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Author: Linda Rider

  • Noom review: Everything you need to know about the weight loss app

    Noom review: Everything you need to know about the weight loss app

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    So you’re looking to lose some weight. As you probably know, losing weight is often easier said than done. With traditional calorie counting and restrictive eating, it’s hard to stick to the diets and programs we sign up for. Noom, the self-proclaimed “Weight Watchers for Millennials,” claims to be different. 

    Using a psychology-based approach, Noom aims to not only help you lose weight but also help you form healthy habits that help you reach your goals. Before you sign up and pay for a subscription, you want to know more. Who can blame you? Here’s everything you should know about Noom, including its pros, cons, who should use the app and who shouldn’t. 

    What is Noom?

    Noom stepped on the scene in 2008 and is now one of the most popular weight loss apps on the market. Despite claiming not to be a dieting app, Noom uses all the self-monitoring tools of traditional diets, like calorie deficits and food entry. 

    However, it’s unique in a few key ways. Noom uses a psychology-based method that aims to helps you make healthy eating choices and habit changes, all in the effort to reach your goals — weight loss included. It’s about a healthier lifestyle, not just fitting into your old jeans. The jeans are a bonus, but being healthy is the real goal. 

    With Noom, it’s not just what you’re eating; it’s about learning healthy recipes and examining how you think about food. Noom seems more like a comprehensive wellness program that integrates diet, exercise and behavior. Now, this isn’t a new concept — Noom just packages and markets the tools better than other programs. 

    There aren’t any studies that investigate Noom’s effectiveness in comparison to other dieting apps. However, a study of 36,000 Noom users found that after nine months of using the app, 78{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of participants lost weight, 23{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of which lost more than 10{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of their starting weight. That’s not enough research to get a full picture, however. There’s no data on how well people are able to maintain their new weight long-term, which is one of the biggest obstacles for dieters.

    Read more: Noom vs. Weight Watchers: Which weight loss app is better for New Year’s goals?

    noom-weight-dashboard

    A sample of Noom’s weight dashboard.


    Noom

    How does Noom work? 

    Noom considers itself a “lifestyle,” not a diet app. While I partly agree with that, Noom’s core goal is to help you lose weight. 

    When you sign up, you’re asked a series of questions. They’re a lot to get through, but if you answer them all, Noom has the best chance of personalizing your health plan to fit you and your goals. The questions start standard — weight, height, gender — then move into your goals and motivations. You then have the chance to set your weight loss goals and timeframes, which impacts how many calories Noom advises you to eat during your program. (The more weight you aim to lose, the more of a calorie deficit you need to maintain.)

    Note that regardless of your goal weight, Noom won’t recommend a plan that is less than 1,200 calories per day for women and 1,400 calories for men. Based on online reviews (including CNET editor Shelby Brown’s own experience), it’s fairly common for Noom to recommend that bottom limit. However, 1,200 or 1,400 calories is far too low for most adults. For context, the US Food and Drug Administration only recommends such a low number of calories for a young child (and one that’s not very active, at that).

    noom-weight-screens

    A sample of Noom’s digital coaching and weight tracking.


    Noom

    What you get in the Noom app

    • Educational content. One of the ways Noom stands out is the educational content it offers. Instead of just helping you lose weight, it teaches you about nutrition and you’re prompted to reflect on your motivations and goals. 
    • Goal tracking. Most apps offer the option to set and track your goals. Noom also includes biometric tracking. 
    • Virtual coaching. With the virtual coach from Noom, you can choose how often you want to interact with them. I like this flexibility because it allows you to decide how much support you need. Note, the coaching is through a chat function, not through phone or video calls. 

    Not surprisingly, Noom all comes down to what you eat. Noom categorizes food into three groups: green, yellow and red. Each color signifies the caloric density of the foods within the category. Foods in the green category have the lowest caloric density and the highest level of nutrients. Conversely, red food has the highest calories and the least nutrients, like cake or chips. 

    Noom recommends a breakdown of 30{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} green foods, 45{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} red foods and 25{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} red foods. I like this because it’s more realistic than other apps. While it’s suggesting that you eat fewer foods that fall in the red category, it isn’t wholly restricting anything. Noom also has a pretty thorough list of recipes and their color breakdown. So if you’re starting from scratch, you can meal prep from the app. 

    How much does Noom cost?

    A monthly subscription to Noom starts at $60 a month, with discounts if you purchase multiple months at once. It’s not the cheapest app on the market; in fact, there are free apps with some of the same features. That said, if you think you’ll benefit from the coaching aspects and really want to learn more about living healthy, Noom might be worth that cost. 

    I should mention that, at least presently, Noom is altering its prices. I can’t say how long this will last, but for the time being, you have the option to sign up for a lower price. Don’t expect this trial price to last forever, though. 

    screen-shot-2021-11-01-at-10-08-11-am.png

    Screenshot by Taylor Leamey/CNET

    When I signed up, I was prompted to buy a three-month subscription — which ended up being $129. Even if you take advantage of the lower price tag at first, a three-month sign-on isn’t preferable, especially since it was my only option on the screen. I tried to find an option for a month-by-month subscription package but couldn’t find one. The trial is only seven days long; that’s not a lot of time to decide if you like the app enough to pay $129. 

    After some digging (and already being subscribed for three months), I found that you can opt to buy Noom in “bulk” to cut costs. The monthly auto-renewing plan will be the most expensive option, but you can save some money by subscribing on a three, six, eight, or even annual basis. 

    Benefits of Noom

    Overall, there are a lot of good things about Noom that stood out to me. The app itself is user-friendly, and it’s easy to sign up. Everything on the app is organized to make sense, and nothing is hard to find. If you didn’t want to use any extra features offered, you could get by just using the home page. 

    Doesn’t cut out food groups

    A lot of diets out there rule out certain food groups. And while this might be an effective way to tip the scales in your favor, ultimately, it can lead to unhealthy eating habits. With Noom, no food groups are off-limits. Yes, food is categorized by calorie density, and there are recommendations attached to each section, but nothing is presented as untouchable. You have the flexibility and autonomy to eat what you want, even if Noom encourages you to eat less of those high-sugar or fatty foods. 

    Focuses on behavior, not just what you eat

    In the end, it’s all about losing weight. However, the journey Noom takes you on is more holistic than that. It’s about more than just the foods you input into the tracker. Noom aims to help you establish healthy eating habits and break the bad ones. It also actively reinforces the fact that it’s OK to slip or eat something just to indulge. Noom feels more like an understanding friend and less like a drill sergeant. This could help promote long-term weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. 

    You learn along the way

    When I first opened my Noom app and saw all the lessons that awaited me, I was hesitant. However, the lessons were helpful, and I did learn a lot. The lessons and tips provided are integral to the Noom experience. When you use Noom, you’re learning and truly thinking about the habits you have.

    The lessons vary and are generally pretty quick. There’s even an option to have the app read them to you. You’ll start off pretty simple, covering things like caloric density and which foods are better for you. Then you’ll pick up helpful insights like past dieting fads and debunked food myths you shouldn’t believe. 

    Read more: Best weight loss programs for 2021

    noom-quiz

    A sample of Noom’s educational content, which includes quizzes.


    Noom

    Cons to consider before you sign up

    It’s still a diet app

    For all of its benefits, you can’t forget that Noom is a weight-loss app at its core. Unhealthy habits can still arise. In addition to calorie counting and food tracking, the app encourages you to weigh yourself each morning, another common dieting technique. It might seem harmless and even necessary to track progress, but it’s also easy to fixate on and could lead to disordered eating. 

    Studies have shown that self-weighing can be connected to lower levels of self-esteem and lower body satisfaction. I’m not saying that weighing yourself each day means you’ll definitely experience these things; it’s just something to watch out for. The scale isn’t the only representation of the process made. 

    Low calorie recommendations

    Noom’s low calorie recommendations are one of its most concerning cons. If you do sign up and receive a low calorie “budget,” it’s worth getting a second opinion from a trusted doctor, dietitian or nutritionist before you start restricting any foods.

    It’s not cheap

    Another thing to consider is the price. Noom isn’t the cheapest option out there at $45 a month. Noom offers a lot more in terms of education than other programs, so if you’re interested in a holistic approach to your health, then the price might not be that scary. For someone who just wants an app that tracks their steps and food intake, the advanced features Noom offers aren’t likely worth the money.

    It’s virtual

    If you thrive in the digital space, then this one won’t phase you. But for those who like the accountability and relationship of a personal trainer or gym partner, the fact that Noom is virtual might be an issue. It’s completely technology-dependent. You can register online, but everything else is on the app. So you’re required to access and track everything on your phone or tablet.


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    The bottom line

    I like Noom for its virtual coaching features and educational content. Yes, it’s a dieting app, but if you commit to using Noom to its total capacity, then you’ll get more than just weight loss. All in all, Noom is a potentially healthful app, but it will only work if you stick with it. Ultimately it’s still on you to commit to healthy living; Noom can only do so much.

    Who it’s good for

    • People looking for more than just a dieting app. You’ll like Noom’s educational features that are geared towards a healthy lifestyle.
    • People who need a virtual coach to keep them on track. 

    Who won’t love it

    • Anyone on a tight budget. Yes, some of the features are cool, but the cost is pretty high and the trial period is only seven days.
    • People who thrive in a face-to-face relationship.
    • People with a history of disordered eating. Noom’s calorie and food tracking could trigger unhealthy habits.

    The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

  • ROACH: For coffee benefits, it doesn’t matter if it’s caffeinated or decaf | Lifestyles

    ROACH: For coffee benefits, it doesn’t matter if it’s caffeinated or decaf | Lifestyles

    FROM NORTH The usa SYNDICATE, 300 W 57th Street, 15th Ground, NEW YORK, NY 10019

    Client Assistance: (800) 708-7311 EXT. 236

    TO YOUR Great Health #12345_20220111

    FOR Launch 7 days OF JAN. 10, 2022 (COL. 2)

    BYLINE: By Keith Roach, M.D.

    TITLE: For coffee advantages, it does not matter if it’s caffeinated or decaf

    —

    Expensive DR. ROACH: I switched from ingesting caffeinated espresso to Swiss drinking water procedure decaffeinated espresso about two yrs in the past. The rationale I switched to decaf is that I was experiencing dizziness when I would get out of mattress at night to use the restroom. The dizziness lasted for only a number of seconds, but it was unsettling. My medical doctor prompt switching to decaf as the caffeine may well have been the difficulty. I only consume one particular cup a working day in the morning, but I assumed I would change anyway. Positive enough, I did not working experience any dizziness. Does this variety of decaf espresso or any decaf espresso supply the identical gains as regular coffee? I have read through that caffeinated espresso has some positive aspects, such as lowering the danger of Alzheimer’s illness, Parkinson’s disease, some cancers, diabetes and may perhaps shield liver, etcetera.? When I am not absolutely sure if this is 100{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} correct, is it the caffeine that has the advantages? — N.

    Remedy: Drinkers of coffee — the two normal and decaf — have a decrease chance of heart ailment than nondrinkers. There are other benefits that have been affiliated with espresso consuming, together with a reduction in the risk of Parkinson’s illness, Alzheimer’s disorder, alcoholic cirrhosis and gout. Each caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee are also linked with a lower chance of Style 2 diabetic issues. The threat of cancer overall is not lowered between espresso drinkers in contrast with nondrinkers.

    What is not distinct is no matter whether consuming the coffee is producing these positive aspects! It might be that espresso drinkers have other behaviors that are accountable for these benefits. Not all reports have proven a gain, and the greatest examine implies a 16{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} lowered chance in all-trigger mortality connected with espresso ingesting.

    Use of significant ranges of caffeine can be associated with brief-phrase adverse results, like headache, stress and anxiety, tremors and insomnia, relying on prior designs of caffeine use. Continual people are fewer delicate to the adverse behavioral outcomes of caffeine than non-users. Halting caffeine can bring about withdrawal signs, primarily if finished swiftly.

    Expensive DR. ROACH: I have extreme tinnitus ensuing from a bicycle accident-relevant head injuries a number of a long time in the past. Lately I have been barraged with ads on social media purporting amazing cures of tinnitus (as perfectly as several other afflictions) from CBD gummies. Is there any highly regarded evidence backing up these claims? — R.F.

    Answer: I also see advertisements for numerous professional medical disorders touting the curative attributes of cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychoactive (meaning, it will not get you “large”) chemical normally present in cannabis. CBD has quite a few probable health-related utilizes nevertheless, the hoopla has so much exceeded the reliable evidence.

    In the scenario of tinnitus, there are theoretical motives why cannabis extracts, particularly CBD, may be advantageous. The proof for performance is not sturdy. There are a handful of studies, at least a single of which confirmed some profit. Pure cannabidiol is protected, and it could possibly be worthy of a try out. I would emphasize that not all items sold as CBD are in reality CBD, and some of them include THC. The finest way of currently being absolutely sure you are acquiring what you want is a third-bash laboratory evaluation (typically referred to as a Certification of Analysis) displaying you are finding CBD and not THC, the major psychoactive chemical compounds in cannabis.

    * * *

    Dr. Roach regrets that he is not able to remedy specific letters, but will incorporate them in the column any time attainable. Viewers may perhaps electronic mail queries to [email protected] or send out mail to 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803.

    (c) 2022 North The united states Syndicate Inc.

    All Rights Reserved

  • 12 Steps to the Best Holiday Gift: Health | Health News

    12 Steps to the Best Holiday Gift: Health | Health News

    (HealthDay)

    SATURDAY, Dec. 25, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Give on your own and your cherished ones the items of wellbeing and safety this holiday period, the U.S. Facilities for Disorder Handle and Avoidance indicates.

    The agency outlines 12 approaches to do that, starting with a reminder that washing your arms with soap and clear running h2o for at the very least 20 seconds helps prevent the distribute of germs. That precaution is specially important as the Omicron variant surges throughout the United States and the flu year returns.

    Listed here are some other suggestions from the CDC:

    • When heading outside the house, have on ideal garments these types of as light, heat layers, gloves, hats, scarves and watertight boots.
    • Deal with anxiety by in search of guidance, connecting with other individuals and getting a great deal of snooze.
    • Never consume and push, and do not allow other people drink and drive.
    • Use seat belts when driving or driving in a motor motor vehicle, and normally buckle your small children in the car working with a child protection seat, booster seat or seat belt in accordance to their top, excess weight and age. Buckle up each and every time, no make any difference how short the journey.
    • Will not smoke, and steer clear of secondhand smoke. Smokers have larger wellbeing threats, but nonsmokers are also at chance when uncovered to tobacco smoke.
    • Get well being exams and screenings. Inquire your health and fitness care supplier what tests/screenings you need and when to get them. Update your personalized and household historical past.
    • Get required vaccinations, which enable reduce conditions and help save life. Everyone 6 months and older ought to get a flu vaccine each individual calendar year.
    • Keep youngsters protected by putting probably harmful toys, foodstuff, beverages, home products and other objects out of their attain. Shield them from drowning, burns, falls and other possible accidents.
    • Consider about hearth basic safety. Really don’t go away fireplaces, house heaters, candles or food stuff cooking on stoves unattended. Have an crisis hearth approach and observe it routinely.
    • Guarantee food stuff protection by washing fingers and surfaces generally, averting cross-contamination, cooking food items to good temperatures and refrigerating leftovers immediately.
    • Try to eat healthful and keep energetic. Eat fruits and veggies and limit portion measurements and food items high in fat, salt and sugar. Grownups really should get at the very least 2½ hours a 7 days of bodily activity, and youngsters and teens should be active for at minimum 1 hour a day.

    Supply: U.S. Centers for Ailment Control and Avoidance, news launch

    Copyright © 2021 HealthDay. All legal rights reserved.

  • COVID-19 update for Dec. 24-26: Here’s the latest on coronavirus in BC

    COVID-19 update for Dec. 24-26: Here’s the latest on coronavirus in BC

    Here’s your daily update with everything you need to know on the novel coronavirus situation in B.C.

    Author of the article:

    David Carrigg, Cayley Dobie

    Publishing date:

    Dec 25, 2021  •  13 hours ago  •  7 minute read  •  69 Comments

    Here's your daily update with everything you need to know on the novel coronavirus situation in B.C.
    Here’s your daily update with everything you need to know on the novel coronavirus situation in B.C. Photo by Gilnature /iStock/Getty Images

    Here’s your daily update with everything you need to know on the novel coronavirus situation in B.C. for Dec. 24-26, 2021.

    We’ll provide summaries of what’s going on in B.C. right here so you can get the latest news at a glance. This page will be updated regularly throughout the day, with developments added as they happen.

    Check back here for more updates throughout the day. You can also get the latest COVID-19 news delivered to your inbox weeknights at 7 p.m. by subscribing to our newsletter here.

    B.C.’S COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS

    As of the latest figures given on Dec. 24:

    • Total number of confirmed cases: 235,658 (10,415 active)
    • New cases since Dec. 24: 2,441
    • Total deaths: 2,414 (four deaths)
    • Hospitalized cases: 192
    • Intensive care: 71
    • Total vaccinations: 4,377,551 received first dose; 4,126,279 second doses; 807,057 third doses
    • Recovered from acute infection: 222,604
    • Long-term care and assisted-living homes, and acute care facilities currently affected: Two

    IN-DEPTH:   Here are all the B.C. cases of the novel coronavirus in 2021 | in 2020

    B.C. GUIDES AND LINKS

    • COVID-19: Here’s everything you need to know about the novel coronavirus

    • COVID-19: B.C.’s vaccine passport is here and this is how it works

    • COVID-19: Here’s how to get your vaccination shot in B.C.

    • COVID-19: Look up your neighbourhood in our interactive map of case and vaccination rates in B.C.

    • COVID-19: Afraid of needles? Here’s how to overcome your fear and get vaccinated

    • COVID-19: Five things to know about the P1 variant spreading in B.C.

    • COVID-19: Here’s where to get tested in Metro Vancouver

    • B.C. COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool

    LATEST NEWS on COVID-19 in B.C.

    Saturday, Dec. 25

    Vancouver Coastal Health closes St. Vincent testing site temporarily

    St. Vincent’s COVID-19 testing site is temporarily closed due to winter weather conditions and people seeking tests are asked to visit the new site at UBC’s Life Sciences Centre.

    Starting today, Vancouver Coastal Health will be diverting anyone needing a test to the UBC location. The health authority will also be redeploying staff and resources from the St. Vincent’s site to UBC to help with testing.

    “This is a precautionary measure to ensure the safe operations of testing services for both staff and people accessing care during the inclement weather,” according to a notice from Vancouver Coastal Health .

    The UBC testing site, located at 2350 Health Sciences Mall in Vancouver, is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. It will also remain open when the St. Vincent’s site reopens.

    For more information about COVID-19 testing, click here .

    Because of a recent surge in testing, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is asking people with symptoms and who are not at risk of serious illness are asked to assume they have COVID-19 and stay and isolate.

    — Cayley Dobie

    Friday, Dec. 24

    B.C. sets another COVID-19 record with 2,441 new cases

    Health officials reported 2,441 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, setting another pandemic record for highest number of new cases in one day.

    Fraser Health led today’s case count with 1,001 new cases while Vancouver Coastal Health was a close second with 967 new cases. Island Health reported 219 new cases, Interior Health had 188 and there were 66 new cases in Northern Health, according to today’s COVID-19 update.

    There are currently 10,415 active cases of the virus in the province — another pandemic record.

    The majority of active cases are in Vancouver Coastal Health (4,517) followed by Fraser Health (3,554), Island Health (1,274), Interior Health (778) and Northern Health (236).

    Officials also updated the number of cases where the Omicron variant of concern has been detected. So far that number is 1,613.

    There are now two health-care facility outbreaks with a new outbreak being reported at Ridgeview Lodge in Interior Health. The outbreak at Lions Gate Hospital is ongoing.

    — Cayley Dobie

    New testing site opens at UBC

    Vancouver Coastal Health announced Friday that it opened a new COVID-19 testing site at the UBC Life Sciences Centre “in response to increasing demand for COVID-19 testing across the region.”

    The site, located at 2350 Health Sciences Mall in Vancouver, will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

    The location will also be providing rapid antigen tests to those with symptoms.

    In a press conference Friday morning, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the province hit its testing capacity Thursday when it administered 20,000 COVID-19 PCR tests.

    Henry is asking that only people with symptoms go get tested and encouraging those who are not at high risk of severe illness to assume they have COVID-19 and stay home and isolate.

    — Cayley Dobie

    B.C. health officer asks residents to change holiday plans if feeling unwell

    British Columbia has hit its COVID-19 testing capacity as the provincial health officer asked residents to not get tested unless they have symptoms.

    Dr. Bonnie Henry says the province administered 20,000 COVID-19 PCR tests on Thursday.

    She says if someone develops symptoms then they need to adjust holiday plans and self-isolate.

    As a result of hitting the testing capacity, Henry says health staff are prioritizing those most at risk and giving take-home antigen tests to younger people at less risk.

    She says B.C. is in a “different pandemic” as a result of the Omicron variant.

    Health Minister Adrian Dix says the province expects to give out 147,371 vaccinations from Dec. 22 to Jan. 2.

    Watch the press conference below:

    We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

    — Canadian Press

    Simon Fraser, UVic, UNBC plan virtual start to university term as pandemic surges

    Simon Fraser University and the universities of Victoria and Northern B.C. have followed the University of British Columbia and announced plans to start the upcoming term with online instruction for most courses.

    SFU and UVic says classes will begin Jan. 10 with two weeks of online classes, although labs, clinical and performance courses will continue in-person with safety protocols.

    UNBC says the semester will begin as scheduled on Jan. 5, and all first classes of any course between Jan. 5 and Jan. 11 will be delivered online.

    All three universities say campus resources, including libraries, student housing and dining services will remain open with current safety plans in place.

    The University of B.C. said earlier this week that most of its classes will be offered online between Jan. 10 and 24.

    Numerous other post-secondary institutions across the country have either delayed the start of their terms or announced virtual classes to launch the new year.

    — Canadian Press

    B.C. reports more than 2,000 new cases in 24 hours

    B.C. health officials reported 2,046 new cases of COVID-19 today, the highest one-day increase since the beginning of the pandemic.

    The majority of new cases were reported in Vancouver Coastal Health, with 880 new cases, and Fraser Health, with 741 new cases. Island Health reported 248 new cases, Interior Health had 123 new cases and Northern Health had 53, according to a statement from health officials. There was one new case in someone who normally resides outside Canada.

    The number of active cases also jumped to 8,739, with Vancouver Coastal Health leading the way with 3,729 active cases followed by Fraser Health with 2,825, Island Health with 1,267, Interior Health with 699 and Northern Health with 217. There are two active cases in people who normally reside outside Canada.

    One more COVID-related death was also reported today in Island Health for a total of 2,410 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

    There have been 975 cases of the Omicron variant reported in B.C. so far.

    — Cayley Dobie

    B.C. businesses get a max $10,000 boost from province to battle Omicron restrictions

    The B.C. government has announced a onetime support program offering up to $10,000 to businesses ordered closed as a result of the Omicron shutdown.

    Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon said Thursday the supports are aimed at complementing what was announced by the federal government yesterday, while acknowledging the closure orders come “at a very challenging time of year” for many businesses.

    “It’s fair to say that we’re all exhausted by COVID-19, but COVID-19 is not done with us,” he said.

    B.C.’s top doctor Bonnie Henry announced earlier in the week that gyms, fitness studios, dance studios, yoga centres, bars and nightclubs will be ordered closed until at least Jan. 18 because of the swift rise of cases sparked by the infectious Omicron variant.

    The federal government followed up with a support program as B.C., Ontario and several other provinces announced lockdown orders or capacity limits at certain types of businesses.

    — Joe Ruttle

    B.C. MAP OF WEEKLY COVID CASE COUNTS, VACCINATION RATES

    Find out how your neighbourhood is doing in the battle against COVID-19 with the latest number of new cases, positivity rates, and vaccination rates:

    B.C. VACCINE TRACKER

    LOCAL RESOURCES for COVID-19 information

    Here are a number of information and landing pages for COVID-19 from various health and government agencies.

    • B.C. COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool

    • Vancouver Coastal Health – Information on Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

    • HealthLink B.C. – Coronavirus (COVID-19) information page

    • B.C. Centre for Disease Control – Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

    • Government of Canada – Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update

    • World Health Organization – Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak

    –with files from The Canadian Press

    Comments

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  • How to Start Lifting Weights: Tips and Tricks

    How to Start Lifting Weights: Tips and Tricks

    Including excess weight education to your health and fitness program has several health and fitness rewards, but finding commenced can sense mind-boggling.

    (Getty Visuals)

    Should really you use kettlebells or weight machines at a fitness center? How several reps need to you do? How can you start out body weight education without having finding hurt? Even with all that confusion, there are some simple rules to help you get started.

    In this article are just some of the ways that body weight instruction can advantage your wellness and health and fitness:

    • Boosts sports activities functionality if you happen to be an athlete.
    • Builds and maintains muscle mass.
    • Increases balance, supporting to reduce your hazard for falls if you are an older grownup.
    • Promotes body weight decline when merged with a nutritious diet regime and other physical exercise.
    • Stops or slows the age-connected reduction of lean muscle mass mass.
    • Supports bone overall health.

    Types of Weights

    What variety of weights should you use if you are new to body weight education? The remedy might not be the exact same for every person, as it relies upon on your objectives, your fitness amount and your budget.

    Exercise trainers will have differing views on what products you ought to use to get commenced. Jessica Mazzucco, a accredited health and fitness trainer and founder of The Glute Recruit in New York Town, advises those people new to body weight lifting to begin with their have body fat, as it’s going to assist you get acquainted with movement designs in toughness instruction and get a excellent exercise session.

    The use of your have system fat is what transpires with exercises like pushups and lunges. Soon after you have good sort, you can use free of charge weights or gentle kettlebells. Despite the fact that commencing weights can vary for everybody, 5 to 20 lbs . is a acceptable variety, Mazzucco suggests.

    For dumbbells, you can make investments in a set of gentle, medium and large weights to supply far more obstacle as you development, states Jill Weinreb, a coach with the fitness application WeStrive primarily based in Freehold, New Jersey. There also are adjustable dumbbells that make it possible for you to increase on excess weight as you desire.

    You also can get imaginative. If you have an fascination in barbells, you can commence with a barbell that has no weights on the sides. If which is much too substantially, you could even use a PVC pipe from a components retailer or a broomstick in your closet to get started out, Weinreb states.

    9 Guidelines to Get You Started out With Body weight Coaching


    Use a coach initially if you can afford just one.

    You can find no replacing a experienced exercise trainer who can tailor steerage to your specific demands and teach you how to use correct form to prevent personal injury. If you can shell out the income for a trainer, it can be a must have, suggests Tommy Hockenjos, a trainer with the conditioning app WeStrive primarily based in Substantial Stage, North Carolina.

    If that is not in your spending budget, then there are lots of movies on the net that can walk you as a result of weightlifting principles, Mazzucco says. Some movies are cost-free, even though others are aspect of small-value wellness and health apps. Each the Mayo Clinic and a company known as Catalyst Athletics present totally free movies for pounds instruction.

    “I assume of the exercise routine like a highway,” Hockenjos states. “The warm up serves as the on ramp the place we put together our physique to go from 25 miles for each hour to going 65 for the duration of our exercise session. Then our awesome down serves as the off ramp.”

    Warm ups also enable you to prevent injuries for the reason that you might be much more limber. While each the warm up and cool down are critical, a 5- to 10-minute heat up is more vital if you might be strapped for time.

    One particular plan for heat ups is to begin with only half of your supposed weight for an training and do 10 repetitions, advises Sergio Pedemonte, particular trainer and CEO of Your Dwelling Exercise in Toronto. From there, you can improve the pounds by 10{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} to 15{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} and carry out much more reps until you arrive at the desired body weight for the day.

    A rapid great down could be as very simple as keeping a child’s pose – like the 1 utilized in yoga – for a moment, to help provide the physique again to a neutral state, Weinreb says.

    1 widespread miscalculation for new fat lifters is to overeagerly raise also significantly and then get injured. Weinreb has started out out consumers lifting with no pounds at all just to make certain their overall body is moving correctly. She also has had clients take away weights if their variety is off.

    Use your video clip-primarily based assets or experienced trainers to enable educate right kind when body weight teaching. You also can just take online video of oneself carrying out reps to get a better perception of your sort, Pedemonte advises. If you can, movie on your own at distinct angles. Look at this to the proper kind to see where by you will need to improve.

    Obtaining adequate slumber and ingesting a balanced diet program also make a variance in finding out the suitable type and blocking accidents, Hockenjos says.

    Preserve the variety of reps in intellect.

    There is no magic number of reps for starting bodyweight trainers. One typical recommendation is 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, Mazzucco claims. It is really Alright to do less reps and use no excess weight or a lighter excess weight although you study the correct kind.

    Barbell and heavier excess weight training generally just take a various solution, utilizing much less reps but hard on your own with additional fat on a person or two of the last reps. Really don’t push oneself into accomplishing so a lot of reps that you normally sense sore and fatigued at the end of a workout, Mazzucco claims. That often can lead to burnout.

    Get started with two to three bodyweight coaching classes a week.

    If you might be fully new to weight teaching, even just one session a week can split some of the negative effects of a sedentary way of life, Mazzucco claims. Nonetheless, two to a few classes can help you make muscle mass and lose pounds.

    Try to schedule weight teaching routines at the very least two days apart in the commencing, so your physique has additional time to get better, Pedemonte recommends. You should nonetheless do other bodily activity between that time, just not body weight training.

    As body weight lifting gets element of your common exercise routine regime, you can transfer up to 4 to 5 times weekly. Some persons like to divide fat training into periods targeted on an higher human body work out a single day and the lower entire body the up coming day.

    Others desire exercises that do the job as much of the entire body as doable all through every single session. If you have just one spot of your overall body that feels sore on a unique working day due to the prior day’s work out, look at offering it a relaxation to concentrate on an additional location of the system for your existing exercise.

    Stability excess weight lifting with coronary heart-pumping cardio exercise.

    Both equally body weight lifting and cardio workouts have a job in bettering your overall overall health. Weinreb, who is a CrossFit trainer, likes to integrate equally body weight lifting and common cardio physical exercises like strolling or biking into an training session – combining these is part of the CrossFit strategy.

    Other people favor to fat educate on specified times and do going for walks, operating, swimming or other cardio activities on the remaining times. Federal actual physical action suggestions currently suggest 150 minutes of average cardio exercise just about every week, which breaks down to 30 minutes a working day, 5 times a week. The recommendations also advise two or a lot more toughness-schooling classes every single week.

    Transform it up when you no longer sense challenged.

    If you constantly carry the exact same excess weight for the exact same selection of reps, your system will adapt and not adjust, Weinreb claims. As you get began with excess weight coaching, watch out for plateaus that show you should really fluctuate your body weight exercise session to insert a new problem. If you you should not have obtain to new gear, see if you can at least range the fat that you use, she advises.

    Commencing a pounds teaching regimen does not suggest you happen to be a robot. Even if you are making development with your lifting, other variables can have an effect on how a great deal you can carry on a provided day, Pedemonte states.

    • A negative food plan.
    • A adjust in your exercise time.
    • A new exercise.
    • Lousy snooze.

    • Tension.

    It is really Ok if you carry fewer some days than others owing to variables like these.

    You can acquire a day off sometimes to have a beer with a mate or expend time with your young ones, Hockenjos claims. You can expect to however see development around time if you happen to be regular about education.

    And, adds Pedemonte, “the best way to be dependable is to steer clear of damage and to delight in the approach.”

  • Health department provides tips on food safety for the holidays

    Health department provides tips on food safety for the holidays

    HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — As lots of put holiday getaway feasts out for pals and spouse and children to get pleasure from, health experts want to be positive you know leaving meals out for way too long can direct to illness.

    The town of Harlingen’s overall health department director, Josh Ramirez, stated hazardous organisms can be in meat and plant-primarily based foodstuff and individuals organisms can multiply.

    Ramirez described that it is important to cope with, get ready, and retail outlet food items properly to prevent any health and fitness problems.

    “E. coli which is the most common one that folks tend to overlook which is a thing that comes in the meat goods and it grows pretty fast underneath the right disorders,” he said.

    He reported cross-contamination and temperature can lead to the organisms these types of as E.coli to grow.

    “It is when it gets to be dangerously superior in numbers when it reaches the room temperature around 3 several hours, then it starts off growing and reproducing that the human body can’t manage and system that and which is when you come to be unwell,” stated Ramirez.

     He encouraged holding foods below 38 levels Fahrenheit or at 140 degrees Fahrenheit or greater to prevent organisms from developing and mentioned there is a good deal of misinformation out about storing warm foods in the fridge.

    “The difficulty is when you place a massive pot that is about seven to 8 inches deep with foods things in the refrigerator. You need to have to understand that in order for the cooling to access the middle it might take about 8 hrs if it’s scorching by now,” he stated,

    He explained employing shallow pans or trays to retail store very hot foods in the fridge will aid interesting the food stuff faster earning it safer to try to eat later.

    On the other hand, he reported there are also limits to how lengthy you can retail store leftovers ahead of they turn out to be unsafe.

    “Don’t let it go far more than 3 days to try to eat that contemporary item, they’re great up to seven days if the fridge is functioning accurately and you have the temperature set at the ideal degrees for that products,” he reported.

    Ramirez explained signs and symptoms such as tummy aches, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and chills after consuming foodstuff you might imagine has long gone negative or remaining out for far too extended, should really be taken severely.

    “If you start off feeling indicators, seek the advice of your doctor correct absent, don’t enable it go much too prolonged, don’t say ‘well it will move,’ simply because you could danger functioning into a bigger issue, close up in a healthcare facility, or maybe die as well,” said Ramirez.