Jen here again! One of my favorite (if not my absolute favorite) things in this world is attending concerts. The bass that pumps through your chest, the music so loud that it drowns out any and all worries you have, the way the crowds move and sing together, making you feel a part of something bigger than yourself, and, of course, the opportunity to see your favorite musicians in person- it’s a healing and exhilarating experience. Until a few years ago, I had been to maybe three big concerts in total, and those were when I was a teenager (thank you, Mom, for taking me to see Green Day in Nashville and for gifting me Marilyn Manson tickets when I was a teenager, I have always appreciated the amount of support you’ve given me for the things I love!). If you’ve read my other blog posts, you know that I...Read more

We love resistance band training! There is so much you can do with resistance bands (many of which we do here at Fit!). Even if you usually use free weights (which, obviously, we love those too, and working out with free weights has a host of benefits on its own), you’ll find that resistance band training might be the next thing you incorporate into your fitness routine! Here are five reasons that we love resistance band training!  Resistance bands are less expensive than basically any other type of workout equipment. Plus, they require little room for storage, can be easily stowed away in luggage when you are on the go, and weigh practically nothing! Talk about convenience and accessibility.  They are GREAT for stretching and mobility exercises. So, even if you prefer to weightlift, they come in handy! Some post-workout or pre-workout stretches are limited by your mobility. Sometimes, you...Read more

Although there is still a lot of emerging research on the benefits of whole-body vibration plates, scientists and neurologists alike have found that using vibration plates may benefit the human body and brain in surprising ways!  What is a vibration plate? It’s a machine that you stand or sit on with a vibrating platform. As the machine vibrates, it transmits energy to your body, forcing your muscles to contract and relax dozens of times each second. Whole-body vibration plates are used in sports therapy, athletic training, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation. According to experts, whole-body vibration therapy makes you feel like you have just exerted yourself, improves circulation, enhances lymph flow, and aids muscle recovery. Oh, and it feels more like a message or stretching than a workout!  How does it work? According to Darnell Cox, a Healthy Aging Coach, and Gerontologist, “Through vibrations, movement is created—this puts our body slightly out...Read more

Jim Thorpe playing college football. Member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame, baseball all-star, the first president of the NFL, 2x Olympic gold medalist, the most versatile modern-day athlete, a man with a town named after him, professional actor, and Akapamata (“caregiver”). Jim Thorpe was an amazing athlete with a lot of natural talent who wore a lot of hats. However, in part because of his Native American Heritage, Thorpe suffered much adversity. Despite the discrimination and marginalization, and a very rough childhood, Jim Thorpe beat the odds and became one of the greatest athletes of all time. Jim Thorpe, baptized “Jacobus Franciscus Thorpe” in the Catholic Church and given the native name, Wa-Tho-Huk, or “Bright Path,” was born and raised in the Native American Sac and Fox Nation, what was called “Indian Territory” (now Oklahoma). Thorpe was born without a birth...Read more

My sister, me, and my mom. In the canyon! Every year on the 1st of July (or at least as close as we can get to the 1st), I (hello again, it’s Jen C. here!), my two sisters, and my mom, Jan Held (who you all know and love), take a trip to a State Park in honor and remembrance of Daniel Connelly. He was tragically taken from us eight years ago, and the four of us getting together to celebrate his life has been, and always will be, a way that we grieve, celebrate, and remember how wonderful of a brother and son Daniel was. Plus he loved hiking. We went hiking A LOT when we were kids. I vividly remember many trips to Turkey Run and other parks when I was little with my siblings and my parents. If you were too little or tired to hike the...Read more