It’s a long weekend and for many of us, that means a family camping trip or driving excursion. The car rides can be long and often our food selection looks like a hungry, unsupervised, eight-year-old did the shopping. Try a healthier approach with our road trip hacks!

• Instead of chips and cookies, fill your cooler with fresh vegetables and fruit
• Apples and carrots last quite a long time, and hummus makes a flavourful dip
• Pack some hard boiled eggs for a quick snack
• Instant oatmeal can give you – and the kids – an energy boost in the morning before heading out for a hike
• Tuna is convenient, especially in the packet versus a can. You don’t even have to worry about finding the can opener!
• For a sweet treat, try grilling pineapple for dessert, instead of indulging in another s’more
• Freeze your drinks before you pack them in the cooler. They’ll help keep everything cold

Our INLIV INmates have also put together a list of their personal tips and road trip hacks for your long weekend travel.

• When planning a road trip, be mindful of where you’re going and how long it will take. If you know it’s a long drive with limited access to anything other than gas station snacks, try packing a small lunch box with healthy snacks like protein bars or bananas. Be careful when choosing your protein bars – make sure the grams of protein are always higher than the grams of sugar! – Zoë Saunders, Client Co-ordinator, INLIV Operations

• Pre-portion everything. Cutting up vegetables in advance and packing them in small sandwich bags works great. – Physician, Total Health Management

• I let my kids pick the snack for each other. And playing a game like ‘what’s behind door number one’ works well. All the doors might have broccoli behind them, but they don’t know that! – Steve Reynish, INLIV Client

• I pack lots of healthy fats and fibre to hold me over longer while I’m out camping. Almonds are great for that. – Omar Ibrahim, Personal Trainer, Fitness

• There are always ways to make your favourites slightly healthier! For your burger, wrap it in lettuce instead of a traditional bun. Skip the fries and choose veggies instead – and you’re good to go! – Zoë Saunders, Client Co-ordinator, Operations

• It can be tough to keep kids entertained in the car, On our road trip this summer, we played ‘count the trucks and name the colours’. We got to about 50 trucks before our little guy lost interest. – Ryan Hamilton, Innovation

• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Physical sunscreens are great – they don’t absorb into the skin, but sit on the surface and protect against both UV-A and UV-B rays. (Click here for more tips on sun safety) – Dr. Wendy Smeltzer, Medical Director at INLIV

• Don’t overlook the basics – water, a first aid kit – and bear spray! All great items to make sure you enjoy your time outdoors safely – Cary Bohnet, Business Development

• When I go hiking I always carry a knife, tape and first aid supplies, just in case anything happens. With these items in your bag, you can tape a sprained ankle or make a splint if you need to. – Cole Elliot, Personal Trainer, Fitness 

• After your hike, stretches are a must. You want to be able to walk tomorrow!  Click here to see a video demonstrating some suggested stretches for after your hike.

Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy, safe, long weekend – from everyone at INLIV.

TALK TO AN ADVISOR TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INLIV

From Botox to Belkyra, laser treatments to Thermage, you may be wondering what non-surgical treatment options there are for your skin concerns.
Click on our easy Guide to Skin Solutions below to learn more about each treatment, then book a free general consultation with INLIV Registered Nurse, Nadia Zinchuk.

Read more…

Angie, 52, began a journey two years ago to improve her health and her overall wellness. Her story is one of inspiration, dedication, and transformation – read on to find out more!

Angie’s Goals at INLIV
Angie’s introduction to INLIV came when she was offered our Executive Medical Assessment program through her workplace. Initially skeptical, she decided to create a set of goals and work toward them. Angie was concerned about high blood pressure, and had been struggling with her weight for nearly two decades – she knew she needed to find help to make changes.

INLIV’s Flex Credits
All clients who are part of both our Executive Medical Assessment program and our Total Health Management program receive flex credits, which includes one complimentary consultation with an INLIV practitioner about fitness and personal training, nutrition and diet, or medical aesthetics. After hearing about the INLIV flex credits, Angie considered her options and goals. Since she was concerned about her weight and cardiovascular health, she decided to meet with an INLIV personal trainer to pursue a fitness regimen.

I hadn’t been active since my mid-20s. I knew fitness was my most needed option.

Committing to the Gym
Angie went to her first session feeling nervous, scared, and even a bit intimidated. She knew she was out of shape. But the atmosphere and the attitude of the trainers she met stripped away all her fears and made her feel welcome – renewing her dedication toward following her goals.

The trainers were so kind and when I first appeared they all came to greet me. I felt right at home… their positivity gave me the courage to push through the discomfort and build success at every session.

After that initial meeting, the trainers helped create a personalized and powerful long-term plan for Angie, and she has been following it ever since!

Making Lasting Changes…
Angie went from hardly any activity at all, to clearing room in her weekly schedule for fitness – and she attributes it all to the kindness, compassion, and professionalism of the trainers she has met along the way. She also admits it wasn’t easy: in the first days of the program, before she really got into the routine, she was having great difficulty keeping up the willpower to continue. But with the encouragement of the INLIV fitness team, she was able to push through and stay on track.

Perseverance…I learned from the trainers. Their encouragement to keep going with baby steps was just what I needed.

…And Seeing the Results
Two years into her routine, Angie is seeing hard-earned results. She is stronger, has better endurance and balance, and is much more flexible; she has also learned that major changes are not about taking a few giant steps, but following through on many smaller ones along the way. Angie is committed to reaching her fitness goals, and working closely with her trainers to do so.

This is the best thing I could have done for myself…It’s hard work, but this has really helped me. While it is hard for me, it has been a huge transformation – I feel so much better, energized and glad I made the effort. It’s the people who make the difference.

What INLIV Can Offer
If you find yourself like Angie – wanting to make a positive, lasting healthy change, and aware that you need some guidance to get you there – then why not reach out to INLIV and see what we can do? We offer many services in addition to fitness. The best way to begin your wellness journey? Visit INLIV for a free tour of our fitness and medical facility to see how our team can help. Call 403.538.8881.

To learn more:

• Comprehensive Medical Assessments that give you a full and accurate long-term measure of your health over time
• Total Health Management that covers you and your family’s medical needs
• Medical Aesthetic services for men and women
• Corporate health programs

Find us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. or simply email us at getintouch@inliv.com to find out more!

Stepping off the elevator for my first appointment at INLIV, I’m feeling a little apprehensive. Crossing the invisible threshold and turning 50 has left me lacking in confidence. Suddenly I’m acutely aware of the toll the years of too much sun and too little sunscreen have taken on my face. Sagging skin around my knees has almost eliminated skirts from my wardrobe, as I’m self-conscious. Read more…

Summertime is finally here, and with the longer days and mild nights, many people are ready to travel and take full advantage of the season. In the spirit of Canada’s 150th birthday coming up this July, here are some of our country’s most incredible places to spend some time away, with a family or on your own. At INLIV we love to explore and enjoy the great Canadian outdoors, and we particularly like to hike, bike and get some physical activity while we are at it. In a country as big and diverse as ours, there’s something for everyone – no matter what kind of experience you prefer! Read more…

We’ve all had that moment – you’re looking in the refrigerator and stumble across something that is long past its expiry date. You open it to peek and suddenly have a throwback memory to the disgusting growth in a petri dish from seventh grade science class. Read more…

As the weather turns warmer, there are few things better than getting outside to enjoy some sunshine and fresh air. And with a city that’s full of bike paths, you can often find our staff out on two wheels, getting their exercise. It’s something that’s very important to us – and that’s why many of us have signed up to do the Branch Out Foundation’s bike tour this summer, in Panorama, BC! Read more…

Freezing your fat may sound like a science fiction story, but that’s precisely how the technology of CoolSculpting works. Pockets of fat are carefully targeted to freeze your fat cells, which are then naturally expelled by the body. Unlike earlier fat reduction treatments, CoolSculpting doesn’t just shrink the fat cell; it destroys it. Read more…

October 10 is World Mental Health Day. While many of us focus on physical health, mental health is essential to your well-being, too.  Read more…

Greg, 54, is a busy executive who used to think he had no time, energy, or ability to work on his fitness. Thanks to his years with INLIV, he’s in better health now than he’s ever been. Read more…

Though rosacea is a common skin disorder, there remain many misconceptions that can be discouraging and demoralizing for those impacted by it. The sideways glances, stares, or the assumption from some that the visible signs of rosacea are related to alcohol use or the belief that it’s contagious can be emotional for those living with it. Read more…

When you’re one of the people in charge of the daily operations of a large company – be it a provincial heavyweight or a multi-national corporation – it can be easy to lose track of your healthy habits. Over time, you find yourself cutting corners – a little bit, here and there: easy meals, instead of healthy ones; missed exercise classes; or loss of work-life balance. Before you know it, the stress and pressure of your career can take a toll on your health.  Read more…

Valentine’s Day has come and gone, along with all the piles of candy and chocolate that come with it. Since February is also Heart Month, here at INLIV we want to focus on the muscle that keeps all of us moving! If you really want to show your sweetheart how much you care, commit to a healthier and more proactive lifestyle together – one that keeps you active, supportive, and dedicated to keeping each other on track.

A healthy heart begins with a healthy lifestyle – and once you get in the habit, it’s easy to maintain.

Here are five simple tips to keep your heart working at its best

1. Eat well: There’s a whole world of wonderful food out there – expand your horizons with new fruits, vegetables, and recipes. Toss plenty of legumes and fibre into your diet, get colorful and include a variety of produce, while removing unnecessary sugar, fat, salt, and calories. A little effort goes farther than you think!
2. No smoking: By now, everyone knows that smoking is terrible for you. It’s toxic, carcinogenic, stressful on your cardiovascular system, and can be fatal. An easy head start to good heart health is to quit – or just never begin – smoking. Your heart, lungs, throat, teeth, and skin will thank you! Just one year after you stop smoking, your heart risk is reduced by 50%.

3. Regular exercise: Don’t be overwhelmed, thinking you have to commit to marathon-level training. Just 20 minutes of moderate exercise each day (150 minutes each week) can have a measurable effect on heart health. So play your favourite sport, take a brisk walk with your dog, or run with your kids – you won’t even realize you’re exercising at the same time!

4. Lower stress: Stress hormones directly increase your blood pressure and heart rate, increasing your risk of heart problems. Activities like yoga and meditation can increase mindfulness, reduce stress, and have many other positive effects on your body. Practice at home with an online tutorial, or take a class with a friend. It’s never too late to start! And spending time with loved ones can even be a stress reducer in itself. It’s a win-win solution!

5. Everything in moderation: We can all be tempted by the buffet table, the bottomless sodas, and the plate of brownies. While some reports say treats like dark chocolate and wine may have some positive benefits for your heart, those quickly disappear when too much is consumed. Know your limit and make the best of your delicious treats!

Want to learn more about heart health? Book a Comprehensive Medical Assessment. It can help detect and identify conditions, issues and risk factors early, so we can design preventative strategies for your improved health and wellness.

TALK TO AN ADVISOR ABOUT OUR MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS

Discover how INLIV can help you:

• Find out about our fitness and exercise programs
• See how we can help with your Total Health Management
• Sign up for our newsletter to receive our latest news and health tips
• Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

Aileen Kent is a Personal Trainer at INLIV. She is passionate about educating and empowering people to achieve their health and wellness goals using a customized holistic approach. Aileen holds a Personal Fitness Training Diploma from Mount Royal University, a Group Fitness Trainer Certificate from the Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association and a Holistic Nutrition Diploma from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition.

It seems like such a good idea: this year, your resolution is to get fit and stick to it! You’re determined, you’re ready, and you head to the gym in January with a playlist full of upbeat tunes and a new stick of deodorant. But before you know it, your gym bag and fitness goals are gathering dust under the couch.  Read more…

It is important to know the difference between the common cold and the seasonal flu. A cold can make you ill for a few days as it is a milder respiratory illness. Whereas the flu can make you feel ill from a few days to a few weeks, the flu can also result in hospitalizations and other health complications like pneumonia. So, do you have a cold or flu? Read more…

I often get asked the question, “how can I get rid of acne scars?” or “how can I improve the uneven texture or wrinkles of my skin?” Although laser resurfacing, chemical peel, and microdermabrasion are the most commonly used techniques for improving the texture and appearance of the skin, the choice of treatment depends on the condition being treated. These techniques use different methods; however, they have the same effect on the skin. They remove the upper layers of skin to allow for skin regrowth, resulting in smoother and healthier skin.  Read more…

SAY GOODBYE TO MUFFIN TOPS, BELLY, LOVE HANDLES AND MORE

Can you pinch an inch? Or two? Or three? The truth is we all have stubborn fat. Proper healthy diet and exercise are sometimes not enough to keep these unwanted bulges away. If you find yourself struggling with that “little bit extra”, we have the solution for you. It’s called CoolSculpting. CoolSculpting is the coolest, most innovative, non-surgical way to lose those annoying bumps and bulges of stubborn fat. This technology targets and cools unwanted fat cells in the selected area to induce a noticeable, natural-looking reduction in fat volume.  Read more…

Considered the gold standard in body composition technology, the BOD POD is fundamentally the same as underwater (hydrostatic) weighing, but uses air instead of water. It measures the volume of air a person’s body displaces while sitting inside the chamber, rather than measuring how much water his or her body displaces when dunked in a tank.

Read more…