Health Benefits of Ginger & How to make Ginger juice

Some Common (or not so common) benefits of Ginger
Ginger is a rich source of antioxidants such as gingerols, shogaols and zingerones.
Relieve menstrual cramps and symptoms
Help with weight loss
Relieve flu and cold symptoms and sore throats, stomaches, upset stomach,colic, diarreah, flatulence, post-surgery pains, bronchitis, upper respiratory tract infections, chemotherapy induced nausea
In some cultures it's believed to be an aphrodisiac.
Morning sickness relief
Motion sickness prevention or relief.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Cancer prevention, ovarian and prostate cancer prevention or stop cancerous cells from growing.
PMS symptoms. Ease menstrual cramps. Ginger tea or drink would do or a topical compress. Dip a towel in a hot Ginger tea or juice and gently apply pressure on the area.
Topically it can also be used to treat thermal burns and as an analgesic.

What you will need.
A small strainer with tiny holes or a cheesecloth
2 larges recipients
1 blender

Ingredients
Ginger roots and water. The amount of Ginger roots truly depends on how much you plan on making and how strong you want it to be.

Optional: Sugar of choice
                Pineapple juice
                Fresh mint leaves
                Lemon juice

Selection and storage:
Ginger can be found fresh, pickled, dried, or in powedered form.
Choose fresh ginger that is free from bruises, and light brown to cream in color.
Fresh Ginger should be kept at room temperature.

#1 Pick some Ginger roots from the grocery store or an Indian Market. I only needed one big root because I wanted to flavor my smoothies with Ginger.

#2 Rinse out, pat it dry and gently scrape the skin off before or after cutting. Easier to do it before cutting.

#3 Cut in small pieces, add a portion to your blender filled with water and start blending.

#4 Separate the pulp from the water by using a strainer with tiny holes or a cheesecloth.
I personally put the pulp back in the blender instead of wasting it. Add some fresh ginger and blend another batch then strain again. You will repeat the process until you run out of fresh roots.

(Once I am done straining my last batch I will squeeze all the pulp over my strainer because the pulp still have some juice in it.)

#4 I will strain the liquid one more time to make sure that I removed any extra pulp. So prepare another recipient and if needed ask for assistance as you strain the first batch of juice or get a cup or something that would allow you to pour a little bit at a time from your first to your second container.

 

#5 This is when you have fun doing whatever  you want. What you add to your juice is a personal choice.
You can sweeten it with sugar of choices, brown sugar would be my own personal choice. In my culture we always sweeten it with sugar before chilling and using it as a refreshing beverage.

You can flavor your juice with lemon and pineapple juice. The pineapple juice mice in Ginger juice was my grandmother's speciality. It made it easier for children to enjoy it and added a great tropical taste to it.

I love to mix some Ginger juice to my punch when I made some for a fun gathering. It gives the drink a special flavor and dimension!

You can add fresh leaves like Mint or Lemon balm or be creative till you come up with something to your liking.

How you use your juice is up to you. Either you use it as a beverage or a health remedy, adding Ginger to your life is a smart and healthy juice.

I combine my juice to my smoothies for its added benefits and it's great flavor.
I freeze some in ice cube trays to cool and flavor my hot teas. I make tea everyday and one way to cool my tea faster is to add some frozen ginger juice or frozen leftover teas.
I use the rest of the juice and enjoy as a beverage. In West Africa where I grow up, people consume fresh Ginger juice like people in the USA consume sodas. Unlike sodas that are unhealthy, we rely on Ginger juice to appease sore throats, cough or flu symptoms.

Always shake or stir your Ginger before drinking it. It's normal to see a white powdery texture settle in the bottom of your container. Refrigerate and enjoy as a refreshing beverage or as a natural home remedy.

To make Ginger tea as opposed to the juice, simply slice your Ginger root and boiled it, the skin doesn't have to be removed.

5 ways to start your New You by the New Year transformation. Part 1

Hello you all!
We are officially in September! Amazing how this year flew by, isn't it?  Most of you know that I recently had my fourth child. I am now 7 months postpatum, and I am getting more dedicated to getting back in shape by the end of the year.

This month of September I am joining an online community in a "New You by the New Year challenge". As I prepare myself to commit the last months of 2012 to some physical changes, I am much too aware that losing weight is only one facet of my life. One facet that greatly impact other areas. So I am making plans for my new me by making some adjustments in my surroundings. I want the best for my body from the inside out and my environment to me is just as important to my well being as the food I eat and the workouts I do to lose weight.

I was going through my day making a mental note of more things I need to get from the grocery store and as I started cleaning my drawers and closet from clothes that I would no longer need, it occured to me that some of the things on my mind are worth sharing with others.

I have to make this Part 1 because I still have to finish some chores and get a workout in. Part 2 will be available at the sometimes next week so if you like what you read, make sure to come back soon!


5 ways to start your weight loss and life transformation by Goodhealthdiva All rights reserved 2012.

This post will be updated with pictures so check in for updates.

#1 Make some changes in your kitchen. Healthy habits and a transformed body starts in in kitchen.

• Deep clean and declutter your kitchen.
• Get rid of broken, chipped and unused items.
• Deep clean your kitchen with the best smelling natural products you can afford. I love to make my own GREEN and chemical free products with white vinegar, lemon and baking soda. Adding some drops of essential oil to my white vinegar and lemon cleaning spray is an inexpensive and refreshing alternative to costly products. Make sure to clean your fridge, your pantry and your cabinets even your trash can.
• If necessary, replace your set of silverware and your dinning plates and cups ( if they have  chips). I personally can't stand seeing non matching sets and I love to have a nice set of dishes to eat in everyday.  The HomeGoods Store is my go to place for 'classy' inexpensive items. I am actually planning a trip there this afternoon.
• Polish you kitchen cabinets. A mixture of Olive oil and lemon juice and a clean cloth will give your cabinets a nice shine.
• Your glass doors and windows and your floors will shine with a solution of white vinegar and water. Don't use this mixture on marble surfaces.
• Get rid of your old cleaning sponges, towels and dishcloths. Toss anything raggedy and stained. Replace them with new towels, sponges and dishcloths that you will make a habit of replacing every 2-3 months if needs be.
• Get your nice napkins, glassware and dinnerware out, clean them out and get ready to use them or
• Go shopping for a new tablecloth, napkins etc

• Make dinner time quality/romantic time even if it's just you. When I was in college I would have friends over for dinner, some time just one friend, but will always set my table nicely and play some nice music. I would do that even on days when I ate alone. Why? Why not? I deserve it! You deserve it. You pay for the groceries, you work for them you cook, them, don't you deserve to enjoy them in the nicest things you can afford and the nicest setting you can create? Having a pleasant time doesn't mean eating in a fancy restaurant. I can fancy things up at home and be just as happy and you can too!
• Learn to eat with the TV off, play some relaxing music and teach your family and yourself that it's alright to appreciate the experience. I am from a French culture, the rumor about French people or most European really enjoying their meal time is TRUE (smiles)!
• Learn to always cook in a clean and neat environment. People are different but I like things to "flow" I can't think straight with too much stuff around me. If you are used to a lot of things around you put some away and see how you feel.

• Learn to always dine in style even from the comfort of your home. All it takes are some simple touches and some creativity. One small touch for me is having fresh flowers. If you pay the bills or manage the home you deserve to nurture your body and your senses. Your meals should be healthy to your body, your meal time should nourish your soul and your spirit as well.
• Value your relationship with food. When you slow down to eat you are more aware of what you it and how much you eat. The experience nurtures your soul and spirit in some ways. You will leave the table satisfied and without cravings because the whole you would have been nourished. That's a simple way to battle emotional eating and reduce cravings. Love the moments when you sit down and truly enjoy your meals.
• Enjoy the time you spend cooking your healthy meals. Using nice ustensils and cookware play a (sensory)role believe me.
• Play some of you favorite songs if needs be when you are cleaning and cooking. You will soon associate those moments to the fun and lovely music you listen to and will be more likely to recreate them.
• Weither you are religious or not, take a moment to thank God or your higher power for food and for your home. Don't take for granted what you are blessed with even if it's not what you would have preferred. The more grateful you get the more good things will come to you. You can see your life change for the best as you remember to say Thank You for what you have.

#2 Make some changes in your bedroom.
 Good sleep is important and if you are going to workout diligently to lose or manage your weight your bedroom need to be your refuge.

• Get rid of any old (and nasty) pillows you might have been sleeping on. No offenses but some people have the grossest pillows...Seriously, replace your pillows and do it often. You don't have to purchase designer pillows but some fresh pillows would be great and pillows do not cost that much! Aren't you worth it?
• Declutter and deep clean your room. Move furniture and clean behind them. Clean your baseboards. Deep clean your windowsills. Again a mixture of vinegar and water will do.
• Take down your curtains and wash them. When you put them back you can spray some Linen spray on them for a fresh scent.
• Replace your sheets and pillowcases if they are too old and get yourself a new set of sheets.

• Get some Lavender or Chamomile Linen spray and spray some on your sheets and pillow cases. I actually do this daily just minutes before bed time or before a nap.
• Make your bedtime a pampering ritual. Take a little bit of time to massage your hands and your feet thanking God for them and because they have served you well during the day. Your favorite oil or lotion would do the trick. Slip your feet in some clean ( spa) socks you will be surprised how good they look and feel in the morning.
• Vacuum and mop your floors. Spray some baking soda on your carpets and rugs as deodorizer and vacuum half an hour later. Unless you have marble flooring, white vinegar and water are excellent for cleaning your floors.
• Burn your favorite candles often, making sure of course, to practice good fire prevention safety.
• Start and end your days with a prayer of gratitude. You might not live in a mansion or have a luxurious bedroom but you are alive and as long as you are here, you are blessed and things can get better. Things always get better with more gratitude.

# 3. Make some changes in your closet.
Alright now, if you are serious about transforming your image some clothes will not serve you anyway weeks from now. It's time to get rid of clothes you have hang on to for too long that you don't even wear or that you shouldn't be wearing .

•  Go through your closet and your drawers and remove anything that has a hole in it or a stain on it. I am picky and it might sound diva like but seriously you are worth more than that. If the outfit has sentimental values take a picture and put it in your scrapbook but toss it. You need 2 trash bags or boxes for this closest cleaning. 1 for clothes you are tossing 1 for clothes you will donate.
•  Toss broken hangers, old belts and cracked leather purses etc.
• Empty your closet, clean your floor and baseboard, dust off  your bags and shoe boxes etc.
• Replace your hangers and shop for more if needs be. I love the velvety kind and 95% of my clothes hang on those.
• Dust off your shoes and shoes boxes.
• Like you did with your clothes, toss any pair of shoes that have passed its prime, donate what no longer serves you ( that's still in good condition please)!
• Go through your socks box or socks drawer and toss any socks with holes, any socks that have lost its partner for a while( you know that the missing matching sock rarely comes back) and any socks that is extremely old or dirty. This might sound like trivial advice but you will be surprised of the condition of some people's socks.
• Treat your feet to a socks makeover. As much time as you spend on your feet they deserve some nice and fresh socks regularly. I love socks and wear them a lot in my house so I make it a habit to replace them every 2 months if need be.
•  Now...being more personal...ladies and gentlemen...your undergarments, boxers, panties....REPLACE & TRASH anything with holes, anything with rips, anything with...with stains ( in a whispering voice) REPLACE it!!!! Come on! And mainly for the ladies. If you are married, engaged or have a BOO serious about spending his life with you, get rid of those big ugly grannies underwear. Especially if you are not a big momma pleeease toss those things. There are some women out there who are not 'that big' but would still torture their men with the sight of big unattractive panties. Toss all thaaat! ( In a Martin Lawrence voice).  You could go shopping, preferably @ Victoria Secret that's my favorite shop for panties and night gown. Seriously, treat yourself to a panties makeover. I want you to be healthy and have long life but don't even get caught dead with nasty panties on.

• That advice above goes for the men as well. Some men look a mess at night time or in their chilling clothes with ripped or stained boxers, nasty looking tank tops and underwear. Give yourself a boxers, tanks tops and white Tee-shirt makeover. Take yourself shopping your Boo will appreciate the gesture too.
• Okay, I had the panties talk, time for the lingerie talk. Ladies ( and gentlemen too) ...What do you wear when you go to bed? Please, if you are in a relationship or married don't tell me 'an old stained over sized and worn out T-Shirt". Toss and stop wearing ugly things to go to bed. You might not be able to afford a $50 dollar or more night dress from Victoria Secret but you can shop at Ross or T.J. Maxx for nice sleepwear that range from $8-$20. So consider redoing your sleepwear wardrobe especially if your are serious about your weight loss. Get your sexy back, you know!!! 
• Treat yourself to the nicest night gown you can afford. You might get it now to celebrate your new beginning or you might get it as a reward so many pounds down the road.Whatever your fancy, but please no more ugly sleepwear, repeat after me NO MORE UGLY SLEEPWEAR. You deserve to sleep like a beauty even if you might not be convinced of your beauty.
• Ah... (taking a deep breath...) We should ideally spend 8 hours of our day sleeping. As hard as many of you out there work...I believe you deserve some "royal" acts from you to you everyday. It's not being a Diva, it's about knowing your worth and your value. All the things I suggested above, are simple things you can do for yourself. 

Well that's part 1. Got to finish getting my own closet ready for my this fresh start and finish a load of laundry. I emptied my Pandora box to wash all that was in it. My Pandora box (lol) is the box I keep all my "fancier" sleepwear in. I haven't worn some of my favorite...scratch that...some of my husband's favorite things in a while due to my recent pregnancy. Mind you, pregnant or not I did my best to wear some nice things most nights, just in a bigger size. ( Let's hope my husband doesn't come here and contradicts me, (lol).  Anyway...I am getting back in shape and it's time to get my sexy back! (Singing Ne-yo's "Tonight" in my head).

If you enjoyed this article read The Psychology of weight loss here!

 So for you all out there on a weight loss journey, let that transformation be for real. Get yourself ready for changes.Clean up, get rid of the old and make room for the new.

Please come back for part 2. In part 2 I will talk about 4# Your bathrooms, and 5# you car and your purse. I am combining the last two since you would most likely carry a purse because you are going somewhere. You might be like "What does this have to do with my makeover and my "New You by the New Year?" Well, honey I will tell you when you come back!!! So... see you soon.

Thanks for stopping by.Tell me what's on your mind, is there something in this article that speaks directly to you? What is it?

If you want to know more about the "New You by the New Year challenge" hit me up on my facebook page Healthy Can Be Done! inbox me at goodhealthdiva@gmail.com or...read my latest article about the Fit4Life Sisters.

Let's stay in touch. You can become a Follower and subscribe here , you can Like the Facebook page for more frequent updates, you can even find me on YouTube and subscribe to the Goodhealthdiva channel. I am just getting started there but hey if you are curious let's see together what will be next. If you have been blessed in anyway by this blog or any of the tips here, be kind to share them with others.
~Hugs and Blessings~
Until next time, have a better and healthier life...
N'na

Why READ...

Big Announcement here! Hello readers and friends.

I just want to let you know that I have launched a facebook page called READING POWER.

For those of us in the USA it's the beginning of another school year and I want to promote literacy for our children and youth.

The digital age can distract our children from READING and statistics show that READING plays a very important role in the future of our children.

So please, read to the children in your lives. You might not have any kids, but you probably know people who have children. Offer books to those children, make time to read to them and instill to them a passion for reading.

Please LIKE the facebook page READING POWER, ask all your friends to LIKE it as well. Contribute to it by posting your reading moments or pictures of books you are reading to your children.

Let's instill in our children a love for READING.

I hope to see you at READING POWER on Facebook.

My children, my husband and I were very fortunate to meet a big reading advocate last September when we stayed at the Renaissance Resort in Orlando Florida. Most of you know him for his cookies FAMOUS AMOS. As Mr Wally Amos likes to say, he is famous for more than cookies. He motivational speaker, he has been a huge literacy advocate for years. Originally from Florida, he resides in Hawaii and loves to spend his time reading to children.



















Thanks for stopping by, sharing your comments, Following , Liking the FB page, subscribing by email, sharing with your friends and all those good stuffs...(smiles) Until next time have a better and healthier life... N'na

Health and Fitness: The Benefits of Running & Why I Love Running.

It seems that since I have embarked to running outdoors, I am experiencing life in a brand new facet.

I am falling in love with running each day and what's more, I am falling in love with life and with people. I used to run on the treadmill and envy people who run outdoors. Don't ask me why, I just did. I see runners as people who are free, bold, who take charge and make no excuses.

So one day, I finally made up my mind and made babysitting arrangements so that I could go running. I have 4 kids. 9 years old, 7 and 5 years old and a 6 months old. It takes some planning but it's worth the effort and the time away.

With each run I have tried different paths and environments and I have noticed that I have a preference for natural scenery versus busy streets.

                                           Relaxing in front of the Tennessee River.

I am becoming more curious about trying new things like trail running, water rafting....did I say water rafting?  Funny that I said that!Years ago I would not have pictured myself doing such things but yes...running is changing me!

I am growing mentally and inwardly seems like. I am more poised and I seem to enjoy "being in the moment" more than ever. My patience seems to have grown as well. Well, most of my friends think I am a pretty patient person because I have 4 kids and homeschooling; but it seems to me that I am more patient than I used to be.

Running also makes me appreciate my body and my health more than ever.

Running is now a bond between my husband and I. My husband Brandon, has always run, and couldn't live without running. The first time we ran together he was not just proud that I ran a full hour without complaining,he was proud that I was running with him. A passionate runner, his dream was for me to share this experience with him.

Brandon and I have been running together at least twice a week for the past 4 weeks or so. I get frustrated when he challenges me because I have never been a competitive person but the feeling of completion is so worth it!!! In addition to the great feeling of completion,it gives us quality time together.

Running allows me to find inspiration from so many people.

A lot of times, we would run past a restaurant and the look of diners, create a certain sense of focus inside. A focus to keep running instead of giving in to the enticing smells coming from the restaurants.
Many times we run past people who, judging by their physiques, need the encouragement to get a hold of their health. I would say a silent prayer, wishing that we would be an inspiration to them, just like many runners have been to me in the past.

With each run I get more motivated or actually...more committed. I think that motivation was what I needed to run the first time. Commitment is what keep me running now.

Commitment is something beyond motivation and an example of it was showed to me during my run yesterday. While I was running with my husband along our Riverpark, just 20 minutes into our run I noticed a woman in a nice athletic outfit that was stretching. She was pretty and seemed to be from a different country. As we kept running a tall ( and handsome) athletic man, with curly hair and a build upper body greeted my husband. He might have been about 6'2". My husband is 6'5". I smiled at him and we kept going then come running in our direction this short athletic woman, focused, with a beautiful complexion and nice red-black hair. She seemed to be in her 60s but boy oh boy she was getting it.

So my husband and I exchanged comments and look of admiration for the older woman and we and kept running. On our way back on that path, the short older woman was doing push ups!!! NO JOKE!!! And guess what? The beautiful young lady I spotted initially was next to her doing Jumping Jacks while the tall man who had greeted my husband was with them, stretching.
They impressed, inspired and motivated me. But what I learned from them is this. THEY ARE COMMITTED about their health and exercising.

We kept going, I enjoyed running over 4 different bridges that each gave me a different perspective of the River, the Riverfront, the city and the Sun. We thanked God for the breeze that was much needed, and once we finally stopped, 4 miles later, I was happy to live this moment (and happy to get some water).

Water with lemons and strawberries.

It was fun watching people enjoying their lives, admiring a bride and groom in their wedding attire following their photographer for some great shots, listening to the music in the distance (there was a free concert somewhere below the bridge), watching boats travel along the River and laying on the grass facing the water.

                                                       Chattanooga Riverfront @ Ross Landing.
                                                 Outdoor concert by the Chattanooga Pier & one of the Bike Stations.

Cooling down and stretching while facing the Tennessee River allowed me to meditate on a few things.

I was happy, relaxed, excited, opened to more, calmer inside...RUNNING gave me that.

A woman,who was  passing by with her husband, told Brandon that our spot was a great spot for Yoga. Well, we don't do Yoga, but she was right, it was a great spot for stretching and for reflecting.

Walnut Street Bridge, longest Pedestrian bridge in the world, and the Tennessee River.

View of Coolidge Park and the Northshore area across the Tennessee River

A Water Taxi on the Tennessee River below Market Street Bridge.

I am hooked to running. I can't see my life without it. My husband now laughs at me because I love it so much that I can't stand missing a running date. He would tell me " now you see how I feel when I don't run". Running is like stress therapy for him. He gets annoying and easily irritable ( and easily irritating) when he goes days without running. It's is way to de-stress!

I don't think running is therapy for me but it certainly seems to grow me and calm me in ways I never experienced before.

Chattanooga Tennessee's Market Street bridge & the Tennessee River.

                      
I am so excited and looking forward to seeing  how much RUNNING will change me. Oh Running has helped me fit better in some of my clothes but I must say that right now, my greatest excitement is how running makes me feel better " in my own skin". I think I am becoming a better person. I feel it inside...

I took all the pictures after 8pm, somewhat distracted from my stretch you might say, but I see so many beautiful things along my runs that I wish at times that I could just stop and take some pictures.


What about you? Are you a runner? What do you love about running?



Thanks for stopping by and reading my story please share yours here or on the Facebook page "Healthy can be done". You can Follow Goodhealthdiva on Twitter.join this site and Like the FB page.

Natural hair Journey: Jahia's story

I know for people with natural hair,or those thinking about embarking in this journey, it's always good to learn more about others who have committed themselves to this hair- lifestyle. As most stories show, there is more to a person than her natural hair. My friend Jahia's is proof of it. I hope her story will inspire you.







1) What made you decide to become natural?
I'm not really sure, it wasn't anything that was planned, I just stood in the mirror one day and did it !


 2) How long have you been natural?
I've been natural for 2 years now.

 3) What are some of the challenges you encountered as a natural?
There is only one challenge and that is that I'm too lazy sometimes to do my hair ( I need to practice what I preach).

 4) What are to you the most rewarding things about being natural?
Most rewarding is, I see me, I have found a new love for myself, I am accepting how the Creator made me and I'm fine with it.

5) What products work best for you? What products were the least satisfying?
 The best products are the ones I make at home and Least satisfying are all the ones with ingredients that I can't pronounce.

 6) What's your favorite style?
My favorite are twist out and puffs.







 7) How do you maintain your hair?
 I deep condition and steam once a week , I do a lot of co-washing, once a month I detox my hair with a clay mask and apple cider vinegar.

8) What advice would you give anyone who is considering going natural?
Go for it and embrace the true you, never let anyone tell you that you aren't beautiful.

 9) Beside having natural hair is there other ways in your life where you are embracing a more healthy and natural lifestyle? If yes how?

Eating proper food, exercising and using lots of herbs for healing , mediation, and praying.



 10) You created a Facebook  group called Naturally fierce.With did you create your group and what's your vision for the group?I created this group to help other Sistahs walk trough this journey of being Natural. Many of us never had the chance to embrace our curls coils and kinks. I was new to all this "NATURAL" thing. So I want to create a group where everyone can post, ask question, share knowledge. We are here to teach each other.


I appreciate Jahia's story and as a member of Natural Fierce myself (on Facebook), I can attest that the support is always a blessing. Is there anything about Jahia's story that particularly speak to you? Jahia's answers to questions #4 & #8 are what speak to me the most. They resonate self-esteem, something most women can use more of. What do you think? Are you natural or intersted in going natural? What attracts you most to natural hair?
Feel free to read more natural hair stories on this site or search for many of the available natural hair tips.

Thanks for stopping by, for sharing your thoughts, Following the blog, Liking the Facebook page, subscribing by email, sharing with your friends and all those good stuffs...(smiles)
Until next time have a better and healthier life...
N'na

Motivation Monday: Celebrities weight loss pictures

It's said that a picture is worth a thousand words and when we are on a weight loss journey, looking at the success of others is a good way to stay motivated and to have...HOPE!!!



Some before and after pictures of celebrities who lost weight. For more pictures check the Album "Celebrities weight loss pictures" on the page  "Healthy can be done" on Facebook.


Kimora Lee Simmons

                                  

 Janet Jackson

 Chaka Khan.

 Monique.

 Paula Deen.

Star Jones 

Which one of the ladies above inspire you the most?

Thanks for stopping by, sharing your comments, Following , Liking the FB page, subscribing by email, sharing with your friends and all those good stuffs...(smiles)

Until next time have a better and healthier life...
Goodhealthdiva,
N'na

Health & Fitness: Weight Loss Success story Aruba Style!

Health & Fitness: Get swimsuit ready and your beachbody! A weight loss success story Aruba 'style! by Goodhealthdiva.

Hello you all,

I hope all is well with you. Just days ago I shared with you the story of a beautiful woman on her health and fitness journey. Today I am bringing a new story to you with some tropical vibes.

 My friend Jenn from Aruba had been kind to share her weight loss success with us.She's a very fun and energetic person who is all about healthy living and has lost a lot of weight as a result of embracing a healthy lifestyle.

Aruba is a beautiful Dutch island in the caribbeans,a great tropical and exotic destination for many and certainly the kind of place on the planet where one would love to show off a beach body! Jenn is a local and knows very well how important it is on the island to be swimsuit ready at all times. She offers some great advices and prove that no matter where we are we deal with the same thing(s).So enjoy her story as I take you to Aruba.

Oh one last note... My friend actually speaks Papiamento.English and Spanish are widely spoken by most Arubans but Dutch is the official language of the 77 square miles island.

What motivated you to want to lose weight?

Clothes were not fitting right! Plain and simple. If your clothes don't fit right, you don't feel right. It's hard to be in a great mood when you're not comfortable in your own skin and clothes. 

How do you feel about yourself now?

FABULOUS!!! I am happier and able to concentrate on what's important in my life instead of being paranoid thinking people are looking at me and judging me. Maybe they are but the difference now is I am way more confident.


When did your weight lost journey start?

Last year July 2011. I started working out again and I lost a lot of weight.However, I didn't stick with it so I gained some of it back.This year, in February,I decided that this time around not only would I lose weight but I will also live a healthy lifestyle.

Last year's journey was all about weight loss and what the scale said. I used silly diets like the Special K (you know the one...have 2 bowls of special K a day). I am not knocking it completely as their marketing plan says you will lose 2 dress sizes in 2 weeks which of course is true. However, who can possibly do that for the rest of their lives???!!! NO ONE!
I do not want my weight to fluctuate as my mood would also fluctuates.
Healthy Body, Healthy Mind!



What was your starting weight and how much have you lost so far?

In December 2011 I was about 167 lbs to 170 lbs and so far I have lost about 30 lbs.

How did you lose the weight?

• Healthy eating -  4 to 5 small meals a day
• Focus – Kept motivational quotes and pictures as my wall paper on my phone
• Planning / Organizing – Every night I would write down what I am eating the next day and what workouts I will be doing
• Exercise – Daily home workout for about 45 mins to an hour.

What's your ultimate weight goal? Fitness goal?

I am at my desired weight of 140 lbs but my fitness goals is to have 15 % body fat. Right now I am at 19% . My end goal is to master a healthy lifestyle forever. My lifestyle should be automatic as in I should automatically grab greek yogurt instead of cheesecake for example.

How did you stay motivated during your weight loss process?

There were weeks that I didn't feel any progress and realized that if my mind isn't right I won't be able to get my body right. I opened another facebook page just for fitness. Now I could add all things to do with health and fitness to that page. That helped me remain focus as I had to a chance to read what others are going thru which was very similar to what I was going thru.

The next thing I did was really ask myself what I wanted from this process. The answer was to get my mind and confidence right. I started looking in the mirror and instead of finding the parts I wanted to change, I decided to find the parts that I love the way they were and those parts that I didn't love I decided to admire them for their ability to change if I wanted them too.

Do you feel like other things have changed in your life beside the weight? How has your weight lost impacted other areas of your life/personality?

Jenn after 500 burpees and a crazy workout!

Not really as I was not really overweight so not much changed other than people asking me if I am an athlete or a personal trainer. My confidence probably had the most impact and of course I love the way my clothes fit.

Living in Aruba do you think people are more fit or more healthy there than on the continental U.S.A? (Aruba is a Dutch island it's not part of the USA)

Yes but not by a lot. This island is more concerned with looking sexy than looking healthy so people are not obese but that does not mean they are healthy either. Don't get me wrong we have a lot of really healthy and fit people also but the majority only want to look good which means they will follow the latest diet in a quick minute. However, when it comes to making healthy choices they probably don't care.



Are there any health/fitness challenges when you live in Aruba?(like are there enough gyms, are the gyms affordables)





One of her picture. Jenn actually calls the stairmaster her "lover" and the Pull up bar her "crush"


There are plenty of gyms and the gyms here are not expensive. The challenge is finding truly healthy foods. As for organic....none existing.Most products are imported and as a supplier you tend to choose the product with the least amount of import cost.

 What benefits does Aruba offer to health and fitness enthusiasts?

This week is the beginning of the Hi-Winds competition. Basically a lot of water sports (kite surfing, bodyboard, parasailing). We also have organized around Aruba runs and walks.
One bank (Aruba Bank) offers a once a month 5k walk for all its members.
There a lot of swim clubs for all age groups (even babies)

 If someone was to move to Aruba what would you suggest to them?

 

Don't get lazy :)

Its' very easy to fall into the island life and become passive with your health.I would also advise them not to forget who they are.

What advice would you offer to people who want to lose weight?

Research! Lots and lots of research. Don't just listen to someone promote a certain diet or food item and go with it. It's best to do some research on the topic first.Preparation and Focus is the key to most if not everything in life.
Take the journey seriously and one day at a time. Get up Get dress and GO!!! The hardest part if getting up. If you miss a workout today, make sure there is time tomorrow whether you in the mood for it or not.

* In case you wonder about her before pictures, I will add some as soon as she send them to me. This girl is so busy getting fit and with her healthy lifestyle she has no time for looking back and sending me old pictures of herself! I will post them as soon as I receive them!!!
The motivational posters I shared above are just a few of  Jenn's collection.  I hope she has inspired you some!
Did you like this story? What resonates the most with you? What are you weight loss tips?

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Until next time have a better and healthier life...


N'na