Summer Road Trip to Newport, RI: Highlights and Adventures

We just wrapped up another fantastic summer road trip to Newport, RI, and it was everything we hoped for and more! We stayed downtown, which meant we could easily walk everywhere and soak up all the charm this beautiful little city on the sea has to offer.

We arrived around lunchtime, so we enjoyed a picnic on the lawn outside the O'Club on the Navy base, with stunning views of Narragansett Bay and the Newport Pell Bridge. We also hit up the Exchange where mrC scored some new sneakers!

After checking into the hotel we were ready to get out and about in Newport. We hopped on the free trolley to explore the Great Elephant Migration exhibit at Salve Regina University on Bellevue Ave. Stunning! Life-size Indian elephants made out of lantana camera, an invasive weed that encroaches on wildlife habitats. It started to rain, so we headed back to the hotel for cocktails before dinner.

Dinner that night was a treat at Mother Pizzeria, a new spot we tried, followed by our traditional Kilwins ice cream downtown. You can't go to Newport without having some Kilwins!

Day two was just as wonderful. We started with another trolley ride to see more elephant exhibits at Rough Point and Breakers mansions. We even saw the iconic Rough Point camels! The Breakers was charging people full price to see the elephants, so we walked around the back on the Cliff Walk to get a peek. The views were worth it!

We hopped off the trolley to have some coffee and tea at a charming shop on Bellevue Ave while people-watching. 

Lunch at the Lobster Bar was a highlight—great views of the harbor and the boats coming and going made it extra special. Afterward, we walked down Thames Street and window-shopped a bit before popping into Giusto to enjoy an afternoon cocktail on Hammetts Wharf. They did not have the same yummy appetizer as last year.

The kids joined us in the evening for dinner at Diego's on Bowen’s Wharf, where we had the best Mexican meal we've had in Newport. We wrapped up the night with drinks at Surf Club, enjoying the outdoor seating and great conversations. My brother and sister-in-law who made it to Newport also joined us!

Our final day started a bit rough after a fun night out, but we grabbed some healthy food from the hotel and met up with the kids for a sailing tradition. Since the sailboat could only take five, I stayed behind with baby Frank. We had a blast playing on the lawn, looking for shells, watching the seagulls, and spotting a baby bunny at the O'Club. We walked over three miles, soaking in the last of Newport’s beauty.

It was a trip filled with memories and fun times with family. Until next year, Newport!

Secrets to Overcoming Workout Plateaus

Hitting a plateau can be frustrating, but with the right strategies, you can break through and continue making progress. 

First, let's talk about what a workout plateau is. It's when you stop seeing progress despite continuing your regular exercise routine. This can happen to anyone, no matter how experienced you are.

One of the best ways to overcome a plateau is to change up your routine. Your body adapts to the same workouts over time, so mix things up. Try new exercises, increase the intensity, or change the order of your workouts. This keeps your body guessing and challenges your muscles in new ways.

Your diet plays a crucial role in your fitness progress. Ensure you're eating enough protein to support muscle growth and recovery. Also, make sure you're getting a balanced mix of carbs, fats, and vitamins. Sometimes, adjusting your diet can make a big difference in overcoming a plateau.

Rest is just as important as exercise. Overtraining can lead to plateaus, so make sure you're giving your body enough time to recover. This includes getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and taking rest days when needed.

Sometimes, we hit a plateau because we've reached our initial goals. Setting new, challenging goals can reignite your motivation and give you something new to strive for. Whether it's lifting heavier weights, running a faster mile, or mastering a new skill, new goals can help you push past a plateau.

Keep track of your workouts, nutrition, and how you feel. This can help you identify patterns and areas that need adjustment. It also keeps you accountable and motivated by showing how far you've come.

Remember, hitting a plateau is a normal part of the fitness journey, but with the right strategies, you can overcome it and keep making progress. If you need more personalized support, consider joining my coaching program. Click here to learn more and sign up. 

Setting the Record Straight on Nutrition for Women Over 50

If you’re like many women over 50, navigating the world of nutrition can feel like swimming through a sea of conflicting advice. With hormone changes affecting everything from energy to weight, it's important to know what really works - and that’s what I’m here for. I want to be your go-to source of truth in a world full of noise.

Let’s clear up some common myths once and for all:

Carbs make you gain weight.
🍞 Carbs have gotten a bad rap, but they’re essential for energy - especially as we age. When paired with whole food nutrition, they can absolutely be part of a healthy, balanced diet that supports fat loss and muscle maintenance. It’s all about choosing the right kinds of carbs (hello, whole grains and veggies!) and timing them to work with your body, not against it.

❌ Eating fat makes you fat.
🥑 This one has been around forever, but it's time to debunk it. Healthy fats are actually crucial for hormone balance, brain function, and overall health. Not only that, they can even aid in weight loss by keeping you satisfied and helping your body burn fat more effectively. Avocados, nuts, and olive oil are your friends!

❌ You need to eat every 2-3 hours to boost metabolism.
⏰ This is a popular one, but the reality is that your metabolism isn’t like a fire that constantly needs stoking. What matters more is listening to your hunger cues and eating when you’re truly hungry. Intermittent fasting can even help reset your metabolism and optimize fat burning, a strategy many of my clients find empowering as they move through perimenopause and menopause.

As women, especially in midlife, our needs shift. Hormones, metabolism, and muscle mass all play critical roles in our ability to feel strong, maintain a healthy weight, and live with purpose. My goal is to provide simple, effective strategies that fit into your lifestyle. No crazy diets, no endless cardio - just real food, smart movement, and sustainable changes that work for you, not against you.

Whether you're struggling with fatigue, stubborn weight gain, or frustrating hormone shifts, know that you're not alone. Let’s navigate these changes together and focus on what truly works to help you thrive.

Ready to learn more about how you can thrive in midlife with balanced nutrition, movement, and a supportive community? Join my upcoming program and start feeling your best today!

Road Trip: Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival

Back in July we took a two day road trip for the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival. The festival was in many places on the Cape, but since we wanted to stay in Hyannis, we focused on events in the Upper and Mid Cape area.

After crossing the Sagamore Bridge, our first stop was at the Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich. This looked like the place to be to see the most hydrangeas and it did not disappoint.

We saw fun artwork like this throughout the gardens.

Bonus feature was a Carriage to Classic car exhibit, which made mrC very happy! He used to have a car like this.

Our next stop was the village of Sandwich to do a historic walking tour of showpiece yards and gardens. We were given a map to do a self guided tour of featured homes we could visit in the village Sandwich. There was also the option to join a group, but we wanted to go at our own pace.

After the walking tour, we grabbed smoothies and a gluten free sandwich at a local place called Beth's (so good). Then we walked all the way to Sandwich Boardwalk - we were last here Summer 2016. It was quite crowded with beach-goers and kids jumping off the bridge.

For dinner we went to Anejo Mexican Bistro for dinner, a place we knew well from our summers in Falmouth, and was a nice, easy walk from our hotel. On the way back we stopped for Katie's homemade ice cream.

The next day we planned to take a Hyannis sight-seeing boat cruise, but the weather was too windy to go out and they cancelled. Our plan B for the day was walking the Kennedy Legacy Trail. I do not recommend walking this in flip flops!

The trail had ten different spots for us to explore and learn a little bit more about the Kennedy family and their life in Hyannis. The JFK Memorial Park had a fountain that is reminiscent of the eternal flame reimagined on water. We also got to see where JFK made his acceptance speech at the Hyannis Armory, where they went to church and the museum.

We enjoyed some good food, keeping it clean and healthy leaning into gluten free and dairy free options which was pretty easy because there were a lot of options.

One food highlight was getting to eat at The Daily Paper. This place had the best GF breakfast sandwich on an English muffin when we had breakfast here after I ran the Ragnar Cape Cod in 2014 and it was still on the menu! Highly recommend having breakfast here.

How Gluten is Ruining Your Fitness Goals

When I first meet with new clients, they often do not understand the impact of gluten on our fitness goals. Whether you're trying to lose weight, gain muscle, or improve your health, understanding gluten's role is key. 

Let's break down what this pesky thing is….gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It's in foods like bread, pasta, and many processed items. Some people avoid it due to gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. 

Gluten can cause inflammation and bloating, making weight loss harder. Many gluten foods are high in calories and low in nutrition, so avoiding them can help if you are trying to clean up your meals.

When it comes to working out, gluten can play a role in your results…or lack of results! Gluten can affect nutrient absorption, hindering muscle recovery and growth. It can also lead to being more tired which leads to less effective workouts.

In 2013, my husband and I decided to go wheat-free after reading Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health. We cleared out our cabinets and began the experiment without any specific medical issues or health concerns, simply curious about the potential benefits. Within the first week, we noticed increased energy and mental clarity, realizing we had been feeling less than optimal before eliminating gluten.

Going gluten-free doesn't have to be complicated. Start by focusing on naturally gluten-free foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and most dairy products. When shopping, look for gluten-free labels on packaged foods and explore the growing variety of gluten-free options available. 

For a simple meal idea, try a quinoa salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a lemon vinaigrette. Another easy option is a stir-fry with chicken, broccoli, bell peppers, and gluten-free soy sauce served over brown rice. With a few mindful choices, enjoying a gluten-free diet can be both delicious and hassle-free!

One of my clients cut out gluten and saw amazing results. She came to me feeling that she was stuck in a plateau. With her custom macros set, she avoided gluten and focused on eating the right amount of the right foods. She told me in the first week she could see and feel a difference in her core, just by changing the way she ate.

If you have noticed that your foods may be impacting your sleep or energy levels, please reach out to me. I would love to share a few resources I have to help you navigate this and determine if removing gluten from your meals will help.