Archive for the ‘Health and Fitness’ Category
Briefly: June 8, 2012
Posted: June 14, 2012 at 3:26 am
National fitness day
MP John Weston has announced he will be introducing a private members bill in the House of Commons that would see the first Saturday in June declared National Health and Fitness Day.
Weston, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, made the announcement after running the 21.1-kilometre Whistler Half Marathon on Saturday, June 2.
Weston intends for the day to celebrate the many indoor and outdoor opportunities available for Canadians to maintain good health, to encourage all those who make health and well-being a part of their lives and to motivate all Canadians to take steps to improve their general level of fitness.
The idea for a national health and fitness day developed from Westons parliamentary fitness initiative for parliamentarians and senators in Ottawa, which offers professional instruction each week for running and swimming. That led to the drafting of a private members bill, which, Weston said, he plans to introduce in the fall.
The proposal encourages local governments to become involved. All 12 of the local governments in the riding have passed resolutions to recognize National Health and Fitness Day, as well as offering their sports and recreation facilities for free or at a reduced cost on the day.
Powers expand
Backcountry users may notice a new uniform in the woods.
Ministry of forests, lands and natural resource operations compliance and enforcement officers are now known as natural resource officers. Along with a new name, they can enforce a broader range of natural resource legislation.
Previously, compliance and enforcement officers could only enforce acts that they were specifically designated to uphold. As natural resource officers, they will be able to enforce a broader range of statutes, shorten response time and improve their effectiveness in the field.
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Briefly: June 8, 2012
NOW IS THE TIME Health and Fitness Tulsa Oklahoma June 2012 – Video
Posted: June 13, 2012 at 2:22 pm
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NOW IS THE TIME Health and Fitness Tulsa Oklahoma June 2012 - Video
Health Buzz: Diesel Exhaust Causes Cancer
Posted: at 2:22 pm
WHO: Diesel Fumes Cause Cancer
Diesel exhaust fumes cause cancer, the World Health Organization said Tuesday. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the WHO, elevated diesel exhaust from the "probable carcinogen" to the "known carcinogen" level, a move that could help exhaust be seen as a more serious public health threat. "It's on the same order of magnitude as passive smoking," Kurt Straif, director of the IARC department that evaluates cancer risks, told Time. "This could be another big push for countries to clean up exhaust from diesel engines." One of the biggest concerns? The number of people exposed to diesel exhaust. Affected groups include street pedestrians, ship passengers and crew, railroad workers, truck drivers, mechanics, miners, and people who operate heavy machinery. Diesel is now in the same category as other known hazards like asbestos, alcohol, and ultraviolet radiation.
Why Try Interval Training Workouts? Quick Results
If you're looking to rev up your fitness routine, interval training may be your ticket. You can get more out of that spin class, run workout, or lap swim by alternating short bouts of high-intensity exercise (yes, you have to work hard!) followed by a few minutes or seconds of rest. By doing this, you stress out your cardiovascular system and build up lactic acid in the muscleswhich boosts body fuel, strength, and staminawhile then letting yourself recover and prepare for the next tough interval.
The trend toward interval exercise to gain cardiovascular benefits isn't new for seasoned athletes, but the technique is gaining popularity among general fitness buffs looking for big gains in a short amount of time. And for good reason.
Evidence shows that with high-intensity interval training, participants can increase their maximum aerobic capacityhow well their body uses oxygen for energy at their greatest heart ratehigher than those who participate in a continuous exercise program, such as going for more than a 20-minute run, bike, or swim at a steady, moderate pace. The more oxygen your body can convert to energy, the stronger and faster you become. As your body adapts to the stress of interval training, your fitness level improves along with your muscle function.
But before taking your routine up a notch and risking injury, it's crucial to build a base fitness level first, notes Ed Coyle, director of the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin. For healthy people, this means typically doing 40 minutes of exercise three to four times a week for eight weeks, gradually working up to a higher heart rate level (220 minus your age is the predicted maximum heart rate, beats per minute). [Read more: Why Try Interval Training Workouts? Quick Results]
Bikes for Aspiring Cyclists
Learning to ride a bike is a childhood milestone. And there's good reason to stick with two wheels as we grow up. For one thing, it makes financial sense: With $4-a-gallon gas in some cities, commuting by bike is a cheaper option. Every type of bike is available at different price points, making it affordable for most riders. Prices range from $200 into the thousands, with average costs hovering around $500.
Biking is as good for your body as it is your wallet: In a study published in 2010 in the Archives of Internal Medicine, for example, researchers found that women who biked for as few as five minutes a day gained less weight than those who didn't ride. Other studies suggest that cyclists live about two years longer than non-bikers, and take 15 percent fewer sick days. And overall, research indicates that biking is good for the heart and helps stave off obesity, arthritis, and depression. (Expect to burn about 500 calories per hour, depending on how much you weigh, when moving at a moderate clip.) "The biggest thing is the fun factor," says cycling enthusiast Selene Yeager, author of Ride Your Way Lean: The Ultimate Plan for Burning Fat and Getting Fit on a Bike. "It's one of the closest feelings you can get to flyingit brings back the memory of your youth, it's a beautiful way to see places, and it's a relaxing form of exercise."
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Health Buzz: Diesel Exhaust Causes Cancer
CKO Kickboxing Seeks Family Oriented Franchisees at International Franchise Expo
Posted: at 2:22 pm
NEW YORK, June 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Entrepreneurs looking to start a health fitness franchise might not expect to see the family atmosphere that prevails at the CKO Kickboxing booth #150 at International Franchise Expo this week.
That's because the fast-growing, nationwide cardio kickboxing franchise prides itself on creating a friendly atmosphere for its franchisees -- and are dedicated to helping them succeed with regular training sessions geared for specific business challenges.
In fact, most franchisees started out as club members.
"They liked the workout so much, they bought franchises," said Joe Andreula, Founder of CKO Kickboxing, one of America's fastest-growing franchises according to industry standard Entrepreneur Magazine, which included the kickboxing gym franchise in its Franchise 500 list of best franchises. They also rated CKO Kickboxing as the 48th top new franchise in 2011.
"People who invest in CKO are in for a surprise. They thought they were just investing in a business. They did not expect this to change every part of their lives," he said. "They get into great shape. It changes their lifestyle. Their relationships with their friends and family get better. They never expected that."
CKO Kickboxing is emerging as a leading fitness franchise opportunity.
"It becomes a purpose for their lives. It's not just a business. This is what they love. It's not like work. They love going to the gym. Every day becomes a great day," he said.
"We treat our franchisee owners like they are family, because they are," Andreula said. "They aren't numbers or faceless profit centers. That's why so many people, including military veterans, want to take advantage of our fitness franchise opportunity."
CKO Kickboxing was ranked in the top 10 percent of all franchises and named a 2012 Military Friendly Franchise by G.I. Jobs Magazine.
The health fitness franchise honors veterans by offering a 20 percent discount on initial franchise fees, so veterans can use their training and operational skills in a new career.
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CKO Kickboxing Seeks Family Oriented Franchisees at International Franchise Expo
Health & Fitness File, June 13
Posted: at 2:22 pm
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 (participants may join at any time). Free, registration is required, go to http://www.aurorahealthcare.org or call (800) 499-5736. Aurora Wellness Center, 300 McCanna Parkway, Burlington.
Home Instead Senior Care
Senior Information & Health Fair: Home Instead Senior Care and Senior Friends/Happy Traveler Tours will host the 10th annual fair from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 20, at Fountain Banquet Hall, 8505 Durand Ave., Sturtevant. Free. The fair features 50 exhibitors, hourly door prizes, raffle table and coffee. For more information, call (262) 632-1939.
Balistreri & Associates Physical Therapy
Helping You Help Yourself Seminar: Dr. Timothy Okland, a local chiropractor, will discuss how to prevent and treat shoulder injuries. 5-6 p.m. June 21. Balistreri & Associates Physical Therapy, 1135 Prairie Drive, Mount Pleasant. Reservations required, call (262) 886-6780.
American Red Cross
First Aid Training: Learn how to give immediate care to a suddenly injured or ill person until more advanced medical personnel arrive and take over. 6-9 p.m. June 27. Fee: $70. Red Cross Office, 4521 Taylor Ave., Mount Pleasant. Register in advance at http://www.redcross.org or call (888) 733-2767.
Fitness File is published every Wednesday and includes notices of nonprofit fitness and health-related programs. The deadline to submit an announcement is seven days before the desired publication date. Mail information to Fitness File, c/o Diane Collins, 212 Fourth St., Racine, WI 53403; fax to (262) 631-1780; or submit it to the online calendar at http://www.journaltimes.com/calendar and use theHealth-and-fitness category.
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Health & Fitness File, June 13
June-Marie Raw Food and Fitness Health Playing keep or give away 001 – Video
Posted: at 12:15 am
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June-Marie Raw Food and Fitness Health Playing keep or give away 001 - Video
June-Marie Raw Food and Fitness Health needs fashion advice help me yikes 006 – Video
Posted: at 12:15 am
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June-Marie Raw Food and Fitness Health needs fashion advice help me yikes 006 - Video
Health plans expand services to boost members’ fitness
Posted: at 12:15 am
Health plans are making moves toward offering one-on-one, customized health coaching to members, a new benefit they say members demand.
An example of the industrys direction came from WellPoint in May. The countrys second-largest private health insurer by membership announced it will offer some members access to a full-service online personal trainer who will be at the members beck and call, offering customized meal plans and workout tips along with as much support and advice as the member wants.
The Indianapolis-based parent of 14 Blues plans will give its employer and individual customers the option to buy discounted services from FitOrbit, an online weight loss and fitness service founded in 2009 by Jake Steinfeld, who came to fame in the 1980s with his frequently aired Body by Jake infomercials.
Many insurers, including WellPoint and competitors such as Aetna and Cigna, provide health coaching that can include help with smoking cessation, weight loss and improved nutrition. Typical benefits include discounted membership to WeightWatchers or Jenny Craig diet programs as well as discounted gym memberships. Those perks have been expanded in some cases as health plans seek to define themselves as health service companies rather than just insurers.
WellPoints announcement comes as many insurers are marketing to individuals rather than just employers. As their focus moves to attracting individual business, it helps health plans entice the healthiest members, said Amal Trivedi, MD, MPH, an internist and assistant professor of community health at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University in Rhode Island. He was co-author of a study in the Jan. 12 New England Journal of Medicine showing that Medicare Advantage plans that offer discounted fitness club memberships were selected by a healthier and lower-cost subset of beneficiaries (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22236225/).
That bias toward what is called favorable selection is something for policymakers to keep in mind, Dr. Trivedi said, but its also true that as a physician, he likes to see patients adopt healthier eating and exercise habits.
There is a strong incentive for health plans to attract people who are healthy and therefore less expensive, he said. Wellness benefits may help patients eat healthier and exercise, but they also can have important financial implications.
WellPoint spokeswoman Jill Becher said the insurer is responding to a demand from customers. We know for both employers and individual consumers, health maintenance and improvement is important to them. As a company, we need to be responsive to that, and this is another tool for us to do that.
Steinfeld said he envisions FitOrbit trainers working with clients physicians if the client gives the go-ahead by sharing what the patient is eating, how much he or she is exercising and how much weight is lost. The end goal is to have your doctor, you and your trainer working as a team.
WellPoint is working to determine what the service will cost for members and how many will have access to the new benefit. Becher said the insurer expects to offer it in 2013. WellPoint also is a FitOrbit investor, but Becher said the company is not disclosing how much it has invested.
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Health plans expand services to boost members’ fitness
"Fit for Life" program targets child obesity
Posted: at 12:15 am
RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) -
Richmond Public Schools wants its students to be "Fit for Life!"The school health and fitness challenge targets the growing childhood obesity epidemic and culminated in a field day Tuesday.
The program is based on the idea healthy bodies make healthy minds. It's pioneering the use of financial incentives as motivation for kids to get fit.
12-year-old Pope is a sixth grader at Albert Hill Middle School. He puts a frighteningly common dilemma simply.
"When I was younger, I always was big, the bigger kid, and I didn't like being the bigger kid," he said."So I put myself into the work."
He put himself to work by working out his body and mind in the district's one-of-a-kind "Fit for Life" pilot program.
"We go outside, exercise, play basketball, play sports outside, do work in the classrooms," Pope elaborated.
The challenge is two-pronged: The first part provides free to the student after-school medical exams and physicals.The second is a fitness competition.
Gene Parris, who teaches Pope, said that competition has changed the kids by showing them the benefits of physical activity.
"They are aware now that they can do fun things and now fun things can also keep you healthy," Parris explained.
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"Fit for Life" program targets child obesity
June-Marie Raw Food and Fitness Health Just boring Ironing videos 008 – Video
Posted: June 12, 2012 at 10:16 am
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June-Marie Raw Food and Fitness Health Just boring Ironing videos 008 - Video