Hypokinetic Disease: An Epidemic of Sitting

We’re stuck. Confined in chairs and limited to a few dozen steps a day, we have imprisoned ourselves. Our insides are bloated, inflamed, and frazzled. Our coiled bodies trap stifled emotions, frenetic minds, and thwarted spirits. Slouched in spineless lethargy, we stare and poke at screens. Reality-based bodies suggest all our imperfections while commercials entice with mouth-watering yet toxic “food.” Numb and dazed, we forget our basic needs. As if sleep, real sustenance, movement, and fresh air are outdated vestiges. � Continue reading →

The Image of Fitness: Can You Exercise to Achieve the Perfect Body?

My social media feed regularly spouts pornographic images of, chiseled bodies called “Fitspo”. Short for “fit inspiration,” the photos sometimes include messages about discipline, pushing your limits, and empowerment. So why do these images irritate me? Apparently, fitness boils down to looking good in a bikini. The epitome of the female body shifts with each historical era and the muscled physique appears to be a current ideal. The commercialized homogeneity imposes a rigid definition of beauty and contorts our self � Continue reading →

Are You Fit to Serve?: Enlisting into Parenthood

Traditionally the question, “Are you fit to serve?” scrutinized young men’s grit to execute their country’s military agenda. During the birth of my second niece I considered fitness and service very different context: parenthood. Instead of battling into an idealized body or fighting an opponent, what about training the body and mind to nurture? As Clif Bar’s perinatal yoga teacher I’ve witness the unique path women take into motherhood. Although I’m not yet a mom, watching my friends and clients has revealed � Continue reading →

How Do You Perform?

The words “perform” and “performance” permeate fitness lexicon. When justifying techniques or tools to improve performance what are we talking about? Let’s consult the dictionary: (To inspire reading comprehension look for the part about sex.) Perform: verb 1 carry out, accomplish, or fulfill (an action, task, or function) • work, function, or do something to a specified standard • (of an investment) yield a profitable return • [informal] have successful or satisfactory sexual intercourse with someone. 2 present (a form � Continue reading →

The Only Fitness Goal: Take Care of My Crap

The fitness industry always promotes goals. The bikini body. The final score. Achieving “results” constantly invokes finite competition. As if one day we cross a finish line, arrive at perfection, and no longer need to exercise. No such luck. I want to win this game: Make it to 95 years old. Wake up energized. Walk to the bathroom. Squat on the toilet. Take a triumphant poop. Wipe myself. Stand up. Wash my hands. Head out into a productive day. Actually, that is pretty much � Continue reading →

(Re)Defining Functional Fitness

What does the nebulous buzzword “functional fitness” mean? It’s volleyed around in debates about what exercises have real-life application and what is completely frivolous. Many fitness professionals assert that fitness functions to achieve “results.” Sometime in the future, you could achieve weight loss, lower your blood pressure, or build strong muscles. I propose reverse engineering instead. Start by asking, what do those results represent? If you lost weight, would you feel hot? If your blood pressure decreased would you feel � Continue reading →

If it’s physical, it’s therapy.

A few weeks ago I participated in a MovNat course in Thailand. The experience gave me so much to chew on (more than just their recommend Paleo diet.) MovNat defines 13 movement capacities that we should train for our survival. Their website explains: Human beings possess locomotive skills such as walking, running, jumping, balancing, crawling, climbing, or swimming. In addition to locomotive skills, human beings also utilize manipulative skills such as lifting, carrying, throwing, and catching, and combative skills, such � Continue reading →

My Beach Vacation at Caveman Bootcamp

I’m back from three weeks in Southeast Asia. Between the chaotic streets of Bangkok and sobering reality of Cambodia, I took a MovNat course on primitive movement. So, how was it? Gritty. On an island in Thailand, we studied how to lift large logs, climb trees, balance across high branches, swim in the ocean, run barefoot, defend ourselves, and much more. Our tropical, outdoor “gym” didn’t present flat terrains, measured weights or handles designed to fit our hands. Instead we traversed � Continue reading →

Livin’ la Vida Paleo

In March, I’m off to caveman boot camp in Thailand. I’ll climb up trees, crawl through the jungle, sprint across the beach, and eat the Paleo diet to reclaim hunter/gather fitness. The organization, MovNat, that conducts these trainings intrigues me with their return-to-your-roots philosophy. This course could shift my training, the arch of my book, and my concept of movement. As I prepare for my trip, I have so many questions. Do we want to recreate the past? Personally, I’m very � Continue reading →

Old-Fashioned Health and Hotness

Do you dislike your nose, height, hair color, or waistline? You can buy myriad “fixes” for your flawed body: plastic surgery, lifting shoes, hair dye, or decades of diets. Here is another idea: take the issue up with your ancestors. Instead of consuming an external solution, turn inward. Your genes reveal your lineage. Your very existence proves that your forebearers did more than survived. They were hot enough to get it on. Listen closely to your DNA, you may hear � Continue reading →

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