January 6, 2021
Breathe…
Word for this Wednesday…
All week the Holy Spirit has had one theme with me…”Breathe”. I have been compelled over and over again to listen to the song “Breath of Heaven” by Amy Grant. My devotional is on the theme of Breath of God. It resonates within.
Here’s what I know…
We breathe without thinking about it. Breathing is apart of the autonomic nervous system–things we need to do internally to live that we don’t have to think about. Another example is our heartbeat. We breathe to carry oxygen to all parts of the blood and body down to the cellular level. Without oxygen we die.
God is all around…we experience Him in ways we need every moment of everyday without even thinking about it.
We need Him to live, even if we aren’t thinking about it.
Today, during the day, when you may feel anxious, concerned, overwhelmed or stressed–take 45 seconds (that’s it!)…45 seconds to practice some mindful focus on God. 45 seconds to breathe deeply. Let Him get your mind off of the circumstances and onto Him. Breathe Him in…and find your heart, mind an soul refreshed and revived.
Just Breathe…
Nicole ♥️
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Philippians 4:6-7
January 1, 2021
2021 Strong
If you want to be excellent at something you study excellence. You practice the required disciplines. You show up every day, every moment regardless of how you feel. Obstacles challenging you? Find a way to overcome them by working a little harder, a little smarter and rising to the occasion with a flame in your heart and an unmatchable cadence to your pace. Don’t forget! A smile on your face that cannot be erased!
Every ounce of 2020 has equipped and prepared you for this upcoming New Year.
You’re ready to take it on! 🎉
Make 2021 your best! -Nicole❤️
P.S. I am pointing to my weight vest in the photo. Just like how adding weight makes you stronger, difficulties of life also make you stronger—if you embrace it! Live Strong!♥️
December 30, 2020
Nutrition Tips
When you realize just how valuable you are, you gain appreciation for the balanced importance of self care. So take care, You!
TIPS TO AVOID OVEREATING:
Use a smaller plate. This will control portion sizes.
Avoid having “treats” or “splurge” foods in the house.
Drink water before a meal.
Choose foods which are similar to what you would normally consume, but substitue a healthier alternative. For example, swap brown rice for white rice.
Identify obstacles or your personal “triggers” that are preventing healthful food choices.
TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL WEIGHT LOSS:
Write down the number of calories consumed to maintain a caloric deficit. You have to be in a deficit to lose weight, even if what you eat is healthy.
Determine calorie consumption targets (what you can eat and still be in deficit). I recommed you track your calories with a food journal-on paper or with an app.
Identify what makes it hard to choose the right foods or to stick to a nutrition plan.
Have a back-up plan. This will help to avoid getting derailed. Avoid keeping foods in the house you know you can’t resist. Instead, have an alternative snack plan. Maybe instead of chips, have carrots. Instead of a bowl of cereal, a bowl of blueberries. You get the idea.
Eat well & Live STRONG! ~Nicole🍽
About Me:
I’ve been studying nutrition since the late 80’s. I help people with their overall wellness by guiding my clients in their dietary habits, exercise for their goals and body type, and rest. Balanced living is essential! A component to my strategy is supplementation with only products I use and believe in. I select from quality, efficacy and ample scientific notations to support each formulation.
If you want to lose weight, gain strength and build a strong immune system as an act of prevention, I am honored to help. Contact me at:
https://nicolemcbride.issacertifiedtrainer.com/
August 14, 2020
Love Lavishes
I feel you
Just love people…
People can be a lot.
A lot of emotions.
A lot of opinions.
A lot of everything, good and not so good.
I am hyper empathetic. I feel people. Literally. I feel their heart, their passions, their pain, their joy, their tears. I feel even when I don’t want to. I know what I prefer not to know. It’s a lot to absorb, but I need to know. Why? Because . . .
God is such a Lover.
Anyone, like me, who is by far more lover than fighter needs to know how important it is to care for the mind, will and emotions as much as the physical body. We must train it all.
So know today, I feel you. I shower you with blessings and that you might become saturated with a love you’ve never experienced before. Lavished. Because soul health is just as important to your health as physical, mental and emotional health. The love is what will wash away any void or empty you feel inside even when life is full and you feel slight. Love Lavishes. . .
Nicole🤍
August 8, 2020
Mindset to Move Mountains. . .
“When it rains, most birds head for shelter; the Eagle is the only bird that, in order to avoid the rain, starts flying above the cloud.” ~Unknown
Some of the biggest and best accomplishments this world has ever seen have been done under extreme duress and adversity.
Airplanes rise against the wind not with it.
It is the wind against a sail that makes the boat go.
Don’t turn back when others speak skepticism and lack. Don’t confuse wise and Godly instruction for criticism and do not mistake criticism for wise instruction. If it’s not with pure and loving intentions it’s not God. Sometimes even well meaning advice can be sincerely wrong. It’s easy to criticize. It is easy to see the difficulty in any circumstance. It doesn’t take much effort to be negative, see the negative or speak negatively.
I’d rather be known as one who encouraged, inspired and believed…
Believe big today!
It’s been a challenging year. The Enemy uses tactics to wear people down and out. When you become worn you become weary. When we are weary we stop our spiritual lines of defense. He fail to put on the whole armor of God found in Ephesians 6. Or we may have on our armor but we aren’t postured in a ready stance–shield and sword up and feet planted. The weapons we fight with are not carnal, but are alive with firefly power to tear down strongholds. We must be on the offense, girded and ready. We must be hemmed in right like those 300 soldiers who fought to advance Sparta and defend their borders and each other from the Persians in the Greek mythology movie named 300. When we are weary we are tired and it is so difficult to do anything.
Be refreshed! Make a joyful noise! Stop listening to the excessive negativity and fear spoken through your television. Turn off the news. Close your ears to skepticism and doom and gloom reports. Fear is a liar! This virus, like all viruses, has mutated and it mutates weaker not stronger. People have a 99% survival rate. But fear had wiped out countless people! We have placed our hope in a piece of cloth over our mouth instead of the Almighty. I’ve yet to hear anyone in authority educate Americans on how to eat proper, exercise, the benefits of the great sanitizer called the Sun. No recommendations for healthy lifestyle and wellness. That would help more than any mask! Eyes up my friends. Blaze a holy trail of determined fortitude. Understand the power of Heaven that dwells within you. You possess everything you need to move mountains of adversity. Think big and positive thoughts!
The radiance of Heaven and the power of the Holy Spirit flow in the peculiar and unknown. Live all of life with great fortitude!
~Nicole💗
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim. 3:16-17
July 31, 2020
Safeguard My Heart
Don’t forget to replenish…
The formula for adequate hydration is to take your body weight in pounds and divide that number by 2 to determine the number of ounces of water you should consume at the minimum each day. But what are you doing to ensure you consume adequate spiritual hydration? Just like when we are outdoors in the heat, we need even more water—so it is for our soul as well.
With so much going on in our world right now, it seems a bit like we’ve stepped right into a sci-fi horror movie! People are glued to the news probably more than ever as changes come by the moment. All that news and media, television and social media viewing can become quite toxic.
We hydrate and cleanse our bodies-inside and out. We must not forget to do the same for our spirit. Spend time meditating on scriptures. Be still before God and invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Calm your soul with worship and adoration of the One in charge of everything. You won’t be denied. He is faithful and will show up. Persevere to keep up with what He has to say more than anything happening in this day and age.
Don’t be consumed by anything except the One who has the Power and Authority to consume everything that should rise against you.
Psalm 19:
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.In the heavens God has pitched a tent(H) for the sun.5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.7 The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.12 But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
July 29, 2020
Preserved
Self preservation: by my definition is to shield or safe guard oneself from actual or perceived harm.
Self preservation is innate. Or is it learned? Young children arrive as tender hearted, trusting, naive and innocent. Over time the cares of life opens the eyes and awakens the soul to the dangers we encounter on life’s open road. The more harm done to an individual the more coarse their heart and mind become. The more scars, the more distant and closed to people we become—we self preserve to ward off future potential injury.
Over time, generation to generation, children raised by emotionally unavailable people become even more emotionally unavailable because this is what has been taught…this is what is known. Like endless layers of paint upon a wall, this becomes the tedious task of carefully peeling back to arrive to foundation of the soul. Healing a human soul takes time, patience and compassionate care.
I took my youngest for a scoop of ice cream yesterday as a reward for something he accomplished. We hadn’t been to the ice cream shop since the whole virus began. They had made modifications, as so many businesses have, complete with face mask requirements and plexiglass between the customer and the employees. When it came time to pay for my sons ice cream I couldn’t hear the young girl tell me the total. Between the plexiglass barrier, the music playing overhead, and her face mask—her voice was extremely muffled and muzzled. I made her repeat herself, apologetically, several times. She just glazed at the eye and nodded her head. I could tell I wasn’t nearly the first person to tell her this. She just as frustrated as most.
The voice of wisdom shows me, tells me, what this kind of preservation from perceived sickness is going to do to society. One more layer of detachment from humanity and community and will lead to less unity. Human touch, human interaction, a human smile are all extremely powerful, therapeutic and needed. All are expressions of care, compassion and love. What will become of us if we completely, over time, stop feeling? Stop understanding love and genuine care? It sounds extreme of me to suggest this is the road we are on, but is it so far fetched?
Wisdom always illuminates and seeks with forward focused eyes. Wisdom doesn’t live in the now, she deliberately looks ahead toward the horizon and the outcome of every choice and decision. Wisdom bases her choices on ultimate outcomes, not the emotion—good or bad—of the moment.
Fear has become stronger than this virus. Take a step back. Seek wisdom. Look upward to the King of Heaven and ask Him to shield you and protect you. We do not abandon common sense, maybe logic and the fruit of these dispositions…but we don’t rely entirely on our own ability to self preserve either.
Are you struggling with fear during this 2020 pandemic? Do you a little bit (or a lot a bit) feel like I’ve struck a chord within? Are you isolating yourself, pulling away from others and afraid to interact? I want to encourage you.
Here are a few things you can do to guard your heart and health at the time time without building walls like Fort Knox around yourself:
•Pray—simple prayers can be highly effective at calming and soothing an anxious soul.
•Strike a power pose—Did you know that when you stand with arms lifted up high, torso elongated, and you hold this pose for two minutes you will create a hormonal response in the body that reduces cortisol (stress hormone)? When we praise we raise our hands and worship God, but we are also releasing hormones that calm us! God sure is a multi-tasker! I call this my two minute miracle!
•Interact—Do not avoid human contact. Do not fear contracting the virus. Be smart, but be at peace in knowing this virus mutates and is mutating weaker, not stronger.
•Practice proper health—
- Get 10 minutes of sunlight everyday. vitamin D will be absorbed from the sun and it is a power anti-oxidant (we will call it an anti virus vitamin).
- Exercise. Physical fitness builds your immune system.
- Eat brightly colored fruit and vegetables and eat lean, quality proteins and eat healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, raw nuts, grass-fed butter.
During the time of the Old Testament we read of a man named Nehemiah who was the Kings taste tester. He was officially called the Cup Bearer. His job was to taste the kings food first to make sure it wasn’t poisoned. So we know Nehemiah was a man of courage! The Israelites were in trouble and Nehemiah, being Jewish, heard of this and felt a burden of the Lord to go help the people who had completely let their walls and guard down and had no idea how to self preserve on any level. They were wounded beyond recovery—like so many are within their hearts and minds today. Nehemiah went to the people and took on the role as leader and instructed, equipped and helped the people rebuild the walls of their city. The people were assigned jobs and they worked diligently with one hand and held a weapon with the other.
Those who had been pillaging the people sent threats against them to insight fear.
The same is happening today. It is by far easier to control people who are weak, tired, unhealthy and afraid. I’m not just implying the virus and our media or government—I’m speaking of every situation this bears truth.
Be like Nehemiah. Put on the whole armor of God found in Ephesians chapter 6. Strike a power pose, release some good hormones that relieve stress and anxiety and remind yourself and your God just how incredible and powerful He is! He’s invested far too much into you to allow anything happen to you! Only God knows the day and hour we depart from this earth so let us trust Him fully with every day between now and then. You have tremendous worth! Trust the Lord to protect you and fortify you’re walls!
Your body is a temple, honor it and in so doing, you honor God who made you and put breathe and life into you. Honor him in body with how you treat your body. Good nutrition, proper rest and physical activity. Plenty of sunshine and fresh air. Take slow and deep breathes! We can release good hormones that promote relaxation and remove excessive levels of stress hormones that cause damage to the body over time.
Your body has a beautiful design. Learn to celebrate it instead of criticizing it.
I hope you’ve been encouraged. I want to provide practical and applicable exhortation for your meditation! Today is the day the Lord has made…rejoice! Take heart! Hold steadfast to hope and joy!
—And Shine, Baby, Shine!
~Nicole💗
June 1, 2020
Hope for America
If you need encouragement please read a blog post I wrote just now…
April 5, 2020
Get Fat!
No one wants to be fat, but what are fats and why does our body actually need it?
Fats are organic molecules. They are comprised of hydrogen joined together into long groupings called hydrocarbons. How these chains combine and interact determines the type of fat they are. A fatty acid is a simple unit of fat.
Types of fats include:
SATURATED (solid or semi solid at room temperature)
•Butter
•Animal fat
•Tropical oils like coconut oil
UNSATURATED (liquid at room temperature)
(Monounsaturated)
•olive oil
•avocado
•peanuts
•pecans
•almonds
(Polyunsaturated)
•flax
•fish
•hemp
•canola
•safflower
But let’s focus on essential fatty acids (Omega 3, 6, and 9).
Fat in the diet has a few major roles:
1. Provides energy.
2. Make and balance hormones .
3. Formation of cell membranes .
4. Forms brain and nervous system .
5. Transports fat-soluble vitamins.
6. Provides a few fatty acids we cannot make on our own.
-Linoleic Acid (omega-6) and Linolenic Acid (omega-3)
Do you take Omega Fatty acids?
Here are some benefits;
🐠supports normal blood flow
🐠helps regulate blood pressure
🐠excellent for neuropathic support (brain food!)
🐠recommended for pregnant & nursing women to prevent birth defects and maximize fetal brain development.
Research shows DHA and EPA will help maximize IQ potential!
I took it with all my babies and they all take it now!
Omega fatty acids also aid in healthy weight management and will assist the bodies ability to reduce cholesterol.
So what are you waiting for? This is a simple way to improve your health and be good to your heart. Having a balance of these essential fatty acids in our diet is critical for overall quality of health. So let’s get some fat! And don’t believe the myth that eating fat will make you fat. It’s all about balance.
Advocare is certified mercury free, which is important. Not all omega supplements are. Try it! Here’s a link so you can read about it. If you order I do receive commission as I am a believer, user and affiliate.
So thank you!💚
Eat well, live strong!
Nicole
https://www.advocare.com/9507230/store/product/w2002-omegaplex
*I am not a doctor and do not make any medical claims in compliance with the FDA.
April 4, 2020
Interrupted Life
I’m a trainer. Trainers love fitness. Trainers love weights, and movement, and all things physical fitness. I love my gym. I am what they would call a bit of a gym rat. The gym has been home for nearly as long as I can remember. I have been attracted to physical fitness, healthy eating and muscle since my very early adolescence.
2020 can still be a magnificent year! Get excited!
Broken & Brave 
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