Jan

You have a BABY…at Bootcamp!

Like a lot of people you know, I hopped on the -its a new year lets get back into taking care of my body bandwagon.
Ive been trying to get back into the daily rhythm of tracking my meals on myfitnesspal and whatnot, but what I really
had been missing is a steady challenging workout. Cue up that boot camp class that I talked about months ago, but never actually started. To show my commitment to the cause, and because my voucher was about to expire, I have finally signed up and committed myself to at least two months of ~~torture~~ high intensity workouts. YALL…its not a game. I mean I ~~can do it~~ get through the class without dying, but I’m huffing, puffing, and cussing the entire time.
The instructor really has bought into the whole bootcamp paradigm as well. He is constantly yelling out at people referring to them by last name, although I havent gotten to such distinction yet… I am still affectionately called Rookie. So just to set the scene. We are in a school gymnasium with loud beating music, an instructor yelling at the top of his lungs, and people dropping 8-20 lbs weights because they have no energy to put them down in between drills….oh and yeah there is that three week old baby chilling on the sideline.

Bring that back.

This was definitely one of those double take moments. Like…this is SO not ok! The fact that this beautful little brown bundle of joy was just tossed to the side in a car seat amongst all the commotion echoing throughout this gym kind of hurt my feelings. I admit I started judging immediately. I dont have any children of my own so I know you’re really not supposed to judge but so what. That baby was fresh out of the cooch! My initial thought was that mom must’ve been way to concerned about getting her body back then to have this infant out in this environment….by itself. I looked and was unable to find anybody hovering over it or attending to it when it cried. Perhaps I gave one too many looks, because a lady stopped working out for a quick second and moved the car seat to the farther end of the gym. I guess this way no one would be concerned about hurling a weight at the baby or the group could feel less bad about it basically being ignored for an hour.
I gave her the quick up and down. Id say shes about a 5 ft 4 inches Caucasian lady in her 30s with a short bob haircut. She looked perfectly sane. Not overweight, but I mean really, fitness is clearly a priority for her. That we know for sure.
I wasn’t sure that was her baby at first. I was like dang, shes extra bold just moving somebodies baby like that. When nobody so much as flinched, i figured it must be her kid. Of course I had to do some research after class.
She just got the baby, which makes sense in the fact that mothers who have had a baby that recently wouldn’t be able to do the grueling workout she just did. Now the baby was an uber cute little girl, so I had to gush a little, its not her fault her mom is special. I was able to confirm the baby is not yet a month old.
I did notice after bundling herself all up she didn’t add a blanket or covering on the baby when she walked out the door. Its not midwest cold, but its still January.

Perhaps I need to take my judging problem to the altar cause its clear to me its not going anywhere none too soon.

I don’t know about you, but I love the movie Sweet Home Alabama. As I was discussing the baby elephant in the room after class with a friend of mine she reminded me of the scene where Mel, Reese Witherspoon’s character, runs into an old high school friend and is exclaims “You have a baby…in a bar”. Stuff like that in the
movies is hilarious, in real life its just sad.

Am I too harsh, thoughts?

124 days ago Short URL 2 Comments

Baby In A Bar/bootcamp/Weightloss

Nov

184 days ago Short URL Comments

Sep

Are We On That? Cuffin’ Season Draft 2012

The other day I was cruising my twitter timeline, and saw that several females were all worked up about this Cuffin Season Draft. Not familiar with the Cuffin Season Draft 2012? Allow me to enlighten you. A male blogger, who goes by Brydell Rice, (@BDell1014) has created a draft of his female followers “on Twitter that deserve the right to be cuffed this season.” He asks readers “Are you looking for a prospective female that can cook, has a bangin’ body, fucks like [a] champ, and will average a Triple Double all Cuffing Season?”

image source: http://brydellrice.wordpress.com/2012/09/07/1371/

Now at first glance i’m enraged for the girls, mostly because initially I didn’t understand that they actually submitted their information for entry into the draft. When reality sets in, and I find that they were active and willing participants deep sigh my heart hurts.

In the stats he displays their Twitter handle, class, height, weight, number of sexual partners, education, # of followers, and Pussy Mileage. Yes, PUSSY MILEAGE. I secretly REALLY want to know the algorithm for the Pussy Mileage. It doesn’t seem to be a simple more miles to partners situation. I mean, this dude has Oil Change, Tune up, Check Engine Light on some of the ahem ladies’ profiles. I swear I couldn’t make this up! Im curious as to whether you rate yourself, or if he rates you. Like who determines the blow job and tightness factor. Do you have to sleep with him to get into the draft? I have so many questions. He even invites more ladies to participate in future rounds by saying it could increase your follower count. BLANK STARE

I’ve got to give it to the guy, he provides pics, has body stats, and rates their performance in the ‘important areas’. What are these areas? Well lets see, the rated performance categories are Ass, Cooking, Blow Jobs, Tittys(his word), Sex Game, Attitude, Smart, Funny, Tweets, Hygiene, Shy, and the ever important Pussy Tight. No seriously, this is really happening!

Now don’t think he just threw this together, this …. guy had a build up for this just like a professional sport’s draft. There was a Cuffin Season Training Camp complete with Tips and a Schedule. Heres the first month, but don’t worry he doesn’t leave you hanging. He also has a schedule for October and November which include the playoffs. He warns about the ex boyfriend and everything.

Sept. 'Cuffin Season' Training Camp Schedule

image source: brydellrice.wordpress.com

Most of the females involved are college aged, and im sure they think they are
grown and know exactly what they are doing. Of course they wouldnt believe they are being preyed upon. I had to calm myself down, because it was all a bit much for me. What are we really teaching our daughters? Why do they feel like this is ok? Can we get Demetria Lucas to fly in for an emergency session? Is it too late to get a slot on Iyanla Vanzant’s new show? We need the big guns, STAT. You can tell how sad and pathetic you have to be to still submit at this point, because the round three is just…. The puzzling thing to me is that they are actually attractive females, so i’m just sad to see that their self worth is so low. Are we really letting guys pimp us for the possibility of more FREE twitter followers these days.

This cant be life. Am I over-reacting? Thoughts

p.s. You can follow me on Twitter @freetobeBri -Disclaimer no sexual favors will be provided

248 days ago Short URL 3 Comments

Are We On That/The New Breed/What The...

Sep

Whats My Motivation?

To say I’ve been slacking on my weight loss challenge is probably an understatement, but at last check, I have not gained any weight either. I actually dropped 1.5 lbs, which isn’t bad, but it’s not the sign of a champion in the making either.
It seems hormones and holiday weekends have been a recipe for disaster.
But enough with all that; I’m back on the wagon.

At this point tracking calories has become a bit of second nature to me, but working out…yeah, not so much. Although I’m back into walking whenever possible around the city, I have yet to put in a hard workout. I feel like I weigh less than I did this time last year, but because it was mostly due to diet this go round, I’m a little more soft than I would like. I’m going to need some strength training to tighten this body up, but luckily GiltDC had me last week with a cheap month at Washington Sports Club. One of my friends from college (HU!) was just telling me about a great Zumba-like class with a more Caribbean focus that they offer. I can see myself winding away my waistline already. I also came up on a boot camp deal that was really cheap for two months. Ive talked about joining one of those before, but those 6am workouts kept me away every time. This one im pleased to say is being offered at 6:30pm at a location with parking! Coming from the suburbs I was appalled that none of the gyms in the city offer parking. That, combined with the almost double monthly fee, is why I have yet to join any of the neighborhood gyms thus far, but that’s a moot point now since I’ve got three months paid for. The reality of the situation is my Birthday is rapidly approaching and the goal is to have reached a mini goal of 7 lbs loss by then. Safia over at slimmersafia.com has been my newest inspiration so check out her new blog where shes counting down to her 100 lbs lost party in November. Shes already dropped 70 lbs so I know she’ll bang these last 30 no problem.

p.s. If you’re on myfitnesspal my username is letsgetit, lets be friends

251 days ago Short URL 2 Comments

bootcamp/Dancing/weight-loss challenge

Aug

#30in30 I Can’t Afford ‘Dem Babies’

I feel like I finally got to a point where I consider my friends and I real adults. It seems like every other day somebody is getting engaged, married, or becoming a parent. Cute little pictures of kids starting school were all the rage on my Facebook timeline this week. I have to admit, kids are starting to look a little cuter to me now than they have in the past. I’d be lying if I said popping out a mini me or him wasn’t in my five year plan. Never mind the fact that said him has yet to be identified. Too darn bad, because according to a study released by the National Childcare Association, I can’t afford “dem babies.” They report DC daycare costs as some of the highest in the nation. Those of you who live In New York probably already know your situation is not looking good there either. Im already making life decisions at the gas pump, as well as the grocery store with just myself to worry about.

CNN Money is reporting that childcare costs are more than rent in most states. A quick internet search shows me that infant care is averaging about $1500 a month in the DC area…a month! Somebody with bills that high needs a job. I always thought infant care was the highest, but apparently it’s toddler care on the rise. Are we really spending upwards of $20,000 a year for toddler care these days? Of course, these are the crucial learning years that usually put children a head of the curve, but still. How in the H-E Double Hockey Sticks do single parents do it? Especially those who barely bring home that much money before you add in the rent, food, and utilities. We are not going to get on clothes and shoes that are a wrap after a few months, or pampers and sky-high health insurance costs. Ay yi yi.

The really crazy part is that these super expensive institutions have crazy waiting lists. For one of the coveted spots you’re looking at over a year. Basically you need to get on the waiting list before you are even pregnant. Planned parenthood just a myth for you? Guess you’re short if you don’t have a good family support system. Everybody talks about saving for a child’s college fund, but clearly more emphasis needs to be on saving for daycare. I can’t call it, but it’s not looking good over here.

263 days ago Short URL 2 Comments

#30in30

Aug

#30in30 Are We on That? Swingers Next Door

Yesterday I tuned to OWN for the second time this week to check out Our America with Lisa Ling. This weeks show was about Swingers Next Door. If you are not familiar with the term, swingers are generally a couple who engage in all types of sex acts with people outside of their relationship. Most times couples either switch partners or participate in a group sexual activity. Almost all of the people interviewed by Lisa Ling were married. There was a couple who had been married almost thirty years following the traditional monogamous model, but decided to become swingers who now frequent sex parties. Their story was a typical one, although there was another couple who actually reconnected on a swinger website and decided marry with the agreement of being a swinging couple from the beginning. Before watching this show, I had no clue what “the scene” would be like. The naive person in my head surely thought the young, rich, and somehow still bored were simply finding a new way to entertain themselves. What I saw was that this life was clearly not just for the beautiful people. Quite the contrary, the old, broke, and overweight were welcomed with open arms at every party Lisa Ling went to. One couple was talking about the 70 year old man pushing through with the walker. Why is your Grandpa riding around and getting it at the sex party? Its just….I’m just…its too much for me to process. Now of course this is just the little portion of the swinger life I got to see in this one show, but still…lets just say there’s something for everybody. The other shocking takeaway, at least for me, was that the couples like to watch their significant other get pleasured by other people. Now I’m sorry, but perhaps my rearing as an only child has ruined it for me, but I’m not sharing. And I for darn sure am not watching you perform any type of sexual act with my husband. No ma’am , that wont be MY America. Did I mention that these people let the cameras into the parties and openly discussed the swinging life. Their voices weren’t distorted and their faces weren’t blurred out. They even mentioned how things were probably going to change now that the neighbors might watch the show, talk about that awkward moment. They even had a Black couple! I admit I was waiting to see if we, were swinging. In getting to know the Black couple, I conclude the female was clearly the one who really was into it, and the man, who was quite soft spoken, needed to be eased into the idea. She kept saying she had to make sure he didn’t feel disrespected. Now, no shade, but the Black couple seemed extra regular to me so maybe the swingers really are next door. Thoughts?

270 days ago Short URL 3 Comments

#30in30/Are We On That/Our America/OWN/What The...

Aug

272 days ago Short URL 2 Comments

M.A.C./Mariliyn Monroe/press photos

Aug

#30in30 The So Called Pregnant Man Wants a Divorce

Pregnant Man carrying his first child – credit Mary Ellen Mark

Should I go ahead and insert your confused face here? Mine is still partially scrunched after reading a similarly titled article on CNN.com. You may have heard about Thomas Beatie some five years ago, after he made headlines as a result of photos of him fully bearded with a belly bump surfaced. Initially I didn’t pay it any attention…until I saw that Oprah was going to have him on her show. Now I was never an avid watcher of The Oprah Winfrey Show, but she had a higher level of standards, so I was then convinced this was more than a clever Photoshop job. Oprah didn’t disappoint and got to the good stuff. Turns out Thomas, formerly Tracy, was a transgendered man who still had his reproductive organs intact. His wife had given birth to two children from a previous marriage, but had a hysterectomy. They were married in 2003, and he stopped taking his testosterone a couple of years before getting pregnant. Oprah also asked about how they have intercourse, and the story was that his clitoris has enlarged from all the testosterone, turning it into a small makeshift penis. OH….this is one of those you like it I love it moments.

Beatie Family Photo – credit Christopher Hunt/TB/Getty Images

Fast forward to 2012 where Thomas has ~~popped out~~ carried not one, not two, but three kids. I cant imagine having to explain to the oldest why her Daddy is the only Daddy getting pregnant. I guess there has been some trouble in paradise, and now the couple want a divorce but here’s where they hit a snag in the plan. The judge presiding over the divorce is questioning whether or not the marriage was valid in the first place. I suppose if I were in the judge’s position I might have to look at the paperwork twice when a legal man has ~~popped out~~ carried three children. Recently, while on the television show The Doctors, Thomas revealed he has now completed the sexual reassignment surgery, and that his wife hasnt seen the new and improved version of him yet. That’s just evil if you ask me. She put up with nine years of the clitoris/penis, and then he has the nerve to go and get the ‘real’ thing once they separate. I say damn, but considering he has full temporary custody of the children after providing footage of her allegedly attacking him, perhaps he felt like she didn’t deserve the upgrade. Whew, they have a lot on going on, and i’m surprised this wasn’t a reality TV show. Well, i’m not about that life, so i’ll probably never really understand, and i’m okay with that. Thoughts?

276 days ago Short URL Comments

#30in30/Divorce/Pregnant Man/What The...

Aug

#30in30 Singer Janelle Monae is Named as the New Face of CoverGirl

Singer Janelle Monae is the newest face of CoverGirl photo credit: E online

Yesterday Janelle Monae tweeted “Im Strong. Im beautiful. I AM A COVERGIRL!!!!”. Yes you read that correctly, singer Janelle Monae is officially the newest face of CoverGirl. I flipped out when the pictures from the first photo shoot started showing up on the web, i mean, this girl was one of my motivators for going natural. I can distinctly remember having a picture of her as my avatar on the hair boards some five years ago. I’ve been a music fan of hers since her days with Big Boi’s label and I’m so glad she is finally getting the shine she deserves. I love when an artist stays in their own lane, makes their own rules, and doesn’t let the industry dilute them just for album sales. In an article for Vogue she said, “I want to help redefine what it means to be a strong woman in the music and fashion worlds.”

Janelle Monae in a softer, flirty look for CoverGirl photo credit: P&G Corporate Newsroom

I am so ready for that to happen. In the photos so far, shes rocking her signature updo, and it looks amazing. I’m secretly hoping in the future they decide to thrown in a few more distinctly natural styles as well. Lets redefine what a beautiful mainstream cosmetic ad looks like in the process. Nothing too controversial, but im absolutely giddy at the thought of her coming out with some elegant twists or even a highly textured twistout. But enough about hair, this is a cosmetics ad after all, get into that red lip!!!! Of course I peeped the nails, and while I love the red, that peachy coral color on the second photo has me written all over it. What do you think, are you as excited as I am?

276 days ago Short URL 1 Comment

#30in30/CoverGirl/Get Into This/Janelle Monae

Aug

tap dance Samy davis jr by topia

I’m the daughter of a dancer, so needless to say I grew up on movies like this. I have a picture of my mom pregnant with me in a Gregory Hines class. The challenge scene from the movie Tap is a classic, and so many of the greatest tap dancers ever are in this at the same damn time! *Future Voice* Im talking Gregory Hines, Sammy Davis Jr., The Sandman, Jimmy Slyde Walker, and even one of the Nicholas brothers. The young Savion Glover was also in this movie, you know, pre-homeless man beard, and you couldn’t tell me he was not my little boyfriend back in the day. When someone calls a challenge I hear it in the ‘Sandman’s’ voice so I had to look high and low, but I got an old grainy clip. My dancing days are long gone, but im determined to find something fun to do so working out doesn’t feel like work. I used to be so self-motivated in the past, but that day is long gone. Enjoy!

279 days ago Short URL Comments

#30in30/Dancing/Tap/weight-loss challenge