Vitality Clinic

Vitality Clinic is a really great company here in Vancouver that offers "Complete wellness under one roof". A great supplement to fitness is wellness and this clinic has it all. From Chiropractic care, to massage, sports therapy, holistic nutrition and more. From their web site:

"Our PURPOSE at Vitality Clinic is to provide optimal care to as many people as possible using the highest ethics, integrity and professional standards. In our individual practices we strive to motivate patients to understand that greater health, improved wellness, and much needed prevention are very much possible. We want to inspire and educate our patients and the community to take action in their own health.

Our MISSION is to help our patients achieve optimal wellness through the entire spectrum of services available at Vitality Clinic. We will give 100% effort, compassion, and individual focus to bring balance to the body and mind so that it can fully express its complete potential.

Our GOAL is to restore health to each individual with whom we come in contact with. We encourage your support in fulfilling our mission and reaching our goal. Help us help others."

Technorati Tags: welnness, fitness, nutrition, vancouver, holistic, chiropractor

Vancouver (Washington) Man Runs the Boston Marathon at 67

Marathon Man - Columbian.com

Marathon No. 289 was decidedly memorable for Jim Scheer, though he would rather forget the experience.

The occasion was the 113th Boston Marathon — which is usually heady stuff for even casual runners.

The trouble was that digestive distress just days before the race left Scheer without the reserve strength usually recommended for a hilly, 26.2-mile jog.

And so, his ninth go at the famous race was by far his slowest.

For five hours the 67-year-old plugged along, unable to enjoy the revelry along the course as he struggled to proceed.

A runner does not finish close to 300 marathon races by quitting at the first sign of discomfort. Still, Scheer's effort on April 20 is a good example of the separation between a casual runner and a driven one.

Scheer said he was so ill he did not want to look at food for several days prior to flying to Boston. But he was not sick enough to consider sitting out his favorite race.

And once he started, he was not about to quit.

Which pretty much sums up Jim Scheer and his road to completing almost 300 marathons.

It is a journey that started on March 13, 1968.

Technorati Tags: marathon, running, fitness, jim scheer, vancouver

Nutritionists

A great supplement to a proper fitness routine, is to have the advice of a nutritionist. Gemma Gath is a very well educated example of a nutritionist. From her web site:

In the world of today we already know two basic things: one, that diets don't help; and, two, weight loss is not the first priority. We want to be healthy, to feel good with ourselves, to prevent future conditions and not to be hostages of pharmaceuticals. To accomplish these two our life style has to change, proper nutrition, regular exercising and, relaxing and interiorizing techniques are the right combination. We, the holistic nutritionist are the providers of proper assessment by means of nutritional evaluations on one to one basis. We works together with fitness professionals, with professional supplement companies, and, when necessary, with naturopaths. My personal philosophy is: Synergy.

You can read more about Gemma and her work here: http://www.myholisticnutritionist.ca/

Technorati Tags: nutritionist, nutrition, holistic, fitness

Walking, Great for your Health

Jamaica Gleaner News - HEALTH & FITNESS: Walking for health's sake - Flair - Monday | April 20, 2009

Personal trainer at Spartan Health Club, Dwight Campbell, says walking as a mode of exercise is suitable for any age group. He also said that while walking may seem to produce low results, it actually has many benefits. "It helps people to de-stress - by burning stress hormones, it is a good cardiovascular workout - beneficial to the heart, and it helps in muscle density and toning - for instance in your calves."

Walking can be done solo or in groups. But since it is a form of exercise, the way you walk should reflect this. "You should walk at least 15 to 20 minutes within your heart-rate zone. If you are healthy, you should be able to achieve at least 90 per cent of your heart rate. To determine your maximum heart rate, subtract your age from 220, said the trainer.

Increase duration

Brisk walking is recommended and, as time progresses, the duration should be increased then intensified, depending on the goal and health of the person. "The body will get used to the stress if continued, so if you started out doing 20 minutes, you can increase to 30 then perhaps to 45 minutes." Campbell also highlighted that inclines provide more of an advantage than level land. One advantage is that they allow persons to burn more calories.

Technorati Tags: fitness, health, walking

Iowa Schools getting fit

Agri News

DECORAH, Iowa -- Brandon Friedlein, a senior at Cedar Ridge High School at Guttenberg, got involved with the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative as a sophomore.

He was awarded a mini-grant from the Food and Farm Coalition, now a part of the initiative, to buy lights for his greenhouse. For his FFA supervised agricultural experience project, Friedlein grows fruits, vegetables and bedding plants, packages garden seeds for retail sale, and sells his produce at the local farmers market. He managed the market until this year, a job he relinquished because he will be attending college.

He got involved in forming a health and wellness committee in his school with school nurse Renae Kraus and family and consumer science teacher Joyce Cherne.

Committee members worked with food service staff to offer a salad bar option as part of the lunch program. They got the school to remove a junk food vending machine and replace it with one that offers vegetables, fruits, bagels, milk and juice. Family and consumer science students stock the machine. The committee also organized a community health fair.

Technorati Tags: fitness, schools, iowa, food, health

Start Walking to a Healthy Lifestyle

Walk your way to better health on National Start! Walking Day | KCBY CBS 11 - News, Weather and Sports - Coos Bay - North Bend, OR - Coos Bay / North Bend, Oregon | Local & Regional News

By Kristina Nelson, KCBY News
COOS BAY, Ore. - Lace up your sneakers and start pounding the pavement, Wednesday is National Start! Walking Day and now is the best time to get your heart going.

Walking and good health go hand in hand.

Deb Lal, Owner of Downtown Health and Fitness in Coos Bay, says walking is one of the best activities you can do for overall cardiovascular health.

Ultimately 30 minutes is the best, but for those who aren't as active, starting out slow is key.

"You definitely want to start where you're at and not where you want to be. You want to increase your distance by ten percent a day or ten percent a week depending on your fitness level," says Lal.

She also recommends getting a sturdy pair of walking shoes and dress in layers, especially if you're walking outdoors.

If its hard for you to get motivated, try walking with a friend or join a group to keep yourself accountable.

"South Coast Striders is a local walking group. They meet at different parks, trails and walking areas. Also, there will be the first annual Women's Health Coalition Walk and Talk on May ninth at Mingus Park," says Lal.

If you don't feel like walking outside, Lal says walking on a treadmill is just as good.

Technorati Tags: health, fitness, walking,

Steady fitness and weight loss tips

Miami Fitness Examiner: Steady fitness and weight loss tips

Helpful, practical and encouraging tips that will help you to stay motivated, focused and realistic about your diet and weight loss intentions.

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Fitness manager says healthy workplace is priority

Boca Raton fitness manager says healthy workplace is priority -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

Donna Everhart, general manager of Boca Raton Life Time Athletic, health spa, cafe and fitness center, said focusing on her team and club members are priorities.

A positive experience is vital for employees and customers, she said.

"I started at the front desk," Everhart said. "Strong mentors helped to coach me and develop me upward."

Everhart has held positions of increasing responsibility since beginning her career about 20 years ago at a fitness club in Tampa. She worked as sales manager and regional sales manger.

She moved to Boca Raton to work at a fitness facility. A year later, that facility was bought by Minnesota-based Life Time Fitness. She oversees 10 department heads and 145 employees.

"Hiring, casting and developing employees is a process," Everhart said.

She observes how employees interact with one another and with club members. She encourages employees to help where needed: from keeping the place tidy to stepping into a job to assist another employee.

"We have to be perfect all the time," Everhart said. "You can't miss a beat because that member experience is the business."

When at work, Everhart said, she is immersed in her daily goals: creating a positive environment and earning the respect of her employees.

The yardstick by which Everhart measures her success is the same one the company uses: artistry. It's about defining the operation's foundation: financial details, teamwork and retaining members — she said.

The company recognizes general managers and their employees, with its "Artistry" award, which travels from location to location annually. "Our goal is to win it again," Everhart said. Winners are admired across all units of the company, she said. "That award means a great deal to each of us."

The fitness spa offers a variety of services to members. They can eat at the cafe, shop for workout clothing and gifts or get a facial. They can hire a nutritionist or a personal trainer to customize their exercise programs.

Other amenities include two pools and courts for basketball, racquetball and tennis.

Community outreach, such as participating in cancer awareness activities, helps the company brand itself and promote healthy lifestyles. It encourages employees to take on assignments beyond their jobs and increases the company's exposure.

Everhart said managing is not an event or a project but a process. "Don't jump the gun to fill a gap," she said. "Take your time."

Technorati Tags: fitness, workplace, healthy employees, respect

Moon Walk for Breast Cancer

MONMOUTH TODAY | SPORT | Focussed Fitness moon walk

Last year, a small team from Monmouth’s Focussed Fitness Health Club did the MoonWalk in London and raised more than £600 to help beat breast cancer.
This year, the challenge is the SunWalk in Bristol, and they want the group to be much bigger! They already have 9 girls looking forward to “walking on sunshine” in Bristol on Sunday, 5th July.
Come and join them! They’ve decided to take on the challenge of a Half Marathon with an expected finishing time between 3 to 4 hours.
Two fitness instructors from Focussed Fitness will be with you throughout to look after and help you whenever you need it. The Club will also organize training sessions, so if the weather is bad you can use the club for training completely free of charge!
So bring your friends and family members along and drop into the Club for admission forms and more details. They’re at 15 Church Street, Monmouth (tel. 01600 772223). We urge you to give it a try – you can have fun and make a difference!

Technorati Tags: fitness, moon walk, breast cancer,

Organic Foods - Reduce Your Chemical Intake

7 foods to reduce your chemical intake

At long last, organic eating is proving to be more than another health-food fad.

For those who embraced "organic" long before it was a catchphrase, this is welcome news.

More people are seeking the organic label because they want to eat the way nature intended, without all of the fillers and pesticides.

Organically grown fruits, grains and veggies are not doused with bug sprays, synthetic fertilizers, anti-fungal treatments or radiation - and they're not genetically modified. Organic meat, eggs and dairy products come from more humanely raised animals that haven't been pumped full of antibiotics or growth hormones.

According to the Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org), a non-profit environmental-research organization, "There is growing consensus in the scientific community that small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can adversely affect people, especially during vulnerable periods of fetal development and childhood when exposures can have long-lasting effects. Although washing and rinsing fresh produce may reduce levels of some pesticides, it does not eliminate them.

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