FIXING MYSELF HAPPY

Been away for 6 months from here, pushing myself , to improve the old me. Feels great to be back!  A week ago I met an old friend I haven’t seen for close to 6 years! She looked at me and saw a healthy looking lady and said “I love what am seeing, how did you do it? What’s the secret?” where do I even start? So we both set a date and agreed to do a Saturday morning job at Karura forest as we catch up.

The outdoor run was so much fun and there we were catching up.

                                                              Picture taken in 2013 weighing 107Kgs

After I got devastating news about my health I developed self-hatred about myself. . It was at that moment in my life that I realized I was an emotional eater. Happy, sad, angry or indifferent–no matter how I felt, I turned to food as my comfort. . I had struggled with weight my entire life and tried every diet known to man. The scales would go up and down, up and down until they finally kept going up with no end in sight. Imagine being in denial for the longest time about your chronic illness. Being overweight and hypertensive was a dangerous game to play, and I felt as if I was losing out on life. I was not honoring the body that God had given me. I was abusing it by not taking care of it and I knew I had to do something about it.

Getting Endorphins Flowing 2015

I started my weight-loss and fitness journey in 2013. I weighed 107kgs and wore a size 20. It was my goal to become healthy, fit, and medication-free by 2014. I didn’t know how I was going to achieve my goal in losing weight, but I had to start somewhere I knew with sheer will and determination, I could do this on my own without any extra means. “Fit at 50” is my new Mantra.

Starting off this journey was challenging. I couldn’t find any partner(s) to hold me accountable. I was in it to win it alone through determination and hard work. A year and a half later in my journey I have realized this is how it’s meant to be. I have learned how to balance my meals and use portion control. I have switched out sugar, flour, pasta, rice and bread for whole wheat options. I went out of my way to book an appointment with a nutritionist which has really helped.

My trick always since I started this journey has been not to worry so much about weight, but instead worry about what it feels to be healthy. Am still all about the treadmill, and enjoy running outside as well! The instant I get too comfortable, I increase the incline and speed. It doesn't work for everyone, but you have to challenge yourself. 

Most importantly, I have stepped up my prayer life and pulled away from people who were negative and emotionally draining me. I surround myself with positive affirmations because everyday isn’t going to be a good day but each day is another opportunity to get it right. Life has its way of derailments, but it is up to you to get back on track. I am more sociable, and I have learned how to handle stress better. I am finally getting my life back and going full force with it, no turning back.

As of today, I have accomplished my goal of being healthy! I have lost 32kgs, medication free for a year and a half, and am now a size 16. I have decided to become an avid runner and actively participate in first lady marathon Kenya, an initiative aimed at promoting maternal healthcare. I ran a few 5 to 7KMs daily  just to get my feet wet. 

Many people have asked me how I lost all that weight and what I could do to help them. I started a blog for my personal accountability to myself to remain fit, maintain my weight loss, and to help others who are still in the fight.  You too can live a life that is fit and finally free.

Dear African woman: The growing voice of a woman.

How are you all doing? Thank you all for your responses on my blog. So my regular readers, I started a thankful series in 2013 then I stopped L.  I haven’t put up a post in about a month or so, and I feel so behind. Well, Thankful Post is back! So today, I am bursting forth with gratitude. I am grateful for so many things. There is something about being thankful even in the midst of difficulties and challenges. I think it is an attitude thing that no matter what you are going through you still find something to be thankful about.








Mama Africa

One of them is the power of sisterhood.. Soooo! today marks International Women's Day, a global event where women and men across the world come together to celebrate the successes of other women and advocate for continued opportunities. Women everywhere are on the front line for instilling change through their roles as key influencers in their children's lives, helping to shape the future of both communities and countries as a whole. Who did you celebrate today? your mama, grandma, sister, role model or an Icon?

I celebrated all women, but most importantly, the princess of Africa, Yvonne chakachaka. A woman I have always looked up to since my high school days. and finally! can't wait to meet her on 15th March 2015! Yvonne continues to create time to motivate, inspire and educate people. Her efforts towards raising donor monies from various African governments, the Global Fund, the World Bank and the Gates Foundation ensures that those who need help the most gets it.

Not only is she a mum, but an amazing woman, gentle yet strong, principled, loving, calm , a mentor and an example of what an African woman should be. I love my African Princess and I am grateful for her life.

My desire is to be like her, to live a life of giving, not to measure success by the things people have or compare their lives with others. The late Wangari Maathai, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Our first Lady Margaret Kenyatta, Grace Msalame, Biola Alabi, Julie Gichuru, Martha Karua, Captain Koki Mutungi, Yvonne Khamati, Graca Machel, Winnie Mandela, the list is endless. I celebrate you all today J

So guys, who did you celebrate today? Celebrate your loved ones and thank God for them. Tell them how you care and love them :) Every moment matters…a lot.

Have a lovely Monday,

Better than Ever

I promised I would get back to writing in a few months and update my progress. So, I always tell people that everyone has their own journey and their own story. What motivated me and continues to motivate me may be entirely different from what gets you moving, but essentially that is what makes everyone’s journey so special. It’s a joy documenting my journey and inspiring others. I want to share my journey because I believe every healthy transformation can serve as a true inspirational tool for those individuals that need to make positive changes for their health as well as for those individuals that have already taken the step to improve their health and well-being.





My tread run Summary

                                             

After a series of illnesses, I was fed up with the doctor prescribing high blood pressure medication and I was tired of taking them. I decided to lace up my running shoes and slowly but surely ran my way to a healthier weight. I have since cut down on calories and I exercise 5 times weekly, rewarding myself along the way with a new handbag, shoes or a workout gear for reaching targets, like doing 1 hour run and burning a total of 500 calories for every tread run. I have upped my cardio now to a speed of 9.5, Signed up for the first lady beyond zero campaign, 21 KM run and currently training to prepare for the marathon in March. I also keep a food journal, swapping chips for veggies along the way, and have since dropped 22Kgs in just about a year.


2015 Pic (work in Progress)

What are my gym routines? I spend 75% of my time at Cardio theatre. My routines are treadmill run, spinning, full body toning, cycling, and I have learned how to make healthier choices even at restaurants. I have also Cut out my alcohol intake (sweet wine has always been my weakness but am getting there) ice cream, excess sugar, and eating more fresh veggies. My message to others is, "Yes, you CAN do it! Trust me, we all have good days and bad days. Make the choice to become a better you for yourself and your loved ones. All you have to do is start. Ease yourself into it and don't do anything crazy or drastic. It's all about doing things that are sustainable for the long-term. Don't give up! If I can do it, anyone can. It is all about changing and creating new habits. I feel so much happier and healthier. I am much more active and I participate in events that I didn't think were possible.





Size 20 trouser I used to wear back in the days

                          

A few suggestions and tips I would like to offer to other people who are on this exciting weight loss journey are:

• Drink enough water. If you have a smart phone, download an app called "Water Your Body". It determines how much you need to drink based on your weight.

• Get moving! Any way you can, any time you can.

• Forget about your journey being about "losing weight" and FOCUS on long-term health. I believe this makes it easier to accept fluctuating weight on the scale.

• If you eat too much of something unhealthy then log it, deal with it, and MOVE ON. Decide to get back on track with the NEXT thing you eat and NOT the next day, or the next week.

• Eat fresh fruits and veggies. This will help ensure you get healthy nutrients and fibre your body needs.

• Get enough sleep.

• DON'T QUIT!





After Pic (2015 Work in Progress)



Fear brought me to this point and habit keeps me here. I’m thankful for the wakeup call God gave me before it was too late! The word HYPERTENSIVE is no more in my medical file.