On Saturday, June 23, Chris Benoit was slated to appear at a WWE live event in Beaumont, Texas. That afternoon, Benoit contacted WWE to inform them that his wife and child were ill, and that he would not be able to attend the show.
WWE executives rebooked Benoit’s flight for the following morning, allowing Benoit to miss the Beaumont event making alternate arrangements for him to attend the pay-per-view event in Houston on Sunday.
WWE employees attempted to confirm with Benoit his travel plans but were unable to contact him.
Early Sunday morning, between 3:51 and 3:58 a.m., Benoit sent five text messages to co-workers:
Text Message 1 to two co-workers (sent 6/24 at 3:53 a.m.) - Chris Benoit’s cell phone“My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane, Fayetteville Georgia. 30215”
Text Message 2 to two co-workers (sent 6/24 at 3:53 a.m.) - Chris Benoit’s cell phone“The dogs are in the enclosed pool area. Garage side door is open”
Text Message 3 to two co-workers (sent 6/24 at 3:54 a.m.) - Nancy Benoit’s cell phone“My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane.Fayetteville Georgia. 30215”
Text Message 4 to two co-workers (sent 6/24 at 3:55 a.m.) - Nancy Benoit’s cell phone“My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane.Fayetteville Georgia. 30215"
Text Message 5 to one co-worker (sent 6/24 at 3:58 a.m.) - Nancy Benoit’s cell phone“My address is 130 Green Meadow Lane. Fayetteville Georgia. 30215”
Throughout the day on Sunday, WWE made numerous attempts to contact Benoit both at home and at local hospitals in the Atlanta area. As of 11 p.m., WWE officials were unable to establish contact with Chris Benoit.
At 12:30 p.m. on Monday, June 25, WWE officials were notified of the text messages sent to the co-workers the previous day. By 12:45 p.m., WWE had contacted Fayette County Sheriff’s office requesting they check on the Benoit family.
Fayette County Sheriff's office made contact with WWE at approximately 4 p.m. advising that they had entered the house of Chris Benoit and found three deceased bodies – an adult male, adult female and a male child. WWE was told that Benoit’s home was now considered a major crime scene.
The decision to cancel the live event scheduled in Corpus Christi that night was made between 4 and 5 p.m. In keeping with company policy, and with limited knowledge regarding facts of the case, WWE choose to air a memorial dedicated to the career of Chris Benoit. As facts emerged surrounding the case, all tributes to Chris Benoit were removed both on-air and on WWE.com.
Click here for a more detailed timeline.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
WWE/Benoit timeline
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Baiskeli ya wasiopenda amani
Baiskeli hii ni kwa wale rafiki zangu wote wasiopenda amani katika deal fake,
Friday, June 22, 2007
Mambo ya Golf
bibie Paula Creamer wa marekani akiwa katika mzunguko wa kwanza wa Wegmans pale Locust Hill Country Club
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Barcelona wachukua kombe
Usiku wa jana katika uwanja wa Loftus mjini Pritoria watu wapatao 50,000 walijionea wenyewe kwa macho yao yasio na pazia timu ya Barcelona kutoka nchini Hispania wakichuana na mabingwa wa soka nchini Afrika Kusini,na mpira huo kuisha Barcelona wakiwa mabingwa wa kombe la Africa Goodwill Cup kwa kuwafunga Mamelodi Sundown 2-1,bao la kuongoza lilifungwa na mchezaji Suprise Moriri dakika ya 2 ya mchezo huo na mabao ya Barca yalifungwa na Marin Ezquerro dk ya 77 na bao la pili lilifungwa na Marc Crosas katika dk ya 81
Serikali inapozingua
Huku nchini Afrika Kusini Serikali yao inapozingua huwa hawachelewi na hawaogopi kuiambia ukweli na kama bado wataendelea kujifanya kuwa nchi ni yao peke yao,wao huamua kitu kimoja kuingia barabarani na kufanya maandamano na kama watatia pamba masikioni basi nyumba zao hugeuka kuwa jivu na wao kukimbia mahali ambapo wanapaongoza
Madawa ya Kulevya
Hawa ni wakazi wa Cape flat mjini Cape Town wakiitia moto nyumba ya wanayemuamini kuwa ni muuza madawa ya kulevya
Vitendo kama hivi vikifanyika hapa kwetu nchini Tanzania nadhani tutaheshimiana kwa wale wote wanaodhani nchii hii ni ya kwao peke yao
Viongozi ama mtu yeyote ambaye anadhani kwamba yeye ndio yeye tunaweza tukawaonesha mifano kwa kufanya kama walivyofanya wenzetu
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Bajeti
Habari zenu watanzania wenzangu nilikuwa naomba anayetaka kujua zaidi kuhusu bajeti agonge hapa kwenye website ya Taifa http://www.parliament.go.tz/bunge/Budget07.asp
Neema yazidi kuiangukia Taifa Stars
NEEMA imezidi kuwashukia wachezaji wa timu ya soka ya Tanzania, Taifa Stars, baada ya Benki ya National Microfinance (NMB), nayo jana kuwamwagia sh mil. 17.
Huu ni mwendelezo wa neema kwa timu hiyo iliyowasili jijini Mwanza Jumapili usiku ikitokea Burkina Faso na kutua Dar es Salaam juzi jioni.
Kabla ya kutua Dar es Salaam, msafara wa timu hiyo ulipitia bungeni na kufanyiwa harambee na kuchangiwa kiasi cha sh mil. 322.5.
Kiasi hicho cha juzi, ni jumla ya fedha taslimu na ahadi mbalimbali zilizotolewa na wabunge, mawaziri na taasisi za serikali na watu binafsi.
Fedha hizo ni zawadi kwa wachezaji hao kutokana na ushujaa wao wa kuishinda Burkina Faso 1-0, mechi iliyopigwa nchini humo Juni 16.
Siku moja baada ya Stars kuvuna kiasi hicho, NMB nayo imeamua kuungana na wengine katika kuwapongeza wachezaji na viongozi wa timu hiyo.
Ahadi ya NMB, ilitolewa jana katika hafla fupi ya chakula cha mchana, kilichoandaliwa na benki hiyo kwa wachezaji hao katika hoteli ya Movenpick jijini Dar es Salaam.
Ofisa Mtendaji Mkuu wa NMB, Ben Christiaanse, alisema jana kuwa, wao kama wafadhili, wamefurahishwa na kazi kubwa iliyofanywa na Stars.
Alisema, ushindi wa Stars dhidi ya Burkina Faso, umewagusa wengi, hivyo wao kama moja ya taasisi za fedha walio na wajibu wa kuwajengea maisha ya baadaye wateja wao, wameamua kutoa fedha hizo sambamba na kuwafungulia akaunti.
Meneja huyo alisema fedha hizo za wachezaji na viongozi, zitawekwa kwenye akaunti zitakazofunguliwa katika benki hiyo kama mfano wa kujiwekea akiba ya baadaye.
Mtendaji mkuu huyo aliongeza kuwa jumla ya wachezaji na viongozi 34, kila mmoja atapata sh 500,000 ambazo watawekewa katika akaunti mbili tofauti, yaani Personal na Bonus.
Alisema, ni matarajio yao na Watanzania kwa ujumla kuwa, Stars itashinda mechi dhidi ya Msumbiji, inayotarajiwa kupigwa kwenye Uwanja mpya wa Taifa, Septemba 8 jijini Dar es Salaam.
Akitoa shukrani kwa niaba ya Shirikisho la Soka Tanzania (TFF), Mkurugenzi wa Utawala na Uanachama, Raymond Wawa, aliipongeza NMB kwa msaada huo, ambao uko nje ya mkataba uliopo.
“Unajua mtu anayekusaidia kitu kwa ajili ya maisha yajayo ni mtu muhimu kwako, hivyo tunawashukuru sana na itakuwa ni changamoto zaidi kwa wachezaji.
Hafla hiyo ilihudhuriwa na wachezaji wa Stars, walioongozwa na nahodha Mecky Maxime, Kocha Mkuu, Marcio Maximo, kocha wa viungo, Itamar Amorin, Kocha Msaidizi Ali Bushir, Kocha wa Vijana, Marcos Tinoco na Meneja Mwandamizi wa Masoko na Mawasiliano wa NMB, Imani Kajura.
Wabunge CCM waishangaa bajeti
KATIBU wa Itikadi na Uenezi wa Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) na Mbunge wa Siha, Agrey Mwanri, jana aliungana na wabunge wengine kuponda utekelezaji wa serikali na kudai kuwa uchumi unaojengwa nchini ni wa kikoloni mamboleo.
Akitoa mchango wake bungeni jana jioni, Mwanri alisema kuwa licha ya uchumi wa Tanzania kuwa wa kikoloni mamboleo, bado upo nyuma na si endelevu.
Katika mchango huo, Mwanri alikosoa bajeti iliyowasilishwa wiki iliyopita na Waziri wa Fedha, Zakia Meghji, inayoonyesha utegemezi wa wafadhili kwa zaidi ya asilimia 40, na kusema kuwa nchi haiwezi kuendelea kwa kutegemea fedha kutoka nje ya nchi.
Alisema bajeti ya serikali ni tegemezi na iwapo fedha zilizokadiriwa kutumika katika bajeti ya mwaka wa fedha 2007/08 hazitapatikana zote, kunaweza kuwa na nakisi kubwa katika utekelezaji wa bajeti hiyo.
Alibainisha kuwa nchi za nje wanapenda kuendelea kuisaidia Tanzania ili waendelee kuitawala kwani hata sasa haiko huru.
“Mtu hawezi kukupa fedha yake akakuacha tu, lazima akupangie cha kufanya, lakini kama hajakusaidia, hawezi kukupangia, maana unaweza kumuuliza kwani huwa nakula kwako?” alisema Mwanri kwa hisia kali kama ilivyo kawaida yake.
Alisema kama bajeti inapangiwa fedha zote kila jambo bila kuwa na ziada, hiyo si bajeti ya maendeleo kutokana na kukosa ziada.
Alisema bajeti nyingi zimekuwa zikikosa ‘mtekenyo wa ndani’ na kupapasa juu juu, hali inayoweza kukwamisha maendeleo na uchumi wa nchi nzima.
Aliwataka Waziri Mkuu, Edward Lowassa na Rais Jakaya Kikwete, kusonga mbele ili kuifanya nchi iachane na utegemezi na isimame yenyewe katika kujiletea maendeleo endelevu sanjari na kukuza uchumi.
Mwanri alisema tatizo la Tanzania ni umaskini na ndiyo unaifanya iendelee kuwa na uchumi wa nyuma, duni, tegemezi na wa kiukoloni mamboleo, ambao hauwasaidii Watanzania wengi.
Alisema kupanda kwa mafuta kutasababisha gharama za uzalishaji kuongezeka, hivyo serikali ihakikishe inasimamia kikamilifu bajeti hiyo kwa manufaa ya Watanzania.
“Ongezeni bei ya mafuta lakini msimamie mfumko wa bei kwa kuangalia kiwango… kama kiwango kilichoongezwa kinalingana na bei inayouzwa kwa mafuta yaliyoongezewa kodi,” Mwanri aliiambia serikali kupitia Bunge.
Alisema serikali ibebe jukumu la kusimamia utekelezaji wa maamuzi ya kibajeti ili kuwapunguzia mzigo wananchi na fedha zilizotengwa katika bajeti zifanye kazi zinazoonekana kwa wananchi.
Hata hivyo, Mwanri aliwasihi wapinzani kuipitisha bajeti hiyo bila kuipinga ili kusubiri utekelezaji wake.
Wabunge wengine waliionya serikali kuwa lengo lake la kukusanya mapato mengi kutoka kwenye mafuta, halitafikiwa kutokana na hujuma inayofanywa na wafanyabiashara wa bidhaa hizo Mkoa wa Pwani.
Akichangia mjadala wa bajeti ya serikali kwa mwaka 2007/08, Mbunge wa Gairo, Ahmed Shabiby (CCM), alisema kodi mpya iliyopendekezwa kwa dizeli haitapatikana kwa sababu vituo vyote vya Mkoa wa Pwani, vinatumika kubadilisha dizeli na kuweka mafuta ya taa.
Shabiby, ambaye naye anamiliki vituo kadhaa vya kuuzia mafuta, alisema ongezeko la kodi kwenye dizeli ni sh 512 na mafuta ya taa ni sh 56, tofauti yake ni sh 456 na kwamba, watakachofanya wafanyabiashara ni kulipa kodi ya dizeli na kuchanganya mafuta ya taa.
“Kwa mtu yeyote akipitia mkoani Pwani ataona vituo vingi vimejengwa vina maghala ndani, kazi kubwa ni kupakua, kubadilisha dizeli na kupakia mafuta ya taa. Kazi hiyo ni maarufu kama chakachua,” alisema Shabiby na kuongeza:
“Gari lenye ujazo wa lita 35,000 za dizeli linapakua lita 9,000 na kuingiza kiasi hicho hicho cha mafuta ya taa. Hesabu ya haraka linakuwa limekwepa kodi ya sh 4,104,000, hilo ni gari moja.”
Alisema tofauti ya mafuta ya taa na dizeli, isipoangaliwa na kusimamiwa vizuri itanufaisha wafanyabiashara wadanganyifu na kwamba, wakaguzi wa Shirika la Viwango Tanzania (TBS), hawafanyi kazi zao inavyotakiwa.
Kuhusu kuongeza kodi ya leseni za magari, mbunge huyo alipendekeza kiwango cha 1,500CC ibaki sh 80,000 badala ya sh 230,000 zilizopendekezwa na serikali kwa sababu watu wengi watakwepa kodi.
Mbunge wa Mvomero (CCM), Suleiman Sadiq, alisema tatizo analoliona ni ongezeko la sh 4 kwenye mafuta ya taa na kupendekeza bei kubaki ile ya zamani.
“Naomba chonde chonde serikali ifuatile eneo la Mkoa wa Pwani, kuna udanganyifu mkubwa unaofanywa na wafanyabiashara wa mafuta, fedha nyingi za serikali zinapotea,” alisema Sadiq.
Akichangia upande wa leseni za magari, Sadiq alisema 1,500CC ni gari dogo, sh 230,000 zilizopendekezwa itakuwa mzigo mkubwa na inahusu watumishi na wananchi wa kada ya chini.
“Sisi wenye VX tuache tuendelee, hatuna matatizo tutalipa. Lakini fedha zinazotokana na leseni za magari tukubaliane ziende moja kwa moja kwenye barabara, maana (Harry) Kitilya (Kamishna wa Mamlaka ya Mapato Tanzania-TRA), iko janja sana, ameona eneo hili limechangia sana akaongeza,” alisema.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Mashoga (Gays)
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Mupe Binadamu mugongo
Mgomo nchini Afrika Kusini
HHP na Heyley Bennet
Hip Hop Pantsula(HHP)
akiwa katika lile shindani la Come Strickly dancing pale Carlton Centre
Wazee wa Zambia
Hawa ndio FFU (Fungua Fanta Unywe) wa Zambia akiwa teyari kwa lolote linaloweza luletwa na wanafunzi wa chuo kikuu nchini humo
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Too much water could be dangerous
We grew up with the notion that doctors’ standard advice to drink eight glasses of water per day is cast in stone. For years we also believed that we – and particularly runners, walkers, hikers, sportspeople and recreational exercisers - should drink water even before we are thirsty, because by the time we feel truly thirsty, we are already quite dehydrated.
AdvertisementPeople believed that dehydration was the single greatest risk to the health of runners because it would cause the body temperature to rise, leading to heat illness, including heat stroke.
Now, almost twenty years after Prof Tim Noakes of the Sport Science Institute of South Africa and the University of Cape Town first challenged this line of thinking, other experts have come to recognise that he was right after all.
A closer look at the three major findings that lead to paradigm shifts can help you to understand and prevent dehydration and heat illness.
1. The intensity of the exercise leads to the rise in body temperature - not the lack of waterAccording to Noakes, newer scientific research has revealed that dehydration is not the major factor in hyperthermia or heat illness. In fact, heat stroke can occur even when the athlete is well-hydrated.
Who are at risk to develop heat illness?
People running as fast as possible, even if they are adequately hydrated. The faster the person runs, the more heat is generated by his body, and this happens particularly in shorter distance races, like 10 km runs
Heavier and fatter runners, walkers and hikers. The fatter and heavier the person, the more heat will be generated by his body
Running, walking or hiking on hot, humid and windless days. In these conditions the cooling effect on the skin is less and these conditions attribute to heat stroke.
Prevent your risk of heat stroke by slowing your pace as heat and humidity rise, regardless of how much you may be drinking.
2. Don’t worry too much about dehydrationBecoming dehydrated to the extent that modern runners usually do, carries no documented medical risk. You get a bit thirsty and have a dry mouth, but that's it, says Noakes.
According to Noakes, the body is adapted for conditions of mild dehydration. “We evolved from hunters - we had to run and chase animals on the hot African plains. We didn't have time to pause for a drink! Physiologists who did not understand either humans’ prehistory or the history of running then came along with the unproven hypothesis that to become even the slightest bit dehydrated during exercise would kill you. And then the sports drinks industry in the United States used this bad, indeed non-existent science to market their products."
3. Drinking too much water can do more harm than good to athletes doing prolonged exercise. In fact it can be fatal! Doctors at major marathons around the world are hospitalising more people as a result of over-drinking, and even some deaths from hyponatremia, commonly known as water intoxication. This condition is characterised by too much water in the blood and too low levels of sodium (less than 130 mmol/L). These athletes didn't need any salt to make them better, so they weren't salt deficient, but purely water overloaded, Noakes says.
When you sweat, you lose water and salt (sodium chloride). You need a certain minimum level of sodium (and other electrolytes) in your blood to sustain cell function. Drinking litres of water before, during or immediately after the race will not solve the problems caused by loss of water and sodium through sweating. In fact, drinking more water will dilute the sodium concentration even more. You need to get rid of the excess water (though urine), and replete your sodium stores by eating salty snacks, taking a salt tablet, or drinking fluid with sodium (which will probably not taste great, but like seawater).
Who are most at risk?
People who run, walk or exercise longer than four hours because they have more time to sweat and more time to drink lots of water. This includes slower runners at the middle and back of the race, and female runners that are on the road for longer than three to four hours while drinking water or commercial sports drinks at a rate of 1.2 litres per hour.
Any sportsperson who drinks large volumes of fluid without adequate sodium intake.
Recognise the signs of water intoxication It causes the body - and brain - to swell. The pressure of the brain against the skull increases, leading to convulsions, heart failure and cessation of breathing.
Water intoxication can mimic the signs of heat stroke such as nausea, vomiting, extreme fatigue, respiratory distress, dizziness, confusion, disorientation, coma and seizures.
Watch out for:
a progressively worsening headache
body temperature rising higher than 39.9 degrees C during or immediately after exercise
swelling of the hands and feet (wedding bands, watches and shoes may feel tight)
coughing pink, frothy sputum.
How to prevent heat illness and/or water intoxication
Runners should be sensitive to the onset of thirst as the signal to drink, rather than staying ahead of thirst.
Elite runners should drink between 200 ml to 800 ml per hour, depending on individual requirements. Slower runners are less likely to “overheat” and should only drink when really thirsty.
All athletes should also ensure adequate salt intake in the fluids they take on board during and after exercise to counteract salt losses in sweat.
When training for the long race, increase your salt intake in the days leading up to the race by adding table salt to your food and your water.
If you run or walk longer than four hours, you need to increase your salt intake. You can do this by taking an old fashioned salt tablet, or by drinking special sports drinks with high concentrations of sodium.
Have some salty snacks (like pretzels) before, during and after a long walk and refrain from drinking excess water immediately after the walk.
Drink a large glass of water one to two hours before a long walk or run, but remember that a human cannot really stock up water like a camel.
Weigh yourself immediately before and immediately after your training walks. Gaining weight during the walk is a sign of developing water intoxication, and for you to decrease your fluid intake, and increase your salt intake. Losing weight is a sign of dehydration, which is quite harmless.
Pain-relievers such as paracetamol, aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen) may contribute to developing a water overload. Discuss this with your doctor if you use this medication for a condition. Otherwise, avoid them before and during your long walks.
Women should take extra care because they appear to be more vulnerable to water intoxication than men. This may be due to the fact that women are smaller and need even less fluid, and they generally run slower and therefore don't sweat as much as heavier men running even at the same speed.
Kids
Most kids don't need to be encouraged to exercise. If anything, it's usually more of a struggle to get them to slow down and take a breath sometimes.
Yet the modern western lifestyle, characterised by convenience food, TV and PCs, is taking its toll on children as well as adults, and is producing increased numbers of overweight, passive youngsters with lifestyle diseases in their futures. If your kids are spending too much time slouched in front of the TV or on the 'net, encourage them to find a sport or activity they enjoy. Try to incorporate more fun exercise into family outings - swop that pizza-and-video evening for a hike and picnic.
Kids who do participate in sport, especially at a high competitive level, can find the pressure to succeed very stressful. It's important that parents watch out for signs of pyschological strain, as well as physical fatigue from overtraining. Young athletes also have specific nutritional needs that require extra attention.
Teens
Teens need exercise, although they may try to convince you otherwise.
In fact, as the onset of puberty could result in weight gain – especially for teen girls – it is all the more important for adolescents to participate in sports. A healthy, toned body will also mean that your teen has a positive body image and more self-confidence.
Note, however, that young athletes are particularly vulnerable to misinformation and unsafe practices that promise enhanced performance. This could have a serious negative impact on their health. Teen athletes are also more vulnerable to dehydration than their adult counterparts.
And as with adults, teen athletes need a diet high in carbohydrates for energy and adequate amounts of protein.
Read this section for interesting info on specific issues related to teens and exercise.
Pregnancy
Not so long ago, women were advised to stop exercising the moment they learnt that they were pregnant. But, in recent years, things have changed a bit.
Today, doctors say that not only is it okay to exercise, but women should stay active as a way to ensure a smoother, healthier pregnancy and delivery, while possibly reducing the risk of gestational diabetes.
Research has also shown that exercise can help reduce some of the typical pregnancy discomforts, such as backache, constipation, fatigue, bloating and swelling.
However, the key is moderation. Doctors advise pregnant women to choose low impact aerobic activities like swimming, cycling or walking and to avoid exercises that could result in loss of balance and falls, or exercises where you might get a blow to the stomach. And remember to always consult your doctor before beginning an exercise programme.
Seniors
There is no reason to stop exercising when you are over 60. In fact, regular exercise at this life stage can dramatically improve your quality of life, and slow the onset of age-related diseases.
Aerobic exercise helps prevent the major lifestyle disorders like heart disease and diabetes, and resistance exercise reduces the effects of muscle wasting and helps prevent osteoporosis, which is particularly important for older women.
Even if you've never exercised before, or you've got medical problems, you can still benefit from exercise. Talk to your doctor about an appropriate exercise routine that can gradually get you moving and towards better health.
Women
Throughout the life course, exercise is vital for women: not just for the obvious physiological benefits of weight management and a tight, toned body, but because of its undeniable psychological benefits.
Regular exercise is proven to boost and stabilise mood, which is good news for women prone to depression and anxiety, or even a mild case of 'the blues'. Exercise is also great for enhancing self-esteem and confidence, and keeps you on top form for handling anything that life throws at you.
If you find yourself making excuses not to exercise because of time constraints, remember that you'll save time amd manage your hectic schedule much more efficiently with the high energy levels you get from being fit. Also, your body will be better at fighting of infection, so you'll get sick less often.
Some women worry that certain types of exercise, like weight training, will cause them to bulk up too much. But women don't develop muscles like men do, unless they embark on a really extreme body building routine and diet.
Male
With the correct training regime, a man can change the shape of his body within six weeks.
But you've got to go about it the right way: work according to a scientific, well-tested training programme and follow a healthy, balanced diet high in protein. And to keep the results, you're going to need to make a serious long-term commitment to your new body.
If you find yourself making excuses not to exercise because of work constraints, remember that you'll save time amd manage your hectic schedule much more efficiently with the high energy levels you get from being fit. Also, your body will be better at fighting of infection, so you'll get sick less often.
20 Proven health benefits of exercise
Think about it. A 30-minute walk every day can probably do more for your health than all the efforts of a dozen doctors and ten different types of medication.Not only does exercise improve your health, even if you have already been diagnosed with something, but it can go a long way to prevent the onset of several life-threatening conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
AdvertisementAnd exercise can make you look great – younger, fitter and thinner. Who needs any more convincing?
We have scrutinized the medical journals. Here's a summary of the proven health benefits of exercise:
1. It's good for your heart"Even a moderate amount of exercise helps your heart," says Dr William Kraus, associate professor of medicine at Duke University Medical Centre in an article published in The New England Journal of Medicine. "Some exercise is better than none and more is better than less."
Exercise reduces LDL cholesterol, the kind that clogs arteries. It also reduces your blood pressure, relieving stress on your heart; improves your insulin sensitivity; improves heart muscle function and blood flow and diminishes the chances of developing blood clots. These findings have been corroborated by a host of studies over the years.
2. Exercise promotes weight lossResearch has shown that to have an effect on weight loss you need to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. You can also do an hour of intensive exercise every second day if this fits into your schedule more easily. Be consistent and be regular. Do those one-hour exercise sessions three to four times every week, not just one week a month, and you will achieve the result you desire - to lose weight and keep it off, says Dr Ingrid van Heerden, registered dietician.
3. Exercise prevents osteoporosisExercise, together with a healthy calcium intake, builds strong bones. Weight-bearing exercises, like running, walking and weight-lifting, help lower your odds of getting osteoporosis as you grow older, according to experts.
Ideally, you should start when you're young, but it's never too late to pick up the habit. Even a brisk walk can help, say metabolic disease specialists.
4. Exercise lowers high blood pressure Exercise is good for your blood pressure - no matter your age, weight, race or gender. And it really doesn't matter whether you get exercise from a brisk walk, a fast run or a few laps in the pool; the results are equally good.
The studies on which these findings were based used "aerobic" exercise - activities that increase heart rate and improve the body's ability to use oxygen. Most of the studies involved participating in one or more aerobic activity for 20 - 30 minutes per session, several times a week.
On average, exercise helped study participants reduce systolic (top number) pressure by nearly 4 mm Hg, and diastolic (bottom number) pressure by slightly more than 2.5 mm Hg. But experts caution that those with extremely high blood pressure should not rely on exercise alone to control hypertension.
5. Exercise is an excellent de-stressorIt's general knowledge: exercise counters stress and depression. But exactly how and why does this work?
Exercise acts as a temporary diversion to daily stresses and it improves self-esteem. Increased core temperature during exercise may lead to reduced muscle tension and favourable alterations in brain neurotransmitters. Mood improvements may also occur due to the increased secretion of endogenous (internal) opiates, e.g. endorphins. Psychological changes may occur because of changes in norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin, all hormones which can affect mood and anxiety levels.
6. Exercise prevents coldsOne doesn't automatically associate regular exercise with a reduction in the number of colds people get. But researchers from the University of Carolina found that people who exercised regularly were 23% less likely to get colds than those who exercised less. And if those who exercised got colds, the symptoms disappeared more quickly than in the study participants who did little exercise.
Health experts believe that exercise spikes the immune system for a few hours each day, helping to ward off colds. Thirty minutes of brisk walking is enough to make you reap the benefits of exercise.
7. Exercise reduces the severity of asthmaMany people who suffer from exercise-induced asthma, understandably try to avoid exercise.
But sports medicine specialists say it's possible for asthmatics to continue exercising if they use preventive medications wisely and avoid certain triggers that exacerbate attacks. Exercise-induced asthma can be made worse by cold, dry air or air containing high levels of pollen or pollutants. The extra effort made to stay fit pays off in fewer or milder asthma attacks overall and a need for less medication.
8. Exercise reduces diabetic complicationsLifestyle factors have a huge impact on certain conditions – and diabetes is one of them. Exercise can help to reduce your insulin requirements, lower your cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, and in the long term can reduce the development of heart disease and stroke. This is important because diabetics have a higher risk of developing heart and circulatory problems. Exercise can also promote weight loss, improve circulation and reduce stress levels (raising your glucose level).
9. Exercise promotes a healthy pregnancyAlthough exercise might be risky in some cases, the benefits of exercising during pregnancy generally far outweigh the risks and some women can even exercise up until the third trimester. Relaxation exercises, Kegel exercise that strengthen the pelvic muscles and back exercises are all important for pregnant women.
10. Exercise plays a role in preventing cancerAt least 35% of all cancer deaths may be related to overweight and lack of activity, a recent study from the Seattle Cancer Research Centre has found. Exercise is believed to speed the passage of food through the colon, thereby reducing the amount of time that any toxins are in contact with the body. Overweight people also tend to have more insulin, which promotes the growth of tumours. For women, exercise reduces the level of oestrogen, a hormone linked to breast cancer.
11. Exercise has anti-ageing effectsExercise enhances blood flow to the brain, possibly reducing risk of stroke. It also improves reasoning and memory.
Regular exercise arouses the brain and slows down degeneration of the central nervous system, which leads to slower reaction times and poorer coordination.
Exercise also increases strength and size of muscles and improves lung function. Regular exercise can reduce body fat and lower the risk of chronic lifestyle diseases in the elderly. Recent literature suggests that the greatest threat to health is not the aging process itself, but rather inactivity.
12. Exercise promotes brain healthIf you thought exercising your brain meant only doing a few crossword puzzles or learning a language, you may be wrong – rather put on your walking shoes and get moving. This was the finding of researchers from the University of Illinois.
Their study found that the brain responses in active seniors were comparable to those of young adults.
It is thought that exercise increases the flow of blood to the brain, just as it improves circulation to the heart and the rest of the body. Activity also stimulates the growth of nerve cells in the part of the brain involved in memory.
13. Exercise is great for your sex life.The medical research points towards it: the fitter you are, the better your sex life is.
The reason seems to be two-fold: psychologically you feel better about yourself and more inclined towards sex, and physically, being fit improves libido, blood circulation and sexual functioning.
It has been said before that the brain may be the most important sexual organ. This is because stressed, anxious and depressed people are usually unable to enjoy a healthy sex life. Additionally, people with a bad body image do not feel good about their bodies and often avoid sex or are unable to truly enjoy it.
According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), being physically active can be “a natural Viagra boost”. “Men and women who exercise regularly are going to have increased levels of desire. They’re going to have enhanced confidence, enhanced ability to achieve orgasm and greater sexual satisfaction,” says Cedric Bryant, the council’s chief exercise physiologist.
14. Exercise improves sleeping patternsRelaxation exercises will help you to ease tension and relieve headaches, backaches and insomnia. Exercise releases the body's own painkillers, called endorphins, into your system. It also helps you to gain a sense of emotional wellbeing and a feeling of being more in control.
Exercise during the day promotes the onset and quality of sleep, according to the South African Memory Resource Centre. But you need to exercise at the right time: the ideal time for exercise is in the morning. Exercising late in the day can contribute to sleeplessness, because exercise causes an increase in your body's energy.
15. Exercise combats impotenceIf you stop and think about it, it makes sense - increased circulation as a result of exercise should result in lower levels of impotence, as getting an erection is dependent on the efficiency of blood circulating to the penis.
"Losing weight, stopping smoking and doing more exercise are associated with better sexual health," says Dr Andrew McCullough, director of Male Sexual Health, Fertility and Microsurgery at New York University Medical Center in New York City. "We talk so much about treating, treating, treating. Here we're beginning to see an increasing body of evidence that we can modify the appearance of this by changing lifestyle."
16. Exercise helps prevent strokeNeed another reason to make good on that long overdue promise to get more exercise? It can dramatically cut your risk of stroke.
"Highly active" people had a 27 percent lower risk of having a stroke or dying if they had one, compared with sedentary folks. And people who were "moderately active" had a 20 percent lower risk.
These findings are based on a review of 23 international studies that appear in the October issue of the journal Stroke, the Associated Press reports.
Jogging 15 to 20 minutes a day most days would qualify as highly active. Brisk walks of 30 minutes a day on most days would qualify as moderate activity, the AP says.
17. Exercise is good for mind and soul. In a synopsis on “Exercise, Fitness and Mental Health” (1990), sports psychologist D.R. Brown summarised the possible beneficial effects that exercise has on mental health. These include the following:
Exercise may act as a temporary diversion to daily stresses.
Exercise provides an opportunity for social interaction that may otherwise be lacking in an individual’s life.
Exercise provides an opportunity for self-mastery. Increasing fitness or improving body composition and other health parameters may improve an individual’s self-esteem.
Increased core temperature during exercise may lead to reduced muscle tension or alterations to brain neurotransmitters.
Mood improvements may occur due to the increased secretion of endogenous (internal) opiates e.g. endorphins
Psychological changes may occur due to alterations in norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin, all hormones which can affect mood and anxiety level.
18. Exercise improves oxygen and nutrient supply to all cells in your body.An American study indicates that ‘80-plus-ers’ can dramatically improve their health by exercising a few times a week. If this is true for elderly people, it certainly is for the younger set as well.
Exercise apparently not only improves the body's utilisation of oxygen, but also lowers systolic blood pressure (high pressure is a dangerous condition common in elderly people).
Positive results were obtained from the 22 elderly people (80 years and older) who took part in the study at the Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System in Michigan.
19. Exercise allows you to improve muscle strength, joint structure and joint functionStrengthening exercises increase not only muscle strength and mass, but also bone strength, and the body's metabolism.
A certain level of muscle strength is needed to function every day and do things such as walking and climbing stairs. Strengthening exercises increase this muscle strength by putting more strain on a muscle than it is normally accustomed to receiving. This increased load stimulates the growth of proteins inside each muscle cell that allow the muscle as a whole to contract.
Exercise can promote joint health for everyone, but particularly for people who suffer from arthritis. Arthritis is a general term for over 100 different conditions that cause pain, stiffness and often inflammation in one or more joints. Exercise can reduce some arthritis symptoms and improve joint mobility and strength.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Normally, the two bones of a joint are cushioned with a strong flexible tissue called cartilage. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage deteriorates, causing pain and stiffness.
Cartilage doesn't have a blood supply; it relies on synovial fluid moving in and out of the joint to nourish it and take away waste products. Exercise helps this process.
20. Exercise helps to manage arthritisRegular, intensive exercise for patients with rheumatoid arthritis builds muscle strength and aerobic capacity, improves the ability to do daily tasks and fosters a sense of emotional well-being.
That's the conclusion of a new study by Dutch researchers who tracked 300 people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for two years. About half the patients participated in a one-hour exercise regimen twice weekly; the rest received traditional treatment, including physical therapy, if prescribed by their physicians.
The findings, appearing in the latest issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, suggest high-intensity exercise programmes can benefit many RA patients, says researcher Dr Thea Vlieland of Leiden University Medical Centre.
The positive effects on muscle strength and aerobic capacity could be translated into an improvement in the activities of daily living, and this is what really makes a difference in your life, Vlieland says.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
L'vovo Derrango
Huyu jamaa asikuambia mtu anajituma ile ile na ndio maana anakubalika sana sasa hivi katika sanna ya muziki wa Kwaito nchini afrika kusini anatesa ile kinoma na nyimbo yake ya Abay'ngisukela hapa akitumbuiza katika touch africa babes auditions 2007 iliyofanyika katika ukumbi wa Kingsmead Swimming Pool mjini Durban
Chomee
Huyu ni mwanamuziki anayejulikana kwa jina la Chomee ambaye alikuwa ni dancer wa mwanamuziki Arthur au King of Kwaito akaiwapa mashabiki na wapenzi zaidi ya wanachokitaka ndani ya Touch Africa Babes auditions katika ukumbi wa Kingsmead Swimming Pool -DBN
Saturday, June 2, 2007
US reaches out to insurgents
Baghdad - The operational commander of US troops in Iraq on Thursday said officers are seeking local ceasefire deals with insurgents, after the deadliest month for American forces in two-and-a-half years.
Lieutenant General Raymond Odierno, the number two US officer in Iraq, told reporters that about four-fifths of the militants currently fighting American forces were thought to be ready to join Iraq's political process.
"So we want to reach back to them," he said. "And we're talking about ceasefires and maybe signing some things that say they won't conduct operations against the government of Iraq or against coalition forces."
As Odierno was speaking to reporters by a videolink to the Pentagon in Washington, residents in west Baghdad reported that insurgents from the nationalist 1920 Brigades were fighting their former al-Qaeda allies.
Happening in 'small levels'
US commanders hope to convince local Iraqi resistance groups to split from Islamist outfits like al-Qaeda that are thought irreconcilable.
In the western province of Anbar, tribal leaders have already turned on insurgents.
"It's happening in small levels. Now, again, it's just beginning, so we have a lot of work to do in this," said Odierno, noting that Shi'ite groups such as the Mahdi Army might be won over along with Sunni insurgents.
"We have organised ourselves to be more aggressive in this area. We believe a large majority of groups within Iraq are reconcilable, and are now interested in engaging with us," the general said.
Change in stategy
The comments by Odierno, second in command in Iraq to General David Petraeus, are the clearest signal yet of a change in strategy by US forces after more than four years of bitter combat with insurgents of all stripes.
The military announced Thursday that six more US soldiers have been killed in Iraq, confirming that May has become the deadliest month for American forces since the battle of Fallujah in November 2004.
The news will increase pressure on US President George W Bush, who has already seen domestic support for his war strategy fall to an all-time low and is facing calls to set a timetable for troops withdrawals.
Manchester United swoop for Anderson & Nani
