Getaways!! We all NEED them

Heyy Divas!!

Life sure has been crazy, huh?!

I tell ya if it is not one thing its another. We have weight issues, money issues, relationship issues, family drama, back biting wanna be girlfriends and lets not leave out the kids. Geeesh, I am tired and frazzled from naming all that stuff..  Key word in that sentence is stuff. I am learning to navigate through my own cloudiness of a brain to find Peace and Joy. I heard on Oprah that, she rather have joy than happiness any day. I am finding out that I agree with her totally.

I keep saying to myself I just want to be happy, I just want to be happy. But predetermined by who? God, says child you are living that should make you happy. Our Boss says, at least your working, that should make you happy. Our spouses or loved one says, I am home with you at all times that should make you happy. Our family says we haven't asked you for a favor or for a small loan in a while, that should make you happy. The scale says we haven't tipped our highest weight point yet, that should make you happy. But yet, we still aren't satisfied. I wonder is happiness and satisfaction connected. I see that happiness can be turned to sadness without warning and if you are satisfied, you can become highly pissed off at the drop of the hat, but if you have JOY, oh boy, can anyone take your JOY away?!

I have a long commute to work, and during that hour and some change drive, my mind escapes on its own getaway. I think my mind goes to some money making boot camp  because all I can think about is how can I make more money through having businesses. (Not in I am rich kinda way, but girl, you better come up with something to pay the mortgage kinda way!) I know one of my brilliant ideas will sky rocket, and one of my worries will be lifted, but through my mind craze session, I look up at the nice blue sky out peaks a small rainbow, and behold peace over flows me, as if I was on a beach with a nice drink sipping away.

I read something on Facebook today it says:

I said Ohhh, God is telling a sistah something. And believe me I am listening!

While our minds may escape to a lovely hideaway, our physical nature needs the same. I found this company online last week their are called Affordable Getaways and their on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AffordableGetaways. They have reasonable destinations at great deals and promotions that you truly can't pass up! I just won a free 3 Days/ 2 Night stay in Hilton Head Island, SC and I am so excited, I need to GETAWAY again! 

I am learning Hard work pays off, dedication pays off, faith pays off, truth pays off, believing in our selves pays off, and knowing God pays off! I say we need to keep this blog in our memory bank, so when life seems unbearable, lets getaway! When the family is irking the mess out of us, lets getaway! When our spouse or partner works our nerves to the out most, lets grab our gal divas and lets getaway!

Do you have a favorite getaway spot or know a deal that you will like to share please leave a comment?

Until next time Divas-- Two Snaps!~~

A DIVAFIED HUSTLA$$ Are you one?

Heyyy My Divas!!!!

One thing I wanted to hit on seriously is every DIVA needs to have some sort of Hustle. Whether it is a good paying career, a nice or comfortable job, or a bangin' business, WE need to do have something substantial going on and let me explain why?

There are four ways people make money. The 1st way is being an employee. 80% of Americans eat, live and die in this category and that maybe OK for them but not for me. The 2nd way is a self-employed individual. These are doctors or lawyers, hairdressers, even though they can potentially make a great deal of money, they have to be there physically to make it. Meaning if they don't work, they don't get paid! The 3rd way is a business owner. These are people that own a business or a system that will run self sufficiently even when the owner is not present or involved. (I ENCOURAGE EVERY DIVA TO FIND A HOBBY, CRAFT, or BUSINESS THAT YOU CAN BE THE OWNER OF!) And the last way is an investor. Money works 24/7. It may not flow 24/7 through our pockets but it most certainly flows why not capitalize on it.

I own 3 businesses. I promote financial independence within our communities. I make sure our families and communities are properly protected, I help them to create a plan to become debt free, and I also teach about investments, retirements and really how money works visit my web site or message me for any additional questions http://www.primerica.com/pduson.

I have a jewelry line that I love tremendously! Its called Mo-La Dazzled. Visit https://www.facebook.com/MoLaDazzled or http://moladazzled.miiduu.com/ to preview any of the jewelry or to make a purchase.

I have an event planning business and I also work full time. I shared all this with you, because regardless of the election tomorrow, us as WOMEN need to empower, motivate, and educate our selves in being business owners and investors. We are smart, strong and money savvy, there is no reason why our net worth is less than man only because they are a tad bit more knowledgeable in investments than we are. I plan to change that. The average Africa American Household is net worth to be $4.995, but our counter parts are worth from $7,000 to $121,000. What is wrong with this scenario?? I plan to change that also. Having a licensed professional in every household is a start then a financial game plan is second. Again contact me to learn more about the game plan.

I encourage my Divas out there to make a plan, start a hustle, familiarize yourself with terms and the investment market and if you need my help, please REACH OUT!

I am declaring with my Divas out there that I will work my hardest and my best to become financially set, self sufficient and a true DIVAFIED HUSTLA? How about u??

I am thinking about upgrading to the true DIVA BOSS status. I work hard enough, I think I deserve it.

Which do you prefer?

Mirrors, Mirrors... Wasn't my Best Friend!

Hello Divas!!!! And Divaettes (Divas-In-Training),

I am so sorry I have missed posting these past 2 weeks.     ~~I was on our HONEYMOON!!!!~~

Yayyy,  I was getting it in all kinds of ways (if you know what I mean). But Behold......... I had the nerve to but on a bathing suit, which I was excited about because my boobies looked so darn good in it. I put on the suit and turned to the mirror, and OHHH LAWWWD, I broke down in some tears, it was awful!

I couldn't believe I let myself gain this weight yet again, then all of these woulda coulda thoughts went through my mind. My husband came over to console me and that didn't work. All I kept thinking was it could be worse, it could be worse, I could of gained all the weight back that I lost.

See when I took a glimpse in the mirror, I saw an all too familiar person. A person that I swore I wouldn't be again. Heavy, stressed, burnt out, so critical, ungrateful and miserable. Life managed to be placed before ME, and that's a BIG NO NO!!!!

After a tear or two (ok, a whole pool of tears), I thanked the Lord that its not as bad as it could possibly be. I picked my head up and strike a pose in another mirror (LOL) and went on to have one of the greatest days of our vacation.
On our tour bus, my best friend who was unaware of my melt down, says "Do you know those mirrors that are in our cabin, is truly unflattering. I look HUGE!" (In her coca cola size 10 shape, that I could of strangled at that moment.) I looked back at my husband, my husband winked at me, and I was like ooohhh so it wasn't all me in that mirror this morning during my emotional burst of cries, someone else witnessed the same thing.

So I came to some conclusions:
Conclusion #1- NO cruise cabins should have full length mirrors especially when they know that all that damn food is around.
Conclusion #2- When we look into the mirror, our first reaction should be to smile not cry, but when I did I VOWED at the moment, when I returned home, to get back into the healthy groove that led to my first 100 pound weight loss and to love me Unconditionally, because no one else will ever love me like I do! ( I have lost 5 pounds so far.)
Conclusion #3- I view tears as prayers, and even though at that moment, I felt a little defeated, I think it was my own special moment with God, to know that what I was feeling was not who I truly am and what I promised I tend to keep.
It should always be God first, then yourself, then your family, businesses or work, then everything else. If I can't put God first, how will he put me first. If I don't love me I will I expect my husband to love me?

Now when I look into the mirror, I see my GLOW, I see BEAUTY, I see DETERMINATION, I see GRATEFULNESS, I see ME!

So Diva's I ask you, what do you see when you look into the mirror? Also from a man's perspective and a solider's outlook please visit www.mnmlostsoldier.com to order a great book The Man in the Mirror: Lost Soldier.

My Hubby and I!!!

Great Book!!!

Fears??

Heyyyy Divas,

It's been a while. I truly apologize, its been over a month and mentally I have been all over the place and so has my weight.

I have not gained or lost any but my fear of not completing a goal or task for myself is unbearable.

As I sat and wrote this message for Afrodeezha, my fingers couldn't stop typing but I realized what I said is the truth, and I understand why I didn't met that 30lbs goal I sat for myself, because... simply put, I just wasn't ready. Please continue to read below.

Heyyyy Afrodeezha!!


Thank you for joining us.

I have been on such a high emotional roll coaster myself that I have been praying to get off of it and fast. With emotions high, we tend to eat things we are not suppose to. But wait here's the kicker we know we are not suppose to, so now we feel guilty and often times even cry.

I have learned that we are very critical human beings, when you tend to carry extra weight. We become so harder on ourselves than the size 2 chick standing in GAP trying on some jeans.

I believe before we can truly commit to a life style change of being healthy and thin, we first need to examine our emotional triggers. What makes us do what we do? Why do we feel the "need" to stray when we become bored or angry?

And Afrodeezha trust me, this part isn't easy. I am in this transition stage of my life, and I am re-examining everyone and everything. I am doing things for ME and not for anyone else. I am rediscovering this new person, and whether I have support or not, I know its something that needs to be done. If not..... I am on the road to gaining all 100 lbs I lost and my heart and soul WILL NOT be able to handle that.

I have an acronym for the word FAT- Its Feeling Absent Tremendously!!!

Please Listen to me, whether you are a size 6 or 26 you are BEAUTIFUL in your own right. We tend to become absent sometimes emotionally and spiritually and food takes it place (thats why we feel FAT or call ourselves FAT). So Hold your head high because someone didn't wake up this morning. Someone lost a leg, and can't workout at all. Or in memory of my Uncle that died of stomach cancer, whom couldn't eat a single thing for at least 2 years. So imagine that fried chicken we love so much, imagine smelling it but not able to eat it that was him. (R.I.P. Uncle JB. We love U!) Basically there are people that are a lot worst off then we are. We hold, Faith, strength, ambition, determination, and the WILL to live our lives as it is meant to be.

We may not be where we want to be yet for our ideal size and weight, but we have the WILL to make it happen. We just have to put in the work; mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Once these paths are align our journey and quest will fall into place. TRUST ME! You are not ALONE!


~~Two Snaps~~

Hips & Curves

Heyyyy Divas!!

Today I thought we should explore our most sensual side. The side that makes us feel like us!

SEX!

Its nothing more gratifying then to have a man that loves all our curves! Thank the lawd for men that love some women with meat on their bones. Men who doesn't care about cellulite, dimples, fat or rolls (not the ones you cook in the oven either) but loves "being" with us sexually. It could be our pretty face that lures them in, or our abundance of confidence, that twinkle in our eyes, or the fact that they possibly is about to have the time of their lives with a bomb diggity chick. But the thought of some strong muscular arms holding us up in ways we couldn't ever imagine with ease, and the utter deposition of some rough but gentle affection that only real men can give is truly amazing! Secretly we think that they are the ones that can handle us in ways we need and want.

Now we can get into some explicit details how we can do things better then some of the skinny chicks out there, or the fact that our tricks can hook a man but we can save that for later. Just know when you see a plus size Diva on the ground doing splits, because shes limber don't be surprised! Just send two snaps her way and keep it moving.(~~) Or when you hear or see a +size Diva in an amazing alluring outfit that simply hugs and hits all the right areas all at the same time, there is no need to hate, simply keep the comments to yourself and keep it moving.

I think its great to explore our sexual adventurous side with your partner. Trying new positions, new tricks, new lingerie, feels empowering, and boosts our self esteem in ways that only you can imagine. A new self worth, a new understanding of your body, a new self recognition overcomes you and it could do nothing but uplift you in ways beyond belief. I like to buy locally and support the next woman trying to make it in today's world. I know about this online store and I want to warn you before you follow the link, this is for big and sexy, the ones that don't mind trying something new. Its You Like It I love it (Phuck Me Shop) https://www.facebook.com/YouLikeItILoveItPMSS. Peruse the store to see if something catches your eye.. You've been warned though. Lol..

When I was my heaviest, I mean extremely heavy, I would hate making love with the lights on unless I was laying flat on my back because then the fat would lay down flat then I wouldn't feel so big, but now honey, its doesn't matter if we are upside down, lights on our off, I will get it in. There is one position I don't like I wont name it only because my hubby might read this, but I can feel my fat on my lower stomach going back and forth and up and down. Even though that doesn't bother my husband, it really grosses the heck out of me. (Don't tell him I told you that..) LMAO!

While preparing for my bridal shower this year, I came across a web site that is simply amazing its called Hips and Curves. Here is a link to the web site: http://www.hipsandcurves.com/plus-size-lingerie.
I like to buy a new teddy or a see through something to keep things fresh and it honestly makes me feel great. Its like I know I'm heavy but its no need to go to bed looking like it too. Its days that its a white tee and maybe some shorts of course, but there are many more days in lingerie.. When there is a new level of love for yourself in all ways, I feel that your partner will do the same! I love how that correlates it does make two people come together as one! When we love us and feel secure our partner feels that energy and reciprocate that good love right back to us. Then something else AMAZING happens at the end, but you have to use your imagination on that one! ~~ (Two Snaps)

Compliments of  http://www.hipsandcurves.com/plus-size-lingerie/

Compliments of  You Like It I love It (Phuck Me Sex Shop)

Holidays? Sometimes a Bummer

Heyyy My Fabulous Divas out there,

Sorry to be gone from you for so long, but a particular holiday never seem to go right........

I have this preconceived notion about Labor Day as always being a bummer on top of all bummer holidays. Labor Day was the time that I had to catch the bus every summer back to Philly, from spending months with my Mom, and my Little Sister. (Sad times) In 1998 my boyfriend at the time, which was the love of my 16 year old life died during a shoot out in High Point, NC. Then in 2004, another boyfriend at the time, died from being maliciously poisoned at the hand of a so called friend. And yesterday 2 people died. One of the younger women that is in our neighborhood, who also is my younger cousin, and actor Michael Clarke Duncan.

So imagine the thought of lost, abandonment and despair every year at the same time. (It sucks!)

It was so eerie yesterday, all I did was watch Long Island Medium on TLC, and tell my hubby repeatedly, how I wanted to have a reading. I really really do though, because there are some folks I would love to hear from that is on the other side. It seemed like death lingered all day until about 6 in the evening. All I could do was somber, sob, and pray. I prayed so hard, I had tears in my eyes. But I am so proud of me though, as sad as I was, I did not indulge in any unnecessary desire to cheat and eat nothing I am truly not suppose to have. (Yayyy me!!!) In fact I lost 4 lbs last week!!! ~~

I remember talking to my hubby, and listening to his story of how he hated Holidays, especially Christmas. Christmas for him, was nothing but arguments and fights and for me it was the complete opposite. Its funny how someone has a connection to a particular holiday and even though some memories are wonderful, we seem to hold on to the ones that are hurtful and overall hold a negative impression in our minds and sometimes our hearts.

Do you find yourself doing this; once this "one" particular holiday rolls around, nothing but sadness overcomes you and you refuse to be anything close to joyous?

I need to find a way to revert this plaque that I have on this particular holiday. I would like to have any Holiday no matter of what tragedies and losses, I endured to be one of happiness and joy. I would like to beam of this bright glow all day, like I do any other day, instead of sob and weep.

I declare Like Independence day, (lol!) I declare, that from this day forth I will have fun and enjoy Labor day as a true relaxing, outgoing, a lot of shopping deals day, that it truly is!!

Do you have an declarations over any holidays?? I would love to hear them....

Nine West lead to Tears

Yesterday I visited one of my fav stores Nine West Outlet on the OBX, NC. I am fortunate to live right by them, Coach and, Ralph Lauren Polo just to name a few.

I was in this store earlier in the week and saw this electric cobalt blue clutch that I have been now dreaming about all week. I had to have it now so when I entered the store, just say that I came out with more than just the clutch, but I also met these most amazing and Divaliciously managers of my life.

We talked about shoes, handbags, feet, animal prints, then the Convo transitioned to AIDS/HIV Awareness. One of the manager's had this terrifying story of his younger brother and his journey of being HIV/AIDS positive. The story will touch ur soul once you hear it, the natural human being in you so all I could do was cry of course! The tears poured so heavy I went from this Diva to a lush. When he was telling me the story of his brother and all their efforts in the awareness of this fatal disease all I could do was think about my Uncle Ricky.

You talking about the most Divaest person in the world it was him. He put the Capital D in Diva even before it was such a name. He helped raise me, he love to style me, and he even named me. He is where I got my since of uniquest and knowing that it is ok being different. I remember being 4 with a leather two piece pink skirt suit. It was soooo cute. I was 5 with Mink coats and tons of jewelry that my uncle bought me. He was my heart my love and I love him still. He had me enrolled early as a D.I.T. (diva in training). Lol!!

He was diagnosed with AIDS in 1989. The same year my Dad died ironically enough. My Uncle Ricky was gay and contracted the disease from his life long partner. His partner was the carrier so you can imagine the deception when my Uncle found out that he is now effected. He died in 1991 and everyday doesn't go by where I don't think him. Especially since my wedding was just 3 months ago all I can vision is him in the audience looking on to his baby girl. (Great tip at weddings, I set up a remembrance table to recognize those who couldn't be there, it helped bring their presence to our special day.)

When I heard the manager's story a light clicked on and I then realized it wasn't the cobalt bag I came into this store for its a whole lot more and now my life is going to be changed forever. To hear the passion in the manager story and all his family efforts I just knew that I have to be apart of this effort now. This could be what I can do to help our communities learn about the seriousness of this disease and how it is attacking out culture and our people at alarming rates.

Now I went to Nine West for a clutch and came out with 2 handbags and a new desire and purpose for life. Sometimes these moments come when you least expect it but I am learning to accept them and try to move forward and make a difference in our world. Of course I will still crying all the way home, and when I arrived home, I hugged my husband so tight then ate a whole big bag of Doritos. That's when I realized I was at the right place at the right time today talking to the right people. Only one person could have that type of control and we know who that is! It was no need to be sad anymore now it was time to rejoice!

I encourage us not only to find our niche, but to find it where our community could benefit from our story, our experiences, and our life lessons. The feeling from it, could be on a level that we have never experienced. It has no price tag not even the value of a pair of "red bottoms," but this sense of accomplishment like no other. I want that sense of calmness and achievement in my life. I think that will heightened my level as a person and shape me into the person I was destined to be with a whole new degree of divaliciousness!! ~~  Whats ur thoughts?? Have you found that passion??

Here is the Blue Clutch, I kept dreaming about....

BUT lets raise some awareness the Divalicious Way!! ~~

HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL DATES TO REMEMBER!!
http://aids.gov/news-and-events/awareness-days/

• National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - Feb 7
• National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - March 10
• National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - March 20
• HIV Vaccine Awareness Day - May 18
• National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - May 19
• Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - June 8

• National HIV Testing Day - June 27
• National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day - September 18
• National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - September 27
• National Latino AIDS Awareness Day - October 15
• World AIDS Day - December 1

Heels & Handbags

One thing about being a Diva is our love for the finer things in life. Not settling for nothing especially for a pair of flats when we can have some Divafied heels that makes our feet do the happy dance and our legs look fierce.

One thing I have learned about shoes and handbags they always fit. It's hard being in limbo with weight and getting extremely depressed when some clothes magically becomes too tight or that cute skirt won't even zip.

The most comforting feeling is when you slip on those heels and grab a stunning handbag and even though the skirt won't zip or that shirt is way too tight our shoes & handbags becomes our hero and a breakdown savior for the day. It's even great when that strong man in our life says, "baby wear those glitter pumps to bed but with nothing else!" whoop whoop!!! TWO SNAPS (~~)

Now I have noticed that the shoe and handbag rescue doesn't work every time but it is certainly nice when it does. I walked into the nail salon Today and I have been going to this place since I was a freshman in college, so they have seen my weight struggles. My nail guy says "whew thank the lord your legs got lighter when you were heavy I thought I was going to die when I lifted you feet and legs up to do your pedicure," the crazy thing is I didn't even get mad, I chuckled and said I know that's right tipping the scale in the upward direction doesn't seem feasible and it certainly didn't pleased my feet guy! CTHU!!!

When it seems like a gloomy day in our weight conquering quest try a killer pair of heels that elongate you with a ~~.(two snaps) purse and go on with your day like you are on top of the world. I like to treat myself to this web site because they always have cute shoes I mean cuuuttteee, at great prices. The web site is www.shoeprivee.com

I love to find great deals and steals and when I see them I will share an pass them along. Now handbags or shoes may not be your thing but please find something during the weight loss journey that you can reward yourself with. I find that to be very helpful! I sure love gifting myself and even better when someone else is doing the paying. Every woman has a "go to thing," whether its shoes, handbags, sunglasses, jewelry, coats hats or men (LMAO!) embrace these things when it matters the most. Being plus sized doesn't me we can't be DIVAFIED!! ~~

Whats ur thing???

Here are mine.........

Disappointments???

Hello World,

This past weekend I was sick as a dog, and my hubby feed me all these Carb infested soups all weekend long. (if you haven't wondered that sucks), because even though I had the stomach virus, I could of at least dropped a few pounds. Darn. But while I was sick I started thinking of Disappointments or should I say resentments, and I came to one of the biggest ones and that was my Dad.

I often wonder, am I this heavy because I have unresolved issues with my father. Am I using food to suppress or to fill some void? The sucky part is he is dead and have been for the past 23 years, so its not like I can ask him some questions for resolution now can I.... He died from two strokes and suffered a brain damage a couple days after Thanksgiving when I was 7. He was my Mom's sugar daddy, so leaving any monetary help or support for his youngest child (me) seemed not apparent. In hindsight that is OK, because I am the woman I am today, from the lack of support, but the bountifulness of support from my Grandmother, my Mother, and the rest of my family.

The crazy thing is that when he was alive, I felt some of the love even if he was drunk out of his mind. I am not big on a person that does not keep their word, and I remember my Dad saying he will always protect me, but that's not what happened. I wasn't protect from the ridicule from his wife, or the non ownership, denial or fabrication of his and I relationship. When you are not even mentioned in your own Dad's obituary talking about the meaning of acceptance, I believe that still today hurts me to my soul. My husband says you know that's not your Dad's doing, it was his wife, but I felt like he didn't protect or took care of me like he did his wife and their children. He didn't call to tell me he Loved me, he only came by, I believe to keep tabs on my mom, but I would like to ask that question, did you ever care or love me truly? My mom would take up for him even now, but I believe that is because she doesn't want me to have malice or hatred for him in my heart for him. The ironic thing is, I think I already do.

It seems when you go through some of life's biggest moments, you perhaps start to think about things that you thought were suppressed, gone, non-existent, or buried. Whelp, that's what happened to me when I was planning our wedding. I started to think about my Dad, a lot. Things like, if he was alive I wonder would we be struggling & sacrificing to pay for our wedding, since my husband and I paid for it mainly ourselves and the father of the bride traditionally pays for it all? Would he have wanted to walk me down the isle, or to say a toast at the reception? Would he had protected from the rumors, the stress, or the drama? Only he would know???

I wonder do disappointments linger on, or at some point we are suppose to get over them and live life? I guess at 30, I am learning just that concept with dealing with my Dad. I am starting to believe that disappointments come with forgiveness and that is a true fact that I am struggling to work on. I thought I forgave him previously but I am learning that's not the case. But at last I have realized that the quicker I forgive the healthier physically and mentally I will become. Do you have any disappointments in your life, that need forgiveness????  Share them, I would love to read them. ~~

                                                                      

My First Blog--- Uggghhh Weight Loss

I remembering praying last night asking God "why is weight loss such a struggle for me?" I have been overweight since I was in high school (the birth control shot depo provera was not my friend), and it seemed to never get better.

I lost 100 lbs! But I don't believe that I lost that 100 lbs. for me, it was for the appearance of me, not to be healthy. I worked out tirelessly everyday, I mean evverrryday and ate of course no carbs for it seemed like forever. Once a month, I would do weight watchers to switch things up, but immediately return to no carbs for another 4 weeks. Weight was dropping off, but it seemed more like a crash diet then a lifestyle change. So knowing that, I gained 40 of it back (sad face), but since the new discovery I have been steady losing then gaining but nothing tremendous, just staying leveled. I tried so hard for our wedding May 19, 2012 to lose another 30 lbs (yes indeedy, plus size and all, I'm happily married!), but I'm so hard on myself when I don't make a goal I set, I start to feel like a failure and tend to eat.

This is sad, because as I am writing this, all I can think about is getting a double cheeseburger from McDonald's with no pickles, even though I had one of my quick salads for lunch. Weight loss is such a sore spot for me, that it makes me emotionally unavailable sometimes. I mainly do a low carb diet, with a great deal of protein meats, minus pork and beef (hint this craving for a freakin' double cheeseburger). Now if I would to go and get this double cheeseburger, I would break down and cry my whole hour drive home and hide the evidence so no one could see it because I am embarrassed now. I truly do think it's a mind thing just like a drug. Food is one of the things that makes me happy and sometimes I wonder if that food is filling a spot that seems to be empty at that particular time. I am a sucker for good food and good service heck I'm a foodie. But I am learning to eat a lot healthier and channel these desires, while being a whole lot more active.

I started a new workout "Zumba", and its a great change from just the treadmill and weight training, if anyone has ever tried it is wonderful! I noticed that emotions trigger my desire to cheat on my quest to healthy living. I noticed that if I am bored, I want to snack and eat, if my highly pissed, I mean real mad, I want to eat and snack, if I am happy, I am cool good to go no cheating is present. After being aware of my emotional triggers, having a great support system, being more active, and watching my food intake, I believe I am on the right path to weight loss success. ~~ (two snaps)~~

Quick alternative:
Instead of the McDonald's Double Cheeseburger for $1.29 (that I so craved)

Try my Quick Salad for the same price:
Lettuce
Roma Tomatoes
Garlic Cheese Croutons ($1.00 for a box at Dollar Tree My all time favorite store)
Sprinkle of Parmesan Cheese
Ground Black Pepper
A little Caesar Dressing
... And there you have it a nice quick hit the spot salad, that will stretch the dollar and a whole lot healthier for you all at the same time.
I am learning different ways and receipes to keep healthy living possible for me, and I will continue to share.

I will keep you posted through my weight loss journey!   In the mean while, please feel free to comment on your own personal struggles, journeys, and new tricks during your weight loss transformation.