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August 10, 2026

exercise

women's black elbow-sleeved blouse

Posture is the new Prada

And “tech neck” is the new pandemic. Posture affects everything and goes so much by the wayside; especially when we have all of these different forms of fitness and we just ‘do’ the work when potentially there could be an injury in the making…in tandem with our tech neck workdays….eek! Yet I can find so little actually dealing with this issue with the attention it deserves. So I called upon my editor and posture expert, Neda Khalili, to guest blog this post. Moreso I asked her to explain how to maintain good posture not just in sitting, but when we…

silhouette of three women running on grey concrete road

All you need to know about cold weather running from a track and field champion

This is a follow up post from the last issue’s post on cool weather workouts. Cold weather running is its own art form, and this post explains everything you need to know about timing, gear, injury prevention and recovery. This post is guest authored by a real life devoted runner and former track and field star, my friend and longtime trainer, Neda Khalili.

smiling woman taking photo near trees and brown grass during sunrise

The DAO of Cool Weather Workouts

Whether you still want to avoid gyms during the pandemic or are just sick of working out at home, working out outside has a lot of benefits. It’s a natural antidepressant. Outdoor exercise can help ward off seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which we talked about in my other post this week. Even just being outside for any reason,, whether it be walking the dog or raking the leaves can alleviate depression and anxiety because the Vitamin D in the sunshine naturally increases serotonin, a hormone that affects your mood. Working out outside also keeping your muscles guessing about the varying…

woman in black tank top and black leggings standing on white floor

DAO Weekly Hot List

Every week we give you a roundup of some of the coolest nutrition and workout trends. Even though summer is over, I am all about this Halloumi life! Halloumi is nice and meaty without the meat and just thing the thing to get creative with and also still give that satisfying “mmmph!” This salad sounds right up my alley right up my alley with the mix of spices, chickpeas, eggplants, and DATES!  If you are non-dairy or vegan, do not have FOMO. You can easily replicate Halloumi cheese with tofu – they have similar textures. Here is a recipe that…

woman in black shirt smiling

Weekly roundup: setting boundaries, wash your face right

Here is my regular roundup of interesting articles, workouts and recipes. 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 Easy Little Black Dress Meal of the week This week I am obsessed with open faced sandwiches! Check out my hummus, tomato, and olive brand on the left,…

person holding silver iPhone 6 with black case

The DAO of Zoomwalking

As we have lived into our somewhat new normal where everyone has had to make lifestyle shifts back and forth and back and forth again, with ever changing headlines- one shining light that has come through is the power of walking- specifically– walking meetings! With the magic of Zoom, Google Hangouts, and Microsoft Outlook and especially the features of their respective apps itself and the like, we can now, more than ever- be able to meet our obligations without sacrificing our literal and figurative backs.  Check out my first Youtube video (but cut me some slack – I am an…

three pairs of assorted-color Rogue bumper plates

Weekly roundup: Kelp for the win

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 Workout of the week Amp up your ab routine with this plate workout – you can also use a heavy book, if you don’t have access to a gym. Do your eyes hurt from looking at the computer? First…

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

orange and black usb cable on brown wooden surface

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…

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…

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