Hot Tub Rendezvous
Hot Tub Rendezvous
About 2 weeks ago I was in Phoenix, Arizona with some friends. The hot tub was our watering hole. We always ended up at the hot tub every night. Now, fatties unite can all agree, we HATE swimming pools and/or hot tubs. Basically, we hate showing off our bodies.
When I was bigger, I had to wear a t-shirt in the pool. If the rules were no shirt then I would not swim. I hate having my man-b00bs shown. Yes, that is a technical, official term that I am using.
Before the trip, I messaged my friend telling him that I will not enter a body of water because of my low body image. I refused to swim and I purposely didn’t bring a swimsuit. Bad mistake, because hours after my plane landed, I was in the hot tub wearing running shorts and a college t-shirt.
When you first dip your toes into the hot tub, it BURNS! Like, the heat is too much to bare. After a while, you get used to the feeling and what was painful is now soothing.
Well, on the 2nd night I was sick of wearing a cold damp t-shirt post-Hot tub hangout. I decide to strip it off. I gave the group a quick, “don’t judge my body and saggy skin because I lost a lot of weight in a short amount of period” speech. Yeah, they looked at me funny and I felt a little embarrassed.
I took my shirt off.
Sting.
I can feel the pain of the on-lookers as they assess my body. I need to submerge my body ASAP. I failed to live up to the pressure of society to have the perfectly toned, ripped with 10 abs body. I felt ashamed, cold, and lonely.
After some time, I realized that people did not care. I made such a big deal over my body when we all struggle with body image. I talked to a normal guy who ran track in High School and some college and he said he hated some parts of his body. This guy has the perfect body. It is insane the amount of pressure we put on ourselves.
The watering hole, in which in my mind, was a place of judgment and pain revealed its true nature to be soothing and comforting. I didn’t feel alone. I felt a part of the group. I felt free.
Body image disorder screws with our minds. We feel less of a person because our body is not perfectly scaled, sized or colored. If I could be honest, I never felt fatter than right now at my skinniest when I eat junk food. When I was huge, I did not feel it. Now that I lost a few pounds, it really comes to mind the hysteria over our bodies. I do not know if it stems from me not wanting to be fat again or .. I don’t know what else it could be.
We have all seen the pictures with the skinny girl that circles parts around her body that she wish she can change. Well, that is a reality for most of us. We may not have the courage to actually use a black sharpie or vocalize it but we do it in our heads. When we see someone who has a better body than us we compare them to us. We are chipping away our self-esteem every time we judge another body to our own.
How do we stop it?
Inner peace.
I just have to find that calm within.
~LaRell
New Years Resolution
It is a new year and it can be the year for change. Most people attempt weight loss as their resolutions. You would think I put it down as mine for 2012 but I did not. I actually wanted to succeed because most resolutions fail.
We get so energized for a new start that we rely on ourselves to have this insane boost of energy everyday. Well, that motivation slowly dies and days at the gym become fewer and fewer while trips to fast food joints increase.
I wish I had a brilliant idea to avoid this mis-step we take on our resolutions. Maybe, we can try to have mini resolutions. Set our goals for 3-4 month long. Then, we can taste the finish line. We can renew our goals then so its something fresh through the seasons.
lets say we have 4 months to lose 20 pounds. Does that sound reasonable? or go to the gym at least 3 times a week.
Making extreme goals can be unrealistic especially for a weight loss number on the scale. How about we take better lifestyle choices. Eat an apple a day at work or eat veggies as snacks. Once a week eat a salad for dinner. We could limit our soda intake to one a day or none.
What are your thoughts? Can we actually live a better lifestyle? (The answer is YES!)
Believe in yourself and the change will appear.
Tell me your New Years Resolution. I would love to help in any way I can think of. I love you all and wish you a great holiday.
Stay tuned for more
Chimo,
LaRell
For most of us on Thanksgiving, we did NOT prepare the food. How can we eat right when the food is so wrong? The scavenger hunt of the healthy food at the buffet table!
Most veggies on Thanksgiving are prepared in a lot of fat, ton of sodium and don’t get me started on the grease. We can’t control what is in front of our face. However, we can control the amount of food that enters our body. It is all about portion control.
Remember, it is still NOvember. Its okay to say YES to some things but even it out with a NO! If you had a slice of pie on first serving then skip it on the second.
Wait in between rounds. (Trust me your stomach will appreciate it). Walk around and enjoy company. When you have a conversation, you forget to stuff your face. It is scientifically proven by Dr. Reynolds.
I made a video from our Thanksgiving banquet. I went around the potlucks and decided if it is a YAY or NAY to eat. Then, I show you guys what the perfect thanksgiving plate should look like.
Surviving Thanksgiving: Part 1
Thanksgiving is days away and you are already have the recipes picked out. Put THEM DOWN! It is time to plan your meal the healthy way with a few of these tips.
Meat-
*Avoid Ham and buy Turkey.
*Do not Deep Fry your Turkey (I know… we will get through this together).
*Do Not put the stuffing inside the Turkey; cook it outside of it.
* Brush skin with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
*Avoid Butter and Salt
Sides-
*Avoid carb loaded sides (mashed potatoes)
- Use Cauliflower instead of Potatoes. Trust me it works and no one will know
* Instead of Green Bean Casserole with high calories toppings, Use almonds or cashews in the mix.
*Stuffing, Check Out this Recipe (you will LOVE it)
*Macaroni and Cheese – AVOID
*Biscuits- Do not use store bought, make with Whole Wheat and limit salt.
Dessert-
*Use blue agave nectar to substitute Sugar
* Do not BUY whipped cream. Its empty calories
These are just simple fast tips to remember when planning for Thanksgiving. Part 2 will cover what to do when you are at the table.
One YEAR Anniversary!!
It is official. Today marks the one-year milestone on my transformation! I am so proud of myself. I have worked out everyday for the last 365 days. Yes, that means holidays and days where I felt under the weather. I wonder how many people can say that?
I just can’t stop writing how proud I am of myself. I know it sounds egocentric and narcissistic. Okay, I will stop now with the self-love.
Yesterday, I went to Busch Gardens for the first time. I don’t like roller coasters and they don’t like me. I NEVER could fit in the seats. Also, I was terrorized that I was going to die. I also never been on a roller coaster that went upside down.
Well.. until today! I put on my big-boy pants and just went for it. I have a fear of rejection. Whether it comes from people or my butt not fitting in seats. This fear causes great anxiety in my life. When I sat my tush in the seat and it fitted… MAGIC! I was like “I have this.”
Are rides worth it? Does 30 seconds make up for an hour in line? I don’t know! I am glad I rode rides but it wasn’t like the best thing ever. Glad to experience it but I rather do other things with my time.
Speaking about long lines. I was in line for a haunted house attraction. The wait was over an hour long. After waiting 10 mins in line, I saw people step out of line to leave. I turned around to two girls behind me and told them that this shows our character. Are we the type of people in face of tribulation to quit and walk away? or are we the type of people to endure and persevere under harsh circumstance. I think that is why I have been successful this year because I have the ability to dig deep and bring myself out of darkness into the light.
Tomorrow, I start my week long diet. I bought 20 dollars worth of fresh fruits and vegetables to hopefully last me 2 days. I know for certain that I will be eating a ton of apples everyday and I won’t mindlessly snack after work. I most likely won’t even stay up after work. I will probably get the most amount of sleep this week because I don’t want to feel hunger pains.
This colon cleanse work best when you are not starving. I predict that I will most likely have that feeling all day. Ugh, I am nervous but excited at the same time. just like riding a roller coaster.
~LaRell
So… When I gave you the ‘Jocktober’ challenge I forgot to mention how scary gyms can be. I mean, it is another world. It doesn’t matter what job you have or level of intelligence. To get respect, you have to use proper techniques. However, being new to the gym is very intimidating especially if you encounter the four types of these people.
Dentist Day
Okay, so I haven’t been to the dentist in 5 years. My braces were removed the summer before college and I never returned, until today. I know, I am horrible. What makes it worst is that I did not have the best oral hygiene growing up. Literally, every cleaning turned into, “We found another cavity.” I have had my fair share of cavities growing up.
So I walk in today feeling nervous because I don’t know what to expect. The last year or so I have been doing a BETTER job at brushing my teeth daily. I had positive thoughts that I was only coming in for a cleaning… NOPE!
The Dentist workers (I dont know their actual job roles, Ortho-hygienist Enthusiasts???) forced me to take an X-Ray of my teeth. When that X-Ray hit the black light board my heart dropped.
Holes, Holes-Holes…HOLES holes, Holey holes! My teeth looked like the landscape from the Shia Labeouf movie, Holes. I had like over 15 cavities or “dental repairs.” Some were bad, but a lot were small gaps.
I felt horrible. I wanted to just crawl in a dark-cold place and just meditate of how much of a failure I have become. I blame my fat self. I blame the 3 dollar southern style chicken meals at McDonalds. I blame Tacobell. I blame the Arnold Palmers at Sonic. But mostly, I blame myself for allowing all of that food to enter my body.
After hours of drilling, sawing, numbing, poking, gargling, spitting, and cleaning, my top left side is repaired. I have to come in later to do the top right and another to do the bottom.
When the assistant was cleaning up the station she asked me if I drink soft-drinks. I responded with a No. She was shocked and thought I was lying to her. She then went down the line of asking if I drank, coffee, tea, Gatorade and I denied the intake. She said she couldn’t believe that I only drank water. (before I continue, remember I have not been to the dentist in 5 years. I have spent 4 of those years drinking all the bad stuff but lately I have been clean)
For Proof I showed her a picture of what I looked like a year ago. She was stunned and she immediately sought after her phone. She showed me a picture of herself at a bigger state and we shared a genuine moment.
When former fatties come together or share stories, it is like an indescribable power that overtakes you. You share this special bond with a complete stranger. One moment I hate her because she is causing so much pain in my life, or mouth, and the next we are almost tearing up because of the fight to stay healthy.
That moment, that special moment, I really wish I had given her my information. I wish I had a business card or just a simple card that had the information to this blog so that we can stay in touch.
I am going to ask you, my readers a very simple question. Do you think I should carry cards with my blog information? It will be a simple way for people to have access to the link. Write your opinions or simply email me at LReynolds@wdbj7.com
If you have any topics or questions that you want me to discuss please send them over to my email.
~LaRell
Always Look To The Future
I Look at the picture above and think how crazy my life has turned in the last year. Now, before I start, I have to say I didnt start my weight loss / transformation until October so it hasn’t been a year yet.
Continuing on, last year at this time I was unemployed, eating my feelings and pretty much miserable because I was unemployed. I had a life decision to pursue the news industry or go into the entertainment industry. I was leaning more to entertainment and had plans to move to Los Angeles. The picture was taken at the Newseum in Washington, Dc. My visit there reignited my love for news.
Fast Forward to today and I am living the best of both worlds. I work at a news station while writing entertainment blogs. My health is like AMAZING! Considering how unhealthy I was just a year ago, it is so surreal to look in the mirror or stare at new pics.
This post may not be all about weight loss or fitness but its a reminder that we should not box ourselves. You can do anything if you put your mind into it. this could mean weight loss, or a new career, or even a move to a different environment. You are the change in you and you can change who you are. Nothing will stop you unless you let yourself stop you.
Ignite. Empower. Dare… yourself to achieve your dreams
~LaRell
Advice From Angela on Plateauing
The beauty in having a blog is the relationship I can make with my readers. Angela read my last blog on how I think my body is plateuaing. She wrote me an email, or a few, gave me some great advice. It would be silly to not share these with everyone.
1. Change Up Your Diet: If you are counting your calories / fat, then its time to change it up a little; count carbs. Eating between 50 - 100 grams of carbs a day is ideal. Angela suggested reading ‘Protein Power’ or ‘Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution’
2. Add more Chromium Picolinate: Angela writes that chromium picolinate help metabolize carbs.
3. Dash of Cinnamon: A little bit of cinnamon helps keep blood sugar spikes low. You can sprinkle it on practically anything in the morning.
4. Eat Frequent: With all of our busy schedules, we try to fit in 3 meals a day; if that. We should eat snacks between every meal and never let 3-4 hours pass without putting something in our stomach.
If you have any tips, suggestions, or questions. Please email me at LReynolds@wdbj7.com. You might see them on my blog one day.
We can accomplish anything together :)
~LaRell
