In 2019 I finally made the decision to book an appointment with an orthodontist. Surprising many in my world as on the surface my teeth looked pretty nice.

I hadn't had braces when I was a kid and overall my teeth were relatively straight. My biggest reason to have my teeth checked was because I have seen family members struggle with their teeth breaking down into their later years.

I do not want that for myself.

And truth be told, my bottom teeth were shifting in a way that I did not feel were as aesthetically pleasing.

Well, was I on to something…

In fact, my teeth were not functioning properly at all. Although on the surface they looked like they were in alignment but with the expert eye of the orthodontist, she quickly saw my oral health future. Worn down enamel due to contact with the top teeth on the bottom ones. Poor chewing mechanics due to crowding and misalignment between the top and bottom molars.

Any reservations I had about moving forward were quickly vanished as I knew this was the preventative strategy I needed for properly functioning teeth in the future.

With this decision made, I opted to invest in Invisalign. Essentially retainer like braces that are clear and fixed to the teeth with "cement like" attachments.

Each week was a new pair and even though they looked nicely transparent and relatively harmless - oh my, they were not!

Pain and discomfort were only part of the consequence with wearing the Invisalign trays. It was more so the cuts and abrasions from having foreign plastic trays in my mouth! I'll spare you any more details.

Yet as the weeks past, I settled into the habit and my mouth adapted to the new situation. Every week the Invisalign trays moved my teeth ever so slightly. Small tweaks at a time care of my orthodontist's attention to detail.

Fast forward 17 months later, my teeth (and their function and alignment) completely changed.

So why share my oral health history?

Because the same principle of progression applies. In last week's post, I told you all about the FITT Formula+ with the added concept of progression.​

For change to happen, small even micro changes each week add up to substantial change. My Invisalign trays retaught me about the exercise science principle of progression.

What does that mean to you?

Take the time to adjust and change your physical activity, maybe every week and see what begins to happen.

Making active change, whether is be the type of activity you choose, the frequency of your choice activity, the duration of each session and/or the intensity of your activity will progress your program forward to get the results you want.


Need help with that? That's my job.​
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Getting adult braces was a big commitment of behaviour change (you should see my oral health routine now!), time and money. The investment I would make again in a heart beat.

The best outcome of all, beside well functioning teeth, is that I was retaught the power of progression and that change is possible!

Stay well and happy moving,
Lisa

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P.S., My opinion and experience are my own. The team at Strathcona Orthodontics are amazing and their care and attention must be recognized. This is not sponsored content.

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Last week's newsletter I shared with you a basic framework to jump start your physical activity and exercise in 2022.

​If you missed it, you can catch up here. Be sure to watch the first video before the one in this email!

Thinking of the FITT Formula this week, I reflect how the foundation of my program, the type of physical activity changes and will change based on many factors.

This past week's choice for me was highly dependent on the weather. My physical activity was ice skating. ⛸

The arctic chill has broke and we now have temperatures mild enough to enjoy our winter wonderland.

As you can imagine this choice is dictated by the weather, time of year as well as the motivation to get active outdoors. It is also a physical activity that my whole family can enjoy together. Which we did!

In this week's Physical Activity QuickPlay, we take the FITT Formula to a whole new level. Get ready to throw everything up in the air and start over!

Say what?!

Yep! There is a new worksheet to go with this video too (see below!). Step by step (pun intended), we work through our plans for a physically active lifestyle.

Now you know more, now you can move more.

Hit reply to this email and tell me what does your FITT Formula+ look like this week!

Need more help? Let me help you with your FITT Formula+. We can work together on your path of physical activity and the lifelong journey of movement.

Stay well and happy moving,
Lisa

Did you have a good holiday season?

We stayed cozy indoors at home most days as we've been in an arctic freeze in Edmonton. We enjoyed watching holiday movies, playing card/board games and avoided getting run over by two little boys with their new scooters (yes, I let them scoot around the house. Who wants a Christmas present you can't use until Spring?!)

I had a handful of outdoor cross country ski sessions on milder days. It took some time to get my ski legs under me again! But oh what fun!​

Today let's roll it back to the beginning with a new Physical Activity QuickPlay video. The fresh start to a new year means a fresh start to our physical activity and exercise routine.

After the video be sure to download the PDF worksheet below to work through while you put your insight into action.

This Physical Activity QuickPlay is Part I of a two part series. Keep your eyes peeled for next week's email where I will share Part II.
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As always, hit the reply button on this email to share your physical activity and exercise plans for 2022. This Physical Activity QuickPlay will help give you the jump start to the year!

And I always keep confidentiality of my clients, yet these two consented to share this image with you. I finished with them right before Christmas as they want some deflation time in their off season.

What that means is I have room in my private practice for YOU!

I would be honoured to work with you to move more and move better.
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Stay well and happy moving,
Lisa
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