What's the deal with fats?

October 14, 2024

Written by: Mairead, Registered Dietitian


Fats can be confusing...


Are they good?

Are they bad?

What's the difference between the different types?


Let's take some time to break down the different types of fats and which ones we want to make sure we include on a regular basis!

First of all, we don't need to follow a low fat diet, unless you have a specific medical condition where this is the case. We actually need fat in our diet to help us absorb certain vitamins and play important roles in cell function. Like any nutrient, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. If we eat too much fat, it may mean we're taking in more calories than we need, which can lead to weight gain

"Good fats" are our unsaturated fats.

These come from foods like nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil, canola oil, and fatty fish (salmon, trout, etc.). They help promote normal cholesterol levels, which can reduce our risk of heart attack and stroke. Unsaturated fats can also help reduce inflammation in the body and help promote brain health. 

"Bad fats" are our saturated and trans fats.

Trans fats have been mostly phased out in Canada, but used to found in many processed foods and baked goods. Saturated fats are found in fatty meats, high fat dairy, fried foods, coconut and palm oils, and many packaged or processed foods. Diets that are high in saturated fats can lead to higher cholesterol levels and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, although most people are still safe to consume some saturated fats as part of a healthy balanced diet. 

So how do we know what types of fat are in a food?

We check the label!


Total fat is always listed on the nutrition facts table, with saturated and trans fats underneath.


The total fat value is made up of the saturated fats and trans fats listed, as well as any unsaturated fats the food contains, which may or may not be listed on the label.


To see if a food is high in saturated and trans fats, use the percent daily value, which is the percentage over on the right hand side of the nutrition facts panel. If the percentage is under 5%, the food is low in saturated and trans fats. If it's over 15%, it's high in those fats. 

Fat does so many good things in our body - but we need to make sure we're choosing the right ones to help with our heart health! Practice reading labels to know whether you're making a health choice.

Looking for more personalized nutrition advice? Let's chat! Email mairead@degreefitnessseaforth.com for more information about our Nutrition Programs!

The Importance of Showing Up For Yourself

September 2, 2025
Written By: Coach Sienna Showing up for yourself is so important but its often overlooked and dismissed. Showing up for yourself isn't some cheesey, made up statement. There is meaning behind it and science! Showing up for yourself is an empowering practice that can transform the way you live, love and lead! BUT what does showing up for yourself actually mean? And why does it matter so much? S howing up for yourself is... Not Selfish You matter and you are important! Treat yourself as if you were a loved one. It means honoring your own needs, values and well being to achieve overall wellness. This means being consistent in the way you treat yourself, not just when it's convenient to you! It is…. Keeping your word to yourself and keeping those promises Choosing rest to prevent burnout It means giving yourself grace and speaking kindly to yourself (Its your first time living!) Prioritizing growth even if its uncomfortable Creating boundaries and sticking with them Say No when something doesn't align with you or your beliefs I t's about treating you like you are worth caring for not only when you have “deserved it” but because you are worth that care, always! Why does all of this matter? It strengthens your relationship with yourself Prevents you for burning or crashing out Builds self confidence as well as trust in yourself Helps you stay balanced emotionally and physically The more time you spend getting to know yourself you learn and discover hobbies! You learn that YOU CAN DO IT and that YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS! You become more present for others! You are no longer pouring from an empty cup! What does this look like in real life? Drinking enough water even though you would rather skip it Going on a walk or doing meditation to have time for yourself to avoid crash out Keeping promises you said you would Letting go of perfection and simply doing the best that you can with what you've got S tart showing up for yourself today! Let yourself know that you've got you :) --- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!

How To Make Your Workouts Stick

September 2, 2025
Written By: Coach Kelly I’ve been exercising since high school... I don’t want to age myself tooooo much ;) but that was quite sometime ago. I meet with people all the time who are looking to get started. They are looking to lose weight, tone up, feel better, happier, increase bone density, do something for them, for various reasons. I’m going to give you two of the most important things that you need to do to make your fitness stick, through al season nd all set backs. Write these down, memorize them, and repeat them over and over. You’ll always succeed. Forget about motivation Seriously, forget it. Motivation comes after you get started. It comes when you start to see results; it comes when your pants fit different; it comes when you’re not out of breath going up stairs; it comes when you are running down the soccer field with your kids; it comes when you are happier; it comes when you feel less anxious, less depressed; it comes after you get started. Remember your why Why are you wanting to get started? Why do you want to spend money and time at a gym? Are you willing to do this for months, if not years? When your schedule gets busy, or your kids get sick, why will you keep coming to classes or appointments? You just need to get started, and you need to clearly understand why you are starting in the first place. After that, you must stick with it. Even when y you’re tired, when you’re frustrated, when you want to give up. Everyone wants the quick fix. We will spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on supplements that promise to help us lose weight, feel better, but honestly, nothing will compare to the eating some vegetables and getting in a structured workout with a Coach or at a gym 2 - 3 times per week. I know it’s hard. I know it’s hard. Like, I really, really know it’s hard. But, as you’re reading this, look way down the road, like 1 year, then 3, then 5 years. How do you want to feel? As hard as it is to get started, it will be even harder if you don’t do anything. You deserve to invest in yourself. You deserve to feel good. You have got this and we believe in you - Let’s go! ----- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!

The Journey of Degree Fitness

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Written By: Coach Kelly My gym ownership journey started in December of 2019. At the time I was managing the day to day Degree, coaching classes/appointments and running events/programs. The previous owner had some really exciting things coming up in her life that required big changes. One of them being handing over the keys to someone else. It was an immediate yes, and an absolute honour! Degree was originally founded as a place to workout with a group of like minded, amazing people. Using fitness as a vehicle for a better overall life (happier people, healthier people). I always believed int eh original mission, vision an values of Degree and they haven’t changed much over the years :) Fitness to me was a way to escape; I could move my body, stay strong and feel empowered when everything else around me felt like it was falling apart. I’ve continued to use fitness to improve my overall health and strength, and just like when I first started, to stay grounded when everything else feels shaky. Fitness to me, and at Degree, is more than muscles. It’s helping our clients have a safe space they can come, be themselves, and workout with their gym buddies. As they do this, the most amazing things happen, and it makes our hearts soar as you Coaches… We see you light up when you crush a hard workout, or do something you didn’t think you could do. When you share a bright spot and everyone in your class is genuinely happy and excited for you, too! When you start to realize, and believe , that you are whole heartedly capable of anything you put your mind to. That you are worth it; you always have been. Degree is the cornerstone of health and wellness, and we will always be here to help you, and our community live their happiest, and healthiest lives! ----- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!