5 Important Things to Share!
Tart Cherry Juice, PCOS research updates, my new house, a corporate wellness challenge, and "Wedding Arms!"
A whole different format on the blog today! Lots has been happening lately, so I’ve got a few random things to share… here goes:
1: Tart Cherry Juice
I wrote a little blurb about this in my client group, but wanted to share it here too! I've been hearing more and more about the benefits of drinking tart cherry juice lately, so I'm trying it!
There have been multiple studies conducted which show the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the polyphenol compounds present in tart cherry juice. Additionally, the juice can also help with recovery, sleep quality, endurance, improved immunity, and even improvements in blood pressure.For these reasons, it's recommended to many high-level athletes as an addition to their health routine. But, I was curious if I, a generally regular person, would notice any impacts from adding it to my routine.
So, I purchased some at the store the other day and plan to drink it for about a month and report back!
If you're interested in trying it too, you should look for tart cherry juice, specifically, with no added sugar. I am drinking about 4oz per night to see how I feel (however, it can also be used as a post-workout drink, if that's more your thing). Warning, it is TART!
So far, I actually enjoy the taste, have been having it over some ice each nice and like it! I’ve been sleeping pretty well (but also don’t have trouble most nights), but I haven’t been terribly sore lately and have been doing some challenging workouts, so maybe it’s helping that? I’ll report back with more noticings!
2: PCOS research updates
New research on PCOS and implications around weight, diet, and exercise was released at the end of May. Almost 40,000 women were studied! That’s a lot!
PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder for reproductive-aged women. Common symptoms include fertility issues, menstrual cycle issues, acne, and excess hair. Hormonally speaking, women can also be high in androgens, like testosterone, and insulin resistant.
Among other symptoms, difficulty with managing weight is sometimes a factor for those with PCOS.
What did this new study find about the food plans, physical activity, and implications of insulin resistance for women with PCOS?!
I summarize the findings in tomorrow’s weekly NFLP email! Fill out this form to join the email list to get that email and all future emails!
In the weekly emails, I am to provide valuable health-related tips, recipes, supplement details, and other nutritional information in an easy-to-understand manner!
3: My new house
First of all, it’s the cutest house ever and I’m loving it! I’m currently typing this from a cute little rocking chair in my sunroom!!
Simply having the ability to go outside and be in the fresh air/nature has been amazing (compared to apartment living which is more limited there!). My sister literally lives next door, so that’s been super fun too (and her fiance is super handy, which has been great for times like when I need a light fixture installed and he graciously comes over to help me with it, which actually happened yesterday!).
It’s also been fun to make the place our own… we’ve been painting some rooms, and although it can be a time consuming process, the end results are awesome. I’m also trying to figure out how to install a pullup bar…
Anyway, one thing that has been interesting, and somewhat challenging, has been trying to establish a new routine for my days. When to workout, what snacks look like, meal times, drinking all my water, etc. I don’t know why it’s felt THAT different than my prior routines, but I’m feeling a little off, so am trying to give myself some grace with the adjustments. We’ve only been here for like 2 weeks, and have been trying to fit in lots of housework and unpacking type tasks too, so, you know, different than the norm. I guess what I’m saying is, it’s okay to be gentle with yourself sometimes. And I’ll work on doing that right now ;)
4: A corporate wellness challenge
I’m also SUPER excited to be hosting a corporate wellness challenge for the month of June!
June is wellness month, and when a friend reached out to me about hosting a Healthy Habits Challenge for employees at her work, I jumped at the opportunity! It’s been super fun and people are crushing it so far!
We’re spending 25 days building consistency and working towards health improvements, overall wellbeing, and building the nutritional foundations to support each individuals’ personal goals.
Keep me in mind/reach out if that’s something you or your company is interested in!
5: "Wedding Arms!"
If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen occasional posts about my “Wedding Arms” Programming. (And, to answer the question that I get asked about it all the time, no, I am not personally planning a wedding at this time… )
Here’s a little story about it… back when the pandemic started, a few close friends, my sisters, and our moms decided that we’d get together weekly on Fridays at 4:30 for a Zoom fitness class coached by yours truly! Everyone got weights, bands, etc, and that class has literally been happening for 2 years now. Literally every week (with the exception of a few that had important events) for TWO YEARS. I’m impressed with us just writing that…
Anyway, two members of that group were/are getting married this year! Leading up to the weddings, they asked me if I could program two additional days of upper body strength work that we jokingly called “Wedding Arms” programming! We are currently on week 32 of that programming!!
So, that crew has been doing Friday Fitness + 2 Wedding Arms days for a while now. One member of the crew got married at the beginning of May, and my sister gets married next weekend!!
I’m happy to share these incredible results from wedding #1:
I’m super proud of this crew, and can’t wait to see sissy on her upcoming wedding day! I know she’ll look great regardless of her amazing wedding arms, but I’m sure they won’t hurt!
Although it’s called Wedding Arms, it’s certainly not limited to people getting married/in weddings, but instead to anyone looking to do some strength training and increase upper body definition! Click here for more info and to sign up if you’re interested!
Well, that’s what’s been going on lately. Pretty exciting stuff! What else do you want to read more about?! Send me an email at sara@nutritionforlifeproject.com or leave a comment!
Thanks for letting me share and, as always, thanks for reading!
xoxo,
Sara