Life and Fitness Magazine Ireland

Irishman Begins Ascent Of ‘Unclimbable’ Everest

newsdesk — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:09:04 +0000

A Dublin man is bidding reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain this weekend despite one of the world’s most famous mountaineers already describing Mount Everest as “unclimbable” this season.

After two hard months on the mountain, Cian O’Brolchain (31) and his expedition from ‘Jagged Globe’ have left base camp on a trip that will hopefully see them standing on the top of the 29,029-ft mountain by Sunday. Cian, who is hoping to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis, will join the ranks of only a handful of Irish people to have successfully achieved the summit.

The success rate is very low on any Everest expedition, and this season in particular has seen its fair share of tragedy with the loss of some climbers and Sherpa mountaineers in the preparation for a summit attempt.

One of the world’s best know and experienced mountaineers, Russell Brice, who has been leading expeditions to the Himalayas since 1974, departed the mountain declaring it ‘unclimbable’ this season. However, Cian and his expedition from ‘Jagged Globe’ have tracked new routes and managed to achieve the scheduled preparation plan.

O’Brolchain is an experienced Irish mountaineer. Last year, he managed to summit Cho Oyu, the 6th Highest Mountain in the World at 8,200mtrs, as part of his preparation for the Everest expedition. In early 2011, Cian had to abandon his attempt to summit Mount McKinley (Denali) in Alaska, after spending seven nights stranded in a high camp where he ran out of food and fuel supplies and experienced temperatures of -35 C.

Everest, however, he hopes will be kinder. The weather window, which only opens up for 5-14 days per years, is now looking favourable to allow him to stand on the top of the world on Sunday, 20th May.

Speaking shortly before leaving base camp this week, Cian acknowledged that he had been encouraged throughout his training and preparation by the support of those associated with his ‘32 Steps for Cystic Fibrosis’ fundraising initiative, which saw him lead climbs up the highest points in each of Ireland’s 32 counties.

“This is the last part of that campaign and my most challenging climb to date. I feel pretty good. I’m excited but nervous about the summit attempt. I have tried to keep myself busy organising my gear, cameras, food, and other things. Some people seem to be very worried about the weather and other things such as using oxygen. I am just trying to focus on myself and what I can do to climb the mountain,” Cian added.

During the summit push, which will last for five days, the expedition team will need to cope with temperatures as low as -30c and the side effects of lower oxygen at altitude.

Follow Cian’s updates and pictures from the climb on his ‘Ireland to Everest Expedition’ Facebook page.

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IRFU & NDC Sports Nutrition Seminar in Galway

newsdesk — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:45:18 +0000

Performance Nutritionists, who work with professional rugby players and understand the nutrition demands specifically for rugby, delivered the technical content of the workshop.

Ruth Kilcawley, Performance Nutritionist, Connacht Rugby Academy told coaches at the workshop that good sports nutrition practices must be built on a solid foundation of a healthy diet which meets the needs of young athletes.

‘Young rugby players gain most from sports nutrition after they apply healthy eating practices to their every day lives. Core sport nutrition concepts such as recovery and hydration can then make a significant difference to their performance.’ said Ms. Kilcawley.

Ruth Wood-Martin, IRFU Performance Nutritionist explained: “Food is the fuel used to support growth in young players as well as providing for the extra energy demand of exercise. The main fuels used during exercise are fat and carbohydrate, and both of these fuels are stored in the muscles that allow them to work during exercise. Without sufficient amounts of the right type of fuel, every athlete’s ability to perform in sport will suffer.”

Ms Wood-Martin said that the timing of food intake to best prepare for exercise and recovery after exercise is important. “The aim before exercise is to top-up energy stores (called glycogen in muscle and liver) and maintain steady blood sugar levels,” explains Ms. Wood-Martin. “After exercise, the key is to re-fuel the energy stores that have been used up during the exercise session, and provide the right mix of nutrients to support physical adaptations that happen as a result of the exercise.”

The role of fluids in achieving good hydration was also explored. Ruth Kilcawley said that fluid is vital for life and makes up over half of the body weight. “Exercise increases heat production in the body. Good hydration helps to maintain an efficient cooling system, allowing players to sweat effectively to keep body temperature under control,” said Ms Kilcawley. “Dehydration due to a lack of fluid availability will result in over-heating and ultimately can affect the ability to continue with high intensity exercise. This is especially important in the young player who can become dehydrated very easily”.

“This seminar for coaches is timely as more and more research points to an interesting role for milk and dairy foods within sports nutrition – for example research reported from Loughborough University highlights the effectiveness of skimmed milk as a re-hydration drink after sports; in addition to research from Northumbria University highlighting the beneficial role of milk and milk based products in recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage,” explains Caroline O’Donovan, Nutritionist, The National Dairy Council.

“When you exercise or train and when you compete or take part in matches, you have to replace what you lose, for example in terms of hydration, energy stores and helping your muscles to recover,” says Ms. O’Donovan. “These seminars offer coaches expert nutritional advice which they can use to inform their players, and the National Dairy Council is delighted to facilitate them for various sporting organisations around the country”.

Milk It For All It’s Worth is the theme of a three year EU funded ‘Milk in Action’ campaign, a collaborative venture between The National Dairy Council (Ireland) and The Dairy Council (England and Wales), who partner with The Dairy Council (Northern Ireland).

The “Milk In Action” programme in Ireland is co-funded by the European Union, The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and by the industry with funds raised through NDC members in Ireland. The campaign is implemented under Council Regulation (EC) No 3/2008 on information provision and promotion measures for agricultural products on the internal market and in third countries.

An interactive workshop to provide coaches of young rugby players with up to date sports nutritional information took place in Connacht Rugby Sportsground, Galway City on Wednesday 16th May 2012. Organised jointly by the IRFU & The National Dairy Council as part of the Milk it For All It’s Worth campaign, it set out to up-skill coaches working with players ranging from about 12 – 16 years of age, providing practical nutritional advice which can help to improve sports performance to the best of each young person’s ability.
Performance Nutritionists, who work with professional rugby players and understand the nutrition demands specifically for rugby, delivered the technical content of the workshop.
Ruth Kilcawley, Performance Nutritionist, Connacht Rugby Academy told coaches at the workshop that good sports nutrition practices must be built on a solid foundation of a healthy diet which meets the needs of young athletes.
‘Young rugby players gain most from sports nutrition after they apply healthy eating practices to their every day lives. Core sport nutrition concepts such as recovery and hydration can then make a significant difference to their performance.’ said Ms. Kilcawley.

.
Ruth Wood-Martin, IRFU Performance Nutritionist explained: “Food is the fuel used to support growth in young players as well as providing for the extra energy demand of exercise. The main fuels used during exercise are fat and carbohydrate, and both of these fuels are stored in the muscles that allow them to work during exercise. Without sufficient amounts of the right type of fuel, every athlete’s ability to perform in sport will suffer.”
Ms Wood-Martin said that the timing of food intake to best prepare for exercise and recovery after exercise is important. “The aim before exercise is to top-up energy stores (called glycogen in muscle and liver) and maintain steady blood sugar levels,” explains Ms. Wood-Martin. “After exercise, the key is to re-fuel the energy stores that have been used up during the exercise session, and provide the right mix of nutrients to support physical adaptations that happen as a result of the exercise.”
The role of fluids in achieving good hydration was also explored. Ruth Kilcawley said that fluid is vital for life and makes up over half of the body weight. “Exercise increases heat production in the body. Good hydration helps to maintain an efficient cooling system, allowing players to sweat effectively to keep body temperature under control,” said Ms Kilcawley. “Dehydration due to a lack of fluid availability will result in over-heating and ultimately can affect the ability to continue with high intensity exercise. This is especially important in the young player who can become dehydrated very easily”.

.
“This seminar for coaches is timely as more and more research points to an interesting role for milk and dairy foods within sports nutrition – for example research reported from Loughborough University highlights the effectiveness of skimmed milk as a re-hydration drink after sports; in addition to research from Northumbria University highlighting the beneficial role of milk and milk based products in recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage,” explains Caroline O’Donovan, Nutritionist, The National Dairy Council.
“When you exercise or train and when you compete or take part in matches, you have to replace what you lose, for example in terms of hydration, energy stores and helping your muscles to recover,” says Ms. O’Donovan. “These seminars offer coaches expert nutritional advice which they can use to inform their players, and the National Dairy Council is delighted to facilitate them for various sporting organisations around the country”.
Milk It For All It’s Worth is the theme of a three year EU funded ‘Milk in Action’ campaign, a collaborative venture between The National Dairy Council (Ireland) and The Dairy Council (England and Wales), who partner with The Dairy Council (Northern Ireland).
The “Milk In Action” programme in Ireland is co-funded by the European Union, The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and by the industry with funds raised through NDC members in Ireland. The campaign is implemented under Council Regulation (EC) No 3/2008 on information provision and promotion measures for agricultural products on the internal market and in third countries.

References

Shirreffs SM et al. (2007) Milk as an effective rehydration drink. British Journal of Nutrition 98: 173-180.

Cockburn et al. (2008) Acute milk-based protein-CHO supplementation attenuates exercise-induced muscle damage. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism 33; 775-783.

Profile – Participating Performance Nutritionists

Ruth Wood-Martin has worked as a Registered Dietitian for over 20 years. She is a registered Sports and Exercise Nutritionist (SEN UK), has gained Technical Membership in Nutrition with the Irish Institute of Sport and currently works full time as the Performance Nutritionist with the Irish Rugby Football Union.

Her main focus is with the National Senior squad where she is responsible for the nutrition education of players as well as advising on meal plans and hydration and recovery strategies during national camp assemblies. She also includes talented younger players as a focus for nutrition education and development. Ruth believes that the goals of nutritional support for performance are:

· To translate the science of sports nutrition into everyday eating and drinking practices

· To deliver effective sports nutrition advice to players by working with them, their coaches and other sports performance professionals

· To use the most up-to-date evidence-based practice to deliver sports nutrition advice that makes a difference.

Ruth Kilcawley is a sports nutritionist based in the west of Ireland. She graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 2002 with BSc in Human Nutrition & Dietetics (Hons) and also holds an honours diploma in Dietetics from Dublin Institute of Technology. She has worked in sport nutrition for over ten years and specialises in Nutrition support for young development athletes. She is also a specialist in the role of Nutrition in mental health & sporting performance. She is a member of the INDI and is a high performance sport nutrition provider for the Irish institute of Sport.

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4 in 10 People Would Not Want to Know if a Loved One was Suffering from Depression

newsdesk — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:28:59 +0000

Campaign encourages those affected by depression to Lean on their Pharmacist

Four in ten people in Ireland have admitted that they would not want to know if a friend or loved one was suffering from depression, according to research undertaken for the launch of Lean on Me Pharmacy, an extension of the successful Lean on Me depression awareness campaign. The statistic shows that a significant proportion of people still have difficulty discussing the topic of depression openly.

The research also showed that 39% of people, however, are comfortable talking to their pharmacist about depression, with 49% of respondents agreeing pharmacists can provide useful information on mental health.

Supported by Lundbeck and the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), the Lean on Me Pharmacy campaign aims to encourage the one in ten people in Ireland affected by depression1 to consider their community pharmacist as a source of advice and support.

Actress Mary McEvoy, who lives with depression and manages it on an ongoing basis, is supporting Lean on Me Pharmacy. She said at the launch, “I have lived with depression for over 15 years and it is the community support network that I have around me that helps me now to manage my condition and lead an engaging life.”

“I need different levels of support at different times and my pharmacist and GP play an important support role, in addition to my friends and family. I am on medication to manage my depression and I have a great relationship with my local pharmacist who is available at all times to answer any questions, queries or concerns I may have about the condition or my treatment.”

While people say they are very comfortable talking to pharmacists about physical conditions like colds (73%), headaches (73%) and minor injuries (71%), they do not necessarily immediately associate pharmacists as source of support for depression. The launch of Lean on Me Pharmacy is the first step in strengthening this association and making the Irish public aware of the availability and accessibility of pharmacists as a support when living with depression.

President of the IPU, Rory O’Donnell said, “Community pharmacists are healthcare professionals who are just as qualified to support people living with depression as they are to advise on other chronic physical ailments like diabetes and high blood pressure. While research shows a significant number of people do feel they can approach their pharmacist about depression, we want to reach out to everyone who may have depression, which is why the IPU has joined the Lean on Me campaign.”

“Because depression is not diagnosed with a blood test or other diagnostic tool people find it more difficult to understand and, therefore, a difficult subject to broach. Lean on Me Pharmacy is about encouraging people to talk about depression and to understand that support is available.”

“Non-compliance with antidepressant medication is an issue and it’s very heartening to note from the research that the majority (65%) of people would accept advice from a pharmacist if advised to continue on antidepressants. Community pharmacists are available to talk to people with depression about their treatment and to advise on how their condition can be managed as part of their overall recovery.”

Eithne Boyan, Managing Director, Lundbeck (Ireland) Ltd, said, “The Lean on Me Pharmacy campaign builds on the existing education campaign that has been very successful in bringing depression out into the open.”

“Lean on Me Pharmacy is another step in this journey and I would encourage people to log on to www.leanonme.net to learn more about depression and how they might provide support.”

Research Highlights*:

· 65% of people are unaware that a pharmacist is able to advise about depression.

· Half of all adults in Ireland are unaware that pharmacies have a consultation area for private discussion.

· GPs are the first point of contact for information or help for people with depression (77%), or if a family member is suffering with depression (74%).

· Two in five people (39%) say they are comfortable talking to their pharmacist about depression, with 49% agreeing pharmacists can provide useful information on mental health.

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New Pilates Studio in Clontarf Launching This Saturday May 19th

newsdesk — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:06:36 +0000

Free classes and discounts up for grabs on the day!

Pilates Centre is having a launch to celebrate opening a gorgeous new Pilates studio on Clontarf Road, this Saturday 19^th May. We’d love you to stop by between 11am-2pm so we can show you what we have to offer:

10 Allegro 2 Reformer Machines

We are the so excited to be the only studio in Ireland with the newest Reformers on the market! Reformers have a moving carriage and springs are used for added resistance or assistance to your movements. Great for getting you to a lean Pilates body quicker. Also great for rehab if you have an injury and want to work safely.

Barre Blitz

Pilates Centre was the first to bring a high tempo Pilates and Barre fusion class to Ireland! The class generally has a waiting list in the Glasnevin studio so we’re dying to share it with Clontarf! Expect a challenging workout on the Ballet barre with some bootcamp style Pilates to finish you off!

Pilates Mat

At Pilates Centre you will be guided through a flowing class with lots of focus on posture and core strength. These classes are great for general fitness and body awareness. You’ll learn techniques that you can carry with you for life!

Yoga

Yoga will also be available at our Clontarf location. In our Vinyasa Yoga class you can expect a flowing series of movements that will challenge your strength and flexibility, helping you to achieve a calmer mind and stretch away the stresses of your day.

Classes start Monday the 21^st of May

Special opening offer!!! 5 classes for €50

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Asthma Society of Ireland Launch New Sports & Exercise Toolkit at European Conference

newsdesk — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:04:20 +0000

The Asthma Society of Ireland launched a new toolkit, Reach Your Peak with Asthma to help and encourage people with asthma to take part in sports and exercise. The launch took place on Saturday 12^th of May as the Asthma Society hosted the AGM of EFA, the European Federation for asthma and allergy patients, held in Dublin. Asthma patients from a variety of sporting fields and clubs were invited to join member delegates from more than 15 countries across Europe, where they were given expert information on exercising with asthma and a copy of the Reach Your Peak with Asthma pack.

Louis Coyne, Asthma Society of Ireland Research and Education Officer and Professor Stephen Lane pictured at the Reach Your Peak launch

Reach Your Peak with Asthma was endorsed by John O’Shea, Republic of Ireland International Soccer Player and Asthma Society of Ireland Ambassador. John O’Shea said: “I’ve had asthma since I was a kid but I haven’t let it hold me back. Keeping my asthma under control has been vital in achieving my sporting goals. By following the Reach Your Peak tips and keeping your asthma under control you too can get the most out of exercise and succeed in any sport.”

Reach Your Peak with Asthma comprises three useful tools, an information booklet, poster and wallet card, to help adults and children with asthma exercise safely. The booklet contains comprehensive information on all aspects of exercising with asthma including the steps to take before you exercise, asthma information for coaches and PE teachers and a sport specific guide on exercising with asthma. The poster is designed to be displayed in schools and sports clubs to give pupils, members, teachers and coaches, access to important information on exercising with asthma and what to do in an asthma attack. The wallet card is a vital personal asthma tool which is easy to carry in your pocket or gym bag and contains ‘Top Tips for Exercising with Asthma’ and an Asthma Emergency Plan detailing what to do in an asthma attack.

Professor Stephen Lane, Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Tallaght and Peamont Hospitals and member of the Asthma Society of Ireland Medical Board gave a talk on asthma and exercise to patients at the open day and was on hand to answer questions. Professor Lane said, “Asthma should not be a barrier for anyone taking part in sport and exercise. In fact, research has shown that a structured exercise regime can improve asthma control. However it is important that people with asthma know their triggers and how to manage their asthma so that they can remain healthy and perform to their fullest ability. The Asthma Society’s Reach Your Peak with Asthma pack is a comprehensive toolkit, giving vital information to anyone with asthma or anyone supervising exercise or sporting activities.”

Dr Jean Holohan, CEO of the Asthma Society and Angela Edghill, Chairperson of the Asthma Society pictured at the Reach Your Peak launch

Dr Jean Holohan, CEO, of the Asthma Society said “Ireland has the 4th highest prevalence of asthma worldwide, 470,000 people in Ireland suffer with the condition₁. Nearly 60% of asthma sufferers in Ireland do not have their asthma under control. Once asthma is under control and the correct precautions are taken asthma should not be a barrier to succeeding in any sport.”

To order your Reach Your Peak with Asthma pack or to speak confidentially with an asthma nurse, call 1850 44 54 64. Alternatively the Reach Your Peak with Asthma booklet, poster and wallet card are available for free download at www.asthmasociety.ie.

——

About Asthma:

Asthma is an inflammatory condition that affects the airways – the small tubes that carry the air in and out of the lungs. People with asthma have airways that are extra sensitive to substances (or triggers) which irritate them. Common triggers include cold and flu, cigarette smoke, exercise and allergic responses to pollen, furry or feathery animals or house-dust mites.

When the airways come into contact with an asthma trigger, the muscle around the walls of the airways tighten so that the airways become narrower. The lining of the airways swell and produce a sticky mucus. As the airways narrow, it becomes difficult for the air to move in and out. That is why people with asthma wheeze and find breathing difficult.

Whilst there is no cure, asthma can be controlled by avoiding ‘triggers’ and by the use of ‘reliever’ and ‘controller’ medication. Relievers are medicines that people with asthma take immediately when asthma symptoms appear. Controllers help calm the airways and stop them from being so sensitive.

Talk to your GP or asthma nurse about which treatment is most suitable for you.

About the Asthma Society of Ireland

The Asthma Society of Ireland is the national charity representing the more than 470,000 adults and children with asthma in Ireland.

We support asthma patient and their families by providing a wide rage of high quality information and education services free of charge. We raise awareness about asthma and the importance of good asthma management with patient and the wider public, and actively engage with healthcare professionals, government departments and third party organisations to keep asthma high on the agenda. The Asthma Society also supports research and innovative projects which investigate the causes and treatment of asthma.

The Asthma Society’s goal is to optimise asthma control for all patient through services, awareness, advocacy, research and development; enabling all patients to enjoy optimal asthma control and quality of life.

About EFA

The European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Associations (EFA) was founded in 1991. There are over 100 million people with asthma, allergy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Europe.

EFA is a European network of patient organisations that provides a forum for groups who share the same aims to effectively work together serving the needs and safeguarding the rights of patients and their carers. EFA’s office are located in Brussels and their current President is Irishwoman and Asthma Society of Ireland Board Member, Breda Flood.

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The 10k Record – An Inspirational Story

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:31:13 +0000

How do you create a World Record?

Why would you want to?

How do you even prepare for it?

These are just some of the questions that are answered in a new book written by Christopher Healy which is being launched in Hughes & Hughes in Ennis, Co. Clare this Saturday 5th May.

In early 2010 Christopher (Christy) Healy and his wife Trish were told that their only child, Stephen (18) had Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (cancer of the lymphoid tissue). The family faced the illness head on. A cousin of Christy’s who visited the hospital regularly was Jonathan Mangan who was also an active volunteer with The Share a Dream Foundation who do incredible work for sick children all over Ireland.

To ‘give something back’/ ‘pay it forward’ for all the help and support received by the Healy family, Christy decided, as you do, to set a new World Record scuba diving 10 kilometers underwater to raise funds for Share a Dream. Christy is an experienced dive instructor having first trained with Burren Sub Aqua Club in 1998 and now runs the Atlantic Diving School in Ennis, Co. Clare (The coastline of which offers some of the country’s best dive spots). Christy’s namesake, Saint Christopher is the Patron Saint of Travelers and is especially revered by athletes, mariners and ferrymen I am told. Scuba diving wasn’t around in his time, and if it was he probably would have advised against such a crazy notion.

To swim 10k is a feat in itself. To do it underwater kitted up in full diving gear is another matter altogether. To counteract the buoyancy in a wetsuit you must wear a weight belt (weighing over two stone in most cases) along with a cumbersome bottle of air and other diving paraphernalia. To say you’re not exactly streamlined is an understatement!

On top of that you are limited to just using your legs for forward propulsion as your arms, unlike swimming on the surface, are useless for swimming underwater while wearing fins. For this reason most scuba divers do not cover a lot of ground on a dive, although a good level of fitness is preferable to ensure a safe enjoyable dive experience. It was clear that Christy had to be fit for the challenge.

Christy took up cycling as he felt it was ‘a great way to get the lungs working’ and was supported by a group of friends who accompanied him on cycles of up to 30km a day. Along with this he also started to do press-ups and sit-ups to harden the body. Six weeks before the World Record attempt fitness trainer Neil Barrett gave him a special exercise training program along with nutritional advice on what to eat and drink. He had to train 6 days a week -- two days diving, two days running (one of which was a jog & sprint exercise on a treadmill gradually increasing the repetitions and the other purely running), one day body training (resistance training) and one day where he had to spend an hour on a trampoline. He was advised to consume 3000 calories a day with a high protein diet (including meats, nuts, seeds, pasta etc.) and drink 3 litres of water a day and an extra litre while training. In order to be able to drink clean water while diving a special bag which released water when a hose was bitten on was used.

The amount of preparation and work that went into the attempt is an inspiration to all and I encourage you to buy the book to understand the full extent of the lengths a man will go to for the love of his son. You can also win a signed copy of the book (see below for details).

And what about Christy’s son Stephen? Well I am happy to say that after six months of Chemotherapy and a kidney operation Stephen has been given the all clear.

This video is of the presentation of the Guinness World Record Cert along with some footage from the dive itself.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl-OzVkH4jI

This site is the 3rd stop on a Virtual Book Tour leading up to the launch in Hughes & Hughes in Ennis on Saturday. Day 1 was at Journeying Beyond Breast Cancer, Day 2 at De-Stress 4 Life, Day 4 at Write Words and Day 5 at CG Online Marketing

To get your hands on an autographed copy of ‘The 10K Record’ just do the following

Leave a comment below or head over and like the Atlantic Diving School Facebook Page and leave your comment there – or leave a comment in both places and double your chances!

Your comment must start with ‘Today I’m Diving ____________’ (into the ironing, into a tub of ice-cream, into the Red Sea… what ever you like – be creative)

And that’s it… easy right?

Books will be signed at the official launch on Saturday evening (5th May) at Hughes & Hughes, Ennis. Books will be shipped on Monday (7th May) via normal non trackable postage, but we will ship to you no matter where you are in the world.

A personal message can be written within each book once we receive your message on time – before 5pm on Saturday the 5th of May.

If you would like to buy your own copy of the book, they will be available to purchase online after Sunday morning (6th of May) on Christopher Healy’s Authors Page. Books are also available to pre-order with Hughes & Hughes bookstores throughout Ireland, and those in the Ennis, Co. Clare area are welcome to come to the official book launch and signing in Hughes & Hughes, Ennis… full details which can be found over on the Atlantic Diving School Facebook event page.

This next video was filmed recently by Christy on a dive at Doolin in Co. Clare. While it doesn’t really have anything to do with the above story, I thought it would be nice to share. Especially since the resident Doolin Dolphin features greatly in it!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uhgcg7gR_U

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A new body in 4 minutes?

newsdesk2 — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:44:22 +0000

by Adrian Harper, Pro Fitness Gym

Training can be hard for many people, particularly if you have no training partner or personal trainer. Many people exercise daily and still find it hard to achieve results. Although nutrition is far more important (in my eyes anyway) to seeing real results there is no getting away from the fact that you also must put the effort in the gym. We have a wide variety of clients but im pretty sure if we asked every one of them what they wanted from their training most would say “to look and feel better”. Could you help that process in 4 minutes?

To get in to great shape to me means having a nicely defined body and visible abdominals. Unfortunatly trying to achieve this look is where many people get their training wRong by training incorrectly and by not having enough intensity in their training sessions. Weight training is essential to achieving the body you want and a properly designed programme from your personal trainer should contain some form of interval training. A favourite of ours is a high intensity interval training protocol known as a Tabata Protocol which if done correctly may be the best fat loss too you could have in your locker and the best thing is it only takes 4 minutes, yes FOUR minutes to complete.

WHAT IS TABATA

Dr. Izumi Tabata and his colleagues at the National Institute of Health and Nutrition in Japan invented this popular method of training. Tabata Training cycles intervals of 20 seconds of maximum intensity exercise with 10 seconds of rest, repeated without pause 8 times for a total of 4 minutes. You must work with all out effort, pacing yourself is not an option or this simply wont work. ProFitness Gym clients regularly add this type of training to their workouts(without knowing the science behind it!!)

20 seconds work
10 seconds rest
for a total of 4 minutes

On paper this looks easy, in reality its not but you will reap the rewards if you add even one to two tabata sessions weekly to your current training regime(no matter how good or bad it is). According the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, “Six to 8 very hard 20-second intervals with 10-second rest periods may be one of the best possible training protocols.”

TABATA EXERCISE EXAMPLES

Skipping
Punch Bag
TRX
Kettlebells
Dumbells
Barbells
Various Bodyweight drills

WHAT IF YOU JUST CANT HANDLE TABATA TRAINING

This is no problem as we can simply modify it so you can achieve the great benefits of this programme which may be working as hard as you can for 10 seconds and resting for 20 seconds x8 sets. This can be an ongoing progression until you are able to follow the full tabata protocol.

Striking the balance with high intensity interval training is highly important as many who start to add various types of interval training tend to overkill and results diminsh. Following a properly designed eating plan and periodized weight training programme is VITAL if you are to achieve the best results. Now if you have 4 minutes to spare 2-3 times a week you are now armed with one of the fastest ways to drop bodyfat! The exercise combinations really are endless and this is where you can be creative and try new exercises!

So from today I want you to step outside of your comfort zone and train a little bit harder and I would love your feedback on how you got on with your tabatas!!

Adrian Harper

Pro Fitness Gym

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Natural is Backwith The Bermuda (Triangle that is) at Carter Beauty! Top Bikini Wax Trends

newsdesk2 — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:48:00 +0000

It’s getting to that time of the year when bikinis makes an appearance and when it comes to bikini lines or pubic topiary, there’s a fine line between tidy and sexy and looking like a lap dancer! The latest hot trend in bikini line maintenance is the ‘Bermuda’. Yes, landing strips have been banished and in its place the Bermuda – a neat and tidy triangle that follows your natural shape is in and favoured by the high fashion set as Crystal Renn recently showcased recently in French Vogue.

Beauty maven, Marissa Carter talks about how to get in shape for the beach — and we’re not talking about body types! According to Marissa the new shapes are “the triangle”, “the upside-down triangle”, and “the au naturel”, which is essentially a tidied-up version of what ladies already have. The new rules for bikini waxing is when you lift your leg, there shouldn’t be any hair below the crease. Hair should be trimmed right before its natural curl and kept to your own natural shape, just much neater and much tidier.”

Carter Beauty use Waxperts Wax for intimate areas bringing waxing without the ‘ouch’. This high quality wax gently and effectively removes hair as short as 1mm.Once melted, the wax gives off a deliciously sensual lavender scent from aromatherapy essential oils. To ensure waxing is 100% pain-free, low temperatures are used and the wax is formulated with skin nurturing and conditioning ingredients which reduce likelihood of inflammation as well as soothing skin.

Carter Beauty Top Tips for Bikini Waxing

Keep on top of your bikini wax appointments- every 4-6 weeks to keep pain to a minimum
Get waxed at least 4 days before leaving for holidays
If you are prone to irritated skin consult your doctor or pharmacist about taking antihistamines 1 hour before an appointment
If you have a low pain threshold let the salon know when booking the appointment so they can book out extra time around the appointment so they can go at a slower pace during the appointment
Avoid at home waxing as it can lead to ingrown hairs.
Exfoliate before waxing using a non-oil and non-sea salt based exfoliator
Trim hairs to 1 ½ cm before appointments
Avoid bikini waxing during menstruation
Take a cold shower before a waxing appointment

Carter Beauty Bermuda Wax is €45. Carter Beauty is based at 40 Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. www.carterbeauty.ie Tel: 01-2103624.

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Irish nursing home in successful new approach to dementia care

newsdesk2 — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:39:38 +0000

Moorehall Lodge in Ardee, Co Louth, is the first nursing home in Ireland to adapt a new and successful approach to dementia care that could have profound implications for future elder care in Ireland.

Moorehall Lodge is typical of a new kind of care facility, one in which the goal of care is to create an environment that more closely resembles a home, not a hospital.

The staff don’t wear uniforms, the residents have an equal say in what goes on there, and there is a strong emphasis on treating people with dementia as people first.

At first glance the communal areas can seem chaotic – instead of clinical order, visitors are confronted with rummage boxes, domestic items, musical instruments, work items from residents’ past careers and more.

But amid the chaos there is a rational approach to caring for people with dementia that is meeting with significant success, with happy residents, staff and families.

Termed the Butterfly Approach, it is based on the belief that people with dementia are primarily emotional rather than thinking-based and, as a result, nurses and carers needs to learn a new way of relating to them.

The approach has been pioneered by David Sheard of British-based Dementia Care Matters, and integrated by Michael McCoy of Moorehall Lodge, Ardee.

Michael McCoy is available for interview on the success of the Butterfly Programme, and its implications for dementia care in the country.

For further information contact:

Michael McCoy, Moorehall Lodge, 086 232 3666 / 041 685 6990

Darren Hughes, MediaConsult, 086 293 7037

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New Irish Start-Up Mind And Bodyworks Empowers Women To Lead A Happier And Healthier Lifestyle

newsdesk2 — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:51:43 +0000

Mind and Bodyworks is a new Irish start-up company that offers a unique six-week course,empowering women in their late forties and fifties to face the challenges of mid-life. This course will inspire and educate women to deal with issues affecting them at this time of their lives.As seen in The Irish Times the coursetopics such as balancing your life, body-care, make-up, skincare, body shape and dress sense, will give women the tools necessary to grow confidence from the inside out.

On approaching their fifties, founders Theresa and Lorraine became awareof the many changes that were taking place both emotionally and physically,which, in turn, needed to be revisited and somehow dealt with. They felt that there were limited resources available for women of this age in terms of support and encouragement. With that,Mind and Bodyworks was born, combining education with fun and practical ways to enjoy this special time of life in a healthy and achievable way.

Having spent 30 years working in the beauty, fashion, health and fitness industries…not to mention nearly 100 years of life experience between them, Theresa and Lorraine feel that they have designed a course that will be of real benefit to women. Mind and Bodyworks was also featured on TV3’s ‘The Morning Show’, to watch the interview click here.

After taking part in the Women’s Way LIVE event recently, Theresa and Lorraine realised that there was a very strong interest from women outside the Dublin area. They found that women felt they had no access to information with regard to healthy aging, menopause, and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset with regard to getting older. It was evident that identifying with this demographic was seen as somewhat of a lifeline for the interested women.

The feeling for most was that being over 50, and all that comes with it left them feeling that they did not matter in the scheme of things, mainly due to the fact that media attention in general, seems to concentrate on the younger, more glamorous models!

Mind and Bodyworks will be running open evenings throughout the country in the coming weeks. For anyone interested in attending an open evening, e-mail info@mindandbodyworks.ie with your name and location. For more information you can visit the website: www.mindandbodyworks.ie.

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