What Is "Grounding" and Can It Improve Health and Wellness?

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What Is "Grounding" and Can It Improve Health and Wellness?

The concept of “grounding” or “earthing” is an interesting one. On the surface it seems simple and rather intuitive: humans need to connect physically with the Earth to optimize our health. To ground you simply place your skin (usually feet or hands) in direct contact with the Earth (like natural grass, dirt or sand--no artificial surfaces). The health benefits of stepping away from our busy lives to move our bodies, get fresh air and sunlight and be in nature are proven and widely accepted. Fledgling research adds another fascinating potential benefit of this practice that Morgan and I discuss in this short five minute video.

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Couch Talk with Morgan and JJ: Goal Setting and Planning Strategies

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Couch Talk with Morgan and JJ: Goal Setting and Planning Strategies

In 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!

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Rainbow 10 Challenge: Add Some Colors to Your Day

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Rainbow 10 Challenge: Add Some Colors to Your Day

This 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.

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JJFit Challenge May 2022 for Planned Parenthood

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JJFit Challenge May 2022 for Planned Parenthood

A huge thank you to my JJFit On-Demand subscribers who have continued to stream my recorded workouts over the past few months since we retired my live weekly Zoom class. I was in such a grumpy mood today and decided to get off my duff and do this class and I'm so happy that I did! Any donations to this class or any class from my library in the month of May will be given 100% to Planned Parenthood.

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How to Start a Gratitude Practice to Improve Wellness

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How to Start a Gratitude Practice to Improve Wellness

I 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.

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"What’s It Like Working Virtually with JJ?"

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"What’s It Like Working Virtually with JJ?"

This is why I do what I do. I'm super proud of my virtual training clients like Dan, Chris, Alycia, Kimberly and Michael. Together we've overcome a lot of challenges to develop customized effective, safe and challenging wellness programs that evolve based on their needs and includes 1/1 virtual personal training, virtual group fitness and nutrition coaching. Seeing my clients thrive all over the country gets me jumping out of bed each morning. Well... that and coffee.

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5 Ways to Fit Fitness Into a Busy Schedule

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5 Ways to Fit Fitness Into a Busy Schedule

How many hours do you dedicate to exercise each week? Well, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults participate in moderate-intensity physical activities for 150 minutes per week or in high-intensity exercises for 75 minutes every week. Moreover, you should also be doing muscle-strengthening activities at least 2 days a week. There are a lot of strategies that can be employed so that busy professionals can incorporate a few minutes of exercise into their schedules. And here are a few of them.

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Client Spotlight: Kimberly Su and Her "Virtual Fitness" Journey

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Client Spotlight: Kimberly Su and Her "Virtual Fitness" Journey

When I met Kimberly in February 2020 for a quick chat to discuss training together I was super excited. She wanted to build a strength training program to help her recover from a hip injury and to get her feeling strong and balanced in her body. She was everything I look for in a client: ready, willing and energetic. And then COVID hit.

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Client Spotlight: How a 56-Year Old lawyer Crushed a Dipsea "Quad Quad"

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Client Spotlight: How a 56-Year Old lawyer Crushed a Dipsea "Quad Quad"

I'm super proud of my client and friend Bradley Fenner who hasn't let 2020 stop him from reaching his fitness goals. This month Bradley, a 56-year old lawyer, successfully completed a Dipsea "Quad Quad". That means this avid runner managed to traverse the iconic 7.1-mile Dipsea Trail between Mill Valley and Stinson Beach 16 times for a total of 113.2 miles (and nearly 37,000 feet) in just under 34 hours. Let that sink in and read all about Bradley’s journey.

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In the News: Understanding Weight Loss vs. Fat Loss

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In the News: Understanding Weight Loss vs. Fat Loss

If you’re looking to trim down, figuring out the secret sauce for saving muscle while losing fat can feel pretty overwhelming. For the best science-based, medically reviewed advice from me and other leading experts give this Greatist article a look and let me know if you have any questions.

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In the News: 15 Expert-Approved Hacks to Maintain a Walking Habit

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In the News: 15 Expert-Approved Hacks to Maintain a Walking Habit

The body is designed to move and a daily walking habit is well-worth keeping up with for its physical and mental health benefits. But sometimes, despite our best intentions, getting out the door for a walk can feel next to impossible. To increase motivation when you’re not feeling it, try shifting your mindset with these strategies from me and 14 other fitness pros in this MyFitnessPal blog post.

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3 Free Ways to Get JJFit Safely at Home

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3 Free Ways to Get JJFit Safely at Home

Are you struggling to find a fitness routine during all this? Does your diet need help but you’re not sure where to start? Is your body crying out for more stretching and mobility? You’re not alone and I have three free ways to help.

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5 Realistic Fitness Goals for the Next 12 Months

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5 Realistic Fitness Goals for the Next 12 Months

I'm honored to be interviewed in this US News & World Report article about setting realistic health goals during these unprecedented times. My clients, students and I are all struggling with how to keep moving toward our mobility, strength and aesthetic goals with increased hours at the computer; decreased access to equipment, in person classes and in person training; and increased stress, anxiety and comfort eating. I share my thoughts on how to set and achieve goals for the next year using the tools you have and meeting yourself where you are.

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So Your Gym's Closed? You Got This. 7 Ways to Move at Home.

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So Your Gym's Closed? You Got This. 7 Ways to Move at Home.

Since sheltering in place and social distancing have become the new normal for the time-being, most of us are working more, moving even less and are definitely feeling more anxious. Though your routine may be shot, it’s not too late to create a new one. Just because your gym is closed doesn’t mean you can’t work out. Now’s the perfect time to get started. Not tomorrow. Today! When all this is over, you can look back and say you stepped outside your comfort zone and did something amazing for yourself.

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The Best JJFit Workouts You Can Do Anywhere

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The Best JJFit Workouts You Can Do Anywhere

Since my students and clients are staying home and not able to come see me for training and group fitness at Equinox and Bay Club for the foreseeable future they are hungry to get safe and effective workouts. So I've compiled some of my own personal "do anywhere" workouts that require minimal equipment. It's time to get creative, folks! These "water jug workouts" are my favorite and are actually really challenging!

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5 Lifestyle Tweaks That Will Dramatically Improve Your Wellbeing

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5 Lifestyle Tweaks That Will Dramatically Improve Your Wellbeing

Thanks to Dr. Seeds and the folks at Authority Magazine for featuring my story about how I transitioned from a corporate consultant to a fitness professional and my advice for lifestyle tweaks that can positively change your wellness. Spoiler alert, this includes a shout out to my mentor Marcia Robles and a declaration of love to Madonna. Read the full interview.

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7 Scenarios When Not Working Out Is the Healthier Choice

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7 Scenarios When Not Working Out Is the Healthier Choice

My clients tend to be super successful, Type A, driven professionals who demand a lot from themselves (and the world around them). This can be a really positive trait and an attitude that helps people get the results they want from their workouts. But sometimes, especially with the stress of our 24/7, always online culture, this can be dialed up too high and they push too hard. I recommend listening to your body. If you ignore your body, it will only scream louder. So what does that look like? Start with this MyFitnessPal Blog post with comments from me and other trainers where we explore seven situations when the best thing for your health really is to stay away from the gym. (And it’s not just when you’re sick.)

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So You’re Not a Morning Workout Person—Here’s How to Become One

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So You’re Not a Morning Workout Person—Here’s How to Become One

When it comes to exercising, a morning workout has several advantages. Shift your workouts to the a.m. hours to reap the rewards with these simple strategies from me and other leading coaches in this RealSimple.com article by my pal Karen Asp. And check out these posts from the JJFit.com archive for more advice on improving your sleep.

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