January Jump-Start Wellness Challenge 2024!

 As 2023 winds down, many of us reflect on the year that just passed and look forward to the year ahead. If 2023 left you feeling less-than-your-best-healthy-self, stuffed to the brim with cookies/cake/brownies/all-the-baked-goods, cheese, fun holiday drinks, and are ready to feel better, stronger, healthier, less puffy, etc, I can help! 

A brand spankin' new year is perfect for a reset and a resolution to take your body and it's needs seriously. BUT, did you know that over 90% of New Year's Resolutions fail? Don't worry...it's not a resolution death sentence. There are a lot of reasons why we don't stick to our goals, but here are three of the biggest:

1. They aren't measurable.
2. They aren't supported.
3. They aren't reasonable. 

BUT there is hope!

If you're ready to increase your health and energy and decrease your body fat with exercise, good sleep, hydration and nutrient dense food, then join me and a small group of others with the same goals and game plan to get right back on track...with  measurable, supported and reasonable program!

You can do anything for 21 days...promise. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it and I'll be right there with you the entire way.

The January Heath Jump-Start begins Monday, January 8 and ends Sunday, January 28. 

This challenge is all about getting more energy, kicking sugar cravings to the curb, sleeping better, getting stronger and shedding a bit of fat and puffiness in the process. PLUS, there is another element to this challenge...intension setting and gratefulness practice...it's going to be amazing.

Here's what you can expect when you sign up:

• Membership to a private Facebook group with daily encouragement, recipes, workouts and tips
• Suggested daily food guide with recipes
• Grocery lists for each phase of the challenge
• Daily workout schedule.
• A private online forum (via FB page) where you can post questions, celebrate your successes (and challenges) as well as get encouragement from a group of people doing the same work.
• Access to an ACE certified personal trainer and wellness coach with over 15 years of experience
• NO supplements or gimmicks...just food...the kind you eat out, cook at home or pick up on the go.
• All for $49* payable via Venmo (@erin-heide)

Are you in? Ready to choose to feel better and ditch some unhealthy habits and create some new helpful ones? Ya know...when you feel better you look better...so what's there to lose?

Click here to e-mail me that you are IN and ready to take control of your health (and the leftover Holiday treats:) .

*If did another 21-day challenge with me in 2023, e-mail me for your special discount for this challenge!

Happy New Year! It's time to grab a deck of cards and sweat!

 Want a little something different for your first workout of 2024? Grab a deck of cards and breathe, burn and sweat through this "fun" workout. It's a love/hate type of a workout but I always feel fantastic after it's finished. 

Here's the deal:

(haha...get it...deal...like dealing cards...ugh):

2-10 Spades=Push ups

2-10 Diamonds=Jump Squats

2-10 Clubs=Lunges (each leg!!)

2-10 Hearts=Sit ups

Any Ace=1 minute plank

Any Royal=4 burpees

Jokers=1 minute wall sits!

Here's the work:

Shuffle that deck and get to work. Whatever card you pull, do the number of reps the card indicates of the exercise matching the suit. 

It took me about 30 minutes to work my way through the deck...yup...all 54 cards (including the two jokers).

Enjoy!

Overwhelmed this Holiday Season? Just Breathe.

It's the most wonderful time of the year...right?! I mean, there are a million amazing, special, cozy and unique things/traditions/bustle that happens this time of year, but it can also be a time of great stress. 

If you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed, disappointed, sad or any other emotion that is challenging, taking a few intentional breathes might be able to help navigate through those feelings to a better place. 

Years ago, I ran across an article by Dr. Andrew Weil that was all about breathing exercises. The one that stuck out most to me was what he termed "a natural tranquilizer for the nervous system." A tranquilizer sounds pretty darn good to me when feeling overwhelmed, anxious or stressed. Especially, one that doesn't have any side effects and that I can "take" anywhere, anytime....because, you know, it's just breathing :)

This relaxation breathing has three simple steps:

1. Inhale for 4 counts
2. Hold the breath for 7 counts
3. Exhale for 8 counts

It's soooo simple, but it really packs a punch...to stress, that is!

Next time you feel triggered, stressed, anxious, or your mind is too busy to sleep, try a few rounds of this...let me know how it goes!

For more information on relaxation breathing techniques, checkout Dr. Weil's fantastic video!

12 Days of Fitness Challenge

 

 

Here’s the Deal:

The first day you only do Day One, the second day, complete Day One and Two, the third day finish Day One, Two and Three, and so on.

 

Here’s the Work:

Day One: 1 set of 100 jumping jacks

Day Two: 2 one-minute planks

Day Three: 3 sets of 10 lunges

Day Four: 4 sets of 30 second jump rope

Day Five: 5 burpees

Day Six: 6 sit ups

Day Seven: 7 push ups

Day Eight: 8 calf raises

Day Nine: 9 super low squats

Day Ten: 10 jump squats

Day Eleven: 11 triceps dips

Day Twelve: 12 mountain climbers

A Playlist to Help You Breeze Through Your Workout

 If you're like me, the music during a workout matters...like a lot. Bad music...energy seems to dip. Great music...energy seems boundless at times. This playlist is my go-to one right now for running, walking, bootcamps, spinning and everything in between. Hope it helps you get your heart rate up too!

Miracle Maker (Dom Dolla & Clementine Douglas)

Leave a Legacy (Kairo, Easy McCoy, City Wolf, Sha'ki)

Destination Unknown (Alex Gaudino)

You Shook Me All Night Long (AC/DC)

Spice Up Your Life (Spice Girls)

Maneater (Nelly Furtado)

Morenita (HUGEL, Cumbiafrica)

Potential Breakup Song (Aly & AJ)

I'm Good (David Guetta, Bebe Rexha)

Turn Down for What (DJ Snake, Lil Jon)

Keep Warm While Working Out in the Cold

It’s winter in the Midwest, so that means fair weather one day and then cold fronts the next. Don’t get caught in the frigid temps without knowing how to workout safely in the cold. Outdoor lovers, just follow a few simple tips.

• Cover Up: When we are cold, our body focuses most of its heating effort to the core to protect our heart and other organs. Therefore, make sure to cover up your extremities (arms and legs, hands and feet as well as your head/ears).
• Choose layers: Our bodies generate a great deal of heat when we exercise…enough to make it feel as much as 30 degrees warmer that the actual temperature, so dress in layers when exercising outside; you can always take off clothing as you start to heat up and put layers back on if needed. Wear fabric that is a synthetic moister wicking material as your first layer then proceed with cotton or fleece layers as well as a waterproof layer if it is snowing or raining. For those with asthma or working out in temperatures below freezing (sub 32 degrees), cover your mouth with a scarf or mask...we have plenty of those, right?
• Keep hydrated: Even if you don’t feel thirsty or sweaty, you need to drink lots of water. The recommended amounts are the same for cold weather as they are for hot weather: 8 oz of water before the workout, 4 oz every 15 minutes of activity and 8 oz post workout. You can still get dehydrated in the cold so drink up.
• Check the weather: Before you venture out on your walk, run, hike, etc. make sure that the conditions in your area are safe. Snowstorms, icy conditions, hail and driving rain are not appropriate weather in which to exercise. 

Too dangerous to workout in the great outdoors or can’t get to the gym because of the road conditions? No problem, click here for the Snowed-In Workout for a total body indoor workout that combines both strength and cardiovascular training.

BE ALERT: Can you recognize hypothermia?

Hypothermia occurs when the core body temperature falls below 95 degrees. This is a serious condition which can cause irregular heartbeat and even death if not treated immediately. If you’re working out outdoors in the cold, watch for these signs of hypothermia.

• Excessive shivering
• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Exhaustion

Get medical help immediately if you feel these indicators or think you or someone you know might be suffering from hypothermia.

Your Next 25-Minute Weight Training Workout

This 25-minute workout hit the spot this past Sunnday morning...so I thought I'd share. (Just ignore the leaves that snuck into my garage-haha.) It gets every muscle group in the body, is quick and effective. Grab the heaviest dumbbells you can for each exercise. Want to know why you should be lifting heavier weights? I'll give you 6 good reasons. 

It's a timed workout with 35 seconds set aside for each exercise-you can easily get in 10-12 reps per set-choose your weight accordingly.

Here's the Deal

Warm up for a few minutes and then each exercise for 35 seconds before moving on to the next in the list. Minimize break time to get a bit of a cardio pop too! Go through the list 4 times total and cool down/stretch however you would like. I've also included links to photos of the exercise if you need it.

Here's the Work
3 minute warm up (abs, walk, run, bike, etc.)

1. Goblet Squat
2. Deadlift
3. Band Row
4. Chest Fly
5. Triceps Dips
6. Single Arm Front Raises
7. Bent Over Reverse Flies
8. Jumping Jacks (just for fun)

(run through the list 4 times total)

Stretch

Fall Fitness Challenge 2022

Happy end of summer/beginning of fall! I feel like the summer was a whirlwind of activities, travel, late nights, hot days and fun. And I'm super ready to get back into a routine. With kiddos being out of school or schedules being changed a bit (or a lot), that means we can create new space for our wellness goals. This September, let's ditch the junk for 21-days to set ourselves up for success all autumn long. 

If you're ready to increase your health and decrease your body fat with exercise, good sleep, hydration and nutrient dense food, then join me and a small group of others with the same goals and game plan to get right back on track...with a measurable, supported and reasonable program!

You can do anything for 21 days...promise. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it and I'll be right there with you the entire way.

The September Fall Fitness Challenge begins Tuesday, September 6th (yep, the day after Labor Day) and ends Monday,  September 27-no worries if you need to adjust your start/end date...just sign up now and begin when you can! 

This Challenge is all about getting more energy, kicking sugar cravings to the curb, sleeping better, getting stronger and shedding a bit of fat and puffiness in the process. PLUS, there is another element to this challenge...intention setting and gratefulness practice...it's going to be amazing.

Here's what you can expect when you sign up:

• Membership to a private Facebook group with daily encouragement, workouts and tips
• Suggested food guide and recipes
• Grocery lists for each phase of the challenge
• Daily workout schedule
• A private online forum (via FB page) where you can post questions, celebrate your successes (and challenges) as well as get encouragement from a group of people doing the same work.
• Access to an ACE certified personal trainer and wellness coach with over 10 years of experience
• NO supplements or gimmicks...just food...the kind you eat out, cook at home or pick up on the go.
• All for $29 payable via Venmo (@erin-heide)
• PLUS! If you've done a wellness challenge with me before, have a friend who hasn't to join and YOU get 50% off!

Are you in? Ready to choose to feel better and ditch some unhealthy habits and create some new helpful ones? Ya know...when you feel better you look better...so what's there to lose?

Click here to e-mail me that you are IN and ready to take control of your health this September.

*as soon as you pay, you will be added to the private Facebook group! :)

2022 Resolution Success!

Let’s face it, New Year’s Resolutions (NYR) aren’t hard to make; they’re hard to keep. In fact, 80% of resolutions made at the beginning of the year are said to fail by February. But WE can be part of the 20% that last! Simply follow these 7 steps to ensure a successful healthy goal.

1. Set a goal. According to Psychology Today, if you make a specific resolution, you are 10 times more likely to succeed the desired outcome. So write your resolution down in detailed terms. (ex: I will lose 15 pounds by June 1st. I will quit smoking using the patch by March 15th, I will eat two fruits and four servings of vegetables every day.) 

2. Be reasonable. Just as important as setting your goal is making sure that your goal possible and something that you want to achieve. If eating more fruits and veggies does not appeal to you on any level do not make it your resolution to eat more fruits and veggies just because you know it’s good for you. If you want to lose weight, remember that you can only safely lose 1-2 pounds per week, so don’t make your goal to lose 100 pounds by February 2013. Setting unrealistic goals like this will just ensure another failed NYR. Find something you can be passionate about and stick to and go for it. 

3. Have a game plan. Sure, you have your ultimate end-game goal, but knowing how you’re going to get there is super important. Think baby steps. If your resolution is to lose those extra 30 pounds, aim for 1-2 pounds of weight loss a week until you reach your goal. Or if you want to get 8 hours of sleep a night, you could back up your bed time by 10 minutes every couple of days until you are snoozing for 8 hours.

4. Tell the world. This is an important step in the road to NYR victory. Tell your friends, co-workers, family, even the cashier at the grocery store that you are vowing to quit smoking, lose 10 pounds, or get to the gym 4 days a week. When your will wanes, the peer pressure that you’ve created for yourself will help you keep on track.

5. Be positive. Ever heard of the Little Engine that Could? With her mantra of “I think I can, I think I can I think I can..” she accomplished her goals. Even though the mountain was steep and took a lot of hard work, she kept positive with her eye on the prize. 

6. Become a journalist. No, not the kind that goes out and gets “the scoop,” but the kind that writes everything about your progress in a journal or on your phone or wherever. Studies show that people who keep a running tab on their progress are 50% more likely to succeed at their goal than those who do not. It doesn’t have to take much time…just a sentence or two each day (that’s like 15 seconds of your time). For example: I went to the gym today, lifted weights for 25 minutes and ran for 30 minutes on the treadmill. Weight today: 175…I’ve lost 2 more pounds!

7. Don’t be your own worst enemy. Many times, people fall off the NYR bandwagon because they experience a set back. Maybe they missed a session with their trainer, had a cigarette at a party or ate half a pan of brownies. No matter what your goal is, you will experience a relapse from time to time. Write it down in your journal and then move on. No beating yourself up…just get back on track.

Remember, your NYR should be flexible. If you start working on a goal and find that there might be a better goal or better way to achieve your goal, don’t quit, just change it.

Need help with health and wellness goals? Sign up today for the 21 Day Detox from 2021...it starts January 10!

Happy resolution making!

Detox from 2021 in 2022!

 2021 was quite a year and if you're feeling ready to move on (or race to) 2022, you're not alone. If you're feeling like stuffed to the brim with cookies/cake/brownies/all-the-baked-goods, cheese, fun holiday drinks, and are ready to feel better, stronger, healthier, less puffy, etc, I can help! AND, I'm right there with you... I know I am feeling too full and sluggish and ready for a health reset! 

A brand spankin' new year is perfect for a reset and a resolution to take your body and it's needs seriously. BUT, did you know that over 90% of New Year's Resolutions fail? Don't worry...it's not a resolution death sentence. There are a lot of reasons why we don't stick to our goals, but three of the biggest is that they aren't measurable, they aren't supported and they aren't reasonable. 

BUT there is hope!

If you're ready to increase your health and decrease your body fat with exercise, good sleep, hydration and nutrient dense food, then join me and a small group of others with the same goals and game plan to get right back on track...with a measurable, supported and reasonable program!

You can do anything for 21 days...promise. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it and I'll be right there with you the entire way.

The 2021 Detox (you know...like a sugar detox...but for last year :) ) starts Monday, January 10 and ends Sunday, January 30. 

This NEW Challenge is all about getting more energy, kicking sugar cravings to the curb, sleeping better, getting stronger and shedding a bit of fat and puffiness in the process. PLUS, there is another element to this challenge...intension setting and gratefulness practice...it's going to be amazing.

Here's what you can expect when you sign up:

• Membership to a private Facebook group with daily encouragement, workouts and tips
• Suggested food guide and recipes
• Grocery lists for each phase of the challenge
• Daily workout schedule PLUS exercise videos each week.
• A private online forum (via FB page) where you can post questions, celebrate your successes (and challenges) as well as get encouragement from a group of people doing the same work.
• Access to an ACE certified personal trainer and wellness coach with over 10 years of experience
• NO supplements or gimmicks...just food...the kind you eat out, cook at home or pick up on the go.
• All for $29 payable via PayPal* or Venmo (@erin-heide)

Are you in? Ready to choose to feel better and ditch some unhealthy habits and create some new helpful ones? Ya know...when you feel better you look better...so what's there to lose?

Click here to e-mail me that you are IN and ready to take control of your health (and the leftover Holiday treats:) .

*as soon as you pay, you will be added to the private Facebook group! :)

FREE 12 Days of Christmas Fitness Challenge

Need to spice up your workouts or burn off a bit of holiday stress? I have a FREE 12 day fitness challenge that builds on itself to make you stronger each day leading up to Christmas.

Simply e-mail me (erin@ehfitness.com) by Saturday, December 11 with one of the two options below and let's get started!

Option 1: Just send me the workout, I'll do it on my own.

Option 2: I want a daily reminder e-mail with my workout.

What to expect during the challenge:

• Each day, there will be an assigned exercise-something that you can do anywhere without any equipment.
• Day 1 begins with a specific exercise with assigned number of repetitions. Day 2 will be a different exercise/repetition that you do after completing the day 1 assignment. Day 3, you will complete day 1, 2 and 3...and so on. When you reach day 12, you will be doing all of the exercises from the previous day...wew!
• This challenge can be done on it's own or in addition to your regular workout routine. It pairs nicely with a brisk walk if nothing else!

Let me know if you are in!

3 Ways to Relieve the Winter Blues

We’ve been through an interesting year, survived a very strange holiday season and cheered our way through football season (CHIEFS!) and now we are really into winter (remember that spring IS coming!). And with winter's short days, cloudy skies and freezing temperatures comes the winter blues. You might start feel sad, low energy, sleepy and just plain not-yourself around this time of year. You can help yourself get through the winter-funk with a (genuine) smile on your face by eating certain foods, exercising and getting it on between the sheets.*

Foods that make us happy:

Nourish the happy part of the brain by eating these foods often. Studies suggests that what we eat matters and, in fact, some foods can act like antidepressants!

• Chocolate: It’s not your imagination; chocolate makes us feel good. Eating chocolate triggers the release of the feel-good hormone serotonin as well as endorphins which give us a feeling of euphoria. So slowly enjoy about 100 calories of chocolate (darker the better) if you need a pick-me-up without having to worry about your waist-line.
• Green Leafy Greens: Spinach and Kale contain a B-vitamin called folate which maintains normal levels of serotonin. People that get the recommended dietary allowance of 400 micrograms of folate a day, also show a decreased risk of depression.
• Walnuts and Salmon: The Omega-3 fatty acids found in foods like walnuts and salmon have been shown to decrease depression symptoms. 
• Healthy Carbs: Carbohydrates make us feel good. They enable us to release tryptophan which is converted into that feel good hormone serotonin. So be sure to eat plenty of whole grain carbs such as oatmeal, whole wheat pasta and brown rice.

A couple foods that will make your crash and burn…

• Alcohol: Your wine, beer or cocktails might make you feel good in the short term, but alcohol is a depressant, so if you’re feeling down in the dumps, skip the adult beverage and opt sparkling water with a splash of 100% fruit juice.
• Sugary food: You just read that carbs boost mood, but not all carbs are created equal. Things like cookies, cake and white bread are made of high-glycemic ingredients that cause the “sugar crash.” So avoid them to get rid of the blues.

2. Move and improve your mood

Perhaps a reason that many of us feel so down and out during the dead of winter is that we are less active. Exercise is good for a ton of things like maintaining a healthy weight, decreasing the risk of heart disease and cancer, and relieving the symptoms of arthritis. It also helps relieve depression.

• Get high (on exercise).Ever heard of a runners high? That’s not just a made up thing that runners tell you about to get your butt up and out running with them. When you exercise, your brain releases endorphins and neurotransmitters which are feel good chemicals in the brain. AND good news, you don't need to be a runner to get that "high"...find a type of exercise you like and do it!
• Turn the heat up. Exercise increases body temperature which has a relaxing effect on the body…so in the winter it’s waaaay good! 
• Zone out. Doing exercise can take your mind off of whatever is getting to you, whether it is the weather outside or the let down after the holidays, going to your favorite exercise class or lifting weights can help you focus on something good you’re doing for your body.
• Make new friends and keep the old. Being around people is an instant pick me up, so grab a friend, bundle up and go for a walk together or join a gym where you know people that will become your workout buddies.
• Get outside during daylight! Since SAD is triggered by lack of light, if you see that sun peaking out, bundle up and get out and walk in it's healing glow!

3. Get happy between the sheets.

Sex, like exercise, is good for the heart, immune system and mood. The act of sex releases endorphins which act the same as morphine…they mellow you out as well as block pain and give you a sense of euphoria. So even though the blues can decrease your sex drive, just do it and to reap the benefits of a healthy sex life.

* Too SAD? Seek help…

There is a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. If you experience the following symptoms particularly during the cold, cloudy winter months, talk to a healthcare professional.

• Hopelessness
• Anxiety
• Loss of energy
• Social withdrawal
• Weight gain
• Over sleeping

SAD is real and treatable. To find out more, click here. 

Recipe Makeover : Double Chocolate Cookies

In our house, 50% of the bananas get over-ripe before we can eat them...it's jus the way. However, lately, I have been really intentional about using (or freezing) the produce we buy and when nit comes to bananas, I've been making all sorts of things with them. This new recipe makeover is a huge hit with my family. It's super easy, vegan and gluten free...also super fun to make with little kiddos.

E. H. Fitness Recipe Makeover: Double Chocolate Cookies

(makes 12 cookies)

What you need: 

• 1 cup old fashioned or quick oats
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder 
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 really ripe banana
• 1/4 cup 100% maple syrup (or if not vegan, you can use honey)
• 2 tbsp coconut oil (melted if solid)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips (or your preference)

What to do:

1. Make oatmeal into "flour" by pulsing in a blender until smooth like flour (like 30 seconds)
2. Mix oat flour with the rest of the dry ingredients
3. In a separate bowl, mash a the banana with a fork (fun for kids...and adults).
4. Add the rest of the wet ingredients to the banana and blend well
5. Add blended dry ingredients to blended wet ingredients and stir until mixed
6. Fold in chocolate chips
7. Chill for 15 minutes in the fridge (it's going to be super sticky...this will make it easier to get on the pan)
8. While the dough chills, preheat the oven and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (these puppies will stick like crazy to the pan if not).
9. Use cookie dough scoop to place dough on pan and flatten a bit with the back of the scoop
10. Bake for 10 minutes or so
11. Cool and enjoy!

Detox from 2020 in 21 Days and Feel Your Best in 2021!

2020 was quite a year and if you're feeling ready to move on (or race to) 2021, you're not alone. If you're feeling like stuffed to the brim with cookies/cake/brownies/all-the-baked-goods, cheese, fun holiday drinks, not just from the season but from the last 9 months or so, and are ready to feel better, stronger, healthier, less puffy, etc, I can help! AND, I'm right there with you... I know I am feeling too full and sluggish and ready for a health reset! 

A brand spankin' new year is perfect for a reset and a resolution to take your body and it's needs seriously. BUT, did you know that over 90% of New Year's Resolutions fail? Don't worry...it's not a resolution death sentence. There are a lot of reasons why we don't stick to our goals, but three of the biggest is that they aren't measurable, they aren't supported and they aren't reasonable. 

There is hope!

If you're ready to increase your health and decrease your body fat with exercise, good sleep, hydration and nutrient dense food, then join me and a small group of others with the same goals and game plan to get right back on track...with a measurable, supported and reasonable program!

You can do anything for 21 days...promise. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it and I'll be right there with you the entire way.

The 2020 Detox (you know...like a sugar detox...but for last year :) ) starts Monday, January 4 and ends Sunday, January 24.

This NEW Challenge is all about getting more energy, kicking sugar cravings to the curb, sleeping better, getting stronger and shedding a bit of fat and puffiness in the process. 

Here's what you can expect when you sign up:

• Membership to a private Facebook group with daily encouragement, workouts and tips
• Suggested food guide and recipes
• Grocery lists for each phase of the challenge
• Daily workout schedule PLUS one LIVE virtual workout per week.
• A private online forum (via FB page) where you can post questions, celebrate your successes (and challenges) as well as get encouragement from a group of people doing the same work.
• Access to an ACE certified personal trainer and wellness coach with over 10 years of experience
• NO supplements or gimmicks...just food...the kind you eat out, cook at home or pick up on the go.
• All for $29 payable via PayPal* or Venmo (erin-heide)

Are you in? Ready to choose to feel better and ditch some unhealthy habits? Ya know...when you feel better you look better...so what's there to lose?

Click here to e-mail me that you are IN and ready to take control of your health (and the leftover Holiday treats:) .

*as soon as you pay, you will be added to the private Facebook group! :)

Make a Goal for 2021...and Crush It!

‘Tis the season to make a goal for 2021. Last year, I feel like it's safe to say that a lot of New Year's Resolutions didn't come to fruition because of circumstances beyond our control...and that's okay. This is a brand new year, and if you're like me, perhaps you feel like a brand new person and I'm ready to make 2021 the best year ever. Let's dust of our "real clothes," start showering regularly and get off the couch...because there is hope that this year will be so much better than the last. Who's with me?! 

New Year’s Resolutions get a bad rap because the fail rate is so hi...I mean, they aren’t hard to make, they’re hard to keep. In fact, the NYR fail rate is around 90%...wowzer! So if you’re planning on making a fitness, financial or career or personal goal/resolution, make sure to make a plan! The first step is to make a resolution that has a chance! Follow these 4 simple steps when making your New Year's Resolution (NYR) and get ready to reach your goal! 

1. Set a goal. According to Psychology Today, if you make a goal, you are 10 times more likely to succeed the desired outcome. So write your resolution down in specific terms. (ex: I will lose 15 pounds by June 1^st. I will quit smoking using the patch by March 15^th, I will put $100 into a savings account every month beginning today.) 
2. Be reasonable. Just as important as setting your goal is making sure that your goal possible and something that you want to do. If eating more fruits and veggies does not appeal to you on any level do not make your resolution to eat more fruits and veggies just because you know it’s good for you. If you want to lose weight, remember that you can only safely lose 1-2 pounds per week, so don’t make your goal to lose 100 pounds by February 2021. If you make $1,000 per month, don’t make your resolution to save $500 per month. Setting goals like this will just ensure another failed NYR. Find something you can be passionate about and go for it. 
3. Have a game plan. Sure you have your ultimate end-game goal, but knowing how you’re going to get there is super important. This might mean hiring a personal trainer, joining a gym, signing up for a weight loss program, buying nicotine patches or doing research about how to make your goal on the Internet or at the library. Whatever you do, make sure that you have the tools to achieve your goal.
4. Start NOW. Yes…that’s right…do not wait until January 1^st…start today. Whether it’s saving a specific amount of money every week or eating a certain number of fruits and veggies a day, start it now. Maybe not even full force, but use this week to ease into your goal.

Best of luck and a happy rest of 2021!

Quick as a Whistle Timed Ladder Workout

Have just under 30 minutes to get a heart-pumping, body-weight only workout in today? I've got you covered!

Timed Ladder Workout

Here's the deal:

Complete the list of movements for 15 seconds each, then 30 seconds each, then 45 seconds each, then 30 seconds each, then 15 seconds each and then stretch! Take as many breaks as you need, but if it feels okay, just go right into the next exercise for more intensity!

Here's the Work: 

1. Lateral lunges

2. Jumping Jacks

3. Bear Crawls

4. Burpees (with a push up)

5. Bridge Walks

6. Mountain Climbers

7. Bicycle Crunches

8. Sit Throughs

9. Dips

10. Jump Squats

Enjoy!

Let's Me Help You Reach Your Fitness Goals

We've been staying at home for a while now and that means it's time to get up off the couch and creative with how we keep ourselves fit and healthy.
I'm so excited to announce the FOUR new ways I can help!

1. Personal Training...In Person. I wear a mask, we stay distanced and it's great! There are three options here:   

        * Outdoors; a great option for the natural and social distancing lovers!

        * Gym; you can join me at a space, with no extra charge, and get the gym                        experience...safely!

        * At Home; I can come to you if you live close...let's chat!

        If any of those options peak your interest, shoot me an e-mail at erin@ehfitness.com or a text at 913-909-2043 to see how I can help you reach your wellness goals!

2. Personal Training...Online. Yep...you can still get one-on-one time and attention with a personal trainer without being together! I have been working with clients via video session and it's going great. 

3. Online 21-Day Wellness Challenges. There is a new one coming...complete with live online workouts, 21 days of dinner ideas and lots more. Let me know you are interested by e-mailing me at erin@ehfitness.com. More info to come in the next couple days! There is one starting Monday, November 1!

4. LIVE Zoom Stretch and/or Fitness Classes for Your Business. So you've sent your employees home and are trying to find ways to keep up moral as well as adding a bit of a bonus to your company's work days. Bring your employees a stretch break to ease aching backs and shoulders from all those Zoom meetings. Or maybe have a group sweat session to get over the afternoon slump. It's a great way for everyone to check in with one another and also let your people know that you are thinking about them and their health! Contact me for more info (erin@ehfitness.com).

2020 Holiday Hustle to Health: 21-Day Challenge

What a strange time, right? 2020 has proven difficult but has also given us an opportunity to be more scrappy when it comes to our health. Forced cooking-at-home, creative workouts and different ways to connect with each other. 

This 21-Day Wellness Challenge covers all three of those things: 

• Brand NEW simple and clean recipes
• Safe and effective workouts 
• A way to connect with others and hold each other accountable

AND all of that can help us 

• Shed some quarantine weight
• Become less stressed during the holidays
• Boost our energy
• Be happier...what? Yep...that's what I said. A new element of thankfulness will be part of this challenge in these...well...challenging times. 

So what's the deal? 

• Membership to a private Facebook group
• 21 Days of "What to Eat for Dinner" complete with lots of brand NEW recipes and grocery lists for the week
• LIVE workout every week via Facebook Live (don't worry they will be posted so you don't miss out)
• Weekly workout schedule (workouts included)
• A private online forum (via FB page) where you can post questions, celebrate your successes (and challenges) as well as get encouragement from a community of people doing the same work.
• Daily engagement to help us stay positive and sane
• Accountability for your 21-day goal
• Access to an ACE certified personal trainer and wellness coach with over 10 years of experience
• NO supplements or gimmicks...just food...the kind you cook at home, pick up or have delivered.
• All for $29 payable via PayPal (erin@ehfitness.com) or Venmo (erin-heide)

We start Monday, November 30... are you in? Ready to choose to feel better and ditch some unhealthy habits and create new ones? Ya know...when you feel better you look better...so what's there to lose? (Except for maybe some stress, tension and maybe even body fat.)

Click here to e-mail me that you are IN and ready to take control of your health and attitude while staying at home for the next few weeks. 

*as soon as you pay, you will be added to the private Facebook group! :)

100 Burpees Plus a Full Body Workout

This morning, my bad-a$$ outdoor morning class did a 50 minute full body workout that included a total of 100 burpees. It was amazing and the perfect way to wake up and feel less stressed on a tense day (hellooo Election Day 2020). 

So grab a pair of heavy dumbbells (something you can safely lift overhead), crank up the music and let’s get to work! 

The plan:

Do each pair of exercises 4 times each (8 total in the set) for 35 seconds of work, 10 seconds of rest. Get creative during your sets. For instance, change up your foot width for your squats, throw in some single leg deadlifts, do some of your rows in a plank, etc). Have some fun with it! 

The Work:

• Squats/jumping jacks
• Squat curl press/jump squats
• Bicycles/sit ups
• Walk out push ups/plank jacks
• Deadlift/burpees
• Bent over rows/ mountain climbers
• Straight arm pull overs/side planks

WAIT! But how did you get in 100 burpees?! So glad you asked! During your “rest” do 1 burpee (that gives you 64 burpees right off the bat). Then do 9 burpees when you have burpees as your exercise). And that’s a wrap on 100 burpees, folks! 

Make sure to stretch and drink plenty of water!