Media Articles
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It’s Time For Action On Healthy Living
Oliver Parks & Recreation Society News
January 20, 2010
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The Oliver Parks and Recreation Society sponsored two “Healthy by Nature” nutrition seminars over the last two weeks. In all, about 70 people attended and were given a hands on demonstration of how to “eat better to live better.” The speaker, Nutritional Practitioner Jorg Mardian, gave four hours of lectures through such diverse topics as defining whole food nutrition, how to eat better for increased life span, understanding how refined food impacts our health and why diets are destined to fail.
Currently, Canadian disease statistics are at an alarmingly high level. This makes it imperative that we demonstrate a personal commitment to counter what is considered an epidemic of junk foods, empty calories and harmful fats in our diets. Yet still, the North American food industry continues to spend billions on marketing because advertising affects our behaviour. We need to help people recognize the impact of their decisions and equip them to resist these immoral marketing messages with intelligent information and healthy eating alternatives. As such, we believe these seminars to be a good start to a proactive community based nutrition program.
According to participant feedback it was a great success, giving an invaluable education about healthy food choices to all who attended. Look for more in the near future. Any individuals or groups interested should call the Parks & Recreation Society about further seminars on the topic at 250-498-4985.
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Oliver Parks & Recreation Society To Host Three Natural
Health Workshops
The Oliver Chronicle
February 23, 2010
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The Oliver Parks and Recreation Society is hosting a series of health workshops to highlight attention on three vital topics. On January 28, the first seminar reveals the many benefits and most effective ways to exercise, and its critical importance to disease prevention, vibrant, pain free health and graceful aging.
The second topic on February 18 is about Heart Health and concentrates on the cause of heart attacks and strokes, as well as key, proven strategies for prevention or minimizing present damage.
And March 11 features the subject of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), which focuses directly on the problems of this insidious disorder, allowing your children to be set free and providing them with a way to be happy and healthy in life.
All three seminars will be presented by Jorg Mardian, a Registered Nutritionist, Certified Fitness Trainer and Exercise Therapist. The cost is $15, or all three for $12 each, with minimum of ten participants required for each seminar. Come on out and discover proven natural strategies that will set you on the path to vibrant, disease free health.
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Oliver Biggest Loser Challenge
Oliver Chronicle
January 10, 2011
by Lyonel Doherty
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Are you Oliver’s “Biggest Loser?” Come on, admit it; there’s nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, it’s something to celebrate!
Oliver Parks & Recreation is pleased to announce an exciting fitness challenge that starts today, January 12. The “Biggest Loser” challenge is the hottest program in 2011. In fact, the challenge has literally taken the community by storm.
Based on the hit TV show, 50 locals looking for change will have the opportunity to be a part of a group challenge that encompasses increasing fitness, losing weight, better nutrition, and the social aspect of meeting new people during classes and at the gym.
Hazel Brandt from Oliver signed up on the second day, saying she’s using the challenge as a motivator.
“You know, when you’re 80, you have to get your priorities right,” she laughed.
Carol Sheridan, recreation program manager, said they initially planned for 25 spots, but an overwhelming response resulted in a total of 50 people being registered. The program is now full.
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Today (Wednesday), all 50 participants will come to the Oliver Community Centre to do their baseline fitness testing and measurements, and meet their Fitness Trainer, Jorg Mardian. Each participant will then set personal goals in what he/she would like to achieve by the end of the 12-week program.
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Group sessions including tours of the fitness/weight room and a nutrition workshop are also part of the program, as well as a suggested workout routine and meal plan provided by Mardian, who is also a Registered Holistic Nutritionist.
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To ensure that everyone has the means to kick-start his/her own fitness journey, each Biggest Loser participant will also receive a 10-ticket flex pass to the Community Centre Fitness Room, and a 10-class flex pass to be used at regular fitness classes such as Body Rock, Gentle Fit, Cross Fit and Zumba. Participants will be asked to keep in touch over the 12 weeks to track their progress, and then on April 13, everyone will come back together again for final measurements and fitness testing. This will be a chance to celebrate individual successes and see how far each participant has come with health and fitness goals.
For more information on the Oliver Biggest Loser fitness challenge please phone 250-498-4985, visit the Community Centre, or go online at www.oliverrecreation.ca.
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Oliver Biggest Loser Challenge Now In Week Five
Oliver Chronicle
February 18, 2011
The Oliver Biggest Loser participants are now in Week 5 of the program and by now most people have started to see real results in the form of weight loss and improved fitness levels, while some have fallen off routines and diet plans and are struggling to get back on track. The halfway point, marked by the “6-Week Weigh-In” event, is drawing near – next Tuesday, Feb 22 the OBL participants will all come together for the first time since Jan 19th to get a good look at how everyone is doing, have their measurements taken and a get chance to get re-motivated to reach their personal goals.
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When the program started on Jan 19th, everyone got on the scale and the total group weight came in at 12, 157 lbs. After the Feb 22nd weigh-in we will know how many pounds each person and the overall group has lost in the first 6 weeks. The total pounds and inches lost will be tallied when the competition wraps up at the Final Weigh-In on April 13th. Most people have told us that they signed up for this program because they wanted to lose weight and get more fit. The OBL program gives people different options of classes they can attend and the tools to do workouts on their own time and a diet plan to follow to reduce caloric intake each day.
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Every person in the program has a different story to tell about their own progress. One participant wrote in to share this about her involvement: “My goals were to build a bit more muscle, lose a bit of fat and just become healthier and more active in general. I can say I’m accomplishing my goals so far – I’m down 4 pounds, my body fat percentage is down, and I’m not so sore after doing fitness classes or playing hockey. I love Jorg’s classes and how they’re so sports oriented and never the same. I’m noticing I can be a bit more active with my kids again without having so many worries about getting myself injured which feels really good.”
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Another participant writes this about her 4-week results: “I am really enjoying this program and I’m so grateful that Oliver is on board with this venture. I have personally lost 6 pounds and 1 inch off my waist. I appreciate Jorg’s careful instructions in our exercise classes. It’s definitely been a challenge to give up eating candy but I’m doing fine. I’ve also reduced my coffee intake and try to follow the diet plan closely. I’m in this for the long run.”
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One of the most exciting stories I’ve received so far is this one: “I haven’t felt this positive about exercising and eating right in a very long time. So far I am down 11 1/2 pounds and 4 1/2 ” off my waist. I am so happy. “
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Not everyone is having an easy time of it, however. There are several participants who work shift work and are struggling to get to classes or the gym at all. Others are finding it difficult to follow the meal plan and even though they are getting 3-4 workouts in per week are not seeing the same results as others.
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I spoke to one woman back in Week 2 who was completely discouraged by her 2lb weight loss compared to that of others she had spoken to. One couple is currently renovating their kitchen so are eating out in restaurants on a daily basis while they get the work done and are struggling to find healthy choices. The bottom line is that everyone’s body is different and everyone will have their own challenges.
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On the hit TV show people are losing 8-15 pounds per week but all they do is train and focus on diet. Oliver participants have children to raise, job and real life to deal with. Losing weight takes time – especially if you want to keep it off for good. Committing to an exercise program or class, following a healthy diet plan every day and meeting up with a workout buddy are sure ways to reach weight loss goals. Stay tuned over the next 7 weeks for more Oliver Biggest Loser participant stories and results.
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Oliver Biggest Loser Is Big Winner!
Oliver Chronicle
April 8, 2011
On Wednesday, April 6, when 32 of the original 65 Oliver Biggest Loser participants arrived at the community centre for their finale, they donned their official T-shirts and got right down to business.
The finale was an opportunity for participants to reunite with friends and workout buddies, get on the scale for their final weigh-in and challenge themselves one more time in the four fitness test stations.
All results were recorded so that participants could see how far they had come in just 12 weeks. The results were quite impressive.
When participants came to the community centre back in the middle of January, a combination of the winter blahs and a lack of motivation were plaguing many. Signing up for the Oliver Biggest Loser program gave participants a one-month weight room pass, two-week fitness class pass, a diet plan, workout routine and some incentive to be lighter and healthier by the finale in April.
Over the past 12 weeks participants have attended information sessions with trainer Jorg Mardian to assist with nutrition choices and goal setting, and showed up for fitness challenges such as a 3K walk/run and a yoga class.
At the six-week weigh-in we saw 45 participants check in which was a strong showing. Although only 50 per cent of the people who started the program completed it on April 6, the feedback from everyone involved was positive and many have made lifestyle changes that have improved well-being and health. The folks who did show up to the finale have had enormous success. Just consider these results:
The 32 people who came to the finale lost a total of 424 pounds in just 12 weeks. That is an average of 13.25 pounds per person, not to mention the incredible losses in body fat percentage and inches. The average loss of body fat among the participants was 4.72 per cent.
As far as individual results, here are the top three in each category. Oliver Parks & Recreation would like to sincerely congratulate these winners on their outstanding achievements.
The 2011 Oliver Biggest Loser individual winner (person with the highest weight loss percentage) is Betty Hanley, who lost 31 pounds and had a weight loss percentage of 12.25. Runners up are Marcia Hayward with 12 per cent and Helen Leal with 11.88 per cent.
The 2011 Oliver Biggest Loser team winners were Bev O’Reily and Sherry Skaros, who had a combined weight loss percentage of 10.14.
Team runners up were Jenny Garlini and Jeff Fletcher with 7.14 per cent, and Delfina Antunes and Gwen Zeeman with six per cent.
Thanks to our sponsors, we were able to put together some fun prize packages. The individual winner received a four-month weight room membership, a one-month supply of “GREENS” courtesy of Pro Health Consulting, and a maintenance spa package courtesy of Beyond Bliss.
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The team winners who had the highest combined percentage of weight loss each received a four-month weight room membership, a one-month supply of “GREENS” and one complimentary cut courtesy of Nu Beginnings Hair Salon.
Prizes were also awarded to Hanley for having the top body fat percentage loss of 9.4. Runners up were Leal with 9.1 per cent and Jen Linders with 8 per cent. Jeff Fletcher and Linders were recognized for most improved fitness.
Congratulations to all the Oliver Biggest Loser participants on their successes, and we encourage all of you to keep on the right track to continued weight loss and improved health in 2011.
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www.osoyoostimes.com
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After Losing 60 Pounds, Osoyoos Woman Encourages Others To Lead Healthier Lives
Osoyoos Times, May 11, 2011
By Paul Everest – Editor
For the first time in her life, Osoyoos’s Alison Laranjo is really looking forward to the summer.
Having struggled with her weight and being tired all the time for most of her life, the 27-year-old decided to do something about her health and fitness last October.
After approaching Jorg Mardian, a local personal trainer and nutritionist, for help with her goal of losing 30 pounds and feeling better, Laranjo began a program of working out five days a week and adjusted her diet to cut out foods that are high in fat and sugar.
“After an initial assessment, I told her that though she was young, she was also at risk for cardiovascular disease due to high body fat content,” Mardian said. “At this point, it was crucial to help her understand that the best way to proceed was not with the latest fad diet or weight loss pill, but with sensible, whole food eating and a vigorous exercise regimen.”
He added that since Laranjo has a busy schedule at the salon she owns, Beyond Beauty Hair Studio, he had to “fit this new lifestyle into her busy schedule.”
So, Mardian designed a program of “faster aerobic type movements coupled with functional weight training” as well as a diet regimen of “frequent, yet small” portions of whole foods.
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“We now employ short and intense exercise sessions designed to stimulate the metabolism, lose fat and build muscle,” he said.
For Laranjo, the results have been “amazing.” In seven months she has lost 60 pounds, decreased her body fat by 14 per cent and decreased her waist size by 10 inches.
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Laranjo said that since she began working with Mardian, she has more energy and her mindset for life has become more positive.
She added that she can run for longer periods of time and now craves any opportunity to exercise.
Her success has inspired her to encourage other women to take steps to live healthier lifestyles.
“I have so much more energy and overall my whole outlook on life is more positive,” Laranjo said. “I wanted to share my story with others to encourage people to get motivated and live a healthier lifestyle.
“If I can do it, anybody can.”
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Lose It For Life Begins
Oliver Chronicle, January 20, 2012
By Carol Sheridan
After an incredibly successful Oliver Biggest Loser program in 2011, the Oliver Recreation team has welcomed 40 new participants into the 2012 “Lose It For Life” fitness challenge.
On January 18 everyone came out to the community centre for baseline fitness testing and measurements including starting weight, body fat percentage and waist circumference.
This year’s group weighed in at a total of 8,170 pounds and everyone had their own motivation for taking the challenge – to shed unwanted inches, be more physically active and hopefully take home the title of “Lose It For Life” champion 2012.
After the half-way weigh in on February 22, we will know how the group has done in the first six weeks, and total pounds and inches lost will be tallied at the exciting final weigh-in on April 11. The winner of the challenge will be the individual (or team) with the highest percentage of weight lost.
Besides passes to the fitness room, participants were given a pedometer to wear and were challenged with tracking how many steps they take in a day.
Last Thursday, program participants attended a nutritional information session offered by our award winning trainer and registered nutritionist Jorg Mardian. The session was designed to help them identify what foods to have around the house and a suggested daily meal plan that helps ensure enough calories and nutrients are going in to support physical activity, yet if followed properly should result in weight loss.
This week, participants were invited to a fitness room orientation session where they were shown how to safely use cardio machines, free weights and circuit training equipment by Jorg Mardian.
Stay tuned for testimonials and results from Lose It For Life participants as well as useful fitness and nutrition tips for you to use to take steps towards living a healthier lifestyle.
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Good Job done,I’m proud of you. Your Dad from Niagara Falls region.