HEALTHY AND FIT IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE

When it comes to getting a healthy fit body, it is not about making it complicated, extreme, and it is far from a science project.  There are so many confusing messages hitting us square in the face about the �right� diet and the �right� fitness fad exercise program to create what we so long to become.  Even further, people rush in droves overspending on pills, powders, gimmicks, videos, extreme fitness programs, and anything that promises a smoking hot body in two weeks or less.  Sadder still, there is no consideration of the negative effects on the body when such choices are made.  It is the dive blind and hope for the best philosophy and that would scare the crap out of me.

Think about the word health and what that means to you personally. I live a life of health and fitness and teach it as a lifestyle of quality that includes eating healthy foods, exercise and stretch on a regular basis.  It is also important to reduce pain in our bodies, and stress in our lives overall.  Lastly, I touch on the areas of emotional and spiritual health and wrap health up in a balanced package of physical, nutritional, emotional and spiritual well-being. There is nothing blind about the correct approach to adopting a healthy lifestyle and achieving that smoking hot body.

We all have the potential to create our best healthy body, but fall short when we slip through the cracks of empty promises and seek out the quick fixes that are never guaranteed.  What is guaranteed and will provide the results of good health and fitness are our individual choices to live a healthy life each day. This process is not rocket science but getting back to the basics of simple living.  Eating healthy has become such a complicated subject of what to eat, when to eat, why to eat and the same is true with exercise as everyone preaches the �my way is the only way� agendas. 

Let�s consider how to make healthy simple and work for each of us.  I like to start by writing down healthy foods that I enjoy eating: lean chicken, fish, peaches, plums, raw nuts, fresh vegetables, yogurts, and chocolate for example. I do the same thing with my exercise programs: ARC trainer, HIIT programs, dancing, stretching, and weight training to name a few.  I keep my cooking simple and healthy using olive and coconut oils, lots of spices, and herbs.  I exercise for no more than an hour 4 to 5 times per week, and make it a goal to get plenty of rest.  There is nothing magic about what works for me and I create my healthy lifestyle around what I enjoy.  If the focus is on simple, healthy, and fun, the results of that lifestyle will be seen on the outside as well as the inside.

Adopting a physical healthy lifestyle is not extreme, is not meant to hurt our bodies but a gift of moving our bodies in a way to challenge and build a stronger self.  There has been some trial and error as I have walked through the types of exercises that work best for my body, that continue to challenge me, but eliminate or greatly reduce risk of injury.  I may try something and feel aggravation and not that good sore that occurs from a great workout, and that is my body�s way of telling me not to do that move.  I simply remove what does not work for me, and keep what does.  My workouts will not be your workouts, and I do not buy into that philosophy of there is only one right way. Life and health does not work like that and I say run from any fitness professional who preaches that agenda. 

The same goes with adopting a healthy eating routine.  There is never a �one-size-fit� all program, we all have different tastes, and I hope we are all steering clear of foods that upset our systems. Our bodies are wonderful machines that know exactly what to do with the food we consume, and honestly, we are all adults with common sense enough to know that if we continue to eat like crap, we will feel like crap, and our bodies will be wearing the consequences.  There are no pills, potions, or exercise programs that will take away the results of poor eating habits.  It is important to realize that although science is at work in our bodies every day, when it comes to adopting a healthy lifestyle, let�s leave the rocket science where it belongs and get real with keeping it simple.

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Be well and Stay Healthy

DITCH THE BITCH

Life is hard and challenges are put in our path almost daily.  It is those life events that occur over several days, months, or even years that can zap the crap out of us.  I realize that it can be difficult to remain positive or refrain from �bitching� for lack of a better word about the circumstances of life that can bring us down.  I have journeyed through the ups and downs of what has felt like huge ocean waves and have been brought to my knees on several occasions, and yes, I am guilty of a bitch or two or more. It can feel frustrating, hurtful, painful, and unfair when we are tossed into the sea of confused human emotion and circumstances.

What I will share is that �bitching� about it will not change a thing, and in fact, usually makes life feel worse as negative emotions try to take over our very being.  This is when we tend to lash out, make poor choices, and even grab for those comfort foods that are supposed to fix everything when life feels bigger than us.  Life does not come with an �easy� button, but our successes in life are achieved through how well we weather the storms that slap up us in the face and knock us on our butts. 

It is one thing to be physically strong, but I will share that mental strength is what will carry us through life.  Life is �10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it� so if we are bitching about the circumstances and wearing that �why me?� attitude, that eliminates all possibilities to learn and grow from the situation.   �Why or poor� me creates a life of bitterness and resentment, and can scar deep and for many years.  Looking at a situation and saying �I do not like this, BUT what can I learn from this to become a better person� will bless our lives in so many ways.  We will never be able to see the end game and that is where faith comes into the picture.  We can help with the outcome through our attitude however.  If we �Ditch the Bitch� and take on a mental game of �I CAN get through this� no matter what, then you have won already. 

This applies to all areas of life including getting healthy, weight loss, illness, overcoming injury, job loss, and broken relationships just to name a few.  We are all here living a life that we think should happen for us, but we truly do not have control of so many things in this life.  Realizing that we can only control our responses to the uncontrollable is what creates a better self, a healthier and stronger person overall.   Keep in mind that when we are living this journey of life and reaching for goals, it is not in the bitching that the positive stuff happens.  Time to �Ditch the Bitch� and Stay Healthy!

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!

StayHealthy!

Darla

HAPPINESS DOESN�T JUST HAPPEN

Wouldn�t it be nice to wave a magic wand, and all of life is just how we wanted it to be?  We are blessed with the gift of life but how we live it is up to us, and that takes effort and choices.  There are consequences, hard lessons learned and happiness along the way, but ultimately it is in our choices that create the life of happiness we all desire.  Sometimes we do not even know what we want or how to create this happiness, and wander around going through some sort of life motions that we learned from healthy or unhealthy example.  Choosing the right way to create a life of happiness is quite the goal, but like anything else that takes time and effort, it is worth the journey to get there. 

I have gone through the ups and downs of not being happy in this journey of life, and have held onto the hope that God has a greater plan than I can ever imagine. Life has not been what I thought it would be as I contemplate it, but I am thankful for the life lessons of each circumstance that created an opportunity for me to learn and grow in positive ways. It took a choice for me to go to counseling during tough emotional times, to go to physical therapy during horrific physical times, and to rough up my knees in prayer during doubtful spiritual times.  All the choices to become a better person were in search of a happiness that I wanted in my life and I have always been in pursuit of all methods of work to reach that goal.

The pursuit of happiness also includes being a healthy person.  I believe that the two go hand in hand.  When we feel our best physically, it is easier to handle the emotional rides of life.  Also, when our �mental game� is healthy and our responses to life�s circumstances are handled with maturity, clarity, and good intentions this enhances our state of being healthy and happy overall. Happiness is a goal just like being healthy is a goal, and both are lifetime achievements.  There is no end to being a happy and healthy person, and each day is our chance to make choices toward being both. 

Easter seemed like the perfect time to share how important it is to be happy and healthy, and to take this opportunity to let you know that it is possible and necessary in this life.  Happiness does not just happen, but will take a commitment of self-discovery, and not being afraid to peel the onion and take a look at what is keeping you from being happy or healthy. This took years of work in my life, and I am thankful for it.  I will share that it has not always been easy, and nothing worth anything is, right?  My wish for you this Easter is health and happiness and for you to know that each day is a gift that provides a step closer to reaching those goals.  

Have a very Happy Easter from My Family to Yours

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!

Stay Healthy!

Darla

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Happy New Year!

I live with expectations for myself, and push the word of anticipation of something to happen into making it happen.  Truly, I am responsible for my own expectations and waiting around just does not make sense.  The problem with expectations, and I have been guilty in years gone way past of this BIG NO NO�creating �unrealistic expectations��you know�the kind that we create in our heads that say, and I will use �he� for this example, is going to surprise me with flowers, dinner, dancing and when �he� shows up offering nothing but his cute self ready to tune in to some sports event on TV, a 3-alarm fire goes off in our heads, feelings of anger and OMG�how could he let me down like that�and guess what�the night is ruined�WHY�Did he do anything�NO.  What did I do � well, I created this unrealistic expectation in my own mind�HOW CRAZY IS THAT.  Can you relate�been there and done that maybe? Or still doing that?  I stopped thinking in �Cinderella Land� through my journey of life many years ago, and have realized that it is I who needs to be clear in my communication of my wants, needs, etc.  It is a fact, that people will let me down in this life and instead of having unrealistic expectations of this truth, I have accepted, grown in positive ways, and now have Great Expectations for ME that I control. 

YES�I know, what does this have to do with maintaining my health, physique, and all things living a Stay Healthy life?  Having clear expectations for ME is a huge part of my healthy life and I do not expect anyone to create things for me.  I am responsible for my health, my workouts, what I put in my face, and how I treat others.  When it comes to my health, I have great expectation of remaining a healthy person through what I eat and how I work my body.  OK�am I saying I do not enjoy the anticipation of receiving something from hubby, or my kids�well of course not, BUT,  I consider that to be an extra blessing or something unexpected that is treasured.  I do not go around thinking he or they should do this or that for me�that would be a back pedal into an ugly scenario of self created drama.  No way for this fitness chick.  Life is so much simpler and REAL with genuine expectations for my life, day, and moment ...you get the picture.  Kicking �Cinderella� to the curb years ago was one of the best things I have ever done for Darla.

Some of my expectations have had to take a detour due to injury and that was a letdown, but not a self inflicted unrealistic expectation.  I have picked myself up, dusted my knees off from being on the ground praying so much, and with strength bigger than I, I am here to tell you that I still have GREAT EXPECTATIONS for ME.  In fact, part of my expectations involve YOU, and my passion to In Your Face MOTIVATE  each and every one of YOU to adapt healthy lives.  Living with self expectation has taken me to a satisfied place of acceptance, and more�I have plans for this New Modified Me and sometimes as with my earlier detour, I may not be in control of all my expectations, but I am going to do my very BEST to make each plan I have for ME happen.  As I shared earlier, having expectations is not only about clear communication within ME, but also to those in my life.  I do my best to offer clear communication of my expectations for ME, my family, friends, and clients.  In my opinion, success comes from Great Expectations and clear communication�they really go hand in hand. If I desire something, then it is up to me to communicate that, to take the action necessary, and if I fail in that area, that is on ME. 

IN YOUR FACE MOTIVATIONS

 

Me and My Fabulous Daughter over the Holidays

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! 

Happy New Year and Stay Healthy~ Darla :)

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