#122 Fitness, Nutrition, and the Brain

We try not to play favorites, but let’s be honest: the brain is the most important organ in the body. So why do we talk so little about how we can take good care of it? Daphnie explains how we can use nutrition and exercise to supercharge our brains for focus, memory, and even happiness. Warning: science ahead!

Links in this episode: More on sugar and the brain from Harvard Medical School, Spark by John J. Ratey MD with Eric HagermanMore on exercise and depression, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Wendy SuzukiHealthy Brain, Happy Life by Wendy Suzuki, PhD  

#027RR Abs

Everyone wants hot abs, and everyone on the internet will tell you how to get them if you hand them $50 and make room in your apartment for some weird metal torture device. In this episode, Daphnie explains what your ab muscles actually are and why they’re so important (they’re not just for looking hot, people). Joanna does a series of ab exercises punctuated by loud groaning. Plus, Daphnie gives us snack advice in What Your Trainer Eats.

Links in this episode: Abdominal muscle anatomy drawingplank formside plank formreverse crunch formfull sit up formSuperman form

#121 Your Gut Microbiome with Dr. Gabi Fragiadakis

We have 10 times more microbial cells in our body than we have human cells. What are they all doing there? Dr. Gabi Fragiadakis, post-doctoral researcher in Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford University, sheds some light on what the microbes in our gut are up to, how they might be affecting our health, and what scientists think we should be eating to keep our microbiome happy.

Links in this episode: Diagram of the GI tract, More info on the mouse obesity fecal transplant experimentMore on the microbiome in babies delivered by c-section, Breastfeeding and the microbiomeThe Good Gut book, The Sonnenburg Lab

#120 Flexibility

Flexibility is really valuable in dance and gymnastics, but as you get older it can feel like it’s a consolation prize for women: “She’s not very strong, but she’s flexible.” Daphnie explains why we all should be striving to increase our flexibility regardless of gender or age (and that doesn’t mean being able to touch your toes or doing the splits. Thank goodness.)

Links in this episode: Circus Juventas in Minnesota, Daphnie's foam rolling video from Gothamista, Our episodes on Foam Rolling and Warming Up

#119 Making Changes with Dr. Amanda Crowell

“I want to make a change, but I just can’t seem to make it happen.” Sound familiar? We’ve been there, in our work lives and our fitness lives. Dr. Amanda Crowell (cognitive psychologist and change coach) says there are three mindsets that are keeping us from making those changes, and she shares her tools for adjusting those mindsets so that we “normal people” can do the awesome things we want to do.

Links in this episode: Amanda’s website, Worksheet she talks about on the episode, Michael Jordan "Failure" commercial, Couch to 5K, Amanda on meal planning

#118 The Just One More Fitness Test

This President’s Day has us thinking about the Presidential Fitness Test. Do you have terrible memories of trying to do a “flexed arm hang” in front of all of your 7th grade classmates? We do! So we’re scrapping the old test and suggesting a handful of better ways to track your fitness progress. It’s the Just One More Fitness Test! Plus, Daphnie answers a listener question about how to balance evening workouts and trying not to eat late.

Links in this episode: Presidential Youth Fitness Program, Runkeeper, Map My Run, Fitbit Alta HR, Fitbit Charge 2Garmin vívosmart HR under $80Garmin vívoactive HR with GPS

#022RR Winter Workouts

It feels harder to work out in the winter. It’s cold (duh), it gets dark early, and no one can see your body under all those sweaters anyway. But in the quest for #NoWinterLayer, Daphnie has some suggestions for how to make the most of winter workouts. We talk about how to create an at-home workout, how to make the dreadmill your friend, and what the heck broomball is. Plus, we discuss dessert in “What Your Trainer Eats”.

Links in this episode: Fitness BlenderYoga with AdrienePopSugar WorkoutsMen’s Health VideosFace maskWall-E Clip that Joanna mentionsUnder Armour ColdGear

#117 Be Less Busy

Every person you know is too busy, including you. Feeling super busy can be stressful, and it can keep you from putting your energy toward the things that matter the most. We talk about how we got so busy, what we get out of it, and how we can take things down a notch. Plus, Daphnie explains what’s wrong with a Pinterest diet in “This is Crazy, Right?”

Links in this episode: Inbox Pause for handling email interruptionsOur episode on Couples Therapy, Diet we talk about in "This is Crazy, Right?"

#116 Your Butt

As a society, we are obsessed with butts. Kids like talking about them because they have to do with the bathroom. Adults are always panicking about whether their butts are too big or too small. We dance to songs about them and even get butt implants. But at the end of the day, your butt is just a muscle. Or, group of muscles? What is your butt, really? Daphnie explains why your butt is so important. Plus, we discover chickpea pasta in “What Your Trainer Eats”!

Links in this episode: Glute muscle graphicHow to foam roll your butt, Banza chickpea pasta, Banza on Amazon. Form videos for squats, lunges, deadlifts, donkey kick, bird dog, and bridges

#115 What's the Deal with Dairy?

Dairy is one of those foods that people are always swearing off for one reason or another. So what’s the real story? Should we be avoiding dairy or not? Are some dairy foods healthier than others? Daphnie gives us the scoop (like ice cream, get it?)

Links in this episode: Mars Cheese Castle, More on how the government promotes milkCornucopia Institute's ratings of different organic milk brands, Environmental Working Group's milk ratings, Our episode where we talked about Bulletproof Coffee

#114 Eating for Power: Winter

It’s the winter edition of our “Eating for Power” series! Prepare your soups and stews, ladies and gentlemen. And, may we suggest, your curries? In this episode, Daphnie explains what it means to eat for power, and she and Joanna share some of their favorite powerful warming recipes for the winter months.

Links in this episode: GrowNYC list of what's in season in New York, Beef and cabbage "egg roll" stir fry, More info on the Maillard reaction, Video of how to safely cut open a squash, Recipes: French Onion soup, Beef Stew, Caramelized onions, 25 Sweet Potato recipes, Roasted Delicata Squash, Blood Orange Almond and Ricotta Cake

#113 SAD and the Winter Blues

Do you sometimes find yourself feeling depressed in the winter months? You’re not alone! Many of us suffer from the Winter Blues, or the more serious Seasonal Affective Disorder. Daphnie explains what the symptoms are, when to see a doctor, and what you can do in your day-to-day life to try and lift your mood until the sun comes back in the spring. Plus, we hit a grand slam in “Best Choice”.

Links in this episode: National Suicide Prevention LIfeline, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mayo Clinic Info on SAD, Light Therapy Lamp, Dr. Rhonda Patrick podcast on saunas, Lavender pillow spray

#065RR Make a Better Resolution

It’s the first week of January. Did you make a resolution? We’re here to trash it! Just kidding, we’re actually here to help you make a better resolution so you can sustain it and feel like a rockstar instead of feeling like a garbage failure by the end of January (trust us, we’ve been there). Here’s to kickstarting sustainable change! Plus, Daphnie does her best Consumer Reports impression in our latest Listener Question.

Links in this episode: Fitness Blender free workout videosLivestrong free workout videosInfo on Daphnie's HIIT It! classesPolar heart rate monitor under $60Garmin heart rate monitor with GPS for under $130

#014RR Alcohol

What is alcohol? Fun? Dangerous? Caloric? Exciting? How does it make you drunk? Does Daphnie ever get hungover? To prep for New Years Eve, we talk science and strategy with alcohol, including hangover tips, how drinking affects your weight, and the best drinks to choose when you’re out at da club. (We are nearly constantly at da club, just for your reference.) Plus, a listener question about finding exercises on the big scary internet.

Links in this episode: More info about Blue Zones

#112 Break Your Food Habits

Eating habits: we’ve all got ‘em. It’s totally normal. Some of them are probably good habits! But some of them are more like, “I’M STICKING FOOD IN MY FOOD HOLE BECAUSE IT’S PRETZEL O’CLOCK!” Daphnie and Joanna talk about how we form food habits, which ones we might want to think about breaking, and how to do it in a healthy, sustainable way.

Links in this episode: Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink

#111 How to Build Muscle

Show us your muscles! Fitness media is really gendered: women are told to only focus on losing weight, and men are encouraged to bulk up in crazy ways. So, let’s take it down a notch and talk about how and why normal people should build muscle in a healthy, sustainable way. Plus, we spark joy with a Listener Question.

Links in this episode: Our episode on Bones and Calcium, Marie Kondo’s book on organizing, Donate your prom dresses through WGIRLS

#110 Gift Guide 2017

It’s the time of year for buying gifts for all sorts of people in your life (and the time of year for making a wish list for yourself!) This “Just One More” gift guide is full of Joanna and Daphnie’s ideas for fitness and nutrition related gifts that normal people won’t think are a bummer (or a fat-shaming hint or something).

Here's our page of links to all of the products we mention in this episode!

#109 Physical Therapy with Dr. Ray Ednie

Most of us will get referred to a physical therapist at some point in our lives, but how can we tell if we have a good one, and what are they actually supposed to be doing for us? Daphnie’s physical therapist, Dr. Ray Ednie, joins us to talk about how to make the most out of your physical therapy experience. Plus, we find out what Daphnie is like as a patient...

Links in this episode: Ray’s practice in NYC, Rock climber Alex Honnold, Database of certified PTs by specialty

#108 5 Ways to Thank Your Body

It’s easy to be mad at our bodies. Why can’t they look the way we want them to? Why don’t they run faster? Why aren’t they stronger? Why do they still operate based on Caveman rules? But our bodies are INCREDIBLE! Here are 5 ways to thank your body for the incredible job it does of keeping you alive. Plus, if you don’t have time for a Turkey Trot this Thanksgiving, Daphnie has some alternate ideas in “Daphnie’s Favorite Exercise”.

Links in this episode: "In the Service" podcast, More info on the fear/disgust over holes and dots, USDA food safety tips, America's Test Kitchen on keeping your sink clean (via Splendid Table), Presence by Amy Cuddy

#107 Burn It All Down: When to Take a Break

Self-improvement can start to feel exhausting. There are only so many things you can make Google Calendar reminders about for yourself before you feel like you don’t have any time to just...be. But if we stop doing these things, will it make us failures? Quitters? Fat? When is it time to burn it all down and take a break? Daphnie helps us work through our burnout and find some balance. Plus, we go out for brunch in “What Your Trainer Eats”.