GPP FOUNDATION: PART TWO
The start of a new year is a great time to focus on GPP, or general physical preparedness. Before chasing max lifts, aesthetic goals, or a packed training schedule, it’s worth reevaluating whether you have the foundation to support the training you want to do this year, or if there is any exercise or skill you can revisit to improve. Let’s dive a bit more into why this functional foundation is crucial to your long-term fitness success!
TRAINING AS THINGS CHANGE
“You can’t train 10 times a week anymore.” That’s what my trainer at PFP, Caleb, kept telling me. Of course, I didn’t want to hear it. I wanted to work out, run, and take classes like I was 29, instead of my actual age - 59. So this year, I’ve decided to do something about it - I’m entering the world of becoming a personal trainer!
WHAT THE HECK IS A GPP FOUNDATION?
If you’ve ever set a fitness goal and immediately jumped to “I want abs / a marathon / a 500-lb deadlift,” let me introduce you to the unsung hero of long-term progress: the GPP foundation. GPP stands for General Physical Preparedness, which is a fancy way of saying: “Can your body actually handle training… or is it barely holding together?”
STRENGTH TRAINING OVER 50: THE BEST ANTI-AGING TOOL
Aging is inevitable, but feeling weak, stiff, and limited as you age is simply not. If you’ve ever been told “just wait until you’re my age”, then this post is for you. You do not have to “feel old”, just because you are aging. If there’s one habit that has the biggest return on investment for health, independence, and confidence after 50, it’s strength training. Whether your goal is to stay active, reduce aches and pains, improve bone health, or simply feel strong in your own body, resistance training is one of the most powerful anti-aging tools available.
PRENATAL MASSAGE: BECAUSE GROWING A HUMAN IS HARD WORK
Pregnancy is amazing. You’re literally building a person.
It’s also the reason your back hurts, your hips feel like they’re 87 years old, and tying your shoes now feels like an Olympic sport. Enter: prenatal massage, aka someone finally taking care of YOU. Here’s how it helps at every stage of pregnancy!
ART’S NEW YEAR’S BLACK-EYED PEAS & HAM
Here is a home recipe. Originally from Art's mom. Her version of the New Year’s Classic.
KATY'S POZOLE: AN AUTHENTIC MEXICAN RECIPE FROM ART’S MOM
This recipe is a Mexican Holiday classic. I made it last week. It's great for a post-New Year's recovery meal. Forewarning, it's a long recipe, but totally worth it!
EXERCISE EQUIPMENT TIPS FOR TRAVELING ABROAD
With the temperatures starting to drop, many have made preparations for traveling as the holidays draw closer. However, one of the common concerns about traveling around, whether by car or airplane, affects our usual exercise routine. Therefore, why not bring some of that exercise equipment on your travels?
WATT IS DRY NEEDLING?
Dry needling has become much more common over the last decade as a treatment used by physical therapists and other clinicians to help with muscle pain and movement issues. It involves using very thin needles to target tight or irritated muscle tissue with the goal of reducing pain and improving how you move.
FROM DINNER PLATE TO PLATFORM
From Dinner Plate to Platform: Fueling When Holiday Dishes Start Calling. The holidays are here! 'Tis the season for time with family, friends, co-workers, and lots of tasty treats. No one should deprive themselves of quality time and food during the holidays, but how can we maintain a healthy balance between the snack plate and the workout platform? Here are some tips!
TURKEY TETRAZZINI
This week, we have another great turkey leftover recipe, this time, from NYT Cooking.
MEET OUR NEWEST TRAINER!
We're thrilled to welcome Jade Minnifield, our newest trainer, to the PFP team! Jade brings a deep love of movement, strength, and personal growth to our community.
TURKEY CORN SOUP
This is an old family recipe from a 70s newspaper clipping. We make it every year!
MEET OUR NEWEST MASSAGE THERAPIST!
We're thrilled to welcome another new massage therapist to our team! Bill is passionate about all things recovery and can’t wait to help you feel healthier and happier!
AUTUMN CHICKEN BAKE
This recipe was an IG find, and it's great for the fall.
SETTING YOU UP FOR Q1 2026
As the holidays roll in, it’s easy to slip into the “I’ll start fresh in January” mindset. Between parties, travel, and colder weather, consistency can feel harder to maintain — and before you know it, the new year arrives, and you’re trying to rebuild momentum from scratch. December doesn’t have to be a setback. Instead, it can be a strategic setup to feeling ready to tackle the pressure of the new year. Here’s what you can focus on this holiday season to set yourself up for a strong start to 2026.
EXERCISE & AGING
As we age, it may seem harder to move. But exercise becomes crucial to prevent the effects of aging, like loss of muscle mass and bone density. Let’s look at the benefits of exercise as we age and how it improves physical, mental, and overall well-being.
CHICKEN PICCATA MEATBALLS
We love these NYT Cooking chicken meatballs - a great substitute if you’re limiting your red meat consumption!
WINTER-PROOF YOUR STRENGTH & MOBILITY
As we move into the winter months, the colder weather and darker days often bring more time indoors and a lot more sitting. When the days get shorter, our activity levels tend to drop. More sitting (and scrolling) means tight hips, rounded shoulders, and sluggish posture. Between colder temps, holiday travel, and seasonal routines shifting, it’s easy for stiffness, fatigue, and aches to sneak in.
We know that moving well is the foundation of feeling strong, whether you’re snatching a barbell, chasing your kids or dogs, or just getting through a long workday without tight hips or sore shoulders. So how do we combat this? Add in some more mobility throughout your day.
KEEP CALM & CRANBERRY ON
Thanksgiving: a magical time of year when we gather with loved ones, give thanks, and stress out over dry turkey, weird relatives, and attempting to cook 7 side dishes in a single oven.
Let’s face it, between travel delays, grocery store madness, and pretending you like Aunt Judy’s "casserole," this holiday can turn even the calmest pilgrim into a full-blown Butterball of tension.
But fear not, weary holiday warrior, massage therapy is here to gravy your nerves and carve away your stress.