You want to feel like a woman? well, now you really can and it starts right here with the poledancing DVD. Many have seen an increase of popularity with this so you see why many women do this as their exercise routine. So, what makes it so popular?



The first reason that we have found to explain the success of those practicing this at home is due to the fact that women are taking this up more and more. Women are finding this close to a sport. So close, that this sport is being recognized as a professional sport. That's how popular it has become.

Others are taking it to a whole new level for the fact that this is becoming so popular. Due to the fact that it's a sport that so many women are taking up, they have started making poledancing into this great thing that even the Olympics are thinking about including this into their competitions. That's something that really impressed women.

Since it's beginning to be more and more of a sport, you will find that more and more people are seeing this as a professional sport. For this fact, there are many who see the professionalism of it all and it is due to this fact that that it's being considered for the Olympics. Now, do you see why it's becoming so hot?

The last thing that women like is even though it's something that is on the risky side, it's something they can do in their own home. They don't have to worry about what people think about it. They also don't have to worry about how they perform. Plus, a schedule isn't needed either you just pop it in when you can.



These are some of the reasons that many like these. Many people are judgmental about these, but when you see how much your body can slim and so forth, you will be amazed. That is something that you can look forward to.

Looking to find the best deal on Pole Dancing DVD, then visit www.poledancingdvd.org to find the best advice on Pole Dancing Benefits for you.

You can get all of your fitness questions answered from a zumba fitness review. Zumba is a form of dance exercise that has been around for years but only recently has started to become popular. Zumba incorporates many different types of dance, cha cha, calypso, belly dancing, mambo, meringue, cumbia and rock & roll to create fun and entertaining exercises. You will have so much fun it won't even feel like exercise.



No matter your fitness level or age there is a type of zumba for everyone. Zumba gold was designed specifically for those over 50 that may have limited mobility. Zumba helps to improve balance, give your heart a workout and improve your flexibility. In many ways it is an excellent combination or yoga and aerobic activity.

You can get many benefits from zumba that include getting rid of stress, improved motion control, improved bone density, enhanced self esteem, improve brain function and much more. These classes also make it possible to get out and meet new people and get some great exercise.

A zumba class typically runs and hour and in this time you can burn about 500 calories depending on your size and weight. This is a very good match for other types of exercise as jogging for an hour burns about 650 calories, playing sport for an hour about 450 calories and if you swim for an hour you can expect to burn 410 calories.

The best places to look for Zumba classes are at your local gym or fitness clubs. You should also check with the YMCA. If you are having difficulties finding class then do a search online to see if anything is offered in your location or talk to you local gym about having them provide a class. Many times if there is enough interest than a gym will add on the activity.



For those that can't get enough of Zumba you should look into becoming an instructor. This is actually very easy though you will have to renew your certification each year. These Zumba certification classes last for 1 or 2 days and you will learn all the steps as well as how to lead a group. There is no test or application and anyone can try.

You do not have to take a test and you will learn how to lead in a group situation. Certification lasts for a year and then you will need to renew it to remain an instructor. You should be able to find Zumba certification classes where ever Zumba is offered. If you are tired with your current exercise then give zumba a try.

Learn more about Zumba Fitness.  Stop by Darryl Jones's site where you can find out all about Zumba DVDs  and what they can do for you.

There is no shortage of fitness stepper benefits that absolutely will come to every person who consistently uses one. It has been proven that the mere act of owning a stepper, or having a membership to a gym that has steppers, will not guarantee results. You do have to actually use them, on a consistent basis. It helps to adhere to a certain schedule.



A fitness stepper is often called a stair stepper. It is a machine that is made for exercising. It mimics, to some degree, the effects of climbing stairs. Have you ever climbed a lot of flights of stairs, without stopping between the floors? If so, you have a basic idea of the many potential benefits of a fitness stair stepper.

When you run up, even a single flight of stairs, you will notice, soon thereafter, an increased heart beat, and rate of breathing. That proves that climbing stairs can provide a cardiovascular workout (for your heart and lungs.) This is good for your health in general, and it also helps your body burn fat. A few flights of stairs will not do the trick, though. You need a good thirty minutes, or more

The biggest problem with cardiovascular workouts is the high impact they place upon your ligaments, joints, muscles and bones. Running gives you an incredible heart & lungs workout, but at the price of a huge and painful list of common injuries. A fitness stepper gives you the great cardio workout with a low impact movement that eliminates most of the injury risk that runners have.

The muscle groups that are targeted by working out with a fitness stepper is impressive. They include; the hip flexors, which attach to the femur, and the gluteal muscles, including the gluteus maximus, known as the buttocks.



Other stepper muscle targets include; the two muscles of the calves, the four muscles known as the quadraceps, (at the front of the thigh, starting above the knee), and the three muscles, known as the hamstrings, on the underside of the thigh.

So how many calories can a stepper help you burn? If your stepper is set at the most vigorous setting, you could get fitness stepper benefits burning as many as 107 calories per twenty five pounds of body weight, per hour session. A 200 pound guy could work off about 856 calories in an hour, and a 100 pound gal would burn 428 calories.

Want to find out more about Fitness Steppers, then visit Darryl Jones's site on what are the  Fitness Stepper benefits and how they can help you.

If you and your partner are continuing to suffer from infertility, you may be interested in finding out whether infertility surgery may be able to help you. Although it has helped many women conceive and carry a child to term, the fact is that it is not right for everyone.



The truth is that not every woman's infertility issues can be corrected via surgery. If the problem is hormonal rather than structural or if the issue lies with her partner's hormones or any structural abnormalities that may cause him to be incapable of producing viable sperm, then her partner may need to explore surgery as a possible way of correcting their inability to sire children.

One area where surgery can help a woman conceive is if there are issues with the structure of the fallopian tubes. When a woman suffers from certain medical conditions, her fallopian tubes can become scarred and this can cause the release of eggs to be released. If eggs cannot reach the uterus, they cannot be fertilized and this can be one main cause of infertility. As well, if a woman has had a tubal ligation and her tubes have been cut, she may need surgery to correct this issue.

Women who are having fallopian surgery can usually expect that it will be done using laparoscopy. This is where a small incision is made in the abdomen and surgical tools and cameras can be introduced. The surgery is performed and the problem can be corrected. There can be risks such as pain, infection in the surgical site, and problems dealing with anesthetic. In some cases, a pregnancy may develop outside of a tube. Specialists estimate that there is a 20-30% rate with tubal infertility surgery.

With men, there may be surgery to reverse infertility due to blockages in the vas deferens, the tubes through which sperm travels. It may also be used to repair abnormal blood vessels that can form in the testes and result in male infertility. The risks of pain, swelling, infection and bad reactions to anaesthetic are the same for men as it is for women.

A woman may have abnormalities in her uterus as well as in her fallopian tubes. One common cause is endometriosis, a build up of tissue that can cause pain, swelling and problems conceiving and carrying to term. Fibroids, benign growths which can form on the walls of the uterus, may also make it impossible for a woman to carry to term or conceive in the first place. If a problem can be corrected through laparoscopy, the risks are similar to fallopian infertility surgery.

The success rates for these procedures differ depending on what the problem was and what was done to correct it. Although sufferers of endometriosis report that their pain levels are reduced, it is not known for sure if surgical correction can reverse infertility. However, if it can, pregnancies are normally most likely to occur in the first six months to eighteen months. With surgery to remove fibroids, it is know that they will re-grow in about fifty percent of cases.

Only you are able to make decisions regarding your health and the treatments you will have. Consulting a doctor you trust is still the best way to preserve and protect your health and your fertility.

Looking to find the latest information on Infertility Surgery, then visit www.infertilitysurgery.net to find the best advice on Infertility Treatments for you.

Zumba is a union of International and Latin music and dance creating an exciting and dynamic fitness program. This program is beneficial for all age groups with its easy to follow fast and slow movements. Zumba DVDs are fun and easy which adds to its popularity. It is an easy way to tone your whole body. Zumba instructors use their favorite music and dance moves to create their routines.

In the 1990's, Beto Perez famous dancer and choreographer created Zumba. While growing up in Columbia, South America he became an aerobics instructor. One day he forgot the tape for his aerobics class, using the tapes that he had in his backpack he came up with a dance routine set to his favorite music. His students loved the session and asked him to create more. That is how the Zumba program came to be.

Using the rules of interval and resistance training, Zumba maximizes toning of the total body. It concentrates on the arms, abs, legs, gluts and heart. Followers of this style of fitness accomplish long-term benefits in this hour-long program of heart pumping, calorie burning moves that will make you come back for more.

Do not be concerned if you feel you are not a dancer, you will still benefit from this exercise program. Classes include time to warm up, the dance routines and time to cool down. It is a captivating workout to make your mind, body and soul feel good.

Instructors study at the Zumba Academy, routines should be unique to each instructor's style and imagination. This ensures that each class will be fresh and exhilarating.

The easy to follow body-sculpting moves are set to different dance styles including the salsa, mambo, flamenco, meringue and the cha-cha, as well as International styles like hip-hop and belly dancing. The high-energy Latin music and dance moves will have your hips swiveling, arms swinging and toes tapping. Once you start the dance routine, you will not even realize how much you are working your muscles because you will be having too much fun.

All ages will benefit from this fitness program designed around Latin style dance moves. Zumba DVDs include different versions of the program to allow you to choose the one that best suits your needs. Three million copies of the DVDs have sold since this popular exercise program emerged over 10 years ago.

Want to find out more about Zumba DVDs ?, then visit Darryl Jones's site on how to choose the best Zumba DVDs and Zumba Music for your needs.

Getting into shape is important for a number of reasons. Improving your fitness is great for losing weight as well as for enhancing your health overall. Chances are, you have tried before and not met with great success. Following are tips on how to set fitness goals and why.

When you set fitness goals, you are determining exactly what you are trying to accomplish. You can think of it like taking a road trip. If you are going to drive some place, you need to know where you want to go and how you can get there. Your fitness goals are your map for getting where you want to go.

Therefore, you first need to figure out what you want to achieve. Do you want to fit in to a specific clothing size? Do you have certain level of fitness you want such as running a set number of miles? Or do you have in mind the number of inches or pounds you want to lose?

Whatever your overall objective is, this is the destination you are trying to reach. Once you have that set, you need to figure out how you can break that trip up into smaller goals that are manageable. This is really critical for you psychologically, in terms of staying on track. If you want to lose a total of 50 pounds, for example, this can seem almost impossible. However, if you break that down to increments of 5 pounds each, every time you lose one more increment, you can see you have made progress. This in turn will motivate you to continue.

When you are setting your goals, make sure they are challenging but realistic. You can start out smaller and then increase as you feel more comfortable with what and how you are doing. Often, you will find that once you get started, it gets easier.

If you have a goal of losing weight, for example, you also need goals to go along with it in terms of how you are going to do it, such as exercising. Often, people who are really overweight have trouble exercising in the beginning and are only able to walk. There is nothing wrong with starting out walking, even if it is only ten minutes a day.

Whatever exercise program you decide on, set goals for increasing it consistently. If at first you can only walk for ten minutes each day, make a goal to do it every day the first week. For the second week, increase that to 15 minutes per day. Once you really get going, you may be able to add time in more than 5 minute increments.

It can be really useful to get help with both setting and working towards your fitness goals. Hiring a fitness trainer is a great way to stay motivated. These experts understand how to help you set goals that are realistic for your current level of fitness.

You did not get to your current level of fitness overnight. To make changes in fitness as well as to lose weight will take a bit of time if you are sensible about it. The lifestyle adjustments that you make by setting your goals and working towards them can help you stay healthy for the future years to come.

Looking to find the best deal on Fitness Goals, then visit www.fitnessgoals.org to find the best advice on your New Year Fitness Goals for you.

Health and fitness news is providing valuable fitness tips to aid every person's life. Right from online news papers to television programming, Health and Fitness news is becoming more prevalent in the programming mix. With the recent Obesity and Health conscious studies being delivered and increase in focus on improving people’s living standards and creating awareness among masses.



Physical fitness and healthy living are closely connected. The secret for a long long life is widely known. Eat healthy and exercise. During our childhood most of us would have indulged in many forms of sport and taken care of our physical fitness. As we grow older and our metabolism slows, the increase is working and social pressures the tendency for us being physically active, becomes a lower priority. The constant reminder of Health and Fitness news through various mediums reminds us of our own mortality, hopefully the message may allow you to consider taking physical fitness seriously.

The best way to maintain good health is by making exercising a permanent part of your life and being aware of your dietary intake. Health and Fitness news bridges the gap and spreads awareness among the busy public, as to what types are foods are nutritious enough to meet your required needs. They provide valuable information bringing to light nutritious facts which can benefit you in the medium to long term.

These days there are a vast variety of fitness activities, and looking at the 2010 fitness trends there are more created yearly. If you are for adventure then try bush walking, sky diving or other extreme sports. If you are looking for a more tranquil workout the there is Yoga or Pilates. It doesn’t matter what your interests are there is something for everyone when it comes to improving your fitness. If you are not sure and want to try something new lookup fitness news online and you will find many different activities.



Today alot of the Fitness television shows or health mags, focus on delivering health and fitness news, detailing new methods or techniques for the ultimate work out, providing valuable advice about technique. This is important as sustaining an injury will most likely lead to a decrease in fitness activity. Implementing new fitness activities can only improve your fitness.

With the growing increase in Obesity from recent studies and advertising media promoting unhealthy foods, it is time to kick the trend and start focusing on enjoying life. Your will get more form life being active and also live longer. Today is the day you should start focusing on improving your physical fitness and eating right.

Take advantage of the new health and fitness news mediums to find out how you can become a more happier, fitter and fulfilled person. Your kids, partner and colleagues will notice the difference and the most important this is you will too.

Recent studies completed by Floriana S. Luppino, M.D., of the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands have provided valuable evidence of the correlation between Obesity and Clinical depression with American subjects being more conclusive than our European cousins. The association between  these two conditions was significant with adults more so then children. The next correlation between these two conditions is that developing one of these conditions, will more than likely lead to the secondary condition becoming prevalent.



Now, more than ever it is time to instill in our children healthy habits from a balanced diet right through to regular exercise that they can take into adult life. Not only will this aid their bodily growth and the regulation of their weight, recent studies have found the linkage between fit and healthy children and an increase in self confidence and an increase their academic results. This is the only preventative outside of radical expensive medical and pharmaceutical treatments for these conditions. This may be your children’s only chance to enable them to lead a healthy, normal and active life throughout adulthood.

Below are more detailed articles from the news around this topic   

Study Explores Links Between Obesity and Depression

Meta-analysis confirms that obesity increases risk of depression and vice versa

People who are obese are at increased risk of developing depression and, conversely, depressed people are at increased risk of developing obesity, according to a meta-analysis published in the March issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Floriana S. Luppino, M.D., of the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands, and colleagues reviewed the medical literature up to March 2008 on overweight (body mass index 25 to 29.99) and obesity (body mass index ≥30) and their links to depression. The reviewers screened 2,937 articles, reviewed 80, and performed meta-analyses on 15 studies covering 58,745 subjects.

The reviewers found that baseline overweight and obesity both increased the risk of onset of depression at follow-up (odds ratios, 1.27 and 1.55, respectively). This association between obesity and depression was stronger among American than European subjects and for depressive disorder as opposed to depressive symptoms. The association between overweight and depression was significant for adults (20 to 59 and ≥60 years of age) but not for subjects under 20 years of age. Conversely, depression increased the risk for developing obesity (odds ratio, 1.58) but was not predictive of overweight. Read More…

Obesity and depression are a two-way street

Obesity, Luppino and colleagues found, increases the risk of depression in initially non-depressed individuals by 55 percent and depression increases the risk of obesity in initially normal-weight individuals by 58 percent.

Luppino said the analysis was not designed to determine a given person's risk of depression, only to figure out how much obesity increased that risk. However, for comparison, a recent study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health found that nearly one out of four cases of obesity is associated with a mood or anxiety disorder.

These findings, the NIMH notes on its website, appear to support what other studies have found - that obesity, which is on the increase in the US - is associated with increasing rates of depression and other mental health problems.

The new findings stem from pooled data from 15 published studies that looked at whether being overweight or obese is associated with depression, and vice versa. Read More…

Which Comes First, Obesity or Depression?

People who are obese are often diagnosed with clinical depression, but which comes first - the increased weight gain or the depression symptoms? Researchers from Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands have found that it is actually a two way street and each condition influences the other.

………. Those who are depressed can become overweight or obese when they neglect their health due to a feeling of hopelessness. Some turn to food for comfort and can increase their caloric intake beyond their needs. Although exercise can actually relieve depressive symptoms, many depressed patients avoid working out.

Biologically, both obesity and depression are associated with an inflammatory state. Depression can also affect weight by interfering with the endocrine system. Some common antidepressants are also known to increase the risk of weight gain. Read More…

With all of the dieting noise around at the moment around low Carb and Low Fat diets a lot of information has been dispensed about the benefits of these diets. But which one is better for you to lose weight? Researchers have now taken up these questions of which diet provides the better results. The answers are discussed in detail below. However what the researchers didn’t analyze is the combination of the Low carb or Low fat diet with regular exercise. I’m sure that the results would have evened out if this had been taken into account. Don’t get me wrong diet is important for managing weight with eating less produced and more natural foods and grains, however in the absence of a regular exercise program to burn those excess pounds your body then are the benefits sustainable? Maybe that will be included in the next study.



Low-Fat Diet Tops Low-Carb in Long Run

A low-carb diet may offer quick results, but a new study suggests that a low-fat diet may be best for long-term weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight.

Researchers found obese people who followed a low-fat diet may be more likely to keep the weight off three years later after starting the diet than those who followed a low-carbohydrate diet.

"Although participants in the low-carbohydrate group lost more weight at 12 months, they regained more weight during the next 24 months," write researcher Marion L. Vetter, MD, RD of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and colleagues in the Annals of Internal Medicine. "In contrast, participants in the low-fat group maintained their weight loss."

In the study, researchers started with a group of 132 obese people who weighed an average of 289 pounds before starting either a low-fat diet, a calorie- restricted diet with less than 30% of daily calories from fat, or a low-carb diet with fewer than 30 grams of fat per day for 12 months.

After six months on the diets, the group on the low-carb diet experienced the greatest weight loss, but by 12 months there was no significant difference in weight loss between the two groups. Read More…

Low-fat, Mediterranean and low-carb diets 'help heart'

Three diets - Mediterranean, low-fat and low-carbohydrate - are equally effective in helping reverse blocked arteries, say Israeli researchers.

The study of 140 people, reported in the journal Circulation, found diet could reduce the fatty build up in arteries.

The Ben-Gurion University team found that by the end of the two-year study, the arterial wall had been cut by 5%.

Experts said the study was interesting, but diet was not a "magic bullet".

Atherosclerosis is a progressive condition in which the arteries thicken with fatty deposits, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Read More…

Low-Fat Diet Better Than Low-Carb Diet in Long Run

Diet has been given the status of a four-letter word, but in truth is simply defines what you eat. As it turns out, the balance of what you eat – your diet – is important. A new study suggests that for in the long run a low-fat diet is better than a low-carb diet for maintaining a health weight.

Marion L. Vetter, MD, RD and colleagues have published their findings in the March 2 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. Low-carb dieters lost weight quicker, but were more likely to regain it. Low-fat dieters were more likely to maintain their weight loss.

The researchers conducted a randomized, controlled trial of 132 obese patients (mean BMI of 43, mean weight of 288 pounds) who were then placed on either a low-carbohydrate diet or a calorie-restricted, low-fat diet. About 39 percent had diabetes and 43 percent had metabolic syndrome.

The low-carbohydrate diet was defined as less than 30 gm/day of carbohydrates with no calorie restriction (similar to the Atkins diet). The calorie-restricted, low-fat diet was defined as a deficit of 500 kcal/day with less than 30% kcal from fat. Read More…

The Final Result

The researchers found people in the low-carb diet group weighed an average of 4.9 pounds less than before they started dieting while those in the low-fat diet group weighed an average of 9.5 pounds less than they did at the start of the study. "The differences in weight regain between the two groups probably reflects initial weight loss," write the researchers. "Participants who lost more weight during the first 12 months tended to regain more weight by month 36." These results would have been greater with a more liner weight loss or decrease in weight with a regular exercise program

As we have seen with the top 10 fitness trends there seems to be a movement to away from traditional exercise and sport to new exciting specialty exercise. The latest fitness news is that there is a push for Pole Dancing to be included which makes sense. The sport of pole dancing combines strength, stamina, flair and artistry which when performed by a professional is made to look very easy. However I can tell you that the athletes that perform these routines are every bit as difficult as many of the other sports that compete for medals at the Olympics including rhythmic gymnastics, ice skating, synchronized swimming and many others.    

The question that should be asked now is why has this surfaced and why is it an issue? Is it because of the low TV rankings of the Olympic winter games. Of course the sport will gain massive interest as more people take up the discipline. I’m of the opinion that the newsworthiness of this sport being included stems back to the seedy past of where the sport originated. If the sport originated from dance studios in the 1800’s like Rhythmic gymnastics then the sport would already have been included in the Olympics. Let’s move past the history of the sport and recognize that to be successful in this sport pole dancers will need to incorporate routines that will require the combining of strength, grace, endurance and flair and will be a spectacle that I would like to see. 



Here are the latest news reports on the topic.

Women Petition To Have Pole Dancing Recognized As Olympic Sport

Female “athletes” around the world are rallying behind the idea that their “sport” of pole dancing be considered for the 2012 Olympics.

A group of women headed by pole dancer KT Coates from England are putting together a petition for the organizers of the Olympics. They hope to have pole dancing considered as a “test event” for the upcoming games in London before being formally added to the bill in 2016.

An excerpt from Coates' petition says,

"After a great deal of feedback from the pole-dance community, many of us have decided that it's about time pole fitness is recognized as a competitive sport, and what better way for recognition than to be part of the 2012 Olympics held in London…" Read More...

Pole Dancers Thrust for Olympic Status

The Winter Olympics may be getting dismal local ratings, but if the pleas of poll dancers across the world to have their "sport" recognized by the Olympics are heeded, we've got a feeling ratings would shoot through the roof….. 

Apparently top pole dancers train like Olympic athletes, and once you remove the g-strings and sweaty dollar bills, is it really that much different than things like ice dancing and rhythmic gymnastics? Read More…

Pole dancing could be recognized as a sport and headed to the Olympics

The strip club mainstay pole dancing - known as much for its sensual moves as its rigorous athletic side - may be headed for the Olympics.

A group of pole-dance advocates is hoping for a "test" event in 2012 and a more formal pitch four years after that, in Rio de Janeiro, according to The Associated Press.

KT Coates, a prominent pole dancer in England and director of Vertical Dance, is leading the Olympic push.

"After a great deal of feedback from the pole-dance community, many of us have decided that it’s about time pole fitness is recognized as a competitive sport, and what better way for recognition than to be part of the 2012 Olympics held in London," she said in a petition she’s preparing for organizers of the London Olympics. Read More….

We all are creatures of habit. Most of our faults or bad habits have been bought about by events or habits picked up as a child and continued through adult life. In saying this the creation of a healthier more physical lifestyle as a child will increase your chances of continuing this through your adult life. However previous studies were inconclusive as to the benefits. Well it seems that the latest study shows what we have suspected for a while that extra physical activity during and after school improves our children’s health.     

Hopefully the education decision makers are taking notice of this study as a healthy child will have a lower body fat content, a decrease in weight related illnesses and will build good habits that will aid them through life. More fitness and dietary lessons in the school curriculum can only lead to fitter, healthier children. Here are some news articles relating to the study.  



Physical Activity in Schools Can Improve Children's Fitness

A structured physical activity program at school can improve children's fitness and decrease body fat, a study published online in the British Medical Journal shows.

Researchers in Switzerland studied 540 seven and 11-year-olds in 15 schools. Over nine months, pupils randomly allocated to an intervention group underwent a physical activity program designed by experts. This involved structuring their existing three physical education lessons and adding two extra lessons a week. They were also given daily short activity breaks and physical activity homework. Pupils randomly allocated to a control group continued to receive their existing three lessons only. Read More…

Physical activity in schools 'makes children fitter'

Increasing PE lessons in schools and giving 'exercise homework' improves children's fitness and body weight, researchers have found, after previous studies suggested it had no effect.

A study in Switzerland has found that children given more exercise time at school, in dedicated lessons and throughout the day, as well as ten minute exercise homework, were fitter and put on less weight than others.

Previous studies have suggested that children simply compensate for the extra sport at school by being more sedentary for the rest of the time. Read More…

School fitness programmes could cut obesity

Physical activity in schools can improve children’s fitness and decrease body fat, say researchers

Schools could play a vital role in cutting the rapidly growing obesity epidemic, according to researchers.

Their study suggests that a structured programme of physical activity in schools could help reverse the damage done by lack of exercise and too many hours spent watching TV or playing video games. Read More…

As February is observed in the United States as American Heart month the Newsfitness.com team have researched the 3 main steps that you can easily implement in your lifestyle that will help your body fight heart disease. These are during meal times creating a healthy heart conscious diet, completing regular exercise and quitting smoking.

Heart Healthy Foods

What are the foods that are highly recommended by the expert nutritionists that will help to fight off heart disease? Below is a list of a few foods that have previously been proven to aid the heart.  

1.)    Nuts

Nuts are an excellent source of Vitamin E especially almonds which contain healthy oils and fiber that helps keep cholesterol level low. A lower cholesterol will aid blood flow around the body. This is important as it means the heart doesn’t have to work as hard to meet the bodies blood demands.

2.) Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants that help reduce free radicals that can damage the cells of our body. Tomatoes are also rich in Vitamin C, E and potassium that helps control blood pressure and prevent cancer and heart disease cataracts.

3.) Berries

Berries including acai berries and Blue Berries are rich in antioxidants that help subdue the damaging effects of free radicals in our body and prevent other chronic diseases. They are also rich in fiber and can lower your disease risks and even prevent memory loss.

4.) Beans

Beans have been found to have high levels of omega 3 fatty acids, protein and soluble fiber that can help lower risk of heart disease and other body ailments. When cooking, beans are a great substitute for other staple items such as potatoes and rice as they have a much lower carbohydrate levels.

5.) Salmon

Salmon contains a powerful antioxidant called astaxanthin that help fight free radicals within our body. Salmon is also an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids that will help keep us away from heart disease.

6.) Whole grains

Eating your breads with whole grains which are full of fiber, magnesium, zinc and vitamins can reduce the risk of heart attack and prevent other diseases such as cancer and hypertension.

7.) Green Veggies

Green leafy vegetable are prime source of vitamins, magnesium, fiber, folic acid and many other nutrients that guards our heart and keep us healthy.

It is important to make sure that your dietary habits start to include the above foods. This will help your body to reduce the risk of heart attack, cancer and other diseases. Whilst a change in diet is essential it is also imperative to exercise.





Exercise Regularly to Help your heart

It’s a known fact that A Lack of regular exercise increases the risk of heart disease. Small or limited amounts of physical activity can be good for your heart if done regularly and over the long term.

How does Exercise help your heart? Regular Exercise will:

•    strengthening the heart muscle
•    making the heart more efficient
•    improving the flow of blood to the heart muscle and
•    improving the heart's ability to handle stress

There are many forms of Exercises however they should include some aerobic activities, resistive exercises, and other active recreational-leisure sports. The best kind of exercise for your heart is regular aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise, such as swimming, bicycling, jogging, or walking, helps build up endurance. It should be done for at least 30 minutes 4 to 6 times a week. The frequency, duration, and intensity of the activity should be personalized to your level of fitness with the goal to increase over time. You can find a lot of different exercise articles here that will provide you with different types of excercises. Remember to find an exercise that you enjoy as you are more likely to continue with this into the future.


Quitting Smoking

The effects of smoking on your heart are devastating. Nicotine raises blood pressure and makes the blood clot more easily. Carbon monoxide robs the blood of oxygen and leads to the development of cholesterol deposits on the artery walls. All of these effects add up to an increased risk of heart attack. In addition, the poor circulation resulting from cholesterol deposits can cause strokes, loss of circulation in fingers and toes and impotence.

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One death from Heart Disease is a tragedy however the levels of Heart Disease within the US isn’t a statistic, it’s now at an epidemic level. The sad part of this tragedy is that this can be reversed. Following the Small changes to your diet, regular exercise and reducing or quiting smoking will provide you with a healthier heart to get the most from your life. What choices will you make?

Recent studies in the UK have found that Fitness training isn’t for everyone. It is claimed that 1 in 5 people receive no or little benefit from regular exercise. I would look at this finding and have the headline that 80% of people who exercise receive large benefits from regular exercise. It’s a “glass half full” type of thing for me. The studies conducted were completed on a sample size of 600 people with the aerobic exercise being cycling which is a good low impact aerobic exercise.



The claims for the unfortunate 20% were that they could have bad DNA genes that are affecting the benefits from regular exercise. These 20% shouldn’t be disheartened as moderating your dietary intake can aid weight loss as well. Here are the Fitness News headlines on these topics.

Fitness flop? It's all down to the genes, claim researchers

Spent hours sweating it out in the gym but don't feel any fitter? Blame your parents.

One in five of us has inherited 'unfitness genes' that mean no matter how often we pound the treadmill, we'll still be out of puff.

The researchers focused on aerobic fitness but believe our DNA could also affect our ability to burn off fat through exercise.

The finding paves the way for a simple blood test that will tell us whether we should be getting on our bikes to get fit - or taking a less strenuous route to good health.

Researchers from 14 institutions around the world asked more than 600 people to take up cycling and tracked subsequent improvements in their aerobic fitness. Read More…

Study Finds 1 in 5 People Unable to Benefit From Exercise

Are you spending hours at the gym, only to find minimal results?

You may be able to blame your parents: One in five people are born with genes that can affect your ability to burn fat by exercising, London’s Daily Telegraph reported.

Researchers at London University also found that regular exercise did little to prevent some medical conditions, like heart disease or diabetes.

Dr. James Timmons of the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London, who led the study, said these people would be better off focusing on alternate ways of staying healthy, like eating right and taking medications.

The study, which is published in the "Journal of Applied Physiology," looked at more than 500 participants who underwent aerobic training for 30 minutes each, five times a week.

Twenty percent of participants found their maximum oxygen increased by less than five percent, and 30 percent of participants were unable to increase insulin sensitivity. Read More..

Millions of people 'waste their time by jogging'

Millions of people who strive to keep fit by jogging, swimming or going to the gym are wasting their time, scientists said.

Researchers have discovered that the health benefits of aerobic exercise are determined by our genes - and can vary substantially between individuals.

Around 20 per cent of the population do not get any significant aerobic fitness benefit from regular exercise, according to an international study led by scientists at the University of London.

For these people, regular jogging and gym work will do little to ward off conditions like heart disease and diabetes which aerobic exercise is generally thought to resist.

Researchers say they would be better off abandoning their exercise regime and focusing on other ways of staying healthy - such as improving their diet or taking medication.  Read More….

As can be seen from our Canadian cousins fitness study, nutrition and exercise is declining which is creating a number of health concerns for the US and world population. This includes diseases like heart failure, diabetes and many others. Weight loss surgery for the larger or obese of the population may be the answer to help you to be able to lead a normal life by reducing the health risks of being overweight. However this may come at a cost. Here are some articles from around the net detailing the benefits and risks of weight loss surgery.

   
Weighing up the risks and benefits of weight-loss surgery

Weighing up the risks and benefits of surgery is a difficult but important task for any patient. New research into the outcomes of gastric bypass surgery for very overweight people may make that decision easier, by showing the likely increase in length of life for people of different ages, weights, and sex.

What do we know already?

For people who are very overweight, surgery may be the most effective treatment. People who have bariatric surgery (surgery on the stomach or digestive tract) often lose a lot of weight, and this can have a dramatic effect on their health. It can mean people avoid heart attacks and strokes, and can even reverse type 2 diabetes. All of these things can help people live longer.

However, bariatric surgery is not without risks Read More….

Weight-loss surgery can lead to long lives, UC study says

Gastric bypass surgery not only helps patients lose weight but can increase their life expectancy, according to new research from the University of Cincinnati.

Based on the average morbidly obese patient seeking surgery — a 275-pound, 42-year-old woman (BMI of 45) — nearly three years of life expectancy were gained with gastric bypass surgery in a study led by Daniel Schauer, assistant professor of medicine and UC Health physician.

“While gastric bypass surgery has been proven to be effective in reducing obesity and obesity-associated conditions, clinical trials have not identified characteristics of the ‘ideal surgical candidate,’" Schauer said.

“Our goal was to better characterize obesity-related deaths and the risks of gastric bypass surgery and then create a model to estimate the balance between treatment risks and benefits for individual patients.” Read More…

Surgical Options to Battle Obesity

MASON CITY, IA---Obesity is a disease that affects more than 72-million Americans.

Since the 1960's the number of people who are overweight or obese continues to increase.

Some people who have a tried and failed many different types of weight loss are candidates for surgical measures that can help them.

People with a body mass index greater than 40. That would be a man who is more than a 100 pounds and a woman who is at least 80 pounds overweight.

People with a high body mass index with other complications like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease are also candidates for surgery.

Mercy Medical Center North Iowa's Bariatric Center offers two options in weight loss surgery: gastric bypass and lap-banding.

Gastric Bypass combines both restriction and malabsorption to induce and sustain long-term weight loss. Gastric bypass is a more involved operation than gastric banding and involves dividing both the stomach and the bowel. Despite its more invasive nature, in expert hands it is a relatively safe and extremely effective form of weight loss surgery. Read More…
 

Bariatric, or gastric band, surgery can help extend lives of obese people: study

A new study backs up the belief that bariatric surgery is beneficial for losing weight and extending the lives of obese men and women.

But the precise pluses of the procedure vary by individual and are influenced by many variables, including a patient’s age, weight and gender, according to the Guardian.

The research was carried out at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center.

In one type of bariatric surgery, a physician wraps a band around the patient’s stomach, reducing its size. Because they feel full faster, people eat less. Read more…

Weightloss surgery can be a lifesaver for some however the surgery could further inhibit your lifestyle with potential fatal outcomes. Understanding of the risks involved with weight loss surgey before going under the knife will lead you to making an informed choice in undertaking this. For more information on weight loss surgery please get advice from your family health care provider and find out all the facts first. Then once you understand the risks and the lifestyle benefits you can make that choice.

The Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) released its first report study today detailing the changing of fitness levels of its population between 1981 and 2009. The results have found that obesity levels have dramatically increased and in some age groups it has tripled and even quadrupled and fitness levels have dramatically decreased.

It seems from the empirical data that women statistically have become more health conscious then men with smaller rises in being overweight between the two periods. However equal proportions between the sexes in obesity incidents were calculated.



Below are a few of the articles from the CMHS and papers detailing all the statistics from the survey. 

Canadian Health Measures Survey

Between 1981 and 2009, fitness levels of Canadian children and youth, as well as those of adults, declined significantly, according to the first findings from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). This is the most comprehensive national survey ever conducted in Canada to determine fitness levels.

The CHMS captured key information relevant to the health of Canadians by means of direct physical measurements, such as body measurements, cardio-respiratory fitness, musculoskeletal fitness and blood pressure.

In Canada, for the past two decades, assessments of fitness levels of Canadians have relied almost exclusively on the body mass index (BMI) because it can easily be calculated from height and weight. The BMI has shown that Canadian adults have become heavier over the past 25 years... Read More

Fitness on decline, fatness growing

Canada's obesity levels have gone off the scales over the past quarter century while fitness levels plunged, according to a comprehensive national survey released today.
In the most thorough assessment of weight and fitness in the country since 1981, the Canadian Health Measures Survey showed the number of overweight and obese people has tripled and even quadrupled in some age groups.

The report, released by Statistics Canada this morning, showed that 61 per cent of Canadian adults were overweight or obese while only 32 per cent of people aged 15 to 69 were in good aerobic shape.

"No doubt it has to be a combination of diet and physical activity," said senior Statistics Canada analyst Margot Shields..... Read More

Canadian fitness levels have plummeted since 1981

Canadians were far less fit in 2009 than they were in 1981, according to a sweeping new Statistics Canada survey, which found that obesity rates have sky-rocketed in both teenagers and adults.

The Canadian Health Measures Survey, which Statistics Canada calls the most comprehensive fitness study every conducted in the country, compiled data by taking direct physical measurements of subjects, including body measurements, cardio-respiratory fitness, musculoskeletal fitness and blood pressure.

The survey found decreases in fitness levels to be most pronounced among adults between the ages of 20 and 39. According to the data, the percentage of adults in this age group with a waist circumference that put them at high risk for health problems more than quadrupled, from five per cent to 21 per cent among men and from six per cent to 31 per cent among women... Read More

Fitness in Canada has declined: study

Canadian children are “taller, heavier, fatter and weaker” than they were in the early 1980s — and that will have a profound impact on their adult health and on the financing of the health-care system, according to a sweeping study released Wednesday by Statistics Canada.

The Canadian Health Measures Survey, conducted between 2007 and 2009, concluded the deterioration in fitness of children six to 19 was “significant and meaningful” since the last time comparative measures were done in the early 1980s.

By age 12, children are now taller and heavier than in 1981, but their overall body composition is less healthy, and their strength and flexibility has declined, the study shows.
While not surprised that kids have grown less healthy than those of a generation ago, “I was surprised at the magnitude, the consistency, the pervasiveness, across sexes, ages, and the actual magnitude of the changes,” said Dr. Mark Tremblay of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, one of the study’s co-authors.

“The science on the relationship between fitness and health is very, very strong…. Read More




As can be seen from the above reports due to the changing lifestyles from between 1981 and 2010 there is an increase in weight and a decrease in physical activity. I am of the belief that Canadians are not alone with most western countries who would perform the same study finding similar results. What the governements of those countries do now will be critical to the health of their population. Encouraging exercise and fitness in schooling and providing tax concessions on fitness related items is a start. However if we do nothing then we all are going to pay for it in the long run.     

Health care Reform over the last month has given the newspapers a lot to write about regarding the changes that the Obama administration are trying to institute in the Health Care Bill. Health Reform is on the outside scope of review from the newsfitness.com team however some of the issues that are being debated do relate to the general fitness of the population. With the well documented statistics of the Health Issues in the US regarding the growing obesity rates and other lifestyle problems, I would assume that an increase in the uptake of physical fitness and the partaking of healthy lifestyle choices can only be a good thing. Or is it? Here are some of the issues that intrigued me around these sensitive issues.

From an article by the ABC news regarding the “Wellness Provision” where the US Senate were proposing to include incentives designed to encourage healthy lifestyles. Upon reading this I thought to myself that is smart. Health Care Insurance premiums should be dearer for people who are more prone to utilize the overburdened health system. A sort of, user pays system where if you are making unhealthy decisions in your life that you will in the future be required to utilize the service and should in turn pay for this.

Then as I read further through the news item I found that there were advocacy lobby groups who were opposing the changes based on a fact that the fundamental goal of healthcare reform is for “the creation of a system in which no one can be charged more based on their health status.” Under the existing Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, group health insurance plans can't discriminate based on an individual's health status by varying insurance premiums.

That is the crux of the matter from the advocacy groups. The insurance companies with the new bill will be able to discount companies based on the health or wellness of their staff up to 30% off (up to 50% with government approval) of the premiums. Therefore the staff members who don’t meet the new metric which by the way I can’t find what this actually is, will force the employer to pay more for health cover. At this point I could now understand why representative from the American Heart Association and other groups including AARP, American Diabetes Association, and the National Disability Rights Network have jumped on the change the Healthcare Bill bandwagon.

Sue Nelson, vice president for federal advocacy of the American Heart Association (AHA) then added "This is not workplace wellness, this is cost-shifting," as healthcare costs would likely move from healthy employees to sick employees, and from employers to employees. So to summarize a sick person who utilizes the Health care system would pay more than a healthy person who wouldn’t. That would be consistent with auto insurance as it is dearer (as a percentage of the car value) for an older car that is likely to have an accident then a newer car that isn’t.  

The next quote that I found was interesting was that Advocates say it's unfair to expect the same level of exercise and diet from a law school graduate who has a gym in his condo and a single mother who works two jobs, who can't afford a gym membership, and lives in an area with a limited supply of healthy foods. This statement assumes that the level of success for the “wellness program” has been decided. If the level set for the wellness is at the level of an athlete then the point is merited. However I would assume that the level is not that high and simple daily exercise of 30 minutes a day with the replacement of 2 – 3 meals a week for a healthier option with a timeframe for implementation of the program would be sufficient for all to partake in these benefits.

The Health care costs for the US are over 3 trillion and increasing. People who start making healthier choices will become fitter, stronger and more able to contribute to society for a longer period. Therefore they will have a longer working life and pay a greater amount of taxes. These taxes will support the health care of tomorrow. How equal is that for those that make the healthier choice today?

People always say to me that they can’t find the time for including health and fitness into their week. My response is always if you can’t find time today to live a healthier life then you are going to have to find time in the future to be sick. Then we all will be paying for that.     

It seems that Health Care is a major political issue at the moment with the two houses passing their versions of the Health Care Bill. However there will be plenty of political maneuvering still to happen before this bill will be passed. Here are the latest news items and a Q&A to keep you updated with all the Health Care Reform issues. 



Health spending in U.S. grows at slowest rate ever in 2008

Health spending in the United States in 2008 grew at the slowest rate ever recorded since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services started officially tracking expenditures in 1960.
The CMS reported Tuesday that national health spending increased 4.4 percent in 2008, to $2.3 trillion or $7,681 a person.

However, the agency reported that health care spending continued to outpace overall economic growth, as measured by the 2.6 percent increase in the gross domestic product.
The CMS Region 7 office has its headquarters in Kansas City, with oversight of operations in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. The office has 126 employees.

According to a news release, the recession “significantly impacted health spending as more Americans could not afford to spend their limited resources on health care and instead went without care.”

For instance, according to the release, many Americans couldn’t afford private health insurance, leading to lower growth in private health insurance benefit spending….. Read More

Q+A: What happens next on U.S. healthcare reform?

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Now that the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives have passed their versions of healthcare reform, the two chambers must work out their differences before legislation can be delivered to President Barack Obama for his signature.
Here are some questions and answers about what to expect.

HOW WILL THE BILLS BE MERGED?

Senate and House Democratic leaders, the chairmen of the five congressional committees that wrote the legislation and top White House officials will negotiate the final bill. Most of the discussions are likely to be held behind closed doors whether or not the two chambers appoint a formal conference committee to negotiate the legislation.

Republicans solidly oppose the bill, so the talks will focus on settling differences among liberal and moderate Democrats in a way that wins the needed 60 votes in the Senate and at least 218 in the House…. Read More

Obama wants to fast track a final health care bill

The White House didn't say much about last night's health care talks between President Obama and congressional Democrats, but officials made it clear they're cool with fast-tracking the final phase of legislation, with no public hearings and no Republican involvement.

"The president is anxious to get the differences worked out and get a bill to both houses and passed out of them," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs…. Read More

Editorial: Open the debate

One of the most momentous House-Senate negotiations in history shouldn't take place behind closed doors.

Yet that's what could happen when lawmakers meet with the Obama administration to reconcile different versions of the landmark $871 billion health-care reform bill, approved by the Senate on Christmas Eve.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.), and President Obama should keep talks open. After all, during his campaign, Obama did pledge that the health-care negotiations would be televised on C-SPAN… Read More

Pelosi says US Congress close to health deal

WASHINGTON, Jan 6 (Reuters) - U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Wednesday congressional Democrats were close to agreement on merging their healthcare bills but still faced challenges in blending the two approaches.

For the second consecutive day, Pelosi and other House Democratic leaders met with President Barack Obama at the White House to discuss ways to reconcile the House's healthcare overhaul with a version passed by the Senate.

"We've had a very intense couple of days," Pelosi told reporters after the White House meeting. "I think we are very close to reconciliation, respectful of the challenges." …. Read More

If you Haven't Had your fill of Health Care Reform news you can search for more news items here..

During these holidays I have been discussing with many clients the growing trend of people moving away from conventional training and trying out the Boot camp style of exercise. Boot Camp exercise encompasses many fitness attributes combining cardiovascular exercise through running and interval training whilst building up strength through the use of weights whilst completing the activities. The training usually occurs outdoor and has its origins from the basic military boots cmps. The term Boot Camp used in the fitness industry is used to define classes that provide exercise to promote fat loss, team fitness bonding and general camaraderie.

So what do the news wires say about Boot Camps? Well here are three articles I found during the holiday period.

Fitness boot camps offer what gyms cannot

When the New Year's resolution calls for getting in shape fast, joining a gym and pushing yourself hard every day probably won't happen. What will work? Having someone scream, "Drop and give me 20!"

Fitness boot camps may be one of the fastest ways to go from zero to fit. The setup is simple enough: A trainer leads a group of clients through an intense hour of cardio and functional-strength training. The secret lies in the circuit-style workout that toggles between cardio and muscle building. This leaves little if any down time, and the shuffling of routines prevents boredom and exercise ruts. For people willing to put in the work, boot camps enable exercisers to see results quickly, the better to stay motivated.. Read More

Boot camps expected to be popular fitness trend in 2010

Don’t expect this fitness instructor to be in military fatigues or screaming at you through a bull horn.

He doesn’t run his “boot camp” like that.

“I’m a little kinder,” says certified personal trainer Rick Cain. “But I think the boot camp stereotype is that militant yell and scream in your face.”
These days, trainers such as Cain are straying from the monotonous step aerobic routine made popular in the 1980s and ’90s and are instead offering boot camp-style workouts.
The 60- to 90-minute high-intensity sessions cost anywhere from $100 to $250 for up to 12 weeks of classes. They require a variety of moves heavy in calisthenics, body strength, cardiovascular and abdominal work that can burn from 600 to 1,000 calories in a single workout, which may be why they’re catching on... Read More

INDOOR BOOTCAMP WITH INNOVATIVE TWIST OPENS THIS JANUARY

In these times of stress, economical hardship and hectic schedules, a fitness bootcamp is the ultimate choice in getting a high-value workout with a fitness professional. But what if you're tired of those outdoor locations and having to constantly deal with with your muddy clothes and wet shoes? Now strength and conditioning specialist Josh Saunders, founder of The Bootcamp Effect, has a solution. Read More

Overweight and obesity are significant health issues in the United States which has increased significantly over the last 20 years. This epidemic is a major health issue for the country that needs to be addressed. The Obesity pandemic is not isolated to the US only. It is a symptom of the fast pace lifestyle that is today’s modern society. The solution is education and there are many articles in Newsfitness.com as well as many other online sites that provide the answers. The solution is simply regular exercise and the changing of dietary habits. Obesity can be reversed for a large proportion of those afflicted; it’s the will or want to change the lifestyle that needs changing.

Here are the latest Obesity news items

Arena files for FDA approval of obesity drug

 NEW YORK — The first of a new class of obesity drugs moved one step closer to the market Tuesday, as Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc. said it filed for approval of its drug candidate lorcaserin.

The San Diego company reported data from two successful late stage trials of lorcaserin this year, and its shares edged higher in morning trading.

If approved, lorcaserin will probably compete against Vivus Inc.'s Qnexa and Orexigen Therapeutics Inc.'s Contrave32, both of which are still in development. Vivus expects to file for FDA approval in early 2010, and Orexigen plans to make its filing by the end of 2010... Read More

New study sharpens focus on problems of obesity

PARIS — Cardiovascular disease linked to obesity may be worse than thought while health problems associated with being underweight may have been overstated, according to a study published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) on Wednesday.

The paper, written by doctors in Britain and Sweden, seeks to finetune a well-known tool -- the body mass index (BMI) -- which is used to measure obesity and ill-health.
BMI entails taking one's weight in kilos and dividing it by the square of one's height, in metres. A BMI of 25-30 is generally considered overweight. while a figure of above 30 indicates obesity.

Previous studies have already found a big link between BMI and higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers.

In contrast, a low BMI -- in other words, people who are very skinny -- is associated with increased mortality from respiratory disease and lung cancer.... Read More

Obesity heart risk underestimated: study

The risk of dying from heart disease because of excess weight may be higher than thought.
A study published in Wednesday's issue of the British Medical Journal measured body mass index (BMI) and mortality among more than one million pairs of Swedish sons and their parents over 50 years.

The team from Bristol University and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden focused on offspring because the BMI of parents could be linked to illnesses they suffer rather than the extra weight itself.

The researchers found strong links between offspring BMI and parental mortality. For example, the risk of coronary heart disease for mothers increased by 1.15 times and 1.10 times for fathers depending on offspring BMI.

The link to heart-related deaths was much stronger than suggested by previous studies.
Using the father's BMI measurements alone, the risk of heart deaths increased by 45 per cent for every three-point increase in BMI level. But using a measurement based on the child's BMI, the risk increased by 82 per cent... Read More

Diet Pills and other nutrient suppliments come and go, sometimes the product is effective and sometimes not. Marketers will claim that they have the new wonder drug and you should buy their product. The emphasis is on BUY. As we are all aware there is no substitute for for a healthy diet plan and regular exercise for weight loss. Don't get me wrong, Diet Pills are an aid to maximise your exercise routine not as the only item you require to make your body slim and terrific.

That being said sometimes there can be side effects and detrimental health effects that can occur when using the products. Todays news will focus on this with the latest health scare coming out of Canada. Here are trhe top stories on this topic. Be safe and well these holidays.

Health Canada issues warning about diet pill.

OTTAWA – A diet pill available in the Canadian market contains a substance that could pose serious and life-threatening health risks, according to Health Canada.

The federal agency said it has not been able to issue a full recall of the product because the manufacturers have "not been forthcoming in providing all required information."

RevolutionDS Weight Loss contains benzylpiperazine (BZP), a substance with no proven therapeutic use, in dangerous doses, the federal agency said in a statement on its website released Thursday.

Consuming BZP can cause increased body temperature, increased blood pressure, dilated pupils, increased euphoria, alertness and paranoia.... Read More

Health Canada warns against use of yet another weight loss product: RevolutionDS Weight Loss

Health Canada issued a warning today against the use of RevolutionDS Weight Loss, an unauthorized capsule meant to stimulate a fat burning enzyme in the liver. The product, sold on the Internet, contains a synthetic substance called benzylpiperazine (BZP).

Health Canada is warning that BZP causes increased body temperature, increased blood pressure, dilated pupils, and increased euphoria, alertness, and paranoia. They are currently determining if the substance should be added to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act, which would make use or possession of this product illegal. Read More..

BZP weight-loss pills linked to heart problem

Consumers taking a weight-loss product should avoid an unauthorized product sold online that contains BZP, Health Canada says.

The capsules are called RevolutionDS Weight Loss and contain a synthetic substance known as benzylpiperazine, or BZP, the regulator said Thursday.

BZP may cause:

    * Increased body temperature.
    * Increased blood pressure.
    * Dilated pupils.
    * Increased euphoria.
    * Alertness.
    * Paranoia.

Health Canada is assessing whether to add BZP to a list of substances included in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act...... Read More

If you have taken any of these type of diet pills please contact your health care provider and stop taking the product until you can verify that the product will not cause the above side effects. 

Upon review of the Fitness Tip News around the world we at Newsfitness.com have come up with three interesting articles that provide a good read and detailed information to keep you active over the holidays. They all have varied information and will keep you trim, taught and terrific these holidays.

Men: Battle belly bulge with diet, fitness tips

It all starts with a few extra pounds around the waist. Next thing you know, you’re trading up for a larger pair of pants, then suddenly your paunch is hanging over your new, bigger pants.

While this scenario might ring true for both men and women, the bad news for you guys is that it’s more likely to happen to you... Read More

For those of us who have to travel these Holidays please find some fitness tips to keep those lbs off whilst you are visiting your family and friends.

Tips to stay in motion this holiday season + 12 Days of Fitness Workouts for Kids!

Traveling takes us to many great locations and opens the doors to many exciting opportunities - across the province, across Canada and abroad - but it can also disrupt our regular physical activity
routine. With a bit of planning - you can take your workout with you and continue to be active while on the road..... Read More

Staying motivated and in a routine will lead to you keeping motivated throughout the cold months. Below is an article providing you with some tips to make sure that

When it's cold outside, don't freeze your fitness routine

Does a chill in the air make you want to curl up underneath a blanket by the fire? The first freeze of our mercurial Dallas-Fort Worth weather hit early this month, and who knows when the next arctic blast will blow through.But with the right preparation, you can embrace the elements while staying active and healthy. Here are some tips from experts and enthusiasts on how to safely savor some chilly season activities.... Read More

Keeping up your fitness and training over the holiday break will allow you to be able to indulge in the festivities without having to pay for your festivities in January. 

From around the world, the Newsfitness.com team have created the top 3 articles relating to "Workouts" that hit the headlines on 21st December. I hope you find the articles enspiring and help with the Holiday cheer.

Fitness: Tailor workouts to busy holidays

The Christmas holiday is extremely busy and can also be extremely indulgent. Suffice it to say, health and fitness is not generally at the top of Santa's naughty or nice list.

Christmas is a time of celebration and often in excess. It's not surprising then that so many people struggle to maintain a healthy focus in December. To enjoy the Christmas celebrations and maintain a healthy focus, simply follow a few festive fitness guidelines:... Read More

Keeping workouts on track in December (and forgiving holiday indulgences)

Holidays are the times that try the fitness routine.

With family feasts, office parties and Champagne soirees, the temptation to overindulge is everywhere, just as your yoga studio moves to holiday hours, your gym cancels classes and your personal trainer leaves town. But experts say if you've worked all year at staying fit, it might be time to give yourself a break, sort of.... Read More

Best Workout Songs of the Decade

As the new decade quickly approaches, a number of music publications have unveiled their Best of the 2000s lists. The diversity of profiled artists proves the last 10 years were prolific for numerous genres. This makes it nearly impossible for any two sources to agree on the absolute best album or song. However, at MensFitness.com, we have very strict criteria for rating a song: Does it pump us up? Read More

 

From news reports..

Sedentary lifestyles are making children less fit - even among those who are not obese, a study suggests.

Essex University staged fitness tests on 600 10-year-olds a decade apart in an area with low levels of obesity. Read More.....

Children's fitness declining across the world, study finds.

Even children who have not got fat have become less fit over the past decade, according to research published today.

Obesity is not the only enemy of children's health, according to sports and exercise specialists writing in the medical journal, Archives of Disease in Childhood. They say that even those children who are not overeating are frighteningly inactive and may pay the price in terms of their future health.. Read More...

Children's fitness levels in the UK are falling at twice the global average rate, regardless of obesity, research has showed.

While around the world fitness is falling at about 4% a decade among youngsters, the UK rate is 8%, experts said.

They described the fall as "large and worrying" and said there could be a need to monitor fitness levels among schoolchildren. Read More...