Healthy Tips

My weight would NOT budge even though I was eating healthy foods; whole grains, lots of veggies, real dairy, NO white sugar.  On top of that my knees were achy and I was struggling with a low back issue that would not go away.  I am blessed that I have not been diagnosed with an…

Have you been overwhelmed by all the crazy diets out there….Low Fat, Low Carb, Atkins, DASH, South Beach, Paleo, Raw, Vegan, Ketogenic, Gluten Free…it can make any persons head spin in an attempt to meet their health goals. In my effort to maintain my weight and to help my clients I have tried many of…

Merriam-Webster’s definition of health is – “the condition of being well or free from disease” The World Health Organization (WHO) expands this definition to “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This is one of my favorites in that it’s not about being free…

Stop right now and notice your posture.  I bet you are slouched over reading this article.   Now look over at your loved one or friend – see the same thing? We are becoming a nation of SLOUCHERS. I see it in my husband when he is working on his computer, I notice it in my…

I love Thanksgiving!  We get up early and put the turkey in the oven and by about 10 the entire house smells like heaven.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Family and friends come over and we spend the day cooking, catching up, eating, drinking and relaxing. When the dishes are done and…

Are you trying to lose weight and just can’t?   It could be something besides your nutrition and exercise.   My first recommendation to clients that just can’t seem to lose weight is to talk with their doctor.  It isn’t all about calories in vs calories out any more.   Especially for women, if your hormones are out…

This week I challenge you to ditch those sugary drinks!   Not only are they empty calories they are loaded with sugar. Just one drink and you’re over your daily sugar limit. Reminder; Men you should try to only get 9 teaspoons (36 grams) and women only 6 teaspoons (24 grams) per day. You do the math on sugary drinks; one…

Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  Do you have your menu planned and your shopping list prepared?  (Check out my RECIPES if you don’t I have some great options for Healthier Thanksgiving dishes)  Smart choices at the grocery store are a key part of your healthy eating plans.  Here are a few tips to make…

Holiday parties are just around the corner. What will people who see you once a year think when you enter the room? How about: “Wow, she looks amazing”? Of course they will. Never mind those few pounds you might have put on. You’re going to look terrific because I am going to teach you a…

By Debra Lee Baldwin, August 2015 Five weeks ago, as I drove the roller coaster that is Lotus Pond Lane (arguably Hidden Meadows’ most up-and-down road), I hoped that finding a competent and affordable personal trainer a mere five minutes from home wasn’t too much to hope for. I recalled the humiliation of going to…

It’s about 11:30 AM and I am sitting in front of the computer, getting a lot accomplished on a project that I am working on, when I am stirred from my computer induced trance by the grumbling of my stomach. Oh shoot, I am hungry. If I don’t eat soon I will get tired and…

Several of my clients and students have complained about muscle cramps during certain exercise,  at night while sleeping  or while doing day to day activities.   I am lucky in that I rarely get them but it sent me digging into how I might be able to help. What causes a muscle cramp? The best description…

We’ve all heard the adage “no pain, no gain,” but is it really true?   Unfortunately the answer is YES and NO.   It just depends on the type of pain you are feeling. When you stretch and challenge your muscles by trying a new exercise class or doing something you haven’t done in a while, like…

I love Spring Time!  The Mountain Lilac burst and our hills come alive in an amazing shade of purple.   The Gazania on our hills smile and open wide in the spring sun.   It’s a time of renewal, to get a fresh start and the perfect time for spring cleaning!   If you are a women over…

2016 will be another year of experimenting with food, exercise and self-care in order to tear down MY roadblocks to better health My First Experiment in 2016 was to abstain from all ALCOHOL in the month of January.   “Dry January” is very popular, in fact there is a webpage from the UK called dryjanuary.org.  I…

The one thing I am begging women over 50 to do is EXERCISE!!!   As a personal trainer and fitness coach I have seen what happens if you don’t keep moving your body.  You gain weight, your body may ache more, you may lose muscle mass and/or bone density and worse yet you might not be…

The Sunscreen Debate – Chemical vs. Mineral It’s summer and although you should wear sunscreen all year round to keep your over 50 skin from looking older than it should, with the heat you typically have more skin exposed.  This sparked a conversation about sunscreen in my Aqua Fitness class last week.  There is a…

“I work out and eat right so why do I still have this layer of fat around my stomach?” “What is up with this sagging under my arms – I’ve been exercising?” “I really watch what I eat so why are my pants getting tighter?” As a health and fitness coach, I get these types…

As a personal trainer and fitness instructor, I’ve heard almost every excuse why people aren’t exercising and even more why they can’t lift weights.  However, unless you have a note from your doctor, the benefits are so great ANY excuse not to lift weights or strength train can be easily busted! The benefits of strength…