Quick Tips
Common Injury: Tendonitis
The injury I see more than most in my clients who partake in other repetitive activities is tendonitis. Tendonitis is stress and inflammation of the tendons, typically seen in the wrists, elbows, knee, ankle or shoulder joints. Tendonitis has also been referred to as “tennis elbow,” “frozen shoulder” or in the case of a good friend of mine, “drummer’s elbow!” The point is, any repetitive movement can cause strain or stress to the tendons, and can result in chronic pain, and a need for decreasing the frequency of that activity. I thought to write on this today because I am, for the first time, suffering from some tendonitis in...
Read MoreMy Favourite Summer Meals
When the weather warms up, we subconsciously reach for foods that are more hydrating, lighter and cooler. Here are my favourite go-to snacks and meals for when the weather is hot and we don’t feel like lighting a stove. Breakfast: 1/2-1 cup of fresh berries poured in a half cup of greek nonfat yogurt I like to sprinkle in some bran buds or some element of starch. Mid Morning Snack: 1 apple 1 tbsp natural peanut butter Lunch: Lettuce roll-ups are a fresh, clean way to get in a complete protein and some extra greens. Use romaine instead of leaf lettuce for extra nutritional benefits, and have some fresh, raw vegetables on the side. I eat about 3 leaves stuffed...
Read MoreAsk the Trainer
I’ve had a few questions thrown my way, and I think it’s best to post the questions and my answers every so often. You can imagine, everyone has questions about nutrition and exercise. It’s funny, these questions usually get posed along hearing about my profession, while out at a social event with glasses of wine (or vodka) in our hands! Nonetheless, I’m always happy to answer. We’ll actually start on the wine tip, since one of the most common questions I get is about alcohol! Q: What’s the best drink to have if you are trying to lose weight? A: In terms of calories, you want to go for something light in colour / clear. White wine is...
Read MoreSweet Tooth?
If sugar is your downfall, allow me to help. First things first, reduce your sugar consumption in the morning. If you have sugar with your breakfast, you will spike your cravings for the rest of the day. Try to stick to fruit – one with breakfast, one with your mid-morning snack (remember to always “round out” a fruit with something that contains a bit of healthy fat and some protein, to stabilize blood sugar). If you have too much fruit throughout the day, it too can increase your sugar cravings. I try to get my clients to switch to vegetables from lunch onward – and have lots of them! If you are really jonesin’ for a cookie, a chocolate...
Read MoreChange Gonna Come
You know how when you’re driving on ice in the winter, they tell you not to fight it too hard when you lose control? How in yoga, you are urged to “flow with the changes, good or bad, in your body”? How it is better to act calm in the face of a predatory creature? Basically, there are some energies that we must learn to WORK with, as terrifying as change and opposition can sometimes be. Adapting to change is one of the strongest survival mechanisms, and one of the most powerful factors in having a happy and successful life. I’m not here to preach. But we all need to be reminded of this (myself included after a recent big change) – we all...
Read MoreUnwrap a Healthy Body – Top Ten List for Keeping Fit Through the Holidays
Now is the time. Trainers, magazines, coaches and dieticians are all posting their top tips for keeping everybody on track through the holidays. Why? Because it’s hard – and because we professionals do not like to see you discouraged come January. Discouragement is the most dangerous feeling in the world of wellness, because it simply spurs a snowball of reckless behaviour and more feelings of UGH. Here are MY tips for getting through this typically gluttonous and hands-in-the-air season: #1 – Know that you don’t WANT to fall off track and feel large, swollen and lethargic. Know that it isn’t worth 3 seconds of taste on your tongue from...
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