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In the 1980s, researchers identified a hormone in the human gut called GLP-1 that triggers the release of insulin, which controls blood sugar levels. The discovery would eventually launch a new class of diabetes drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, the first of which was approved in 2005.

The drugs not only kept blood sugar in check. Curiously, they also seemed to suppress appetite, and some people taking them lost a modest amount of weight. The revelation led the US Food and Drug Administration to approve the first GLP-1 drug for weight loss in 2014. Called liraglutide and sold under the brand name Saxenda, the weekly injectable led to a nearly 3 percent reduction in body weight on average in trial participants who took it.

By then, Novo Nordisk, the maker of Saxenda, was already working on a better GLP-1. This new drug, semaglutide, was first approved for diabetes in 2017 under the brand name Ozempic and then in 2021 for weight loss as Wegovy. In trials of the drug, participants who received Wegovy lost around 15 percent of their initial body weighta total game changer.

Hot on the heels of semaglutide is Eli Lillys tirzepatide, approved as Mounjaro in 2022 for diabetes and as Zepbound in 2023 for weight management. In studies of Zepbound, patients taking the highest dose lost around 21 percent of their body weight. In a head-to-head comparison of Wegovy and Zepbound published earlier this month, Zepbound was found more likely to lead to significant weight loss.

These drugs are now wildly popular, in shortage as a result, and hugely profitable for the companies making them. Their success has sparked a frenzy among pharmaceutical companies looking for the next blockbuster weight-loss drug. Researchers are now racing to develop new anti-obesity medications that are more effective, more convenient, or produce fewer side effects than the ones currently on the market. The existing drugs can cause nausea, headaches, and other unpleasant side effects that lead some people to stop taking them.

They have other downsides too. In the United States, they can cost more than $1,000 a month and arent always covered by insurance. They have to be injected under the skin once a week. And while most people who stay on them see positive results, others dont lose much weight at all. Not to mention ongoing shortages of GLP-1s are making it hard for patients to start and continue taking them as prescribed.

Having more drugs on the market would mean more choices for patientsand more profits for the companies selling them. Its an extraordinarily exciting and busy time in the field of obesity, says Darren McGuire, a cardiologist and professor of internal medicine at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Semaglutide and tirzepatide work by activating GLP-1 receptors in the pancreas to stimulate the production of insulin, which helps to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. These drugs also slow down the emptying of the stomach and interact with GLP-1 receptors in the brain to tamp down hunger. As a result, people tend to eat less and have fewer food cravings while taking them.

Its possible that tirzepatide is slightly more effective because its a dual receptor agonist. In addition to GLP-1, it also activates receptors of GIP, another hormone involved in regulating blood sugar and appetite. But McGuire says GIP isnt well understood, and its not clear whether the addition of GIP is driving the increased weight loss or if tirzepatide is just better at activating GLP-1. We just dont have a way to unravel that biology right now, he says.

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The Race for the Next Ozempic - WIRED

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The scene of a demolished building that housed fitness centers is proposed as the site for a new store.

Bethel Park Council approved the preliminary/final plan for Floor & Dcor, to be located at 3000 Oxford Drive, where there previously was an LA Fitness and before that, Ballys.

I have been at the meetings when they have presented, council member Jim Jenkins said July 8. They have a nice plan for a new building they want to build up there, which will clean up a vacant parcel on Oxford Drive. They do have some hurdles to get through, but nothing too major.

Floor & Decor offers a selection of tile, wood, stone, related tools and flooring accessories. Founded in 2000, the company is headquartered in Atlanta.

In other council business:

Police Chief Dave Arnold announced the department is partnering with Life Builders, a nonprofit gathering school supplies for children in need. A collection bin at the police station is accepting pens, pencils, paper, markers, crayons, notebooks and related items through Aug. 2.

Arnold addressed issues that have been occurring on the Montour Trail. The department has received complaints of disorderly behavior by teenagers in the evening hours, including use of profanity, riding motorized vehicles with disregard to others safety, acts of vandalism and dumping garbage cans.

The police department is looking for the publics help, Arnold said. We are asking that anyone who observes this type of behavior notify the Bethel Park police when it is occurring.

Officer Amber DiFranco was introduced as the police departments newest community resource officer. DiFranco has been with Bethel Park for two years, following 13 years in the city of Pittsburgh.

I have a lot of big ideas, I have a lot of programs that I want to bring back or reimplement. In the meantime, I would love to hear from the community, from all of you, DiFranco told council members, what you want from us and how we can best serve you.

Mayor Jack Allen presented a certificate to George Washington Elementary School student Nora Buchanan recognizing her as one of the winners in the 2024 Litter Hawk Youth Award program.

Funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the program provides ways for students at the elementary level to express thoughts revolving around litter through art, writing and video, according to Allen.

Following a theme of Open your eyes to litter, show us what you see, 1,000 students entered their work. Nora came out on top of the third grade category with her drawing.

I think about it a lot, she said. I drew a few pictures on it.

Council awarded a $425,500 contract to low bidder Jet Jack Inc. of Collier/South Fayette for a new storm water tank to be installed at Elm Tree Park.

This project is going to relieve a lot of downstream flooding in the Vista Glen area, Jenkins said. There are several streets that are impacted by the stormwater that begins up above Elm Tree Park. This will help that area out, and its going to make a lot of residents very happy.

The goal of the municipality is to add the tank and then proceed with renovations to the park.

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Former New York Gov. David Paterson said embattled PresidentBiden is being propped up by his staff, and expressed alarm about the presidents mental fitness on a New York radio show.

Paterson, a former chairman of the state Democratic Party, raised his concern after hearing long pauses during the commander-in-chiefs speech at the NAACP Convention last week.

He also said it would be hard to pass over Vice President Kamala Harris to replace Biden at the top of the ticket, if the president steps aside and does not seek re-election.

He said Donald Trump is the clear favorite to win back the White House,given the turmoil within the Democratic Party over Bidens fitness and unpopularity.

Most Democrats like Joe Biden. They like the work hes done over the years. Hes been conservative at times, like passing the 1994 crime bill.

But there is a major change in his personality and his decorum since he was elected in 2020, Paterson said Sunday on 770 WABCs The Cats Roundtable radio program.

People are not sure that he is really calling the shots and running the government. The belief is that the staff is propping him up, Paterson said

The brain freeze that defined Bidens disastrousdebate performance, which saw him pause for around 10 seconds, is continue to flare up during stump speeches, Paterson said.

Last Thursday he spoke at the NAACP in Las Vegas, and he stopped three times during the speech and didnt say anything for like 10 to 15 seconds. Its not the kind of look that the country wants in our president, Paterson told host John Catsimatidis.

Top Democratic power-brokers including former President Barack Obama, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer are all said to be privately agitating for Biden to go.

More than 20 members of Congress have publicly called on Biden to pass the torch and not seek re-election, concerned the partywill lose the House and Senate as well as the White House if the 81-year-old remains atop the ticket in November.

I think it would be hard for the Party to go away from Kamala Harris, even though shes had her dust-ups with a number of Democrats, and [Theres] not a lot of time to wage that campaign, said Paterson.

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Still, he said theres a strong bench of young Democratic governors who could step up citing KentuckysAndy Beshear, Pennsylvanias Josh Shapiro and Marylands Wes Moore as potential successors.

Paterson said Biden has shown hes a proud, stubborn man and wont go away quietly.

Theres a lot more pressure being exerted [on Biden] than the public knows At least three people have told me when hes going to step down. All those dates have passed, and he hasnt stepped down yet. So, the gossip gets in the way In the end, I think [hes not going away so fast], he said.

Paterson insisted the turmoil within the Democratic Party is difficult but need not be a disaster. He cited his own experience, when the then-lieutenant governor took over in 2008 after Eliot Spitzer resigned as the result of a prostitute scandal.

The times make the person more than the person makes the times. I went to work one morning and by 12:30 that afternoon, I realized I was going to be governor The state didnt fall into the ocean while I was serving, he said.

Fortunately, our government, and the way we make rules, and the way we follow them in our political parties shows us the way. This isnt a terrible situation.

But if youre a Democrat, you really were hoping that Biden would be like he was in 2020 and they would be able to beat former president Trump for a second time.

Black leaders in the Democratic Party, such as Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, have been Bidens strongest supporters and have resisted calls for him to step aside.

Paterson, New Yorks first black governor, has stopped short of calling Biden to step aside but his withering criticism Sunday may be a signal the African-American establishments backing is starting to fade.

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Biden propped up by staff as mental fitness deteriorating: ex-NY Gov. David Paterson - New York Post

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Just like every persons fitness journey is unique and personal, the same holds true for every song written and hopefully recorded. While there can be some collaborative challenges to creating each new piece of music, both Shane Henry and Maggie McClurethe husband-and-wife duo known to country music fans as The Imaginarieshave no trouble putting their egos aside for the sake of their art.

I think we both agree that we need to do whatevers best for the song, McClure says. We need to do whatevers best for the music.

Before they became The Imaginaries, both Henry and McClure were each entrenched in their own individual music careers before joining forces. Their debut self-titled album was released in March 2021. When you see and hear them perform, both the music and chemistry makes it evident they were meant to be a duo.

On July 26, they release their latest work, Whole Lotta Livin, a collaboration with one of the duos early influences, Vince Gill. The power of calling that out in the universe has come back to us, Henry says. Now were friends with him.

At the same time, the songwriting couple recorded a song for the upcoming film Reagan. They also make a cameo appearance in the film, portraying the inauguration band.

A new song and new film roles require a string of cross-country concerts, as Henry and McClure are currently engaged with the bands Wheels to the Pavement tour, which continues through September. Staying stage ready night after night also brings the need for a workout routine to carry them through the sweaty dog days of summer. For this, they can turn to family for fitness support.

McClure is quite familiar with fitness because dad and stepmother have both been on their own stagesas bodybuilders. Her dadMichael McClure, a former football player at the University of Oklahoma, competed in 2007 and won the title of masters Mr. Oklahomawhile her stepmother had begun competing in fitness during the last year. Shes about to compete again, she shared.

The training bug bit them as well, and it has been an additional way to stay connected to her folks. They just may not take it as far as her dad does, but when it comes to maintaining their Country Muscle, they always find ways to get the work in.

I mean, well work out with him sometimes, but hes so hardcore, McClure says. He works out from six to seven in the morning, and then six to seven at night.

Being fit is beneficial to them both personally and professionally. Whether they are about to perform onstage or shoot a scene in a film, they want to be at their best. When they lived in Los Angeles, they had a gym membership in Burbank. Henry says said it was an important part of being the best self for the music and his life.

It helps maintain a level of sanity, he says. Because, you need to let that stress out, and working out is such a good way to do that.

Sometimes a good workout could lead to inspiration. Henry said that occasionally a beat or lyric would come to mind, and he would do his best to note or record it right there and then, so he didnt forget. Even though others around him may question his moves on the gym floor.

Its like, Look at crazy person over there in the gym singing a little melody that just came into your head, or singing a line that comes to mind, Henry says. I do it all the time. I dont care

They train together most of the time, but it doesnt always work out that way. They dont allow themselves to have any excuses for skipping out on trainingnot even on the road.

We have a Crunch fitness gym membership, and depending on the season of life, well get a Planet Fitness membership, Maggie said. Even when the situation may not be optimal for them, they find a way to focus on their wellness. Working out on the road can provide challenges. Having a set routine can be hard when they are touring, but they find ways to get the next session in.

And if we cant get to a gym, we always try to go explore the places that were touring in and staying in. Just go walk around and enjoy the town and, you know, get a little exercise at the same time. Not having a gym is not a problem for them. As a matter of fact, they see being outside as a great opportunity to see and experience new things.

I think thats why I love the mountains more, Henry says. We love hiking, love skiingwe just love anything outdoors.

One may wonder what musicians listen to when they are working out. McClure is around music so much that the workouts actually serve as an escape from it.

Im just like, Lets just work out and clear my head. That and if Im listening to other music, then Im thinking about music and not trying, you know. Its weird because its a part of our business.

Henry, on the other hand, is all about rocking out when working out. Among his favorites are Audioslave, Led Zeppelin, and more.

I just like to rock out, jam out. Yeah, it helps me. Just pumps me up.

Those not familiar with touring or fitness may question the importance of squeezing in time to get in a workout. But for the country couple, whove been married since 2011, the body is the most valuable instrument, and it needs proper care just as any guitar, piano, or drum set. Henry knew this already but was reminded when he had to have an appendectomy in 2019.

That day in the studio had started like any other.

I started feeling this like sort of stabbing pain in my side. And I just kind of ignored it, you know. But as the day went on, it just progressed, he recalled. I remember at one point just telling Maggie I was like, I think I need you to take me to the hospital.

The doctors determined his appendix had ruptured, and they took him for an immediate operation. His struggle didnt end there. The wound kept getting infected, which resulted in multiple rounds of antibiotics. The doctors finally determined the stitches used to close the wound had to come out.

It had to heal from the inside out.

Henry referred to that experience as a wake-up call, and he took his health and fitness even more seriously after that. He advises others to do the same

If you dont have your health, you have nothing in life.

It took Henry four years to completely recover from that experience. McClure noted that it would hurt him to even hold his guitar, and singing was a struggle as well. Henry never gave up, and the dedication paid off.

We were just talking about how its so awesome, because I can tell, she explained. His voice is finally back to where it was.

Hes back to training and doing the physical part of the job as wellcarrying his wifes keyboard, moving other equipment, and everyday life chores. He admitted that he has to pace himself and be more careful. He also has to pay more attention to what he eats. Fortunately for him, he has a father in-law that knows a thing or two about chicken and rice. At least they add some variety to it. Sometimes it is grilled, and other days it is cooked on the stove top.

I guess I adopted his diet in a way, he says.

A decade ago, McClure had her own health scare when she was exposed to black mold. After intense testing, she found out that not only was she severely allergic to the mold, but the tests discovered she had developed allergies for gluten, dairy, eggs, beef, shellfish.

Ive cut all of this out of my diet, she says, and Ive stayed healthyknock on woodfor a long time. And its amazing to me how once you find out what your body doesnt like, and then you dont put that in your body, how much better you can feel.

The Imaginaries have resumed their touring and are as excited as ever to be back on the road. And with this weeks drop of Whole Lotta Livin, caps off one of the bands most successful years. Getting the chance to work with a longtime influence such as Gill has been a creative boost.

We were like, Vince, weve got a song, and we really think it would be awesome for if you could play and be a part of this somehow, McClure says. I kind of left it vague, but we thought we needed something to make it pop. And Vince said, You guys are great, but let me play some guitar.

If you dont happen to live near any of their tour stops (Its been such a blast getting back on the road and getting to reconnect with people fans, and were excited to keep it going, McClure says), fear not, because you may see them sooner or later on the big screen on Aug. 30 in the new film Reagan. The Imaginaries have a small part to do with it, as both actors and musicians.

We have a very short appearance in the movie. We are the band at the inaugural ball, and so youll see us, and you will actually hear us as well.

The Imaginaries have already seen and experienced many ups and downs throughout their career and lives. All of that has prepared them for the future, which appears to be very bright.

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The Imaginaries Are Livin the Good Life Through Music & Fitness - Muscle & Fitness

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For Lauren Pradhan, squeezing in a workout means waking up earlier than everyone else in her family and surely not having time to go to an actual gym.

Her home in Edina would have to suffice. So during the pandemic, Pradhan invested in a Peloton bike, a stationary bike with a touch screen for streaming classes that currently costs $1,445 for a new model or $89 for a monthly rental.

Pradhan's new routine started with 5 a.m. workout sessions.

"Waking up and actually getting out of bed when it is pitch black outside in January is ridiculously hard," she said. "Telling the voice in my head that said, 'You don't need to do this' [that] 'I actually do' was a massive mind-over-matter mental shift."

It took a solid 60 days of consistent exercise to build the routine, she said, but she's currently riding a 77-consecutive week streak.

"I quickly saw that daily fitness made me a better leader, strategist, partner and parent," said the chief executive and founder of Tesser Advisory, a Twin Cities strategic consulting firm. "It made my mind clearer, my ability to hold the complexities of my day easier, and my patience grew. Also, if I wanted my kids and those around me to be active, I realized I needed to model the behavior."

For many people like Pradhan, finding 30 minutes of exercise time in a daily or even weekly routine is a challenge and that's before factoring in the cost of gym memberships or equipment. Experts say starting a routine and developing a road map is the biggest hurdle, so here is some advice from trainers, fitness experts and people who mastered their own fitness journey on how to create an affordable workout plan:

Either throughout your fitness transformation or at the onset, having a personal trainer or coach is worth the investment.

From a beginner unsure of how to start to someone returning to fitness who needs an updated routine, having an expert removes the intimidation factor from the process, said Stacy Anderson, global brand president at Anytime Fitness.

"A coach can help not only orient you to the equipment but also teach you how to do the movement in a way that you're not going to hurt yourself," she said.

Jon Schoen, the founder of Minneapolis startup Trunkdrop, was previously a personal trainer in Los Angeles. Some of his clients were executives, attorneys and even celebrities. At the onset of the training program, Schoen would ask lifestyle questions to determine how to fit fitness into their daily routines.

Whether it was 5 a.m. or 5 p.m., each client set aside mandatory time for exercising. Having someone hold you responsible for scheduled workouts helps in those initial weeks, he said. It takes 21 days of consecutive, intense workouts to build a solid habit. After that, the body becomes dependent on positive neuro chemicals released during workouts, he said.

Despite the never-ending library of fitness tutorials on YouTube, a trainer helps close the education barrier, Schoen said. And it's not just paying for education or workout plans. The initial assessment from a trainer is crucial, he said.

"You have to know where you're starting from," he said. "You need a road map. And it's got to be with someone who is worth their salt."

Schoen recommends people ask for referrals when seeking a trainer. The best referral is from someone who has had success (or possesses a physique you aspire to have).

When joining a gym, like Anytime Fitness, a reoccuring coaching session is an added cost. According to industry data, the cost for an in-person trainer can range from $30 to $300 an hour.

"A lot of people just don't know how to get started or hadn't seen the progress that they wanted to see when they have started," Anderson said. "The most important equipment you can have is a coach that helps you, who guides you through the moments where you might not be feeling so motivated and cheers you on."

In addition to lack of time and motivation, price is another barrier that can prevent people from getting fit.

While not everyone can afford a Peloton, personal trainer or even month-to-month membership to a gym, it's not as expensive as you would think for basic access to exercise, especially if you analyze where your excess cash is going.

"When you think about where you're spending your money, what's more important than your health?" Anderson said. "When you think about all the things we spend in a day subscriptions services, a $6 cup of coffee, a drink, fast food, dinner out, all those things if you start to think about it, for less than $1.50 a day, you're getting support inside and outside the club, and you're getting physical and mental health, and you're getting more healthy years. It almost seems absurd that we invest in sitting in front of the screen and not investing in our health."

That's the rationale Pradhan applied to buying an exercise bike.

"I honestly thought about it on a cost per day basis and realized that for $5 a day in the first year, I could really make this commitment," she said.

The average membership price at Anytime Fitness is around $45 per month, Anderson said, adding that fees depend on location, as the company operates on a franchise system. Planet Fitness memberships start at $15 per month. Crunch Fitness basic memberships start at $9.99.

Some gyms and fitness studios offer free one-day guest passes and weeklong trials to give potential clients time to decide. You can also buy one-day passes. If you already have an annual membership, you can ask to freeze or pause your membership.

For those seeking inexpensive hybrid options, most gym chains and fitness providers have an app, where trainers offer live and on-demand classes you can view at home or from a hotel if traveling. Apple Fitness+, for instance, is free for the first three months and then $9.99 per month for those with Apple products. It's free for those with an Anytime Fitness membership, Anderson said.

Not all exercises require equipment, either. Bodyweight-only exercises are a good source of strength training, Schoen said. There's also taking short walks, Anderson said.

When he started his fitness journey, Subhadip Kumar of Blaine had his employer reimburse 50% of his gym membership fee, up to $300 in value. That is part of his employee benefits program while working at Canadian Pacific Kansas City.

Kumar had reached 250 pounds when he decided to lose weight through exercise. After two years, he lost 100 pounds. A comment from his wife sparked his health motivation.

"She feared I wouldn't live to see our child's wedding if I continued down this path," he said.

Kumar joined a kickboxing and strength training class. He also joined Crunch Fitness and goes at least five days a week. He also switched his diet. While it was important for him to consume more healthy foods, it became more expensive to do so. Compared with his previous meal types, "preparing food for your healthy, balanced diet is more expensive than regular junk food," Kumar said.

"When asked about my secret, I always say it wasn't the exercise," he said. "It was the discipline."

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When Govind Sandhu finished a half marathon in May, he felt surprised by how challenging it was.

I remember finishing the race going, This felt just a little harder than expected, the 38-year-old from Sydney, Australia, tells TODAY.com. The next day, I woke up and I had a swollen knee.

He expected a puffy knee because he had recently fallen and injured it. But what occurred next felt puzzling.

I started getting really wild flu-like symptoms out of nowhere. I couldnt get warm. I had a really long hot shower, he explains. I went to bed, and I had wild sweats the whole night where I was just drenched.

About a month later, Sandhu learned what caused his mysterious symptoms he had stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Leading into my diagnosis, Im the fittest and healthiest Ive ever been, he says. What Ive learned through this whole process is that cancer really doesnt discriminate.

Sandhu, a self-proclaimed fitness fanatic, enjoys CrossFit, runs marathons, and recently finished the 75 Hard challenge. The weekend before the marathon, he was visiting Tasmania and trail running with friends when he had a really big fall.

It was very bizarre for me to do that, he says. I got quite cut up and bruised up and had a bit of a swollen knee.

He rested before the half marathon but did not do as well as he expected on race day. When his knee became swollen and he developed flu-like symptoms, he first wondered if he was rundown from seasons changing. After a week of symptoms, though, he began to worry.

I still didnt feel well, which is really weird for me, he says. I went to the doctor and explained my symptoms, which were really bad sweats throughout the week, really bad body aches on the back of my shoulders and neck, and also feeling really tired.

His doctor checked his heart and lungs and tested him for flu and COVID-19. The results indicated he did not have an infection, and the doctor recommended that Sandhu track his symptoms over the coming days.

Over the next two weeks, I didnt get better. I deteriorated, he says. My throat would get really sore anytime I would swallow, but also around my chest I had just a bit of pain.

Still feeling sick, Sandhu returned to his doctor and asked for blood tests, as well.

I also said, I have a really sore throat, and I dont know what it is, and it seems uncommon, he says. She checked my throat and was like, OK your throat does seem tight. It could be fibroids maybe. Lets get an ultrasound.

His bloodwork revealed that he was a bit anemic and that his white blood cell count was low, which the doctor suspected could be from fighting off a cold. But the ultrasound did find something unusual.

(My doctor said), The main concern is youve got some lumps in your throat. To make sure its nothing sinister, we need to send you off for a CT scan, Sandhu recalls. At this point thats when I start to go, Holy s---, what is going on here?

The CT scan revealed that the lumps did not look friendly and Sandhus doctor told him to go to the emergency room so he could undergo more tests and a biopsy. There, doctors gave him an idea of what he was facing.

I was advised that it looked like I have lymphoma, he says. The next steps ... would be to see a specialist and start that process.

Doctors detected a bit of fluid buildup around (his) heart, and it appeared as if something was dangling off one of the valves. They ran tests on his heart to make sure it was strong enough to withstand anesthesia during a biopsy of the mass in his chest.

Before the biopsy, a PET scan found what appeared to be cancer around his pancreas and under his diaphragm.

Theyre then able to conduct a biopsy on me, he says. Then I essentially wait for the results to go, Yes, you have non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Sandhu felt totally shocked, speechless, super emotional when he was diagnosed June 12 with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, an aggressive and the most common type of lymphoma, according the Lymphoma Research Foundation.

Its stage 4 because I have it in multiple parts (of my body) above the diaphragm, he says. Then (its) below the diaphragm around the pancreas and liver area.

Doctors recommended six cycles of chemotherapy once every 21 days to treat it. Hes also receiving an immunotherapy. So far, hes responded well to therapies, and the mass in his chest has shrunk.

(Cancer) was the furthest thing from my mind, Sandhu says. When I initially started to get sick, I didnt think its cancer.

Cancer that originates in the lymphatic system is considered a lymphoma and it falls into two main types non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma, according to the National Cancer Institute. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is common and can spread rapidly to the spleen, liver and bone marrow, according to the NCI.

The organization says that signs, called B symptoms, include:

Treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma varies but include traditional therapies, such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery as well as stem cell transplant or targeted treatments, the NCI notes.

The Lymphoma Research Foundation says that even though its an aggressive cancer, doctors are able to cure it in many cases.

Since being diagnosed, Sandhu has candidly shared his experience on social media.

What Ive realized through this is you dont know what you dont know, he says. It really motivated me to raise awareness.

In hindsight, Sandhu wishes he asked his doctor for blood tests on his first visit. He hopes his experience empowers people to advocate for themselves at the doctor.

We should take ownership of our health, he says. If you feel something is off, be proactive. Follow up, ask the right questions, do the research.

Sandhu is grappling with the learning curve of being in cancer treatments and accepting what he can and cant do as a result.

Physically all things considered, Im feeling as good as one can, he says. I do feel that the last years in terms of all the ways Ive lived my life, fitness, health, have set me up to tackle this.

Being diagnosed with cancer has given him a new perspective on life.

By no means do I think Im old. But its very interesting that once you get diagnosed how young you feel, he says. Its an awakening that theres so much life ahead of you. I still have a lot to give.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com

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Fitness fanatic diagnosed with cancer at 38 recalls early symptoms he dismissed: Really weird - Yahoo! Voices

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As a ClassPass addict, one of the main ways I maintain my motivation to work out is by constantly switching up the type of exercise Im doing. Pilates? Love it. Bootcamp? Give me a second to caffeinate first, and then Im there. Spin? Ready to clip in. However, there are some types of physical activity that even I havent given a shotincluding pole dancing. So for three weeks, I consistently took (beginner level!) pole classes, recorded my thoughts, and developed some major arm gains (and confidence) in the process.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Emma Ginsberg

Emma Ginsberg is an Associate Editor for The Everygirl and Podcast Assistant for The Everygirl Podcast. You can listen to her with podcast host Josie Santi on the intros of The Everygirl Podcast and read her articles across the site. She graduated from Georgetown University in 2023 and is now based in Chicago.

It all started at Denver Pride, when a local pole studio had a pop-up where anyone who walked by could have a chance to spin on the pole. I was hooked, and I signed up for a beginner class right there.

But beyond a physical challenge and a fun new workout, I found myself drawn to the idea of a sexy workout for a specific reason. As a young woman, it can be hard to feel like my sexuality is something that exists entirely for me; its a difficult thing to take ownership of when there are social pressures to be sexy for partners and in terms of my general physical experience.

On the other end of the spectrum, exercise is something I have no problem doing just for me. Ive worked hard to get to the point where I work out to feel myself getting stronger and for my own physical and mental health, and not for outside perceptions. By combining sexiness with physical activity in a pole dancing workout, I hoped to feel a little bit more like my sexuality was something that exists for myself and no one else.

Before my first pole class, I felt some nerves. Luckily, I was headed to a first-impression class offered specifically for beginners, so I wasnt the only one with no background experience. The class started with pretty standard upper-body warm-ups, like head rolls, arm circles, and a push-up variation commonly known as the sexy push-up. We learned how to walk around the polealways on tip-toesand the dynamics of a spin. For the final minute of the class, the instructor turned down the lights and allowed us to practice however we liked with no instruction for the duration of the song, giving me hardcore flashbacks to free dance at the end of ballet classes in my childhood.

The following five pole classes I took over the next few weeks followed a similar structure. Though I took a different instructor each time, I never felt judged when I asked for help with choreography. In some crowded classes, I took turns learning spins on the pole with a partner; in other less crowded classes, I received more hands-on instruction.

If youre looking for a fantastic shoulder and back workout, you are definitely missing out on the physical benefits of pole dancing. At the risk of stating the obvious, it takes quite a bit of upper body strength to stabilize and hold yourself up on a vertical pole as you spin around it. After taking my first class, my shoulders were super sore, and I felt a ton of engagement in my back. At the end of the three weeks, I could tell that my upper body had gotten much stronger.

Much like other forms of dance or pilates, one of the major benefits of pole dancing is that it works muscles you might not traditionally strain while doing cardio or weightlifting. Most of the movements are fine movements instead of huge push-and-pull motions that you might be doing in a gym, which is always great for reducing joint pain and improving mobility.

Beyond the upper body workout that is pole dancing, I found myself challenged by the constant relev that the activity requires. Theres a reason pole dancers usually wear heels, and its not for aesthetics. The act itself requires being on your tip-toes constantly, so heels eliminate a bit of calf strain. Like most dance classes, pole dancing also pushes flexibility and posture, two elements of exercise that I rarely find myself focusing on in more traditional workout classes.

There were a few moments during my 3-week pole dancing journey when I felt self-conscious, confused, or even downright uncomfortable. Pushing myself to connect with a simultaneously creative, sexualized, and strong version of myself in a room full of strangers and an instructor was hard, and required a level of vulnerability I was pretty unfamiliar with.

In spite of the physical and mental challenge of pole dancing itself, Ive never had so much fun in a relatively low-impact workout class. When I allowed myself to get out of my head and into my body when learning and practicing the different spins, I found myself having a great time. The music was always on point, the community of the studio I attended felt tight-knit and supportive, and the thrill of perfecting a new skill with each class was incredibly refreshing.

Obviously, this workout isnt just for fun. A few of the women in my classes were professional pole dancers, and pole dancing is a huge part of sex work. Its hard physical labor if youre doing it for a career, and anyone who does it professionally is a true athlete.

Though it tested my confidence, pole dancing pushed me to connect with a physically creative side of myself. The instructors encouraged us to record videos of ourselves during each free dance, and looking back at those videos of myself dancing is so fun. Not only do they allow me to see how much Ive progressed in terms of skill, but rewatching those videos makes me feelhot. And the best part? Theyre just for me.

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I Tried Pole Dancing Classes for 3 Weeks and My Confidence Skyrocketed - The Everygirl

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The Los Angeles-based indoor cycling and yoga studio features a 300-square-foot projection screen with next-level visuals and sound

For those looking to escape the traditional workout, Spinergy has arrived.

The new cardio visual fitness experience for yoga and indoor cycling enthusiasts has opened in Los Angeles Sherman Oaks neighborhood with a multi-sensory workout that takes participants up mountains, down into the depths of the sea and even into space.

Spinergy has taken the task of reimagining group fitness seriously, collaborating with the same engineers who commissioned The Sphere in Las Vegas to develop a 300-square-foot projection screen with immersive images of nature, urban landscapes and abstract visuals accompanied by theater-quality sound.

As Spinergy settles into its Sherman Oaks location, lead instructor Susan Schwartz says the studio is open to expanding the concept in the future, but no current plans are in the works.

An indoor cycling instructor for over 30 years, Schwartz says Spinergy has been mindful of leaning into technology while maintaining an organic group fitness experience.

When we started considering this cardio visual concept and really digging into it, we wanted to ensure that the technology side of the program was going to complement the whole group fitness experience and not take away from it in any way, she explained.

Spinergy is also intent on keeping the personal connection between theinstructor and class attendees, creating a sense of community.

We are definitely seeing that this new tech can totally elevate the whole group fitness experience and take it to a new level, but we also recognize that any implementation of technology can be a bit of a slippery slope, so as the word starts to spread we hope that all the things which make indoor cycling and yoga so great in the first place never get lost, Schwartz said.

Attendees can choose yoga or indoor cycling, the latter featuring Schwinn SC Power stationary bikes. While Spinergys indoor cycling classes are 45 minutes long, its Yoga Flow and Yoga Sculpt sessions run for 60 minutes and emphasize lengthening and stretching.

To keep cycling classes interesting, Schwartz says a ton of great HD footage has been compiled to take cyclists on journeys through impressive landscapes like Hawaii, Montenegro, Iceland and Norway.

Weve also started doing some really fun theme rides for example, we did a Canada Day ride all along the Icefields Parkway in Jasper, Alberta. It was so beautiful! she said.

Yoga classes tend to feature more static or slow-moving backgrounds, such as serene sunsets at the beach or a gentle trip through outer space.

Across the board, peoples jaws drop when they first come in, Schwartz said. Since nobody has ever done this before, nobody really knows what to expect. Most people are shocked by the quality and clarity of the visuals (dual Barco projectors equipped with high-end UST lenses will do that)

In addition to being experimental with its footage, Spinergy has been open to feedback, finding that a few class-goers reported its windy mountain roads footage made them a bit queasy.

Now were sticking to mostly straightaways, Schwartz said. People have been impressed with our instructors ability to build their classes around the visuals so when you turn up your resistance on the bike, you look up, and youre actually climbing a steep mountain road in front of you. It really is pretty amazing.

Spinergy offers new clients one free class. Several membership options, class packs and unlimited plans are available for those who opt to become regular attendees.

The cardio visual studio has opened following recent data from Garmin and the CDC suggesting that both indoor cycling and yoga may be on the upswing. Garmin, using cycling mileage data, found a 12% boost in indoor cycling usage among its users, while a data brief from the CDC found that one in six Americans practice yoga.

Courtney Rehfeldt has worked in the broadcasting media industry since 2007 and has freelanced since 2012. Her work has been featured in Age of Awareness, Times Beacon Record, The New York Times, and she has an upcoming piece in Slate. She studied yoga & meditation under Beryl Bender Birch at The Hard & The Soft Yoga Institute. She enjoys hiking, being outdoors, and is an avid reader. Courtney has a BA in Media & Communications studies.

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Spinergy Reimagines Group Fitness With Immersive Digital Voyages - Athletech News

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The strength equipment supplier reveals innovative strategies for maximizing gym floor space without sacrificing functionality

Nobody likes an overcrowded gym especially the engineers at strength equipment supplier REP Fitness. The brand prides itself on helping operators reinvent their facility spaces, designing cutting-edge machinery that mounts, adjusts and stores with ease to decongest even the most highly populated gyms.

We understand that the gym layout an owner chooses needs to be a reflection of their clientele and how they want their clients to feel when theyre training in their space, said Joe Koenecke, REP Fitness National Retail Sales Manager. It needs to have a thoughtful flow. It cant be clunky or cramped. The smaller the space is, the more crucial it is to be mindful of any of those space constraints that you have to work with.

Having helped gyms stay mindful since 2012, the brand knows all the tricks of the trade in the space optimization game.

Gym Layout Misconceptions

Its natural for a gym operator to see an empty space on their floor and want to fill it with equipment. However, blindly following that instinct can get you into trouble, REP Fitness argues. While the more equipment leads to more members, which leads to more revenue formula may seem foolproof on the surface in reality, its anything but.

I think a big misconception when it comes to maximizing available space is the thought that you need to add more equipment, that more is more, said Koenecke. We see so often that spaces are getting overcrowded with equipment. Theyre not really considering some of the impacts of their space constraints. Although this usually is done with good intentions, the reality is that overcrowded space is inefficient. Its clunky and the outcome is a poor experience for the clients that are training there.

By asking the right questions about space and equipment rather than shoving as much as they can into a fixed spot, REP Fitness stands out as a supplier.

We think that an effective space needs to consider, first and foremost, whos going to be using the space, how many individuals are going to be using it at a time and then determining at that point how to use the space, Koenecke said. These all determine the amount of equipment that a space needs and where the priorities should lie when selecting equipment to fill it with. Its common to see a training center thats tight on space just wanting to fill itself with equipment that only serves one single movement or one single purpose. We think that thats not the best way to maximize those space constraints.

The Great Wall

While some gym designers see the floor as the only area to place equipment, REP Fitness isnt afraid to look up. The brand excels at designing equipment that attaches to walls, establishing more space and making exercise more feasible for both those using the equipment and those simply around it.

We really try to look at some of the often overlooked aspects of space-saving, which is building up against the walls, said Koenecke. There are so many opportunities to use wall space in a productive and meaningful way. We have a whole team of commercial fitness specialists that are experts at maximizing how to get equipment up off the floor to free up space that can actually be used for people to work out.

REP Fitness accomplishes that with products like low-profile wall-mounted racks or full storage systems that are tied up against walls for plates, kettlebells or dumbbells.

More Versatile Products

The brands Hyperion, a pre-configured, full-gym setup, is a major space saver as well. Different versions of it include a half-rack, a full-cable crossover and a lat pulldown with storage for plates and dumbbells. Its an all-in-one tight system that also goes up against the wall.

The Hyperion, just as a concept, is a beast, said Koenecke. We can swap out the height, the width or the depth. We can make it a smaller footprint or a larger footprint. We can plug and play with different cable options. We can make an all-in-one option for a home gym, a boutique gym or a commercial gym with endless space that hits all the major training needs while keeping the floor space pretty open and clear for the actual movements.

PR-5000 Power Rack battles congested gyms with equal might. The product is the brands most configurable system with completely customizable height and depth, including options for a half-rack, 4-post or 6-post rack. Its made with 33 11-gauge steel and has a 1,000-pound rackable capacity.

Its more than just being a power rack, said Koenecke. It is completely customizable to fit nearly any commercial or home gym space constraints.

REP Fitness Modular Storage System (MSS), features various shelves for dumbbells, kettlebells and plates that can be winged off or added to the PR-5000, creating additional gym floor leeway. Flagship cable pieces, such as the Ares or Athena, can pop right into or out of racks, enhancing the versatility and space-saving capabilities of the equipment.

Putting Power in the Right Hands

This is all done in unison with REP Fitness goal to make it as easy as possible for operators to design their gyms as they see fit.

Our engineers worked hard to give a lot of that decision-making power back to the customer, said Koenecke. We dont want the gyms that we work with to be pigeonholed in having to go with one specific route for their rack. We want it to be something thats completely customizable for their clients and the space that they envision in their minds. Having some of these near-endless options for configuring your rack, storage, or cable options gives the freedom back to the gym owners to use their space how they really see and intend in their mind.

REP Fitness is proud to pave the road for the industrys most creative operators to design their gyms as they see fit.

Ultimately, our stance at REP is that were a partner in our customers success story, said Koenecke. We believe that its the owners, operators, the trainers, the coaches and the staff that keep the clients coming back every day and were just here to support them by helping them design the best facility that they possibly can.

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REP Fitness Empowers Operators With Space-Saving Techniques - Athletech News

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This week marks the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) being signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in the South Lawn outside the White House. The event occurred on July 26, 1990, a seminal moment for the disability community and our collective civil rights. More than three decades later, two things about the landmark laws enactment are indelibly etched into my psyche. It seems unfathomable that (1) it really took until I was almost 9 years old that disabled people had a codified set of rights in America; and (2) a Republican was willing to sign the bill. The latter strikes me as more incredulous than the first, if only because it has been made abundantly clear modern-day Republicans wouldnt bother with such peasantry.

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That said, its heartening to see news surface on Thursday from Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) that she was once again assuming the front lines in championing a bill that makes the country more accessible to disabled people everywhere. The piece of legislation, called the Exercise and Fitness for All Act of 2024, is at a high level designed to modernize and enhance national accessibility guidelines for exercise and fitness facilities. The overarching goal of the bill is to ensure disabled Americans have equal access to work out with accessible equipment and participate in accessible fitness classes and training services.

In a brief interview with me conducted via videoconference, Duckworth explained the essence of the Exercise and Fitness for All Act is it would mandate gyms and other fitness centers stock accessible workout equipment such that people with disabilities could exercise. The impetus for the bill, which Duckworth has introduced a few times in past years, stems from a personal place for her. As a wheelchair useran Iraq War vet and Purple Heart recipient, she lost both her legs and partial use of her right arm as a result of a rocket-propelled grenade hit the helicopter she was riding inshe has faced inaccessibility to commercial gyms. More specifically, she lamented having a helluva time finding fitness equipment I could use, adding her frustration was made greater by the fact she has often encountered gyms with stairs but no elevator. Worse still, if there was a gym she could get to, the problem then became equipment was packed together so tightly that she was unable to maneuver her wheelchair between themno equipment, no workout.

I thought, We really need to make sure people can access fitness facilities, she said of her drive to reintroduce her Fitness For All plan.

Beyond sheer access, Duckworth told me the CDC has reported disabled adults experience conditions such as obesity and chronic disease at far higher rates than able-bodied people do. Developing regular exercise habitslike going to ones neighborhood gymgo a long way towards improving ones health and longevity. Of particular import to Duckworth is her bill is about more than physical access into buildings, which she said the ADA has long regulated. The more salient point in her mind is expanding access to fitness facilities such that disabled people like herself can actually find equipment I can use and can actually get to.

Duckworth also provided these statements: Nearly 34 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, its unacceptable that so many in the disability community are barred from doing something as basic as working out at the gym because too many of our nations fitness facilities are still not accessible, said Duckworth. With the Paralympic Games this summer, athletes from all over the globe will once again demonstrate the power of accessible fitness on the world stageand it is past time America leads by example in making it easier for those with disabilities to access our gyms and maintain a fit, healthy lifestyle. My Exercise and Fitness for All Act would do just that by helping establish national accessibility guidelines for our gyms and fitness facilities so that Americans with disabilities can have equal opportunity to use them and live the full, independent lives everyone deserves.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is critical for all of us, but for many people with disabilities, access to fitness can be the key to living an independent life, said Casey. Senator Duckworth and I are introducing the Exercise and Fitness for All Act to ensure that gyms and other fitness facilities are more accessible for people with disabilities. I will always fight to make this Nation more accessible and livable for the disability community.

Matt Scott, a fellow wheelchair user, feels Duckworths pain.

The Michigan native, currently in Paris readying for this years Paralympics, is a five-time Paralympian athlete and three-time medalist (2 gold, 1 bronze) in wheelchair basketball. In an interview, Scott told me adaptive fitness is important to him not merely for competitions sake, but because the lack of accessible gyms are a microcosm of how society generally devalues the disability community. To wit, he said gyms (and other public places) only stick their neck out to the extent that it barely reaches the bare minimum. Most businesses, he said, know theyre only required to meet basic accessibility standards and only offer the basics. The problem with that mindset is the ADA is the floor, not the ceiling. Philosophically, serving the disability community is too often treated like a box to be checked off rather than because its the right thing to do.

Duckworths bill is her attempt at raising the proverbial bar.

The bare minimum is not okay, Scott said.

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Naturally, Scott too recognizes that fitness for all entails more than providing an elevator or ramp to a literal building itself. More crucial is that the actual tools are accessible, which he said is the primary reason why Duckworths bill is so consequential. Like Duckworth told me, Scott said there needs to be ample space provided for wheelchair users to navigate equipment. The same is true for providing amenities like accessible bathrooms and showers. Scott believes the lack of accessibility from gym owners comes down to cost; if providing accommodations means rising costs for them, theyre not willing to invest in it, he said.

Its shameful because, as the adage goes, accessibility is for everyone.

I truly believe investing in accessibility is good for not only people with disabilities, but its good for everyone, Scott said. When everyone can utilize gym equipment, its better. Society thrives. Inaccessibility hinders our entire societyit doesnt just hinder people with disabilities.

Duckworth noted the majority of her senatorial colleagues plead ignorance when it comes to the need for adaptive gym equipment, telling me the prevailing presumption is the ADA makes it that everyone has access. But equality doesnt always equal access, with Duckworth saying when she points it out to them that it isnt the case, they respond with surprise. As ever, most people dont understand disability; Duckworth shared an anecdote of her colleagues voting on something that would effectively dilute the ADA due largely to their being misinformed about accessibility and disability. They believed false information about the law, which Duckworth told me includes myths about excessive lawsuits for violations of the ADA when the reality is, she clarified, there exists no such statutory right for anyone to sue. Likewise, her cohorts dont realize how inaccessible the Capitol building is. If anything, Duckworth staunchly believes the ADA needs to be strengthened, echoing a sentiment shared with me in 2020 by retired congressman Tony Coelho (D-CA), who feels the law he fathered needs retrofitting of its own in terms of making the digital world more accessible. When the ADA came to be, lawmakers didnt foresee technology having the tectonic effects it would have on daily life.

For his part, Scott seconded Duckworths sentiments regarding the unawareness most people exhibit towards accessibility, saying most dont consider the plight of the disability community because theyre privileged to not have to. The experiential perspective just isnt there for them, Scott said. What can be done about it? According to Scott, disabled people are forced to hang their hopes on elected officials like Duckworth who fight the good fight for the proverbial little people.

People like her are quite literally making change.

We need support to make sure these requirements are raised. We have to raise the standards here, Scott said of the call to action. As individuals, we can make complaints and we can post [online] about it and we can give Yelp reviews. We can do all those things, but until we get support from senators like Tammy Duckworth, we cant do a lot.

As Alice Wong, a San Francisco-based author, disability advocate, and disabled person, wrote for Teen Voguevis-a-vis mask bans amidst a rise in Covid cases across the country, the disability community habitually faces existential threats from a society that actively silences, diminishes, excludes, and eliminates us. Inaccessible fitness centers arent a cause for life and death, but the general idea is crystal clear: the able-bodied amongst us cares little for our cries. Its why so many in the communityincluding people like myself and Duckworthto more or less Oliver Twist our respective existences towards lasting systematic reform.

However bleak things appear on the surface, Scott isnt deterred. He will go miles and miles out of his way to find a place to work out. He acknowledged not everyone shares his mentality, but he does it because hes hellbent on living a healthier life. What is deterring, he said in alluding to Duckworths earlier point, is the lack of accessible fitness centers are a barrier for many disabled people in getting in better shape.

I truly hope [the Exercise and Fitness for All Act] is backed by other senators, but also backed by the broader disability community, Scott said. This bill will make help make gyms and other fitness facilities across the nation accessible to me and millions of people that have disabilities in America. We want better access to live the life we want.

It should be mentioned there exists internet-based options for achieving fitness goals from the comfort of ones own home. Apple Fitness+ is one example in my orbit, which can be accessible unto itself for disabled people who, unlike Duckworth and Scott, are unable to venture to their local gym. Whats more, Apples accessibility features for its panoply of platforms integrate with the service and, representationally speaking, there have been past trainers who identify as disabled leading activities.

Duckworth promised similar determination in getting her bill passed.

We will continue to reintroduce it until we get it passed, she said of her resolve to see her work bear fruit. I think well get it done. Sometimes it takes a few tries. Thats why I keep reintroducing it to every Congress.

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