by Lauren Walker While this is a slight deviation from my usual subject matter, I feel compelled to write about a few valuable insights I have learned from my ninety-seven-year-old friend. These are gentle reminders about finding joy in the simple moments and I'd like to share them with you. Enjoy the Moment Who knew a little bit of ice cream could make someone's day? Well, that may be an overstatement, as it isn't much but it is something to enjoy in the moment. Every day we

by Lauren Walker I am certainly not one to beat around the bush, so let's get to the point. We all make decisions every day which either help or hurt our wellness. Poor lifestyle choices lead to poor health, there's no way around it. You cannot fix years of ill health in a few months. Choices, choices, choices... it all comes down to choices people! Let's do the Math Over the years, I've come across the same issue over and over again. Bad habits are often easier to invest in

by Lauren Walker "Don't let the old man in" is a famous quote from Clint Eastwood. It got me thinking recently about the ups and downs which go hand in hand with growing older. Mental attitude, physical activity and social engagement help to keep the mind and body moving as you age. Mental Attitude What does it mean to face the day with positivity? My 92 year old clients insists that, "If you don't have a sense of humour, you have nothing." Not everything works as it once did

by Lauren Walker For the Love of Movement Why do I love to move my body? I've always had an excellent relationship with exercise because it's always been a part of my life. It's normal and natural, like breathing to me. My mom was always active when I was little, so in my mind, it was normal to move. It still is! Move Because You Can In my line of work, I spend time with people who aren't capable of doing basic tasks. I also spend time at local long-term care homes and meet p

by Lauren Walker We know exercise is beneficial for aiding an injury or chronic joint pain. However, how do you get moving without causing further damage? Well, that's part of my job. You can move any injury, within its limitations, but it must be done wisely. Here's how I've assessed my clients: Is this chronic or a one time occurrence? There's a difference between chronic joint pain and a one time injury. If a client slipped off a curb and twisted their knee, it may cause t

by Lauren Walker A common misconception is, when a limb or joint is injured, you should stop moving it. Some may have chronic joint pain or an injured joint, brought on by daily activity. In this case, I encourage movement for healing but we must do so safely. Necessary for Healing Part of healing an injury is bringing blood and oxygen to the injury and surrounding area. Specific exercise helps an injury by increasing blood flow to deliver essential nutrients, rebuilding surr

by Lauren Walker Movement is important but what kind of exercise is beneficial? What kind exercise is hurtful? The answer is not a simple one and it all depends on the nature of your issue. An exercise program is not one size fits all. Walking/Running High impact cardio, such as running or walking, is not ideal when it causes further pain. Each time your foot strikes the ground, the force is eight times your body weight. If your gait (the way your foot strikes the ground) is

by Tina Y. Gerber - McCurley More people are living longer, due to advances in medical science. Yet, we are still vulnerable to ailments, and increase chronic conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, ophthalmology and mental illness. Other risk factors include obesity, high blood pressure, ones family history, along with daily diet and physical inactivity. They are all interconnected. Your body is a complex network and an amazing design. For those who look

by Lauren Walker Purpose and passion. How do you live your life? I'm turning forty this year and I feel like I'm finally coming into my own. I was vacuuming my house this morning and I realized, while I dislike doing it, I can be joyful doing it. Vacuuming gave me the idea for this article, so thank you! A Joyful Shift A shift happens when you get older. I spent my twenties wondering who I was and what I wanted to be. I wasn't experiencing very much joy at all. Going through

LAUREN WALKER Special to The Standard Let's take a closer look at how our emotions and physical health are connected and how we can improve that connection. Let's dive into some healthy habits. Whether it's taking a half hour to go for a walk, taking an art course or meditation. An activity that allows you to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with yourself. Exercise You knew I'd get here sooner or later. Movement is a natural high which releases happy hormones i

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard For Jamie McTaggart, life changed dramatically at just 25 years old when unexplained numbness in her left leg and foot led to a diagnosis which would shape her future: multiple sclerosis (MS). “I couldn’t understand why it was happening,” Ms. McTaggart recalls. “It was scary, especially because my grandmother had MS and her condition worsened very quickly. I was terrified of what my future might look like.” Diagnosed in 2009, Ms. McTaggart began nav

by Lauren Walker My favourite go to snack is apples dipped in peanut butter. I don't mind bruises on my apples, I'll happily gobble them down any time. They may be flawed on the outside but just as sweet on the inside. The so called 'imperfections' on the outside can effect how we see ourselves and effect our physical wellness. Let's look into the mind and body connection. Emotional Wellness - There are those who find it difficult to make meaningful change because of unresolv

by Lauren Walker My last article touched on a few key items about exercise after a stroke. We've worked with many clients seeking rehab and our goal is to develop strength through the use of progressive weight bearing exercise. Our current client was affected on the left side and therefore her arm and leg suffered subsequent weakness. Let's dive into the key to getting our client up and walking with assistance. Assess the Client One size does not fit all, in this situation. T

by Lauren Walker I'm going to share with you about a client we work with who suffered a stroke. You may think progress cannot be made in such a case but in six months, the improvement is significant. Under careful supervision, our client went from not being able to stand to walking with assistance. What is the goal? Let's first be clear, significant issues, such as a stroke, require careful exercise programming with a professional. Our client had undergone physiotherapy and s

By: Lauren Walker Working with older adults for 20+ years has allowed me insight to the aging process. I'll be turning forty this year and most of my clients are 30+ years older than I. I see common threads amongst the aging population and as they age, little things become big challenges. My purpose, as a personal trainer, is to help them maintain functionality in their daily lives. Let's look at the common issues I help my clients with. Its All in the Hips One of the biggest

by Lauren Walker Valentines Day is fast approaching which makes me think of how to keep our hearts healthy. Health is always number one in my book and being well means more time for who you love. Your heart is a muscle Why is it so imperative to look after your heart? It only supplies blood and oxygen to your entire body! Keeping the traffic flowing means finding ways to make your heart more efficient. This means, yes, you guessed it: exercise is vital to keep it strong. What

by Lauren Walker Would you believe I had my very first experience with vertigo when I was thirty and again five years ago. No, this isn’t just an age related problem but it can be scary, if you’ve never experienced it before. I worked with a client today and, she is currently having to manage symptoms for the first time. At 75, it was obvious she was feeling uneasy. Exercise is an important help to manage symptoms but where do you start? Take a Moment There are varying levels

by Lauren Walker What is a resolution? According to Google, “A firm decision to do or not do something.” It got me thinking about the reality of resolutions and why people wait for a New Year to start. If you’re a Star Wars fan, you’ll know who said this, “Do or do not. There is no try.” A resolution really means nothing if you’re not following through. More Than Words The word itself reminds me of other words I dislike such as, “diet” which I never ever use. It is a buzzword

by Lauren Walker I recently started reading “100 Rules for Living to 100” by Dick Van Dyke. Many older individuals find it difficult to maintain a positive attitude as they age, and yet it is so crucial. I definitely recommend this book! Being Stubbornly Optimistic What gets you out of bed in the morning? “I’ve made it to one hundred, in no small part, because I have stubbornly refused to give in to the bad stuff in life: failures and defeats, personal losses, loneliness and

By Lauren Walker Most of my clients are over 65. What do you think their biggest challenge is? The fear of falling is very real, but I’ve learned over the years the fear isn’t the fall itself. The fear is not being able to get back up. Let me share with you how I help my clients. Facing the Fear I’ve worked with this client for several years, and one of her biggest fears is not being able to get up after a fall. My client was very anxious about it, I admit, but I told her to