Let’s get Physical

FITNESS Couples Who SWEAT TOGETHER & STAY TOGETHER

BY DEELLE HINES

As a professional lifestyle coach, I help people in many areas like health, mindfulness, business, spirituality and relationships. A common area where people struggle is within the relationship with their significant other. The major complaint I hear is the loss of the connection they once shared. Whenever I start diving deeper into how this loss of connection occurred, 9 times out of 10 it’s because couples have stopped spending quality time together. Quality time doesn’t mean you have to sit face to face gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes. It means doing something together and actually giving each other your full attention. No phones, no TV, just togetherness. Making time for each other is essential for your relationship. For many couples, quality time means dinner and a movie, and while this can be a fun and relaxing way to spend an evening together, I always recommend couples make an effort to stay active and schedule time to exercise together. Studies prove that couples feel more satisfied in their relationship and are more in love with each other after participating in physical activity. Physical activity actually mimics the thrill of a romantic attraction – sweaty hands and a racing heart. When we exercise our bodies release endorphins and light up the pleasure centres of our brains. A little gland called the hypothalamus does the work. It releases the endorphins as you work out. You have likely heard of the term runner’s high. It is that state of euphoria that often happens after a run or other form of intense activity. If you exercise with your partner you are both sharing in the experience and exercise physiologists say that the stimulus can help to create better communication and connection with the one you love. In Pictou County, there are many admirable couples who enjoy spending quality time together by staying active. Carol and Terry Curley of New Glasgow could write the book on the benefits of exercising as a couple and have been the inspiration for countless individuals and couple to improve their lives through fitness. They have been vital to the growth and success of the Johnny Miles Running Events. Their story, as a couple, began over 22 years ago with running being their common activity of interest, but over the years it has expanded to include more things like yoga, biking, swimming and organizing fitness events within the community. “We enjoy an active healthy lifestyle in whatever form it has to offer and embrace whatever’s before us, together,” says Carol and Terry. Feeling motivated and supported by your spouse is an important element of a successful relationship. When you’re active as a couple, encouragement and praise for each other helps build an even stronger bond. Carol and Terry use this time to find out what’s going on in each other’s lives. “We enjoy listening and learning what we’ve each been up to and encourage and coach each other in whatever we have going on at the time.”

Carol and Terry Curley of New Glasgow have a lot of love in their lives. Their shared passion for healthy living and the community strengthens their relationship and inspires many.

While physical activity is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle, eating healthy is equally as important. Preparing healthy meals is another way Carol and Terry enjoy spending quality time with each other. “Spending time planning and preparing food together is a great way to enhance your relationship. You’re working as a team and it can be a lot of fun.” The first gift you’re ever given is your body, so taking care of it is paramount. As an individual, staying active shows you have respect and pride for your body. As a couple, it’s important to want the best for each other and motivating each other to live a healthy life shows you have respect and pride for each other. Carol and Terry explain, “when you take care of yourself as an individual, it’s much easier to take care of each other as a couple.” If you are interested in becoming more active with your significant other but don’t know where to start, Carol and Terry have some advice for you. “Just find something, anything that sparks your interest. If you like to do things together, consider joining a gym and take a few classes together. You can even get day passes to try things out. If you like more solo things, we have wonderful trails in Pictou County, go out for a walk together. Get involved as a volunteer at events you think you may like but are too nervous to try. Talk to people who are active, I guarantee they’ll invite you along to a Sunday morning walk/run, swim or just a coffee to learn more. We have so many natural mentors around, you just need to start talking to people and showing interest and it will happen. It’s never too late and the benefits are many.” The next time you feel like you need a little time with your partner, lace up those sneakers and head out for good brisk walk or run. Fire up those endorphins and give your exercise partner a kiss! ah! Spring 2017 - 48

growing

CHANGE

BY RACHAEL McLEAN

Put your hand up if you’ve had a lot of emotion this winter. Mine is up. Way up. The unprecedented events that have transpired in the last few months south of our boarder and beyond, are still hardly believable. But they are real. Very. The uprising that is boiling over is causing more people than ever to make changes. If there is anything good to come about, it’s that.

This is where I always end up, saying to myself in nearly every situation: well here we are, now what are we going to do about it. That question is terrifying at times. The whole world, near and far is full of scary, but it’s also filled with a lot of good. So... What can I do about big issues?

Bringing it back to what I have in my power to do is key. My hope is to start with me, and grow to we. Back in the fall when social media feeds were full of wringing hands and disbelief, a friend of mine said, “I’m going to put my hands in the soil today and connect with what I know.” Such a simple statement, that I have thought about that different times since then and it has really made me think. This year I’m going to grow a garden. Now that doesn’t sound huge and actually I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that I don’t, but there it is. For me, the landscape is a large part of who I am. Connecting with community is another.

Connecting back to the simple and whole, gets pushed to the wayside all to often. Life can get hectic. Growing some food this spring is something I can do. Something that will make change in my life allowing me to give back and share. It’s not rocket science but if we all made some sort of effort to slow down and connect with the environment, each other and ourselves, we’d be making some serious headway.

There are so many amazing ways to get your hands into the soil even if you are tight on space. We have community gardens throughout the North Shore that are always looking for more hands and provide food directly back to the community. Supporting a local CSA (community supported agriculture) is the least messy, and still connecting with local ground. Check out Hilltop Homestead on Facebook. Container gardening is another way to make change on a smaller scale like an apartment or nursing home, easily achieved with some extra hands, and these are only a few food producing ideas. We are blessed to be surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscape in the world here in Nova Scotia. I, for one, can’t wait for those spring breezes but until then I’m getting my hands on a seed catalogue and putting an action plan together.