5 Things that Exercise Has Done for Me

September 17, 2022September 17, 2022 Q'ZionLeave a comment

It’s been about a month since I started my fitness journey, and it all started when I began my ‘Physical Education with HOPE’ course. After struggling to complete the mile run for a baseline fitness assessment, me and my grandmother started walking a mile (at minimum) three days a week, while incorporating other exercises (like dancing and muscle strength training) to spice things up, in between.

Even though these awesome changes in our lifestyle are still pretty new, my life has changed for the better in so many ways (even as a teenager) and I’d like to share some of the things that exercise has done for me with you all! Let’s jump into it!

1. It’s made me stronger

Believe it or not, exercises as simple as walking engage quite a few of your muscles. And I’ve noticed that my muscular endurance–or the amount of walking that I can do without getting tired–has increased significantly within this first month. Now, we always manage to surpass our goal of 1 mile on our “park dates” and I always love the challenge.

2. It has increased my confidence

There’s something about creating an exercise routine and sticking with it that gives your self esteem a huge boost. Like you’re capable of anything that you set your mind to. For me, exercise has become a way for me to clear my mind and have a productive rest of the day. Whenever I’m done with a workout, I feel like I’m ready to take on the world!

3. I feel lighter on my feet (mentally and physically)

Even while scooting the results on the scale aside, I can see just by looking in the mirror that I am making progress. Plus, I can feel my progress with how much easier it is to engage in physical activity, both while exercising and doing everyday things. And while most people think that exercise is just for physical benefits, I think the mental aspect is what keeps me the most motivated. While getting a breath of fresh air and working off some calories, I can’t help but feel that much more at peace. And considering that that’s coming from someone who’s always had a happy personality, it means a lot!

4. I’m more productive

Remember how I said that walking has helped me prepare for a productive day? Well, something else that I’ve noticed in the last four weeks is how much more energy I have throughout the day. I’m able to focus on my school assignments even more than before, my attention span has increased, and I’m able to get more done throughout the week.

5. I have a better quality of life

In short, exercise has made me feel happier, healthier, and more productive every day. I’m able to do more and feel great while doing it. Even a little bit of exercise a few times a week has made a huge difference in my physical, mental, and spiritual health. And a healthier body, mind, and spirit make for a happier life.

As you all can see, exercise is a powerful tool that we all need a little bit of in our day to day life. I wrote this post not only to share my experiences during my fitness journey with other teenagers, but also to encourage other young people to get a few minutes of exercise every day! From dancing to playing fitness video games to playing sports, there are so many different ways to get active: we just have to be a little creative! Hopefully, this post will help you do just that!

What are some of your favorite (or most fun) ways to exercise? I would love to read your responses in the comments!

Have a healthy, happy day, everyone! May God bless you all, peace in, and never forget that God is love! Bye everybody! ♡

Monthly Wrap-Up | August 2022

August 31, 2022September 1, 2022 Q'ZionLeave a comment

Good morning, afternoon, day, or evening everybody! This is Princess Q’Zion, and welcome back to my blog! Well, September is almost here. And that means that August of 2022 is about to come to an end. It almost feels like this month went by a little too fast. But, it was a great month–thank God–so I can’t really complain.

Here is a wrap-up of how I spent this August. Let’s get started!

Life Updates

So, I’ve officially gotten through my first month of high school . . . and now that I’ve got back into the lingo of doing my school work every day, I can officially say that I don’t think it’s that different from junior high. For me, entering high school was kind of like turning 13; I felt a little bit more mature and like I was starting a new chapter. But there have not been any drastic changes in my life. And to be honest, I’m super happy about that, because I love my live as it is.

Towards the end of this month, me and Goodmommy have began walking outside three days a week to increase our stamina. We originally started due to a fitness assessment for my HOPE course–but we loved it so much that we decided to walk outdoors regularly. And even though we practically just started our fitness journey, I’m already feeling healthier and happier, every day. Oh, and speaking of my family, it’s been a while since I’ve gave an update on Peace–my betta fish–to you guys. Honestly, I think Peace gets more and more energetic every day. Here’s a picture of him.

This was one of the only clear pictures that I could get of Peace today because every time I come up to the tank, he wiggles so fast that it’s so hard to catch him being still lol. But can we talk about how Peace’s colors have gotten even more vibrant compared to a month ago? Let’s face it: Peace simply *cannot* take a bad photo.

Books That I Read

A majority of the reading that I did this month outside of school was actually around the first week of August. Because in reality, being a freshman is practically the same thing as having a part-time job. Anyway, I’m just happy that I was able to finish a few books, this month, since it’s something that I’ve been working on, recently. Plus, considering that my birthday and Christmas are both right around the corner, I have a sneaking suspicion that I’ll be getting some new books very soon. 😉

Frozen II: Forest of Shadows by Kamila Benko – After a year-and-a-half’s pause halfway through this 416-page novel, I finally finished it. I have to admit though that once I resumed, I literally could not put this one down!
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney – In my opinion, Rodrick Rules is the best out of all of the DoaWK movies, and I think the book was really good, too!
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney – This book was the inspiration of the Dog Days film. And I’ve got to say, it’s probably one of the funniest additions to the series (although none of them compare to the original, in my opinion.)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down by Jeff Kinney – Greg–the protagonist of the series–was mainly just rambling throughout the course of this book. Nothing super exciting happened, since it was literally Greg just jotting down his random thoughts. But overall, it still included some funny moments and made me smile, so I’ll count it as a win.

Movies That I Watched

Pureflix–which is basically the Christian version of Netflix–had been a little disappointing for the past couple months. Like, it was really hard to find something that was actually good to watch. Me and Goodmommy were even thinking about trading it for a new streaming service–even though we really didn’t want to.

But thank God, Pureflix finally had a good comeback this month! So to make a long story short, we binged the new additions throughout the entire month, and we found some really good Christian films! Here is a list of all the movies that I watched this August, and a few of my takeaways from each one.

The World We Make – I think we actually saw this film at the end of July, but I still really wanted to include it because I absolutely loved it! Interracial couples are kind of marginalized in the entertainment industry. But I’m glad to see that they’ve gotten more representation within the past few years. This movie really touched on the subjects of racism, racial prejudice, grieving, and what true love really is in a really tasteful way. I definitely recommend it for everyone!
Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters – A relationship between a father and his daughter is probably one of the most precious of them all. I thought that this movie did a really great job of portraying the ups and downs of that relationship. This one is a strong recommendation of mine for other teenagers–especially teenage girls, because the two oldest daughters in the movie are both facing things that many girls will likely find relatable.
Miracles From Heaven – This tear jerker of a movie–which just so happens to be a true story–is a must-watch for the entire family. Even though me and Goodmommy watched it about two times before re-watching it this month, we still both ended up crying, once again. No matter how many times you watch it, it’s going to affect you, and that’s what I love about this film! PLEASE don’t sleep on this movie–it is truly a ✨ masterpiece. ✨
Why We Breathe – All I have to say about this movie is- eh. Although I appreciated how the movie included a well-represented black character and the tastefully-addressed issue of domestic violence, I didn’t really like the main character’s personality. Sure, almost every protagonist makes some mistakes, throughout the course of a plot, but I feel like the main character in this film made several mistakes without redeeming herself. In conclusion, the film was a good idea, but the execution was far from stellar.
Play the Flute – Although I thought the start of this one was kind of slow, it became a favorite of mine about halfway through. The plot of teenagers who doubt the concepts of Christianity changing their ways and developing their relationships with God was a really satisfying watch. The themes of peer pressure, making our lives count for God, and what it means to “play the flute” (Matthew 11:17) gave me a better understanding about both the Bible and life itself. If you’re a Christian teen, Play the Flute is definitely a must-watch.

My Favorite Posts of the Month

Well, I published a total of 18 post on my blog, this August. Pretty good! These are some of my personal favorites, for this month.

Aaaaannnnddd, that’s all for the wrap-up of August 2022. Honestly, creating a recap of my entire month was unexpectedly satisfying. I would really appreciate if you all would let me know what you thought about it. You never know: monthly wrap-ups just might become a new tradition, on The Joys and Trials and a Christian Teen.

What was the best part(s) of this August for you? Also, is there anything that you have planned in the last few months of the year that you are looking forward to? Feel free to share your responses in the comments.

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! Peace in, and I’ll catch you later! ♡

Run With Me // a summer day at the park

August 23, 2022August 23, 2022 Q'ZionLeave a comment

Hey, y’all! It’s Q’Zion, here and welcome back to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen! I hope you all are enjoying the beginning of the brand new school year; I know I definitely am!

Speaking of school, one of my electives that I’m taking right now is Health Opportunities Through Physical Education, also known as HOPE: in short, it’s like P.E., except it goes a bit more in depth with how we can set goals to benefit our physical, mental, social, and academic health.

This week, we have to submit this fitness assessment, where we do a variety of exercises to test our physical endurance, strength, and stamina. One of the largest parts of the assessment was the 1 mile walk/run. Me and Goodmommy decided to get the job done by visiting a local park for the first time.

I’ve got to admit that before I began taking the HOPE course, it had been a long time since I’ve actually went outside and had a good run; probably too long, in fact. But what I love about the course is it allows you to look at your overall health as is, and use the information that you gather from workouts like this to set goals for future improvement.

Our Apple Watches were a huge help in keeping track of our distance and heart rate, while we ran—and took walking breaks, in between. Seriously though; a fitness watch is truly a necessity for anyone who wants to keep track of their physical activity.

Everyone needs to get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. And while it might take a little extra effort—there’s nothing like taking a walk in the summer breeze.

Walking in nature is such a different feeling then working out in your home. Not only is there much more space to move around, but it’s pretty hard to resist not taking a photo here and there. But can you really blame me? I’ve got to give it to Goodmommy, she found a beautiful park!

And I think one of the things that I love most about this particular location is that it has a lot of statues and other structures that can help you learn about the history of our country, such as past wars and victories. The historical aspect of the park almost makes it feel like an outdoor art museum.

This eagle statue on a podium was probably my favorite of them all. It looks so realistic; I can’t imagine how long it took to make. Plus, can we just talk about how perfect the landscaping is? Now that’s what I call ✨gorgeous ✨!

Overall, me and Goodmommy had such an awesome time together. From now on, we plan on going outside to get some fresh air a lot more often. Next time I’ll be sure to take pictures of us in action. I can already see both me and Goodmommy reaching our fitness goals pretty soon! And I can’t wait to continue to document our journey!

What’s your favorite way to exercise? Also, do you prefer to work out inside or outside? I would love to hear from you all down below in the comments!

Hav a great rest of your day or night, y’all! God bless you all, and I’ll see you next time! Laters! ✨

8 Wellness Tips for a Healthier (and Happier) Lifestyle

August 2, 2022August 2, 2022 Q'ZionLeave a comment

What’s up, everybody! This is Q’Zion, and welcome to my blog! I hope all of you are enjoying the prime of summer!

As you all know, we recently entered the month of August. But did you know that the 8th month of the year also promotes wellness in our everyday lives? If not, then today’s the day! In honor of National Wellness Month, I have created a list of 8 simple tips to help us live our happiest and healthiest lives possible. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get this show on the road!

1. Start your mornings with something productive

The morning is one of the most important times of the day; it’s a time for us to get our gears moving and create a fresh start for a brand new 24 hours. After we finish our regular morning routine, we might as well do something to boost our energy. Stretching with some yoga poses, finishing another chapter of your new book, and learning a new language are a few options. You never know–after you begin to start your day doing something you love, you may even become a morning person.

2. Go outside and get some sunlight

Exercise is just as good for our minds as it is beneficial for our bodies. And that means that it’s one of the best ways to maintain a healthier lifestyle. A quick jog around your neighborhood or a local park is a great way to enjoy what nature has to offer while burning a few calories, before dinner. What’s not to love?

3. Eliminate negative self-talk

Wellness isn’t technically something that’s hard to achieve–but the progress starts with us. In order to transition to a state of better mental health, our mindsets have to be a reflection of that. This means that in order to make the progress that we want, we’ve got to be kind to ourselves by promoting positive words in our heads everyday. It’s much easier to reach a goal when we use our inner voice as an outlet of encouragement, rather than negativity.

4. Get a green thumb

Have you ever heard that people who garden tend to be happier? Well, then that is in fact correct. Multiple studies have shown that plants have a way of helping people feel more relaxed and content, similar to the effects of riding a bike everyday. Plants can even help increase concentration, your ability to breathe, and quality of life. So taking up the hobby of gardening might be a good idea to consider.

5. Creatively eat more fruits and veggies

Although we’ve all heard it thousands of times, we really do need to get our daily intakes of fruits and veggies. But just because we want to make an effort to make our diet more nutritious, doesn’t mean that we can’t have fun while doing it. Feel free to experiment with creative–and delicious–ways to eat healthier. Fruit smoothies, colorful salads, and veggie casseroles are a few tasty ways to spice things up in the kitchen.

6. Create something

I don’t know about you, but it always feels good when I take some time out of my day to be creative. There are so many options for what you can make–whether it’s a few quick doodles, a portrait, a paper craft, or even your own book. All it takes is a little imagination, and thousands of productive possibilities are within our reach!

7. Make sleep a priority

One of the things that we all need everyday is our beauty sleep. Without it, there’s no way that we could get through each day. So even if you find yourself busy as a bee, make sure that when your work for today is done, you get your 8 hours. This way, you can put just as much energy in the work that tomorrow has in store, and feel great while doing it.

8. Stay hydrated

The golden rule to a healthy lifestyle is to keep water in our systems. Not only does water reduce the risk of a large number of diseases, but it also does the basic job of maintaining high energy levels and keeping our brain functioning at its best. Considering all it’s benefits, drinking water is definitely a goal that we should all commit to.

Working towards a healthier lifestyle can be a challenge for some, but with a few simple changes here and there, achieving our wellness goals is a piece of cake. I challenge you all to take the time during National Wellness Month to make a few goals for yourself to pave the way for a healthier, and happier life. Hopefully, these tips were a good way to start your journey!

Let’s Chat~What are some of the methods that you take to achieve wellness? Feel free to share your response down below.

Have a blessed rest of your day, everyone! I’ll catch you later! ♡

5 Simple Tips for Staying Fit This Summer

July 10, 2022July 10, 2022 Q'ZionLeave a comment

In many parts of the world, the temperature is getting hotter than ever. And while there are some benefits to the summer heat, some may find it hard to stay active underneath the blazing sun. Even though it’s hot outside, we still want to enjoy our summer by feeling and looking our best. But the thing is, how do we maintain a healthy fitness routine when it’s over 90 degrees outside?

Well, that’s where I come in: today I will be sharing a few simple tips for how you can stay active this summer, so we can all use summer break as an opportunity to live our happiest, healthiest life.

What are we waiting for? Let’s get this party started! ♡

1. Consider doing water workouts.

Most people spend much of their summer time swimming in pools and dipping their toes in the ocean. And while these are standard things to do to have some fun in the sun, they also can make for a great underwater cardio workout. Keeping yourself fit while working out in the water can help add some variety to your weekly routine. Not to mention you’ll stay cool, while doing so.

2. Drink plenty of water to beat the heat.

If there’s any tip that I could give to stay fit in the summer, it’s hydration. While we should make sure that we keep ourselves healthy even in the heat, we still need to make sure that we keep fluids in our system, in the process. So, make sure you bring a water bottle with you when you work out in the sun. Trust me, you’ll be thankful when you begin to feel some sunshine vitamin D.

3. Work out during the coolest time of day.

Not a big fan of working out in the oven of summer? You may want to consider keeping up with the temperature forecasts. The mornings and the evenings–around the time the sun rises and sets–tend to be the coolest times of day. Therefore, a jog around the park during those hours can keep your workouts cooler and a lot less overbearing with sunlight.

4. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Earlier, I mentioned how water is a great way to stay hydrated. And while drinking water itself is the best way to keep yourself refreshed, most fruits and vegetables contain a large percentage of water, as well. Not only will this give you your daily dose of fruits and veggies, but there are several ways that you can incorporate fruits and veggies in your diet. Salads, smoothies, crepes, and omelettes are a few tasty examples.

5. Consider taking community classes.

For many people, working out is much more fun when they are doing so in a group. If you are a fitness lover who prefers to avoid exercising independently, there are many community fitness classes that could be wonderful options to satisfy your need for socialization. Whether you enroll in a class that teaches zumba, yoga, water aerobics, pilates, cycling, or many other types of workouts, you will likely have a great time working out alongside your peers.

Staying healthy is always important, no matter what time of year. There are so many ways to be creative with what we do to keep ourselves healthy, both inside and out. And I hope that these tips will help you do just that–and have fun while doing them, too.

LET’S CHAT~What is your favorite way to stay healthy during the summer?

Have a fantabulous rest of your day, everybody! See you next time! ♡

15 Things to Do in May

May 10, 2022May 10, 2022 Q'ZionLeave a comment

What’s up, peeps? As you know, we are still in the beginning of May, which I find to be one of the most beautiful times of year. We are in the golden days of the season of spring, and for some reason that makes me want to get out of the house a little and enjoy the beautiful weather.

Just in case you are also wondering what you can do to enjoy the wonderful month of May–before spring comes to an end–here is a list full of simple yet rewarding things to do. Enjoy!

1. Go bird watching. Spring is such a colorful and joyful time of year. Nature is in its prime, so watching little birds fly across the sky as you hear them sing their fluttery songs is a great way to take advantage of the bliss of the season.

2. Have a picnic on a sunny afternoon. Nothing compares to a nice family barbecue or brunch on a weekend in the spring. Eating outside is best experience when the weather is sunny and bright.

3. Take a trip to the zoo. There’s something about May that makes little family trips out of the house so much more fun. A trip to the zoo can give you an opportunity to be outside while learning more about wildlife.

4. Start gardening or plant a tree. At this time of year, plants are blooming all around us, and the colors of mother nature are present everywhere we turn. If there’s anytime to find your green thumb, it’s springtime!

5. Take a nature hike. When you have free time on your hands, it can be extremely relaxing to step outside and take a look at the true beauty of nature. You could even take a few photos along the way.

6. Read outside. What I love most about reading is that you can do it any time and any where. Outside during the spring make for a great time and place.

7. Host a family game night. On a rainy day, you might have to improvise and find fun things to do inside. If and when this scenario happens, a few rounds of Monopoly, Uno, or Twister are sure to pass the time.

8. Ride your bike around a local park. May is a wonderful chance to go outdoors and stretch in the beauty of nature. Why not get some exercise as you look at all spring has to offer?

Related Post You Might Like: Seasons Change

9. Do some spring cleaning. Although cleaning might not seem like a fun thing to do, dancing around your house as you listen to some upbeat music while you clean sweetens the deal.

10. Go bowling or golfing with your family. To be honest, every season of the year is a great time to bowl or golf with the ones you love. But in the spring, we are motivated to go out and have some fun. Bowling and golfing are both wonderful picks!

11. Practice good mental health in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Week (May 9-16). Mental health is an extremely important part of self care. That being said, this week is catered to spreading awareness about the importance of how we are doing mentally. Take some extra time this month to take care of yourself.

12. Visit an aquarium. So maybe you aren’t so keen on going to the zoo. Well, the next best thing is an aquarium. Although the main part of spring is the nature on land, taking a chance to see some beautiful marine life can still be a great experience this May.

13. Write with chalk on your driveway. This is a really good option for those of you who want to do things close to home. Playing hopscotch or simply doodling on the sidewalk can add some early childhood nostalgia to your spring.

14. Listen to classical music. While there are many music genres that are great for relaxation, classical music just gives me a spring-y vibe with it’s energetic and playful beats. I find it the perfect type of music to add to your May playlist.

15. Go to an amusement park that you’ve never been to. Amusement parks seem to be more fun around the spring and summer. And while any amusement park will do, it’s might be a good idea to spice things up a bit by visiting one that you’ve never visited, before.

This list was a lot of fun to write; it’s one of those posts that not only give you guys some creative ideas, but me as well. I think that if there’s any time to get out and about, it’s the spring, which may be my favorite season.

Hopefully, now you have some ideas for how you can make the most of May, while its still here for us to enjoy.

LET’S CHAT~ What is your favorite season? Why do you like it the most?

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everybody! God bless you all! ✨

Let’s end 2021 the right way!

December 29, 2021December 29, 2021 Q'Zion1 Comment

Let’s end 2021 the right way!

– ajoyfulChristianteen ♛

Can y’all believe it? 2021 has almost come to an end. Like every year, this one has had its ups and downs, however, I won’t complain, for many blessings have come for me and my family. Each year I become wiser, stronger, and my relationship with Jesus continues to grow. Every year is a chance for growth, wisdom, and new experiences that help us learn.

The new year, 2022, will be here before we know it. We need to make sure that we are ending this year efficiently, so that way we can go into another year with happy and healthy hearts, minds, and spirits.

To elaborate on this, here are a few tips for ending this year merrily:

Reflect on all of the progress that you made. By recognizing how we have changed or improved this year can help us find a sense of closer and achievement. As well, it can help you identify the things that you are still working on, and can do to complete your goals before and throughout 2022.
Start making resolutions for the New Year. When January first comes around, it can be difficult to make efficient New Year’s Resolutions. Start brainstorming in advance about what your resolutions will be to prepare your mind and body for possible future changes.
Make sure you are at peace with your family. One of the worse things you can start a new year with is a grudge. If you have any hard feelings with any family members, make sure to forgive them and possibly reconcile. Remember, tomorrow on this Earth is never a promise.
Forgive yourself for the mistakes you made. As humans, we are not perfect, and we never will be. No year is without mistakes, so if you still feel guilt for any of those you’ve committed, forgive yourself. Use your mistakes as learning opportunities on how you can improve the next year.
Clean your mind and your environment. A healthy mind is crucial for a productive life. However, something that goes hand in hand with that is a great environment. Clean your home and do some relaxing activities (yoga, spa day, skygazing, etc.) with your family to help keep your home a happy place to be!

Bonus: We Baked Peanut Butter Cookies!

Today, me and Goodmommy did some more baking. We made peanut butter cookies! The cookies are so soft on the inside, and they have hit just the right spot, considering that I’ve had a taste for peanut butter cookies for a while. Additionally, making the little design on top with a fork was really fun, as baking with Goodmommy always is! Spending time with family is another great way to end the year.

I had fun sharing how we can end this year strong. A positive start to next year is a sturdy stepping stone for the future. Therefore, by making sure that we are spiritually, physically, mentally, and environmentally in-check is crucial to making the most of this new chapter: a brand new year!

Have a beautiful day, everyone! ♛

I’ve Been Eating Salad Every Day – Daily Salad Challenge for Me and You

November 18, 2021November 18, 2021 Q'ZionLeave a comment

Hey everyone! I hope y’all are having an amazing day! I just wanted to share that since this Tuesday, me and Goodmommy have been eating salad for lunch every day. Although we had been doing so off and on, I will say that lately, my love for salads has grown!

Many people might think that salads are bound to be utterly disgusting without half a bottle of ranch on top. But I want to break that stereotype!

**Here’s my Goodmommy’s delicious salad! I’ve been having the same thing without the olives and beets**. ✨

Salads that are not drowned in ranch have many health benefits, which include the following:

Allow weight control
Strengthens your bones
Prevents diseases and aging
Makes your skin healthier

And guess what! These are just a few of the many benefits of eating a salad every day!

So, I want to purpose a challenge! Try eating a salad (that doesn’t have an excessive amount of ranch piled on) for lunch every day for a week! Then, comment down below how you benefitted from it, and the difference that you feel!

Eating healthy does not have to be a pain. In fact, it can be a wonderful experience! Just remember that seasonings (but not the super fattening ones) are your friends! 😉

Have an amazing day! ✨

An Evening Stroll – The Importance of Exercise

October 16, 2021October 16, 2021 Q'ZionLeave a comment

When was the last time that you took a nice walk outside? Me and Goodmommy did so today, and I feel so good! It’s really refreshing to get out in the nature and get some exercise. Not only that, but it is also an opportunity to talk to and laugh with your friends and family.

We walked for about 30 minutes, which was over a mile! Even though we might not feel like exercising all the time, when we do, it causes us to feel great inside and out!

Take a look at the pictures that we took when we were done;