Stay Bone-Healthy This Holiday Season and New Year

(ARA) – Winter weather with snow and ice. Holiday parties with tasty treats. The holidays can be a lot of fun, but it is also important for those who have osteoporosis to learn how the season might impact their bone health and what they can do to make healthy New Year’s resolutions.

Osteoporosis, a disease which causes bones to become brittle and more likely to break, threatens nearly 44 million Americans, 55 percent of which are age 50 or older. Nearly one in two women over age 50 may experience an osteoporosis-related fracture in her remaining lifetime. For those at higher risk for fractures, or broken bones, a fall on an icy walkway can be dangerous. In addition to the risk of falling, the holiday hustle and bustle can make it hard to stick to a healthy diet and commit to regular exercise, which are important for people with osteoporosis.

“People suffering from osteoporosis can take extra precautions to avoid suffering an osteoporotic fracture, including being extra vigilant about falling in inclement weather during the winter months,” said Barbara Dehn, nurse practitioner at the Women Physicians Ob/Gyn Medical Group, Mt. View, California. “It’s also important to be more mindful of getting appropriate amounts of calcium and vitamin D while indulging on holiday foods. Post-menopausal women should also see a doctor regularly and follow a treatment plan as directed.”

Thinking ahead to the New Year, it’s always a good idea to commit to living a healthier lifestyle. This includes seeing a doctor regularly. If you are concerned about osteoporosis, a doctor can determine whether you should have a bone mass measurement, also called bone mineral density or BMD test, and can also prescribe treatments to help prevent loss of bone mass. Loss of bone mass means that bones get thinner and are more likely to fracture.

“If you’re a post-menopausal woman, it’s important to see your doctor about osteoporosis screening. If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis, your doctor may consider several treatment options. One prescription medicine – once monthly Boniva (ibandronate sodium) tablets – is used to treat and help prevent osteoporosis in women after menopause. Boniva helps increase bone mass and helps reduce the chance of having a spinal fracture (break). It is not known how long Boniva works for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis and you should see your doctor regularly to determine if Boniva is still right for you,” Dehn said. “This coming New Year, be sure to take your medication as directed by your doctor to help prevent bone loss in 2012.”

Here are some tips for a safe and healthy holiday season and New Year:

• Keep yourself safe from a fall

• Stay alert and focused
• Wear well-fitting shoes with good treads, especially when walking outside on snowy or icy terrain
• Use night lights when navigating your home in the evening
• Make sure holiday decorations do not block or narrow walkways – indoors and outdoors
• Have your vision checked regularly

• Remember that getting appropriate amounts of calcium and vitamin D are important for bone health

 

• Women age 50 and older need approximately 1,200 mg of calcium each day and foods like milk and dairy products, legumes and certain green vegetables are the best sources of calcium

 

• Vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption and it is recommended that men and women over age 50 get about 800-1,000 international units of vitamin D each day

 

• People can receive vitamin D through sunlight, dietary supplements and through vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish and vitamin-D fortified orange juice

• Get active – speak with your physician about activities you can do to build or maintain bone strength

 

• Take osteoporosis medications as directed by your healthcare professional
• Find a support system – visit MyBoniva.com to join a free program that includes a welcome kit, quarterly newsletters with helpful tips on leading a healthy and active life, and monthly e-mail reminders to help you remember to take your medication

 
Please see below for Important Safety Information.

Indication
Boniva is a prescription medicine used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in women after menopause. Boniva helps increase bone mass and helps reduce the chance of having a spinal fracture (break).

It is not known how long Boniva works for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. You should see your doctor regularly to determine if Boniva is still right for you.

Important Safety Information
You should not take BONIVA if you have certain problems with your esophagus, (the tube that connects your mouth and stomach), low blood calcium, cannot sit or stand for at least 60 minutes, or are allergic to BONIVA or any of its ingredients.

BONIVA can cause serious side effects including problems with the esophagus, low blood calcium, bone, joint or muscle pain, severe jaw bone problems, and unusual thigh bone fractures.

Before starting BONIVA, tell your doctor if you have problems with swallowing, stomach or digestive problems, have low blood calcium, plan to have dental surgery or teeth removed or have kidney problems

Stop taking BONIVA and tell your doctor right away if you have pain or trouble swallowing, chest pain, or severe or continuing heartburn, as these may be signs of serious upper digestive problems. Call your doctor immediately if jaw problems, hip, groin, or thigh pain develop, or if you have symptoms of low blood calcium such as spasms, twitching, cramps in your muscles, or numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, or around your mouth.

Follow the dosing instructions for once-monthly BONIVA carefully.

The most common side effects are back pain, heartburn, stomach area pain, pain in your arms and legs, diarrhea, headache, muscle pain, and flu-like symptoms.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch, or by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.

Talk to your doctor for more information or if you have questions about your treatment.

Please see full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for additional important safety information.

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(NAPSI)-A new online educational resource, www.BloodSugar Basics.com, has just launched to help people living with diabetes, their families and loved ones learn about the importance of understanding and managing low and high blood sugar. The website, developed by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and the American College of Endocrinology (ACE) and supported by Merck, breaks down information on blood sugar into easy-to-understand interactive features, downloadable resources and helpful tips on how to control blood sugar levels.

People with diabetes and their family members can get started by taking the interactive Blood Sugar Knowledge Quiz to test their blood sugar IQ. Do you know the answer to the question below? Visit the website to take the quiz and find out!

The website offers information about the causes, symptoms and risks of low and high blood sugar, as well as easy-to-download and-print resources like the Low and High Blood Sugar Checklists to help people understand, recognize and get through episodes of low or high blood sugar.

“While most people with type 2 diabetes recognize the importance of avoiding high blood sugar, they may not know the risks of extremely low blood sugar,” says Farhad Zangeneh, M.D., FACP, FACE, medical director and endocrinology consultant at the Endocrine, Diabetes and Osteoporosis Clinic (EDOC) and member, AACE Board of Directors.

Low blood sugar can make people feel dizzy, sweaty, hungry or tired and, if it’s not treated, may even cause loss of consciousness, while high blood sugar can cause frequent urination, increased thirst, fatigue or blurred vision. People with diabetes should discuss ways to best manage blood sugar with their doctor. To help begin this discussion, they can keep track of blood sugar levels with the AACE Diabetes Passport, and bring the Fast Five Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Blood Sugar to their next appointment.

“Skipping meals, drinking too much alcohol and changing exercise routines can all contribute to low blood sugar; patients may also need to adjust their medications and should talk with their doctor about any episodes of low blood sugar,” added Dr. Zangeneh.

If you or a loved one have type 2 diabetes, visit http://www.BloodSugarBasics.com to get started and learn how to control blood sugar levels to help manage diabetes successfully.

True or False?

In addition to insulin, some oral diabetes medications can cause low blood sugar, but there are diabetes treatment options that are associated with less low blood sugar.

http://www.BloodSugarBasics.com

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Free Appliance and Electronics pick-up for recycling, Stoves, Dryers, Heaters, Freezers, Refrigerators, Computers, Washers, Radios, TVs, Tools, Metal Furniture and other appliances that you are trashing or need recycling. We pick-up for free, no cost to you,and we dis-asemble and properly recycle all parts.
We also have a repair specialist to check for salvaging or repair, if repaired we give to persons free,or charge for repair cost and parts if needed only. We do not repair these appliances ourselves and not in the repair business, but we will try to salvage and donate appliances if repairs is not costly and is worth the effort and not just a delay to end up in landfills. Area we try to pick-up in: Raleigh, Garner, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Clayton NC and surrounding area’s Call 919-324-8905 OR 919-803-4425
If no answer please leave voice mail and someone will contact you and set-up a time at your convenience.

DIETING HINTS Why Adding Carbs Can Help You Lose Weight

(NAPSI)-If your love of carbohydrates has been a stumbling block in every attempt you’ve ever made to diet, a new book by Ellen Kunes, editor in chief of Health magazine, and Frances Largeman-Roth, RD, senior food and nutrition editor at Health magazine, may be just what the doctor ordered. “Health The CarbLovers Diet” takes the very natural love of carbohydrates and uses it to your advantage. Instead of feeling guilty about loving pasta and bread, the diet shows you how to eat carbs and get thin. Recent studies have shown that eating the right carbs is the best way to get and stay slim. The multicenter study concluded that the slimmest people ate the most carbs in the form of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and the chubbiest people ate the fewest whole grain carbs. The diet plan in this book works by increasing your total intake of carbs and upping the percentage of a type of carb called resistant starch (RS). Research shows that this starch can help shrink fat cells, making you feel fuller and stoking your metabolism. As the recipes in the book demonstrate, this can be a very tasty and satisfying diet. The black beans in the following dish should be every dieter’s best friend. They provide plenty of resistant starch with plenty of appetite-suppressing protein. To save time, use prewashed lettuce and preshredded carrots. BLACK BEAN TACOS Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes Makes: 2 servings 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained 6 (6-inch) corn tortillas 6 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce 1 cup shredded carrots 1/4 cup salsa 1. Microwave beans on high for 2 minutes or until heated through. 2. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add tortillas, one at a time; cook 1 minute on each side. 3. Divide beans evenly among tortillas. Top with even amounts of cheese, lettuce, carrots and salsa. Calories 380; Fat 8 g (sat 5 g, mono 0.5 g, poly 1 g); Cholesterol 25 mg; Protein 18 g; Carbohydrate 67 g; Sugars 6 g; Fiber 17 g; RS (Resistant Starch) 4.7 g; Sodium 780 mg This book is published by Oxmoor House and is available where books are sold. For more information, visit CarbLovers.com. The right recipes can make dieting tastier.

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(NAPSI)-There is comforting news for the approximately 18 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes.

The Situation

Although diabetes is a serious disease, its complications–including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, and amputation–can be delayed or even prevented with proper diabetes management, which includes regular blood glucose testing.

Unfortunately, though, for many people, the pain of lancing, which involves piercing the skin to draw a small blood sample for testing, can be a deterrent. In fact, of those people who quit testing their blood glucose each year, nearly one in six cite the pain of lancing as the reason for doing so.¹

A Solution

New tools, such as the OneTouch Delica Lancing System from LifeScan, may help patients lessen the pain of testing.

The device features a new, proprietary 33 gauge lancet that is 40 percent thinner than current industry standard 28 gauge lancets. In addition, the system’s Advanced Glide Control System precisely guides the lancet in a swift, straight motion that reduces vibration for a smoother lancing experience. It also features seven adjustable depth settings to allow for shallower punctures that may be less painful.

In a clinical study of nearly 200 people with diabetes, four out of five reported the new system was virtually painless and the most comfortable lancing device they had ever used.

“It’s important for people with diabetes to regularly test their blood glucose, particularly those using insulin, who typically need to test several times a day,” said Dr. Marc Steinberg, a diabetes specialist who himself has type 1 diabetes.

“A device like the OneTouch Delica System can significantly reduce the pain of lancing for many people. This can help them feel more comfortable about testing and can make it easier to get valuable information that can improve their day-to-day diabetes self-management.”

General Diabetes Management Tips

Changing lifestyle choices and habits to live with diabetes can be a real challenge. But taking care of yourself and your disease can pay off in the long run. According to the International Diabetes Federation, it’s important to:

• Eat a balanced diet: Healthy eating is important to help control blood glucose and cholesterol levels, maintain body weight, and reduce high blood pressure.

• Get regular physical exercise: Exercise helps to lower blood glucose levels in people with diabetes and control weight. And, it’s not just about going to the gym. Activities like gardening, vacuuming and walking can all count.

• Reduce stress: Although the exact relationship between stress and diabetes is unclear, it seems that stress has a negative impact on blood glucose levels. Relaxing with family and friends helps people with diabetes manage their glucose.

• Stop smoking: By stopping smoking, you can improve your chances of preventing major complications associated with diabetes.

It’s important to talk to your healthcare professional to develop a diabetes management regimen that works for you.

Learn More

For more information on diabetes care, products and services, visit www.OneTouchDiabetes.com or call (800) 227-8862.

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(NewsUSA) – During these tough economic times, as America continues to look at cost cutting options, many people will be shopping for a health insurance plan. It’s important to know that there are health plans that are affordable and are a fit for you and your family while still offering the coverage you need to protect your family.

Know your needs. What types of coverage are most important to you? Do you or a family member take a prescription regularly? Knowing how much coverage you need is important when deciding which health care plan is best.

Learn the lingo. Some insurers are working to use more consumer-friendly language. Learning how a high-deductible plan tied to a health savings account (HSA) that offers choice among physicians and hospitals and how it works best with your needs, is important.

Availability when you need it most. Many insurers are working hard to ensure customers have health-related information when they need it, such as:

* Use of understandable consumer-friendly language

* Access to customer call centers and nurse hotlines 24/7, 365 days a year, giving constant access to a nurse or person to help solve a claims issue

* Online tools to search for claims information and check for benefit qualifications, co-pays, and deductibles

* Tools to compare prices on the drugs you need, helping find the best prices available

Schedule that yearly appointment. Regular checkups can help prevent potential problems or catch conditions early, saving money.

Note to editors: The following states may find this story useful: CA, CO, AZ, TX, TN, FL, GA, NC, CT, SC

Look for “extras.” Many insurers offer discounts for programs such as smoking cessation, weight loss, fitness club memberships and other services already being used by an individual.

Quality matters. Feel confident about choosing the right individual plan for you. Check out report cards for different plans on the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s Web site, available at http://reportcard.ncqa.org/plan/external/plansearch.aspx.

For information about individual health products from CIGNA, visit www.cignaforyou.com/hctips.
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Your fridge can help you stay on track with healthy eating this summer

(ARA) – Summer is here, and the key to making the most of the season is to ensure you feel your best. Although there are many tempting, calorie-laden foods at your disposal during the season, it can be easy to fill your diet with foods that are tasty and healthy.

A good place to start is in your refrigerator. The contents of your fridge can either sandbag or support your healthy eating habits. Replacing processed and unhealthy items with fresh, nutrient-rich foods that are all natural is a great way to kick off the summer on a healthful note.

Simple steps to eating healthy

To make freshening up your refrigerator even easier, look for foods that are low in fat and contain all-natural ingredients.

“Nutrition advice usually begins with a long list of foods you shouldn’t eat, but, in reality, there are actually many delicious and healthy options you can add to what you eat,” says Registered Dietitian Carolyn O’Neil, author of “The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous!”

One such option O’Neil recommends is Daisy Brand Cottage Cheese. Available in both low fat (2 percent) and regular (4 percent), it contains only all-natural ingredients – no preservatives, additives or artificial growth hormones. Plus it’s versatile and can be eaten by itself or added to one of your favorite recipes for a healthful twist.

O’Neil also recommends the following tips to get one step closer to freshening up your fridge:

* Look at that label. The nutrition facts label on packages continues to be the best place to get information. Be sure to look at the ingredients list – some products have up to 20 ingredients including preservatives and thickeners such as starches and gums. Remember, the more natural the ingredients, the better.

* Plan on protein. Be sure to stock your fridge with lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, fish, pork tenderloin, eggs and dairy products like cottage cheese. Adding a half cup of Daisy Brand Low Fat Cottage Cheese to your salad adds 14 grams of high quality protein for only 90 calories and helps you stay full longer.

* Fill your refrigerator with fresh fruits and vegetables. Prepare fruits and veggies so they are easy to grab on-the-go. Fruits and veggies add more flavor to favorites, such as topping cereal with berries or enjoying peaches or tomatoes with cottage cheese.

* Plan meals for the week. Take some time on the weekends to have some fun planning your meals for the week so there is no scramble to make a busy work-day dinner at the last minute. Having great tasting nutrient-rich foods on hand increases your chances of creating healthier meals even when you’re short on time.

* Eat mindfully. Be aware of the foods you put in your mouth. Keep a food journal near the fridge as a quick reminder of what you ate throughout the day. Ultimately, slow down and take the time to enjoy and savor foods. You’ll get more pleasure from the bites you take and be less apt to mindlessly overeat.

* Get creative. Make refrigerator staples work for you by adding them to recipes or pairing them with a variety of foods. The versatility of cottage cheese allows for many meal and snack options that can provide gratification when that “snack attack” hits. Fast can be fresh and healthy.

For a delicious summer snack, try this Pizza Pita Snackers recipe.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 5 Minutes
Serves: 2

Ingredients
2 pita bread
2 tablespoons basil pesto
1 cup Daisy Brand 2 percent Cottage Cheese
2 tablespoons chopped Roma tomatoes
2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions
Toast pita bread until crispy and firm, about one minute in a toaster oven. Spread pesto on each pita bread, lightly covering entire surface. Spread low-fat cottage cheese evenly over each pita. Top with chopped tomato and fresh basil. If desired, sprinkle each pita with Parmesan and garlic seasoning. Slice each pita into four wedges and serve immediately.

Nutrition Information
Calories: 301
Total Fat: 12 g
Cholesterol: 20 mg
Dietary Fiber: 3 g
Sodium: 743 mg
Protein: 24 g
Total Carbohydrate: 18 g

Daisy Brand Cottage Cheese recognizes the importance of all-natural foods, which is why they are hosting a contest asking Americans to share how their eating habits could be improved through a fresh refrigerator makeover. Visit FreshenUpYourFridge.com for more information on the contest and additional recipe ideas.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

More Articles: TOOLS-AND-THINGS

Break through the top weight loss myths of 2010
(ARA) – It’s not too late to resolve to live a healthier lifestyle in 2010. The road to sustainable weight loss can begin when you get rid of weight loss myths that might be standing in your way.  

For all the good information out there on how to improve your health, there are a lot of weight loss myths that continue to circulate. Weight Watchers, the world’s leading provider of weight management services,  debunks some of the most common and controversial weight loss myths, and provides some timely tips to help you make healthy changes in 2010:

Myth: Eliminating food groups will help you lose weight

By eliminating certain types of foods, like bread, you may experience an initial weight loss simply because you’re no longer eating the additional calories from that type of food. But in the long run, you start to miss the prohibited food – no bread means no sandwiches, after all. In the end, it becomes too hard to resist and you generally overcompensate by eating more bread than you normally would.

Tip: Incorporate all food groups into your diet. Visualize your plate in three sections – half filled with fruits and vegetables, one quarter with whole grains and the last quarter with lean meat or protein.

Myth: You have to eliminate sugar and fat, not to mention foods you love, in order to lose weight.

Everyone knows that a diet high in fat and sugar will pack on the pounds. This myth carries that concept to the extreme, with an all-or-nothing philosophy that assumes you can’t achieve the self control required to eat certain things in moderation.

Tip: Self-deprivation is a sure fire recipe for failure. Depriving yourself entirely of foods you love will likely make you resent the restrictions and return to old (poor) eating habits. Instead of giving up things like pizza or ice cream, plan your indulgences. On the day you want to enjoy pizza for dinner, have a lighter lunch or increase your exercise to compensate for the extra calories. Consider writing down what you eat so that it’s easier to track and plan ahead for treats.

Myth: Fresh produce is always healthier than frozen or canned

With so much emphasis on fresh, local ingredients, this is a myth that’s easy to believe. Fresh fruits and vegetables are full of important nutrients, but some vitamins may be lost in handling or transportation, and while they’re sitting in your grocery store’s produce aisle for days at a stretch.

Tip: Frozen or canned veggies are packed at the peak of their freshness, which helps preserve their nutrients. Canned or frozen fruits and vegetables can be just as healthful as fresh – as long as you make sure they don’t have added sugar or sodium. Increasing your veggie and fruit intake can help you succeed at losing weight, thanks to their higher fiber content and lower calorie count.

Myth: You can’t eat out when you are trying to lose weight.

Restaurant portions in America are notoriously over the top, and many dishes are high in fat, calories, sugar or sodium. Even salads, which might seem healthy, can be loaded with calories at a restaurant, thanks to add-ins like bacon bits, cheese and high-calorie dressings.

Tip: You can eat out and still chose foods that won’t derail your weight loss efforts.  Take note of how items are prepared – a good rule of thumb is to select dishes that are grilled, sauteed or broiled versus fried or stuffed.    

Also, don’t be afraid to request sauces and dressings on the side as this may help reduce your fat and calorie consumption.  Many restaurants also now offer lighter options that feature the calorie and fat content.  One way to avoid overeating is to request a to-go bag at the beginning of the meal versus the end to keep portion sizes in check.  

You’ll find more tips and support for your weight loss goals at www.weightwatchers.com.
Cheesy Sloppy Joes

Preparation time: Five minutes
Cooking time: Fifteen minutes
Serves six.

Ingredients:

1/2 pound lean ground beef (7 percent fat or less)
1 (10-ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
1 (1.3- or 1.5-ounce) package sloppy joe seasoning mix
3 whole wheat hamburger buns
6 (3/4 ounce) slices fat free cheddar cheese

Directions:

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the beef and cook until browned, four to five minutes, stirring with a spoon to break it up. Discard any drippings.

Stir in the mixed vegetables, 1 1/3 cups of water, the tomato paste and seasoning mix, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, and simmer, stirring, until thickened – about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the broiler.  Place the buns cut side up on a broiler rack and broil 3 inches from the heat until toasted; about one to two minutes. Top each bun half with one slice of cheese and broil until cheese is melted, about one minute longer. Spoon 1/2 cup of the beef mixture on top of each bun and serve.

Contains 207 calories, 4g fat and 26g carbohydrates per serving.

Pear-Oatmeal Crisp

Preparation time: Fifteen minutes
Cooking time: Twenty minutes
Serves six.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
7 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
2 (16-ounce) cans sliced pears in juice, drained, with 1/2 cup of the juice reserved
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 (1 1/4-ounce) package cinnamon and spice instant oatmeal mix

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Mix 1 tablespoon of the flour, 4 tablespoons of the brown sugar and the ginger in an 8-inch square baking dish.  Add the pears and the reserved pear juice, stirring until blended.  Cover the dish with plastic wrap, then prick a few holes in the plastic.  Microwave on high until the filling begins to bubble, four to five minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking.

Meanwhile, combine the butter and the remaining 3 tablespoons of brown sugar in a bowl. Add the oatmeal mix and the remaining 1/2 cup flour. Stir until crumbly.  Sprinkle evenly over the filling. Transfer the dish to the oven and bake until the topping is golden, about 15 minutes.  Serve warm.

Contains 225 calories per 1/2-cup serving, 4g fat and 46g carbohydrates.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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.