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Eman Ahmed, the 500-kg Egyptian and possibly the worlds heaviest woman, will have to lose four-fifths of her weight to reach a healthy size.

Ahmed, who was admitted to Saifee Hospital on Friday, began her treatment on Monday, doctors said. As Eman is immobile, the first goal is to help her sit, eat and use a bathroom without help.

The ultimate goal is to bring Eman to a sustainable and healthy weight of under 100kg. Doctors are hopeful of achieving a weight reduction of about 150-200kg in the first six months.

Originally about 500kg, Eman has lost about 20kg during the three week period of continued monitoring and treatment, provided by a team of doctors who had travelled to her home town, Alexandria, Egypt.

Dr Muffazal Lakdawala, Emans doctor and chairman of Minimal Invasive Surgical Sciences and Research Center at Saifee Hospital, said that for the first four weeks, the goal is to treat her fluid retention issue. The ailment results in excessive build-up of fluids in the circulatory system, body tissues, or cavities in the body, causing weight gain.

The weight of fluids in her body is about 70-100kg. Once that is cleared, we will monitor her development and take a call on the bariatric surgery, said Dr Lakdawala.

Dr Hemal Shah, head of the department of nephrology at the hospital, said that while water retention doesnt usually result in an increase of more than 5-10kg, it is different in Emans case. While the body mass index (BMI), a measure of body fat based on height and weight of a normal person is about 24, Emans BMI is almost ten times higher at 252. Doctors from the hospital said she also suffers from ailments such as severe lymphedema, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism, severe obstructive and restrictive lung disease, gout and sleep apnea. She is at a high risk of pulmonary embolism.Doctors said the line of treatment will follow a systematic and holistic approach. Bariatric specialists from the US, UK and Australia suggested that Eman should not be rushed into surgery.

The result of gene study will identify which of the 91 different types of genes isolated with obesity-related syndromes are causing the problem. Depending on the diagnosing of the monogenic disorder disorders caused by a single defective gene on the autosomes a call will be taken, said Dr Zoya Brar, Managing Director of Core Diagnostic. She added that Emans lipid profiles are indicative of a positive trend and a lot of drugs are now available to treat monogenic disorders.

Nutritionists at the hospital started following Emans diet starting on Monday. Carlyne Remedios, senior nutritionist said her diet will change according to the developments. For two days after she arrived, we let her continue her old diet. Now, she has been put on liquid, protein rich diet, with fibre and dairy supplements, said Remedios.

Eman, who consumed about 1500 calories daily will now receive 1200 calories. Moderately active 35-year-old women those who walk 1.5 to 3 miles daily require about 2,000 calories a day while active ones those who walk more than 3 miles need about 2,200. The difference is owing to Emans extremely low metabolism, which doesnt allow her to release calories normally.

Dr Lakdawala said one of the positive aspects of the case was ruling out any partial paralysis. Local doctors had diagnosed her with partial paralysis in right hand and right leg after the stroke she suffered two years ago. But I asked her to move her right hand and leg, which she did, said Dr Lakdawala.

Doctors will also work on her extremely low metabolism rate which is assisting the weight gain. A metabolism rate of an individual refers to the amount of calories a person frees from their body per unit time. Right now, Emans body absorbs most of what she eats. Our long term goal is to bring the rate down to 20-25%, said Dr Lakdawala. Doctors will also work on the size of her intestine to reduce food intake.

Language barriers and engineering wonders

Officials from Saifee said it took Eman two hours to travel from her home in Alexandria to the airport. Huzaifa Sherani, COO, Saifee Hospital said local engineers were not fluent in English and he could not speak Arabic. We communicated through graphs and bonded over coffee, which is called kavaa in the local language. Our intention was to break the wall of Emans bedroom, safely lift her bed and put it in the vehicle en route to the airport. About 400 cargo specialists and government officials from both countries were a part of the logistical support provided to bring Eman 6,000km from Egypt to Mumbai, said Sherani

Emans room at the hospital

Emans room at Saifee hospital is 1000 sq ft and contains a patient room, an attendants room, a scrub room, and a toilet. It has been furnished with a Citadel Plus Bariatric Care system, a chain pulley, a lifting swing to help Eman when she needs to relieve herself, a Drager Fabius GS, an anaesthesia machine, a central monitoring system, an infusion pump, a Intellivue MP40, an Injectomat Syringe Pump, a C arm BV Pulsera, a Patent Warmer, Suction Machine, page writer TC20, A Lourano Chair and other equipment

Emans family

Emans sister Shaimaa a former engineer left her job to take care of her. She has a two-year-old daughter who is currently staying with her grandmother in Alexandria. While Eman lost her father six months ago, her mother stitches clothes to earn an income. Every organisation involved in transporting and treating Eman is working on pro-bono basis to ensure that the family doesnt have to bear the burden of the extensive cost. Emans air-transport alone cost about Rs83 lakh, which the Saifee Hospital trust paid for.

Fund-raising collects Rs 7, 20, 302

A fundraiser set up under the banner Save Eman has managed to collect Rs7, 20, 302. The campaign on BitGiving was set up to help Emans family. The money will be transferred to a separate account and will cover the cost of her treatment in India. The link to the account is https://www.bitgiving.com/SaveEmanCause

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10 things about Eman Ahmed, the 500kg Egyptian woman in Mumbai for surgery

500kg Egyptian woman will arrive in Mumbai on Saturday for obesity surgery

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Eman Ahmed, the world's heaviest woman, will have to lose 200kg in six months - Hindustan Times

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TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) - Studied for years for its ability to improve overall physical health, a recent study found that the Mediterranean diet can help prevent brain decline in elderly people.

"The Mediterranean diet really focuses on getting back to whole foods. That's whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, olive oils, legumes, nuts and seeds, herbs and spices," said registered dietitian, Melissa Sleight.

Animal protein in this diet comes from fish, but the study found, that wasn't a game changer to prevent brain loss.

"This specific study actually found no association between brain atrophy and fish intake, but it has been shown in other areas to be very beneficial," Sleight said.

Giving up alcohol isn't necessary. This diet actually encourages drinking red wine for its antioxidant properties.

"Including that in moderation, one drink for women and up to three drinks for men was associated with the decrease in brain loss," the dietitian explained.

Your brain isn't the only thing that can benefit from eating this way.

"It's very protective against diseases later in life, it's protective against cancers, it's protective against heart health, diabetes, chronic inflammatory conditions like joint diseases and things like that," she said.

Sleight told KMVT that anyone can follow this diet.

On Wednesday, Feb. 22, Dr. Joseph Rosenblum, a cardiologist with St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center, will speak about the Mediterranean diet for heart health month. The seminar will take place at 801 Pole Line Road W., Oak Rooms, from 6 to 7pm. Pre-registration is recommended, so call (208) 814-0095 to RSVP.

There is also an upcoming class on the Mediterranean diet on Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 4:30 to 5pm. This class is located at St. Lukes Clinic Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation in Twin Falls at 2550 Addison Ave. E, Suite C. Registration is not required.

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Victor R. Martinez , El Paso Times 5:00 a.m. MT Feb. 12, 2017

Alexander Cisneros, 18, left, snacks on a plate of fat bombs, a dessert made with heavy cream, cream cheese and orange zest. Watching is his mother, Gladys Cisneros and Franco Lopez, a registered dietician and clinical nutrition manager at the specialty clinic at Providence Childrens Hospital. Alexander is on the Ketogenic Diet. Some of the foods in the diet are on the table.(Photo: RUDY GUTIERREZ / EL PASO TIMES)Buy Photo

A typical breakfast for Alexander Cisneros is a two-egg omelette with spinach sauteed in coconut oil and full-fat cheese.

And for lunch or dinner his mother, Gladys Cisneros, prepares four ounces of fish, chicken or beef with a half a cup of bell peppers, asparagus or broccoli sauteed in real butter and smothered in cheddar cheese.

For dessert it's jello made with heavy whipped cream or a fat bomb, whipped cream mixed with Stevia, a natural sweetener made from the Stevia leaf.

Not exactly what many people would consider a healthy diet.

But for Alexander, his mother and his sister Jacqueline, it works.

"There's three of us on the diet for three different purposes," Cisneros said. "He is onit because he has multiple disabilities, one of them being epilepsy so he is on it to address the epileptic seizures. My daughter is on it because she's a competitive swimmer with WETT. I do it because it helps to balance my hormones. Being middle aged, it affects my body. Plus it helps my energy level."

The Cisneros family is on the ketogenic diet, a very low-carb diet which turns the body into a fat-burning machine.

"Half the time, you can't even finish your meal because it's so rich and so good," Cisneros said. "Alexander has three meals a day, plus I'll send him a snack like pork rinds."

A plate of ground beef cooked in oil with avocados, tomatoes and green beens could be a typical lunch plate in the Ketogenic Diet.(Photo: RUDY GUTIERREZ / EL PASO TIMES)

Studies have found that this very low-carb, high-fat diet is effective for weight loss, diabetes and epilepsy. Theres also early evidence to show that it may be beneficial for certain cancers, Alzheimers disease and other diseases, too.

"It's a high fat, low carbohydrate, adequate protein diet where we restrict the carbohydrates," said Franco Lopez, a licensed dietitian with the Hospitals of Providence. "It's called the modified ketogenic diet which is a little more liberal than the classic ketogenic diet. The classic ketogenic diet has to be measured with grams with a scale so it was very strict. This one is more liberal where you can eat more vegetables."

A ketogenic diet is similar to other strict low-carb diets, such as the Atkins diet or LCHF (low carb, high fat). A ketogenic diet typically limits carbs to 2050 grams per day.

A hamburger patty without the bun and bacon strips topped with sliced avocados, onions and tomatoes is a typical dinner plate in the Ketogenic Diet.(Photo: RUDY GUTIERREZ / EL PASO TIMES)

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, the ketogenic diet is one of the oldest treatments for epilepsy. It is intended to maintain the starvation or fasting metabolism over a long time. When the body is in a fasting state, it creates ketones, a by-product of fat-burning metabolism. It has been established that seizures often lessen or disappear during periods of fasting in some individuals with epilepsy.

"A lot of people are afraid of the amount of fat consumed in this diet," Lopez acknowledged. "But there's a big misconception that fat is harmful when in reality it's the carbohydrates that are causing the harm. Unfortunately what is being promoted is low fat, high carbohydrates so my role is to do seminars and educate people and have kids not only with epilepsy but who have elevated cholesterol in their diet, kids with diabetes, people with a brain tumors; I have a patient with a brain tumor which has been shrinking."

Lopez sees patients Monday through Friday at the Specialty Clinic at The Hospital of Providence Children's Hospital.

"I have about 40 to 50 patients on the ketogenic diet," he said. "The diet works on 50 to 70 percent of my patients. Any very good medication, at the most, will have a 30 percent effectiveness. This diet surpasses that."

Lopez, who is on the diet, said his triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood the body uses for energy, has improved and he haslost weight.

"The diet requires preparation, it requires committeemen, dedication and creativity," he said. "I encourage the entire family to adopt the diet that way everybody can eat the same food at the dinner table. Everyone benefits from the diet."

He has a patient who is a football player who experiences seizures.

"He is 6-4 and weights about 240 pounds," Lopez said. "His caloric intake is about 5,000 calories so his mom prepares a half dozen eggs and half a package of bacon. She cooks the eggs in the fat of the bacon juice so he can get enough fat into his diet."

Alexander's intake is about 1,620 calories.

Alexander Cisneros with a breakfast plate consisting of egg omelet cooked in butter topped with heavy cream and sausage patties.(Photo: RUDY GUTIERREZ / EL PASO TIMES)

"We haven't seen a complete elimination of seizures but they've gone from one to two a day to maybe two a week so there has been a drastic drop in the frequency, the duration and the intensity of the seizures," Alexander's mother said. "Once upon a time when he would have a seizure, he would sleep for three hours. Now when he has a seizure, nine times out of 10 he doesn't fall sleep at all. He's a little droggy but he doesn't sleep so his recovery rate is a lot better."

Cisneros and her daughter have also seen the benefits.

"For my daughter, her endurance is so much better," she said. "When she would compete, she was so exhausted. Now she feels like she can swim longer. She told me that that she is studying less but retaining more. Her energy level and her endurance are both up. Also her muscle tone has gotten more defined.

"For me, my energy levels were dropping and my menstrual cycle was off because I was very hormonal," she said. "I had to take a 2 o'clock nap almost every day. All of that changed. I no longer have to take a nap, my energy levels are high now, everything is different."

Victor R. Martinez may be reached at 546-6128; vmartinez@elpasotimes.com; @vrmart on Twitter.

A Ketogenic Diet dessert can be Fat bombs made with heavy cream, cream cheese and orange zest.(Photo: RUDY GUTIERREZ / EL PASO TIMES)

What: The ketogenic diet, a high fat, low carbohydrate diet which turns the body into a fat-burning machine.Studies have found that the diet is effective for weight loss, diabetes and epilepsy.

Who: FrancoLopez, a licensed dietitian with the Hospitals of Providence, sees patients Monday through Friday at the SpecialtyClinic at The Hospital of Providence Children's Hospital.

Information: 577-7888.

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Charles Platkin 9:06 p.m. PT Feb. 12, 2017

Charles Platkin(Photo: Handout)

The other day, I noticed an interesting advertisement in a New York City subway. The ad showed an upside-down croissant with a sail inserted to make it look like a sailboat, along with the slogan, WIND IN YOUR SAILS! FREE. HEALTHY BREAKFAST IN THE CLASSROOM.

At first glance, I thought it was an advertisement for a bakery. I certainly didnt think it was going to be an ad for schoolchildren and their parents, put out by the New York City Department of Education and Share Our Strengths No Kid Hungry campaign. Both organizations offer wonderful programs and often have a positive impact on healthy eating.

Thats why I was surprised to see this ad, and wondered if it was a mistake. If they wanted to capture childrens attention with unhealthy food, wouldnt they have been better off showing an image of a doughnut? How many little kids (in the Breakfast in the Classroom program or not) actually know what a croissant is? This is one of three posters created for the program; both of the others show healthier images.

First, lets take a peek at the term healthy. Under Merriam-Websters definition of healthy youll see phrases such as free from disease or pain or beneficial to ones physical, mental or emotional state; conducive to health. Not sure a croissant fits in here.

Its not that you cant or shouldnt have the occasional croissant, but what kind of message does it send to tell children and parents that a croissant is a healthy breakfast? It can be hard enough for parents to get their kids to eat fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods. But when a croissant is defined as healthy by the New York City Department of Education, its essentially a stamp of approval saying that a croissant is OK to eat whenever. And while this particular croissant may meet NYC DOE standards, the photo doesnt tell us that. The reality is that a croissant can have as many as 500-600 calories much more than a kid should eat for breakfast.

There is a plethora of research demonstrating that images of unhealthy foods stimulate unhealthy eating. A meta-analysis in Obesity Reviews demonstrated that children exposed to unhealthy food images in marketing showed a significant increase in unhealthy food consumption. How many, for example, saw that ad and thought, Wow, I could really go for a croissant right now.

The good news is that there is also strong research demonstrating that images of healthy foods can increase the consumption of healthy foods.

We reached out to several experts to get their opinions on the poster.

Watch Out for the Nag Factor: Practice the art of saying NO to your kids when they ask for unhealthy foods at the supermarket, in restaurants or at home.

Warn Kids About Unhealthy Ads Ahead of Time: Warn your kids in advance that they may be targeted by food companies and others to eat unhealthy foods. This helps to offset the marketing impact. See: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4976102/

Photographs and Images of Healthy Foods Help: Try hanging images of fruits and vegetables in your kitchen. Change them often.

Keep Fruits and Veggies Handy: If you have lots of fruits and vegetables visible and ready to eat, you and your family will be more likely to choose them over other, less healthy foods.

Veggies First: Always offer your kids vegetables first, when theyre hungriest.

When Introducing New Foods to Your Kids, Use the Familiar Along with the New: Try to introduce new foods along with a familiar one.

Copying Behaviors: Kids mimic the eating behaviors of their parents, teachers, siblings, peers and people they see on TV and in advertisements. If you want them to eat healthier, model healthy eating.

Dont be the Diet Police: Instead of criticizing, try showing support when family members actually eat healthier foods.

Shape Your Food: Make the food look good by presenting it in familiar, fun shapes.

Eat Healthy Meals Together: Sitting down at a table (no TV) and eating meals as a family increases the likelihood that your family will eat more fruits and vegetables and decreases the consumption of unhealthy foods (e.g., soda).

Charles Platkin is a nutrition and public health advocate and founder of DietDetective.com.

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Just as the rich nutrition in the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) enhances physical health, so it boosts mental health. A small but striking Australian study links it to alleviating depression.

The research published in BMC Medicine was the first randomized controlled trial to investigate whether or not an improvement in diet can be an effective treatment for major depressive episodes. See more: Olive Oil Health Benefits Scientists found that counseling about healthy food choices, as well as the consumption of MedDiet foods relieved considerably more symptoms of depression than the intervention of belonging to a social support group.

Why was the diet so beneficial? Two big factors that contribute to the depression-fighting properties involve two of its more famous nutrients: omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, naturopathic physician Vickie Modica of Seattle, Washington told Olive Oil Times.

Both of these nutrients have been the subject of recent research into the mind-body link between diet and depression. Omega-3 fatty acids, known to have an anti-inflammatory effect and thought to have a healthful impact on the nervous system, improve the symptoms of depression in multiple studies. Other research shows that diets high in fiber increase the diversity of good gut microbiota, which is believed to have a positive influence on mood, including depression, Modica said.

In the current study, 67 patients suffering from a major depressive episode were randomly assigned to attend either seven sessions with a clinical dietician who extolled the value of the MedDiet or seven sessions of social support. All the participants had unhealthy diets at the beginning of the intervention.

Individuals in the dietary counseling group were asked to improve their eating habits by consuming fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish and olive oil, which are foods that comprise the MedDiet. They were required to write what they ate in food diaries, and the recorded data revealed the quality of their food intake increased significantly.

Participants in the social support group were led in the discussion of neutral topics of interest. On occasion, they played board games or cards, activities chosen to keep them engaged and positive.

At the end of 12 weeks, the contrast between the two groups was remarkable. Nearly one-third of the counseling group experienced remission from their depression, compared to only 8 percent of the social support group. Moreover, the improvements werent dependent upon exercise or weight loss.

This study should be thought of as preliminary research and hopefully a catalyst for many more studies proving a mind-body connection, Modica noted. That said, I think its import is multifaceted, having a bearing on the following issues:

Modica explained that the concept of a nutritious diet promoting mental health is an integral part of the naturopathic philosophy.

If I can speak for my profession, we consider it a matter of course that diet affects mood. For me, this study confirms the clinical and empirical experiences I have seen through my schooling and career: a whole foods diet low or absent in processed food has a positive impact on depression symptoms, she said.

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Med Diet Linked to Relief from Depression - Olive Oil Times

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Denise Middleton , KTHV 11:18 PM. CST February 12, 2017

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- It's February and we are into a new year, which also means new trends. Whether at the gym or spa, many of us are just looking for ways to look and feel good. New year, new goals, new workouts! It's that time of year when fitness trends began to buzz. Topping the list, wearable tech.

"I'm looking at it all the time, it's got little circles on it, so I can see oh I'm almost done," said Fastfit Personal Trainer Jeff McDaniel.

But in the ever-evolving tech world, McDaniel says devices like Fitbit and the Apple watch aren't the only hot things on the market helping count calories.

"Underarmour is doing a really cool thing with technology t-shirts that connects Wi-Fi with your computer and tracks your workouts for the entire month," said McDaniel.

It's something that's still developing and set to be released in the summer, but if you thought that was cool, ladies there's also jewelry.

"Jewelry that track your heart rate calories everything from pendants to rings glasses head gear," said McDaniel.

And another fitness trend in 2017, body weight workouts. Natasha Gallaty says when it comes to exercising she's tried it all, but thinks this training has proven to be most effective.

"I think this is the longest I've lasted in any particular type of workout, said Gallaty.

And what people love most about it is it's accessibility.

"I could do it in my living room, out back when I travel, the beach," said McDaniel.

Also, Jeff says there's a growing trend for specialized studios for just about every workout you can think of.

"So whether it's MMA, or it's yoga or it's spin or it's Zumba you have specific studios versus one big box gym, he said.

"From fitness to beauty, things are constantly evolving, and here at the Rejuvenation clinic in LR we check out some of the hottest trends that have customers coming back for more, said Sara Molsbee, Rejuvenation Clinic Day Spa nurse. "So in the med spa right now we're seeing Kybella has really taken off. This is a new injectable to dissolve the fat underneath the chin."

The FDA approved treatment is gaining popularity among women in their mid-20s.

"This is really the generation that is all on social media taking selfies and they are really focusing on these aspects of the face," she said.

Molsbee says more and more younger people are becoming aware of the benefits of new technology. Whether caused by genetics, aging, or weight gain, she says clients are looking to improve their appearance. And if it's skin discoloration, wrinkles, or fine lines you're worried about, Hydrafacial treatments are what's in, just ask Renee Berry.

"When I come away from it and I look in the mirror my face looks amazing it looks so clean and bright and fresh and alive, said Renee Berry, Rejuvenation Clinic Day Spa client.

"This is something we refer to, kind of like you would go to the gym for the health and maintenance of your body, this is the treatment we recommend for your skin, said Molsbee.

From skin to lashes, it's no secret ladies love longer, fuller eyelashes. But, if you're tired of the maintenance of lash extensions.

"There are prescription and non-prescription lash growth products that you can use at home that stimulate growth of your own lash, said Molsbee.

Enhancing the length and amount in just 4 to 8 weeks. It's a new trend Renee says she's used for a month now.

For a person who struggles with hypo-thyroidism. They made them thicker and longer and I feel more confident, now I really don't wear fake eyelashes anymore, said Berry.

Just another reason Renee is excited to leave the trends of 2016 behind. As for now, she along with many others look towards maintaining their skin and body with the help of cutting edge fitness and beauty trends of the future. For pricing on these beauty trends click here.

( 2017 KTHV)

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The hard work on the training ground is paying off, insists the defender as the Swans ran out easy winners against the champions

Swansea City defender Alfie Mawson paid tribute to Paul Clement's impact on fitness at the club following his goal in a 2-0 victory over Leicester City.

Mawson scored a sweetly struck volley to open the scoring at the Liberty Stadium before Martin Olsson doubled the lead and Swansea went on to secure their third win in their last four Premier League matches.

Swansea pile pressure on Leicester

The run of form has helped ease the Swans' relegation fears and Mawson gave credit to head coach Clement, who arrived at the club on January 3.

"We are working really hard," Mawson told Sky Sports. "The new manager has changed a few things, the players have never worked so hard. He has a saying - 'hard week, easier weekend' - and it is showing.

"We felt fit and you have to be against a team like Leicester. We just overran and overpowered them.

"The manager told us we are going to work really hard and we have. He's turned it right around, we are so positive we feel we can take on anyone."

The goal was Mawson's third in six games and he admitted he has a knack for the spectacular, saying: "It fell nicely for me, I was delighted.

"I stopped my run and I thought I would sit back and hit it then I had a look up and it was in the back of the net.

Conte: A point is disappointing

"I scored one like that in League One at Millwall but it's a bit different on the big stage, so it felt fantastic.

"Any goal is a positive for myself and the club but I do like to score. I have got a habit at the moment of being in the right place at the right time."

On his unusual dancing celebration, Mawson added: "I'm going to get hammered for this. I did it when I was at Wycombe so I will carry it on. The celebration was between me and my missus, I said I to her I would do it if I scored. It is going to be a craze!"

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Clement fitness regime is paying off Mawson - Goal.com

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Its still close enough to New Year's that your resolution to get fit doesnt seem untenable -- but your schedules a beast, shopping gyms is tiresome, and sometimes Waze lies to you, trapping you on the 405 when you really believed you might get to Pilates in time to finally give it a try. Itd be great to have an app that has on-demand workouts near to you, that you dont need to schedule in advance, that are actually interesting -- which is where Open Sweat comes in.

Four LA guys with tech and marketing backgrounds noticed a couple years ago that along with many other things in LA, fun and trendy fitness experimentation could be made available on demand. Their idea became Open Sweat, an iOS app that lets you book last-minute group workouts at a discount. Unlike competitor ClassPass, you dont have to buy a package of classes and then use them -- you buy as you go.

Open Sweat co-founder Neil Rothstein and his partners dont come from the fitness industry and arent gym rats. And that helped them to think up a service for people who dont live in the locker room, but still want to make time for exercise. We definitely saw an opportunity to create a model that we think is more consumer friendly and more friendly to the studios, Rothstein said. Heres how it works: You download the free app to your iPhone or iPad, register on the platform, then use it to browse under-booked classes around town. Last-minute reservations at discounts up to 50% off open up at 6pm the night before and close 30 minutes before class starts. You pay for your class in the app and then just show up to sample some of Open Sweats ultra-LA offerings -- like aerial performance suspended in giant silk ribbons, a yoga-calisthenics hybrid you can practice out on the bars at Santa Monica beach, or a non-workout in which you sit on a vibrating plate to try to quake off your cellulite (yes, really).

We scoped out eight local classes that reek of LA and are Open Sweat available -- in case youre still struggling with that resolution, but cant commit. We understand:

Believe El Segundo At Believe studio, you can get your yoga on while suspended over the studio floor in a hammock that looks something like those earthy baby slings made from a giant scarf. The Anti Gravity design helps alignment, according to the class description, keeping you in good form as you combine yoga, Pilates, and aerial arts.

Elevate 8 Santa Monica Youll mix the moves of a private dancer with intense cardio and weight training to shape and harden your arms, abs, and rear view, all split into intervals. Especially hilarious/needed if youre a big dude with no core skills at all.

F45 Training Santa Monica Lets let them describe it: Imagine walking into a Hollywood night club on a Saturday Night. Everybody is there for a reason but nobody knows what to expect. The lights are dimmed, the music is loud and you will be surrounded by 26 other people as if you were in the middle of a Dance Floor at Les Deux circa 2009. So, yeah: its time to dance to Get Low.

LA Ballroom Dance Studio Sherman Oaks If you want to pick up some Dancing with the Stars-type moves but arent that into ballroom dancing, this class will prove its all OK. LaBlast is a mashup of all styles, designed by a DWTS alum for a good cardio workout. And if you want to sharpen your skills in the Disco, Cha Cha, Jive, Samba, Paso Doble, Merengue, and Salsa youll sample, LA Ballroom Dance has style-specific training. (Other styles are booked directly, not through Open Sweat.)

Pink Iron West Hollywood If youre a lady who wants to hoist a barbell like an Olympian, this class is for you. Because its LA, you must be a babe while in beast mode, learning the classic olympic lifts, power lifts, proper form, and a variety of skills more in depth under the watchful eye of our most experienced coaches.

PLATEFIT West Hollywood PlateFits vibrating platform claims to intensify any workout, achieving results in a fraction of the time. The studios website has celeb testimonials and links to years of good press for those who sweat it out. But the good news is the West Hollywood studio has also developed a non-workout class where you sit on the plate, to shake, hum, vibrate, and whir away your dimples. Sound too good to be true? Maybe. But hopefully not?

Street Workout Academy Santa Monica Get into a global hybrid training method that combines Yin Yoga core training (which targets the connective tissues of the hips, pelvis, and lower spine) with calisthenics that include full body strength and endurance in small groups. Classes are capped at eight participants, and some take it outdoors. The idea is to get the kind of incredible balance and strength to do out-of-a-movie things like casually do a handstand on some bars next time youre at Santa Monica Beach.

Womack & Bowman Glendale Dancers, choreographers, and circus performers Rachel Bowman and Brett Womack teach their aerial performance wizardry from a studio in Glendale. Youll learn to execute choreographed movements while suspended in the air, braiding your limbs into bolts of silk as you spin, waft, and flip about. The foundation class for aerial silks is New Hang 1. Progress to New Hang 2, and eventually youll get to Hang Tough -- a class, not a throwback to the New Kids on the Block.

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Julie Walmsley is an LA-based freelance journalist. Most of her work life involves digging through government documents and analyzing business data, but Thrillist allows her to sometimes play with the cool kids. You can openly mock her moonlighting @JWalmsleyJourno on Twitter.

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The Best LA Fitness Options for Commitment Avoiders - Thrillist

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February is American Heart Month, an ideal time to assess your risk of heart disease and take steps to improve your health.

When it comes to heart disease, there are several numbers, including your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose, you (or your doctor) may be monitoring.

But there is another set of numbers that are equally important for preventing and treating heart disease: 0, 5, 10, 25 and 30.

0 is for no smoking. Cigarette smoking more than doubles your risk of heart disease and stroke, is by far the leading cause of lung cancer and other lung diseases and is responsible for more than 400,000 deaths per year. If you smoke, quitting now is one of the most important steps you can take to improve your health.

Nicotine replacement therapy in the form of gum, lozenges and patches, as well as prescription medications, can help, but quitting really does require serious dedication. Its well worth the effort and some benefits of quitting can be realized almost immediately.

5 is for eating five fruits and vegetables each day. A healthy diet is an essential aspect of good health. While there is no one single measure of a healthy diet, adequate fruit and vegetable consumption is widely considered to be essential for good health.

Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals and fiber, and most are low in calories. At a minimum, you should eat five servings per day with an emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables. Your real goal should be to include fruits and vegetables in all meals and snacks, but five servings per day is a good start.

10 is for 10,000 steps per day. Regular physical activity is essential for good health. Almost any activity counts, and a good goal is to be as active as possible throughout the day. You can track your physical activity using a pedometer (step counter) or an app on your phone.

A target of 10,000 steps per day is a commonly cited goal, but you should try to take as many steps as possible. You can do this by minimizing the time you spend sitting, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and walking instead of driving when possible. More steps are better, even if you dont get to 10,000.

25 is for maintaining a healthy body weight, or a body mass index (BMI) of less than 25. The BMI is a measure of weight relative to height. A BMI of 18-25 is considered healthy, 25-29 is considered overweight, and 30 and higher is considered obese.

The risk of health problems like diabetes, heart disease and some cancers goes up with BMI, so maintaining a healthy body weight is good for your health. If you are overweight, you should lose weight, even if you dont make it to an ideal weight.

30 is for 30 minutes of exercise per day. In addition to being as active as possible throughout the day, you should dedicate a minimum of 30 minutes for exercise or other activity. Considerable research shows that that as little as 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity leads to improved fitness and health with greater benefits coming from longer duration or higher intensity activity.

This can include exercise a brisk walk or jog, lifting weights or other aerobic exercise as well as other activities like housework and yard work. Your goal should be to sit as little as possible, move as much as possible and make time each day to be active.

Brian Parr, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Exercise and Sports Science at USC Aiken where he teaches courses in exercise physiology, nutrition and health behavior. You can learn more about this and other health and fitness topics at http://drparrsays.com or on Twitter @drparrsays.

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HEALTH AND FITNESS: Heart health numbers to know - Aiken Standard

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Rebecca Walter, Times-News Staff Writer

Gyms and fitness centers are notoriously packed at the beginning of the year with people looking to get healthier as a New Years resolution.

By the second week of February, however, those numbers tend to go down. In an effort to keep the community healthy and on track with their fitness goals, Michelle Tennant, spinning instructor at Lelia Patterson Fitness and Aquatics Center in Fletcher, had a plan.

Tennant, who is also a publicist, created #Contract4Health after attending a leadershop program with Landmark, an international personal development corporation. The goal was to bring something to the community to improve lives. She wanted to do something to focus on health and fitness, while making sure people committed. That's where the contract comes in.

It helps express a commitment that when someone signs up, they are giving their word that they will follow through, Tennant said.

She jump-started the program at the fitness facility in Fletcher after being an instructor there for several years. With #Contract4Health, participants commit to completing 36 exercise classes within three months by signing a contract.

Sheila Merrill was the first person to complete all of her classes, and says it helped motivate her to keep going.

After going back to school and completing her degree, Merrill decided it was time to focus on her health.

It is time for me again, she said.I feel like Ive had more energy the past month than Ive had in a long time."

Several programs at the LPC Fitness Center are aimed at keeping people on track and healthy.The Create A New Me was going on as a new membership drive at the same time #Contract4Health began. Tennant saw it as a way to encourage people even more to live a healthier lifestyle.

Were here to support anyone that makes a decision to be healthier, said Wendi Pendleton, assistant director at the fitness center. We want to help people reach their goals in any way that we can.

Since the program began, several instructors have seen a record number of attendees in their classes. Tennant was pleased to see the turnout, especially with new classes available that focus on high-intensity training.

We want to work smarter, not harder, she said, adding that the idea is to support each other.

Merrill described the classes offered at the fitness center as a good way to reduce stress.

People need to do it for their own health, she added.

Around 50 people have signed contracts for the program. Those interested in starting can do so at any time.

Reach Rebecca Walter at rebecca.walter@blueridgenow.com. Follow her on Twitter @BRNRebecca.

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#Contract4Health helps locals stick to fitness goals - BlueRidgeNow.com

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