Long-time personal trainer, fitness instructor and certified Natural Health professional Debbie Wall, 62, shares with the Space Coast what healthy living is really all about, from A to Z.

Debbie Wall not only practices what she preaches, she owns it, too. This business-savvy, health-conscious woman believes in helping people achieve weight loss success, but more importantly, creating a new way of living and enjoying life to its fullest. When Wall lost her husband and her cherished best dog-friend to cancer, she realized that there is more to life than casual dieting and sporadic workout routines. No matter what obstacle, Wall says it’s all about setting goals and figuring out what works for you. Having a mindset of losing weight to fit in that little black dress or to attend your high school reunion isn’t enough. Think of getting healthy as changing your way of living. If we plan for the future in regard to family and career choices, financial gain and the like, why is the future of our physical health so different?

“If you don’t take care of your body, you have nowhere to live,” Wall says.

With the proper combination of motivation and diligence, grasping a better quality of life is achievable, and Wall is living proof of this testimony. You have more control than you think. “You choose to make 60 your new 40,” says Wall.

Let’s start from the top. What does a day in the life of Wall look like? Here’s a sneak peak.

“I get up at 5:15 for a 6:30 BodyPump Class, then I train a client. I head home to feed my Australian shepherds and have something to eat myself. Then I head back to the gym and train a client. I teach a cycling class, then another client and head home for a few hours to clean up and then back for another client. I’ll go to choir practice and home about 9:15pm. I love my job and everyday is different. It is the people that make it great.”

Now, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty of healthy eating. Most people hear the word “clean-eating” and immediately see dollar signs and clam up. Eating the right foods aren’t as pricey as you think. Washing foods thoroughly or choosing one food over the other can easily be done without weighing down the wallet.

“Learning about good health and nutrition is important to me and also for my job,” Wall says. “It really is 80 percent nutrition and 20 percent exercise. That doesn’t mean exercise is not important; it is very important. The two must go together.”

Wash, rinse, repeat. Wall explains the importance of understanding the make-up of various foods. In other words, don’t assume that all fruits and veggies are ok as is. They must be clean.


“Knowledge is power and the more you learn the better the journey will be.”

– Debbie Wall


The “Dirty Dozen”

This class represents foods you should buy organic-non gmo:

Apples

Peaches

Nectarines

Strawberries

Grapes

Celery

Spinach

Sweet bell peppers

Cucumbers

Cherry tomatoes

Snap peas (imported)

Potatoes

Hot peppers

Kale/Collard greens


We have to find a way to get healthy and enjoy life at the same time,” Wall says. “Diet is not a word I like to use although it is what we all understand.”

Wall shares the importance of developing good nutritional habits. In fact, it is a better way to describe what each person should be focused on. The journey to better health should
be enjoyable.

Here’s how Wall conquers this.

Try to substitute a few unhealthy things with healthier alternatives. For instance, don’t eat salty crackers. Instead, try organic blue chips. Easy enough? Next, graduate to veggie snacks, like cauliflower and celery instead of those starchy, sugary foods. Here’s a rendition to a classic dessert, pudding:

Avocado/banana/chocolate pudding

1 avocado

1 banana

1 teaspoon maple syrup

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

Add to the recipe 2 tablespoons of coconut milk or almond milk.

Blend all together and top with walnuts and your sweet-and-salty tooth craving
is satisfied. 


The “Clean Fifteen”

Make it a point to avoid foods retaining high amounts of pesticides. Instead, choose fruits and veggies containing the least amount of harmful chemicals.

Avocados

Sweet corn

Cabbage

Pineapple

Sweet peas (frozen)

Onions

Asparagus

Mangos

Papayas

Kiwi

Eggplant

Grapefruit

Cantaloupe

Cauliflower

Sweet potatoes