Category: BODY

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Body Wednesday: YouTube Post

Body Wednesday on YouTube

My Workout and take on the yellow fashion trend.

Having nerve problems, diabetes, and maintaining my weight is a task. But one that must be checked off.

My weight fluctuates with the seasons and, these past months, the pandemic, I have blamed my waistline spreading beyond my hips from emotionally eating.

It is no one’s fault except my own, but sometimes, it is easier to blame it on something or someone else. But doing so doesn’t help me or anyone to grow.

Today, on my YouTube channel, sisters like us win I am working out my lower back because extra weight seems to inflame my back and hip nerves, increasing the already daily aches and pains.

In the exercises I perform in this video, I have either learned from physical therapy sessions and or practicing yoga. These positions stretch the back and hip tendons and muscles, easing the nerve pain that runs along my spine and pelvic bone.

I find stretching exercises (next to cardio for the heart and energy levels) to be the best workout for feeling good.

So, moving forward, my goal is to be sure to do some type of workout every day, even if it’s just stretching my body to get and keep the weight off.

Check out the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPHGDijIbsU&t=108s and be sure to Like. Share. Leave a Comment. Subscribe.

On a different note, if you are looking for self-help or personal development that inspires change, then check out my books on Amazon.com.

Cracks in the Pavement Struggles of Butterflies and, Cracks in the Pavement 2: Butterfly Effects are self-awareness and healing books filled with poems, quotes, and personal stories written to overcome life’s circumstances and to self-empower. Because change comes when we are aware.

We all face challenges in our lives, and sometimes we lose our way and become stuck. Get motivated to transform your life today with these books and following sisters like us win on YouTube.

Whichever flower you choose to be BLOOM!

Dawn

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Mirror Effects

Does your mirror(s) have you feeling some type of away?

It is called the Mirror Effects.

We, as in women, feel good about the outfit choices we had to dig out from the back of our crammed closets.

Our clothes feel pleasantly comfy against our bodies until, something as simple as catching our reflection in a mirror; takes away what we had imagined looked like Kelly Rowland in a Fabletics commercial or Halle Berry on a strolling the beach. It was merely an illusion.

What do we do?

We begin to beat ourselves up, well, down.

Negative thoughts trickle in, we start to body shame ourselves; there is an energy shift, and we become an emotional wreck stressing over finding something to wear that covers all our outer flaws.

The Fix


Years after much therapy, I came up with this brilliant trick.

Have you seen the movie Snow White and the Huntsman? Do you recall the part when Queen Raveena asks the gold-shiny thing the question, who is the fairest of them all?

Well, the Evil Queen does not see her reflection staring back at her as she frantically paces back and forth to see if there is news of someone somewhere across the land better than her.

She patiently waits for the round glistening tin to form into a man where her quest has sent him on a Google search across the wide web.

He collects the information as to whom is the most beautiful on Instagram and Facebook while gathering himself at her feet. For her to discover it is not she, the fairest of them all.

Angrily she deliberates how could it not be her after all her efforts to stay relevant?

That is how I feel, as the Queen did when my mirror tells me the truth about how I look in leggings: any clothing.

Getting dressed sometimes feels as if Tony Robbins put a spell on me like in the film Shallow Hal. I step out of my closet believing and feeling one way to facing the hard truth in the mirror, feeling another way.

So, I developed a foolproof technique. A trick better than any magic trick Harry could ever think to conjure up.

See, the trick to looking and feeling good all the time is to see yourself through a mirrorless mirror (picture frame).

Even if my reality is my stomach bulging over the top of my pants, tits dragging the ground like this new fashion craze; I am always beautiful because I can visually see myself; my realness inside.

Not the reflecting cinnamon rolls rising around my waistline or where gravity has stretched and pulled my triceps and sagging boobs so low my granddaughters could jump double dutch with them.

And we must not forget the loose neck skin that makes grandma look as though she has magically turned into a turkey.

You see, The Mirrorless Mirror is a magic wand that forces you to see you, the inner self, those parts of you that get you into heaven: the most important part.

Let me be clear!

Now let me be clear. I am not saying, in any shape or form. I will strut out into the streets wearing a jumpsuit that fits like my infant grandchild onesie; busting at the steams like someone accidentally punctured a can of biscuits because I feel so darn beautiful inside after catching a glimpse of my inner self.

No. But what I am saying. It that in those moments, when I begin to beat myself up because I ate too many fries, overly indulged in the Costco’s variety pack of Cheesecake Factory cheesecakes; eat an entire bag of Hersey Kisses in one setting, or womanly monthly things. Hanging an empty picture frame on the wall does the trick every time.

So, if you are tired of walking around with bruises and black eyes you give yourself. Try my brilliant trick and get your confidence back.

Warning: Do not try this alone. You will see the real you. Some parts may be scary for some.

Head over to @sisterslikeuswin on Instagram to see how the mirror effect affected me.

Remember, whichever flower you choose to be BLOOM!

-Dawn

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Health: Coughing Etiquette 101

Health and Safety

With fall here and old man winter around the corner, flu and allergy season has sprung. Where usually us seasonal sufferers would know what to accept and what to stock the medicine cabinet with, we still known little about the coronavirus, and our leaders cannot predict what this fall/winter season may bring.

Like the flu, the coronavirus is believed to be viral and can be passed along touching surfaces covered with the virus.

As the latest news and social media reports, catching the flu virus this year is the least of people’s concerns with vaccinations available.

But what is to be excepted this season with the corona vaccinations in its early stages of development.

Will water, tissue, and hand sanitizing products fly off the shelves like the beginning of the (COVID-19), or are suppliers and pharmaceutical companies stocked and prepared?

Though health officials are working on a vaccination. News stations and health officials have been saying to take the same precautions as the flu, washing hands, disinfecting doorknobs, etc. But what harm comes with using these chemicals more frequently and inhaling them, I have wondered?

Anyhow, I will let the scientist do their job while practicing safe distancing and coughing etiquette.

Below are some ways I will practice to avoid contracting the flu, coronavirus, and anything else hanging around on home or public surfaces.

Proper Handwashing:

1. Turn warm to hot (add cold water as needed for children’s safety) faucet water on with one hand.
2. Wet hands
3. Add soap to wet hands
4. Lather both hands covering all areas including under the nails and forearm if able
5. Scrub for a minimum of 25-30 seconds (we say the alphabets in my home…26 letters)
6. Rinse under the warm to hot water (safe temperature)
7. DO NOT touch faucet knobs after washing hands
8. To turn the water off. Use a napkin, paper towel, and or toilet cover/paper to turn the water
9. Discard used tissue into the trash
10. Use a clean napkin or tissue paper if using a public restroom if there is a doorknob or pull to open the door
(wear gloves if able)

Parents may wish to demonstrate with smaller children the proper way of handwashing if your child will be returning to in-class sessions.

Coughing Etiquette 101

With allergy season here, coughing, and sneezing is sure to come as the leaves fall and, in some area’s snowfall.

And it may feel good letting it rip there is an elegant way to cough and sneeze.
Before letting loose, be considerate of those around you. Try having clean tissue on hand to cough or sneeze into to prevent spraying others nearby or the air.

Now maybe a great time to stock up on tissues before winter falls and spring bloom.

Look for soft tissues with aloe or lotion to protect the skin around the nose that will not irritate sinuses further. Try avoiding those tissues that can add to the problem that seems to come with dust bunnies (lent particles).

The respectful way to cough and sneeze

Cover the mouth with some type of disposable cloth like a Kleenex; clean napkin, or paper towel, or cough directly into the inner corner of the elbow to avoid showering others. By all means, avoid coughing or sneezing into the hands. Doing so, then meeting surfaces others also will come in contact with helps the spread of viruses such as the flu and the coronavirus.

Home Tip

Try to schedule a time to wipe down commonly used surfaces like doorknobs, faucets in the bathroom and kitchen, phones, and computers if family members are in and out of the home.

Practicing these safeties can help reduce the spread of germs, viruses, and bacteria.

Health is Wealth! And safety practice keeps us safe!

Live to Win!

Dawn

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Leather or Plastic?

Self-bagging and those machines

Sisters, before I get to the leather or plastic preference. I need to vent about my bagging experience at my local grocery store. Maybe, one of you may be able to relate to my shopping frustrations.

Do you recall the days before stores converted to self-help cash registers? To supposedly make checking out quicker and easier for the consumer? But, really to save the company money, by avoiding wages?

This self-help concept is the worse invention ever deployed by companies. They have no customer service etiquette and they are way too sensitive for my liking.

Though, I do use these stress inducers, from time to time. Mostly when no one is there fighting with it or waiting in line to be teased and bullied by these sensitive machines. Or if I’m rushing to get nowhere fast, as they led one to believe, it is an express lane. Leaving you thinking, you’ll be in and out of the store in no time; because you control the amount of time it takes you to ring up your five or twenty items. NOT!

I’ve found (many times), standing in line behind someone with 30 items in their cart at checkout counter number 12. Greeted by an actual human being, who have knowledge of how the machines operate; engaging in small talk while your items are scanned and bagged. Takes the same amount of time it does to check out at a self-help register.

How? Do you really have to ask? It’s because, if each item is not placed in a bag or on the conveyor belt at a precise moment. For the manmade cashier to calculate the weight of what you’ve scanned, comparing it to what has been programed by its creator for that product actually cost. And, if it does not correlate with programming, it will send a signal to the red strobe light above, calling someone to come assist you. Only after it has asked you some million-and-one questions like: “Do you want to skip bagging or do you have your own bags? Is there anything else in your cart you would like to add?” The silliest direction I’ve gotten from one of those generic robots is “Please remove item from the bagging area!” “DO YOU WANT ME TO BAG OR NOT???” (Shouting while pulling out my hair).

And to top things off. The employee designated to patrol and control the way of the future (cashiering done by the consumers-free of charge). Are usually nowhere to be found or standing there staring at you in deep conversation with not a customer, but a fellow employee; while you’re screaming at the machine-looking crazed.

But, I will say this. After I’ve spent an extra valuable 3-5 minutes yelling at the machine and its many flaws, searching for someone to help me interpret what I want the machine to do. The employees are usually kind and apologetic and often cautious in their apportion. When they’ve realize I am ready to smash the thing in. By that time. The line is usually cascading down the bread aisle with fellow shoppers looking at me, like I’m the idiot, the operator. Until it’s their turn.

Thanks for listening/reading. Anyways.

Leather or plastic ladies?

I own the above fashionable FRAKTA IKEA plastic bag (in the photos). It was 99 cents, it’s mine and I love it! I have used this now most popular bag in the world by IKEA (thanks to Balenciaga) for of course shopping at IKEA, and yes-even grocery shopping and at small department stores as well. It can also be used as a laundry bag in a college dorm or used for recycling bottles etc.
This bag is so versatile and it straps make it carry friendly. So, I can see why Balenciaga would make one of its own and charge a whopping $2000. It’s worth it. No. Maybe not for me.
But, with so many celebrities planning on delivering babies this summer or has over the spring. The Balenciaga bag is a good alternative to a stylish diaper bag when jet setting from L.A to New York or across the world.
With its size, stylish bold color and durability. I am sure paying $2000 for the leather version, wouldn’t dent any of the current pregnant celebrity’s pockets. As for me, I’ll keep rocking the plastic. Though the Balenciaga does appear to hold more than the average tote.

Is either of these bags for you? Let me know in the comment box.

Aspire to Inspire!
Dawn

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The Weight- Chapter Seven

As I rushed toward the thirty mark (twenty-seven) a new love developed with someone new, though I was somewhat apprehensive. I fell for the young Marine and all his flattery.

It was coming up on our second anniversary of us being together, when he made the comment ‘If you start gaining weight around your elbows. I’m going to leave you?” I laughed and thought nothing of it.

Yes, my narrow hips had widened maybe two inches, and my butt thickened and widen in portion to my hips. But, I didn’t think I had gained that much weight, to where he was no longer attracted to me.

My clothes had become a little snug and finding an outfit to wear out on our biweekly dates proved difficult at times. But, surely, I had room to gain a little weight. It was happy weight. You know the side effect of saying “I do.”

Nevertheless, the relationship ended because of his infidelities. This is when my weight issues seriously began.

To be continued…

Written by Dawn M. Dean
©All rights reserved.

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The Weight- Chapter Six

As time went on, the love of my life and I (high school sweethearts) decided on having two more children, bringing us another handsome boy and finally a beautiful girl.

You would think after having three kids, my hips would have spread like the sea. Nope! They didn’t. And I didn’t mind as much as other women with wider hips seemed too. It was what God had given me and I worked what I had. You know that saying “if you got it, flaunt it.”

I swung my narrow hips from side to side at parties and clubs, from sun up to sun down. I dared to wear the hugging skimpy cloths my girlfriends were able to wear. Not my skinny self. Not having a curve to fill out the spandex. I really didn’t want to show off my full bosom and have men staring at my chest all night. I went to parties and clubs to dance and that’s actually what I did.

To be continued…

Written by Dawn M. Dean