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Saturday, January 9th, 2010 | 100 Day Challenge Stories | 4 Comments

Work with Life’s Challenges by Carol Ann

Saturday, January 9th, 2010 | 100 Day Challenge Stories | 3 Comments

Hi Sue,

First, thank you, Lara, Erica, Jeff, and everyone else involved for all of the work in providing this opportunity for us.

I am amazed at the personal growth that I have experienced over the past few months by being aware daily of how I am reacting to life.

For over 2 years now I have been revisioning life following my marriage collapse and working at rediscovering who I am.  This 100 day period has affirmed and tied together much of what I have worked on.

I set out with certain goals at the beginning:  try to express myself more clearly; increase my social life; try and balance life (work vs play and emotional reactions);  improve my health (and hopefully drop a few pounds); declutter my home; seek a personal/romantic relationship.

Before we started, I identified my father’s failing health as a possible obstacle to my focusing on these goals.  And indeed just days into the challenge I was called to Toronto on emergency as my father was put on life support. I returned home after one week when he rallied but had to make a return trip to Toronto at the end of October for his funeral.

My family asked if I would give a eulogy.  My first reaction was a panic that I could not present the things that people would expect to hear.  However, I also felt the need to honour my father and I stepped into the uncomfortable zone and wrote and delivered a simple eulogy that described my father through my eyes.  It was accepted very warmly and I realized that those ‘uncomfortable’ first steps can lead to an amazing ‘comfort’ zone.  I now know that I needed to give that public farewell and I received a comfort and strength from it.

This encouraged me and I worked on opening up my inner self more.  Again I had to risk stepping out of the comfort of guarding my emotions.  I decided to stop doing what I thought people expected me to do or say.  It did mean accepting a degree of vulnerability.  To my surprise people actually interact much easier and happily with the real me!  and…. my opinions are more valued than I thought they would be. I make the effort to show appreciation as well as expect appreciation.  I feel more relaxed, realize laughter is always close at hand and have noticed more comfortable interactions with co-workers, friends and family.

I pushed myself to call friends that I had not heard from in a while and found that the reduced contact was not from a lack of desire to socialize but that they also were allowing life to overwhelm them.  We are planning to meet more regularly.  I find that being more open with my inner thoughts is also adding to the quality of our conversations.  I am avoiding making excuses for not doing activities – something that can be easy if there are chores to do or I am feeling tired.

I challenged myself to do one household organizational chore each evening when I got home from work before relaxing for the evening.  This I managed to keep up fairly well and as a result I am noticing a definite declutter progressing and am even working through some renos with realistic time expectations.  Definitely more to go! By getting a few of these chores done on a gradual basis I am actually freeing up weekend time to allow me to plan for some recreation.  A balance is developing.

Unfortunately a week before Christmas I had my jacket and purse stolen at a pub following our staff party.  I was in shock for a while and then became very upset.  After allowing myself a day and a half of feeling sorry for myself (including a good crying spell) I realized I needed to let it go in order not to spoil my whole holiday season with my family.  I pondered the situation and realized that though this was a financial loss and inconvenience I would be able to move past it whereas the person who took these items is still facing whatever issues trigger the need to do something like this (I believe it had to be more than just greed).  This helped to rid me of anger and realize that I was actually the one better off in this situation.  I was surprised when the following day I received an inspirational email with a quote:

“When you develop your ability to balance your emotions, unexpected problems won’t knock you off balance as easily, and you’ll return more quickly to a positive outlook.”  Peggy McColl
How true I found this to be!  I had a wonderful Christmas with my children.

I have been getting to yoga and stretch classes more regularly and I am consistently doing a 5 – 10 minute yoga stretch session every morning.  This has improved my flexibility however I was not successful in losing any weight – that is for the new year’s goal.

I have enjoyed the daily encouragement and find I am already missing ‘Jeff and Sue’ each morning.  I am glad that I have kept all of the messages on email so that I can review them as needed.  I was actually emailing with a friend on a near daily basis covering a lot of the topics I was exploring and I substituted that for my journalling.  I believe that the daily attention to my progress and/or setbacks definitely accelerated the successes I have had and realize that it is necessary to keep personal tabs on this and not just allow life to happen.

Once again, thank you.

Carol Ann

PS – There is also a romantic interest that has sparked!!!!

Judy’s Challenge experience

Saturday, January 9th, 2010 | 100 Day Challenge Stories | 2 Comments

Hi Sue

Oh the Challenge!!!

Everything started of on a great beginning.  By the middle of November I had

lost half of my weight goal and was making progress on healthier food choices.

Then, along came our house guest, the meals got bigger and better and I found

less time to exercise.  After the house guest I had four grandchildren for the

last weekend in November which put another obstacle in my way.  Oh what fun I

had with them  —  A trip to Science World and swimming in our local pool.

Back to the routine and I pulled a muscle in my leg, a serious cold and then

a trip to Alberta for Christmas.  Everything went out the window so my challenge

turned out to be not so successful.  I enjoyed the 30 day challenges more as I felt

that by half way through the 100 days I was out of touch with the group.  Not as much

contact to keep up the motivation.  I will continue to work on the weight loss and

have started to get back into the exercise routine.  Hopefully I will be more

successful this time.

Judy

Liz’s review of the last 100 Days

Saturday, January 9th, 2010 | 100 Day Challenge Stories | 5 Comments

100 Day Challenge… how hard can it be I thought? Don’t make your goals too lofty and you should certainly be able to manage this, I told myself.

First of all, it took me a few weeks to even SET my goals. And here I am at the eleventh hour, writing about what I accomplished (or didn’t accomplish) along the way. So what were my goals? Only to lose 10 lbs., drink more water, go to yoga at least once a week (something I had been promising myself for the past two years!), and to read more. Did I accomplish my goals? Well, yes and no, or should I say, more or less. Not exactly, but I was not a complete failure either. I DID lose 8 of the 10 lbs., I AM drinking more water, I DID start going to yoga, once a week, and am ready now to up it to twice a week, and I AM reading more. I am also much more aware of what I am eating, I am conscious of the amount of water I am consuming (or not consuming), and I am taking the time out for myself which my family assures me makes me a better mother and wife.

You see, my journey started two years ago when I was diagnosed with a very rare form of leukemia that leaves me feeling very sore and achy each and every day. It also limits the amount of energy I have and as a person who has always been very active this has been a very tough pill for me to swallow. Over the course of these past two years I have gained, not lost, weight due in part to medication but also I’m sure due to menopause and a change in metabolism. I have had to give up working as well as some physical activities. One hundred days ago I was feeling very ready for this boost to get me back on track. Right about the time of signing up for the 100 day challenge a friend who had recovered from breast cancer about 10 years ago and had offered encouraging words to me when I was first diagnosed found out that her cancer had returned. She lost her battle on New Year’s Day, at the end of my 100 day challenge. My battle, as well as my ongoing goals, will continue in memory of my friend Chris.

Liz

Barb’s Story

Saturday, January 9th, 2010 | 100 Day Challenge Stories | 3 Comments

Goodmorning Sue,

As you know, I have completed all three of your challenges and they have all been successful in different ways.  The first 30 day challenge made me realize how sedentary my life had become.  This challenge was extremely successful for me in introducing the awareness of getting 30 minutes of walking with Betty.  The second 30 day challenge was also successful as my goal was to complete the Sun Run in under 1 hour and 30 minutes and I achieved that goal!  I have a saying that fits this accomplishment – “There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.”  Thank you Sue for showing me the path!

The 100 day started off with gusto and ended with some fabulous family ski days in the Callaghan and Whistler!  The in between part was the problem.  I had great intentions (I think the saying for this is “the road is paved with good intentions”) and had Erica put together a program for me and I joined a gym.  Then H1N1 hit and took me out for November.  Again, great intentions to get started in December then Christmas and all the nonsense that goes along with that seemed to get in the way.  I reverted back to getting out Betty for at least my 30 minute walks most days. As the new year is now well underway and I am feeling the excitement of the Olympics, I have once again signed up for the Sun Run InTraining clinic and plan on doing the run again.  I have learned that I can do whatever I set out to do, but what slows me down is the choice I make to sometimes put these goals on hold to be the wallet with wheels as the involved mom and wife in my family’s lives.  I feel so fortunate to have a team of professionals who keep me upright and moving in Sue and Donna.  It is time to start all over again with Erica which I hope to do too!

I’ll end with one more saying that I have come to love, “the older the fiddler the sweeter the tune”    Thanks for helping me find my tune Sue!

Sincerely,

Barb

Life is What Happens…

Friday, January 8th, 2010 | 100 Day Challenge Stories | 2 Comments

when you’re busy making plans by Jane Smith.

When we started the 100 day challenge on September 22, my husband was 2 weeks into recovery from a heart attack.

I started the challenge with the intent of running a 5k by today (Jan 1).  I signed up and paid for my race – and I was very excited at the thought of *finally* becoming a runner.   I wanted to get in shape, lose weight and get healthy.  I had just watched my husband go through something that was entirely preventable through diet and exercise, and I wanted to prevent it in me.

I found myself slipping in my goals – and was fortunate enough to join Lara’s workshop. I met some wonderful women, who I wish I could have connected more with, and would love the chance to get together with again.

Before the workshop concluded, my husband was hospitalized again.  He was having chest pains, but thankfully not another heart attack.  Unfortunately it sidelined his plans to go fishing with his brother who was up visiting from the Kootenay’s.

We went back into recovery mode.  I have a fabulous person in my life who has been a rock.  He’s always been there if I need to talk and he doesn’t sugar-coat or soft pedal anything.  His advice and conversations have kept me moving forward when I wanted to curl up into a ball and hide.

At the end of November, my husband had a 2nd heart attack.  Any thoughts of goals, changes in my life has totally disappeared and we have been in survival mode.

It occurred to me the other day that I was still registered for the 5k.  It seems like a very long time ago when I was sitting outside Zephyr talking to someone about wanting to run.   Life has changed so very much since then.  I am now the wife of a cardiac patient.   I am, and always will be, the primary breadwinner in my family.  I still have a desire to get in shape, and want to have the physicality to run 5k.  But the goals I had 100 days ago have changed.

I strive each day to live as though it is my last.  To enjoy every minute with my husband and children, while still taking care of myself.   In the last 100 days, although I did not meet the original goal of running 5k, I learned that I am stronger than I thought, and that each day is a blessing.

Our house is filled with less anger, less shouting, and a lot more loving.  We’re all still together.  Its a good way to start 2010.

Now to find another 5k I can work towards
– 
Jane

Linda’s 100 Day Journey

Friday, January 8th, 2010 | 100 Day Challenge Stories | No Comments

My journey by Linda Gardner

Actually my journey started back on January 1st 2009.that’s when I started a club at work, to get a group together to lose weight. We called it the biggest winners. For 10 weeks we were to weigh in weekly and put 25 cents each time. We were to give support to each other, and in the end the biggest loser would get the pot. Well, none of us lost any weight and we now have $100. And no winner.

It was a good concept, but again another failure on my part. Months went by and my knees were getting painful. I went to see a sports Dr. and he suggested, losing weight, physio and low impact exercise. All this would improve the pain and prevent me from surgery and later in life; I would not end up in a wheelchair. I think the thought of a wheelchair was the push I needed.

I started physio and exercising and even was a human pin cushion in the form of acupuncture and I joined the 100 day challenge, I love a good challenge. I’m very very good at committing to a challenge. The problem is that once the challenge is over I go fall back into old habits, and the next thing I know I’m right back to where I started. Sound familiar.

I knew I needed more help that just signing up. With the help of Sue and Jeff’s daily email, which I found amusing and supportive, we had the benefit of the on line web site The Fitness Journal. I loved tracking my progress and I felt a sense of accountability in a way, even though no one was really watching. Weird eh! Well I needed something to work for me.

Another great help was Laura, the life coach, we had the opportunity to have sessions with and

the great group of women that came together to share their stories. I learned tips to follow, books to read. The books were very beneficial, just listening to Louise Hay brought me strength to endure some of the hardships I have recently had with my parents, who are in a nursing home in Toronto.

I have gained tools to help me accomplish my goals. I did daily journaling and now when I read some of the past entries it makes me chuckle. I had many ups and downs, from learning that food is not a pain reliever and cheating is like having a party in your mouth for a short period and then you have to face the headache or disappointment following.

I learned that forgiving is very important, to forgive myself and others. And to like myself, I approve of myself every day. I look forward to the future. Now I did not reach the goal I had originally set, which was to lose 30lbs But I did manage to lower my cholesterol to near normal levels, I reduced my stress level and I lost 20 lbs. not bad Eh!

I have gained to skills necessary to carry on with goal setting and will continue to manage my weight and life and look forward to retirement in the next couple of years.

So to everyone that participated I hope you gained as much as I did and wish you all the very best in the coming year.

NO MORE YO-YOING

CHEERS TO A HEALTH LIFESTYLE

Linda Gardner

Get in shape in 2010 with Karen Mann

Monday, December 14th, 2009 | Team Interviews | No Comments

Karen Mann’s Fitness Philosophy

I take a goal-oriented approach to fitness and health. While the physiological aspects of fitness are extremely important, they are useless unless our mind and spirit coincide with the physical demands. There are things that motivate each and everyone one of us. My job is to help you find out what motivates you!

Everyone can benefit from a personal trainer: Elite or aspiring athletes trying to gain an edge in competition; Weekend worriers wanting to maintain the ability to shred; People who have let themselves go and want to get back on track; Those recovering from injury and need to start off slow; Those looking for new work out ideas and sport-specific exercises; Even people whose main goal is to simply to keep up with their grandchildren.

Whatever your fitness goals, my job is to help you achieve it! Your job: show up with a positive attitude, make a commitment to yourself, and be ready to work!

Personal Training Package

Introductory Fitness Package:  $165

includes:

-Fitness assessment

-1-Month Fitness Program

-2 Personal Training Sessions at gym/studio of your choice

Offer valid January 4 – February 28th, 2010

Regular Fitness Packages:

Fitness Programs from $65

Personal Training Session:  $45/session

10 pack  $400

Tags: BCRPA, express fitness, goals, personal training

What is Rolfing? An interview with Mike Charuk RMT & Rolfer

Sunday, December 13th, 2009 | Team Interviews | No Comments

Clients often ask “what is Rolfing?” How do you describe difference between massage therapy & Rolfing to clients?

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard this question I would not have to work anymore.

Sometimes I encourage people to do some research online about Rolfing. www.rolf.org is a good website. There are links from there were you can watch Dr. Oz on the Ophra Winfry show getting Rolfed.

Rolfing is a more global approach to therapy. An example I often use is the car wreck. Let’s say after the wreck the radiator does not work. You can send that car to a medical doctor who might prescribe chemicals (pain killers or anti inflammatory) to help it. Or to a chiropractor who might adjust it. An acupuncturist might put some needles in it. A massage therapist might rub it etc etc… A Rolfer would not focus on the Radiator but instead would just try and realign the whole car. Sometimes with better alignment things “magically” get better. Maybe the front bumper leaning on the radiator was the problem.

Rolfers focus more on fascia and connective tissue. A massage therapist works more with the muscles themselves.

How could a client identify themselves as a candidate for Rolfing therapy?

Clients quite often have done a full circle and have not had long term results with their injuries or pain.

I often see clients who have seen medical doctors, chiro, physio, acupuncturist, massage therapist etc and are ready to try anything. Coincidently I have seen clients who are getting their house renovated at the same time they are getting their selves renovated.

Sometimes I work with athletes who are looking for a competitive edge. Rolfing helps with their body awareness. Tension distorts movement with less tension they can be faster stronger etc.

You have been an athlete yourself, throughout your life, mostly as an endurance cyclist in the recent years. How does massage therapy support the recreational athlete?

If your goals are to go faster and longer, massage is very effective for a quicker recovery. This enables the athlete to be more consistent with their training

You are a massage therapist for the National Track Cycling Team. What are some of the highlights and challenges of this job?

I have worked a pre Olympic training camp in Pennsylvania and a national camp in Los Angeles. Some of the challenges are that you are giving a lot of massages which is a physical strain on the body. It also demands finding the right balance of being therapeutic and not fatiguing the athlete’s muscles for the next days workout.

The highlights are definitely watching athletes perform well pain free.

You can read more about Mike’s extensive experience on his website at mikecharuk.com

You can book an appointment with him on Mondays & Wednesdays through our online booking calendar accessible on the right hand sidebar.

Tags: Canadian Track Cycling Team, fascia, massage therapy, Rolfing

An interview with physiotherapist Maggie Phillips-Scarlett

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 | Team Interviews | No Comments

You sustained some knee injuries early on in life while ski racing. How did your experience with these injuries affect how you work as a physiotherapist now?

My knee injuries had a HUGE impact on my life, particularly in my career choice! Now with the experience of surgery(ies) and rehab, I am very empathetic towards my clients because I remember so clearly all of the peaks and valleys associated with the road to recovery. Furthermore,  I am VERY aware of the consequences of poor rehab~ of the factors that can lead to re-injury. Needless to say, am I am keen to ensure my clients do not repeat the same mistakes I made which led to my re-injuries.

You have TWO masters degrees.  Does your advanced schooling in kinesiology (the science of human movement) impact your approach to treatment? If so, how?

Definitely. I worked as a sport physiologist and strength & conditioning coach prior to attending physio school. I decided to advance my career with a clinical approach to sport physiology~ where I could learn about assessment and analysis of movement from a rehab point of view. I believe strongly in proper and efficient movement execution and this is where physio and kinesiology have very common ground~ both are rooted in motor control and both are necessary for performance~ not just in sport but in life too. My approach to treatment is affected greatly by this belief as I take great care to prescribe the best exercises that address an individual’s rehab and health goals.

You are the strength and conditioning coach as well as the physiotherapist for the Canadian Paralympic Alpine team. What have been some of the highlights and the challenges of this position?

The highlights definitely include being involved in a high performance sport that is evolving every year. As well, it is very rewarding to get to know the athletes and their disabilities on a very personal level. I feel as though it has opened my eyes greatly to what it means to be disabled~ and how society can so easily impose limits. However, these athletes are limitless.

Challenges of the position mostly revolve around the travel~ although it is exciting to see parts of Asia, Europe, North and South America, it is tough for me to maintain a caseload and build relationships with clients at home. Furthermore, it is difficult to leave my husband and my Squamish life behind for 3 weeks at a time!

You’ve chosen to join the Reach Physio Solutions team. What lead you to that decision? Where do you see this taking you as a therapist?

Choosing to join the Reach physio solutions teams was simple: the philosophy of the clinic is very similar to my own and I really enjoy the one-on-one treatment approach. I really enjoy the other staff members~ there’s a very good energy and vibe in the clinic that makes me happy to come to work!

Thank-you Maggie!

To find out more about Maggie, please read her bio here.

Tags: Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team, master physical therapy, masters kinesiology, strength conditioning coach