Podcast

A Body of Grace

May 2, 2023May 1, 2023 Rachel KingLeave a comment

SHOW NOTES: Episode 37

On today’s episode, I am officially announcing something exciting that has been going on behind the scenes!

My good friend and business partner, Amanda, and I have created a brand new program called A Body of Grace. It’s been a wild ride, but so fun, and we are truly more excited than ever to work with our clients and watch their transformations unfold. This program is a 12 week program, and it is designed for women over the age of 35 that want to lose weight and feel confident inside and out without extreme measures.

In this 12 week transformative program, you get the tools you need to reset your body back to God’s design for your life and feel great once again.

So is this program right for you and how to join?

Check out today’s episode.

Thank you for tuning in! I’d love to chat more about this and any other nutrition questions you have over on Instagram (@rachelmeigsking)!

In this episode, we cover:

Losing weight without extreme measures
Pushing through discomfort to find true transformation
A Body of Grace

LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:

Interested in joining A Body of Grace 12 week program? Book a call here.
Follow A Body of Grace on Instagram: @abodyofgrace
Connect with me on Instagram: @rachelmeigsking
Want your official Caffeine, Protein, & Jesus merchandise? Shop here and use the code “BODYOFGRACE” at checkout.
Want healthy lifestyle tips and encouragement? Join me over in my free Facebook community: Encouraging Christian Weight Loss

MORE ABOUT FEED YOURSELF: HEALTHY HABITS FOR THE MIND, BODY, & SOUL PODCAST:

Feed Yourself: Healthy Habits for the Mind, Body, & Soul is all about learning the key components of overall health based on Biblical principles. When most people think about getting in shape and becoming “healthy”, they immediately think about their physical health: losing weight, making exercise a priority, possessing flexibility and endurance, and remaining disease free. But Scripture makes it clear that physical wellness is not the only area that impacts health. In order to be TRULY healthy, we have to focus on four areas: spiritual health, emotional health, mental health, and physical health.

This podcast dives deep into the tools and head knowledge you will need in order to create lasting results, but it also looks at the element that truly ties it all together – the heart knowledge that incorporates faith in God in this area of our lives and how to apply it when things get tough (and they will!).

I wanted to create a space to let you know you are never alone on this journey. Through years of experience in doing everything the WRONG way, I am here to share my journey of getting healthy from the inside out – ditching the restriction and diet culture and truly learning to treat my body as the temple God intended it to be.

Grab a cup of coffee and join me as I discuss healthy habits to incorporate in your daily life to propel you forward and FEED YOURSELF on your journey to health in all areas: mind, body, and soul!

Exercise Will Get You Nowhere

March 21, 2017April 7, 2018 Rachel KingLeave a comment

Exercise will get you nowhere…without the proper nutrition. Sounds crazy, right? I mean, if you are spending an hour a day in the gym up to five days a week, or you run five miles every single day, you should be able to see at least some change without having to give up the fried food diet…don’t you think?

Not so much.

Various studies have shown that changing an individual’s training or exercise session without altering their diet plan at all did almost nothing to change their body composition. Also, there was less than a 2% fat loss overall total.

Think about how much it costs to hire a personal trainer. Even if you aren’t willing to fork out the money for a trainer, a gym membership can get pricey as well. If you aren’t utilizing the proper nutrition techniques to accompany your exercise routine, basically you are shelling out money AND time for something that will leave you disappointed, angry, frustrated, and mad at your trainer.

But it isn’t their fault at all.

Please don’t get me wrong. Exercise is still absolutely critical when it comes to feeling better, looking better, and performing to your best ability. It helps your energy levels so that you feel like going on trips with your spouse or so that you can keep up and play with your children. Exercise IS important.

My point is that exercise ALONE will get you nowhere. You need to implement not only a solid exercise routine, but also a sound nutritional program. Research has shown that participants that combined effective nutritional strategies with the same training plans mentioned above had almost a 10-fold increase in effectiveness than training with no nutritional program in place.

The results don’t lie. You cannot cheat the system. You cannot make shortcuts. NOTHING is as effective as solid nutrition and proper exercise.

One last note: If your trainer is not encouraging you to seek out nutritional advice, that is a problem. It is almost as if they are giving you a brand new car without the keys. You will continue to stay in the same place because you do not have all of the pieces to move forward.

Bridal · Faith · Happiness · Journey · Life · Marriage · Reflection · Wedding

How’s the Married Life?

September 27, 2016 Rachel KingLeave a comment

“So how’s the married life?”

wedding-1

I wish I could count the number of times I’ve been asked that question over the past two weeks. Each and every time, I smile and say “It’s wonderful! I couldn’t be happier!”

…but then, I am almost always met with the words “Enjoy it while it lasts.”

How discouraging, especially for a newlywed. I have waited twenty-eight years for this. I actually had to wait twenty-six years just to meet the man God made for me. Why put a damper on my excitement?

Better yet, why does it have to be this way? Why does the happiness have to end? Why do couples have to grow stagnant and forget why they fell in love with each other in the first place?

IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY.

Maybe – just maybe – it goes deeper than that. Maybe couples forget their first true love instead, Jesus. Once they forget to put Jesus in the center of their relationship, everything begins to fall flat. Now, I understand that Jordan and I will hit rough times. I understand that we will get angry with each other and disappoint one another. But I never, ever want to enter into the place of constant bickering and misery that I see so many couples in today. I want to continue to date him. I want to continue to love him more each day. Most importantly, I want to continue to grow together in Christ.

Dear friends, I encourage you that if you are in that stagnant stage, do not grow bitter and spread your unhappiness to others. I ask that you examine your heart and have a real discussion with your spouse to make things right. Marriage is meant to be a beautiful thing. It is a true gift from God, and a gift that I do not intend to take lightly. It may have taken twenty-eight years of patience, but from this point on, the smile I wore on my wedding day never has to leave again.

“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” – Mark 10:9

Big Hair · confidence · Fashion · Friday Favorites · Haircare · Self Care · Style · Summer · Transformation · working professionals

The Higher the Hair, the Closer to Heaven!

July 8, 2016 Rachel KingLeave a comment

This edition of Friday Favorites is all about the hair!

As I was doing a little grocery shopping in Publix Wednesday afternoon, a random woman followed me down an aisle and chased after me, specifically to tell me she loved my hair and find out how I was able to so much volume, even at the end of the day. So today, I want to share with you my top three hair care products for maximum volume!

Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Plus – I spray this right at the roots while my hair is still damp, just before drying my hair. It gives my hair just the right about of “lift.”
Spornette Teasing Brush – My hairstylist introduced me to this style of teasing brush, and it has been a life changer! It can be used to tease the hair at the crown, but it can also be used to smooth the down without pulling out the tease.
Kenra Volume Spray – This stuff is amazing! It only takes a small amount, and it holds hair in place up to 24 hours with no stiffness or sticky residue. Use this after you have teased your hair to finish your style.

And that’s it! Feel free to post any questions or share some of your favorite hair care products in the comments below!

Fitness · Goals · Heath · Nutrition · potential · Reflection · Success · Throwback · Transformation

10 Years Later: A Time of Reflection

June 23, 2016June 23, 2016 Rachel KingLeave a comment

My ten year high school class reunion will be held on Saturday. THIS Saturday. Wow, how time flies…

10 Year Transformation

Although I won’t be attending the reunion, the mere thought that it’s actually occurring made me begin thinking of just how much has happened in those short ten years:

I went to college and after FINALLY deciding on a major graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting
I met some of my very best friends
I finally got rid of those 90s bangs…
…and clothes…
I have a career and work with a fantastic group of people
I bought my first car
I bought my first house
I lost 45 pounds and grew to love fitness so much that I became a health coach
I am engaged to a wonderful man who truly is better half, and I get the privilege of marrying him in September 🙂
I found out that I get to add “Aunt Rachel” to my title this fall!
I have learned that “success” is defined in many ways and I continue to strive for it daily in everything I do

Life is just beginning. Sure, it seems like an eternity and just yesterday all at the same time that I walked across that stage in May 2006 and received my diploma, but the truth of the matter is that life has truly just begun. Reflecting back on these ten years makes me realize how precious time really is and that we should not waste a second of it. So my question to you today is this: “Are you spending your time doing the things that matter?” Will you look back ten years from now and wish you had done things differently? I challenge you to stop to take a moment and be honest with yourself. Are you being intentional with your time, or are you just getting by? These ten years have gone by in the blink of an eye. I can only imagine that the next ten will go by even faster.

And by then, I can only imagine what items will be added to the list! 😉

Fitness · Goals · Heath · Nutrition · potential · Uncategorized

Stress Management: Tips to Reduce and Manage Stress

June 16, 2016June 17, 2016 Rachel King2 Comments

To say that I have been a little stressed over the past few months would be an understatement. Between planning a wedding, getting prepared to move, working two jobs, keeping up with the constant housework, and trying to squeeze in time with my loved ones has left me feeling stretched a little thin.

It is during these times that it’s so important to step back and remember that this season will pass soon enough, and I need to enjoy these moments because I will never get them back. Yes, it is busy and chaotic and STRESSFUL, but learning how to manage the stress is key to finding some balance through the busy! Today, I want to focus on my top stress management tips.

Get moving!

Exercise releases endorphins that improve your mood and make you feel better in general. Spending hours at the gym is not the only way to get your body moving. Almost any form of physical activity can help relieve stress and melt away frustration. To experience maximum stress-relieving benefits, you should strive for 30 minutes (or more) a day of active exercise. If this is too much for you, start small and work your way up. Spend 10 minutes doing speed bursts, such as sprints, jump rope, or just chasing after your kids! Once this becomes easy, add a little more time each day. You can also add in little “hacks” throughout the course of the day to sneak in some exercise, such as using the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking your car at the edge of the lot instead of the first available space you see. You will be amazed at the added energy and more positive mind frame you develop!

Once you have incorporated physical activity into your daily lifestyle, try taking on a regular exercise routine. Walking, running, bike riding, swimming, Zumba (or other dance classes), and various aerobic and/or HIIT classes are great choices for beginners. Make sure to pick a routine that you enjoy doing so that you will be sure to stick with it for the long term. If you dread your exercise time each day, you are not helping to manage your stress level. Once you find that “soulmate” workout (for me, it is weight lifting!), you will find that you are more confident, happier, and less stressed overall.

Find a support system

I absolutely do not know what I would do without my group! My wonderful circle of family and friends are there to raise my spirits, lift me up when I am down, and speak words of life and encouragement into me when I feel defeated. Sometimes, just having someone to listen to your pain points and problems helps to lighten the load of the burden you have been bearing.

Often times when we are stressed, we find that we isolate ourselves, making stress much worse. Be sure to continue building relationships and stay connected to your support system during these times:

Have a girl’s night!
Meet for a coffee chat
Go see a movie or attend a free concert to get your mind off the matter at hand
Call a dear friend
Schedule weekly “dates” with your spouse/significant other
Try a new fitness/art/dance class

Some of my favorite ways to engage with my “inner circle” is to meet for coffee on a week night with my girls, go out for Mexican food with a best friend, spend quality time with my family, and spend lazy movie nights with my fiancé! 😉

Learn how to say “no”

Ok, so I admit – My name is Rachel, and I have a problem saying “no.” I always have. I am one of those “people pleasers” that does my best to be accommodating to everyone and everything and help everyone and on, and on, and on….

Taking on more than you can handle is a guaranteed way to add stress to your life – and can be easily avoided. Know your limits and do not stray from them. I love to repeat this phrase when I am wondering whether or not it is time to slow down: “You cannot pour from an empty cup.” If you are running on empty, you cannot do anything to the best of your ability. Remove some things off you plate and do not take on more than you can reasonably do at one time. Invest in a planner and schedule out your days. That way, you know exactly how much time you need to do each task and how much time you will have left over in each day. Eliminating the feeling of being overwhelmed will immediately reduce your stress level.

“There is a bright side to everything”

My family and friends have heard me say this time and time again, but it is so true. If you look for the bright side in every situation, it makes it much easier to handle. Challenging times will inevitably come our way, but looking for the opportunities for personal development and growth will better equip us when dealing with the same situation in the future. Learn from any mistakes made and move on. Sometimes our choices have nothing to do with the stressful situations in our lives, but we should still take the time to reflect on them and use them as a lesson learned.

Take some time for YOU!

As women, we are so concerned with taking care of the people around us, we forget to take time for ourselves. Self-care should be an essential part of our daily lives, especially when we need to alleviate stress. If you are not taking proper care of yourself, you cannot expect to take proper care of anyone else. Schedule your “me” time, even if it is only 10 minutes a day. Go for a walk, take a hot bath, appreciate a warm cup of coffee, watch your favorite TV show, read a chapter of a good book, listen to music – anything that brings you joy and allows you to relax and recharge.

In addition to scheduling your “me” time, make sure that healthy habits are part of your self-care routine. Eat a healthy diet full of real, whole foods and get at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night.

I hope you find these tips helpful and you are able to use them to eliminate some stress in your own life! Remember, you only get one life to live – make the most of it!

Fitness · Goals · Heath · potential

Unleashing Your True Potential (Part 2): Set Goals

June 14, 2016 Rachel King2 Comments

“The greater danger for most of us isn’t that our aim is too high and miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” ~ Michelangelo

I was never a big fan of setting goals. Oh sure, I would spend New Year’s Day writing out a long list of things that I wanted to accomplish during the course of the year. Then six months later, I would find the list and realize that I had not crossed off one single thing. I guess I never really made goal setting a priority in my life because I assumed I would not reach them and that would make me a failure. But the truth is I was failure for NOT setting goals and sticking to them. I was setting myself up to fall short time and time again by never striving to better myself. I was not motivating myself to live up to my TRUE potential in life. I was fine just standing on the sidelines letting life pass me by.

Until one day. One day, I realized that I am better than a bystander to my own life. It was time to get out and live it. It was time to set some goals. Then it was time to crush them. And now it’s time for you to do the same.

The most important thing to remember when you sit down to set your goals is to keep in mind that these goals must align with your core values. What are the things that are most important to YOU? Spending more time with your family? Getting out of debt? Being a successful business woman? Whatever goals you set for yourself should be paving the way to accomplishing the things that matter most in your life. It is also imperative to keep in mind that these are your priorities – no one else’s. You will never truly be happy trying to accomplish a life that you are trying to live for someone else.

Keep in mind that your goals should be attainable as well. Set short term goals that will set you up for long term success. Make weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual goals and sit down to reevaluate them as needed. Are you goals still in line with your priorities? Are you still focused on the things that truly matter? If not, it is time to set new ones.

For me, goal setting has been the key to giving me the drive I needed to succeed. Once I sat down and made a list of the things I needed to accomplish in order to live out my purpose and maximize my true potential, I was filled with motivation to keep going. Once I accomplish one task, I cross it off and move on to another. I keep my list posted where I can see it daily to remind myself that I am striving for something more. I continue to dream big because I know that the possibilities are endless. I may not reach a certain goal within a certain timeframe, but that no longer makes me a failure. It pushes me to try harder, go farther, and unleash my true potential.

I encourage you to sit down sometime this week and write out your list of goals. It is never too late to start becoming who you were meant to be – to reach your TRUE potential.

Fitness · Heath

Unleashing Your True Potential (Part 1): Take Risks

June 7, 2016 Rachel King4 Comments

“Who you are tomorrow begins with what you do today.”
― Tim Fargo

My personal story looks a little bit different from the typical entrepreneur. How? Have you ever heard of a successful female working professional that started out with absolutely zero ambition?

Up until a few years ago, that was me. I wanted nothing more than to graduate high school, get married, start a family, and be a stay-at-home mom. Now, I’m not saying there is anything wrong with wanting those things. I just wanted them because I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, and that was the “safe” choice. That choice would not force me to put in any hard work. I would not have to chase crazy dreams. I would not have to face the fact that I may fail. For an introvert like me, this seemed like the road that would lead to the happiest destination.

By the time graduation came, I was not dating anyone seriously enough to marry, so college was my next best option. I started taking business courses, even though I STILL was not certain what I wanted to do with my life. I felt as if I was just wondering aimlessly. Not knowing my real purpose and continuing to “play it safe” in my decision-making for my life made it incredibly hard to focus in on finding my true calling.

A few years later after graduating with an accounting degree, I came across an opportunity to combine my love of fitness with my knowledge of business. I had no idea if it would work. I was honestly skeptical. I was relatively shy, afraid of rejection, worried about the opinion of others, concerned about making an investment into something that was not a “sure thing,” scared that I did not have enough knowledge to hold my own, and terrified that coming out of my comfort zone would result in yet another failed attempt at living out my purpose.

But I did it anyway.

You see, who you are tomorrow truly starts with the decisions you make today. Had I not taken the risk to invest in myself and realize just how much I am capable of doing, I would not have a viable health and wellness business today. I would not have met some of my BEST friends. I would not have made an impact on the lives of others by helping them reach their true potential. Taking a risk is scary. Not taking it is even scarier. Are you prepared to live with the “what ifs?” Imagine the possibilities when you step out on faith and see just what you can do. Find that confidence. Unleash your TRUE potential.

The greater the risk, the sweeter the reward.