Wednesday WOOT! Factor!!
Happy Wednesday Peeps!! How is your week going? Mine is AWESOME! Despite this ratty Chicago weather that makes me want to run to Miami like YESTERDAY, I'm doing great. Workouts YES, Diet YES. And here we are with a Wednesday WOOT! Factor interview that is sure to AMP YOU UP IN A BIG WAY. I discovered Ms. Darla Leal on YouTube ages ago, and I know I've shared some of her earlier vlogs like this:
And also here are some others that made me say, HOLY COW this chick ROCKS and knows her stuff!
Yea.
So, clearly I was excited to eventually connect with her on Facebook and now she is blogging again in a BIG way. So, stay tuned and enjoy today's Wednesday Woot! Factor interview, of course, always brought to you by the Fun, Fabulous, Fitness Minds at Sears FitStudio! BOOYA! Join us every Wednesday night at 7:30pm CST for Twitter chats on all things diet and fitness- just follow #FitStudio and join in!! Good times. And....if you haven't yet, check out FitStudio.com or join in to some great discussions on the Facebook page- CLICK HERE and show us the LIKE LOVE if you feel it.
Wednesday WOOT! Factor Questions ~ Darla Leal
When did you first start working out and why?
I have always been an athlete since junior high, but would have to say that after the birth of my 2nd child in 1991, I started applying weight resistance training regularly and also to prepare for the Galaxy competitions. I needed more shape in my upper body and I created my curves with muscle to be more proportionate.
Are you at your “Happy Place” right now – meaning more of a maintenance mode, or are you still in a weight loss mode?
I am in a very happy place with my body and workouts. I am definitely on a maintenance mode program living the example of what I teach to my clients & online.
If you are in maintenance mode, do you feel that you work just as hard to maintain your level of fitness as you did to lose it?
Working out feels like breathing to me, and during the workouts, I do push as hard as I can with my limitations, but it does not feel hard to maintain this lifestyle. I hope that makes sense….I live this way every day of my life and it feels very comfortable. This can be a no/yes question, as yes, I work at it every day, but since it has been my lifestyle for over 20 years, it does not feel like I am working as hard as I did to let’s say, prepare for a competition.
What does your current workout “routine” look like now?
A great mix of interval training, cardio, weight resistance training, and stretching. I workout 5-6 days per week & I come from a running back ground, so utilize my ARC trainer prior to every workout. My goal is to complete my workout in an hour.
One of my weeks could look like this:
Day 1: Cardio/core: 45-50 min ARC trainer /Variety Abs/Stretch
Day 2: Interval Arc Trainer (20 min): Legs & Modified Back
Day 3: Interval Arc Trainer (30 min) & Bodyweight Leg workout/Arms
Day 4: Recovery day
Repeat of Day 1
What do you do for cardio?
CYBEX ARC Trainer….Talk about a thrill ride;)
Do you workout at home or the gym?
I have a private gym studio where I train myself and my clients
What do you say to those that haven’t gotten fit and complain that they don’t because they “can’t get motivated”?
I am a “say it like it is” trainer, I pull no punches because I do want EVERYONE to live a Stay Healthy life…so this would be an excuse…but I would also pursue further with them to find out what motivates them….& take it even deeper after that question is answered and show them how to apply that to their workouts.
What about any/all of the excuses like “No time”, “No money”, “no gym”, “no support”?
Bullshit…oops…can I say that. If a person is so busy with life to not take care of them self, a re-evaluation of their life needs to take place…I mean really??? Again, I do not except excuses, especially when it comes to making health a priority. Of course, I say this all in fitness love, and in a way that makes sense to them. Without our health, where would we be? It is truly time for everyone to wake up to what happiness, health, & success really means. There are no rewinds in this life & living a quality life is so important. These are excuses that I hear almost every day during consultation, and by the end of the session, there is always an enlightenment of time wasted that could be used for that 30-60 minute “sweat session”. This is a soap box question for me Kelly….I could make this whole interview about this one question;)
What does your “diet” look like i.e. how you eat, what is your Philosophy?
I utilize my Stay Healthy Nutrition Guide that I share with all my clients. Eating healthy should be fun, taste good, and keep you satisfied all day long. I believe in stress-free eating and I LOVE to eat, and eat often. My nutrition consists of lean proteins, antioxidants, fiber & healthy fats. I eat 5-6 times per day, using the palm size portion method, and every 2 ½ hours.
A day of eating can look like this:
Meal 1: pre-workout shake
Meal 2: post-workout shake
Meal 3: Powered Up Oats with whey, nuts & cinnamon
Meal 4: Sweet potato with lean protein source
Meal 5: Steamed or Grilled Veggies & Salmon
Meal 6: Protein Pudding
What changes have you made over the past several years in your diet and/or workout approach and why?
My nutrition has come full circle and I no longer count or measure anything….too stressful. As long as I am eating something healthy every 2 ½ hours, I am good to go. My workout has changed dramatically since my cervical injury. There are many things I can no longer do…like pound the pavement for running, pushups or overhead work. I also do not utilize heavy weights. I maintain my physique with lots of interval work, light weight high rep resistance, core & balance, and cardio.
What is your food weakness?
Hmmm….I really do not have one of those…but if I had to choose, it has to be quality home baked apple crisp or other out of this world pie. I do enjoy a chilled peppermint patty every once in awhile;)
What is your favorite healthy breakfast?
Steel cut oats hands down. I mix in vanilla whey protein, flax meal, raisins, cinnamon & walnuts….YUMMMM
When did you start blogging and why?
I started blogging in 2008. I enjoy writing and this was another way I could reach people to get healthy. My passion is to help as many people as I can to get healthy and Stay Healthy. Blogging is a great platform to share my recipes, tips, videos and my life. I get asked all the time “how I got this body, what do I do, what do I eat”….I am putting it all on my blog and enjoying the feedback. If I can reach one person, then I have done something to change a life for the better….if I can reach thousands, millions….my reward is to celebrate that I made a difference in helping people turn their lives around, reach their goals, and most importantly, live a quality Stay Healthy Life!
How has blogging enhanced your fitness efforts?
It truly is an accountability tool and my personal motivator to be true to my workouts & nutrition because I am teaching others through my life. The audience expects to see the vision of health & fitness through my videos & images and I am determined to continue to do that for the rest of my Stay Healthy Life….no hypocrite here….what they see is ME…and that is what I give;)
What is your Twitter/FB/Email?
http://stayhealthyfitness.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stay-Healthy-Fitness/159559142619
http://twitter.com/#!/DarlaLeal
fitness@stayhealthyfitness.com
What haven’t you done (fitness wise) that you’d like to try?
Hmmmm……I will have to think on that. Things that come to mind…Stay Healthy food show on the food network…this really needs to be represented in a fun way. Possibly a Masters Model Competition…that is still in the contemplative stage. My passion truly is in the area of helping people now.
What motivates you to keep at it?
There is nothing better in this life than feeling healthy, and having a quality of life, in spite of my limitations, that embraces that I am taking the BEST care of me. Everything about living the way I do motivates me….I feel strong, young, healthy, sexy & happy.
Are you a morning workout person or evening or lunchtime?
I feel strongest for workout in the morning…and what a fabulous way to start my day;)
What is YOUR biggest excuse that you find yourself battling in not wanting to workout a certain day?
This is rare, but when it does hit, it is usually around my cycle…the whole hormonal tired issue…not fun.
Do you weigh yourself or measure yourself?
On rare occasion do I weigh myself. I never measure. This is how I feel….it comes down to a “bare me” and the mirror…if I like what I see then that is what counts, and I am good with that!
More from Darla:
Over the years and to this day I get told “I want to look like you”. My response…it is about looking like “YOU”, being the “BEST YOU” with the genetics you have. Everybody has the ability to get healthy and Stay Healthy and this is where I enter the picture as a motivator, encourager, trainer, consultant, and coach. I celebrate every pound shed, every exercise progressed, & every newly implemented healthy food item shared. I am touched on a daily basis by the clients that I work with physically and online. I read every comment, kudo, concern, and question….everyone deserves that attention. I am very passionate about what I do, sincerely care about people and their health, and I long to be a HUGE voice to help people develop a Stay Healthy life for LIFE. When a client comes to me with a readiness to get healthy, it is ON with me and them. I promise to give 100% of myself, but expect the same from them. It is truly team work that makes this happen. It is a trusting bond of I am serious about what you are teaching me, and me believing that they are doing it…..I know when it is not happening. Honesty is so important because who is kidding who and why waste my time or why waste your money. I am here to truly make a difference in a life and for those who know me, it is apparent with how I live my life. I walk the talk of what I teach. I do not sweat the small stuff and live a life of only controlling those things I can and letting go of the rest. I am REAL, down to earth, live simply, kindly, and passionately. I am a true motivator in every sense of the word. This is who I am…I look forward to meeting you. Exercise is a journey and not a destination….I say…let’s enjoy the Stay Healthy Ride!
She is awesome. Do you have any questions for Darla? Share them in the comments and be sure to bookmark her killer blog!
@FitStudio, @searsfitness, Darla Leal, Sears, Wednesday WOOT! Factor
Reader Comments (9)
“Eating healthy should be fun, taste good, and keep you satisfied all day long.”
This is a great sentence. Unfortunately, many people probably think that eating healthy and being fit is synonymous with hunger and torture.
If I may ask some questions, I’d like to hear Darla’s opinions (in terms of how it is good/bad for our health/fitness etc.) on:
- pre-workout stretching
- post-workout stretching
- long-distance running (half-marathons, marathons)
- long-distance cycling (5+ hours)
- unfit personal trainers
And one a bit different question: What is your passion (or what are your passions) besides the fitness/health/diet/nutrition related stuff?
And if it’s possible I’d like to hear Kelly’s answers to these questions as well.
Martin, my "I'm not a trainer, not certified, so this is totally my opinion only" take:
Pre-Workout stretching from what I've read is not necessary. Post workout stretch is very important. Unfit personal trainers make NO sense to me. AT ALL. Long distance running and cycling, I admire those that can do it and train for it. Personally I'd love to do 1/2 marathons- but the timing required for training for them marks me out.
Hi Martin,
First, thanks for reading and for appreciating my philosophy of healthy eating!
Pre-workout stretching: Agree. a warm up period of at least 6-10 minutes prior to light stretch, & especially focused on the muscles to be worked. I perform a light general all over body.
Post-workout stretching: Absolutely YES. I demonstrated rope stretching on my Stay Healthy Fitness Blog today. Great watch & I explain the importance of flexibility as it is a component of physical fitness.
Long-distance running: The sport is definitely not for everyone, me included, at this stage of the game. I come from a cross country & track background so understand the thrill of the run, and the "runner's high" is a feeling like no other. It is a demanding sport, however, requiring preparing the body aerobically & in general for the long haul. The training is demanding and continual attention to proper body mechanics & form, footwear, & stretching is very important. It is a sport that taxes the body & joints and it is always important to listen when the body speaks in a big way to avoid chronic issues. In closing...it is a sport to be admired.
Long-distance cycling: Another demanding sport to be admired. I believe in sports specific training and good form and technique are essential to being a very good cyclist. Before hitting that pavement, an athlete should know the body on the bike & be completely comfortable with the ride. Consider all the body systems at work here. What it comes down to in any long distance sport, is good preparation. The demands of the body are great, and body systems require progressive training to meet those demand. Once a person is ready, a good hydration pack and glycogen refueling for the long journey will make for a GREAT RIDE.
Unfit personal trainers: I agree with Kelly on this one. I am a trainer and believe that I would be a hypocrite if I did not WALK THE TALK....saying it bluntly .
My passions unrelated to my fit lifestyle...different question.......hmmm....I would have to say being newly married, I am looking forward to more travel...lots of the world I have not seen and that would be fabulous to venture and discover new lands, culture & history. I still need to include cooking here as I am very passionate about all types of cooking and baking.
Stay Healthy!
Kelly,
although it’s certainly only fair of you that you are pointing out the fact that you are not a certified trainer, I don’t think it’s that important. There are certainly many fitness enthusiasts out there without any certificates who know the fitness stuff, and there are certainly many certified trainers who don’t know their asses from their elbows. I prefer to focus on (and think about) what people say and do, not on what certificates or diplomas they have. So, thank you for your answers.
Darla,
thank you for taking the time to answer all my questions. I am sure these answers are of benefit to many of Kelly’s readers, not just to me.
Thanks again and good luck with both your fitness and non-fitness activities!
Darla- thanks for answering the questions! Martin, you are a cool cat ;-)
Kelly, why is nobody asking anything? You have a million or so followers (well, maybe a bit fewer) and nobody of them wants to know anything fitness related? Or they know everything they need to know? Or is it a cultural thing? That although readers are offered the opportunity to ask a question, nobody is in fact expected to ask a question? Or what’s going on here?
Martin, statistics show that only about 1% of readers will actually comment. More blog readers are "lurkers" who read but don't comment. I did the same thing when I first started reading blogs, and then I broke out of my shell and left comments. This is how I began developing relationships and building friendships, which also....resulted in a lot of the social media "fame" if you will that I have now- people can't meet you if they never see or hear from you right!! ;-)
Thank you for this Introduction to Social Media. Being a Social Media Cupcake, you certainly know what you are talking about and I WILL remember it. But it still seems strange to me. I am not wondering why people aren’t commenting on the interview, I’m wondering why people aren’t asking questions. Darla knows her stuff and so she can give people valuable advice. For free, at this place and at this moment. I think this might push the percentage a bit higher. Strange. A wasted opportunity to learn something, I would say.
Martin, I totally hear you! ;-) I agree!