At various times in the past month, I’ve described my new status as retired…..or semi-retired.  The one thing that I’ve been very sure of is that I am taking the summer and fall off.  I need time to regroup and decide how I’m going to spend the next 30 years of my life. 

This is the summer of hikes. I decided that this summer would be the one that I really explored the hikes of the Grand Valley. I want to see this beautiful place I call home. I push myself, even when I would rather be at home lounging on my couch because every time I reach the end of a hike, I am filled with so much pride.

Let’s face it; unless you are independently wealthy or still live with your parents, most of us generally have too much on our plates. 

Excuses for not exercising become easy when the act of simply opening the pile of mail sitting on the couch for the last week seems like too much of a time burden.

For a good portion of our early years, that was the case for us Tomato owners. It’s a contradiction of sorts; we lived in Fruita and opened a business here because of the biking, and then the biking stopped happening when the business grew.

In this era of prenatal fitness, most women know that exercise during a normal pregnancy is safe.  Yet, when it comes to the particulars – Is it ok to work my abs? Do I have to stop running? Should I keep my heart rate low? Can I START exercising now? These myths and misconceptions that hold women back seem to persist.  I’m here to offer you a reality check on the fitness myths that just won't die.

When spring really starts making the days better and warmer, I think about riding my bike! Actually, I get really excited to get on my bike and ride on the Riverfront Trail, as well as on mountain bike trails. I also like to ride my bike to different places around town. Sometimes I ride my bike to get ice cream, and when I can, I even ride my bike to work! If you have kids, the perfect day to get your kids on bikes is Bike to School Day, Wednesday, May 4th.  Make plans with your neighbors and friends to all ride together! 

Last August, I and the importance of having a more deliberate approach to creating community as I get older. In the blog and others, I’ve worried about how I’ll get the support I need as I grow older and recognized my need to learn, even at my present age, to when I need help.

Over 10 years ago, I heard about the concept of co-housing and found it intriguing. I want to avoid the kind of isolation that so many of the elderly experience.

At our house, everyone contributes. It’s not a big house, so even with just three of us we’re able to get a lot done if everyone does their part.

Imagine what could be possible if we approached our community the same way.

Like so many other things, “making a difference” in a community sounds kind of overwhelming if you think too big. Most of us won’t have impacts that make the headlines. But just like in our little house, we can get so much done if everyone does their part.  

Moms everywhere tend to put themselves on the bottom of the priority list. Well, it’s time that mom puts herself on the top rung of that ladder. What we won’t do for ourselves we will do for our children. Do you want them to know how to embrace health and wellness? Well, then you need to be the role model mom.  Let's talk about how we can fit fitness, healthy eating and stress management in so we can practice OptiMOM health!

Why is spinning so fantastic? Spinning is simple and it doesn't require any coordination, which for me, is a bonus (two left feet here). Spinning is low impact, it's non-competitive and it's very effective. Spinning can actually make burning fat fun. Yes, I said FUN! As Spinning is one of the most popular group exercise classes of all, here are some pointers for those of you who are thinking of trying a class.

It is tough working out in the cold. Period. Whether it’s the thought of frostbitten toes or the chance of unforeseen snow, it’s tempting to tell yourself, skip the workout, and stay in bed. Here are a few ways that keep me sane and on track with my fitness routine during this bleak season.

Now that Christmas has come and gone, many of us are thinking about our New Year’s resolutions.  Most of these resolutions center on health, fitness and weight loss.  All too often these resolutions have fallen to the wayside a couple of months later.  Unrealistic expectations often lead to frustration and discouragement; this is no way to start the New Year!  Fitness blogger, Dan Marzullo has a better way!  Instead of making resolutions, try setting SMART goals.  Follow this 5-step process for fitness goal setting to keep you on track all year long!

I was very sad to hear that Ed Ruland died on September 14.  I didn’t know him extremely well or for very long, but he made a lasting impression on me.

There is nothing like racing your bike under the hot desert sun. You’re in the gate and your mind is racing. You ask yourself, what am I doing? I’m a 33-year-old wife and stay- at-home mother of two. 

On a recent Sunday morning, I took a leisurely jog along the Colorado Riverfront Trail with my dogs and gained a renewed appreciation for the variety of ways locals enjoy our rivers.