I Built This Body To Relax In

FITNESS & HEALTH

 My Weight Loss Journey:

My New Lifestyle

“No one wakes up in the morning and says, 'I want to gain 150 pounds and I will start right now!’” (Cunningham) It sneaks up on you – the pounds – and before you know it your scale suddenly must be broken. When I was 184 pounds (seen below) I knew my scale was not broken; although I wish it was. Truthfully, I knew the only thing that was broken was my spirit. Once, I muscled up enough courage to stop feeling sorry for myself and take action, my journey began. It was not easy.

The pounds slowly crept on and off. Today, almost five years later and over 50 pounds lighter, I am still on my journey. When I tell people how much I use to weigh they’re usually in disbelief and they tend to ask “What did you do,” so I figured I would share my story.

The day it all started, the day I decided to go to the gym was the same day I declared a change. I did not wait. I did not say tomorrow, or next week, or next month; as soon as I was ready for a change, that same day, I walked myself straight into the gym. I stayed on one machine, the elliptical machine, barely 30 minutes before grabbing my empty water bottle and leaving the gym in a hot sweat. I told myself that night that, “If I am going to this thing, I am going to do it right.” I mentally prepared myself for the challenge that I knew was ahead of me. Those 30 minutes were difficult, but eventually – with time – 30 minutes turned into 40, which turned into 50. The process was demanding. However, over the course of time my body became conditioned, and my minutes spent at the gym extended well over an hour.

Gradually, I incorporated healthier eating habits. When stopping for a quick bite to eat at McDonalds I no longer order cheeseburgers, fries, and sodas; instead, I opt for salads and water. I noticed that the healthier I ate, the longer my stride, the faster my pace and the more energy I had for running – an activity I always relished in before the weight gain. Shortly thereafter, I hired a trainer – P90X. Although, P90X is an exercise program, it felt more like a trainer yelling "bring it" than a set of dvd’s with strategic workout routines.

Today, my goals have shifted. Weight is no longer the focal point. Now, I am concentrating on simply maintaining my health and toning my body. I eat foods I enjoy in moderation and track my calories. Yes, I am a calorie counter. Counting my calories has helped me maintain my figure while keeping me accountable for my actions. When logging my calories I consider how well or poor my eating habits have been; if I notice that there were one too many calories, especially due to sweets or fried foods I make sure not to skip a workout or I tend to stay an extra 30 minutes in the gym.

Click here, to learn more about calories!

 Moreover, I constantly research and familiarize myself with significant developments in fitness and health to assist me with my fitness goals.   

Additionally, I have immersed myself in numerous activities. As mentioned in, Work it Out, I have found it to be extremely refreshing and exciting to engage in different exercises and activities like: African dance, Brazilian dance, bellydance, running, swimming, yoga, Zumba, spin, etc. 

I believe the key to loosing weight and staying healthy is: courage, determination, support, and health/fitness awareness. Without courage I would not have been able to take the first step towards my journey and without determination I would have stopped a long time ago. Furthermore, the fitness awareness I have acquired along with the support of others has been critical in the maintenance of my health.   

  

Over the Odor

HEALTH

Vaginal Odor

Let’s be frank with another; shall we? I know that many of you think, want, and even wish that your vagina emitted smells of an enchanted garden or some type of sweet treat out of a candy shop, but it never will happen – at least not naturally.  

Vaginas naturally have a smell and it’s not flowery nor is it fruity. “Don't believe him when he tells you it smells like rose petals when it's supposed to smell like pussy,” says Eva Ensler, award-winning author of the Vagina Monologues.  They’re simply trying to clean it up. “That's what they're doing -- trying to clean it up, make it smell like bathroom spray or a garden. All those douche sprays -- floral, berry, rain. I don't want my pussy to smell like rain.” (Eva Ensler)

Most doctors agree that your vaginal odor depends largely on your daily activities and your diet. Jennifer Wider, MD in Cosmopolitan’s 6 Vaginal Odors to Put on Your Radar reveals parallel findings to Lissa Rankin, MD in Blogher’s How Are Vaginas Supposed To Smell. Apparently a healthy vagina can smell musky, bleachy, tinny, or sweet while, an unhealthy vagina can smell fishy or yeasty. To elaborate:

Musky

A healthy vagina can smell musky from the surrounding sweat glands, especially after intense workouts like an exhausting spin class or a marathon; this is normal.

Fishy

Jennifer Wider, MD tells Cosmopolitan that, “If your vagina gives off a strong, foul odor, it may be the sign of an infection. For example, bacterial vaginosis is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria and upsets the delicate PH balance of the vagina, causing an increase in discharge and a strong fishy odor that increases after you've had sex. A foul odor with green discharge typically indicates trichomoniasis, an STD. So, if you just don't smell right, trust your instinct and see your doctor.”

Bleachy

A healthy vagina may smell like bleach or “chlorine-like” after sexual intercourse; this may be a result of the lubricants you use during intercourse, and whether or not you used a condom.   

Yeasty

While it is normal for us women to have small amounts of yeast in our vagina, yeast infections occur when there's an overgrowth. Lissa Rankin, MD tells Blogher readers that “When yeast overgrows in the vagina, you may smell like freshly baked-bread or a good malt beer.”

Tinny

If you are menstruating or pregnant you may notice that your vagina smells like blood or flinty-iron. Jennifer Wider, MD says that “When you have your period, the blood can mix with the natural state of a healthy vagina and give off a different—but normal—smell.” Furthermore,  the “American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) reports that around 9 out of every 10 women experience an unusual vaginal odor during pregnancy. The reason, is normally harmless, and caused solely by the immense amount of hormone secretions and overworking sebaceous sweat glands in the vaginal area that are stimulated into a frenzy during pregnancy.” (Natty, 2013)

Sweet

Lastly, but not least your vagina may smell sweet – not like a sweet treat from a candy shop, but more ambrosial; this is largely due to the types of food you eat. While, citrus fruits like oranges, pineapple, and grapefruit have been known to sweeten the smell and taste of vaginal fluids, onions, garlic, broccoli, and asparagus have been known to cause "unpleasant" odors and tastes. Hence, nutrition is important to combating unpleasant vaginal odors.  

NUTRITION

Probiotic Pineapple Popsicle

Dr. Lisa Masterson of the award-winning talk show The Doctors along with her "V-Team" suggests eating a probiotic pineapple popsicle for fragrant vaginal health.

Here's what you'll need (seen above, clockwise): plain non-fat yogurt, strawberries, pineapples, and bananas. The directions are quite simple: you cut up the fruit to your liking (preferably small to medium size); next, you mix the fruit into a bowl of plain non-fat yogurt; then you place the mix into popsicle molds; lastly, freeze, eat , and enjoy. (**NOTE: You can use as much or as little of each ingrediant as you like, just be sure to use more yogurt than fruit.)

See here for more details. 

Other things you can do to minimize vaginal odor are:

– Wear clean underwear made of cotton, so that your vagina can breathe. It is also recommended, at least by my doctor, to sometimes sleep without underwear, so that your vagina can breathe more. 

– Avoid tight clothing.

– Bathe regularly using warm water and mild soap to clean the vaginal area. Make sure to avoid scented female products and douches to clean the vagina.

– Change pads and tampons regularly when menstruating.

– Use barrier methods of birth control if semen causes you a problem.

– Always wipe front to back after bowel movements.

– Avoid spicy and starchy foods as well as alcohol and caffeinated beverages.

– As discussed, you should be sure to include fresh fruits as well as leafy vegetables into your diet; make it a habit.

– Eat yogurt daily. Yogurt is full of live and active cultures which can balance the delicate flora (good bacteria) of your vagina.

– Urinate and wash immediately after sex to flush bacteria from the vaginal area.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 

A Hard Pill To Swallow?

ART & FASHION

Hot Topic 

According to Olivia Fleming of the Daily Mail, “Just two months ago, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's $39,000 alligator skin backpack sold out at Barneys. Now the design duo for The Row has gone one step further, releasing a $55,000 backpack adorned with prescription pills (see below). The bag is a collaboration between British artist Damien Hirst, whose paintings have sold for more than $3million, and the Olsen twins' label, The Row.

Created out of black patent leather from Nile crocodiles, the five-figure backpack is one of 12 being sold on behalf of Just One Eye, which includes plain and polka-dotted versions also.

Just One Eye co-founder Paola Russo said in a statement: 'We are longtime admirers of both Damien and The Row’s work, and our main focus here is to nurture work between artists working in different mediums.We couldn't have dreamed of a better way to debut this series of partnerships.'

Signed by the artist himself, each backpack 'blurs the line between high art and high fashion'…” (December 3, 2012)

Despite, the artistic appeal of the backpack some critics find it difficult to appreciate “as [the pill appliqués] seem to glamorize drug use.” (ONTD) 

Personally, as an artist, I can appreciate the design of the backpack. However, as a health advocate it is important to note that prescription drug abuse is a growing epidemic with certain populations - youth, women, and older adults - being at risk. Consequently, I find the backpack to be more of a health awareness item than a fashion statement. 

What do you think? 

An Apple A Day...

HEALTH & NUTRITION

...Keeps The Doctor Away?

Fashion and health are two key aspects of my life. As a jewelry designer – Pure Love – I look for inspiration all around me and I tend to find some of my greatest inspirations from fashion designers (e.g. Lana Del Rey, seen above, wearing a Louis Vuitton dress and Miu Miu gloves). Moreover, I am adamant about living healthy, so I am constantly researching fitness and health/ nutrition tips.  As a result, I have come to know as many fashion designers as I do nutrition myths, which is a lot. Previously, in Drink Up, I discussed the myth surrounding the need to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. It was busted, like most myths. However, the expression "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" appears to have more truth to it.

“The first printed mention of this saying can be found in the February 1866 issue of the publication ‘Notes and Queries.’ The publication printed the proverb like this: ‘Eat an apple on going to bed, and you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread.’ Nearly 150 years later, variations of this adage are still quoted. It's unlikely that the saying would have maintained such popularity if there wasn't some truth to it, right? With that in mind, let's consider some of the apple's components and their effect on our health:

1. Pectin -- Pectin is a form of soluble fiber than lowers both blood pressure and glucose levels. It can also lower the levels of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol in the body. Pectin, like other forms of fiber, helps maintain the health of the digestive system. Apples are an excellent source of pectin.

2. Boron -- A nutrient found in abundance in apples, boron supports strong bones and a healthy brain.

3. Quercetin -- A flavonoid, this nutrient shows promise for reducing the risk of various cancers, including cancers in the lungs and breast. It may also reduce free radical damage. Free radicals develop when atoms in the body's cells have unpaired electrons, which can lead to damage to different parts of the cell, including DNA. Quercetin may neutralize free radical damage, which has been implicated in a variety of age-related health problems, including Alzheimer's disease.

4. Vitamin C -- Vitamin C boosts immunity, which helps maintain overall health.

5. Phytonutrients -- Apples are rich in a variety of phytonutrients, including vitamins A and E and beta carotene. These compounds fight damage from free radicals and can have a profound affect on health, including reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes and asthma.

Apples also act as a toothbrush, cleaning teeth and killing bacteria in the mouth, which may reduce the risk of tooth decay. They're also low in calorie density, one of the trademarks of a healthy food. When a food is low in calorie density you can eat good size portions of the food for relatively few calories. In addition, apples are affordable and readily available.

With all of this information, it's easy to see that, yes, an apple has its health benefits.” (Hunter, 2012) As part of a balanced diet an apple a day will in fact go a long way in keeping the doctor away.  

The Scar

HEALTH

The SCAR Project:

Breast Cancer Is Not A Pink Ribbon 

"The SCAR Project is a series of large-scale portraits of young breast cancer survivors shot by fashion photographer David Jay. Primarily an awareness raising campaign, The SCAR Project puts a raw, unflinching face on early onset breast cancer while paying tribute to the courage and spirit of so many brave young women.

Dedicated to the more than 10,000 women under the age of 40 who will be diagnosed this year alone, The SCAR Project is an exercise in awareness, hope, reflection and healing. The mission is three-fold: raise public consciousness of early-onset breast cancer, raise funds for breast cancer research/outreach programs and help young survivors see their scars, faces, figures and experiences through a new, honest and ultimately empowering lens.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in young women ages 15-40. The SCAR Project participants range from ages 18 to 35, and represent this often overlooked group of young women living with breast cancer. They journey from across America – and the world – to be photographed for The SCAR Project. Nearly 100 so far. The youngest being 18 years old.

Although Jay began shooting The SCAR Project primarily as an awareness raising campaign, he was not prepared for something much more immediate . . . and beautiful: 'For these young women, having their portrait taken seems to represent their personal victory over this terrifying disease. It helps them reclaim their femininity, their sexuality, identity and power after having been robbed of such an important part of it. Through these simple pictures, they seem to gain some acceptance of what has happened to them and the strength to move forward with pride.'" (The SCAR Project) 

_____________________________________

Get The Facts:

What are your Risks? 

Although, breast cancer is not a disease that is seen within my family, I am still at risk. As the SCAR Project has stated, "breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in young women ages 15-40," and I am 23. Furthermore, I am an African-American woman. What are your risks? Here are some of the facts about who is at risk for developing breast cancer.

1. Women: Simply being a woman is the main risk factor for developing breast cancer. Men can develop breast cancer, but this disease is about 100 times more common among women than men.

2. Ladies 15 Years of Age and Older: Although, your risk of developing breast cancer increases as you get older, about 1 out of 8 invasive breast cancers are found in women younger than 45. However, about 2 of 3 invasive breast cancers are found in women age 55 or older.

3.Individuals With Inherited Gene Mutations: About 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary, resulting directly from gene defects (called mutations) inherited from a parent. The most common cause of hereditary breast cancer is an inherited mutation in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

4.Women With a Family History of Breast Cancer: Breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have this disease. Having one first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer approximately doubles a woman's risk. Having 2 first-degree relatives increases her risk about 3-fold. However, overall less than 15% of women with breast cancer have a family member with this disease. This means that most (over 85%) women who get breast cancer do not have a family history of this disease.

5.White & African American Women: Overall, white women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than are African-American women, but African-American women are more likely to die of this cancer. However, in women under 45 years of age, breast cancer is more common in African- American women. Asian, Hispanic, and Native-American women have a lower risk of developing and dying from breast cancer.

Click here, to learn more!

Drink Up

NUTRITION & HEALTH

"As nutrition myths go, the one about needing to drink eight glasses of water a day just might be the biggest. Nobody knows where that number came from or how it caught on, but it’s told as if it were a basic fact, like gravity. In truth, the amount of water we require varies widely, depending on the climate, whether you’re a man or a woman, and how active you are." (Krieger, April 29, 2011) 

Yet, drinking water is extremely important to one's functioning, especially during the summer months. Zongker and Todt of the Huffington Post reported today that the heat was to blame for several deaths throughout the United States - "A 4-month-old girl died and a 16-month-old girl was hospitalized in suburban Indianapolis after both were found trapped in cars during 105 degree heat" - they added that "the heat caused highways to buckle in Illinois and Wisconsin...In Maryland, investigators said heat likely caused rails to kink and led a commuter train to partially derail Friday." (July 8, 2012)
  
Although, the heat can be blamed for a number of accidents during the summer, only you can be blamed for your lack of hydration. We all know we need water to stay hydrated and to remain healthy, but in case you did not know water helps: prevent heat exhaustion, promote healthy skin, cleanse, boost energy levels, and it keeps the heart as well as the digestive system healthy. So, myth or not, drinking eight glasses of water a day does not seem to be a bad idea.

Despite, the apparent health benefits a lot of people neglect to drink enough water. A plausible reason why individuals do not drink enough water could be due to water's tendency to be boring.However, this summer water is becoming more attractive; the latest beverage trend of 2012 is fruit flavored water. Fruit flavored water is turning a plain glass of water into something tasteful and fun. Below are a few fruit flavored water combinations that are far from boring.

Oranges & Rosemary 

Strawberry & Basil  

Blueberry, Raspberry, & Rosemary


Other Recommendations:

Lemon & Thyme (or Rosemary)

Pineapple & Mint

Blackberry & Sage

Watermelon & Rosemary

Raspberry & Lime 

Oranges, Lemon, & Lime




Image Sources: The Yummy Life/ She Knows/ Dash of East/ A Cup of Jo