On the sideline.....not out of the game



Hey yall it has been a while since I last blogged. But these last couple of weeks have been full of highs and lows. Thanks to Kenya Crooks I had my 90 pound weight loss photo shoot(high) , which was awesome. Then today (low) happened and I had to share it with you all. So first I will vent then I will hopefully inspire and motivate at least one person to stay in the game.

Monday was the beginning of a weight loss revolution organized by my awesome trainer Kenya Crooks www.thekenyacrooks.com . I was so excited about being able to workout for at least a whole week with many of my friends that say I inspired them to join Kenya's weight loss campaign this week. Yes I worked out twice on Monday, once with the D'Ville Divas and the newbies and the Cascade Crew (the numbers at Cascade was mad crazy...it looked like we organized a workout flashmob). Well by the end of the night my ankle was hurting and continued to hurt more and more with each passing day. Well this morning I went to the leg and foot doctor and at first based on the xray he saw that I had an inflammed joint and suspected that was where my pain was coming from because when he pushed down on that area it hurt like hell. So I get this shot from hell that makes me cry and then he gives me this ankle brace contraption (nothing is simple anymore). Well I get home and my ankle is still hurting and actually feels worse. So I go back to the doctor an hour later and of course he says that all he sees and what must be the continued source of my pain is an aggravated hairline fracture I acquired while slipping down some stairs when I taught in Miami in 1998. He is like you need to stay off your feet as much as possible until you come back in two weeks. I am like are you kidding me.

Well can I just say what upset me the most was knowing that I wasn't going to be able to workout this week with all my friends and others who said I had inspired them to take that first step to a new healthy way of life. Well what I would like to say to all the young ladies that are working out with Kenya, you are going to run into situations that may ATTEMPT to put you on the sideline. However, let me just say that because you are on the sideline doesn't mean you are out of the game. You have to say, What can I do from the sideline to keep myself in the game? Well I immediately texted Kenya and asked for the Ustream password so that I could do the recorded videos that would allow me to still get a great workout without having to be on my feet.  In addition, I will also be swimming everyday, using mostly my upperbody of course, but hey I will still be burning calories and still in the game.

Ladies and whoever else is following this blog, do not allow unexpected circumstances to take you out of the game completely. Before you just throw in the towel, at least explore your options. I do hope that when I do come off the sideline, many of my dear friends and the other ladies that have joined the Kenya Crooks weight loss revolution are still in the game and moving the ball down that field to their desired endzone. Love you all and keep me in your prayers these next two weeks.

WHEN A TRAINER IS MORE THAN A WORD!

Hey y'all...so many of you have been following me as I blog. On this weight loss journey it is not just about me, but the people that inspire me as well. I dedicated one blog to my girl Nicole who lost over 160 pounds to reach her goal. Well tonight’s blog is dedicated to my trainer…The World’s Greatest Weight Loss Expert..The Kenya Crooks - www.thekenyacrooks.com.

So I know there are many people that have trainers that they work out with, but “Is your trainer more than the word implies?” Well I can say unequivocally, that Kenya Crooks is more than just a trainer.  Now let me give you some background knowledge on my relationship with Kenya. I have been working with Kenya since May of 2010. There are times when we have agreed, disagreed, laughed, cried, and just plain got on each other’s nerves. Now with that being said, Kenya has not only changed my life, but many lives across this country….yes he has clients in other states that work out with us also.

To me and many others, Kenya is more than a trainer….Kenya is a motivator, prayer warrior, comforter, provider, leader, teacher, inspirer, supporter, trailblazer, God sent, even a comedian at times. When we leave Kenya’s workouts our relationship with him doesn’t end. He immediately uses the best communication tool (Facebook) out there to become a sounding board for many of us. He congratulates us on our successes; he listens to our issues that are holding us back from being the people God wants us to be.  He keeps track of our eating habits, workout habits even when we are not with him. I think the picture phone was invented just for Kenya…we have to take pictures of our meals, scales, workout display and send it to him…it is called ACCOUNTABILITY. 

I know without a fact that I would not be 85lbs lighter today had it not been for Kenya being more than just a TRAINER. I know this because I’ve had a trainer before and he didn’t have half the enthusiasm and zeal about MY weight loss as Kenya does and ultimately I quit. Anyone can sit there and bark out workout routines and jog around the block with you, but are they just as passionate about your weight loss as you are and do they take it personal if you don’t succeed. Well Kenya does take it personal…and that you know he is vested just as much as you are in making it to the ultimate goal.  Finally, the thing I love the most about Kenya Crooks is that I know without a fact that it is not about the money I pay him each month, but about helping me be the healthy person God intended me to be.  For that Mr. Crooks…I say thank you.

Do you see what I see?

Hello everyone I know it has been a minute, but I am back with thoughts on a weight loss issue many of you that are in your weight loss journey will undoubtedly face. The issue I am referring to is seeing the new you others see. I know you are thinking what exactly is the issue?

As many of you that have been following me are aware, I have lost 80 pounds so far in this journey. Well those of you that have lost any amount weight recognize the subtle changes that your body makes each day. Well as I have been loosing my weight, many of my friends, family, and coworkers (supporters) have commented on how small I am. OK in my mind I am thinking well yeah I have lost a good amount of weight, but I am in no way small. Now I have been struggling with this issue for at least the last 2 months. However, it really didn't hit me until this past week how-- I do not see what others see when I look in the mirror. To be honest, two weeks ago was the first time I looked at my face and really thought damn my face is skinny, I look different.

Well as I was preparing for my trip to New Orleans, I had to go buy some new summer clothes and I didn't even have to think about going to Lane Bryant..woohoo.  Well I bought these cute white shorts from New York and Company, you know the ones with the cuff. Well I put them on and thought (out loud) dang my thighs look big...my mom looked at me like I had lost my mind. Be mindful several individuals had made comments about how small my legs had gotten. My mom said if you think your legs look big now, what did you think before you lost the weight. It takes a momma to put it into perspective. Then I got to New Orleans and I got to see some friends I had not seen since last year, and they were like you look great. So when I said "Yeah but I have about 50 more pounds to loose" they looked at me like..are you crazy, you will be tooo skinny. I explained to them that I don't see what everyone around me see.  As a matter of fact, the establishment we were in had a mirror staring me in my face, and I looked in that mirror and my face looked fat too me.  My friend since we were kids (pictured below), said with concern and love in her voice...."You look great. You do not look fat. Be proud of what you have accomplished."



Now if you have not made the connection yet...let me enlighten you. As you continue on your weight loss journey keep everything in perspective. I now realize why anorexics become the way they are, because when they look in the mirror, they do not see what others see. We sit back and judge them, but I can now relate..no I know I am no where near anorexic, but if I had not recognize that I have an issue with what I see in the mirror, I could easily be there one day.

I encourage you to always take an assessment of what your body looks like through before and after pictures, because when I do look at my pictures I do see the difference most of the time; but only if the pictures are side by side. More importantly, keep supporters that are going to keep it real with you...because they may have to say OK enough is enough, even when you may not see that enough is enough.  Be blessed!

What area of my life needs a new LENS?



Well I am back..with a new lens and REFOCUSED on the goal. From the last post you know I was struggling because my weight loss journey had kinda stalled. So I had to apply what I call the 3 Rs..Reflect, Revamp, and Refocus.

I stopped to reflect on what was getting in the way of me making continuous progress on my weight loss journey. Also, I had to reflect on how I was sabotaging myself and take a real honest look at the food choices and eating plans I was now utilizing.

After reflecting, I decided to revamp my weight loss program which I shared with you all in the last blog. I went back to the eating basics..meats, fruits, vegetables, drinking a gallon of water daily, journal my foods and calories. As far as exercise, I got in 2 workouts a day 3 days of the week and kept count of the calories I was burning. Finally, the biggest revamp not weighing myself every day, but now I weigh every 3 days.

Finally, the most important thing is to refocus on my weight loss goal. I constantly envision myself at the goal weight or size I would like to see myself. I go to bed already focused on what I am going to eat the next day and what workouts I am going to do. I know in order for me to finish, I have to remain focused and not let anything cloud my LENS. Also, I could do none of this without the word of God leading me and giving me strength. My daily read is from  Prayers That Avail Much by Germaine Copeland...The prayer I read is titled "Renewing the Mind". I find this prayer to be particular beneficial, because this whole weight loss process requires a renewing of the mind if it is to be permanent.

Now let me just say it is hard to do the refocus stage if you have not done the other two. You have to reflect so that you can know what to revamp in an effort to refocus the LENS on the ultimate goal. Now this blog is of course about my weight loss journey. However, when I write these blogs I write them in the hopes that you can apply whatever I am talking about to other areas of your life. So having said that, ask yourself the question "What area of my life needs a new lens?" I encourage you to ask the question and then apply the 3 Rs..reflect, revamp, and refocus.  If you don't mind, please leave a comment sharing how you will apply the 3 Rs to your life.

Today I shall be transformed by the renewing of my mind, that I may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Love y'all and thanks for the support. BTW pass the link for the blog to others. Many thanks to my awesome trainer Kenya Crooks..www.thekenyacrooks.com

Down But Not Out!!!

Before May 2010

After May 2011

After sitting and watching the Heat vs. Mavs...it got me thinking about how the Heat must feel right now. Yeah they lost..but the great thing about life, they get another chance next year. What does that have to do with me and my weight loss journey you say..well these past two weeks for me have been hard trying to get to my 100 lb loss mark.  I have been at a plateau for several weeks and seems like no matter what I did nothing was working. 

So I said let me think about the things I may have been doing to sabotage myself...Well first off all I can say I have probably stressed myself out by trying to hard, instead of just doing what I know works and just go with that. Instead, I have been trying different diets or eating plans (Eat right for your blood type, etc).

Also, I consider myself a serial WEIGHER...what does that mean, I weigh myself everyday...sometimes 3 times a day..which leads me to either get depressed about not loosing any weight or just 1 pound. I want to see the kind of numbers I saw when I first started loosing weight..2-3 pounds every 2 days...but my mom said you have to realize your body is not the same as it was then. OK so most of the fat/weight that remains to be lost is in my stomach area....I mean damn Kenya has us doing 1000 sometimes 2000 ab exercises and it seems like the fat just sits there fighting back. Plus I started doing two a days, and off course as soon as got back from walking in the morning I would weigh myself, and get upset if I had not lost a pound after walking 5 miles.

Well I took this weekend to reflect and decided I was going to change somethings to hopefully help me keep it moving to my ultimate goal...FYI that is not a certain weight, but a certain look.

• stop weighing myself everyday (Wednesday and Sunday only)
• go back to the basics of eating (calorie counting for one)
• accepting what the scale says and not letting it interfere with my mood (see bullet one)
• continue doing two a days as many times as possible
• journal my foods daily (helps with bullet 2)

As the title of this blog states, I am down but not out. I have to remember that I have come a long way in this journey and should be proud of myself for making it this far. The pictures of above speak to my progress and transformation thus far).  Now as Kenya would say...Let's finish!

Milestones along the journey

May 4, 2010..."Started working out with Kenya. I am excited and scared at the same time.  Excited about the possibility of finally finding a way to get off these 100 plus pounds, but scared that some emotional trauma may come in and derail it; for you see I am an emotional eater. Food is my comforter and it makes me feel better...TODAY HAS TO BE THE FIRST DAY OF A NEW LIFE FOR ME!"

Hello all it is me again..those words you see above were written by me in my journal over a year ago. Along this journey I can admit that I have had some emotional traumas, which explains why I am still 25 pounds shy of my 100 pound mark; however, unlike past times, the food did not make me totally loose control and go into that really dark place.  I have learned along this journey that there will be bad days along with the good days. But I now know how to overcome them and NOT turn to the one thing that had kept me imprisoned in a body God had not designed for me...food.

So now to the good days along this journey...MY MILESTONES. If you are on a true and committed journey, you will and should have milestones that you can celebrate.  This blog is to share my milestones with you.  Now I am sure you are thinking well she hasn't hit the 100 mark yet...well guess what you don't have to wait until the end to celebrate...you can celebrate along the way.

May 4, 2010..I began at 272 pounds
May 8, 2010..lost my first 10 pounds
May 15, 2010..lost my first 15 pounds
May 22, 2010..lost my first 20 pounds
June 18, 2010..lost my first 25 pounds
June 24, 2010..lost my first 30 pounds
Between June and July I was able to run 2 full miles nonstop
August 15, 2010...lost my first 40 pounds
September 5, 2010..lost my first 50 pounds
Between September and January..taught myself how to maintain and adjust, very important step for me.
April 21, 2011..lost my first 60 pounds
April 30, 2011..lost my first 70 pounds
May 3, 2011..Shopped at New York and Company (one of the best days) and not Lane Bryant
May 21, 2011..lost my first 75 pounds (under 200 pounds for the first time since 1992)

Well of course there were other milestones in between that I did not write down, but are etched in my mind..the first time I ran 3 and 4 full miles nonstop, doing more than 10 straight sit ups, swimming 10 laps of the pool..needless to say when it comes to the workout milestones..I am getting those each week because Kenya Crooks has pushed us to a whole new level.

I hope that with this blog, it will get you thinking about the journey you are on or the one you are about to begin, and encourage you to journal and celebrate your milestones..trust me it will help you along the way.

Be blessed and inspire someone to be better than they were yesterday!

Who Inspires You On Your Journey

First let me say thanks to the many of you who have been following and supporting me on my WEIGHT LOSS journey! As we all know a journey is something that is neither short nor quick. I have been on this journey since May 2010 and I have come a long way on this journey. I have to admit that there is one special person that has inspired me along this journey. One thing about having to lose weight and a lot  of  it is that you can get discouraged, tired, weary, frustrated and a whole lot of other feelings. But God places people in our lives that are there to specifically INSPIRE us to keep going. Sometimes people don't set out to inspire others, they just do by sheer nature. As nature would have it, God placed my inspiration (Dr. Nicole Keith) in my life over 10 years ago. Neither of us knew just how much God knew we would need each other, but I am so glad God knew.

Nicole had started her weight loss journey before me. Because both of our schedules were so hectice, we went a year without seeing each other, but we always communicated with each other. Well Nicole had mentioned that she had been working out and loosing weight. I can't remember at the time just how much she said she had lost, but I was like wow. Finally, in May 2010 I started my weight loss journey. During my journey, Nicole would encourage me and cheer me on for my successes.  I still had not seen Nicole since she had started her journey. Finally, we set a date to get together because both of us agreed, it had been too long since we did a girls day out. So we met to go see For Colored Girls...OMG is all I was thinking. She looked awesome. I was so proud of her and how far she had come. Nicole started out at 344 lbs and when I saw her she was already down to about a 16. Well from that moment on she has inspired me more than she will ever know and continues to inspire me as she is now at slender size 6/8. She has lost over 170 pounds.

As I still strive to reach my ultimate goal, Nicole continues to inspire me to continue my journey when I get  discouraged or set backs occur. Through both of our weight loss journeys and bloggings we have come to learn that we have shared so many of the same experiences in our life time that led to both of us covering up all the pain with food. God knew we would need each other and thus our paths crossed.

So I say to you Nicole Keith thanks for being not just my friend but my INSPIRATION.   I love you my dear friend.

So to those of you that will read this,  I pose the question: Who inspires you on your journey?   

You can also follow Nicole blogs at http://www.myveryactivecoach.blogspot.com/

from THINKING to THANKING!

Ok sooo church service this Sunday was quite enlightening...I will share with you something that I thought was powerful! Pastor said 'if you are thinking then you should be thanking". What does that mean...if you think about the things in your life, you will thank God in return. Change your thInking to thAnking..It's not about you, but About God. Let me share with you how my thinking change to thanking.

• When I think about how fat, overweight, and obese I was...I thank God for not having a heart attack, stroke, or diabetes.
• When I think about the times I had unprotected sex...I thank God I am disease free.
• When I think about the times I drove intoxicated...I thank God for guiding me safely home.
• When I think about the depression I was in because I couldn't have kids...I thank God for allowing me to adopt my wonderful son.
• When I think about the times I didn't know where my next meal would come from...I thank God for being my provider.
• When I think about the times I sat and cried over some guy that didn't want me anymore...I thank God that he could see what I couldn't and removed that person from my life.
• When I think about the times I put myself in situations that could have resulted in murder, rape, etc...I thank God for being my protector.
• When I think about the times I was put in --what I thought were bad situations...I thank God for those situations being a motivator to step out on faith and start my business.
• When I think about how I could have chosen the wrong friends to be in my life....I thank God for having the right mind to choosef friends that are supportive and there for me always.
• When I think about the terrible childhood I could have had....I thank God for blessing me with wonderful parents, grandparents, and siblings.
• When I think about how many friends of mine have died in their 20s, 30s, 40s....I thank God for allowing me to see 42.

Now you see just some of the things I have listed...the point is if you are thinking about something...you should also so be thanking God for something.

I challenge you to create a list of your thinkings and thankings....Be blessed.

It Hasn't Been An Easy Road

Hey I am back....
The first month and a half was hard hard work...I was working out with Kenya one on  one.  Well July came and I went to Vegas...yes the first day there I practiced restraint from the buffet foods and it was hard as heck. But the next couple of days, I did enjoy the buffet...however, the good thing is unlike past trips to Vegas or any trips for that matter, I had a plan before I went on my trip. I had already looked into whether or not the hotel had a gym, the cost, and the hours they were open. I was in Vegas for 5 days and I purchased the 3-day gym pass for $65 and walked the strip the other 2 days to get exercise. Now what was the benefit of all that preparation before my trip...when I got back home and weighed myself, I had not gained a single pound.

Now there have been moments, and very few of them I must say where the road got hard due to my emotions getting the best of me and before I knew it, I was sitting at my favorite restaurant (Chili's) with a thing of salsa and chips and an old timer hamburger. You know what, I still didn't feel better..my situation was still staring me in my face. But thank God I knew that although I fell off the horse, I lived another day to get back on and do it again.

No this journey is not an easy one, but over the last 11 months I have learned how to put my emotions in check and not turn to food, but instead I write in my journal, I call my workout buddies, I call my trainer, and yes I even call on God.

For those that read this and say, I can't...you will never know if you can if you don't take that first step. I aim to be an inspiration for others.

Question: What is keeping you from making that first step to make a significant change in your life?

My Intervention

Soooo after being fed up with my situation... I called Kenya Crooks...Let me start by saying that I had tried  working out before with Kenya by using his video workouts and even Skype...that lasted every bit of a week---not because what he did wasn't working, because I had not hit rock bottom with being overweight and therefore my mind, body, and soul were not committed. Having said all that, when I made that call in May 2010, I was at rock bottom. Now I could in no way afford the one-on-one price that was on his website, what I did say to him was look " You are my last resort for LAP BAND SURGERY and this is what I can afford reasonably." He worked with me and he has been a God send. I know the first 3 months working out with Kenya one-one-one made the difference in my life. I was running distances I had not ran, doing 300 jump ropes, and any other crazy excercises he came up with. I lost 30 the first month without diet pills, starvation or any other fads.....just pure hard work and changing how I ate. My baby (Tyler) was even cheering me on when I would workout. He would run with me sometimes. Now he loves fruits, veggies, water. He rarely eats candy or junk. I said all that to say...we have to be examples for our children. They learn by example. Don''t make your bad habits become their bad habits.

Now how many of you know that anything you want, you have to work hard for and want it bad enough...I am so thankful for Kenya's committment to as he always says "curing obesity one booty at a time". He is a motivator, a spiritual leader, and truly committed to helping us be better for our children, families and ourselves.  This is obviously dedicated to Mr. Crooks my intervener.

Question: Who or what will be your intervention and will you recognize them or it when God sends them?

Next: It ain't been an easy road

Allow me to introduce myself

Who am I? I am Tabatha Presley, a 41 year old that lived trapped for years in a body that wasn't mine. Ok so it was my body, but all the fat on my body was not who God wanted me to be.

It was May 2010 and we had done a family photo shoot. Of course for whatever reason I said hey let's all wear white. Well let me tell you something, that white shirt revealed all my hidden fat secrets. I now know why black was my favorite color, because it hid all the fat. Well after looking at all those pictures I actually was disgusted with the way I looked.  My face had never looked fatter until that day and my stomach looked like an inner tube, muffin top, love handle (whatever you want to call it) out of control. I just looked blowed up all over.

However, that wasn't what made me say "enough is enough." I had visited a friend later on that evening and being silly he snapped a picture of me from behind. Being honest and having very little tact, he said "girl what are those wings you have on your back?" I was like what are you talking about....well when I saw that picture I was fit to be tied. They (the fat that hangs over your bra) looked like two wings on both sides. That picture and that day was the first step toward my renewed spirit.

Question: What is it going to take to make you take that first step?

Coming up next: My Intervention