Blog: I'm a Cheater and I'm Just Fine with That

Yes, I am a cheater and that is just fine with me. 

Yikes Darla, what the heck are you blogging now? Well, not talking relationships (well maybe).  I am talking about my relationship with food to maintain my 47 year young self. 

I thought Halloween was the perfect time to talk about this subject: being a cheater that is.  This fun, candy laden day is filled with tons of sugar and fat contributing candy bars, treats, cupcakes, cookies and OMG really oh my steer clear of the grocery store right now. 

In fact, I sit here blogging this before “trick or treat” time and I still have not purchased my candy to hand out.  Why?  Well, I or hubby need not be tempted by the bags lurking about and this type of food just does not live in our house anyway.

Does that mean I never eat candy? Well of course I absolutely have a treat now and then.  If any fitness professional says they never do this, well, I will not go there, as this Blog is about how I maintain me. 

Moving on to the treats. Do I have them? On occasion I will indulge.  Let me just share that I maintain a “clean” nutritional food intake almost daily. What the heck is “clean?" That word is thrown around so much in the health world, fitness industry, and is quite the food buzz word.  Well I certainly do not run my food through the quick wash and dry cycle, of course I have a sense of humor about almost everything. 

My clean foods consist of boneless skinless chicken breast, lean turkey and ground lean turkey, salmon, white fish, raw walnuts and almonds, pumpkin seeds, sweet potatoes, Greek yogurt, whey protein, eggs, greens, lots of veggies and fruits, beans, oats, flax meal, peanut and almond butter, 100% high pulp prune juice, light soy milk and I know I may be leaving a few things out, but I hope you get what I am trying to say here. 

Drum roll…yes, I will indulge and have a quality splurge now and then. Oh and my favorite “not on my clean list” candy is York Peppermint Patties - cold, yum, refreshing.  Yes, I know what you are thinking: really Darla? A York ... the candy that says lo-cal on the wrapper? Well, yes, it does, but I am a mint and chocolate gal and one of these in the refrigerator and served cold - absolutely refreshing. 

I am just not into the nougat, extra chewy stuff. Sorry, not me.  OK, shared my candy, moving on to what I mean by my quality splurge. First, I never plan a cheat meal but when the urge strikes me and I want a brownie, piece of pie or cookie, I will not go and get a packaged product. Yuck. That is a big waste of my calories.

My splurge has to be quality and baked with lots of TLC, just like my Mom made for me when I was growing up.   An example is my annual trip to Apple Hill where fresh baked apple dumplings are served with a warm cider sauce and ala mode for me. Now that is what I am talking about.

Yes, I have a quality splurge and still maintain my physique just fine.  You see, everything in moderation - life is all about balance and not deprivation to the point of not enjoying life.  This is unhealthy in my opinion.  I tell my clients that if they are wanting a cookie, dreaming about a cookie, thinking about it all the time: Go eat the cookie, but make it quality, not processed, go out for it,  do not bring anything back home, be done with READ MORE

My Workout of the Day:

• 20 minute ARC trainer for cardio
• Interval Training Cycle:
• Each exercise performed for 1 minute and cycle repeated until 30 minute program was complete
• Hamstring Curls @ 25lbs
• Leg Extensions @ 25lbs
• Jump Rope
• Negative Pull ups
• Split Lunge Jumps
• Body Ball Abs
• Step Ups (alternate leg)
• Low Rows @ 30lbs

 CLICK HERE TO SEE MY NUTRITION OF THE DAY

Also enjoy my complete personal blog here, where  I will be sharing my Stay Healthy Life with you through my example of what I do to maintain my health, physique, and being my best me at 47!!! I look forward to blogging for you. Stay tuned for recipes, articles, links, videos, and very personal shares!!

Stay Healthy!

Darla ;)