Author drstaceynaito

When People Are Full Of Hate

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in-order-for-you-to-insuld-me-i-would-first-have-to-value-your-opinion

One of the hazards of posting on social media is that you run the risk of catching the attention of complete sociopaths who seem to have nothing better to do than to spread hate by posting negative comments on other people’s posts. I was utterly shocked to see a very negative comment added onto a Tweet I posted just now. It was ugly and mean-spirited, and it definitely hurt me to my core. The gist of the comment was that I was a dime a dozen, and will never win anything (hmmm, good to know). This was posted by a guy who had the look of a sociopath in his soulless eyes. I briefly scanned his profile before blocking him, and noticed that EVERY single Tweet he had (I scanned about ten posts down) was hateful and negative.

It truly blows my mind that a jerk like the guy I had to block would exert such an effort to spread negative energy. I have no desire to fend off creeps like this, so I block them immediately. They are loose cannons who look for victims to cyberbully, and there is no way to predict how far they will take their hatred. I will not tolerate such energy and always automatically block them, and if they are especially nasty or threatening, I will file an official report of abuse. I realize that I am more susceptible to such contentious people because I have built a name for myself and I put myself out there constantly, but it is not fair to blast me when my posts are primarily meant to inspire my fans and followers and entertain friends. The fact that some people go out of their way to be mean and to spread hate is mind-boggling to me. I begin to wonder what kind of karmic load they are carrying to spread so much negativity.

What is the best way to defuse hostility? It is always best to refrain from reacting to it. Physically walking away, ignoring hateful statements, employing the blocking feature on social media sites, email, and cell phones, smiling at the person who is being difficult can all work in neutralizing the bad energy.

I’m Smaller Than I Think

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IMAG0745

I have never been overweight a single day in my life, but since everything is relative, and since there is tremendous pressure on fitness models and competitors to be extremely lean, I definitely experience fat days. You know those days when you just feel fluffy, bloated, tubby, like a stuffed sausage? Yep, I have those days too. However, I guess I am retaining less water, mostly due to following a pretty clean food regimen, and as a result have been awarded with a tighter appearance. My measurements are still the same, yet a bunch of people have asked me if I lost weight, and will tell me I look tiny.

I got confirmation of my tiny dimensions lately when I tried on two different articles of clothing in my closet. One item was a pair of jean leggings from Hue which I had purchased in a size Small, based on online reviews which suggested that someone with my dimensions (5’5″ tall, 120 pounds, 24 inch waist, 34 inch hips) would fit better into a Small than an X-Small. Much to my surprise, I put on the leggings, and they were so baggy on me that they looked ridiculous on me. Then I tried on an old pair of MEK Denim jeans in a 24 which I had avoided because I assumed that I wouldn’t be able to wear them. Instead, they fit like a glove. I had almost gotten rid of those expensive jeans because I thought they didn’t fit me anymore!

I realize that my immersion in the world of fitness has made me more neurotic about having more of an off-season body, but the truth is that my off-season appearance is actually quite acceptable. I admit that the increasing laxity of my skin has caused me a certain degree of distress. However, even though the half-century mark looms several months away, I am making every effort to give myself credit for looking pretty damned good for my age.

I no longer live in waist trimmers in order to squeeze out subcutaneous water and shrink me down. I am well aware of the fact that an excessive degree of body dysmorphia exists within the fitness community, which is the inevitable result of constant pressure to look almost superhuman, with defined muscles, ripped abs, and unnaturally low body fat. Though I adore that look, I am also tired of having every square millimeter of my body scrutinized.

By no means am I saying that I am giving up on being as fit as I can possibly be, but I will no longer allow myself to feel as if I am out of shape or huge when I can fit into a size 24 jean!

I Really Do Train Four To Six Days Per Week

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rest days

Have you ever run into people who are such die-hard weightlifting fanatics that they are restless during their rest days? I am one of those people, and I suspect that I will remain that way for another few decades. There are a few people who have asked me why I continue to train four to six days per week, EVERY week, despite the fact that I am not in prep for a contest. Why would I continue to work so hard at maintaining or building muscle if there is nothing specific to train for? The main reason is because I train for LIFE. I have no intention of allowing my gains to diminish simply because other people think I am too old for such “nonsense”.

How do I stay so consistent with such a frequent training schedule? I make going to the gym an essential part of my daily routine, and it is so important to me that it only comes second to brushing my teeth and putting on gym clothes before I head to the gym. Food and showering are always done afterwards, first of all because I plan to sweat when I am at the gym, and secondly, because I might throw some fasted cardio into the mix before I hit the weights.

I will never understand gym-goers who spend several minutes between sets chatting with others, checking text messages, and finding other distractions which deter them from starting the next set. I train rapidly, resting only 30 seconds between sets or supersets. That is part of the reason why I do NOT want to chat at the gym. I am so focused on my next set while I am resting that I often don’t hear others, especially because I listen to music while I train. I try not to allow random thoughts to creep in, because such thoughts can throw me off, especially if they are anxiety-provoking. When I am in the gym, I push distractions and worries aside, and truly enjoy the physicality of training. Besides, I have the rest of the day to address issues and responsibilities.

Whether you choose to train four days per week or more, or you prefer training fewer days per week, just make sure you are CONSISTENT. Make your time in the gym a time to decompress and tune into your body.

Maud’s Of Beverly Hills Lash Extensions

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Mauds lashes

I was fortunate enough to have full eyelash extensions applied on January 20th, and I absolutely LOVE them! Though I have great hair and skin, my eyelashes have always been skimpy. Latisse has created some magic with my eyelashes, but I haven’t used that product in over a year, so my lashes reverted to their sad state.

When I visited Maud’s Of Beverly Hills, I was warmly greeted by the proprietor, Victoria. The salon was clean, elegant, and I felt instantly comfortable. I filled out some paperwork, sipped a lovely cup of coffee which Victoria offered to me, then was led into the treatment room, where I met the talented lash technician Jennifer. Jennifer then spent about an hour and a half applying faux mink lashes to my natural lashes. She measured my lashes, which were 9 millimeters, then stated that the usual extension length is 3 millimeters more than the client’s natural length. I explained to her that I wanted something more dramatic, so we settled on a 14 millimeter length.

It was wonderful when I saw the reveal, super lush lashes which looked like I was wearing false lashes. Lovely!

This treatment is the ultimate in lash extensions! Don’t settle for less expensive lash extensions which cause your lashes to fall out prematurely. Spend a bit more for true quality. You will love the results!

Get Creative To Stump Cyber Criminals

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password_1

There has been a precipitous rise in cybercrime over the past several years, which has caused many companies and individuals to tighten up their security measures. According to information on the Norton website (http://us.norton.com/cybercrime-definition), cybercrime has surpassed drug trafficking as a criminal moneymaker. A person’s identity is stolen EVERY THREE SECONDS these days. Cybercrimes include identity theft, fraud, bullying, pornography, and cyberstalking. Though there are distinct advantages to having greater connectivity across massive sea of computers and other electronic communication devices, we are more at risk of cybercrime than ever before.

Though changing our passwords constantly can be a nuisance, doing so can confer a bit more security. Many of us are getting far more creative and cryptic with our passwords, but there are people who apparently still use common passwords which are easy to guess. I saw this article on Yahoo! today and want to share the list of most common passwords for 2015. Thank you, Daniel Bean, for posting this information!

Here’s the link: https://www.yahoo.com/tech/123456-tops-yearly-list-of-most-common-passwords-073731649.html

And here’s the list:

Splash Data's list of most common passwords for 2015

Splash Data’s list of most common passwords for 2015

Splash Data has some tips for password selection:

1. Use passwords of eight characters or more with mixed types of characters.
2. Avoid using the same username/password combination for multiple websites.
3. Use a password manager such as SplashID to organize and protect passwords, generate random passwords, and automatically log into websites.

Just think of it. You can get truly creative with numbers, letters, and special characters. How nice of all those cyber criminals to drum up all those creative juices in your noggin! The only real problem with coming up with unique and cryptic passwords for countless websites is that you may forget your password. There are password managers such as SplashID which keep your passwords nice and safe, and which also generate passwords for you, but what if someone hacks into the password manager? Yikes.

I’m not trying to be cynical, but it almost seems impossible to generate a password which stumps experienced hackers. A frightening article by Dan Goodin, entitled “Anatomy of a hack: even your ‘complicated’ password is easy to crack”, was posted on wired.co.uk (link is: http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-05/28/password-cracking/viewall). The article reveals that even when we create long, complex passwords, most of them can be cracked.

If you think you’re being cute by typing patterns on the keyboard (qwertyuiop for example), just be aware that those types of passwords are embarrassingly easy to crack. If you make things personal, you are also setting yourself up for attack. So you might want to avoid using the name of your first dog when creating a crack-resistant password. Create something without rhyme or reason, try to remember it, and hope and pray that expert hackers don’t crack your code.

Spending The Weekend With Great People From Active Interest Media!

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I am so blessed and honored to be able to represent AIM at various fitness expos! This weekend I am representing them at the Los Angeles Fit Expo.

Here are some fun photos from expos I have worked in the past with them.

With Ian Lauer last year at the L.A. Fit Expo

With Ian Lauer last year at the L.A. Fit Expo

With Vladimir Dan and Theresa Jenn Lopetrone from a previous expo...good times!

With Vladimir Dan and Theresa Jenn Lopetrone from a previous expo…good times!

This amazing lady Ashley Kaltwasser added a third gold medal for a three-peat Olympia Bikini win since this photo was taken in 2014!

This amazing lady Ashley Kaltwasser added a third gold medal for a three-peat Olympia Bikini win since this photo was taken in 2014!

Goofing off at the Arnold a couple of years ago...

Goofing off at the Arnold a couple of years ago…

Come By And Say Hello This Weekend At The L.A. Fit Expo!

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Fit Expo 2016

If you live in Los Angeles, or will be in town this weekend, you should check out The Fit Expo Los Angeles! I will be working at the Muscle and Performance/Oxygen/Black Belt/The Box booth (Booth number 722) on both days. Please come by to say hi, get free magazines, and get signed magazines and photos from me and the other incredible athletes who will be at the booth as well!

Let The Doctor Rest

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doctor-on-call_10766651_250x250

One of the biggest grievances I have as a physician is the fact that people assume that I am on call all the time for every random medical question. People will ask me questions at the gym, the grocery store, and via email. Many people have even contacted me on Facebook with detailed medical questions which they expect me to answer, and some will even cop an attitude when I very nicely tell them that I cannot address their question via Facebook message. No other profession deals with the same amount of queries. Would you ask your tax person a detailed question via Facebook?

I have even gotten texts in the middle of the night (thank goodness I turn my ringer off while I sleep) with medical questions. Sometimes the questions don’t even pertain to the person asking, but to a friend or relative. That is when I get annoyed, because it isn’t my responsibility to dole out free medical advice to everyone.

I realize that by putting my foot down and setting boundaries, I will cause some individuals to seek diagnoses on their own, which is also quite frustrating. They will go online and attempt to find a diagnosis, despite the fact that they have no medical expertise whatsoever. These are the people who infuriate doctors, because they will march into doctors’ offices and behave as if they have all the answers. This type of attitude is not only frustrating to medical professionals, it can be downright dangerous when the wrong diagnosis is made.

Please understand that I will not diagnose your niece’s boyfriend’s strange skin condition, even if you send me five images of the condition, taken at different angles and at different stages of the flareup. Such requests take unfair advantage of all of my schooling and post-doctoral training, which I have every right to charge for. As a matter of fact, it would be irresponsible of me to respond to such requests.

If the medical malady is of an urgent or emergent nature, then I suggest that you avail yourself of the appropriate service. Urgent care centers and emergency rooms exist for a reason. I am not a stand-alone urgent care center, nor am I a doctor on call 24/7. Please respect my time off.

For those of you who are physicians or surgeons, I welcome responses to this post.

Putting Down Roots

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home
There are a number of people I know who are keenly interested in living in different locations, and who dream of hopping from one place to another every few months in order to have a change of scenery and a fresh start. I am the exact opposite. Though I love traveling to different places both within and outside of the United States, I have never had any interest in living anywhere other than California. I also HATE moving, and would rather put down roots and have a stable home environment than to move frequently.

Once I was on my own, I lived in one apartment for nine years before moving. The only reason why I had to move was because I was about to start medical school in a different county. I lived in a few places during medical school and residency, but that was mainly because I had roommates, then got married. Once my marriage was destined to meet its end after a few years, I moved back to Los Angeles and planted new roots again.

I like being able to come home and know where everything is. I like the fact that I have worked out at the same gym for over ten years now, that I go to the same grocery stores, the same fuel stations, and take the same routes to work. It’s not that I don’t like change, because the cadence of my day to day life has enough randomness and unpredictability. But at least the one constant in my life is the fact that I can go to the same home base I have gone to for years.

Before you assume that I have a ton of stuff in cold storage, I can assure you that I keep my belongings well sorted and organized, and I don’t like to hold onto a lot of clutter. Though I have a backup supply of toiletry items and food items, I truly do use them on a regular basis, so the supply is always moving. I also impose limits on the amount of clothing I can keep, because I don’t want my dresser drawers, cabinets or closet overflowing with unnecessary items.

Even though I have done a fair amount of traveling in recent years, I always relish the comforts of home. There is nothing more satisfying for me after traveling (especially if I travel abroad) than returning to the home I know well. You won’t find me fantasizing about living in a different place, because I am perfectly comfortable where I am. Barring any sudden financial windfalls which would enable me to buy the house of my dreams, I am staying put for as long as I can.

A Great Client Transformation

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Front January 7, 2014

Front January 7, 2014


Front December 30, 2015

Front December 30, 2015


Back January 7, 2014

Back January 7, 2014


12.30.15 Darrick back
I am always so proud of my clients when they stick with the program I give them! Transformations can take a while, but they are worth the wait! This client started with me in January of 2014. His first progress pics are seen here in the orange shorts. The pics taken in the blue are from December 30, 2015.

Over the span of two years, my client built quality muscle, and transformed his physique. What is even more amazing is that he was the same weight in both sets of pics. Bravo!

If you are interested in online training and nutrition services with me, please visit:

http://cutcurves.com/

for detailed information on packages and pricing.