FFC News and Blogs on Fitness,
Nutrition, and Inspiring Success Stories

Latest Stories

Food safety temperatures and other basics for preparation to stay healthy!

Food Safety Temperatures & Other Basic Tips For Preparation

According to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC), "Each year, 1 in 6 Americans get sick from eating contaminated food." It’s important to know that foodborne illness is the most common during the months of November and December. Many of these…
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Thanksgiving workout: try one of these two themed sweat sets on Turkey Day

Thanksgiving Workout: Try One of These Two Themed Sweat Sets on Turkey Day!

We all know that the Thanksgiving meal is the main event on Turkey Day, but there is no better way to prepare for the feast than with a fat-burning workout. As many pilgrims say, "thou shall work hard, if thou desires to play hard". You're allowed…
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Indoor rock climbing in Chicago benefits for fitness

Indoor Rock Climbing in Chicago: A Great Workout for Your Mind, Body and MEPs!

Sure, running on the treadmill, busting your tail on the elliptical or kettlebell swings during a PTC class will help you rack up those Myzone Effort Points (MEPs), but that’s not the only way to score them! The cool thing about the Myzone…
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6 things your doctor doesn't tell you about your workout - fitness tips

6 Things Your Doctor Doesn’t Tell You About Your Workout

I frequently come across people who have come to the gym seeking a healthier lifestyle. A number of people have been told by their doctor they need to start exercising or simply need to be exercising more. As easy as it may be to prescribe exercise,…
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Easy lettuce wraps: Egyptian Spiced salad with corn, avocado and radish

Easy Lettuce Wraps: Egyptian Spiced Avocado Corn Radicchio Lettuce Cups

With the weather getting colder, it’s getting easier and easier to stay inside - so much so that you might start to feel a little cabin feverish! Don’t worry - the global flavors of these easy lettuce wraps (that are also vegan AND gluten-free)…
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A DIY guide to smart goal setting

A DIY Guide to Smart Goal Setting

As the year winds down (2018, where the heck did you go?), it’s only natural that we start to think about new beginnings too. And sure, you could wait until January 1 to think about your big goals — but starting a little earlier gives you…
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A guide to successfully managing expectations while carving pumpkins with toddlers

A Guide to Successfully Managing Expectations (While Carving Pumpkins With Toddlers)

Life with toddlers is always fun and exciting. And full of managing expectations. One of our biggest joys as parents is experiencing some of our own favorite childhood traditions with them. Recently, my toddlers and I carved up our pumpkins…
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Massage therapy benefits based on what kind of fitness you do

Massage Therapy Benefits Based on What Type of Fitness You Do

FFC Oak Park spa manager, Jason VonGerichten, shares massage therapy benefits related to exercise (even for just regular, everyday fitness enthusiasts – you don’t have to be an athlete!) and how it helps you, no matter what type of fitness…
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Anti-bullying month - practical tools to help stop bullying

Anti-Bullying Month: Practical Tools to Help Stop Bullying

Bullying starts earlier than you think – but you can arm your loved ones with the tools to combat it. When we think of bullying, we generally envision the jocks in high school throwing the little guy in a locker or the mean girls on the bus…
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Bring Your Own Lunch: Healthy Lunch Ideas for Work (Or Any Time You Need Convenient Meals)

Bring Your Own Lunch: Healthy Lunch Ideas for Work (Or Any Time You Need Convenient Meals)

Whether resolving to spend less on eating out, trying to keep up with a busy day (which doesn't leave much time to escape the office) or simply because you want to improve your diet, bringing your lunch to work has a ton of different benefits. Read…
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How I meal prep lunch for a week plus helpful tips for meal prep

How I Meal Prep Lunch for a Week Plus Helpful Tips for Meal Prep

My friends and coworkers often ask me about weekly meal prep. I am very passionate about healthy eating. In multiple conversations with friends and coworkers, I have noticed most people want to do it, but find it difficult to justify the time…
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FFC wellness: do you balance your yin and yang

FFC Wellness: Do You Balance Your Yin And Yang? Here’s Why You Should

Foundations are the beginning of all things, whether it be the first day of a new job, or training for the Chicago marathon. Present within these foundations is transformation, such as rain becoming snow. Thoughts transform into our attitudes…
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