Are you missing your regular exercise class or other activities? Have you tried exercising at home to keep fit and stay healthy? Perhaps you’d like to do more exercise at home?

Over the years, I’ve supported hundreds of people to exercise safely and successfully at home. I’ve seen the most common mistakes and helped them get past these and set themselves up for success with home exercise.

Read on to find out what the most common mistakes are and how to avoid them. Doing so will help you to prevent injury, stay motivated, and get more out of your exercise program. You’ll find it easier to exercise at home and see better results, sooner.

Mistake #1: Going It Alone

The first thing that people often do is to work out without any help or guidance. They try to remember exercises they’ve done in the past or learnt in classes.

However good your memory is, it’s hard to remember a full sequence of exercises. Without some technique reminders (whether written down or in a video), we don’t do the exercises so well (meaning we’re less likely to get results and likely to get injured).

Without some structure, you’ll find it harder to get started and easier to get distracted.

Solution for Success: Follow a Program

If it’s written down, whether on paper or screen, make sure it has good images to help you. Most people, however, find videos easier to do and more motivating.

Mistake #2: Jumping Straight In

The next step is to look for a programme or set of videos to follow.

When you’re motivated, you just want to get on with it! Many people end up doing the first videos they find on YouTube or committing to a programme they haven’t thoroughly researched.

If you do this, you may end up doing exercises that are too hard or too easy for you. The movements may be unsuitable for your medical conditions (arthritis, hip replacement, osteoporosis) or not safe for you (balance training that leaves you too unsteady).

Solution for Success: Do Your Research

Imagine you were considering joining a new gym or class or hiring a personal trainer. What research would you do? What questions would you ask? Now, think about asking these questions of an online trainer or program. You could:

• Ask friends, doctors, and health professionals for recommendations.
• Do background research (Is the instructor qualified? Do they demonstrate an understanding of your needs and conditions?).
• Do an initial sense check (fast forward through some videos, watch before you do the exercises), or take up a free trial, if they offer one.

If you would like exercises to improve your balance, take a look at our free, four-week Balance Boost video series.

Mistake #3: Not Knowing Your Stuff

When there’s no instructor or trainer in the room with you, you need to pay more attention to your technique. It will help to be more aware of your posture, breathing, how you do the exercise, and how hard you work.

At home, you can’t wait for an instructor to correct you or suggest alternatives – it’s up to you. To stay safe and get the most out of your workout, you need to learn what’s right for you and any conditions you may have.

Solution for Success: Become the Expert on You

If you have any medical conditions or have had any recent injuries or procedures, ask your doctor or physical therapist if there are any exercises you should avoid (as well as any that will be particularly helpful).

Take the time to learn what exercising at the right level for you should feel like.

Get comfortable with the fact that you might need to exercise differently from one day to the next (depending on how you feel, how well you have slept, and other factors).

Look for an instructor or programme that gives lots of technique pointers, so you feel confident you are doing the exercises well. A good instructor will offer alternatives to some of the exercises, and encourage you to work at your own pace.

Here’s a routine you can try at home now – this is one of the most popular videos in our online exercise studio. The exercises will help you to improve your posture, stand up taller, and reduce tension in your back, neck, and shoulders.

Mistake #4: Skipping the Setup

If you haven’t got your equipment close at hand and your tech set up right, it feels like such hard work to get started (even when you are super motivated). You’re also more likely to give up if you waste time looking for things or can’t get your tech or sound to work correctly.

Solution for Success: Set Up an Exercise Zone

Taking a bit of time to create your workout zone will make exercising at home stress-free and enjoyable.

Make sure you have the following:

• Space to move (without trip hazards on the floor)
• All the exercise equipment you need
• Any clothing or shoes you will need
• A bottle of water
• The device you use to watch any videos (with associated stand and chargers)
• Good speakers or wireless headphones to ensure optimum sound.

Mistake #5: Going in All Guns Blazing

When people start a new exercise program, their motivation levels are high. They want to go for it and start big. They might commit to doing an hour a day, or training for a big event.

If you’re over-enthusiastic, you’re more likely to overdo it. Going in hard from day one means you are more likely to get injured and to run out of steam.

Solution for Success: Start Small

As Confucius said, “The man that moves mountains begins by carrying small stones.”

From a physical perspective, it’s best to start with shorter, less intense workouts. When you build up gradually, your muscles and joints have time to get used to the exercises.

From a psychological perspective, it’s pretty much the same. If we make a big commitment (e.g., an hour a day), it will soon become too much. However, just doing 10 minutes is so much easier to cope with. Every time you do the 10 minutes, you’ll feel successful and build much-needed momentum.

So, temper your enthusiasm and don’t overdo it. Start small and remember, you’re in it for the long run!

I hope that everything I’ve learnt over the years will help you to exercise safely and successfully at home. Putting in a bit of time and effort to avoid these mistakes will help you to stay injury-free and make the most of the time you spend exercising at home.

If you want help and support to exercise at home, take a look at the Vida Wellness Studio. It’s an online exercise studio for people who want to improve their balance and posture, feel stronger, and move more easily.

Are you exercising at home? What exercises do you do and what do you find most challenging about it? Please join the conversation below and let us know!

Technology is all around us. There is no escaping it these days. But the longer you avoid it, the worse your apprehensions will get. In my experience of working with people and techie things, I’ve found that fear of looking or feeling stupid is the main issue. People at a certain age begin to believe they are “dumb about technology” because they didn’t learn about it in school.

Let’s start with this supposition: nothing about using a phone, working on a computer, or a tablet is intuitive. Therefore, you need to learn basic skills to establish a foundation to use technology.

Trying something new is definitely scary. But, if you can release your fear, believe that we all start with zero knowledge, and build on that, you will develop the confidence needed to get through the bumps.

Here are some tips to help you start to feel comfortable with technology.

Start Small

You don’t need to learn everything at once. You can’t. Be patient with yourself. Break it down and focus on one thing at a time to help you gain confidence and make the world of technology feel more manageable.

Concentrate on one aspect of your phone, such as texting, that you need to use every day. Nowadays, if you don’t know how to text, you’ll be the odd person out of fun and frequent “chats” between friends and family. Once you accomplish that, pick the next app or most-used feature, like the phone app.

Frequently, the features you use the most, but don’t understand, cause frustration and resistance because that’s when you feel “dumb.” Stop the negative self-talk: “I can’t use this phone.” Instead, try, “I really need to learn how to use [insert feature of choice] so I can stop having these issues.”

Pick one new social media or online platform that interests you, like YouTube. YouTube is a great place to start with learning because you can get tutorials about anything you need once you are skilled in using it.

Focus on Fun

Start with things you are interested in. For example, if you are a movie buff, focus on using Netflix. If you love photography, put your efforts into learning how to use your phone’s camera. Directing your energy into things that are fun will make the learning process feel less like a chore.

Ask for Help

Remember, not everyone has the patience to teach you. Find a reliable family member or friend who will take the time to answer a specific question. Just 10 minutes of their time can alleviate a lot of frustration.

One of the keys to seeking help is to make sure you have a specific set of questions or problems. Don’t approach your loved one and say, “I need you to teach me how to use the computer.” It will be less daunting for you and your person of choice if you say, “I don’t understand folders and documents. Do you have time to show me a few things?”

If you don’t feel comfortable asking someone you know, find an expert in your area or virtually. Senior Centers, extension classes, local community centers are all good resources for learning. Many such places offer ongoing classes you can take or a once-a-month help session, one-to-one, for specific issues you are dealing with.

Many tech-help gurus or small businesses, like The Tech Wizard, offer remote learning, online services, and online classes so that you can connect and learn from the convenience of your own home. These offerings have no doubt expanded given our past 18 months of “Covid life” and quarantine.

Trust Your Gut

Don’t be afraid to play around and learn as you go. You won’t break anything by touching an icon you are unfamiliar with. On the other hand, once you get over the mental block of thinking you don’t understand, you might be surprised by how much you can figure out on your own by just touching or clicking.

I often encourage my clients to “put their baby on.” Think about the two-year-old that grabs the parent’s phone and begins to tap and touch and take pics. They aren’t scared. They don’t have the verbal understanding we have, life experiences, or reasoning levels we do. But they aren’t afraid.

They react to the pictures, colors, icons, and cues given on the phone by touching, not freezing, or staring. They aren’t waiting for words to guide them.

Educate Yourself

Be proactive with reading booklets, articles, newsletters, or blogs. Watch video tutorials. Google your question. There is so much free content on the internet that spans all levels of knowledge. You also may want to consider paying for help. Buying lessons or enrolling in an actual class will pay dividends in the future.

Technology isn’t going anywhere. Giving in to your fears is going to put you in a deeper hole. Everything from your car, your oven, your phone is becoming a smart device. Being open to learning is the first step to getting comfortable with technology and using it in everyday life.

What is your biggest fear with technology? Have you overcome your fear? Do you have any tips to share on what worked for you?

Wendy Osefo’s Puffer Coat

Real Housewives of Potomac Season 6 Episode 4 Fashion

Oof I’m not ready to think about the cold whatsoever. But I do love Wendy Osefo’s puffer coat. I fortunately unfortunately won’t need a thick coat like this out on the west coast. But for the winter days when I visit IL I wouldn’t want to take it off. It’s definitely perfect for keeping you warm on the freezing winter days. Or maybe for when the hot gossip between your girlfriend gets a little cold.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Moncler Puffer Coat in Black

Originally posted at: Wendy Osefo’s Puffer Coat

Major congrats are in order for Miley Cyrus. The performer just became a part of the iconic Gucci gang. In fact, Cyrus’ Gucci photos are going viral today because she looks seriously stunning. She’s the face of Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum, a new fragrance by creative director Alessandro Michele. Artist Petra Collins shot the video and photos of Cyrus, which might be why they’re the best we’ve seen of the star. (Collins is seriously talented!)

“Miley Cyrus is an artist with a spirit that is both rock ‘n’ roll and eclectic at the same time. I admire her and I think she will perfectly embody the new Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia fragrance and story,” Michele said in a statement. The triple-threat herself is just as excited about the new gig.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Source: Instagram

“@gucci and I have felt like family for a long time in our collaborations which have always revolved around vibrant color, self-expression & unapologetic contradiction,” she wrote on Instagram. “Being tough in a soft environment or still in a chaotic moment. #FloraFantasy is being who you are.”

Flora Gorgeous Gardenia will be available starting July 30 on the brand’s website and from August 1 in selected Gucci stores, retailers and perfumeries worldwide. Cyrus joins A-list talent including Harry Styles, who is a longtime ambassador of the brand and the face of the Gucci Mémoire d’une Odeur campaign.

We’ll update you as soon as we have more details on Cyrus-fronted fragrance. We can’t wait to see the bottle.

As someone who loves to travel, I was very surprised that I didn’t go stir crazy during the pandemic. I have been traveling for work and pleasure for so many years that I didn’t think I would be comfortable staying in one place for any length of time.

I was very pleased to discover the many benefits it offered, and it has given me a new appreciation for being at home.

As travel restrictions are loosening, I thought about where my next adventure will take me. Where do I want to go, what do I want to do, all of the questions I normally ask myself when I start to plan a new trip.

What used to be a very easy and fun process has changed significantly for me. Now, there are so many new considerations that have to be taken into account, especially if I am leaving the country.

What I love most about traveling is that it is a total departure from my real life. I actually feel like a different person when I am away. Getting out of my normal routine and disconnecting from the world is pure bliss.

Even in the best of times, travel can be a challenge. Unexpected things happen, and you need to be flexible enough to adjust. Right now, I’m not really looking for that kind of experience, but I do want to have the enjoyment of getting away from it all.

Find the Inspiration

Recently, I had an appointment across town and stopped by a food truck for lunch. It was a large dirt lot that had a variety of trucks offering Mexican food. It was mid-week, so most of the trucks were closed, except for one toward the rear.

As I sat outside, waiting for my order, I felt transported to Mexico. Sitting in the shade on a hot summer day, music playing in the background, tattered flags blowing in the breeze, I was no longer home, I was in a tiny Mexican village.

I realized then that I didn’t have to get on a plane to go somewhere, I could do it right here at home.

I began by making a list of some of the things that I enjoy about travel – I really like the planning, staying at hotels, not having to cook or clean, trying the local cuisine and meeting new people.

I also thought about what I don’t care for while traveling – crowds, flight delays, strict time schedules, noisy neighbors, access to food and services, getting help if I’m ill or injured.

Those are just some of the things that can happen when traveling but now may be even more unpredictable and difficult to manage. My preferences have changed over the years, and now I’m more interested in ease and comfort than action and adventure.

I used to enjoy long haul flights to Europe but now the thought of being on a plane with hundreds of strangers for 12 hours is not at all appealing.

I decided to create a trip right here in the comfort of my own home. A fantastic journey with all of the benefits and none of the issues.

Make It Realistic

In order for this to feel real, you have to do everything as if you are actually leaving. It reminds me of playing fort at home with my brother when we were young. It didn’t matter that we were sitting on the living room floor with blankets, we played make believe that we were far away, and it was so much fun.

One of my favorite places to visit is Mexico. I love the slower pace where I can sit under a palapa, read a good book and drink a cold cerveza. I wanted to see how close I could come to replicating the feeling of those wonderful trips, so I went all in.

A few days before “leaving,” I had my hair and nails done and told my family that I would be away for a few days. How much you share with them is up to you. I find that if I say too much, they will discount my idea and it takes the fun out of it.

Pack a suitcase – nothing says vacation like packing my bags. I like to travel light but now I have no stress about forgetting something I may need.

As soon as I decided to try this, the excitement began to build. Just as it does for a “real” trip. The more believable you can make this the better.

Time to Relax and Enjoy

Turn off your phone or put it in airplane mode. Disconnecting is something I love about being away and I rarely do at home.

I used my guest room as my mock hotel suite for the trip. Unpacking and using only what I had in my suitcase.

Thanks to YouTube, I was able to have a gorgeous beach view with the sound of waves gently washing ashore.

I gave myself permission to do everything I like to do on vacation – take a nap, have a drink with lunch, explore the local shops as a tourist, speak the language, order room service (delivery), book a massage, dress up for dinner, anything goes.

So Many Advantages

The benefits of this type of fantasy travel are tremendous. You have total control and flexibility of how much or how little you do. If something urgent should come up, you don’t have to worry about how to get home to take care of things.

Minimal expense, no passport, no flight schedules, no jet lag, no dirty crowded airports, no check-out time, no stress – just the pleasure of having what you want most from your getaway.

I’m enjoying this trip so much, I may just extend my stay!

Is fantasy travel something you would try? Where would you go? Would you be alone or with your family? What are your favorite travel memories you would like to recreate? Share your stories and join the conversation!