Our Editorial Team

Karen Asp

Contributing Health Writer

Karen Asp is an award-winning journalist who covers fitness, health, nutrition, pets, and travel. A former contributing editor for Woman’s Day, she writes regularly for numerous publications, including Women's Health, Woman's Day, O: The Oprah Magazine, Prevention, Real Simple, Reader's Digest, Better Homes and Gardens, Martha Stewart Living, Forks Over Knives, VegNews, Weight Watchers, Oxygen, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, Sierra, USA Today and its magazines, Cosmopolitan, Delta Sky, Costco Connection, Eating Well, Harper's Bazaar, Glamour, Parade, Runner's World, SELF, Shape, WebMD...

Expertise

Anything pertaining to health, fitness, and nutrition, especially plant-only eating, walking, yoga, endurance training, strength training, women's health, sleep, and Alzheimer's

Board Certifications and Training

Certified through the American Council on Exercise as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer
Certified in plant-based nutrition through Cornell University
Ambassador for MeatlessMonday and Switch4Good
Vegan mentor with PETA

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Creative Writing, Miami University in Ohio
Master of Arts in Literature, Indiana University

Awards and Accreditation

Two-time winner of the Media Orthopaedic Reporting Excellence Award from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
World record holder in Nordic walking
Author of Anti-Aging Hacks (Adams Media, a division of Simon & Schuster) and coauthor of Understanding Your Food Allergies & Intolerances (St. Martin's Griffin)

Personal Website

https://karenasp.com/

Best Health Tip

Make sleep a priority and stick with consistent sleep schedule. Move more throughout the day by taking movement breaks every 30 to 60 minutes and using every opportunity to move or walk (such as pacing when on phone). Get regular aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes five times a week. Strength train at least 2 to 3 times a week. Volunteer weekly, even if just for 30 minutes. Spend 5 to 10 minutes every morning meditating or being mindful. Eat only plants, or as close to a plant-only diet as possible. Adopt a cat or dog. Hit the yoga mat at least 3 times a week, even if that just means 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Find something you're passionate about and make it your purpose.