YEG Cycle is not your average spin class. There are no instructors, only motivators. You are not just an individual participant; you are part of the Biker Gang community. The only things you need to bring are an open heart and a willingness to sweat; all equipment and positive vibes are provided. (more…)

It’s one of those things that we mean to do each and every day, and end up kicking ourselves for not drinking those 8 cups that we swore we would get to. Yes, I’m talking about water! Keeping hydrated is number one when you are trying to brighten your skin, increase your energy levels, and improve your overall health and well-being. This is because H20 is a mighty powerhouse that helps us feel our absolute best, since our bodies are made up of approximately 70% water.

Now, I want to let you in on a little secret. Lemon water has recently gained a lot of popularity, but do you feel that this fad will quickly fade? I’m here to tell you why adding lemon water to your morning routine is a must, and why this fad is here to stay.

Makes your liver happy

Lemons help increase and stimulate bile production, aiding in removing toxins and excess waste from your body. This means you will be gently detoxifying and cleansing your body as soon as you wake up in the A.M.

Promotes a good BM

Your elimination process, ahem, your BM’s (bowel movements), will experience regularity because the combination of warm water and lemon helps to support proper digestive functioning. Drinking plenty of pure water also helps to stimulate BM’s, decreasing the chance of constipation and other uncomfortable belly issues. It’s a win-win!

Beats the belly bloat

Since lemons alkalize your body, they help you steer clear of disease and promote an anti-inflammatory environment. Lemon juice also helps increase stomach acid production, assisting you in breaking down your food more efficiently. This means that all of those beneficial vitamins and minerals in your food will be absorbed to the max, promoting greater health.

Gives you gorgeous, glowing skin

Now that you are experiencing proper BM’s, you can say bye-bye to blemishes or skin issues that may have been caused due to a buildup of toxins in your body.

Delivers a punch of Vitamin C

Lemons are an amazing source of Vitamin C, which we know is helpful for getting our immune system in tip top shape. Vitamin C is also great for promoting collagen production in the skin, so fewer wrinkles and firmer, supple skin is on the horizon.

It is important that you have your warm lemon water first thing in the morning to assist in the detoxifying and cleansing process. Warm lemon water will also help rev up your metabolic fire for the day, allowing you to stay energized and steer clear of any belly bloat. Also make sure to opt for organic lemons, as you want to pop both the lemon peel and the juice into your cup for a maximum effect.

You’re engaged, the list of things you need to get done can turn into a full time job. It can seem hard to get it all organized in time, let alone maintain a sense of calm throughout the storm that is wedding planning. It is in these seemingly stressful times that a simple to implement self-care plan needs to be introduced.

Here are 3 easy to incorporate healthy habits to help you not only make it to your wedding day, but to glow all the way down the aisle.

Get Some Shut-Eye

Making sure that you get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep each night will go a long way in reducing your stress levels and helping you to chill out. If you have trouble falling asleep because of mind chatter and mental to do lists, try meditating. Listening to a short guided meditation before bed, or taking 5 minutes to close your eyes and breathe deeply can help you to reach a much needed level of relaxation.

Two tips for getting a good night’s sleep are to make sure your room is pitch black and to turn off your electronic devices at least 30 minutes before sleep time. Keeping the room as dark as possible can help you maintain a proper sleep cycle without external interruptions. Try black out blinds and turning off any light sources before you hit the hay. Also make sure to put that phone into airplane mode so no notifications pop up right when you reach that perfect state of relaxation.

Keep Hydrated

Did you know your body is made up of 70% water? So it’s no joke that skimping on water can cause some major dehydration, leading to your body functioning at a sub-optimal level. You may start feeling sluggish and find it hard to make it through the afternoon, and this is all because dehydration may cause reduced brain functioning.

Making sure you get between 8-12 cups of water per day can help to keep your skin glowing and wrinkle free, not to mention it can help to flush toxins out of your body, causing an improvement in energy levels and balancing your moods.

Replacing sugary drinks and caffeine with water can help to reduce the possibility of dehydrating your body even further. Caffeine acts as a diuretic, which causes fluid loss from the body, increasing the chance of dehydration.

To keep your water game interesting, try adding berries, cucumber or lemon, which will act as a refreshing change and also up the nutrient value of your drink.

Cut The Junk

With all of the stress you might be dealing with, your first instinct may be to grab a burger on the go or hit the couch with a pint of ice-cream. Although balance is key and definitely important in staying on track with your nutrition goals, focusing on whole, nutrient dense and unprocessed foods can help to keep those energy levels up and keep the sniffles away on your big day. Make sure you focus on adding foods with a high vitamin and mineral content to ensure your body feels ready to take on anything that comes its way!

Adding in these 3 healthy living tips before your wedding day will help you to not only feel your best, but also help you to bring these new lifestyle changes into the next, very exciting, chapter of your life!

If you enjoy group classes and get bored of the regular workout routine Fitset is the perfect fit for you. Fitset offers a cost effective program that allows you to take part in unlimited classes from a wide selection of fitness studios for a flat monthly fee and no contract!

For $99 per month, Fitsetters can visit each partner location up to 3 times per month accessing the best local gyms and studios offering everything from boot camps, spin, barre, yoga, dance, boxing, and CrossFit.

We were glad to share that this Canadian company made its way to Alberta from the east coast, with over 50 studios and counting throughout Calgary and Edmonton.

Group training is an excellent way to stay motivated to achieve your fitness goals in the months leading to your wedding and a healthy way to bond with your fiancé before you embark on your next big chapter.

Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain is aptly named; it is truly a refuge from day-to-day hustle. The resort boasts numerous amenities to pamper guests: an infinity pool with picturesque views of the surrounding mountains; an award-winning restaurant run by Iron Chef America winner Beau MacMillan; one of the most prestigious spas in North America; and fitness programs for every type of enthusiast. It’s no wonder that Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain is rated as one of the top health and wellness resorts in North America. I had the most enjoyable weekend, which also happened to fall on my two-year anniversary. Here are highlights from my stay:

SERVICE

Every staff member at the resort was kind and accommodating, and did everything possible to ensure I have the most comfortable and enjoyable stay. Not only was the service impeccable, it also felt very personalized. After coming back from shopping, I was greeted with “I hope you’ve had a great time shopping Mrs. Elwenni” rather than “Welcome back ma’am.”

FAVOURITE CASITA

I felt right at home in the Mountain Casita (specifically casita 281). The suite featured ultra-contemporary finishings, a relaxed ambiance, and a private balcony accessed from both the living room and bedroom. I could have spent the entire weekend inside this beautiful suite – thankfully my inner outdoors-woman pulled me out to enjoy the rest of the resort, and the mellow music playing in the suite always welcomed me back.

POOLSIDE

I took a break from Arizona’s heat in the infinity pool with scenic views of Paradise Valley. This is a no cell-phone zone, so I reclined on a sun lounger and ordered a cocktail poolside from their highly attentive staff to take in the mountain views without any distractions.

SPA

There is nothing like an award-winning spa to put you in the perfect mood for relaxation. I indulged in the Therapeutic Sports Massage on my last day at the resort, and there were no regrets. An excellent spa treatment requires great products, knowledgeable staff, and the right ambiance; Sanctuary Spa has all that and more.

FITNESS

Recognized as the Paradise Valley Racquet Club throughout the 1950’s and renamed John Gardiner’s Tennis Ranch in 1965, the property continues a legacy of championship courts and professional coaches – one coach has been there for over 44 years. An array of personalized classes led by talented fitness specialists will keep you moving. My husband and I took part in Patti’s bootcamp class, which was more fun than I had expected — her energy is truly contagious. She warmed us up with a mountain hike and shared stories about the resort and mountain residents, then walked us back down to the studio for some strength training. Later in the day at the tennis court, there was a moment where I let the ball roll and said “there can’t be a better setting to play tennis than this.” I would come back here twice a year; once in January to start the year right and again in June as a reminder to not give up on those fitness goals –  even the locals have memberships at the resort for this purpose. Truth be told, I am jealous of them.

DINING

Executive Chef Beau MacMillan’s innovative seasonal menus focus on fresh, local ingredients procured from a network of artisans and organic farmers. You cannot leave this resort without trying the Breakfast Fried Rice — it was the most tantalizing breakfast I’ve ever had. We timed our dinner just right to coincide with a breath-taking sunset, but between the menu and the scenery I really had trouble placing my order. Luckily our server, Denise, made excellent recommendations and even ran us down for pictures at sunset. We are huge foodies and every single meal at Elements rocked our world.

Needless to say, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain does not require a specific occasion to visit, but since this trip fell on our anniversary and I witnessed how much my husband also enjoyed it, I can’t help but place this as an excellent honeymoon or anniversary destination. In hindsight, this would have been a perfect place for my bachelorette party two years ago.