have I been doing better with planning my meals, I've also been made better choices when dining out. Like last night we went out to celebrate the kids hard work in school. I knew this all day, so I made sure I stayed on track with my prepared meals and within my smart points. The best part has been resisting all the sweets in the office break room.

I have also spent more time making a weekly grocery list. Also trying to stay budget-friendly, I mainly shop at Sam's Club and Aldi.

I'm still a work in progress, and have a ways to go but slow progress is still progress.

Be Well,

LaToya

Wellness Wednesday: Goodbye January, Hello February

Life got in the way of me posting last week's Wellness Wednesday, but it's a new dawn new day. I'm excited it's a new month because I'm eager to get moving on my goals. First let's recap January.

I started the year like so many of you. Trying to figure out the whole goals vs resolutions thing. Thanks to being a Sweat Pink Ambassador, I was empowered to rejoin Weight Watchers. again. My husband's work schedule changed completely, and that meant working out a new routine for the entire family. I finally managed to have some me time. In attempt to focus more on my own health and fitness goals, I got caught up on my physical exams. The doctors found a pretty large tumor, and I had surgery on January 17th.

During my time on bedrest, I reevaluated my running goals, and took a stand on judgemental people. As you can see it was a pretty busy month. One thing I am bummed about is I didn't hit my target weight loss goal.

Which brings me to today. I'm back with eating healthier options and tracking intake with Weight Watchers. My goals for the months is to get out of the 170's (only 2lbs away) and return to running (once cleared from the docs of course).

What goals are you working towards in February?

Be Well,

LaToya

A Day in My Shoes

Being on bedrest the last few days, I've had a lot of time to reflect and do some soul searching. I've also spent quite a bit of time on social media. In light of somethings I'm going through personally along with the current social and political events that have transpired the last few days, I'm truly in awe. Perhaps I've just been living in my own bubble, or just a tad naive. Either way it truly baffles me how judgmental folks are. Like are you flipping kidding me.

Regardless of your upbringing, trials and tribulations, views and opinions keep your damn mouth shut. That coworker that gets on your last nerves. The woman at the supermarket with the three small children. The new First Lady of our nation. The homeless man sleeping on the side of the rode. Your cousin who brings a new boo home every year for Christmas. The overweight person at the gym. ME!!! Stop the judging. You may think you know, but you truly have no idea what another human being has been or is currently going through.

I get it all the time. From family, acquaintenaces, strangers, etc. but until you've walked (or ran) a day in my shoes, please don't judge me. 

I truly hope and believe that there is still some humanity left in this world, and we all can get along. Whether you agree, disagree, or feel indifferent towards someones else judging says more about YOU than that other person.

Be Well,
LaToya

The Year of Virtual Runs

Not being able to run or do any physical activity, really has me thinking. Even before my surgery, I knew this year would be less races so I can concentrate on other goals and the kids activities. I don't want to completely stop running or racing, so virtual runs seems like my best bet.

The benefits:

• affordability: most virtual runs are a lot less expensive. Saving money will allow me to stay focus on other financial goals I have for the year, and if an emergency comes up and it's less of a burden then dishing out a few hundred bucks on race registration and travel expenses.

• bling: there's almost always bling. After all that's what most runner truly love.

• convenience: that's the best part. With my husband's new work schedule racing on weekends will be next to impossible. I probably could get family to help out here and there if I plan well enough in advance, but even weekend long runs would be come an issue. The convenience of running when it fits best in my schedule makes a whole lot of sense.

• charity: I enjoy running with a purpose, and most of these runs always have a charity which a portion of the proceeds go to. 

I've also never been a real competitive runner. The mental accomplishments have always been my favorite part of the sport. Running more virtual runs will also allow me to not be so caught up in my pace. 

So I should find out more when I have my post op appointment on Monday, but I was original quoted 4-6 week no lifting or physical activity. If all goes well my first virtual run will be the Love 2 Run. That should be feasible, and a great way to kick off the year. 

Do you regularly run virtual runs?

Be Well,

LaToya

Wellness Wednesday: Womanhood is OVARrated!

I missed my Wellness Wednesday post last week because I received some pretty disturbing news. Soon as I saw my Doctor's name come across my phone, I knew it wasn't good news. They never call when it is good news. Everything she said was gibberish, except for we need to see you right away.

A thousand and one different thoughts raced through my head. The fortunate news was they didn't suspect anything malignant. The not so fortunate news was surgery. They first think I thought of was womanhood is so ovarrated (pun intended). The first menstrual cycle, cramps, bloating, hormones, etc over it. I would be having my third gynecological surgical procedure.

Yesterday, my doctor performed a unilateral laparoscopic sapingo oophorectomy, ovarian cystectomy, and uterine stent placement. In layman's terms, she removed the 12cm cyst (about the size of a cantaloupe), and removed my right ovary and fallopian tube. Additionally, a stent was temporarily put in but taken out before stitching me up.

I'm home in bed recovering, and have my first post-op appointment on Monday. Of course I'm sore, but probably more so mentally than physically. Only time will tell what will happen over the next several weeks. I've done a tone of research and of course have picked my doctor's brain with lots of questions. Again time will be of the essence. I feel like a part of me, a part of my womanhood has been ripped away. Literally and figuratively. There's no guarantees on side effects quite yet. While research and physical suggest one does the work of two, I'm not sure how my body will adjust. Hormone imbalance can come with it's own laundry list of problems.

I'm worried about early menopause. Not to mention the remaining side has two small cysts that my doctor will have to monitor. I've survived a previous ovarian cyst removal, tubal ligation, two full term vaginal deliveries, and now this. I feel for me. I feel for the millions of women who have suffered PCOS, endometriosis, and ovarian cancer. Our ovaries play an such essential role in who we are as women. Right now I'm not feeling to womanly.

To be continued.....

Made Time for Me!

As a woman I'm a natural nuturer. Everyone and everything comes before me. There's work, my husband, two kids, the dog, household chores, family, and friends. Balancing all those responsibilities  there's little time left for myself, but this year that's changing.

Even if it's nothing but looking myself in the bathroom for ten minutes. I vow to take time each week, and spend it on me, myself, and I. I did that today and it was simply amazing. Yes I could've been doing a million and one other things, but instead I choose ME! I looked myself in the bathroom, lit a candle, turned on some music, and created my own personal oasis. I needed that. My body definitely needed it. Mentally and spiritually I need that 30-40 minutes of peace and quiet.

I don't have it all figured out quite yet, but again somehow someway I'm getting back to me.

Wellness Wednesday: Back to Weight Watchers

Well hello there 2017, and hello there Wellness Wednesday. Since one of my goals for this year is to expand my blog, what better way to open things up with how I first got started. I'm excited to return to blogging regularly.

I'm also excited to share that thanks to some extra motivation from my SPAs (sweat pink ambassadors) I am empowered to rejoin Weight Watchers.

 I first joined weight watchers after the birth of my second child. Along with nursing I lost about 20 pounds fairly easily. Sadly I've sort of plateaued since then, and would like to lose another 20.

Yesterday was my first official day back on the program, and I proudly stayed within my recommend point range. The best part was I didn't feel deprived, and even felt more energetic. The only downside is that my bathroom scale is broke so I'll need to purchase a new one, but in the meantime I just use my most recent weight.

Are you or have you tried the Weight Watchers program? What are you empowered to tackle in 2017?

Be Well,
LaToya