Category: The LIFE

Things I Have Learned

50 Things I’ve Learned

Posted on by FitFaithLife

Today I Celebrate! 50 years of life is an accomplishment and I feel like I’m just getting started! So as I reflect on my life and the most recent decade I wanted to share 50 Things I’ve Learned.  On my 40th birthday I was five months pregnant with my first baby and clearly had NO IDEA what the next ten years would bring. Today, I can look back at the lessons learned and I am grateful. I am thankful and I am BLESSED!

 

Here is a list of 50 things I have learned… (They are in no particular order of importance but they are all things I live by)

1.Love God and Love People

2. Put God First!

3. Life is Short

4. Being Kind is Important

5. Be Yourself

6. Help Others

7. Express Yourself

8. NO is a Complete Sentence

9. LOVE is an Action Word

10. Loving Yourself is not Selfish

11. Friendship is a Two-Way Street

12. There are people who are KIND.

13. SMILE

14.Embrace Change.

15. Wisdom has a price.

16. Do what you LOVE, the money will come.

17. Beauty comes from within.

18. Marriage is not 50/50, it’s 100% ALL OF THE TIME!

19. Learn to say, “I’m sorry, I was wrong”

20. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak, it makes you strong.

21. We do in fact become our mothers.

22. My mother was right.

23. History only repeats itself if we don’t learn from it.

24. Protect Your Peace

25. There will always be someone who does what you do better, but there is no one that does what you do like you do it!

 

Stephanie

26. Being a mom is the most rewarding, thankless job I will ever have.

27. Always shoot your shot, if you miss it becomes practice.

28. Live Life like it is GOLDEN!

29. Value relationships over money.

30. Know YOUR Story! LIVE YOUR LEGACY!

31. Listen twice as much as you speak.

32. Be HONEST with yourself and with others.

33. TRUST your intuition.

34. If GOD didn’t say DO IT, Don’t DO IT!

35. Study the Word of GOD!

36. Mentor someone

37. Be a ROLE MODEL

38. Speak up for what you believe in.

39. FAMILY FIRST

40. Invest in yourself

41. Take chances

42. Save money

43. Cultivate your passions

44. Be a LIFE LONG Learner

45. Eat Healthy but enjoy what you like.

46. Balance is the KEY to LIFE.

47. PRAYER WORKS

48. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

49. Love your body, its going to change and that is OK!

50. I AM ENOUGH!

 

What have you learned in life? Leave me a comment with your favorite life lessons.

 

 

Faith for the Finish

Posted on by FitFaithLife

It’s hard to believe we are approaching the end of another year and another decade! What a complete blessing! This is the time of year that we begin forward thinking and setting intentions for the next year. However, I would like to challenge you to begin with the end in mind and develop “Faith for the Finish”!
When we begin any new endeavor, we usually begin strong. Think back to when you made the decision to get in shape or lose weight. The passion for and commitment to your goal was foremost in your heart. Then, life happens. Family obligations, work commitments, or even our own self doubt slows our progress. However, when we reach the point where we are feeling like we are pedaling backwards, it is time to find “Faith for the Finish”.

In order to find faith for the finish you must first, remember why you started your new endeavor in the first place. What was your motivation? Is your motivation still the same? Asking yourself these important questions can reveal a lot about your progress.

FInishing is Better than starting.
Focus on Finishing

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Therefore, we have to understand how faith works in order to get what we have hoped for. Romans 10:17 ESV says, “So faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.” What you hear, determines what you have faith for. Are you hearing faith based messages about your goals?

Having faith for the finish also requires that you have focus. When we allow distractions to come in they take us away from our goals. Matthew 14:29-31 tells us the story of Peter walking on water.
“Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Peter was walking on water until he got distracted and lost sight of his goal. Don’t let the size of your goal scare you. If we keep our eyes on Jesus he will enable us to accomplish what we have started.

Walkin on Water
Stay focused on God!

 

Finishing what you started not only builds your confidence, it also sets you up for your next victory as well. Pastor A. R. Bernard of Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, NY always shares that “we live life on levels and we arrive in stages”. In order to reach our next goal we have to build on what we have finished in the past. Faith comes from finishing and finishing builds your faith.

What are you trying to finish? Is it a weight loss goal, a professional goal, or a family goal? Whatever it is, remember that faith is an action word. It is the evidence of things we don’t see. However, if we keep our eyes on God, we will see more than we could imagine or think.

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My Coming of Age Story

Posted on by FitFaithLife

When I was 13 years  old my mother turned 48 years old. Then two days later, she died from a stroke and brain aneurysm she had suffered a couple weeks prior.  This as you might imagine was a turning point in my life.  It is the point at which my perspective on life and living was permanently altered.  However, this was only the beginning of my coming of age.  Thanks to my family, my father, my sister, my brother and others who supported me, I was able to navigate my teen years and young adult life with relative ease despite my loss. Don’t get me wrong, I had the normal ups and downs of growing into adulthood, friendships gained and lost, heartache, discovery and self-realization.

As an adult I have learned many lessons personally and professionally. Some lessons were hard and some were fraught with adventure.  Some knocked me to my knees and some lifted me higher. When I got married there were more lessons. When I turned 40, more lessons. Becoming a mother, still more and more lessons.  Yet, none of this was my coming of age.

July 22, 2018 I am the same age as my mother was when she left this earth.  For many years I pondered how I would feel upon reaching this milestone.  I  can honestly say that I feel like I have just begun my life! I have accomplished so much yet at this point in my life I feel like there is so much more.  There is more opportunity to give to others. More creativity to live the life God has designed for me. More faith to accomplish the desires of my heart.  So as I enter into another year, I want to share three lessons that I learned from my mother and have lived for myself.

Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes to the bone.  There is so much ugliness in this world. It comes from the heart and it is permeating. People often described my mother a beautiful person. She was definitely radiant. But her beauty came from the inside out. She cared deeply for others. She took care of our elderly neighbors and opened our house to our family and friends.  She volunteered as a Girl Scout leader and she taught school children. I have never met anyone who had a bad word to say about her. This is a testimony to her beauty. If I can be half as beautiful as she was I will have accomplished a lot.

If you don’t have anything nice to say, say nothing at all. Ok, so I know that this originally came from Thumper’s mother in the movie Bambi, but it is something my mother would say often.  As a teen and young adult I am sure I went through a bit of a mean girl period but this saying has stuck with me and it is something that I tell my daughter often.  I have learned that our words have power. What we speak has the power to transform lives.  I want my words to always speak life into a situation or a person.

Lastly, Enjoy Life!  I learned this from the way that my mom lived her life. She loved, she laughed and she taught me to do the same. Yet, there were many plans and dreams she never realized. There are many special moments that she never witnessed. Life is short and for some it is shorter than we would want or expect. Learn to find joy in everyday. Learn to laugh despite the common ups and downs of life. Learn to smile and be open to the possibilities that life has to offer.

I have spent the last 35 years waiting for this rebirth! I am at a point in my life where I am fully accepting of who I am. I have earned the life I am creating for myself and my family. I am confident in who I have become.  I recognize areas for growth and am willing to change the things that I deem as necessary to continue my pattern of growth. This is an important milestone for me because I feel like I have finally come of age.

When did you feel like you came of age?

The Power of Prayer

The Power of Prayer

Posted on by FitFaithLife

There is something about the moment we submit our thoughts and hearts to God in prayer.  When we approach Him with  true repentance and reverence, we can expect to come away from that encounter restored.  The Power of Prayer is in the personal connection we have when we choose to have a dialogue with God. In order to understand the power of prayer, you must first understand what prayer is. Dr. Myles Munroe explained it well in his book, Understanding the Purpose and Power of Prayer. He gives these four explanations:

  1. Prayer is man giving God the legal right and permission to interfere in earth’s affairs.
  2. Prayer is man giving heaven earthly license to influence earth.
  3. Prayer is a terrestrial license for celestial interference.
  4. Prayer in man exercising his legal authority on earth to invoke heaven’s influence on the planet.

Keeping these foundational thoughts in mind, let’s get a closer understanding of how powerful prayer can be in your life.

The Power of Prayer
Prayer Creates Peace

God is Our Source: God will provide all of our needs according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19) He is the beginning and the end. He is the author of our faith and the source of our conduct. He is the foundation of all that we have and hope to build.  It is sometimes a challenge to totally rely on someone else. Being dependent on someone other than ourselves can be a scary place but when you allow God to be your source, you actually open yourself to a freedom that can only be found in Him.  Let God be your source of faith, let God be your source of hope, let God be your source of love, let God be your source of strength, let God be your source of everything.  When we do this, the doors of understanding and opportunity can be flung wide open in every area of our lives.

 

Prayer Creates Peace: Philippians 4:6-7 MSG says  “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”  When we pray, we have an exchange with God. Our worry for His peace. Our sorrow for His joy. Our weakness for His strength.  When everything seems to be spinning out of control in our lives that is the time to allow God to put the breaks on the world and rest in His peace.

The Power of Prayer
Praise is Your Protection

Praise Is Your Protection: Part of prayer is praise. Praising and thanking God ahead of the storm creates a buffer around you. Prayer opens the communication with God and Praise invites Him to work on your behalf.  Please understand that there is nothing that we can do or say to make God do more or less for us. His Word is full of the promises that He has given to us. Faith is the assurance that God will do what He said He would do. Prayer and praise unlock your faith, opening you up to victory in God!

Although there are many scriptures about prayer, these will help you to unlock the Power of Prayer in your life.

2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 

Luke 18: 1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Ephesians 6: 17-18  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints

I Thessalonians 5: 16-19  Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 

Matthew 16:19  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed[a] in heaven.”

Matthew 18:18-20 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed[a] in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.

Above all, prayer is communication with God. Those that we love we want to talk to them every chance that we get. Allow God to love on you today and show that love back to Him by talking to Him every chance you get.

Prayer is not just an activity, a ritual or an obligation! It is communion and communication that touches God’s heart. #PrayerPower #theLIFE

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Happy New You!

Posted on by FitFaithLife

Every year on January 1st, thousands of people embark on spiritual and fitness renewals. Some call them resolutions, some call them goals, but regardless of what you call it the New Year is a time when many of us make the decision to change.  If that is where you are right now, I say Happy New You! The Word declares that God will do a new thing in Isaiah 43:19. It says,

“Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

So if you are ready to make a change, God is ready to assist you.  However, there are some things that you must do to ensure your success. These three things will put you on the road to permanent change that will create the “New You”!

WRITE IT DOWN:

Without a written plan you are planning to fail. There is something about putting your goals in written form that makes them concrete in our minds. The bible says to write the vision and make it plain… In other words, keep it simple. You don’t have to write a dissertation. Just take a few moments to clarify what you want to accomplish and how long you plan for it to take you to reach completion.

GRAB A BUDDY:

Life is so much more fun with a friend.  Get a “Power Partner”! Someone you can pray with and exercise with.  Someone who you know wants what’s best for you but will keep you accountable to your goals and to God.  It’s easy to look at your spouse if your married, and want them to be that person.  However, keep in mind sometimes they are not and we need to pray and reach out to the person that God lays on our heart for this role in this season.  Once you have your partner, you need to communicate your needs. What do you expect them to do and what are you capable of doing for them.  If you are not a morning person, don’t agree to get up at 5am for prayer and a workout, unless this is an area that God is working on in you and you need someone to hold you accountable to doing it.  Understand though, that your partner has to know this ahead of time to be fair to both of you.  Make sure that you and your Power Partner communicate well and have an open heart.

PRAY & PERFORM

What are you going to accomplish this year? Whatever it is you must start with prayer.  Pray for direction. Pray for clarity.  Pray for commitment. Faith without works is dead.  But your faith will also be dead without prayer.  Prayer is our direct line to God. It is the way we receive the power to do the things that God wants us to do.  Prayer gives us the confidence to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks.  Once you pray, it is time to perform. You must step out on the faith that God has given you through His Word.  Whatever He has put in your heart to do, you can do it!

Happy New YOU! How will you make THIS YEAR your Best Year Yet? @fitfaithlife

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Make the most of the Holidays

Five Ways to Make the Most of the Holidays

Posted on by FitFaithLife

The holiday season is upon us. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years mean big family meals and holiday office parties. Not to mention the eggnog, cakes and pies which can all put a strain on our waistlines.  These Five Ways to Make the Most of the Holidays will help you enjoy the holidays and all they bring without regrets.

Make the most of the Holidays
Five Ways to Make the Most of the Holidays

De-Stress and Get Rest:

The holidays can bring stress from fighting traffic, hours of shopping for food and for the perfect gift.  Stress can add inches to your waistline. Stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels which can interfere with learning and memory, lower immune function and bone density, increase weight gain, blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart disease. Avoid the rush by making a list of all that you need to get before you leave the house or better yet shop from home.  Online shopping is a way avoid the hustle and bustle and find some great deals. Sites like Amazon give you the option to shop from the comfort of your home and save time, gas and money. Many grocery stores offer a shop from home option and they will deliver your items right to your door.

During this holiday season take the opportunity to de-stress by drinking a cup of herbal tea, diffusing your favorite essential oil, lighting your favorite candle or simply taking a walk.  Also remember, that rest is the key to rejuvenation. Getting enough sleep during the holiday season might be a challenge but your mind and body will thank you if you maintain as regular a sleep schedule as possible.

Drink Your Water:

Water is vital to maintaining your health and wellness. It is also important to maintaining your waistline.  While you are out and about this holiday season, carry a bottle of water with you so that you can remain hydrated. Often we mistake thirst for hunger. By staying well hydrated, you will also avoid those moments when the food court calls your name. Drinking water will also help you to keep your mind sharp and your body energized.  Many of us indulge in holiday spirits during this time of year. Many alcoholic beverages contain high calories. It is recommended that you drink  more water when you are consuming alcohol than normal.

Eat Before You Go Out:

Whether you are going to the mall or to a holiday party, eating a small snack an hour before you leave the house can help you stay on track.  Have a small healthy snack like cheese and apples, or a green smoothie. By eating something before you go out, you won’t be so hungry that you are tempted to eat everything in sight.  You will be able to be social without piling three of those little plates with food.  Also, eat slowly. It takes your brain about twenty minutes to realize it’s full.

Don’t let the holidays stress you. These 5 Ways to Make the Most of the Holidays will help. @fitfaithlife

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Get Moving:

Over the next few weeks, our schedules will try to dictate how much exercise we get.  Try to maintain your exercise schedule. However, if getting to the gym seems like an impossibility, finding unconventional ways to keep moving will help you stay on track with your exercise plan. Walking the mall, taking the stairs and parking further away from the door are practical ways to get in some additional movement.  Other ways to get moving include, getting outside for a walk, raking leaves or shoveling snow.  Ultimately,  just don’t let the holidays keep you from maintaining your exercise routine.

Enjoy Time With Family and Friends:

The holidays can be a whirlwind of rushing from place to place but being with those we love is the best part of the season.  Take the time to recognize those you love and be thankful for all that you have been blessed with. If you are able to have your loved ones around you, if you are able to share a meal or give a gift, you already have the full measure of what the holiday season is all about.  So. if you eat that extra piece of pie or have double servings of stuffing, be kind to yourself.  Enjoying the moments of celebration in life will do more for you in the long term.

Outdoor Summer Workouts

Outdoor Summer Workouts

Posted on by FitFaithLife

I have always enjoyed outdoor and water activities.  I guess you could call me a “water baby”.  However, I have recently found two Outdoor Summer Workouts that I love and that keep me motivated.  The first is good old fashioned walking and the other is Aqua Zumba! Walking is a great way to get outside and get your heart rate up. It is accessible to just about anyone who want to get in shape. Aqua Zumba is also a great way to get moving and is also an activity that just about anyone can participate in.

Outdoor Summer Workouts
Walking the Track

 

Walking

There are many benefits to a regular walking routine.  According to the Mayo Clinic, regular brisk walking can help you:

  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes
  • Strengthen your bones and muscles
  • Improve your mood
  • Improve your balance and coordination
Walking Benefits
The Benefits of Walking
Photo Credit: Prevention.com

For me, walking gives me time to relax my mind. I find that as I walk, my creativity flows, I gain insight into situations and I am able to talk to God and be focused enough to hear Him answer. I recently discovered an amazing walking group that allows women of color to connect with each other, walk and be social activists within their community.  The GirlTrek website describes their mission as “a groundbreaking 3-year-old national nonprofit that mobilizes women to live their healthiest, most fulfilled lives through a habit of daily walking. Through grassroots organizing and award-winning social media campaigns, GirlTrek supports thousands of walkers, over 400 neighborhood-based volunteers, and inspires an ever-growing network of 200,000 supporters through social media. GirlTrek’s health movement is fueled by active role models, street organizers, authentic partnerships, and a whole lot of hustle!” I walk everyday anyway, why not add the component of grassroots organizing.  Through the GirlTrek Facebook page I was able to connect with local GirlTrekers. Ironically, we connected at Aqua Zumba!

Aqua Zumba

In my city, the Parks and Recreation Department operates swimming pools citywide.  They offer free swimming to kids and adults alike throughout the summer.  In addition, they also offer swimming lessons, and exercise classes like Aqua Zumba!  This class at my local recreation center is free. If you were to take a similar class at a fitness club you would pay at least $35 per month for the membership fee. If you are not a “swimmer” it doesn’t matter because you are never fully submerged in the water. You may get splashed a little but your face and hair don’t go into the pool.

There are great benefits to water workouts like Aqua Zumba. Besides being fun, the Zumba website cites the benefits as “There is less impact on your joints during an Aqua Zumba® class so you can really let loose. Water creates natural resistance, which means every step is more challenging and helps tone your muscles”.  So far I have taken two classes this summer and I love the group aspect of the class, I love the music and the instructor, Kenyetta was full of energy.  She says, “My mantra is to foster a community where everyone can have a great time once they enter my class or the pool…to leave all that you have on your shoulders at the door..and dance as if no one is watching!.”

The other great part of this class was that after all of the walking I have been doing, it is an excellent way to tone my muscles without putting too much impact on my joints. If you want to take a class check into your local recreation centers or the Zumba website.

What are your favorite outdoor summer workouts? My favorite Outdoor Summer Workouts? #AquaZumba & #Walking @fitfaithlife

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What are your favorite Outdoor Summer Workouts?

Welcome to the LIFE

Posted on by FitFaithLife

Welcome to the LIFE! After much prayer and thought, I had to make the hard decision to delete the old FitFaith Life and start fresh! Renewal is a good thing! I am happy to bring great new posts, lots of energy and most of all to share great faith and fitness information with you!

For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

So what will be the same and what will change? You will still receive the same great recipes, workouts and inspirational posts. What has changed is really my perspective. I realize that this LIFE is not really about me but it’s all about the life of Christ in me. So, I am going to bring to you the best interviews, workouts, product reviews, and more!

cropped-THE-LIFE.jpg

FitFaith Life is YOUR virtual coach for faith and fitness. I really believe that this life is more of a movement than just a lifestyle. God wants us to be healthy and whole. He wants us to live a life free from disease and he wants us to have the strength and fortitude to serve Him. He also wants a real relationship with us, not just lip service. His love for us knows no bounds and FitFaith Life is all about embracing that love. The ultimate goal is for you to embrace a culture of fierce faith and fierce fitness that will transform the way you view your relationship with God and with yourself.

When you know who you are and whose you are this life is a blessing. I hope you will go along with me on this journey! Are YOU READY to LIVE the LIFE?