Diabetes Champions from Across Country Aim to Inspire
(ARA) – A group of patients who make diabetes management an essential part of their day-to-day life are hoping to motivate others in the diabetes community to manage their condition and strive for optimal blood sugar control.
The Circle of Champions is a network of people from all over the United States living with diabetes, who have worked hard to achieve and maintain their personal diabetes goals. They are partnering with sanofi-aventis, a world leader in diabetes care, to speak out in local communities across the country with the hope of inspiring others to Join the Circle and pledge to strive for better blood sugar control, regardless of their treatment plan.
As the prevalence of diabetes in the United States continues to increase, with nearly 24 million Americans estimated to be living with the disease, the members of the Circle of Champions are encouraging others to find the right diabetes treatment plan for them.
“After being diagnosed with diabetes, I spoke with my treating health care provider about all available treatment options and, together, we worked to determine an appropriate plan to help me reach my individual daily blood sugar and A1C goals,” said Champion Frank Atherton.
As part of their overall diabetes treatment plan, these Champions use a basal insulin along with healthy meal planning, physical activity and other diabetes medications to help manage their blood sugar levels and keep their A1C under control.
“Taking control of my diabetes is important to me and I hope my story helps motivate others to talk to their healthcare provider and work toward achieving better blood sugar control,” said Champion Paula Jernigan.
As part of an effective diabetes treatment plan, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) encourages people living with diabetes to track their blood sugar levels with daily self-monitoring and by taking an A1C test, which measures average blood sugar levels over the past two-to-three-month period. To keep blood sugar levels under control, the ADA recommends striving for an A1C of less than 7 percent. Unfortunately, more than 40 percent of all diabetes patients in the United States are not achieving this target with diet, exercise and oral medications alone. It is important for patients with diabetes to talk to their treating health care provider about an appropriate A1C goal for them.
For more information about the program and to read the inspirational stories from people living with diabetes who make up the Circle of Champions, please visit www.MyDiabetesCircle.com. Visitors to the site can also Join the Circle and pledge to strive for better control of their blood sugar, and sign up to receive helpful information about diabetes and/or sanofi-aventis treatment options.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Less than sixty minutes in seven days.
That’s the amount of exercise that can measurably improve quality of life for people who are obese, according to Duke Diet and Fitness Center research released today.
People in a study of 1,200 people who exercised for a little less than one hour a week still enjoyed better quality of life and improved ability to perform daily tasks.
“Things that many people take for granted, like tying one’s shoes, getting dressed or simply moving around, were easier for those who reported routine exercise,” Martin Binks, research director at the Duke Diet and Fitness Center, said in a news release.
The benefits of exercise for obese people have not been as thoroughly studied as for mild or moderately overweight people, said Binks, who presented the research at this weekend’s meeting of the Obese Society in Phoenix, Ariz.
“It shows the value of starting to move no matter how overweight you are,” he said.
In July, obesity researchers, including Wake Forest University’s Wei Lang, found that four hours and 15 minutes of exercise per week was necessary for overweight and obese women to lose pounds and keep them off during a two-year period
Read More:News & Observer
(ARA) – With the cost of everything so high these days, people are looking for ways to trim their budgets. Among the most obvious places to cut back, eliminating that morning cup of coffee, bringing a lunch from home instead of dining out and canceling those services you can really do without – like cable TV and that gym membership you don’t really use much anyway.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t stay active, however. Numerous studies have shown that regular exercise is a critical part of staying healthy. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), regular exercise helps people maintain a healthy weight and delay or prevent the onset of diabetes and heart problems.
Regular activity is so important, in fact, that the Federal Government recommends American adults get at least 30 minutes of exercise five times a week. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to head down to the gym, which can be more of a chore than a fun activity, not to mention expensive.
Here are some ideas for getting that 30 minute workout anytime, anyplace:
1. Most employers offer an hour long lunch break and two 15-minute breaks throughout the day. Use some of that time to get up and get moving.
If you work in a tall building with lots of floors, use your break time to go up and down the stairs. If stair climbing is not an option, walk around the building at a brisk pace a couple of times a day, stopping occasionally to stretch.
2. If you’re a stay-at-home mom or dad, turn the baby stroller into work-out equipment.
Head on down to the park or just around the block with baby once or twice a day and as you move, use the stroller as a piece of work-out equipment. You can jog behind it, incorporate walking lunges and use bands for resistance training. Not only will you get the benefit of exercise, your baby will love it.
3. Take up sports hula hooping.
Ten minutes worth of vigorously wiggling your hips and moving around can burn off 110 calories, which is about as much as you’d burn if jogging or running an 8-minute mile. But burning calories quickly isn’t the only benefit the activity offers. It also promotes correct body alignment from the circular motions and proper posture in the upper body.
Substitute that light, plastic hula hoop your kids play with for a weighted one like the Acu Hoop offered by California’s Sports Hoop, Inc., and you can get even more health benefits.
When swiveled for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, weighted sports hoops can provide cardiovascular benefits, help tone muscles, burn calories and fat and facilitate weight loss. Do it religiously every day, and you can trim your waist two inches and lose four pounds every month until fit.
Weighted hoops come in a variety of styles and sizes, ranging from 1- to- 6-pounds in weight. No matter which one you choose to use, here’s how to get started:
1) Find enough space around you. Keep your feet one foot wide. Relax your knees, waist and body.
2) Relax your elbows. Lift the hoop and place it tightly against the back of your waist.
3) Grasp the hoop and keep it in a horizontal position before swinging out. Do not position the hoop at a tilt.
4) Horizontally swing out the hoop against your waist, fast and powerfully. Move your waist immediately.
5) Move your waist in a circular motion, all around pressing against the hoop.
6) Keep your motion fast enough to match the circulation speed of the hoop for it to stay up on your waist.
“The best thing about hula-hooping,” says personal trainer Rosemary Torres, “is it can be done anytime, anywhere.”
It is estimated there are now more than one million people throughout the United States using Sports Hoops as their major waist-trimming fitness equipment. For more information on the weighted hoops offered by California Sports Hoop, Inc., or to place an order, visit http://www.sports-hoop.com or call toll free (866) 700-5668.
More than 60 percent of non-traumatic, lower-limb amputations occur among people with diabetes. Don’t become one of them.
(NewsUSA) - Nearly 21 million people in the United States are afflicted with diabetes, which accounts for 7 percent of the population. The prevalence of the disease is even higher among African Americans. In fact, approximately 13 percent of African Americans aged 20 years or older have the disease. And while diabetes is a chronic disease that can be managed, people need to be more aware of the complications associated with it.
Diabetic complications can cause nerve and vascular damage, which can eventually lead to foot ulcers. If not treated in time, these ulcers can result in amputation. In fact, more than 60 percent of non-traumatic, lower-limb amputations in the United States occur among people with diabetes.
What can you do? The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) recommends regular visits to an APMA podiatric physician as part of a comprehensive foot care plan to help reduce your risk of amputation. Additionally, the APMA suggests following these simple tips at home.
* Check your feet every day
Especially if you have a loss of sensation, visually inspecting your feet daily will help you notice any cuts, sores, blisters or changes in the skin or toenails. You can use a hand mirror to help you check the bottoms of your feet. If you notice a change in your feet, see your podiatrist immediately.
* Clean your feet daily
Washing your feet will help avoid the build-up of bacteria. Be sure to wash in warm water, rather than hot. Completely dry your feet after washing, and pay special attention to drying between the toes.
* Keep skin healthy
By lightly applying lotion or moisturizer to your feet, you can help prevent dry, flaky or cracked skin. Use lotion on the tops and bottoms of your feet but never between the toes because excess moisture between the toes creates conditions favorable to forming an infection.
* Always wear shoes and socks
Soft, lightly padded socks will help you avoid blisters and sores. Socks with no seams are best. Also, examine the insides of your shoes to be sure there is nothing harmful that will injure your feet.
* Choose shoes that fit well and protect your feet
One of the best ways to avoid injuries to your feet is to wear sturdy and supportive shoes at all times.
For more information on diabetes and your feet or to find an APMA podiatrist in your area, visit www.apma.org.
The ACG recommends that you talk to your doctor about colorectal cancer screening.
(NewsUSA) - Colorectal cancer is the number-two cancer killer in the U.S. Unfortunately, few people realize that there are a number of simple screening tests that can make colorectal cancer one of the most preventable cancers.
Most colon cancers begin as polyps which, if not removed, can become cancerous. The development of more than 75-90 percent of colorectal cancer can be avoided through early detection and removal of these pre-cancerous polyps. The digestive health specialists from the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) urge you to get screened for colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer is most common after age 50, but it can strike at younger ages. The chance of colon cancer increases with age. It’s suggested that screenings begin at age 50 for men and women at average risk for colorectal cancer. African-Americans should begin colorectal cancer screening as early as age 45. African-Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer at a younger average age than whites, and African-Americans with colorectal cancer have a decreased survival rate compared with whites.
Colonoscopy is considered the best test for colorectal cancer screening and prevention because it allows physicians to look directly at the entire colon and identify suspicious growths. It is the only test that can detect and remove pre-cancerous polyps from the colon during the same examination.
For average-risk individuals, the ACG recommends colonoscopy screening every 10 years beginning at age 50 as the preferred strategy. Alternative strategies for average risk individuals include annual stool tests to detect blood and flexible sigmoidoscopic exams every five years, although unlike colonoscopy this approach does not allow visualization and removal of polyps in the entire colon. The ACG urges you to talk to your doctor about what screening tests are right for you.
There is no reason for someone to die from a preventable cancer. With improved use of colon cancer screening, we can save lives. Colorectal cancer screening with colonoscopy is among the most powerful preventive tools in clinical medicine. To learn more about the benefits of colorectal cancer screening, speak with your doctor or visit www.acg.gi.org.
ARA) - World Champion cyclist Kristin Armstrong, 34, was diagnosed with osteoarthritis nearly seven years ago. Already an accomplished tri-athlete, slowing down wasn’t an option so she turned to cycling as a sport that would be easier on her joints. Through hard work and determination, she is now preparing to compete as a cyclist in the upcoming 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China. This year, Armstrong is supporting the Arthritis Foundation’s annual Arthritis Walk events and Team TripleFlex by sharing her personal success story.
“I found that cycling was a great way to remain active and keep my joints strong,” says Armstrong. “My goal is to inspire and motivate those with arthritis and related joint discomfort to stay fit and do the things you love whether it’s playing with your children or grandchildren, gardening or hiking your favorite trail.”
In honor of Arthritis Awareness Month, Armstrong offers her top five tips for being active and maintaining joint health.
* Fuel It Up – Experts agree there is a special connection between nutrition and joints. A balanced diet high in antioxidants containing citrus fruits, green, leafy vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids such as those found in salmon provides active adults with the nutrients they need to maintain joint health. A balanced diet also gives you the energy you need for your favorite activities.
* Walk It Out – Research shows that physical activity is one of the best ways to keep joints in top shape as it helps maintain weight and build strength, which aids shock absorption and injury prevention. Walking and biking are two of the best exercises to maintain joint health.
* Boost It Up – For an extra boost in joint health, glucosamine and chondroitin supplements can also help. Studies show that glucosamine and chondroitin promote joint comfort and elasticity. Doctors recommend Nature Made TripleFlex which combines the power of glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM to help maintain joint cartilage, cushion joints and allow you to lead your days discomfort-free.
* Keep It Down – A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that people who lost just 11 pounds cut their risk of osteoarthritis in half. Combine portion-controlled meals and plenty of exercise most days of the week to help keep weight in check. Don’t forget that walking through the mall and cleaning the house both count as exercise!
* Take It Further – The Arthritis Foundation’s Arthritis Walk events are held in communities across the nation to raise public awareness and funds to help people living with arthritis lead active, mobile lives. Nationally sponsored by Nature Made TripleFlex, walkers can sign-up as a team and come out to support a family member or friend.
Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting a new health regimen. To follow Kristin on her road to Beijing, visit www.kristinarmstrongUSA.com. For more information on joint health options, visit www.tripleflex.com . To find an Arthritis Walk in your area, go to www.arthritis.org or call (877) 232-2898.
(ARA) – Fitting diet and exercise changes into a busy lifestyle can be difficult, even for those who are 100 percent committed to taking control of their weight and health. Good health is a 24/7 endeavor, and many people are looking for weight loss success with flexible plans that can accommodate the hectic pace of modern life.
“While the fundamentals of good health are the same for everyone — eating and exercising well — there are as many paths and schedules for those goals as there are people,” says Liz Josefsberg of WeightWatchers.com. “It’s possible and essential to find ways to make positive changes that become a natural part of your lifestyle.”
For Tory Klementsen of Washington, weight loss success happened when she started focusing on improving her health, rather than just losing weight. Tory lost more than 100 pounds* through lifestyle changes that included altering her eating habits and finding forms of exercise she could enjoy. Now this self-professed “reformed couch potato” lists skydiving and marathon running among her weight-loss related achievements. Her key to success was Weight Watchers Online, a subscription based plan followed completely on the internet, which provides interactive tools to help people through the process of losing weight.
“Anyone who’s ever tried to lose weight knows that difficult moments can happen at any time of the day or night,” says Josefsberg. “Tory’s subscription to an online resource made it easy for her to stay on course and maintain important lifestyle changes.”
WeightWatchers.com and Tory offer the following five tips that will help you stay motivated and make healthy choices every day:
1. Don’t let yourself get too hungry before eating because then you’re more likely to overeat when you reach for food. Plan ahead for smart snacks, like a celery stalk with a dab of peanut butter or a cup of lowfat yogurt, and have them handy when hunger strikes. “Eating lots of little meals helps me keep from getting ravenous and out of control,” Tory says.
2. A business trip or vacation doesn’t mean a vacation from your healthy lifestyle. Tory fights off travel temptations by arriving at her destination and immediately stopping at a grocery store to stock up on healthy foods. Having a supply of good food on hand will help you avoid fast food pitfalls.
3. Start the day with a good breakfast. Avoid starchy, sugary high-calorie breakfast foods like muffins or doughnuts. Instead, opt for healthy, filling and fiber-filled choices, like healthy breakfast cereal with yogurt and fruit.
4. Find a weight loss plan that works for you; the Internet is a great resource for this. Weight Watchers Online is built on the proven approach to weight loss developed by the experts at Weight Watchers. This convenient plan, with separate customized sites for men and women, makes it easy to stay connected anywhere, anytime.
5. Vary your exercise routine so you don’t get bored. Above all, don’t be too hard on yourself. Unrealistic expectations can cause you to become discouraged and give up too quickly. Fit exercise into your schedule by walking at lunch, waking up 30 minutes earlier or joining a 24-hour gym; but commit to some form of exercise every day.
For more tips and information about a weight loss plan that could be right for you, visit www.WeightWatchers.com.
