Elevate News

November 16th, 2015 - Why is Nutrition so important to all of us? 

Hi there, I’m Cheryl Wahl, RHN, Cancer Coach, exercise Specialist and Nutritionist at Elevate Training, Health and Wellness.

Let me tell you a little about myself. I have a passion for whole foods, a balanced lifestyle (is there such a thing?) and creating a healthy body through nutrition first. I’m a wife and mother of two active teenagers, a sister, a daughter and a friend. I love educating people, giving them the tools and knowledge to empower themselves; making small changes for a healthier body.

I haven’t always been this healthy. In my teen years I was pretty close though. I was active, swimming competitively, competing in gymnastics and baton, as well as cheerleading. Both water and snow skiing have always been a part of my life, and bike riding and hiking have been a great way to clear the mind while exercising. I ate fairly well but had a great metabolism so it didn’t really matter what I ate, so I thought, I felt good!

In my 20’s, things were okay. I worked out occasionally, still blessed with a high metabolism so even the regular fast food meals and late nights of partying weren’t showing up on the hips.

When I hit my 30’s, that’s when things started to change. I became a mother of two active boys and taking care of myself was put on the back burner. I worked in a high stress job and my less than optimal diet and lack of exercise was starting to catch up with me. I wasn’t overweight but I wasn’t healthy. A few years later I heard a term, “skinny fat”. That’s what I was, slim but NOT healthy.

It was during those years that both my father and father-in-law were diagnosed with cancer. I started to pay attention to what I was feeding my family. After all, I had two young kids to take care of. It wasn’t until I found a small lump in my breast that I really took notice. Luckily for me, the lump turned out to be nothing, but it was a major wake up call! I realized then and there that I had to make changes. I quit my high paying, high stress job and decided I wanted to learn everything I could about nutrition and cancer prevention. I was going to do what I could to reduce the risk of cancer so hopefully my kids (and my husband and I) never receive that awful diagnosis.

I registered in the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and graduated in 2008. I volunteered, then taught classes at Inspire Health, a centre dedicated to cancer support, education and alternative therapies. I learned a lot about the different cancers and how simple nutrition and lifestyle changes can make a difference in the journey through cancer treatment.

Proper exercise, when combined with nutrition, play a key role in both encouraging recovery from cancer and preventing it’s recurrence. Cancer is a complicated disease and there are many factors and contra-indicators to take into account when creating customized programs. As such, I became certified as a Professional Cancer Coach, as well as a Cancer Exercise Specialist.

Through my private practice, I offer private and group programs to support cancer patients either as they go through treatment or have finished treatment, empowering them to take charge of their life and future through education and hands on training. My clients will learn to improve things that are in their control, such as diet, nutrition, lifestyle and behaviours, and when improved, can provide a happier, healthier person with a new beginning.

How I can help you at Elevate Training, health and Wellness.

I’m here to help you make sense of all that and figure out what’s right for you, to reach your own goals.  I’ll teach you how to eat and prepare real food, found at your local grocery store, simply and easily.  I’ll share tips, tricks and recipes that I use in my own home.

And by the way, we’ll work together to incorporate your favorite foods (cause I love my ice cream and wouldn’t live without it).

I look forward to working with you!

In good health,

Cheryl Wahl, RHN, CPCC, CES