OH NO!!! I cheated!

This past weekend was pretty cool. My ladies of Success Weight showed up for a wonderful meeting on Sunday. I enjoyed time with my beautiful niece, and I hung out with one of my cousins. My cousin and I went to dinner, but had salads (healthy!!!) I did have one frozen margarita - hey, I cannot go to this place, and not have one of their drinks. She had two, but I am not judging her lol.

So, I went to drop her off - she lives in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Yes, the home of the Cyclone! To my surprise, when I went to drop her off, I found parking; this is a big deal! We decided to walk on the Broadwalk and just enjoy the breeze. One thing I love about Coney Island in the summertime is you get to walk by the water. So, I had no intentions of getting anything until I saw the sign. "FUNNEL CAKE $6" I literally screamed and ran to the booth. I have not had a funnel cake in YEARS - I am very serious.

So, yes I had funnel cake, and it was DELICIOUS! But, I also knew my limits. Many times when people cheat, they cheat BIG. Cheating just means allowing your body to experience something that you would normally have everyday or frequently, and just satisfying the craving. Cheating should not be looked down upon nor should you feel like you cannot treat yourself to something. We need to allow artificial sugar into our system occasionally, but you do not need it often.

So how do you cheat?

1. Plan for your cheat meal - cheating should not be too random.Yes, sometimes you will see something on sale that you used to love, and just find the craving to have it. Otherwise, try to just plan that girls' night out or the trip to the amusement park with the kids. This way, you should eat clean before and after this cheat meal (as I call it).

2. Know your limits - Overindulging into your cheat could sabotage your entire calorie intake for the day. Sometimes, our bodies just need to know the bad foods exist, and you can just taste or nibble on a piece of whatever it is you are craving or want. Eat slowly not only to savor the moment, but to listen to your body - your stomach will indicate when enough is enough. Remember, you may experience some side effects if you have not had any "bad foods" in a while.

3. Share with somebody - The best way to avoid over-indulging is to share. I shared my funnel cake with my cousin. I literally ate about 7 pieces of the cake, and she ate the rest. This was best for me because I did not waste my $6, and I did not eat the entire cake by myself. Sharing desserts is the best way to get your mouth wet, but to also save money.

4. Know you deserve a treat - Being healthy has nothing to do with being clean 100%. It means you want to eat clean and exercise, but you want to enjoy and love the life you live. When you go months without the processed foods and drinks, sometimes you need to say to yourself, "Hey, I deserve a little treat." Being healthy means you have a full understanding of how to relate to food, but do it in a way that you do not feel restricted like diets want you to feel. Food is food, but the point is to get the mentality of a healthy person everyday.

So are you planning your next cheat meal? Make it a good one!!!

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Why are you "The Plus Size Health Nut"

PLUS SIZE HEALTH NUT - that is what I deem myself. I was asked why recently, and the answer is simple - regardless of what, I never want to be skinny. I will always be "thick, plus size, or hefty" and that is by choice. People think being healthy means you are looking to lose tons of weight, but the reality is NO!

Yes, in October 2012, I was on the journey to lose weight. The day I found out I was over 350 pounds, I was on a mission to lose 100 pounds. This is still my mission, but the reality is, I need to lose the excess weight, get down to a healthier weight, and continue to live healthy. My lowest adult weight has been 240, and I want to get down to 210 or 200 - nothing further than that.

<--- THE OLD ME!!! - HAPPY & SEXY, but UNHEALTHY!

I LOVE MY CURVES! I love my body, and as I eat right and work out, I am shaping it to look like what I want it to look like. See I am pear shaped - smaller top and heavy bottom. I used to have a wide, but flat butt; however, now my butt is definitely shaping up *wink* and I am happy about that. My waist is smaller, and as I continue to work out, I am developing myself into what I want to look - A GREAT PLUS SIZE DIVA!

Today, I had an encounter with a citizen of NYC on the subway. I went to sit down, and this slim, young lady said, "Why her fat ass had to sit next to me?" I looked over at the young lady and shook my head because had I been the old me, I would have cursed her out. Yes, it did bother me, but then I saw she was enjoying a butter bagel, and I said to her, "I may be thick, but I bet I am healthier than you." See people dwell on the weight and pounds, and do not realize that has nothing to do with your health. Society has painted this picture of health = skinny, and it does not. But, it made me realize that regardless of what, I have to keep the positive mindset because people will never understand the difference.

I was also asked, "Have you ever wanted to be skinny?" I can quickly answer - NO. I admired people like the singers, Aaliyah and Chili (from TLC), but I never wanted their bodies. During my college years (16-20) I learned quickly that I was beautiful and had to know how to flaunt my body - regardless of my size. I know what is not appropriate, and I do believe in this, "Just because it is in your size, does not mean you should wear it." I get many compliments and half compliments from people. What is a half compliment? "You are so beautiful and dress so nice for a big girl." I used to get upset about this, but I realized earlier that I will always be thick or plus size.

My boyfriend loves me the way I am, and if he didn't - he would have to go. I have never really had an issue with men and my body. There are some who prefer plus size - awesome. To me, look at my all my characteristics and traits - do not dwell on my body size because it can quickly change. So, the Plus Size Health Nut has no issues with finding love - that has never been the problem.

<-- PRESENT (-70 LBS OFF) & HEALTHY

So, being the Plus Size Health Nut just means I embrace my body and love who I am. I have no desire to lose too much weight unless it was medically related. But, I vow to treat my body and mind healthier than I ever have in the past. Loving who you are is critical. Just remember there is a thing called a healthier weight. Was I sexy at 350 pounds? Yes! I worked my sexy, but the real question is: was I healthy at 350 pounds? The answer was no. So, stop thinking about your friends, the person next to you, your spouse, or what society deems a healthy weight. Focus on who you are and what you are comfortable with overall. It makes your life so much easier in the long run.

Love you all,

TW aka Plus Size Health Nut

Visit: www.successweight.com

QUESTION OF THE DAY: What is Success Weight?

So, after losing almost 70 pounds (to date), I was put into a unique situation - people were coming to me for advise on how to lose weight. But, during my various conversations, I realized I was not focusing on losing weight, but how to be healthy in my living decisions. People wanted my advice and support as they went through the journey, and the idea to start my own program blossomed quickly!

First, it started off as a Healthy Living Challenge at my job with the students. I had several students who were interested in gaining control of their lives, and saw me as I was transitioning; therefore, it worked together. I needed the constant motivation, and they needed guidance on how to live healthier. Once, this became a success, I thought to myself, "Could I do this on a larger scale?" The idea rapidly and quickly turned into one answer - YES!

So March 2013, I developed Success Weight; a healthy living program with the goal of assisting busy individuals as they seek to explore a healthy living journey. This program's main focus is to mentally prepare  clients for this new journey. It is not a weight loss program because it is designed to help you revamp your life, so after you lose the necessary weight you desire, you will know how to continue to maintain that weight loss. Assisting them in reprogramming their mindset as it relates to food and exercise. As members restructure their mindset, they begin to learn how to adjust their daily routines into a healthy one.

The program had it's meeting in May 2013, in Brooklyn, NY. That first meeting there were 4 individuals dedicated to changing their lives. They were tired of losing weight the wrong ways. They no longer wanted to take medication for various illnesses. They decided it was time to take control of their lives, so they could live longer and healthier lifestyles.

Success Weight is not for people seeking to lose weight for a specific event (wedding, reunion, graduation, dates, etc.) because once those events occur, most people revert back to their lifestyle. Success Weight is looking to help people look beyond those events, and just seek a life of healthy and happiness.

How can you join or learn more about Success Weight? Easy! Email Tanisha, Founder at successweight.owner@gmail.com to get additional information. By June/July 2013, Success Weight will be expanding to an online program to help and support individuals are able to attend meetings due to the schedule conflicts or location (outside of the NYC area). If you are interested in adopting the program for your local church or institution, this option is also available.

Success Weight seeks to help individuals find easy ways to adjust their lives to live a happy and healthy life - FOREVER! Visit www.successweight.com

We live by one motto:
No GIMMICKS!
No DIETS!
No PILLS!
Just HEALTHY!

TW aka Plus Size Health Nut