Weight Training is the key to your overall fat-burning success. There are many benefits to weight training and with a simple search thru google you'll find an overwhelming amount of articles and experiments to support this. I started using weights on my own, in my living room and basement. I think technique, form and my results were due to my athletic nature. Some of us have a natural ability to do many different things like: dance, sing and run. Let's just say I feel right at home with any and every exercise. Unfortunately, as we get older, not using weights is not a good option. Weight training can give you a strong core, maintaining your posture and stability and having muscles will protect you from falls, etc. Our muscles shrink if we don't use them. Have you ever wondered why people's bums seem to disappear as they get older? Well, bums, butts and a$$'s are muscles. Squats and lunges are all great way to maintain your bums. I just wanted to give you a real reason to get started. :)

All you need is a pair of dumbbells and a handful of compound exercises to kick your own bum (ass) at home. These days you can find free workouts all over social media. BUT, if you want to learn in person, I would love to show you some basic, fun ways to have a great weight training workout in the privacy of your own home. If you are trying to lose weight, gain muscle or simply lose your postpartum weight, I've been there - done that and I would love to help you. Visit my website and fill out the inquiry form on the homepage: www.daniellesdailyfitness.com.

#fitness #postpartumfitness #postbabyweight-loss #bootcamp #smallgrouptraining #weighttraining
#strengthtraining #fat-loss 

YIKES!! I can't believe I am sharing these with you. Actually, I'm excited too! Now that I am 48 and finished with my fertility journey, I'm PROUD. Yes, I gained alot of weight with each of my pregnancies. I envy the people who only gain 20 pounds. I also had c-sections with each one of my births. Guess what? I still managed to attain six pack abs after each. I was 22, 42 and 48 years old when I delivered each of my children.

Despite people saying it gets harder when you get older, that's BULLSHIT. It takes the same determination and daily dedication. I've seen an 80 year old woman compete in a bodybuilding competition. It is never too late to gain muscle and lose FAT. Complain or GO FOR IT!!

Now it's up to YOU. How bad do you want it? Start by making the decision to TRY....


#IVF #fat-loss #fitness #weighttraining #smallgrouptraining #personaltraining #bootcamp #postpartumfitness #postbabyworkout

If you are finally ready to make your body a PRIORITY, you are welcome to try one of my small group training classes for FREE! I have clients from every profession represented and we all learn from each other in a safe, non-competitive atmosphere. If you have always wanted to learn how to use dumbbells to create your own home-weight-training workouts, NOW IS YOUR CHANCE!

Fill out the form on my homepage on my website: www.daniellesdailyfitness.com 

and I will contact you ASAP! I look forward to meeting YOU!!

#fitness #smallgrouptraining #strengthtrainingclasses #weighttraining #fat-loss #weight-loss #workouts

SAID no one ever! Seriously, you know you need to use weights weekly, what are you waiting for? Come join one of my small group training classes. It's instant , camaraderie, support and accountability. My clients come from all different professions and there's so much that we can learn from each other. Don't be afraid, it's time to get moving so that you can live longer and live your BEST LIFE!!

As many of you may know, I used IVF to have Isabella and James. Isabella is actually 20 years younger than my first born, Shanise. I was a single parent with Shanise until I met my husband in
August of 2005. He met me when I was peaking!! I had just done a few body building shows and my confidence and physique were AWESOME! Shanise and I moved to Watertown in the summer of 2006. Jim and I married in 2008. We didn't start trying to have our own child until 2011. Yikes!!

DISCLAIMER: Do not wait until you are in your 40's to start trying to have kids. Also, your primary care physician should be educating your about your reproductive future when you are in your 30's. If Jim and I knew when we met in 2005 that my eggs would begin to diminish and the quality of them would get worse, I would of froze some eggs then. (if we had, me might have a full school bus of kids right now or still be working on it). God is GOOD!! Anyway, if you want healthy children - don't wait, freeze your eggs or go for it in your early 30's.

The reason why I am going back in my life is so that you can understand how I go here and why I took a hiatus from blogging. 

1. Jim and I were rejected from Boston IVF because of my age and hormone levels. (my chances of getting pregnant were less than 5% and we would hurt their success rate).

2. While doing the pre-tests at Boston IVF they discovered that I had several large fibroids in my uterus, which may prevent me from conceiving.

3. Boston IVF referred my to Dr Stephanie Morris at Newton Wellesley in the Minimally Invasive Surgery Unit. My fibroids were successfully removed in in December 2011.

4. A week after my fibroid surgery I developed a blood clot in my left arm. The IV that I had during my fibroid surgery had been infiltrated.

5. Next I visited the Blood Thinner Clinic at Newton Wellesley weekly for 3 months so that I could recover from my blood clot. Needless to say, our baby making process was put on hold.

6. Dr Morris referred me to Dr Rachel Ashby  at the Fertility Clinic @ NWH. Jim and I did our first IVF cycle May 2012. (we got 4 eggs, 2 fertilized and 0 took)

7. In July of 2012 we did another cycle. (we got 7 eggs and none of them fertilized) We were devastated.

8. In September 2012 we did another cycle and we found out we were pregnant with Isabella on October 12, 2012. (the nurse was concerned because my HCG level was only 47, they like it to be 150 or mor)

9. I then endured weekly ultrasounds and blood tests for the first 12 weeks. (Rachel warned me that she was measuring small and I should not be surprised if the pregnancy ended).

Okay, all of this is what got me filled with FEAR and I dealt with it weekly by eating shit (sugar, etc.)

10. I gave birth to Isabella on Friday, June 7, 2013. She weight 4.9 oz and spent the next 10 days in the NICU. I didn't get to see her until the day after she was born because I had a c-section and she was on the floor above the maternity suite.

11. Once your baby is released from the NICU, you must visit your pediatrician immediately. Our pediatrician detected a heart murmur and made us an emergency appointment with Boston Children's Hospital's Cardiology department.

12. Isabella was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome shortly after.

Since her birth, Isabella has had 9 cardiac catherizations and 1 open heart surgery. Every time a child with WS goes under anesthesia it is life threatening. Anyway, the first 4 years of her life, I lived in fear and I thought I was going to lose my baby girl. So, I ate to soothe myself and I weighed over 200 pounds for a few years. She is out of immediate danger and I have since lost the weight and had a baby boy, James.
Point being, it doesn't matter what got you to where you are - just know when you are ready, YOU CAN STILL BECOME YOUR BEST SELF, living in your BEST BODY.

Let's go!

#williamssyndrome #teamisabella #fitness #weighttraining #smallgrouptraining #personaltraining #postpartumfitness

Exercise to me is therapy and the way that I reward myself daily. YOU can actually lose weight without exercising at all,  by eating the right foods and quantities at the right time. The number one reason why I exercise daily is because it makes me feel better instantly. As soon as I start to sweat, my spirit, mind and emotions all switch to positive. Most days I workout in the morning and in the afternoon. My 30 minute cardio in the afternoon gives me a break from the kids and it's the way that I keep myself positive and focused. I truly believe I'm a better mom when I take that time in the afternoon to refresh. Taking care of a baby and a child with special needs is challenging and exhausting at times. Now that I make time for me daily and consistently, I feel less doomed, overwhelmed and trapped.

Yup, I said trapped. There was a long stretch where I didn't make time for exercise or self-care. I felt like Cinderella or the guy from "Ground Hog Day." I felt like all I did was wash dishes/bottles, clean surfaces, floors and pick up toys, OVER and OVER, AGAIN and AGAIN. I felt like I was making a sacrifice for my children, but that was all wrong. I lost myself and my healthy body in that mess.

I share this, to encourage you to TRY. Create the time whether its 20 minutes or 60 minutes to workout daily. Please believe me, YOU WILL FEEL BETTER about every single day of your life.

Go for it!

DAY 3! How do you feel? I'm tired, BUT not complaining and still focused on my health & wellness goals for 2019. My 15 month old is sick again which has made sleeping and finding free time difficult. Regardless, I've been able to muster up the strength to get my workouts done and eat relatively clean. PROGRESS, not PERFECTION......remember.

We are all going to run into obstacles, challenges and crisis along the way. It's all about reponding in a different, more positive way. I now dig deep to build up the energy to workout on the days I feel run down and fatigued. I always feel 100% better mentally and physically when I get that workout in. BUT, it wasn't always this way. I spent a good five years filled with fear, not knowing if my daughter was going to live or die. It was a very intense fear and it crippled me. I spent five years overweight and not myself.

After my son was born in September of 2017 and my daughter's life expectancy improved, so did my spirit and my will to be STRONGER. Being fit is a really incredible feeling. Buying clothes in the size you want to be is so cool. I spent those five years almost 60 pounds overweight and very self-conscious. I tell you this because I want you to know I've been there. More than once in my life I have had to lose 60 - 100 pounds to attain my ideal weight. I'm not an expert, but I definitely know what works.

As things come to my mind, I'm going to share with you. My goal is to inspire as many people as possible to create new goals and go for it. I have a little girl that needs me to live as long as possible.
For that reason, I will never stop fighting to be my best self.

Let's do this!!

TODAY is a NEW day, a new opportunity to take better care of YOU! Did you prepare for your success? Examples: meal preparation, scheduling workout dates/classes, updating music playlists, etc? Now it is time to be consistent.  You can't expect the results you desire with an off again, on again routine. You must eat clean daily and workout almost daily to achieve your best physique.

Happy New Year to you all! I hope that I can inspire you to TRY daily to take better care of yourselves. I enjoyed many treats in the last few weeks of 2018 and the scale showed it this am.
NOW is the time to TRY TRYING and start accomplishing your personal fitness/health goals.

Go for it!

~ Danielle

I'M BACK! It's been four years or so since I managed this blog. In that time I had a few more kiddos, which made it very challenging to blog. NOT COMPLAINING, I'm so grateful that I was able to have children in my late forties! NOW it's time to get back to me and what I love. INSPIRING and ENCOURAGING others to create their best bodies. I don't claim to be the best trainer or anything like that. I've been overweight multiple times in my life and I just like sharing what has worked for me, each time I lost the excess weight. I have been 232, 245 and 260 at different times is my life. Losing the weight was never easy, but when I was ready, I was always so determined. In the coming days I will share a little about my day to day living and I'll also share all the things that I think, if used consistently, will help you sculpt your best body too.

#Letsgo #Fitness #smallgrouptraining #weighttraining #strengthtraining #fat-loss #postpartumfitness
#postbabyworkout

Re-capping my Monday. Shame, shame on me for not checking in. Coming back from the Cape on Mondays is crazy. Packing up and unpacking wears me out BUT - I still managed to have a fantastic exercise and nutrition day. I started my day with a 45 minute super, sweating SPIN workout - while Isabella napped. At 4pm I did 30 minutes of Combat kickboxing and it felt great. I thought my 5pm class and took my 6pm class. I don't know how I did all this, I'm so tired today. I think I was really wired because after all that, I barely slept last night, YIKES.

Today, TUESDAY - working on only a few hours of sleep, I have already managed a 60 minutes weight training workout and I've had a great fiber filled shake with the following ingredients: 1/2c. fiber one cereal, 2 c. baby organic spinach, 1 scoop About Time chocolate protein powder, 8 strawberries and 1 tbsp. of peanut butter. YUM YUM! Hopefully I will feel full for awhile - I feel a loss coming on soon. Isabella should be going down for her nap soon, so I have to be ready for my SPIN....stay tuned!

Isabella took a 90 minute nap, which was perfect for my 45 minute SPIN session and more time for me to fix lunch: baked tilapia with diced tomatoes and asparagus. I feel good. Now, the bulk of my exercise is done. I plan to do a little ZUMBA before I teach tonight.

Month in Review! 

I'm down the cape for the weekend, but I wanted to update you on my first month of dieting and exercising daily. I lost a total of 14 pounds. Yeeha! Good, but not great. I know I could of done better and I will. I'm really motivated to top that 14 pounds this month. It's not going to be easy but - a few tweaks to my nutrition and a little movement and I know I can do it. I plan to add an 1/2 hour to an hour of walking with Isabella. (last month I just did workouts and my husband did all the walking). Also I plan to add some new recipes from Maria Menounos's book and I'm going to start drinking water with lemons. I've also downloaded Yogi Cameron's latest book (The One Plan) on my kindle. Needless to say, I will be going for the gusto! Goal - 15 pounds lost. Stay tuned, daily blogging begins tomorrow.....

Happy Hump Day! I'm happy to announce that I am totally in the fat-buring zone. I've lost a pound everyday, for the past five days. Before that, I was at a virtual stand still - despite my multiple workouts per day and healthy nutrition. I can't explain it - but hard work is definitely starting to pay off. I must admit, I haven't been perfect - but I've only NOT worked out once this month. That's progress for sure. My goal is to continuously improve my daily nutrition and fitness behaviors. Right now I'm reading Maria Menounos's last book, which so far has a lot of practical and easy steps to take towards weight-loss. I just finished Al Roker's book, which was also very informative, especially if you are interested in doing a cleanse or working with some of the people and techniques he used. I only read when I ride the spin bike or walk the stairclimber - so it's hard for me to take notes. I should. By the way, at the beginning of the month I read Jennifer Hudson's book. Besides beefing up my iPod with motivating tunes - reading fitness or weight-loss related books keeps me focused on my own goals. Plus, I don't know everything - so sometimes I'll find out a new trick that I can use or share with others.

9:30AM - 1/2c. lowfat cottage cheese and 1/2 ruby red grapefruit.

10:00AM - 45 minute SPIN workout. I went for the gusto, feeling leaner and a bit fitter. :)

1:15PM - grilled chicken breast w/ diced tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, hot salsa. Garden salad with
balsamic and 6 brussel sprouts. YUM!

4:00PM - 30 minute COMBAT workout. (kickboxing by Beachbody)

6:00PM - 60 minute Weight Training workout.

7:30PM - Grilled chicken salad - balsamic dressing. (Andrea's)

Shame, Shame, so sorry that I have been away from my computer. Mondays are a little crazy for me and it completely slipped my mind. I was at the cape this weekend and despite my less than flawless nutrition - I worked out on the stairclimber everyday and managed to lose 3 pounds - making my total 12. Since I started on July 7th, I will report my first month stats on Thursday August 7th. This was my breakfast this morning, simple, hot and yummy! I'm hoping to get in 3 workouts today, but it will depend on Isabella's napping time?
Stay tuned....

8:30AM - 3/4c. All whites scrambled with spinach, mushrooms, hot salsa and jalapeños.

12:30PM - 45 minute SPIN workout! Feeling good!

1:30PM - chocolate protein shake w/ strawberries/banana and 1tbsp. peanut butter. YUM!

4:00PM - 30 minute COMBAT workout. (kickboxing)

5:00PM - 60 minute Weight Training Workout.

6:30 PM - Grilled chicken w/ diced tomatoes/onions and seasoning. Garden salad and 5 brussel sprouts. Balsamic dressing.

* The scale was down another pound today. Needless to say, I was motivated - BUT I definitely was feeling fatigued.

Over the hump, now how will this week end? I'm feeling pretty fatigued today BUT, I still think I have a little left in the tank. What I don't want to do is make excuses for why I can't get an afternoon session in. I have to take advantage of the opportunities I have to be child free. I've already had two workouts and I was up at 5:25 this morning - BUT, I'm going to push myself. I don't workout as much on the weekend, so I have to put a little extra in during the week. I'm trying to convince myself as I type. I'm 8 minutes away from going back to my studio.....stay tuned.

9:00AM - 60 minute weight training workout.

10:00AM - 30 minute Combat workout. (kickboxing)

11:00AM - my famous protein shake.

1:00PM - baked chicken breast w/ diced tomatoes, 1/2c. brown rice, 1c. mixed veggies.

4:00PM - 45 minute ZUMBA class w/ one of my clients. Wow! I was soaked.

7:00PM - Grilled chicken w/ garden salad and balsamic dressing.

* my joints are hurting (knees, ankles, hips) Tomorrow I will have to do some non-impact cardio.
(spin & stairclimber) I don't want to wreck myself....

Hump-Day! Perfect day to kick your fitness into high gear! I'm looking forward to great workouts and clean eating today. Now that my computer is fully loaded, I will be blogging throughout the day, everyday. Mid-week is a great time to evaluate how your week is going. Have my workouts been intense? Do I need to do more cardio? How many weight training sessions have I done or did I exercise at all? How about my menu? Have I been eating a clean diet this week? Now is a good time to change the path for the rest of your week. FINISH STRONG! 

9:00AM - About Time protein (1 scoop), 6 strawberries, 1/2 banana and 2 tsp. PB2. (powdered PB)

12:00PM - Grilled chicken breast w/ jalapeños and hot salsa, 1/2c. sweet potato cubed and garden salad w/ balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

1:15PM - 50 minute SPIN workout! (sweat like a freak)

4:00PM - 4 slices of turkey breast, 1 slice of cheese.

4:15PM - 30 minute Combat (kickboxing) workout.

6:00PM - 60 minute strength training workout.

7:00PM - Grilled tilapia, steamed broccoli and 1/2 c. brown rice.

* Very sore from yesterday's workouts - but I pushed through.....

New week, New goals...
Thanks to my sister in law and one of my clients, I was able to get to the market twice this weekend. Although my menu will probably be boring and similar to last week, I'm happy I have what I need to be successful. It's pretty humid so sweating is going to be wild for sure. I've gotten one workout in so far today. I'm reading Al Rokers book while I spin - he had a lot of help with his weight-loss and fitness goals. I'm hoping to steal a few tricks. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to getting back to work tonight. When I don't lift weights I feel like a bum. :)

9:00AM - protein shake: one scoop of protein (About Time/GNC), 6 frozen strawberries, 1 banana and 1 tbsp. peanut butter.

12:00PM - 60 minute spin bike workout!

2:00PM - baked tilapia w/ garden salad and balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

5:00PM - 60 minute weight training workout.

7:00PM - Grilled chicken breast and a garden salad w/ light italian dressing.

* Sorry for not posting this on Monday. I just noticed it as a draft.

I'm Back! This is actually yesterday's post. I was busy re-building my computer files/photos/spreadsheets etc. - which didn't leave much time for blogging. I did however, have a fabulous day of exercise and nutrition. I should be completely back on track today. I'm so happy to have my Macbook back. Sorry Dell, working with the windows and your mouse system was horrible. Now I can see why my husband didn't want to use it. I love my Mac! By the way, I spent a lot of time looking up motivational fitness says for this blog and my client correspondence. Starting over has it's benefits - hoping to bring some fresh motivation for YOU!

8:00AM - 1/2 banana

9:00AM - 60 minute weight training class with my peeps!

10:00AM - 33 minute Combat (kickboxing) cardio class.

10:30AM - protein shake w/ 6 strawberries, 1/2 banana, 2 tsp. PB2, - so good!

2:00PM - Grilled chicken breast and a wonderful garden salad w/ light ranch dressing. (Boathouse)

5:00PM - 60 minute weight training class. (I was feeling it - full of energy)

7:00PM - Grilled chicken breast, 1/2c. cubed sweet potato and 1c. green beans.

 

Wow, I found this in my random online photos pile. Now this is the me I miss. I remember thinking how strong and confident being fit feels. I still have this outfit in my closet. I can't wait to put it on again. In the meantime, I'm focused on today. Okay, okay. The shit has hit the fan and I freaked out. The seat to my spin bike has fallen back. I tried to fix it myself and I was completely unsuccessful. I even attempted to stack books under the seat. Damn. Jim would of fixed it in a second. Unfortunately he is away until tomorrow. I worked up quite the sweat trying to fix it. I did squats for 5 minutes straight and then threw in the towel. I don't feel comfortable being all the way in the basement (in our home gym), when Bug is sleeping. My living room set up is ideal. Oh well, this will be my only day of rest this month. In the meantime, I'm going to plan a crazy week of fitness.

 

8:00AM - protein shake with 6 strawberries, 1 banana, 1 tsp. flaxseed oil, 1 tbsp. peanut butter powder. Yum!!

 

12:00PM - chicken parm breast baked w/ garden salad, balsamic dressing. 5 hot peppers.

 

5:00PM - baked tilapia, green beans and 1/2c. sweet potato cubed.

 

7:00PM - 1/2 grapefruit and 9 almonds.

 

* Can't wait to sweat like crazy tomorrow.

 

 

Oops! Sorry, I was away from the computer yesterday. Good news! My husband came home and I was able to get an hour long Cybex workout in. I burned 1123 calories in one hour - I know I can do better because I had to stop a bunch of times. Last week I burned 1041 doing the same thing - so progress is good!  

 

 

 

 

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Remembering one of my goals today, fitting into my wedding dress again. Not only that, just getting back to my best. This was a day I will never forget. Actually this entire week was incredible. I can remember everything I wore that week in Cancun, 2008. Anyway, back to today. It appears the scale has begun to stall, even though I have been kicking my own ass. Time to re-evaluate the menu. First, no shakes for a few days - it's time to go back to real food. Let's see how this goes...

6:30AM - 30 minute SPIN workout.

8:00AM - egg white scramble with spinach, Canadian bacon, jalapenos and hot salsa.

3:00PM - baked chicken breast w/ diced tomatoes and garden salad w/ balsamic vinegrette. (I was out west visiting family)

7:00PM - grilled chicken w/ avocado, diced tomatoes and asparagus. YUM!

* My husband is away until tomorrow, I might now get a chance to workout as much as I want to but, I will get something done and make up for it during the week. :)

Yesterday, just to give you a recap: I did (2) SPIN workouts in the muggy living room air. One for 40 minutes in the morning and another 30 minute bout in the afternoon. Then, despite having fatigued legs - I did another 60 minute weight training session with my clients. I had a shake in the morning and a steak tip salad for lunch. For dinner - a piece of grilled chicken. I think I lost my appetite do to the extreme heat and mugginess. I hope it shows up on the scale tomorrow. FYI - my MacBook Pro blew up yesterday and it's at the shop. I'm back at it on my husbands extra Dell. Sorry if any of you were looking for me yesterday. I completely forgot we had an extra pc laying around. Here goes today....

7:00AM - protein shake w/ 1c. mixed berries, banana, 1tsp of peanut butter and flaxseed oil.

12:00PM - garden salad w/ grilled chicken.

1:00PM - 45 minute SPIN bike workout. (feeling hungry?)

5:00PM - 60 minute strength training workout.

7:00PM - baked tilapia, 1/2c. sweet potato cubed and garden salad with lite Italian dressing.

*I was feeling sluggish and tired all day. I really had to push myself to take that weight training class, but of course I'm so glad I did.