Tell a friend. Bring a friend. A fitness group just for the African American Mom. 🌿💖💪
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Tackle Your Tuesday: Breastfeeding Awareness Month
I’ve always been sensitive about my breastfeeding journey. I was only able to breastfeed my children for 1-2 weeks before I had to supplememt with formula. My milk supply would never come in. I went to see specialists, and though I followed all their tips and instructions they gave me, it still wasn’t going well. Even after my latch was corrected. My low point came when my lactation consultant suggested I try and pump my breast, and when I tried I could barely fill the bottom rim of a bottle. I was discouraged and heart broken. Even today I feel like I could have been better. I was extremely stressed, which didn’t help in regards to producing milk, and I eventually learned that having a c-section and the medications involved before and after had a significant effect on my milk supply as well. I continually engaged nurses who told me ,”Oh everyone can breastfeed” Which lead me to believe there was something wrong with me. I felt judged every time I would prepare my baby’s bottle with formula. Then my husband said, “He (Cahlil) won’t look at you any different. You are still his Mommy.” He was absolutely right. Although all my children received the colostrum in the hospital I never was able to come to peace with my breastfeeding struggle. Over time I have learn to be ok with it. I know the wonderful benefits associated with breastfeeding, and I am now even a certified breastfeeding peer counselor (I had the hardest time in that class btw). Although I did not succeed, it does not make me less of a mother. So for all you mommas out there struggling or are breastfeeding champs I applaud you. Keep giving your baby the best, and the next time you see a mom pull out formula and judge remember everyone’s story is different, and it absolutely does not make her less of a mother. You all are queens in my eyes. Happy Breastfeeding Awareness Month to you all! ☺
Live. Love. Well & Fit.
-Dominique
#fitness #health #exercise #wellness #wellandfitcoaching #fitmom #breastfeeding #blackbreastfeedingweek #august #breastfeedingawarenessmonth #awareness #love #tuesday #queens #tackleyourtuesday
Motivational Monday: Be A Shifter
Hello everyone, and happy Monday to you all. With everything that is going on in Houston and the surrounding areas I just want to encourage you tonight. I read an Instagram post that said the best thing about a natural disaster is that it brings out the best in human beings. In times of disaster or heartbreak for pain our strongest defense is to remain positive. It is to remain hopeful. When you walk into a room to be a shifter. Aspired to lift spirits. Aspire to change the negative to the positive. I always want to have a presence that commands the room in a positive way. Filling the room with happiness and genuine concern. Although I cannot change what is going on in Texas I can provide a listening ear and a word of encouragement to those I know in the mist of it. It is normal to feel down in times like these, but don’t give up. You are strong. You are blessed. You are a child of God. My prayers always thought of you. May God protect you and keep you safe. Be well you guys.
Live. Love. Well & Fit.
-Dominique
Fit For Thought: Learn how to advocate for yourself
Dedicated to all my queens! It’s time to take control of your circumstance. I run into so many women who are not where they want to be in life, and they tend to blame it on everyone else. When really it is time to look in the mirror and change into the person God intended you to be. Certain things you’re just going to have to live with, but if you have to make a choice to change, make the right choice. Be assertive, not aggressive. Ask for help if you need it. Be willing to stand for yourself, your family, and your community. Most importantly stay encourage and ask God for help. Nothing is out of your reach. You can do it!
Be well you guys!
Live. Love. Well & Fit.
-Dominique
Tackle Your Tuesday: Are you sleeping enough?
GO TO BED!… I mean happy Tuesday to all of you… hehehe! I hope you all had an amazing day, but it is time to wind down. Last week and this week I have been going to bed way later than I should, and I a paying the price for it. My lack of energy is catching up to me, so I consciously made a goal to go to bed at 10:30pm for 4 days (hopefully consecutively) this week. I once heard someone say that the recipe for success includes sleep. Just think about it. How can you perform at your absolute best the next day if you don’t allow your body to rest. It is the same when you follow an exercise routine. You must allow yourself to rest and recover to progress. Being a busy adult it is not always easy to achieve this, but hey I have to try.
Sleep allows your body to recover and rejuvenate for the next day. Being able to sleep, really sleep allows your body to be in a state of peace, and you wake up refreshed. If you also have any illness in your body sleep helps your body to fight off any sickness. I can go on and on. The require amount of sleep for an average adult is 7 to 9 hours a night. I have 3 tips to getting all of your rest. First of all, set a bed time for yourself. Secondly, turn off all distractions. This will help you relax, and lastly pray. Prayer is so powerful. It help you to get everything off your chest from the day and give it to the Lord. I find I sleep so much better after praying.
So there you have it! Now really let’s go to sleep, and tackle this Tuesday night! Wink… wink. Be well you guys.
Live. Love. Well & Fit.
-Dominique
Motivational Monday: Don’t be petty! It is not productive to you or the person you are trying to hurt. Every second you spend being negative could have been channeled into something positive, so don’t do it at all. Learn to respond and not react to situations. As much as I have wanted to go there with some people, it is just not worth my time or energy. Be well you guys! 🌿💖💪
#fitness #health #exercise #wellness #wellandfitcoaching #monday #motivationalmonday #motivationalspeaker #inspiration #dontbepetty #petty #staypositive #growth
Fit For Thought: You Choose
Hi Everyone! Happy Wednesday to you all! O hope you all had a fun and safe 4th of July. Today I want to talk to you about your life. We are all where we are based on the choices we have made. Uncontrollable things may happen, but for the most part we are responsible for the direction in which our lives are going. I have met so many people in and out of my life that only want more, who don’t have enough of this or that, and people who are stuck in bad relationships. Well I am here to tell you that you are stuck there because of nobody else but you! I am not trying to put you down, but rather lift you up, and let you know that it is not too late. You have to be the one to advocate for your own life! It is a new season. We are half way through the year. It seems like a great time to turn it around if you haven’t been having a great first half of 2017. It is never too late, and there sure won’t be a perfect time, but everyday is an opportunity to be better than what you were. What are you waiting for? I am tired of seeing people in my life settle for just “being” when they are meant to be great. Stop making excuses. Stop blaming others, and look at the person in the mirror. You can have the relationship you want. You can have the job of your dreams. You can lose that excess weight and become healthier, but IT IS UP TO YOU! Even I had to get to a point where I had to realize that my life was a bi-product of what I allowed to control it. There is a saying that a person will change when they get sick and tired of being sick and tired. Is that you? If it is you must realize that you can be amazing. You just have to try. Choose the life you want, and go get it! If you fail the first time, try again and again and again, but don’t forget why you started. It’s time to clean up, and push on from people, things, and environments that don’t support you as a person. Trust me I had to learn the hard way, but since I have been through so much, I can be right here cheering you on on the sidelines. It will get better, and whatever you are in right now remember this too shall pass… Be well you guys.
Live. Love. Well & Fit.
-Dominique
Fit For Thought
Live. Love. Well & Fit.
Motivational Monday: Your Well Being Is Priority.
Hello everyone, and happy Monday to you! I had the privilege of attending a training today that addressed pregnant and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. It was a real look on the signs and descriptions of what women go through during and after pregnancy, and how these disorders affect the whole family. Although I have attended trainings touching on this subject, this training stuck with me because the topics discussed were on a more detailed level. We were equipped with the knowledge of what to do if one of our clients, family members, friends, and even ourselves ever encountered any of these feelings.
Mood and anxiety disorders during and after pregnancy is a very sensitive subject around the world, and sadly most women don’t speak up. Too often pregnancy is always said to be a joyous experience in women’s life, and though I believe all children are a blessing, that is not the case for a lot of women. They deal with depression, anxiety, OCD, postpartum stress disorder, and in the worst case scenario some women experience psychosis, where they have harmed themselves or their babies.
Mental health goes unaddressed in many communities, and far too often getting the appropriate help comes off as a sign of weakness. In some cultures they are quick to label you “crazy”, but I am here to say it is ok. It is normal for a woman to feel the “baby blues” up to 2 weeks after pregnancy. The problem occurs when it last longer than that. Postpartum depression may range from birth all the way until babies reach 12 months of age. I even argue that it can last longer.
The important thing for women to realize is that your well being is your priority. You are not crazy. You are not a bad mom. You are ok. The key to getting the help you need is speaking up. Don’t sit alone with these feelings. Express yourself to your spouse, family member, friend, doctor, or someone you can trust. This issue has gone on long enough without real recognition. Let’s get behind our mother’s and support them in anyway we can. A healthy mom means a healthy baby. They deserve the best chance to thrive.
I hope this helps someone. For more information you can log onto http://www.postpartum.net. If you are pregnant or just had your baby and are feeling any emotions that you are unsure about contact the Postpartum Support International Helpline: 1-800-944-4773.
Be well you guys.
Live. Love. Well & Fit.
-Dominique
May Reflections
Hello Everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Wednesday! Reflecting on this month, all in all it has been a good one. I have moved into new directions, and more than ever making every step to keep living my purpose. This month we talked about embracing all you. I gave you 8 tips to managing your mental health in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. I also gave you some advice on people to let go in your life as well as 6 alternatives to ice cream, yum! It has definitely been a busy month, but an exciting one as well. Like I have said before, I feel like I (and many people around me) are in a season of transition. My husband and I are moving into new things. My girls are out of school for the summer, and my son keeps growing and talking more everyday. I am also staying consistent with my workouts online (I hope you join me sometime) and not online… hehehe! I hope your May was filled with love, joy, and opportunities of growth and learning. It is never to late to turn it around. I want to keep encouraging you to be the best version of you possible. You can achieve a life full of wellness (Physically, mentally, and spiritually). Let’s get ready for the summer whoo hoo! I’ll be right here providing you with more inspiration, motivation, and more Well & Fit Coaching health and fitness tips. Be well you guys. See you soon!
Live. Love. Well & Fit.
-Dominique
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…and check out my workout live every Monday and Wednesday on Facebook (facebook.com/dommichele) Live and Instagram Live!
