Pearl Howell Fitness

It's easy to make exercise too complicated. Moving a little every day puts you ahead, no matter what form it takes, so don't think you have to run a 5k or squat your body weight to be "healthy." A walk, a fun dance class, a summer swim provide many of the same benefits!

It's a beautiful day today! Try to get outside for a walk! It benefits your body and mind in more ways than I could list in a single post. I hope to see you out there!

I had a very stressful last week, and I'm backing off the gas pedal this week. I thought it might be helpful to talk about stress a little.

As people in the modern world with modern demands, our stress cycle gets triggered regularly, but not always released, or finished.

Say you get an urgent email, or you're running late. Your heart races, and a physiological response begins. Hormones flood our brains and bodies to get us ready to face this challenge!

Sometimes it helps. Stress is a normal, healthy part of life. We need it to respond to challenges.

But when we don't return to a relaxed state after a stressful event, when we don't release the cycle, we can build and build stress in our bodies. Tense muscles, poor sleep, unexplained aches and pains, and being irritable and snappy at the ones we love most, these are all the physical signs of a broken stress response.

So how do you fix it?

The answer is the same as with most things:

Practice.

Exercise is an excellent way to do this, though I'm biased. And it doesn't work very well when you are completely fried from long-term stress. But I'll use it as an example.

When we exercise, our body is stressed. This is an example of good stress. Those same hormones activate. You sustain this state throughout your workout, but then you finish with a "cool down."

A cool down looks different with different trainers and ways of exercising, but you will notice that almost every high quality program or class has one, or encourages you to follow up with one afterward.

For me and my clients, this looks like a few long stretches, taking slow breaths and bringing your heartrate lower. I do this because stretching increases mobility, helps release tension, especially in the muscle groups that were our main focus that day, and, *Bing bing bing* calms the nervous system.

So we excited our nervous system, to varying degrees, with exercise, then calm it down, and ideally walking out feeling a little tired, but calm.

Working with a wide range of ages has been a real eye opener as a trainer. It's incredible how different people in the same age groups can vary so greatly in strength and mobility based on their lifestyles. A big factor seems to be activity as a very young person! Those who played sports, worked physical jobs, or biked as children and teens seem to have a greater strength and mobility as they age. But there are diminnishiing returns! Those who work very physically demanding jobs for many years have longer lists of injuries and limitations. What has been your experience? Has the activity of youth translated into your life now, for better or worse?

I have updated my pricing and plans, including a new service: Accountability and Support! Check it out here: https://www.pearlhowellfitness.com/booking-calendar/accountability-and-support?referral=service_list_widget

I'm so excited to offer more ways to help you meet your fitness goals!

If you have a plan to meet your goals, but want some additional external accountability, this is the service for you.

Can be booked as an individual check-in, or as a membership for weekly or daily check-ins. Bundle it with a training session or package to get extra support.

In our check-in, we will discuss how you have worked to reach your goal that day or week, via text, email, phone, or video call. Can be booked for a specific time over call for my organized friends, or take place over the course of a day via text or email for those with more limited availability or social energy.

Message me with any questions!

Accountability and Support

New post about affording a personal trainers, the privilege of personal training, and some places to start if training is not in the budget:

What I Say When You "Can't Afford" a Personal Trainer Not being able to afford a personal trainer is one of the most common reasons people don't use one. As a trainer, I have had to watch clients who really needed and enjoyed my services walk away because they can't afford it anymore. That is probably the worst part about this job. So what do I say whe...

Sunset and sunrise are my favorite time for a walk. Not only are they the most beautiful time of most days, but the low light establishes circadian rhythm, which helps all sorts of processes, including sleep, digestion, and energy. Tonight the sunset was so beautiful, and it was good to stretch my legs after a long weekend inside. Sometimes it's worth it to put on all those clothes to see purple and orange in the sky! Happy walking, my friends!

Another post in my gym basics series: deadlifting! An intimidating move for beginners, so let's take a closer look:

Gym Basics: How to Deadlift If going to the gym intimidates you, my gym basics series will give you some fundamentals to feel confident with resistance training. If you want to know more about getting comfortable with a deadlift, read on! Deadlifting is one of those basic gym moves you've probably seen if you've ever watched a...

Hi everyone! I'm announcing a special through New Year's on virtual sessions! Train from the comfort of your own home with all the planning done for you, and the benefit of form corrections and adjustments from a certified personal trainer. Free consultation included, and 5 45-minute sessions for $75! See the link for all pricing info.

Plans & Pricing | Pearl Howell Fitness Savings on personal training in-home and virtual by signing up for a plan.

Just posted a short video and blog post, the first in my gym basics series! This week i am talking all about choosing the right weight for exercise. Check it out:

Gym Basics: How to Choose Weight for Any Exercise If going to the gym intimidates you, my gym basics series will give you some fundamentals to feel confident with resistance training. If you want to know how to choose weights during your own resistance training, read on! Choosing a weight can be one of the most intimidating tasks when starting a gy...

I am continuing to build my own personal training practice, but I'm also working with Fitness Together in Westborough, MA. If you are interesting in working with me in a private, 1-on-1 session, I am available there on Saturdays! For other days, or to work with me virtually or in your own home, you can go to my website: pearlhowellfitness.com

I got outside today, even if it was just for a few minutes. Getting a little sunshine and fresh air every day is as much a part of my health routine as exercise, and it makes such a difference. Join my Stretch into Fall series to take a 15 minute moment each day from Sept 1 thru 23 (Fall Equinox) to tune into your body, focus your mind, and find little opportunities to better your connection to the present.

So true! If you've been finding yourself in this mindset, take a moment to remember what movement gave you joy as a child- running, climbing, swinging, jumping puddles or rope or your couch! Exercise is just movement, and movement can be natural and joyful! Pic of my kid dancing, because she inspires me to move every day.

https://youtu.be/2Fv31WAc-SQ

Come over to my website to join my free morning stretch series, Stretch Into Fall! Sign up for live sessions on my website, pearlhowellfitness.com, or subscribe on YouTube for the recordings!

Stretch Into Fall Announcing a free morning stretch and meditation program to kick off the launch of Pearl Howell Fitness. See link on my channel, or subscribe! ...