Brrring! Buzzzz! Beeeeep! Ugh. It's time to wake up. If you're lucky enough to be the type to pop right out of bed (I never could understand how some people wake up with a smile, raring to go), you might not want to bother reading any further. But, if you're like me – and I suspect millions of others – who have trouble summoning their inner early bird, or someone for whom pulling the … [Read more...] about Seven Ways to Make Waking Up a Breeze
Cardiovascular Health
It’s Okay Not to Work Out
Did you read that right? If you know me, or read my stuff, you know that I am - and have been for quite a long while - a big fan of exercise. From a very young age, I've always been a person who liked movement- whether it be pacing, walking, running, dancing, biking, fitness classes of any sort. Sitting still? Not my thing. (Unless I'm on a beach, or engrossed in a good book or movie. That's a … [Read more...] about It’s Okay Not to Work Out
How Fitness Trackers Stack Up
You see them just about everywhere: adorning the wrists of people who look dogged in their determination to log that extra step or mile. They inspire some, bringing out their fiercest competitive streak. For others, they're bothersome and nagging and are soon abandoned. For an article I wrote an article appearing in the February 2016 issue of Family Circle magazine, I tracked the progress of … [Read more...] about How Fitness Trackers Stack Up
Re-Setting Your Exercise Mojo
I know. It's NOT the new year...but I can't help it. September feels like it might as well be. And you know what happens over the summer. We get complacent. Lazy, even. The long days stretch out and all we want to do is luxuriate in the extra light and lounge as if we're laying on the beach (even if we're not). It's not a "bad" laziness, but rather a type of laissez-faire, laissez le bon temps … [Read more...] about Re-Setting Your Exercise Mojo
Wondering About the TransFat Ban?
The word “fat” is so confusing – whether it be the type that we wear on our bodies or the type we put into our bodies. Good fats, bad fats, healthy fats, trans fats. What does it all mean? Let’s start with the one that’s been in the news lately – trans fat. A brief history: In the early 1900s a German chemist named Wilhelm Normann discovered a way to turn vegetable or fish oils from liquid … [Read more...] about Wondering About the TransFat Ban?
Pedaling Like Mad (and Getting Nowhere Fast)
“Let’s go to spin class together, mom! There’s a new Soul Cycle that opened in Westport.” How could I resist my darling 29-year-old son’s request? I’m an empty-nester, after all, and we don’t get to spend much one-on-one time together. Jonathan was planning on visiting for the day, and what better way to kick off the morning than with some high-energy exercise? I thought back nostalgically to … [Read more...] about Pedaling Like Mad (and Getting Nowhere Fast)
Fitness Expert Joel Harper: How To Train for a Half-Marathon
One of the most exciting and fulfilling things I recently did was complete my very first half-marathon. I never like to use this so-called midlife as an excuse not to do or try something new, but I must admit that I was a just bit wary that I might not be able to do it. But... I did it! And what a feeling of accomplishment that was. So now I'm anxious to spread the message that you can do it, … [Read more...] about Fitness Expert Joel Harper: How To Train for a Half-Marathon
Walking: Why Every Step is Special
If you know me, you probably wouldn't be surprised to hear me say that I'm the opposite of a couch potato. I'm of the why-sit-when-you-can-stand variety. In fact, since moving from my house to an apartment, the thing I miss most are my high kitchen countertops which allowed me to stand while working on my computer; perching my laptop on the counters gave me the perfect eye level view. Damn you, … [Read more...] about Walking: Why Every Step is Special
Need To Know: Seven Important Flu Shot Facts
Did you get your flu shot yet? It's not too early! Although the flu usually peaks around January and February, it can start as early as...now. And if you get the shot now, you'll be protected for the season. I'm assuming you do get a flu vaccine. Don't you? I recently wrote an article about flu shots and my research taught me a lot I didn't know. And it's possible you don't know … [Read more...] about Need To Know: Seven Important Flu Shot Facts
What Every Woman Needs to Know About Heart Disease
Since yesterday was Valentine's Day (hope you all had a good one!) , you might have already figured out this is not going to be about protecting your heart in the area of LOVE. (For that advice, I hand the reigns over to a relationship expert like Alisa Bowman, and her popular blog, Project Happily Ever After.) Instead, since February also happens to be the month that celebrates heart … [Read more...] about What Every Woman Needs to Know About Heart Disease