There’s a very popular video game called Candy Crush. That was me – I had a candy crush. I was infatuated with candy, and the more colorful and sugary, the better. My Dad said that the very first time I went trick or treating, I’d receive a piece of candy, and proceed to sit down and eat it right then and there, at the door. I didn’t need a bag – nothing made it back home. From...
The ability to focus is a superpower. There are two types of focus. One is intensity focus, a honing in on something very very specific, and letting the rest of the world fade into the background. Two is endurance focus, a staying with something for an extended period of time. The first one is a sprint, the second one is a marathon. Your workout needs both and can nurture both. From what I see in myself and from...
Would you consider yourself limber? I bet most of you would, because you see how good it feels and how functional it is. But you know what? You’re a unicorn. Limber is not the norm. When I’m out and about in the world, i see the opposite of limber. I see tight, constricted, stiff joints, especially in men. It’s a real shame because being limber is entirely up to each individual. Sure, someone might be...
The idea that “gentle” is for babies or for the injured, but aside from those specific demographics, you should be embracing intensity, is still alive and well in the world today, but not in my world. In my world, gentle is sustainable, nurturing and a winning aspect of longevity. What is a gentle workout? First, gentle might just be slower. It might just be shorter. It might just be avoiding certain ranges of motion that cause pain. Gentle doesn’t mean less effective. Secondly,...
Ladies, it’s our nature to ebb and flow. Our energies and moods fluctuate and our needs constantly shift. One day we’re extroverted and have loads of energy, and the next day we might need to prioritize a good nap. In 2013, the big catalyst for writing the 28 Days Lighter Diet was my realization that our culture ignores – and rewards us when we do – one of the most important aspects of women’s health, the menstrual...
A happy body needs happy hamstrings, yet nobody pays much attention to their hamstrings unless they’re tight or sore. I say ignoring your hamstrings is a fitness cardinal sin. Here are three simple ways to create some hamstring happiness: 1. Give your hamstrings a massage. Sit on the floor with your legs in front of you and knees bent. Then take your fingers and “dig” into the backs of your thighs. Start behind the knee and work...
You want to know what the most neglected, underrated, and underestimated aspect of physical fitness is? Extension. In most people’s daily life – and in their workouts – the body stays in its tiny little box, never busting out. Overtime, ranges of motion get smaller and smaller, and the body’s comfort zone shrinks. In turn, the body is easily uncomfortable. Don’t be an average Joe! Take this call to action: be sure to stretch. Stretching can...
The other day, I heard a word and knew it was special: vitalist. A vitalist is someone who believes energy is what it’s all about, and therefore wants to optimize it. A vitalist seeks vitality – he or she is an “energy snob” so to speak, but in the best way. It’s important to know that we can conjure up more vitality, not always but very very often. Here are five big vitality boosters: 1. the consumption of high...
I was just talking about how I like to get creative with naming workouts and here I come out with a “boring” title that’s not all that exciting, and seems a bit generic. I know, I know….but the workout told me its name. The workout was adamant it be called FEEL GOOD FLOW. All the other names (“Barre Flow” was a frontrunner) were shot down by this workout’s incessant whispers I couldn’t drown out. Feel Good...
More and more I see the reciprocity between the body and the mind. Let’s face it – exercise gives us a leg up in life. It’s a well-being tool, not merely about physical health. I heard the term recently, whole self thriving, and just love it. That’s how I feel about exercise – it’s whole self thriving – and that’s probably why I prioritize it. So let’s all prioritize regular exercise. Let’s Move! and let’s thrive. 💚
