Five Pro Athletes to Follow on Social Media Who Will Motivate You to Get Healthy
Social media has given fans a chance to feel closer than ever before to the athletes that they love to cheer for. No matter your favorite sport, you will find the following athletes' pages inspirational and interesting as you strive to live a healthier life this year.
J.J. Watt
The defensive end for the Houston Texans has gotten a lot of attention for his Twitter account and the information that he loves to post about his workouts. While there is no doubt that Watt is always out there getting his swell on, some are getting tired of all of the pics that Watt loves to put online whenever he is getting work in. Whether you love him or hate him, there is no doubt that J.J. will be in the gym getting his in. If you follow him, you will have one pro athlete on your Twitter feed who will always be challenging you to get better.
Annie Thorisdottir
This relatively unknown athlete is the queen of the motivational quote, and crossfit fans will find themselves going to her Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram accounts whenever they are feeling a little down in the dumps. In addition to posting about her workouts and all of the things that she is trying to do to stay on top of her game, you can read about her career from various sites on the Web.
The Rock
“The People’s Champ” is probably one of the most popular people on the planet. His Instagram is a must follow, as he plays as a fitness model/inspirational role model/movie star/ just a straight up awesome dude. Just take a look at any of Dwayne Johnson’s social media accounts if you need someone to pump you up, laugh, or just feel good about life.
Chris Bosh
Fans who follow Bosh will quickly discover that he is a chef masquerading in a basketball player's body. Bosh loves to cook, and he frequently posts pictures of dishes that he creates from scratch to fuel his NBA body. Whether or not you are a fan of basketball, all athletes can benefit from a well-balanced diet that gives you the nutrients that you need to perform on the court or on the field. In addition to being a great cook, Bosh also has an amazing physique that should inspire you to get into the gym to do one more set of abs.
Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper is one of the most entertaining social media follows on this list, and he will help you focus on keeping a positive mental outlook while you are trying to live a healthier life. In addition to posting about his workouts and play on the field, Harper finds ways to let you know about the relaxing things that he does off of the field. This balance is key for athletes who are looking to live a well-balanced life. Work hard, play hard seems to be his official model.
Eating Healthy And On A Plan Is Empowering
So this in between time that I had from the end of my last competition until starting my new prep at 21 weeks out was strange. For so long I had always had a meal plan to follow with a cheat given to me every weekend. It was a pattern. I had gotten use to it. I enjoyed it. Although for quite some time I have to admit I was resistant to it. In the beginning I felt deprived. And honestly I look back at it and it was mostly because I follow a lot of IIFYM people online. Although I am a firm believer there is not just one way to achieve goals IIFYM is not for everyone. For me personally - Following Macros is great if you like flexibility, are good with numbers and are organized. I also find that a lot of IIFYM focus more on macros and not micros and personally I think its ridiculous to count vegetables as carbs. I don't even track vegetables. ANYWAYYYY enough ranting....Eating Healthy And On A Plan Is Empowering.
Why? Because I know what I need to eat, when I need to eat it and exactly how much. Ive never been good with numbers so I don't have to stress out about them. I don't have to calculate and take time out of my day to figure out meals. But for me its also helpful in a social setting. I can order exactly what I need. I can also easily pack meals for travel. Its simple. My coach does the work and I do the work in the real world.
Its also empowering. How? I go to events or a restaurant I have self control and make healthy choices based on my plan. I also find it more rewarding to follow my plan all week and reward myself with a cheat on the weekends. Its even better to enjoy the cheat with my boyfriend than shoving some terrible snack down my throat. Its simple: follow the plan. Get the results. Deviating from the plan you are only cheating yourself.
I was at one vent recently and saw all these people eating multiple muffins because they were labelled "organic" and "healthy." This was probably furthest from the truth though. All I could think of was yummmmmy but then I thought "you know what...abs are more of a reward than the quick little taste." Health over quick satisfaction with no rewards is so powerful. Was I always like this? No. It takes mental toughness. Am I sometimes weak? Yes. Im not perfect. But when I make the best decision I am a happier and healthier person.
If you need help and are willing to follow a plan I am precision nutrition certified and would love to help you reach your goals. Send me an email: alicia@trainitright.com or head on over to my site: www.trainitright.com/contact
So we're all on our fitness kick right now and it's going strong... UNTIL you start craving a midnight snack. Though eating at night isn't as bad as you might think, if your patterns are like the average persons, you're more inclined to eat sugary, salty, processed, unhealthy foods when hunger strikes at night (after dinner). I'm sure it doesn't happen often, but it happens, and the best way to handle attacks are to be prepared for them. When you fail to plan, you plan to fail. So here are 5 'surprise I'm hungry' midnight guilt free snacks that you can have in your house so that you're not tempted to run to the Convenience Store and grab chips, candy and all the processed junk that will set you back.
#1 Water - Often times we think we're hungry but in actuality we're just a little parched. Did you know the same signal from our brain that's released for thirst is also released for hunger? So before you reach for something to eat, try something to drink. It's so helpful to keep a bottle or glass of water near your bed. Not only for those 'I'm feeling hungry moments, but also for the morning... But we will talk about that another time.
#2 Berries - Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries... Though they're a fruit, and if your goal is to lose weight, you shouldn't consume LOADS of it, it's totally okay to snack on a few berries if hunger strikes and it's late. Just don't go overboard. Not to mention, they're low glycemic foods, so snack away.
#3 Tea - There's nothing like an evening cup of tea. Not only can it help curb your appetite, it can be soothing and can help you relax. Who doesn't want that at night? Try a chamomile tea, or one of your favorites. Just remember to stay away from anything with a high amount of caffeine that'll keep you up all night.
#4 Nuts - If you're not allergic, nuts are always a good choice for a midnight snack. Feel free to grab a hand full of nuts with a glass of water and it's sure enough to take off the hunger edge and not heavy enough to keep you up or make you feel uncomfortable. This food full of healthy fats is not only a good midnight snack, but a snack that's great anytime in moderation!
#5 Banana Ice Cream - If you're on a fitness journey, it's important to keep a few bananas around the house. Especially frozen. Not only are frozen bananas great to throw in for your smoothie, they're great to make ice cream with. Grab those frozen bananas, blend them up until they're creamy and there you have it... Banana Ice Cream. Definitely a fan favorite.
Skinny Up Your Soup With This Original, New Cookbook
SKINNY SOUPS 80 Flavor-Packed Recipes of Less Than 300 Calories
By Kathryn Bruton
“Totally delicious I could eat these soups forever.”
– Rachel Allen
Come winter, diets are the last thing on our minds. Warming bowls of comfort food is what everyone craves. Packed with a wide variety of substantial and nutritious soups, SKINNY SOUPS: 80 Flavor-Packed Recipes of Less Than 300 Calories (Kyle Books; January 2017; Paperback $19.95), the first book by food stylist and blogger Kathryn Bruton, offers creative and exciting ways to enjoy this most versatile of foods –with the added bonus of all the recipes having less than 300 calories!
SKINNY SOUPS will appeal to anyone, with or without dietary restrictions, who wants to be more health conscious but continue to eat delicious and satisfying meals. The book offers a variety of soups for everyone, from culinary novices to food experts, while many of the recipes cater for vegetarians and vegans, as well as those on gluten and dairy-free diets.
The book is filled to the brim with an exciting variety of soups fit for a main meal, a fantastically filling lunch options, start-the-day right breakfast bowls, and even delicious dessert options—a testament to how creative this wonderful dish can be. From simple recipes like Miso Roasted Butternut Squash, the restorative Hangover Soup, and tasty Turkey & Quinoa Soup with Peas to 15-Minute Mushroom Soup With a Kick and dessert soups such as Chilled Rhubarb, Orange and Chia Seed Soup, Kathryn minimizes the use of cream and substitutes fattening butter with nutritious olive, grapeseed, and nut oils, so that every soup in Skinny Soups is less than 300 calories per portion, but still jam-packed with flavor.
Whatever your ability in the kitchen, soup is a dish everyone can have a go at successfully. Every recipe is open to interpretation, ready for you to stamp with your own personality, if you so wish. So whether you use these recipes as guide to eat healthier, aid weight loss or simply enjoy some delicious bowls, the most important thing is that you enjoy doing it.
About the Author: Kathryn Bruton is a food stylist, recipe developer and blogger. Born in Ireland, she moved to Edinburgh to study fashion, but realized her real passion was food and switched to a diploma in cooking at Leith’s. She now lives in London. Visit her online at www.thelazybaker.co.uk
SKINNY SOUPS: 80 Flavor-Packed Recipes of Less Than 300 Calories
By Kathryn Bruton Photography by Laura Edwards
Kyle Books January 2017; Paperback; 978-1-909487-50-5; 160 Pages; 6 ½” x 9”; Full-Color Photographs Throughout; 80 Recipes; $19.95
Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation Distributes $4.1M to Childhood Cancer Charities across Canada for 2016
Over $44 Million has been distributed since 2004 to improve the lives of children and their families living with cancer
Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation (CTCACF) - Canada's largest national charity devoted to fighting childhood cancer - announced today the disbursement of $4.1M to a variety of childhood cancer charities across Canada, helping fund important survivorship, research and family support programs in every province. These funds represent CTCACF's fundraising activities for 2016, with 100 percent of receipted donations disbursed directly to designated charities.
"The funds we raise are critical in supporting programs that can improve the survival rates and the quality of life for children and their families living with this terrible disease that takes more Canadian kids than all other diseases," said Jeff Rushton, Co-Founder, Passsionate Volunteer and Board Chair, CTCACF. "I'm grateful and humbled by the hard work of our volunteers and the generosity of sponsors, whose contributions allow our Foundation to distribute 100 percent of receiptable donations directly to the worthy charities who count on us to help them deliver services, conduct research and provide treatment in support of these kids and their families."
The $4.1m was distributed to over 40 charities at the local, regional and national level in each province across Canada. Recipient organizations include pediatric oncology hospital units for research programs, childhood cancer camping organizations who deliver support programs and camping experiences for kids & their families going through the disease, and organizations supporting the financial and other needs of patients and their families throughout the cancer journey.
1,700 children under the age of 19 are diagnosed with cancer every year and childhood cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death in Canadian children. For the 75 percent of childhood cancer patients who beat the disease, over 50 percent suffer late effects of the disease and treatment. Childhood cancers are very different from adult cancers and rarely benefit from general cancer research. At the same time, the detection and treatment of childhood cancer places unique demands on our healthcare system.
CTCACF raises funds through a series of high quality, memorable, physically challenging, national and regional events that encourage active lifestyles and engage sponsors, participants, donors and volunteers.
CTCACF Events for 2017:
Hero Ride June 3rd-4th
A two-day, 250km biking expedition with a start/end point at King City and an overnight stay at The Westin Trillium House at Blue Mountain.
Bike for Tykes June 15th
Enjoy four exhilarating hours of spinning, relay style, on a stationary bike in the Toronto financial district.
Tour for Kids Alberta July 14th-16th
Ride over 100km/day in Calgary's gorgeous Rockies, sleep one night at Camp Kindle, and see how your fundraising helps the camp in need.
Tour for Kids Atlantic July 29th-30th
Two glorious days along the shores and through the wilderness of Nova Scotia. Spend the night at Camp Brigadoon, the local camp we support.
Tour for Kids Ontario August 18th-20th
Ride 100-200+km/day along the Niagara Escarpment, staying overnight at Brock University. Camp Trillium, one of our recipients, hosts lunch for all riders on the 19th.
Ride for Karen Aug 27th
A one-day cycling event in Stouffville held as a tribute to the life and legacy of Karen Tobias. Ride 100, 160 or 200km, celebrate your ride with friends at the BBQ and pasta lunch.
Sears National Kids Cancer Ride Sept 6th-23rd
Join 42 National Riders when they depart White Rock, BC and cycle 7000km across the country to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Visit hundreds of communities, meet many childhood ambassadors, spend time at the Hospital Foundations and raise funds for kids cancer research.
Knobby Tire Trek for Kids Sept 22nd-23rd
A family-friendly, 3-day mountain biking adventure on pre-built trails providing all types of riding terrain. The trails are located on beautiful private property.
Tour d'Epicure Sept 30th
An exciting one-day cycling and epicurean adventure in the Niagara Peninsula for the connoisseur of food, wine and cycling!
Various Inside Rides throughout the year
A team-based indoor cycling challenge and fundraising event which promotes volunteerism and encourages physical activities. Perfect for highschools, universities, work place environments, community groups and more.
About Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation
As Canada's only national charity devoted to fighting childhood cancer, Coast To Coast Against Cancer ensures 100% of receiptable funds raised go toward improving the survival rate and quality of life of children and their families impacted by cancer. Funds are raised by conducting memorable events that encourage active and healthy lifestyles. From cycling rides to team-building activities, children across the country benefit from the generous support of our sponsors, participants, donors and volunteers. www.beyondkidscancer.ca
SOURCE Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation
Goodbye, Hurt & Pain:
7 Simple Steps to Health, Love and Success
By Dr. Deborah Sandella, PhD, RN
REGENERATING IMAGES IN MEMORY (RIM)
— A Cutting-Edge Approach to Understanding the Root of Your Emotions
“Every once in a while, you read a book that has a profound personal impact on you. This book will do that. It is written from the heart in a
down-to-earth way that will touch you intimately—and probably change your life.”
-Jack Canfield, Co-Creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul ® Series
Emotions and feelings are invisible and often ignored and, when not addressed, can have a toxic impact on your relationships and overall physical and mental health. It’s time to tackle our emotions, flush the negativity out of our system, and establish a self-understanding that will change the way we see the world, as well as how we interact and respond to people and situations.
InGoodbye, Hurt & Pain:7 Simple Steps to Health, Love and Success [Conari Press], Dr. Deborah Sandella, PhD, RN uses cutting-edge neuroscience research and her revolutionary Regenerating Images in Memory (RIM) technique to show how blocked feelings can hold us back from getting what we want. Dr. Sandella teaches us to move destructive feelings such as fear, anger, hurt, resentment, and envy out of the body, which is not achieved through discussion but rather by understanding the unique inner connection of our left and right brains. Tapping into the right brain creativity, sensitivity and emotions through Dr. Sandella’s groundbreaking techniques helps identify the deep rooted inner feelings which feeds our left brain to deliver the message we truly desire.
“Once you know how to dial into your feelings, your native emotional intelligence begins to respond much like a self-cleaning oven, problem-solver, and success magnet,” says Dr. Sandella. “And results come quickly. You will find yourself resolving deep-rooted problems and manifesting your dreams at speeds as fast as Google drops search results.”
Through amazing real-life stories in Goodbye, Hurt & Pain, Dr. Sandella will expand your conscious thinking and unconscious beliefs to allow you to trust that saying goodbye to painful feelings and memories is easier than you’ve ever imagined. She teaches us that emotions are not good or bad but simply a radar of our inner emotional well being. “Feelings engage a process not a conclusion,” adds Dr. Sandella.
In this inspiring and motivating manual for managing and ramping up your emotional intelligence, you’ll discover:
The secret to Dr. Sandella’s RIM technique, which is an inventive way to uproot emotional barriers and live your best life
How letting go of old feelings and traumatic memories makes people feel and look younger, lighter, more energized, and less burdened
Feelings are predictable and controllable—when you know how they work!
Why it’s crucial to reduce overwhelming emotion into controllable form, and how to manage it effectively
Seven simple and speedy tools for eliminating unnecessary suffering in your daily life
How anyone can renew their emotional equilibrium whenever they need to and master their emotions in the blink of an eye
Dr. Deborah Sandella is an award-winning psychotherapist, university professor, and the originator of the groundbreaking RIM Method, which is a heavily-backed neuroscience tool for reducing stress and improving the quality of life. She has been called a “master healer,” and has been helping thousands of people find themselves over the past 40 years. Dr. Sandella has frequently shared the stage with Jack Canfield, originator of the Chicken Soup For the Soul series and, with him, she has co-authored Awakening Power, a guided meditation program and instruction booklet. She has been acknowledged with numerous professional awards, including Outstanding Clinical Specialist, Research Excellence, and an EVVY Best Personal Growth Book Award.
Goodbye, Hurt & Pain: 7 Simple Steps to Health, Love and Success is currently available for pre-order on Amazon and will be available through all major booksellers on September 1, 2016.
Canada-wide competition seeks great new ideas to support healthy aging
Prizes total $75k in cash and in-kind services
A national ideathon competition launched by AGE-WELL and HACKING HEALTH will take place in five Canadian cities in 2017. The goal is to identify and invest in great new technologies and services to support healthy aging.
Prizes awarded at the AGE-WELL–HACKING HEALTH National Ideathon will total $75,000 in cash and in-kind services.
Local ideathons are being held in: Toronto (Feb. 3), Montreal (Mar. 3), Halifax (May 13) and Vancouver (date to follow). One winning project from each local event will be eligible for the final round at the AGE-WELL 2017 Annual Conference in Winnipeg on Oct. 17-19, 2017.
People interested in taking part can sign up here. Eligibility criteria and competition rules and regulations are posted on the competition main page.
An ideathon is a collaborative, workshop-like event where diverse stakeholders harness their collective knowledge and creativity to brainstorm innovative solutions to pressing challenges. Participants use user-centric design techniques and methodologies (such as ideation, journey mapping and prototyping), and the creation of an initial business case, to propose a novel solution.
"AGE-WELL and HACKING HEALTH share an interest in bringing people together to develop creative solutions to health-related challenges," says Dr. Alex Mihailidis, Scientific Director, AGE-WELL. "By partnering to host this competition, we will trigger more innovation and much-needed solutions to support the independence, health and quality of life of older people, and to support their caregivers."
Luc Sirois, Managing Director and Co-Founder of HACKING HEALTH, a global initiative, says the partnership and competition will help to bring together tech and medical communities and "catalyze the innovation spirit."
Generous sponsors of the national competition are: Bereskin & Parr, the Impact Centre, and Aging2.0 Toronto.
About AGE-WELL
AGE-WELL NCE Inc. (http://www.agewell-nce.ca/, @AGEWELL_NCE) is a pan-Canadian network of industry, non-profit organizations, government, care providers, end users, and academic partners working to drive innovation and create technologies and services that benefit older adults and caregivers. Its vision is to harness and build upon the potential of emerging and advanced technologies in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), e-health, information communication technologies (ICTs), and mobile technologies to stimulate technological, social, and policy innovation. AGE-WELL was launched in 2015 through the federally funded Networks of Centres of Excellence program.
About HACKING HEALTH
HACKING HEALTH (http://hackinghealth.ca, @hackinghealthca) is a Canadian-based international non-for-profit organization. With over 40 cities across 5 continents, HACKING HEALTH's goal is to promote more innovation in healthcare through collaboration by putting healthcare professionals and patients at the centre of the innovation process, allowing participants to build realistic, human-centric solutions to front-line healthcare problems. HACKING HEALTH partners with renowned organizations and institutions such as AGE-WELL to develop a worldwide patient centered movement.
SOURCE AGE-WELL Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE)
The launch of Dexcom Canada will reshape how Canadians living with diabetes access and use continuous glucose monitoring
Dexcom Inc., the leader in Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM), has expanded with Canadian headquarters
Dexcom, Inc. (NASDAQ: DXCM) announced today that it is expanding its global presence with a new Canadian headquarters in Burnaby, British Columbia. The move aims to make it easier for more Canadians to get started with CGM.
The launch of Dexcom (Canada) Inc. means that Canadians living with diabetes can expect enhanced customer experience and support, and the ability to purchase CGM systems directly at Dexcom.com/Canada. This expansion reflects Dexcom's mission and commitment to make it easier for Canadians living with diabetes to experience the benefits of CGM for diabetes management. Unlike blood glucose testing which gives a number for a single point in time, CGM shows where glucose is, where it's going, and how fast it's getting there – so patients can take quick action to avoid dangerous glucose events or increase time spent in range.
"Dexcom is committed to transforming diabetes care and management by delivering best-in-class solutions and by responding to the needs of the community," explains Kevin Sayer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dexcom. "We are excited to share our dedication to driving better outcomes and improved quality of life for people living with diabetes in Canada."
Dexcom's new Canadian operation coincides with the launch of the Dexcom G5 Mobile CGM system. It is the only CGM system in North America approved to replace painful fingerprick glucose testing for diabetes treatment decisions, making it a significant leap forward in diabetes management (fingerpricks are only needed every 12 hours to calibrate). The Dexcom G5 is also the first and only fully mobile CGM system that sends glucose data directly to a compatible smart device. Securely transmitted every five minutes, this glucose information allows for real-time diabetes management.
The Dexcom G5 Mobile CGM System is approved to use in patients as young as 2 years of age, without the need for confirmatory fingerpricks. And with the ability to share data, parents can remotely monitor their child's glucose information and receive alerts – for peace of mind while their child is beyond their supervision.
"When I'm running long distances, hypos are a constant danger," explains endurance athlete Sébastien Sasseville, who lives with Type 1 diabetes. "With the Dexcom G5, I get glucose readings every five minutes so I know right where I stand, and where I'm headed. I can act immediately to bring my levels into the right zone. And all of this data is right on my phone, so I don't have to carry around my receiver which was a hassle. But the best part is I don't have to stop mid-run and do annoying, painful fingerpricks – I can really just focus on the finish line." With the help of his Dexcom CGM system, Sasseville has completed six Ironman Triathlons, run the Sahara Race, and, most recently, run 7,200 kilometres across Canada, the equivalent of 170 marathons.
The Dexcom G5 Mobile CGM System will be available within the first quarter of 2017. And marking Dexcom's commitment to helping Canadians access this technology, the company will be offering monthly pricing options for the first time globally. Canadians interested in the Dexcom G5 Mobile CGM system and staying up to date on its launch are encouraged to visit Dexcom.com/Canada.
About Diabetes and Continuous Glucose Monitoring With diabetes, the body cannot produce or use the hormone insulin effectively, causing a buildup of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. People with diabetes who take insulin must monitor their blood glucose levels frequently. Uncontrolled glucose can cause health complications and even death.i,ii
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is considered the most significant breakthrough in diabetes management in the past 40 years.iii CGM is important because, in addition to providing the glucose level, it provides the direction and rate of glucose change with the push of a button and alerts users when glucose is too low or too high with built-in and customizable alarms. A recent study showed that after one year, patients with type 1 diabetes who used CGM alone had significant A1C reductions regardless of the type of insulin delivery method used, including insulin pumps.iv
About Dexcom, Inc.
Dexcom, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, CA, and has operations in Canada, is dedicated to helping people better manage their diabetes by developing and marketing continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) products and tools for adult and pediatric patients. With exceptional performance, patient comfort and lifestyle flexibility at the heart of its technology, users have consistently ranked Dexcom highest in customer satisfaction and loyalty.v For more information on the Dexcom CGM, visit www.dexcom.com.
References i Hyperglycemia (High blood glucose). American Diabetes Association Web site. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hyperglycemia.html. Updated August 5, 2013. Accessed December 3, 2013.
ii Hypoglycemia (Low blood glucose). American Diabetes Association Web site. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hypoglycemia-low-blood.html. Updated July 16, 2013. Accessed December 3, 2013.
iii Clarke SF and Foster JR. A history of blood glucose meters and their role in self-monitoring of diabetes mellitus. Br J Biomed Sci. 2012;(3)2:83-93.
iv J. Soupal, J. Skrha Prazny, M. Flekac, L. Petruzelkova, J. Skrha, et al. Comparison of different treatment modalities for Type 1 diabetes including Sensor-Augmented Insulin Regimens (SAIR), in 52 weeks of follow ups: A COMISAIR Study. Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics. Vol 18, No. 9, Sept. 2016.
v dQ&A research, 2009-2016
Hey Guys and Gals!
What's the point of having a blog if it doesn't get a little personal every now and then. As some of you who follow me regularly you know that I am now prepping for OPA provincials. I am a figure athlete.
Prep is tough. Motivation is key. Seeing the positive comments and having you guys behind me and my boyfriend/Coach keeps me going. I want to show you guys that if you say you are going to do something you can do it! It helps keep me accountable and I know a lot of you are embarking on your own fitness journey in 2017 so I hope that I can inspire you! If you need help I do online training so email me alicia@trainitright.com for more information and we can discuss how I can help you!
If you haven't been following my vlogs go and subscribe now: www.youtube.com/trainitright it will give you an awesome look into my life at an even more personalable level. I share some of my prep friendly recipes, grocery shopping, workouts and much more. Life as a competitor, athlete, model and trainer is not as easy and glamorous as it looks on instagram so I want to give you a real look into my life and prep.
Although 20 weeks sounds like a long time away its not. The days go by so fast. The workouts are tough (for me anyway) but I love them. Each and every prep mentally has gotten easier for me so far so I am hoping this will be my best yet. Ive been implementing positive self talk, graphing progress and even using meditation. Prep is just as much mental as it is physical and nutrition is key. I have a few meetings this month so Im hoping to share with you guys some key things on the nutrition aspect soon.
Another hard part for me on some days not all is getting in all of my water. I got a jug from Popeyes to help me with that. If I drink two of them in a day thats my full 4L aka Gallon.
My biggest goal for this prep is to have my legs come in more and show some amazing definition. Its hard as a woman because of estrogen. Also I tend to do loads of cardio because of my track background my body is a bit stubborn so I get a lot of water being held there! My boyfriend/coach has implemented some great strategies in my program to combat that and I can't wait to see how we can improve on this sculpture!
Let me know anything that you guys want to read about/see etc! If you have any Questions or comments leave them below and maybe ill do a Q&A blog and video!
Canadians favour fitness over finances when it comes to 2017 resolutions
Research highlights motivations, plans to achieve fitness/nutrition goals
One in three (33%) Canadians say improving their personal fitness and nutrition is their top new year's resolution, compared with only 21 per cent who chose to focus on financial goals, based on a recent Ipsos survey.
The survey, conducted on behalf of GoodLife Fitness, also found 13 per cent of Canadians resolved to dedicate more time to travel and leisure, 11 per cent plan to quit bad habits like smoking or drinking, and 10 per cent would spend more time with family and friends.
"It's great to see more Canadians choosing fitness and nutrition as their number one resolution for 2017 because it suggests people are making positive choices when it comes to eating well and being active, with the goal of feeling better overall," said David 'Patch' Patchell-Evans, founder and CEO of GoodLife Fitness.
More than half (53%) of Canadians say improving their overall quality of life is the primary motivation for pursuing a health and wellness resolution. Preventing health risks (45%), losing weight (42%) and increasing their energy (41%) ranked as other top reasons to exercise more and eat better.
Many Canadians say they're willing to make lifestyle changes to achieve their fitness and nutrition goals. Nearly half (45%) say they would plan to change their eating habits by developing a healthy meal plan, while one in three (34%) say they would set a weight loss goal for themselves.
Other Canadians are looking to become more active. Four in 10 (41%) would spend more time outdoors, while one in four (24%) say they'd find a friend to be active with. One in five Canadians (18%) say they would join a gym.
"These are all concrete steps toward a healthier lifestyle. Whether it's joining a fitness club, consulting with a personal trainer, making a meal plan or just getting out for a walk, Canadians are finding ways to eat healthier foods and exercise more in 2017," said Patch. "The important part is to build healthier habits into your daily routine. That way you're more likely to stick with your resolution beyond the first few weeks."
To find out more about what helps Canadians stay motivated to work out, GoodLife Fitness polled 1,100+ longer-term members who have work out at the gym a minimum of 10 times per month, over the past two years or longer.
GoodLife Fitness' research experts conducted a topic-modelling analysis on the responses, and found the top three motivating factors for long-term members are:
The positive feeling or emotional boost that occurs after exercise – whether it's more energy, a productivity boost, a better mood or a sense of relaxation.
The community and people they meet when they go to the gym: their personal trainers, the group class instructors, the team trainers, the people in their group classes, and their friends. The members often looked to others for accountability and motivation.
The long-term benefits of exercise, including that chance to feel younger and have a better quality of life as they age.
When asked about the secret to long-term fitness success, the most popular response was to rely on a personal trainer or group fitness instructor to motivate them and keep them accountable. Another secret was to make exercise a non-negotiable part of the daily routine. Finding something you love to do is also a major part of success – whether it's running, yoga, weights or group fitness classes.
"Making a personal connection at the gym, by bringing a friend, taking a group fitness class, working with a personal trainer, or by signing up for a team training camp seems to be an essential step in establishing a fitness routine," explained Tracy Matthews, GoodLife Fitness Executive Director of Member Services. "We heard repeatedly that members feel better after a workout, and would actually push themselves to go to the gym to boost their mood and productivity. These immediate emotional and psychological benefits are major drivers in helping members stick with their routine."
About the research Ipsos survey Ipsos conducted a poll on behalf of GoodLife Fitness. A sample of 1,000 Canadians were interviewed between December 15 and December 19, 2016 as part of Ipsos' online panel. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within +/ - 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all Canadian adults been polled.
GoodLife Fitness long-term member survey The survey of long-term members was led by Scott Leith, Ph.D, data scientist and research psychologist with GoodLife Fitness. GoodLife received 1,120 responses to an online survey of long-term active members, who have worked out a minimum of 10 times per month for two years or more. Members were asked a series of closed and open-ended questions and a topic-modelling analysis was performed to determine overarching themes in the open-ended questions. The average age of respondents was 45, and the 25th percentile age was 33. Respondents were approximately 55 per cent female and 45 per cent male.
About GoodLife Fitness Proudly Canadian since 1979, GoodLife Fitness is the largest fitness company in Canada and the fourth largest in the world. With over 375 clubs from coast-to-coast, including 40 Énergie Cardio and ÉconoFitness Clubs in Quebec, approximately 14,400 employees and more than 1.3 million Members, GoodLife is helping to transform the health and wellness of one in 28 Canadians every day. GoodLife also provides workplace wellness programming and services to more than 3,000 corporate partners across Canada. www.goodlifefitness.com
SOURCE GoodLife Fitness
TRAIN IT RIGHT NEWSLETTER
Sign Up and get a free 7 day Train it Right HIIT Program!
