How to make a change

Going back to regular content after social media supported Black Lives Matter by uplifting black voices last week seems a bit odd. There’s still a discussion in progress that I don’t want to end. People are open to knowing and understanding at this moment in time. I encourage all of us to do better and look at what we can do to change the way race is handled in our country. I will get back to regular content, but I didn’t feel I could return to blogging without getting this post done.

Black Lives Matter

I don’t tend to talk about race because I don’t want to create waves or alienate my audience. Also, I don’t want to have to explain my experiences and viewpoints to others. Sometimes it feels like I have to defend myself against the situations someone else has put me in. It’s uncomfortable and makes me feel like I’m the problem when that isn’t the case.

Just because something doesn’t affect you, doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen or doesn’t exist. I’m encouraging you to develop empathy, so this moment becomes a movement. A moment is fleeting, but a movement can make the change!

I’ve seen the recommendations on books to read and documentaries to watch about race and white privilege in America. I’ve seen the posts about making donations and signing the petitions. All of this is great and needed, but the fundamental change starts with you. The way you look at the world or not look at the world is your decision. I’m asking you to decide that all lives do matter, but there’s a problem in the black community, too. Racial injustice, systemic racism, and racial profiling are things WE deal with every day. These things do happen, and yes, sometimes, the things you do regularly are causes for concern when my family and I step out of the house.

The real change comes when you choose to look at things thoroughly. The real change starts with you.

Use your voice. When you hear someone make an off-color comment in public or in private, speak up and say it’s wrong. Speak up when you see someone being mistreated. Educate yourself on the policies in your community and the people you choose to represent in the city. Use your voice by voting for people who want to make a change. Vote, but give yourself to give an educated vote that will make the change instead of voting for a political party.

Look around you at where you live, work, and all the things in your life. Choose to be inclusive and diverse while you listen, learn, and grow.

I hope you have taken notice that our President hasn’t spoken out on this issue. He jumped at the chance to make remarks after Charlottesville, but when he has an opportunity to unite the country…he chooses otherwise. He selects a photo op instead of sharing his words. What the reason behind this or what did it accomplish? To not alienate his core voting base? Because he doesn’t believe what happened to George Floyd and others are wrong? It’s his job to be the President of the United States for EVERYONE that lives this great country. We should be pushing for change, not division.

I fear this discussion is just a trend and will go away tomorrow. Like I said in my video, what makes George Floyd’s death different than the many that came before? America may have woke up in June, but I’m scared the country will go back to sleep on this issue. I want the world to change, and if talking changes one person’s outlook, I’ll call it a victory.

I want things to change. I want to be apart of the change. I want us to be the best versions of ourselves.

Will you stand with me?

There’s nothing holding you back

There’s nothing holding you back

Happy Monday!  It’s time to kick start the week and make something happen.  I’m a huge sports person and watching sports gives me warm fuzzy feelings.  Last night was the Super Bowl and the winter Olympics are coming up.  I’m filled with all kinds of warm feelings on the inside.  I don’t think I’ve ever made it through an Olympic game without shedding some tears.  Just knowing people worked so hard to achieve their dreams and they finally made it without even standing on the podium is enough to move me.  But when I see a medal ceremony, it’s hard…

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My pledge to my blog readers

My pledge to my blog readers

It’s time for me to face reality.  I’ve failed all of you.  Once upon a time I planned out blog posts.  I talked about relevant topics.  I actually put the effort in and then something happened.  I started traveling more and doing quick fixes.  I stopped actually making time for the blog in respects to self-improvement, eating and just overall fitness.  I wish I could say planning was the problem, but I know I felt like I lost my voice along the way. Willie and I gained a lot of publicity in a short period of time, again, which kind…

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Weight loss transformation begins with a choice

Weight loss transformation begins with a choice

Six years ago life was very different.  Sometimes it’s seems like things were simpler back then because I didn’t worry about having to make gym workouts and I didn’t care about what I ate. Dinner usually came from the drive through and nights were filled with pints of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. I was still always on the go but I wasn’t on the go to go run a marathon. There are a few things I’ve learned a long the way that I would like to share with you about the weight loss transformation. Transformation is a choice.  You have…

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Chicago Marathon 2015: Did I #OwnChicago?

Chicago Marathon 2015: Did I #OwnChicago?

The Chicago Marathon was an amazing experience.  Saturday runners walked the streets filled with anxiousness and excitement.  It was infectious! I rolled into Chicago thinking this wasn’t a big deal.  It was just another race, another state to check off my list.  I wasn’t that amped up about the race, I was excited to meet the people of Team Healthy Kids! The Chicago Marathon was something deeper for me when I first arrived, but that’s a whole other blog post. Before actually arriving, I took the experience for granted.  I didn’t see it as a big deal, but it was.…

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My mom’s breast cancer is a moment …

My mom’s breast cancer is a moment that changed me

This past weekend I participated in the Gift of Life Color Rush 5k in celebration of my mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2012. It’s not really something I talked about too much because it was hard and difficult. Also, the fact that my mom has cancer wasn’t something we wanted floating around time. There was only one thing that mattered and that she was getting the best treatment. Spoiler alert: my mom is cancer free! It’s a blessing. After spending some time with my mom, I realized I was the reason she got herself checked because…

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Getting a fresh start.

Getting a fresh start.

It’s Monday which we all know is the start of the new week (duh)! The beginning of the week is always filled with moans and groans because Mondays are so hard. But the start of the week is always filled with possibility. It’s the start of new to-do lists, new goals, new accomplishments…and a lot of new things. Mondays are great day to refocus and start anew. Start off the week positive and with promise. This is not the time to think about the impossible but all the things that are possible. Life is about moving forward and learning experiences.…

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Why I loved the Jet Magazine article

Why I loved the Jet Magazine article

Welcome to everyone who found my blog through the Jet Magazine current issue. It was something totally unexpected and I didn’t even know we made the magazine until my mother-in-law told me. It’s a great honor. It’s not a great honor because are in the current issue, it’s a honor because I really feel like they captured the essence of our journey. Sometimes when you do these things people are listening and other times people are REALLY listening. I feel like Ms. Miya Williams really listened. The one thing we really want everyone to know is losing weight is hard…

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The deal with changes

The deal with changes

Change is a part of life that we can’t really avoid.  Things change on a constant basis, including the weather.  I can’t believe we were hit with two ice events in 6 days here in southeast Texas.  I was cooped up in the house for a couple of days which really gave me a chance to think about the message I want to send out to the world.  Things changed for us a when we decided to lose the weight, our appearance changed,  our life changed, our activities changed and all of the sudden people are asking us to speak about…

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Break out of the holiday rut

Break out of the holiday rut

There’s still one big event left in the holiday season but you can break out of the holiday rut now.  Christmas cookies have been consumed and that holiday meal is behind us.  It’s time to get active and burn off those holiday calories.  How exactly can you break out of the holiday rut? Here are some of my suggestions: 1. Just suck it up and work out.  The good thing about being a fitness instructor is I have no choice but to jump right back into the swing of things so I had no problem with it.  I promise if…

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