Category: Faith Journey

Dressing the New Me

I remember when….. always dates you when you start off something like that, but I do; I remember when I was a self-proclaimed fashionista. I don’t know if I was stylish, but had a sense of style, and then I became a Mom. With each lil diva, I fell into a different sense of style. It happens, you change, your lifestyle changes, your body changes and so does your wardrobe.

Getting Summer Ready

So, here I am looking at the summer fashions thinking I am finally smaller its what I have worked for; right? I’m going to go to the store grab an Easter dress and a few things that don’t come in Small, Medium or Large or my personal favorite One Size Fits all (which anyone who has been bigger girls it should be One Size Fits Most). You know the clothes you just pick your favorite color and put it on. The “oh so forgiving” stretchy material and go about your day. Well, here I am again shopping for the summer season while currently in a new life season.

Misperceived “Small” Section

Although, last year when I was hoping to be thinner to shop in the “smaller” girl section this year it’s just overwhelming and I have no clue where to begin. I thought shopping for a smaller body in the smaller section with the old perception that the smaller clothes are better but guess what? Nope, there is not a new sense of satisfaction with the smaller section.

Mama was right, “I hate that!”

The fitting room mirrors are the same in the smaller sections as they are in the plus size section. Unforgiving, unflattering and self-esteem were demoting. So, does that mean that they reflection in the mirror doesn’t depend on a size but depends on a person in the clothes? Didn’t our Mama say that to us maybe once or twice before, I hate it when my Mama is right. In this case, though I wish she were wrong I wish that my outside reflection would silence my inner thoughts.

1 Peter 4:12 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Anxiety Robs Your Joy

I was diagnosed with anxietybdisorder when she was 25 I understand the demon that can turn good intentions into mental breakdowns. Anxiety disorder looks different on everyone and is handled differently by everyone. As of lately, my anxiety has been at all time high. I have a lot of things going on in this season of my life. I have also realized that although my faith has grown in many areas of my life trust, dependence, and reliance. Anxiety is where I allow the enemy to get to me. Especially, lately since recommitting myself to Christ until January.

I hadn’t had a panic attack in years (probably 3 or 4) and the in January before taking my NASM Certification I had a full out, time stopping panic attack before I left to take my test. It’s been a long while like I said since that has happened and I had forgotten how debilitation they can be it took days to get back to my positive mindset and ever since I have, to be honest, I have had a fear of my old friend anxiety creeping back in.

Growing through Disorder

I received two reminders; one, I realize how far I had grown in Christ because my instant reaction was unceasing prayers until the overwhelming feelings of fear, uncertainty, inadequacy and tears lots of tears went away. Second, it was a wake-up call on how I need to cling to God and get closer to Him. The snooze button has been shortening my time more and more in the morning with God, and my life has continued to go nonstop meaning I probably should be waking up earlier instead of later to give me the peace, clarity, and direction I feel I receive from my morning studies.

John 10:10 (ESV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Getting back to my Basic Needs

I am in the homestretch of finishing my associates in Fitness and Exercise Science. I have decided to continue to get a Bachelor’s Degree in the field. I am still training to compete in an NPC Figure Division Competiton in October. I will am teaching a few group fitness classes in the next few weeks, launched my soul project (I do believe it will change women’s lives) Bibles and Bootcamps and I am a mother of a 13,9 and two-year-old and wife of a teacher, basketball coach, and entrepreneur.

Let’s just say my anxious moments are more frequent and my time is more limited which is probably why something fun and exciting as clothes shopping is bringing overwhelming anxious feeling; because that’s what anxiety does, takes something meant to be harmless and makes it so much more. I was reminded that prioritizing my time with God is essential these days.)

Finding Peace in Jesus

No matter what I put on if I don’t have peace on the inside then it is all meaningless.

That shopping trip was so discouraging. I got my Easter dress and decided to try again later. I spoke with a friend who encouraged me to give it another try to see myself through Jesus’ eyes. To find the joy in shopping again, trying on different options, having things fit. Now, I don’t believe I found a special pair of “Jesus glasses” the next time as I looked in the mirror but I do know that a different perspective some time with the Father and I found the joy in shopping again much to my husband’s dismay.

Colossians 1:10 “so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Victory in the Fitting Room

I haven’t worn shorts in about three years; well guess what? I got two pairs. I usually buy very flowy tops because flowy hides muffin tops and is what I was used to and became accustomed to with the forgiveness of leggings and the miracle of compression I didn’t realize that I no longer have a muffin top to cover with flowy tanks. When you wear a uniform of workout gear or over sized shirts and leggings, it’s easy not to notice these things.

My anxiety has been a catalyst as well as a hindrance in the past decade of my life. But as I sit in the fitting room staring at the reflection of a girl who worked hard to get to the small section and realizing that the tag number doesn’t matter. Despite my size, if I don’t turn to Jesus to resolve my problematic thoughts I will never have peace.Regardless, of what I look like on the outside. My point is no matter the size you are now enjoying all the victories and don’t let the enemy steal joy from you that you deserve.

What mental roadblock have you had to overcome? What did you do differently to address them?

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Tags anxiety, body dysmorphic disorder, body image, christianity, clothes after weight loss, fitting rooms, mental health, perception, weight loss shopping

Faith & Self Care Faith Journey Fitness Uncategorized

Tackling Food Fixation

I received this book for free in exchange for a review. Receiving the book has no effect on my review. There are Amazon affiliate links which I do make a commission from. My Full Disclosure Policy

“The Struggle is real,” I know that is a cliche at this pointI read the book, Full, it’s something that continuously looped in my head. I wish I would have found Full months ago, but then again I don’t think I was ready for it. For those of you who have been following my story, you have seen me lose a gross amount of weight in the last two years, but the one thing that although I am growing in daily still have not mastered is my food fixation and motivation.

It’s been almost two years, and I have made some serious lifestyle changes for myself and family. Limiting processed food in my life, introducing a whole nutrient dense diet, consistently exercising weekly but it’s an everyday struggle to live a healthy lifestyle that honors Christ. Just like anything, I am human and not without sin, and I struggle if I don’t lean on Christ for support.

A little bit about my background. I am the oldest of 6 children from a blended family. My parents did the best they could with all of us, but there were some parenting blunders that I wonder if they may have had a lasting effect. For example, my exercise association. My parents didn’t beat or spank us. They would ground us which was only in severe cases, but the there form of punishment was exercise.

Instead of “getting a whooping” we’d have to hold a plank for an unlimited amount of time or run our ¼ mile driveway until my dad (who I think sometimes forgot we were running like maniacs outside) would say “stop.” I know that my parents had the best intentions and wanted to give us consequences for our actions, but I feel that left us children to associate exercise with punishment. I know for years I viewed it as such and there are still some days I procrastinate going to the gym because I just don’t want to “punish” myself that day.

Breaking Up with Old Thoughts

Now, I love the after effects of exercise, the endorphins, the after burn, and the energy BUT I have to pray to get me to the gym. I tell people that my faith fueled my fitness and this is what I mean. I almost always pray before a workout; pray for motivation, safety, energy and desire. I pray for strength to get through that last set and I praise God for a good workout at the end. The end I love it’s the beginning where I struggle.

The same with food. I love food! I love the experience, flavors, I love to indulge, and I still have been known to overindulged if left to my own devices. Similarly, to exercise over the years, I have created an unhealthy association with food and comfort. I also have issues with self-control. I’m one of those “take a little sliver here and another and another. Then, “How did I eat an entire cake.” Yep, I have done that recently. Yep, Miss Health Nut, Fit Girl ate a whole gluten laden cake, and I physically and emotionally felt awful. Physically because I am allergic to wheat and it has an adverse effect when I eat it and emotionally because again I failed to control my desires. I have take orders from a cookie before still after sweating my butt off to get rid of all the extra cookies. So, why? After all, I know, and all I have been through do I still overindulge unhealthily. One slice of cake is excellent and entire cake that I know is going to physically make me ill for the rest of the day is insanity. (Let’s just call it what it is) But it’s my insanity, and my struggle and I bear it daily. That is why I need Jesus.

Stopped Mid Scroll

Scrolling on Instagram one day I found a book that until I picked it up, I didn’t realize how inspiring it was going to before me. I didn’t know that I am not alone until I read the book Full which not only made me realize that thousands of women are suffering daily with food fixation.

The book Full made me realize that I am not insane just deprived. Not deprived of cake or cookies but of the intimate relationship with God that I thought I had. I figured I was fueled by faith. I devote daily; I study the Word, I even can quote the Word from time to time. I often pray so why was I still filling up on a cake?

That’s what Full made me realize and so much more. This book has been pivotal in my faith walk, and as I turned the last page God placed on my heart this must be shared! This book must be applied; this must be your next book study with your FaithFueled Life women. We talk about this regularly in the group the highs and lows of dieting, the triumph, and failures of nutrition and the need and the want for God to be a guide in our life. So, as I put the book down my brain began to a hurricane (I wish I had brainstorms, but they are usually more like hurricanes). The result was our March Full Worship and Workout! Starting Monday, we will be walking together on this journey of Freedom from Food Fixation.

Join Us

Join us as we prep for our March Worship and Workout where we will be exploring Food Fixation and Honor Our Temple through education, discussion, exercise, and nutrition. We are focusing on getting to the real problems of our food issues.

Who’s ready to:
Break up with food fixation
Learn to lean on God
Discuss with others the trials of food fixation?
Learn how to honor your temple

Full contains:
“Revealing 12 biblical principles that can break the power of food and free us to taste and see that God is good, Full addresses questions like:

* Why we need a spiritual solution for our food problem
* How to reawaken a hunger for God
* Practical ways to overcome food fixation

A healthier relationship with food through a stronger relationship with Christ—that’s the goal of Full.

There will be a
Weekly Reading Plan
Daily Scripture Prompts
Daily Discussion Questions
Weekly Workouts (no gym required)
Monthly Workout Plan
Fast, simple recipes (under 30 minutes and few and simple ingredients)
LIVE online support 24/7

What do you need to do?
1.Join Us www.FaithfueledLife.com
2. Purchase the book http://amzn.to/2lJ4v5B
3. Find some dumbbells ( I don’t care how just don’t steal haha)
4. Be COMMITTED to READING, DISCUSSING and PARTICIPATING in the workout
5. Check-In through the week

Are you ready to make lifestyle changes instead of a month to month change? Let’s get to the real reason you’re not getting full and find something more sustaining!

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Tags christian fitness, eating disorders, fitness, food fixation, food struggles, full life

Faith Journey faithfueled friday

Family First

I have been following Amie Heverly on Social Media for over 3 years now. We were pregnant together and she made fitness and pregnancy seem possible. Years later I never thought that someone who inspired me on my fitness journey would be sharing her gifts on my blog. God works things out like that sometime. I am honored to have Amie Christine to guest post today for our final Family First FaithFueled Friday!

WHAT DOES GOD PRIORITY LIST LOOK LIKE?

Over the last few years, my priorities have changed drastically.

As a single mom of three boys, I have come to cherish every single moment with my boys, the good, the bad, the great, the funny, the embarrassing, the ugly, the tears, the joy…

I have taken a step back to evaluate everything I do in life.
Funny how having kids can make you do that…

I want my children to one day to wake up and say,
I know what is right, I know what God would have me do, I know how to live healthily, I know I can do all things I set my mind to, I know that I am strong, I trust God, and I know He will carry me through…. Because MY MOM WAS THE EXAMPLE, DAY IN, AND DAY OUT!

You see, children are precious. Children absorb every little thing. Children are to be taught correctly, as a priority!

Deuteronomy 11:19-21 “You shall teach them to your children, talking about them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.”

You see, not only are your words important, but your actions every day need to be with intention!
Your actions, the way you carry yourself, present yourself, speak of yourself and others, the way you interact, the way you react, your attitude, your perspective, your drive, your ambition….

IT ALL MATTERS!

How you do life, is how your kids will do life!
You may not realize it, but what you say and do actually is TRAINING your child!

We need to be more aware of the words we speak, and how we act daily, to train our children up properly.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

We must must be intentional in how we live out our everyday life!

We have to make these things a priority!

Ok, so…

Lets take a second to talk about priorities.

In this busy world, we live in, it is easy to get caught up in chasing our job, chasing dreams, chasing status and chasing money.

However, God calls us to have a particular order of priorities in our life.
This is
#1 God
#2 Husband/Wife
#3 Kids
#4 Work
#5 (fill in the blank)

Our world today, however, has flipped this order completely upside down. Often we put everything before family and God. When we have time, we get to church when we have time we play with the kids, when we have time we spend time with our husband or wife.

Definition of PRIORITY

plural
priorities
1. 1a (1): the quality or state of being prior (2): precedence in date or position of publication

This means that YOU MAKE IT IMPORTANT! You make it BEFORE anything else in your life.

Ok, so if God calls us to put Him first, and then our spouse, and then our children, and THEN work, this means we HAVE TO MAKE IT PRECEDENT in our life!

Our human nature will cause us to want to do everything else first. However, if we can keep to the God order, EVERYTHING else will fall into place!

Listen, in all honesty, I have had this priority list all backward a few years back. I was chasing my job because I thought this was going to be the way to make enough money to be then able to take care of my kids better. However, my family in the mix got the left over me. They had the last of the energy of me. Not only does God call us to put Him and then our family above work, but merely, I realized it was not fair of me to give my family my leftovers. And so I began placing them first. I started putting my family after time with God.

Listen, as I mentioned before, I am a single mom of three boys. It is easy to slip into the I HAVE TO WORK, “mode.” Because human nature is screaming, YOU HAVE TO WORK HARDER, WORK LONGER, because OTHERWISE, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO … pay for your house, feed your kids, take them on vacations… etc. etc.

But the truth is when we keep FAMILY first… well after God, the rest will fall into place.

When we honor God in His way, then He takes care of us, PERIOD!

So I encourage you to evaluate your priorities. Evaluate, what is indeed coming first, second and third.

God will bless you, as you honor His ways.

God first
Spouse second
Kiddos third!

FAMILY before work…. always always always!

Make the time to make them feel #1, important and loved today!

On your deathbed, you won’t wish you spent more time working; you will wish you had spent more time with those you love most!

XOXO
AMIE

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Tags chrisitan, faith, faith and fitness, family, family first, fitness, single mom

christian mom christianity Faith Journey Family raising family

We Left the World

Flash Back Friday calls for a post that was originally published June 2015! Through our faith we have managed to find a steady foundation for our family to stand. We have lost some friends, gained some and opened our eyes to a new life in Christ. Together as a family we work steadfast to be a light for God in all we do. Although, we may fail we are no longer living in the world that we once were.

I have not always been a mother fueled by her faith. Not long ago, I was a mother trying to raise two little girls to be the best they could be in this lost world. We were living in the world. We were believers but we didn’t have a relationship with God. We would say our goodnight prayers but that was about all I had taught my children about God.

As our family grew from just one little girl to two little girls and then three. A yearning of fullfillment plagued me. Living in the world was no longer satisfying. I needed more purpose, more substance, I needed God in my everyday life. My life changed from needing God in my life; to wanting God in my life. Once my mindset changed life how I knew it quickly transformed.

One day, I decided that praying for God to be apart of my families life wasn’t going to cut it. We needed fellowship, praise and education. I began searching for a church to attend. It didn’t take me long because God already had a home for me.

Guided by Him I went to church one Sunday which was different for me because I was raised to attend church on Saturday. Although, I was raised different everything felt so right.

During the last worship song the Holy Spirit took over. I was filled with overwhelming joy. Then, I felt the Holy Spirit tell me clearly “you are home”. That was the beginning of my family leaving the world and beginning to serve Christ.

My daughter’s love our Church and participate and serve wherever they can. I too serve in the Children’s Ministry and attend small groups and Bible study. I have made fast friends and had some deep connection with some women. My husband is also more faithful and leads our family everyday in prayer before we go our separate ways.

It’s all so amazing what God has done in our lives. My husband once said, “we used to have a happy home but now our home is filled with pure joy.” The difference is uncanny and hard to describe unless you’ve experienced it. My marriage is stronger than ever and I now feel that I am living in purpose instead of day to day. This journey that my family is on through God’s grace is only getting started.

Colossians 3:2 “Set your mind on things above not on earthly things.”

How did you bring your family to Christ? Were you always a Christian family or did you make come from living in the world too?

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Tags chrisitanity, Christ, Christian Family, christian mom, christian mom blogger, christian parenting, families, mommy guilt, moms of faith, parenting

Faith Journey

Finally Listening

FaithFueled Friday

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me

Not alone

Last year, I had a dinner with women from different Christian denomination and social, cultural backgrounds, we discussed a variety of things but the but the topic of God speaking to the women. Each woman was in different milestones of their faith journey. Some for decades others (or maybe just me) were only a few years, but each interaction with God was personal and specific. God didn’t speak with each of us the same way; the method was all different event the tone. I being one of the newbies (not walking in the Lord as long as the other women), was fascinated. I wasn’t the only one who thought I heard God.

Not the First Time

This wasn’t my first time being aware of God communicating to me. Early in my faith journey, women in my bible study I would talk about it, and it made me think of my experiences. Until that dinner, I only had three divine communications of God speaking to me. As I thought about it more, God is directing me almost daily. Now that I have been truly listening to Him I am finding that He is answering my prayers and guiding me, I just haven’t been listening because my mind has been clutter with other things.

John 8:47 (ESV) Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

Discovering what was always there

I find it funny because the years I was lost in the world and trials would come I would go to prayer. Some would consider that good but the only time I would pray is when things went wrong. My relationship with God was not a daily conversation admiring and praising His work, praying for others and sometimes my request. I was placing my order on how I wanted Him to fix my life. Only calling on him when I needed or wanted something and was in complete desperation. Even then when I had no adoration, God was still leading and guiding me. Whispering just small enough for me to hear but I wasn’t interested and never paid attention.

Guidance I can use
Now the advice is different; it’s not conversational, but I am hearing Him more and more, and I don’t know because I am listening more or because our relationship has grown that He speaks to me more. It makes me think, has he been there all along? When I ask Him to have discernment, to make right decisions, to honor and serve Him, is He now answering? Has He been the entire time, right there as I ignored Him, still not sure and no, he hasn’t told me? Like I said, I am not having full out conversations with God. I am deep in prayer more often these days than I used to be, and I am in the Word daily, but I am not sitting around sipping tea and chatting with God.

listening

Acts 22:14 (ESV) And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth;

How do I hear God?

Before I was consciously seeking His voice, God would have to shout at me to get my attention. Like a mother, warning their child from danger. (Sometimes He still does, but I am getting better). As of lately, He can just talk to me. Do I hear voices? Yes, but it’s consistently the same voice every time, so I hear a voice. It’s usually different from my inner thoughts, often interrupting my on-going unceasing mental to-do list and very efficient and to the point. It’s never been a lengthy explanation more like wisely commanding (and not to do bad things usually directional so I have ruled it out as insanity.) This post is also not a confession of my speculation of some mental illness. I feel like it is God answering my prayers and guiding me.

For months, I kept hearing the same thing during my usual ongoing mind chatter of daily to-do’s; “be still.” Although I would hear it, I intentionally would ignore it for nine months until I was forced to be still. Life circumstances kicked my legs from underneath me and sat me down for a few months. Every time I would get up I’d get knocked back down until I realized, “maybe I should be still.” That’s where I began to get to the place I am today. Staying in God’s word, eliminating outside noise (not all of it that is a daily struggle) and being conscious of God’s direction. (Which I am still trying to “Be still” and again getting better at it but still have not mastered it.)

How often do I hear Him?

Hebrews 2:1 (ESV) Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

Now, I hear him more frequently and sometimes it is nice because it gives me and idea of what to do next, how to handle a situation and then sometimes it’s not so helpful because it can be something that I do not want to do. His shouting is less often, and my obedience is getting better, but this ongoing relationship is not completely perfected. I think God’s okay with that (although he hasn’t told me) but He loves me unconditional and has the patience of grace like no other, and I am grateful for that.

How does God lead you in situations? Signs, clues, words, inspiration? It’s fascinating how he communicates to each of us differently.

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