Day 3 of The Martha’s Vineyard Diet Detox ~ Emotions

Today is day 3 and I woke up around 12:15 am to pee! Two days ago my beginning weight was 160.9 lbs, today Im weighing in at 158lbs, so far so good! Since its Labor Day I have been taking it easy but my stomach has been making noises so I know my digestive tract is working.

I must say that I have been feeling like I do before I begin my period, tired and gloomy. The diet said days 1-3, I could be feeling like crap, but it will subside. I am a happy person majority of the time, so emotionally I feel drained. I have not had any headaches just the bubble guts!

My morning juice drink recipe consists of the following: watermelon, celery, cucumber, beets, carrots, figs, green apple and ginger. I drank about 6 oz. Its 5:20pm and I have not had any cravings, I just drink my water when I do.

I rested as much as I allowed my body to do today before heading out for my evening workout. I only had my juiced drink in the morning, but I have been drinking water pretty much throughout the day. I ate a bowl of my veggie soup for dinner, but I chewed those veggies that were not blended in the soup. So I have been chewing my food in some instances so I have not completely gone liquid just yet. The good thing is that whatever I am consuming its all fruits and veggies, no meat, sugar, bread, or dairy.

I have noticed that the juice drink fills me up to where I am not having cravings like a few days ago. I am frequenting the bathroom moreso today than yesterday. I believe that I have gone to the bathroom about 10 times so far today.

Its 11pm and Im about to lay it on down. Im curious to see if I will remember my dreams which I haven’t done in about 4 years. Until tomorrow!

The Martha’s Vineyard Diet Detox ~ Day 2

So this morning was a lot better than Day 1. I woke up, juiced and wrote in my journal. Im incorporating a bunch of tasks to perform every day to help with my well being. Its also helping me stay accountable especially if I can journal about this detox.

Recipe: Cucumber, beets, green apple, ginger root, celery stalk, carrots, kale. I juiced these to create this refreshing drink.

I also have a side hustle where I make that hustle a part of my workouts. I bought a sweat vest from Amazon for like $22 bucks and its helping this detox process because I sweat a lot especially in my mid section. Its helping to shape that area since I look like Sponge Bob Square Pants Torso. This is one area that I want to improve and hopefully I will see some results at the end of this process.

My water goal was to drink 158oz of water and I made it to 112oz. for the day (equivalent to (11) 8oz of water.) The goal is to drink 20 glasses a day and as the weight falls off this number will go down, but when I increase my water intake I can see and feel a difference. Ive noticed that I am probably dehydrated and in order for me to feel good I need to put more good things into my body.

I fell asleep by midnight last night so hopefully my sleep routine will change.

21 Pounds in 21 Days – The Martha’s Vineyard Diet Detox

This journey to better health started way before my birthday that is approaching at the end of this month. Living in California there is no excuse to NOT to work out or eat healthy. California is the 6th largest agriculture economy in the world.

So one morning I was listening to the Breakfast Club radio show and they had Dr. Roni DeLuz, RN, ND, Ph.D (Founder of the Martha’s Vineyard Holistic Retreat) along with James Hester. They talked about the diet program and how we have many toxins in our bodies which is causing a lot of diseases within the African-American community.

Every year right before my birthday I go through a metamorphosis with my mind, body and spirit. It is my New Years Day celebration but for my birthday. So this year I decided to use this blog to be accountable to myself and do this detox program. This blog will help me get back to my writing, stay consistent and provide some exposure for my business DroneScape Films.

Day 1 – I got up early and made the trek to my favorite grocery store called Super King. They have the best prices when it comes to produce items. Its the perfect store to get the necessary fruits and veggies for this diet detox program. I have a juicer, food processor, and crock pot but my blender broke😞. This detox is about not chewing but intaking a lot of the necessary vitamins are body needs through fresh juice and soups. I love to juice and I love a good soup.

So I intend to start my mornings off with a fresh juice combo. Drinking a gallon of water a day is imperative. I always thought that the amount of water you should consume in a day is by taking your weight and dividing it by 2. When I read the book Metabolism, it stated that you should drink whatever your weight is, should be equivalent in water ounces (i.e. 160 lbs= 160 oz. of water). When I began to increase my water intake I felt different, I can assumed I was probably dehydrated. We don’t nearly get enough water into our system like we should to really flush out these toxins.

I have to admit that Day 1 I continued to chew my food. I had a salad kit from before the detox started which I didn’t want to go bad. I had some leftover chicken when I included. My first day I may have chewed but everything I ate was healthy but my intentions is do to do better than the day before. This is my metamorphosis.

Leave a comment if you have tried this diet detox before, or if you have a metamorphosis period like I do right before your birthday

The Season of Dry Fasting

So I was listening to a station on Sirius XM and a guy named Cole has videos on Youtube called the Snake Diet. Its a prolonged fasting lifestyle with proactive eating.

He starts off his videos calling you a Fattie! While Cole was answering questions from callers about doing fasts he also cursed out a few if they were speaking nonsense.  He is a loud talking in your face type of guy which comes across as hysterical, but apparently he knows what he is talking about.  It peaked my interest because as I read about more holistic approaches to bettering my health I had never tried a fast before. Im in the season of learning and trying new things and doing a fast with someone that is cursing you out would be good for me.

So there are a few fasts to consider. There is a Hard Dry Fast, Soft Dry Fast and a salt water fast. A Hard Dry fast is where you have no contact with water. When I first heard that I was like WTF? So that means no showers, brushing of teeth nothing. The Soft Dry Fast is where you can take showers and brush your teeth. A Salt Water fast is just that where you are drinking nothing but a salt water mixture which Cole calls Snake Juice.

So I have to mention that you should without a doubt consult a physician!!! I am no doctor but fasting to improve my overall health, Im willing to try and commit to doing it for at least 72 hours.

For starters, I have started to eat just fruits and veggies prior to me starting the fast. Im prepping my liver and other organs to start working to rid the toxins out of my body. I will be removing myself from a lot of distractions and toxins within my environment while doing this fast as well. My only means of expressing myself will be through my blog.

I love making Beet, Carrot and Apple Juice. Its a great pick me up and a lot more healthy to drink than craving for something with sugar in it. Im curious to see how I will break the sugar addiction we all suffer from in some form with the food that is available to us. This will be a true test for my level of commitment to where I can report my results. With the right mindset I can do whatever I set my mind out to do and completing this fast will be a start.

Have you done a fast before? What were your results, and would you do it again?

Learning About Something New – Arabic Greetings

I attended mass this morning at the Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral here in Los Angeles, and had a wonderful revelation as I was listening to the gospel. The monsignor told a story about how he traveled to the Holy Land a few months ago and was  asked to say a few words to the crowd at the end of their mass. He started out by saying to the crowd “alssalam ealaykum” which means “Peace Be with You.”  

 

As Americans I pray for those abroad who are Christians in areas of the world where there is so much fighting and hate going on. To be a strong advocate for Christ during these times can be difficult, but when we eliminate that fear and trust in God, nothing can hold you down. Learning a lil bit of Arabic and opening our minds to the truth about Islam will usher in Peace and Hope for the future.

Thanks for reading Day 5 of my 365 Days of Learning Something New. If you missed reading any of my previous posts, catch up with Day 1 here. Leave a comment on what you Learned New Today! 

Why Everyone Needs to Do a Spiritual Fast For the Sake of the World!

First things first, I googled the word Fast, and different types of “Fasts” showed up on the 1st page of Google. The ideas started to pop into my head on which type of fast I will do. There is a 40 Day and 40 Night fast like what Jesus did back in the day. Left Eye did one as well and she felt like her relationship to God was deeper than ever. I was compelled to start writing again and this one thought has lead me to writing this blog post. As a online marketer I have learned how important it is to be on the first page of Google. There were a few blog articles about personal fast experiences, Fasting programs for purchase, and so on, but there is nothing like sharing your own story. This would be great if everyone took the time to think about Why They Need to Do a Fast.

As Im blossoming into my 40s Im reflecting a lot on How Im Striving to Do Better and Be Better.  So in doing my research on Fasts and their Benefits I came across a video from the MTV, The Documentary of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez (TLC Girl Group), and how she did a fast after she met a healing doctor by the name of Dr. Sebi. I learned about Dr. Sebi a few years back from a really conscious minded friend. I suggest you take the time a watch a few of the videos that are on Youtube about him and his healing practices. I always remind myself that You Are What You Eat! Watching that story prompted me to do more of my own research and journal about my Fasting experience.

Discover How to Earn an Income by Blogging about Fasting?

There were some things that I had to consider and really think about. For starters a routine or change in my normal schedule. Change comes with a lot of fears we put on ourselves so that is why its important that you do your research. Some of us need to be kept on our toes especially if we are working within our purpose so a swift kick in the right direction is always good when there is Change! Im exploring the notion of doing something outside of my comfort zone as Im starting out my 40s. Im all about being at my top physical shape and what better to do it than to Fast. I made a list of what I want to do for myself this year and the following came to me:

1. Pray more and deepen my relationship with God
2. Do a detox to really see how my body functions with nothing harmful within my system
3. Incorporate 10 minutes of Meditation to help balance myself
4. Stay consistent with whatever I choose to do

I desire to educate myself about nutrition and what my body really needs in order to operate. I believe this fast will help me to achieve all 4 of those goals and much more.  I plan to stay committed to this experience and share with you on this blog.

Be sure to subscribe to my Blog and follow along on My Fit At 40 journey.

Black Girls Travel: 3 Tips To Consider When Travelling Out of LAX

  
I finally made it to Lima, Peru! After being dropped off at the wrong terminal at LAX again (Another blog post) I’m giving 3 Essential tips for traveling abroad. 

1. Know which terminal your flight is leaving from before you head for the airport! I made the same mistake twice now that I have traveled out of LAX. It’s a huge airport but knowing this bit of info can save you 30min easy!

2. Give yourself 3 hours if you are flying internationally especially if you did not do #1. You just may end up at the wrong airport terminal. 

3. Exchange your currency when you get to your destination, especially if the U.S. Dollar is strong. 

These are just 3 little things to take into consideration when traveling abroad. 

I will be writing more about my Peruvian adventure all while celebrating my 40th birthday. 

Leave me a comment if you have traveled abroad before. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more great stories from Peru!

Internet Marketing Saved Me While I was Grieving

The video above is of my grandmother Frances Lambert. She lived to be a 102 years old. As I was clearing out some old videos off my Youtube Channel, and I noticed I did a few videos of my grandmother while I was home. Im so grateful that I captured these moments.

Its been almost 2 years since I made that video and I can already tell you that I have grown spiritually, emotionally and thank the Lord not physically 🙂 So much has transpired since the making of this video, and I’m a testimony that my faith is helping me as I still continue to grieve.

For starters, I was home during a time where my father was getting sick. My 1st cousin just had a stroke at the age of 47, and I was a nervous wreck in California.  You see I have been living in California almost 4 years so living far from my family was the sacrifice I was willing to take to pursue my dreams of writing and producing my own tv show.

Although I am living my dream of being in California (not having to deal with the seasons) my family is very important to me. My father especially, and at the time I started internet marketing was a means to earn an income since the entertainment industry was not hiring any 30 year old PAs.

I had to do something fast because time was of the essence, and I did not want to move back to my hometown.
So I joined an online affiliate marketing program which was right up my alley.  The economy was tanking, no one was hiring in Hollywood, and I wanted to go back to school but funding would be a problem. I was able to learn and understand what the internet marketing industry was all about. Something had to change. I knew I was in the right place it was just with the wrong company.

Fast forward to today and I write this blog because since that video was posted to my Youtube Channel, my father and my grandmother have since passed. The video put a smile on my face because I have a lil something to hold on to of my Grandmother.  The beauty of this whole situation is that I was able to generate an income with another online business while I was able to spend quality time with those that I love.

Everything works out according to God’s plan, we must be obedient and stay consistent with our purpose.

Since I shot this video I have experienced a lot of growth in my life. This video was a testimony that we all have challenges in life, but we must remember that this too shall pass. As long as we have God on our side everything will work out. I was planting the seeds for my business back then and I can see the fruits of those seeds growing within me.  You have to remain consistent with whatever you set your mind to do, and the universe will work its way to making that dream a reality.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post. Please feel free to post a comment, like or Share it with someone who may have just lost a loved one. I pray this post brings some kind of comfort during a difficult time to someone.  Although its been only 5 months since my grandmother passed, I just experienced the 1 year anniversary of my father’s death and I can say that I got through it. Always know that you will get through it.

Time Does Not Stand Still: 1 Year Anniversary of My Father’s Death

As much pain and hurt death brings, time stands still for no one!

I can’t believe that a year has passed since I had awaken from a dream that I was speaking to crowd at my father’s funeral. Something that I had been dreading my whole life, but the day finally came. The day came where my father was no longer suffering from Prostate cancer. He no longer had to deal with the pain, the loss of independence, to have to reley on someone else besides yourself to do the little things in life. The time had come for my father to die.

My father is now in heaven along with this father and mother. Its hard to fathom how you would react when a parent passes away. I always said to lock me up in a mental facility because I would not know how to handle myself. That never happened and I realized that you get through the hard times, knowing that they never left.

In time you will understand what I am saying, but time will heal all wounds.

Stand strong within your faith while grieving, that helped me through the rough patches but know that you will never forget that person you lost. They will forever be with you, that is a fact.

Oprah Tells Iyala: I’ll Fix Your House | Airs Nov. 29 OWN Network

Oprah Does it Again!

I just love Iyala Vanzant’s tv show I’ll Fix Your Life. The tables have been turned and Oprah is going to fix Iyala’s home with the help from Interior Design Expert Nate Burkis. Be sure to tune into OWN on Nov. 29th for this epic episode.

Watch the trailer below.

I don’t know why but I started to tear up when I watched that:)

Will you be tuning in to Iyala’s Fix my House episode on OWN airing Nov. 29th? Leave me a comment if you get teary eyed watching Iyala’s shows, I know I do!