As I hinted about in my September newsletter, I’ve been following Andrew Huberman’s protocols for using morning and afternoon sunlight to support mental and physical health, improve sleep and regulate circadian rhythms. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at its effectiveness and simplicity.
Read MoreI really enjoyed being a guest on the Mind Body Planet podcast talking about the three pillars of fitness and debunking many common misconceptions in the health industry. If you get confused from the conflicting and sometimes crazy information permeating from "fitness influencers" on social I hope you’ll give it a listen and a like!
Read MoreMost people know that muscle and joint pain, particularly in the lower back, can be linked to chronic sitting, a weak core, lazy glutes and poor form in the gym. But the very thing that is supposed to restore and regenerate our bodies (sleep) can also contribute to pain and injury. Poor positioning of the legs can further compress already tight hip muscles. Twisting of the spin or pelvis can cause fussy muscles like the quadratus lumborum to become hypertonic. And acrobatic-like arm contortions can cause nerve pain. I asked my physical therapist and friend what the "best" position is for sleeping for most people.
Read MoreFull disclosure, this is not an easy read (or listen). It’s dense and at times overwhelming. So if you’re looking for easy answers to what and how to eat you may get frustrated. But the information Tim Spector brings to light is fascinating and important and it’s worth hunkering down to expose yourself to his research and recommendations and to try to start implementing some of his teachings into your habits.
Read MoreChronic burnout, stress, anxiety and even pandemic-related PTSD are real. And so many folks, myself included, are wondering how best to deal with it. So I reached out to Dr. Ashton Perroni who is medical director and naturopathic doctor for Thyme Health to discuss proven and practical ways to address it.
Read MoreI'm not into cooking. "But JJ, you're a trainer! Don't you love spending hours in the kitchen meal-prepping and putting everything you eat into perfect little containers?” Sort of. I prepare (not cook!) my breakfasts, lunches and snacks for the work week in advance using many of the recipes I share in my free nutrition guide. But actually cooking? I'm just not into it. So Peter and I decided years ago to outsource our weekday dinners to a meal delivery service. After trying a few different ones we landed on Factor and have been loving it.
Read MoreI struggle just as much as the next guy when it comes to social media. Sometimes it fills me with joy and really makes me feel connected to people I love. And sometimes it makes me feel awful--like I'm endlessly scrolling for something I never find. And it's hard to notice exactly when I cross the line from joy to doom. There are several great tips in this article from One Medical so I encourage anyone who wants to improve their relationship with social media and their mental wellness to give it a read.
Read MoreThere are SO MANY trackers on the market. And the landscape changes all the time. The ones discussed in this post are the ones I have personally used at various stages of my fitness journey and have seen work for many of my clients. If you have something that is already working for you, GREAT! Don’t fix what ain’t broke. But if you are looking for something to aid you along in your wellness journey maybe one or some of these can help.
Read MoreTraditionally a lot of people jump into the holidays with two feet (see what I did there?!) and the best of intentions for crushing big fitness and wellness goals starting in the new year. Trainers like me used to see spikes in new gym memberships and requests for strict meal plans (instead of spikes in Coronavirus variants and virtual training sessions). If you are struggling with motivation and finding a goal that resonates with you, here are 15 some of my peeps are going for in the coming months that will influence their weekly fitness routines.
Read MoreIn January I had my cholesterol checked and it was high. Aren't genetics a blast?! I already eat pretty darn well, exercise, don't smoke or drink, avoid trans fats--all the things that are known to help. I want to avoid medicine if/however long I can and opted to talk to my doctor about nutrition as a path to lower it naturally. Literally all I've changed since January was replacing my old breakfast of Greek yogurt and fruit with homemade rolled oatmeal (not instant) and berries. Here’s what happened.
Read MoreIn this month’s edition of "Couch Talk with Morgan and JJ" we take a few minutes to share some goal setting strategies that will help you find the right goals for where/who you are and how to prepare and plan to succeed!
Read MoreBreath is LIFE. Like, literally. So I was so happy when my amazingly talented and super knowledgeable friend Morgan dropped by my office for a couch talk session about breathing. We’ve both noticed clients lately experiencing episodes of shallow, labored breathing and she has some fantastic drills for breathing optimally in the moment and for building a breathing practice. Think of your breath like a muscle. To get stronger we need to exercise it strategically and consistently.
Read MoreThis post isn’t about how to eat to lose fat or gain muscle. Those are great goals and I help people do that all the time. You can get that for free in my guide. This is about something different. This post is about looking at your routine and what you’re eating in a day and making incremental, manageable improvements. The goal is simply to do something kind for your body not so you look better, but so you feel better physically and emotionally because you know you are doing something good for your health.
Read MoreJoin Morgan and JJ for a discussion on the science and strategies behind getting better sleep. In this hour-long recorded Zoom workshop we’ll talk about the science behind the latest sleep research and review strategies and tips that have helped our clients improve their sleep to become healthier humans and better professionals.
Read MoreI shared in my latest newsletter the idea of picking just one thing to make things better. My one thing these days is to better connect with gratitude. The proven physical and mental benefits of a gratitude practice are undeniable. Gratitude can improve many aspects of your wellness including reduced pain, better physical performance, improved sleep and even better relationships.
Read MoreScrolling has become the new smoking and too much screen time is linked with poor mood, poor productivity, fatigue, anxiety and physical pain. In this pre-recorded 60 minute workshop Morgan and JJ discuss the importance of your visual system and its crucial role in your overall health and teach you how to train it just like you would train any other muscle.
Read MoreSo you finally accepted that eating out for breakfast, lunch and dinner makes it nearly impossible to reach your fitness and health goals? Bagels and breakfast burritos (or no breakfast at all), quick serve sandwiches and salads near the office and takeout (or worse happy hour treats) are killing your waistline and your wallet? Congrats. Acceptance is the first step. The next step is getting onboard with meal prepping and it doesn’t have to be as complicated or laborious as you think.
Read MoreThis is hands down one of my favorite salads. I'm a big fan of creamy Caesar dressings but they can be super fattening and rich. So this recipe gives the same flavor with a fraction of the calories and fat thanks to the combo of lemon juice, hummus and feta. The salad on it's own is great but if you want to make it a yummy, hot meal I'll show you how to saute chicken breast in coconut oil on your stove to top things off.
Read MoreI'm super excited to share the premier episode of Cooking with JJ, a video partnership between Jonathan Jordan Fitness and the incredible producers at NewsUpNow.org. In each episode we'll share delicious and healthy meal prep hacks, recipes and techniques to fuel your life. In this episode I'll show you how to make my famous Banana Blueberry Protein Muffins.
Read MoreExercise means sweating and sweating can lead to skin-related issues like irritation, inflammation and breakouts. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can follow to avoid these problems and protect your skin without sacrificing your fitness goals. I used to get terrible adult acne. And it really upset me. So I saw a dermatologist and esthetician and they gave me some great tips for keeping skin in great shape when working out.
Read MoreOnce a month I gather the best fitness and nutrition news, tips and videos from my blog into one handy email. I never share email addresses with third parties and you can unsubscribe at any time. Check out past issues.
