Talking about my eye story from red, inflamed eyes, finding a dry eye specialist, and autoimmune findings, + what I’m doing in the meantime. 

Hi friends! I hope you’ve having a wonderful day! I have a new podcast episode up with the full eye story details. I put the call out on IG for topic requests, and so many of you asked to hear more about what’s been going on. I shared some in this post with the best products for dry eyes and MGD, but I’m breaking everything down in this podcast episode. Thank you so much for those of you who have checked in and have been so caring on this wild journey.

*Friendly reminder that this is not medical advice; just sharing my experience.

Here’s what I talk about in this episode:

– My eye saga, from red, inflamed eyes to figuring out what the heck was actually going on

– Bloodwork and test results

– Finding a dry eye specialist

– What functional labs I’ve been doing

– Why you aren’t your diagnosis, and so much more.

Just like with many medical situations in my life, I’m fusing more Western style treatments (like MiBoFlo) with functional and holistic options (lab testing, protocols). It doesn’t have to be one or the other, and I’m grateful to have lots of options and for amazing care providers. <3

Notes from the episode:

– HigherDOSE Labor Day sale starts TODAY! If you’ve been wanting a sauna blanket, red light face mask, PEMF Go Mat, or neck enhancer, now is the chance. Check out everything here and use the code FITNESSISA20 for 20% off! I use multiple HigherDOSE products each week and the Go Mat and sauna blanket are two of my favorite things in the whole world.

If any of my fellow health professional friends are looking for another way to help their clients, I highly recommend IHP. You can also use this information to heal yourself and then go one to heal others, which I think is a beautiful mission. You can absolutely join if you don’t currently work in the health or fitness industry; many IHPs

Sharing some of my favorite fall 2023 fashion finds!

Hi friends! How are you? I hope that you’re having a lovely day so far. I can’t believe that August is pretty much over. I always look forward to so many things during the fall: the fun fall activities with the kids (apple picking, fall festival, pumpkin patch), holidays, birthdays, ideal hiking weather, and all of the fall foods. I’m a soup-loving gal and also obsessed with pie and pumpkin, squashes and gourds. At the same time, I’m usually meh about fall fashion. I’d rather wear a dress and sandals, shorts and tank, or a swimsuit and coverup than a bulky sweater and boots.

Buuuuut something about this year makes me excited for fall fashion. I’m ready for jeans and sweaters, jogger sets, and sweater dresses. Maybe I’m more excited because shackets are finally gone?! (I hope???) Even so, I’ve been browsing online, planning some staple pieces, and thought I’d share some of my favorite finds with you today.

If you have anything you’re already loving or online stalking for fall, please share the goods in the comments section!

*Note: affiliate links are included below that don’t affect purchase price, but enable me to earn a small commission. Thank you so much to those of you who support the blog by shopping through my links!

20 things I’m loving for fall

Jackets, tops, and sweaters

Love a classic striped button-up.

Black off-shoulder tee.

This gorgeous cropped plaid blazer.

Perfect pullover sweater in nude.

Floral embroidered mock neck sweater.

White Varley jacket.

Jumpsuits and sets

This Free People dupe. I have this one, wear it all the time, and will definitely continue to wear this and the all black version through fall.

This gorgeous jumpsuit. (SO cute with GGs)

 Jeans

M

Sharing a roundup of some of my favorite functional stretches to add to your routine.

Hi friends! How are ya? I hope you had a great weekend! We had an amazing date night at Locale, I caught a hot yoga class, worked on Vitality (we start TODAY! last call!), and we met up with friends for dinner and drinks. I hope you had a lovely one, too!

For today, I wanted to chat a bit about functional stretching and share some of my faves. I know that stretching can be a fan fave, or something people loathe, but I think that it can be helpful to incorporate functional stretching (that makes sense for your activity level and lifestyle!) into your routine.

My favorite functional stretches

Why is functional stretching important?

Functional stretching, also known as dynamic stretching, involves moving your body through a range of motion to improve flexibility, mobility, and muscle activation. This type of stretching is different from static stretching, where you hold a position for an extended period. Functional stretching offers a range of benefits that are particularly relevant to physical activities and sports performance.

Here are some key benefits:

Improved Range of Motion:

Functional stretching involves dynamic movements that mimic the motions you’ll use during physical activities. This helps improve your joints’ range of motion in a way that’s relevant to your chosen sport or exercise.

Enhanced Flexibility:

Dynamic stretching helps increase the flexibility of your muscles and connective tissues by actively stretching and lengthening them through movement. This can contribute to better overall flexibility.Warm-Up for Activity: Functional stretching is often used as a warm-up before engaging in more intense physical activities. It gradually increases blood flow to your muscles, which helps prepare them for the demands of your workout or sports.

Activation of Muscles:

Dynamic stretching engages and activates the muscles you’re about to use. This can help improve muscle coordination and responsiveness, leading to better performance and reduced risk of injury.

Improved Blood Flow:

As you move through dynamic stretches, blood circulation to your muscles increases. This brings oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, enhancing their readiness for physical activity.

Injury Prevention:

Dynamic stretching with controlled movements and proper form helps improve joint stability and can reduce the risk of muscle strains and injuries during exercise. When you’re taking a muscle through the full and correct range of motion, it can help to prevent altered movement patterns, and imbalances that can lead to injury.

Neuromuscular Coordination:

Functional stretching promotes communication between

Hi hi! Happy Friday! How was the week? I hope that you’ve had a great one! The Pilot was in and out most of the week, so I’ve been wrangling the crew here. They’re fully back to school with homework and events, and while I don’t really know what our schedule will look like yet, it feels good to be back into things. I also got my first massage in over a year (bless it), met up with a friend for a yoga class, and had a dry eye specialist appt. I’d love to hear what you’ve been up to!

This weekend both kids have birthday parties and I’m putting the finishing touches on Vitality. If you’re looking for a hybrid 1:1 and group coaching experience, you can join in here. This will also be the *hub* for my 1:1 clients since it will host videos and downloads on multiple wellness topics in one spot. This way, they can continue to work on foundations while we work together, and also enjoy lifetime access.

Check out the details here and send me an email (gina@fitnessista.com subject VITALITY) if you have any questions.

it’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love to hear about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.

(Pic from date night with my love!)

Friday Faves 8.25

Read, watch, listen:

Listening to the audiobook of this and it’s incredible so far. If you’re raising girls (especially ones in the tween stage), I highly recommend it.

The behind-the-scenes glimpse we all needed.

How did you prepare your child for the first day of school?

The pressure to dream big and the beauty of wanting less.

Favorite podcasts for kids.

Fitness + good eats:

Community detox! We are joining in on the massive EquiLife community detox; last time there were over 50,000 people! We start on September 11th as a group. I have a call with EquiLife later this morning and am excited to hear what they have to say. If you know you want to join in, comment on this post and I’ll email you the details as soon as I get them! I’ll also update this post after the call.

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How to Maintain Your Weight Loss

Can you even believe it? Our 6 week Summer Shape Up challenge is over, but girlfriend – you are JUST GETTING STARTED. Whether you are trying to maintain your weight loss or keep pushing yourself further, this is how to make it happen this fall.

Finding Your Balance

Maintaining your results doesn’t mean sticking rigidly to the same routine forever. It’s about finding the right balance between sticking to the foundational habits you’ve built during the challenge and being flexible to make adjustments that make sense for your lifestyle.

Schedule Your Workouts

It doesn’t have to be the same time every day, but schedule your MOVE workouts into your week ahead of time to ensure it’s non-negotiable part of your routine. If you need to change it, that’s ok, but reschedule it in the moment. Don’t wait to “figure it out later.” It’s too easy to let that time slide if it’s not planned.

Mix It Up…The RIGHT Way

Progress comes from repetition, but that doesn’t mean doing the same exact workout day after day. The programs in MOVE are designed to give you the best balance of training styles while still providing flexibility. Try out the new videos, take your workout outside, join Katie’s live workouts, or checkout a new class with a friend on your cardio days. Keeping it fresh can help you stay inspired and prevent any boredom from creeping in.

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