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Body Positivity in the Fitness Industry: An Interview with Carly Compton

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I’m ecstatic to share an in-depth and personal interview with someone I deeply look up to and have had the pleasure to work with. As co-facilitators at Project HEAL’s Communities of Healing program, she constantly inspires me to love and respect my body each and every day, and reminds me what it means to practice true self love and self-compassion.
Carly Compton is a model, fitness trainer, mentor, and coach, and I can’t wait for you to get up close and personal with her in this interview. She will explain the how and why behind her wellness company Paradise Fitness with Carly and how she practices body positivity within the fitness industry.
CARLY COMPTON model
Carly Compton from Paradise Fitness with Carly

ALI: What inspired you to start your own fitness brand?

CARLY: Despite being a multi-sport athlete and actively participating in things like yoga and hiking while growing up, I always hated my body. I struggled every single day to love my body and accept it for what it was even though it had always supported me and pushed me through difficult games, practices, drills, and other physical activities. Looking back, I believe the lack of representation I saw of my body type in popular media and especially in fitness played a huge role in fostering my insecurity, as did the diet and fitness industries that prey on your insecurities and always promise versions of a “better” you.

Throughout middle school and high school, I attempted every single diet and workout program, but none of them “worked” as I had wanted; my body wasn’t changing, and I was frustrated. My junior year of high school, I had a friend who was losing a lot of weight and getting a lot of attention for her “improved” looks. After asking what she was doing to get such visible results, I found out it was not because she had suddenly acquired a newfound passion for health and fitness but, rather, because she was bulimic. I immediately realized that I could do the same thing! I could lose weight and still eat in front of friends and family without them having any suspicion. 

After five long years of battling bulimia, I was constantly tired, my body was malnourished, I was over-exercising, my throat constantly hurt, and I was just tired of lying. I realized I could just no longer live that lifestyle and, instead of succumbing to societal expectations that were only negatively impacting my physical and mental health, I instead needed to fight the cause of my insecurities head-on. In my attempt to lose weight in order to become “more healthy,” I was actually the unhealthiest I had ever been. Throughout my recovery and afterward, I knew that I wanted to continue to exercise and properly fuel my body, but I also knew that I somehow had to do so without focusing on weight loss.

However, I did not know of any workout programs or nutrition guides that didn’t somehow have weight loss as an explicit or primary goal. I didn’t know of any trainers that weren’t going to ask me how much I weighed, how much weight I wanted to lose, and how quickly I wanted to do it. So, instead of relying on these toxic workout and nutrition plans that were counter to my actual goals, I created Paradise Fitness with Carly, an at-home workout and lifestyle program that helps individuals develop a HEALTHY relationship with food and exercise. Since recovering and changing my mindset toward physical activity and eating, my relationship with myself has never been better. I finally feel like I can truly be me.

CARLY COMPTON stretching

“Looking back, I believe the lack of representation I saw of my body type in popular media and especially in fitness played a huge role in fostering my insecurity…”

ALI: What is the mission behind Paradise Fitness with Carly?

CARLY: Paradise Fitness with Carly is, at its simplest, a lifestyle and way of thinking; it is everything I believe in and everything I hope to change about the fitness industry and its role in shaping society. The first thing that came about through Paradise Fitness with Carly was PFWC: At-Home Transformation, an at-home workout and lifestyle program that helps individuals develop a healthy relationship with food and exercise, but–most importantly–by starting with THEMSELVES. It takes the focus away from weight loss and shifts it toward strength, confidence, and self-love. The program consists of at-home high intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts that don’t require weights or equipment. This was VERY intentional. I wanted to create something that was convenient, low-stress, low-cost, and great for all levels. My mission behind PFWC: At-Home Transformation is to allow individuals to take back control of their lives, move their bodies how and when they want to, fuel their bodies without complete restriction, and work everyday on strengthening that self-love muscle. Recently, I’ve started the PFWC Podcast to talk about similar topics like this with like-minded people.

ALI: What is the hardest part of being a body positivity advocate within the fitness industry?

CARLY: Many people believe I am promoting an “unhealthy” lifestyle by promoting body positivity. This could not be further from the truth. Body positivity to me is accepting every person’s body for what it is. It is about representing minorities in size and color, acceptance and de-stigmatizing of fat bodies, desexualizing black and brown bodies, and eschewing the gender binary, among other things. These ideas that form the backbone of the body positive movement are directly translatable to the fitness industry. Healthy looks different on every body; there is not just one specific body type that represents healthy. Most of the fitness industry unfortunately relies on the complete opposite of this idea, that there is a singular “type” or societal standard that we should all strive to look like. My hope is to change that idea.

ALI: How do you see body positivity portrayed in the fitness industry – online and in-person?

CARLY: Body positivity in the fitness industry is about loving and accepting every body no matter one’s shape, size, color, and ethnicity, as well their own respective athletic ability. It is about showing that people can move their bodies and do amazing things no matter their abilities. For me, it’s so important to remind individuals that their body type shouldn’t stop them from doing what they love. The toxic sides of the fitness industry and society at large should not stop them from moving their bodies in whatever way makes them happy.

CARLY COMPTON by a basketball court
“When people look at me, they don’t see what they expect a “typical” healthy lifestyle coach to look like. They see my bigger body and just assume I’m “unhealthy,” which is an incorrect correlation we have been fed by the diet and fitness industry.”

ALI: What obstacles have you come up against within the fitness industry related to your body?

CARLY: I have been fat shamed by so many people. When people look at me, they don’t see what they expect a “typical” healthy lifestyle coach to look like. They see my bigger body and just assume I’m “unhealthy,” which is an incorrect correlation we have been fed by the diet and fitness industry. It can be hard at times because I sometimes let the bully inside my head tell me that I don’t have the right to help people live a healthy life. I have days when the comments get to me, and I think “You’re right! Maybe I shouldn’t be a healthy lifestyle coach because I don’t have the ‘look.’” But then I simply ask myself, “What does a healthy lifestyle coach look like and why?” This always helps me snap out of any negative thoughts. There is not a specific look or body shape you must have in order to have a positive influence and help individuals take back control of their lives.

ALI: How do you stay aligned to your mission of body positivity as a fitness trainer?

CARLY: I always think back to the “junior in high school Carly”, the girl who hated her body because she did not see her shape and size represented. I think about how strong my body was and how active and successful it helped me become even though I had convinced myself it wasn’t good enough. These are feelings I have since overcome and that I am trying to help others avoid. I believe that as long as you move your body, fuel your body, talk positively to yourself, and give up comparing your body to others, you will do AMAZING things. When you treat your body with love and respect, it treats you back.

CARLY COMPTON in the desert
“Do what you LOVE.”

ALI: What advice would you give other women about their own journey with fitness and body positivity?

CARLY: Do what you LOVE. Find a form of exercise that brings you excitement and happiness. Stop looking at what everyone else is doing, stop falling for the fad diets and workout programs, and start doing what makes you happy, whether that is running, yoga, walking, rock climbing, etc. Do it for YOU! The same goes for food. Fuel your body and recognize when your body feels good and not so good. But, at the same time, take days to enjoy the foods you love. Life is all about balance; EMBRACE that balance! Lastly, embrace YOU. You are beautiful, strong, and capable already–it’s just about believing it within yourself.

CARLY COMPTON modeling at the beach
Website: Paradise Fitness with Carly
Instagram: @paradisefitnesswithcarly

What to Look For in a Gym or Personal Trainer

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It’s never a bad time to commit to a healthier lifestyle that combines diet and exercise with mental and spiritual well being to achieve your best self.  Always consult with a doctor before starting any fitness program.

As you get started down your path to fitness, you will no doubt have many questions about every aspect of your journey. It will be a process that you take one step at a time. Our goal for today is to learn what to look for in a gym or personal trainer.

We are going to help you figure out what kind of gym you need.

If you are thinking about going to the gym and getting fit, it is common to wonder what gym is the best one to join. Some gyms are small and only offer the basics, while others better resemble a fitness center where every possible activity has its own space. 

We are going to help you choose a personal trainer.

Some gyms will offer a personal trainer as part of their membership package, or for an additional fee. If you are looking for a trainer to help you achieve your goals, this could be the right solution for you. Otherwise, you will need to seek out and select a trainer and develop a schedule that works for both of you.

Here are several things that you will want to look for in a gym and a trainer.

Location

One of the biggest concerns you will face when choosing a gym and personal trainer is its location. There may be several gyms in a city or large community, but only one or two within driving distance if you live in a rural area or small town. Transportation can also be a problem if you don’t drive. Weather is also a concern if you live in a location that receives excessive snowfall every year.

Your trainer’s location will also be vital if the gym does not offer training. Long-distance between you and the trainer can complicate early morning or late night meetings and weather will also be a more significant factor.

Availability

You will need your gym and your personal trainer to be available when you are, or at the very least, be available at times that work for you. If you don’t like working out in the morning, don’t get a trainer that trains in the morning. If you can only work out at 3 am, you will need a gym that’s open twenty-four hours a day.

Trying to fit your workout into a time frame that does not suit you will waste everyone’s time and your money. You will grow frustrated at your inability to wake up or your rushed workouts, and it will be counterproductive to your fitness goals.

You need to determine how often and at what times you can work out and find a gym and a trainer that operate during those times.

Cost

Cost is going to be one of the most significant determining factors when choosing a gym or a trainer. A fair price is going to be influenced by everything we talk about, as well as your gut-feeling. 

You can try out most gyms a few times for free or by paying a try out fee, but most will want you to sign up for a monthly membership pretty quickly. Some gyms will give more significant discounts corresponding to the length of your commitment.

Sometimes the size of the gym can influence the cost. For example, a gym with a swimming pool might be more expensive than a gym without one. If you need or will make use of a pool, you might justify the cost increase. Otherwise, paying for a pool is wasted money. Many gyms have package deals that include or don’t include the pool and other extras. 

Personal trainers are much more costly than gym memberships, and they can charge by the quarter, half, or full hour. Sessions are usually once a week, but they can be every other week, or once a month depending on your budget and fitness goals.  Someone in need of rehabilitation might meet a trainer several times a week.

Reputation

Reputation is always important to consider when choosing a gym or a trainer.  You certainly want a gym that has a reputation for being well managed with clean, well-maintained equipment. Your trainer needs to have a reputation for getting results. 

Specialties or Perks

Going to the gym can open up more possibilities than just bench presses and squats. Many gyms offer Aerobics, Zumba, Boxing, Yoga, Swimming, Racquetball, and Tennis as well as many other specialty classes that you might find interesting. 

These specialty classes can be instrumental in helping you achieve your goals.  If you enjoy participating in them, you will stay motivated to keep returning and working out.

Your personal trainer’s specialty is going to be very important. A physical therapist is not going to be the best option if you want to body build or train for boxing. You need a trainer that specializes in helping others achieve the goals you would like to reach, whether it be weight loss, muscle gain, etc.

Trainer Specific

We’ve pretty much covered what you need to look for in a gym, but there are still a few things you need to look for in a personal trainer.

Credentials

Credentials mainly in the form of certifications can be an essential determining factor, especially if the cost is high. There are four widely recognized certifications and hundreds of others. The main four are as follows.

  • National Academy of Sports Medicine – NASM
  • American Council on Exercise – ACE
  • National Strength and Conditioning Association – NACA
  • American College of Sports Medicine – ACSM

If your trainer has other certifications, we recommend checking to see what receiving that certification entails. Some certifications only require an afternoon while others require a college degree.

Experience

The more experience a trainer has, the more likely they have seen someone like you before and will be able to help you. Someone terrible at their job usually doesn’t stay in business very long.

Personality 

For many people, this is a crucial factor. You cannot reach your goals if you cannot get along with your trainer. Your trainer will need to push you to your limits and keep you motivated while remaining receptive to your needs and goals.

Summary

Hopefully, after reading this over, you will have a good idea of what you need. Remember, training is only a small part of the fitness equation with your diet being the main ingredient. Your mental state and motivation level is also an essential factor. Never follow any plans blindly, always do your research to be sure your heading toward your goals.  

Balancing Poses: Beginner to Advanced Modifications

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Yoga helps you find your balance. In the most obvious sense, you gain control of your daily movements as a direct result of practicing “asana” (postures). It becomes easier to put on your shoes, to catch yourself when you trip, or to hike up a mountain trail. If you are a diligent yoga practitioner, you will become more graceful over the course of years, and be less likely to injure yourself. Simply the act of daily attempting the postures trains the body, creating muscle memory that kicks in throughout all areas of life, not just on the yoga mat. Indeed, many seniors have found that a regular yoga practice allows them to maintain high levels of activity well into retirement, when bone density may become an issue, and falls carry an increased risk of serious injury. Even a beginning yogi can modify balancing postures, with the assistance of chairs, blocks, or the wall. Starting with a modified version and working your way up to the traditional posture can help ease the way towards developing the confidence to progress in your practice. Here are a few balancing postures to try, with various modifications. 

Tree Pose: The traditional posture has the raised foot resting on the thigh, hands above the head. But the raised foot can also be lower, toes resting on the ground, and the sole of the foot on the ankle. Work your way up as you gain confidence in your balance. The second foot placement is between the ankle and knee. The heel should be underneath the knee, toes pointing straight down, just above the ankle. Once you’ve mastered that, move the foot up to the thigh. Be sure to maintain proper foot alignment, keeping the foot pointing straight down and fully above the knee. Avoid pushing on the knee joint with the raised foot, as that can cause injury. If your balance seems a bit wobbly, float your fingers against a wall or on the back of a chair. For an extra challenge, try prayer hands behind your back. 

  • side plank leg up

Thread the needle with leg raise: Raising the leg during thread the needle is both a balance challenge and a core strengthener. The raised leg is opposite the shoulder resting on the ground. Lift the leg on an inhale, pushing through the heel and flexing the toes. Drop the elbow down to stabilize yourself if you become shaky. 

Chair pose: Traditional chair pose keeps both feet on the ground. Practicing chair with one leg up, ankle resting on the opposite knee, will train you to be able to lift one leg at a time and balance easily on the other. Sink your hips low, keeping hands together at heart center. Try to rest your forearms on the raised leg. Keeping your gaze low on the ground in front of you, and focussing on a single point, will help you remain stable. To increase the challenge, try to grab your standing ankle with both hands. 

Chair pose, airplane variation: Begin with traditional chair pose; hands are up in the air, knees bent, hips set back. Take a deep breath in, and on an exhale sweep your hands back and up while lowering your chest down to your knees. Try to lift your heels off the ground – this can be a large movement, coming on to your toes with the heels elevated a few inches, or a slight movement with just the heels lifting less than an inch. As you breathe in again, return to chair pose. Repeat 3-5 times, always going with your breath.

Crow pose: Although many beginning yogis see this pose as unattainable, it really is much easier than it first appears. Successfully achieving crow pose is more about finding your fulcrum, the balancing point where your knees are resting on your elbows, than it is about arm strength. Yes, you do need arm strength. But you need not be a weight lifter with giant muscles to find your way into this pose. The key is bringing your gaze low, between 12 and 18 inches in front of you on the ground. Elbows point straight back towards the short end of the mat. Open your knees out wide, tucking the elbows directly under the knee. Slowly and carefully, begin to shift your weight onto your elbows. Once you find the fulcrum where your weight begins to pull you down in front, shift back. Practice rocking back and forth on the fulcrum with your toes resting gently on the ground. If you feel confident enough to come up onto your toes, try lifting one foot at a time ever so slightly, and then trading back and forth. Having a block underneath your forehead can alleviate the fear of falling. If practicing at home, surrounding yourself with pillows can help as well. For an extra challenge, cross your ankles before coming into the pose. Try to go back and forth, crossing and uncrossing and switching which foot is on top. See how many times you can switch, and then try to beat yourself the next time!

Side plank: Traditional side plank is quite a challenging pose. But there many variations of this pose that allow a beginner to confidently progress, eventually achieving the most difficult version. To begin, keep the lower knee down on the mat, with the foot perpendicular to the body, off the mat. Intermediate students can stagger the feet, with both knees off the ground. This gives a wider base on which to balance. Finally, stack the feet, keeping both knees elevated. If wrist pain and weakness is an issue, try side plank with the forearm down. Weight is distributed over a larger area, alleviating pressure on the wrist. For an extra challenge, try to lift the upper leg. Begin by floating it just a few inches above the lower leg, and then try to progress into lifting it higher and higher.

While trying these poses, remember that yoga is a “practice” and life is the real thing. Everything you learn on the mat can be taken applied to situations outside of the studio. In a physical sense, increasing your ability to balance on the mat will increase your confidence as you move through life, and decrease the chances of injury. But in some ways, the physical effects of yoga are only secondary to the psychological effects. While we are training the body to balance, our minds receive benefits as well. We learn to balance the monotonous demands of our daily lives with the pursuit of happiness, and the temptation of immediate pleasures with the satisfaction of holding out for something better down the road. In some ways, all of life is one great balancing act, between giving energy to others as parents, friends, or employees, and taking needed time to ourselves for relaxation and self care. The balance of self care is so important because if you fail to care for yourself, you lose the ability to care for others as well. So take some time today to work on your balance – physical, emotional, and psychological. Find the sweet spot between pushing yourself to go further, and patiently allowing time for growth without injury. Close your eyes, take some deep breaths, and look for the balance between relaxation and productivity. Most importantly, find a balance between what you bring to your mat, what you leave behind, and what you take home.

Stepping out of the studio: Unique DFW flows

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Alpaca’s & Disco & Skylines, oh my!

As we bid adieu to summer, it’s time to find new ways to stay engaged as schoolbooks, conference calls and carpool schedules threaten to impede on our fitness resolutions.  We’ve highlighted a few of the many upcoming events in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to get both beginners and experienced yogi’s creative juices ‘flow’ing.

With Labor Day upon us those without travel plans can follow their mat to a slew of cool local events, including starting the holiday weekend off with live music yoga on Friday evening (8/30, 7 pm local time) at Indra’s Grace studio (http://indrasgrace.com) just a stone’s throw from the bustling Magnolia Ave strip in Fort Worth. Texas natives, The Cush, will accompany Indra instructor Kasey Bell in an energetic flow sure to set the stage for a festive weekend. Follow that up the next day by attending the 13th Annual Dallas Yoga Festival (http://dfwfreedayofyoga.com/) in Main Street Garden Park in downtown Dallas. Not only can you join the largest free community yoga class in the DFW area, but this family friendly event also boasts music, food, and shopping vendors as well as giveaways to sunset. Partnering with over 20 yoga studios, including North Texas Bikram Yoga and City Yoga, you can find inspiration and guidance from local instructors and explore new options for your weekly practice.

If you’re in search of other outdoor options for Labor Day weekend, head to Uptown for a barnyard bonanza at The Rustic on Saturday August 31st at 9 a.m. Not only can you partake in the goat yoga craze that’s sweeping the nation, but “It’s for Charity” has taken this experience to the next level with celebrity appearances, alpaca’s Jolene and Rita! Proceeds to this event benefit local non-profit and mental health advocates via The Reminder Project (@heresyourreminder). For additional furry friend facetime, head over to Flea Style (https://fleastyle.com) the first Saturday of September (9/7) for an all-level bunny and piggy practice that boasts plenty of post vinyasa playtime and selfies. Following your flow, snag a complimentary hard cider and peruse the 80+ vendors of local jewelry, décor, clothing, and culinary finds that the store has to offer. If retail therapy is your go-to Saturday activity, make sure you’re in Plano on the 7th to catch a 9 a.m. Yoga Sculpt class at the Fabletics in Legacy West before your shopping spree. Head over to the Dallas Observer event page to RSVP, and bonus, it’s free to attend so all your budget can be spent on that new pair of yoga pants you’ve had your eye on.

If balancing adorable pigmy goats on your back isn’t your scene, you have each Wednesday in September to get yo glam on. Sweet Tooth Hotel (https://sweettoothhotel.com) and Dallas Fitness Ambassadors have partnered to bring you GLOW, a silent disco fitness series celebrating “music, movement and art.” Each week you have opportunity to not only partake in a 45 minute yoga practice with the co-owner of Class Studios (@class_studios), but each admission also includes access to the DISCOTECH art installation, a post sweat sesh cocktail at Reign, the hotels Prince themed bar, as well as a full glitter and glam area to get you fully decked out in glow paint and body jewels for that perfect ‘grammable moment. Snag your tickets on Eventbrite before the series concludes, and while you’re there check out Dallas Fitness Ambassador’s (@dallasfitnessambassadors) FAME Fest happening later in the month (9/27 & 9/28) for more boutique classes, arts and music fun. Studio partners include sexy up and comer to the Dallas area, TruFusion (@trufusion_dallas), which is a multi-class studio concept popularized by the likes of Jennifer Lopez and boyfriend investor A-Rod. In addition to power, flow & vinyasa practices you can box, spin, squat and plié in a variety of heated and non-heated class options.

Silent disco flow at Sweet Tooth Hotel, by Kathy Tran

Patio season is also upon us, so whether you’re looking for a view or something new to do there is a flow for that! Not far from the Stockyards you can flow al fresco on September 14th at Topgolf, which is launching their new brunch menu with a practice on their terrace overlooking the downtown Fort Worth skyline. What better way to open your hubby’s heart chakra than an hour of complimentary gameplay and free Topgolf swag?? Or for those downtowners looking for something within walking distance, on September 28th yogis can flow in Sundance Square at 9 a.m. All levels are welcome and it’s free to boot!

Sundance Square, Fort Worth, TX

If you’ve spent time in Lower Greenville, you already know that it boasts some of the best brunch spots in Dallas. Take your hair of the dog up to the rooftop of HG SPLY CO and practice with CorePower Yoga on Saturday the 14th. Ticket holders get a chance to win a free month of yoga and HG gift card for your next night out! CorePower Yoga is a nationwide staple and will be opening its 6th DFW location soon in the West Village. Each location boasts a wide variety of classes for those looking to try hot yoga, learn new inversions, or even unwind with a meditative candle-lit yin experience. Rounding out the month, DALLASITES101 (https://www.dallasites101.com) has brought back their rooftop yoga series in Deep Ellum. You even have time to sneak in a lazy Sunday morning before heading over to Bottled Blonde (@bottledblondetx) for an 11 a.m. free flow. Nothing says downward facing dog like bottles of Dom Perignon after, am I right?

So come on DFW, get inspired, and we’ll see you on the mat!

On Living Your Best Life

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It’s funny as I sit here writing this I have in the background manifest affirmations playing and I am really contemplating my own life and am I truly living “my best life?”

I am currently working toward finishing off my first year in fitness! I have been teaching a variety of classes beyond yoga. These have ranged between mat pilates, myofascial release, cycle, and now cardio HIIT classes. I had to add additional certifications to teach these classes and even then I have not stopped growing! I am currently, along with my chemistry class, working on my certifications in personal training and corrective exercise. If you had told me a year ago this is what I would be doing before I started my YTT I would’ve laughed at you and said that would be crazy!

A year ago I was far from “living my best life,” I was a special education teacher in a private high school that specialized in working with severe social and emotional disabilities. I was doing something I liked, educating. However, despite my amazing group of coworkers, I was going home stressed and in tears every night. Sometimes I would barely make it to the car! I felt I was not making enough of an impact on my students and that as much as I wanted to help I wasn’t. This was the sign that I officially drove myself to total burnout. I was going on to finish my 4th year in education and had just dealt with the trauma of having my first miscarriage. Let’s just say it was the universe forcing myself to really reflect as to where I was going and what truly was going to make me happy.

Often times we want to settle for what is comfortable. We bite our tongue or try to shut our brains up thinking, “hey, I am ok with this. This will pay the bills and leave my family comfortable.” We stick with what is easy and what we have been doing because there’s a safe feeling that covers us like an old blanket.

It’s not only in just our minds but also when we talk to people in our surroundings as well. My parents for example pushed me to continue the school year. They told me going part time right now would be foolish and irresponsible despite how unhappy I was. It wasn’t until I called my mom in tears and explained everything in my job and what was going on where she finally agreed for me to put in my notice. We reach out to people in our support systems to either “talk sense” into us, or to reinforce what we are thinking. My family’s favorite statement to me was “you only speak to us about these things once you’ve made up your mind, why do you want us to fight your decision?” At which point I laughed, because in all reality this is what we do. We like bouncing things off of each other to hear every part of our choice because our brain can’t possibly do it all at once on its own. Despite making a decision already, because you never know…maybe they say something you haven’t thought yet. Sometimes your supports reinforce that blanket because they think that is the best way to make sure you are safe and supported. So they tuck you in further into your comfort blanket and you get settled in.

Here’s the best advice I can give, the life lesson I gained from all this:

Sometimes it’s when we let the blanket go that we really start to thrive!

I made the decision to try working part time as a special education teacher and was denied working the hours at the school so I gave a months noticed and signed up for another prerequisite so I could finally work towards my doctorates in physical therapy. This is something my mom had been pushing for because she knew I had wanted this since high school, but life happens and sometimes you go with a shorter path because you want to be that independent woman right away instead of grinding it out for what seems like eternity to then gain success.

In those 4 years of my “independent” life I was upset, stress, anxious, and overall unhappy. I did not feel I was living the life I was meant to. Though teaching had its happy moments it wasn’t over 60% of the time. This should’ve been the sign to go. When March rolled around I started working as a fitness instructor and dog walking part time to really focus on my studies. The concern that I wouldn’t be able to make it? Well guess what? I did well!

The fitness hustle is real, but I was enjoying teaching yoga and then mat pilates, and now cycle too. I began falling in love with what I did. I would find myself getting excited  having discussions with friends about fitness. I would talk about the types of exercises and what they can do to aid with certain tight muscles, how the body moves and other life stuff. I for the first time ENJOYED talking bout the work and didn’t find myself complaining 100% of the time about how tough and hard my job was. I was even told it looks like I lost 20 lbs, even though it had only been a week away from teaching!

That’s when I knew I was on the right path. But how does this all apply to you? How can what has happened for me so far make any meaningful change in your life?

The start to living your best life is simple – ask yourself with everything you do:

Does this light me up? 

  • Yes – do it!
  • No – toss it!
  • Eh? Maybe?  – reflect and set it aside for some time. It’s like the love bird analogy, if you come back to it, it is meant to be!

This is the first part to slowly remove the choke hold the “comfort blanket” has over you. If you can categorize your life into these three categories you’ll start to find a pattern in the things that do light your fire and slowly start to go down that path.

Of course, there are always things we hate, like bills, that just need to be a part of life, but that doesn’t mean you cannot work in an area that lights your fire. I have slowly found that even working part time I am able to make ends meet because I am happy to work more hours teaching these fitness classes then when I was working an easier schedule teaching. I am happy to drive around and hustle the way I need to because it is something that lights my fire.

When you’re doing something you love, you don’t work a day in your life and that is true. This is the definition of living your best life.

What to Do When You Hit an Exercise Plateau

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Ah, the well known exercise plateau… It’s just the worst isn’t it? Well, maybe not. It may be the perfect opportunity to look at your exercise habits and ask yourself “what’s working and what’s not?” Plateaus are extremely common to those who exercise regularly.

First off, how do I know that I’ve hit a plateau?

Are you measuring or tracking your progress?

There are endless options to track your progress. Whether it be devices or apps, there are so many great options to monitor and track your fitness goals. If you’re not using tools like timing, heart rate monitoring, or tracking calories burned, it’s almost impossible to know the rate at which you’re improving.

Do you feel sore?

Soreness can mean a few things… it could mean you haven’t been stretching enough, or possibly you worked out without a warm-up, or maybe you’re pushing your muscles to a higher velocity and the muscles fibers are tearing. The last option is what you are ideally trying to do when you strength train. The muscle fiber tears are what cause the increase in size and strength of the muscle as it repairs. If you’re not feeling sore, your muscles may not be growing and this could mean you hit a plateau.

How are your clothes fitting?

I like to ask this one instead of focusing on weight. Your clothes are a great indicator of how your body is reacting to the type of exercise you’re doing. If you’re feeling uncomfortable in your clothes (i.e., they aren’t fitting as well as they did when you began training) this may be a red flag!

Photo by Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash

Okay, I think I’ve hit a plateau… what do I do now?

  • SWITCH IT UP

I get it, it’s so easy to get addicted to one type of workout. Maybe it’s cycling, running, yoga, barre, pilates, you name it. Unfortunately, though, sticking to only one type of training can get you stuck. Your body craves movement in a variety of ways. Challenge yourself. Try that dance class you’ve always wanted to try and see how open your body feels afterward. Try a mat pilates class and notice how deeply engaging your core can make you feel just as strong as weight lifting does.

  • BACK TO BASICS

This can be a great opportunity to go back to your fundamentals. Are you engaging your core when you squat? Are your shoulders pulled back and down as you bicep curl? Are you accidentally tipping forward and overextending your knee in a lunge? These minor adjustments can be huge change-makers in the quality of your results.

  • LOOK LOCAL

Notice the community around you. What are other people doing? Can you get involved in a local running club or a free yoga class at the park? Connecting with others in your local community can be a simple way to reconnect with why you exercise in the first place. Making a “workout date” with a friend will leave you with double the endorphins!

Photo by dylan nolte on Unsplash

Hitting a plateau is a great place to be. You can now look towards your goals and reassess your fitness strategy. Just like you have to constantly balance your work, lifestyle, and relationships, you also have to realign your exercise routine to make it the best use of your time and energy. Use this plateau as a learning experience and get out there – try something new!

5 Simple Tricks for a Killer Group Fitness Playlist

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Are you new to group fitness instruction? Or are you a seasoned veteran? No matter how many years of group fitness training you’ve done, you’re going to want to read this.

As trainers, there are so many things we have to think about before class… preparing the room with equipment, the layout of the class, the intensity level, and of course, remembering all the key instructions. Your playlist should be something that you can throw on and know it will get your audience in the zone.

  1. Know your audience.

What audience will you be training? Teens, young adults, or older individuals? What type of music do you imagine they listen to in their cars? This is the most important factor to address when beginning your playlist curation. If there is a mix of ages and demographics, try to stick to songs you can imagine a variety of people would enjoy.

Ex. If I was making a playlist for middle aged and young adults in Los Angeles, I would make sure to include some current hit songs and classic songs that I know all ages would enjoy.

2. Keep it fresh and CLEAN.

No matter the age, no matter the demographic, it is always considered disrespectful (and sometimes against company policy) to play songs with offensive words. Whatever you do, try to screen the music beforehand to make sure it’s appropriate. The last thing you want to do is offend someone, as it could be their first (and possible last) class with you!

Ex. If I was making a playlist for teens who I know enjoy hip-hop and rap music, I would search for ‘Clean Rap Music’ on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you create playlists. Tip: there are lots of pre-made ‘Clean’ Playlists on Spotify, all you have to do is search for them in the search bar.

3. Understand the ebb & flow of class.

Although this can differ slightly if you’re teaching yoga or a bootcamp, there is a universal, natural flow of class including warm-up, main portion of work consisting of some high intensity and some low intensity, and eventually a cool down. Try to create your playlist using BPM (beats per minute) to gently increase and decrease music intensity during these portions of class.

  • Warm-up and cool down: Use songs with 80-115 BPM
  • Low intensity or mat work: Use songs with 115-140 BPM
  • HIIT portion of class: Use songs with 140-175 BPM

You can check how many BPM your song has using this BPM counter.

4. Song change = time check!

You’ve taken all this time to pick your songs to naturally match the energy and intensity of class, so why not use the music to help you! This is one of my favorite tricks as a group trainer. If you create your routine based on the playlist, you can match the specific sections of your workout to different songs.

Ex. I allotted two songs to my warm-up routine. Once those songs are over, I know I have to move on to the next portion of class. The third song has a higher BPM and that signals me to get the class moving to the core section.

5. Follow other instructors’ playlists.

Learn from your fellow trainers! We are all each other’s best teachers. Try going to a new group fitness class and observe their style. You will not only learn from another instructor’s cues and routine, but exposing yourself to new music that you might not personally listen to will help in your new playlist discoveries.

Ex. If I train at a group class and I enjoyed the playlist, I make a point to introduce myself to the instructor and ask to follow their playlist. Don’t be shy… who doesn’t love a compliment?

No matter where you are in your group training journey, I hope this helps you feel empowered to create some new killer playlists that you and your clients will love.

Collagen, Coffee, Oh My!

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Collagen has been quite the buzz word in the wellness world for some time. Maybe you’ve seen it advertised in bone broth at your local grocer or maybe your beauty guru of a best friend has been swearing by the collagen supplement she’s been taking for her skin. Either way, collagen is plowing its way through the wellness industry, and for good reason.

So what is collagen anyway?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body. It gives structure and elasticity to our connective tissues – our hair, skin, nails, bones, ligaments and tendons. The human body produces collagen on a regular basis, but its rate of production slows as we age. As a result, as we age our skin can become less elastic, hair can lose its color, and our joints, muscles, and bones become less flexible and dense.

Oh my!

Since collagen is such an important building block in the body that prevents breakdown of tissues and keeps our skin, nails, hair, and joints looking fab, it’s something super simple that we can add to our daily wellness routine.

What sources of collagen do you recommend?

  • BONE BROTH

For a natural source, bone broth is a great to-go snack that packs a huge collagen punch. But, bone broth can be extremely expensive and may not work for you every day (hello, summer months).

  • COLLAGEN POWDER

Another option is collagen powder supplements which have become hugely popular and easy to find online or in the grocery store. These powders are usually tasteless and can be added to smoothies, juices, soups, dressings, you name it!

I’m someone with digestive issues… is this type of protein powder safe for me?

Many protein powders can be tough for weakened digestive systems, causing people in this category to completely rule out protein supplements entirely. If you suffer from digestive tract issues, one key word you should look out for when choosing a collagen powder is if it’s hydrolyzed. This means it’s easier for our digestive tracts to break down and absorb. No stomach ache, no problem!

Photo by Hussain Ibrahim on Unsplash

What’s a simple way to add collagen to my diet?

As a wellness professional and trainer, I’m always trying to find effective, low-cost, easy ways to add maximum nutrition into my daily lifestyle. Something I never go without is coffee! I found that adding collagen into my coffee (plus some other healthy additives) every morning was the perfect way to do this. Below is a recipe for a collagen coffee tonic. Try adding this recipe to your morning routine and your skin, nails, and hair will be gleaming and you will be feeling vibrant from the inside out!

Collagen Coffee Tonic

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Yield: 1 serving

Serve hot or cold!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of coffee (brewed the way you like it – hot or cold)
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 scoop collagen peptide powder (can be found at any major grocery store or online)
  • 1 tbsp flax oil (for healthy omega-3 fatty acids)
  • Dash of stevia
  • Optional: for spice add 1 tsp turmeric, for more healing properties add 1 tsp adaptogen powder of your choice

Directions:

  1. Pour coffee, almond milk, collagen, flax oil, and stevia into blender
  2. Blend on high for 1 minute, ensuring all contents are mixed
  3. Pour into your favorite mug (hot) or to-go cup with ice (cold)
  4. Once poured, the consistency will have a fluffy, foamy texture on top
  5. Sip, sip & enjoy all the benefits of collagen, coffee, oh my!

I recommend mixing up a hot tonic during winter months and trying an ice-cold tonic during the summer.

Adopting an Anti-Inflammation Diet

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Avocado Toast
Avocado Toast

As spring approaches, are you starting to think “Wow, I need to dial in my nutrition” as another winter storm causes you to devour an entire box of Girl Scout cookies? Are you ever curious why so many people (maybe yourself included) feel so down in the winter? Have you considered that maybe it’s the food you are (or are not) eating? If you’ve found yourself asking these questions, it’s time to stop wondering and start reducing inflammation!

Nourish is Alkalign’s 21-day group health coaching program that helps you take a more holistic view of your health. Here are the top 3 reasons why this program works!

Quiche pie in a iron skillet
Quiche pie in a iron skillet

1 – LOSE THE WEIGHT AND PUFFINESS CAUSED BY INFLAMMATION Do you have extra weight/puffiness you would like to stop carrying around? Weight, inflammation and food sensitivities are all closely related. Spend 21 days discovering if one, or 5, inflammation-causing foods are standing between you and your health goals. 

2 – COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND ACCOUNTABILITY We are more likely to reach our goals when we tell others about them. We are also more likely to succeed when we have support, help and encouragement along the way. Nourish will give you all of this and more!

3 – REDUCE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION, INCREASE ENERGY Are you feeling less than amazing these days? Are you blaming it on the weather or the short days? Try something new! Take 21 days to eliminate sugar and explore what it has been doing to your mental health and energy levels. We FEEL how we eat and a healthy diet can help balance your mood and increase your energy.

CLICK HERE for a free recipe book and preview of the delicious food ideas you will get by joining Nourish!

A Refreshing ‘Mock-tail’ for Quicker Recovery After Working Out

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How did you feel after your last intense workout?

Did you experience muscle cramps, dehydration, or increased fatigue?

After your next hard workout try NASM Sports Performance Specialist, Geoff Lecovin’s homemade electrolyte recovery drink.

cracked coconut splashing in water

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Fresh Orange Juice
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 2 cups Raw Coconut Water
  • 2 tablespoons Organic Raw Honey
  • 1/8 teaspoon Himalayan Pink Salt

Directions

Blend all ingredients, chill, and serve. Enjoy!

Water galss with lemon
Sparkling water glass with lemon, view from the top

For more healthy recipes, visit www.robinluthi.com.

Reference

Lecovin, G. (2018). Refuel, repair, rehydrate, revitalize: Sports nutrition for optimum recovery. NASM Blog. Retrieved from link