steve kwan user experience designer

Steve goes healthy

(July 17th, 2008 - 11:16AM)

At the advice of my new dietician, I've altered my nutrition and fitness routines. In particular, I've cut out white bread from my diet, and I'm phasing out anything with added sugar. The white bread isn't that difficult, as there are plenty of healthy whole grain products I can eat instead. The added sugar part is much tougher, because almost everything has sugar added to it.

I've also started doing my cardio earlier in the morning, which requires me to get up at around 6:00AM. I don't eat anything until after my workout. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not a morning person, and pulling myself out of bed to exercise is not a lot of fun. But I do find that I feel great after my working workout. It's a great way to start the day.

The other trick has been eating smaller meals, and more of them. So instead of three square meals a day, I've been aiming for six or seven smaller meals.

I feel great, and I'm starting to see results quickly. For anyone looking to take their fitness to the next level, I highly recommend getting a dietician. Nutrition is every bit as important as exercise.

I've also discovered some great healthy snacks to fill my diet, such as Red Square's Powerflax bars. I don't know if these are available outside of British Columbia, but if you live in the lower mainland I highly recommend you try them. The Powerflax bars have sugar added (which, as mentioned earlier, I'm trying to cut out), but luckily there is a sugar-free version available too. Most stores don't carry the sugar-free versions, but you can get them direct from Red Square or Nature Living Health.

I've also been on the prowl for great health food stores, and have found a few that I'd recommend.

• Body Energy Club: A great supplement store downtown. Try their Peanut Butter Cup smoothie! (Ask for skim milk, sugar-free chocolate syrup and an extra shot of protein.)
• Nature Living Health: An excellent place to find sugar-free snacks.
• Planet Organic Market: A great organic produce and health food store close to where I live.