When the clock struck twelve midnight signaling the arrival of 2014 I was in my bed asleep. I’d just lost my grandmother the day before and I was heart broken that I’d be starting a new year without her. While 2013 was a great year, I mean we bought a house and became first time home owners, I passed my Phd qualifier and my blog is headed in a great direction as far as content and growth, I knew something was missing, and it was more than just my grandmother. Losing her made me realize that I wasn’t living my life to the best of my ability. It caused me to look in the mirror and really analyze the weak areas in my life.
“The important thing about a problem is not the solution but the strength we gain in finding a solution”
-Author Unknown
The first area where I am weak is in my finances. Being a beauty blogger and lover of all things pretty and fashionable sure isn’t cheap. While I enjoy new clothes, handbags and nail polish I have to be smart and know that these things won’t help me in my dream to become debt free. I’ve since signed up for Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover. When I sat down and put in all my debt (not including student loans) I realized that I was over $40,000 in debt! This does however include a brand new car that was purchased last June. The projected pay off date is February 2017, however I hope to have it all paid off by 2016.
The second area is my health. I’ve seriously let myself go! Can you guys believe my abs looked like this in the summer of 2012??
Now here it is 2014 and I look like this…
Yep, I’ve completely fallen off the wagon and I am currently being dragged behind it.When I weighed in on monday I was 176.2lbs. I’d gained a whooping 30lbs! It’s no wonder my clothes won’t fit anymore. When I look in the mirror sometimes I don’t recognize myself. I mean I have the same features but the fatness of my face is hiding them. I think I still have abs under my belly fat, but honestly I’m just not sure. Every time I hold my head a certain way I see a very profound double chin doing the Fat Albert “Hey Hey Hey”. At 30 years old I’m not healthy at all. I’m actually kind of disgusted with myself. I would make many attempts to get back in shape but I would always come up with an excuse. My knee is bothering me or “I don’t want to sweat my hair out”. Yes, I fell victim to one of the worst excuses plaguing black women today. To change all of this I’ve let my hair extensions go. My health is more important then how well my weave is blending with my natural hair. I’ve also started researching exercise that I can do that won’t be so hard on my joints. I probably never will be able to run long distance, but that shouldn’t stop me from working out. Instead of allowing myself to talk my way out of the gym with every excuse when I get off work I am now waking up at 4:30am and getting my work out in. I’ve even became very strict about what I’m putting into my body. Did you know that Chobani yogurt with the fruit at the bottom as 16g of sugar???
“When you know better, you do better”
-Oprah Winfery
I say this to people all the time. When you know better, you do better. I know better so why the hell am I not doing better?? For the next 100 days I’m committed to doing everything possible to creating a better me. I’ll be sharing quotes, thoughts and so much more with you as I take you with me on my journey to being a better me.
