Author:Vancouver Health Coach

March 6, 2014 In News, Running, Spotlight, Workouts By Vancouver Health Coach

Interval Training for Fat Loss

Many people mistakenly believe that the best way to lose weight through exercise is to train at a very slow pace for a long time. This notion came from Scandinavian studies conducted in the 1960s that showed that the body used more fat when exercising very slowly than when training more intensely. Some people interpreted these results to mean that low-intensity exercise is better for losing fat. This notion is nonsense! You lose fat by burning more calories than you take in. You will burn many more calories training intensely than exercising slowly. The body does not metabolize fats by themselves....

March 5, 2014 In Fitness, News, Spotlight, Workouts By Vancouver Health Coach

The Dirty Dozen Workout

This month I wanted to share a workout that you can do almost anywhere. You’ll just need a bit of space to do the workout and possibly a yoga mat and some light weights depending on the exercises you choose. I call this workout "The Dirty Dozen Workout" Pick 12 exercises and do 12 reps of each exercise. Move from one exercise to the next with very little break in between the exercises, then take a break at the end of the 12 movements. Repeat the Dirty Dozen circuit 3-4 times depending on your fitness level. If you do single arm or single leg movements...

February 14, 2014 In Emotional Health, Fitness, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Mental Benefits of Exercise

The Mental Benefits of Exercise From improving your heart health to toning your tush, we all know about the numerous physical and aesthetic rewards of working out. Yet many of us don't realize that exercise can play a very important role in mental health also. In recent years, mounting research has showed the effects of exercise on cognition, memory, mood, self-confidence, stress levels and overall happiness. Here are the top five mental health benefits of exercise. Takes Your Stress Away Prolonged or intense stress can have a very damaging effect on both the body and mind. It has been linked as one of the...

February 4, 2014 In Fitness, News, Spotlight, Workouts By Vancouver Health Coach

6 Exercises You Should Be Able to Do: Part 2

Here are a couple more exercises that should be no problem at all if we have adequate flexibility and strength. If you have difficulty with either of these - you simply cannot do them or you have pain, perhaps these can be goals for your fitness/movement program, and as you improve, marvel how they make life’s activities easier. If you missed Part 1 of “6 movements we should all be able to easily do”, click here. Watch the videos, but please use your common sense with respect to trying the exercises. Hire someone to help you learn to do these movements properly...

January 29, 2014 In Eliminating Toxins, Green & Healthy Living, News By Vancouver Health Coach

How safe is your deodorant?

Even if you don't have bad body odor, chances are that you’re applying an underarm deodorant in an attempt to leave you fresh and approachable. It is interesting how many of us actually take the time to review the ingredients in our deodorant, or even know if it is safe? Take a moment to search the internet and you will find a variety of organizations that are claiming that deodorants are the cause behind breast cancer. Now let’s take a closer look at some of the concerns surrounding the use of deodorants. Some research groups are suggesting that deodorants containing harmful substances...

January 14, 2014 In Fitness, News, Spotlight, Weight Loss By Vancouver Health Coach

Health Poll: Do you measure being healthy by your weight?

In North American pop culture, we associate shame and lack of self control with extra flesh. Yet, quite simply that’s all that extra weight is. More flesh. The fact is that a body will respond to factors in life regardless of self-control. If you have an injury and can no longer maintain physical activity, weight gain is possible. If you switch lifestyles from more activity to sitting down at work for 7 hours a day, and you still have the same caloric intake, you may put extra weight. If you have the same routine, but shack up with a new...

December 18, 2013 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Vanishing of the Bees and How it Relates to Autism

I went to see the Vanishing of the Bees last week with my teenage daughter. She came as a favor to her “composting- buy at the local farmers’ market- mother”, but walked away educated and engaged. Ever since, she happily takes out the food scraps for composting. Click here to watch the Vanishing of the Bees movie trailer According to the movie, approximately one-third of the food produced in the world is dependent on honeybees for pollination and increased crop yields. Bees are an essential part of modern agriculture and their economic contribution is valued over $15 billion. We were amazed...

December 8, 2013 In News, Product Reviews, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Vitamin Water: As Good for You as it Sounds?

I am definitely someone who loves a good debate, even a good heated debate from time to time; but I have to say I was a little taken back by the ferocity of the debate that is going on about Vitamin Water. A debate that questions whether it has any merit as a source of vitamins, electrolytes and healthy hydration. Whether the company is immoral for promoting it as a healthy product, or whether it is as unhealthy as diet pop. I am also a firm believer, that at the end of the day we are each the master of our...

November 24, 2013 In Food and Recipes, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Recipes for Health: Roast Salmon

One of our favorite methods of cooking on the fly is roasting, a method of dry heat cooking that uses an uncovered pan in the oven. It produces a well-browned exterior and, ideally, a moist interior. Roasting fish and vegetables is a quick and easy way to prepare dinner on a busy night. In less than 45 minutes you can have a fresh and delicious meal with minimal clean-up. The trick to making less mess is lining the baking sheets with foil and making simple preparations. Salmon is a rich source of protein and contains a high concentration of healthful omega-3...

November 21, 2013 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

How Much Water Should You Drink Per Day

Water is the most plentiful substance in the human body and can account for over 65% of your cells. With every bodily system depending on it, water is essential for life. Water is required in digestion and absorption of food, circulation of oxygen and nutrients, thermoregulation, metabolism, detoxification and removal of wastes, humidifying the air in your lungs, lubricating and moisturizing your joints and even protecting some vital organs. Your brain is made up of about 90% water, your muscles 75%, and your blood 80%. It is absolutely vital to your health. You are constantly losing water through certain processes such as...