Relax & Reclaim

Do you work remotely from home? If you do, then this article is not for you. Or maybe it is... Did you know that about 22.8% of the U.S. workforce works remotely at least part of the time in 2026?   This equates to over 36 million individuals working from home! 22.8%, what about the remaining 77.2% that have to commute everyday?  And most importantly what does that have to do with health ?? Before we get into that, we got a few more statistics for you. First, most people don’t think twice about their commute. It’s part of the grind—something to tolerate. But when you do the math, it adds up to something big .  If you commute twice a day, five days a week, that’s 440 trips each year. At 45 minutes on the average  each way, you’re spending 90 minutes a day—or roughly 1,650 hours annually—just traveling.  That’s nearly ten full weeks every single year. And it often feels like time lost in limbo. But it doesn’t have to be. Reframing your comm...

When you start to age, your body sometimes let's you know that it's time for a reset. Some people get concerned about how to extend their lives or make their lives more fulfilling.  We received a question from a reader with initials "A.G." from The Netherlands asking about longevity. Here's an excerpt from A.G.'s email:  " ...I am wanting to find ways to increase my life span. I read a lot of books on this subject and many of them talk about some crazy ways to lengthen your lifespan.  There was one book that talked about only eating fruit grown from volcanic soil will add 5 years ( where do I find that? ).  Another talked about sleeping 18 hours straight once a month for 12 months to add 6 years to your life ( I am extremely busy and simply cannot allocate that amount of time! ). I read another that talked about working out intensely for 45 minutes one day a week for 90 days to add 10 years ( I am up in age now and I don't think my body...

Did you know that one of the worst things you can do to your body while trying to diet is to follow an actual diet plan? Sounds preposterous doesn't it? Let's rephrase that: “One of the worst things you can do to your body while dieting is diet plan inflexibility?” What does that even mean?  We’ve created a list here of diet do’s and do not’s. We're not saying everyone does this, but some of us have done at least a couple of these at one time or another: 1. All-or-Nothing Thinking Clearing out your cupboards and swearing off anything that isn’t green or grilled might sound brave—but it’s not sustainable. Our bodies don’t like extremes. Cut too much, and you’ll slow your metabolism . Then comes the binge. Then guilt. Slip up? Keep going. Don’t toss the whole day for a few bites. a man working out and resisting a cheeseburger  2. Same Food, Every Day Eating grilled chicken with broccoli six nights a week? Rough. Your body needs a mix of nutrients —...

Are you looking to build strength and endurance without a high impact workout regimen? Unfortunately, many people are too short on time these days to dedicate much focus on either type of workout. Finding time to exercise is almost impossible in our busy lives these days. For those with j oint pain, injuries, or limited mobility, going to the gym is a huge no-go. Enter isometric exercises.  What Are Isometric Exercises? These simple moves involve muscle contraction without joint movement. Imagine pressing your hands together in a prayer pose—your muscles work while your limbs stay still. 🙏  Isometric training is not just a quick, equipment-free workout; it's a safe and effective choice for those short on time or dealing with physical restrictions. Let’s look at how these exercises can benefit your body and schedule. But first, a little housekeeping: * Please be advised that the topics being discussed on this website are solely for informational purposes and should not be int...

Warmer weather is here and you're ready for it, right? So let's check to make sure you've got everything you need, okay? Sunscreen? Check.  Oversized beach hat? Check.  That sleek new swimsuit you swore you’d earn with those winter workouts? Check... Wait a second—what gives? You're still not sliding into that swimsuit like you planned? Is the scale stuck? Picture it: You’ve been grinding hard — sweating it out like a champ , eating clean , staying focused . But now? The scale’s acting like it forgot how to count. Zero movement. Nada. For days. Maybe even weeks. yelling at the scale never works  Totally maddening, right? You’re putting in the work... but your body’s playing hard to get. Don’t throw in the towel just yet, Relax and Reclaim's got your back! Your body runs on rhythms and routines. If you can figure out what’s going on under the hood, you can crack the code and figure out the patterns to get things moving again. Let’s break down s...

If shedding pounds after 50 feels like an uphill battle, you’re not alone. A slowing metabolism, muscle loss, and mobility concerns can make traditional weight loss methods less effective.  But here’s the good news—you can still lose weight successfully!  The key?  Work with your body by optimizing metabolism, making smart food choices , and embracing low-impact exercises that burn fat without unnecessary strain. Boosting Your Metabolism After 50 Your basal metabolic rate (BMR)—the calories your body burns at rest—naturally decreases with age, dropping 1-2% per decade after 30 due to muscle loss. This means eating the same way you did in your 30s can now lead to weight gain. The fix?  Maintain and build lean muscle! Strength training (even with light resistance) can increase BMR by 5-10%, since muscle burns more calories than fat, even at rest. If lifting weights isn’t for you, try bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, or water aerobics for joint-friendly strength...

Ever feel like your metabolism’s stuck in a slow-motion loop? 🐢 You’re not alone! I've been there before myself. When dieting and exercise just aren't helping you to hit your goals it can be very frustrating. It's like you've hit a wall and you can't seem to get past it. 🧱 It can seem like your body’s inner engine takes an unscheduled break just when you’re hoping it will work overtime. That, of course is the bad news. The good news? There are simple, science-backed ways to get it humming again—and maybe even turn up the heat on calorie burn.🔥 Let me show you what I mean: 1. Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): The Secret Saboteur 👿 Here’s the deal: after your 20s, your RMR—basically the calories you burn just staying alive—drops about 1-2% every decade. Not exactly thrilling news, but here’s the catch: this slowdown isn’t set in stone. Factors like activity level, muscle mass, and diet all play a massive role in how much your RMR dips. Translation?  Staying active an...

Few activities benefit the body as much as stretching does. It is remarkably simple and requires minimal time investment.  Unfortunately, many Americans overlook stretching as an essential part of their daily fitness regimen. Incorporating stretching into your daily exercise routine enhances muscle flexibility, which significantly reduces the risk of injury, improves muscle performance, and fosters a prolonged sense of well-being that can last for hours after your session Ideally, you should engage in stretching multiple times throughout the day. Morning stretches prepare your body for the day's activities and provide your brain with a focused, calming task, resulting in a reduction of anxiety levels. In the evening, stretching helps alleviate the tension accumulated from a day of activities. Taking the time to stretch and relax your muscles before bed can diminish soreness and ensure you wake up feeling refreshed and invigorated. Importantly, stretching is essential before any vi...

Here's something you've probably heard of before.... Women's fitness goals are different from men's.... How different ? You may ask.  Just wait until you see what I'm going to show you.... Cerebral Influences Like most other meaningful activities, fitness starts between your ears. It's all in your mind. A fitness program or regimen starts out as an idea. It's even more than that as well. Your way of thinking also influences how you workout.  Here's a couple of examples for you: Most men work out to achieve a goal targeted toward a set of desired results. For example, a guy sees that women are attracted to a certain body type, they tend to focus on achieving that goal, for the purpose of attracting the babes. Now this doesn't mean that women don't do the same thing because we do. In fact, women are typically more "body-conscious" than their male counterparts.  What differs for each gender are the reasons for get...

Every year, millions of people commit to losing weight by exercising. Perhaps you've even made a promise to add more exercise into your day.  Your day-to-day routine may keep you from staying with a program for longer than a few weeks or months. Sometimes you may even get bored with the routines. This can keep you from shedding a single pound and in some cases even cause you to gain additional unwanted weight.  If you dread the very thought of exercise, take a look at these tips.  Time to change tactics this year, time to fool your body into exercise! Sneaky Tip #1 – Do Something You Enjoy Exercise doesn't always mean spending hours at the gym peddling away on a stationary bike or working out on an elliptical machine. It doesn't even mean you have to spend tons of money on work out equipment you will likely never use either.  Anything you do to get your body moving could be considered a form of exercise. For example, walking is an easy exercise that...

How many times have you gone to sleep at night, swearing you'll go to the gym in the morning, and then changing your mind just eight hours later because when you get up, you don't feel like exercising? While this can happen to the best of us, it doesn't mean you should drop the ball altogether when it comes to staying fit. What people need to realize is that staying active and eating right are critical for long-term health and wellness -- and that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  The more you know about how your body responds to your lifestyle choices, the better you can customize a nutrition and exercise plan that is right for you.  When you eat well, increase your level of physical activity, and exercise at the proper intensity, you are informing your body that you want to burn a substantial amount of fuel.  This translates to burning fat more efficiently for energy. In other words, proper eating habits plus exercise equals fast metabolism, whi...