Community Workday: We need your help!

On Tuesday, May 24th starting at 6:30pm, we will start our workday at "Miss Mary's Garden", a CWUW project with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and we need YOU.

We need 15 volunteers, ages 13 and up, to help us build beds and prep the lot for the garden. NO experience needed.  We just need good spirits and willing bodies.

If you're interested, please just send us an email for more information. info@cwuwonline.org


This garden is for the community by the community. Help us grow!!!

Let it go….

This isn't about weight loss but about losing weight, losing the baggage. Sometimes in prayer and meditation, the message is the same and a message I'm still working on…..let it go. Many times, we are wearing, like a coat, everything that is going on inside of us. Let it go. Forgiveness brings us healing. We truly need to look within ourselves and desire something different, something new. Let it go. Renew your mind daily. Start fresh with a new way of looking at your life and your approach to stress and negative situations.

My simple message is….let it go.

 

Rhonda L. Bayless

Mother, sister, daughter, friend, human…..and Executive Director

http://www.cwuwonline.org

 

The Results Are In!

May 16, 2011

First I have to correct a horrible mistake, Dorian & T’Lai corrected my tracking…today is Day 15 not 14. I’m sorry y’all, dang!

Dorian, T’Lai and I all improved on our fit test today; we really pushed ourselves. Because I am being extremely lazy (and a bit selfish) I am only publishing my results.   Hey, at least I gave them a mention…lol.

I may have mentioned before that the fit test is performed on Days 1, 15, 36, 50, and 63; the goal is to complete as many reps in one minute and of course notice some improvement each time you perform the fit test. The moves below are listed in the order they were performed. Oh, you have between 1-2 minutes between each move to "recover."

 I'm still to chicken to share my progress photos (but I'm working up the nerve) so you will have to settle for my beautiful blue butterfly.  My results are below…YAAAAY!

Day 15 is in the books!

Peace & Love

Butterfly

MOVE	DAY 1	DAY 15	DESCRIPTION
SWITCH KICKS	51	59	SWITCH KICKS-2 kicks = 1 rep. jumping alternating front kicks
POWER JACKS	21	34	Jumping jack ending in a squat position
POWER KNEES	80	98	Standing at a slight angle bring knee up and arms down…very fast
POWER JUMPS	15	28	wide jumps, knees come up high, hands touch knees
GLOBE JUMPS	5	6	jump to right/back/left/front touching the floor and back up with each jump
SUICIDE JUMPS	4	7	Squat. thrust legs out into plank position, pull legs in and jump up
PUSH-UP JACKS	1	9	From a plank position take legs out wide when going down, pull together when pushing up…repeat
LOW PLANK OBLIQUE	15	20	From plank position-on forearms bring knee up as high as you can on the outside

I'm Still Committed...

Sunday, May 15, 2011

For those of you who have been following my journey I want to let you know that I’m still committed to completing Insanity, walking 60 miles, and keeping you updated through the Live Life Well blog. However, due to a new job, I have decided that I will only update this blog weekly and when I have something new and exciting to share. What I have found is that I really don’t have much to say about the workouts once I have completed them the first time because the workouts repeat. 

Today is day 13 of Insanity, which is my rest day. Tomorrow, Day 14 I will complete the fitness test again (If you remember, I completed the fitness test on Day 1) to determine if I have improved my fitness level. I am really excited to see and share my results tomorrow.

If you are curious to know how much weight I have lost, I am sorry to disappoint you, but I WILL NOT WEIGH MYSELF tomorrow. In the past, I was obsessed with the 3-digit number on the scale and when it did not show a decrease in spite of my hard work, it would really piss me off and I would become discouraged and usually quit the exercise routine.  This time, I will  measure my success on how my clothes fit, the fitness test, and measurements. I will weigh in on Day 60. The scale will probably piss me off on Day 60, but a least I will have completed the Insanity workout. 

Finally, I challenge you to commit to purchasing a pedometer and tracking the number of steps you take each day. Try if for at least 30 days, you will be surprised at the things you will do to reach 10,000 steps.

 

Days 9-13… in the books

Peace & Love

Butterfly

CWUW has a new phone number!

CWUW has a new number!

If you need to speak with a CWUW member, please give us a call at 317-520-CWUW (2989)

Flying Solo

Today was my first day going solo on the Insanity workout due to the fact that I am on the road. I completed my workout before leaving Atlanta with the support of Dorian and Tiara. They really cheered me on and encouraged me to dig deeper. Dorian actually took some nice action shots and I am happy to report that the nausea that I felt when I took my "before" pictures was slightly less...lol
I will share the pictures Dorian took when I return to Atlanta tomorrow along with pictures of Tiara and Christopher Digging Deeper.

I really don't have much to discuss today but I hope that you are considering ways to incorporate some form of exercise into your day. Shout out to Taneisha Pruitt for walking up 5 flights of stairs...daily! Don't stop!

Day 9 is in the books!

Peace & Love

Butterfly

Family Affair

Monday, May 9, 2011

Ok, so today our daughter Tiara (19) and son Christopher (18) started Insanity. I am really proud and excited that they had joined in. I would be happy with any form of exercise, but it is nice that we are doing Insanity together. They are a week behind us, but we are cheerleading for them just like they have done for us.

Yesterday (Mother’s Day) I so enjoyed my rest day and my family, but I feel like I paid for it today when we started week 2. We are performing the same workouts but in a different order, but the workouts just seemed harder. On my rest day, I slept well and ate like I usually do, but today was difficult. IDK…

Anyway, I am started a new job today which is going to require me to travel so I am really going to need support to keep Digging Deeper and complete my 60 days of Insanity. I have to admit, in addition to the support of my family, contributing to this blog is another source of support and accountability for me so if you’re following, send me a shout out sometimes. Big hugs to Rhonda, Teresa, Erika, Tonia, Brandy, Kesha, Christian, and Collins; you are really keeping me accountable because it appears you are following my blog entries…yay! Please keep “liking” my blog entries and feel free to share some feedback. Thanks for the support. Oh, don’t forget to check out the CWUW site. www.cwuwonline.org

Day 8 is in the books!

Peace & Love,

Butterfly

P.S. I was too tired for pics and my cheerleaders/photographers are now Insaniacs. We will do better tomorrow and I will capture them Digging Deeper too.

Daughter inspires mother to improve health | The Indianapolis Star | indystar.com

Daughter inspires mother to improve health | The Indianapolis Star | indystar.com

Week 1 is in the books!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Today was Day 6 of the Insanity workout and I am tired.  The workout today was one performed earlier in the week…second verse same as the first, it was tough! I have not weighed in, I will do that after I finish week 2. My entire body is sore and I welcome tomorrow, Day 7, rest day. Initially I was planning to walk 5 miles, but naaaaaaaaaa, I will rest and prepare for the foolishness to begin again on Monday. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Day 6 is in the books!

Day 7 tomorrow so I will be resting. Holla at cha on Monday, the beginning of week 2!

My hubby is stunned! Yes Love, we made it through week 1!

Peace & Love,

Butterfly

Dig Deeper

Friday, May 6, 2011

Shaun kicked our butts!

For the life of me, I could not figure out why Shaun T. would place a recovery workout in the middle of the week (Day 4); well today I figured it out…Pure Cardio. This workout was the most Insane of all the workouts thus far. This workout, like all the others, had me sweating like crazy by the end of the 10 minute warm-up. After that, Shaun was gracious enough to allow us to “rest” by stretching before the foolishness began. I am not complaining, just stating the facts. In fact, Shaun admits after the workout that “this sh*t was bananas.” 

Dorian, T’Lai, and I really had to “Dig Deeper” with this workout, however, we felt pretty good about our efforts after we saw the folks in the video taking breaks during and literally dropping to their knees by the end. Today, I burned 946 calories in about 40 minutes and my heart rate at its highest was 178.

As I continue on my journey through Insanity, I hope that it will prepare me for the 60 miles I will walk over the course of 3 days in October for the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure (yes, there is a method to my madness http://www.the3day.org/goto/LaWanda.Martindale). I also hope that by sharing my journey that I am inspiring you to "Dig Deeper,"and try to incorporate some form of exercise into your day…when you're ready.  Here's one suggestion, a pedometer. A pedometer is great because it tracks your steps and may even challenge you to "Dig Deeper" by taking the stairs, parking farther, or simply taking a walk at lunch to reach your daily goal. Not to mention, if you live in Indy you can walk with CWUW on Wednesdays and Saturdays and knock out at least 3 miles on these days (see the website for details). 

Anyway, one more day before my rest day.

Day 5 is in the books!

Peace & Love,

Butterfly

Mental Health Awareness: Speaking out about Bulimia

For many years, I have written on my various blogs about living with bulimia. http://clevawords.blogspot.com    Its something that many don't understand and don't realize so many live in secrecy about. I'm a recovering bulimic. Bulimia is a mental disorder. Plan and simple. For the first time, I will be talking with a group this weekend about my history of eating disorders, body image, anxiety, and coping. I do feel the need to share with other women, especially black women, about this issue. Many women suffer from an eating disorder in one form or another especially binge eating disorder or emotional eating.  Let's let go of the secrey and let the healing begin.

woman in the mirror

There are still issues I'm dealing with. I don't allow or like my picture to be taken. I'm also a workaholic. Both are anxiety and coping issues that are related to my history of bulimia. For me, bulimia wasn't and isn't about losing weight.  Its about coping and the manner in which I address stress.  Yes, some of it is wrapped in body image but its not central to my illness.  Just a symptom, a by product.

I've been in the process of healing for a few years.  I no longer binge/purge but I still have anxiety issues that are being addressed. I've embraced my humanity. I'm flawed and I'm beautiful.  Takes a while to get there but bulimia has been a part of my journey since my 20s.  I've lived with it. I'm ok with saying I've had a mental illness.  Healing can only start with being honest and transparent. I've blogged about bulimia for a few years and I will continue to do so. 

So, this Saturday, I will collaborate with Voice!boX and speak on living with bulimia, not as the Executive Director of CWUW or the Prevention Manager of the Damien Center, but as Rhonda....a everyday person, experiencing everyday things. 

Be Well...

'You Think THAT'S Crazy...' VOICE!boX Inc EmPOWERtainment Session

The Griot Village

6213 La Pas Trail

Indianapolis, Indiana

SUBJECT MATTER: SERIOUS

ATMOSPHERE: ABSOLUTELY NOT.

COME Curious. Leave EmPOWERtained! BE. EAT. SPEAK. & WIN. FREELY.

Join Us for this INTERACTIVE Mental Health Awareness Session & MORE

OUT!LOUD for VOICE!boX Performers & Presenters:

Kenye Fudiyah
Rhonda Bayless
Pam Bass

SESSIONS TEXT re|MIND|er & RSVP text: 317.590.4300

Be Selfish

Thursday, May 5, 2011

I completed my Insanity workout today but I am not going to discuss that because I want to share something else that was in my spirit. After all, you’ve already read about my feelings regarding the Recovery day of Insanity; I told you last week before I fell off the wagon…lol

This move is included on the Recovery day!

Until I had my “rock bottom moment,” my desire to exercise, change my eating habits, and ultimately lose weight was an on/off thing.  It was during this  “rock bottom moment” that I realized my reasons for trying to improve myself were focused on any and everything except me. I would try to lose weight because I didn’t want my kids to be embarrassed because their mother was heavy. I wanted to lose weight because I wanted to be “sexy” for my husband.  I wanted to lose weight because I did not like being referred to as the light-skinned, heavy set lady. Keep in mind, my children never acted as if they were embarrassed when I was around, my husband always told me (and still does) how beautiful and sexy he thought I was, and I don’t think people who described me were being mean, but because I was not happy with me, I perceived these things. Finally, I had a “light bulb moment” and realized that I needed to be selfish.

Being selfish comes with a stigma; after all it does mean that you lack consideration for others.  However, what I learned was that I needed to be selfish if I wanted to improve myself mind, body, and spirit. I realized that I could not do it for my husband, kids, or others; my desire had to come from within. I needed to love me and if I did not like what I saw when I looked in the mirror, then I needed to fix it. Although I solicited the support of my family as I worked to improve me I had to be selfish and focus on what I needed to do to become the me I wanted to be.

Improving our health…mind, body, and soul has to be something that is selfish. You have to change because you want to change, not because others think you need to do.

Day 4 is in the books…again

Peace & Love

Butterfly

Mid-week Walk at Northwestway

In observance of National Women's Health Week (May8-14), Sister's Together will be starting our weekly mid-week walk at Northwestway Park, Wednesday May 11th at 6pm. Now you have 2 opportunities to walk with CWUW during the week.

Support

I have learned that getting started with a workout is the most difficult for me; after I start I am usually okay. Well, today was no different; I wasn’t feeling all that Insane. However, I dug deep and finished my Day 3…again (remember, I fell of the wagon and had to start over…lol)

This is not water, this is actual DNA removal (sweat)

Working out alone is another area that is difficult for me, especially with a workout as extreme as Insanity. I love working out with my husband and our youngest daughter. I love the support of the folks who are following this blog (even if you don’t comment…lol), and I love making our 19-year-old daughter and 18-year-old son come out of their hideouts (bedrooms) and be our cheerleaders (no, they don’t like it, but who cares…lol). However, what I cannot stand is for someone working out with me to complain about how much they hate the workout and it is really bad when it is your spouse. I love my husband, lawd knows I do (in my best Miss Sophia voice), and I know that he doesn’t have the best knees due to football injuries however he knows this too. So I ask, why start the workout and complain about how difficult it is? I mean, we watched the infomercial so did he think it was going to be different?

Our tough faces…lol

Anyway, I went off on a tangent and said all of that to say, if you need support when you work out, don’t hesitate to use the folks you love most, your family. They don’t necessarily have to workout with you, but you can create your own cheering section, trust me it helps.

Finally, if you are wondering if the Love of My Life reads this blog, the answer is yes. And with that I say to him “shut up already, damn” (all you Prince fans know the voice I’m using…lol) and Dig Deep or go back to P90X and Bring It!  Whatever the case, let’s keep supporting each other on our journeys. I love you and don't be mad because I put you on blast! lol

Day 3 is in the books…again

Butterfly

Transparency

My name is LaWanda and I fell off the Insanity wagon. There, I said it!

If you have been following my Insanity journey you probably noticed that I have not posted in a couple of days. The reason, I fell off the wagon.  When I decided to share my journey, I knew that I would be totally transparent which means sharing my successes as well as failures. After all, why share a journey if you only want to share your high points?

We're going all the way…this time!

Falling off the wagon every now and then is a reality for me. Sometimes I eat way too much ice cream (Ben and Jerry’s Karamel Sutra to be exact), drink too much wine, or like this past weekend, I don’t exercise. I used to get so down on myself when I fell short of reaching my goal but now…I simply refocus and start again. If I decided to dwell on the fact that I fell off the wagon, I probably wouldn’t get back up.

Today, I am not going to share my thoughts on Day 2, I’ve done that already. Instead, I will say, if you are working towards a goal and you fall off the wagon simply get up.

Day 2 is in the books…again!

Butterfly