Summer is pretty much in full swing and on June 1, with the support of some coworkers and my ol lady (aka moms) I will be doing the “firefighter” level of the Engine 2 diet.

What is the Engine 2 diet? Naw it’s not point counting with Weight Watchers, South Beach, or Atkins. It’s simple really. I actually hate that is is called a “diet.”

The website touts, “Lose weight, lower cholesterol, significantly reduce the risk of disease, and become physically fit—in just 4 weeks.  Go plant-strong!”

The Engine 2 diet is based off a diet created by Austin firefighter and pro triathelete, Rip Esselstyn to help lower a fellow fireman’s deathly high cholesterol. [[mmm...  firefighters]]. It is a plant-based diet that requires you cutting out all animal proteins (dairy, seafood, meat, etc) as well as certain oils and refined wheats, sugars, and high sodium. Rather than throwing salt all over the place, you learn to use spices like coriander or cayenne pepper that you have in that dusty, oil-splattered spice spinning-thing that you got as a housewarming present.

Yet; I digress.

oh officer friendly what healthy innards you have.

Engine 2 is NOT a plan to try to turn people vegan, it’s simply a way to explore what the best options are for your OWN personal eating lifestyle and overall health. Maybe all plant is good for you. Maybe mostly plant + bacon and a little bit of cheese (como yo…) is the best. haha, I kid.

Maybe you have 2 bowel movements a week… rather than drinking some fiber concoction 2 times a day, you maybe just need to be having some oatmeal or more whole wheats. I ain’t tryna get all up in your business, but you should be paying attention to your body’s habits. #justsayin

With the elimination of refined sugars, I will only be able to sweeten foods/drinks with maple syrup, agave nectar, honey, and molasses—which is okay for me because I love agave and honey anyway. I just have to put my Trolli Brightcrawlers to the side.

Many results have come from being on the Engine 2 diet such as increased energy, lower cholesterol, and even lost weight but it is TRULY a commitment. I know a guy at my job who has VISIBLY lost weight and talks about how much better he feels and he started the diet in January.

Now, I have been known to cheat a smidge (don’t you judge me!) and most people who know me know my weakness to bacon and hot fries (I have 3 different types of bacon in the meat drawer now…) but I’M SO SINSUUR (that’s “sincere.” …gangsta) that I will NOT cheat during this program.

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Aside from bacon, the difficult part for me would be the elimination of oils—I am all for some Ghee (clarified butter- Indian style), olive oil,  salad dressing, and I do my deep frying (which is minimal) in grapeseed oil.

The main reason I’m doing this is not necessarily to lose weight, but to see what the big deal is with plant-centered [vegan/vegetarian] lifestyles and how my body reacts with this dietary change over an extended period of time.

I won’t go as far as to smack a label on myself tho; I am a firm believer in not closing myself off to flavor experiences. I could go a while without meat, but I can’t live my life seafood-free… that aint happenin. And yea, bacon is here to stay—maybe not as often but it’s got a permanent home on Entrail Ave…

I gotta keep it real.

BUT I am excited to see how my skin, hair, nails, energy level hold up and I am def willing to make a lifestyle change, taking into account all experiences through the next 28 days. I will also be keeping a food journal to keep track of diet trends that I have, triggers for refined sugar, all that intense ish…

I would advise anyone that’s interested to check it out online or holla at Borders (you know they basically giving books away now that the entire Borders empire is seems to be crumbling before our eyes).

So I know imma be that girl carrying carrot sticks or whole grain granola and ish around in my purse for the next month :/

Today was my last day of dietary carte-blanche…. So BELIEVE I’m piggin it out (bacon pun intended). Lemme know if anyone is headed out to Buford Hwy for some pre-diet late night pho.

OH! i forgot to mention, the firefighter level of E2 can be hard for first-timers or people who aren’t an familiar with a healthy eating lifestyle. For the folks who don’t feel comfortable, the Cadet plan is best. Basically in 4 weeks, you eliminate things gradually– week 1 you eliminate dairy, week 2 it’s all animal proteins + the week before, week 2 its oils and week 4 you are all out plant-strong!

Tomorrow I’m gonna get some engine 2 recipes to start this thang off right. I recommend planning meals ahead if you do it– otherwise it’s easy to slip back into steak + chitterlings.

Hit me up with any questions or concerns you have with the program or book! Or even if you want to know how it’s going and my results!

vanguardista.femfatl@gmail.com

This is an EXTREMELY condensed description so I definitely encourage you to head to the E2 website or read the book.

Gotta leave you with this tho:

in memoriam of the 3 packs of bacon in my fridge...

Dimples… How many of us have them?  Not gonna name any name(s) but even fem-fATL member(s) have a lil war with Cellulite.  This word is derived from the Greek Orthodox who used to SELL YOU LIGHT in the bumpy region of Athens….  So if you have the ripples in your skin due to excess fat, they now call it cellulite.  I will slap you if you believed that, it sound good tho, huh?  Strangely, you can have a small figure and still have CELLULITE, so it’s not just limited to thicky thick girls.  Remember when Paris Hilton told magazines that Kim K’s butt looked like a bag filled with cottage cheese?  Well, that pretty much describes the effects of cellulite. Eeeek! Chances are, you get it from your mama… and chances are, she get it from her mama too.  Unfortunately, it’s another price we pay as women.  (and would we choose to reincarnate ourselves as anything other than women if we didn’t have to deal with cellulite? Umm… I hope not!)  Fortunately, there are a few things and tricks you can do to reduce the jiggly.

1)  Acknowledge the normalcy and stop beating yourself up about it!

2)  Understand WHY you’ve got it (Smooth the Cellulite from Oprah Magazine)

“Why you’ve got it: In women, fat is stored in honeycomb-like sacks. When these sacks expand, they push up into the dermis, compressing connective tissue and creating visible dimples in the skin.”

3) Know your options… (Smooth the Cellulite from Oprah Magazine)

“The fix: “You can’t ‘cure’ a woman of cellulite, because she needs this stored fat for pregnancy and lactation,” says Mitchel Goldman, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Diego. You can temporarily smooth lumps by stimulating blood flow to help eliminate fluids and by strengthening the walls of the “honeycomb” compartments. A recent French study proved that when Endermologie, a combination of suction and deep massage with rollers, is performed twice a week for eight weeks ($80 to $120 per session), it can reduce the appearance of cellulite for up to six months. Another procedure, the TriActive System, incorporates a low-energy laser, a skin-cooling mechanism, and suction massage to stimulate collagen, circulation, and lymphatic drainage. It’s painless, says Goldman, and study results seem promising. VelaSmooth, the newest cellulite machine, uses radio frequency, infrared light, suction, and massage to increase blood flow and push fat cells back into the fat layer, where they won’t show through the skin. Both VelaSmooth and TriActive can reduce cellulite by 40 to 60 percent after 12 to 16 sessions (at about $200 each).”

4) Try Over the Counter Skin Firming Products

Jergen’s Healthy Glow lotion is one of my picks because it’s like an all-in-one.  Seriously, it’s kind of the shit.  You can FIRM your skin, get that self-bronzing effect, moisturize, and it has SPF in it to protect your skin from UV rays.  And if you’re not looking for all that going on at once, there are plenty of options now that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.  Try them out… I mean, why not?!  If it doesn’t work, at least your skin will look hydrated.

5) Don’t sleep on some SPANX… or FANX (fake spanx)

I heard a stylist on TV say that dressing correctly starts from the inside out.  You don’t wanna be wearing the wrong underwear or bra underneath your clothes…. So how about you prep and prime your clothes by adding a base of SPANX.  You can get some cheap body shapers at Wal-mart or Target, so don’t think this has to be a crazy investment.  You can get the long tank top shapers that will help smooth everything down under that summer dress.

6) Hit the road Jack

To get the blood flowing in your legs and loosen up those honeycomb fat sacks, rely on good old fashioned exercise and a clean diet.  Reduce the amount of fat through cardio and build muscle tone with strength training (which will also smooth out the skin).  Running, jumping jacks, push-ups, crunches, squats, lunges, and dog-pissing-on-a-hydrant are all examples of exercises you can do without spending any money on a gym membership.  No excuses! Of course, this has to be combined with eating right.  If you keep adding fatty foods to your body, you’re injecting cellulite in your troubled spots.

Spring is in full effect, meaning Summer is right around the corner.

fem-fATL is here to help you GET IT RIGHT, GET IT TIGHT!…

So what happened between your New Year’s Resolution to lose 15 lbs. and now?! Some of you probably know that you haven’t done anything but lift  a Happy Meal to your mouth.  Some of you may have been in the gym and working on your fitness… but still don’t have the results you want.  Either way, if your ultimate goal is to lose weight and you’re not losing weight, there are reasons as to WHY you’re not losing weight.  The bottom line is, if you were doing what it takes, then you would be in shape.  If you’re not in shape, you may not be following the right formula.  You also may be dealing with external factors that are actually prohibiting your body to function in your favor of losing weight.  For example,  you may need a declared bed time if you aren’t getting enough rest.  I’m guilty of staying up late to watch re-runs until 2 am and then trying to get up by 7 am for work.  Little to no sleep definitely affects your mood and eventually your diet, as lack of sleep causes your body to release stress and slow your bodily functions down.

In the ATL, when you can go out every night of the week, imagine the average night lifer who starts the night out eating, drinking through the night, finishing the night off at Waffle House and retiring to bed at 5 am….

The next day, you may sleep in or be too hung over to hit up the gym.  One night out can basically ruin your weight loss objective.  Can you see all the components that have now affected your diet and exercise routine?  You have to be able to make the sacrifices that it takes to get in shape.  It’s no wonder why people complain that losing weight is hard!  Take a look at some of these reasons that could be affecting you.  Assess what you have been doing and use this information to guide you.  The good news is that you can start today… you still have time before the Summer sun demands that you wear less clothing and show more body.  Some of these tips you can definitely take on yourself with some desire and discipline, while the other tips may encourage you to have a wellness check up with your doctor and/or see what external influences you can eliminate.  Goodluck!

“The Top 10 Reason You Aren’t Losing Weight”, by Dr. Bryan P. Walsh, 2008

1. Wrong Exercise

While exercise is a critical component for any fat loss program, you might be exercising incorrectly to reach your
goals. For example long, boring cardio on the treadmill will not be as effective as Interval Training to reach one’s fat loss goals.
Interval Training is working hard for short periods of time and then resting before performing another burst. Exercising in this way
boosts fat loss, increases the number of calories burned, improves cardiovascular fitness, decreases workout time, and adds a variety
to your workouts which makes each training sessions more fun. It is also important to note that the intensity of your workouts should
be based upon your stress level and adjusted accordingly For example: If you are stressed and exhausted at the end of the day, a
lower intensity walk would yield greater results than an interval workout.

2. Wrong Diet

Without a proper diet your chances for losing fat are virtually nonexistent. Following general rules of thumb have
worked for many people

• Do not skip breakfast. Eating breakfast, especially a protein based meal, can positively affect one’s metabolism for the remainder of the day. A couple of eggs and sautéed vegetables is a great way to start your day.
• Eat small, protein based low glycemic meals frequently throughout the day.
• Eat whole foods. Stay away from packaged products when possible. Shop around the perimeter of your grocery store to avoid the many isles that contain processed, packaged products.
• Remove sugar and processed carbohydrates from your diet. Do not eat anything containing sugar, corn syrup or has been sweetened with anything other than a natural alternative such as stevia.

The above recommendations are few, but they are a start to put you on the right track.

3. Wrong Attitude

If you see yourself as fat, you will probably be fat. If you want to be more slim or fit, you need to act slim and feel
lean. Do things a fit person would do. The more you feel it, experience it and be it, the more you will become it.

4. Stress & Adrenal Glands

Stress will sabotage anyone’s ability to lose fat. There are many forms of stress in today’s world
including psychological stress such as money, relationships, and work, as well physical stressors, such as infections, lack of sleep,
food allergies and even exercise. The Vicious Cycle: Stress lowers gut immunity, which can lead to food sensitivities and
infection. These cause a stress response in the body and inhibits fat metabolism…

5. Thyroid

If your thyroid is not functioning optimally, fat loss will be next to impossible. The Vicious Cycle: Low thyroid function
can lead to fat gain and often fatigue, which often results in overeating behaviors. Overeating causes insulin surges, which
down regulates thyroid function. The truth is hypothyroidism, though it is intimately connected to so many other functions in the
body, is one of the most underdiagnosed and mistreated conditions today, with as many as 30% or more of people having a low
functioning thyroid.

6. Hormone Imbalance

Hormones exert a powerful effect on our body and when they are out of control, it can seem that nothing is
working correctly. Hormones must maintain a delicate and perfect symphony, and when one is off it is easy for the others to be thrown
off. The Vicious Cycle: Estrogen dominance leads to obesity, which increases aromatization (conversion of testosterone to
estrogen), which further encourages estrogen dominance. When hormones are out of balance, the results occur system-wide.
Hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and DHEA can strongly influence the inability to lose weight if they are out of balance.

7. Neurotansmitter Balance

How many times have you tried to start a fat loss program and could not stay motivated or resist your
food cravings? This may have occurred, in part, because of your neurotransmitter balance. Neurotransmitters, or brain chemicals,
play a large role in our mood, our motivation and our food cravings. The Vicious Cycle: Eating sugar leads to lowered
neurotransmitters, which makes you crave more sugar. If you “fall off the wagon” during a diet and binged on sugary foods or
skipped the gym, it may not be that you were simple “weak willed”. It could have been caused by a neurotransmitter imbalance, which
can often be corrected nutritionally.

8. Toxicity

We live in a toxic world. Statistics regarding the quantity and negative effects of toxins in our environment are staggering
and show that the vast majority of the earth’s food, water and air are all contaminated with toxic chemicals, many of which have
unknown effects on human physiology. One thing we do know for sure is that toxicity makes if very difficult for one to lose weight.
The Vicious Cycle: The more fat you have, the more toxins you store. The more toxins you have, the more fat you hold on
to.

9. Gastrointenstinal Function

A dysfunctional gastrointestinal system can sabotage our fat loss in a vast number of ways, such as
Dysbiosis (imbalance of good to bad bacteria), maldigestion/malabsorption and food sensitivities/inflammation.
The Vicious Cycle: Eating food sensitivities leads to an inflammatory response, which leads to a stress response (i.e.
cortisol). This further suppresses the gut immune system and makes us more sensitive to food intolerances. If your gut isn’t
working, neither will your body’s ability to lose fat.

10. Cellular Function

Deep within the cells of our body is our mitochonidria, or the energy producing powerhouses of our body. The
main purpose of glucose (blood sugar) entering our body is to eventually get down to the cellular level and produce ATP (adenosine
triphosphate) to help run our body. This is a critical function of the body that is grossly underrated. As mitochonidral function suffers,
so does the vitality of numerous tissues and organs. The Vicious Cycle: Altered fatty acid metabolism can lead to an
inflammatory response, which promotes obesity. Obesity leads to altered fatty acid metabolism. In order for the mitochondria
to function properly, fatty acids need to be transported through the cell membrane to serve as fuel.

Ok. I feel that this needs to be said.

Now, I planned on waiting a few weeks to address this, but I have observed + I just know it needs to be addressed now.

LADIES AND GENTLEMAN! (yea. i see you fellas donning flip flops)

Yes, we have been having beautiful weather + yes, I understand that Atlanta is warmer than usual and SHOOT– I get it– you live in a warm place so why not break out your warm-weather clothes early?

BUT…

I can no longer cope with the sight of crusty unkempt feet. There are plenty of places in the A to get those crawdads tamed or simply click on YouTube and teach yourselves how to do a basic home pedicure.  At the VERY LEAST, you can hit the bottom of those feet with a pumice stone + those toes with some clippers! I sat up in a nice restaurant and had the UNpleasure of resting my wandering eyes on the back of this lady’s slingbacks, which were struggling to contain her protruding PEELING CRACKING HEELS. I mean like Chili’s onion blossom peeling.

DEAR GOD! I’m glad I didn’t see those toes!

::shudder:: it was the worst

Furthermore. If you are in the shower, I hope you don’t think your feet are getting clean just because you’re stepping on water and soap is running down your bod onto your toes. You gotta grab that ankle, flip the bottom of your foot up and scrub!

NEWSFLASH::

If the soles of your feet look like you’re been break-dancing inside of a chimney + it’s 9 am… that’s a problem!

If you need suggestions, fem-fATL would be honored to do a FEM TOP TEN: nail salons post. Just do something! It’s cold again so you’ve got a little time to hook it up.

Me and the rest of the people whose eyes might land on your feet within the coming months thank you!

This has been a special fem-fATL announcement.

Spring is almost around the corner, and that means get ready to bring out your sunglasses, SPF 15+, bicycles, pets, water bottles, etc.. Although the weather in Atlanta has been lovely lately, it still puzzles me how some are already wearing flip flops, shorts, booty shorts, tubes and tank tops! To each their own, right?

Many of us don’t think about putting on any sunscreen, and seriously it can save your life. Skin cancer can be prevented. Let’s educate ourselves, prevent a trip to the E.R and enjoy the S.U.N!

Skin Cancer 101

Causes:

Skin cancer is the most prevalent form of all cancers in the U.S. and the number of cases continues to rise. It is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. This rapid growth results in tumors, which are either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Basal cell and squamous cell cancers are less serious types and make up 95% of all skin cancers. Also referred to as non-melanoma skin cancers, they are highly curable when treated early. Melanoma, made up of abnormal skin pigment cells called melanocytes, is the most serious form of skin cancer and causes 75% of all skin cancer deaths. Left untreated, it can spread to other organs and is difficult to control.

Symptoms:

• Basal cell carcinoma may appear as a small, smooth, pearly or waxy bump on the face ears and neck; or as a flat, pink/red- or brown-colored lesion on the trunk or arms and legs.
• Squamous cell carcinoma can appear as a firm, red nodule, or as a rough, scaly flat lesion that may itch, bleed and become crusty. Both basal cell and squamous cell cancers mainly occur on areas of the skin frequently exposed to the sun, but can occur anywhere.
• Melanoma usually appears as a pigmented patch or bump. It may resemble a normal mole, but usually has a more irregular appearance.

– Source medicinet.com

There is absolutely nothing wrong with sunbathing, or going out for a run. Unfortunately, your skin cannot speak for itself, that’s why you must be pro-active.

Here’s a few tips:

1. Sunscreen that’s SPF 15 or higher. Apply it 30 minutes before any activities, and re-apply when needed.
2. Wear sunglasses that have full U.V (ultraviolet) Protection
3. Wear a hat!
4. Ladies: SPF 15 ready make-up and lip balms!
5. Seek shade during midday hours. The sun is extremely bright and hot during that time, let’s not be a victim!
6. Shade yourself! If you’re at the park or the beach, bring an umbrella. You can still enjoy it, just protectively!

BellaDoll‘s Favorite: I L.O.V.E to wear scarves, they’re stylish, light and cute, and protects your neck!

Also, keep a water bottle near. Keep yourself hydrated. It’s good for both your skin and hair!

Have Fun!!

-BellaDoll

Of course you know, everything that goes on at the surface (skin, nails, hair, etc.) is traced back to what’s going on inside of you and what you eat.

Three days ago, I started my first body detox cleanse program. Yea, I have done fasts and things like that but not an actual cleansing program. Because I am up on my feet and because I have to function during that time with minimal interruptions, I needed a cleansing program that wasn’t harsh on my body (ie- no “excuse me for the 5th time in the last 30 minutes” explosion ish) so I went and bought Renew Life’s First Cleanse program. I also went to GNC (they have good sales every now and then) and got some fiber to aid in the cleanse (per the instructions that came in the First Cleanse box). All organic. I don’t want to be putting extra ish in me when I’m trying to cleanse it all out.

Some people detox and do cleanses to lose weight… which isn’t a bad idea, but I personally think that weight loss shouldn’t be the main focus but more so getting all of your organs running well enough to do what they should do to make your weight loss easier. The First Cleanse morning formula aids has 7 channels of elimination: liver, lungs, lymphatic system, kidneys, skin, blood, and bowels.

Because a cleanse does just that– gets rid of waste– it is also important to get plenty of probiotics in your system. Probiotics are good bacteria that aid in digestion and live in your intestine. You can get these from eating yogurt, drinking kefir (a kind of yogurt drink that comes in AMAZING flavors), OR my fav and easiest way– taking acidophilus and other probiotics directly.  Right now, I am taking 2 pills a day with 25 billion cultures… just to cover all my probiotic bases. You can’t have too much of a good thing in this case. With all the toxins passing through, you will need to keep a good army to make sure that none if the bad lingers behind.

I have also been drinking deionized water (at my disposal, thanks to Whole Foods). I’m not a water snob but most times I drink reverse osmosis water or filtered water. The difference between reverse osmosis water and deionized water is this:

reverse osmosis: no impurities that might be in tap water, but contains trace amounts of minerals. Usually people find the taste pleasant and like to cook with this one. Believe it or not, minerals make a small difference in taste. Ask anyone who has had New York pizza outside of New York (it’s the water, i tell ya!)

deionized: comparable to distilled water; this is ideal for cleansing and fasting because the trace amounts of minerals are removed. You want to keep this period of time as pure as possible.

I also love ginger (great for digestion and antioxidants) and I drink homemade ginger tea often– I find that ginger tea in teabags don’t have a strong enough ginger taste for me.

Instead of regular salad… which makes me bored– I love to make salad with all parsley rather than lettuce. Most people think it’s just decoration, but it’s packed with natural chlorophyll which is a great natural blood cleanser– much more than lettuce.

Also! Drinking a detox tea is wonderful to keep your liver healthy, especially during a cleanse. With all the cleansing of toxins in your body, you’re liver is working overtime and you want to make sure it is supported while it’s working hard for you.

Which, in order to be held accountable during this time, I must confess.

CONFESSION TIME: ok so I have been doing well with water intake, fiber, probiotics and all that over these last two days… but I ate a little red meat yesterday (kinda on accident. i put it on my plate and then didn’t want to waste it :/ dont judge me!)

I also ate some Ben&Jerry’s Chocolate Fugde Brownie ice cream… but it was the little cup! like a single serving… not a pint. But I shall still hang my head in shame…

I think that’s all I have violated so far. But I’m done with all of that because I have spent good $$ on this cleanse to have the best and I don’t wanna throw all of this hard work away on some empty sugars/carbs.

oooo she is sooooo feelin it...

Which briefly leads me to the DONT’S OF CLEANSING:

• AVOID pesticide laden foods,
• NO caffeine + carbonated beverages
• NO refined sugar and alcohol
• NO tap water
• AVOID synthetic chemicals in household cleaners + body care products
• AVOID heavy air pollution

One great this is I have taken on the help of fruits and veggies… in juice form. Very convenient and effective. I get fresh organic produce from the sto’ and then have it all juiced at the juice bar. Juicing is one of the best (if not, THE best) ways to take in fruits and vegetables. You aren’t cooking the vegetable, which at times may take away nutrients from the food. I love going to Arden’s Garden– which I am lucky to have one RIGHT next door to where I live– when I want to be lazy. They make great juices and smoothies.

The program lasts two weeks and so far I feel kind of the same– though, I can already tell a difference in my skin!  The First Cleanse program that I am on is a precursor to more advanced cleansing so I’ll be continuing promptly after completing this program. By the time I post again, I will just be finishing up with the First Cleanse so I will let you know if all the hub-bub is the truth.

I plan on doing 2 bigtime cleansing programs a year.

There are many cleanses to chose from and you’ll definitely want to take into account your schedule, being serious about your diet (pre-preparing meals to avoid eating out), and how aggressive you want to go. If you are unsure about anything ask a physician or naturopathic doctor and PLEASE read the directions that come with your cleanse!

Don’t forget to exercise + Good Luck!

For some of us, we are still in college, and others have graduated! (Congratulations!) You probably only a couple more semesters, or years before the BIG DAY!  “Yes!” you’re shouting. Well, if that’s the case, here are some tips for many  successful semesters!

1. STAY ORGANIZED: Have an agenda, or notebook handy for important dates, IE : test, quizzes, financial aid deadlines, date with a super hot guy, etc.
2. DON’T PROCRASTINATE!: It is extremely easy to push away studies, and  homework.  Get it done after class, or while in class. Why wait last minute? It’s a lot less stressful , and you can utilize your spare time for a lunch, dinner, or a cocktail date with your partners.
3. DON’T SKIP CLASS!: It’s definitely not the smartest thing to do if you’re trying to graduate, and especially if you’re paying out of pockets! Cutting class sets you back, not forward. Think about all the information you are missing that day. Next class you may stumble upon a quiz or a test, and you become clueless. Not the business ! ( been there, done that!)
4. DON’T INDULGE ON CAMPUS FOOD, EAT HEALTHY: Cheeseburgers, Philly’s , fries, sodas.. You aren’t about to  give birth, unless your preggers! Skip the fats, you don’t want to graduate carrying 20 pounds under your belt. I think school loans are enough, don’t you? HINT: Fats = ITIS !!
5. KEEP YOUR GRADES UP!: The only great thing about the school system in Georgia, is HOPE. You slip, you lose HOPE! You do well, they pay for your tuition, at least a great part of it. Even so, who wants a bad gpa?
6. GET INVOLVED: Studying can get a bit overwhelming, and crunch time can suck at times. Join a club. Not only will it distract you, but it also looks great on your records. Interact with your peers, create your own study group, and don’t be anti-social.

I hope you’ll keep those in mind when you pull up in the parking lot, or wake up from your dorm rooms. There is nothing greater and better than holding YOUR diploma in your hands. Hard work pays off ! As long as you put your mind into it, everything and anything is possible!

- BellaDoll

I noticed that they are selling the ShakeWeight at Walmart. Upsetting.

Even if you see results, using it is not a great look… in my humblest opinion (saying that always softens the hard blow of truth). But I’m not judging…

Well… No, I am.

But c’mon…let’s be honest. Skimming the top of every New Years resolution list is some sort of activity to get in shape. Most people believe in bringing the new year by doing something that will hopefully set the precedent for the rest of the year. Sounds like a novel idea.

+ Spring is right around the corner…

+ I shudder to think I’ll have to refer anyone of you to justB’s article around that time either…

Please don’t put me in that position.

For those who are determined to battle the bulge or just wanting to tone up and you’re not doing much New Years Eve or New Years Day, how about instead pre-gaming with a bowl of pasta, a gallon of electrolyte water, and some light stretching??

Yes yes, it seems that I have just given your night of drinking and partying a mean run for its money (oh yea, pun intended…read on).

The Atlanta Track Club is hosting the 2011 Resolution Run 5K/10K on New Years Day at noon.

Registration cut off is TOMORROW December 29, 2010 at 11:59pm you can even bring the whole family! Nooooo your 6 year old can’t run a 5K, but for $5, you can sign them up for the Tiny Trot (50 meter dash).

Side plea: Please don’t be that “show” parent that makes their 4 year old run the 5K either; there are parents like that on every team. It’ll be a large crowd and someone might call DFACS. Shoot, I’ll call DFACS.

There are 4 different distance runs:
5K (ages 8+)

10K (ages 10+)

One Mile Fun Run (ages 7+)

Tiny Trot (ages 6 and under)

+ So you know what you’re getting into: 5K = 3.1 miles + 10K = 6.2 miles. To give you some perspective, a half marathon is 13.1 miles and a marathon is 26.2 miles.

Go out and get from in front of the TV. Get a running start into 2011! (ok, thats the last of the horrible puns. Promise.)

Head on over to the Atlanta Track Club website for more details!

And if you aren’t a runner but want to support, there are also opportunities to volunteer.

It happens to all of us... especially during the holidays, sometime from Thanksgiving till after New Year. Its just hard to stay disciplined when all this good food is thrown our way and the cold weather makes you want to bask in the itis.

But… let’s keep in mind… JUST CUZ IT ZIPS, DON’T MEAN IT FIT!   (This should be a Public Service Announcement)  If you love to keep up with Fa$hioN and want clothes to work with your body the way they are meant to fit, you gotta keep up with your fitness.  It’s not cute to turn leggings into sheer panty hose!!!  Either plan on increasing the size of your wardrobe and find ways to disguise your extra goodies… OR get silly skinny!  Start now so you can start your year off on the right foot. 

Here are some Get Skinny BOOSTERS:

1)  Pick up a bottle of Vitamin B12 for $2 at Wal-Mart:: This lil vitamin helps pick your energy up NATURALLY and puts you in the work out mode minus heart palpitations.

2)  Invest in a 5$-10$ Belly Band, also at Wal-Mart::  You can wrap this sucka around your belly, under shirts and hoodies, and this increases the reduction of water in your waist AKA sweat.

3)  Become a Fish… Inhale WATER like it’s your lifeline:: If you suck at drinking a lot of water, get a water bottle from the dollar store that you can fill up and make it your goal to finish 2-3 refills of that bottle/day.  Water flushes out toxins and fat… and actually helps release excess water weight.

4)  Be Active in the comfort of your own HOME:: Too lazy to get out in the cold? Check.  No gas in your car to drive to the gym? Check.  No membership at a gym? Check.  You still have NO excuse.  You can get your heart rate up by doing JUMPING JACKS in your living room.  Try adding squats to your jumping jacks and try doing sets of 50 inbetween commercials.  Don’t forget good ol’ sit ups, push ups, leg lifts, squats, and all kinds of other stuff you can do at home.  And for real calorie burning effects, do this in the AM before you eat… instead of burning your breakfast off, you burn fat!

5)  PLAN healthy meals/snacks ahead of time::  Eating right is probably more important than exercise.  They go hand in hand, really.  You gotta stray away from the holiday appetite and get back to eating sensibly.  Pack your breakfast/lunches the night before so that you don’t rush out in the morning and end up buying your meals, which are more often than not… fast food/unhealthy.  I personally like to do yogurt and oatmeal to go bars in the am, salad or sandwich for lunch, meat and veggies for dinner no later than 9, and snacks through out the day (fruits).  Sorry, carb lovers… but you’ll get better results by limiting your carb intake.  Say bye to heavy carbs and hello to your neck! lol 

GOOD LUCK!!

It’s Sunday morning, and your head is pounding. You’re trying to remember what happened Saturday night, but nothing comes to mind. You find the toilet being your best friend for the entire day. Hungover much? Yes. We’ve all experienced that. Luckily, I haven’t yet! Believe it or not, Green Tea is a great antioxidant and helps your liver from the alcohol consumption. Many of you may think tea is just a fad or a last resort if you can’t find any soda pop, or water around the house, (sad).. well , it shouldn’t be.  Some teas are bitter, and some are very sweet and light. It all depends on the kind you choose, and how you sweeten it. Preferably, sugar cane sugar, or honey taste best.  Nonetheless, they are worth a try.  There are many benefits for drinking tea, and it has also been clinically proven to help fight diseases, and even prevent certain types of cancer.

Different type of teas include: Green Tea, White Tea,  Herbal Tea, Oolong Tea, Herbal Tea, Iced Tea, Black Tea, Ginseng Tea, and the list goes on ..

Green Tea has been shown to enhance immunity and benefit oral health. It is also good for stress- relief, and for an everyday consumption. Because it contains caffeine, it may cause you some sleepless nights. Moderation is key. Green tea has also been proven to reduce cholesterol, high blood pressure, strokes, and prevent against certain type of cancer, including ovarian cancer.

White Tea is high in antioxidant and has less caffeine than any other teas. It is also good for the skin, because of the high anti-bacterial sources it carries to promote well-being. It can also fight off strokes, and lower cholesterol build up in the bloodstream.

Black Tea is almost a substitute for coffee, because it is very high in caffeine. It will definitely help you wake after a long night of studying, or partying . It also tames inflammation, fights off viruses,  and prevents clogging of arteries.

Ginseng Tea is good for any viral or bacterial infections. It improves our way of thinking, relaxes our nervous system, and also boost our immune system.

Oolong Tea is good for the digestive system, fights off tooth decay, promotes longevity by building up the immune system, and prevents heart ailments. Last but not least, promotes healthier bones, especially to help the ones fighting osteoporosis.

There’s a couple of nice tea shops in ATL. One worth trying out is Teavana. There is one located in Phipps Plaza, Perimeter, and Lenox Mall. If you’re ever in the area, it is definitely worth a visit. You can smell, and see different sorts of herbal teas,  and they will also educate you on the what might be best for you.

Starbucks also offers tea , Tazo, either iced, or hot. My personal favorite is an iced Zen and Passion mixed .You can either request your tea sweetened or unsweetened, with or without honey as well.

Bella’s Recommendation : Yogi Tea .. It will not fail you. They have a tea for everything and oh my! It’s like heaven in your mouth.

FYI: McDonald’s Sweet Tea does not count, with as much sugar as they put in , the only thing you might get out of it is diabetes!!

Tea shops in ATL

Teavana

Caribou Coffee

Starbucks

Cafe Intermezzo

Octane Coffee

Enjoy!

Bella Doll

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