Where we discuss all things health related for a better you

I was a workout junkie years ago. I would wake up at 4am and head into Manhattan to catch a 6am or 6:30am work out class. All of that before I had to go into work. I did that for some years until I injured myself terribly and hurt my back and two discs popped out and I was in so much pain that I thought I would die in the shower because no one would find me😭😭. Unfortunately my back has never been the same but I was blessed to run into a chiropractor at the gym who saw how badly I was hurt because I could barely climb the stairs to get out of the changing area. He was amazing and still is. I would mention his name here but I like to give people their privacy.

When I speak to him next time I will ask if I can mention his business here. He specialized at the time working on ballet dancers and other artists and athletes who use their bodies for work and when I tell you it was almost a 180 of me feeling better once he worked on me.

However what I learned from that experience was CORE WORK , CORE STRENGTHENING!!!!! It’s a must . I thought since I was working out I was in shape but I was strong in some areas and weak in others and that resulted in me having a back injury that I still have effects from to this day. Not to mention when I am working I am sitting down most of the day behind a computer. Which is terrible for your body. You truly have to focus on getting up stretching and not getting stiff.

I’ve gabbered on but here is my routine . It’s four days a week ,five if I’m feeling myself 😂. I don’t work out on the weekend I normally rest on the weekends and Wednesday.

Each day I try to focus on a part of the body . Arms , back, biceps, CORE, glutes, legs and occasionally cardio. I recently purchased a mini stepper …I’M VERY EXCITED!!!!! I think that this will be a game changer in seeing some inches come off. I incorporate weights in all that I do and as well as with the mini stepper . As I write this it will be delivered today.

Also let me not forget eating right. I don’t eat beef or pork ( but that’s just me, trust me I use to and I HAD A TIME!!!!😂😂 pig feet anyone😂😂😂 ) . I eat turkey , a limited chicken intake , and fish and of course plenty of vegetables and fruit . Also I have realized that because I have been eating better I don’t eat sweets like I use to and I’m a chocolate fanatic. I tried to eat this cookie I bought at the Wegmans bakery the other day ….shout out to them they make an amazing apple pie my cousin loves. It was so sweet that I couldn’t eat it all. I had to eat part of the cookie earlier in the day and eat the rest later that night . No shade to them it’s just I haven’t had sugar in so long it was jarring to my tastebuds.

When you change your exercise routine and eating habits you realize what you can and cannot eat anymore which has helped tremendously in keeping my weight down and getting this belly fat reduced.

Well this was a long one. But hey you came to read and get some information right. I hope you enjoyed .

Until next time.

Smooches 💋 & Hugs - Tola

Non-Toxic Hair Extensions

March 12, 2025

In my previous post I shared a link about the harmful affects of relaxing your hair. It’s called relaxing your hair for women of African descent because the chemicals relaxes the coils making it straight.

Recently in the news but for a while now there have been discussions about toxic hair extensions. What’s sad is that ( I’m speaking as a black woman because I am) . We always seem to have to worry about what’s killing us. Many money hungry companies run by people who don’t look like us don’t care how they make their money even if it kills us in the process. Pretty much all of us young black girls growing up. I would say for myself junior high school and up I have used extensions to add length to my braids for length and style. Versatility is a beautiful thing for us black women and girls. But who would have thought all this time we were being slowly poisoned. Effecting our nervous system , reproductive system just chock full of carcinogens and then some.

What’s crazy is it never dawned on me that when my scalp was itching after I would get it braided or back in the day when I had the patience and braid my hair myself that I was braiding toxins onto my scalp. I just thought it was because that’s what just happens. I have never questioned it and neither anyone I knew questioned it. I just wanted my hair style to look like Janet from Poetic Justice . Yes I’m that old and proud of it. It was a moment back then 😝.

I’m just telling you who I use. I will look to the other companies for other types of hair for other types of styles but right now Dosso is my go to. Also what was interesting is my Braider saw a difference in how her fingers felt. I brought my hair to her because unfortunately the hair she was using was toxic. I gave her the link and hopefully she will start to support this brand or another. Either way a company that is black owned and hypoallergenic you can’t go wrong for the braiders health and for the person whose hair is being braided.

So on my healthcare journey overall it’s not just about exercise & what I eat. It’s a whole 360 from my head to my feet. Later I’ll discuss my skincare regime. Non toxic , mostly black owned products.

Until next time.

Smooches 💋 & Hugs - Tola

The Start of my healthy journey lifestyle

February 25, 2025

My healthy living journey started over 15 years ago when I decided to stop relaxing my hair. As a black woman I knew it wasn’t healthy for me . Due to the fact of the harsh chemicals and how it seeps into your skin and down into your blood stream and how it can affect your reproductive health.

Please read this study below for further information.

Then I started decreasing my red meat intake, I decided to cut the pork. Oh chile that was a bit challenging in the beginning cause you know bacon was a girls best friend Lol. Plus with a grandmother who was from the south. We ate all things growing up pork. My mom made the best ham sandwiches and I loved my grandma‘a roast pork and pig feet. Yup I said pig feet 😂. When we use to travel she would pack Vienna sausages. That was a foodie girl’s dream . That on a saltine cracker with hot sauce …..don’t judge me 😂😂.

So I cut pork out of my diet. I was only eating beef a few times a month and decided to eat just fish, chicken and turkey. I added exercise into my regime while I started getting older and realized everything I was eating was also showing in my waistline. I never had to worry about that before. For those who are Living Single fans lets just say I was Maxine Shaw in the flesh, I could eat with no consequence of weight gain.

Over the years, I have increased my whole grain, eliminated dairy as much as I can because I’m lactose intolerant 😩. I went from eating beef a few times a month to once or twice a year and now not at all. I eat , chicken and turkey , seafood and try to experiment with vegan options as much as I can minus the soy. I don’t drink soda or juices. I have a juicer and juice when I can, heavy on the vegetables light on the fruit.

I try to exercise 4 times a week and honestly I don’t have the sugar cravings like I use to. I have seen the difference in the way I feel and my energy levels and how my weight has maintained to what I want it to be. I don’t weigh myself . I go by how my clothes fit on me and how I look in them. Personally if I weigh myself I would get caught up in the numbers and that is not where I want my motivation to lie.

Now don’t get me wrong , I drink on occasion. A girl likes a good rosé or red wine. I eat sweets specifically chocolate on occasion and eat fried food on occasion . All in moderation , however when you start to feel good when you eat good, it makes you want to stay the course to live a long healthy and active life.

Until next time.

Smooches 💋 & Hugs - Tola