Qui 2 Health

Where Do I Start?

Six years ago if you asked me, “Where do I start?” I would have said, “in the gym.” Just go, use the equipment, try a machine.

That was me. I just showed up at the gym, not knowing God had a much bigger plan. He knew my gym workouts to release stress, tension, and all the other “weight” I carried would be the start of an entire movement. A movement centered around the idea, “If mentally you want it, physically it’ll show.”

But at the time, I just knew I needed to get in the gym, throw weight around, and somehow find the answer to my searching — my searching for the next “fix” (as none of the other ones were working).

You see, what I didn’t know back then was that simply taking the steps to walk across the campus of my job site to hit the gym would be an act of healing for me. I wasn’t concerned with my physical image changing; I was looking for something that gave me internal change. So, I got moving, every day at the same time with the same goal: to heal.

I was walking slowly through a divorce and knew my foundation was being torn apart, so I had to build a new one. And my attempts to do so began to work. They worked so well that I wanted more and more. Now, it was becoming a lifestyle.

I started dragging my coworker with me because I knew from our lunchtime chats that she was also looking for the same “fix.” Although she wasn’t going through the same heartache as I was, healing was necessary and the gym did the trick.

No, Qui, it was God. God was the “trick.” This truth lay before me. So, we pumped iron, releasing all hurt, pain,

trauma, and any other thing the enemy tried to imbed in our hearts while embracing this new thing … healing!

After seeing all I could accomplish through God’s power and direction, my goal became much bigger.

MOVE AND INSPIRE

One of my mottos is “all God, none of me.” I mean that wholeheartedly. God literally ordered my steps to where I am today. After God led me to health, working out carried me through my divorce, and I am now being led to guide others to physical and mental health. The greatest feeling is knowing you’ve worked for it. That inspired me, and I knew it would inspire others.

Get moving... with 3 physical moves you can do, too … nothing strenuous, just moves to perform to get you started: Planks – total body strength exercise Squats – if you want nice legs, start here Sit ups – as the center of your body, building a strong core is building a solid foundation A major part of my ability to move and pivot throughout my day is found in my commitment to starting my day on the best footing.

STARTING YOUR DAY

Remember, it’s in the process that you become a better you, and that includes the process of how you start your day. I personally carve out time in the morning to spend some uninterrupted quiet time with God. I pray, journal, affirm myself, and devote time to the Lord. I also take some time to release things I can’t control. This allows me to better focus my day on what I can control. All I can’t control I add to the list of things to give to God.

I’ve also learned (sometimes the hard way) that rest proves just as essential as your morning routine.

REST

The word “rest” has so many layers that its mention actually makes me a bit uneasy. I’m so thrilled that you, a valued MB Mag reader, are sitting here trying to navigate my thoughts, yet to me, an average hard-working entrepreneur, “rest” is like a forbidden word in my field. So, let’s just go to the best Source possible and get into what God says about rest!

Through the psalmist, God tells us to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). He says, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken” (Psalm 62:1-2). He also says, “It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones” (Psalm 127:2). In other words, rest is a gift straight from God, and He encourages us to rest each day as we rest in Him.

Once, when I was having a hard time listening to God’s direction for me to rest, I had an encounter with Him I’ll always remember, a time when God put me on my back — literally! In the middle of giving a class, I found myself ... Put. On. My. Back. Excruciating chest pains ripped through me. I remember praying, God, please let this pain go away; I’ll take it easy; I’ll rest. Well, that’s exactly what was needed — rest. I laid in the hospital for hours reprioritizing my schedule. Life was still happening all around me. I still had deadlines, classes, motherhood, etc. How was I supposed to rest when time does not stop?! Then I remembered I needed to be gentle with myself.

We must listen to our bodies. I make sure I prioritize to-do lists. Everything is not urgent. Know what things are time-sensitive and what you can get to later. Delegate when you can. Do whatever you have to do to REST.

MB Mag readers, thanks so much for letting me throw some ideas your way today. Simply let God help you seize each one, and let His healing for you be your focus. Get moving, and be inspired!

Qui Tip!

HERE’S WHAT REST CAN LOOK LIKE FOR YOU:

#1 Setting your alarm for 15-minute breath work. Sit still, close tabs.

#2 Schedule a massage. Go alone, no conversations needed. Eliminate work, girl talk, and personal life matters.

#3 Netflix and chill. Something funny — nothing that’ll make you think about anything serious or too specific.

#4 Hot showers — my favorite. Go to your local florist, buy a eucalyptus and lavender plant, hang it from your shower head, and BAM, you’re at the spa!

Bottom line: rest is required. You can’t show up for others if your cup is half full. As I always say, be gentle with yourself.

GET MOVING!

1. PLANK

2. SQUAT

3 SIT UP