As I was saying last week, spring has definitely sprung! And although I am looking forward to brighter and better days, I always like to take the time to check in at the start of a new week/month/quarter/year etc. to review what I've been up to and plan what to do next. At the start of this year, I decided to create a "19 for 2019" list- 19 resolutions for the new year, including a few one time events, the development of a few new
Systems > Goals
For as long as I can remember, I have been a goal oriented person. I think I have always enjoyed the process of outlining objectives and throughout my academic and professional endeavors have learned many of the "right" ways to set goals. I've spent a lot of time contemplating SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time Bound) and validating that that I have an actual aim rather than a loose dream, wish or hope. But recently, I've been challenged to reconsider the way that I think about goal setting as I learn
Celebrating 5 Years of Barre and My 5 Tips for Creating a Healthy and Long Lasting Relationship with Exercise
This Sunday marks an important milestone (and also my mother's birthday which I am excited to be able to celebrate with her in person for the first time in a LONG time!) - it's my five year anniversary of barre!!! It is no exaggeration to say that barre has changed my life - it has become an important part of my identity and was the impetus for so many of the other healthy habits I have formed, things I have accomplished, and invaluable relationships that I have formed throughout the years. Since this time last year, my lifetime barre stats have increased to a total of 2,479 hours of taking…
There is Still Plenty of Time to Finish 2018 Strong!
Although there is probably not a word strong enough to express just how much I loathe the colder weather and precipitation that accompanies it, I have to admit that I do enjoy this time of year. I'm a "finisher;" someone who gets a bigger kick out of squeezing the VERY LAST drop of toothpaste out of the tube as opposed to feeling satisfaction in starting a new one. I like to reach a point of completion on a personal or work project whether that is in total or just my small part of the big picture. This is in contrast to an "opener" who really gets enthusiastic about starting new…
The Wisdom Of Joseph Pilates – An OG of Positive Psychology
I had the opportunity to spend all of last weekend in London in an anatomy course specifically designed for Pilates instructors. Since I love Pilates and I love learning - it's safe to say that it was time well spent! The incredibly intricate and masterful design of the human body is beyond spectacular, so although my brain was completely overloaded after the two full day sessions, I would have been happy spending at least another two weeks immersed in it all! There's so much to learn about the structure, composition, mechanisms and the list goes on, that I left feeling in awe and compelled to find some more space in…
Foundational Habits Part Two: Exercise
As renowned sports-medicine physician Dr. Jordan D. Metzl wrote for Time in its special edition The Science of Exercise, "exercise is a miracle drug… take it often, and you'll live a longer, healthier life. Your medical costs will be lower, you'll sleep better at night, and your workdays will be more productive. Your mood will improve and your risk of developing almost any chronic disease will drop. It works for just about everyone who takes it, young or old, and if done correctly, it has few or no negative side effects. Every dose is 100% effective - even small ones. It's the most powerful, readily available drug in the world. …
How to Stay Active While Traveling
Like most people, I often find that I feel almost equally passionate about two different, conflicting, and incompatible things. I love the thrill of shopping, but I also love the satisfaction of saving or paying off a debt. I love being around friends and family and on-the-go, but I also love time alone or with my puppies just reading or writing at home. And I love travel, adventures and sightseeing, but I also really love my usual routine and habits. Over the past 40 days, I have spent 25 of them traveling and away from home so I am now very eager to get back to "normal life." I would love…
If/Then Planning for Failure in Order to Succeed and a Whole30 Fall Salmon Salad with Avocado Poppy Seed Dressing
At the height of my "going out" phase, I was living with my sister Kyle and we noticed that it was quite common for us to excitedly make plans with each other or friends, go shopping to get the "perfect" new outfit, and even spend significant amounts of time getting ready the day of, only to realize that we didn’t feel like going out after all. Although I have already talked about some of the reasons how and why I try to do it anywaywhen it comes to the fun stuff, I've recently be considering how the phenomenon of affective forecasting errors can influence our ability to build and maintain healthy…
Cultivating an Appreciation for Where We Are (Wherever that may be!)
After two weeks, my nonstop travel and touristing with my parents has officially come to an end. I'm sad to see them go, but thankful for the time that we had. And what an experience it was! Everyday was filled with as many exciting and interesting things as we could reasonably do or see while still dedicating enough time to allow us to appreciate the event. We toured all over Ireland, visiting countless castles and cathedrals, navigated the Ring of Kerry, walked the Clifs of Moher, and kayaked on the bioluminescent Lough Hyne (one of the #summerbucketlist items!). We toured the London
How Barre Cultivates a Growth Mindset
If you've ever heard me talk about all the MANY things I love about barre, you know that for me it's more than just the physical benefits. I love the way that barre has transformed my body, giving me tone, definition and strength like nothing else has and the buzz of the #barrehigh, but it's so much more than that. As I shared previously, barre has taught me many important life lessons and provides me with ongoing opportunities to develop mental strength and grit. And just recently, I was reminded of exactly how this happens. Last month I read Norman Doidge's The Brain That Changes Itself which included research and…
