When one finds themselves “chained” to a desk, cubicle or even their couch it is a pattern which is extremely difficult to break and the pounds pile on.
Like any publication, Niagara Life strives to be relevant to its readers.
In that vein, nothing is more relevant or vital than health. Everyone is concerned about it, to a degree, no matter their age, size or shape.
So how do we present a piece that is relevant to our readers which portrays a larger social framework and could give valuable information which anyone could apply to themselves and, hopefully, help them in their own lives?
In discussing this around the office over a period of months, it was difficult to not call “Shifting Gears: A lifestyle journey” a diet program, weightloss challenge or any other type of similar moniker. The thinking behind this feature is to take four people, with very distinctive reasons, who seek to be healthy and not just for the short term.
While weight loss is one component, the real goal is to achieve fitness, heighten awareness and build knowledge in life-altering fashion.
Shifting Gears is a package deal and it is not tied to a trendy New Year's resolution. Our goals differ but the common thread is long-term change and the willingness to do what it takes to get there.
Most people just want to be healthy. They just want to be able to play with their kids or grandkids, or take a long walk, or take on a physically demanding task around their home.
It is when the ability to perform those simple day-to-day activities is taken for granted that the trouble starts. And that's my issue...I have always had a frenetic schedule, which makes maintaining any consistency of diet or heading to the gym near impossible. For me, that has to change, but more on that later as this evolves.
At the ripe, old age of 47, I have done my share of ignoring my physical well-being and, shockingly, have gotten away with it for the most part. There are a lot of things I want to do with my kids and professionally, so getting back in good shape is a journey in which I am willing to invest.
Niagara This Week managing editor, Katherine Nadeau, is also taking part.
“I've always enjoyed being active but a desk job combined with dealing with breast cancer surgery and treatment 10 years ago slowed me down and my weight increased. Eating healthy and remaining active are important for everyone but even more so for those of us who have experienced a serious illness,” says Katherine.
“Doing this kind of program, so publicly, is really motivating. No one wants to fail in front of a crowd. I am looking forward to hearing from people who read our blogs.”
What's that? Blogs, you say? Yes, as if announcing to Niagara, and the world via niagaralifemag.com, that this fabulous foursome is embarking on a life-altering journey is not enough, but we are fully prepared to let our readers take in all the good, the bad, and I am quite sure some ugly along the way. You can go the website, click on the “Blogs” icon near the top of the page and you will find the ramblings of four participants: myself; Katherine, Scott Rosts and Brandy Ford.
Interim updates will show up in the next few editions of Niagara Life, a finale next April and a one year “How did they do?” retrospective next fall. As was noted, this is a long-haul project and, I hope, one which others will see can be completed successfully.
To enable us to stay on course for our very different journeys, the expertise of White Oaks Resort will be front and centre as they will work with three of us, using various program components.
Brandy Ford will be coached by Katherine Preston, a professional trainer, of Vineland, who operates Absolute Fitness, Training and Consulting. Brandy will be going the route of getting in shape in her own home, with exercise and nutrition advice from Preston.
Scott Rosts, and Katherine Nadeau, will be taking part in a brand new program launched at White Oaks this month, called Precision Nutrition. The program dovetails ideal lifestyle habits with an individual's goals using a nutrition coach to determine one's needs. All coaches at WO are also certified personal trainers, so filtering the benefits of solid dietary habits into a focused workout strategy will go hand-in-hand.
“The Precision Nutrition Challenge program at White Oaks looks fantastic, and really in depth. From the seminars to the personal training, I think the direction they provide will be huge in helping me work towards my goal,” noted Scott.
Being the kid I am, the familiar lyrics of Bugs Bunny cartoons is wafting around in my head as I type this....” Overture, curtain, lights. This is it, the night of nights.....On with the show this is it.”

Meet the participants:
Scott
Katherine
Mike
Brandy

Healthy living means healthy eating. For more, click here