Blog - a healthy way to healthy

There are three omega-3 fats that you may have heard of: ALA, DHA, and EPA (alpha-linolenic acid, docosahexanaenoic , and eicosapentaenoic acid). They are considered to be essential fats because we need to get them from our diet. Our bodies can't make ALA, and can only make limited DHA and EPA from the ALA, so it is important to include food sources on a regular basis.

Omega-3s can help prevent...

When we talk about weight gain or weight loss we need to consider how the energy balance is being swayed. For weight maintenance we want energy in (calories consumed) to equal energy out (calories burned). When:

energy in > energy out = weight gain

energy in < energy out = weight loss

The power of positive thinking and the importance of imagination are not new concepts in 21st century living. As we multitask through busy lives we seek the most efficient and effective fitness plan we can find to meet our goals. Studies show that harnessing the power of the brain to work with the body can lead to your goals even faster. Visualization in particular can be a powerful enhancement to your workout.

Research has shown that the brain lights up when...

Vegetables contain important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants - all known to help fight disease and allow your body to perform at its best. The nutrients (carbohydrate, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and B vitamins such as folate) work together to provide the overall health benefits. Vegetables are also low in fat and calories (the exception being olives and avocados) making them a great snack any time of the day.

Adequate nutrition and hydration during activity provides the energy needed to perform at a high level, allows for mental focus and skill execution, and helps prevent hunger and thirst. The duration and intensity of your activity will affect your food and fluid needs, as well as the temperature, humidity, and altitude at which you are being active. This is a very individualized science and your needs may differ from your workout partner or teammate.

It's important to start to make healthy food choices on a regular basis, but once you add more activity to your life it's important to look at your food choices around your activity. With more activity comes a higher sweat and energy loss. These fluid and food losses need to be replaced to fuel your next workout session.

So, you've decided to start exercising and eating healthy – good for you! Deciding to do it is a huge step and puts you ahead of many others. However, if you're like most people, you're not sure where to start.

It's nearly 9 p.m. You've just finished putting the kids to sleep after a long day at work, and would like nothing more than to plop down on the couch with some crackers and cheese, chocolate or a bag of chips (or, in my case,all of the above).

Whether your workout has plateaued or you just want to try something new, you should consider trying a kettlebell. Everyone from professional athletes to Hollywood celebrities are using kettlebells. Stay at home parents, busy executives, the time pressed and budget conscious all find kettlebells are the answer to their fitness needs.

Having fat around the midsection is a very common problem for many overweight individuals. When you've made that decision to drop the extra pounds, you may immediately focus just on your belly fat. How can you get rid of it? While it's definitly good to realize that extra weight around the stomach is a bad sign and should be removed, it's also important to understand there is no such thing as spot reduction. Getting rid of the fat around your midsection can't be done with...