Hi Friends! Y’all the #Quaratine15 is real! And unfortunately due to the extra pounds triggered my blood pressure to rise. Yikes! My numbers were a little scary and I was faced with BP medication in my hands ready to be taken back in July, until I did a little research and found that the medication was not a good fit for me. So I decided then that I wanted to try to lower my blood pressure on my own terms. High blood pressure runs on both sides of my family, so I did prepare myself that I may have to get on medication, maybe, maybe not – we shall see. So although I don’t cook with a ton of salt, I did start to look at it more carefully and started to cut back also taking a closer look at processed food and looking at the sodium.
Yall may have heard me talk about YouTube at home workouts and I did a couple of those during the week such as a fun hip-hop workout (I actually have learned a little rhythm over the quarantine season – Lol) and a 1-mile workout video was fun. I did that for a couple of weeks, but then shifted to taking a walk outdoors early in the mornings before I had to come back home and log in to work remotely. I started off just telling myself to try it for 2-days out of the week. Fast forward to 3 months later and I’m working out 5 days out of the week and I actually look forward to doing some. There have been some days where I didn’t do my best workout or hit the snooze too many times and had to skip that day and instead of beating myself up from it – I told myself “try again tomorrow”.
I also try to go two days out of the week where I eat no meat, unless it’s baked fish or shrimp and that’s been really fun to come up with different recipes or meal planning for those days! I took my blood pressure every other day and my levels have been so good and not high like back in July. My doctor has been super impressed and has encouraged me to keep trying every day and she held off on writing me another prescription and would like to see me back in the office in about 3 months just to be sure. With these little steps it has not only lowered my blood pressure, but it has been great for my mental health. I have more energy and I enjoy breaking a sweat! I haven’t lost a ton of weight, and that’s not my high goal for the moment – I’ve found in the past when I attempted to workout I focused too much on the weight and then a month later I would just quit. So this time I’m keeping my blood pressure numbers on my mind and if the weight falls, it falls. I know that I will always be a curvy gal and I definitely don’t want to lose my curves, but I love being in charge of my health – especially in these times.
I want to share a few tips on how I’m attempting to beat a burnout, and then after that I’ll share some fun workout tunes that hype me all the way up!!
- Buy cute workout clothes, but start small. Maybe a pair of leggings one week, and then a cute top the next week or the next month.
- Find a cute pair of sneakers – I just purchased a new pair and I love them! It definitely puts an extra pep in my step.
- If you’re working out from home – switch up your routines or workout videos. Add your own workout music to it too.
- If you’re taking your workout outside – switch up the scenery every so often
- Use the time that you’re walking or jogging outside to brainstorm projects for work or for your home
- Take a phone call with a friend to keep your mind occupied
- Give yourself lots and lots of grace. You don’t have to get it right all the time and you certainly don’t have to do what the next person is doing. This is your journey! Do what makes you feel good.
- Take baby steps – start out with working out once a week and increase based on how you feel.
- Treat yourself often whether that’s fixing yourself a hearty breakfast or getting your nails done every month.
- Don’t compare your story with anyone else! Do this for you!
- Switch up your Workout Tunes!
Now, here are just a few of my favorite fun workout tunes I like to listen as I workout:
Ain’t About What You Got – Star Cast
Better (feat. Yo Gotti) – Meghan Trainor
Just Fine – Mary J. Blige
Laugh Now, Cry Later – Drake
Lean On (feat. MO & DJ Snake) – Major Lazer
Like A Girl – Lizzo
Roar – Katy Perry
Savage Remix (feat. Beyonce) – Megan Thee Stallion
Super Bass – Nicki Minaji
Survivor – Destiny’s Child
Lose My Breath – Destiny’s Child
Good As Hell – Lizzo
Work from Home – Fifth Harmony
Don’t Start Now – Dua Lipa
What are some ways that keep you motivated to move ya body? Share in the comments and we can all be inspired!
Stay safe and well my friends! xo
Lelias's Southern Charm 
You are so beautiful, my friend!! I recently found out that my cholesterol is a little high, so I’m consciously trying to notice and incorporate many of the same things you are!! I already feel better. You look amazing and are always so encouraging!! Great post!
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