Balancing Life & Your Active, Healthy Lifestyle

When I decided to take on an active, healthy lifestyle I found it hard to balance everything I had going on in my life.  I still find it hard but there are adjustments I have made to make it a little easier.  First, I decided being active and healthy was a priority along with other things but I'm not willing to sacrifice too much if any in this area. 

Anyone who knows me knows I love to be busy.  I'm always working on various projects and ventures.  I work full-time, working with colleagues on starting a non-profit organization, online magazine, I AM HER Health & Fitness Series, writing and editing a novella series, and other small projects.  At first, I couldn't find a balance and my first response would be I'll workout/run another day.  Well, that wasn't very productive so I told myself I would make time.  What good will I be with all the ventures manifesting if I'm not healthy enough to enjoy them? NONE!

Here are a few of my tips: 1) Find a time that works for you.  For me, it's easier for me to run early morning before work.  2) Get you an accountability partner or have a group of individuals who have similar goals that can motivate and support you. 3) Proper planning and preparation.  I do what I call reset Sundays.  I plan my entire week and prepare.  I cook enough meals to last two or three days (breakfast, lunch, and dinner); layout and iron my work clothes for the week; clean and do laundry; and prioritize projects that need to be completed. 4) During the week, I decide what days I'm working on what and I work diligently until all tasks associated with that project are completed. 5) REST! I get plenty of rest.  Sometimes, it means going to bed early since I have early mornings.  I have a "Do Not Disturb" option on my phone.  This allows me to restrict calls during a certain time of the night.  I have mine set for 9 pm - 6 am.  This means I do not receive phone calls unless they are listed as a favorite, NO text messages or other notifications during these hours.  I have found this to be helpful whether I'm sleeping or working.  It limits my distractions. 7) Be Realistic.  I am realistic about what I can accomplish.  I would like to get everything done as quickly as possible but the reality of it is I'm only one person with so much time. 8) Sacrifice! I do a lot of this especially when I'm training. I really don't have a social life and I'm fine with it right now.  When I feel like I'm at my wits end I go out.

Besides working out actually gives you energy!  Just remember where there is no sacrifice, there is no real struggle, and where there is no real struggle there is no real REWARD!

Ladies if you need that additional support and motivation follow my I AM HER group on FB!  I will also begin documenting my Fit Journey in February so follow that on FB as well! It should be interesting while I strive to get healthier, stronger and faster!

Scandal & Being Mary Jane... The Side Chick Argument!

These are my confessions...Just when I thought I said all I could say...My chick on the side said she got one on the way...These are my confessions!

LOL! I thought it would be cool to start this blog post with something like that.  Mission accomplished.  Lately, there has been the constant question of whether or not Scandal & Being Mary Jane are promoting being the side chick.  First off, let me say I haven't watched Being Mary Jane.  Secondly, I am a Scandal fan so I will try to be as unbiased as possible.  Lastly, I would like to address a couple other issues that I have discussed with individuals involving Scandal period.

Are these two shows advocating for side chicks? Scandal is just living up to it's name.  A married man, the President of the United States, cheating on his wife with a woman who happens to be Black.  I wonder if this would even be a debate if Olivia Pope was white? Just my question...  This show is about scandalous activity and what better scandal is there than a cheating spouse?  When Shonda Rhimes, who I perceive to be a genius, created the show I don't think her intention was to advocate for side chicks.  Now, have side chicks become intrigued and even encouraged?  Perhaps they have.  Whose fault is that? I can't say it's Shonda's or Kerry's.  People should learn how to separate scripted television and the reality of their lives.

I was having a conversation with a guy while getting my car serviced and he said he didn't like Scandal because their was no depiction of Black Love! I'm an advocate for Black Love.  Being that I am an advocate, I'm happy Shonda has strayed away from Black Love on the show.  The last thing I need is yet another negative image of Black Love.  Every relationship on Scandal involves a um scandal.  I am pleased that the Black men on the show are the "good guys" or at least trying to be the good guys.  Daddy Pope and Harrison.  The other question I was asked, "How do I feel about Olivia screwing a white guy? Why couldn't the President be Black?" I only have two points to make on this.  1) There would be less viewers if it was a Black mistress and Black President.  It boils down to ratings.  2) I would have been disappointed if the President was Black.  We just recently made history with a Black President and I wouldn't just won't that type of image out there.

So, maybe Scandal and Being Mary Jane have encouraged side chicks to behave a certain way.  But then the best way to test this theory is to poll side chicks to see what actually influenced their behavior.

These are just my opinions...I couldn't go into too much details since I didn't want to bore all of you with my thoughts!

Dating... How much do you give or sacrifice?

I am trying this dating thing seriously in 2014...LOL! I have a slight dilemma though.  I'm not sure how much is too much to give or sacrifice.  Perhaps, what is too little.  Let's say you are feeling this person and both of you have crazy schedules his/her schedule is a tad bit crazier than yours.  However, the days he/she is free aren't good days for you.

I told myself that there are just some things I'm not willing to sacrifice and my running is one of them.  The times that I run makes it almost impossible to hang out or go out on dates the night before my run.  Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I have to be up no later than 4:45 for my 5:15 run.  That's too early for me hang out the night before without being tired. Since, I am half marathon training again my Fridays are out as well being that Saturdays will be our long run days.

Running is my ME time and I'm just not willing to bend on that.  I'm just finding myself again after so long and I don't want to get lost.  So, what happens when two people are feeling each other but their schedules clash?  Am I being unrealistic about not sacrificing a little of my running time or better yet my sleep time to hang out?  I'm not sure what can become of this if two people schedules don't allow time for actual dating.

Any suggestions or comments?