Tag Archives: get healthy
May 16, 2012 

TAKING A LEEP: With Cervical Cancer, Early Detection Can Save Your Life

Photo source

I made a comment earlier on Twitter about how this little blog has opened my mind to so many possibilities that I never would have considered before. The main catalyst for my openness? The fact that now, I’m able to write about things that a year ago, I may not have shared with anyone. Today’s post will be one of those things. Get comfy and read on!

As I mentioned before on the blog, I recently had surgery to remove a pre-cancerous lesion from my cervix. I’ve been struggling with how to write this post – one edit was like a novel, and another was like a cold, impersonal WebMD article. I almost scrapped the whole piece until I read that Yvette Wilson, the actress who played Andell in Moesha and The Parkers, is currently suffering from aggressive cervical cancer and kidney failure. My goal is to share my experience with the hopes that at least one person out there will be educated, will embrace the importance of prevention/early detection of disease, and/or will realize they’re not the only one out there dealing with this. So…how did this all start for me?

Recently, HomieLoverFriend and I decided we were ready to jump into parenthood. Annual checkups were done, the fertility/conception conversation was had with the doctor, and we were on our way. About a month after my annual GP/GYN visit, I got a call from my doctor that my Pap test (which checks for changes in the cells of the cervix) had come back with abnormal results. Before I had a chance to let that sink in, I was told that another procedure had already been scheduled to confirm the abnormality. My tentative diagnosis was HGSIL – high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion, and the procedure I was set to have was called a colposcopy.

Cervical Health Lesson: Thanks to my frantic Google search after I received my paperwork, I learned that cervical cell abnormality is also known as cervical dysplasia. Cervical dysplasia is not a one-size-fits all condition – there are varying levels of cell abnormality. Atypical squamous cells show some change in cell structure, and is the most common abnormal finding in Pap tests. Low-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions show change in the size and shape of cells, and is considered a mild abnormality. High-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions show more evident change in the size and shape of cells, and is considered a severe abnormality. You can read more here. HGSILs look extremely different from normal cells, and are listed as pre-cancerous, or carcinoma in situ. Needless to say, I clicked on that red X after seeing one too many cancer references. I did go back to Google the colposcopy procedure, but I’ll tell you about it from my perspective.

A couple weeks after I got the news, I was headed to a downtown Toronto hospital for my colposcopy. Overall, a colposcopy is very similar to your average Pap test. However, the doctor uses a microscope and an acetic acid solution in the cervix (which turns the lesion white) for clear identification. My doctor had his microscope connected to a flat screen TV, so aside from the initial shock of seeing my lady parts in high-definition, it was cool to watch the entire procedure. I thought the lesion would be an actual raised area, but it was just an area of abnormal cells surrounding the cervix. The doctor decided to take 3 biopsies from the affected area, and let me just say, that was the strangest feeling I’ve had in a long time. No real way to explain it, but the pain was sharp, though it didn’t last longer than a few seconds. Within the span of 15 minutes, I was done. The doc used a solution to help stop the bleeding and sent me on my way with a diaper-sized hospital pad for the spotting that would follow after the procedure.

“Spotting” actually became full-on bleeding that lasted for nearly a week. Being anemic as well, this wasn’t a fun time. About a week after that, I followed up with my doc. He confirmed the HGSIL diagnosis, and expressed his concern at how quickly I had gone from Normal Pap Lady to HGSIL Sufferer. He explained that certain types of HPV (human papillomavirus) can cause cervical cancer, so he suggested I also get the Gardasil vaccine for further cervical health. HPV has been all over the media lately – this virus affects up to 75% of all sexually active Canadians, but is usually cleared up by healthy immune systems. So what would the next step for me be? A procedure called a LEEP, which would remove the pre-cancerous lesion.

LEEP stands for loop electrosurgical excision procedure, which uses a low-voltage electric current to sear off the affected area. The LEEP is preferred because it only requires local anesthesia, is a precise and quick procedure, and does not damage the removed tissue, which allows it to be sent for further testing. Last week on my birthday, I found myself back in the hospital and in that oh-so-stylish hospital gown. Once the anesthesia was administered, I was feeling warm, fuzzy, and in a calm albeit high-as-a-kite state. I heard the doc say he was looking for the lesion, then heard the whirring of the electrical wire. What seemed like 5 minutes later (but was really about 20), I asked the doc if he found it, to which he replied, “Found it? I’m almost done!” The area was cauterized and another special solution was applied to help stop the bleeding. Once I gathered myself, I was on my way – with another diaper-thick pad in my possession.

Going Forward: Once the anesthesia wore off a couple of hours later, I started to feel some serious cramping. Cramps and bleeding are common aftereffects of the LEEP, and I enjoyed all of that plus increased fatigue. I’m on a no sex-no tampon-no heavy lifting-no exercising diet for the next 3 weeks until I follow up with my doctor again. Can you tell how excited I am about that? In all reality, it’s a small price to pay in exchange for a healthy cervix.

The moral of the story? As I said at the beginning of this post, early detection, if not full-out prevention, is your friend. Had I skipped this year’s physical and decided to put it off until next year, things may not have been so simple. Having worked in global healthcare, I know all too well the disparities between various countries and access to quality care. However, being your own health advocate is worth more than gold. Keep up with regular appointments, and never shy away from the professionals if you think something is wrong. It just literally might save your life.

Whew! That was a doozy. If you made it this far, I thank you! Have you been through something similar? Do you have any questions about the LEEP procedure or any other cervical health issues? I’m not a doctor, but could give you my perspective and/or point you in the direction of some good information! Let me know!

March 6, 2012 

Stress Management: Easier Said Than Done – But It CAN Be Done

Photo source

How good are you at managing your stress levels? I’ll be honest with y’all – I’m HORRIBLE at it.

As I’ve gone through life, I’ve been able to recognize that I’m good at a lot of things – but stress management is something that I struggle with constantly. It’s not until you begin to suffer the physical and mental consequences of stress that you realize how vital proper management is, but it’s definitely something that is easier said than done, isn’t it?

The consequences of poor stress management are never-ending. Migraines, chest pain, insomnia. Anxiety, depression, anger issues. Over/under eating, panic attacks, drug abuse. The negative effects of stress attack you across physical, mental, and emotional spheres, but what can we do about it? Even better, is there a way to minimize the amount of stress we feel in our day-to-day lives? I’ve been reading a few articles from the Mayo Clinic, and found them to be very helpful to me in improving my stress management.

The first step is to identify your sources of stress. Stressors are all around us, and there is little we can do to completely eliminate those factors from our lives. However, identifying what your particular stressors are is the first step in proper management. Take a pen and paper and think about what stresses you. Write the first things that come to mind, then review your list. Do you have acute (or immediate) stressors, like work annoyances or stress around unexpected events? Do you have chronic (or longterm) stressors like money worries or family problems? Are your stressors external or internal? Once you’re able to categorize your stressors, you can start to do something about them.

Categorizing was always the easy part for me. Doing something about them? Therein lies the struggle.

I used to fall into defeatist mode with my stressors. There was a time when my stressors either seemed entirely out of my control, or played a cruel game of “one step forward, two steps back” when I tried to tackle them. Managing my stress became just another source of stress, and I worked myself into an unhealthy pattern with really bad after-effects. Panic attacks. Heart flutters. A pseudo-epileptic episode that turned out not to be epilepsy at all – but left me with a propensity to have strange muscle spasms when stressed. Shedding hair, erratic mood swings, and migraines all added to the mix, which made me a not-too-fun person to be around. High stress can also lead me down the road to depression, so when I realized I was isolating myself and choosing to sleep instead of live my life, I knew I had to find some kind of coping strategy.

I’ve since implemented a few different strategies in managing my stress:

  • accept what you can’t control, and change what you can: I hated my job, so I started looking for a new one. I couldn’t stand my boss, but while I worked for her I used other coping methods to get through the day. The same idea goes for toxic people, environments, or situations. Accept what you can’t control, and change what you can.
  • focus on what you have, not what you lack: it was way too easy to fall into depression or anxiety when I focused on my problems. When I started embracing the good things (starting off with not getting out of bed until I felt real gratitude that I woke up that morning), things got a bit easier. When I focused on the good, I started seeing more good in my life, which minimized the bad.
  • remove emotion and think logically: there are many times when I have to take a step back from the stress-induced sadness and anger, and really think rationally about my situation. This is when I’m able to do the best planning for how I’ll get myself out of the situation that’s stressing me. Trying to make a plan in the midst of emotional overload leads to the most over-the-top solutions that will NEVER work in the real world, but WILL make me laugh after the fact.
  • find your sanctuary and cry: I’ll admit it – there are days when it gets to be too much, and I just have to let it out. I sit on my balcony, I sit in my car, or I walk down to a park down the street from my office and let it go.
  • talk to someone: I have my mom, my husband, and 3 close girlfriends that I turn to when I’m stressed. Not only do they give me new perspectives that help steer me in a new direction, but they also just listen to me when I need nothing else but an ear. Talking to someone can also mean calling a crisis line, utilizing your company’s Employee Assistance Program, or speaking with a counselor or other mental health professional. Never be ashamed to seek help.
  • get physical: when the going gets tough, the tough get going – sometimes you just need to blow off steam in a physical way. Yoga is great for rejuvenating and calming you. Kickboxing is awesome for imagining your boss’ head on the pads working out your frustrations. Sex is amazing for…well, sex is just amazing. Get it (safely) and get it often.

For me, things like having a good cry and getting physical help in the short term, and the accept/change and the have/have not models help in the long term. I’ll be the first to admit, however, that it’s much easier said than done. In order to realize how important good stress management is, you sometimes have to cross that line into scary stress territory and see what your alternatives are. Hopefully, by identifying your stressors, using coping methods, and plotting strategies to deal with or overcome your stressors, you’ll be able to get on the path to good stress management. I never think of stress management as a destination to be reached, but a journey we’ll be on for the rest of our lives. You never know what’s around the corner, so develop the tools now in order to handle whatever life may throw at you later.

Are you good at handling your stress? Have you ever suffered from negative after-effects due to severe stress? What are your triggers? An example of my acute stressor would be any kind of mess (dishes in the kitchen? clothes not put away? yeah, NO), and a chronic stressor would be navigating my career path. I’ve got to do different things to manage the different kinds of stress…what do you do to deal with your stress?

November 30, 2011 

“Yes, I Eat”: A Rant From A Part-Time Victoria’s Secret Model Named Bee

So, I watched the Victoria’s Secret fashion show last night, and it was some nice eye candy! Definitely got some Mas-playing vibes from a few of the costumes, so I’m hoping our Caribana (yes, I’m still calling it that) costume designers picked up on the same thing!

Anyways, as I watched the show, I was keeping up with conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Comparisons to the glory days of Tyra, Naomi, and Heidi; lack of diversity in today’s models; and what it means to have the crowd go wild for a coupla’ Black dudes performing a song called “N*ggas In Paris” were rampant, but even more so, conversations inevitably focused on weight and beauty ideals.

I’m not going to discuss this topic at length – but there was one facet of the conversation that struck a nerve with me.

“These models need some cheeseburgers.”

“I guess eating went out of style.”

“Eww! Look at her (insert body part here)!” *

*Now, I know that if you decide to work as a VS model, you’re aware that your body will be exposed for all to see and pick apart. So, I can’t really defend them from too much criticism (since I also plan on telling people I’m a part-time VS model for fun).

However, as a natural slimmie myself, I find it hypocritical when people look down on making fun of our larger sistas while simultaneously picking apart the smaller ones. Do people think it’s permissible to clown on slimmer women because society tries to tell us that “skinnier is better”? Like it’s time to exact some Mo-Nique-style “skinny bitches are evil” revenge? Is it not hurtful to receive unsolicited comments about your body and eating habits, whether you’re big or small?

I’ve been slim (skinny at times, even) my whole life, and I’ve never heard the end of it. People policing my food intake and making comments about my body parts (especially my chicken legs – which is why for a whole year in high school I never showed them) was bad enough. What I really didn’t get was the fact that at the same time I was being mocked, I was also being envied. School friends back in London would laugh at my knobby knees in gym class, then turn around and say they wished they had my body. Was I supposed to keep emulating Aaliyah with baggy pants each and every day, or was I supposed to flip my hair like Beyonce and strut my little but fierce behind up and down the halls? Interestingly enough, I recall friends who developed in the breastal region earlier having the same issue of being picked on AND being the focus of others’ jealousies. Needless to say, we bonded.

Adding to the body struggles with my peers, being raised in a West Indian household that revered the full-figured and curvaceous woman was a trial. It meant consistently getting teased that I had no hips, no backside, no nothing! I took the familial teasing in stride, but always felt I needed to drink one more Nutrament or take a second or third helping of food to get that kind of growth spurt in order to fit in. Comments from “helpful” Black men who made it clear that they liked their women with junk in da trunk was always fun <sarcasm>. Like the time I was stopped by a dude at the office cafeteria who saw me buy a salad…who made a point to tell me I was pretty, but needed to eat “way more” than that….even though he didn’t realize that my salad was a side dish to go with the left-over pasta I brought from home. *blank stare*

The point I’m trying to make? We all have our problems and complaints. Body issues are common to everyone, of every size and shape. It’s the typical “grass is greener” situation, but we soon learn that things aren’t always better on the other side. Look at all of the women who have lost their lives while on someone’s surgical table getting liposuction. Look at the girl who was in the news recently for allowing a “doctor” to inject her with cement, mineral oil, Super Glue and ‘Fix A Flat’ to get a bigger butt. We’re so focused on what we think we need, and not enjoying and embracing what we have right now. Further to that, too many of us are trying so hard to be confident in ourselves that we end up following Bullying 101 and pick on the “other”. Sexy big girls should be just that, and refrain from crushing the skinny girls’ confidence. Hello Mo’Nique. I’m talking to you. Hot slim chicks should enjoy being lean, mean, sexy machines, but not while throwing epic shade at the beautiful curvy girls next to her.

How about we try an experiment. Can we go a week where we a) love ourselves as we are; b) stay out of other people’s grocery lists, kitchens, and lunch bags; and c) refrain from making snap judgements and assumptions based on narrow-minded perceptions? Can we just try?

What do y’all think? This was more of a personal vent for me, so I hope I didn’t lose you :) What do you think of the dichotomy of issues that larger and slimmer women face? Have you ever been guilty of feigning confidence in yourself by tearing down another woman? Have you reached the point of resolution with any major body issues? How did you get there, or what are you doing to reach that place of self-acceptance? And finally – does anyone know the name of the lone Black VS model in Tuesday night’s show? She was gorgeous!

November 23, 2011 

Say It Ain’t So: The Beginning Of The End For Health Promotion In Ontario?

If you don’t live here in Ontario, you may not be aware that we had a provincial election last month. Shoot – even if you live here in Ontario, you still might not be aware that we had a provincial election last month, given the record low voter turnout of 49%. Anyways, that’s another issue for another day. What was interesting to me as a healthcare professional was what happened shortly after the election.

Over the past few years, I’ve followed the comings and goings of the Ministry of Health Promotion & Sport, led by Minister Margarett Best. Health Promotion has always been an interest and passion of mine. For me, prevention is worth much more than cure, and I live with the aim of having total wellness, not just being free from chronic disease. In a nutshell, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of health does the best job of explaining things:

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The bibliographic citation for this definition is: Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19 June – 22 July 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948. The definition has not been amended since 1948.”

- Courtesy of the WHO

Compare that to the idea of the biomedical model of health, which is what the majority of our healthcare system is based on. As per this PowerPoint from the University of Toronto, the biomedical model states that “disease causation is biologically specific”, and that “biological mechanisms are sufficient to explain disease.” The biomedical model forms the basis of our reliance as a society on doctors, hospitals, and drugs – essentially, focusing on finding a cure or treatment vs. working to prevent said health issue in the first place. With the perspective that biology is enough to explain (and thus treat) diseases, not much room is given to explore the effects that things like stress and lack of societal connections can have on one’s health.

There’s a point to all of this.

PLEASE tell me you remember "Body Break" w/ Hal & Joanne...

Shortly after the election, a memo was sent out that the Ministry of Health Promotion & Sport was no longer. It had been folded into the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care, and Hon. Minister Best was now heading up the Ministry of Consumer Services. When I read the email, I did a Leyomi drop. HOW could they get rid of the Ministry of Health Promotion & Sport???? Given what I’ve learned and experienced in our healthcare system, health and health promotion are not the same, as some believe. Add to that the heavy reliance on the biomedical model, and I only saw this move to mean more prescriptions and less preventative care. More funding for long-term care facilities and less funding for community health education programs. Please don’t get me wrong – our society requires elements from both perspectives, but the point remains, we need BOTH perspectives. My fear is that with the dissolution of the Ministry of Health Promotion & Sport, Ontarians are losing out on an important part of what constitutes health.

I’m waiting with bated breath to see what happens to the various facets of our healthcare structure. Will the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care expand in order to adopt the values of the Ministry of Health Promotion & Sport? How will this affect the planning, execution, and promotion of the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games, if at all? How will funding be provided to various community health care centres and special programs for health education? I’m not sure what to expect, but I won’t deny that a big part of me feels let down by our government. Do they not see the value in health promotion in our society? Hopefully this ends up working out for us Ontarians, but regardless, I’ll always remain a health promotion fanatic :)

What say you? Did you know that the Ministry of Health Promotion & Sport had been dissolved? Do you even care? What do you think about the current state of health care in Ontario? Where is the room for improvement – does it lie more in the health promotion sector, or in the biomedical sector?

October 12, 2011 

Kids Say The Darndest Things…

Do you know a child who seems like they’ve been here before? Like they just know too damn much, to the point where it’s almost scary? One thing I love about children is that they have no filter, speak their minds, and are the most honest beings on this earth. With all the friends who currently have a bun in the oven, I can’t wait to see what personalities their kids will have.  While everyone is waiting for these bundles of joy to cuddle with, I started thinking about what’s going to happen when they get a bit older…a bit wiser…and they learn how to talk. That is when all hell breaks loose. And I know, because I was one of those kids who had too much mouth. I can laugh now, but it wasn’t all fun and games back in the day…

Take for instance, one Monday morning in grade 3 where everyone took turns sharing one good thing from the weekend. “Bobby” (names have been changed to protect the innocent and uninformed) announced that he was going to have a new baby brother or sister, to which Miss Teacher stated, “Oh! The stork is going to bring a baby to your house soon!”

Here is where my young mind went “eeeerrrrrrrrrkkksssss!” My mom was a nurse (still is). For fun (don’t laugh), I would hide and read her medical books after I finished my own homework. This meant that I didn’t know a damn thing about storks, but I sure knew a lot about eggs, sperm, fertilization, zygotes, and embryos…so I went right on ahead, put my hand up, and when acknowledged, advised Miss Teacher that storks didn’t bring babies. “Really? So where do YOU think babies come from?”

I decided to start from the moment of conception. I had just gotten through the definition of sexual intercourse, and was in my zone discussing how the sperm fertilizes the egg, when I realized that Bobby was crying and Miss Teacher’s face was as red as Mr. Goudas pepper sauce. She quickly hushed me up and calmed Bobby down.

This incident led to me becoming somewhat of a young Sue Johanson. I’d hold recess sessions and answer questions about babies, pregnancy, and sex – and if I didn’t know the answer, I’d check Mom’s books that night and report back to the adoring masses the next day. My parents had no idea this was going on, until the parents of one of my friends complained to the school that their daughter was using “explicit language” that she learned from lil ole me. What was that explicit language, you ask? Just the anatomically correct terms for private parts – they were still happy with her using “wee-wee” and “down there” to describe things.

Anyways, I won’t tell you how that story ends. I will say that the incident led to a debate in my family about if I knew too much, or if everyone else just knew the wrong thing. No wonder I’ve pursued a career in health care and health promotion…

For all you parents – are you ever worried when your children open their mouths to speak? Were you a child who had your own diarrhea of the mouth like me? Did you show interest in something as a child that’s stuck with you to this day? And what are your thoughts on sex education and using anatomically correct terms with children? Speak on it!

October 11, 2011 

Mental Health Issues: Stigma vs. Strength

Photo: aafs.net

When I started this blog, I wanted it to be a way to indulge in aspects of my life that I feel get left behind, after the 9-5, cooking, and cleaning are through. Never did I think my two worlds would collide, but I had an interesting discussion today that I felt needed to be shared here.

I’ll be frank: from my experiences with members of the Black/Caribbean/African communities (friends, family, media, strangers on the street), we have an extreme resistance towards accepting the reality of mental health issues. The stigma is almost palpable, because “it’s not a Black issue.” I’m sure you’ve heard what I’ve heard at some point:

“Therapy and counselling is for White folks.”

“You’re on antidepressants? Oh, so you’re weak, huh?”

“Nah, she’s not CRAZY, she’s just a crackhead!”

“Girl, you just need to go to church and pray. Those voices in your head are just the Devil.”

Mental health disorders are real, and they do not discriminate. Black folks live with schizophrenia. Jamaican women encounter postpartum depression. Nigerian men deal with post-traumatic stress disorder. Mental health disorders don’t always look like what you see in the movies. Your co-workers, classmates, friends and family may all be perfectly (or imperfectly) masking an issue. The sooner we can all realize this, the better off we’ll all be.

All too often, people of colour tend to minimize the severity (or the entire existence) of mental health issues. Behaviours are excused away, or are said to “be nothing”. A side-eye is given to anyone who brings up the topic of seeking help. Those same people are usually redirected from a therapist’s couch to a church pew. This cycle continues, and you end up with three types of people: ones who still don’t realize (or can’t admit) that they have a problem; those that know they have a problem, but don’t receive the proper help; and those who do seek treatment, but cannot be open about it with friends and family for fear of being judged. Any way you look at it, we are doing ourselves the ultimate disservice.

I searched all over these innanets for statistics on the prevalence of mental health disorders in the Black-Canadian demographic, and couldn’t find any clear numbers. I did find stats through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) stating that 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental health illness in their lifetime (info here). In this recent Sway article, Kwesi Kafele (director of corporate diversity at CAMH) states that it is very likely that the depression rate is higher for African-Canadian women than for White women – however, we have no concrete numbers to validate this. Look at it this way: the quieter we stay on this issue, the less research, assistance and representation we’ll have for our experiences with mental health disorders.

Our entire beings are built on being strong and proud people. Whether you take it back to the days of slavery or the immigration boom that brought many of our parents and grandparents to this country, our foundation as Black/Caribbean/African people is through strength and pride. Even in today’s world, we maintain those characteristics, and we are passing them down to our children. Nothing wrong with doing so, but please understand that seeking help for mental health issues is the epitome of that.

Come on people – let’s take care of our minds as well as our bodies! Don’t suffer in silence when you can live your life to the fullest. Taking that first step is scary, but will likely be the most liberating thing you’ve ever experienced. We as a community need to support our friends and family; learn and grow with them. and be there every step of the way. Let’s put our strength and pride towards uplifting each other, not shaming each other.

How do you feel about the acceptance (or lack thereof) of mental health issues? Have you had any experiences that you’d like to share? Meet me in the comments section below! Do you need some online resources for assistance? See CAMH, the African-Caribbean Mental Health Network, TAIBU Community Health Centre, or email me at bee @ 83toinfinity . com! 

October 4, 2011 

What Does It Take To Get To Where You Want To Be?

Photo via succesfulfailures.blogspot.com

The other day, I was having a conversation with an acquaintance who was looking for a new job. She was grateful to have a job, but felt utterly unfulfilled in her current position. She was looking for something that would make her some money AND make her happy (which is possible – eff what you heard).

Knowing that fulfillment struggle all too well, I asked her what she was doing to make her dreams a reality. Her response was:

“Oh, I’m praying on it.”

I nodded, and asked her what else was she doing – to which she replied, “Nothing – I just keep praying that a breakthrough will come.”

I had to sit her down and politely tell her to Wake. The. Hell. Up.

Photo via exministries.wordpress.com

The power of prayer and positive thought is incredible. I believe that you attract what you put out – so the more positivity you give off, the more you will receive. Praying, meditating, positive intention and visualization have all helped me to get every job I’ve had, get through every struggle I’ve had, and has made it so that when things are good, they become GREAT. However, relying on the mental and spiritual work without doing the physical work probably won’t result in too many successes.

It’s not enough to simply think positively, wish for a change, and pray to whatever respective deity you believe in. Granted, there are times in life when it seems like the results we desire are beyond any personal control we may have. I’ve been in those situations as well, and that’s when I’ve really had to rely on the powers of prayer. However, for the most part, if you truly WANT something, I believe you also have to go out there and put some sweat (literal or figurative) into it to reap the benefits.

Photo via sfbayview.com

So many people are looking for jobs. Are you on your Workopolis/Monster/Classified Section grind? Are you out on the scene networking? Are you working on getting a mentor to help you get where you need to be? Are you volunteering or taking supplementary courses to get the knowledge and experience you need? Are you tailoring your resumes to each specific job, or just sending out the same generic one you’ve had forever?

People are out here tryin’ to get chose. Are you approaching AND being approachable? Are you over your past relationships? Do you keep going back to the same musty, lying, cheating, no-ambition-having, neglectful partners that you’ve had in the past? Are you happy with yourself so that someone else can be happy with you?

People are trying to break bad habits. Praying for God to take that cigarette out of your mouth might not be enough. Using visualization techniques to imagine yourself losing those last few pounds probably won’t do it. You have to put the work in to see the results. Start using a nicotine patch, or work on cutting down the smokes. Get up and hit the gym, or click here for my personal fitness routine faves. Wishing away a bad habit or unfavourable practice won’t magically cure you – but positive thinking, introspection, and HARD WORK will get you to where you need to be.

As for the convo with my acquaintance, she felt that I was downplaying the positive effects of prayer, and told me that she “functioned through faith.”

I let her know that faith was an integral part of my personal successes, but I ascribed to another train of thought as well: “God only helps those who help themselves”…but maybe that’s just me.

What say you? Have you found success by solely having faith and thinking positively? What’s your coping method when faced with a struggle or reaching for a goal?

 

October 3, 2011 

Failed Relationships…With The Gym: My Fitness Alternatives

Photo via essence.com

I am NOT a gym person. This isn’t to say I don’t like to exercise and be fit, but the method of doing so at a gym has never worked for me. In the past, my gym memberships have been like hot & heavy summer flings. Things pick up quickly – I’m infatuated, devoting my late nights, early mornings, and everything in between to my new crush. I’m thinking of new ways to work muscles I didn’t know I had, reach levels of flexibility I didn’t know existed, and find ways to make each time with my crush better than the last.

Then, all of a sudden, things cool off. My calendar shows that I have a pre-breakfast date; I sleep through it. I’m supposed to meet up with my crush after work; I decide to cancel. Eventually, I call things off…the infatuation phase is over, but nothing more serious ever developed in its place to keep me interested.

My personal issue with the men I’ve dated gyms I’ve attended in the past is that I get bored easily. I would usually go to the gym on my own, which was ideal because then I could work at my own pace. However, it’s a catch-22, because I would often get bored being there by myself. No one there to motivate me, challenge me, or tell me when I needed to cut the water break short and get back to work. I have no shame in admitting that it’s difficult for me to self-motivate in a gym atmosphere. No matter how hard I tried, I’d get bored to death of treadmills and waiting for weight machines, and I’d eventually cut my losses and move on.

So, what’s a girl to do when she likes staying fit but hates the gym? There are a multitude of alternative work out options available to us here, both in the city and online. Here are a few that I have tried – they keep my body moving, but always give me something new to look forward to so that the boredom stays at bay:

Socacize: Socacize is the ultimate Caribbean workout. Created by Ayanna Lee-Rivears right here in Toronto, Socacize is a multi-faceted program that incorporates weight training, cardio, core strengthening, and fun dance moves to the tunes of soca, calypso, and reggae. Attend a regular weekly class, or step it up for the quarterly Socacize Bootcamp sessions – 6 week programs with 2 hour classes to really get you in shape! A fun, encouraging, welcoming environment, you’ll find people of all fitness levels takin’ a wine. Be on the lookout for the Socacize Lifestyle Challenge, coming soon!

Afro-Cuban Dance: Toronto is known as a melting pot of various cultures, so it’s quite easy to find a way to dabble in the arts of other nations. Dancing has been a passion of mine since childhood, so I was excited to start taking Afro-Cuban dance classes 2 years ago. I took lessons at AfroLatino Dance Company in downtown Toronto, and their classes are amazing! My muscles were worked in a way I’ve never had them worked before, plus I always got a small history lesson with instructor discussions on the music and dance moves. My favourite segment is the Yoruba fundamentals – click here for a taste of Afro-Cuban dance.

Nike Training Club: Now that I’ve joined the iPhone world, I truly realize that the saying “there’s an app for that” is real. There are tons of fitness applications to be purchased, but one of my favourites is the Nike Training Club – and it’s FREE! NTC offers 30- and 45-minute interval training sessions, targeted at various muscle groups and for various results (weight loss, toning, strength, etc.). You’ll be led through a series of exercises (don’t worry, breaks are included!), and the more you work out, the more points you earn for various rewards, such as celebrity workouts. This app is great if you don’t feel like leaving the comfort of your own home, plus with the short duration, it’s easy to slot in the time to fit a workout into your day. Tip: download this app when you are somewhere with wi-fi – it’s a fairly large app, so you don’t want to eat up your data!

Body Rock TV: A great online resource for workout regimens and fitness tips. One look at Zuzana’s body, and you’ll see that this stuff is serious. I like to challenge myself with her workout regimens, but even just like to review her exercise moves and add new ones to my home workouts. She has some of the most creative exercise moves I’ve ever seen, so one visit to her site usually zaps any fitness boredom I may have been feeling. Want to learn more about how to start doing Body Rock? Click here!

Hopefully these links will help you if you’re not a gym fan like me, or even if you’re just looking for something new to add to your repertoire. Speaking of which, remember that 90-day challenge I wrote about here? I’ve been FAILING on the “physical” section…let me go fire up NTC :)

Are you a gym enthusiast? If so, how do you motivate yourself to stick with your gym regimen? Has anyone tried any of the options I mentioned in the post? Do you do anything different to stay fit? New Year’s resolutions are just around the corner – let’s get ahead of the game!

September 27, 2011 

Skin Care The Natural Way

Photo: jasonchristopher.com

Over the weekend, my homegirl came over to visit. I had been home all day, was in sweats with my bantu knots tied down with a satin scarf, and I didn’t give an eff. If it was anyone else, I would have apologized for my appearance (didn’t have to – she’s one of my besties), but she still paid me a compliment by asking: “What are you using on your face? Your skin looks amazing!”

I’ve made two major changes in my skin care routine over the past few weeks, and I guess things are paying off. Change #1: Drinking a lot more water. Change #2: Using an oil cleansing method.

Now, the first change is pretty straightforward. Water is vital to our bodies, and you can never have too much (actually, that’s a lie. See water intoxication). Anyways, our bodies are made up of approximately 60% H2O, so it is definitely necessary for cell functioning, nourishing the skin and hair, and flushing out our internal systems. Unfortunately, even knowing all of that, water is boring. That’s what has always made it hard for me to drink consistently. However, over the past little while, I’ve seen the difference in my skin, and that motivates me to continue. I can’t say I drink x amount of litres a day, but I try to reach for a water bottle instead of a Coke/juice anytime I’m thirsty. Crystal Light or even a slice of lemon can help to excite your water a bit, but do what you can to get it into your system on a regular basis. You’ll definitely see and feel the results.

As for the second change, this is a little bit more interesting. Oil cleansing is a method that I had heard about, but always avoided due to the fact that I have oily skin myself. I thought, oil + oil = gross, but the more I read, the more I realized I was wrong. Oil actually dissolves oil, so I learned that this method would likely balance out my oily skin instead of overwhelm it. I thought back to all of the harsh products I previously used to strip oil from my face, and remembered how it always seemed like my pores went into overdrive in protest. I figured I might as well give the OCM a try.

As I read on various sites like this and this, all skin types can use the OCM. You’ll just need to tailor your mixture to your skin type. At the heart of the OCM is castor oil. Castor oil has incredible cleansing and softening properties, but can be a bit thick for some. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to dilute CO with another oil, like jojoba, grapeseed, extra virgin olive oil or sunflower.

My (oily skin) mixture: 60% castor oil + 20% grapeseed oil + 20% jojoba oil      

Dry skin? Try 40% castor oil + 40% olive oil + 20% avocado oil

Sensitive skin? Try 50% castor oil + 25% apricot kernel oil + 25% rosehip oil

The great thing about this method is that if you buy pure oils, you’re using natural elements to cleanse your skin, versus harsh chemicals with ingredients no one can pronounce.

How do I do the OCM? It’s pretty simple:

1. After mixing my oils (in a bottle or cup), I’ll take a quarter or loonie sized amount, and massage into my face.

2. I’ll take a washcloth, run it under hot water, and wring it out.

3. I place the washcloth over my face like a mini steam treatment (opens pores to allow oils to cleanse deeply), then gently rub the oil off.

I always wash the cloth out with soap to remove oil buildup, then I moisturize my face with a bit of grapeseed oil when I’m finished.

Simple, natural, and healthy for my skin. With my water + OCM practice, I’m seeing the results! I find that this method is much cheaper for me, because the oils last a LONG time. In Toronto, I buy my oils at Healthy Planet (castor, jojoba), Danforth Market (rosehip, apricot), or just the local grocery store (olive, grapeseed). If you’re looking for a new skin care regimen, up your water intake and  research the OCM – it just might work for you too!

Have you tried the OCM? If so, what is your favourite mixture? If you don’t use the OCM, what is your tried and true cleansing method? And please, someone tell me what you do to make water more appetizing…I’m stuck in a water rut!