Christine Blanchette shares the benefits of joining a running clinic if you’re over 50. Some benefits include safety, support, and accountability.
To the trained eye, your gait and even the soles of your shoes reveal a lot about the condition of your feet. Sheldon Gardner can often tell if your feet hurt by watching you walk, and even by examining the soles of your shoes. This is what you need to know about foot health. “If the treads are worn on the inside of the sole, underneath the toe, it means your foot pronates, or rolls in, when you walk,” says Gardner. “If the bottom of the sole is worn on the outside, it means the person’s foot is most likely supinating, or rolling out.” Halifax-based Gardner has been working as a certified pedorthist since 1996. He calls himself a “foot mechanic” because he is trained to assess a foot’s structural and biomechanical abnormalities and to help correct them. He explains that pronation can lead to arch, ankle, knee, hip and
Meet Karen Graham, a registered dietitian and a certified diabetes educator. Karen shares her tips in how to properly fuel your body. In a Zoom interview Karen explains about healthy eating into their exercise routine. “I think what’s really important is to have regular meals and snacks. So for snacks, you may not want to have snacks, but regular meals and snacks, if you wish, and that’s the basis of your healthy eating and then your exercise, you build in around that. But you still maintain that regularity in terms of the time, because we know that for people who maybe they’re trying to lose weight or just eat healthier, that having a regular schedule is very important. So I think establish your schedule first.” She further explains, “So really it’s, what’s going to work with your schedule. The most important thing is that you build that exercise into your
Meet Leanne Booth, an Urban Poling instructor and avid pole walker. In a phone interview, the BC resident who has Osteoarthritis shared how pole walking improved her quality of life. May is Arthritis and Physical Therapy Month, and Booth is a testimonial in staying active and fit despite having two hip surgeries. She began, “When I had my first hip surgery back in 2011. I joined a walking group and I was walking with my cane, and I started off with a five kilometer walking clinic. And I went through that and I progressed to the 10K walking clinic. And when you’re walking quickly with a cane to try and keep up with everybody, you get this really strange gait. One of these instructors said to me, “Have you ever thought about using poles, the Nordic poles? Because that way, you can keep your balance and then have a regular,
Thinking of taking a wellness Fall/Winter retreat to The Southern Gulf Islands, in B.C.? Before visiting one of the islands on the Salish Sea; Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Salt Spring and Saturna, careful planning is the key to a safe and healthy trip during the pandemic. In an interview, Jacqueline East, general manager of the Southern Gulf Islands Tourism Partnership Society describes her vision by sharing five “know before you go” tips inspired by doing a bit of research in advance. The Southern Gulf Islands, tucked between the mainland coast of British Columbia and Vancouver Island, is known for its unique ecosystems and also known for their wineries, local artists, farm stands, and popular outdoor activities. During the pandemic, Jacqueline noted, “Well, it’s been interesting, lots of our local small businesses have had to innovate and adapt. They don’t see themselves as a typical tourist destination. In some ways the pandemic
‘“No guts, no glory” might be closer to the truth than we realize.’ Not only do the organisms in the gut, known as the gut microbiome, digest the nutrients you need to thrive, but they also ward off infection and help make neurochemicals essential for brain function. When the gut microbiome is balanced, you stay healthy and have a lot of energy. Out of balance and you are prone to health issues from weight gain and brain fog to diabetes and cancer. With so many roles, is it possible to optimize gut function? Emerging research on probiotics shows that these “good” bacteria help boost natural gut flora and provide many benefits for optimal gut health. Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide a range of health benefits by boosting the diversity of the gut microbiome. These microorganisms, usually bacteria or yeast, are different from those found naturally in the human microbiome
In a recent interview with Dr. Taunton, former chief medical officer of the 2010 Olympics talked about how exercise can boost our immune system during COVID-19. He said, “In terms of exercise, that social distance is two meters, the best activities are aerobic so that could be walking, pole (Nordic) walking, cycling, running, golf, cross country skiing, single kayaker. One of the outdoor activities that offer many benefits is Nordic walking. Mandy Shintani, occupational therapist and co-owner Urban Poling and developer of ACTIVATOR poles for older adults and rehab says, “As it is an activity for all ages, it is also an accessible activity that people can do with their children and grandchildren. There are over 260 independent studies listed on PubMed.com on the benefits of Nordic walking.” To help weigh in the many benefits of Nordic walking, Barb Gormley, the owner of CustomFit Personal Training in Toronto, director of