Dublin Marathon!!!

Hi guys!!! Hope you had a great weekend and hoping you have a fulfilling week!!! Today is the Dublin marathon, which is done yearly in October. I ran a 10km this morning in solidarity for fellow runners out there running the race. Hopefully run it next year!!! I also had a lovely brunch of a native African meal (pictured): Garri, made from Cassava and some okra,with some fish stew, made the African way!!! It was yummy and  below 400 calories, not bad for a meal!!! Have a nice day!!! Love you!!!

Monitoring your heart rate: Phone Apps vs HR Monitors?

During most of my runs, I use two running apps on my phone, to avoid any GPS issues during my run. But I also found out the reality of running apps not being highly accurate!!! Below are the results from my 5km run yesterday, the total calories are different for both apps.

It is advisable to invest in a good heart rate monitor for your exercises especially for running because it will give you a more accurate record of the total calorie expenditure!!!

Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well, right? Have a lovely Sunday guys!!!

A Run a Day keeps the Shrink Away!!!

End of another work week!!! Ran 15km this morning, phone app issues at about 12km and I must say it felt awesome. Running for me is no longer about fitness or weight loss, it's much deeper than that, I'm happier when I run, it allows me think, gives me clarity and keeps me sane. Who needs a shrink when you can run? Lol. A trial will convince you!!! Have an awesome weekend, love you!!!

Bulgur-Swede Jollof Recipe!!!

This recipe works out at about 260 or 370 calories a plate or portion depending in the portion size. Bulgur is a grain very high in protein like quinoa. You can vary or change the ingredients as desired!!! Make it unique to you!!!

Bulgur: 1000 g @ 820 calories 

Blended onion, tomato and pepper @ 15 calories 

Swede 100g @ 104 calories 

Tbsp of  balsamic vinegar @ 10 calories 

Maggi cubes or stock cube @ 20 calories

Mixed vegetables @ 50 calories

Sweet corn 480g @ 425 calories

Bacon bits 250g @ 753 calories

Tuna in sunflower oil 189g @ 284 calories 

Tbsp olive oil @ 119 calories

Mix ingredients together and cook in boiled water, that covers the bulgur, for about 20-30 minutes at medium heat. Allow to cool covered and portion!!! 

Total calories for the pot is about 2600 calories.

7 plates works out at about 370 calories per plate and 260 calories if portioned into 10 plates like mine.

Enjoy, love you!!!

Rest Rest Rest!!!

Hello Nu Fam!!! Today is my rest day, exercise wise. This is crucial for success in every area of life, not only in fitness. It allows your muscles time to recover, ready to be worked again. It also prevents a "burnout", a situation where you are too fatigued to exercise. I usually have two rest days a week and I try my best to enjoy them actively. Rest for success!!! Love you!!!

Nu Book Club!!!

Just watching Oprah's Next Chapter tonight and seeing two powerful women, one the COO of Facebook Sheryl Sandberg and one, a Supreme Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor, got me thinking about my passion as always "Women Empowerment". Knowledge is power and a book club will enable me share great biographies of women who crossed boundaries and barriers to become the best they could be in their careers!!! We need to be positive always!!! Let's start off with the book "Lean In" by Sheryl Sandberg. Will post updates on what I gleaned from this book after I read it. Are you guys in? Love you!!!

Split those runs with Running Apps!!!

Hiya!!! For those out there that run or are interested in running, running apps are necessary, to give you an idea of the distance covered and at what pace per mile or per Km. It also shows your "Split Pace",  which is your pace at every mile or km covered. This gives you a more detailed picture of what happened every step of the way, great for future improvements or just to make you feel great!!! Ran a 4 miler this morning and I feel awesome because my splits show I ran a sub 7-minute km and that's good enough for me!!! Ready for my day now, have a good one!!! Love you!!!

Food Prep for SUCCESS

Food planning and food diaries!!! Two peas in the pod of sustainable weight loss!!! Plan your meals in advance, making healthy choices and ensure you log your meals in a food diary daily, trust me it helps, more than you'll ever know!!! If you don't  log it, don't eat it!!! And if you don't plan it, don't eat it!!! Love you!!!

"Nu" Running club!!!

Been thinking seriously about starting a running club for women in my neighbourhood!!! It will help women bond as well as achieve their fitness goals. One of the pivotal tools that aided my weight loss was running as a form of exercise!!! Will let you guys know how it goes!!! Love you!!!

SPICE IT UP!!!

Variety, they say, is the spice of life. One regular workout routine becomes boring and monotonous after a while. It also challenges your body and muscles less. To get more you have to be willing to give more!!! Change your routine from time to time to keep things fresh. I worked out with Billy Blanks today, it felt awesome!!! Have a nice day guys, love you!!!

It's Official!!!

So it's official, I'm Irish!!!My official swearing in ceremony was today at the National Convention Centre. Twelve years!!! Dreams do come true and take time, patiently wait and never let go of what you're dreaming about, nurture it and watch it grow!!! Love you!!!

Party Time!!!

One of the crucial ingredients to a healthy lifestyle is surrounding yourself with positive people that bring out the best in you. This weekend was awesome, hung out with great friends!!! Have a great week ahead!!! Love you!!!

Weekend Grind!!!

Weekends no longer have to be about sitting on the couch and sipping cocoa and chowing down doughnuts and chocolates,you can get active and watch your mood change for the better!!! 20km cycled this morning!!! Have a nice weekend!!! Love you!!!

Always Do U, everyone else is taken!!!

This blog will encourage you while you achieve your fitness goals!!! I will share tips, recipes and exercises that worked for me, but at the same time, a disclaimer is necessary!!! Please consult a doctor before undertaking any form of diet or exercise, what worked for me may not work for you, always DO you!!! Love you!!!

MAKE EXCUSES OR MAKE PROGRESS?

We are only human and the tendency to make excuses often leaves us lacking in areas where progress is possible. Tiny drops make an ocean eventually!!! Start small, start now!!!

FITNESS GOALS!!!

You have to work with what you have. You start somewhere, just start, it can be done, one day at a time, I did and plan to share my journey, tips, ups and downs on this blog. My befores and afters!!! Love you!!!

Stand for something and Fall for nothing!!!

Sometimes in life, your decisions may take you out of your comfort zone. Change is never comfortable. To achieve what you have never achieved before may require standing up against opposition. Just do it, the key to change is in your hands!!!Love you!!!🔐

NEW DAWN🌞

Today is a great place to start. Your dawn is unique to you and you alone. Start fresh and make the most of today. Always remember "impossible is yesterday". Love you!!!