Next time you're out getting groceries, take a mental note of the layout. Most likely, you'll find that your greens, proteins, fruits/vegetables, and other natural foods are in the perimiter. Going into the middle aisles will instead lead you towards foods that are prepackaged, processed, and filled with sugars and other additives. Whenever buying groceries, try to check off your list with as many items from the perimiter as you can. Your cart will be full of foods that contain just as much flavor as their processed alternatives (if not more)...with the added benefit of TONS of nutritional value!

We want to warmly welcome Taylor to our Team!

Taylor Pagenkopf is from Winona, MN with prior training experience, and graduated from Winona State University with a degree in Exercise Science.

In addition to staying active outdoors, she loves to help others live that healthy lifestyle and achieve their goals!

Welcome Taylor!!

Sugar has become so ingrained in the American diet that, on average, we consume 77+ grams/day...compared to the recommended amount of 25-35!
Be mindful of the composition of your food!
Limiting sugar in your diet can make a huge impact on your health, from averting weight gain to stabilizing a normal blood pressure.

Rounded shoulders are one of the most common postural deficiencies we see.
This can cause huge stress on your neck and shoulders, creating aches and pains and putting you at high risk for major back injuries, such as herniated discs.
This video has a general protocol to follow to correct rounded shoulders, as well as some good examples of exercises to implement in that protocol!
If you need help with any posture issues, as well as anything from weight to muscle to joint problems, you can find us here!

Looking for a sweet treat to cool yourself down this summer? Look no further than this banana berry "ice cream"! Alternatives like this are a great way to enjoy a delicious snack that will give you tons of health benefits without the added sugars and fats found in ice cream.

Include these simple tips in your daily routine, they'll do wonders for your physical and mental health!
Just remember, you don't need to be perfect every day. All you can do is give every day your best, and that's enough to make a positive difference!

Too often, someone that starts a resistance training program tries to jump in and go 100%.
It's tempting to try to reach your goals ASAP, but doing too much too soon can be like diving into the deep end without learning to swim first.
Trust the process and the results will come!

There's a common misconception that the path to looking good is by weight loss.

In reality, the key lies in fat.

Fat loss means that by living a healthy lifestyle, you'll still get that look you're after while maintaining your muscle mass and fitness (and even improving them!)

One diet that has grown in popularity over the years, and one you're probably familiar with, is "grazing". Grazing consists of unstructured small meals throughout the day, as opposed to eating fewer, fuller meals (i.e. breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Grazing has become popular for a few reasons, namely due to its unstructured nature allowing those with "not enough time" to avoid planning for a full meal. It also allows dieters to avoid eating a meal that may leave them feeling full and sluggish. 

Grazing does have its benefits, namely keeping blood sugar and insulin levels more stable throughout the day and allowing for smoother digestion. In theory, it can also limit portion control issues. However, grazing does have many drawbacks as well. 

The most common issue with grazing is that it creates poor nutritional habits. Grazing, by definition, does not take into account the body's natural cycle of hunger. By not listening to the signals your body is sending you, you can...

A couple videos ago, I gave you some reasons for why you shouldn't eat back calories you burn during exercise.
However, a better solution is to avoid using calories as a measure of exercise altogether.
Learn some good alternatives to help you track your exercise here!