Author:Vancouver Health Coach

Men are More Efficient at Sweating than Women, say Scientists

When you work out on the treadmill, take a hot yoga class or barely survive a boot camp, you will notice several things happen to your body. Your heart will beat quicker, breathing will be heavier and you will most likely begin to sweat. The human body will sweat in a response to keep itself cool and safe when our internal temperature increases above 98 degrees. Sweating during exercise is a sign of an efficient cooler and this mechanism is extremely vital for avoiding heat illness such as heat exhaustion, muscle cramping and the most dangerous of all, heat stroke. While fit people produce more sweat...

Move over Berries. Seeds are Making a Comeback

If there is one miracle worker when it comes to health, whether it be for weight loss purposes, disease prevention, anti-aging, energy, beauty or longevity - the seed deserves ultimate recognition. We are very fortunate that we have such superfoods available to us, especially since all seeds boast their own unique health benefits. They are powerful little guys when it comes to your health and can be used therapeutically to aid with certain health ailments and concerns. I’ll give you the run down on the unique benefits of a few celebrity seeds, but I’ll also tell you what all seeds...

Preventing Loved Ones From Sabotaging Your Health Goals

When you have specific health goals and someone you are closest to isn’t on the same page, it can be a challenge to stay on track. You’ve committed to reducing your cholesterol intake, and over an after-work drink your best friend suggests ordering a plate of nachos. “It’s okay to make exceptions once in a while. Don’t be so strict on yourself!” Well, what constitutes ‘strict’ to someone else  may be simply a choice for you. A choice that in the overall scheme of things supports your vision for a healthy, vibrant way of being, not to mention reducing your...

Protein Pumpkin Smoothie Recipe

Fall season calls for plenty of root veggie recipes. Last week I gave you the low down on pumpkin seeds, so here are the benefits of pumpkins themselves! One of the first things we tend to recall about pumpkins are their glowing bright orange colour which indicates they are high in an important cancer fighting antioxidant, beta-caratone. A component of vitamin A, this micronutrient is oh-so important for your immune system, the health of your eyes and your skin. Vitamin A has also been shown to support digestive healing, which suggests it may be effectively used with ulcers and other areas...

Make Your Health a Priority During Menopause

For many women, menopause can be trying on the nerves, marriage, and the waistline. When your hormones start driving you batty, take the opportunity to make a commitment to your health and well-being. Embrace Exercise If you lead a sedentary life or if you have long been considering a lifestyle of increased physical activity, make the “change of life” your excuse to embrace exercise. If you suffer from hot flashes and night sweats, two of the most common menopause symptoms, evidence shows exercise may help reduce the frequency of these symptoms. In addition, exercise can help you get a better night’s sleep, shed...

On the Issue of Sunscreens

For most of us summer is an easy going time where we can cast off the burden of winter, dispense with the winter coats, hats and boots that clog up the mudroom or front hall, walk barefoot in the grass and lie in the shade of the trees, meditating on the shapes of the clouds as they pass by. Yet despite what should be a rather pleasant time, for many years we have been told that summer holds out something rather sinister and almost totally unavoidable. It has become such a problem that government health agencies have instituted warnings and...

How to Reduce Neck Strain

Does your neck often feel tight and sore? Perhaps your way of breathing is partly to blame. Look at your neck in the mirror while you breathe. Try not to change how you are breathing - you are simply observing. Do you notice your neck muscles tighten with each breath? Now place your hand gently around the front of your neck, thumb on one side, fingers on the other, and once again tune into your breathing. Do you feel any muscles hardening and then softening as you inhale and exhale? If you saw your neck muscles working, or you felt them turning...

September Giveaway is from Bambii Clothing

Fitness Goop’s September Giveaway is here! This month's giveaway is over $200 in gear from Bambii clothing. This giveaway will be for 2 Facebook fans, so make sure to “Like” Fitness Goop’s Facebook fanpage in order to win! Bambii clothing was founded on art & love for animals, people, & style. A Canadian line formed in 2012, bringing you unique, loud,  cruelty free fashion. Surfacing on the web, Bambii is launching with organic tees,  cut off tees, pullovers & snapbacks. Later releasing everything from toques to denim, fall jackets to pleather pants.  Our Signature collection features hand studded pieces and upcoming artists. The root...

Being Healthy About Your Health

Everyone has their own idea on how to be healthy.  There are so many different variables: age, culture, gender, lifestyle and values.  These all create different opinions on what health means.  Health is unique to the individual.  But sometimes, I feel like people become a little unhealthy about being healthy.  Striving to do our best, we often get caught up, losing balance. I don’t believe that counting calories, or balancing ratios of protein, fats, or carbohydrates is healthy either.  It’s an unhealthy way to look at food.  Food is so much more than a science, just as we are more...

The Truth About Fat Burning Zones

Step on any piece of cardiovascular equipment, and once you have figured how to turn it on, you will most likely be asked to choose the type of program you want to perform. A standard choice has always been something called the "fat burning zone." You may also be presented with a colorful diagram showing you the spectrum of intensity where your specific fat burning zone is, giving you the impression that fat is only burned when you are exercising in this magical zone. The concept behind these fat burning zones is that by staying at a particular intensity, usually a...