As 2019 begins to wind down, it’s almost impossible not to reflect on the past year. The highs, the lows and all the little simple-but-special moments in between. One of my “highs” is reading comments from readers like you. It always brightens my day whenever you share your feedback, kind words or experiences from your own unique stories. As I…
There’s been a lot of buzz about non-scale victories lately and for good reason. Broadening your focus beyond what the scale reads is one way to stay motivated on your journey. Think about your last frustrating face-off with the scale. Did it leave you feeling empowered or defeated? While this number can motivate us to work harder, it may also…
This week, I’m excited to once again have TOPS Publication Specialist Taylor Patton as my special guest blogger. “I can’t do yoga because I’m not flexible.” I’ve heard this excuse about 13 times—this year. Working at a yoga studio, flexibility is often a topic of conversation. I have wondered why it is that some people can touch their toes while…
I finally did it. After a year and a half of thinking about it, overthinking about it, and teetering on the fence, I officially signed up for my first “Introduction to Improv” course. “Improv” is short for improvisational comedy and leaves very little, if any, time for overthinking. I’m only three classes in, but I’m already learning new things, gaining…
We finally got our first real taste of spring here in the Midwest this week. Grills were fired up, windows were thrown open and winter boots were gleefully tucked away … and now we’re expecting snow. But, despite the weather, it’s still officially spring and a great time to refresh your healthy goals. If your New Year’s resolution seems like…
As I write this, the flakes continue to fly here in Wisconsin. They’re pretty, I’ll give them that. But all I can think about is scraping my windshield at the end of the workday, the slippery ride home and the endless shoveling. Spring is only a few weeks away, but winter feels like it’s dragging on … and on. One…
The holidays have come and gone, and a new year is here. It’s also that time when dieting advice is everywhere you turn … even if you didn’t ask for it. While I typically like to focus on what to do when it comes to healthy goals, this time around I thought I’d try something different. Let’s take a few…
Earlier this month, I tried my first yin yoga class with a couple of friends. I didn’t quite know what to expect, but appreciated the relaxed nature of the class and the opportunity to shift into “relaxation mode,” if only for an hour. Yin is a gentle style of yoga that includes seated positions held for three to six minutes…
Updated Physical Activity Guidelines were released last month urging us all to sit less and move more, and reminding us that even small amounts of extra daily activity can be beneficial. I know that for me personally, it can be easy to get stuck in an “all-or-nothing” mindset where, if I can’t do a full workout, I don’t bother doing…