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Boomers & The (Not So) Silent Generation

By Janis McDonald On September 5, 2016 · 2 Comments
As I continue to receive so many in-depth and thoughtful answers to my Five Famous Questions for Boomer and Beyonder Women, I found the focus of my book performing twists and turns with a few “whacks on the side of the head!” In the last week, I have joined in on so many powerful conversations [...]
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Boomer Women, Here Comes the Answers!

By Janis McDonald On September 4, 2016 · 6 Comments
Each of the Beyonder/Boomer Women who responded to my Five Famous Questions have added to my determination that I will discover exactly what to write about, how to present it in a helpful yet humorous way while creating a community who is squeezing the best out of the rest of life. As an Aging Boomer [...]
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Beyonder Women Helping Boomer Women

On September 3, 2016 By Janis McDonald
At some point in the future, I believe when I type “Beyonders” my computer will finally stop autocorrecting to “Beyond.”  I believe Beyonders will become the official designation for people who have lived through the Boomer Years and have arrived on the other side of the aging hill. I believe Beyonders have the experience, knowledge [...]
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Baby Boomer and Beyonder Women

On September 2, 2016 By Janis McDonald
Thank each and every one of the Baby Boomers and Beyonders who responded to my Five Famous Questions about Aging. Your responses have inspired me to continue on with my writing as an Aging Boomer Fitness Trainer.  In fact, the spark that I have felt about writing my book has started to burn brighter and [...]
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And Here’s the Why I need Help!

On August 30, 2016 By Janis McDonald
A few days ago, I sent out my newsletter asking my readers to join in on a conversation about Boomer Women Aging by answering a few questions.  However, I neglected to tell you why I need help as a good friend pointed out to me. She encouraged me to share my journey and promised that [...]
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Boomer Women Aging

On August 27, 2016 By Janis McDonald
As I continue down the path of growing older, especially as a personal trainer and coach, I am experiencing the mighty swing of the aging pendulum. Swinging from the feeling of “Oh no, what now to this is great!” Great in so many ways of feeling more centered and secure about things that used to [...]
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Boomer Aging Wisdom

On August 10, 2016 By Janis McDonald
Being a Boomer Woman, I held firmly to the beliefs that I would never grow old, never get sick and never die.  As I witness the consequences of aging in others and myself, I realize I might be wrong.  Through my own personal exploration of the Aging Boomer Journey, I have received great gifts. Gifts [...]
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Live Like You Can Gym Open House, Saturday July 9, 10-12pm

On July 3, 2016 By Janis McDonald
Live Like You Can Gym Open House, Saturday, July 9, 10-12pm Calzada de la Aurora 19A San Miguel de Allende Have you ever had burning health and fitness questions that you couldn’t Google? Maybe you needed answers based on your own personal issues, desires and special needs. Maybe you needed a live person in order [...]
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Accepting and Forgiving Aging

On June 24, 2016 By Janis McDonald
This photo is fairly recent, everyone looks better upside down over 60! The jumping off place for my blog topics usually comes from what’s going on with me right now.  I like to explore those feelings through writing as it relates to me and perhaps others.  Someone asked me last week what was the purpose [...]
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Sunday Kind of Day

On May 10, 2016 By Janis McDonald
Today is Sunday and it was a Sunday kind of day. My day begins at 6am with the crowing of the biggest, blackest cock around, followed by the rest of the ranch gang waking up hungry. Somehow without the help of digital watches, satellites and cell phones, each mouth asking to be fed also has [...]
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What Do I Want? (Oh no, please don’t ask me that!)

On April 20, 2016 By Janis McDonald
What do I want? This question has always been in the forefront of my life. Many years ago, it was easy to give answers such as, “More money, more time, more beauty, more people who adored me, more…, more…., more….!”  I could write the entire post on what I used to want and thought I [...]
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Coloring Update

On April 4, 2016 By Janis McDonald
For the last 8 weeks, coloring has been my new morning quiet time ritual. Surprisingly, this powerful obsession has taken over my life. I can’t seem to stop once I start. Everything else falls away, time stands still and if I have to stop, I can’t wait to return to this new addiction. My new [...]
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Losing Louie, Welcoming Tommy

On March 17, 2016 By Janis McDonald
Sharing loss is something that has been hard for me. Being tough and sucking it up were qualities I was taught as a child. As I meander through my dog’s lives, I note my experiences with the various stages of grief (denial, bargaining, anger, depression, acceptance). Each loss had its own special details usually connected [...]
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Coloring Flow

On February 15, 2016 By Janis McDonald
  For the past two weeks, coloring has been my new morning ritual starting out with a commitment to spend 15 minutes daily with my colored pencils and books. Coloring has provided me with several new discoveries. In fact, the 15 minutes grew to 4 hours on Saturday afternoon in front of the fireplace on [...]
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Take A Coloring Break

On January 28, 2016 By Janis McDonald
Are you an “out of the lines” color(er) or a person who strives to stay within the lines? Personally, when I start my next coloring project I imagine a perfect mandala like those created by monks who spend months finishing their beautiful sand mandalas. Unlike the monks who destroy the mandala after [...]
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I Still Believe in My San Miguel Santa Claus

On December 23, 2015 By Janis McDonald
  My Christmas was forever changed when I learned at elementary school that Santa Claus wasn’t a real person and he didn’t visit my house every Christmas Eve to bring toys and gifts. He didn’t slide down the chimney and eat the cookies or drink the milk left by the tree. I also [...]
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Safety Empowerment with Horses

On November 23, 2015 By Janis McDonald
After creating my ranch life, “Living with Horses,” I dreamed of connecting my two passions (horses and workshops) to be able to offer an empowering experience for women.  The answer came when I met Marti McGinnis, Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator during a time of increasing concerns about safety in our community, which elevated our levels [...]
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Life Goes On Until Death Stops It, Part 2

On November 2, 2015 By Janis McDonald
Everything was going along as usual in my early morning rush to get going, giving instructions to the people that help with the ranch and petting the animals goodbye for the day. A quick look at my computer sent my day crashing down to paralysis and one-pointed focus. All the ”important chores” instantly fell [...]
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Forgiving Myself for Aging

On October 5, 2015 By Janis McDonald
My first blog post was also titled, “Forgiving Myself for Aging,” and published in March 2013. Now it feels perfect to once again address this huge issue of acceptance and embracing my Third Act with a different set of eyes. My first post was dedicated entirely to resolving my denial/bargaining/anger/depression and finally acceptance [...]
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Powerful Power Plate Training

On September 9, 2015 By Janis McDonald
  When I was first exposed to the Power Plate, I laughed and thought, “Yet, again, another quick fix for fitness.” When two of my clients, wanting to keep up their fitness while on an extended trip, discovered Power Plate Training Gyms available all over Paris, they signed up. They became addicts and [...]
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Living My Third Act

On August 26, 2015 By Janis McDonald
The Third Act of Life is just beginning for me and I firmly believe that I will live to 100. I could be wrong, however, each one of us has more influence over this final year than we think. For example, my 100 year old life would best be served today by doing everything possible [...]
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The Four Agreements

On August 4, 2015 By Janis McDonald
Years ago, someone gave me Miguel Ruiz’s book, The Four Agreements and my life of ever-increasing freedom began. Miguel’s words are inspiring, clear and simply to understand. His Four Agreements are also some of the most difficult suggestions to follow 24/7. During my life, I have taken many paths that were going to [...]
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Suck It In, Look 10 Years Younger

On June 30, 2015 By Janis McDonald
Suck it in! These words are heard at gym, in the military, on the runway and from our moms. When people come to my gym and complain about their “pooch” that appeared only in later middle age, I ask them to stand up tall,  suck it in and look in the mirror. Amazingly, the [...]
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Persistence Training

On June 15, 2015 By Janis McDonald
Last week, I received an email from my wonderful Swedish client, who is on an extended trip.  She made an “on the road” exercise commitment and wanted to update me as promised. I had to laugh when she called her workout, “The Persistence Training” program that has kept her going through jet lag, [...]
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Pain-Free Gardening or Similar Activities

On May 27, 2015 By Janis McDonald
Last weekend I spent all day outside digging, hoeing, planting and hauling.  These activities are relatively new for me this year and on Monday, I found myself sore in places that surprised me. I always assumed because I exercise regularly that my body was prepared for anything. I was wrong! The gardening position had [...]
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A Day With Laughter

On May 13, 2015 By Janis McDonald
While my life’s passion is remembering to live like every day is my last day, I also firmly believe every day better have at least one belly laugh (and that’s the minimum).  In fact, if I plan it right, my last breaths on earth will include at least one chuckle. For many years, I have [...]
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Train Your Brain

On April 27, 2015 By Janis McDonald
Hearing the words, “senior moment” for the 100th time makes me want to yell, “Don’t go there!” While each brain ages differently, aging can actually bring wonderful new insights for our brain. Dan Blazer, an emeritus professor of psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center says, “Wisdom and knowledge may increase with aging, even while memory and [...]
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Walk Long and Fast to Age Well

On April 9, 2015 By Janis McDonald
Did you know that how fast you walk is a good predictor of your state of health? It’s true, walking speed (basically, the distance you can cover in a period of time) is a good indicator  of how well you are aging. Studies show the slower you walk, the more future concerns you [...]
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And The Good News Is

On March 25, 2015 By Janis McDonald
Have you ever read a book and a sentence leaped off the page into your heart? One of my favorite lines is “People live through such pain only once. Pain comes again—but it finds a tougher surface” from Song of the Lark by Willa Cather.  What powerful words to take along in my [...]
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Boxing for Life in San Miguel

On March 11, 2015 By Janis McDonald
Moving to San Miguel de Allende and opening my private gym in 1999 has brought me so many surprises and happy times. Now 15 years later, I am still teaching boxing to my clientele, who have aged as well as I have. Here’s Judy O’Neil, 70-year old, landing the winning punch on her [...]
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Aging As Potential

On February 25, 2015 By Janis McDonald
Over the last 20 years, my assumption about aging has slowly taken a huge paradigm shift. In fact, many people over 50 are convinced the last stage of the aging process is potentially the most vital and powerful time of the life cycle. Even where there is illness, people have to an understand and expectation that [...]
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Contrast

On February 11, 2015 By Janis McDonald
Last Sunday was one of those San Miguel de Allende days of perfection with turquoise blue cloudless skies, cool breezes and green mountains. These are the days I yearn for all year, usually coming at the beginning of spring and fall filled with golden light that seems to happen between daylight savings time episodes. A [...]
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Comfortable With Aging

On January 28, 2015 By Janis McDonald
Comfortable with aging! Never in all my past years would I have believed this feeling and thought would become my new normal, my default and my gift. Yet, in fact, I like it a lot. It feels like my “favorite shirt.” One of those wonderful cotton, soft meshy gray sweatshirt-like garments worn by [...]
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Designing Your Third Act

On January 15, 2015 By Janis McDonald
Ted Talks! We all love them, are inspired by them and promise to support the speaker in some matter. The tag line, “Ideas Worth Spreading” makes me want to stand up and yell, “Wait there is hope, don’t give up, the future has not yet been determined.” While browsing the Ted Talk website, [...]
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Being Nobody, Going Nowhere

On January 2, 2015 By Janis McDonald
When I first read these words on the cover of Ayya Khema’s book over15 years ago, I was struck with two diverse feelings. While the book is basically about Buddhist meditation, the title powerfully jumped out at me and felt like a state of mind I wanted to acquire. My initial reaction was, “What [...]
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Music and Memory

On December 16, 2014 By Janis McDonald
Watching the documentary, Alive Inside, A Story of Music and Memory, inspired me to reach out to www.musicandmemory.org and learn more about bringing music to people with dementia/Alzheimer’s. Last year after writing the post,  “Music Changes Everything,”  I have kept a mental log of how my clients responded to certain music. As I [...]
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Living To 100

On December 4, 2014 By Janis McDonald
My plan (until something changes it) is to live to 100 years old. Ideally, I would prefer my health, brain and money to run out the same day, which would be my last day on earth!  I have been told making such plans doesn’t make sense and I have no way of predicting [...]
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Rancho Waena

On November 19, 2014 By Janis McDonald
Lately, I have been thinking about stating out loud (in print) “I am a writer!” While I feel more or less nervous about this pronouncement, those words have been brewing in my head and heart for almost a year.   One of my favorite bloggers suggested to his fellow bloggers to step up, show up [...]
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80 Plus, Don’t Count Them Out

On November 5, 2014 By Janis McDonald
  Today I read a New York Times Magazine article, “Old Masters, after 80, some people don’t retire. They reign.” Another of the many recent news videos, YouTube or Facebook posts about the power of people over 80 and in fact, over 100 performing feats previously assumed were impossible at “that” age. We [...]
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Speed Up To Slow Down Aging

On October 22, 2014 By Janis McDonald
     In his book, “Bending The Aging Curve,” Joseph F. Signorile, PhD, makes powerful and enlightening statements on the aging, which spotlight the aspects of the normal downward trajectory as years pass by. Slowing down as we age is not only a matter of retirement, changing lifestyles or the desire to take it easy [...]
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Sitting Is Dangerous, Stand Up!

On October 8, 2014 By Janis McDonald
Today, “The Sitting Of America,” tops the media health news with stern messages of what to do and what not to do to avoid certain diseases and early aging. Previously, stand-up and treadmill desks were viewed as a fad. Now studies are starting to prove these desks are crucial to our health. In [...]
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Choosing Your New Normal

On September 24, 2014 By Janis McDonald
Recently, a reporter asked Sophie Loren, who just turned 80, how she stayed so youthful. She answered, “Posture, my back is always straight and I don’t make old people noises.”  Sophie Loren is a dazzling example of someone who has aged, yet refused to allow poor posture, grunting and groaning to become her [...]
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No Hurry No Worry

On September 10, 2014 By Janis McDonald
Lately, I have heard these words running through my mind, “I am no longer in a hurry.”  What happened to the river that I was always pushing in the direction I felt was urgently important? While pondering this shift in my attitude, I recalled colorful words painted on a huge rock on the side [...]
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The Ratoon Stage

On August 27, 2014 By Janis McDonald
Living in Hawaii for over half of my life, I figured I knew everything I needed or wanted to know about pineapples. I knew pineapples were my favorite fruit, freshly picked, a sharp knife was required for trimming, chewing on the core was fun and the bigger the better.  Lanai is called the [...]
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Every Day Is My Last Day

On August 13, 2014 By Janis McDonald
A few days ago, I heard these words quoted passionately by an l0l-year old man, Mr. Roselio Munoz. Being a member of the Greatest Generation made his words even more profound and powerful.  While the concept was not new to me, his words hit my heart like an arrow. Of course, I knew the concept [...]
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Breathing Room

On July 30, 2014 By Janis McDonald
Recently I found myself thinking, “Please some breathing room!” Then thinking, “Well, exactly who is going to give me some breathing room?” It was a day when all my animals needed extra attention due to a physical issue, my gym was busting at the seams, my newsletter and local paper article were due [...]
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S.M.A.R.T.

On July 24, 2014 By Janis McDonald
As a Coach, I feel strongly that the best way to be successful in reaching our dreams and visions for a healthier, energetic and satisfied life is to make S.M.A.R.T. Goals. During my Wellcoaches Wellness/Fitness Coach Training, one of the most important aspect of working with a new client was explaining the concept [...]
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Couples That Train Together….

On July 9, 2014 By Janis McDonald
Stay fit for life together! In fact, as more health clubs turn towards the “Age Wave” of increasingly older clientele, “staying fit together” are the “buzz words” of marketing to the largest group of ever.  Boomers and Beyonders are showing up for workouts as a couple, with a fitness buddy or joining group fitness classes [...]
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How To Be A Super Ager

On June 25, 2014 By Janis McDonald
The point of being a super ager is not about just living a long, long life. It’s about living a long and healthy life despite what our DNA may dictate (which is surprisingly less than you think). It’s about the ability to keep doing the things that we love and holding on to [...]
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Coaching and Metaphors

On June 11, 2014 By Janis McDonald
Just returning from my final residential program in Professional Wellness Coaching with lots of energy and enthusiasm about what’s possible next in my life! Coming home with more tools and knowledge to support my lifelong mission of helping people feel better. One of my favorite tools was learning the use of metaphor in coaching. [...]
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What Is Wellness Coaching?

On May 28, 2014 By Janis McDonald
Let’s break down Wellness Coaching and define Wellness and Coaching separately before we go on. The World Health Organization states, “Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life”. Wellness is more than being free from illness. It is a dynamic process of change and growth. [...]
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Does Retired Mean Tired?

On May 14, 2014 By Janis McDonald
Now that my Professional Coaching Course is almost over, I am on a journey of investigation to discover what Boomers and Beyonders are thinking, needing and wanting. After some discussion with a few people, I realized that Boomers and Beyonders are two different demographics. In fact, while Boomers can be as young as 50, [...]
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Walk This Way

On April 30, 2014 By Janis McDonald
  When you hit the streets walking, do you take time to “get set” and establish a good walking posture, striding correctly and energetically? Are you instead, more worried about how fast you can get there and what you need to do? During my years in the gym, I have seen many different foot [...]
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Chickens Or New York?

On April 23, 2014 By Janis McDonald
What a choice! Stay home with my new “girls” or travel to New York to visit a friend. For most folks the answer would be crystal clear, yet I found myself wallowing in a sea of angst about what was the “right” decision for me. Suffering so much stress and resistance to picking up [...]
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Posture Injury?

On April 16, 2014 By Janis McDonald
After years of personal training, I discovered how sitting up tall with good posture can cause a “new” type of injury. This injury was sustained by a beginning client whose enthusiasm to get going on her program caused a “posture injury!” The posture injury provided us both with a good laugh as well as an [...]
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Getting Uncomfortable With The Uncomfortable

On April 9, 2014 By Janis McDonald
A few weeks ago, I heard a new client say, “I just can’t continue being comfortable with the uncomfortableness of my life as a slug.”  Finally she had become so uncomfortable with being uncomfortable she moved into taking action! Decision making time was over, gone were the pondering thoughts of “maybe I should…” and all [...]
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Light My Fire

On April 2, 2014 By Janis McDonald
Essentially, your bodies’ metabolism is asking you all day to “light my fire and keep it burning!” I love to compare our metabolism to a fire in the fireplace. Just what is metabolism? The textbook definition says “Metabolism is the sum total of all the chemical reactions in the body.” In fact, metabolism is [...]
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Cars And Bodies

On March 26, 2014 By Janis McDonald
Yesterday, as I was trying to drive my old car to the mechanic, it occurred to me how much our bodies are like our cars. They take us around, we take them for granted and expect to arrive at our destinations without too much effort on our part to keep them functioning. My 1989 Blazer [...]
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Music Changes Everything

On March 19, 2014 By Janis McDonald
The energy and frenzy of the San Miguel de Allende, Mexico winter visitor season this year has been amazing and full of abundance for all. For me, I love the opportunity to meet and work with new faces, sending them home to carry on with their personalized program. I love the power of [...]
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Work The Parts That Work

On March 12, 2014 By Janis McDonald
“Yes, but I feel really motivated to give myself some quiet time before I rush off to work.” When I first began teaching exercise, I never thought one day I would be advising my clients to just show up and “work the parts that work!” In the course of the first 35 years of my [...]
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How Is Your Life Of Pi (e)?

On March 5, 2014 By Janis McDonald
Here is an example of the “dream” pie of my life.  Perfectly balanced in all the important areas that I consider vital for a content, healthy, well-balanced life. However, wishing does not make it so. Sometimes it feels like my slices are in total chaos, always in motion, first shrinking then growing huge. Is this a [...]
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Checking The Rear View, Just In Case

On February 26, 2014 By Janis McDonald
Recently, a friend suggested the way to live life was to hope for the best and plan for the worst. My reaction was one of horror! Plan for the worst? This seemed so counter intuitive.  I felt these words sounded negative, hopeless and energy draining. If I planned for the worst, would I create the [...]
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Finally, It’s Here!

On February 19, 2014 By Janis McDonald
After several years of pondering, learning, deciding, gathering the right support and technical knowledge, my new website has arrived, finally! Happily, I am announcing, introducing, launching, revealing and setting forth into motion, my website, www.livelikeyoucan.com. While the name stays the same, my new site offers brand-new ways that I can help you “Live Like You [...]
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Pebbles In My Shoe

On February 12, 2014 By Janis McDonald
I have arrived at a place in my life that is comfortable; still I want to have a few pebbles in my shoe so I can remain awake and not “asleep at the wheel!” When I re-read this statement, I wonder exactly how I will articulate what I am feeling to you. What [...]
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Life Goes On Until Death Stops It

On February 5, 2014 By Janis McDonald
Life and death were not the topics I planned for my next post this week. However my life came to a screeching halt when my beautiful friend, mentor, riding instructor and horse trainer had a tragic accident. The week had begun as usual, nothing out of the ordinary.  I was running a little late [...]
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Oh No, The Food Diary

On January 29, 2014 By Janis McDonald
When I suggest keeping a food diary to enhance weight loss and change behaviors for life, my personal training clients get pained looks, roll their eyes and say,  “Oh no, not the food diary! Isn’t there an easier way? Maybe I can just remember, please don’t make me write it down.” Since I [...]
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On The Road, What To Eat?

On January 22, 2014 By Janis McDonald
What to eat when I am out of my “regular routine” and where to find it? These questions top my “ponder list” today. I know I will need to wake up my creative brain in the back of my head and figure out how I will find food when food is now, more or less, [...]
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Growing Bolder

On January 15, 2014 By Janis McDonald
While Googling for “Growing Older” I found “Growing Bolder!” I loved this statement so much, I decided to write a few words exploring the differences in these two thoughts. Isn’t it funny how one little letter can make such an enormous shift in our energy as we ponder these two ideas? For me, growing older has an undertone [...]
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I Want To, I Don’t Want To

On January 8, 2014 By Janis McDonald
“Cheerleader for the Human Body” was one of my favorite nicknames given to me by the followers of the “Body By Janis” TV Show in Hawaii.   While I still like to cheer people on by sharing all the positive benefits of exercise, I find now at the Boomer and Beyond age, it is [...]
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New Years Intentions

On January 1, 2014 By Janis McDonald
“Yes, but I feel really motivated to give myself some quiet time before I rush off to work.” This year I will not be writing my usual first of the year “resolutions.”  Instead I have turned my thoughts and energy towards setting “intentions” for the coming year. After closely examining the word resolution, [...]
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Merry Fitness To All

On December 25, 2013 By Janis McDonald
  I taught exercise in a Navy Gym. I taught exercise before records and aerobic shoes. I taught exercise before “group fitness specialists.” I taught exercise before personal trainers existed. I taught exercise long before I knew it was possible to make a living at it. I simply taught exercise. Today, I [...]
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Making Friends With Death

On December 18, 2013 By Janis McDonald
In the middle of my 6th decade, my passion for becoming friendly with death and why it’s important to do so generates much energy and thinking. Each time I sit down to write, my thoughts increasingly turn to death and  how to make death part of my life. I strongly believe that knowing [...]
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Suffering From Technology Addiction?

On December 11, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Recently I realized I was suffering from Technology Addiction. Shockingly, I asked myself, “Could this be me, writer of the Live Like You Can Blog, upbeat fitness trainer  and student of higher thoughts? I discovered indeed, it was me! My addiction became apparent to me after 2 weeks of recording my positive vs. negative [...]
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Meditate Like Your Hair Is On Fire

On December 4, 2013 By Janis McDonald
During my spiritual quest for deeper understanding through meditation, I was given the recommendation to  meditate like my hair was on fire. At the time, I thought, “Are you crazy? Why would that work?” Today I get it!  It was the perfect metaphor for absolutely living in the present moment and learning to become [...]
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Staying Fit Until The End

On November 27, 2013 By Janis McDonald
While attending Margot Boland’s Book Cover Design Workshop, I shared my ideas on creating a project that dealt with one of my favorite subjects, “Death!” The response I received from the other attendees made me sit up and take notice of the energy behind this subject. The crowd was made up of Boomers and Beyond [...]
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A Smile Is More Than An Upside Down Frown

On November 20, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Can you tell the difference between a “heartfelt genuine” smile and a “non-enjoyment fake” smile? I bet you can! Human beings come with “exquisite insincerity detectors” states Barbara Fredrickson,Ph.D. in her very popular book, “Positivity.” Dr. Fredrickson explains a non-enjoyment smile will have upturned lip corners and positive words but that’s where the smile [...]
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In The Center Of The Circle

On November 13, 2013 By Janis McDonald
  Last Sunday, I decided to interact with my horse in a completely different way after watching the Ted Talk by Horse Whisper and Life Coach, Koelle Simpson. Koelle’s explanation of how a horse exists as a prey animal had the audience feeling like they were walking in their hooves.  The horse being a “prey” animal [...]
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Hop ‘Til You Drop!

On November 6, 2013 By Janis McDonald
 This guy was given to me on my 60th Birthday.  The inscription read, “Over the hill, is better than under the hill.”  I have kept this card on my gym bulletin board for almost 5 years to remind me to Live Like I Can until the end. When I look into the eyes of [...]
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What Would I Like On My Altar?

On October 30, 2013 By Janis McDonald
In Mexico, it is time to celebrate the lives of those who have left this earth.  El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is one of the major celebrations of the year. While death is not welcomed, it is also not feared and forgotten here. It is a day of remembering [...]
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Why I Do What I Do

On October 23, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Last weekend I had the incredible magical experience of riding one of Mexico’s premier buses for 5 hours. I felt like I was traveling 100 years ago by train watching the landscape go by, all in 5 star comfort. What a gift I was given by being able to just sit, read, study, [...]
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You Have To Wait

On October 16, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Recently, I experienced what I considered a disaster event with my MacBook Pro Computer. If you are an Apple person, you will understand when I say, “Macs are back before you know it.”  My faithful computer usually lets me know what is wrong and how to fix it. However, this time my computer [...]
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The Magic of the Glorieta

On October 9, 2013 By Janis McDonald
  ALTO DOES NOT MEAN STOP! The Glorieta is the wonderful way Mexico merges traffic from 4 corners. When I first moved to Mexico, I was warned, “When you see the Red Alto sign at the Glorieta, do not stop unless you can’t go immediately. You will be rear-ended and hear loud honking directed at [...]
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Waiting For The Page To Download

On October 2, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Remember back in the “old” days when we had to wait until a page was loaded before we could get our information, make a decision or go on to the next task? In the last 15 years it seems as if everything has increased to mock speed, especially technology. When I purchased my first IBM [...]
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Riding The Wave Of Change

On September 24, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Personally, change has been tough for me. During most of my life I have felt if I could get it finalized, organized, finished, researched enough and perfect, I could relax, breathe and get comfortable.  Why, why, why is this not possible?  I have spent many years and much mental energy trying to figure [...]
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Training And Sustaining

On September 15, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Patricia likes to say, “I am no longer training, I am sustaining!”  This conversation usually results in Patricia performing 5 more or going a little longer on the bike. While it is true that she no longer performs boxing exhibitions with me since her stroke, she still shows up 3 times a week [...]
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¿Por Qué Tirar Su Basura? Do Not Litter!

On September 11, 2013 By Janis McDonald
On the way to the airport this morning, I was musing over the subtle difference between these two sentences, “¿Por Qué Tirar Su Basura?” and “Do Not Litter!”  I was pondering and laughing about the exact same intention and purpose behind these two sentences, and yet how different Mexico and the USA are [...]
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Drop Your Heavy Load!

On September 4, 2013 By Janis McDonald
When I return to my memories of 50′s, 60′s and 70′s, I do not recall ever using the word “stress”. Possibly I was too young to have any stress or did not have a word to sum up “feeling tired, out of control and angry.”  Today, I believe we all use the word [...]
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Are You Suffering from TMI?

On August 27, 2013 By Janis McDonald
TMI…Too Much Information! I certainly feel overloaded everyday as I try to make sense of what is urgent, what is important, what is not important and what is junk.   My days become history and before I know it, it’s the next day. My time seems to run together, and sometimes seeming like I [...]
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Do You Feel Stressed Out Trying To Meditate?

On August 21, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Sounds like an oxymoron, yet this happens to me quite often. My plan to meditate 30 minutes in the morning for a minimum of one week is set. My confidence level is high and I know I will make it through my first week’s commitment. My clock is set 30 minutes early so that I [...]
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Remember to Remember

On August 14, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Did this ever happen to you? You take a powerful workshop, have an insightful conversation with a friend, “and wake up” during meditation or experience an “aha” moment, then know absolutely that you will make a change in your thinking and your actions forever. You make these new changes and feel great. Then [...]
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Keep the Boom in Boomers

On August 6, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Wait 7 seconds and another American Baby Boomer will be created.  Did you know that most Boomers will say they do not expect to experience old age, sickness or death, metaphorically speaking?  Is this a case of denial and delusion or an incredible positive attitude? As a Boomer, I also feel that I will [...]
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Strengths and Values, Do You Know Yours?

On July 31, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Let’s say you have decided to find out more about Lifestyle Coaching/Fitness Training and how it can help you.   First, I would recommend taking the  Character Strengths Profile Test (www.viame.org) and bringing the results to your first meeting with a coach.  This very powerful tool helps bring focus and clarity to the coaching [...]
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“Fear” Of Falling Causes Falling

On July 20, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Sounds crazy, yet it is true. The fear of falling can cause falling in people of all ages. Although, usually we think of older people falling and in fact, 1 out of 3 people over 65 years fall once a year.  http://www.cdc.gov. Why are people afraid of falling? Weakness, unsteady balance, slowness and shuffling [...]
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Die Like You Want, Boomers Will Lead The Way

On June 20, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Boomers are going to drive the funeral industry by demanding creative, customized and preplanned endings by being in charge of how they go out. The funeral industry is getting ready to serve the largest ever group of people with one common bond.  They are called the Baby Boomers and this is only one of the [...]
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Short but Sweet

On May 14, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Most of us prefer short and simple answers that can be easily incorporated into our busy days that are effective and make us feel better. Let me share with you a simple “posture relief break” for those of you who sit more than stand daily. I love this easy plan that could be posted near [...]
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Motion is Lotion

On April 14, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Do  you ever wake up and feel like the Tin Man? After entering the last 3rd of my life, I now find my body talks to me when I get out of bed in the morning. After decades of enjoying a body that did not restrict me from doing exactly what I chose, [...]
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Have You Made The Paradigm Shift Yet?

On March 24, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Have you made the Paradigm Shift required to enter the 3rd stage of life? For me, the shift happened over a 3 year period, rather quietly and progressively. So, what does that mean? When I was in my 50’s, everyone told me that there was a clock inside my body and (exactly on my 60th [...]
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There Is Always Time For Tea

On March 11, 2013 By Janis McDonald
“Always time for tea”…so many thoughts and feelings came to me when I recently read this sentence in a magazine. First, I thought…well, it feels like there isn’t time for anything anymore!  Second, I thought…and everyone drinks $7 cappuccinos while walking or driving around. Yet, when digging deeper I found so many messages in this [...]
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Telescoping Ahead

On March 5, 2013 By Janis McDonald
  When thinking of a telescope, I think of looking closely and deeply in the direction I am looking in order to see more.  I also like to use this idea of looking closely and directly in the direction I am going to see where I might end up.  The analogy of the telescope [...]
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How I Fell In Love With Fitness

On February 18, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Who knew that the “fitness craze” would grow into a huge industry, helping people of all ages and conditions to feel better and live better. My motivation for starting to exercise came in response to a challenge from my Marine husband.  He had witnessed my struggle to get and stay thin by starving and dieting [...]
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Rehab, Recovery and Return to the Gym

On February 10, 2013 By Janis McDonald
As my hip replacement saga continues, I return home 3 days after surgery. No pain, just stiffness and scary words of caution from Dr. Schmidt…Never, Never, Never…bend over or have more than 90 degrees of hip flexion, cross my legs, rotate my hip outside and use a walker for 3-4 weeks, walking as much as [...]
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I’m ready for a hip replacement…NOW PLEASE!

On February 9, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Jumping ahead to let you know that I am now dancing around with my new HIP. However, as the long journey continued to being “ready” to replace my “out of warranty” part, I began to have several interesting revelations and experiences. What would it take for me to say “NOW PLEASE?”
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Aging, What Do I Accept, What Do I Change?

On February 3, 2013 By Janis McDonald
“You must do things you think you can not do”…Eleanor Roosevelt During my 3 year journey to a NEW HIP, I explored many options to “heal it” myself. Glucosamine, easy massage, hard massage, chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, praying, ignoring, whining, making one stirrup longer, so I wouldn’t sit to one side of the horse, googling, researching, [...]
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Forgiving Myself For Aging

On January 8, 2013 By Janis McDonald
Today is the day I will no longer procrastinate and write my first blog post. Live Like You Can has been germinating in my life for the last 3 years since turning 60. Some of the questions that I have been pondering: What’s the best I can be at this stage of my life? [...]
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Peter Leventhal’s Power Plate Experience

On March 8, 2012 By Janis McDonald
Everything Changed with a Punch! Peter Leventhal is a 71-year-old, lifelong artist, painter and sculptor who moved to San Miguel 11 years ago. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2001. The most obvious symptom resulted in a major tremor in his right hand. Peter’s life’s work required him to stand and use his hands [...]
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