Breaking Old Habits - 21 Day Plan

Well I started out the day with breakfast that consisted of the usual bad stuff: pancakes, sausage, eggs.  I admit, not a good way to start.  I can go into the fact that I have a dorm-size refrigerator with limited storage...but I also have fruit in my basket.  No excuse. 

They say if you do anything for 21 days, you create a habit. I created a plan that I will start on January 3. By January 24, I should be "in the habit", have lost 6 pounds and well on my way to Plan #2.

So here's Plan #1:

Food Intake:

• eat 6 mini-meals a day, based on food combining for optimal digestion
• drink 8 8-oz of water

Supplements

• drink LeVive 3 times a day
• take cod liver oil, aloe bitters 2 times a day
• wear Body Magic, Corsette or Ab Tee 5 days a week

Fitness:

• Cardio exercise at least 30 minutes per day
• Weight training based on the trainer's specifications (to be determined on Jan 3)

Support/Motivation

• post to Magic in Motion
• Read Sparkpeople emails
• check in on various blogs

Weigh in and measure on January 8, 15 and 21

The Countdown Begins!

After posting my last entry yesterday, I ran out to purchase some fruit and juices from MOMS Organic Foods and a scale.  I also stopped by Gold's Gym to get a membership quote for 3 months, since I will be moving back home in early Spring. 

Upon my return to my temporary abode, I hopped on the scale and almost screamed when I saw my weight:  183 pounds!  According to the chart that came with the scale, my weight on a 5'4" (and 3/4) frame is considered "obese".  Say what?????

With iPhone in hand, I went to the bathroom to take pictures of myself to post.  Warning:  the pics are raw and they definitely ain't cute!  See for yourself:

So you see why I am motivated!  Beyond the esthetics (or lack thereof), this weight is not good for my body. My internal organs are probably not where they should be, which can lead to all kinds of health issues. And extra weight makes the heart have to pump much harder to get the blood to circulate.  Not a good thing.  Not to mention, I feel sluggish.

So what's a girl to do?  Make a plan and take action! My next post will outline my plan

Since I don't see the fun in going at it along, if you are battling weight issues, I invite you to join me on my 90 Day Weight Loss Challenge!  Share with me your plan and the actions you are taking.  You can join me on my specific plan or you can do something different.  Either way, let's work together and get the job done!

Welcome to 2011

Happy New Year!!!!  What a wonderful blessing to see the end of a year and a decade blend into the beginning of another.

The new year traditionally provides us with the great opportunity to make fresh starts.  So on this day, the first of the year 2011, I am taking advantage of the opportunity to do just that! 

My original idea for this blog has changed over the short time of its existence.  That's a reflection of my newness with blogging and my changing and evolving interests.  One thing that has remained constant over time is my interest in natural hair, healthy skin and healthy body and mind. The blog will include my random musings.  So I'd like to rededicate Magic in Motion to my pursuit of knowledge and sharing what I experience and learn in all of those areas of interests with all of you. I would like this blog to be fun and interactive.  So that means I need to hear from you...my friends and followers!  What would you like your experience in this blog to be?

Now I'm still a novice in blogging, especially formatting my blog site. I get distracted by all the wonderful and beautiful blogs I see and spend much of my time trying to plan how I want it to look like.  But content is more important than looks...that goes for people as well as blogs.  It is much more important to put ACTION with plans, so as you go thru these pages, you may start to see changes to the look but more importantly, you will see much more content!  I want this blog worthy of your time...which I know is valuable.

Without further ado, ACTION starts now!  Look for my next post on one of my goals in the next few hours:  My Path to Health, Weight loss & Maintenance in 2011.  It will interactive, so be prepared to get involved, if you are on a similar path!

Make this a wonderful first day of the year and the rest of your life!

Hugs!
Michelle who is on the path of putting Magic in Motion!!!!

Getting Organized is Key!

Offering the best products or services matters not if you don't have an organized system for your business.  I find that it takes less time creating and maintaining an organized system than it does operating on the fly.  Think about it:  if you have everything in its proper place, you won't waste time looking for things when you most need them.  It doesn't matter what kind of business you run. 

Everyone has their own system of organization.  Finding the system that works for you is key.  Along the way, you may find you will need to change as the demands of your business changes or in response to new (or newly discovered) technology and systems.

I want to keep things simple.  Later, I will add to or replace some aspects of my systems, as the need arises.  The point is, making things flow as efficiently as possible. The key is to be able to find what you need when you need it with little effort and time. Time and effort equals money and piece of mind...both of which are great motivators...at least for me LOL

Right now, I am reorganizing my communication systems (read: email, smartphone and contact lists).  I kept putting it off but once I got into it, I find that the tasks are not as daunting as I thought they would be.

How do you keep your business contacts organized?  What systems do you currently use? Which smartphone do you use to keep your system mobile?

Humid Hair

Well I took out my medium twists this morning and had such a good looking twist-out...that is, until I got outside!

Now a few hours have passed and the effects of the humidity has really taken its toll

Thank goodness CVS is right across the street! 

First Twists in Years!

It has been a week since I released my locs.  One thing is for sure, going from locs to natural hair requires a change in hair products and haircare.  I was so accustomed to pulling my locs into a ponytail on top of my head and rolling out.  Now, I have to comb and brush my hair, which required purchases of two types of brushes. LOL 

Part of the reason why I wanted to take my locs down was to change my hairstyles.  Well, I haven't been quite successful this week, as I've been wearing my hair in a ponytail and braiding or conrowing my hair at night. So much for hairstyle change. LOL

Well this week is gonna be different.  I just twisted my hair (using Taliah Waajid's Crinkles & Curls) and plan to separate them in the morning.  First time I've done medium twists on my hair...I'm sure the results will be funky! I'm just not used to having to do a lot of hair in the morning...aaarrgghhh!

Loc Down - What's Next

After almost 4 years of wearing locs and watching them grow, I wanted to do something different.