Oakville's Imagine Fitness: What's new in our world?

Vitamins 101 The Poliquin Way

2012-01-02T10:36:00.000-08:00

This information is based on current research. Charles Poliquin's recommendations may be unconventional but they are based on solid, recent research. Please take a look and discuss with your doctor:

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Cheers,

Sarah

The Impact of Body Piercings on Fat Loss and Body Composition

2012-01-02T10:34:00.000-08:00

This info is great for anyone who's struggling with losing bodyfat or knows anyone with piercings, pass it on:

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Cheers,

Sarah

Reiki Principles

2011-12-11T17:02:00.000-08:00

Reiki Principles

The secret art of inviting happiness.
The miraculous medicine of all dis-eases.
Just for today I give thanks for many blessings.
Just for today do not worry.
Just for today do not anger.
Honour your parents, teachers and elders.
Earn your living honestly.
Show gratitude to every living thing.

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes energy healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's"life force energy" is low, then we care more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

Please see www.reiki.org for additional info about this treatment.

Sarah is a Reiki Level 2 Practitioner and has truly enjoyed working with clients in this energetic manner to help them heal and move forward towards optimal health and wellbeing.

Postural Workout for Parents - ACE Workouts - American Council on Exercise

2011-11-19T06:12:00.000-08:00

A great addition to your weight workout:

Postural Workout for Parents - ACE Workouts - American Council on Exercise

Remember, we want stability under those beautiful muscles, so don't forget these exercises!

Sarah

30-minute Lunch Workout - ACE Workouts - American Council on Exercise

2011-11-19T06:09:00.000-08:00

Great for beginners:

30-minute Lunch Workout - ACE Workouts - American Council on Exercise

Cheers,

Sarah

Total Body Workout Programs, Total Body Exercises, Total Body Workout Routines - Get Fit with Fitness Workout Programs - American Council on Exercise

2011-11-19T06:08:00.000-08:00

Classic exercises for those who have worked out for quite awhile but want a quick reference to do a circuit workout:

Total Body Workout Programs, Total Body Exercises, Total Body Workout Routines - Get Fit with Fitness Workout Programs - American Council on Exercise

Please talk to Imagine Fitness if you have questions, some of these exercises need to be shown and/or monitored if you haven't done them before.

Cheers,

Sarah

At-Home with No Equipment Workout Programs, Home Workout Routines, At Home Strength Training - Get Fit with Fitness Workout Programs - American Council on Exercise

2011-11-19T06:05:00.000-08:00

This is a good, general workout for those who haven't been to the gym lately:

At-Home with No Equipment Workout Programs, Home Workout Routines, At Home Strength Training - Get Fit with Fitness Workout Programs - American Council on Exercise

Cheers,

Sarah

Workout Programs for Hip Exercises, Thigh Workouts, Hip Flexor Exercises, Thigh Toning and Slimming Exercises - Get Fit with Fitness Workout Programs - American Council on Exercise

2011-11-19T06:03:00.000-08:00

A couple of exercises you may not have seen before:

Workout Programs for Hip Exercises, Thigh Workouts, Hip Flexor Exercises, Thigh Toning and Slimming Exercises - Get Fit with Fitness Workout Programs - American Council on Exercise

Cheers,

Sarah

Core Workout Programs, Core Muscle Exercises, Core Strength and Stability - Get Fit with Fitness Workout Programs - American Council on Exercise

2011-11-19T06:01:00.000-08:00

Here are some great core exercises that we do within our in-home personal training sessions:

Core Workout Programs, Core Muscle Exercises, Core Strength and Stability - Get Fit with Fitness Workout Programs - American Council on Exercise

Enjoy!

Sarah

Candida Info from Dr. Jonny

2011-11-19T05:06:00.000-08:00

Hi,

Right now, deep inside your digestive track, you have bugs crawling about…LOTS of bugs. In fact, each of us is lugging around about 70 trillion of these, weighing in at about 3-4 pounds.

Some of these are good bugs...some of these are NOT so good bugs.

The bad bugs I am talking about include all sorts of things from bacteria to yeast to parasites and other germs...sounds rather disgusting, but most of us walk around without knowing they are even there.

But, for the most part, your body's immune system is able to keep the bad bugs in check.

HOWEVER, under certain, and surprisingly common conditions, one of those bugs, a particular type of yeast called Candida albicans, can go through a dangerous mutation that makes it wildly aggressive, destructive and hell bent on wreaking havoc throughout your entire body.

This Fungus is Far More Common - and Dangerous - Than You've Been Led to Believe...

Sound like a freakish incident that only happens in rare medical circumstances?

Well, think again as nearly 3 in 4 women suffer (and many men) from some type of yeast overgrowth in one way or another…some with minor symptoms such as rashes, increased PMS symptoms and bad breath...some with much more serious conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, depression, joint pain and even chronic fatigue syndrome.

In fact the calling card for a yeast overgrowth problem is a whole bucket full of seemingly unexplained chronic symptoms that just won't seem to go away no matter what you try.

The worst part is that most mainstream health practitioners haven't a clue how to treat this potentially serious problem...and those who do treat it, use dangerous drugs that frequently make the situation even worse.

And those naughty little yeast critters are a crafty bunch -- part animal, part plant, part bacteria, able to reproduce sexually (with a mate) or asexually (by itself), and can shift its shape and take 7 different forms while rearranging it's chromosomes as an adaptive strategy to insure survival.

Wow - that's an amazing set of attributes...no wonder it's so hard to get rid of a yeast infection!

How this Little Devil Does it's Handy-Work...

Candida, found in its normal, simple and relatively harmless yeast-form looks like a small white egg, with a relatively consistent, smooth shape, living happily in your gut, essentially keeping to itself, feeding off of the food you eat.

However, under the proper conditions, this innocent yeast can mutate and transform into a monstrous super-fungus that rapidly multiplies in its unrelenting quest to colonize as many parts of your body as possible. In fact, in certain areas of your body, if it finds a good food source - it absolutely LOVES sugar - it can double the size of its colony in less than an hour.

This mutated fungus-form of Candida (technically called the mycelial-form) grows elongated, finger-like tentacle structures called rhizoids that then tunnel, burrow and bore their way through the walls of your gut, enters your blood stream, and blooms into a systemic infection that can appear in virtually every part of your body including your heart, eyes, kidneys, liver, lungs and even your brain.

So next time you hear that you someone you know has a yeast infection, I hope you understand that this is really just a canary in the coal mine and that something much more dangerous and insidious is going on deep inside their tissues.

A Broken Sidewalk in Your Belly?

Have you ever seen a tree that's growing in or around the sidewalk where the roots of the tree have grown so thick, deep and wide that they have cracked the sidewalk, exposing everything underneath?

Well, that's exactly what Candida does once it mutates into its more dangerous super-fungus form.

Not only does it slip into your blood stream through these cracks in your gut, but the holes it opens up also allows all sorts of other things into your blood stream that are supposed to be restricted to your gut...things like undigested food, bacteria and other toxins...this is why a Candida overgrowth can make you feel so incredibly lousy and sick.

It Can Literally Make You Drunk from the Inside Out...

One of the most dangerous aspects of Candida is the by products it releases as part of its own life cycle. In fact, Candida has been found to produce 79 distinct toxins.

When the yeast dies in its natural cycle, it releases the toxin acetaldehyde, which is converted into ethanol by the liver.

This is the same chemical that leads to hangovers after drinking alcohol!

As the Candida infestation continues to grow and more acetaldehyde is produced, your blood alcohol level actually rises, just as if you were drinking alcohol, resulting in symptoms like:

brain fog
impaired thinking
lack of concentration
irritability
depression
slowed reflexes
fatigue
and more

Additionally, red blood cells find it difficult to flow into small capillaries, which can result in fatigue, migraines and muscle aches. In turn, white blood cells have difficulty in fighting infection, which can result in allergies, rashes, acne and slowing of the healing process.

Moreover, just as bread rises from yeast due to carbon dioxide production from fermentation of carbohydrates, Candida also produces carbon dioxide in the intestine. The result is persistent gas and bloating.

Mainstream Medicine Has it All Wrong...

Unfortunately, the treatments that mainstream conventional medicine offer do absolutely nothing to get rid of this insidious yeast overgrowth and in fact can make things work.

Topical treatments, creams, oils, lotions and rinses are only marginally effective wherever they are used and don't come close to addressing the systemic, body-wide nature of the infestation.

Likewise, the "nuke it" approach of using powerful antifungals, while addressing the system-wide nature of the infestation, again only works temporarily as the remarkably flexible and intelligent yeast eventually develops a resistance to whatever anti-fungal treatment is used.

How to Get At the Root Cause...

But all is not lost as there is a proven, effective way of getting rid of out-of-control yeast overgrowth problems...one that that fixes the problem for good, once and for all.

The REASON the yeast infection develops in the first place is because your body is out of balance in some way, shape or form. Somehow your immune system has been compromised allowing the yeast to flourish unchecked.

Well, if that's the reason that the Candida overgrowth developed in the first place, then common sense says that the only way to rid yourself of those nasty little burrowing toxic critters is to re-balance whatever is out of balance and to restore your body's innate immune capacity.

If you are plagued by...

brain fog
bad breath
rashes, fatigue
trouble concentrating
weird allergies
strange aches and pains
or anything else you can't explain...

it's a strong sign that something with your body's terrain has made it far too hospitable for Candida to flourish.

To permanently cure yourself of a system-wide or even localized yeast infection, you must create an environment that's both hostile to the yeast and nourishing to your body's own natural healing powers.

A Tried-and-True, Tested and Effective Program...

Frustrated and at wits end, suffering from constant fatigue, heartburn, stomach cramps and brain fog, a certified nutrition specialist embarked on a 12 year mission to find way to beat Candida for good.

After 35,000 hours of research, testing and trying, experimenting to find what works and discarding what didn't, this remarkable woman finally stumbled upon a holistic, multi-dimensional, all-natural approach that ended her yeast overgrowth in less than 2 months.

She's decided to share her Candida killing blueprint with others and has compiled an A-to-Z blueprint for exactly what to do and when without resorting to drugs, without creams or lotions and regardless of the severity of the infection.

You can read much more about her remarkable solution here as well as her 5 key facts about Candida/yeast infections that EVERYONE must know about before it's too late »

I hope you enjoy - remember, do your own homework, use common sense and decide on what's best for you.

Warmly,

Jonny Bowden
The Rogue Nutritionist

P.S. Since 2004, over 138,000 people have successfully gone through this program with many of the remarkable and inspiring case studies available for you to read here. Many of these women (and some men), experienced the following benefits:

Their external yeast infections were gone within days and often within hours...
They became completely free from vaginal, male or oral yeast infections...
Thrush, athlete's foot, and other types of skin yeast infections had vanished...
Food allergies and digestive disorders like bloating, acid reflux, IBS and LGS had disappeared...
They had no more joint pain, muscle aches, migraines, brain fog or blurred vision...
They felt lighter, healthier and energetic...
Their general health and quality of life had improved...

I hope you enjoyed this info from Dr. Jonny. If you'd like additional info about candida cleanse please email info@imagineallergyfree.ca

Cheers,

Sarah

Shunning Wheat WILL Make You Skinny!

2011-10-28T16:52:00.000-07:00

On the evils of wheat

Dr. William Davis on why it is so addictive, and how shunning it will make you skinny

by Kate Fillion on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 9:40am

Jean-Marc Giboux/Getty Images

William Davis, a preventive cardiologist who practises in Milwaukee, Wis., argues in his new book Wheat Belly that wheat is bad for your health—so bad that it should carry a surgeon general’s warning.

Q: You say the crux of the problem with wheat is that the stuff we eat today has been genetically altered. How is it different than the wheat our grandparents ate?

A: First of all, it looks different. If you held up a conventional wheat plant from 50 years ago against a modern, high-yield dwarf wheat plant, you would see that today’s plant is about 2½ feet shorter. It’s stockier, so it can support a much heavier seedbed, and it grows much faster. The great irony here is that the term “genetic modification” refers to the actual insertion or deletion of a gene, and that’s not what’s happened with wheat. Instead, the plant has been hybridized and crossbred to make it resistant to drought and fungi, and to vastly increase yield per acre. Agricultural geneticists have shown that wheat proteins undergo structural change with hybridization, and that the hybrid contains proteins that are found in neither parent plant. Now, it shouldn’t be the case that every single new agricultural hybrid has to be checked and tested, that would be absurd. But we’ve created thousands of what I call Frankengrains over the past 50 years, using pretty extreme techniques, and their safety for human consumption has never been tested or even questioned.

Q: What extreme techniques are you talking about?

A: New strains have been generated using what the wheat industry proudly insists are “traditional breeding techniques,” though they involve processes like gamma irradiation and toxins such as sodium azide. The poison control people will tell you that if someone accidentally ingests sodium azide, you shouldn’t try to resuscitate the person because you could die, too, giving CPR. This is a highly toxic chemical.

Q: Can’t you just get around any potential health concerns by buying products made with organically grown wheat?

A: No, because the actual wheat plant itself is the same. It’s almost as if we’ve put lipstick on this thing and called it organic and therefore good, when the truth is, it’s really hardly any better at all.

Q: A lot of us have switched to whole wheat products because we’ve been told complex carbohydrates are heart healthy and good for us. Are you saying that’s not true?

A: The research that indicates whole grains are healthy is all conducted the same way: white flour is replaced with whole wheat flour, which, no question, is better for you. But taking something bad and replacing it with something less bad is not the same as research that directly compares what happens to health and weight when you eliminate wheat altogether. There’s a presumption that consuming a whole bunch of the less bad thing must be good for you, and that’s just flawed logic. An analogy would be to say that filtered cigarettes are less bad for you than unfiltered cigarettes, and therefore, a whole bunch of filtered cigarettes is good for you. It makes no sense. But that is the rationale for increasing our consumption of whole grains, and that combined with the changes in wheat itself is a recipe for creating a lot of fat and unhealthy people.

Q: How does wheat make us fat, exactly?

A: It contains amylopectin A, which is more efficiently converted to blood sugar than just about any other carbohydrate, including table sugar. In fact, two slices of whole wheat bread increase blood sugar to a higher level than a candy bar does. And then, after about two hours, your blood sugar plunges and you get shaky, your brain feels foggy, you’re hungry. So let’s say you have an English muffin for breakfast. Two hours later you’re starving, so you have a handful of crackers, and then some potato chips, and your blood sugar rises again. That cycle of highs and lows just keeps going throughout the day, so you’re constantly feeling hungry and constantly eating. Dieticians have responded to this by advising that we graze throughout the day, which is just nonsense. If you eliminate wheat from your diet, you’re no longer hungry between meals because you’ve stopped that cycle. You’ve cut out the appetite stimulant, and consequently you lose weight very quickly. I’ve seen this with thousands of patients.

Q: But I’m not overweight and I exercise regularly. So why would eating whole wheat bread be bad for me?

A: You can trigger effects you don’t perceive. Small low-density lipoprotein [LDL] particles form when you’re eating lots of carbohydrates, and they are responsible for atherosclerotic plaque, which in turn triggers heart disease and stroke. So even if you’re a slender, vigorous, healthy person, you’re still triggering the formation of small LDL particles. And second, carbohydrates increase your blood sugars, which cause this process of glycation, that is, the glucose modification of proteins. If I glycate the proteins in my eyes, I get cataracts. If I glycate the cartilage of my knees and hips, I get arthritis. If I glycate small LDL, I’m more prone to atherosclerosis. So it’s a twofold effect. And if you don’t start out slender and keep eating that fair trade, organically grown whole wheat bread that sounds so healthy, you’re repeatedly triggering high blood sugars and are going to wind up with more visceral fat. This isn’t just what I call the wheat belly that you can see, flopping over your belt, but the fat around your internal organs. And as visceral fat accumulates, you risk responses like diabetes and heart disease.

Q: You seem to be saying that aside from anything else, wheat is essentially the single cause of the obesity epidemic.

A: I wouldn’t go so far as to say that all obesity is due to wheat. There are kids, of course, who drink Coca-Cola and sit in front of video games for many hours a day. But I’m speaking to the relatively health-minded people who think they’re doing the right thing by limiting fat consumption and eating more whole grains, and there’s a clear subset of people who are doing that and gaining weight and don’t understand why. It causes tremendous heartache. They come into my office and say, “I exercise five times a week, I’ve cut my fat intake, I watch portion size and eat my whole grains—but I’ve gone up three dress sizes.”

Q: You write that wheat is “addictive,” but does it really meet the criteria for addiction we’d use when talking about, say, drugs?

A: National Institutes of Health researchers showed that gluten-derived polypeptides can cross into the brain and bind to the brain’s opiate receptors. So you get this mild euphoria after eating a product made with whole wheat. You can block that effect [in lab animals] by administering the drug naloxone. This is the same drug that you’re given if you’re a heroin addict; it’s an opiate blocker. About three months ago, a drug company applied to the FDA to commercialize naltrexone, which is an oral equivalent to naloxone. And it works, apparently, it blocks the pleasurable feelings you get from eating wheat so people stop eating so much. In clinical trials, people lost about 22.4 lb. in the first six months. Why, if you’re not a drug addict, do you need something like that? And of course there’s another option, which is to cut wheat out of your diet. However, and this is another argument for classifying wheat as addictive, people can experience some pretty unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Q: For how long?

A: Generally about five days. And once you’re through withdrawal, your cravings subside, your calorie intake decreases and your alertness and overall health improve.

Q: So do you believe food manufacturers are putting wheat into more and more food products, not just bread and crackers, because it’s addictive and stimulates appetite?

A: These are not stupid people. The research showing that wheat stimulates appetite didn’t come from some little alternative health practitioner. It comes from the NIH. It stretches credibility to believe they have no awareness of the evidence.

Q: If there’s all this evidence, why does the government encourage us to “eat healthy” by upping our consumption of whole grains?

A: That’s the million-dollar question. Wheat is so linked to human habit, it’s 20 per cent of all calories consumed by humans worldwide, that I think there was the presumption, “Gee, humans have consumed this for thousands of years, so what’s the problem?” I don’t think the misguided advice to eat more whole grains came from evil intentions.

Q: Wheat is a huge industry. What do you say to all the farmers who grow it?

A: To me, it’s reminiscent of tobacco farmers, who would say, “Look, I’m just trying to make a living and feed my family.” Nevertheless, tobacco is incredibly harmful and kills people. It could turn out that if we wind back the clock 100 or 1,000 years, and resurrect einkorn or some of the heritage forms of wheat, maybe that would be a solution. Of course, wheat products would then be much more expensive. Instead of a $4 loaf of bread, maybe it would cost $7 when grown with a heritage wheat. To me, it’s similar to free range eggs or organic beef 20 years ago. Everyone said, “No one will pay a premium for those.” But people do. And when it comes to wheat, my main goal is to inform people, including farmers, that the prevailing notion that cutting fat and eating whole grains will make you healthy is not only wrong, it’s destructive.

So guys, this article is an dramatic illustration of why we shouldn't eat wheat...give it a try and see how you feel!

Sarah

Environmental Sensitivities vs. Allergies

2011-10-28T16:32:00.000-07:00

I happened upon this article in Alive magazine October 2011 while at the gym the other day. If you think you suffer with sensitivities but have been told you don't have allergies, take a look:

Environmental Sensitivities

An invisible disability

by Nicole Gottselig

Headaches, wheezing, skin flushing, and blurred vision—these are just some of the symptoms people with an environmental sensitivity may experience.

Triggered by something as common as vehicle exhaust fumes wafting through the car window in rush hour traffic, these symptoms may take hours or even days to subside.

For the approximately 1 million Canadians diagnosed with environmental sensitivities, symptoms range from mild to disabling.

What are environmental sensitivities?

Although there is no standard definition of environmental sensitivities, it typically describes the variety of adverse symptoms and reactions some people have to perfumes, fabric softeners, dust, vehicle exhaust, molds, and fluorescent lighting, among others.

Environmental sensitivities may develop suddenly after exposure to an isolated environmental incident, or they may develop slowly over time and by more than one cause.

The condition is often misunderstood and commonly believed to be psychosomatic. However, a study from Japan debunked this myth, showing that patients with a condition called multiple chemical sensitivity—an aspect of environmental sensitivities—did not have somatic and psychological symptoms in chemical-free conditions, and symptoms were only experienced when exposed to chemicals.

Common physical symptoms

People with environmental sensitivities may experience any number of the following symptoms:

heightened sense of smell
headaches
difficulty concentrating or remembering
lack of coordination or balance
stuffy nose, blocked ears
coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath
blurred vision
heartburn, nausea, bloating
fatigue, lethargy
joint and muscle pain
rapid or irregular heartbeat
flushing, hives, eczema

What triggers them?

Chemical levels that are considered too low to cause harmful effects to most people may trigger adverse symptoms in someone with environmental sensitivities. Sources that trigger symptoms can be challenging to pinpoint and may vary from person to person.

Common triggers

paints, varnishes, glues
perfumes, personal care products, air fresheners
household cleaning products and detergents
furniture, carpets
vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, wood smoke
molds or bacteria in structures or ventilation systems
fluorescent light bulbs
video display screens
noise

A recognized disability

Disabilities are often thought of as conditions with a physical impairment that we can see. In general, someone with environmental sensitivities may look fine because we can’t see the symptoms. It is, therefore, considered an invisible disability.

The Canadian Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. However, it wasn’t until 2007 that the Canadian Human Rights Commission issued a policy recognizing environmental sensitivities as disability—a victory for those suffering with the condition.

The policy encourages employers to accommodate people with environmental sensitivities with strategies to minimize symptom triggers. Such strategies include passing fragrance-free policies, reducing chemical use, and notifying workers in advance of upcoming remodelling and construction.

Prevent and cope

Individuals, too, can take steps toward a chemical-free living and work space and avoid exposure to triggers (see sidebar).

Once the trigger has been removed, it’s important to cleanse the body of toxins that have accumulated. Several natural approaches may help to eliminate toxins from your system.

Drink plenty of purified water to lower your exposure to water-based contaminants.
Engage in regular physical exercise, which may speed up the elimination of toxins.
Try a regular or infrared sauna to relax and detoxify the body.
Consult your health care practitioner about natural cleansing options with diets, herbs, and supplements.

Additionally, mind-body exercises such as prayer and meditation may ease symptoms and improve quality of life. Adequate sleep, diet, and support from family and friends may also help to cope with uncomfortable symptoms.

If you think you may have environmental sensitivities, it is important to consult your health care practitioner to get the treatment and support you need.

Environmental sensitivities vs. allergies

Although symptoms of environmental sensitivities may appear similar to those of allergies, they are different because only true allergies trigger the immune system to produce antibodies targeted to a specific allergen. For example, when someone with environmental sensitivities is exposed to low levels of the chemical formaldehyde the symptoms may be similar to allergies—hives, red eyes, and runny nose—however, the antibodies are not present in the body.

Where to learn more?

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation offers useful and reader-friendly information and tips for fixing household issues such as humidity, mold, and ventilation. cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/co_001.cfm

The Invisible Disabilities Association of Canada is a nonprofit group that provides support and information to people with environmental sensitivities and other invisible disabilities. nsnet.org/idacan

The Environmental Health Association of Quebec is a nonprofit organization that provides services and support for people with environmental sensitivities. aeha-quebec.ca

The Green Vacation Hub provides tips and accommodation listings for travellers with allergies and environmental sensitivities. greenvacationhub.com

Clean living and working

Here are some helpful tips for reducing environmental irritants at home, at work, and while travelling.

Home

Use scent-free and biodegradable cleaning products.
Use organic gardening methods instead of pesticides.
Avoid plug-in air fresheners or deodorizers; instead try an aromatherapy room mist of lavender, eucalyptus, or peppermint.
Take your shoes off before entering your home to avoid bringing in dirt and possible contaminants.

Work

Use natural, nonflickering light in your workspace.
Situate your workspace away from photocopiers, fax machines, and printers to keep noise and electromagnetic radiation at bay.
Hang up your jacket in a closet that is designated for nonsmokers.
Take short breaks throughout the day to access fresh air.

Travel

Check with your hotel to make sure your accommodation is smoke free and to see if there is an option for fragrance-free cleaning or laundry products in your room.
Ensure the room is not near or above busy urban streets with traffic congestion to avoid vehicle exhaust fumes entering the room.
Bring a supply of immune-boosting supplements such as vitamin C, probiotics, and astragalus to take while you are away, as travelling can be stressful on the body and being rundown may exacerbate symptoms.

About the Author

Nicole Gottselig is a freelance writer in Vancouver.

The BIE method can eliminate all sensitivity symptoms so please let me know if you'd like some help in managing your symptoms.

Cheers!

Sarah

ADD and ADHD Defined

2011-10-08T11:48:00.000-07:00

Find out more about ADD and ADHD here from Coach Poliquin:

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Cheers,

Sarah

Vitalize Your Brain: Essential Supplements for ADHD

2011-10-08T11:44:00.000-07:00

There are many helpful nutritional modifications that can help with the symptoms of ADHD. I am able to muscle test these supplements to determine suitability for your and use my natural, painless method of BIE to help with various other challenges and sensitivities that affect people with ADHD. Please let me know if you have any questions about the article, supplements or other methods that can help bring the body back to homeostasis.

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Cheers,

Sarah Mulaner
(905)483-1024

Going Gluten Free

2011-10-02T17:20:00.000-07:00

We'll start here with Coach Poliquin, more info to come over the next few weeks. If you think you may be gluten-intolerant (you probably are!) then please read on:

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Cheers,

Sarah

Probiotics for Immunity: Options to the Flu Shot

2011-10-02T17:14:00.000-07:00

Now is the time of year when many of us start thinking about ways to improved our immunity. There are many well-documented herbals that can assist with general resistance to illness and that improve immunity and gut health. Click below to read about how probiotics can help:

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Cheers,

Sarah

Tools: How Does Coaching Help with ADD?

2011-09-28T07:33:00.000-07:00

How does coaching help with ADD

When I say ADD most people get a picture in their minds of a hyperactive school boy, climbing the walls and acting out. While most people do know that people with ADHD have hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention, they don’t always know that it can be so much more subtle than that.

ADD shows up in varying degrees, in-fact no two ADD-ers are alike. We don’t all suffer with hyper-activeness, or impulsivity, in fact some of us can be way over at the other end of that energy spectrum. We may be inattentive only, or a combination of symptoms, which makes it sometimes difficult to diagnose ourselves. Also another facet that clouds the facts is that so many of the traits of ADD are common to all of us at one time or another. Have a look here at some of the traits

ADD-ers have problems with;

Sustained focus, organization, time management, self-regulation, procrastination, black & white thinking, perfectionism, impulse control, self-awareness, working memory, short term memory, emotional outbursts.

The fact is- all of us forget from time to time. Or procrastinate, or miss an appointment, or let our paper work pile up. So how do we know when our problems step over that line into an actual disorder?

I like to say you can define it by both degrees and impact.

For example, if you do all of those things just occasionally, and it has little or no impact on your life, career, school or family then I would say that by definition, it’s not a problem. If however you are constantly dealing with these issues and it does impact your life, then it has now stepped across that line into a problem for you.

ADHD can be devastating if it is undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to a whole host of other issues, like; Addiction, depression, failed marriages and careers, money issues, failing grades, lost friendships and low self- esteem. However, if it is properly diagnosed and treated, all of the challenges and traits can be overcome or managed.

When people come to me for coaching, they are usually at the end of their rope, and they’re often in some kind of crisis. Their children may be about to be suspended from school or failing with their grades, or they may be facing the prospect of losing their job. Or maybe they are stuck in a career they hate, and they are just overwhelmed, all the time. They are typically just getting through their day, surviving, rather than thriving. They have often, sadly given up on dreams or goals because it’s too hard to get there and just getting through the day takes up all of their energy.

So how does ADD coaching help? Well unlike talk therapy, coaching is a partnership and generally our focus is on the now and the future, as a coach I use my coaching skills to help to bring self- awareness and self- regulation, and by reflecting back to you what I see and hear, I also give you some accountability, and we work together to make sure that it is set up in a way that works best for you.

We also look at the systems for your life, to find ADD friendly ways to organize your time, stuff and thoughts etc.

We systematically go through your obstacles and find out what’s blocking you and together we find processes to put in place that help eliminate or minimise those obstacles. We also stay in touch in-between sessions to help remind you of your goals, and to tweak here and there when things aren’t working for you.

From a practical stand point, I may help you to set up accommodations at your school or work place that help you to do better. I may help you find ADD friendly systems to organize your time, home or work life, or to make your schedule more predictable. I can help you to find ways to deal with that mountain of paper work, or else we can find ways to change your life so you do not have to procrastinate. In other words we tailor the coaching to fit your specific needs and challenges

I believe in staying flexible about how I coach so that I can respond to my client’s needs, this isn’t common to all life coaching, but this is crucial for ADD clients. This may mean, home visits, tele-coaching, Skype calls, emails and texts or I.M. in-between sessions to help keep you on track.

Coaching has been proven in the last decade to make a considerable difference to ADHD-ers lives. All the experts in the field now know that although medication or other therapies can offer some or a lot of relief, pills don’t teach skills. At the end of the day it’s proven again and again in studies that a multi-modal approach is the key ingredient in order to achieve sustained success.

Multi-modal simply means combining treatments, such as medication and cognitive behaviour therapy, or medication and coaching, or exercise, diet, nutrition and coaching.

Either way the upshot of it all is that what you do about your ADD depends on what you want to get out of life. The more you would like to achieve, the more support you are going to need. Coaching isn’t however a crutch, most clients complete about 3- 6 months before they are able to begin to coach themselves. After that, dropping in for a session only as and when needed.

If you are curious about coaching and would like to learn more to see if it could work for you, most coaches give a free Discovery or consultation/coaching session. That way you can ask all your questions, find out if coaching would really benefit your situation and see if it’s a good fit for you.

Diane O’Reilly ACG is a professional ADHD coach, who trained at the ADDCA coaching academy, NY. She is also a member of the ACO (ADHD coaches organization,) CADDAC (the Canadian centre of ADHD advocacy) and practices in Oakville.

You can find out more about Diane at www.indigotreecoaching.com. 905 599 2485 and e.m diane@indigotreecoaching.com

The Meat and Testosterone Connection

2011-09-20T09:09:00.000-07:00

Over the last number of months I've had many clients asking about the importance of protein intake. Many women don't intake enough, some clients are vegetarian. Please take a look at this article to find out more about the hormonal connection related to meat consumption:

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Cheers,

Sarah

Step-Ups: An Excellent Exercise for Leg Shape

2011-09-10T08:03:00.000-07:00

Coach Poliquin shares a super exercise for functional strength to balance out development for maximum performance.

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Add this in with your regular leg routine and notice excellent changes in your leg shape, strength and stability.

Cheers,

Sarah

ACE Article: Kids in Motion

2011-09-08T07:39:00.000-07:00

Check out this article from ACE to keep your kids fit:

Kids in Motion

By the time they reach high school, 64% of children are no longer physically active. Why?

If your kids fall within this group, you don’t have to sadly shake your head. You can set a good example, be a role model and do the right things so your kids will, too.

Get off the couch and get on a bike with your kids. Introduce them to exercise that’s fun. Eat healthy. Instead of high-calorie foods and snacks, turn to fruits and other healthy foods. And once you get kids moving in the direction of fitness, chances are they’ll keep going for the rest of their lives.

Start ‘em Young

Becoming a healthy adult starts with being a healthy child. Many chronic diseases of adulthood have their beginnings in childhood. For example, it is important for kids to build strong bones, so that by the time they’re in their 20s, their peak bone density will be higher and their risk of osteoporosis will be decreased.

There are also childhood diseases that can easily be prevented by proper diet and physical activity. Children can suffer from diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure—these aren’t just adult ailments.

An hour of physical activity per day is recommended for children. It is also recommended that screen time (TV and computer time) be limited to two hours per day. Children who are fit can avoid the above health problems. They also do better in physical-performance tests. They have a stronger self-image, more self-confidence, less anxiety and stress and they demonstrate greater improvement in skill- and health-related fitness.

When you consider the facts, it makes good sense to encourage physical activity when your children are young. Parents, teachers and fitness professionals all have a role to play. Each can help kids think positively about exercise and motivate them to make regular physical activity a lifetime pursuit.

Mom and Dad Are the Best Motivators

As a parent, it’s up to you to play the biggest part—bigger than a teacher, more important than a fitness professional. Your children look to you for examples on how to talk, dress, act and lead a physically active—or inactive—life.

Set a good example for your kids. Instead of spending the evening in front of the television, find some activity that will keep you moving. In warm weather, bike outdoors. If it’s too cold, get a stationary bike, a treadmill or a trampoline.

And it’s never too late or too early to help your kids build strength and endurance. Push-ups and pull-ups are an excellent way to build upper-body strength. Jungle gyms and monkey bars are great for kids because they utilize their own body weight. And they’re loads of fun.

Make sure your kids have the proper protective equipment, such as helmets and knee, elbow and wrist pads. Also make sure the athletic equipment they’re using is the proper size for them. You wouldn’t want to swing a bat as tall as you, so buy equipment to fit each child.

Keep in mind that kids are not always naturally limber and that their muscles may be tight and vulnerable to injury during the growth spurts that occur during the elementary years. Be sure to include stretching as a part of your fitness activities.

Make sure that you concentrate on the positive aspects of exercise. It’s a chance for a family to be together, to share good times and have fun. Avoid competition, discipline and embarrassment—things that can turn good times into moments of dread. Praise your children for trying. Encourage their interest in other sports and other activities, which will help them take ownership of their fitness.

It’s Really up to You

You can’t tell kids that being active is fun. You have to show them. So take your kids hiking, biking, dancing, sledding, swimming and in-line skating. Skip rope or shoot baskets with them.

Plan outings and activities that involve walking, like a trip to the zoo or the park, a nature trail hike or even a walk through the mall. Remember: If you want your kids to be healthy, happy teens and adults, it’s up to you to do something about it.

Additional Resources

ACE’s Guide to Youth Strength Training DVD
American Council on Exercise—Youth Fitness by Avery Faigenbaum & Wayne Westcott

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Healthy Youth!: www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/physicalactivity/index.htm
American Heart Association—Exercise (Physical Activity) and Children: www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4596

Omega-3′s Reduce Stroke Severity

2011-08-30T14:48:00.000-07:00

Dr. Johnny re-enforces the fact that Omega 3s are very helpful for many health issues.

Omega-3′s Reduce Stroke Severity

Cheers,

Sarah

Wheaties: Breakfast of Champions?

2011-07-25T16:23:00.000-07:00

There are many reasons to choose a protein based breakfast, see the research below for the facts comparing cereal with protein as a start to the day:

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Sarah

DIM: The Cancer Fighter

2011-07-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

See more here:
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Cheers,

Sarah

NSAID's: The Real Truth

2011-07-17T09:21:00.000-07:00

Dr. Robert Silverman shares his knowledge with us at the Poliquin Strength Institure in Rhode Island, June 2011.

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Please ask me about which neutraceuticals might be best for your situation (i.e. post-surgical/post-injury, arthritic inflammation, etc.).

Cheers,

Sarah

Build a Better Beach Body: Part 2

2011-07-03T06:55:00.000-07:00

More tips for best results:

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Sarah

Build a Better Beach Body: Part 1

2011-07-03T06:53:00.000-07:00

Top tips to look your best:

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Sarah

Fish Oil Builds Muscle, Burns Fat!

2011-07-03T06:49:00.000-07:00

Even more reasons to supplement with fish oil:

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Sarah

Breakfast of Champions: New Research

2011-07-03T06:42:00.000-07:00

What does the research have to say about the ideal breakfast? Click here to find out:

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Sarah

The Meat and Nut Breakfast

2011-05-23T13:51:00.000-07:00

Click below to see why this unconventional breakfast is worth trying:

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Cheers,

Sarah

German Body Composition Program

2011-05-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for the fastest way to lost bodyfat, you've come to the right place. Charles Poliquin's German Body Composition program is the source, get ready:

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More details about the program soon, are you curious?

Sarah

Lose 20-60lb or more in 20-60 days!!! hCG WORKS!

2011-04-27T11:29:00.000-07:00

I've recently seen a friend of mine drop 40lb in 6 weeks and I want to help others do the same. I was skeptical when I first heard about the hCG diet, it's a very low calorie diet (VLCD) that helps people who have a large weight loss goal accomplish what they need to in the short term and helps set them up for long term success.

The drops are used for 26 days (lose 20-30lb), 43 days (lose 30-40lb) or up to 60 days in a cycle (lose 35-60lb). This is done in strict adherence to a specific diet based on the work of Dr. Simeons.

Keep in mind, with the Imagine Fitness program you will be supported with regular meetings to accurately track your progress and keep you motivated to stay on track. You'll need support to stick to it, but we can help you and you will see amazing result! Also, injections are NOT required, our program uses sub-lingual drops 6 times per day. Painless, simple and super effective for those who need to see immediate results to stay on track. This program works best for clients who need to lose at least 20lb up to 50lb or more in 60 days (that's only 2 months!).

Check out this link to see what's being said about hCG:

http://youtu.be/3_vzMkD3xzE

The hCG diet is balanced, unlike many extreme "fad" diets out there. It consists of a healthy variety of protein, vegetables and fruit, with a small amount of starch. You eat them in specific portions and combinations as outlined by Dr. Simeons.

Allowed proteins are veal (low grade), beef (95% lean whole cuts), chicken breast (boneless, skinless), crab, crayfish, lobster, shrimp, and any fresh, white-fleshed fish.
Allowed vegetables are asparagus, beet greens, cabbage, celery, chard, chicory greens, cucumber, fennel, green salad, onion, red radishes, spinach, and tomato.
Allowed fruits are apples, strawberries, oranges, and grapefruit. Limited starches include grissini (breadstick) or Melba toast. Vegetarian protein substitutions (may slow weight loss) are a protein shake, soy patty, egg (1 whole + 3 egg whites), cottage cheese or fat-free milk.

What foods are permitted on the hCG diet?

At least 2 litres of water each day.

Tea and black coffee in unlimited quantities are also permitted.

According to Dr. Simeons protocol, only Stevia, Xylitol or saccarin should be used for sweeteners.

In addition to that, 500 calories each day is made up of the following:

Breakfast:

1 grisini or fat free melba toast and choice of 1 fruit (such as apple, orange, 1/2 grapefruit, or 6 large strawberries)

Lunch and Dinner:

100 grams of very low fat beef, veal, chicken, white fish, lobster, or shrimp, and 100 grams of one of the following vegetables - onion, tomato, celery, cucumber, spinach, or green lettuce (there are more protein and vegetable options listed on the actual directions)

Snack:

1 grisini or fat free melba toast and choice of 1 fruit (listed above).

It is ideal to vary your fruit, vegetable and protein sources daily, rather than eat the same foods each meal or each day. It is also recommended to eat your fruit at least 6 hours apart.

If you would like more information about our new hCG program that's supported with our accurate fat loss tracking program please e-mail results@imaginefitness.ca

Cheers!

Sarah

Allergic to Pets? Try BIE!

2011-04-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

Allergic to Pets? Consider BIE

I was recently speaking with a client who mentioned that she would absolutely LOVE to have a pet. A cat, a dog, she wasn’t picky – she has even considered a ferret. I thought maybe she chose not to have one because she worked long hours, or maybe she didn’t want the mess of animal hair. Perhaps she was worried about her new hardwood floors?

I was shocked to hear her say that she “couldn’t” have a pet because of allergies! I’ve had close friends over the years that’ve grudgingly come over to my cat-friendly home, taking their anti-histamines prior to their visit.

There is a great alternative that is 100% natural, painless, quick, no needles, no drugs – it’s called BIE.

I’m a cat person, so naturally I choose to have cats in my home. I’ve recently taken in a foster-cat with her brand new babies, and a few weeks later found a few more kittens looking for a new home outside my in-laws’ house. Come on over…why not? I have the space and a little boy who has had a wonderful experience interacting with newborn kittens.

There have been times in the past where I have been unable to have a pet; when my boy was little and I didn’t have the energy, or when we lived in an apartment and I couldn’t spare the space. Now we have several extra rooms and we love having new furry friends to share our home. Now, our second foster is about to have her kittens, who knows how many!

To think that all of this may not have been possible due of allergies is unthinkable.

Regardless of how long you’ve tolerated your pet allergy symptoms through medication, or whether your symptoms are a new and unwelcome visitor (due to stress, perhaps?), BIE can help.

Living in the basin between Hamilton and Toronto, we are exposed to a staggering number of allergens. There are varying levels of sensitivities from the well-known stuffy nose and watery eyes to the more subtle symptoms of itchy skin, weight gain or sleep disorders.

There are many factors involved in allergies and sensitivities including stress, sleep, environmental exposure and foods. Holistic allergists help clients manage all of these aspects to live symptom free.

Sensitivity testing is done using a non-invasive, painless method called “muscle testing” where the body tells us whether it reacts or not to the specific item being tested.

We can test people of any age: infants, children, adults, the elderly and even animals.

Muscle testing is very accurate and can tell us much about the state of the body. Bio-energetic intolerance elimination (or BIE) is how we “clear” the allergen to allow the body to recognize the allergen and to no longer respond in an allergenic manner. A painless electrical current is applied to various acupuncture points to allow the body to achieve homeostasis where it no longer views the allergen as such and the related symptoms are eliminated. Relief is experienced immediately, no needles, no drugs.

Many of these symptoms can be related to allergies:

Headaches/migraines
Arthritis
Digestive disorders
Fatigue
Memory loss
Constipation/diarrhea
Gas/bloating
Depression/mood swings
Weight gain/inability to lose weight
Learning disabilities/memory loss
Many other symptoms that may not seem to be related

My friend of 20 plus years has seen me for treatment, and her allergy symptoms are gone! The same friend who “couldn’t” have pets is now the proud owner of a Cocker Spaniel, and she loves him!

I’ve recently begun treating pets for their allergies, too. Often pets experience “hot spots”, skin rash/irritation, digestive upset/diarrhea and various other symptoms due to allergies. Our painless testing is done with the pet owner (we need your help) and we can uncover food sensitivities, allergies to grasses, pollens, moulds and much more.

Your pet can’t talk, but BIE is a quick way to determine and eliminate their sensitivities as well. You don’t have to suffer and neither does your pet, let me know if I can help.

Sarah Mulaner is President of Imagine Allergy Free specializing in allergy symptom elimination and hormonal fat loss. She has offices in Oakville and Burlington and is actively involved in volunteering with the Oakville Humane Society. Sarah has been involved in the wellness industry for 20 years and is passionate about helping clients achieve the energy and vitality they deserve. Please visit www.imagineallergyfree.ca, e-mail info@imagineallergyfree.ca or call (905)483-1024 to find out more about her natural allergy symptom elimination and other wellness programs.

Please see additional posts from Brandon Forder at Canadian Pet Connection here:

http://www.canadianpetconnection.com/blog/

What are some good golf exercises?

2011-04-13T17:20:00.000-07:00

Here are some great ideas to improve your golf game:

What are some good golf exercises?

Please ask us if you need help with these exercises, we'd love to show you how to remain injury free and play and even better game of golf!

Sarah

Protein Pancakes

2011-04-13T15:29:00.000-07:00

Poliquin's Protein Pancakes are a great "cheat" meal and a super option for those of you making pancakes for the kids:

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Cheers,

Sarah

Top 10 Reasons EFA's are Essential

2011-03-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Reasons EFA's are Essential by Charles Poliquin, excellent info:

To share

Sarah

The Benefits of Green Tea Supplementation

2011-03-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

There are many benefits to supplementing with green tea including health benefits and fat loss, take a look here:

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Cheers,

Sarah

Benefits of Green Tea Supplementation

2011-03-21T14:31:00.000-07:00

Green tea supplementation is fantastic for many health reasons and for losing bodyfat, check out this article about how it helps:

http://www.charlespoliquin.com/ArticlesMultimedia/Articles/Article/439/The_Benefits_of_Green_Tea_Supplementation.aspx
Yours in good health!

Sarah

Biosignature Basics

2011-01-31T07:08:00.000-08:00

Biosignature Method: Lose Fat, Look Amazing!

Find out how you can improve all areas of your life with Biosignature Analysis. Developed by world-renowned strength coach Charles Poliquin, the Biosignature method is a proven technique based on scientific evidence and over 30 years as an international Olympic and national level strength coach.

About Charles:

Please check out the Imagine Fitness blog as I’ve linked through to many of the articles that pertain to Charles Poliquin and the Biosignature principles.

Your Unique Hormonal Profile: Your Blueprint for Fat Loss!

This method unveils how where your bodyfat is stored indicates your unique hormonal profile and more importantly, how to get rid of that fat! Having worked with hundreds of clients over the past year I have seen 100% of people who try any aspect of Biosignature see the corresponding results.

Biosignature is Non-Invasive, Quick and Accurate!

Using 12 specific sites, your Biosignature Practitioner will determine your current levels of bodyfat and lean muscle. For highest degrees of accuracy, measurements should be done at the same time on the same day of the week. Results are different on a Monday versus a Friday, we suggest Monday to help you avoid over-indulging on the weekend. We use Harpenden Calipers, shown here, which are a medical instrument to ensure maximum accuracy.

Tracking these sites bi-weekly or monthly over the course of 12 weeks we can dramatically improve not only your trouble spots but also your exact levels of bodyfat and your hormonal profile.

Your 12 Week Biosignature Program Includes the Following:

4 measurements to determine your body composition and hormonal profile.
Your specific hormonal recommendations to help you lose bodyfat quickly and effectively
Nutritional recommendations according to the Biosignature guidelines
Supplement recommendations according to your Biosignature results (optional, additional costs will apply).
Accountability in tracking your results over a 12 week period, program may be shortened if faster results are desired.

Lifestyle Factors ALL make a Difference!

The Biosignature approach addresses many lifestyle factors including exercise, diet, sleep, stress and a targeted supplement program that will take the guesswork out of losing bodyfat. By incorporating these simple changes you will lose bodyfat and gain lean muscle, which will give you a leaner, tighter, sexier physique. You will also feel happier and more energetic by balancing your hormones and addressing your specific nutrition and training needs. You have nothing to lose but bodyfat!

Sarah

The 9 Habits of Highly Healthy People

2011-01-31T06:57:00.000-08:00

Johnny Bowden says it best in this great article:

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Yours in optimal health,

Sarah

9 Habits of Highly Healthy People

2010-12-11T15:13:00.000-08:00

Jonny Bowden shares these excellent habits:

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Sarah

Which Protein Powder is the best?

2010-12-10T14:57:00.000-08:00

There are many reasons to consider taking protein powder, the question is, Which one?
Click the link below to see Coach Poliquin's article about the history of protein powder and some really important considerations when choosing your brand:

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Cheers!

Sarah

It's All About Colour!

2010-11-28T11:49:00.000-08:00

Brighten up your grocery cart to up your nutrition:

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Sarah

Holiday Body Comp Rescue

2010-11-28T11:31:00.000-08:00

Coach Poliquin highlights the best ways to avoid gaining weight over the holidays, it's not what you expect!

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Sarah

I can't live without Magnesium!

2010-11-24T15:04:00.000-08:00

It's true, here's why:

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Sarah

Fish Oil: The Best Supplement Ever!

2010-11-24T15:01:00.000-08:00

Have you heard about all of the benefits of fish oil? Read hear to see the highlights:

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Sarah

Supplementing with Vitamin D3

2010-11-24T14:59:00.000-08:00

The list is too long, just take a look at the many, many reasons to add D3 to your supplement protocol:

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Sarah

Why Digestive Enzymes are Really Important

2010-11-24T14:52:00.000-08:00

Coach Poliquin shares his thoughts on digestive enzyme therapy, great info!:

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Sarah

Why You Should Never Trust The Government About Nutrition

2010-11-16T05:11:00.000-08:00

Scary info about what the government recommends and whose interests they have in mind:

Why You Should Never Trust The Government About Nutrition

Please read this info and think about the implications. Remember, cheese isn't good for you, nor is any "dairy"...

Sarah

Photos of Jenn's Bridal Success with Biosignature

2010-11-08T14:43:00.000-08:00

Thank you, Jenn, for sharing your before picture with us. You're beautiful and your body transformation now illustrates how wonderful you are inside and out!

Smokin' after your success with Biosignature's proven method of fat loss!

The way a girl should feel on her wedding day: Fabulous!

Congratulations Jenn!

Weight Loss Goal: Multi Support Needed

2010-11-06T11:58:00.000-07:00

Your efforts will be a bit easier if you support yourself with a quality multi: share
Sarah

What is BIE and How Can it Eliminate ALL Symptoms of Allergy?

2010-10-31T14:44:00.000-07:00

Imagine... Allergy Free, Naturally! Allergy Testing and Elimination

We can clear all symptoms of allergies, no needles, no drugs. Please check our new website later this week, www.imagineallergyfree.ca, for details about this painless treatment, results to expect, all of the benefits you will feel and wonderful testimonials. You deserve to be symptom free, please contact us to book an appointment today.

Biofeedback Analysis Testing

Biofeedback Analysis is a highly effective health screening procedure used to obtain information from the body to determine what is needed in order to heal itself. A particular muscle is isolated and exposed to a specific substance to determine either a positive or negative response. A weakness in the indicator muscles reveals a disruption in the energy flow and therefore the presence of an allergen. An increase of strength in the indicator muscle confirms the body’s ability to process the substances being tested. No needles required. This treatment is quick and painless, many even find it relaxing!

What is an Intolerance/Allergy?

An intolerance refers to a non-immune system response ranging from a minor irritation to an extreme reaction. The substance in which our body reacts to, which is generally non-threatening, is viewed by our body as a threat to our general well being.

A Medical Allergist’s definition of allergy: “a reaction to an otherwise harmless substance, food or environmental, that results in an immune system response”. This reaction consists of the release of histamine, leading to an inflammatory reaction.

A Holistic Allergist has a new definition of allergy: “a bioenergetic counteraction to a given substance which results in a reaction within the body”.

BioEnergetic Intolerance Elimination (BIE)

Bioenergetic pathways allow energetic signals to flow continuously through and around the body. It is through these bioenergetic meridians that the brain and nervous system receive information about the state and functioning of the body as a whole. Modern electro- magnetic imaging technology has confirmed the presence of these pathways. When blockages occur within these pathways, the body is unable to recognize various food or environmental substances. This results in allergy. Many people aren’t aware that allergies are causing many of the symptoms they are suffering with, the average person has over 75 food allergies!

A lightweight state-of-the-art device (GSR-120 BIE Unit) is used to transmit a low electronic frequency directly onto various acupressure points (without the use of needles) on the body to stimulate and clear any blockages in energy. During this procedure, the client is exposed to the allergen’s energetic frequencies produced by the GSR-120 BIE Unit. While the blockages are clearing, the body’s cells are literally being reprogrammed to recognize the allergen’s frequency. When this non-invasive and painless procedure is complete, the body will no longer see the allergen or intolerance as a threat when exposed to it, therefore ceasing to produce any adverse reactions. You can be symptom free, naturally!

I’m pregnant and my children have allergies, can you help us?

Absolutely! We use a different technique that is safe for pregnancy and for children. Don’t suffer, we can help you eliminate all symptoms of allergies quickly, painlessly and safely.

Are there any side effects from the procedure?

When the body has been freed of an intolerance or allergy to which it has been exposed to in the past, any damaged tissues will begin to break down and reabsorb back into the body. The odd headache, sore throat, sinus congestion, tired or lethargic feeling, aches and pains or even nausea are al signs of the body regenerating new cells and cleansing itself. This is known as a “healing crisis”. A healing crisis can start the day after the session up to 3 weeks in some cases and may last from 1 to 28 days. For this reason, many are surprised when the intolerances they have been cleared of are still causing problems. In fact, they may appear to be getting sick. This is actually a good sign, not a bad one. The body is merely re-experiencing the same symptoms, temporarily, as it now returns on the uphill road, throwing off and eliminating toxic wastes. Most people feel wonderful as the symptoms of their allergies disappear.

How long will I be free of any intolerance once I have had it removed?

It requires only 1 to 4 sessions to clear an allergy/intolerance in minutes. Approximately 75% to 80% of intolerances are cleared the first session. However, depending on the degree of intolerance, and stress level of the client, the amount of bodily toxins and the strength of the person’s immune system, the others may require a second, third or, rarely even a fourth session. Once the intolerance in removed, you will most likely never experience symptoms from the same substance again. Stress causes much disease, take care of your body today.

Testimonial

I can’t believe how simple it was to eliminate my headaches that I was plagued with for so many years. L. Cooper-Registered Nurse

Sarah Mulaner is a fitness and wellness professional who has helped clients achieve their health and fitness goals since ’93. She is a registered holistic allergist (RhA) and is passionate about helping clients enjoy optimal, vibrant health.

Please call us to book your appointment, we can help you be symptom free, no needles, no drugs. Imagine...Allergy free, naturally!

info@imagineallergyfree.ca www.imagineallergyfree.ca (905)483-1024

Allergy Symptom Elimination Can Help!

2010-10-28T03:51:00.000-07:00

I've recently earned my designation as a Licensed and Registered Holistic Allergist and I'm SO excited to tell you about the benefits you can experience. I can test you for sensitivities to foods, the environment, chemicals, food additives and much more and clear all symptoms associated with them. I went to see my RhA in August of 2009 just to see what she could do, I didn't have any known "allergies". What she discovered and the benefit I experience was truly helpful, so let me tell you about my experience.

How is the testing done? When we hear the term allergy testing we most often think of the traditional medical approach using a "scratch test" or needles in order to determine allergens or sensitivities. However, food and environmental sensitivity testing is now easier than ever. Using an accurate, non-invasive and painless method of analysis, even children feel comfortable with. I recently took my 7 year-old in for an appointment to clear his allergy symptoms (stuffy nose and constipation) and we found out that he was allergic to dairy ( I knew that just needed confirmation to convince us all to take him off dairy) but surprisingly he was also sensitive to citrus (which he consumed every day as OJ or Five Alive) as well as shellfish (we had no idea). He now has normal BMs for the first time in his life (it's not funny when a little guy has man-size poops!) and his nasal congestion is gone. We used Biofeedback Analysis to do the testing, which is a scientific method to detect sensitivities using one's own muscle strength and the static electricity present in the body. For kids we use surrogate testing, so my boy and I held hands through the test to find his sensitivities.
I didn't consider myself to have allergies and you may not either. If you don't experience the common allergen symptoms such as cough, wheezing, watery itchy red eyes, sneezing or runny nose, you may identify with these other symptoms possibly related to allergies:

Headache or migraines
Arthritis
Digestive disorders
Memory loss
Fatigue
Hemorrhoids
Acne, rash or hives
Constipation or diarrhea
Learning disabilities
Nightly urination
Gas or bloating
Abdominal cramps
Restless sleep or insomnia
Bad breath or body odor
Phobias
Tickle in throat or scratchy throat
Depression or mood swings
Weight gain

How can you be free of your allergy symptoms? With the use of a unique scientific technology, BIE (BioEnergetic Intolerance Elimination) is a proven method for desensitizing Food, Environmental and Chemical sensitivities, literally clearing annoying symptoms within minutes. No needles, no drugs. You can expect the following benefits:

Lose unwanted weight
Increase your tolerance to foods and other environmental substances
Improve Immune system functioning
Eliminate unpleasant symptoms
Increased energy
Enjoy a less restricted lifestyle
Live happier and healthier

I was so happy with my results that I had my family try it and I've now become a licensed practitioner. This method is really amazing and I look forward to helping you clear your allergy symptoms and sensitivities.
Our new office is located within e-Spot at the following address, right off the QEW just north on Trafalgar:

353 Iroquois Shore Road,
Suite 200
Oakville, ON L6H 1M3
Just off QEW at Trafalgar, above Artisano’s Bakery & café.

Please call me at (905)483-1024 to book your appointment. I will be posting testimonials over the next few weeks so watch for that, it's amazing!

Sarah

Bob Guiel Teaches Muscle Testing at PSI

2010-10-19T11:22:00.000-07:00

When I was at the Poliquin Strength Institute earlier this month I had the honour of being taught muscle testing by Bob Guiel. Bob is very passionate about his work and about spreading the amazing word about this accurate method of testing the body for what it wants and needs. In the meantime I've used this method on many friends and clients and we've been blown away at the simplicity and accuracy of this method. Please take a look at the following article for more information about muscle testing:
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Sarah Mulaner

Interesting Facts About Probiotics

2010-10-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

Coach Poliquin's details about supplementing with Probiotics, click here: share

Toxicity Affects Us All

2010-10-04T15:23:00.000-07:00

We had the pleasure of listening to Mark Schauss' very personal experience in dealing with environmental toxicity. Please read this article by Charles Poliquin and look for Mark's book, it's life changing!
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Sarah

What IS Biosignature Modulation?

2010-09-30T16:18:00.000-07:00

Check out this link to ready more:

http://www.charlespoliquin.com/TheBiosignatureMethod.aspx

It's amazing!

Sarah

My Biosignature Results

2010-09-29T17:20:00.000-07:00

I've been looking forward to having my Biosignature done again here in Rhode Island, these are professional practitioners who work with world-class athletes and know how to get the job done! We learned a lot about the most current ways to detoxify estrogen, which is excellent news because we ALL need it.

Last year when Charles did my original Biosignature Analysis, I had the insulin management and carb intolerance sites as my priorities. I did relatively well at doing the dietary adjustments of minimizing carbs and focusing on lean meats, vegetables and minimizing dairy. Did I eliminate grains? No. Should I? Seemingly, because my carb intolerance site is still my number 2 priority. What was number 1? Hamstrings, which is the excess estrogen site. Now, I don't really carry excess weight in my legs, so this is a particularly alarming results. What it indicates is that I potentially have dangerous levels of estrogen accumulating and my body is not ridding itself of it. The recommendation, which I followed immediately, is to take Poly Estro Detox Px along with Resveraltrol. Poly Estro Detox is great for everyone as a preventative because we are all exposed to environmental estrogens through our food, water, air, cosmetics, etc. It contains potent broccoli seed extract (Sulfurophane) along with green tea extract to help detoxification. This is a breakthrough product that kills a few birds with one stone, so it's excellent value and very convenient! One pill contains as much sulfurophane as 4 heads of broccoli so it's very potent as an anti-cancer agent.Why not elicit the body's ability to release it's natural antioxidant cascade with Poly Estro Detox Px? Brilliant!

Can I eliminate dairy from my coffee and grains to see excellent results? I will start tomorrow and give it 2 strict weeks, let's see how we do:). More about Biosignature RI over the next couple of weeks, I have 2 other priorities to address. Check out Clark and I at the end of Biosign RI. Thanks for measuring me Clark!!!!

Cheers!

Sarah

Boston is Beautiful, Rhode Island and PSI

2010-09-26T16:09:00.000-07:00

Wow, I'm finally here! I've been training so hard and prepping for this trip and I'm in the midst of it.. As I was checking in there were guys from Minneapolis, Idaho and Mexico checking in as well. I'm really looking forward to meeting our group tomorrow and hearing their stories.
I left my house at 4am yesterday, made it over the border and was sitting at my gate at Buffalo International airport at 5:45am with a cappucino. Only an hour and fifty minutes early for my flight, but better early than late! I met a lovely girl named Jen on the flight here, Hi, Jen! I hope your business went well in Boston. Now, I thought it would be a good idea to rent a car here in Boston, but have you ever driven in Boston? It's crazy!!! I've had to do a few turnarounds, but it was definitely worth it for the freedom and flexibility.

So I arrived at the Langham Hotel in the Financial District yesterday morning, checked my bags and my car and then headed to Quincy Market and Fanueil Hall. I'll add photos when I get home, but it's beautiful! As we all know, Boston is filled with early American history from the Revolutionary Era, the Civil War, the Abolitionist Movement, etc. I got my fill of historic facts on a walking tour yesterday through parts of the Freedom Trail to see some architecture, graveyards, statues, Boston Common and more. Last night I drove an hour to see Trace Adkins and Toby Keith in concert. Now, I'm a country fan and love these 2 guys, but the crowd was awesome. American country music fans are expert tailgaters, they had bean bag toss games set up, everyone was bar-b-q-ing, drinking beer, and when I got there about an hour before the concert started they had obviously been there for at least a couple of hours!! Experts, for sure. Today I did a quick workout at the surprisingly nice gym at the hotel and then headed out for a 3 hour bus tour. I saw all of the sites through Boston and did a lovely tour through Harvard and MIT over in Cambridge. The next visit to the Poliquin Strength Institute will be when I know where I'm going and where I'd like to spend some time, this time was just a quick tour of everything.

It was a pleasure to go grocery shopping and prepare for the next few days. I dutifully bought fish, chicken and broccoli and only thought about buying wine:). I'm so excited to see the Poliquin Strength Training Institute tomorrow, see the new products and bring it all home to your guys when I see you next week. This is an amazing opportunity, and a privilige to be here, I'm very thankful to be able to do this.

I must say a few words about the cleanse I've done over the last month. I feel extremely healthy, strong and shapely, have trained or done yoga most days and feel very balanced. The thing about training is that it can be exhausting, it's a skill to determine what the best activity is for your energy levels on any given day. As mentioned I've done a fair bit of yoga over the last month, I truly enjoyed Gerald's class on Friday the 24th, thank you so much for that Gerald. This process has helped me be more grounded and peaceful while my training at the gym has ensured that I achieved the body composition change I was looking for over the last 4 weeks. Respect your limits and find balance to achieve optimal results. Hey, my new words of wisdom, "Eat like a bird, train like a beast". Or something like that:).

Finally, being in Boston reminded me that this is where the Boston Marathon is held each May. Wouldn't that be something? Marathons are not the best for those of us who are muscular(that degree of cardio does not support muscle maintenance), but maybe I'll drive in to experience the energy of that weekend. Should I run it? Marathons require a longer attention span that I expect to ever have, so I doubt I'll take that challenge. Maybe one of you should run it and I'll come down for moral support...Adriane???

Sarah

2 Weeks to Rhode Island!!!

2010-09-10T15:01:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Ok, this has been the 3rd week of my nutrition and fitness program, excellent changes in my physique. My weight is steady but I've lost 3 more inches, that's awesome!!! This is what the week has looked like:

Day 11: 25 minutes Cardio, 60 minutes hot yoga
Day 12: Excellent upper body workout including chins, chest flye, lateral raises, concentration curls and, as always, triceps, triceps, triceps. Can you tell what my weak spot is?
Day 13: Spinning 30 minutes
Day 14: Upper Body
Day 15: Hot Yoga 6o minutes
Day 16: Legs
Day 17: Hot Yoga, upper body

So it's looking like 3 upper body workouts, 3 hot yoga classes as well as cardio and legs throughout. So far so good!! FYI my workouts last about 45-60 minutes, no longer. Diet is still quite clean, minimal cheats.

More next week...

Have a great weekend!!

Sarah

Eat Less, Live Longer?

2010-09-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

Eat Less, Live Longer? That’s Right – A Secret of Longevity

Wise word from Dr. Jonny Bowden

Second Week of Cleanse

2010-09-03T08:56:00.000-07:00

Results so far: Down 4 1/2 lb. and 4 inches!

Day 6: Hot Yoga 60 Minutes
Day 7: Upper Body
Day 8: Hot Yoga 60 Minutes
Day 9: Legs (Swings, Split squats, romanian deadlifts, straight leg deadlifts, hamstring curls)
Day 10: Upper Body (Pull-ups both wide and narrow, triceps, triceps, triceps, cable lateral raises, barbell curls, concentration curls, etc.)

You'll notice I've been doing a ton of hot yoga, this is for a purpose right now as I wind down at the end of the summer, enjoying the last relaxing part of the season and focus on myself through this time. I will be ramping up the cardio shortly!

My nutrition program has been pretty solid, but I must mention that I've "cheated" strategically to stay motivated and cycle the carbs. Many meals are fish and broccoli, eggs and spinach and such!

Supplements...the majors are fish oil, fiber, magnesium as well as all my regulars. I'm dying to try the new Poliquin supplement, UberInositol-T! I'll give you the update next week...

Happy Labour Day!

Sarah

First Week of Cleanse

2010-08-27T21:49:00.000-07:00

It`s been 2 days since I started my nutrition program with the goal of losing 10lb and losing 3% bodyfat. I`ve eliminated sugar in every form including sweets and alcohol (obviously!), fruit (for now), certain vegetables (sweet potatoes, potatoes, corn, beets, carrots), dairy as well as coffee and such.
I`ve lost 2lb in 2 day, so I`m happy so far! The workout routine this week has been as follows:

Day 1: Wednesday August 25th Upper Body Weight Workout
Day 2: Thursday August 26th 30 Minute Walk
Day 3: Friday August 27th Hot Yoga 60 Minutes

Continuing with:

Day 4: 30 Minutes Intense Cardio (Arc Trainer)
Legs
Day 5: 30 Minutes Cardio (Inteval training)
Upper Body

So far I`ve been fine, good energy levels, no cravings. Workouts have been strong, I feel amazing! More next week...

Cheers,

Sarah

Is your digestion optimal?

2010-08-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

Talk to Imagine Fitness about taking the HCL test if you have any of the symptoms outlined in this article by Charles Poliquin. You are what you eat, but also what you absorb!

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Pros and Cons of Low Carb Nutrition

2010-08-26T11:42:00.000-07:00

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A few words from Coach Poliquin.

Yesterday I started my fat loss cycle leading up to my trip to Rhode Island to visit the Poliquin Strength Training Institute. Four weeks to go, I'm very excited! I will log weekly updates every Friday to let you know how my program is going.

Sarah, Fit and Fabulous!

Why Women Should Not be Afraid of Gaining Muscle!

2010-08-26T11:35:00.000-07:00

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Check out this great article by Charles Poliquin and give us a call to discuss your Biosignature Profile!

Chin Ups: Do, Do, Do!

2010-07-27T09:30:00.000-07:00

Having abandoned chin-ups for various machines and other options, I've recently gone back to the pure stuff. Here's why: share

Sarah

In-Home Personal Training with Imagine Fitness

2010-07-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

I love my job because every day myself and the trainers who work with me are thanked for helping clients enjoy the benefits of exercise. We hear phrases like, "If you weren't here I would never be doing this workout!" and " I feel so much better now than when we started".

In-home personal training can mean the difference between working out and not training on any given day. Over days, weeks and years this makes a huge difference to your sense of well-being, your energy, your physique and your lifestyle.

Just do it, you'll feel great!

Sarah and Ash

Charles Poliquin's Biosignature Modulation Program

2009-12-30T08:38:00.001-08:00

I recently had the pleasure of taking a course with Charles Poliquin, one of the world's most successful strength coaches. Coach Poliquin has trained Olympic Medalists, NHL, NFL and MLB players as well as National Teams worldwide. I will highlight a few of the concepts taught in this groundbreaking course, I'm eager to spread the word about how biosignature can help you understand your own hormonal profile.
I was one of the privileged few who gained a spot in the recent Biosignature Course held here in Toronto. We could sense the energy, confidence and knowledge that we were about to learn about. Coach Poliquin has been training record holders in 10 different sports for 3 decades with his unique and extremely effective methods. Biosignature Modulation is a non-invasive method of measuring 12 specific skinfold measurements to clarify client's hormonal profile. Practitioners take this information and analyze each client's problem areas. Common issues include increased levels of estrogen/decreased levels of testosterone due to the foods we ingest and the products we use as well as lifestyle issues such as lack of sleep (which makes us fat) and skipping meals.
Biosignature analysis helps to pinpoint each person's priorities at a given time and allows us to address those priorities to maximize gains. This translates into faster fat loss, improved recuperation and better strength gains. If you're ready to take the challenge we would love to discuss with you how Biosignature Modulation can help you achieve the muscle tone, shape and fat loss you've always wanted.

Cheers!

Sarah

ACE’s Kick Start Workout : A Week-by-Week, 3-Month Exercise Program

2009-12-30T08:38:00.000-08:00

ACE’s Kick Start Workout : A Week-by-Week, 3-Month Exercise Program

Here is a basic workout that can be done whether you're at home or away, even if you don't have any equipment! Please let us know if you have any questions about your fitness program, we would love to help!

Sarah

Heaven is Having My Own Personal Chef!

2009-09-28T15:20:00.000-07:00

I've met so many amazing people at all of the events that I've attended over the summer, but one stands out above the rest. Why? Because she could be the solution to my self-induced, bland, simple meals that I usually assemble. Pamela Anderson-Khan of Cheferential Treatment can help take care of those of who who don't have the time, skill or inclination to take care of our palate while we eat "healthy" meals.

Personally I'm happy eating steamed broccoli with poached salmon. I recently had a guest over for dinner and as I served our meal I heard the comment, "I knew we were having this for dinner." A compliment? Not really. Simple, expected, even boring. Hhhmm, what can be done?

I'm a very busy person, and I've become resigned to the fact that I can't cook. I'm not unhappy with my meals, they're usually healthy, but I know they can be a whole lot tastier. Pamela and I were recently at a breakfast event and I was enjoying some scrambled eggs. I said, "Mmmmh, these are so good! What do you think is in here?". Her answer, "Cheese". So something simple added to my usual can make a huge difference in taste! So really, I just don't have the inclination to cook, I'm much happier to be served. Pamela, when are you coming over?

Looking towards the holiday season, I'm considering what to do for the holidays. Should I have a cocktail party with appetizers, a dinner party for some close friends, a romantic dinner for someone special or a dessert party for the girls? Any of these options sounds like a great way to socialize and have some fun. Will I be preparing the food? To everyone's relief, NO! I will be calling Pamela of Cheferential Treatment to help me with menu planning, grocery shopping and food preparation here in my home. Doesn't that sound great? Give her a call at (289)259-6973, e-mail pamela@cheferentialtreatment.com or check out her website at http://www.cheferentialtreatment.com/

Rock Climbing

2009-01-21T09:16:00.001-08:00

Informercial Boy in the Making

2009-01-21T08:52:00.001-08:00

My boy has seen exercise as a part of my lifestyle his entire life. He currently plays lacrosse, it will be his third season this year, as well as skating, Sportball, etc. He could balance on the BOSU at 2 years old, likes to show me his yoga moves and loves boxing videogames.

I caught him on camera experimenting with a few of my tools, and I can see him working up to a video or infomercial in the future. He loves to show his friends what I show him, and I've even stopped in at the school to do a little talk about exercise. When I drop him off at his Sportball program he tells me that he's going in for his workout :) I hope I've set a good example and that he'll consider exercising to be a very important part of a happy life!

Fitness In Fort Lauderdale

2009-01-21T08:33:00.000-08:00

August is a time for fitness pros to relax, reflect and recuperate. Our clients tend to be away, we have the largest international fitness convention to attend in Toronto and we look forward to a "new year" starting for many as we get "back to school". This past year I was lucky enough to head down to Fort Lauderdale...in the middle of a tropical storm! Five windy days watching tumultuous waters and dark clouds, but we still made time to fit fitness in.

Jogging along the beach in Florida is gorgeous, the sand enhances the sense of relaxation, the water is calming. Along the strip in Fort Lauderdale there were many fitness enthusiasts out, including joggers, walkers, roller bladers, people biking and of course, boogie boarders and body surfers. Tropical storm and hurricane weather is great for water sports such as these because the rougher the water the bigger the waves!

Some days we chose to use the fitness centre, but we also got out to run a couple of times as well. The most interestingly dressed person was a fit man in his late forties who we saw joggin 3 times...in a thong! He seemed happy enough, even looked us in the eye and said, "Good morning!". HHHmm! He's gutsier than I am, but good for him!

It's wonderful how recuperative a little sun and sand can be, I think we would all agree that we would have more active lifestyles if we just had more tolerable weather. What better excuse to get away a few times a year? I hope to write soon about a fitness getaway of my own, why not?

Tae Kwon Do

2008-08-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

TaeKwonDo is a great way to teach kids about discipline, respect, strength and patience. My boy did some classes at the Kicks for Kids Oakville location and not only did he love it, but I loved what he learned from it.

Instructors at Kicks for Kids are amazing, and several of the lead instructors are women. I love this because it teaches my boy to listen and respect women, which is a great benefit of martial arts training. He enjoyed learning Korean words, learning the chops and the kicks and especially yelling "Aayaa!" as he executed his movements. Fun stuff!

Another great thing for young "Little Dragons" is that they learn patience, waiting for their turn, quietly. Not so easy for a 3 year old! Watching them let loose on the drills in their little uniforms is one of the cutest things I've ever seen.

Imagine Fitness is running several classes at Kicks for Kids this fall, check out our schedule at http://www.imaginefitness.ca/

Here's my boy earning his green belt:

Cheers,

Sarah

Oakville Half-Marathon 2008

2008-08-08T09:09:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

This summer has been a blur! In June we were out to visit family in Nova Scotia, there is a cute little gym there called "Fit Folks", very maritime-cute! We had a move in July which was absolutely crazy, I've almost recovered. We're now into August and we have our annual fitness conference coming up next weekend. This is a fitness pro's time to get motivated, stay updated and get some new ideas for program design. More about that in next month's blog :) Right now I'd like to talk about what's coming up this fall.

We're kicking off September with a booth at the Oakville Half-Marathon on September 1st. I'll be participating with friends in the 10K run, please e-mail me if you'd like to join us, sarah@oakvillefitness.com This is our way of kicking it into gear after a busy summer, and hopefully setting new goals into the fall. Personally, I'm going to run the Toronto Half on October 19th. That's 10 weeks away, so just long enough to train safely.

If you're not a runner, maybe bootcamp is the way to go this fall. We have an outdoor bootcamp called PT on the Trails which we run at Neyagawa and Upper Middle in Oakville from September 13th to October 25th, 2008. We use bodyweight exercises, calisthenics, etc. to work you hard through this hour-long workout. If you need some help and a bit of a push with your fitness routine, we can help! See details at http://www.imaginefitness.ca/

Enjoy the rest of your summer and we'll see you in the fall!

Cheers,

Sarah

CN Tower Climb and the Fight Against Climate Change

2008-04-28T18:57:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month I joined over 6 thousand people in the CN Tower climb to fight global warming. Many people climbed as early as 6am, but I chose to start at a much more reasonable 10:30am!

This fun event was sold out, which is a fantastic statement about local support for this cause. We raised over a million dollars overall! I hope you can join Imagine Fitness in our climb next year.

When I decided to participate in this event, I picked up David Suzuki's autobiography. I remember watching "The Nature of Things" when I was a kid and finding the show (and the host) so interesting. David is now in his 70's and he looks amazing! I found it disturbing to hear so many stories about the alarming evidence of global warming, with many indications being ignored since the '70's. It's a great read from someone I remember from childhood, and I recommend it as being relevant to the issue we hear so much about: climate change. You see his well-known face on commercials, the side of buses, radio commercials, so let's take those ideas and fight global warming.

If you'd like to support this cause, go to http://www.wwf.ca/ to sponsor me or donate in general, or see www.davidsuzuki.org to see what else you and your family can do. Let's help our environment, which we need to protect both for ourselves and our kids.

Cheers,

Sarah

Fitness & Spa Retreat at White Oaks Spa

2008-03-14T20:29:00.000-07:00

I recently spent some time at a local Niagara resort. I expected a night away, a nice dinner, a comfortable bed. What I found, though, was an absolutely world-class resort with a fantastic ambiance and details I hadn’t before experienced.

We arrived at White Oaks Resort mid-day Saturday and were greeted by exceptionally friendly staff. We had lots of time to peruse the facility and to work out in their state-of-the-art fitness area. The cardio room enjoys lots of natural light, and features both a fireplace and a waterfall that add a feeling of comfort. The equipment is brand new and well-maintained. White Oaks has recently done a $10 Million upgrade to the fitness area, and you can certainly notice! The weight equipment is better than anything I’ve seen, and believe me I’ve been to a lot of fitness facilities! They have all of the toys you’d expect; BOSUs, med balls, cable machines and more. Even more striking is the massive mural in the weight room with gymnasts of years past crawling the walls-very impressive. The décor is modern and luxurious, there are separate rooms for yoga, spinning and the like. The most impressive element is the team training room-it even has a monster truck tire in there for truly functional training. It was a personal trainer’s dream…

I truly enjoy fine dining, I’ve certainly been to a few places not only in Toronto but in New York, Chicago, etc. The restaurant at White Oaks ranks with the best of them! Liv was both comfortable and chic. Our experience was outstanding, the food was utterly amazing and the service couldn’t have been better. When we returned in the morning for breakfast we were delighted in a full menu and delicious selections.

Excellent job White Oaks! We will definitely be returning to experience your spa facilities and treatments and to do another workout or two. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to join us-Keep your eyes peeled on the Events page for our upcoming girls’ weekend away in the Spring of 2008!

Hope to see you there,

Sarah

Bellydancing and Fitness

2007-10-26T14:30:00.000-07:00

Such a beautiful way to celebrate the female body, Bellydance! In speaking with Joharah, owner of BellyUp bellydance studio in Bronte, and exploring her website, I have found that this sensual dance is really an expression of female creativity and sexiness, wonderful! Curves are appreciated, even necessary for this exotic dance, and you move your body in a way that is so new yet so basic.

I recently published an article in a local magazine called "For Her", which is distributed through the Halton Region. It's a quick little blurb about lower body training and a note about personal training. Imagine my pleasure to see Joharah's lovely picture on the opposite page along with her article about bellydance and beautiful bodies. Talk about cross-training! Keep your eyes peeled for this magazine found at doctor's offices, aestheticians & hair salons through the Oakville and Mississauga area to check out both articles.

Please join us on Friday January 21st, 2008 for a Goddess Workshop at BellyUp studio in Bronte. We'll be there from 7-9pm, girlfriends are welcome. It's a girl's night out, everyone is invited! Register with me, Sarah, at sarah@oakvillefitness.com. Only $45 for our workshop, a beverage and a bite to eat, too.

Marrying Friends and Cooking: Paradiso

2007-10-26T14:06:00.000-07:00

Who knew that cooking with friends would be such a pleasure? Paradiso Restaurant in Oakville hosted a wonderful cooking class to teach us how to prepare the "Signature Dishes" of Paradiso. While preparing our cornmeal pizza crust, chopping our tomatoes and pureeing our pesto, my group of friends (who are also clients) and I had a laugh and got to know each other.

We arrived early to check out the scene and make friends with our waiter, Richard, who was super! Sharing our stories over a glass of wine was relaxing, it was so nice to unwind and be social. As everyone arrived, we chose our seats and Chef Franco gave us our aprons and we headed into the kitchen. The first lesson of the day was to get in there and feel the food, work with it, enjoy it. Press the pizza crust, don't be shy! "My girls" and I got to know each other a little bit more, we shared lots of laughs and told a couple of stories. We attracted a fair bit of attention (What? There's nothing wrong with that).

I was familiar with our counter-top, stainless steel, the food processor ( I had bought a new one a couple of weeks earlier), the knives, although we did learn a new way to hold it. But I was there to step out of my element, ADD that olive oil, work over the open flame, which isn't the most natural thing for me. I did it, I even volunteered. The real test, though, came after our wonderful meal. The shrimp bisques was amazing, our pizza was very tasty, the Moroccan chicken was excellent...and onto the Creme Brulee. You do know how that's prepared? With a BLOWTORCH! Anyone who knows me has know that I don't do barbeques, I like the taste, but that cylinder of gas freaks me out. But I jumped right in there with Chef Franco to caramelize the double chocolate (of course, my favorite), the caramel and the tiramisu Creme Brulees. I'm not too bad with a blowtorch...My friends were there to give me some courage, the Chef acted like he'd never heard of such a thing, so on I went, not a problem.

Great conversations, stories, laughs with friends who now know each other and who know a different side of me (their trainer). Thank you so much, ladies, that was fun! We will do it again on Thursday January 17th, 2008 and Chef Franco has designed a lovely "Healthy Choices" menu for us that sounds delicious, of course. Spaces are very limited, so please register with Anita@paradisorestaurant.com

Cheers!

Sarah

KBells

2007-09-23T18:21:00.000-07:00

Alright, I admit it, I'm a bit of a girl sometimes. I do miss the aggression that I had in my younger years, the fire, the drive. Yes, I've softened both in personality and body. And I want to fight back!

When I saw a booth at the recent CanFitPro Conference in Toronto that was offering Kettlebell Training I ran right over. This sounds like a perfect way to get my "mojo" back! I registered right then and there to become a Certified Kettlebell instructor. So I've been quite pumped about this session for the past few weeks. I know how to do it all: how to train with dumbells, barbells, bodyweight, unilaterally, descending sets, compound sets, vary the tempo, the range of motion, blah, blah, blah. Been there, done that, and I need more to get really excited!

In describing the Kettlebell to clients I've been saying, "It's like a steel ball with kindof a purse handle at the top". That kind of describes how I personally have been feeling within my own weight workouts: lame! Now after I've spent the weekend forcing my body to haul this seemingly unsteady weight into wild positions over my head, I have some respect again for what the body is capable of. Teach the body a new position with a new challenge and make it work to stay there, that is the essence of what I learned this weekend.

Now I know that this Russian discipline is about real effort, not just going through the motions. This is a cannonball with a suitcase handle: TOUGH! I finished the weekend feeling confident, powerful, truly strong. I'm ready to train for the next few months to really see what my body is capable of when I put it to the test and train it to capacity. This is not powerlifting, it's functional lifting to create sexy strength and a tight, toned body.

I'm looking forward to the challenge. Thank you Ajamu, for reminding how my body should feel and move, I can't wait to see the results and share this amazing form of training with my clients. I feel pretty good about the Windmill, but look out Turkish Get Up, here I come!

Look for details coming soon to my website http://www.oakvillefitness.com/

Sarah

Clydesdale!?

2007-09-23T17:59:00.000-07:00

In my quest to motivate clients to join my running group, try a running program and eventually get out there and race, I've added some fun runs to my website. We'll run together, maybe carpool, become a bit competitive through the run, encourage each other, grab a bite to eat after the run and talk about how we did. All great stuff!

Perusing the websites about upcoming races, I noticed that there is a Clydesdale category for runners over a certain weight. OK, fine. Maybe I've never been close to this category before, maybe I'm prouder about my accomplishments with running lately, but it struck me as quite unfair that I am almost heavy enough to be a "Clydesdale". Something about the term is not particularly flattering, especially for a woman. If I think about myself I use terms like strong, athletic, fit, healthy, able, powerful, etc. If someone were describing a fit woman, whether it's myself or someone else, we might like them to use terms like sexy, hot, sleek, toned. If I had to choose a term to describe myself while running I'd like to conjure up the image of Black Beauty, unique, exceptional, gorgeous, dreamy, amazing.

I object to the term Clydesdale being used to describe any woman in any capacity. For men it's one thing, maybe even something to be proud of. We women work hard, and as much as we respect the Clydesdale for the work that they do, we do not want to be compared to them in any way. I think the Black Beauty catergory would be just fine, or even Pegasus sounds better. We're feminine and want to be acknowledged as such, thank you very much, so let's think of ourselves in that way regardless of what the scale and others might tell us.

Thanks for reading!

Sarah

Lonely Running

2007-09-18T08:15:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of 2007 I set about determining my goals for the year. One of my fitness goals was to complete a half-marathon, which is 21 kilometres. A reasonable goal for a fitness professional like myself...

I began talking about doing a long run in the fall of '06. As I was chatting with one of the members at the club I was managing I said that I thought that I might try to do a half-marathon. She looked me right in the eye and said, "Stop thinking about it and just do it!". Why not? So overcoming my fear of failure I committed to a training program that week and stepped up the running over the winter. I started saying, "I'm running the half in Ottawa on May 27th". I bought some new gear, started planning my trip, called my aunt who lives in Ottawa to tell her I was coming to visit. I mentioned it to my clients, secretly hoping that someone might join me.

That weekend finally arrived. Conditions were beautiful through the city, it wasn't hot like it had been the previous year. I rose on Sunday morning and headed over to the start/finish line. A staff member at the Running Room had suggested that I bring a long-sleeve T-shirt to keep my warm until race-time and then to throw it down and people would collect them. OK...As I stood there waiting for the horn to blow, I felt proud to be accomplishing a major goal in my adult life. I felt fantastic, I had completed my training totally injury-free, I was prepared physically and mentally. I had my tunes, my belt, the right shorts, shirt, bra, Bodyglide, etc. Gels were packed, so was the water. I was ready. What was missing? Someone to share my triumph with, to enjoy my accomplishment with. It was bitter-sweet noticing that after months of work and prep, everyone else seemed to be standing with their partner or group, laughing, enjoying themselves, and I was fiddling with my shoelaces, killing time before the start of the race.

The rain misted above us, the day was perfect for running. I started slowly, not sure what to expect. I had a smile on my face and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience but one of the nicest moments through that run was when a total stranger noticed that I was looking at my feet and said, "Go Sarah-You're looking great!" Accomplishment is wonderful, but having people there to share that experience with you is even better!

I hope you might choose to join our group in Ottawa this May as we run towards our own goals in the 5K, 10K and half-marathon distances.

Cheers!

Sarah

Chicago Half

2007-09-15T00:51:00.000-07:00

As some of you know, I spent last weekend in the Windy City. Originally planned as a road-trip, it ended up that I flew in solo on Friday to get the weekend started a bit early.

It's exciting to fly anywhere new, and the quick jaunt to Chicago was no different. My goal was to visit a new city and to run the half-marathon on Sunday. Just a bit of time to mis-behave before the big race! I quickly hopped on a speedboat cruise of the river to get an idea of the history of the city and to see the architecture. Did you know that part of Chicago is built on landfill from the fire earlier this century? We had an amateur comedian as our docent so he kept us entertained.

Friday night I joined the rest of the hotel guests in the lobby for a wine reception. What a fantastic idea! I didn't meet them at this point, but apparently there were 15 other guests running on Sunday. I chose the chaise to relax on, put my feet up, go over my tour books. I've read somewhere that you're supposed to elevate your legs before a long run!

My hotel was dog-friendly, which I've only heard of never seen. I only noticed one dog and he was fantastically well-behaved and beautiful so I certainly didn't mind.

Saturday was jam-packed with tourist activities like Millenium Park (The Bean), the Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum, a trolly tour of the city, the Magnificent Mile shopping district, deep-dish pizza....When I go "tourist" I really go at it! Really I was envisioning taking my boy back in a few years so I wanted to see as much as possible. I still don't see how random dots through the sky can create the entire astrological map...

How was the run on Sunday? Easy to get to, a flat course, our start/finish was at the Museum of Science and Industry (which I returned to later that afternoon, as a "tourist"). The run was well-organized and it was a lovely day. OK, maybe a bit hot, but you can't control Mother Nature. I saw my pictures through the marathon-does anybody look normal in those pics or is that just me?

The best view of the city was, without question, from the 96th floor of The John Hancock Building. We were looking down on skyscrapers, so it was a wild view, especially at night.
Tons of big black spiders hanging out on the outside of the building. Who knew?

I found the people of Chicago to be amazingly friendly, helpful, courteous, generous. I would go back in a second. Anybody in for the half in '08?

Thanks to the returning local who shared stories with me over the weekend, I'm so glad we had that time. Mountaineering in Iceland, marathons, triathlons. Maybe in a year or two...

Thanks for reading!

Sarah