Archive for the ‘Health & Wellness Club’ Category

Bravo!  Félicitation! Edmundston, New Brunswick

Congratulations to the folks in Edmundston, New Brunswick whose “Vivez Mieux” (Live Better) efforts were rewarded with a $100,000 natural playground in the CBC/Radio-Canada’s Live Right Now Campaign.

When we first heard of the CBC's quest to find 'The Live Right Now Capital of Canada" in early January, thousands of Canadians immediately responded.

Communities, large and small, across Canada joined together to improve their overall health and quality of life. They ran, they walked, they worked out, they played games - and they did it together.

What the CBC panel of judges looked for: "The Canadian community that most embodies the spirit of Live Right Now: a community where residents are motivated and supported to make healthier choices."

And the winning team: Edmundston, New Brunswick, who embraced an amazing Vivez Mieux Vivre / Live Better  campaign to get healthy and fit. Citizens of this winning city attended spin and zumba classes, played racket sports, jogged, skated, skied, played  hockey and danced!

Their hearty efforts racked up the points - and they've now won a custom-designed natural playground (valued at more than $100,000) for their home city, compliments of the Canadian Wildlife Federation , Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds and Parks Canada.

For more information on the CBC's campaign to get (and keep) Canadians fit and healthy, visit LiveRightNow.ca.

Hello friends. Though it's still March, we're all dreaming of summer. And if you're anything like me you've started to wonder how you're going to knock off a few extra pounds before putting on your swimsuit at the cottage this summer. Never fear! Our friend Michelle Cederberg, a healthy-living guru, is here to share some awesome tips with us. Read on for her 5 ways to get your beach body ready for the summer.

Michelle shares some tips on how to get your body ready for swimsuit season

It's March, so why am I blogging about methods for getting your beach body ready when most of the country isn't really thinking about summer? My thoughts are still focused on how to combat helmet head and look my best at aprés ski, but I'm also planning for my April destination wedding. I'll be packing my bikini, so I've started on my path to 'bikini-ready-bliss' and I thought I'd share my tactics with you:

1. Up exercise intensity
Do daily short, intense bouts of exercises like stair running, jumping jacks, toe-ups, burpees, and split lunges to boost your metabolism and really burn those calories. Do exercises for one or two minutes each and rotate through for 15 minutes. Work at a level safe for your fitness level but don't be afraid to push yourself a bit out of your comfort zone.

2. Focus on strength
Resistance training helps you burn calories, gain lean muscle mass and tighten up your muscles so they look even more appealing at the beach. A good 'all-over-body' routine is best, but it won't hurt to focus a bit more on your abdominals, arms and shoulders. Strength train your whole body with just 5 exercises twice a week. To view my 'full body 5' video go to www.worklifeenergy.com, enter 'FULLFIVE' into the free dose of energy now keyword box and follow the steps.

3. Chew wisely
Your bikini-ready body is asking for a little food discipline, please. Make an impact on your weight-management by increasing exercise and cutting back on sweets, unhealthy fats, and unnecessary snacks. As much as possible choose fresh fruit, vegetables, brown rice, fish and lean meats instead of processed or pre-packaged food. Notice the difference on your waist-line and your energy levels.

4. Sip smart
We consume a lot of unnecessary calories through the liquids we drink each day so sip smart. Replace sodas and juices with water, and minimize alcohol consumption - at least during the week.

5. Sleep well
Sleep deprivation is a form of stress and if you're always tired you may be holding on to stress related weight. Good sleep will give you better energy through the day, decrease stress and stave off stress-related eating. Get to bed 30 minutes earlier each night. Minimize high-intensity TV or work-related emails before bed so you're not over-stimulated. Create a routine that puts sleep as a priority and feel the difference in mind and body.

Even if you don't have plans to put on a bathing suit any time soon you'll still feel the benefit of taking action with your health and vitality in small steps.

Guest-blogger Michelle Cederberg is a certified speaking professional, Co-Active life coach, health expert and author of Energy Now! Small Steps to an Energetic Life. With a masters in kinesiology, a BA in psychology, and a specialization in health and exercise psychology, Michelle combines mind, body, and practicality to inspire change. Learn more at www.worklifeenergy.com.

I've got a great way you can meet your weight loss new year's resolutions - join Canadian Living's 6-Week Slim-Down. The program started this past Monday, but it's not too late to join so make sure you sign up today.

The Slim-Down program will become your best workout buddy and motivational coach over the next few weeks. Whether your goal is to lose weight, eat better or simply improve your overall health, we’ll help you meet it. The program runs until Tuesday, February 14, 2012.

Join the 6-Week Slim-Down today!

You could win a fantastic prize pack!
Sign up today and you’ll receive a newsletter every Monday morning with your weekly slim down plan chock-full of weight loss tips, the latest nutrition information, expert fitness advice and healthy Tested-Till-Perfect recipes. You’ll get an exclusive extra calorie burning tip with each newsletter!

Plus, everyone who signs up is automatically entered to win one of six prize packs containing a $100 President's Choice gift card, $100 worth of President's Choice Blue Menu products, and one Nike+ SportBand. Each prize pack is valued at $280. You can find more information on the prize packs here.

Also, I'm giving away a suite of 4 health books to a luck winner. Simply tell me if you've signed up for the 6-Week Slim-Down and why. You could win:
• Pilates Practice Companion, by Alycea Ungaro
• Carrots 'N' Cake: Healthy Living One Carrot and Cupcake at a Time, by Tina Haupert
• Eat Your Way to Sexy: Start Losing Weight in Just 7 Days!, by Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.
AND
• The Obvious Diet, by Ed Victor

I'll announce the winner of these 4 books here on Friday Jan 13.

A recent Ipsos Reid research poll reveals that 50 per cent of Canadians consider themselves overweight. Are you one of them?

If you're looking to shed some weight, these weight-loss articles may help you:

• Easy fitness tips for weight loss
• Top nutrition tips for weight loss
• Getting started with weight loss
• 4 ways to set your weight-loss goals
• 5 fitness pros that can help you reach your weight-loss goals

Also, a great way to get your fitness, nutrition and weight-loss goals on track is to join CBC's Live Right Now movement. You can take small daily challenges that will get you closer to meeting your health goals. Plus, you can follow along and see how other Canadians are doing, or share your successes and challenges with others in one of the many groups.

Will you join CBC's Live Right Now movement?

It's easy! Just sign up for Canadian Living's Sexy Boot Camp today!

What is Sexy Boot Camp?
A fresh, sexy new twist on the popular Boot Camp program, the six week Sexy Boot Camp will help you become your strongest, sleekest, sexiest, most sophisticated self in time for Valentine’s Day. The daily program runs until Monday February 14.

Sign up today and starting now you'll receive daily e-newsletters featuring more than 200 tips and ideas for losing those holiday pounds, shaking the winter blahs and getting fit, fab and foxy in time for Valentine's Day. You'll also receive amazing romantic menu ideas.

Sign up here.

Will you sign up?

Waaay back on August 25, I asked you to tell us about your favourite Health & Wellness Club workout and fitness video for a chance to win one of three mini-libraries featuring books from all nine of this year's Read for the Cure authors, including Ian Brown, Margaret Atwood, Linden MacIntyre and more. (For more information, visit readforthecure.ca.)

Congratulations to our winners, Jeanette R., Irene and Kara!

Jeanette R. says:
"I really got a lot out of viewing Boot Camp Workout - Week 2.  The "mountain climber" was just the challenge I needed, as I feel like my workouts have been feeling a little drab lately. This is an excellent video!"

Irene says:
"I love the Boot Camp Workout Video - Week 4 where Pam, the fitness instructor, teaches how we can increase our strength with simple equipment that is not too expensive. Simple exercises with dumb bells, which I already have, are very useful. I could do them even when watching TV."

Kara says:
My favourite video is the Boot Camp Workout - Week 5 video. I really like the wood chop move as it works your whole body and you can feel every one of your muscles working. The videos have definitely helped me tone my muscles and I have discovered many new moves, such as the wood chop, to vary my workout and keep me motivated!

Hey - have you checked out our fab, new Yoga 101 video yet?

Also! Did you know that we'll be running Sexy Boot Camp after the holidays? Starting January 3, it's time to shake those January blues and get your groove back with six weeks of free daily e-mails to inspire you to become your strongest, sexiest, most confident self in time for Valentine's Day.

You'll receive fun daily challenges and make-at-home menus for romantic Saturday night dinners. Plus you'll get great workout tips, style guides and advice for how to heat things up in the bedroom. Yeow! Sign up for the newsletter today!

Canadian Living boasts a library of fab Health & Wellness Club workout and fitness videos that you can use year-round to help you get and stay in shape. You can find all our Health & Wellness Club videos here.

Tell us which of Canadian Living's Health & Wellness Club videos is your favourite for a chance to WIN one of three mini-libraries featuring books from all nine of this year's Read for the Cure authors, including Ian Brown, Margaret Atwood, Linden MacIntyre and more. For more information, visit readforthecure.ca.

You have until Sunday, October 31, to post a comment to let us know which Heath & Wellness Club video is your favourite. I'll announce the winner here on November 11. Good luck!

It's Canada Day eve, time to finish your last-minute party preparations in time to celebrate the nation's birthday tomorrow.

Here are some super-fine articles to help you get ready to kick back, relax, indulge and throw the best Canada Day get-together yet!

Patio party planner's checklist
Get a free printer-friendly checklist of everything you need to plan the best summer party of the year.

Planning a summer bash outdoors? Keep your cool and entertain with ease by ensuring that you've got all the party essentials you need. You won't forget a thing with this printer-friendly checklist to help you ensure everything's accounted for.

6 secrets to creating summer's hottest party playlists
The right soundtrack is essential for planning your family-friendly parties this season. A professional DJ shares expert advice on how to create the best MP3 playlists for your event.

Photo gallery: 10 essentials for an outdoor party
Get your backyard party-ready with these 10 entertaining must-haves.

When summer is in full swing, there's no better way to enjoy it than to host an outdoor party with friends and family. Fire up the barbecue and let the good times roll! But before you sit down to relax with a refreshing cold drink, make sure your backyard is party-ready.

Happy Canada Day!

As a special feature today, we have a guest post from Canadian Living web editor and author of the Green Living column, Daniela Payne:

I think it was around New Years when I resolved not to eat sweets throughout the week. I decided I would allow myself to indulge on the weekends, but throughout the week all cookies, brownies, cake and other tasty delicious goodies were off limits. Tough one, right? Turns out I don’t have much self-restraint. Though I’m good some weeks, others I find myself rubbing my belly after devouring half a dozen of my boyfriend’s mother’s unbelievably tasty brown-eyed orange bars (oh, and you think you could resist this chocolaty orangey temptation?).

I was beating myself up over my weak disposition the other week when the perfect solution came to mind: store all sweets in the freezer. Whenever my boyfriend’s mom drops of a container of cookies, they go straight into the freezer. Or, if I have some leftover dessert from the weekend – in the freezer it goes. You know what? As soon as it goes in there, I don’t ever think about it. As the saying goes: Out of sight, out of mind.

How do you keep your nutrition resolutions or goals on track? Any tips and tricks you follow to make sure you don’t cheat on your diet? Share you tips for a chance to win one of two great DVDs:
• Reebok Cardio Tone: Cardio Bursts and Toning for Maximum Calorie Burn
• Reebok Bootcamp: Explosive Moves & Sculpting for Maximum Fat Burning

You have until July 12 to leave response here. I’ll announce two winners on Tuesday, July 13.

Summer's a time for us to kick back, forget all our worries and relax. But it doesn't mean you should forego all the healthy habits you've worked so hard to develop!

There are lots of ways we can indulge this summer without going overboard. Check out our Health & Fitness Poll Contest and learn great ways to stay fit while entering to WIN handy health & fitness books. And try our BBQ Poll Contest to learn about calorie-wise ways to enjoy the patio season for a chance to WIN a Weber barbecue worth over $700 from The Home Depot.

My favourite way to indulge during the summer without going overboard is with a tasty light beer. Last year, I loved sipping on a Bud Light Lime. This year, I'm loving Molson 67 - it has only 67 calories and it's super-delish!

According a recent summer calorie and drink poll commissioned by Molson Canadian 67, nearly half (49 per cent) of Canadians who have tried to lose weight have broken a diet because they don’t want to give up the foods and drinks they love.

How do you stay healthy during the summer without giving up your favorite foods and drinks?