Modified May 02, 2023 15:05 GMT

Filipino superstar Danny Kingad knew Demetrious Johnson was good, but he didnt know to what extent until they squared off in October 2019.

Johnson and Kingad crossed paths in the final matchup of the ONE flyweight World Grand Prix, which took place in Tokyo, Japan at ONE: Century Part 1.

The Team Lakay representative was well-known for his striking capabilities, which Johnson tested early in the first round. However, it became obvious that while Kingad demonstrated great defensive technique, he had a hard time keeping the fight on its feet.

The takedown in the second round set the mood for what would happen next in the third and final round. As aforementioned, Kingad did well to scramble free and even attempt a submission of his own, but Johnsons techniques and athleticism dictated the pace of the fight.

After three exciting rounds, the American superstar captured the decision to claim the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Championship and a one-way ticket to a world title fight against the then-flyweight king, Adriano Moraes.

Demetrious Johnson, the now reigning ONE flyweight world champion, settles the score in a massive world title trilogy bout against Adriano Moraes, relive the technical chess match between Johnson vs. Kingad below:

ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III goes down on Friday, May 5 at the sold-out 1stBank Center in Colorado. Fans in Canada and the U.S. can watch the historic main event live and for free via Amazon Prime Video.

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Relive the technical chess match between Demetrious Johnson and Danny Kingad - Sportskeeda

APM Blitz & Rapid chess tournament at City Mall North Town

By Lito delos ReyesPhilBoxing.comWed, 03 May 2023

THE APM Open, Junior and Kiddies Blitz & Rapid chess tournament will be held on May 6 and 7 at City Mall North Town in Cabantian, Davao City.

The Open Division will be played on May 6 while the Junior and Kiddies will collide on May 7.

The Junior must be born from 2003 to 2008 while Kiddies are born 2009 to 2020, said National Arbiter Alfred Moulic.

Games will start at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Blitz prizes will be announced at the venue after round 2. No pooling of cash prizes, said Moulic.

The Open Division champion will pocket P2,500 while the second will earn P1,000.

The 3rd will get P700, 4th for P500, 5th for P300, 6th t0 10th a P100 each.

The champion in the Junior and Kiddies will earn P1,500. The 2nd will get P1,000, 3rd P500, 4th P400, 5th P300, 6th to 10th for P100 each.

The first 60 participants will get a merienda, said Moulic.The champion and second placers in the Junior and Kiddies will also get a slot in the Kamatyas tournament in June 2023 in Koronadal City.

The event is organized by Megans Society Cabantian Alumni Chapter in coordination with Mindanao Chessmates, Barangay Cabantian and City Mall North Town.

Click here to view a list of other articles written by Lito delos Reyes.

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APM Blitz & Rapid chess tournament at City Mall North Town - PhilBoxing.com

Jonah Audu and MichelleChiamaka Nwankwo, at the weekend, emerged champions of the inaugural Eduline Chess Academy Primary and Secondary School Championships held at Fun Plex Resort, CMD Road, Magodo, Lagos.

The competition, which featured over 75 students, was supported by Cornerstone Believers Church.

Organiser of the event, Gabriel Airewele, said the Eduline Chess Academy tournament is aimed at grooming and exposing children to the game at the grassroots level, adding that it would be every month to sustain students interest in it.

Airewele said: The Eduline chess competition brought students from all over Lagos State to participate in the games.

Prizes were won under different categories, but the main champions, Michelle Chiamaka Nwankwo, who excelled in the Primary Schoolcategory and Jonah Audu, who won the secondary school category,gave a good account of themselves to emerge tops among other students at the event.

The competition is for students not older than 18 years.

The parent body, Eduline Learning Co., according to the organiser, is promoted by Airewele, a partner, Rocklegal Law Firm and Pastor Emmanuel Okonkwo, the senior pastor at Cornerstone Believers Church.

Airewele affirmed his commitment to youth development through chess, adding that to encourage the students, cash prizes, books and other gift items were given to participants at the end of the event.

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Audu, Nwankwo are inaugural Eduline academy chess champions - Guardian Nigeria

Published April 29, 2023 1:33 p.m. ET

Updated April 29, 2023 5:54 p.m. ET

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Around 300 young chess players from across New Brunswick gathered in Moncton Saturday. Students from kindergarten to Grade 12 took part in the Scholastic Provincial Chess Tournament at the Moncton Coliseum.

It was the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic that the event was held in person.

Ben Jokela, the arbiter, or head referee, thinks the provincial tournament was the largest event theyve ever held.

Its a big deal, said Jokela. The winner of the provincials at each grade goes to the nationals, so its high stakes.

Organizers say theres been a lot of growth in chess over the past few years, partly due to the popularity of the Netflix miniseries The Queens Gambit.

Its an extremely good activity to do online and I think the pandemic helped increase its popularity, said Jokela. Its also just a great academic activity for children and weve seen all over the province chess clubs popping up in schools, small communities, large cities, everywhere and all over New Brunswick.

Grade 7 student Timur Stoicev says what he likes about chess is that you can practice your intellectual skills.

In chess, it is a tactical game. So, you can see your mistakes and you study on how to think what will happen in the future. And it can help in life very much, said the cole Carrefour de l'Acadie student.

Winners from each grade will represent team New Brunswick at the 2023 Canadian Chess Challenge that will be held next month in Montreal.

If parents want to get their child playing chess, Jokela recommends reaching out to the administration of their schools about starting or joining a chess club.

Its a great thing to do for all ages, especially for children, said Jokela.

According to the organizers, more than 605 million people around the world play chess on a regular basis.

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Chess becoming popular among youth in New Brunswick - CTV News Atlantic

There are many angles to the wily old foxs well-timed announcement on Tuesday morning; but the one that stands out is this: those trying to weaken the NCP from the outside will now have to contend with a charged-up cadre

NCP chief Sharad Pawar with his nephew Ajit and other party leaders, at the launch of his autobiography on Tuesday. Pic/Shadab Khan

Sharad Pawar*s decision to step down from the Nationalist Congress Party*s leadership wasn*t taken in isolation. His wife Pratibha, daughter Supriya and nephew Ajit were kept in the loop, before taking an unexpected route, a non-political function such as a book release, to startle the first and second lines of leadership and the cadre.

Pawar had come fully prepared. He read from a written document, which was circulated in English as well, considering the national news value. Following protest and emotional outburst of leaders and party workers, Ajit told media persons that when the senior leaders met Sharad Pawar later in day, he sought two-three days to rethink about reconsidering his decision to resign. This calmed the youngsters who had sat in protest at Y B Chavan Centre.

Also Read: Maharashtra: The bombshell that shook rank-and-file

NCP leaders Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar and others outside Y B Chavan Centre on Tuesday. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

What happens if Pawar withdraws his resignation?Well, nothing will change for the party, whose members once again showed that the octogenarian meant the world to them. In fact, Tuesday*s surprise declaration yielded an effect that any party boss would desire the most, to establish his supremacy and control. The incident has also passed a message to the detractors, the disgruntled and the collaborators of rivals, if any, that any untoward move on their part would cost them dearly. Political observers believe that Pawar expected such an impact when speculations of a split in the NCP refused to die down, even after Ajit, who once tried to split the NCP and almost joined forces with the BJP, declared his lifelong commitment to the party. The very Ajit was seen commanding the emotionally charged crowd, albeit with some difficulty. The element of distrust was visible when Ajit tried to convince the NCP workers to accept Pawar*s decision. People wanted Surpriya to speak and request her father, but she didn*t when Ajit stopped her. That must have raised eyebrows, because the family has been drawn into a battle of accession on many occasions, despite the head*s denial.

What if the boss doesn*t return?Firstly, the party will have to settle for a new leadership; a stoic one or a rubber stamp. Ajit clearly said on Tuesday he wasn*t interested in the post. Then who else? Supriya? Ajit also said the leaders who tried convincing the boss later Tuesday suggested that a working president be appointed to share the workload of the national president, who ultimately will be none other than Pawar himself. If so, then, Pawar will be in total control as long as he wishes. If Pawar has total control of the party and takes part in political activities, strategising and campaigning, without which the party isn*t expected to perform better in the upcoming elections, the Maha Vikas Aghadi will also be getting a much-needed push.

Pawar*s status in national politics is not expected to change much even if he doesn*t officially lead the NCP. He is the kind of a leader who cannot rest as long as he has the strength and he breathes politics. However, he will be free to disown any decision that goes against his proclaimed position or the pre- and post-poll alliance politics. He may simply shrug off responsibility in case the most influential leader in the NCP rank (we don*t need to identify) goes against his advice (if sought at all). Though Congress and Shiv Sena leaders have said the leadership change will not affect their relationship with the NCP, it is well known that some strong people in Pawar*s party have reservations about working with the Uddhav Sena in particular. At the Delhi level, the national-turned-regional party*s status will be weighed in terms of the Lok Sabha seats it wins the next year (and in alliance with who). Sharad Pawar managed to get the most even with a number less than 10. It would be interesting to see the NCP*s show without Pawar holding the presidency.

There is another angle to Pawar*s shock treatment. The parties, which are attempting to weaken the NCP using various ways, one of which is luring some top leaders away, will have to consider the charged up NCP cadre and Pawar*s sympathisers, who increased his number in 2019 Assembly polls to be in a position to experiment the MVA. It is another story that the three-party coalition collapsed and now it is attempting to rebuild it ahead of the next year*s polls. Pawar has certainly put his party in circulation at the right time.

1956 Year Sharad Pawar called for a protest march on Goan Independence in Pravaranagar, Maharashtra, marked the beginning of his first recorded political activism at a young age

1958 Pawar joined Youth Congress and demonstrated his support for the Congress Party

1962 Became President of the Pune district Youth Congress

1967 When Pawar was 27 years old, he was nominated as a candidate for Assembly elections from Baramati constituency. Pawar won the election and made it to the assembly from the then-undivided Congress Party.

1969 Congress faced a stumbling block within the party resulting in expulsion of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from the party. Following the split, Pawar along with Yashwantrao Chavan became a part of Indira Gandhi*s Indian National Congress (Requisitionists) faction.

1975-77 Sharad Pawar served as the home affairs minister in the govt of Shankarrao Chavan. In later years, when the Congress party again split into Congress (I) and Congress (U), Pawar sided with Congress (U).

1978 In the run-up to the state elections, both factions of Congress participated separately but formed the government in the coalition supporting Vasantdada Patil against the Janata Party. Pawar got the portfolio of Minister of Industry and Labour in the government led by Vasantdada Patil.

1978 At the age of 38, Pawar left Congress (U) to form a government with Janata Party, and amid this, Sharad Pawar became the youngest Chief Minister of Maharashtra in 1978.

1983 Pawar became the president of Congress (I)

1984 He was elected to Lok Sabha from the Baramati parliamentary constituency.

1985 Pawar again won from the Baramati assembly constituency, he decided to stay with Maharashtra*s state politics - becoming the leader of the opposition coalition PDF - as he resigned from the Lok Sabha seat

1988 Pawar became the chief minister of Maharashtra for the second time

1987 He returned to Congress (I)

1990 Pawar became chief minister of Maharashtra for the third time

1991 Pawar became the Defence Minister in the Union Government led by Prime Minister Narasimha Rao. He handled the portfolio till 1993.

1993 March Pawar became the chief minister of Maharashtra for the fourth time. Pawar remained Chief Minister

1999 Sharad Pawar, along with P A Sangma and Tariq Anwar were expelled from Congress for what has been described as the trio "opposing Sonia Gandhi*s as the president" of Congress. The same year, in June, Pawar along with Sangma founded Nationalist Congress Party. However, NCP came into coalition with the state Congress to form a government following the 1999 assembly elections to defeat Shiv Sena-BJP

2004 Pawar became Minister of Agriculture in the UPA government under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

2014 Pawar*s NCP lost in the state elections in which BJP was elected as the largest party in the election

2019 Following state elections and after a whole lot of political crisis, NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena*s coalition government - led by Shiv Sena and Uddhav Thackeray as the chief minister - was formed

2020 Pawar was re-elected as an MP to the Rajya Sabha

2023 Pawar resigned as president of NCP

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Sharad Pawars 3D-chess: Castling Ajit to checkmate the BJP? - mid-day.com

A father and son chess-playing duo have spent hours working on their game in scenic parts of their hometown, culminating in a championship final where the pupil became the master.

It took just 20 minutes for Elijah Davidson, 11, to beat his father Jamie Davidson in the final of their chess championship, played over six games, at Timarus Caroline Bay Soundshell on Sunday.

Cheered on by family members, and catching the attention of a few passersby, the Davidsons were all concentration as they worked their way through the game, Jamie running the London System to fluster his son.

But, Elijah knew all the moves and won the championship 6-4, his father said.

READ MORE:* Caroline Bay Soundshell seating demolished* Timaru's Caroline Bay Soundshell seating work underway * Caroline Bay Soundshell seating project awaiting final plans

I lost to an 11-year-old, Jamie said after the game.

Elijah really likes to trade pieces, and he traded them well, and ended up with just more value on the board and was able to check mate me in the end.

Stuff

Jamie Davidson and 11-year-old son Elijah play the final game in their chess championship at the Caroline Bay Soundshell on Sunday afternoon.

The pairs chess journey began about a year ago, when Jamie taught Elijah how to play the game.

Keen to get his son off Xbox, Jamie thought the game would be a good challenge, as he had been enjoying puzzles set up for him by his father while he was at school.

He comes home and blows me away how quickly he can solve them, Jamie said.

I knew I was in trouble when he started solving some high-end puzzles.

John Bisset/Stuff

Elijah contemplates his next move.

Having learnt from his grandfather, Jamie decided to pass on his chess knowledge to Elijah.

He took a keen interest a few months ago, and it turned out he was pretty good, so we started a chess championship.

From there the pair have been playing around the town, choosing the Soundshell as their finale spot for a bit of a laugh and to make the competition a bit more serious, he said.

The games have been mostly timed for 30 minutes, but one untimed championship game went for more than two hours, Jamie said.

John Bisset/Stuff

Jamie taught his son to play chess to get him off the Xbox.

Having discovered the shared interest in the game, Jamie said there did not appear to be a chess club in South Canterbury and he, and Elijah, were keen to talk about it with anyone else interested.

They liked the fact they could play chess anywhere, and would take a table, a chess board and their pieces out to play.

The pair were also keen to see more giant boards and pieces around the place, so anyone could play outdoors.

Elijah was happy with the win, which came with a trophy, and the honour of beating his father, and teacher.

John Bisset/Stuff

Jamie makes a move in his game with Elijah.

It feels amazing, he said.

Im so proud of myself.

Elijah said he would often think of chess moves he could make, even when he was not playing the game.

He enjoyed playing chess with his father while they had dinner and was looking forward to beating him some more.

John Bisset/Stuff

Elijah, 11, won the championship on Sunday.

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Check mate: Father and son chess-playing duo spend hours ... - Stuff

OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahoma City Indian Clinic a nonprofit clinic providing health and wellness services to American Indians in central Oklahoma, is promoting mental and physical health for children of all ages.

Every Kid Healthy Week will be observed April 24-28 to encourage families to take action and improve the health and wellness of their children. Here are five fun ways to get your family started on the path to better health.

Take brain breaks:A brain break is a quick physical activity that allows your brain and body to reset after a long period of hard mental work. This can include yoga, jumping jacks or even a short dance party. Both children and adults can benefit from brain breaks, so try out different activities to see what works best for your family.

Cook a healthy meal together:Giving your children an age-appropriate kitchen task, like setting the table or stirring a bowl, builds confidence and encourages adventurous eating. Remember to eat meals together with no distractions so you can enjoy your meal. Find low-cost, healthy recipes here:okcic.com/programs/sdpi/okcic-cooking/

Get plenty of exercise:In addition to benefiting your overall health, exercise produces stress-relieving hormones. Pick an activity your family enjoys and incorporate it into your daily routine. One unique way to ensure your family gets enough physical activity is to track each family members steps, then crown a champion at the end of the day. There are various activity apps that track that information for you and give you an option to compete between friends and family automatically, including Samsung Health, FitBit and more.

Explore the outdoors:Spending time outside can improve your mood and attention span. Visiting local parks or hiking trails are a great way for families of all ages to enjoy the fresh air and warm weather. Dont forget to apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 before spending time outdoors.

Sign up for health and wellness programs near you:OKCIC offers a variety of youth camps, after-school programs and fitness and health education classes for all ages. These programs offer exciting and educational experiences for patients. Learn more:okcic.com/programs/hpdp-health-promotion-disease-prevention/.

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5 ways to celebrate 'Every Kid Healthy Week' | Health ... - Cherokee Phoenix

Traveling can be beneficial for health, but there can also be challenges when it comes to eating a balanced diet, staying active, and protecting against travel-related illnesses.

People who travel frequently may find that jet lag, sudden changes in diet, or sitting down for long periods makes it difficult to follow their usual routine. However, there are ways to continue taking care of ones health while traveling for work or leisure.

Read on to learn more about staying healthy while traveling, including how to eat a healthy diet, exercise, reduce stress, and more.

Before traveling, there are precautions people can take to stay healthy. This may include:

Eating in a balanced way while traveling can sometimes be challenging. It may help to try:

Food safety is also an important consideration. Some of the foods that are usually safe to eat while traveling include:

Some of the options that carry a higher risk include:

It can be easy to forget to drink enough water while in transit. Visiting hot climates can also increase thirst. Drinking enough water is important for preventing dehydration.

When traveling, a person can hydrate by:

In some locations, tap water is not always safe for travelers. Even if the water looks clean, it can contain germs that cause water-borne diseases.

Factory-sealed bottled water is a safer option and may be the most convenient. People may need to use this exclusively for their drinking water while in some parts of the world and avoid swallowing any water from faucets.

Other drinks that may be safe include:

People should avoid:

People can also disinfect tap water by:

Frequent or long-haul travel can make it more difficult to exercise in a regular routine. Similarly, jet lag can interfere with a persons ability to get to the gym or do fitness classes when they land.

Some tips that may help with this include:

Sitting still for long periods can also increase the risk of developing blood clots in the legs. People can help prevent the development of clots while traveling by:

Travel can be stressful at times. This might be due to disruption in daily activities, culture shock, language barriers, and unexpected situations.

People can reduce stress while traveling by:

Additionally, people may find it helpful to have an extra day or two away from work when they get back so they can adjust to being home.

Between 43 and 79% of people who visit low- or middle-income countries experience travel-related illnesses. Most travel-related illnesses are mild, but they can be disruptive. In some cases, people require medical help.

Some examples of conditions people may experience while traveling include:

Most travel-related infections appear soon after returning home, but some can appear after several weeks or months, depending on their incubation period.

People can take steps to avoid these illnesses by:

Speak with a doctor if any unusual or severe symptoms develop during or after travel.

Travel can be beneficial to a persons well-being, but it can also require precautions that help people stay healthy while in new places.

Depending on the circumstances, people may need to adapt their diet, exercise in different ways, or consult a healthcare professional to help prevent certain illnesses before they travel.

People who would like tailored advice, or who have chronic conditions that require ongoing management, can speak with a doctor or travel health specialist about this.

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How to stay healthy while traveling for work or vacation - Medical News Today

On August 3, 2023, four-time Mr. OlympiaJay Cutlerwill turn 50. For his birthday, thebodybuildingicon is doing a body transformation. While the former champion last competed a little over a decade ago, he has maintained his physique. However, Cutlers objective is to get in the best shape humanly possible at his age. Earlier today, the 49-year-old revealed hell be starting a 12-week transformation program and sharing it with his fans. Shortly after posting the video, Cutlers friend and former rival,Ronnie Coleman, commented on his Instagram video.

The eight-time Mr. Olympia has battled numerous health issues after retiring. While he still works out in the gym, the 58-year-old asked for some advice from his former bodybuilding rival.

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Cutler addressed his followers on social media in the video he shot on his way back from a leg day session.I have a big journey in front of me,said the four-time Olympia, alluding to his birthday body transformation.In 10 days, Ill be 12 weeks from my transformation,added Cutler. Ive been talking about this as you know, I turn 50, (on) August third, so Im doing a 12-week program,announced Cutler. Jay also said he would share his journey on all social media platforms. Besides social media, Cutler will also use his newsletter,Jay Mail, to give updates and some tips and urged his fans to follow it.

Hearing Jay Cutler willing to dish out some tips, eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie The King Coleman commented on his post.I need some tips too, Im getting old,wrote the 58-year-old. Unlike Cutler, who has kept his health, Coleman has faced a plethora of health issues after retiring.He has had 13 surgerieson his neck, back, and hips. He also suffers from spinal cord issues, and all this has left Coleman on crutches.

However, his champions spirit has proved indomitable. Even at 58, Coleman regularly workouts and remains a student of the craft to which he dedicated his life. The humble champion has no qualms about asking for tips from a fellow champion. However, Coleman isnt the only one showing humility.

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While the four-time Mr. Olympia exudes confidence, Cutler admitted that a transformation program at 50 isgonna be a challenge.In the video, Cutler said,So everyone thinks Im a total expert in body transformation. Ill be honest, Im a little rusty.

However, the bodybuilding icon is humble in his approach.Im not going to be you know exactly what I used to be but Im going to be the best I can,said Cutler. The 49-year-old also acknowledged that while hell face challenges, he said,Im going to push myself,and hopefully inspire his fans along the way.

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Watch this story | 4X Mr Olympia Jay Cutler Amazes Fans with Jaw-Dropping Shoulder Workout

While Cutler ended the video by saying he appreciates his fans, Itll be interesting to see if he has some exclusive tips for The King.

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Im Getting Old: Having Battled Through Harrowing Health Issues, The King Ronnie Coleman Requests Fitness Tips From Rival Jay Cutler -...

Your smartphone may bring the world to you today but when science has a face-off with myths in daily life, it is still usually myths that triumph. Many, sometimes passed down through generations, ratified and amplified by social media, are now accepted as facts of life. Who hasnt heard that you can increase your height by hanging from bars or that drinking a glass of warm water in the morning helps in fat loss? We put 16 such popular myths under the microscope.

There is no scientific evidence to back this, says Amite Pankaj Aggarwal, director and head of the department of orthopaedics at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi. Krishan Chugh, director and head of the department of paediatrics at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram, Haryana, agrees: Age-appropriate weight-lifting as a strengthening exercise under expert supervision does not result in stunting." In fact, there are really no downsides as long as you are careful and smart about it, says Dr Aggarwal, adding that one should only start when children begin to understand the importance of training effectively.

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Children actually stand to benefit if they start strength training early. A safe resistance-training programme helps children and adolescents improve body composition, build muscle strength, muscle power, muscular endurance, bone strength, flexibility, physical performance, cardiovascular health, injury resistance, psychosocial well-being, apart from promoting good exercise habits, says Rajesh Parameswaran, head coach and founder of The Den Strength and Conditioning studio in Bengaluru.

Again, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims, says Dr Aggarwal. A lot of factors determine heightfrom genetics to diet to muscle strength. Those who go out and play sports like basketball or football are more likely to grow stronger because they are actually running around and are being able to use all their bigger muscles. So, it really is a combination of things and cannot be attributed to a single activity like doing pull-ups or hanging from a bar," explains Poonam Sidana, a neonatologist and paediatrician at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.

Swimming is one of the best exercises out there, says Dr Sidana, because it ensures that all the big muscles are used and it strengthens the core. But swimming alone wont make a child grow taller. The strength that a kid gains from swimming can impact the height positively but there is no isolated factor which can help children become taller. It depends on their genes, their food, their lifestyle and the amount of time they spend moving," she adds.

Height varies slightly through the day due to the compression and decompression of the cartilage discs in the spine, explains Dr Aggarwal. By decompressing your discs, some of these activities could temporarily increase your height to a very small extent. However, this wont actually help increase your height, as any changes are quickly reversed," he adds.

This is far from true. Women are built differently and it is very difficult for them to gain big muscles and bulk up. Women have more oestrogen and men have more testosterone. And hence weight lifting will apply differently for both sexes. Due to the low levels of testosterone, women can never become like Arnold Schwarzenegger, not even close," says Shwetambari Shetty, a Cult.fit/descrip/where fitness expert. I have been lifting heavy weights for a decade now. I still wear XS-sized clothes and I am still petitebut toned and well defined." Shetty says weight training does bring a host of benefits: building strength, reducing the risk of joint pain and injuries in old age, reducing risk of osteoporosis and osteopenia. It also improves metabolism, helping you to burn fat, adds Shetty.

Both doctors and fitness experts agree that walking is one of the best exercises. But they dont see eye to eye when the question is: Is it enough exercise?" It is for Vaibhav Daga, head of sports sciences and rehabilitation at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. Brisk walking is one of the best exercises as it is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier. It is recommended to have 150 minutes of moderate to 75 minutes of severe activity weekly to lead a healthy and active lifestyle," explains Dr Daga, also a sports medicine consultant. Walking is also very effective when it comes to building a baseline cardiovascular fitness level and a great form of exercise, especially for those who have not previously been active, says Rajeev Verma, consultant and head of the department of joint replacement and orthopaedics at the HCMCT Manipal Hospitals in Dwarka, Delhi. Walking prevents diseases that affect our mental health and some heart-related conditions. About 30 minutes of walking a day can help you make progress towards your weight loss plus, its a comfortable and familiar form of exercise," says Dr Verma.

While it is exercise enough to safeguard your health, walking may not be enough to achieve fitness goals. Gagan Arora, Delhi-based celebrity coach and founder of Kosmic Fitness studio, says it should be a stepping stone to exercises such as running, strength training and the like that will help your fitness.

Sweating out is a sure-shot way to lose weight but not if you are sweating buckets because of a break from the air-conditioning or layering up to make yourself sweat. In fact, layering up to sweat a little extra while exercising can be harmful. Neither wearing a sweatshirt nor jacket will help to lose weight," says Bikky Chaurasia, consultant for internal medicine at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. Only the sweating which occurs through workouts and exercise helps reduce weight. Wearing jackets and sweatshirts is likely to cause a vitamin D deficiency as our body becomes less exposed to sunlight."

While fitness coaches steer clear of this debate as they have classes and clients at all times of the day, doctors agree that the most important thing is getting the workout and exercise done. Theres so much conflicting research out there on the optimal time to workout that I would suggest to pick a time and stick to it. It will help the biological clock of your body. Being consistent is the key to improve performance or get results," says Dr Daga.

Regardless of the time of day you exercise, you will achieve gains in cardiorespiratory fitness and strength if done regularly," says Dr Aggarwal.

Just think about how you breathe while swimming. You inhale through your mouth and exhale through your nose. If you get tired, its because of the strain of swimming, not because you are breathing through your mouth. People consume same amount of oxygen while exercising and running whether they breathe through their nose or mouth. However, the respiratory rate, or number of breaths per minute, is lower when you breathe through your nose, says Dr Aggarwal. This means it takes less work to consume the same amount of oxygen while breathing through your nose, which could potentially improve athletic performance and endurance," he adds. While breathing through your nose is more efficient, breathing through the mouth may at most leave your mouth dry.

Well, it is true that crunches will tone your midriff and help your abs pop but there is a caveat: Your body fat percentage should be extremely low, roughly 8-14%. In people with low body fat, the ab muscles are already visible and when they do crunches, the abs become defined and the sought after six-pack" starts showing. Others wont see any abs because they are getting toned underneath a layer of fat, which doesnt get toned or tamed. They must first burn the fat sitting atop the abdominal muscles, through as cardio, sprints, HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and strength training and complement it with proper nutrition. While crunches do improve core strength, other exercises, such as planks, Russian twist, hollow rock hold, hollow rock, L-sit and L-hang, may be more effective.

The notion that exercising immediately after eating is unhealthy or not advisable is believed even by gym trainers, fitness enthusiasts and health professionals, says Deeksha Ahlawat, a senior dietitian at the HCMCT Manipal Hospitals.

There is no scientific evidence to support the claim," she says, but adds that waiting at least 30 minutes to an hour after a meal before engaging in physical activity is clinically recommended. What we eat goes through a process of digestion it is broken down into smaller components and absorbed into the bloodstream. This process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on what and how much you have eaten and your digestive system," adds Ahlawat.

Contrary to popular belief, exercising after eating does not harm the body or hinder digestion. In fact, studies have shown that exercising after a meal can have several benefits, such as improving blood sugar levels, enhancing metabolism and aiding digestion by increasing the blood flow to the digestive system, which can improve nutrient absorption," she notes.

But how much you eat and when should decide your workout, say experts. Eating a large meal or too much just before exercise can divert the bodys energy to the digestive system, reducing the energy available for physical activity. Trying to exercise on a full stomach can be painfully uncomfortable and lead to cramping, bloating, sluggishness and nausea," warns Dr Daga. Stick to a small pre-workout snack.

Theres no direct correlation, says Dr Aggarwal. Most of the time, flu, cold or cough are caused by a virus, he adds. So, ice doesnt make you sick, its other people. Most people catch a cold from a virus, which is generally passed from person to person whenever a sick person coughs or sneezes all over the place. The tiny mucous particles escaping your body contaminate whatever is around them, causing whoever is close by to potentially fall ill," says Dr Verma. In fact, ice would be a good treatment for sore throat as it has a cooling effect on inflamed tissues, he adds.

Bhakti Samant, chief dietitian at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, admits this is a common belief. But that is not the case," says Samant. It is a good habit to start your day with a glass of water but its temperature doesnt matter, especially not for weight loss. There is no scientific data to back the idea. What a glass of water does is, it kick-starts your metabolism first thing in the morning. While warm water can have several benefits, like soothing your throat, flushing out toxins, relieving constipation, weight loss is questionable." For weight loss, balanced meals and a good exercise routine would help, says Dr Aggarwal.

This is a classic example of social media wisdom, says Samant. A microwave oven works by using electromagnetic waves to agitate the water molecules in food; this, in turn, generates heat and cooks the food. As a matter of fact, a microwave oven cooks or heats food quicker. Loss of nutrients while cooking is not unique to microwaving alone. Nutrients can be lost through any form of cooking, including boiling, frying or baking," says Ahlawat. The less the food gets exposed to any source of heat, the less the loss of nutrients. In fact, microwave cooking helps to better preserve the heat-sensitive nutrients in our food due to quicker cooking," adds Samant.

The nutrient content in any food depends on a variety of factors, including the type of food, how it is prepared, and how it is cooked. Microwaving is generally a safe and healthy way to cook food without significantly impacting its nutrient content," says Ahlawat. What really kills the nutrients in food is repeated reheating. So, stop doing that.

Milk is definitely a superfood for babies aged up to six months, but it is certainly not so for adults, says Amit Gupta, senior paediatric consultant at the Fortis Escorts Hospital in Faridabad, Haryana. Too much milk could lead to digestive and gastrointestinal issues and leave you feeling bloated, uneasy and nauseous. Many people cannot tolerate lactose and milk could disturb their digestion and release enzymes in the bloodstream which can lead to gastrointestinal issues. Too much milk could even leave you feeling fatigued, sluggish, and your skin prone to breakouts, including acne.

Ahlawat says the powerful dairy industry lobby has successfully promoted the idea that milk is essential for health and that we need to consume large amounts of it to meet our nutritional needs. Milk does, of course, provide multiple nutrients: protein, calcium, several B vitamins, iodine, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin D, potassium and phosphorus, says Samant. But while milk does contain a high amount of calcium, other foods, such as leafy greens, almonds and tofu, can provide this essential nutrient, notes Ahlawat, adding, Some studies have shown that consuming too much milk can actually increase the risk of bone fractures."

There are clear downsides. Milk is high in saturated fat, which can contribute to heart disease. Some people have an allergic reaction to the proteins in milk, which can cause symptoms such as hives, swelling and difficulty in breathing. Many commercial dairy farms use antibiotics and hormones to increase milk production, which can have negative effects on both human and animal health," warns Ahlawat. Simrun Chopra, founder of Nourish With Sim (descrip), suggests limiting milk intake to a glass a day and having yogurt for a second dairy helping.

Gin gets its distinctive taste from juniper berries. It was a very popular drink in the colonial era, when it would be mixed with tonic water, which contains quinine, and consumed widely. The quinine was used as a pre-emptive strike against malaria. It is widely believed that a high intake of gin could result in lower testosterone levels and impotency, says Samant. However, there is limited scientific data available to prove this and hence further research is needed," notes Samant, adding, Alcohol, when consumed in larger quantities, can lead to low count and poor mobility of sperms." So, the problem isnt juniper berries or gin but excessive drinking and that causes more harm than merely affecting sperm count and mobility.

Our forefathers believed that drinking water immediately after a meal dilutes acids released by the stomach that help in digestion, weakening the Jathar Agni", notes Samant. As per modern nutrition science, this is not true." In fact, water aids in the breakdown of nutrients, leading to better digestion. It also helps in keeping gut health issues like constipation at bay, adds Samant. If you drink too much, though, you may feel bloated or too full.

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16 fitness myths that need to be busted - Mint Lounge