Habeeb Salloum is not only a special client who has made great advances since starting with us in May, but he is also an exceptional human being. He a World War II veteran, having served with the Canadian Air Force – and he is the recipient of the Governor General of Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal in 2018.

Habeeb is a true example of a what a positive attitude can achieve. At 94 years old he’s always striving for more – and is about to publish his latest (of many!) books.

When we started with a Habeeb he couldn’t do much more than get out of bed and sit in a chair (with assistance). He frequently felt dizzy and lacked balance and stability. Since May he has been exercising everyday, and along with an exceptional diet and a positive attitude he is now able to do so much more.

He’s a very special client – and person – and we’re thrilled to share his story with you.

Many people think of exercise and a healthy diet as the key ingredients of a fit and healthy lifestyle. But did you know that getting a good night’s sleep is every bit as important as a getting in a good workout or eating all that kale?
​
Here are the three ways sleep can make – or break – your fitness goals (and why you should never cut your ‘zzz’s short). 

​At age 37, Barry thought it was high time to get his physical health in check, especially with his 40th birthday in sight. He called Nielsen Fitness and now, at age 41, he has never felt or looked better.  Here’s his story:

​There’s an app for just about everything these days - and fitness is no exception. We believe in leveraging all the tools at your disposal to help you create lasting, positive change - including technology! Here are four of our favorite wellness apps, each of which will keep you motivated and on-track in a different way. 

​Many of our trainers incorporate the principles of Pilates in their training – and a handful are also certified instructors. We asked one trainer, Tanya, to explain more about the Pilates method.

​What started off as a Valentines gift to each other 6.5 years ago has turned into a new – and much healthier – lifestyle for Marjut and Greg. We recently caught up with Greg to give us the low down on his experience with Nielsen Fitness and how it’s changed their lives for the better. 

Running is – technically – something that just about anybody can do. But there’s an art and science to doing it right.

What does ‘right’ mean? In this case, it’s an optimal stride that moves you along as efficiently – and comfortably – as possible.
​
There are three major areas that factor into an optimal stride – here they are, along with an overview of why they’re important and some exercises you can take away and work on. 

A health scare got Deleo motivated to start her fitness journey. Now, after two plus years of working
with the Nielsen Fitness team, she is more motivated than ever to keep it up.

​Here’s her story:

Over time, chronic hunching or slouching can lead to a ton of problems over and above tight muscles and a rounded back.

Chronic poor posture – which many of us are dealing with thanks to desk jobs and driving – can lead to structural changes in your spine, which cause abnormal wear and tear on the joint surfaces, which can lead to arthritis or degenerative disc disease.

If that slippery slope of despair isn’t enough to scare you, poor posture can also cause blood vessel constriction, digestive issues, headaches, and even depression. 

​Reversing poor posture starts with awareness, and correcting alignment when you notice slouching or hunching. Do this by pulling the shoulders down and back, followed by pulling the head back so it is in-line with the shoulders.  We call this the chin tuck and it is the first of three easy, no-equipment exercises to improve your posture.

1. Chin tuck. Sitting or standing, elongate your spine by imagining you are lifting the top of your skull to the sky.  Tuck your chin back without tilting the head, until your head is in line with your shoulders.  Tip: this exercise can be especially useful in the car while driving, use the headrest as a guide for optimal positioning.