Written by Simone Maglassis, CPT, ACSM, ACE
https://linktr.ee/simonesfitfunlife

Check to see which one of these 7 mistakes you've been making.

Before you begin a new diet or exercise plan you really should get your blood levels checked. 

Your iron levels could be low, you could have a thyroid issue, high cholesterol etc. Unless you know you're in the clear, you're going to be jump starting your routine by going in partially blind.

​Yes needles suck, but so does not knowing you have a problem until you've suffered through it.

Come on, don't kid yourself.

We all think we can do certain things and hold ourselves accountable, and sure, some of us can't, but the majority of us can't.

Be honest and realistic with yourself. Do you really think you'll get started tomorrow, next week or next month? How long are you going to sit there and contemplate?

​Which brings me to my next point...

Why do we focus so much on nutrition and fitness and then abandon mental health?

COVID has effected all of us and it's not something to take lightly. 

Just like you should be physically active and working on eating healthier, you should also be working on your mental health. Going to the gym? Great! Going to the phycologist? Also great!

I've had one too many clients that had deeper issues that they didn't address or kept putting off.

Storytime: One client would binge eat in the middle of the night no matter how many times he tried to stop himself.

Another would eat so very little because she was convinced it was the only way to lose weight (I mean...it did allow her to lose weight because of the caloric deficit but definitely not in a healthy or sustainable way).

Another client was so depressed and anxious with her life that she would lose weight and look great but as soon as life became too difficult, she would look to food for comfort. 

We all have wounds and traumas some more deep and significant than others.

Trust me when I say they are effecting you in ways you may not even realize as you work on your fitness and health journey. 

Even if you're convinced your mental health is perfect, would it really hurt to talk to a licensed professional with no judgement? We all want to unload and talk about ourselves and frustrations so if you have the funds and the coverage then it's worth it!

This involves not taking action once there's been a disruption in your routine an/or healthy habit.

This can be moving and not finding out where the closest grocery store is when you could've done it ahead of time. This is seeing the scale reach higher numbers and feeling your clothes get snug but not doing anything about it.

You put it off one day, then the next and before you know it you're so far gone it's like trying to climb back up to the top of the mountain all over again (if you were even there in the first place). 

Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Counting calories will only take you so far, paying for yet another gym membership will again only take you so far before you fall back into old habits.

What can you truly do differently this time? Think about your likes, dislikes, and think outside the box. 

Here's some things to consider when it comes to exercise:

• change your temp when doing an exercise e.g 4:1, 3:1 
• pay closer attention to your rest time, your phone and other things can really distract you
• try HITT training, Tabata, lifting heavier weights, exercising with an empty stomach in the morning
• Sleep 8 or more hours

Here's some things to consider when it comes to nutrition:

• drink more water 
• try a greens powder
• reach out to a registered dietician
• pack your lunch the night before. Plan out your day and food accordingly

Keto, carbs are bad, fast all damn day, water fasting, eat fruit only in the morning!

I get it, you want to look like them. You want to do it exactly like they did to get their amazing results.

Not only should you not be comparing yourself to others (you are your only competition, look at a picture of yourself when you were happy with how you felt and looked), but there has to come a point where you stop listening to everyone else, listen to your body and be realistic instead. Your mind, body and soul will tell you what it needs if you tune in. 

From there, take your own path and maybe you'll follow everyone else once in a while but you'll always know you have your own journey to travel.  

Written by Simone Maglassis, CPT, ACSM, ACE

These are the things I no longer buy. 

The vast majority of the time there are no samples and you have to buy a huge tub only to find out you don't like it or it's just okay.

Plus I already feel like I get enough protein from my diet.

Don't get me wrong, I love getting new equipment but I no longer buy the next best thing right away. Whenever I did that the problem I had was I would use it once and then rarely use it again unless it really was as amazing as it claimed to be.

I take my time, get used to working with what I have and really get accustomed to using equipment in multiple different ways before I buy something else.

Plus, you may even be able to borrow equipment from a friend. Try it out and see if it's worth it.

This is heart breaking for me, but it's always like a risk to buy a watermelon.

No matter how much knocking, smelling or analyzing I never get it right!

Sometimes I get lucky and it's delicious, other times they're mushy and lack any flavour. So, I've given up.

This one used to be my favourite

Do you know how many times these things have randomly started beeping alarms in the middle of the night?

No matter how many times I read the instructions, the amount of times I try to use it absolutely correctly, it never works out for me. Or as I'm timing a client I have to scramble to click the buttons to get it back to the right timer screen.

I also don't like using my phone because I think it looks unprofessional (just my opinion) so I got a stop watch display to make it easier for me and my clients. 

I no longer buy it or bring it in the house.

But that doesn't stop family or friends of course. At that point, I can't help to take a sip...

But if I don't place it in my environment, I have no desire for it at all. I like drinking kombucha instead or fizzy flavoured water. There are quite some good ones out there! I also make my own smoothies and eat fruit instead.

One dumbell that can be adjusted to any weight? Sounds awesome!

Only thing is that it works well in theory and not so much application. I've seen so many clients complain about them not working as well anymore and have used them myself and was no overly impressed. 

They start off well when you first buy them and then they get stiff and harder to adjust the weight. Not to mention they are far less comfortable compared to traditional dumbells.

I'll just stick with regular dumbells thank you.

This plant grows like a weed in the summer time!

I love planting it and picking it to use as needed. When the season comes to an end I dry it and use it through the year. It's cheap to grow and easy to use. No need to buy it at the grocery story unless I'm in a pinch. 

Written by SImone Maglassis, CPT, ACSM, ACE

Watch me react to some cringe worthy moments, exercises executed with bad form and atypical movements you've never seen before, all while providing my professional opinion 

This reaction is in no way meant to put anyone down. I see this as a learning experience for everyone. 

*COMING SOON*

Written by Simone Maglassis, CPT, ACSM, ACE

There's so much more than dumbbells. Check out these 10 pieces of equipment you need. 

This is my favourite stuff to use outside of the standard and basic things such as a mat, resistance bands (my favourite!) and dumbbells. 

Check it out here.

This is great! I won't go back to regular measuring tape again.  

It has a retractable button and lock pin to lock the measurement in place when it's wrapped around the body part. It also has a digital display and you can sync the data with an app on your foot which even shows you a visual graph of your progress.

I truly believe everyone should have one, if not for the fact it's often recommended for you to get one as you get older. Check out my blog post here about why you need one. 

Check out my post here about why you need one and how to use it.

The normal resting heart rate for those 15 or older is 60-100 if you're at the 40-60 range you must be an athlete or you need to speak to your doctor. 

Take a look at the chart below to see where you stand:

I love this app and it's free! Of course you can get even more out of it upgrading (I have) but it's nice to know you can use it however and whenever you want and it's an easy learning curve. 

Keep in mind counting calories and tracking your food isn't sustainable long term but it's good to do when you're starting out and great to revisit when you want to get back on track. 

Holy Crap! 

​When I discovered this thing it seemed too good to be true, but boy was I wrong.

It works and incredibly well at that.

​Instead of having to wait a whole day for my meat, fish or whatever is frozen to thaw, this thawing tray makes it happen in under a couple hours. Supposedly it's made of some special military technology to make it so. 

Click here to check it out on Amazon.

This is the exact one I bought on Amazon back in 2017 and still use today. 

This piece of equipment was originally used in the military to train soldiers with little equipment and effectively. Now it's in many people's households and for good reason.

It is an awesome piece of equipment and all you need is your own body.

Take off the broom and use the stick.

​This is excellent to use as a personal trainer during rona (corona) times but also for all individuals and exercise enthusiast because it helps you stay in line.

Use it to do superman's (or superwoman's) use it to stretch out the shoulders and back and a range of other exercises. 

For my clients I use it to provide tactile touch to allow them to connect their mind to the muscles I point to and gently poke at. 

Have all your staple recipes here. That way when you need to go grocery shopping, you can quickly go through the ingredients you'll need and know that you'll have to get to be prepared for the week.

As they say if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.  

This allows you to stay on track with your sets and reps and doesn't allow your phone to become a distraction if you use it as a timer when exercising.

Why? When you can just use your phone?

True. But how many apps will you need to download?

There's just something about having everything in writing, connecting pen to paper that makes such a difference.

Let's face it, the phone is a distraction during, having a binder or folder specific to fitness and your health and wellness goals makes you hold yourself more accountable, almost like you're in school again.

Go ahead and track it on your phone or an app as well if you like but I encourage you to try to have a folder or binder or notebook that contains your measurements, your weight increases for strength training, meal prep and more.

What type of equipment do you use?

Perfect to use between workouts when your face is sweaty and dirty and you want to prevent it from staying on your skin and causing pimples and irritation.
​
Get it here.

Watch Veronica, registered physiotherapist and Simone, certified personal trainer, talk about the differences and similarities between personal training and physiotherapy. Is one better than the other?

Written by Simone Maglassis, CPT, ACSM, ACE

We're all going to have to shovel snow at some point this winter.

And then there's the difficulty of staying active when it's cold and dreary and all you want to do is hibernate in our Canadian winters.

But we have to change that.

Especially because of the impact COVID-19 has had.

It's our duty to ourselves and our bodies to stay active for our mind, body and souls.

Let's start with what you can do when shoveling snow: turn it into a proper exercise routine! Shoveling snow is already an exercise in of itself, so why not do it the right way and get your workout in for the day at the same time?

Plus, did you know that heart attacks increase in the winter? 

"As temperatures start to fall, your risk of a heart attack begins to climb" (Harvard Health, 2016).

The theory is that this has to do with the increasing of people shoveling snow after going from inactivity to suddenly lifting over 20 pounds repeatedly of wet heavy snow. Combine that with those who already have pre-existing cardiovascular problems and it's a recipe for disaster.

Additionally, in the winter you're more at risk of overheating, influenza, missed prescriptions and causes your vessels to constrict and therefore increases your blood pressure.

Don't just go straight out to shovel the snow. Warm up first!

This should take 5 minutes more or less. It's important to get the muscles and joints ready for the movement we're about to put them through so they're better prepared for the stress and load.

Do this warm up preferably inside when you're muscles are already warm and therefore more flexible. 

Complete 10-20 reps for 2-3 sets 
​

• hip circles
• golf swing
• arm circles
• squats
• overhead side reaches

As I mentioned before, there is a link between shoveling snow and heart attacks for men specifically.

So let's shovel snow the right way (or get someone else to do it for you entirely) to lower your risks.

Check out this great article about How to Shovel Snow--7 Snow Shoveling Lessons No One Has Taught You 

I was happy to learn some new techniques to make the process easier!

Video for cool down & stretch starts at : 
​
Avoid dropping the shovel and going straight to lie down on the couch.

It's difficult on the body to go from a period of high activity to a sudden standstill. The body always likes a warm up, workout and cool down & stretch.

The cool down isn't complicated.

It can consist of you walking slowly back up the driveway, taking your time putting your shovel away and taking off your gear and then move onto stretching.

If you can't resist collapsing on the bed or couch then at least do these awesome stretches you can do on your bed.

Complete each for 30 seconds

• quad stretch
• side reach
• ​downward dog holding onto railing or on the floor. Move the feet up and down while in this position to stretch out the ankles and calves ​
• seated glute stretch 

In the winter it's often dark in the morning and dark in the evening. If you exercise when the sun is out, your seizing the moment when your mood is automatically lifted.​

Sometimes the simpler the better.

​Start off with some basic exercises. Try the full body workout plan in the FREE stuff section here.

And I don't mean driving to the gym. Let's face it, even before COVID-19, gyms make the majority of their money on people who sign up better never or hardly ever use the facility. 

After some of my clients finish their sessions with me, they go back to playing a sport they loved or dive more into an activity they already enjoyed doing.

Here's some to consider:

• indoor soccer
• ice skating
• indoor basketball
• table tennis
• swimming
• Bungarra
• Zumba
• couple dance classes

And the list goes on. Check out your nearest recreation center or do a quick google search on what's in your area.

Exercising doesn't have to be boring! Make it fun!

If you know you don't have time to dedicate to exercise right now (which is an excuse by the way...). Then find a way to add extra movement into your day to "make up" for it.

Here's some ideas:

• walk at lunch time
• play with your dog or cat more or volunteer to do it for a friend or family
• do stretches at your desk 
• park further away from the entrance to your work or where you plan to go
• get off the bus stop one stop early
• go for a walk or move around after eating dinner
• stand and move around, do stretches or light exercises while watching TV
• use more physical video games like Wii or 
• use a foam roller or tennis ball to roll out and press into tight areas

You know yourself and your schedule best. See where you can fit in the most activity into your day in a way that works for you.

Things tend to be easier when you have someone to do it with.

By exercising with a family member or friend, you'll hold yourself more accountable. 

The difficulty with this is that you need to find someone who's just a little bit or more above your level. If you find a partner who is just as inactive and unhealthy as you, it will be the blind leading the blind.

There's nothing like joining a challenge to get you kickstarted.

It's a way to hold yourself accountable with a group of people who are also working on the same goals. 

Consider joining my too simple New Year's Challenge today!​

Avoiding winter heart attacks - Harvard Health, September 2016
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/avoiding-winter-heart-attacks

Written by Simone Maglassis, CPT, ACSM, ACE

I'll never forget that my dad used to have this black machine that looked a lot like the Pilates machines and it worked beautifully. Even over 50+ years later.

Unfortunately, he hardly ever used it and it took up a ton of space so he sold it. How I wish I could've taken it off his hands!

The majority of the time (pretty much all the time) when a client shows me their old equipment I've either:
1.  Forgotten how to use it
2. Don’t know how to use it at all

The fitness industry is rapidly changing and the trends and equipment change with it.

So when this idea popped into my head I was eager to give it a try especially because all of my clients have old equipment lying around collecting dust that they were all to eager to let me borrow for this little fun experiment (thank you!).

Well would you look at this contraption.

This one is totally new to me.
​
I'm so glad this client of mine kept the box to allow me to see what I could figure out from the picture instructions because I found nothing online. 

I’m sure we’ve all seen this one before.

For some reason that long metal coil would keep me away. It's like a resistance band I know, but it just seems more dangerous if potentially broken. 

With a quick google search I found that people still use this. I just wonder if it's worth it?

Written by Simone Maglassis, CPT, ACSM, ACE

Stretching can be slow and boring but oh does it feel good!

And you don't even have to get out of bed to do them.

Keep in mind that everyone feels stretches differently depending on how tight and/or weak the muscles, ligaments and joints are, so do whatever feels most comfortable and what's most effective for you.

Remember, when entering and exiting a stretch,  take your time and breath deeply. The more you relax and try to settle into it, the deeper the stretch you'll get.

After doing these stretches you'll feel better and execute tasks more comfortably long after the stretching session is complete.  

Hold each stretch for a minimum of 30 seconds. If you don't have a stop watch, count each heart beat as 1 second. It's not as accurate as a stop watch but it will force you to focus on your heart and breath and that's always a good thing.

I've also left time stamps for each exercise to make it easier :)

Bring your arms above your head, interlace your fingers or clasp your write and stretch while pointing your toes and lengthening your legs. 

​Where you should feel it: ​all over 

Starts at  :  in video
​
Hug one knee into your chest while the other leg stays down and rested. While hugging the knee to your chest, bring it across the body as if you're trying to get it to touch your opposite shoulder. 

Where you should feel it: along your glute and wrapping up alongside the outside of the leg, possibly lower back

Starts at  :  in video
​
All my clients, every single one, LOVES this stretch and I do too!

Of course it's better when it's done with the PNS stretching technique (a method of stretching certified personal trainers use to allow you to deepen a stretch with very little work) but it's still nice to do on your own. 

​Feel free to turn this into a bretzel stretch as shown in the video above. 

Where you should feel it: ​lower back and upper back, hips, shoulders, neck 

Starts at  :  in video
​
If you sit at a desk all day, this is for you!

​Put some pillows under your knees for additional comfort and gently rock back into this stretch.

Where you should feel it: hip flexors, abductors (outer thighs), adductors (inner thighs), lower back

Starts at  :  in video
​
Similar to the frog yet different as gravity does a lot of the work for you here.

​Lie on your back, bend your knees and keep your feet together. Open up the legs like a book and have the soles of your feet touching together.

I find this to be more intense when lying on your back versus sitting up.

Where you should feel it: ​hip flexors, abductors, adductors, lower back

Starts at  :  in video
​
While lying on your side with legs stacked, bend the leg on top and grab your ankle to pull it back to your lower back.

Another alternative is grabbing the ankle and position it behind your lower back in the blanket or sheets to hold it in place. Simply rotate away from it slightly to feel the stretch.

Where you should feel it: your quads (thigh)

Starts at  :  in video
​
Lie on your back and bend both knees, feet flat on bed. Position your right ankle on your left thigh and grab the ankle with both hands with the right elbow pushing into the right thigh. To deepen the stretch lift up the left leg and bring it toward you while the right ankle stays in the same position.

Repeat on both sides.

Where you should feel it: glutes, hip flexors, piriformis (located in the glutes near the top of the hip joint. It's tiny but has a HUGE impact)

Starts at  :  in video

The goal with child's pose it to get the butt all the way down to the heels. If this is hard to achieve it may be due to an injury, tight calves, tight back, tight hips or just your anatomy. You can try opening up your legs more and that may help you sink into it.

​Don't worry about it if you don't, we're not aiming for perfect in this last pose but rather to rest and relax. 

​But...if you are looking for a deeper stretch and to stretch out those areas that are causing you to not sink into child's pose, you can do the fetal position with the legs up and straight, aiming for your forehead, like you're folding in half.

I hope this helps you to get back into daily stretching because it's one of the things we can do every day!

Have you done these stretches before? Which is your favourite?

Written by Simone Maglassis, CPT, ACSM, ACE
​https://linktr.ee/simonesfitfunlife

We can all be lazy sometimes.

So before you get out of bed in the morning, consider trying some of these great exercises to get you energized and ready to start your day before your feet even touch the bedroom floor.

You can do these exercises as a whole routine or pick and choose which ones work best for you!​

For all the modified versions feel free to prop up pillows where needed.

Let's break it up into 4 sections:

​Warm up starts at 0:27

• ​Snow angels​
  • modified: bend the knees to take any pressure of the back as you open and close the legs and arms. Press the back into the bed to engage the core. 
  • intermediate/advanced: straighten out the legs and the arms like a full jumping jack. To make it even more advanced lift the legs off the bed. 

 

• Hand to leg tap
  • modified: bend the knee and arm instead of having them fully extend.
  • intermediate/advanced: lift up the head and upper body to extend the reach to the leg. 

 

• Clam shell to butterfly​
  • modified: do the clam shell only or the butterfly only. Whichever feels better to you. 

Stretches starts at 5:05

• Lower back stretch turned into pretzel
  • ​modified: bend both knees, prop up pillows and don't do the bretzel or use a sheet to wrap around the ankle to pull it back into a bretzel.
  • intermediate/advanced: when going into the bretzel open up the chest to face the ceiling.
• Hug knees to chest
  • ​modified: hug one knee to the chest at a time, keep the other leg bent and foot flat on the floor.
  • intermediate/advanced: rock side to side and/or forward and back 
• Reach for toes the right way ​
  • ​modified: lean forward and don't reach forward at all or reach just to the thigh.
  • intermediate/advanced: prop a pillow under your ankle to lift your leg up higher.

I hope this helps! 

Have you ever done exercises on your bed? Leave a comment below!