Renew Inspiration Mind Body Spirit

Inhale Exhale Depression Is Real

LatishaFebruary 4, 201816 Replies

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! I really have been struggling on if I wanted to write a blog about depression. Yes, depression is a subject that most people try to avoid, but I don’t want to avoid any part of my personal story. Well, here we go. When my mother passed away in December 2015 my whole world changed. Even though I know my mother is in a better place and no longer have to suffer or be in pain, I felt so hurt and defeated. I truly felt like I could not do enough within my power to help my mother overcome her illness. Even as I write this blog, I just feel some kind of way. My eyes get full of tears and my emotions start racing all over the place. Nevertheless, I fell into a deep depression throughout my grieving process. I no longer wanted to be bothered with the outside world, but I still managed to be a wife, a mother, and work my part-time job. I felt empty inside and turned to reading God’s Word, praying, meditating, and writing in my journal for comfort. I’ve learned so much through this process, but the most important thing I learned was to express your feelings and not hold them in. Sometimes I cried, sometimes I read an inspirational book, sometimes I went for a long walk outdoors, sometimes I just screamed, sometimes I just wrote in my journal, and sometimes I just sat in silence. Through it all, God blessed me with my supportive husband, Elon Porter, who at times did not know what to do or what to say, but he never left my side. You know the old saying find something good in every situation? Well, I found the strength to start my own blog and my husband encouraged me to proceed. Believe it or not, if I would not have experienced such a low place in my life, you probably would not have the pleasure of visiting my blog and reading this one right now. Renew Inspiration Mind Body Spirit was created in memory of my mother, Rosalynn K. Russell and my father, James O. Russell. My parents were so supportive of everything that I did in life, all of my personal accomplishments. If I could help someone else overcome depression or any of life’s many challenges, I am up for the task. Writing this blog is a part of my personal story. No matter what life throws at you, stay committed to your task at hand, reach out to your family and friends for support, seek counseling with a licensed therapist, write your feelings in a journal, but never allow yourself to drown in the belly of depression. Remember, depression is not healthy for you or for those around you. Thank you for listening and sharing this precious time with me. Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

In Loving Memory of
Rosalynn K. Russell
November 29, 1942 – December 19, 2015

In Loving Memory of
James O. Russell
June 12, 1941 – July 9, 2003

Quote:
I have fallen, but I will get up. -Maya Angelou

Inspirational Thought:
You were never created to live depressed, defeated, guilty, condemned, ashamed or unworthy. You were created to be victorious.

Scriptures:
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:14
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

6 Ways to Stay Positive:
• Have Faith in God’s Plan
• Put Everything in God’s Hands
• Practice Gratitude Daily
• Focus on Helping Others
• Surround Yourself with Laughter
• Write it Out & Talk it Out

Walking for Fitness

LatishaFebruary 2, 20185 Replies

Walking for fitness is such a great way to get in your exercise. Depending on the weather, you can walk outdoors around your neighborhood or you can visit your local park to walk through the nature trail. Well, in Michigan the weather can be somewhat tricky, especially in the winter, so I choose to do my walk workouts in the comfort of my own home. One good thing that I have found, is when you choose to walk for fitness, you are in control of how fast you move or when it is important for you to slow down and rest. Remember, a consistent, moderate pace offers good cardiovascular benefits, but interval training delivers those gains sooner and in a shorter workout. Also, there is no wrong or right way to do a walk workout, just get up and start walking for fitness!

walk, leslie, sansone, tone, zone, body, workout — Just Walk – Leslie Sansone

There are many walk workouts to choose from online, but I love to do walk workouts from Leslie Sansone and Jessica Smith which can be found on YouTube or you can purchase DVDs right from Amazon, whichever you choose, just get moving and enjoy walking for fitness.

My favorite Leslie Sansone Walk Workout DVD’s:
• The Tone Every Zone Walk – Upper Body Circuit, Lower Body Circuit and Fast Walk
• Walking OFF the Pounds – 3 Different Miles – Total Body Fitness Walking
• 5 Boosted Miles – Customize your walk workout time and intensity
• Walk Away the Pounds – 4 Mile Burn – Ultimate Power Walk

My favorite Jessica Smith Walk Workout DVD’s:
• Walk On – 5 Fat Burning Miles – Fit in your 10,000 steps a day
• Walk Strong – 6 Week Total Transformation System – Lose inches & build fitness

Here are some additional health benefits when walking for fitness:
• Boosting your spirits and creativity
• Helping to clear your mind
• Protecting you from heart disease
• Lowering the rate of weight gain
• Strengthening your memory
• Decreasing your risk from some cancers

Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s start WALKING for better health and fitness!

Quote:
Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very fast. -Thomas Jefferson

Words of Inspiration:
When you walk with purpose, you collide with destiny.

Walking gets the feet moving, the mind moving, and movement is life.

Your journey will be much lighter if you don’t carry your past with you.

Meditation 101

LatishaFebruary 1, 20182 Replies

According to the Wikipedia, meditation can be defined as a practice where an individual focuses his or her mind on a particular object, thought, or activity to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. Remember, practice makes perfect so make sure to plan for meditation every day. It’s important to start with good breathing techniques when doing your meditation. In addition, create a peaceful and safe space where you will not be distracted during your meditation. It is important to let go of any and all frustrations throughout the meditation process. Meditation, when done correctly, offers one many benefits throughout his or her weight loss journey as well.

Benefits of meditation includes, but not limited to:
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Reduces impulsivity, cravings, and addictions
• Increases resilience in hard times
• Increases happiness and optimism
• Helps create loving, harmonious relationships
• Increases focus, creativity, and life satisfaction
• Increases memory, compassion, and productivity
• Produces a deep state of peace and well-being

How to Meditate:
• Sit Still – Just sit still and close your eyes – Outer stillness will lead to inner stillness
• Relax – It’s not a process – You just let go and surrender
• Pay Attention – To nothing in particular – Just be awake and focus on self-awareness

Quote:
The thing about meditation is: You become more and more you -David Lynch

I AM GROUNDED
My spirit is grounded deep in the earth.
I am calm, strong, centered and peaceful.
I am able to let go of fear and trust that I am eternally safe.
I am worthy of all things BEAUTIFUL.
Written by – Carly Marie

Stay Inspired – SMART Goals

LatishaJanuary 24, 20186 Replies

Some people are inspired to dance, to sing, to draw, to become a doctor, an engineer, a teacher, an entrepreneur, to do mission work, to lose weight, to be great parents, and even to be the President of the United States. In order to stay inspired you have to give and receive remarkable influence. You have to work hard and show your passion for whatever you set your heart out to do. You have to surround yourself with like-minded individuals so you will feel the positive synergy and be infused with fresh energy. I have decided to become a blogger which means I have a passion to write and to express my thoughts on paper. I love to encourage and help others to reach his or her full potential. There has to be a fire within you in order for you to strive to reach your goals. You have to think positive and plan for success. Well, how do you start? First, you should set some personal goals for yourself. However, not just any kind of goals, make sure you set SMART goals for yourself.

S – Specific – Well defined so that anyone can understand the goal
M – Measurable – Needs to have parameters in order to know if the goal was achieved
A – Attainable – Must be a realistic goal that challenges you
R – Relevant – Make sure the goal is consistent with your other goals and will aid you in achieving your long-term goal
T – Time Oriented – Create a time frame for when you want to accomplish your goal

Here are some examples:

Simple Goal – I want to improve my health.
Smart Goal – I will improve my health by eating 60 grams of protein and drinking 64oz of water every day.

Simple Goal – I want to lose weight.
Smart Goal – I want to lose 25 pounds by July 31, 2018 by increasing my cardio activity and decreasing my calorie intake.

Simple Goal – I want to change my lifestyle.
Smart Goal – I will improve my lifestyle by making conscious food decisions at every meal while focusing on protein and fresh veggies.

Simple Goal – I want to be at my ideal weight.
Smart Goal – I will achieve my ideal weight (190 pounds) by December 31, 2018.

Next, you need to write down your goals to clarify and strengthen your daily intentions. Break down your goals into small and manageable steps to overcome any anxiety you may have. Hold yourself accountable by maintaining focus and discipline throughout your weight loss process. Rewarding yourself will help reinforce the positive actions you’ve taken so you can continue doing it every day. Effective systems and habits make it easier for you to accomplish your goals on a regular basis. Simply put, your success is found in your daily routine.

Motivation for Weight Loss

LatishaJanuary 18, 20182 Replies

Despite your personal commitment and determination to succeed, it is hard to stay motivated when you commit to weight loss. There are so many barriers, such as family obligations, tight budget, crazy work schedule, no time to exercise, fail to preplan meals, etc. We can find excuse after excuse to not stay on track. Well, I have some suggestions to get you motivated today, tomorrow, and forever more.

First, change your way of thinking and know that motivation begins with you. Believe in yourself and become your own cheerleader throughout your journey.

Second, create a Weight Loss Journal and write down your personal weight loss goals, both short-term and long-term. Also, include your starting weight, exercises, motivational pictures, and inspirational quotes.

Third, find time for prayer and meditation throughout your journey. It is important for you to have a clear mind in order for you to focus on the total weight loss experience from head to toe. Now, I am not saying that this journey will be an easy one, but with your personal commitment, a changed mindset, and planning, you can set your self up for quite the experience.

Fourth, give yourself a pep talk and/or compliment yourself at least once a day. For example, look in the mirror and say “I believe in the person I’m becoming” or “I am beautiful, inside and out so I will eat write and exercise today”.

Fifth, surround yourself with supportive and like minded individuals. For example, join a local gym, take a class at your local recreation center, schedule workouts with family or friends, join groups on social media, and read uplifting blogs like this one everyday.

Finally, remember that your weight loss success is found in your daily routine, not in excuses.

Here’s a few quotes to help renew inspiration within you on today.

MIND: Rule your mind or it will rule you. ~Buddha

BODY: Embrace & love your body. It’s the most amazing thing you will ever own.

SPIRIT: Water your roots, so your soul can blossom.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

LatishaJanuary 15, 20184 Replies

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an American federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King’s birthday, January 15. The campaign for a federal holiday in Martin Luther King Jr.’s honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. Despite opposition from various US states, President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was observed three years later. Unfortunately, some states resisted observing the holiday, so it was officially observed inall 50 states for the first time in 2000.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a strong spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. Martin Luther King Jr. helped to change many unfair laws and showed us how important it is to love and respect each other despite the skin color. During his time on Earth, he fought many discrimination battles, led many dangerous protests and marches, where black people were beat, called racial slurs, bitten by dogs, sprayed with powerful water hoses and sometimes killed. Often times, black people were arrested for participating in these widespread events trying to fight for equality in America.

I often wonder what Martin Luther King Jr. would say today if he was still here on Earth. Black and white people are able to attend the same schools, eat at the same restaurants, live in the same neighborhoods, shop at the same stores, drink from the same water fountains, but yet we are still divided as Americans.

Where do we go from here? Well, we can start by reading and learning about our black history. It is important to know what happened to our ancestors in the past so we can grow and learn in order to move forward. We need to teach our children about history facts, responsibility, reality for what we know it to be, and how to stand for what is right. I don’t know about you, but I know for a fact that racism is alive and well in America and abroad. Not only what you read about in the local newspaper or watch on your local news, but I have experienced racism first hand. You cannot change a person’s heart and how they were taught to feel about you because of the color of your skin. I don’t try to change people’s thoughts about me, but I do live my life as an example of how an American should live every day, not just on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Step Out on Faith

LatishaJanuary 14, 20184 Replies

Have you ever just stopped to listen to your mind, body, and spirit? Now, come on I need you to be honest with me. Sometimes we have to take a moment to reflect on our lives and those individuals who surround us day to day. It is also important to think about what really makes us happy as we approach our personal goals in life. Do we wake up each day to strive to be better than yesterday or just to be mediocre? Do we strive to help others achieve his or her goals or are we selfish? Do we always put the needs of others (family and friends) before our own? If you answered YES to any of these questions it is not uncommon.

I have come to a point in my life where I want to do something that I have never done before. Believe it or not, you are reading it right now, this very moment. I have decided to step out on faith to pursue a blogging career. I have always enjoyed writing in my journal, but I recently began writing to comfort my soul when my mother passed away in December 2015. This was a dark time for me, but writing allowed me to capture my feelings on paper and allowed my tears to flow freely. Writing offered me a new way of looking at life. Yes, I am sad and I will truly miss my mother’s presence here on Earth, but I have a new inner strength that is scratching to get out in order to help others overcome his or her fears.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am nervous about the new venture, but I am determined to succeed in all that I do in life. Yes, that means my new blogging career as well. I love to learn new things and I cannot wait to see what my new passion has in store for me. I hope you are ready for the fun and motivational adventure that we are off to explore. Come on, don’t be shy. I would love to have you stop by and visit often so we can encourage one another throughout this journey, we call life. Until next time, live…love…laugh…CELEBRATE life every day!