Move Ya Ass, Go Berserk

2019 is almost here and we all know what’s coming next, “New Year, New Me.” Soon the gyms will be packed. We’ll begin to see new dieting fads. Everyone will be on this new wave of trying to become a better them and working towards their summertime bodies. NEWS FLASH: summertime bodies are made in the winter! Or at least that’s what I’ve always been told. Now, I’m not the healthiest person out there and I too have been one of the “New Year, New Me” people that others can’t stand. Now, I try to set mini goals for myself throughout the year. Who says you have to wait until January 1st to start something new?! Somebody cue Keith Sweat. NO-BOODDDDYYYYYYYYYYY! Looking over 2018 I fell off of my own fitness goals. I started out great. Waking every morning at 4 am to go running in my neighborhood followed by a quick workout (I’ll post the workout below) all before waking my two kids up to start our busy day. I used to meal prep, track my water intake and the amount of calories I consumed. I did it all. But then life got hectic and I got comfortable. One day turned into two etc. etc. You get the picture. Needless to say, I miss running. The thought of waking up at 4 am doesn’t seem very enjoyable at the moment. I do miss all the energy I had after my morning runs. I owe it to myself to get back in the groove of things though.

Two years ago I lost a drastic amount of weight due to some health issues and an outrageous amount of stress. Lost nearly thirty pounds. As you can imagine, I wasn’t very happy about this. I began meal prepping and working out to gain back my weight in a healthy way. And for most of this year I did just that until I fell off of my health wagon. Fast forward to now and I’m five pounds shy of my goal weight (woo-hoo)! BUT, I now have a fupa that I wish would go away. Let the health journey begin. It will be a challenge to lose this fupa and maintain my weight gain but I am up for the challenge. Next year I’ll be thirty-one and I refuse to bring in my personal new year having to suck in my stomach and work angles just to avoid my fupa from being seen in pictures.

Poor health has led to many deaths among people, especially black women. We must get in the habit of being more conscious of what we consume and take steps to better treat our bodies. We only get one go at this thing called life. Consider it an act of self-care. Many thing self-care is just going to get a mani/pedi, a massage or doing a facial. Self-care comes in many forms and frequent doctor visits, working out and eating healthier are some of the steps in self-care we can take to preserve our health. If we don’t take care of ourselves, who will? Black women are known for taking care of others. Some would say it’s in our DNA to feel compelled to take care of not only ourselves but our families, friends and even those we barely know. It’s subversive to take care of ourselves. You don’t have to wait until the new year to get a head start on your health. All it takes is one change to get you going. Cut out that morning breakfast run on the way to work. Skip buying lunch and cook yourself something healthy instead. Kept up and walk around a bit even if it’s just for five minutes. Start somewhere. You’ll thank yourself later.

One thing that kept me motivated while running was a little friendly competition. Using the Nike Run Club app I’m able to see where I stand for the day, week, month amongst my friends. Join me so we can hold one another accountable; Pamela Reneé. If you’re like me and you don’t have time in your schedule to make it to the gym, there are plenty of at home workouts you can do. Below is my go to twenty-one day challenge. It’s simple but you can feel the workout afterwards. These workouts require no equipment but if you’d like, you can add light weights.

Days 1-6

Run half a mile (minimum, push for more if you can) Days 1, 3 & 5

• 40 jumping jacks

• 15 reps of doggy style leg lifts (2 sets on each leg) 

• 10 reps of kick squats (2 sets on each leg)

• 15 sumo squats

• 30 standard squats

Day 7

Rest & Regroup your body 

• 40 jumping jacks

• 30 standard squats

Days 8-13

Run half a mile (minimum, push for more if you can) Days 8, 10 & 12

• 60 jumping jacks

• 25 reps of doggy style leg lifts (2 sets on each leg) 

• 20 reps of kick squats (2 sets on each leg)

• 25 sumo squats

• 50 standard squats

Day 14

Rest & regroup your body 

• 60 jumping jacks

• 50 standard squats

Days 15-20

Run a complete mile (minimum, push for more if you can) days 15, 17 & 19

• 100 jumping jacks

• 30 reps of doggy style leg lifts (2 sets on each leg) 

• 30 reps of kick squats (2 sets on each leg)

• 35 sumo squats

• 75 standard squats

Day 21

• 100 jumping jacks

• 100 standard squats (You can split them up 50 in the morning & 50 at night or just knock it all out!)