Mme.'s Links | My OurHealth Interview, Weight Watchers Hiring Discrimination and Proud Curvy Celebs

1. I was given the opportunity to share some details surrounding my weight loss journey and living with MS, with the awesome OurHealth Movement blog! OurHealth is an amazing group of women of color who showcase exciting fitness adventures, inspirational stories, delicious recipes and much more. It was absolutely an honor. You can check it out here: Healthy Role Model: Paula

2. I came across this story via tweet by @WGNikki: "Is Weight Watchers Biased Against the Overweight?" Lynae Remondino found success following Weight Watchers, losing over 118 pounds on the program. However, when she applied to be a representative trainer for the organization, her BMI was the only negative, in an otherwise satisfactory job interview. Ouch. [Full Story]


3. CBSNews compiled a slide of the leading curvaceous celebrities of our time. Highlighted belles include; Crystal Renn, Toccara Jones, America Ferrera, Kate Dillon, Mia Tyler and Mo'nique. While most have lost weight or attempted, these women have truly exemplified beauty, at any size. [Full Story and Slideshow]

~PC

What you WON'T do is ...

1. Ask me if I'm "supposed" to be eating something. I'm a grown woman in these streets. Leave me and my monthly chocolate cupcake fix, a-lone.

2. While you're in my car, ask me to go through a fast-food drive-thru and start feeling some type of way, when I don't. ::In my Martin voice:: the bus comes every 10 minutes.

3. Not clean off your machine, when you're done with it. I don't care if you were on for 5 minutes or 5 hours. Wipe it down - no Lil' Boosie.

4. See my towel, iPod and cell phone on the treadmill and still get on it, before I clean and remove my belongings.

5. Walk/run on the wrong side of the trail and expect me to alter my position, as we're approaching each other, to let you by. I've played 'chicken' with many and I still reign undefeated. To YOUR right.

6. Try to holler when I'm fresh out of a workout, sweaty and exhausted. No, Sir.

7. Cop an attitude, when I come through your checkout lane with a gang of unscannable fruits and vegetables. Just grab your little eliminated produce map and get-ta-keying. Don't worry, I'll wait.

8. Act like it's impossible to omit the meat in a dish I've ordered. You say you cook everything fresh, right? Just skip the "add chicken" part. Please and thank you.

9. Keep talking to me, when we're on adjacent machines. Especially, if I have to keep removing my earphones to hear what you have to say. Which is honestly, never worth me taking off my earphones to begin with. Ever. 

10. Console in me EVERY DAY that you don't know why you can't lose weight. When you organize nearly every office take-out trip. Cane's Fried Chicken runs? Let's start there.

11. Change the channel in the cardio room, without asking the affected (in view) group if it's okay first. I'll be gosh-darned if I'm going to be subjected to watching Bill O'Reilly for an hour.

12. Tap me as your accountability partner and when I call you at 5am to go workout, like you asked, you nearly curse me out. Oh, hey mom.

13. Snicker when you and your boys ask me if I need any help, during a lift routine. No, I don't need y'alls help! I'm a strong woman and I can hold my own. Okay, well maybe just a little assistance.

... my journey is mostly pleasant, but there are a few instances in which my patience is tried, lol. ~PC

Vid | Sugar: The Bitter Truth

Robert H. Lustig, MD, UCSF Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology, explores the damage caused by sugary foods. He argues that fructose (too much) and fiber (not enough) appear to be cornerstones of the obesity epidemic through their effects on insulin.

~PC

Sunday ...

Happy Sunday peoples ... and well, August!? I hope all is well with you and your journeys! This is just a quick check-in. And, yes it's still #teamvegetarian, lol. ~PC

Pre-Workout Breakfast | 1/2 Cup Raw Almonds, Peach

Breakfast | Egg w/ Asiago Cheese on Charred Toasted English Muffin, Cherries

Lunch | My "Bootleg Pad Thai" = Rice Noodles, Pad Thai Sauce, Broc, Carrots, Cauli, Yellow Squash and Crushed Walnuts ...

Snack | Cucumbers and Yellow Squash w/ Plain Greek Yogurt, Lemon-Pepper Seasoning

Dinner | Amy's Organic Cheese Pizza Snacks

Pre/Post - Evening Workout Snacks | Cheerios + Blueberries

Calories | 1,487

Water | 107oz 

Workouts | AM: 3-Mile Outdoor Group Walk PM: 30Mins Swimming (Well, floating, flailing arms and kicking my feet would be more accurate.) , 25 Mins Ellipitical  

Last Song Playing on the MPThreezy | "Who Dat?" J. Cole

'Hot Mess Fitness' King James Presents 'I Want To Date My Trainer'

When one concept fails, you add more ridiculousness to it and try again? Oh, ok. I blogged about this clown a while ago and as predicted, nobody was checking for his Hot Mess Fitness reality show idea. A production that showcased misogynistic and disgusting (verbal abuse / plastic bat spankings) tactics to physically-train female participants.

Yet, unfortunately, "King James" is back. And this time, he wants to make one of those 'lucky' women he whips (literally) into shape - his!

"It's Bad Girl's Club, Flavor of Love, Biggest Loser and Hot Mess Fitness all rolled into one."

Like, is this serious?  That top hat/do-rag combo? You know what? I just need to end this post right here, LOL! ~PC

Weight Loss Before and Afters | Sara Rue, Drew Carey + John Goodman

Quite a few stars have stayed on their health/fitness grinds this year ... with new figures, to show for it ...

 

Actress and Jenny Craig® spokesperson Sara Rue, recently announced that she reached her weight loss goal of 50 pounds on the program! In a celebratory video blog, she proudly (and tearfully) shares her feelings about the 7-month process:

Comedian and hosting-heir of the 'Price is Right' game show, Drew Carey, turned heads with his dramatic 80 pound weight loss. Stating that he was "... sick of being fat on the camera," the 52 year-old began making major changes to his diet (primarily, carb restrictions) and started a concentrated workout routine. He also claims to have rid himself of type 2 diabetes.

Actor John Goodman (or to 90's kids like me, who will forever call him Dan Conner) emerged a thinner man, as Creighton Bernette on the new HBO series, Tremé. Not tauting any particular plans, he's been quite modest about the transformation - leading some to speculate it was the result of weight loss surgery. However, he entertains inquiries of 'how' he lost over 100 pounds by saying, "I just wanted to live a better life." Along with cutting out all sugar from his diet and working out 6 days a week.

~PC

Jennifer Hudson Covers InStyle Magazine

"Weight Watchas" diva, Jennifer Hudson, will grace the cover of the next InStyle magazine. Crowned  'Makeover of the Year' ... she shares her adjustments to motherhood, preparing for marriage and of course, her new size 6 figure:

“I don’t want to lose any more weight, and you’re never going to see me skinny. I think this is a good, natural size for me."

This issue hits stands tomorrow. And, like I've said before, I ain't mad ... you better work it Effie! ~PC

Giveaway | $50 Gift from Cookware.com or FitnessEquipmentAndMore.com

Clean and wholesome eating is the way to be! And in order to achieve this lifestyle, you mostly have to cook yourself. Now, don't let the occasional burnt noodles fool you, I gets it in, in the kitchen, lol. Equipped with the right tools; pans, measuring accessories, innovative utensils, dinnerware sets and small appliances – my 'heatlhy chef' experience is both simplified and enjoyable.

In talking about managing healthy lifestyle journeys, we can’t neglect the fitness aspect. I'm an outdoors girl, but the fiancé and I are also building up our home gym. It's always cool to discover fun and challenging fitness products. Admittedly, having an alternative to the gym is a great asset to my personal and soon-to-be professional ;o) fitness journeys.

With all of that said, here's another chance to get in on the action! Madame: The Journey of a Weight Loss*ista is hosting a giveaway valued up to $50.00 (including Shipping & Handling) from either Cookware.com or FitnessEquiptmentandMore.com. Anything you just have-to-have (up to $50! lol), I want you to have! I'd implore you to visit either site to check out the offerings and great deals.

Rules: Just enter your info into the widget below. Contest runs through Sunday, August 8th @ 11:00pm.

 

Preview | VH1's "Money Hungry" ... New Weight Loss Competition

When I tell you weight-based shows are CASH these days, I mean it! VH1 is set to premier another (following Celebrity Fit Club and Bridal Bootcamp) "unscripted" weight loss competition, 'Money Hungry' tonight at 9:00pm EST. A show in which couples compete in challenges and weigh-ins, for a chance at $100,000.00. But wait, each couple had to put up $10,000 to even join the cast! Meaning, if you don't win, you're out 10 stacks, yo! With this element in the mix, I'm sure determinations will run deep and so shall the drama.

~PC

Preview | Style Network's Too Fat for Fifteen: Fighting Back

'Too Fat for Fifteen' is a new Style Network (home of Ruby) series, exploring the experiences of 5 teenagers, enrolled in Wellspring Academy. A leading organization of weight loss camps and residential treatment programs for overweight children, adolescents and young adults.

The show highlights newbies and veterans of the school, including 17yo Terrina, who was sent to Wellspring by her Seminole tribal elders. And Tanisha, the heaviest participant at the camp.

When I first saw the preview for this new series, of course, it tugged at my heart. Not only seeing youth struggle with this epidemic of obesity - it's further troubling that our habits and increasingly destructive lifestyles as a society, are what's causing it. I'm sure the show will be of a more nurturing nature, sans yelling and screaming or the lure of prize money - but thinnertainment (c.) ... has a new face and unfortunately, our children are the stars. Premiers: Monday, August 9th @ 8pm EST on Style.

~PC