Time isn’t the issue. You are the issue.

SO what is your excuse?

I planned to have this long drawn out post about making time to exercise, but you know what, I don’t have time for that. You and your excuses can have about a dozen seats. Just stop it with all the excuses about why you cannot work out. It’s almost May, stop it.  Let me explain how much one hour of workout is per day– FOUR percent… more precisely, 4.16667%. Being 23 and busy I live by this mantra, ” you make time for who and want you want to- whether it is a relationship, exercising, hanging with friends, catching up on your shows, heading a spa or game if you WANT to do it, you will.

So let me be clear, there is no reason why you cannot work out a few days a week for at least 30 minutes.

30 minutes. 2% of your day.

Like Nike has made famous: Just do it. And as I say: Get There.   I’ll kindly post a workout that I found on tumblr a while back that I really like. It’s great: Take a look below.

Quick yet challenging… perfect

Your workouts don’t have to be crazy to get the benefits of exercising. Do this one time to start. Work your way up to 2 -3 and really push yourself.

Get There.
✗♥O

Positivity!!!

I’m huge on being positive. If you catch me complaining I really have to  be bothered. I loathe & I mean truly hate how readily people complain- yes you are going to have days and moments that are pretty sucky and things just aren’t going your way, but to completely neglect all the blessings that you have each and every day is pretty narcissistic and ungracious.  Shoot, I just got on my nerves explaining why I don’t like complainers.

Every morning I wake up && thank God for waking me up & keeping me safe throughout the night- then I tell myself today is going to me a great day. Yup, a few days in a year I have some rough days; for instance a few days ago my car hydroplaned and spun so out of control. No one was injured. No damage was done to any other car or property. My car was damaged, but guess what.. I have insurance. I am okay. No one was injured…I was very blessed and I am so grateful. When it comes to life and the events throughout the days and weeks and years, just be positive. It’s not really easier said than done, it is easy to do yall just gotta frickin do it, no thinking is even allowed. I give myself a max of 36 hours to be in a funk when it happens (rare…once/twice a season) After a while I am truly sick of me being negative and upset because it drains me! But 36 hours is my max- I give myself a little pep talk it goes a little something like “PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER YOU’RE GETTING ON YOUR OWN DAMN NERVES GIRL! It ain’t even that bad what’s the real issue here?! UGH ugh ugggh get ya life. Grab it!” << just like that. To me. From me.

People get set off by anything these days and it really isn’t worth it.. not in the long run. When it comes to weight lost you have to keep your spirits up. The journey is long and tough and if you want to give up, trust me you will. It’s so easy to slip back to your old unhealthy habits rather than fight through the turbulence. Remember you can do it and any progress IS IN FACT PROGRESS.When you’re in school and struggling on a subject (the lawd gave me physics to keep me on streeeeessssed) you have to make a plan to really push yourself and while going to the extra study groups and while missing a few parties and while you’re studying instead of watching mindless shows tell yourself “I got it. I can do this.”  At work with that annoying, kiss up co-worker or over anal boss. Driving and Sir-I-Gotta-Hummer cuts you off. At home and your dad just told you to take out the trash && as you’re getting up to do it he yells to hurry up…be positive.

My Fitness/ Healthy Living Goals of 2013

Usually I keep this blog general, but I think putting some of my goals out there for everyone to see isn’t such a horrible idea. Yall might help me figure out how to reach them!   I made a vision board Jan 1st, which is DRASTICALLY different from last year, but last year I saw my vision become a reality. This year is about forward thinking, forward actions. This year I plan on setting the foundation for a stronger and more visible business in the Philadelphia area as well as participating in activities/events that are unfamiliar to help me gain knowledge and confidence.  With that being said here are my goals for this year!

1. On weekdays drink 64- 75 oz of water
2. On weekends get 40 oz water. (the struggle)
3. Once a month try a brand new recipe
4. Participate in new sporting events or group fitness classes… then blog about them
5. Read at least 5-10 articles/research that are factually supported regarding health, nutrition, wellness, fitness etc- tweet them && share on the facebook page
6. Keep up with Black Girls Run!
7. Get another certification (JrFit Youth Fit)
8. Reduce consumption of dairy – especially cheese, chocolate and breads/pastas (especially when I’m just being gluttonous)
9. One spa day a month

Mhm Mhm checklist!

I have personal and business related goals listed elsewhere, but the above mentioned tasks are some things that I can definitely accomplish I just have to push myself. I might have to set a few reminders throughout the day to sip on water for it to get done, especially on the weekends. Or when I see living social deals for group classes I  can’t just ignore & delete the email. (PS…check out Living Social for GREAT frickin GREAT deals on fitness classes in your area.)  Goal number 8 is just really a reminder. My face has almost cleared from most of the dark marks left over by acne and I know keeping my consumption of cheese, cocoa & carby carbs low will keep me on the right track. I have a tendency to just be really gluttonous and that has got to stop too!  Bad Jordan BAD! Believe me when I say a defensive lineman lives in me and I can eat for 14 people   The spa day is for mental health, making sure I take time out for myself  and not get caught up ridin `round.

So there you have it! If you have any recipes, please leave them I’d like suggestions! And share your goals with me too! I’m interested in how you are going to make 2013 healthier!

Get There.
✗♥O

The Beyonce Grind

Faith > Fears

One day last year I had a conversation with my sister. We discussed Beyonce- her ambition and how she truly works hard. This was before she had a child, she strategically released her videos so that she always had new videos and songs coming out. It doesn’t matter if you looooooove Bey or completely dislike her, you cannot dispute her work ethic. From that discussion, we came up with the phrase “The Beyonce Grind” ie “Girl in the New Year I really gotta get on that Beyonce Grind.” Simply meaning I really was going to and needed to step up in 2012. Of course you hear this ALL the time “New Year, New Me.  New Month, New Me. etc” But something about 2012 I just knew I had to change.

In January I made a vision board this week I looked at it and about three times I have “TBG” posted throughout the page. The. Beyonce Grind. As I look back on 2012, I realized I really stepped up to the plate. I had to step out on faith and to be honest, until recently when it came to my business && when it came to teaching and guiding others with fitness advice  I had little confidence in myself.  Within the last few months I realized I could do it with some advice from a good friend. I got my mind together and just started doing it. I know my stuff, why sit here and consistently doubt MYSELF!? My Friends, my family, people I don’t know… they all support and believe in me, so it was time for me to give  myself the most confidence in the world.

In addition to my wavering faith, fear was another little creep trait that kept visiting me. I always reblog this post on tumblr that says “Let your faith be bigger than your fears.”  Sometimes fear gets hold of you and affects your faith. OR your faith isn’t there and then fear appears simultaneously. It has taken me a year a FULL 365 days to struggle with the dynamics of fear and faith, accept and grow from them, but every struggle was worth it. The struggle of Jordan vs Jordan is always going to be ever present, but I see where I want to go and there will be nothing or nobody to stop me. Obstacles… what’s up!?

The Beyonce Grind can easily be substituted for the Adrian Peterson Grind. Black Girls Rock Grind. The Big Sean Grind. The ____ organization or person ____ Grind You can decide.When I think of Bey, I see her working smart, I see her balancing time on and time off, I see her using her name to help good causes. I like the way she works. I like the way Adrian Peterson has come back from his injury to have one of his best seasons.  I’m no celebrity and I’m not huge fan of celebrities, but for some reason “the Beyonce Grind” sets will with me and it just a little something has helped me get me to the next level.

The Beyonce Grind – helping me….

Get There. 2013
✗♥O

 

To Grow, Don’t Be Afraid to Trim

Last year I was seriously not liking my hair. After graduation I cut it, well maybe cut isn’t the right word, it was like an overly ambitious trim. I was happy. I could start again. I could make goals specific for my hair and I could  closely monitor my regimen, I would take care of my hair and hopefully see it flourish and grow!

Several weeks after I trimmed my hair I had a falling out with several friends which wasn’t  unexpected, but losing friends never ever feels good.  The only thing I could relate it to at that moment was cutting my hair. I kept saying to myself Well you have to trim your hair for it to grow, so it makes sense that you’ll have to trim you’re friends to cut out the bad ones for you grow and get to the next level.  I must have had this discussion with myself for about two weeks straight. When I go back & think on that time, the people who I no longer talk to weren’t helping me at all, to be honest, it wasn’t a great friendship. Sometimes we hold on to stuff because it’s so comfortable. Letting go is hard, but necessary. I have goals. I have a plan of action and I know where I want to go. I need people in my life who are supportive, who will help me grow and push me to do my best. But these same friends should be concerned and critical, when I’m being egocentric and selfish TELL ME. Honest Friends. True friends. They are very hard to come by, even today I struggle with this concept of true friends and if it will exist for me.

Well it’s been about 18 months since my hair trim. Now, my hair is longer, thicker, fuller and healthier than it has ever been.  It’s almost parallel to my personal life. I’ve tightened my circle. It’s a little circle. Not quite a power circle maybe just a “pow” circle. But I have learned a lot in the process and I’m still growing daily. I am still 5’3″  sooo yes it is all emotional growth. Not everyone is going to make it to the next level in your life and it is okay. Really! It is the way things are supposed to be.  I used to hate this saying, but you do have people in your life for a reason and a season.  Learn the lessons they present, enjoy the time together, but you keep pressing forward no matter what.  Work hard at your goals, have faith and keep going.

If you have a goal to start leading a healthy lifestyle observe which one of your friends (family too!!!) keep having junk food when you’re around. If you plan to go back to school, see which people in your life start doing and saying things that counter your plans.  Small stuff. I could give countless examples, but you have to be wise and decipher who is really in your corner and who sent their hologram.

You have to trim your hair to grow.

Get There.
✗♥O

Motivation && Discipline

This is where everything started

Motivation”doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done when we want to do it.
Discipline “doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done when we don’t want to do it

I saw the above picture and definitions on tumblr, I liked it. I added it to my fitness facebook page. But then I reread it again and again and again. I started questioning whether I agreed. I am coming to the conclusion  that I don’t really agree with these definitions.

What Can We Learn from Olympians?

My entire life equilibrium has been thrown off simply because the Olympics is on from 7am until Midnight everyday. Here I am with all this to do everyday, and then that 8pm-12 session comes on && I’m hooked for 4 hours and my whole night is shot.

2012, contrast to 2008, I have been watching every sport- literally everything they televise I’ve seen. Water polo. equestrian. white water kayak, archery, judo, boxing, handball, etc

There are a couple of character traits that I see in all athletes from every country which needs to be talked about: Determination and Perseverance. These people are hard frickin workers. There’s something that is constantly restoring my faith to work hard now when trying to set a strong foundation for the Tenth Muse. It could be a sermon at church, a talk with my best friend, a news story or motivational speech- something weekly that keep me working at it. But this year I’m saying my main source of inspiration is the Olympics. I say to myself-whoa! these are the top and most elite athletes in the world. They’ve worked extremely hard day in & day out. This has been a journey with several obstacles to surmount. I don’t think I’ve heard a story about an athlete with a perfect, easy trip to London. There were losses and the pain of the agony of defeat. But the athletes came back. They handled the pain & hurt to keep training. Did they give up? Maybe for a week or month, but they physically and mentally took it to the next level.