Fitness Force

T’is the season for shopping and gift giving galore! The holidays bring with them the easy excuses for skipping exercise and making bad food choices. Somehow we manage to accomplish this not only for ourselves but also in many of the gift choices that we make for our loved ones. There is no lack of chocolate covered “everything except the kitchen sink” under most Christmas trees on December 25th. It can be a challenge to provide creative, healthy gifts that will bring the same joy as some of the more indulgent options. Here are 10 creative ideas that might fit your budget this year.

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The elderly and athletes may need to supplement their intake of B12 and other B vitamins due to problems in absorption and increased needs for energy production. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetics may also be advised to supplement thiamine. Also, Vitamin B9 (folic acid) deficiency in early embryo development has been linked to birth defects. Thus, women planning to become pregnant are usually encouraged to increase daily dietary folic acid intake.

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If you’re thirsty and looking for a refreshing beverage, water should be your choice. Smoothies are often sold as a drink to go with your meal. In that case you’re consuming a load of calories that are unnecessary. Consider your smoothie to be a meal and use whole food products to support that choice and satisfy your nutrition needs.

Here are two healthy smoothies that I often enjoy for breakfast or a mid day snack when convenience is the name of the game.

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A good question came up at the gym earlier this week. It was actually a bit of a debate that started in a class where some participants were discussing the pro’s and con’s of body type when doing certain exercises. The final question was “does body type or height, make a difference in the difficulty of exercises or is it all relative?” There were varied opinions and lots of sarcasm in the discussion and as followup, I did some research. Here is an overview of what I learned as well as some training guidelines to follow for each body type.

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I need to be clear that we are talking about plain yogurt with either option. The good stuff! Plain yogurt leaves you the opportunity to add your own fruit, seeds or nuts. The switch from fruit bottom or flavoured varieties may seem off putting at first. I guarantee that once you understand the amount of sugar and preservatives that are in the flavoured versions, your health-conscious mind will have a hard time justifying it.

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The biggest question of the day is “how can I make up for all the Thanksgiving weekend food I just ate”? Well, it’s not a simple answer unless you stayed in control of your indulging. One interesting fact is that you have about 72 hours of opportunity for extra exercise to burn off the pumpkin pie calories before they will stay stored.

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On October 1st 2006, I officially took over as the owner of Fitness Force, the gym that I was a member at. I hate to make this sound like it was so easy. There were obstacles popping up nearly every day that summer. I was scared at both possibilities; the fear of succeeding and doing something I had never done before and the fear of failing and letting the dream fade.

Five years later I have so many people to thank for helping me get to where I am.

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It’s apple season! There’s nothing like a fresh picked apple. From the crunchy juicy tart ones to the softer, sweeter version they are always delicious especially when picked right from the tree. I have to admit that this year I didn’t pick my own, although that’s a fantastic family affair. I did however make it to the local orchard to purchase some “just picked” varieties. Here are some great recipes to try with your bounty.

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In today’s world, many people work long hours behind their desks. Stress, convenience foods, and a sedentary lifestyle can wreak havoc on your health and your waistline. There are, however, ways of combating the office-worker bulge. Here are 4 ideas to keep fit while at work.

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Lifestyle choice means taking responsibility for your own health and wellness. By understanding the following concepts, you will live a happier, healthier life.

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