I was so amazed to log in this morning to see the amount of pages that have been viewed by all you wonderful people. I am honoured, I am grateful and so happy that my journey can be of some value in your lives. YOU mean so much to me so once again, thank you.
Workout Neck update, all okay. Nothing major thank goodness. Just a nerve pinching the main brain stem from a muscular condition (sounds bad when I write it?). So all this rest I have done, has been great. I just need to make sure I listen to my body especially if I am running with my stitch, not to tense my neck and shoulder region. Or perhaps just stop for now until I get better.
I modified my FYM exercises today from the Transformation Kitso I mainly worked my lower body. I also added some additional squats, against our wall outside with a SB (swiss ball) to ease any pressure. Never workout in discomfort, listen to your body and rest when needed.
Breakfast Chocolate protein waffles with greek yogurt and raspberries
Ingredients 1 scoop of 180 Nutrition coconut protein powder 2 tsp cacao powder 1 cup of blended oats (until flour form) handful of walnuts (blended with oats into flour form) 2 eggs splash of milk vanilla essence sprinkle of cinnamon apple concentrate (or use a banana for the sweet factor)
Method Mix dry ingredients well, add wet ingredients until you get a smooth batter for waffles (just thicker than my typical crepes mixture)
Morning snack Strawberry 180 Nutrition coconut protein drink
Lunch Quinoa salad sandwich 6 cherry tomatoes 1 latte Afternoon French toast with feta
Method Whisk all ingredients together, dip bread into mixture and gently pan fry in olive oil until golden brown
Dinner Mini beef hamburgers with corn on the cob and roasted carrot fries
Sorry dinner is a bit boring tonight, I am keeping it low key with cooking in the kitchen and didn't do much shopping so just using what ingredients we have in the fridge.
Ingredients mince meat garlic herbs 1 egg corn on the cob carrots (cut in half and into long sticks) cumin coriander S&P honey olive oil
Method Mix mince meat with S&P, garlic, preferred herbs, eggs and roll into balls (I squash them into mini burgers for a quicker cooking process!) Meanwhile clean and wash corn on the cobs and carrots. Boil in salty water. Just before carrots are tender, drain and mix some honey with olive oil, cumin, coriander, S&P and roast in oven until golden brown.
Hope you all had a sensational Thursday and once again apologies for the quick post. Off to Melbourne tomorrow to pick up my beautiful Mother that we haven't seen in over 3 months.
My belief has always been....BE what you have always wanted to BE!!!! Also surround yourself with less clutter especially around your home, that's where I fall short. I really need to get rid of things around the house that I clearly do not use and simply have hanging around for "some perfect day" I might just need this! Yeah, like whatever! Get rid of it Dani!!!
HAVE LESS. DO MORE. BE MORE.
So I had a bit of a sleep in this morning before my CT scan so I whipped up:
And off I went to the hospital with my breaky on the go, in fact here I am (for those that don't follow me on Instagram or Facebook) all smiles just to mask the pain, even though I am 100% better than I was yesterday especially after the adjustment at the Chiropractor! Oh yes and of course my dearest Valium ;-)
A very filling protein bar jam packed with all the lovely chia & sesame seeds, almond & tahini paste etc....I knew if I was delayed at the hospital this would be a fab meal replacement and it filled the gap beautifully before my lunch feast at home!
Lunch
Zucchini (courgette) ribbons with vegetable bolognese sauce
It's always handy having dinner left overs especially when your husband is home and isn't quite sure what to prepare you for lunch! Once again, he did extremely well but then said we deserved a little afternoon tea "treat" outside of the house today! So we went to a cafe and ordered.....
Afternoon snack
latte
mars bar chocolate cake (x1 serve between 6 people)
One of course to share amongst the six of us! Now that's what I call a good UPI (unexpected personal indulgent) as I didn't have to smash it all on my own (I would've, no problem) however the help of my other 4 little mouths and my darling hubby, I only got 3 spoon fills. Which was just enough and hit the spot.
Here is a glimpse of the cafe/restaurant we were at today.
The Grapes Hotel
And then we were off!!!! Out for dinner so I can have another night off!
Dinner Pork spare ribs with a greek garden salad
Another night off? WOW! Dinner at The Steakhouse Restaurant, now. YUMMO ribs!!! Like, finger licking yummo!!!
I am extremely lucky although I know I would much rather be in the kitchen than resting in bed. HANG ON! Did I just say that? Well, rest is what I do need so I won't complain about that, it's just the circumstances that aren't too pleasant but all is well and I look forward to touching base with you all tomorrow. As my Mother would say "You mustn't be sick if you have time to go on the computer" in a Serbian accent of course! LAKU NOĆ ~ Goodnight everyone Xx Dani
You have all been asking about what natural coconut and chocolate protein powder I am using.
Okay, I have tried and tested it and I would like to introduce you to.....drum roll please....
As you all know, I have been searching for an all organic, raw and vegan protein powder and I am proud to say these guys tick all the boxes. Feel free to peruse their site for more info and grab their sample packs to trial. As it is different to all the other protein powders, there are no synthetic fillers, sugar or preservatives. All ingredients are natural, organic and raw ingredients. You can taste them all in your mouth! It feels different in your mouth, it's quite unique which sets them apart from the rest!
Hence when I opened the pack and saw the ingredients in their true form! I fell in love instantly. As I could find half of their ingredients in my pantry. And you know me how I like to experiment with food and recipes etc....this is what I came up with:
No bake 180 Nutrition cookie
Ingredients 2 cups of rolled oats 1 tsp sesame seeds 1tsp black chia seeds 1 tsp cacoa (for that extra chocolate taste) 1tsp coconut drizzle of honey 1 scoop chocolate 180 Nutrition Splash of milk
Method Mix all ingredients and add milk to combine until cookie dough consistency. Kids loved it!
My main driver when researching the protein powder, I wanted to make sure that their whey protein isolate was nothing but the highest of quality, nutrient dense, chemical free and of course home grown raw ingredients!!!
Anyhow, that's my view of the product. Click on their logo and read for yourself and let me know how you go!!! I am really happy with the 2 choices, as the chocolate gives me my sugar fix when I need it and the coconut one works beautifully with my green smoothies, as it's a neutral tasting powder.
Workout Had to give it a miss today due to my neck. Went to see a GP and Chiropractor. I have a C1 pressing on my brain stem and need to get a CT scan in the morning. All good, drugged up so it's going to be a ok. Keep you posted with the results, I'm just tipping I have been a bit overloaded with some stuff going on here at home so it's just my body telling me to s.l.o.w i.t d.o.w.n
Breakfast Raspberry and strawberry porridge with black chia seeds and walnuts
Morning snack Natural greek yogurt served with strawberries and cantaloupe
Lunch Chicken cheese sandwiches
We were all over the place this afternoon so I was grateful Adrian was around to help me with the kids, make lunch and drop me off at the doctors....when I got back home I was still very hungry and this protein drink really filled my tummy up! Afternoon snack Chocolate 180 Nutrition smoothie 1 banana chia seeds walnuts milk
Dinner Vegetable bolognese with wholemeal pasta (I had it with zucchini juliennes)
Adrian took this photo however I took the one below as I set out all the ingredients for him and a list on how to cook a simple bolognese sauce.
Method Heat olive oil and sautee onion, garlic, carrots, capsicum (red bell pepper) and zucchini (corgette). Once cooked, add mince meat, herbs and cook until brown. Pour tomato passata sauce and 1 tin of crushed tomatoes. Add more passata if required with tomato paste and water. He did a great job!!!
Okay another early night for me, it was chaotic today! I hope you are all fantastic and thanks for all your comments here, Facebook and Instagram! You truly make my day!!!
YAY!!! I can't believe we're nearly half way through the FYM challenge!!! Time to crank it up to the next level as I have been a bit complacent. I still haven't managed to buy heavier weights, so this is my mission this week. My 4.5kgs dumbbells are like lifting feathers (well, not really but you know what I mean). Just need to build my strength a bit more and looking at buying either heavier dumbbells, a 10kg plate or getting a kettle bell? Or maybe all of the above???
What weights do you prefer to use?
I'll keep you posted with my new purchase/s. My real hassle with all this equipment, is storage! I have no dedicated place to store these guys so that's why I have been a bit slack purchasing them!
Oh yes, forgot to mention I was featured on Fit Yummy Mummy's blog on Saturdayif you'd like to check it out. I'm so glad that I can be a great ambassador of Clubfym and encourage those women who are wanting to regain their body back after having babies. 15 minutes per day is all it takes me to get the results I have got, so I do hope to see you there!!!!
Workouts I completed my Transformation Kit workout yesterday and even managed to do my 12km run on Saturday. Pretty huge effort I think for someone that has only been able to run a bath!!! I am completely stepping out of my comfort zone and trying to embrace something I am not so good at!
Here is the scenery and running track I was running beside and loving every minute of it!
How divine is this running track ~ Lake Wendouree, Ballarat
Run Ballarat course
Breakfast
Bircher muesli with strawberries
Ingredients
Oats
pepita seeds
sunflower seeds
2 oranges (juices)
1 lemon (juice)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 chopped dried apricots
Method
Soak above ingredients overnight and add milk and fresh fruit and enjoy!
Morning snack Yogurt with fruit
Lunch Smoked salmon and egg salad
Ingredients 2 slices of smoked salmon 1 tomato 1 handful of spinach 3 hard boiled eggs drizzle of olive oil & vinegar
Afternoon snack
Coconut banana protein smoothie
Dinner Broccolini with BBQ chicken skewers
The dressing 3 crushed garlics 1 tsp seeded mustard 1 tablespoon white rice vinegar S&P 1 tablespoon of olive oil
Add all ingredients together (except olive oil) then add olive oil last to emulsify this delightful dressing!
This is the dressing I poured over the steamed broccolini which I prepare in 4 stages. I also toast pine nuts and generously sprinkle over the broccolini, we love the taste!
1. Wash broccolinithoroughly 2. Steam broccolini 3. Place in cold icy water (remains green and fresh looking) 4. Drain in colander with absorbent kitchen paper
With the chicken skewers I pretty much marinated them in lemon juice, seasoned with S&P, 2 crushed garlics and tarragon leaves. I also leave the bamboo skewers in the tub to soak up the lemon juice to avoid them burning!
Off to bed early tonight, had vertigo all day today, very dizzy and light headed. I think it's caused by my pinched nerve in my neck. Not cool. Will go to Chiropractor tomorrow to check it all out.
Look forward to touching base with you all again! Have a sensational week!!!
It’s true – I have managed to get my body back within 12 months of having a baby, each and every time without fail, that is once I discovered Fit Yummy Mummy and ClubFYM after having my second baby.
I get asked by many women “do you think I’ll ever get my body back” OR “maybe I should just give up and accept my post baby body is what it is!”.
After having 4 babies I have been able to demonstrate how successful the FYM system works. Fit Yummy Mummy is not a yo yo fad diet system. That discipline and consistency pays off. I am here to show them they do not need to give up. This works! But I too, had to start from square one.
This is me in 2006…. I thought I was content with my life and weighing over 90kgs AKA 200lbs with the unhealthy food choices with no exercise regime in my life whatsoever….
Until I wanted my sexy back or rather my post baby body back! That’s when I found the Fit Yummy Mummy system and it changed MY life and my families FOREVER. I have been a member of ClubFYM since the birth of my second son Oscar in 2007. I have 2+2 kids Noah turned 7 in August, Oscar will be 5 in November, Mietta will be 3 in October and my baby girl Zali just turned 1 in August. So I’ve been one busy Mum planning all these birthdays as well as staying on top of my own personal fitness. FYM has been a fantastic fitness regime in my life. Combined with clean eating I am feeling fabulous, full of energy and just feel fantastic in general. It’s amazing how body image plays with your confidence.
The workouts are sensational. They are quick and really challenged me!
My Fitness Goals Eat clean 90% of the time Do a 2 week no sugar challenge Lose the fluffy look To increase my weights Improve core strength exercises and resurface my abs Tone and Lift
My Results
(Photo 1 Pregnant with Baby #4 at 40 Weeks Photo 2 Results August 2012)
Starting Stats 10 Days Post Baby #Four Height 5’11″ Weight 78kgs – 170lbs muffin top 94 cms – 37 inches Body fat 28%
Current Results August 2012 Height 5’11″ Weight: 64KGS ~ 141lb Waist: 77CM ~ 30″ Hips: 92CM ~ 36″ Muffin top: 84CM ~ 33″ Body Fat: 17%
Total Results: Removed 29 pounds of baby fat and melted 4 Inches off Muffin Top
Bye Bye Muffin Top ~ Flat Abs Are Made In The Kitchen
Clean Eating is key to melting the muffin top and enjoying flat tummy results! I plan our meals and snacks as much as possible. We have all become examples of clean living to all our family and friends. I have also mastered a lot of my cooking due to FYM as I pride myself on presentation to appeal to our entire family. I have DARED myself and learnt to make things from scratch eg: yogurt, almond butter & milk, dips, GF bread etc...
I get inspired by my family’s faces and compliments as I present them with their meals every day, searching my left over ingredients to find a new recipe to cook every day and trying to perfect our “clean eating” habits.
We just cut up some kiwi & strawberry for the bottom layer, added yogurt, then frozen berries with walnuts, topped with yogurt. Kids had honey drizzled onto, I added a mint leaf. Experiencing this transformation has been a win win for our entire family!
It has definitely given me a new outlook on life, a greater purpose if you like. Now that I have conquered my biggest physical challenges and repeated the process after my fourth child, I feel that anything is possible. That’s the greatest gift that FYM can give any potential yummy mummy, a greater sense of accomplishment, self worth and an unquenchable desire to not only better your own life, but those around you as well.
"Thank you Holly for a wonderful program that is truly inspirational.”
~ Dani Stevens, Age 38, Mom of Four (ages 7-1) Australia, Victoria
The Ladies at ClubFYM and I are here to help YOU achieve your Best Body Yet!
Your Friend and Fit Yummy Mummy Coach,
Are you doing this?
Supportive people will be such a blessing to you, and really can help you to maintain your motivation for lifestyle change. Spending time with like-minded friends can also give you the strength and confidence to deal with people who are spiteful of your success. And, it’s always good to have others around you who understand and can relate to what you’re going through.
Don’t forget -> if you are ever in need of an uplifting and positive support system; the members of ClubFYM.com and myself are here to personally cheer you on.
Helping others be successful is one of the most rewarding aspects of our online community.
The new monthly workout videos, meal planning tips, recipe forums and transformation challenges are just nice added perks ; ) We get that making changes to your lifestyle is difficult and that no one should have to do it alone.
Well…not as big as they used to be physically but my mental and emotional shoulders are definitely making up for that loss…lol.What the heck does this have to do with fitness, my life, my health…I say everything!
When you are in a position of internet personality, helping people from around the world, bravely putting yourself out there for all to see through images, videos, and opinions…well…the mental shoulders get well developed.As you know, I am a say it like it is person, trainer, consultant, coach, expert and any other name that gets tagged onto “Darla” the fitness gal.In this position, I MUST remain POSITIVE and let things roll off my back like a duck sometimes.The majority of the time, I am taken with appreciation, and thankfulness from so many for providing the hope they thought was never possible…touching to me as my purpose to help has been accomplished.
The other side of the coin can be exactly the opposite and filled with statements from people who do not take the time to know ME and jump into an attitude of sharing only judgments and negative comments.I can read through that into an unhappy soul who really wants to be healthy and the BEST, but not at a place in their life and unwilling to make that happen, and it is always easiest to lash out at someone than take responsibility for self.Really…I would like to reach out and give all those people a hug…NO…I really do…because they just need to have the encouragement and love to realize their fabulous potential.
I do not need to go into statement details but anyone who sits in my position as a fitness expert who has put themselves out there understands the lashings that can come in reference to a fit body, workouts, personal life, sharing success stories, making opinions and comments, and even recipes for crying out loud.I was taught never to judge a book by its cover and this is so important in life, but especially in what I do for a living as I see people of all shapes and sizes…and they are ALL FABULOUS!!!Could you imagine if I was a judgmental person…well…NO WAY…I could not do my job if I was running people into the ground for being too heavy, too skinny, low self esteem, body image issues, hairstyle, clothes, and the list can go on and on…how in the world would I MOTIVATE or help anyone with that mindset…I mean what in the heck is up with a judgmental mentality anyway.Who am I to judge…am I God…NO…I am Darla, the person who just so happens to come to YOU daily through different internet mediums to In Your Face MOTIVATE YOU.
I LOVE my Big Shoulders because they provide me with emotional strength and the ability to “not sweat the small stuff” in this life.They give me a very caring spirit and the understanding that negative statements usually come from people who are truly hurting, bitter from personal issues or life events not dealt with yet, and who really want and need help, but just do not know how to be vulnerable enough to let those feelings out in a healthy way to start the healing process.In my position of trainer, consultant and coach, I wear many hats, and during the times of hearing or receiving negative comments, I throw on the “coaching/therapist hat” and become the BEST listener in this moment, keying in on any details that I may be able to offer help, dig deep into who that person is, provide insight and validation, but at the same time, provide the guidance that says…HEY…TODAY is a new day and time to toss the old crap to the curb and begin a new healthy lifestyle…you get the picture.
The beautiful part about my life is that I choose to be POSITIVE in ALL circumstances,personally surround myself with people who will nourish my soul in a positive way, and lean on one of my favorite quotes that states “Life is 10% What Happens to You and 90% How You Respond to It.” Does that mean that I avoid all negative people, situations, and comments in my work…of course not…this is not realistic in my position...I am surrounded by people on a daily basis physically and online who are going through things that they are healing from or do not even realize they need help with, and all that is needed are some Big Shoulders to take on the task of helping and healing.Am I ever offended by such comments and sucked down to a point of OH MY…WHY DO I CONTINUE TO PUT MYSELF OUT THERE….well…the answer is a Big Hell No.If anything, I feel challenged to help even more…I always have HOPE, always PERSEVERE, and do not believe in failure…in fact, in my opinion, failure is GOOD and a stepping stone to dusting off and becoming a better person.In this journey called life, I will continue to develop my Big Shoulders, continue to MOTIVATE…some may like me and some may not…that is OK and out of my control…but I will push forward with the cause of helping people adapt healthy lives…and for my Big Shoulders…ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!Stay Healthy~
IN YOUR FACE MOTIVATIONS
For a Limited Time Only, enjoy my Stay Healthy Nutrition Guide as a Free Gift to YOU with a $10 donation to support Stay Healthy Fitness, YOU, your health and happiness. Thank you all for the many MOTIVATIONAL comments, notes of appreciation, and emails sent to me through all my online mediums. I read and respond to each and every one and hearing that I have helped YOU is YOUR gift to me. Many Blessings to YOU and Stay Healthy!
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