Source: sxc.hu

According to yesterday’s Toronto Star article Canadians are fatter, sicker and weaker. Great news especially for my own age group -

The proportion of adults 20 to 39 who had dangerously large waist circumferences quadrupled among males since 1981, to 21 per cent, and rose fivefold among the women, to 31 per cent. (Source: Toronto Star)

To be honest these results should not really come as a shock. Just go and visit your local food court at lunchtime and observe what the majority of people are eating. Mouths are busy devouring the latest offerings from many fast food joints that are there. Those that are trying to eat healthier at a food court are  not exempt – this applies to me. As much as I try to bring my own packed lunch I more often that I would like end up at the food court. I try to pick something healthy, but if I am really honest with myself I end up eating more than what is necessary. Most days after work I do go and workout, but then perhaps I fall into this category – remeber Time magazine’s article on does exercise make you fat?

So, what are Canadians to do to become healthier?

It’s truly a hard call. Are video games and all the modern technologies to be balmed for our excess baggage or does the responsibility lie with us as individuals or perhaps it’s the “not having enough time  to be healthy” excuse? Would employers giving their employees extra time to workout be the solution? Probably not for 90% of people – extra time may just mean extra time at the bar or in front of the television.

I think out of all these thoughts I believe the responsibility of looking after you lies with you. Make the time to look after yourself.

PS: Or maybe we need a campaign like New York’s Department of Health? Watch this video if you drink soda.

When I was five I thought that when I grew up I would be a lawyer during the week and a doctor on the weekend. I obviously hadn’t clued into the fact that most people take the weekends off to relax. Now, I know better.

I sometimes miss my five year-old self, though, because at that age I thought anything was possible. I could dream up weird career combinations that were to me totally realistic. As the years have gone by I have unfortunately lost some of that sense of possibility.

After reading Jennifer Nachshen’s article in the Globe  “Doctor by day; fashion blogger by night” I realized something. I actually haven’t lost all of my five year-old self. Even if no one is reading this blog, this blog is proof that I still believe in dreams and am doing something for me. May sound strange, but it is true.

Possibility is a beautiful thing. Today I challenge you to rediscover some of your childhood dreams or perhaps even do something you used to do only as a child – run as fast as you can, play hopscotch or take one of those hula hoop classes.

A happy you = a healthier person.

PS: Globe commenters – Nachshen’s PhD does make her a doctor!

Flickr: clevercupcakes

In the last 10 years of my life I have spent at least 5 hours per week working out. By my calculations that puts me at 2,600 hours of aerobics classes, boot camps, running, yoga, spinning and many more activities which would be too painful to list.

After reading the recent Time magazine article “Why Exercise Won’t Make You Thin” I was at first slightly peeved and not for the reason that you may think. You see this article which spread like social media wildfire wasn’t exactly news to me. I had realized a long time ago that exercise alone was not going to make me lose weight.

Why won’t exercise alone make you lose weight?

While I did find the article not to be particularly newsworthy I did enjoy the writing and found myself chuckling throughout especially when the author wrote:

“The basic problem is that while it’s true that exercise burns calories and that you must burn calories to lose weight, exercise has another effect: it can stimulate hunger.”

Bingo – The author hit the nail on the head here.

Last year while training for my first marathon I must admit that I thought one of the side effects of the training was going to be weight loss. I was wrong – I was coming home after training runs and stuffing my face with pasta, salt and vinegar chips and anything else I could get my hands on. I thought that the burned calories during training would counteract all the calories I was putting into my body. Wrong again. By the end of the program I had gained weight. That said I was one happy marathoner.

What have I learned?

I think the biggest thing I have learned over the years is that it is a combination of good nutrition and exercise that will make you a happy and healthy person. I believe we should NOT be striving to be ‘thin’ but rather healthy individuals.

Finally, the big question – Why do I exercise?

Simply put because I enjoy it. Life’s to short to do things you don’t love.

Flickr: striatic

Take advantage of the last of the summer weather with a leisurely bike ride on Toronto Island. All you need to do is hop on the finally operating ferry to Centre Island and walk to the bicycle rental shop. There is only one rental place on the island and they are definitely not of the best quality, but they do they trick. You can also bring your own bike to the island. I actually do this bike ride at least once a summer and am always fascinated with the community that lives there and how you can buy a house on the island. Finish the day off with a late lunch at the Rectory café.

Start the weekend off right with a trip to Toronto’s Nike lounge. On a Saturday morning they have an 8:30 a.m. open run and at 10 a.m. they have something called Escape Running which is helping a group train for the Men’s Health Urbanathlon in October. They incorporate a variety of different exercises into their running like plyometrics, hill training and strength. According to Facebook they are open to anyone joining and will leave no one behind!

Looking to mix a bit of exercise with some of Toronto’s culture then the Royal Ontario Museum’s walking tour of Mount Pleasant cemetery is for you. Taking place on August 9^th at 2 p.m. the free 2 hour walk will take you through different parts of the cemetery.

Future workout?

my friend runshorts just blogged about Canada’s first ever stiletto race that will take place on September 11. Check out the blog for details and make sure to register soon as this event is bound to be hot!

I often find that when I start dating someone I end up eating more. I think this has something to do with a lot of dates being centred around food and us going out to dinner which in turn leads to less time for working out. So, sometimes I like to mix things up by doing some fitness-y type dates that allow me to spend time with the person I’m with and fit in some exercise. 

What could you do in Toronto?

1. Take a boxing class at Centre Ring in Davisville — the 60 minute boxing classes are intense and accessible for all fitness levels. The classes include a cardio warm up, strengthening exercises and bag work. I would advise that first dates don’t attempt this class as who really wants to go head to head on a punchbag on the first date? Much better for couples who have been together for a while.
    
2. Rent a pair of bicycles at CyclePath Toronto and head over to the Don Valley Trail for a bike ride which ends up in a romantic picnic. Recommended picnic park: Edward Gardens. 
    
3. Show off your silly side and do something that probably none of your friends have ever done by taking a flying trapeze drop-in class at the Toronto School of Circus Arts. Classes are around $25 per person.
    
4. Register for a learn to climb package at Rock Oasis on Bathurst and Front Street. You’ll get a good workout and learn how to build trust with your partner.
    
5. And finally because I am a runner at heart I would suggest that you and your significant other sign up for a running clinic and train for a race together! You’ll get to spend a lot of time together working towards a common goal and spend time together.