Lifestyle

Leading for Self-Improvement

HealthyNappyNerdyMommy Fitness & Nutrition, Lifestyle , ,

I previously discussed how disappointed I am with my weight loss progress. I had lost 50 pounds of the weight I gained from pregnancy. This brought me back to the heavier end of my pre-baby weight. I was feeling good about myself and encouraged to keep the momentum going in order to lose an additional 20 pounds to reach my goal weight. But, then I hit a wall. I found myself unable to continue my gym membership, thus unable to workout 1.5-2 hours that was critical to achieve the initial weight loss success. I wasn’t working out and I was also over eating. I found out around Christmas that I was allergic to wheat, eggs, dairy, and peanuts. My diet consisted in a combination of over compensating with what I could eat and just ignoring my allergies all together, rebelling and eating any and everything in sight. 3 months later and I am looking at a 15 pound weight gain. I identified my decrease in exercise as a catalyst for everything, so I wanted to tackle that problem.

Not being able to go to a gym and exercise is just an excuse for me. I have too many resources and too much knowledge about fitness. I am a Physical and Health Education teacher for crying out loud! I have to walk the talk and be a good example for my students, peers, and family. This is my passion and my calling in life. So I have to put in the work necessary to lead the masses. So how can I get over my own personal issues for the greater good? I decided to use my passion to motivate me. I am a very competitive person, which is what made the group exercise classes such a great thing for me. I took pride in being at the front of the class trying to out do or stay up to par with the instructor. Now that I don’t have my membership the only way to bring that same spirit would be to lead my own workouts.

Some colleagues of mine expressed that they wanted to lose weight by running the stairs in our school. I had previously brushed it off because I had my own workout regimen that was working for me. I decided that I would not only join in on their activities, but I would also invite them to some activities of my own. Another reason I did not reason jump at the opportunity to workout with them was because I didn’t believe what they were planning to do was effective. Of course doing stairs is better than nothing, but it wasn’t a very comprehensive exercise. They would not being running up and down stairs long enough to build any considerable amount of cardiovascular endurance and it would be focusing on building lower body strength. I didn’t want to rain on their parade so I just avoided the topic. Now that I am planning workouts in addition to theirs, I can give some advice and ideas without being condescending.

Previously I occasionally led Zumba Fitness classes, but it didn’t really take off. I wasn’t able to be consistent with my demanding athletic schedule and everybody did not like Zumba and dancing. Now I am planning on alternating between circuit training, weight lifting, running, HIIT (high intensity interval training), Dance Fitness (I can’t call it Zumba anymore because I am no longer licensed), and Yoga. I will lead workouts Tuesday and Thursday and alternate between the different types of workouts each week. As the instructor this will push me to do my best and be consistent for my group. When I workout on my own its hard for me to push myself without any competition so the intensity of my home workouts tend to be very low. I hope to lead by example; spreading the importance of fitness, introducing others to some new exercise ideas and concepts, and intensifying my own weight loss efforts. Plus, I gots to have a really hot body to pull off a lot of female Cosplay ideas.

jogging

 

6 Anticipated Events for a Nerdy Mom

HealthyNappyNerdyMommy Lifestyle , , , , ,

ID-100412814Life is tough. There are bills, work, cooking, cleaning, working out, and many, many, more things that just make it seem like its too much. Sometimes you just have to take time for a few things that bring you joy.  These are the top 6 things I’m looking forward to right now:

 

1. Captain America: Civil War

Forget Batman vs Superman, the battle I’m waiting for is Captain America vs Iron Man. There have been a plethora of memes that joke about the cause of their rivalry and Iron Man not being in the movie. Those are funny and hyping up my excitement for the movie. Let’s not even mention the fact that Black Panther makes his first appearance in this movie. I don’t even know which “team” I’m on. I’m just ready to see this thing. It almost looks like an Avengers movie in itself with all the characters that will be involved. A movie review post will be forth coming.

2. X-men: Apocalypse

The X-men is probably my favorite of all super hero groups. My son is named after Charles Xavier and we plan to name our future kids (if any) after X-men characters. I especially like the “reboot” that the series has somewhat morphed into. I always wonder how they pull off a victory against these seemingly all powerful adversaries. How does anybody “defeat” Apocalypse? I know the writers always create a “way”, which is somehow undone in the future or some alternate universe.  I’ve seen previews that show wolverine in the movie. Is it Hugh Jackman? Or has Wolverine been recast with a younger actor? If so, hopefully this actor can still have Hugh Jackman’s skill but with a closer physical resemblance to Wolverine. My favorite character of all time is Storm. I really appreciate them going to the mo’hawk punk storm, although it pains me to see her under the villains control. We shall see how it all unfolds, which I’ll definitely be highlighting in a post of its own.

3. Otakon 2016

Otakon is an Anime convention in Baltimore, MD. This year it will be August 12-14th. Unfortunately, after this year, it will be moving from Baltimore to DC. Our brother lives in Baltimore so if we couldn’t get a hotel we could always bunk at his place. In DC this won’t be an option, but we will find a way. Its like Christmas for my husband and I. We skipped a year the summer after we had our son, but vowed NEVER AGAIN. Each year I attend I am motivated to learn more about anime so I can be well rounded and prepared to participate in panels and sessions. I may even dabble in some cosplay, although some of our cohort has threatened to leave me if I get caught up taking pictures. I doubt that I’ll attract that many photo ops since I don’t have the funding or skill to create anything amazing. I’ll just be doing it for my own fun. Last year I went to a panel about the African American influence in Anime and it blew my mind. They say they are going to be continuing and expanding it so it one of the first things I’ll be looking for this year. The other big things I enjoy about Otakon are the AMV awards, the raves, and of course walking and experiencing the Baltimore Harbor. Keep your eyes open for pictures and constant updates regarding this trip.

4. Bahamas Cruise

As I said earlier, I don’t get to look forward to many things. I don’t travel out of the state, non the less the country often. So when my best friend was getting a group together to go on a cruise I jumped on board. I’ll be taking some time off work and having a real vacation. We’ve had some financial changes with my son being in daycare and I almost said forget it, we can’t afford it. But I changed my mind, we have several months to save so we can make this happen. They have different types of theme cruises like Nickelodeon, Disney, and even Zumba Fitness have their own cruises. I would love to see a Marvel, DC, Star Wars, LOTR, or Harry Potter themed cruise. I’d pay for that in a heart beat.

5. The return of “One Punch Man”

This is a great Anime. It seems like of spoof of all other Anime. In a lot of action anime it starts off slow. The main character is learning the art of combat and things seem pretty normal. They have sometime of inner drive and a deep story. Then slowly but surely things get bigger. Regular combat is always joined with supernatural power that gives the characters special abilities. One Punch Man is exactly the opposite. The story starts with a “crab monster” attacking a young boy, so you already know some supernatural things are going on. Then he undergoes the “extensive” training of running a 5k, 100 push up, 100 sit ups, and 100 squats with no AC everyday. And after this you have the invincible “One Punch Man”. In each episode you see him defeat his opponents in literally one punch. There have been rumors of the writer not doing a 2nd season, I hope this isn’t true. My husband and I spammed episodes and finished the first season quickly, so I can wait to see the next.

6. Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan was supposed to pick back up in April, but they pushed the new season back. They postponed the next season because they have to wait for the manga to get further away from the anime. Attack on Titan does not do fillers, which I LOVE. Every episode is action packed. There was no slow getting to know the characters. In the very first episode you witness the titans barge into the wall, bite the head off, and eat the main character’s mother. I hope they continue this style of writing keep the action coming. I will be waiting patiently for the return.

One day I hope to be in a place where my husband and I can travel the world, have romantic getaways, and expose my son and any future children to experiences I never had. Until then I will find joy in the simple things; a new anime, superhero movie date, and small trip here or there. Whenever life gets me down I think about the fun times I’ve had with family and friends during these experiences.

 

Quarter of a Century Blues

HealthyNappyNerdyMommy Lifestyle , , , , ,

24904724663_313f1c5787_oThe Quarter of Century life crisis is something that I didn’t even know existed. Near my 25th birthday, I don’t remember if it was before or after, I was having this feeling of being both overwhelmed and dissatisfied with my life. I posted on Facebook that I must be experiencing an early mid life crisis. Then I friend of mine replied and said, “Its called a quarter life crisis.” I began googling this term and realized that I wasn’t alone, it is a real thing, and I wasn’t crazy for having these feelings.

In our society the way your “supposed” act or things our supposed to be doing at certain ages seems to have pretty much been erased. The ideas that 40 is the new 30, kinda means that 30 is the new 20. But those of us who did things the “traditional” way, meaning getting married and having kids in there early 20s seemed to have been left in the dust. We are not in the same place as our 20 something counter parts, but yet sometimes feel out of place with the 30 somethings that are married with kids, like us. I find myself wishing I could “hang” with my friends. I also find that when I do, I have to force myself to not talk about kids and marriage. When other friends pick up and go for the weekend, before I do that I have to make sure there’s somebody to babysit and/or if its not an outing that includes my other half, see that he has everything to “survive”. Then I finally get some fun out on the town and its mixed with wishing they were there, wondering if they’re ok, and trying to keep my friends from seeing my nodding off at 10.

Then there’s the other side of the big 2-5. Looking at what others have accomplished and comparing yourself to that. I have friends and acquaintances that have doctorates, own houses, businesses, are C.E.O. of companies and they are all still in there 20s. So on one side I’m thinking maybe I jumped into this adulthood too quickly, then on the other I’m wishing I’d buckled down and accomplished more. I mean, after all, I’m just a lowly “gym teacher”. (anybody that knows me, knows I hate that terminology) Sometimes I wonder should I just go find a job at some office, where I could possibly move up in my career and pay. I could stop teaching and go to grad school full time until I’ve reached my ultimate goal of having a doctorate. No, wait, I can’t do that. How will we pay rent, daycare, groceries, ect. with just the little I’d be able to bring in as a full time student?

Its not just the career advancements that bother me. Its every time I do get ready to visit or hand with some of my friends and I think about what they might be wearing, or doing to their hair. I look in my closet that included probably 2-3 outfits per season, that I really like the way I look in. I’m constantly plagued by trying to not look like a 30 year old “mom” all the time. I can wake up early and go on you tube and figure out some nice style to put the thick crown of natural hair I have in. But, I choose sleep and laying around every time. Its a sickness I can’t help thinking about and comparing myself to others. Its not that I wish bad for them, I just wish I had to the skill and organization to have it together myself.

Today is my husband’s 25th birthday. He has had some trials in his life, but threw it all he has managed to be the best husband and father anybody could ask for. Yesterday I told, him, to make a goal for himself, a realistic one. Something that in a year, if he had accomplished this he would be happy with himself. So I am going to follow my own advice. In 1 year, if I am pursuing my Master’s degree, 15 pounds lighter, and debt free, I will be happy with those accomplishments. I will let everything else fall into place. I am a mother of a wonderful beautiful son, a have a fulfilling job, and a husband that supports me in everything I do. I saw a meme on Facebook or Instagram, I don’t remember which, but it said something like, whenever you see someone and wish your life was like their’s, there’s someone else thinking the same about you. I try to keep that in mind. I may not be exactly where I want to be in life. But there is time to make it happen. I’m 2 years into the 2nd quarter century of my life. My plan is to spend this time making sure that when I hit 50, I can look back at my life and be happy, with no regrets.

 

Mourning the End of Spring Break

HealthyNappyNerdyMommy Lifestyle, Motherhood

16598797714_bfe1860148_oToday is the last day of spring break. It is a sad day, as I have enjoyed getting some much needed R&R, but alas, we must return to the real world. I never had any grand plans for my spring break, but I still didn’t do half of what I intended. There are somethings I must accomplish today, before I head back to school tomorrow.

I did accomplish some of my spring break plans. One thing my husband and I did was go see Batman vs Superman at 12:30 while my son was still in daycare. The movie had some mixed reviews and I understand why. I am partial to Marvel so my opinion was already biased. The movie started so slow, all the action was in the last 30 minutes of the movie. Also, it was obvious that DC is trying to speed there way to a Justice League movie to compete with The Avengers. The best part of the movie was Wonder Woman. She is one DC character I can get down with. If I was to rate it I would give it 6.5/10. It wasn’t a bad movie, but I did not leave the theater obsessed and head straight to frantically researching as I usually do after a sci-fi movie.

One of my other goals for spring break was to do something memorable with my son. We went on one of our usual shopping trips to the grocery store, but I wanted to do something different. On the list was a visit to Sci-Works, a science museum right up the street from us, as well as indoor camping in our apartment living room. I decided against going to the museum. He is still young, only 2, so the trip could easily have been a waste of money. I did not want to spend money on something he wouldn’t remember and end up going into a typical toddler fit in public. So I opted for indoor camping. I made s’mores in the oven, which he loved and messily devoured. We made a tent from a large comforter draped over our kitchen table chairs. He loved playing under the tent so much that he repeatedly tore it down, so we settled with a pallet on the floor. I wanted to watch some outdoorsy themed Disney movie, but not Bambi, too traumatic. My original choice was Pocahontas, but only the sequel was on Netflix, and I did not want his first experience to be a subpar sequel.  We decided to watch jungle book on DVD. At first we thought it wouldn’t hold his attention. It doesn’t have the bright crisp graphics and comedy that he’s  used to in movies like Home (which we all know by heart). But as soon as he heard the first song he was hooked. We also did the normal Easter tradition of making Easter baskets. I got a dark chocolate dove bunny, my husband a Reese’s Rabbit, and our son a basket with socks, a puzzle, flashcards, Batman plate with utensils, stickers, and a egg with M&Ms. During holidays I bend and we indulge in some of the usual pleasantries.

With all the things we did over spring break there were still some that fell short. I was supposed to revitalize my fitness regiment, that had suffered from me being stressed out and overwhelmed. Instead I decided to just relax and I’d start again when the break was over. It is better to get used to the regiment within my regular schedule anyways, right? My son just turned 2 so, using his birthday money and gift cards we were going to redo his nursery to be a big boy room. This didn’t happen, but we will do it, I swear. I wanted to do some thrifting, but the thrift stores aren’t going anywhere, nor are the farmer’s markets I was supposed to go to. Instead of jam packing this weekend I enjoyed my son and husband, all while sipping on mimosas. I will get everything else done, starting tomorrow.

Here’s where it begins

HealthyNappyNerdyMommy Lifestyle

This is my first blog post. I wondered what I would write about and of course even searched examples of “great 1st blog post”. It suggested that I should write telling people what my blog will be about and why they should read it. That seems redundant, as that’s what’s in my “about” page. But I guess I’ll follow the rules and add a little to it.

I feel like this blog can appeal to anybody. Although the thought has crossed my mind that maybe its all too much. I mean a blog about, healthy living, natural hair, nerdy interest, and motherhood ( which I’m just grouping family life in general into) is A LOT. But these are all the things that make up me, so I couldn’t choose just one thing to focus on. If you’re just here for one aspect maybe another we grasp your eye, and who knows you may find that you had interest that you didn’t even think you had.

That’s how it happened for me. I didn’t even know that I liked the things I liked, until I got with my husband. Before I met him my entertainment sources where limited to Disney movies and romantic comedies. That’s what I had been exposed to and what I thought I should like. I have cousins that were into, what I then considered “that weird stuff”, and now that’s me. As far as being healthy,that became apart of my life early in college. I’ve been overweight since childhood; back then they said it was just baby fat and I would grow out of it. Well, I didn’t. Almost every adult in my family is also obese and has some disease linked to it, being hypertension, diabetes, or both. I had a cousin that even died from diabetes in her early 20s. I did not want that to be me and I became the annoying person that tells everybody if they eat this or that they will get cancer or have a heart attack and die. Nobody likes that person, so I’ve just decided to live by example rather than shoving it down peoples throats.

I not going to continue to ramble on and on about each topic of my blog, I hope you’ll continue following, and reading to discover the rest for yourself.