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
1 Percent and Whole30 Tuna Tapenade
We are officially homeowners now! And we celebrated with a big home improvement and décor shopping trip with my sister and her boyfriend over the weekend after attending the Detroit Auto Show the day before. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE looking at (and who am I kidding - buying) home styling things, but often struggle to just get started in the decision making process. It feels like such a commitment to pick bedding, a new light fixture, a paint color, or… pretty much anything! The possibilities so quickly seem to go from endless to narrow with one decision on a "statement" item. Anyway, this time around I was actually quite pleased with…
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…
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. …
Learning to Reframe (Because Words Matter!) and a Whole30 Breakfast Sausage and Gravy
Words matter. Perhaps especially to me since as previously mentioned, I am a self-professed logophile and I know that my love language is “words of affirmation.” However biased I may be though, there is a lot of evidence which supports my claim. According to Gretchen Rubin, “research shows that people who use language that emphasizes that they’re acting by their own choice and exercising control (“I don’t,” “I choose to,” “I’m going to.,” or “I don’t want to”) stick to their habits better than people who use language that undermines their self-efficacy (“I can’t,” I’m not allowed to,” or “I’m supposed to”). There’s a real difference between “I don’t” and…
Reward, Intrinsic Motivation, and How to Make Ghee!
Most people are probably aware of the basic framework for habit formation and more or less familiar with some version of what Charles Duhhig has termed the “Habit Loop.” We can learn to automate a particular behavior by establishing a relationship which involves seeing the stimulus or cue, which invokes a routine with a specific action, in order to attain some reward. Of course, this is true, but I think that in many ways our idea of what exactly constitutes a “reward” has become a bit misconstrued. Ultimately, we need to ensure that said rewards are appropriate for and aligned with the habit we are trying to form. As someone…
Finding a Workout that Works for YOU! Part Two
Although we may agree exercise is good for everyone (Part One), it important to recognize that not everyone is motivated or wired in the same way. I personally love to start my day with exercise first thing – it really sets me off on the right foot and gives me a major energy and mood booster straight away which I can use as fuel to tackle the rest of the day. I can sweat and then shower and know that I have that checked off my list of things to accomplish regardless of what unplanned interruptions or obstacles may lie ahead. However, if you struggle to wake up in time…
Finding a Workout that Works for YOU! Part One
Long story short – exercise is good for you. Earth shattering news I know (I can feel the eyes rolling already). Most people do not debate that moving your body on a regular basis is a foundational good habit which has a myriad of benefits that spill over to oh-so-many aspects of our lives. Research shows that exercise stimulates blood flow throughout the body and into the brain, so it literally helps us think better, improving our memory and ability to learn. It boosts our energy and focus while improving our sleep quality and slows down the aging process. It elevates our moods and helps to combat depression, anxiety, and…
