Diahann Carroll

Years ago I had the pleasure of having a private conversation with legendary entertainer and author Diahann Carroll.  During that conversation we talked about how she always had to fight with producers and writers to prevent them from casting her in a negative light.  I loved the fact that she always tried to defend and protect her image and that of Black women as a whole.  One thing she shared with me that I’ve always remembered is the importance of looking good whenever you go on camera.  ”Honey,” she told me, “there are a lot of things you can’t control when you get started in this industry.  But one thing you can control is how you look.”

That statement has stayed with me.  In fact, the older I get, the more I take it to heart.  That’s why I always call my fabulous make up artist Landis to hook up my face.  He has worked with me for more than 10 years and has been with me through it all!!  So at the advice of the great Diahann Carroll, I make sure that whenever I do my show “Perspective”, Landis is never far away to make sure I look my

Landis and Me before make up

best! Here he is before my transformation and watch the video to see him in action.

Like it or not, image is everything (or at least 90%).  So what are your rituals for looking great?  Who’s look inspires you?  Do you have a “glam squad?”  What are your fabulosity secrets?

One year ago this month, I was miserable.  I was at my heaviest weight ever (156 lbs), I was chronically tired, bloated, irregular in every way and i just felt yucky.

Enter my fabulous trainer John Hall.  We actually started working together in May of last year but I didn’t really get committed until July (you know how that goes).  Believe me when I tell you, John saved my life!  Since I started working with him, I feel better than I have in 15 years.  I am about 27 lbs lighter, I’ve gained crazy muscle and I am in the best shape of my life.

Here’s my juicy @$$ before I started working with John.  Now mind you, I was on vacation, on the beach and this was the best I could do :[  WTH!!!! WARNING: it is not a pretty site...and i trust you won't laugh.  Here goes:

Am I Pregnant??? WTH!

the look on my face says it all...

This is wrong on several levels. That outfit has since been burned. Geez!

What's with the meat hanging from under my top??? Damn!

Can you believe the atrocities!  I swear, I look back and I cannot believe I let myself get to that point.  I wasn’t completely out of control but I was definitely going down that path.  John put the brakes on that madness real quick!  Thanks to his brilliance, tough love, encouragement, motivation and willingness to challenge me I now look like this….

After a C-section, I never thought I'd have a tummy like this!

Now I'm not afraid to rock the bikinis!

I cannot believe I acheived this level of fitness!  And I’ll be 40 in a few weeks!  It took a lot of hard work but I did not give up.  Thanks John for believing in me!  Thanks Tony (my hubby) for supporting me!

WHAT’s NEXT?

Now that I have pushed myself to lose the weight, gain the muscle and I really understand how to eat, I am ready for the next challenge.  John wants me to do a fitness competition but I’m thinking half marathon or half triathalon…we’ll see.  But the point is, if I can do it, anyone can.  John is the best and he can really help you if YOU make the commitment.  Don’t spend hours at the gym trying to figure it out.  Trust me you’ll do it wrong and you won’t see the results you want.  Lack of results may lead you to quit!

So start something today–whether its walking, jumping rope, jumping jacks…whatever….just do something!!  You can also join one of John’s small group fitnesses courses.  Whatever you decide, I hope you will commit to experiencing YOU and a whole new level.  If you do, by this time next year I’ll be looking at YOUR before and after pics!

Call John at 312-421-6640.

What fitness/weightloss programs have worked for you?  I’d love to know about your success!

June 2010, 39 years of age

Last year, I made a decision that when I reached the age of 40 on September 21, 2010, I was going to be in the best shape of my life.  Goal achieved!  Here’s a recent picture of me right before my workout at John Hall Studios.

Now if you’ve known me for a while, you might be saying, “You don’t look much different than you’ve always looked, Mo!”  I beg to differ.  Getting BACK to this has been a long journey because in 2006 (3 years AFTER having a baby)  I started gaining weight at the rate of 8 pounds a year!  By  2009, I was a juicy hot mess!

Today in the 10:00 a.m. (CST) Hour on my radio show, I will reveal the horrid before pictures that capture me at MY heaviest weight ever.  When I make the announcement on the show, I’ll simultaneously reveal my BEFORE photos and I’ll also tell you more about my fab trainer John Hall who I call my “secret weapon” for losing more than 25 lbs.  He WILL whip your @$$ in shape, but the question is: do you really want it??

Tune in!

Today was a coming out party for me. I did a segment on WGN-TV Channel 9 with my amazing trainer John Hall. We’ve been working out together for about a year now. Since then I’ve lost 27 lbs of fat and gained 15 lbs of muscle.  I went to him at my absolute worst and he helped me transform my body from the inside out.  I still can’t believe my results.  Starting next week, I will chronicle my weight loss story for you in detail.  You will be inspired…but for now, watch this.