In April, I'm headed to Canyon Ranch, the world's most renowned health and wellness destination. In addition to day spas and residential communities in various U.S. cities, there are two resort locations -- one in Tucson, Arizona and one in Lenox, Massachusetts. This is the one I will visit.My several-day stay at Canyon Ranch comes with a bit of a breast cancer twist, and I'll tell you all about it in a future post.
But right now, I want to offer up a few healthy living tips offered by the professionals at these luxurious getaways. Featured on the company's website, these tips might just get you motivated in a healthful direction.
Breathe
Proper, natural breathing can improve relaxation. When breathing deeply, imagine the new supply of oxygen flowing through your body. Remember to exhale slowly. This can help relax your body further. Breathing should never feel forced or unnatural.
Just Ducky
If you're looking for a quick lunchtime workout that leaves you office-ready or a convenient exercise routine that allows you to be good to go at a moment's notice, jump into the nearest swimming pool. Carolyn Collman, M.S., exercise physiologist and aquatic therapist at Canyon Ranch in Tucson, says you can get in the swim without getting soaked. "Water exercises are the perfect solution for a high-efficiency, no-hassle workout for almost everyone. An older adult new to exercise or a sedentary person can benefit from it as much as an Olympic athlete and everyone in between," she says.
Fat-Free Isn't Sugar-Free
Many foods marketed as fat-free and low-fat are loaded with sugar. Learn to read food labels to determine whether the fat-free choice is really a healthy choice. Many products are replacing partially hydrogenated oils with sugar to compensate for lost flavor. The average person consumes twenty teaspoons of added sugar a day – that's 156 pounds a year!
You Are How Much You Eat
A recent study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has confirmed what Canyon Ranch has espoused for years: portion size directly impacts your weight. Using scales, measuring cups and spoons is a useful way of learning what a proper portion looks like. You can also use these common objects to help you visualize healthy portion sizes:
- Palm of your hand or deck of cards for a portion of lean meat, chicken, or fish
- One-inch cube (dice) for the portion of cheese
- D-cell battery for a portion of dried fruit or salad dressing
- Tennis ball for rice or potatoes
- Large marshmallow for salad dressing
- Ping-pong ball for the serving of nuts or nut butter
1. Thank you for the health tips. We can never get enough of that. Myself, the most difficult is breathing correctly, as I suffer from asthma as well. Between inhalers and nebulizers and NOT SMOKING, I manage, wish it would just come easier.
Canyon Ranch sounds wonderful. It sounds as though you'll be getting some individualized attention. You're going there, does it have something to do with your recent visit to the oncologist? Well, if it does, I know you'll be getting the physical attention you need, and some special time for yourself. I look forward to hearing all about this magical place on your return.
Thanks for the info,
Take care all!
Sincerely, Jason
Posted at 4:26PM on Mar 20th 2007 by Jason Chambers