I watched the finale of the extreme weight loss reality show, “The Biggest Loser” a few days ago and although I don’t support the extreme methods used by the trainers, I was even more amazed at the negative reaction directed towards the winner. Rachael Fredrickson lost an incredible 155lbs of her original 260lbs and ended up 3lbs underweight for her height according to the BMI standards. When was the last time anyone only 3lbs overweight was subjected to this level criticism? Do we have a double standard, or do we just not know what a healthy weight looks like anymore? Continue reading

I’m having a little trouble finding motivation this year as I switch from off season maintenance training to hard core preparation for the upcoming cycling season. The problem is I don’t have a “BHAG”. Unlike last year, I don’t have the same kind of “fire-in-the-belly” kind of motivation. If you’ve ever been challenged to start, or recommit to your health goals, let me provide 4 simple tips to get your MOJO back. Continue reading

After enjoying a great family Christmas, I thought I’d share a few random thoughts on this Boxing Day that I often speak to when asked about health and fitness. Make health a life-long priority, fear is a great motivator, chew your food, sleep more, be a BMW not a Bugatti, and eat “pulled pork”…..just to mention a few. Continue reading

Maybe we get caught up in the sparkling lights, the pretty snow, the shopping frenzy and the fun of the holiday season. But, suddenly we find that managing our weight and sticking to our exercise programs easily slide down to the bottom of our priority list. Here’s 10 ways to avoid the holiday weight gain. Continue reading

Are you like many North Americans and confused by the “experts” telling us what are healthy choices and what are not? I’m starting to see a disturbing trend of pseudo-science that’s distracting us from the real causes behind our unhealthy size, when in fact the answer is staring us in the face. Let me clear it up and make it simple. Continue reading

On the same day I heard that James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano) died of a heart attack, at the age of 51, (in a large part of his own doing), that the American Medical Association voted on classifying obesity as a disease. Would this have changed Mr Gandolfini’s outcome; we’ll never know. I’m sure the AMA is well intentioned in making this decision, but by doing so have they introduced a boat load of unintended consequences? Continue reading

Back trouble is a health topic I’ve rarely talked about, but if you’re someone that has back pain you're reminded of the importance of good spinal health every waking moment. Learn as my resident guest blogger, Dr Les Davidson, describes the Seven Steps to Spinal Stabilization. Continue reading

A friend of mine is organizing the Gran Fondo Canmore being held on July 6th, 2013 in the beautiful Canadian Rockies asked if I would write a post about preparing for such an event. I hope this post contains some high level information that enhances your experience while keeping you safe. Continue reading

There’s a plethora of information about the good and the bad food we put into our bodies, but you don’t read much about what comes out. I think you would be surprised by how much information can be gleaned from the urine that you produce each day. Learn what’s going on inside your body by monitoring what’s coming out. Continue reading

Do you know what you’re really made of and why it’s important to your long term health? Do you know why BMI charts are often misleading? Learn how to monitor your body’s composition and bring yourself back to a healthy balance? It's time to recalibrate the image of the healthy body size. Continue reading

Is it any wonder why so many North Americans are frustrated with the barrage of mixed messages regarding their diets and the roll of exercise? Dr Mark Hyman has provided clarity to 4 of the most common myths about diet and exercise; it’s up to you to put this information into action. Continue reading

Coca Cola recently published a slick 2 minutes ad implying a “Calorie is a Calorie” and the underlying message is they’re not culpable for the obesity epidemic that has a strangle hold on our health care system. Learn the truth from one of the world’s leading scientists on this subject. Every person that cares about their personal health should know this information, especially the next time you reach for the “Real Thing”.... Continue reading

Ask someone about their weight and you’ll get varying degrees of truth. We use weigh scales and a BMI chart as an indicator of healthy weight. But is this method really giving you an accurate assessment. Learn this method to better understand what your healthy weight should be. Continue reading

It's often suggested that it doesn't matter if the calories you eat comes from a donut, or an apple, because a calorie is a calorie and the body doesn’t know the difference. Nothing could be further from the truth. Continue reading

Learn how simple, clear and actionable steps from my resident guest blogger, Dr Les Davidson will help us all make the kind of positive lifestyle change that stick. Continue reading

I’m not sure if it’s my last name or that I’m a cyclist, or both that makes me a target for opinion on this whole Lance Armstrong thing. I struggle every time someone asks me, “so what do you think of Lance Armstrong”? Externally my answer is pretty clear, although internally I have mixed opinions. Let me explain..... Continue reading

70% of all people that make New Year’s Resolutions have already abandoned their commitment to health. I hope the timing of this inspirational story inspires you to continue your resolution or get back at it. Read how Peter LeClaire lost 80 pounds in 9 months, and competed in one of the hardest single day bike races in the world, after committing to his personal health. Continue reading

According to research, the average person puts on a pound or two of permanent weight gain every year between Christmas and New Year’s that lasts a lifetime. That’s why what I’m about to tell you could make the difference between adding to your waistline, or maintaining your current weight, even as you enjoy your holiday feasting. Continue reading

Last week I was saddened to hear my uncle died. I was further saddened when I heard my Aunt wasn’t able to attend his funeral because she suffers from Alzheimer’s. It’s said that life is a collection of experiences and memories. Research funding and focus for this disease lags all 10 leading causes of death and it will be some time before we see meaningful treatment. Learn what you can do to limit the chances of losing your most precious asset....your memories. Continue reading

In the shadow of a national health crisis, learn how poorly worded headlines can fuel the belief systems of many sedentary people that exercise and positive lifestyle choices don’t make a difference. Is no wonder so many people have become health illiterate? Continue reading

I think it’s safe to say that we all want to hang onto our youth for as long as possible. This week, Dr Les describes how he found himself pushing his age and ego envelop with predictable consequences behind a high speed boat. He's offered some learned lessons from his painful experience so we don’t suffer his fate. But because he knows there’s people like me that will completely ignore his sound advice, he’s also provided a summary of how to recover from injuries so we can get back to our active lifestyles, and enjoy that lost youth we once took for granted. Continue reading

The recent USADA investigation provided undisputable evidence that Lance Armstrong was not only a cheat, but an intimidating bully, drug pusher/dealer, perjurer and co-conspirator who made a personal fortune while hiding behind a brand of fair play, integrity and cancer crusader. Given he embodies the worst qualities of a hardened criminal, what does it say about the people that still stand beside him? Continue reading

When it comes to exercise and diet, I live in the “Bizarro World”, where everything seems to be opposite to the normal world. It’s a world where exercise is enjoyed every day for more than one hour. The reason my Bizarro World is so normal to me is because my attention to my health has been set on “Auto-Pilot” for decades. The Globe and Mail recently described new research whereby minor lifestyle adjustments will direct your Auto-Pilot to the Bizarro World of good health. Continue reading

Most people would be happy just to say they made it to 100 years of age and still be able to walk and remember their name. Not Frenchman, Robert Marchand. No, just making to 100 is for pussies. This guy is setting world cycling records! Learn how this man isn’t content with “living a little”. Continue reading

Maintaining optimal health involves many criteria to be dialled in just right to ensure you get the most out of your life. Recent research has drawn our attention to the serious health consequences associated with sitting for hours at a time. Dr Les Davidson weighs into this topic and has pointing out the risks, while providing simple solutions to remain active, even if you’re stuck at work for hours behind a computer. Continue reading