Things that make you go hmmm?

Two new studies about exercise and eating were published this week and both make me go hmm? The first, Exercise is Not the Key to Weight Control. No kidding. But, for anyone who has been on a treadmill for 30 minutes only to see that you burned 300 calories (or less), about the same as a tall, no whip, 2% …

Super Stats

Did you watch the Super Bowl on Sunday? Go to a Super Bowl party? Indulge in some Super Bowl food? You are not alone. Super Bowl ratings are high and so is the food consumption. For a three hour, or more, broadcast that is just over 8% (about 12 minutes) of actual play, the calories consumed are more than any …

Get smart

When I was in university the school calendar had a joke printed inside that said, “How do Human Kinetics students study? Run extra laps? Lift heavier weights?” When I graduated from UBC one of my relatives saw my grad photo and laughed, they said “why do they have you sitting in front of all those books, you didn’t go to …

Rated PG for GP

When I was posting about Alternative Facts (AF) on Monday I forgot about one of the best AF spreaders… Gwyneth Paltrow. A continuous stream of crazy ideas and irresponsible nonsense.  The latest AF from GP is the Vagina Egg. Yes, vagina egg. It’s jade and apparently you (if you have a vagina of course) use it to strengthen your magical …

Exercise and type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a common diagnosis. Did you know that exercise is excellent treatment and one type of exercise has significant benefits?

Exercise = Happiness = Exercise

Activity, of any kind, not just exercise, makes us happier. Dr Jason Rentfrow, from Cambridge’s Department of Psychology says, “Happy people are more active in general and that periods of physical activity led to increased positive mood, regardless of individuals’ baseline happiness.” Using wearable technology and smart phones researchers tracked over 10,000 people and found that small amounts of activity, …

Are you one of the 3%

Less than 3% of American adults practice the 4 healthy lifestyle behaviours that protect from disease. The four habits are moderate exercise, proper nutrition, a recommended body fat percentage and not smoking. These four basic habits are critical to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, many types of cancer and diabetes. The economic cost of not practicing these 4 habits? …

What I eat in a Week

What I eat in a week. When I wrote that my December challenge was to eat more plant-based meals many of you wanted to know what I eat now? I eat lots of plant-based meals and some vegan, but not plant-based items too. I have been a vegetarian since September 1995 and mostly vegan since 2005. Yes, the mister eats …

Exercise as Good as Medicine

Soon a cancer diagnosis may come with an exercise prescription. Intense, physical exercise improves the quality of life for men with advanced prostate cancer. Dr. Fred Saad, researcher at the University of Montreal, has shown that exercise has a DIRECT effect on cancer. That exercise is as effective as drugs, even in advanced stages of the disease. Dr. Saad says that …

Sweat is the Best Anti-Depressant

On Tuesday morning I went to an Active Living seminar to listen to Dr. Guy Faulkner, Canadian Research Chair in Applied Public Health, talk about exercise and depression. He compared the evidence for exercise vs. drugs as anti-depressants. His conclusion? Compared to anti-depressants, when exercise is used as a treatment for depression, it is as effective, less expensive, can be …