Becoming Sea Salt TGIF Health Tip (+ Bonus Photo Update!)

Water! Water!! Water!!!

Drink loads of it and here is one way to do it.

Keep a bottle/container of water close by and set a 30 minute timer/reminder on your phone/laptop/Ipad/laptop reminder to 'Drink Water and Praise God'  See? This way, you

nourish both your body and your spirit at the same time!

This container you see there is 1.2 litres. I keep it on my desk and before I shut down for the day I have had two not counting my teas (right now I am drinking moringa and aloe blossom tea herbal teas. Usually it's just green tea). That way I know that any additional water I drink is just 'jara'!

I promise your body, your skin and your colon will love you!!!! Lol! Oh and sometimes, like this time, when water gets boring, I add some lemon slices/quarters.

And yes, bonus tip for those of us who still work : Keep photos of your loved ones close by at work. During those tense moments when you want to 'stick a pencil in someone's ear' (only my Sistainlove, Audrey will get this), you look at your photos take a deep breathe,  exhale, smile and remember that there are more important things in life than a 9 to 5......Like my LBS and Mini-Coach!

And to close this blog, in place of a photo of my scales and statistics, kindly find a photo I took this morning on my way out to work. I was so upset with the lady that made this jacket the first day I got

it. I mean, did she not measure me? How come it was so tight I could not even button it! Did she ask

me to gain weight in the time it took her to make it. Lol! Today, thanks to God via the Body by Vi Challenge 90 Day Challenge, it now fits!

So, do you really need numbers in kg and inches when a picture speaks louder than words any day? *smiling*

Bon Weekend People!

Day 42/90, Before and After Photo-Story!

Come on! Do you believe my 'Before' photo (see below)? Kai! I was a veritable Miss Piggy lookalike! Albeit a cute one. Lol! Honestly, you really don't understand the transformational journey you are on till you put the photos together like this. I could not stop laughing! I totally brag on God for the day I connected with Seun and began this Body by Vi lifestyle change. 

I truly wonder what I would look like had I been 'gyming' like I wanted to. So over the past 42 days, I have lost 4.4kg in all going from 79.3 to 74.9kg today. Plus inches and inches off my waist, tummy, hips and thighs! I know this because these black trousers I am wearing here could not zip up 42 days ago! Can you believe that I already fit into my 'Christmas Challenge dress'? Yes! The one I was hoping to fit into by December! It fits already! A-m-a-zing!  

Best Parts of my Challenge thus far? Never feeling deprived. Enjoying the journey with no pressure. The Shakes! I love them especially because I love my Zesty Juices. Knowing that I am getting healthier each day.  The satisfaction of sticking to something.

Worst Parts? Not being sure how many calories I was eating! Most calorie counters don't understand 'Ekpankukwo' or 'Sweet Potato Pottage' so always had to guesstimate. Getting tired of my lunches. Lagos traffic hindering my good intentions to go to the gym.

Anyway, I have strong faith that I shall lose another 4kg over the next 40 days by which time my MGM would be weeping profusely! Lol! Actually, he's been such a huge support but methinks he's somewhat conflicted now. He's want to eat the cake and still have it. Ce n'est pas possible o! Healthy, fit wife is equals to wife with less 'volupte' bits as he would say. Lol!  

You know, there is nothing like Sista on Sista support. I cannot thank my Team Salt Sistas enough for not allowing me quit. There is so much power in women coming together to accomplish shared goals and visions and the book I have brought on my journey today is all about helping you understand this power better - Sista Power by my 'behind the scenes encourager'. A phone call here and text message there, in her own quiet way cheering me on! Thank you Bidemi Mark-Mordi.

Would any of this be possible had my Mgm not decided to be there for me? Nope. Would I have been so diligent without the eagle eye of my Junior Coach? Nope. So, these two, I thank again also. Yes, I know that I still have 48 days to go but can you ever thank people or appreciate people enough? Nope. No one knows tomorrow so I do today all that I can by God's grace. 

Yes, my name is Salt and the photos you see below prove that with God in me, I am indeed Unstoppable! And you know what? So are you!

Boom! Boom!! Boom!!!

Day 35/90 Body By Vi Challenge Update - A Blah-ish Week.

I cannot put my finger on it but I'm not too fond of this past week. Something was ‘off’ internally but still I thank God because I know I'm still on track healthy lifestyle- wise. Plus there was the ‘Woman Cry Out PrayerConference’ that I attended on the 18^th and THAT was just pure bliss and helped shake the feeling! There is always release in the presence of God and I promise you, God came down to meet with His women that day. Please don’t miss the next one coming up in March 2015. Fear not, I shall share the date when it is announced.

Anyway, I’m still enjoying my shakes thanks to my Zesty Juices but getting bored with my lunches. I am still trying to figure out how to pep my meals up. I couldn't post this yesterday as usual because the bathroom scales were not where they should have been plus Almighty NEPA had struck and I was getting ready for work in the semi dark! Lol! Yep! That's Naija life for you.

So that's why this post is a day late but better late than never, abi?

Caution!
Fat Crushing In Process

Chest: 41" (down by 0.5")

Waist: 35" (down by 1.5")

Tummy: 39" (down by 1.0")

Hips: 44" (up by 0.5")

Thighs: 23" (down by 2.5")

Arms: 13" (same)

Weight: 75.3Kg (down by 0.6Kg)

No doubt, my body is changing. I can feel it. Yesterday, I wore jeans I could not fit into a month ago. Today, I can see the indents to my waist without having to hold in my tummy. Today, my MGM told me I'm disappearing! Gross exaggeration, mind you but it was music to my ears even though I still gave him my side corner eye! Lol! So even if the number on the scales is not moving towards 74kg as fast as I would like, I'm good and grateful for my journey and transformation thus far. That I have stuck to this for a whole month is just something else *patting myself on the back*. Lol!

And this update, the NaijaSista and Author I am carrying along is my dear Audrey Joe-Ezigbo. Her book, Double Impact is a must read for any couple doing business together. But like I always say, even if you are not in business with your spouse you should still read this book because the principles she shares apply to marriage too. And anyway, what other business is more critical that the one of staying married?

As you can see, not a peep about exercise because the honest truth is that I barely got any in this past week. Shameful, right? I know but na so life be o jare. Now that I think about it, maybe that's why my mood dipped? Hmmmm.......

See you next update around! 

And The Challenge Began: Day 1 & 2 Updates.

I tried to load a vlog last night but JJC that I am, it did not work out. I managed to record it but could not seem to find it on Youtube so back to the old school way of sharing. Lol!  So here goes.

I love the chocolate and strawberry ones

The Shakes

They are yummy and I love mine with ice. I have not even started concocting any of the recipes some of the others have been sharing yet and I am happy. I need Daba of Zesty Juices to sort me out with the juices to be honest. I need to keep this as uncomplicated as possible! And I tell you the truth, I have one for breakfast and one for dinner and I have not felt hungry once!

The Chocolate Chip Cookie

So far, I have had one as a snack on the way home. Just one per day. I promise and I say this shows that I have self control. Lol! Cos they are just so decadent tasting. I struggle to believe they are good for me but Body by VI says so! They are dense and yummy and just 150 calories.

My Lunch

I tell you when you know this is your only 'real' meal for the day, you savour it in a whole new way. Lol! Yesterday, I had Jollof Rice and Ofada stew. It was heaven on a plate. Today, I had Sweet Potato Pottage with bits of chicken in it and Ofada Stew. Yes, I am on Ofada stew junkie. This is the thing I love about this journey. You have to have a well balanced lunch. Carbs, Proteins and Vegetables. I intend on changing out my white rice for brown rice and stick to wheat pastas as I go on. Shout out to my dear Funmi Elesha who was worried for me because she thought that this was one of those diets where you eat nothing, lose a ton of weight only to gain it all back times 2 later!  Been there, done that, not gonna happen again.  And now, I don't eat at my desk. I go somewhere quiet where I can be 'still', eat in peace and enjoy every bite. Lol!

Exercise

This is where I am not happy and I blame Lagos traffic. Yesterday I could only get in about 3440 steps and today, 3880. Not good enough. I need to get moving more.  I hope to make up for it all over the weekend.  Because I get home so late, I cannot go to the Gym plus I am so knackered after sitting in traffic that I cannot even attempt to dance my old school music. Anyway, I will get better. I am very aware that apart from reducing the calories I consume, I must burn some more via exercise too. Abi Coach Seun?

How do I feel?

Yesterday was a breeze but I must say that today I did feel the 'bite' of it  because I was so busy at work and felt a little stressed. But still no headaches which tends to happen with the other plans I have done in the past. I am excited and even though I know it is not possible, I do feel lighter-ish (plus my Mgm did say I looked slimmer this morning. I gave him a loving 'side-eye smile'. How far? when it is not magic! ) Plus because I am combining this with a spiritual re-ignition of sorts - trying to spend more time simply reading my Bible - I also feel my spirit quickening along with my body. Yes, a new fire has been ignited in my belly to not just get fit and healthy physically and mentally but equally if not more important to go deeper into my PapaGod. 

So there you have it for Day 1 and 2! Thank you to all those rooting for me especially Team Salt. And to all the other 'Unstoppables' doing this challenge with me, I say 'We can do this!'.

Let's keep going!