Tag: fitness
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30 Machines in 30 Days
Have you ever noticed what happens when you walk into a gym? Look over at the cardio section. Treadmills? Women. Bikes? Women. Ellipticals? Women. And the StairMaster—or, as I affectionately call it, the StairMonster? Yep. More women. Now look over at the strength-training area. Men. Men. And more men. Why is that? I have a…
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Confessions of a 67-Year-Old Lululemon Virgin
As I get ready to leave on my annual wellness weekend with my son, Justin, I’ve been thinking about where this whole crazy journey started. It was 2023. Justin had invited me to join him at a very fancy wellness resort on the island of Lanai, Hawaii. A wellness resort. I had never been to…
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My Commitment to Year Four: Core, Glutes & Legs… God Help Me
It’s September 1, and tomorrow I will officially be nine weeks post-surgery. More importantly, tomorrow I have been cleared to resume training with Isaac. I’m excited. I’m grateful. I’m ready. And I’m also a little scared. Okay. A lot scared. But tomorrow marks the beginning of Year Four of this crazy fitness journey, and I’ve…
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This week marks my three-year anniversary of my fitness journey.
I started working with my trainer, Isaac, on August 16, 2023. And when I say I started working out, I mean I really started at the beginning. During our first session, I couldn’t stand up from a fitness bench without pushing off with my hands. I couldn’t do a squat without hanging onto a railing.…
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Five Weeks Post-Surgery: My New Athletic Career as a Lightweight
I’m officially five weeks post back surgery, and I had my one-month follow-up with my surgeon. The best news? He told me I don’t need to come back. Apparently he has confidence in me. Or maybe he’s just tired of seeing me. Either way, I’ll take it. I still have restrictions: no twisting, very limited—and…
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The Camino Is Over. The Wins Continue.
After weeks of walking the Camino de Santiago, I have officially returned to my regularly scheduled programming: the gym. And here’s what I’ve realized. I get a win every single time I walk through those gym doors. A win. Day after day. Workout after workout. Rep after rep. How great is that? How many things…
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Another Setback. Because Apparently My Character Arc Needed More Depth.
Well. Apparently 70 is the age where your body starts submitting formal HR complaints. A few months ago, I was training hard, golfing, getting ready for kayaking, strength training twice a week, going to group exercise classes, planning adventures, and generally acting like someone who had not read the official rulebook on aging. And then……
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Track Behaviors, Not the Scale
My scale and I are currently in a long-term, low-communication relationship. It hasn’t said anything new in about a year. I live comfortably—too comfortably—between 120 and 125 pounds. It’s basically my zip code now. And look, I’m fine with my weight. We’re on good terms. But my body fat percentage? That’s another story. We are…
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Sometimes You Fall Down, But You Have to Get Up and Keep Going
Today I completed the Race to Robie Creek—affectionately known as the “are you sure this is a good idea?” half marathon. It’s billed as the toughest in the Pacific Northwest, and after today, I’d like to personally confirm: they are not exaggerating. The first 8.5 miles are uphill. Uphill. As in… you start questioning your…
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Do the Hard Thing (Because Easy Is Overrated)
I recently heard a quote that stopped me mid-sip of my morning coffee (and if you know me, that’s saying something): “Do what is hard and your life will be easy. Do what is easy and your life will be hard.” Wow. That one doesn’t just tap you on the shoulder—it grabs you by the…
