Author Archive
Joining the Resistance Band Bandwagon
Over the past few months, many people experienced a dramatic change in their typical fitness routine, due to gym closings in Wilmington in response to COVID-19. As more people worked out from home in their garages, personal gyms (or on the living room floor!) one thing became apparent. Handheld weights, yoga balls and resistance bands […]
What’s the Deal with Detoxing?
When you think of “detoxing,” what comes to mind? A body filled with dangerous toxins that can only be released through a specific diet or pricey supplement? The good news is, your body is already equipped with a highly-efficient detoxification system, thanks to the kidneys, liver, digestive system and lungs. Detox diets don’t do much […]
Midyear = Time to Reassess New Year’s Fitness Goals
Ahhhh yes! When the clock struck midnight into a fresh new year, and we looked at 2020 with child-like optimism and anticipation, many of us thought, “This is the year I will lose 20 pounds!” or maybe “This is the year I run my first marathon!” Well, 2020 may have thrown us a handful of […]
Why Swimming is the Perfect Summer Activity
It’s true. Summertime in the Wilmington area is pretty synonymous with one thing: swimming! When temps soar into the high 90s (and feel like triple digits) the only thing that sounds appealing about being outdoors is to completely submerge in cool water. Whether you prefer the ocean, lake or swimming pool, do yourself a favor […]
Summertime Exercise with the Kids
Oh, the midsummer slump! For the first time ever, kids have been home from school since March (due to COVID-19) and most likely are either restless or completely bored. Summer break can be a much-needed change of pace for most, but for others it can become boring and an excuse to laze around the house […]
Boosting Your Immune System During Times of Stress
For the past 5 months, on a global scale, we have all experienced quarantine to some extent, have feared for the health of ourselves and older loved ones, and have nervously watched as positive COVID-19 cases continue to skyrocket. Words like “social distancing” and “PPE” are now a part of normal conversation, and wearing a […]
Belly bloat and discomfort: it’s something we all deal with from time to time. Whether you have just finished a giant Thanksgiving dinner, are experiencing your monthly cycle or have an underlying medical condition, many of the symptoms can be managed with simple exercises. Why is this happening? First things first, why is this happening […]
Diet + Ab Workout = Ready for Swimsuit Season!
I’m sorry to say it, but you can’t get amazing abs just by altering your diet. And you can’t achieve a perfectly sculpted midsection by spending hours in the gym doing crunches, planks and cardio, only to follow it up with two cheeseburgers and a pizza. It’s true; great abs can be achieved in time […]
On a daily basis you can look in the mirror, step on the scales or take note of how your clothes fit and receive a clue as to what is going on with your body. Are your pants looser than usual? Have you noticed the scale going down since you began cutting calories? Your outward […]
The Wonderful World of Infused Water
We’ve all been told we need 8 glasses of water a day to stay healthy and hydrated. And while there are varying opinions on how much water you should actually be drinking every day, experts generally do recommend eight 8-ounce glasses, which equals about 2 liters, or half a gallon. Staying properly hydrated is essential for kidney function, healthy skin, lubricated joints, regulating body […]
As an avid beach-lover and health enthusiast, what is the one thing that truly concerns me regarding long summer days spent in Wrightsville Beach? The sun! And more specifically, the harmful damage it’s wreaking on my otherwise healthy skin. Periodically slathering myself down with a high SPF is key, but what else can I be […]
It’s Getting Hot in Here! The Benefits of Hot Yoga
If you’ve lived through a hot and sticky mid-July day in coastal Carolina, you are more than familiar with intense heat. With temps soaring into the high 90s last summer (and heat indexes in the triple digits) we all sought ways to cool off: a quick dip in the ocean, relaxing on a pool float […]
Making Healthier Dietary Choices During Times of Stress
We’ve all been there. Life can be so stressful sometimes the only thing that helps you feel normal and sane is a cheesy slice of pizza, an ooey-gooey chocolaty brownie or a bag of salty chips. Reaching for foods that are high in salt, sugar or saturated fat is pretty common when the body is […]
OK Boomer, This Fitness Program is for You!
With around 73 million people in the US today in the Baby Boomer generation, it’s fair to say a significant amount of healthcare and fitness attention should be paid to this older population. It’s essential to start developing a safe fitness routine in order to maintain muscle mass, bone density and independence. Of course, before […]
Bye, Flabby Arms! How to Tone for the Summer
As temps continue to rise and long sleeves are exchanged for tank tops and spaghetti straps, it’s common for physical insecurities to surface. We’ve all been there! Problem areas are easy to cover up (and basically ignore) in the cooler months, but there’s something about swimsuit season that has most of us in panic mode. […]
Whether Rainbow or Buddha, These Bowls are Brimming with Flavor
It’s no surprise why food bloggers and fitness experts have been going gaga for Buddha bowls and rainbow bowls for the past several years. These highly Instagrammable dishes overflowing with vibrant roasted vegetables and hearty whole grains provide so much more than just a great photo opp. With a huge variety of colors, flavors and […]
You’ve made your fitness goals for the year; you’ve even hired a personal trainer, bought the latest and greatest protein powder and are ready to learn the ins and outs of MCT oil. So now what? Look down at your feet! Do you have properly fitting athletic shoes? Are they appropriate for your fitness regimen? […]
Solo Physical Fitness: Staying Active During Quarantine
When 2020 first began and New Year’s resolutions included gym memberships, cycling classes and CrossFit, personal training sessions and barre classes, we had NO way of knowing how drastically our lives would change in just a few short months. Who would have guessed the luxury of working out in groups would suddenly be impossible? Fortunately, […]
Stop! It’s Time to Take a Deep Breath
With uncontrollable wildfires in Australia, followed by a global pandemic, a staggering economy and an unpredictable political climate in the midst of an election year, it’s safe to say 2020 has gotten off to an unusual start. As we maneuver through the landmines that life inevitably tosses along our path, one of the most important […]
Staying Active in the Great Outdoors
In the midst of spring in a coastal town like Wilmington, we are never short on outdoor activities, making it easy to focus on physical fitness. Indoor exercise facilities like gyms and Pilates studios are always an excellent year-round option since they aren’t weather dependent, but what about when the weather is too nice outside […]