The first time I took a Karate class I did not have a clue what I was doing. I was not alone though, there were plenty of beginners just like me that were trying it for the first time. Luckily I had an instructor that knew how to teach not just advanced students but beginners … Continue reading “Learning Martial Arts Can Build Confidence”

I remember signing up for summer activities as a kid. There were so many things to choose from and only a short time to decide before they all filled up. This was more stressful for my mother than it was for me. I was just excited to be thinking about the summer. No matter if … Continue reading “What to Consider When Choosing a Summer Camp”

You may have started working out again recently, or maybe you are a long-time fitness enthusiast. No matter how long you have been working out it is important to remember that fitness is not only about getting in shape, its about working out the right way. This can mean different things for each of us. I … Continue reading “How to Have a Successful Workout in The New Year”

It’s a few days into the new year, but if you’re anything like me, you’re probably still fine-tuning your fitness resolutions. When I was in college, every January was NEW YEAR NEW ME, and it was obvious by the scope and quantity of my resolutions that I spent 95% of my effort writing them down and … Continue reading “7 Tips for Achieving Your Fitness Resolutions”

With the New Year coming up you may be thinking of starting a new workout routine. Often people will start working out with a goal in mind; to lose weight, be healthier, or just to have a new activity. What many people don’t know is that after a time your body gets used to the … Continue reading “Keeping Your Workouts Fresh”

While some kids may dream of their summer and winter breaks, I spent my childhood continuously looking forward to the next back-to-school season. Starting a new semester of classes each September and January was like shedding an old skin and starting over with brand new color-coded notebooks and matching pens. But not every kid is so … Continue reading “4 Ways To Protect Your Child From Bullying”

A lot of emphasis is put on the body when talking about working out—those washboard abs, defined calves, slimmed thighs–but sometimes we forget that the mind is part of the body, too.  Call me a sucker for brain power, but there’s definitely something to a healthier mind, a happier you.  And here’s the thing: it’s easy.  You don’t … Continue reading “Stronger Mind, Happier You”

Fueling up before a workout is the best thing you can do for your body.  But it’s important to eat the right things at the right time.  Eating too far in advance of your workout can lead to an energy dropout at the gym, and eating too close can lead to an unsettled stomach.  Generally, I suggest eating about … Continue reading “What to Eat Before Your Workout”

So you’ve already heard that you should stretch before you work out, but did you know that some types of stretching can be more harmful than helpful?  The American Council on Exercise warns against static stretching (like reaching down to touch your toes) on cold muscles. Static stretches usually involve prolonged holds in set positions, … Continue reading “Static vs. Dynamic Stretching”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard friends complain about not getting the results they want, despite how much energy they’re putting into their workout.  People who want bigger muscles go to the gym every day but aren’t getting stronger.  People who want better endurance when they lift aren’t getting it.  The most … Continue reading “Matching Workouts with the Results You Want”