Anne Parr PRO TRAINER

The City of Thunder Bay, Lakehead Social Planning Council and Poverty Free Thunder Bay invite you to attend:

Breakfast with Mark ChamberlainClick here to RSVP and download your official invitation. click to RSVP

Mark Chamberlain is President and CEO of Trivaris, one of the largest visual information systems companies in Canada. He also served as Chair of the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction during its first five years.  Mark is highly sought after for his business and community leadership and, in particular, where the two intersect.

Prosperity and Poverty: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Join fellow community leaders in considering poverty reduction as a key strategy for building a more prosperous community.

Mark Chamberlain, a recognized leader in his work to reduce poverty, will share experiences and lessons learned from the development of the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction and the journey to make Hamilton “the Best Place to Raise a Child”.

Mark will share practical and collaborative ways for a community to work together to reduce poverty.

“Communities are the places where poverty lives. Community innovation is one of the best solutions to poverty.”

- Vibrant Communities Canada

Just a reminder of the World Tai chi Day activites and the AGM tomorrow at The International Taiji Park at 10:00 am.

Hope to see you there.

Anne

Recreation 55 Rambler for May 2012

Active Options for People 55 Plus in Thunder Bay The Recreation 55 Rambler is written and distributed by Nancy Angus, Community Program Developer – Older Adults with the Recreation & Culture Division’s Older Adult Unit. Please feel free to share this positive recreation information with friends. Nancy can be contacted at 684-2403 or nangus@thunderbay.ca.  

Mental Health Week (May 7 to 13) Be good to yourself.  At the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre I'll be presenting a workshop entitled 55 Ways to be Active in Thunder Bay on Monday, May 7.  Call me to register at 684-2403.  This lecture will be one of many free sessions that will be presented throughout Thunder Bay in recognition of the importance of mental health.  Even if you can't attend this lecture, try to do something for yourself that makes you happy.  A full listing of activities will be included in a tabloid distributed with the Saturday April 28 Chronicle-Journal.

Pickleball Power This game of tennis, badminton and table tennis rolled into one has definitely arrived in Thunder Bay.  Sign up for the Free Pickleball Clinic on Saturday, May 12 from 10 am to 12 noon.  Call West Thunder Community Centre to register at 475-9396.  West Thunder will start their 55 Plus Pickleball League on Tuesdays from 10 to 12 noon during the third week of September.  

The Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre has a drop-in pickleball league on Mondays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.  All welcome.

Urban Poling Nordic Walking  Join Laurin Hoegy at the Canada Games Complex on May 20th for an introduction to Urban Poling Nordic Walking.  Nancy Engstrom and Gail Marshall will lead a pole walking introduction on May 30th at the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre.  Look for registration details in the latest copy of the Key coming to homes the weekend of May 12. Urban Poling Nordic Walking is a great way to add to your walking work out.  It works more muscles and burns more calories!  Not bad.  Plus, you can get ready to get into the Guinness Book of Records!  The Finn Thunder 2012 committee are trying to set a Guinness World Record for the most people simultaneously Nordic Walking!  The attempt will be on July 27 at Boulevard Lake.  For registration details go to:http://finnthunder2012.com/guinness.html

Cycling Skills for the 55 Plus Cyclist This course is taught by professional cycling instructors who are 55 plus and takes place at the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre.  Through classroom, outdoor and on-road sessions, the course will cover cycling with traffic, defensive skills, proper equipment, bike safety, bike fit, and bike maintenance.  This course will help you ride safely and confidently.  Takes place Tuesday May 29, 6 to 8 pm; Thursday May 31, 6 to 8 pm and Saturday June 2 from 9 am to 12 noon.  Register at 625-8463 or in person at the 55 Plus Centre.

Brodie Resource Library - 100 Years Young Did you know that the first librarian was Mary Joanna Louisa Black also known as Mary J L Black?  In 1918, the Brodie Library was a makeshift hospital during an outbreak.  Next time you are at the library, think of the history that surrounds you.  And don't forget to marvel at those fabulous stained glass windows.  Happy Centennial, Brodie! Join them for their celebration tea on Saturday, April 28.

Wednesday Women Walkers Janeen, our fabulous 55 ACTIVATOR is back so feel free to join her for an hour of friendly walking and talking at the Sports Dome on Wednesdays until May 30.  Meet at 10 am at the Dome. Remember, there is free walking at the Sports Dome most weekly mornings.  Many folks 55 plus prefer to walk at 9 am so if you like to get your walk in early, drop in to the Dome.  

FABs Finale Join the Fun Active Babes as they celebrate their last free recreation sampler of the season, Party in the Park.  Join them in the International Taiji Park at Marina Park.  There will be tai chi, food and friends.  Help celebrate this innovative program for women.  Bring your friends and families to the Party. For more information email Janeen at befabulous55@yahoo.ca or call 684-2403.

NorthWest Seniors Games Registration will take place from  May 21 to 25  @ Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre, May 22- 25 @ the Herb Carroll 55 Plus Centre and  May 8, 11:30 to 1 pm @ West Thunder CC.  

Walk a Bit Volunteer Program This great program has many folks waiting for volunteers to walk with them.  If you love to walk, please consider this program.  If you would like someone to walk with and get you out of the house, this might be the program for you.  People are matched and walks take place once a week at a time and day of the week convenient for both parties.  If you are interested, contact Kathy or Suzanne at the Support Services program at 684-3471.  

Dog Walkers If you have a neighbour who is having trouble walking the dog, why not offer to take their dog around the block?  Good exercise for both you and the dog and greatly appreciated by the person who may not be able to get Fido the exercise he needs!  

Wit Knits Purling Along  Congratulations to Margaret and her gang of knitters at the West Thunder Community Centre who continue to bring in new knitters week by week.  Margaret, a 55 ACTIVATOR, will continue this project until Thursday May 31 at the Mary J L Black Library.  They meet on Thursdays at 1:30 to 3 pm.  

Do you have what it takes to be an ACTIVATOR?  This volunteer troupe takes to the streets to offer great 55 Recreation programming throughout the city.  If you want to help at Heath Pool this summer or with an outdoor walking program in June at the McDonald's Arthur Street, please call me at 684-2403.

Chow Down  Do you love to go out to restaurants or would you rather cook a lovely meal at home?   Years ago, my niece was researching an assignment for her Foods class in University.  She asked my mom, who was then in her 80’s, how often her family went out to a restaurant when she was growing up.  My mom figured that they went as a family once to the Emo Hotel.  Dining out wasn’t a priority.  In the Depression, my mom said everyone would share the proceeds from their gardens.  When the men who were riding the rails would come into town, folks would give them a cup of soup or a piece of bread.  They would share whatever they could.  Food was scarce and meals were treasured.   Today, there are many options for eating out.  Thunder Bay has a variety of new restaurants supporting locally produced beef, veggies and cheeses.  A trip out to the Sovereign Room on Red River Road was a treat for me.  The food was presented beautifully, and tasted even better!  What more could you ask for.  And I love the salads at the Growing Season on Algoma.  So does my mom who is now 93.

In my work I have met many people who enjoy eating and sharing meals.  If you look at the design of the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre, the heart of the building is the River Street Café.  It’s designed like a family home with the gathering place being the kitchen.  A good hot meal is served every week day.  And their cheese biscuits are a fav of mine!

Lunch is the time many folks want to get together and one of the best programs running in Thunder Bay is the Canadian Red Cross Diner’s Club.  Randy Moore is the Community Services Coordinator with the Canadian Red Cross Thunder Bay Branch and he says that when the program first started he didn’t know what to expect.  It didn’t take him long to recognize the value.  “For some people, the Diner’s Club might be the only outing they make in a month and it’s a big social event for them.  It’s been great seeing people reconnect after thirty or forty years. The key word for me about the program is socialization.“

Dining together with new and old friends makes the Diner’s Club a treasure in Thunder Bay.  The club schedules the first, third and last Tuesday of the month at three different locations including The Moose Hall, Slovak Legion and West Thunder Community Centre.  They also have 3 meals a month at the Nolalu Community Centre.   The club is open to people over 55 and the average participant is about 75 years young.  If you are interested in joining the Club, contact Randy Moore at 684-9693.  The cost of meals is reasonable and you’ll be billed once a month for the meals you attend.  What a great deal.  Some people may go to three a month but others may have transportation issues and can only attend the lunch in their neighbourhood.  Randy Moore says that folks are starting to car pool to the lunches which extends the socializing even longer!

And for those of you who may know your way around the kitchen but want to get a little bit of advice from a chef, Confederation College has a terrific program planned.  It’s called Cooking for One (but could also be for two) and Chef Jodi Strizic assisted by Nancy Angus as the bottle washer, will lead participants through a fun morning of preparing a meal in the professional kitchen at Confederation College.  If you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this course will be for you.  After preparing the meal, you’ll sit down together to eat.  Plus there will probably be food to take home!  The course is schedule for Saturday, May 5 from 10 am to 2 pm.   To register, call 475-6550 or www.confederationc.on.ca/ce.

If you want to dine in or out, call a friend to invite them to join you.  And if you meet your coffee club at one of the restaurants, encourage them to walk to the coffee shop.  That’s a perfect way to combine food, friendship and fitness!  How’s that for a Terrific Trio!  Happy dining!

On the RESEARCH front:

Are women avoiding exercise because of the gym’s change room?

For some, the gym change room is a warren of insecurity – the cruelty of the female gaze. For others, it is ground zero for the eradication of body image issues: Where else can you see real female bodies in a panoply of shapes and sizes?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/fitness/exercise/fitness-research/are-women-avoiding-exercise-because-of-the-gyms-change-room/article2409589/

Optimism called heart healthy      

Being upbeat and optimistic just may help protect against heart disease.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2012/04/18/heart-optimism.html

Weight training staves off dementia in older women

B.C., Iowa researchers find resistance training improves brain function of women 70 and over

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2012/04/24/dementia-seniors-weight-training.html

AND finally, a Little Oprah!  Oprah and entourage were in Canada recently to tape episodes of Oprah's Life Lessons.  One of the lessons she shared with her audience was to  "live in PAIN."   Pay. Attention. Inward. Now.  She encouraged the audience to examine and re-examine how they live, and how they feel emotionally, physically and mentally.  Her number one best lesson was to practice gratitude.  Thank you for reading this eletter down to the very end!

Thanks to

Nancy Angus for sharing this information

Community Program Developer - Older Adults

City of Thunder Bay, Recreation & Culture Division, Older Adult Unit

700 River Street, Thunder Bay, ON  P7A 3S6

Tel (807) 684-2403

Fax 345-1612

Email nangus@thunderbay.ca

www.thunderbay.ca/55plus

Wishing you good health and happiness.

Anne

Sharing somthing to consider in your own studio or area.  Nothing like motivation and an idea to run with.  Helping as many people as we can throughout our communities, areas, provinces and Country.  Win to success where ever you may be.

Spring is here and people start thinking about shedding body fat in time for summer.  So it’s a perfect opportunity to offer a Fat Loss program or Weight Loss challenge.

At Northwest Personal Training, our Spring Weight Loss and Makeover program has been a huge winner both from a financial and a client success perspective. Here are some of the details of our program:

How does the challenge work? Everyone will be assigned to a trainer’s group and the groups will compete against each other throughout the challenge.  A client can either be randomly assigned to a trainer’s group or request a certain trainer. A client can make this challenge as self-motivated as they like or they can utilize our services to help them through the process and maximize their results. Weekly weigh-ins are required so we can check their progress, and adjust their plan accordingly. The teams’ trainer is there to help clients stay motivated and answer any fitness questions they might have.

The program will be launched Wednesday April 25th at our Vancouver studio.  At the program launch clients will be weighed in and provided with exercise and nutrition guidelines to help them transform their body!  Note: If for whatever reason they cannot make it to the program launch, they must be weighed in at the Vancouver studio between April 23rd – April 29th unless otherwise arranged.

The final weigh-in will occur between June 4th -10th at Vancouver studio unless otherwise arranged.  All results must be in by June 11th at the very latest with no exceptions in order to calculate results.

The team with the greatest percentage weight lost will be deemed the winning team (although everyone is a winner in our books!).  Bragging rights go to the Personal Trainer with the winning team!

Spring makeover Challenge Options:  Clients pick an Option that works with their needs.  Here is how we promote the various options.

Flying Solo: I know what I need to do.  Just give me a finisher’s gift, weigh me in, and I’m good to go. The competition is all I need to keep me going.  Cost:  $47

Jump-Start: In addition to a finisher’s gift, can you please provide me with a NWPT Results Manual and take my pre and post girth and body fat measurements (2-30 minute appointments).  Cost:  $97

Rookie: I’m new around here and this will be a great opportunity to get me started on a trial membership.  Please provide me with a Group Training membership during the challenge in addition to the finisher’s gift, NWPT Results Manual and pre and post measurements (2-30 minute appointments).  Cost:  $197

Coach Me: Help me through this process.  Includes finisher’s gift, NWPT Results Manual, Pre/Post Measurements (2-30 min appts), and 12-30 minute private training sessions (suggested 2 sessions/week).  Cost—Members: $527  Non-members:  $597 (includes Group Training membership during challenge)

Tandem: Guide me closely on this journey.  Includes finisher’s gift,  NWPT Results Manual, Pre/Post Measurements (2-30 min appts), and 12-60 minute private training sessions (suggested 2 sessions/week). Cost—Members: $927 Non–members:  $997 (includes Group Training membership during challenge)

Inspire a Friend – Motivate a non-NWPT buddy to join & you BOTH get 10% off entry fee!

Besides the health benefits and bragging rights… This year, each week we are going to reward the individual that loses the most weight with a gift… $25 gift certificate for Northwest Personal Training.   

Grand Prize: Overall Male & Female winner will receive a plush gift basket filled with gift certificates and products… Including but not limited to an hour massage, 3 Endermologie treatments, $50 to Fit Right NW, Manicure & Pedicure, Climbing 201 – Belay On course, One night stay at Briar Rose Inn Bed and Breakfast, a bottle of Sycamore Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and $40 Dinner ~ Uptown Pasta.

Each registrant also receives a Fat Loss workbook that includes nutrition and activity logs, educational information, homework assignments and more.  We sell the rights and license to use this “NWPT Results Manual” for your own Fat loss programs or Weight Loss challenges and this month we are offering 20% off the normal rate. You can find more details on this topic, all of the forms we use to bring clients through this process and so much more in our Fitness Results Manual.   Learn more about it in this video where I walk you through all of the different sections of the manual.

Check it out!

Self Care Tools & Strategies for Living Well is something I share each day this event will help you be the best you can be;

presented by Active Soul

Once you decide for yourself, with certainty, on the course you desire for your life, circumstances, events and people will drop into your life to support your decision. A foggy vision does not manifest a clear destination. With certainty, what would you like to change in your life that will help you live more healthy and whole? What if I was one of those people that can come into your life and offer you some tools and strategies that you probably haven’t tried or have even heard of to make your vision a reality?

My intention is to offer tools that will help you live your life as though you really matter. We care so much for others but sometimes leave ourselves out of the picture.  No matter where you are on your journey or the age of your physical being, you owe it to yourself to make this moment totally awesome.

*"Life is not a stress test; there is no need to feel anything but good!” When you are happy, everyone else around you benefits from your energy, and gives them unspoken permission to release their own greatness within.

Take care of yourself and you will be happy! 

Your body is a vehicle used to express yourself in this world; have you tuned it up recently? 

Why not fill your life line with a whole-food cooking class with

"Meals & Memories" ; not only will this class provide you with energy but it is

information that you will take home with you and share with your loved ones, making lasting memories; check it out here..... 

Active Soul

If you are ready to drive the highway of possibilities with your foot to the metal, then you might want to check out the “Wellness in the Kitchen” where we will cook up a new way of clean eating followed by self-care practices for dessert ( goal setting & body/mind exercises  to recharge your batteries) Check it out here.......

 And if you’re really motivated and you want to take a trip of a lifetime into knowing the depth of your inner being, then may I suggest you order the

“Quest to Release Your Inner Greatness”.... Inspiration struck and I have made some changes. It is now a full day of self discovery as time is precious and once we start on this journey, we will want to drive full throttle ahead to get to the glory. This process is an inside job and the exercises and reflective questions will inspire you to discover yourself in the privacy of your own space. If you welcome the opportunity to share your insights and want to ask for guidance, then I will gladly listen and ask questions to open you up to your inner knowing.....check it out here  

http://activesoul4u.com/pb/wp_7f9d1dad/wp_7f9d1dad.html ;

At the Business Women’s Expo this past weekend, I had the privilege of meeting a lot of fantastic women and even though I look forward to serving you, I welcome men on this journey of self-care unless I have specified this is a women only event. I am reconsidering starting the ‘Woman’s Activity Club’ as there was a response for it and I do consider that another tool for taking care of oneself (but really, I’m missing the old gang!)...stay tuned.

I have just signed up with Paypal to make sign up and paying easier and time efficient. I look forward to serving you; meet you at the check in line of the fabulous journey to the life you're meant to live!

Take care.

Blessings,

Marla  with Active Soul

*Hyland’s ad

I know a lot of you are wondering why I made the wish for us to have a snowday.

I love snow!   Did you know we have not had a real snow day since 1996 Feb. 17 to be exact?  One of my participants remembered that date very clearly in which everyone has to stay home for 2 days.  

This morning when I wake there was a little snow falling but none to make it look like maybe this snow day is really going to come?

The winds and the cold were very biting to the flesh as I walked to Church this morning.  No sauntering today got there and home as fast as I could.

One of my ladies I train sent me an email “Enough Already” thank goodness she was just talking about thesnow.  Thought I was over working her.

If you do get out shoveling make sure you push with your legs and use arms, lift small amounts using your biceps and triceps. Stay tall in your spine bending the knees to assist the lift.  Take your time there is no hurry. 

A snow day should be a slow day with a huge FUN Factor.... when was the last time you made a snow angel?

Or snow fort?

We are never too old to play it brings joy and laughter

Go for it!

Yesterday was Little Christmas the day the Wiseman came to visit the Christ child.  Many still believe this is

the Jesus's birth day. 

                                               TO ALL

So how are we doing with the NEW YEARS Resolutions?

Goal setting should always be looked at in 3 ways:

Short term - 2 - 4 weeks be able to accomplish

Mid term - 5 weeks to 6 months - how are you doing?  Do you need some support? Motivation, Direction?

Long term six months to 1 year Are you stiking to your goal?  What have you accomplished?  Do you need to make some adjustments?

Sharing this for all interested.

Happy New Year to you!

I am reminding you that if your New Year's resolution contains any interest in pursuing the Feldenkrais Method of learning -- I am teaching an Awareness Through Movement class at the 55 Plus Centre, on Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30. If you participated in the Drop-in classes last year, you will find some of the lessons familiar and some of them brand new.

For those of you who are not sufficiently mature to join the 55+ classes, I am exploring a different venue for another class.

The first class is on Tuesday, January 10 -- that is assuming there is sufficient registration.

I wish us all good health,

Oliver

Keep on the road to Succedd with every failure come new open doors.

Anne

I will be making a conscious effort to wish everyone a Merry Christmas this year ...

My way of saying that I am celebrating the birth Of Jesus Christ.

So I am asking my Blogging buddies, if you agree with me, to please do the same.  

And if you'll pass this on to your blogging buddies, and so on

...maybe we can prevent one more Canadian (or American) tradition from being lost in the sea of

"Political Correctness".

I am so into fixing the body the most natural ways possible.  Our body's mind & spirit deserve our attention so we can heal any damage done from the past.  See information on Feldenkras method the more we learn the more choices we have to be the VERY BEST we can BE!

Claims about benefits of Feldenkrais are sometimes exaggerated. I am by nature skeptical and argumentative and I like evidence for claims, preferably personal experience. 

In the video I pointed you to, the assertion that a person took 2 minutes off their time for running a mile seems overstated - but - we would have to know more about the individual. I presume he must have been in the jogging category of runners, to shave that much time off a mile - or maybe he improved a lot and exaggerated the degree.

I'm obviously pretty convinced about Feldenkrais Method, from my personal experience.

FYI: Here are two links with overlapping information about research based evidence for benefits of this Method. 

Feldenkras resource

Feldenkras method

As you may know I have been working hard for the last two years, going to Chicago for a couple of months each year, studying the Feldenkrais Method.  What is it?

There is a brief article in "Alive": Article on Feldenkras Method    There is a youtube video that gives you another look at it:  what is Feldenkrais Method you tube

I'm now half way through the process and am qualified to teach group lessons called AWARENESS THROUGH MOVEMENT. Some of you have already been taking these lessons with me, but now, after the last 5 weeks of study, I am qualified to teach, and lI am opening the class to more people.

The next drop-in class is at the 55 Plus Centre, Tuesday, November 22, from 7 to 8 pm. The fee is $4.There will be classes Dec. 6 and Dec. 13

I learned about the Feldenkrais Method, in the context of taiji workshops with Dr. Yang Yang in Illinois and I believe that what I learned in those lessons, advanced my understanding of taiji a huge amount. My taiji improved, my enjoyment increased and I became a better teacher.

Each lesson is different, so you don't have to worry about remembering things. Usually you can't see anyone else, so the temptation to compete or to compare yourself unfavourably is absent. You are always encouraged to avoid working too hard - to really paying attention to how you feel. Usually we are lying on the floor, so that gravity is not much of an issue. The unusual ways of moving result in a new body/mind relationship. It is hard to explain something that has an approach that is so different from the more usual approaches that we have been learning. Best is to try it. 

If you want to try an AWARENESS THROUGH MOVEMENT lesson, give me a call or email, to book a space, or for more information.

The second way of teaching is a one-on-one method called FUNCTIONAL INTEGRATION, in which the teacher (me) uses hands to teach the lesson by gently guiding movements to the student (possibly you) who is generally lying on a table. It isn't massage, you are fully clothed, but you learn some new things about organizing and using your body.

I need another two years of study to be fully qualified, but I am at a stage where I need to learn by touching as many different bodies as possible. 

I will be offering the hands on lessons at my home, twice a week till mid-December. Monday, Wednesday, Friday 3-4 pm. If you would like to help me learn, please call or email to book an appointment.

Oliver