Winter can make healthful living a challenge. Our muscles are literally tighter. Motivation to leave the house to get to the gym freezes over. I mean, who wants to eat a cold salad when the mercury is below 32° (or 0° for my European fans).
BUT, as a famous poet once said,
"Ne'er hath a beach bod been sculpted of excuses."
Ok I just made that up, but here are 5 blogs or social accounts to help us beat the winter blues and sculpt that bod!
Darya Rose's Summer Tomato
Summer Tomato is a combination of Darya Rose's podcast which features weight loss success stories and methods, insightful essays on fitness and nutrition, and a weekly roundup of the most intriguing nutrition articles/studies. This last thing I find to be the most valuable aspect of Rose's work. It's easy to be overwhelmed by trends and fads and press releases posing as scientific studies. But Rose, a neuroscientist and PhD, cuts through the noise and provides compelling and actionable information with commentary that's immediately applicable. A good addition to your weekly read.
Laird Hamilton & Gabrielle Reece
XPT Life is the Hamilton's most recent adventure.
Laird Hamilton is an American big-wave surfer, co-inventor of tow-in surfing, and all around amazing individual. On any given week you can see him surfing monster swells, performing intense underwater workouts, or taking multiple ice baths per day. His wife, professional vollyballer Gabrielle Reece is a force of nature in her own right and does much of the documenting of Laird's adventures. If you need something to remind you that age is just a number, follow 52 year old Hamilton and his wife to inspire you to be the best you can be.
Kelly Starrett & Mobility WOD
Kelly Starrett was one of the first big Crossfitters in the U.S. and he looks like it. But looks can be deceiving. Starrett isn't just another meathead, he's also one of the leading physical therapists in the country. His goal being to educate individuals on how to perform self maintenance and retain (or obtain) functional mobility. He has loads of youtube videos and his website is chock full of tips and tricks to keep your body flexible and strong.
Your Gym Hero/Crush
Now you might be thinking: "But George, all of these people are professionals! Of course they're amazing, how can I ever compete with that?" Well you're right, they are professionals and even if they inspire us, sometimes it can make fitness goals seem out of reach. So here's an idea. You know that dude at the gym that gets epic gains and has the six-pack that you want? Or that girl that you think is cute that squats heavier than you? Follow them on instagram. They're not a professional. They've got a life just like you. Maybe subtly stalking their habits and routines will help out. At the very least you may find something to talk about while buying a protein smoothie together.
Wim Hof - The Iceman
I've written about Wim Hof before, and with good reason! The "Iceman" as the Dutchman is known, holds 20 world records, has climbed Mt. Everest in his shorts, and suppressed the symptoms of injected bacteria just by breathing! These feats have been surprisingly well documented and Hof is now training individuals all around the world to perform similar acts of physical prowess. Definitely someone to keep an eye on.
