Free Smoothie Workshop and Tasting (Plus Cardio Dance Class!)

Free Smoothie Workshop and Tasting (Plus Cardio Dance Class!)

Join me and my pals at the San Francisco Jewish Community Center for a free event on Saturday, April 6th from 9-10a. I’ll be leading an interactive workshop and explaining how to make the perfect smoothie including my top smoothie dos and don’ts. You’ll get my best recipes and I’ll demo live exactly what to do to get the most nutritious and delicious results. You will also get to taste my Super Green Protein Smoothie and learn how to make it at home. This special event is free to the entire community but space is limited. Register here to reserve your spot!

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Supplement Spotlight Update: Creatine for Muscle Growth, Athletic Performance and Brain Function

Supplement Spotlight Update: Creatine for Muscle Growth, Athletic Performance and Brain Function

Creatine is one of the most popular supplements in the world but is often one of the most misunderstood. Experts in the fitness community agree that creatine supplementation can be a safe and effective way to increase athletic performance, muscle growth and even brain health. I last updated this post in June 2023 and am updating it again to include this fantastic Whoop podcast which includes a discussion of the latest protocols and benefits of creatine supplementation featuring Dr. Darren Candow, Professor and Director of the Aging Muscle and Bone Health Laboratory at the University of Regina, Canada.

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Sarah's Fudgy Black Bean Brownies

Sarah's Fudgy Black Bean Brownies

When I came across this recipe for healthy fudge brownies made with nutrient-dense ingredients like black beans, avocado and dates I was like… gross. Ain’t no way those are going to taste like real brownies. But I have a secret weapon in my client Sarah. She is a fantastic cook and baker and has a keen interest in eating things that are delicious AND healthy. So she took the recipe into her kitchen and did some work on it to make it taste even better without sacrificing the good stuff. And honestly they taste like “real” brownies. Win!

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What Happens to Your Body When You Give Up Alcohol?

What Happens to Your Body When You Give Up Alcohol?

I work with loads of successful, social and often high-stressed professionals who enjoy the occasional (or more than occasional) glass (or two or three or four) of wine (or cocktails) at the end of the day and especially at work events. Sometimes they want to talk about it. Sometimes they don’t. But usually at some point (typically during a plateau) I end up being asked what a reasonable alcohol intake looks like for their fitness and health goals. I don’t tell people what to do. I provide them information and tools and serve as a resource to hold them accountable to what they decide.

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Benefits of Vitamin B12: A Quick Guide to Boosting Your Health

Benefits of Vitamin B12: A Quick Guide to Boosting Your Health

In the realm of essential vitamins, Vitamin B12 stands out as a powerhouse that plays a crucial role in our overall well-being. From boosting energy levels to supporting mental health, this vitamin can be a key player in maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. Check out this guide with everything you need to know about B12 and how to get enough of it.

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How to Enjoy the Holidays Without Blowing Your Fitness Goals

How to Enjoy the Holidays Without Blowing Your Fitness Goals

It's that time of year again when holiday parties, family feasts and travel plans can kill your fitness resolve and give you the nutritional "f*ck its". Don't throw in the towel. Here are three simple and effective tips you can use over the coming weeks to make sure you have a good time without blowing all your hard work. 

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9 Strategies for “Cleaning Up” Your Nutrition

9 Strategies for “Cleaning Up” Your Nutrition

One of the many super fun parts of my job is getting asked by corporations and nonprofits to come in and give workshops on various wellness topics. This week I had a blast visiting my pals at the JCCSF to lead a discussion on my best nutritional strategies based on 10 years of 1/1 nutrition coaching. This is one of my all time favorite workshops where I review 3 beginner, 3 intermediate and 3 advanced nutritional strategies for body composition/weight management and optimal health. If you're curious about what my top 9 are here is a PDF of the deck.  

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Practice "Safe Snacks" for Fat Loss

Practice "Safe Snacks" for Fat Loss

In our house, the hour before bedtime is known as “Crinkle, Crinkle” time. That’s the time of night, after a healthy dinner, my husband and I tend to mosey over to the kitchen cabinet in search of snacks. And the “crinkle, crinkle” sounds of our favorite treats give us away! And before you know it, it’s easy to have eaten way more than you intended resulting in weight gain, indigestion, poor sleep and frustration. This happened to me a few months ago and it took some strategic thinking to course correct. There are loads of strategies out there. And I tried a few that didn’t work for me. Here’s what worked.

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Podcast: Three Pillars of Fitness and Debunking Common Myths

Podcast: Three Pillars of Fitness and Debunking Common Myths

I really enjoyed being a guest on the Mind Body Planet podcast talking about the three pillars of fitness and debunking many common misconceptions in the health industry. If you get confused from the conflicting and sometimes crazy information permeating from "fitness influencers" on social I hope you’ll give it a listen and a like!

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JJFit Reading Club - Food for Life: The New Science of Eating Well

JJFit Reading Club - Food for Life: The New Science of Eating Well

Full disclosure, this is not an easy read (or listen). It’s dense and at times overwhelming. So if you’re looking for easy answers to what and how to eat you may get frustrated. But the information Tim Spector brings to light is fascinating and important and it’s worth hunkering down to expose yourself to his research and recommendations and to try to start implementing some of his teachings into your habits.

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Looking to Outsource Meal Prep? Here's My Go To Delivery Service: Factor

Looking to Outsource Meal Prep? Here's My Go To Delivery Service: Factor

I'm not into cooking. "But JJ, you're a trainer! Don't you love spending hours in the kitchen meal-prepping and putting everything you eat into perfect little containers?” Sort of. I prepare (not cook!) my breakfasts, lunches and snacks for the work week in advance using many of the recipes I share in my free nutrition guide. But actually cooking? I'm just not into it. So Peter and I decided years ago to outsource our weekday dinners to a meal delivery service. After trying a few different ones we landed on Factor and have been loving it. 

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Should You Exercise When Sick?

Should You Exercise When Sick?

It’s that time of year. Everyone around you is getting sick. Again. Those who were once your family, friends and colleagues are now the enemy. They’ve become evil germ zombies from The Last of Us come to destroy your gains and screw up your perfect rhythm of work and life. Like death and taxes, it happens to us all and despite your best efforts, you may get sick at some point. I am frequently asked whether working out will help or hurt when under the weather. So I’m sharing my go-to references for deciding.

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Why and How to Consider a Turmeric Supplement

Why and How to Consider a Turmeric Supplement

I have noticed since hitting 40 my body is changing. My joints get more sore, recovery from tough workouts can take longer and sometimes my brain feels foggy. All normal stuff that smart people I trust have told me turmeric can help with. So a few years ago I did what any logical person would do. I crowd sourced it to social media and cross referenced it with scholarly research and got a bevy of solid advice here.

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Five of My Favorite Fitness Trackers for Optimizing Health, Performance and Diet

Five of My Favorite Fitness Trackers for Optimizing Health, Performance and Diet

There are SO MANY trackers on the market. And the landscape changes all the time. The ones discussed in this post are the ones I have personally used at various stages of my fitness journey and have seen work for many of my clients. If you have something that is already working for you, GREAT! Don’t fix what ain’t broke. But if you are looking for something to aid you along in your wellness journey maybe one or some of these can help.

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Why Are People Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar?

Why Are People Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar?

A few years ago a bodybuilder, a pastor and a pilates instructor each told me they drink apple cider vinegar every day. The bodybuilder said he kicks back a shot of it in the morning for its alkalizing properties to help offset the acidic effects of a high protein, low carb diet. The pastor dilutes 1tbs in 8oz of cold water and drinks it down to manage hunger and for weight loss. The pilates instructor sips on a diluted solution and swears by its ability to improve digestion and gut health. I did some poking around the Interwebs and asked some trusted experts for their thoughts on the stuff. Is this a case of placebo or is apple cider vinegar a true miracle elixir? Let’s explore.

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Healthy Holiday Treats from Allison Tibbs

Healthy Holiday Treats from Allison Tibbs

I’ve been lucky to work with the incomparable Allison Tibbs for several years. She is an amazing coach and is hands down a nutrition guru. A while back we partnered to deliver a fantastic healthy holiday happy hour to our corporate client Nixon Peabody. The menu included Allison's super yummy almond butter stuffed dates, no bake peanut butter oatmeal cookies, non-alcoholic mulled wine and my favorite entree of teriyaki soba and veggies with shrimp and salmon. Here’s a PDF with the recipes. Be sure to follow Allison on IG @allisontibbs.

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15 Goal Ideas to Inspire More Movement and Joy

15 Goal Ideas to Inspire More Movement and Joy

Traditionally a lot of people jump into the holidays with two feet (see what I did there?!) and the best of intentions for crushing big fitness and wellness goals starting in the new year. Trainers like me used to see spikes in new gym memberships and requests for strict meal plans (instead of spikes in Coronavirus variants and virtual training sessions). If you are struggling with motivation and finding a goal that resonates with you, here are 15 some of my peeps are going for in the coming months that will influence their weekly fitness routines.

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Can Oatmeal Lower Your Cholesterol?

Can Oatmeal Lower Your Cholesterol?

In January I had my cholesterol checked and it was high. Aren't genetics a blast?! I already eat pretty darn well, exercise, don't smoke or drink, avoid trans fats--all the things that are known to help. I want to avoid medicine if/however long I can and opted to talk to my doctor about nutrition as a path to lower it naturally. Literally all I've changed since January was replacing my old breakfast of Greek yogurt and fruit with homemade rolled oatmeal (not instant) and berries. Here’s what happened.

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Schedule Your JJFit RunFit Assessment Before Training for Your Next Event

Schedule Your JJFit RunFit Assessment Before Training for Your Next Event

Whether you’re a veteran runner with several events under your belt or you’re considering your first 10k, half marathon or full marathon a comprehensive gate and mobility assessment might be a wise investment. I’ve prepared and trained dozens of clients for a variety of events from their first 5k to a Spartan and even an Iron Man and ultra marathon. If you’d like to improve your performance, manage existing injuries, reduce pain and prevent future injuries a run assessment can help.

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Four Ingredient "Veri Veri" Teriyaki Shrimp and Soba

Four Ingredient "Veri Veri" Teriyaki Shrimp and Soba

This is one of my favorite meal prep treats and it's literally one of the easiest to make. My partner and I were getting tired of our old lunchtime standbys (chicken salad, meat loaf, salmon). Sometimes you just want something that tastes as good as Chinese takeout or ramen but that won't leave you feeling gross and bloated. Try this quick one that only has FOUR ingredients and can be prepped and stored for easy lunches or dinners during the week.

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