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06-09-2012 20:18 Benicia Health and Fitness Club

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Benicia Health and Fitness Club - Video

NEW YORK, Sept. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second year in a row, the American Heart Association (AHA) has recognized EmblemHealth as a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Company, a program that honors companies committed to helping their employees improve their health by eating better and exercising more. EmblemHealth is the largest regional health insurer in New York State, providing coverage for 2.8 million people through its companies Group Health Incorporated (GHI) and HIP Health Plan of New York (HIP).

According to William Gillespie, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for EmblemHealth, Fortune 500 employers are sponsoring wellness programs because they translate into short- and long-term cost savings and employee retention, while enabling employees to take important steps toward feeling better and living healthier. Dr. Gillespie notes that EmblemHealth has adopted a culture of wellness and has a longstanding tradition of providing diverse health and wellness offerings to its employees.

"We are delighted that the American Heart Association has recognized EmblemHealth for its ongoing commitment to employee wellness and physical fitness," says Dr. Gillespie, who notes that since being recognized by the AHA in 2010, EmblemHealth's wellness program has continued to evolve and grow. "Our employees have embraced the opportunity to get healthier. In just one year, our employee participation has grown nearly 400 percent. Most importantly, our employees have made impressive strides in changing their behaviors and adopting healthier habits."

"The Fit-Friendly Companies Program offers a unique, easy-to-implement opportunity for corporations to increase employees' physical activity, which will help improve their health and their employers' bottom line," said William Borden, M.D., American Heart Association spokesperson. "Even people who haven't exercised regularly until middle age can reap significant benefits by starting a walking program. A study published in 1986 in the New England Journal of Medicine found that some adults may gain two hours of life expectancy for every hour of regular, vigorous exercise they performed."

EmblemHealth provides broad incentives for employees who adopt healthy behaviors. Employees earn points by participating in workplace wellness programs, including quitting smoking, getting a flu shot and attending a health-related lecture. Points are also given to employees who adopt healthy behaviors, such as joining an exercise class, meeting with an on-site registered dietician, participating in a disease management program, seeing their physician for an annual visit or for scheduling a necessary test or preventive screening.

In 2011, the company expanded its wellness program to address key health challenges. Of 1,628 employees who completed health risk appraisals (37 percent of the company's employees), a large percentage reported issues that put their health at risk, including high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, depression, unhealthy stress levels and back pain. By increasing the number of programs with incentive points by 45 percent, by allowing employees to earn points for covered dependents who participate, and by offering American Express gift cards up to $750, EmblemHealth boosted its employee participation 398 percent in 2011, with 25 percent of all employees now enrolled. EmblemHealth's employees have reduced their total cholesterol, alcohol consumption, smoking, substance abuse, stress and depression levels.

Building on this experience and using this program as a model, EmblemHealth is exploring how it might include a range of employee health incentive programs as a benefit option for its group plan offerings in the future.

About EmblemHealthEmblemHealth, Inc., through its companies Group Health Incorporated (GHI) and HIP Health Plan of New York (HIP), provides quality health care coverage and administrative services to approximately 2.8 million people. Groups and individuals can choose from a variety of PPO, EPO and HMO plans, as well as coverage for prescription drugs and dental and vision care. We offer a choice of networks, including quality doctors and other health care professionals throughout the region, leading acute care hospitals across the tristate area, and physicians and hospitals across all 50 states. For more information, visit http://www.emblemhealth.com.

About the American Heart Association (AHA)The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke America's No. 1 and No. 4 killers. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit http://www.heart.org.

About the AHA Fit-Friendly Companies Program The Fit-Friendly Companies Program provides a catalyst for positive change in the American workforce by helping companies make their employees' health and wellness a priority. Participating companies get free access to program resources such as a free Walking Program, materials to help promote company wellness programs to employees and internal newsletter templates.

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American Heart Association Honors EmblemHealth for Promoting Employee Health and Wellness for Second Year in a Row

After the former world road champion was able to complete fewer than three dozen days of racing for BMC Racing in 2012, he underwent four days of medical tests at the Salt Lake City Health and Fitness Institute under the supervision of the team's chief medical officer Dr. Max Testa.

"The purpose of the tests was to explain his reduced exercise tolerance that has been limiting his performance throughout the season," Testa said.

"At the end of the four days, we determined Thor suffered a post-viral syndrome with secondary myositis or muscles inflammation. His medical condition is currently improving, and a full recovery is expected for next season."

Norwegian Hushovd expressed his relief at the diagnosis.

"It's a really big relief that I've been fighting all year with these bad sensations on the bike," Hushovd said.

"After a while, you lose some confidence. But now that I've finally found out why I had this weakness, I'm relieved.

"Now I know that I can come back strong for next year."

Hushovd, whose best result was fifth on stage 7 of Paris-Nice in March, did not compete in the Tour de France for the first time since 2000 and withdrew from the Giro d'Italia after five stages.

He also had to miss the London Olympics.

He is to begin training again on October 1 in preparation for 2013.

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Hushovd's poor season down to virus

WESTLAKE, OH--September 7, 2012: TravelCenters of America LLC (TravelCenters), operator of TA and Petro Stopping Centers branded travel centers, is teaming up with The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) to host Health & Wellness events at twelve TA and Petro locations. The events will include a Health Fair and an organized driver walk.

All the events will take place on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, during National Truck Driver Appreciation and Wellness Week. The Health Fairs will be held from 3-6 p.m. at each location, where information on how to live healthier will be provided to all professional driver attendees and families. At 7 p.m., walks will commence at all 12 locations' StayFit walking trails. The walks will be in one-, two- or three-mile lengths.

The 12 TA and Petro sites that have been selected for the events are:

Celebrities, local dignitaries and senior TA executives will be on hand to mingle with professional truck drivers and lead the events at many of the locations.

A partial list of key participants includes:

"We are thrilled to participate in the TCA's special focus on driver health during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week," said Tom O'Brien, President and CEO of TravelCenters. "Our locations are uniquely qualified to host these driver walks and health fairs," he continued. "We launched our own StayFit program nearly three years ago to assist professional truck drivers in their quest for better health. Today, we have better-for-you meal and snack options, and free fitness rooms, walking trails, basketball courts, pet areas and more. We support the TCA's effort to raise awareness of health issues affecting professional truck drivers and are active in the effort to improve their lives."

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TravelCenters of America and TCA to Host Health & Wellness Events During National Truck Driver Appreciation and ...

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06-09-2012 06:42 Learn exercises to get those abs. Dearin is a top Health and Fitness Presenter, and Consultant. He has presented at the Worlds Top Health and Fitness conventions in over 25 countries. He is much sought after for his Inspiration and Strong sense of physical movement as well as stage presence. Dearin has been the Fitness Director of Boston Body, 3 Gold�s Gym, Group fitness Manager for Equinox Fitness Miami Beach and Program Developer for WorldClass gyms in Sweden!

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CHRIST-EL 101: Get Those ABS with Dearin Priester, Top Health and Fitness Presenter, and Consultant - Video

NEW YORK, Sept.6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --EBOOST, the vitamin-infused natural energy drink, today announced that health, fitness, and nutrition expert, Jillian Michaels,has joined EBOOST as a company investor and has assumed the role of "Chief Energy Officer" for the brand.

(Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120906/NY69284)

"EBOOST is redefining the energy drink industry with a responsible product that consumers can feel good about drinking," says Michaels. "As a business woman, mother of two and athlete I was looking for something to help me boost my energy, performance and mental sharpness. EBOOST does all of these things naturally. I was thrilled when I discovered it and am excited to join the EBOOST team."

Known for her health conscious ways, it was not a shock that Michaels refused to turn to traditional energy drinks known to contain questionable ingredients and less than desirable side effects. When she was introduced to EBOOST and learned that it provided both a natural boost derived from green tea, plus immunity support thanks to a vast supply of essential vitamins and minerals, she instantly incorporated the drink into her daily routine and felt compelled to get involved to help build the brand.

Michaels is the latest health conscious celebrity to join EBOOST as an investor, with pro athletes including New York Knick, Amar'e Stoudemire, the Miami Dolphin Anthony Fasano and the Cincinnati Bengal Terrence Newman having been on board from the beginning.

"We were thrilled that someone as highly regarded in the health and fitness space as Jillian came to us excited to find out what she could do to get involved in EBOOST," says Josh Taekman, co-founder of EBOOST. "We immediately created a role for her as Chief Energy Officer and look forward to having her lend her support as we grow the EBOOST brand," he adds.

"As we continue to build Empowered Media and the Jillian Michaels brand, we look to partner with brands that share our mission to make the world a better and healthier place," says Giancarlo Chersich, Co-Founder and CEO of Empowered Media. "When we discovered EBOOST, we knew it was the perfect company for Jillian to align with," he adds.

A responsible boost in an otherwise irresponsible category, EBOOST is designed to provide energy, focus, immunity and recovery, any time of day. Available in the convenience of a shot, or an easy-to-mix powder packet, EBOOST contains 100% of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C, D, B-12 and Folic Acid included in each serving, keeping boosters healthy as well.

About EBOOST

EBOOST is a premium, vitamin-infused drink that provides energy, immunity, recovery and focus.A responsible boost in an otherwise irresponsible category, EBOOST provides natural energy from green tea and the suggested daily allowance of essential vitamins and minerals.Offered in four delicious flavors including Super Berry, Orange, Pink Lemonade and Acai Pomegranate, EBOOST is available in effervescent powder packets and liquid shot form. For more information, please visit http://www.eboost.com.

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Health and Wellness Expert Jillian Michaels Announces Partnership with All-Natural Energy Drink, EBOOST

Painters, designers, architects and other creative individuals are typically thought of as right-brained. But a new study from the University of Southern California suggests that creativity may require more logical left brain thinking than previously thought.

Zach Stemerick THE CHRONICLE

The study, published online last month in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, showed that while the right brain does the bulk of the heavy lifting in creative thinking, the left side of the brain also plays a critical role.

In the popular media, people usually associate the right brain with creativity, said lead researcher Lisa Aziz-Zadeh, an assistant professor of neuroscience. But its definitely more complicated than that.

Aziz-Zadeh and fellow researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging to scan the brains of architecture students, who tend to be visually imaginative, while they performed creative tasks.

As they were scanned, participants were asked to visualize images that could be created by rearranging the No. 8, a circle and the letter C. They also mentally pieced together shapes to create rectangles, a task that requires spatial processing but not necessarily creativity.

The results showed that the logical, mathematical left side of the students brains lit up just as much as the creative side while performing the artistic task.

I think that the two hemispheres do complementary processing, Aziz-Zadeh said. The right hemisphere of the brain provides the big picture, and the left controls sequential processing. Both of those are important for creativity.

The research also showed that the students medial frontal cortexes, the area of the brain that controls planning and problem solving, were highly active while performing tasks. According to Aziz-Zadeh, this suggests that the left and right hemispheres of the brain have an equally important influence on the creative process.

I think what was most surprising is how simple the results were, she said. Usually, studies produce all of these results that you dont know what to make of, but our results on this study were very clear.

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Aurora Wellness Center

Healing with Yoga: This series is open to those currently undergoing cancer treatment and those who have completed treatment. Learn techniques to relieve stress through imagery, breathing, gentle stretching and deep relaxation. The focus for cancer patients is on restoring and nurturing all parts of mind and body, and on regaining a sense of control, optimism, energy and wholeness. Participants may start six weeks after surgery; a doctors permission slip is required. 10:30-11:45 a.m. Tuesdays through Sept. 25 at Aurora Wellness Center, 300 McCanna Parkway, Burlington (participants may join at any time). Free, registration is required, go to http://www.aurorahealthcare.org or call (800) 499-5736.

Kenosha Visiting Nurse Association

Flu shots: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, Kenosha Visiting Nurse Association, third floor, 600 52nd St., Kenosha. The fee is $32 and payable by cash, check or charge. Medicare Part B, WEA and Select Humana Plans accepted. Call (262) 656-8400 for more information.

Western Racine County

Immunizations and free blood pressure clinics: Childrens vaccines include: Chicken pox, diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Hib meningitis, HPV, measles, meningococcal, mumps, pertussis, pneumococcal, polio, rotavirus, rubella and tetanus.

Adult vaccines include: Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), hepatitis A (severe food poisoning) and hepatitis B. TB skin test (must call 24 hours in advance to schedule), $10 plus the following administration fees.

Resident fees: Administration fee is $10 for one immunization, $15 for two and $30 for three or more. Non-resident fees: Administration fee is $20 for one immunization, $25 for two and $$30 for three or more. Payment must be made by check or cash only. Badger Care and Medicaid fees are exempt with card.

Sept. 12, Western Racine County Health Department, 156 E. State St., Burlington, 4-6 p.m.

Sept. 17, Waterford Library, 101 N. River St., Waterford, 5-7 p.m.

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Health and Fitness File, Sept. 5

CLINIC Wednesday Life Line Screening at Central Christian Church. Life line screening uses painless ultrasound to see the plaque build-up in your arteries. Pre-registration is required: 1-800-364-0457.

Thursday Free Medical Clinic, 4 to 6 p.m. Templo Del Espiritu Santo United Methodist Church, 3715 Elaine Drive, Bryan. 450-7258.

Tuesday Free Medical Clinic, 4 to 6 p.m. Templo Del Espiritu Santo United Methodist Church, 3715 Elaine Drive, Bryan. 450-7258.

Free Medical Clinic, 6 to 8 p.m. The Bridge Ministries, 1002 E. 29th St., Bryan.

Ongoing Brazos County Health Department immunization clinics. 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays; to 10:30 a.m. (19 and older) and 2 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to noon Fridays. 201 N. Texas Ave., Bryan. $5 per child, $30 per adult. http://www.brazoshealth.org, 361-4440.

Move Wednesday Seniors Golf Tournament, 7:30 a.m. Bryan Golf Course, 206 W. Villa Maria Road in Bryan. $5 entry.

Brazos Valley Laughter Yoga Circle, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Unity Church, 4016 Stillmeadow Drive. Combination of laughter exercises, deep breathing and relaxation. Good for seniors, but open to everyone. No mats required. $5 suggested donation. laughwithangelika@yahoo.com or 693-0402.

Thursday Sit and Fit Chair Exercise Class, noon to 12:45 p.m. Southwood Community Center. mrodgers@cstx.gov or 764-6371.

Friday Senior Ladies Tennis, 8 a.m. Gordons Tennis at Aerofit, 4455 Carter Creek Parkway, Bryan. 846-8925.

Line Dancing for Senior Adults, 10 to 11 a.m. Southwood Community Center. No partners needed. mrodgers@cstx.gov or 764-6371.

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Health & Fitness Calendar for Sept. 5 to 11

By Kristen Hallam - 2012-09-05T08:29:06Z

Mario Tama/Getty Images

People walk and bathe on opening day of the newly renovated McCarren Park Pool on June 28, 2012 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

Being fat isnt always a bad thing, according to two studies by European and U.S. researchers.

Obese people who are otherwise physically fit had no greater risk of dying prematurely than those whose weight is normal, according to research partially funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and Coca-Cola Co. (KO), the worlds biggest soft-drink maker. A separate study found that obese people with heart disease have a lower risk of dying early than underweight or normal-weight heart patients.

The findings undermine decades of public health messages, also supported by research, that obesity can accelerate the development of heart disease, diabetes and cancer and shrink lifespans, three European researchers who werent involved in the two studies wrote in an editorial that accompanied the results in the European Heart Journal today.

The prevailing wisdom holds that being slim must be generally good for you, Stephan von Haehling, Oliver Hartmann and Stefan Anker wrote in the editorial. Obesity may carry a benefit up to a certain degree, and it should be recognized that obesity is not necessarily associated with abnormal metabolic function.

The findings dont give people license to expand their waistlines, said Amy Thompson, a senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation. Instead, the studies serve as reminders that carrying fat around the belly and how fat affects your fitness may be more important than the numbers on the scale, Thompson said.

In the majority of cases, obesity is an undeniable risk factor for developing coronary heart disease, Thompson said in a statement. However, these studies remind us that it is not always your weight thats important, but where you carry fat and also how it affects your health and fitness.

Obesity belongs to a group of early warning signs of heart disease and diabetes known as metabolic syndrome, which affects about 25 percent of the worlds adults, according to the Brussels-based International Diabetes Federation. Obesity is usually defined by body mass index, which is calculated using a persons height and weight. The researchers in the first study used body fat measurements taken from skin folds or using water displacement, techniques thought to be more accurate than BMI.

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Fitness Trumps Fat as Health Gauge, Coke-Funded Research Shows