Exercise – Zina Hermez

Did you know that eating meat promotes a healthy lifestyle? When you eat lots of protein, you’re able to burn off 20-25% of it, and you don’t even need to exercise! As a matter of fact, you can live a sedentary life and still lose weight as long as you eat right! Do not fear red meat. I tend to follow a paleo and Mediterranean-style diet. Think back to the caveman, obesity did not exist during their time. We didn’t have the faulty guidelines we go by now. Vegetable oil packaged foods are not good for you, six grains per day (as recommended on the USDA food pyramid is not good for you), and fruits are not healthy and okay in abundance because they grow on plants and trees. They contain a lot of sugar. Did you know that in NY City you cannot send your child to school with whole milk? Did you know that they’re given pizza and donuts, though? Saturated fat is not all bad and doesn’t cause heart disease. Therefore, red meat, even bacon, is OK. I have lost around thirty pounds since last year in November. When I first started I was on a strict diet—eating only 1,200-1,300 low calories per day. Now I’m eating up to 1,800-1,900 calories and still maintaining the same weight! And it is not because of more exercise! I make sure to get in meat at least one 4-6 ounces two times per day with a side of veggies. I have two eggs for breakfast every morning. I still get in some sugar and snack (within limits). Eating protein each day once to three times per day promotes health. The nutrients in red meat are vital for me. Iron, B1, B12, Vitamin D, and other nutrients are crucial. You can’t get them the same way anywhere else.🥩🥓🍗🍖

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s recently been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Self-help

Labor Day!🌃

September 6, 2021September 6, 2021 Zina Hermez

It was a nice night for a walk. I’ve surpassed my goals and have been able to walk thousands of feet at a time. It feels fulfilling. I’m not so much obsessed with setting records for myself all the time anymore. I’m more just obsessed with getting in exercise. It feels great to walk and think at one of my favorite spots: church. This was after I went on a little shopping spree, and that’s another thing I occasionally enjoy. I could spend more time buying furnishings and other stuff, but the more time I spend the more money I spend. So I have to limit myself. It’s been a good night.😄👍⛪🛍🙏

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the best selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. Recently she was featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World. Zina’s written hundreds of articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world spanning many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog and Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. Her goal is to help others. You can connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, Linked In, or Twitter.

On Teaching

More Than a Teacher, My Latest Role

August 28, 2019January 11, 2020 Zina Hermez

My dad got out of a nursing home last week (people don’t typically leave those places), and given his age and condition, he could use around the clock help and supervision. So I am wearing the hat of full time caregiver along with my mother and his aide, and I am thankful I can handle all of this!

This new position has required me to practically move back in with my parents (I have not given up my home, though :-), but this is after being on my own since I was 23 years old! My mom doesn’t have the frequent memory lapses, or ask repetitive questions or make repetitive statements like my dad does, but I do administer her medication because she has had more than one slip up, but I will save that for another article.

I am not only an extra set of hands and feet, but an extra pair of eyes, also. I distribute all their medicine, as I already mentioned. I don’t know if this will be a long term thing, but I know I am where I need to be now. One thing I have learned, is that whenever the universe has called you to do something that requires MORE of yourself, do it because if you don’t, you are passing up a chance to make a difference. When you don’t take the opportunity to help, you are the one losing.

My dad has general weakness (due to his heart disease) and he’s on oxygen. Interestingly enough, when I watch him and my mom socialize (more like, hear them from my bedroom where I spend most of my time there), it seems like he never left! You can tell they are happy he is finally home, and I am also!

Sometimes in life we have to make sacrifices, and it may not seem right or even comfortable to make the choice to give up so much of our free time, or to change our regular pattern and lifestyle, but keep in mind that Jesus did not come to teach us to be independent, but to depend and rely on one another!

I have been on my own for so long and have always had an adventurous spirit. I have sought out to get what I can out of life and have tired myself just to make my dreams come alive! I am all about opportunity and freedom. I believe that all too often we put ourselves first, though, and not attend to others. We live in what seems to be a “me me me” culture.

Living with my parents takes me back to my past, and it was imperfect, I didn’t have the best of childhoods. I searched for God a lot before my accident, meaning, I knew he was there, and I strongly felt his presence. But I wanted to understand him better. I knew he was greater than what I was experiencing.

Through my accident, I got to know him, and really saw his love through others. The people who were fighting for my life (my doctors and nurses), family, and friends (who visited) were the ones that helped me during those difficult times! You see, we need each other.

And now is the greatest time to reach out, take yourself outside of your comfort zone, and attend to someone even through a simple phone call or visit. Make a difference!

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored Not Without God: A Story of Survival. Her stories have been featured in various guest articles, medical journals, magazines, newsletters, and 200+ of her very own articles. She works as an English teacher in the Detroit area and has been an educator for twenty years. She’s had the privilege of working with thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s taught at automotive corporations like General Motors, Nissan, Toyota, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz. She’s worked with numerous children and accumulated many jobs. Zina began her own teaching services incorporating math and other subjects. She currently home-schools at churches and teaches creative and structured writing as well as other Language arts courses. Zina’s goal is to help others overcome adversity. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

Writing, Speaking, and Media

Ever think about giving up? Don’t.

July 12, 2019July 12, 2019 Zina Hermez

If you don’t try you will never know what God has in store. Stay the course. We have the capability of improving our lives. Small steps are motivators!

I achieved my goal of walking a mile yesterday! I’m sore, but it’s worth it. I have to keep on going. As I think back, I’m disappointed—this time last year—I was up to one hour straight on the elliptical (doing more than 3 miles). I am not far from that, so I am going to shoot for 10,000 feet.

In the last several months, I have become a full time caregiver, not only distributing medicine, but making frequent visits, and sometimes staying in hospitals with loved ones for several hours. I’m an emergency contact. I’m an advocate and a “scheduler.”

I’m working on endurance when it comes to walking, though, and it’s really coming along. I keep track of my steps on a counter, and I’m increasing them. I’m so grateful for my life experiences, and for the friends I have made!

ed6547f2-71e6-4625-b8c8-0e6d8776c65f-e1562953387204.png I’m excited about an upcoming trip to New York in the fall. I will be going to an event at Carnegie Hall! I will get to watch and learn from world-changers, speakers, experts, and authority figures who have made a difference. I will get to meet celebrities, also!

Being in NY will give me the greatest feeling, and I am really looking forward to it! My hard work has brought me here, the late nights, the lack of sleep, and the pain in my body from just sitting up and writing for so long has paid off.

I hope that my writing will one day have a big impact, and in some ways I believe it already has. I never gave up on my hope of walking after my accident; I was determined to have the career I always wanted, and it is very exciting to see that come to fruition.

We have an amazing God who always keeps his promises so long as we call on him! We all have burdens, to each his own, and they are not here to hinder us—but to make us better—to teach us patience, to be kind, and to love one another. God wants to perfect a great work in us!

About Zina

Zina Hermez is the author of the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. Her various stories have been featured in magazines, newsletters, guest blogs and other places around the web. She has written more than 200 articles. She works as an English teacher in Detroit, and she’s had thousands of students. She’s taught at automotive corporations and began her own teaching services. She currently home-schools at churches and teaches writing. Her goal is to help others, and when Zina is not writing or teaching, she enjoys talking on the phone, going out and socializing with friends, or trying something a little adventurous! You can connect with her on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram.

Self-help

Work on Yourself

August 24, 2016September 13, 2016 Zina Hermez

Are you someone who likes to help other people? Have you ever tried to clean up someone’s mess? I’m a nurturer by nature, but here’s what I’ve learned: you have to take care of yourself first. How do you care for YOU? Pray a simple prayer. Jesus says, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever” (John 14:16). The advocate is the Holy Spirit and He will guide you.

My accident happened at a young age, I kept asking God what to do and all through my twenties continued. He explained every step of the way. For example, I felt Him “nudging” at me to go back to school. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I didn’t know how everyone would react to my wheelchair.

But many students were warm and friendly. I knew I would get through the year. I was able to graduate on time with everyone in my grade. Taking care of you also begins with your health. You have to rest, eat right, and exercise. I put myself on an exercise plan, and I notice that my tasks have improved! I’m sharper and faster. When you nourish your body, you nourish your brain too.

Be an example!

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the book Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She works as an English Instructor and has been an educator for more than fifteen years. Her stories have been featured in Christianity Today, guest posts, newsletters, and medical journals. To learn about Zina visit: http://zinahermez.com.

Physical Therapy and Exercise, SCI medical information

NO Exercise is Detrimental

June 9, 2016August 10, 2016 Zina Hermez

Today I’d like to write about exercise and how important it is for all of us. I’m constantly working on exercise in hopes of reaching my long term walking goals. I go to the gym, use the treadmill, elliptical, arm, back, and leg weight machines. I keep notes on my cell phone to record number of minutes, repetitions, and time.

Doctors say we only need thirty minutes a day of walking, jogging, or some other form of activity to maintain health. However, in order to build muscle, improve drastically, or attain a specific goal it is good to be on a workout regimen. I walk with crutches after a bad accident that left me paralyzed as a teen.

I have taken physical therapy into my own hands because often times in physical therapy, I have found that my best interests were not at the forefront. Therapists often quoted science in response to my hopes, and they put limitations on my dreams of walking based on my injuries. The beauty about having faith is that when you do, you are able to defy science!

It’s amazing how good I feel, and I am improving on my own. I can complete activities that I couldn’t do before, and I have more energy throughout the day! Things that would take longer to complete are faster now. I recommend exercise for everyone. It keeps us healthy, and I look forward to it. I never miss an appointment!

God never gives up on us, we must not give up on ourselves. I believe all things are possible because I have witnessed it in my own life.

On Teaching

A Few Ways I Overcome Adversity

October 14, 2014 Zina Hermez

Tonight I’d like to give you a few tips on how you can deal with adversity, or any challenge you may be going through. These are simple methods that you can apply. I bet you’ve already practiced them before. You may be practicing them now. If not, tonight should hopefully reinforce them a little bit.

What are some difficulties we may face? Loss of employment, loss of a loved one, an accident, divorce, and children moving away from home only name a few, the list continues. Some may practice yoga, some may go away on a weekend retreat, and some may take a vacation.

But these are simple, daily things I do that I believe can also help you. My hope is that you receive something, and gain something positive. If only one of these tips help you, that would make me happy!

Daily Prayer – I talk to God daily. I sometimes read Bible verses and short prayers in the morning. If I can commit to just fifteen minutes a day of doing this, it really helps. I especially talk to God when it is quiet. That is when I can hear Him best, in feelings and in thoughts.

We can read the psalms. We can say the Lord’s prayer. We can light a candle. We can simply say “Amen.” We can thank Him throughout the day via a powerful form of prayer, praise.

Exercise – Exercise or physical therapy is something you should be doing at least a few times a week. If you do not need physical therapy, exercise is still priceless. Find a physical therapist or trainer that can design a safe but challenging program for you. Keeping an exercise log is a great way to track your progress!

In his book The Omni Diet: Lose up to 12 LBS in 2 weeks Dr. Daniel Amen says, “When you are ill or in the hospital, your energy demands go up four times and it is protein your body uses as fuel to repair itself. And muscle is your protein reserve. Studies show that the less muscle you have the less chance you have of a full recovery.”

There are more suggestions and tips I would like to give. And you will be hearing more about them in the upcoming weeks. Let me know if you have any ideas of other ways we can deal with obstacles in our lives. You can leave a note for me in the comments.

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the book Not Without God: A Story of Survival and created the Spinal Cord Injury Solutions! on line website. Zina works as an English Language Instructor, and has been an educator for nearly fifteen years her thousands of students have been from many parts of the world and she’s worked with all ages.

Zina writes articles on faith and overcoming disability and her stories have been featured in Christianity Today, Spinal Cord Injury Zone, SCI Access, newsletters, and medical journals among many other various publications. To learn more about Zina visit http://zinahermez.com.