Category: Health & Fitness

The hype behind Avengers: Doomsday continues to pick up steam following a nearly six-hour livestream to unveil its stellar cast. However, even with a loaded roster of high-profile celebrities, one name continues to be a primary talking point — and likely will remain one over the next year.

Robert Downey Jr. stepping into the role of Doctor Doom has the potential to set up an incredibly unique film and move the former Iron Man actor over to the other team.

Marvel’s cast reveal for the upcoming Avengers films included numerous actors reprising former superhero roles. Recently, Screenrant caught up with Julian McMahon, the former 2005 Doctor Doom from Fantastic Four, who spoke about Downey taking on the role.

View the original article to see embedded media.

McMahon predicted that Downey Jr.’s performance as Doctor Doom would be “extraordinary” and praised the 59-year-old actor during a discussion with Screenrant at SXSW.

“It’s Robert, you know what I mean? What are you going to say? His body of work speaks for itself,” McMahon said of Downey Jr. “He’s a super talented guy. I love watching his work. When we did the movies years ago, we were at the [precipice] of all that stuff happening. So, we were finding our way a lot, and we were trying to figure out what space the movie itself lived in.

“… I think now that there’s so many different realms of establishment of the way that you look at those pieces, you can pretty much do so many different things now,” he continued.

“If you’ve got Robert Downey Jr, who’s one of the great creatives of the last however many years we’ve been watching him for, mixed with the elements of how we can make movies these days? I think it’s going to be pretty extraordinary.”

This month, superstar singer Meghan Trainor ignited a lot of attention with her body transformation after she appeared to shed a noticeable amount of weight in recent months. Now, she’s opening up a little bit on how it happened.

Over the weekend, Trainor attended the 2025 Billboard Women in Music event where she broke her silence on her dramatic body transformation and explained what she did to shed all of her weight.

“Science is the secret. I love it,” Trainor told Entertainment Tonight when asked about the secret behind her new look. “I learned a lot of tricks that I had no idea [about]. I was working out so incorrectly wrong for so long. I was running and doing cardio and my body was inflamed, always.”

Trainor said that she used certain techniques to “biohack” her body.

“I’m trying to biohack my body,” she added. “So anything that’ll help me age backward, I’m into it.” 

“I just learned about the NADs [supplements],” Trainor continued. “I was like, ‘Make me Hailey Bieber. I’ll do it. I’ll take it’ … I’m trying all the things. I love a doctor explaining stuff to me.”

The “NADs” that Trainor referred to is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide – a supplement that helps with cell function.

A year ago, Trainor told People that she was dedicated to her health and wellness journey after giving birth to her second child.

“I’m feeling fit. I’ve never been so fit,” she told the outlet in March 2024. “I already told my household. I was like, ‘I am training for the Olympics, OK?’ I want to train and eat clean, and feel good when I’m dancing and singing. I don’t wanna be so winded, because right now, I’m winded.”

Clearly, all her hard work has paid off as it’s reflected in her dramatic body transformation.

Over the weekend, country music star Morgan Wallen ignited quite a controversy when he bizarrely walked off the set of Saturday Night Live immediately after his appearance instead of taking part in the traditional Goodnight and Credits portion of the show. But he seems to be simply carrying on as if nothing happened.

At the conclusion of the show, the country music singer left the stage abruptly and immediately as the credits were still rolling while the rest of the crew exchanged pleasantries and congratulations on the stage. Wallen then posted a photo from the tarmac of the airport on his Instagram story with the caption “Get me to God’s country.”

The incident sparked outrage from SNL fans and even prompted a response from SNL star Kenan Thompson. The SNL star said he “definitely saw it” but wasn’t exactly sure what the deal was.

What’s up here with Morgan Wallen? #SNL #MikeyMadison pic.twitter.com/pNXBXpFCuH

— Billy Krumb (@ClubhouseCancer) March 30, 2025

“I don’t know what goes through people’s minds when they decide to do stuff like that. I don’t know if he understood the assignment or not, or if he was really feeling a certain kind of way,” Thompson told Entertainment Weekly. 

Thompson thought that Wallen might have even had to use the bathroom.

“You see somebody before you get a chance to say hi or say good job or anything like that, they just dipping,” Thompson said. “I thought maybe he had to go to the potty or something.”

The SNL made it clear that Wallen’s antics were definitely unusual.

“It’s definitely a spike in the norm,” Thompson says. “We’re so used to everybody just turning around and high-fiving us, everybody’s saying, ‘Good job, good job, good job.’ So when there’s a departure from that, it’s like, hmm, I wonder what that’s about?”

“I guess it was just different because it just felt so abrupt,” Thompson continued. “And it was already such a small grouping on the stage anyway. So it was just like, oh wow, that was pretty visible. You know what I’m saying? It was a pretty visible thing.”

Wallen himself has not addressed the issue, but one report suggests that the move was actually pre-planned and was not intended to be a slight at SNL.

“Sources in Wallen’s camp say there’s nothing to the conjecture that the singer was signaling tension, maintaining that he had a good time and no slight was intended with either his prominent exit or his Instagram post,” Variety reported.

“No slight was intended, and the buzz misreads the star just being off-the-cuff as usual,” the outlet’s report continued.

Regardless, it seems like Wallen is simply moving on with his life and career as usual, despite the controversy.

On Monday night, Wallen broke his silence on social media as he made his first public post since the controversy – but he didn’t actually address the incident. Instead, he simply posted a video on Instagram promoting his new song “Come Back As A Redneck.”

In the video, Wallen can be seen cleaning his rifle, shooting a target and riding a dirtbike through the woods with his new song playing in the background. The caption of the post read, “Maybe then you’ll understand.”

It’s not clear whether or not Wallen intends to publicly address the SNL controversy. Bt as of now, it seems like he’s planning to just move on as if nothing happened.

Over the weekend, multiple news outlets, social media content creators, and fans noticed that Hailey Bieber appeared to “unfollow” her husband, pop star Justin Bieber, on social media. She has now broken her silence on the rumors and controversy.

It has been a tumultuous few weeks for Justin Bieber on social media. Earlier this month, the pop superstar posted a message on his Instagram story in which he seemingly admitted that he had unacknowledged “hate” that was causing him to feel like he was “drowning”

“I was always told when I was a kid not to hate. But it made me feel like I wasn’t allowed to have it and so I didn’t tell anyone I’ve had it,” he wrote in the post on March 16. “Which made me feel like I have been drowning feeling unsafe to acknowledge it. I think we can only let hate go by first acknowledging it’s there. How couldn’t we feel hate from all of the hurt we have experienced?”

This post came just a few days after he made a different cryptic post on his Instagram story on March 13 in which he admitted that he has always felt “unworthy” of his success and felt like a “fraud.”

He then made yet another cryptic post on Instagram in which he admitted that he had “anger issues” but was trying not to “react so much.”

“I got anger issues too, but I wanna grow and not react so much smh,” Bieber wrote in the caption of his post on Instagram.

He followed those posts by posting a stream of seemingly random selfies and photos over the past few days with little or no context. He even went “live” on Instagram on Saturday night, after which fans and news outlets began to notice that Justin was no longer listed in Hailey’s “following” list on Instagram.

While that obviously led to a lot of attention and speculation from fans and the media, Hailey broke her silence on the issue on Monday.

In the comments section of a video detailing the controversy, Hailey claimed that it was simply a “glitch.”

“It’s a glitch. Didn’t unfollow him. Hope this helps!” Hailey commented on a TikTok video.

Hailey and Justin have been married since Sept. 13, 2018. They welcomed their first child, Jack, in August.

It’s hard to believe that Reacher Season 3 is over, and with its ending, the show is saying goodbye to not one, but two of its wonderful heroines. Neagley (Maria Sten) is headed into her own spinoff series, and agent Duffy (Sonya Cassidy) gave Reacher a short goodbye after their brief romance. But, for those who are looking to see what Cassidy does next, or if you’re looking to check out her other work, you may notice that the tough-talking Boston accent she has in Reacher isn’t how she always sounds in other shows or films.

Speaking to Men’s Journal, Cassidy, who is British by birth, explained how she found Susan Duffy’s voice. Literally. 

“I listened to a lot of Boston accents and just drilled it as best I could,” Cassidy tells Men’s Journal. “I found some fabulous clips online from old Boston Globe interviews with folks way back; it was these old Boston longshoremen talking about working at the docks and all this stuff. It was gorgeous to listen to.”

Related: Sonya Cassidy Talks ‘Reacher’ Girls, Says Jack Is ‘A Very Lucky Man’

Cassidy said that in order to get Duffy’s accent just right, she also worked with a dialect coach to “smooth it out.” The action of Reacher Season 3 takes place in Maine, but in the novel, Duffy also operates partially out of Boston. In fact, in the novel, unlike the show, Reacher is recruited by Duffy in Boston before he heads undercover to Maine. So, Cassidy doing a Boston accent for Duffy is very loyal to the source material. 

Then again, the entire Reacher series is a study in a Brit creating a convincing American character. Like Cassidy, author Lee Child is British, even though the vast majority of the characters throughout the Reacher novels, including Reacher himself, are Americans. Did she feel a kinship with Child because of this fact?

“I suppose yes, in a way,” Cassidy says. “Because I’ve played a lot of Americans. I have probably played more Americans than Brits. I was worried about this one because I thought the accent was so hard. I gave it a crack and hoped for the best. But yeah, I’m loving bringing these American characters to life.”

Cassidly also points out that though her version of Duffy is loyal to what readers will find in the Lee Child novel, Persuader, she feels the TV series version gave the character a richer, fuller life than what was on the page.

Related: How to Read the Jack Reacher Books in the Correct Order (Hint: It’s Not What You Think)

“I think we get a lot more of Duffy in the show,” she says. “When you have the luxury of all eight scripts having been written, it’s just extraordinary. I had a clear beginning, middle, and end to her story arc. She’s so nuanced and I just connected to her very quickly.”

Cassidy has plenty of praise for her co-star Alan Ritchson, but also shouts out the Reacher showrunner, Nick Santora. “I took what Nick and his writing team gave me and ran with it. She just flew off the page.”

You can now binge all eight episodes of Reacher Season 3 on Amazon Prime Video.

Related: ‘Reacher’ Star Alan Ritchson’s Wife Sends Strong Message to Sonya Cassidy Before Finale

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Sharing my thoughts on cardio during perimenopause the best cardio strategies. 

Hi friends! How are you? I hope that your morning is off to a great start! How was the weekend? We went to my brother’s wedding, which was gorgeous and wonderful (I’ll share pics in Friday Faves!), and just enjoyed a low-key weekend. I caught up on some spring cleaning and enjoying the beautiful weather outside.

For today’s post, I wanted to chat a little bit about cardio. I feel like there’s SO MUCH cardio *noise* right now.

“Stop doing all cardio! Just walk.”

“Cardio messes up your hormones!”

“HIIT is the devil!”

The reality is that cardio is good… it’s healthy for your heart, ya know… but you just have to be strategic about the type of cardio you’re doing, where you are in your health journey, and how often you’re doing it. A big factor is perimenopause and things changing over time.

A quick lil refresher: perimenopause is the 8-10 years before menopause (where you have no cycle for 12 consecutive months) and hormone levels start to change. I don’t think I’m quite there yet – I turned 40 in November – but I know it’s around the corner and that many of my reader friends are in this sweet spot.

During perimenopause, it’s common to notice changes in energy levels, recovery time, and how our bodies respond to different types of exercise. Strength training remains the most important form of exercise during this phase, because it helps to preserve lean muscle mass, support bone density, and keep metabolism revved up. However, cardio still plays an essential role – it just might need to look a little different than it did in our 20s and 30s.

I think we can all remember the time when hours of high-intensity cardio were our life. I’d take multiple aerobic classes in a row, or spend hours on a Starclimber with a text book propped up. My hormones were also a mess. THANK THE LORD these days are over.

During perimenopause, I think it’s important to be strategic, focusing on movement that supports hormonal balance, stress management, and longevity while keeping inflammation in check. I wanted to chat about the best cardio strategies to incorporate into your routine during this transitional phase. *As always, talk to a doctor before making any fitness changes.*

The Best Cardio Strategies for Perimenopause

1. Walking & Hiking: Gentle But Effective

Walking is one of the most underrated forms of cardio, and during perimenopause, it’s a gamechanger. It helps manage stress, supports cardiovascular health, and keeps cortisol (our stress hormone) from spiking too high.

Aim for 8,000-10,000 steps per day as a general goal. If that goal seems impossible, see where your baseline is, and try to add 1,000 steps every few days until you hit your goal.

Try hiking or incline walking to increase intensity while keeping it joint-friendly.

Walking outdoors also boosts mood and supports circadian rhythm regulation, improving sleep quality. It’s a great way to support overall function and movement.

2. Interval Pushes: Short Bursts of Intensity

While long HIIT sessions may not be as beneficial during perimenopause due to their impact on stress hormones, short, controlled bursts of intensity can be a great way to boost cardiovascular fitness without overtaxing the system.

Try this: During a walk or cycling session, add 30-60 seconds of a faster pace or incline, then recover for 1-2 minutes and repeat for 5-8 rounds.

Hill sprints, stair climbs, or cycling sprints are excellent options.

Focus on quality over quantity – I would do 2-3 sessions per week, max.

3. Zone 2 Cardio: Building an Endurance Base

Zone 2 cardio refers to maintaining a moderate effort level, where you can still hold a conversation but feel slightly challenged. This type of cardio helps improve metabolic flexibility, mitochondrial health, and endurance – all essential during perimenopause. Check out my post all about Zone 2 cardio here.

Examples: Brisk walking, easy cycling, rowing, or light jogging.

Aim for 45-60 minutes, 2-3 times per week.

Keeping it at a lower intensity prevents excess stress while still providing heart-healthy benefits.

4. Strength Training Circuits with Cardio Bursts

Since strength training is crucial in perimenopause, combining it with short cardio bursts can maximize efficiency and keep workouts engaging.

Structure your workout with compound strength movements (squats, deadlifts, presses) followed by 30 seconds of cardio (jump rope, rowing, or step-ups).

This method keeps heart rate elevated while still prioritizing muscle-building.

5. Dance or Low-Impact Cardio

For those who don’t love traditional cardio, finding ways to move that feel fun is key. Dance workouts, rebounding (mini trampoline), or swimming are excellent options that keep the body moving without excess strain on the joints.

Try a dance cardio session for 20-30 minutes a couple of times per week. My favorite is Sculpt Society! You can use this link to try it for freeeeee.

Rebounding is great for lymphatic drainage and joint-friendly cardio. All about rebounding here.

Swimming can be soothing for achy joints while still providing a full-body workout.

Creating a Balanced Cardio Plan in Perimenopause

A well-rounded approach ensures you’re getting the benefits of cardiovascular training without overloading your body.

Here’s a sample weekly schedule:

Monday: Strength Training + Short Interval Pushes (e.g., incline walk sprints)

Tuesday: Zone 2 Cardio (brisk walk, cycling, or light jog for 45 minutes)

Wednesday: Strength Training + Low-Impact Cardio (dance or swimming)

Thursday: Rest or Gentle Walk

Friday: Strength Training + Short Cardio Burst Circuit

Saturday: Hiking or a Longer Zone 2 Cardio Session

Sunday: Rest or Leisurely Movement (yoga, stretching, walking)

So, tell me, friend: what’s your favorite way to get cardio in these days? How often do you incorporate cardio or walking workouts? I try to walk every day and my walking pad is the only way I hit my step goal.

xo

Gina

Workouts I love that you can try for free

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Hi friends! Happy Friday! What’s going on this weekend? It’s my brother Bailey’s wedding day (I can’t wait!!) and P has basketball. I’m teaching double barre classes and other than that, we’re chillin’. I’m looking forward to a low-key weekend and would love to hear what you’re up to.

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love to hear about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.

3.28 Friday Faves

Fashion + beauty + random:

San Diego vacay! We went to San Diego last weekend to celebrate Wyatt’s Bar Mitzvah. It was so great to hang out with our Kleiger fam and we’re so proud of Wyatt. It’s hard to believe that we’ve known him since he was three and Liv and Wy were in preschool together. Time fliiieeeeesss.

We enjoyed a Friday Lagree class at Define:

brunch with everyone at Breakfast Republic,

spent the afternoon paddle boarding and kayaking

and had happy hour that night before shopping at the UTC mall.

Betsy with the cutest details and welcome goodie bags, always.

Saturday was the big day! I started the morning with a Pvolve class

Betsy booked makeup and hair for us girls, so we had a glam squad afternoon before getting ready for the festivities.

(dress is here)

We headed to the temple for the ceremony (which was absolutely beautiful and Wyatt did an amazing job!!) and then a party bus took the kids to meet us at the venue, which was a vintage car museum. I didn’t get a good pic of the venue, but we were surrounded by vintage cars, they had a VIP area for the kids (with bouncers), delicious international foods, a full bar, build-your-own ice cream bars, and on site, two artists were making custom spray-painted hats and hoodies for the kids. It was above and beyond.

 

Bromance:

I feel like the Kleigers are the reason why we were stationed in San Diego. <3

Sunday morning, we hit the road pretty early so we’d get back to Tucson at a decent time, but of course, we swooped in for some Better Buzz.

It was the perfect weekend and a little esecape for everyone. I mentioned that we’ve been going through a bit of a rough time lately, and it was a much-needed breath of fresh air.

Read, watch, listen:

Reading this book and it’s the exact type of book I’ve been craving: rich historical fiction with deep character development that sucks you in immediately.

Everyone is analyzing themselves, but no one is analyzing you. 

LOOOOVED this podcast episode.

Developing self confidence amidst life’s uncertainty.

Fitness, health, and good eats:

I was thinking about doing a free two-week fitness and wellness challenge in April with workout programming and tips for each day. If you’re interested, please lmk in the comments!

EquiLife’s founder’s sale is still going strong! Stock up on detox kits, DNS, DFVS, and get my fave insulated tote here 🙂

Sweet potato soup with roasted cauliflower crumbles.

Took a fun Sculpt Society workout yesterday and it was the perfect way to shake out my legs in between calls. This link gets you a free 7 day trial + one month free on the app.

Thank you so much for stopping by the blog today! Have an amazing weekend and I’ll see ya soon!

xoxo

Gina

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I’m excited to share a full review of the new Great Wolf Lodge in Scottsdale, Salt River, AZ. This kid-friendly resort has lots of fun options for families. Read on for the good… and the bad. 😉 

Hi friends! Hope you’re having a wonderful morning.  Today I’m sharing a full review of the new Great Wolf Lodge in Scottsdale! It’s a super fun and kid-friendly resort that the WHOLE family will love! Let’s take a look at this review to see what we thought so you can see if it’d be a vacay your fam would like!.

We spent 3 days and 2 nights at the brand-new Great Wolf Lodge, which is basically a kid’s dream come true. The girls lost their minds! I’d seen a few posts about Great Wolf Lodge over the years and was excited finally to take the crew. When I found out this summer that we were getting one, I booked our rooms the first day that they opened the system for reservations. The site crashed multiple times during the process. I was able to snag a room for the end of the month, which ended up being their grand opening weekend. The room rates were pretty fair, and I was happy to pay them.

Great Wolf Lodge Scottsdale Review

Great Wolf Lodge is a family-friendly resort with a lodge “campfire” kinda vibe to it. The two wolf mascots, Wiley and Violet, and other characters, stroll around the property for photo ops, and they have quite a few fun amenities.

Activities at Great Wolf Lodge Scottsdale

I was pretty blown away by the amount of activities they offer on-site. They have a mini golf area, gold panning, a mine exploration activity, an indoor ropes course, a mini bowling alley, a rock-climbing wall, and a full indoor water park. The waterpark is climate-controlled to 86 degrees year-round and has various slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, a giant splash pad, and a baby/toddler area.

Inside the resort, they also have a Build-A-Bear workshop, a kids’ area (where they offer childcare), a candy store, and MagiQuest.

MagiQuest ended up being one of the biggest hits with the kids. It’s an indoor scavenger hunt using magic wands (that you purchase for around $20). You pay an additional $15 to participate in the MagiQuest game, and as you find different spots throughout the property – they’re marked with a little green leaf – you flick your wand at the object and something will happen.

It can be something small, like a picture on the wall will light up or do something pretty intense, like the giant animatronic dragon that will come to life. You have to follow a “quest path,” collecting different runes and objects, and battling different characters on screens throughout the property, and it can turn into a very involved game. This part was truly magical and kids everywhere were running around waving their wands at various objects, then heading to the portal to see what they needed to do next. It was very Harry Potter.

Saturday morning, the girls and I hit the road fairly early and made the quick drive up to Scottsdale. We checked into the hotel, where the girls received cute wolf ear headbands,

and since our room wasn’t quite ready, we spent an hour at the arcade, which is conveniently open 24/7. 🙂 I managed to win stuffed sloths for each of them from one of the claw machines and they were pretty pumped.

We checked into our rooms and grabbed dinner on-site before heading to the waterpark. We spent a few hours jumping in the waves, and playing at the splash pad, and the girls rode the slides until it was bedtime. The Pilot came into the room when we were all crashed, and we spent the next couple of days alternating between the waterpark and the indoor activities. It was a great family staycation and the perfect way to celebrate the end of airline training.

The Pros

The activities. I was surprised by how many of the activities were included with the cost of staying on property. The waterpark was included, where we spent hours each day, and they also offer a daily schedule with various activities on the hour. These include character greetings, face painting, story time, a dance party with the wolves, Bingo, etc. Some of the other activities were an additional purchase, like the bowling, ropes course, gold panning, rock wall, etc. I didn’t find the prices to be unreasonable for what they offered. You can buy a Wolf Pass for each kid which includes everything, but I wasn’t sure how much we’d actually do, so I opted out of it.

The waterpark. The girls LOVED the waterpark and we literally spent hours here each day. There was so much for each of them to do, and I think it’s perfect for babies all the way up to teenagers.

The Cons

The food. The food was overpriced and horrible. We usually love hotel food – the girls have a serious obsession with room service – and we can easily find something we all love. That wasn’t the case at all here. Even if you compare it to Disney food, it’s also overpriced, but at least it’s good food and they have tons of options. I found the options to be very limited, not very healthy/fresh, and overpriced. I will say the fries were great but you can’t live off fries for 3 days. 😉 (Liv even said the pizza was gross, which I’ve never heard her say before.)

Here are the saddest tacos you will ever see in your life. They were called “fajita veggie tacos” which were on very small tortillas, filled with pico salsa and one or two slices of bell pepper on each taco.

We’re in Arizona. We do tacos well and this was just an abomination.

Great Wolf Lodge was obviously still working out some of the kinks since it just opened. It wasn’t unusual to try something (like a vending machine or a drink machine) to find that it was broken. We also found the rooms to be so-so. The duvet was like half an inch thick. I have the worst time sleeping when I feel like the blanket is just a sheet. So I take towels from the bathroom and cover myself in towels lol. They also had a smoke detector in the room that flashed a super bright light every 10 seconds. We didn’t get great sleep the first night.

What’s Nearby?

The good news is that Prep & Pastry, Fashion Square, and more is only 12 minutes away. There are so many awesome dining options nearby too. There’s no denying that Scottsdale has a ton of wonderful food. So I think it’s worth it to go off-property for real meals and just depend on the Great Wolf Lodge for quick bites and snacks. (Some of my recs: Olive & Ivy, True Food Kitchen, Flower Child for lunch, Blanco tacos, and Butters.)

Great Wolf Lodge Scottsdale is very conveniently located near a variety of attractions that make it a perfect base for family fun. Just a short drive away, you can explore the Desert Ridge Marketplace for shopping and dining, or take a look into the underwater world at the OdySea Aquarium. For those looking to enjoy some nature, Pinnacle Peak Park has plenty of stunning, scenic hiking trails with breathtaking desert views.

We checked out the brand new Scottsdale Prep & Pastry location and ordered all of our faves. The chickpea scramble is amaaaazing.

(So proud of Kyle and their new location!)

How does Great Wolf Lodge compare to Disney?

They’re completely different animals. (<— see what I did there?) Disney is such a well-oiled machine and runs smoothly and efficiently, with lots of magic touches throughout. Obviously, it’s been around for a long time, and any teething issues have been well and truly ironed out.

Great Wolf Lodge isn’t trying to be Disney, and what they do is super fun and they do it well. But it just isn’t the same sort of experience. I mean, we still had an absolutely wonderful time, but it’s not one of those places where we’re like “Omg I can’t wait to go again.” All in all though, I think it was absolutely worth it. I’m sure the girls will want to go back at some point. I highly recommend it, even once. It’s still a very cool experience.

At this time, it’s back to the swing of things over here! I have a couple of conference calls this am, am going to get in some cardio!

I hope you have a wonderful morning and I’ll see ya soon.

xoxo

Gina

The post Great Wolf Lodge Scottsdale Review appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Sharing my top health and wellness picks from the Amazon Spring Sale.

Spring is in the aiiirrrrr and this week, I’m feeling all of the motivation to get my life together. 😉 I want to empty cabinets and closets, purge, and spring clean. I also feel like I want to revamp some things around the house, and get our home gym put back together. It’s been chaos around here for quite a while and now that the Pilot’s retired, I have high hopes that we can do some things around the house.

I’m super excited because Amazon’s spring sale is this week, and they have SO many great deals on health and wellness essentials. I sorted through the sale and wanted to share some in today’s post if you have spring workout goals, are looking for a little treat, or want to make some healthy changes in your household.

*Please note that affiliate links are included below. Thank you so so much to those of you who support the blog by shopping through my links. 

Here are some of my favorite health and wellness finds from the Amazon Spring Sale.

Health and Wellness Faves from Amazon’s Spring Sale

Shoes, clothing, and accessories:

Barefoot shoes for women. I usually wear Vivobarefoot but have seen so many people rave about these and you can’t beat the price! I ordered a pair to try out.

Also an amazing price on these hiking/water shoes. I LOVE functional hiking shoes that I can get wet if needed.

Women’s joggers – perfect for low-impact workouts, travel, or life.

More comfy joggers.

This lulu align tank dupe. I have so many colors and also like buying these for Liv.

I also have and love this one in pink.

Classic running shorts that aren’t *too* short.

Grippy socks for barre or Pilates classes.

These biker shorts have amazing reviews.

Running shorts with a hidden pocket and liner.

For him:

Workout shirts.

Gym towels.

Workout shorts.

This electric shaker bottle is so cool!

Barefoot shoes for him.’

Fitness equipment/gear:

Ankle resistance bands.

Resistance band loops. Love these for at-home workouts.

Cordless jump rope.

Roar.

A massage gun for $25.

Still use my Peloton bike and am SO glad we have it for at-home cardio.

If you don’t have a TRX, this is an incredible tool for total body workouts.

If you’ve been wanting to add rebounding to your routine, check this out.

A walking pad is the one way I’m able to hit my step goals each day.

Weighted vest.

 

Personal care products:

Our go-to magnesium spray.

My favorite clean self tanner.

This castor oil pack set rarely goes on sale – this is an amazing deal.

I want to try this whipped tallow body cream!

Magnesium bath flakes.

Kind of obsessed with our foot massager. This one is similar and would also be an awesome gift idea.

Home, food + kitchen:

Great price on this nontoxic air fryer!

Glass meal prep containers.

Amazing price on this water filter.

Aloha bars are a fam favorite.

We looooove our Air Doctors and they’re on sale!! Start with one, keep it in the area that you’re in the most often ( you can also wheel it into your bedroom at right while you sleep) and add on units over time.

This is the salad container Liv and I use and love.

Everything is linked in my Amazon storefront here, too!

What are you shopping in the sale? Feel free to link up the goods in the comments section.

xo

Gina

The post Health and Wellness Faves from Amazon’s Spring Sale appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Now that I’ve been using and loving EquiLife products for the past few years, I thought I’d share some of my top picks! Their Founder’s Sale started TODAY, so if you’ve been needing to stock up, now is the time. Read on for a giveaway, too 🙂 

Hi friends! How are you? I hope you’re having a wonderful week. We’ve back from San Diego and the Bar Mitzvah festivities, and it was amazing. I’ll share a recap of the fun in Friday Faves!

For today’s post, I wanted to share a roundup of my favorite Equilife products. Over time, I’ve tried countless supplements, detoxes, and wellness products, but very few have genuinely impressed me like EquiLife. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’m all about getting to the root cause instead of just slapping a band-aid on symptoms. It’s one  of the many reasons why I love EquiLife’s science-backed, functional medicine approach to supporting the body naturally.

I’m super picky about the supplements and products I buy (EquiLife and NOW foods are #1 by a landslide) and I know it can overwhelming when you’re first browsing. They’re having their Founder’s Sale now, so I thought this post could help out my friends who aren’t sure where to start. If you’re already an Equilife fan, now is the time to stock up!

Here are some of my tried and true go-tos. As always, talk with a doctor before making any supplement changes. It’s also helpful to do functional testing to see your unique imbalances so you can supplement strategically. A lot of people are blindly taking supplements they don’t actually need.

*A note that affiliate links are included below that enable me to earn a very small kickback. You can also use the code FITNESSISTA10 for 10% off your first order!

the best EquiLife products

Daily Nutritional Support

If I had to recommend just one EquiLife product to everyone, this would be it. DNS is basically a multivitamin, protein shake, and detoxifier all in one, making it a beloved staple for busy moms, working professionals, and active kids. P takes it every day!

Why I Love It:

It provides all essential vitamins and minerals in the right ratios.

Supports detoxification (great for those who struggle with sluggish digestion or inflammation).

The vegan protein blend (pea + rice) keeps you full and fuels your workouts.

Tastes… ok 🙂 I mix it with Truvani or NOW foods protein to get in some extra protein and make it taste even better.

I love making this as a nutrient-dense protein pudding and I top with berries and Nuttzo. This is my breakfast almost every single day.

Omega 3s

Most people are deficient in Omega-3s, which are essential for brain function, heart health, and reducing inflammation. EquiLife’s Omega-3 supplement is one of the purest and most potent formulas available, and it’s a daily staple for me. It was a huge part of my autoimmune healing journey, too.

Why I Love It:

High-potency EPA & DHA for maximum anti-inflammatory benefits.

Can help with joint health, brain function, eye lubrication, and hormone balance.

No fishy aftertaste (because let’s be real, no one wants that). The kids like this one, too!

If you deal with brain fog, achy joints, or inflammation, adding Omega-3s can make a noticeable difference.

Functional Medicine Detox

If you’ve ever felt sluggish, bloated, or just “off”, a Functional Medicine Detox could be exactly what your body needs. I do one at least a few times each year (ideally it’s quarterly), and every time, I feel lighter, more energized, and completely refreshed. My full review of the Dr. Cabral detox is here.

Why I Love It:

Supports liver detoxification (so important in today’s toxin-filled world!).

Can help with digestion, bloating, and skin clarity.

Can balance blood sugar and cravings.

It’s not a “juice cleanse” or a crash diet—it’s a nutrient-dense reset that gives your body a break and allows it to function at its best. When I do this detox, it helps me to revive my relationship with whole foods and I notice a huge difference in my skin, reduced inflammation, and increased energy. The link is here.

Liquid Melatonin

If you struggle to fall or stay asleep, melatonin can be everryyyyyything. This fast-absorbing formula helps you get into a deep, restorative sleep without waking up groggy. If I’m feeling ansty before bed, or I want to sleep on a flight, melatonin saves the day for me. I used to be afraid of melatonin (before I learned more about it), and now I LOVE this stuff.

Why I Love It:

Supports natural melatonin production for a healthy sleep cycle.

Can help reduce stress and cortisol levels.

Works quickly (great for those who struggle with racing thoughts at night).

Quality sleep is non-negotiable for overall health, and this makes it so much easier to wind down and wake up refreshed.

CBO protocol

If you’ve dealt with bloating, IBS, or gut imbalances, this 12-week protocol changed my entire life (and I’m not exagerrating). It’s designed to rebalance your gut microbiome, reduce inflammation, and improve digestion—something I recommend to clients all the time after reviewing lab results.

Why I Love It:

Targets candida, bacterial overgrowth, and gut dysbiosis.

Can help with bloating, digestion, and food sensitivities.

Includes probiotics + gut repairing nutrients for long-term healing.

Gut health impacts everything—your skin, hormones, energy, and immune system—so if you’re dealing with persistent issues, this is worth looking into! I don’t recommend this protocol without doing an OAT test first.

Progesterone Support

If you struggle with PMS, irregular cycles, mood swings, or low energy, progesterone might be the missing piece of the puzzle. This formula is designed to naturally support progesterone levels, which is crucial for hormonal balance and fertility.

Last time I checked my hormone levels, my progesterone was on the floor. Now that I’ve been taking this supplement consistently (and really working on my nervous system), my progesterone is back to a healthy level.

Why I Love It:

Contains Vitex (Chasteberry) to support progesterone production.

Can reduce PMS symptoms, bloating, and mood swings.

Supports better sleep and relaxation.

So many women experience hormonal imbalances without realizing it, and this is a great tool to help restore balance naturally. I wouldn’t recommend adding this to your routine without doing a Stress, Mood, and Metabolism test.

Universal Binder

If you’re looking for a powerhouse supplement to support detoxification, gut health, and overall well-being, I love the Universal Binder. I personally love this product for its ability to help remove toxins and support a healthy microbiome—especially if you’re going through a functional medicine detox, parasite cleanse, or just want to reduce your toxic load.

Key Ingredients & Benefits:

Activated Charcoal – Helps bind to toxins, heavy metals, and environmental pollutants, aiding in their safe removal from the body.

Bentonite Clay – A natural detoxifier that supports gut health by binding to unwanted substances while providing essential minerals.

Humic & Fulvic Acids – These plant-derived compounds help improve nutrient absorption, promote gut healing, and support cellular energy.

Why I Love It

Toxins from food, water, beauty products, and even the environment can build up in our bodies over time. The Universal Binder helps support the body’s natural detox pathways by “grabbing” onto these toxins and carrying them out—so they don’t recirculate and cause inflammation. This can be especially beneficial for those dealing with bloating, brain fog, skin issues, or gut imbalances.

If you’re doing a Functional Medicine Detox, Parasite Protocol, or CBO Protocol, this is an essential tool to ensure you’re properly binding and eliminating toxins. Just be sure to take it away from food and supplements so it doesn’t interfere with nutrient absorption!

Daily Probiotic

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, and keeping them balanced is key for digestion, immunity, and even mental health. This high-quality, broad-spectrum probiotic is a daily essential. Note: I don’t recommend probiotics for everyone. If you have gut imabalances, probiotics feed ALL bacteria (the good and the bad) and can actually make symptoms worse. This is why testing is crucial, friends.

Why I Love It:

50 billion CFUs of beneficial bacteria for optimal gut health.

Can help with bloating, digestion, and food sensitivities.

Survivability formula ensures it actually reaches your gut (not all probiotics do!).

Easy way to support digestion and immunity

MORE FAVES:

I didn’t want to make this post too long but I also use and love their magnesium,

daily fruit and vegetable blend,

vitamin D,

and whole food bars. The girls each eat one of these almost every day, and we also love their chocolate cherry squares.

All of their functional labs:

EquiLife offers a variety of functional labs that can provide insight into your hormones, gut health, nutrient levels, and more. The best part is that everything is done at home! I learned how to run these tests in my Integrative Health Practitioner certifications, and they’ve changed the game for my health, my family’s, and my client’s.

My favorites:

Big 5 labs. This will give you the most comprehensive overview of toxicities and deficiencies. This is the best price they offer for this bundle, too.

HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis): Helps detect mineral imbalances, electrolytes, and heavy metal toxicity.

OAT test: Identifies candida, bacterial overgrowth, nutrient deficiencies, neurotransmitter precursors, and digestive imbalances.

Stress, Mood and Metabolism: Identifies cortisol, sex hormone, blood sugar, Vitamin D levels, and thyroid issues.

Food Sensitivity Test: A must for anyone dealing with inflammation, bloating, or skin issues. My review is here.

Starter Kit combines the HTMA and the OAT test!

Getting personalized data can help take the guesswork out of your health journey. Instead of blindly trying different supplements or diets, these tests can help determine your unique needs and toxicities.

*If you decide to order any tests during the sale and would like me to be the one to go over the results with you, just send me an email [email protected] and I can make sure your order is tracked to me.

So tell me, friends: have you tried anything from Equilife? What’s your fave? What are some of your go-to supplement brands?

xoxo

Gina

GIVEAWAY! I’m excited to share some EquiLife goodies with a friend this week.

Here are the prizes that are up for grabs:

• Functional medicine detox (worth $99)
• Whole Food Bars (MY FAVE)
• The best shaker bottle

Simply leave a comment below with something you’re looking forward to this spring!

For an extra entry, place any order during the Founder’s Sale, and send me your order number to [email protected]. I’ll announce the lucky winner here on the blog next Monday. Ready, set, go! 🙂

The post the best EquiLife products appeared first on The Fitnessista.