This is going to be unpopular... but even if less booze isn't your goal, it's worth the read if you desperately want to do something but have a hard time actually doing it. 

Evy Lyons

Snooze the Booze

This is going to be unpopular... but even if less booze isn't your goal, it's worth the read. Cheers.  

Alcohol is overrated. It's a slightly toxic chemical that easily adds hundreds of calories to your day and prevents you from sleeping well so you wake up unrefreshed only to fight through your day to earn the right to do it again. Let that sink in for a moment. We drink a poison to relax and have fun.

Not everyone enjoys working out for the sake of working out. Fortunately, those that don’t like working out probably like games. 

Squat, Hinge, Push, Pull, Bingo

Not everyone enjoys working out for the sake of working out. 

You might choose to hire a trainer or follow someone’s fitness program because it helps you with accountability or you’re short on time or you just don’t want to spend your time writing a program. But, I hope it’s not because you think someone else has the magic answer.

Fighting the urge to turn 3 days into 60.

Surviving the Holidays Without Gaining 10 Pounds

The holidays are fun. It’s the end of the year. There is a promise of life slowing down. There is vacation. Hanging out with family and friends. And a hell of a lot of food. If the grocery stores are a signal of our collective consciousness, the holidays started on November 1. That’s when the candy aisle was updated from Halloween to Christmas flavored …

Thanksgiving is my favorite time to slow down and reflect.

On Setting Goals for Yourself

Thanksgiving is my favorite time to slow down and reflect. 

In 2010 my New Year’s resolution was to learn to play the accordion. I had totally forgotten until I searched “resolutions” in my Google Drive earlier this week and stumbled on this unfulfilled intention from 12 years ago. We are quickly approaching the new year.

A book report on Glute Lab: The Art and Science of Strength and Physique Training

Learning to write my own resistance training programs 

In November 2020, I programmed my own training for the first time–ten years after getting serious about fitness. As it goes with me more often than I care to admit, doing something new brings on a flood of negative emotions. It’s the regular old imposter syndrome rearing its ugly head.

Also, how to avoid meetings. Also, the art of the memo.

The Getting Shit Done Muscle 

I’ve been known to say, “we should be working, working out, or sleeping.” To which, my father once replied, “wow, you’re so fun...” It's true, I need to learn the art of relaxation. Just not today. One of the strongest skills you can have in the workplace is the ability to get things done.

I do my best work and feel my best in general when I have control over my calendar.

Time to Make Time

If you don’t respect your time, no one will. It’s not that people want to disrespect you, but if you open the “calendar window”, they will flow in. And you will end up burnt out. Disliking work you once enjoyed, and stagnate in your career because you don’t spend time on the non-urgent, yet important things that help you learn, solve business problems a…

I will always choose Cool Ranch Doritos over veggie chips.

A Hopefully Helpful Rant on Food Marketing

The most frustrating place in modern society is not the airport. It’s the grocery store. What should be this wonderful collection of colorful nutrients has been converted into a mall for packaged, processed food. The issue with processed foods is that compared to whole foods, they are calorically dense while nutritionally poor.

A Short Primer on Getting Stronger

Why it matters and how to get there. 

Training is different from exercising. Both are important and valuable, but not interchangeable. Exercise is moving your body. Training is the logical and progressive combination of movements (exercises) towards a goal. I do and enjoy both, but I often see people using exercise to reach a goal that requires or would be attained far more efficiently with …

I've tried to change enough things, enough times and with enough self-reflection that finally, after 40 years on the planet, it's not as daunting as it once was. 

Mindset Hacks to Make Room for Fitness

It's not as daunting as it may seem.

How do you start doing something you haven't done before or stopped doing a while ago? What if it's something you want the benefit of, but the act feels daunting, unbearable or just not interesting to you? I've gone through this process a lot: quitting smoking, becoming a morning person, getting the courage to post my workouts to Instagram, learning new…

A reader from the West Coast asks how should I go about setting fitness goals?

An Approach to Reaching Fitness Milestones 

A reader from the West Coast asks how should I go about setting fitness goals? 

One of the hardest things for me to do is choose a focus. It’s like clockwork, the second I choose a focus, I realize that it means I’m leaving something on the table. I honestly think this inability held me back for 40 years, but I’m not letting that bother me anymore.

My sister asked me what advice I have for dealing with sweet cravings. I have many. But first I have caveats. 

Sweet Sweet Cravings… Under Control

My sister asked me what advice I have for dealing with sweet cravings. I have many. 

But first, I have two caveats. My husband optimizes for flavor. I optimize for function. It’s not uncommon for me to come barreling into the kitchen and proclaim, “I’m craving protein”. My husband thinks I’m crazy. At the same time, he is open to trying my bizarre concoctions. In his own words, “Flavor knows no bounds.” Meaning even that gluten-free ve…

Finding joy in the lifelong pursuit of strength

Read before you subscribe

A collection of fan favorites

Snooze the Booze

Squat, Hinge, Push, Pull, Bingo

Surviving the Holidays Without Gaining 10 Pounds

On Setting Goals for Yourself

Learning to write my own resistance training programs

The Getting Shit Done Muscle

Garage Gym Diaries

About Evy Lyons

I'm a builder of brands, teams and muscles.