We are so excited to announce that Thirty on Tap is launching an advice column, titled Ask De & Kate. Because Thirty on Tap is all about a “healthy dose of girl talk,” we thought we’d open up our conversations to our readers in the form of an advice column. Continue reading
Today is officially named “National Women’s Health and Fitness Day.” And although I’ll definitely exercise today, I’ll be damned if I’m going to jump on the bandwagon and start cutting carbs and increasing my cardio in the name of a “national holiday”. Don’t get me wrong, I love that there is an entire day dedicated to encouraging women to lead healthier lives and become more active, but how in this age of infinite, conflicting information can I define what “healthy” actually is? Continue reading
When I was in high school, I absolutely hated exercise. I loved playing sports. Playing soccer, shooting baskets, going swimming? Those were all fine and dandy. But exercising for the sake of exercising? No thank you.
I forced myself to go to the gym for the same reason many of us started working out: I wanted to lose weight. I was unhappy with my body and was convinced that if I grinded out an hour on the elliptical every day, I’d lose a few pounds. I was in it for the weight loss, plain and simple. I was envious of those girls who were “naturally skinny” and “didn’t need to work out”. Every day, I forced myself back on the treadmill, angry and resentful that I needed to exercise in order to look good. It didn’t seem fair. Continue reading
Often times when I take or teach a yoga class, we begin the practice by looking inward. Checking in with the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual selves. Noticing tightness and tension. Thoughts and feelings. Essentially, acknowledging whatever unseen things we carried with us to our mats.
I appreciate the guided questioning and encouragement to take note of what’s happening in my headspace and in my heart, as I usually come to find that it’s the first time I’ve had the chance to acknowledge those parts of myself all day. Continue reading
I used to be the kind of school girl who was filled with dread at the word “sport.” Anything to do with physical exercise was not my idea of fun and I honestly didn’t think I’d ever see a day where it was. Skip forward to five years later; I’ve just got back from spin class, I’ve booked into boxercise tomorrow and I’m planning my early morning workouts for the rest of the week. Yup – sometimes I don’t even recognize myself.
All I know is I’m a much happier, healthier and fitter person than the girl I used to be. Continue reading
A few mornings ago, I completed my usual 5 am ‘stumble out of bed, caffeinate, turn on computer and write’ routine. Feeling somewhat stiff in body and uninspired in mind an hour in, I opted to set aside my laptop and roll out my yoga mat. I spent 20 minutes flowing through various snap, crackle, pop, movements, each reinforcing the decision to switch up my morning schedule. Every opening and adjustment in my hips and back felt like my body’s way of offering thanks for the exercise. Continue reading
We’re officially in the Elle Woods camp on endorphins. We love the feeling we get just after a good sweat session, and knowing how much happier we’ll be post-workout is usually all the motivation we need to toss on our tennis shoes or roll out our yoga mats. Key word, usually. Continue reading
Feelings of intimidation often seem to accompany stepping into a yoga studio for the first time. Regardless of how many classes I teach or take, I can still remember how out of place I felt during that first practice. As the instructor tossed out words like ujjayi and supta baddha konasana, I anxiously looked around the room and wondered if anyone else was experiencing the same feelings of culture shock that I was. Half my sweat was a byproduct of the 90-degree room, but I’m fairly certain the other 50% was due to pure feels of ‘wth is happening right now?’ Continue reading
So, picture this: It’s 5:45 in the AM, your alarm just sounded, signaling you to work out, and you’re resisting every urge to either a) hit the snooze button –or- b) hit up the bagel shop down the street (heavy on the cream cheese).
By the time you’ve overcome the temptation island that is your warm bed and warm toasted bread, you deserve a reward, or at the very least, a powered up playlist.
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We all know how much of a difference the right (non-see through, fitted yet comfortable, breathable, sweat wicking) outfit can make in a workout. Forget spending half a class focusing on avoiding a wardrobe malfunction when we could otherwise be squatting lower, jumping higher, and exerting effort on the exercises themselves. Continue reading
