It’s pretty wonderful to hear that a new studio is opening. I just haven’t heard it in a really, really long time. With all that the fitness industry (and so many other industries) have had to deal with over the past 20 months, closings unfortunately, are far more common. When I started this blog last April, I had hopes of being able to share new studio openings with this audience. And almost eight months later, I am finally able to write about one! And I could not be happier that I get to write about Lisa Werny’s new yoga studio, Evolve Yoga and Beyond.

I absolutely hate being cold. But, I have learned that in order to make cold weather activities actually enjoyable, proper cold weather gear really matters. As soon as I bought the right clothes and cold weather accessories, running in the winter was a pretty awesome and exhilarating thing. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been doing some shopping research to find the best cold weather gear from some of my favorite activewear brands. The function and style of these technical winter pieces are on point! And, I’m just in time with this post because we said good bye to those fall summer-like temps to welcome 40 degree days this week!

Activewear has not only taken over my life (in the best way), but it’s completely taken over my closet. The leggings started to spill over my shelves, the bras out of my drawers, and eventually, everything landed on my closet floor where I was recently just pulling from piles. This was not ideal. Not to mention, it was impossible to find that darn high-waisted, camo, compressive legging that I wanted to wear for my run as I am rushing out the door! Lucky for me, my talented SIL, Devin, just launched her dream organizing business.

A chunky, cozy sweater has to be the best thing in my closet right now. I love a cardigan to throw on over anything. Literally, anything. Like your workout clothes! Seriously, a cardigan and a pair of boots can take you right from a yoga class to lunch. From pilates to the office. From boot camp to boot shopping. No time to shower and fuss? No problem. Who the heck has that kind of time anyway? A little dry shampoo, some mascara and a cardigan, and you are good to go. Here are some of my favorite post workout looks that will have you looking as fresh as if you just stepped out of the shower instead of the studio.

This Sunday morning, on October 17, a group of local runners and community members will congregate in the parking lot of Radnor Elementary School before 8:30 a.m. to take place in the 2nd Annual Run for the Cure. Run for the Cure is a high school student run 5K that raises money for breastcancer.org. And like most fundraising events for breast cancer that take place this month, this 5K comes with a story. A story that is close to the Radnor High School community.

Now that I am training for a few races this fall, I am running 4 days (soon to be 5) and strength training 2 days a week. That leaves me with one really treasured, much anticipated day of rest. I pick Sundays as my day to recover because I do my long runs on Saturdays. Also, Sundays are a great day to hang in my pj’s a little longer, sip my coffee a little slower, happily eat a big breakfast, indulge in something sweet and do the things I enjoy before rushing out the door… like every other morning of my week.

I’m rounding out the month of kids’ fitness finds with some of my favorite fitness related children’s books. If you follow my other Instagram account, you know that last year I took my home schooling duties very seriously. I am happy to have the real professionals back in charge of my kids’ education but last year had many wonderful (and challenging) gains in our house. One of which was the growth of our at-home library. A good book not only entertains but educates. I may have learned more than my kids last year! A few of my favorite additions to our at-home children’s library last year were books that focused on the incredible human body and mind. Learning to appreciate our bodies and be wowed by our own capabilities is a lesson we can all benefit from.

One of the biggest challenges that a busy routine brings is fitting in healthy meals. High protein and low sugar meals and snacks for the kids are more important than ever to get their brains focused for school and their muscles ready to work after school. But how can you make healthy quick meals happen when the kids are back to being so gosh darn busy?

I was pretty stoked when I saw that Allbirds added activewear to their product line. Since the Allbirds sneakers are an incredible, game changing product, I had to see if the activewear followed suit.

I knew that Pure Energy in Paoli had this awesome aerial yoga room in their studio. I have heard of aerial yoga but never had the chance to try it. So I thought that putting together a mother-daughter aerial yoga class would be a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with my 11 year old daughter and a group of her friends and mothers. Aerial yoga is a perfect activity for this group because all levels and ages can do the class together. The kids were into it because it’s really fun. The moms were there more for the yoga and the stretching but quickly learned how freeing the aerial tricks can be.

Yoga is one of those activities that can and should be added to any kind of training program. The benefits of yoga are countless. And when it comes to kids, there are specific benefits such as better muscle control, increased concentration, proper breathing, and developing flexibility and balance. So many middle school and high school sports teams are calling on the yoga instructors from Working Wellness Yoga to bring yoga onto their fields during practice to increase their athletes’ performance and prevent injury.

Rene Cammarata has a very specific and targeted program for elite student athletes, as well as entire high school teams across a wide array of sports. Local high school athletes come to IM Health to get stronger and faster during the off season and pre season, and to maintain power and strength and prevent injury in-season.

CrossFit Main Line has a very strong and supportive teen community, which is not at all surprising since CrossFit Main Line is built around their community. From the moment that I first emailed with Teen Coach, Wendi Wilson, her passion and commitment towards her kids was apparent. Sure, she could train the adults. But, coaching the kids and watching them hit milestones is why she does it.

C4 Performance Training and Fitness Studio in Devon teaches middle school and high school aged children the fundamentals of exercise and fitness to properly, safely and effectively train to achieve their various fitness-related goals.

To kick off the biggest back to school ever, I teamed up with Athleta in Bryn Mawr for a little back to school shopping event and fashion show. Athleta is all about empowering women and young girls to inspire, connect and support each other to reach their limitless potential. And there could not be a better message for our young ladies to hear. The girls were able to select whatever they wanted to wear in this fashion show. They could chose clothes to support their various activities and have their personalities shine through. Seeing what they each picked and hearing why they chose their outfits was a highlight of this event for me.

After my morning in Wayne., I headed down to Philly for the second part of my day. I was on my way to my heaven on earth: Rescue Spa in Rittenhouse. The last time I visited Rescue Spa was in the beginning of March 2020, for my 40th birthday, days before the world shut down. And man, how I have missed this place!

Well, it’s been a nice month of recovery! At the start of the month, I was recovering from breakthrough Covid, which was NOT part of the plan. But this month, I also managed to schedule those recovery days into my week, eat foods that helped to promote healing, wear new recovery footwear and the best part of my month— experiencing a variety of recovery treatments. So let’s jump right in because the month is almost over, and I saved the best for last!

I had no clue that recovery shoes were a thing until I was recently chatting with a friend who is training for her 9th marathon. She told me that her recovery shoes are a game changer while she trains and post race. I have never run a full marathon but I have done a few half marathons. And, at the end of each half, it’s always my feet that are in the most pain. So I can see how immediately stripping those sneakers that have carried you for the past 13 miles and putting on shoes that hug and cushion your feet can be a popular thing!

Last week I met Megan Robinson to embark on a nutrition journey with her. Megan is a Board Certified Specialist Sports Dietician and a Level 1 Certified RRCA Running Coach. She has been a distance runner her whole life so she understands first hand what is required to nourish the body when enduring such intensity in training. Megan works with athletes of all ages and levels. Some clients work with her solely for nutrition services. Some just for running. Her two practices clearly work well together so she often advises her clients on both nutrition and running. Her practice is very client focused and tailored to the individual needs of the person. I plan to work with her on both.