Monday, August 27, 2012

I AM HEALTHY, NOT OBSESSED

Posted by whatsapp status on August 27, 2012 with No comments

I believe in being healthy when it comes to exercise and eating “clean” for the large percentage of my week. Why do I bring the word obsessed into this picture…well...here it is in a nutshell…just as with anything else, too much of anything or an obsessive attitude can bring about an unhealthy balance in life…regardless of how good it is. If I was spending hours on end exercising, putting exercise above everything in my life to the point of letting it interfere or negatively impact my life, relationships, and self…NO GOOD. I mean really…can you imagine if a scenario went like this…I am invited for the day to relax at a spa with hubby, or attend an important function with my family and I said nope … gotta exercise, or I need to be late so that I can get my workout in…OK…now that would be OBSESSIVE.

I am not saying that exercise is not important, it definitely is a lifestyle along with my nutrition, but I am talking about for example…the old habits of Darla from my competition days, and sometimes modeling where obsessive did enter the picture now and then. Not cutting myself any slack with food and working beyond my physical means…YUCK. What the heck was I thinking…my A1 personality type was definitely on hyper mode during my “obsessive” days. What I am saying is that a good thing can be overboard or “obsessive” and cause more harm than good…in all aspects of life…physical, mental, and spiritual. Probably the worst would be complete burnout of a repeated behavior…my fitness would be a “have to” instead of a “want to”…OH MY and NO WAY. I want my healthy life to be a fun “lifestyle”, maintainable by consistent exercise and healthy food intake for the majority of the time…something I look forward to doing and just feel weird if I don’t.

My Fabulous Friend and Hubby

I am so glad to be in a much more relaxed “older, wiser, better” place with balance and I truly enjoy all moments in life. I am not going to lie and say that I never struggle with letting go of a day of exercise because sometimes I do…the rearing of old ugly habits knocking on my mental door. Thank goodness for a more relaxed hubby who balances me out really well when I need a verbal chat to bring the sometimes “Over Do It” Darla back to reality. Being healthy is definitely a FABULOUS description of my lifestyle…OBSESSED … well, when that word gets tossed my way…I greet it with a Stay Healthy Smile!

IN YOUR FACE MOTIVATIONS

Personal Share: I just got back from a mini vacation boat camping trip with my wonderful husband, son and soon to be bride....and a bonus...I ran into one of my best friends who was camping in the cove around the bend...now talk about a small cove... I mean world. We had such quality time with lots of swimming, great food and overall fun! YES...I we found another waterfall and my Mom will kill me (love ya Mom) as I frolicked about the falls and climbed on a few rocks;) Fitness is FUN and does not always have to be the same routine. I say be spontaneous, be a kid, splash around and laugh so hard that your belly hurts...LIFE IS TOO SHORT! Enjoy the pics and Stay Healthy~

Fun swim and climb to the falls with friends

GREAT FUN WITH FAMILY ~ I AM AN OUTDOOR STAY HEALTHY GIRL

OUR NEW FAVORITE COVE ~ BULLARD'S BAR

Night on the Water with my Son, his fiance and Hubby

Thanks for stopping by my Blog, hope you enjoy the content, and if you have not become a follower yet, I would love to see your face on my friend's list. If you are inspired, LIKE my entry, leave a comment and I look forward to responding!

Have a Fabulous Week!

Stay Healthy!

Darla:)

ENJOYING MY COFFEE BREAK

Posted by whatsapp status on August 02, 2012 with No comments

Charging the Hormones!

The warm mug cupped in my hand as the aroma drifts into my face, a sip here and there as I take in a morning peaceful moment all cuddled on the sofa with my feet tucked under myself…awww…sounds like a hallmark moment, or commercial that will definitely sell coffee…lol…but I am going to bring this to an abrupt HALT. OK…rewind to a few months ago when I woke to have my usual cup of coffee with splash of non-fat French vanilla creamer…ON MY…yes…can’t do coffee straight up, and to my unsettling surprise…REJECTED…OH MY…OH WHY. I do not know if you have ever experienced this, but all of a sudden I needed a coffee break…I mean a break from coffee…sniff sniff. Believe me I tried for two mornings in a row, and the same result…blahhhh…YUCK.

I was even feeling dragged down by the coffee and not perked up as usual…although I only drink half/calf anyway…but still…my body just was not feeling the love for the coffee. I do take a few sips from my hubby’s mug just to test drive and although OK…it is not driving me to grab my own mug down and pour a cup. Hmmmm….OK…I have been taking a break for at least 2 months now and I must say, I feel less tension, some weight loss (which I definitely do not need), and the added benefit of no stains on the pearly whites …at least for awhile. I am not saying I am giving up coffee…maybe it is the hot summer months that has put the kibosh on my morning time with my warm cup.

Studies show many health benefits in coffee and my one cup intake per day satisfied that…but now I will just have to make do with the rest of my healthy meals. I have to admit that when my body responded well to the caffeine…meaning OK…this girl is ready to workout…I enjoyed that. But truly, it got to where it felt like this backfired, and I no longer felt a surge of energy from the small amount of stimulant in a half/calf cup. So…this made it easier to give up for awhile and I must say that I am enjoying my coffee break.

When I feel a lack of energy now, I will not blame it on…man…I did not have my coffee…I can truly say…OK Darla…not enough rest, more recovery after that hard workout is needed, and the biggie as an almost 50 year young woman…HORMONE changes…YUCK. Yes, hormones have much to do with how peri-menopausal and menopausal women feel. I am definitely riding the peri journey right now and doing lots of research as my own health advocate. I will say that I am so happy that watermelon season is here and I am eating pumpkin seeds like no other.

I am not a woman who requires a JOLT to workout, so coffee on hold is OK in that area. I hear so many people say OH MY…I just don’t have the energy to workout without my caffeine or energy drink fix…really???? OK…why does anyone need to be dependent on something to function through a workout…this is not healthy. I can understand the occasional…man do I need a cup of coffee this morning, but when it becomes a dependence to function…not for this girl. I do look forward to when my body says OK…YAHOO…loving coffee but for now… I will enjoy my coffee break;)

IN YOUR FACE MOTIVATIONS

HAVE YOU BAKED THEM YET


MY FAVORITE PROTEIN COOKIE RIGHT NOW

MY FAMILY...I am the goofy one in the middle

Have a Fabulous Week!

Stay Healthy!

Darla:)

Balance, Life, and Vacation

Posted by whatsapp status on July 19, 2012 with No comments

On Vacation!

If you tuned into my last Blog, you may have figured out that I was going on vacation…well…I DID and had a blast…except for the nasty scrape and bruise to my bootie that I am still healing from …talk about a pain in the backside…YIKES…I will go more into that in a bit. Let me just tell you that I am a simple gal and when it comes to our boat trips, I pack light because we are usually in swim suits most of the time, don’t wear makeup…don’t need it and rarely wear it anyway, lots of sunscreen…non-stinging waterproof please, Burt’s Bees lip balm, and my MUST have leave in spray conditioner to get out the tangles from lots of swimming;)…Woo Hoo that is what I am talking about…simplicity as it’s vacation BEST.

When Friday came, I took my watch off and did not concern myself with what time it was for one full week…no time constraint, no schedules…AHHH…such a free feeling to do whatever I wanted, when I wanted without hurry, deadline, and just reading my body for eating times and sleeping…and of course enjoying quality time with hubby, boating fun and the great outdoors. It truly seems like life should be this simple, this stress free most of the time. I think it is important to MAKE IT HAPPEN…to schedule those down time moments to really appreciate what life is all about…it is definitely not about the GO GO GO, and DON’T STOP TILL YOU DROP life…NOT FOR ME.

One of our Coves

Deer Sighting!!!

Did I freak out knowing I was not going to be getting in my normal workouts…maybe at first and only for a second… this girl was ready to go. Actually, I was looking forward to giving my body a rest, plugging into some meditation, being creative with active rest, and truly taking in LIFE. Not that I do not do that on a daily basis, but sometimes, a deeper spending of time to appreciate everything around me is in order. Also, taking a vacation is a good way to prevent burn out by taking a break from the things that are done day in and day out. I come back with a renewed sense of being each time…I LOVE THAT.

Was I going to rebel and throw all my healthy philosophies out the window…of course NOT. Was I going to provide leniency to enjoy things that I typically would not partake in moderation…a BIG YES! Life is about balance, about living, about enjoying, about BEING REAL…that is who I am…REAL. Please do not think that I am some super fitness freak who spends hours in the gym working out, and only eating boiled chicken, steamed broccoli and egg whites…WRONG. Not to say that these items are not in my nutrition plan…but really…if you have seen my recipes, I am very much into great tasting food and lots of variety. Our cooler was full of prepared meals of Quinoa with sun dried tomatoes, lean turkey meats, marinated chicken, spinach salad…you get the picture. We did purchase some Organic Flax Meal Chips from Costco and I have to say…impressed with the quality. Important to intake a little salt when spending time in the heat in addition to lots of water…so a few chips here and there fueled this water girl.

OUR FAVORITE LAKE SHASTA COVE THIS YEAR!

Trail to Water slide

We launched at Lake Shasta, one of our favorite spots to putt around, swim, and create our own adventures. Each day, we did what we wanted and were active by taking in ½ to 1 mile swims each day, having pull up contests off the boat dive platform, and hiking around off shore. Now…getting to the bootie injury…a few minutes of fun for over a week of discomfort…next time I am bringing on the Charmin...lol. OK…we discovered a Natural Rock Water Slide that existed off one of the coves, and although a bit of a hike to get there…it was absolutely beautiful and tropical looking…so many pools surrounded by golden rocks…BREATHTAKING. The end of paradise trail revealed the Rock Water Slide…well, a swim across the natural pool and climb up the rocks using a knotted rope was the only way to reach the top of the slide ... I admit I was a bit nervous...it was a thrill for sure...but...the OH NO ...bump bump bump…scraped my bootie on the rocks.

Water slide! I was able to find this pic online

Accomplished, but man did it tear a half dollar size deep raspberry on my tailbone area…talk about not being able to sit down for a week…there you have it…this bootie will definitely be padded next time. I seemed to be the only one with the bootie problem as I asked others coming off the slide if they hurt their tailbone…no, no and no…hmmm…oh well. I did witness people hiking all the way, and deciding not to try the adventure, but all was good fun…always about the journey. My hubby went down about 3 times…I was happy with my one time adventure especially with my backside burning when it hit the water.

Coming back from vacation is always bitter sweet, but it does feel good to get home, sleep in my own bed, get my ground legs back, and return to my routine. I do return with a renewed sense of self as I shared earlier, feeling content, happy, and even more creatively sparked. I enjoy seeing my clients and firing up my oven for some healthy baking. The point I am trying to bring home is not how I burnt my bum on the water slide, but how important it is to take a step back, slow things down, get out of a rut, change things up, have some fun, and just be free for awhile, even if it is for a day, or even a week. I know that balance is important to my successful and happy life, helps to reduce stress, enables me to clear my head, and spend quality time not only with me but the best part…spending time with my partner, friend, and love of my life. Now that is FABULOUS in my Stay Healthy Book!

Me with my Fabulous Husband, Don...We Enjoy our Healthy Life

In Your Face MOTIVATIONS

Check out the In My Kitchen Page for my Stay Healthy Recipes

Have a Fabulous Week!

Stay Healthy!

Darla:)

TAKING A BREAK FROM FITNESS

Posted by whatsapp status on July 06, 2012 with No comments

TAKING A BREAK

I am walking away from fitness!!! Yes…you heard me… and I am going to enjoy every moment of this week off. Just like anything else done day in and day out, stepping back and away for a short time and taking a break from what I do daily can rejuvenate my body, mind, and provide a fresh stronger ME when I return…like going on a little vacation from your job and coming back feeling like…YES…I can tackle the world.

There are times that my body feels tired, burned out, and there are days that I, the trainer need to be pushed through a workout…thanks BABE for that! I also listen to things like…why is my hamstring staying sore and not recovering well, my sleep not the best, and just mentally in need of a break. YUCK…really…but you know being healthy is not only about how many days I can spend in the gym to push through that hour workout. Life is truly a balance of the physical, mental, nutritional, and spiritual and if one is out of balance…there is no balance. Taking a mental and spiritual break is what I am talking about for 7 days…fun active quiet time of doing whatever I feel, whenever I feel…even if that means hanging out under a tree and watching the leaves move through the breeze…you know the things that we all think about doing…but never do…I AM DOING IT!

Also, I am no longer that 20 something athlete who could leap over “small” buildings in a single bound and go go go it seemed without every really taking a break. This “Older, Wiser, Better” fitness gal is really in tune to her body and I have put some thought into taking this break. Am I going to throw all my philosophies out the window during this week…of course not! What I am going to concentrate on is having fun, still being active but in a different way. My nutrition will be maintained as I always have…that is a lifestyle that to me feels like breathing and I look forward to my healthy meals and enjoy how I feel overall when I eat healthy.

I will tell you that YES…I will struggle and have withdrawals from my norm workouts…maybe even a little anxious about doing this...this is really stepping out of my comfort zone. On the other hand, I am looking forward to a not so structured time of active rest, one that is not planned and methodically put together, but a spontaneous adventure of let’s say hiking, swimming, playing outside (I am a kid at heart), and things like that. So, I am taking a break from my norm, but still planning to be a moving girl…I am not just going to sit on my tush, eating crap, and call that quality rest…NOT.

I AM GOING TO HAVE FUN! Life is about balance and listening to the call of rest, relaxation, and just being in the moment of who I am outside the gym. I have reprogrammed my thinking to know that this will be good for my body and the rejuvenation fabulous for strength and muscle gains. I am not going to freak out or feel guilty as the “old” Darla did for living life outside my normal day to day…I mean really. Thank goodness, I am no longer that chickie. I know that my body will not turn into a marshmallow, become cellulite ridden, and my muscle disappear into nothing…really…come on now…NO WAY. It would take me at least 3 weeks of inactivity as an extremely fit exerciser to start a decline in my fitness level, and muscle memory lasts for months…so this chick is covered and “Good to Go” for this 7 day rest adventure.

I do know that I will appreciate being in the moment as I frolic about in the water, being outdoors around beautiful scenery and just laying on my back under the stars taking in the wonders of everything that is life…FABULOUS! I will feel my body resting, recharging so to speak, and know that when I return to my programmed workouts, it will be with even a stronger and more positive MENTAL and PHYSICAL game. Guilt Free Fun…HERE I COME!!!