Community News
Beware of Crash Diets!

A tabloid reads, “Grapefruit diet’s key to losing 20 lbs. quick!” Sure, eat only grapefruit and your body weight will likely drop. The decrease you see on your scale compromises lean muscle, smooth muscle, water, bone, and body fat. The muscle you lose is one of the best tools you have for burning body fat. When you get sick of the grapefruit and return to normal eating, your body weight will likely rebound higher because your energy requirements have lowered by decreased muscle mass. Crash diets don’t work. Beware of “lose weight quick” scams. The best way to decrease your body fat is with a combination of exercise and a balanced diet. Incorporate lean protein in your diet to maintain your muscle mass while decreasing body fat. Body composition is comprised of 75% from what you eat and 25% from your exercise regimen. You cannot out exercise a bad diet.

Todd Dennis, www.northstrongfitness.com

Thai Foot Massage/Reflexology

Thai Foot Massage/Reflexology

Thai Foot Massage/Reflexology is a treatment for lower legs and feet that originated in Thailand about 2000 years ago. This therapy utilizes stretching, massage, thumb-walking, and the use of a wooden stick to stimulate reflex points. Thai foot massage restores balance to the body/mind through reflexes of the feet and lower legs that are linked to the body’s 72,000 energy meridians (sen). Reported benefits include: improved circulation in legs, lymphatic drainage, removal of toxins, elevated functioning of the immune system, and reduced stiffness. Additional outcomes are: improved flexibility, relief from stress, and improved sleep. Thai foot massage doesn’t cure illnesses, but it promotes good health. Thai Foot Massage is intended to stimulate reflex points of the feet, the internal organs, and encourage free flow of energy throughout the body. If you would like to balance and harmonize the flow of energy throughout your body and stimulate the internal organs, then Thai Foot Massage/Reflexology is for you!

Rositha Jeanson, www.rositha.ca

What’s Your Third Option?

Making choices can be stressful. We weigh the pros and cons of both options and analyze them from all angles, waiting for clarity to emerge. Only, sometimes, it doesn’t. The only thing that emerges is a gnawing feeling of frustration from our inability to choose. This frustration is our sign that neither choice is the right one. They either don’t completely align with our values, or they make us feel like we are settling or taking an unnecessary risk. Unfortunately, we become so emotionally invested in our initial process that we fail to realize we always have a third option. This third option requires a fresh perspective, so take a step back, and get in touch with your core values to determine which one has been keeping you from moving forward. Your choice will soon become clear.

Brent Tocher, chooseauthenticity.ca

Knitting for Prevention of Alzheimer’s

A recent study at the Mayo Clinic found that learning to knit or crochet later in life as a cognitive exercise can reduce or delay the symptoms of Alzheimer’s by 30-50%. Learning new techniques together with hand-eye coordination builds neural networks that are very important in the prevention of Alzheimer’s. For those recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, learning to knit and crochet can be very helpful because of the repetitive motion so that the individual can remember how to create the stitches as the cognitive memory begins to fail. Learning to knit or crochet with a parent that has symptoms of this disease can also provide a way to communicate and connect as symptoms worsen. Keeping the hands busy while knitting or crocheting can help calm those experiencing Alzheimer’s and also give them a sense of purpose as they create projects.

Connie Harvey, www.theknit2scrap2store.com

Leave Your Stress Behind

Stress has a profound effect on the body and its ability to heal and function at an optimal level. When an individual experiences ongoing stress, it can overload the energetic circuits of the body, causing them to fail or be severely compromised. This is just like plugging in too many appliances into an outlet and tripping a circuit breaker in your home. The blown fuse must be reset. Often times the body cannot reset these blown circuits on its own, so the body then must continue to function in a less than ideal state. This ultimately leads to degeneration, illness, and pain in the body. This is a sign that your body is simply falling behind in the healing process. Stress-related illnesses include, but are not limited to: high blood pressure and heart rate, digestive disorders, hormone and endocrine imbalances, fatigue, infertility issues, and all manner of immune system disorders.

Robin Chant, www.robinchant.com

Acupuncture for Lungs

There are several theories about why acupuncture may help treat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD. Acupuncture is based on the principle of oriental medicine that believes in a holistic approach towards the treatment of all health problems. Acupuncture helps clear the body’s energy or qi and allows for its natural flow to helps prevent illnesses and disease. Experts believe that acupuncture improves the homeostasis or stability in the body. As a result of the acupuncture treatment, patients experience better circulation as the flow of blood and oxygen to the lungs is encouraged. What acupuncture also does is relax the muscles around the back and the chest. This helps open up the lungs and airways and reduces shortness of breath and other breathing difficulties. Doctors believe that the benefits of acupuncture are consistent with what is being attempted by other conventional treatments for COPD such as breathing exercises and relaxation techniques.

Dr. Li Lin, www.brandon-acupuncture.com

Early Intervention Is Critical

Research demonstrates that early detection and immediate intervention, seeking treatment and advice in the initial 48 hours post injury, is essential in minimizing the duration and severity of a sprain or strain and assists in a full and complete recovery. Sprains, strains, tears and bruises affect muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints (the soft tissues of the body). A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments (the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect two bones together in the joints). The most common location for a sprain is in the ankle. A strain is a stretching or tearing of muscles or tendons. A tendon is a fibrous cord of tissue that connects muscles to bones. Given that these injuries involve different tissues, it is critical that a proper diagnosis is secured since treatments vary depending on the diagnosis. If you are injured, it is wise to seek immediate advice.

Doug Treloar, www.physiofirstclinic.ca

What’s Not Normal?

Have you ever wondered what is “normal” for your body after you’ve given birth? Here is an extensive list of symptoms to watch for post-partum: ongoing back, pelvis, groin, or abdominal pain. Leaking urine and gas or stool from laughing, coughing, jumping, sneezing, lifting, walking, or running is also problematic. Leaking urine or stool when you feel a strong urge to go and pressure or bulging in your vagina or rectum are indicators of abnormal healing. Bulging of your abdomen during any exercise is a red flag. Difficulty doing any of your everyday activities because of pain, leakage, pressure, or any other symptom that concerns you needs to be taken seriously. What you should do if you have any of these symptoms: if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should get advice and help from a pelvic floor physiotherapist. These symptoms usually do not go away on their own!

Marita Dowsett B.P.T., Physio 4U

Tanning for Eczema & Psoriasis?

Studies have shown that tanning may help improve eczema and psoriasis. After consulting with your physician, a tanning expert can arrange a tanning program that can become an integral part of your treatment program. These conditions involve an inflammation of the epidermis of the skin, and regular indoor tanning has been known to reduce the flare-ups of itchy, dry and flaky skin associated with the illness. A tan is your body’s natural defense against overexposure to sunlight. The UV rays of a tanning bed stimulate the production of melatonin which gives you that golden glow and acts as a protective barrier against UV radiation. Professional tanning equipment emits UV rays in measurable doses which mean you get correct exposure to light necessary to tan but not burn.

Tracy Delmage, Catch-A-Tan, www.CatchATan.ca

The Not-So-Great Outdoors

Many cat owners feel guilty about keeping their cats inside and worry they are depriving them of natural instincts. Generally speaking, a cat that spends his entire life indoors will live many years longer than a cat restricted to the outdoors. If your cat has indoor/outdoor access, he still faces increased risks to his health and safety. On top of the parasites and potentially fatal diseases it can contract (including feline leukemia and feline AIDS), your outdoor cat is always at risk of being struck by a vehicle. Even the most “street savvy” feline can become distracted while in pursuit of prey or while being chased by another cat or dog. It’s a myth that going outside is a requirement for feline happiness. Playing regularly with cats and providing them with entertaining toys can easily satisfy their stalking instinct, keep them stimulated, and provide the exercise they need to stay healthy and happy.

Rob Lamont – A Pet Lovers Warehouse, www.apetlovers.com

Who Are You?

Poets and writers have said the same thing for centuries, “Know yourself, follow your dreams, and live your passions.” It is good advice. However, we live in an “instant” society where we have everything we need literally at our fingertips. Truly getting to know ourselves is not something that happens quickly, and we won’t experience a sense of fulfillment until we know what it is that brings meaning to our lives. Journaling is a good place to start in your quest for self-knowledge. It only requires a few minutes a day, but the important thing is the process (writing requires time because you must slow down and reflect). It’s this time that is largely missing for many of us. So what should you journal about? A good place to start is by looking at your self-concept. Who is the real you and does your life reflect your authentic self? Happy hunting!

Dr. Lori Doan, Ph.D., www.drloridoan.com