Along the FitPath

Tah dah! Our new homepage.

As in a previous blog, we've been in the process of creating a new homepage for our main website at hiking.com. Well, as you may see (if logged onto hiking.com), it's now up and running. Be sure to check out the video featuring cameos by Cathy, Kirk, and Jeff. The video was filmed around the Ainsworth lodge and for some of you, perhaps, you can recognize where some of the shooting took place. The feature photo of Jeff and models that captivates the home page was shot at Idaho peak (check out our facebook page for more shots on Idaho). As you can see, the wild flowers were in full bloom. Simply breathtaking. 

And for those of you who enjoy contests, be sure enter our "Come Trek with Us" contest. All that is required is you become a fan of FitPath at Mountain Trek, which is our Facebook page and answer the quiz that is linked on hiking.com. It's meant to be fun so enjoy and good luck! 

jp

Imagine yourself here

The summer has invited us here at Mountain Trek, BC to enjoy the beauty of her season. Alpine flowers, blue sunny days, stunning mountain views, it truly is why British Columbia is called SuperNatural. 

Our weather has allowed higher elevation hikes, Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park being one of them. 

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Here's a few of them. For more, find us on Facebook, at FitPath at Mountain Trek. 

Happy trails! 

jp - guide/photographer 

New Harry Potter movie opens today

I know, you may be wondering why I'm writing about this on our blog. Besides being a HP fan (I've only read the books a few times each), I'm excited about Mountain Trek's new movie rolling on screens everywhere. Our new homepage on www.hiking.com  is set to launch by next week (fingers crossed). it's a two minute short about the FitPath program we offer. Whew! Hard to capture all we do in just a short period of time (amazing crew we had working on it) but I think you'll like it. And perhaps, it will bring back some fond memories of your time spent here.

jp- 

Creating Bliss

Did you know that we humans have a "bliss point"? I'm not talking about the nirvana we may experience while meditating but the right combination of salt, sugar and fats designed to trigger the taste buds to their own nirvana. At least that is the claim of David A. Kessler, a former FDA commissioner and author of "The End of Overeating, Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite". Menu scientists at popular restaurant chains and packaged food corporations use their knowledge of this bliss point to create a taste experience so intense that it kicks the brain's pleasure response into overdrive. It can be compared to a drug experience and the more you eat, the more pleasure it can bring. Which of course, leads to overeating and an increased desire for those particular foods. Being mindful of what kind of foods lead to overeating is the first step in breaking the cycle. And of course, preparing and cooking food at home gives you control of what goes into your body and another way to stop cravings for salt, sugar and fatty foods.  

Looking for other ways of creating bliss? Meditation can bring bliss to some; a walk in nature for others. What I suggest is to write a pleasure book, list everything that brings you pleasure. For me, it's going to the library. Or a good movie (Harry Potter is finally coming out!) When an craving shows up you have at hand, other ways to experience pleasure rather than from food. 

jp -blogger and bliss seeker  

To Detox or Not to Detox

As part of my gig as the social networker (Facebook/Twitter) I do research (ie read) for what's new and happening in the health and fitness world. I came across an article in the June issue of Elle magazine entitled "Tune Up" which is about "cleansing the body". In essence, it talks about main stream medicine (Western or allopathic medicine) is slowly beginning to turn its wheels to some validity to "detoxing" the body. Why? Science is starting to support it. There are several authorities cited as well as a few celebrities who support the process of detox and the consumption of foods that support the body's own natural process of detox. 

Can you hear us cheering at Mountain Trek? If you've been a guest with us, you know we are proponents of detox especially eating more cleansing foods (ie, no wheat, no processed foods, and no sugar), supporting lymphathic drainage through massage and yoga, and use of our infrared sauna and steam room for increased sweating and blood circulation. Our nutrition lectures speak more about food sensitives and how foods can create more toxic loads in bodies inhibiting weight loss. 

We cheer again, Western medicine for investigating what we have known is true and works for us at Mountain Trek. And for those in the western medicine field who go against some pretty ingrained belief systems and write books about it.  

Here's the link: http://www.elle.com/Beauty/Health-Fitness/Tune-Up-Are-Cleanses-the-Cure

jp - blogger/facilitator and natural medicine practitioner 

Fire up your metabolism with breakfast

I'm here simply to remind you.  

Eat your breakfast. 

Not just once in awhile but every single day. Weight loss isn't magic. It's a byproduct of good nutrition and exercise. Good nutrition means a good breakfast with three or four food groups in equal ratio. Remember a protein, grain/cereals, veggies or fruit and the optional dairy category (don't forget your good fats like flax oil!). Your metabolism slows to conserve energy if there is no fuel for it thus skipping breakfast doesn't save you calories in the long run.  Studies are now being conducted to back up  Grandma's rule of eating a hearty breakfast. Published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, volunteers who got 22-56% of their total calories at breakfast gained only 1.7 pounds on average over four years. Those who ate 0-11% of their calories in the morning gained nearly 3 pounds. In another study published in the same journal, volunteers who reported regularly skipping breakfast had 4.5 times the risk of obesity as those who took the time to eat.   

What to eat? Have a look in your Mountain Trek recipe book for some ideas like our breakfast smoothies or Lemon Ricotta pancakes. Breakfast should be not only hearty but tasty! 

jp - blogger and lover of Manna bread, almond butter, blueberries and flax oil for breakie

Evening activity

Just came out of the aerobox class! I always feel a bit pumped up afterward. The 40 minute activity class in the evening is a great way to burn the calories ingested at dinner and to dip into fat reserves. Other benefits are increased metabolism and deeper rest while you sleep. After their workout our guests are rewarded by relaxing in the infrared sauna, the steam room or the hot tub.
What a great day on the trail! Walking by the rushing river filled me up with vibrant energy. It's always exciting to see new flowers showing up along the path, queen cup, dogwood and wild ginger amongst others. Everything is growing so fast these days... Nature is bursting with life!

Sex is important

Not only a catchy headline but true! The Canadian Medical Association recommends doctors ask their patients about their sex life, as this is a good indicator of overall health. If you have attended Mountain Trek in the past you may recall Kirkland's lecture on stress management. He discusses the many effects of stress on the body including belly fat, inability to sleep and most common, lack of energy. Too tired when we get home from work to play with the kids, too tired to make a nutritious meal, or (egads!0 for any "noctural" activities. Of course, lack of sexual interest or drive can be symptomatic of other underlying health conditions like menopause or adrenal exhaustion but when we are in "balance" with our lives and engage in effective practices in managing stress that are energy enhancing rather than letting stress drain us,  we have the energy and most importantly, the desire, for those activities that bring us joy and pleasure in our lives. 

jp blogger and energy lover 

The secret to your weight loss success

I'm going to let you in on a secret (we all love secrets). Come closer. And tell everyone. The secret to the weight loss  success at FitPath is two words. 

Salad dresssing. 

Or sure, our program challenges you with its bootcamp structure, the high intensity and breathtaking hiking but when it comes down to it, it's salad dressing. One of the fundamental nutrition ideas we teach here are to consume more plants (ie. veggies) and more variety of plants in your day.  But really there is only so much one can do with a bowl full of veggies to make it desirable to eat day in and day out and not lose its appeal. Especially when we are to eat about 5 cups of the plants a day. 

Thus the "secret". A great tasting salad dressing.  And not just those standards like caesar or thousand island or ranch, but homemade ones like creamy lime dressing, or fresh basil dressing, or my all time FitPath favourite for the Bugaboo salad, the roasted salad vinaigrette. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. 

So when you hear the experts tell you that they way to good health is paved with lots of vegetables, know that I've told you the secret to ride that road. Slick it up with a tasty salad dressing. 

jp - salad lover and blogger (as well as facilitator of FitPath program). 

a day in the life of a guide

sighhhhhh.  What a great day to sit down into my comfy chair and reflect on.  It's 6:15 pm and playoff hockey is on (Canadians are crazy for hockey - it's not a stereotype, it's a fact).  The sun is fading over the mountain and the river valley is settling into that world of longer evenings and BBQ's.  Today was a workday for me - although a "homework" day!  And whilst I made great headway on the new participant handbooks for all of you to receive in July, I did also get outside to weed the strawberries and sunburn some of those bits that have'nt seen sun in a while ha ha!

So indeed, following that recent email of your new '09 cookbooks, the revised edition of our participant handbooks will soon be be en route too.  Packed with all new information from detox to food cravings to new exercise and stress techniques, look for it sometime in July:) 

best of this amazing season!
Jeff