Fraser looking forward to outdoors activities in spring
The Legislature is back in session, and for Bill Fraser, Member of the Legislative Assembly, that presents some new obstacles where his healthy lifestyle changes are concerned.
“The challenge this week has been the Legislature’s back open,” Fraser said, which for him means long periods of sitting and difficulty getting snacks and meals at the right times.
However, he added, he’s finding ways to adapt.
Fraser said he always used to eat in the cafeteria at the Legislature, which offered some healthy options, but not as many as he needs for his diet plan. Now, instead of getting lunch at the cafeteria he brings along a salad, as well as snacks like oranges, grapefruit and vegetable sticks. That way, he makes sure he always has a meal or snack available when it’s time for him to eat.
“It seemed to go pretty good,” he said, after his first week back in the legislature. And he’s still losing pounds, he added. “I’ve got 37 off now, and that was as of [last] Monday.”
To make sure he gets plenty of exercise, Fraser said he always tries to arrive early for work, so that he can take a walk downtown. And he also likes to walk after the Legislature’s done for the day. The other day, he said, he went for a walk to a restaurant downtown after work to pick up a healthy dinner — a wrap with chicken and vegetables.
“If I’m not in a hurry, I’m going to try to leave my car at home,” he explained.
Fraser said he likes to walk, and he’s looking forward to spring.
“Now that the nice weather’s here it’s going to be better,” he said.
He mentioned that he had hoped to try cross-country skiing this winter, but so far he hasn’t had the chance. However, as the weather gets warmer, there are other outdoor activities that spark his interest.
Fraser said he is looking forward to revisiting the trails at French Fort Cove, which he hasn’t walked in a while.
“I wouldn’t mind trying biking sometime,” he added, saying that he has a brand new bicycle he has never used. However, he stressed that he’s not quite ready for that yet, and when the time comes, he intends to start slow, and on flat terrain.
“You don’t want to try to conquer the mountain the first day,” he said with a laugh.
Fraser’s outdoors activities aren’t meant to replace his gym routine, however — he still works out almost every day, and he has altered his weight routine a little to keep things interesting. He said he has also heard that a gym in Miramichi is having a new vibration machine installed that can be used as a supplement to exercise, and he’s eager to try it when it’s ready.
Besides diet and exercise, Fraser is also in the midst of a two-week detoxification and cleansing program. He takes herbal capsules morning and night that he says will help cleanse the liver, kidneys and major organs of the toxins that build up from unhealthy eating. He has heard, he said, that everyone is supposed to do this kind of detoxification twice a year, but this is the first time he has ever done it.
“Actually, I feel pretty good since I started taking them,” he said.
The purpose of the detoxification isn’t to lose weight, he said, although you might lose some along the way as the toxins are flushed out. Instead, it’s to improve your overall health.
“To make your body a little more healthy,” he said.
As well as the herbal capsules, he takes a fibre supplement — an odorless, tasteless white powder that dissolves in water or coffee. He takes two to three tablespoons each day to help with the detoxification process.
Fraser also mentioned that he plans to attend the Wellness Strategy meeting the Miramichi Wellness Committee is holding March 28, and he hopes other Miramichiers will do the same and add their input to the new strategy.
The meeting is at the Douglastown Community Centre from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
He added that you have to register ahead of time because space is limited. The contact number is 627-7539.
“I would encourage people to attend,” Fraser said.
