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August 21, 2026

Exercises

woman in black tank top and black leggings holding black and white nike shoes

How to maximize results from your workout*

The time we spend even making time to workout is precious. So you don’t want to waste your time. I combed the internet and consulted with Neda Khalili, a veteran Equinox trainer, to get you the complete guide. You can find all of the videos in the DAOFitLife playlist if you want to watch them after reading the article. *Peer reviewed and co-authored by Neda Khalili, NASM certified trainer

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DAOFitLife Weekly Update – August 11

RECIPES AVAILABLE HERE  Customizable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Links Customizable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Template Google Sheet  Downloadable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Template Excel Document Printable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Template PDF Exercise Template Links Customizable DAOFitLife Exercise Plan Google Sheet Template  Downloadable DAOFitLife Exercise Plan Excel Document Printable DAOFitlife Exercise Plan PDF New app for helping anxiety I was alerted to this new app, Worry Knot,  that works you through “mental knots” that can jam you up throughout the day with exercises that take only a few minutes. First, the app…

crqzy woman

Working hard but not getting results? Here’s why and 10 things you can do

*Peer reviewed and co-authored by Neda Khalili, National Academy of Sports Mediciine certified trainer “I’m working out every day. I’m eating healthy. But I am not seeing results!” This is a common challenge when we have a goal that involves some aspect of fitness – whether this is losing weight, getting stronger, achieving a goal like running a marathon. It’s exciting at the beginning, and a lot of work.  And then the results are in. And…you are the same weight. Or even gained a few pounds. 

DAOFitLife Weekly Update – July 28

RECIPES AVAILABLE HERE  Customizable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Links Customizable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Template Google Sheet  Downloadable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Template Excel Document Printable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Template PDF Exercise Template Links Customizable DAOFitLife Exercise Plan Google Sheet Template  Downloadable DAOFitLife Exercise Plan Excel Document Printable DAOFitlife Exercise Plan PDF Overtraining syndrome Here’s an interesting article about why overtraining is a significant risk, even to top level athletes. It lists some of the risks of taking on too much itraining: “Overtraining syndrome can seriously affect your mental health. It can…

woman in red jacket walking on road between trees during daytime

The DAO of hot weather walking

One of the few silver linings of this pandemic was that it made walking cool again. Power walking was no longer just for the neighborhood grandparents; it was THE way to get cardio and regain our sanity. And surprisingly, lean out! I could not believe what a huge difference walking made in my ability to feel less stress. Within 6 months, I had lost 7 pounds WITHOUT the gym. Walking is an incredible exercise for even strengthening all those little joints and ligaments that you may not even be aware of and how all of the muscles of your body…

DAOFitLife Update – Week of July 21

This week, I am going to focus on summer snacks! Given how hot it is outside, I think sometimes we just want to have a satisfying snack rather than a whole sit-down meal in the middle of the day. RECIPES AVAILABLE HERE  Customizable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Links Customizable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Template Google Sheet  Downloadable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Template Excel Document Printable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Template PDF Exercise Template Links Customizable DAOFitLife Exercise Plan Google Sheet Template  Downloadable DAOFitLife Exercise Plan Excel Document Printable DAOFitlife Exercise Plan PDF…

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Week of July 7 -DAOFitLife update

This week, I talk about what I am obsessed with, from morning collagen Matcha to fitness themed shows and good workout soundtracks. What I’m obsessed with this week  Foodwise, I am obsessed with my “powerhouse” matcha collagen blend. I mix Vital Proteins Matcha Collagen Latte, 1 cup of almond milk, a pouch of Golive prebiotic/ probiotic, and 2 scoops of Green Superfoods Alkalize and Detox. This is getting too quickly to be a go-to breakfast drink this summer. It goes really well with my nut butter and toast combo, making sure I get the extra protein and veggies. The green…

Week of June 30 – DAO Meal and Exercise Plan Update

This week, I have completed my shopping list collection for now with my Safeway and Costco guide. One way I love to get NEAT in is to grocery shop in person (no delivery, not online). I love to make it a family or a friend affair. It’s a type of meditation, too, if you do it alone. Mindful shopping is actually a thing.  You can zone out and zen out exploring the aisles, you don’t need your phone for any reason, and it’s your time to just.get what you need and maybe some fun new additions you didn’t plan on. …

woman exercising indoors

The DAO of Abs*

So let me ask you some questions. How many articles do you see that say, get a six-pack in 30 days? How many people do you see on the stretch mats on the gym doing a bajillion crunches, or flailing around doing some painful looking twisting exercise. Are you that person? It’s ok, your secret is safe with me. I was that person. The fitness industry gaslighting is fierce, y’all. Let’s start by debunking some of this click-bait. First of all, did you know you have a six-pack already? Those are the muscles in the rectus abdominis, but only a…

Week of June 23rd – DAOFitLife Meal and Exercise update (neck pain, pre-workouts, and salad ideas)

Every week, I post a weekly roundup of new finds – recipes, shows, videos. Be sure to check out the DAOFitLife Youtube Playlist for a curateed list of fitness-related videos you can watch while doing cardio. RECIPES AVAILABLE HERE  Customizable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Links Customizable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Template Google Sheet  Downloadable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Template Excel Document Printable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Template PDF Exercise Template Links Customizable DAOFitLife Exercise Plan Google Sheet Template  Downloadable DAOFitLife Exercise Plan Excel Document Printable DAOFitlife Exercise Plan PDF DAOFitLife Exercise Update…

The DAO of group fitness classes

As we come out of the COVID fog and start reintegrating back with our family, friends, and workplaces, the idea of returning to live fitness can seem extra. Now that we know there could be people spying on you in your house from your fitness devices, however, it could be a good time to consider man (or woman) over machine.  Even more so, group fitness can be a great way to reintegrate with our communities. It’s intentional to go to a yoga or bootcamp class, but the spontaneous relationships we can form  present an opportunity to expand our networks. The…

Week of June 16 – DAOFitLife Meal and Exercise plan

This week, I have some new products to introduce! Plus, the beginning of my journey into a 5-day lifting routine. RECIPES AVAILABLE HERE (UPDATED FOR WEEK OF June 16) Customizable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Links– Week 15 Customizable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Template Google Sheet  Downloadable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Template Excel Document Printable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Template PDF DAOFitlife Exercise Plan – Week 15 Exercise Template Links Customizable DAOFitLife Exercise Plan Google Sheet Template  Downloadable DAOFitLife Exercise Plan Excel Document Printable DAOFitlife Exercise Plan PDF Meal plan – nut butter crepes…

Lili eq

Equinox Workout Class Reviews

This is your one-stop shop for Equinox class reviews. I will continually update this post. As someone who attends Equinox classes almost everyday, I am so enthusiastic to share this information with you. Equinox strength classes Athletic Conditioning Athletic conditioning is a full body workout using bodyweight and a variety of equipment. You will be doing a combination of HIIT, weight circuit training, and core work. In the particular class I took, the instructor uses sliders. It is about 45 minutes each class, and by the end of it you will definitely feel like you had a workout. The exercises…

Week 13 – DAOFitlife Meal and Exercise Plan

This week I am focusing on split training that is the type of training where you focus on certain muscle groups at a time as opposed to doing full body strength training. The advantage of this type of training is also that it decreases the amount of total training time. So, for example, when you do a split with upper body lower body push and pull you can be in and out of the gym in about half an hour including the warm-up. And that makes things really efficient during work “busy seasons”, which we are all familiar. In my…

Week 11 – DAOFitlife Meal and Exercise Plan

Here is my weekly update of my meal and exercise plan. First, here is a roadmap of all the documents I update. Ideally you will want to use a personal gmail account to access the google sheets. Otherwise, you can also download the documents in PDF or excel format if you don’t have that platform. I update recipes on a weekly basis, and log my food and exercise activity both on a planned and real-time basis. RECIPES AVAILABLE HERE (UPDATED FOR WEEK OF MAY 12) Customizable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery List Links– Week 11 Customizable DAOFitlife Meal Plan and Grocery…

Soul Comparison

Put up a parking lot…for your Soul

What my first post-pandemic SoulCycle class was like Pre-pandemic Soul journey My experience at my first post-pandemic live SoulCycle class was one for the history books. I was under a tent. In a gravel parking lot. with no mirrors, candles, or darkness. But I still had a blast. Eight years ago I walked up to my first SoulCycle class in Manhattan in the Union Square studio. It was a blur of dancing and lots of “tapping back,” one of SoulCycle’s signature moves. Unlike other studios like Flywheel or Cyclebar, SoulCycle does not believe in leaderboards or quantitative measurements. It’s about…

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