This Fitness Tip is presented by Orangetheory FitnessNewtown, a new gym fitness studio featuring energizing group personal training sessions, praised by the New York Times as a “plateau-busting workout.” Orangetheory helps customers members achieve the best shape of their lives through 60-minute workouts broken into intervals of cardiovascular and strength training. A 5-zone heart monitor helps participants burn an average of 900 calories per 60-minute training session and achieve EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption), which keeps their bodies burning more calories even after the work out is over!

The workout that is sweeping the nation opened in Newtown in 2015 next to the Newtown Farmer’s Market at 2140 South Eagle Road (in the Village of Newtown South shopping center). Call the studio directly at 215-957-1700 to reserve your spot.

Fueled by caffeine addictions and constant access to technology, lack of sleep is sometimes worn like a badge of courage. In fact, the unhealthy trend inspired entrepreneur Arianna Huffington to speak out at a recent TED conference. But sleep is just as important as nutrition and exercise when it comes to your health, performance, and body composition.

Good sleep helps our bodies and minds recover, keeping us lean, happy, mentally focused, and healthy. But chronically bad sleep causes increase in body weight, risk of heart disease, accidents, and decreases productivity throughout the day.

Follow these tips for a good night sleep:

• Keep a regular sleeping schedule.  If you're consistent, your body will know when to release calming hormones before bed, and stimulating hormones to help you wake up.
• Turn off electronics.  Digital devices stimulate our brain with their light, noise, and mental demands.  Turn all digital devices off at least 30 minute before bed.
• Take a bath or shower.  Warm water before bed can help us relax and de-stress, which is key for falling asleep.
• Keep the room as dark as possible producing melatonin.  Melatonin is a hormone that signals to your body it is time to sleep.
• Set your room to a cooler temperature.  Most people sleep better when the room is 67 degrees.
• Wake up properly.  Consider a dawn-simulating alarm clock or alarm clock with a wake-up cycle that gradually increases volume to wake you up properly and when you wake up, get moving right away by sitting up and placing your feet on the floor.

Sweet dreams, Bucks County!