Babies
Spotlight Feature: Improving The You In 2009
Bio: Kwavi Agbeyegbe is married with 2 young sons and lives in Atlanta. She was born in London to a Nigerian father and a Togolese mother and grew up in Nigeria. She has a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from Thames Valley University in the UK and is currently working on her Master’s degree. Kwavi believes that all women should strive to take care of themselves both on the inside and out.
You get a few women (black, white, young, old) together and give them a few minutes….. and the main conversation will drift towards weight loss, diet plan etc. As an older mum (will be 41 in March) with 2 young boys and my health as a top priority I have found ways to incorporate a healthy lifestyle into my daily schedule.
It is so important that we do not forget ourselves when we are taking care of baby and maybe hubby ( I like to think that I have 3 men I take care of in my household 2 sons and my hubby ). We still need to look good. I use Arbonne facial products (I am not a consultant) and I have to say it works well for me. Actually it works extraordinarily well for me. I like to use natural products. I like to use a base primer that prevents oily patches (I have oily skin) then I add lipgloss, I just love lip gloss (Kiehl’s) with MAC’s lipliner, I am not a big fan of lipstick, eyeliner I have to use and I am good to go. For just a hint of drama I will add eyeshadow also by MAC.
I have made it easier on myself because time is one thing I do not have and most mums with young children will probably agree with me on this that once you have children gone are the long luxurious baths, lengthy makeup routines, sleeping in etc. Don’t get me wrong I am not saying forgo all these altogether – you are just probably going to narrow it down to perhaps once a month. Showers instead of baths, eye pencil and lip gloss, sleeping in let us just go ahead and give that one up. Maybe when the kids are teenagers we can relive that luxury
H20 does not discriminate it is a great thing for your skin, black, Caucasian or Asian. I can’t emphasize enough the miracles of water on the skin. Ladies increase your water intake and you will see the difference and if you don’t I can bet you others will. I used to go to the gym……don’t have that luxury on my schedule so I workout at home using a Pilates DVD it saves me time and a gym membership fee. I work out early in the morning between 5 and 6 am (I am a morning person …….Yikes! some of you might say) and it prepares me for the day. I always feel so energized when I work out in the morning. There is just an extra bounce in my step. Ladies working out helps you in other areas…hint! hint!
In my late teens I worked out a lot and I was very careful about what I ate. People thought I was crazy because they did not understand why I was working out as I was a size 2, however being slim does not mean you are healthy. Society has made us think that being slim is the goal, it is important to exercise no matter your size. It is also important to know your true size. For the` women out there that do not have kids yet and are planning to have kids, plugging yourself into a routine before you get pregnant prepares you for the MAJOR physical changes ahead. I know genes play a role too (Thanks mum) but I also know that you have to work hard as well.
Eating healthy is a must. It really makes a difference and most importantly we are showing a great example to our children. They won’t eat healthy if we don’t. I have been a semi-vegetarian (no chicken or beef) for the past 20 years. During pregnancy I ate beef to help out with my low iron count. I prepare chicken and beef for the men in my household but on a very limited scale. A healthy diet and exercise are what will help you lose weight if that is your goal. If you do one without the other you are fighting a losing battle.
Ladies I challenge you to make your health a priority in 2009. We deserve to enjoy the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and look fabulous regardless of our age.
Kwavi Agbeyegbe
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Wonderful and inspirational. Good of you to share. I shall aspire to leave a healthier life. HAPPY NEW YEAR GIRL.
interesting reading. Though lucky to be on the slim side without such rigorous routines as yours, infact none whatsoever, I guess the earlier sporty life I lived when younger is payiing off. I take your point and most stricking for me is the water intake. I do not drink water at all, sad isn’t it, but shall at least make the effort based on the emphasis you’ve once again laid on this like many others have advised me.
Really admire your determination, unlike u, I ain’t a morning person at all and don’t see that changing. I love my morning lie in, more of a night person really, so can’t even contemplate waking up that early to work out. Good on you and very honourable of you to share this. Healthy living I agree is vital, some of us just need to be reminded of it and you’ve just done that, really appreciated.
Stay blessed dear
I love it. Folake you are on fire!!!!!!!Do it girl. Pretty soon, I guess we’ll be seeing WeWe Magazine. This article was very informative and it affirmed my lifestyle to a degree. I agree with drinkign lots of water and the afct that it does not discriminate. Now, I am an Arbonne consultant but I have never used it. However my mother who is a mother of 5 used it and lost a lot of weight. My cousin also used it and I saw results within 2 weeks.
Now, thankfully I have never had to really diet, but for instance, I take the stairs whenever there is that option. I am a fast walker so I get benefit from that as well.
Catchy write up! Really makes me think again about some of the things i know i should be doing.i think it’s all about balance.Love God, love yourself and of course the people around you, then you can’t help but feel great.
Waking up at five in the morning? Woah. That would be the day! LOL. I would rather go to bed at five in the morning. LOL. I don’t drink enuff water oh. I don’t drink up to 8 glasses per day; I need 2 rectify that. This is a nice write-up as usual.
Nice article Chris.
Kwavi, my love for you will evaporate if I don’t get that facial product in the mail by tomorrow! FedEX it abeg! You are right about exercising ke! I stopped exercising and started eating anything and everything when I lost weight (from exercising, can you image) and now, I have a closet full of clothes I can’t get into! I’m working on getting back into shape and being healthy so many thanks for sharing this info.
Fabulous write up love!!!
@Kwavi…I can definitely relate to the 5am wake-up call. I am usually up before 6 too, even if I go out the night before. Its the only way to get enough done during the course of the day.
Thanks for sharing. I am sure a lot of people will be able to relate to this!
Thanks to all of you for your wonderful comments.
There is not enough time in the day for me for if I don’t and @Vera really getting up that early is not that bad, you should try it someitme LOL
@Lillian my darlin I am not a consultant but I do have a trail version that I use when traveling that I might share with you if you send me a picture of me for not sharing mine with you.
@Remi I am so glad there is someone else that gets up early like me. Yeah!!!
@Adanma you are right, stairs are great. Alot of calories are burnt that way. I have seen people sweat profusely and out of breath when they have to use the stairs, just because they are not used to it and are out of shape. Stairs are hard.
@Bola you look great, I am sure athletics earlier on played a role plus I am sure you inherited the slim gene
@Audrey, balance is important. Moderation is definently the key.
@Arinola, Happy New Year to you girl and to a healthier you.
Kwavi, thank you for this beautiful and informative article. It’s a lovely read! Like you and Remi, I’m an early bird. I’m up between 3 & 4am.
Thank you all for your comments. Glad you enjoyed.
@ Adanma, are you psychic? Lol. Lots on the way. Stay tuned. Thanks for your continued support.
Kwavi, is auntie Stella included in this call? Girl, I feel old just reading this. Okay I exercise once a week-curves, ladies! I take a Yoga class at work once/week. So, I am not doing bad at all.
Then I wake up between 4:30-5:00 not to exercise my body but to exercise my brain. I think better then because the whole universe becomes mine and mine alone.
Thanks for sharing.
untieee. You are doing great. Alot of people half your age don’t even do that…Ooops did I kindof disclose your age. Sorry. On a serious note Aunty you look great. Thanks for your comments
Kwavi, i totally agree with you. This article is fantastic.II’m totallly not a morning person, but i make out time to go to the gym at 8 in the morning when the children leave for school. I work out 5 days a week and i totally feel energized to start my day. Working out is not just for looking good, but its also for being healthy, a lot of illnesses are avoided simply from working out. you can lower your blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. and about drinking water that is absolutely true. personally i make it a point of duty to drink a gallon a day minimum. It not only rehydrates us but also cleanses our system. it is also good for the skin. ladies let’s get healthy this year like Kwavi suggested. there are more advantages than disadvantages in this. no more excuses. Kwavi thank you very much for this wonderful message. please keep them coming.
Thanks Yvonne, well said. You do the work and you see the value in it. You look great!!
@Lilian what I meant to say was that I would send you something if you sent me a picture of your daughter,Toritse. You know her picture is in such high demand.
Well written, even if it wasn’t man-directed. H20 does work for us Martians as well : ) So does exercise, have to make time.
Good responses above, they make me even prouder of you, as man #1 of 3 in the household I can say on behalf of us all that we’ve all benefited from your Diet Plan.
To your girlish figure, and to optimal health in/out.
Love ya babe
Hi girl, if i were to score myself based on this write up, i would get a big zero- i drag myself from bed in the morning, go on for days without water, pant like hell when i climb stairs, hate the gym, don’t eat healthy——————–u name it. I really need help.
That is what im talking about, a lifestlye attitude, its all a continuous effort. Love this read ,very real and informative! Folake u are on fire!This is goin to help and make soooo many people know that they are not alone.
Smiles,
Kem
You should write for true love…think their readers would be interested in hearing from you monthly…think u have enuf material? All that said, believe it or not, started going to the gym since the move…and i am seeing and feeling the difference. want my old body back…not sure i’m loving this one like i did the other. yep, wont say its all for health reasons, thats just a plus…call me vain, but its the truth. keep on keeping on girl!!!
Very good article, permit me to send it to some of my friends…. Like Iheyinwa I am just the same. The dawn of a new year, we all promise, to diet, visit the gym a bit more, etc etc etc, but come Easter all those good intentions are out of the window, but one thing that should keep those of us that have kids motivated, is to try and keep healthy, for the sake of our kids….
Brilliant Kwavi…. Oh how you reminder me of my former self. Like you I am a morning person or should I say was. Being kept awake 2 - 3 hours in the middle of the nite, most nights, by the daughter has taken care of that.
You are quite right about getting into a routine before pregnancy. Before I had my daughter 3 years ago, I swam 3 times a week at 6am, jogged 2 times a week and went for aerobics another 2 times a week. I was always active and after having my baby my fit state lasted for the next two years.
I have lapsed, mostly due to time, but having read your piece, I feel motivated to start again…slowly. If I am honest I have 2 free morning to do some running (ok, jogging actually), and I will start TOMORROW. Yes I have said it.
Oh you are soooo right about the water. I never used to drink water before pregnancy. I was forced to cos I couldn’t stand the taste of anything else. Now I cant go a day without drinking at least 2 glasses of water.
What can I say? I definitely need to do something about me!
@Kingsley love you babe, thanks for your support.
Thanks luv. Can’t wait to see the new you!
@ Iheyinwa I commend you for knowing the true state of where you are. Just start with baby steps towards a healthy lifestyle and before you know you will start enjoying the benefits. Mark my words once that starts you will not be able to stop. LOL
@Kemmy you are right it is all about a lifestyle attitude.
@Bopo OMG you are exercising. I am so happy for you LOL. To think you were one of those that thought I was crazy when I would wake up in the wee hours of the money to exercise before I had kids. The health benefits you can’t escape but we all love the physical outcome
@Nina please feel free to send it as many friends as possible and others can do the same.
@Lekia thanks. We all lapse here and there but we need little reminders like this. Keep up the water intake.
@Stella c’mon you know you can do it. Remember when you became a semi-vegetarian a few years ago ? The results were immediate. You know you can do it.!!!
A read that’s not for the faint-hearted - well said!
Definitely a good idea to stay fit…to get the heart racing it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go to the gym - I don’t like the gym - just build it into your lifestyle. When motivated, I jog, play tennis.
Totally agree with the water intake too - but if you overdo that as I think I did, you could end up living in the loo :0
I’ve also cut down on sugar and salt. So do you eat lamb? LOL
…however, as you say, it’s got to be a lifestyle - keep it up!
Interesting article and I totally agree with a lot of comments you made. In my teenage years I was lucky to be on the slim side without trying and I even though I was a picky eater I ate what I wanted (both good and bad foods). However all that changed when I went to college and had a much more sedementary lifesytle (lots of studying in library) and due to the buffet style cafeteria. As a result I gained a lot of weight. It was then that I realized the importance of BOTH eating healthy AND working out. However this is no easy task especially as a college student. I never knew how expensive it ease to eat health which to me is sooo backwards. I think this is why its hard for most younger adults (esp. those in school) to eat right. At least these were the problems I had.
Another interesting thing I have learned over the years in portions. I think they are sooo scewed in America. It was only when I was living on my own (and couldnt afford to waste so much money on food) that I did not need to eat so much to feel full.
Overall, I think that in order to be healty and fit you need to have a pretty good income. Otherwise its impossible to afford the things you see in Whole food or gym fees.
The article motivates me to work harder since as you get older its so much easier to pack on lbs that getting rid of them. I already dont eat beef but maybe I will go the extra step and skip on chicken (my favorite food) as well. My new thing is whole grains…even though i try to cut down on carbs if i do eat them i use brown rice, wheat pasta and bread and cereals with whole grains.
I cant wait to see the changes from the beginning to the end of this year. Gracias!!!
@Folake…Thanks to you for giving me this opportunity.
Even in college you can eat healthy. There are always salad options, grilled or baked options etc. However I do know that looking back at my college years (yes I can remember that far back, Comfort :-} it was so much easier to eat junk food. You have to make the right choices even though it might be difficult. On the income factor, you really don’t have to earn a sizeable income to achieve a healthy lifestyle. You might have to be a bit more creative with a limited budget which really applies to alot of us these days. For instance instead of joining a gym, go running or purchase a DVD (some libraries even offer fitness DVD’s). Whole grains are great. Keep that up. You eat healthy anyway so just keep the good work. You are doing the right thing by starting the healthy lifestyle journey early.
@Comfort, love the young perspective. Glad you learnt how to eat smaller portions once you left home
Christy, Lovely article.
I was there many years ago when you decided to become a vegetarian and was one of those who thought you were crazy then. Well done to you for keeping up the healthy lifestye.
Of all the things you wrote about, the only one I do is take loads of water. It really helps to keep my skin hydrated and keeps illnesses away. However I hate exercising, although once in a while I go on a fitness binge, then starve myself of it.
When it is all said and done, as we advance in years it becomes more important to adopt a healthy lifestyle, so I agree with you there. However I stop short of making any promises, because at the beginning of a new year many of us make promises that we forget about by the middle of the year. So instead I will focus on the spirit of your message and work towards improving my health overall not just for this year, but from here on.
Love to the men in your life!!
Making myself a priority….
Kwavi, I couldn’t agree with you more – it’s time for us to make time for ourselves and given we all at times get carried away shuffling kids from here to there and back again, cooking, working, being a wife, it’s very easy to get caught up in it and forget yourself in all the mad rush, the homework, the meals, the dance recitals, the soccer matches, and the beat goes on….
Coming from someone who recently lost 90 lbs – yes N-I-N-E-T-Y – NINE-ZERO!! I know how important it is to be healthy. I can’t believe how far out of control I allowed myself to get. I had several excuses on why I couldn’t work out and I would start a “diet” and then stop it after five or so days because it was too hard or too this or that – I had dozens of excuses. It wasn’t until I took a cold hard look at myself and made a decision to be open and honest with myself first that I was finally able to get the weight off.
We all have issues, some are emotional, and others are he
@Wang Thanks for sharing.
@Valerie I agree with you it is an ongoing process.
I tried doing the a.m. gym run, absolutely did not work for me. I was so sleepy at work, the first day. I tried again a couple more times, but was always too sore and achy, so I gave up. The best time for me to work out is at 10p.m., for two reasons; there are fewer people at that time of the day, so you can spend more time on the machines without anyone breathing down your neck waiting for their turn. And secondly, after a workout at that time of the day, you’re guaranteed a restful sleep.
My one indulgence though is dark chocolate and red wine. My justification… dark chocolate is good for the skin, and after battling with two kids, (both under 3) all day, I need/and have earned myself a glass of Merlot.
A few tips (I’m sure u fabulous ladies know these already):
- When you go to the mall, park as far as possible from the entrance so you will have a longer walk.
- Do stomach exercises at traffic stops. Simply squeeze your stomach muscles and hold for 3-5 secs, release and repeat.
- Drink loads of water.
- Have a cup of green tea daily. We need antioxidants to fight the free radicals that threaten to age us prematurely.
- If you are over 30, you absolutely need to be using an anti-aging cream.
- Using sunscreen is a must, SPF 30 or higher. Even your powder/foundation should have SPF in it.
- If you can afford it, get a massage each month.
- Take supplements, NV Perricone has some great ones.
- Think happy thoughts.
I fell off the wagon last year, but I am determined to return back to healthy living in 2009. I will be trading my triple shot (I know, I am addicted to caffeine) grande latte for a much healthier tall fat-free green tea latte.
Good luck ladies.