Mind & Spirit

Family wellness makeover: Month 10

Family wellness makeover: Month 10

Author: Canadian Living

Mind & Spirit

Family wellness makeover: Month 10

It's month 10 of the yearlong Morfidis family health makeover. Here's an update on the progress of Despina and George and their daughters, Ria and Stefi.

Despina broke through her three-month weight plateau and posted a 6.2-pound weight loss this month -- despite having to change her exercise regime after incurring a serious knee injury mid-month.

What became clear was how important eating habits -- not just exercise -- are to weight loss. She'd been eating healthily, but now she monitors portion size and food choices (she has reduced her intake of higher starch fruits and vegetables such as honeydew melon, carrots and sweet potatoes).

The ski injury (she tore the medial collateral ligament inside the knee when she fell) put her into a full leg brace, which sidelined her from doing weight-bearing cardio workouts for a few weeks. But since the protective cast is full range-of-motion, she can bend her knee, so she started riding the stationary bike for 20 to 30 minutes three times a week. She's also still doing weights with fitness coach Sue Forest three times a week.

George also broke through his weight plateau with a six-pound weight loss by following Despina's lead and measuring and weighing food to better control the amount he eats. He increased the weights he lifts as he prepares for a new goal: to increase his muscle mass.

Ria, 14, started a new school semester prepared time-wise to manage four new subjects – she's writing assignments and tests on a large wall calendar in order to plan and give herself the time she needs to prepare for them.

Stefi, 11, kept up with her heavy training schedule in preparation for her gymnastics competition next month – she continued going to gymnastics three times a week and started doing flexibility and strength exercises at home as well.

Read about this family's wellness journey with Canadian Living magazine and a dream team of coaches.

Page 1 of 1

Comments

Share X
Mind & Spirit

Family wellness makeover: Month 10

Login