Strength —like beauty and perfect guac— is in the eye of the beholder. After all, one person’s strong is another person’s weak. Sure, there are universal standards for some medical categories (blood pressure, cholesterol and the like), and those benchmarks… read more
Ted Spiker
Ted Talks: An Epic Question
I have already sketched out some doable benchmarks this year that involve running, yoga-ing and whittling down the whiskey, I am missing something big. A challenge that will really push me. A challenge that makes me uncomfortable. A challenge whereI… read more
Ted Talks: New Year, New You
The season of resolutions usually brings about mantras of motivation and fist-pounding declarations that this year — THIS YEAR! — will be the one in which we [stop smoking/lose 25 pounds/give up bacon-cheese fries]. For good reason, too. Coming off… read more
Ted Talks: Hobby Shopping
Typically, I like to make decisions thoughtfully and quickly. I don’t hesitate over simple choices (tonight it shall be merlot!), I try to use a mix of logic and emotion to come to conclusions, and I don’t like to linger… read more
Ted Talks: 5 Health Phrases That Should Be Banned Forever
Spending more than 20 years writing about health, reading about health, and doing battle with peanut butter cookies means you come into contact with a lot of words about health. These are the five phrases I've had enough of. "No… read more
Ted Talks: Is it time to ditch the workout tips?
In my role as a health writer, I’ve read, researched, and/or written hundreds—maybe thousands—of wellness tips. Do this. Do that. Don’t do this. Don’t, for the love of guacamole, ever eat 11 mashed avocados in 43 seconds! Tricks. Strategies. Actions.… read more
Ted Talks: The Consequences of Comparison
As I was getting dressed at the gym the other day, a fellow locker room attendee sat in the space next to me. He sat only in his boxers, still panting (after de-panting). He looked relieved. And ripped. He was… read more
Ted Talks: Time to Flex and Stretch
Of my many bodily deficiencies (see Pants, Tight), one has been protesting louder lately. I’m creaky. I’m tight. I’m about as flexible as a granite countertop. I can feel it when I walk, when I run, when I wake up… read more
Ted Talks: In the Swing of Things (Why oh why did I take up this sport?)
One year ago, I stupidly decided to take up golf. I mean, I really hate like it. Because, you know, hitting balls into the water, sand traps, trees and everything except the hole is really so freaking bad for my… read more
Ted Talks: Blistering Pace
Health is hard enough—so it stinks when you make it even harder. “How far do you want to go?” my friend asked. “I’m game for 5,” I said. I mean, why the heck not? We were at the beach, the… read more