How Paula Abdul Alleviates Stress Through Movement

Straight up, now tell us…when was the last time you saw Paula Abdul? Perhaps it was reminiscing while dancing to one of her 80s music videos (currently playing Opposites Attract on repeat), or as a judge on American Idol.  Maybe, you caught her Las Vegas residency, “Paula Abdul: Forever Your Girl” at the Flamingo Hotel. One thing is clear… At the age of 58, Paula Abdul brings as much energy to her life now as she did when she started dancing at eight years old.  The actress, dancer, singer, and TV personality is looking (and feeling) her best amidst the challenges of the pandemic. In fact, she has taken this time to really tune in to what helps her to thrive. “Finding new ways to move has helped me remember that every movement matters, even the smallest,” she tells Nutritious Life, “especially in the uncertain times we’re living through.” She sat down with us to share how dance gives her that much-needed boost of happiness (and confidence), and the ways she is staying focused and calm. Plus, she gave us her motivating playlist that is guaranteed to get you up and moving yourself!  How Paula Abdul Lives a Nutritious Life How have things changed for you since COVID-19 hit? Because I’m so used to being out and about and spending hours each day rehearsing at the studio with my dancers, one of the biggest challenges for me has been finding ways to stay active while spending more time at home. It’s so important to me to keep my body moving. I’ve been finding new ways to move, like taking regular walks around my neighborhood, stretching at home, and taking dance classes on Zoom.  What are some of your tips to stay focused…especially now? I wrapped up my Las Vegas residency, Forever Your Girl, in January, and was preparing to go back for another round of performances later this year before the pandemic hit the U.S. While I’m sad the show is on hold for the time being, the prospect of getting back on stage to perform in the future has been keeping me motivated and excited now more than ever! Since we’ve been at home for awhile, it has given me time to find joy in both the little and big things in life. With so much going on around us, I’ve been finding myself enjoying meditation in the morning before I begin my day. It has really helped me clear my mind, and has allowed me to be present and in the moment.  And, of course dancing—a go-to for me when I’m feeling overwhelmed or stressed. I’ve found myself dancing more during quarantine. Dance allows me to get out of my head and have fun—it’s just me, the music, and the living room floor.  How do you motivate yourself to work out? I make sure I’m prioritizing movement in new ways while still staying safe and healthy. I tell myself that exercise has to be fun; otherwise, it’s easy to talk myself out of it. I LOVE to dance–dancing, jumping, flipping–it’s my heart and soul (I’ve put my joints through a lot over the years). Taking my dogs for walks throughout the day, and taking stretching and dance breaks when I feel I’ve been sedentary for too long are all ways I keep moving and keep my joints warmed up. I was diagnosed with arthritis… I knew I couldn’t let joint pain stop me from doing what I love. To help keep me moving, I have relied on my doctor’s prescription of Voltaren Arthritis Pain which is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory gel for arthritis pain.  It has made a huge difference in relieving my pain and helps  me to move with ease.  I’m also always incorporating music into my day to keep me moving without even thinking about it. Check out my curated Pandora playlist, “Music That Moves Me.” If you had to name your healthy diet, what would you call it? I don’t like the word diet – I believe in everything in moderation. I do try to eat low-alkaline foods which helps lower the acidity in my body to reduce inflammation. I stick to mostly plant-based foods, and try to be mindful about what I put into my body. Has it been hard to stay on track with your nutrition while in quarantine?  I know that when I eat healthy, I feel better, and I’m able to move better. So, similar to sticking with a fitness routine, I’ve been trying to keep on track with my nutrition the best I can to maintain a sense of normalcy. I have been cooking a lot more which is something I haven’t always had time for, and I’m really enjoying. What’s the one food you always have in your fridge? Raw Vegetables Your favorite food indulgence? Tacos What causes you stress? It’s a difficult time, and we’re all feeling it. There are so many things that can cause stress right now. One of the ways I manage stress is with meditation. Sometimes, I meditate several times a day to clear my head. It’s so important to keep a positive headspace as much as possible. How do you pamper yourself when you need it? Fragrant bath salts and a lit candle while soaking in a tub with a great face mask How do you express and spread love?  I have always loved hugging people ever since I was a toddler, and that makes things so hard during this pandemic. I still give virtual hugs to let them know they are loved and cared for. What is your evening routine to wind down at the end of the day? Stretching and meditation Lightning Round Meditation or massage? Massage A hot shower or a soothing bath? Soothing Bath Almond butter or peanut butter? Almond Butter Coffee or tea? Coffee in the morning, and tea throughout the day  A long run outside or a dark spin class? A long, fast-paced walk (photo credit: Getty Images)

10 Free 10-Minute YouTube Workouts For Full-Body Fitness

What do these totally free 10-minute YouTube workouts prove? When it comes to fitness, there’s a lot you can do with very little time, space, money, and equipment. (Uh oh, there go all of the best excuses …) That includes strengthening your arms, getting in some heart-healthy cardio, getting bendy with yoga, and much more. RELATED: Will Exercising on an Empty Stomach Help You Lose Weight? We found the best short-and-sweet workout routines out there from top, trusted fitness professionals (not internet randos). Consult the list to find your workout of choice, or cycle through them all for full-body fitness that’s quick and easy. You can use the time you saved to actually fit in meal prep, for once. The Best Free 10-Minute YouTube Workouts Sarah Fit’s Arm Workout With Weights Natalie Jill’s Ab Challenge Barre3 Founder Sadie Lincoln’s Kitchen Cardio Super Sister Fitness’ Shoulder Workout AKT Founder Anna Kaiser’s Booty Workout Yoga with Adriene’s Yoga for Focus & Productivity Blogilates’ Legs and Thighs Pilates Workout BodyFit By Amy’s Cardio Kickbox Betty Rocker’s Sexy Arms and Core Keaira LaShae Full-Body Dance Workout

A 30-Minute Yoga Routine to Fight Stress and Build Strength

Think you’ve got to hit the gym to build muscle and then make time for sun salutations to keep your stress levels in check? With this strength-building yoga style, you can roll out your mat for just half an hour and get it all in at once. Superstar yogi (and graduate of The Nutrition School!) Danielle Diamond created Xen Strength Yoga to combine yoga and meditation with muscle building for major mind-body benefits. (Including the ability to carry that luxe, heavy yoga mat all over the city without breaking a sweat?) The method involves both weights and warrior poses and is now super popular. Diamond even launched a free teacher training program for current yoga, fitness, and other wellness pros that you can participate in from home. RELATED: How Yoga Star Caley Alyssa Follows an “Awareness Diet” Ready to try strength-building yoga at home? She shared a 30-minute sequence you can do anytime, anywhere, below. Work it into your weekly routine for maximum benefits. Strength-Building Yoga

9 Ways to Work Out at Home

Exercising among hundreds of sweaty gym goers just isn’t for everyone. If you don’t enjoy squeezing yourself into a corner of a room for a class or sweating taking the chance of sweating it up next to a man who smells like garlic then going to a health club to get your fit on just may not work for you. That’s no excuse not to up your fitness. You just need to figure out how to workout at home, or at least not workout in a gym. There are endless options, but here are 9 of my faves. 9 Ways to Work Out at Home 1. Maximize tube time. Most commercial breaks last 60 seconds to 2 ½ minutes. Don’t fast forward your DVR or get up and go to the fridge, instead use these breaks to up your fitness. How about trying: crunches or planks (try to get as many in or stay as long as you can in the pose until your show returns); lunges, push-ups, squat-jumps or burpees (do as many as you can without stopping); yoga poses or stretches (hold each pose or stretch for 30 seconds). Every little bit counts, so challenge yourself to increase your repetitions or time as you progress. 2. Go digital. If you’re contemplating diving into the gym but aren’t sure if you’d like zumba, boot camp, yoga with weights or another gym class you may have heard of, try it at home first before doing it en mass. If your dvd player already made it to the technology graveyard with your VCR, then there are plenty of streaming options for you. Youtube is the easiest place to start. If you’re interested in Boutique style workouts, give Booyah Fitness a try. Got a smart TV? Check out your hub for free fitness VOD apps. Options are endless, you just gotta think outside the gym. 3. Make the playground your playground. Commit to getting an outdoor workout in (even if it is quick) every time you bring your kids to the park. Hint: if you wear your new athleisure wear, I promise you will be more motivated. Climb. Chase. Swing. Throw and catch. Use the bench for dips, step ups and Bulgarian lunges. Use a tree to secure your TRX. Do laps around the swing set. Small children are often fit because they never stop moving, and they don’t need to do conventional movements to be their most healthful selves. Imitate them (including the laughing and goofiness) – it feels great and you will look great too. See those monkey bars? Go try a pull up! 4. Bring the gym to you. Consider purchasing a doorway gym system. There are several options out there, such as TRX, that are portable and easy to set up. Other options are to purchase a cardio machine or hire a personal trainer who will come to you. Whatever you choose, make it part of your routine and schedule your exercise like a doctor’s appointment so that you’ll really commit. Feel like splurging? Treat yourself to a Peleton instead of diamonds. Bikes can be a girl’s best friend, too. 5. Don’t think gaming systems are just for gamers. Not just for kids, Wii, XBOX, or whatever system you prefer has several games and services that will really get your sweat on. There’s tennis, golf, baseball, dancing, bowling and so much more if you’re feeling sporty, and there are celeb fitness trainer workout options if you’re feeling celeb workouty. Who knew you’d be the one fighting over the controls with your kids?! 6. Hit the cold. Try an outside winter sport such as ice skating, skiing, snow shoeing or sledding. You’ll be having so much fun you won’t even know you’re exercising. You can even burn cals making snow angels and snowball forts, so no judgement here if you aren’t as winter sport coordinated as you’d like to be. And with so many cute winter sport apparel options, going into your closet will be all the motivation you’ll need to head outside. 7. Stand up. You burn 33% more calories standing up than you do sitting down, so decide to stand whenever the phone rings during the day. Make an effort to fold laundry standing. Stand at the computer or when waiting for the bus. Remember your posture. Shoulders back, tummy in, stand straight. 8. Get cleaning. Join a community clean-up program, de-clutter your garage/attic/basement, wash the windows, scrub the tub, find the grass in your yard by removing leaves and debris, re-organize your closet and drawers . . . this work is endless yet rewarding.  It keeps you movin’ and groovin’. 9. Walk a dog. Having a pet is a great excuse to get out and move. Pups that live indoors require at least a 30 minute stroll to get their energy out and stay healthy. Try to maximize your dog’s requirements and your own at the same time. Wear comfortable shoes and keep a good pace. And did I mention this will save you from having to get Sparky’s toenails clipped? Of course check with your physician before embarking on a new fitness routine. Think outside the fitness box and you will be successful. Cheers to your most healthful and fit self!