URBAN MEETS ERBAN

A little over a month ago I met Adam Lecker. If you don't know who he is, our good friends over at Google can pull up a thing or two on this brilliant man. With over 24 years of coaching, Adam is a certified personal trainer with a background in human biomechanics and muscle physiology - focusing on postural correction and mobility (something I need help with, badly). Although Adam’s extensive range of certifications is applaudable, it is his passion to bring his physiology knowledge to his training that gets those goosebumps going. There is nothing I love more than working with a trainer that brings back science into programs and trains our body based on your systems. 

I’m not going to pretend I’m even remotely as knowledgable as Adam when it comes to  this topic, the autonomic nervous sys...

As I write this post, my legs are on fire and my arms dead from last night’s back and arm workout. I pushed extra hard as I knew it was the final workout in the 30 Days To Fit program. Was that my last workout I’ll ever follow by Beverley Cheng? Absolutely not. 

If you know me, I tend to prefer classes over programs. I’m not great at motivating myself to get to the gym and follow a workout of any kind. However, my girlfriend won access to the program through Beverley, so when she asked...I couldn’t say no. After agreeing to join, the hype around the program grew quickly. A Facebook support group was created and everyone was excited after Beverley announced she’d be doing the program alongside us! 

So, May 2nd I started the program. I was in Fernie, British Columbia, visiting my nephew a...

My legs are too “bulky”, my hips too wide, my breasts too small, and my chin and neck too fat? The things I often let my mind go on about, allowing free range to scrutinize my body and break down any self-confidence I have left. Whether it stems from seeing a photo on social media that leads me to comparing my body or a comment about my “athletic build”, which for some reason has me up in arms, I far too often catch myself shaming my own body after everything it’s done for me! 

It’s safe to say we’ve all been there. Whether instigated by an external source or as a result of a moment of self-doubt.  So, how do we learn to love ourselves and the journey our bodies go on? How do we realize that no one body is perfect, that we each view bodies differently, and that no matter what, we will alway...

What started as a friendly fitness competition with $500 prize money on the line, quickly turned into a lifestyle restoration! I didn’t want this to be a painful experience in which I committed to a brutal diet and hours at the gym. I wanted more than just 30 days of nourishing my body, only to then binge eat once it was all over because I felt deprived for weeks.  I knew I needed to educate myself on nutrition, test recipes, try new workouts, surround myself with like-minded individuals, set realistic goals, and commit to an 80/20 rule so that I could maintain a balanced lifestyle … long-term!

I don’t believe in going on a diet. I don’t remove carbohydrates or sugar. I don’t push my body to work out seven days a week. I believe in listening to my body, knowing my intolerances, what I have...

‘Tis the season to eat all the things! From office bake sale goods, festive holiday drinks, countless marshmallows in your cocoa to dinner party after dinner party, drinking champagne and consuming endless amounts of snacks. It’s a time filled with glutinous consumption well-before the big night, leaving you with a month filled of indulging and missed workouts! But it’s not about feeling guilty, because let’s be honest, who doesn’t indulge (especially during the holidays)?! This is about fitting all of those events into your already busy schedule and still managing to maintain regular workouts. Sure, burning extra calories will be helpful during this time, however exercising will also help reduce the stress and tension you’ll inevitably endure by dealing with family politics or making sure...

We’ve all been there. The moment when you look at your friend and say you need to get back in shape. You talk about all the workouts you’re going to do, the studios you'll try, and how you’ll keep one another accountable. Naturally, you'll then high-five for figuring life out! Fast forward a few months and you’re writing this down as a New Year resolution. Neither of you committed... 

Now, let me preface this post by saying I'm no fitness expert. But, I am a realist. I know that a diet won’t stick, I know that working out six times a week doesn’t fit my lifestyle, and I know spending money on a membership won’t guilt me into getting my monies worth either.  After realizing what won’t work for me, I began to think of what can, realistically. 

So, here are SIX ways to train...

Altar Ego is all about high performance and high vibe fashion apparel. Their leggings are made in Boston and by an all-female team (woot, woot), and each pair is custom printed by hand in their studio.  The material used is an imported Italian spandex that is ultra-soft,  has a four-way stretch, and feels like a second-skin.   

When I look for active wear, primarily leggings, I keep a few things in mind; comfort, stretch in the pant, coverage, and support. I want the leggings to feel like a second-skin,  I want to move and squat without restraint, I want the color of my underwear to remain a secret, and I want them to support my booty not flatten it! Also, who doesn't like a legging that can be worn outside of the gym? Whether you wear them to run errands or after the gym to...

Life can get busy and we all have our excuses. Whether it’s work, commitments to leagues, a membership that requires nightly attendance, or far too many planned extra curricular activities, our schedules always seem to get away from us. As we get older, "adulting" seems to make it impossible to find time to meet up with friends.  Anytime I try to schedule drinks après work with my friends, our calendars attempt to sink but then crash from exhaustion, desperately trying to find a day when either of us is free! Since many of my evenings involve a yoga or gym session already booked, I’m left to either cancel class (already paid for) or miss a workout. My friends and family are my life but so are snacks and wine! Missing a workout isn’t necessarily ideal – nor is having to unbutton my pants at...

I think that finding the perfect studio or workout routine is comparable to dating. A friend may introduce you, it may be an easy online interaction, or, you simply like what you see and decide to give them a try! But you ultimately have to be both mentally and physically committed. So, you go through the motions. You either end up in a situation where you’re staring at the clock praying for it to be over or you leave sweating having just had the best full-body workout! Trial and error ladies, trial and error. It’s the only way you find the right one – the one that makes you want to keep coming back for more. ​

I’ve lived in Toronto for almost five years and have tried my fair share of yoga studios, gyms, workout routines, apps, etc. I’ve been around the block once or twice with a few of th...