Showing posts with label Natural Muscle Magazine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Natural Muscle Magazine. Show all posts

FIT at 50 feels like FINE WINE

This Sunday happens to be Mother’s Day and my 50th birthday.  Turning fifty does feel like fine wine and it just gets better with age.  I am not going to hide behind the number, be embarrassed because I am a fifty year old woman, or even feel old for that matter.  Age is really a state of mind and overall attitude about self and life in my opinion.  I think the most mind boggling thing is realizing how fast time goes by, and seeing my grown children living their adult lives.  The best thing I can do at any age is be my best self physically, emotionally, and spiritually each and every day.  I will always be a work in progress until I take my last breathe and how great is that. 



Living 50 years has provided me lots of education, and I am not just talking about my college degrees or even my fitness certifications.  I am talking about the wisdom that comes from living life.  I am a woman who has journeyed through lots of crap to get to the cream, and learning how to process all that along the way has been a challenge and a blessing.  Just like a great red wine as it matures becomes smoother, more palatable, and carries the flavors and scents of the work in the oak barrels, my life resembles this fabulous growth in a positive way.  I have always looked at circumstances from a point of view of “what can I learn from this to make me a better person?” As all of you who follow my blog know, I am a Christian and I have definitely leaned on a power greater than my own during my maturing process.  All I can be is better than the person that I was yesterday and I have had 18,250 days on this earth to do that and counting.  I feel it is truly an honor and privilege to be gifted each day.


A milestone is an important event and I do believe that turning 50 has proven to be that for me.  I celebrate that I no longer “Sweat the Small Stuff” of my immature younger self, no longer seek the approval of others to feel acceptance nor do I really care what people think of me.  It is an age of freedom in many ways as life comes full circle in meaning of what is truly important.  My husband, children, family and friends come to mind when I think about the meaning of life, and helping as much as I can to take care of my parents, spend time with those I love, and getting lost in the kid in me and not take life so seriously that I forget to live.  I do not care if dust bunnies live under my sofa, or if the bed goes unmade for the day if I make the choice to spend quality time with my hubby or kids.  I want to be a woman of “no regrets” as I journey into the second half of my life. 

My idea of health and fitness at fifty is taking care of me so that I can have a quality life for as long as I am here.  I want to feel good, strong, confident, and sexy and I know it will take consistency of living my healthy lifestyle to maintain that.  I do the best that I can with my abilities, and modify when I need to along the way.  I am not here to impress anyone or compare myself to others in my journey of living a fit life, but I do want to motivate others to live a healthy life.  The beautiful part about my passion for health and fitness is that I have turned that passion into my occupation, and it is such a joy that it never feels like work. 

I am not saying that there are not days that I feel every bit an older woman because those days do come around, especially if I am struggling with my hormones and lack of sleep.  There is nothing worse than feeling sluggish and having low energy to the point of not feeling like hitting a workout, or for that matter getting out of my pajamas. On the other hand, I have learned to accept this new and improved Darla who can now accept the changes that go along with this journey.   I do not always like it, but what is my alternative?  I focus on as much positive as I can, surround myself with positive, and get rid of anything that does not nourish my mind, body and soul. 



I am a very simplistic 50 year young woman and quite comfy in jeans and tank top, but can also enjoy a dress up date with hubby.  I have become a great listener and really love to dig deep into people’s feelings and passions about themselves and life.  I love to laugh, enjoy the balance of work and play, and feel that I have learned the importance of this along my fine wine journey.  I feel less stress and more relaxed with who I am at 50 and look forward to what 60 has to bring. 

I want to dedicate this Blog to my beautiful Mother.  I love you dearly, and wish you a very Happy Mother’s Day!
ME AND MY FABULOUS MOM AND FRIEND



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!


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?


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   

 

Hot Off The Press...Stay Healthy Fitness Feature on Page 38 this Month Natural Muscle Magazine!

Hi Everyone!

Another share of the day...I am a feature writer for Natural Muscle Magazine.  Every month YOU will be first to enjoy the issue....check out page 38 for another Stay Healthy recipe and Darla Details;) 

Stay Healthy Fitness Monthly Feature in Natural Muscle Magazine is out for April!

Have a Fun, Fit, Stay Healthy Night & Enjoy the Taste of Stay Healthy Food for Dinner!!!

Darla;)

Stay Healthy Fitness Personal Website

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Stay Healthy "No Noodle" Eggplant Lasagna featured in the December issue of Natural Muscle Magazine

HI READERS!!!!

I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful and you are looking forward to a special holiday with Family and friends. The winter chill is in the air here and I have put together a Fabulous Healthy Great Tasting Meal for these cold nights. I guarantee this recipe WILL BE a HIT and you will want to make it many times and hopefully add it to your regular favorites.....IT IS THAT GOOD! In fact, head on over to page 40 of the December issue of Natural Muscle Magazine and try it tonight. I look forward to your feedback.
Have a Merry Christmas and Stay Healthy!!!
Darla Leal, LCPT, LCMT

Stay Healthy Fitness Celebrates with Natural Muscle Magazine!!!!




Hi Readers!!!!

I am so proud to be a part of Natural Muscle Magazine who celebrates 15 years this month and also on the cover is my sister in fitness.... The Fabulous, Fit, 48 year old YOUNG, and Publisher, Debbie Baigrie!!!! Included in the issue is My Stay Healthy Grilled Tomatoes and Wedding Announcement on Page 40. Enjoy the read!!!!


http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/total-health/nov10virtual/2010102401/



This is What over 40 and close to 50 Looks Like!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay Healthy!!!!

Darla Leal, LCPT, LCMT
http://www.stayhealthyfitness.com/








Stay Healthy Recipe and Article


Hi Readers....


I hope you are doing well, getting healthy and Staying Healthy!!! The September issue of Natural Muscle Magazine is now available so please check out page 40 for another Stay Healthy recipe. All the tools are given to you and it is YOU that needs to love yourself enough to take advantage of the gifts I am providing to you. My desire is to reach out and help as many people as I can get healthy and Stay Healthy!!! Today is a new day and always the RIGHT time to START taking control of your life and being the BEST YOU for a LIFETIME. Also included in this Blog post is my recent article about truly LOVING yourself. It is not to offend, but to open your eyes and realize the importance of your health. Take good care and Stay Healthy!!!
The Links:
Stay Healthy!!!
Darla Benfield, LCPT, LCMT
HI READERS!!!


Enjoy the February issue of Natural Muscle Magazine and my monthly feature on page 48!!!!



http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/total-health/nmfeb10webop/2010011901/



Stay Healthy!!!!



Darla:)






Stay Healthy Published Recipes in Natural Muscle Magazine......Happy 14th Anniversary!!!

Hi Readers!!!


You have seen them on my Blog.....now see them in Natural Muscle Magazine!!!! Enjoy four fabulous Stay Healthy Recipes all in one Blog Post and as featured in Natural Muscle:) The November issue marks the 14th anniversary of Natural Muscle Magazine and I celebrate being part of such a wonderful publication and for all there support in helping me spread the Stay Healthy Lifestyle!!!!























































Stay Healthy!!!!
Darla Benfield, LCPT, LCMT