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Showing posts with label acceptance. Show all posts

TOSSING OUT THE TRASH

So many of us have a hard time accepting the great things about ourselves, the accomplishments achieved, the results gained, and instead zero in on what we think is negative. I have to admit that I am guilty of this on occasion and I know my hubby would like to beat me over the lack of “mental game” head when I have a vocal slip. Why do we go right for that juggler of what we “think” is not a great attribute on our bodies, even if it is a work in progress? I for one am going to toss any negative stuff that may pop out of my mouth about myself into the mental trash can. I do not allow negative talk in my studio, and I will not be a hypocrite behind closed doors. So, next time I complain about how my butt is not as lifted, and go for a squeeze of disappointment on the cheeks, I will slap my own backside for that behavior.

The journey of this life is to be our BEST self at every age, and joining the 50+ club now means my bootie will not be as high and tight as my twenty something beautiful backside daughter (btw … got it from her Mama J), but I applaud that I am happy with my body overall. Sometimes I think it feels difficult mentally to grow old and more like an inability to believe or accept that it is happening. We go through the process of living each day not thinking about what is going on with our bodies with each passing day, month, or year. The reality is that we are all growing older and the changes that go along with that are not an option. I am not counting the options of medical science elective processes that are chosen to hide what is happening with our aging process and let’s face it, minor elective procedures stop working or look absolutely ridiculous as the years add up. In my mind I still feel twenty-something, but the mirror reveals a truth that sometimes blows my mind and I am sure many can relate to what I am saying.

It is not that I am being a negative Nancy about me or my body, but I do miss my younger self sometimes. I believe that is an OK feeling to have as long as it does not interfere with accepting the beautiful person that I am right now. The years have gone by in what seems like a blink of an eye and that is what is so unbelievable. I look at my daughter and see myself years younger and WOW, if that is not a reality check. That is when the meaning of life and how generations are ready to step up and into the position of where I am hits home. It truly is a beautiful thing and growing older is an honor and privilege, but for many it is scary to face or accept. It really is OK to say that I am fifty years old and that I am happy with my fitness level and body appearance. Loving ourselves right where we are is what starts the positive mental game process of improving and progressing.

Trashing who we are, verbally attacking our bodies, and feeling crappy or guilty about it is not a healthy way to live. It is important to achieve the best health and fitness at every age and that is what matters in addition to being happy through the process. No one enjoys being around a negative Nancy or Ned, and that can stop with each of us by holding our tongues and immediately changing our thought process to something positive when those negatives try to knock at our door. In fact, it is important to take it out of our door and right into the trash.

New Stay Healthy Fitness Happenings: I have started accepting Ad Space submissions and excited to tell you about a new product that I am trying out and is also on the left sidebar of my page. Herbal Face Food got in touch about their product and I am the type of person that needs to believe in any product that I would promote. I was excited to see the all organic ingredients that I could recognize and also knew they were fabulous for the body. I have begun a 10-day trial period with the face serum, and will get back to you with the results on my face. Take a look at Herbal Face Foodand let them know that Darla from Stay Healthy Fitness sent you.

Heather Agnew Photography

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

CONSTANT STATE OF CHANGE

Change can be necessary, change can be a challenge, change is inevitable, and what do we do with all this change? Whether the change is to adapt a healthier lifestyle through nutrition and exercise, modifying exercises to accommodate injury, or going through the changes that naturally occur to the body as we age, it is a fact, that change is a big part of this journey of life. None of us are exempt from a constant state of change in this life in one form or another. Our bodies change at every level each day without our knowledge that it is even happening for the most part.

Personally, I have undergone a lot of change in this life and have to say that I embrace the positive that has come through incorporating a healthy lifestyle. The tough physical changes that challenged me were the rehabilitation from injury and the will to persevere and not give up, and finally accept through it all that I am forever changed and require modification of exercise to fit the body that is under the skin I wear. The inevitable change that seems difficult for me in the present is the changes that occur with the aging process. No amount of exercise is going to stop hormonal shifts and the overall body requirements that scream loud and clear…CHANGE. Acceptance and embracing of the inevitable change I have discovered is also going to be a challenge.

We are all aging each day, our bodies changing through the process and when I was younger I did not think too much about it, but as I stare 50 in the face, I find my mind consumed by the “different” feelings of heading into menopause. Both men and women face the inevitable changes that occur with the aging process, whether prostate issues for men or night sweats and lowered libido for women, it is a situation that can SUCK. I am straight up open about everything health related and I feel issues, even those topics that may fall into the “taboo” not to be discussed in public are fair game. In fact they need to be addressed and shared because so many people are searching for answers or at least support that they are not alone in their experience. If Dr. Oz can openly share the perfect “poo” shape, vaginal dryness, and orgasms, then for crying out loud, I am surely going to talk about it.

All change can feel difficult, or extremely fantastic depending on the situation. Adapting a healthy lifestyle through eating “real” nutrient dense foods and regular exercise will bring about a body that feels better, functions better, and that change can be embraced and celebrated almost immediately. Although the process can feel like a challenge, eventually the change will provide an overall healthy state of mind and wellbeing. The challenge change that occurs with injury or illness is harder to accept and embrace, at least in the beginning. I found that it takes hard work, lots of patience, faith and a will to WANT the best of me in all areas of health, no matter what that looks like. Moving into the inevitable change of aging is also an area that I now realize will require my patience, and continued research into natural ways of transitioning into another “new me” so to speak. Changes are a part of aging and transition into another part of our life, not that we need to feel great about them, but important to realize and accept them, and I am now on this journey. I am not going to sit here and celebrate hot flashes, night sweats, and changes in libido…are you kidding me, this is where I long for the young Darla because outwardly, my brain says what the heck is going on, and this should not be going on. This is where I reach for new goals of discovery of the woman I am now, and embrace that woman with full understanding, grace, love and adventure of this new chapter. Am I there yet…not quite…but I am working on it.

Stay Healthy!

Darla

It has to be GOOD ENOUGH

I AM GOOD ENOUGH!

In this world of extreme perfection and nothing being good enough, I say it has to be good enough…I will go farther than that and say IT IS GOOD ENOUGH…I mean really…YUCK…otherwise I would be such a miserable person always searching for something to fill some void I think I am missing. You know what…I AM good enough. I can recall a time in my life where I did struggle with the whole “not good enough” thing, always trying to please someone and giving so much consideration into what others thought of me…OMG…what a horrible way to be and so anxiety producing…just thinking back about it…I now laugh and am so thankful for being older, wiser, and so much better. I guess it had to be a part of my journey of learning and maturing into the healthy woman I am today.

Perfection and pleasing are tossed to the side, and just being the BEST version of ME each day is my goal. I am not saying that I do not enjoy pleasing people with my cooking or something fabulous like that…I am talking about the warped thinking of “why did they not approve of this or that about me, or not like how I did something”…there is truly a difference. Why did I even care??? WOW…talk about unhealthy thinking of the past. What the heck does this have to do with maintaining my now 48 year young physique…I SAY EVERYTHING.

It is my state of positive thinking and ACCEPTANCE of Darla, with all my imperfections and physical limitations that motivate me each day. It is that “feel good” feeling that completely coats my spirit and provides an “AH HA” moment each day for me…I mean it can make me feel like a kid, not take things so serious, and free me to be ME…IT IS ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!!!! It is that whole not sweating the small stuff in life anymore and letting go of things I can’t control… YAHOOO …. YES…this is healthy, I feel healthy, I love how I take care of ME and I accept that about ME, and it feels better than good. I will go farther than good and say that it feels pretty darn GREAT!

Starting the Weekend with this In Your Face Motivation!

Personal Goal: OK everyone…I want to blog more and I am praying for more time to do this. My goal is to MOTIVATE through my writing at least one time per week. I have been utilizing my Stay Healthy Facebook because of its’ quick and easy download of this or that in seconds and I still plan to maintain that as long as FB does not continue to try and regulate business pages. My passion and “want” is to channel the same feel of what I like to call “In Your Face” MOTIVATION posters here, along with helpful links, recipes, and exercise ideas. I like that the Blog is individual and very personal…this is more down to earth and ME to MOTIVATE you. So, even if I write a brief paragraph about my thoughts for the day or week, I am on board for that…how about you?

Check out my Stay Healthy Feature on pg 36 of the June issue of Natural Muscle Magazine!

Stay Healthy Quinoa Chicken with Fresh Basil

Looking for an In Your Face MOTIVATION to move IDEA…I LOVE HIIT Workouts!

(My modifications...negative pullups for the pushups to protect my neck)

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. Let me know if you LIKE this entry, I look forward to reading your comments, and I am always in the mood for a Protein Shake;)

Have a Fabulous Weekend!

Stay Healthy!

Darla

Looking Like Myself ~

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Taken Last Weekend ~ Vacation

LOOKING LIKE MYSELF…what do I mean by that? Well, I have my genetics and my lifestyle of fitness and nutrition that creates…drum roll…ME! I am not supposed to look like the girl in the magazine, the movies, or anywhere else for that matter. Back in the day when I competed, did I look at magazines, other girls and think…I need to look like that…why is my body not responding the same way as hers…check out how tight her backside is…on and on…YIKES...and BIG YUCK. I am so happy to come full circle with knowledge, age (yes…it is fabulous), and wisdom. I embrace who I am, what I look like…and being the BEST ME…not anyone else. It would be such a stressful life to constantly compare myself to her, then her, and oh my…her…OH hell to the BIG NO. Life is too short to even think unrealistic thoughts, goals, and for crying out loud….I AM NOT HER, HER, OR EVEN HER. Did you know that ALL images in magazines are photo shopped to soften here, cut there, and create unreal images of girls, women, and men representing something that they are not. I am not saying that they are not fit, although some probably are not in the greatest shape …BUT…lines, bumps, blemishes, rolls, bootie, hips are quickly painted away with a few strokes of a computer…for crying out loud…you can get a photo shopped 6-pack now…lol. Really???? I am not saying I am anti-photo shop, but if I look at a photo and struggle to recognize who it is and have to go to the credits…I say…horrible…off that soap box.

Some of my older model images are slightly photo shopped…not all…but some…and I have to say it is an art of knowing just how much…and loved when some softness was needed. Overall, I prefer the edgy REAL image that shows me, right here, right now…and those… I embrace the most;) I really enjoy taking self portraits…no photo shop…most without makeup, and posting them on the blog so that you can see ME, at 47, after kids, injuries, surgeries…and Staying Healthy with my lifestyle.

Love the NOT overdone photo shop

It is important to want to be ME and not someone else…that tells me that I accept, embrace, and honor who I am as Darla, the woman, wife, mother, trainer, daughter, sister, and friend…How could I even walk the shoes of helping people get healthy if I did not believe in this. I hear so often…I want to look like you… and I smile, take it as a compliment…and let them know that the goal is to look like them…their BEST self with the wonderful genetics they have. I am a mother with a beautiful daughter full of youth, smooth skin, and body that a 20 year young woman should have and it feels like a reflection in the mirror…ME and that body 20 years ago…BUT that is the point….that was 20 years ago… and all I can do and want for me is celebrate who I am TODAY…and for 47 years young…I am pretty darn happy with that.

Not Shopped

I embrace my fine lines earned from laughs, smiles, and a few frowns along the way and also the energy that I still maintain from taking care of myself…and say…YES YES YES. I believe that aging is a privilege and an honor and although there is no such thing as the fountain of youth…the only way to keep this body and mind young is through living a healthy life…that means regular exercise, healthy foods, plenty of rest, and balance of work and play. Also, living a healthy life and feeling youthful decreases my risk of illness…I want to do my best to live a good long life. When it comes down to me and my mirror…there is acceptance and I look back and smile…YEP…the lines are there…I EARNED EVERY ONE!!!

THIS IS ME!!!!

Motivation of the Day: Don’t Compare Yourself to Others in Your Journey of Life…Let Your Life be Yours…and Live it to the Fullest!

My Workout of the Day:

ARC Trainer: 30 minutes

Body Stuff: (light today…a bit tired) 1 minute intervals

Modified french press (repeated 4x in between legs)

1 set cross back step ups

1 set reverse lunges

1 set squat lateral lifts

STRETCH TIME

Meal 3

Nutrition of the Day:

Coffee, one cup

1-1 Chocolate Cherry Whey Protein Muffin

2-Post Workout Shake/ ¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds

3-Shredded Chicken & Spinach Wrap

4-Small potato topped with n/f Greek Yogurt

5-Ground Turkey Breast Burger & Grilled Corn

6-Watermelon/Protein Ball

Personal Share: Hubby wanted to prepare a full course healthy meal for me, so last night on the menu was: Appetizer: Grilled Jumbo Shrimp marinated in an orange ginger sauce and Chicken Sausage Skewer ~ Main Dish: Grilled Salmon and Brussel Sprouts ~ Dessert: Grilled Peaches stuffed with Goat Cheese topped with crushed Raw Walnuts. He paired the dinner with a light Muscat wine. The meal was absolutely fabulous….and we created a small video of part of it…bloopers are fun. Enjoy the images as well.

Stay Healthy!

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Struggling ….OH POOH!

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Me and My Blogging Area

YES…I have days like these. I am not some un-human human…that sounds funny. Sometimes people think that I am some super human never struggling, never burned out, never unmotivated, never eat a cookie, never tired woman of a woman, super trainer…WRONG. I mean really, really??? Let me just say for the record…I am struggling today. In fact, it was hard to get up this morning and I thought…crap, am I coming down with a cold…a bit of a scratchy throat…and just BLAH…YES really BLAH. I was motivated by hubby this morning to drag my bootie to the ARC trainer and I originally had it set for a 30 minute strength run...and what the heck was I thinking…one of the hardest programs on the thing…it was a love hate relationship with my ARC…and I stopped at the 20 minute mark. YES…the damn thing defeated me, or did it? Let me think…what I did was the BEST that I could with what I had today…so I was not defeated…but ACCOMPLISHED. I did continue into an arm/core/stretch program for an additional 20 minutes. This was not going to be the day for interval training…NO WAY. I am having one of those days where everything seems a bit overwhelming, and I am working on a specific goal right now and part of me just wants to say…do I have to? Why does there always have to be something to do...My personal share: I am an A1 personality type and sometimes this can get in the way of putting on the reigns and STOPPING…letting my brain take a breather, letting all the THINGS in life just be for awhile, but the biggest for me is the thoughts that continue to go through my head…this now, that next, then on to the next thing..and OMG I forgot about that, and on and on and on…OK Darla…STOP already. It is this kind of thinking that can get in the way of living a healthy life. It is this kind of thinking that does not allow acceptance of who I am at this moment in time….well…today I am recognizing that I am struggling with being tired, working on this specific goal, and utilizing my time wisely and efficiently. Seeing me for who I am helps put my life into balance, perspective and even acceptance. So, today I am tired and struggling …and THAT IS OK. Taking it a bit further, I will still do the BEST that I can with what I can give today in all areas of my life. I did my BEST workout…YES…it was my BEST given how I feel today. I will apply my BEST self in working on my goal today…and that is OK. If my body is yelling for a nap…then that is OK. The things will be there for me when I wake up…but I remember that through it all, balance in exercise, eating healthy, emotional, and spiritual living is key for my happiness & health. So, yes…I am just like you and I am sure you can relate to some of the things that I have shared…Do I feel like finding a fabulous hammock in the sunshine and rocking my cares away for the afternoon…OH YEAH…sounds good to me and why not the whole year…now that is stretching it…but I am sure you know what I am talking about. Reeling myself back in… I do have a plan, I do have a goal…and by writing this Blog…I have just motivated myself to get my backside in gear and get to it. The beautiful thing that I realize is I do not have to do it all today…I will take what is my priority and work on that the BEST I can with what I have to offer today….and that is OK…struggling, well…I feel better now.

MOTIVATION OF THE DAY: GIVE THE BEST THAT YOU HAVE ALL THE TIME

My Workout of the Day:

Arc Trainer strength mode 20 minutes

Bodywork repeated 3x
Low rows 30lbs @ 20 reps
Biceps curls 12lbs @ 15 reps
Modified smith triceps press 15lbs on bar @ 15 reps
Body Ball abs 20 reps

LONG STRETCH!!!!

My Meal 2

My Nutrition of the Day:

Coffee, gave me NO perk
1-Post-workout shake
2-Sweet potato & Egg Whites
3-Protein Balls (May issue Natural Muscle Magazine)
4-Grilled Veggies & Shredded Crock Chicken Breast
5-Protein Pudding

47 Years Young

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STAY HEALTHY!