Give Jesus Your Heart for Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!

It's been a while but I wanted to check in on my favorite holiday to wish you all a Merry Christmas and  share with you what Jesus wants from all of us- our heart!  Last week I hosted a #heartofgold Christmas party for my family where the theme was all about giving Jesus our heart.   I asked them what can we give Jesus for Christmas that He will value.  The kids said we can give love, praise, (and I can't remember the rest) then a grown up who read my sign said our heart:)  Does Jesus have your heart?

You might be saying, 'I'm saved' already but does Jesus really have your heart?  This is the question I've been using to examine my relationship with Jesus.  I don't want to be in the category of Isaiah 29:13 - The Lord said, "These people claim to worship me, but their hearts are somewhere else.  Their religion is nothing but human rules and traditions, which they have simply memorized" (GNB).  My God, I do not want to be 'those people' and I'm sure you don't want to be 'those people'!  Let's make sure Jesus is our Lord and Savior, not our religion.  This can only happen if He has our hearts!

Jesus is my Savior, not my religion!

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.  - Matthew 6:21

God desires our heart.  If He has our heart we will pursue Him and His purpose for our lives.  What do you find yourself constantly thinking about?  Does the things of this world consume your thoughts?  I often read Romans 12:2 because it reminds me to not be like the world and allow God to transform my thoughts.  The crazy thing about being consumed with our desires or the cares of this world is that if we make Jesus Lord, He will give us our desires!!  All we have to do is put our desires in the right place.. after God!    

Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your hearts desires. - Psalm 37:4

A Heart Given to Jesus

When Jesus has our heart our lives will show it.  He will be our priority.  We will seek Him first in every area of our lives.  Every decision will be based on His Word and Will for our lives.  We will love Him and love others.  We will tell others about Jesus.  We will serve others.  This doesn't mean we will be perfect but a heart that is chasing God doesn't need to be perfect.  He uses our flaws, our issues, our mistakes and anything else that may seem negative for His glory.  A heart for God wants to please Him, not people.  Giving Jesus our heart is not about going to church and doing all the things religious people say we should do (I'm not saying you shouldn't go to church).  Giving Jesus our heart is saying I yield my will to Your will.  

The kids played the game 'Give Jesus Your Heart' at the party <3

Jesus is the best Gift!!  Giving our heart to Him is the best gift we can give!

God so loved the world that He gave Jesus to us!  I pray that we truly give our hearts to Him.   "Each of us is an Innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus" - Neal A. Maxwell

Merry Christmas from my family to yours.

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

Dirt Don't Hurt

I remember growing up if food fell on the floor, someone would say 'God made dirt, dirt don't hurt, put it in your mouth and make it work' lol!  My mom used to say 'a little dirt won't hurt you'!  She was so right!

Dirt (aka soil) is necessary for growth.  Just as plants cannot grow without dirt, we can't grow neither.  The dirt I'm referring to for us is disguised as hardships, trials, difficulties and all of those uncomfortable elements we would rather not experience!  I mean, who wants to get dirty?!  Ugh lol!

These days we don't want to experience any pain or suffer at all.  We are quick to run to the doctor to get antibiotics at the first sign of a cold.  A lot of us are like that with life in general.  At the first sign of trouble we look for some type of relief.  We look for shortcuts which prevents us from growing.  Let's not run to get 'pain medicine' to relieve the pain or get the 'bandaid' to try to cover the scar!  Let's give ourselves the chance to grow, to build our muscles, and to get stronger!

"You wonder why God, Who is goodness itself, allows us to suffer.  But what would you think of a doctor who lost his patient because he was afraid to give him the necessary but unpleasant treatment?" 

- St. John Vianney

'You'll thank me later' is something my mom used to say to me and I find myself saying to this to my sons!  There are some lessons that we have to teach our children that doesn't feel good to us but we know it is very necessary.  We discipline our kids because we love them.  We set boundaries for our kids because we love them.  We don't give our kids everything they want because we love them!  If we do this for our kids we should expect this and more from God.  The love He has for us is incomparable to any type of love we have ever given or receive from others.  Everything we go through is for our good.  Everything we go through is to make us whole and to complete us.  It is not to tear us down, it is to build us up.  Trust God and just grow through.

How do you respond to difficulties, challenges, trials?  How do you respond when things don't go as planned or don't go your way?  How do you respond when you fall or make a mistake?  Your response defines you!  If you give up, you'll be a quitter.  You don't want to be defined as a quitter!  Don't give up when you face challenges.  It is the challenges that help us grow!  Are you going to bloom or wither?  I know you're going to bloom!!

The next time you say to yourself or think to yourself, 'why am I going through this' remember 'this' is helping you to grow.  You need that dirt.  You need that dark place.  You need that difficulty.  You needed that defeat.  All of that is helping you to grow so count it all joy!  Grow in grace!

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

Beautifully Broken

Let's look at the definition of break:

break

brāk/

verb

past participle: broken

1. 1.

   separate or cause to separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain.

   • make or become inoperative.

     "the machine has broken, and they can't fix it until next week"

     synonyms:

     stop working, break down,give out, go wrong,malfunction, crash; More

   2. interrupt (a continuity, sequence, or course).

   synonyms:

   interrupt, disturb, interfere with

Our natural response to something that breaks is normally anger or maybe sadness but our ways are not God's ways & our thoughts are not His thoughts! When we're broken it's a beautiful thing! When God interrupts our lives with fire we can have confidence that we're going to come out as pure gold.

I want to encourage anyone who might feel broken to not resist this season. Don't wonder why you might be experiencing a tough time in your marriage, career, finances, or any area of your life. Don't worry how things are going to work out or if things will workout. Don't wimp out & quit or turn back to your old ways of thinking or doing things. Your only response should be to worship. Thank your all powerful, almighty & loving God for shaping you & molding you into a vessel He can use for His glory. 

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. - Psalm 51:17

Be encouraged by the above scripture! You're in the best season of your life & God is right there making it all work together for your good. Don't let your problems consume you but instead be consumed by THEE PROBLEM SOLVER. 

Maybe you're not in a broken season but we encounter broken people everyday! Usually it is masked by characteristics we don't like for example, the rude lady, the church member who is inconsistent coming to church, the nagging wife, the distant husband, or the friend who rarely calls you to chat... Sometimes the person is good at masking their brokenness with a smile or being an overachiever! Either way, when you come in contact with one of these masks or anyone remember to show grace & love no matter what. You might be the hope that person needs.

Be encouraged & be beautifully broken. 💔❤️

Seasoned With Grace,

QueenZadia

Transformation Challenge Results

My results are innnnn! Ok they've been in almost a week now but I want to share them at this moment since I'm truly satisfied & happy with my results. Drumroll please....  In four weeks I lost 6lbs (which is a lot for me) & some inches.. Not sure how many inches because I didn't measure myself but I've included before and after pictures below so that you can see for yourself! Some of you might have to stare at the pics a while before you see the difference (like a few people in my family) lol but all that matters is I see & feel the difference!! 

I had the pink dress pictured below in my closet since my birthday (back in July) hung up pretty because I could not fit it!  That dress became my goal dress for the end of the challenge!  Every Saturday I would try it on to see if it fit appropriately enough for me to wear to church lol!  I didn't think I was going to achieve the goal because it was sill really fitted the Saturday before the end of the challenge!  I was so happy that I was able to wear it to church the Sunday after the challenge ended!!  It was still a little tight but I just rocked it with a blazer:)!

My goal dress!

So let me give you a background on this transformation challenge.  This was a four week challenge with my gym, Trinity Fitness where we strictly ate whole foods (lean meat, veggies, fruit, nuts & seeds; no sugar, grains, dairy, legumes, or alcohol).  It was similar to the whole30 challenge however we had a little grace for a slip-up(s)s where we only lost a point(s) for the day.  We were put on teams of four (go #WhollyChics:) and given a trainer to help us with this challenge.

At the beginning of the challenge we journaled our 'why', the reason we decided to participate in the challenge.  I've shared with you all my challenge with consistently eating healthy.  So that was my main why!  I needed a push because my fitness journey had been going in the opposite direction of my vision!  The scale was showing more pounds and my clothes (specifically my blazers and long sleeve shirts) were getting tight.  I knew this 'bulking' up was due to my inconsistent eating and because I wasn't running as often as I used to run.  During the challenge we received extra points for extra workouts so I used that as motivation to start running again!

First day of the challenge Oct 4th!

We started and ended the challenge with the above baseline test.  The first day I completed the psycho battle in 24mins (full disclosure: I started off doing the regular workout instead of the psycho plan but when I finished I was told to do the psyco:)!  For the retest I completed the psycho battle in 19 minutes & 11 seconds (my goal was 20 minutes)!  So I shaved 5 minutes off of my baseline test time!  I also lost 6lbs which is a lot for me!!

Of all of my results, I am the most happiest with my stomach and my arms!!  My arms were getting so big that i could not fit most of my blazers.  My arms have been the butt of many of my sons jokes as well!!  Thankfully they are slimming down along with my belly!!  I now have renewed hope and confidence that I can achieve a flat belly lol!!  Eating healthy has a huge impact on that which is why I'm continuing to eat whole foods most of the time.

My arms are leaner now:)

The challenge ended but my commitment to this has not!  It was indeed a transformation challenge because it has transformed my thoughts about food!  I thought I was doing pretty well before this challenge but I have learned so much more.  It's funny that I was really upset about not having my oatmeal (something I used to eat almost every morning) & now I don't even crave it!  I thought I would 'have to have it' by the end of the challenge but I don't!  There is so much we can live without if we just give it a try.  Our bodies need the right fuel and that's the fuel that God created, not this man made processed crap we're addicted to.

You want to be healthy?  Well you have to live healthy & that includes eating healthy.  You can DO it!  #letsgetit

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

For the LOVE of BURPEES

How many of you love Burpees??! Please note that my hand did not go up for that question!  You might be wondering why I called this blogpost 'for the love of burps' since I don't love them...  It's because I don't necessarily love doing them but I love the burn burpees give!  I'd describe my relationship with burpees as a love-hate relationship! I love how winded I get and how my heart rate goes up after just a few reps but these are the same reason I hate them!! You can guarantee to get a huge burn from doing this move.  I burned 111 calories in less than 15 minutes when I completed the burpees at the park in the video below!!  So why not love them?

We can thank Royal H. Burpee for coming up with this full body exercise that we look forward to completing every chance we get!  According to Huffington Post this exercise was created for a fitness test and is not intended to be done more than four times!!  Try telling your trainer that:)

Basic Burpee:

Source for Picture

For some strange reason I prefer burpees when it's combined with another move.  It's something about doing the regular burpee back to back that drains me not only physically but also mentally!  In the video below I included my favorite exercises to combine with a burpee.  They include: Ball Slam Burpee, Long Jump Burpee, Jump Lunge Burpee, a 'Cool' Burpee (don't the name of it but I saw @twobadbodies do it on instagram), Box Jump Burpee, Obligue Burpee, Pullup Burpee & Weighted Burpee!  My favorite is the burpee pull-up which is crazy because when I first saw this on the board at my gym I was thinking that is just cruel to combine those two moves lol!!

Watch the video and try some of these out.  In fact, go ahead and make it (or some of them) a circuit workout!

Where are my #burpeeLOVINGbuddies?!  Share this with your burpee loving friends:)  It is #WorkoutWednesday and this is the best exercise!  It is also NOvember which means NO Procrastination (go ahead and do some now), NO Complaining (when you do them, do them with a smile:), NO Doubting (yes YOU can do these), NO Excuses (you have time and you just need to start where you are and do what you can) and NO Limits (push yourself, challenge yourself) so #letsgetit!

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

NOvember

I just cannot believe we are already in November!!  (SN: My baby turns 13 this month :D) This is the month of GREATfulness: great thanks, great food, great family fun so let's make this month GREAT by just saying no!

What do you need to say no to? What are some habits you have that is preventing you from being your best self? Is it procrastination, complaining, doubting, making excuses and/or putting limits on yourself? All of these characteristics can block our blessings! Let's say NO to these things so that we can finish 2014 strong!

No Procrastination

I believe I've shared with y'all before that one of the last prayers my mom prayed over me was about procrastinating!! Seriously. It was so easy for me to say 'I'll do it later' as if I have all the time in the world!! This bad habit has hindered so much but I'm thankful to say that her prayer is working! EVERY TIME, I think to myself I'll do it later I feel a nudge in my spirit that says no do it now. 

What are you putting off? The time is n:ow, not later. Do those hard things, do those scary things, do those necessary things n:ow. It becomes easier (or maybe you're just getting better) the more you do things instead of putting them off. Say NO to procrastination.

No Complaining

We can be anything we want to be in the world but the one thing we should never be is ungrateful! Complaining leads to ungratefulness. Have you ever been around a person who complained ALL of the time? It's the worst isn't it?! At some point you tune them out or better yet avoid them. I pray you're not that person! Start making it a habit of counting your blessings & stop counting your issues or what you don't have. When you look at all you have to be grateful for you won't have time to complain. This is Thanksgiving month so give thanks not complaints. This month let your spouse, kids, family, or friends know how grateful you are for them instead of fussing or complaining all of the time.

No Doubting

"Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will." I pray against the spirit of doubt and fear right now. I'm so sick and tired of experiencing doubt in my life and if you're battling with it I'm sure you're sick and tired of it too! God said in His word:   For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7 GNB). So let's trust God and act on the spirit He put in us. He also said GREATer is He that is in us than he (doubt, fear, insecurity) that is in the world. Do you believe? Do you have faith? Well let's act on that this month and ensure our actions match what we say we believe! Continue putting forth effort towards your goals & your dreams.

No Excuses

"Excuses are useless, results are priceless." You're either doing it or you're not... There is no such thing as trying! Stop with the 'I was going to' or 'I tried but' or any of those half hearted useless excuses! Yes it's hard, yes your past is horrible, yes you've failed before, yes no one is supporting you, yes you don't have all the resources but guess what??!! Our God is greater than all of that! I'm not saying don't acknowledge those issues. I'm saying don't let those issues keep you stagnant! No mater how bad it is it's just an excuse to not move forward. 

You said you want to lose weight- just do it.  You want to be an entrepreneur- just be it. You want to write a book- just write it. You want to be a better person- just be it. You might be asking 'how do I just do/be it'?! Stop making excuses and start taking action right where you are!

No Limits

You can probably remember the limits that were put on you from childhood! 'Don't do that, you might hurt yourself' or something like that!  I have to catch myself all the time because I do it often with my sons (& yes even my grown son). Limiting ourselves is an ingrained habit that we need to work on breaking every single day!! Each goal we achieve should be a signal to raise the bar not to sit back & relax. What is your biggest dream? Go make it bigger! We can do so much more than our imagination. Let's start pushing those limits. Think of something that seems impossible for you to work on this month.

Let's make NOvember g~r~e~a~t by using that powerful word no, starting n:ow! Say it with me 'Yes I Can'! 

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

WorkINout

Work.IN.out

There's a gospel song that says 'something on the inside is working on the outside, oh what a change in my life..'  Real change starts from within.  Lasting change starts from within.  This is so true with making a choice to live a healthier lifestyle.  Most people who aim to lose weight automatically think I need to go on a diet and I need to workout.  However, if you want to make permanent changes your first step is to workIN.  

Living a healthy lifestyle does not start in a gym, with a special nutrition plan, or on a scale.  It all starts withIN your mind and spirit!  Think about it, if living a healthy lifestyle was all about a gym or a perfect nutrition program most people would be healthy!  People would not only lose weight but keep it off.  That is not the case.  According to an article in Shape Magazine, "More than 95 percent of people who lose weight - no matter how they lose it - put most or all of the pounds back on and more than 65 percent of Americans are currently considered overweight or obese."  That article could not answer why so many people regain weight or why so many people are obese but I believe it is because people do not start the real workout or the real nutrition plan that all starts on the inside.  I use this concept of work.IN.out in my ebook where it's all about working on the inside and applying it to the outside.

Today let's just focus on workIN the mind.

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think..." - Romans 12:2

Work.In.Out - Mind

We've all read it or heard it before, 'you are what you think'!  I know this first hand!!  When you exercise your mind (daily) & get rid of cant's & doubt (daily) living a healthy lifestyle will become natural.  You have to start with your mind.  When I first started working out every time I felt tired or when a workout was hard I used to say to myself 'I can do all things through Christ' so that I would not stop.  I had to talk to my mind and convince it to keep going otherwise I would have stopped well before taking my body to its limit.  So many people do not go to the gym because of their thinking, are not eating healthy because of their thinking, and so many people are limiting their workouts because of their thinking.  Think yourself healthy!

When you fall, convince your mind to try again!

When Your Mind Says Can't

In the pic above I tried this higher plyo box (I believe it's 24inches).  It took me what seemed to be a long time to convince myself to just jump.  Once I finally convinced myself I was able to do it 14 times!  On the 15th time my foot hit the box and I almost fell on my face! During a later workout there were box jumps included and I used the box I normally use with no issues but guess what?!  I had to convince myself to jump on that box!! When we fail or make a mistake our mind might try to convince us that we cannot achieve it but we have to tell it we CAN do it.

Unhealthy thinking is dangerous!

When Your Mind Plays Tricks on You

Someone I know who lost a significant amount of weight still sometimes refer to themselves as fat!  It is crazy how healthy people who workout hard view themselves differently.  This is directly attached to how we think!  If we do not workIN our mind daily it takes a while for it to catch up with what's going on outside of us.  If we never address it could lead to giving up and other unhealthy behaviors.  I recently experienced this because I was so focused on my outer appearance.  Last year I had a huge transformation and I thought by now I'd be this lean chick but I'm no where near the picture I had in mind of myself!  Realizing the road I was heading down and had to regroup and remember the purpose of why I even started this healthy lifestyle journey.  Regrouping has helped me to appreciate where I am!  Although the progress I've made this year is not visual like last year's progress, it is still progress!

Before starting a healthy lifestyle remind yourself everyday that you are fearfully and wonderfully made.  It doesn't matter if you are considered obese by society, focus on the truth of who you are.

When Your Mind Says it's Hard, Start Later

The perfect time to start a healthy lifestyle is n:ow!  The perfect time to increase your run or use heavier weight is now.  Everyday we should challenge ourselves.  Of course it will be hard but we are stronger than we think.  You see me quote it all the time, 'When you change the way you  look at things, the things you lQQk at change.  Everyday workIN your mind and get rid of thoughts that does not belong.  Take action on those new thoughts now knowing that God will give you the strength you need!

This post is dedicated to my sister who is thinking her way healthy!

There is no workout, meal plan, or any healthy choice that is more challenging than the mind workIN!  That is where the real work takes place.  Each day affirm who you are and what you can do according to the Word!  Do not let your current situation or any failures define who you are or what you can do.  Your life can change if you believe!  Let's experience true health by work.IN.out!

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

Screw Perfect!

"Choose purpose over perfect." - Lara Casey

Please excuse my language but, SCREW PERFECT!!  I really want to use the 'f' bomber instead of screw but I'm afraid my mom will come back alive and give me a whooping :)!  But seriously, out with perfect!

I tried to shorten the issue that prompted this without success so I won't go into it.  Just know it had something to do with me not setting my alarm clock.  I allowed something as simple as that to almost ruin my whole day!!  I literally spent a few hours upset over it.  Enough is enough!  I've battled with this perfection spirit too long.

On this SpeakLife Saturday I want to encourage all of you (as I encourage myself) to choose purpose over perfect!  For example if you've start a healthy lifestyle journey because you want to live healthy always remember why you started.  If you remember your purpose of starting, when you have an imperfect meal, imperfect workout or just an imperfect day in general you will not allow those imperfections stop your purpose of living healthy!

There is NEVER a Perfect Time or Condition

Think about it..We would not need God if everything was perfect.  There will always be an area in our lives that we need to work on as long as we are living.  We don't have to wait until everything is in order for God to use us.  He wants to use us right now (flaws, inexperienced, afraid & all) .  Stop wasting time!  Start running, go after your dream, open your business, _________, & just walk in purpose!  When we rely on perfect timing or perfect conditions we're actually relying on ourselves.  Completely trust God with your destiny, dreams, and desires.  Don't sit around waiting, go ahead and start.  Every amateur became an expert or a pro simply because they started!

You Will Always Make Mistakes

Expect bad days and expect failures but keep it moving.  Let's not wallow in our shortcomings or issues because they do not define us.  If we allow it, all those things work together for our good.  All we need to do is forgive ourselves and learn from our mistakes.  I'm not just talking about 'big' mistakes.  It could be as simple as trying that recipe again even if you burned it the last time or starting that exercise regimen again even if you quit before.  Don't let one (or many) wrong decision or failure stop you.  Dust yourself off and start all over.  This time you will be much more prepared!

Strive for Excellence

It's 'perfectly' ok to strive to do & be your best.  It should be all of our goal to be the best version of ourselves & doing the best that we can.  But let's remember 'best' does not mean perfect and your best may look different from my best (& vice versa).  While we're striving for excellence let's aim for progress, not perfection!  Every breath we take is another opportunity to become better and to do better.  The key word is better.  As long as we see growth and steady progress to the high prize, we should be grateful.  

So in my Tony Horton voice 'DO YOUR BEST & forget the rest'!! God's grace is sufficient anyway and His power works best in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9)! 

Say it with me!

#SpeakLifeSaturday
#UnplugToPlugIN

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

Be Faithful

"God has not called me to be SUCCESSFUL.  He called me to be FAITHFUL." 

- Mother Teresa

Happy SpeakLifeSaturday!!

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word faithful or faithfulness?  Your first thought might be marriage and how couples need to be faithful (and yes all couples need to be faithful).  But what about being faithful to God and your purpose?  You would think it'd be easy since He is so faithful to us!

I was looking at my vision for 2014 (here) and really examining those important 'BE' areas I needed to focus on and BE FAITHFUL was glaring back at me.  I started to examine how faithful have I been to God, to walking in purpose, etc, and came to the conclusion that I need to continue to work on this area!  As I encourage myself to be faithful, I also want to encourage you!

Be Faithful in the LITTLE things!

Don't despise small beginnings!  It's great to dream big however don't let those big dreams cripple you. Don't think because you don't have big resources, a huge platform, or whatever it is you think you are lacking that you can't make a difference or walk in purpose.  God can use you where you are with what you have!  We don't want to be like the servant who buried his treasures.  One of my favorite quotes by Arthur Ashe is, "Start Where You Are, Use What You Have, Do What You Can' and is one I used to always use during my weight loss journey.  If we are not faithful with where we are now, we can't be trusted to be faithful with more.  Stop saying you're 'just a mother' or 'just a small business owner' or 'just a servant'!  Do great in what you think is little and be faithful.

Be Faithful Even When It's Hard 

We have to remember that faithfulness is a fruit of the spirit!  Are you producing faith during difficult times or are you producing doubt?  Do you stop doing things when it becomes too challenging or when you don't see results?  If so, work on that.  Difficult times help to build our muscles and grow our faith!  Don't bail out when things get tough or when you don't see the results you want (success, money, status, power, platform, great kids, great marriage...).  It is in the difficult times that we need to challenge ourselves to keep going.  Being faithful requires perseverance and total commitment.  When it gets hard, count it all joy and remain faithful.  Remember, we walk by faith and not by sight!

Be Faithful Through The Glitter

We all know that everything that glitters is not gold!  Every great opportunity is not attached to your purpose.  Keep your eyes on the prize and make decisions that will not move you off course.  We are so used to things happening right now that we often miss out on our blessing and being a blessing.  Being faithful means being loyal.  Don't turn your back on God and what He wants to do in your life for what you want right now.

"The master was full of praise.  'Well done, my good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you more responsibilities.  Let's celebrate together.' 

- Matthew 25:21

Mother Teresa had it exactly right because it's directly from the Bible!  God has called us to be faithful. For example, I believe we wouldn't have so much crime if mothers and fathers were faithful to their call as parents.  So let us be faithful where we are and with what we have! 

Enjoy your Saturday!
#SpeakLifeSaturday
#UnplugToPlugIN
#Notetoself

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

You Are What You Eat

Put down the cake, pick up the weights!

Food, food, food!!  Most of you probably already know that consistently eating healthy is my struggle!  As you can see from the before picture above I was enjoying sugar filled, processed foods!!  Even since my healthy lifestyle change I have had quite a few secret love affairs with food (remember this one) because I'm a recovering emotional eater.

I've told you before that eating healthy is so important to me because I truly believe what we eat can cause or fight off illnesses.  We had no documented history of breast cancer, yet my mom was diagnosed with it twice.  The one year anniversary of her passing is coming up and I'm so happy that I'm participating in a Whole 30 transformation challenge because that is going to help me to not go on an emotional eating binge.

I asked you all a few weeks ago if you were ready to lose your excuses (here) and I'm hoping you answered with a confident YES!  A huge part of living a healthy lifestyle is your eating habits.  You can change your unhealthy eating habits if you're willing to try!  I'm a living witness to this... I had no intentions of changing my eating habits when I started my healthy lifestyle journey because I thought eating healthy was restrictive, boring, too expensive and I thought I would be hungry all of the time!  I was so wrong and I'm happy that I gave it a try because otherwise I'm sure I would not have had the same weight loss results!

Let's look at a few of the excuses I used before I started eating healthy.

Too Restrictive/Boring/Hungry All of the Time

For some reason people equate eating heathy with only eating salads or hardly eating at all.  There are so many options and an array of food you can eat but you have to make sure you have those options in your refrigerator and pantry!  Of course you're going to feel deprived or restricted if the only options you have are unhealthy options.  I have had people say to me, 'I've tried to eat healthy but I'm hungry all of the time'. To which I ask 'what are you eating?'.  In most cases they are not eating enough.  Just like your car cannot run without fuel, your body cannot run without food.  

When it comes to eating healthy keep it simple.  It's so easy to over think it and make it complicated.  Keep healthy food and snacks around, drink water throughout the day and make sure you drink water before each meal.  A good rule of thumb is to eat every 2-3 hours but you know your body (don't be a robot).  Also, make sure you eat breakfast!!  But what is most important is to do what works for you!

 

What are some foods that you really like to eat?  If they are unhealthy, remix it and make it healthy.  For example, I love shrimp.  You see two pictures above with shrimp.  I probably eat shrimp at least one time a week (yea I've heard they are dirty blah, blah:).  I'm not a fan of chicken breast but I eat it because it's a good lean protein.  I just don't eat it as often because I don't want to have that dreadful feeling when I eat!!  When I do eat it I make sure the flavor is great so that I can enjoy it.  Also, try new foods!  I never ate brussels sprouts before but I tried them and I love them!

Stop eating CRAP (Carbonated drinks, Refined sugar, Artificial food, Processed food)

"Yes, unhealthy foods is often cheaper to buy, but more costly to your health"

Too Expensive

Eating healthy has saved my family a lot of money (which is needed right now lol).  We used to eat out all of the time but now I am all about cooking our meals.  It can be more convenient to pick up something to eat and usually it is cheaper (fast foods) however you can make healthy foods convenient by preparing them ahead of time.   

This example shows how eating healthy can be less expensive than eating unhealthy.

How many times have we heard 'You Are What You Eat'?  I would guess too many times to remember!  But it is true.  What we consume is vital to our health.  There is too much to cover on this topic for just one post  but for now let's lift more weights thank cakes :)!  Food is fuel for our bodies so let's fuel our bodies to be lean, healthy machines!!

Lift more weights than cakes:)

Eat wisely, eat to live!

Do you struggle with eating healthy or are you successful with consistently eating healthy?  Share your thoughts!

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia