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Low-Income Women Living In Small Cities Have Higher Chance Of Obesity

2010-03-10T18:53:00.001-08:00

A recent Kansas State University study found that the availability of supermarkets -- rather than the lack of them -- increased the risk of obesity for low-income women living in small cities. This suggests that policies to increase healthful eating behaviors might need to be tailored based on geographic location...

Source: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today

Diamyd Medical: Diamyd US Phase III Study Well Under Way

2010-03-10T18:50:00.001-08:00

Diamyd Medical (STO:DIAMB)(Pink Sheets:DMYDY) announces today that one hundred study participants have been included in the ongoing US Phase III study, DiaPrevent. The global Phase III program with the company's lead drug candidate Diamyd® has thereby enrolled more than 430 children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in Europe and the USA...

Source: Diabetes News From Medical News Today

Panera Bread: Calories on Menus Everywhere

2010-03-10T15:54:00.001-08:00

Filed under: Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

Do you know how many calories are in your soup, salad or sandwich? If you are a fan of Panera, you will definitely know starting in April, whether you want to or not.

The popular bakery will become the first national chain to voluntarily post calorie information on all company-owned Panera Bread and Saint Louis Bread Co. menu boards.

"We are pleased to be the first national concept to provide this level of transparency to customers," Scott Davis, Panera's chief concept officer, said in a press release. "It comes from our commitment to providing nutrition information and wholesome foods our customers can trust."

Though the move is quite bold, it is not the first of its kind. In July 2008, in an effort to combat the obesity epidemic, New York became the first U.S. city to require fast food restaurants with at least 15 stores to prominently post calorie counts on menu boards. Other major cities have followed, and the results have been promising.

"There is no downside to learning about what is in your food," said Bonnie Taub-Dix, dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. "Labels can be very overwhelming, but when the mandatory nutrition labeling went into effect, it was a wake-up call for people who didn't realize that their light, quick breakfast muffin was 600 calories. Any company that is willing to be forthcoming with food labeling is to be commended. They're going to be honest about what is in your food."

According to a January study in the American Journal of Public Health, restaurant menus that included calorie information encourage customers to make better choices when dining out.

As the menus have been introduced throughout the country, customers have had a favorable response, choosing options that allow them more freedom to customize their meals.

But although the evidence is strong, there is still some debate whether menu labeling works if it isn't accompanied by a broader public awareness campaign. One study found that in low-income neighborhoods, menu labeling didn't seem to encourage people to make healthier choices.

Now that companies are labeling their food, only one question remains: Are misleading nutrition labels actually making you fat?

Let us know what you think about Panera's move! Would you like to see more calorie information on all menus, or do you find that ignorance is bliss when it comes to dining at chain restaurants?

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Source: That's Fit

Daily Stretching: When Work Is a Workout

2010-03-10T09:55:00.001-08:00

Filed under: The Good, The Fat and The Hungry, Fitness, Motivation

In a past work life many moons ago, I sat at a desk all day. I stared into the face of a monitor and only moved from that spot when I wanted or needed to. I was pretty much sedentary during the day, but worked out regularly to compensate. Running and lifting weights gave me extra energy that I did not miss until I stopped doing it. Looking back, I had it pretty good.

Fast forward to my current work life as a real estate broker in New York City, where I am up and down six-story walk-up buildings all day in addition to beating the streets akin to the postman -- in rain, sleet or snow -- and needless to say, I am exhausted.

Finding the time to exercise regularly has been near impossible. When my phone rings, I have to go. In a business where you eat what you kill, willingness to go is an absolute must. However, without exercising I don't really have the energy I need to keep going at this speed. What I have done is form some semblance of compromise by committing to daily stretching. I know that stretching does not burn a massive amount of calories but it does keep me from feeling stiff. After hours of walking and stair climbing my calves and lower back were beginning to hurt.

Traditionally I have been taught to stretch before working out but never considered working an actual workout. I am aware of the benefits of stretching and the fact that it increases flexibility but had not considered the benefits outside the gym. Now that my work is so physically demanding I can not only see but also feel the benefits. Doing it daily has diminished the tightness in my calves and has alleviated all back pain. Not only has stretching increased my flexibility but the deep breathing also relieves stress. I feel better and am keeping up with the rat race at its impossible pace.

By no means is stretching meant to replace my exercise routine. Once I am on firm footing with my schedule it will once again be in addition to. However, right now doing something is better than nothing. The fact that I still am not at 100 percent is motivation to get back to an exercise routine that will help bolster my energy. I'm looking forward to a time not far away when all my running around will simply be for my pleasure.

While stretching may not replace a workout routine, find out how mastering the stairs can!

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Source: That's Fit

Storing megawatts: Liquid metal batteries and electricity

2010-03-10T07:12:00.001-08:00

Making aluminum requires a lot of electricity. That's because the metal bonds tightly to oxygen and it takes a lot of energy to break that bond. In essence, the process of making aluminum is a giant battery with the silvery metal being reduced to purity at the cathode while oxygen bonds with the carbon anode to make, you guessed it, CO2. It takes roughly 15 kilowatt-hours of electricity to make just one kilogram of aluminum via electrolysis. [More]

Source: Scientific American - Alternative Energy Technology

The Most Useless Exercises To Waste Time And Effort With – Part 1

2010-03-10T06:57:00.001-08:00

There are some exercises that are just a waste of your time and effort. They do not give your muscles and effective work out and at worst may actually increase the risk of injury.

So if any of these are part of your fitness routine, do yourself a favor, and cut them out:

The Lat Pull down behind the head: The lat pull down should be done while keeping the spine straight and when you do it behind the head, your head is likely leaning forward, unless you have unusually flexible shoulder joints.

This exercise increases the risk of several injuries such as a shoulder impingement, a rotor cuff tear or even injury to the cervical vertebrae.

Instead you should be pulling the lat bar down in front of your body up to the breast bone. Contracting your abs at the same time as doing this exercise makes for good form.

The Military Press behind the head: Similar to the lat pull down done behind the head, any weights or barbells that you pump up and down behind your head is an invitation to injury so avoid this shoulder move.

What is safer is to perform this exercise in front of the head and if doing it seated, make sure you sit straight even if using back support, letting your back assume its natural curve.

The Upright Row: When you are doing weights that you pull up under and towards the chin, what is sometimes called the upright row, this is not at all advisable. This is going to be a fairly awkward looking exercise as well.

What this move does is, it impinges on the shoulder thereby compressing the nerves in the shoulder area. Rather than using a barbell to do the upright row, use dumbbells to work your arms inward and outward to the sides or to the front of the body.

The Prone leg press with the knees bending too much: The leg press is an effective lower body work out that will exercise your glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps, which involves pushing the plate back and forth with your feet placed flat on it.

It is however important for there not to be too big a range of motion here. If you bending your knees back too much this is bad for your knees as well as your back. Rule of thumb here is, don’t bend any more than 90 degrees as the knee.

Source: Fitness Health Zone.com

Hepatitis C And Insulin Resistance - Surprising Findings

2010-03-10T06:50:00.001-08:00

We have known for several years that Hepatitis C, a common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer, also makes people three to four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. In studying the insulin resistance of 29 people with Hepatitis C, Australian researchers have confirmed that they have high insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes...

Source: Diabetes News From Medical News Today

Impact Factor: Can a Scientific Retraction Change Public Opinion?

2010-03-09T19:13:00.001-08:00

When science revises its stance, the field itself follows established protocol to adapt, but public opinion can be slow to catch up. Rather than wiping the slate clean, last month's retraction of a key paper proposing a link between childhood vaccines and autism seem only to have widened the societal divide on the issue. And the rising rate of retractions--roughly ninefold between 1990 and 2008--suggest that there could be more cases in which public opinion carries on long after science has reversed course. [More]

Source: Scientific American Topic - Exercise and Fitness

Novel Program Translates Behavioral And Social Science Research Into Treatments To Reduce Obesity

2010-03-09T18:53:00.001-08:00

Under a $7.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, Rush University Medical Center is developing a novel program, called WISHFIT, to help pre-menopausal women reduce visceral fat through a sustained increase in physical activity and reduction in stress...

Source: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today

Link Between Hepatitis C And Insulin Resistance Surprises Scientists

2010-03-09T18:50:00.001-08:00

Scientists in Australia found that when they studied insulin resistance in people with Hepatitis C little or none of it was in the liver and nearly all the insulin resistance occured in muscle, which surprised them because Hepatitis C is a liver disease that not only leads to cirrhosis and cancer, but also makes people three to four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes...

Source: Diabetes News From Medical News Today

Best and Worst Restaurant Salads

2010-03-09T15:53:00.001-08:00

Filed under: Diet & Weight Loss

When given the choice at your favorite restaurant, a salad may seem like the best selection for your health and waistline. But unless it is made with fresh, dark greens and free from artery-clogging cheese or dressing, the decision may not be so simple.

ShopSmart, the best-buys magazine from the publisher of Consumer Reports, recently put 20 chicken-based salads from eight popular restaurants to the test and revealed the nine healthiest salads to order when dining out:

1. Panera Bread's BBQ Chopped Chicken Salad, with mild BBQ sauce, no dressing (350 calories)

2. On the Border's Citrus Chipotle Chicken Salad, with Mango Citrus Vinaigrette (290 calories)

3. Panera Bread's Asian Sesame Chicken Salad, with crispy wonton strips and almonds, no dressing (320 calories)

4. Panera Bread's Fuji Apple Chicken Salad, with pecans, no dressing (370 calories)

5. Wendy's Chicken Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken Fillet, with home-style garlic croutons, no dressing (240 calories)

6. Olive Garden's Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad, without Caesar dressing (430 calories)

7. McDonald's Premium Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken, without Creamy Southwest dressing (320 calories)

8. Burger King's Tendergril Chicken Garden Salad, without ranch dressing (270 calories)

9. Sonic's Santa Fe Grilled Chicken Salad, without ranch dressing (312 calories)

Do you notice a trend in the top-rated salads? Most of the calorie counts are given without the dressings, which are often extremely calorie-laden. It doesn't mean you have to go without the rich flavor of dressing all together -- simply ask for the dressing on the side and go easy when you drizzle it on, or ask for oil and vinegar and go light on the oil.

Shocking Salad Alert! ShopSmart warns also salad lovers in their April issue to beware of the two worst salads they found: Chili's Grilled BBQ Chicken Salad and Chilli's Quesadilla Explosion Salad. With barbecue sauce and ranch dressing, the Grilled BBQ Chicken Salad packs in 1,060 calories -- nearly half of your allotted calories for the day. And the Quesadilla Explosion Salad? Even worse with a whopping 1,400 calories!

Even if you're not eating nearly a day's worth of calories with your restaurant salad, there's nothing better than getting creative with your salad bowl home. ShopSmart suggests using a good quality oil for homemade dressings and mixing in fresh fruit juice.

You can also swap out mayo for pureed avocados or low-fat yogurt. Think outside the bowl, too. A dollop of spicy mustard or chili can add a brand new flavor -- no dressing needed. You can also add in whole grains like brown rice or chunks of lean meat, canned tuna or beans for a heartier salad that feels more like a meal.

Want other ways to health-up your salad? Take a look at these tips!

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Source: That's Fit

Colorado Solar Bill Awaits Governor Ritter’s Signature

2010-03-09T12:00:00.001-08:00

Today Governor Ritter is expected to sign into law a bill requiring that 30% of Colorado’s electricity needs be met with renewable energy sources. With the passage of HB 10-1001 Colorado joins California as the only state in the country committed to delivering close to a third of their electricity from clean, renewable resources (see House and Senate vote here). Vote Solar has been working on this bill from its inception, and can attest that the game-changing bill sitting before the Governor is thanks to the impressive negotiating and organizing skills of many of our in-state partners like Environment Colorado, COSEIA, and others.

Vote Solar focused our advocacy efforts on making the solar goal in the bill as strong as possible. What we got was a requirement that 3 percent of total electricity sales come from “distributed generation” (DG) systems such as solar. This requirement is expected to deploy 700 megawatts (MWs) of solar generation by 2020, enough to power 102,200 Colorado homes, and create 23,450 jobs over the next 10 years.

Right now only Xcel Energy and other smaller investor-owned utilities (IOUs) are required to meet the goals laid out in HB 10-1001. Extending the same requirement statewide, Colorado could expect to see 1000 MW of new solar power, and the full benefits we quantified in our recent report “Investing in the Sun.”

We’re looking forward to personally thanking Governor Ritter for his leadership during this year-long process. Next Tuesday we will honor the Governor as our “Solar Champion” of the year at our annual Equinox event in San Francisco. If you live in the Bay area think about joining us!

2010 is shaping up to be a year of big wins for state solar energy policies – with net metering victories in California and New York, and fending off hostile amendments to Arizona’s renewable energy goal. It’s nice to see such momentum, and it’s only March.

Source: Vote Solar

John Todd’s Sports Photography Tips and Techniques - Soccer Photos

2010-03-09T10:33:00.001-08:00

In the latest episode of “Advancing Your Photography,” Marc Silber sits down with acclaimed sports photographer John Todd to talk about what it takes to capture great action images in sports.

As one of the most respected photographers in the world of sports and soccer, Todd’s clients include Nike, the U.S. Soccer Federation, and the Maverick’s Big Wave Surfing Contest. He is also the team photographer for Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes and the U.S. Men and Women’s Soccer Teams.

With images that capture the spirit and drama of some of the world’s most gifted athletes, John Todd has made a career out of taking big, bold, beautiful photographs. This also makes him the perfect mentor to photographers who want to improve their game.

Watch the interview and you’ll learn all about:

1. How to Approach a Sports Shoot — Whether you’re photographing your nephew’s youth soccer game or handling a World Cup match with international superstars, John offers important advice on how you should prepare for your shoot. Watch the interview and you’ll learn what he means when he says he approaches every shoot as if it were a “globe.”

2. Simple and Clean — Hear what John has to say about what he considers to be the two most important aspects of an image that pops out and wows.

3. Visualizing the End Result — Echoing photography icon Ansel Adams, John touts the philosophy of preparedness. Hear what he has to say about “seeing with your mind’s eye” and picturing exactly what you want your photograph to look like… before you ever press a button.

To see more of John Todd’s tips and techniques on how to improve your sports photography, be sure to watch the latest episode of “Advancing Your Photography” with Marc Silber. Also, check out more of John’s amazing work over at www.JohnTodd.com.

Source: Silber Studios

Fit Philanthropy: Climbing for Congo

2010-03-09T09:54:00.001-08:00

Filed under: Fitness, Motivation

Less than three years ago, Georgina Miranda couldn't even run a mile. Today, she is climbing not just one, but seven of the highest peaks in the world, including Mt. Everest, in support of the women and children in the Congo.

As a child, the Californian always dreamed of visiting the seven continents -- she never dreamed she would be climbing them. That is, until she was flipping through "Glamour" magazine one day in search of a new hairstyle. It was then that she came across an article about the plight of the women and children in the Congo and Uganda. "I was embarrassed that I didn't know anything about the horrific treatment that these people endured," said Miranda. "The fact that three out of every four women and girls are raped and sexually abused -- some as young as 11 months and as old as 75 -- is just unthinkable, yet it continues to happen over there every day. I knew I had to do something to help."

Having already done some indoor rock climbing and hiking of California's peaks, Miranda had the vision to use her passion for mountain climbing as a way to get involved. She contacted the International Medical Corps -- a global social services agency that provides medical and HIV treatment to women and children in this area, about setting up a program to climb the seven summits of the world (the highest peak on each continent) while raising funds to support the work this organization does. "These people are really selfless," Miranda said about the International Medical Corps. "They train local doctors and nurses, are building a health center, hold nutrition classes for mothers, educate community leaders about preventing sexual violence and talk to community members about ending alcohol abuse and rape."

The 29-year-old has already completed four of the seven summits, including Europe's highest peak, Mt. Elbrus in Russia on July 22, 2008, Australia's highest peak, Mt. Kosciuszko, on December 30, 2008, Africa's highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro on July 16, 2009 and Aconcagua in Argentina on January 10, 2010. Miranda also visited the Congo for a week last summer to meet some of the people she is helping. "It was really tough, but these women are amazing despite what they have been through," she said. "They opened up to me and told me I was their sister."

Next up is Mt. Denali in Alaska in May, Mt. Vinson in Antarctica in November and then Mt. Everest in the spring of 2011. Miranda's goal is to raise $2.2 million -- $50 for each foot she climbs. "The sexual violence over there has happened to hundreds of thousands of women and girls -- some who cannot even walk afterward, having to crawl many miles just to get help," said Miranda. "The money I am raising and the miles I am climbing are all for them. Any bit of pain or discomfort I am going through while climbing is nothing compared to what they're going through."

In addition to her treks and training for hours at a time on a treadmill or stairmaster with a weighted backpack, Miranda also ran her first marathon last year. To anyone who wants to make a difference in their own life or others', Miranda advised, "Just know that the extraordinary is always possible. Life is too short and we all have the power to make a difference!"

To take part in "Climb Take Action," visit www.climbtakeaction.com where you can donate funds or dedicate your next climbing, running, walking, hiking or biking challenge to this cause.

Inspired to climb? Try training for a vertical marathon!

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Source: That's Fit

Obesity As Protection Against Metabolic Syndrome, Not Its Cause

2010-03-09T07:14:00.001-08:00

The collection of symptoms that is the metabolic syndrome - insulin resistance, high cholesterol, fatty liver, and a greater risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke - are all related to obesity, but, according to a review in the March 9th issue of the Cell Press publication Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, not in the way you probably think they are...

Source: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today

Follow-up on IREC/VSI webinar on jursidictional issues and feed-in tariffs

2010-03-09T00:01:00.001-08:00

Well, that was fun.

Many thanks to all those that participated in this morning’s webinar on the jurisdictional issues with feed-in tariff pricing. We were particularly pleased to have Karlynn Cory of the National Renewable Energy Lab drop in for a star turn.

We promised some follow-up resources:

A recording of the entire presentation is available here (wmv file).

Kevin Fox’s Powerpoint presentation can be found here (pdf).

Kevin referenced several documents:

The National Renewable Energy Lab’s report on the subject: Renewable Energy Prices in State-Level Feed-in Tariffs: Federal Law Constraints and Possible Solutions can be found here (pdf).
The staff comments of the Oregon Public Utilities Commission (OR PUC Docket No. AR 538 and UM 1452, filed December 19, 2009) can be found here (pdf).
The California Attorney General’s Response to ALJ’s Request for Briefs Regarding Jurisdiction to Set Prices for A Feed-in Tariff, CA PUC Docket No R-08-08-009 (June 25, 2009) can be found here (pdf).

We received numerous additional questions–we’ll take a shot at answering them, and when done, will post them here as well.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to post them in the comments.

Source: Vote Solar

Potential To Improve Children's Diets Without Burdening School Finances While Helping Local Farmers

2010-03-08T18:53:00.001-08:00

During the school day, children eat roughly one-third of their nutritional needs while at school. Besides lunch, breakfast and snacks may be served, providing ample opportunities for obesity-prevention strategies by offering more nutritious food...

Source: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today

American Diabetes Association Applauds Senate's Efforts To Reauthorize Special Diabetes Programs

2010-03-08T18:49:00.001-08:00

The American Diabetes Association applauds today's introduction of Special Diabetes Program legislation in the U.S. Senate. The bill (S. 3058) would reauthorize the Special Diabetes Type 1 Program and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians for 5 years. Each program would receive $200 million per year. Senator Byron L...

Source: Diabetes News From Medical News Today

Major Muscles: Four Ways to Produce More Growth Hormone!

2010-03-08T17:51:00.001-08:00

Filed under: Fitness, Guys' Guide, Men's Fitness

No matter what genetics have dealt you, there is a way to get a bigger and more muscular body. Just a few small tweaks to your everyday routine can spike your growth hormone levels through the roof, giving your body more than enough to build larger, stronger muscles. Here's your all-day schedule to tricking your body to eke out more of the hormone every guy wishes he had more of!

Here's how it works, guys: Before you can have any brawn, it all starts with your brain. That's because inside it is your anterior pituitary gland, a thumb-sized organ that is responsible for secreting growth hormone into your bloodstream. It's the chemical that ultimately tells your muscles to grow bigger and stronger. It's also the chemical that helps transform excess fat into energy. In other words, the more you have coursing through your veins, the more muscle -- and less fat -- you're likely to see in the mirror. Getting your brain to dispense even more than usual takes the right combination of tricks throughout the day -- tricks that are so simple, anyone could do them.

Here are the four ways you can get more growth hormone today, so you can look even more impressive tomorrow.

1. Sleep eight full hours.
Not getting enough shut-eye actually shuts down the amount of growth hormone your body releases, and since many people are often sleep-deprived, odds are, you're probably limiting how much GH your body should be getting.

2. Eat six to seven small meals a day.
Maybe you already know that eating six to seven smaller meals daily -- as opposed to eating three bigger meals daily -- can prevent your insulin levels from spiking (which can cause your body to store more excess calories floating in your system as fat). But that insulin surge also lowers the release of GH into your bloodstream. Eating smaller meals every few hours can prevent that insulin spike, so you store less fat while your body simultaneously releases more of the hormones you need to grow.

3. Make your workouts as intense as possible.
Research has shown that the amount of growth hormone your body releases depends on the intensity of your workouts. Exercising at a higher intensity can cause the release of more GH more often, so to maximize how much your body generates, stick with workouts that utilize more explosive, high-intensity anaerobic exercises. Performing certain multi-joint exercises that allow you to lift more weight-such as squats, clean and presses, deadlifts and other compound movements also force your anterior pituitary gland to release a greater amount of growth hormone.

4. Never eat heavy right before bedtime.
The reason is simple: Your anterior pituitary gland releases its largest amount of GH for the day during the first two hours of sleep. By eating before bedtime, it causes the same elevation of insulin that eating larger meals during the day does, which can suppress how much GH gets released into your bloodstream. So, instead of growing muscles as you sleep -- and how great is that -- you're silently holding yourself back from seeing serious muscular growth.

If you're looking for even more muscle-building tips, discover how you can build muscle even faster by eating enough protein, as well as how to get more from every workout.

Fitness expert Myatt Murphy is the author of the best-selling books, The Body You Want in the Time You Have, Ultimate Dumbbell Guide and co-author of The Men's Health Gym Bible and Face It & Fix It: A Three-Step Plan to Break Free from Denial and Discover the Life You Deserve.

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Source: That's Fit

Mari Winsor Slimming Pilates Giveaway

2010-03-08T09:55:00.001-08:00

Filed under: Fitness, Reviews & Products

Mari Winsor is at it again with the new Mari Winsor Slimming Pilates system (which That's Fit had a chance to try out). If you're familiar with Winsor, you'll be pleased to note that her newest offering includes not just DVDs, but also a piece of equipment called an Accelerator (a weighted bar with resistance band), which can be configured in seven different ways to give you lots of exercise options.

The system works best if you have an area of your house where you can hook the Accelerator up to a doorknob and still see the television, but if that's not the case, you'll still be able to get a great workout. And this week, you could win a chance to try it out!

To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us about how you normally work out at home.
The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on Friday, March 12, 2010.
You may enter only once.
One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
One winner will receive a Mari Winsor Slimming Pilates system, including the Accelerator, four DVDs (Superfast Body Blast, ABsession, Quick Start Pilates for Weight Loss and Rapid Results), Learn the Moves Wall Chart, Rapid Results Weight Loss Guide, tape measure and On-the-Go Eating Guide. (valued at $59.50).
Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
Click here for complete Official Rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so make sure to check next week to find out if you've won!

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Source: That's Fit

The Best Wii Fit Games To Help Get You Going!

2010-03-08T06:56:00.001-08:00

Opinions are vastly divergent on Wii fit games and their efficacy in terms of exercise aids. While many will say that they are just video games with a clever marketing strategy that helps them masquerade as exercise aids, while others claim that they provide an enjoyable and effective workout.

Perhaps the truth is somewhere in-between: some exercise is better than none!

There are several things that set apart the Wii Fit games from other video games; chief among them being the unique balance board. This is able to measure BMI based on the height and weight of the user.

There are 50 possible activities with the balance board, with categories such as aerobics, balance games, yoga and strength training. Some of the top games for Wii Fit are:

Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009 includes motion based fitness activities such as monkey bars, ladder climbing, rowing etc and using the balance board is able to track personal fitness and progress. The aim of the program is strength training, weight loss hill climb etc.

Shaun White Snowboarding is as the name suggests, about a simulated snowboarding experience. The game claims to let you do everything you would at the mountain (but presumably were too scared to actually try because this game offers options such as doing different tricks on the ground in the air and on rail).

You can careen down slopes, create new paths in the back country and use the terrain park for yet more tricks. A generic Park city, Japan, Europe and Alaska are areas you can explore.

We Ski is also about the lure of snowy wherein up to 4 players can hit the slopes. You can choose from 14 set courses ranked according to the level of expertise.

Skate it, is again a self explanatory and skaters get to choose the kind of skate board they want and create a fantasy park of their choice to play around in. There are features such as benches, rails and ramps to keep things exciting.

Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party is another really popular Wii game that lets you use your rear end to play up to 65 games that have spoofs from TV, and other popular culture to keep you interested. Shaking, precision, dexterity and balance are some of the elements included in the game.

Source: Fitness Health Zone.com

Research Roundup: Childhood Obesity, Insurance Coverage In Cancer Trials, Hospitals Stays And Need For Nursing Homes

2010-03-08T06:54:00.001-08:00

Health Affairs this month is devoted to the topic of childhood obesity, with the first study of the group - National, State, And Local Disparities In Childhood Obesity - pointing out that "new data from the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health show that the percentage of children ages 10-17 who are overweight ...

Source: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today

Major Depression More Than Doubles Risk Of Dementia Among Adults With Diabetes

2010-03-08T06:50:00.001-08:00

Adults who have both diabetes and major depression are more than twice as likely to develop dementia, compared to adults with diabetes only, according to a study published in the recent Journal of General Internal Medicine. Dementia is the progressive decline of thinking and reasoning abilities...

Source: Diabetes News From Medical News Today

Wedding Photography: “Captured by the Light” by David A. Ziser

2010-03-07T07:33:00.001-08:00

David Ziser’s new book, Captured by the Light

Photographing a wedding is one of the most challenging jobs a photographer can have. Not only are you trying to frame the beauty of the ceremony, but you are also in charge of capturing and memorializing the most important day in a person’s life. In his new book, Captured by the Light: The Essential Guide to Creating Extraordinary Wedding Photography, David A. Ziser offers an in-depth look at what it takes to master this art form.

Ziser, a world-renowned wedding photographer, is noted as a leading lecturer and teacher of photography. He is a staple at photo conferences and expos around the world, is a regular contributor to Professional Photographer magazine, and is one of less than 100 people worldwide who have been distinguished as a Fellow by the American Society of Photographers.

His new book shows that wedding photography is more than just a job, it’s an art. This is showcased in the book’s 288 pages, which match detail, example and instruction alongside shots from actual weddings. In it he offers unique, usable advice on everything from lighting, posing and composition, to thoughts on how to photograph large groups and what sort of equipment works best.

This make Captured by the Light a must-have for both seasoned professionals and those looking to start a career in wedding photography.

Make sure to check out Ziser’s photography blog, Digital ProTalk, which is a favorite of digital photographers everywhere. There you can purchase his new book, or hang around to see some of his popular web-cast presentations.

Source: Silber Studios

Can solid oxide fuel cells like the Bloom box remake the energy landscape?

2010-03-06T07:13:00.001-08:00

The fuel cell has a long history. Various types of fuel cells have been part of the NASA space program, and the basic science of how fuel cells work--an energy carrier comes in, creates a flow of charge in the anode, which migrates to the cathode, creating a current, and separated by some form of electrolyte--has been known for more than a century. Yet, Bloom Energy believes the time is finally right for one of the more promising fuel cell technologies--solid oxide fuel cells, so-called because the electrolyte is a solid rather than the more common liquids--to produce electricity on a grander scale. [More]

Source: Scientific American - Alternative Energy Technology