Redefining Health: Beyond Workouts and Nutrition

Jason Rice • September 23, 2024

At CrossFit Roselle, we often talk about pushing limits, breaking barriers, and reaching new heights in our fitness journeys. But what if I told you that true health involves more than just how we move our bodies and what we eat? The products we put on our skin, the air we breathe, and the materials we use in our kitchens play a crucial role in our overall well-being.


The Story of Transformation

One of our owners, Lynne, was already conscious of ingredients in her food thanks to a couple Whole30 challenges during her first few years as a CFR member. But during her first pregnancy she started learning more about the potential risks of everyday products.

Lynne started researching the ingredients in her skincare and household items and what she found was eye-opening: many common products contain harmful chemicals that could disrupt her health, and her baby’s health. She realized wellness extended beyond workouts and a Paleo diet.


Understanding Toxins and Microplastics

We often think of health in terms of diet and exercise, but the reality is more complex. Many personal care products, such as lotions and shampoos, contain ingredients like parabens and phthalates, which have been linked to health issues. Additionally, microplastics—tiny plastic particles that seep into our bodies through food packaging and personal care items—are a growing concern.

The impact of these substances can be significant, influencing everything from hormonal balance to inflammation. By eliminating or reducing exposure to these toxins, we can enhance our overall health and fitness.


Making Empowered Choices

Inspired by her research, Lynne decided to take action. She began by replacing her conventional beauty products with natural alternatives, opting for brands that prioritize clean ingredients. In her kitchen, she swapped out plastic containers for glass and stainless steel, minimizing her exposure to harmful chemicals. Everyday products like dish soap, bathroom cleaner, and laundry detergent were replaced with less hazardous options, too.


Your Path to a Healthier Life

If you’re looking to take control of your health, start by assessing your daily environment. Here are some practical steps to guide you:

  1. Read Labels: Pay attention to the ingredients in your skincare and household products. Look for natural, non-toxic options. Avoid non-stick kitchenware.
  2. Reduce Plastic Use: Invest in glass or stainless steel containers and avoid single-use plastics. Choose fresh, unpackaged foods when possible.
  3. Enhance Indoor Air Quality: Consider using air purifiers and incorporating houseplants to improve the air you breathe at home.
  4. Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the products you use and their potential impacts on your health. Knowledge is empowering.
  5. Share and Support: Join our community discussions on clean living. Share tips and product recommendations with fellow members who are on a similar journey. Consider following Facebook accounts that provide balanced, reasonable guidance such as A Green Slate and Mamavation.
  6. Use resources like Think Dirty and the Environmental Working Group’s Consumer Databases to check personal care items, water quality, and to easily identify the safest purchases before you head to the store.


A Holistic Approach to Wellness

As you lace up your shoes for your next workout, remember that health is a multifaceted journey. It’s about finding balance—not just in the gym but in every aspect of your life. By embracing a holistic approach that includes mindful choices about the products we use and the environment we create, we can elevate our health to new heights.



Let’s redefine what it means to be healthy. Together, we can make empowered choices that support our fitness goals and overall well-being. Are you ready to take the next step?

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The Real Reason You Don't "Have Time" to Work Out

By Lynne Steiner • April 6, 2026
“I just don’t have time.” It sounds true. It feels true. But if we zoom out for a second… You had time to scroll. Time to answer emails. Time to squeeze in one more thing for everyone else. Time exists. It’s just getting spent somewhere else. This isn’t about discipline. It’s about direction. Where Things Start to Break Down No structure means no consistency If your workouts live in the “I’ll do it later” category, they don’t stand a chance. Meetings go on too long Kids have practice or a game Work spills over And just like that, your workout disappears. Not because you’re lazy. Because it was never protected. Structure changes everything. Scheduled workouts happen Unplanned workouts get replaced Your calendar tells the truth about your priorities. You’re making it harder than it needs to be Somewhere along the way, fitness became a production. An hour workout. The same time every day. The perfect plan. The right playlist. The ideal energy. Miss one piece and the whole thing falls apart. So instead, you skip it. Here’s the truth: A simple workout done consistently beats a perfect workout done occasionally Short sessions still build strength, energy, and momentum Progress comes from repetition, not perfection Your body doesn’t care if it was fancy or what time you showed up. It cares that you showed up. The Solution You don’t need more time. You need fewer barriers. You need flexibility. Try this: Schedule your workouts like appointments Keep them short enough that you can actually follow through Decide ahead of time what “counts” on a busy day Because the people who stay consistent aren’t less busy. They just make it easier to show up.

Train for your future self

By Lynne Steiner • March 30, 2026
Fast forward 10 years. You’re carrying groceries in one trip. You’re getting down on the floor with your kids or grandkids and popping back up without thinking twice. You’re not negotiating with your knees every time you stand up. That future doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built. One workout at a time. Most people train for how they want to look next month. Very few train for how they want to live a decade from now. That’s where strength training changes everything. The Real Problem Most People Run Into Chasing quick results that never stick Aesthetic goals are like chasing a shadow. The scale stalls and motivation drops Progress feels slow, so workouts become inconsistent You start over. Again. And again Strength gives you something solid to stand on. You can measure it You can feel it You can build on it When your goal shifts from “lose 10 pounds” to “add 10 pounds to your lift,” something clicks. You stop chasing. You start building. The quiet fear nobody talks about We see it happen to our parents or grandparents. Slowing down Feeling fragile Losing the ability to do simple things on your own Muscle is your insurance policy. Strength training helps you: Maintain muscle as you age Improve balance and coordination Stay capable in your everyday life This is what keeps you independent. This is what keeps you in the game. What Strength Training Really Builds Not just muscle. It builds: Confidence that your body will remain strong Resilience when life gets chaotic A body that works with you, not against you It turns “I hope I can” into “I know I can.” The goal isn’t just to look fit for a season. It’s to move well, feel strong, and stay capable for life. Try this: Next time you walk into the gym, ask a different question. Not “How many calories will I burn?” But “What can I do today that makes my life easier next year?” Train for that version of you. They’re counting on it.

The momentum effect: How tiny habits create massive change

By Lynne Steiner • March 23, 2026
What if you didn’t have to overhaul your life? Imagine trying to push a stalled car. At first, it barely moves. The wheels groan. Your shoes slide against the pavement. Then, something interesting happens. The car starts rolling. Once momentum builds, the same car that felt impossible to move suddenly glides forward with far less effort. Fitness works the same way. Most people think change requires a dramatic life overhaul. New diet. New schedule. Five workouts a week. Perfect discipline. That approach often crashes faster than a New Year’s resolution by February. Real progress usually starts much smaller. Why tiny habits work Big changes trigger resistance. Your brain sees them as a threat to comfort and routine. Tiny habits slip under the radar. They feel manageable. Almost too simple. But simple actions repeated consistently create something powerful. Momentum . Small habits do three important things: Reduce resistance so starting feels easy Create quick wins that build confidence Turn effort into routine Instead of relying on bursts of motivation, you build a rhythm. And rhythm beats motivation every time. How momentum builds Momentum begins with a single action. One workout. One walk. One decision to show up. That small action creates a win. The win builds confidence. Confidence makes the next action easier. Soon you have a cycle that looks like this: Action → success → confidence → more action It starts quietly. Someone commits to two workouts per week. They feel stronger. Their energy improves. Workouts become part of the week instead of a battle on the calendar. Weeks later, they are training multiple times a week, and not showing up to the gym feels strange. The snowball has started rolling. Three ways to start building momentum today You do not need a dramatic plan. You need a small starting point. Try one of these: Commit to two workouts per week . Not five. Not six. Just two. Use the 10 minute rule . Promise yourself ten minutes of movement. Once you start, continuing feels easy. Track small wins . Write them down. Each one is a brick in the foundation of consistency. The goal is not intensity. The goal is forward motion . The real secret to transformation Big results rarely begin with big actions. They begin with small actions repeated often enough that they become part of who you are. Like pushing that car, the first step feels heavy. But once momentum takes over, progress becomes surprisingly smooth. Start small. Let the snowball roll. And watch what happens next.
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