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

Beat Post Holiday Blues

Winter break has come to an end which means all of the time I've been spending with my sons is over for a while...  All of my Christmas decorations that made my home brighter are down.  I'm literally looking at my muffin top hanging over my pants so reality has set in of how much fun I've been having during the holidays... The most wonderful time of the year is over!!! *sighs*  I've been wondering why I've been feeling down since the new year!  It's like I knew all of this was coming to an end and I wasn't looking forward to it so I diagnosed myself with post holidays blues!  What's crazy is I thought I came up with that term then I googled it to see this is real.  I was so surprised to find so many articles!  I had never experienced this before...

As the new year approached I noticed myself getting very anxious about winter break ending. At first I didn't think anything of it but the feeling started to get overwhelming!  I kept saying why am I feeling so down.. is it because the reality of me not eating healthy is showing in my belly or is it because I no longer have my mother or father here with me, is it because the house will be empty again during the day?!  I'm not positive as to why I'm experiencing this for the first time but I am positive that I will beat the post holiday blues!!  How will I do that you ask?  By the only way I know how to beat anything- through the Word of God!

This is the very day God acted- let's celebrate and be festive! 

(Psalms 118:24, MSG)

The fact of the matter is the most wonderful time of the year is the whole year.  Every single day is a wonderful day!  We don't need a special holiday or a special occasion to be merry.  It is up to us to put the extra in the ordinary!  It is up to us to put the special in any occasion.  It is our choice.  I'm choosing to enjoy today, to celebrate today, and to be merry TODAY.

Choose to enjoy TODAY!

I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. (Psalm 16:8, 9 NLT)

I love having family over and during the winter break my house was never empty!  I had so many sleepovers...  But the blessing is that God is ALWAYS with me!  I don't have to fell lonely when I'm alone.  Anyone who knows me knows how important family is to me..  I've often made the mistake of putting my family before God and even trying to find joy in my family.  The only certain person in our lives is our Heavenly Father.  He alone can make our hearts glad.  We can overcome any fear, hurt, challenge because He is right with us.

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

Get up and get to doing what God called you to do!  Refocus on your vision, your goals, your dreams that God has given you.  This year I wasn't going to do a vision board because my theme is simple, "Serve Others More' and I had that printed out back in November.  But yesterday I started cutting out goals from magazines to add to my vision journal then decided to go ahead and do a vision board.  You have to take some kind of action to beat any type of blues!  In most cases, when you do something for someone else you forget about being down!!  God did not create us so that we can be happy and accomplish personal goals for ourselves.. He created us to serve!  Are you doing the good things He planned for you? It's not too late to set goals or to change up your goals!  When you're setting your goals remember Philippians 2:4: Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too. 

Items I cut for my vision journal and 2015 vision board.

I used this template found here for my 2015 goals. I love this format

I don't want to downplay depression because based on the suicide rate I know it's very real.  If you need to, seek professional help {here is the National Suicide Prevention line phone number:  1-800-273-TALK (8255)}.  In the meantime replace the lies with the truth of God's Word.  You can overcome anything relying on the promises of God!

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

Happy New Year!

I don't know about all of you but I can use a new chapter, a new beginning, and/or a fresh start and this is all wrapped up in the start of a new year!  Hello 2015!!  There are many people who knock others who choose to make a change at the beginning of the year but I find it is a great time to make a change.  A new year just symbolizes change so why not?!

2014 was a year of g-r-o-w-t-h for me and my family!  We had so many challenges (many brought on by bad decisions) but I can't even complain.  As I reflect on all of the trials, the issues, and even my dad passing away all I can say is Thank YOU Father!  Thank YOU for shaping me, molding me, and growing me.  I'm so grateful.  2014 reminded me once again that living life on purpose is what I should aim to do every single day.

My vision for 2015 is a simple one and has everything to do with having a heart to serve.  In fact, my theme is Serve Others More!  One of the many things I learned in 2014 is that when you give out of need or when you help someone when you need help or encourage someone when you're down it blesses you!  The best way I can describe it is to use President Obama quote: "The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don't wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope."  

What are your goals this year?  All of us want to live our best life; full of health and wealth!  I challenge you to not focus all of your attention on yourself and your family.  When we walk in the purpose of God, it's not about us anyway!  Let's be intentional about serving because that is what we are called to do.  I want to hear God say, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant" and I'm sure you want to hear Him say that as well.

Happy New Year from my family to yours.

“What you are doing I cannot do, what I’m doing you cannot do, but together we are doing something beautiful for God, and this is the greatness of God’s love for us...

-Mother Teresa, From Where There is Love, There is God

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

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