After your health, time is arguably your most valuable asset.

The problem is, especially during this time of year, so many different things & people are making demands on our time, from work deadlines, to shopping, and family. Often times we let these ‘other’ demands supersede our own needs and wants (Christmas is about giving, right?).

And what’s interesting is that in order for us to have the time, energy and resources to be able to give attention to each of these demands, we need to take care of ourselves first. How often have you thought to yourself, “Man! I really wanted to get to the gym today, but I HAD to  _______________?”

In 2013, one in five kids aged 12-17 reported a height and weight which classified them as either overweight or obese, according to a survey conducted by Statistics Canada.

Obviously there’s no single factor to blame for the astonishing rise in childhood obesity over the last 10 years: the rise of the technological age, poor knowledge/habits around food, and what we’re going to talk about today, confusion over just exactly how much exercise is required to create healthy, vibrant, energetic kids.

The Squat Challenge is back!

This month’s Wellness Group Challenge is to sit in the bottom of a full squat for time every day.

On the 1st (today!) you’ll squat for 1 minute, on the 2nd two minutes, etc… all the way to the June 30th when we want to challenge you to stay in the bottom of a full squat for 30 minutes.

Conventional wisdom says the best way to build your fitness is to lace up your runners,  find your ‘Cardio Zone’  and stay there for 45-60 min several times per week.

But increasing evidence is piling up suggesting this is – in fact – not the best way to get lean, strong and fit and can actually be downright dangerous.

In part 1 of this blog I went pretty deep into the nuts and bolts of how the body responds to exercise and the broad effects of buying into the cardio myth.

In this post I want to get specific and look at some key by-products of chronic cardio and how that may be holding you back from reaching your health and fitness goals.