fitness - health

Overcoming Emotional Eating Disorders

2011-05-07T16:35:00.004-04:00

Eating Disorders

Do you struggle with your weight? Many people who struggle with their weight recognize that much of their excess eating and unhealthy food choices are a response to anxiety and stress. When overcome with disappointment, loneliness, stress, or a sense of failure at work or at home, are you seeking comfort in food? For some people emotional eating is a constant struggle and often part of an addiction to comfort foods brought on by stress and anxiety disorders.

Help for those with emotional eating disorders is available; without taking pills or the latest fad diet. The audio program “Overcoming Emotional Eating: Breaking the Cycle of Stress and Anxiety Based Eating” provides a wealth of info and effective tools that will help the occasional and constant emotional eater reduce the pattern of eating out of emotion (i.e., stress and anxiety) need rather than actual physical hunger.

The audio recording is very good and it is designed to help you turn off stress reactions and replace them with relaxation. Imagery and self-hypnosis are powerful tools that can help you self-soothe and master emotional eating.

Regular listening to the audio program will reinforce the messages and skills that will help you conquer emotional eating. - Dr. Catherine Herzog

Audio recordings are not a substitute for working with a health professional. But, the program will enhance your success with any other weight-loss programs. Listening to it can produce significant, positive changes in the way you respond to stress, and reduce the probability that you will eat for emotional reasons tied to stress and anxiety.

To learn more about the emotional eating audio file, please visit Anxiety Solutions Online here. It might just be the right solution for you.

NCSF Adds Nutrition Course for Special Dietary Needs

2010-12-02T07:54:00.003-05:00

The National Council on Strength and Fitness has added a new course for trainers, Fitness Nutrition for Special Dietary Needs.

According to the NCSF, the Fitness Nutrition for Special Dietary Needs course delivers state-of-the-art nutritional information pertaining to populations with distinctive dietary needs. The program provides scientifically based nutrition guidelines for a wide range of physically active clients—including vegetarians, pregnant and menopausal women, persons with eating disorders and disordered eating, children and adolescents, older adults, persons with diabetes, and participants in weight-restricted sports.

The course teaches professionals how to guide their clients in proper eating for optimal exercise performance, and it recognizes when a client needs to be referred to a registered dietitian for further nutritional consult.

For additional details, visit NCSF here.

In addition, the course will assist trainers with their efforts to provide sound dietary advice to both noncompetitive exercisers who want to stay fit and competitive athletes who want to achieve optimal performance. The program contains practical guidelines for addressing the needs of children who exercise and play sports as well as the needs of overweight athletes and exercisers in weight-dependent sports—an area often overlooked in sport nutrition courses. Furthermore, trainers who work with the geriatric population will also find the course useful as it will bring them up to date on meeting the nutrition and exercise needs of older adults as they progress through the physiological changes associated with the aging process.

Course Contents:

Chapter 1. Childhood and Adolescence
Chapter 2. Aging
Chapter 3. Menopause
Chapter 4. Pregnancy
Chapter 5. Vegetarianism
Chapter 6. Overweight and Obesity
Chapter 7. Diabetes Mellitus
Chapter 8. Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders
Chapter 9. Exercise in Extreme Environments

Natural Products Association Announces New Communications Manager

2010-08-19T07:07:00.000-04:00

Natural Products Association - NPA Announces New Communications Manager: "NPA's new communications manager, Mike Keaton will support the NPA’s communications needs, with an emphasis on public relations duties.

NPA Press Release/August 16, 2010: The Natural Products Association (NPA) has announced that Michael L. Keaton joins its staff today. Keaton steps into a new Communications Manager position, under the association’s Membership Services and Education department. Keaton will support the NPA’s communications needs, with an emphasis on public relations duties. He will be responsible for promoting the association and the natural products industry in the media and on Capitol Hill.

“NPA continues to do very valuable work for an industry that is tremendously valuable to the health and well-being of tens of millions of Americans, and Mike will help us tell the story better to our members, to the public, and to those on the Hill who can affect the way we do business in the industry,” said John Gay, NPA executive director and CEO. “We look forward to working with him as he helps us step up our communications efforts.”

Prior to joining NPA, Keaton was director of public relations and communications at the SCORE Association, where he produced newsletters, releases, web content and the annual report, developed public relations materials and strategies, and worked with association supporters to publicize SCORE services and special events. He also was communications manager for the nonprofit organization Equal Justice Works and project manager for the National Association of Private Special Education Centers.

Keaton, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., received his B.S. in Communications from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

2010 Ironman Coeur d'Alene Race Preview

2010-06-24T08:15:00.001-04:00

Ironman triathlons are one of the most challenging sporting events on the planet. And, they have become big business attracting athletes from around the world. This coming weekend, the 2010 Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene Race takes place in Idaho.

Here's an excerpt from a race preview article on the Ironman.com website:

Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene Race Preview
Shawn Skene previews this weekends Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene:

Every year about 2,400 athletes from around the world make their way to the Northwest state of Idaho to test themselves on this demanding course. The two-loop swim takes place in picturesque Lake Coeur d’Alene, starting and finishing on the sandy beaches of City Park. The double-looped bike course works its way through Coeur d’Alene and the neighboring communities to the north. It is deceivingly challenging and makes participants suffer if they haven’t paced themselves on the first loop. (Read the full article here).

Also, note that registration for the 2011 Ironman Triathlon (Coeur d'Alene) opens on June 28, 2010 at 3PM (EST); registration link here.

The Healthiest Foods For Fitness and Health

2010-04-09T10:46:00.004-04:00

Tea
There have been several studies that suggest drinking tea is good for your heart. According to a study from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, people who drink one or more cups of black tea each day were 44 percent less likely to suffer a heart attack than those that didn't drink tea. The apparent reason is the abundance of flavonoids in tea; flavonoids are believed to reduce the risk of heart attack because they help keep the blood from clotting. Some researchers believe it takes several more than 1-2 cups a day to achieve the heart-healthy effect. Green tea is loaded with antioxidants (polyphenols) that may also prevent certain diseases such as arthritis and some cancers.

Wild Salmon
High in omega-3 fats, salmon can help you reduce the risk of sudden-death heart attacks. In general, wild-caught salmon has less contaminants than farmed salmon.

Broccoli
Eat your broccoli no matter what former president George Bush likes. Broccoli is a super food with lots of B vitamin folacin and calcium. Cooked broccoli offers more benefits than raw broccoli.

Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are well known to be beneficial because of the high levels of carotenoids, vitamin C, fiber and potassium. And, they are touted as, "A nutritional All-Star — one of the best vegetables you can eat." (Center for Science in the Public Interest). But, leave out the butter and sour cream; consider baked sweet potatoes with unsweetened applesauce or crushed pineapple for sweetness.

Tomato
Tomatoes contain the carotenoid known as lycopene; it is believed to help prevent certain cancers (breast, pancreas, prostate, and colon) and cardiovascular diseases. It is now well known that Mediterranean populations generally eat a lot of cooked tomatoes and they have a low incidence of these chronic diseases. Cooking your tomatoes is better than eating them raw because the cooking process releases the lycopene, which makes them easier for your body to absorb.

Soy
Soy is also a good source of protein, calcium, and fiber. Eastern cultures have reaped the benefits of a diet rich in soy protein for centuries. Soy is rich in isoflavones, which are natural compounds that can lower blood cholesterol as well as help prevent hormone-related cancers.

Blueberries
Here's an excerpt from a recent FitClick newsletter article concerning blueberries:

Not since Fats Domino's classic song topped the charts has this vibrant fruit garnered so much attention. In a recent Tufts University study, elderly rats (about 70 in human years) were fed a diet rich in blueberries (approximately one cup a day), which radically improved their declining balance and coordination skills. "I've never seen anything like it," says the study's leader, Jim Joseph, Ph.D., chief of the neuroscience lab at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts. The fruit's polyphenolic compounds (the antioxidants that give blueberries their color) are natural anti-inflammatories, says Joseph. Cooking the berries or freezing them right after picking increases their antioxidant properties.

Additional Reading and Resources:

The 7 Healthiest Foods - Fitness & Weight Loss Tips at FitClick

10 Worst and Best Foods - Center for Science in the Public Interest

Bad Seed: The Truth About Our Food

It's Not About the Food: Preventing Eating Disorders [VHS]

A Nap Boosts Brain’s Learning Capacity

2010-02-24T13:12:00.000-05:00

Great article about the good old power nap - brain power that is!

BERKELEY — If you see a student dozing in the library or a co-worker catching 40 winks in her cubicle, don't roll your eyes. New research from the University of California, Berkeley, shows that an hour’s nap can dramatically boost and restore your brain power. Indeed, the findings suggest that a biphasic sleep schedule not only refreshes the mind, but can make you smarter.

Full story here at UC Berkeley News: 02.22.2010 - An afternoon nap markedly boosts the brain’s learning capacity.

Fitness and Exercise Tracking Online

2010-02-15T16:11:00.003-05:00

Technology is reaching out to help the world get motivated and get fit. And, the tools available now are truly amazing. Did you know you can use an iPhone app to record what you eat online? You can buy a scale that talks to a website and records your weight loss progress?

After working out several times last week, I was wondering how best to track my fitness activities? I want a software solution that is relatively easy to use, quick to update and includes fitness content. I found several online services and "Daily Burn" really got my attention. Here's a few of the features of this impressive website dedicated to tracking your fitness and nutrition info:

FoodScanner iPhone App
FoodScanner app that lets you use your iPhone's camera to scan UPC barcodes and quickly track how many calories you consume throughout the day.

* Find foods by scanning UPC barcodes OR typing in food names
* Works great on any iPhone (2G, 3G, 3GS)
* Growing database of 244,000 foods

DailyBurn iGoogle Gadget
The DailyBurn iGoogle Gadget allows you to keep your fitness stats on your web browser's homepage.

* Dashboard-view of your fitness and nutrition
* Quick entry of weight, food, and workouts
* Seamlessly integrates with your account

Withings™ Body Scale
WiFi scale linked to the Internet that automatically tracks your weight and body fat directly to the DailyBurn website. Recording your stats is as easy as stepping on a scale!

* Compatible with all operating systems
* Auto syncs to all DailyBurn products
* Supports use by multiple users
* You can get FREE shipping by using coupon code "DAILYWITHINGS" (from the DailyBurn website apps section)

I'll include additional fitness tracking site reviews in the coming weeks. Leave a comment if you have any recommendations - thx.

Add Almonds to Your Diet and Benefit from This Power Food

2010-01-19T08:17:00.000-05:00

It is well known that almonds provide a wealth of health benefits. And, if you haven't added them to your weekly diet you're missing out. Here's a recipe from WebMD to get you started with a delicious meal (link to the full story below):

Almonds: The New Power Food
Nutrient-dense and delicious, almonds have all sorts of health benefits. Plus, try our savory squash and almond soup recipe.
By Chloe Thompson for WebMD the Magazine

A symbol of hope and prosperity in Eastern cultures, the almond used to be known for its fat content but has now made its way to the top of power-food lists. This nutrient-dense tree nut -- from the same family as peaches and apricots -- has become best known for its many health benefits. Eating a handful of almonds a day may lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and diabetes. These tasty tidbits are also an excellent source of vitamin E (a powerful antioxidant) and manganese -- 1 ounce (that’s about 24 almonds) has 35% and 32% of the RDA respectively. And with only 1 gram of saturated fat, 13 grams of healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats, 6 grams of protein, and 160 calories per ounce, it's clear that almonds are a friend of any true health nut. Read the full story and get the recipe here: Almonds: The New Power Food

Marketing: Do Virtual Health Clubs Worry Real Gyms? - Advertising Age - News

2010-01-11T12:14:00.000-05:00

Will virtual health clubs now entering the arena steal would-be weight losers from their bricks-and-mortar competitors? The number of online health and fitness programs has exploded in growth. And, it seems we have a fitness franchise in every shopping center. Who will win in the long run? Advertising Age has an interesting article on the topic (visit the link below to read the full story):

Marketing: Do Virtual Health Clubs Worry Real Gyms? - Advertising Age - News

Cyclists Improve Fitness and Athletic Performance

2009-12-28T08:33:00.001-05:00

The Cyclist published an article about alternative ways to improve fitness and athletic performance by repairing (or preventing) the damage caused by heavy training and exercise. In the article, Myofascial Release: Or, “How I learned to love The Stick”, author Michael Troy highlights The Stick’s effectiveness and versatility in performing Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy.

in reference to: The Stick for Cyclists : RPI of Atlanta Intracell The Stick (view on Google Sidewiki)

Healthy Eating Habits for Children

2009-12-17T09:21:00.002-05:00

Educating children about proper eating habits is important to all of us. But how about children teaching children? Have you heard about the 12-year-old food critic that travels the world to review restaurants? Well, readers of GQ are listening. More here.

NY City Mayor Bloomberg Calls on Personal Trainers

2009-12-14T08:05:00.001-05:00

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is asking 100 personal trainers in the New York City area to volunteer their time and expertise to help overweight, unhealthy New Yorkers.

Over a dozen recreation facilities in New York City offer free fitness classes and instruction to more than 1,500 people per week. The instructors have been paid for their work but due to budget constraints Bloomberg is asking Personal Trainers and Fitness Instructors to volunteer his or her time so the participants can continue to benefit.

The classes, funded by the Health Department, target neighborhoods with the highest levels of obesity and diabetes. The conditions are reversable with proper diet, exercise and fitness education.

Are you a personal trainer in the NY City area? If so, consider getting involved and giving back to the community - volunteer work can be very rewarding. To find out more information about this program and how you can make a difference, contact the NYC Parks and Recreation Department at www.nyc.gov/parks. Click on the option to Volunteer.

Hat tip to the National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) for alerting us to this story.

Strategies to Enhance ROI for Worksite Wellness Programs

2009-12-13T16:48:00.003-05:00

WELCOA has issued a Special Report entitled, "The Top Five Strategies to Enhance the ROI of Worksite Wellness Programs in Economically Challenging Times." Authored by Dr. Steven Aldana, CEO of WellSteps and one of the leading minds on ROI, this report highlights five important strategies that can significantly enhance ROI on worksite wellness programs.

In these fiscally tough times, you definitely don't want to miss this WELCOA Special Report.

NOTE - WELCOA Special Report: You may need to provide your email address to access this report at no charge; the info was rec'd in their newsletter. Visit the WELCO site and subscribe to the newsletter and you'll likely be able to get the report at no charge as well as their newsletter: visit this link.

The Gospel of Good Cooking

2009-11-30T10:51:00.002-05:00

Eggs are good for you, no they are bad . . . and now, they're good again! I happen to believe eggs are overall a great food to consume given the nutrients and omegas.

Check out the The Gospel of Good Cooking for an article on the egg. Here's an excerpt:

"It seems like it wasn't that long ago that eggs were considered to be white orbs of death. Being chock full of cholesterol, they supposedly caused high cholesterol and all kinds of problems in humans. However eggs contain HDL cholesterol - the 'good' cholesterol we hear so much about - and have not been found to increase 'bad' cholesterol levels at all. Thankfully these days the egg has resumed its rightful place as a delicious and nutritious part of a good diet. Among other things eggs contain all kinds of nutrients and a fair amount of omega-3 fatty acids (if the laying hens have been fed a certain diet).

Eggs are a great source of riboflavin, B12, and choline. They are rich in selenium, lutein, and zeaxanthin (which helps protect the eyes from macular degeneration.) Eggs abound with vitamins in the B family, along with vitamins A and D."

Fact or Fiction - Vinegar Increases Weight Loss

2009-11-09T14:13:00.003-05:00

For years now, there have been claims that vinegar can be used as an aid to lose weight. But, is it too good to be true?

According to recent research findings, it appears to work on mice but the effects on humans have not been substantiated. Here's an excerpt from a WebMB article and a link to the full story:

Can vinegar really help you lose weight? A recent study on mice gave hope to the idea that the acetic acid in vinegar may help trigger fat-burning genes. But until the effects are reproduced in humans, vinegar cannot be considered a weight loss aid.

Apple cider vinegar has long been touted as being good for weight loss, and several apple cider vinegar diets have circulated over the years. The acidic vinegar, along with the fruit pectin from the fermented apples, is supposed to have fat-burning effects.

In the mouse study, researchers gave either acetic acid (the main chemical in vinegar) or water to mice via a stomach tube. All the mice were fed the same diet. The researchers found that the mice that got the vinegar compound developed up to 10% less body fat than the other mice, although the amount of food they ate was not affected. It’s thought that acetic acid might turn on genes that produce proteins that help the body break down fats.

But this study cannot be considered conclusive evidence that vinegar is effective for weight loss. More and larger studies are needed before we can know for sure whether vinegar has any fat-burning benefits. Read the full story here.

Successful Business Strategies to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease

2009-07-20T16:41:00.002-04:00

The un-healthy employee is a hefty cost to business according to numerous research studies. Here's one that was published in December 2005. What are the numbers today I wonder? Will they double when our government takes over health care - scary thought.

The following article abstract was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. Volume 29, Issue 5, Supplement 1, Pages 113-121 (December 2005)

Heart Healthy and Stroke Free: Successful Business Strategies to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease

Background

Heart disease and stroke, the principal components of cardiovascular disease (CVD), are the first and third leading causes of death in the United States. In 2002, employers representing 88 companies in the United States paid an average of $18,618 per employee for health and productivity-related costs. A sizable portion of these costs are related to CVD.

Results

Employers can yield a $3 to $6 return on investment for each dollar invested over a 2 to 5 year period and improve employee cardiovascular health by investing in comprehensive worksite health-promotion programs, and by choosing health plans that provide adequate coverage and support for essential preventive services. The most effective interventions in worksites are those that provide sustained individual follow-up risk factor education and counseling and other interventions within the context of a comprehensive health-promotion program: (1) screening, health risk assessments, and referrals; (2) environmental supports for behavior change (e.g., access to healthy food choices); (3) financial and other incentives; and (4) corporate policies that support healthy lifestyles (e.g., tobacco-free policies). The most effective practices in healthcare settings include systems that use (1) standardized treatment and prevention protocols consistent with national guidelines, (2) multidisciplinary clinical care teams to deliver quality patient care, (3) clinics that specialize in treating/preventing risk factors, (4) physician and patient reminders, and (5) electronic medical records.

Conclusions

Comprehensive worksite health-promotion programs, health plans that cover preventive benefits, and effective healthcare systems will have the greatest impact on heart disease and stroke and are likely to reduce employers’ health and productivity-related costs.

via Heart Healthy and Stroke Free: Successful Business Strategies to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease.

Weight Loss: Vinegar Fights Fat?

2009-06-29T18:29:00.004-04:00

Is vinegar going to help you lose weight? According to research findings, it appears that could be the case. This won't be the first time we've heard that vinegar has health benefits. And now, researchers in Japan found that adding vinegar to lab animals reduces fat build up by 10 percent.

Here's an excerpt of a story published by WebMD:

Vinegar has long been touted as a cure-all for many ills. The substance has been used a folk medicine remedy since ancient times. Modern medical evidence is slowly adding credence to some of the claims. In recent years, research has suggested that the main chemical in vinegar, called acetic acid, can help control blood pressure and blood sugar.

The current findings suggest that vinegar might help a person lose weight or fight obesity. Tomoo Kondo and colleagues gave acetic acid or water to mice via a stomach tube. All were provided a high-fat diet to eat normally.

Researchers found that the mice developed a lot less body fat (up to 10% less) than mice who didn’t receive the vinegar compound. The amount of food eaten by the mice was not affected.

It’s believed that acetic acid turns on genes that produce proteins that help the body break down fats. Such an action helps prevent fat buildup in body, and thwarts weight gain. << READ WEBMD ARTICLE HERE >>

The research findings will be published in the July issue of Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Exercise Your Way Into Prosperity

2009-05-18T05:02:00.001-04:00

Exercising and staying in shape does far more for you than simply making you look good and be healthier. Did you ever stop to think that a regular fitness routine can improve your mental state and your emotional state as well as your body? It can even be linked to how we handle and how quickly we recover from stressful situations like financial hardship during this recession. The simple answer is usually correct.

When an individual becomes stressed they tend to do several harmful things. First, their body goes into flight or fight mode. When this occurs, one of two things happen, either they burn off the excess fuel the body has provided for the fight or flight by exercising, or it is stored as fat. Secondly, when an individual is stressed, worry and negative emotions begin to set in. This alone causes several problems. The worry and negative emotions slow down the metabolism, literally causing you to release more hormones that cause fat storage. On a mental-emotional level, stress will cause performance levels to decrease. Think about it, when you are stressed, worried, upset, sad, or depressed, how well do you function? The answer of course is not nearly as well as you could.

Study after study has linked exercise to better mental health. The mental state of humans has a direct effect on how they function in society. When people are in their top mental state, they function well, perform better, produce better results and are happier. While exercising, the body is able to expel toxins and a much faster rate. It pumps more oxygen rich blood to the brain, enabling clearer thought, better focus, and a stronger will to continue. Endorphins flood the body helping to make you feel happy and less worried about what may be going on in your life. A higher mental state means a better or more positive attitude and with the positive attitude comes the drive to rebuild any situation.

Exercise is one of the greatest stress relievers known to man. It is as powerful as any drug that exists. It has the power to change your mental or emotional state for the better, thus making you more productive and able to meet challenges with every ounce of your being versus your previous negative, worrisome, frantic self. Following a proper fitness regiment literally help to get your life back on track in every way. Health, finances, mental state, and even emotional state.

Living a lifestyle of movement and activity will springboard you out of bad times if you are willing to commit to it. Think about yourself. Aren't you more motivated when you are happy? Don't you push yourself more when you are feeling good? Personally, my achievement levels soar when I am happier. I am far more motivated, push myself harder, and enjoy doing it! It makes me want to go after things 100%. If I neglect exercise or movement and activity, I feel the difference immediately. My energy levels go down, my drive goes down, and my emotional state goes down. I have less will to move beyond a hardship that is holding me back in life. Why does this happen?

Humans are meant to be active and in times of stress or anxiety, we are meant to be even more active, not less! Unfortunately we have been programmed to do the opposite. If things go bad, we lock ourselves in our room. We sit, watch tv, and eat more, or dive into a pint, or worse. The only thing that happens when we act in this fashion is that we make it much harder to get back on track. We make it harder to rebuild or motivate ourselves as we drown in self pity. If we actually follow what we are biologically designed to do the depression, fear, or anxiety will pass. It doesn't matter if it is worry over weight gain or worry over losing a job! The principals are identical. Inspiration comes in many forms.

So will exercise fix your money problems, or your worry about the loss of your job? No, but it can do a tremendous amount to help. The more you move, the better you function. The better you function, the more motivated you are. The more motivated you are, the faster you will get back on track. The faster you get back on track, the more you will achieve. There are speed bumps in the life of every single person. However, the knowledge of what to do when this happens in invaluable. Because we are designed to move, when we do move, we handle life far better. When faced with new information or a situation you have a choice. Don't take my word for it, test this theory yourself. Give 100% for 30 days or so and see how fast things will change.

Cory Brusseau is a widely respected expert on the subject of fitness, strength, and nutrition. To learn more, please visit: http://www.dynamicsofmotion.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cory_Brusseau

Changes at Gold's Gym Staying Competitive

2009-02-01T11:43:00.005-05:00

Gold's Gym continues to make changes to stay competitive in the fitness industry. Fitness Business Pro covers recent updates. Here's an excerpt and link to the full story:

IRVING, TX -- More than two months after David Schnabel’s resignation as CEO of Gold’s Gym International (GGI), the company has made more sweeping changes at its corporate headquarters.

Chief Operating Officer Mike Feinman, who joined GGI from 24 Hour Fitness less than a year ago, is no longer with the company. GGI eliminated Feinman’s position, according to a GGI memo sent to franchisees last week by new CEO James Weaver. Also, Chief Financial Officer Randy Shultz is leaving Gold’s, effective Feb. 7, to become a principal with an equity investment company in Philadelphia (full story here).

Cammilleri Family Buys World Gym

2009-01-11T07:52:00.004-05:00

On December 31, 2008, the Joyce J. Cammilleri family purchased World Gym International from Planet Fitness. Reports indicate that Mike Uretz, the former president and CEO who sold World Gym to Planet Fitness during 2006, will serve as an advisor to the new owners.

“We are thrilled to have purchased World Gym and to announce that the company will return to Southern California,” family spokesman Guy Cammilleri said in a statement.

“World Gym will once again be the home of serious fitness, and the first team members to join us are Karin Michael as director of franchisee relations and former CEO and industry veteran Mike Uretz.”

The Cammilleri family formerly co-owned and operated JOICO International, a global salon hair care company that was sold to Shiseido Cosmetics. You can read more about this new brief at Fitness Business Pro (continue reading).

Alcohol and Breast Cancer Research

2008-10-25T08:22:00.000-04:00

In a recent newsletter published by the National Council on Strength & Fitness (NCSF), researchers find links between the occurrence of breast cancer and the consumption of alcohol. Here is an excerpt of their report and a link to the NCSF website for more info:

While breast cancer risk is impacted by several lifestyle choices (body weight, physical activity and breastfeeding), research shows that it may be less affected by dietary choices than some other cancers, such as the cancers of the digestive tract. The major exception to this fact is a female’s alcohol consumption. According to the latest report on diet and cancer risk published by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) there is convincing evidence that alcohol intake increases an individual’s risk for breast cancer. An analysis of the research compiled by AICR found that breast cancer risk increases 6% - 10% for every 3 ounces of wine, 9 ounces of beer, or 1 ounce of 80-proof liquor consumed each day. Subsequent research supports these figures, noting a 3% - 15% increased risk for similar daily consumption. Alcohol may exert its impact in several different ways and researchers are working to identify which individuals may be most at risk. Many of the potential hypotheses involve mechanisms that foster DNA damage and can trigger the process of cancer development. For example, alcohol may disrupt absorption and use of folate, a B vitamin needed for production and repair of DNA. (Although some experts suggest that women who meet daily folate recommendations are less at risk, this is not seen consistently.) Another possibility is the breakdown of alcohol into acetaldehyde in the body, a compound that can react with cells' DNA and has been shown to cause cancer in animals. Lastly, when alcohol is metabolized, free radicals form; these highly reactive substances can cause DNA damage as well. << NCSF website here >>

Happy Food and the Good Mood Diet

2008-10-13T15:08:00.002-04:00

I'm an optimist. Is my rather cheerful mood and unrelenting optimism due to my diet? The foods I eat can positively affect my mood according to researchers, which claim certain foods, when eaten right, can improve your mood.

Research studies by Richard Wurtman, MD, and Judith Wurtman, PhD, at MIT have shown that snacking on readily digested carbohydrates, such as those in a bagel or cookie, can raise the brain's level of serotonin. Raising the levels of serotonin is one of the benefits sought after while taking modern antidepressant medications according to medical experts.

Here are a few of the diet related recommendations and the original resources to check out:

From Prevention Magazine and republished in a recent WebMD article, The Good Mood Diet:

Include protein in each of your three meals. This will raise blood levels of tryptophan, a chemical that eventually turns into serotonin. The best sources of tryptophan are poultry, seafood, and lean meat.
Have a small carbohydrate snack about 3 or 4 hours after each meal and about 1 hour before your next one. Make sure that your stomach is empty and that you eat no protein between meals. The carbohydrates should be easily digestible--such as one or two oatmeal cookies, a third of a bagel, a slice of whole wheat bread. This will cause tryptophan in your blood to enter the brain, where it is metabolized into serotonin. Elevated serotonin will improve your mood within 20 to 30 minutes. (Full article here)

The Good Mood Diet: Feel Great While You Lose Weight is a book published by author Dr. Susan Kleiner. It is a culmination of 25 years of her work in the field of nutrition, fitness and health. The Good Mood Diet nourishes your brain and your body. The Good Mood Diet is also a philosophy, an approach to life and food. Put together, it will give you more mental and physical energy, enhancing your mood and giving you greater mental focus. You can even feel great while you lose weight. You can visit Dr. Kleiner's blog here.

So what now? Eat, drink and be merry!

Family Sues YMCA After Son Drowned

2008-10-10T15:48:00.000-04:00

HUNTINGTON, NY -- The family of a high school senior who drowned at the Huntington YMCA (New York) last February has filed a lawsuit seeking $10 million in damages, according to Newsday.

The YMCA of Long Island oversees the Huntington facility and they were named as one of the defendants as well. The summons and complaint was filed on Sept. 11 in New York State Supreme Court, according to Newsday. The other defendants named are two lifeguards who were on duty at the time of the drowning, a third lifeguard on the premises at the time and the aquatics coordinator, also on the premises at the time of the accident.

The newspaper reported that Marc Dawson, a lifeguard at the Huntington YMCA, drowned in a 4-foot deep lap pool as he practiced holding his breath for SEAL training. He died a week after the accident, which occurred on February 18.

Also according to the newspaper report, the complaint alleges the defendants were “reckless, careless, and negligent in the ownership, operation, management, maintenance, control, life guarding and supervision of the subject premises.”

“What the family wants is justice,” Michael Perrotta, the lawyer representing the Dawson family, tells the newspaper. “They want the Y to be held responsible for the death of their son.”

It appears the family wants a boat load of money as well as justice.

Fitness Industry Improve Retention and Sales Articles

2008-10-10T15:35:00.000-04:00

Club Industry's Fitness Business Pro has an online how-to section that provides articles for industry fitness professionals interested in improving retention, increasing sales, energizing group exercise programming, etc.
Visit their site here to read articles from industry fitness experts.

Summary of their October "Step by Step" online section:

Step by Step: Clubs
Jenny Dell, marketing director for Legend Fitness, shares seven tips for retaining employees and heightening workplace morale.

Step by Step: Personal Training
Brian Grasso, CEO for the International Youth Conditioning Association, explores opportunities for trainers to work with youth.

Step by Step: Marketing
Don Jones, executive director of the Fitness Centre & Day Spa, offers tips about how to successfully hold a fitness sampler event.

Step by Step: Design
Kurt Broadhag, president of 23D Gym Design and K Allan Consulting, explains how to go green with environmentally friendly flooring.

Step by Step: Vendor Viewpoint
Peter Sheldon, vice president of Coverall Health-Based Cleaning System, describes the best ways to clean fitness facilities.

You can also participate as a columnist - contact Jennipher Shaver at:
Email: jennipher.shaver "at" penton.com
Send Jennipher a mug shot, a one-paragraph bio and three topic ideas (you'll be writing 750-word how-to articles).

Cut Cholesterol, Fish Oil and Red Yeast Rice

2008-08-09T08:13:00.000-04:00

According to a recent study, supplements may cut cholesterol as well as medications. Not good news for the drug companies, but great news for consumers.

We found the info published in a recent WebMD newsletter. Here is an excerpt and a link to the full article:

Supplements, Lifestyle Change Work as Well as Cholesterol-Lowering Medications in Small Study

By Kathleen Doheny, WebMD Health News

July 23, 2008 -- Supplements of fish oil and red yeast rice, coupled with lifestyle changes in diet and exercise habits, can reduce cholesterol as much as standard cholesterol-lowering medications known as statins, according to a new study.

But the study's lead author, David J. Becker, MD, a cardiologist at Chestnut Hill Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, emphasizes that the alternative approach is not for everyone.

"Statins remain the primary and best treatment for people with high cholesterol, especially if you have known coronary disease," Becker tells WebMD. The study evaluated only people with high cholesterol who did not yet have coronary disease.
The full article can be viewed here.

Even if you don't take medication to lower your cholesterol level, you can benefit by making better food choices that improve the quality of your life - live well and feel good everyday!