A good fitness instructor can make or break your class, your mood and even your morning. That’s why when you find ones that you click with it’s a RELATIONSHIP. Sure, we up at the front might not know you that well. But let’s face it, whether you’re PMS and wishing you were on the couch rather than at yoga, ready to scream as you picture your ex’s face mid-kickboxing class…
Health & Fitness
How To Exercise When it’s Hot (it’s not as simple as you’d think!)
Woo-e! It is summertime and right now it is hot hot HOT! Even typically-cool Amsterdam has hit the low 30sC/90sF. Not that I’m complaining! It makes for a nice change from what has otherwise been a gray, cool summer here. It does present some challenges though, particularly when it comes to staying motivated and sticking to a fitness routine – especially when all anyone really wants to do is relax…
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Health & Fitness
The Art of Being a Spectator: What Coaching My Partner For the NYC Marathon Taught me
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind! As many of you who know me or follow along on Instagram know, my S.O. ran his first marathon this past Sunday. Not just any marathon (though that would be enough) – the New York City marathon! Just over 52,000 runners and more than 1 million spectators (yes you read that correctly) turned out for the race. And wow, was it spectacular!…
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Health & Fitness
5 Ways To Get Greener Now
Okay I know what you’re thinking – isn’t this a fitness and expat blog?? True, BUT being green is something that we should all be putting top of mind. After all, we’ve all heard that climate change is happening (and that it’s scary, dementor-esque stuff). In fact, the latest UN Report contains a startling new timeline – one in which really concerning events (such as mass droughts), begin as early as…
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Health & Fitness Self-love
Having a Humble Heart: How Humility Is Making Me a Better Trainer
A few weeks ago I was stretching at the end of a fitness style boxing class – I was attending, not teaching – and I was completely lost in la la land. (It happens from time to time, especially after a hard workout.) Suddenly, from the front of the room, I heard the class instructor asking “what muscle are we stretching, the pectoralis major or minor?” It took me a…
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Health & Fitness Self-love
Appetite-Suppressant Candy: The New Trend That Could Be Deadly
By now, most of you will have seen the photo above. It has sparked outrage, and for good reason. Sold by the Flat Tummy Co., these lollipops act to suppress hunger pangs. While these candies claim to be safe, the truth is they may be far from it. In fact, these suckers are dangerous in just about every way possible. Not only do they market themselves to a young and…
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Health & Fitness
Fitness 101: Squats
Squats. Whether you’re picking up your toddler, grabbing groceries from the trunk of your car or droppin’ it like it’s hot (heyyy sexy!), squats are an essential movement pattern that we all do consistently. While most of us think that squats are just for the gym (groan), they’re essential to everyday mobility. Not impressed by my first examples? Think about when you sit down to eat at the dinner table.…
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Health & Fitness
How To Boost Your Mood (And Your Metabolism!) With Interval Training
By now most of us have heard that interval training is one of the best (meaning most doable and most metabolically effective), forms of cardio exercise out there. Not only does it have the power to make us all feel like superheroes (who doesn’t love the feeling of having accomplished something truly tough – even if just for thirty seconds at a time?!!), but it also helps to boost our…
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Gluten Free Health & Fitness
Protein Cookies: Can You Snack Your Way to Good Health?
It’s official: you can now eat your cake and have it too. Well, if by cake you mean cookie and if by the rest of it you mean protein. That’s right y’all: protein cookies are here! And not just any protein cookies: gluten-free protein cookies. Naturally I had to do some noshing research on your behalf and report back. Right now our culture is pretty protein-obsessed. And for good reason!…
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Health & Fitness
31 Days Abs Challenge!
HAPPY 2018 EVERYONE!! Getting fit is a common new year’s resolution. So common, in fact, that I’ve decided to help you get started with a free 31 DAY ABS CHALLENGE. It’s quick, it’s (pretty much!) painless, and it’s something that beginners and gym rats alike can do. Do it alone or add it to another workout routine. Heads up that it starts “easy” and definitely increases as the month goes…
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