- Maria Odugba
the grey area // Q&A
I've spent many months deciding on how I can communicate with all of you, one of them being posting a Q&A..so here we go! Some of your questions will be answered here! I appreciate all of the messages and comments I receive, but it is difficult to respond to every one personally. I am so thankful and appreciative <3.
Q / ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE JUST STARTING THEIR JOURNEY?
My advice for anyone starting their own journey, regardless of the kind of journey that may be, would be to expect to fail. If you're starting something new for the first time chances are you're going to suck at it..and you're going to slip up. Most people give up pretty quickly because they fail. It happens.. Failure should be expected and prepared for. With each problem you face there should be a lesson learned. You're going to slip up and eat bad. You're going to miss a gym day. Many people allow those small mess ups to end their journey. I think the best part about life is you always have the ability to wake up the next day and start fresh...that's the mindset everyone should have beginning something new. Fail forward. Grow with each mistake. It takes time to break old habits and create new ones and the only person that can get in the way of that is yourself. Whatever you're trying to change...Take it one step at a time. It can happen. It is possible.
Q / HOW DO YOU STAY MOTIVATED?
I stay motivated by remembering where I started. Most people think if you aren't seeing physical changes then whatever you're doing isn't working, but that isn't the case. As much of a physically journey that weight loss is, it is also mental. The first month that I got serious with my exercise and diet I lost about 5 lbs, but I gained a huge amount of energy, happiness, and overall peace of mind. The scale can show you some success, but real success is measured by your overall wellbeing, at least for me that is. So on my bad days, I remember how sluggish, tired and depressed I used to feel...and I never ever want to go back to that.
I also have fun with my workouts so I'm never bored, and I recommend everyone do the same. Walking for an hour on the DREADmill everyday is going to get boring, switching things up will keep you excited and constantly coming back for more.
Q / HOW DO YOU SEEM SO HAPPY AND CONTENT THROUGH YOUR JOURNEY?
So many years of education and no one taught us how to love ourselves.
I constantly receive comments regarding self love...some positive and some not so much.
On the positive side, I've been able to use my platform to show people that you can love yourself and be happy at any stage in life, no matter where you're at or what you look like. The truth is, I'm content because I've learned to accept this life I live. I've spent many years in the dark, doubting my self and my worth. To be happy, to love yourself, also means you make peace with the dark times in your life. How can you be content and happy with who you are if there are sides of yourself you're too afraid to explore?
Q / HOW DO I BECOME FLEXIBLE?
This seems to be the million dollar question. I struggle to answer this questions because there are a large amount of factors that play a role in flexibility. Genetics, athletic background, physical activity levels and even nutrition can play a role in flexibility. My best advice for anyone that wants to become flexible is to get up and work at it. There isn't a quick fix to flexibility. You have to stretch and work at it every day...even when you don't want to. I personally believe that it is possible for ANYbody to gain some level of flexibility if they work at it. So, STRETCH! PRACTICE! DON'T GIVE UP! You're going to fail... a lot, but if you keep trying eventually you won't fail..
Q / WHAT IS YOUR EXERCISE AND DIET LIKE?
My exercise regimen is a mix of a little bit of everything. There are three components to my regimen, strength training, cardio and flexibility. I strength train at least 3-4 days a week. Sessions are broken up into body sections (legs, back and biceps, chest and triceps and abdominals.) Your muscles need rest, so it is important to mix up your training. My cardio consists of Zumba, Swimming, and Boxing...I generally do cardio 3 days a week for at least an hour, sometimes I do it more often. Yoga is something that I do just about every day. There is no time limit on it. Some days I work on poses for hours and others I stretch for 10 minutes and go about my day...whatever my body needs is what I give it.
My diet consists of whole foods. I don't restrict myself from any food group (protein, carbs, fats). I try to stay away from any processed, fried, sugary foods. I eat every smaller portions every 2-3 hours. Ex - Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Snack, Dinner. I'm not perfect, and there are days when I fall off and eat things I probably shouldn't, but life happens...and it's okay to slip up sometimes..as long as you get back on track.
Q / WHAT DO YOU DO (BESIDES WORKING OUT AND YOGA)?
I'm a full time graduate student. I'm studying Exercise Physiology. I graduated with my Bachelors degree in Sports & Exercise Science. When I'm not living in the gym, I spend a lot of time with my family and friends. I drag my husband to Disney with me as much as I can and I spend almost every day in some form of water (pool, beach, springs). I try to live my life as laid back as possible. I used to spend so much time worrying about what was going to happen that I forgot to live in the moment and enjoy what was currently happen....never again.
Q / WHAT STRUGGLES HAVE YOU FACED ALONG YOUR JOURNEY?
The biggest struggle I've faced would probably have to be having PCOS and Hashimotos Thyroiditis. There are many side effects of these disorders, but the biggest ones for me are weight gain and difficulty with weight loss. Sometimes it feels as if I'm doing everything right, but I'm still not getting results. A lot of people think the cause of my weight gain/struggle to lose weight is because I inhale Taco Bell and KFC on a daily basis, but that isn't the case. 10% of women in the world have been diagnosed with PCOS...thats just ONE metabolic/hormonal disorder..The numbers are huge when calculated for all the other possible disorders out there. It's important to be educated on these things, even if you don't have them because chances are someone in your family or one of your friends does.
Q / WHERE DO YOU BUY YOUR CLOTHES?
If I'm being honest, I'm probably one of the cheapest people you could ever know. I spend majority of my time in the clearance section when I'm in a store. For the most part, that's where my clothes come from. Stores like Ross, Marshalls, Forever 21, Rue 21, Rainbow Shops, LuLaRoe (Leggings), Walmart and Target. These are clothes I'm working out in, so I don't feel like I should spend much money on them. You could buy a pack of t-shirts from Walmart for $12...or one shirt at a sports store for $50. I'll take my pack of Walmart t-shirts over that any day... :)