*image via the only King Charles I recognize— CharliXCX

It started last September when nothing in my closet fit properly. Every piece felt a bit too snug, and I wasn’t loving the way I looked in pictures. Imagine me, feeling so-so (at best) about the looks I love meticulously putting together! Something was completely off.

In all honesty, there was a moment in October when my confidence had absolutely plummeted. I would look in the mirror and not recognize a thing. More than the external factors, I didn’t feel like myself and was increasingly self-conscious about it. I am usually a preternaturally confident person, and day after day was a struggle to find that source. I was also still in the throws of an unraveling relationship, so was in desperate need of a spark. Well, rather than wait for some savior to swoop in and lavish me with compliments, I decided to light myself up!

I have had a fitness practice for years– literally since elementary school (which also wtf?)– so that was not a new addition to the mix. But I knew the workouts, the diet, and the mindset all needed a shake-up, so I did just that and am now firmly on the other side.

All mirrors should be on notice— I’m back, babe!

As we enter summer season and I am feeling better in my body than I have in a long time, I want to share what has helped me get here. My handful of key strategies!

• Consistency— womp, womp, I know! Way to start with the most annoyingly, boring tip! The lesson is that the least exciting methods are generally the most effective. Following a pact with my NYC BFF to send proof of our daily walks over the summer, by November it was much easier to get after it every single day. In fact, not doing something was much harder to maintain as I started to crave daily movement. We talked about this here, but also adding a more low-impact second workout is a game changer. It gives me two chances/day to move, no matter what!
• Veggie Gang— Baked By Melissa’s command of a chopped veggie salad is other level. The girl can bust out a quartet of greens like none other, and I totally owe her TikTok recipes to keeping my diet on track. I am a deep devotee to her green goddess, but have added an Asian chopped to the rotation- cabbage, carrots, green pepper and sugar snap peas in a miso dressing. Incorporating so many veggies in my daily life has also given me the confidence to absolutely double-down when having dinner out– “Yes, I am having the salad, a side of broccoli and the beets!” Your tummy will thank you profusely.
• Smarter, Not Harder— Through most of my 20s/30’s, I have taken the punishing route: hard, early, intense workouts every single day paired with restrictive diets. That doesn’t work for me mentally anymore. The world is too shitty to inflict further pain on myself. Instead, I now only incorporate what feels additive to my day. That mindset makes the consistency feel like a treat, not a mandate. If I know I have an 8 am workout with my trainer, I will plan a girls walk for the late afternoon. To prep for a fun dinner out, I will make something super fresh at home for breakfast.
• Open & Honest Communication— When a friend heaped praises on me in March and asked what I was doing, I told him everything and sent links! It can be terrifying to share that you feel stuck, drained and a little adrift. But it can be just as empowering to find solutions that work, even incrementally, and not only tell other people but do them together. My girlfriends and I are a hilarious weight-vest and Bala-toting gang, and I swear our collective energy is contagious!

Luckily for us, I have also enlisted my team of experts (spin, personal training, yoga and cardio dance) to share their trade secrets. Y’all, this crew comprises the Subject Matter Experts who have taken me to new levels of physical and mental wellness in less than a year. I owe them so much and want to give the props of which they are so deserving!

First up, my Spin Powerhouse– Lara Scott! If you’re in Memphis, plan a CycleBar class with LS ASAP. She has been kicking the shit outta me on the bike for 5+ years, and I now crave the 30-45 minutes of pounding beats, breathless sprints and reminders that digging in can result in treasure!

• Cardio/Strength Balance– I lift weights 3-4x a week, indoor cycling + hot yoga…I wouldn’t say I amp up my routine in the summer because I stay pretty steady year round. (Mimi note– enter that pesky consistency, eye roll 🙄)
• I just had a TON of European sunscreen shipped to me, and plan on using it exclusively from now on. They have more filters than we do, and also have much stricter UVA standards than the US. I order from Care to Beauty. The LaRoche Posay UVMune is the absolute gold standard. Cuz I ain’t about that sun…☠️
• It is already hot in Memphis 🥵 and I cool my body down (and get protein points) by replacing one meal a day with an icy protein shake. I use Chocolate Trufit protein powder, a scoop of organic PB Fit, chia seeds (fiber!), frozen banana, and Califia organic unsweetened coconut milk…and ICE! I promise it tastes just like a Wendy’s Frosty.

Second, my Weight-Training Guru– Kenny Fleming— This saint has been putting up with my antics and whipping me into shape for years! I could not work out on the level that I do without Coach Kenny’s incredibly thoughtful training process. He has some gooood tips for us, so take copious notes!

As summer approaches, it’s not just about looking good—it’s about feeling stronger, more mobile, and more energized. If your current fitness routine includes yoga, running, or Pilates, adding in even a little strength training can elevate your results without burning you out. Here are my top tips for incorporating strength into a well-rounded wellness lifestyle.

1. Balance Your Week Like a Pro— You don’t need to overhaul your routine—just layer strength in intentionally. Here is an example weekly flow:

• Monday: Strength Training (Lower Body)
• Tuesday: Yoga or Active Recovery
• Wednesday: Strength Training (Upper Body + Core)
• Thursday: Pilates or Low-Impact Cardio
• Friday: Conditioning (Metcon or circuit)
• Saturday: Long Run / Outdoor Activity
• Sunday: Rest or Gentle Stretch

2. Keep It Lo-Fi, Not Low Effort— You don’t need fancy machines! My go-to move recommendations often use a combination of dumbbells, kettlebells and bodyweight. Try these: Goblet Squats, Romanian Deadlifts, Dumbbell Rows and Overhead Carries. This combo is powerful and efficient, even at home or on the go.

3. 20 Minutes is Enough (Mimi note– he would never allow this from me) If you’re pressed for time or blending workouts, try a 20-minute strength block. Use supersets or EMOM (Every Minute On the Minute) style training to maximize effort with minimal equipment. Sample workout:

• Minute 1: 8 Dumbbell Thrusters
• Minute 2: 10 Bent-over Rows
• Minute 3: 30-sec Plank Hold
• Repeat for 4-5 rounds.

4. Strength Supports Everything Else

• Runners get faster and reduce injury risk.
• Yogis gain more joint stability.
• Pilates practitioners can increase muscle tone and endurance.
• Everyday life gets easier—carrying groceries, lifting kids, or staying active on vacation.

5. Set a Summer Goal that Isn’t Just Aesthetic. At Kenetix, we focus on goals that push you forward, like:

• “I want to do 5 unassisted pull-ups.”
• “I want to improve my 5K time by 2 minutes.”
• “I want to feel confident in a sleeveless shirt because I earned that strength.”

BONUS TIP: Fuel for Function— Strength training needs protein—don’t shy away from post-workout meals. Think a smoothie with Greek yogurt, berries, and chia; a hard-boiled egg + banana; tuna with crackers and cucumber slices.

In conclusion– Whether you’re lifting with me at Kenetix or at home with dumbbells, you can build muscle without losing flexibility or endurance. Don’t wait for the perfect schedule—start small and stay consistent!

Last, but certainly not least is my Dancing Queen– Jocelyn Brunotte! Jocey is the co-owner/founder of Memphis fitness mecca MindBodyHaus. I have known her for years and love getting my ass handed to me via yoga or my fave dance cardio by one of my dear friends.

• Add heavy weights to your existing workout routine (Mimi note– see a theme here?). I’m not a walker, but I have been seeing so many women around my neighborhood, walking in weighted vests and I think it is wonderful! As you get older, you need to incorporate heavy weights into your workout routine to help with osteoporosis prevention, aid in building muscle mass, and to boost metabolism. Walking while carrying a heavy weight is supposed to be THE very best activity we can do as aging women.
• Recruit a Workout Buddy— This one is big for me! If I make a plan to meet a friend at a class or the gym, then I’m so much more likely to actually show up. If I set my alarm for 6 AM and it’s solely up to me to actually go, I’m going to turn my alarm off, roll over, and go right back to bed. Having an accountability partner not only means I’ll be more likely to show up, but it also means that I’m going to socialize and have a good time. As an adult, we don’t get a whole lot of time to be with our friends, and this is a healthy and positive way to kill two birds with one stone. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box! There are so many ways for you and a friend to workout (and it doesn’t have to be miserable).
• That leads me to, if you’re feeling uninspired, try something new and be OK with being bad at it. You’ll most likely improve faster than you think. When people find out I’m a yoga teacher, they immediately tell me how inflexible they are or how bad they are at yoga. The next sentence that often follows is something to the effect of “I want to come to class, but I need to get in shape first!” This is crazy to me. You learn and improve by doing. You don’t need to already be good at something to start trying. That is a ridiculous expectation! At the same time, I understand this predicament. I like to excel at things, and can feel a little deflated and embarrassed when I’m not the best. However, I started playing tennis last year and the joy I have found in this new addition to my life has been so surprising. I was a gymnast, a professional dancer, now a fitness/yoga instructor. Although I’m very athletic, I have never played a ball sport in my ENTIRE LIFE. Right off the bat I became addicted, but I had to learn to be really bad and clumsy, and humble myself enough to continue to show up. Here is, once again, the lesson that with just a bit of consistency and a small dose of perseverance, you can learn to do something totally out of your comfort zone. And now, I’m not terrible! I adore playing tennis with my friends and my husband. It is vastly different than my usual workout routine, so it feels fresh and exciting. Now my kids want to learn, and it has opened up a whole new range of possibilities to have a new healthy obsession in my life…not to mention the outfits!!!

I am beyond grateful to Lara, Kenny and Jocelyn for taking the time to share some really incredible tips, sample workouts, as well as a few vulnerabilities! This trio keeps me the F together physically, but more importantly they give me the confidence to keep going in any situation– gang gang gang! If you are local to Memphis or passing through, support my fitness angels by booking a class or session.

Other favorite workouts from sea to shining sea: Maddie @ SoulCycle Uptown Dallas, Valentine @ SoulCycle Bryant Park, Everyone else on the schedule @ CycleBar Midtown (deep bench!), Crew Training Club in Nashville, Michelle Mallory @ MindBodyHaus, Cora Pitt @ Club Pilates/Sundara Wellness and Coach Julianna @ Kenetix.

Share your workout tips/tricks/faves in the comments. This summer we’re being our own saviors– let’s light this shit up! Xx