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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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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A few weeks ago I was randomly inspired to create a 30 day Fitness Challenge for members of my gym here at Fitness Force in Keswick, Ontario. Not that we haven’t done various challenges before, often in fact. This was designed to be easily modified to do at home, office or gym. The exercises that I chose, could also be changed or varied very easily to support everyone’s ability. My hope or intention was to motivate members to do “just a little bit more” than they already were. The biggest challenge was obviously the commitment to doing the routine every single day…..no excuses.

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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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Physical activity is vital at any age. As we get older, it becomes even more important to maintain our health and body function. Around the age of 40, our bodies may begin to lose bone density. We all need to take appropriate steps to prevent it. Strength exercise and diet are equally important. Here are 10 exercise tips for getting active and staying healthy.

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White flour, white sugar, white potatoes, white rice, table salt…that’s white stuff. Typically these white food items have been processed and bleached. While you may not be able to eliminate them from your diet, you should be aware of your consumption and some alternatives. White flour is both bleached and processed, try quinoa flour or spelt flour instead. Choose whole wheat pastas and breads. Again, you should still read the labels though, as many still use white flour as a main ingredient.

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The next time you are wandering the fresh produce aisle at the grocery store try to choose vegetables and fruit that are grown locally. It’s very likely that you can find a local farmers market and do even better by supporting farmers that are near your neighbourhood.

Take 10 minutes to spend with yourself. Remember a happy moment from your childhood. Be grateful for the time and be grateful for the memory.

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