Last week was an off week, away from my studio, my workouts, my food, and everything that felt routine to me. I was more excited than stressed about it because I was going to Maui for the very first time in my life. Last week was my wedding anniversary and we planned our vacation time to celebrate in Hawaii. The “old” Darla would have worried about missing workouts, not being able to eat like I usually do, stressed about money if I took time off, and through all that nonsense not have been able to enjoy the moment. I am so glad to have shed that girl years ago, and now fast forwarded to what life and health is really about.
I was off routine and on VACATION, well-deserved, and off the clock. I literally took my watch off as soon as my work day prior to leaving for Maui was done. What a free and fun feeling to go, do, and be without restrictions. I think my clients were just as excited for me as I was, and that made me feel over-the-top GREAT.
Being off routine did not mean that I was not active, and in fact, hubby and I snorkeled for hours, hiked for hours which included climbing, walked and ran on the beach, played in the ocean, swam in the resort pool, and that became our gym for the week. I am definitely not one to lie in the sun for hours and for some reason, that makes me feel sick, but I do like to play in the water and outdoors so I got plenty of vitamin D. My favorite active part was snorkeling and swimming with huge turtles and checking out tropical fish. Talk about a workout! Swimming against an ocean current for a couple of hours until your lips are pickled from the salt is quite the tiring event. Top that off with the hike back to the resort, and I was ready for a shower, food and relaxation.
Don and I at the top of the falls, Seven Sacred Pools
Mai tai at Feast LeLe
We did have a plan, a budget, and we were pretty pleased with ourselves to stay under budget. The first stop off the airplane was to Costco where we stalked up on organics, yogurt, quinoa, nuts, veggie burgers, and tequila to stash in our room. Yes, I indulged in a few cocktails on vacation. We ate fairly healthy the entire trip and allowed for treats of our choosing as we were out. The Feast LeLe was our choice of Luau and the food was spectacular and surprisingly pretty healthy. The portions were such that I did not feel overly full, but very satisfied. I really enjoyed that we had a healthy food supply in our room, and made a quick dash there many times to eat between adventures. We dined out a couple of times without concern of what we were ordering, simply enjoying the tastes of the island to include dessert. We were so active each day, that I am sure the calorie consumption matched the activity calorie output…I came home weighing the same, and so did my husband. The best part was that we were not worrying about it in the first place.
It was great to be off routine and experience a tropical paradise gym setting, and to try foods that are not in my normal daily food intake. I do not consider vacation to be about food though, and constantly wanting the next meal to be here. I simply listened to my body as I usually do, and ate when I felt I should. My portions remained as I usually intake, but the indulgence was there with eating foods that I typically shy away from.
Being on vacation also provided my body and mind a rest from my every day work, workouts and environment. It was a beautiful place to recharge my mental and physical batteries. Moving my body in different ways like swimming in the ocean felt more like play than working out, and lying on a hammock listening to the ocean was relaxation that I have never experienced before this trip. Life is simply not healthy or balanced if the busyness of life does not allow time to appreciate such beauty, to take in a moment, dump the brain battery, and to just “be”. Off routine can be as simple as in your own backyard, nearby park, beach, or within a planned vacation. I have learned through the journey of my life how important it is to get off routine once in a while and to enjoy the ride.
MAUI MOTIVATION ADVENTURES
ALOHA!!!
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Our Magma Boat Grill for Marine Stay Healthy Cooking
I am not kidding…my vacation was full of adventure, storms, bears, and a few bumps and bruises…YIKES…but OH…did I have a BLAST.Well…the last week in June and into the July 4th weekend…a vacation on the water seemed absolutely perfect…escape the heat, enjoy swimming in beautiful Lake Shasta, and take in the majestic Glacier and surroundings.We would stay on our boat, bring our Stay Healthy Foods, and try our new addition...a marine Grill to enjoy our fabulous foods.I am a planner, so list in hand, creating the budget and down to every morsel we would stock in our cooler.The excitement and anticipation of a week escape into the beauty of nature was over the top YAHOO…ready to GO!My hubby paid attention to the weather forecast and attended to the mechanics of the boat and truck…thank goodness.Let me tell you and can you believe this….drum roll…THUNDER STORMS were on the way…a tarp was packed with bungee cords just in case we had to batten down the hatches.We were hoping for the forecast to change the closer the trip came…we both were not going to let anything like a forecast change our plans….Full Steam Ahead.I pre-cooked Stay Healthy Omega Muffins, Whole Wheat Pasta with sundried tomatoes, basil, spice and olive oil, & boiled eggs.I also included raw nuts, fruits, peanut and almond butter, plenty of veggies, fruits, yogurt, spinach salad, lean meats, graham crackers for a treat, & plenty of water.We also purchased a small aged beef to break in the new Magma Grill.It was truly one of those feel like a kid can’t sleep because we are leaving for someplace magical vacations.The drive was fabulous…no clouds, great conversation, and we arrived at Lake Shasta ready to start our week of living on the boat.Food on board, water, and us….life could not have been any better.We launched the boat and found our cove for the night…now you have to imagine close quarters on a boat…and I look back now on how funny all this is…first thing… needing to drop anchor hubby quickly moves from the wheel to the front of the boat, but in the process foot connects with my jaw…YIKES…startled to feel a big foot in my face…but an ice is nice made it feel so much better.Moving on to 4am...the forecast came true and the rain began to demand our “no stitch on” attention…there we were in the middle of the night, tarp in hand, bungee cords everywhere, balancing on the top of the boatto batten down our home away from home.
Tarp On, Thermals On...Ready to Weather the Storm
We could not get done fast enough and now in our thermals...YES…thermals and sweatshirts the end of June on beautiful Lake Shasta completely shut into our 24 foot boat.We were very thankful for our prepared food because the new grill was now going to have to wait until the storm blew over.We rocked, we talked, we ate, we napped and had truly quality time in our little shelter….this is where you know a relationship is a healthy one…teamwork and laughter through a crisis which turned out not to be…really.It was still our vacation and we were going to make the best of what nature brought our way...and we did.I was bummed that I could not be physically active as planned the first few days…but it was what it was…so there Darla.So… foot in face, raging storm, playing balance without a stitch on in the middle of the night on top of a boat, tarp on, bungee cords securing our shelter and shut in this rocking tiny house….it could make for a funny movie…don’t you think.Our adventure started on a Monday and the storm broke on Wednesday…we were able to un-tarp and poke our heads outside….IT WAS ON.I brought my resistance bands and was able to do a little workout and swim like crazy.
Mt Shasta after the Storm...BEAUTIFUL
It was like the Wizard of Oz going from black and white to color…all of a sudden everything was no longer grey but green and lush.The water gleamed like emeralds and felt so refreshing!Hubby and I grilled lean turkey burgers and corn, gourmet chicken sausages, thin bagels, and although quite horrible…boiled water for instant coffee…it grew on me. We saw a black bear along the water and a brown bear during our tour of the Caverns.Wildlife was everywhere and the beauty of the trees was breathtaking.Now…imagine…we made the most of our Thursday because Friday was the drive back home.Were we disappointed because things did not happen as we wanted them to….NO…it was an adventure…it was a journey….we worked together as a team and still had fun through every bump in the water.
Grilled Aged Beef & Asparagus
Greek Yogurt Parfait!
Turkey Burger!!!
Thermals, Tarp, Instant Coffee, US...PRICELESS
We were thankful for things like our ready to go Stay Healthy food, our tarp that provided our shelter, and the warmth our thermals and cozy boat provided. Also, being a fit couple gave us the ability to be agile to batten down our hatches.Life is a journey and this vacation is one that has so many fun stories that will be told over and over again….fabulous memories!I hope you enjoyed the videos and images of my fabulous Shasta Vacation Adventure;)
Spinach Salad
Fabulous Shares from Our Shasta Adventure Vacation:
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I am dedicating this Blog to my Stay Healthy Fitness Boot camps.I recently hosted one for a charity event for the C2BU, Courage to Be You Organization.Let’s talk about boot camps…Why oh why, me oh my, that label…I mean really…it sounds like down in the dirt, give me 100 push-ups, whistle blowing, body crunching, kill my body, not so fun fitness…does it not?I have to laugh at that because I get asked so many times if I will be able to do the exercises, is it really hard, I don’t think so, I am intimidated, no-way…I mean look at you for crying out loud.OK…STOP already.I can’t speak for other camps who may adhere to the “no pain kill my body no gain” philosophy… but I will tell
you this….I give to my SHF Boot camps the same attentive training as I teach in my studio to my clients.I lead a progressive workout and every body works at their level of fitness…OH MY…never never would I put a newbie through a workout not suited for his/her level…that would be negligent and really…I would never see the participant again…YIKES.I am a fun fitness girl, teacher, trainer, and motivator…now put all that outside and that makes for a fun combo of….. I
am going to get a great workout time!!!The beauty of outdoor workouts…in my book that is
what a boot camp is defined as….is enjoying being outside, changing up the routine, supplementing a current workout program, and meeting new fitness friends…now the day just started off fabulous…don’t you agree? There is something about using the different textures of ground…grass, decomposed granite, and asphalt that brings out even more endorphins….it is such a free feeling to exercise outside.Do I watch my participants like a hawk…YEP…I ensure proper form, technique and all the goodies that a trainer provides a client….I pull no punches to ensure the safety of those I am teaching.So….just because it is a boot camp that cost only $10 per class, does not mean I skimp….NO WAY.That is not my way and never will be….My passion is to spread the Stay Healthy life to as many people as I can and this is another fabulous avenue to do just that. That means…quality time and quality workout.Besides, it is also a learning experience…who wants to start out doing an exercise incorrectly and possibly being injured by that move…NO WAY….what fun to learn it right, do it right, and benefit from the fabulous body benefits…I say that is RIGHT ON!!!So…do I yell…YEP…do I laugh…YEP…tell corny jokes…YEP…ensure everyone is having FUN…HUGE YEP…do I demo and correct form….YEP….offer modification suggestions…YEP.Is it a Fabulous Workout….OH YEAH!!!It would be fabulous to be able to bring my Boot Camp sessions on line to everyone of you….HMMMM…OK…Darla back on the SHF Boot camp track…the details…now drum roll….the Boot camps are only $10 per camp…YEP…I believe in affordable fitness for everyone!No contracts and hosted EVERY OTHER Saturday starting June 18 and EVERY Tuesday evening starting June 21 .Get in touch with me for attendance to the Boot camps and ensure a spot on the Stay Healthy Roster.Lots of Fun, Fitness, Motivation…and a Fabulous Workout to Boot…no pun intended…you know me…good for a laugh!!!
MOTIVATION OF THE DAY:Time is Often Wasted Sitting on Our (fill in the blank!)
Love to ARC!
My Workout of the Day:
ARC trainer: 35 minutes Body Stuff, repeated the cycle 3x Low rows 35lbs @ 30 reps Leg Extensions 25lbs @ 25 reps Hamstring Curls 25lbs @ 25 reps
My Nutrition of the Day:
Coffee, one cup please 1-Pre-workout shake 2-Post-workout shake (I used sweet potato) 3-Spinach Salad with Protein Balls4-100% whole wheat pasta & b/s chicken 5-Grilled white fish & veggies (Yum!!!)
I am not kidding…my vacation was full of adventure, storms, bears, and a few bumps and bruises…YIKES…but OH…did I have a BLAST. Well…the last week in June and into the July 4th weekend…a vacation on the water seemed absolutely perfect…escape the heat, enjoy swimming in beautiful Lake Shasta, and take in the majestic Glacier and surroundings. We would stay on our boat, bring our Stay Healthy Foods, and try our new addition...a marine Grill to enjoy our fabulous foods. I am a planner, so list in hand, creating the budget and down to every morsel we would stock in our cooler. The excitement and anticipation of a week escape into the beauty of nature was over the top YAHOO…ready to GO! My hubby paid attention to the weather forecast and attended to the mechanics of the boat and truck…thank goodness. Let me tell you and can you believe this….drum roll…THUNDER STORMS were on the way…a tarp was packed with bungee cords just in case we had to batten down the hatches. We were hoping for the forecast to change the closer the trip came…we both were not going to let anything like a forecast change our plans….Full Steam Ahead. I pre-cooked Stay Healthy Omega Muffins, Whole Wheat Pasta with sundried tomatoes, basil, spice and olive oil, & boiled eggs. I also included raw nuts, fruits, peanut and almond butter, plenty of veggies, fruits, yogurt, spinach salad, lean meats, graham crackers for a treat, & plenty of water. We also purchased a small aged beef to break in the new Magma Grill. It was truly one of those feel like a kid can’t sleep because we are leaving for someplace magical vacations. The drive was fabulous…no clouds, great conversation, and we arrived at Lake Shasta ready to start our week of living on the boat. Food on board, water, and us….life could not have been any better. We launched the boat and found our cove for the night…now you have to imagine close quarters on a boat…and I look back now on how funny all this is…first thing… needing to drop anchor hubby quickly moves from the wheel to the front of the boat, but in the process foot connects with my jaw…YIKES…startled to feel a big foot in my face…but an ice is nice made it feel so much better. Moving on to 4am...the forecast came true and the rain began to demand our “no stitch on” attention…there we were in the middle of the night, tarp in hand, bungee cords everywhere, balancing on the top of the boat to batten down our home away from home. 
I am dedicating this Blog to my Stay Healthy Fitness Boot camps. I recently hosted one for a charity event for the C2BU, Courage to Be You Organization. Let’s talk about boot camps…Why oh why, me oh my, that label…I mean really…it sounds like down in the dirt, give me 100 push-ups, whistle blowing, body crunching, kill my body, not so fun fitness…does it not? I have to laugh at that because I get asked so many times if I will be able to do the exercises, is it really hard, I don’t think so, I am intimidated, no-way…I mean look at you for crying out loud. OK…STOP already. I can’t speak for other camps who may adhere to the “no pain kill my body no gain” philosophy… but I will tell 
what a boot camp is defined as….is enjoying being outside, changing up the routine, supplementing a current workout program, and meeting new fitness friends…now the day just started off fabulous…don’t you agree? There is something about using the different textures of ground…grass, decomposed granite, and asphalt that brings out even more endorphins….it is such a free feeling to exercise outside. Do I watch my participants like a hawk…YEP…I ensure proper form, technique and all the goodies that a trainer provides a client….I pull no punches to ensure the safety of those I am teaching. So….just because it is a boot camp that cost only $10 per class, does not mean I skimp….NO WAY. That is not my way and never will be….My passion is to spread the Stay Healthy life to as many people as I can and this is another fabulous avenue to do just that. That means…quality time and quality workout. Besides, it is also a learning experience…who wants to start out doing an exercise incorrectly and possibly being injured by that move…NO WAY….what fun to learn it right, do it right, and benefit from the fabulous body benefits…I say that is RIGHT ON!!! So…do I yell…YEP…do I laugh…YEP…tell corny jokes…YEP…ensure everyone is having FUN…HUGE YEP…do I demo and correct form….YEP….offer modification suggestions…YEP. Is it a Fabulous Workout….OH YEAH!!! It would be fabulous to be able to bring my Boot Camp sessions on line to everyone of you….HMMMM…OK…Darla back on the SHF Boot camp track…the details…now drum roll….the Boot camps are only $10 per camp…YEP…I believe in affordable fitness for everyone! No contracts and hosted EVERY OTHER Saturday starting June 18 and EVERY Tuesday evening starting June 21 . Get in touch with me for attendance to the Boot camps and ensure a spot on the Stay Healthy Roster. Lots of Fun, Fitness, Motivation…and a Fabulous Workout to Boot…no pun intended…you know me…good for a laugh!!!
