Five Tips to Revive Broken New Year’s Fitness Vows (ARA) - There’s still time to rescue that resolution - Unrealized fitness resolutions cause frustration, regret and discouragement for many who really do want a healthier, fit lifestyle. “There’s nothing wrong with resolving to get fit, but so many resolutions fail because they approach fitness in the wrong way,” says Jeff Fliehs, director, Life Time Fitness personal training.

Fliehs shares tips for rescuing your fitness resolution:

1. Relax. Remember that fitness is a continuous pursuit. You have the rest of your life to improve it -- not just this winter or before swimsuit season starts. The goal is to improve a little bit every day, not to go from couch potato to triathelete in three weeks. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself or you’ll set yourself up for frustration and failure.
2. Research. Give some forethought to your fitness approach. Many fling themselves into running or working with equipment without thinking if they really like it. Find something you like to do, because you’re much more likely to stick with it if you do. And collect information about your body -- things like weight, pulse rate, body fat content -- before you start.
3. Reach short-term goals. Know where you’re at to begin with, so you can decide where you want to go. List some achievable, measurable targets by which to track your progress. A personal trainer is great for helping you determine what these goals should be. Remember that a complete fitness program should incorporate fitness, nutrition and education for optimum results.
4. Reality check. Many fitness resolutions are too aggressive or even impossible. Be realistic. If you’ve been sedentary for years, a walk around the block may equal success. Good fitness is gradual, measured improvement. No matter what the television says, you’re not going to have perfect abs or the body you had 20 years ago in 10 minutes a day. If you think you will, you’re bound to fail.
5. Review. Know that you’ll have to make adjustments and course corrections along the way. Track your progress and listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t force it. If you start running and it bores you to tears, try something else. Try mixing activities to keep the interest level high. Resolving to be fit is important, but it’s also important to have a reasonable plan, to have good information about how to succeed and to make sure that your goals are achievable and reasonable. With this approach, short-term setbacks won’t cause long-term failure. It’s never too late to start again and start right.. Courtesy of ARA Content

Boost Your Performance the Natural Whey (ARA) - Over the past decade, North Americans have become increasingly interested in healthy lifestyles. We’re exercising more and paying more attention to our diet. Whether you’re a daily exerciser, weekend warrior, or endurance athlete, your body needs extra protein to meet the nutritional demands that come with increased activity levels. Protein is a key component of muscle tissue, making up 15 to 20 percent of its composition. Exercise breaks down muscle tissue and a lack of the right nutrients to rebuild lean muscle tissue may result in reduced strength and endurance. One key to optimum fitness is making sure you get enough high quality protein. What if you could find a nutritional protein supplement that was versatile, rich in essential amino acids, easy to digest and an excellent source of energy to support your fitness goals?

Whey protein, a diary protein making up approximately 1 percent of milk, is just such a product. “Whey protein is one of the highest quality proteins available,” says Carla Sorensen, director of the Whey Protein Institute. “In addition to being easy to digest, it also contains one of the highest concentrations of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) available from any natural food protein source.” The body prefers to use BCAAs during periods of exercise as a source of energy, she explains. The muscles break down the BCAAs into glucose, which passes directly into the skeletal muscles from the bloodstream. Low levels of BCAAs may lead to increased fatigue, especially during endurance exercise.

An added benefit of whey protein is the enhanced production of glutathione, one of the body’s natural anti-oxidants. During times of stress, including exercise, there is often a decrease in glutathione levels. Whey protein in the diet helps maintain adequate glutathione levels to aid the immune system and increase muscle stamina. Whey protein has also been shown to help increase fat loss while building lean muscle tissue in comparison to dieting alone.

For all these reasons, whey protein has long been a preferred ingredient in sports drinks and nutritional snack/energy bars. Courtesy of ARA Content

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PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (Reuters) -- Kids Learn Vital Lessons to Help Fight Childhood Obesity (ARA) - The prevalence of childhood obesity has quadrupled in children ages 6 to11 and nearly doubled in adolescents ages 12 to19 in the past 25 years according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES).

Obesity-related chronic diseases such as Type II diabetes and hypertension, previously only prevalent among adults, are now common among children. Today’s youth are facing an obesity epidemic that must be addressed now if they are to lead healthier and happier lives. Field Trip Factory is working with Sports Authority, regional grocers, hospitals, restaurants and the YMCA to give children the tools they need to make healthy choices about eating habits and exercise. Through free, interactive field trips students learn valuable life-skills related to nutrition and fitness.

Research shows children retain 40 to 60 percent more when learning is reinforced outside the classroom. For example, awareness of healthy eating rose 38 percent after children participated in related field trips. Also, children’s learning can impact family behavior, leading everyone to a healthier lifestyle. Participating in a hands-on learning experience in the community gives children the chance to apply knowledge in a real-life setting where they often go with their family.

For more information or to schedule a field trip, go to www.fieldtripfactory.com or call (800) 987-6409.

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How to Safely Order Prescription Drugs from Canada (ARA) - Forget the bus trip. Now that Americans are discovering low Canadian prescription drug prices, Canadian pharmacies are responding; there are now a number of companies offering an online mail order option, so you can get your prescription filled without crossing the border.

But even though it’s convenient and the savings are substantial, ordering prescription drugs online from Canada is not the same as shopping at your local drug store. “The savings are large, in part due to the value of the American dollar,” says Dwayne Anderson of CanadianMedsOnline, a Canadian online pharmacy that specializes in prescriptions for those living in the United States. “However there are a number of things to watch for when you are choosing a Canadian pharmacy,” he cautions.

According to Anderson, American consumers should consider the following before placing an order:
* Make sure the pharmacy is licensed. Most legitimate companies post a link to their license on the Web site. You can also call the pharmaceutical association in the province where the company is located.
* All prices should be clearly stated in U.S. dollars and easy to find; there should not be any hidden charges such as duty, customs, registration or handling fees. Make sure that the shipping fee you are quoted is per package and not per prescription.
* A consultation with a pharmacist should be free and a mandatory part of any online pharmacy transaction. “This is an important safety issue for consumers,” says Anderson. “Our pharmacist, who has practiced in the United States, always contacts the patient. We want to make sure that this important medical safeguard is provided to online customers.”
* Prescriptions should come with additional information that includes the proper way to store the drugs, possible side effects and reactions, and how the medications should be taken. * The pharmacy should be able to deliver within 10 to 14 days. Also, many companies will offer consumers with long-term prescriptions the option of receiving a 90-day supply and regular refills every 90 days.

Dear Flabby,
Now that spring is here I'm finding it really hard to concentrate at work. It was brutally rainy for awhile here and now the sun and warmth just makes me want to be anywhere but at my desk. How do you balance work with the outdoors.
- Cabin-fevered in Portland

Dear Fever,

What are you, 6 years old? Ever heard of 'time-management'? Yes, it's true, drastic changes in the weather result in confusion and distorted behaviors. No one's asking you to chain yourself to the office. What works for me is 2 hour bursts of work followed by a few minutes of break-time, either a quick run in the park, or even a walk to Starbucks to refuel. And you've gotta love those 'mental-health' days. If it's that beautiful out, take the day off with a loved one and go on an out-of town adventure.

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