Here's 3 stretches I lead clients/classes through whenever I get complaints about neck tension or when people appear stressed and overwhelmed. They feel sooo good!! Enjoy!
Must-Have Monday: Non-Toxic Facial Cleanser & Moisturizing Oil
As a trainer and wellness enthusiast, I'm asked daily about the products I trust to support my active, healthy lifestyle, so I decided to start a new Vlog series called "Must-Have Monday"! Every Monday, I'll share a product I can't live without - and no, I'm not being paid to record these... We're all consumers and I want to empower the B Strong Fit Fam to make choices as consumers that both improve their well-being and make the world a better place :-) I'll record these every Monday, Live on IG and FB, but post them here on the blog a week later to make sure you don't miss out!
Last week, for my 1st ever installment, I shared the Facial Cleanser & Moisturizer I SWEAR BY - Indie Lee's Brightening Cleanser and Squalane Facial Oil. When I lived in Boston, I bought it at Follain, and here in San Diego I grab it at Seamakers & Co. Click play to hear exactly why I love it so much!!
60sec Read: Regular Exercise Can Naturally Reduce Chronic Pain
There are over 1.5 billion people on the planet who struggle with chronic pain. Living with conditions like fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and migraines is a confusing and frustrating struggle. Living with a non-stop, seemingly untreatable pain may lead to other health issues like depression and insomnia. Completely understandable, right? Not only that, but when it hurts to move, it’s difficult to go out and run errands, let alone hit the gym… and then you’re at risk for developing chronic diseases that result from an inactive lifestyle, like heart disease and diabetes. And then there’s the opioid crisis. Traditional medications used to rid people of pain, when you’re dealing with chronic pain, could lead to a life of addiction. A nightmare scenario… Needless to say, living with chronic pain can be uh… stressful. It’s not hopeless though!! Regular exercise can help reduce stress, boost your mood, and improve your quality of sleep - all things that people with chronic disease often struggle with. Not only that, exercise can actually help to reduce the pain itself. With certain conditions, like arthritis, researchers have found that strength training at least twice a week is an incredibly effective way to both reduce pain and improve quality of life. In my experience with clients who battle chronic pain, while a particular workout might feel fantastic one week, it may feel like absolute shit the next… that’s just the nature of these conditions, but it’s nothing to be discouraged about. Consistency is key, and it will get better if you stay consistent. If you or someone you know suffers from chronic pain, do your research about what exercise methods will best help with your condition, and know that: each day you’ll have to play by ear; it’ll be trial and error; just keep an open mind and always be flexible. If you commit to regular exercise with that mindset, your quality of life will improve in ways you never imagined!
Trainer Tip Tuesday: What Foods Should I ALWAYS Avoid? And Which Foods Do I NEED Regularly?!
Cassie always says - "Choose your food - Choose your mood". Her philosophy is that the answers to the questions "What should I avoid?" and "What do I absolutely need?" vary with each individual, so this is how she helps her clients find the answers.
Trainer Tip Tuesday: Do You Give Yourself A Cheat Meal/Cheat Day?
My approach to my eating habits is more intuitive than it is regimented. While some people live by their strict dietary schedule & swear it keeps them on track toward their goals, I feel too restricted. Here's why I don't have a cheat meal or cheat day.
Do you LOVE your cheat meals?! I love hearing about what works for others. Tell me about it in a comment below or on FB/IG/TW @cassiebstrong.