Finding My Bliss With Healthy Choice
Posted by: Maureen | October 25, 2011 | 2 Comments
As a blogger/writer, there are certain things that are on my bucket list: getting published, Writing something that affects change, making a career out of writing, and attending the Blissdom Canada conference.
Thanks to Healthy Choice, I was able to attend the Blissdom Canada conference this year as their sponsored blogger; scratch that off my bucket list!
This conference was not only a learning experience, but a opportunity to meet some of my writing role models and interact with some very inspirational people.
Thursday evening, I found myself walking the red carpet in the halls of the CBC, and mingling with the likes of @HerbadMother, @TheresaAlbert, @EarnestGirl and, of course, my writing mentors @YummyMummyClub (Erica Ehm) and @SharonDv.
Friday morning, I went straight to the Healthy Choice “Steam and Win” Oasis Lounge to meet my sponsors. My contact, Lisa, couldn’t have made me feel more welcome, and I was happy to see that their booth was all about getting pampered. They weren’t pushing their product, they weren’t making me push their product. They really understood that this networking thing is all about building relationships rather than selling product.
While I was there, I received a paraffin hand treatment which was very relaxing. It helped ease my nerves before my first seminar, and it made my hands smell great!
Friday’s seminars included “The Business of Doing Business” and “Using Social Media for Social Good”, both could help me meet some of my goals. The panels were both interesting. I learned a good deal about the business of writing, and I learned that using social media for good will make an entire room of bloggers cry.
Saturday morning I, once again, went to see the lovely people at the Healthy Choice “Steam and Win” Oasis Lounge, and I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Brent Bishop, a professional fitness trainer and author of “The Think Factor”. I asked Brent a few questions on how a blogger/writer can keep themselves healthy and fit even though most of their day is spent sitting at a keyboard.
Me: What is the “Think Factor”?
Brent: Each of us has a trigger within us, that when unleashed, can have a powerful impact on our lives. Sometimes all it takes is an inspiring thought that acts as the crucial element to get us out of a rut and propel us forward – that is The Think Factor and it is unique to the individual.
Me: How important is diet?
Brent: Diet is about 70% of real weight loss success, particularly when it comes to hitting a fitness plateau. Tailoring your diet to be conducive to the results you are looking for will ensure you are maximizing your efforts and goals of becoming fit and leading a healthy lifestyle.
Me: What is it that you like about the healthy Choice Gourmet steamers?
Brent: Heathy Choice Gourmet Steamers are a great solution for the person on the go who is wanting to lead a healthy lifestyle. Today, people find it really difficult to balance work, family, and healthy eating choices; this product is a cost-effective and time-effective way to ensure you’re getting a low fat, lower calorie meal that is also good for you and great tasting.
Me: What are some easy things busy parents can do to promote healthy eating/active lifestyle?
Brent: One of the best things for parents to do to promote a healthy lifestyle is to lead by example. For example, at Think Fitness Studios we have an amazing mom & baby program whereby moms can bring their babies and actually workout while bonding with them. This is a great start at making fitness a ‘natural’ and integral part of the routine. As toddlers get older, it is that much easier to get them away from the video games and into sports and activities that their parents have and are still involved in.
Me: Any tips specifically for bloggers/writers (people who sit at a computer a lot)?
Brent: As a blogger/writer, you are positioned at a computer for long periods of time which places stress on your body and promotes poor posture. Here are some tips that are essential for all bloggers:
1) 20min work rule – the human attention span is on average 20min (whereby you can remain highly focussed). Take advantage of this fact and get up every 20-25min so that you can redirect your energy to getting your body moving, stretching and relieving tension. You will find you not only feel less aches and pains at the end of the day, but you will be more productive when you get back to work.
2) Scapular mobilization - Raise your shoulders towards your ears until you feel a slight tension in your neck and shoulders. Hold for 5 seconds. Slowly push chest forward and release your shoulders downward and backwards squeezing the shoulder blades together until you reach the lowest position to their normal position. Repeat this circular motion 3-5 times in each direction to alleviate tight muscles and enhance your posture.
3) Hydrate – have a glass of water that you can sip on while you are at the desk. You may even benefit from a smaller glass of water that can be finished quicker and could therefore encourage you to take those necessary breaks to stretch out and refill.
4) Ergonomic workspace. If you frequent the same desk at work and find you leave in pain regularly, look into having someone come in and do an ergonomic assessment. This could make your work world not only more productive but also help eliminate some chronic issues that you may be experiencing.
1. Core and Postural Conditioning – if you are not already exercising and focusing on training your core and postural muscles then now’s the time to start. You will feel stronger, more energetic, more productive and the results will counteract the development of poor posture. For more information or to get started on a program visit: ThinkFitnessStudios.com
After our interview, I may have snuck in another paraffin hand treatment, and made an appointment for an eye treatment later in the day.
Saturday, the most informative panel (for me) was called “To Publish or Not to Publish” and I enjoyed every minute of it. Getting published has been my dream since I was a teenager, so I ate up all the advice. Who wouldn’t when that advice is coming from some seriously big names in the industry. Now, try to imagine how over the moon I was when Jen Reynolds, the editor-in-chief at Canadian family, gave us a writing assignment! I’ll be working on that as soon as this blog is posted. Maybe I will be able to scratch something else off my bucket list.
After the publishing panel, I was ready for a nap, and I was going to head upstairs even though it would have meant missing the closing ceremonies. I was that tired.
Before I left, I thought I would stop in at the Steam and Win Oasis Lounge and see how everyone was doing. Apparently, I had just missed a Zumba class. Brent could see I was disappointed, so he said he would do another mini workout.
He took out some tension bands and we did some stretching and exercising. I honestly thought my legs were going to collapse, but you know what? When we were done, I felt energized, and I made it through the closing ceremonies and then to the costume party that night.
If singing karaoke with Jordan Knight of New Kids on The Block had been on my bucket list, I could have scratched that off at the costume party! I also got to meet Nadine Silverthorne that night (Maybe more exciting than Jordan Knight).
What’s on your bucket list? Perhaps a vacation at a spa resort? If so, go to www.healthychoicecanada.ca and you and a friend could be spending 6 nights at Body-Holiday LeSPORT all inclusive resort in St. Lucia. This is a spa and fitness retreat, where you will get pampered just like I did in the “Steam and Win” Oasis Lounge. To enter, all you need to do is, purchase a Healthy Choice Steam and Win product and uncover a PIN before December 2011. I recommend the General Tso’s Chicken, personally.
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2 Responses to “Finding My Bliss With Healthy Choice”
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October 26th, 2011 @ 12:34 pm
Hi Moe! I’ve now bookmarked this post because of all the great info in it!
Sharon recently posted..Mom Of A Speed Skater
October 26th, 2011 @ 1:10 pm
Thank-you so much Sharon! I’m glad you found it useful