How I Lost 17lbs in 2 Months

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Weight loss

Today marks two months since I started this 50 lb weight-loss journey on July 25, 2016. I am proud to announce that I am now 17 lbs lighter.

Honestly, it has not been easy. There have been many days that I wanted to run to Shake Shack for a delicious double Smoke Shack cheeseburger, or stay in bed instead of going to the gym (and, there were those moments when I snuck and ate a piece of my brother's wings plate). But, for the most part, I pushed through those feelings and thoughts and made the healthy choices, with the help of the Super Shred Diet by Dr. Ian Smith and the Nike Training Club App, specifically the 6-Week GetLean Fit workouts.

I wanted to share my weight-loss journey with you all to show that it can be done. You don't need to starve yourself or live in the gym to see results. You just have to be ready and willingly to make healthier choices---to walk more, to eat more fruits and vegetables, drink more water, pick up some light weights, and eat smaller portions. If you can gain it, you can lose it.

Week 8: 

Are you trying to lose weight? What are you doing to reach your weight loss goals?

Product Review: Nestle Splash

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I love water (**Oprah voice**). 

Drinking water can aid weight loss. Thirst is generally mistaken for hunger, so staying hydrated can help keep you from overeating. Water fills your stomach and leaves less room in your stomach for food. Studies have shown that people who drank at least a glass of water before meals ate 75 calories fewer. 

I love the taste of water. But if you do not, then you may want to try out the

Nestle Splash Natural Fruit Flavored Water.

I received a free bottle of mandarin orange flavored Nestle Splash, along with some cool sunglasses, a bendy straw, and a beach ball, from Influenster to sample.

I took this bottle (and the bendy straw) to work with me to drink during my two-hour lecture. Truthfully, I did not like the taste of the mandarin orange flavor. It tasted a bit artificially sweet to me. Because I did not have another beverage with me, I drank the entire bottle. It is a decent drink option, if you are thirsty or you hate the taste of plain water. Nestle Splash comes in different fruit flavors, including berry and grape, without the sugar or calories. Although I did not like the mandarin orange flavor, I would not mind trying the other flavors. 

I definitely recommend you try it if you need to drink more water and hate the taste or if you are looking for a new flavored water. 

Note: I received my Nestle Splash products complimentary from Influenster and am entering the Brand challenge for a chance to win a prize, but all opinions are my own. 

5 Tips For Dealing With (Race-Based) Mental Trauma

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Mental health is very important. Just as important as physical health. With all that has happened this summer, I have created my 5 tips for dealing with mental trauma due to loss, race-based violence, and frustration with current US affairs.

I made this video after the news of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile's murders at the hands of the police. This is in response to the hurt, anger, exasperation, and frustration I noticed among those most affected by these senseless and unjustified state-sanctioned murders.

Figuring Out Weight Loss: Week Two---I Lost 2 lbs

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Good news, guys and gals!!! I lost another 2 lbs.

I am so proud of myself for decreasing the number on the scale for a second week in a row, especially since the human body tends to fight weight loss after losing a significant amount during your first week of working out and dieting. If you want proof, check out the first two episodes of  any season of the tv series

The Biggest Loser

to see the drastic difference in weight loss between week one and week two. Contestants go from losing 15 lbs week one to losing 0 to 2 lbs week two.

But, by successfully completing another week of my Nike Training Club Lean Fit workout plan and following the week two meal plan from the Super Shred diet, which included eating three meals 3 to 4 hours apart and two snacks daily, I was able to push through and get myself closer to my weight-loss goals.

Week 2:      Front View                                              Side View

Wish me luck for this upcoming week. My meal plan is going to be drastically different than the previous two weeks. Week 3 of the Super Shred diet focuses on calorie disruption. So, I will only be allowed to eat two meals and four low calorie snacks  (less than 150 calories) per day to throw my body off kilter and force it to readjust.

As I mentioned prior, my main problem is my bad eating habits. Eating less food is going to be a BIG challenge for me. But, my desire to fit back into my favorite outfits are greater.

Makeup Application: Covergirl Supersizer Fibers Mascara

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I don't normally do this. But I thought it would be fun to film a short makeup application video. I got a tube of Covergirl Supersizer Fibers Mascara for free from

Influenster

to review. And, honestly I love this mascara. I wear it every day because it really makes my eyes pop.

Highly recommend you check out this mascara and my application of it.

Why Guys Pull Away: The Rubber Band Effect

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If you have been following my blog, you know that your girl Toya T is living single and looking for love. And so far, I have not had the best of luck. My most recent dating endeavor did not end as happily as I hoped. And, it seemed like I should have seen it coming. He likes to play disappearing acts...and I do not.

Somehow...I don't know...maybe the love gods got tired of watching (and laughing) at my pitiful attempt at finding love and decided to help me out a bit. Regardless of how or why it happened, I came across this Youtube video by Jenny Delish (from Real World Ex-plosion fame) that gave one of the best dating analogies I have heard. It gave me a bit of insight on some of my dating flaws.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

Words of Wisdom (from Oprah): There Are No Mistakes!

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Hey Folks Trying to Figure Out Life,

I know it has been a few weeks since I posted on here. This month has been a bit hectic. As many of you know, I teach part-time at one of the local universities in the Sociology Department. What you don't know is that for the entire Spring semester I was interviewing for a full time position in my department. For the last three weeks, I was waiting to hear back about the position. At the same time, I was finishing up the semester, grading final papers and exams, packing for my annual family cruise to the Caribbean (more details on this trip in an upcoming blog post), and dealing with dating drama (more on that in an upcoming post too). So, I had to take a bit of a hiatus from my precious blog/public journal/soapbox.

Well...hiatus is done. Unfortunately, I did not get the full time position ( that I was pretty damn sure I was going to get). They picked the other guy (literally!). Learned about it via email, in the middle of my vacation (in the middle of the Caribbean Sea) and I just felt like jumping off the boat to save myself from the embarrassment of telling others I did not get the job (again)... This is me being completely honest. Getting another "I regret to inform you" email has left me feeling a bit hopeless about my future. I love teaching and working with students. But, the last couple of days I was starting to feel like I was never going to get a job. I have been a finalist several jobs in the past few years and I have started to get used to "almost getting the job."

Fortunately, I have a great support system, including a best friend who always there to keep me motivated and to encourage me to use my disappointment as fuel for my next move, and Oprah, who always says the things that I need to hear when I need to hear it.

Below is a video that I came across on Facebook this morning and it just made me feel hopeful, inspired, and motivated. If you need some words of wisdom from Oprah, check this out and share with others.

I am ready to make my next move. Are you?