Author:Vancouver Health Coach

May 1, 2013 In Fitness, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Skinny Fat: Can You Be Skinny and Fat At The Same Time?

Just looking thin or skinny on the outside is not indication of what’s going on inside and is not a guarantee of health. Skinny fat is basically when a person looks skinny on the outside, but actually has a high percentage of body fat. Skinny fat people will achieve this look by dieting, often times extreme dieting, and failing to exercise, or only engaging in certain forms of cardiovascular exercise that burn large numbers of calories. The easiest way to determine if a person is skinny fat is to evaluate their body fat percentage. One of the most common ways to do...

April 25, 2013 In Food and Recipes, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Is High Fructose Corn Syrup Unhealthier than Table Sugar?

You have heard the rumour: High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is unhealthier than regular table sugar and a major contributor to America's obesity epidemic. Is it really? Shockingly, the USDA reports that we consume on average 600 calories per day from sugar, mostly in the form of HFCS. This statistic is not hard to believe. A 12-ounce soda contains the equivalent of nine teaspoons of sugar, and we are drinking on average 2½ servings per day for every man, woman, and child. No matter what the form, we are eating far too much sugar on a daily basis. What is HFCS,...

April 16, 2013 In Emotional Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Dove Conducts Social Experiment to Help Change the Way You See Yourself

Fitness Goop is proud to feature this video by Dove that teaches a vital lesson about how we view ourselves compared to how others see us. Only 4% of women around the world consider themselves beautiful. Dove has conducted a social experiment called the Dove Real Beauty Sketches showing that women are more beautiful than they believe they are.  A former forensic artist that worked for the San Jose police department met a series of women and asked each to describe the way they look. He had no way of seeing them behind a curtain. He further prompted them to detail everything:...

April 12, 2013 In Editor's Picks: Must Haves for Staying Healthy, Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Grocery Shopping Sense with Global TV’s Melody Yong

As a health blogger, foodie and nutrition lover, I celebrated Nutrition Month in March by attending a food bloggers grocery store tour with Global TV’s dietician, Melody Yong. I am delighted to share with you a few highlights of the tour and some health tips that will make grocery shopping for healthy living easier for you and your family. In agreeance with Melody, the foundation of healthy eating begins with what you put in your grocery cart. However, grocery shopping is not always a simple task. If you have children and a busy schedule, it’s likely that you’re on a time crunch. And depending on the...

April 10, 2013 In Emotional Health, Fitness, News By Vancouver Health Coach

Motivating Yourself To Stick to your Fitness Goals

Planning new fitness goals can be exciting and powerful, but sometimes they’re just lip service. Lip service to ourselves that we promise to get back on track once the holidays are over and life returns to normal. Sometimes words are not enough. Stating goals and writing them down are an important part of the equation, however it’s the taking of action that everything truly depends on. Let’s look at a classic example. You’re health-conscious and have decided to throw caution to the wind over a holiday such as easter, indulging in whichever cookies, or chocolates and fat-laden appetizers that come your...

April 2, 2013 In News, Supplements By Vancouver Health Coach

Vitamin B6: A Vital Nutrient for Your Immune System

Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, is a water-soluble nutrient that helps in the production of neurotransmitters, which are the chemicals that allow brain and nerve cells to communicate with one another. Pyridoxine also ensures that metabolic processes such as fat and protein metabolism run smoothly. It is also important for immune system function in older individuals. It can also help address a number of conditions, including nerve compression injuries (like carpal tunnel syndrome), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and some cases of depression and arthritis. It is often used to treat high homocysteine levels along with folic acid and vitamin B12. Memory loss,...

March 31, 2013 In Fitness, Green & Healthy Living, News By Vancouver Health Coach

Do You Know Your Resting Heart Rate?

Studies are now finding that your Resting Heart Rate (RHR) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular health as well as a good indicator of your basic fitness level. A strong heart is able to pump more blood with every beat, so you want to have a low resting heart rate. It is very easy to figure out your resting heart rate; you just need to be able to count and have a watch with a second hand. Try taking your RHR first thing in the morning, as you will have a more accurate reading compared to any other time during the...

March 29, 2013 In Editor's Picks: Must Haves for Staying Healthy, Food and Recipes, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Natural, Organic & Non-GMO Foods: Why it Matters to You!

Are natural foods free of toxins? Do some organic foods contain GMO's? You have a right to know what is in the food you are feeding your family but, food labels are confusing and often misleading.  Read this article by Claudia Pillow, PhD, about the  the difference between "natural", "organic" and Non-GMO? Many people think the term “natural” is fairly similar to “organic, and in fact many think “natural” labels are more meaningful than “organic”.  This thinking is not correct. What does the label “NATURAL” mean to you? The term "natural" applies broadly to foods that are minimally processed and free of synthetic...

March 28, 2013 In Fitness, News, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

5 Ways Yoga Can Relieve Chronic Back Pain

Chronic low back pain is one of the most common causes of pain in the United States and Canada. This condition otherwise referred to as (LBP) can be the result of injuries, arthritis, pregnancy, herniated discs, stress that causes tension and poor posture. While the number of people suffering from back pain increases, so does the rate of over the counter medications used to relieve the pain. There is however, another option that can help chronic back pain sufferers and it is not available by prescription, but is practiced on a yoga mat. In a research study by ClinicalTrials.gov yoga...

March 26, 2013 In Green & Healthy Living, News, Supplements By Vancouver Health Coach

8 Nutritional Supplements to Increase your Energy

If you are feeling drained and having trouble facing your busy schedule, here are several ways to boost your energy. Make sure that you are getting at least 8 hours of sleep, keep your blood sugar levels stable, get enough rest and exercise, and consider these nutritional supplements and herbs: Vitamin B complex. This water soluble vitamin plays a key role in cell metabolism, and is therefore critical to energy production in the body. Cordyceps. A traditional Chinese medicinal fungus that grows on Tibetan caterpillars Proponents say cordyceps improves your energy level and endurance and reduces fatigue. Magnesium and calcium. Magnesium is a...