"Soul" Food Sunday || That Breath ...

Healthy Living || Health and Fitness Goals Are About Total Life Transformation

By Stephanie of Infinite Life Fitness

 

When I work with clients I try to put all of the focus on improving all aspects of their life.

When you are working towards a health and fitness goal it is not just about working out and losing weight.  It is a total life transformation!  You have to think and act differently on a daily basis.  You have to be less critical and grow a patience not only for yourself but for other people that are around you.

When you create health and fitness goals I also suggest to create other life goals.  This journey is not just about losing the weight; it is also about becoming a better person! You have to condition yourself to think differently and that also means having less negative thoughts about yourself and other people that are around you.

The more negative things that you limit or try to cut out of your life, you will start to notice the smaller and more enjoyable things that happen day to day.  There are so many great and beautiful things around you if you take a moment to stop and notice them! People who are negative usually are to wrapped up in what is going wrong with their life to notice all of the good things that are going on.

When working towards your health and fitness goal you have to work on all aspects of your life.  You have to work on your physical, mental, and emotional challenges.  Once you start to better these areas in your life, your journey will have so much more meaning and you can enjoy the process (and the results) so much more!

My motto for this year...."It could always be worse".  Try to cut out all of the negativity and focus on the good things that happen to you!  No matter what is going on, or how bad your day is, there is always someone else out there who is going through something worse than you are.  I am not saying that your troubles are not meaningful; I am saying do not let them define you!  Yes we all go through rough times in life but it is how you overcome them that helps to build you into a better person!

Today's challenge:  Try NOT to complain about anything!! Someone at work is bothering you? Walk away from them! Do not go and gossip about them with your co-workers or your boss.  Is a friend or family member bugging you today?  Try not to answer their phone call or tell them that you are busy and can not help them today.  You may notice you may enjoy the day a little more when you have less things and people to complain about!  Try this for a day (or for all week) and see if this starts to help you on your journey!

This is Stephanie from Infinite Life Fitness. Please feel free to stop by my blog for more health and fitness tips!

"Soul" Food Mondays || Help Your Being

With whom do you surround yourself?

"Soul" Food Mondays ... Er, A Day Late || Gratitude

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." ~ MELODY BEATTIE

Move throughout each day with gratitude.

"Soul" Food Mondays || We Make Our Days

We make our days pleasant or miserable. If we insist on being miserable, irritable and nasty, more than likely the day will give us exactly what we give it. A day is too valuable to waste on misery and unhappiness. ~IYANLA VANZANT

Your perception becomes your reality.  A miserable outlook may translate into a miserable truth.  We make our days.

"Soul" Food Mondays ... Er, A Day Late || Resilience As Your Best Friend

"No matter what or who has hurt you in this life, resilience must be your best friend.  Learn to rise each time you fall.  All will turn out well in the end." ~SOPHIA A. NELSON

Resilience.  An ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change (Merriam-Webster).  Make it your best friend for it will be there with you through and after adversity.  It may not prevent the inevitable but it will lessen the blow, keep you sane, and make you all the stronger.  Resilience must be your best friend.

2013 Plans for My Hair, Body, and Soul || Part III

Now it's time to share my "Soul Plans" for the New Year ...

2013 SOUL PLANS:

Practice daily gratitude.  Years ago, I did a daily gratitude journal and then fell off of it for a few years.  Recently, I went back to gratitude journaling and plan to stick with it throughout 2013.  The biggest benefit of writing down the things you are grateful for each day is that you learn to be thankful for what you have in life.  You also change your perspective to a more positive and open the door to more good things or blessings.  I think this quote (from the "Simple Abundance" journal) says it best: 

"[Gratitude] turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today; and creates a vision for tomorrow." ~ MELODY BEATTIE

Remove negativity at first sight.  I have a tendency to see the good in everything and stick around even when it becomes detrimental to my soul.  However, I've been practicing running at the first sight of negativity in order to protect my soul.  This is not a black-and-white decision but requires discernment and wisdom.  This year I will heed my discernment and increase my wisdom.

Leave the past behind.  As an over-thinker it is easy for me to analyze a situation to death.  However, now when I start to think about something that cannot be changed, I cast it down immediately before it turns into dwelling.

Enjoy the present, or carpe diem ("seize the day").  Tomorrow is not promised, but today ... there is much we can do about today.  I plan to spend as much time with family as possible and to enjoy each day a little more.  I want to travel as soon as I can this year rather than put it off until the "perfect" time.

Beautify the outside to elevate the inside.  When it comes to my outer appearance, I tend to be ... hmm ... lazy unless I'm going to an event.  I am not a makeup and high heels person.  I could care less if my twists are super frizzy.  However, I honestly believe that because I couldn't give two #$%^ what I look like on my way to the lab or to school, it impacts how I feel on the inside - sluggish and "meh".  This year, I want to put a little more effort in my outer appearance.  Maybe daily mascara and eyeliner and replacing the routine gray hoodie for one of my nice sweaters.  Self-manicures have already made a re-appearance.

And this wraps up my plans for the New Year.  I hope you all are enjoying 2013 so far!

My "Hair Plans."

My "Body Plans."

"Soul" Food Mondays || The Quality of Life

"Your health is your wealth.  Don't let life's stresses be so hard on you that it wrecks your temple: your body.  Guard and protect your health.  It's the quality of life that counts in the end, not the longevity of life." ~ Sophia A. Nelson

Learn to "live" before it's too late.

"Soul" Food on a Friday? || Reflection on Your Journey and Self

I couldn't resist holding onto these jewels until "Soul" Food Mondays.  Here are two quotes worth absorbing over the weekend to come ...

“Each of us has the right and the responsibility to assess the roads which lie ahead, and those over which we have traveled, and if the future road looms ominous or unpromising, and the roads back uninviting, then we need to gather our resolve and, carrying only the necessary baggage, step off that road into another direction. If the new choice is also unpalatable, without embarrassment, we must be ready to change that as well.” ~ MAYA ANGELOU

"If you do not conquer self, you will be conquered by self." ~NAPOLEON HILL

"Soul" Food Mondays || Listen to That Whisper

"I say the universe speaks to us, always, first in whispers. And a whisper in your life usually feels like 'hmm, that's odd.' Or, 'hmm, that doesn't make any sense.' Or, 'hmm, is that right?' It's that subtle. And if you don't pay attention to the whisper, it gets louder and louder and louder. I say it's like getting thumped upside the head. If you don't pay attention to that, it's like getting a brick upside your head. You don't pay attention to that—the brick wall falls down. That is the pattern that I see in my life and so many other people's lives. And so, I ask people, 'What are the whispers? What's whispering to you now?'" ~ Oprah 

Are you sensitive to hearing the whispers in your life?  If not, mark it as one of your resolutions for 2013.   Better yet, start now.  Learn to let the whispers speak to you.  Take heed when you hear them.  Don't wait until they become so loud that it becomes too late.  What's whispering to you now?

Related quote:
Learn to let your intuition—gut instinct—tell you when the food, the relationship, the job isn’t good for you (and conversely, when what you’re doing is just right).  ~Oprah

"Soul" Food Mondays || It's OK to Change Your Mind

It is okay to change your mind ... especially if it makes you happy.  Life is too short for you to stay where you don't want to be.

An old, but timeless video:

 

"Soul" Food Mondays || Don't Let Negativity Dictate Your Decisions

Do you allow dislikes (e.g., negative opinions from others) to dictate your decisions in life?  Then this video is more than worthwhile for you.  Wise (and funny), indeed!

"Soul" Food Mondays || Why We Fail at Lifestyle Changes

Have you been failing at making a lifestyle change?  Then, perhaps these tips (in the video below) will help:

"Soul" Food Mondays || Let Go of What You Don't Want

“The only way to get what you really want is to let go of what you don’t want.” - Iyanla Vanzant

What are you holding on to that you do not want?  An unhealthy relationship?  An extra fifteen pounds?  A stagnant career?  Damaged hair?  You must let go of these things in order to get what you really want.

Make room for what you do want.

"Soul" Food Mondays || Self-Esteem Revisited

{Image Source}

“Everything that happens to you is a reflection of what you believe about yourself. We cannot outperform our level of self-esteem. We cannot draw to ourselves more than we think we are worth.” - Iyanla Vanzant

"We cannot draw to ourselves more than we think we are worth."  

What do you think you are worth?  It is your choice.  And that choice determines what you bring into your life.



For previous "Soul" Food Monday posts:
"Soul" Food Mondays || Addressing Low Self-Esteem
"Soul" Food Mondays || Perseverance in Setbacks
"Soul" Food Mondays || Love Is Patient ...
"Soul" Food Mondays || Forgiving Yourself and Others
"Soul" Food Mondays || Accepting You
and More!

You can now find HHB on Facebook. Share with your friends:

http://www.facebook.com/healthyhairandbody.

Are You Feeling Stressed?

By Stephanie of Infinite Life Fitness

Are you feeling stressed? Bummed out all the time because of all the crazy things going on in your life? Are you feeling like some days are getting crazier and harder to handle? Well I may have a suggestion that may help you start to handle some of the stress that has been accumulating in your life.

It is that time of year!

I know that I personally know a lot of people who are stressed out with work…with school…with life in general!

There are not only physical benefits to working out! Working out has been proven to have positive emotional effects as well. Yes you may be stressed because you have a lot on your plate or your day is jammed packed with activities already. But the truth is that you need to de-clutter your life and start putting your time management skills to work! Implementing a workout is only 4% of your day!!! That means the other 96% you can spend sleeping…cooking…working…or being busy with all the other things you have going on. If you actively use that 4% of your time in a positive way I can assure you that your overall mood can be drastically improved and those busy hectic days will start to seem less and less stressful!

Looking at the Mayo Clinic ...

Exercise can help diminish your anxiety or depression! This is done by:

• Releasing feel-good brain chemicals that may ease depression (neurotransmitters and endorphins)
• Reducing immune system chemicals that can worsen depression
• Increasing body temperature, which may have calming effects

According to the Association of Applied Sports Psychology (AASP) ...

Here are some PROVEN facts about the positive psychological benefits of exercise:

• Improved mood
• Reduced stress as well as an improved ability to cope with stress
• Improved self-esteem
• Pride in physical accomplishments
• Increased satisfaction with oneself
• Improved body image
• Increased feelings of energy
• Improved in confidence in your physical abilities
• Decreased symptoms associated with depression

It is so important to try to find the correct balance in our lives to help make the days go more smoothly. If you are a happy healthy person, it is suggested that you will be able to get the most out of your days! If you are happy you will see most things in a positive light and if you are healthy you will be able to be active and get more out of your days.

It is suggested to work out about 3 times a week (and if you can find the time you are more than welcome to work out more than 3 times a day!) If you are able to keep up a routine for a long period of time, this will make it easier for you to keep your health and fitness routines and they will become a part of your daily schedule on a long term basis. And you do not have to run 10 miles a day nor do some intense aerobics class for it to be called “exercise”. You can do a wide range of things that will get your heart beat up and gets your blood flowing! You can swim, ride a bike, jog, play sports, brisk walks, or anything that gets you up and moving for about 30 minutes!

So why not try to improve your mood and your health! Try to incorporate a health and fitness routine into your day and see if it is beneficial to you in the end.

This is Stephanie from Infinite Life Fitness. Please feel free to stop by my site for more health and fitness tips!

Youtube: Self-Love Regimen

"Your hair care, body care, skin care ... everything about you is a direct reflection of your level of self love ..." Shanel Cooper

In the video below, Shanel Cooper discusses her daily self-love routine.  The video is really worth the watch, and you might pick up some new steps!

You can now find HHB on Facebook. Share with your friends: http://www.facebook.com/healthyhairandbody.

"Soul" Food Mondays || Put A Period on Your Past

Let go.  Put a period on your past.  Below is a video all about it, by a favorite youtuber.

"Soul" Food Mondays || Addressing Low Self Esteem

Addressing low self esteem. Part I.

"You'll naturally have better self esteem as a by-product of living well."  A major part of "living well" involves fulfilling eight core human needs, according to the articles below:

•The need to look after your body (e.g., eat well, care for you hair and nails)
•The need for meaning, purpose and goals (e.g., set a goal to pay down debt)
•The need for a connection to something greater than ourselves (e.g., God, nature)
•The need for creativity and stimulation (e.g., paint, exercise, learn to knit)
•The need for intimacy and connection to others (e.g., friends, your pet)
•The need for a sense of control (e.g., spring cleaning)
•The need for a sense of status and recognition from others (e.g., recognition that you are a daughter, mother, sister, and/or friend)
•The need for a sense of safety and security

For more insight on addressing low self esteem, I encourage you to read this article.  (Sorry about the format.)

For more on the core human needs, read this article.

Omega-3 & Depression

It has been a while since I've written a soul-related post.  The following may be of interest to anyone with depression.  Of course, please consult with your doctor before stopping any medications or making any other changes to your routine.

"Emerging research suggests [omega-3 supplements] may be effective for people with mild depression or as an adjuvant to medication [1]."

1.  HEALTH SOURCE (2008)
2.  SCIENCEDAILY SOURCE (2010)