Healty and Fitness

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!!! 

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Have a Fabulous Week!

 

 

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 look forward to responding!

 

Have a Fabulous Week!

 

Stay Healthy!

  I will be 48 this month and I will let you know that I have indeed discovered the Fountain of Youth…YEP!!!  For some time now, I have been enjoying the benefits of this mighty fountain and I must say that it has helped maintain my now 48 year young self.  Am I sitting around drinking secret shakes, popping youth pills, or strapping some contraption that shakes the literal crap out of me to keep me young…OH hell to the big NO WAY…I mean are you kidding me?  In fact, I cringe every time I see ads that promise this type of thing…and the gimmicks that are   invented…OH MY! 

I am also NOT going to be one of those people who hide my age because of hearing this…”OH…you look so good…FOR YOUR AGE”…I just smile as I sometimes whip out my ID when I purchase a bottle of red wine for a special occasion.  I look at life this way…it is an absolute honor to live each day, to celebrate every moment…and I have earned every smile line that adorns this face…so I will proudly announce that I am almost 50!!!!!!  Whoo hoo…YEP…there, I said it.  Now, getting back to my fountain of youth…I would have to say that it starts with my attitude about life.  I am indeed a kid at heart, do not sweat the small stuff, Give my worries to God, and laugh as much as I can…my hubby makes sure of that…he is quite the jokester.

Ready for the next ingredients to my Fountain of Youth…a LIFESTYLE of health that consists of regular exercise, eating healthy foods, lots of water, rest and fun.  YES…it is that simple.  The fact is that the Fountain of Youth does not exist, but taking care of ME through a healthy lifestyle is definitely a close second, and I am good with that. There is nothing in a bottle or on a surgery table that will provide the youthfulness that living healthy does. Each day we get older…that is a fact and there is no alternative…in spite of all the gimmicks and surgeries…right?  What I choose to do is live each day taking the BEST care of me physically, emotionally and spiritually…and that is what keeps me young.  I will probably be dancing my literal pants off when I am 80 and still jumping in a few water puddles…lol.  You see, It is all in how I think about life, and just because I am almost 50 does not mean I am going to put my backside on the couch, dress in frumpy clothes, and think life is half over….NO WAY!  Each day, life is just beginning in my book, with all kinds of possibilities and undiscovered adventures.  I want this body to be in the best shape for whatever adventure comes my way and that will take dipping into my Fountain of Youth every day.

Were you expecting something else from me?  An ooh-la–la magic Darla potion that I will start marketing and available on shelves tomorrow…well, maybe in a way…because my magic is no secret and the best part…FREE.  YES…my Fountain of Youth comes in the form of moving my body…FREE, sleeping…FREE, and of course, I buy my food so that is some cost to the fountain…but remember  I look for the deals…so I will say DISCOUNTED.  Now that I think further about it, I will share that the Fountain of Youth does come at the cost of my SWEAT…but that is still FREE…meaning my sweat.  I should also say that it comes at the cost of physical work, the cost of commitment, the cost of dedication, the cost of planning, and the cost of cooking…but the cost is still FREE…do you get what I am trying to say.  Taking care of ME and gifting myself this Fountain of Youth is a choice I make freely and happily…because I am almost 50 feeling 20 something on most days….and that my friends is PRICELESS!  

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!  OK…I am back from all my holiday festivities and I hope you had a safe, happy and healthy one.  I was thinking about the word “RESOLUTIONS” today and I have to honestly say that I am not into New Year’s Resolutions…I mean really.  Do you know the word resolution in terms of New Years means a commitment to yourself? Now remember, this is me and my life to motivate you and my opinions are never meant to offend…but I do like to make points along the way.  If you have been following my blogs, I am very candid and a no BS person and trainer…I hold nothing back when it comes to motivating you with my life…and to not know me for me…well…that is just hypocritical.  Now…moving on to the subject of resolutions and my thoughts.  I do not need a special day to make a commitment to myself and in fact, everyday should be a commitment that I will be the BEST me every moment of that day…a better wife, mother, daughter, trainer, friend, and in tune with my physical and spiritual self…I am always a work in progress.   Do I celebrate the New Year…well, of course…I enjoy ringing in the New Year with hubby, family and friends…a good party, movie, a toast, or whatever is planned for that evening.  This year just happened to be a cozy movie night at home with a Stay Healthy Pizza and Flourless Pumpkin Chocolate Brownies for dessert.   I hear so many comments about New Year’s Resolutions…I am going to lose weight, get in the best shape, watch less TV, spend more time with my spouse and family, work less, relax more, talk to God more…the list is endless…but this is the kicker…I also here in conjunction…I am going to party my ass off, eat everything I can, drink and smoke as much as I can…because my time is running out to do all those things before January 1^st...OK GIVE ME A BREAK ALREADY…sorry, this is such BS. Soapbox Darla…here I come...I so disagree with this attitude and the sad thing is that the so-called resolutions/commitments that everyone makes are seldom kept and in fact peter out at the 4-week mark…no joke. Studies have shown that the average time that a person sticks to their New Year’s Resolution is one month…so all that eating to oblivion and 15lb weight gain, drinking until liver is pickled, working overtime to stress overload, and TV watching until brain fried and family does not recognize you….is ABSOLUTELY worthless and in fact…an EXCUSE to be negligent with your body. Then the ugly cycle returns every 10 months as this behavior starts rearing its ugly head at Thanksgiving and continues through January 1^st.   I mean…OMG and hell to the Big Giant NO WAY for this 47 year young woman. 

I would not be living a healthy lifestyle if every 10 months I deliberately treated my body, self and family like doo doo.   What would that say for the respect that I have for me, and the example that I set for my clients and family as a healthy person…it would say I had none.  I take my body, life, family and health very seriously and am very passionate about what I teach on a daily basis…so, sorry…the excuse to do this just does not fly with me.  Am I a hardcore do not have anything over the holidays…NO…I have things in moderation and choose wisely…did you read my “I am a Cheater” blog?  Well, this is ME…and healthy lifestyle means LIFESTYLE. 

As far as resolutions are concerned, I would have to say I believe in daily resolutions…changes for the better…it could be as simple as modifying an exercise that does not aggravate my neck or improving a recipe after a flub in the kitchen, to making sure that I say “I Love You” to hubby each day as he walks out the door, taking time to read a scripture and reflecting on that verse, calling my kids, emailing each client something encouraging for the day…well, you get my point.  So, in a way, I do utilize resolutions…and get excited about the positive changes coming from those commitments.  Would I toss New Year’s holiday out the window…NO WAY…it is such a fabulous celebration and reflection of the year that has past and the New Year to come…and a time for me to be thankful…do I think everyone falls into the category of not being true to their resolutions…NO…but sadly, the majority do not follow through.  The BEST part about today is that a commitment to be a BETTER ME and YOU can start right now…and that is a Happy New Year!

1-Crockpot Steel Cut Oats topped with walnuts/raisins

1 Cup coffee with n/f French vanilla creamer

2-Post Workout Shake (the works)

3-Baked Butternut Squash & B/S Chicken Breast

4-Vanilla Whey Protein Balls (2)

5-Lean Turkey Burger on thin bun topped with onion/tomato/avocado

ARC trainer – 20 min

Squats 10lb dumbbells

Dead lifts 10lb dumbbells

Negative Pull ups

Lunges 10lb dumbbells

Pull downs 30lbs

Low rows 30lbs

Body Ball Abs