fitness adventures around Toronto

Flickr: nOnick

A while back I wrote a post about finding the perfect running shoe charm – more difficult to find than you think! Like many of you I would love to have found a Tiffany running shoe charm, but sadly I have never been able to find one.

Someone wrote me the other day saying that Tiffany used to make one. So, I decided to put on my detective hat (a.k.a. writing to Tiffany customer service) to figure out if such a charm does  or will exist.

Today I heard back and it is sad news.

“Although we do not offer a Running Shoe Charm, we would be glad to help you find a suitable alternative.  Please contact a Tiffany representative at 1-800-265-1251.”

Mmm, are runners being given the cold shoulder here? They make other sports-related charms – tennis raquets, ballet shoe…Why not a running shoe?!

Did you know today is International Women’s Day? I first became aware of International Women’s Day when I was a child living in Turkey. To mark this year’s International Women’s Day I thought I’d give a shout out to the women that have inspired me fitness and health-wise:

• The first one is an easy one for me. My Mom. Over the last few years she has constantly inspired me with her ability to become an incredibly healthy and fit woman. 
• Ms. Run Shorts – an incredible running coach and friend.
• All of Team Green – I could not have run a marathon without any of you. 
• My childhood friends who I went to the Hillside Club with. You name it we did it. 
• The entire team at Core Studio – because of all of you I love Pilates.
• Carla and Myrna Saliba – both have played key roles in introducing running to me.

Brunch at Fressen

For the most part this weekend was the perfect weekend. A couple of great classes at Core, a walk along a sunny Queen West with B, a brunch (or two!), some shopping (thank you Little Honey Bee!) and some drinks with friends. I find there is always one weekend toward the end of winter where you realize that summer is just around the corner – this was the weekend. 

The weekend’s highlight, though, had to be the blogger brunch I went to. For a while now I have been following the adventures of Oh She Glows. A couple of weeks ago she suggested a meet up in Toronto and I decided to put my name down as someone who would be interested in going. I have to admit I was a little nervous. I had never done something like this before – is kind of like going on a group blind date! You are worried about what the other people will be like, if they will like you and what to wear. 

Turns out I had nothing to be worried about. The other 16 ladies (!) who ended up going to this blogger brunch at Fressen were fantastic, interesting and down to earth. It was great to connect with a bunch of women and hear about their stories. Thank you Angela for taking the time to organize this! To get an idea of who I met check out their blogs! I know I’m looking forward to reading them!
 

• Life after bagels
• Julie Boyer
• An Opera Singer in the kitchen
• Kristin nibbles
• Revel
• Training to live
• Happy Go Lucky
• Mediterranean miss
• Stars in the City

 
On a final note, yesterday’s meeting reminded me how good (and healthy for you!) it is to put yourself into new situations. Lululemon really is right – it is good to do one thing a day that scares you.

Its been a while since my last race. To get back into the spirit of racing I have registed for the Nike Runners Lounge Shamrock Shuffle which takes place on March 18. An 8 km race spring race sounds like the perfect way to get back into things. Is not too short, is not too long and best part…it is free to register. I even have signed up B (although he doesn’t know it yet! All part of mt master plan to get him exercising more!)

What do you need to do?

Check out the Lounge’s Facebook fan page. One of the tabs at the top is all about the Shamrock Shuffle. This will contain all the information that you need! They are also running free training runs Thursdays at 6 p.m.

Hope to see you there!

PS: A lot of people are curious about the Nike Runner Lounge it seems. The best way to find out about what they are up to is to go to their Facebook Page or pop by the Nike Store on Bloor.

Another great guest blog post from Jennifer Klein, owner, Secrets from Your Sister!

This month’s blog has been inspired by the sudden and untimely death of Madam Rochette, mother to Joannie Rochette, 2010 Olympic bronze medalist for women’s figure skating.

February is Heart and Stroke Month. Not having heart disease in my family, this foundation was never on my list to donate funds to until I fell upon The Heart Truth.

I was quickly made aware that heart disease, ‘Once considered “a man’s disease,”’ is labelled that no longer. In fact, I read that the number of deaths from heart disease and stroke are virtually the same for men and women in Canada! The website states that more women die of cardiovascular disease than any other condition.

'RUN ' from Shock Absorber offers upper bounce protection

Aptly named, The Heart Truth opened my eyes and showed me a reality I don’t think I will easily forget. Not being one to keep secrets, I decided to donate $2 from every sports bra sale at secrets from your sister for the months February and March to The Heart Truth.

This website offered a few more statistics that I felt were truly shocking, such as, ‘more than half of Canadian women aged 18 and over are overweight or obese.’ To top that off, ‘close to half of women over the age of 12 are physically inactive.’ The Heart Truth states that physical activity is one of the most effective ways to reduce risk of heart disease and stroke. What can we do to help women and girls become more physically active?

In the business of bra fitting the first thing that comes to mind is helping girls and women to invest in a great sports bra! I have heard time and time again how women stopped playing sports or stopped being active because it hurt their breasts, creating great embarrassment and resentment of their bosom. The support they received was not what they needed and it wasn’t possible to run around holding themselves for that extra lift. Nor was it practical to bind themselves with a tensor bandage in order to keep the ladies in place.

Times have changed. Sports bras have evolved. All sizes of breasts can be accommodated from an A cup to a J cup! The innovation and technology are so advanced, that modern sports bras can be a truly engineered project. One thing to keep in mind when shopping for a sports bra, if the bra doesn’t fit, you’re not going to get the support you need.

When shopping for a sports bra it is best to have a fitting, especially if you have a fuller bust or you have felt that you never get the support you want. A fitter will find the right sized bra to fit your exact body dimensions. She will discuss with you your level of activity and what you find comfortable and what you do not. She will ask you to jump up and down, move your arms back and forth and to take a deep breath, all to help you decide which style will best suit your needs.

'BALL' from Shock Absorber - another great supportive sports bra

In my 11 years of business I have always been very strict on the sports bras carried in the store. I prefer to have the best. There have been many sports bras that have been sold in our store but there is one feature of the design that I find essential; the band that goes across the top of the bosom to help reduce the upward bounce factor. Our top-selling bras have always had this design. It is not always just enough to flatten the bosom to the body. The fact is our breasts move in all directions when we exercise and need to be supported all around. If you want the best, look for that top band feature as a starting point.

It’s nice to be healthy and strong. It’s easy to take the stairs rather than the escalator. Short walks are fun and refreshing. Visit The Heart Truth website (www.thehearttruth.ca) to learn more about how you can take charge of your health and care for your heart!

Styles available at secrets from your sister that incorporate the upper bounce protection feature in their design:

Active • Anita Sport • Energiser • Run – NEW • Ball – NEW