Health-and-Fitness online information.

I am not trying to say that "success" cannot exist without good health, but I believe the two can complement each other, and health can significantly contribute to success. After all, what better example of health NOT relating to success than the noted British mathematician Stephen Hawking. If you are not familiar with Hawking, he has long been severely disabled byamyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS (commonly known in the United States as Lou Gehrig's disease). His quadrapelagic condition, confinement to a wheel chair, and loss of the ability to speak could certainly have stood in the way of his attaining international recognition for his work, but in spite of this "health related" obstacle, he HAS produced a prodigious and internationally respected body of work.

Fortunately, most of us will never have to cope with Mr. Hawking's obstacles and, at the very least, after viewing his troubles; we should stop thinking so hard about our own.

However, OUR health can be an obstacle to success, and, having attained success, can be an obstacle to the enjoyment of the fruits of our labors.

The quote at the top of this page translates to "A sound mind in a sound body." It seems to me that this is a good philosophy to attach to the pursuit of success. We see examples almost every day of those who have "made it to the top" in their particular field, but we see many lose their lives to drugs, die before their time of health related conditions which could have been prevented or at least reduced in severity, or simply let age and infirmity gradually push them off the stage of life.

As humans, however, we sometimes tend to have difficulty viewing what "might" happen in some distant future as important enough to make significant changes in our current lifestyles and attitudes. While also difficult, it is a little easier to realize that changing the way in which we live and act CAN influence our daily path towards success.

The effects of good health can be simple, direct, and easily understood, or they may be a bit less obvious and their contributions less visible.

For example: If you are in poor health and physical condition, you may lack the energy necessary to strive towards your goal. You may be psychologically challenged simply because of the mental conditions which may exist when your health is below average and your physical condition low. If you begin an exercise program, in a relatively short time, you should notice an increase in energy and an elevation of spirit.

Less obvious would be some of the ancillary results which often accompany improved physical fitness. I noticed that my eyesight actually improved, my digestion became more efficient, and I slept better, just to name a few results. Being better able to sleep, to take one possible result, could translate into more energy, less stress, and more alertness. Now wouldn't those contribute to success?

Other results of improving physical fitness may include, as mentioned above, an elevation of spirit. Many a person has turned off the pathway to success simply because they convinced themselves that "it couldn't be done". When your attitude becomes more positive through exercise or winning the lottery, it is harder for those types of thoughts to push you off your path to success. In fact, many people beginning an exercise program have noticed a psychological lift simply from knowing that they have take taken control of some portion of their life. One added benefit of success in an exercise or health improvement program, by the way, is the realization that you CAN succeed. Success in one area of life often leads to success in other areas.

Finally, to return to an earlier point, you will be healthier, happier, and better able to enjoy the results of your success if you make your physical health and fitness one of the keys to your success.

Contacts have come a long way, since 1887, the first year they were successfully fitted and worn. There are numerous styles, types, and manufacturers from which to choose. One thing all contacts have in common is that by law they must be prescribed to order.

Why would you need a prescription for contacts? Contacts have all the basic principles of all other medical devices which is they can do further damage if not operated/used correctly. Wearing contacts without a prescription could decrease your vision, cause damage to your cornea, or other problems that only a licensed professional can detect. Even sharing your contacts with someone with a similar prescription could cause serious harm to your vision. The material of your contacts contributes to your ability to see and wear contacts comfortably. An eye doctor can determine whether you need rigid or soft contacts, daily or extended wear, or one of numerous other choices, which effects your vision.

How do you get a prescription? Simply contact an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or in some countries a dispensing optician. These professionally trained eye doctors will determine the degree of eyesight loss as well as measure your eye to determine the base curve needed for your contacts. After the appointment, you will then have access to all your prescription information for future purchases. Here are some common terms you’ll find on your prescription:

OD – Right Eye
OS – Left Eye
BC – Inside Curve of your contacts (8.0, 8.1, etc)
Diameter – Size of your contacts (13.8, 14.0, etc)
Power (Pow) – Strength of your corrective lens (-1, -2.75, etc)
Cylinder (Cyl) – Strength of your astigmatism (-.75, -1.00, etc)
Axis – Orientation of your astigmatism in degrees (170, 190, etc)

To find out more about prescriptions, visit the FTC or FDA’s website for more information.

What contacts should you purchase? The easiest part of the whole process is what contact lenses to order. Your eye doctor will prescribe the exact kind of lens that you require. You do have a right to request a certain brand if it’s compatible with your prescription. Go to a contact lens manufacturer or retailer online to read more on the different brand names and styles to decide which contact lenses may be most compatible with your current prescription. Color contacts are another type of contact that’s gaining popularity. You should always get a prescription for color contacts. For your safety, never order color contact lenses from a retailer who does not require a prescription.

Where can you buy contact lenses? There are numerous places to order contact lenses. The majority of people purchase their contact lenses directly from their eye doctor during or after their checkup. The benefit of ordering direct is that you normally won’t have to wait to receive your lenses. The negatives of ordering from your eye doctor are that you may pay a much higher price than alternative options.

Mass retailers such as Wal-Mart, WalGreens, and others have recently started selling prescription contact lenses. The benefits of mass retailers is that you can usually get the contacts the day your order them as well as receive a significant discount off eye doctor prices.

Online retailers are another great source for contacts. Several major online retailers include 1800Contacts, Discount Contacts, among several others. Price is the key benefit to ordering online. As most sites state, you can save up to 70% off eye doctor prices by ordering online. The major drawback to ordering online is that you will have to wait which limits your options if you need contact lenses right away.

It is not clear whether magnets were discovered in China or Greece. In Traditional Chinese Medicine dating back to 2600BC, magnetic stones were used to correct imbalance in certain parts of the body. In the Vedas, 1500BC, the lodestone was mentioned in healing.

Today an alloy containing iron, boron and neodymium is very light and practical to use on various parts of the body. This magnet is called the neodymium magnet. Although small, it is very powerful. A neodymium magnet of 8000 gauss weighs 20 gm while a comparable older alnico magnet weighs 90 Kg.

Is there evidence that magnetic bracelets or other magnetic devices reduce pain of arthritis? Unfortunately there are no large controlled trials and no conclusive evidence to suggest that magnets are beneficial. A trial was published in the British Medical Journal in 2004 to determine whether magnetic bracelets will control pain in osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. The conclusion was that pain decreased in the group wearing magnets but the investigators were uncertain if it was a placebo effect.

The reality is that more patients with arthritis are wearing magnetic bracelets and sales of magnetic products are increasing globally. It is uncertain whether this is due to aggressive marketing to a vulnerable group or that patients are actually gaining benefits. Either way using a magnet is safe and harmless. If it is ineffective you can always take the bracelet off. There are some arthritis sufferers who refuse to take their magnets off while there are others who have found no benefit.

According to proponents, magnets work by increasing the oxygen carrying capacity of blood and this produces faster healing of injuries and pain relief. This theory has been used regularly in horse racing where injured horses are fitted with magnets to get them back on the track in a short time.

Conventional medicine dispenses with the idea that magnets can be of any benefit in arthritis. There is, however, anecdotal evidence of amazing improvement from sufferers after wearing a magnet. Of significance, is the improvement in arthritic pets after wearing magnetic collars. Here we can safely rule out the placebo effect.

Dr. Lawson, a GP in UK found that there was improvement in the comfort and quality of his patients' lives after wearing magnetic bracelets but the placebo effect cannot be ruled out. In New York Medical College, Dr. Michael Weintraub tried magnetic insoles and found pain relief in feet of diabetics with peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Lloyd Siberski, a Yale University pain expert said, "Deep down inside I believe magnets work." Carole Barsky in the daily News, June 1999 reported improvement of her severe arthritis of the spine by using magnets.

So is there a role for magnets in the control of pain in arthritis? If conventional medicine was safe and very effective, then this question would be irrelevant. Drugs used to treat arthritis have problems and some have potentially serious side effects.

Magnets are safe. Apart from patients with pacemakers, anyone can use them. If you shop around you will find a manufacturer that gives you a 90 days money back guarantee. You can buy it, try it out and if it is ineffective send it back and recover your money. If it is effective, then you may be able to reduce your analgesics or even discontinue all together. The neodymium magnet retain its magnetic properties for 100 years. Who knows you could have a friend for life.

Healthy eating requires precise planning, from grocery shopping to lunch options to eating out. The best way to maintain healthy eating habits is to have a good support system for your efforts.

Plan your supermarket visits. You can easily bypass foods that add valuable and needed nutrients to your nutritional plan when you shop impulsively and aimlessly. Schedule routine visits to the store, have a list, and never shop when you're hungry. Read the labels. You'll find a nutrition label on most food packages that provides information on how much protein, fat, carbohydrate, sodium, cholesterol, vitamins, minerals, etc.is contained in a single serving. This info helps you see how certain foods (even your sinful favorites) fit into a healthy diet. If you are shopping the perimeter of the store, buying fresh produce, fish, meat, poultry, and dairy, you're already getting most of what you need in a sound nutrition plan. Foods in the center of supermarket aisles generally contain the most preservatives and are devoid of important vitamins and minerals unless you really know what you are looking for.

Lunch and post-lunch tips. Bring your lunch to work in one of these five forms:
1) Brown bag containing a healthy sandwich or salad (it only takes a couple of minutes to pack it)
2) A nutrition bar, with an ideal combination of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.
3) A protein shake in a thermos, with an apple at the side.
4) If you are a fan of pasta, watch what you put on it. Alfredo sauce and oils can pack a lot of calories. Use soup broths or vegetable purees as a sauce base. Add chopped vegetables to make a pasta salad. Dice up broiled or grilled chicken to get your protein in.
5) Plan ahead for a mid-afternoon snack at work - Have apples, oranges, and raw veggies like cauliflower, broccoli, or baby carrots, cans of tuna and chicken for boosting your energy levels.

Eating out tips.

When eating out at a restaurant, avoid entrees that are fried or in a cream sauce. Stick with fresh fruit, and ask for steamed veggies, which are nutritionally denser. Soups are generally low in calories, and hence a soup as a starter is a good idea. Other starters and appetizers should be either boiled, poached, barbecued, steamed or baked. For your protein, have baked poultry or fish. Skip the dinner rolls and butter. Have a salad with light dressing on the side. Ranch and cream dressings are usually higher in calories. Vinargrettes are usually the best in terms of calorie content.

The importance of a support group If you plan on joining a diet group (or are already in one), you'll get a boost when you attend weekly meetings. Whether you like the idea or not, diet groups can offer tremendous support, motivation, and education about eating a healthy diet. The social atmosphere fosters a sense of accountability and responsibility, which is conducive to more weight loss. Most successful dieters are involved in some kind of support group, whether it's family, a diet group, or friends. Having a "cheering section" could make the difference between quitting and persisting.

Vitamins recognized by legislative definitions in the United States include:

Vitamin A

Promotes healthy bone growth, vision, reproduction, cell division and specialization and helps regulate the immune system.

Sources include whole milk, liver, eggs, some fortified breakfast cereals, carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach and most darkly colored fruit and vegetables.

Vitamin B1 –

Also known as thiamine is essential in converting foods into energy, helps supports the normal function of the nervous system, muscles and heart and promotes normal growth and development.

It is also thought to help regulate appetite. Present in moderate amounts in all foods, the best sources are whole grains and fortified cereals.

VitaminB2 –

Also known as riboflavin, it is allied to vitamin B1, and supports energy production, is necessary for red blood cell and antibody production, respiration and regulating human growth and reproduction.

It is essential for healthy skin, nails hair growth, thyroid activity, healing of wounds and general good health. Sources include liver, kidney, whole grains, green leaf vegetables, milk, yeast, cheese, oily fish, eggs, enriched cereals, almonds and mushrooms.

VitaminB3 –

Also known as niacin is also part of the vitamin B complex that is primarily involved into converting food into energy.

Regulates circulation, hormone production, the digestive and nervous systems, promotes healthy skin.

Regular alcohol drinkers and vegetarians should consider taking a B3 (Niacin) supplement as alcohol inhibits niacin absorption and diets lacking protein are likely to be B3 deficient.

Effective in lowering levels of (bad) cholesterol. Best sources are beef liver and kidney, pork, turkey, chicken, veal, oily fish, beets, peanuts and strawberries.

VitaminB6 –

Also known as pyridoxine is necessary to balance the hormonal changes in women, assists in the growth of new cells and the functioning of the immune system, converting food into energy, and in controlling moods, behavior and sex drive.

It is involved in cancer immunity, red blood cell production, preventing skin problems and in fighting certain heart difficulties. Good sources of B6 are similar to other B vitamins and include eggs, chicken, yeast, carrots, fish, liver, kidneys, peas and walnuts.

VitaminB12 –

Contains cobalt and is also known as cobalamin. The primary functions are to maintain a healthy nervous system and to produce red blood cells. Sources include meat, dairy products and eggs but no reliable plant sources.

Sufferers from B12 deficiency, which can have mild to severe symptoms, may be unable to absorb the vitamin through normal food intake and will have to take ongoing regular injections to alleviate the problem.

The B vitamins are interconnected with many associated functions and sources.

VitaminC –

Absorbic Acid. The human body is unable to store Vitamin C and unless replenished constantly, symptoms, the most commonly known of which is scurvy that can become fatal, will quickly occur.

It is important in forming collagen that gives structure to bones, cartilage, muscle and blood vessels and in maintaining bones and teeth, and in the absorption of iron.

Sources are most fruits and vegetables served raw if possible, Vitamin C dissolves in water so if the food must be cooked use the minimal amount of water by steaming or microwaving for as short a time as possible.

Most breakfast cereals and many fruit juices are fortified with Vitamin C. The British are known as ´Limeys´ because the Royal Navy issued limes to sailors to prevent scurvy which could occur due to long periods at sea without fresh fruit and vegetables. Vitamin D –

The source of this vitamin is best known as being from sunlight, or more accurately, as being made in the body by exposure to UV rays.

It promotes the calcium and phosphorous that are vital in forming and maintaining strong bones.

It may also be involved in regulating cell growth and maintaining a healthy immune system. Exposure to sunlight (which should be carefully limited) is the principal source, most dairy products contain only limited amounts, better sources include oily fish, fortified cereals, eggs, and beef liver.

Vitamin E –

A is a powerful source of anti – oxidants and as such acts as a barrier to poisons and diseases that can damage the body.

It is also recognized as being involved in immune system function, DNA repair, the protection of blood cells, the nervous system, muscles and the eye retinas from free radical damage.

Best sources include nuts, green vegetables (spinach, broccoli, sprouts) eggs, wholemeal products, soya beans and vegetable oils and particularly olive oil.

If taking this vitamin as a supplement keep the daily dosage well below 1000 milligrams per day and be sure to check with your medical advisor that there is no conflict with any other medication you are on.

Vitamin K –

This vitamin plays an essential role in the production of coagulation proteins, meaning that it is responsible for regulating the ability of the blood to clot.

A deficiency may occur in any age group, but is more often found in infants. Excessive bleeding is the principal symptom.

Any green vegetables, asparagus, oats and oils, such as olive oil, are good sources of this vitamin.

Check with your medical advisor before taking a supplement rich in Vitamin K as this can conflict with other drugs, such as warfarin, that may be prescribed. NB. It is strongly recommended that a physician or other qualified medical practitioner approve the use of a vitamin and/or mineral supplement before embarking on a course.

You probably learned that you need calcium for strong bones and teeth when you were in grade school – when you asked why you needed to drink all of your milk. But did you also know that calcium is used by the body to help muscles contract properly, to help blood clot, and even to help your nerves carry messages? It even keeps our hearts beating properly.

While calcium keeps our bones and teeth strong, those bones and teeth also store the calcium that the body needs – allowing the body to break down and rebuild bone when it needs that calcium.

If that calcium is not replaced to rebuild that bone, the bones become weak and brittle, meaning that they break easily. This is why getting the calcium that we need is so vital to our health. Our entire bodies are depending on it!

Osteoporosis is the main disease that comes into play when we deny our bodies the calcium that they need. This is a crippling disease that approximately 44 million Americans are currently suffering from. People who don't get enough calcium are at risk for other diseases as well. Calcium helps to restore the right pH levels in the body by removing acid.

When we supplement our bodies with the calcium that we need, the body doesn't break down bones to get the calcium. Instead, it uses what we are giving it. This saves our bones for the long haul, and makes and keeps us healthier.

Eating foods that are rich in calcium is advised. Low fat dairy products and broccoli are great sources for calcium, but most people still don't get enough calcium in their food, and supplements are needed. Most people don't even know how much calcium they actually need.

Newborn babies, up to the age of six months old need 210 milligrams of calcium per day. Six month to one year olds need 270 milligrams per day. One to three year olds need 500 milligrams, four to eight year olds need 800 milligrams, and nine to eighteen year olds need 1300 milligrams. Adults between the ages of nineteen and fifty need 1000 milligrams per day, while adults fifty ones years of age or older need about 1200 milligrams of calcium per day.

Life Force International has a product called OsteoProCare. It is in liquid form, and it is made of the highest possible quality ingredients including calcium, magnesium, chondroitin, vitamin D, peppermint, and colloidal minerals. These ingredients make it easy for the body to absorb, and it tastes good as well.

Don't assume that you are getting enough calcium because you take a good multivitamin. Most multivitamins only have small traces of calcium, and it simply is not enough.

Don't allow disease to breed inside your body simply because you aren't getting enough calcium. It is as simple as swallowing some liquid at meal times – you were going to swallow anyway!

According to recently conducted experiments, cannabis can be considered an effective remedy for patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. While at first the symptomatic improvements experienced by patients with multiple sclerosis who have been administered cannabinoid products were thought to be determined solely by psychological factors, later research has revealed that cannabis actually reduces muscular spasms and stiffness characteristic to multiple sclerosis sufferers. The benefic effects of cannabis on patients with multiple sclerosis have been confirmed by short-term and long-term controlled medical studies.

In 2003, a team of researchers from the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter, UK have made public the results of a series of short-term and long-term studies on the effects of cannabinoids among patients with multiple sclerosis. The previously conducted studies involved the active participation of around 600 patients with advanced-stage multiple sclerosis. The participants were divided in two distinctive groups: the first group received cannabinoid compounds in equal doses, while the second group received placebo medications over a period of 15 weeks. By the end of the experiment, the majority of patients who were administered cannabinoids experienced considerable symptomatic improvements, having less muscular pain and being confronted with milder muscular spasticity (less pronounced muscular spasm). Unlike the group that received cannabinoid compounds over the entire period of the study, the control group (patients who received placebo medications) experienced no improvements in their overall condition.

In order to confirm the relevancy of the findings and to discard any doubts concerning the efficiency of cannabis in ameliorating the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, the study was later repeated. The ulterior study was performed over a period of 12 months, and involved the participation of the same subjects. However, this time the participants were divided into 3 distinctive groups instead of 2 as in the case of the previous experiment. The first group received pills of D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the active component in cannabis, the second group received natural cannabis extracts, while the third group received placebo medications.

At the end of the experiment, patients were carefully evaluated and examined by a team of physiotherapists and neurologists. The best results were obtained among the patients belonging to the first study group, the majority of subjects who have received equal doses of THC experiencing considerable improvements in their symptoms. The patients in the second study group experienced slight improvements in their symptoms, while the patients in the third group felt no changes in their condition.

Despite the fact these studies clearly suggest that cannabis is an efficient remedy for multiple sclerosis, medical scientists aren’t still convinced that cannabinoids can be successfully used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. However, after performing additional studies on the matter and more elaborate research, doctors may consider to introduce cannabinoid compounds in the treatment of multiple sclerosis in the near future.

First of all, before anything else is said, let's agree on a couple of things.

Sharing good times with friends and family is part of what the holiday season is all about. When these groups get together, it is often in the presence of delicious, scrumptious food. This food tends to be available for snacking all day. Personally, I would immediately call the Vatican and nominate anyone for sainthood who could truly enjoy all the festivities and be awash in the total ambiance of all the season inspires while ignoring the lavish plates of goodies while walking around munching on a stick of celery.

Oh yeah! You're going to sample Aunt Millie's mincemeat pie, Uncle Bob's specially prepared fried turkey, and probably a glass of Alka-Seltzer or something similar.

Unfortunately, I am here to remind you of a few things; you are on a diet, you want to lose weight, all that stuff that is so tempting is fattening, and this is the hardest time of the year to be good. So, let's just pick up on a few rules to help you get through the season.

Rules For Healthy Holiday Eating:

Before we get started, I want you to get comfortable, so put some turkey on your plate, get some of that great dressing (don't forget the cranberry sauce), fight Cousin Ed for some of that green bean casserole my niece, Sharon, makes so well, and tell Grandma to save a piece of pie for you. Have a seat, relax, enjoy your meal (while balancing a soggy paper plate on your knee) and I will give you the rules to help you survive the season.

1. Forgive yourself in advance and give yourself permission to have a good time: Look, this stuff isn't poison! You didn't take 10 years off your life just because you ate more than you should have...and then went back for seconds. You are only human, and you are here to have a good time! One of the reasons you want to lose weight, or keep it down, is so that you can enjoy life, and this is one of the most enjoyable times of the year. So, as they say, live a little. Whatever happens over the next few days will not kill you, and whatever damage you do manage to do can be rectified.

2. It's just a couple of days: Okay, for some families, it may be a couple of weeks...twice...Thanksgiving and Christmas, or Hanukkah, or Kwanza. Whatever it is for you, it is finite, it WILL end, and it is mainly limited to a certain time of the year. Who you are in terms of health, fitness, and weight loss is determined by the overall accomplishments of the year, not by a few weeks in the fall.

3. Stay with your program: You will definitely minimize the effects of all the dinners, cookies, and snacks if you can still get in your walks, aerobics, weight training, or whatever else you have been doing. During the holiday season, it can be difficult to get everything done the same as in the rest of the year, but two days of exercise Thanksgiving week, while not as good as three or five, is still better than none. Simply knowing you have not abandoned your plan will help you get over any depression you might have because of your holiday eating, and will help reduce any negative effects from all the delicious, gooey calories you have "accidentally" consumed. If you cannot stay on a formal program, squeeze in a walk, even if it is a high-speed shopping trip through the mall. By the way, this is the reason I love yoga. When everything's done, I can retire to my bedroom and not only get the physical benefits of the yoga session, but I relieve some of the stress I may have built up during the day. That helps with the eating too.

4. Remain in touch with reality: You will hear people speak of "mindful eating". Be aware of what you are doing. Have you ever heard someone say, "That is so good, I just have to have some more."? Of course, YOU and I never say things like that! Well, the truth is that you DON'T have to have some more, and, if you do, it doesn't need to be right now. Just because the food is there right now doesn't mean it has to be eaten right now. You know what's good for you and what isn't. One piece of pie today is not going to kill you or destroy your weight loss resolution, but do you have to have that pie? Isn't there a healthier treat you could have, or could you just wait until the meal has settled, or after you take a walk to rev up your metabolism and burn off some of what you already ate. Why not take a piece home with you and have it as a treat for later...when you aren't as full as a tick.

5. Food is not love: Many people tend to equate food and eating with love. You cannot change the others, but you can change your own attitude. Refusing seconds of Grandma's turkey does not mean you don't love her. If she is hurt because you normally stuff yourself and this year you're not doing her food "justice", just say that you are stuffed but will have more later. Take control of YOUR life. Others will have to take control of their own.

6. If you are the cook: Choose healthy dishes prepared in a healthy manner. If you have found a new diet-friendly food that you enjoy, share that with others. This will give you one more healthy dish on the groaning board to select your own meal from.

7. Alcohol: If you enjoy wine, beer, egg nog like my Uncle Wilbur liked, or other drinks containing alcohol, just slow down and cut back. Try slipping in a glass of water between drinks. Drinks containing alcohol are sneaky calories. They do nothing for you nutritionally, but they do have a lot of calories. A few drinks with friends can give you more calories than a Big Mac...and you probably have these drinks while snacking or eating a meal! Oh well! At least if you are a beer drinker, you can try some light beers. It will give you an excuse to sample.

8. Be happy to be where you are, doing what you are doing, with the people you love: If you fall head over heels off the wagon, have fun. What you do throughout the year will have more effect on your weight and health than what happens between Thanksgiving and New Year's.

Drug addiction rehab is a generic phrase, which refers to drug rehabilitation, and presupposes a medical treatment for the dependency of legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, even nicotine or any other psychoactive substance.
If you are longing or craving to use again and again a drug, then it doesn't matter if the substance behind that drug is legal or illegal, what you need is a drug addiction rehab. It means that you have a drug addiction, so you must take it seriously and get immediate treatment in a rehab clinic and as long as it is required because it takes time and strength. There are many ways in which you can achieve a drug addiction rehab: rehab clinics, sober houses, care centers, local support groups etc. Your body is affected by this drug addiction at two levels: physical and psychological.
If you don't check yourself into rehab to get over this addiction as soon as you admitted to have one, this addiction tends to become chronic. It means that you can fall again and again into the abyss and finally you might never return. This may happen even after a long and efficient treatment. During the rehab program you won't just take medication, what you are suppose to do is learn to cope with your disorder at your best. Thus you might not loose the competition against your temptation and waste your drug addiction rehab.
Drug Addiction Rehab Treatment
The treatment is focused on two phases: that of physical healing through detoxification or withdrawal therapy and a psychological support which prevents relapse. The approach of the professionals depends on the substance which provoked the addiction and the particular side effects. Pharmacotherapies proved to be very efficient in drug addiction rehab for at least three purposes: the effective treatment of rehabilitation, the maintenance (usually used for a longer time) and the interruption of the physical as well as psychological dependence. There are three ways of approaching a medical treatment during a drug addiction rehab connected to the symptoms of the patients and the side effects (on the Central Nervous System-CNS, and not only):
- CNS depressants – minor to severe side effects, affecting blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, and even threatening life;
- CNS stimulants – depression, suicidal thoughts, paranoia, psychosis;
- Opioids – minor to severe side effects (rapid pulse, high blood pressure, pains, tremors, vomiting, diarrhea etc); a most recently approved drug in U.S. that cures heroine addiction is buprenorphine (a milder opioid).
The detoxification is both completed and followed by the psychological treatment which is also an important stage of drug addiction rehab. It means counseling, therapy sessions accomplished through individual, group or family meetings.

CHICAGO - Bally Total Fitness Holding Corp. reported its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2003. Second quarter net revenues totaled $251.3 million, a $5 million increase over the prior year quarter (2 percent). Free cash flow, defined as cash flow from operations ($12.1 million) less cash used in investing activities ($10.8 million) was $1.3 million during the quarter bringing the year-to-date total to $10.8 million compared to deficits during the prior year periods of $24.7 million and $33.9 million, respectively. But despite the increase in revenues, Bally said earnings fell by 48 percent to $8.6 million, or 26 cents per share from $16.4 million, or 49 cents in the year-ago period. Excluding a non-cash charge, it earned $9.9 million, or 30 cents per share in the quarter.

"We made significant progress toward our objectives for 2003 this quarter including refinancing more than $400 million of debt, which extends maturities and provides additional liquidity," commented Paul Toback, president, CEO and chairman of Bally Total Fitness. "In addition, we remain on track to grow free cash flow for 2003."

The mixed results mirrored mixed success and failures for various aspects of Bally's business led by its products and services division, according to Toback.

"During the second quarter of 2003, we experienced a continuation of rapid growth in our products and services businesses with revenues up 39 percent over 2002. New membership joins rose 7 percent this quarter company-wide, [with] a 5 percent increase in same store joins," said Toback. "New membership sales, however, continue to be disappointing as gross committed membership fees originated during the quarter were flat with the prior year company-wide and down 3 percent same store while membership revenues overall were down 9 percent. During the quarter we implemented a number of cost-reduction initiatives that offset planned increases in rent, utilities, insurance and other fixed costs, which should generate lasting reductions in our overall expense levels through the end of the year and into 2004."

The company expects its branded business to continue to successfully develop with the hiring of a new chief marketing officer, Martin Pazzani, and remains generally optimistic about the company's future with internal and external factors looking up, said Toback.

"Despite the current trends in new membership originations, I remain optimistic as to the future prospects of our company when the economy begins to rebound," said Toback. "With the increased consumer focus and attention on health and fitness, Bally is leading the right industry at the right time."

After a woman survives an initial bout with breast cancer, being physically active improves her odds of beating the disease over the long term, a new study finds. Women who perform the equivalent of just 1 to 3 hours of walking per week have 23 percent less chance of dying from recurrent cancer than do more sedentary women. More activity approximately doubles that protective edge, reports Michelle D. Holmes of Harvard Medical School in Boston. Overweight survivors glean the most pronounced benefit, she finds.

Holmes and her collaborators analyzed data on 2,167 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer between 1984 and 1996 as part of a large health study. All had survived initial treatments such as chemotherapy and then provided information about their level of physical activity at least 1 year after their treatments ended. The researchers continued to track the women until 2002, though 346 died before then, most from cancer recurrence.

How you can get into--and stay in--good form

"ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE MY FORTIETH birthday, I was determined to feel great when I looked at myself naked in front of the mirror on that big day--and I did," says Michelle Richardson, 43, a New Jersey banker. "But then I got married, got comfortable and slacked off in my exercise. I put on weight and lost body tone." These changes prompted her to recommit herself to sweating it out three times a week. "Today, I like what I see in the mirror, and I feel wonderful!" she says.

Like Michelle, we all want to look and feel our best. But to begin, we must make conscious choices. Remember, your body is a gift, a divine original. You deserve to feel fit and have the responsibility to preserve the temple you were given to serve you well all the days of your life.

The first step is to find an aerobic activity you truly enjoy. Then add strength training and moves that increase flexibility and balance. The following pages will show you how, and the positive results you'll see within a few weeks will help keep you on your fitness track.

AEROBIC FITNESS GET MOVING!

REGULAR AEROBIC ACTIVITY DOES MORE THAN HELP YOU LOSE weight and get toned. It also creates an increased demand for oxygen, which conditions the cardiorespiratory system. This is your best defense against high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease. The fitness formula that works for Michelle Richardson includes 30 to 60 minutes on the treadmill, stair climber and cross-country ski machines in a gym three mornings a week. In addition to toning up, Michelle says, "since I started regular cardiovascular workouts, I have more stamina for things like walking up stairs, and I have much more energy during and after work." Brisk walking, jogging, hiking, biking, swimming and funk-aerobics, step or kick-boxing classes are additional ways to work up a sweat. You can also jump rope, get out and toss a Frisbee, kick a soccer ball or shoot some hoops with your kids.

How much is enough? Experts at the American College of Sports Medicine say adults should do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week. (But check first with your doctor if you are over age 45 or have a chronic condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease.)

Mastering Motivation

We sisters get so used to living for and giving to others, we forget about our own critical needs. Just identifying some aerobic activities you really enjoy doing gets you on the road to fitness. And today, no matter where you live, there's so much to choose from. To benefit yourself and those who count on you, consider what will motivate you to make fitness your priority:

* Like to dance? "Try jazz, salsa or reggae dance aerobics, for instance, until you find a class you really enjoy," suggests Sandi Morais, an aerobics instructor and physical-education teacher in Miami. Call your local Y or a gym to see what it offers.

* Don't like the gym? Then go outside and jog or hop on a bike. The change in scenery will invigorate you.

* Want variety? "Mix up your program," advises Trish Muse, a personal trainer and physical therapist in Alexandria, Virginia. Use the treadmill one day, then power-walk in the park the next. Every month or so, set higher goals or try a new sport

* Think exercise is hard? If thoughts like This is too hard start creeping into your head, push them aside and repeat to yourself "I deserve to be fit and feel good" or "I can do this!"

* Still need motivation? Every time you work out, jot down the details on your calendar--how far you walked, how much time you spent. Periodically review your progress and reward yourself with a spa treatment or a new exercise outfit.

Five Fun Workouts

* It's a knockout! In Tae-Bo, brother Billy Blanks combines tae kwon do, boxing, dance and aerobics into a fun, high-workout. Check your local video store or call (877) 228-2326 to get the video set ($59.85). It includes instructional basic workout and advanced workout tapes, and an eight-minute tape for busy folks.

* Jump to it! In Aerojump--The Ultimate Jump Rope Workout video ($19.95, plus $4.95 shipping; [800] 433-6769), former middleweight boxing champ Michael Olajide, Jr., shows how to jump your way to fitness.

* The spinners. Why settle for just plain stationary cycling when you can pump the pedals to jammin' music? You can find spinning classes in health clubs across the country.

* Aqua action. Water fitness is excellent for gentle toning as welt as for promoting cardiovascular health. Many Ys and health clubs offer a choice of aqua-aerobic classes.

* Culture club. For workouts that reflect our culture, check dance studios, churches, community centers, health clubs or Ys for hip-hop, tap or African dance classes.

One hundred twenty-seven million Americans over the age of 20 are overweight. For guys between the ages of 18 and 39, obesity rates have doubled in the past 10 years. Obesity is the second-leading cause of preventable death behind smoking.

I could keep piling on fat stats until this page overflowed like a plate at the Kountry Kitchen Buffet. But I'm guessing you're already familiar with them. More likely, you're interested in what you can do about it all, which is why this issue includes a special report entitled "The War on Fat," starting on page 85.

Health and nutrition editor Brian Good and senior editor Rob Medich are the staffers responsible for putting this multi-story package together. The special section includes the personal weight-loss diary of a 300-pound journalist, a roundtable discussion with some of the nation's top weight-loss authorities, a look into the future of weight control, a Men's Fitness/Shape survey on body image (with some real surprises), and, of course, a roundup of the most important things you can do to win your own war on fat.

"This is about more than getting a six-pack," says Good. "Obesity is the biggest health issue facing our country, since so many diseases--diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, joint problems, even depression--stem from being overweight. Then there's the money--billions, actually--that obesity costs us annually in lost wages, sick days, medical expenses, and higher insurance premiums. What part of 'crisis' don't you understand?"

For Good, the most surprising aspect of the special was how much of a problem weight control was among the thousands of MF readers we surveyed--guys who are far fitter than average. Seventy-six percent of respondents, for example, wanted to drop a few pounds. So if you have trouble doing all the right things, you're not alone.