Filed under: Diet & Weight Loss

Keep track of the latest in diet and fitness Twitter trends and opinions with this weekly post. Not only will AOL Health’s Twitter alias Healthpop and That’s_Fit ask fitness-related questions and share the best responses with you, we’ll scour the Twittersphere for the latest buzz on everything from good eats to exercise routines gone bad.

MobiMom

MobiMom Finally broke into the “hidden” bag of Halloween candy – oh, no – this is NOT good….

JaredCastle

JaredCastle Halloween trivia: A cup of candy corn has fewer calories than a cup of raisins. Candy corn (22 pieces) is 140 calories. http://short.to/sl7q

leslie_dennis

leslie_dennis Halloween candy should be counted as a food group unto itself. I’ve already had 3 Smarties and a Now & Later. I’m wired!

pbsparents

pbsparents Plan for a healthy Halloween. Instead of candy, give stickers, pencils or small change w/ a note saying “Treat yourself!”

khat0511

khat0511 Just bought enough halloween candy to choke a whale.. it’s all staring at us now.. if i don’t look, the calories don’t count, right?

ColletteAM

ColletteAM @Thats_Fit I couldn’t care less about Halloween candy. 1) I’m vegan & 2) Its junk. If I want chocolate it’s gotta be the best.

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Read any good Tweets? Give us a shout on Twitter and let us know all about it!

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Filed under: Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation

Kimberly Anne Evans was overweight her entire life. Teased in grade school, never asked to a dance in high school, she used her weight as body armor, shielding herself from a cruel world. As an adult, she reached 347 pounds.

“Food was my friend, my blanket, my comfort, my lover — my drug,” she told NBC’s “TODAY” show as the newest member of the Joy Fit Club.

Unlike many obese people, Kimberly never dieted. Instead, she constantly subsisted on fast food in huge portions for three decades. She would eat multiple McDonald’s breakfast burritos in the morning, two cheeseburgers with fries for lunch and pizza followed by ice cream at dinnertime. It came to approximately 9,000 calories a day, nearly five times the recommended daily allowance.

One day, however, she saw a movie that would change her life.

Continue reading Woman Loses 211 Lbs., Gets First Kiss

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Filed under: Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness

Is it wise to point a mocking finger at an opponent’s weight? New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine seems to think so. A recent campaign ad from Corzine features a shot of rival Christopher Christie stepping out of a vehicle, exposing his hefty midriff while a narrator comments that Christie is “throwing his weight around” to avoid traffic tickets.

Other unflattering shots of Christie have appeared throughout Corzine’s campaign ads. “Mr. Corzine’s television commercials and Web videos feature unattractive images of Mr. Christie, sometimes shot from the side or backside, highlighting his heft, jowls and double chin,” writes David Halbfinger from The New York Times. While Christie reportedly would not comment on his actual weight, it is evident that he is sorely overweight. But does this make a difference to voters?

It appears Governor Corzine wants it to. He tries to portray himself as a model of fitness, running in local 5K and 10K races, sometimes two in one weekend. “I always see the governor at my gym; he is definitely a fitness fanatic. I like knowing that he is health conscious.,” says one local New Jersey resident who frequents the same New York Sports Club as Corzine. “It’s actually motivating.”

Is poking fun at a rival’s weight a smart move in a nation where more than 60 percent of our folks are overweight? Or, is it better to have officials who are healthy and weight conscious so they can lead by example?

As hard as we may try not to judge, some research shows weight-based discrimination happens throughout the workplace — it may just not be as public as this campaign.

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Filed under: Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment

Photo: jupiterimages

By now it’s almost a farce. Contestants on “The Biggest Loser” are pushed to run mind-numbing sprints on the treadmill. The contestants hesitate, saying, “I can’t do it!” The trainer gets in their faces, calls them on their fears, and screams until they get back on the treadmill. Pushed to completion, the nearly-collapsed contestants develop looks of awe on their faces and praise the trainer and the show for helping them face and conquer their fears. You have just experienced treadmill sprinting, “Biggest Loser” style. And this season, it appears to be happening every episode.

So how do we mere mortals pull off this exercise without a TV crew? Is it even worth it to do treadmill sprints?

Sure, and here’s an easy way to start:

• Practice jumping onto the metal runners on either side of the treadmill. Use your arms to support your weight as you open your legs to each side of the moving belt. Be sure you can do this quickly and easily, in case you need to perform this movement during the sprint.
• Increase your speed by 25 percent of your normal pace, so if you usually walk at 4 mph, jump it up to 5. If you normally run a 10-minute mile (6 mph), try running at an eight-minute mile pace (7.5 mph). Try to stay on the treadmill for 20 seconds. If you feel like you’re going to fall, or if you feel dizzy, stop immediately.
• If you’re successful at the increased speed, try to keep it up for 30 seconds the next time. Do two or three of these sprints during your first 30-minute treadmill workout. Over the course of the next month, attempt to increase the amount of time you continuously sprint to two minutes.
• Once you are regularly sprinting for two minutes at a time, do three or four sprints per workout.

Sprint training can be done once or twice per week. It increases your cardiovascular endurance, your anaerobic threshold and will give a little goose to your calorie burn during the workout. The sprints allow you to burn about 20 to 30 more calories a session, about the same as a Hershey’s kiss!

If you’re just getting started, try this beginner running plan.

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Filed under: Fitness

I like how Donna Deegan says she wants to take the words “fight” and “battle” out of the cancer conversation. News anchor, three-time cancer survivor and creator of the National Breast Cancer Marathon, Deegan doesn’t want to just fight breast cancer, she wants to end it all together.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and what better time to help put an end to this disease. Deegan’s new book, “Through Rose Colored Glasses,” teaches us how to get past the fear of breast cancer and move towards healing in a positive way. As much as we know the devastating effects this disease can have, there are a number of positive actions we can take to support those living with breast cancer now and prevent others from living with it in the future.

The Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure is the largest 5K run/walk series in the world, and events are happening right now. Find a race near you. Walk it, run it or get a group to volunteer at it. There is also a 60-mile walk held in various cities throughout the year. Funds from these events are used for breast cancer research, breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment projects.

Continue reading Breast Cancer: Race to End It

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Filed under: Diet & Weight Loss

Photo: pierofix, Flickr

A cup of coffee usually has fewer than 10 calories, so why is recent research finding that our afternoon coffee breaks might be making us fat? OK, it doesn’t take a genius to figure that one out — while black coffee or tea on their own are practically calorie-free, not many people actually drink them this way, and all the add-ons can send the calorie count soaring.

Researchers from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene set out to find out just how we like our coffee and followed the habits of afternoon coffee drinkers at Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts for 11 weeks. They found that while 78 percent of patrons at Dunkin’ Donuts stuck to regular coffee with milk or sugar (averaging around 69 calories a cup), two-thirds of Starbucks addicts opted for fancier coffees, which upped the calorie count drastically.

Continue reading Coffee Calories Can Stretch Your Waistline

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AIDS is such a threatening disease that everyone scare of it but how many of us really understand and take appropriate precaution regarding to this disease? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in US, there is 75% of men and 25% of women are infected with HIV in the 40,000 new infections every year. The number of people get infected of HIV is getting higher and higher and we should look at it seriously.

AIDS is a short form for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is an immune system disease which caused by the virus called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Due to this immune system virus, it is able to reduce the effectiveness of the affected immune system and brings more unexpected infections to human body. Antibodies will be generated by human body to fight against with this virus to protect our immune system. Therefore, if you have a HIV positive with your blood test, it means you will have such antibodies in your blood and it’s definitely comes with the HIV as well. If you certified with HIV positive but not necessary is having AIDS. But if the HIV disease prolongs, it will slowly weak your immune system down where all the viruses, fungi, bacteria and etc start to assimilate to your body easily due to the damaged of your immune system and make your weak and lead to AIDS.

There is a high risk of getting HIV through blood that infected with HIV. For those drug users that depend on the intravenous drug through syringes especially those reusing syringes that might be contaminated with blood that infected by HIV might have the major risk for HIV positive. On the other hand, the breast milk from a mother who infected HIV also can infect others such as their baby who depends on breastfeeding. Those having sex with the HIV infected people also can be infected easily through vaginal fluid and semen. There is some risk on blood transfusion as well, where the blood supply might have contaminated with HIV. Therefore, the blood that collected through donation or etc is being screened through carefully to avoid this disaster.

The symptom of a HIV infected people is fever, headache, joint pain, stomachache and even sometimes come with the skin rash. But then, some people might not have any symptom as mentioned above, therefore they might not know that they had been infected with HIV. The virus will be generated multiple for few weeks or months. During this time, your immune system still unable to respond and will not able to have the blood test for HIV. Therefore, if you suspect yourself have been infected with HIV, then you might need to go for the blood test approximately after 2 months from the suspected timing which can test for the antibody that generated by the human body.

There is no suitable vaccine for HIV to cure for AIDS from previous till nowadays. We only go for the most preservative way where known as prevention method to avoid for virus exposure. The main prevention methods are avoid for un-safe sex life, reduce exposure to the infected body fluids and prevent from any HIV infected mother to get pregnant. The un-safe sex life with the infected HIV sex partner is usually the most high risk ranking in the HIV disease. Condoms are used to reduce the infection of HIV either in male or female if it had been used correctly. For those health care operators or workers, the health awareness shall be promoted where they shall use gloves, masks or any protective apparatus to prevent any exposure to the blood contaminated HIV. Needles, glass and etc shall be handled carefully where to be disposed correctly to avoid any unwanted infection. Lastly, the HIV infected mother shall prevent breastfeeding to their baby.

Since there is no cure for this disease, we shall take good care of ourselves to prevent from this threatening disease. Love ourselves and said no to those unhealthy activities that might cause the HIV infections.

About the Author

Anna has been writing articles online for nearly 3 years now. Not only she does her own research in healthcare, you can also check out her latest website on Fire Pit Covers.net to find out more about fire pit covers.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

Knowing what causes snoring can greatly help you both to find relief if you are already suffering from its effects or to find ways of preventing yourself from becoming a poor victim.

Though not regularly the cause of aggravated problems (except for social embarrassment and potential risks of discontented relationship), it is still best if you are not a sufferer yourself.

Many fall victim in this noisy nighttime dilemma. While some are not aware that they have the condition, many are known to seek ways to get around the troubles that it causes.

Like most other conditions, snoring can be prevented. If you are close to becoming a snorer yourself or if you know one who shows initial signs of developing this condition, you can find good use in the advises that we have in this article. Please read on.

Snoring occurs when the collapsible part of the throat meets. Coupled with the passage of air into the throat, these dangling parts are likely to produce vibrations that create the noisy sounds. Why this condition occurs at night is not a mystery.

While it is true that we breathe 24 hours a day, we only snore when our body is totally relaxed. Thus, it is often advised that snorers maintain a tensed sleeping position until the body gets used to this state.

If you do not like the idea, however, you can prevent snoring through practicing a sideward sleeping position to widen the passage through which air may run through. This passage is congested when we sleep on our backs since our heads are forced to fall back. Additionally, our lower jaw is encouraged to open, therefore creating a space wherein the tongue can droop back. When this occurs, the normal air passage will be obstructed by these components.

We all know that when a passage narrows, the pressure that regularly runs through it will increase. This principle occurs in the throat which explains why there are people who snore and there are those who don’t, and why snores come in different intensity and sounds.

Obesity is known to induce snoring. This is due to the fact that heavier people are more likely to have extra (and often unnecessary tissues). The neck of an overweight person is known to have more muscles and adipose tissues that hamper the normal delivery of breathing.

Thus, to prevent the possibility of producing nighttime respiratory vibration, one is advised to refrain from gaining too much weight. Not only would you escape from major health threats such as general unhealthiness of the body or coronary diseases, you can also save yourself from distracting your bed partner’s sleep and your own.

Some people practice mouth breathing. Add to the fact that this is generally not a healthy practice, mouth breathing can also raise one’s susceptibility towards snoring. It may seem awkward to switch back to nasal breathing initially though, but in time you would learn to breathe naturally using your nose while sleeping. In the end, you would be thankful that you took time and learned patience in eliminating this habit.

If you would notice, most advice for preventing snoring concerns lifestyle-changing practices. This is because snoring, as a whole, doesn’t necessarily have to root from biological causes while we may find sufferers who are actually bothered by nasal deformities or extra large adenoids and tonsils.

About the Author

Author writes for Snoring Solution, Get Rid of Cellulite and Six pack abs.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

Nowadays, people choose medical practitioners based on their perceptions rather than relying on endorsements from local authorities and so on.  It has become increasingly important for doctors to market their medical practices in order to build their brand, reach out to new patients, and increase business from current patients. 

No matter how great of a doctor you are, your skills will mean little if no one knows you are out there.  Some doctors are reluctant to embrace marketing strategy because they think that being a great doctor is all you need to do in order to find new patients and keep your current ones.  However, the truth is that visibility is incredibly important in this competitive marketplace.  The only way to achieve visibility is through launching a medical marketing campaign.  Here are the 5 Ps of medical marketing. 

1.       Product

The product of a medical practice is the service you are offering your patients.  For example, if you are a cosmetic surgeon, your product is the cosmetic operations and treatments you offer.  The atmosphere of your practice is also important.  It is crucial to make a very good first impression so when patients come to your practice, you must ensure that the atmosphere of your practice is relaxing, comforting, and friendly.  Make sure that your practice is clean, well-maintained, and well-lit.  The colors of your décor and the lighting can make a massive difference in the way patients perceive your practice.  Although the most important aspect of your product is providing excellent cosmetic operations and treatments, you have to give the overall impression that your practice is ideal for your target market. 

2.       Price

The price of your products is not only what you charge for your services – it is also defined by the perceived value of your services.  The expectations of your customers will depend on the price you charge.  For example, if you go to a five-star restaurant, you expect to receive top level service and food.  If you service you receive at the five-star restaurant is comparable to the service you would receive at a fast food restaurant, and the food is mediocre at best, you will be disappointed and feel that you did not receive the perceived value of the product.  This will probably lead you to tell everyone you know to avoid the restaurant.  Likewise, people will spread the word that your practice should be avoided if you do not live up to the perceived value of your product.  On the other hand, when your service matches its price, you will get a lot of word-of-mouth referrals.  This provides you with free viral marketing benefits for your practice. 

3.       Place

The place of your medical practice is where it is located.  The location of your practice is essential to your success.  Factors such as its visibility and whether or not there is public transport that takes patients there will make a big difference in how many new patients you can attract on a consistent basis.  If there are any logistical challenges that get in the way of patients arriving at your practice, try to eliminate them if possible.  If your practice is far away and hard to get to for the majority of your target market, you may want to consider relocating, unless you offer such highly specialized services that people would be willing to travel far to receive them. 

4.       Position

Your position in your market is defined by the competitive advantages you offer.  What makes your practice unique and stand out from the rest?  You must define your unique position in your market in order to develop an effective marketing plan.  Your perception of your practice may be very different from how your patients perceive it.  Determine how your patients perceive your medical practice in comparison to competing medical practices by doing surveys and providing them with feedback cards. 

5.       Promotion

Although many people mistakenly believe that medical marketing is solely about promotion, the truth is that promotion should be the very last step in your marketing campaign.  In order to promote your practice successfully, you have to plan extensively.  The first 4 Ps are very important and must come first because they help you determine your competitive advantage and which areas of your practice you need to change or improve.  Promotion of your medical practice involves a combination of PR, advertising, and direct marketing.  Promotion requires a lot of resources so it is very important to plan carefully in order to ensure that you get a high ROI on your medical marketing campaign.

Once you define what the 5 Ps of your medical practice are, you need to find a professional medical marketing firm that can help you put your plan into action and build a highly successful medical marketing campaign.  There are several medical marketing firms to choose from so your best bet is to narrow down your choices and compare them based on the results of their previous campaigns.  Results must be measurable so you can be sure that the firm will be able to live up to their promises. 

About the Author

John whites is a medical marketing expert who works full time with health care providers to increase their visibility on the web space to get people connected with the Medical Professionals.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

  If you are looking for free slimming information and healthy weight loss ideas there are many sources of information available to you.  The internet is probably the best place to start but don’t forget other sources such as newspapers and magazines and even your friends and family might have a few good tips for you.

  One advantage of looking for weight loss tips on the internet are the many useful tools you come across that can help your weight loss attempt.  Calorie counters are great for working out how many calories are your favourite foods and for keeping track of how many calories you are eating each day.  You can use a BMI calculator to determine a healthy weight range for your age and size and there are thousands of delicious and tasty low fat recipes that can help you to lose weight.  You will  also be able to find information on the many different diets that are available as well information that will make losing weight easier such as negative calorie foods and ways to boost your metabolism.

  One of the features that I found most useful was the forums that many websites have.  If you need any help or advice or just some moral support they are great places to go to and are full of slimming success stories.  Once you know how to find the best weight loss diets slimming will be made easy.

  We all know that losing weight is one of the best things that we can do to improve our health.  Losing weight helps to keep blood vessels healthy, helps to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and is vital in winning the war on cancer.  Losing weight also helps to improve energy levels and gives a welcome boost to self-confidence.

  Although losing weight is obviously a good thing most people find it difficult to do and this is for the reason that most diets don’t work.  In the short term they may help us to lose weight but once we get back into old habits weight starts to be regained and we are back to where we started from.  That is why many health professionals are recommending a new approach to losing weight that doesn’t involve dieting and instead focuses on making long term changes to eating habits and lifestyle.

  By making some simple changes to our eating habits it is possible to save hundreds of calories each day without trying and so achieve effortless and safe weight loss.  By simply cutting down on fizzy drinks and replacing them with water it is possible to save 150-200 calories each day.  Saying no to fried food is another excellent way of saving calories as fried food can have 3 times the amount of calories of food that is baked or grilled.  Creamy foods are another no no as they are stuffed full of calories.  Foods to avoid include creamy soups, sauces and salad dressings.

  One of the most important changes that need to be made is to the amount of physical activity taken each day.  This needn’t involve spending hours in the gym each day simply being more active in your every day will help to burn more calories.  Take the stairs instead of the lift at work and start to walk a bit further each day.  Joining a dance class is a fun way of getting fit and having some fun.

About the Author

I am a personal trainer and lifecoach and have successfully been helping people to lose weight and get in shape for the past 7 years. if you need help losing weight I fully reccommend a visit to http://www.no-diet-slimming.co.uk/.

Article Source: Content for Reprint