Fitness is a self-help tool for authentic wellness. The goal is wellness. Or another way of looking at it is, the destination is wellness. And you and I are never not on a journey towards wellness. We never get to the top of the wellness mountain and stick a flag in it and say, “Done!” If you’re breathing, you’re journeying! Remember when Oprah showcased her dramatic weight loss on her talkshow? She even wheeled out...
Strength is major. Cardio endurance is major. But you know what is often an unsung hero when it comes to longevity? Mobility. Joints that go big. Movements that flow. Freedom in every physical action. These types of things are hard to measure, and they might not be obvious at first glance, but when you experience a high level of mobility first hand, in your own body, it’s one of the best confidence boosters. You feel capable,...
Energy begets energy. What gives you energy? We often think our “fuel” is food, and that is true of course, but in a more esoteric sense, breathe, sleep, water, certain people and events, and the right kind of movement all give us energy. They all give back. All movement is not created equal. I mentioned “the right kind of movement” not just “movement” because some movement depletes us. Some movement takes away. What’s the difference? It’ll vary...
I went on my usual sunrise dog walk this am and I slowed it down a bit and meandered, really taking in the energy of right now. The leaves have almost completely left the trees. The farmers have harvested their last crop of hay. I hear the geese on the move overhead. My favorite purple and yellow wildflowers are no longer sprinkled into the landscape. It smells like November. These observations don’t make me happy...
Many of the conveniences of modern life have made our range of motion smaller, our muscles weaker, and our cardiovascular capability reduced. We have garage door openers, drive-thru’s, and escalators. As the late great Anne Marie Benstrom said, “Do you know how much effort it takes to churn butter? No, you don’t!” It is no coincidence that the rise of the fitness industry coincides with the rise of modern conveniences. Society had to add intentional...
I was quickly looking at random screen grabs from a few of my video workouts and what really jumped out at me was how grounded we are. We are truly claiming our turf and establishing a strong foundation. Through a photo, you can easily see active foot muscles and you can see that muscular activity really does continue up the body. This makes for a much more integrated workout – excellent for stability of ankles,...
I believe in cardio. It’s been getting a bad rap as of late. Some fit pros say strength training reigns supreme. They poopoo cardio saying too much of it can atrophy our muscles. This logic rarely applies. Do you know what “too much cardio” is? It’s like running for over an hour, many days in a row. Most of us will never be tempted. Some fit pros say cardio makes us crave more sugar. This...
It’s very early in the morning as I type out this newsletter, and my house is totally still. The dogs and I are in my office with only one salt lamp turned on behind me. It’s orange glow gives me just enough light. It’s cozy and calm all around. I feel grounded and centered. And while I’m not pumping iron or breaking a sweat, I do consider my morning time a big part of my...
At times, a 15minute workout may be enough. Other times, it may leave you wanting more. Here are some of my favorite 15minute workout combos. They’ve got great synergy and they’ll extend your workout to 30minutes while maintaining a sense of invigoration. Quick Fix + Yoga Mat Work activate and warm your muscles, then settle down and stretch (equipment: a yoga mat and a blanket)💚Power Express + Stretch 360 get the heart pumping and your body warm, then it’s all about circles!(equipment: a yoga mat...
I love feeling strong. I love having good balance. It feels good to stand up straight. Cardiovascular endurance is such a great asset. My mobility is on fleek! These are affirmations that just rise to the surface – and become facts – when you move a little bit every day. The daily habit of moving is an open secret. When we see fit and vibrant people, we always want to know, are they kickboxing, bootcamp-ing, or do...
