Massage guns are all the rage these days. I bought my husband one for Christmas (the full-sized one pictured here), but I’ve never actually used it. So when Bob and Brad offered to send me their mini massage gun to write a review, I was more than happy to oblige. 

1. Compact When I put this mini massage gun next to my husband’s full-size one, it’s obvious that this one is a great size to travel with and keep handy. I love the organized case that it comes in, again, much smaller and compact than the version I bought for my husband. 

2. Powerful Don’t let the small size fool you. This little massager packs some power. It also gives you several options for the speed of the pulsations and different massage heads. 

3.  Quick and Easy to Charge I have to be honest, I hate AC adapters. We have an entire junk drawer full of them. I have no idea what products that go with, which is incredibly frustrating. Now this mini massager...

Here are some tips on how you can be more mindful. Whether it's mindful eating or other mindful aspects of your life such as working out, driving, or interacting with people. So, the number one is meditation. I can't say enough about it. It physically changes your brain. It helps regulate your emotions and your stress. It clears your head. You could think of meditation as an exercise in mindfulness.

So the more that you meditate, the more will help you be more mindful. Breath work and breathing is another great way to be more mindful. So even just counting your breaths, doing box breathing which is breathing in for four, pausing for four and breathing out for four, that could also help with mindfulness and really bringing down your stress levels and raising your awareness.

Then finally when it comes to mindful eating, you want to put your fort down and then count that number of chews. Especially if you're a fast eater and you find that you want to chew what's on your mouth before...

Why is it important to eat mindfully? Well, there are a number of reasons. Obviously when you eat mindfully, it will help prevent emotional eating or stress eating. If you are mindful about the food that you're preparing and about to put into your body, you really think through. Am I hungry right now? What am I hungry for? When you're emotional or stress eating, think about if you want to have a bowl of broccoli or a bowl of potato chips. Obviously if you're not interested in eating fruits, vegetables, or something healthy, odds are that you're eating out of stress or boredom.

If you're emotional and stress eating, you'd want potato chips or pizza or ice cream or something that's going to be really satisfying and maybe not that healthy. So mindful eating is important to make good choices, right? Understand why you're eating because you should be truly hungry, plus eating slowly and mindfully will also help with your digestion. You're not going to rush through your meal. You're going...

How many times have you heard “There’s an app for that?” Gotta love technology. It’s simplified our lives in so many ways, including when it comes to staying in shape. With that, I’d like to share my top five favorite apps. These are the ones that I use every.single.day.

1. MyFitnessPal
   As a macro-tracking ninja, this app is my go-to for logging all of my food. Plus, I’m on a 1,050-day streak that I don’t want to break any time soon. The free version is perfect for most people, while I opted for the premium version at $49 per year. The paid version enables me to customize my macros, which makes my life soooo much easier. You can also customize and load your own recipes, save your favorite meals and so much more!
   
   
2. Fit Bit
   I’m currently on my third Fit Bit device. I am seriously addicted to it. In addition to having an app on your phone, I have the Fit Bit HR, which allows you to track your heart rate, see your total calories burned, steps...

Check out this guest post from Cristina Panagopoulus. If you’re in the Chicago area and want an in-person trainer, be sure to look up Cristina.

What does it mean to be healthy? 

Being healthy is a broad term. There is no "one" way to be healthy BUT there is a way for you to be healthier. I always tell clients that making smaller steps in the right direction can do wonders. For example, if you eat out every day for lunch try bringing your lunch instead. Or perhaps you don't care for vegetables. Start incorporating them week by week. Try something new at the grocery store you don't normally eat. Being healthy, for the most part, is making small steps to living a long life. Make your food instead of buying it pre-made. Eat out once a week. Exercise 4-5 times a week. Eat more vegetables and less processed foods. Taking the steps to change your lifestyle will keep you living a healthy life.

How can people stick to their New Year’s...

Need ideas for what to get your favorite fit mom for Christmas or Hanukkah…or just because? How about some holiday fit gifts for yourself? Here are some of my favorite products that I use on a daily basis (and yes, some of these do include affiliate links):

1. Fit Bit Charge HR 2
   I reviewed this product recently and I can’t say enough about how much I get out of my Fit Bit. There are benefits I totally forgot to include in my initial review, like the reminder to get up and move every hour. How great is that?? Plus, the vibrating alarm ensures you wake up without waking up your significant other.
2. Escali Food Scale 
   Here’s how much I love my food scale: I run out and buy batteries if it so much as gives me a hint that the batteries are running low. I use this every.single.day. I bring it on vacation…yes, I’m obsessed with weighing my food! It’s the only surefire way to control your portions.
3. Escali Weight Scale
   I’ve had this...