Ok wouldn't you know it’s the last week of the mission and it was my weakest of all. However ladies I do want to say I'm not happy about my performance in the last week, I'm not beating myself up either. That was a powerful lesson for me during this trial. I realize that the guilt we feel about falling off our programs is the biggest obstacle to our future health.

We've all been there. We weren't able to stay on our game plan or we got sick or we may have eaten something really fattening and then we felt bad about ourselves. This state allows guilt to creep in which amplifies our defeatist selves. "It wasn't going to work anyway" or "I'll always be fat" or simply "What's the point?"

But if you treat yourself with kindness and love, having a couple bad days won't throw you off course. Working for EXTRA keeps my schedule constantly busy.

This last week I flew to Las Vegas for a couple of days to cover the MTV VMAs. It's Vegas and as disciplined as I was, a drink or two was consumed. It's not the end of the world. I counterbalanced that by chugging a lot of H2O. Then I flew from Vegas to New York City for a week of shooting the launch of our 14th season of EXTRA!!!! Everyday I woke up saying I'm going to fit in a workout today. Very emphatically I would pronounce my desire to workout. NYC is nonstop though!!! I started my days at 8 a.m. dressed with full makeup, ready to work. The next thing I knew it was 10 p.m. and no workout happened, and I still had one more event I had to attend. This unfortunately continued everyday that week. The saving grace was I walked a lot through the streets of the Big Apple from an interview with Kanye West and then uptown to chat with Regis and Kelly. So I didn't get to follow the plan to a T and I improvised a lot ....but isn't that life? Things don't always work out exactly as you plan, but with the goal of health in mind, you make it work.

I love my body and I love mySELF. Everything else will fall in line.

My body is definitely tighter, and I have learned valuable lessons. So overall I call it a success!!!! Thanks for the journey. I'm a work in progress, but aren't we all.

Much love,

Tanika

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So my last few runs went really well. I ran 45 minutes and felt great (I ran really slow though, a 90-year-old in a walker would have passed me). But, I still did it! I added in my strength training and for some reason the combination of both made me really S-O-R-E!!!! But I swear I feel like my body is changing (it is probably just wishful thinking but I think my legs look a bit more toned). Maybe it is just that I have been burning a few more calories, but I am happy. I want to thank Self Magazine for including me in this program, because on the days when I didn’t feel like working out, I would think about my commitment and I would get my lazy butt up and do it. In just 28 days, I feel better and I even think I might look a bit better!!!! Yay me!!! Yay Self Magazine!!!!

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I actually enjoy working out, but getting to the gym is the problem (which is pathetic since it is in my apartment complex). I work from home so I haven’t really been on a regular schedule when it comes to working out, but I do have a regular schedule when it comes to watching my soap opera, “The Young and the Restless,” everyday from 11-12! Since I know I am going to watch it anyway, I have made this my regular workout time during the week. This accomplishes a number of things: 1) Most importantly, I get my Y & R fix; 2) I work out for at least an hour (the show is an hour long); 3) I get my workout done early in the day; and 4) keeps me from sitting on the couch in front of the TV for an hour. On the weekends, I try to change up my workouts and play tennis with my husband, a favorite pastime of ours.

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O.k. I gotta say: I am looking forward to going shopping. I had been putting it off. I figured what's the point since the inches are shedding anyway. Moreover, muscles that were not visible to the naked eye are revealing themselves!!! I LOVE IT! I've lost a pant size, at least, so shopping for smaller sizes will really motivate me to continue down-sizing. I have scheduled a photoshoot for my headshots so I am determined to keep on shaping up to be ready for the camera. This program has inspired me in so many ways and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity. I'm focusing now on myself both inside and out. “Reaching for my health goals and professional goals at the same time.” See you all on the big screen... Watch out Hollywood... here I come!

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It's fashion week in NYC, so the parties have also added to my workout... I can't pull myself off the dance floor. I actually like dressing up more now since my wardrobe is a bit more flattering. Yeah me! And to the other ladies: Jen, Tanika and Dayna... It was an absolute pleasure meeting you all in L.A. Thanks for the cool memories! Smooches!

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I actually enjoy working out, but getting to the gym is the problem (which is pathetic since it is in my apartment complex). I work from home so I haven’t really been on a regular schedule when it comes to working out, but I do have a regular schedule when it comes to watching my soap opera, “The Young and the Restless,” everyday from 11-12! Since I know I am going to watch it anyway, I have made this my regular workout time during the week. This accomplishes a number of things: 1) Most importantly, I get my Y & R fix; 2) I work out for at least an hour (the show is an hour long); 3) I get my workout done early in the day; and 4) keeps me from sitting on the couch in front of the TV for an hour. On the weekends, I try to change up my workouts and play tennis with my husband, a favorite pastime of ours.

Visit www.self.com to get in shape your way!

I’m still recovering from the LA trip. The shoot went excellent! I liked the fact that my selected outfit fit looser than when it was first selected. YEAH!

I worked out everyday while in LA and felt great. Eating healthy is becoming much easier as well. It's a frame of thought and you just have to follow it through with it. It feels good once you are done eating too... I'm not over stuffed, just satisfied! I noticed the difference at the photo shoot. So I was happy with the pics!!!

The program is almost done, but I am not stopping there. I feel too good to stop now!

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I did not sleep much the night before the photo shoot. I think it was a combination of nerves and excitement. So, I woke up fairly early and decided to get in one last workout before the shoot. I met Veronica for the first time in the gym (I guess she had the same idea as me)!

When we finally arrived in Malibu for the photo shoot, via Winnebago trailer, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I had a lot of fun acting like a model and posing for the camera! It was also great meeting Dayna and Tanika! They were both really sweet and friendly and look amazing!!

I Made it.. Labor Day torture. Seriously every holiday is an enemy of the healthy focused fit gal.

First of all I was out of town. Scary nemesis number one. It’s one thing to have your program together when you have some routine down at Your regular gym, but I was in a foreign land ( well…New York) but it kind of threw me for a second. You start to question whether the gyms there work the same as your favorite one in your home town. I know that sounds ridiculous but we women will think of any excuse.

Then on top of the out of town location I had a weekend filled with festivities. Dinner with 2 friends. BBQs . drinks with cousins. It gets a little complicated to stay true to my SELF.

I am still at it! I can't believe I am still sticking with this because I never stick with anything this long . :) However, it was tough over Labor Day because it was my daughter's birthday and I ate and ate and ate (and there was a margarita or two). However, I went running last night and I felt so good!!! I felt like I could go forever (I didn't...I only ran for 30 minutes) but it felt great...I wasn't laboring at all. I feel like I am getting a little bit more fit.

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I went to my parents’ house over the weekend in Dallas for my 10-year high school reunion! I was very proud of myself because we went out to dinner, and I made healthy food choices and my mom is an amazing cook and made a humongous brunch on Sunday before we drove back to Austin, but instead of overloading my plate, I took a bite of everything I wanted to taste and loaded up on some raw vegetables and fruit she had out as well.

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Working out is still going really well. I look forward to my workout sessions and am really trying to push myself.

The photo shoot is really a great incentive because every time I have a craving for something I shouldn’t have I remember I am having my picture taken!

I'm losing the inches, but I don't see the pounds coming off quite yet. I can tell I've lost some because my clothes are fitting me different and better. I've worn things that I haven't worn in years! I have to believe it’s the muscle showing up on the scale because I’m sweating like crazy!!!

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In the first 10 days I have run 5 times and each time is getting a little easier. I always hate going out to run, but after I do it I am always happy and I feel better. We have made it a family affair and we put the two kids in the stroller and my husband and I run behind them. Yesterday was the Self photo shoot and it was great. Everyone was really nice and Veronica and Jennifer were so motivated that it actually inspired me even more. Thanks again Self for including Tanika and me…it is really paying off.

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I had such a great time hanging out at the photo shoot with my fellow Self girls. The common denominator amongst all women was revealed immediately. We are all searching for a way to be our very best selves. Jennifer and Veronica had such wonderful spirits. We bonded instantly in our quest to find those ab, calf and back muscles. The first 10 days have been a success, and I will continue to live my new self one day at a time. Crunch, squeeze, breathe!!!!

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My first run wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I did a very slow run for about 20 minutes (about a mile and a half). I am sore!!! I can't believe it but I feel so much better now that I've gotten started. :)

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