Do I have normal thyroid levels? is a common question that people ask when they are having trouble losing weight. Unfortunately, even when a person exhibits low thyroid symptoms… ..Read More

These are the weight loss tools you will need for healthy natural weight loss. ..Read More

Happy Victoria Day Canada!

Canada celebrates the first long weekend symbolizing the coming of summer today, and the US getting ready to celebrate it next Monday with the Memorial Day holiday. With the realization that summer is almost here, many people are thinking that they’ve failed again to get in shape in time for summer.

With this realization we need to realize that Canada is catching up to the US with the obesity epidemic that is currently plaguing the entire world. With that information, something has to be done!

Health Canada Statistics show that the number of Canadians who are overweight or obese has increased dramatically over the past 25 years.

The proportion of obese children has nearly tripled in the last 25 years. As well, more than half of Canadian children and youth are not active enough for optimal growth and development.

So what are Canada’s ‘fattest’ cities?

St. Catharines, Ontario has been ranked Canada’s fattest city with a whopping 57.3 per cent of its residents overweight, according to an analysis by Statistics Canada commissioned by CTV and The Globe and Mail.

Here are the top 10 fattest Canadian cities:
1. St. Catharines: 57.3 per cent
2. Regina: 56.5
3. Saint John: 56.4
4. Windsor: 52.8
5. London: 53.6
6. Charlottetown: 52.7
7. Saskatoon: 51.9
8. Winnipeg: 51.8

9. Fredericton: 51.8

10. St. John’s: 51.4

Almost half of Canadians have a weight problem, and many of them don’t fully understand the severe health consequences that await them.

If you are overweight or obese, you may be at risk for a wide range of serious diseases and conditions including:

•    hypertension or high blood pressure
•    coronary heart disease
•    Type 2 diabetes
•    stroke
•    gallbladder disease
•    osteoarthritis
•    sleep apnea and other breathing problems
•    some cancers such as breast, colon and endometrial cancer
•    mental health problems, such as low self-esteem and depression.

In rural Canada, the problem is even worse. In rural Saskatchewan more than two of every three adults are overweight.

PEI THE FATTEST

By province, Prince Edward Island is ranked the fattest province, with nearly 60 per cent of adults between the ages of 20 and 64 considered overweight. Newfoundland is second at 58.9 per cent, followed by New Brunswick at 58.3 per cent. Saskatchewan isn’t far behind at 57.9 per cent.

Where do the fittest people live in Canada?

Vancouver has been ranked the lowest out of all Canadian cities, with only 12 per cent of their population suffering from obesity. Way to go Vancouver for being the fittest city in Canada!

The statistics are no doubt shocking, and we know there is a necessity for change. Carrying extra fat around your tummy, bum, or thighs is more than just a nuisance – it’s a serious health hazard for many Canadians.

Read More

Use it… or lose it!

Did you know that more than 90% of retirees in the United States alone get virtually no meaningful exercise?

In addition, more than 50% of these people are totally sedentary (physically inactive).

Unfortunately, because of some common myths, many seniors are not comfortable exercising. Some feel too old or too frail to exercise, while others believe their medical condition prevents them from performing strenuous activity. However, the good news is that a lot of recent studies have shown that exercise need not be strenuous and
seniors of any age can safely exercise and that the benefits of exercise for seniors far outweigh the risks.

Therefore, today, seniors are exercising well into their 80s and 90s, and the fitness experts are developing new ways to welcome seniors into various fitness programs and activities. The key, however, is to understand the difference and your body’s specific needs. Each age group needs a specialized fitness program. Just as a child cannot exercise like a teenager, a senior does not need to exercise the same as a young adult.

Health & fitness benefits in seniors

Staying fit as a senior citizen can be fun and beneficial at the same time and is associated with a variety of mental and physical advantages such as:

Improved skin healing

The body’s ability to heal or regenerate even small skin wounds is one of those things that slow as we age. According to a new study, however, regular exercise by older adults may speed up the wound-healing process by as much as 25 percent.

Enhanced body balance

Developing Good balance is critical element of healthy ageing. It should be remembered that
balance has less to do with strength and everything to do with an elderly person’s ability to get around and live independently. According to research, certain exercises, if done properly and regularly, can help elderly improve their body balance, posture and shape. This naturally results in lesser risk for falls and hip fractures, which are quite common in this age group.

Reduced risk of many old age diseases

Fitness after fifties can help reduce the risk or postpone the development of arthritis (disease of joints), osteoporosis (disease of bones) and heart disease. It keeps heart, lungs, veins and arteries (all of which are involved in supplying oxygen to our muscles) replenished and functioning properly.

Healthy heart and blood vessels

Some of the major benefits of achieving and maintaining fitness in old age include less chances of coronary heart disease, reduced risk of high blood pressure, decreased resting heart rate so that the heart does not need to work as hard to pump the blood into the body.

Diabetes control and prevention

Similarly, performing regular exercise and staying physically active in old age play a significant role in maintaining and normalizing blood sugar levels by improving blood circulation and consuming extra amount of glucose that tends to accumulate in our body. This results in better blood sugar control and also acts as a safety valve against diabetes mellitus.

Improved quality of life

According to several studies, if you are physically fit and active in the old age, you will have improved quality and duration of sleep, improved cognitive function (memory and intelligence) and low risk of depression and anxiety. Performing regular exercise also improves short-term memory and results low risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Finally, while it’s true that as people age, they have to work harder than the young, a lot of the declines that are attribute to ageing may be reversed with proper fitness training. However, while performing various physical activities and workouts, seniors must be well-aware of both the limitations and possibilities of their bodies. Therefore, before starting any exercise program, everyone should have a thorough physical check-up and get the go-ahead from his or her physician. Staying fit as a senior citizen can be fun and beneficial at the same time.

Remember, our bodies are programmed to grow or decay, and staying fit and active tells the body to grow!

..Read More

is 60 gm of cholesterol too much on a protein drink of 25gms ..Read More