If I Had A Dollar For Every Time… [Lowering the Debt Ceiling of Doubt on Fitness Failures]

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If I had a dollar for every time I said I would change up my diet because my health was far more important than anything, I could have bought a brand spanking new car cash seven years ago.

If I had a dollar for every time I suddenly got a new motivation to workout, because some man broke my heart or I felt I had something to prove, I could have paid off my college tuition in five years.

If I had a dollar for every time I have given an in-kind donation to my local fitness center (meaning I pay, but never go) I could have paid off my churches “Building Fund” by myself in 3 years.

If I had a dollar for every excuse I tried to turn into a valid reason for not working out and actually convinced myself it was true, I would have enough money to meet my personal savings goal for a year.

If I had a dollar for every time I made a New Year’s resolution and by New Year’s Day, I had already broken that promise ….now we are talking millionaire status on this one! LOL!

If I had a dollar for every time I lost a few pounds and was on top of the world, but when the weight stop falling off like I anticipated… I QUIT!

Although the comparisons I used were exaggerated, my level of concern for identifying the signs of a poor and bankrupt state of mind when it comes to self-image is the furthest thing from BS!

Be encouraged; don’t treat fitness like a failed financial venture or a loss in the accounting books of life with no chance of restructuring, take it in stride as a learning curve experience and get back to it!

As long as the breath of life is breathed into your body, you have a chance to make a difference and make a return on your investment of yourself. Limit your frivolous spending on old excuses and poor reasons why you can’t do something and roll your action assets into your “401 Capable” and allow your fitness finances to flourish!

Lesson for the day… “Only YOU can lower the debt ceiling of doubt on your fitness failures and rise above them. It’s up to YOU to decide to invest in yourself and become rich in health and spirit. Be careful not to rob yourself by spending priceless time and dollars on doubting your determination to make it happen this time around!  YOU are going to speak forward progress and financial fitness gains as it relates to your health. You will be amazed what can happen when your fitness assets grow simply because you shifted your attitude towards action instead of making EXCUSES!

So what are you waiting for? Get started on investing in yourself today! Purchase the stock while it’s still hot!

“Getting Back Into the Swing of Things”- Updates and Progress

 Just like anyone or anything that is out of practice, you have to step back up to the plate and naturally get “Back into the Swing of Things.” I am happy to share my stories of success and how over time I have surpassed my initial weight loss goals and am feeling better and more alive than what I could have ever dreamed. What is most interesting about my weight loss progress is it did not come in a day, a week, or a month. It even took more than 99 days to achieve, which was the initial length of time for the fitness challenge.

What I will share with you about the initial 99 days of my journey is it proved to me that I was ready for a change.  I would no longer do things off the cuff; I would make things happen by taking charge of my own fitness destiny, and would have a plan of action to see my goals through.

Another interesting thing that happened to me in those 99 days is I learned that it is truly was about the journey and the destination was just the driving force to get me started. There was not a day I stood in front of the mirror, gazing at my body in its naked state hoping to have this magical weight loss or shape change that happened sometime in between my midnight thoughts and dreams, but all I saw in the mirror most times was a woman who was determined to make it happen and no longer looked at the imperfections and marks on her body in shame, but in confidence that through disciplined acts and maintaining consistency that it would all be taken care of in due time.

What I will leave you with about my fitness journey, which remains true for me even to this day, is expect more than your body to be transformed. Embrace the mental, physical, and emotional changes that come along with weight loss, because weather you like it or not, they go hand and hand. Also note that if you chose not to elevate your mind and the way you think at some point, your fitness journey will only go but so far. As you start setting and reaching goals, you can’t help but be transformed and grow.

Know that weight loss is also a spiritual thing. You will begin to tap into parts of you, you were not even sure really existed until now. Most importantly, YOU HAVE TO LOVE YOU! The type of love I am talking about a man/woman can’t give to you, a preacher cant pray over you, your family and friends can’t shower you with… it is something that has to come from within. Self-love and motivation by far is the greatest worldly love of them all! You have to have it in order for the other types of love to fall into place.

So far, over the last nine months, I have come down 12.5 pants sizes, lost 35-40 lbs. of pure fat, increased my muscle content, cardio, and strength training resistance immensely; however, these stats are nothing compared to how I feel inside, as those numbers are off the charts!

I give full credit, honor, and praise to the #1 source of my strength and to whom all my blessings come from; that’s my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have great friends, family members, online buddies and acquaintances that have cheered me on from the sideline, but when I was in spiritual, mental and financial warfare I know who has always been on the frontlines! Thank you so much for following me up to this point in my journey forward and onward. I hope you continue to roll on with me on this fantastic fitness ride with my new body, new swagger and new state of mind. Let us get “back into the swing of things” together!

With Love and a New Found Appreciation for Life,

Monica “Magnificent” McGee

Life is a Dance So Move!

If life truly is a dance, too many of us are plastered up against a wall and fear stepping out on the floor. Sometimes you have to just get out there, catch the rhythms of the life beat and don’t be afraid to move! Don’t miss out on your chance to advance simply because when life wanted to show you some new moves you were too afraid to dance. –Monica McGee-

There Goes the Muffin Man! [Whoo Hoo I Can Fit My Pants!] Day 47

Have you ever put on a pair of jeans that snapped perfectly at the waist, but seem to have a little extra hanging up top? Well that, my dear is called “The Muffin Man!” He comes by messing up all of your outfits, stretching out your shirts, and makes you look like you are expecting a bundle of joy! I am happy to say that this house guest has packed up his stuff and has hit the interstate with no intentions of returning!

 Now that Mr. Muffin Man has left, I would like Mr. Toney Toni Tummy to come visit me now! I dream of a day when the definition of my stomach is apparent and my coke bottle contour comes back blazing on this body!

Recently as I was rushing to a sporting event I had thrown a pair of my favorite jeans.  I grabbed an oversized t-shirt to camouflage my muffin so no one would suspect what lied beneath the loosely worn cotton tee. But oh snap! …to my surprise as I buttoned my pants, I noticed Mr. Muffin had skipped out on me. I take it he does not feel welcomed anymore since I have traded in my sausage sandwich for a handful of almonds and apple slices, my soda for sparkling water, and Lucky Charms cereal for Special K.  I guess I am no longer the life of the loathing party. So during my silent slumber, in the middle of the night, that Muffin Man bastard skipped out on me!

Most of the time when you lose someone or something it’s difficult to get over; however, in the case of the Muffin Man, I celebrated his departure by doing a shirtless happy dance in front of my bedroom mirror.

I won’t ever take for granted that the Muffin Man will be gone forever, because if I do, he will be sure to return extra fluffy.

Attention!! This is a Stick up! Back Away From the Scale! [Stop Punishing Yourself] Day 44

Why do we punish ourselves so harshly when it comes to weight loss? Why are we so quick to knock ourselves down when the scale does not tip as far to the left as we would like?

We punish ourselves by calling in the S.W.A.T. [Stressing Weight at All Times] team enforcers, who arrest us from our seemingly aimless fitness goals. I admit, I am one of the leading S.W.A.T. team ambush soldiers in my own fitness fiasco. As a matter of fact, I am the general! When things don’t go right with my weight loss plan I am ready to attack, lock and load on my progress and blow up at the scarcely moving scale.

However, I had to ask myself this question, “How many times am I going to allow myself to get knocked down by letting the scale be the authority of my life?”

When I first started this challenge I was constantly hopping on the scale expecting big numbers to plummet from my waistline, but to no avail, I would see a pound or two here, a decrease in body fat there, but nothing so dramatic that I could say it happened over night.

My best suggestion to anyone working towards a fitness goal like myself is to take it one day at a time, continue to eat the right things, keep up regular exercise activities, and work on maintaining a more balanced lifestyle.

This weight loss experience for me has truly been all about the journey. It has not been easy for me by any stretch of the imagination. I’ve had to constantly reevaluate my goals and redirect my focus. There have been several times that I felt like I reached my plateau or loss motivation at that moment.

I encourage you today to not let the scale hold you captive and stop you from achieving your fitness goals; rather, use the scale as a gage to track milestones.

One day you will wake up throw on a pair of old jeans and they will drop to the floor, completely missing your waist as you stand in shock and amazement!

Do yourself a favor, call off the S.W.A.T. team and boost up your swag no matter what size you are now. Keep pushing! You can do it!

My Personal Revelations: It’s More than Just About Weight Loss [My Body is My Temple] Day 52

So I have been doing this “fitness thing” for about a month and a half now. I’m amazed how much it has changed me both inside and out.

I’ve never been one to be concerned about my water weight or percent of body fat as it relates to my overall health and targeted body weight.

I’ve never really cared about portions or eating on a clock to maximize my metabolism. I also never cared about reaching a targeted heart rate to improve my cardiovascular performance on a treadmill; however, as of lately, I am consumed with it!

Don’t get me wrong I am not consumed in a bad way, but it’s the most attention I have ever paid myself. It’s something about caring about you and your value that drives up your “personal stock.”

I am not a rookie at this weight lost game. Let’s just say I have rolled the dieting dice several times and have crapped out!  I’ve tried fad diets, starving myself, I’ve even pressured myself to lose weight to show some “guy,” that apparently did not give a damn in the first place, just how hot I could be.

All I have to say is “WOMP WOMP WOMMMMMPPPP!” None of those feeble attempts ever worked for me over the years. Through recent revelations and personal reflections, I’ve been able to identify why I continued to embark on a bunch of bogus missions.

 I have learned when you want something bad, no matter what it is; however, it’s for all the wrong reasons, it just does not work out. I believe it’s because your heart is not truly in it to win it.

Keep in mind who is the star player in this weight loss journey. There is only one coach I have to impress, only one team I will ever have to play for, and only one fan I need to cheer me on! ME! ME! ME!

If I could share any word of advice about my personal revelation and inward reflections, I would ask you to please consider these thoughts:

Everything you put in your body reflects YOU!

Everything you allow your mind to think and your tongue to speak reflects YOU!

The person you date or choose to marry reflects YOU!

The company that you keep around reflects guess who??… YOU! YOU! YOU!

You have to decide if you are going to smile back at your reflection when you see it or slap it silly to shake some sense into it!  The great thing about having personal reflections is if you have read this and feel like you want to slap the ish out of what you see, you have an opportunity to change the lenses you look at yourself with.

Remember your body is a temple and when its structure is tested, it will either remain sturdy and erect, or it will crumble at the foundation and fall apart! The choice is up to YOU! Just thought I would share my personal revelations with you. No pressure [wink]

The Price is Right! Or is it? Day 61 [I’m a Damn Cheater]

Bob Barker Host of the Price is Right

So today I cheated on my diet worse than an adulterer on their spouse! I had some nice, greasy, artery clogging, pizza that had enough grease to lotion my body and wax my car!

Oh yeah, but that is not all that I did…… I had a cinnamon roll too [oohhhh weeeee oh yeah!] I enjoyed every bite of the sweet bread and sugar rushing down the side of my cheek leaving powdered sugar marks on my skin as evidence of my diet malpractice! LOL!

But you know what? The price was right, just like Bob Barkers old TV game show, The Price is Right, I bid for those calories I consumed and decided to “live a little.” Yes, the comfort food was titillating and satisfying to my taste buds; however, I must pay back those calories in the form of cardio and crunches [Aweee Damn!] 

For the first time, in a long time, I did not feel guilty either. I enjoyed my calories, kicked up my paws, and watched a movie to top the evening off. I am not one who takes many ME time breaks so this was huge for me!

On another note, I am so grateful to have gained such a strong willpower towards leading a healthier lifestyle that I don’t typically stray from the plan. However, since this journey is a paced jog and not a sprint, let’s just say I pulled over to the side during my jog and took a little break! Starting first thing in the morning I am back at the races. LOL!

 In closing, I would like to remind everyone again about Bob Barkers The Price is Right show and the object of the game.  The object is to guess the value of an item and get as close as possible to its retail value without going over. The Price is Right game show is much like the game of weight loss.  You have to give yourself leeway from time to time, but be sure not to go overbid on your calories, because if you do you lose the game against the battle of the bulge!

So next time you pick up that donut or eat those succulent seconds… ask yourself am I over bidding on this meal?? Or is the price right?? In the game show of healthy living, you have to stand up and become your own Host Bob Barker and reveal to yourself if the price is right. Remember that YOU are in charge of your OWN weight loss destiny so bid carefully!!!!

 

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Day 66-63 Don’t Stop! Be Encouraged! We’re 1/3 of the Way Done!!

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So I am 1/3 of the way done with my fitness challenge. I am so grateful to all who have followed and supported me thus far during this journey. I just want to say that “stuff is starting to get real.” The pounds are not melting off me like they were at first, the lazy bug tries to bite me time and time again and tell me, “well.. it’s only one day you would be missing… what’s the big deal?” and emotions are running high because I want this so bad! I remember peeling off day 67 and looking at day 66 on my countdown calendar and laughing hysterically as it stated, “Day 66.. I know you are tempted, but put the fried food DOWN!” Who would have ever thought, a calendar and a challenge I started a little over a month ago could get the high pep back into my step with this challenge. Check out this video recapping the first 1/3 of my fit challenge. 1/3 down, 2/3 more to go! Stick with me yall!

What Tim Ferris Taught Me

If you haven’t read Tim Ferris’ 4-hour Work Week you should.  Why?  He has the life you want.  The life you’re willing to multi-task and over-schedule and work all night for in hopes of “making it”.

Tim Ferris teaches us how to live the life you love by reminding us of one thing.  Do what you love to do and get help to do the rest.  He’s made gazillions of dollars from it.

(If you’re active parent reading this and laughing – go nuts!  As for everyone else, what’s your excuse?)

The irony of it all is so many people claim they’re hungry to “make it” but they’re only willing to go a drive-thru to fuel their dreams.  How does a diet of addictive salt, sugar or heavy carbs help?

Maybe it’s time we shift from a fast food model of success to a Mary Oliver inspired journey.  Consider her words:

“One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began…”

Today’s affirmation:  Weight loss is about waiting less.

PS – Tim has a new book called the 4-hour Body.  Let me know what you think.

Pushing it at Premiere Fitness Zumba Style! Day 76

Watch as Monica Magnificent McGee [Me!] works it out with her friends at Premiere Fitness Zumba style, to shed away some of those unwanted pounds and get hot for the summer! Get movin, groovin and of course losin [lbs that is!].