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 seven of the magazine's staffers, who tried out different versions of these high-tech pedometers. It was interesting to hear their experiences. Thumbs up or down? A bother or an inspiration? What { Read More }
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 rouler time of year. (Like my French? That's about the extent of it.) As much as I abhor routines, I do realize the value they have. They help keep you on track; help you plan and stay accountable to yourself. { Read More }
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, too. Training to complete a half-marathon takes patience, perseverance and persistence. I recently reached out to Dr. Oz's personal trainer, Joel Harper, to get his take on training for a half-marathon. And you { Read More }
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 surroundings. I don't know about you, but lately, walking is on my mind a lot more than it's ever been. Why? Well, for one thing, ever since I purchased a FitBit (in case you've been living under a rock and don't know what { Read More }
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, new kitchen counters! Can't you just grow about four inches? And on the rare occasions I watch television, you can find me eyeing it while pacing or standing, or jumping up and down at regular intervals to do { Read More }
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 temperatures. Nothing. Not even the fact that we went to the Louvre on the one day it was closed. A few days into the trip, my knee gave me a sudden, sharp jolt midway down a steep set of subway steps. And it continued { Read More }
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 trying to get to mile 2 on the treadmill can be a bit tedious). But so far my search has been anything but fruitful. It turns out that finding a good gym - or the right gym - can be as tough and challenging as { Read More }
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 conditioning is too cold. Even though it is 98 degrees and muggy outside and all the air conditioning in the world couldn't cool off a hot and sticky room. I'm always the one throwing a baggie of nuts, a nutrition { Read More }
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 serving Stop eating before you're full Take the stairs instead of the elevator Eat before you get too hungry Eat before you go food shopping Eat sweets in small amounts When you eat out, ask the server { Read More }