Did you know that holding your body in a prone position just a few inches off the floor is both challenging and great for your physique? That’s right, planks are all the rage, replacing crunches as the go-to core exercise. Everyone's planking these days—elite athletes, my mom and dad, and even 71-year-olds breaking world records. We can thank our yoga and Pilates instructors for this one!

By: Becky Fulton

I remember it like it was yesterday. I had just got the notice that my divorce was final and I knew I was ready for change. I don’t remember if I saw a picture of myself, heard a comment from someone, or what exactly “clicked," but Gary (my new personal trainer) must have noticed something.

With spring suddenly upon us, I’m sure many of you are looking to take your fitness to the next level. After all, we all want to look lean and fit for the summer, right? And many of us want to perform at our best when it comes to training and competition too! Whether you’re looking to run a few extra miles outside, join a new boot camp class, or get back into your favorite warm weather sport, one thing is for certain—you need to adequately fuel your body.

Though some people may vehemently disagree, weight loss is relatively easy to accomplish. If you really want to lose weight and you commit to taking in fewer calories than you expend, the weight is very likely to come off. So then, what's the tricky part? Maintenance. Let's discuss.

Let's be honest...there will ALWAYS be a reason why you can skip the gym, bail on that jog, or reach for that fistful of fatty food rather than the healthier option we know is better for us. These are the very reasons that most of us fight not on a weekly basis... nor daily... Nor hourly! I'm talking a MINUTELY basis. That's how often a majority of people are thinking about all the excuses not to take care of themselves and be active.