4th Week of NBCD 2009 Weight Loss Challenge

Greetings Everyone,

Talk about a very active week -- we had a number of events with the family and kids. February is African American History month (Black History Month) and of course, I am being asked to participate in a number of events. With all the major events going on, I remind myself to watch what I eat even more.

I had to modify my exercise schedule a bit, but I still got my 3 workouts in the week. Two workouts consisted of the Billy Blanks videos (strength training and aerobic training) along with my Football Fitness workout!! I still managed to maintain the exercise regimen REGARDLESS of all the events!! It really makes me feel good by the end of the week because I still put myself FIRST before my professional obligations!!!

By the way, I lost a couple of more pounds!! I am now 151.8lbs!! That's right, my weight may fluctuate during this period, but it is reducing slowly but steadily!!

KEEPIN' IT REAL AND KEEP ON BELIEVING!!

3rd Week of NBCD 2009 Weight Loss Challenge

Greetings Everyone,

Wow, what a hectic week!! Well, I'm keeping up with my weekly blog even though I'm a couple of days late. The month of January has been a very active month already!!

Even though the weather changes from warm, then cold, then back to warm, I try to stay consistent with my exercise regimen. We even had snow this week!! Check out the photo! In fact, I take advantage of the university recreational facility in which I have a membership. It is an excellent facility with all the latest exercise equipment.

Here is my exercise regimen at the university recreational facility:

• Stretch and warm up


• Lift weights on the new resistant machines


• Do reps of three on each machine


• Reps on the machines include Lats, chest, front legs, back legs, stomach and bicep pulls.


• Then I do free weights - 35lbs on each arm

After I complete my 30 minute weight lifting, I then go to the racket ball courts. I love playing racketball because it's like tennis yet much faster. I go into one of the courts (by myself) and hit the racketball for approximately 15 - 20 minutes. I never know what to predict in my game, but it's fast action and it allows me to keep my agility, reaction time and speed up!! I am still an athlete so I have to be COMPETITIVE!! I EVEN GET TO YELL INSIDE THE RACKETBALL COURT TO LET OUT SOME COMPETITIVE ENERGY!! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Yes, that feels real good!!

After racketball, I then hit the indoor track which goes all around the facility on the second floor. First, I do a brisk walk for the first lap and then I start jogging. I usually job about 4 to 5 laps. By the final lap, I am at 3/4 top speed! Not bad for a 50 year-old!!

Then that's it and it only took less than 60 minutes to complete a workout with a variety of exercise activities. This also keeps my interest up in exercising.

By the end of the week, I returned to my neighborhood outdoor recreational park to do my INTENSE FOOTBALL FITNESS WORKOUT. Check it out and let me know what you think about it.

Remember to do you best and JUST KEEP UP YOUR WORKOUT REGIMEN THROUGHOUT THE WINTER MONTHS THE BEST WAY YOU CAN!!

2nd Week of NBCD 2009 Weight Loss Challenge

Greetings Everyone,

As promised, I am keeping my weekly blog on my 2009 Weight Loss Challenge. In this blog, I will primarily share with you more of the strategies and the difficulties in trying to maintain my healthy regimen. Yes, it's always easy to preach to folks and tell them do this or do that, but it is another thing to reveal more of your personal issues that gets us to struggle with adhering to a healthy regimen.

So here are a few issues that challenged my healthy lifestyle this week:

• Hectic work schedule made me readjust my workouts through the week. This week, I had several meetings at the university so I had to move my workouts to another day (Wednesday instead of Tuesday then Friday instead of Thursday).
• Cold weather outside prevented me from completing my weekly intense Football Fitness workout. Instead of the Football Fitness workout, I stayed inside and completed the Billy Blanks Power Blast workout! No matter how many times I play his DVDs, they still get me going and exercising.
• A few celebrations for the Obama Inauguration influenced me to have a few more snacks this weekend. Although I did eat a few items that were too hearty (big submarine sandwich) I nonetheless snacked primarily on the healthy items - oranges, grapes and cereals.
• Keep reminding myself to be positive about how I look regardless of how I may feel somewhat stuffed after eating a healthy meal. I don't know why, but after I eat a very health-conscious meal I wonder why I feel guilty in eating a well-rounded meal that fills me up. Sometimes I think that I shouldn't feel good and slightly full after eating a healthy meal. Oh well... I figure it out.
• I completed and sent out my special music CD in tribute to President Obama to my relatives!! It was a lot of extra latenight work which modified a bit of my eating pattern.

Well that's it for this week. At the end of the week, I got on the scale and I felt good even though I didn't lose any weight. I am currently at 156 pounds. At least that's what the scale stated this Sunday morning. Peace and STAY WITH YOUR BLOG AND NBCD PLAN!

First Week of 2009 NBCD Weight Loss Challenge

Greetings Everyone,

It's finally 2009 and yes -- all of us made new year resolutions and I'm sure weight loss was probably at the top of your list! It seems like every year so many people place weight loss as their top 5 resolutions. Well, as you can tell on our blog, we do focus on weight loss but it is so much more than just WEIGHT LOSS! It's about getting control of your LIFE STYLE, LOVING YOUR SELF AND TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF for the long-term.

Whether you do it for a loved-one or to fit in a new fashion outfit or for yourself, LOSING WEIGHT IS MORE THAN JUST LOSING THE POUNDS AND INCHES. IT IS ABOUT A LIFE LONG CULTURAL ADJUSTMENT IN YOUR DAILY LIFE'S ACTIVITIES TO BE HEALTH AWARE AND HEALTH CONSCIOUS!!

Now that I'm 50 years old, I realize that I HAVE TO make changes in my eating, exercise, work and overall lifestyle activities. It's a fact. Although I believe that I am a very active and athletic 50 year old man, I still have to make CONSTRUCTIVE HEALTHY CHANGES in my daily, weekly and monthly activities.

If you want to check out my WEEKLY EXERCISE WORK-OUT, click my YOU TUBE VIDEO showing my Football Workout:

• Eric's Football Fitness Exercise Workout

Of course, along with my weekly workout here are few other CULTURAL LIFESTYLE ADJUSTMENTS THAT I MADE IN 2008 AND NOW IN 2009:

• Started an Anti-hypertensive medication to control my slightly elevated blood pressure (I take one pill a day. I didn't think that I would have to be on an anti-hypertensive medication, but it REALLY helps to control my blood pressure. That's a big relief off my mind!)


• Eating more fresh foods, fruits, vegetables and DRINK MORE WATER.


• Workout with Billy Blank tapes throughout the week (twice a week);


• Workout at the university's recreational center (lift weights, jog and play racket ball/basketball).


• Eat more balanced meals in the morning, lunch and EARLY evening.


• Concentrate more on long-term health and not just short term health gain.

JUST LIKE THE PAST TWO YEARS, WE WILL KEEP THIS WEEKLY BLOG FOR YOU TO FOLLOW OUR 2009 NBCD WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE!! If you would like to share how you are making CULTURAL ADJUSTMENTS and CULTURAL HEALTH CHANGES in your lifestyle to not only lose weight but stay in control of your life, email us at: administrator@newblackculturaldiet.com or feedback@newblackculturaldiet.com

PEACE AND LET'S START OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH A NEW CHANGE AND HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE!!

The NBCD Team would also like to CONGRATULATE THE 44TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES - BARACK OBAMA - FOR BEING INAUGURATED ON JANUARY 20TH, 2009!

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