So, before we start this blog, let me begin by stating that I am not a medical professional and none of the advice given here should substitute for the advice of a medical professional. If you are experiencing any new or recurring pain in any part of the body, see your family doctor or physiotherapist, please!
A couple of weeks ago, I turned 30. So far, 30 has brought a knee injury, a 3-day flu and a terrible, terrible, terrible period (okay, I know a period is not much to complain about but it's only my second period since getting pregnant 2 1/2 years ago and I am still trying to remember how to do this whole advil/tampons/carbohydrate cravings thing)... 30 has been a cruel joke for the past week and a half.
Last week, big strides were made in the WAR ON OBESITY. Does that sound dramatic? I'm trying to sound dramatic here.
The US federal government banished the old "pyramid" food guide in favour of a new plate graphic. "My Plate" simplifies the food groups into a basic pie-diagram that one can literally picture at each meal to be sure portions and food groups are in alignment.
I'll never understand why it's okay to make fun of Kirstie Alley's weight but not, say, Queen Latifah's...I also don't really understand why people get so excited when a certain celebrity slims down or so holier-than-thou when that same celebrity gains it back.
This week, Kelli asked a really important question. In typical Kelli style, she asked it in between a thousand girl-crush statements about Julianne Hough. Must interject here - I HEART Kelli's blog. It is the only celebrity info I ever read! And now I know who Julianne Hough is!
Kelly asked, "To trainer or not to trainer?" Do you need a personal trainer to get in shape?
Today I popped into the new Running Room which just opened in my neighbourhood (like, opened today... can you say "exercise geek"?) to buy a new running watch and check out some new running shoes.
Watch for a running watch/fitness watch guide soon!
Yippee! It's not snowing and there aren't salt rings on the bottoms of my yoga pants every day!
Spring is the perfect time to join a team and take up a new sport! Not all sports provide a great workout... you won't stay fit bowling or riding in a golf cart all summer. You will, however, have better access to beer. It's all about tradeoffs, people.
Last week I spent most of my time being vomited and pooped on, and cleaning/laundering other things which had been vomited and pooped on. Let’s just say it wasn’t one of my high points. Both Sweaty Baby & Sweaty Kid came down with some terrible, head-spinning-360-degrees, Exorcist kind of sickness. That's Sweaty Kid to the left... I pretty much didn’t leave the house for almost 96 hours and could barely get hand to mouth to feed myself, resorting to quick carbs and cup after cup of coffee.
Generally, when a client is trying to lose weight, the question “How many calories per day should I eat?” will come up. The answer really depends upon a number of factors, including body size, desired body size, activity level, gender and body condition. That being said, it is generally accepted that one should not dip below approximately 1,200 calories per day when trying to lose weight.
Why? Anything less than 1,200 calories is so restrictive that it becomes quite difficult to get all the nutrients one needs in a day.
Partly because I'm a bit of a masochist (that comes with the job, folks... jump squats, anyone?) and partly because I'm interested to feel for myself whether the advertised benefits of such a cleanse are really true. I'm suspecting they're not, but I might be a bit of a cynic. Eleven years in the fitness industry has wizened me to fitness & nutritional "programs" and "systems" with big promises. They usually don't deliver.
A few weeks ago, I was approached by Rebecca Malen of Total Cleanse to sample a 3-day juice cleanse delivery service. That's her below, featured in a Toronto Star article last fall.
I like to eat, so I didn't reply for a couple of weeks. Plus, I get my fair share of offers and need to weigh each one (pardon the pun) to be sure I can fairly judge.
The more I thought about Rebecca's offer, the more interested I became.
Whenever I have a smaller Belly Bootcamp class - when mommies are away sick or on vacation - I'll often give the mommies attending the chance to request which areas of the body they'd like to work.
When I begin working with a personal training client who is focused on fat loss and firming up, I'll ask for details on which areas of the body she would most like to change.
Have you ever wondered if protein powder is the secret to your workout success? Do you have an old tub of protein powder in the back of the pantry from your pre-baby gym days? Well, first, check the expiry date. Then read this.
I can probably sum this blog up in one sentence: If it tastes like chocolate, smells like chocolate, and looks like chocolate, it's probably not that good for you.
Can I just interject with a completely unnecessary and maybe slightly inappropriate "YUM!"
God bless our friends to the south, but they will sue over just. about. anything.
