Like most women, I don’t have a ton of free time. Even if I do have a full hour-plus of discretionary time every day, I’m not going to spend it putting on workout clothes, doing a full workout, stretching, and washing my hair — it’s not how I want to spend my limited free time, and at this point in my life, I’m okay with finally admitting that sometimes, that’s the only excuse I need.  Women are held to impossible standards, and our time is viewed as infinite — which is why people often invalidate women...

Pregnancy is a time when your body goes through some pretty amazing (and sometimes challenging) changes, and it brings a lot of questions about what is safe to do or try. One wellness trend that’s gained a lot of attention recently is ice baths or cold water immersion. But when you’re expecting, is jumping into an ice bath a good idea? Let’s dive in (pun intended) and take a closer look at what moms-to-be need to know about ice baths. Why ice baths are trending Over the past decade, ice baths have gone from something only...

If you’re on the Internet at all, you’ve almost certainly heard of semaglutide in its more common name-brand forms: Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and/or Rybelsus®.  Semaglutide is a medication that belongs to the class of drugs known as GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists. It mimics the action of a naturally occurring hormone, GLP-1, which regulates blood sugar, insulin production, and appetite.  Initially approved for managing type 2 diabetes, semaglutide has gained popularity in recent years for its significant weight-loss benefits, especially for individuals who are overweight.  When coupled with exercise, this combination creates a powerful strategy to improve...

Over the past decade, workout classes have become popularized as a way to exercise without needing to think about crafting your own routine at the gym. Their low-maintenance, return on investment model helped create the notorious Barry’s Bootcamp, CorePower Yoga Sculpt, and Solid Core. However, not all workout classes are created equal. While the end result may leave us feeling sweaty and accomplished, research has revealed that our favorite classes can actually be adding extra stress to our bodies. Depending on the intensity and timing of an exercise, workout classes can create cortisol spikes. Cortisol...

Whether you’re just coming around to the idea of establishing a fitness routine, or you’re someone who already incorporates lots of movement and exercise into your days, you may wonder, "Is it bad to work out at night?" On the one hand, it’s easy to understand the “If I save my workout for bedtime, I’ll just wear myself out for a good night’s sleep!” school of thought. On the other hand, there has been speculation that regular evening workouts can negatively impact not only how long it takes you to fall asleep on average, but...

Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It’s a painful, challenging, and sometimes downright embarrassing condition that can have you running to the bathroom at the worst times. Fortunately, IBS is a very manageable condition with the right care and strategies to help control your symptoms. If you suspect that you have IBS, the first step is to consult with your doctor to determine the best care plan for you. But did you know that there are also some at-home ways to relieve your discomfort? First, what is IBS? IBS is a chronic condition that affects both the stomach...

PCOS — or polycystic ovary syndrome — is an endocrine (hormonal) condition that comes with a plethora of unwelcome symptoms. Specifically, PCOS occurs when the body’s ovaries create a higher-than-normal level of hormones called androgens. From fertility problems to irregular periods, to headaches and pelvic pain, to excess body hair, anyone living with PCOS knows that the condition is certainly not a walk in the park. One of the side effects you may have heard of is “PCOS belly." But what exactly is PCOS belly, and what differentiates it from other types of weight gain? PCOS and weight...

Somatic exercises are different from your typical HIIT or weight-lifting workouts. They’re slow. They’re intentional. They focus on the mind-body connection, allowing you to better understand where you hold certain tensions and emotions within your body.  You might be wondering how slow movements can help with weight loss and overall health, but we’ll break it down for you — from the benefits to exercises you can do at home.  Somatic exercise and being present in the moment Somatic exercise requires that you focus on your inner experience as you go through the movements and expand...

In the past few years, we’ve taken a good, hard look at the damaging effects of diet culture. For those of us who grew up in the Diet-Coke-and-100-calorie-snack-pack landscape of the ‘90s, then began navigating the “clean eating” movement as young adults, it feels almost impossible to dethrone those diet culture…but we’re finally getting somewhere. And now, it’s time we get equally clear about dismantling our long-held ideas about exercise. Exercise used to be viewed as something you had to do, especially if you’d been “bad” with your eating habits. It was meant to be...

Even though the holiday season is supposed to be about joy, togetherness, and celebration, let’s get real about one thing: The colder months can usher in feelings of stress, sadness, and loneliness. Some of those feelings may be a mere consequence of shorter days, colder temps, fewer fun activities on the horizon, and a constant parade of cold-weather viruses. But if your symptoms of sadness feel extreme, you may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (also known by its very appropriate acronym, SAD).  Contrary to popular belief, SAD can actually present during other times of...