Archive for the ‘Health and Fitness’ Category
Health and Fitness File, Feb. 15
Posted: February 15, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Health Care Network Inc.
Free Flu Shots for Uninsured: Health Care Network Inc., 904 State St., will identify uninsured Racine County residents and provide them with a free flu shot voucher which will be good until April 15. These vouchers will be redeemable at any Walgreens location that offers flu shots. For more information, call Health Care Network Inc. at (262) 632-2400.
Eat Right Racine
Gluten-free living 101: Registered nurse Diane Graebner talks about her switch to a gluten-free diet. 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 23, Images by Camela Studio and Art Gallery, 510 College Ave. Free.
Aurora Wellness Center
All free Living Well for Women sessions are held from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Aurora Wellness Center, 300 McCanna Parkway, Burlington. To register, call (800) 499-5736 or visit the website, aurora.org/events.
Women and Heart Disease: Dr. Stephen Welka will discusses the most common types of heart disease, risks and what can be done to lower them. Feb. 29.
Breast Health: Dr. Joseph Majewski and registered nurse Susan Kandler will talk about breast health and wellness. March 13.
Osteoporosis and Vitamin D: Dr. Farzan Mahmood, rheumatologist, will talk about osteoporosis and vitamin D. March 27.
Menopause: Dr. Michael Majewski will talk about menopause, its symptoms, treatments and hormone replacement therapy. April 5.
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 the "Health-and-fitness" category.
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Health and Fitness File, Feb. 15
Subliminal Health Fitness Diet Solution 5 – Video
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Subliminal Health Fitness Diet Solution 5 - Video
Subliminal Health Fitness Diet Solution 9 – Video
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Subliminal Health Fitness Diet Solution 9 - Video
The Wanted Stopped by For A Rockstar Health
Posted: February 14, 2012 at 11:10 pm
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The Wanted Stopped by For A Rockstar Health
Subliminal Health Fitness Diet Solution 2 – Video
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Subliminal Health Fitness Diet Solution 11 – Video
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Subliminal Health Fitness Diet Solution 11 - Video
Vital Signs: Alzheimer's Research; the World's Oldest Living Twins
Posted: at 11:09 pm
The latest facts and figures from the all of the most influential medical journals; newspapers; and health, fitness, and wellness websites.
130,000,000 -- The amount, in dollars, that the Obama administration is designating in extra funding for Alzheimer's research over the next two years. Source: "A.M. Vitals: Room for Compromise on Contraception Coverage?" the Wall Street Journal. 450,000,000 -- The amount, in dollars, that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) already spends on Alzheimer's research every year, according to Kaiser Health News. Source: "A.M. Vitals: Room for Compromise on Contraception Coverage?" the Wall Street Journal. 102 -- The age of Edith Ritchie and Evelyn "Evie" Middleton, the oldest living twins, according to the Guinness World Records. Between the two of them, they have eight children, 21 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren. Source: "World's Oldest Twins Are 102-Year-Old Scottish Sisters, Says Guinness World Records," CBS. 35 -- The percent that happy people are less likely to die an early death, according to a November 2011 British study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Source: "World's Oldest Twins Are 102-Year-Old Scottish Sisters, Says Guinness World Records," CBS. 15 -- The average number of years that women who exercised at least 30 minutes every day, avoided obesity and smoking, and stuck to a Mediterranean diet lived longer than those who did none of those things. Source: "World's Oldest Twins Are 102-Year-Old Scottish Sisters, Says Guinness World Records," CBS. 1,081 -- The number of calories in the new bacon milkshake from Jack in the Box, which is made with no actual bacon, just bacon-flavored syrup, vanilla ice cream, whipped topping, and a maraschino cherry. Source: "Are You Ready for the 1,081-Calorie Bacon Milkshake?" the Los Angeles Times. 15.52 -- The weight, in pounds, of a baby born this past week in central China. Chun Chun, born to a 29-year-old mother in Henan province, is possibly the largest newborn on record since the country was founded in 1949. The delivery took just 20 minutes. Source: "Chinese Mom Gives Birth to 15-Pound Baby," CBS. 23.7 -- The weight, in pounds, of the heaviest newborn ever recorded, according to Guinness World Records. The baby was born to an Ohio woman in 1879. Source: "Chinese Mom Gives Birth to 15-Pound Baby," CBS. 40,000,000 -- The amount, in dollars, that federal health officials have promised in grants to help reduce the rising number of preterm births and early elective deliveries. Source: "New Initiatives Targets Premium Births/Elective Deliveries," CNN. 36 -- The percent that premature births have climbed over the last 20 years, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Source: "New Initiatives Targets Premium Births/Elective Deliveries," CNN. 20,000 -- The average amount spent, in dollars, on medical care during the first year of a premature baby's life. The average for a full-term baby is just $2,100. Source: "New Initiatives Targets Premium Births/Elective Deliveries," CNN. 409,500 -- The out-of-pocket cost for a year of Soliris, the world's most expensive drug, according to Forbes magazine. Soliris is used to treat a rare blood disease known as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Source: "The 11 Most Expensive Medications," Harvard Health Blog. 200,000 -- The estimated number of people who die around the world from measles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Source: "Measles Cases Found After Super Bowl Festivities," CNN. 7 -- The percentage of young women between the ages of 15 and 19 that became pregnant in the United States in 2008, according to researchers at the Guttmacher Institute. That works out to 67.8 pregnancies per 1,000 women. Source: "Teen Pregnancy Rates Hit 40 Year Low," CNN. 47 -- The percentage of obese people who were told by their doctors to exercise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Source: "About One-Third of Patients Told by Doctors to Exercise," the Los Angeles Times. 22.6 -- The percentage of healthy weight people who were told by their doctors to exercise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Source: "About One-Third of Patients Told by Doctors to Exercise," the Los Angeles Times. 4,500,000 -- The approximate number of people in the United States walking around with false knees, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Source: "4.5 Million People in the U.S. Have Knee Replacements," the Los Angeles Times. 1,700,000 -- The number of people who experience traumatic brain injury (TBI) annually in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) The condition ranges in severity from long-term damage resulting in coma to mild concussions. Source: "Doctor: 'The Vow' Shows Our Brains Are Stranger Than Fiction," CNN. 13,000,000 -- The approximate number of Americans who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Source: "New Fitness Class 'Sheds Light' on Combating Winter Blues," Fox News. 24,000 -- The minimum number of people in El Salvador and Nicaragua who have died from a mysterious epidemic since 2000. The disease stops the kidneys from functioning properly, filling the body with toxins that lead to cramps, headaches, and vomiting. Source: "Mystery Epidemic Devastates Central American Region," the Associated Press. 1,047 -- The number of people in Nicaragua who died from chronic kidney disease in 2010, according to the Pan American Health Organization, a regional arm of the World Health Organization. That's more than double the 466 deaths in 2000. Source: "Mystery Epidemic Devastates Central American Region," the Associated Press. 2,181 -- The number of people in El Salvador who died from chronic kidney disease in 2010, according to the Pan American Health Organization, a regional arm of the World Health Organization. That's more than double the 1,282 deaths in 2000. Source: "Mystery Epidemic Devastates Central American Region," the Associated Press. 40,000,000 -- The approximate number of Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies. Source: "It's Not Just You -- Seasonal Allergies Hitting Early, Hard," MSNBC.
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Vital Signs: Alzheimer's Research; the World's Oldest Living Twins
4 things to ask before you join a gym
Posted: at 11:09 pm
One of the best things about living in a state obsessed with physical fitness is that health clubs are plentiful, and competition keeps the quality high.
The number of gyms keeps growing, and so does the variety. Joining the giant workout palaces that dominate the scene these days are an increasing number of small and midsized gyms, run by ambitious operators who keep the training personal — and personality-driven.
Add to that the surplus of pop-up boot camps that come and go, and the newest trend, self-serve gyms with 24-hour key- card access, and you've got a lot of choices.
With summer coming and that desperate (though bottom-line good for you) rush to get in bathing-suit shape right around the corner, we
Form Fitness owner Sean Gale at 1125 17th Street, Bldg. B, in downtown Denver on Friday, Feb. 10, 2012. (Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post)
thought we'd survey the landscape and offer a little updated advice.
Here are four questions to ask yourself before you sign on with a gym.
1. Do you fly solo, or do you need a co-pilot?
Many people join health clubs for the equipment; they aren't interested in classes or personal training.
"A lot of gyms will sell you access and let you figure it out," said Sean Gale, who owns Form Fitness clubs in downtown Denver and Ken Caryl.
That's not a bad thing. If you are a self-motivator and do the work, in time you'll lose weight, muscle up, or just get healthy.
But most gym-goers do better with a regimen, and in today's club culture, that means joining classes where anywhere from three to 30 people work out together. It's worth sorting out who offers what.
"The real magic is that you are feeding off the energy of the group," said Gale, who cleared out some equipment to make room for communal workouts last fall. The gym offers regular group sessions and a popular drop-in boot camp on Wednesday evenings.
Classes can get very specific, and this is where clubs differ. Ask what they teach and who teaches it — and try them out. See what comes with your membership
Cole Fusion Fitness owner, Frankie Cole, moves 45lb machine weights at Wednesday afternoon. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)
(usually aerobic and spinning) and what you'll pay extra for (yoga and Pilates most often, or limited programs that get you in shape for skiing or marathons).
The more classes, the better; you're a busy person. And check out the crowds. There's nothing worse than showing up for class and finding it full.
Insider: The trendiest classes these days combine calorie-burning and weight training in one economical hour, and they come with inspired names, like Forza Fitness' "Ripped& Shredded" or Colorado Athletic Club's "Cardio Chisel." Make sure your gym has something similar.
2. How much gym can you afford?
Some good advice: Set your budget first, then shop for a club. Expensive gyms are great — really great, sometimes — but they're a trap, and sales people know how to suck you in. It's not just the fancy machines or the stretch locker rooms, it's the pools, steam rooms and high-quality products in the shower that get you. Some people need those things — if you gym on your way to work, a clean, private shower is a key amenity. But if your needs and budget are modest, you can still do well in this town — even small places tend to have great equipment.
There are deals to be had, and often from major chains like Bally's or 24 Hour Fitness. At the other end are the community gyms and town rec centers; good ones can cost as little as $1 a day.
The key is to bargain. Gyms are like
Club member Roger Bradley using the Life Cycle inside the 8,000 square foot gym, Form Fitness at 1125 17th Street, Bldg. B, in downtown Denver on Friday, Feb. 10, 2012. (Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post )
airplanes — everybody pays something different to board, and you don't want to pay more than the guy on the treadmill next to you. Everyone knows you can often save by committing for a year instead of paying month-to-month, but other discounts are out there, like limited-use memberships or family plans.
Ask for the best deal offered. Hold out. See if they'll skip the initiation fee. You never know.
Insider: Don't commit too fast. You can always start on a monthly plan and convert to an annual membership at any time. It'll cost you just a few bucks more to find out if a gym is right for you.
3. Who owns this gym?
Maybe you don't care, but you probably should. Gyms run by real people have personality, and going there can be like working out with a friend who wants you to succeed.
One good example: Cole Fusion Fitness in Denver's Golden Triangle neighborhood, run by Frankie Cole. He's a buff guy with a big smile, a former competitive body-builder turned major motivator.
Cole built the business himself, machine by machine, client by client. He's popular enough that he just expanded to a new location at 1070 Bannock St. It's a modest place, not too big, shower in the basement, but it has all the right equipment — and it has Cole.
He teaches classes himself — he has a killer kickboxing class — and follows his members' transformations. People see him in the building, they check in.
"It's all about you" said Cole last week between classes. "But I'm not going to do the lifting for you. It all has to come from within."
Interacting with the owner at a small gym isn't like having a personal trainer, but it can be like having a workout partner, someone you don't want to disappoint.
And really, you wouldn't want to disappoint Frankie Cole.
"You can walk in and you can walk out, but the only thing that's going to make you stay is results," he said.
Insider: Cole is offering a special right now to celebrate his move: $150 for three months. That's a good deal.
4. When do you want to work out?
Health club hours matter, down to the minute.
Your gym ought to be there when you need it. Like on Thanksgiving morning, so you can pig out guilt-free that afternoon, or New Year's Day, so you can face up to that resolution on Day One. Some gyms close at 5 p.m. on Sundays, some at 7 p.m., and those last hours can be crowded.
To this end, more and more gyms are staying open 24 hours a day.
Form Fitness gives members an access card that lets them swipe in anytime. It might be lonely there at 3 a.m., but it's available.
Other clubs advertise similar deals, sometimes listing staffed and non-staffed hours. If round-the-clock gyming interests you, also check out Snap Fitness or Lifetime Fitness, both with several Colorado outposts.
Insider: Working out alone isn't for everybody, especially the injury prone.
Ray Mark Rinaldi: 303-954-1540 or rrinaldi@denverpost.com
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4 things to ask before you join a gym
Health and Fitness: The Benefits of Exercising
Posted: at 11:09 pm
There wasn't a more contentious issue on the minds of Canadians last week as the issue of the aging population came to the forefront of new headlines everywhere. The prime minister of Canada confirmed that his government is debating increasing the age of eligibility for the Old Age Security pension. Media reports hypothesized that the increase would be two years, raising the age to 67. Those two extra years would probably mean keeping people in the workforce longer and would lighten the immediate load on the OAS system.
Prime Minister Harper repeated that while no decisions are definite, the fact that Canada will have a lower percentage of its population working will inevitably become a significant economic issue. The "aging of the population and the shrinking of the labour force is a serious economic challenge for Canada, as it is for other countries." Harper said.
And with this debate circulating by the political pundits, what better topic to devote this week's column to than why running, or exercise, can be beneficial to the said aging population of Canada.
I have read, watched, and heard so many tales of people running marathons when they are well into their 80s, and 90s. Although this is on the extreme side of the spectrum, I have also seen many elderly people taking part in yoga classes at the gym, mall walking, and other classes devoted to their demographic. And I (although it will be many years from now) intend to participate in those classes.
My roommates laughed at me last year when I took a complimentary water aerobics class. Yes, I did bring down the age average significantly as I bopped and splashed besides ladies with shower caps and frilly skirts on their bathing suit, but by the end of the class I was both sore, and quite invigorated!
Many people think they're too old to start an exercise program. They think it's unsafe because they have heart disease or diabetes or because they're too out of shape to start. But you're never too old to start says Tufts University's Miriam Nelson. “Many people think they're too old to start an exercise program," she says. “They think it's unsafe because they have heart disease or diabetes or because they're too out of shape to start." But, in one Tufts study, nursing-home residents, whose ages ranged from 72 to 98, were monitored for ten weeks. After just ten weeks, strength-training improved their muscle strength, ability to climb stairs, and walking speed.
There are many myths circulating about aging and exercise that have stopped the elderly from exercising. One of them being that exercise can be more of a risk rather than a benefit, for example it puts you at risk of falling down. But, regular exercise, builds strength and stamina, and prevents loss of bone mass and improves balance, which would actually reduce your risk of falling. Another myth has to do with some of the population who are chair bound and think they can't exercise sitting down. However, because the aging population is such a prominent issue these days, there have been programs designed for anything. Chair-bound people face special challenges but can lift light weights, stretch, and do chair aerobics to increase range of motion, improve muscle tone, and promote cardiovascular health. Exercise for seniors is amazing at improving immune function, heart health, blood pressure, bone density, and digestive functioning. Seniors who exercise also have a lowered risk of several chronic conditions including diabetes, obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, and colon cancer.
Benefits aren't just physical. Because exercise keeps the brain active, it can prevent memory loss, cognitive decline and dementia. Exercise has a protective effect on the brain may even help prevent Alzheimer's disease. One study of nearly 5,000 men and women over 65 years of age, showed that those who exercised were less likely to lose their mental abilities or develop dementia, including Alzheimer's. The inactive individuals were twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's, compared to those who did activities at least three times a week. It has even been seen that even the light or moderate exercisers cut their risk significantly for Alzheimer's and mental decline.
Even beyond age 70, cardiovascular exercise can improve memory and reasoning skills. "People who have chosen a lifetime of relative inactivity can benefit mentally from improved aerobic fitness," said the study's lead author and cognitive neuroscientist Arthur Kramer. "We see selective cognitive benefits which accompany improvement in aerobic fitness."
For anyone, old or young, exercise improves strength, flexibility and posture, which helps with balance, coordination, and reducing the risk of falls. Strength training also alleviates the symptoms of chronic conditions such as arthritis. But most of all, one of the greatest benefits is the feeling of empowerment that comes with the gains made through a feeling of accomplishments. It builds a network of community and friendships. Many seniors are isolated, but by being part of a group will boosts moods and self-confidence. Many seniors feel discouraged by barriers, such as their age, health conditions or concerns. But the endorphins will reduce feelings of sadness or depression and by being active and feeling stronger will make seniors feel more self-confident and sure of themselves.
So if Harper is right and we are seeing an increase in the aging population- maybe it's because they are all exercising now! When I drive to work, I see lots of older people out for a walk with their dogs or just by themselves. I think- good for them! I hope that when I am older I can be active. Whether it be yoga or water aerobics, sometimes I think you can't afford not to be active. Maybe I'll be one of those grandmothers that can beat their grandchildren in races and takes them on 10 kilometre runs and yoga retreats. Hmmmm…. Interesting idea. Although, I probably wouldn't be their favourite grandmother but I'll make sure to make it up to them on their birthdays. After all- what else are grandmothers for?
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Health and Fitness: The Benefits of Exercising
Frugal Tip: Keep Healthy Snacks
Posted: at 1:49 pm
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Frugal Tip: Keep Healthy Snacks