Excerpt about Wellness Whistler from Piquenewsmagazine
The TW business plan also looks at new areas for growth, including gay tourism, and the health and wellness sector, family travellers, and golf and mountain biking tourists. Scott Carrell, of Affinity Sports, the largest independent equipment renter in Whistler, is encouraged by the plan’s inclusion of health and wellness as a growing market. “I think it is a huge market and I think this town is about health and wellness,” said, who is also on the Tourism Whistler board. Research by TW has shown that 40 per cent of existing visitors have high interest in visiting a spa and 26 per cent of existing visitors would be positively influenced to visit the resort if Whistler developed more spa-specific packages and promotions. Carrell pointed to the number of leaders in their fields in the sector, including personal trainers, dental health, physiotherapy, nutrition, spa, cosmetic and ski care. And, said Carrell, Whistler offers some of the most stunning backgrounds in which to embrace these “wellness opportunities.” “People don’t want to die,” said Carrell. “They want to live longer…. The boomers, they have this wave as they move through society and really I think we have to refresh our product and I think wellness is a big component of that.” Even conferences could be sold with a wellness component, suggested Carrell. “Certainly employers want their employees to be healthier so we could have a wellness program as part of their conference,” he said. “So now we have something more to sell than just the conference centre and just the location and its is something that fits with who we are. “How many people are obese or overweight in the U.S. — 60 per cent of the population. So how big is that opportunity.”
Tips from ediets.com
February 19 Health and Diet Even if you eat a well-balanced diet, taking a multivitamin is good health insurance. The American Medical Association recommends you take a multivitamin every day. Choose a vitamin that contains 100% of the Daily Value of ten vitamins, plus some vitamin K. You need 100% of vitamin A, B-1(thiamin), B-2 (riboflavin), B-3 (niacin), B-6, B-12, C, D, E, folic acid. Fitness Take YOU out to the baaaall game. Here are a few good reasons to pick up the ol’ ball and bat. Softball burns about 400 calories an hour. It sharpens hand to eye coordination, speeds reaction time, relieves stress and instills team spirit. Plus it’s ok to spit and scratch your crotch. February 18 Health and Diet You can go too low. Diets with too few calories set you up for failure in two ways. First, your metabolism will respond to too few calories by sending your body into starvation mode. Second, you cannot maintain starvation for very long. You may lose weight, but you’ll feel weak, suffer from headaches and have difficulty concentrating. The pain is not worth the gain. Fitness If you get shin splints, you can usually take care of them yourself. Apply ice for 20 minutes twice a day. Reduce your walking, jogging or any impact activities then gradually increase your time each week. Cross train with non- and low- impact exercises like swimming, rowing and cycling. Healing time can take 3 to 6 weeks. If your symptoms don’t go away, consult your doctor as it could be something more serious. February 17 Health and Diet Drink your milk. If you prefer nonfat milk, but find it somewhat watery, make it creamier by adding one cup of nonfat dried milk to one quart of nonfat liquid milk. This will improve the texture and increase the protein, calcium, riboflavin and vitamins A and D. If you’re lactose-intolerant, try lactase-fortified milk or soy milk. Yogurt and soy yogurt are also good sources of bone-healthy minerals. Fitness It’s not a good idea to save all your exercise and activity for the weekend. Being a slug during the weekdays and then playing a vigorous game like basketball or doing a strenuous day of yard work on the weekend can increase your risk of heart attack. This is especially true if you have other risk factors for heart disease. It’s a much better strategy to exercise moderately throughout the week. And more fun too. February 16 Health and Diet Set realistic goals. Successful weight loss achievers don’t fit society's definition of thin. When you make goals that are impossible, you set yourself up for failure and disappointment. That’s because even if you do reach that goal, it won’t be permanent. Successful losers set a goal for a weight that's both realistic and maintainable. Fitness It’s like a drug, man. And you need it. Studies show there is a significant DECREASE in self-esteem when people stop exercising. Doing cardiovascular activities or strengthening combined with stretching produce equal INCREASES in self-esteem. And best of all, it’s legal. February 15 Health and Diet February is National Cherry Month. Cherries are a great source of vitamin A, potassium and fiber. They also contain relatively few calories when they are unsweetened. One ½-cup serving contains about 30 calories, 1 gram of fiber, 85 milligrams of potassium and 6 grams of carbohydrate. A serving also counts toward your “5-a-day” servings of fruits and veggies. Fitness Were you born a travelin’ man? If you’re spending the night on the road and want to get the blood pumping, try the following moves in your room: one leg lunges, wall sits, chair dips, crunches, push-ups and back extensions. They’ll stimulate the major muscle groups and give you a quick burst. And it’s cheaper than turning on the vibrating bed. February 14 Health and Diet Make this year’s Valentine’s Day gift heart-healthy. If you give chocolate, make it dark chocolate, not milk chocolate. Dutch researchers indicate that dark chocolate contains four times the amount of catechin antioxidants as black tea (which is thought to be protective against heart disease and possibly cancer due to its antioxidant properties). So, indulge occasionally, but make it dark chocolate. Fitness A little sweat is a good thing, but you don’t want to keel over from heat exhaustion when you’re exercising outdoors in warm weather. Keep the heavy sweats in the drawer. Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing made of absorbent fabrics that wick away sweat. Wear UVA and UVB protection sunscreen with a factor of 15 or higher. Wear a breathable hat. Freeze a plastic bottle half full with water and top it up with water for the workout. And stop if you feel dizzy. February 13 Health and Diet When dining out, make sure you’re not eating two servings. It's easy to consume a meal’s worth of calories before your entrée ever arrives. Eat a small healthy snack before you get to the restaurant to keep you from getting hungry. Ask the waiter to serve the salad before you even order. If no one at the table objects, ask the server not to bring bread to the table until he serves the food. Fitness What’s happening between your legs? You may think that inner thigh work is for girls, but surprisingly the inner thighs are one of the largest and longest muscle groups. Having strong inner thighs will give you more balance in your legs and make them appear larger. Sometimes, size matters. Whistler Wellness is working to find ways to deliver you wellness packages, wellness retreats, wellness resources, wellness information, and wellness products faster, better and more efficiently. Whistler Wellness… creative, connected and concerned about your health
Ear Candling...
What is this you might quite rightly ask?? Why do candles need ears??? Or do ears have candles??? Weird. No,actually, ear candling is a fascinating process whereby, a trained practitioner will place a special wax candle in your ear and light the other end. No, you will not go up in smoke and the fire department do not need to be alerted. This process creates a vacuum and through this it sucks out all sorts of interesting critters and gunk. Usually, your brain is left intact. There is much that has been written about ear candling both positive and negative, but like anything, it is up to you to do the research and see where you go from here. I like to try the more unusual processes, if you never try them. You don’t know what they have to offer and you can only go on heresay. So, I was curious ……what could ear candling do for me??? Should I try it??? Would I regret it??? Those that support ear candling say that it can improve a variety of conditions including: Headaches, ear infections, ringing in the ears, hearing challenges, inner ear pressure, plugged ears, migraines, balance,chronic sinusitis and general ear aches and pains to name but a few things. Of the literature that is written against the modality of ear candling the main concern seems to be burns from the wax candle itself. However, they do produce dripless candles. All things considered I had to try it. So, I lay down on my side, while my practitioner inserted a thin, cone shaped candle in my ear. She then lit one end and let it burn to almost the bottom. During the procedure I felt a low level warmth from the candle and heard all sorts of cracking and popping (maybe my brain was turning into popcorn???). I am one of those women who is very curious….so, I HAD to know and see what was in the candle after the treatment. So, with bated breath, I held the candle and began cutting through it with a pair of scissors. Now, for those of you who are slightly squeamish I will spare you the details of what I beheld. But. Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty and I am sure I could have done lots of gardening with it!!! But, all in all, I did notice a BIG improvement with my hearing – it probably lasted about 4 – 6 weeks and for that I was truly thankful, especially since hearing is not my strongpoint. Contributed by Rhiannon Rees of Nabana Healing Spa © Whistler Question
Post from ediets.com
February 13 Health and Diet When dining out, make sure you’re not eating two servings. It's easy to consume a meal’s worth of calories before your entrée ever arrives. Eat a small healthy snack before you get to the restaurant to keep you from getting hungry. Ask the waiter to serve the salad before you even order. If no one at the table objects, ask the server not to bring bread to the table until he serves the food. Fitness What’s happening between your legs? You may think that inner thigh work is for girls, but surprisingly the inner thighs are one of the largest and longest muscle groups. Having strong inner thighs will give you more balance in your legs and make them appear larger. Sometimes, size matters. February 12 Health and Diet Recent studies indicate soy protein helps lower LDL or bad cholesterol. Soy protein can be a great substitute for people trying to cut back on animal protein. Several studies point to compounds in soy called isoflavones as the real heart-savers. Buy soy products fortified with calcium and vitamin D for best nutrition. Enjoy roasted soy nuts, tempeh, and tofu, soymilk and soy yogurt. Fitness Like you need reasons to take up road cycling! Here are some anyway. You burn about 475 calories per hour. It tightens your butt and leg muscles. It sounds impressive when you say you did 20 miles this morning. Not to mention, you have an excuse to wear Lycra in public.
Tips from ediets.com - February 10 (Heart Month)
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Health experts recommend incorporating activities that strengthen your muscles, tendons and bones. Known as resistance training, this type of exercise is equally important for maintaining good health. Your metabolism functions more efficiently when your body has more lean muscle. Ward off potential osteoporosis by doing weight-bearing exercises like push-ups, pull-ups and wall presses at least 3-4 times a week.
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Remember the five food groups? Well, fitness has 5 groups too: muscle strength, muscle endurance, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility and body composition. To get a balanced athletic body, you need to have a balanced "diet" of exercise. But in this case, it's ok to stretch between meals. | We in Whistler are excited about the start of the Winter Olympics tomorrow. Whistler boosts a very active sporty community and therefore the Olympic games are of interest. There are 8 Canadian athletes who live or train in Whistler that will be at the games in Turin. However, also of interest is the fact that following the games in Turin the Winter Olympics will be coming to our region. The next 4 years will be our time to shine as we get ready to host the world and have the wonderful opportunity of this sporting event being in our back yard in 2010. Go Canada Go!!!
post from ediets.com February 9 Health and Diet An expert panel from the Centers for Disease Control and the American College of Sports Medicine recommend that every U.S. adult burn approximately 200 calories daily (which translates to approximately 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity). It is interesting to realize the recommendation includes short bouts of activity as long as the total equals 30 minutes. The benefits of 30 minutes of physical activity daily include a lower risk of chronic disease and increases in fitness. Fitness Try before you buy. The best piece of exercise equipment to buy is the one you’re going to use. Consider renting something for a month from a store that sells reconditioned equipment so you can test it out. When you ARE ready to buy, check out our company store for some specially priced items for eFitness members. February 8 Health and Diet Portion size counts! Foreign visitors are amazed at the amount of food served in American homes and eateries. Foods adopted from foreign countries like croissants and bagels have grown to double or triple their original size, and the native muffin has ballooned from a standard ounce-and-half to as much as eight ounces today. Read nutritional labels to make sure you’re only consuming one serving. Fitness It’s the meat AND the motion. To lose fat, you need to do more than exercise. With exercise alone, it’s going to be a very long, slow process. It takes about 3,500 calories to lose a pound. You’d have to walk about 44 miles to lose that one pound. So eat less too. Combining exercise with decreasing your caloric intake is going to get you results a lot quicker. February 7 Health and Diet Your metabolism is genetically programmed. However, you can change your metabolism by changing your body composition. Build lean muscle mass through light weight training, and make your body more metabolically active. Muscular people burn more calories sitting still than those with less muscle mass and more body fat. Fitness In this case it’s all about pace. Doing too much too quickly is why weekend warriors become couch potatoes during the week. Start out your exercise program slowly. Walking is one of the easiest ways, but any activity you enjoy will do. Start out with 10 – 15 minutes each day and after a week or two, gradually increase the duration, then the intensity.
Yoga... the retreat your body and mind will love you for.
By Rhiannon Rees for the Whistler Question. © Whistler Question 2006 When I first found out about yoga, it was again one of those things that seemed “tedious”. I mean, where was the “fun”??? So, you hold a pose or stretch for 30 seconds and then you hold another one and so it goes. Oh yeah!! Sign me up for 2 or 3 of those sessions. Sounds fascinating. Wild water rafting or yoga…let me see…let me see….skiing in fresh powder or yoga….hhmmmmmmmmmm. Still can’t decide???? Well, the truth is that we all need a little yoga as well as all of the other stimulating things we love to do. With the types of lives that we lead usually busy and full of distress and eustress (yes stress can be a positive thing!!). We all need a place where we can get in touch with ourselves, heal and focus on just us. Yoga is so much more than just a series of stretches. In India, they even have yoga Universities because they teach the philosophy of yoga and yes, the courses are 4 years long!!! In a world, where we push ourselves to the max and we are constantly bombarded by stimulation (positive and negative) we need a place to heal and restore ourselves. Now, given that all is not fair in this world I have one of those bodies that is thirty something going on 60!!! I am only talking in the stretching department. I am very inflexible. So, when I do my yoga, it is the beginner’s classes over and over. Apparently repetition will help me. ! But, since I have been doing yoga on and off for about the last 5 years, things have changed. I use to go because I was stiff as a board and I wanted to be able to put my heels on the floor when I was doing “downward dog” (one of the more popular stretches). So, in the beginning it was purely a physical thing. But, by the time I came to doing pregnancy yoga (I highly recommend Kashi’s yoga for this) things began to change. Now I went to yoga to feel more calm about the pregnancy. It’s even better now, because when I do a one hour session of yoga once a week, everything seems easier and calmer. It will even feel this way for up to a week and that’s after one hour of yoga??? What else do you know of that can make you feel this good for this long? That’s because yoga in itself is kind of like meditation. It focuses on breathwork and releasing the mind from it’s usual daily clutter. (That’s a big job right there for my mind !!). So, next time you are stressed rather than reaching for chocolate, pills or alcohol or something that is your “usual” crutch, why not try a yoga class??? If nothing else, it really can’t hurt. (Well, as long as you don’t push it to “look” like one of those fabulously lithe and supple yoga bodies.) Remember, if it hurts don’t do it…just breathe and make it deep! Whistler Wellness is committed to sharing information about mind body and spirit. We offer an on-line directory of wellness providers in the Whistler area. You can book your wellness package, retreat, or getaway with our friendly efficient Whistler based reservations team. Check out Whistler Wellness Week – April 29 to May 7, 2006.
Wanna be a football star?
As one of my clients is fond of saying, this weekend sees the coming of “Holy Day” in the sports world. Of course this only truly applies if American football is the thing you are crazy about, but with all it’s hype, big ticket sponsors, rock stars and media attention it is hard to miss Super Bowl. Besides the glory of playing in the actual game, most if not all the players on both sides are viewed as the top in their sport – skillful and physically fit. Since that is the case, I think that the link to the article below is an interesting view of a certain faction of this sport’s athletes: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2313476 (Okay – you will have to had read the article above to understand what I am getting at with the rest of this) What does this article have to do with me you ask? While I cannot vouch for the overall validity of the study done in the article, it does bring to mind an interesting point. Like Reggie, once you have accomplished a goal with no forethought into “what am I going to do next” or had your January resolutions fizzle away, it is easy to forget the immense importance regular physical activity and healthy choices has to the quality and longevity of our lives. Like many athletes around the globe, these guys didn’t learn that overall health is important at all times (and I am not exclusively talking about their bulk, I know many people who to others look “heavy” & unhealthy but are actually very fit) . Aspiring and elite athletes need the same great health markers as the “average Joe” to help them excel at sport, to recover in training and between seasons as well as to help them live a quality life once the competition is done. If your New Year’s Resolution (or Super Bowl goal if you will) narrowly focused on losing a magic number on the weigh scale to “become all you can be”, then you could be setting yourself up to fall into a similar trap as these once greats of the gridiron. You could be missing the magic that is regular physical activity and healthy choices. “Good”, “Great”, “Amazing” fitness & health is not all about going down 4 dress or pants sizes in 4 weeks…it is about the long haul stuff like: * Blood pressure regularly in check * Healthy cholesterol levels * Great energy levels * Decrease in the risk of depression * Increase in self-esteem * Risk reduction of heart disease, certain cancers, adult onset diabetes * Healthy weight management (good body composition)with out the need of the extreme measures of fad diets * Cardiovascular endurance & muscular strength to do all the recreational activities you like or want to try (improved performance) * Improvement in athletic skill level (because you have the endurance, strength, balance and coordination to work on your favourite sports skills to a higher level) * Ability to handle all your activities of daily living * Lessen the risk of injury, especially of the overuse and chronic variety * Reduction of your personal health care costs (and ultimately the costs on the system as a whole) * Decrease in the risk of osteoporosis * Increase in or maintenance of independence as you age Was your New Year’s Resolution in the “extreme lifestyle” range? (I.e. lose 30 lbs in 5 weeks; run a marathon in 2 months with no previous training; drop all carbs, all fats from your diet) If February sees you generally off-kilter…off track…or clear off the radar…the time is now to: P Stop beating yourself up for the slip off the fitness route – it is not the end of the world! It is just a detour. P Sit down, breathe and re-think your goal(s) – three at the most people! P Plan how you are going to attack your goal – what are the steps you are going to take? Who are you going to get to help you (support)? P Roadblocks – you know they happen & most often you know what they are because they have derailed you before, so what are you going to do about them? Think of an action plan to sweep each roadblock out of the way. P Set a timeline that is realistic and appropriate for your goal. For instance, if you are unsure how long it really takes to train for your first marathon consult a local running coach. P Remember: even if your goal is performance based (like running the whole Vancouver Sun Run), that if along the way the proverbial stuff hits the fan, ANY activity is better than no activity, so don’t just quit because you couldn’t get to “the workout for the day”. Remember, the overall big picture or overriding intention of your fitness goals should be the best health & wellness you can give yourself…don’t let your eagerness to attain the goal of the moment sabotage the quality of life that could be waiting for you. Diana Rochon, BPE, CSCS, NCCP, IDEA Elite PFT, Nat’l Strength & Conditioning Assoc. Provincial Director, Director-Dynamic Core Fitness, Whistler, BC - As one of Whistler’s most recognized and sought out conditioning professionals Diana has helped countless people achieve their fitness, health & sport goals. Her thoughts on fitness have been published in Chatelaine, the IDEA Fitness Journal, the Question & Pique Newspapers, as well as on-line at whistlertriclub.ca, sportspecifc.com, whistlerwellness.com & bodybuilding.com. She is a spokesperson for VIEWS (Voices Inspiring Equality for Women in Sports & Physical Activity). Learn more about Dynamic Core Fitness & Diana at www.dynamiccorefitness.ca.
Posts from ediets.com February 6 Health and Diet High-fiber diets reduce health risks, including the incidence of certain cancers, obesity and possibly high blood cholesterol. The American Dietetic Association recommends a daily dose of 20 to 35 grams of fiber. Most Americans are eating only 12 to 17 grams of fiber each day. Choose high-fiber whole grains, whole grain breads and legumes, and whole fruit and vegetables. Fitness Are you effectively hydrating yourself after a workout? You retain 100% of the water you drink from fruit juice, herbal tea and decaffeinated coffee or tea. You retain 50% of the water from caffeinated drinks like coffee and sodas. But 0% of water is retained from alcohol. So forget the post-game beer. February 5 Health and Diet All carbohydrates aren’t created equal. Simple carbohydrates or simple sugars are absorbed into your blood quickly and provide instant energy. They usually contain little fiber or important nutrients. Making simple sugars a regular part of your diet can have health consequences, including weight gain. Go for complex carbs in whole fruit, whole grains and legumes, vegetables and salads. Fitness Wash it down with water. 8 glasses each day will help prevent urinary track infections, kidney stones, reduce your risk of bladder and colon cancer by 50%, and help prevent constipation. And if all that weren’t enough, it may even help you pass up on snacks because it gives you a full feeling. February 4 Health and Diet The best advice for air travel is to pack your lunch. Airport food is unreliable, and you may not be able to find food that fits into your plan. By bringing your own grab bag of goodies, you’ll have a healthy and nutritious meal to tide you over until you get to your destination. Pack a sandwich for starters. Whole fruit and baggies of nuts also travel well. Fitness If you have arthritis, here are some tips for relief. Maintain good posture to equally distribute stress throughout the joints. Don’t overdo it. Arthritis is an inflammatory condition and overuse can cause flare-ups. Use proper muscle groups when lifting, store things at a comfortable level and exercise frequently to prevent muscles and joints from getting stiff. But don’t forget to rest too. February 3 Health and Diet Enjoy fresh or frozen vegetables, depending on your preferences, lifestyle and budget. The nutrient content of raw and cooked veggies is similar, but cooking some vegetables increases the nutrient content over raw. When vegetables are cooked, the body uses minute phytochemicals called antioxidants to repair cell damage caused by “free radicals,” toxic byproducts of normal metabolism and the environment. Fitness Persist at a steady pace and be patient. If you are trying a new activity and are unfamiliar with the skill, take some time to practice. Your body isn’t used to the new movement patterns and needs to adapt neurologically, physiologically and mentally. Getting a good night's sleep and reviewing the new skills in your mind will help the coordination between your mind and body. February 2 Health and Diet The American Heart Association says you can take steps to lower your risk for heart disease. Reduce high blood cholesterol levels. Follow a healthy diet, especially one that is low in total fat, saturated fat and calories. Quit smoking. Lose excess weight, especially around the abdomen. Increase physical activity. Control high blood pressure. Fitness Stop heartburn before it stops you. To avoid heartburn (also known as acid reflux) make sure you workout before dinner and try to eat light meals throughout the day. Don’t eat within 3 hours of bedtime and avoid fatty greasy foods. Well, to be honest, you shouldn’t be eating that junk at ANY time of the day. February 1 Health and Diet Fiber wins favor when it comes to healthful eating. Fiber has no calories and is abundant in foods that are low in fat, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole-grain foods. A high-fiber diet is usually low in fat. By eating foods high in fiber, you'll feel full without consuming unnecessary calories. Fiber also helps lower your risk for heart disease. Fitness Catch some zzzz’s. Getting in your 8 hours of sleep each night supports your immune system, helps you solve problems more creatively and keeps your spirits up. As long as you’re not tossing and turning. Try to keep to a regular schedule, unwind before you hit the sack, and keep the temperature in the bedroom cool. When you’re SLEEPING, that is.
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