Is obesity a disease?

Yes. In 2013, the American Medical Association declared obesity a disease, based on growing evidence that making a healthy weight was far more complex than willpower alone. Theres a common misconception that people gain weight because of laziness, eating too much and/or exercising too little. Founded in 2019, our specialization in medical weight management is grounded in science.

How does your new clinic help people with weight loss?

We focus on four pillars: medical treatment, nutrition, behavior and physical activity. We tailor individual treatment plans, leveraging our foundation in internal medicine, bolstered by specialized training in lipidology and obesity medicine. For medically eligible patients, we offer an optional meal replacement program with an average weight loss of 30 pounds at 26 weeks. Additionally, an independent dietitian who shares our suite can help with meal plans, education and tailored nutritional advice. Behavioral assessments help identify disordered eating and provide a roadmap to overcome drivers of weight gain. Studies show that, in the long-run, diets do not work, but incremental lifestyle changes do. Our physical activity program explores and coaches people on how they can get moving in whatever way their bodies and comfort levels allow.

Which patients do you take?

We cater to adults with body mass indexes of 28 and higher.

Do you take insurance?

Yes, we are currently insured with most insurance companies, and work closely with a patient's primary care physician, specialists and other health care professionals to offer true medically coordinated weight loss.

Continue reading here:
Q&A with Ryan Morgan: Healthy weight loss requires more than just willpower - Oklahoman.com

Highlights

Weight loss is a tricky feat. The mindless noshing and binge eating that most of us are habitual to, tend to have a negative impact on our overall health, especially on our body weight. The excess calorie load eventually leads to weight gain, further giving rise to obesity-related issues. In order to steer clear of them, it is essential to keep a tab on daily eating habits and be aware of what's actually going on our plates. While getting started with the weight loss process can get a bit too overwhelming, both mentally and physically, we're here to provide you with a stellar weight loss recipe that is not just nutritionally dense, but it will also help give a kick-start to your weight loss journey with maximum ease. We're talking about Sprouts and Paneer Salad!

(Also Read:6 Excellent Sources of Vegetarian Protein for Your Daily Diet)

The two prime ingredients of this salad - sprouts and paneer - are a treasure trove of essential nutrients and are highly rich in protein content. The high protein element of this salad makes it a perfect pick for effective weight loss. Since protein helps induce a feeling of satiety, you are less likely to binge on fattening foods that can increase the body weight.

(Also Read:Here's How Black Pepper (Kali Mirch) May Help Boost Metabolism)

Unlike the regular leafy salads, this salad contains some hearty spices that may help in boosting the body's metabolism. For instance, black pepper may help stimulate appetite and aid digestion as well. Since, a healthy digestion system is the key to quick weight loss, adding black pepper to your salad would be quite beneficial. Oh, and it won't take you more than 5 minutes to prepare this salad; just bring together all the ingredients mentioned below and give them a nice spin.

Ingredients Required:

4-5 tbsp. sprouted green moong dal100 grams paneer, cubed1 tomato, small-sized, chopped1 onion, small-sized, chopped1 tbsp. lemon juice3-4 pinches black pepper powder1 tsp. rock salt

Method:

Take a bowl, and put all the ingredients in it except lemon juice. Mix well.Once the sprouts and paneer are combined well with all the spices, drizzle lemon juice over the mix and serve.

So, once you've made up your mind to set off on a weight loss journey, give it an energetic start by making this high-protein salad a part of your diet.

(This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.)

About Deeksha SarinAn eccentric foodie and a die-hard falooda lover, Deeksha loves riding scooty in search of good street food! A piping hot cup of adrak wali chai can make her day bright and shiny!

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Add This High-Protein Sprouts And Paneer Salad To Your Weight Loss Diet - NDTV Food

Many celebrities who have competed on Dancing With the Stars over the years have noticed their waistlines shrinking in addition to their dance skills improving during their time on the show, and Sean Spicer is the latest star to lose more than a few pounds while working on his routines.

"Im down 17 pounds from the show's start," he told USA Today. "Im seeing it on the scale. Every week, they're taking in my outfits, especially the pants. I can see it in my face. Its not just a show, its a weight-loss program. Id love to go down another 10 or 15 pounds. If I get to the full goal, maybe well talk. But this is the lowest I have weighed since I got off active (Navy Reserves) duty in 2011."

The former White House press secretary is partnered with Lindsay Arnold and the two have remained in the competition despite low scores thanks to fan voting. On Monday, Donald Trump urged viewers to vote for his former employee, tweeting, "Vote for good guy @seanspicer tonight on Dancing With The Stars. He has always been there for us!"

"Theres no question thats a huge part of it, people on the political side," Spicer mused when asked about whether the vast majority of his votes are coming from Trump supporters. "But theres a good chunk of people who enjoy my approach. The other night we were out, and I had people coming up to me saying, 'Ive loved watching you, you look like youre having a great time.' Hopefully, theyll watch me progress. Theres a lot of people who sit at the bar and watch everyone else on the dance floor. Thats who I have been. I'm never going to be the natural. But people watching know I am working as hard as I can, and going to have a blast doing it."

Spicer's casting on the show was initially met with criticism from fans as well as DWTS' host, Tom Bergeron.

"A few months ago, during a lunch with DWTS' new executive producer, I offered suggestions for season 28. Chief among them was my hope that DWTS, in its return from an unprecedented year-long hiatus, would be a joyful respite from our exhausting political climate and free of inevitably divisive bookings from any party affiliation," Bergeron tweeted on Aug. 21. "I left that lunch convinced we were in agreement."

"Subsequently (and rather obviously), a decision was made to, as we often say in Hollywood, 'go a different direction,'" he continued, adding that it is the "prerogative" of the producers to cast whoever they choose. "We can all agree to disagree. As we do now, but ultimately it's their call. I'll leave it to them to answer any further questions about those decisions."

Photo Credit: Getty / Allen Berezovsky

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See original here:
'Dancing With the Stars': Sean Spicer Reveals 17-Pound Weight Loss - PopCulture.com

What is the best time to exercise? This question has intrigued most of the fitness enthusiasts and there has not been a conclusive answer for it. Some believe that one should exercise in the morning while others think that the best time to work out is in the evening. But there is a new research which establishes a connection between breakfast and exercise! As the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Universities of Bath and Birmingham found that by changing the timing of when you eat and exercise, one can better control the blood sugar levels."We found that the men in the study who exercised before breakfast burned double the amount of fat than the group who exercised after," said study author Javier Gonzalez from the University of Bath.

"Our results suggest that changing the timing of when you eat in relation to when you exercise can bring about profound and positive changes to your overall health," Gonzalez said.

The research was performed on 30 men and extended over a period of one and a half months. The men were classified as obese or overweight and compared results from two intervention groups (who ate breakfast before/after exercise) and a control group (who made no lifestyle changes), found that people who performed exercise before breakfast burned double the amount of fat than the group who exercised after breakfast.

The study established that increased fat use is mainly due to lower insulin levels during exercise when people have fasted overnight, which means that they can use more of the fat from their fat tissue and the fat within their muscles as a fuel.

While this did not show any significant weight loss, it has a very positive impact on their health because their bodies were better able to respond to insulin, keeping blood sugar levels under control and potentially lowering the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

See original here:
Exercise before breakfast to lose weight quickly - Times of India

There are hundreds of diets, cleanses, cookbooks and apps out there designed to help you lose weight, but sometimes you just need to hear from people who've done it. In a thread on Reddit, people who have been on their own weight loss journey shared the insights they've gained through their own experiences, and offered their best advice.

Some commenters found that trying new diets, and approaching them with the mindset that they'd lose the weight and then go back to their usual lifestyle, didn't particularly work. "To me it's far better to change your diet and your life style than torturing yourself with restrictive diets," read one post. "Your body is a sensitive machine, and will learn do adapt. Going on a restrictive diet 'just for a while; seems to me like it would confuse your metabolism. Isn't it better to just make healthy choices?"

Another commenter advocated for building moderation into your diet, as well as the occasional cheat day: "I think a lot of people go into dieting with a mentality of 'Im going to diet constantly until I hit my goal weigh' and either end up stopping along the way or putting the weight back on within a year or two of reaching their goal. What I have found that helped me was stopping my diet every 3-4 weeks and having a period just trying to maintain that particular weight before I start up again on my diet. It has helped me keep things under control and its nice to have a little break from a diet every once in awhile."

Plenty of others on the thread agreed, with one commenter saying "scheduled cheating is an underrated tactic," and another adding: "This also really helps with the whole 'turning it into a sustainable lifestyle' thing. You don't have to go balls to the wall 100% of the time."

When it comes to reducing calorie intake, plenty of commenters advised cutting down on soda, which is packed with sugar, and alcohol. "Calories in drinks are the most empty of calories," said one. "They go by so quickly, with such little satisfaction."

On the other hand, water is your friend, as this person put it: "The only time I effectively and consistently lose weight over a period of time is when Im putting down at least 120 ounces of water a day. Probably more."

The best advice that another commenter could offer was to just accept that "you're gonna fuck up." They speak from personal experience, recalling how they lost their momentum midway through their journey and it took them a few months to get back into it. "Fucking up is a part of progress," they said, "and progress isn't linear."

Original post:
People Who've Lost Weight Share Their Most Underrated Tips - menshealth.com

A bad breakup forced Robert Sean Grady Jr. to reflect on himself, and realize that if he was going to find happiness in love, he needed some important self-improvement. The 28 year-old medical record software specialist from Wilkes Barre-Scranton, Pennsylvania, had put a lot into the relationship, but when it soured he decided to work on himself. He also wanted to improve his hockey stamina.

Grady remembers always being the chubby kid, thanks in part to poor diet. Through high school he was overweight, the target of teasing from other students. After graduating, he dropped 30 pounds, bringing him down to 240. He got a girlfriend, but feeling miserable in the relationship, he turned to food as an escape from his unhappiness. My early and mid-20's weren't my best times, unfortunately, he says, and by 24 he weighed 340 pounds.

I don't think I really understood just how big I was, he says. He was still playing hockey and golfing with friends, not fully acknowledging his size. I knew I was overweight, but I didn't take it seriously.

Then came the Christmas breakup. Grady had already stopped drinking soda. Why drink your calories when you can eat something delicious? he says. He was about 290 pounds and ready to slim down. He downloaded MyFitnessPal to calculate his daily calorie intake (about 1900, but hed hit 200-300 less), aiming to lose 2 pounds a week. He tossed out all the sweets and junk food in his houseliterally throwing it away.

Revamping his diet was the biggest focus. He drinks mostly coffee and water now. His breakfast might be a Clif bar and coffee, or a ham, egg, and Swiss sandwich on wheat toast. Lunch is a turkey or ham sandwich with a cup of berries. His dinners vary; he tries to leave room for extra calories, and quesadillas have become his go-to meal. He developed a taste for spinach and mushrooms, both filling and high in fiber. He also praises slow-cooking, including health chili recipes, for helping him meal plan.

Simply cutting calories had him dropping weight quickly. He went from 290 down to 230 in about ten months. (Earlier, over the course of three years, hed cut from 340 to 290, for a total of 110 pounds lost over four years.) There were some ups and downs, but you cant argue with the results.

And to be honest, he says, I still haven't taken a step in a gym. He plays hockey two or three times a week, takes half-hour walks on his lunch break, and walks trails near his house after work. Most of his progress, though, he owes to a revamped diet.

Hes still getting used to his new size. I still feel inside like the fat guy I always was, he says. It helps to realize he can fit into 36-inch waist jeans, down from 44 at his largest. I feel incredible physically, he says. It's just the mental and emotional part that people don't take into account, and I'm trying to give myself more credit than I have.

With his newfound confidence hes met a great new partner, Barbara, who he credits as making his whole transformation worth it. Hes still aiming to get under 200 pounds, where he hasnt been since early high school, and start using weights to tighten up his body. Self improvement, he says, is never finished.

See the rest here:
How This Guy Lost 100 Pounds Without Setting Foot in a Gym - menshealth.com

What do pumpkins and butternut squash have in common? Beside their bright orange color, both are part of the winter squash family. There are more than a dozen winter squash varieties to choose from, and these starchy, carb-rich fruitsyes, squash is botanically considered a fruit since the seeds are on the inside are full of nutrients that can power you through a tough run. Not to mention, these types of squash are incredibly easy to cookonce you get past the tedious peeling partand diverse in their shapes, colors, sizes, and tastes. There truly is a squash for every occasion.

Winter squashes contain carotenoidsor plant compounds such as beta carotene (which can be converted into Vitamin A), lutein, and zeaxanthin that have been found reduce your risk of developing certain cancers and eye disease. These squashes also have some protein, vitamin C, fiber, magnesium, and potassium, which all play an important role in keeping you healthy and performing your best.

Although there arent any studies analyzing how winter squash can directly impact human health, research suggests that the nutrients found in them have health-boosting potential. For example, squash has a low glycemic index (50), making it an ideal piece of produce for diabetics. (The glycemic index ranks foods based on how slowly or quickly they spike your blood sugar levels.)

The lutein and zeaxanthin have been studied for their positive impact on eye and brain health, and potassium is known to help reduce blood pressure levels.

Not to mention that squash is widely available and affordable in the fall and winter. If you dont love the winter squash youve tried in the past or dont even know where to begin, the handy list below will help you choose a type of squash that is right for you.

Coming in second to pumpkin in the popularity contest, butternut squash is a fan favorite. Its no surprise that people love butternut, since its the sweetest variety of winter squash. The muted tan skin hides a vibrant orange flesh, but it is tough and chewy so peeling is a necessity. To do so, cut the neck from the body and use a paring knife to work with each section separately. Once the butternut squash is cut into cubes, simmer it in some coconut milk, vegetable broth, spices of your choice (cinnamon or curry make a nice addition) and salt until its tender. Puree it into a creamy butternut squash soup.

LauriPattersonGetty Images

Some may argue that spaghetti squash tastes like spaghetti, but most runners know better. Nonetheless, spaghetti squash is yellow on the outside and inside, and the cooked inner flesh transforms into spaghetti-like strings when scraped with a fork. Spaghetti squash has a subtle taste, and its a bit crisper than the other squashes on this list. The easiest way to cook spaghetti squash is to cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, drizzle with oil, and roast in the oven for 40 to 45 minutes. Then rake out the strings with a fork, and top with marinara sauce (or the sauce of your choice) and some form of protein such as chicken or lentils.

Wally EberhartGetty Images

This small cucumber-shaped squash has a light and delicate skin that you can actually eatno peeling required. The inside flesh is yellow with a subtly sweet, starchy flavor. To prepare delicata squash, slice it in half, scoop out the seeds, and cut it into half moons. Coat it with oil and salt, and bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes (until tender with a fork).

[Build a killer midsection in the kitchen for effortless miles on the road with Eat for Abs!]

Kabocha is a Japanese squash that you might find deep-fried in tempura batter at an Asian restaurant. It resembles a small green pumpkin with a bright yellow flesh. Kabocha is a bit thick, starchy, and sticky when cooked, and its more nutty and savory than sweet. That means it pairs really well with cheese and nuts. You can eat the skin, but its also a little bit tough to chew. Roast slices in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes (or until tender) with some parmesan cheese, and top with chopped walnuts for an easy side dish.

Mint Images/ Tim PannellGetty Images

Named after its resemblance to an acorn, this type of squash is nothing short of adorable. Acorn squash is small, green or green-orange, and has a smooth flesh with a yellow edible skin. It has a mild taste that can take on the flavor of almost anything. Since acorn squash is one of the smaller squash, it makes a perfect bowl-like vehicle for being stuffed with grains or meat crumbles and served as a main dish. Making a stuffed squash is actually quite simplecut it in half, drizzle with olive oil, and roast in the oven until tender (about 30 to 35 minutes). Then stuff it with your favorite grain medley, such as a mixture of brown rice and lentils, or chopped meat.

If you see hubbard squash in the market, you may think its just for decoration. With its gray, blue, or green wart-covered skin, hubbard squash looks like the wicked step sister in the squash family. But looks can be deceiving because the inside orange flesh is starchy, sweet, and not watery at all. And as the biggest variety of squash, its the perfect ingredient to feed a family. A simple and really tasty way to prepare hubbard squash is to peel it, cut it into bite sized pieces, and roast it in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes with some oil, salt, and rosemary.

Go here to see the original:
Types of Squash | Squash Health Benefits - Runner's World

A quick mix of the things we gleaned from the week of hockey, serious and less so, and rolling four lines deep. My team is unaware this column is being written under the influence of PEDs.

1. Were certainly not ruling the New Jersey Devils out of the post-season before we have a chance to start stealing snacks from our kids Halloween candy stash, but a miserable 1-4-2 record, minus-13 goal differential and last-place standing in the East has people talking.

So, if and its a massive if Taylor Hall is not keen to ink an extension with a struggling team and the Devils start taking rental calls, we tried to narrow down which clubs would have the resources, the urgency and the supporting cast to facilitate a blockbuster rental like this.

Of course, the real answer is: Hey, who wouldnt want the 2018 MVP on their roster?

But some competitors are better set up to pull something of this magnitude off should GM Ray Shero start to feel like his hand is being forced.

Its important to note that Hall carries a $6-million cap hit and zero trade protection. Also, as a rule, any GM is likely to receive a greater haul when trading a superstar if (like Vegas and Mark Stone last season) the player and his new team can agree in principle to an extension.

Here are my licking-their-chops-for-Hall power rankings:

I. Avalanche: We know Joe Sakic can swing big. The Avalanche were aggressive in free-agency bidding but missed out on the big fish. No contender has more projected cap space ($7.4 million).

II. Canadiens: Like the Avs, the Canadiens tried in vain to add a marquee scorer over the summer. Marc Bergevin has an enviable pool of prospects, 2020 draft picks (10 in the first five rounds) and enough cap room to accommodate ($6.4 million).

III. Anaheim: Shero and Bob Murray have an established recent history of trades, and sending Hall out west would mean only seeing him once a year. The Ducks could waste another brilliant season from John Gibson if they dont find him some run support, and since the Corey Perry buyout, they actually have some cap flexibility ($6.5 million) for the first time in a long time. Anaheim is solid up the middle, new coach Dallas Eakins has them as an early surprise, but the Ducks would benefit immensely from a play-making winger.

2. On the topic of impending free agents, during a radio interview St. Louis Blues insider Andy Strickland shed some light on why Brayden Schenn got an extension done so quickly while Alex Pietrangelo appears to be playing the long game (listen below).

Schenn switched from Newport Sports to agent Ben Hankinson and got a deal done rather quickly, while Pietrangelo remains with Newport, an agency that, Strickland explains, tends to push negotiations to the deadline.

Even with the addition of fellow minutes-munching righty Justin Faulk, no player in the league is averaging more shifts per game than Pietrangelo (30.4).

Although both sides are keen to work something out, Strickland says Blues GM Doug Armstrong wanted to get the deal done several weeks ago, but will not allow any player to hold the team hostage by a steep asking price, which is believed to be nudging $9 million annually.

As long as the Blues are in the mix, we cant see Armstrong trading his captain, however, and its believed he is prepared to make Petro his highest-paid player. (Forwards Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan OReilly share that title currently with a $7.5-million average annual value.)

But how much term do you give to a star who will be 30 years old when the first season of his new deal kicks in?

Sportsnets Starting Lineup

How St. Louis is hoping to avoid the post-cup blues

October 17 2019

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3. Dont look now, but offensive defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk is enjoying a resurgence, his four goals as a member of the Lightning already doubling his output for New York over 73 games last season.

Well, hes playing with confidence. Coming off the buyout with the Rangers, he wanted an opportunity where he could utilize his skill-set and offensive playmaking, says captain Steven Stamkos. Hes fit in great. Hes such a threat on that second power-play unit. He gets shots through. He looks comfortable out there.

The biggest adjustment Shattenkirk says he had to make moving south for $1.75 million (tax free!) was the pace Tampa plays with compared to his previous employers.

They want things done quickly. They want plays made quickly, but you have to think the game quickly as well, the 30-year-old says.

There were a few other options. This is kind of a reset for me, a chance for me to get back to my game and find that high calibre of production and getting back to a good defensive game that I was capable of earlier, before New York, and I think this was the best place to do it.

Head coach Jon Cooper, noting the loss of righty Anton Stralman, say the Lighting were fortunate to scoop Shattenkirk up. He sees a kindred spirit.

You look at our team weve been humbled, we have a bit of a chip on our shoulder. We grabbed a player that probably feels the same way, Cooper says.

Hes probably not known for his defensive side of the puck, but hes a smart player so he always finds himself in good position. Hes kept it simple.

Shattenkirk says in Washington and, especially, St. Louis, where he thrived, hes always been focused on a championship.

Thats been the goal every year and my mindset every year: Stanley Cup or bust. I think I share that with these guys. I share a chip on my shoulder with what happened in New York and what happened to them in playoffs. We both have something to prove, so its great being in the room with these guys and being back in that winning culture. When winning is expected, its a good pressure to have, he says.

I wonder if the veteran is being asked to contribute differently than in New York, after signing his monster UFA deal.

Yes and no. Theres still a leadership role to be filled here. Its still a young team, when you look at it. The other side of things, theres less pressure, Shattenkirk says.

Im not the top guy, obviously, and thats something Ive been involved with in the past, in St. Louis. It allows you to free up a bit and worry about your own game.

Whether its minutes or money, there is a little load off here and its helping.

Especially for my situation this year. Im very focused on this team and winning. I know that my individual success will come along with that. If this team is rolling, everyone gets rolling, Shattenkirk says.

When you come into a team like New York, we had so many young guys, so many guys that needed to get moulded, there was a lot of pressure on the older guys to carry that weight as well as perform. Here, everyone does their job and takes care of their business on their own. Because of that, its a little more mature and winning team.

4. Its one thing for the Minnesota Wild to be undergoing tumultuous times, but the Dallas Stars starting with an atrocious 1-7-1 record?

Yikes.

Scottie Upshall, who looked good in pre-season but didnt make the Stars cut, fired a tweet offering his services after Wednesdays loss:

We wrote about the intangibles guys like Upshall bring to a room when the going gets tough.

Even with Dallas taking a pass, Upshall, 36, still has the bug. He would love to go to Europe this season and is waiting on the right fit. Representing Canada at the Spengler Cup is also on his radar.

5. Auston Matthews was thrilled to film his promo sketch with Chance the Rapper, a.k.a. Lazlo Holmes.

It was great. Id never really been around somebody like that, so it was pretty interesting. He was just hanging out there all day, and he came in, got right into character, and he was he a natural so it was pretty fun and nice meeting a guy like that, says Matthews, a fan of Chances music.

He was kind of on a script but he was kinda freelancing too.

Matthews said he found it hard to keep a straight face. Chance hosts next weeks episode of Saturday Night Live, so expect a return of Lazlo Holmes.

6. Its hard not to lap up every drop of the Soupman story.

When Ilya Mikheyev scored a beautiful goal in Washington, the rookies third, the cameras caught teammates Andreas Johnsson and Trevor Moore doing a soup-eating gesture in celebration.

Apparently, a few Leafs had been doing that to their teammate during the pre-game handshake line to get him pumped up.

Mickey gets a big smile on his face when we do it to him, Moore explains.

And now Mikheyevs agent is pitching his client for soup endorsements.

7. Hands up if you had J.T. Miller leading a strong-looking Vancouver Canucks squad in goals, points, plus/minus, even-strength points through two weeks?

What was notable to me was that when the Tampa Bay Lightning rolled through town, coach Jon Cooper brought up the absence of Miller without being prompted, describing him as a great below-the-dots guy.

The loss of Miller is one of the reasons why the Bolts sought out the less-expensive Patrick Maroon to fill that cycling presence a bit.

8. Every time you think the Maple Leafs are probably set on small, skilled forwards, another prospect starts to shine in the lower leagues.

Nick Robertson, the 53rd-overall pick of 2019, is off to a flying start, leading the Ontario Hockey League in goals (12) and even-strength goals (eight). Hes a major reason the resurgent Peterborough Petes have leaped near the top of the standings.

9. Two PED suspension responses from the same organization have never sounded so polar opposite as the ones the Vegas Golden Knights released when Nate Schmidt was banned in 2018 and Valentin Zykov got suspended this week.

Here was the clubs official statement on Schmidt: While we respect the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program, we strongly dispute the suspension. We firmly believe that the presence of a trace of the banned substance was accidental and unintentional. Based on our conversations with Nate, analysis from independent medical experts and sworn testimony from the parties involved, we believe it is clear Nate was not able to reasonably ascertain how the substance entered his body.

Nate is an honest person with high moral character and great integrity. We will stand by him and support him during this time.

And here is the Knights Zykov response: We monitor the nutrition, supplement intake, and overall diet of our athletes on a continual basis throughout our entire season. Valentin knowingly used a banned substance without the consent, recommendation or knowledge of our team. We support the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program and respect the decision here.

Wow. You have to wonder if Zykov has played his final home game in Vegas.

10. Kudos to Chris Stewart, who went from starring for the Nottingham Panthers in 2018-19 to earning another NHL gig, debuting for the Flyers this week.

The 31-year-olds former teammates in the Wild dressing room are excited for him.

Devan Dubnyk cites Stewarts underrated knack around the net and believes hes as tough as anyone in the league.

He brings a lot of fun, a lot of energy into the dressing room and around the guys and on the road, Dubnyk says.

You know, it was much different when he wasnt around to compared to when he was. He just brought a lot of fun energy to the group, and he was funny. Im certainly happy for him just like all his other teammates that he played with.

11. I keep putting Washingtons John Carlson on my Norris Trophy ballot last spring I slotted him second, to Mark Giordano and he cant quite make the list of finalists.

This has gotta be the year.

Carlson is tied with some guy named Connor McDavid in the scoring race, piling up 17 points through nine games. He leads everyone in assists (14). Hes playing nearly 26 minutes a night, and he has scored two game-winners.

Even better: Hes not padding his numbers on the power play. Only Sidney Crosby and Mark Scheifele can match Carlsons even-strength point total (11).

The slick fake-pass off the rush he made Wednesday to set up Jakub Vrana was poetry (watch below at the 3:15 mark):

12. Keith Kinkaid is truly the best thing to happen to goalie Twitter since Roberto Luongo

See more here:
Quick Shifts: Ranking teams on Taylor Hall trade watch - Sportsnet.ca

Good health is essential for a happy, comfortable, long life. Early detection of disease through wellness visits to your veterinarian help prevent disease. If symptoms of disease are already present, your veterinarian can help improve the quality and length of your pets life.

As you get to know your pet, you should become familiar with its normal body characteristics, daily habits, and personality. This knowledge will help you to be aware of any changes that occur. Listed below are things that you can monitor about your pet between their regular twice-a-year wellness visits. If you find anything abnormal, call your veterinarian to schedule a thorough exam.

Eyes/ears

Eyes should be clear and bright. Redness, swelling, or discharge are signs of a problem. Eyelids should be smooth.

Inside of the ears should be light pink, a small amount of ear wax is normal, but yellow or brown waxy discharge is not. Redness, swelling, or foul odor are signs of infection. Head shaking and ear scratching can be your pets way of telling you there is something wrong.

Nose/mouth

Clear, watery nasal secretion is normal. Thick, colored, or bloody discharge is not. Whether or not a pets nose is cold or warm is not an indicator of a problem.

Teeth should be free of yellow-brown tartar buildup. Gums should be light pink. Bad breath, excessive drooling, inflamed or bleeding gums, and loose or missing teeth are an indication of infection. White or blue gums are indications of more serious internal problems.

Skin/coat

Coat should be glossy, but not too oily. A dry, dull coat; excessive hair loss; or odor from the skin can be a sign of incorrect diet or illness. Skin should be free of parasites, redness, sores, and scabs. Excessive scratching, biting, or licking can be a sign of a problem. Dont assume its just because they have fleas.

Digestive system

The anal area should be clean and free of discharge. Whether it is prolonged or intermittent over time vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation are signs of a digestive problem. Excessive thirst, frequent urination, or blood in the urine or stool are all signs of possible health problems.

Weight

Your pet should not have excessive body fat. You should be able to feel your pets ribs, but they should not be protruding or highly visible. Obesity is the cause of many diseases. Watch for changes in appetite (decrease or increase) and sudden changes in weight (loss or gain.)

Behavior

Watch for changes in activity and energy level, stiffness or limping, loss of housetraining, and hiding. Any prolonged or intermittent changes over time in normal habits or behavior patterns can indicate illness and should be discussed with your veterinarian.

Body/breathing

Breathing should be even and unlabored. Prolonged sneezing, coughing, or shortness of breath is not normal, whether ongoing or intermittent.

Check your pets entire head, body, and legs regularly for lumps and bumps.

The most dangerous health statement: Maybe it will go away. If you have any question about a possible problem with your pet, do not hesitate to call your veterinarian.

Our pets are increasingly vulnerable to many illnesses as they reach their later years of life. Their health problems related to advancing years are like our own, including heart, liver, and kidney disease; dental problems; digestive disorders; cancer; and diabetes. So pay special attention to your senior pets normal behavior and habits.

A preventive-care blood panel is like a window into the body. Since pets age more quickly than we do, diseases progress more rapidly in them than in humans. A preventive-care blood panel will help to detect many diseases, at an earlier stage, often even before your pet is displaying symptoms.

Since the process of disease in pets can be slow and insidious, being proactive with your pets care is far better for your pet and more cost-efficient to you than reactive medical care.

When an organ system starts to fail, that organ will compensate to bring function back to normal. Over time, this compensating mechanism will fail, and the pet will become ill. Once the pet is in organ failure, treatment options are limited. Early detection is key! Once a problem has been identified, we can make appropriate treatment recommendations at a point when treatment will make the most difference. Often, a simple diet change is all that is needed to avoid major health issues.

By sharing life and love with you, your pet has given you a precious gift. We hope this article will help you to help your pet live a long, happy life. So schedule a wellness visit for your pet today!

Continued here:
Ask the Vet - The Lincoln County News

I worked in the entertainment industry for more than two decades as an agent, a manager, brand strategist, and consultant.

And during my stint in the industry, I learned that in Hollywood, the normal issues and dynamics youll find in any industry are dialed up to 11. For instance, people like to say that in business, Its not what you know, its who you know. In the entertainment industry, thats literally true.

Sure, there are a few exceptions out theresomeone happened to get their script picked up or a demo tape falls into the right hands unexpectedlybut 99% of anything that gets done is due to someone knowing the right person.

If you spend some time in an industry as extreme as entertainment, youll find that the lessons you learn are applicable wherever you go next. My time in Hollywood, for example, seared into my brain the importance ofa strong network.

But that was just one rule I learned. Here are a few others that have helped me establish important rules of success asmy career has expanded into new industries:

This piece of advice holds true whether youre trying to make a movie orsell used cars. Always talk to the person whos going to make the final decision.

In entertainment, you realize pretty quickly there are about eight different levels of gatekeepers and assistantsall trying to keep you from getting to that decision-maker.

The only way to reach that special person in Hollywood is through networking and getting the right introduction. If you want to talk to an agent, for instance, you cant just call them and set up a meeting. Youll get stiff-armed through the phone by an assistant whose job is to weed out anyone and everything that might waste their bosss time.

There are roughly a million scripts floating around LAsome of them amazingthat will never see the light of day because they dont end up in the right hands. In any organization, industry, or even family, there is always someone who has the final say. If youre not talking to that person, youre wasting your time.

You dont have to spend much time in Hollywood before you start to notice the fairly large contingent of people who seem to exist only to waste time and attach themselves to other peoples projects.

People are always trying to be someone theyre not. I once went into a meeting with a huge publisher (someone who pitches an artists songs) and thought I was talking to the right person. After I made my pitch, he looked at me and said, Thats not at all what we do here.

Whoops. I had gotten this meeting by listening to someone who had attached themselves to the project. And it turned outshockerthey had no idea what they were talking about.

That sort of thing happens all the time in the entertainment business, but its not limited to Hollywood. There will always be people who try to attach themselves or take credit for a project in order to further their own interests in any industry.

You may have to learn how to do this the hard way, but being able to sift through the bullshit and determine whos the real dealand who isntis essential for establishing rules of success in any role.

A while back, I walked into a meeting with some music executives who were interested in working with one of the artists I managed.

Right off the bat, one of the guys told me, We need to see pictures. I asked if they wanted to, you know, listen to some of her music first, and they told me, No. Pictures. When they saw her, they immediately demanded she lose at least 20 pounds if they were going to work with her, and this girl was already skinny.

I knew that wasnt fair to her. And I knew it wasnt my place to ask someone to do that. But they were adamant about the weight loss. Well, I was equally adamant that it wouldnt happen, and I ended up walking out of there without a deal.

Hollywood has a way of testing youpeople will try to see how far youre willing to stretch your values or morals for success. Are you willing to chase the green? When you run into situations like that, whatever you do for a living, youve got tostick to your guns. Because I promise you, if you dontkeep to your principles, its going to make you miserable. The best way to feel good about what youre doing is to stick with what you know is right.

For all its flaws, I still love the entertainment industry. I still love Hollywood and so many of the people who make it tick. And one of the things I love so much about it is the way people in the industry celebrate little victories.

You celebrate when something small goes right because everything is a long-term play. There are no overnight successes, despite what you might think. By and large, the backstories of famous actors usually involve them sharing a crummy apartment in a bad neighborhood or dancing in a chicken suit on a street corner for a while. Sure, theyre successful now, but most of them had to weather the tough times without giving up and wandering home with their tails between their legs.

People are going to tell you no a lotwhether youre in the entertainment business or not. Rejection is simply part of life, and the only way to get past it is through persistence. But when you do get a yes, even if it isnt your big break, celebrate it. Take a step back and consider how far youve come, instead of just how far you have to go.

Because with a lot of work and a little luck, you may get there sooner than you think.

This article first appeared on Minutes Magazine.

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4 rules of success I learned from working in Hollywood for 10 years - Ladders