Health-Fitness Tips,Tricks And How To Tutorials Which Will Help To Live Life Healthy-Wealthy And Enjoyable Forever.
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Yep, You Can Get Eczema on Your Boobs — Here's How to Heal Those Tatas
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How To Keep Children’s Teeth Healthy Around Halloween
JACKED-o-lantern total body strength workout
Re-posting this workout today for Halloween! Hope you have a happy and safe holiday and I’ll be back in the morning with Friday Faves. Grab your gourds and work out with me. 
Hey friends! How are ya? Thank you so much for your wonderful comments on the Family page yesterday. It was definitely an interesting day. The full moon was in full.swing around here, and I’m so looking forward to the weekend. We had a surprise roadtrip planned, but the potential hurricane may be crushing our plans so we shall see. I thought we were done with hurricane and tropical storm-type things…
Can we please talk about fall TV?? I used to not really be much of a TV fan, until my surgery. After watching hours upon hours of Netflix and trashy TV shows I was like, “Waaaaait. This is awesome.” I’ve gotten back into my productive ways, but I was stoked when The Voice and This Is Us came back. What are your fave fall shows that are back right now?
As the weather cools down and fall TV coerces us into parking on the couch each night, it can be really tempting to stay home instead of hitting the gym. This when we can get a little creative! Who has one of these things lying around?
I like to say that you can use anything for resistance: wine bottles, gallons of water, cans, pumpkins. You do what you need to do.
Here’s a little festive workout I put together using a rather large pumpkin from a roadside stand. The hilarious part is that I was walking around picking up all of the pumpkins to see if I could easily press it overhead for this workout, and this was the smallest one they had.
Here’s what this Halloween workout looks like: (As always, talk with a doc before making any fitness changes. Honor your body and modify as needed.)
Pumpkin Workout Form Cues
Lunge and curl: Take a big step back to come into a lunge position. Watch your alignment and make sure your front knee is stacked over your front ankle, and your chest is lifted with a tight core. As you rise from your lunge, complete a biceps curl using the pumpkin (squeeze your biceps and exhale as you curl. That’s one rep.
Pumpkin press: Exhale as you press the pumpkin up overhead, and inhale to lower it back down to your chest with control.
Lunge and overhead triceps extension: Take a big step back to come into a lunge position. Watch your alignment and make sure your front knee is stacked over your front ankle, and your chest is lifted with a tight core. As you rise from your lunge, complete a triceps extension using the pumpkin (use your triceps to straighten your arm as much as possible before bending and lowering back down). Make sure to keep your elbows framing your face, and arms close to your head.
Single-leg pumpkin row: Hold the pumpkin with both hands, and tap one leg behind you. You can keep it here, with the weight in your front foot as you tilt forward, bringing the pumpkin just below the knees. For more advanced variations, you can float this top foot off the floor. Make sure to keep hips parallel to the floor. Exhale as you squeeze between your shoulder blades, and bend your arms (elbows stay narrow) to bring the pumpkin back towards your belly. Straighten the arms with control. Complete all reps on one side before switching to the opposite side.
Woodchop: Be sure that you are rotating at your ankle to protect your knees as you twist. As the pumpkin comes up, exhale. Complete 10 on one side before switching to the opposite side.
Gourd curl: You’ll start on your back with your feet in on the pumpkin, toes pointing up. Exhale to lift your hips off the floor, keeping your shoulders grounded into the floor. Take an inhale, and then exhale to bring your heels towards your glutes, rolling the pumpkin towards your booty. Keeping the hips lifted, extend the legs back out. That’s one rep.
Weighted sit-up: Hold the pumpkin at your chest as you lie onto your back and bend both knees to place your feet flat on the floor. Exhale to sit up, keeping your back straight and your belly button pulled in. (Avoid letting the stomach muscles push out!) For a great modification, especially if you have Diastasis Recti, check out this post.
Plank: Make sure that your body is in one straight line from your head, all the way back through your knees or toes (depending on whether you’re modifying). If you’re on your toes, press back through your heels, and no matter what, keep your hips in line with your spine. Tilt your chin away from your chest so your neck stays long, and take some nice deep breaths. You can do this with your hands on the pumpkin, or your feet on the pumpkin. Modify by placing your knees on the floor, and keep your hips in line with your torso.
Please let me know if you give it a try!
After we finish our workout, we can put our boots and sweaters back on (jk it’s like 80 degrees) and go out for pumpkin spice lattes. Maybe Target, if we have time.
xoxo
Gina
Wearing: Zella Live-In leggings (<— the PERFECT leggings), Lorna Jane tank (on sale), Nikes
Photos and super cute fall plants courtesy of the lovely Lindsay Colson
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045: How sugar affects your brain and how to deal with cravings
In today’s episode, I’m chatting all about sugar cravings and how I deal with them, especially during the holiday season.
Short transcript:
During the holidays, it’s pretty much an avalanche of sugary treats. I think it’s important to note that the holidays can’t derail your fitness and nutrition progress. Focus on the healthy habits that make you feel good, enjoy the holidays, and give yourself grace. I thought for today I’d talk about sugar cravings, especially since Halloween is tomorrow and from now until New Year’s, there’s a chance that some type of dessert will be staring at you in the face for the next three months. Let’s chat about sugar cravings, why sometimes they’re more prevalent and intense than others, and what I do when I’m constantly craving sweet treats.
Here’s what happens to your brain when you consume sugar:
Sugar affects your dopamine response, which is your brain’s reward system. Frequent consumption of sugar affects the gene expression and availability of dopamine receptors in the brain. Over time, it takes more and more sugar to attain the same level of sugar high in the brain, which causes you to crave more. Rodents in studies exhibited the same response to sugar that they did to addictive drugs, like heroin and cocaine. They also exhibited intense withdrawal symptoms when their access to sugar was removed, like teeth chattering, head shaking, and paw tremors. (Source.)
When you’re constantly exposed to sugar, you will crave it more and more often. It’s also added to everything, whether it’s being used as a preservative or to improve taste (like in pasta sauce!).
Here’s what I do if I feel like I’m craving sugar more often than usual:
– I try to assess if I’m overtired, hungry, or dehydrated. These three things usually cause me to turn into a bit of a sugar monster because I’m seeking cheap energy. When I have a ton of sugar, I feel energized for about a half hour and then crash hard. If I’m sleep deprived, I go to bed a little earlier that night. If I haven’t had a real meal in a bit, I make myself something nutritious to eat before diving into the chocolate chip bag.
– I also assess my stress levels. The dopamine response from sugar can provide relief when you’re feeling anxious or stressed. If I know I’m more stressed out than usual, I’ll take a little CBD, meditate for 5 minutes, or spend some time outside with the girls.
– I focus on more balance in my meals. Sugar cravings are usually a good clue that your diet isn’t macro-balanced. Each meal and snack should contain a mix of protein, fats, and carbs. This combination is going to stabilize blood sugar and help prevent sugar cravings. I think it’s important to have some type of carb with most meals, even if it’s a vegetable or fruit based carb for satiety.
– Once or twice a year, I cut out processed sugary foods cold turkey for about a month. This helps to reset my cravings. I know it’s usually time for a reset when fruit doesn’t taste sweet to me. If biting into an apple tastes like water, I know it’s time for a little reset. I’m not super strict about it – like I still have dates, honey and maple syrup – but I do avoid processed sugary treats like cakes, cookies, and brownies.
– I eat it and enjoy it! If I eat a dessert, I want it to be worth my while! I focus on things that look indulgent and exciting. Store-bought stuff doesn’t usually do the trick for me. If I find myself truly craving something, like a pizookie from Oregano’s, nothing but a true pizookie is going to quell the beast. I’m a huge believer that deprivation leads to binging. If you want something, eat it and enjoy every bite! Then move on with your life.
– My thoughts on healthified sweet treats: I think they’re awesome for more frequent treats. If you’re the type of person who wants a brownie every single day, I think having a sweet potato brownie on a regular basis is a healthier choice than a Duncan Hinds brownie or one from the local bakery because you’re getting bonus nutrients, like healthy fats and fiber. I’m a huge believer in balance, and absolutely think that sweet treats can and should be a part of your life. If there are healthy treats you like to have on hand, especially if you’re the type of person who likes a sweet bite after meals, there are so many amazing options out there, made with whole ingredients and less refined flours and sugars.
Some of my favorite healthier dessert options:
Double chocolate protein muffin
Chocolate avocado chia pudding
Click here to get 21 days of Les Mills on Demand for FREE. This is the perfect way to try new workouts during the busy holiday season, especially if you’re traveling or your schedule changes. The instructors are amazing and there’s so much variety to choose from.
Thank you so much for listening and for all of your support with the podcast! Please leave a rating or review if you enjoyed this episode. If you leave a rating, head to this page and you’ll get a little “thank you” gift from me to you.
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Endometriosis After a C-Section: Everything You Need to Know
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Full Body HIIT Circuit
Trainer Sydney Torabi takes you through a full body HIIT workout.
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Party people
Oh hello there. I feel like I’m coming out from a cloud of partying and planning all week long! It feels weird to be back in real-life mode. 
We celebrated the Pilot’s birthday, went to Trunk or Treat, and the following night was P’s birthday party at Pump It Up with all of her little friends from school. She requested a Frozen theme, and my friend Amy one again made the most gorgeous cake. Can you believe it tasted even better than it looked?
(The mountain LIT UP! She also made Liv’s Toy Story birthday cake and Meg’s baby shower cake. Her designs are insanely gorgeous and the cake itself tastes like a dream. If you’re in Tucson, hit her up if you’re looking for a special occasion cake or cupcakes!)
The kids arrived, jumped their little hearts out, and they also did a balloon drop – 100 balloons were dropped from the ceiling. They went crazy!
We hired a glitter tattoo artist to do glitter tattoos for the kiddos,
and ate pizza, wings, veggie tray, popcorn, cake, ice cream, and cupcakes.
The lil treat bags:
(I wanted to play off the “Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?” song and ordered these melting snowman kits for each kid. I also added some candy and a Frozen slap bracelet to each bag. Easy peasy.)
The birthday girl herself:
Everyone had a great time, but we decided Pump It Up isn’t our favorite birthday party spot. (I think we like Get Air much better. Get Air lets you bring in whatever food and drinks you’d like, and Pump It Up forces you to order from a limited menu that they mark up and order from Domino’s. I totally get that it’s how they make money, but it’s kind of a bummer to have a party and not be able to bring in food or even order what you’d like. They were also super regimented about weird things – like some kids came out of the room to get glitter tattoos and they didn’t let them go back in, even though they still had 10 minutes of jump time left – and it was kind of a buzzkill if that makes sense.) For Liv’s party, we’ll prob scope out other options, especially since a couple of fun new kids’ spots have opened.
The partying continued through the rest of the weekend! P’s birthday was Saturday, so we all went to Prep and Pastry for brunch after dance class,
(when your Bloody Mary has an appetizer as a garnish)
and later that night, everyone came over for dinner and pumpkin carving.
The Pilot wins the prize for best pumpkin. He did the guy shrugging emoji.
Our masterpieces:
(Wearing my fave Amazon shirt)
One of my favorite things in the world is having everyone over at our house, hanging out, eating, and the cousins all running around. The Pilot asked what I wanted to do for my bday (it’s in November) and I said, “This. Food, drinks, cake, and the fam.” That’s all you really need, right?
HIIT Bootcamp started this week and I’ve loved seeing everyone’s check-ins on social. It’s going to be a great 4 weeks.. and I’m excited for a little group motivation this time of year.
Hope your week is off to a lovely start and I’ll see ya soon! Thanks for checking in today. <3
xo
Gina
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Itchy Scalp No More: 15 At-Home Treatments for Scalp Psoriasis
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A Vyvanse Crash Doesn’t Have to Ruin Your Day — Here’s What to Know
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Sugar Betrays Us Again: Here's How It's Probably Behind Those Headaches
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Fact or Fiction: Is Type 2 Diabetes Actually Reversible?
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5 things that help my anxiety and my experience with CBD
This post is sponsored by Equilibria Women but the opinions are my own. Click here or enter the code FITNESSISTA at checkout to get 15% off.
I’ve struggled with anxiety my entire life. It’s varied from the small amount of anxiety that elevates my heart rate yet keeps me productive and on-task, to the debilitating, room is spinning, struggling-to-breathe variety. Over the past handful of years, I’ve found some things that have helped dramatically with my anxiety and thought I’d share them in today’s post:
1) Prioritizing sleep. I’ve noticed that when I’m sleep-deprived, everything feels worse. I’m obviously more tired, but also more hangry, stressed, and anxious. It’s no wonder that I felt my anxiety ramp up after we had kids, not only because there was so much more to be worried about -you’re keeping additional humans alive! and you love them so.dang.much – but because our sleep went down the drain. Now that the kids are sleeping and the adults are sleeping, I feel remarkably better.
2) Daily meditation. I try to meditate every day, even if it’s just for 5 minutes before bed. (Ideally I like to meditate for 7-15 minutes before getting started on work for the day.) I use the Calm App on my phone, which has a ton of different options to choose from. I especially love the sleep meditations and often crash out before they’re over. On the same note, it’s made a huge difference to add yoga back into my routine. Yoga is like a moving meditation and gives me the chance to drop all of the external stressors and tune inward for an hour. It’s one of the only times I stretch each week and slow down, and I look forward to it every weekend. My favorite classes are the hot ones that leave me in a puddle of sweat. So good.
(Bella has always supported my yoga endeavors)
3) Therapy. I can’t recommend therapy enough if you’re struggling with anxiety or depression. It’s helpful to have an outside professional source that can listen to your concerns and provide an action plan. I haven’t been able to find a therapist since we’ve been back in Tucson – it seems like everyone is cash-only, which is fine, but no one is taking new clients – but am going to keep trying until I can get one.
4) Making thorough to-do lists, and checking things off. A majority of my anxiety is related to to-do lists, since I’m juggling my work schedule and deadlines along with the girls’ routines and extracurricular activities. Often, I’ll find myself listing things in my head, like, “Finish this draft, hop on the Peloton, take a conference call, shower, pick up P, take Liv to piano, roast a chicken for dinner” etc. When I stop and take the time to write everything down, it keeps me from feeling like I constantly have to check things off in my head. Write it down, cross it off, and move on.
5) Adding CBD into my routine. This has been a gamechanger for me. To be honest, I heard about the benefits of CBD a couple of years ago but was too sketched out to try it. Since it’s not regulated, you could be buying a product that doesn’t actually contain CBD and could be shipped from another country. (I actually tried a brand that I had researched a bit and found out that it was produced in Mexico. It went in the trash.) I knew that if I was going to give it another try, I had some serious requirements the brand had to meet, and Equilibria met all of my personal stipulations.
So what is CBD and how is it different from marijuana?
CBD is a compound found within industrial hemp flowers that has been shown to improve mental and physical wellbeing. It’s completely safe and legal. (From what I understand some government positions don’t currently allow it just in case trace amounts of THC are found. For example, the Pilot is not able to take it.) Industrial hemp is a Cannibis Sativa plant grown to express 0.3% THC or less. That’s why CBD does not make you feel impaired or high. Anything above 0.3% THC is not considered hemp; it’s marijuana and federally illegal.
CBD can help bring the body back to homeostasis and is often used for sleep, mood, and pain regulation. It can also work by reducing inflammation, which can be the root cause of various ailments in the body.
Our body has a natural endocannabinoid system which, as we age and experience stress, functions less effectively. By consuming CBD, which is a phytocannabinoid and interacts with our endocannabinoid system, we help to increase our production of cannabinoids and more efficiently use what’s already been created.
Is CBD regulated?
The FDA hasn’t worked out regulations for CBD, so this is why researching is so important.
Some of the things to look out for:
– Make sure that it’s full-spectrum, which means they use the whole plant to maximize the benefits
– Make sure it’s produced in the USA on the same farm
– Ask for third party lab results. This one is HUGE. Since CBD isn’t regulated, some brands are heavily leaden with chemicals, pesticides, or don’t contain much CBD at all.
*As always, talk with a doctor before adding any supplements or changes into your routine. Just sharing my experience
Some of the things I love about Equilibria is that they are organically produced here in the US on their own farm in Colorado. Their lab results are incredible (they’re also extremely transparent with lab results) and I also love that they individually help with dosing. Dosing takes a little experimentation to figure out at first (don’t worry, you can’t overdose on CBD), so they make sure you’re taking an amount that makes you feel your best.
Here’s what my personal CBD routine looks like #MyEq:
– One (10mg) softgel before bed
– One dropper of the oil under my tongue during the day if I know it’s going to be a stressful or intense day
– Using the salve as needed on my thumb. I had nerve graft surgery a few years ago, and while my thumb feels SO much better, it still aches occasionally. The salve takes the aching away within a few minutes.
CBD is one of those things where you might not notice a huge difference when you take it, but you do if you forget to take it. I forgot to take it last week, and I just felt like I was on edge throughout the day. I was like, “Hmm. I’m kind of a spaz right now.” I’ve been sleeping more soundly (and going to sleep faster) and it helps to quiet my buzzing anxiety throughout the day. I was trying to explain it to Tom, but when I take the softgel at night, within about 15-20 minutes, I feel like I slipped into a warm bathtub. I don’t feel weird or high, just incredibly relaxed. It helps to stop me from obsessing over the ol’ to-do list at night so I can just relax and go to sleep.
It’s made a dramatic difference in my life and I hope that if you give it a try, you love it as much as I do!
My friends at Equilibria offered 15% off if you’ve been interested in trying CBD (or switching to a brand that’s responsibly produced and made for women)! Click here to check it out. They also help with individual dosing support if you have questions along the way.
Fellow anxious friends: what are some of the things you’ve found to help?
xoxo
Gina
Photos: Kristi Harris
*Equilibria makes no claims that CBD can cure or treat symptoms as these are my own opinions.
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So Your Uterus Is Trying to Kill You: Try These 11 At-Home Treatments for Endometriosis
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Friday Faves
Hi friends! Happy Friday! What’s going on this weekend? We’re just going to continue the birthday celebration that started Wednesday and keeps rolling through the weekend.
We had the fam over on Wednesday evening to celebrate the Pilot’s birthday! I ordered mini chimichangas, chips and salsa from Calle Tepa, and made three giant pans full of enchiladas + Mexican rice. Madre brought over the best beans and two cakes, Kyle brought guac, and we had beers and margaritas. It was perfection. When the cousins and family come over, they get the biggest kick out of the guinea pigs. Everly loves them and it’s so cute.
Singing to the birthday guy:
(My MIL also flew in this week and it’s been so wonderful to have her in town celebrating with us)
P’s birthday is tomorrow; I went into labor on the Pilot’s birthday. I thought it would be fast and furious but it was another day and a half until she showed up. Well worth the wait, I say.
I get emotional before every single birthday. I feel like I’m doing ok and before I know it, I’m frosting cupcakes with tears rolling down my face. Watching them grow is bittersweet. Each day we get biggest glimpses into their personalities, and they just keep getting smarter and more fun, but they grow so darn fast.
(Before Trunk or Treat for P’s school)
It’s time for some Friday Faves. This is where I share some of my fave finds from the week and around the web. I love hearing about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section.
Fashion + beauty:
Beautycounter is having a secret flash sale! It’s 10% off sitewide with the code YFT and the best part is that you can use it on full regimens, flawless in five, and holiday! These are usually excluded from promos. If you’ve been waiting to try Beautycounter, this is the perfect time.
Some faves:
Lip gloss. These are perfect to have stashed in your purse for a little shine that’s not sticky. They also have new jellies for holiday which make awesome stocking stuffers.
Dew Skin. Our tinted moisturizer with SPF.
The Countertime Collection! I’m OBSESSED with this collection. It feels luxurious and works extremely well, but of course, only has safe ingredients. I like a super thick night cream and the supreme cream is a dream come true.
Overnight peel! This is one of our most popular products. I notice a huge visible difference when this is in my routine. It makes my skin brighter, tighter, and can help with fine lines and discoloration.
Holiday palettes. So many gorgeous options!
If you join as a Band of Beauty member, you also receive a full-sized free charcoal mask and free shipping over $100. Check it out here!
Luxe touches to add to any outfit.
Fitness and healthy eats:
HIIT Bootcamp enrollment ends tonight! You’ll get all of the videos and files tomorrow afternoon and we rock and roll on Monday. I’d love to have you join in the fun! Let’s head into the holiday season feeling amazing. Sign up here.
Instant Pot mustard chicken looks so good and easy.
Dirt cups with avocado pudding.
Healthy throw-together meal ideas.
A festive workout for Halloween. (and a pumpkin that was way heavier than I was expecting)
Read, watch, listen:
Loved this post from Julie so perfectly describing some of the best parts of motherhood.
Mind-blowing ways how meditation improves your health.
Happy Friday!!
xo
Gina
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Why Try the Keto Diet? Here Are 6 Very, Very Different Experiences
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Jennifer Aniston Says She's on the 16:8 Intermittent Fasting Diet—But What Is That?
Let’s face it, we all want the Jennifer Aniston glow. Does this woman ever not look like she’s just walked out of a wellness retreat? Clearly, she knows a thing or two about health and well-being, and she’s finally sharing some of her secrets.
In an interview with UK magazine Radio Times during the promo trail for her new Apple TV+ show The Morning Show, Aniston revealed that she’s a big fan of intermittent fasting, particularly a version called the 16:8 diet.
“I do intermittent fasting, so no food in the morning. I noticed a big difference in going without solid food for 16 hours,” she said, per CNBC.
RELATED: Is Celery Juice Healthy? Here's What a Nutritionist Thinks
Aniston’s preferred way of intermittent fasting limits her eating time window to eight hours per day, while fasting for the other 16 hours, Tanya B. Freirich, MS, RD, New York-based nutritionist and registered dietitian for Sweet Nova, tells Health. Other types of intermittent fasting diets include the 5:2 diet, which involves fasting for two nonconsecutive days each week and eating without restrictions on the other five days. There's also the OMAD—or one meal a day—diet.
Intermittent fasting has become increasingly popular, and it's easy to see why. For starters, there's no prescribed calorie limit, which means no crunching numbers and relying on calorie counting guides before eating. But what else is involved in the 16:8 eating plan and similar fasts, and are they actually safe? Here's what nutrition experts have to say.
Does the 16:8 intermittent fast diet actually work?
As far as the benefits of intermittent fasting go, one study found that it helped people lose a “modest” amount of weight and also lowered their blood pressure. “It’s suspected that the reason it helps people lose weight is that eating within an eight-hour window simply limits the total amount of calories consumed in a day,” New York-based nutritionist Lauren Harris-Pincus, RD, tells Health. “But ultimately, the only way to lose weight is to create a caloric deficit where you consume fewer calories than you expend.”
RELATED: What to Know About the Snake Diet, an Extreme Fasting Plan for Weight Loss
Is the 16:8 diet good for you?
Some advocates of the 16:8 diet claim it helps control blood sugar levels and boost brain function, but there’s little scientific evidence to back these up. And if you don’t stick to nutritious food during the eight-hour window, any positive effects are quickly negated. In other words, 16 hours of fasting doesn’t compensate for eight hours of stuffing your face with junk food.
For the best results, you should be careful about your choice of eating window. According to Freirich, it should start early in the day, preferably no later than about 10 a.m., and finish early in the evening. “This allows for the energy you consume during your eating window to serve your activities throughout the day, plus it’s in line with our natural circadian rhythms, presuming you wake up around 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.,” she explains. If you choose a much later eating window, say 4 p.m. to 12 a.m, you could actually see weight gain, she warns.
Wait... is celery allowed during fasting? Doesn’t it have some calories?
Aniston also told Radio Times that she likes to start her day with a celery juice around 9 a.m., which some fasting purists might not agree with. (Typically, intermittent fasting permits nothing but water, tea, or coffee for the entire 16-hour fasting period). “There are no super specific rules to intermittent fasting, however, having anything with calories like celery juice is technically not fasting,” confirms Harris-Pincus.
But hey, it’s not as if Aniston’s having soda for breakfast. And she’s not the only one to extol the virtues of celery juice—it seems like every social media influencer is celebrating the green stuff right now.
Any magical health benefits of celery juice are exaggerated “beyond the fact [that] it’s a vegetable,” says Harris-Pincus. Yet if it works for you, go for it. “I always tell clients that if they like celery juice, then have some,” she adds. “Make half of your food volume fruits and veggies, and you’re good to go.”
RELATED: What Is Alternate-Day Fasting, and Is It Even Safe? Here's What Nutritionists Have to Say
Is there anyone who shouldn’t do intermittent fasting?
The 16:8 diet isn’t suitable for everyone. Freirich doesn't advise it for people with diabetes or problems with low blood pressure or low blood sugar, as well as children, athletes, and pregnant women. “These groups of people need food more consistently throughout the day or have high energy needs that are difficult to meet with time constraints,” she explains.
Are there any side effects to be aware of?
Intermittent fasting shouldn’t come with any nasty side effects, but—like all restrictive eating plans—it’s important to not let it take over your life. “Sometimes people shy away from social events because they interfere with the timing of the fast,” Harris-Pincus says. “I never recommend letting an eating behavior determine your interaction with friends, family, or coworkers.”
It’s also important to pay attention to exercise in relation to fasting. Harris-Pincus warns against exercising while fasting or waiting several hours after exercising to eat your first meal. “You want to feed those muscles and replenish carbohydrate stores after an intense workout,” she says.
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Jennifer Aniston Says She's on the 16:8 Intermittent Fasting Diet—But What Is That?
Let’s face it, we all want the Jennifer Aniston glow. Does this woman ever not look like she’s just walked out of a wellness retreat? Clearly, she knows a thing or two about health and well-being, and she’s finally sharing some of her secrets.
In an interview with UK magazine Radio Times during the promo trail for her new Apple TV+ show The Morning Show, Aniston revealed that she’s a big fan of intermittent fasting, particularly a version called the 16:8 diet.
“I do intermittent fasting, so no food in the morning. I noticed a big difference in going without solid food for 16 hours,” she said, per CNBC.
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Aniston’s preferred way of intermittent fasting limits her eating time window to eight hours per day, while fasting for the other 16 hours, Tanya B. Freirich, MS, RD, New York-based nutritionist and registered dietitian for Sweet Nova, tells Health. Other types of intermittent fasting diets include the 5:2 diet, which involves fasting for two nonconsecutive days each week and eating without restrictions on the other five days. There's also the OMAD—or one meal a day—diet.
Intermittent fasting has become increasingly popular, and it's easy to see why. For starters, there's no prescribed calorie limit, which means no crunching numbers and relying on calorie counting guides before eating. But what else is involved in the 16:8 eating plan and similar fasts, and are they actually safe? Here's what nutrition experts have to say.
Does the 16:8 intermittent fast diet actually work?
As far as the benefits of intermittent fasting go, one study found that it helped people lose a “modest” amount of weight and also lowered their blood pressure. “It’s suspected that the reason it helps people lose weight is that eating within an eight-hour window simply limits the total amount of calories consumed in a day,” New York-based nutritionist Lauren Harris-Pincus, RD, tells Health. “But ultimately, the only way to lose weight is to create a caloric deficit where you consume fewer calories than you expend.”
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Is the 16:8 diet good for you?
Some advocates of the 16:8 diet claim it helps control blood sugar levels and boost brain function, but there’s little scientific evidence to back these up. And if you don’t stick to nutritious food during the eight-hour window, any positive effects are quickly negated. In other words, 16 hours of fasting doesn’t compensate for eight hours of stuffing your face with junk food.
For the best results, you should be careful about your choice of eating window. According to Freirich, it should start early in the day, preferably no later than about 10 a.m., and finish early in the evening. “This allows for the energy you consume during your eating window to serve your activities throughout the day, plus it’s in line with our natural circadian rhythms, presuming you wake up around 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.,” she explains. If you choose a much later eating window, say 4 p.m. to 12 a.m, you could actually see weight gain, she warns.
Wait... is celery allowed during fasting? Doesn’t it have some calories?
Aniston also told Radio Times that she likes to start her day with a celery juice around 9 a.m., which some fasting purists might not agree with. (Typically, intermittent fasting permits nothing but water, tea, or coffee for the entire 16-hour fasting period). “There are no super specific rules to intermittent fasting, however, having anything with calories like celery juice is technically not fasting,” confirms Harris-Pincus.
But hey, it’s not as if Aniston’s having soda for breakfast. And she’s not the only one to extol the virtues of celery juice—it seems like every social media influencer is celebrating the green stuff right now.
Any magical health benefits of celery juice are exaggerated “beyond the fact [that] it’s a vegetable,” says Harris-Pincus. Yet if it works for you, go for it. “I always tell clients that if they like celery juice, then have some,” she adds. “Make half of your food volume fruits and veggies, and you’re good to go.”
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Is there anyone who shouldn’t do intermittent fasting?
The 16:8 diet isn’t suitable for everyone. Freirich doesn't advise it for people with diabetes or problems with low blood pressure or low blood sugar, as well as children, athletes, and pregnant women. “These groups of people need food more consistently throughout the day or have high energy needs that are difficult to meet with time constraints,” she explains.
Are there any side effects to be aware of?
Intermittent fasting shouldn’t come with any nasty side effects, but—like all restrictive eating plans—it’s important to not let it take over your life. “Sometimes people shy away from social events because they interfere with the timing of the fast,” Harris-Pincus says. “I never recommend letting an eating behavior determine your interaction with friends, family, or coworkers.”
It’s also important to pay attention to exercise in relation to fasting. Harris-Pincus warns against exercising while fasting or waiting several hours after exercising to eat your first meal. “You want to feed those muscles and replenish carbohydrate stores after an intense workout,” she says.
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One-song workout: Señorita (Abs and core)
This is a one-song abs and core workout to Shaun Mendes’ “Señorita.” Get a great workout at home in 3 minutes. All you need is your own body weight, an optional dumbbell, and a mat. For even more fun, combine this workout with the legs one-song workout I posted a couple of weeks ago, this HIIT and legs workout and this back and biceps one-song workout.
Hi friends! How’s the week going? It’s been a great one over here. My MIL gets into town today and we’re celebrating the Pilot’s birthday tonight. His birthday is tomorrow (!) and P’s birthday is Saturday. I can’t believe she’ll be 4. *cries*
For today, I have a new one-song workout for ya! These haven’t gotten a huge response here on the blog, but they’ve been popular on IG. If you’d like me to keep posting them on the blog, please let me know! If you’d prefer to see this kind of content on IG, I can keep it over there. I have a hard time figuring out what type of content does best where, and since I’m doing so many things right now (especially with the podcast and videos), it’s been a little tricky trying to sort everything. Please let me know what you’d like.
This ab routine is to “Señorita,” which was easily one of the catchiest songs of the summer. It cracks me up when the girls sing it… and know all the words.
In the video, I’ve included some postpartum modifications for the chorus. You can do the entire chorus with your hands against the wall or a countertop (modifying your plank) so you decrease the intra-abdominal pressure.
Here’s what the workout looks like:
and here’s the full follow-along video! It’s a fun one.
One-song workout to Señorita:
Have a happy Wednesday and I’ll see ya in the morning!
xo
Gina
Wearing: Beyond Yoga leggings, Carbon 38 tank, APL sneakers
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What it’s like being a Beautycounter consultant (and is it worth it?)
Hi friends! For today’s post, I’m chatting about what it’s like to be a Beautycounter consultant, how it contributes to my income, and if I think it’s worth it.
I live each day of my life very much aware that the blog could die at any second. So, I like to plan accordingly and diversify my income as much as possible. With my online business, I have a few different revenue streams: ad revenue, brand partnerships, affiliate income (the highest contributor to my blog-related revenue), product sales (Post Baby Bod, Fit Guides, HIIT Bootcamp, etc), and Beautycounter. I can usually count on Beautycounter for a solid contribution, which fluctuates a bit depending on promos and the time of year.
My online business income pie looks something like this:
If sponsored partnerships are slow that month, other revenue sources will usually fill in the gap.
Why I like working as a Beautycounter consultant:
– It’s an important mission that I’m proud to stand behind. Beautycounter is a B-corp, which means they treat their employees and the planet with care. They’re lobbying to make huge changes to the beauty industry as a whole. Their goal isn’t for everyone to be only wearing Beautycounter. Their goal is for consumers to be able to walk into any store, like a Nordstrom, CVS, or Sephora, and have the peace of mind that ALL products on the shelf are made without toxic chemicals and endocrine disruptors.
– The products are really good, which is what convinced me to join. I’m super picky about makeup and skincare and after waiting maybe a year to go for it, I was SO glad I did! I tried the facial oils and was instantly hooked. There are so many products I use regularly and love dearly, like the color intense lipstick, the overnight peel, brow gel, dew skin, and supreme cream.
– You can put as little into it or as much into it as you want. The beauty about this business is that it can be a full-time job, or a low-key side hustle. It’s really what you want to put into it, and how much manpower you’d like to devote. Realistically, I spend 1-3 hours a week on Beautycounter. (Worth mentioning that I have an AMAZING assistant who helps me send out thank-you notes and goodie packs to customers!) Even though I don’t have a ton of Beautycounter time to devote with the content creation and behind-the-scenes blog work I do, it’s still been an awesome opportunity for me and so worth it.
– It gives me another way to chat and connect with you all. It’s always fun to gab with a girlfriend about fave skincare and makeup products, and I love sharing recommendations. I’ve also met some amazing friends through the Beautycounter community! Everyone is so kind and helpful (especially through our Facebook group) and I feel so thankful for my Beautycounter friends.
– The commission. We get 25-35% of all sales, plus extra bonuses and incentives.
What I don’t like about being a Beautycounter consultant:
– The negative connotations about MLMs. I totally get that people hate MLMs because they can feel slimy and gross. We’ve all had that weird experience when some rando from high school messages you on Facebook and is like, “I know you haven’t talked to me for years, but I have an opportunity that you’d be perfect for!” Technically, Beautycounter is direct sales. We do make a very small commission off those who sign up on our team (4-9%) but it’s also like that in the affiliate world. If I refer an affiliate to use the platform I use for my affiliate links, I also get a small commission. Our customers are able to shop through the platform like a regular e-commerce experience. They aren’t required to purchase from a consultant, and don’t have to become a member or be on a monthly autoship. You can read more about what makes Beautycounter different here.
– I don’t love ALL of the products. I’m happy to tell you that I think their mascara and eyeliner are terrible. I also don’t like the Countermatch collection as much (but do love the adaptive moisture body lotion). I think this would happen with any brand, but there are way more things that I love that the small handful I don’t.
Do you have to hit monthly sales goals as a Beautycounter consultant?
Nope! They ask that you do $1250 in sales in 6 months to maintain consultant status. This is so that people don’t sign up to simply get the discount and you are actually interested in sharing the products with others. This includes your own purchases and is very easy to hit in 6 months. If for any reason you don’t hit it, there’s no penalty. You just become a Band of Beauty member instead of consultant.
Do consultants get a discount?
Yes! We get 25% off and also special holiday bundle presale options and the chance to try new products first.
What are other perks or benefits?
Beautycounter does some fabulous incentive packages and trips. I was able to attend the LEAD conference for Directors this year and also have received gorgeous gifts from the company for hitting my goals. These aren’t required and are just fun extra incentives.
I think that’s it! If you have any questions about consulting, please feel free to hit me up via email (gina@fitnessista.com) or in the comments below. I’m happy to chat and share if I think it would be a fit!
Hope you have a great day and I’ll see ya soon.
Tell me friends: what’s the most random job you’ve ever had? What’s something you LOVE about your job right now?
xoxo
Gina
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can’t stay away
Hi friends! Happy Monday! How was the weekend? I hope you had a great one!
We’re back from a quick fall break trip to San Diego and Anaheim. A couple of months ago, I remembered that the girls had days off school, so I booked some plane tickets with Southwest miles for a little getaway. It was a special treat that the Pilot was able to join us for a night. It’s crazy because he can hop on any flight (just has to reserve a spot through an app!) and even though it’s standby basis, if you choose flights wisely, it works out. He had to leave early Thursday morning for his own flights, but we were so happy to spend a night at the beach with him!
Thursday morning, the girls and I grabbed breakfast at Better Buzz and hit the road to Anaheim. It’s such a quick and easy drive from San Diego, and it’s a fun way to split up the trip. We checked into the hotel and hit up the parks for the rest of the day before grabbing dinner at Downtown Disney.
While we were in Tucson getting ready for our trip, Liv started talking about all of the crazy rides she wanted to go on. I knew she would be fine if we had to do more low-key rides with P – we’ve done it before at Disney World when it was just the 3 of us – but I kind of wished I had another adult that could swap out with me if only one kid wanted to do something. On a whim, I texted our San Diego babysitter to see if she’d be down for a Disney trip with us. She immediately texted back and said she was in! It was SO perfect!! She’s like a part of our family – we all cried when we left San Diego because she’d been helping us with the girls for two years – and she visited us for a couple of weeks when we were in Georgia. It was so awesome to hang out with her again and the girls were PUMPED.
(The girls’ Anna, Jasmine, and Elena dresses are all from this site, Placard Originals. She makes the most gorgeous play-quality princess dresses! The only kicker is that you have to be online right when each one launches because they sell out immediately.)
Liv ended up not being in a “crazy ride” kinda mood while we were there, but P, the little daredevil, wanted to ride everything she was tall enough to go on. (And she’s super tall for her age haha.) Ari and I switched off taking the girls on the rides they wanted to ride, rode all of the rides we could do together, and also got fast passes for the rides we wanted to go on! We each got to do Splash Mountain and Indiana Jones by ourselves and Ari did the Guardians of the Galaxy ride. (Note for fast passes: don’t get fast passes for everyone in your party if only one kid wants to ride the ride! You can do a “rider swap” where one adult takes the kid, and the other stays with another child, and then you swap out. You can read about how to hack this here along with my tips for Disney World with two small kids.) In between rides, character greetings, and shows, we ate all the delicious Disney food (dinner at Goofy’s Kitchen has become one of our faves), had the best Micheladas at California Adventure, and shopped a bit.
(Worth noting that we didn’t stay at our usual spot, the Hilton Anaheim, because it was booked way in advance. I used Hotwire’s Hot Rate, which is code for, “Tricked ya, MOFOS!” 10/10 would not recommend. It doesn’t let you see the hotel in advance, and it’s non-refundable. The website claimed it would be similar to a Hilton or Intercontinental and the Anaheim Hotel is….not. It smelled like the entire property had swam in an ocean of Febreeze and all of the rooms were outdoor. It ended up not being a huge deal because when you’re at Disney, you just go to the hotel to sleep, but definitely will not trust the Hot Rate thing again.)
We drove back to San Diego, dropped off Ari, checked into our third hotel of the trip (Courtyard Marriott in Liberty Station and it felt like a Four Seasons after our Anaheim experience lol), and then met Betsy and her fam for pizza at Venetian. We chatted it up over some wine and amazing Mediterranean salads while the kiddos ate pizza, and we followed it up with ice cream at Baskin Robbins. The girls and I headed back to the hotel and called it a night! They ended up sleeping until 8am almost every day of the trip and it.was.glorious. I’m sure school wakeup this morning will be a little rough.
The next morning, the girls and I had breakfast buffet at the hotel, then went to some of our favorite spots. I got in a workout at Point Loma Sports Club aka the best gym ever. This is one of the spots where I taught in SD, and they have a gorgeous facility, brand-new equipment (everything you could want!!) and the kindest people. I haven’t felt a gym that’s given me the same vibe since we’ve been back in Tucson (except maybe the base gym and it’s pretty far from our house) and I think it’s a big reason why I haven’t been lifting very many weights on my own lately. It felt good to walk in and feel so motivated! Here’s what I did:
After my workout, we played at the park in Liberty Station for about an hour, then one more stop at Better Buzz before heading to the airport.
While we were in San Diego, I got quite a few DMs asking me if we were planning on moving back. The Pilot and I talk about it a LOT and each time we go back, it feels like we live there again. For now, it’s so nice being in Tucson, especially since we’re close to family (!!) but in a few years, we might consider heading back that way. If anything, it will continue to be a frequent vacation spot. We just love it too much.
This morning, it’s back to the swing of things over here! I’m jumping right back in: two drafts due today, a conference call, lots of behind-the scenes blog work that went untouched all weekend, and party planning for the Pilot and P.
I hope you have a happy Monday and I’ll see ya soon! Thanks for stopping by the blog today.
xo
Gina
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