Practicing gratitude has been shown to significantly reduce stress and anxiety as it stimulates the release of dopamine and influences the autonomic nervous system and the brain’s emotional regulation. Here are two key mechanisms: Parasympathetic Activation– Gratitude activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and counteracts the stress-driven “fight…
Fitness Archives - Say Fitness
Thanksgiving is almost here and with it comes a time of good food, great company, and seasonal traditions. Whether you are getting ready to chow down, or chill with loved ones, take this quick True/False quiz to test your knowledge! Turkey makes you sleepy. FALSE – There’s some truth to the…
There’s been a lot of talk about functional fitness lately, but what is it and what does it do? Functional fitness prepares your body for real-life movements, making daily tasks easier and more efficient. According to the Mayo Clinic, functional fitness focuses on simulating common actions like squatting, reaching, and…
Intro In our October newsletter, we discussed how exercising can be beneficial at a mental and physical level for breast cancer patients and survivors. In this article, we wanted to touch on different types of exercises that can be advantageous, as well as exercising safely. If undergoing treatment, or if…
If you’re motivated to get your daily workout in but can’t always make it to the gym, you’ll likely get moving outside, do some bodyweight exercises, or maybe you break a sweat in the home gym you built! However, buying free weights and other fitness equipment can get pricey! So, what’s an…
I take for granted that I get up daily and know I’m going to do exercise. It’s the way I think, but it’s NOT the way everyone thinks. It’s my routine because I’m a personal trainer. Most people think it’s easy for me, that I always want to exercise, and that…
One of the most common questions I am asked as a nutrition coach is my feelings on cheat meals and whether I encourage clients to take them. Cheat meals are, by definition, a meal that does not follow the prescribed nutrition plan. Generally, these meals are high in carbohydrates, fats, sodium, and…
Good nutrition and lifestyle play big roles in keeping your heart healthy. You can decrease your risk of heart disease by making smart food choices. Fill up on fiber-rich whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans and lentils. Choose plant-based fats, such as avocado, nuts, seeds and olive oil, instead of animal-based…
Building muscle takes time. Here’s how long you can expect it to take, and how to speed up the process. Building muscle takes much longer than most people realize. It’s a slow — almost excruciatingly slow — process that can feel discouraging when you don’t see the muscle definition…
In this article from Sports Medicine Bulletin by the ACSM, resistance training or weightlifting is increasing in popularity and is now recognized as an important component of a general exercise program. Regular muscle-strengthening exercise is recommended for both men and women, older adults, as well as adults with chronic conditions….