My name is Donna, I am a forty-something year-young wife and stay-at-home mother of three children. I am a Christian and I believe I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and I don’t intend to waste that gift. I am completely passionate about my lifestyle of fitness and clean eating and that one’s body is a reflection of their lifestyle. I love to cook and workout. Oh and coffee, I love a good, strong coffee! I also love encouraging and inspiring others to reach their goals and live to their potential.
Over the years I have experienced many painful struggles. I have learned from them and allowed them to shape me into who I am today. I have transformed my life both physically and emotionally through my consistent efforts of clean eating and weight training. I continually challenge myself to learn new things in order to grow, and I believe in living with a standard of excellence. I started Balancing for Life to inspire and motivate others through the sharing of my experiences, meals, recipes and workout tips. I am not a coach, chef, nutritionist or photographer by any means but a self-taught lover of this lifestyle! What I post is what I actually cook, photograph and eat. I believe we can have a healthy, fit, strong body at any age through balanced eating habits and hard work. I don’t believe in short cuts or doing things the easy way and I believe you get out what you put in. I believe in having strong convictions and less addictions. I use words like dedication, determination, perseverance and grit. And I believe in setting a never ending list of attainable yet challenging goals to stay confident and motivated. Life certainly has its challenges but we can put ourselves in the best position to face them by taking care of ourselves. It is also the best way to care for others and overcome our obstacles in a healthy manner. I hope you will join me on this journey and together we can lead a more balanced life.
My Story
I started this journey back in 2009 for myself. I really just wanted to look better before I turned 40, and not look as though I was pregnant, as the neighbor kid kindly told me (kids are brutally honest!). I wanted to be healthy and happy on the inside as well. I joined a small gym and started to learn about working out. I started researching and learning about real, clean foods and how the benefits from their nutrients would positively affect my overall health & well being. I learned how to read package labels, and even though I try to buy mostly real whole foods, it’s a challenge with a family of five who like their snacks. But it is critical in this day and age of processed foods ladened with poor and sometimes harmful ingredients, to know just what is going into our food. As I continued along in my journey my eating habits completely changed – I gave up all fast foods, processed foods, sodas and candy bars. I started trying new, clean whole foods and drank only water. I learned how to overcome cravings and replace them with clean, healthy alternatives. Once I started to notice positive changes it just fueled more motivation to keep working. My confidence grew and I became stronger and healthier and my gym routines became more rigorous and intense. I was transforming into a new person from the inside out.
In September of 2010 we made an abrupt move from Florida to North Carolina for my husband to start a new job. It was an extremely stressful time for me. I was now, for the first time in my life, living away from all of my family and friends and every support system I knew. I felt so incredibly alone and started to fall into depression. I lost myself and was so unhappy. Although I was raising my three children I felt as though I had no purpose. Nine months went by and finally I joined a local gym and started this whole process all over again. I began to feel comfortable, making friends & having a sense of belonging. I was on the path of becoming strong, fit, healthy and confident again.
Then, in 2013 we moved back to Florida. Another very stressful time. By now I had adjusted, made friends, had a sense of belonging and did not want to move again. But this time was different. This time I clung to my healthy lifestyle of proper eating and exercise to help me through the stress. One of the first things I did upon moving back was join a gym and continued with my workouts. I kept my diet as healthy and clean as possible throughout the process, and although it was a bit challenging by not having my kitchen unpacked and settled, it was certainly doable. It is what helped me cope with the stress of movers, unpacking boxes, registering kids for school, etc.
Over time I realized it’s about more than just looking fit. I learned so much about myself. I learned about discipline and courage. I learned that I had the power to do what is necessary even when I didn’t feel like it. I learned that I can do hard, scary, new things (like starting this blog) to work through and overcome fear. I learned that failure is not only part of the process, but a powerful ally that should be embraced. I learned that I am stronger than I ever thought possible..both physically, mentally and emotionally. And I learned that through all of these things I became the person I was meant to be.
I want to be the best example I can for my family. I want to stay physically fit and healthy so I am able to continue to have the strength and energy to be active with my children and eventually grandchildren. I want them to learn about good, wholesome, clean foods also and understand how they make a major difference in their overall health and well being. So I hope you stop by often and join me as my journey continues!
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