Losing Weight and Being Real With Myself

Greetings Again Everyone,

Before we move on to 2009 and our Weight Loss Challenge, the NBCD team would like to remind everyone that we were very committed in losing weight and changing our lifestyle during 2008. With all the changes that occurred in 2008, we were able to stay focus on our objectives regarding weight loss and health lifestyle.

This weight loss entry features Mrs. B's straight forward talk and insight! Check it out because it's all about:

• "Losing Weight and Being Real with Myself"

After reading Mrs. B's NBCD journal entry, please share your 2008 Weight loss tips and advice. Send it to: administrator@newblackculturaldiet.com or feedback@newblackculturaldiet.com

We will feature your 2008 Weight Loss tips and suggestions for all of 2009!!

The 3rd Annual New Black Cultural Diet Weight Loss Challenge - 2009 beginning January 5th, 2009

Greetings Everyone,

It's that time of the year again in 2008 to let you know of our plans to sponsor the 3RD ANNUAL NEW BLACK CULTURAL DIET WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE - 2009!! Yes, you have the opportunity to join us and everyone who wants to do something about their weight whether it's 5 pounds, 10 pounds 20 pounds, 40 pounds, 50 pounds or greater. That's right, any weight that YOU want to lose, we want to work with you along with sharing our weight loss experience with you.

So we are in this 3rd Annual NBCD Weight Loss Challenge with YOU!

We will be asking all participants to document their progress with the use of either:

• Blogging - written journal



• Webcam journal



• Photo journal

SPECIFIC DETAILS WILL BE FORTHCOMING SOON!! If you would like to contact us now, please do not hesitate to send your question to: administrator@newblackculturaldiet.com

NBCD Weight Loss Journal Update - June 27th - July 3rd

Welcome Back Everyone,

We have come to an end of our Weight Loss Challenge and I have lost a total of 8 pounds. I wanted to lose at least 12 more pounds but I am still working towards that goal slowly. Although I did not make it to the set goal, I did lose 3 inches from my waist and thighs. The toning exercises really did the job of making my legs stronger. I am pleased with my results and will continue my weight loss plan through the summer and maintain a long term healthy lifestyle. At the beginning of my journal, I emphasized the importance of positive behavioral changes toward food and exercise. It was also important as I embarked on this journey to analyze my response to food and exercise on a daily basis. Needless to say, I found out a lot about myself. Fortunately, most of the results, mentally, physically and spiritually were positive. I now need to improve a few negative behaviors that impede my progress towards an even healthier lifestyle. One behavioral change would be to address the fact that when the body ages; relisiency, elasticity and flexibility decreases so toning and stretching has become a part of my daily life. I cannot currently change the mid life transitions in my body but I can improve them mentally and physically and I will do that one day at a time.

A Word About Body Image: I am thankful that I am secure enough to accept my body shape. I like who I am and that is an important factor in the decision making process of healthy food choices and physical exercise. Dr. B has published a well researched and ground breaking book on body image of Black America and our influences in society. A new book called, "Black America, Body Beautiful" written by Dr. Eric J. Bailey is due for release on July 30th, 2008. The publisher is Praeger Publishers: An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. -- www.greenwood.com

(Excerpt from press release by Dr. Eric J. Bailey on PRWeb News wire)
"Black America, Body Beautiful: How the African American Image is Changing Fashion, Fitness and Other Industries is a new book, along with its accompanying website and blog, about a people's struggle in finding their particular preference for body image and recognizing their body images, body types and standard of beauty are greatly influencing today's fashion, advertising, fitness, television, movie and political industries." For further information on this highly relevant and academically researched book, please visit the website: www.blackamericabodybeautiful.com.

Thank you for joining us whether you participated in the 2008 Weight Loss Challenge or visited the New Black Cultural Diet website -- www.newblackculturaldiet.com -- for informational tips or inspiration. I look forward to blogging with you soon!

Black Pearl Weight Loss Challenge Reward: Mother's Advice
A Mother's wisdom is often passed down from generation to generation and my mother's advice to me was simple and practical. Her advice was "Be Yourself." In an ever-changing environment and societal influences, it is not always easy for a person to follow their own path and I am thankful to know myself. I have taken those two words of advice my mother has given me and adapted it to "Be Yourself and always maintain a sense of self."

Mrs. B

NBCD Weight Loss Journal Update - June 19th - 26th

Welcome Back Everyone!

Summer is officially here! I am in full swing with my exercise routine. Lately, I have been focusing on leg toning and it is starting to pay off a little at a time, but I am being patient because it is a long term approach to muscle retention and strength. I have included in my routine more leg work. Slowly, I am noticing the benefits of toning because I have more stamina.

Family Fitness: The other day our kids played racquet ball and basketball with Dad and Mom. What that meant is twice the workout for the adults. Therefore, it was twice the benefit to our health. Our kids began to explore and develop their own exercise regimen. We were very competitive on the basketball court but the importance of good sportsmanship and not getting upset over who won or lost is a challenge for our boys. My daughter attended a college sports athletic integrity camp for high school students, so her advice to her younger brother about team building and good sportsmanship came in handy as she counseled him on how to work together in team sports and yet have healthy competition. As parents, we teach our kids to compete as best as they can and leave the trash talking and attitude at the door but this time it was better coming from a sibling his own age.

I am shopping more cautiously and wisely. For instance with the high price of food and gas, I am making my food selections with healthy choices that are affordable. I interchange weekly between a high end food market and affordable food markets. This way, I can still eat healthy at a lower cost. Finally, grocery stores are making more affordable store brand foods that can match some of the brand name foods in nutrition value.

Black Pearl Reward of the Week:

Closing one door always open another. Never feel that you have lost or the door of opportunity has been closed on you. It is just another opportunity to be creative enough to dream and do something better.

See you next week! Stay mentally, physically and spiritually healthy.

Mrs. B.

NBCD Weight Loss Journal Update - June 11th - June 18th

Welcome Back Everyone!

Last week was an active week and it looks like it will turn out to be an active summer. I could whine and pout about how I would like to rest because the kids are out of school and Dr. B and I do not have to rise and shine so early in the morning, but once again that dog gone positive attitude streak must prevail and take the view that the children's summer activities contributes to our active and healthy lifestyle. I have been swimming the past couple of Sundays with my family and it is an extra workout. I complete my regular workout early Sunday morning and we all got out of the house for an early swim and water fun at the campus recreation center. Later that week, I played a game of racket ball with Dr. B -- and folks I am getting better at the game and stretching a few muscles at the same time. I played it safe and was cautious about injuring myself by not being so overly competitive by not doing some kind of amazing dive or triple jump to get that blue bouncy ball. I decided my knees and ankles were more important than bragging rights. I always hydrate more often now with water or sports drinks such as G2 Gatorade or of course the Gatorade Tiger Thirst Quencher.

I have been consistent with the light continental breakfast and since the weather has been pretty warm, I have grilled on the George Foreman electric grill a lot more. I am not a sales pitch person for Tiger Woods or George Foreman, but I use their products regularly along with many others. So far, I have continued to grill yellow squash, zucchini and onions with Mrs. Dash Grill Mate Blends and a brush of olive oil.

A note on the healthier cake versions: I did make a strawberry Bundt cake. It was not from scratch just yet but instead of traditional vanilla icing. I used the reduced sugar vanilla icing and added orange food coloring to give the cake a festive look and added red and orange sprinkles for the kids. The cake was pretty decent. I will have to experiment next time from scratch with ingredients that include lactose free milk, my healthier eggs and other substitute replacements to lower the calorie count and increase the health value. I had only one slice while the kids ate the rest. I will keep you posted on the cake revisions.

Black Pearl Reward of the Week: If you can't beat them -- join them.

My kids are starting athletic activities earlier this summer than last year and normally I complain aobut the less turnaround time I have to rejuvenate so I decided to view it positively and become more active and become their exercise partner. Why not? What do I have to lose? Answer: I have everything to gain!

See you next week! Stay mentally, physically and spiritually healthy.

Mrs. B.

NBCD Weight Loss Journal Update - June 3rd - June 10th

Welcome Back Everyone!

Well folks, this past week and the weeks to come I am going to focus more on the exercise regimen of my weith loss journal. I have increased my workouts to a daily practice that consist of a full intense exercise session two to three times a week and the other days I will do up to 30 minutes of cardio such as a treadmill or stair climber with stretches. One of those days is designated for yoga, belly dancing or a balance ball stretch. As I get older, I need to stretch for a longer period of time to avoid the muscle stiffness that settles in during late evening. So now I am starting to stretch at night before bed. I find it helps calm the aches durng the night. You may be interested to know that on the superficial level to help eliminate cellulite, I have been testing out the Nivea Cellulite cream and patches on a daily basis. I do this along with toning the areas where cellulite goes such as the thighs. Dr. B and I was up late at night channel surfing and click on the Tyra Banks Show where she helped the Nivea company debut their cellulite product. Several models in all shaptes and racial background used the product and walked down the shows runway in swim suits presenting the product results to the studio audience. From each model's testimonial, it seemed to work. I am trying it out daily and I will let you know the results at the end of this weight loss challenge along with my overall progress.

The Forecast

As the weight loss challenge comes to a close, it is important for me and others to know that staying healthy is more important than the target weight goal. When you exercise of often you increase your overall health outcome. When you concentrate on healthy food choices, you decrease the negative aspects of poor health and therefore change your behavior. As I discussed in the beginning of my blog journal, I am on a journey for health first and to chart and change my behavior toward food exercise and I believe I am on the right track. The journey does not end when the challenge ends on July 1st, 2008. The journey begins by me paying attention to the past, living in the present and making the positive changes for the future. For further information, Dr. B's book "Food Choice and Obesity in Black America" is available for purchase at Greenwood Publishing (http://www.greenwood.com/) Greenwood Publishing or (http://www.amazon.com/. I will continue my recent customized health practice throughout the summer and start to blog online again in late September as we all prepare for the holidays with all its food temptations and hectic schedules. Look for our holiday cooking shows podcasts.

Black Pearl Reward of the Week (Credit to Dr. B for citing the following poem to his students for the past 22 yars. It was a card given to him by his parents!)

Follow Your Dream.....take one step at a time and don't settle for less, just continue to clim.
Follow Your Dream....if you stumble, don't stop and lose sight of your goal, press on to the top.
For only on the top can we see the whole view, can we see what we've done and what we can do, can we then have the vision to seek something new... Press on, and Follow Your Dream!

Poem source: Amanda Bradley

See you next week! Stay mentally, physically and spiritually healthy!

Mrs. B.

NBCD Weight Loss Journal Update - May 27th - June 2nd

Welcome Back Everyone,

Last week, I talked about getting a fresh start to my diet with a continential breakfast. So what does that mean? Basically, I choose a cup of fresh fruits, tea, decaf coffee and one low calorie pastry, bagel or biscuit. Of course, customize it to what geographical area you might find yourself in when you travel since you will find most continential breakfast served in hotels or on airplanes. I have just adapted a portion of this breakfast to home because you quickly put it together in the morning and get your metabolism going for the day. In the past week, I have added more green tea and grapes and my regular potassium filled banana for fiber. I usually have to break up my fiber intake throughout the day in order to meet the daily nutritional and health value that fiber adds to the body. Although I was not a fan of breakfast in my younger days, I now realize it is an important part of my food intake. The traditional breakfast is fine as long as I go easy on heavy foods. On the weekends, I like the turkey sausage links and turkey bacon and a bowl of cream of wheat or grits. Some folks like the original sausage and bacon but I think having a smaller portion of these food choices is best. So no matter what you try for breakfast and your taste will change along with new trends, one thing is for sure: A well proportioned healthy breakfast is good for the body.

On the exercise tip: I am working hard on gradually increasing and varying my workouts. Now that the weather is warmer, I am going to get back to playing tennis. Next week, I am going to get a good work out by playing racquet ball with Dr. B. I have not played racquet ball in a while so it will be interesting but fun moving muscles that I have not used in a while but I will take it a day at a time and use wise judgement by listening to my body and slow down when I over exert myself. The preservation of my health and quality of life is a very personal and unique journey, so I need only to please and compete with myself.

Black Pearl Reward of the Week: I mostly choose to stretch my sore muscles and use body soaks instead of taking a medicated pain reliever for those small aches. It was a natural way of paying attention to my body and I slowed down to listen to what it was telling me.

See you next week! Stay mentally, physically and spiritually healthy.

Mrs. B.

NBCD Weight Loss Journal Update - May 19th - May 26th

Welcome Back Everyone!

I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day Weekend. As I said in the last journal, we decided to grill vegetables, low fat hamburgers and hot dogs and cook only what we could eat. We all had a small portion of one of our kid's birthday cake but threw away over half of the cake because it contained too much sugar and our everyday diet does not consist of that much sugar and everyone felt it. So learning from that lesson and mistakes we are embarking on making a healthy low sugar birthday cake. How is that possible? NBCD will be working steady on the final result and believe me, if it does not take good we will not post it. Look for a healthier version of birthday cases soon.

Well folks, I have lost 6 pounds and 1 inch of body fat. In the beginning of this weight loss journal, I weighed in at a surprising 171lbs. In high school, I averaged about 130 lbs. In college, I averaged 145 lbs. After children, my average weight was 158 lbs. In hindsight, most of my weight in high school and college was muscular which is ideal but after having children, I still maintain some muscle thanks to years of dance, sports and my body remembering the dance muscles from an early age. Sometimes I carry pounds in the curves of my body which I am not complaining about because I like my body curves but fat and water retention can sneak up on you. Fortunately, a portion of my weight gain has always been water retention that I can eliminate. I reduce the water retention by continuing to reduce the sodium intake and drinking a lot of more water. As I age, being more responsible to myself and family to stay healthy and stave off any progressive chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure are important to the quality of my life. I am heading towards the beautiful age of 46 years old and I sometimes gracefully surrender to the natural changes in my physical attributes and the familiar hereditary changes I notice in my mother and older sisters. Now that does not mean that I go sit down and say, "well that's how Mama was so I guess that will be me in a few years." I am striving to reach my own ideals of what I would like to achieve. It just means I am realistically acknowledging it and making changes that fit in with my everyday living.

Black Pearl Reward of the Week:

Everything old is new again. Remember when you did something that worked just right. It happened for me on a family trip to San Francisco. Every morning, I ordered a continental breakfast, ate a light lunch and a medium-sized dinner and of course power walked while I power shopped for bargain discounts on a budget. I was a girl with a plan; accomplished it and was loving every minute of it. In the process, I lost weight without trying. That memory keeps coming up so I have decided to act on it starting with a continental breakfast. I will share the details of the meal plan next week.

See you next week! Stay mentally, physically and spiritually healthy.

Mrs. B!

NBCD Weight Loss Journal Update - May 11 - May 18th

Welcome Back Everyone!

As the summer draws near, every activity imagined to man and woman gets packed in within the month of May and June. It is especially true when you have children. Not only do you have to take care of your own schedule but also everyone else. So things can get a little stressful. What that also means is paying careful attention to your food intake. It is pretty easy to grab fast food on the go and not all choices on the menue are bad but it is the extra items you add that will take youover your calorie budget. So last week, I decided to combat any weaknesses with more exercise whether it was my own customized home workout, the gym or a workplace fitness day. The point is to stay active no matter what the activity. When my time is compressed, I try to look at how my behavior is playing to my food desires. I am loosing an inch and dropped a couple more pounds.

For instance, I was having a conversation with my husband about a topic that was stressful to me and I grabbed some pretzels and lightly salted cashews from the cabinet and without thinking, I took a handful from the bag while talking. Well, that can get me into trouble because you continue to grab another handful of snacks during the duration that you are talking and folks when I am on a role, I can talk. Eric put on his Dr. B hat and pointed out that I am eating while talking and in mid-stream I acknowledged the behavior and set the snack down and got an appropriate size small bowl that was in proportion which is about a palm size full. Thanks Dr. B!

Memorial Day weekend will soon be here and at times we buy various meats to grill and store for a couple of days. Although we eat pretty healthy, this time we decided to grill only skinless chicken, lower fat hotdogs and lean hamburgers and only grill what we can eat for that day. Grilling only what we need would eliminate the temptation to go for seconds. Grilling vegetables and making fresh salads is a good way to get all our nutrients. One of our children is celebrating his birthday so instead of large amounts of candy stuffed in a pinata and a large sheet cake, we opted for smaller amounts of candy with less sugar and a smaller round cake which we know our kids will eat first and burn off calories by playing volleyball, golf, soccer or crocket.

Black Pearl Reward of the Week: Acknowledging unhealthy habits won over my desire to take part in unhealthy behavior.

See you next week! Stay mentally, physically and spiritually healthy!
Mrs. B.

NBCD Weight Loss Journal Update - May 4th - 10th

Welcome Back Everyone!

Eric and I worked out together as members of the recreational facility we joined recently and we had a good time re-acquainting ourselves with the most up to date exercise machines. When I worked out at Bally's in California, my favorite choice was the climber machines with attached arm swings. It works my upper and lower body at the same time and I think it uses my time wisely. I also focused on toning with the weight lifting machines, especially the legs while targeting my knees and thighs. Let me tell you, after healing from foot surgery a little while back, you take for granted the purpose of why we need strong, stable and toned legs. It is not just for looks but the basic mechanics of walking, bending and general mobility to function. We also conentrated on the upper arms and chest lifts to build overall strength. We also continue to do our customized workouts at home such as Taebo, balance ball, dance and for me the belly dancing class. Always remember when using machines, please follow the directions on the visual picture and ask a trainer or gym representative to show you how the equipment works. I do not want anyone to injure themselves. Oh, for those brothers and sisters who think you can work a late 30's to 60's year old body like you're 18 years old again to prove you still got it, please do not get carried away with your ego and work your way up gradually in exercising and toning. What is the hurry? Take your time. Yes, you are all that --- but be all that in a smart way.

I am becoming more selective of the meals I choose. Since the weather is getting warmer, I am adding low fat strawberry, peaches and bananas fruit smoothies to my diet. I am starting to finally curb the extra snacking by eating low salt pretzel sticks and sometimes when the mood hits me, a bowl of oatmeal which is a good source of fiber.

Black Pearl Reward of the week:

A teacher at one of my childern's award ceremony shared a story about his Native American heritage. He recited a tribal phrase in the language of his grandfather. When he translated the words to the crowd in English, he said, "Stand Tall, Sing and Dance." I like that and it is also what I wish for you.

"STAND TALL - SING - DANCE"

Week #5: April 27 - May 3rd - NBCD Weight Loss Journal Update

Welcome Back Everyone!

This past week, I focused on food selection and taking advantage of a variety of fruits and vegetables. I try to introduce a new fruit or vegetable into my nutrition plan every month or re-introduce previous food selections. For instance, I may try fresh blue berries with vanilla or strawberry yogurt and add bananas and have that as a breakfast or mid morning meal. That way I get more fruits in earlier in the day before things get too hectic.

I am exercising steadily and am losing inches and 3 pounds! I seem to be better at losing the inches than the pounds but I am on a steady pace. Dr. B and I have joined a Recreation and Exercise facility together on a university campus and will be exercise buddies. Along with our work out plan and home gym equipment, we decided to take advantage of the new professional equipment and classes.

A note about change -- It is good to reflect on what has motivated you this far but also it is important to look to the future and let old habits go. Whether it is spring cleaning your closet for a new outfit, getting a pedicure, a new hairdo, or a fresh barbershop cut and shave, little changes of embracing the new helps to mold and shape your attitude and puts you on a positive track.

Affordable food buying selections and tips --

• Sam's Club has Yoplait Light Fat Free Yogurt in a case at an estimated cost of $7.00.
• Sam's Club or Costco's has Birds Eye Mixed Vegetables and Whole Green Beans in bulk.
• The whole sale clubs grapes and strawberries are mostly sweet and affordable.
• Kroger Brand has Ground Chuck beef patties that 80% lean and 20% fat. They also have a 90% lean version.
• Kroger also has frozen cut sweet corn in low fat butter sauce as well as unsalted and salted Garden Fresh Gourmet Tortilla Chips. HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!!
• Whole sale clubs have Asian Stir Fry vegetables in bulk.
• Multigrain Sun Chips

Note: As I have relocated several times throughout the U.S., there are various affordable grocery stores. A short listing follows:

• Kroger's
• Ralph's
• Albertson's
• Food Lion
• Harris Teeter
• Giant Foods
• Giant Eagle
• Super-Fresh
• Fresh Market

Emai us at: administrator@newblackculturaldiet.com if you know of any quality grocery stores in your area.

See you next week and stay mentally, physically and spiritually healthy --- Mrs. B.

Week #4: April 20th - 26th

NBCD Welcome Back,

On the whole, I am still maintaining my exercise routines. Last week, it was a bounce ball and treadmill workout. I am starting to eat dinner earlier and keep snacks to a minimum after 9:00pm. I made several cold pasta salads. I made shrimp and crab pasta salad for my family and for a cooking demonstration on healthy food. The recipe is simple and quick and stores well in a sealed container for at least a couple of days. Other snacks that I try are a handful of lightly salted cashews or air popped popcorn. Now, they make several kinds of seasonings for popcorn. For instance, the Kroger foods caramel popcorn seasoning has only 10 calories, 2 grams of sugar and no sodium! For an after dinner dseart, I had one scoop of lactose free vanilla bean ice cream and alternate that the next day with peach yogurt to get me my dairy intake. Again, it is all about moderation and making a choice to not go for the second handful or scoops. It is not always successful but I am getting better at pushing away from any thought of an additional snack. So it is important that I feel to be honest with myself about the positive and negative food behaviors. Otherwise you will be in denial and avoid sometimes making a hard choice. I have added a vitamin supplement for women. (They make vitamins specifically for men also) Furthermore, I continue with my Biotin supplement for hair and nails. Always continue your prescribed medicine and do not cut back or share medications or unknown supplements. Please check with your physician for expert advice on supplements and proper medication for any health conditions.

A Note About Attitude

We all can be a little stubborn when it comes to a healthy diet. We cannot blame it all on food processing and tempting media ads or even cultural and traditional family food habits. It has to start with a positive attitude. I will admit last week and even as early as yesterday, I was complaining about how better my health could be even though I am in pretty good health. During my health check up, I was nagging on about my body changes and how I am learning to make peace with it. My doctor praised me for doing well, but I did not take the time to hear the compliment at first. So I found myself in a cycle of behavior where I was complaining about the effects of the aging process and I should have been uplifting my progress. I am overall a pretty positive person but even I have my days especially when your schedule is full. I found myself speaking with a food demonstration participant about how it was important to take care of her health. Sometime Black women and men are staunch in their belief that desire their serious chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressur eand even to the point of being hospitalized they will not change their diet for the betterment of their health. Fact is, what you eat is linked to your health. I get much attitude from family, friends and participants about how they have been living this long and how nobody is going to tell them what to do while their hands are on their hips or hands folded to their chest. Please be open to the compliments and honest positive suggestions about your health. If can change your negative behavior to a positive attitude.

Black Pearl Reward of the Week:

I had a great score on my blood pressure numbers. I know my consistent exercise and healthy eating assisted in keeping my blood pressure in normal range.

See you next week and stay mentally, physically and spiritually healthy.
Mrs. B.

Week 3: April 13th - 19th

Welcome Back Everyone!

May is almost here and I am looking forward to warmer breezy weather and the beach season. So you know I have to be diligent about my exercise regimen. I found this week, I could have done a better job of controlling snacks. I found that when my days ran late, my dinner time got later and that is not something I want to continue. I have been curbing my last meal for the day back to no more than 8:30pm so I can be able to digest my food intake but to be careful of what I am consuming. I have opted for light fruit cups in a pinch when it is closer to the evening after dinner and crystal light beverages. I am continuing to take my multivitamin and Appearex Biotin supplement for nails and hair and I do feel an energy surge although I could use more energy so I have a cup of Orange flavor green tea.

I added toning exercises this week such as yoga and belly dancing. The belly dancing is fairly new to me and I really enjoyed it! I think I am going to look into getting a belly dancing costume. Now before you all say she has gone too far, I still have my inner dancer inside from my dance years and still have a few costumes which I passed along to my daughter. By the way, Fit TV has a new program on belly dancing called Shimmy. So last week, I worked out on the treadmill, did a bounce ball workout, yoga and belly dancing. Now it seems that I jump around but this is for sure, I make sure that I keep my heart rate up at least 30 minutes per workout for my cardio and make sure I warm up and take care to do stretches after my toning segments.

My food selection has been on target. I have made cold low carb pastas and arugula salad for the family to snack on. As much as I love pasta, it is hard to find a product that taste good. I find that Dream Fields Pasta has a texture that is close to the original flavor and taste of pasta.

To start the week off, I am cooking a famly meal Zatarain's New Orleans Style Reduced Sodium Red Beans and Rice. The company just released low sodium versions. I am adding light suasages and more celery with cubed apples for a sweeter flavor for the kids. I am making apple cinnamon bread. In my apple cinnamon, bread that I use low fat lactorse free milk and egglands best healthier eagg or an egg substitute. Yesterday, we had skinless chicken cooked in fat free gravy and green beans with rice. For flavor, I added sauteed onions and Mrs. Dash onion and herb seasoning.

Black Pearl Reward of the Week:

I decided not to have a pity part about how I could do better and chose to have more bottles of water and crystal light beverage over that Oh, so good cold grape juice or cocoa cola. I still enjoy it once a week and do not believe in total deprivation.

See you next week and stay mentally, physically and spiritually healthy! Mrs. B

Week 2: April 6 - 12th

Welcome Back Everyone!

I have been feeling pretty well and exercising more. I had been using 5 pound and 8 pound weights particularly on my upper body. I complete about 3 repititions 12 times each for bicep curls, over head lifting and reps for the back of my upper arms.

When you are 45 years old like I am, gravity can take its toll so the toning of the upper arms is important. As I discussed in my beginning week, I am still doing 30 minutes of treadmill 3 times a week. My relaxing fun pick as I call it is my flavor up exercise. Last week, it was the bounce ball workout with the ball stretch and stress relief portion. I will admit that I needed the 8 minutes stres relief portion twice last week!

I ate pretty healthy while watching my portion suze on my plate. Making sure the portions were about the size of the palm of my hand. Now some of you are wondering why I have not given out specific numbers on my weight.

That is on purpose. I want to concentrate on my HABITS first and my EXERCISE heart healthy and low sodium individual plan. No need to add distractions and obstacles at the beginning stages of my positive steps forward. I set a goal to reveal that once I get through the psychological changes and self examination of the first 6 weeks.

I am here to uplift myself, but at the same time give myself a REALITY check. Besides, I have my yearly physical coming up in a few weeks and I will get officially weighed in by the nurse.

By the way maintain your yearly physical exams and don't forget the pap smear and monthyly breast exams.

A note about food: I pre-cooked more this past week. I made cold low carb pasta salads with lots of fresh vegetables. I had my sons mix up several pitchers of Crystal Light and my daughter is always happy to prepare fruit salad. They all are active athletically so they need nutrients of healthy food as well. It is a process, but I take it one day at a time.

Black Pearl Reward of the Week:

My kids are encouraging me to stay away from fast foods even if I pick some of the healthier menu choices. The reward is that I feel better about myself and did not get defensive about taking positive suggestions from my children. You're never too old to learn something. That was a pause moment.

See you next week and stay mentally, physically and spiritually HEALTHY!
Mrs. B.

Mrs. B's Motivational Journey!

Welcome Everyone,

I am glad you are joining the NBCD crew on this 3 month journey! I have been reflecting about what I want to get out of this Weight Loss Challenge. Of course, it is about reducing my pounds but also about find out a little more about myself. How I eat, when I eat, why I eat. Most of the time it can be contributed to the environment or the stressors in my life.

As I get a year older natural changes reshape my body and I cannot always be happy with the changes, but I am very satisfied overall all with who I am because I always believed that when God makes you -- you're alright from day one. Over the past 5 years, I have slowly stabilized my weight but most recently due to a number of busy changes in my life and three active children, I have gained a few more pounds.

So my challenge is two fold. I am setting my goal of losing 20 pounds and further analyzing my eating habits more closely. Not because of what I eat. I eat prettry healthy most of the time but what's happening around me during the time I desire to eat. Just the pause will make a difference. I have noticed my regular exercise routine is not working so I am flavoring it up to keep and adding on extra workout.

So here is my jump start goal:

1. Loose 20 pounds.


2. Flavor up my exercise by adding 2 extra workouts that include a variety such as pilates, belly dancing, African Dance, bounce ball and yoga. My regular routine is the treadmille and aerobic workouts.


3. Modify my food behavior and maintain healthy eating along with vitamin supplements.

Oh yeah, I want to provide my special Black Pearl Reward of the Week:

"I am proud of myself for eating healthy through the first week and when I was tempted, I made better food choices."

See you next week and Stay Mentally, Physically and Spiritually Healthy!

2008 NBCD Weight Loss Challenge - The Beginning

Greetings Everyone,

First, I want to welcome you to the 2nd Annual New Black Cultural Diet Weight Loss Challenge Blog. I want to thank everyone for joining our efforts to help you lose the weight that you want to lose. This blog is here for you to share your thoughts, feelings, and issues regarding the challenges that you experience with your weight.

Our themes for this challenge are:

• Positivity
• Healthier
• Holistic

These themes are consistent with the major components of the New Black Cultural Diet which are:

• Body Image
• Food Selection
• Food Preparation
• Exercise

So join our network of African Americans and those who share similar lifestyles during this 3 month weight loss challenge. We are here for you and let your friends and family members know about our challenge because we are all in this together.