Last week at the Association for Applied Sport Psychology annual convention I had the opportunity to listen to Joan Duda share insights from her lifes work. Dr. Duda is world renowned for her examination of motivational processes in sport and exercise. Over the course of an hour, she reminded the audience of how so many answers to success at fitness have been clearly outlined in research and theory but have been stifled in the marketplace.

The Biggest Loser was shared as an ignominious example of the marketplace trumping good science. Weeks of watching [insert your favorite celebrity trainer here] yell at, humiliate, and bully obese contestants provides no template for a successful exercise environment in non-reality t.v. reality. In a lot of regards it is actually a pretty good recipe for failed habits and poor health and wellness. The Loser coaching stumbles to fulfill all three core human needs identified by self-determination theory, one of the most prominent and respected motivation theories at this time: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

Autonomy Individuals need to feel a sense of leadership and decision making during their exercise experience. Personal trainers provide the expert exercise knowledge, but the exerciser ought to be in charge of the experience.

Competence Exercisers need to view fitness programs as appropriately challenging and feel positive feedback for their efforts throughout activity. When failure is a black and white option that includes self-worth stealing embarrassment, motivation loss is not far behind. Positively viewed challenges followed by positive support create deep wells of energy.

Relatedness Throughout the fitness journey it is necessary to form connecting relationships, rather than divisive ones. When competitiveness, comparisons, and drill sergeant trainers alienate exercisers, long term success at wellness behaviors are unlikely. Connecting and accepting exercise communities are healthy both physically and spiritually.

Watch closely, reality television fails miserably on the above motivational foundations. Does your exercise environment pass the motivation litmus test?

If its your type of entertainment, watch reality t.v. If fit living is your goal, make your own reality.

Dr. Adam Naylor leads Telos Sport Psychology Consulting and is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Boston Universitys School of Education. He has a decade and a half of experiences working with professional through amateur athletes of note: US Open competitors, NCAA champions, Olympians, Stanley Cup winners, and UFC martial artists. Beyond sports, over the past five years he has served as a corporate performance and wellness consultant. He can be reached at adam@telos-spc.com. Follow him on Twitter @ahnaylor.

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Loser: Good for Entertainment, Bad for Fitness

By Bill Victor, for The Columbian

Monday, October 15, 2012

When I think of the countless buzzwords that get thrown around the fitness, health and wellness world, the one that seems to reoccur with frequency is "antioxidant."

If one were to conclude that this term bombarding the airwaves with regular frequency is a good thing, they would be right. Understanding how antioxidants work, why they work, and better yet, what they do for us can significantly change the way we approach food, and appreciate how powerful the synergy of certain foods can be in our body.

To translate the term "antioxidant" literally would include breaking its name into two distinct parts. "Anti," meaning "against," and "oxidant," or oxidation, which is a process by which unstable electrons are fractured from their regular orbit around healthy molecules and instead begin attacking healthy cells. This release of "free radicals" can create a chain reaction continuing to upset or bombard the stable electron "orbit" of other healthy cells, ultimately damaging or terminating them. Fortunately, one of the miracles of the human body is its ability to create new cells.

To the rescue arrive the antioxidants which, in essence, consume or neutralize these free radicals and stop the cell destruction process occurring in the body.

Supplements?

Oxidation in the human body is significant because it is responsible for many different diseases, the aging process and general health. The causes of oxidation are a result of pollutants, mental stress, sunburns, poor dietary choices and environmental hazards. These events initiate the process of cells dying and ultimately making the body more vulnerable to disease and degeneration.

It is important to mention that oxidation is not only a result of external events, but is also a product of respiration, metabolism and inflammation, which are unavoidable.

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Just what is an antioxidant?

INDIANAPOLIS & NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

In a continuing effort to promote well-being, WellPoint, Inc. (WLP) has extended its current contract offering Healthways (HWAY) award-winning SilverSneakers Fitness Program to eligible members of several WellPoint affiliated health plans. SilverSneakers, the acclaimed exercise program designed to keep older adults active and healthyi, is provided to more than 700,000 eligible Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement members of WellPoints affiliated plans.

The SilverSneakers Fitness Program is designed exclusively for older adults. The program engages participants in active behavior change through access to a variety of physical activity venues and senior-specific programming that incorporates physical activity, nutrition, cognitive and social experiences.

SilverSneakers is a great way for Medicare beneficiaries to get started or continue with an exercise program because it groups participants with their peers and provides them with age appropriate exercises, said Leeba Lessin, senior vice president and president of WellPoints senior business. We are very pleased to be able to offer it to eligible members in many WellPoint affiliated plans and we encourage them to take advantage of it.

Physical activity can play a critical role in the prevention and treatment of various chronic illnesses. A published Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found that individuals who participate in SilverSneakers programs have lower long-term medical costs and require fewer hospital admissions.ii A separate CDC study found that SilverSneakers provided tangible health benefits for high-risk members. Members with diabetes who were active in SilverSneakers were admitted to the hospital less often, had lower inpatient care costs and had significant reduction in overall health care costs after only a year of participation.iii

There is growing recognition that the most effective solutions are based on collaborative efforts that help individuals, wherever they may be on the health continuum, avoid the next episode of care. Research has consistently demonstrated that SilverSneakers improves the health and well-being of participants through its unique combination of exercise and social support, said Ben R. Leedle, Jr., Healthways president and chief executive officer. Many of WellPoints affiliated plans have provided SilverSneakers access to eligible Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement members since 2003. By continuing to offer the SilverSneakers program, WellPoint has confirmed its commitment to providing time-tested, proven solutions to help improve not only the physical health of plan members, but also their overall well-being.

The SilverSneakers Fitness Program was founded in 1993 and serves more than 9 million eligible members. The Healthways fitness center network offers convenient access to more than 15,000 participating fitness and wellness facilities nationwide.

The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information, contact the plan. Benefits may change on Jan. 1 of each year. Limitations, co-payments and restrictions may apply. The SilverSneakers Fitness Program is provided by Healthways, Inc., an independent company. SilverSneakers is a registered mark of Healthways, Inc.

About Healthways

Healthways is the largest independent global provider of well-being improvement solutions. Dedicated to creating a healthier world one person at a time, the Company uses the science of behavior change to produce and measure positive change in well-being for our customers, which include employers, integrated health systems, hospitals, physicians, health plans, communities and government entities. We provide highly specific and personalized support for each individual and their team of experts to optimize each participants health and productivity and to reduce health-related costs. Results are achieved by addressing longitudinal health risks and care needs of everyone in a given population. The Company has scaled its proprietary technology infrastructure and delivery capabilities developed over 30 years and now serves approximately 40 million people on four continents. Learn more at http://www.healthways.com or http://www.silversneakers.com.

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WellPoint Affiliated Plans That Offer Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program Extend Contract

StepForward to Better Health (http://www.Stepforwrd.com) Introduces Helpful Wellness Tracking Program on New Website

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) October 15, 2012

These additions and changes better help the community connect with the common goal of continuously providing the best tools possible to help each other keep track of their health. By integrating features such as a news ticker, health journal, and daily reports and challenges, StepForward to Better Health helps stepforwrd.com members meet their five pillars for wellness every day.

Stepforwrd.com is meant to help people from all walks of fitness and health form a cornerstone for long-term wellness, said Renee Perschin-Usem, President of StepForward. The StepForward to Better Health team has been hard at work making site improvements to provide more interactive content and an improved user experience. We are very excited to launch our redesigned site to help our members take that step towards better health.

The StepForward to Better Health website provides helpful tools and resources such as a user-friendly dashboard where members can see where they stand on their daily improvements, intake, exercise and more. Tools such as a welcome-page dashboard, Twitter challenges, and wellness ideas work together to help members form healthy habits and live an active lifestyle. With the help of useful online health and fitness tracking tools at Stepforwrd.com, members can now learn about wellness and help the community make better choices each day toward better health and happiness.

About StepForward to Better Health

StepForward is a wellness community and program meant to help users achieve overall wellness through a healthy mind, body, and spirit. The StepForward program is evidence-based and created with user-friendly simple steps to help you break the cycle and Step Forward to better health. While helping consumers to track their own health habits, StepForward also gives useful and inspirational advice and suggestions. This lifestyle program is based on five pillars that are often overlooked in our daily lives: exercise, sleep, water, food and medication. To learn more about StepForward and to take advantage of their free fitness and health tracking tools, please visit http://www.Stepforwrd.com. StepForward is powered by iMobile Wellness, LLC.

Elizabeth Maxim Marketing Maven Public Relations, Inc. (310) 341-7351 Email Information

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StepForward Launches Redesigned Website Offering New Community Features, Enhanced Navigation and User-Friendly Dashboard

Well-being enhancement company Healthways (HWAY) and Coventry Health Care (CVH) recently revealed an understanding to provide the SilverSneakers Fitness Program to Coventrys qualified Medicare Advantage enrollees in 13 states. Starting from January 1, 2013, as per a three year deal, SilverSneakers will become available to enrollees in the states of Wyoming, Utah, Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Kansas and Illiniois.

Coventry has provided fitness regimens to its Medicare Advantage enrollees since 2009. Coventry and Healthways started their relationship in 2012 by providing SilverSneakers to eligible Coventry enrollees in Florida.

For health plans inclusive of SilverSneakers provision, Coventrys Medicare Advantage enrollees will have complete and free access to SilverSneakers facilities throughout the U.S.

Bethesda, Maryland based Coventry Health Care is a large managed health care company. The company provides a complete portfolio of fee based and risk products including Medicare programs.

The Healthways model encourages people to make favorable lifestyle changes that lead to enhanced well-being, reduced healthcare costs, improved performance and economic value for customers. The company has invested in technology platforms that provide scalable support with large populations. It has tie-ups with a large proportion of U.S. health plans and counts many millions of lives in its customer base.

Due to its unique scalable business model, Healthways shares may present a long-term investment opportunity, although it faces many challenges in the short term.

Healthways is the leader in a strategically critical and rapidly evolving part of the health care services market. Its fitness program (SilverSneakers) for seniors is available at over 15,000 centers across the U.S. and is available to over nine million eligible enrollees through Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage plans and group retiree plans. Healthways competes with Express Scripts (ESRX) among others.

We currently have an Outperform recommendation on Healthways. The stock retains a Zacks #1 Rank, which translates into a short-term Strong Buy rating.

Read the Full Research Report on HWAY

Read the Full Research Report on ESRX

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CVH Widens Use of HWAY Program

14 October 2012 Last updated at 19:40 ET By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News

Assumptions about fitness in older people should not be used to decide whether patients have surgery, according to a report by the Royal College of Surgeons and Age UK.

It says some older patients miss out on vital treatment because of their age.

Age discrimination in the NHS has been made illegal but the report says it may still happen when budgets are tight.

Doctors should look at the overall health of a patient instead of using cut-off ages for procedures, it said.

The report, Access All Ages, points out that there are valid reasons why an older patient might not be considered for surgery - because they have other health problems that increase the risk of operations, or that they themselves prefer not to go under the knife.

However, the report said: "While there may be legitimate clinical reasons why an older person may not benefit from surgery, it remains the case that some patients may be missing out.

"Decisions may not always be made on the basis of a comprehensive and objective assessment, but on a series of assumptions about fitness in older age."

Too many medical decisions we believe have been made on age alone with informal 'cut-offs' imposed so that people over a certain age were denied treatment

It said some doctors may have "outdated perceptions" and a "lack of awareness" about older patients and their ability to cope with surgery.

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Age 'should not affect' surgery

In preparation for the Fit 4 Life Fall Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee, this weekend, Massage School San Diego has created a guide to most popular fitness trends of the season.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) October 14, 2012

On Saturday, Oct. 14, the Fort Sanders Health and Fitness Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, will host the Fit 4 Life Fall Festival from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The festival was created to increased awareness of health, wellness and physical activity within the community. The event is free and will include activities such as group training, racquetball challenges, a climbing wall, a tennis tournament and other fitness classes. There will also be lectures on health and wellness, as well as on-site vendors of health- and fitness-related items. For children, the festival will feature face painting and balloon animals.

In conjunction with the Fit 4 Life Festival, MassageSchoolSanDiego.com has created a guide to the seasons best fitness trends.

Barre Using a classic ballet barre, isometric movements burn calories and work muscles all over the body. This workout particularly targets the abs, hips, arms and bottom.

Hula Hooping Swiveling the hips, hands and neck improves strength, posture and balance as well as boosts muscle tone.

Rope Training In this workout, moving ropes in varying motions and intensities build lean muscle tissue, tone, and provide a full-body workout.

Aerial Fitness Hanging silks suspended 50 feet in the air are a great workout. Climbing, moving and swaying on silks tones the arms, legs and abs in no time.

Trampoline Doing a workout on a trampoline burns 30 percent more calories than a typical run. Workouts like 3D Dodgeball and Skyrobics, work the core, legs, arms and more all while having a good time.

Kettlebell Training These uniquely shaped weights help to burn up to 20 calories a minute. They combine cardio, agility and strengthening training into one cohesive exercise that works the whole body.

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Knoxville Fitness Center Hosts Wellness Festival

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Wildfit - The Evolution of Health and Fitness - Video

by Chai Li Tiing, bizhive@theborneopost.com. Posted on October 14, 2012, Sunday

In recent years, the cat city has seen a rise in the number of health and fitness establishments a landscape that is in stark contrast with just a decade ago, when there was virtually no semblance of an exercising culture among the Kuching city folk.

In a place where development is picking up pace rapidly, people are inevitably seeing many aspects of their lives change in tandem with the citys changes.

Among the changes that can be observed include an increasingly fastpaced lifestyle and work culture, better access to higher education and heightened standards of living.

These aspects, coupled with more exposure to foreign cultures from technological advancement, have set the stage for an increased awareness about the importance of health and bigger demand for fitness related facilities.

On the other hand, people are finding themselves chained to their desks and keeping indoors more and more as the Internet and online games take precedence over outdoor activities and sports.

In the modern fast food-eating couch-potato culture, the latent realisation has proven timely as body-building and group fitness exercises such as yoga, Pilates as well as the latest Zumba see a surge in popularity among Kuching folks.

There has been a longstanding misconception that exercises and workouts are aimed at losing weight per se.

As such, many made excuses for not exercising or believed that they were leading a healthy life, therefore need not make any changes.

However, an increasing number of yuppie s have brought on a shift in the fitness paradigm, likely influenced by western culture.

Link:
The Fitness Business

Send your news and events baxterj@broomfieldenterprise.com. Deadlines are 10 a.m. Monday for inclusion in Thursday editions, and 10 a.m. Wednesday for Sunday papers.

This week

MONDAY

Swim lessons

Classes for ages 9 to 14 work on improving strokes, endurance and overall health and physical fitness. At Paul Derda Recreation Center, 13201 Lowell Blvd., 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, Oct. 15 through Nov. 14, cost, $53/$60. Register: 303-464-5500 or 303-460-6900.

Pathways to Parenting: Stress Relief

Psychologist Lisa Templeton from the Interpersonal Healing Clinic will lead discussion for parents of teens from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library, 3 Community Park Road. Registration required: at library Teen Zone desk or 720-887-2360.

CPR, AED, and First Aid Class

For ages 13 and older. Instruction includes emergency action principles, adult, child and infant CPR, other lifesaving techniques and traditional first aid. Meets 5 to 10 p.m. Mondays, Oct. 15 and 22, at Paul Derda Recreation Center, 13201 Lowell Blvd. Cost: $75/$85. Register: 303-460-6900.

Diving Class

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Broomfield Enterprise upcoming events -- Oct. 14