30-minute, No Equipment, Full Body Workout

Sometimes you just need a straightforward workout than can be done quickly without any equipment and this one is a great one. 

30-Minute Bodyweight Strength Workout

Here's the Deal: 

Complete 3 rounds of each circuit by doing each move for 45 seconds. Feel free to take short breaks in between exercises. 

Here's the Work:

Circuit 1: Lower Body Focus

1. Squats – Regular bodyweight squats, go deep.

2. Glute Bridges – On your back, drive hips up.

3. Bulgarian Split Squats (Right Leg) – Rear foot elevated on chair or step.

4. Bulgarian Split Squats (Left Leg)

5. Wall Sit – Hold squat position against a wall.

Circuit 2: Upper Body Focus

1. Push-Ups – Modify on knees if needed.

2. Superman Hold – Lay on stomach, lift arms and legs.

3. Triceps Dips (on chair or low surface)

4. Pike Push-Ups – For shoulders.

5. Plank Shoulder Taps – In high plank, touch opposite shoulders.

Circuit 3: Core & Full Body

1. Plank to Push-Up – From forearm plank to push-up position and back.

2. Leg Raises – Lie on back, lift legs up and down.

3. Bicycle Crunches – Elbow to opposite knee.

4. Bodyweight Reverse Lunge to Knee Drive (Right)

5. Bodyweight Reverse Lunge to Knee Drive (Left)

Why you should walk outside...even when it's cold.

Walking outside is one of the simplest ways to get exercise in our daily lives. It's free, you don't have to go to a gym or use equipment, it's easy on the joints and helps improve bone density. Outdoor walking can increase bone density, improve cardiovascular health and even stabilize blood sugar. But what about when it's cold? Ah...well...the benefit can be even greater!

Here are 3 great reasons to bundle up and make winter walking part of your routine.*

1. Walking outside in general can be great mood boost, but during the colder months, it can help with seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

2. Because there is less stress on the heart from heat, walking in the cold air can lower blood pressure and increase the efficiency of your workout.

3. Studies have shown that when working out in cold air, the body can more easily burn fat. 

So, get out there in the colder temps and get your steps in!

* Make sure you are being smart about walking when it's very cold and follow these tips to stay safe. 

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!

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

35-Minute Bodyweight 8x8 Workout

Need a workout today but don't have the motivation to get to the gym...or maybe out of your PJs? I'm with you. This 35-minute workout requires only one piece of equipment-YOU! Take it at your own pace and turn on some great music and the time will fly by. 

E.H. Fitness 8 x 8 Full Body Workout

Do each of the eight exercises below (after your lunging warm up) for 20 seconds then take a 10 second rest. After finishing all eight exercises (a "round") do a 30 second plank before running through the list for a total of EIGHT times...or more...don't let me hold you back :) . Conversely, if you need to work up to 8 times, start with what you can do...it's all good!

Warm up: 100 traveling lunges

1. Jumping Jacks
2. Single Leg Bridge (right leg)
3. Single Leg Bridge (left leg)
4. Butt Kicks
5. Wall Sit
6. Tricep dips
7. Jump Squats
8. Push ups

You have at least 8 times through the workout so get creative! Vary your leg width on the wall sits and jump squats or do different kinds of push ups and planks or put your heel on a chair or step while doing the bridges. OR, if you're feeling "extra" today, shorten your breaks if that feels okay.

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)

At-Home Workout Progression

If you're wanting to get stronger, leaner and fitter, it's super important to "progress" your workouts. That just means that you change and sometimes intensify the exercises you do so that our bodies don't adapt and get used to what we are doing and therefore don't build muscle or get stronger. Completing the same exact movement with the same exact weight will cause us to plateau; our bodies are smart and they will stop responding and changing without variety.  

So when should you progress a movement? When you feel like the beginning exercise has become easy or just not as challenging-listen to your body. 

Check out this workout you can do at-home or in a gym or on vacation or anywhere you want...all complete with progressions :) 

Here's the Deal: 

Warm up for 5 minutes with a quick walk. Do each exercise for a total of 20 seconds, then progress to 25 seconds and then to 30 seconds as you get stronger.  Repeat the list 6 times through. Even at the 30 second time, it will take you less than 30 minutes to complete. 

Here's the work:

Warm up

1. Stand ups from a chair or couch

    --body weight air squats

        ---squat with weight held at your chest

2. Right side static lunge

    --right side step-back lunge

        --right side step-forward lunge

3. Left side static lunge

    --left side step-back lunge

        --left side step-forward lunge

4. Good mornings (bodyweight only)

    --deadlift with weight

        --single alternating deadlifts with weight

5. Push ups on all fours

    --push ups on knees

        --push ups on toes

6. Back extension with hands by hips

    --back extensions with arms in "goal post"

        --back extensions with arms overhead

7. Crunches with knees bent and feet on floor

    --curnches with legs up and knees bent

        --crunches with legs straight up in the air

8. Plank on knees and forearms

    --plank on toes and forearms

         --plank on toes and hands

Stretch and enjoy!

January Heath Jump-Start 21-Day Wellness Challenge

As 2022 winds down, many of us reflect on the year that just passed and look froward to the year ahead. If 2022 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 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 January Heath Jump-Start begins Monday, January 9 and ends Sunday, January 29. 

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, 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 $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 2022, e-mail me for your special discount for this challenge!

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

6 Excellent Reasons to Lift Weights

No disrespect to cardio ...it's just sometimes good to lift some weight. In fact, everyone can benefit from lifting heavier weight (unless there is a medical condition preventing safe lifting!) Not only does lifting weights make you stronger it does all of these things for us as well (and yes...you too, ladies!).

Benefits of lifting weights:

1. You get stronger (duh)....and achieve defined muscles
2. You raise your metabolic rate for up to 16 hours-that means you continue to burn calories well after you've finished your workout (cardio can't say that)
3. You burn almost exclusively fat-yep, you read that right-just fat
4. You prevent injury by strengthening all the muscles around joints and such
5. You increase flexibility and mobility (when you lift with a full range of motion-that means all the way up and down in the movement)
6. You increase bone density (stay away osteoporosis)

So grab some weights and get to work! Click here for a 25-minute full body (dumbbell and band). 

Need help getting started with weights? I'm currently taking new clients...whether you want someone to create a workout for you to do on your own or a personal trainer to be with you every lift of the way (see what I did there?). Email me at erin@ehfitness.com.

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! :)

Ankle sprain workout (Updated: broken ankle workout)

There’s a lot going on in this pic…a badly sprained ankle in a boot (nope…new news-broken in two places and currently in an actual cast)… thanks, pickleball, a crutch (can’t yet put much weight on the foot), billowing pj pants (I’m not going anywhere) and a few dumbbells (nothing wrong with my upper body and core!). 

So what can you do for fitness when you can’t use your leg? So much! Put on your favorite rockin’ playlist and get stronger with this workout! 

Here’s the deal:

Do each movement 12 times. Complete the list 2-4 times depending on the time you have (I have all the time! 🤣😭)

Here’s the work:

-knee push ups 

-chest flies with legs up in the air

-leg raises from all fours

-fire hydrants for all fours 

-tricep dips off bench or on floor

-bicycle crunches

-ab in and outs 

-seated leg extensions 

-seated bicep curls

-seated overhead press

Stretch

#anklesprain #pickleball #workout #dontquit #ehfitnesskc 

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!

Choosing a Personal Trainer that Fits YOU

If you’re in the market for a personal trainer, not just anyone will do. I’m definitely your best bet…hehe…just kidding. You want to make sure that your trainer is exactly what you need…you are paying good money for them and their expertise. Here are some questions to ask yourself or ask your potential trainer before beginning a fitness program with him or her.

1. Is the trainer nationally certified? There are a zillion personal trainer certifications out there, but only a handful of them are nationally recognized. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) is an organization ensures the public’s health, welfare and safety. The  NCCA accredited personal training certification programs for 2021 are listed below:

            American Council on Exercise (ACE)
            American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
            ACTION Certification (ACTION)
            National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
            National Council for Certified Personal Trainers  (NCCPT)
            National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF)
            National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA)
            National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT)
            National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
            World Instructor Training Schools  (W.I.T.S.)

2. Does the trainer practice what he/she preaches? An unfit trainer may not be the best person to take advice from. This doesn’t mean that a male trainer has to have a body builder’s body or a female trainer has to be a size zero, it just means that they should be in good shape, eat right, exercise and take care of their body…just as they are helping you do!

3. How do current and past clients feel about their experience? That’s right, ask for references…you want to make sure that they have satisfied clients that are able to reach their goals with the trainers help.

4. Will the training be convenient? If your trainer is at a place that’s hard for you to get to or is too far away from home or is at an bad time, you are more likely to cancel sessions, flake out or just not go.

5. Does your personality match that of the trainer? If you are a person that responds well to gentle encouragement, your trainer should not be a yeller, boot-camp sergeant of a trainer. Make sure to meet the trainer or talk for a bit over the phone or in person to see if your personalities and styles are the same. Also, consider whether you are comfortable with a trainer of the opposite sex since training can be somewhat physical.

Other questions to ask a potential personal trainer:

• How long have you been training and what kind of clients do you normally work with?
• How do you motivate your clients to reach their goals?
• How do you measure achievement? Do you have a fitness evaluation you use?
• Knowing my specific fitness goals, what kind of workout plan will you develop to help me?
• How often will you change my workout routine?
• What are your rates?
• What is your cancellation policy?

Happy PT hunting!

On-your-butt to Across-the-finish-line 5K plan

If you're ready to start something new...to freshen up your workouts...to take your walk up to a run, there is no better motivation than to sign yourself up for your very first (or first in a while) 5K race (that's 3.1 miles). Right now is the perfect time to start your training...there are like a million races since races are going back in person and virtual races are still an option. All you need is about 10 weeks to train, if you're starting from scratch, a great pair of running shoes and some can-do attitude.

 A few things to do before you get started:

1. Check with your doctor to see if running is right for you if you have any medical condition or injury...better to be safe than sorry.

2. Get a great pair of running shoes. As avid KC runner Elizabeth says, “Seems to me that anyone can run any distance if they find a reasonable training plan and stick to it. It also seems to me that a lot of beginning runners are picking the wrong shoes - that is, buying according to looks/price - and then they get hurt and quit. I'd recommend starting out at a specialty store and having them analyze your gait. You may drop a few more dollars than you would have otherwise, but you won't feel it quite as much the morning after!” I recommend checking out Gary Gribbles, Smart Feet, Elite Feet or any other running specialty store to get the perfect shoes for you!

3. Set a realistic schedule. The plan calls for 4 days of training a week. Put your days and times that you will run on your calendar and treat those times as untouchable times…like you would a meeting at work, your graduation ceremony, happy hour with your favorite people. You get the picture. Write it/type it and then stick to it. Also, if you’re not a morning person, do not plan on training in the morning at 5 a.m…that is a recipe for disaster. Instead, train over lunch or right after work or whatever works for you.

The plan:

•          Run 3 days per week (on non-consecutive days)
•          Cross train 1 day per week for 30-45 minutes (weight lifting, biking, swimming, cross fit, etc.)
•          Remember, this is YOUR training. If you can already run for a 2 minutes at a time, by all means, start at Week 5 and go from there. If you are struggling to make it past a week, stick with that particular workout until you have mastered it before going on. It’s about you and your success. It doesn’t matter how long you take to get there… it’s your attitude and perseverance. Justin, a long time KC runner says this about running: “Running is 90 percent mental - if you think you can do it, you will do it.” If you fall behind, no worries…keep at it and you will reach your goal!

 

Week 1: Walk 30 minutes.

Week 2: Alternate walking 2 minutes with running 30 seconds for a total of 20 minutes.

Week 3: Alternate walking 1.5 minutes with running 30 seconds for 24 minutes total.

Week 4: Walk 1.5 minutes, run 1 minute for 25 minutes.

Week 5: Run 1.5 minutes, walk 1 minute; run 3 minutes, walk 1.5 minutes for 28 minutes total.

Week 6: Run 5 minutes, walk 3 minutes for a total of 30 minutes.

Week 7: Run 6 minutes, walk 2 minutes for a total of 32 minutes.

Week 8: Run 20 minutes.

Week 9: Run 25 minutes.

Week 10: Run 30 minutes the first two days and 32 minutes the last day.

Week 11: 5K RACE!

 

For upcoming races in your area, click here.

 

2021 Carb Cycle into Summer: 21 Day Challenge

Summer is fast approaching! If you're not ready for all that summer entails, let me help. This newest 21-Day Challenge is full of whole foods, recipes, workouts, tips and tricks...and guess what...it's also flexible and something that can be re-incorporated into daily life even after the 21 days...if you so choose. :)

If you are ready to take steps to improve metabolism, fit better into your clothes, have more energy and approach food as it is meant to be-for energetic life, then join me for on online (Facebook) wellness challenge beginning on Monday, April 19 and ending Sunday, May 9. 

The challenge is all within a private Facebook group so that you can participate during the day at your own pace and with your own schedule...and it's all just $29 flat*.

 The program includes:

• 21 days of clean eating carb-cycling style. Get excited! It's super simple and totally tasty. (Wondering "why carb-cycling"...click here for the benefits)
• Suggested grocery list 
• Sample meal plans as well as suggestions for when you eat out. 
• 21 days of quickie workout options...including FB LIVE workout demos (no more than 30 minutes a day)
• 21 days of accountability and encouragement and access to a ACE Certified personal trainer and wellness coach.
• 21 days of a small community of people doing the exact same thing you are, who have the same questions and struggles and we will work through it all together!
• Most importantly, NO supplements, pill or powders being sold here-just real food for real people living real lives.

There's noting to lose, except maybe some inches and a few pounds. There's a lot to gain: body confidence, strength, good digestion, energy and a different way to eating. 

If you're interested, simply e-mail me here and let me know to put you on the list. I will add you to our closed Facebook group where the food lists will be so you can be prepared for day one: Monday, April 19. Also, please feel free to e-mail me with any questions about the challenge-I would love to answer them (erin@ehfitness.com)

*I add you to the group as soon as I receive confirmation of payment via PayPal or Venmo:) 

Booty...and most other parts of the body...workout

It's the beginning of a new week, and here is a brand new workout to get your body moving to set you up for healthy success this week. It's a lot of booty work...but hits all other parts too. Enjoy!

Here’s the deal: 

Do each exercise or pair of exercises for 20 seconds followed by a 10 second rest. Repeat for a total of 8 times (if in a pair, alternate and do each exercise 4 times)

Here’s the work:

💪Squats (various feet placement)

💪Walk out push ups/mountain climbers

💪Back extensions/squat burpees 

💪Single leg bridges/kick backs

💪Tricep dips/bicycles

💪 Lateral lunges/clapping jump squats

Stretch! 

Fit Fast: E.H. Fitness 21-Day Challenge

Have you been interested in learning more about Intermittent Fasting...or wanting to get back into the practice after doing something else for a while? 

I've got you! 

Monday, February 15 is the start of the newest E. H. Fitness 21-Day Wellness Challenge, Fit Fast, and it is dedicated to all the following good stuff: 

• Get sugar cravings under control

• Sleep better

• Build strength without having to step into a gym (or in a gym if you prefer)

• Eat real food to fuel your body

• Decrease body fat

• Reduce inflammation

We will be easing into fasting and learning about what it can actually do for us and how it can work for you! 

My favorite part of Intermittent Fasting (IF) is the amount of physical and mental time and energy I save...I mean think of how much time (and brain power) you'll free up while not eating (or thinking about what to eat) in the mornings!

We will be learning all the ways that IF can benefit our bodies and minds...it's going to be a great time! PLUS, lots of extras including Facebook LIVE Workouts and 21-days of dinner suggestions (so you don't have to decide what to put on plates every evening...more energy saved!)

...join me for E.H. Fitness' newest 21 day challenge...and go into fall feeling your best!

There are NO supplements, pre-packaged foods to buy or long hours in the gym. Just real food and quick workouts to help increase energy, promote better sleep, decrease anxiety and maybe even shed some body fat.

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

• Membership to a private Facebook group with all the things

• Suggested food guide and recipes, complete with 21 days of dinner ideas

• Sample Grocery lists

• LIVE virtual workouts 

• Exercise schedule including bonus workouts

• Daily check-ins for accountability and to encourage others in the group

• 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*

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?

E-mail me @ erin@ehfitness.com me that you are IN!

*as soon as the Venmo invoice/request is paid (@erin-heide), you will be added to the private Facebook group! :)

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.