Injured? There are still things you can do!

Since February when I ran the Fort Langley 10k, I’ve been struggling with a hip injury that just won’t go away.  There were tell-tale signs prior to this that my hip was bugging me.  Little aches and pains that I figured would just go away after a while.  Maybe a little rest, less running and it would be fine.  Well, that’s not the case.

The sore hip got worse and it started to affect my back.  So then I ended up with hip AND back pain. Enough pain to sideline me from what I love doing, working out with my gang at Equal Balance Fitness and some extra-curricular running.  My goal was to run in this week’s upcoming BMO Half-Marathon with Cathy and Ralph.  Obviously that’s not happening for me. (Good luck to Cathy & Ralph – it’s going to be an amazing day)!

I have had 3 visits to physio.  He said it was stemming from my back (no running or bootcamp), 2 visits to chiro.  He said it’s all muscular (no running and bootcamp) and 1 visit to the Dr.  She prescribed muscle relaxants for my back (and also said no running and bootcamp).  Nothing has worked.  I’m still in the same boat I was 2 months ago(insert rolling eyes here)!

I’ve been trying to continue with the same routine so I don’t fall out of it.  Continuing to come to bootcamp, even if it’s just for strength, walking instead of running.  Whatever I can do to maintain a routine.  Because I think we all know how easily it can be to fall out of your daily exercise routine.

I’m trying hard but feeling kinda “blah” right now.  Not being able to maintain my “real” routine has left me feeling out of shape, flabby and soft and losing my fitness.  Although in time I know I will be back, I’m feeling frustrated and disheartened at the moment.

This has led me to do some research on what you can do with an injury.  What kind of cross-training can I do without continuously aggravating my existing injury?

My first adventure has been yoga.  I like this, but my back sidelined me from doing this too.  I’m back next Monday for sure!  Good stretching and strength.  I have asked and been advised on what classes would be good for me considering my injury.  Always ask questions.  People are happy to advise and make sure they don’t injure you further.

My next thing I will try is the pool.  Back to swimming.  I’m going to try laps and if that doesn’t work, then I’m going to try running in the pool.  I could stay in the shallow end and run, or put on a life jacket and do stationery deep-water running!  Anyone ever done this?  If so, let me know how it worked for you.

Another one will be to hit the bike.  Give that a try.  The only problem with this, is it’s the same hip motion as running which could set me back.

I guess the point I’m trying to get across is that there are many ways to maintain physical activity even when dealing with an injury.  First and foremost though, you should always consult with your physician or whatever health professional you choose.  Choose a cross-training activity that will NOT aggravate your existing injury and give yourself time and patience to heal (this is harder than it sounds)!

If anyone has any suggestions as to a good rehab program I could do to supplement what I can’t do right now, please be sure to comment on this post.  I would appreciate hearing from you.

Yours in health (and healing),

Cori
EBF Trainer

Just Sayin’…

You want results?  Show up!
You want to feel good?  Show up!
You want to lose weight?  Show up!
You want to tone your muscles and increase your cardio?
Show up!

Enough said!

The Weather Is Improving.

It’s here…it’s here, Spring is finally here!

After a long, cold, dark, dreary winter our days are finally brighter, warmer and that big, round thing in the sky emitting light and warmth…yes, that’s the sun! 

It’s time to finally lose our winter layers (jackets, hoodies, fleece, gloves, toques, etc.) and pull out our spring gear.  Lighter jackets, t-shirts and yes maybe even shorts (I’m personally not ready for that yet)!:)  Replace your headlamp with sunglasses and commit to being fit and warm!

With improvement in the weather comes a change in attitude.  It makes us all, generally feel a whole lot better.  We want to come out of that winter den we have cocooned ourselves in for the last 6 months and be outside to be active and enjoy the great outdoors.  Whether its hopping on your bike, going for a run, or picking up an extra class at Equal Balance Fitness, well …. the choice is yours (but we know what you prefer..wink wink).
If you are getting out there and being active, good on ya!

What is Spring?  Well, for one our days get longer and brighter.  It’s a time for rebirth.  Days get sunnier and warmer (with some spring showers in there too).  Spring can be to move or jump suddenly upward or forward.  It’s a season, before summer and after winter and it’s also a source, a fountain or well.

“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.”  – William Shakespeare.

Do you feel alive and re-energized?  Do you feel like you are ready to “spring” forward and upward?  Do you know what your “source” for this is?  I do!  EQUAL BALANCE FITNESS BABY!  We are a lifestyle.  You come for the experience and stay fit for a lifetime!

We look forward to these beautiful months ahead and can’t wait to see you all out there committing to a fit-life!

 “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”   Walt Disney

Yours in health (and excited about the weather),

Cori
EBF Trainer

Upcoming Fitness Challenges

It’s common that we set goals such as losing weight or inches so we can fit into that dress you wore last year or that pair of jeans that are just a bit too snug around the waist now.

Usually in order to do this we increase our fitness levels and generally end up doing some kind of diet.

Well, when you want to improve your fitness, you need to set fitness goals and I find one way to do this is to challenge yourself to something that’s outside of your comfort zone.

Last year I ran in the Coho Run a 14km.  The next step was a half-marathon.  I NEVER in a million years thought I’d run a half marathon.  But I challenged myself.  I signed up, and trained.  Cathy and I ran 10k twice a week and then up to almost 14 training for the Victoria Half.  We set a goal – we trained – we conquered!  It’s a great, great feeling of accomplishment.

There are so many great races and fitness challenges that are team and individual.  Now I use the term “race” very loosely.  I usually don’t enter these events with “race” in mind.  I enter them because I want to challenge myself as an individual, or be part of group that’s entered an event for a good cause.

Here are some amazing events that are coming up.  If you have any interest whatsoever, just mention it!  We are up for anything and the more challenges the better.

Here’s just a few of challenges coming up in Vancouver over Spring/Summer 2013:

http://www.bmovanmarathon.ca/

 

 

 

http://seekthepeak.grousemountain.com/

http://toughmudder.com/events/vancouver-2013/

http://www.spartanrace.com/vancouver-obstacle-racing-spartan-sprint-2013.html

So what’s it gonna be people?  Sit back and let life pass you by?  Or step outside the box, outside your comfort zone and go head first into that puddle of mud?  BRING IT!

I’m in…..are you?

Yours in health (and stepping outside the box),

Cori
EBF Trainer

Not So Complicated…

(Minus the sports bra men and this goes for you too!)

Commitment

Hello Everyone!

Hard to believe we are already into week 3 of February!  Can you feel it?  I think Spring is just around the corner….don’t you?

Last year at this time I was in Australia for 14 days.  It was an amazing trip and I’m getting the urge to get away somewhere warm again soon.  But work, time and well, cold-hard cash will determine where and when I go.  Until then, I remain here in beautiful Vancouver working out with my EBF gang!

Today I want to talk about COMMITMENT.

When I looked up the meaning of the word – here is what I found (thanks WIKIPEDIA) :

“Commitment is the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc. It is also known as a pledge or an undertaking”.

COMMITMENT may also refer to:

• Promise, or personal commitment
• Contract, a legally binding exchange of promises
• Brand commitment
• Involuntary commitment, the use of legal means or forms to commit a person to a mental hospital, insane asylum or psychiatric ward
• Ontological commitment, belief in an ontology in philosophy
• Organizational commitment
• Commitment scheme, in cryptography
• Kingsbury Commitment, the beginning of AT&T’s monopoly in the telephone industry
• Climate commitment, a model of climate change

We all commit to things daily without even knowing it.  We commit to being a good spouse/partner, we commit to being good parents, friends, relatives, etc.  We commit to working hard and being succesful in what we do.

We also commit to leading a healthy lifestyle by way of diet & exercise.  We do this because it makes us feel good and it’s good for us.  To get outdoors, breathing in that fresh air (yes sometimes rainy, cold, snowy), and to be able to appreciate that we are all physically able to do the things we do is such a blessing!  It’s good to stop and appreciate that every now and again.  So when the rain/wind and cold is getting you down, just remember you are alive, and able and the wind & cold will disappear!

As Fitness Leaders, Kelly, Cathy and myself have committed to teaching fitness and bringing health and wellness into people’s lives.  Our vehicle – Equal Balance Fitness.  Our goal –  we aim to create a fun, non-competitive and supportive environment in a unique “boot-camp” style program. At EBF we take pleasure in helping you achieve your optimal fitness and health goals.

Sometimes commitments are tough to keep and we all falter.  Take me for example.  I’ve committed to EBF that I will write the blog.  I have been very inconsistent with this.  I should be posting at least twice a month and for the last few months, this has not happened.  I am re-committing myself today.  Two posts (at least) a month to keep you informed & hopefully a little bit  entertained.

We all know and understand that jobs, travel, injury and flu season tends to mess with our commitments and good intentions.  But not feeling like it, or it’s too cold/rainy/wet etc. or just not showing up, in our minds is not acceptable.  Your fitness leaders commit to being out there no matter what.  And so should you (except if work , travel, injury or sickness get in the way)!

So, here’s what I want you to do.  Repeat this pledge after me:

“I (insert name here), commit to Equal Balance Fitness 2-4x a week.  I promise to make no excuses and to attend on a regular basis so I can achieve my fitness goals and feel good about myself.  No weather or lame excuse will keep me away.  I will be there.  I commit to leading a healthy and happy lifestyle.  I commit to being fit.”

So, with that pledge made, we look forward to seeing you all out there on a consistent basis.

Let’s commit to be fit – for a life time!

Yours in health (and committed to blogging & fitness),

Cori
EBF Trainer

Goals.

I can’t believe November 26th was my last post.  I mean it gets busy during that crazy time of year….but not even one post in almost a month and a half.  Unacceptable!  So if you did miss me, apologies abound.  And if you didn’t….well, that’s okay too.

Here we are January 7th TWENTY THIRTEEN!  WOW.  A new year.  New goals.  New resolutions.  New desires.  It always seems when we head into a new year, we want to start the year off fresh.  We want to lose weight, get in better shape, pay off debts, eat better, make more money, work less, workout more, spend more time with family.  There’s a resolution for everything.  But, speaking from experience most of the time I make a resolution and never stick to it.  I either end up forgetting about it a couple of months in, or it’s something totally unattainable and just give up.  Been there?  I bet you have.

So what do we do?  It’s always good to set goals and because I’m writing a blog for Equal Balance Fitness we are going to keep this fitness focussed.  Of course eating healthy and losing weight (if you need too), are always good things to focus on.  But I always find setting a fitness goal keeps me motivated and wanting to try new things.

Is there something out there that piques your interest?  Have you ever thought about giving a triathlon a try?  Now I know that may seem unattainable but guess what?  It’s not.  You know why?  Cause there’s a mini-triathalon.  A much shorter version of the insanely long, original version.    And something we could all do.  What about a 5km, 10km, 14km run or a half or full marathon?  All of these are attainable if we put our minds & bodies into it.

If there is anything you would like to do and want a friend to take it on with you, then just throw it out there.  There’s alway someone who wants to take on a new challenge and all they need is a little motivation, another person, or people to take on the challenge with.  So put it out there.  Suggest something here on the blog or at class one morning/evening.  You never know what kind of response you will get!

It’s a new year, let’s set some goals together.  Because together we can conquer any challenge!

Good to be back.  Hope you all had an amazing holiday season and wishing you a happy & healthy new year.

Yours in health (and setting new goals),

Cori
EBF Trainer