SATISFACTION

Watermelons are BACK!!! YEAH

What a fabulous word…YES…I would have to say that I am content with a lot of things.  I do not have to look for approval or contentment outside of myself, worrying about the whole “I am not good enough” thing.  Maybe, when I was younger and not older and wiser like today, I would run around trying to please everyone, and put my own feelings aside and even to a non boundary fault…YUCK YUCK…and OH did I say YUCK.  This journey I call life has blessed me with many discoveries of positive growth and has opened my eyes to seeing all that I have gone through as part of that process.  If you have read my bio, you can understand a bit of what I am talking about.

I want to really dig deeper into my satisfaction though as it relates to my fitness and maintaining ME at 48.  YES…I am serious about my health, maintain a good quality of life, and the outer shell benefits of that…of course…LOVE it.   I would not be truthful with you if I did not admit that.  The point I am trying to make is that I am content…I do not need to look further , to look better, to be thinner, to be leaner, to be more muscular…I am truly content with my work and maintenance feels over the top satisfying .  I can and do get satisfaction each day as I live being the BEST me with all my limitations…I am GOOD.

I have been around the block to hear and see so many people who are not happy even when they reach their goals and even living their goals…meaning a healthy lifestyle…it is still not enough.   It saddens me because that is a deeper issue…the one that haunts within, the one that may creep in from the past or be caused by the past or even the present.  Let me tell you being a positive advocate for counseling, therapy, and woman of strong faith …this would be the time to visit that part of life…to see what the heck is going on to cause such unhappiness and nonacceptance of self.  Been there, done that, and greatly appreciative of all that I have learned and having God on my side through the process…HIP HIP HOORAY, HEALED, and Happily Ever After Content!

Daughters are Fabulous

I look at myself and NO…no longer that 20 something that I see in both my daughter and stepdaughter…absolute peaches and cream skin beauties they are…WOW…I marvel in that for them.  But that is how it is supposed to be…48 comes with love lines, and battle scars that I have earned from my journey of life, having children,  surgeries, and the overall aging process…I mean really…am I supposed to look 20 something... A BIG NO…I am being real here…seriously…and I will not undergo any process on my face to take away the privilege and honor of being ME.  Will I do my BEST to be my BEST…of course…I am trendy, not frumpy, and love to feel sexy.  Being healthy satisfies all those things for me and that is who I want to be…ME. 

I believe in the word “enough”, and when it comes to my fitness…it is good enough.  Satisfaction applies to so many things in my life…the contentment of being healthy is just a part of Darla…I do not believe that the grass is greener on the other side, wanting to outdo the “Jones’” , and that more is better.  I do believe in the saying “I may not have the best of everything but I make the BEST of everything I have”, that less is more, enjoying the simple things, in not sweating the small stuff, and in daily miracles.  It is important for me to feel satisfaction, contentment, and value every moment...If I did not do that…I do not think that life would make sense.  You may see Darla, the fitness expert, but let me introduce you to Darla, the satisfied person.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN YOUR FACE MOTIVATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

GREAT MOTIVATION TO MOVE IDEA

 

 

 

 

 

Stay Healthy Quinoa Chicken with Sun dried Tomato & Fresh Basil

 

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:)

 

Balance, Life, and Vacation

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

 

 

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:)

What I Can with What I Have Today

TIRED...that explains me today.  Hubby and I had a weekend adventure and needless to say, I did not get home in time to get ample sleep...YIKES...that feeling of fog head meets some sort of workout in between my fabulous Monday clients...I MADE IT HAPPEN.  YES...I brought to my game "what I could with what I have."  Did I do a HIIT workout...Are you kidding me???  OH hell to the big NO WAY.  First, I am a morning workout girl...NOT TODAY.  I needed my Oats, I needed my coffee, I needed a mental miracle...lol.  To top that off...the day is whirling by like the clock on Alice in Wonderland...I mean...SLOW DOWN already!  Getting back to what I can with what I had...30 minute ARC trainer ride listening to my upbeat music and really not trying to beat any records as the time counted down...YES...I focused more than usual on "am I DONE yet???"  Come on now...we all have these days...OK...getting back, I continued with 30 minutes of slow, methodical weight training focusing on back/chest/core and legs...WHEW...again, no rush...just thinking about my muscle as I was going through the motion and ensuring that the contractions were QUALITY!!!  I have this saying...NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS FAST...(in the gym anyway)...lol.  Have to have a sense of humor you know.  OK...here we go, as promised, more time on My Blog and I am off to finish my day but wanted to leave you with some.......

IN YOUR FACE MOTIVATIONS

Believe this!!!

A Healthy Lifestyle takes Action

Faith, Persistence, and Patience

Right or Left?

ONE OF MY FAVORITES

Personal Share:  Congratulations to my Fabulous Stepson, Jacob for graduating High school and soon to be leaving for Air Force Boot camp...Love You Honey!!!

Congrats Jacob, Love You...Proud Parents! 

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 Week!

 

Stay Healthy ~ Darla

Confessions of a Cherry Picker

Do You Like My Blog…Help Me Spread the Stay Healthy Life with a Protein Shake

My Bulk Sweet Potatoes 61 cents/lb

I admit it…I am absolutely a huge cherry picker, and I wanted to get this out to you quickly while the picking is still good…LOL.  I will share exactly what I am talking about…the confessions of a cherry picker…that is ME.  I have always been a money saver, combing the circulars for deals and clipping coupons.  This, my friends is a “cherry picker”…searching the circulars for deals and picking them off. This has also become a fun game for me and I challenge myself each time to save more and more with each shopping adventure.  The key is to stick to the deals and not get sucked into the full price items that are NOT Stay Healthy food items on my list.  I plan my strategy as you will see in the fun video included with this Blog. I also plot my driving route to transition well from store to home…this also saves me on gas money…OH MY…that is another soap box issue…the price of gas right now is absolutely ridiculous.  We all have to do what it takes to save here and there, so I will take the time to put the deals in order according to route.  I also frequent the same stores and know my local groceries pretty well, so that I can get what I need and get out…another time saver.  I am not one to stay in a store for hours…I mean really…NO NO NO…this is temptation to get sucked into things not on my list…I do not care if it is the deal of the century…it is still spending money I would not spend otherwise.  I stick to the circular deals, stick to my list, buy healthy food items, use coupons on items that I buy…and that is how this cherry picker does it.  I also buy in bulk which is another huge savings....I am not one who likes to run back and forth daily to the grocery….I mean really…and why???  The only items I will return to the store for are the produce items like fruits, veggies, and salads…but that may be a once a week quick pick and again using the circulars for deals.  I will share that I shop at Costco for bulk items and you better believe I know if it is a deal or not.  

I am a Cherry Picker

 My cherry picking route looked like this…Costco, Sprouts, Winco and Nugget stores.  I try not to go over 3 stores per pick, but there was such a good deal at the Nugget on the whole free range chickens and Gala apples, it was a MUST stop.   Being a cherry picker enables me to save lots of money, eat healthy, and maintain my physique with fabulous Stay Healthy food.  I also have everything I need on hand in my refrigerator and pantry for every meal throughout the day…being a cherry picker means I have no excuses NOT to eat healthy.  So, it is also a motivator and accountability tool for me.  You may think I am over the top on this one, but it really takes minutes to look through the deals to save money…and believe me….it is worth every penny.  That is what I am all about…being real on how I do things to eat healthy and labeling myself a “cherry picker”…well…there you have it.  Stay Healthy!

Motivation of the Day:  If You Change Nothing, Nothing Will Change

Neg Pull-Ups...Down Slow & Controlled

My Work out of the Day:

30 Minute ARC trainer

Body Stuff repeated 4x

Neg pull-ups 7-10 reps

Hamstring Curls 25lbs 25 reps

Leg Extensions 25lbs 25 reps

Pull downs, 30lbs 25 reps

Low rows, 30lbs 25 reps

BOSU abs, 25 reps

Nutrition of the Day:

Coffee, one cup with f/f French vanilla creamer

1-Thin bun with PB2 (2tblsp mixed with water)

2-Post Workout Shake

3-Lentils and Grilled Chicken

4-Cauliflower Chicken

5-Spinach Salad with Grilled Salmon

Protein ball before bed

Thanks for Supporting the Stay Healthy Life

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STAY HEALTHY!