Healthy Living in the New Year in Champaign-Urbana – chambanamoms.com

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Thank you to the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon for presenting Healthy Living in the New Year. Dont miss the 2020 Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon Race Weekend April 24-25. With six events to choose from including the 5K on Friday night at 7:30 and the youth run at 3 p.m. on Saturday your best race is in sight. Memorable race shirts, drawstring bags, finisher medals, and a spectacular finish in Memorial Stadium await you. Register today at http://www.illinoismarathon.com and use promo code chambanamoms2020to receive $5 off any event.

Its hard to escape the talk of New Years resolutions related to health, fitness, and weight loss. The truth is any time is a great time to commit to health and wellness goals. We have compiled a list of resources to get you started on your journey to wellness and your best you.

Free Fitness Opportunities in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond

Where: Champaign location

Pursuit Fitness and Performance InstituteWhere: Champaign (insideLodgic Everyday Community)What:Set up a tour and consultation and get a free fitness assessment and personal training session.

Raw FitnessWhere: ChampaignWhat: Click for a FREE health assessment, consult and 30-minute trial training session.

Orange Theory FitnessWhere: South Neil Street in ChampaignWhat: Try your first class for free.

Profile by SanfordWhere: Champaign location (near Meijer)What: Meet with a certified Profile coach for free to discuss programming.

KMC ActiveWhere: Kirby Medical Center, MonticelloWhat: Kirby Medical Center is adding new group fitness classes to its programming. If you are interested in trying one of these classes before joining or would like to put your name on the pre-registration list, please call 217-762-1520 or email.

CurvesWhere: Champaign and Monticello locationsWhat: Click for a free seven-day pass for use in seven consecutive days at the same location.

Planet FitnessWhere: Champaign locationWhat: Click for a free day pass for use anytime.

Crunch FitnessWhere: Champaign location (former Toys R Us location)What: Click for a free day pass for use anytime.

Anytime FitnessWhere:Champaign, Danville locationsWhat: Click for a7-day trial passfor use anytime.

Mahomet-Seymour FieldhouseWhere: MahometWhat: The Fieldhouse, which includes an indoor track, is currently open for walkers and joggers on various days each month. The Fieldhouse isopen only to residents of the Mahomet-Seymour school district. Adult Mahomet-Seymour residents are allowed one guest who may reside outside of the district. Students in junior high and younger must be accompanied and supervised by their parent or by another adult. Click here to check updated schedules.

Douglass Park Fitness Trail (OUTDOORS)Where: Douglass Park, ChampaignWhat: Champaign Park Districts Douglass Park boasts a .6 mile fitness trail with several pieces of outdoor exercise equipment. Try out the ab crunch/leg lift, assisted row/push-up, balance steps, cardio stepper, chest/back press, mobility station, plyometrics, pull-up/dip, squat press, stretching station and Tai Chi wheels all for free! More info in our Chambana Parks to Know profile.

NOT FREE, BUT CHEAP:

U of I Armory and TrackWhere: Champaign, University of Illinois campusWhat: You dont have to be a University of Illinois student to enjoy this amazing facility. The Armory and Track floor is 62,000 square feet of space. The center of the arch is approximately 95 feet high. The running track is 200 meters long in Lane 1. Pay a daily fee of $3/individual or $5/family or buy a years membership for $95/individual (about $8 a month) or $135/family and have access to it every day its open. Three-month and six-month memberships are also available for purchase if you are looking for a shorter duration. More info HERE.

Hatha Yoga and Fitness Free Community ClassesWhere: 2109 S. Neil St., ChampaignWhat: Intro Special two weeks for $28

Of course there are other local gyms and studios that offer fee-based fitness punch cards or temporary guest passes for various lengths of time, such as theLeonhard Recreation Center,Mettler Center in ChampaignorStephens Family YMCA.

Know of other gyms or wellness facilities offering promotions for the upcoming year? Email us and we will verify the information and add it for our readers. Best wishes in your pursuit of health and wellness in the New Year!

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Healthy Living in the New Year in Champaign-Urbana - chambanamoms.com

Retired Nurse Advocates On Healthy Living Lifestyle – Fiji Sun Online

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Even at the age of 59 where many retirees choose to relax, she instead works in her cassava plantation, backyard gardening, cattle farm and piggery farm.

Retired Nurse Merenaisi Maopa Nainima. Photo: Shratika Naidu.

Once a nurse, you are forever a nurse, says Merenaisi Maopa Nainima.

Ms Nainima, a retired nurse spends her time advocating a healthy living and eating lifestyle to the people at Naseakula Village in Labasa.

Even at the age of 59 where many retirees choose to relax, she instead works in her cassava plantation, backyard gardening, cattle farm and piggery farm.

The mother-of-four with one grandson said people easily learnt from observing each others lifestyle than listening to long lectures and speeches.

When I was working for 33 years I worked as a midwife, operating theatre nurse, public health, general nurse and psychiatric nurse, Ms Nainima said.

I retired in 2015. Then in 2017 I went to Tuvalu Island to work as a midwife for two years at Princess Margaret Hospital.

After my working experience at Tuvalu I have learnt that Fiji is very much advanced in terms of nursing education, experience, theory and clinical services.

Ms Nainima is the fourth eldest of eight siblings originally from Naqumu Village in the Macuata Province.

My advice to the retired nurses is to continue with the life of a nurse because we have nursing at heart.

They can look after the community where they are in and continue with the awareness.

I am a born again Christian and my lifestyle is different, the granddaughter of the late Tui Labasa Ratu Kinijoji Drauna said.

I look after myself well.

I pray more, do fasting and implement things around the house like I make sure we eat healthy food and keep the house clean.

I have cared for my family members who suffered from non-communicable diseases and I know how hard it can be.

Many died early and I dont want my present family members to suffer.

So while my actions are credible, I believe it will speak louder.

She accredits all her success to God who has never failed her.

Edited by Selita Bolanavanua

Feedback: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj

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Retired Nurse Advocates On Healthy Living Lifestyle - Fiji Sun Online

Balancing act: You don’t need a perfect lifestyle to be healthy – Irish Examiner

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Sinking under the weight of your new year resolutions? You dont need to have a perfect lifestyle to be healthy, says Marjorie Brennan.

We live in an era of information overload, where there is no shortage of advice on how to be a better human being everywhere you look there are influencers telling you what to eat, what to wear, what exercise to do, even the best way to breathe.

Graham Lawton may have written a book with the bold title of This Book Could Save Your Life: The Science of Living Longer Better but he definitely would not count himself in the ranks of such lifestyle gurus, instead of confessing to being an overweight, lazy slob.

However, with a background in biochemistry and as an award-winning writer of 20 years standing with the highly respected New Scientist magazine, he is well-placed to evaluate the scientific basis of the constant claims about nutrition, exercise, dietary supplements and more. Or as he succinctly puts it in the book:

I can spot a sensational headline a mile off, sniff out a fad, and separate fact from fiction.

According to Lawton, his is not just another book about personal health. It is about the very latest science on this stuff of which there is a lot and presenting it to people in a way that they can actually use it in their daily lives. I guess it is quite a bold claim, to say this book could save your life. Ultimately, it is all about how to slow down the ageing process that inevitable decline that happens as you get older.

London-based Lawton says he loves beer, fast food, and the odd crafty fag outside the pub. But he also cycles and runs regularly, eats his five portions of fruit and veg daily, stays hydrated, watches his salt intake, and doesnt eat meat. His approach would appear to be paying off, as he tells me that although he is aged 50, he has recently had his biological age measured at 37. As such, he says he is living proof that you dont have to be fanatical about diet and exercise to be reasonably healthy and fit.

I think of [staying healthy] as like a balance sheet. Im not ultra-disciplined about diet and exercise and I also really want to enjoy my life. What Im interested in is sustainable, healthful behaviour. So things that you can do over decades rather than over a few months. And I think the only way to do that is to allow people to have some sins. So, like a balance sheet, the bad stuff is on one side and the good stuff on the other side. My goal has always been to make sure the good stuff is outweighing the bad stuff.

The appeal behind Lawtons approach is the suggestion that you dont need to transform your life to live longer a modicum of effort can pay big dividends. From his research for the book, Lawton concludes that if there is one thing people can do to enjoy a longer, healthier life, it is to exercise.

You can diet all you like, sleep well, go to the gym, do yoga, whatever, but if youre not doing aerobic exercise, youre wasting your time. The science keeps on getting better and better on this but what people who work in this space will tell you is that if the benefits of exercise were available as a pill, every doctor would prescribe it to every single patient. And its not that hard to get the benefits. One of the recent discoveries in exercise physiology is that literally every step you take counts, and every tiny bit that you raise your metabolic rate above its baseline counts.

Graham Lawton

When it comes to diet, Lawton says the constantly shifting advice regarding what we should and shouldnt be eating can be confusing and counter-productive. And, with a recent Department of Health survey showing that in Ireland, only 37% of adults are at a normal weight, with 60% classed as overweight or obese, its clear that knowledge isnt always power.

A lot of people despair because the advice, particularly regarding nutrition, seems to just flip-flop all the time. The classic one is red wine is it good or bad for you this week? Nutrition science is one of the hardest sciences to do properly. Its incredibly difficult to do meaningful science on human beings living their lives in the real world.

"So the results are always marginal and provisional, and theyre always going to find conflicting things. Nutritionists will talk about the totality of the evidence and, unfortunately for people who want quick fixes, the totality of the evidence is the stuff our mothers taught us 50 years ago vegetables are good for you, fat isnt, sugar, you dont need it.

"All the sort of common sense straightforward, nutritional things that have broadly stood up over the years.

However, there is one dietary intervention that Lawton has found beneficial and he says the science backs it up.

I was at a conference on intervention in ageing last year, and when I wanted to talk to the scientists about their work, I would suggest we meet at breakfast. But the majority of them said, I cant, Im fasting, so I thought what is this all about? I discovered that a lot of people who work in the ageing field do intermittent fasting. And the reason is because its a proven anti-ageing strategy.

"You would be amazed how many top scientists do it. So I do the 16:8 quite frequently, which is just 16 hours of no nutrients at all, followed by a glorious eight-hour period of eating whatever you like, and then do it again the next day. And there is lots of research to back it up.

Preventative medicine has also become a buzz term regarding healthy ageing. However, Lawton says there are limits to its benefits, and sometimes it can actually result in worse health outcomes.

You would imagine that preventative medicine could only be good but it can be a double-edged sword. For example, screening can be counter-productive because it discovers things that are benign and would never have caused you any trouble. Then you end up going for treatment and all the worry that entails.

With CSO figures showing diseases of the heart and arteries as the leading cause of death for those aged 75 and older in Ireland, preventing cardiovascular disease through medication is also an issue which Lawton has concerns about.

There has been a huge debate in Britain about statins. The idea is you discover people have got high cholesterol, and you give them pills to lower the cholesterol. And again, it seems like a great idea, till you consider the fact that these are being given to people in their 50s and you are expected to take them for 20 years we have no idea what the long-term effects are and for some people, the cholesterol-lowering effect is not at all clear. Its not even clear that cholesterol is that bad anyway.

Dont get me wrong, these are really well-meaning interventions designed by clever people who have the best intentions. But they can have unexpected side effects and unseen consequences.

Lawton knows we will inevitably fall at the first hurdle when it comes to making improvements the key to sustaining a healthy lifestyle, thus living longer and better, is to accept this and move on.

Weve all tried to better ourselves and discovered that doing so is inconvenient or too difficult. I would say dont give up, there are ways of inculcating good habits. For example, if you make it a habit that you go out for a quick run on a Sunday morning, leave your trainers by the front door, so they act as a visual cue. And it just becomes part of your lifestyle.

People talk about willpower as being a depletable resource you use it up during the day, and then you get to the evening and your willpower is gone. I think if you understand that, then there are ways you can manage your own willpower. It comes down to the question of maintaining your motivation if you make it work around the things that you do anyway, you will be much more likely to keep it up.

This Book Could Save Your Life: The Science of Living Longer Better (New Scientist), by Graham Lawton, published by John Murray, is out now

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Balancing act: You don't need a perfect lifestyle to be healthy - Irish Examiner

Seniors find friendship, path to healthy living at Waynesville Recreation Center – The Mountaineer

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A morning trip to the Waynesville Recreation Center shows the place is teeming with people.

The classrooms are filled. The treadmills are humming, the ellipticals are whirring and there is sometimes a waiting line for the upper and lower body workout machines.

Those not using the machines are walking or swimming laps or enjoying a cup of coffee to top off their workout.

This crowd most certainly isnt the early January crowd that floods the gym as part of a New Years Resolution. They are year-around regulars who appreciate the center for all it offers.

This is a great facility, said Mike Krezek, 81, of Maggie Valley. Its just wonderful that a town the size of Waynesville has a place like this.

Krezek works out at least twice a week, mostly to strengthen his upper and lower body. Its a regimen he started two years ago after he fell when moving a ladder in a stairwell.

After his release from therapy, his therapist at Pivot in Canton suggested he start working out, and even came over to the rec center to demonstrate which machines would help the most and how to properly use them.

Krezek eventually got back to playing his favorite game, golf, but still kept coming to the center, thanks to the friendly people he met.

MAINTAINING HEALTH Mike Krezek uses machines at the Waynesville Recreaation Center to improve lower body strength.

Theres an awful lot of regulars here, he said. Well meet up and go get something to eat.

Tommy Bright wholeheartedly agreed with Krezeks assessment. Bright, 74, is a five-day-a-week attendee where he continues a regular fitness routine he started more than a decade ago. Bright moved to Waynesville from Burlington in 2014 to be near his son and grandchildren, now 6 and 9.

I started getting fat, he said, noting he went from 180 to 227, so I started working out again. When you move, its hard to make new friends, but this is such a friendly group of people. Its nice to have a place like this to go.

STAYING STRONG Chris Martin works out in the free weight exercise room at Waynesville Recreation Center.

Chris Martin, now 76, started working out after he quit smoking. Once damaged lungs begin to repair, there is a burst of energy that needs to be channeled constructively, he explained.

He continues the workout routine not only to combat his vertigo, but to make sure he retains mobility. In the weight room he has one machine he calls his get out of the bathtub machine. Another is a keep me standing up machine.

If you lose your knees, you are screwed, he said.

Martin said hes met some amazing people at the recreation center. One man in his 80s runs laps every day.

Another 80-plus year old woman is in the top 1 percent of the population her age in that she can be seated and stand straight up and lift weights above her head all in one swoop.

Others walk around the track pushing oxygen machines, showing an amazing resiliency, he said.

As for Martin, he assesses his fundamental strength using the perfect Turkish get up, a method for standing up from a flat-on-the floor starting position. To make the move trickier, it is performed with a weight in one hand raised about the head.

EXERCISE BUDDIES Shirley Harvey and Carolyn Waller chat after a quick walk around the track at Waynesville Recreation Center. The busy pool area can be seen through the window.

Tim Plowman is amazing on how to self-assess yourself, he said, referencing the fitness supervisor at the recreation center.

Shirley Harvey, 70, and Carolyn Waller, 80, enjoy spending time at the recreation center where they take a stretch and low-impact weight class together and walk. When the weather is nice, they use the outdoor track, or even meet up at Lake Junaluska.

They met 20 years ago when Harvey was giving piano lessons, and now have similar fitness goals.

I need the exercise, but I enjoy meeting people, as well, Harvey said.

I come here to exercise, Waller said. We all know we need exercise, at least were supposed to know that. I love to walk.

The Waynesville Recreation Center is a certified senior friendly business and is located at 550 Vance St. in Waynesville.

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Seniors find friendship, path to healthy living at Waynesville Recreation Center - The Mountaineer

HEALTHY LIVING: 5 things to know about heels and coquito class – Meriden Record-Journal

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MERIDEN Recently I attended a heels and coquito class at United Rhythms Dance Studio taught by instructor Lyzbeth Ramos.

United Rhythms has been at its current location on Powers Drive for 17 years and is known for high-energy bi-annual dance showcases. United Rhythms offers a variety of classes for beginners and advanced dancers of all ages.

1. What to wear

The heels and coquito class was spurred by Ramoss desire to share her passion for Latin style dance and empowering women to feel confident.

Dancers wore a variety of shoes from heeled boots, peep toe wedges, to stilettos. Ramos welcome participants who did not feel comfortable in heels to dance in sneakers.

Participants dressed in yoga pants, jeans, and loose-fitting shirts.

Whether you decide to wear athletic clothing or dress up for a heels class, make sure that you feel comfortable enough to dance at a fast pace in the attire you select.

2. Choreography

Ramos, a city resident, choreographed the dance we memorized throughout the hour and a half long class in real-time so that she could authentically learn it along with us.

I wanted to create a class that would be good for all experience levels she said.

She went through movements step-by-step, with and without music, to ensure that every participant understood the sequence.

Ramos kept the dance moves simple.

For anybody that is just starting out I always say, just open yourself up to try something new said Ramos.

3. Culture

Ramos said she was looking for an excuse to make and share coquito, which is a traditional Puerto Rican holiday alcoholic beverage. Coquito contains coconut, cinnamon, and rum.

The taste and texture of coquito is similar to eggnog and it is also known as Puerto Rican Eggnog.

Ramos gave the class frequent coquito breaks while we learned a dance to a song by Daddy Yankee, a Puerto Rican singer.

Ramos shared with us that reggaeton music, which originated in Puerto Rico, is a favorite of hers because it inspires her dance sequences.

4. Health benefits

Throughout the heels class my heart rate stayed elevated as I was constantly moving.

I find the gym boring Ramos said.

Ramos said she needs to get her cardio through dance because that is the type of exercise she finds most interesting.

There is a lot of health benefits of dance. For me, one of the most important benefits of dance is mental health said Ramos.

She added that having a hobby, such as dance, helps with stress relief.

I see a lot of people come in and their eyes just brighten up when theyre dancing said Ramos.

5. Future events

United Rhythms frequently hosts workshops in addition to their regularly scheduled classes.

Its a family environment, we all have so much fun together here said Ramos.

Ramos said for additional updates on future heels classes and events check out the studios Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/unitetherhythm/.

For more information about other class offerings at United Rhythms, visit: https://unitedrhythms.com/.

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HEALTHY LIVING: 5 things to know about heels and coquito class - Meriden Record-Journal

Five tips for businessmen to help maintain a healthy lifestyle while traveling – Travel Daily News International

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One of the main problems that travelers face is staying to some sort of healthy lifestyle while on the road for your business road warriors and travelers out there, it's non-negotiable. Your livelihood depends on being able to be on the road, be placed in front of customers, and do business deals.

Business traveling can be a slippery slope for your health if left unattended. Habits that you instill at home, such as exercising, eating a healthy diet, get tossed out the window when you travel.

Investing in your health is basically an investing for dummies, a no-brainer asset that you should prioritize. So in this article, we'll share with you tips that you can apply so that you can implement a system that will help you travel efficiently while living a healthy lifestyle on the road.

Tip #1: Plan your commuteFirst off, you want to put yourself in a position to commute healthily. If you're going to rely on train stations, bus stations, airports to provide you food, you're going to end up losing the battle.

We only have so much daily willpower to fight those processed junk foods. So if you prepare for success, you will be in a good position. What we mean is pack healthy snacks to take on the road to get you through your commute.

Tip #2: Scout your optionsDo some pre-work before your flight day. What this means is that, wherever you're going in a particular week, a day or two days before your flight, look up online and do a little search for healthy food options in that city.

Look for grocery stores, organic shops, restaurants that serve healthy foods, all those kinds of places. So that when you arrive in that city, you already know where to eat. You can then plan your meals throughout your stay.

Tip #3: Routine. Routine. Routine.As a business traveler, you have to establish a morning, afternoon, and evening routine to help keep your health on track. Like you may have heard, we only have the mental capacity to make so many decisions in a day.

Routines that turn into habits that turn into a lifestyle are key to get into a healthy autopilot mode. Notice what's most likely to be consistent moments during your travels and create healthy habits around them, like staying hydrated, or exercising before or after flights.

Tip #4: Planning for client dinnersWhile you're traveling or on the road, typically, you'll be going to dinner with colleagues or clients. You hit this restaurant, and the floodgates open. Wine, multiple courses, and then you have to wash them all down with desserts. This is setting you up to hit the cycle or sugar rush and crash the next morning.

What you can do is you can eat a little healthy snack before going out to eat with them. By snacking on some fruits, vegetables, or some nuts, maybe, it prevents you from wanting to indulge in those mouth-watering, unhealthy appetizers.

If you must eat, though, get a salad as an appetizer. Then, order a light main course. You have to develop a philosophy to let the digestive system rest while you're resting or while you're sleeping. It shouldn't be digesting, generating heat, making your uncomfortable, while you sleep.

So go out and be social. Don't turn down dinner invitations, especially from clients. But always remember to plan out ahead before eating out in order to maintain your healthy efforts.

Tip# 5: Water is your best friendWe can't stress the importance of hydrating while traveling. Most of us tend to forget drinking water while on the road due to hectic schedules. However, this is not an excuse. Maintaining a habit of drinking water when traveling can prove to be beneficial in the long run.

To help you with your hydration, always bring a water bottle with you on your trips. It may sound simple, but it's an effective way to remind yourself to always drink water and replenish.

Drinking lots of water will also help you feel full and won't feel the temptation of eating junk at airports or train stations. Not only that, we all know that drinking adequate water helps in keeping your mind sharp and your body energized throughout the day.

TakeawayThose are our five tips for traveling business people. Although hustling, working hard for our families is indeed important, your health is just as important as your livelihood. Never trade your health and sacrifice it just so that you can get work done. With these tips to keep in mind, you'll always stay healthy and fit on the road.

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Five tips for businessmen to help maintain a healthy lifestyle while traveling - Travel Daily News International

HEALTHY LIVING: Rewire your thoughts to improve your biology, excite your biography – The Bakersfield Californian

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Lets talk about rewiring your thought patterns. Did you know that your thoughts can change your biology? I believe our brain (how we think) impacts our biology and our biology impacts our biography. Want to put this theory to the test?

Think of a lemon. Close your eyes and envision yourself cutting a lemon wedge and then bringing it up to your mouth. Now smell it. Put the lemon between your teeth and hold it there. Imagine biting down on that lemon. What did you experience? Did your salivary glands start salivating? Mine did just writing this. You just changed what was going on in your biology by thinking of this lemon in your mouth.

Now think of the most joyous time in your life. What emotions come up? The emotions that came up with that thought also impact your biology. What about a sad or hard time? The emotions that come up all change the direction and information of your biology.

Its been proven time and again. Simply thinking about something causes your brain to release chemicals that affect how you act and how you feel.

Now that we know this, its easy to see how important positive thinking is to our health and well-being.

So, lets rewire your thoughts to improve your biology and excite your biography! Here are some simple affirmations to help reset your thought patterns. Feel free to make up your own, but if one of these speaks to you, grab it, repeat it, feel it and love it.

I am important, loved, wanted and welcomed.

I willingly let go of all that does not serve me, and I choose to step into my greatness with an open heart.

I claim my own power and lovingly create my own reality. I am strong and loved.

I am safe, calm, and the universe loves and approves and supports me.

I release the past. I cherish myself and my beautiful sexuality. I am safe. I am loved.

I love who I am. I am grounded in my own power. I am secure on all levels.

I am the power and authority in my life. I release the past and claim my good now.

These affirmations come from the groundbreaking work of motivational author Louise Hay. Ms. Hay is a perfect example of the mind-body connection, having overcome a violently traumatic childhood to become a New York Times bestselling author.

Would one of these affirmations work for you? Take some time to really listen to your language. Listen to the words you say over and over, the ones you say aloud and the ones you repeat in your head. Write down any words or beliefs you keep repeating. Then take some time to dissect them and rewrite them. Changing your language and your thinking will change your physical being, daily activities and life experiences.

Give it a try. What do you have to lose?

Anna Marie Frank is a brain health and wellness expert, author, lecturer and human-potential coach. The views expressed are her own.

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HEALTHY LIVING: Rewire your thoughts to improve your biology, excite your biography - The Bakersfield Californian

Penn State Extension offers ‘Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body’ program – The Courier-Express

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BROOKVILLE Individuals who are interested in learning more about how healthy living habits can benefit your brain and body are encouraged to participate in a workshop offered by Penn State Extension on February 26 from 1 p.m. 2 p.m. at the Heritage House, 4 Sylvania St.

The Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Tips from the Latest Research program is designed for individuals of any age who are interested in healthy living and aging well.

Participants will learn about the four areas of lifestyle habits that are associated with healthy aging, and the steps to take to improve or maintain overall health in each area. These four areas include cognitive activity, physical health and exercise, diet and nutrition, and social engagement.

About Penn State

ExtensionPenn State Extension is a modern educational organization, dedicated to translating scientific research into real-world applications to drive progress. In support of Penn States land-grant mission, extension programs promote a vibrant food and fiber system, a clean environment and a healthier population for Pennsylvania and beyond.

Penn State Extension serves individuals, businesses and communities, helping them address problems and realize opportunities through a robust portfolio of educational programs, products and services. With support from federal, state and county governments, the organization has a tradition of bringing unbiased information and support to the citizens of Pennsylvania for more than 100 years.

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Penn State Extension offers 'Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body' program - The Courier-Express

Healthy Living: Toxic Relationships – 9&10 News

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Every minute in the United States, 20 people suffer physical violence at the hands of a loved one and over ten million Americans are physically and emotionally abused by the people they love and trust.

How do you get yourself or someone you love out of a toxic relationship? And how do you stay out?

Whitney Amann explained in this Healthy Living.

From the outside, Mary Mitchell seemed to have it all. Beautiful home, great job, loving relationship. But Mary felt like she was hiding behind a mask. Her seven-year marriage ended and when she started a new relationship, she found herself with a violent and abusive partner.

Mary said, Its easier to have a bruised heel or a broken bone heal than it is to un-hear things.

Many women who have been impacted by domestic violence now work as advocates and one of those women is Janie Lacy.

She said, My sister, Carmen, she was murdered at the age of 19 by the father of her two children.

Janie turned her grief into action. She earned her masters degree in counseling psychology and became a licensed therapist. Five years ago, she started the group woman redeemed for women with a history of toxic relationships.

Lacy counsels her clients with a 90-day detox from their troubled relationship. She says days 14 through 21 are when clients are most vulnerable and most likely to reach out to their former significant other.

She said, If we could get them through those 90 days and subside those efforts then we can start reprogramming their brain.

If a friend or loved one is in a toxic relationship, Lacy advises people to not back away, but be quietly present. Send a text saying thinking of you to let that person know that you are there and they can open up to you.

If you need help or want information for a friend, call the national domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

To learn more about services, click here.

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Healthy Living: Toxic Relationships - 9&10 News

Penn State Extension Offers ‘Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body’ Program | GantNews.com – GANT News

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BROOKVILLE Individuals who are interested in learning more about how healthy living habits can benefit your brain and body are encouraged to participate in a workshop offered by Penn State Extension on Feb. 26, from 1 p.m. 2 p.m., at the Heritage House, 4 Sylvania St., Brookville.

The Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Tips from the Latest Research program is designed for individuals of any age who are interested in healthy living and aging well.

Participants will learn about the four areas of lifestyle habits that are associated with healthy aging, and the steps to take to improve or maintain overall health in each area. These four areas include cognitive activity, physical health and exercise, diet and nutrition and social engagement.

There is no cost to attend the course.For more information or to register, visit the Penn State Extension Web site atextension.psu.edu/alzheimers-disease-healthy-living-for-your-brain-and-bodyor call 877-345-0691.

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Penn State Extension Offers 'Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body' Program | GantNews.com - GANT News

Start new decade off right with an Action Plan – Great Bend Tribune

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Wow, can you believe it is 2020? I am still getting used to writing it on my correspondence. With a new decade ahead of us it seems like the perfect time to remind you about an Action Plan. Hopefully you have some goals or expectations written down so that the year ahead can be fulfilling and satisfying. Still, there may be times that challenges get in the way of meeting these goals.

An Action Plan can help get the New Year off to a great start. A few years ago I wrote a fact sheet titled, Action Plan for Healthy Living. The fact sheet focuses on 15 lifestyle choices that can bring about a healthier life. Several of the lifestyle choices revolve around a healthier plate while others target the importance of physical activity. And finally, I added some other considerations like stress management, simplifying your life, sleeping well, and surrounding yourself with positive people. Helping individuals create an action plan that they can become engaged in was my goal in sharing this information.

So what exactly is an Action Plan? The first step in developing an action plan is to find something you want to do. Think about lifestyle changes that could impact your health in a positive way. Choose something that is reasonable; something you could expect to accomplish in a week or two. A true action plan is behavior specific. Losing weight is not a behavior, but drinking three sugary drinks every day is. So your action plan might read like this. I will drink a glass of water instead of a sugary drink twice each day in the week ahead. As you can see the action plan answered these questions: What? How much? When? How often?

The final piece of a successful action plan is to assess the confidence level that you will fulfill the contract. On a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 represents little confidence and 10 represents total confidence, your plan should rank at least a 7.

Many serious health problems are directly related to personal habits or behavior. The risk factors that can lead to these problems are of little concern to many people. They may have the attitude, I feel fine why worry about a healthier lifestyle? The medical system was built around caring for the sick instead of keeping people well. Achieving a healthy lifestyle takes knowledge, effort, and determination. No one can do it for you. Now is the time to build healthy habits into your daily life. Soon they will come naturally.

Feel free to join me for the educational program, Action Plan for Healthy Living, at 1 p.m. on Friday, January 24th, at the Great Bend Senior Center. If you are unable to participate you can find my fact sheet on the KSRE web site. The publication number is: MF 3053. Have a happy and healthy New Year!

Donna Krug is the Family & Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension Cottonwood District. Contact her at 620-793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu.

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Start new decade off right with an Action Plan - Great Bend Tribune

Want to Live to 100? Living in One of These 8 U.S. Cities Will Help Healthy Cities – Parade

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Hope to blow out 100 birthday candles? I would argue that the biggest impact on how long you live is where you live, says National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner, who has studied the worlds longest-living people in longevity hotspots he calls Blue Zones. Among them: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; and Nicoya, Costa Rica.

So where in the U.S. can you live to a really ripe old age? You might be surprised.

People in the Blue Zones dont have better discipline or a greater sense of responsibility, says Buettner. They simply live in environments that make healthy lifestyle choices easier, or unavoidable.

Enter your ZIP code into the free Robert Wood Johnson Foundation lifespan calculatorand see.

Some places are better than others at supporting the habits that stretch lifespans. When you can walk to do your errands, youre more likely to be active than if you have to drive to the gym. Living in a community with plenty of neighborhood groups provides a buffer against loneliness, which can shave years off your life. Youre more apt to eat clean and green when farmers markets are nearer than junk-food joints.

What else helps: smart city design (think safe bike lanes, affordable housing), good health care, social opportunities and an economy that sees older workers, entrepreneurs and retirees as an asset, not a drain, says Caroline Servat, co-author of a new Milken Institute report on age-forward communities.

Weve identified eight spots that will help you live long and prosper.

Sure, Cali-beach life is a wellness clich. But theyre not resting on their bikini bottoms here: Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach saw a 17 percent drop in smoking after smoke-free policies began shortly after 2010. Thats the year they joined the Blue Zones Project, which helps cities in California make healthy choices easier for residents. Walking is a big thing: One in four kids walks to school, double the national average, thanks to a new walking school bus program (groups footing it together on safe routes), and older citizens take regular group walks as part of the Blue Zones program.

Check Out:5 Ways to Add Health Wherever You Liveto meet some walkers!

Health props

Its the largest area (population approximately 124,000) to earn Blue Zones Community certification, a mark of healthy-living progress. (Visit the Blue Zones Project to find out how to become a Blue Zones Community.)

Longevity boost

A few years after 100-plus local restaurants and five groceries in the area pledged healthier offerings, the number of overweight residents dropped 15 percent. Thats 1,900 fewer obese people, Buettner says.

Like fellow Colorado mountain townsAspen, Crested Butte and Vailand Jackson Hole, Wyoming, longevity is sky-high in this historic haven near the Copper Mountain and Keystone resort areas. Ski towns draw people who can afford the best health care and prize mental and physical fitness, experts say. But whatever your income, mountain living is code for outdoor motion, whether youre involved in snow sports, fishing, climbing, hiking or shoveling snow.

Health props

Breckenridge (population approximately 5,000) is the seat of Summit County, which has the U.S.s longest life expectancy (86.8 years, compared to the national median of 79). And Colorado is the state with the fewest obese people.

Longevity boost

The 10 million Americans who make their homes above 4,900 feet live one to three years longer than those near sea level. Some experts think lower oxygen levels help heart function. In Breckenridge, at 9,600 feet elevation, youre nearly two miles up.

Big-city benefits (like great health care) without big-city hassles (like bad traffic or bad air) contribute to one of the countrys fittest urban lifestyles. Almost one-fifth of Minneapolis is park land, so theres always a nearby spot for biking, running, walking and mental R&Ror ice skating, fishing and festivals during the cold season. Plant-based eating is made easier with nearly 30 farmers marketsthe most per person in the U.S. outside of Washington, D.C.

Related:Experts Say These Are the 60 Healthiest Cities in America

Health props

Last year alone, Minneapolis (population approximately 432,000) made short lists for healthiest, fittest, bike-friendliest, least-stressed and best access to mental health. Only Hawaii and California have longer life expectancies than the state of Minnesota.

Longevity boost

Local Finnish roots mean lots of saunas, which are linked to better heart health and longevity.

Whats not to love about Naples? The small town (population approximately 22,000) features high-quality health care and loads of leisure pursuits and good-for-you foodall set in a chill backdrop of Gulf of Mexico watersports, golf and sun.

Health props

The Naples-ImmokaleeMarco Island area hit No. 1 in Gallups National Health and Well-Being Index for the past four years. Naples also often tops healthiest eaters lists; who needs sugar when you have white sugar sand beaches to stroll on?

Longevity boost

An unusually high number of Paradise Coast residents say in surveys that theyre low in stress and rich in supportive, loving relationships. Having strong social tiesthere are multiple retirement communities and recreation centers herecan extend lifespan as much as quitting smoking, one research review found.

Maines largest city has just 67,000 people centered on a compact peninsula. Yet its packed with top-notch health care, farm-to-table restaurants and an amenity-rich waterfront downtown made for walking.

Health props

Life expectancy for city dwellers is an impressive 88.7 for women and 86.8 for men.

Longevity boost

Continuing to learn throughout your life seems to build brain reserve, which helps keep old minds younger. In 2001, the University of Southern Maines Osher Lifelong Learning Institute became the first of 124 such programs across the country offering low-cost, non-credit classes of all kinds to 50-plussers.

All the ingredients of a healthy life are here year-round, on land and water, from an above-average number of teams, sports clubs and gyms to fresh, healthy food galore. (Just go easy on the barbecue and grits.)

Related: The Cheaters Guide to Living to 100

Health props

Called one of Americas most walkable cities (population approximately 130,000)especially the scenic downtownits also No. 1 for plant-based eating, with one vegetarian business for every 2,100 people.

Longevity boost

Almost seven in 10 households here have a dog (or many dogs!)which boosts heart health because they lower stress, decrease sitting time and give residents a reason to get up in the morning. Charlestonians walk em in parks, trails and on seven dog-friendly beaches.

Health care is Steel Citys new economic driver, says Nora Super of the Milken Institutes Center for the Future of Aging. Add culture and top-notch education at all ages, downtown parks and trailsand an Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh Action Plan focusing on tech, transportation and creative ideas for volunteering.

Health props

Urban areas support longevity because you can access so much, so easilyand Pittsburgh (population approximately 302,000) is the third most livable city in the U.S. (after Honolulu and Atlanta) and 34th worldwide, according to a global research group.

Longevity boost

When the University of California, Irvine studied habits of those over age 90, talking to neighbors ranked high. Community engagement is rich in this citys distinct and tight-knit neighborhoods, more than 90 of them. In the Squirrel Hill area, average life expectancy is a long 86.

College towns tend to be age-friendly magnets, Super saysand this ones a classic. Extra credit for its walkability, first-rate health care (through the University of Iowa Hospitals system), cultural and sports outings, inter-generational activities and a low cost of living.

Health props

Iowa City (population approximately 76,000) has been called Americas least-stressed city, thanks in part to brief commutes (averaging 16 minutes) and shorter-than-average workweeks.

Longevity boost

A low-stress lifestyle means more time for sleep. The sweet spot: seven to eight hours per night; less, or more, is linked to shorter lifespan.

Want to live longer? Try these recipes from Buettners The Blue Zones Kitchen.

Asian-Influenced Heavenly Grain Bowls

Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

Longevity-Boosting One-Pot Lasagna Soup

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Prevention: Healthy living as easy as 5-2-1-0 – The Register-Guard

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Those readers who have unpacked new gadgets as part of their winter holiday celebrations are usually grateful to find a quick-start guide telling them how to enjoy their new toy (I mean, essential household appliance) right away without reading a complicated instruction manual. Why cant there be a similar quick-start guide for getting healthy in the new year?

Good news, there is! The simple formula for healthy living is 5-2-1-0. This memorable set of numbers was first used to promote healthy living for children. But adults can learn from reviewing it as well.

Before explaining 5-2-1-0, it is vital to understand how healthy living compares in importance to other factors that influence our health.

While much media attention is focused on the U.S. health care system, that care really only accounts for about 10% of how healthy we are over the course of our lives. The traits our parents passed to us account for about 20% of our health. Roughly 19% is determined by where we live.

That leaves a whopping 51% of our health to be determined by a variety of lifestyle choices such as what we eat, what we drink, how much we exercise and the amount of daily stress that we endure. This category also includes choices that I hope you wont consider, such as smoking or drug use. However, 5-2-1-0 addresses the first, more immediately malleable set of choices that make a huge impact on every persons health.

Here is your quick-start guide to healthy living.

5: Eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables leaves less room for empty calories that give rise to obesity and other health problems. Fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrients and fiber. Consuming fruits and vegetable with different colors supplies the body with a variety of essential micronutrients; I like to say, Eat a rainbow every day. Sadly, the average American diet is rich in calories, fat, sugar and salt, but poor in nutrition.

Are you hungry? That is an indication your body is starving for nutrients, and you should think about it that way. Reach for an apple or a carrot, and only indulge in the fatty, salty or sweet calories when you want a treat or a dessert not when you are hungry! Start your day with a full tank by eating healthy fats and proteins (low-fat yogurt, avocado toast or old-fashioned oatmeal with low-fat milk) to kick start your metabolism and get the energy to launch your day. It feels as if our taste buds have devolved to only appreciate salt, sugar and fats. Explore a variety of flavors and spices instead, and choose cooking methods that preserve nutrients in the food (e.g. roasting instead of deep frying).

2: Limit recreational screen time, including computers, video games, TV and mobile devices, to two hours or less. Think of what else you could do with that "extra time," such as taking up a new hobby (or an old one), exercising, spending time with friends or catching up on sleep. Spend more time doing rather than watching. Avoid having devices at the table and in bedrooms. For your children, consider a screen contract that enforces the two-hour limit in exchange for the privilege of having a phone or other device.

1: Get at least one hour of physical activity every day. Activity that makes you breathe harder and your heart pump faster makes you stronger and helps you feel better, think more clearly and sleep more soundly.

The "1" also reminds us to keep our spine in good alignment to avoid chronic neck and back pain, along with improving our mood. Ideally, physical activity will be done outside to connect with nature because that also is shown to reduce stress and improve mental and physical well-being.

0: Zero added sugar and artificial sweeteners in the things you drink. Sugary drinks such as soda and sports drinks, fruit punch and other fruit-flavored drinks have no health benefit. Sweetened beverages add empty calories and are terrible for your teeth. Diet sodas may increase your appetite, leading you to eat more and impacting your metabolism. These beverages also may negatively impact the beneficial gut flora that help us absorb nutrients, keep our gut healthy and may even play a role in our mood.

Alcohol also has many calories, and some drinks (think sweet, milky coffee concoctions) also have significant fat. Consider limiting your consumption of these as well.

The "0" is an unbroken circle also reminds me of the network of support of family and friends. It serves as a shield against bullying and violence. It can keep us going in the face of healthcare challenges.

The total of 5+2+1+0 is 8, reminding us to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Sleep is vital to keep our immune systems strong and give our brains critical clean-up time to stay sharp.

Consider taking a personal 5-2-1-0 inventory to see how your current choices match up. How are you doing? Remember, 51% of your health is up to you!

Mary Loeb, M.D., M.P.H, practices family medicine at Kaiser Permanentes Downtown Eugene Medical Office. More information is at kp.org/lane.

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Opinion | Improve your health, well-being with regular physical activity – InsideHalton.com

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Building physical activity into your daily routine can have a positive impact on your overall health and well-being. If you plan on setting new health goals this year, there are a number of ways to stay active in our community.

Stay active to stay healthy

Being active is an important part of healthy living. Regular activity can prevent disease and even helps you live longer. As a former professional hockey player, I know that daily exercise and physical activity contribute greatly to your quality of life boosting energy levels, promoting better sleep and helping to reduce stress.

The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines indicate that adults (18-64) should be physically active for at least 150 minutes per week. Thats just over 20 minutes each day to start feeling better and enjoying the health benefits. To learn about the activity guidelines for all ages, visit Halton Regions Physical Activity webpage at halton.ca.

Make a plan to move more

Halton offers many scenic trails, outdoor skating rinks or ski and snowboard hills to enhance your health and overall well-being. Download the OneHalton app on your iPhone or Android device to get connected to a list of local festivals and events, or visit your local municipality for recreational programming. If you are looking for ways to get active as a family, connect with our HaltonParents team by emailing haltonparents@halton.ca, visiting halton.ca, or calling 311. You can also visit halton.ca for resources and services to help you build physical activity into your daily routine, including:

physical activity guidelines and nutritional resources for children, adults and older adults;

information about walking, active transportation and cycling; and

tips on how to be active when at work and at school.

One of the many reasons our region is a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire is because there is plenty of opportunity for residents to get out and engage in healthy activities. I hope you enjoy the winter season in Halton Region!

Gary Carr is regional chair of Halton Region. His column appears the first week of each month. To contact him, email gary.carr@halton.ca.

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HealthWell Foundation Now Offers a Financial Lifeline to Medicare Patients Living with Chronic Heart Failure – PRNewswire

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GERMANTOWN, Md., Dec. 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --The HealthWell Foundation, an independent non-profit that provides a financial lifeline for inadequately insured Americans, has opened a new fund to provide copayment and premium assistance to Medicare patients living with chronic heart failure. HealthWell will provide up to $2,500 in financial assistance for a 12-month grant to eligible patients who have annual household incomes up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level.

Chronic heart failure is a progressive condition that causes the muscle in the heart wall to slowly weaken and lose its ability to pump blood. The heart is unable to pump enough blood through the heart to meet the body's needs for blood and oxygen. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), chronic heart failure is a serious condition, and usually there is no cure. Many people with chronic heart failure lead full and enjoyable lives when managing their condition through medications and healthy lifestyle changes.

"WomenHeart recognizes that for too many women living with heart failure, the costs of ongoing treatment and care can seem insurmountable," said Celina Gorre, CEO of WomenHeart. "Women living with heart failure can thrive with proper care and treatment, however they are more likely than men to have higher total out-of-pocket costs, which may impact readmissions and overall quality of care. WomenHeart commends the HealthWell Foundation for starting a fund for heart failure patients to help off-set the financial burden of their treatment costs."

"Patients living with chronic heart failure face day-to-day challenges in managing their condition. These challenges can be even more pronounced when patients are on Medicare and struggle to cover the cost of their medications," said Krista Zodet, HealthWell Foundation President. "Our donors understand the hardships many people living with chronic heart failure endure. As a result of their generosity, we are now able to ease some of the financial barriers these patients face in accessing critical, possibly lifesaving, medications."

To determine eligibility and apply for financial assistance, visit HealthWell's Chronic Heart Failure page. To learn how you can support this or other HealthWell programs, visit HealthWellFoundation.org.

About the HealthWell FoundationA nationally recognized, independent non-profit organization founded in 2003, the HealthWell Foundation has served as a safety net across over 65 disease areas for more than 405,000 underinsured patients by providing approximately $1.25 billion in grant support to access life-changing medical treatments they otherwise would not be able to afford. HealthWell provides financial assistance to adults and children facing medical hardship resulting from gaps in their insurance that cause out-of-pocket medical expenses to escalate rapidly. HealthWell assists with the treatment-related cost-sharing obligations of these patients. HealthWell ranked #33 on the 2019Forbeslist of the100 Largest U.S. Charitiesand was recognized for its 100% fundraising efficiency. For more information, visit http://www.HealthWellFoundation.org.

About WomenHeartWomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease is the first and only national organization solely dedicated to advancing women's heart health through advocacy, community education, and patient support. WomenHeart's mission is to improve the health and quality of life of women living with or at risk of heart disease, and to advocate for their benefit. As the leading voice for the 48 million American women living with or at risk of heart disease, WomenHeart advocates for equal access to quality care and provides information and resources to help women take charge of their heart health. To learn more about WomenHeart, visit http://www.womenheart.org.

CONTACT:Ginny Dunn240-632-5309Ginny.Dunn@HealthWellFoundation.org

SOURCE HealthWell Foundation

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HealthWell Foundation Now Offers a Financial Lifeline to Medicare Patients Living with Chronic Heart Failure - PRNewswire

Healthy Living: Heres tips to cope with holiday stress – Norwich Bulletin

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For most the holidays can be a time of joy, a time to share with friends and family and reflect on the past year and look forward to the future. However this is not always the case for everyone. For some, the holidays can increase stress, and worsen anxiety and depressive symptoms. Below are some tips for you to manage your mental health during the holiday season, as well as throughout the year.

Identify your support network: Your supports could include parents, a spouse or a partner, children, siblings, co-workers, friends, neighbors and health care providers. Having different individuals in your support network provides options for different kinds of support. Identifying your supports can alleviate stress and provide you with a sense of security and reassurance as you approach the holiday season.Its important to reach out to your network if you are feeling your symptoms are worsening or you need help.

Be prepared: To decrease stress, have a plan, and prepare for travel related expenses along with unexpected issues that may arise. Make lists, delegate tasks and stay organized.

Set a budget: To help decrease the financial burden and strain related to gift giving, meal prep, and travel expenses stick to your budget.

Manage your time: To decrease feeling overwhelmed, dont overbook your calendar, get plenty of rest, communicate to those around you, and ask for help when needed. Taking on too much can increase stress, anxiety and leave you feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.

Volunteer: Sometimes we arent able to spend the holidays with those we love, whether its due to distance, loss or financial restrictions. To avoid feeling lonely, get involved and volunteer. Volunteering can provide a sense of belonging, gives you purpose and a way to give back to the community.

Manage anxiety: Get plenty of exercise, rest, relaxation, read a book, limit alcohol and caffeine, these can aggravate anxiety and can trigger panic attacks, instead try to drink water.

Be realistic: Most importantly know your limits and make plans that make sense to you. Symptoms can sometimes worsen when we have expectations that are not realistic. Accept that you cant control everything and do your best, aiming for perfection isnt possible, be proud of what you achieve or accomplish.

While some stress is unavoidable during the holidays hopefully these tips/strategies will help make the holidays more manageable for you.

Katherine Ramos is behavioral health practice manager at UCFS Healthcare.

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Healthy Living: Heres tips to cope with holiday stress - Norwich Bulletin

Animal Control says 33 cats found in cages are "some of the nicest cats" – WSYM-TV

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33 cats being kept in small cages were discovered by police overnight Tuesday.

The Kalamazoo County Animal Services and Enforcement (KCASE) facility took the cats into their shelter after getting them all vaccinated. Animal Control Officer Mark Vanderberg said it's very unusual to find this many animals in one place.

In 15 years, I can say this is probably the most cats Ive taken in at one time," Mark said Friday.

The cats were found stuffed into several small cages. Mark says that while they certainly weren't in ideal living conditions, the cats were in surprisingly good health.

He said, None of them were angry, which was amazing. We were able to handle them, get them all brought in, got them all shots, got them all vaccinated, got them comfortable in a kennel.

The KCASE opened their new 5 million dollar facility in November, but after Tuesday's situation, they are already at capacity. Mark saying Friday, "Thankfully we have this facility that we were able to bring these cats into and continue to keep them healthy and continue to, well, serve the public in a way that Kalamazoo needs at this time.

The cats are ready to be adopted. Adoption fees are $80, which includes spaying/neutering.

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Animal Control says 33 cats found in cages are "some of the nicest cats" - WSYM-TV

Lululemon Stock Is Worth Owning. How to Play It With Options. – Barron’s

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Photograph by Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

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In a world obsessed with healthy living, Lululemon Athletica is in a class all of its ownand its recent earnings disappointment doesnt change that. With the stock still near a 52-week high, the best way to play it could be with options.

The companys exercise clothes seem to make people look physically better than they really are, and anyone who is already in shape seems to be even fitter if they are wearing Lululemon (ticker: LULU).

Looking good is not cheap, but Lululemons customers are often insensitive to price because of how they feel when they wear the clothes. Plus, they tend to have money to begin with.

And therein lies the magic that helps explain Lululemon stocks extraordinary performance. Shares are up some 100% this year, and while the all-important holiday shopping period will be over at months end, investor enthusiasm for Lululemon seemingly knows no limits.

This is somewhat extraordinary since the stock markets perpetually high level has many investors worried about what tomorrow may bring. Famed investor Warren Buffett has amassed an extraordinary cash position of about $128 billion because he is reportedly struggling to find investment opportunities.

Analysts, however, are increasingly bullish on Lululemons prospects, even after the stocks meteoric year. Rather than advising clients to take profits because doubling money in less than a year is rare, analysts are telling investors that 2020 should also be a good year for Lululemon. MKM Partners recently increased the stocks target rating to $255 from $218. Oppenheimer raised the target price to $260, and told clients that 2020 could be a good year, too.

Investors appear to feel the same way. They were unfazed earlier in the week on news that Stuart Haselden, the companys respected chief operating officer, resigned to become chief executive of Away, a start-up luggage company. Plus, the stock has support on the Street.

The one hitch: Lululemon reported third-quarter earnings after the close on Wednesday. The results were good, but investors wanted more so they could feel good about owning a stock that has performed so well this year. The stock fell 3.7% on Thursday.

The numbers tell only part of the story, however, and they miss what is arguably the most valuable part of Lululemon: the community that has developed around Lululemons products. What began as a maker of high-end yoga apparel has morphed into an athletic-lifestyle company.

Lululemon leggings are worn in the way older generations might have worn Chanel, or a handsome suit from Paul Stuart. The comparisons might seem dramatic, but Lululemon has become a prestige brand. The apparel is often more expensive than most of the goods made by Nike (NKE), Under Armour (UA), and other competitors. Leggings cost about $100. The same for tops. Jackets cost about $200.

The setup creates some interesting opportunities to sell cash-secured puts to trade the stock and reshape the risk at a time when it is difficult to feel entirely at ease buying a stock that is trading near a 52-week high.

With the stock around $222, investors can sell Lululemons January $210 put for about $4.

Should the stock be above the strike price at expiration, investors can keep the put premium. If the stock is below the strike price at expiration, investors must buy the stock, or cover the put. The key risk is that the stock falls far below the put strike price, obligating investors to pay top dollar to buy either the stock or put.

At least for now, with the company appearing to execute on all cylinders, the risk of a sharp Lululemon stock decline seems worth taking. Even if you would not be caught dead in tight-fitting leggings and tops, and the idea of contorting yourself into a yoga pose seems laughable, you can use the power of finance to express your inner namaste.

Email: editors@barrons.com

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Lululemon Stock Is Worth Owning. How to Play It With Options. - Barron's

The Rise Of The Workshop Gymnasium, A New Global Health And Lifestyle Experience – Forbes

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Lee Mullins loves fitness, he also loves health and wellness. And so, Lee along with Hani Farsi, who is a philanthropist and successful entrepreneur in the entertainment and hospitality industries, have seamlessly combined their expertise and know-how to offer Workshop.

Lee Mullins, Workshop Gymnasium

So much more than a gym, Workshop is a 360 degree lifestyle brand and one of the fastest growing luxury health and lifestyle companies. And guess what? You and your needs and goals are placed at the very heart of it.

Workshop Gymnasium, London

Lee and his group of experts specialize in personalized fitness regimes to suit the individual needs and goals of their clients, and its taken to the next level with thorough and extensive assessments. From metabolic to allergy testing, the results are compiled to allow for data-driven workouts, leaving out the guesswork. As a result, its significantly more efficient, not to mention effective, when it comes to achieving goals.

It all began when Lee andHani first began training together in 2010, and in 2014 they combined forces to mix up the fitness landscape. Where can we find these gyms? Well, this is where it gets a little bit fancy, as youll find them nestled in the 5-star Bulgari Hotels around the world.

Their debut outpost in London launched that year and can be found at the edge of Hyde Park, housed within the spa of the Bulgari in Knightsbridge. It soon attracted the distinguished, the discerning and celebrities alike, all visiting for the fitness expertise as well as the calm space that elevates the workout experience.

Workshop quickly grew due to its London success, along with demand from their traveling clients, and as such the pair opened their second location in the Bulgari Hotel, Milan in 2016. Since then, we can now find the Workshop in Bali, Beijing, Dubai, and Shanghai hotels, and excitingly Paris is launching next year.

I love the set up of the gyms, designing and bringing it to life - going into the hotels they have a countdownperiodto the opening so getting it ready is really exciting. You're surrounded by incredible people and everyone's working together, it's a great experience.

Of course there is a undeniable glamorous and luxe element to Workshop gyms, but Lee realizes for some, a gym may be a little daunting so a balance is struck where theyre also approachable and welcoming - something that is rare to find in the industry.

Its all about living a healthy lifestyle where workouts and health go hand-in-hand, and really there are no gimmicks, its an integral part of looking after yourself. Plus, Lee and his team look at other elements such as breathing and stretching to ensure clients get the most out of their session, and allows for a quick recovery.

With the fitness down, the next step was tackling the supplement market, and that came about in 2017 when they partnered with Designs for Health. The result? Their very own their range of all-natural, science-based Workshop Nutritional Supplements consisting of Gut Cleansing Formula, Multi-Vitamin Formula, Essential Greens, Organic Vanilla Pea Protein Formula, Organic Chocolate Pea Protein Formula, Essential BCAA Powder and Probiotic + Prebiotic.

They've been specially designed to be adapted to different lifestyles - theyre vegan and vegetarian-friendly. They are also free from gluten, artificial sweeteners and GMO ingredients to broaden the appeal.

Felicity Carter: How did it all start for you? Have you always loved wellness and fitness?

Lee Mullins: Yes, I always played football growing up and I played to a pretty decent level when I was a kid, I used to play for Fulham and Crystal Palace for a period of time - I loved being active.

In my teens I got injured and tore my ankle ligaments and during the rehab of that, I really got intostrengthtraining. I loved it so much that I went onto get my gym and personal training qualifications when I left high school. I took a gap year working in gyms and training people, and it was during this time that I found what I wanted to do.

From there, I enrolled at university to study science of sports and nutrition, and I was still training people alongside university work. I loved the idea of health being a byproduct of the job as well as the gym-based training element.

FC: What do you look for in a trainer?

LM: I look for trainers who inherently care about people, trainers who want to go above and beyond for their clients. That's incredibly important to me as it is a24/7job communicating with clients.

Personality and charisma are important too, our trainers are in the people business and therefore they need to be able to connect with their clients to get the most out of them. Ultimately people go to a gym to make a change, whatever that change may be, and that combined with the fact that gyms, on the whole, tend to be intimidating adds to the pressure. We work hard to ensure that our clients are comfortable from the get-go.

Our trainers also have to have the skillset to ensure the client reaches their goal, whether it's to move better, become leaner, stronger and it's the connection that helps them to push on to achieve that goal. And if they visit us 4 times a week, they're probably spending more time with the trainers than their families so it's importantour coaches are able to quickly connect with peopleto ensure clients are responsive.

FC: What is the USP of Workshop?

LM: We offer tailored and bespoke training and lifestyle programs that we put together based on the series ofbodyassessments that we take everyclientthrough. And we have a range of tests depending on the client and their ultimate goal.

For example, everyone will go through the body composition assessment, through the movement screen, and then depending on the person, we can look at nutrition, genetics, food allergies, metabolic rate, and hormones. We offer tests in every one of our outposts, with London having the most on offer.

Essentially the data drives the program. From all the assessments that we do, we then take that data and we are in a strong position to create a completely personalized program that enables the client to achieve their aim.

FC: So next up is your Paris outpost in 2020...

LM: Yes, and we'll be opening it towards the end of the year. It's an exciting one for us. A large proportion of our clients here in London are French, perhaps a third who spend their time between the two cities, so we already have a client base there.

Each city is uniquely different and complex with different elements at play; there's no one template that can be rolled out for all of our outposts and we embrace that. It does take time to build a business in each city but with Paris, we're lucky to have a client crossover and we'll build on that to make it even stronger. Also, the team on the Paris project is the same teamwe initially worked togetherwith in London5 years ago, so they know exactly what we do and what we stand for.

FC: What are your favorite aspects of the job?

LM: I love training people. As Workshop has expanded globally, I've realized this even more as I get pulled into the role of running a business. I have to say training, being with the clients and being in the gym with the team is the best part 100%.

I also love learning, it's great being in an environment where I'm able to learn from others. I took a couple of the team members to L.A. on a four-day course earlier in the year and that was fun. It's important to continue to upskill and to bring back that knowledge in-house and to apply, and grow on that expertise.

I've also found that now what's become really enjoyable is working on the other parts of the business that Workshop can venture into such as the products and getting into the merchandising. I find it really fun and it's so creative.

We also getrequests totravel with clientsfrom all over the world; they put a huge value on training in their downtime, looking after themselves, and it is a huge honor that people will bring you into their fold.

FC: Tell us about the products...

LM: Our products are essentially apart of the Workshop service; we use them authentically duringandat the end of sessions. We have a collection of seven products at the moment, and we're looking atexpandingthe lineto provide a wide range of nutrition solutions to support clients health.

We realize that for some people, sometimes it's easier to use a powder and make a drink whether it's to enhance your health or enhance your recovery, and so we wanted to offer quality products.

Something further down the line will bea digitalplatform, which will further the Workshop experience. Here we'll be looking at and tracking training programs, sleep, nutrition andbreathing,no matter which outpost you are at in the world you'll have simple and quick access to ourcoachestoo.

Workshop Gymnasium, Bulgari Hotel, 171 Knightsbridge, London, SW7 1DW, UK

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HEALTH CALENDAR – Lifestyle – The Free Press – Kinston Free Press

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WEIGHT LOSS GROUPS

Take Off Pounds Sensibly TOPS 53, Graham: 6 p.m. Tuesdays at Graham Presbyterian Church (hut), 101 N. Maple St., Graham. New members welcome. bekops2016@gmail.com.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly TOPS 109, Burlington: The club meets from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. each Wednesday at the Kernodle Senior Center, 1535 S. Mebane St. New members welcome.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly TOPS NC 349, Burlington: 6 p.m. Mondays at Lakeview Community Church, Burlington. Peggy Faucette at 336-584-6245.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly TOPS 367, Saxapahaw: 6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Moores Chapel Baptist Church hut on Church Road off N.C. 87. Nonprofit weight-loss support group. No obligation to join.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly TOPS 371, Elon: 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday at Ossipee Baptist Church, 2470 Old N.C. 87, Elon.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly TOPS 537, Burlington: weigh-in at 6 p.m. and meeting at 6:30 p.m. each Monday, Southern Caswell Ruritan Club, 9614 Hwy. 62 South, Burlington.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly TOPS 650, Burlington: 5:45 p.m. today for weigh-ins at the Harriet House behind Brookwood Baptist Church on Davis Street. Meeting at 6:15 p.m.

NOTE: To find a meeting location throughout Alamance County, visit http://www.tops.org and click "Find A Meeting," then type in your zip code to find a meeting at a time and place convenient for you. Your first visit is free.

HEALTHY LIVING

Inspire Meditation: Noon Thursdays, sanctuary of Elon Community Church, 241 N. Williamson Ave., Elon. A shared 20 minutes of silence. Free. 336-512-9859.

Be Healthy Now: Alamance County's free Wellness Community offers activities for all ages, including kayaking, hiking, fitness and cooking classes, line dancing, educational workshops, aromatherapy, yoga, family adventures and more. Like Be Healthy Now Alamance on Facebook or visit behealthynowalamance.com to sign up for updates on free events.

MEDICAL SERVICES

North Carolina Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program: Free or low-cost breast and cervical screenings and follow-up services for eligible low-income, uninsured or underinsured women living in Alamance and surrounding counties. For information, call Christy Burton at 336-538-7855.

Alamance County Health Department: offers immunizations, well-child checkups and dental care for children as well as prenatal care, family planning services and STD treatment. 336-227-0101.

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HEALTH CALENDAR - Lifestyle - The Free Press - Kinston Free Press