We live in a culture of enjoying life with family and friends, and for people in the south it all revolves around food. The food tastes great, but it is very rich in fat and sugar. My life has followed this same path. Since my adult life began at the age of 18 I have experienced life by gaining unwanted weight. This came from the combination of enjoying life and stress.
Stress comes from stressors in our life that can be good or bad. Our body then responds to the stress. Each response is different and for me when I am stressed I eat. This has caused me to gain the weight I now want to shed. I want to remember all of these life experiences, but I have learned it is important to exercise and eat healthy.
I have had time to reflect on the choices I have made. We cannot live in the past and dwell on what we could, should, or would have done differently. This is not a “New Year’s Resolution,” but a “Lifestyle Journey.” This is my Journey of Redefintion!
How are you redefining your health? What are you willing to do to accomplish the lifestyle goals in your life? What baby steps are you willing to take to get to the destination you envision for your life?
The battle for almost everything we deal with in life starts in the mind. Getting your mind right so you can get your body right is the first step. Now, I’m not a doctor nor personal trainer and I don’t pretend to be neither. I am a person who encourages others to do what is right. So, if reading this blog encourages you and gives you the motivation you need to get started then, this is for you. I need this blog for you and me. I need to hold myself accountable for doing the work on my own (a cost effective way).
Just as the bible says in Romans 12:1-2, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service, 2) And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The conversion to become a Christian takes place in the mind, just as wanting a healthier body takes place in the mind. Once a person makes up their mind to do anything in life, then no one can stop them.
This is your challenge to make up your mind today, to get ready to make a healthier change for yourself.
As I journey through this destination called life. I am a believer it is our “why” that motivates us daily. For me I’m a wife, mother, teacher, daughter, sister, cousin, and the list goes on and on. Even though I’m one person with many roles, I try not to complain but I devise a plan that works best for my situation.
Why Now? Why do I feel the need to redefine my life?
I’m at a point in my life where I have let my responsibilities – both personal and professional consume me. I have lived the past 12 years simply going through the motions.
My “AHA” Moment
6 years ago a dear friend said we needed to have a girls trip – a weekend getaway. It was this trip that reminded me that I don’t do very much for myself with my friends. This trip was the jump-start of me coming up with plans and a clearer vision for my life.
I am redefining: 1) my weightloss journey; 2) becoming a blogger with a greater following; 3) becoming a successful small business owner; 4) living debt free; 5) and simply enjoying my family and what life sends my way.
I challenge you to consider your why…
Here’s to redefining my journey one day at a time…
Many times we delay doing things in our life due to time. Just with almost every aspect in life we must take the time to plan. We already know that there are 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week. This is a fact that is not debatable, what we do within this time is at our personal discretion.
I want to lose weight and become healthier. In order to accomplish my goals I need to do a better job managing my time in order to prepare myself for success. I’ve learned that in order to lose weight, I need to meal prep and dedicate time to exercising. My schedule does not allow me to go to the gym 3-5 days out of the week. So to fix that problem, I purchased a treadmill and some free weights. Now, what’s the excuse… I don’t want to take the time to wake up earlier in the morning and make a commitment to exercising.
Just as we have to devote time in our lives to accomplish tasks, we have to devote time to meet our health goals. At the end of the day, I am responsible for my health. I go to work and operate a small business. I use time as an excuse because I like to “sleep-in.” Well “sleeping in” does not benefit me because I am still tired at the end of the day.
How do we fix the problem? Well first things first, acknowledge that I need to plan time within my schedule to get my exercise daily. Next, I need to stick to it. I need to use the same dedication I have for others with myself. I need to include getting myself healthier as a top priority along with my family and my career.
Finally, in all things I have to change my mindset and believe that I can and will get on track. Even though life can be challenging at times, I must know within my heart that this is only temporary. The chaos I call life does balance itself out. I know that those sacrifices I’m making now will be a great reward in the future. I believe that time is on our side. We can be creative to find time to improve our health and for me that’s physical and mental health. Life can be a mental drain just as much as a physical drain. The difference is realizing that we need to take time for self. Taking time for self means taking a deep breath to relax and not be stressful.
Let’s try this! Make a goal to find at least 30 minutes of “me time,” after the house is quiet to gather my thoughts and ideas and unwind from a busy day. Find the time to accomplish everything you need to do within the 24 hours a day you are given.
Have you ever used a device so much that the battery drained completely? Or maybe you’re like most of us and plug it in when it drops to 10 or 20 percent. Either way, the first thing we do is recharge it back to full power.
Our bodies work the same way.
When we constantly give energy without restoring it, we eventually run on empty. Recharging our bodies means being intentional about what we put into them — and sometimes that requires a reset.
Detoxing is one way to help restore balance. Every day we are exposed to chemicals and impurities in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, the products we use on our skin, and even the cleaners in our homes. Over time, these exposures can weigh on our bodies and affect how we feel.
Choosing to nourish our bodies with fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole foods supports the natural processes that help cleanse and renew us from the inside out. When we care for what’s happening internally, it shows externally in our energy, focus, and overall well-being.
Is detoxing easy? No. Is it possible? Absolutely.
It requires a made-up mind, conscious choices, and a plan. Success doesn’t happen by accident — it happens with intention. Think positively, prepare ahead, and commit to becoming a cleaner, healthier version of yourself.
Welp, … where do I begin? Let’s start with the oh-so-true cliché: it all starts in the mind.
This has been a journey I’ve been on for quite some time. Like many people, I start off strong. I’m motivated. I’m focused. Then boredom creeps in, laziness rears its ugly head, and suddenly I surrender to the comfort of being tired. But I’ve realized something important: nothing comes from wishing and hoping. If I want change, I have to take ACTION.
And if I’m honest, action is where I struggle. There are always plenty of excuses available—any given time, any given day—to justify why I can wait until tomorrow.
Then I have to ask myself: how did I let myself get to this point?
By doing absolutely nothing… while somehow expecting a miraculous event to occur and BAM—I’m fine as a bottle of wine. (LOL.) But the old saying is true: nothing from nothing leaves nothing.
So without further ado, it’s time to develop a game plan—and commit. A plan that works specifically for me. That’s right—ME. It already feels good to put myself first, even if it’s just in thought for now. Action is coming.
Part of getting your mind right requires daily deposits. Nowadays, we call these affirmations. Yes, it’s important to tell yourself that you can and will accomplish your goals. Before someone else can encourage you, you must encourage yourself. Be your own coach. Be your own cheerleader. Find the app, the Pinterest board, the social media page—whatever reminds you throughout the day to lean into positivity. Because let’s be real, there is plenty of negativity all around us.
Next: know your limitations.
I am not a fitness guru. I am not a healthcare provider. But I do listen to my body, and I know my likes and dislikes. One major dislike? Exercise. However, I also know I cannot lose weight without it. So if I’m going to do it, I need to get the most bang for my buck and maximize my effort in the time I commit.
Understanding my WHY helps.
My “why” used to be about being fine and sexy. I’m so glad I’ve matured. Now, I want energy. I want to feel good. I want to look good in my clothes. Right now, my muffin top runneth over. I may never have a six-pack—and that’s okay—but I can lose the extra weight that’s keeping me from being my best.
So here’s the plan:
I will incorporate cardio three to four times per week for 30 minutes. I like flexibility, so I’m not assigning specific days, but my week starts on Sunday. In addition, I’ll alternate upper body, lower body, and core workouts three to four days per week for 15–30 minutes per session. I’ll follow this schedule for three to four weeks.
Baby steps.
Now… here comes the tricky part: eating.
Because I’m in tune with myself, I know my biggest hurdle is emotional eating. Stress from work. Family responsibilities. My own internal battles. Somehow, food has always been the comfort. And yes, while BMI charts aren’t perfect, I know my energy levels are telling me it’s time to get my life together.
The ultimate goal isn’t just weight loss—it’s feeling better. It’s confidence when I look in the mirror. Will there be setbacks? Probably. But will I allow those setbacks to send me all the way back to the starting gate?
Absolutely not.
This season has given me time to observe my life. I’ve observed long enough. Now it’s time for action. And action works best with a plan.
When thinking about your goals and aspirations in life, it’s important to stay true to yourself. It’s easy to get distracted by everything happening around us. We start out with great intentions, but sometimes we set unrealistic goals and expectations that leave us feeling discouraged or even depressed when we fall short. If you’ve felt that way, you’re not alone.
The older generation used to say, “Just live.” As I’ve gotten older, I understand that saying more and more. Life isn’t meant to be a constant race toward perfection—it’s a journey.
So how can you stay true to yourself?
Accept who you are — flaws and all. Growth starts with self-acceptance.
Set realistic, measurable goals. Make them attainable so you can track real progress.
Find healthy ways to celebrate success. Food isn’t always the best reward—especially if you’re working on your health.
Stay positive throughout the process. Some days will challenge you more than others. Keep things in perspective.
Try not to overthink everything. Stay busy. Stay active. As the saying goes, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” Consider adding a daily affirmation app to your routine—sometimes we all need that little boost. Limit the negativity you allow into your space, both in person and online. Be intentional about the company you keep.
At the end of the day, hold yourself accountable. Commit to taking at least one small step forward each day while staying aligned with who you truly are.
Keeping a journal can be a therapeutic way to organize and release the many thoughts that pass through our minds each day. Many therapists and online resources recommend journaling for this very reason.
When it comes to weight loss, many personal trainers and fitness enthusiasts also suggest keeping a food journal and I agree. Tracking what you eat allows you to reflect on your food choices over the course of a day, week, month, or even a year. While there are many apps available for this, the core idea remains the same: pay attention to what you eat and how your body responds.
Journaling gives your thoughts and ideas a safe place to “escape” while remaining private. Often, there are sensitive thoughts that need to be released from your mind so you can better navigate life. Life can mean many things your relationship with yourself, your family, your spiritual well-being, or your journey with weight loss or weight gain. Writing these thoughts down, whether in a physical notebook or a digital journal, can only help in the long run.
Above all, consistency is key. Staying consistent allows time for real change to take place. While we live in a society that often expects growth and transformation at the push of a button, true, healthy change takes time. Staying grounded in that reality will help you build lasting habits and meaningful progress.
To the optimistic and realistic persons, planning is essential in life. How often do we plan on a day-to-day basis? Stop and think about it. We plan for the smallest of things. Think about this, we have a routine for even the smallest events in our lives. For instance, we have a morning routine. These are the things we do each morning whether we are conscious of our movements or not. The same applies to our nightly routine. There was trial and error to see what works best for our situation.
For example, Friday nights are reserved for “me” time. This is the time that I can enjoy myself. I like to get off work, order curbside to-go, and indulge in an adult beverage depending on my week. During this time I either read a book (African American Romance) or I watch a good Romantic Comedy. After I finish my nightly hygiene, I can fall asleep early or late, but my family understands this is my time. Of course there are exceptions to this rule, but for the most part this is my Friday plan.
Let’s look at the big scope in life. Working and earning a stable income for ourselves and family is the goal while saving for retirement. This all takes planning. Plans allow us to put things into perspective and devise ways to make it happen. Planning helps to think about if/then scenarios so we can hopefully avoid common pitfalls.
2025 make a plan, adjust it as necessary, and execute. Keep in mind your plan does not need to be perfect, because if you are honest with yourself nobody’s plan is. Know that the plan is a “living” plan and as life happens your plans have to adjust to keep up.
My plans for 2025: 1) save a specific dollar amount; 2) lose 15-20 pounds; 3) create a healthier lifestyle of eating (family meals included); 4) enjoy self-care/self-love days; and 5) exercise at least 3 days a week
I challenge you to take the time to make a plan for your goals that you want to accomplish. Remember your plan should be flexible and achievable.
Too often we fall into the never ending abyss of helping others and putting ourselves last. As a result, we are often too tired to do anything that will improve our health and well being. Often times taking care of my family, work, maintaining a house, and being an entrepreneur – all of my time to read novels and exercise are cut short.
When trying to lose weight and to be successful, we must make small goals. Yes, I would like to wave a magic wand and be able to run/jog 2-3 miles a day, but that is not the case… right now. Yes, I am starting out by walking. This is a small step but it has huge results. This goal has me waking up at 5 am getting on my treadmill and walk 1-2 miles.
This is one of my S.M.A.R.T. goals. My next goal is to increase my water intake. This is something that I struggle with because my taste buds have become accustomed to having flavor throughout the day and especially with meals. My goal this week is to drink a minimum of 48 ounces. I know it is not the daily recommended intake, but it is a start and it is more than what I am consuming now.
Remember to take the time to do something for yourself daily.
Let’s redefine ourselves the S.M.A.R.T. way!
Let me know what your S.M.A.R.T. goals are. I like to break things up in phases. I am on the journey of improving my lifestyle for me! Let’s do this!
redefiningmylifestyle.com 