NEW YEAR, NEW YOU…
It’s that time of the year again when we all collectively agree to pretend that we’re suddenly going to transform into perfect, glowing versions of ourselves in 24 hours. Resolutions are set, gym memberships are activated, and Pinterest boards are filled with dreamy salads and motivational quotes. But by February, it’s usually just us, a bag of cheesy Doritos, and a firm belief that we were "probably too ambitious" in our goals.
Well, this year, let’s ditch the "I’m going to work out every day and eat only kale" approach. Instead, let’s go for bite-sized resolutions—tiny, achievable, totally doable goals that don’t make you want to cry by the end of January. Let’s talk fitness, nutrition, and self-care in ways that won’t make you feel like a failure before the first snow melts.
ART’S GREEN CHICKEN CHILI
This green chicken chili is a great winter dish. Enjoy!
PFP BARBELL METHOD: WHAT IS IT? WHO IS IT FOR?
Something new we are introducing at PFP in 2025 will be our PFP Barbell Method class. For current members, this may sound familiar, like PFP Method, our group fitness class we hold throughout the week at PFP. It is similar in terms of the length of the class and has a structure that should feel very recognizable.
GIVING A GIFT
It is that time of the year again, where we to buy our love ones a gift for the holidays. Sometimes it can be a struggle to find that perfect gift or we have that one person who seems to have everything. So what do we do for them?
THE BENEFITS OF RESISTANCE TRAINING FOR WOMEN OVER 60
As women age, staying active and maintaining overall health becomes increasingly important, especially when it comes to resistance training. Resistance training is often overlooked by both women and men over a certain age, and instead, increased fear happens when it comes to daily tasks, like walking up and down the stairs or moving something that is too heavy. Lifting weights can be a game-changer for women 60+ and those navigating perimenopause or menopause.
THE GREATEST GIFT
The greatest gift I’ve ever received that didn’t come wrapped in a check would definitely be my coaches! When I first walked into PFP, I was a stay-at-home mom in desperate need of an escape from my own four walls. Enter Gina and Caleb—two wonderful humans who convinced me to get back into fitness after I’d let it all go (you know, thanks to the magic of having babies).
TURKEY TETRAZZINI
A classic and warm casserole for cold winters, originally from NYT cooking.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU DON’T ACHIEVE YOUR GOAL
Goal setting is essential for many areas of life and will help stay disciplined and feel rewarded if accomplished. Whether it's a fitness milestone, career advancement, personal growth, or even a creative pursuit, the anticipation of achieving something meaningful drives us forward. But what happens when things don’t go as planned? When you don’t achieve your goal, it’s easy to feel disheartened or even question your abilities. The key, however, is to use the experience as feedback, rather than see it as failure. With the power of reflection and intention you can move forward and reestablish your goal.
GIFT-GIVING
Last week, we recognized Giving Tuesday. It’s a time around the holidays when we celebrate supporting various causes in our communities and around the world through charitable donations.
But what other ways can we engage in gift-giving? Let’s look at some other ways to give a gift without using monetary means.
BETTY CROCKER TURKEY POT PIE
Here’s the first of a few post-Thanksgiving, "What do I do with my leftover turkey" recipes!
HOLIDAY TRAVEL-FRIENDLY WORKOUT OPTIONS
Maintaining a workout routine while traveling can be tough, but maintaining a workout routine while traveling during the holiday season? It can feel like a whole other level of challenge. If your holiday travels resemble anything akin to when my husband and I travel back to visit my family this time of year, “stressful” simply doesn’t fully encompass the perils of winter travel, divorced parents and their separate holiday events, and trying in earnest to respect my introverted limits.
THE NUTCRACKER CHRONICLES: WHY BALLERINAS NEED MASSAGE MORE THAN EVER
Ah, the holiday season! Twinkling lights, gingerbread cookies, and the unmistakable sound of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker wafting through the air. For ballerinas, this season brings a flurry of excitement and… well, a bit of a pain in the derrière. Enter the unsung hero of the ballet world: massage therapy. Let’s explore why our dancing divas desperately need those soothing hands during Nutcracker season.
CRUNCHY BRUSSELS SPROUTS & APPLE SLAW
Another delicious vegetarian recipe from NYT Cooking! You can always add extra protein via chicken, tofu, roasted chickpeas, etc!
MASSAGE - YOUR STRESS SOLUTION
Most of us have experienced periods of intense work-related stress, whether it’s from a demanding job, a difficult coworker, or a boss who just doesn’t seem to listen. In fact, 83% of U.S. workers report experiencing work-related stress. When left unchecked, stress can take a serious toll on your body, leading to health problems like headaches, digestive issues, high blood pressure, and chronic pain.
Massage therapy is a powerful tool for reducing stress and promoting overall wellness. Beyond the mental benefits, regular massages can boost your immune system, improve sleep quality, and decrease pain and hypertension. It’s not just about relaxation—it’s about helping your body function at its best.
TEAM PFP’S FAVORITE THANKSGIVING RECIPES
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and while it’s a time to give thanks, let’s be honest—it’s also about the food! We asked our trainers to share their favorite Thanksgiving recipes, and they delivered some delicious classics that are sure to make your holiday table a hit. From perfectly spiced sweet potatoes to tangy cranberry relish and everyone’s favorite pumpkin pie, these dishes are packed with flavor and love. Whether you’re looking for a healthy twist or just a tried-and-true favorite, our trainers’ picks have something for everyone.
ONE-POT CHICKEN & LENTILS
Picky Art gave this one an A minus. Fairly easy NYT Cooking recipe to make on a weeknight.
A PAINFUL TWIST ON GRATITUDE
Here is my story of how an emergency surgery saved my life and reminded me of the power of GRATITUDE.
TIME TO SLOW DOWN & FEEL BETTER
In today’s fast-paced, always-connected world, the idea of slowing down can feel nearly impossible. We’re living in an age where our nervous systems, built for a simpler, nature-centered existence, are constantly bombarded by information and demands that far exceed what they were designed to handle. As the holidays approach—a season filled with joy but also stress—taking intentional time for yourself isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity.
One of the most effective ways to care for yourself and recalibrate your body and mind is through massage therapy. This ancient practice, rooted in the earliest days of humanity, has long been used to ease tension, relieve chronic pain, and bring balance to the nervous system.In today’s fast-paced, always-connected world, the idea of slowing down can feel nearly impossible. We’re living in an age where our nervous systems, built for a simpler, nature-centered existence, are constantly bombarded by information and demands that far exceed what they were designed to handle. As the holidays approach—a season filled with joy but also stress—taking intentional time for yourself isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity.
One of the most effective ways to care for yourself and recalibrate your body and mind is through massage therapy. This ancient practice, rooted in the earliest days of humanity, has long been used to ease tension, relieve chronic pain, and bring balance to the nervous system.
PASTA WITH SPINACH, FETA & YOGURT
A fast vegetarian recipe from NYT Cooking!
TRAP BAR & BARBELL DEADLIFTS: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Deadlifts are a foundational movement that many people will encounter in a gym setting. Whether it is in a class setting or doing it on your own, deadlifts can be a very helpful total body movement that everyone should become familiar with. The movement transfers to our daily lives as often as squatting or walking. When you bend over to pick up a heavy box or object you are using the same movement pattern as a deadlift. There’s many variations of the exercise but today we will be talking about two: the trap bar deadlift and the barbell deadlift. How are they fundamentally different and what crossover do they share?