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LOADED within the joint boundaries of the cities of Pasig, Mandaluyong and Quezon, Ortigas Center is undoubtedly one of the busiest districts in Metro Manila. But between the crazy traffic and overwhelming number of people crossing the streets of this business district, youll easily find nearby fitness centers to help you sweat away the stress and stay fit.

To help turn your crazy day into a productive one, weve put together some of the health and fitness centers around Ortigas that you can choose from.

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A perfect choice for gym-goers with erratic or non-regular working schedule, Anytime Fitness conveniently provides its members with 24/7 access to free weights, functional areas and cardio machines. It also offers personal training packages, as well as group exercise programs ranging from yoga sessions to dance classes.

Membership at Anytime Fitness automatically allows you access to all their branches nationwide.

Rates: P1,000 one-time joining fee, P2,500 one-time key fob fee, P2,700 monthly dues for 6-month membership contract, P2,500 monthly dues for 12-month membership contract, P2,300 monthly dues for 18-month membership contract

2nd Floor El Pueblo Real de Manila, Julia Vargas St. Corner ADB Avenue, Brgy. San Antonio, Ortigas Manila, 721-88-83, anytimefitness.ph

Operating hours: Mon to Sun, 24 hours

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Crazy about mixed martial arts? UFC Gym has you covered. They offer top-notch classes on boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, Brazilian jiu jitsu and taekwando, led by high-caliber coaches. On days when you feel like working out solo, they also have traditional gym equipment available for members.

Rates: P30,500 for 1 year with unlimited access to all classes and other UFC Gym branches (Promo for Dec. 2019: ?14,500)

G/F Robinsons Galleria, EDSA Corner, Ortigas Ave, Ortigas Center, Quezon City, +63917 124 0474, ufcgym.com.ph

Operating hours: Mon to Sat 6:00am-10:00pm, Sun 6:00am-9:00pm

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Take spinning to the next level by trying out the choreographed and heart-pumping exercises at the Cyclehouse Indoor Cycling MNL. Tone legs, get a good sweat going, have fun.

They offer classes with different difficulty levels: Kickstart Ride, an introduction to the basics of indoor cycling for beginners; Fun Ride, a choreographed, rhythm-based pumps, sprints, climbs and lightweight body exercises for intermediate level practitioners; and, for experienced cyclists, Spin + HIIT workout, an endurance ride with a High Intensity Interval Training finisher.

Sign up at their website to get a one-time free trial ride, but make sure to check the schedule of classes online first before heading to the studio.

Rates: P600 for single ride, P5,000 for unlimited ride valid for 30 days

8/F Padilla Building F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig, Metro Manila, +63916 614 3888, cyclehouse.com.ph

Operating Hours: Mon to Fri 6:45am-10:00pm, Sat to Sun 9:00am-5:00pm (operating hours may change depending on scheduled classes per day)

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One of the largest health and fitness clubs in the country, Fitness First has a ton of zones and equipment for all your workout needs from a free weights area and freestyle areas, to a group exercise studio, a spinning studio, a mind and body studio, and a lounge area.

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Here, members get unlimited access to around 20 group exercise classes scheduled everyday: Spartan workout, Body Combat, Body Attack, indoor cycling, aerial flow yoga, Body Jam, Zumba, freestyle group HIIT training, and more. Yes, FF invests on group workout programs that are accessible to members at almost any time of the day.

The energy of the crowd attending group exercise classes at Fitness First - Megamall, particularly in my Body Attack class, is unbelievable! From the youngest to the more mature members, all are so engrossed in sweating it out, said Rico Comia, LesMills BodyAttack Program Head Philippines.

Rates: Monthly membership fee starts at ?2,500 (they offer different membership packages)

4th Level, Bldg A, SM Megamall, Edsa, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, fitnessfirst.com

Operating hours: Mon to Fri 6:00am-10:00pm, Sat 10:00am-10:00pm, Sun 10:00am- 9:00pm

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Want to focus on developing a mix of strength, coordination, balance and grace while working out? Polecats Manila is the place for you. Open for men and women, this aerial arts and pole fitness studio offers Pole Fitness, Aerial Hoop, and Aerial Silks classes regularly.

Myla Tan Santiago, Polecats Business Development Manager, said they highly encourage non-professional dancers with zero experience in pole dancing to attend their classes because our programs are really designed for those who are starting from scratch, including those in their late 30s, just like most of us here in Polecats!

Rates: P800 per class, P2,000 unlimited access to all classes for 7 days, P7,000 unlimited access to all classes for 30 days

22nd Floor, Strata 100 F. Ortigas Avenue, Ortigas Center Pasig, Metro Manila, 631-08-18 l +63917 700 7653, polecatsmanila.com

Operating hours: Monday to Friday 12nn-9pm, Saturday 10am-6pm

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Unleash your inner warrior and learn the proper jabs, uppercuts and hooks by trying out a boxing session at Elorde that promises to give you your moneys worth. Their well-known boxing programs are priced at an affordable rate. Elorde also offers Muay Thai training.

Rates: P250 for members & P600 for non-members per session for Boxing / ?350 for members & P700 for non-members per session for Muay Thai

The Upper Deck, 6th floor, Technopoint Bldg., Ortigas Home Depot, Julia Vargas Avenue, Quezon City, 900 0951, facebook.com/elordeortigas

Operating hours: Mon to Sun 7:00am-9:00pm

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Save yourself from the nightmare of entering an overcrowded gym by heading over at Elite, which offers an immense space for you to train Boxing or Muay Thai with certified coaches. They have a large-sized boxing ring and over 20 punching bags that allow you to practice freely.

To add variation to your workout routine, you can also use their circuit training tools.

Rates: Annual membership fee P2,500 / P250 per session, P2,400 for 12 sessions, P3,000 for unlimited sessions for Boxing / P350 per session, P3,360 for 12 sessions, P4,500 for unlimited sessions for Muay Thai

8th Floor Padilla Bldg, F. Ortigas Jr Rd, Pasig, +63905 477 1888, eliteboxing.com.ph

Operating hours: Mon to Sun 6:30am-10:00pm

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If youre into dancing and are interested in attending various dance classes including ballet classes for adult first-timers head over to JNA Dance & Fitness Center. They also offer other dance programs, including zumba, jazz, hip hop, belly dance, and kids dance pop.

As the SEA Games proved, dance is a showcase of physicality, and JNA Business Development Manager Sarah Vinoya said its never too late to become the dancer that youve envisioned yourself to be. Our instructors here are trained to teach beginners as long as joiners are dedicated to take several classes a week for better progress, she pointed out.

Rates: For Ballet: P750 for 1 session (1-hr per class), P5,200 for 8 sessions (1-hr per class), P900 for 1 session (1 .5hr per class), P6,400 8 sessions (1 .5 hour per class); For other dance classes: P650 per session, ?2,300 for 4 sessions, P3,800 for 8 sessions

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Level 5 Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Ortigas Center Mandaluyong, 633-7871, jnadance.com

Operating hours: Mon to Sun 11:00am-9:00pm

Avail of a membership at YogaPlus Ortigas if you want stress-relieving exercises that improve both your mind and body. After all, this place is branded as a safe space for your physical, emotional and mental transformation.

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With 36 yoga classes every week to choose from, including ashtanga, yin, and hot yoga classes, book a slot to improve your bodys flexibility, focus, balance and overall well-being. Ready to get addicted? They offer 1-week free unlimited pass for newbies.

Rates: P2,249 one month unlimited access to all classes (promo for first-timers) / Regular rates: P1,600 unlimited access for 1 week, P4,499 unlimited access for 1 month

Level 4, The Podium, Ortigas Center, ADB Ave, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, +63998 866 9259, yogaplus.ph

Operating hours: Mon to Fri 6:00am-10:00pm, Sat to Sun 9:00am-10:00pm

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If you hit a workout plateau and stopped seeing results, try out the workout of the day (WOD) at CrossFit Ortigas. Theres a new one every day, and these varied functional movements, performed at a high intensity level, will really put your fitness to test.

The movements they incorporate in their programs include, among others, gymnastics, rowing, bodybuilding, weightlifting, powerlifting, running, plyometrics, and calisthenics.

Rates: P3,400 for 6 sessions for 1 month, P4,700 unlimited sessions for 1 month / P1,500 2-hour Foundations class

Unit 105 Emerald Mansion, Garnet Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, +63998 530 2093, cfortigas.com

Operating hours: Mon to Sat 6:30am-9:30pm

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Project Lifestyle Manila centers on Brazilian jiu jitsu, a martial art and combat sport based on grappling and ground fighting.

Gym manager and BJJ coach Carl Fontiveros said their classes are open for students of different skill levels, thanks to the gyms supportive community. We are like a family here and we try to be as cool and chill as possible para hindi intimidating for newcomers. When somebody enters the door, regardless if he is a first-timer or a black-belter, he is welcome. We treat everyone equally, he shared.

Rates: P800 per session, P3,500 monthly for unlimited classes

Unit 1418 AIC-Burgundy Empire Tower, ADB Avenue corner Garnet St. Ortigas Center, Pasig, Metro Manila, 0917 576 4898, facebook.com/projectlifestylemanila

Operating hours: Opening and closing hours change weekly depending on schedule of classes. Check out their Facebook page for updated schedules.

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Where to work out in Ortigas - Sports Interactive Network Philippines

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WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Dec. 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calian Group Ltd. (TSX: CGY) has partnered with Saulteaux Tribal Nation L.P., a First Nations-owned and operated company in Manitoba, to deliver emergency management services and best practices to other First Nations in the province.

Calian and Saulteaux are formalizing the unique partnership at a signing ceremony today. The unique agreement is designed to help Manitobas First Nations increase resilience and emergency management independence, and to build community capacity and economic opportunity.

The partnership represents the changing nature of Indigenous business relationships in Canada and a collective goal to support the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, which urged the corporate sector to adopt a reconciliation framework and commit to meaningful consultation and respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples.

Communities in remote or isolated areas can be disproportionately affected by emergencies or disasters. They can face logistical difficulties in their access to emergency services, for instance. After a flood or storm, infrastructure like roads, electricity and telecommunications networks can take longer to bring back online than communities in less isolated areas. In recent years, First Nations in Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba have faced evacuations and states of emergency due to wildfires, storms and floods, highlighting a clear need to increase local resilience and preparedness.

It is an honour for Calian to be part of such an important partnership, which evolved from our groundbreaking work with the six nations of the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council. I look forward to working with Saulteaux to increase community resilience and capacity in the province, said Donald Whitty, VP Learning, Calian. These vital services and capacities are needed for communities facing a rising number of disasters.

We recognize that, in this day and age, partnerships work very effectively for the private and public sectors to provide necessary capacity. We are excited about the possibility of helping First Nation communities in Manitoba and Canada build resilience and preparedness for any emergency. We recently faced an emergency disaster where we saw the results of our partnership with Calian. With their expertise combined with the capacity of our Interlake Reserves Tribal Council staff, Calian was instrumental in delivering results in response to the snowstorm and power outage that occurred on Thanksgiving weekend. This is all about getting our communities to where they need to be: protected and emergency-ready, stated Cornell McLean, Saulteaux Chairman and Chief from Lake Manitoba First Nation.

Karl Zadnik, Chief Executive Officer, Saulteaux, added: We have worked with Calian for the past two years, which has helped us immensely in building the necessary capacity to help weather any future emergency events. With this knowledge and ability, we want to help all communities be ready in an emergency. Most First Nation communities dont have the infrastructure that all big cities enjoy, which places them at a disadvantage. Having a strong emergency management plan is essential.

I would like to congratulate both our Emergency Management team and the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council for leading this meaningful work, for building a strong relationship over several years, and for securing this important agreement for First Nations and Manitoba, stated Kevin Ford, President and CEO, Calian. Thank you to all of the Chiefs, Elders and community members who helped make this possible. I am hopeful this is only the beginning as we work towards a long-lasting, results-oriented partnership.

About Saulteaux Tribal Nation L.P.

Saulteaux Tribal Nation L.P. is a First Nations-owned and operated company whose purpose is to bring emergency management best practices to Manitoba First Nations in partnership with Calian Emergency Management. Saulteaux is a subsidiary of the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council Inc. (IRTC), a partnership of six Manitoba Interlake communities working together to advance the collective well-being of members from the following communities: Dauphin River First Nation; Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation; Lake Manitoba First Nation; Little Saskatchewan First Nation; Peguis First Nation; and Pinaymootang First Nation.

About Calian Emergency Management

Calian Emergency Management helps people, organizations, governments and communities prepare for events where the consequences of failure are unacceptable. Having undertaken some of the largest and most complex emergency management and security exercise programs in Canada, we combine subject matter expertise with the rigor, resources, and consulting capabilities of a large corporate organization, as well as proprietary tools to deliver a high-quality learning environment. Our team of accredited experts offers a holistic suite of complex, multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional emergency management solutions tailored to the needs of any organization. We help clients in their journey to enhance resilience and improve their capabilities and capacity to prepare, respond and recover from emergencies.

About Calian

Calian employs over 3,300 people in its delivery of diverse products and solutions for private sector, government and defence customers in North American and global markets. The Companys diverse capabilities are delivered through four segments: Advanced Technologies, Health, Learning and Information Technology. The Advanced Technologies segment provides innovative products, technologies and manufacturing services and solutions for the space, communications, defence, nuclear, government and agriculture sectors. The Health segment manages a network of more than 1,800 health care professionals delivering primary care and occupational health services to public and private sector clients across Canada. Learning is a trusted provider of emergency management, consulting and specialized training services and solutions for the Canadian Armed Forces and clients in the defence, health, energy and other sectors. The Information Technology segment supports public- and private-sector customer requirements for subject matter expertise in the delivery of complex IT and cyber security solutions. Headquartered in Ottawa, the Companys offices and projects span Canada and international markets.

For investor information, please visit our website at http://www.calian.com or contact us at ir@calian.com

DISCLAIMER

Certain information included in this press release is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties. The results or events predicted in these statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Such statements are generally accompanied by words such as intend, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect or similar statements. Factors which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations include, among other things: the impact of price competition; scarce number of qualified professionals; the impact of rapid technological and market change; loss of business or credit risk with major customers; technical risks on fixed price projects; general industry and market conditions and growth rates; international growth and global economic conditions, and including currency exchange rate fluctuations; and the impact of consolidations in the business services industry. For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, please see the Companys most recent annual report and other reports filed by Calian with the Ontario Securities Commission. Calian disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. No assurance can be given that actual results, performance or achievement expressed in, or implied by, forward-looking statements within this disclosure will occur, or if they do, that any benefits may be derived from them.

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Calian and Saulteaux Tribal Nation Partner to Deliver Emergency Management and Preparedness Services to Manitoba First Nations - GlobeNewswire

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Want to learn more about this initiative? Check out the Wicked Hot Boston series, Parts One and Two. Want to address climate hazards in your community? Head over to SciStarter.org to find a citizen science project.

This post was co-authored by Emily Hostetler, Caroline Nickerson, David Sittenfeld, and Sara Benson.

Its true: the world is getting hotter, and Boston is becoming WICKED hot.

This past summer, the Museum of Science, Boston (MOS) team and local citizen scientists began to measure extreme temperatures. They used sensors provided by CAPA Strategies to make an ambient air temperature map of Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline, MA.

This map shows the modeled ambient air temperatures for the Boston area. The high absolute air temperature recorded at Logan Airport for the day was 92 F. However, this study showed that in different areas of the city, the high temperature in Dorchester recorded by volunteers actually reached 102.6 F. (Credit: Museum of Science, Boston)

You can explore the above map here.

The MOS team and area citizen scientists also contributed their qualitative and quantitative data about heat in Boston through ISeeChange, a citizen science platform that leverages community members as the experts in their own backyards to study how the climate and weather are changing around them. For the Wicked Hot Boston project, ISeeChange created an extreme heat investigation with MOS. Citizen scientists contributed over 100 observations to this investigation after reading instructions on SciStarter.org/NOAA.

After activating these citizen science efforts over the summer, the MOS team hosted a community forum on climate hazard resilience, called Wicked Hot Boston, on the evening on Tuesday, September 24 2019, specifically focusing on extreme heat.

MOS forum programs engage participants in deliberative, inclusive conversations about issues that lie at the intersection of science and society, gathering museum visitors, scientists, and policymakers to share their perspectives and learn from one another. The forums can span the realms of human health, outer space, climate hazards and beyond.

The Climate Hazard Resilience Forum templates address four environmental hazards: extreme heat, extreme precipitation, sea level rise, and drought. The forum deliberations create a simulated resilience planning experience, guiding public participants through discussions that involve making tough decisions to protect the city, and encouraging open dialogue with local resilience planners.

Darlene Cavalier, Founder of SciStarter, speaking about citizen science at the beginning of the forum. (Credit: Museum of Science, Boston)

For this extreme heat forum, funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the MOS team drew preliminary conclusions from the citizen science data, which were presented in a poster session to the members of the public as they walked into the Museum of Science. Soon after, the participants went upstairs to engage in the extreme heat deliberation. Participants included people who had collected the citizen science data with MOS and people who wanted to learn about and discuss extreme heat.

Chris Mastroianni, a veteran of multiple MOS forums, talked to the SciStarter team about what keeps him coming back. Its the opportunity to learn more things, and then the ability to have a more engaged way of speaking about the issues.

In terms of what he learned at the Wicked Hot Boston forum, Mastroianni said before the forum, he wasnt as aware of the different concerns various stakeholders have.

Forum participants and a facilitator beginning the forum deliberation. (Credit: Museum of Science, Boston)

Participants made decisions about mitigating the effects of extreme heat for an anonymized city. Trained facilitators directed small groups at different tables to allocate limited resources among three different resilience plans: cool the city, protect infrastructure, and ensure safety. The plans were made by taking into account varying community priorities, manifested in profiles of different stakeholders such as local business owners and residents.

To balance the concerns of different stakeholders, Mastroiannis table decided to equally allocate their money to each of the given resilience plan options. Then, through ESRI Storymap visualizations, they visualized the results of their plan. Because they made small interventions in a number of areas, their impact was dispersed for better or worse.

Stephanie Smallegan, assistant professor of Coastal Engineering, came in from the University of South Alabama to explore how the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center in Mobile, Alabama can host a similar forum focused on an environmental hazard. She stepped in as a facilitator, and she said that her table was very practical.

I had a surgeon, computer engineers, and a business owner at my table. They thought about things from a realistic perspective taxes, property values but they gave very little weight given on the social perspective, she said.

Smallegan said her main contribution as a facilitator was to stimulate discussion by asking prompting questions, while staying neutral about the outcome of the exercise. I brought up hypothetical perspectives and impacts on social aspects.

As Executive Director of OARS, an organization that works to protect and improve the Assabet, Sudbury, and Concord rivers, Alison Field-Juma is intimately familiar with environmental issues. She was excited by the citizen science maps she helped create as a volunteer.

The map is based on real temperature readings from people driving around in their cars, so people connect with that better, she said. The value is added by the data being immediately sensed, not remotely sensed. It is what people would feel walking down the street.

This map shows the real-feel heat index model for the Boston area. This map includes heat and humidity values. The highest predicted heat-index value using this method across the urban study area was 108.6F. This is 17.7degrees warmer than the minimum modeled temperatures, demonstrating the tremendous variation in what people experience during these kinds of heat wave events. (Credit: Museum of Science, Boston)

Field-Juma appreciated following up the experience of being a citizen scientist with the forum. She said she was able to exercise a different part of her mind calling the forum deliberation both challenging and interesting.

With this game, you have to make a series of difficult choices, she said. You have to figure out what matters to each person with limited resources, working in an austerity economy. The decision-making is rigorous. For example, how can you say you dont care about public safety?

After the forum deliberation on extreme heat, John Bolduc, Environmental Planner for the City of Cambridge; Nancy Smith, Program Manager for Community and Resilience Engagement for the Office of Public Health Preparedness, a division of the Boston Public Health Commission; and Kara Brewton, Economic Development Director for the Town of Brookline, spoke on a panel to answer community questions.

When asked about how the citizen science data could aid him in resiliency planning, Bolduc answered, with satellite maps, you dont take into account climatic factors like wind or breezesthis data reflects this and adds richness.

Smith emphasized the public educational value of citizen science data and outreach, saying that having this data brings it to a level that people can understand.

After discussing a multitude of plans for a fictionalized city throughout the night, participants wanted to know what they can do in their communities when they leave the forum. Brewton advised attendees to talk to people outside of your circlewhatever your experience, knowledge, or interest isbe willing to go to other meetings. For example, public health experts could help with an urban forestry plan.

Kara Brewton presenting preliminary citizen science data about Brookline. (Credit: Museum of Science, Boston)

The day after the forum, the Museum of Science and its partners, including representatives from NOAA, Arizona State University, Northeastern, ISeeChange, and SciStarter, gathered with science centers from across the country to explore how they can host forums on different environmental hazards, linking citizen science with resilience planning through various citizen science projects. What will they pick? Will it be extreme heat, drought, extreme precipitation, or sea level rise?

Eric Havel, of the Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland, California, said his institution was leaning toward drought, but also considering addressing sea level rise and extreme heat. He said all three of the hazards were applicable to the Bay Area.

For example, drought hits home at a hyper-local level when community members think of the redwood forests. He said patrons can step outside and realize the impact of drought, and drought is a near-term concern, with air quality from wildfires being in the news.

Havel also thought that drought would be a great avenue for working with outdoor partners and programming, as well as a good way to build on previous efforts. He was particularly excited to use technological tools, like ArcGIS, GoogleEarth, and the Chabot Centers planetarium to tell earth science stories.

We did drought and sea level forums from earlier this year, and we had over 50 participants, with 20% of attendees being teachers, Havel said. The event was well-received: we played games, hosted planners who addressed the redwood forest and the coast and did a visualization piece in our planetarium.

Do you also want to address climate hazards with citizen science? You can start today! Head over to SciStarter.org to learn how you can get involved.

The Climate Hazard Resilience Forum was developed in partnership with Arizona State University and Northeastern University and supported by a NOAA Environmental Literacy Grant, with materials created by the Museum of Science, Boston under the awards NA15SEC0080005 and NA18SEC0080008 from the Environmental Literacy Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations within are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views

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Boston Could Become WICKED Hot. This is What They're Doing About it. - Discover Magazine

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After a scandal-dominated extraordinary Diet session closed last Monday, speculation began focusing on when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will use his power to call a snap election to prevent his administration from becoming a lame duck.

Abe became Japans longest-serving prime minister in terms of total days in office, but his Cabinets ratings are falling in the opinion polls, reflecting its latest scandals.

After the session opened on Oct. 4, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Isshu Sugawara and Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai resigned over money scandals.

Then the government was forced to postpone the introduction of private-sector English tests for a new unified university entrance exam system debuting in fiscal 2020 amid concerns about inequalities in test-taking opportunities. The concerns were sparked by education minister Koichi Hagiuda, who said students should compete for entry in accordance with their (financial) standing, implying they should compete financially.

Abe himself came under fire over the state-funded annual cherry blossom party, which is held to honor celebrities and other contributors to society but has instead been noted for an increase in Abe campaign supporters in recent years.

As a result, the Diet made little progress on Abes quest to revise the Constitution. But it did approve a Japanese-U.S. trade deal.

With the four-year terms of the House of Representatives members set to expire in October 2021, Abe is likely considering a strategy for dissolving the powerful lower chamber for a snap election, observers said.

If I find that the time has come to seek public judgment, I wont hesitate to dissolve the Lower House and call a general election, Abe told a news conference after the extra Diet session closed on Dec. 9.

At an LDP executive meeting earlier that day, Abe, who doubles as president of the party, said: Ill continue to work hard, as if I were always in a battlefield.

His remarks, however, have been met with skepticism within the party, which sees a Lower House breakup most likely after the 2020 Olympics. It seems many LDP lawmakers believe dissolution isnt that likely to happen so soon, such as after New Years.

Saying a Lower House dissolution is possible anytime is a scare tactic against the opposition camp and a rallying cry for the ruling bloc, a senior LDP member said Tuesday.

But the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and other opposition parties are assuming Abe will dissolve the Lower House early next year.

At a meeting of opposition lawmakers on Dec. 9, CDP President Yukio Edano urged participants to spend this year-end and the New Year period productively, with a resolve to bring down the administration whenever a general election is held.

At a CDP executive meeting Tuesday, Edano repeated his call to stay on the alert for a snap election early next year.

Noting the Diet is set to open on Jan. 20, Edano said, Whether the Lower House is dissolved on the day or on Jan. 31, after the fiscal 2019 supplementary budget is passed, well prepare for February as the month for a general election.

He also recently called on his colleagues, including the Democratic Party for the People, to consider a merger in order to challenge the ruling LDP-Komeito coalition.

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Will Abe pull snap election to stay in power? - The Japan Times

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Tis the season let the baking begin!

Baking in the Western diet today is centered on many forms of the very same thing: sugar.

From the refined carbohydrates of junk foods to breads, pastas, fruit and juices, sugar makes up most of what we eat in the Western world, especially at the holidays.

Watching my intake of sugar has been part of a lifestyle change I made over 30 years ago. Through the years, I have learned how to use natural, unprocessed choices to satisfy my sweet tooth. Eventually any craving I had for something sweet was satisfied by fresh fruit or a version of dessert that included a natural substitute, as well as fat and fiber. I have been fortunate to remain in good health since.

The recipes with todays article are plant-based, grain-free, high-fat and low-carb. These sweets can provide you with your needed treat without spiking your blood sugar.

Your body needs sugar to fuel your brain and metabolism. But is the burning of glucose the best form of energy for your brain, metabolism and body?

Most people struggling with health problems like fatigue, hormone imbalances, immune dysfunctions, and brain and metabolic issues are in sugar-burning mode: going from one sugary or grain-based meal to the next, becoming hungry and angry if they dont get their fix. Even healthy, clean eaters can be stuck on this blood sugar roller coaster, says Dr. William Cole in his book, Keto-tarian.

On the other hand, a healthy ketogenic diet where fat, not sugar, is your primary source of energy has been shown to do some remarkable things for our brain heath. Healthy fats are a slow sustainable form of energy, unlike the sugary roller coaster many find themselves on. Making our brain and body work properly requires a lot of energy. From a biological and evolutionary perspective, the most sustainable form of energy for optimal brain health is good fats.

In a nutshell, the ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate, moderate-protein way of eating that shifts your body from burning glucose (sugar) for energy to a state of ketosis, in which your body preferentially uses ketone bodies and fat as a fuel source.

Your liver creates ketone bodies from fat when your body needs more to make energy but no glucose is present. This process most commonly occurs during periods of carbohydrate restriction, intermittent fasting and exercise.

Keto helps with the glucose-insulin relationship. Once an individual is in ketosis and no longer relying upon glucose, the pancreas can relax its insulin production, lowering insulin levels and allowing the body to regain its insulin sensitivity and blood sugar balance. This process offers healing as it will lead to improved balance within the body.

The fats that are the healthiest for you come from avocado, coconut, olives, nuts, seeds and their oils. Make your choices based on these fats and not animal fats.

The recommended sweeteners for this diet are stevia, monk fruit and erythritol including lakanto, swerve and sukrin. The last three are erythritol blends. If you are using these sweeteners in a traditional recipe, use between one-third to one-half the amount of sweetener called for in the nonketo recipe. These are very sweet.

Xylitol-based sweeteners are also low carb, but they tend to be a little harsher on peoples digestive systems. Additional xylitol is highly toxic to pets, so be sure to keep it away from your animal friends.

I sense a chemical aftertaste in all of the above low-carb sweeteners. My choice is to sweeten with powdered coconut sugar at one-quarter the measurement or a little coconut nectar. I need much less sweetness, so this works for me.

Jan. 1, 2020, will mark one year of my experiment with the online plant-based ketogenic lifestyle. Following the program lead by Chef Elaina Love and Katelyn Louise has been fun and rewarding. The program consists of four 30-day sessions per year. One session with each season. During the off months, your diet includes a greater variety of healthy carbohydrates.

I have had some great results. I have lost weight, felt satiated for longer periods of time, reduced inflammation and have more energy. I chose to try this way of plant-based eating after many years eating plant-based, high-carbohydrate, semi-raw foods. I had gained some unwanted pounds and decided that my metabolism needed to be reprogrammed. It works for me with some alterations.

Carbohydrates are not bad. They are natural components in plants, and therefore in the foods we eat. The key is to not avoid carbohydrates altogether but to choose the carbohydrates that give you the most nutrition.

In a standard Western diet, most of the carbohydrates come from processed grains or starches and refined sugars. In a plant-based ketogenic way of eating, the majority of carbohydrates come from nuts, seeds, greens, non-starchy vegetables and some berries.

There are some individuals who may not respond favorably to making this kind of change so it is important to work with a nutritional professional and gain a full understanding of the changes your body can experience. Please keep in mind that every body is different, and although the method may work for some, each individuals path to healing will differ.

No matter what eating style you choose, make sure to practice it with care.

I have expanded my knowledge beyond the online program to include two books that also have great recipes and additional information about the diet: Vegan Keto by Liz MacDowell and Keto-tarian, by Cole. You have the choice of adding in fish and eggs with Coles book.

Registration for the 30-day plant-based ketogenic program starting January 2020 has begun. Contact me at eatsofeden.com to register.

Sally Miller is the owner and operator of Eats of Eden, a Charleston-based nutrition education business that offers an alternative choice for healing the body through nutrition. She attended Carnegie Mellon University and in 2009 graduated from Bauman Holistic Nutrition College, specializing in holistic nutrition education. She has recently become certified as a Gluten Free Practitioner. For more information on classes and consultations, visit her website at eatsofeden.com.

Excerpt from:
WV Culinary Team: What fuels your body through the holidays and beyond? - Charleston Gazette-Mail

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Fiona Oakes is an extreme endurance runner. She has broken four Guinness World Records and runs in some of the worlds most inhospitable climates, including the polar ice caps and volcanic rings.

Fiona has achieved all of this with a disability. She lost a kneecap in an injury when she was 17 and doctors told her she would never walk again, let alone run. Despite this its her vegan diet that causes people to question her ability.

I have been vegan far longer than I have been a runner, Fiona tells Metro.co.uk. I actually became vegan when I was six years old, and I have honestly never found my veganism too difficult or compromising to any aspect of my life.

I think the biggest misconception people have about veganism is that it isnt healthy but Im testament to the fact it is.

Ive broken four Guinness World Records for running, having been vegan for 47 years now, and Im very healthy.

I built my athletic strength on a plant-based diet, and all this despite my permanent disability.

Fiona has faced skepticism and disbelief throughout her running career when it comes to her dietary choices. She thinks its vital to change perceptions about what people can achieve on a vegan diet.

When I ran the Marathon des Sables in 2017, I took a film crew with me who were making a documentary about my life Running for Good.

The director asked the guys I was sharing my tent with; what do you think about Fiona? And one answer was; shes not what I expected a vegan to be like.

Remember, this is almost three years ago, before the meteoric rise of vegan and plant-based living, but I can only assume he didnt expect a vegan woman to be out in the Sahara Desert, running the toughest footrace on the planet for the third time.

After decades of veganism, my goal when I started running was to break down the myths and stereotypes attached to it at that time, in that it was some way deficient, hardly adequate and prohibitive to doing anything more than sedentary activity.

Fiona says that one of the toughest moments of her career was the first time she competed in Marathon des Sables in 2012.

Having decided to move up in distance from road running, Fiona was going to be the first vegan woman to tackle the race and there was quite a buzz about it online.

The event itself is unbelievably gruelling. Its a week-long, self-sufficiency, multi-stage race across the Sahara Desert, where temperatures can exceed 50 degrees and the terrain is extremely hostile.

If any sand gets into your shoes it can cause ferocious blistering.

I have actually known of peoples feet becoming so blistered that they needed skin grafts, says Fiona.

What made this first epic race so incredibly difficult, was that one week before the starting gun, one of the elderly horses from the animal sanctuary Fiona started in the 90s had stood on her foot, fractures two toes and caused horrendous swelling.

I wont go into detail but by 82km, I could actually see the bone sticking out of my little toe, Fiona remembers.

My foot was absolutely smashed to a pulp but I managed to keep going and keep strong enough to complete the race. I proves that anything is possible if you want it badly enough.

Running non-stop, for hours at a time through punishing conditions seems unimaginable for most of us. Fiona says the real struggle is often mental rather than physical.

Ultramarathons are a state of mind rather than body for me, she explains. Because I come from an elite road running background I am used to running quite high weekly mileage around 160km so I have the physical base fitness to carry me through, but the mental side of things in ultras is what is different.

You have to manage your body and your mind carefully and always try to look for the positives rather than focussing on the negatives which can quickly seem overwhelming if you dwell on them.

She says the intense, multi-stage races take her to some pretty dark places, and often she has to really battle to keep her demons in check.

You are out there, day-in day-out, on your feet for hours, really pushing through the pain. However, the long-term benefits far outweigh the short-term inconveniences, pain and struggles.

They teach you so much about yourself and, strangely enough, even though you literally have nothing apart from what you carry on your back, you have everything because you have the freedom and the ability to be there.

When you return to your day-to-day life, even the most seemingly trivial events like turning on a tap and fresh, drinkable water miraculously appearing is something to behold and cherish.

Fiona says running enriches every element of her life, and she is deeply grateful for everything it brings her.

I love the freedom of being out in the wilderness and the new and exciting experiences and adventures running always uncovers, she explains.

She adds that it isnt difficult adapting a vegan diet to enable her to achieve such physical extremes its just about working out exactly what your body needs.

Like any other diet, the main thing is that you find the correct nutritional balance for your particular lifestyle, says Fiona.

Mine has always been very active. I used to cycle 30 miles each way in to London to work, and now spend any time Im not running caring for our 550 rescued animals at the animal sanctuary I founded 25 years ago.

I dont fixate over my diet, but I have learned over the years to listen to what my body is telling me and act accordingly.

I dont think there is one set eating plan which suits all as everyones needs are different but basically I adhere to a whole grain diet including plenty of fresh, seasonal, locally sourced vegetables and fruits.

Fiona says that her convinction in her beliefs is what makes her a strong woman.

For the animals, the planet, other human beings, personal health and the future, my veganism is at the core of all I do.

It encapsulates justice and compassion for all something I have always been passionate about.

Strong Women is a weekly series that champions diversity in the world of sport and fitness.

A Sport England study found that 40% of women were avoiding physical activity due to a fear of judgement.

But, contrary to the limited images we so often see, women of any age, size, race or ability can be active and enjoy sport and fitness.

We hope that by normalising diverse depictions of women who are fit, strong and love their bodies, we will empower all women to shed their self-consciousness when it comes to getting active.

Each week we talk to women who are redefining what it means to be strong and achieving incredible things.

MORE: Strong Women: I lost all feeling in one side of my body at 28 but MS wont stop my fight

MORE: Strong Women: We live in a refugee camp and fear for our future but football gives us hope

MORE: Strong Women: Bells palsy changed my face and stole my confidence but yoga helped me heal

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'I'm an endurance runner with one kneecap - vegans aren't weak' - Metro.co.uk

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If youve ever tried to lose weight, youve likely heard that a calorie deficit is required.

Yet, you may wonder what exactly it involves or why its necessary for weight loss.

This article explains everything you need to know about a calorie deficit, including what it is, how it affects weight loss, and how to achieve it in a healthy, sustainable way.

Calories are the units of energy you get from foods and beverages, and when you consume fewer calories than you burn, you achieve a calorie deficit.

The calories you burn or expend each day also known as calorie expenditure include the following three components (1):

If you provide your body fewer calories than it needs to support these three components of calorie expenditure, you put your body into a calorie deficit. Doing so consistently for long periods results in weight loss (1).

Conversely, you will gain weight if you regularly provide your body more calories than it needs to support these functions. This is called a calorie surplus.

A calorie deficit occurs when you consistently provide your body with fewer calories than it needs to support calorie expenditure.

For most people, a calorie deficit of 500 calories per day is sufficient for weight loss and unlikely to significantly affect your hunger or energy levels (2).

To create this calorie deficit, you need to know what your maintenance calories are. Maintenance calories are precisely the number of calories your body needs to support energy expenditure.

You can use calorie calculators like the Body Weight Planner from the National Institute of Health. Such calculators estimate your maintenance calories based on your weight, sex, age, height, and physical activity level (3).

Though calorie calculators provide a good idea of your maintenance calorie needs, you can get a more precise number by tracking your calorie intake and weight for 10 days (4).

While maintaining the same level of daily activity, use a calorie tracking app to track your calories and weigh yourself daily. For an accurate result, use the same scale, at the same time of day, and wearing the same clothes (or nothing at all).

Your weight may fluctuate day to day, but if your weight has otherwise remained stable over the 10 days, the average number of calories you consumed per day is a better representation of your maintenance calories.

Divide the total number of calories you consumed for 10 days by 10 to find your average daily calorie intake. Then, subtract 500 calories from this number to determine your new daily intake goal for weight loss.

For example, if you find your maintenance calories to be 2,000 per day, your new daily calorie goal would be 1,500.

As you lose weight, your maintenance calories will decrease over time, and you will need to adjust your calorie intake based on your weight loss goals (1).

Still, to ensure healthy weight loss and adequate nutrient intake, women should not consume fewer than 1,200 calories per day, and men no fewer than 1,500 calories (5).

You can estimate your maintenance calories by using an online calculator. Alternatively, for a more accurate number, monitor your calorie intake and weight for 10 days.

You can achieve a calorie deficit by consuming fewer calories or increasing your physical activity levels or both.

That said, it may be easier and more sustainable to create a calorie deficit through diet rather than exercise alone, as you may not have the time, energy, or motivation to exercise daily. Plus, exercise doesnt burn as many calories as many people believe (6, 7, 8, 9, 10).

In other words, it may be easier to eat 500 fewer calories each day than to burn this number of calories through exercise. Nonetheless, its still recommended to engage in muscle-strengthening and aerobic exercises for their beneficial effects on overall health (11).

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans from the Department of Health and Human Services recommend that adults do 150300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, or 75150 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise, weekly (12).

Moderate-intensity exercise includes brisk walking and light bicycling, whereas examples of vigorous-intensity exercise are jogging and fast bicycling.

The guidelines also recommend that adults do muscle-strengthening activities involving their major muscle groups including the back, shoulders, chest, arms, and legs at least two days every week (12).

Engaging in muscle-strengthening activities will help your body prioritize the loss of body fat rather than muscle mass (13, 14, 15).

Its likely more sustainable to create a calorie deficit through diet rather than exercise alone. However, physical activity is important for many aspects of health.

Cutting calories from your diet to create a calorie deficit doesnt necessarily require drastic changes.

In fact, several strategies can help you reduce your calorie intake to lose weight and maintain it and they dont even require calorie counting.

You may be able to eliminate several hundred calories from your diet simply by reducing or eliminating your intake of sugary beverages like soda, fruit juices, and specialty coffee drinks.

Alcoholic beverages can also pack a significant number of calories.

The calories from these beverages dont provide fullness, and in excess, they can lead to weight gain, heart disease, and diabetes (16, 17, 18, 19).

The sugar, fat, and salt in highly processed foods, including sugary beverages, fast foods, desserts, and breakfast cereals, make these high calorie foods highly palatable and encourage excess consumption (20, 21).

In fact, one study showed that people who were allowed to eat as much or as little as they wanted ate 500 more calories per day on a diet containing highly processed foods, compared with a diet containing minimally proceeded ones (22).

Minimally proceeded foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber and include foods like lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes. A diet rich in minimally processed foods will help prevent you from overeating and ensure you get the nutrients your body needs.

If your current diet consists of many highly processed foods, slowly begin to replace those items with minimally processed ones. For example, swap sugary cereals with oatmeal topped with fruit, or swap chips with lightly salted almonds.

Preparing and eating your meals at home allows you to control the ingredients and your portion sizes and therefore, your calorie intake.

One study showed that people who cooked dinner at home 67 times per week consumed 137 fewer calories per day, on average, than people who cooked dinner at home 01 time per week (23).

Eating home-cooked meals is also associated with better diet quality, an increased intake of fruits and vegetables, lower body fat levels, and reduced risks of heart disease and diabetes (24).

Whats more, frequently cooking at home can save you money (25).

Reducing your consumption of sugary beverages, consuming a diet containing mostly minimally processed food, and eating at home can help you reduce your calorie intake.

A calorie deficit occurs when you consume fewer calories than your body expends.

A calorie deficit of 500 calories per day is effective for healthy and sustainable weight loss.

Eliminating sugary beverages, consuming mostly minimally processed foods like fruits and vegetables, and eating home-cooked meals can help you reach a calorie deficit without calorie counting.

See original here:
What Is a Calorie Deficit, and How Much of One Is Healthy? - Healthline

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Make sure you dont land on Santas naughty list for overindulging in all of your favorite holiday foods. A Baylor College of Medicine family physician says staying active is the best way to counteract holiday calories, plus he offers some more expert advice.

On average, between Thanksgiving and New Years people can gain about 1 to 2 pounds, said Dr. Irvin Sulapas, assistant professor of family and community medicine and primary care sports medicine physician at Baylor. It doesnt sound like a lot, but it can make a difference five years down the road.

Sulapas offers three essential tips on how to get an early start on your New Years resolution and work off holiday eating.

Remain active

Although the holidays may seem too busy to fit in a workout, there are ways to stay active during the season so you can enjoy holiday foods while also burning some calories.

In many parts of the country, the weather is a lot nicer for being outdoors, Sulapas said. This is the time of year where there are a lot of fun runs and 5k walks. Peoples kids are also home for the holidays so its a good time to be with family, be outdoors and get a little movement.

If the weather is not conducive to being outdoors, Sulapas recommends finding time to visit an indoor gym for resistance training or cardio. He adds that walking through the local mall or shopping center to holiday shop is another way to burn extra calories.

Walking is a great form of exercise, Sulapas said. I have patients who say their goal for exercise during the holiday is just walking for an hour-and-a-half through the mall.

Sulapas recommends trying to fit in exercise sometime before or after you have your holiday meal.

Enjoy the holidays with family and try to find some activities where you can all be active together, Sulapas said. Go walk in the park or to the mall for holiday shopping together so everyone is getting out and getting some exercise.

Portion control

You do not have to miss out on all your favorite foods to avoid gaining weight during the holidays, Sulapas said. He recommends portion control all year around, even during the holidays so you can enjoy your meals without the guilt.

Holiday foods are delicious but things that you can do when you have a holiday turkey, for example, is to try to eat a serving of turkey breast instead of dark meat or just pair it with small portion of dark meat, which will save you some calories, Sulapas said. The most important thing is to eat everything in moderation.

If your portions are going to be bigger than normal during the holidays, Sulapas said the key is to stay active through any kind of exercise.

Stay consistent

Its just as important to stay consistent and motivated when it comes to exercise and being healthy throughout the year. Sulapas recommends regular exercise and eating everything in moderation before and after the holidays as well.

When it comes to New Years resolutions, Sulapas recommends aiming for shorter, smaller health and exercise goals.

Consistency and staying motivated are always big factors, Sulapas said. What I usually recommend when someone is trying to lose weight is aim for shorter goals like aiming to lose 1 pound versus 5 to 10 pounds per week. If you aim for 1 to 2 pounds a week, I have seen people lose 20 to 30 pounds in a span of six months.

See original here:
Three tips to work off holiday eating - Houston Chronicle

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VANESSA Feltz showed off her 3.5 stone weight loss in a ruffled mini dress at the panto last night.

The 57-year-old looked incredible as she posed in a gorgeous frock and showed off her slimmer legs.

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The radio presenter grinned as she wrapped an arm around her grandson, who looked adorable in a very jazzy grey suit.

Vanessa is now down to a size 12 after undergoing surgery for a gastric band after years of struggling with yo-yo dieting.

Despite her dramatic transformation, and her three-and-a-half-stone weight loss,Vanessa has said she won't stop there and aims to lose another seven pounds by the end of the year.

Talking about the impact her weight loss has had on her relationship with her 47-year-old partner Ben Ofoedu, Vanessa admitted to Woman Magazine: "He doesn't seem to have become any less keen on a bit of how's your father, put it that way.

5

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"He likes a bigger woman with a big fat bum.

"Mine has almost dwindled away, so I don't think he'd have cared if I hadn't lost an ounce, but he likes the confidence."

She added: "I've been able to get sexier underwear. I love a negligee - I've got some fabulous satin ones which I think are absolutely irresistible to Ben.

Size-12 Vanessa was able to wear a bikini for the first time on holiday in 35 years earlier this summer - and felt fantastic.

5

Losing weight has also helped her worry less about having a heart attack or suffering from diabetes.

And she claims it's helped with her menopause symptoms as she feels "less hot and bothered, less bad tempered and less stressed".

Its her second gastric band after the first one, fitted in 2010, almost killed her when it went wrong.

Vanessa has been engaged to lead singer of Phats & Small since 2006. They were due to wed in 2007 and again in 2011 but have yet to get married.

Got a story? email digishowbiz@the-sun.co.uk or call us direct on 02077824220.

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Vanessa Feltz shows off her 3.5 stone weight loss in a ruffled mini dress at the panto - The Sun

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Diabetes Mellitus is a disease that involves impaired glucose metabolism. Sudden adverse changes in blood glucose (high or low) can lead to altered mental status, to seizures, and even death. Long-term complications include damage to end organs, such as eyes, kidneys, heart, and the neurological system.

Further, this is a condition that would renderan existing medical certificate invalid from the moment the pilot knew of the diagnosis, regardless of any theoretical period of validity that might appear to remain for that certificate.

Are all pilots with diabetes grounded indefinitely? Is there any hope for a pilot with diabetes to fly again? What about commercially?

The answers are reassuring. Private pilots with well-controlled diabeteshave been flying for many years. And a recently implemented program with the support of the Federal Air Surgeon will now enable even more diabetics to return to commercial flying.

Without going into an elaborate explanation of itsphysiology, lets break diabetes down into two categories: non-insulin-dependent and insulin-dependent.

Insulin is a hormone that is released by the pancreas in response to blood glucose levels. All body tissues use glucose for energy. When blood glucose rises, the pancreas secretes insulin, permitting the bodily tissues to store and use glucose for various metabolic functions.

In certain cases of diabetes, the production of insulin is significantly decreased or completely absent. Common names include juvenile, type 1, or insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM). Dont let the term juvenile confuse the situation, as there are times when insulin dependence might not occur until well into adulthood.

The relevant premise here is that the body has stopped producing sufficient insulin to regulate blood glucose, regardless of the persons age. You might also see the term insulin-treated diabetes (ITDM) in various publications, and for the purposes of FAA medical certification, IDDM and ITDM can be used synonymously.

In other cases, the bodily tissues have become resistant to the insulin that the pancreas is dutifully producing (obesity is a common cause of insulin resistance). Terms familiar to most people include adult-onset, type 2, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes.

Google mellitus for the amusing reference of how that word became part of the lore of diabetes centuries ago. I will provide more pathophysiologic information when I discuss the individual types of diabetes and the respective FAA certification programs more specifically in future submissions.

Therefore, I wont go into the formalities and minutia of how to diagnose, treat, and monitor diabetes in this discussion. Suffice it to say that poorly-controlled diabetes poses a significant threat to aviation safety, not to mention long-term health.

Diabetes that can be controlled with diet, exercise, and weight loss is the proverbial no-brainer in FAA medical certification. Anything a pilot can do without medical intervention is always preferable for long-term health maintenance.

All classes of medical certificates can be easily obtained in this setting and usually a special issuance is not required (at times this is followed through a slightly amended protocol for pre-diabetes that Ill discuss at a future date).

The necessity for oral and some of the injectable non-insulin medications that lower blood glucose to control diabetes also does not preclude FAA medical certification. In this case, while the pilot will be followed under a special issuance authorization, all classes of medical certificates are again included in this protocol. I have had many pilots flying commercially on first- and second-class medical certificates for many years who are taking oral diabetic medications.

If a pilot requires insulin, however, things change. Before 1996, any insulin-dependent pilot was unable to fly (all classes of medical certificates were excluded). Beginning in 1996, pilots could obtain a third-class FAA medical certificate if they are taking insulin and their diabetes is well controlled.

Fortunately, the program for third-class IDDM pilots has been a great success. The very rare adverse in-flight incidents over the years with diabetic pilots usually have occurred in pilots with poorly controlled diabetes who likely would not havebeen granted a special issuance authorization in the first place.

A pilot who requires insulin for treatment has been excluded for classes of FAA medical certificates higher than third-class until just recently. I have been a vocal advocate to the FAA and its various Federal Air Surgeons over the years that well-controlled IDDM pilots should be considered for first- and second-class certification.

With the current precise continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) electronics and advancements available, an insulin-dependent diabetic is now able to maintain tightly-controlled blood glucose levels.

In 2002, Canada began permitting IDDM pilots to fly commercially in a multi-pilot crew environment. The UK began doing so in 2012, and now the U.S. joined that group last month (on November 7).

Notably, there is no restriction in the FAA protocol that an IDDM pilot must be in a crew environment. Thus, an FAA-licensed pilot with a special issuance for IDDM can fly single-pilot so long as all provisions are met. The FARs dont permit the FAA to put restrictions such as must be part of a multi-pilot crew on first-class medical certificates.

There are also several other countries that permit private flying in pilots with various forms of diabetes.

As you can imagine, the FAA was very cautious and reviewed the advances in diabetic management technologies methodically over many years before authorizing this new program. No different than any other special issuance program, the FAA did not want aviation accidents resulting from a poorly conceived program.

This would, of course, be a tragedy for anyone involved in the accident and could jeopardize the entire program itself. Out of respect for caution, the FAA spent many years working on this program. And now, its finally here!

However, the requirements are probably the most extensive of any special issuance program that we have. There will be ongoing evaluations of numerous organ systems. In addition to using the latest technology to monitor and treat a pilot's diabetes, evaluations will be ongoing for eyes, heart, kidneys, and neurological systems.

The data presentation to the FAA is also extensive and thorough. As with some of the other special issuance conditions, the FAA has developed comprehensive checklistsfor pilots, their AMEs, and the treating physiciansand flow sheets to assist in the detailed data presentation to the FAA. Ongoing CGM data will also be required.

As exhaustive as this program is, it has finally opened the world of commercial flying to IDDM pilots who require a first- or second-class FAA medical certificate. I am hopeful that the program will be as successful as the earlier program for third-class pilots has been.

Those with IDDM are often some of the most motivated pilots there are, and the new gadgetry involved has demonstrated to the FAA that precise control of diabetes can indeed be achieved and, therefore, such pilots do not pose a threat to aviation safety. Thus, it is predicted that IDDM pilots will be able to fly safely in commercial operationson first- and second-class special issuance authorizationsin the U.S.

For a pilot to obtain a special issuance authorization under this new IDDM protocol, they will need an organized and motivated team of support. The pilot, first and foremost, must adequately control their diabetes using modern electronics, including CGM devices, as that also will improve the likelihood of maintaining long-term health.

Next, the treating physician must be willing to complete thorough FAA flow sheets and, at select times, consulting physicians will have to provide evaluation data of the other organ systems mentioned above. Finally, the AME must be willing to choreograph all of the data into a packet that will be acceptable to the FAA.

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