healthy and beautiful

Self-bashing, doubts, and negative thoughts can derail our fitness. We tend to be harsh with how we think about our bodies and self. This kind of thinking puts a nail in our fitness coffin before we even start. We spend too much time caring what people think, comparing ourselves to others and unrealistic photo-shopped images. Instead of being positive about fitness, we become intimidated. Possibly even resentful and angry. We give into self-sabotage and what's the use attitudes. We strive to live up to someone else's standards and fitness results. Our drive to accomplish the grass is greener on the other side has clouded our thoughts. We are so focused on how we don't measure up, we are failing to see how fabulous we really are. Each day is an opportunity to be proud of our efforts. Instead of being upset about losing only one pound, be happy to have lost one pound. Did you notice how that got switched around? We have to stop believing everything we think about ourselves. T...

I love being healthy, eating healthy and how I feel as a healthy woman.  I have been living this lifestyle most of my life and at 51 have a healthy handle of what being healthy means.  I teach health and fitness as my occupation and since it is my passion really do not consider it work.  There is something to be said about the existence of living a healthy lifestyle.  My clients know that I don't teach perfection, but progress and it is not a lifestyle of complete restriction, but a healthy balance of eating right 80 to 90 percent of the time and regular exercise. I do not believe in taking things to extremes and making health feel like a burden for me or anyone else.  My mental game is what I want to address here and keeping health in perspective.  I am all about eating organic, non-GMO, and cooking at home to be in control of what I am eating 80 to 90 percent of the time.  I am human and will indulge in occasional adult beverages and will no...

How many of us stand in the truth of our life or live in denial and non-acceptance of the actions that clearly rebel against a healthy lifestyle?  I wish I could see a show of hands and have a world-wide workshop to discuss this issue.  Standing in our truth has everything to do with being able to become a healthy person, and can be applied to all areas of our life: relationships, careers, fitness, and overall health which represent a moderate list that encompasses our existence as a human being. Being honest with our self is the first step to being able to change those things that are weighing us down physically and emotionally.  If we are unable to be honest with ourselves, then being honest with others will not happen.  When lying to ourselves is at the forefront of or life, behaviors are usually exhibited through bitterness, anger, blame of others, argumentative reasoning, defensiveness, unhappiness, and a clear nonacceptance of responsibility. On the other side ...

Last week a client came in for her first follow-up session. She recapped her week and said, “I feel like I’m thinking about food all the time, should I be?” I have to say I hear this a lot. I dug a little and a lot of this client’s food thoughts were of the planning variety. She also had a little insecurity over whether she was doing all of this right. I reassured this client. “You’re learning a new language and it’s not second nature yet. Of course it’s taking up mind time.” And then the follow up “not to worry, over time I don’t want you thinking about food 24/7 but some degree of forethought is always good.” Not all food thoughts are created equal. I was sent this link about a disorder called Orthorexia . This article questions this diagnosis as being anti healthy, conscious eating. I feel differently. It’s one thing to vet the foods you put into your body. It’s another if situations where you cannot control food choices are completely avoided or if food concerns outweigh food pleas...

Well…not as big as they used to be physically but my mental and emotional shoulders are definitely making up for that loss…lol.   What the heck does this have to do with fitness, my life, my health…I say everything! When you are in a position of internet personality, helping people from around the world, bravely putting yourself out there for all to see through images, videos, and opinions…well…the mental shoulders get well developed.    As you know, I am a say it like it is person, trainer, consultant, coach, expert and any other name that gets tagged onto “Darla” the fitness gal.   In this position, I MUST remain POSITIVE   and let things roll off my back like a duck sometimes.   The majority of the time, I am taken with appreciation, and thankfulness from so many for providing the hope they thought was never possible…touching to me as my purpose to help has been accomplished. The other side of the coin can be exactly the opposite and filled with stateme...