Mia Gordon
Reporter, Host, Content Creator, Blogger

My favourite hiking apparel

This summer I came up with a Sea to Sky hiking Bucket List: The top 10 hikes I wanted to try near my own backyard. We are half way through the summer and I have been able to cross off 3 of these incredible hikes: Slhanay, Echo Lake, and Panorama. I am starting to feel more confident in my ability to hike more challenging trails and am loving being in the mountains now more than every before and a big part of that is having the right gear and knowing what to pack.

Of course I always take the 10 essentials with me to help me stay safe in the mountains, but I wanted to share of the gear that I love that helps get me to the peaks.

My favourite hiking gear 

Hiking boots: One of the most important pieces of gear is your hiking boots. My go to for longer and more challenging hikes is the Trezeta Argo. I really love the grip on this boot and also how light it is despite it having a lot of support. I also love its waterproof feature, especially when I had to do some river crossings for Echo Lake. Another big selling point for me was the double density EVA midsole cushions the support to reduce impacts on the ground, minimize vibrations and accompany the step.

T-Shirts: I recently started hiking in Devold Merino Wool t-shirts and I don’t think I will ever be able to go back to anything else. I love everything about these shirts, but mostly the breathability of them. Even on a really hot day on an exposed mountain I never feel sweaty or heavy in them. This is thanks to their thermo regulating and moisture wicking, keeping you nice and cool in the summer heat.

Hiking Pants: When it comes to pants I am a sucker for anything Luluemon – I just love their flexibility – it helps me climb when some of the hikes get technical. I am a big fan of the Base Pace High Rise Shorts for summer hikes – I especially like that they are pocketed .

Layers: No matter how hot it is I always bring layers with me (one of your 10 essentials my friends) I am a big fan of Columbia’s sweaters  – I have a few of them for work and they just really fit well and are very breathable. Their Omni Heat is also really great for base layers when hiking in cooler months.

Socks: Ok I didn’t think this was an important hiking element until it became a very important hiking element. I remember I was getting really bad blisters and thought it was because of my boots but then my husband asked what kind of socks I was wearing. Now I will only hike in specific hiking socks and in particular smartwool socks. They are also made from merino wool, so temperature regulated, but they have cushion in all the right places and are very breathable, which is great on hot days when you do have proper hiking boots on.

Sports bra: Again Lululemon is my go to here. I just love the support and comfort that I get from their sports bras. And it doesn’t hurt that they are cute so that when I want to go for a glacier lake dip they can double as a bathing suit.

Happy hiking my friends

xo

Mia

What’s the best way to measure body fat

When reducing body fat (or even gaining it), it can be useful to have a means of measuring your progress. Stepping on the scale isn’t always the best indicator of whether or not you’ve lost or gained fat – changes in muscle mass, bone density and even the amount of urine in your bladder could interfere with results. So just how do you know how much body fat you’ve lost/gained? This post lists a few different methods for measuring body fat. 

The scale test

As mentioned above, the scale test isn’t always a reliable way to measure body fat, because so many other tissues and fluids within our body can influence our weight. The biggest benefit of stepping on a scale is that it is easy to do compared to many other body fat measurement methods. You can also improve the results of a scale test by buying a smart scale, which ‘estimates’ the amount of weight that is body fat. Check out this guide at tomsguide.com to compare some of the best smart scales. 

Tape measure

Using a tape measure, it’s possible to measure areas of the body such as the waist or thighs to see if they have become larger or slimmer. Like stepping on scale, this is a fairly easy way to measure body fat, although it’s not particularly precise or accurate. You need to make sure that you measure the exact same part of the body each time. You also need to account for factors like muscle growth or bloat, which could interfere with results. 

Skin callipers

You can also use skin callipers to check how much fat is under a fold of skin. This is another relatively easy way to measure body fat and can be more precise than using a tape measure as you can avoid including muscle. However, like a tape measure, you need to measure the exact same part of the body each time for results to be consistent. 

BMI test

A BMI (body mass index) test involves dividing your weight by your height. As you can imagine, this is another very easy way to measure one’s body fat – but it is definitely not accurate. Still, it is recommended by many health professionals to get a rough estimate idea of whether you weight less or more than most people your height. Learn more about the BMI test here at nhs.uk. 

Body composition scan

Body composition scans are designed to provide the most accurate results when it comes to body fat, muscle mass and bone density. These scans involve using DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) to get a 3D model of the inside of the body. Such scans are provided by specialist companies as found at sites like dexacan.ca. It’s definitely not the cheapest or most convenient method of measuring one’s body fat – however, if you want truly accurate results, it’s the best option. 

Hydrostatic weighing

This method involves sitting in a tank of water and measuring one’s underwater weight compared to one’s out-of-water weight. Because fat is less dense than bone and muscle, it weighs less underwater, and it is therefore possible to estimate the amount of fat in a person’s body by comparing the results to their out-of-water weight. Hydrostatic weighing is fairly accurate compared to other methods (although not as accurate as a body composition scan). The drawback of this method is that there are few places that provide it and it’s often at a high cost. Because it involves staying underwater for a long period, it is also not for everyone. 

 

The only tips you need to stay motivated on your fitness journey

The excuses are done. For way too long now I have told everyone including myself that I am a new mom and my fitness will come. I don’t care about losing all the baby weight or cutting into time with my son to workout – but the thing is as a former professional athlete being fit has always been part of my identity and I know I feel better overall when I am in better shape. The thing is – is you don’t just snap your fingers and magically reach your fitness goals. There’s diet, exercise, and the motivation. All of these pieces are important if you want to see real results. And while it can be tough to stay motivated on your fitness journey (like I have learned in the last 11 months) I am learning that some things do make it a bit easier and I wanted to share a few of these tips with you.  

#1 Track Your Progress

Keeping track of your progress is one of the best ways to stay motivated. It’s easy to get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results, but tracking your progress over time can help you stay focused and motivated to keep going. For some people tracking your workouts helps – for others it might be keeping a food journal. But alas it is important to find a fine balance and not become too fixated on the numbers and lose sight of why you started your fitness journey in the first place. This will only end up demotivating you.

#2 Celebrate Your Successes

When it comes to long-term goals like health and fitness, it’s important to celebrate the successes that come along the way. It can be easy to get trapped in a negative mindset and focus on all the things you have yet to do, but celebrating your successes is essential to keeping yourself motivated.

Take the time to recognize your accomplishments and treat yourself to reaching milestones or meeting new goals.  Take yourself out for a nice dinner, treat yourself to a new outfit. Do something for you! This will help motivate you to keep going when times are tough and remind you of why you started in the first place.

#3 Get Help From A Personal Trainer Or Coach

If you’re struggling to stay motivated on your own, finding a personal trainer or coach can be a great way to keep yourself accountable and motivated. Having someone there to provide support, guidance and encouragement can make all the difference. Plus, they can help you learn the jist when it comes to proper nutrition and exercise too.

There are plenty of online options for trainers and coaches if you don’t have access to in-person services. Just make sure you find someone who is knowledgeable and supportive so that you get the most out of the experience.

#4 Find Your Why

At its core, staying motivated is about understanding what drives you. What inspires you? What makes you want to continue despite how hard it may be? Knowing your “why” is key to staying motivated on your fitness journey.

Take some time to reflect on why you chose to pursue this journey in the first place. Is it for better health? To lose weight? To look and feel better about yourself? Knowing your reason for wanting to get fit can be a great source of motivation when things get tough.

 

Staying motivated on your fitness journey can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. By following these four tips – tracking your progress, celebrating your successes, getting help from a personal trainer or coach and finding your why – you’ll be on your way to achieving the desired results.

Top tips for hiking with a baby

Hiking has always been a big part of my life – most of my days off work you can find me in the mountains. I love exploring the beauty that B.C.’s backcountry has to offer, and so when I had a baby I promised myself I wouldn’t lose that identity  as a hiker and adventure enthusiast. Sure I knew it was going to be harder to get out there with some extra weight on my shoulders, but I knew it was important to me and so I would figure out a way.

So far, Max and I have conquered some great hikes together including the Chief, Lakside Loop, and Mt Crumpet and are planning to get out on some more adventures in the near future. I wanted to share with you all some tips that have helped me be able to get out on hikes with a baby successfully.

1. Find a comfortable carrier

Once your little one has enough neck strength to hold their head up (usually around 6 months) then you are able to put them in a backpack carrier ( steep hikes with them strapped in front is not enjoyable). The key here is finding the right carrier for you and babe. I have heard so many friends say that one brand is better for tall people, another for shorter  – you have to find the right fit for you because remember, you are carrying an extra tiny human up a mountain. After some research we went with the Dueter Kid Comfort. The selling point for this one was the comfort for both baby and parent, as well as the fact that it comes with a sunshade and a decent amount of storage (one issue I have with this carrier though is that the sunshade keeps hitting me in the head #tallgirlproblems). Some of the other top brands when it comes to carriers are Thule and Osprey. Do your research, read reviews, and test them if you can because this will be the difference between being able to hike for long distance and be comfortable vs. breaking your back along the way.

2. Start slow

My first hike with my little one was the Chief, and let me tell you, my back and shoulder weren’t too happy with me the next day. Remember that this is new for you and baby. Get out on a few easier hikes or trails so that both of you can get used to the carrier and this new method of hiking.

3.Bring Snacks

I feel like this is a top tip no matter where you are going with your baby. If you want to be out on a hike that is several km and you want baby to be happy the whole time – the key here is lots and lots of snacks. I love taking mum mums with me (my son is only 9 months) because he is able to eat those on the go – I can keep him happy even if it isn’t time to take a break

4.Take Breaks

Your baby and your back will thank you. The great thing about babies being 6 months is they have enough head strength for longer hikes, the hard part is they are usually starting to become mobile and sitting in a carrier for several hours can be a little boring for them. If you are doing a bit of a longer hike, just expect it to take some extra time and allow your little one to get out of the carrier for a quick crawl every once in a while. Hey we aren’t trying to set records, we are trying to get out in nature with our babes (I keep reminding myself now hikes are different, more about the journey with Max than the destination).

5.Time the hike with naps

I usually set out after nap time so that Max is awake and happy and can take in the surroundings. If we are going to be out for a while, I will try and plan the longest leg of the hike during a nap time since Max still falls asleep in the carrier – try and get a feel for your baby because this will be different for everyone.

6. Bring Layers

Weather in the mountain can be unpredictable and while it is always important to bring layers for yourself, even more so for babe because they aren’t moving. You might be sweating after an incline on a coolish day – but your baby is just enjoying the ride so make sure they are dressed for the weather.

7, Plan out diaper changes, if you can

Thankfully at this age you are probably passed the dreadful poo explosions – but if you are out for a few hours it is likely baby will need a change at some point and so planning the right time is key. I try to avoid anything too high in the alpine because there is less protection from sun or wind and will also be cooler.

Happy exploring mommas,

xo

Mia

Pain relieving tips you may not have thought of

Pain relief is a complex thing. What works for one person is not necessarily guaranteed to work for another, and that means trial and error is the only real approach to find out what works for you. When I was dealing with pain during my pregnancy I was getting tips and tricks from everyone – but I felt that a lot of them didn’t work specifically for me – so I wanted to share a few pain reliving tips that did work for me that you might not of thought of yet. 

Swimming

I started to get into swimming during my pregnancy since it was one of the exercises that didn’t hurt and actually  helped with your pain.When you’re in the water, it takes your weight and leaves you weightless, meaning that there is less pressure on your body. As well as this, when you swim around properly, you are using all of your muscles and keeping them warm, not allowing them the chance to seize up. Keeping your muscles warm and well used is important to feeling good physically, and swimming is the easiest way to do this without risking any kind of strain. I loved it so much I have actually signed up for a triathlon 

 

Acupuncture

Another form of pain relief that I really got into during my pregnancy. Firstly for nausea but then for other aches and pains. This is the process of sticking tiny needles into your skin to relieve any stresses and pains you have going on. It has been around for thousands of years and has been proven to work for many different customers. If you are wanting to find out more about acupuncture and how it can help you then take a look at https://qitcm.ca/services/acupuncture/

Herbal Remedies

Something else that might be able to relieve you of your aches and pains is herbal remedies. If you are opposed to using painkillers from over-the-counter or your doctor then you can take more natural substances. They work the same way but are much better for your body. It isn’t just pain that herbal remedies can help with. They can also help you to sleep much better at night, you might be struggling to settle down each night. Reach for some camomile tea to help ease your mind and help you sleep soundly. 

 

Sort Yourself Mentally

Lastly I think it is important to realize taking care of your physical health also means taking care of your mental health. A lot of people don’t realize there is a strong link  between the two b, and if you think that nothing is going to work, then it’s likely that you’re going to be right. It might be the case that you need to consider counselling in order to sort your mental health, and get you back on the right track.

Hopefully this will help you on your journey to find pain relief, 

XO
Mia