Taking The Stairs

Lately, I've been trying to take the stairs more often as well. I live on the 5th floor in my dorm. Usually, I take the elevator up to my room. My friends would always tell me to take the stairs with them and I just give them the look of death. But now, I'm just trying to make healthier choices and the stairs is just another plan. Walking up five flights of stairs does suck though. My legs burn but its the good kind of sore. If you guys don't have enough time for a workout at the gym, walking up and down a few flights of stairs can do the trick.

Burpees Are Your Friend

It's me again! So as I've been trying to increase the intensity of my workouts, I decided to make burpees. Let me tell ya: I F***ing HATE THEM!!!!! It hurts like hell, my body is sore all the time. Even walking hurts my spirit. But again let me tell ya: It works wonders!!!! The reason why it works so well is because it's a full-body workout. They help to burn fat and tone lean muscle. It's a combination of interval training and strength training. It's a real bitch to do about 10 or so in a row, but I get through it each time I workout. One time, I did 50 burpees in about 10 minutes. It was a huge accomplishment. Despite feeling like mush for a few days, it was worth it. Here's how you do them:

Begin in a shoulder wide stance

Quickly move in to a squat and crouching position with your hands on the floor

Kick your feet back in to a push up position and perform a push up

Bring your legs in together at the same time back in to the crouching position

Explode up and jump as high as you can

Land in the same shoulder wide stance

This completes one repetition

And here's a picture to see the form:

So keep up with the burpees and they WILL be your friend that you love to hate!

Work Through The Stress

Hey guys, I know it's been awhile once again *puts head in shame*. But I'm back at it. This last year at school has been quite stressful so far. With that stress, I've been trying to eat it away. Now I know that stress eating only makes matter worse, but that didn't stop me from munching away. Last week was a disaster. Cookies, cake, pies, brownies, tater tots, pizza, mozzarella sticks, basically anything fried and not good for me, I DEVOURED. I was still in the gym a few times a week, but it wasn't the same. I was half-assing my workouts and not giving my full effort. I would run on the treadmill and then have cookies on top of cookies. NO BUENO. It was starting to catch up with me. Even some of my coworkers were starting to notice that I looked a little bit pudgy. That really got to me. This past sunday, I was eating so much stuff and I wasn't even hungry. It was just there and I ate it. My friends have to take away the cookies from me. I weighed myself and I was at 270. That's a problem for me. So now, I'm taking control of the situation at hand. I have to refocus, train harder, eat better, be healthier period. It's nothing I can't handle. Just gotta work through the stress and my fatass has to put down the cookies. I GOT THIS!!

Wonderful Opportunities

Guys, the last couple of days have been pretty awesome and let me tell you why. Last sunday, I finally participated in a marathon. It was a 5K, which was roughly 3.1 miles. I decided to start off light and I'm gonna work my way up to longer marathons. The run went great. I only stopped a handful of times to catch my break, but I kept it moving. My time was 31 minutes. My goal was to be under 40 minutes, so I was pretty happy with my time. But let me tell you: I was sore as hell afterwards. My feet were pounding, throbbing, all those adjectives. You would think that I would take some time and rest my body. Butttttttt, the next day, Tony Horton came to my school for a seminar and a free workout. Mr. Horton is the CREATOR of P90X. The seminar was highly informative and insightful to me, makes me wanna become a personal trainer. Then the workout........ Mannnnnnnnn. It hurt my soul. He gave us a preview of P90X2, and holy moses it was an experience. For about an hour and a half, he had me sweating and yelling and swearing. THEN, one of his workout partners, or henchmen, called me to come onstage and I said "huh"? For about two minutes, I was onstage behind Tony and everyone could see my face when I watched do the move that I had to repeat. But I knew I had to bring it so I did the damn thing! It was a great feeling. Then afterwards, I got an autograph and took a picture with him. I told him that I lost 100 pounds and his program helped me, even he said whoaaaa. It was such a great experience that I will never forget. I'm truly blessed and fortunate to be able to do the things that I've done this year. Mannnnn you can't tell me nothing!!!!!!!

*p.s. I'll have pictures up soon.*

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH!!!!! So, today marks an entire year since I first started this blogging experience. Safe to say, it's been an amazing ride. I just wanna say thanks to all of you readers in all of these amazing countries for such amazing tremendous support. I never would've thought I would share such personal information about myself to complete strangers, but it's helped me a great deal in opening up and expressing myself. Ultimately, I've changed for the better this past year. It truly makes my heart and soul smile to receive such love and praise. I will try my best to keep up with the posts. It's my senior year of college, so I'm running around all over the place. It's a scary yet exciting time in my life. I hope you'll all be around and stay tuned. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =)

Three Years Strong.

This time, three years ago, I made the decision to lose weight and get healthy. I dubbed this the Slim & Sexy Campaign. I went into this blind, no diets or concrete plans. I just knew that I had to lose this weight. It was a long and hard process, but I stuck with it. I can say that I've kept that weight off and improved my health immensely. I'm living proof that anyone can lose weight if they're determined to do it. Yes it can be discouraging at times, but you gotta power through. Diabetes, high blood pressure, DEATH, none of the above are not sexy. I wanna be around for my family, my friends, and my future. I have too much to accomplish in my lifetime to let something like obesity slow me down. If a junk food junkie can lose 100 pounds in a year, anything truly is possible. Healthy eating and exercise is my lifestyle now, and I do not plan on going back to that sad fluffy kid. I'm on my slim & sexy, young man status.

Applications For a Workout Buddy

I'll be heading back to school in another month or so, and I think it's time for a workout buddy. Now normally, I like to workout alone without distraction and be done. But so many people ask to come with me so I figure why not give it a try? I'm at a point in my life where I wanna be around my friends and people that support me. Also, I need to step my weight lifting game up, even though I highly despise it. Having someone there to keep me pumped and going will put some extra pep in my step. Also, a little friendly competition is healthy. It's fun trying to do a few extra reps than your friend. So yeah, I'm looking for a workout buddy and I'm narrowing down my choices, we shall see.

What Do You Like About Yourself?

The last few months, I've been talking mostly about self-esteem issues and being body-conscious. I know its not normal for guys to talk about their insecurities, but I'm not a regular guy I think we all get that by now. I took this exercise from my wife Ms. Jackson. She was asked to look in the mirror and pick something that she liked about her body, and it was hard for her to do so. I've tried it myself, and its hard for me to pick something as well. Being shy and insecure is always gonna be a small part of me. I just have to work at it and become more comfortable with my self-image. It's all baby steps, it's all a work in progress. At this point in time, I like my smile and that's a good starting place. I'll work on the rest.

Life Works in Mysterious Ways

"For when I am weak, I am strong"

Hey guys, I know it's been quite some time yet again between posts. I've been going through some personal things, just trying to get my life in order. Once again, my lack of self-esteem and confidence has beaten me down yet again. So many negative thoughts running through my head about who I am and what I'm all about. I've had to reevaluate my past and look at certain actions I've taken. I've realized that there is no black and white in life. It's the grey area and everything happens for a reason. I think that sinking into a somewhat mild funk has made me realize that I can't every little single thing affect me, you know? Gotta brush things off and let it go. I'm slowly learning that. Also, I've turned to God as a source of comfort and healing. I can tell God anything and I definitely feel a source of relief, and I know that I'm gonna be ok. Every day, I'm becoming a stronger person and I can do anything I put my mind to. As a result of this soul-searching, I believe God is looking out for me. For example, I'm starting a new job next week, my financial situation is looking up, and I've grown closer to my friends. Surrounding yourself with people that love you and wish you well is best thing for anyone to do when you have a distressing situation. There's a purpose and lesson for everything that happens in my life. The lesson this time for myself is to learn to be comfortable with who I am and not let others perceptions of me define me. I know who I am, my friends know who I am, my family knows who I am, and God knows who I am. The negativity can go elsewhere. I'm gonna be ok, I have so much to be thankful for in this crazy world, and I'm much more appreciative. I have a lot to accomplish in this life, and the only person that can stop me is me. So for all of my readers out there, just enjoy life, it's too short to sweat the small things. I love you guys and thanks for all of the support =).

What Type of Eater Are You?

People gain weight for a multitude of reasons. It can be due to illness, depression, or plain old boredom. If you wanna make changes and better your chances at weight-loss, it's important to evaluate your eating habits. Here are some of the categories:

1. The Stress Eater: You'll eat anything in sight to help "ease the pain" of uncomfortable circumstances/experiences. The food is a type of self-medication to lift your mood and bring you happiness.

2. The Emotional Eater: You eat because you're happy, sad, anxious, angry, frustrated, all of the above.  No matter what emotion it is that you are experiencing, you just have to eat continuously.

3. The Designated Eater: You are the family member that everyone passes their leftovers to because you have absolutely no problem with finishing their plates.

4. The Grazer: You eat continuously throughout the day, not even aware of how many calories you're actually consuming. You feel that you're never full, which causes you to eat even more throughout the day.

5. The Unconscious Eater:  You eat the most when you're watching tv, or reading a book. You're not really paying attention to what you're eating because of the preoccupation with another activity.

I can say for myself, that I've been each type of eater at different points in my life. I've become a stress eater in the past year or so in my life. Several things caused me some serious distress and unwanted drama. Trying to fill that void with food to make myself feel better. That never works, and you're left with a few extra pounds to carry around. I've been the emotional eater. When life is good, I'll have some cheesecake to suit my mood. If the day sucks and I'm not feeling it, break out the little debbies. When I was younger, I was the designated eater. Whatever people left behind on their plates, I would be quick to grab it up and savor every single bite!! I'm habitually a grazer. Sometimes, I get bored during the day and will make myself a bowl of cereal, or have a peanut butter sandwich, or a big plate of chicken for dinner. This is not that great, and I'm working through it. No doubt that I'm an unconscious eater. When I'm watching tv, I won't even realize that I finished an entire pack of oreos. Like the blog says, my fatass just can't put down the cookies. I hope this post gives you some clarity and see where you stand with your eating. The first step is admitting your problems and working towards changing them and bettering your health and state of mind. We'll get through it together =).

White Tees Are Not My Friend

Now that may sound weird, but it's true. For me, I've never felt comfortable wearing a white t-shirt. They either make me look bigger than I am, or they're too tight around my gut. These are things that I've dealt with in this slimmed-down body of mines. I just don't like the way they fit me. They give me the look of man-boobs and well that's not sexy. You'll never catch me wearing one out in public. I just don't like them. This is probably a weird post, but there may be another person who understands my issue. If not, oh well.

Does Muscle Weigh More Than Fat?

My friend posted a link on her facebook with this article about the subject "muscle weighs more than fat"? It intrigued me because I'm always hearing about those pounds you may have gained, people have equated it to being muscle. This isn't always the case. Usually, it's just fat. It's highly unlikely that the hardest of gym fanatics can gain three pounds of muscle in less than a week. I think people need to understand that your body weight is bound to fluctuate a pound or two, and don't dismiss that as being "just muscle". After awhile, you're gonna end up look a lot more flabby and that's not healthy, nor sexy. A pound of muscle and a pound of fat is one in the same. The key difference between the two is density. If you look at five pounds of muscle and five pounds of fat side by side, the fat takes up more volume, or space, than the muscle. As you're training, you want that lean look of muscle. That's what I'm working towards. I have the muscles and the strength, but i still gotta cut through the stubborn fat. It's not trying to go anywhere. My weight tends to fluctuate three or four pounds. I know it's fat because of the food that I eat. A whole bag of cookies wil not build muscle, I'm sorry. My main point is that you should be conscious of what you're putting into your body amd just to take care of yourself. I'm no science major, so some of this may not make much sense, but bear with me. Also, AVOID THE SCALE. It's the worst thing to have around you when you're on a diet/exercise regimen. You play head games with yourself and that brings negative perceptions of self. I've been there, so I know what it can do to you. Just be consistent with your workouts and proper eating, and you'll have lean, fit look in no time.

Rise & Shine...... & Run!

I've been doing some research, looking for more topics to discuss for the blog. After writing over 80 posts, I'm starting to run out of ideas. But I'm determined to give you guys quality posts. Today, I'm talking about the benefits of working out in the morning. The main positive of working out in the morning is that you get it out of the way. Our schedules can get pretty jam-packed throughout the day, which makes it difficult to get a quality workout in. For me, it's best that I workout as early in the morning as I possibly can. I think I'm more motivated early on. If I wait a few hours, the day drags on, and that enthusiasm goes straight to hell. So, I push myself to wake up early enough to get it done, and I want you guys to do the same! According to Dr. Amy Burleson Sullivan, morning exercise revs up your metabolism (which is your best friend) and jump-starts energy levels. Meaning, there's more calories being burned, which leads to gradual weight-loss. So I'm challenging you guys to set that alarm, get up, get dressed, and go for a run. Or pop in your favorite exercise DVD and do work!! I'm here for support, and I will wake my ass up right along with you guys!! *George Lopez voice* WE GOT THIS!!

My Responsibility

"With great power comes great responsiblity"

Not to steal Uncle Ben's awesome quote, but its true. It's been almost three years since I begun my mission to losing weight and getting healthier. I've not only kept the weight off, but I've put on some muscle as well. Team Slim & Sexy is in full effect. Since then, a multitude of people have approached me and ask me tips to lose weight. It can be really surprising to me just who is asking for advice. People I'm not even cool with like that will chat with me or send me messages asking me a whole bunch of questions. I am always more than happy to be a helper in getting people in shape. Sometimes, these very people that I'm training give me the motivation to keep pushing forward. So I'm very thankful. I plan to incorporate this into my future career. I'm in school to be a psychologist, but I'm also planning on becoming a personal trainer or life coach. Also, I want to develop my very own health counseling program for lower-income communities. There are a lot of families that don't have the necessary tools for healthy eating/living. This is where I come in and help. I've got plans and goals that I have every intention of accomplishing. This blog is just the first step. Once again, thanks to all of my readers around the world for your continued support of my efforts. Hope you stay along for the ride.

Putting Yourself First

Hello guys, its been quite some time I know. So I've been busy sorting out my life and my problems. I was recently inspired to write this post after having some chats with some close friends. As I've stated on this blog before, I have self-esteem issues, lack of confidence, all that stuff. But of course, I haven't always been willing to tell others these things until recently. I've always been the person to internalize my problems and not tell anyone what I'm going through. But if my friends were in need, I'm there to help in any way possible. I would feel that my issues weren't important enough to be discussed. Didn't wanna be a burden to anyone. Lately, I've had some pretty down moments on myself, and people could tell. I hate that I can't hide my emotions. When I'm feeling a certain way, you could see it in my face. I've been on a mission to help myself and be more open to those I know I can trust with anything. My friend Oginga told me this weekend that I need to take care of myself first before others. And he's right. I don't give myself the love and attention that I deserve. I'm a good person who has some rough moments, and its ok, I'll get through it. I'm stronger than I give myself credit for. So my advice to everyone is to just put yourself first. You can't be good to anyone else if you can't be good and true to yourself. I'm now able to tell my fears and concerns with friends and be a little more open than in I've been in the past. I love the people in my life to the fullest. In closing, be your own best friend and not your own worst enemy. L.O.V.E. =)

Know Your Weakness

               

I'm a food lover, there is no denying that. I just so happen to love the foods that aren't really that good for you. I'm making this post because I think my snacking and cheat days are catching up to me. A few people have come up to me recently and said that I look like I've put on weight. Whether they wer joking or not, I didn't take too kindly to it. Truth of the matter is, I have gained a few pounds. It's not something I like to joke around about and it really gets to me. I'm more disappointed in myself because I know what not to eat to avoid unwanted weight gain. But food truly is a powerful drug. Sometimes, my fatass just can't put down the cookies. Some of the foods that I need to watch out for are:

- Cookies
- Cheesecake
- Ice Cream
- Sweets in general
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Pizza
- Bacon
- Cheese
- Calzones
- Mozzarella sticks
- Anything with lots of cheese and sauce
- Bread
- Peanut Butter (REESE'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

So, starting tomorrow, I'm watching what I eat more intensively. I don't want my hard work to be ruined by high-calorie snacks. I simply won't allow it to happen. Some of you may think that I'm overreacting to people's comments. But, I take it as a sign that maybe I really do need to get it together.

No More Tight Shirts

As much as I love them, it's time to let the tight shirts go. I've been going through my dresser and seeing all these tight shirts. I'll look at them and say: " What was I thinking"? One of the reasons for wearing them was to show everyone that I lost the weight and that I can fit the shirts that everyone else wears. After two years, I think people get it and I don't have to keep flaunting for everyone else. People always say that you should be comfortable in what you're wearing, but I wasn't. Can't really move around too much because then my stomach may start coming out, and that's just not sexy. I recently went shopping and actually tried on some shirts that were looser but still fit me the way I like. My body is so weird sometimes because some shirts that are similar in size fit me differently. For instance, I have a big chest. So my shirts are tight there and then it makes the bottom stick out. It's always the sleeves I have beef with. They never just sit properly. Just a burden to bear I suppose (I need a tailor). But anywho, I'm moving on from that phase and I'm ready to feel comfortable in the clothes that I wear. So long tight shirts!

Becoming a Vegetarian?

So, I've been thinking about this for quite some time. Becoming a vegetarian is quite the committment. I mean, I've been a meat-eater my whole life. As I've gotten older and researched some facts, eating meat can be hazardous to my health if not handled properly. I'm not about that E-coli or tapeworms. I have a few friends that are vegetarians and I've become better informed about the subject. Doing the whole vegetarian thing would be ok. Just one problem: I don't like salads, at all. Like not at all. I've been thinking about trying it out for a week or so and take it from there. I'm always up for a challenge, and I think I can handle it. We shall see soon enough.

Portion Control

This is something I've had a problem with for years. I may eat the right things but sometimes I tend to overdo it. This chart gives an idea of what's considered a serving size for a particular food. I'm a big guy so I tend to eat a few more servings of pasta or cheese that I should. So definitely something to improve on. I need to eat smaller portions to help with my weight management, since food is my main problem, I just tend to eat too much of it. Just because the serving size says 150 calories for something, you also need to be aware of the amounts per serving. You could be consuming wayyyyy more than you should! Other tips for portion control include:

- Use smaller plates
- Measure your grains, rice, cereal before putting them in your bowl.
- Don’t eat out of a bag or carton
- Read the labels about appropriate serving sizes
- READ READ READ! It is fundamental.
- Keep food in another room while you are eating instead of on the table to discourage picking at or going in for seconds.
- At a restaurant, order appetizers or order half plates.
- And did I mention read your labels? Yeah, read your labels.

The Nightmare That Is Man-Boobs

Surprised I haven't talked about this one yet, probably because of my insecurities about it. Probably my least favorite feature of my body. I remember all the times in high school I would be deathly afraid to take off my shirt to change for gym class because I know someone would be right there to laugh at me telling me to go find a bra. Being as sensitive as I was at that time, you can imagine how soul-crushing those types of comments were. The appropriate term is called Gynecomastia. It is the abnormal development of large mammary glands in males resulting in breast enlargement. There are case of men having extreme cases of gynecomastia. I didn't know it was as common as it is. I think I may have a small case of it myself. I had some huge moobs in high school. Since I've lost the weight, it hasn't been too bad. I still get embarassed taking my shirt off, especially when clothes shopping and having to look in the mirror. I still have my issues, believe you me. I'm getting better with accepting my body. Just need to keep working out and eating better and let my body change the way it needs to so the man boobs will decrease. I wish you could pick where you want to lose weight, but it takes a full body workout to get the job done. Always one to look for the bright side of things, I can do the pec dance now. So take that man boobs!



And yes, I had to put that picture up.

Get It Together

Hello everyone. Thanks for all of the continued support it is greatly appreciated. It's been a struggle and a lot of hard work to get to the point that I'm at today. Being Captain of the Slim & Sexy Campaign is no easy task. There's always the pressure I put upon myself to stay a certain size and improve upon my health. And you know what? I need that pressure. If not, I easily slip back into old habits. The past week or so, I've been doing Insanity. While that's been kicking my butt, my eating hasn't been that great. I'll go without eating breakfast, and then load up on food throughout the day and just munch and munch and munch AND munch. That's a problem. I'm always the one giving the advice to others, I TRULY need to listen to some of that myself. I know just what it takes to lose weight and to maintain that loss. I've been doing it for almost three years now. I know what to do, but I haven't been doing it. That looks bad on my part, not practicing what I preach. And every months or so, I write about slipping up and getting back on track, I feel that I'm at the point in my life where I shouldn't be slipping up. The way I eat and handle my body now will reflect on just how my health will be in the future. And I want to be healthy and fit for plenty of years to come. As I have said plenty of times, sacrifices must be made. I need to eat better, and put more efforts into my workouts. This summer, I'm working on improving all facets of my life: Physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, financial, etc. I'm slowly getting there. I'm gonna become an ever better version of Vaughn, moving onward and upward.

Insanity Is No Joke

So its been two days, and already I need a wheelchair. It has been the most painful workouts of my life. Its nonstop cardio!! You know its hard when you're sweating during the warmups. You're running, jumping, using your own body weight. This is the workout that I need. I've been so sluggish in my workouts for the past few weeks, but Insanity is definitely changing all of that. As much pain as I'm in, I can't wait for tomorrow's dvd. I know when a routine leaves me in pain the next day, then I know it works. So I highly recommend it, after only just two days. You won't be disappointed. I know there will be some great results after the two months if you stay committed. My friends Oginga and Phreddy are joining me in the movement as well. Its always good to have a support system backing you up and cheering you on. So get to it guys and order INSANITY!!!!

Here Comes Insanity

     As I like to say to you guys, variety is the key to losing weight and maintaining that loss. In that spirit, I've decided to order the Insanity workout dvds. Last summer, it was all about P90X. I kinda started a P90X revolution amongst my friends. But to be honest, I wasn't satisfied with my results. It was mostly my fault because I didn't stick to the diet portion of the program. I did gain some muscle, but now I just want more definition and to cut the fat. Now, it's gonna be all about Insanity. This time, I'm gonna monitor my eating better. Last summer, I would do a dvd, then go out for ice cream and burgers. Doesn't really work that way. My biggest things to give up is bread, cheese, and peanut butter. I went 40 days without peanut butter, so I know it can be done. If I put my mind to it, there's so much that I can accomplish. It should be delivered sometime next week, so I'm ready for the challenge. I hate working out in the summer, but I gotta be slim & sexy on that beach mannnnnnn!

Always Important to STRETCHHHHHHHHH

    


     As with most of my posts, I get inspired at the most random of times. This time, I pulled a muscle in my abdominal area. That caused me to write this post. I can't emphasize just how important it is to stretch before AND after your workouts. But let me just say, it is SOOO important to stretch before and after your workouts.
     One of the main reasons is to prevent injury. You can't give 100 % if your muscles start to tighten and cramp up. Not only that, but stretching on a regular basis gives you improved flexibility. You become much more limber and agile. Honestly, I do not like to stretch and tend to forget occasionally. For me, I find it to be more painful than my actual workouts. Especially when I stretch out my legs or my lower back. But it'a something that needs to be done, so I suck it up.
     All you need is at least five to ten minutes before your workout to warm up and do simple stretches. Then, once you've cooled down from your session, stretch out those worked muscles. You'll feel so relaxed afterwards. So take it from me guys, stretch before AND after your workouts to prevent injury and gain that flexibility. You can do it!!

The OMG Experience!

Two weeks ago, I saw possibly one of the greatest shows that I will ever see in my life. I went to the Usher OMG concert. And literally, OMG!!!! It was two hours of awesomeness, and definitely got my money's worth. Once again, I respect perfomers like him and Janet because they give you a full show. He danced and sang at the same time, and did both extremely well. All the ladies were screaming their heads off (some guys too). It was like he sang every song he ever did in his career. 20 something songs in two hours? Awesomeness. Although one complaint, I swear those explosions were trying to give me a heart attack. I was close to the stage so the BOOM was intense. But anywho, it truly was a great event. I was his unofficial backup singer and dancer. Except when I did it, it didn't look as cool. I'll keep my day job. And after seeing his show, I'm sooo ready to go hard in the gym. Damn him and his six-pack, making me look bad. Another thing that I really enjoyed was his MJ tribute. Gotta admit, it brought a tear to my eye. Seeing how truly inspired he was by the man was great. I highly recommend everyone to go out and see his show. Trust me, every dollar you pay will be WORTH IT. And one more time, OMG OMG OMG!!!!

Happy Birthday to My Wife!!!

Hello readers, it has been quite some time. Well, I'm finished with my junior year of college. It was a rough one, but I got through it. Now my vacation can begin, and I can get back to this blog. First off, I just wanna give a birthday shoutout to Fitness Guru/Future Wife, Janet Jackson!! What can I say? She's an inspiration to me and I'm a big fan of her work. I love and respect the woman very much. She's 45 today, and looks amazing. I hope that she has an amazing day and keep up the good work.

Love Yourself

"Don't compare your body to others. Instead, work to be your personal best".

I know I've talked about this many times on this blog. But believe you me, I know there are people that constantly need to be reminded to love themselves, myself included. We all wanna be loved and accepted by others in this world. Anyone that says otherwise is a damn liar. If it weren't true, people wouldn't spend millions of dollars each year altering their appearances and trying to lose weight. What makes matters worst is constantly feeling the fat one in your group of friends. Even though my friends don't view me in that way, I still feel this from time to time. It's like"why can't I look this way"? "Why do I have all this extra meat on me"? I can't really blame anyone but myself for my old habits. I work as hard as I can to lose weight and remain healthy, but those feelings of inadequacy and doubt still creep up from time to time. When I go to the gym, I occasionally feel like I'm embarassing being around all these big, jacked-up dudes. I'm slowly getting to accepting my body. I'm not meant to be skinny, it's not gonna happen. However, I am gonna work as hard as I can to be the best Vaughn that I can be. Honestly, that's all I can do. So to all of those who are feeling the same way I've felt for some time, it gets better. Loving yourself for the person you are is not bad at all, and if you feel that its necessary for you to change how you look, then do it healthily. Just be the best you that you can be.

If You're Going to Run, BUY RUNNING SHOES ! !

  Sounds simple enough right? Well to be honest, I never had proper running shoes until this weekend. So here's the story: For the past few weeks, I have been running on a daily basis in basketball shoes. Basketball shoes should be used for playing basketball and that is that! Because of this foolish blunder, I was putting unnecessary strain on my feet and joints. I soon began to have pain in my big toe (had an injury last year). I went to get it examined by a doctor. Their prognosis: that I either had the gout or arthritis in my toe. Really??? I don't eat high sodium foods anymore, and arthritis, I highly doubt it. Then the doctor asked me do I engage in regular physical activity. I told her yes I run and jumprope. Then she asked if I wear proper running shoes, which I said nope. That was the problem. I had to give up my running for an entire week. It was torture, to say the least. As much as I hated running in the beginning, I've grown to accept it as apart of my life. I consider myself to be a runner now and I need it in my life. This weekend, I went out and bought myself a pair of running shoes. Today was my first day in a week where I went back to my routine of running and jumprope. It felt great to work up a sweat like that again. And my toe is feeling better, which is most important. So once again, if you're going to run, BUY RUNNING SHOES!!!

Two Years & Counting!!

It's my birthday!!!!! Today I'm 21 years old, and I feel great. I know I haven't blogged in quite some time. Just trying to survive college of course. I just wanna thank everyone all over the world for reading this blog. It truly means so much to me and fills my heart up with so much love. Today is great for other reasons. Around this time two years ago, I had lost 100 pounds. Now, I've kept off that weight and the results are in that picture above. I'm stronger, faster, and most important, HEALTHIER!!! I hope that my story still inspires others to make changes in their lives to become healthier. I still have my struggles, but I'm most definitely in a happier place. The Slim & Sexy Campaign is still in full effect. Life is going well, and I hope the same for all of you guys. Now, I'm off to enjoy the rest of my day. Love you guys, and thanks. =)

The Sweatiest Workout

As gross as that title may sound to some of you guys, just sit back and read. For the past month, I haven't been lifting weights. I've been focusing on burning fat and toning up. I like the size that I am, I just want things to be tighter and more cut up. Simple goals right? Not at all. It's hard work. My workouts have consisted of running/jogging, jumprope, and 150 pushups in each workout. I've already told you guys that running is a great workout, as well as jumprope. Now when you combine those two, you will sweat off the fat in no time. The key to fat burning is a full-body workout. Running is the cardiovascular, strengthens leg muscles. The jumprope works the arms and mucho cardio. Pushups work the chest of course, and other muscles that I can't name at the moment because I don't know (I'm no expert). Honestly, I feel stronger and faster from doing these activities alone. My arms look more defined. I'm getting the definition that I'm working so hard for. I've already lost five pounds, I feel great inside and out. Here are some variations of the workout that I typically do.
1. running on a track: walk, run, walk, run = 4 laps
then jumprope for five minutes
In between each set of jumps, do 10 basic pushups until you reach 50.
Run 4 more laps
Jumprope for five minutes continuously
50 more pushups
Walk one lap to cool down, then 50 more pushups.
2. If you wanna really bust your butt:
jog/run 8 consecutive laps around the track
60 pushups
Incorporate some squats, jump squats, lunges, squat thrusts also.
Jump rope for 10 minutes, with some breaks in between to catch your breath.
90 more pushups. Include some jump pushups, diamonds for triceps, etc. You can break them up into sets of 10, 15, 20, or just push all the way through.

Trust me guys, this will be highly effective if you want to burn fat and tone up with minimal weight lifting. I'm seeing results after a month. It's hard work but it can be done.

Cutting Down

I had a long talk with my boss this weekend about my schedule and my future career plans. Anddd he called me crazy for wanting to get a third job on top of taking classes, on top of going to the gym six days a week. He says that I'm going to wear myself out. The fact is I know that he's right, but I'm very hard-headed when it comes to my life. I don't like when people try to tell me what to do. I feel that I can handle everything. But this time, I listened to someone's advice. I'm not going to get that third job because that would be INSANE!!!!!! Another thing, I'm going to cut down on my gym time as well. Instead of six days a week, I'll try four or five. If I want to get the killer body, I need to give it time to rest and recuperate. My main point for this post is to not overexert yourself when there's really no need for it. As important it is to get in the gym, it's just as important to get your sleep and relaxation time. That's something I'm slowing understanding. I think I can do it.

Building The Ultimate Workout Playlist

Music is so essential when you're working out, it's not even funny. Studies have shown that upbeat music makes people train harder in their workouts. I must say, it definitely helps me out. Give me a Michael/Janet Jackson playlist and I'm good to go for an hour. Music keeps me pumped and motivated to move and run and go the extra mile or two. My friends say that they need angry music like Rap or Rock. But for me, I need some energetic music that makes me feel good and keeps me going. Here's some songs that you NEED for your workout playlist:

"Nasty" - Janet Jackson
"Rhythm Nation" - Janet Jackson
"If" - Janet Jackson
You know what? any MJ or Janet song will do you just fine. Some other artists
"Forever" - Chris Brown
"1 Thing" - Amerie
"POISON"!!!!!!!! - Bell Biv DeVoe
"Toxic" - Britney Spears
"Express Yourself" - Madonna
"Vogue" - Madonna
"Rock Your Body" - Justin Timberlake
Anything by Usher
"Get It Shawty" - Lloyd
"Erotic City" - Prince. I don't know, maybe that one is just my personal taste.
"Baby" - Justin Bieber
"Green Light" - John Legend
"Single Ladies" - Beyonce
"Teach Me How To Dougie" - Cali Swag District. A surpirsingly good running song.
"Boom Boom Pow" - Black Eyed Peas
I have about 50 more songs, but these selections are a good place to start and get you pumped for a great workout. So turn it up!!!!!

Let Your Voice Be Heard

      I've come to the realization that this blog is my way of venting about my life and everything that happens in it. Last night was a weird one for me. I suddenly was overwhelmed with feelings of sadness and regrets. My issue usually ends up being about relationships. I've never had a girlfriend and it frustrates me. I feel that I haven't grown the typical way. Most people start dating in high school, sometimes earlier. In that facet, I'm underdeveloped.
     Sometimes, it makes me really sad. Makes me wonder like maybe I'm not good enough for someone to like. But what I will not do is change who I am despite who may have a problem with the way I carry myself. Some people that I've encountered have thought that I was gay, which is not the case. I'm know I'm not the most masculine guy around. When you're raised in a house consisting mainly of women, a little boy will exhibit some feminine traits. I know who I am and I like who I am. But it still gets frustrating when people are constantly criticizing me and my actions.
     I've been suffering in silence for quite some time. I never want to be the one to burden people with my problems, much rather be the helper. Those sad feelings start to affect my self-image. I begin to feel like that shy, fluffy kid that was ashamed of his appearance. It just brings my entire mood down. Last night, my friend saw that I was clearly in some distress. And I opened up a bit more than I usually would. It was a breakthrough of sorts. So my advice to everyone that reads this blog is to TALK. Let your voice be heard, tell someone how you're feeling. Keeping quiet gives the negative energy WAYYYYY too much power. Talking about your problems is the first step to solving them. The older I get, the more I come to understand this. As my wife Janet has said time and time again, we are all a "Work in progress".

Back In the Swing of Things

As usual, my inspiration hits me once I'm in the gym. I went today for the first since my vacation last week. There was a gym in the hotel, but it wasn't that great. I was LIVING on this vaca. By living, I mean I was EATINGGGGG. You name it, I had it: fries, burgers, pizza, fudge, taffy, FRIED OREOS (jizz), soda, juice, mac and cheese. Everything I shouldn't have, I ate and it was GLORIOUS. But now, reality has set in, and I have some work to do. My first trip back to the gym was rough and it kicked my ass. Once I got into it, I literally fell back into the swing of things. I mean, of course I need a vacation every once in a while, but I'm a worker at heart. I need that balance and routine in my life, that's how I've always been. School/Gym/Work for the next six weeks. Not only that, but my birthday is next month and I wanna feel better and look great. I know the tools to lose weight and be healthy, just DOING it is the hard part. When you go from eating whatever you want to doing the healthy living stuff, it sucks. That's my life, I do what needs to be done and do it to the best of my abilities. I think everyone needs to adopt that attitude in life. There's so much stress going on in the world. Just need to get in that grind mode and do what needs to be done and do it as well as you can. And remember, smile throughout the day. It truly goes a long way =).

Dream Come True!

March 16th, my life was made complete: I went to see Janet Jackson live in concert!!! I think it finally hit me today, so I gotta blog about it. What could've been a disasterous day, ended up being one of the greatest in my life. I almost missed the show because my ride fell through. Luckily, my angel in disguise Kollette came through and we drove up to Mohegan Sun and made it right on time!!!!! The lights went out and it was showtime!!! When she stepped onto the stage, I honestly didn't believe that I was in the same room as my fitness guru and future wife (Mr & Mrs. Vaughn Jackson)! I was up the whole night singing every word. If I had more space to move, I would've broke out into full choreography but I didn't wanna die. But anywho, my girl Janet put in work!!!! She danced and sang LIVE, for anyone who thinks otherwise. And her body was just hmmmm, had a brotha drooling!!! She's 44 years old, and doing it better than any other artist out there. When you can sing and dance at the same time, and not be afraid to sweat it all out, you know you're BAD!!!!! But anywho, it truly was one of the top moments in my life. Maybe I was a bit delusional, but I swear she waved to me. Now I may have been in the back of the arena, but there was a connection =)))))!!!! I don't think there's anything that can top it. If you can, go out and get tickets ASAP. I guarantee you will not regret it. I cannot stop smiling =)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) Life is so good!!!!!!

Hola P90X

 

 Rewind back to april 2010. The weight had stopped dropping so quickly. I had reached that dreadful plateau that people always talk about. Everything that I had been doing wasn't working so effectively. It was pissing me off and didn't know what to do. But then, one random night I was watching infomercials and of course this program called P90X popped up. As with anything being sold on tv, I was pretty damn skeptical. Then I sat and watched and my jaw literally dropped. Those before and after shots were no joke. I said to myself : "sign me up"!!!! That may, I ordered my copy of P90X. 120 dollars o_O. But it was definitely worth the cost. Once I went home from school I started pressing play. That first week, I literally needed a wheelchair to get around. I've never been in that kind of pain in my life. All that damn jumping and yoga -____- FML Results weren't so quick for me. After the first months I could notice here and there that my body was changing. My friends could tell better than I could. By day 90, I lost about 15 pounds and got some more muscle definition. I still do it P90X occasionally, I prefer to be in the gym. Also, I've incorporated some those moves into my regular workouts these days. People look at me like "whoa".  I'm very thankful that I bought these dvds, really changed my life and gave me the variety that I needed. I recommend it to anyone who wants to get in shape, go for it!!!!

Girls, Girls, Girls.....

With losing weight, my confidence level has definitely gone up in the last few years. At the same time, I've gotten wayyyy more attention from girls. The girls that I tried to talk to in high school all of a sudden realized how cool of a guy I am. All it took was 100 pounds of fat burned to get it. "Ohhhh you look so handsome" "Damn looking good". Hmmmm, that's funny, a few years ago I was a fat f*uck and ugly and smelly. All I can say is hmmmm *eye roll*. Anywho, I can tell when a girl is being genuine to me and those who are just slutbags and stalkers. I've grown to be able to read people and their intentions. I'm still single, and THANK GOD. Girls are just wayyyyy too much drama. I've never had a girlfriend and I am in no rush anymore. I'm patiently waiting for the right young lady to come my way, until then I'm just focused on school, work, and shaping up my body.

*p.s. never trust a big butt and a smile...... cause you'll get herpes* I kid, I kid!!

Vote FOR ME!!!!!!!!

Ok guys, I have a small request. I'm going to see Janet Jackson's concert next wednesday. She has this contest going on her website for people who are contributing to the community and doing great things. So my friends suggested that I put a request on my blog. So guys let's make this happen. If I got to meet her I think life would be complete. So if you would be so kind here's my info:
Vaughn Martin
email: vanxmar10@aol.com
unlisted city.
Thanks guys, =)
and the link: http://www.janetjackson.com/20_under_20_nominations

Time Time Time

I was at the gym and I came up with this idea for my next post. So I woke up late to hit the gym this morning. Usually I go at 7 for about an hour and change. That transformed into 8:00 this morning. I only had a half hour to get a good workout in because I have class in like 20 minutes actually. So I did 15 minutes on the machine, and then another 15 of jump rope, push-ups and wall squats. It was a sweaty one. People believe that you have to be in the gym hardcore for two hours a day. Truth of the matter is, people just don't have that kind of time. a good half hour is all you truly need for some cardio and/or weight lifting. It works for me and hopefully for you all as well. Here's some ideas of different workouts you can do within that half hour:

Push-ups for 1 minute
wall squats for 90 seconds
squat thrusts for 1 minute
Running in place for two minutes
Jump rope for five minutes
Now repeat that set a few times, and you'll be sure to feel the pain.
You wanna aim for low intensity exercises but with multiple repetitions.
Challenge yourself and see how many pushups you can do in a minute, or how many jumps you can do in five. Don't get comfortable with the movements, always try and switch it up and not reach that dreadful plateau that everyone speaks of.
Give it a try and let me know if this works for you.
Now it's time for class, so I'll catch you guys later!!!!!!
P.S. Thank you to everyone who continues to read my blog in all of these different countries and cities. It truly means a lot to me =)

The Challenge.......

So, I've been keeping a secret for the past two months: In a few months, I will be participating in a 5k marathon. My mother's friend asked me to participate and without much thought I said yeah sure. Boy what was I thinking????? I HATE running with a freakin' passion!!!!!! But I'm trying to be a man of my word, so I'm gonna do it. I've been trying my hardest to get my endurance up and just running and running. It's hard work lemme tell ya. My legs usually feel like rubber after a few miles, every part of me is sore, and yeah I just hate running. But this is the challenge that I'm ready to face. I mean how many people who used to be 331 pounds can say that they ran in a marathon? This can be one of those defining moments in my life, and I'm ready to push myself and bust my ass to reach that finish line. So, wish me luck because I could use all of the support I can get. *George Lopez voice* I GOT THIS!!!!

The Horrors of Jeans Shopping

So, my body is weird. When I say weird, I mean that certain clothes fit me differently. My biggest problem at the moment is buying jeans. They're either way too big, or they're cutting off my circulation. There's just no happy medium. The size that I need, you're not gonna find at Old Navy or Macy's. But in all honesty, I kinda have this phobia of going to the big & tall stores. Back in my fluffy days, I went there one time with my mom to pick up some pants for my high school graduation. I had to try on about four sizes before I could find a pair that fit: A size 46. The process was traumatizing and I haven't looked back since. Nowadays, I just may have to. Now that I'm working out regularly, my legs are becoming increasingly muscular. So now I have to find pants that are loose enough to accomodate this change, which is a task and a half. I'm 6'3, so I'm gonna need a big pair, but I prefer fitted jeans. Once I put them on, they become a pair of tight highwaters (that's not sexy). But then if they're too big, I'm called foldy butt by a select few friends of mine. I may sound like a female but this stuff is important to me. You want to be able to be comfortable in what you're wearing, not being afraid that at any given moment your thighs are ready to burst out. I'm gonna find that perfect pair where I can walk down a street without starting a fire by rubbing my legs together.

Diet Foods Are a Waste.

       Ok, so these food companies try to make you feel less bad about your eating habits by giving you "healthy alternatives". These options usuallly consist of phrases like "fat free", "reduced fat", "Diet" or "sugar free". Let me tell you: if I'm gonna have some cookies, they're definitely not going to be fat free. Personally, I think that you should be able to have to those fatty things every once in awhile and don't play yourself by getting diet soda or sugar free candy, it's just stupid. When you begin to feel like you're depriving yourself, your gonna want to binge on everything that you were craving for. Once again, its all about moderation.

Jump Rope = Killer Workout

Hello readers, its been a minute once again. Just trying to survive this college life. But I'm here now so let's get down to business. I'm always looking for different workouts to try to lose weight and tighten up. And I have found THE ONE!!!!! So simple, yet so very effective. The Jump Rope. Now, you may say to yourself: "Vaughn you're a 250 pound dude, why are you using a jump rope"? Well I'm here to tell ya, that the jump rope is one of the best workouts I have ever done thus far. It works everything: Arms, shoulders, legs, core muscles, you name it, the jump rope will make you feel it. It's a sweaty, brutal, and killer workout. Did you know, that ten minutes of jump rope is the equivalent of jogging a mile? Or that 15-20 minutes of jumping rope can burn the calories from a candy bar? If you're a snacker like me, this is very VERY good. Boxers and wrestlers use this workout method when they're in training. This past week, I did a jump rope workout. When I did 10 jumps, I would do 10 push-ups. Then it was 20 jumps, then 20 push-ups. I got all the way to 50 jumps and 50 push-ups. My shirt was drenched with sweat, it was a nasty sight to see. But like I said, jump rope is a killer workout for anyone to try and I HIGHLY recommend it!!!!!!

Finding Inspiration

               Finally, a book for me!!!!! Let me tell you guys that this book really got me thinking about my life and how I want to live it to the fullest. I mean I've loved Janet Jackson for quite some time now, but now I have so much more respect for her. I was completely surprised by her honesty in this book. You usually see her in interviews and she doesn't like to talk much about her personal struggles, but I'm glad that she opened up and shared her life with people who could really use the guidance. I can relate to her struggles with weight completely. For one, I HATEEEEEEE working out!!! Also, being teased at an early age can really affect people who are incredibly sensitive as I am. Internalizing your feelings and holding it in for years is no bueno. Janet's constant struggle to learn to love herself is something I know all too well. Some days are better than others, but I can handle it. Another thing I learned from this book is too not torture myself anymore. The past week or so, I've been really beating myself up about my appearance and my eating habits. My "plan" was to just to eat a three small meals a day and just water and nothing else, and just push myself in my workouts. I've been in that habit before, but I realize that its crazy to set such unrealistic goals. I might not ever be as small as my friends are or have the six-pack and big muscles. Everyone's different and should love themselves for who they are. The true you. I'm now determined to better my life. I wanna be a better student, a better fitness guru, a better friend, a better son, a better Vaughn. Thanks Janet <3.
*p.s. can't wait to see your show in march!!!*

Losing My Way

Hello readers, its been awhile. I've been super duper busy as always. Today, I wanna about how I "fell off the wagon". Now I know I've always preached eat healthy and workout. But lately, i've been a little off. I haven't been giving my best efforts. I'll workout for a half hr and then go and eat whatever I want. That's no bueno!!  I recently weighed myself, and I'm now at 262 pounds. Just a few months ago, I was about 245. When I look in the mirror, I'm increasingly dissatisfied with what I'm seeing. What's even worse is that I can't blame anyone but myself. I know all of the necessary steps that I need to take and I know exactly what to do to lose the weight. It's just a matter of controlling myself and watching what I eat.  Also, my workouts gotta be a bit longer and try different things to keep burning those calories. I've regained my focus. I'm right back in that mental space I was in when I first began on this weight-loss journey. Having to work hard to rebuild my body. I know I can do it, it's just the getting started back up. It's gonna suck, but I'm ready to get my stuff together.

Recover Not Smother

My lovely amigo Chanbo gave me the idea for this one. Yesterday, me and a few friends had a pretty intense workout session. We were running, lifting, all that good stuff. Once we got back to the dorm, some people who shall not be named decided to have waffles and whatnot lol. Now after a good workout, you do need to grab something to eat but you gotta choose wisely. Also, its reccommended that you wait at least an hour after your workout just so your body can cool down and it helps your metabolism I believe. Having waffles and pizza immediately after working out  is not the best option. I've had my moments when I would pig out after a good workout. It kinda defeats the purpose of all the time spent exercising, at least in my opinion. A light bowl of cereal or a granola bar with some peanut butter would be suitable. And then you can have a regular meal. Also, drink plenty of water, I don't know how much I can stress that fact, but water consumption is important. Some people don't like drinking water, but it's just something you have to do. So take these steps and you'll be all set.

Honorable Mentions

Out of the kindness of my heart, I decided to give my friends yet another shout-out. Some of them feel neglected due to their absence from my previous post. Sooooooooo here we go. First off, my beautiful crazy asian lady that I can't live without Ms. Chungyee. One of my star pupils. When she's focused and down for the cause, she's all up in the game. Butttttttt, when she's not feeling it she goes into hibernation from the gym. I sometimes make fun of her, but its from a happy place of love *sarcastic voice*. She's a super cool girl and you'd be lucky to have her in your life. P.S. She loooooooooooveesssssssssssss chocolate
Next off, Melissa De La Hoya. That's my nickname for her because she has kicked my ass a few times. She's a boxer on the low and I think she's on sterioids. Buttttt, she's my lovemuffin and no one else's. She has kept me motivated with her words of wisdom. Not always wanted, but I appreciate it. But anywho, these two ladies are the bestest. I love them, even though they make my skin crawl and I wouldn't have it any other way =).
Chanbo - enough said. She's a special lady who you have to experience in person to understand her. Cuz whoaaa!
Noereem - For always calling me a sexy beast, it makes me warm and fuzzy and boosts my confidence (melissa said that).
My prov/pawtucket people - Gabby, Danny, Eben, Phreddy, Char, Jerome, D'mari (TWIN), Koko, Rachelle, Randolph, Kormy, Chris, Michaela, Oginga, Brandon. Great people in my life. They make fun of my head shape, but I still love them. They accept me no matter what size I am and that's what I truly value in friends.
I know there's probably people I didn't mention just yet. My sincerest apologies, but I'm very thankful for everyone who's been in my corner all these years. Means a lot to a big softy like me =)

What Keeps Me Going?

So it's been over two years since I've embarked on my very own Slim & Sexy Campaign. Here I am today, I've kept off 75 pounds and gained some muscle. I'm much happier, healthier, and comfortable in my own skin. So why keep it going? Why should I still blog about these things? I mean I've gone through the hard stuff, I can just move on with life. So to answer the question as to what keeps me going? A few things actually. Starting off with me. I've busted my ass to get to this point in my life and its still a constant struggle for me. I don't think everyone can completely understand how I feel unless they were the size that I started out as. My friends sometimes say that I exercise too much or that I shove the blog stuff down everyone's throats. But try to understand that going from a large size to being fit and healthy, it does things to you mentally and emotionally. I'm on the road to self-love and I'm not turning back. Also, family and our genetics. I'm genetically predisposed to be fluffy. I've got relatives with diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, you get what I'm saying. If I just one day completely stop eating healthy and the exercise, back to fattyville I go. Can't have that for myself. I have to set a good example for my little cousins and in the future, my own children. These things truly mean a great deal to me. Now on the lighter side of things, clothes are expensive!! I threw out anything over a size XL. So I'm gonna fit in all those tight shirts and jeans if it kills me. Lastly, you guys keep me going with this blog. All of the feedback I've gotten from everyone is motivation enough to keep the Slim & Sexy Campaign alive. That is exactly what I plan to do =)

Damn, That Could've Been Me!

Hello readers, its been quite some time. I've been looking for some inspiration to write and I found it on MTV of all places. (Go figure) I'm a fan of the show "I Used To Be Fat". The concept of the show and the hard work that those kids put in to losing the weight.  Every single time that I watch that show I say the same thing to myself: "damn that coulda been me"!!! All those weight-loss shows, all those opportunities to make some money. I could've had some tuition paid for, a car, extra cash for some bling. I mean really guys??  You REALLY couldn't make that show the summer I went to college?? Well, good thing cause I kinda went junkfood crazy that summer, but anywhooo. It's all good though, I'm just gonna hold out and hopefully Oprah could use a topic about a newly slim & sexy man. *crosses fingers*

I LOVEEEE Peanut Butter!!!

Random post but I felt like throwing it out there. I truly love peanut butter, and on top of that it's good for you. Peanut butter is a good source of energy and protein and it goes great with just about anything. Wheat bread, wheatbable crackers, granola bars, bananas, you name it I've tried it once. The organic peanut butter is of course much healthier for you and if you're ballin and fancy to pay for it go ahead. I'll stick with my skippy. Now, you shouldn't go overboard with it like I do, but peanut butter is the greatest!!! hmmmm!!!!

Working Out Has Big Benefits

I'm not sure how much I still have to emphasize just how important regular exercise to your everyday life, but I'll keep on saying it. Regular exercise is so beneficial to your everyday life. Obviously, the weight-loss is a plus. Also, it does wonder for your social life. For example, when I was fluffy I had about -0.6% confidence. Now a few years and a hundred pounds later, I've found my confidence or "swag" and its been great ever since. My boss said that I got my groove back (cuz i'm stella -__-). Anywho, I'm comfortable in my own skin nowadays and loving life. Another major benefit is energy energy ENERGY. Back in the day, I just wanted to lay down and never wanna get up. You gain a newfound energy and you just wanna get out and hang out and do fun things. To go from lazy to energetic, I attribute that to the working out. Also, I know this one will get you, you get to eat more if you exercise regularly. Now when I say more I mean a few small meals every few hours to keep your metabolism. So don't go out to a fast food place and binge on fries (hmm fries). Now that I'm running regularly, I'm hungry like never before!!!!! So I need a little more food to fuel my system. So basically, make the change for the better and the benefits will come slowly but surely.

REMIXXXXXXXX!!!!

I'm on a roll with the clever post titles huh? huh? Anywho, in my last post I was talking about the inevitable plateau that everyone reaches on their weight-loss journey. The pounds aren't melting away so quickly as before and you get frustrated. No problemo for the solution is quite simple: switch up your workout routines. Variety is key. I'll write that again VARIETY IS KEY.Gotta keep pushing and challenging yourself. Reach your limits and push yourself to go past your limits. The satisfaction you gain from busting your ass is incredible (not to mention you'll get an incredible ass haha). You'll be seeing results in no time. For example, I suggest that you read up on different workout routines and incorporate them into your workouts. Some DVDS I recommend include anything from Billy Blanks, Jillian Michaels, and Jackie Warner. The last two woman scare the crap outta me (no seriously they do). They'll make you sweat and get you burning the calories in no-time. Another person to look to is Ahmad Baari. His workout videos on youtube are such an inspiration and motivation to me. I wanna look like that in my 30's. Here's the link to his page:
http://www.youtube.com/user/makingthebest09

Also, just look online and read magazines for different exercises to do and you'll have plenty more success and weight lost.

GOING......GOING.....slow down.....

This happens to everyone on their weight-loss journeys, even myself. When you're fully engaged in your workouts and you're consistent with it, the weight just tends to fly off (Thank God). After awhile, you're body gets used to those workouts and you hit a plateau. This plateau means that it can become a little more difficult to lose the weight. If you've ever watched "The Biggest Loser" or any other weight-loss show, there's always that week or two where the weight becomes harder to take off. To be honest, it can get a little discouraging. When I hit a plateau, I was kinda pissed. I wanted to keep going and get as small as possible. But it wasn't gonna happen, at least if I kept doing the same routines everyday. This is the point in time when you need to rearrange your workout plans and try out some new things. DON'T BE A QUITTER!!!!!!

What's Up, Doc?

Hey everybody! So this morning I went to the doctors for a physical. This was the first time that I got a check-up since my doctor told me to lose weight. So that was about what two years? Yeah, it's been a hot minute. My friend Gabby said that I can't legitimately give health advice if I won't even go to a doctor. It's not that I didn't want to go, but I just didn't make the honest effort to go. Time was just not on my side, but that is not an adequate excuse. You need to see your doctor a bit more regularly than every two years. Even if you show no signs or symptoms of illness, it just has to be done! I went in and safe to say they were pleasantly surprised with what they saw. My doctor said that it was remarkable that I was able to lose all the weight and to keep it off was an even greater achievement. I honestly do get embarassed when people say nice things like that, but at the same it's always nice to see that people think so highly of me. I left that building with a clean bill of health and a newfound feeling of accomplishment. So, today was a good day =).

Push-Ups... p-p-push it real good!!

One of my favorites and most effective, the basic push-up. If you're not able to get in the gym and lift the weights, push-ups are all you truly need for chest work. Now, the problem with doing push ups is that people occasionally do it wrong. When you're going down, you don't sink your hips down (I'll try to get some footage for examples.) You want your body to be straight as a board ______ when going down. Your hands have to be underneath your shoulders for the standard military push-up. I couldn't do one push-up in the beginning. Fast-forward to two years later. I can do up to 50 at one time (awesome for a former fatty). Sometimes I'll do 10 sets of 10, 4 sets of 25, 2 sets of 50 (sometimes 60 if I'm really feeling it). After a good set, my chest is sooooo pumped and I love it. Nowadays, I can do the pec dance lol. Just like running, variety is key for push-ups. There's the clap push-ups which are pretty intense (ouch)! Then there's the clap push-ups while taking flight (-___-). Really really hurts but one of the best to do. One-arm balance push-ups, diamond push-ups, you name it I've done it at least twice. It's one of the best exercises to do and I'll try to get some videos up of me doing some of these things.

Give It A Run!!

*Reggae voice* Give it a run! Give it a run! Parachute!! Parachute!!

Don't mind my reggae moment. Anywho, now I'm moving onto different exercises that I've incorporated into my workouts the past two years. Lately, I've been getting into running. Let me tell ya: I absolutely hate it, like seriously. Butttttt it gives you probably the best results for burning fat and getting toned up. I have plenty of friends that do track and actually enjoy running like my buddy Eben (aka Mr. Flash). The more that I do it, the better the results I'm getting. My main area of focus is my little gut. The advice that I would always get is that I need to run and they would get one of these in real life: -____-.  But like many times of my life, I do things when I feel the time is right. So I started running this summer. My trick is, if you're running laps on a track, you walk around one lap and then run the second. Just keep alternating. Interval workouts burn more fat than running at a steady, continuous pace. Even on a treadmill, walk two minutes, then run at three minutes. Trust me, running is the great way to go. I'm slowly but surely losing my gut, so I'm gonna keep on getting my miles in.

Hello Gym -____-

The one place that I hate and love (but mostly hate) at the same time. Now I told you guys a while back about my first trip to the gym. Yeah, I almost died. That first week was killer. Scratch that, that first two months sucked!!! It was all a process. First I went three times a week for about a half hour. Those little bikes were my friend. I wouldn't dream of "running" on that "treadmill" thing ewwww. Lifting weights wasn't my thing either, I just stuck to the bikes for a minute. That was my thing. After a few months, I bumped it up to four days a week at 40 minutes each session, and using the stair climber and the eliptical. They're both great cardio machines that will have you breaking a sweat. I was still resisting that treadmill though. The main reason was that: well I run kinda funny. It's hard to explain but my feet drift off to the side and I can't run straight. But anywho, I also started the sit-up routines and felt a new kind of pain. The more pain I was in, the better my body looked. So I figured that I was doing something right. Once again, it's all a process. You want to start off slow in the gym and gradually work your way up to the big leagues. Which I had to do, and I continue to do.

SCREW YOU MUSCLEHEADS ! ! ! !

Another post inspired by my gym trip. This one dude pissed me the hell off. This jacked-up big steroid-looking fellow got on the treadmill next me. Now normally this wouldn't bother me BUT..... He had on the same grey undershirt as me, the same type of shorts. Only difference was that every one of his muscles were just popping out, while some of us pudgy people just trying to get a decent workout in. He just HAD to run faster than me too. As if I don't have enough issues as it is. If you're a person in really great shape, kudos to you. There's just no need to have to flaunt it EVERY moment of the day, like SHEESH!!!!!! This may sound like a jealous rant, but moreso I'm annoyed if anything. I feel that sometimes this group (called muscleheads) do things like this on purpose to make other people look bad. If you're one of those with this kind of attitude, just remember that karma is a funny thing and you could be that fluffy kid, just saying. SCREW YOU MUSCLEHEADS! ! !

Get Away From the Mirror

I got some inspiration from my trip to the gym today. When I went to go change my shirt, I stared at myself in the mirror. To be honest, I didn't like what I saw. I felt that I was too fluffy, or I need to get rid of the jiggle here. For someone with low self-esteem as myself, my whole mood shot straight to hell. I think staring into the mirror while going through this process can distort your perception on what you look like. You can be in good shape, but you'll find something that you feel is "wrong" with your body and focus on that. Constantly beating yourself up isn't gonna help the situation. My advice to all those who want to successfully lose weight should avoid the mirror at all times. If you feel the sudden urge to do so, look in the mirror and try to pick a part of your body that you actually like. For example, I like my smile and my overall size. I like being a big dude. I wanna tighten up that jiggle jaggle of course, but I can't let it consume my thoughts. This weight-loss journey is a constant battle between how I view my body versus what is really there. I'm continuing on as a work-in-progress.

Showing Some Love

A little break from all of my stories and bringing some shine to some of my awesome friends. Hopefully, all of my readers from different countries show some as well and take a look at all of these links:
http://oglifestlye.tumblr.com/
http://kingreatness.tumblr.com/
http://lovevillain.blogspot.com/?zx=8a190d9b868efc56
http://qu3eng.blogspot.com/


ENJOY!!!!!

Karma is a Funny Thing

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Ok, now this next post may be a bit mean of me, but hey its the truth. So I tweeted about this yesterday and I just to elaborate on it some more. Now of course a few years ago I was a fatss. And with that, I was bound to get teased by my peers, it just comes with the territory. Doesn't mean it didn't hurt any less. I would go home upset sometimes at some of the things that were said about me. For someone as sensitive as I am, every little thing said about me would hurt me. I was called carl winslow, fat albert, uncle phil, black santa, you name it I was probably called it. At lunch, I would be soooo embarrassed to eat my food because I felt that people were watching and laughing at me for being the fat kid. Even girls that I tried to talk to in school, wouldn't give me the time of day. I always had "nice personality". What kind of bullcrap? I was the nice big black kid for all four years of high school. Once college rolled and began to lose the weight, I noticed that some of the kids from HS seemed to be finding it. Those guys that used to make fun of me began to look like me. And of course I just chuckled to myself. THe kicker really happened when some of these people started asking me for weight-loss advice (hahahahahah). Now I could be complete jerk and name names, but I'll be nice. Be careful of how you treat people because it can come back to haunt you big time. Karma truly is a funny thing.