But WHY?!

We're in the second month of the year now and before we know it, we'll be in the six month of the year!  If you made resolutions or if you have any goals for the year are you still working towards those goal or have you already lost steam?  Are you as passionate about them like you were at the beginning of the year or when you first made the goal?

My gym has been encouraging us for almost two months now to focus on our 'why' and make sure our 'why' is strong enough.  My former personal trainer (in my head lol), Jillian Michaels said 'if your why is strong enough you can overcome any how'!  So I'm asking is your 'why' strong enough?!

There is one thing in common in the above three pictures of myself.  I made a goal to lose weight because I really wanted to lose weight!  I'm smiling so hard in these pics because I did lose some weight!!  However all three times (the years ranging from 2009-2011) I gained the weight I loss back and in some cases I gained more weight back!  The one thing in common was my 'why' (that I reeeeaaaallly wanted to lose weight) wasn't strong enough - it was plain old weak!  I mean there are a lot of people who want to lose weight!  If you would have asked me during those times 'why' I  really wanted to lose weight I might have responded with, 'I want to fit into my clothes' or something like that but that's not even strong enough because at the end of the day I could have bought  bigger clothes!  A generic 'why' is like responding to your child with 'because I said so' lol!  You know they are going to keep asking 'but why mommy'!!  I did not dig deep enough.

With any goal you set, make sure you dig deep and make your why strong.  It has to be authentic and personal for you!  Did you make a goal to go back to school?  Why do you want to go back to school?  That 'why' has to be so strong that when classes starts getting harder or when you can't really afford to just go to school or when the schedule is difficult to maintain that you will keep going!  You will remember why you started and press on.  Your 'why' for this goal shouldn't just be 'I want to make more money'.  There are plenty of ways to make more money.. but why do you want to make your money?!  It shouldn't just be 'I want to better myself' I mean who doesn't want to better themselves?!  Make sure your 'why' is personal, specific, and strong!

'I don't understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it...' - Romans 7:15, NLT

Even when your why is strong, be prepared to fight for what you desire.  Goals require change and let's face it, most of us do not like change!  Goals also require discipline and that word alone makes a lot of us cringe!  A strong 'why' will help you in your battle.  When I started this blog my 'why' was crystal clear however I have not been consistent with posting.  I've had to revisit my 'why' and remember why I even started this!  So now, when I see that only 25 people read a particular post instead of getting discouraged and not posting I will write on because my 'why' is not attached to numbers.  Make sure you revisit your 'why' and revise it if necessary.   When things get difficult or when you don't think you are making progress go back and focus on your 'why'!  If your 'why' is strong enough you should be reenergized to keep moving forward!

Whatever your goal is (health, entrepreneurship, making more money, going back to school, being a better parent/spouse/person) make sure your 'why' is strong!

#MotivationMonday

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

What's REALLY Holding You Back?

So what's really holding you back?  What is stopping you from following through with your dreams? What is stopping you from becoming the person you want to be?  What is stopping you from living your best life?  Is it negative or overthinking, false beliefs, excuses, and/or bad habits?

I can almost guarantee you that what is holding you (us) back is a made up thought!  You know.. False Evidence Appearing Real!!  It's not real but you've made it real in your mind.  You made it so real that it has paralyzed you from moving forward!    

I challenge you to let it go.  Let go of the those negative thoughts that you cannot change or that you cannot accomplish what you want to accomplish.  You don't have to be the same person you were on yesterday!  Just because you have always yelled at your spouse or your kids doesn't mean you have to continue to do so.  Behaviors can change.  Thoughts can change.  Dreams can come true.  It is up to you to believe this to be true!

It doesn't matter if the change you want to make is ordinary or extraordinary.  If you do not challenge the thought that says you cannot do it, you will not change.

Are you ready to confront what you think is holding you back?  Are you ready to challenge those negative thoughts and replace them with positive thoughts?  Remember, greater is HE that is within you! No one can hold you back.  You can change.  You can accomplish your dreams.  Let's get it!!

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

G.E.T. I.T.

Goals Executed Timely -  Intentional Transformation - GET IT!

I've recently been attending a local gym called Crome (Challenging Results-Oriented Measured Exercise).  To sum it up the gym facilitates 30 minute personal group training sessions with different workouts.  I had an epiphany about goals a few weeks ago after one of the workouts!

The workout for the beginner level (yep, that was me that day) was to complete 240 squats, 160 push-ups and 80 pull-ups within 30 minutes.  Going into it I thought to myself, how am I going to do all of this in 30 minutes?  I even had the thought that maybe I couldn't complete it all.  But guess what?  I was able to complete it all with time to spare by breaking down those reps.

Squats are easy for me so I set in my mind to complete at least 75 at a time before breaking for a few seconds.  Pull ups on the other hand are difficult for me!  I had to adjust my goal for those a few times!  I initially wanted to do at least 20 regular pull-ups before modifying them but I realized if I kept that goal I would not have completed the entire workout.  So I moved on to the modified version.  After about 30 pull-ups I could no longer do 10 at a time so I modified that goal and aimed for five pull-ups at a time.  The last set of exercises for me were the pushups and there was plenty of time left to complete those!  I actually found myself not going as hard as a result so I had to push myself harder!  If I did not have low expectations of myself I could have challenged myself and completed the middle level!

Okay, so you completed a hard workout, what's the point Alzadia?  Right now our dreams seem so big that it can feel overwhelming to the point of feeling defeated before we even get started!  But the fact of the matter is we can do it.  We just have to be intentional about everything we do!  We have to always examine our actions and ask ourselves if what we're doing and/or the decisions we're making helping us become the person we're meant to be and if its helping us fulfill our purpose.

So my epiphany was with goals and intentional living our purpose can be fulfilled and our dreams can be realized.  I started to think about other programs I've used like the Couch to 5K app to help me start running and the Gipis app that helped me train for the marathon.  Both of these tools also had clear goals for me to accomplish what I wanted.  So here are some of my thoughts about us going after our dreams by setting goals then making it happen!

Set Goals and Demolish Them!

"Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible"  We've probably seen it a thousand times - make sure your goals are S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-based)!  We've seen it so much because it actually works if applied!  What do you want- exactly; how are you going to measure what you're doing to make sure you're making progress; is the goals something that you can actually do; is your goal too far fetched (i.e. lose 50lbs in a month) or is it something that can be achieved if you work hard; have you set a timeframe to accomplish this goal and is it enough time?  But with your goals remember 'if the plan doesn't work, change the plan but never the goal'!  Don't give up so easily, modify if necessary but never give up!

Do Your Best.. Forget the Rest (as Tony Horton says)
Don't compare what or how you're doing with what or how others are doing!  We all have a purpose in life that is unique to us!  We all have different strengths, we're all on different levels so watching others and taking note of how much they've accomplished is a waste of time!  Do you and do you well!

Let Your Actions Do the Talking

We don't have to announce to the world every time we're aiming to achieve something!  Sure it's fine to tell a close friend to help you stay accountable but there is no need to tell everyone.  We tell people by doing!  Our actions speaks much louder than words!

Get a Mentor or Coach
I need to get a mentor!  I think we all do!  Just as trainers in the gym assist you along the way (with your form, pushing you, etc..), mentors also do that.  We can learn so much from others if we're open to it.

Start Where You Are and Start Now

None of this will work if we do not start!  The only perfect time to start is NOW.  Do research, ask questions, find a mentor, whatever it is we need to do to start - just do it!

Now let's - Goals Executed Timely -  Intentional Transformation! Let's execute our goals!  Let's make sure the way we live match our goals!  Let's live intentional, purpose-driven lives!  

G.E.T. I.T.

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

Half Year Review - Go Get It!

But You Have to GO GET IT!

It's June and it's time to 'Go Get It'!!  By now, we should all have defined or have some idea of what our 'IT' is!  If you read my Write the Vision post, you know I believe having a vision is important.  It's equally important for us to review how we're doing based on that vision and our purpose.  I like to review my progress every quarter!  June is perfect because it's not only the month that completes the 2nd quarter but it's also the last month in the first half of the year.

We need to Go Hard this month on our goals and Go Get It!  That's the theme for the blog this month, Go Get IT!  It's time to stop half stepping, time out for doubting, time out for walking in fear, time out for not saying and going after what we really want!  It's time to Go Get what we really want!  You know, taking that leap of faith with your entrepreneurship goals, opening your business, writing that book, going back to school, getting healthy, changing your life, doing more for yourself, ________________ (you fill in the blank) yes, that IT that you really want to do!

Don't minimize your IT! Decide what IT is and go get IT!

If we're going to Go Get It and go harder this month we need to conduct a half-year review on ourselves!  Let's evaluate how we're really doing so far with a spirit of grace (if you're like me, you're hard enough on yourself)!  Take some time today and over this week to Review, Refresh, then Run!

Review
This is all about evaluating our progress.  Looking at the goals that you've set, have you made the progress you expected to make at this point?  What is going well?  Is there anything you've checked off as being achieved (if so, celebrate that)?  What about challenges and lessons that were learned?  Have you loss steam or motivation for some of your goals?

One of my goals that I'm not progressing as well with is to finish drafting this children's book that I'm writing.  Back in March I extended the timeline I set for myself to this month.  I have not focused on this the way I should so this is one of my goals that I am going to go harder with!  What about you?

Refresh
Does your goals still fit?  Do you need modify any of them?  Are your goals effective?  Are your goals realistic?  Are you trying hard enough?  Are you focusing on the right goals?  How will you remain motivated and focused?

Goals can change.  Don't continue to go after something that just doesn't matter any more or fits within your purpose for the sake of completing it.  Move on, be purpose driven!  If your goals are too small, step outside of your comfort zone.  We never know what we can achieve if we don't try!

Are you out of your comfort zone?

Run
Le'ts Go Get It!  'So I run with purpose every step..' -1 Cor. 9:26 (NLT).  Whether you're failing or succeeding so far, run!  Go after your dreams and your desires.  But let's make sure we're doing it with intention and purpose!  Let's make sure who we are and what we're doing is getting us closer to our own dream.

Here's to all of us being in the DID category!

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

My Secret Affair

Singing: I've been cheat'n, I've been cheat'n; I get all flabby when that sugar gets up in me.. (in the tune of Drunk in Love)! As the saying goes 'you are what you eat'!  And right about now I'm full of chips, cakes, wine, and more junk!  This secret love affair with processed, sugary, salty, junk food has to end!  Just a few months ago I was getting rid of my shrinking kangaroo pouch, now I've taken like 10 steps backwards!

On this healthy lifestyle journey I have had no problems with the fitness part of it!  I absolutely love (and I do mean love) to workout!  There are days when I don't feel like working out but I always talk myself into it.  The eating healthy part is almost completely opposite!  While I've gotten much better with my eating habits I still struggle with consistently eating with my goals in mind!  I refuse to continue down this road so I'm going to get myself back on track TODAY!

When we mess up we can stay in the mess or we can clean ourselves up and move forward.  Here's my plan to get back on track with consistently eating healthy most of the time!

Easter is when I noticed my affair.. It only got worse from there! 

(darn chocolate cake & banana pudding)!

Identify the Issue!
I'm an emotional eater!  I know these unhealthy eating habits and cravings are directly tied to the fact that I really miss my mom!  I've been trying to be happy and strong just like she would want me to be.  I've been all smiles acting as if it's all good, not really allowing myself to just feel the pain and grieve.  I started to really mask my pain on her birthday (March 31st).  I didn't notice how out of control my indulgences were getting until shortly after Easter!  I know how easy it is for me to 'eat my emotions' so this is something I have to stay conscience of and continue to work on overcoming.  I plan on journaling more and letting my family know when I'm really missing my mom.  Their listening ear will help much more than a bowl of life cereal (may not sound too bad but I've been eating way too many bowls a day- all the milk is showing in my boobs which I"m loving).

I will defeat this!

Get Rid of Excuses!
I was almost excusing my cheating saying, 'I deserve this' or 'I workout hard' knowing dang well I can't out exercise a bad diet!  I also stopped using myfitnesspal to track my meals using the excuse of I messed up my 100 day streak for the second time.  Then I used the 'I don't have time' to track my meals excuse!  Finally, I was using the excuse of 'I'll get back on track tomorrow'!  I've seen too many 'tomorrows' come and go!  No more excuses for excuses for me.

Track All Meals!
Speaking of myfitnesspal, I am re-commiting to tracking all of my food!  Studies show that people who track what they eat are more likely to be successful in losing weight and keeping it off.  I plan on being in the keeping it off category!

Get Back on Track with a Jumpstart Meal Plan
When I got off track with consistently eating healthy after my mom passed in October I decided to complete the 21 Day Daniel Fast.  It helped me get rid of all of my cravings for junk food and also helped build my faith!  I thought hard about doing it again this time but my goal is different.  When I started the Daniel Fast back in January I was aiming for transformation inside-out.  This time I just want to get rid of this extra belly fat I've added and to get back on track with my goal of leaning out and reducing my fat percentage.  I searched Pinterest and found the below lean out meal plan that I'm going to use starting today through Sunday.  If I get the results I'm looking for, from there I'm going to go back to one of my healthy meal plans.  If I don't get the results I want, I may do the Daniel Fast but just 10 days this time!

I'm replacing cottage cheese with Greek yogurt.. Have any of you tried this?

This is the first time I've ever prepped my meals for the week!  I always have a plan in mind but I've never prepped because I tend to eat based on what I'm in the mood to eat!  Even though I eat the same food for the most part, I view meal prepping as restrictive...  We shall see if I continue to prep my food a week ahead!  Either way, I will continue to have a plan in place!

Pictured: 3 days of meals excluding 3rd lean protein & protein powder

Eat According to Goals
I really want to flatten my tummy!!  I don't necessarily want to have a six-pack but I do want to achieve my goal of a flat belly.  I know this is directly tied to what I eat.  Also, my ultimate goal is to be completely healthy.  I truly believe that certain foods contribute to diseases like breast cancer.  I'm not saying I will never eat a piece of cake because I don't believe in restricting foods 100%.  We all know the quote 'One unhealthy meal won't make you unhealthy just like one healthy meal won't make you healthy'!  All we need to do is plan our meals according to our goals (including our indulgences) and stay focused on that plan!

"Eat to meet long-term goals, not short-term satisfaction!"

"Don't Give up what you want most for what you want now!"

In addition to the steps above I plan to just move on mentally, period!  It's done, the muffin top is there, my boobs are bigger (yay:), I messed up yet again but life goes on!  I'm going to drink a lot of water and stay focused on my goals!

Remember what goes on in the dark comes to light!!  My cheating has definitely come to the light.  I have a picture to prove it and I will be sharing it (when I flatten my belly back lol)!

What do you do to stay on track?  Please share!

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia