Category Archives: Weight Management
Basketball is a celebrated sport that people from all ages and walks of life enjoy. The roots of basketball hail from Canada and the small Ontario town of Almonte. Here, in 1891, the game was invented by Dr. James Naismith. Mere hours from Almonte, Toronto is filled with basketball lovers who are both die-hard Toronto Raptors fans and active basketball players. Basketball is a great way to stay healthy and in shape. It’s also a wonderful way to enjoy leisure time, and even raise money to support Toronto communities. Bay Street Hoops League Basketball is a charity basketball tournament that does just that.
Through the Bay Street Hoops charity, lawyers, accountants and other financial service professionals participate in one of Toronto’s largest sports charities. In the past 15 years, The Bay Street Hoops Charity has raised over $2,000,000 for Toronto children and youth charities supporting Toronto communities.
Basketball is not only a competitive sport but also an excellent form of exercise and stress-release, as many executives who play basketball know. Because basketball is a fast-paced sport, it can present risks for minor and major sport injuries. It is important to be physically prepared before you play, and to exercise caution while on the court to reduce the likelihood of injury.
Here are some basketball “Do’s” and “Don’ts” to help you play a safer game:
• There is a reason professional basketball players wear high-necked running shoes: they provide much needed ankle support. Ankle injuries are very common in basketball so this kind of footwear is a must.
• Exercise will also condition your body to play basketball without injury. Core stability training, cardio training and a non-aerobic cardio program are all recommended.
• Dynamic stretching that includes sport specific drills will stretch out muscles and is ideal both before and after you hit the basketball court.
• Hydration is also very important as dehydration can have potentially dangerous outcomes. You’ll often see pros drinking plenty of fluids during the game, sipping on their bottles of water, Gatorade and Powerade.
• Static stretching prior to a game or practice is recommended
• Do not play through pain. If you begin experiencing pain at any point, stop playing right away because you may have an injury which will be further aggravated without immediate rest. If you already have a previous injury, resist temptation to resume playing basketball pre-maturely. Make sure a clinician has given you clearance for shooting hoops again.
Even the most seasoned basketball players get injured from time to time. Most basketball injuries can be treated through physical therapy and rehabilitation. If you think you may have injured yourself while playing basketball you may want to seek medical attention. Sports therapy clinics are medical facilities that treat people with sports injuries. While you may think that only professional athletes are treated by sports therapy clinics, this is certainly not the case. Many people who play basketball on a casual basis find relief and assistance through a sports therapy clinic. If you love to play sports like basketball, having a good sports therapy clinic in your back pocket is wise. It can offer you advice about nutrition and other important factors that will ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable athletic experience. And if and when you do suffer a sports injury, you have somewhere to turn to for help.
For more information about how you can enjoy playing basketball safely, or if you have a basketball injury needing attention, call Athletic Edge Sports Medicine at 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca
Police throughout North America deserve kudos for their commitment to keeping us safe. While a myriad of events help make Toronto famous, it’s our police that oversee each of them and ensure we enjoy them safely. Police are an essential part of the fabric of our community.
For the past 32 years The North American Police Soccer Tournament has raised money for charities in need. Each year The North American Police Soccer Tournament organizers select a truly needy charity for which they will raise funds. This year, Kidsport Ontario will be the beneficiary of The 2012 North American Police Soccer Tournament proceeds. Kidsport Ontario is a charity that provides financial assistance to kids across Ontario for registration fees and equipment. Their mission is ensuring children can be active and engaged in sports even without the financial means to do so.
This year’s Toronto North American Police Soccer Tournament is slated for September 5th – 7th. Over 30 police agencies will be participating, and you can offer support by attending and cheering teams on! Remember, the North American Police Soccer Tournament raises money for a very worthwhile cause. And it’s a lot of fun to watch, as many around the world know.
Soccer’s worldwide appeal is undeniable. Physical, financially affordable, strategic, fast-paced…what’s not to love? But any physical game presents risks for being injured, whether you’re a police officer in the North American Police Soccer Tournament or just a casual soccer player enjoying a game in the park. It’s wise to be aware of common soccer injuries so that you can try to avoid them, identify them if one happens to you and know when and how to seek treatment.
Some of the most common soccer injuries or conditions plaguing soccer players include ankle sprains, tendonitis, concussions, pulled hamstrings, muscle cramps, blisters, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, stress fractures, strains and sprains, knee injuries like a torn ACL and torn knee cartilage and more. Sure seems like a long list, doesn’t it?! Recognizing that soccer is a very physical, quickly paced sport will help you understand why. Typically, common soccer injuries fall into one of two groups: cumulative or acute.
Common soccer injuries of a cumulative nature occur as the result of overuse of the joints, muscles and soft tissues repeatedly over time. What begins as a small re-occurring ache or pain can grow into a serious injury or condition if it is not treated.
Common soccer injuries that are acute happen from sudden impact or force. Acute injury pain can usually be felt immediately.
To avoid these kinds of common soccer injuries, basic measures can be taken: warm up before you play, use protective equipment, employ safe techniques for play, check the field before you play, play in proper weather conditions, stay hydrated and stretch afterwards. If you’re injured take time to rest and seek treatment for a full recovery before returning to the field.
Common soccer injuries can often be treated through physical therapy and rehabilitation, which is covered under most health plans.
For more information about treating common soccer injuries that are both painful and annoying, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine at 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca
One of Toronto’s most popular summer events is the Toronto Rib Fest Food and Music Festival. An annual tradition where families can enjoy a wide range of ribs, other amazing food and music, The Toronto Rib Fest Food and Music Festival raises awareness of food nutrition while supporting efforts to eradicate child hunger. The event is free, but participants are encouraged to make a $2 donation to the cause. This year’s Toronto Rib Fest will take place from Friday June 29th 2012 – Sunday July 2, 2012 at Centennial Park in Mississauga. There is no doubt that the Toronto Rib Fest Food and Musical Festival will continue being a crowd pleaser.
While at the event, food vendors may tempt you to indulge in all the delicious food at your fingertips (and how difficult to resist, it all smells and looks wonderful!!) But it is important to be mindful of your food choices. Too much fun this summer could cause heartache on the scales soon after, and we all know how much easier it is to pack pounds on than to shed them.
According to Statistics Canada, more than 50% of Canadians are either overweight or obese. You don’t have to be considered “obese” for extra weight to pose a hazard to your physical health. Believe it or not, many of the illnesses and conditions that we experience as we age are the result of carrying too much weight, the extra-stress for which places stress on bones and joints, leading to arthritis and a host of other issues.
The key to taking in the Toronto Rib Fest Food and Musical Festival without overdoing it is a tried and true dose of good old moderation. Tempting as it is, you don’t have to pack your belly full of all the tasty delights available. Don’t stuff your stomach to the point where you can feel it. Over eating stretches your stomach and leads to a greater appetite the rest of the time. Try sampling small amounts of different foods and avoid foods that are high in sodium (salt) and fat. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. When approaching a vendor, ask them what the healthier options on their menu are. Where drinks are concerned, beer is empty calories. I know, I know, “Rib Fest without beer?!” But if you’re trying to not overdo it, then, again, moderation is key. A beer or two balanced with a bottle of water in between would do wonders to help you still feel satisfied and part of the fun.
Exercise – even the simple task of walking – is another excellent way to offset the calories that easily build at the festival. Walk around as much as possible at the event. Then when you get home consider taking a night-time stroll around the neighbourhood.
Some more healthy eating tips when attending an event like this include:
• Eat everything slowly and SAVOUR the flavour. This will help satisfy your cravings and reduce the urge for seconds.
• Scan the options of all foods available before you dive in and start packing up your plate. Identify the healthiest options, choose your MUST-HAVES and set portion limits.
• Use small plates as well as utensils to limit the amount of food you can fit on your plate and into your mouth!
• Fill half your plate with vegetables for a satisfying feeling with a lower calorie-count. This will also help prevent the temptation for gorging on calorie-dense options later.
• Wait out your cravings! It takes 20 minutes for your brain to register that you have eaten. If you are tempted for seconds, distract yourself for at least 20 minutes by sipping on water, decaf tea or coffee – or going for a walk with a friend.
We hope that you have a great time at the Toronto Rib Fest Food and Music Festival and that following these tips encourages you to enjoy it while not compromising your current and future health goals.
Athletic Edge Sports Medicine offers a fantastic program that helps people improve health, lose weight and get in shape. LIVE LEAN includes education on nutrition, fitness training, behaviour modification techniques, professional and group support, and a personalized weight loss plan. Many health benefit plans offer coverage for Registered Dietician services and which LIVE LEAN is part of. For more information about LIVE LEAN or the programs offered by Athletic Edge Sports Medicine please call 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca
Starts MAY 15th
Simple, Powerful, Sustainable Lifestyle Change
LIVE LEAN helps you step-by-step establish a realistic, easy-to-follow, satisfying weight loss plan that reflects your individual needs, food and exercise preferences, abilities and lifestyle. Developed and led by Stefanie Senior, Registered Dietitian, and Trina Lambe, Certified Fitness Trainer, this 12-week GROUP program provides you with the accountability, motivation and support you need to:
Achieve your nutrition, fitness & health goals
Overcome the barriers to a healthy lifestyle
Build habits that will last a lifetime!
Check your HEALTH BENEFITS plan for REGISTERED DIETITIAN coverage.
Includes: 12 weight management classes, 24 fitness classes (optional), personalized meal plan, grocery shopping tour, recipes & much more!
Cost: $585 (or $440 for weight management classes only)
* One-on-one WEIGHT LOSS COACHING also available *
See program description for more details!
Call 416 800 0800 ext. 0 to book your free consultation to learn how LIVE LEAN can help you!
More information & registration:
Stefanie Senior, Registered Dietitian
Athletic Edge Sports Medicine Clinic
121 King Street W, Suite 1100, Toronto, ON, M5H 3T9
T: 416 800 0800 ext. 0 E: info@live-lean.ca W: www.live-lean.ca
LIVE LEAN – lower cost!
We have lowered the cost of LIVE LEAN starting on May 15th, 2012 so that more people can benefit from this 12-week GROUP program that will coach you to success!
LIVE LEAN helps you step-by-step establish a realistic, easy-to-follow, satisfying weight loss plan that reflects your unique needs, food and exercise preferences, abilities and lifestyle. It provides the education, skills, accountability, motivation, and professional and peer support that you need to make simple, powerful and lasting lifestyle changes and reach your health and weight goals.
48-hour program includes: 12 nutrition classes, 24 fitness classes (optional), personalized meal plan, grocery shopping tour & much more!
Cost: $585 (OR $440 for nutrition classes only)
Check your health benefits plan for “Registered Dietitian” coverage.
To register, fill out attached registration form and email it to stefanie@live-lean.ca
Anti-aging Secrets
The older we get, the more we want to slow time and delay the natural aging process. Over time, concerns about weight, skin, hair, pain, memory and chronic disease surface. If you want to feel and look your best and fight the signs of aging, focus on these key secrets to success!
Secret # 1 Pile up on produce. It is no surprise that loading up on fruits and vegetables will help with weight control – they are low in calories and high in fibre and water which help you stay full and prevent overeating. But fruits and vegetables also provide powerful substances that can slow the aging process and promote longevity. These include phytochemicals, antioxidants and other nutrients known to protect against free radicals (unstable molecules that damage cells), limit inflammation, boost your immune system, and decrease disease. For instance, berries are full of Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that can help you maintain a healthy complexion and ward off wrinkles and dry skin. Dark leafy greens are high in lutein and zeaxanthin, plant pigments that can help preserve eyesight; and potassium, a mineral that promotes bone health and keeps your blood pressure in check.
Secret # 2 Maintain muscle. As we age, we lose muscle, which slows down our metabolism – making us prone to excess fat storage.To help maintain metabolism-boosting muscle:
1. Get adequate protein. Not only does protein keep you full, it helps you build and maintain muscle. Include a protein source at every meal and snack: white, skinless poultry, lean cuts of meat, fish, seafood, eggs, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, soy, milk, yogurt or low fat cheese.
2. Include strength training. Most people know to exercise, but many people neglect strength-training activities that help preserve and enhance muscle, reduce body fat, and help burn calories more efficiently. Include at least 2 strength-training sessions a week (20-30 minutes each).
Secret # 3 Fit in fat. Some people avoid fat to limit calories – but we need fat to absorb fat-soluble vitamins, keep our skin soft, and fuel our bodies. Food sources of fat have many important roles – nuts, including hazelnuts, pecans and walnuts are full of antioxidants; fatty-fish, including salmon, trout and tuna are high in omega-3s that help reduce heart disease and stroke; olive oil, canola oil and avocado contain monounsaturated fat that helps reduce total and “bad” cholesterol.
Secret # 4 Focus on fibre. Like protein, fibre helps to manage blood sugars, appetite, cravings and weight. Fibre also helps to keep your bowels healthy and reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Women need ~ 25 g of fibre per day. Rich sources include: whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds and fruits and vegetables.
Take home tips:
- Include protein at every meal & snack
- Include 2-3 servings of milk/alternatives per day
- Choose whole grains vs. white processed grains/starches & sugar
- Eat 2-3 fruits per day
- Eat 1 cup of vegetables at both lunch & dinner (minimum)
- Eat fatty fish 2-3 x per week (3 oz. servings)
- Eat nuts & seeds 3-4 x per week (1/4 cup servings)
- Eat beans & legumes 3-4 x per week (3/4 cup servings)
- Consume 2-3 tsp. of healthy fats/oils per day
- Strength train 2x per week (minimum)
Yours in health,
Stefanie Senior, Registered Dietitian
Athletic Edge Sports Medicine
121 King St. W, Suite 1100, Toronto
Phone: 416 800 0800 ext. 0 Fax: 416 800 0802
Email: stefanie@aesm.ca
Website: www.aesm.ca
Check out the LIVE LEAN website: www.live-lean.ca
TORONTO – According to Statistics Canada, more than half of Canadians are overweight or obese. And while most people may lose weight on a diet, very few have managed to keep the weight off permanently. To address this issue, Athletic Edge Sports Medicine clinic is launching the new 12-week LIVE LEAN Weight Management Program on March 20, downtown Toronto.
“We are really excited about LIVE LEAN because it teaches people step-by-step how to eat healthy, improve their fitness and build habits that that can lead to permanent weight loss,” says Dr. Grant Lum, founder and owner of Athletic Edge Sports Medicine. “It helps people overcome the barriers to a healthy lifestyle and establish an eating and exercising regime that suits their unique needs, food and exercise preferences and lifestyle.”
The program was created and will be led by Stefanie Senior, Registered Dietitian and Trina Lambe, Certified Fitness Trainer and Kinesiologist. Stefanie managed the Steps to LessTM Weight Management program at St. Michael’s Hospital for three years and now has a private nutrition consulting practice. Trina is the founder and owner of Train by Trina, a premier personal training agency.
LIVE LEAN includes nutrition education, fitness training, behaviour modification techniques, professional and group support and a personalized weight loss plan. Many health benefit plans provide coverage for Registered Dietitian services and LIVE LEAN falls under this service.
Athletic Edge Sports Medicine will be hosting the LIVE LEAN open house on March 6 from 6-8 p.m. at Simcoe Place, concourse level. People will have the opportunity to enter a draw to join this 12-week program for FREE!
About Athletic Edge Sports Medicine
AESM is a Toronto sports medicine and physiotherapy clinic that is focused on the health and well being of people with active lifestyles. They provide a range of health services, rehabilitation and therapeutic programs to assist in not just healing symptoms, but optimizing vitality and mobility of active individuals. From physiotherapy, chiropractic, sports medicine to sports psychology, nutrition, and weight management, AESM offers quality care and much more.
To learn more: www.aesm.ca
For more information, please contact:
Stefanie Senior, Registered Dietitian
Phone: 416 800 0800 ext. 0
Email: info@live-lean.ca
Website: www.live-lean.ca
You are invited to attend the:
LIVE LEAN Weight Management Program - OPEN HOUSE!
Tuesday, March 6th, 2012 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Location:
Simcoe Place at 200 Front Street W, concourse level, Toronto, ON, M5V-3K2
Join us on March 6th to learn more about the LIVE LEAN Weight Management Program starting on March 20th and to enter a draw for your chance to take this 12-week NUTRITION AND FITNESS program for FREE!
Register now! Space is limited. Call 416 800 0800 to reserve your spot!
Program Description: LIVE LEAN offers a complete and permanent weight loss solution through a unique combination of nutrition, fitness, behavior and lifestyle strategies. Developed and led by Registered Dietitian, Stefanie Senior and Certified Fitness Trainer and Kinesiologist, Trina Lambe, this 12-week program will EDUCATE, GUIDE and EMPOWER you to make positive changes to your life and help you to reach your nutrition, fitness and weight loss goals.
Visit our website for program details: http://www.aesm.ca/live-lean-program/
Check your health benefits plan! LIVE LEAN falls under Registered Dietitian services.
Call 416 800 0800 to register or to book your FREE 15 minute consultation with Stefanie Senior, RD to help you determine if LIVE LEAN is right for you!
We hope to hear from you!
Stefanie Senior, Registered Dietitian
121 King Street West, Suite 1100
Toronto, Ontario, M5H 3T9
Phone: 416 800 0800
Fax: 416 800 0802
Email: stefanie@aesm.ca
Website: www.aesm.ca
 |