New Normal - Let's Do This June!

Hello June!  It's a new week AND a new month so Hello Fresh Start!  It's been too long since I've posted but I thought what better month to get my blogging groove back?!  June is typically the month I reflect on my goals for the year (see this post).  Plus this is perfect timing to talk about the new normal I've allowed!

So a few weeks ago, I got my hair done- nothing new because I'm always changing up my hair!  This time I thought I'd try a new color and that color is BLONDE {yikes}!  It was so funny the first two days I would literally get startled when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror lol.  The second day this happened I just said to myself 'this color will be normal to me soon'.  This statement to myself resonated with me and prompted me to reflect on other 'new normals' in my life!

The hair that made me reflect!

New Normal: A  previously unfamiliar or atypical situation that has become standard, usual, or expected

As I thought the fact that my new hair color would soon become normal for me it prompted me to think about other unwanted things that have become normal like my eating habits.  I started to think about how I've been eating my emotions (literally) like I used to do when I ballooned to weighing over 200lbs.  As I reflected on this I knew if I didn't refocus I would be back in the same situation I was in a few years ago!  It will not be standard, usual or expected for me to use food for comfort.  My Heavenly Father is the only one who can truly comfort me and satisfy me- not food.  I know this all too well right?!?!  Right!!  

So you must live as God's obedient children.  Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires.   You didn't know any better then. - 1 Peter 1:14

Left pic was March this year, right pic was Memorial Day weekend.

More often than not, people find themselves in unwanted situations they would have never imagined themselves in because they've accepted it as normal.  Don't let this be you!  As you reflect with gratefulness on the first half of 2015 I encourage you to take inventory of your habits.  Have you developed an unwanted habit?  Start replacing those unwanted habits today.  We know that 'we become what we repeatedly do so watch what you're becoming!  I know for me my eating habits will change (along with this hair color lol).  I'm committed to using food for fuel not for comfort.  I'm committed to being a great steward of the temple God blessed me with.

What are you committed to?  If you haven't been consistent with your commitments just recommit!  Let's finish the last month in the first half of 2015 strong!  Let's do this June!

#MotivationMonday
#HelloJune

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

Just Take a Step

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Pic on the left December 18th, 2014 - my son's first day at Trinity Fitness!

Happy Monday ya'll!!  Look at my baby:))  Okay let me stop, I don't want to embarrass him lol!  My 'baby' is actually an official adult who is a full time college student (in his junior year) & part time employee (whom I am so proud of:)!

As you know I'm participating in a team challenge with my gym, Trinity Fitness Riverside (Trinity Fitness is a non-profit organization made possible through charitable giving) to raise money and to compete in an obstacle course on May 2nd.  My gym's mission is to help people get in the best spiritual and physical shape of their lives with no financial obligation and that is exactly what the gym is accomplishing!  Trinity Fitness has helped my son grow spiritual and physical muscles!  Watching my son grow these past few months has been such a blessing.    It all started with him taking one step.

It literally took me months to convince my son to try a battle plan (aka workout) at TFR!!  For the longest, he refused to come because he was so intimidated by the exercises that were included in the battle plan.  The reality that he was not athletic and the fact that he never participated in sports in school made him think he wasn't capable of completing TFR battle plans.  It was crazy to me that he was afraid of trying because he had already lost about 50lbs by changing his eating habits so why not try this?  But to him this looked like a huge mountain he couldn't get over and he was nervous of trying then potentially failing!  I kept encouraging him to just take a step and try one class!  He finally took that step on December 18th, 2014. That one step led to another step and to another step... and those steps changed his life!

Prior to coming to TFR my son could not do one push-up let alone lift weights!  He went from only doing push-ups on a box to being able to do some from the floor and each time he works out he increase the amount of weight he uses!  In the beginning his form was so horrible on squats (thank you Anthony, Greg, & Scott M for helping him improve his form:) but now it's great!  Also prior to coming to TFR he was questioning his faith!  The seeds that have been sown in him during the devotions at TFR has grown and he is trusting God again.  His confidence has skyrocketed not only in himself but in God!  The gains he has made would not have happened if he did not take that step.  

The left pic shows him at his heaviest weight.

During his weight loss journey last year.

One step took Trinity Fitness from one location (in a garage) to six locations!  That step has changed lives, including my son's life!  One step from my son increased his spiritual and physical muscles.  What step do you need to take in your life?  I encourage you to take it today!  If you don't take that step you will end up in a rut, be complacent, and/or stuck in a comfort zone.  There is no growth in those places.  What's stopping you?  Just take a step and watch how you grow!

I want to be a blessing to Trinity Fitness just like it has been a blessing to me and my family.  Will you help me be a blessing and donate here?  Your donation will help Trinity Fitness grow and continue to impact lives!  Thank you for taking a step support.

#MotivationMonday

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

March Forward

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. - Hebrew 11:1

As we say Hello March, this is the time of year where many of us (or should I speak for myself:) experience spring fever! We're over the cold weather, wearing layers, the dreary looking days, etc... We are ready to see the beautiful flowers, greener grass, experience the nice warm spring weather!  During this season while we're waiting to transition we're either feeling despair wondering when change is going to happen or we're looking forward with hope knowing change is going to happen.  It can be the same during the seasons of our lives!

When have winter like seasons in our lives it can be difficult just to get our day started! The dreams that we were once fired up about become burdensome or even appear unreachable. One thing is for sure though, if we March Forward we WILL experience our spring season!  We have to put our faith in action by pressing forward even when we can't see our way or know how it's going to happen.  We will see the seeds we planted spring up if we just keep going.  

Some of you may have gotten off track with your goals already this year. You might have stopped working out due to the cold weather, you might have turned to comfort food, or you might not have even looked at your goals since you wrote them down!!  No matter how off track you might be, this is your sign to March Forward!  Forget the past, don't worry about how you're going to accomplish it, just keep looking ahead and march forward by faith! 

#MondayMotivation

#MarchMotivation

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

Mess Up or Miss Out

Happy Monday!!

Are you messing up in life or are you missing out on life?  If you're afraid of messing up chances are you are in the' missing out on life' category.  I've shared a little with you all here about my battle with being a perfectionist.  I know firsthand that wanting to to do things 'just right' is a blessing blocker and a growth stopper that can cause you to miss out on living life to the fullest.

"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. -George Bernard Shaw

It is impossible to live life and not mess up!  Mistakes are proof that you are taking action towards God's plan for your life.  Messing up is proof that you are stepping outside of your comfort zone and pushing your own limits.  What is even better mistakes, messing up, failures are all opportunities to grow!  They are opportunities to grow strong in your faith in God and not yourself!  Don't be afraid of falling, embarrassing yourself, looking like an idiot, or getting uncomfortable because greater is HE that is within you.

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. - Romans 8:37

God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7)!  Not wanting to mess up is a real fear for a lot of us but we have to remember what God put inside of us.  So get out there and mess up... YES, go mess up!  This week, go outside of your comfort zone, try something new or do something you've been wanting to do!  Even if you do fall flat on your face, that fall does not define you!  Learn from it and move on!

#MotivationMonday


Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

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

Are You Ready to Lose Your Excuses?!

Okay, I don't literally make that face (I hope) but in my mind that's my expression.  Am I judging or criticizing the person making the excuses?  I don't think so.  I just remember when I was in her shoes making some of the same excuses.  But when I was ready to make a change nothing and I mean absolutely nothing *including my excuses* could stop me.  What I really want to do when I hear excuses is interrupt and say 'let me know when you're really ready to live a healthy lifestyle' but I don't.  I listen then give tips.

Today I'm going to share some Purposeful tips for the most used reason people give for not living a healthy lifestyle ~ TIME!


The lack of time is the most common reason I hear from people about not being able to exercise and/or eat healthy consistently.  Let me just start by saying when my office closed back in December I thought about all the stuff I could accomplish with ease while I take time off.  One of those things was the common task of laundry.  Let me tell ya'll...  I give laundry almost the exact time I used to give it when I was working!!  You know why?  I have not made it a priority.  This is what most people do with making healthier choices.  They do it when it's convenient or when they can 'get' to it or when it becomes absolutely necessary.  That's why the need to prioritize is my first tip!

• Prioritize: The truth is we make time for what we want to do.  If you really want to live a healthy lifestyle you will make time for it, you will make it a priority.  If you  have time for a t.v. show you have time to workout.  Review your schedule to figure out what time/days works best then plan accordingly.

• Plan: Living a healthy lifestyle won't just happen.  Plan your workouts as well as your meals.  If you know you only have a 30 minute or an hour gap for a workout, plan to utilize and maximize that time.  Once you start this, it becomes a habit.  

• Partner: Now if you do not have a workout partner don't use this as a reason to not workout!  Even if you can't workout with someone, get an accountability partner.  Share your goals with a family member or friend who will help hold you accountable (i.e. won't agree with your excuses, will push & motivate you and will be direct with you).  Remember iron sharpens iron!

• Perseverance: You will not lose weight overnight.  In fact, it might take a while to see results so perseverance is necessary.  Don't allow anything or anyone stop you.  Keep going no matter what.  One day you will catch a glimpse of your new self and smile at your progress!  It might be that you notice you're able to take flights of stairs without being winded or that your clothes are too big!  The only way you will see results is to persevere and keep going. 

My son and I saw results once we got passed our excuses!

So what's your excuse for not making healthier choices?  I challenge you to write it down then write your solutions to get passed your excuse.

Now is the time!

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia