Heather's blog

The Benefits of Spa Treatments
By Dalila Moreno

When people think of spas, most people think of spas as an indulgence when in fact it is more about a healthy lifestyle and paying homage to the body that you’ve been blessed with.
Most spa treatments involve being touched, a key element in helping us relax and feel better. In one study of more that 3,300 Japanese government workers, frequency of spa use was linked to better physical and mental health, including better quality sleep and fewer sick days.

Destiny's Child coined the term bootylicious back in 2001. Since then, it has worked its way into the dictionary and even the conversations of elderly men and women! But "saying" and "being" the term are two totally different things. Many of us mouthed the words and swayed our hips to the hit song, but didn't take the steps needed to firm up the backside.

By now, you probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But despite that knowledge, we'll all getting of rushing out the door without something in our stomachs. Some people load up at lunch or even worse dinner, thinking if they eat fewer times a day, they'll lose weight. Not necessarily true! Just think of those health nuts in your office. You always spot them snacking several times a day. Munching in meetings, snacking while typing, and even popping peanuts and pretzels in their car. How do they eat so much food without putting on the extra weight?

Hi, my name is Heather, and I'm an eat out aholic. In a five day work week, I eat out at least four times. Our offices are located in the George Town Harbour so there are several selections a hop, skip, and a jump away. Although I eat out, I don't make unhealthy choices the majority of the time. I order salads, wraps, smoothies, etc. Nonetheless, I probably took in hidden calories from what I deem as healthy foods (i.e. sandwich dressings, cream based soups, sugar added to fruit drinks, etc.)

Like many professionals in Cayman, I have mastered the art of afternoon lunch outings. The island offers everything from Caribbean and Chinese to Indian and Italian. Your taste buds take a trip around the world in only a week. Not only will you fill your stomach, you’ll fill your social calendar. Scheduling lunch dates allow people to keep up with old colleagues and close friends. Plus, I sometimes conduct working lunch meetings. So how do you eat out and stay in shape? Sometimes, there aren’t a wide range of options.

This week, Get in Shape participants found out if their hard work paid off. We underwent midassessments at the hospital. Once again, we had to step on the scale, roll up our sleeves, and bear the pain (well, more like a pick) of medical tests. Some participants shed up to 8 pounds, while others excelled by lowering their blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Every October, we give a big senior salute to older persons who are redefining what it means to retire. They prove that age is just a number...a number which doesn't stop them from working and working out. We caught up with a 78-year-old woman who spends her days at the gym, and when she can't get a ride to the sports facility, she exercises in her house. That made me think. Ever since I entered my thirties, I thought I was "too old" to do some of the things I did in my teeny booper years.

It’s too early…it’s too hot…it’s too tough…everyone is advanced…There are 101 excuses on why NOT to go to boot camp, so I thought I would give you one of why you should: It works! Although I am a boot camp drop out, when I was enrolled, I lost about five pounds in a month and ran around a ten minute mile.

When most people picture karate, movies such as the Karate Kid and the Last Dragon, or anything with Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan in it, come to mind. The flicks are filled with chopping, kicking, and quick blows that leave the bad guy wheezing on the ground. While watching, (well, Kung Fu Panda that is….we do monitor their TV intake…geesh) my nephews jump off couches, fly into the air, and shout hiiiii yaaa as they beat up their opponent (me!) So I asked them if they wanted to take a real karate class and surprisingly they said no.

As you can see, this is a very blurry picture. When people found out about cake in the kitchen, they moved at the speed of light....probably the most exercise they've had all week. There was a near riot as they forked over the box, fighting for the last slice. (OK, OK, I admit it I had the 2nd to last slice!!!