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Stair Walking - iStock

Sit 23+ Hours A Week? You Must Move Now

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When you sit all day, you may need more than dedicated workouts to keep yourself in good health.

Stair Walking - iStockFITTER BY THE MINUTE It is well known that heart disease is one of the leading causes of death among Canadians. But a recent study was shocked to find that going to the gym does not make up for all the sedentary time we spend. This is bad news for professional sitters (i.e., those of us who sit at desk to make a living). A recent New York Times article indicated that even if we live reasonably healthy lives but sit for more than 23 hours a week, we are 64 percent more likely to die from heart disease. According to the study, even for those who have nixed cream and go jogging, it is not enough to counteract the effects of all of that sitting. So unless you are planning on a career change to bike courier or rickshaw driver, insert a bit of activity into your office hours by giving your daily grind some heart.

This simple active routine will boost your heart rate (not to mention your popularity and productivity). Read more

Hardcore Circuit Classes Are The Bomb

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Top level circuit classes are a solid alternative to personal training.

Running ShoesFIT FOR LESS | Anyone addicted to personal training can rattle off the benefits: great personal trainers keep you motivated and driving hard toward a level of fitness that always feels just out of reach; PTs teach proper strength training techniques, then push you like you would never push yourself to perform exercises correctly and with intent; ongoing work with a trainer means your abs will ripple but your tush will not (or not much anyway), that whatever health conditions, body image issues or training goals brought you there in the first place will be studiously addressed. So personal training is a good thing, and if you have been doing it, you probably don’t want to stop even when it starts to feel like the black dog of recession is nipping at your wallet. Read more

3 Fun Ways To Switch Up Your Workout

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Three novel ways to get fitter by injecting some fun into your usual fitness routine.

Zumba dancers - Gold's Gym FITTER RIGHT NOW Let’s face it, like anything good for us, fitness routines can get boring after a while. Plus results from even the most fantastic regime will eventually plateau. Here are three fun ways to shake up your routine, or get back into one, and keep you engaged body, mind and soul. And with these great deals, you can’t afford not to give them a try. Read more

Sticker Shock—In A Good Way

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The turn on: We get a kick (literally) out of drinking Emergen-C’s energy boosting powder-blend packets of vitamins, antioxidants and minerals that are made to be stirred into common tap water. More convenient than popping vitamin pills, this fizzy drink product is a great way to ward off a cold. It is also the perfect pick-me-up water-bottle drink for during or after a workout. Once drunk, twice addicted is all we can say.

What’s the deal: $7.99 for a box of a 30 packets.

Why we’re excited: More like stunned, really. But hey, ours is not to question why this product costs $20.99 (this is the sale price; it is regularly $22.99) at Whole Foods in Vancouver and only $7.99 at Trader Joes in Bellingham; ours is but to buy in bulk on our next trip south.

How long will the pleasure last: Always. This is the regular price a Trader Joes.

Where’s The F Spot: In Bellingham, take exit 255 to Trader Joes, 2410 James Street, (360) 734-5166; open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

— Submitted by M. Phelps