Aspirational versus Inspirational

In my recent blog post, Avoid the Trap of Comparison, I referred to “health and wellness” social media content as aspirational. I did this because most of social media’s “health and wellness” content is aspirational.  Aspiration refers to ambition whereas inspiration refers to the urge to do something. Aspiration motivates an individual to achieve a […]

Avoid the Trap of Comparison

Even just a casual scroll through your social media feeds can trigger feelings of not being enough. With the prevalence of social media, it is so easy to become consumed with comparing oneself to others who appear to be living their best life. You may not even realize you are internalizing the messages on your […]

2023 NC Year of the Trail

Did you know that North Carolina is the Great Trails State and that 2023 is the NC Year of the Trail? The “NC Year of the Trail” is the largest statewide celebration of the vast network of trails, greenways, and blueways that showcase the state’s diverse landscapes. Goals for NC Year of the Trail: I’ve […]

I’m Injured–Now What?

About a month ago, I broke my toe. It’s the big toe, and arguably the most important since it’s responsible for balance. I went from engaging in over 500 minutes of physical activity a week to maybe 100 minutes, severely restricted by my injury and a walking boot. Pre-injury, I enjoyed daily movement consisting of […]

My Experience Using a Calorie Counter App

Perimenopause and menopause have had their challenges for me, including weight gain despite no change in diet or exercise. In addition, a baseline bone density scan performed last summer revealed lower-than-normal bone density in my hips. Needless to say, I became very motivated to lose weight, especially abdominal fat, and prevent further bone loss. My […]

Are You An Active Couch Potato?

According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity per week. For some of us, that means hitting the gym for 30 minutes a day to “knock it out” before work or maybe going on a moderate-intensity walk. Although doing this might check […]

Essentrics® Dynamic Stretch Workout – A Game Changer for Me!

As I entered my late 40’s, I occasionally developed painful “knots” in my shoulder muscles. To alleviate the discomfort, I tried massage, foam rollers, exercise ball stretches, yoga, and age-targeted stretching exercises. The knots and accompanying pain would improve for a while but then return.  To be honest, stretching has always been challenging for me, […]

Adopt Flexible Thinking in 2023

It is the beginning of the calendar year and many people participate in the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions which typically involves changing habits or setting personal goals. Whether you choose to embark on new goals at the beginning or middle of the calendar year, we want to remind you that when setting goals […]