Last night I had the honor and pleasure to attend The Red Pump Projects 1st annual Rock the Red Fashion Show. Can I just say that this event was amazing!!! We are talking about an event hosted by a group of talented and energetic young women for the purpose of raising awareness of the havoc that HIV/AIDS is wreaking on our community. The night's honoree was the incomparable Rae Lewis-Thornton, a woman who has lived and thrived with AIDS for over 20 years.

While this event was inspirational and motivational, it is nothing if we do not each walk away fully aware of the impact that this disease is having and the steps that we can take to stop it.

1st. Know your status. I encourage you to go and get tested. It is scary, but SO NECESSARY.

2nd. Protect yourself. Use condoms/dental dams EVERY TIME. I know love, infatuation, and passion get in the way. However, when it's all said and done, your life is precious, and you must treat it as such.

3rd. Get involved in the business of fighting the spread of this disease. There are several wonderful organizations that are committed to remaining on the front lines each and every day. Support them with your time and your money, so that we can collectively have an impact.

The Red Pump Project

The Chicago Women's AIDS Project

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago

Despite my best efforts to stay in shape and workout regularly...I am constantly finding myself trying to lose weight for some vacation or special event. Well this year is no different. I have a trip to Miami schedule for May, and I need to be right. Now let's just note, I've been aware of this trip since February, and yet I have failed to lose one pound. Sigh. However, since the end of last month, I have really focused in on cutting out unnecessary junk food, working out regularly (no excuses), and restricting alcohol intake (sigh - that one hurts). Thus far, I am happy with some of the changes that I have seen in my body, but ultimately I'm going to have to work harder if I want to be at my goal in 60 days.

I have to assume that I'm not the only one in this position. Actually, from the updates that I am seeing on Twitter, I am positive that there are many others facing the same crisis (I mean challenge) as myself. For those of you who need a little help or guidance, Self Mag has a 'body challenge' that helps you to create a meal and work out plan, as well as to track your progress. I figured that I'd sign up and see how far off their suggestions are from my current regimen. Here's the link to their website. Check it out to see if it give you the push that you need to reach your goals.

I know, I know, I know... I've been gone for months. I was completely bogged down in a number of things...work, school, everything. However, I've made some changes, and I think that I can finally re-commit to living and blogging about a healthy and happy lifestyle. Hopefully some ppl are still out there reading.

I was most prompted to hop back on the wagon by today's Oprah show. It was all about diabetes, and I never realized how deadly or pervasive this disease can be. Dr. Oz gave one fact in particular that made me step back and take a closer look at my own lifestyle. He stated that belly fat is the #1 indicator and cause of Type II diabetes. Furthermore, he indicated that your waist size should be no more than 1/2 of your height...Ex. I am 6 ft tall (72 inches)...therefore, my waist should be no larger than 36 inches. I'm not sure if you are aware, but that is not THAT big. Currently my waist is 33 inches (the largest in a few yrs), but my goodness... I never even considered that I was anywhere near at risk for diabetes.

Watching this show made me realize just how many ppl could be on the verge of being very sick...and don't even know it. Here are a few symptoms and risk factors. I would HIGHLY recommend that you get to know more about this disease and take the necessary steps to ensure that you are healthy for the long run.

Common symptoms of diabetes include:

- Excessive thirst and appetite
- Increased urination (sometimes as often as every hour)
- Unusual weight loss or gain
- Fatigue
- Nausea, perhaps vomiting
- Blurred vision
- In women, frequent vaginal infections
- In men and women, yeast infections
- Dry mouth
- Slow-healing sores or cuts
- Itching skin, especially in the groin or vaginal area

Other type 2 diabetes risk factors include the following:

- High blood pressure
- High blood triglyceride (fat) levels
- Gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
- High-fat diet
- High alcohol intake
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity or being overweight
- Ethnicity: Certain groups, such as African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Japanese Americans, have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than non-Hispanic whites.
- Aging: Increasing age is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes begins to rise significantly at about age 45 years, and rises considerably after age 65 years.