Home - DAOFitLife - Page 4

Decision. Action. Outlook change.

Act / Decide / Outlook / Path

Decision. Action. Outlook change.

Do you want to get fit? Are you discouraged because you don’t have the time, or don’t know where to…

The DAO – Decision. Action. Outlook.

Act / Decide / Outlook / Path

The DAO – Decision. Action. Outlook.

The “DAO” of being a "fit professioanl is a three-part framework that gives professional women a customizable plan of action for fitness success while balancing their career and relationships.

Do you want to get fit, but don't have time to figure it out? My personal blog, DAOFitlife, and the upcoming book, is here for busy professionals who don’t have time to figure it out. I give you my insights on making fitness - physical AND spirtal - a sustainable part of your life.

If you are like me, you DON’T HAVE TIME to waste on spending hours in the gym OR to cook elaborate meals with obscure ingredients. Through years of my passion for fitness, I have accrued knowledge of what works – and more importantly, what is a waste of time. I can show you how you can revolve fitness around your life, instead of trying to do it the other way around.

Decision

Decision

Decide. Make a decision - that is the “ D” in DAO. A decision to commit - or recommit - to change, to transformation, and to a new way of life. Even if that's after a New Year's resolution that has gone up in smoke. We start our day with making decisions, and by the end of it we have made thousands. It's those little decisions and habits throughout the day that will make or break your fitness goals in the long term.

Action

Action

Act. Action is the only way forward. Even if it’s an incremental 5 minute per day routine just so that you do it every day. Do or do not. There is no try.
Action is the only way forward. Just DAO it..

Outlook

Outlook

Outlook. After having done something, then meditate and visualize how you feel afterwards. Chances are that having come fresh off of taking action, you will want to do it again.

Remember this Mantra: You can't change the body unless you first change your mind. This is the difference between people who lose weight quickly in the short term and people who make long-term, sustainable transformations. For the first group, it's just about weight. For the second group, it's about self-transformative change, on the inside and the outside.

Kind of always knew you’d end up my ex-diet

Kind of always knew you’d end up my ex-diet

Let's begin by addressing the elephant in the room. “Diet.” Google the word “weight loss diet” and you will see no less than 1.38 billion hits.

Just so I am transparent, my diets outnumber my past relationships. And in some ways for me a diet experience is like a bad relationship. You always feel lesser than, you are not satisfied, and someone else is making all the rules. Some are like the old boyfriend you keep going back to.

Now that is just my experience but there are two glaring statistics that we cannot ignore about diets: chronic dieting is directly linked to weight regain and slowdown of metabolism. A group of UCLA researchers reviewed 31 long-term studies on dieting and concluded that dieting is a consistent predictor of weight gain - up to two-thirds of people regained MORE weight than they lost.

The DAO “PFC” approach to food

The DAO “PFC” approach to food

In the DAO, the action follows from the Decision. The decision is not to "diet." The decision is to embrace a principled, sustainable approach to food.

The 80/20 approach to a sustainable life

The 80/20 approach to a sustainable life

The 80/20 principle is often used in a business context, to dictate that the most results can come from a minority of inputs. It's not just for business - it is a principle that we an apply to many areas of life, including an activity we dedicate an average of 10 percent of our annual income towards: eating.

The DAO of eating like a boss

Diets / Recipes / Tools

The DAO of eating like a boss

You can still kill it at work and eat healthy throughout the day. Food will give you energy and calmness to deal with all the stress. All you need is a framework designed for #busyAF #fitprofessional women.

Read more about the article Love and Other Weight Loss Drugs: The New Wave of Injectable Treatments

myskin @ Adobe Stock

Love and Other Weight Loss Drugs: The New Wave of Injectable Treatments

Sometimes the greatest success comes from a mistake. Or an accident.

In a drug originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes, scientists discovered during the process that the active ingredient in these drugs could also be used prescriptively to aid weight loss. Boom, an industry estimated to be worth 200 Billion dollars by 2030 was accidentally born.

So what do you need to know about the trend sweeping social media and dominating the headlines? And why does it matter?

June 21, 2023

Read more about the article How to Show Steps on Your Apple Watch Face

Charnsitr @ Adobe Stock

Exercises / Tools

How to Show Steps on Your Apple Watch Face

If you have or are considering getting an Apple Watch, you may be aware of this fact: unlike a Fitbit, you do not see the number of steps immediately on the watch face. Wait, what?

Steps don’t automatically appear on the watch face. Which can really decrease your motivation when you are trying to track steps. The good news: There IS A WORKAROUND. I learned it, I did it, and so can you! All is right with the world.

June 18, 2023

Read more about the article When Your Jeans Feel Tight: A How-to-Deal Guide

Adamchuck@ Adobe Stock

When Your Jeans Feel Tight: A How-to-Deal Guide

Have you ever taken a pair of jeans out of the closet you haven’t worn in a while? There is already an inner battle in my head when I do. Should I try them on? What if they don’t fit? What if I’ve gained weight? How did they fit the last time I wore them?

Now you shimmy them on. You might already be on the struggle bus in the shimmy process. Or you might get them all the way up but they don’t quite zip. Or they might zip, but that’s only a technicality. It zips but doesn’t quite fit.

In my day job, I like developing a “mode of analysis” for all my projects and issues I handle. So here is the DAOFitLife “Mode of Analysis” for your tight-jean issue. Step by step, with decisions along the way that you make based on what you feel is right for you!

June 18, 2023

Read more about the article Change Your Life with Your Words: The Power of Positive Affirmations

Christianchan@Adobe Stock

Change Your Life with Your Words: The Power of Positive Affirmations

“The definition of hell is: Your last day on Earth, the person you became meets the person you could have become.”– Dan Sullivan.

We all want to live up to our full potential. But life is moving so fast and there are so many obstacles. What can we utilize to manifest the best possible version of ourselves? The answer lies in our words, and this article will discuss how positive affirmations can completely change the direction of your life. I know this because it did with mine.

May 15, 2023

Read more about the article The DAO of Conquering Negative Thoughts

Sergey Nivens @ Adobe Stock

The DAO of Conquering Negative Thoughts

If you are on a path to fitness, mental fitness is a critical pillar. You can only fix so much on the outside. The negativity you experience on the inside can sabotage years of efforts and weigh you down, literally. It is a proven fact that positive thinking and weight loss success are interrelated. Not only that, but mastering the art of guarding your mind can lead to better job success, relationships, and overall health. On the flip side, a negative mindset is associated with depression, weight gain, and disease.

May 13, 2023

woman sitting on seashore

If you practice long enough, you can go here in your mind. Photo by Simon Rae

The DAO of Meditation for Busy People

Who has time to meditate? Monks? And also, people who want to stay sane.

If you want to achieve next level fitness, the mental and spiritual element is a huge part of it. I am going to give you a simple guide to meditation, because I know you are too busy to meditate. And so am I.

May 13, 2023

black laptop computer

Photo by Stephen Phillips - Hostreviews.co.uk

The DAO of Mastering Your Email Inbox: The Ultimate Efficiency Guide

As a successful business person, email is an integral part of your communication. But email should not stampede over your personal values and goals – including those that involve moving your body and bettering your mind. To ensure that you are using your time efficiently and effectively, we’ve put together a guide to help you manage your emails throughout the day.

April 18, 2023

pair of white sneakers beside vacuum cleaner

Photo by No Revisions

Exercises / Life hacks / Tools

Spring Cleaning: The Sneaky Workout You Didn’t Know You Needed

Spring cleaning may not be the most exciting task on your to-do list, but it can actually be a sneaky way to get a workout in. Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) is the energy we burn during our daily activities, and cleaning and organizing your home can be a great way to boost NEAT and burn some extra calories. In this article, we’ll explore some common spring cleaning tasks and how many calories they can burn per hour, as well as tips on how to tackle cleaning out and organizing your closets and kitchen cabinets.

April 16, 2023

Read more about the article The DAO of Empowering Your Morning: Own Your Day From The Moment it Begins

JenkoAtaman @ Adobe Stock

The DAO of Empowering Your Morning: Own Your Day From The Moment it Begins

“What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.” —Ralph Marston

We all have 24 hours in a day. So do all the Fortune 500 CEOs. So does Beyoncé. Our responsibilities have responsibilities.

Do you want to make the most out of your day? Start by empowering your morning! The way you start your day can set the tone for the rest of your day. Therefore, it’s essential to create a morning routine that works for you and fuels your success. You can look at the morning in two ways – something that just happens to you, or an opportunity for you to seize the day. This is the DAOFitLife guide to empowering your morning.

Here are some tips to help you empower your morning and set yourself up for a “high vibration” day.

April 15, 2023

assorted-color pebble lot

Photo by Tim Gouw

Healthy Easter Candy: Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth Without Compromising Your Health

As Easter approaches, it can be challenging to resist the temptation of indulging in sugary treats. Especially if you have kids and Easter baskets to fill. But even without, there are aisles of colorful candies in every store, office candy bowls, and commercials witth the clucking bunny.

April 2, 2023

Read more about the article Toxic Hustle Culture: How to Overcome the Busyness Trap and Lead a Fulfilling, Productive Life

R Gino Santa Maria @ Adobe Stock

Toxic Hustle Culture: How to Overcome the Busyness Trap and Lead a Fulfilling, Productive Life

‘Hustle Culture’ is a loaded term that means showing the world what a boss you are. And as busy people, we live on this. Striving and staying positive – that’s the thing, right? I even have ‘hustle’ in the title of my book.

But it can go too far – and become a ‘toxic hustle’ culture where we are obsessed with being busy and squeezing everything out of every second. What’s worse, it has become somewhat of a competition. Humble brags on social media along with prideful declaration of one being “swamped” are the new status symbol.

In today’s toxic hustle culture, brandishing one’s busyness is like swinging a Birkin bag. The support for this principle is not just anecdotal – a recent article in Harvard Business Review highlights how busyness has become the new status symbol. The result is a reported rise in “time poverty”. So much for luxury bags! This got me thinking – what is “busyness” really achieving for us in the fulfillment of our long-term values?

April 1, 2023

Read more about the article The Rise of Gua Sha: How a Traditional Practice is Revolutionizing Western Skincare

Liubov Levytska @ Adobe Stock

Life hacks / Tools

The Rise of Gua Sha: How a Traditional Practice is Revolutionizing Western Skincare

You probably have seen it on some form of social media – women rolling odd shaped jade tools over their faces. This practice of gua sha is centuries old, but it has resurfaces as a way to decrease puffiness and act as a “natural botox”.

But is it really that magical? Here is what you need to know and my experience. As an initial reaction, I found that a regular gua sha practice was so much more than skincare. It helped relieve tension in my jaw, forehead, and sinus pressure. So read on if you have any of these issues especially at your job! This is now part of my daily routine – rise, wash face, coffee, lemon water, meditate, and gua sha. By the end of this five minute routine, I feel like a million bucks and ready to face the world!

March 30, 2023

Read more about the article How to Get Toned Arms for Summer – Starting Now

By NDABCREATIVITY @ Adobe Stock

Exercises / Tools

How to Get Toned Arms for Summer – Starting Now

Spring is here, and it’s time to start thinking about getting those arms ready for tank tops, sundresses, and other warm-weather attire. Whether you’re looking to tone up, build muscle, or just feel more confident in your own skin, there are plenty of ways to get nice arms for spring.

Here are some tips to help you achieve your goals. It might be only spring but it generally takes about 8 weeks to notice a difference when you start a new training program. Be patient, and follow along!

March 21, 2023

Read more about the article How to Stay Fit Over Spring Break

Photo Credit: Jongjit Wongsrikasem

Diets / Exercises / Life hacks / Tools

How to Stay Fit Over Spring Break

Spring break is a time to let loose and enjoy yourself, but it doesn't have to come at the expense of your health and fitness goals. Whether you're planning a tropical getaway, a visit to an amusement park, a camping trip, or a fancy international vacation, there are plenty of…

March 21, 2023

Read more about the article On flaking: How to Deal

"What? Your goldfish is sick again?" Photo by Justlife

On flaking: How to Deal

“Oh no! Darn it, I just remembered that I… I promised my friend’s brother’s godmother that I would help her, um, change her fax cartridge tonight… because she’s going out of town tomorrow… on an African safari!”
Penny, from the Wedding Planner (2000)

This is a line from the Wedding Planner, where Judy Greer bailed on Jennifer Lopez at the movies. She came up with this ridiculous excuse to flake on the fly, obvs. And it was definitely pre-modern communication – double obvs. But we forgive Judy, or Penny, because this way J-Lo could have a magical night with Matthew McConaughey’s character.

Now – real life. You know the deal. You make plans. You exchange texts saying how excited you are about the plans. You confirm the plans the day before….AND THEN the morning of, or hours before even, you get the text you don’t even have to finish reading: “Hey, so sorry, but…family/friend/child/pet/work emergency/weird accident/calendar mishap….raincheck bla bla bla”.

Now, this is not an indictment on flaking. I have done it. I have had it done to me. I probably will flake again, maybe on you. But I think a good “flaking guide” is in order to save friendships and relationships everywhere – so here is my DAOFitLife Flake Guide – from both the flaker and flakee side (PS, this has a guide to some really good excuses for you flakes!)

March 17, 2023

Read more about the article What Would Jesus Eat? Where Food and Faith Collide

Choat @ Adobe Stock

What Would Jesus Eat? Where Food and Faith Collide

In 1 Corinthians 10:31, it says, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

So how do food and faith collide? Whether you follow a certain religion or just are one with the universe, food and how you treat your body with it can have a powerful role on your spiritual life. In this season of Lent, I was curious about how something so innate to our body survival – food – can connect with faith – which for those of us who follow one, is a way of feeding our souls.

March 6, 2023

white ice cream in white ceramic bowl

Photo by Sean Bernstein

Foods that are no better for you than their “evil” cousin

In a morality-laced wellness culture, the world is divided into two food groups: Virtue-signaling “clean” foods, and evil, bad foods.

You know what? In many cases, the virtue signaling-food is actually not materially healthier. I have identified several common categories that compare the demonized food and the halo effect, then shine a light on reality. As for a solution, you can now eat the food you really want knowing that there is no real moral superiority to the alternative. OR you do what I do in many cases which is identify the core craving behind wanting a particular food and satisfy it with a healthier alternative, not a “faux healthy” version of that food.

March 6, 2023

Read more about the article The 5 Biggest Myths About Strength Training, Busted

Atractive fit woman works out with dumbbells as a fitness conceptual over dark background.

Exercises / Tools

The 5 Biggest Myths About Strength Training, Busted

“You don’t need to do cardio if you lift weights!” “Weights will make women bulky.” “You have to lift heavy to see your body change.”

Ever since bros have been lifting, there has been “broscience.” A classic way to spot one of these broscientists is the guy walking around the gym with a protein shake and a brightly colored pre-workout drink. And he may also be sporting a bag of trolli gummi worms, because it’s “chest day.”

A lot of the myths surrounding strength training make it more of an intimidating world to approach. How can you dedicate hours of extra time a day to doing sets when you can barely tear yourself away from that spreadsheet?

Here are 5 common beliefs about strength training and how to keep your busy schedule without having to become a “bro” parked in the gym for hours.

March 4, 2023

woman in black tank top and black pants walking on sidewalk during daytime

Running in a well-populated park is a great way to enjoy the outdoors safely. Photo by Jozsef Hocza

When Exercise is Unsafe: How to Protect Yourself from Being Stalked or Attacked

A staggering 84% of women have been harassed while running. According to recent findings, 30% of women reported being followed at one point by someone in a car, on a bike, or on foot. And it’s not just outdoors. According to a recent survey of approximately 1330 women, approximately 530 of those women felt sometimes when they go to the gym, they feel unsafe when working out, and another 192 women reported OFTEN feeling unsafe when they worked out. While this is a prevalent issue among those who identify as women, the discussion in this post is applicable to everyone.

February 20, 2023

2 person in white shirt standing by the table

Photo by No Revisions @ Unsplash

Your Brain on Lab-Grown Food

Do you ever wander through a grocery store, and you start snaking through the center aisles through the bright beautiful colors of foods in boxes and bags? If you stop and pay attention to how you feel, it may be giddy, excited or just want to eat everything in sight?

Believe it or not, you are being seduced.

February 20, 2023

End of content

No more pages to load