Not everyone who experiences anxiety has or will develop an anxiety disorder. Some anxiety is a regular part of life. Our response to stimuli that create anxiety helps us pay attention to potential danger and keeps us alert. However, for an estimated 11% of people worldwide who are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, anxiety is often without an identifiable cause and creates mild to severe disruptions in their lives. It is also the fourth leading cause of disability in adults. Unfortunately, anxiety disorders often lead to other mental disorders, such as depression, which causes further disruptions. Although exercise is known to reduce anxiety, individuals suffering from it are frequently the most sedentary. In addition, anxiety and lack of exercise are known causes of other health issues, such as cardiovascular problems and diabetes, and lack of exercise also increases the likelihood of developing health issues, creating compounding factors. We also know...Read more

What is PTSD? First, let’s talk about what Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is, since it is sometimes misunderstood. It is a complicated mental disorder that develops after exposure to or experiencing a single or repeated traumatic event. It’s often associated with military service, but also occurs in individuals who witness or experience things like abuse, car accidents, or natural disasters (among many others). Not everyone will develop PTSD after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. However, the individuals that do develop PTSD develop changes in their mental and emotional states that can severely impact their quality of life, relationships, employment, other daily aspects of their lives, and their emotional well-being. Individuals suffering from PTSD experience some or all of the following: PTSD often occurs alongside other mental health disorders, such as anxiety disorders and/or depression, substance abuse disorders, and memory problems. Physical problems may occur as well (your body...Read more

It’s no secret that a functional fitness routine will improve your everyday life, which is why at Fit, we stress the improvements that exercise has on daily movement and mobility! But did you know you can “hack” your daily movements to integrate functional fitness exercises into your daily life? It’s a win-win! Here are some of our favorite ways to hack our lives to improve our functional fitness!  Try a balance challenge! When you’re brushing your teeth, waiting in line, warming up your dinner, or basically any time where you are standing still for a few minutes, try standing on one leg for a few moments and then alternate! You don’t have to balance for long! This small addition to your day strengthens your stabilizer muscles and improves your coordination over time, enhancing your ability to do gym AND daily movements! Incorporate proper lifting form into everyday tasks! Picking up...Read more

We keep hearing that sitting too much can shorten your lifespan, but is sitting all day really that bad for you? With so many of us stuck at desk jobs, it’s an important question to answer. Unfortunately, sitting for prolonged periods of time does have negative effects on your body. The good news is, you can do something about it!  Sitting for a bit won’t hurt you. The problem arises when you frequently sit for long periods of time without getting up to move. Studies have shown that the least health risks associated with sitting at a desk all day are attributed to getting up and moving every half hour- even if you just stand up and walk around your office. Why is getting up and moving frequently so important? Well, besides the back problems that come from sitting (which is often what people notice first), there are a host...Read more

Have you made a New Year’s resolution? The beginning of the year is a great time to reflect- on what we have achieved, what we want to achieve, and how we will achieve it. All too often, we make goals and abandon them, usually before January is even over. Here are some tips for making SMART goals and sticking to them in 2025! Remember SMART Goals SMART is an acronym for: Specific: Be clear about what you want to achieve. Measurable: Track your progress with concrete numbers or milestones. Achievable: Set challenging but realistic goals, given your current situation. Relevant: Ensure the goal aligns with your values and long-term objectives. Time-bound: Create a realistic deadline to hold yourself accountable. Here are some tips to make SMART goals in the New Year: Start with a Clear Vision Why do the goals you make matter to you? The first step to set...Read more