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
Walking
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
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
Why Walking is Good For Your Health
Rumi, the 13th century mystic poet, was fond of saying, "Beauty surrounds us, but usually we need to be walking in a garden to know it." I get it. So many times I whiz back and forth in my car, covering the same areas time and time again. It's not until I get out there on my feet and slow down with a walk that I'm able to notice and take in the beautiful and minute details of my … [Read more...] about Why Walking is Good For Your Health
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
Is Surrender and Acceptance the Same?
Seems that in this so-called midlife I've been fighting surrender on a lot of fronts. But lately, I’ve been at the losing end. For instance, I have a bum left knee. I first realized something was wrong a little over ten years ago, while visiting Paris. It was my first European trip and I was determined not to let anything ruin it. Not the torrential rain we had. Not the record cold … [Read more...] about Is Surrender and Acceptance the Same?
Finding the “Right” Gym
Since moving to a new town, I've been on a mission. I'm in the market for a new gym. Yes, my building has one (that's one perk of living in an apartment). But sometimes it's not enough (since I work from home, I need an excuse to actually leave the building otherwise I fear I'd never breathe any fresh air or see the outside world. Besides, staring out the window into a courtyard while you're … [Read more...] about Finding the “Right” Gym
Do You Ever Act Outside Your Comfort Zone?
Perhaps I was a boy scout in a former life. I doubt it, though, since I quit Brownies after the very first meeting. I guess it comes down to the fact that I am not a so-called "group" person...but somehow, somewhere the "be prepared" motto got drilled into my being. Blame my own mother neuroses. I'm always the one schlepping my sweater to the movies in the summer "just in case" the air … [Read more...] about Do You Ever Act Outside Your Comfort Zone?
Take These 20 Baby Steps Toward Better Health…Without Feeling Deprived
Eat half your dessert Eat off smaller plates Snack on fruits & veggies Ask for salad dressing on the side Swap fries for a green salad Increase your fiber If you sit a lot, get up and move about once an hour Skip seconds Drink water before a meal Don't snack late at night Order your latte with skim milk Chew your food slowly Don't eat snacks directly from the bag - portion out a … [Read more...] about Take These 20 Baby Steps Toward Better Health…Without Feeling Deprived
Midlife Minute: Don’t Fast-Forward Through Commercials
I don't know about you, but I've gotten to the point of taping the TV shows that I want to watch, since many of them are on too late for me and I invariably fall asleep at those crucial don't-miss moments. All that time invested, only to miss the best part... And there's that time-efficiency bonus too: A one-hour show can just take 40 minutes or less by fast-forwarding through … [Read more...] about Midlife Minute: Don’t Fast-Forward Through Commercials