"Beans, Beans, the Magical Fruit. The More You Eat, the More You..." Might Help Eliminate Microplastics from Your Body!

"Beans, Beans, the Magical Fruit. The More You Eat, the More You..." Might Help Eliminate Microplastics from Your Body!

Lately there's a lot of discussion, fear and debate about the impact that microplastics are having on our bodies. A recent Pump Club newsletter from Arnold discusses research that reports people who eat more fiber (30+ grams/day) showed a significant reduction in microplastic absorption compared to those with lower fiber intake. And a recent Whoop podcast featuring Dr. Federica Amati from Zoey discusses how fiber (which beans are very rich in) positively impacts gut health. 

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Building a Solid Leg Day/Leg Week

Building a Solid Leg Day/Leg Week

I love leg day. As someone who has struggled with his weight and suffered through back injuries, having strong legs and executing powerful squats and deadlifts makes me feel good and working the big muscles of the lower body keeps me lean. But I get that a lot of folks dread leg day. In today's post I'll show you how to build a balanced leg workout whether your goal is general fitness, weight loss, hypertrophy/muscle growth or strength. 

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JJFit Book Club: “You Are What You Click”

JJFit Book Club: “You Are What You Click”

Thanks to my good friend Sarah I recently got a library card and visited San Francisco’s main public library to get my hands on a copy of “You Are What You Click: How Being Selective, Positive, and Creative Can Transform Your Social Media”. I don’t want to give too much away. But you’d have to be living under a rock not to know there are issues with overconsumption of social media. I chose this book because its author, Brian Primack, is an MD, PhD and clinical researcher focused on social media.

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Do I Need an Electrolyte Supplement?

Do I Need an Electrolyte Supplement?

I’ve been getting questions from clients and colleagues lately about electrolyte supplementation. Ads, influencers and podcasters are promoting brands like LMNT which disagree with current salt intake recommendations and advocate for “More Salt, Not Less”. My gut told me daily electrolyte supplementation is probably unnecessary for most people but that it couldn’t hurt you. To be sure, I checked in with my go-to nutrition expert and registered dietician (and ultra marathoner and all around awesome human) Tarah Valenti from CustomFit for her input.

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The Science Behind Kindness

The Science Behind Kindness

A few weeks ago I found myself traveling to Queens to attend a family funeral. It's been a tough year and while in some important ways this was a blessing it was still a rough day. I found myself sitting in a super crowded food court and for some reason felt so sad and disconnected and a little lonely. An act of kindness from a total stranger got me through and completely changed my mindset. It got me thinking, what is the science behind kindness and is it linked to better health?

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Advanced Chin Tuck Strength Drill for Better Posture

Advanced Chin Tuck Strength Drill for Better Posture

A while back I shared this great basic chin tuck exercise to help with posture, tightness and pain in the neck and shoulders. Posture and being pain free is important to a lot of my clients. And several of them have really benefited from a progression of this move to build more strength in the muscles that pull your neck and head back to a healthier position. This one was taught to me by the awesome Dr. Mark Bautista of Balanced Beast Physical Therapy.

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Let's Talk About Ultra-Processed Foods

Let's Talk About Ultra-Processed Foods

Navigating the nuanced world of ultra-processed foods can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to maintain a balanced, healthy lifestyle. In this five-minute video, I sit down with registered dietician Tarah Valenti from CustomFit to discuss practical tips on how to approach these foods without stress or guilt. Whether you're trying to make better choices or just curious about the role of ultra-processed foods in our world, this conversation will leave you with insights to stay sane and nourished.

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Resistance Training for Improved Bone Density at Any Age

Resistance Training for Improved Bone Density at Any Age

Back in January of 2023 one of my awesome longtime clients asked if I could do a few virtual training sessions with his mom to help her with some exercise suggestions. A few 30 minute sessions turned into a regular weekly routine of two 50 minute strength and mobility sessions for almost a year now. This week she showed me the results of a recent Dexa scan that noted "Significant change: increase in femoral neck mean bone density of 5.9%" and some other cool stuff. 

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Need a Little Holiday Cheer Pick-Me-Up to Your Workouts this Month?

Need a Little Holiday Cheer Pick-Me-Up to Your Workouts this Month?

I taught group fitness at the amazing Equinox Pine Street for many years with the most incredible students. My folks brought great energy to every class, but holiday classes were always my favorite. It become a tradition for me to teach in this spiffy elf costume while squatting, swinging and sweating to silly pop Christmas music. Yes, including “that” Mariah Carey song. I combed through my archive and compiled this “Best of JJFit Holiday Workouts” Spotify playlist in case you need a little holiday cheer pick-me-up to your workouts this month.

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What is a healthy amount of alcohol to consume?

What is a healthy amount of alcohol to consume?

“What is a healthy amount of alcohol to consume?” Here’s a shorter clip from a longer conversation I had back in October with registered dietician Tarah Valenti from CustomFit. She sheds some light on this important topic perplexing lots of folks.

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Visit Bay Area's A Runner's Mind for the Perfect Shoes

Visit Bay Area's A Runner's Mind for the Perfect Shoes

Since 2019 I’ve been super impressed with the service and selection at A Runner’s Mind and have been lucky enough to work with the General Manager Eileen in San Francisco and Manager Cindy in Burlingame. Rather than just picking the shoe I think looks the best, they’ve taught me over the years what type of shoe my feet and body need to perform my best and keep me pain and injury free. They use sophisticated assessments to analyze the arches of your feet and video your gait to determine your support needs.

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Got Music? Here's My Go-To Workout Playlist This Month

Got Music? Here's My Go-To Workout Playlist This Month

It’s widely proven that three of the most powerful workout enhancers are coffee, creatine and a great playlist! Recently my client Daniel told me he loves my Spotify playlist archive that has hundreds of playlists from my days as an Equinox group fitness instructor. It’s been a minute since I put my “DJ JJ” hat on and created a new one. This one got me through a big run and a big lift session this weekend. Hope it brings some fitspo to your day!

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How Working with a Registered Dietician Can Change Your Life!

How Working with a Registered Dietician Can Change Your Life!

Do you know you want/need to make some changes to your nutritional habits but just aren’t sure where to start? Ever wondered what it would be like to work with a registered dietician to help forge a path ahead and make some real improvements? In this ~30 minute video I chat with my pal Tarah Valenti, RDN with CustomFit, about what it’s like working with her and how a custom nutritional program can help with so many different goals including body fat loss, visceral fat, muscle preservation/growth, improved energy, health, vitality, longevity as well as managing a variety of issues from high cholesterol, blood sugar or blood pressure to perimenopause and other life transitions.

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Farmer Carry Your Way to Better Posture, a Stronger Back and Killer Grip

Farmer Carry Your Way to Better Posture, a Stronger Back and Killer Grip

The farmer carry (also called a loaded carry, farmer walk or suitcase carry) is one of the simplest yet least understood exercises in the gym. It’s something we do in real life all the time. We shlep grocery bags, suitcases, laptops and all sorts of crap all over the place. But how often do we think about our shoulders, scapulae or thoracic spines when we do? Bueller? Bueller? Thought so.

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Can I Exercise if I Get COVID?

Can I Exercise if I Get COVID?

It’s definitely COVID and flu season. And despite all our best efforts some of us are going to get sick. A handful of my virtual clients and friends have come down with mild (thankfully) COVID cases already this month. Some feel crummier than others. In my universe no one has (knock on wood) had a super rough go of it. They describe it mostly as a general nuisance and a foil to their plans of being productive and active. Folks have asked me “can I still exercise?” I can’t answer that for anyone. There is no universal guidance on whether one can/should exercise with COVID. Obviously one should avoid the gym and other people so as not to spread their germs. I’ve dug around trying my best to get an answer and like so many things in the realm of health and wellness, “it depends”. 

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Embrace Your Inner Kid with an Adult Coloring Book

Embrace Your Inner Kid with an Adult Coloring Book

I’m loving my new adult coloring book that Peter got me for my birthday! It's a nice way to start the day instead of immediately slamming my brain with texts, emails, alerts, beeps and boops. I've heard that adults can benefit from "silly" activities like coloring. Turns out it's true! According to the Mayo Clinic coloring can be good for your health by promoting mindfulness, relieving stress and embracing the imperfect. Although, I'm pretty sure MY coloring is perfect. 

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Alcohol Alternatives: Have a Little Fun Without the Hangover

Alcohol Alternatives: Have a Little Fun Without the Hangover

This post is generally more for my "normie" pals (someone not in recovery from alcoholism). One area of health and fitness that can be a roadblock for folks is alcohol. I hear a lot from clients that they can have trouble letting go of drinking because they feel left out during social situations. There is a growing industry popping up that offers more and more fun options for mocktails. At a BBQ recently several of my friends gave this zero proof "whiskey" a taste test. It's shocking what mixologists can do these days! The consensus was that It definitely smelled and tasted like whiskey and has ZERO alcohol and only 5 calories. This company makes several zero proof products (“gin”, “tequila”, “rum” and others) so if this might be something that helps you achieve your goals while still enjoying social situations, give it a try. (Goes without saying that for folks in recovery this may or may not fit your program so please do what is best for your own situation.)

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JJFit in the News: Consider Curtsy Lunges for Functional Glute Development

JJFit in the News: Consider Curtsy Lunges for Functional Glute Development

If you've nailed the standard lunge and are ready for something new in a different plane of motion, it's time you add the curtsy lunge to your routine. This lunge variation engages your muscles differently, placing more emphasis on your inner thighs and glutes. Check out this collaboration I did with Well+Good to did into the benefits, form tips and variations of the curtsy lunge.

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Embracing "Lifting Heavy Sh*t" Can Make All the Difference in Your 50s

Embracing "Lifting Heavy Sh*t" Can Make All the Difference in Your 50s

When my FABULOUS client Sarah told me she wanted to “lift heavy sh*t” it was music to my ears. We’ve worked together for years and over time we’ve shifted focus of her program to strategically align with evolving priorities including improving body composition and health markers through an integrated approach to exercise, nutrition and recovery; easing the transition into perimenopause; enabling her active lifestyle and love of tennis and scuba; and ensuring her vitality, mobility and agility as she inches toward early retirement. Her love of metrics, data and science have given us the insights necessary to build her ideal program for her unique body which is yielding incredible results. Her continual efforts to learn and try new approaches is inspiring and I’m so grateful she took the time to discuss her journey here.

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