BIG SHOULDERS

Well…not as big as they used to be physically but my mental and emotional shoulders are definitely making up for that loss…lol.  What the heck does this have to do with fitness, my life, my health…I say everything!

When you are in a position of internet personality, helping people from around the world, bravely putting yourself out there for all to see through images, videos, and opinions…well…the mental shoulders get well developed.   As you know, I am a say it like it is person, trainer, consultant, coach, expert and any other name that gets tagged onto “Darla” the fitness gal.  In this position, I MUST remain POSITIVE  and let things roll off my back like a duck sometimes.  The majority of the time, I am taken with appreciation, and thankfulness from so many for providing the hope they thought was never possible…touching to me as my purpose to help has been accomplished.

The other side of the coin can be exactly the opposite and filled with statements from people who do not take the time to know ME and jump into an attitude of sharing only judgments and negative comments.  I can read through that into an unhappy soul who really wants to be healthy and the BEST, but not at a place in their life and unwilling to make that happen, and it is always easiest to lash out at someone than take responsibility for self.   Really…I would like to reach out and give all those people a hug…NO…I really do…because they just need to have the encouragement and love to realize their fabulous potential. 

 

I do not need to go into statement details but anyone who sits in my position as a fitness expert who has put themselves out there understands the lashings that can come in reference to a fit body, workouts,  personal life, sharing success stories, making opinions and comments, and even recipes for crying out loud.  I was taught never to judge a book by its cover and this is so important in life, but especially in what I do for a living as I see people of all shapes and sizes…and they are ALL FABULOUS!!!  Could you imagine if I was a judgmental person…well…NO WAY…I could not do my job if I was running people into the ground for being too heavy, too skinny, low self esteem, body image issues, hairstyle, clothes, and the list can go on and on…how in the world would I MOTIVATE or help anyone with that mindset…I mean what in the heck is up with a judgmental mentality anyway.  Who am I to judge…am I God…NO…I am Darla, the person who just so happens to come to YOU daily through different internet mediums to In Your Face MOTIVATE YOU. 

I LOVE my Big Shoulders because they provide me with emotional strength and the ability to “not sweat the small stuff” in this life.  They give me a very caring spirit and the understanding that negative statements usually come from people who are truly hurting, bitter from personal issues or life events not dealt with yet, and who really want and need help, but just do not know how to be vulnerable enough to let those feelings out in a healthy way to start the healing process.  In my position of trainer, consultant and coach, I wear many hats, and during the times of hearing or receiving negative comments, I throw on the “coaching/therapist hat” and become the BEST listener in this moment, keying in on any details that I may be able to offer help, dig deep into who that person is, provide insight and  validation, but at the same time, provide the guidance that says…HEY…TODAY is a new day and time to toss the old crap to the curb and begin a new healthy lifestyle…you get the picture. 

 The beautiful part about my life is that I choose to be POSITIVE in ALL circumstances,  personally surround myself with people who will nourish my soul in a positive way, and lean on one of my favorite quotes that states “Life is 10% What Happens to You and 90% How You Respond to It.”   Does that mean that I avoid all negative people, situations, and comments in my work…of course not…this is not realistic in my position...I am surrounded by people on a daily basis physically and online who are going through things that they are healing from or do not even realize they need help with, and all that is needed are some Big Shoulders to take on the task of helping and healing.  Am I ever offended by such comments and sucked down to a point of OH MY…WHY DO I CONTINUE TO PUT MYSELF OUT THERE….well…the answer is a Big Hell No.  If anything, I feel challenged to help even more…I always have HOPE, always PERSEVERE, and do not believe in failure…in fact, in my opinion, failure is GOOD and a stepping stone to dusting off and becoming a better person.  In this journey called life, I will continue to develop my Big Shoulders, continue to MOTIVATE…some may like me and some may not…that is OK and out of my control…but I will push forward with the cause of helping people adapt healthy lives…and for my Big Shoulders…ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!  Stay Healthy~

IN YOUR FACE MOTIVATIONS 

For a Limited Time Only, enjoy my Stay Healthy Nutrition Guide as a Free Gift to YOU with a $10 donation to support Stay Healthy Fitness, YOU, your health and happiness. Thank you all for the many MOTIVATIONAL comments, notes of appreciation, and emails sent to me through all my online mediums.  I read and respond to each and every one and hearing that I have helped YOU is YOUR gift to me.  Many Blessings to YOU and Stay Healthy!

Thanks for stopping by my Blog, hope you enjoy the content, and if you have not become a follower yet, I would love to see your face on my friend's list.  If you are inspired, LIKE my entry, leave a comment and I look forward to responding! 

Have a Fabulous Week!

Stay Healthy!

Darla;)

Health Impact Project Grant Funding: Deadline Extension!

From Aaron Wernham,

We hope everyone’s back from Labor Day refreshed.  The first big news is that we are extending the deadline for the open call for proposals.

HIA Program Grants: Brief proposal due Friday, September 28

Demonstration Projects: Full proposal due Friday, October 12

We hope the extra two weeks will allow applicants that have been traveling over the summer an opportunity to submit high quality HIA proposals. We look forward to reading them.

If you’re planning to apply, but haven’t yet, we strongly encourage you to start your application. Creating an account in the online system will give you access to details, instructions, and other information that you will need. 

Please also check out all the resources on our funding opportunities page, including frequently asked questions, and recordings of the webinars.

[Sal's Editor's Note: If you are in the US and you are thinking of doing a HIA then you really must apply. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.Someone has to get that money; it might as well be you.]

Guide for Stakeholder Participation in HIA

From Tim Choi:

http://www.hiasociety.org/documents/guide-for-stakeholder-participation.pdf

"This guide is a collective product of the Stakeholder Participation Working Group, which emerged from the March 2010 HIA in the Americas Workshop. The Guide primarily targets HIA practitioners who are working to improve stakeholder participation and leadership in the practice of HIA. 

It may also appeal to community groups and stakeholders who want to more effectively participate in, lead, or influence an HIA. 

The guide distills stakeholder participation techniques, case studies, and guiding principles from various fields of expertise, including HIA, environmental and social impact assessment, land use and transportation planning, community-based participatory research, and public health. 
This is a living document that will be updated as new information becomes available. 

The Guide is available online at the Society of Practitioners of HIA (SOPHIA) website: 
http://www.hiasociety.org/rguidance.html 

Any questions, suggestions or comments can be directed to: 
Kim Gilhuly, Human Impact Partners, kim@humanimpact.org, (510) 684-1275." 

Bulletin politiques publiques et santé août 2012

L'Institut national de santé publique du Québec 

L'équipe du Bulletin souhaite une bonne rentrée à tous ses lecteurs et une bonne conférence internationale sur l'EIS 2012 à tous les participants réunis aujourd'hui à Québec!


http://www.eis2012.ca


Suivez la conférence en direct sur Twitter: #eis2012

Événements

CAN - Webinaire: L’action intersectorielle et les déterminants sociaux de la santé : quelles sont les données probantes?
Health Evidence, en partenariat avec le Centre de collaboration nationale des déterminants de la santé, présentera un webinaire de 90 minutes le 19 septembre 2012 à 13 h HNE. Il abordera les grands thèmes et les principales conséquences pour la pratique en rapport avec la question des déterminants sociaux de la santé.

EUR - Public Health Summer School on Health Impact Assessment
Ce cours de cinq jours en évaluation d’impact sur la santé (EIS) organisé par le Public Health Team au Medical University à Graz, aura lieu du 24 au 28 septembre 2012. Le cours présente l’EIS selon un modèle socio-environnemental de la santé, et met l'accent sur les données qualitatives ainsi que quantitatives. L’approche au cours est très participative et s'appuie sur des études de cas.

INT - Health Impact Assessment (Hia) Short Course
Ce cours intensif d’évaluation d’impact sur la santé (EIS) est offert sur deux fins de semaine (15-16 septembre 2012 et 22-23 septembre 2012) par l'Université Deakin en Australie. Il permettra aux praticiens de comprendre comment mener, commander, examiner et coordonner des EIS dans une gamme de milieux de travail réalistes.

Actualités

CAN - Canada Values Health: Health impact assessment as a policy tool
Ce billet paru sur le blogue du Conseil canadien de la santé soutient que la santé de la population doit être considérée comme la responsabilité des gouvernements et de la société dans son ensemble, et non seulement celle des ministères de la santé. Elle préconise un travail collaboratif entre les ministères pour trouver des solutions.

US - Establishing the Practice of Health Impact Assessment in the United States
Cette chronique du Dr Arthur Wendel, publié par les Centers for Disease Control (CDC) américains, se penche sur la façon dont les professionnels de la santé environnementale mènent l'utilisation des évaluations d'impact sur la santé (EIS) aux États-Unis. Il décrit l'ÉIS comme «un examen physique préopératoire pour les communautés ».

US - Articles about Health Impact Assessment by US authors, 2001-2012
Cette liste documente la croissance rapide des publications portant sur l’évaluation d’impact sur la santé aux États-Unis depuis 2001.

Publications

CAN - Sommes-nous prêts à nous attaquer aux politiques? Évaluer et améliorer le niveau de préparation aux initiatives en matière de politiques
Ce numéro de Healthy Communities’ In Depth examine les aptitudes nécessaires pour l'élaboration de politiques et les stratégies visant à accroître les aptitudes des groupes communautaires locaux.

CAN - Évaluation de l’incidence et de l’efficacité de l’action intersectorielle exercée sur les déterminants sociaux de la santé et l’équité en santé : une revue systématique accélérée
Cette revue systématique accélérée du Centre de collaboration nationale des déterminants de la santé (CCNDS) s’inscrit dans le travail d’exploration continu qu’effectue le personnel du CCNDS relativement à «l’efficacité de l’action» exercée sur les déterminants sociaux de la santé pour améliorer l’équité en santé. Cette revue porte précisément sur l’efficacité de l’action intersectorielle en tant que pratique de santépublique utilisée pour accroître l’équité en santé.


EUR - Public health briefings for local government
Le National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) au Royaume-Uni a mis au point des synthèses en santé publique sur un éventail de sujets. Elles sont destinées aux autorités locales et leurs organisations partenaires dans les secteurs de la santé et le secteur volontaire, en particulier ceux qui sont impliqués avec les conseils de santé et de bien-être. Des publications récentes portent sur le tabac, la santé et l'activité physique.

US - Tools for Implementing an Evidence-Based Approach in Public Health Practice
Ce rapport, publié par les Centers for Disease Control and Prevention américain, se penche sur des outils facilement accessibles et efficaces pour mettre en œuvre une approche de santé publique fondée sur des données probantes pour améliorer la santé de la population.

Évaluation d'impact sur la santé et autres ressources

US - Guidance and Best Practices for Stakeholder Participation in HIA
Préparée par le Stakeholder Participation Working Group of the HIA of the Americas Workshop 2010, cette publication cible les praticiens en évaluation d’impacts sur la santé (ÉIS) qui travaillent à améliorer la participation des parties prenantes et du leadership dans la pratique de l'ÉIS. Il se penche sur les techniques de participation des parties prenantes, des études de cas, et des principes directeurs de divers domaines d'expertise, y compris l’ÉIS, l’évaluation de l'impact environnemental et social, l'utilisation du territoire et la planification des transports, la recherche-action communautaire et la santé publique.

US - Health Impact Assessment: National Nutrition Standards for Snack and a la Carte Foods and Beverages Sold in Schools
Cette évaluation de l'impact sur la santé (EIS), menée par le Health Impact Project et ses partenaires, a constaté que des normes nationales plus élevées sur la nutrition pour les collations et les boissons vendues dans les écoles pourraient aider les élèves à maintenir un poids santé et aider les écoles à augmenter leurs revenus de services alimentaires.

EUR - Health impact assessment in municipal decision-making
Ce document présente le contenu des séances de formation offertes par le groupe Policy, Health & Family Learning pour promouvoir l'utilisation de l'EIS dans les processus décisionnels municipaux.

EUR - Health Impact Assessment in the UK Planning System: the possibilities and limits of community engagement
Cet article, publié dans Health Promotion International, explore l'utilisation de l'évaluation d’impact sur la santé (EIS) comme un moyen de faciliter la participation communautaire dans la planification spatiale. Il décrit une étude de cas portant sur les plans d'un incinérateur de déchets dans une zone du centre-ville au Royaume-Uni, où l'EIS a été utilisé en réponse aux préoccupations de la communauté.

INT - Impact Assessment as a tool for Multisectoral Action for Health
Cette consultation d'experts menée par le WHO Centre for Health Development expose les arguments pour l'utilisation d’évaluations d'impact sur la santé, des recommandations sur la façon de procéder et des stratégies visant à promouvoir leur utilisation.

Michiko Hoshiko: Researching the use of health impact assessment in Japan and Australia

I have been conducting research related to health impact assessment in Japan since 2008 at the Kurume University School of Medicine. As part of this I have been involved in several HIAs, for example our health impact assessment of the transition to a “core city” (core cities are cities of more than 300,000 people that take on greater governmental autonomy and some of the responsibilities of prefectural governments) and a HIA of the redevelopment of a major hospital site. I have also been involved in the development of a HIA screening checklist for use in government.

Following the completion of my PhD I have been able to pursue further research into HIA, through a fellowship based at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. My aims during the fellowship are:

1) Investigate the use of HIA screening checklistsI will investigate the use made of the NSW Healthy Urban Development Checklist as a tool for engaging with local government officials around population health issues, comparing it with the checklist I developed at Kurume University in Japan.

2) Investigate the use of health impact assessment in local governmentI will investigate the use of health impact assessment and related tools to improve the population health impacts of decisions made by local government. In particular I will investigate process and procedural aspects of HIA that are associated with impacts on local government decision-making and implementation.

3) Investigate the use of health impact assessment in urban regeneration projects and major projectsI will investigate the role of HIA in influencing the health impacts of urban regeneration projects, and its role in addressing health within major project assessment.

4) Investigate and compare the different barriers and facilitators for HIA’s use in Japan and AustraliaDuring my staying in Australia, I will conduct research on the different barriers and facilitators for HIA’s use, particularly on issues such as health service planning, urban sprawl, energy, and disaster response.

I hope to develop at least two academic journal articles on this program of research. If you’d like to find out more about my research or get in touch please email me at hmichi AT med.kurume-u.ac.jp

Papua New Guinea Health Secretary ask for HIA to be performed routinely

An interesting article published this week in the PNG Post Courier. The Health Secretary ask companies operating with natural resources in the country to conduct HIA as part of their project management. The Health Secretary recognises that while environmental and social impact assessments are national requirements, HIA is not yet part of the mining code. The Health department might approach the government and ask to emend the mining code and he envisages a bigger role for the health sector in the management of the non-renewable resources.

Resource challenge

"THE Health Department is calling on all resource sector partners to provide health impact assessments.

That's according to Health Secretary Pasco Kase at the 48th medical symposium which started yesterday.

Mr Kase said the Health Department wanted to plan in advance with the resource sector on how best both parties could mitigate negative impacts and ensure the positive benefits were realised.

Mr Kase said currently the PNG Mining Act required companies to undertake environment and social impact assessments but did not require health impact assessments.

International best practices guidelines to implement health impact assessments have been established and are documented by both the international Council on mining and metals and the international finance corporations and both can be implemented in developing a policy framework for PNG.

The secretary noted that there were a number of countries throughout the South East Asia region such as the Philippines and Indonesia as well as Africa who had already chosen to enact laws that specifically ensure that a health impact assessment was carried out as part of mining project approvals.

This has allowed for better management of potential health risks on both mining company employees and also the surrounding communities.

"We will be approaching the Government to consider amending the mining act to ensure that Health Impact Assessments are undertaken as part of the licensing approval process,'' he said.

"This should start well before mine operations commence, as during pre-feasibility and feasibility- you are impacting on communities and the health system.''

Mr Kase said he wanted to ensure health impacts were identified early and systems were put in place to manage and mitigate the social impact, the potential severity of these impact on the livelihood of people and surrounding communities was vital for the mine, the community and the Government.

While acknowledging companies like Oil Search, Ok Tedi, Porgera Joint Venture and Lihir that support community health programs, he said the health sector wanted full participation with Government and other stakeholders.

He noted some of the potential health impacts of mining and these were:

* Infectious diseases: malaria, HIV and influence;

* Chronic diseases: heart disease, cancer, bronchitis and asthma;

* Nutrition disorders: malnutrition, vitamin deficiency and obesity;

* Physical injuries: accidents, poisoning and violence;

* Mental health and wellbeing: depression, stress and anxiety and;

* Health equity/inequalities: infant mortality and life expectancy between rich and poor, between groups and between other vulnerable people." 

FIT TO BE TIED

FIT TO BE TIED

YEP…I am FIT to be TIED…all in a very good way of course.  Since my wedding anniversary is this month, I thought it would be FITTING to talk about fitness, marriage and anything else that may pop into my head as I put these thoughts together.     

First let me say that I consider my marriage to Don as one of the most defining successes in my life…it has taken half my life to get to this place, but the journey was worth the prize and I thank God every day for such a fabulous man to share my life.  I love that word…SHARE…and the beautiful part is that my journey in this life continues in a new way, as I grow daily as my own person, but also right alongside my partner, friend and husband.   Does that mean that everything is perfect, fairytale adventure, Cinderella land…well of course not…what it does mean is that through this journey of life, the challenges brought our way are now met with a fabulous combination of what two people bring to the table, faith that is shared, and a depth of connection that feels stronger than steel.

OUR WEDDING DAY

Whew…deep stuff but important at the same time.  Now let’s get down to being fit and marriage and you know me…say it like it is gal with my life to MOTIVATE you, but you know what…I love to write, have a passion to share and the two together just work…hence my Blog…and anything goes, so here it goes…

What the heck does fitness and health have to do with marriage…really???  OK…health and marriage go hand in hand in my opinion. Marriage certainly IS NOT a free pass to FRUMP land…OH MY and NO WAY.  I really do not understand this mentality because it truly says I do not care about myself…and further shouts that I do not care about my spouse.   Not for this girl…I do love myself and my spouse and believe that this temple of a body that I have been blessed with is going to continue to be blessed with healthy food, regular exercise and continue to be the BEST version of ME pre and post marriage.  I mean there was an initial attraction that brought me and my hubby together, and I appreciated the respect and care he took of himself.  That respect and care does not end at the “I Do” otherwise why not say “I Don’t”.  I have heard both sexes say things like “Oh I am married now, so I do not have to impress anymore”… HOW SAD is that.  I do not mean to offend in any way with my candid writing, but subjects like this get left on the back burners and not brought to the forefront. 

I certainly believe that the couple that plays together, stays together…and I mean all physical activity whether a workout, walk, run, hike, tossing a ball around, Frisbee, water sports, playful wrestling and SEX!  YES…I said it and YES…it is an important part of a healthy marriage, and studies show that a very active session can burn up to 200 calories…OH YEAH!   Who does not want to feel sexy…I know I do…and being a healthy person is what helps fulfill this part of my life.  There is no part of letting myself go that supports being and feeling sexy and in fact would strip me of my self confidence.  I am being real here about health and marriage and I am definitely NOT going to fall into some nonsense idea that marriage ends my health, begins the era of over sized sweat clothes, and says goodbye to all the beautiful parts of who I am.  I would have to say that it has enhanced it even more as I do want to be and feel sexy for my husband…am I saying I am being fit for him…NO…but in a way…YES.  It all works together and the want to be healthy for myself spills into the importance of being healthy for him.  I mean….really…who does not like to hear…BABE YOU ARE HOT!!! 

The other part of being healthy and married is that I want to be with my hubby for as long as I can on this earth and taking care of me is not a guarantee, but definitely increases the probability that this will occur.  Letting myself go for example comes with horrific side effects such as obesity, increased risk of disease, heart issues…and you know the list can go on and on….OK…BIG HELL NO to that.  It comes down to a healthy respect for me, my husband, and our marriage.  Sometimes I would like to shake some sense into the married ones out there and say “what the heck are you doing” and “what kind of examples are you setting for your little ones?”  Marriage is definitely not about the “ball and chain, never going to be happy again, with the same person, there goes the sex life, no more friends, what a nag, etc.” and if you are thinking like this as a married person…WHY?

Marriage is a CHOICE just like taking care of our health is a CHOICE and both are wonderful journeys that are happening simultaneously…take care of it, respect it, love it, treat it the way it should be treated and the reward is happiness and health for as long as the RIGHT CHOICES continue.   I know the more I treat both my health and marriage with these qualities, the happier I am as a woman and wife.  Getting back to being fit in the process…well that is a side effect of the healthy qualities that I incorporate daily and I WANT to last for my marriage lifetime. 

 

 

 

Happy Anniversary to my fabulous husband “Forever and a Day”… for YOU, Donnie!

IN YOUR FACE MOTIVATIONS

The Gift is in the Giving, and for a very limited time only, to celebrate My Anniversary, YOU, Health, Happiness and Stay Healthy Fitness, my Stay Healthy Fitness Nutrition Guide will be emailed to you for a $10 donation.  Thank you all for the many MOTIVATIONAL comments, notes of appreciation, and emails sent to me through all my online mediums.  I read and respond to each and every one and hearing that I have helped YOU is YOUR gift to me.  Many Blessings to YOU and Stay Healthy!

Thanks for stopping by my Blog, hope you enjoy the content, and if you have not become a follower yet, I would love to see your face on my friend's list.  If you are inspired, LIKE my entry, leave a comment and I look forward to responding! 

 

Have a Fabulous Week!

 

Stay Healthy!

 

Darla:)