Diet soda may be making you fat.

Think you're making a healthier choice when you reach for diet soda instead of a sugary soft drink? Think again.

Diet soft drinks may have minimal calories, but they can still have a major impact on your waistline, according to two studies presented at a meeting of the American Diabetes Association in San Diego.

Researchers at the Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio tracked 474 people, all 65 to 74 years old, for nearly a decade, measuring the subjects' height, weight, waist circumference, and diet soft drink intake every 3.6 years. The waists of those who drank diet soft drinks grew 70 percent more than those who avoided the artificially sweetened stuff; people who drank two or more servings a day had waist-circumference increases that were five times larger than non-diet-soda consumers.  More....Shine at Yahoo

Snacking, not portion size, largely driving U.S. overeating

Over the past several decades Americans have steadily gotten fatter. Although our increasingly sedentary lifestyles are partly to blame, a big reason for our national weight gain is that we're simply eating more.

In the mid-2000s, government surveys show, the average American adult ate about 2,375 calories per day, nearly one-third more than he (or she) did in the late 1970s. What accounts for all those added calories?  More....Yahoo health

Avoid Lockout

AP

NBA players won't meet with owners again until Thursday. David Stern thinks that's enough time for the league to avoid a lockout.   More....Yahoosports.com

NYC football star killed in parking lot moments after graduation

NYC football star killed in parking lot moments after graduation

By Cameron Smith

One of the brightest stars of the 2010 PSAL football season in New York City was Isayah Muller, the Harry S. Truman (N.Y.) High running back who set a career rushing record while leading his team to a 23-20 PSAL Bowl title against Beach Channel (N.Y.) High in late November. Seven months later, he was pronounced dead hours after his high school graduation, following a shocking stabbing during an argument with parking attendants at the event.

According to the Associated Press and numerous sources, Muller, his family and his girlfriend were leaving the Truman High School graduation on Tuesday when his father noticed a bottle of cologne -- a graduation gift for his son -- that had been left in their car during the ceremony at Lehman College was missing.
The elder Muller stopped the car and began arguing with the parking attendants about the missing cologne. After seeing his father argue with the attendants, Isayah Muller got out of the car and joined the fray, eventually receiving stab wounds from both of the two parking attendants involved in the altercation. One wound struck him in the side while another was delivered to his chest.

Staggering cost of wars for America

A new report out of Brown University estimates that the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq--together with the counterinsurgency efforts in Pakistan--will, all told, cost $4 trillion and leave 225,000 dead, both civilians and soldiers.

The group of economists, anthropologists, lawyers, humanitarian personnel, and political scientists involved in the project estimated that the cost of caring for the veterans injured in the wars will reach $1 trillion in 30 or 40 years. In estimating the $4 trillion total, they did not take into account the $5.3 billion in reconstruction spending the government has promised Afghanistan, state and local contributions to veteran care, interest payments on war debt, or the costs of Medicare for veterans when they reach 65.
The Congressional Budget Office, meanwhile, has assessed the federal price tag for the wars at $1.8 trillion through 2021. The report says that is a gross underestimate, predicting that the government has already paid $2.3 trillion to $2.7 trillion.  More...yahoo.com

7 Secrets Your Personal Trainer is Keeping from You

So as it turns out, getting in shape isn't the great mystery we all like to think it is. In reality it's just: Eat right. Work out. Repeat.

But of course, as anyone who's ever tried can attest, that's way easier said than done. Getting the motivation to haul our hasn't-seen-a-bikini-since-high-school butt to the gym and saying "no thanks, I've had enough" to the chocolate Bundt cake crying our name from the kitchen at 11 p.m. is hard. Really hard. Almost as hard as our fantasy abs.

Skip to see 9 secrets your fitness trainer doesn't want you to know.

Sometimes, we just can't do it by ourselves. We like our excuses too much -- we made them up after all. Which is why it can often be extremely helpful to buckle down and hire a fitness trainer. Someone to motivate you, help you stick to your goals, and most importantly, help you navigate the gym and all that equipment so that you get the most out of your workout.

But just like anyone trying to make a buck off your self-improvement, there are bound to be some things they don't mention to you in order to get your business. And with price tags ranging anywhere from 50 to 200 bucks a training session, your business is worth fighting for. So if you are spending the dough on a fitness trainer, make sure you're putting your muscle (however weak) behind that money. Learn the secrets your trainer would rather you not know from fitness and lifestyle consultant Ashley Borden, because your brain is a muscle too you know.
By Anna Jimenez

Parenting 101: Just Say No To Children

I make many mistakes as a parent, but I have one thing down better than most of my friends: I tell my children “no” all the time. I’m really good at it. It didn’t even occur to me that this was something I was doing, much less doing well, until one of my friends asked for advice on how to say no to her children.

On the one hand, it is easy to say “no” to children. It’s a simple word. On the other hand, a parent has to overcome a few obstacles. It’s our natural inclination to want to make our children happy all the time. And telling them “no” won’t make them happy. I mean, it might make them happier adults to not have had their every childhood whim catered to, but the short-term can be hellish. And because we’re tired all the time (or is that just me?), we don’t want to deal with those unhappy feelings. Saying “no” also means that we’re making a decision. And while making decisions may not be hard, piling up decision after decision during the day can be dreadful. There are other issues, too. We don’t want to disappoint our children, or have conflict. And saying “no” means that we’re the bad guy when really we just want to be our child’s big buddy.  MORE...Shine at Yahoo

How Often Should You Weigh Yourself?

Answer: Somewhere between never and often.

Trying to lose weight? Weigh regularly.
Studies have shown that weighing yourself regularly — from once a week to daily — can be helpful during an active weight-loss attempt. This comes under the category of “self monitoring,” another example of which is keeping a food diary. By keeping you constantly aware of where you are and where you’re going, self monitoring prevents a major deviation off course. You catch trouble early and can correct it.
Are health and fitness your goal? Step off the scale!
The scale may cause undue preoccupation with weight, when the real prize is health and vitality. And a scale can’t distinguish fat from muscle, so you may be getting leaner without getting lighter, and your scale won’t say a word about it!
The bottom line: Now you know the pros and cons of weighing. Benefit from the former, keep in mind the latter, and choose a frequency that’s right for you.

Grocery Cart Ambush:

How to make the most of your supermarket buys,

Looking to get the most bang for your buck at the supermarket—while still indulging in fresh, tasty food? Try these expert tips from Phil Lempert, founder of supermarketguru.com and Kimberly Danger, author of Instant Bargains: 600+ Ways to Shrink Your Grocery Bills and Eat Well for Less.

“Fresh veggies often go bad—especially stuff I have to chop.”
If you're looking for lettuce, pick up a head of your favorite kind; it will last twice as long as pre-washed greens, which have gone through processing before packaging. As for veggies for a stir-fry or a side dish, buy frozen instead. Beyond basics like broccoli and green beans, there are fun blends with prechopped peppers or asparagus—and they’re often just as tasty and nutritious, since they were frozen at their peak.

“My milk goes sour before I use it up.”
Look for milk with “ultrapasteurized” on the label, often found on organic brands. This process kills more bacteria than regular pasteurization, resulting in a six-month shelf life (for unopened cartons)—instead of just three weeks.   More...by RachaelRaymag.com

Should Chris Brown be allowed a comeback?

Chris Brown won five BET awards last night. One of those was actually mistakenly given and then taken away from Rihanna, the pop star he was charged with brutally beating in 2009. The mistake was a lot bigger than a teleprompter gaffe. It was proof that people haven't forgotten what he did, but they have forgiven him.

Over the past two years since his violent assualt, Brown's team have worked to re-shape his image in stages. First there were apologies (he was "saddened and sorry"). Then came the redemption: last year at the BET awards, he performed a tribute to another controversial pop star, Michael Jackson, aligning himself with a man who was exonerated by the public in his death.  More...Shine at Yahoo

6 health myths – busted

By O, The Oprah Magazine
Do you opt for the hand dryer over paper towels? Load up on vitamin C every time you get the sniffles? Then it’s time to find out the science behind all those daily practices and cures we cling to. Here’s the skinny on the top six health myths. Read More »

Weird symptoms, explained

Foot cramps? Shivers? They're usually just a nuisance, but here's what these strange symptoms may be trying to tell you (and how to get rid of them). By Stacey Colino
You Get Light-Headed When You Stand Up Quickly
The explanation: You could be mildly dehydrated. Or you might have orthostatic hypotension (a.k.a. postural hypotension), which occurs when blood rushes to your feet and away from your head as you stand up suddenly. (People with low blood pressure can be especially prone to this phenomenon.)
The fix: Drink plenty of fluids and be sure that when you stand up, you do it slowly, says Donnica Moore, a physician in Far Hills, New Jersey. If you see stars anyway, grab a table or a chair to stabilize yourself or sit back down.
When to see a doctor: If the light-headedness persists or if you actually faint.  More Yahoo Shine

..Weight Loss News Headlines

Calories, Not Protein or Carbs, Are Key to Weight Loss: Study HealthDay - 2 hrs 37 mins ago SUNDAY, June 26 (HealthDay News) -- Curbing calories is the key ingredient for diabetics seeking to lose weight, and low-fat diets that are either high in protein or … More »Calories, Not Protein or Carbs, Are Key to Weight Loss: Study

SUNDAY, June 26 (HealthDay News) -- Curbing calories is the key ingredient for diabetics seeking to lose weight, and low-fat diets that are either high in protein or high in carbs are equally effective, researchers say.

Weight Loss Surgery May Cut Inflammation, Disease Risk HealthDay - Fri, Jun 24, 2011 FRIDAY, June 24 (HealthDay News) -- The health benefits of gastric bypass surgery may go beyond helping people lose weight, new research suggests. More »Weight Loss Surgery May Cut Inflammation, Disease Risk

FRIDAY, June 24 (HealthDay News) -- The health benefits of gastric bypass surgery may go beyond helping people lose weight, new research suggests.

Extreme Dieting Often Lasts From Early Teens to Adulthood HealthDay - Fri, Jun 24, 2011 FRIDAY, June 24 (HealthDay News) -- Dieting and disordered eating that begin in adolescence often continue into young adulthood, a new study finds. More »Extreme Dieting Often Lasts From Early Teens to Adulthood

FRIDAY, June 24 (HealthDay News) -- Dieting and disordered eating that begin in adolescence often continue into young adulthood, a new study finds.

Weight loss surgery may cure obese diabetics: study Reuters - Fri, Jun 24, 2011 NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Most obese people with diabetes will be cured of it by weight loss surgery, with gastric bypass surgery allowing more than 80 percent of patients … More »Weight loss surgery may cure obese diabetics: study

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Most obese people with diabetes will be cured of it by weight loss surgery, with gastric bypass surgery allowing more than 80 percent of patients to come off their diabetes medication, according to a study.

Ways to Curb Childhood Obesity Outlined in U.S. Report HealthDay - Thu, Jun 23, 2011 THURSDAY, June 23 (HealthDay News) -- Strategies to encourage physical activity, healthy eating and good sleep habits are needed to reduce high rates of obesity among … More »  Sourced By Yahoo News

"Lean gene" ups risk of heart disease and diabetes

LONDON (Reuters) - Being slim may not always lead to a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes, scientists said Sunday after they identified a gene linked both to having a lean body and to a higher risk of metabolic diseases.
Researchers from Britain's Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit said that while a so-called "lean gene" was linked to having less body fat, it was also linked to an increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes -- illnesses normally associated with being overweight.  More....At Yahoo news

Watch What You Say

     A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.  A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.  Prov 18:7,8 and Prov18:20,21

High Blood Pressure

Prevention

Adults over 18 should have their blood pressure checked routinely.
Lifestyle changes may help control your blood pressure:

• Lose weight if you are overweight. Excess weight adds to strain on the heart. In some cases, weight loss may be the only treatment needed.
• Exercise regularly. If possible, exercise for 30 minutes on most days.
• Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products while reducing total and saturated fat intake. (See: Heart disease and diet)
• Avoid smoking. (See: Nicotine withdrawal)
• If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under control.
• Do not consume more than 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks per day.
• Try to manage your stress.

Sourced By:  Yahoo Health
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Diet and Depression

Unfortunately, there isn't a one-size-fits-all diet plan that can help control depression. In fact, no research has indicted that a specific eating plan will help you manage the symptoms or effects of depression.
The good news is that while certain foods may not completely eliminate the symptoms of depression, sticking to a healthy and well-balanced diet and keeping a healthy weight may help in the overall treatment of depression. Here are some tips for making the most out of your healthy diet.

Managing Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids have plenty of known health benefits, including possibly helping slowing the growth of cancerous tumors. Scientists have also discovered evidence linking a deficit of omega-3 fatty acids and depression. Specifically, research indicated that cultures that consume small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids have a higher incidence of depression. Other research indicates that those consuming little or no seafood, which is rich in omega-3s, are more likely to suffer from depression. To make sure you're getting enough, eat fish, especially salmon and tuna, as part of a balanced diet. Nuts and dark green leafy vegetables are also good sources of omega-3s.  Sourced By:  Yahoo Health

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Healthy Living

Simple Ways to Cut 500 Calories

by Jaccy Smith,

You probably already know the math: You have to cut 3,500 calories to drop one pound. To lose a healthy pound a week, that’s 500 calories a day! But you don’t have to deprive yourself or add an hour to your exercise routine to reach your weight loss goals. Here are 24 no-sweat tips for torching calories anytime, any place.  More....Shine from Yahoo

**WE CAN GIVE YOU A PLAN TO HELP CUT THE CRAVING**
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IS IT WORTH IT?

       Always working?   Putting time in for someone else business?  Working is OK; thank God for a job; but is a job really worth missing all the time with our children and spouse?  Is it only about the things we can aquire at the sacrifice of family?  When did we get so far from enjoying what God has created on this earth for us?   I resolved to live life on my own terms, and am ready to help you do the same.  Visit me at (http://www.sparkitupnow.com/)
By:  CURTTV

Most Unhealthy Meals Served by America's Fast Food Chains

From California, to the New York island; from the redwood forest, to the Gulf Stream waters, this land is filled with fatties, lard butts and people large enough to have their own gravitational fields. Yes, America is the land of the "large and in charge," and one of the main reasons for it is our love of fast food.
Though it's tempting to put all of the blame for America's obesity crisis on the fast-food industry -- and experts say they're at least partly at fault -- it's important to view it in context. The industry came of age during the 1950s, as suburban communities saw their populations skyrocket and social mores began changing as women began to increasingly work outside the home. Some of the savviest entrepreneurs in American corporate history sprang into action.  More....Yahoo finance
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10 diet and exercise myths that pack on pounds.

First, let’s tackle the myth that a pound of muscle weighs more than a pound of fat. A pound is a pound is a pound—whether it’s made up of muscle or fat. That said, muscle is denser than fat and takes up less room, so two women who weigh the same can look much different if one has a higher ratio of lean muscle mass to fat, says Valentour. “Muscle weight is a good weight because you look firmer, smaller, and more fit. It’s also more metabolically active, so just having more muscle will boost metabolism throughout the day to help keep you leaner.”
It’s important to incorporate strength training into your routine so you burn calories at an optimal rate all day long—and using heavier weights could help maximize your efforts. Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that working out with heavy weights even for as few as 3 to 6 repetitions increased exercisers’ sleeping metabolic rate—the number of calories burned overnight—by nearly 8%. That’s enough to lose about 5 pounds in a year, even if you did nothing else! More....Shine from yahoo
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JUST ASK

     For verily i say unto you That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things wich he saith shall come to pass; he shall gave whatsoever he saith. Mark 11:23 In the area of health, finances, relationships;  JUST ASK
CURTTV

Staying out of trouble

     Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth fouth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.  Psalm 1:1-3

A way to change your Health

    Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth. 3John:2  A lot of times we struggle in life with our finances and health because we don't have enough faith to do what we are called to do.  Is a job a security blanket for us, then we're looking in the wrong direction.  Do you put your faith in people, they will let you down also. 
     Put together a plan and so you can have more time to do what you are design to do.
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS, 5 WAYS TO GET PAID, GET OUT OF DEBT,GET TIME FREEDOM,SPEND MORE TIME WITH FAMILY AND MOST OF ALL TIME TO DEVELOPE PEOPLE.....(http://www.sparkitupnow.com/)
CURTTV

Saggy pants lead to player's arrest at San Francisco International Airport

Sgt. Michael Rodriguez says 20-year-old Deshon Marman was boarding a flight Wednesday to Albuquerque, N.M., when a U.S. Airways employee noticed his pants were 'below his buttocks, but above the knees, and his boxer shorts were showing.' Full Story »
Sourced by:  yahoo news

10 Symptoms He Shouldn't Ignore

Like a lot of men, I have a thing about doctors. I’m not against them— I just figure medical care is for other guys. “Men like to think they’re indestructible,” says Alan Shindel, MD, codirector of the Men’s Health Program in the department of urology at the University of California, Davis. More....Yahoo health.com

What happen to your body after you drink a soda every day, long time

Sugar rushes and caffeine highs followed by a depressing energy crash are what happens to your body if you drink a soda right now, but plenty of Blisstree readers actually seem to be okay with that. Some of you think it’s alarmist to compare a caffeine and sugar rush to doing drugs, and some just don’t really care about the slump they’ll find themselves in after drinking 39 grams of sugar, but what makes us really worried about a soda-slurping habit is what happens over the long term.  More....Shine from Yahoo
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24 Day Challenge

     I need 1000 followers to do the 24 Day Challenge (http://www.sparkitupnow.com/) with me starting 6/21/2011.  We all need to change our eating habits and lifestyle. LET'S GET HEALTHY

Divorce is not a option

     Most of the time we fall in love, finding that special person we want to spend the rest of our life with; then we start to let things, people, and  money dictate our relationship.  Why would we let outside sources (devil) destroy all that we have work so hard for?  It's easy to run and let our feeling tell us what to do; but is that the right thing?   Of course not;  you have to put up a fight to keep everthing together.  Curttv

Lost decade: Debt fuels slow economic growth, unemployment

The economy is still struggling. And Americans are in for a long and painful adjustment period.
One major reason: their own household debt.
Many experts say private debt owed by households, as well as businesses, is an even bigger problem than the government debt that's getting so much attention lately. And it won't be solved without a difficult stretch of high unemployment and slow growth that will likely last for six or seven more years, producing America's own version of Japan's "Lost Decade."More....yahoo finance
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Easy ways to get a more effective workout

Easy ways to get a more effective workout

Burn more calories and see faster results with tiny tweaks to these basic exercises. Trick to toning thighs

Related links

• Tricks to burn fat faster
• How to tame cellulite
• Energy-boosting snacks

Sourced by:  yahoo.com

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Picnics, Pools, Public Bathrooms: Summer's Germy Hotspots

The germs of summer are out in full force, hiding in picnic food, pools and public bathrooms. Bacteria thrive in the season's swelter, and the infections they spark can cast a dark shadow on a sunny day. But a little caution can help keep summer safe and sanitary. More....ABC.COM

John 10:10

Federal appeals court opens doors for prayer at Texas graduation

Reuters – Fri Jun 3, 8:02 pm ET  

SAN ANTONIO (Reuters) - A federal appeals court ruled on Friday afternoon that students may pray and mention God at Saturday night's graduation at a high school in a San Antonio suburb, overturning a district judge's ruling. Full Story »  Sourced By:  yahoo.com

Yes We need it

Texas' Perry urges other governors to join him at prayer event

Reuters – Sun Jun 5, 6:19 pm ET  

SAN ANTONIO (Reuters) -- Saying "there is hope for America, and we will find it on our knees," Texas Governor Rick Perry has invited other governors to join him in a "solemn gathering of prayer and fasting" in August in Houston, according to the event's website. Full Story »    Sourced By:   yahoo.com 

Wow this is Big

AdvoCare To Sponsor Labor Day Weekend NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Night Race At Atlanta Motor Speedway

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Foot

AdvoCare International, LP, an award-winning, premier health and wellness company headquartered in Plano, TX., will be the title sponsor for Atlanta Motor Speedway’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series night race on Sept. 4, 2011.
The multi-year contract between AdvoCare and the Speedway calls for AdvoCare to sponsor the track’s Labor Day Weekend NASCAR Sprint Cup Series night race in addition to being the official performance elite products of the Speedway. The partnership also adds to the strong AdvoCare history and relationship to both sports and motorsports. NASCAR figures utilizing AdvoCare products include Mark Martin, Richard Petty and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series veteran driver David Starr. The AdvoCare National Spokesperson is New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees. More....advocare.com
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