Danielle's Blog - Designer Fitness

Be Encouraged, even when January is tough!

Danielle — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:02:15 +0000

There is a reason why people do not reach the goals they set for themselves, changing habits and behaviors it hard work. Be encouraged today that for every small step you make you do get closer to your goal. You may take a few steps back now and then but you are still moving forward, no matter how slow.

Todays encouragement comes from Suzanne, a wonderful teacher and single mom who finds it hard to take time for herself. In late october she made the decision to join the weight loss study and now she has a new sense of self:

Since beginning my journey I have lost 16.5 inches and 17lbs. I’ve gained a better understanding when making food choices for my body type and for my lifestyle. The exercise program has delivered great results and I feel a new sense of empowerment.

Thanks Danielle, From Suzanne.

Don’t let anything hold you back today from becoming empowered. Just take that step!

Its a New Year – Now What??

Danielle — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:25:21 +0000

I love New Years. It feels like anything is possible all I need to do is set a new vision and new goals for myself. I was never a big fan of goal setting, many times I felt like I was setting the same goals over and over again and feeling like a bit of a failure. However, over the past 6 years my husband and I came up with a new tradition. On the 1st day of January we meet with a small group of friends that we admire and trust and we share with them our hopes and fears for the new years. After some encouragement, prayer and sharing we set our goals and keep each other accountable to them over the year. It was wonderful to meet and review our goals from last year and to see the tremendous amount of change that did happen and also to be encouraged to continue on the goals that we had not yet met. This was one of the first years that I was able to meet a weight loss goal which was to manage my PCOS, release 30lbs and keep it off for a full year. I am happy to say that I met that goal and I am excited to release another 20lb this year along with some other exciting goals. Another goal that was achieved was the development of a program that could benefit those of us with really stubborn weight/body fat that just would not come off due to issues with hormones. To see over 20 of my clients release stubborn fat has been a huge blessing to me. I will continue to encourage all of us with there stories over the coming weeks. SO now what? In 2012 I am looking forward to some major changes to our way of life, after being married for over 10year Steve and I are excited to welcome children into our home, our new home that is, through adoption. Sounds exciting? We think so, please say posted as we find balance in our lives with food, fitness, faith and family. Wishing us all a AMAZING 2012.

Be Encouraged Part 4

Danielle — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:26:17 +0000

Sue has seen some amazing success during our Weight Loss Study. She has overcome some yoyo dieting challenges and is excited about maintaining her changes. Here is what she has to say:

Wow, do I feel great! Thanks, Danielle for guiding me on the path to health, wellness and fitness! I started Danielle’s Weight Loss Study with Danielle’s support in early September, and 2 months later I have lost over 20 pounds and 20 inches! After years of up and down dieting, I have finally found something that works! The best part is I have lots of energy and feel terrific. Along with the program, Danielle’s bootcamp classes provided the extra push I needed to help me with my weight loss efforts. Thanks Danielle

Sue Noble

Be Encouraged Part 3

Danielle — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:59:37 +0000

Sheri is a Fantastic lady who I consider it a privilege to call my friend. She is a hard worker and a wonderful mom that does a ton of work with Kelowna Ringette. She has shown me that a busy mom and still find time to exercise and make healthy food choices. Here are some of her thoughts about bootcamps and the weight loss study:

I first met Danielle thru boot camp in May, I had a friend get me to join and have been going ever since, I absolutely love boot camp and I have a huge respect for Danielle and an appreciation for her energy and how she makes everything fun and exciting. After a few months of boot camp I asked her about the weight loss study as I was feeling much better physically and mentally and ready to start a new challenge like eating healthier and exercising on a regular basis. I am on approx week 10, I have lost 18lbs and 10inches I feel fantastic and am enjoying shopping for new clothes and to fitting into the old ones too!! I have learned to make smarter choices with food and exercise and it is paying off, I am not done yet but know that my goal is very near and attainable. Thank you Danielle for the encouraging words and support, it truly makes all the difference having someone who has been thru this as well for a support system! I totally recommend this to anyone who is in a rut and needs a change, it is amazing!!J

Cheers,

Sheri

Be Encouraged Part 2

Danielle — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:38:35 +0000

Allison is an amazing woman who is on a fantastic journey. Her attitude and her results are FANTASTIC. Be encouraged as she shares her story of success.

HER STORY

About 3 months ago I was reading an email from Danielle about a Weight Loss Study she was conducting. I was excited because the timing was perfect for me. I was very ready to try to lose weight again. I had been struggling with my weight since my mid 20′s, but had managed to lose over 60 pounds twice in the last 10 years. Sadly, I gained it back both times and had recently found it much harder to lose the closer I got to 40. People would tell me “it’s just your hormones, that’s what happens as you age”, but I didn’t know what to do about it. I continued to let myself go and was disappointed that I wasn’t fit and fabulous when I turned 40. I’m proud to say I am feeling fit and fabulous at 40 ½ thanks to the amazing changes I have made. As I write this I am on day 63 of my weight loss journey. I have exercised every single day. I have journaled every single day. I have made healthy choices, all day, every day. I have lost over 30 pounds. I feel in control of my eating for the first time in a very long time because I have changed how I think about food. I am actually eating to live and not living to eat! I don’t spend most of my day thinking about what I am going to eat next, or looking for treats to eat. I just eat my healthy choices when I am hungry, and only eat until my hunger is satisfied. By making myself and my health a priority it has been easy to commit 100% to my weight loss. I am not saying it has been easy every day. I’ve been learning that food doesn’t need to be such an important part in special events. Thanksgiving, birthdays, and even Halloween were about family and friends this year instead of the focus being on food. I even managed to lose weight after going on a girls’ weekend trip to Vancouver. I only needed to do a little planning so I was prepared to make healthy choices. A travel cooler and a small fridge in the hotel room was all I needed. I was even thrilled to find healthy food to eat at the food fair in a mall. Now that I have the knowledge about and experience with my new healthy habits, I truly believe I can continue to be successful on my journey.

Thanks Allison, I am so excited to see you continue – Thank you for sharing!

Be Encouraged in One Another’s Success

Danielle — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 22:32:16 +0000

Since July 2011 I have been working with many of my clients that have stubborn fat on a Weight Loss Study using hormone therapy, psychology, healthy eating plans and exercise and I have been seeing some amazing results. Over this month I would like to post some of the stories so that we can all celebrate in one another’s success. This posting comes from my friend Bron who has taken this study and changed her life.

Participating in Danielle’s weight loss study has been an amazing journey of self discovery and awareness. I have been an avid exerciser for many years. Food has always been my battle. I’ll be the first to tell anyone I love food and I love to eat. I have now learned the difference between eating for hunger, eating for taste and eating for the sake of chewing or just something to do. Through my meetings with Danielle, I started the process of identifying why I eat. The best part is I am now determining that reason automatically. I don’t have to remind myself to figure out the reason I’m reaching for food. It’s become a subconscious step that I take before I consume anything other than water. That slight pause for reasoning has made all the difference for me.

I have encountered a variety of mental challenges over these past weeks. I have overcome saboteurs of my efforts and progress. I had a bout of what I refer to as “food anxiety”, only to realize that it was all because of my own perceptions that I needed to let go of. I survived Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie. I ate a fully satisfying turkey dinner without gaining weight or over indulging. In the past I used special occasions as excuses to over eat.

I know that I am in control of what I choose to consume. I don’t have to eat something because it’s there and I now refuse to allow myself to use the poor choices of others as an excuse to make those same poor choices. In the past 6 weeks I have said farewell to 14 lbs, multiple inches and more than 2 sizes. Most importantly, I have welcomed a new me. Inside and out.

Maintaining Weight Loss can Sometimes be the Hardest Part

Danielle — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:17:15 +0000

I like to remind myself that I am “releasing weight” not “losing weight” – after all I am not planning on going to look for the “lost weight” just to find it again. The maintainability of fat release is often the hardest part for me. I can be dedicated to a program, I can put in the months of work and yet by the end I start to feel the need to “reward” myself for my dedication and I begin to “treat” myself to some of the foods I know lead me to a place of self sabotage. Funny (sad) not funny (haha) that I seem to want to return to these cycles almost as if I do not know any other way to experience success. The great news is that after 3 months of my 30lb of fat release that I am still in happy with my changes. I do have a few slip ups here and there but I seem to be more hopeful that I can make the changes I need to continue living a healthy lifestyle. I now have 10 clients that have joined me this month in my weight loss study and as I am watching the dramatic changes I really believe we are on to something good.

5.5 inch Red Stilettos

Danielle — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 20:02:57 +0000

I’m attending a wedding of a good friend this weekend. It will be a beautiful event with friends that I have not seen in a while and I want to look my best. Having dropped 30lbs over the last few months this shopping experience was much more pleasant; however, as with most girls, no matter what I was wearing my shoes would need to be fabulous! After selecting a classic cut grey dress I needed some footwear and accessories that would ‘pop.’ Well, let me tell you, I certainly found shoes that will do the job. Within 5 min of my dress purchase I found the last pair of candy red 5.5 inch stilettos in a nearby store. They called to me like a Greek siren and I promised myself that if I could stand in them I would buy them… and so I did! Now, with my new haircut, my longer eyelashes and my new shoes, I am feeling pretty sexy. I may be only 5’4″ tall but in these shoes I top out at 5’9″. I am enjoying my new “outlook” on the world!

SUPing up my workout!

Danielle — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:19:41 +0000

Summer can be an amazing time to be active but I find it really hard to workout inside when the beautiful sun is calling. This summer I have tried a new activity and I am LOVING it!! I first saw SUPing (stands for Stand Up Paddleboarding) in Hawaii a few Christmas’s ago and I thought ‘what a fantastic core workout that would be.’ Indeed SUPing is an excellent full body workout. My first time out I was just pleased that I stayed upright on the board and did not land in the cold water. My second time out I could start to feel my legs, arms and core working. The third time I really tried to pick up my pace and my arms were really feeling it. Now I am looking for any opportunity to get out on that board! SUPing for me has been a great motivating workout because it is so fun. Now with the help of Devin – Designer Fitness Paddle Boarding coach I am so happy to add this service to Designer Fitness Fitness Friends. Try something new this summer and come on out and SUP!

Loser Like Me

Danielle — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:36:13 +0000

Sliding into pants that were too tight just months ago is so rewarding when you have worked so hard for it. Naturally thin people can not comprehend the disciplined and sacrifice it takes to lose weight but yet many, in my experience, can be very quick to judge. I am very proud and excited to announce that I have released 30lb of fat and have 20 more to go to get to my target. After a lifetime of struggle what has changed? I opened myself up to the following: Food Addiction, Faith and Fitness. I was also willing to try a controversial hormone after all my hormonal research. For 42 days I studied my relationship with food, spent time in prayer and reduced my crazy exercise schedule to daily exercise without over-training. After seeing the immediate changes not only to my body but my mind as well I invited a few of my clients to join me in this weight loss study. For those that followed my plan and talked through the emotional and psychological ties to food, more AMAZING results were achieved. I am thrilled and ready to bring these results into my business. Now, by putting all this out there, I am accountable to maintaining these changes and not going back. I thank you for your support and look forward to the next few months. If you are looking for hope please consider joining me in my next weight loss study.