Walk Kansas has a Power 9 theme in 2020 – The Ottawa Herald

Spring is just around the corner and the Walk Kansas registration is open. Walk Kansas is a team-based program that will help you and others lead a healthier life by being more active, making better nutrition choices, and learning positive ways to deal with stress.

Living a healthier lifestyle doesnt mean changing everything at once. Its about understanding lifestyle choices you make each day and improving these habits one step at a time.

This year the theme is based on the Blue Zones Project. Power 9 is a list of nine healthy lifestyle habits shared by people who have lived the longest. There are currently five Blue Zones in the world with just one in North America. What exactly is a Blue Zone? Blue Zones are places where a large percentage of people live an active lifestyle well into their 90s. The five Blue Zones communities include: Loma Linda, CA; Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica; Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; and Okinawa, Japan.

So how does this Power 9 fit in with the signature Extension program known as Walk Kansas? Although physical activity is at the heart of this health initiative, the 2020 program will introduce you to healthful eating styles, help you form social connections that support healthy living, offer strategies to help lower your level of stress, help you focus on your sense of purpose and more.

How can you join Walk Kansas in 2020?

Recruit or join a team (6 people, with one person designated as the captain).

Registration is online at http://www.walkkansas.org. Cost to participate is $10 per person and this will be paid at the Cottonwood Extension Office Hays, 601 Main Street. The program includes access to the online tracker, a weekly newsletter, program resources, and local activities. A program t-shirt can be ordered for an additional fee.

To participate, each person logs minutes of activity and reports daily/weekly. Cups of fruits/vegetables and water consumption can also be tracked.

Anyone, young or old, can participate in Walk Kansas! Technology allows participants to stay connected even if they dont live close by. Teams can include co-workers, family members, neighbors, school classmates, members of civic or community organizations, faith-based groups and 4-H clubs. The team concept is important so team members must agree to support and encourage one another.

If you have questions, please give us a call at the Extension Office at 785-628-9430.

Berny Unruh is the Family & Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (785)628-9430 or bunruh@ksu.edu K-State Research & Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Walk Kansas has a Power 9 theme in 2020 - The Ottawa Herald

How People Living With HIV Can Thrive as They Age – HivPlusMag.com

People living with HIV face specific hurdles beyond those that confront the general population as they enter the latter half of their lives. Living with HIV increases the risks of experiencing substance abuse, social discrimination, and stigmawhich can lead to negative outcomes for those dealing with both HIV and comorbidities like cardiovascular disease, neurological issues, kidney problems, and cancer.

However, studies suggest that living with HIV may not be as disruptive to successful aging as we once had thought.

The Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes recently published results showing 82.5 percent of HIV-positive women aged 50-plus reported that they were aging wellcompared with 83.7 percent of HIV-negative respondents. These results are particularly hopeful given that previous studies had been limited to white men and found greater disparities between poz and negative respondentswith 66 percent of poz men self-reporting successful aging versus 84 percent of HIV-negative men in a 2014 study.

Women living with HIV are known to have more negative health outcomes, with reduced access to care and quality of life, poorer adherence and viral suppression, and increased morbidity and mortality. Women living (and aging) with HIV are also disproportionately African-American and face wide-ranging health disparities and social inequalities.

Successful aging is generally defined as growing older while avoiding significant illness or disability. In a 2019 piece in the Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, researcher David Vance reiterated what he considers the eight essential components of successful aging: length of life, biological health, mental health, cognitive efficiency (being able to learn and problem solve), social competence (ability to form and maintain close relationships), productivity, personal control, and life satisfaction.

Some people living with HIV have self-defined the concept differently. For many, physical fitness and even general health may be of less importance to their happiness and sense of aging successfully. Quality of life may reign over length of life, and continuing to engage in activities may have more value than ones productivity in those activities.

A 2017 Canadian study found six themes that repeatedly came up when researchers spoke to people over the age of 50 who were living with HIV: accepting limitations, maintaining a positive outlook, fostering social support, taking responsibility for their health, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and engaging in meaningful activities.

Many of these themes are echoed in advice from the poz womens group Well Projects suggestions on how long-term survivors can age well by taking control of their health, finding support, speaking their truth, demanding a seat at the table, and committing to purposeful action.

Additionally, researchers from the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome study found that spirituality was of particular importance to older Black poz womens sense of wellbeing. It also found connections between aging well and higher levels of self-reported psychosocial attributes, such as optimism, resilience, and personal mastery. Those who reported experiencing anxiety, depression, loneliness, or a lifetime of discrimination, were less likely to report they were aging well. Addressing these mental health (and societal) issues could help combat those impacts.

The long-term survivors organization Lets Kick ASS (AIDS Survivor Syndrome) suggests feedback loops, where stigma helps increase the isolation many older HIV-positive people face, which in turn adds to loneliness and depression, which can exasperate physical health problems. Therefore, even something like promoting the message that undetectable equals untransmittable (the consensus that shows when someones viral load has become undetectable, they are no longer able to transmit the virus to someone else) could improve the health of those living with HIV over 50 by reducing the stigma they may face in aging communities.

As the world changes, the future will undoubtably include new solutions and challenges to living well with HIV in the second half of ones life. The ability to adapt to those changes or move to places with fewer challenges may play increasing roles in our experiences of aging.

Yet ultimately, what it takes to age well is a subjective evaluation that depends in part on what you value and prioritize. Is it a shorter life spent engaging in meaningful activities or stretching the goal post out longer, even if it comes with additional challenges? Either way there are some commonalities: it helps to have a support system and to stay as physically and mentally healthy as you can. And retaining control over decisions about your own life is essential. It helps to start now, at whatever age you are, to plan the future youd like and to begin living well today.

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Inside 4 Elite Thai Fitness And Wellness Centres, And The Figures Who Run Them – Thailand Tatler

Figures behind some of Thailand's top fitness and wellness centres discuss their dedication to people's wellbeing

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Keeping body and mind healthy has never been more relevant in modern times. While the world continues to advance in ways our ancestors would have never thought possible, this progress has come at a cost. The effects of environmental pollution and the sheer pressures of daily life take a serious physical and mental toll on us. With a long history of traditional therapies, Thailand has become associated the world over with physical wellbeing and its establishmentsfrom full-scale health resorts to specialised exercise studioscontinue to enhance this reputation. The masterminds behind a number of these establishments are society figures who practise what they preach when it comes to getting in shape and staying that way.

Opened in 1995 by Boonchu Rojanastien, who sought to create a splendid sanctuary of tranquillity removed from buzzing Bangkok, Chiva-Som Hua Hin has grown to become globally recognised for offering a path to wellness. Since its establishment, the resort has been a seaside favourite for Thais and foreigners alike. The famous spas name means haven of life and wellness is what it excels at, offering a variety of retreats and meticulously created programmes that range from fitness and stress management therapies to accelerated body shaping, chakra balancing and craniosacral solutions among others. Committed to providing world-class facilities, unparalleled skills and depth of knowledge, everything at Chiva-Som promises the utmost diligence and care complemented by the locations serene setting.

Today the spa is run by the late Boonchus son Krip Rojanastien, who says, We have always been committed to evidence-based holistic wellness, which we approach in a comprehensive manner. Even our logo, which represents the body, mind and spirit, encapsulates this. While quick fixes were once a popular go-to, people are becoming increasingly aware of the need for enduring solutions and in line with these changing trends Chiva-Som focuses on sustainable long-term answers. We need to address the root causes of physical and mental fatigue and be sensitive to individual needs, which is why our treatments and programmes are highly personalised, says Krip. We dont believe in simply adapting to changing trends and demands, our aim is to anticipate and pre-empt them.

As Chiva-Som continues to excel so too the industry as a whole in Thailand has boomed. I think the growth of the wellness sector here is a great thing, chairman Krip says, adding, We probably have the worlds best therapists and this type of business leverages an innate skill in Thai people. But it is important that we set high standards for ourselves. We should be aiming to exceed expectations. For Krip that means looking beyond the spa itself. With a keen understanding of the ecological impact of tourism, he is adamant that the business does its part to preserve the local area.

"You cannot expect to have personal wellbeing without environmental wellness. In the last couple of years we have been authorised to manage a plot of 12 rai [over 4.5 acres] of land attached to Wat Krailas, a temple less than three kilometres from Chiva-Som, he explains. We decided to plant over 5,000 trees on the site and turn it into a green area for people to enjoy. The top of the hill where the temple is located offers fantastic views and we have plans to take our guests up there to meditate and walk in the forest to truly get a taste of Thai culture and the tenets of Buddhism.

Although youngsters under the age of 16 are not allowed at Chiva-Som, the award-winning health resort is aiming to raise awareness of healthy lifestyle choices among children. Our challenge is to bring wellness and sustainability to the local community and the world, says Krip. We have a duty to spread the wellness message among children. We need to make an impression on future generations and the earlier you start the better. This is also why we adhere to the United Nations 17 sustainable development goals.

This year marks Chiva-Soms 25th anniversary and the chairman hopes to reinforce its formidable reputation with expansion to Qatar with the management of Zulal Wellness Resort, the countrys largest, and the regions first, full-immersion spa.

See also: 20 Things To Do In 2020

Another award-winning Thai wellness establishment is The Barai, which opened at the Hyatt Regency in Hua Hin in 2007. According to Vansamorn Wannamethee, CEO of Chai Talay Property, owner of the facility, it took years to put the project together. Although it has garnered a reputation as a premier luxury spa, Vansamorn stresses that The Barai is more than that. We offer a journey for the mind, body and spirit, she says. Designed by Thai architect and National Artist Lek Bunnag, the spa has a unique setting that uses the architecture as a tool to not only foster a sense of inner peace but also to stimulate emotions and curiosity of the mind. The minute our customers enter the property we want them to feel relaxedto feel as if they have left all their stress behind them, Vansamorn says. Art as architecture is a key concept here in creating the right atmosphere. Even before guests indulge in our therapies, just walking around the property takes them on a journey of the emotions.

The Barai offers a wide range of treatments that take inspiration from traditional Thai methods but also infuse innovative Western therapies. In addition, it recently introduced what it calls its lifestyle collection packages that Vansamorn says were carefully created to instil lasting healthy lifestyle changes based around three pillarsrelaxation, exercise and nutrition. This holistic approach to wellness includes the use of technology and science. For example, our consultations feature specially calibrated machines to measure muscle mass and so forth, the CEO adds. Our qualified trainers and therapists are well versed in scientific and non-invasive ways to get you fitter and healthier without damaging your body. Running any kind of business in an environmentally friendly manner is crucial today and Vansamorn and her team are committed to ensuring the use of organic products, decreasing the use of plastic, recycling the spas water and more besides. We are also very careful in terms of where and from whom we source our ingredients for products, she says. We try to make everything that we do here as natural, organic and sustainable as possible.

While The Barai has been successful over the years, earning many accolades, Vansamorn is looking to up the spas game. To be honest, having only eight suites when demand is so high has been quite limiting, so we are looking to expand in the future. We have a plot of land next door and we are working on expansion concepts now.

Vansamorn hopes to see Thailand reinforce its position as a top wellness hub in the world. We have already made a name for ourselves but I think Thailand has yet to reach its full potential. Thai people have so much to offer. Instead of our therapists going to work abroad the focus should be here. We want to draw people to our beautiful country. As for The Barai, we will continue to build on what we have, she says. I think we have been able to show the world that when you truly strive for excellence you can achieve it.

The number of spa and wellness establishments in Thailand has boomed in recent years and while the allure of the more lavish and well-appointed spas and wellness centres is attractive, there is also a certain charm and appeal in the smaller scale, more laid-back venues. Take 209 Aesthetic and Wellness Studio in Rama IX Road, for example, which came to existence just over a year ago as a result of two mothersMR Chantaraladda Yukol, known as Yingair and Orawan Setabandhu, or Yuiwho wanted to provide a cos
y facility for women, particularly pregnant women and new mums, to pamper themselves and get back in shape. Many new mothers, myself included, want to get back into shape as soon as possible after having a child, but pregnancy and childbirth change you physically, so it isnt always easy, says Yingair. We wanted to help mothers feel good in their skins, feel pretty and get fit again.

Located in a detached house with a small garden area, 209 Aesthetic and Wellness Studio is a full-service spa that combines traditional therapies with advanced modern techniques in personalised treatments. Its post-pregnancy programmes entail toning and slimming massages, among other things, and are coupled with the use of a variety of specially formulated toning creams and oils, as well as cellulite-targeting machines.

What is clear for us is that we do not want to get into the more medical and invasive side of things, she says. I think people these days are too willing to be prodded by needles for beauty. This is why here at 209, we focus on different types of massages and traditional knowhow and the overall experience of being pampered. You might see slower results but it is effective. We embrace the use of touch combined with organic products.

The convenient thing about 209 is that customers can indulge in aromatherapy, slimming massages, facial massage and other regimens, all for a reasonable price. The problem with so many of the spas and wellness centres out there these days is that they are extremely overpriced, Yingair says. I understand that this might be the case perhaps because of the very advanced technologies they use but we wanted to make 209 accessible to everyone. Yes it is a business, but we are doing this from the heart based on what we are passionate about and we want to be able to share that passion with others.

A year into the business, Yingair says they are not quite at the stage of expanding into additional branches just yet. For now, it is about perfecting what they are doing and continuing to offer a sanctuary where people can feel at home and relaxed. We are, however, considering selling our high-quality products online, the entrepreneurial mum explains, adding, I come into the spa every week to make sure everything runs smoothly. We have a great team who have helped to build a loyal clientele.

Although there is a growing interest for working out and getting fit, the gym is not necessarily for everyone. Luckily for those in search of fun way to stay healthy, theres Tribe Bangkok, a boutique fitness studio on Ploenchit Road in the heart of the city. While the emphasis is on spinning classes, the studio also offers barre classes and boxing as ways to build stamina and achieve all-round fitness. What is also unique is that all classes are conducted to a specifically designed, tempo-driven play-list and led by energetic instructors who motivate participants.

Tribe is the brainchild of Pasu Liptapanlop and co-founders Ploy Bhinsaeng and Natapa Sriyuksiri. I used to live in Singapore where I got to experience spinning for the first time, says the son of politician Suwat Liptapanlop explaining how Tribe came about. I really enjoyed it but when I returned to Bangkok I couldnt find a place offering spinning classes, so my friends and I thought to open a place where people could try it as an enjoyable form of exercise. From the start our focus has been on community, which is a key factor that drives Tribe. We wanted to create an interactive space where like-minded people could burn off energy and leave in a good mood. Our classes are made to generate positive vibes and good energy.

In fact, at Tribe everything is meticulously created to ensure a sense of enjoyment. Exercise becomes a chore when it is boring, Pasu laughs. Hence our use of music. People really open up and feel more engaged when they are surrounded by music, following the beat. It sets the tone of the classes and really helps you get in the zone.

Kitted out with top-notch equipment, Tribe is the citys first venue to use high-quality aqua punching bags, known to enhance the boxing experience. We make no compromises with our equipment. And because we are a boutique studioas opposed to being part of a big chainwe can afford to take our time and really fine-tune things to get our classes right, says Pasu. We allow our instructors to set their own rules in terms of how they want to conduct their classes, which enables them to form close teacher-student relationships with their customers, he adds.

The indoor cycling experience at Tribe is a full workout that burns calories while improving cardiovascular health and building strength and endurance. The benefits of spinning classes are undeniable and Tribes way of offering a fun and dynamic means to stay fit has become a popular choice for people of all ages. We have clients ranging from teenagers to people in their 60s. Working out here is also a communal thing with friends and family signing up for classes as groups, Pasu says. Its about teamwork and how you combine positive energy together. Currently, people are more concerned about health and work-life balance and its not just about exercising but how you service both body and mind. I think our classes answer both.

Looking ahead, Pasu and his team intend to continue improving and create new products. We have to make sure that our ideas are executed in the best way possible and we want to keep rolling out new classes and enhancing the experience for our customers before looking to expand. It is important people truly understand what we stand for.

See also: The New Age of Altruism: Young Thais Who Make Giving Back A Life's Priority

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Inside 4 Elite Thai Fitness And Wellness Centres, And The Figures Who Run Them - Thailand Tatler

Brian’s Fitness Success Story — "I am better today than I was yesterday." – Video


Brian #39;s Fitness Success Story -- "I am better today than I was yesterday."
Watch Brian #39;s incredible weight loss and healthy lifestyle success story resulting from his hard work, determination, and the fitness experts at New Mexico Sports and Wellness.

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Living a Healthy Lifestyle: Here’s to a New Year & a New You! – Video


Living a Healthy Lifestyle: Here #39;s to a New Year a New You!
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Leg Building Workout Aesthetic Week 3 of 5 335 x 8 x 3 last rep paused – Video


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Erectile Dysfunction: Healthy Lifestyle Can Reverse Male Impotence Without Medication

According to the National Institutes of Health, erectile dysfunction affects about 26 per 1,000 men between the ages of 40 and 69. The risk increases with age, lower education, diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. While occasional erectile dysfunction is isnt necessarily a cause for concern, persistent symptoms can cause stress and relationship problems and damage self-confidence.

Several factors can worsen or contribute to the onset of erectile dysfunction. They include heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, smoking and obesity.

Researchers from the University of Adelaide in Australia found that by losing weight, improving diet, getting better sleep, exercising more and drinking less alcohol, men with sexual dysfunction saw their symptoms vastly improve. According to the study, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, 29 percent of men studied were able to reverse their problem by making changes to their lifestyles.

Sexual relations are not only an important part of people's wellbeing, Gary Wittert, head of the Discipline of Medicine at the University of Adelaide and director of the universitys mens health center, said in a statement. From a clinical point of view, the inability of some men to perform sexually can also be linked to a range of other health problems, many of which can be debilitating or potentially fatal.

Researchers collected data and followed 800 men over five years. About 31 percent of the study participants developed some form of erectile dysfunction.

"Our study found that a large proportion of men were naturally overcoming erectile dysfunction issues, Wittert said. This shows that many of these factors affecting men are modifiable, offering them an opportunity to do something about their condition. Thats good news for the 25 to 30 percent of men for whom pills meant to correct erectile dysfunction dont work.

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Erectile Dysfunction: Healthy Lifestyle Can Reverse Male Impotence Without Medication

Do Sugary Sodas Have Any Place In A Healthy Lifestyle Or The Fitness World – Video


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