If you know me, you know how much I love sweetgreen. I used to drive all the way to Ardmore just for a salad! So I was thrilled when I heard that we were getting a sweetgreen in Wayne. Have you been to the new store yet? It’s open and spacious, with a clean and modern feel inside. There are more tables in this larger store than any other nearby location. So you can sit and stay for a bit without feeling the pressure of waiting diners. In fact, you may find me posted up in there working on my next blog article.

It’s the fastest growing sport in our country and it’s taken me this long to give it a try? I know. I am ashamed. My tennis teacher, Tyler Stroyek, talks about his love for Pickleball at least once during every tennis lesson I take with him. So he finally convinced me to give it a try. Of course, I had to bring some friends along. And it was very easy to find some eager Pickleball newbies, like myself. Our clinic sold out in an hour.

Golf clothes can be fun yet challenging. And, I’m always up for a good challenge. Most courses have pretty strict dress codes. While some areas of our country have moved away from such requirements, around here, those dress codes are pretty much still in place. So yeah, it’s a challenge to find cute and functional clothes that meet those requirements. But guess what? We have more options than ever before. Check out some of my favorites for on and off the course!

This month marks the one year anniversary since I launched the blog. It started with just athleisure, expanded into creating a fitness community, and grew into something that supported local small businesses. Fitness Finds on the Main Line (and Beyond) is now a complete healthy lifestyle blog. It’s not just for the fitness enthusiasts. It’s for anyone looking to get some inspiration to get moving or live a healthier life, whatever that looks like for you! I decided to celebrate by taking a look back on the past year.

All the brands are jumping on the activewear train as of late. There is so much variety out there now that it makes my job really fun. Brands we know and love have recently launched new activewear lines. And I was thrilled to learn that one of my favorite sustainable clothing and accessory brands had also jumped on board!

My friend, Liz Patterson, is back to help me test out a few more introductory programs in the area. This time, we visited Pure Barre Main Line and The Edge Fitness Clubs to take their “foundations” classes. Learn all about these specialized starter classes.

My brave and adventurous buddy Liz, who is looking to leave her home gym and get out there again, has been letting me drag her all over the Main Line to take a bunch of introductory classes. Liz was already pretty well-versed with yoga so I needed to find a newbie for this next program… enter… ME! I enrolled in the Starter Series at Verge Yoga last month. Learn all about this program, as well as where to go to learn how to use the Pilates reformer.

Come along with me and my friend, Liz, as we visit various studios on the Main Line to experience their starter programs. First up, Tribe Main Line.

If you have been following along you know how much I adore Kristin Bouquist; how much I live for her Cardio Party classes at Lifetime; and how much I lack any dancing ability. So of course, I could not finish the month of virtual classes without inviting Kristin to bring it with KBO Fitness, her virtual workout platform. And when I say “bring it”, I truly mean those words because no one else brings it quite like this woman.

Last month, when we were in the hospital with my son for two weeks with severe RSV, my friend bought me and Caleb the cutest and softest pj’s for our return home. I hesitate to even call them pajamas because they are too cute to wear at night only. Learn about Softsies and how your purchase will help raise money for Nemours Children’s Hospital.

Improving my shadow boxing skills is on the list of my fitness goals for 2022. One of the reasons is that my friend, Jen Crompton, is so impressive when she teaches her signature Boxing and Beats class. For now, I am more than happy to take her class virtually because of how ridiculous I look (half the time I spend laughing at myself). But I want to be ready for the day Jen is able to hold these classes in person again. Boxing is a great cardio workout plus it keeps you on your toes (both literally and figuratively) as you move through the combinations. Join me and Jen this Sunday, January 23, at 10:00 am for the next virtual class.

January is about setting intentions and goals and hopefully trying something new. This year, for me, I want to try Reiki. Until last year, I had never even heard the word. Now, I can't stop hearing it. It could be because it’s gaining popularity as we are all turning inward to find peace and calmness in a very unsettled world. But for me, it could also be because my good friend, Angela Sipe, got her certifications to become a Reiki Master Practitioner and started her own practice this year. And Angela’s private Reiki sessions have been selling out every month since she launched her company, 81st and James. So I had to get Angela (partially for my own benefit) to speak about Reiki, and of course, have her do a little distance Reiki with you all.

I owe a lot to the ladies at Working Wellness Yoga. For one, WWY co-founder, Amy Orcutt, reintroduced me to yoga. So for this coming week’s virtual class, I asked Amy to teach one of her signature Power Flow classes. You all can see exactly what I am talking about when I say that you can feel both powerful and peaceful at the same time when you practice yoga.

Whenever people ask about motivation, I always have the same response: Find something you enjoy. Then it’s easy to stay motivated! This will make all the difference in your success in meeting your fitness goals. So for the new year, I am introducing two new workouts that I thoroughly enjoy and plan to do more of in 2022. Give them a try. You may also surprise yourself and find a new found love, like I did.

It’s that time of year that we look back and reflect on the past year so I’d like to contribute with a little recap of my own, Fitness Finds style. I wore a lot of activewear in 2021. So here are my top 3 picks from 2021, plus a bonus pick at the end.

If there was ever a time to get “fancy” with your activewear, December is it. I know it sounds a little (actually, a lot) ridiculous to say fancy and activewear in the same sentence, but activewear has become so much more than just the clothes to sweat in. We are basically living in these pieces now, so why not make them a little special during the holidays? And when you see what I picked out, I think you will agree with me that fancy activewear is actually pretty fabulous.

As always, shopping local this time of year is a great way to go. And all of these options have origins here on the Main Line or in the Philadelphia area. We have such talent out here so why not support our neighbors!

I have put together a list of toys that do offer real health benefits. These gifts will be sure to get your kiddies off the screens and away from the controllers. They will be up and moving and having a blast while benefitting their overall health and wellness.

Even the best gift giver can become overwhelmed this time of year. Whether shopping for a fitness enthusiastic, a fitness novice or someone who has active goals for the new year, there are gifts here for you and everyone on your list. So use this list to shop for others, or pass it along (with arrows and circles) to those who buy for you. Volume 1 of my Gift Guide includes fit gifts for the Tech Lover, Rest and Recovery Days and Stocking Stuffers.

The holidays are all about special gift items. It’s the time of year when we spend a little more for sparkle, limited edition items and those things that we have coveted all year long. And I cannot think of anything more special than my favorite local, activewear brand coming out with a children’s line so little girls can match their mamas on the tennis court! I literally squealed with delight when Club & Court’s co-founder, Lara Evans, told me that she was designing a children’s line a few months ago. And I squealed yet again when my little girl first put on these to-die-for creations.