My MISSION!

Taking back my HEALTH and helping others do the same is my MISSION! Like in the acronym that I go by FAITH! (Fully Achieving Independence Through HEALH!) I will continue to fuel this MISSION. Any organization or cause that addresses HEALTH is also my MISSION. I'm a volunteer and supporter of the Go Red for Women campaign of the American Heart Association, Healthy Black Women and Girls - GirlTrek program and Girls on the Run International.

Just because it's the last day of Heart Health Month does not mean to put up the red dress pins, we have to continue to Go Red all-year long! Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in women and it’s time to fight back. Together, we have the power to save our lives. Get involved today! http://bit.ly/VpS5HP 

Feeling Like a Big Kid Again

When I first saw this statement I thought it was strange but then the more I thought about it, it made perfect sense to me! For those of us who became spouses and parents at a young age (18 - 23) we had to grow up really fast to take care of our adult responsibilities and didn't get the chance to have all the fun and adventures that most young adults have when the graduate and go off to college. Therefore, once I turned 50 and my children were all grown and off living their lives I decided it was my turn to do all the things I'd missed out on as a young adult.

This is how I celebrated my 50th birthday, I went rock wall climbing, trail running and I completed my first marathon 26.2 miles! I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would accomplish anything like that!

I've been asked why I waited so long to start doing these things and all I can say is inside I haven't grown up and there's still so many other things I want to do before I do grow up!

Honoring Harriet Tubman 100 Years Later

African American History Month will be ending in a few days, but we continue to make history daily. Two weeks from today March 10, 2013 history will be made again and you don't want to miss out! Join me as I participate in  Healthy Black Women and Girls, GirlTrek's tribute to Harriet Tubman!

“When I found I had crossed that line, I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such a glory over everything.” - Harriet Tubman.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT IN HISTORY! On March 10th, at exactly 4:30 pm EST, thousands of Black women across the country have already registered to walk for 100 minutes in their communities to pay tribute to Harriet Tubman. She died 100 years ago, in 1913, and we will not let this centennial pass without a moving tribute. Register for free at www.girltrek.org. Please share this with as many people as you can. Healthy Black Women and Girls is giving away a FREE HOODIE to the woman who registers the most walkers each day. EVERY WOMAN COUNTS!

It's Time To Put Our HEALTH First!

Heart Disease in African American Women

I know I shared very similar information like this earlier this month but I saw this and just had to share it too! As we celebrate Heart Health Month, we're also celebrating Black History Month! Did you know 20,000 African American women die each year due to heart disease? Join us as we fight to change this! Take a few minutes to read this article and then 'Share' it with everyone you know! http://bit.ly/VqLJrE

What are the stroke warning signs?

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

After Valentine's Day CLEANSE!

Did all the Valentine's Day sweets leave you feeling or looking like this?

We all love the sweet little goodies that we get on Valentine's Day! Then we go out to dinner and have an even sweeter dessert because it's a very special day. The following day we finish off the treats because we don't want them to go to waste, lol... Never thinking about how many calories we've added on in just two or three days. Well, there is something you can do to rid yourself of all those goodies and bring your body back into balance. 

This is a job for the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse!

Consider starting a new HEALTHY lifestyle with the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse and clean out your system while balancing your blood sugar levels. You don't have to worry about starving while on the cleanse because Shakeology is full of over 70 HEALTHY ingredients! I personally have dropped as much as 8.2 lbs during those 3 days, and it's been reported that some people have dropped as much as 10 lbs in 3 days using the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse. Call me to order yours today (850) 702-4521.

A Show Of Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today is the day that we show that special someone in our life how much we care and love them. Lots of flowers, candy and cards are purchased during this time. Romantic dinners by candle light and dancing will be going on right through Sunday. Hugs, kisses and I love you will be shared. Memories will be made to last a lifetime.

While we're in the mood for expressing how much we love them, why not 'Share' the HEALTH as a Show Of Love! Make a commitment to start eating better, exercising together a couple of times a week and adding the HEALTHIEST Meal of the Day, Shakeology into your diet. Let Shakeology enrich your lives so that you have a lot more energy to do all the things you wanting to do!

Take a look at what's in Shakeology, along with all the HEALTH benefits it provides and then call me to get started (850) 702-4521. Enjoy your Valentine's Day weekend!  http://beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/CoachFAITH?bctid=637865717001

HEALTHY Relationship Building

I've heard people talk about HEALTHY relationships before but this is a different kind of relationship. A relationship that is very important, especially for women and more specifically African American women. Having a HEALTHY relationship with your body can save your life!

Here's why, heart disease is the No. 1 killer in women, and stroke disproportionately affects African Americans. Importantly, African American women are less likely than Caucasian women to be aware that heart disease is the leading cause of death.

Diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, physical inactivity, obesity and a family history of heart disease are all greatly prevalent among African Americans and are major risk factors for heart disease and stroke. What’s more, African American women have almost two times the risk of stroke than Caucasians, and more likely to die at an earlier age when compared to women of other ethnicities.

Here are a few unsettling stats:

Cardiovascular diseases kill nearly 20,000 African American women annually.
Of African-American women ages 20 and older, 49 percent have heart diseases.
Only 1 in 5 African American women believes she is personally at risk.
Only 52 percent of African American women are aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
Only 36 percent of African American women know that heart disease is their greatest health risk.

Do you know the warning signs of a heart attack?

Heart Attack Signs in Women

1. Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
2. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
3. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
4. Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
5. As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

If you have any of these signs, don’t wait more than five minutes before calling for help. Call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away. 

God Is...

It's been a couple of months since I first seen this posted on facebook. I've reposted it a couple of times now because the words along with the expression on her face tell it all. Yes, God is Sooooooo Goooood! Such a comforter, willing to lighten our burdens and loves us UNCONDITIONALLY, in spite of our imperfections! What a blessing this little lady is to 'Share' her love for God as she inspires others to do the same!

African American History in the Making!

As I observe African American History Month I realized that I needed to acknowledge African American History in the Making. African Americans (especially women) have been know for having and dying from more preventable illnesses and diseases than any other group of people in the nation. Heart disease, diabetes and stroke just to name a few.

However, slowly but surly, with the inspiration of a few people like these two AMAZING women who are motivating others to take back their HEALTH! Your can find they stories on Google. Pay special attention that both of these dedicated women are OVER 50! Mrs. Ernestine Shepherd at the very top is over 75 years young and Mrs. Yolanda Holder, is 54. They both have certainly inspired me to change my way of thinking about my HEALTH. Make it fun, enjoyable and even break some World Records all while spreading the message of getting HEALTHY!

FITNESS For Families!

I am  beginning to see family that look like the picture above way to much. It leads me to wonder what and how are we teaching our children and if we are modeling positive behavior for them? When I was way over 200 pounds my children didn't look like a short version of me, they were the picture of HEALTH for their height and age. As I learned about eating HEALTHY and exercising I implemented it into our daily lives gradually. It wasn't easy or cheap, but it was worth it, not only for weight but my children had the best dental checkups! 

A few thing that can help get families on the right track are; eliminating soda, sugary products like donuts, candy, cookies, cakes, anything made with white flour or fried. Start your family to drinking at least 64 oz of water daily, eating more fruits and veggies and try to finish eating all main meals no later than 7 pm. Then begin adding in 15 - 20 minutes of exercise daily, playing ball with the children or taking a family walk around the neighborhood. Little by little you will start to see changes in your energy level and as you build up you can add more activity to your regimen. Before you know it you'll be ready for your first 5K like the families below.

 

Most of the time our children want to do what they see us doing, so let's make sure they see us doing something HEALTHY! For those families that live in the DC, MD, VA area and need help getting stared, please feel free to join my Meetup.com group, Fitness For Families! or call me (850) 702-4521. Let's put a stop to childhood obesity!