Lifestyle without Barriers
If all of the kings had their queens on the throneWe would pop champagne and raise a toastTo all of the queens who are fighting aloneBaby, you’re not dancin’ on our own ~ Kings & Queens, Ava Max This is quite the female empowerment anthem. And a beautiful reminder to all the men out there... Continue Reading →
Aging is a myth they sell, but one we don’t need to buy. Everyone tries to sell aging as a “bad” thing. They work so hard at trying to convince us we must do everything possible to slow the process or hide the inevitable. But why is aging “bad?” Why is it not ok to... Continue Reading →
It’s National Quitter’s Day! The day when everyone quits their New Year’s resolutions. I had no idea there was such a day. As a nation we should be embarrassed. It’s only January 13th and already we’re throwing in the towel. We’re deciding to eat the brownie, skip the gym, sleep past our alarms, or buying the things... Continue Reading →
Stop putting off for tomorrow, what can be done TODAY. One last dessert, then my diet begins tomorrow. Just one more day of being lazy, then I promise to get on the treadmill first thing tomorrow morning. Monday will be my fresh start! How many times have you said any of the above? Ugh! Why... Continue Reading →
I started Real-Life-Talk (Real Life Talk – Lifestyle without Barriers (real-life-talk.com)) as a form of self-expression; an outlet of the many thoughts swirling around my mind, and to tell the tales of life. In a time when the world was changing as fast as the minutes were ticking away and we were all isolated in... Continue Reading →
What is an affirmation? Up until five years ago, I had no clue. And never did I imagine I’d be sitting here writing a blog post about them. In the middle of a meltdown, a friend says, you really need to start practicing affirmations. Having no clue what she meant, I turned to Google -... Continue Reading →
Above all else, I care about how I feel. Caring about how I feel allows me to choose. I get to choose the words I use, the thoughts I think, the actions I take, and the people I share my time and space with. I do not believe that all good things must come to... Continue Reading →
Just as I accepted my footing where I stand, the rug gets pulled out from under me. This change is a big one and has my mind attempting to take me to places I don’t want to go. Everything happens for a reason – this I know and believe. But that doesn’t lessen the pain... Continue Reading →
Are you hungry because it’s a scheduled mealtime? Or is your body really signaling for fuel? We are presented with endless opportunities to eat, but that doesn’t mean we are always hungry. Our bodies rely on food for fuel, so it’s important to provide them with the right type and quantity of food at the... Continue Reading →
“I think self-discipline is something, it’s like a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it gets.”~ Daniel Goldstein Self-discipline takes internal motivation, commitment and a one-track mindset. Oftentimes, self-discipline is used interchangeable with willpower. It is the ability to control your thoughts, emotions, actions in the face of uncertainty. Self-discipline is what you... Continue Reading →
Say yes to life. Say yes to something new. Say yes to something different. Say yes to something that challenges you. Break your mold. Change your routine. Give something another try. Take a risk. These words of wisdom coming from the girl who lives and dies by her routine. Who is risk adverse and swears... Continue Reading →
Everyone says you must have it and practice it daily, but no one ever explains what it is. Self-love is a concept that everyone is reaching for it, but without understanding what it is, their efforts are no different than grasping onto air. For others, it’s a concept that is often misunderstood and confusing. But... Continue Reading →
If only we could live our lives backwards. We’d be prepared for the unknowns. We’d be smart enough to have all the answers. We’d always know which turn would lead us to exactly where we want to be. We’d know when not to leave. And we’d know when to love a little harder, hug a... Continue Reading →
“I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you can appreciate them when they’re right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”~... Continue Reading →
Follow your Gut. Oftentimes overlooked guidance, not fully understood, viewed as a cliché, and many times misused, this statement when fully realized is the only direction one will never need. If you follow what your gut is telling you, you will never again have to ask the question, what should I do or seek advice... Continue Reading →
I live with fear every day. Fear of change – Fear of rejection – Fear of loss – Fear of judgement – Fear of inadequacy – Fear of failure – Fear of the unknown - and the list could continue. Fear does not feel “good.” Feelings of fear are often associated with unpleasant or strong... Continue Reading →
Me – How was your workout?Him – Ummm…half-ass.Me – You should never half-ass anything.Him – You’re right. Full-ass everything!Me – Exactly!His words – not mine! I am sure there was more to his response (because there always is 😉), he knew not giving his all in the gym that day was not beneficial to his... Continue Reading →
Life - Like a river - keeps flowing. And if you aren’t aware, you can get caught up in the current. And before you know it, may even get swept away. Life will not stop for you so why do you stop? Don’t Stop! Instead, pause. Take a deep breath, look around, open your eyes,... Continue Reading →
Aquarius is the 11th sign of the zodiac and belongs to the air element. It is ruled Uranus; the planet known for governing innovation, technology, and surprising events. Aquarius is the zodiac sign given to those born during the period of about January 20th to about February 18th. It is represented by a man pouring a stream... Continue Reading →
This time of year brings all types to the gym. And while it is commendable everyone is so motivated to get into shape, I question if they are there for the reasons one joins a gym. Since January 1st, I have seen some of the most inappropriate, disturbing, distracting, unsafe, and rude activity occurring around... Continue Reading →
Winter is rough. The days are dark, the temperatures brutal and most of our time is spent indoors. We spend our days warm and cozy inside, we eat comfort foods more frequently, and we tend to drive more and walk less. We long for the warmer months ahead. It’s easy to dread the over packed... Continue Reading →
It’s that time of year again. The time when everyone makes an annual promise to themselves. This promise is known as a New Year’s resolution. According to Wikipedia, a New Year’s resolution is a tradition, in which a person resolves to continue good practices, change an undesired trait or behavior, accomplish a personal goal, or... Continue Reading →
Speechless – Not an adjective frequently used to describe me. I’m the girl with a lot on her mind and always have a lot to say. But recently not so much. Is it because I’ve reached the balanced state, I’ve so long desired? Because for the most part, lately I am content with everything life... Continue Reading →
“Now, Dasher!” “Now, Dancer!” “Now, Prancer and Vixen!” “On, Comet!” “On, Cupid!” “On, Donner and Blitzen!” As Christmas legends have it, Santa Claus is guided around the world each year on Christmas Eve in a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer. Santa gets credit for delivering toys to all the children and the most famous reindeer... Continue Reading →
Spoiler Alert…there is no prize at the end! This journey you’re on, called life, does not have a pot of gold waiting for you at the end. Life is the journey. The ups, the downs and everything in between. That is where life happens. But when you’re rushing through it, you miss it. Slow Down!... Continue Reading →
That’s a tremendous understatement! The days of sitting at home with nothing to do or anywhere to go are long gone. Who would’ve guessed, we’d miss those days so soon? Society is stressed out. There’s not a person I know that isn’t feeling overwhelmed with life right now. We’re all spread too thin, have way... Continue Reading →
I fly with the stars, in the skiesI am no longer trying to surviveI believe that life is a prizeBut to live, doesn’t mean you’re alive Don’t worry ‘bout me, and who I fireI get what I desire, it’s my empireAnd yes, I call the shots, I am the umpireI sprinkle holy water, upon a... Continue Reading →
Don’t judge a book by its cover. This metaphorical phrase means one should not judge the worth or value of something or someone by the outward appearance. Forming an opinion on anyone based solely on what the eyes can see is often misleading. Surface level judgment is often astray as people are often very different... Continue Reading →
Oh, the typical interview question… Where do you see yourself in a year…in 3 years…in 5 years? I don’t know. How about we get through this interview first and if I get the job then maybe I’ll have a better answer. I occasionally allow myself to dip into the past to remember a sweet memory... Continue Reading →
“Thinking is difficult, that’s why most people judge.” ~ Carl Jung As humans we judge everything as either “good” or “bad.” Judging is our minds way of creating a better than or less than scenario to define a person, thing, or situation. But what if we learned to remove the judgment and allow people, things,... Continue Reading →
With the world more divided today than ever, it’s tempting to get sucked into the negativity the media reports and spend your days sulking or depressed. We all know 2020 was a dumpster fire of a year, but let’s not allow that experience to carry into our days, weeks, months, or years ahead. The world... Continue Reading →
This is Me, The Reimagined Remix was apart my Peloton playlist this morning and although I’ve heard this song many times before, the lyrics were moving today. Each one sings true. What a beautiful, inspirational message and such a motivational way to start my day. And so, I decided to use the lyrics as a... Continue Reading →
Summer is in the rearview (insert tears…), and now we’re getting ready to turn back time – it’s enough to make anyone want to stay in bed and pull the covers over their head. But thankfully, this is the time of year when summer bodies are made. There is no time like the present to... Continue Reading →
“Mirror, mirror, on the wall who is the fairest of them all?” ~ Daphne SelfeThe mirror will always reflect the truth, but if you’re self-talk is right you won’t even need to ask the question. You’ll be the one telling the mirror who’s the fairest of them all – You are! Oh’ the things we... Continue Reading →
Recently a friend and I were at yoga and just as we were about to begin our sweaty start to a new week, we were interrupted by another in class. Out of nowhere a woman approached us and was outwardly rude. Completely unnecessary and unprovoked. This woman was choosing to be ugly. What a terrible... Continue Reading →
Do you plant a seed only to dig it up daily seeing if it’s taken root or sprouted? No, you plant a seed and care for it daily by ensuring it’s receiving enough food, water, and sunlight. So rather than killing it with your impatience, you give it the resources it needs to grow to... Continue Reading →
You look terrific! Those three simple words made my day. And they came from a stranger in passing. Lost in thought on where I was going and my plans for the remainder of the day, I pass this woman who gives me this compliment that immediately brought me back to the present moment. I was... Continue Reading →
BLUF: Treat your Body Like A Temple – you only get one! Treat your body well. From head to toe, from the inside to the outside, your body deserves the very best. Our bodies were created to do so much. The potential is endless and the older I get, the more I realize this. But... Continue Reading →
These are the days of our lives that matter. And someday these days will be a distant memory. We never realize it in the moment, but someday you will miss these days. Life has been hard lately – very hard for all of us. Each in a different way, but each one of us has... Continue Reading →
Many of us mistake happiness for excitement. We have a vacation nearing on the calendar that’s been planned for weeks, we recently got a promotion, we’ve finally reached our goal weight. Those are all happy moments that deserve to be celebrated, but they are not happiness. The feeling you get from events such as those... Continue Reading →
It may seem unpretentious but accepting what is may quite possibly be the most important thing anyone can do for their well-being. Acceptance is the act of seeing the world as it is and for all it has to offer. It’s a way of welcoming all that’s changing and emerging for you and releasing all... Continue Reading →
As a collective, humans are obsessed with playing the game of comparison. She’s fitter than me – He makes more money than I do – She’s wearing a cuter outfit than I am – He drives a nicer car than I do… You get my point! But really, who cares? No one should, but everyone... Continue Reading →
In a world full of expectations, perfection is what everyone strives to obtain. I’ll raise my hand at this. In fact, I should raise both. I strive for perfection in every area of my life. I’ve always been this way. And because of this, I am my own worst critic. If I’m not the best,... Continue Reading →
Strength training is one of the absolute best ways to care for your body. It only takes a two second Google search to produce millions of results on the benefits of having muscle mass. The health benefits of a strong body will carry you throughout your life. To keep it simple though, strength training gives... Continue Reading →
It’s not a color you wear or how you style your hair. It will never be arrogant or rude. Confidence is a feeling you have and develop as a result of a skill set. Confidence is not tied to your self-worth. Self-worth has nothing to do with how well or how poorly you can do... Continue Reading →
All too often these two adjectives are used interchangeably. Your blessings come from the source of all, big or small, good or bad, wanted or unwanted, these are the things that flow to you throughout your life. Luck comes from being dealt the winning hand at the casino on a Friday night or winning the... Continue Reading →
With record setting temperatures spanning across the country this past weekend, the summer heat is indeed upon us. Keeping your body at optimal hydration levels couldn’t be more important. This is healthy living 101, but even more essential in the months of high temperatures. Our bodies are made up of over 60% water. Losing just... Continue Reading →
Self-care is not selfish. There’s a reason they tell us to put our oxygen masks on first. Self-care is a must to be your best self. For years, I thought self-care = self-love. But after years and thousands of dollars later, I realized that not to be true. No amount of self-care will ever lead... Continue Reading →
My favorite season is here! These are the three months each year that make all the rest worthwhile. Everything is easy, breezy in the summer months. Everyone takes a relaxed approach to life and slows down to enjoy each moment of the longer, brighter days. To a child, summer is the best time of year.... Continue Reading →
My mind is my worst enemy! And over and over again this is proven to me. As grateful as I am to have an intelligent mind, I wish the section that contains my thoughts had an on/off switch. I over analyze people and situations all too often. I think way too much and build “factual”... Continue Reading →
I’ve always worn a badge of honor when it comes to my emotions. Under no circumstances would I allow anyone to see me cry. Angry or frustrated, yes, but never sad. My tears were always saved for the shower. I’ve always been this way and maybe because I was raised in a household where feelings... Continue Reading →
A Phoenix is a fabulous bird associated with the worship of the sun. According to Greek mythology, this long-lived bird cyclically regenerates or otherwise is said to be born again. A Phoenix obtains new life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor. Or as some legends say, it dies in a show of flames... Continue Reading →
Why does everyone always ask my age? Is it really that important or is there no other way to break the ice? And trying to guess will get you nowhere. Guessing high will be insulting and guessing low in an attempt to flatter doesn’t work either. Age – it’s only a number; its how you... Continue Reading →
When you eat like crap, you feel like crap. Enough said! I should end this post with just that one sentence because how much simpler can it get? I love a cheat day just as much as everyone, but I often give up before the day is even over. My eyes are always bigger than... Continue Reading →
I don’t know what’s wrong with me. But for the past week or so, I have been experiencing mental and emotional fog. And saying I am in a funk would be an understatement. I have been getting very little sleep due to my work schedule, so I know part of the dip in ability to... Continue Reading →
Ahhh…that relationship you have with the reflection in the mirror. What prompted this post is the recent hot topic of the bikini picture of Khloe Kardashian that was posted without her approval. I love Khloe – I always have! She is my favorite Kardashian sister. There is just something about her energy that I can... Continue Reading →
Dare I go there…I can’t even with this one. Year after year it’s the same. The weather starts to get warmer and the gyms begin to get crowded. The increase in sunshine brings the realization to guys that soon their shirts will have to come off at some point in a place other than their... Continue Reading →
Really??? I can’t believe the hundreds of places signs just like this have appeared over the past year. It has gone as far as billboards along highways advertising hand washing to prime-time news anchors devoting entire segments on the do’s and don’ts of hand washing. Was no one washing their hands prior to the pandemic?... Continue Reading →
We’ve sprung forward and the days are getting longer!! Today at 5:37 a.m. officially marked the 1st day of the vernal equinox for 2021. Spring is here (finally)! The snow has melted, the looming gray skies are parting, and the warmer air is upon us. What does all this mean to you? For me it... Continue Reading →
Walking past the TV recently, I caught a portion of a news story of a woman who battled skin cancer during the pandemic. Initially, she did a tele-visit while medical offices were closed for a spot of concern on her face she had concerns of. During this tele-visit, she was told it was of no... Continue Reading →
Enjoy the moment! Ever heard that line before (insert eye roll)? Of course you have, we all have. But what does it really mean? It means to Be Present! The past is just that; it’s passed. It happened; it’s over. The future is yet to occur and unknown. And there is no amount of worry... Continue Reading →
Why is it that we can see our friends perfectly, but when it comes to ourselves no matter how hard we look, we never see ourselves clear? You know exactly what I am referring to. We are our own worse critics over and over again. We are the best of friends and at times unpaid... Continue Reading →
My mind runs like a constant film reel. There are hundreds of thoughts swirling at any given moment (some beneficial, some not). I’ve always loved to write and have been told I’m kind of good at it. I also always have a lot to say! But keeping those thoughts to myself seems selfish in a... Continue Reading →
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