Health & Exercise Archives - Page 2 of 2

#196| Take Care!

July 15, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Have you have ever done any of the diet or fitness challenges so prevalent on Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms?

Log on and you’ll find a number of smoothie challenges, raw food challenges, vegan challenges, vegetarian challenges, squat challenges, push-up challenges, and biking, hiking and walking challenges.

I purchased a Fitbit® Tracker in January, and I accepted the 10,000 steps per day walking challenge. I renewed my gym membership, and I signed up for a challenge to get in 100 workouts before a specified time.

These challenges are designed to help us do a better job of doing what it takes to take care of ourselves. One of the worst things we can do is spend our time chasing our goals, yet neglecting our most important asset: our health.

So don’t just troll Facebook simply to look at photos and read the latest updates. Take the time to look for some healthy eating or exercise challenges. Your health is your wealth – so take care of it!

The Swirl World Team is committed to sharing 365 days of inspiration in 2015. Our goal is to help you stay motivated and inspired by bringing you positive, uplifting images and corresponding thoughts.

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

#189| Cheer Up!

July 8, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

I won’t bore you with a lot of scientific chatter about the correlation between the effect good health bears on our state of mind.

As stated so aptly by Joseph Addison in today’s quote, “Health and cheerfulness naturally beget each other.”

If you’ve been feeling down, take active steps to improve your health.

Get outside and take a walk; jump on a bicycle and ride around the neighborhood.

Increase your intake of fruits and veggies – instead of reaching for some fried chicken, have a nice, fresh salad instead.

As you take incremental steps to improve your health, you’ll see a corresponding uptake in your state of mind.

Get healthy – and cheer up!

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

#152| Start Now

June 1, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Today is the first of June, which means in 30 days we will have lived through one-half of the year.

That’s right – 2015 will be half-way over.

So, how are you on your goals? Have you been able to √ something off your list?

Even if you feel like you’re behind on the goals you set for 2015, don’t beat yourself up about it. And even if you didn’t start, don’t worry – we have six months left!

Just remember this:

EVERY DAY IS A NEW DAY.

SO START NOW.

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

#122| Too Busy?

May 2, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

redcurrant, blueberries and raspberries

One of the things I’m working on is eating healthier. Thankfully, I do fairly well with this goal, yet there’s always room for improvement.

Weekdays are hectic, and if I fail to plan well and have healthy foods already on hand, eating healthy becomes that much more of a struggle.

For me, the weekend is a great time to shore my body up on salads and fruit. It’s also a good time to make a run to the grocery store to stock up on the things I’ll need for the upcoming week – which goes a long way toward ensuring I’ll be successful in eating right during the week.

Berries are in season now, and few things are more refreshing on a warm morning than a nice cold smoothie. Here’s a recipe I snagged from my friend Michelle over at ElleVeg.com. Michelle says,

“The following is my base recipe for a really good smoothie with several variations that I use for breakfast a few times a week.

1/2 frozen banana
3 frozen figs
1 tablespoon natural honey
1/2 teaspoon natural vanilla extract
one scoop PGX Vegan Protein, vanilla
1 cup low fat soy milk (or substitute your favorite milk: almond, rice, etc.)
2/3 cup ice
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
2/3 cup fruit

Blend well on high and enjoy! I try to use seasonal fruits for breakfast or ones I’ve frozen during the summer. Cantaloupe makes a really refreshing smoothie as does kiwi. Need an antioxidant boost? Mix blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Need a bit more energy? Omit the fruit and add 2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter.”

This weekend, I challenge you to join me in making a conscious effort to eat healthier. Try Michelle’s delicious smoothie recipe, and make sure to have a salad for lunch or a light dinner sometime this weekend.

We don’t ever want to be too busy to eat healthy!

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

Copyright ©2015 Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, The Swirl World Inspiration Daily™, Swirl Nation™, All rights reserved. Photo property of The Swirl World™. Smoothie recipe courtesy of Michelle Minvielle at ElleVeg.com, Copyright ©2014. All rights reserved

#118| No Matter How Slow You Go

April 28, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

So yesterday we talked about the importance of taking one step at a time when we want to reach our goals.

I recently got back in the gym and my desire is to get back into my regular workout routine.

Sure, I have to move some things around in my schedule to “make it work,” but I’m determined.

Hopefully you’re just as determined as I am to become more fit and healthy – whatever that means for you.

Don’t fall into the trap of comparing yourself with others who seem to have already reached the weight you want to be.

Take things one day at a time, and one step at a time. Over time, each positive step you take will bring you to your desired goal.

And are you worried that things are proceeding too slowly as it relates to your exercise and workout efforts?

Don’t be! Remember, slow and steady wins the race.

Not only that, take heart in this fact:

No matter how slow you go, you’re still beating everyone who’s sitting on the couch doing nothing!

For more tips and encouragement on weight loss and healthy eating habits, check out Erika Nicole Kendall’s weight loss blog, “A Black Girl’s Guide To Weight Loss,” where she shares everything she learned to go from a 330 lb couch potato to a certified personal trainer.

Want some vegetarian inspiration – recipes, how-to’s and great information? Check out my friend Michelle Minvielle’s blog over at ElleVeg.com!

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

#97| Feeling Stressed?

April 7, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

“Exercise is really important to me – it’s therapeutic. So if I’m ever feeling tense or stressed or like I’m about to have a meltdown, I’ll put on my iPod and head to the gym or out on a bike ride along Lake Michigan with the girls.”

~First Lady Michelle Obama

Feeling stressed? Try exercising to relive some of that tension!

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

Inspiration Daily #9 – Make A Commitment

January 9, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

How committed are you to your own health? Let’s make a commitment this year – to ourselves!

For more inspiration, check out A Black Girl’s Guide to Weight Loss, Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey, aka Beautiful Brown Baby Doll and SimplYounique, who recently re-embarked on a weight loss journey.

We can do this – No, we ARE doing this!

—

If you’d like to share your photos, please send them to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com. We’d love to feature YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts!

How to Have a Quiet Moment

March 30, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

When we were little kids, my Mother developed a little practice that she still uses to this day. Whenever she felt the need to have some space (in hindsight, I kinda think she’d do this whenever she just wanted a nap), she would go to her bedroom and close the door. Just before she closed the door, she’d tell us: “Ok; I’m having my quiet moment.”

My two brothers and I knew and understood exactly what “I’m having my quiet moment” meant. Unless the house was burning down or one of us was bleeding, Mother was not to be disturbed. It also meant that we needed to keep our voices down – or better yet, go find a book to read.

March has been a very eventful month – in a good way – so today, I’m having a quiet moment. I’m sitting outside soaking up the sunshine, enjoying the Spring breeze, and relishing the stillness. My mind is clear; my body and spirit are refreshed.

So, you wanna know how to have a Quiet Moment?

Retreat to your “peaceful place.” That place can be your bedroom, front porch, deck – any place where you can enjoy some uninterrupted time.
Take some deep breaths, refocus, and re-center. Shut down any clamorous thoughts, and shut out any “duty oriented” thoughts that try to creep in. The goal is to clear your mind – the same way you would take a broom and sweep away leaves.
If you’re outside, enjoy the elements: The feel of the warm sun against your skin, the delightfulness of the cool air, the sounds of nature. Remember, you’re having a Quiet Moment – so luxuriate and enjoy those things you normally wouldn’t even notice.
If you’re inside, turn off the television or radio. Refuse to allow yourself to be distracted. Get in tune with you, and release everything else.

Today I’m fortunate enough to have the time off and on all day to enjoy some quiet moments, and I’m taking full advantage of them.

On April 1, I’m planning to post a recap of the events that made March such an awesome month. Rosetta Thurman, blog mistress over at Happy Black Woman, inspired me with her advocacy and example of engaging in a reflection of each month of a year. At the end of the year, you’re able to look back and reflect on the entire year

Even though January and February were a bit of a blur, I captured January because I blogged every day. I blogged every week in February (and made sure to keep up with my journal) so I have that month as well. March is going to mark my “official” start of reflecting on my months, so stay tuned for that post on Monday morning.

I believe I’m going to take BlogHer’s April NaBloPoMo challenge for April, which means I’ll be blogging every day (obviously I’m a glutton for punishment).

I’m so excited and grateful for the things happening in my life – I can’t wait to see what April holds!

Join in the Fray: How do you have a Quiet Moment?

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#196| Take Care!

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#189| Cheer Up!

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#152| Start Now

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#122| Too Busy?

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#118| No Matter How Slow You Go

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#97| Feeling Stressed?

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Inspiration Daily #9 – Make A Commitment

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How to Have a Quiet Moment

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