I’m not much of a breakfast eater. For many years my first meal was lunch. This means that I typically worked out in a fasted state. A few weeks ago, I learned the importance of fueling my body for heavy lifting. I discovered that I […]
40 Days
Usually, this time of year, I practice 30 days of gratitude. Each day throughout November, I post on social media something I am grateful for that day. However, this year feels different. This year my thoughts keep turning toward how many days there are until […]
Conquering Hurdles In Our Thinking
“We’ve already conquered that hurdle, and we’re not going back over it again.” He looked me in the eyes as he reassured me that I was making progress. He’s watched me struggle with insecurity about my lifts. Is there a battle raging in your head […]
How hungry am I?
It’s after 8 pm, and pangs of hunger cause a rumbling in my stomach. It dawns on me that I’ve only had one meal today. I used to laugh at people who forgot to eat. And today, I’m one of them. I’ve been on the […]
What Moves You?
What moves you? My fitness journey began with walking. It’s a simple activity that nudged me from inactive to active, from pain to ease, and from insomnia to restorative sleep. Now powerlifting moves me— squat, bench, and deadlift. What activity gets you out of bed […]
Context Is Crucial
What do you do to delight yourself? It’s almost 8 pm, and I am stuffing my face with my favorite snack, popcorn. Most nights, I offer to share with my husband. But not tonight. Tonight I take pleasure in every crunch. True delight takes its […]
How Strong Is Your Core?
Dear friend, how strong is your core? Our core is our power center. Core strength is crucial in every movement we make. It is foundational for building strength anywhere else. “A weak core is the number-one risk for potential injuries, especially lower-back injuries,” Our core […]
The Process of Change
Change comes in stages for most of us. I remember knowing something had to change but not feeling quite ready. My fear of failing, counting the what-ifs and overthinking caused me to hold back. In pursuit of wellness and honoring our bodies as temples of […]
Find Joy In Every Season
I have my alarm set for 4 am, my eyeglasses broke, and I’m staring at a blank screen. As I go to cry on my husband’s shoulder, he reminds me that I’m doing all the things I love. “You’re taking it all too seriously, and […]
Pray, Sweat, Eat, Repeat
Welcome to Pray, Sweat, Eat, Repeat. I’ve noticed several new names on my email list! So let me introduce myself. My name is Alida. I laugh really loud, and I cry easily. I’m an introvert who co-hosts a radio show. And I’m a worship leader […]