This essay is contained in my new book. I'm delighted to announce that The Sojourner's Passport site has launched! You can visit it at http://www.sojournerspassport.com/.
Everyone, I can't thank you enough for your ongoing encouragement and support; I truly appreciate it. Your support is what made this possible. And here's a special shout-out to my web designers at Educo Web Design. They're nice people to deal with, and they do outstanding work!
Peace and blessings,
Khadija Nassif
Showing posts with label wildest dreams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wildest dreams. Show all posts
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
The Sojourner's Path: Active Instead of Passive Living
Let's talk some more about personal transformation, and practical steps toward living out our Wildest Dreams. I've been reading a fascinating book titled How I Found Freedom In An Unfree World by a Libertarian ideologue named Harry Browne. The book can be found at http://www.trendsaction.com/
I generally don't care for Libertarian politics or ideology, but after reading several references to the book I decided to check it out for myself. I'm happy I did. The author talks about a lot of things that are easy to forget under the unquestioned routines of everyday life. And that's not even factoring in the learned helplessness that has become a large part of mass African-American, "new-school" culture.
It occurs to me that so many Black women have been indoctrinated into being what has been termed self-sacrificing "gravediggers," that it might be helpful to repeat and discuss some of these ideas here (my comments are in blue). Mr. Browne said:
"I've been told so many times that freedom is just a fantasy, that you can't live that way in the real world, that there are too many daily commitments that have to be met, that in real life things are much too complicated to be able to do what you want and to enjoy yourself.
But who made your life complicated?
You did, of course. It wasn't society, the economic system, the people you consider to be nuisances, your parents, or anyone else.
Every complication in your life today is the result of something you've allowed to happen. You initiated it, or you consented to it, or you've allowed it to continue. You are where you are today because you've chosen to be there. And you can choose not to be there. [Khadija speaking: This idea is often a bitter pill to swallow. It's emotionally so much more comfortable to totally blame others. The problem with blaming others is that it means ceding control over your life's possibilities to these other people!]
You'll have to pay for past mistakes, but no mistake warrants a life sentence. You can telescope those payments into the short term and get rid of them quickly. [There's no need to accept any sort of life sentence. Even those prisoners with life sentences don't accept them. They're busy writing to volunteer groups trying to get their convictions overturned! Why should we be any less resourceful?]
You can get rid of bad relationships, meaningless obligations, negative commitments. You can do anything you want. You're free ---- if only you'll realize it. Only you can choose to make things better for yourself. You can decide to stop 'going along' with things that are handed to you. You can decide to live your life as the free person you are.
Don't tell me that it can't be done. There are too many people who've already done it.
No matter where you are now, you can unravel all the knots that you've woven into your life. [This doesn't mean that it'll be easy; but it can be done.] You can decide to be free. No one else has to be convinced ---- it requires only your decision and action." [Hear, hear!] Amazon Kindle locations 3831-41 through 3841-50 (emphasis added).
Mr. Browne talks about the various measures one can use to assess how you're spending the bulk of your time. One measure is whether your activities are active or passive:
"3. Active-Passive Labels. This approach is similar to the last one. It will help you to see if you're making things happen in your life ---- or if you're just going along with what others want. Label each activity active or passive. The active label applies to anything you have initiated, the things you do because you have decided they should be done. The passive label should be attached to those activities you do because someone else wants you to do them. [Which is the "gravedigger's" self-selected lot in life.]
. . . As you apply these labels to your weekly activities, designate passive those things you do only to preserve a relationship (even if it's a relationship you value) --- such things as conversations that bore you, favors, etc. As you look at the labels, you can see how much of your time is necessary to preserve the relationship ---- and that should tell you if the situation is as compatible as you'd thought it was. [Yes, when looked at this way, it's possible to discover that many situations we involve ourselves in are actually not compatible with our interests, values or aspirations.]
Look for relationships that don't require that you tolerate unpleasant things in order to maintain them. With the right people, you should be spending most (if not all) of your time doing things that please you, that make sense to you ---- the things you want to do. Compromises seem necessary only because of inappropriate situations. If you're involved with the right people, the word 'sacrifice' shouldn't even be in your vocabulary."
[This is somewhat extreme for my tastes. I'm willing to make non-catastrophic (and usually small) sacrifices for those I value. Although, once I consciously thought about it, I realized that I'm willing to do this about 15-17% of the time. To me, having to do stuff that you find unpleasant (but the other person actually likes) 20% or more of the time means that you're not like-minded enough to have a mutually enjoyable friendship, etc. with the person.] Amazon Kindle locations 3761-72 through 3772-81 (emphasis added).
Another thing I've noticed is that so many African-American women are literally afraid to explore activities that genuinely interest them, unless these activities are also popular with the masses of African-Americans. This is a crazy way to live. You miss out on a lot of things like that. You also miss out on meeting other Black folks who happen to share your interests.
[My ex, who is also interested in martial arts, talked about how I was the only Black woman he knew who took martial arts classes. (He's African-American.) I've heard similar comments from others. Which is strange on a practical level---considering how much physical danger African-American women are subjected to on a daily basis in Black residential areas.
Since I brought this up, let me stress the following: One of the first things you notice in martial arts classes with guy partners is just how physically strong guys are. Even the smaller men. So, be advised that Buffy The Vampire Slayer is pure fantasy. Not to mention that many predators work out every day while they are in prison. No normal person who takes time to work for a living can match that prison-level of physical conditioning. Normal people also generally can't match the "I've got nothing to lose" mindset of many ex-cons. Normal people have things that they care about, including their own lives. However, it's still possible for even small women to learn practical skills like how to get out of, and away from, various types of grabs and holds.]
This active-passive test is a good one for taking stock of one's daily life and the people in one's life. It's a good way to see if you're in a state of true fellowship with the people around you. This matters.
In fact, during the emerging Endless Night of Permanent Underclass Status For African-Americans, this will be a matter of life and death for Black women.
WHY THIS WILL SOON BE A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
It's all connected. The extreme isolation of so many Black women's lives is a recurring theme and underlying factor in so many of the problems we collectively face. It's one of the reasons I've been so agitated about Black folks' prospects in the current economic crisis. During the First Great Depression we at least had strong family and community ties for mutual support. With a majority out of wedlock rate, there aren't many strong families. These women and children have NO male protectors and providers. Black residential areas have long since stopped functioning as communities. During this current crisis, many Black women literally have nobody to watch their backs.
This means that when something goes wrong, these women and their children are likely to end up in the condition that Min. Farrakhan has described as "naked, hungry, and out of doors."
Part of the reason for this is because many African-American women are investing the bulk of their energy into non-reciprocal relationships with people who must be appeased with these women's service. If these people only come around or interact with you when they want something, what happens when you have nothing to give? Answer: Silence and apathy while you transition into being "naked, hungry, and out of doors."
This is why it's important to build true, reciprocal fellowships with as many people as possible. The odds of having that sort of relationship are increased if the relationship is built around genuinely shared interests and values. You're more likely to meet people who share your interests and values when you actively pursue your genuine interests. Instead of only participating in activities that are "approved of" by mass, popular Black culture.
For further reading, see True Fellowship, Part 2: Breaking Bread. http://muslimbushido.blogspot.com/2008/10/true-fellowship-part-2-breaking-bread.html
I generally don't care for Libertarian politics or ideology, but after reading several references to the book I decided to check it out for myself. I'm happy I did. The author talks about a lot of things that are easy to forget under the unquestioned routines of everyday life. And that's not even factoring in the learned helplessness that has become a large part of mass African-American, "new-school" culture.
It occurs to me that so many Black women have been indoctrinated into being what has been termed self-sacrificing "gravediggers," that it might be helpful to repeat and discuss some of these ideas here (my comments are in blue). Mr. Browne said:
"I've been told so many times that freedom is just a fantasy, that you can't live that way in the real world, that there are too many daily commitments that have to be met, that in real life things are much too complicated to be able to do what you want and to enjoy yourself.
But who made your life complicated?
You did, of course. It wasn't society, the economic system, the people you consider to be nuisances, your parents, or anyone else.
Every complication in your life today is the result of something you've allowed to happen. You initiated it, or you consented to it, or you've allowed it to continue. You are where you are today because you've chosen to be there. And you can choose not to be there. [Khadija speaking: This idea is often a bitter pill to swallow. It's emotionally so much more comfortable to totally blame others. The problem with blaming others is that it means ceding control over your life's possibilities to these other people!]
You'll have to pay for past mistakes, but no mistake warrants a life sentence. You can telescope those payments into the short term and get rid of them quickly. [There's no need to accept any sort of life sentence. Even those prisoners with life sentences don't accept them. They're busy writing to volunteer groups trying to get their convictions overturned! Why should we be any less resourceful?]
You can get rid of bad relationships, meaningless obligations, negative commitments. You can do anything you want. You're free ---- if only you'll realize it. Only you can choose to make things better for yourself. You can decide to stop 'going along' with things that are handed to you. You can decide to live your life as the free person you are.
Don't tell me that it can't be done. There are too many people who've already done it.
No matter where you are now, you can unravel all the knots that you've woven into your life. [This doesn't mean that it'll be easy; but it can be done.] You can decide to be free. No one else has to be convinced ---- it requires only your decision and action." [Hear, hear!] Amazon Kindle locations 3831-41 through 3841-50 (emphasis added).
Mr. Browne talks about the various measures one can use to assess how you're spending the bulk of your time. One measure is whether your activities are active or passive:
"3. Active-Passive Labels. This approach is similar to the last one. It will help you to see if you're making things happen in your life ---- or if you're just going along with what others want. Label each activity active or passive. The active label applies to anything you have initiated, the things you do because you have decided they should be done. The passive label should be attached to those activities you do because someone else wants you to do them. [Which is the "gravedigger's" self-selected lot in life.]
. . . As you apply these labels to your weekly activities, designate passive those things you do only to preserve a relationship (even if it's a relationship you value) --- such things as conversations that bore you, favors, etc. As you look at the labels, you can see how much of your time is necessary to preserve the relationship ---- and that should tell you if the situation is as compatible as you'd thought it was. [Yes, when looked at this way, it's possible to discover that many situations we involve ourselves in are actually not compatible with our interests, values or aspirations.]
Look for relationships that don't require that you tolerate unpleasant things in order to maintain them. With the right people, you should be spending most (if not all) of your time doing things that please you, that make sense to you ---- the things you want to do. Compromises seem necessary only because of inappropriate situations. If you're involved with the right people, the word 'sacrifice' shouldn't even be in your vocabulary."
[This is somewhat extreme for my tastes. I'm willing to make non-catastrophic (and usually small) sacrifices for those I value. Although, once I consciously thought about it, I realized that I'm willing to do this about 15-17% of the time. To me, having to do stuff that you find unpleasant (but the other person actually likes) 20% or more of the time means that you're not like-minded enough to have a mutually enjoyable friendship, etc. with the person.] Amazon Kindle locations 3761-72 through 3772-81 (emphasis added).
Another thing I've noticed is that so many African-American women are literally afraid to explore activities that genuinely interest them, unless these activities are also popular with the masses of African-Americans. This is a crazy way to live. You miss out on a lot of things like that. You also miss out on meeting other Black folks who happen to share your interests.
[My ex, who is also interested in martial arts, talked about how I was the only Black woman he knew who took martial arts classes. (He's African-American.) I've heard similar comments from others. Which is strange on a practical level---considering how much physical danger African-American women are subjected to on a daily basis in Black residential areas.
Since I brought this up, let me stress the following: One of the first things you notice in martial arts classes with guy partners is just how physically strong guys are. Even the smaller men. So, be advised that Buffy The Vampire Slayer is pure fantasy. Not to mention that many predators work out every day while they are in prison. No normal person who takes time to work for a living can match that prison-level of physical conditioning. Normal people also generally can't match the "I've got nothing to lose" mindset of many ex-cons. Normal people have things that they care about, including their own lives. However, it's still possible for even small women to learn practical skills like how to get out of, and away from, various types of grabs and holds.]
This active-passive test is a good one for taking stock of one's daily life and the people in one's life. It's a good way to see if you're in a state of true fellowship with the people around you. This matters.
In fact, during the emerging Endless Night of Permanent Underclass Status For African-Americans, this will be a matter of life and death for Black women.
WHY THIS WILL SOON BE A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
It's all connected. The extreme isolation of so many Black women's lives is a recurring theme and underlying factor in so many of the problems we collectively face. It's one of the reasons I've been so agitated about Black folks' prospects in the current economic crisis. During the First Great Depression we at least had strong family and community ties for mutual support. With a majority out of wedlock rate, there aren't many strong families. These women and children have NO male protectors and providers. Black residential areas have long since stopped functioning as communities. During this current crisis, many Black women literally have nobody to watch their backs.
This means that when something goes wrong, these women and their children are likely to end up in the condition that Min. Farrakhan has described as "naked, hungry, and out of doors."
Part of the reason for this is because many African-American women are investing the bulk of their energy into non-reciprocal relationships with people who must be appeased with these women's service. If these people only come around or interact with you when they want something, what happens when you have nothing to give? Answer: Silence and apathy while you transition into being "naked, hungry, and out of doors."
This is why it's important to build true, reciprocal fellowships with as many people as possible. The odds of having that sort of relationship are increased if the relationship is built around genuinely shared interests and values. You're more likely to meet people who share your interests and values when you actively pursue your genuine interests. Instead of only participating in activities that are "approved of" by mass, popular Black culture.
For further reading, see True Fellowship, Part 2: Breaking Bread. http://muslimbushido.blogspot.com/2008/10/true-fellowship-part-2-breaking-bread.html
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Wildest Dreams Checklist: Reboot Your Life By Becoming "Unreasonable"
This essay is contained in my new book. I'm delighted to announce that The Sojourner's Passport site has launched! You can visit it at http://www.sojournerspassport.com/.
Everyone, I can't thank you enough for your ongoing encouragement and support; I truly appreciate it. Your support is what made this possible. And here's a special shout-out to my web designers at Educo Web Design. They're nice people to deal with, and they do outstanding work!
Peace and blessings,
Khadija Nassif
Everyone, I can't thank you enough for your ongoing encouragement and support; I truly appreciate it. Your support is what made this possible. And here's a special shout-out to my web designers at Educo Web Design. They're nice people to deal with, and they do outstanding work!
Peace and blessings,
Khadija Nassif
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Wildest Dreams Checklist: Will You Be Ready For Your Breakthrough Moment When It Arrives?
This essay is contained in my new book. I'm delighted to announce that The Sojourner's Passport site has launched! You can visit it at http://www.sojournerspassport.com/.
Everyone, I can't thank you enough for your ongoing encouragement and support; I truly appreciate it. Your support is what made this possible. And here's a special shout-out to my web designers at Educo Web Design. They're nice people to deal with, and they do outstanding work!
Peace and blessings,
Khadija Nassif
Everyone, I can't thank you enough for your ongoing encouragement and support; I truly appreciate it. Your support is what made this possible. And here's a special shout-out to my web designers at Educo Web Design. They're nice people to deal with, and they do outstanding work!
Peace and blessings,
Khadija Nassif
Friday, April 10, 2009
General Wildest Dreams Check-In
I've been continuing my research on different ways that people have leveraged the new media in support of their aspirations. In an earlier post I mentioned how some enterprising authors are growing an audience for their fiction by podcasting, and creating video trailers for, their unpublished novels. As I mentioned, author Scott Sigler has used this method. Another podcasting author named J.C. Hutchins has made even more innovations for promoting his FIRST print book:
"J.C. Hutchins will make his print debut in June 2009 with Personal Effects: Dark Art. Hailed as "the future of storytelling" by CSI creator Anthony E. Zuiker, "compelling" by director Gore Verbinski and "impossible to put down" by Final Destination writer Jeffrey Reddick, this new supernatural thriller series combines the experience of a traditional novel with an Alternate Reality Game." http://jchutchins.net/
"Clues in the novel — and items that come with the novel, such as ID cards and photos — propel readers into an online experience where they become protagonists themselves.
. . . Call the phone numbers: You’ll get a character’s voicemail. Google the characters and institutions in the text: You’ll find real websites. Examine the art and other printed artifacts included inside the cover: If you pay attention, you’ll find more information than the characters themselves discover.
Personal Effects: Dark Art is the ultimate in voyeuristic storytelling, representing a revolutionary step forward in changing the way people interact with novels." http://jchutchins.net/site/personal-effects/
It seems that several of these authors were only able to get agents and their work published AFTER they had built an audience through podcasting their unpublished novels. It's a shrewd strategy.
I've noticed that those who peddle toxic waste among us (such as "ghetto/street literature") are very creative in spreading their poison. Meanwhile, those of us who have better things to offer tend to passively wait for somebody else to make our novel, non-fiction book, film, etc. happen. Those of us who have worthwhile things to offer have to do better than that. We have to be at least as enterprising as the garbage peddlers.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams (of any type, not just fitness/health related) coming along?
"J.C. Hutchins will make his print debut in June 2009 with Personal Effects: Dark Art. Hailed as "the future of storytelling" by CSI creator Anthony E. Zuiker, "compelling" by director Gore Verbinski and "impossible to put down" by Final Destination writer Jeffrey Reddick, this new supernatural thriller series combines the experience of a traditional novel with an Alternate Reality Game." http://jchutchins.net/
"Clues in the novel — and items that come with the novel, such as ID cards and photos — propel readers into an online experience where they become protagonists themselves.
. . . Call the phone numbers: You’ll get a character’s voicemail. Google the characters and institutions in the text: You’ll find real websites. Examine the art and other printed artifacts included inside the cover: If you pay attention, you’ll find more information than the characters themselves discover.
Personal Effects: Dark Art is the ultimate in voyeuristic storytelling, representing a revolutionary step forward in changing the way people interact with novels." http://jchutchins.net/site/personal-effects/
It seems that several of these authors were only able to get agents and their work published AFTER they had built an audience through podcasting their unpublished novels. It's a shrewd strategy.
I've noticed that those who peddle toxic waste among us (such as "ghetto/street literature") are very creative in spreading their poison. Meanwhile, those of us who have better things to offer tend to passively wait for somebody else to make our novel, non-fiction book, film, etc. happen. Those of us who have worthwhile things to offer have to do better than that. We have to be at least as enterprising as the garbage peddlers.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams (of any type, not just fitness/health related) coming along?
Monday, April 6, 2009
Wildest Dreams Checklist: Are You Leveraging The New Media to Make Your Dreams Come True?
I just bought the Amazon Kindle version of Scott Sigler's book, Infected: A Novel. What I find even more exciting is the backstory of how he grew an audience for his fiction by podcasting his novels. Aspiring authors take note:
From Wikipedia:
"EarthCore was originally published in 2001 by iPublish, an AOL/Time Warner imprint. With the novel doing well as a promotional ebook, Time Warner was planning on publishing the novel. With the economic slump following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Time Warner did away with the imprint in 2004, Scott decided to start podcasting his novel in March, 2005 as the world's first podcast-only novel to build hype and garner an audience for his work. Sigler considered it a "no brainer" to offer the book as a free audio download. Having searched for podcast novels and finding none, Sigler decided to be the first. Sigler was able to get EarthCore offered as a paid download on iTunes in 2006.
After EarthCore's success (EarthCore had over 10,000 subscribers), Sigler released Ancestor, Infection, The Rookie, and Nocturnal via podcast. Currently he is producing a weekly podcast with Contagious, his current podcast novel (Podiobook).
Pushing boundaries, Sigler released an Adobe PDF version of Ancestor on Monday 19 March 2007 through Sigler's own podcast as well as others. Ancestor was released on April 1, 2007 to much internet hype and, despite having been released two weeks earlier as a free ebook, reached #7 on Amazon.com's best-seller list and #1 on Sci-Fi, Horror and Genre-Fiction on the day of release.
Sigler is leveraging new media to keep in-touch with his fans, regularly talking with them using social networking sites, via email, and IM.
Scott Sigler was featured in a New York Times article on March 1, 2007 by Andrew Adam Newman which was covering authors using podcasting innovations to garner a broader audience."
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu8svldpJToIBD81XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzNTdwY2JqBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0RGRDVfMTE5/SIG=11t0iu07u/EXP=1239148207/**http%3a//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Sigler
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu9LMldpJkoABQNdXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzNTdwY2JqBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0RGRDVfMTE5/SIG=11bq8spmp/EXP=1239148364/**http%3a//scottsigler.com/
Ladies, these are exciting times for those of us who take FULL advantage of what's available. Fortune favors the bold!
From Wikipedia:
"EarthCore was originally published in 2001 by iPublish, an AOL/Time Warner imprint. With the novel doing well as a promotional ebook, Time Warner was planning on publishing the novel. With the economic slump following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Time Warner did away with the imprint in 2004, Scott decided to start podcasting his novel in March, 2005 as the world's first podcast-only novel to build hype and garner an audience for his work. Sigler considered it a "no brainer" to offer the book as a free audio download. Having searched for podcast novels and finding none, Sigler decided to be the first. Sigler was able to get EarthCore offered as a paid download on iTunes in 2006.
After EarthCore's success (EarthCore had over 10,000 subscribers), Sigler released Ancestor, Infection, The Rookie, and Nocturnal via podcast. Currently he is producing a weekly podcast with Contagious, his current podcast novel (Podiobook).
Pushing boundaries, Sigler released an Adobe PDF version of Ancestor on Monday 19 March 2007 through Sigler's own podcast as well as others. Ancestor was released on April 1, 2007 to much internet hype and, despite having been released two weeks earlier as a free ebook, reached #7 on Amazon.com's best-seller list and #1 on Sci-Fi, Horror and Genre-Fiction on the day of release.
Sigler is leveraging new media to keep in-touch with his fans, regularly talking with them using social networking sites, via email, and IM.
Scott Sigler was featured in a New York Times article on March 1, 2007 by Andrew Adam Newman which was covering authors using podcasting innovations to garner a broader audience."
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu8svldpJToIBD81XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzNTdwY2JqBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0RGRDVfMTE5/SIG=11t0iu07u/EXP=1239148207/**http%3a//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Sigler
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu9LMldpJkoABQNdXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzNTdwY2JqBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0RGRDVfMTE5/SIG=11bq8spmp/EXP=1239148364/**http%3a//scottsigler.com/
Ladies, these are exciting times for those of us who take FULL advantage of what's available. Fortune favors the bold!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Wildest Dreams Check-In, Week 13-Final Power 90/P90X Wrap-Up
Today is Day 88 of the Power 90/P90X program. And this is my final check-in that I devote to talking about workouts.
Gold Star Wrap-Up
I'm looking forward to the short break that I'm going to take from working out after I finish the 90th day. After the break, I plan to do another 90-day training period completely made of up P90X workouts. The plan is to keep going until I get myself totally "tight and right." I'm much closer to where I want to be than when I started, but there's still work to do. Like I've said before, I'm in this for the long haul. I press on!
Looking back, I think the most important thing for me about the past 88 days is that I've broken the back of my previous eating habits. The "thrill is gone" when it comes eating poorly. I'm settling into a regimen of eating raw food before dinner. It's strange. I didn't realize how addicted I am to cooked food before I started doing this. I'm considering doing an all-raw detox at some point.
I've also made progress on some other "wildest dreams" fronts that I haven't been talking about as much. I decided to make a point of sprinkling more vacation days throughout the year to give myself more frequent 3-day weekends. Today is one such vacation day, and it feels good! I'm transitioning to making more of a conscious effort to spend more time on what I want, and much less time on what I don't want. The same with my mental energy.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams (of any type, not just fitness/health related) coming along?
Gold Star Wrap-Up
I'm looking forward to the short break that I'm going to take from working out after I finish the 90th day. After the break, I plan to do another 90-day training period completely made of up P90X workouts. The plan is to keep going until I get myself totally "tight and right." I'm much closer to where I want to be than when I started, but there's still work to do. Like I've said before, I'm in this for the long haul. I press on!
Looking back, I think the most important thing for me about the past 88 days is that I've broken the back of my previous eating habits. The "thrill is gone" when it comes eating poorly. I'm settling into a regimen of eating raw food before dinner. It's strange. I didn't realize how addicted I am to cooked food before I started doing this. I'm considering doing an all-raw detox at some point.
I've also made progress on some other "wildest dreams" fronts that I haven't been talking about as much. I decided to make a point of sprinkling more vacation days throughout the year to give myself more frequent 3-day weekends. Today is one such vacation day, and it feels good! I'm transitioning to making more of a conscious effort to spend more time on what I want, and much less time on what I don't want. The same with my mental energy.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams (of any type, not just fitness/health related) coming along?
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wildest Dreams Check-in, Week 12
Today is Day 81 of the Power 90/P90X program.
Gold Star
I can't believe that I've made it this far (with AWOL days, and other difficulties, of course). I will be greatly relieved to take a short break (probably 2 weeks) from all of this when I finish the 90th day. I plan to do another 90 day training period completely made of up P90X workouts. The plan is to keep going until I get myself totally "tight and right." I'm much closer to where I want to be than when I started, but there's still work to do. Like I said last week, I'm in this for the long haul.
I press on!
The Awful Truth
I blew off two days of training this week. One day out of sheer laziness. And last night, after having dinner with a friend. I very rarely drink, and I really enjoyed knocking back some Margaritas during dinner. So I ended up feeling full, drowsy, and tipsy when I got back home. I called it a night and went to bed.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams (of any type, not just fitness/health related) coming along?
Gold Star
I can't believe that I've made it this far (with AWOL days, and other difficulties, of course). I will be greatly relieved to take a short break (probably 2 weeks) from all of this when I finish the 90th day. I plan to do another 90 day training period completely made of up P90X workouts. The plan is to keep going until I get myself totally "tight and right." I'm much closer to where I want to be than when I started, but there's still work to do. Like I said last week, I'm in this for the long haul.
I press on!
The Awful Truth
I blew off two days of training this week. One day out of sheer laziness. And last night, after having dinner with a friend. I very rarely drink, and I really enjoyed knocking back some Margaritas during dinner. So I ended up feeling full, drowsy, and tipsy when I got back home. I called it a night and went to bed.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams (of any type, not just fitness/health related) coming along?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
"Streams Are the Gathering of Drops:" How Are You Using Your Minutes and Hours?
Time is one of the greatest blessings that God has given to human beings. This is a blessing that most of us waste. I have been guilty of this as well.
In the Quran, God reprimands unbelievers for wasting their lives in a state of disbelief, despite the blessing of longevity that He bestowed upon them:
"And for those who disbelieve, for them is Fire of hell; it is not finished with them so that they should die, nor is chastisement thereof lightened to them. Thus We deal retribution on every ungrateful one.
And therein they cry for succour: Our Lord, take us out! we will do good deeds other than those which we used to do! Did We not give you a life long enough, for him to be mindful who would mind? And there came to you the warner. So taste; because for the iniquitous there is no helper."
Quran: 35:36-37.
What strikes me about this verse isn't so much the chastisement of disbelievers. It's God's disapproval of the wasting of time: "Did We not give you a life long enough . . . ?"
How many people meet death with regrets. "If only I could do it over again . . . If I had just a little bit longer . . ."
How many of us already have regrets over how we've spent large portions of our lives? Which is another form of loss because it poisons the blessings of the present moment that we've been granted.
In another chapter of the Quran, God vows by Time, and warns us that we will be in a state of loss if we don't use it properly:
"By the time!----
Surely man is in loss,
Except those who believe and do good, and exhort one another to Truth, and exhort one another to patience."
Quran: 103:1-3.
From the book, The Value of Time, by Shaykh Abd Al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah:
"There is nothing more true or beautiful than what Imam Bahauddin ibn an-Nahhas al-Halabi (Muhammad ibn Ibrahim), who died in 698 AH, may Allah have mercy on him, wrote, indicating that by doing a little regularly it adds up to an immense and amazingly great amount, as in the case of Abu'l-Wafa ibn Aquil. He wrote in the biography of al-Suyuti in Bughyat al-Wu'at:
'To do a thing today, and the same tomorrow
Gathering is the essence of knowledge
Thus one may achieve wisdom
For streams are but the gathering of drops'"
The Value of Time, pg. 31.
Streams are but the gathering of drops. The minutes and hours that you spend every day doing things that are not moving you toward your wildest dreams will gather into a stream called "years." A polluted stream. One filled with regrets. If you're not careful with how you spend your time, it will result in a lifetime of regrets.
"Did We not give you a life long enough . . . ?"
Truth be told, most African-American women are keeping themselves busy with activities that are NOT moving them closer to achieving their wildest dreams. Most of these activities revolve around doing things for non-reciprocating others.
"Did We not give you a life long enough . . . ?"
God gave us "lives long enough" to move closer to our goals. It's up to us to use these everyday minutes and hours wisely.
It's not enough to divest from people who are not making positive, reciprocal contributions to our lives. This, by itself, won't make our wildest dreams come true. This, by itself, won't be enough to save our own lives.
We must also be wise with how we spend the blessing of time. We must divest from activities that are not moving us toward the abundant lives that are our birthright.
Among other things, I've divested from bringing work home, unless it's an absolute emergency (and I do everything I can to make such emergencies rare).
What are you going to divest from?
In the Quran, God reprimands unbelievers for wasting their lives in a state of disbelief, despite the blessing of longevity that He bestowed upon them:
"And for those who disbelieve, for them is Fire of hell; it is not finished with them so that they should die, nor is chastisement thereof lightened to them. Thus We deal retribution on every ungrateful one.
And therein they cry for succour: Our Lord, take us out! we will do good deeds other than those which we used to do! Did We not give you a life long enough, for him to be mindful who would mind? And there came to you the warner. So taste; because for the iniquitous there is no helper."
Quran: 35:36-37.
What strikes me about this verse isn't so much the chastisement of disbelievers. It's God's disapproval of the wasting of time: "Did We not give you a life long enough . . . ?"
How many people meet death with regrets. "If only I could do it over again . . . If I had just a little bit longer . . ."
How many of us already have regrets over how we've spent large portions of our lives? Which is another form of loss because it poisons the blessings of the present moment that we've been granted.
In another chapter of the Quran, God vows by Time, and warns us that we will be in a state of loss if we don't use it properly:
"By the time!----
Surely man is in loss,
Except those who believe and do good, and exhort one another to Truth, and exhort one another to patience."
Quran: 103:1-3.
From the book, The Value of Time, by Shaykh Abd Al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah:
"There is nothing more true or beautiful than what Imam Bahauddin ibn an-Nahhas al-Halabi (Muhammad ibn Ibrahim), who died in 698 AH, may Allah have mercy on him, wrote, indicating that by doing a little regularly it adds up to an immense and amazingly great amount, as in the case of Abu'l-Wafa ibn Aquil. He wrote in the biography of al-Suyuti in Bughyat al-Wu'at:
'To do a thing today, and the same tomorrow
Gathering is the essence of knowledge
Thus one may achieve wisdom
For streams are but the gathering of drops'"
The Value of Time, pg. 31.
Streams are but the gathering of drops. The minutes and hours that you spend every day doing things that are not moving you toward your wildest dreams will gather into a stream called "years." A polluted stream. One filled with regrets. If you're not careful with how you spend your time, it will result in a lifetime of regrets.
"Did We not give you a life long enough . . . ?"
Truth be told, most African-American women are keeping themselves busy with activities that are NOT moving them closer to achieving their wildest dreams. Most of these activities revolve around doing things for non-reciprocating others.
"Did We not give you a life long enough . . . ?"
God gave us "lives long enough" to move closer to our goals. It's up to us to use these everyday minutes and hours wisely.
It's not enough to divest from people who are not making positive, reciprocal contributions to our lives. This, by itself, won't make our wildest dreams come true. This, by itself, won't be enough to save our own lives.
We must also be wise with how we spend the blessing of time. We must divest from activities that are not moving us toward the abundant lives that are our birthright.
Among other things, I've divested from bringing work home, unless it's an absolute emergency (and I do everything I can to make such emergencies rare).
What are you going to divest from?
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Wildest Dreams Check-In, Week 11
Today is Day 75 of the Power 90/P90X program.
Gold Star
With frequent use of the pause button, I was able to make it through the Plyometrics workout!
Including the jump knee tuck: "Keep upper body relatively calm while jumping up and pulling your knees in towards your chest repeatedly. Use your hands as targets for your knees. Modify by lowering your hands, which decreases jump height. To intensify, raise hands to increase jump height and pick up speed."
I'm happy that there's really no "Awful Truth" to report this week.
I've sort of settled into a hopefully long-term, sustainable pattern of eating mostly raw food before dinner. Since I'm no longer following the regimented diet plan, it's somewhat slowing down my short-term weight-loss progress. However, I feel that what I'm doing represents great progress for the long term. I feel content (not agitated, angry, or resigned---*Smile*) about continuing to train and eat much better (than I was before) after I've finished the first 90-days. [After taking a small break, I'm going to continue the P90x training after Day 90.]
I no longer perceive this as a "quick fix" situation. I'm in this for the long haul.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams (of any type, not just fitness/health related) coming along?
Gold Star
With frequent use of the pause button, I was able to make it through the Plyometrics workout!
Including the jump knee tuck: "Keep upper body relatively calm while jumping up and pulling your knees in towards your chest repeatedly. Use your hands as targets for your knees. Modify by lowering your hands, which decreases jump height. To intensify, raise hands to increase jump height and pick up speed."
I'm happy that there's really no "Awful Truth" to report this week.
I've sort of settled into a hopefully long-term, sustainable pattern of eating mostly raw food before dinner. Since I'm no longer following the regimented diet plan, it's somewhat slowing down my short-term weight-loss progress. However, I feel that what I'm doing represents great progress for the long term. I feel content (not agitated, angry, or resigned---*Smile*) about continuing to train and eat much better (than I was before) after I've finished the first 90-days. [After taking a small break, I'm going to continue the P90x training after Day 90.]
I no longer perceive this as a "quick fix" situation. I'm in this for the long haul.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams (of any type, not just fitness/health related) coming along?
Friday, March 13, 2009
Wildest Dreams Check-In, Week 10
Today is Day 67 of the Power 90/P90X program.
Gold Star
Last week I figured that it would be a good idea to not wait until the last minute to order the P90X program. So I placed my order, and it arrived earlier this week. The original plan was to finish the introductory Power 90 program, and then start the more advanced P90X program.
What I forgot was that I often turn into a "blind ambition" sort of of person. I forgot that there was no way that I would have the P90X dvds, and not at least experiment with doing the workouts.
After the last two days of experimentation, I've decided to switch over and start doing the more advanced P90X workouts. P90X is serious. Both in terms of the exercises themselves, and the time commitment. Most of these workouts are about an HOUR long.
Today, I made it through the Legs and Back workout, which is 58 minutes of alternating squats, lunges, and pull-ups. [In my case, pull-up variations using resistance bands; maybe I'll invest in a chin-up bar. Time will tell.] It was hard and I struggled, but I made it through.
The Awful Truth
I hated the relatively brief yoga portion of the Power 90 program. The Yoga X workout in the P90X program lasts for 92 minutes. NO. There's no way that I'm going to do 1.5 hours of yoga. I abruptly walked away from the Yoga X workout yesterday after about 20 minutes. I've decided that I'll do the Cardio X program instead on the Yoga X days.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams (of any type, not just fitness/health related) coming along?
Gold Star
Last week I figured that it would be a good idea to not wait until the last minute to order the P90X program. So I placed my order, and it arrived earlier this week. The original plan was to finish the introductory Power 90 program, and then start the more advanced P90X program.
What I forgot was that I often turn into a "blind ambition" sort of of person. I forgot that there was no way that I would have the P90X dvds, and not at least experiment with doing the workouts.
After the last two days of experimentation, I've decided to switch over and start doing the more advanced P90X workouts. P90X is serious. Both in terms of the exercises themselves, and the time commitment. Most of these workouts are about an HOUR long.
Today, I made it through the Legs and Back workout, which is 58 minutes of alternating squats, lunges, and pull-ups. [In my case, pull-up variations using resistance bands; maybe I'll invest in a chin-up bar. Time will tell.] It was hard and I struggled, but I made it through.
The Awful Truth
I hated the relatively brief yoga portion of the Power 90 program. The Yoga X workout in the P90X program lasts for 92 minutes. NO. There's no way that I'm going to do 1.5 hours of yoga. I abruptly walked away from the Yoga X workout yesterday after about 20 minutes. I've decided that I'll do the Cardio X program instead on the Yoga X days.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams (of any type, not just fitness/health related) coming along?
Friday, March 6, 2009
Wildest Dreams Check-In, Week 9
Today is Day 60 of the Power 90 program.
It's a Wash: This Week's Awful Truth and Gold Star Cancel Each Other Out
One the one hand, I'm in much better spirits than I was last week about this whole transition. This is thanks to a comment from a reader named Ana (who pointed out that last week's bit of semi-craziness was simply part of "the necessary birth pangs unto becoming a new, healthier person."). ¡Muchas Gracias, Ana!
On the other hand, I've missed a couple of days of working out this week due to illness. [The cold that I've been ducking and dodging since last week finally caught up with me. Although, I avoided getting a sore throat due to timely intervention with zinc lozenges.]
I soldier on.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams (of any type, not just fitness/health related) coming along?
It's a Wash: This Week's Awful Truth and Gold Star Cancel Each Other Out
One the one hand, I'm in much better spirits than I was last week about this whole transition. This is thanks to a comment from a reader named Ana (who pointed out that last week's bit of semi-craziness was simply part of "the necessary birth pangs unto becoming a new, healthier person."). ¡Muchas Gracias, Ana!
On the other hand, I've missed a couple of days of working out this week due to illness. [The cold that I've been ducking and dodging since last week finally caught up with me. Although, I avoided getting a sore throat due to timely intervention with zinc lozenges.]
I soldier on.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams (of any type, not just fitness/health related) coming along?
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wildest Dreams Check-In, Week 8
Today is Day 53 of the Power 90 program.
Gold Stars
No gold stars. It's been a lousy week all around. I've been stressed at work; and mentally exhausted when away from work. I took zinc lozenges and narrowly avoided catching a sore throat earlier this week.
The Awful Truth
Number of Days AWOL From the Nutrition Plan: 4. There was no pleasure in the rebellion against the nutrition plan. Just the nagging anxiety that my previous way of careless, carefree eating has been permanently "ruined." Ruined without a joyful replacement. This sensation is not the same thing as having developed positive "new habits." Which is how my friends have interpreted this situation.
I can tell that there's really no going back to my previous dietary habits. I've been surprised at how ambivalent (and sometimes resentful) I feel about that. I don't feel guilty when I go AWOL from the nutrition plan; just irritated that there's no joy in it.
I've been shocked at the emotions that are being dredged up by this transition. Offhand, I don't recall hearing or reading any accounts that mentioned this particular sensation. Hmmph.
Number of Days AWOL from the Workouts: 0.5. On Day 51, I abruptly stopped halfway through a workout and walked away.
I've been back on track for the last two days; but still feeling strange about all of this.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams (of any type, not just fitness/health related) coming along?
Gold Stars
No gold stars. It's been a lousy week all around. I've been stressed at work; and mentally exhausted when away from work. I took zinc lozenges and narrowly avoided catching a sore throat earlier this week.
The Awful Truth
Number of Days AWOL From the Nutrition Plan: 4. There was no pleasure in the rebellion against the nutrition plan. Just the nagging anxiety that my previous way of careless, carefree eating has been permanently "ruined." Ruined without a joyful replacement. This sensation is not the same thing as having developed positive "new habits." Which is how my friends have interpreted this situation.
I can tell that there's really no going back to my previous dietary habits. I've been surprised at how ambivalent (and sometimes resentful) I feel about that. I don't feel guilty when I go AWOL from the nutrition plan; just irritated that there's no joy in it.
I've been shocked at the emotions that are being dredged up by this transition. Offhand, I don't recall hearing or reading any accounts that mentioned this particular sensation. Hmmph.
Number of Days AWOL from the Workouts: 0.5. On Day 51, I abruptly stopped halfway through a workout and walked away.
I've been back on track for the last two days; but still feeling strange about all of this.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams (of any type, not just fitness/health related) coming along?
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Wildest Dreams Check-In, Week 7
Today is Day 47 of the Power 90 program. My goodness, I'm halfway through this first phase of getting my college body back! [I'm going to start the P90x program after I finish this one. P90x is all about extreme---and I do mean EXTREME---levels of fitness. I'm not ready for that. Yet.]
Gold Stars
I'm slightly less tired, slightly less sore, and somewhat less irritable than I was feeling last week. LOL!
I've also (unhappily) moved on to doing the more advanced Phase 3-4 workouts. They have more difficult versions of several exercises. For example, the Phase 1-2 weight training workout has you doing standard push ups. Phase 3-4 calls for decline push ups.This is a more difficult push up, performed with the feet raised up on a box or bench.
The Awful Truth
I cheated a couple of days this week, and did the Phase 1-2 workouts. I can't justify this at all because they now feel noticeably easier.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams (of any type, not just fitness/health related) coming along?
Gold Stars
I'm slightly less tired, slightly less sore, and somewhat less irritable than I was feeling last week. LOL!
I've also (unhappily) moved on to doing the more advanced Phase 3-4 workouts. They have more difficult versions of several exercises. For example, the Phase 1-2 weight training workout has you doing standard push ups. Phase 3-4 calls for decline push ups.This is a more difficult push up, performed with the feet raised up on a box or bench.
The Awful Truth
I cheated a couple of days this week, and did the Phase 1-2 workouts. I can't justify this at all because they now feel noticeably easier.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams (of any type, not just fitness/health related) coming along?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wildest Dreams Check-In, Week 6
Today is Day 38 of the Power 90 Program.
The Awful Truth
I'm tired. Especially when I end up working out after some very long days at work. I'm sore. From doing the maximum number of suggested reps, and the advanced cardio workouts. I'm irritable. About feeling deprived because of the nutrition plan.
I've had a couple of (not very satisfying) days of rebellion against the nutrition plan. I've been not-so-secretly pleased about the recent lack of fresh Brussels sprouts in the nearby grocery stores. This has provided a semi-legitimate excuse to not have my daily anti-cancer juice. The fresh Brussels sprouts were back when I went shopping today. So, I'm back on the juice. {sigh}
Gold Stars
I soldier on with the workouts. I have a huge stock of anti-cancer sencha green tea that I faithfully drink everyday. [There's no plausible excuse for not drinking it.]
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams (of any type, not just fitness/health related) coming along?
The Awful Truth
I'm tired. Especially when I end up working out after some very long days at work. I'm sore. From doing the maximum number of suggested reps, and the advanced cardio workouts. I'm irritable. About feeling deprived because of the nutrition plan.
I've had a couple of (not very satisfying) days of rebellion against the nutrition plan. I've been not-so-secretly pleased about the recent lack of fresh Brussels sprouts in the nearby grocery stores. This has provided a semi-legitimate excuse to not have my daily anti-cancer juice. The fresh Brussels sprouts were back when I went shopping today. So, I'm back on the juice. {sigh}
Gold Stars
I soldier on with the workouts. I have a huge stock of anti-cancer sencha green tea that I faithfully drink everyday. [There's no plausible excuse for not drinking it.]
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams (of any type, not just fitness/health related) coming along?
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wildest Dreams Check-In, Week 5
Today is Day 31 of the Power 90 program. I'm into the 2nd month of the program now. I'm on my way!
Mike French's Essay about What to Expect with P90x
I've seen an essay by a P90x-er named Mike French posted and re-posted on several blogs about P90x. The essay is titled "What to Expect with P90x." What Mr. French says pretty much tracks with what my personal trainer told me years ago; as well as my previous fitness results with the personal trainer. Here's a link: http://malibubu.com/fit/blog1.php/2008/10/07/what-to-expect-with-p90x
Here are a few pertinent quotes from his essay [my comments are in blue]:
"DAY 1-30 (PHASE 1 -APPROXIMATELY) . . . Your body will take body fat off in 'sheets.' What I mean is that it will reduce your overall body fat evenly. Where we hold the largest amount of body fat largely depends on genetics and gender. Women tend to hold their body fat in their butt, leg, hip region. Men generally hold their body fat in their waistlines. This is what to watch for in this Phase: loosening of your clothes, stay off the scale and above all, remain patient and continue to work hard."
[Yep. This is why it's a good idea to track your progress with tape measurements (especially in the beginning. Also keep in mind that there is NO "spot reduction" of fat! Ever! Let go of that notion.]
. . . "DAYS 31-60 (PHASE 2 -APPROXIMATELY) . . . Expect dramatic results during this Phase as long as you remain disciplined and suffer daily. . . . Where you hold the most fat will improve but not to your impatient satisfaction. Why? Because as your body removes the fat in "sheets" naturally the leaner sections of your body will show definition the quickest."
[Yep. During my experience with the trainer, this was the point at which people started asking me what I was doing that had caused the noticeable weight loss and toning.]
. . . "DAYS 61-90 (PHASE 3 -APPROXIMATELY) This is the Phase to let it all hang out. It's an all out assault on body fat. . . . This is the time to do some extra workout sessions. Walk after dinner, take an extra bike ride. Skip rope, box, and do something extra to burn more calories and more fat."
[I would worry about overtraining with all of that. It makes more sense to me to do no more than 3 extra sessions per week.]
Gold Stars
Since this is the beginning of Phase 2, I decided that I need to tighten up my nutrition situation. Praise God, I've met my goals with Phase 1: My clothes are baggier and my measurements are smaller. But since I'm serious about wanting to see drastic changes during this phase, I need to make some dietary adjustments. So, I've eliminated processed foods (including my beloved bread), except for my once a week "cheat" meal. {very long sigh, but it's worth it}
The Awful Truth
Since I've started doing the maximum number of suggested reps with the weight training program, and mixing in the advanced cardio workout, I'm sore again. (Like I was at the very beginning.) {sigh}
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams coming along?
Mike French's Essay about What to Expect with P90x
I've seen an essay by a P90x-er named Mike French posted and re-posted on several blogs about P90x. The essay is titled "What to Expect with P90x." What Mr. French says pretty much tracks with what my personal trainer told me years ago; as well as my previous fitness results with the personal trainer. Here's a link: http://malibubu.com/fit/blog1.php/2008/10/07/what-to-expect-with-p90x
Here are a few pertinent quotes from his essay [my comments are in blue]:
"DAY 1-30 (PHASE 1 -APPROXIMATELY) . . . Your body will take body fat off in 'sheets.' What I mean is that it will reduce your overall body fat evenly. Where we hold the largest amount of body fat largely depends on genetics and gender. Women tend to hold their body fat in their butt, leg, hip region. Men generally hold their body fat in their waistlines. This is what to watch for in this Phase: loosening of your clothes, stay off the scale and above all, remain patient and continue to work hard."
[Yep. This is why it's a good idea to track your progress with tape measurements (especially in the beginning. Also keep in mind that there is NO "spot reduction" of fat! Ever! Let go of that notion.]
. . . "DAYS 31-60 (PHASE 2 -APPROXIMATELY) . . . Expect dramatic results during this Phase as long as you remain disciplined and suffer daily. . . . Where you hold the most fat will improve but not to your impatient satisfaction. Why? Because as your body removes the fat in "sheets" naturally the leaner sections of your body will show definition the quickest."
[Yep. During my experience with the trainer, this was the point at which people started asking me what I was doing that had caused the noticeable weight loss and toning.]
. . . "DAYS 61-90 (PHASE 3 -APPROXIMATELY) This is the Phase to let it all hang out. It's an all out assault on body fat. . . . This is the time to do some extra workout sessions. Walk after dinner, take an extra bike ride. Skip rope, box, and do something extra to burn more calories and more fat."
[I would worry about overtraining with all of that. It makes more sense to me to do no more than 3 extra sessions per week.]
Gold Stars
Since this is the beginning of Phase 2, I decided that I need to tighten up my nutrition situation. Praise God, I've met my goals with Phase 1: My clothes are baggier and my measurements are smaller. But since I'm serious about wanting to see drastic changes during this phase, I need to make some dietary adjustments. So, I've eliminated processed foods (including my beloved bread), except for my once a week "cheat" meal. {very long sigh, but it's worth it}
The Awful Truth
Since I've started doing the maximum number of suggested reps with the weight training program, and mixing in the advanced cardio workout, I'm sore again. (Like I was at the very beginning.) {sigh}
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams coming along?
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wildest Dreams Check-In, Week 4
Today is Day 25 of the Power 90 program.
It's a Wash: This Week's Awful Truth and Gold Star Cancel Each Other Out
One the one hand, I've started mixing in the advanced cardio workout (Phase 3-4). On the other hand, I blew off the Ab Ripper portion of the cardio workout yesterday (Day 24). I've been about 90-95% compliant with the diet plan.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams coming along?
It's a Wash: This Week's Awful Truth and Gold Star Cancel Each Other Out
One the one hand, I've started mixing in the advanced cardio workout (Phase 3-4). On the other hand, I blew off the Ab Ripper portion of the cardio workout yesterday (Day 24). I've been about 90-95% compliant with the diet plan.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams coming along?
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Wildest Dreams Check-In, Week 3
Today is Day 19 of the Power 90 program.
The Awful Truth
Day 13: I had a 1-day Rage Against the Diet Plan Rebellion. Including NO anti-cancer juicing with Brussels sprouts. And NO anti-cancer cup of sencha green tea. What was truly upsetting is that the junk food I ate didn't even taste right anymore!!! Including my beloved, deep-fried seafood from Long John Silver's. {throwing my arms up in the air in disgust}
This "not tasting right" is what happens when you indulge in grease, sugar, and processed "foods" after you've stepped away from it for any amount of time. Feh!
Oh well, I got back in the dietary saddle the next day.
Gold Stars
I've been faithfully doing the workouts. I don't mind the repetition of the weight training workout, but it does bother me with the cardio portion. So, every once in a while I'll substitute Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred workout for the cardio portion. Her workout is also hard, and there are NO breaks! [Thanks for the video recommendation, Kia!]
Things The Personal Trainer Told Me Years Ago
Don't live or die by the scale. Especially during the first 45 days of any program. Body composition is as important as pounds. Muscle mass weighs more than fat. You can lose fat and gain muscle mass, which can cause the numbers on the scale to stop moving. This is why it's so important to take tape measurements of yourself at the beginning. Measure your progress during the first 45 days by [fractional] inches lost, and how your clothes are fitting you. NOT by pounds.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams coming along?
The Awful Truth
Day 13: I had a 1-day Rage Against the Diet Plan Rebellion. Including NO anti-cancer juicing with Brussels sprouts. And NO anti-cancer cup of sencha green tea. What was truly upsetting is that the junk food I ate didn't even taste right anymore!!! Including my beloved, deep-fried seafood from Long John Silver's. {throwing my arms up in the air in disgust}
This "not tasting right" is what happens when you indulge in grease, sugar, and processed "foods" after you've stepped away from it for any amount of time. Feh!
Oh well, I got back in the dietary saddle the next day.
Gold Stars
I've been faithfully doing the workouts. I don't mind the repetition of the weight training workout, but it does bother me with the cardio portion. So, every once in a while I'll substitute Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred workout for the cardio portion. Her workout is also hard, and there are NO breaks! [Thanks for the video recommendation, Kia!]
Things The Personal Trainer Told Me Years Ago
Don't live or die by the scale. Especially during the first 45 days of any program. Body composition is as important as pounds. Muscle mass weighs more than fat. You can lose fat and gain muscle mass, which can cause the numbers on the scale to stop moving. This is why it's so important to take tape measurements of yourself at the beginning. Measure your progress during the first 45 days by [fractional] inches lost, and how your clothes are fitting you. NOT by pounds.
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams coming along?
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Wildest Dreams Checklist: Start Asking Yourself EMPOWERING Questions
As you have probably noticed, I'm an avid book reader. Last year I bought an Amazon Kindle electronic reading device, and I enjoy this gadget as much as I enjoy my iPod. For me, it's great because it can store many, many books without creating clutter in my house.
Anyway, here are some quotes that I'd like you to consider from The Top 10 Distinctions Between Millionaires and the Middle Class by Keith Cameron Smith:
"Distinction 1. Millionaires ask themselves empowering questions. Middle-class people ask themselves disempowering questions.
. . . This distinction reflects a universal principle that is summed up in the ancient scripture 'Ask and you will receive.' You will receive answers for whatever questions you ask, so you better ask empowering questions. The bigger your questions the better. Learn to ask yourself questions that stretch you beyond your current levels of experience. Questions hold the answers that you need to succeed." Amazon Kindle Locations 787-97 [emphasis added]
I thought of this because of a recent post by Gina, blog host of What About Our Daughters. Gina asked her audience to consider the question "If you could make the movie of your dreams about Black women, what would it be about?" Well, there was one commenter from the film industry who was focused on "proving" to the audience that the movies we want to see CAN'T get made. This commenter seemed angry and offended that people were daring to come up with possibilities such as viral YouTube marketing campaigns, etc.!
Too many Black women have this sort of attitude. If we want abundant lives, we need to break free of that sort of thinking. One way is to train our minds to ask ourselves empowering questions. In his book, Mr. Smith gives some examples of empowering questions:
"Which question is more empowering, 'How can I double my income this year?' or 'How can I get enough money to pay the bills this month?'
Do you see the difference? It takes the same amount of mental energy to think about answering the big question as it does the small question. Think about questions that expand your mind, because you will receive answers for any questions you ask.
Let's look at a few more examples. 'How can I make $1 million a year doing what I love?' or 'How can I get my boss to give me a raise?'
'What is life trying to teach me right now?' or 'Why do bad things always happen to me?' . . . 'What would I enjoy doing to stay strong and healthy?' or 'Why is it so hard to lose weight?'" Amazon Kindle Locations 797-807 through 807-18. [emphasis added]
Keep in mind that:
"Empowering questions ask what you CAN do and disempowering questions ask what you CAN'T do.
Disempowering questions also ask why things are hard.
Empowering questions make you feel good.
Disempowering questions make you feel bad. You can control the way you feel by asking yourself empowering questions." Amazon Kindle Locations 807-18. [emphasis added]
I've decided to make the Wildest Dreams Checklist a semi-regular blog feature. Please consider this feature part of your personal think tank. This checklist is here to brainstorm ideas in support of your wildest dreams!
What are some practical, (NOT metaphysical) empowering questions that you can start asking yourself RIGHT NOW?
Anyway, here are some quotes that I'd like you to consider from The Top 10 Distinctions Between Millionaires and the Middle Class by Keith Cameron Smith:
"Distinction 1. Millionaires ask themselves empowering questions. Middle-class people ask themselves disempowering questions.
. . . This distinction reflects a universal principle that is summed up in the ancient scripture 'Ask and you will receive.' You will receive answers for whatever questions you ask, so you better ask empowering questions. The bigger your questions the better. Learn to ask yourself questions that stretch you beyond your current levels of experience. Questions hold the answers that you need to succeed." Amazon Kindle Locations 787-97 [emphasis added]
I thought of this because of a recent post by Gina, blog host of What About Our Daughters. Gina asked her audience to consider the question "If you could make the movie of your dreams about Black women, what would it be about?" Well, there was one commenter from the film industry who was focused on "proving" to the audience that the movies we want to see CAN'T get made. This commenter seemed angry and offended that people were daring to come up with possibilities such as viral YouTube marketing campaigns, etc.!
Too many Black women have this sort of attitude. If we want abundant lives, we need to break free of that sort of thinking. One way is to train our minds to ask ourselves empowering questions. In his book, Mr. Smith gives some examples of empowering questions:
"Which question is more empowering, 'How can I double my income this year?' or 'How can I get enough money to pay the bills this month?'
Do you see the difference? It takes the same amount of mental energy to think about answering the big question as it does the small question. Think about questions that expand your mind, because you will receive answers for any questions you ask.
Let's look at a few more examples. 'How can I make $1 million a year doing what I love?' or 'How can I get my boss to give me a raise?'
'What is life trying to teach me right now?' or 'Why do bad things always happen to me?' . . . 'What would I enjoy doing to stay strong and healthy?' or 'Why is it so hard to lose weight?'" Amazon Kindle Locations 797-807 through 807-18. [emphasis added]
Keep in mind that:
"Empowering questions ask what you CAN do and disempowering questions ask what you CAN'T do.
Disempowering questions also ask why things are hard.
Empowering questions make you feel good.
Disempowering questions make you feel bad. You can control the way you feel by asking yourself empowering questions." Amazon Kindle Locations 807-18. [emphasis added]
I've decided to make the Wildest Dreams Checklist a semi-regular blog feature. Please consider this feature part of your personal think tank. This checklist is here to brainstorm ideas in support of your wildest dreams!
What are some practical, (NOT metaphysical) empowering questions that you can start asking yourself RIGHT NOW?
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Beverly is Living Out Her Wildest Dreams in Paris. What Are YOU Waiting For?
This post is dedicated in deep admiration for a blog reader and commenter named Beverly. Beverly is the blog host of My Crazy Cool Life. http://mycrazycoollife.blogspot.com/. I strongly urge everyone to check out her blog. You might learn something that could enrich your life!
Beverly doesn't know this, but she has become a source of inspiration and encouragement for me. [Especially on days like today when I've been wondering, "How much longer until I can ditch this job?" I'm working on several wildest dreams. Sometimes, I get impatient.]
Her blog is also a source of information! I just bought the book The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss because she referred to it on her blog. [Mr. Ferriss also has a very interesting and informative blog.] Who knows? I might decide to relocate somewhere else, too. [And not necessarily because I'm afraid of what may happen to Muslims in this country. As I've said before, I'm not going out like the Japanese-Americans during WWII.]
I smile every time I think about how this sister has gone from her self-description of being indoctrinated into what Rev. Lisa has called a "gravedigger" mindset, to living her dreams in Paris.
I salute her accomplishments. I salute her success as a dark-skinned Black woman who "got her crown back"! I also salute her candor and generosity in sharing the steps she took in a recent comment she made over at Rev. Lisa's blog, Black Women, Blow The Trumpet! She described how she:
Expanded her social network by building platonic relationships with non-Black men and non-Black women.
As this alternative social network grew (which also began to include romantic relationships), she began removing toxic Black folks from her life. [In particular, she started "divesting" from interacting with toxic Black men.]
Then she relocated to France.
Beverly's experiences (which she talks about on her blog) are living proof that it IS possible to start living one's wildest dreams. What are YOU waiting for?
Beverly doesn't know this, but she has become a source of inspiration and encouragement for me. [Especially on days like today when I've been wondering, "How much longer until I can ditch this job?" I'm working on several wildest dreams. Sometimes, I get impatient.]
Her blog is also a source of information! I just bought the book The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss because she referred to it on her blog. [Mr. Ferriss also has a very interesting and informative blog.] Who knows? I might decide to relocate somewhere else, too. [And not necessarily because I'm afraid of what may happen to Muslims in this country. As I've said before, I'm not going out like the Japanese-Americans during WWII.]
I smile every time I think about how this sister has gone from her self-description of being indoctrinated into what Rev. Lisa has called a "gravedigger" mindset, to living her dreams in Paris.
I salute her accomplishments. I salute her success as a dark-skinned Black woman who "got her crown back"! I also salute her candor and generosity in sharing the steps she took in a recent comment she made over at Rev. Lisa's blog, Black Women, Blow The Trumpet! She described how she:
Expanded her social network by building platonic relationships with non-Black men and non-Black women.
As this alternative social network grew (which also began to include romantic relationships), she began removing toxic Black folks from her life. [In particular, she started "divesting" from interacting with toxic Black men.]
Then she relocated to France.
Beverly's experiences (which she talks about on her blog) are living proof that it IS possible to start living one's wildest dreams. What are YOU waiting for?
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