Shhhhhhhhhh. . . Do you listen

To your body that is?!?!?
Well for the most part I do but sometimes I think I know better than my body and I don't listen. But this time listened and my body was telling me I needed some REST!! So that's exactly what  I did. I started my World Wind Tour on Aug 7th by rushing to SC for a friends Bridal Shower and it was non-stop since that point. As you already know after the shower came the competition,then final preparations for the my friend Brittany's Wedding and while I prepped for her wedding I started doing Crossfit and lemmi tell ya it's NOT for the faint at heart but it will for sure GET YOU RIGHT!! After the wedding it was time to get Miss Kyndal prepared for her first week of BIG School (that's what she calls it) and I was just TIRED!! So I decided last week while I got her together I would take a break from my workouts to give me body some much deserved REST.
If any of you are like me when it comes to a goal you want to accomplish and you feel like "Oh I just need to keep going, Don't stop, I'll get there but I gotta keep pushing". Well sometimes that's just not the mentality to have and that's such a hard lesson for me to learn but I'm trying. When you've been going Super Hard for a really long time and you don't take a much needed rest you run the risk of hurting yourself & your progress more than helping yourself. You stop seeing results, your body starts fighting you, fatigue and boredom come much quicker and that's sooooooooooo NOT what we want.I started competition training January 2, 2010 and I've been going HARD ever sense. I have competed in 2 shows and finally learned on 2 occasions (subsequently after both shows) to take a MUCH NEEDED BREAK!!
Now HOW exactly do you take this break and not hinder your hard earned progress. Well for starters this whole journey is a LIFESTYLE CHANGE!! Its not just a diet to help you fit into a dress (women) or suit (men), look good @ a reunion or even participate in a competition. This is about learning to listen to your needs instead of your wants, about daily exercise and healthy nutrition to help you build that flawless body you've been wanting for so long. So honestly while taking this break you shouldn't feel the urge to over indulge and succumb to temptation. I mean we're tempted everyday all around us but we don't give in so why should this small break be any different. Now I'm not saying don't enjoy a cheat meal or even a cheat day BUT keep it in perspective. Everything's about moderation & healthy substitutions and that's what you have to remember. Stay tuned for another blog this week about choosing those healthy substitutions and how to eat in moderation while still satisfying yourself and not feeling hungry.

BACK HOME!!!

I don't have much for you tonight or probably even tomorrow but my WORLD WIND TOUR down to NC & SC is over and I'm back home in CT. I will report that I stayed on track with my eats and  I didn't let any of the convenience store goodies trick me into buying them EVEN THOUGH they all looked good and as my girl Kendra says they always seem to have better goodies than the grocery stores and what not. My body is tired from the drive but it's RESTED from taking last week off so workouts next week will be INSANE and ALL OUT!! I'm gonna sign off and see if I can get a rub down :)

KQ

Please be patient as I test out new options on my blog. So if you're seeing pics appear & disappear, etc know I'm working on it!!

Wedding and a WORKOUT!!

Sooooooooooo if you follow me on Facebook you already know I was in a wedding this weekend for my friends Brittany Brooks & BJ Mckie. It was an ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL WEDDING and I was VERY honored to participate in their SPECIAL Day!! Needless to say ya'll already know wedding are whirlwind affairs so it was HUSTLE, HUSTLE, & HUSTLE some more all weekend when you're a participant in the wedding party.

Friday started the festivities for the wedding weekend but I had PLENTY to do before I could even get to the host hotel. First I had to drive back from Charlotte cause I had to get KZ. Then LC was flying in, I had to get my dress from alterations, I needed to hit up the Fresh Market for my Okra Chips, LAWDDDDDDDDD my feet & nails needed attention (unfortunately only my nails got the attention LOLOL) thennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn I could check-in. So we got settled and whooooooooooosh off to rehearsal I went. And as usual I was STARVING but girl is always prepared, I had my almonds in my purse. Once that was over we had the dinner but I was delayed a bit cause LC didn't know what time we were going to finish and he was being an excellent example of Health & Fitness so he was just wrapping up his workout. Well obviously I couldn't leave him hanging so I made sure he got everything together and we went down to the dinner. Unfortunately I COULDN'T EAT ANYTHING, but I ended up making do with salad & cutting up the chicken they had and put it on there and that whereas my dinner. I know it was a celebration and all but I couldn't bring myself to eat mashed potatoes, BREAD, and all kinds of other goodies I just don't partake in on a normal basis. Then LC & I went out in TIRED Columbia and founds nonsense to get into until 4am!! WOWOWOW what was I thinking cause Saturday was the BIG day and I had to be up early . . .

And BAM its 8am Saturday and I'm up. . . urghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh TIRED but gotta do what I gotta do. After I reluctantly drug myself outta the bed and got dressed I headed outside and YES I'm about to say it . .  . . .WORKED OUT!!! Yes I sure did, I got in my workout while everyone slept & I mean SLEPT HARD including the Bride. So here's a pic of the hill I ran right outside our hotel

I ran from the hotel to the CVS then back to the hotel. After that I did 10 hill sprints, and finally hit the gym for a little bit of lifting then off to prepare for the wedding. Unfortunately I didn't take as many pics as I wanted to take but I took a few and I've posted them here, please feel free to view & comment. So after the wedding which was ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL we went to Main St in Columbia, SC and did action shots RUNNING & JUMPING UP & DOWN!! WHEWWWWWWWWWW C'mon now?!?! A sista has on  3+ inch heels, a strapless dress, face full of makup and now I'm sweating bullets like man. Now to top it all off they wanted the bridesmaids to hold the groom. Who do ya'll think carried the weight of that load?!?! Ummmmmmmm hmmmmmmmmmmm ME! But I wouldn't have wanted it any other way because I'm sure the pics will turn out GREAT. Then they whisk us off to the reception and I have to be honest and admit . . . I HAD A DRINK (actually more than 1). For those of you who know I rarely ever drink so 1 sends me over the top. Needless to say I was done! But that didn't stop me & LC from dancing the night away as we usually do. They played our favorite Before I Let Go by Frankie Beverly so you know we cut up on that one, then we Swagged Surfed, I did the ChaCha slide cause he's NOT about to do that and we danced to several other songs between stuffing our faces with the delicious food. She had a buffet with grilled veggies and that's mostly all I ate and I ate so many I was sick LOLOLOL!! Hey if you're gonna get sick might as well be off of some veggies.

All in All it was a GREAT weekend because I got to spend time with GREAT friends & family and have a busy but relaxing time, LOL! Kyndal got to hang with MeMe (that's what they call my mom), she also got to play & wrestle with her buddy LC and here's a pic of them after they were pooped out. I mean is that not the most BEAUTIFUL thing. This was a perfect ending to a PERFECT weekend. Now I'm READY to get back to CT!!

Love KQ!!

Reflecting on the PAST as I Prepare for the FUTURE!!

Currently I'm in Columbia, SC staying at my mom's house as I tackle all the things I need to get completed during my stay down south. So yesterday while I was on the phone with LC running my mouth a million miles an hour I was putting up clothes for my mom and noticed a pair of pants amongst the laundry that I had given her several years ago when they began getting a little big on me. Well I thought to myself . . . hmmmmmmm I should try these on and see just how BIG they really are now. Once I got these pants on I was completely & utterly BLOWN AWAY!! Not only did these pants once FIT they were TIGHT at one time and now they're HUGE!! Of course I had to document this occasion, too bad I didn't take one of the SHOCKED look on my face

Now here's another reason why I did this . . . . DESPITE the obvious success I can see when I put these pants on and take a picture I don't always feel like I've moved on from that old place to where I am now. I KNOW IT SOUNDS CRAZY . . . . but sometimes I still think I'm in that old body. This may not be the most politically correct thing to say but I call it "THINKING WITH MY FAT MIND!" Again I know its sounds CRAZY but sadly its TRUE! I have to continually talk to myself and teach myself I am no longer in the body I used to be in and honestly I'm getting better. I go longer & longer between these mental bouts than I used to. I no longer DWELL instead I just reflect on where I used to be, I'm able to have a small mental celebration and it gives me motivation & ammunition to make it through the next obstacle or tackle the next goal on my list. . . .
So I'm saying all this to say sometimes its good to reflect on the past so you can move on into the FUTURE!! Since I mentioned it let's talk about that FUTURE!! OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH BOY, where do I begin. . . hmmmmmmmmmmm, OK! Today the Lord dropped something on me and I don't have all the details worked out yet and all of how's, and where's and when's worked out BUT I know its going to happen! First and foremost I began this journey with Health & Fitness cause I was tired of being overweight and I wanted a healthier life. I continued in my journey and began educating myself more because this was actually something I was always interested in since High School but I allowed myself to be talked out of it as a major in College by my family. Thennnnnnnnnnn I joined the BEST group EVER BUFFMOTHER and it became my goal to be an inspiration and good example for my child and my family and it has just continued to grow from there. Now I have a mind full of ideas, goals & DREAMS I'd like to accomplish. I really want to be a MOVING FORCE in the Health & Fitness World and be an inspiration, motivation and a HUGE ENCOURAGEMENT to women but more than just women I want to be a motivation & inspiration to WOMEN OF COLOR (any color)!! I am seriously positioning myself to be at your disposal and beck & call to encourage, motivate, educate, mutilate (lol not literally but figuratively b/c I'm no hold's barred when it comes to working out)! I want to be a shoulder for you to cry on and I want to be that  hand that picks you up and dusts you off and makes sure you keep going when you think all is lost. By doing this together we can all reach our goals, whatever they may be and have a HEALTHY & HAPPY LIFE TOGETHER!!
Love ya'll
KQ!!!

OOOOOOOOOOOMG I'VE BEEN A TERRIBLE BLOGGER

Ok I just need to be punished and sent to BLOGGER JAIL!! As I prepped for the show I become insanely side tracked and have slacked BIG TIME on my blogging but I PROMISE you today I will no longer stay away for so long NO MATTER WHAT!!! So I'm going to have to give a quick rundown of everything that's going on . . READY . . . SET. . . GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
1) FIRST FITNESS SHOW - WENT GREAT!! I couldn't believe I got my tail up there and did the dang thing!! I would have loved Top 5 but I know where I went wrong and placing 8th was fine with me. Here's a few photos from the show. I promise to dedicate an entire blog to this WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE

2) 2nd Show - was supposed to have been June 26th BUT. . . I was in the process of preparing to move and while on vacation in the Dominican Republic (which was MUCH NEEDED & ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS) I decided I needed to focus on my move and there will be another chance to compete. So I didn't do the show :( Sad I know and I HATE feeling like a quitter but it was the best decision

3) THE MOVE - oooooooooooook this topic deserves its own post and it'll probably get one REAL SOON but

I MOVED TO CONNECTICUT!!!!!!

I couldn't be happier to be here and building a Life with my LOVE, my BEST FRIEND, my BIGGEST FAN, and my TRUE PARTNER IN CRIME!! He is the BEST & truly believes in me and isn't trying to change me, convince me to be someone different or do something different b/c it SUITS him and MAKES him feel more comfortable with himself. True SELF CONFIDENT man whom I LOVE with ALL MY HEART!! Oooooooook I'm in tears typing this so I gotta stop and move on . . .

4) TODAY'S SHOW!!! -Today is SATURDAY, AUGUST 14TH and I'm about to ROCK THE STAGE AGAIN!! Preparing for this show has been tremendous UP'S & DOWN'S lemmi tell ya!! As you already know I moved allllllllllllllll the way from NC to CT and that was a journey in itself. I went back & forth almost every other day about this show and wanting to back out . . . BUT I'M A SOLDIER & WE NEVER QUIT!! So I am tanned, dehydrated, dieted down and ready to ROCK THE STAGE!! I changed up SEVERAL things for this show so I'm praying for a WIN but mostly I want to go out there and show my other #1 fan, my daughter Kyndal  that SHE CAN DO ANYTHING just like mommy if she puts her mind to it. She is one of the main reasons why I do this because I want to be a GREAT MOTIVATION & INSPIRATION to her and I want to show her there are NO LIMITS on you except the ones you put on yourself. I always tell her she's a SUPERSTAR and to go for whatever it is she wants. I am seriously crying so I'm moving onto the next topic LOL. I AM WINNER & I'M ABOUT TO GO OUT HERE AND LEAVE IT ALL ON THIS STAGE . . . .my BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS (half of which I've left at this computer but hey whatever, I can round up some more)

P.S. I will be blogging about this experience once its over and I PROMISE not to wait 100 years like I did this time. Plus I'll take TOOOOOOOOOOOOONS of pictures for ya'll!!

5) Future Plans - THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT. . .lemmi tell ya!! This is MY time, MY opportunity & I'm about to walk in Faith and do everything in My power & God's Will  to achieve the goals He's set forth for me!! OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH LAWD YA'LL JUST DON'T KNOW?!?!? I am sooooooo emotionally overwhelmed right now b/c I FEEL IT!! I seriously gotta get off this computer and get ready but I promise you I WON'T LET YOU DOWN!! I'm gonna live up to my ability & show everyone with FAITH & HARDWORK YOU CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING!!A Blog about my future plans to come I PROMISE!!

I seriously want to Thank Everyone who listens to my rants & raves and my crazy talking that I do sometimes. I used to think I was just out here talking to myself and no one even cared and that woulda been just fine with me b/c this is how I release and its my sounding board so hey if I'm talking to myself then IT'S ALL GOOD!! But if I'm talking to anyone out there and I'm able to touch just 1 person I've done what I came here to do. I LOOOOVE YOU ALL, THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN ME, THANK YOU FOR HOLDING ME ACCOUNTABLE, and THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR ENCOURAGING ME!! I truly wouldn't be able to do it without ya'lls support!!

Love ya, K to the Q!!!!!