On My New Workout Regimen, Olympics Inspiration and Getting Quicker
True story: the only running I usually ever do is when I’m going to catch a flight, because I am often running late for it. And working out has been my kryptonite since I graduated high school (in 2002). I am one of those who you might love to hate: skinny in spite of myself. My metabolism is faster than Flo Jo and I have certainly taken that for granted. Flo Jo was crazy fast! But you know who else is insanely quick? Allyson Felix.
Allyson is THAT girl in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games when it comes to track & field. This girl’s a three-time Olympian and six-time medalist. She just runs and sprinkles her Black Girl Magic in the dust. I’m geeked to watch her races.
So, although I’m often running late to places, I’m not cool and composed like Allyson. After my running stints, I have to deal with subsequent wheezing fits, and it’s not a good look. I mean, I’d go jetting through the airport terminal only to get to the plane and spend fifteen minutes catching my breath. So pitiful. I might be built like a sprinter but that’s all smoke and mirrors.
But I’m changing all of that now and getting back into the groove and working out because I also want my heart to be healthy. I’m outchea tryna glide with ease in the air, just like Allyson! (More deets on this running experience below).
(photo credits: (L) Jasmine Alston Photography, (R) USA Track & Field)
Don’t I look like I’m doing something in this pic?? I DO!
I figured it was time for me to stop playing these outta shape bald-headed games because I’m going to have a grueling fall schedule, with my book tour coming. Also, I realized that I would never achieve my goal of having a high, track booty and amazing legs if I don’t start working out. Shallowness might be the best drive.
My timing is perfect though because we’re in the Olympic season, and I’ve been following updates from the track & field athletes. What’s a better way to feel inspired than by watching some of the most fit and fastest people in the world congregate? It makes me feel like I really want to get my life together. Now, the fact that I have increased my push-up count from 2 to 8 since April, no longer impresses me.
So, here’s the deal, as I get my life and improve my fitness, I’ve partnered with Bounty the Quicker Picker Upper to talk about my journey. Why? Because Bounty is quick, and so is Allyson Felix – the Team USA athlete that Bounty is sponsoring. Believe it or not, running has actually been a part of my gym life. I literally run into the gym, eating a bagel before my sessions! Of course, you know I am using all this as an excuse to go shopping, so my gym shoe game has increased exponentially in the last few months. I keeps it clean with my Bounty paper towels that I carry in my gym bag.
Photos by: Jasmine Alston Photography
Anywho, the folks at Bounty want to inspire us all to be quicker, and they put me through a workout, inspired by Allyson Felix. I ran, hopped and stretched one morning in Philadelphia to channel my inner bad ass. In the process, they captured me looking like an athlete. HA! Good times.
My challenge is to keep myself on point and on the path to really getting in shape. Because after this shoot, I was legit pooped. But I was also proud because for once, I could text my trainer and tell her that I actually worked out while on the road. YOU SEE ME, OUTCHEA!!!
Check out the spot I shot too, explaining my “Quick Tips” using Bounty.
Fun fact: anytime I am leaving the country, my mom folds about 30 Bounty paper towels and places them in my luggage. She uses the Bounty Select-A-Size with perforated sheets because it’s half the size of the normal paper towel and you know, we wanna save paper and all. So, she’ll usually tear off the smaller size for me. I laugh every single time, until I thank her from afar when they end up coming in useful.
I’m finding these quicker picker uppers really come in handy for handling some of the mess in my life. They’re seriously absorbent, like two times more absorbent than the average paper towel. And I know y’all know those paper towels I’m talking about, those weak ones where you have to rip off about 2 normal size sheets just to clean up a spill. So wasteful. Somehow, Bounty figured out how to create a trap & lock technology that absorbs the mess better than the others. It makes a difference!
Ok, so I’ve gone on about my quick tips. Anyone else using Bounty outchea? What are some other great Bounty Quick Tips you’ve experienced that I can start incorporating? Share with me in the comments!
Also, ask me in 3 months. I better be up to 10 pushups by then.
Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by P&G and Bounty, sponsors of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. But as always, all opinions, thoughs and shenanigans are my own. I keep it 100 with y’all.
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11 Comments
Good luck on your fitness goals…I know you can do it!
Wanna try a half marathon in November? I love me a bounty too. Although they are expensive, can’t run my house on anything less. Good one baby girl????
Lol. Girl, I love you!
1) Congrats on your health and fitness ministry! Like you, I used to be slim-but-not-fit. I wish I had gotten active back then, because it’s real work in your 40s…2) One of my pet peeves is cheap paper towels…I’m TeamBounty, all day!
Bounty is all I use at my house also. I am a runner and often pack up a couple of the smaller select a size paper towels in a snack size ziplock when my allergies won’t let me be great. They fit right in my running pouch and I can bust them out, clean myself up so my nose isn’t running more than I am, and keep it moving. You should pick a race to train for like a 5k or a half marathon and it will keep you motivated to keep moving. I can’t wait to follow your progress!
My 81 year old grandmother and I read your blog. She loves you! She will not use anything but Bounty. She told me to tell you that “you know what you are talking about. Keep telling it like it is”.
FYI: I do not have my contacts in. Grandma told me to write you NOW. I hope this was written correctly. LOL
Love it! Ma’am, I just keep rolls in my car because they save lives (and alphets)! Definitely keep a few in your purse or backpack. I’ve had a spill and had to deal with it with outside napkins and it’s pitiful.
Bounty and Pampers wipes. That’s the key to a not-so-messy life! LOL
I see you outchea being healthy. You are inspiring us skinny girls with crazy metabolisms. Lemme go out on my running shoes!
Your arms look great like our FLOTUS, it’s very smart to eat clean and get your exercise in. You are such a tiny little thing. But yourself a Nutri-bullet and make yourself some super nutritious smoothies in the morning. It will give you energy for your crazy busy schedule.
I do the same thing as your mom, I put a bunch of papertowels in a ziplock when I am traveling. They come in handy. You can also use this trick to make your own face wipes if you have super sensitive skin. Just lightly wet the paper towels, wet them with your favorite cleaner and seal in a zip lock.
Luvvie, you cracked me up with this one and I’m here for the Bounty Luvv (<– see what I did there? haha).
I am often asked if I'm on the payroll of Bounty because I stay marveling over the awesomeness of their paper towels.
1) When I make lunch for someone, I put wet Bounty (3 select-a-sizes) in a baggie so they can wash up and have left overs to wipe later.
2) I always travel with the travel case of Bounty because hotels and cruise ships aren't always as clean as my OCD prefers.
3) Bounty Is A Bomb-Azz Dish Cloth! YES, I friggin wash dishes with Bounty! You can put a little Palmolive (or whatever) on ONE paper towel, and use it to clean your stuff. And it doesn't tear easily (I think they make it out of Teflon or sumpin'!), so you can wash quite a bit and then toss it in the trash without having the usual nasty dish rag with Ebola Circa 1908 on it laying around.
4) When you wash just a few dishes, you can actually rinse out Bounty, fold it nicely, let it dry, and use it again! I have finished washing, dry it, then use it to clean the floor!
4a) Did I mention it's like Teflon? I'm telling you, Bounty ain't just made of trees! There's something strong and beautiful in Bounty Paper Towels. They should call it "Bounty Black Woman" because no matter what you do to it, it keeps making the world cleaner, better and brighter even when it gets worn down a bit, it remains amazing!
5) Can't afford Huggies Wipes for your kids butt? Bounty!
6) I keep them in the car to scrub everything (on the rare occasions I actually clean the car. I'm trifling. Don't judge me!).
7) Every time I think it's too expensive, I remember I may pay more for Bounty, but ONE Bounty is like NINE other paper towels (except Brawny, I like them, too). You save money by using the one that's so good, it can damn near raise your kids for you.
That's it. Just wanted to share. Forgive me for the commercial. I love that paper towel! :o) Lorna
I usually buy Bounty paper towels anyway, but because I love your posts and your humor (and your commentors who can just slay me all day long), and because I just started running again at age 60 (gawd help me), I will now buy Bounty exclusively forever in your honor, to wipe my brow while jogging (and sop up my husband’s dayum kitchen spills). Run, Luvvie, run!