10 (Non-Diet) Ways To Deal When You Realize You’ve Gained Weight
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10 (Non-Diet) Ways To Deal When You Realize You’ve Gained Weight

To say that I have a strong dislike for the scale would be putting it lightly. I haven’t owned one for at least 3 years. When I go to the doctor, I request not to be weighed, and if they insist, I face backwards. If I hear someone mention getting on a scale I have…

“Strong Is the New Skinny?” Why I’m NOT using this phrase anymore:
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“Strong Is the New Skinny?” Why I’m NOT using this phrase anymore:

“Strong is the new skinny.” Actually…I’m not a big fan of this phrase. Not anymore, anyway. This might come as a surprise, coming from someone like me. I consider myself to be strong for sure. I’m resilient, strong-willed, and I like to lift heavy $hit for fun. I have a naturally muscular build, which means…

9 Reasons Why I’m Never Going On A Diet Again
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9 Reasons Why I’m Never Going On A Diet Again

Vacations are supposed to be relaxing, but I find that I really struggle mentally when I’m traveling. Relaxing stresses me out, especially in terms of my body image. Just a week ago I was snapchatting my friends selfies of my new high waisted bikini bottoms from the Target dressing room with the caption “there’s so…

How to stop feeling guilty for skipping your workout. (Whether you’ve missed one day or a whole decade!)
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How to stop feeling guilty for skipping your workout. (Whether you’ve missed one day or a whole decade!)

Some people need motivation to work out. External accountability to make sure they get some movement into their day. That’s one of the main reasons I’m able to make a living teaching people how to do squats and down dogs. Then there are people like me. We need to try really hard to NOT work…

How To Avoid Triggering Bad Body Image & Eating Disorders
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How To Avoid Triggering Bad Body Image & Eating Disorders

A few weeks ago, Weight Watchers announced that it would be offering free memberships to teens in a new program they are launching this summer. As someone who not only works with teenagers, but was also once a teen struggling with eating disorders and terrible body image, I have a BIG problem with this. Lots…

Body Positivity and “Letting Yourself Go” Are Not the Same Thing!
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Body Positivity and “Letting Yourself Go” Are Not the Same Thing!

Last weekend I was out with one of my most favorite friends–a fellow dancer turned fitness professional. She’s one of the few people I know in real life who truly gets me. Our playdates usually consist of a workout–she lets me use a guest pass at the gym she works at and we have fun…

Thin privilege in fit communities: What is it? And what can we do with it?
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Thin privilege in fit communities: What is it? And what can we do with it?

The other week I posted a photo on my Instagram and Facebook that received a lot of likes and comments. It was a selfie of me wearing a new leotard that I had just gotten. My commentary was as follows: Just got my new custom @yumikoworld leotard in the mail today! ???? Hoping this will…

Why It’s Ok To Rest. (And How To Make the Most Of Your Time Off)
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Why It’s Ok To Rest. (And How To Make the Most Of Your Time Off)

Last week’s successful ballet class was brought to you by REST and CARBS. What?! Let me explain… The other day I went to ballet class. This was a huge deal for me, because I hadn’t been to one since September. When you think about it, ballet is a very unnatural art form. You are supposed…

8 Reasons You Don’t Have To Work Out In the Morning
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8 Reasons You Don’t Have To Work Out In the Morning

Confession: I have recently instated a personal policy against working out (or working) at or before 6am. Over the past few years, I’ve really started to come to terms with the fact that I’m just not a morning person. When I’m forced to wake up against my will, I get super cranky. My husband (who…