Update: The Getting Fitter and Finer Challenge

We have 6 weeks left in the McGhee Ladies Getting Fitter and Finer Challenge. Although it is technically a competition, I really issued the challenge so that the participants could have a support system while trying to get Fitter and Finer. And it's working!

While some participants have told me that progress is slowing going (this is why this is a journey and shouldn't end when the challenge ends), others are being much more aware of what they are eating, going to the gym consistently, and thus are losing weight and inches. We even had a team party last week and many teammates brought healthier eats like roasted chicken (an alternative to the lemon pepper wings we often enjoy--they were still on the table, just good to have options), hummus and whole wheat pita chips (I've gotten everyone hooked on Stacy's), organic tortilla chips and salsa, whole wheat pasta, and squash and zucchini tossed in olive oil (which was YUMMY and pefect for the egg white scramble I had the next day!). We didn't even make margaritas! LOL!

For Shay Shay, it has been awesome to have some accountability from challengers who are supposed to meet me at the gym. If I know I am supposed to meet them, I'm not going to be the one who doesn't show.

One of the finest moments I had in the challenge was to hear some participants say that their work will not end on April 24th when the challenge ends. THIS IS IT! This is what I am aiming for with this challenge. I wanted it to be a jump start for me and others, without slamming on the breaks and parking our efforts on April 24th.

Let's Go Ladies! Let's Get Fit and Fine for Life!

Keep the Momentum Going!

Keep the Momentum Going! This fat loss motto of mine has been sprinkled throughout this blog over the last year. As I look forward to the weekend, I just want to remind myself to KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING!

I have recovered from my travels and have been really diligent with eating clean, keeping my food diary, and exercising. I am wearing pants and jeans that I couldn't wear when I started Stop the Insanity in January. Oone pair of pants even looks silly because they are so loose now (but I'm not ready to shop yet, so I'll just have to manage). The scale is even cooperating these days.

All this sounds wonderful! But, Shannon has been known to get in a groove toward living a true eat-clean and fitness LIFESTYLE and BAM--I get content and let it slip.

Shay Shay has to continue to TAKE OVER! I have to keep pressing toward the mark of living a clean, lean, and fit life. I'm WINNING this FAT LOSS battle, but the WAR IS NOT OVER!

Keep Pressing Toward the Mark for the Prize of Living Lean and Fit, Shay Shay!

I am Shay Shay Fit!

A Whole New Shay Shay Style

The hair journey, which really is a big part of my fat loss, continues.

The beautiful press and curl I posted over a week ago (Saturday, February 27th) turned into a nice, slick ponytail look. After intense working out, tennis, and rain, the nice slick ponytail was not looking as nice to me. On top of that, Hikmah, my stylist, wasn't available this week.

Not wanting to get desperate and resort to the flatiron, I decided to take the next step with my hair and go to the natural hair care experts at UrbanBella in Buckhead. Here it is: A two-strand twist out do.

When I first looked at myself in the mirror, I was taken a back a little. I have NEVER worn my hair in such a style. So, I didn't really recognize myself at first. LOL! Then I put on some earrings and got out the camera!

I am very pleased with it, and I am committed to learning more about styling my own hair. UrbanBella gave me all the tools (well, I paid for them)--complete with a page of instructions. Unlike the electronics, I will pay very close attention to these instructions! I am told that I can work out and hold this style with maintenance for about a week.

I am digging that I have some flexibility with this mane of mine. I can do the two strand twist, fingerstyle, puff ponytail, bun and who knows what else I'll learn how to do. Special thanks to my sorority sister Patrice for all your coaching as I prepared to go to UrbanBella and to my other sorority sister Trevious for giving the thumbs up to a still somewhat nervous Shay Shay once I got back to home.

I had other pictures to post: me under the hydration station, the stylist twisting my hair, me under the super duper space looking dryer. But, I'm still not all that good with formatting on this blog. It was taking too long, and I must get ready for my morning training session with Anna Mae!

Stay tuned . . .

I am Shay Shay Fit and Natural!

But, it's just stairs!

This morning I rose quite early and hit the gym. I am on a mission (about 15 lbs away from my goal), so these days it is not so hard for me to get to bed a good time and get up and out.

Today is cardio day. I decided to hit the StairMaster this morning--the machine that stimulates walking up stairs EXCEPT THEY ARE MOVING!!!

I'm on of those folks who need to mix it up on the machines so that I don't get bored/too comfortable. So, I decided to do 15 minutes on the StairMaster before moving on to the elliptical trainer.

One may say, "15 minutes, that's nothing!" HUSH YO' MOUTH! These were some intense 15 minutes! I've done the StairMaster before but I took the level up a couple notches and I could tell! It was NOT EASY.

But, it's just stairs, right! WRONG! By the time I finished, I was already a sweaty hot mess (yeah, not so easy on the hair either, but I digress). When I got on the elliptical my heart rate was already in cardio mode (typically it takes me 30 minutues to transition from fat burn to cardio mode on the elliptical--hmmm, are these machines even accurate? Okay, that's a question and post for another day).

I have often overlooked the StairMaster, but I am going to incorporate it more into my cardio routine.

I'm ready to conquer the day!

One Week-Weave Free!

It's been exactly one week since I decided to go weave free! So far, it hasn't been all that bad. Now, I did resort to a pony tail this week, but I still think I'm cute (smile)!

I have not let my hair excuse working out either. For this, I am proud!

Other than a quick use of the blow dryer after today's workout, I have not used any heat on my hair. I want my mane to continue to remain healthy and continue to grow, so I really don't want to use too much heat. This week I will go to Hikmah and try a curly style and see how it goes.

I am on a mission and hair just can't get in the way!

I am Shay Shay Fit!

There's No Place Like Home!

After five days of traveling, it was so good to wake up in my own bed, get up for and push it in cycling class (So Glad You Called, Nnekes!), and now enjoy some egg whites on Flatout and green tea on my couch before I head into the office!

On this fat loss journey, home is sweet! I can plan my meals and workouts so much better. No matter how discipline I am while traveling, my body just knows there is NO PLACE LIKE HOME!

Well, let me run and get tackle this hair. Today may be a ponytail day--I clearly hadn't tested my natural, pressed mane all week because today will take a little more maintenance time to walk out the door looking decent.

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!

Challenge, Challenge, Challenge

Fitness Challenge: It's been 6 weeks since the McGhee Ladies Getting Fitter and Finer Challenge started, and I am doing well. I KNOW I will reach my Challenge Goal. I'm going to continue to work hard and visualize. Already, I have worn some pants and jeans that I couldn't wear when the Challenge started. Now, I'm not content with this result! I want more hardcore results! So, I have to challenge myself and put in the hardcore effort!


Hair Challenge: I was traveling, so I have only worked out two days since my hair transformation. So far, the hair is still quite manageable and looks good. It has thicken up some, but I like the additional thickness. I'm not going to add any substantial heat to my hair. We'll see how things look in a week. I'm sure my new handy Aveda Control Paste (it has organic flaxseed--right up my clean alley!) and The Edge (and perhaps some rubber bands and pins) will help me get through. They will have to because NOT WORKING OUT is NOT AN OPTION!

Other Challenges: I won't be specific, but there are some exciting things going on with me at work. They are not challenges in the negative sense--more like tremendous opportunities. I am up for the challenges, and I'm really excited about my latest professional developments. This is more reason for me to make sure I am keeping fit, energetic, and fresh!

I am Shay Shay Fit, and I'm Keeping the Momentum Going!!!