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Paddleboarding may seem like an intimidating activity to try this summer. But you will be surprised in how easy it is to learn how to stand up and paddle.

Not only is the equipment minimal, but you will also benefit from a full body workout. Your legs will receive a workout from balancing on the board, while the paddling will work out your chest and arms. Also, since you are standing up on the board, you will have an amazing view of the horizon.

Choose the Right Board

Choosing the proper paddleboard is important in successfully standing up on your own. The board must not only be stable but also be appropriate for your weight. In general, paddlers over 170 pounds will benefit from using a paddleboard that ranges in length from 11 feet and 6 inches to 12 feet and 6 inches. For those under 170 pounds, a larger board is generally required, but some riders prefer a smaller board that ranges in length from 10 feet and 6 inches to 11 feet and 6 inches.

Getting Started

For beginners, this activity is best attempted in ideal condition where the water is still, flat and is unobstructed by other water activities. Instead of attempting to stand right away, it is best to paddle into the water in a kneeling position. It would also be best if you have someone stabilizing your board while attempting to stand up for the first time. From the kneeling position, you have to intuitively feel the balancing point of the board. The nose shouldn't pop off the water while the tail shouldn't be under it either.

Balancing is key and always keep your hands on each side to make standing much easier. From here, you can slowly try to stand up one foot at a time.

Dos and Don'ts

Always try to keep the proper form when you are already standing up on your paddleboard, which is keeping your feet parallel and about a hip-width apart centered between the board's edges. Don't forget that you must try to balance with your hips and legs as opposed to your head. Remember that you can also use your paddle for balancing and never release it. Move the paddle forward or backward to help shift your balance around.

Most beginners forget that your feet do not always have to be firmly planted on the board. As you get the hang of balancing, you can move and adjust your feet accordingly. Try to move from different stances in flat water first so that you can get the hang of your board. Never stare down at your feet; keep your eyes looking forward into the horizon.

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Paddleboarding for Beginners

It may seem odd that Im writing a column on how to gain weight when so many people trying to do the opposite.

But for some individuals, trying to gain extra pounds and keep them on can be a real challenge.

Reasons for wanting to gain weight include building muscle, feeling healthier and looking better. Some people lose their appetite or experience a change in metabolism due to stress, illness or depression.

Body mass index (BMI) is one gauge to know if youre underweight. Your weigh is considered normal, or healthy, if your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Anything under 18.5 is considered underweight.

BMI is calculated by dividing a persons weight (in kilograms) by his height (in metres squared). You can also use an online BMI calculator to determine your number.

Just as there are health problems associated with carrying too much weight, being underweight has its own risks. Those who are underweight may have weaker immune systems and get sicker more often during cold and flu season. Being underweight can also increase the risk of osteoporosis, fertility problems and nutrient deficiencies.

Not everyone who wants to gain weight is underweight. Many males who strength train want a food plan to increase muscle weight. Others want to gain weight to feel more energetic. And some people simply want to overcome looking what they feel is too skinny.

Theoretically, you need to eat an extra 500 calories a day in order to gain one pound a week. Some people, however, have difficulty gaining weight and need to consume more.

To gain weight healthfully, choose foods that are calorie and nutrient-dense rather than opting for high-calorie foods packed with sugar and saturated (animal) fat.

If your goal is to put on a few pounds, use the following tips to gain weight gradually while adding nutritious foods to your daily diet.

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How to safely and healthfully gain weight

Fitch Cuts Long-Term Ratings on 18 Spanish Banks

By Shannon Pettypiece and Elizabeth Lopatto - 2012-06-12T04:01:00Z

Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) may have an edge in the $20 billion diabetes market with its novel drug that matches Sanofis top-seller Lantus at controlling blood sugar while helping patients lose weight.

Patients with Type 2 diabetes taking Lillys experimental insulin lost an average of 1.28 pounds after 12 weeks compared with a weight gain of 0.68 pounds with Lantus, according to data released at the American Diabetes Association meeting.

The new therapy, known by the scientific name LY2605541, is being developed with Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH as part of a deal the two companies struck in 2011 to work on diabetes drugs. If similar results are found in a larger study, it may be the first insulin to help patients lose weight, providing an edge over Lantus and an experimental treatment from Novo Nordisk A/S (NOVOB), said Mark Schoenebaum, an analyst with ISI Group.

Even modest, but real, weight loss could be a major commercial advantage over other basal insulins, in our opinion, Schoenebaum said in a note to clients.

Its not clear how the experimental insulin is causing weight loss. Most insulin causes slight weight gain, a particular problem for patients with Type 2 diabetes, who are usually overweight, said David Kendall, a medical fellow at Indianapolis-based Lilly.

Insulin therapy in particular are important to improve glucose control and to do so as safely as possible, Kendall said in a telephone interview. We want to understand the weight-loss mechanism.

The studies released yesterday at the diabetes meeting are the second of three stages of testing generally required to gain U.S. approval. The insulin now is being tested in five Phase 3 studies. Data from those studies may be submitted to regulators as early as 2014, said Enrique Conterno, the president of Lillys diabetes unit.

Lilly plans more studies to determine whats causing the weight loss, Kendall said.

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Lilly Targets Sanofi Diabetes Top-Seller on Weight Loss

OVER 57: ENG 220/5 (Bell 75* Finn 0*) Bell, again, takes a single off ball two. Field comes in for Samuels to have four balls at Finn. He nearly does him with a much quicker one, a 72mph dart. Hits Finny on the pad, but that was going down leg.

OVER 56: ENG 219/5 (Bell 74* Finn 0*) That must have been about the light, becuase Best is out of the attack after one over. It's Narine to bowl instead. Bell takes a single off ball two and Finn handles the rest.

OVER 55: ENG 218/5 (Bell 73* Finn 0*) Bell takes a single off the second ball of Samuels' over. So Bell isn't going to take the strike then. Okay. Finn is beaten on the outside edge two balls in a row. The umpires, I think, have had a word with Sammy - probably to tell him that they are weighing up the light again?

OVER 54: ENG 217/5 (Bell 72* Finn 0*) Well then, with England needing 277 to avoid following on, this game could get very interesting indeed if England lose another couple tonight. As a bulwark against that, they send Steve Finn as a nightwatchman. Yet again it seems to be up for debate as to what the nightwatchman is meant to be doing: Bell pinching the strike at the end of the over.

WICKET! Bairstow b Best 18 No he won't! He doesn't need to! After a couple of no balls, and a meaningless bouncer, Tino goes for the full straight one, Bairstow plays all around it and that is the end of him. FOW 215/5

OVER 53: ENG 213/4 (Bell 71* Bairstow 18*) Bairstow starting to look classy. Works it through mid on for two, then cracks Samuels for four through point. After a single, though, Belly is beaten on the outside edge by Samuels. It looks like man-of-the-day TIno Best is coming back for a last blast at Bairstow. Will he work him over with the short stuff?

Peter writes: "This is not about Jonny's ability as a cricketer, which is there for everyone to see, it's purely about his mental toughness to succeed at Test level. One thing's sure if this young man stays at the crease for any time that scoreboard is going to rocket round - hope he makes it."

OVER 52: ENG 206/4 (Bell 71* Bairstow 11*) Lovely shot from Belly through the covers gives him four off Rampaul.

OVER 51: ENG 200/4 (Bell 65* Bairstow 11*) That's a nice shot from Bairstow, too straight and too flat from Samuels, and Jonny clips that past square leg for a quality four. Bringing up the 200 in the process.

OVER 50: ENG 196/4 (Bell 65* Bairstow 7*) Now Rampaul gives Bairstow a couple of bouncers, and the Yorkshireman handles them very nicely. Single off the penultimate ball of the over.

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England v West Indies: live

New York, NY (PRWEB) June 11, 2012

hCGTreatments announces a superior doctor-designed diet that works on many body systems and anticipates the bodys reaction to dieting in general. hCGTreatments incorporates the best diet plans that are clinically superior into a master diet plan that is doctor supervised and personalized for each dieter based on the health history, age, gender and lifestyle of each person. By personalizing a diet for every person, dieters can expect to lose up to 30 pounds without hunger or fatigue.

hCGTreatments also known as Diet Doc hCG Diet & Weight Loss announces a doctor- designed hCG diet plan that incorporates the best aspects of clinically superior diets into a master diet plan capable of shaving up to 30 pounds per month safely, without hunger or fatigue.

hCGTreatments medical director, Dr. Rao studies the effects dieting has on the body and certain individuals and anticipates the bodys response in advance. Losing weight is not a one-size-fits all reports Dr. Rao. For example, the #1 reason people do not lose weight once on the Diet Doc hCG Diet Plan is a severe sensitivity to sugar, including one simple piece of fruit per day. This can stall or slow down weight loss by as much as 50% reports Dr. Rao. In addition, after 30 days of dieting, the body will slow down its metabolic response (thyroid). This goes back to the body fighting off losing weight. We specialize in people who have previously failed on other diets reports Dr. Rao.

Understanding the complexities of dieting in general is what Diet Doc specializes in reports Julie Wright, president of Diet Doc hCG Diet Plan. hCGTreatments has added components of the best diets, such as: Paleo diet, Atkins diet, Gluten Free diet, Dr. Oz diet, or the Digest Diet or any diets that support eating organic, healthy food. This can include the Watermelon diet, ayurvedic diet, 7 day diet and portions of the original hcg diet (except, Diet Doc does not support any type of crash diet or starvation diets) reports Wright.

When a crash diet is used, the body literally shuts down and will hold onto weight. Muscle will be eaten verses abnormal fat reports Wright. Crash diets can be harmful to the dieters health as the body tries to compensate for too little calories (or fuel and nutrition) and cardiac problems can arise as a result. Its absolutely important to seek the advice of a trained diet doctor and not just any doctor. Weight loss is not something doctors learn in depth within medical school reports Wright. To understand weight loss fully, it takes a doctor two years of specialized training reports Wright.

hCGTreatments offers each dieter a comprehensive workbook outlining their personalized diet plan, along with 2 doctor consultations, a nurse consult and nutritional consult to teach them how to do the doctor-designed diet all within the first 30 days reports Wright.

hCGTreatments also created unique diet foods and diet recipes all without anything artificial, created specifically for rapid weight loss reports Wright. The diet foods and diet recipes are delicious and were created by top weight loss chefs reports Wright.

An example of some of the diet foods recommended are, chicken gumbo, steak soup, and chili, hot & sour and Thai chicken along with unlimited (low glycemic) vegetables reports Wright.

Over 500 diet recipes are provided to dieters along with unlimited clinical and weight loss coach support during their diet journey reports Wright.

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hCGTreatments Announces the Creation of a Doctor-Designed Diet Capable of Shaving up to 30 Pounds Per Month Without ...

Contributor

Being that Im in recovery from reconstruction surgery on my left foot, I see how rapidly my entire left leg is losing muscle.

Ugh, Im certainly ready to start exercising, but I have to wait. Im pretty sure I cant squat 405 pounds today wearing this sporty blue cast.

If youre injured, or find yourself recovering from any manner of surgery, your body will be in atrophy at some point.

Dont freak out friends. Be patient. Do exactly what the doctor tells you eat well, rest, ice, heat or elevate. With time, the body heals and can be stronger than ever.

Now that weve covered some unavoidable scenarios causing atrophy, lets talk about preventing it.

First thing is exercise.

By doing some type of resistance training, your body will continue to build lean muscle proportional to your intensity and frequency. Provided, of course, you supply yourself with good protein fuel and ample hydration. You knew that was coming right?

A quick sidebar; our weather has warmed up, quickly increasing the need to hydrate your body often. I keep an ice chest in my truck with water in it.

When resistance training, use dumbbells, free weights, kettle bells, bands or even your body weight. I dont care if you do exercises at home as long as you know what youre doing and put in frequent workouts with as much intensity as possible. Honestly, for 95 percent of everyone Ive known, home exercising wont get it done. But if youre in the 5 percent who get benefits from home exercise, know that push-ups and pull-ups are great.

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Exercise to avoid muscle atrophy

More than three decades ago, as I was winding up a major investigation of the Black Panther Party (BPP) and its leader Huey Newton, I received a call from Abbie Hoffman, the antic anti-Vietnam War activist, then a fugitive from criminal charges for selling cocaine to a nark. Abbie and I had been friends and fellow street-fighting buddies on the Lower East Side in numerous demonstrations of the antiwar Yippies. His purpose, he said, was to talk me out of publishing that 1978 investigation in New Times. It would hurt the left and the struggle for black justice, he warned.

My story exposed Newtons bizarre leadership (for a time he carried a swagger stick la Idi Amin). Far worse was the extortion racket he presided over that shook down pimps, drug dealers, after-hours clubs and even a theater owner. Non-compliance left one club owner dead and undiscovered for days in the trunk of his car, which was parked at the San Francisco airport. The theater owner, Ed Bercovich, declined the tithe and refused to give jobs to Panther thugs. The theater burned down it was arson. Murders of rivals were also carried out on orders from above for perceived disloyalty to the Panthers; vicious beatings of lower-rank Panther males were regular punishments, along with turning out Panther women as prostitutes in the Panther-owned bar and restaurant the Lamp Post. The Panthers always needed cash for themselves and their programs. Paranoia was rampant, with internal schisms fanned by the FBI and local red squads of the police but also anchored in the egos and fear of rivals.

Newton had a way of being tough on the streets, the mean streets of Oakland he grew up in, but he managed to conceal it from his respectable friends, black and white. He cultivated liberal politicians such as U.S. Rep. Ron Dellums and state Rep. Tom Bates; a host of celebrities, including Marlon Brando, Jane Fonda and Dennis Hopper; and opinion leaders such as Yale president Kingman Brewster, author Jessica Mitford and conductor Leonard Bernstein, all of whom became supporters of the Panthers.

At first, I was puzzled as to why Abbie would call me from the underground after a long silence he was a fugitive, after all. Suddenly, in a flash, I knew: Did Bert put you up to this? I asked.

Yeah, he admitted sheepishly. Bert Schneider, I already knew, had underwritten Abbies fugitive existence, just as he had for Huey Newton. I turned Abbie and Bert down: The Panther investigation would run.

- - - - - - - -

Bert Schneider was lionized after his death last December at 78 as the innovative producer and Oscar winner for the anti-Vietnam War documentary Hearts and Minds as well some of his generations best and most iconic movies: Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, The Last Picture Show.

His films broke from old movie studio hierarchies and formulaic story arcs, and they were much cheaper to make. Schneiders low-budget, edgy films gave artistic directors (such as Bob Rafelson, Peter Bogdanovich and Terrence Malick) their creative freedom. In turn, the directors and his actors welcomed his friendship Jack Nicholson and Dennis Hopper remained friends for life. Under Schneider, filmmakers dominated financiers, Hearts and Minds director Peter Davis wote in the Huffington Post after his friends death.

Schneider moved into filmmaking after the success of the television series The Monkees, directed by Rafelson, with whom Schneider founded his production company (along with Steve Blauner). The movies tapped into the pulse of a seismic shift in American culture. They were critical and commercial successes, bringing to the screen rebel characters, stories and lifestyles that exhibited the youthful zeitgeist of the 1960s and early 70s shocking audiences with their relaxed nudity and drug-taking.

At the 1975 Academy Awards, accepting the Oscar for Hearts and Minds, a film critical of the governments war in Vietnam, Schneider angered old guard Hollywood by reading a telegram from Ambassador Dinh Ba Thi of the Provisional Revolutionary Government (the Viet Cong) thanking the American antiwar movement for all they have done on behalf of peace. Frank Sinatra countered by reading a Schneider-scolding letter from Bob Hope.

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True Hollywood story: The producer and the Black Panther

Life is good when you're a Dolce & Gabbana underwear model. Blindingly hot women, invites to the most exclusive clubs, your name shouted at red carpet events. Luxury Italian sportswear fills your wardrobe and Moet flows with hip-hop video vigor. Your abs are shredded; pecs, rock-hard. It's only natural that, at a career pinnacle like this, you would stop, pinch yourself through your new Prada suit and think, "Now's a good time to get really, really fat."

That's exactly what Aussie personal trainer Paul "PJ" James did on Dec. 31, 2008, as he set out to add nearly 100 pounds of flab to his ripped 176-lb. physique -- imagine The Biggest Loser, but in reverse. Bingeing would become his full-time job, and he wouldn't put down the Ben & Jerry's until his formerly eight-pack abs threatened to bust the buckle of a size-48 belt. Then, like a trim phoenix rising from the ashes of a wood-grilled pizza oven, PJ would launch a full-scale workout assault on his plus-sized physique, torching his freshly acquired fat reserves and rebuilding the same lean, cut musculature that landed him, bare-chested, on the runways of industry giants like Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier and Calvin Klein.

Driving him: A yearning to empathize with his overweight and obese clients -- people who would offer "excuses" such as "lunges hurt my knees too much" or "I can't climb another stair -- I can barely breathe!" -- as well as demonstrate that, with dedication and the right tools, weight loss success is possible. In a sort of anti-New Year's resolution, the 33-year-old Australia native pledged to pack on 50 percent of his body weight, maintain it and then shed it, all within 2009. In the process, he traded lat pull-downs for ham-and-cheese roll-ups and watched his deltoids vanish beneath a duvet of fat.

I had the pleasure of working with PJ over the past few years; the culmination of our work is Take It Off, Keep It Off: How I Went from Fat to Fit... and You Can Too -- Safely, Effectively, and Permanently. In it, you'll learn how the road from 6 percent to 32 percent body fat was paved with confidence-sapping potholes and clinically depressed roadblocks. PJ thought losing the weight would be easy; he never imagined he'd become legitimately addicted to junk food and start withdrawing from his girlfriend because he was ashamed of the way he looked naked.

Why would you do this to yourself -- pack on nearly 100 pounds of flab?

As a personal trainer, I was getting more and more clients who were overweight and obese. These were people who had serious weight to lose, and all of the baggage that comes with that territory. But whereas I could train my fit or semi-fit clients with my eyes shut, I had no idea how to respond when a heavy client claimed he simply couldn't muster the energy to walk for five minutes on the treadmill, or tried to explain how anxious and embarrassed she felt in a gym environment. As someone who subsisted on egg whites, grilled fish and steamed sweet potatoes, I hadn't the slightest clue about life as an emotional eater or junk food addict. I found myself doling out general advice -- "do more cardio" or "eat more vegetables" -- and they responded with "You're a freaking underwear model! You have no clue what it's like for us." What could I say? They were right. Their questions tossed me far outside my comfort zone and I felt almost reluctant to train them, like I was doing them a disservice. On a very basic and essential level, I couldn't understand how difficult it was for an overweight person to get into shape, and had no clue as to the best approach to help them mend their eating habits.

What was your diet like before you gained the weight?

I'm a trained chef, so I'd cook myself healthy meals like grilled filet and steamed shiitake mushrooms, or sea bass with ponzu sauce. Lots of sashimi and certain sushi rolls -- they offer the perfect protein-carb combination to fuel my workouts. I basically ate clean, enjoying whole, unprocessed foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins instead of pre-packaged items, fast food or anything with a label.

And while packing it on?

Starting on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, 2008, my first fat-bomb meal included four lamb gyros, a heaping plate of BBQ, salad, bread and dips, plus a platter of fried fish for dessert... all washed down by eight cans of Coca Cola. My body, used to asparagus and egg whites, was so confused by the sudden influx of grease and salt that I gained 12 pounds overnight, primarily water weight.

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Leslie Goldman: Fat and Back

LITTLETON, Colo., June 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Infinite Power Solutions, Inc. (IPS), a global leader in developing and manufacturing high performance solid-state, rechargeable, thin-film batteries, today announced it has successfully demonstrated a new battery technology to replace conventional lithium-ion batteries and redefine the design of smart phones, tablets and other consumer devices by enabling thinner form factors and better performance. IPS demonstrated record-breaking energy storage capacity for an organic-free, all-solid-state, thin-film battery. Using single-sided deposition, a paper-thin rechargeable cell achieved a capacity density of 1.25mAh/cm2. IPS also announced it has already initiated talks with original equipment manufacturers for future adoption of this technology in consumer devices. Furthermore, IPS released a white paper documenting a path to manufacturing this new battery technology using roll-to-roll manufacturing and double-sided deposition in order to achieve a capacity density of 2.5mAh/cm2, which is equivalent to prismatic lithium-ion cells (but without the risk of thermal runaway), and at comparable production costs. This new solid-state battery could be manufactured in volume for less than $1/Wh and, when fully packaged, provide 700Wh/litera 25 percent increase in energy density over today's lithium-ion cells.

"Today, smart phones are limited by and, to a degree, designed around the battery. With this new technology we are moving toward designing the battery around the phone, thereby impacting how smart phones and other devices look and perform, as well as which companies win and lose market share in the future," declared Jim Norrod, IPS' president and chief executive officer. "This is simply a better battery technology for today's smart phones and other devices. It is thinner and more flexible in how it can be shaped, promises more volumetric energy density and is also safer, while still being comparably priced. It is based on proprietary IPS technology, which means the consumer electronics company possessing it will have a sustainable advantage in terms of styling, performance and safety. In our view this is a game changer in the mobile electronics landscape and especially the smart phone market, where styling and performance are paramount to market success."

"We have made significant strides in developing both the technology and manufacturing roadmap for producing the next generation of batteries for consumer devices," commented Dr. Bernd Neudecker, IPS' chief technology officer. "Battery experts know that it's extremely difficult to maintain high energy density, regardless of the battery chemistry, as the cell thickness is reduced. This is especially true when going below 2mm of thickness for a fully packaged battery. However, by using our unique battery architecture, all-solid-state electrolyte and proprietary manufacturing process, energy densities of more than 700Wh/liter can be achieved."

High-capacity cells can be arranged in a variety of configurations, including designing a battery around the form factor of the display of a smart phone or tablet. For example, cells can be safely stacked in a parallel configuration to form a 3.95V all-solid-state, thin-film battery pack about the size and thinness of five standard playing cards, which is three times thinner than today's lithium-ion cell-phone batteries of equivalent capacity. Such a battery would have a capacity of approximately 1.4Ah with a maximum current of 7A and could serve a variety of common hand-held consumer devices. Due to the all-solid-state (completely dry) nature of this technology, there is no organic liquid or gel electrolyte that needs to be safely contained, unlike prismatic lithium-ion cells. Therefore, IPS can leverage its proprietary flexible circuit encapsulation to achieve the thinnest battery encapsulation possible and enable the thinnest smart phones ever marketed.

IPS' technical white paper entitled, "Organic-Free, All-Solid-State, Thin-Film Batteries for Cell Phones, Tablets, and Future Devices," discusses how the company has exceeded the perceived limits of thin-film battery technology and how these batteries can be manufactured in the future. The white paper includes an overview description of the proposed battery chemistry, architecture and performance advantages, as well as the projected materials and manufacturing costs. It can be downloaded from the IPS website at http://www.infinitepowersolutions.com/images/stories/IPS%20All-Solid-State%20Battery%20for%20Cell%20Phones.pdf.

Infinite Power Solutions, Inc. (IPS) a U.S. clean-technology company is a global leader in manufacturing solid-state, rechargeable, thin-film batteries for embedded applications. Founded in 2001, IPS is privately held with corporate headquarters and volume manufacturing in Littleton, Colo. THINERGY Micro-Energy Cell (MEC) products are paper-thin and provide unprecedented power and efficiency in micro-energy storage, displacing conventional coin cells, supercapacitors, and other micro-battery solutions. MECs uniquely enable ambient energy-harvesting solutions to create miniature, autonomous, perpetual power supply solutions and serve consumer applications such as Bluetooth Smart devices and other wireless sensor nodes, including those enabling the Internet of Things (IoT). MECs also provide backup power for real-time clocks, memory modules, and solid-state drives. Leveraging its core technology and manufacturing expertise, IPS is now developing high capacity solid-state batteries to power next generation cell phones and tablet computers.

THINERGY and MEC are trademarks of IPS.

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Infinite Power Solutions Demonstrates Breakthrough Battery Technology For Redefining Smart Phone And Tablet Design

CARSON, Calif., June 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- About 60% of car owners who normally take their vehicle to the repair shop report spending between $500 and $2,000+ a year on auto repair and maintenance while 60% of DIYers report saving $500 or more (over half report saving $1,000+) from doing their own auto repairs, according to surveys by AutoMD.com(1). This represents a considerable saving/spend gap. To help close this gap, AutoMD.com has identified some of the most common, and most costly, auto repair mistakes that car owners should avoid.

"At AutoMD.com we are always looking for ways to help car owners save precious dollars while keeping their vehicles running safely. This is why our experts have put together a list of simple tips to help pre-empt costly auto repair mistakes," said Brian Hafer, VP of Marketing at AutoMD.com. "By following this advice, car owners can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on auto repairs."

AutoMD.com's Top Ten Really Expensive Auto Repair Mistakes:

Mistake #1: Neglecting preventative maintenance and minor repairs.Cost: $1,000s Ignoring simple preventative maintenance, like changing the engine oil and filter, could damage your engine and replacing that engine could cost thousands(2) of dollars! Failing to make minor car repairs today, such as replacing a thermostat or front brake pads, could mean more expensive repairs tomorrow. Other simple, but important, repair and maintenance tasks car owners can do on their own or have a mechanic perform at an affordable price include changing the transmission fluid; checking the coolant level, mixture, and condition, and checking the vehicle's tire pressure on a regular basis. Bottom Line: Don't put off to tomorrow, what can be done today. Click here for a list of repairs car owners should never ignore.

Mistake #2: Not asking for your parts back. Cost: Unnecessary $$ If a part needs to be replaced on your car, always ask for your old part back; simply ask the mechanic to place the old part in the new part's box. Unfortunately, some dishonest repair shops may charge you for work that was not done or repairs that are not necessary. Asking for your old parts back confirms that the new part was actually installed, and it keeps the mechanic from replacing a part that is still good. Bottom Line: Not asking for your old parts back could mean paying for an unnecessary repair, or paying for a job that was not performed!

Mistake #3: Neglecting your tires. Cost: More gas $$$ + tire replacement ($140 - $600+[3]), and loss of safety (priceless!)Driving on underinflated tires can shorten the life of your tires, increase tire wear and lead to significant tire damage from heat, potholes and other road hazards. If the tire fails completely, you could lose control of the vehicle! Plus, keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent. And don't be tempted to get more mileage out of your tires than they can safely give by driving on them when they are bald. Driving on bald tires can reduce vehicle traction and lead to an accident. Bottom Line: Proper maintenance not only extends the life of your tires, it means safer driving and better gas mileage. Click here for AutoMD.com's Tire Care Tips. How to check tire pressure

Mistake #4: Ignoring dashboard warning lights. Cost: $1,000s! Loss of safety (priceless!)Dashboard warning lights are just that, warning lights! Pay attention to them they could be warning you about a serious maintenance problem that could lead to expensive repairs or unsafe driving. Be sure to read your owner's manual and familiarize yourself with what the different warning lights on your car's dashboard mean Check Engine Light, Oil Light, Temperature Light, Brake Light and what action you should take for each. Never ignore your Check Engine Light, thinking the car is running fine. Your MPG could be reduced by as much as 30%. A blinking Check Engine light indicates a severe misfire that could damage your car's expensive catalytic converter. Ignoring the oil and temperature lights can result in an engine replacement meaning thousands of dollars out of your pocket. Bottom Line: Pay attention to all your car's symptoms, including warning lights.

Mistake #5: Telling your mechanic what parts to replace. Cost: Double your $$ (or more!)Today's vehicles are extremely complex, and while it is a good idea to do your research, some vehicle symptoms can be misleading. For example, you may be convinced that your car needs new spark plugs or an engine tune-up, when you really need the MAF sensor cleaned. If you tell your mechanic to replace the spark plugs instead of asking him to diagnose the problem, he will do it and charge you for it, leaving you with the same unresolved issue. Bottom Line: Be informed, but listen to the experts, otherwise you could end up paying for an unnecessary repair, while the original issue remains unresolved.Click here to see a list of commonly misdiagnosed vehicle symptoms and repairs.

Mistake #6: Not doing simple repairs yourself. Cost: Up to $200!(4) Rather than spending time and money at the repair shop, try doing some of the easiest repairs yourself, such as replacing wiper blades, replacing a light bulb, even replacing a fuse and an air filter. Reference your owner's manual and go online for videos and how to guides (AutoMD.com's how-to guides provide step by step instructions for these repairs). And, these jobs just may provide a stepping stone and the courage you need to attempt even more of your own car repairs, which can lead to more savings. Bottom Line: Doing simple repairs yourself could actually save you time, as well as money.Click here for a list of repairs car owners can, and should, do themselves.

Mistake #7: Failing to properly communicate your repair issue. Cost: Time and $$ at the repair shop: Labor rate is $40-$200+/hour!(5)If you can't describe the problem effectively, your mechanic will spend more time diagnosing (meaning more labor costs) and may come to the wrong conclusion! Write down what you hear, feel, see, and smell before you arrive and keep a log of exactly when the symptoms occur (for instance, when you're braking or when you're driving over a certain speed), and share this with your mechanic. Also, note the location and frequency of the symptoms, and if any repairs were done on the vehicle recently - sometimes a problem is related to the last repair. You can also go online to get help diagnosing your car's problem - AutoMD.com has an easy-to-use diagnostic tool that provides a list of questions your mechanic might ask, as well as assistance to help you troubleshoot the problem(s) yourself. Bottom Line: Describing your repair issue accurately will save time, money and headaches.

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Ten Really Expensive Auto Repair Mistakes to Avoid

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