Is September is the New January?

Recently I was reading a blog post by one of my favorite authors and self help gurus, Gretchen Rubin. She discusses September as another January, a clean slate on which we can write new possibilities. To many of us, September IS like January. Through years of schooling we have been conditioned to think of September as a chance for renewal. Our vacations are over, a new season is upon us. Is this September different? Our lives have been upended for six months now. I know I have gone through peaks and valleys of my mood, my eating and my exercise motivation. Last year at this time I was training for the Gulf Coast Half Marathon with my daughter, feeling lean and fit and strong. Now it feels like every run is LONG enough. But while September will more than likely not return us to the life we knew before quarantine, I BELIEVE we can use it as a beginning. To begin to refocus on some of the things we may have let fall to the wayside as we began to suffer from quarantine fatigue. September FEELS like a good time to make a RESET. Perhaps with the change of temperature, we can get outdoors and exercise more, maybe meet a friend for a social distancing exercise session. With the onset of autumn vegetables, maybe we can be motivated to try new, healthy recipes and focus on the weight we wanted to lose when the change of habits in quarantine interrupted us. Perhaps we can add the virtual workout that we have lacked the motivation to find the time and space for, whether it is a class or a private session. Whatever the change you want to make now that we have seen the summer go by, in the words of Gretchen Rubin, “ September gives the same feeling of an empty calendar and a clean slate”. The air seems charged with possibility and renewal.” I am going to challenge myself, and I encourage you to challenge yourself, to add something to make your life healthier and happier. And, as always, I am here to help you in any way you need. Think about it.

Link to the original post by Gretchen Rubin:

https://www.betterapp.us/posts/7882769?notification_id=888754193&utm_campaign=notification_space_post_create_notify_all&utm_medium=email&utm_source=transactional_emails

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It's Never Too Late!

This morning a client sent me this quote from F Scott Fitzgerald (although there is some debate who actually said this originally). This quote struck me as so relevant to the times we are living in. Having been working with many of you over the past 18 weeks of “quarantine life” I know that many people have felt as if their life has been put on hold. Many people have been waiting for the gyms to open to get their healthy lifestyles back. They are waiting for the time to be right to focus on their nutrition, waiting until covid-19 is under control to quit drinking, quit smoking, get to bed earlier, start meditating, etc. Well, it does not look like our lives will be quite normal for the foreseeable future! So if you have been “WAITING” for the time to be RIGHT, now may be the RIGHT time for you to make a positive change in your life for your health’s sake. While APF is not open for IN PERSON training, we are still taking on clients virtually for training or coaching . Health coaching is a great benefit for those of you who may be having a hard time staying motivated and sticking to your plan on your own. Paulo & I still do not know when we will feel comfortable opening the doors to our gym given that we cannot even get our kids in school here in Virginia but we are working daily to make our clients lives healthier and happier. Let us know if we can help you.

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WEEK 7: Text Necks & Zoom Butts

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Happy Monday!

Today is a beautiful day here in Northern Virginia. The kind that makes you forget we are under quarantine and just want to go out. But, we still need to stay home to keep everyone safe. Soon, soon, soon..

Speaking of health, a few things have been coming up in conversation with my virtual clients. One of those is increased neck pain and complaints of sciatica and general hip, glute and low back tightness. Many of us, even those of us who had desk jobs before, are spending increasing time looking at a screen and SITTING! Paulo and myself included. There are a few things we need to do to counteract our increased dependency on our screens.

  1. Change your positions frequently. Sit for one meeting, stand for another, walk around your house or your yard while you are on a phone call. If you have a stationary piece of equipment (treadmill or bike, e.g.) pedal or walk slowly while on your call. Our desks at work are usually ergonomic but not always so at home.

  2. Try to set up a standing desk (even a make shift…see Paulo’s photo!) and avoid sitting on hard chairs with no cushion.

  3. When you do sit, make sure you sit straight, trying not to cross your legs. Set up your screen so you can hold your head as straight as possible.

  4. MOVE! Try to take a walk daily, do some squats, reach side to side. Step side to side while reaching the arms out. Roll the shoulders forward and back. On our website there is a great “wake up the body” video. (https://www.arlingtonpersonalfitness.com/videos)

  5. STRETCH. Take breaks and stretch out the upper body. Reach back and open the chest. Take the ear to the shoulder. Put your hands on a desk or counter and drop your chest to stretch your shoulders. Lie on the floor with a towel rolled under your neck to let your neck muscles relax. Stretch your glutes & hamstrings frequently. (Glutes: cross your ankle on your knee and hinge your upper body forward. Hamstrings: prop your heel up on a step and lean your upper body toward the heel. ) There are also pictures of stretches on our website. (https://www.arlingtonpersonalfitness.com/videos) If you need a few more examples, just let us know. Our Monday 8:30 am Virtual Core Class is a great way to get your body moving to start the week.

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. In the wise words of Cleo Wade:

May all of your vibes say: I got this.

Quarantine Enters Week 4

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  Happy Monday!

As we enter week 4 of social distancing, I am finding that I do much better when I set a schedule for the day ahead.  I schedule my runs, workouts & dog walks around my virtual clients and classes.  Each morning I check my schedule and  make a list of to do’s involving the business and housework but also making sure I set aside time for reading, needlework and cooking as these are the things that give me pleasure in my leisure time.  I have listened to many of you who are also trying to maintain a sense of normalcy in these uncertain times.  A lot of you have suggested that the one of the hardest things is to continue their habits of drinking enough water and not snacking too much or on foods that should be minimized.

While reading Gretchen Rubin (www.gretchenrubin.com) last week I came across her tips to curb snacking while quarantined.  I loved them so much, I am going to share them here.

  1. Monitoring: Track your Snacks!  Measure before you eat!

  2. Inconvenience: The less convenient snacking is, the less likely we are to do it. (Keep snacks in closed containers, up in your pantry, in the back of the fridge.  If some one in your house is eating your weakness, move to a different room!)

  3. Abstaining: For some of us, it is easier to give something up altogether rather than                  indulge in moderation.

  4. Distraction: Wait 15 minutes; your craving will pass and you are likely to get absorbed in another activity. 

  5. Scheduling: Pick a special time to enjoy your favorite snack

  6. Accountability: Tell someone else what you are eating and drinking

  7. Loophole-spotting: Watch out for ways you might be excusing unhealthy behavior.


Please let us know how else we can help during these uncertain times.  If you have not joined us for a virtual workout, please do!  It is working very well for so many of our clients, friends & family across the globe! No previous experience required, all levels welcome!

Our Virtual Class Schedule (no equipment necessary!) is as follows:

  1. Monday 8:30 Core Boot Camp

  2. Wednesday 4pm HIIT Boot Camp

  3. Saturday 9am HIIT Boot Camp

You can register right on our website!

Virtual Hugs,
Stephanie