Health & Wellness

FitFlops™

Monday, April 8th, 2013

I have always been a shoe fanatic. As a young adult I could easily count over 50 pairs of shoes in my closet, though many were inexpensive fashion pieces rather than proper footwear.

At 21 years old I sustained fairly severe injuries in a car accident and had to start taking care of my back. This meant hasta la vista to any cheap and cheerful footwear and hola to stable, comfortable shoes.

For years and years comfortable footwear meant three things to me: necessary, expensive and utilitarian. It wasn’t until perhaps ten years ago that I could find good looking shoes that were also good for my body.

Three years ago my Mum introduced me to FitFlops. I’m in love – have you heard of them? They are awesome! Comfortable, fashionable, lovely!

I started my collection with a pair of flip flop-type sandals and have now added a pair of short boots that feel like slippers-meet-awesome-runners. I can walk miles and miles in these bad boys, which I’m sure is due to their ‘microwobbleboard midsoles‘. Microwobbleboard midsoles, microwobbleboard midsoles, microwobbleboard midsoles!

FitFlops boots. Keep in mind these are two years old and have been used to walk in rain, snow, dirt, etc.

FitFlops boots. Keep in mind these are nearly three years old and have been used to walk in rain, snow, dirt, etc.

I have tried the Sketchers and Reebok versions of these and they are nowhere near as comfortable or well-fitting as FitFlops are. I’m sure not everyone agrees that FitFlops are good for you but, for me, these are what I’ve been seeking for years.

The full line of this fabulous footwear is only available online to us here in Canada. You’ll find a few designs (mostly just the original FitFlop flip flops) at The Bay or SoftMoc, but if you’re seeking the other sandals, sneakers, shoes or boots – online is your best bet.

www.buyfitflopscanada.com




Autumn Spa Treatments

Saturday, September 15th, 2012

With the lazy summer season barely behind us, it’s possible that some of you are already ready for a little pampering and indulgence.  There are so many enjoyable spa treatments available and going for one can easily slough away rough, dull and dry skin and have you looking as fresh as spring again in no time.  

Read the rest of this entry »




Fraser Valley Hot Yoga

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012

While yoga has been around for quite a while, it has risen as a popular workout trend in the last few years, appealing to a mainstream group of spiritually-minded individuals and athletes alike.  It has become a regular fixture on class schedules from fitness gyms to recreation centers and private yoga studios have popped up in many neighborhoods.

Yoga is a great complement to other high impact sports and exercises.  It allows you to stretch, tone and challenge your body in ways you might not be able to otherwise.  Through yoga, you can learn methods to calm the mind, release muscle tightness, build core strength and focus on proper alignment of the body, among other benefits.

Hot yoga has become widely popular as many people like the benefit of warmed muscles from the heated room.  I have to say the warmth suits me well as I don’t consider myself to be a very flexible person.  Oh, and the warm room also feels like a mini vacation to Mexico.  You can’t go wrong with that, right?

I’ve been going to yoga for a few years now, but hot yoga is somewhat new in my world and it wasn’t until I recently tried a few different classes that I really learned what separates one type from the other.  Most of the hot yoga classes I had been to were a standard yoga style, such as Hatha, in a heated room. The room is usually between 25° – 30° Celsius to start, with the source of heat coming from heat lamps or infrared heat.  Generally, the postures practiced in each class are different from one to the next and the class length ranges from 45 – 60 minutes.

To mix things up, I thought I’d try Bikram yoga, which is practiced in a room where the temperature begins at 41° Celsius, is 90 minutes long and the same twenty-six postures are practiced each class.  While I prepared myself physically by drinking lots of water to stay hydrated, I wasn’t prepared for the mass amounts of sweat and mental challenge of this class.  My first clue of what to expect should have been the groups of people sitting outside the yoga room, dripping in sweat in their barely-there workout gear.  These people were red-faced, sweating, and looking like they had just been chased by a Lion in the desert.  I instantly knew I was overdressed.

Once in the studio, I let my body adjust to the heat and carefully placed my towel beneath me.  The instructor barked the directions for each pose as we followed along like a sweaty batch of Gumby dolls.  There is a lot of focus on proper alignment and it was helpful to have the teacher provide slight tweaks or suggestions throughout the class.  I managed to make it through the class without passing out, and physically pushed myself further than I thought I could go.  I was exhausted, mentally beat and not sure I could do another class.

Somehow, I made it through a few more classes, but have since returned to my “regular” hot yoga class and love it even more than before.  After stepping out of my comfort zone to try something new, I learned that a) you have to enjoy the form of exercise that you choose to do or you won’t stick to it b) you are capable of more than you know and c) unless you try, you won’t know if it’s for you.

Are you a hot yoga fan? Where do you practice in the Fraser Valley?




Bike to Work Week Fraser Valley 2012

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012

Bike to Work Week is back! If biking to work is an option for you, if you’ve ever considered it – now is the time to fasten those helmets and give it a go!

Every year the ‘Bike to Work Week’ movement gains massive momentum. This year, over 20 communities within BC have jumped on board and the Fraser Valley is a significant participant. From May 28 – June 3, everyone is encouraged to ride to work.

Admittedly, some teams are avid cycling enthusiasts, but most are not. There is this overriding belief that biking to work is inconvenient and Bike to Work Week aims to break down these perceived barriers by introducing cycling as a viable and enjoyable commuting option. Several companies encourage their employees to ride to work by installing bike-racks and some even have in-house showers. Employers know that fit workers are more productive and are less likely to suffer from depression and injury; therefore, many are eager to promote the event within their workplace.

“There’s not many better ways to wake up in the morning before work, and unwind after work, than cycling and enjoying the fresh air and outdoors,” says Terri-Lynn Gifford, Program Coordinator of Bike to Work Fraser Valley and Bike to Work BC Society. “Cycling is fun, encourages physical activity and is an environmentally-friendly way to commute.” She urges cyclists to be safe and ride respectfully- “cyclists have to abide by the same rules of the road as cars, make sure you obey stop signs and other traffic control devices. Make eye contact with, and send a friendly wave to, vehicle drivers to ensure they see you and you see them.”

In 2011, Fraser Valley participants saved approximately 4,551 kg in greenhouse gases from entering the Earth’s atmosphere, which is an astounding increase of 108% from 2010! 460 people participated and over one third of them were first-time commuter cyclists. This growing participation has attracted attention from all over the Fraser Valley.

To help motivate participants to saddle up and take part, Life Cycles Bike Shop has donated a Commuter Prize Package worth over $1,000 and Cap- it Abbotsford is donating a vehicle bike-rack estimated at over $500. Cyclists only need to bike for ONE day, during Bike to Work Week, and report the number of kilometres biked in order to qualify for the prize draw.

To launch Bike to Work Week, Celebration Barbecues will be held in Abbotsford, Chilliwack and Hope.

To qualify for the prize draw, participants need to register at www.biketowork.ca/fraservalley. For regular updates, participants can follow Bike to Work Week on Twitter @Bike2WorkFV and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/abbotsford.cycling.action.group

Bike to Work Week Fraser Valley




5 Great Exercise Classes in the Fraser Valley

Saturday, April 7th, 2012

Well folks, bathing suit season is almost upon us – whether we like it or not! This year our goal is to be ready for it and with all the awesome, unique fitness classes being offered in the Fraser Valley, we intend to have fun doing it. This list of 5 Great Exercise Classes in the Fraser Valley should have you moving your booty before you have time to come up with an excuse! We promise most of these classes will be so much fun you won’t even realize you’re exercising!

Read the rest of this entry »




Getting Fit Tips with Personal Trainer Natalie Barratt

Sunday, January 16th, 2011

If you’ve been to the gym lately you have probably noticed it is a bit busier than normal. People are working hard to accomplish their New Year’s resolution to finally get fit. It can be tough to know where to start in your journey so I met with a personal trainer for some expert tips.

Natalie Barratt didn’t need to set a resolution to get fit this year, she has been active her entire life. At 14 she started weight training and also enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, dance and martial arts. She started her personal training courses while still in high school and is now a certified personal trainer. She is also working towards her Kinesology degree.

Read the rest of this entry »




Skin Solutions Beyond the Spa

Saturday, September 11th, 2010

Spa treatments are great.  I enjoy the relaxing atmosphere, the trickling fountains, soothing music and low lights.  It’s a nice place to go every now and then, but let’s be honest, sometimes the type of skin problem that we have isn’t really getting addressed with a treatment like a basic facial.

As we get older, problems ranging from age spots and deep wrinkles to rosacea and loss of elasticity become more apparent.  Before we even get to the point of age related concerns, men, women and teens may be experiencing problems with acne, excessive sweating or the need for hair removal.

This is not to say or suggest that you stop going to the spa; I definitely won’t.

Read the rest of this entry »




Torture Device or Effective Workout Machine?

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

We all know that an active and healthy lifestyle contributes to our immediate and long term wellbeing, but with so many options out there on how to stay fit and active, it’s easy to get confused and overwhelmed very quickly.  I’ve done my fair share of classes, from boot camp to dance cardio, as well as organized group sports, and straight-up “hitting” the gym to lift weights, so I’m always looking for something new to keep and maintain my interest.

Despite my previous exposure to a variety of exercise options, there is one type of exercise that has piqued my interest and left me wondering for a while.  I’ll admit it though; I’ve been a little scared to try, mainly because of the machine that I call “the torture device”, otherwise known as the Pilates Reformer or Apparatus machine.  It’s a contraption that you may have seen before, but let’s face it, it doesn’t look like a very enjoyable time.

Let’s first clarify the difference between Pilates and yoga, since many people seem to interchange the two words and while there are some similarities in the benefits of each, they are, in fact, very different  from each other.  

Read the rest of this entry »




Interview: Summer to Fall Transition

Monday, August 30th, 2010

For most people, the end of summer brings an end to lazy days and the return of a more scheduled existence. To help you with the transition we asked personal coach, Jennifer Priest, for some tips on adjusting.

Q. How should people prepare themselves for the summer to fall transition? Should they ease into the fall or go full force?

A. It really depends of the type of person you are. As a coach, the approach I use is tailored to the individual. Sometimes the end of summer is a time of preparation and then almost hibernating for winter.

Read the rest of this entry »




Keep Your Pets Safe This Summer

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

We are all aware of the dangers of too much sun and take steps to prevent sunburns and heat exhaustion. Luckily, our bodies are equipped with defensive mechanisms, like sweating, to prevent us from getting too over-heated. Unfortunately, some animals like cats and dogs can only sweat through their paws and can be at extreme risk for heat stroke when the weather is warm. We asked Lisa Robinson, Owner of Elemental Canine which offers nutritional advice, top quality food and unique accessories, for some summer pet safety advice.

Q. How can you tell if your pet is over-heated and what is the best way to keep them cool?

A. Panting is your first clue that your pet is over-heating!

Read the rest of this entry »