Over $20,000 Raised for Kids with Cancer

I had the privilege of working with this amazing group of TV/Media personalities to get them ready for this race. On May 12th, I completed the Sporting Life 10K with this amazing group of Sporting Life 10K Ambassadors. Together we raised over $20,000 for Camp Ooch - helping kids with cancer. Experience and Impact = Priceless. Enjoy the recap video!

Park Bench Fat Blaster

Here’s a quick and effective metabolic circuit that will get you going!  Use a park bench to change up your workout, get outdoors and challenge yourself.

THE RACE

Pura Vida = Pure Life. While embracing the spirit of adventure, discovery and camaraderie, The Coastal Challenge will afford you the opportunity to compete at your highest level against an international field in one of the longest, toughest and most memorable running events you will ever experience.  On February 2nd, 2013 myself and my good friend and race partner, Bryce Wylde begin our Costa Rican running ec0-adventure through 225km of trail, mountains, beaches, jungle and river crossings.  This is a 6 day staged race that we have committed ourselves to completing and experiencing to the fullest.  This journey will definitely take physical strength, endurance and of course mental toughness.  Although we will most definitely endure our share of mental demands, we also more importantly undergo this adventure in efforts to support a very important campaign for mental illness that can impact so many lives of children around the world but also right here in Canada.  More info about The Coastal Challenge

The Coastal Challenge Intro Video

THE CAUSE

‘Mindful’ is a network that provides education about the role that diet, nutrition and lifestyle play in maintaining children’s mental health. The Mindful Mission is to fill the gap in treatment of children’s mental health by creating an integrated and supportive educational network where parents/caregivers, youth and health professionals can find current information on the importance of diet, nutrition and lifestyle in children’s mental health.

I have personally teamed up with Bryce Wylde (my race partner) to raise money for this important campaign with the goal of helping make a significant impact on the lives of children with mental health concerns.  From ADHD and depression to anxiety and schizophrenia, mental illness affects 10% to 20% of Canadian children and youth, making it the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide. Canada has the 3rd highest suicide rate in the industrialized world, and the increased use of prescription medication for children is being questioned across the medical community. While medication can offer relief from symptoms, it can also cause troubling side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, weight gain, and even an increased risk of suicide and addiction.

Please help us support this campaign and give generously here: Mindful Charity

*any donation over $20 will receive a tax receipt.  I thank you personally for your support.

FOLLOW ME LIVE (Click below)

9 Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

Michelle Schoffro CookNovember 15, 20114:11 pm120 comments

Not only are sweet potatoes readily available, inexpensive, and delicious, there are many other reasons to love these yummy vegetables.  Here are 9:

1.  They are high in vitamin B6.  Vitamin B6 helps reduce the chemical homocysteine in our bodies.  Homocysteine has been linked with degenerative diseases, including the prevention of heart attacks.

2. They are a good source of vitamin C.  While most people know that vitamin C is important to help ward off cold and flu viruses, few people are aware that this crucial vitamin plays an important role in bone and tooth formation, digestion, and blood cell formation. It helps accelerate wound healing, produces collagen which helps maintain skin’s youthful elasticity, and is essen­tial to helping us cope with stress. It even appears to help protect our body against toxins that may be linked to cancer.

3.  They contain Vitamin D which is critical for immune system and overall health at this time of year.  Both a vitamin and a hormone, vitamin D is primarily made in our bodies as a result of getting adequate sunlight. You may have heard about seasonal affective disorder (or SAD, as it is also called), which is linked to inadequate sunlight and therefore a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D plays an important role in our energy levels, moods, and helps to build healthy bones, heart, nerves, skin, and teeth, and it supports the thyroid gland.

4.  Sweet potatoes contain iron. Most people are aware that we need the mineral iron to have adequate energy, but iron plays other important roles in our body, including red and white blood cell production, resistance to stress, proper im­mune functioning, and the metabolizing of protein, among other things.

5.  Sweet potatoes are a good source of mag­nesium, which is the relaxation and anti-stress mineral. Magnesium is necessary for healthy artery, blood, bone, heart, muscle, and nerve function, yet experts estimate that approximately 80 percent of the popula­tion in North America may be deficient in this important mineral.

Discover many great ways to enjoy sweet potatoes on page 2…

1 of 2

via 9 Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes | Care2 Healthy Living.

Just one-fifth of fitness apparel sold in Canada sees the inside of a gym

Fitness expert Brent Bishop buys sports apparel for exercise, but a new study finds he’s in the minority. NPD reports that just 19 per cent of activewear is purchased with sports or exercise in mind.

PHOTO: IAMBISHOP.COM

EMAIL

Misty Harris

Published: January 18, 2013, 12:24 pm

Updated: 7 hours ago

When buying fitness apparel, Canadians look for wicking, comfort, functionality and – for a surprising number of people – the garment’s ability to imply a recent workout when, in reality, the only sweating done inside it was at McDonald’s.

Market researcher The NPD Group reports that just 19 per cent of activewear is purchased for sports or exercise, while fully one-third is bought with casual wear in mind. Other occasions cited by Canadian consumers include school, work and even sleep.

In other words, even as fitness apparel historically sees sales climb by double digits in January, much of it will rarely, if ever, see the inside of a gym.

“Workout apparel doesn’t necessarily need to be for working out,” said Tracey Jarosz, NPD Group’s executive director for Canada Fashion. “The beauty of today’s sports apparel offering is that consumers can put it into their rotation of everyday clothes.”

Of course, it’s not news that yoga pants have infiltrated everyday wardrobes. But the fact activewear is now predominately purchased for that reason is likely to surprise those outside the industry.

Perhaps the most telling sign of all? Sales of sports bras – which are as crucial to a woman’s cardio routine as water – are said by NPD to “barely register” at the beginning of the year, instead peaking in June and July.

And even then, Jarosz suspects it’s not all about exercise.

“Part of it is probably because a sports bra can be worn as a tank or something layered under another top,” she said. “Again, more of an apparel piece than a workout piece.”

Greg Schindler, a former college football player, admits he’ll “spend entire weekends in athletic shorts and T-shirts, just because they’re comfortable.” Nevertheless, he believes there’s a line in the sand on what’s reasonable.

“People wearing $100 Lululemon yoga pants just to get coffee shouldn’t be allowed to exercise any rights,” quipped Schindler, marketing manager at Funny or Die.

The good news, according to fitness expert Brent Bishop, is that the mere act of putting on sportswear can trigger an exercise-positive mindset. At least at the beginning.

“When you buy great-looking athletic apparel, there’s that initial inspiration where your chances of getting active are higher,” said Bishop, Toronto-based author of The Think Factor. “However, as time progresses and you don’t put that inspiration into action – getting into the gym or trying a personal training session – the novelty wears off.”

Healthy New Year’s resolutions do appear to play a role in purchases at the beginning of the year. NPD reports that unit sales of activewear saw a year over year increase of 15 per cent in January 2012.

Similarly, Statistics Canada reports that sales of fitness equipment at large retailers rose to $41.3 million that same month – more than double the 2011 monthly average of $17.6 million. To put that in perspective, wannabe workout mavens invested almost as much on exercise equipment in a single month as the Canadian Cancer Society contributed to research over an entire year.

In general, however, the trend toward “fashletics” – a term used by activewear retailer Sporting Life – is king in Canada.

“I have a pair of Prana yoga tights that I just wear as tights-tights because they’re thicker, they hold things in better, and they’re so stretchy and comfortable,” says Shawna Labine, the retailer’s branding specialist.

“There are so many women you see at Starbucks on Saturday grabbing a coffee in yoga pants, but are they really going to yoga? Probably not.”

mharris(at)postmedia.com

Twitter.com/popcultini

Read more Articles from Misty Harris

Twitter.com/Popcultini

© COPYRIGHT – POSTMEDIA NEWS

via Just one-fifth of fitness apparel sold in Canada sees the inside of a gym | canada.com.

make your weight loss and health-related resolutions stick this year!

The festive season is often a time of indulgence…in everything! Once the ball drops and dust settles, put this plan into action to get back in shape.

Instead, we’ve got three sensible steps to help you take control of your meal plan, exercise routine and health in 2013.

1. Pack on the protein.

This macronutrient should be included in each dish or snack you sit down to, whether you nosh on lean animal sources or opt for plant-based choices such as nuts, seeds, beans and legumes. And, this rule couldn’t be more vital than when eating in the AM. “Protein at breakfast really sets the stage for the day as it increases metabolic rate and fires up your fat burning engines,” says Joy McCarthy, holistic nutritionist and health expert for Global Toronto’s The Morning Show (www.joyoushealth.ca). “Eating a nutritious breakfast keeps insulin levels in check and balances blood sugar, which is at the root of preventing cravings and keeping hunger at bay.” Pair proteins with dark berries, apples, pears or any and all vegetables, plus good fats such as avocado, organic plain yogurt, goat cheese, and olive and coconut oils.

2. Don’t skip meals.

While this may sound like common sense, many people drastically cut calories in hopes of shedding holiday pounds. “Skimping on calories earlier in the day backfires as it fuels your appetite hormones,” explains McCarthy. “You will actually eat more later on than if you had consumed a balanced diet.” Plus, hunger can also affect the types of food that you desire: “You’ll crave more starches and sugars when deprived of food because they are the quickest source of energy. When you eat an excess of carbs, the additional sugars not required for energy convert to fat and end up on your belly, hips and thighs.”

3. Think baby steps.

Slow and steady wins the race. Instead of striving to overhaul your entire life, McCarthy suggests implementing one change per week. “Try drinking freshly squeezed lemon with water each morning on an empty stomach, or consume a balanced, delicious smoothie for breakfast. The following week, add another habit, such as walking daily or ensuring that vegetables cover 50 per cent of your plate.”

Brent Bishop, a Toronto-based personal trainer, fitness expert for CTV’s The Marilyn Denis Show and president of Think Fitness Studios (www.ThinkFitnessStudios.com; www.IamBishop.com), says that being unrealistic when goal-setting can be detrimental to your workout routine: “Often, people will make elaborate goals at the beginning of December as a way of justifying taking a month off. When it comes time to putting your New Year’s plan into action, it can become very difficult to live up to those goals after getting so far off track.” Bishop suggests 30 minutes of exercise two to three times per week for those who are either starting out or getting back to their routine. “You can always ramp things up as you develop some momentum and consistency.”

via Your Post-Holiday Guide to Getting Back In Shape.

Plateau Buster Workout

Ok, Thanksgiving indulging has passed, the seasons are changing and some people begin to slow down their outdoor activity.  Unfortunately, it is also a time where many begin to become bored of their current exercise routines.  Christmas parties and those holiday indulgences of the winter season are not far away.  Have a game plan to break out of the rut and set yourself up for success – here’s a routine to help you breakthrough that plateau!