The long game. A client testimonial.

My client Sherry made this testimonial post over on her Facebook page and it brought me to tears.  I am so proud of this woman. The beautiful thing about life is you can decide who you want to be and how you want to live. And she did. She chose health and fitness and hired me to help her. This is why I coach.

"I'm going into 10 months of a weekly training session with my personal trainer… And today I was just really proud of myself, and wanted to share. One year ago I was really struggling with my health. I was depressed, battling fibromyalgia, losing feeling in one or both legs at a time regularly, migraines that would last days if not weeks, and I was unable to do the most basic exercises and activities because of pain. There were many days where I was having to walk with a cane and in my early 30s I even had a handicap placard that I was so embarrassed to use because I never wanted anyone to know how bad things really were. I would literally go grocery shopping, or to a Walmart not in my area just to make sure no one I knew would see me in a motorized shopping cart or parking in a handicap space! I would spend two days a week working, and five days recovering. But with the help of an amazing personal trainer, my bad days now are what used to be my amazing days. I can move, I don't even know where that cane is anymore because I haven't used it since this past spring. Wahoo!! I initially searched out for a personal trainer because I desperately wanted to make sure that I could make it through my wedding day without having or needing assistance to walk down the aisle. I did that, and I've done so much more. I still struggle daily with some health issues… But I no longer see myself as a victim of a diagnosis, but rather an advocate of how much choice we have and feeling better. I get to go to my weekly sessions now and do all the exercises she asks me too, and I leave feeling like I am successful, not defeated… I leave feeling fit, not like I need to mend a broken body. I didn't need stronger medication, massage, acupuncture, or physiotherapy. I just needed to learn how to take care of my body and have someone to support me no matter how bad I wanted to give up. I have an extremely long way to go, but I can't say there is ever going to be a finish line… This is much more than getting in and exercise, or learning how to eat better… It's 100% about learning to love myself enough to take care of myself. Big thanks to my coach for investing in me and always knowing what I needed even if it meant spending an hour on a foam roller, or just speaking truth to motivate me for the next week. I am super thankful that I am a client at Custom Fit, and even more thankful that I am a client of Deanna Harder. Pretty much the most bad ass bitch I know. 😊" Sherry Oleksyn

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Turning 40 and a new beginning!

After I went through a hardship 10 years ago with a condo litigation disaster I was in limbo. I felt as though I was undeserving of having nice things. I never felt at home in this place. I never really unpacked and no pictures were hung. I was stuck in inaction. I kept saying to myself, "as soon as I get married, I will move out of this place"

"As soon as I make more money I will renovate"

"I will sell it and just start over..."

As soon as, bla bla bla...it wasn't happening.

My husband has not shown up yet...

The market wasn't optimal for selling my condo, and if I did sell it...where was I going anyway?

So, I took action!

I asked for help.

Asking for help requires authenticity, and vulnerability.

I gave my client/Friend a budget to paint and decorate my condo.

I came home from my Thanksgiving weekend with my family Monday, October 9 and my clients Patricia and Sandra had worked some magic!

Turns out all along I just needed to change my mindset. HATE IT...CHANGE IT.

It is beautiful.

I love where I live. For the first time ever.

I am so grateful.

Take action. Ask for help. You are never stuck.

“From what I’ve seen, it isn’t so much the act of asking that paralyzes us—it’s what lies beneath: the fear of being vulnerable, the fear of rejection, the fear of looking needy or weak. The fear of being seen as a burdensome member of the community instead of a productive one" Amanda Palme

On Thursday October 12 I woke up and I was 40!! FOURRRRRTY! WOOOOOSH. It felt very powerful.

Turning 40 is awesome! New decade- new beginnings!

Oh Haaaaay 40! Let’s do this!

October 12 was a great day to be Deanna Harder. 🤙🏻sleep in- a full 10 luxurious hours of sleep 🤙🏻 drinking espressos enjoying my new digs🤙🏻leg workout - heavy and intense!! 🤙🏻facial 🤙🏻pedicure party with cool people 🤙🏻drinks and food at Cactus Club on Jasper! Good friends and a lot of laughs is all I could ever ask for!

I was spoiled and I am so grateful!!

40 - what does 40 even look like?

Like this...🙏🏻

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Here is a sneak peak of my condo!

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It is cozy and warm. I am in love and want to invite people over for wine for the first time ever.

The moment we get clear about exactly where we are in life, we have the power to transform.

Are you currently owning exactly where you are?

Do you feel stuck?

Hit reply and fill me in!

We are in this together!

XDH

Fitbabe.

Being at peace with my body.

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Hello Fit Fam. Accountability post. I am 4 weeks into my build and am working around my back injury. This set back has forced me to train super light with mostly walking for now. Here is my current condition.

I am turning 40 in 5 weeks and I am finally at a place where I am at peace with my body. I'm maintaining my weight (lean gain) while eating foods I love and drinking wine 3-4 nights a week with my dinner or out with friends. I no longer find myself needing to "burn" off extra calories or deprive myself the next day if I over eat a few bites of food. With the moderation mindset no food is off limits and exercise is not a punishment but something I do because I love it! Lift heavy, sprint often and eat all foods in moderation = balance. I am slowly adding muscle which is just fine with me. I am in this for the long game. Oh, and speaking of the long game..here is a fat loss tip.

If you have been dieting for a long time and your fat loss has stalled, it may be time to move into a maintenance phase for a bit. The metabolism adapts (metabolic adaptation). This will give not only your body a break from low calories but your mind as well. Dieting is stressful and if you are in this for the long game, you need to take your time. A welcomed break may just be what you need to kick-start that fat loss again. Hit me up with any questions! #selfieTime#fatloss#moderation365#EDrecovery#lovehowyoufeel#selfcare#fitnessgirl#thisis39#gymlife#gymrat#healthfirst#fitnessat40#muscleandperformance#yegfitness xDGH

Autonomy

Hello my fit and fabulous folks. Today I want to talk briefly about workout autonomy. The only way you’re going to be motivated to eat well or exercise consistently is if you actually like what you’re doing and how you’re doing it.

Even though I may design my clients programs, I do it from a place that I know they will have AUTONOMY. Autonomy is being in charge of and liking our own choices. I would rather you do the workout you LOVE consistently vs dreading that crazy hard workout which you end up skipping 50% of the time. (many think they have to run to drop fat or do hours of spin classes that drive up stress and body pain) Those types of workouts do not enhance ones life. For so many years exercise was NOT enhancing my life, as it felt like a chore. It didn't make me feel good. Never again. I never dread my workouts. EVER. If you’re not feeling motivated to exercise or if your motivation is off and on, check in on your autonomy towards what you’re currently doing.

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Need a September reset? I am here. xDGH

What does 40 look like?

I am sitting here reading over my new training plan and am getting my head wrapped around my goals for the next 12 weeks. I have hired Bryan Krahn to help me build some muscle and get a better handle on my own nutrition pitfalls. MY WHY? I, just like many of you, have some road blocks that are keeping me from achieving my body composition goals. I have been following Bryan for several years and after interviewing a few other coaches felt he was the best fit for me. Give him a follow if you are curious. http://www.bryankrahn.com/blog/ As I have said before, I prefer having another coach program my workouts for me, as I tend to overtrain, my body hits a plateau and I can't get out of my own way. When your body stops responding, something needs to change. I tend to want to keep pushing harder and harder on myself and that never ends well. I was also attracted to Bryan's coaching because he specializes in fitness over 40. As many of you know who have been following me, I turn 40 this year in October. 40! FOURRRRRTY!  I feel like I  need you all to know I am ready to LEVEL THE FUCK UP! My business, my brain and my body all need to be challenged in a way that will bring me success and happiness in 2018! FOURRRRTY! Damn, there is SO much power in that age.

What does 40 look like? I know what I used to think 40 looked like, and I do not feel like I fit into any particular mold. I feel better than I did when I was 30, so like the old saying goes..you are only as old as you feel. At 39 I listen to Punk music,  I wear gym clothes all day, I ask the kids to ride their long boards, have minimal furniture, have one set of cutlery, no husband, no children, and no pets or plants...gahh am I even an adult?

Here is how I feel today: I am 5! :)

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I turn 40 October 12, so for 12 weeks and beyond,  I am working on building this body. I have contacted my good friend Demetri http://www.demetrigianni.com/ to conduct another photoshoot for my birthday, and want to show case how I think 40 looks. The theme will be fitness, business and lifestyle for my new decade.

Here is my current physique. I want to work on building a strong, aesthetic physique and bring up my delts, triceps, legs and glutes. I want to look a little more jacked! The best part is you can build your body how ever you want. You get to decide how you want to look. It is so much fun.

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My biggest struggle: Stress, over-training issues, metabolic impairment (endocrinology issues), nutrition deficiencies and getting off the old school mentality of being a figure competitor. To do this I need to focus on doing less HIIT/sprint sessions, more leisure walking and training with low stress and sustainable fashion. I am lifting 5 days a week with an emphasis on legs and shoulders.  I will focus on eating more carbs around my training, increase my fruits and veggies and drinking more water, at least 3 liters.

I sat down and also wrote out how I wanted to feel, not just what I want to look like. I am currently always sore, and even after a full 8-9 hours of sleep I am waking up feeling tired and like I got hit by a truck. My body is not recovering and this is feedback that I am using to assist in restructuring my training and nutrition plan.

Bryan says that my plan will be adjusted as we work together and we use all of the data I am collecting to do so. I will track my weight, my waist measurement, my food and training journal and finally my photo's to give the full picture of my progress.

Tracking gives me freedom because I love data. I look at it as a fun project and not a chore. My body needs self care. I am worth it. I tell my clients this as well. You AND YOUR HEALTH are WORTH IT!

What do you want to look like? How do you want to feel? What does your age look like? How old do you think you look? Please let me know!

Radiance Retreat 2017

Hello everyone, I just wanted to check in and give you a little feedback on my Radiance Retreat which I arrived home from at 4:00am . We had many delays with the flights, but this is how traveling is and instead of getting upset and anxious about it, I decided to let it teach me a lesson in patience and being mindful in the present. Flipping this around in my head gave me the ability to sit with the discomfort and relax into my surroundings. I spent the last 4 days with 40 very amazing female health and fitness professionals and some who are business coaches and have a passion for health and fitness. We learned all things online business, platform building, trusting in our own expertise and not waiting until we feel ready to jump into deeper connections with our clients, friends and loved ones. There was some very strong personalities which at first made me feel a little intimidated and I put my guard up. I get defensive when someone comes into my personal space, but I realize now that I need to be more comfortable around other alpha women and know we are all in this together. I have a hard time trusting women, and that is another reason I signed up for this retreat. I let myself soften and allowed myself to sit quiet and listen instead of having to be the loud, sarcastic, aggressive Deanna. NOT EASY.

But when it was my turn to speak, I let myself say and be authentically ME, which was the best thing I could ever do, since the theme of the weekend was "TAKING UP SPACE". So I did.

Many women came up to me and asked me for advice and so that validated my decision. I spoke of food obsession freedom, moderation 365, and how I use satisfaction bites in my daily nutrition to navigate my hunger, my energy and my cravings. I love that I am no longer needing to follow a strict diet to stay sane and happy in my body. We also dove into hormones and how body change requires hormonal balance or it doesn't matter how much you diet and how strict you eat. I loved exploring this.

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FITNESS TALK!

We did yoga on Venice Beach, we learned soft and hard kettlebell sessions and I got some extra work in on Olympic lifting. ( Snatches in particular) I will be using this in my program design for you all, if they are something that fits into your goals and interests so get ready! https://www.onnit.com/academy/the-sport-of-kettlebell-how-to-compete-in-girevoy-sport/

The Sport of Kettlebell: How to Compete in Girevoy Sport ... www.onnit.com Onnit Labs - Total Human Optimization www.onnit.com Providing the best in natural supplements and fitness equipment. Home of our flagship nootropic, Alpha BRAIN.

In order to validate your account, please either send an email from your .mil email address or send in a snapshot of your military ID to our customer service help desk.

Another neat workout called MOVNAT was offered right after our kettlebell sesh, which connected the ladies to their inner child! They crawled and jumped and it was a flow of movement and dance on the beach! More info here: https://www.movnat.com/ RECLAIM YOUR NATURE. | MovNat, LLC www.movnat.com We are not meant to live in a confined environment. We are not meant to be disconnected from the natural world and our own true nature. Chronic pain, immobility ...

VENICE BEACH! #swoon

Venice Beach is a land of opportunity to network and grow ANY business in the fast lane. You can be in the spot light. You get eaten up and spit out if you are not staying relevant, sexy and popular. It is also the land of the comparison trap. There are always people more attractive then you, who dress better, have nicer hair, and who seem to never have anything bad happen to them. However, there is room for everyone and the scarcity mindset keeps us stuck. I decided to let myself feel like I was just where I needed to be, and the abundance was flowing.

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I have come back feeling confused on where I want to take my business, brand and personal life next, which means there will be a pivot very soon. Action is the antidote, and so, when I am ready, I will be ready. Gradually, gradually, gradually....SUDDENLY. I will make some changes. That works better than sitting in worry and angst. ( for those who train with me in person, don't worry, I am most likely sticking around Edmonton for a while 😊 You are stuck with me! )

So, I want to ask you, what are your passions and goals that you see yourself working on in the future. I want to know how I can help you move into action. This can be around fitness, food or mindset around your body. How do you want to feel? What if you never lost another pound? Would you be ok? OR, how do you want to look and feel in an year from now. If you lost 10lb how would life be different? Would your friends treat you better? Coworkers? Husband? What would better or worse? Are you enjoying the process?

You may have been looking at the end result instead of the journey...and so, if I can help you love the journey along the way, then I feel we both win!

I am grateful to be able to coach all of you, and want to always level up to be better. Hit reply with any questions or comments. I will respond to every one!

Love and hugs, Deanna

PS: We crunched some numbers in a mastermind session, and it came up that I have done over 28,800 personal training sessions since I began my personal training career in 2001. I never realized how many hours have added up. I am an expert and have worked with every single struggle you are going through now. I am your coach....ask me how I can help!

venice

http://womensradianceretreat.com/2017-venice/

A Different Kind Of Transformation #BIGNESS

Fat loss is what I usually have clients come to me to help them achieve, but sometimes I get to help a client with a different kind of transformation. Hypertrophy! YES! Samantha came to me looking to BUILD MUSCLE and that involved her trusting me in the process. Trusting that decreasing her cardio and eating more was going to give her the body she desired. Trusting me that adding weight was something to take pleasure in and not fearing. And finally, trusting me that competing was not about the end result, but enjoying the whole journey to the stage. I look forward to seeing her transform her body and achieve her goals to compete as a Bikini Girl in October and then as a Figure Athlete when she is ready.  She is patient and understands that one must take years to build a body to compete in such an event. She has the tools to do it. I know she will succeed. Here is Samantha. She sent this email check in this morning and I can't help but share.

"Hii Deanna,

Just wanted to thank you for the personal training session last night. I love having you as my coach. I get excited to come in and show you my results because you always make me feel good and compliment my improvements.  Everytime come to you with something you always find a solution, like I thought my shoulders were pulled forward and you gave me a great shoulder workout that gives me a great shoulder pump. I'm super excited for the next 6 week workout I like that it will be 5 days with split workouts.

I understand I still have lots of muscle to build before I can do figure. So I'll be paitent and continue building.

For this year I want to go in one bikini competition INBF October 21.

Going through old photos I found this one from December left and last week right. I wasn't weighting myself then because I don't believe in obsessing over weight. As long as you are healthy and feel good then that's a good weight. I know I was doing a lot of cardio before but I look way better and confident today. I have a lot more weight to gain but I feel like it's going in all the right places.

Having you as my coach has increased my body image and I just wanted to thank you 😊🙏💕

Have a great weekend,

Samantha"

Do you want to build muscle and achieve a body that you can be proud of without killing yourself in the gym and eating less food? What if you loved how you trained and enjoyed everything you ate. What if you focused on getting stronger and bigger over eating less and doing more and more exercise?  Could you trust something that you can't see over night? It takes months and months, but I promise you, it is worth it.

Hit reply and fill me in!

Let's GO!

#hypertrophy #bigness #bigarmsbiglife #lovehowyoutrain #fitnessgirl #figuregirl #physiquegoal #health #mindset #bodyimage #proudcoach #trust

“Say yes and you'll figure it out afterwards.” ― Tina Fey

Quick little check in over here at Deanna Harder Fitness. So, I am saying yes. But first, HYPERRRRTROPHY.

"Muscle hypertrophy is a term for the growth and increase of the size of muscle cells. The most common type of muscular hypertrophy occurs as a result of physical exercise such as weight lifting, and the term is often associated with weight training."

I obviously like the sound of that. So, why is it so scary and embarrassing for many women to tell others that they want to get bigger, like, ON PURPOSE?

I was the girl who did cardio ON PURPOSE to get and stay smaller for 20 years, almost half my life. I see dozens of women and men in the cardio section of the gym still doing that, staring at their phones, counting the minutes and calories they have burned until they are allowed to stop. I am done with that.

I stepped away from the dreaded cardio machines in 2014 and never looked back. The most time I spend on any cardio machine now is 20 minutes, and even that feels long. If I was to train for endurance again, it would be cycling or rowing as they are actually sports. Treadmill intervals for 60 minutes and weird elliptical machines that make my feet fall asleep are not very "sporty". They were used by myself to expend precious calories which by the way, my poor aching body had very little of for a very long time. Putting my body through that seems so cruel and unusual now.

So, HYPERRRRRTROPHY.. is the word that sounds so very sweet rolling off my tongue. Just say it with me...purrrrrrrrtrophy. Thanks Jen Sinkler. https://www.jensinkler.com/queen-accessories/

I am doing a 5 day split for the next 3 months. It will look something like this.

Day 1: Legs * squat focus

Day 2: Delts

Day 3: Back -biceps

Day 4: Legs again- *deadlift focus

Day 5: PEXX-triceps

Day 6: Sprints or Met CON

Day 7: Rest and float tank.

Let me BUILD THIS BODY and see what I can do!

Oh yeah, the float tank! I started FLOATING. It is amazing. As a woman who can't shut her brain off, ( I have ADHD) it was something I was really interested to try. You experience, well, NOTHING. People float to relieve stress, recover from injuries, eliminate chronic pain, and lower blood pressure.

They say everything you experience from floating comes from within yourself. Your mind is actually able to be free to explore your thoughts and creativity. With nothing to distract you, many personal insights may occur.

DID THEY EVER!

I left the float tank and had a revelation to sell my condo. I need a change. I am turning 40 in 6 months and I can't be living where I am. I feel stuck and have been for a while. I just couldn't seem to get out of my own way. I do not know where I am going to live, but I am taking the advice of the inspiring actress and comedian Tina Fey and am saying yes and figuring it out later. I had a realtor who is also my awesome client Deidre come over to make some suggestions. I have an appointment with the bank to talk about my mortgage, and am now going to start cleaning, sorting and staging my condo for sale. That is THAT!

So, if you are in the Edmonton, Canada area and need a downtown 1 bedroom condo, let me know!

So, there is a little update. I am still smashing the weights, eating my protein, and training the most amazing bad ass clients ever. I have my goals for the next 3 months to get jacked up and then turn 40 with a healthy mind and body...and to be living in a fabulous new home!

Have you ever just said yes without a plan? What are some scary things you are trying to accomplish right now? Hit reply and fill me in. I would love to know!

xFitbabe

“Say yes and you'll figure it out afterwards.”

― Tina Fey

Patience and Belief

Hey guys. I know YOU know I love deadlifts, and my goal is to pull 300lb.  Today I finally pulled 250. Here I am.

This is more than 2x my bodyweight as I am still sitting at 120lb this morning. I am STOKED. But this is taking so long to achieve. 

To accomplish this lift, it has taken me over 6 months. 6 months. 6 MONTHS!!!!! and I am still 50lb away from my goal. I want to quit. I haven't quit.  I am almost ready to quit. I am in the midst of talking to my coach about quitting tomorrow because I am thinking my goal to pull 300lb is silly and too hard for me. I know I want to, but is this hard work really worth it? I mean, what will change if I can deadlift 300lb? What will it do for me as a human being? Will it make me a better coach, friend, or daughter? Will it make me look better naked? Will it make me more have more income? Does it make me more credible in the power lifting or strength training community? The answer to all of those questions is a firm NO. So WHY THEN? 

I am not a quitter, THAT'S WHY.  It is an amazing feeling to be so disciplined and transform your mind as well as your body into such a strong and confident state of being, but the journey to the goal is where the real lessons are learned. This brings me to today blog post.

I am here to talk about patience. 

I think the two most important concepts behind success in training are:

Patience, and belief.

With any client who comes to me and want results YESTERDAY, I remind them that this stuff takes time. So, I am coaching myself as I would a client. I am revisiting  PATIENCE. 

Patience.

pa·tience

noun

1. the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.

2. Patience, endurance, fortitude, stoicism imply qualities of calmness, stability, and persistent courage in trying circumstances.

I know I have to be patient.

Some days I think FUCK! 

“I work hard!  It’s not happening as fast as it should be!  I’m obviously doing something wrong, or I’m not cut out for this deadlift bullshit..everyone else seems to be way stronger than me"

Belief

be·lief bəˈlēf/noun

1. an acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists.

Belief is the state of mind in which a person thinks something to be the case, with or without there being empirical evidence to prove that something is the case with factual certainty.

If I don't believe in myself I WILL FAIL. So, I am changing my self talk to " I can, and I will"

Ahh this self talk is silly. I can do this, I AM DOING THIS..I WILL DO THIS! 

REMEMBER NO MATTER WHAT...

Always be proud of your accomplishments.  You worked for them.  Believe in yourself and your ability to get to that next level.  If you don’t believe you can, no one else will believe for you.

AND I HAVE A COACH WHO BELIEVES IN ME TOO...AND THAT IS A GAME CHANGER. The main reason I hired a caoch for this deadlift goal was for accountability, support, education and consistency during times when I want to say FUCK IT!  Thank-you Jordan! http://www.syattfitness.com/about/

Good things take time and if you are looking to lift more weight and hit new PRs, lose body fat or gain muscle, patience and belief is an absolute must.

"I choose to believe that my life is an incredible gift."

Even if the current situation or circumstances of your life aren’t what you’d ideally have now, you can creatively notice the ways you’ve been blessed.

You may need to start very small by noticing little things you’re grateful for. If you can find nothing to be grateful for, the fault only lies with you.

You can start simple and small by being grateful for your breath or that you have enough to eat. Over time, little by little, your life situation will shift. Expanding your sphere of gratitude helps you tap into the spiral effect: the better it gets, the better it gets.

Before long, you’ll wake up thinking, “Even if I could, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

What are your current goals that feel impossible? All goals takes time. And practice. And looking inward to your "why".

Hit reply and fill me in! 

Love ya,

Fitbabe x

Control vs Trust

#TRANSPARENCY  implies openness, communication, and accountability. Transparency is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed. I am all about being transparent here at Deanna Harder Fitness.

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The picture on the left was taken 2 weeks after my Figure show in 2013, I was 112lb. (90 min of cardio a day, 6 weight training workouts and an extreme diet). The picture on the right was taken on Sunday night, Feb 5, 2017 and I am now 122lb. (4 strength training workouts focusing on squats and deadlifts, 2 density circuits or sprint workouts and a flexible diet). On Sunday, I was checking in with my coach( Jordan Syatt) feeling bloated and fat. I told him I look puffy all over and felt awful. I was then scrolling through old pics on my phone, and there I was, the exact same bikini, the same mirror but a different mind and body staring back at me. This body was fighting several colitis attacks, psoriasis break outs, and extreme bloating all month. But, I know that shit is temporary. My coach reminded me that my body does this every month. I know this and if you are a woman who did a lot of extreme dieting and exercise and are stressed out, your body most likely does too.

Transitioning off of the Figure Competition stage to a balanced life where I train to be strong and healthy took time. Here is what you need to know if this is YOU.

1) You must start to slowly back off the cardio and extreme dieting. This took me over 4 years. You will gain weight. It happens. And when it does, it involves mirrors, misery and meltdowns.

2) You will feel huge and bloated. This is water retention. It is not fat. Stay calm.

3) You will be just fine. You don't need to control your weight to be just fine. You can weather the panic and choose not to react to it with the former habitual go-to of restriction. It takes practice for sure. But you can do it. #moderation365#foodobsessionfreedom

4) Three F's of stress....you fight, you flight or you freeze! Your body can't distinguish between running from a raging bear or doing a spartan race! YOU NEED TO RELAX! I needed to relax and let go of controlling what I looked like and let my body fluctuate. I needed to trust it.

5) YOU MUST stop comparing yourself to how you looked when you competed- I have to do this too. I want to be STRONG. Being small is not my goal right now so stop it NUT! Here's to being strong and finding balance in your life. You really can have the best of both worlds. You just need to #trust the process.

6) Be kind to yourself when things are hard. Life is like the seasons. You can't change the seasons, so instead be prepared for things to go up and down.

I know that I am forever a work in progress and recovery from my ED. I know abs do not give me validation as a fitness expert, but I sure do love having them! #radicalvanity

This balance of control versus trust..... Control is an illusion. And trust is the opposite (and actually the ultimate in control). Trusting life, trusting the process, trusting the journey, trusting YOURSELF that you can handle anything that comes up – THAT. Is magical.

When you trust yourself to handle whatever happens as a result of your action (or non-action), it feels liberating. It’s releasing the urgency of needing to have all the answers and instead allowing yourself to simply relax into the process.

Anyway, I know some of you are terrified to let go of old habits, even when they are no longer serving you. You are not alone. I too was terrified. But I am so much happier now and you can be too.

By the way...Hug more- it releases oxytocin! ❤️ xDeanna