I first met Deb Jenkins at an aerobics class at the Y in the late 80s. She danced right behind the instructor, a little to the left. I could see her from my position in the back, and wed talk after class. I always thought she was cool.

Deb and I remained good friends throughout the years, through the Celebration of Women and Their Music and attending her awesome house parties, and even our infrequent but precious lunch dates.

One fall a few years ago, I let it slip that Id blown off my yearly mammogram because I was just too busy with everything else. A few days later the phone rang.

Susie this is Deb. I havent slept these last three nights thinking about you not getting a mammogram. Promise me youll get one.

Tears stung my eyes. Id forgotten.

Im not going to let one of my sisters fall through the cracks if I can help it, she said. Just promise me youll do it so I can sleep, OK?

You see, Deb is a breast cancer survivor.

Women dont talk about it much. We buy pink ribbons and dedicate October to its awareness. But in a very personal, everyday way? Not so much.

At the time, I didnt think it was a big deal, but now I understand that that phone call remains one of the most real, stripped down and powerful calls of my life.

For some reason, it went to my core, demonstrating how I could be taking better care of my body. My friend, my sister, really cared about my health, and she wanted me to care about it, too. She wanted me to not always put others first.

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50/50: Don't fear conversations about health

Pickles: I love having our street lights off

8:00am Tuesday 29th April 2014 in News

ERIC Pickles has dismissed calls to switch Basildons street lights back on, saying he wouldnt do it on the off chance someone wants to get out and do aerobics at 3am.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government was attacked by councillors from his own party over his comments about the controversial part-night lighting scheme, which involves street lights being turned off between midnight and 5am.

They were made as he launched the Conservative Partys election campaign for Basildon Council on Friday.

Mr Pickles, MP for Brentwood and Ongar, said: Essex County Council has been immensely brave because the easy thing would be to keep the lights on.

In a time when we are on the cusp with regards to our electricity supply, we cant have lights burning all night on the off chance someone wants to get out and do aerobics at 3am.

I love it because I am economy- minded. Its saving a phenomenal amount of money, its decreased crime because burglars love ambient lighting, its nice to see the night sky and, as someone who lives in a main street that has had its lights cut off, I can get a good nights sleep.

Questioned about the high number of shift workers in Basildon who come and go during the night, Mr Pickles said: I dont believe that someone who is working in shifts is scared to go out because theres no light.

We have moved on a bit in the world. It makes a nice story, but the reality is people get on with their lives.

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Pickles: I love having our street lights off

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8bzZ9Aw3hI

5to "C" 2014 XII Festival de Aerobics Ramn Buenahora
2do Lugar. Altagracia de Orituco, Edo. Gurico, Venezuela. Lo hemos logrado MOTOLITOS IMPUSIMOS una tendencia !! #SangreNaranja.

By: Robert Velasquez

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5to "C" 2014 XII Festival de Aerobics Ramn Buenahora - Video

White powder ruled not hazardous in Bryan County Courthouse lockdown White powder ruled not hazardous in Bryan County Courthouse lockdown DURANT, OK -- It was a scary and long day for people at the Bryan County Courthouse Monday. After a threatening letter showed up in the clerk's office with a white powder, people were evacuated from the building while others were kept in quarantine. As authorities scrambled trying find out what the substance was. Those held in quarantine were forced to stay on the courthouse for about seven hours Monday. They were eventually released after investigators tested the material and gave the all cl...More >> DURANT, OK -- It was a scary and long day for people at the Bryan County Courthouse Monday. After a threatening letter showed up in the clerk's office with a white powder, people were evacuated from the building while others were kept in quarantine. As authorities scrambled trying find out what the substance was. Those held in quarantine were forced to stay on the courthouse for about seven hours Monday. They were eventually released after investigators tested the material and gave the all cl...More >> Red Cross Needs Money to Help Tornado Victims Red Cross Needs Money to Help Tornado Victims

Updated: Apr 28, 2014 06:45 PM2014-04-29 00:09:16 GMT

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Getting Fit: Benefits Of Water Aerobics

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIOCCyC1EFM

The healthy way with aerobics at Taman Merdeka
The JB City Council had arranged for aerobics exercises at Taman Merdeka, Johor Bahru every Thusday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

By: ljfung

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The healthy way with aerobics at Taman Merdeka - Video

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0GqlRuoir0

10 Min Calorie Burning Low Impact Cardio - HASfit Low Impact Aerobics Workout - Beginner Exercises
Download the HASfit Interactive Trainer App Now! Android http://goo.gl/q1rpi0 -- iPhone http://goo.gl/6N3gfS Get your heart rate up and burn calories with th...

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10 Min Calorie Burning Low Impact Cardio - HASfit Low Impact Aerobics Workout - Beginner Exercises - Video

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On Floor Aerobics Warm Ups With Fitness Trainer - Get Fit Part - 2
Get Fit is a special program by CVR Health TV in which Fitness Trainer will train on the special On Floor Aerobics for the good and fit health. Watch this to...

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On Floor Aerobics Warm Ups With Fitness Trainer - Get Fit Part - 2 - Video

Cyclists ride and raise funds for cancer Cyclists ride and raise funds for cancer

Updated: Saturday, April 26 2014 6:41 PM EDT2014-04-26 22:41:42 GMT

Updated: Saturday, April 26 2014 6:33 PM EDT2014-04-26 22:33:34 GMT

Updated: Saturday, April 26 2014 6:25 PM EDT2014-04-26 22:25:21 GMT

Updated: Saturday, April 26 2014 6:20 PM EDT2014-04-26 22:20:22 GMT

Updated: Saturday, April 26 2014 6:15 PM EDT2014-04-26 22:15:09 GMT

Cycle enthusiasts raised funds towards the fight against cancer.

The Cancer Coalition of South Georgia held its third annual Ride for Hope at Tony's Gym. 75 people participated in an aerobics or cycling class instructed by professional cyclists Josh Taylor. Organizers say the riders participated to honor and remember a loved one affected by cancer.

"Really to the individuals that have raised these funds and part of what they know with raising these funds is that 100% of all of the donations do stay here in our area, and they're used for the Cancer Coalition's programs and services," said Diane Fletcher with the Cancer Coalition of South Georgia.

The Cancer Coalition of South Georgia raised more than $8,000 at the event.

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Cyclists ride and raise funds for cancer

So you run three days a week and believe yourself to be pretty fit. A friend invites you to a low impact aerobics class and you find yourself exhausted and cant keep up?

Maybe youve been faithful with your strength training program at the local gym but youre winded after running around the park with your grandkids?

Or perhaps youve been circuit training for years and believe your cardio and strength are that of a high performance athlete but one day you bend over to lift something up and end up with a back injury that lasts for weeks?

Most people stick with a sport or exercise program they enjoy and train year after year to improve their skill and ability. However, experts in the fitness field recommend cross training (participating in more than one sport or activity).

Using just one set of muscles repeatedly can also increase your risk of repetitive injury. The harder you train your body for just one activity, the more stress you put on all the muscles and bones involved in that one activity, so the more you do and the better you get, the more you risk overuse and the greater your risk of injury.

Cross training can help minimize injuries and muscle imbalances.

Some other benefits of cross trainingare:

Relieves boredom and keeps you interested by adding variety to your workout

Renews motivation and adherence to exercise program

Develops your entire body rather than just specific parts or energy systems (aerobic vs. anaerobic )

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Kittle: Cross training and core strengthening for older adults

They count steps and calories, offer nicotine patches and aerobics classes.

Employee wellness programs are becoming the norm in the American workplace, implemented in hopes of leveling health costs and improving overall employee health. Research shows the programs are popular with employers -- but largely unused, or at least under-utilized, by employees.

"Nine out of 10 people want to be healthier, but it has to be convenient and ideally on-site," said Aubrey Worek, owner of Wellness Solutions at Work, a corporate wellness company based in Pittsburgh. Ms. Worek and her team work with clients to implement programs and incentives.

Monetary benefits work, too. And a little praise can go a long way.

"People love recognition," she said. "To be member of the month, to be in the newsletter, you made their day."

Recognition for lost weight or improved blood-pressure levels come after the fact, though. The trick is getting employees to participate in wellness programs to begin with. While about 40 percent of small companies and more than 90 percent of large companies offer employee wellness guidance, certain types of programs perform better than others.

According to a 2013 Rand Corp. study, sponsored by the Department of Labor and the Department of Health and Human Services, participation rates for completion-based programs, such as clinical screenings or signing up for a health reimbursement account are much higher than intervention programs, which include lifestyle and disease management.

Around 50 percent of employees in the Rand survey completed wellness screenings, while lifestyle and disease management program participation hovered around 20 percent.

Cost- and health-effectiveness of those programs is mixed. Employees whose companies offered a wellness program lost only 1 pound per year on average, were not associated with significant reductions in total cholesterol level -- and the companies' financial savings were negligible. The Rand study found any benefits health or financial benefits "statistically insignificant," yet said employers with wellness programs overwhelmingly view them as positive.

So employers continue turning to incentives, and sometimes penalties, to motivate employers to complete assessments or reach lifestyle goals.

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For employers, wellness programs are a question of carrot vs. stick