CELEBRATING DAY 21: DRINKING WATER

Today is day 21 of drinking water and as I sit here with my last cup of water on the 21st day I can say that I feel really proud of myself for sticking to this for three weeks.  I would be remiss if I didn't say how great I feel. My face has completely cleared up and overall I just feel the benefits of increasing my water intake and removing all the other liquid libations (as one of my friends would call them).  I have been "getting moving" too so that also helps. 

This accomplishments actually reminds me of all the times I have attempted to implement a goal in my life and I only made it for that moment... I am sure some of you can relate if you have ever tried a fad diet.  I remember when Atkins came out.  I was the first one to say... Oh, I can cut bread out of my life.  When lunchtime rolled around I was salivating at every sandwich, noodle, cookie and piece of cake that I saw.  It is sad how we defeat ourselves and talk our self out of making a decision that might just save our life!

So for Today I Am..... SUPER PROUD of myself! 

I am sure you are wondering what will be the next random feat I will attempt to take on.  For now I am still on Day 2 of Getting Moving and tomorrow I will be doing a trial run of one of the hardest challenges yet!

Stay tuned!

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NOT INTERESTED! DAY 19 / DAY 1

Today is Day 19 of Water and feels like Day 1 of "Getting Moving"!  This week has been a little different.  On Tuesday night I completely broke out in hives and spent Wednesday at the emergency room!  Before I got to the ER I stopped to get a ginormous cup of water and as soon as I walked in the nurse yelled, "Don't drink any of that water!"  I didn't know if she had seen something in my cup or if it was really poisonous water.  When she realized how loud she yelled she quickly calmed down and told me that I shouldn't drink anything in case the doctor gives me any medicine she didn't want for the water to come back up and I choke on it. Anyway, I leave the ER in one piece--no choking or gagging on water! and I didn't even get any medicine so I wasted a perfectly good cup of frosty water... for nothing!

The doctor was VERY nice to me considering that I was just sobbing because at this point my skin had started to gross me out.  I just kept reassuring him through my tears that, "I am okay... I am just freakin' out."  Because of the "freakin' out" I think he wanted to find a solution quick.  He quickly gave me three prescriptions to get filled and told me that they would solve the problem in a few hours.

Since I have filled the prescriptions I have been NOT interested in water at ALL!  I do not like taking pills with water - so these last few days have been rough! There are two gallons of sweet tea, a 2-liter of A&W Root beer, and crispy looking 2-liter of Strawberry pop (my favorite) and orange juice in my fridge that I have been sadly avoiding all week.  When I get to day 21 in a few days I will probably not want any thing else to drink but water.  But today... I am NOT INTERESTED in the tasteless, clear beverage that even though is refreshing is SUPER plain... water!

Wish me luck and keep me lifted up in prayer that someone does not find me passed out at the foot of the fridge after an overdose of all the yummy beverages listed above!

Today I am... acting crazy over something to drink! LOL

P.S. Getting moving has been a bust this week.  Today I went swimming... Let's see how the next 20 days go for Getting Moving 21 day in a row! Stay tuned.

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FAST FORWARD TO DAY 12/10

Wow!  I cannot believe that a week has gone by and I have been hanging in there with drinking only plain water.  Each day has not been easy and there are lots of moments when water is not always convenient or preferred but I remember that it is simply a choice and I can control what I pick up and put in my mouth.   Also drinking so much water has you running back and forth to the restroom and that has been something new to adjust to -- especially during the work day! LOL

Going through this process has helped me to be mindful of all the places that I am "drinking" something unnecessarily and using as a unhealthy food filler.  Liquid calories are dangerous and through this process I am more aware.  Here are five healthy benefits of water:

1.  Water leads to increased energy levels

2.  Water leads to overall greater health by flushing out wastes and bacteria that can cause disease.

3.  Water is the primary mode of transportation for all nutrients in the body and is essential for proper circulation.

4.    For a majority of sufferers, drinking water can significantly reduce joint and/or back pain.

5.  Water naturally moisturizes skin and ensures proper cellular formation underneath layers of skin to give it a healthy, glowing appearance.

On the "GETTING MOVING" front I will report that every day is harder to find a new fun way to keep it moving.  I have gone between exercise tapes in the house, hitting the gym and getting on treadmill, swimming, and walking around the lake after work.

In Florida there are lakes all over the place and I am very fortunate to have a lake right outside my work place.  This week I asked, my very good friend, if we could walk around the lake four times after work.  It was really one of those things where you use the other person's response as a way to measure how crazy the goal is.  Of course, my friend, said, "sure!" and we were off. 

At 5PM each day the weather is BLAZING hot in Florida and so we both knew that we were in trouble!  We made it around the first time with not a lot of problems but after the 2nd time around, I started veering off to the right towards the entrance to the building and even closer to the air conditioner.  Even though we had both talked about going outside and walking around in the heat--We were NOT properly dressed.  I had on some rayon pant and shirt outfit with gold sandals from my favorite TJ Maxx like store.  My lovely friend had on a black dress, plastic flip flops and just to add a little more heat to the situation... a wig!  Needless to say, we were hot, very hot and uncomfortable!  Once we got around the lake twice I was done but I was persuaded to keep going and we made it around one more time!  The thing that got us around the last loop was concentrating on the step we were taking at that very moment and each of those steps added up to get us all the way around.  From this experience and a week of "GETTING MOVING" I have learned:

1.  I need good friends to keep me going when I think I can't make it.

2.  Finding creative ways to do something that you do not enjoy is a fun process that can help you learn more about yourself.

3.  Swimming REALLY helps reduce the number of allergy pills I need to take

4.  Getting moving is the opposite of living a sedentary lifestyle.  That "getting moving" doesn't mean I have to run a marathon but it is intentionally doing something to keep myself healthy.

5.  That you can inspire others to get moving too!


Today I am... happy to be inspired to be an inspiration!

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WATER DAY 6 & GET MOVING DAY 4

Today I discovered a great way to "get moving"!  About two years ago I saw an infomercial about a workout called "Turbo Jam".   I remember thinking, "Wow, they are having so much fun!"  Of course I didn't purchase the "exclusive offer" at that time but a year later I purchased a copy of the workout program for $9.99 on eBay.  After getting the DVD in the mail, I put it on the shelf with all the other workout programs and never thought about it again.  If you already read Day 5/3 then you will notice me holding a sign in front of Bally's Gym.  It used to say "Day 4" on it however, I had to alter the photo to fit the right day.  Originally, I was going to work out at the gym but time got the best of me and I had to "get moving" at home.  I pulled out the DVD and to my surprise, it is actually a lot of fun! The music is great and the creator Chalene Johnson is very motivating and a great dancer!

If you are looking for a new workout program to do in the comfort of your own home I would recommend TurboJam.  It is for any fitness level and you can start today and not feel guilty about all the workouts you missed in the past.

The water is getting easier to drink and today my closest (self-appointed) accountability buddy said they were proud of me!  I'll drink to that! (Water, of course)

Today I am... happy to know I have some dedication left in these bones!



About Turbo Jam

Turbo Jam® is the workout that doesn't feel like work. Chalene Johnson packs each workout with calorie-blasting cardio, kickboxing, body-sculpting, and dance moves set to the hottest music ever. You're scorching fat and sizzling calories at a rate of up to 1,000 an hour . . . It's fast. It's fun. It works.

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WATER DAY 5 & GET MOVING DAY 3

It is the fifth day that I have been drinking plain ol' water and the 3rd day in a row of get moving (a.k.a. exercising).  A brief update on the water is... It has been a great experience thus far with some moments when I almost attacked an innocent friend for their delicious looking lemonade!  I have started to feel the benefits of drinking just water but the "getting moving" is a whole other subject!

Starting any workout plan is not easy.  So the benefits come in the form of pain.  I think that people have generally just started using the pain to measure how "good" their workout is.  With that said... the pain I supposed is a good thing! LOL

For day 3 I decided to "get moving" by going back to Bally's Gym.  This time I did not get into the pool in fear that I would run into another person who was at the gym on vacation... so, today I hit the treadmill and a stationary bike and worked out for 45 minutes total.  I went 1.5 miles in 30 minutes on the treadmill and then spent 15 minutes on the stationary bike.  I feel good and ready to take on day 6/4!

While riding the treadmill I read the newest edition of the "Ali Magazine".  The magazine targets women who are interested in starting a business and growing their personal wealth.  One of the articles in the magazine focused on mogal and fashionista, Kimora Lee Simmons.  Now I love KLS and her clothing, perfume, makeup, book, tv reality show... you get the point! So I was happy to find some information about some of the business pointers from KLS's point of view.  I thought they were applicable to whatever goals we set for ourself and I wanted to share them with you. 

So here ya go!

9 IDEAS TO STEAL FROM KIMORA LEE SIMMONS

1. Think big, very big
2. Keep growing 
3. Do not listen to critics 
4. Tell it like it is 
5. Be independent 
6. Be creative 
7. Become the brand 
8. Embody glamour and power 
9. Give back

Today I am... happy to share good information -- That is my way of "giving back" for today!

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WATER DAY 4 & GETTING MOVING DAY 2

Wow... What a day! Today definitely presented some challenges for the getting moving part of my day. Yesterday was easier because I was at the gym earlier in the day. Today when I went to the gym I understood why people decide to go to "all female" gyms. I got into the swimming area and there were several old men just sitting around. I felt like I walked into the guys locker room by accident. I couldn't bear to walk over to the pool... so I jumped right into the hot tub! This older man started talking to me and all I know is that the hot tub is no place to talk to a strange man. LOL First of all it seemed like an intrusion and then he started telling me about his life. He is a 67 year old happily retired man from Georgia. He is a God fearing man and his advice for me, "If it doesn't have God in it, then don't do it!"

So after 45 minutes passed and me still listening to a lovely story I realized that I was not only turning into a prune but I was cold from just holding on to the edge of the pool and kicking my feet. (Yes, by this time I had to get out of the hot tub and into the pool because I would have passed out... and Yes... he followed me to continue his story). After saying goodbye I then had to push myself to spend another hour in the pool lifting water weights, swimming laps, bicycling through the pool on a noodle, and doing the human helicopter (don't ask!).

On drinking water! We are still going strong! I thought I would punch someone out for a cup of orange pop yesterday--but I didn't... so all is good!

Today I am... tired but happy to have finished "getting moving" today!

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DRINKING JUST PLAIN OL' WATER: DAY 3

Today was a good day! Especially because I got moving! and I continued with my all day water spree.  This morning waking up I wanted a cup of hazelnut coffee with sugar and my International Delight Vanilla White Chocolate Mocha cream! YUM -- I settled my craving by convincing  myself that by putting milk in my scrambled eggs that I had beat the system. LOL  Just compare it to something like what Rocky used to drink in the morning (or did he just drink the eggs?!?!). The homemade protein shake of milk and eggs.

So far today I have had three huge (44 ounce) cups of water and even though I have to run to the bathroom every 15 minutes... it is a good feeling to know that you are putting good liquid calories into your system.  I am empowered to carry on with my "drinking just plain ol' water"!

Today I am ... always happy to find a loop hole! :-)

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DRINKING JUST PLAIN OL' WATER: DAY 2

Here we are on day 2 and today I decided that tap water is gross! So if I am going to torture myself for 21 days I am going to drink some fancy water from time-to-time like VOSS Water.  This water taste like a melted iceberg and put into a lovely glass bottle for $3.00 - $5.00 a bottle! YIKES! But it is worth it to treat yourself every now and then.


Today I am... Treating myself to something good because I am worth it!

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DRINKING JUST PLAIN OL' WATER: DAY 1

Ever since I launched this blog all of my bad habits have been glaring me dead in the face.  I have been acutely aware of how I am intentionally making bad decisions just for the simple fact that... I can! How sad, right?!?

So since I have been avoiding the "excercise for 21 days straight" habit integration I told myself that I needed to do something because I am sure that I could have been 50% of the way there if I would have started.  So today I decided to attack my bad habit of drinking too much pop (a.k.a soda OR cola), juice, iced coffee and sweet "yummy" tea!

So the idea is for me to only drink water for 21 days straight! (GROSS) Just straight water --- no secret powders, carbinated water drinks or drinks with the word "water" in their title. 

Growing up I remember my sister drinking water all day long.  She would drink it by the gallon full.  I don't know how she did it but she just did not and still does not like cabinated drinks and she HATES tea.  Once I moved to New York City I had lots of influencers and lifestyle changes that are unique to NYC that forced me to drink water -- but the main motivator was that all the other options were just too expensive - so I just drank water and actually liked it.  For some reason once I got to Florida it was like "no holds bard" on all the yummy liquid calories.

So going through day 1 of drinking all water and I can say that it was no fun.  I actually feel deprived of something and I think that some of the water tasted weird --- like the water that comes out of the water fountains from my grade school days --- like rust! (but that could be my resistant taste buds fighting back.)  BTW, it was no fun going to Burger King and ordering a Whopper Junior with water!

Today I am... not loving water!

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