Feeling more stressed than jolly during the month of December is not abnormal. Especially when you consider how many people are already trying to decrease their stress levels long before the holiday season begins. According to research conducted by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, “Seven out of ten adults in the United States say they experience stress or…
Care is a fundamental component of the support TOPS Club provides to its members. We know improving one’s health doesn’t need to be a solitary endeavor. Nor is it one-dimensional — because mental, emotional and physical wellness are interdependent. But what you may not know is that there is a plethora of evidence to support all the buzz about self-care…
Stress can affect us physically and mentally. Although having this awareness is often the first step, that alone isn’t enough to rebalance our bodies and minds. This is why it is important to train yourself to harmonize your routines for changing seasons. This is true regarding the seasonal shifts of weather patterns, as well as the season of life you…
The most festive time of year for many of us will begin next week. And I am probably not the only one who craves a legit reason to indulge in shopping, staying up late and snacking more than I typically do. But if you’re looking for fresh ideas to curb holiday eating patterns that might disrupt your wellness goals long-term,…
I have now officially been a part of the TOPS crew for six months. And thanks to all of you, it’s been an overwhelmingly positive experience so far! I very much appreciate all the feedback and questions sent via email or posted weekly on the blog and social media. So keep the comments coming, because I read each one, plus…
Being fit and fabulous at any age requires being attentive to changes in spatial awareness and basic body mechanics. The importance of foot placement, hip mobility and range of motion also become increasingly vital as you age. So training yourself to notice whether you frequently shuffle rather than step, in addition to how your body subtly shifts while transitioning from…
Staying present is much easier for me to do when I’m physically active. The exact opposite is true in regard to when I’m eating. I often power through meal and snack times standing up—especially when I’m working from home and attempting to squeeze in a couple of bites between Zoom meetings, walking the dog and frantically typing on the computer…
I don’t know about you, but I’m certainly ready for some “fun in the sun”! Thankfully, my current travel plans in the months ahead involve going to a couple lakeside communities for writing assignments. This also means I’ll be dining out quite a bit. Being vegan, it’s a struggle sometimes to find a variety of plant-based options when I’m on…
Eating out frequently is often not an option when working on achieving health goals—and sticking to a budget. But it’s equally common to start to crave the ambiance of a café or restaurant, since dining at home day after day can become a solitary repetition that makes mealtimes far less enjoyable. If you’re bored by the idea of consuming yet…