I just figured out why Rip Van Winkle slept those 20 years. I heard he was at an IDEA World Fitness Convention and went home to take a little nap, but he was so physically and mentally spent that he slept right through the alarm (for a couple of decades). I reckon I’m in for a pretty lengthy nap just as soon as I proof this bad boy and send it over to Billy Pease and Gus Aguirre, the IDEA IT whizzes who made this phenomenal convention editorial-photo-video blog possible. Thanks so much, guys. Fantastic job. read more >>

As I flew into Las Vegas from San Diego this morning, the ambient temperature was 40 degrees higher than it had been at home, but the weather wasn't the only thing here that was hot. It was a treat to land just as the first full day of the IDEA convention was starting to simmer.

Did you come to fitness via a need to quell pain? From my casual observation (and radar-equipped ears), I’ve seen and heard a lot of IDEA members talk about their personal histories and how they came to embrace fitness. One woman was obese in high school and decided she wanted to join the cheerleading squad in college. She also had a crush on a football player, but he ignored her.

Two weeks ago, I gave up caffeine and sugar. I gave up coffee 2 years ago, which was a feat among feats. I switched to green tea—which is much better for you—but still has caffeine. In the middle of a cleanse I realized how much better I felt without consuming caffeine and sugar and had the epiphany that I (and my adrenal glands) am super sensitive to America’s favorite drug. So I quit, cold turkey.

I am not gonna lie ... I am wiped out! I've been saturated in 4 and-a-half days of pounding music, whoops and wails, thoughtful professional challenges and cool tips, tricks and toys. I've walked up miles of escalators, taken pages and pages of notes and shanghaied a few stability balls to experiment with flexion and extension. I rolled out of bed this morning and had to borrow a smile from my neighbor. My feet ache, my back hurts, my shoulders are scrunched up permanently around my ears and you know what? It was all so worth it.   read more >>

Peace of Mind

Each time I attend one of these events, I try to take a bit of time to myself, take off my staff badge and take a class for fun. I always intend on participating in some sort of high intensity movement-oriented class, but after two boot camp classes and what feels like several miles worth of walking, I somehow find myself in a class that focuses on becoming calm and centered.   read more >>

Oh, it is so very hard to wake up zippy on the 4th morning. But, there are such good selections on the morning schedule that it's worth the effort to get my self up and out of bed. As a kick-start, I will take a step class this morning that should completely pep me up. It's a better plan than joining those long lines of people who have to have their morning coffee. read more >>