WHEN A BIRD SINGS....

Yep! So I tried it, ya know...one of those internet fitness craze. Its called Resultsin28days.com. The reason I tried it was because 1st: it was super cheap (about $40), 2nd: I was convinced with the routine, it looked simple enough and the food regiment was something that I was used to when I am on my conscious eating hype, 3rd: I looked at the before and after pics, and they looked believable. I know I needed something. My body was getting out of control. I just hated how I was looking and feeling in my clothes. Most important, I was become less and less comfortable with myself. I had a conversation with a girlfriend about us both feeling the need to get rid of our half-shirts. Knowing, it's one of my favorite clothing items. So, I said...forget that! I am getting back in control of this body of mines. Okay, the Exercises. So the exercises are fairly simple; however, I can see how it can be challenging for people who have never done any working out or may have more weight on ...

Like, I need to get my sh*t together. I have been waking up the past few months and looking at myself in the mirror and really unhappy with what I see. What I do know, is that I have the discipline to do what needs to be done. However, I am tired of it going in waves. Like I go through these phases. A lot of this has to do with stress and depression. It will really kill you. I recently turned 32. Like, when did that happen though. I swear time be moving. You better move with it or you will get left. I know right now my body and my mind looks and feel sad. And, I really want to have a better hold over both. I need to take the reins back on my health. I need to do what is right for Raven. I am getting no younger. And, I know I want to be in the best health before I start popping out little Raven's lol. OMG! Like, I am seriously in baby-making age. LOL, thats pretty scary, I cannot lie. But I gotta have my body and mind right. Sometimes we get so focused on the body, and we forget the...

So as I am growing, as I am evolving and becoming more of my true self...I am working on becoming content with the fact that I may truly be a person far from the person that I am today... Lets start with me being a trained academic.  Yes, this is apart of who I am. And I appreciate all the knowledge that I gained in that type of educational setting.  I enjoyed getting my degrees. Community Development is the field that I have studied for 6 years. I have worked in education for the last 4 years or so.  Both of these fields are heavily political.  College is a very political place. My professors would stress all the time that the "person" is political. You cannot separate your self from the political arena that we are in.  As a person, you are a citizen..political...a resident...political....and on and on. As for me, people have always taken a step forward with my being.  They have politicized me.  Always felt that I was interested in politics/gove...

In 2016, I live in a society where the media (mass and social), promotes this exaggerated version of what it means to be a beautiful or attractive woman. First, lets start with the make-up.  I can say its real art.  I'm saying, people are contouring the heck out of their faces.  Now, bodies. First plastic surgery seemed so out of reach.  Man, I was just reading an article yesterday about non-invasive plastic surgeries.  You can go into a clinic today, and walk out with a new a**. And also, America's obsession with working out.  Okay, I do work out lol, but I don't strive for this "perfect" hour glass figure.  IS ANYTHING ACTUALLY ORGANIC ANYMORE?  Anyways. for girls like me, who "woke up like this" it can be a constant battle with appreciating how you look in the mirror.   Anyways, I just wanted to take a moment and appreciate all types of beauty.  Especially those who wake up, wash their face, and can look at themselves (outsid...

One thing I know...is that no one will ever love me better than me.   Waking up the last few mornings, and thinking aloud like... "I F'N LOVE RAVEN WILLOUGHBY"

Today it happened. It was amazing. It was unreal.  It was beautiful. Today I finally reached true meditation. Total body relaxation. Total free of thought. And just existing. I have been committed to 15 minutes of meditation since July 21st.  This morning I experience something that's kinda hard to explain. As I went to get up, after my meditation, its like I had no control of my body. I could barely stand on my two feet.  I had a glass in my hand, and as I wobbled to the kitchen;  I could feel that I was unable to hold myself up.  So I leaned against a wall. As a stood for a moment, I watched as the glass slipped right out of my hand and splattered all across my hardwood floors.  It was at that moment that I snapped out of it. My initial reaction "OMG, did that just happen?" LOL..I felt so accomplished.  I felt great. My coworker had asked, "was anything different this morning than the other mornings?" I said, great question.  I...

YES! AND I HAVE A STRONG DESIRE TO CHANGE WHAT I AM DIGESTING! I am a big eater! Like, I always want to eat.  I am confessing...food has had a hold on me for a very long time.  No matter how hard I work out, I have yet to reach what I really want to reach because of my diet intake. But, this is not about a body image thing.  I think that's the wrong focus.  Its strictly about health.  It's true, I am 30 now..lol...with age, comes different needs for the body. My body is my temple. Its the holder of my goddess spirit.  I must ensure that it is properly taken care of.  I want to make sure its getting all the RIGHT nutrients. Like really, as much as a like hot cheetos...like, what the F is that red stuff? Its tasty, but it can't be good for me.  As much as a like sour patches, what the F is a sour patch? LOL...I am tired of artificial stuff...I want to eat more from the land...ingesting natural products Here's to a new conscious way of eating...

So, I just got out of Zumba class. I have missed the last couple of Sundays for whatever reason.  But, I could not help but want to come home and write about the pure joy that it brings me.  Where else can you get a good dance in, with a room full of people, and good music, and its totally okay to sweat! I absolutely love it! I am really big on blasting some good music and just dancing.  I do this a lot in my house, just by myself.  So, now I have a bunch of other ladies and gentlemen to share that joy with. In my Zumba class, there is just so many different type of people. Like, people I am sure do not party at the same kinds of places that I party.  So, I just love seeing all types of people moving and shaking their rumps! I see a twin pair, they come dressed very similar every time.  They have so much spunk and are some movers and shakers in Zumba.  Then there is the teacher protege.  Her smile is just contagious.  Then you have the Sa...

I've been on my fitness lately.  Working out at least 4-5 days a week. Biking about 12-20 miles a day.  I'll be 30 next year.  And although as a young teen, I seen myself already married with children.  LOL, ohh young Raven.  Well I wanted to take control over an aspect in my life that I had full control of, and that is shaping my body.  I am super excited to spend my 30th birthday waking up on the beach in Jamaica, and a sista wants to look good doing it.  LOL Conscious eating and working out...doing what fits into my life and does not disrupt! Love self. 

ohh how I love mines!

So, basically, I had been off my fitness for about 8 months.  Well, besides being an avid biker, I had cut out my workout routine because of my knees.  Exactly, I am not even 30 and I am already having these kinds of issues.  I was diagnosed with runners knees about 4 months ago.  When I walk my knees pop...and with too much strain, they become swollen and bruise.  So, this meant that I had to eliminate running from my routine.  And because the last 6 months, I was displaced...it had been really hard to focus on my health.  However, I am back on it! And I am also implementing a nutrition plan.  I'm not sure if its an approved one, but it has been helping to show results.  I have tried to cut out carbs and starches during the week.  I have only been eating protein and green veggies (for the most part).  And on the weekends, I allow myself to eat what I want (without being a fat a**).  I want to making living healthy apart of m...

LOL...so i met a photographer...who thought it would be a nice idea to take my picture...LOL, yea, well I don't think I'm too bad looking...but model, no way!! Well the pics came out pretty cool...but it was a very exhausting experience! check out her site: www.anastaciakuba.com...It was an all natural shoot!! So here it goes on display...beauty with imperfections!

So I ran my first 5k race this year!! Although my body is killing me 2 days later...it was well worth it! Luckily, I have a very competitive personality which helped to push me to finish...and I didn't place so bad also.  Here are my stats: #4 woman in my age group (24-29) #33 woman overall #113 person overall (out of like 1300)

So...Honestly, I haven't worked out in months!! But...I am on my bike everyday these days. Its getting my legs really strong and maintaining my weight. I've gotten a few "Raven, you are looking small these days." Staying in shape is hard. Its important to find something that you love because it won't be such a task to do it!!

So, I got back into the gym today!! YAY!! After over 6 months...I'm in it to win it?? LOL Anyways, I started with cardio and legs today (ohh, always stomach...but I alternate days between legs and arms/back) Yeah, trying to get things tight for the summer...i'm mean, its only right!! Rihanna Pandora station and Aquafina got me through tonight. I am also prizing myself with stickers on a calender. This way it holds me responsible and it also challenges me (because I'm so competitive) Shoutout to the homie Galit for giving me this idea, and getting me back motivated. So #shoutout to all the folks getting rid of the winter dead weight; and prepping to show some skin!! GO RAVEN!! LOL Excuse the sweaty picture...but it was right after working out ;-)

(the red bra is about 4 months prior to the grey bra) So, I haven't done an update on my body in a while. I decided to do one because people have said that I lost weight. As you all know...I go back and forth with the weight question: booty or no booty? LOL Right now, I am feeling very comfortable with the "white girl booty." I suppose as I am getting older, the "booty" isn't as important to me anymore. Anyways, this current body is being maintained by...uhh, sh*t I really don't know.LOL. Well, I am not in the gym these days, but I do bike everyday (only like 20 minutes worth of biking). I think the main thing is my cut back with alcohol. Liquor has a lot of sugar, and I just don't drink as much. It has happen mainly because of a lifestyle change... I don't party as much. Also fast food! I don't go to BK and get the 99cent whopper jr as much these days, ohh...or Church's two piece w/ a jalapeno (lol, don't get it twisted though...

Yea, so I am trying to work off a few more pounds before my 24th B-day!! Here is a updated photo since my last one...

Here is an updated picture of me, since I last spoke about my weight. This is a little more than a month later. With, on average, about 3 times a week at the gym. So here is my progress!! I guess I went with my gut...and said "get rid of the gut, the hell with the booty"...

So depending on when you meet me.....most people remember me as a pretty slim girl. I would never say skinny because my boobs definitely defy that definition. But thats all I ever really had....is huge boobs, and a little hips. Well within the last 3 months this has definitely changed. When I committed to my workout routine in December 2007....I was doing such a good job...I was working out 4-5 times a week...about 1-1.5 hours a day...it was great!! It kept me busy, a good way to meet people, and it keep my body looking just great. However, I took a visit to ATL and came back with a few pictures of myself. I started to look at myself and I was like...Damn, I'm getting hella skinny!! My collar bone was sticking out, I wasn't fitting my pants right, and everyone was saying "Dang Raven, your getting small." So..................I decided to cut back on my working out....this went from 4 days for an hour....to 3 days.....to non-existent. In the middle of this disinte...