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Friday, July 2, 2010

In this issue...


What's New for July...

This edition of the SFA Press will feature a variety of enjoyable outdoor activities that you, your friends, and your family can do on a sunny day! Read on for some great ideas that you can implement into your summer plans to help you have fun and 'stayfit' over the month of July.

Evolution Bootcamp Evolution Bootcamp begins its 3rd successful month this July. Take advantage of the fantastic summer weather and get your workout done outside! Burn calories, improve cardiovascular & muscular endurance, build athleticism, all while in an enjoyable group setting of like-minded fitness enthusiasts. To find out more or to register for this awesome conditioning class, contact info@evolutionbootcamp.ca.

StayFitAnywhere will be hosting two free health seminars at the Sunset Community Centre (6810 Main Street). On July 13th, 'Strategies for Pain & Injury Prevention' will be presented at 6pm and on July 20th, 'Fit Over 50' will be featured also at 6 pm. A 3rd seminar, 'Fitness for Seniors' will be hosted at Barclay Manor (1447 Barclay Street), on Tuesday, July 27th at 12:30 pm. To register for any of these exciting and highly informative fitness seminars email info@stayfitanywhere.com.

Body Compositions. Have you ever stepped on a scale and thought to yourself "Hmmmm, I could shed a few pounds." But what does the number on the scale actually mean? Most scales do not provide you with detailed information as to the ratio between body fat and non body fat. Many individuals view this number as the starting point to decrease body weight but that number consists of more than just fat. Come in to our StayFitAnywhere studio @ 1732 Alberni and get educated and tested for free. Find out why sometimes a higher total weight is not necessarily a bad thing. Find out your ratio between muscle and fat. See you soon!

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Highlight of the Month - Greens Organic + Natural Market

StayFitAnywhere is proud to announce our partnership with Greens Organic + Natural Market in Kitsilano. Greens Market was founded by two UBC graduate students with the vision of creating a community oriented grocery store, that is committed to zero waste while buying local foods where possible. Support this sustainable initiative by shopping at Greens Market located on the corner of West Broadway and Maple. Be sure to sign up for their loyalty card and start earning points towards great products and services including a StayFitAnywhere fitness assessment. Visit their website at www.greensmarket.ca.

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Summer Nutrition

EAT WITH THE SEASONS FOR OPTIMUM HEALTH
by: Alicia Woods, MA - Alicia operates a holistic nutritional consulting practice, Blossom, in North Vancouver.

Local food has received a lot of attention in recent years - particularly because of the benefits it can have on our planet. Ethical consumers promote local food as a way to combat the industrialization of our food chain. Meanwhile environmentalists advocate for a reduction in 'food miles', or the distance food travels from farm to plate, in an effort to curb climate change.

But did you know, eating local, seasonal foods can also significantly improve your health?

A diet based on local, seasonal foods will help attune the body to the changing seasons, and the climate where you are living. Eating seasonally can help to enhance immunity and prevent seasonal allergies. Foods available in winter tend to be warming, grounding and help to build the body. In summer, lighter, cooling, foods help the body to move through a natural detoxification cycle. The fields of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, both practiced and studied for thousands of years, advocate for a local seasonal diet as a way to harmonize the body and prevent disease. Buying farm-fresh will also provide you with the highest concentration of nutrients, and ensure that e majority of your diet is whole, natural foods.

Summer is the easiest time to eat fresh, local, seasonal foods in BC, as there is a true abundance of food available. Check out your local farmers market for locally grown salad greens, beet tops, collards, kohlrabi and swiss card - some of the healthiest leafy greens are all in season now! You can also take the kids, or ride your bike, on a tour of local farms and pick up some seasonal goodies along the way! The Vancouver Farmer's Markets run year-round, so include as many seasonal foods as possible in your diet, to improve your health, protect the planet. Visit a farmer's market close to you and support your local food economy!

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SFActs

Basketball can be a fantastic outdoor activity that can be done on a sunny day. This running and jumping sport is an excellent way to burn calories, improve aerobic conditioning, build muscular power & endurance in the lower body, and develop hand-eye coordination. Best of all, it is very inexpensive and requires almost no equipment! Bring your friends and a basketball to any outdoor public court and you are ready to go! Play 1-on-1, 3-on-3 half-court, or a full court 5-on-5 game for 45 minutes, and you are guaranteed a great workout and a lot of fun! Before engaging in this outdoor sport, however, it is important to keep in mind these health & safety concerns:

  • Any individuals with previous injuries or medical conditions should consult their physicians first
  • Make sure that you perform a minimum 5 minute warm-up that includes dynamic stretching of the lower body before playing a game
  • Avoid playing in the peak sun hours of the day. The best time to play on a sunny day is earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. Don't forget to wear sun protection!
  • Stay hydrated! Anybody playing basketball outside on a sunny day will no doubt perspire heavily. Be sure to drink one cup of water every 15 minutes during your play time and 2-3 cups of water after your game.
  • Perform 15 minutes of lower body static stretching after you play. Include stretches for the calfs, hamstrings, quadriceps, hip flexors, hip abductors, and hip adductors.

Want to find more calorie burning activities? Find the complete list by downloading your free copy of the '12 Keys to Fat Loss' ebook at www.stayfitanywhere.com

(Source: Ainsworth BE, Haskell WL, Whitt MC, Irwin ML, Swartz AM, Strath SJ, O'Brien, WL, Bassett DR Jr, Schmitz KH, Emplaincourt PO, Jacobs DR Jr, Leon AS. Compendium of physical activities: an update of activity codes and MET intensities. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000 Sep;32(9 Suppl):S498-504.)

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Eco Fitness

It is officially summer, and the sun should be shining most days. And with the sun shining the question is always what are we going to do today? Well below is a list of answers to that question.

  • Play 2 on 2 basketball
  • Hike a trail on the North Shore http://www.vancouvertrails.com/
  • Go to the beach and play volleyball
  • Head to the park and play tag with your kids
  • Throw a Frisbee, football, baseball, etc
  • Rollerblade around False Creek or any scenic routes you like
  • Play pitch and putt or hit the driving range
  • Doubles tennis anyone?
  • Bike around UBC

The options for outdoor activity in Vancouver are endless. These ideas will get you started, gather a group of friends and get creative! Let me know where you are playing and maybe I will come and join in on the fun, jneumann@stayfitanywhere.com.

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