Skip breakfast before workouts to stay fit

Breakfast is often said to be the most important meal of the day. But, a new study says that skipping it before exercise can make you fitter and stronger.

Many athletes believe that they should have a high- carbohydrate meal to provide energy for a morning’s training. But the latest study appears to show the opposite is true.

Researchers in New Zealand have found that by not eating, the body is put under stress quicker — and the longer it can endure the stress the more beneficial the exercise, the ‘Daily Express’ reported.

For the study, the researchers conducted two tests in which two groups of cyclists were sent on 75-minute early morning bike rides for four weeks.

One group had a high-carbohydrate breakfast, while the other did without. The riders who set out on an empty stomach performed the better, the findings revealed.

Dads enjoy less with kids than mums

Melbourne, May 20 (ANI): Dads not only spend less time with their kids, they don’t even enjoy that time as much as mums do, revealed new research.

Twice as many fathers say they “sometimes or less often” enjoy spending time with their children as do mothers, according to a report by the Australian Institute of Family Studies.

AIFS research fellow and the author of ‘The Best Start: Supporting Happy, Healthy Childhoods’, Jennifer Baxter said that when fathers were asked whether they enjoyed spending time with their children, 28 per cent said they “always or almost always” did, compared with 40 per cent of mothers.

In addition, 21 per cent of dads said they “sometimes or less often” enjoyed time spent with their kids, compared with 11 per cent for mums.

“Dads often have that added pressure of long work hours,” News.com.au quoted her as telling The Australian.

“They”re there in the mornings when time is so rushed and at dinner when there”s so much going on, so that stress of combining work with the hard parts of the family day may be spilling over into their level of enjoyment,” added Baxter.

Baxter said that part of the answer to why dads are less satisfied could be that they are more honest about it than mothers.

“There”s a very strong ethos that mothers must love and care and nurture their children. . . while fathers might be more inclined to admit when things aren”t going well,” she said. (ANI)

Key England players may be rested, says coach Flower

London, May 19 (ANI): England cricket team coach Andy Flower has said that some key players may be rested in parts in preparation for this year”s hectic international schedule.

The team’s workload shows no signs of being reduced over the next year with England due to play Bangladesh, Pakistan and Australia in a series of ODIs, Tests and Twenty20 matches.

“We have a very busy 12 months ahead of us and we are going to have to rest players at various times,” The Mirror quoted Flower, as saying at a press conference yesterday.

“In certain situations, it is possible that we will have to rest some players either for emotional reasons such as stress and sometimes it will be for strength and conditioning reasons. With our schedule it will be hard to fit enough strength and conditioning in,” he added. (ANI)

Changing hairstyle frequently means you are under stress

New York, May 14 (ANI): Do you keep changing your hairstyle at regular intervals? Well, then you’re probably a little too stressed, according to a new study.

Stylelist.com has said that women who constantly go from cropped bob to long extensions and from blond to brunette may be stressed out or feeling overwhelmed.

“Changing hairstyles is really common during life transitions such as a break-up or a new career,” the New York Daily News quoted Los Angeles-based psychotherapist Heather Turgeon as saying.

“Our hair is something we can control, so it”s empowering to make changes especially when you feel like other aspects of life are out of your control,” she added.

Frequently changing styles can be a red flag that you”re looking for something more out of life, and think a new do could end your search.

“Someone who is constantly changing her hair is either a natural chameleon whose aesthetic tends to run parallel to her moods, or she”s searching for something and changing her look fills that need,” said Jason Low, stylist at the Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon”s in New York and Los Angeles.

And an expectant mom is very likely to change her hairstyle.

Low said that he”s seen women in their last few months of pregnancy ask for a short cut or a simple style so they won”t have to fuss as much after the baby is born.

“But then they return days later feeling exposed and unattractive, questioning their stylists” judgment in making the cut,” he said.

However, Low has advised women that they should try not to cut their hair on impulse, and stick with a reputable stylist who can persuade them from asking for a cut they will later regret.

And they should take comfort in the fact that it”s just hair – and will soon grow back. (ANI)

Technology makes people happier – especially women

London, May 14 (ANI): Access to Internet and communication devices can increase people”s sense of satisfaction and well being – especially amongst women, says a new study.

The survey of 35,000 people, carried out by BCS, the Chartered Institute of IT around the world, found that access to information technology had an “enabling and empowering role”, which lead to greater “life satisfaction”.

“IT appears to empower the disempowered,” read the report. “In fact, much of the improvement in life satisfaction that arises from information technology flows to those who are less well-placed in society. Those on lower incomes or with fewer educational qualifications appear to benefit more from access to IT than those on higher incomes or with higher educational backgrounds. This appears to be the case across the globe.

“The research indicates this relationship, but not the mechanism; this is an area for further study.”

Women, being the social hub of communications in their families, societies and work, are even more benefited due to IT. Those on lower incomes also gained from IT access.

“Anything that increases the sense of personal control in our lives, such as IT, will reduce anxiety and stress and keep us mentally well,” The Telegraph quoted Donna Dawson, a psychologist, as saying.

“Through giving us choices, allowing is access to information, and putting us in touch with others, IT can increase feelings of security, personal freedom and power, which together give us greater life satisfaction.” (ANI)

Mum-of-four left bed bound by N-cup boobs

London, May 4 (ANI): A Peruvian mum-of-four is said to have been left bed bound for six months by her massive boobs.

Julia Manihuari, 29, was left unable to move after her chest grew to a gigantic N cup after the birth of her third son seven years ago.

“It was awful. If I tried to get up I would faint because my breasts were so heavy,” the Sun quoted her as saying.

Manihuari, who is a farmer’s wife living in northern Peru, was finally helped when local media paid for her to take a three-day boat trip to the nearest town for medical help.

Doctors diagnosed her as suffering from an extreme form of Bilateral Gynecomastia – an illness where the mammary gland keeps growing.

At the hospital, they had to cut two and half stone of flesh from her boobs fearing they could squash her lungs and kill her, and she emerged with a 34B cup after the six-hour op.

“Before the operation I couldn’t do anything, I just had to live with it, it got so bad that my breasts were touching my legs,” she said.

“I have always had a small build, and the stress on the rest of my body was agony.

“My breasts were growing by the day. I couldn’t move because my boobs and belly were the same size. My breasts became so huge my skin had sores and I had trouble breathing,” she added. (ANI)

Katy Perry calls hypnotherapy rumours “weird”

London, April 29(ANI): Katy Perry has denied reports that she is undergoing hypnotherapy to quit smoking before her marriage with Russell Brand.

The Daily Mirror had earlier published a story claiming that the singer had told her friend that she smoked to bust pre-nuptial stress.

She was quoted as telling her friend: “I”m stressed out with the wedding and I keep smoking to calm my nerves. I do it even though I know it is really bad for me and I know I need to stop. So I”m thinking I am going to have hypnotherapy to help me get over it.”

However, Perry has said that the report is false.

“Weird story about hypnotherapy, smoking & wedding. It”s all made up! It”s bad, of course!” the Daily Express quoted her as stating on Twitter. (ANI)

Katy Perry calls hypnotherapy rumours “weird”

London, April 29(ANI): Katy Perry has denied reports that she is undergoing hypnotherapy to quit smoking before her marriage with Russell Brand.

The Daily Mirror had earlier published a story claiming that the singer had told her friend that she smoked to bust pre-nuptial stress.

She was quoted as telling her friend: “I”m stressed out with the wedding and I keep smoking to calm my nerves. I do it even though I know it is really bad for me and I know I need to stop. So I”m thinking I am going to have hypnotherapy to help me get over it.”

However, Perry has said that the report is false.

“Weird story about hypnotherapy, smoking & wedding. It”s all made up! It”s bad, of course!” the Daily Express quoted her as stating on Twitter. (ANI)

Stress making Barack Obama grey-haired ‘Barack Old-bama’

London, Apr 29 (ANI): Barack Obama is so much under stress since he took office in 2009 that he has now become President ‘Old-bama’ with grey hair.

The US President revealed the strain of office by showing off his grey hair recently.

And his salt-and-pepper look was in stark contrast to the dark locks he had when he moved into the White House just last year.

And the 48-year-old politician shocked supporters in Iowa with his silver barnet.

“It was more like Barack Old-bama than Barack Obama. I couldn”t believe the change,” the Sun quoted one supporter as saying.

Last year there was speculation that the President had been dyeing his hair to win over voters, but his barber denied it. (ANI)

Katy Perry ‘to meet hypnotherapist to get over marriage stress’

London, April 26 (ANI): Katy Perry’s impending marriage is apparently stressing her out and she’s using smoking to deal with it.

However, the habit has started taking its toll and now Katy is planning drastic action, reports the Mirror.

“I’m stressed out with the wedding and I keep smoking to calm my nerves. I do it even though I know it is really bad for me and I know I need to stop,” she told a friend.

“So I’m thinking I am going to have hypnotherapy to help me get over it. I’d never say to kids, ‘This is cool’. It’s a really bad habit that I need to quit,” she added. (ANI)

Doctor intern questions remain

The Australian Medical Association says it still has questions about how well a Wagga Base Hospital intern was supported, before he committed suicide.

Doctor William Huynh died in January last year.

Friends blamed excessive working hours, something rejected by health officials.

An internal New South Wales Health report confirms he raised concerns about his workload, which required him to supervise two surgical teams.

But the report found Dr Huynh’s death was not predictable.

The Chairman of the AMAs Doctors-in-Training program, Doctor Andrew Perry says it is a concerning case.

“Covering two surgical teams in and of itself is not of major concern,” he said.

“The main issue is whether he was actually being properly supervised and supported at the time…he has brought up concerns about his work load.

“He himself did actually have some concerns about whether he was able to perform and cover that duty.”

There have been increased calls for an overhaul of JMO working hours, after the death of Dr Huynh last year.

Dr Perry says the AMA plans to repeat an audit of junior doctor working hours to ensure fatigue and stress is not putting them at risk.

“The issue of doctors’ welfare is always one of the top priorities of the AMA and that covers a range of areas so it covers safe hours and it also covers doctors’ mental well being,” he said.

“And I think we may have seen those two issues intersecting with this tragic suicide.

“And next year we’ll be repeating an audit of safe hours which we last did five years ago.”

One in 10 rental properties unfit to live in

The Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) says it is disgusted with the findings of its investigation into the quality of affordable rental accommodation in Melbourne.

The organisation is urging the Government to legislate basic living standards for rental properties.

VCOSS volunteers visited 116 rental properties advertised in newspapers throughout Melbourne and Geelong on two weekends in March.

VCOSS chief executive Cath Smith says one in 10 of the properties surveyed was unfit to live in.

“The basic findings were that quite a lot of houses lacked two or more of some basic features such as locks on all doors, the absence of extensive mould, the absence of cooking, heating, electrical safety switches, those sorts of features,” she said.

Ms Smith is disgusted with the findings.

“We’re not a third-world country,” she said.

“We’ve got a residential tenancies act that does not actually define what kind of habitability standards are expected,” she said.

The state’s telephone and web financial counselling service, MoneyHelp says minimum standards are urgently needed to ensure all rental properties are healthy, safe and affordable.

Carolyn Bond says a third of their callers last month were renters and two thirds of them were in housing stress.

“While these renters are often struggling to pay for their housing, they are not necessarily getting a good deal for that money,” she said.

Former magistrate snapped over neighbourhood dispute

A court has been told a former Victorian magistrate completely snapped when he used a key to scratch a neighbour’s car.

Sixty-year-old Raffaele Barberio of Brighton resigned from the bench after pleading guilty to assault and criminal damage.

He was a serving magistrate last year when he became involved in a dispute with a neighbour because he did not pick up his dog’s droppings.

The court heard Mr Barberio threatened to punch his neighbour and approached the man’s car to reach inside the open window.

After Mr Barberio was charged over that incident, he used a key to scratch the man’s car, causing more than $9,000 damage.

The court was told the assault happened on the anniversary of his mother’s death and he completely snapped when he scratched the man’s car because he was under severe stress.

He will be sentenced this afternoon.

Minister says affordable housing is value for money

Seniors and people with a disability will be offered discounted rent in 26 new homes to be built in Lismore.

The Federal Minister for Housing, Tanya Plibersek says rents will be fixed at 20 percent below the market rate.

She says the $5-million project on the corner of Dibbs and Dalziel streets will be developed in conjunction with Baptist Community Services.

The Minister says it will go some way to relieving housing stress in the region.

“This program and other programs like our Nation Building Economic Stimulus Social Housing Program, which will build 116 new homes in Ballina, Casino, Grafton and Lismore will begin to make a difference,” Ms Plibersek said.

“I don’t think there are any overnight solutions to the housing stress, but I hope our contribution will begin to make a difference,” she said.

The Minister says she’s confident homes built under the National Rental Affordibility Scheme represent value for taxpayers’ money.

The Government has been accused of wasting money by paying too much for school renovations under its Building the Education Revolution scheme.

But Ms Plibersek says housing figures for New South Wales tell a different story.

“We anticipated that homes would cost around $300,000 each for a home and land, and in fact in NSW we’re getting much better value than that. We’re seeing homes come in between (a) 250 and 270,000 dollar average, which is pretty good for a home-and-land package when you average out costs right across the state,” she said.

When Jordan called new hubby “Pete” on live TV!

London, Mar 19 (ANI): It was a goof-up Katie Price will remember forever—she called her new husband “Pete” on live TV.

In fact, the glamour model constantly compared hubby Alex Reid to her ex Peter Andre when she appeared on ITV1’s This Morning

“Me and Pete…” before correcting herself and saying: “Me and Alex…” the Daily Star quoted her as saying.

The 31-year-old beauty was on the show to tell hosts Phillip Schofield, 47, and Holly Willoughby, 29, about her reality show and her recent wedding to cage fighter Alex, 34.

But Jordan made a blooper by mentioning Peter, 37, and her marriage to him 10 times as she insisted she was “100percent happy” with her new life.

Comparing her second marriage to her first, she said: “It’s just completely different. It’s nice to be with someone where you can actually be yourself. There’s no stress.” (ANI)

Kate Winslet split from Sam Mendes ‘out of boredom’

New York, March 17 (ANI): Kate Winslet decided to put an end to her seven year old marriage with Sam Mendes ‘out of boredom’, it has been alleged.

The Oscar-winning actress, 34, and the director, 44, called it quits two years after they teamed up for the film Revolutionary Road, based on a drifting couple.

“She felt bored. When Sam isn”t working, he”d just as soon stay home. Kate loves going out. … She was the one pushing for the divorce,” the New York Daily News quoted a friend of the couple as saying.

The source further claimed Winslet’s steamy scenes with co-star Leonardo DiCaprio in the film were the tipping point.

The friend said that movie “put a lot of stress on their marriage” and “Kate came to regret making the movie with Sam.”

The pal continued: “They”ve been pretty much living separate lives since the end of the summer. They realized some time ago that they were not a good fit. They were more like brother and sister.” (ANI)

Cellular pathway may explain obesity-cancer link

Washington, March 16 (ANI): Previous studies have shown that obesity is linked to cancer. Now, a researcher is on his way to understand the correlation.

University of Alberta researcher Richard Lamb is studying a cell pathway in the human body that regulates cell growth.

In their most recent work, Lamb and his colleagues have found that this pathway can be affected by sources not within the cell, specifically amino acid nutrients. Amino acids are the building blocks of tissues and muscle in the human body.

What makes this interesting is that these amino acids are found to be elevated in obese people.

That means this signalling pathway, called mTOR, could be hyper-activated by these heightened amino acid nutrients and this could affect how human cells respond to stress and disease among a number of other things.

Lamb and his colleagues will now investigate if cancer cells are aided by this potential hyper-activity of the pathway.

The work has been published in the prestigious journal Molecular Cell. (ANI)

Family more important than career for women: Oz survey

Melbourne, Mar 5 (ANI): A new survey has revealed that most women are opting for a healthy family life rather a career.

A national study of almost 2300 women, commissioned by parenting website Kidspot, showed three quarters of respondents aged between 18 and 65 believe family is the single most important thing in their life.

The survey says women are shifting from a “perfectionist” attitude and rate their family, seeing friends, keeping fit, further study and community work as more important than pursuing their career.

Jenni Colwill president of 2020Women, an organisation that promotes gender equality, said while the emphasis on family was not surprising, the results suggested women were “disengaged” in other areas and this was not the case.

“We’ve got this opinion that women have to do everything, the paid and the unpaid work, the family responsibilities and I’m not sure that has necessarily changed,” News.com.au quoted her as saying.

“I think what you see now is women who are more assertive, when they get annoyed with the workplace, they’re more likely to express their dissatisfaction and leave,” she said.

Kidspot chief executive Katie May, however, believes women today “no longer believe that ‘having it all’ requires ‘doing it all’.

“The areas causing a woman the least stress today are trying to succeed in a man’s world and the inability to progress her career due to commitments at home,” she said.

“It’s a change on what we’ve seen previously and a move away from perfectionist attitudes of many women,” she added. (ANI)

How to stay fit in flu season

Washington, Sept 20 (ANI): As cold and flu season approaches, giving up junk food for more healthy options would help maintain a strong immune system.

Dr Ara DerMarderosian, professor of pharmacognosy for University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and an expert in nutraceuticals and natural foods, have provided guidance to change how you eat and break habits that pack on the pounds and compromise immunity.

? Don’t play “food police”

Be conscious of what and how much you eat, but don’t overdo self-monitoring to the point that a healthy lifestyle shifts from being a choice to becoming overwhelming, pushing other activities away and interfering with relationships.

? Pay attention to true hunger

Listen to your hunger signals and refrain from eating when you’re not hungry. Eating when your body doesn’t need food can cause you to overindulge.

? Eat slowly

Eat like a gourmet – enjoy each bite to have, chewing methodically, and truly enjoy the taste of your food. Eating slowly gives your body time to break down the food, which can prevent post-meal indigestion and feeling bloated.

? Focus on eating

Do not watch television, read or work while you eat. When you’re not focused on eating, it’s unlikely you’ll notice how much is going in your mouth.

? Avoid eating when stressed

Stress is a well-known cause of overeating and digestive issues, such as heartburn. A relaxing atmosphere, enjoyable company and conversation, and not feeling rushed for time makes for a healthy meal.

? Everything in moderation

Eating food is pleasurable, so enjoy a few morsels of candy, but limit the quantity. (ANI)