Halloween is next week and that means the other holidays are right around the corner. This can present a challenge for those trying to stay on track with healthy goals. Fortunately, holiday treats and dishes don’t have to be loaded with calories, fat and sugar. Sometimes, all it takes is a little dose of creativity to make healthier options seem…
Make Your Own Energy Bites
Including energy bars as part of your meal plan can be a great way to control calories and tide you over in between meals. But if you’ve ever taken a stroll down the energy/protein bar aisle at the store, you may have found the experience a little overwhelming. There are energy bars boasting “high fiber” or “low calorie,” and can…
Stepping Outside of Your Comfort Zone
Lately, I’ve learned to love an exercise program that leaves me with blisters on my hands, soreness in muscles I didn’t know existed, and even the occasional bruise. It may sound strange, but I’ve learned to look at these minor ailments as proof that I’m improving every day. At my very first class, I remember loud music, barbells slamming on…
4 Tips for Making Healthy Eating Fun
Do the words “healthy eating” bum you out or bring to mind visions of foods you’re not even sure if your dog would eat? Healthy eating can seem so boring and “blah,” but it can actually be a great excuse to try new things and keep your journey to weight loss and wellness fun. Healthy eating and fun? Hear me…
3 Stretches to Try if You Sit at a Desk
If you have an office job, your typical day might look like this: sitting in a car while on your way to work; sitting at your desk while at work; sitting in a meeting or two; sitting in your car while on your way home from work; sitting in front of the television or laptop; sitting down for dinner. That’s…
6 Tips for Losing the Last 10 Pounds
If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you may have found that the pounds came off pretty steadily in the beginning and then the scale refused to budge. You may have wanted to toss said scale out of the window when this happens, but there are small tweaks you can make instead to get the numbers going down again. According…
Get Excited About Exercise with a Walking Challenge
Do you know the excitement you feel when you try on a brand new pair of workout shoes or sign up for a 5K? Does this help give you the extra motivation you need to hit the gym or head out for a long walk? That’s how I feel about the new memorial garden here at TOPS Headquarters. What does…
A New Spin on Eating More Vegetables
A short while back, I blogged about trying a kale smoothie. Apparently, I’m not the only one who thinks that salad greens and fruit can peacefully coexist in a blended treat. Katie Ferraro, a Registered Dietitian and nutrition expert for TOPS, shared a couple of different “green” smoothie recipes in a past issue of TOPS News membership magazine. If you’re trying…
Wellness Wednesday is on Vacation
The Wellness Wednesday blog is taking a quick break until Wednesday, July 16. In the meantime, scroll down to check out past installments including tips for a healthy barbecue, staying healthy while traveling, sample resistance band exercises and more. I hope you’re having a happy and healthy summer!