Blog for writing/editing

Nov 13, 2024

Unlock Your Best Life

Nov 13, 2024

Sep 24, 2024

The Best Places to Nordic Walk in Toronto: High Park & Mount Pleasant Cemetery

Sep 24, 2024

Looking for the perfect locations to enjoy Nordic walking in Toronto?

Sep 24, 2024

The Benefits of Engaging Your Brain During a Workout

Sep 24, 2024

Boost your brain health with exercise.

Sep 24, 2024

Sep 17, 2024

Have You Checked Your Nordic Walking Pole Boot Tips Lately?

Sep 17, 2024

Improve your Nordic walking technique to extend the life of your boot tips.

Sep 17, 2024

Sep 12, 2024

Another Beautiful Experience at Sea, Sand & Soul 2024

Sep 12, 2024

Amazing women, spectacular weather, and the best venue ever!

Sep 12, 2024

Sep 4, 2024

The History of Nordic Walking: From Ski Training to Mainstream Fitness

Sep 4, 2024

“Hey Barb, did you invent Nordic walking?” asked my hairdresser.

Sep 4, 2024

Aug 29, 2024

Wrinkly Arms? Why Muscle Mass is Your Best Solution

Aug 29, 2024

I broke my clavicle. I'm anxious to rebuild my arm muscles to get rid of the sag.

Aug 29, 2024

Aug 10, 2024

A Day in The Country Fitness Retreat - Fun & Fabulous!

Aug 10, 2024

Jul 8, 2024

Can I Nordic Walk with Hiking/Trekking Poles? Here’s Why It’s Not Recommended

Jul 8, 2024

Apr 5, 2024

What is Nordic Walking? A Beginner's Guide

Apr 5, 2024

Nordic walking is a fantastic activity that combine elements of hiking and regular walking with specially-designed poles.

Apr 5, 2024

Activator Walking Poles: Watch them in action and see the benefits

Apr 5, 2024

Watch how Urban Poling Activator poles magically give this walker confidence and stability. The Activators are proving to be an important fall prevention tool for people with poor balance related to illness, extended bed rest due to surgery, and ageing.

Apr 5, 2024

Mar 1, 2024

What Are the Health Benefits of Nordic Walking?

Mar 1, 2024

Nordic walking is a versatile and accessible activity that offers multiple health benefits for people of all ages and for beginner through advanced exercisers. Here are the 6 key advantages to walking with Nordic walking poles compared to regular walking.

Mar 1, 2024

Feb 5, 2024

Yuka: My Favourite 2023 App

Feb 5, 2024

Scan the barcode of almost any food or cosmetic product for an instant rating of its quality from 0 to 100..

Feb 5, 2024

Jan 24, 2024

What is Nordic Walking & How Does it Differ From Regular Walking & Hiking?

Jan 24, 2024

This is the #1 most-asked question about Nordic walking on the Internet!

Jan 24, 2024

Dec 29, 2023

2023 Nordic Walking Season Wrap-Up

Dec 29, 2023

A wrap-up in photos and video of this session’s High Park Toronto Nordic walking class.

Dec 29, 2023

Nov 28, 2023

Sea, Sand & Soul Fitness Getaway 2004…Sept. 6-11, 2024 -Earlybird registration opens January 24!

Nov 28, 2023

Our 3rd annual women’s fitness fitness retreat in Prince Edward Island! Nordic walking, cycling, swimming, exploring, and much more.

Nov 28, 2023

Nov 27, 2023

Try the “Paper Clip Strategy” to Create Good Habits

Nov 27, 2023

My personal training clients know I’m a big fan of using checkmarks as visual triggers to help create habits. Author James Clear also also loves a good visual cue. But he favours the paperclip.

Nov 27, 2023

Nov 5, 2023

Movement Changes Your Mood

Nov 5, 2023

Life is a little better when you move a little more.

Nov 5, 2023

Oct 27, 2023

Move More & Zoom Less to Fight Dementia, Says Research

Oct 27, 2023

New research shows physical activity helps ward off dementia.

Oct 27, 2023

Sep 23, 2023

More Fun Than Ever! Sea, Sand & Soul Fitness Getaway 2023

Sep 23, 2023

Our second annual Sea, Sand & Soul Fitness Getaway was a resounding success!

Sep 23, 2023

Sep 21, 2023

How Do You View the World?

Sep 21, 2023

I can’t help it. I’m judging your posture and shoes.

Sep 21, 2023

Jul 4, 2023

The Power of Stairs

Jul 4, 2023

Keep moving, keep moving, keep moving…

Jul 4, 2023

Jun 22, 2023

Active Living with Arthritis: Urban Poling to the Rescue!

Jun 22, 2023

There’s nothing that kills fun faster than an achy hip or a wonky knee.

Jun 22, 2023

May 27, 2023

Urban Poling is the Best Medicine

May 27, 2023

May 1, 2023

Nordic Walking/Urban Poling in Action (video)

May 1, 2023

Long strides, big long arm swings, ribcage lifted & eyes up!

May 1, 2023

Apr 14, 2023

Fit to Travel

Apr 14, 2023

One of the greatest advantages of being healthy and fit, is the ability to travel without physical restrictions.

Apr 14, 2023

Mar 8, 2023

Sea, Sand & Soul Fitness Retreat Returns! (Sept. 15-20, 2023)

Mar 8, 2023

Last year, 25 women from across the country met in Charlottetown, PEI, for four days of fun and fitness. We Nordic walked and cycled by the sea, ate delicious Island fare, and made lots of new friends.

Mar 8, 2023

Mar 2, 2023

A Chat with Cari (video)

Mar 2, 2023

A great “Chat with Cari”! Australian personal development professional Cari Havican and I talk about the importance of fitness as we age and how my online Fitness with Poles class (now called Cardio, Weights & Poles) evolved from the pandemic (approx. 15 min.).

Mar 2, 2023

Feb 28, 2023

Recovering from Breast Cancer with Nordic Walking

Feb 28, 2023

Jan 10, 2023

New Year's Resolutions Worth Keeping

Jan 10, 2023

Featured

Mar 15, 2022

Spring Nordic Walking & Virtual Fitness Classes Start Soon!

Mar 15, 2022

Feb 25, 2022

Love My Icebugs!

Feb 25, 2022

Finally, the perfect winter boots!

Feb 25, 2022

Feb 2, 2022

Winter Nordic Walking - Interview with Mandy Johnson

Feb 2, 2022

Questions about using your Nordic walking poles in the winter? Chances are that Mandy Johnson has the answers!

Feb 2, 2022

Jan 18, 2022

Nordic Walking Zoom Presentation: Saturday, January 22, 1pm EST

Jan 18, 2022

Jan 14, 2022

Nordic Walking/Hiking Etiquette: 12 Rules to Keep in Mind

Jan 14, 2022

Jan 4, 2022

Happy New Year! Here's a Link to My First 2022 Fitness with Poles Class (free)

Jan 4, 2022

Featured

Dec 7, 2021

My 2022 Holiday Wish List For Outdoor Exercisers

Dec 7, 2021

Nov 30, 2021

Nordic Walking Women's Retreat in P.E.I. (mid-Sept. 2022)

Nov 30, 2021

Nov 25, 2021

A (Secret) Formula For Success

Nov 25, 2021

Don't Fall for the Wrong Winter Boots!

Nov 25, 2021

Nov 10, 2021

The High Park Nordic Walking Experience (video)

Nov 10, 2021

Oct 17, 2021

Nordic Walking & Recovery From Breast Cancer

Oct 17, 2021

Nordic walker and breast cancer survivor Susan Bjork shares her story.

Oct 17, 2021

Sep 15, 2021

Ready to Move More? Start Where You Are.

Sep 15, 2021

Aug 5, 2021

Interview: Up Close & Personal with Barb Gormley

Aug 5, 2021

Jul 28, 2021

4 Favourite Books to Help Boost Your Health & Wellness

Jul 28, 2021

I love these four educational and entertaining books!

Jul 28, 2021

Jun 5, 2021

Walking Speed: Is it a New Vital Sign?

Jun 5, 2021

Like your heart rate, blood pressure & body temperature, walking speed may be an important new vital sign.

Jun 5, 2021

May 11, 2021

ACTIVATOR Poles or Nordic Walking Poles?

May 11, 2021

Determine which poles are best for you.

May 11, 2021

Mar 3, 2021

Nordic Walking and Arthritis (video)

Mar 3, 2021

On a bitingly cold day, Fraser and I Nordic walked up and down this beautiful country driveway for hours followed by a drone and a cameraman with some very fancy equipment.

Mar 3, 2021

Jan 3, 2021

Interview: Sportswave asks Me 7 Questions about Nordic Walking

Jan 3, 2021

Dec 4, 2020

Get a Grip: Don't Fall for Slippery-Soled Winter Boots

Dec 4, 2020

How do your snow boots rate?

Dec 4, 2020

Nov 6, 2020

Snowshoeing Is An Amazing Workout

Nov 6, 2020

Nov 2, 2020

Choose the Right Nordic Walking Shoes

Nov 2, 2020

Oct 4, 2020

A 5-Minute Stretching Routine for Everyone

Oct 4, 2020

There are so many reasons to add stretching to your day…

Oct 4, 2020

Sep 23, 2020

Newbie Running Mistakes You Might be Making

Sep 23, 2020

I can still see him clearly. Wrinkled Lycra short shorts, tattered basketball shoes, sweat socks pulled high, and enthusiasm even higher.

Sep 23, 2020

Aug 21, 2020

The One-Word Secret to Happiness

Aug 21, 2020

The one-word secret to happiness? It’s not money, power or fame.

Aug 21, 2020

Jun 8, 2020

Don’t Cancel Your Plans, Change the Tire

Jun 8, 2020

When clients or friends experience a dip in energy from a missed milestone or some kind of slip up, I share the following anecdote…

Jun 8, 2020

May 30, 2020

Exercise Well-Armed!

May 30, 2020

Here’s a great item to add to your outdoor exercise wardrobe: removable sleeves.

May 30, 2020

May 4, 2020

Uh oh...Are You Making These 5 Classic Nordic Walking Mistakes (video)?

May 4, 2020

Apr 8, 2020

Take a Break With This 5-Minute Desk Workout (With or Without Nordic Walking Poles)

Apr 8, 2020

When you work at home there can be fewer distractions, which is great. Isn’t it?

Apr 8, 2020

Keep Moving! Online Resources To Stay Fit During COVID-19

Apr 8, 2020

Mar 24, 2020

UPDATE--Spring 2020 Nordic Walking Classes

Mar 24, 2020

I’m sorry to say that the spring session of classes won’t be running after all.

Mar 24, 2020

Jan 29, 2020

Buy Whatever the Kids are Selling

Jan 29, 2020

I write my own blog posts, but this week I’m borrowing one from management coach Donald Cooper…

Jan 29, 2020

Jan 21, 2020

Nordic Walking: Everything You Need to Know

Jan 21, 2020

“It’s fantastic to see so many people out walking with poles.” But for every person who powers by with proper Nordic walking poles…READ MORE…

Jan 21, 2020

Jan 2, 2020

You're Only As Old as Your Spine

Jan 2, 2020

The simplest way to improve or maintain your back health is to regularly…READ MORE…

Jan 2, 2020

Dec 16, 2019

Going My Way?

Dec 16, 2019

It was an odd sight. A nattily-attired, elderly grey-haired gentleman on Parkside Drive…READ MORE…

Dec 16, 2019

Dec 8, 2019

The Happy Club

Dec 8, 2019

If you’re looking for an energizing workout in spectacular scenery with some interesting conversation…READ MORE…

Dec 8, 2019

Blog for writing/editing

Nov 16, 2019

"You don’t have to go fast. You just have to go."

Nov 16, 2019

Jul 16, 2019

Sugar: The Bitter Truth

Jul 16, 2019

In 1972, a British scientist sounded the alarm that sugar…READ MORE…

Jul 16, 2019

Jun 19, 2019

"Action is the antidote to despair." Joan Baez

Jun 19, 2019

May 15, 2019

Best Intentions Gone Wrong

May 15, 2019

When one of my personal training clients recently reported a tender left elbow, we were both puzzled…READ MORE…

May 15, 2019

Apr 19, 2019

Lose 5 Pounds by Hardly Trying

Apr 19, 2019

If you’re determined to lose weight but not having success, try this approach: change just one thing…READ MORE…

Apr 19, 2019

Apr 7, 2019

Ready to Transition?

Apr 7, 2019

If you’re an outdoor exerciser— a walker, Nordic walker, runner or cyclist—the change of seasons signals that it’s time to…READ MORE…

Apr 7, 2019

Mar 5, 2019

Could Push-ups Foretell Your Future Health?

Mar 5, 2019

A new study from the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that …READ MORE…

Mar 5, 2019

Feb 22, 2019

I Know If You’re a Professional Writer

Feb 22, 2019

As writers (professional or otherwise), we should all have the same goal…READ MORE…

Feb 22, 2019

Jan 15, 2019

Finally, Warm Hands!

Jan 15, 2019

Keeping my body toasty warm while I’m walking, running and Nordic walking is never a problem…READ MORE…

Jan 15, 2019

Dec 20, 2018

6 Signs Your Personal Trainer is Awesome

Dec 20, 2018

At cocktail parties, people always perk up when they learn I’m a personal trainer…READ MORE…

Dec 20, 2018

Oct 23, 2018

Would You Play Tennis with a Badminton Racquet?

Oct 23, 2018

It doesn’t happen often now, but years ago people would sometimes arrive at one of my Nordic walking clinics…READ MORE…

Oct 23, 2018

Sep 24, 2018

Feet Don't Fail Me Now

Sep 24, 2018

“You're wearing a different pair of shoes every time I see you!" said one of my personal training clients…READ MORE…

Sep 24, 2018

Sep 3, 2018

You Can't Make Friends With a Treadmill

Sep 3, 2018

When you're on your own, it can be hard to find the motivation…READ MORE…

Sep 3, 2018

Aug 16, 2018

How to Make Four Good Exercises Great

Aug 16, 2018

Jul 26, 2018

This Idea is Brilliant

Jul 26, 2018

The next time you head out for a jog, consider turning it into plog…READ MORE…

Jul 26, 2018

Apr 30, 2018

A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words

Apr 30, 2018

To properly perform deadlifts, seated hamstring stretches, triceps extensions and…READ MORE…

Apr 30, 2018

Mar 16, 2018

When a Workout Changes Your Life

Mar 16, 2018

The right workout can give you improved strength, flexibility, balance and cardiovascular endurance. But it can also …READ MORE…

Mar 16, 2018

Feb 8, 2018

Are You Really Nordic Walking...or Just Walking With Poles?

Feb 8, 2018

Jan 1, 2018

Failure to Launch -- Almost

Jan 1, 2018

Nov 13, 2017

A Simple Trick That Makes A.M. Workouts More Doable

Nov 13, 2017

Nov 5, 2017

Some Favourite Winter Things

Nov 5, 2017

Oct 1, 2017

Book Launch: The Urban Poling Ultimate Guide to Nordic Walking

Oct 1, 2017

Sep 25, 2016

Some Favourite Books

Sep 25, 2016

Jul 6, 2016

Micro-Workouts to Boost Your Fitness

Jul 6, 2016

May 2, 2016

The 7-Minute Vacation Workout

May 2, 2016

May 1, 2016

You Can't Outrun Your Fork

May 1, 2016

Apr 25, 2016

How Do You Measure Up? (Find out in 3 Minutes)

Apr 25, 2016

Apr 17, 2016

People I Love to Recommend

Apr 17, 2016

Apr 11, 2016

About Me: The Full Spiel

Apr 11, 2016