Let's Get Moving 🏃♀️
Hello Friends!
There’s something about Mondays that I actually love - it’s a fresh start! And when I had little ones, I very much enjoyed that they went back to school on a Monday LOL. On Mondays, I like to set my goals for the week, both personally and professionally. Among other things, I look at my calendar and plan what my physical activities will be on which days. Of course, I am flexible and will always jump at the chance to walk with a friend or play pickleball if I am asked! I wanted to discuss in this week’s newsletter the importance of physical activity and finding things that you enjoy.
Being active is non-negotiable if you hope to be a healthy person. Movement benefits every system in the body - brain function and mood, cardiovascular health, digestion, lymphatic system, detoxification, and more. You do not need to go to a gym or push yourself until you’re doubled over and sweating bullets. But movement of some kind is necessary.
I generally make time for a “workout” of some sort 6 days a week. People ask me all the time what types of exercise I do, and honestly, it’s like eating - we all have different preferences and tolerances. Do what you enjoy!!
Because I live at the beach, walking by the ocean with a friend or by myself listening to a podcast is one of my favorite activities. I put on my Bala Bandsfor a little extra and I usually walk for 60-90 minutes. My mom religiously does Leslie Sansone’s Walk at Home YouTube videos. If you’re in the market for new walking or running shoes, I am a new HOKA fan.
Pickleball is my new obsession! I’ve been playing for about 2 years and it’s so fun. I play with Hubs and other couples or with girlfriends. I’ve met new people through pickleball too. It’s really easy to learn, and you can check out YouTube videos to get tutorials. I like this paddle a lot and I wear tennis clothes like this cute Alo Yoga skirt. These are my favorite pickleball court shoes. Do not attempt to play in non-court shoes.
Strength Training - If you feel like your metabolism is slowing down as you get older, I have one piece of advice for you - LIFT WEIGHTS. You can buy a set of light weights from almost anywhere, even Target. Working out with a trainer is great, but there are millions of videos on YouTube for beginners. Search “strength training for beginners” and keep trying videos until you find a person you like.
Yoga - I stopped doing yoga in a studio because I just couldn’t commit to a 90-minute class. So I do 35-45 minute videos on YouTube (I like Yoga with Tim a lot.) I love the gentleness of yoga, the mind-body connection, but do not underestimate how it strengthens the muscles!
Pilates - I got back into pre-baby shape after all three of my pregnancies with Pilates. I love the gentleness of the moves, but also how it strengthens and lengthens my muscles. Then I moved to the beach and never found the right studio. I recently rediscovered pilates after a visit to the Golden Door and now it’s on my to-do list to try a pilates studio down the street.
The Scientific 7-Minute Workout - Everyone has 7 minutes and this workout is the most well-rounded series of exercises you can do in a short time. I do this one when I travel or when I just don’t feel like doing much. I usually feel great after one 7-minute sequence and I’ll repeat it a second or third time. There are many YouTube videos of the workout. I use this one without music on my phone and then watch TV at the same time.
Barre is a hybrid exercise combining elements from ballet, yoga and pilates. I love it, but my studio closed during the pandemic. When I go to my Mom’s house, I visit Pure Barre Studio.
Spinning - I hate spinning, no matter how many times I try it and how famous the instructor is. That said, my daughter Anna and my husband LOVE SoulCycle and now we have a SoulCycle bike at home. I will do some of the arm workouts on the bike, but that’s it.
Even if you think you don’t have time for a formal workout, studies have shown that just incorporating more movement throughout your day (taking the stairs, parking your car a little further, cleaning the house, playing with your kids, walking or biking to dinner or errands, going out dancing) is beneficial and makes a difference! Furthermore, one of the best things you can do for your health is moving after a meal because it will help blunt/stabilize blood sugar. Tonight after you eat dinner, instead of making a b-line for the couch, wash the dishes and walk around the block!
xx, Pamela