| | January 4, 2026 |  | | | | | | | | Hello!
I hope you're diving into this new year feeling empowered and ready to take on anything. Maybe some movement could help (as we explored in our new Strong Women digital issue, it's linked to greater stress resilience), and then be sure to treat yourself to a delicious sugar-free hot cocoa (recipe below!).
Hit reply and let me know what your fitness goals are for this year. I'm trying to make it to more in-person classes. | | —Ailsa Cowell, M.S., health editor | | | | | Can Pilates & weightlifting coexist? You may have noticed there are two polarizing teams on social media: Pilates vs weightlifting. But now it's time for fitness extremes to ditch black and white thinking and find some nuance.
Kristin McGee, a fitness icon, entrepreneur, mom of three, and certified Pilates and yoga teacher, with over two decades of experience, offers a helpful way to reframe the debate over Pilates and weightlifting for getting that toned physique most of us are after. - Pilates and weightlifting aren't competitors—they're collaborators.
- Pilates excels at core stability, postural alignment, and functional movement patterns.
- Weightlifting builds muscle mass, bone density, and metabolic resilience.
- Together, they create a foundation for longevity that's both powerful and sustainable.
"Pilates will always be my foundation," McGee explains. "It gives me alignment, breath, core intelligence, and that deep stability you can't cheat. Weightlifting adds power, intensity, and the metabolic benefits women really need as we age."
The combination addresses what each modality alone might miss. And at 50, McGee feels stronger than ever and ready for anything thanks to using both methods in her routine.
Read the full story with Kristin McGee's expert tips here.
+Move on | | | | | An easy way to support your metabolism | |  | | Supporting your metabolism through nutrition means eating plenty of protein and fiber, strength training, and taking the right creatine supplement.
Enter: mindbodygreen's new creatine tone+. This unique supplement pairs 5 grams of creatine monohydrate with 300 milligrams of clinically studied veld grape extract (CQR-300®).
Creatine is highly effective (with exercise) in helping you build lean muscle.* - It indirectly supports metabolism as more lean mass equals a higher metabolic rate and better blood sugar control.*
Veld grape is a plant extract that helps regulate fat metabolism, energy balance, digestion, and body composition through multiple metabolic pathways.¹* - Supplementing with it supports appetite, fullness hormones, and healthy blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. 1,2*
Plus, we added ginger root extract for further antioxidant and digestive support.*
It's truly one of the easiest (and tastiest) ways to get your metabolism back on track! | | | | | | | | If you do one thing… eat dark chocolate to age better We've said it before, and we'll say it again: Dark chocolate is a healthy food. But emphasis on dark! New research highlights yet another reason why:³ - Higher theobromine is linked to slower biological aging—participants in this group appeared biologically younger at the DNA level.
- The association appears specific to theobromine and not other metabolites like caffeine or various other compounds.
Obviously, we shouldn't go too crazy with our cocoa consumption, but it's nice to know something we love as a treat can actually love us back.
+Cuckoo for (real) cocoa | | | | | | |  Image by VeaVea / Stocksy | | | | | | | Support strength & body comp | |  | | mindbodygreen's new creatine tone+ blends 5 grams of creatine monohydrate with CQR-300® veld grape extract and ginger root. The result? Comprehensive daily support for strength, recovery, and body composition, starting as early as 2 weeks.*† | | | | | | | | Ask an RD: What are some good nutrition goals to aim for this year? If you're still thinking through your goals for next year, don't worry! I've rounded up some of the most common health goals I hear as a dietitian and the foods you can add to your diet to address them.
Lower cholesterol (like total, LDL, and ApoB) with soluble fiber and heart-healthy fats. - ½-1 cup cooked oats, 1-2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds/chia seeds, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ cup beans
Improve memory & brain health with omega-3s, choline, and antioxidants. - 2-3 servings of fatty fish weekly, 1-2 cups leafy greens daily, at least 3 eggs a week
Lose fat & build muscle with a balanced diet. Poop every day thanks to a fiber and hydration boost. - 2 kiwis, 1 cup berries, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, water, herbal tea
- mindbodygreen editor &
author of mbg's newsletter Functional Food,
Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN That's it for the long game—we hope you're geared up for the week ahead of you. | | | | | | Want more from mindbodygreen? Find us here: | | | | | | | | |  | | Ailsa Cowell | | Health Editor | | | | | | Emma Engler, M.S. | | Expert Review | | | | | | Forwarded this email? CLICK HERE to subscribe for free! | | |  | | | †Benefits and weekly transformations assume daily use and are evidence-based estimates rooted in clinical research at the ingredient level. Individual results may vary. Optimal results occur when used alongside healthful nutrition, exercise, and personalized lifestyle practices.
Just a heads-up: Everything in this newsletter is for general info only—not medical advice. We always recommend checking in with a healthcare professional before making any health decisions. Our product picks and reviews reflect our editors' opinions unless we say otherwise. We sometimes link to other sites, but we're not responsible for their content.
*These statements haven't been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. | | © 2024 mindbodygreen, All rights reserved.
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