With all the right information out there, why is obesity still on the rise?

September 23, 2010 by · Leave a Comment 

Over the years I have heard a lot of reasons as to why people are overweight and as a Personal Trainer, I have heard every excuse in the book. I don’t disregard the fact that genetics has something to do with why certain people gain weight easier than others or why some people have a harder time losing weight, it’s true. More often that not however, those same people grew up in unhealthy households. Perhaps even, their weight issues are a cause of bad choices their parents made during the child’s developmental years.

Let’s consider an article I read by Graham Fishburne (2006). He states that the sensitive time for developing fat cells is right before puberty. The time right before puberty is when most of the child’s food choices are made by their parents. Lastly, children often do not grow to their full potential unless they get the nutrients they require during the developmental years.

Just as important as proper nutrition, is the importance of daily exercise. Exercise is good for all sorts of reasons; one’s I am sure you have never even considered. Yes, it allows us to maintain a healthy weight but it also has a lot more benefits. As children, they need exercise to develop strong healthy bones. As adults, we need exercise to ensure we don’t get osteoporosis and/or muscle wasting.

I really think it is essential to educate yourself and your family on the benefits of healthy living. The choices we make when we’re young can affect us for the rest of our lives.

I give Elevate Me Organic energy bars a big nutritional thumbs up. They offer the perfect balance of carbs/fat/protein in an easy to-go format. Pack them in your backpack, purse, or car for a quick and easy snack.

Here is a link to Health Canada’s website http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ here you can find all the information you need on proper amounts of exercise and nutrition.

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How to Eat Well on the Road

November 23, 2009 by · Leave a Comment 

How to Eat Well on the Road

As an athlete, travelling to different race venues is common practice. As an athlete on a budget, getting to these places can take days, depending on mode of travel. Lucky for me, my boyfriend loves to drive; therefore it usually takes us a couple days to get to international events in the U.S.A.

I am especially picky about the foods I eat the week of a race. I have a few sensitivities when it comes to food and I need to pay close attention to what I am eating. Any irritation inside my body could lead to poor nutrition results during the event.

Here are a few tips about eating well on the road:

  1. Pack snacks and staples with you, whether you are flying or driving. If flying domestically, you are allowed to bring fruit on the plane!!! Make sure to pack some cutlery and plates/bowls.
  2. Shop at local grocery stores versus eating out for every meal
  3. Be mindful of portion sizes. A restaurant meal is generally much larger than you would make at home.
  4. Pack your day of race food in your luggage. You might not be able to find it in your host city.
  5. Drink lot’s of water and avoid caffeinated beverages while flying.
  6. If you are staying at a hotel, try to find a room with a fridge so you can grocery shop and keep your foods fresh. If the room does not have one, try asking the concierge if they have one you can borrow. In the last hotel I stayed in, they had an extra fridge and microwave.
  7. If you have to eat out, don’t be afraid to be picky. Try to avoid fried foods. Look for meat that is grilled or baked. Ask for low-fat dressings and on the side if possible. See if the restaurant serves whole wheat pasta or brown rice instead of their white counterparts.
  8. Pack a box full of Elevate Me organic energy bars. They are loaded with quality ingredients and will keep you satisfied until your next meal. They were my life savior on my trip to Virginia last weekend!

There you have it, 8 tips to keep in mind when travelling. Remember, when you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Always be one step ahead of the game and success is bound to follow.

Nicola Gildersleeve

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