Katie Szymanski Katie Szymanski

Sprout’s Workshop Recap: Desk Job Detox

ICYMI: I hosted my very first workshop last week! It was such a treat to work with an awesome in-person group, but I want others to get the benefits of this session too.

Let’s talk about the physical effects of sedentariness and the stretches that can combat body pain!

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Katie Szymanski Katie Szymanski

Sprout’s Guide to Goal Setting

Saying “I really want to be healthy” is great, but what do we actually mean? SMART goals help us figure that out and set clear, achievable plans!

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Katie Szymanski Katie Szymanski

Fit Tips: My Favorite Equipment and At-Home Swaps

Bodyweight exercises are nothing to laugh at, but a little equipment adds some variety to a workout! Here are some of my favorite tools to spice things up in the gym and the swaps I use for at-home sessions!

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Katie Szymanski Katie Szymanski

Sprout’s Guide to (Generally) Proper Form

Soft knees, brace your core, head up– these are common exercise cues to put your body in the right position, but they can’t help if you don’t know what they mean! Exercise-related injuries aren’t uncommon, and having poor form is one of the leading causes! From the bottom up, here are some general tips and cues on how to exercise with proper form!

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Katie Szymanski Katie Szymanski

Fit Tips: Gymwear

Not all clothes work well for exercise! Proper shoes and supportive clothes make all the difference in a comfortable, successful sweat sesh. Here are some basic tips on dressing for the gym!

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Katie Szymanski Katie Szymanski

Just a Few Quotes About Love

There are so many types of love, and so much to say about each of them! Instead of trying to pin down an idea, I thought I’d share some of my favorite quotes about self-love, friendship, and caring about others!

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Katie Szymanski Katie Szymanski

Fitness Fact or Fiction: The Fat Burning Zone

We’ve all probably heard of the fat-burning zone: a magical low-intensity place that uses fat for fuel at a higher percentage than other exertion zones. While the general idea of this myth is true, is it really the best method of fat loss? Let’s talk about it!

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Katie Szymanski Katie Szymanski

Friendly Reminder: You Shouldn’t Feel Guilty for Taking a Break

Though I think it’s unfair that all the responsibility is put on the individual to make time for rest and relaxation, we can’t wait for things to change to instill these moments of self-care. Give yourself permission to take a break because no one is going to do it for you!

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Katie Szymanski Katie Szymanski

The Soapbox Series: Why I Hate the Word Healthy

The coming of the New Year often sparks an urge in people to be healthier. To eat healthier, develop healthy habits, and so on.

Personally, I think "healthy" talk isn't doing anyone any good.

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Katie Szymanski Katie Szymanski

Fit Tips: You Don’t Have to Love the Gym

Social media shows snapshots of people living their best lives as gym lovers. These influencers would never skip leg day, they throw back scoops of pre-workout powder before heading into the gym, and prioritize their weightlifting sessions. They love heavy lifting, are friends with everyone in the gym, gripe about cardio, and put their fitness before anything else.

You don’t have to become this person if you don’t want to.

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Katie Szymanski Katie Szymanski

Carbs Continued

Last week’s blog took a deep dive into the function of carbohydrates in the body, but we barely scratched the surface of the source of carbs: food. This week, we’ll talk more in-depth about the types of carbs, the foods that contain them, and what these different macronutrient forms mean for your body.

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Katie Szymanski Katie Szymanski

Fitness Fact or Fiction: Carbs are Bad

Cutting carbs is one of the most common restrictions people start with when they want to lose weight. The idea that carbs are bad has been pushed in the diet and fitness industries for years, but how much truth does this idea hold? Let’s dig into it!

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Katie Szymanski Katie Szymanski

Advice I Would Never Give as a Sprout Wellness Personal Trainer

Personal trainers have a lot to say, and I’m no exception, but there are some phrases and words of advice that you’ll never hear from me. For the most part, these are things no good personal trainer should say. Let’s talk about some of these bits of advice and what’s wrong with them!

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Katie Szymanski Katie Szymanski

“Who the F— Asked You?” and Other Ways to Shut Down Negative Talk This Thanksgiving

We’re a DAY away from Thanksgiving, which means it’s time to gear up and get ready for the onslaught of comments on food, bodies, and health. This time of year especially seems to bring out the parts of people that makes them think it’s their right to say whatever they want about your body.

Newsflash: IT’S NOT.

So let’s talk about how we can address these uncalled-for comments depending on who they’re from, how they’re intended, and the way you want to handle the situation!

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Katie Szymanski Katie Szymanski

Sprout’s Guide to Surviving the Holidays

Though the Holiday Season doesn’t officially start until right after Thanksgiving, I think we all know it really begins right around Halloween. From family stress to wonky workout schedules, there are plenty of things to throw us off for the next few months. Here are some tips from Sprout on Surviving the Holidays in one piece!

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Katie Szymanski Katie Szymanski

What Exercise I Think Different Monsters Would be Based on Their Vibes

Initially, I planned on putting together a Hallo-Workout using spooky movies like Frankenstein walks and dreadlifts, but then I got to thinking about how different monsters would exercise and had to share. Some are specific to certain characters, while most generalize monster types as a whole. Check them out here and get inspired by your favorite creepy character!

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