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The republication of caricatures depicting the Prophet Muhammad by French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in September 2020 led to protests in several Muslim-majority countries. It also resulted in disturbing acts of violence: In the weeks that followed, two people were stabbed near the former headquarters of the magazine and a teacher was beheaded after he showed the cartoons during a classroom lesson. Visual depiction of Muhammad is a sensitive issue for a number of reasons: Islams early stance against idolatry led to a general disapproval for images of living beings throughout Islamic history. Muslims seldom produced or circulated images of Muhammad or other notable early Muslims. The recent caricatures have offended many Muslims around the world. This focus on the reactions to the images of Muhammad drowns out an important question: How did Muslims imagine him for centuries in the near total absence of icons and images? Picturing Muhammad without imagesIn my courses on early Islam and the life of Muhammad, I teach to the amazement of my students that there are few pre-modern historical figures that we know more about than we do about Muhammad. The respect and devotion that the first generations of Muslims accorded to him led to an abundance of textual materials that provided rich details about every aspect of his life. The prophets earliest surviving biography, written a century after his death, runs into hundreds of pages in English. His final 10 years are so well-documented that some episodes of his life during this period can be tracked day by day.Even more detailed are books from the early Islamic period dedicated specifically to the description of Muhammads body, character and manners. From a very popular ninth-century book on the subject titled Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya or The Sublime Qualities of Muhammad, Muslims learned everything from Muhammads height and body hair to his sleep habits, clothing preferences and favorite food. No single piece of information was seen too mundane or irrelevant when it concerned the prophet. The way he walked and sat is recorded in this book alongside the approximate amount of white hair on his temples in old age. These meticulous textual descriptions have functioned for Muslims throughout centuries as an alternative for visual representations. Most Muslims pictured Muhammad as described by his cousin and son-in-law Ali in a famous passage contained in the Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya: a broad-shouldered man of medium height, with black, wavy hair and a rosy complexion, walking with a slight downward lean. The second half of the description focused on his character: a humble man that inspired awe and respect in everyone that met him. Textual portraits of MuhammadThat said, figurative portrayals of Muhammad were not entirely unheard of in the Islamic world. In fact, manuscripts from the 13th century onward did contain scenes from the prophets life, showing him in full figure initially and with a veiled face later on. The majority of Muslims, however, would not have access to the manuscripts that contained these images of the prophet. For those who wanted to visualize Muhammad, there were nonpictorial, textual alternatives. There was an artistic tradition that was particularly popular among Turkish- and Persian-speaking Muslims. Ornamented and gilded edgings on a single page were filled with a masterfully calligraphed text of Muhammads description by Ali in the Shama'il. The center of the page featured a famous verse from the Quran: We only sent you (Muhammad) as a mercy to the worlds.These textual portraits, called hilya in Arabic, were the closest that one would get to an image of Muhammad in most of the Muslim world. Some hilyas were strictly without any figural representation, while others contained a drawing of the Kaaba, the holy shrine in Mecca, or a rose that symbolized the beauty of the prophet. Framed hilyas graced mosques and private houses well into the 20th century. Smaller specimens were carried in bottles or the pockets of those who believed in the spiritual power of the prophets description for good health and against evil. Hilyas kept the memory of Muhammad fresh for those who wanted to imagine him from mere words. Different interpretationsThe Islamic legal basis for banning images, including Muhammads, is less than straightforward and there are variations across denominations and legal schools. It appears, for instance, that Shiite communities have been more accepting of visual representations for devotional purposes than Sunni ones. Pictures of Muhammad, Ali and other family members of the prophet have some circulation in the popular religious culture of Shiite-majority countries, such as Iran. Sunni Islam, on the other hand, has largely shunned religious iconography.Outside the Islamic world, Muhammad was regularly fictionalized in literature and was depicted in images in medieval and early modern Christendom. But this was often in less than sympathetic forms. Dantes Inferno, most famously, had the prophet and Ali suffering in hell, and the scene inspired many drawings. These depictions, however, hardly ever received any attention from the Muslim world, as they were produced for and consumed within the Christian world. Offensive caricatures and colonial pastProviding historical precedents for the visual depictions of Muhammad adds much-needed nuance to a complex and potentially incendiary issue, but it helps explain only part of the picture. Equally important for understanding the reactions to the images of Muhammad are developments from more recent history. Europe now has a large Muslim minority, and fictionalized depictions of Muhammad, visual or otherwise, do not go unnoticed.With advances in mass communication and social media, the spread of the images is swift, and so is the mobilization for reactions to them. Most importantly, many Muslims find the caricatures offensive for its Islamophobic content. Some of the caricatures draw a coarse equation of Islam with violence or debauchery through Muhammads image, a pervasive theme in the colonial European scholarship on Muhammad. Anthropologist Saba Mahmood has argued that such depictions can cause moral injury for Muslims, an emotional pain due to the special relation that they have with the prophet. Political scientist Andrew March sees the caricatures as a political act that could cause harm to the efforts of creating a public space where Muslims feel safe, valued, and equal. Even without images, Muslims have cultivated a vivid mental picture of Muhammad, not just of his appearance but of his entire persona. The crudeness of some of the caricatures of Muhammad is worth a moment of thought.[Insight, in your inbox each day. You can get it with The Conversations email newsletter.]This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Suleyman Dost, Brandeis University.Read more: * Muslim schools are allies in Frances fight against radicalization not thecause * Why theres opposition to images ofMuhammadSuleyman Dost does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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Holly Willoughby is known for her gorgeous figure, and looks fabulous no matter what she wears.

And while the mum of three, often remains tight lipped on exactly how she lost weight after becoming noticeably slimmer over the past few years, following the birth of her third child Chester in 2014.

We've done the digging for you for all the insights into her food habits she had shared, and those close to her have also revealed some of her slimming secrets.

One of the reasons behind Holly's toned stomach, arms and legs is Pilates.

The simple form of exercise combines stretching and balance movements that improve core strength and can lead to better posture and flexibility.

While Pilates by itself doesn't necessarily result in weight loss, it can be combined with diet and other exercise to shed the pounds.

"I worked with Holly for several months, teaching her privately at her home once a week," Lynne Robinson, owner of Body Control Pilates, previously told The Mirror:

"Holly had postnatal mat work classes, which concentrated on strengthening and toning her core.''

Lynne went on: "The exercises help trim the waist and flatten the stomach."

And when it comes to her diet, Holly also has some fail safe staples she likes to include in her daily diet.

For a snack, she is said to love healthy treats like mango and protein-rich foods like chicken.

A source told the Mirror: "Holly is determined to keep her new-look body so she eats chicken, carrots and hummus.

"Youll never see her without a pack of mango either, to satisfy her sweet tooth."

For breakfast, the stunning broadcaster prefers yoghurt, granola and berries, and for dinner she usually goes for fish or chicken and vegetables.

The This Morning star is said to avoid eating too many carbs but she's not afraid to treat herself occasionally, tucking into pizza, fondue, cakes, mince pies and takeaways.

When she's cooking for her husband Daniel Baldwin and kids Chester, Belle and Harry, her go-to meals are said to be mac and cheese or spaghetti bolognese.

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She's also reportedly partial to sushi, especially yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno.

Like many of us, Holly is partial to a drink or two and loves prosecco, wine and cocktails.

She previously admitted to having had "the worst hangover of 2020" during lockdown.

During an interview with her friend Keith Lemon, she said: "I haven't stopped, I literally clock watch like - is it time for an Aperol Spritz yet?

"The trouble is you've got your own bottle of wine and you're sitting there doing this [mimes pouring wine].

"It's not like you've got to go to the bar. I woke up on Sunday morning, it was like my worst hangover of 2020."

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The secret Holly Willoughby swears by to lose weight - RSVP Live

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Eat This, Not That!

Imagine making just one simple swap and losing the equivalent weight of four Thanksgiving turkeys in one year. (We're talking about 60 pounds here.) It doesn't have to be in your imagination it can be a reality.How? It all comes down to what you're drinking. Before we give away the secret weight-loss elixir you need to start drinking, we'll tell you what you'll swap it for: soda. (Related: 8 Grocery Items That May Soon Be in Short Supply.)Soda is by far the worst drink for weight loss. It packs on pounds without you realizing it. Studies show that the largest source of calories in the average American's diet comes from sugar-sweetened beverages, with soda leading the charge. At about 150 calories per 12-ounce can of soda, that kind of daily drinking habit would supply you with an extra 1,050 calories per week or about 15 pounds of extra weight over the course of the year.But maybe you're in that elite drinking club of 5% of all Americans who swallow 567 calories worth of sugary soft drinks (four sodas) daily, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. At that rate, you're potentially packing on 60 pounds of fat each year.What you should drink instead of soda to lose weightEnter the magic fat-burning swap: unsweetened green tea. Not only will swapping this calorie-free beverage for sugary drinks save super soda drinks the equivalent of 60 pounds of calories yearly, but it may also improve your health and help activate your body to dispose of more fat. Here's how:Green tea turns off fat-storage genes"What you eat, and don't eat, can influence which genes are turned on and when," says Kevin L. Schalinske, PhD, a professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Iowa State University. And certain nutrients can turn those genes back off making it harder for your body to gain weight.Two of the primary nutritional tools at our disposal to turn off our fat genes are EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) and folate, magical ingredients found at high levels in green tea. EGCG is a powerful plant-based compound called catechins, which is part of a larger group of helpful compounds known as polyphenols.Many clinical studies suggest EGCG offers powerful weight-loss benefits. For example, According to, a 12-week study on the daily consumption of green tea in women showed a significant decrease in weight and abdominal fat, according to a Clinical Nutrition study.Green Tea Boosts Your MetabolismTypically, when you reduce calories (like cutting out sugary beverages), your resting metabolism slows down. But drinking unsweetened green tea may counteract that effect by stimulating thermogenesis, that is, generating heat through calorie burning, according to clinical studies.One of those trials, published in the Journal of Research in Medical Science, involved 63 men and women with type 2 diabetes who were randomly assigned to one of three groups. One group drank four cups of green tea daily, another grand two cups, and the control group consumed no green tea for two months. After 8 weeks, the group that drank four cups a day experienced significant weight loss as well as decreases in body mass index, waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure.Green Tea May Cause Fat Cells to ShrinkIn one study, participants who combined a daily habit of four to five cups of green tea with a 25-minute workout for 12 weeks lost an average of two more pounds than non-tea-drinking exercisers. Researchers believe the catechins found in green tea can blast fat tissue, triggering the release of fat cells particularly in the belly then speeding up the liver's capacity for turning that fat into energy.To lose weight, swapping soda for any drink that is lower in calories will do the trick. But to speed up weight loss, swap it for green tea to see the pounds melt away.For more healthy eating news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

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Mandy Moore reveals she 'lost a bunch of weight' due to pregnancy sickness - Yahoo Canada Shine On

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Bio-Kult is a supplement company that provides multispecies, multistrain probiotic products.

Theyre best known for Bio-Kult Original, a probiotic containing 14 strains of microorganisms.

In addition to helping with overall gut health, consumers may wonder whether taking Bio-Kult supplements can benefit other aspects of their health, such as low energy levels, weight loss, migraine, or recurrent yeast infections.

This article reviews Bio-Kult probiotic supplements, including the available products, their potential benefits, and downsides.

Bio-Kult is a probiotic supplement company developed by doctors, scientists, and nutritionists.

Their products contain a unique formulation of multispecies, multistrain probiotics designed to help support bacterial balance in your intestines.

Probiotics are bacteria that promote a healthy gut balance and can provide numerous health benefits when consumed (1, 2).

Specifically, probiotic supplements have been linked to various benefits, including improved digestive, brain, and immune health, reduced inflammation, weight loss, and more (3, 4).

Plus, specific strains are linked to different effects on health (2, 5).

As a result, there are many reasons why someone may choose to take a multistrain probiotic supplement like Bio-Kult.

Along with a general probiotic, Bio-Kult offers other probiotic products that are targeted toward specific areas of health, such as brain or urinary tract health.

These supplements often contain additional ingredients, such as vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, or fruit extracts.

Regardless of the product, all of Bio-Kults supplements are manufactured according to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) in a U.K.-based facility.

Products also undergo third-party testing to guarantee stability and bacterial count for up to 2 years. However, the name of the third-party organization isnt disclosed.

Unlike many other probiotics on the market, Bio-Kults capsules dont have to be refrigerated due to a special protective coating created during processing.

Bio-Kult produces high quality probiotic supplements developed by doctors, scientists, and nutritionists.

Bio-Kult currently offers an original probiotic blend, as well as five other supplements.

While the ingredients vary by product, all of Bio-Kults supplements are non-GMO verified and free of gluten, eggs, nuts, and artificial colors and flavors.

In addition to their main ingredients, Bio-Kult capsules contain cellulose as a bulking agent, as well as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, a vegetable-based coating.

As with any supplement, its best to talk to your healthcare provider before adding any of the Bio-Kult products to your or your childs routine.

General price ranges with dollar signs ($ to $$) are indicated below. One dollar sign means the product is rather affordable, whereas two dollar signs indicate a higher price range.

Generally, prices range from $0.57$1.16 per serving, or $14.07$36.73 per container, though this may vary depending on where you shop.

Note that serving sizes vary by product. Moreover, since each Bio-Kult product serves a different purpose, a direct comparison is not possible.

Pricing guide

Price: $

Bio-Kult Original contains 14 strains of bacteria and is marketed as a multispecies, multistrain probiotic to promote overall gut and digestive health in kids and adults.

It has also been studied for its ability to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with regular use. However, the study was funded by the company that makes Bio-Kult Original, which may have affected study results (6).

Each capsule contains at least 2 billion colony-forming units (CFUs), a measurement of the number of live and active microorganisms per serving.

Probiotic strains found in Bio-Kult Original include:

For best results, its recommended to take one to two capsules, once or twice per day with food.

Bio-Kult Original can also be used alongside antibiotics to help maintain or restore gut bacteria balance, as well as prior to and during travel to protect against travelers diarrhea.

When used alongside antibiotics, its recommended to take four capsules per day, ideally at a different time of the day from the antibiotic, and continue use for at least 2 weeks after completing your course of antibiotics.

Bio-Kult Original comes in 30-, 60-, and 120-count packages, with larger quantities generally being less expensive.

Shop for Bio-Kult Original online.

Price: $$

Bio-Kult Infantis is formulated to support the digestive and immune systems of infants, toddlers, and young children. Rather than capsules, the supplement comes in a powder form that can be mixed with water, milk, or food.

Each sachet contains 1 billion CFUs, 100 IU of vitamin D3, and over 1 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), two types of omega-3 fatty acids.

Research suggests that probiotics may help reduce symptoms like diarrhea or constipation that are due to gastrointestinal-related conditions in infants and young children (7, 8, 9).

However, theres currently insufficient evidence to recommend the routine use of probiotic supplements in healthy infants or young children for general health (9).

Furthermore, as research is generally limited in infants and kids, its important to talk with your pediatrician before giving your child Bio-Kult Infantis.

Additionally, due to containing fish-derived DHA and EPA powder, this supplement is unsuitable for vegetarians or kids with fish allergies.

For best results, its recommended to mix 1/4 to 1 sachet with milk, water, or food, depending on the age of your child, or as recommended by a healthcare provider.

Boxes of Bio-Kult Infantis contain 16 sachets.

Shop for Bio-Kult Infantis online.

Price: $$

Bio-Kult Mind is designed to support both digestive and brain health.

Ongoing research shows a link between brain health and the gut microbiome. While more research is needed, early studies in humans have observed improvements in brain function in people with cognitive impairment or Alzheimers disease who took probiotics (10, 11, 12).

Unlike other Bio-Kult products, Bio-Kult Mind only contains one strain of bacteria Bacillus subtilis.

While studies on Bacillus subtilis are currently limited to worm studies, its being researched for its potential role in protecting against Alzheimers and Parkisons disease. However, these effects have not been confirmed in humans (13, 14).

In addition to 1 billion CFUs of Bacillus subtilis, each capsule provides 2 mg of zinc and 45 mg of grape and blueberry extracts.

Grapes and blueberries are known to be high in flavonoids, which are plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that have been linked to brain-function benefits and a reduced risk of Alzheimers disease (15, 16, 17, 18).

Still, the specific benefits of Bio-Kult Mind for brain health and brain-related diseases have not been studied.

This supplement comes in packages of 60 capsules.

Shop for Bio-Kult Mind online.

Price: $$

Bio-Kult Migra is marketed to help your gut and mind by reducing tiredness and fatigue. Customers also report taking it to help prevent migraine attacks.

The supplement contains the same 14 probiotic strains found in Bio-Kult Original, as well as the same amount of microorganisms 2 billion CFUs per capsule.

The main difference between the two supplements is that Bio-Kult Migra also provides 90 mg of magnesium and 8 mg of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine).

Both magnesium and vitamin B6 play essential roles in energy metabolism. Plus, limited studies have found that magnesium supplements reduce fatigue in individuals with depression (19, 20, 21).

Still, no research has shown that taking either nutrient in supplement form improves energy levels in healthy individuals.

Nevertheless, doing so may benefit those who regularly experience migraine attacks. Both magnesium supplements and Bio-Kult Original have been linked to helping reduce the onset and severity of migraine attacks (22, 23, 24).

In a study in 79 adults with episodic or chronic migraine, taking 2 capsules of Bio-Kult Original daily for 810 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of migraine attacks, compared with a placebo (24).

While the study didnt use Bio-Kult Migra specifically, it may have the same beneficial effects.

Overall, while Bio-Kult Migra may not result in noticeable improvements in energy levels, it could help those who experience frequent migraine attacks.

One package of Bio-Kult Migra contains 60 capsules.

Shop for Bio-Kult Migra online.

Price: $$$

Bio-Kult Pro-Cyan is marketed to women as a way to support digestive health and prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Each capsule contains 500 million CFUs, which include a mixture of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus plantarum, as well as 18 mg of cranberry extract proanthocyanidins and 160 mcg of vitamin A.

Lactobacilli species and cranberry extract have both been linked to helping prevent recurrent UTIs in women. Additionally, Bio-Kult Pro-Cyan specifically has been shown to be effective for this purpose (25, 26, 27).

One study of 81 women with recurrent UTIs found that taking Bio-Kult Pro-Cyan twice per day for 26 weeks resulted in significantly fewer recurrent UTIs, compared with a placebo (27).

Furthermore, those taking the probiotic were less likely to need an antibiotic and experienced shorter UTI durations (27).

Note that ADM Protexin International Ltd, the company that manufactures Bio-Kult products, funded the above study, which may have affected the results.

Each package of Bio-Kult Pro-Cyan contains 45 capsules.

Shop for Bio-Kult Pro-Cyan online.

Price: $

Bio-Kult Canda contains seven unique strains of probiotics, as well as grapefruit and garlic extracts, to help protect against fungal infections caused by yeast, such as Candida and vaginal yeast infections.

It also claims to help support a healthy balance of bacteria in the vagina, which may help prevent conditions like bacterial vaginosis (28).

Lactobacilli species specifically have shown promise in helping treat and possibly prevent bacterial vaginosis, as well as Candida and yeast infections (29, 30, 31).

However, Bio-Kult Canda hasnt been studied for its effectiveness in preventing these infections.

Still, given that it contains several strains of probiotics that have been shown to have promising effects, including Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, it may be beneficial for those looking to treat or protect against these types of infections.

One package of Bio-Kult Canda contains 60 capsules.

Shop for Bio-Kult Canda online.

The products Bio-Kult offers include Bio-Kult Original, Bio-Kult Infantis, Bio-Kult Mind, Bio-Kult Migra, Bio-Kult Pro-Cyan, and Bio-Kult Canda.

Consumers may also wonder whether Bio-Kult probiotics are effective for managing symptoms of IBS, aiding in weight loss, and supporting other general aspects of digestive health.

Probiotics are often used by those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common digestive disorder associated with altered bowel movements and frequent abdominal discomfort and bloating.

Although probiotics cant cure IBS, they may help reduce its symptoms (6).

For treatment purposes, IBS is often characterized by three types based on whether an individual primarily experiences diarrhea, constipation, or a combination of both. These types are referred to as (32):

Probiotics have been suggested as a way to help reduce symptoms associated with all types of IBS, including diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain (32).

Research is mixed on whether single- or multistrain probiotics are more effective when it comes to reducing IBS symptoms. Yet, early research suggests Bio-Kults 14-strain original supplement may be a good option (6, 33, 34, 35, 36).

In a study in 400 adults with IBS-D, taking Bio-Kult Original daily for 16 weeks significantly reduced severe abdominal pain by 69%. It also significantly improved bowel movement frequency and quality of life scores (6).

Furthermore, the number of participants who rated their symptoms as moderate-to-severe was reduced from 100% to 14% after 5 months (6).

Note that this study was funded by the company that makes Bio-Kult Original, which may have affected study results.

Overall, Bio-Kult Original appears to be a promising strategy to reduce symptoms in those with IBS-D. However, its unclear whether those with IBS-C or IBS-M will experience the same degree of relief.

Theres ongoing research on the potential benefits of probiotics on digestive health (37).

Probiotics particularly Lactobacillus rhamnosus have been found to help reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea when taken alongside a course of antibiotics (38, 39).

Additionally, probiotics are popular among those who plan to travel, as research has shown certain strains of probiotics are effective against travelers diarrhea (40, 41).

One review of 12 studies found Saccharomyces boulardii, which is not present in Bio-Kult Original, to be particularly effective against travelers diarrhea (41).

The review also found a potential link between Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus acidophilus, which are found in Bio-Kult Original, and a reduced risk of the disorder. However, the effect was not statistically significant (41).

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Bio-Kult Review: Products, Pros, Cons, and More - Healthline

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Image Credit: YZ

Dubai: The struggle of weight loss is one of the most real struggles in the world. As someone who grew up constantly hearing about how she needed to lose weight, (although I would not be classified as an overweight person), I perkup every single time I overhear advice on how to lose a few extra kilos.

And, boy, have I heard it all. Someone once told me that weight lossis 70 per cent of what you eat and 30 per cent how you move. So I wondered: Am I giving exercise way too much importance? Should I be focusing on eating less? Should I even bother with exercise?

I go to the gym four to five times a week and I sweat during those sessions! Luckily, I am one of those people who really loves exercising. Theres something amazing about feeling strong, being able to lift things and to run up the stairs without losing your breath. But for someone who works out as much as I do, I dont really looklike the "oh wow, she really trains." kind of girl. I look like the "oh, she looks athletic but can also devour a plate of tacos" kind of girl.

Realisation 1: You can't disregard exercise

I remembered my meeting with Dr Marilyn Glenville, PhD, a leading UK nutritionistspecialising in womens health. She told me, Contrary to popular belief, I believe you can lose weight without exercising. Simplyby changing your diet. However, weight-training exercises are helpful in the process of losing fat faster. As building muscles takes up fivetimes less space than fat, you can change your body shape quicker while you look and feel thinner.

The benefits of regular exercise cannot be exaggerated. The older we get, the more important exercise is for our health. Regular exercise has been linked to a lower risk of cancer, dementia, type 2 diabetes, depression, heart disease and higher tolerance to stress.

Dr Marilyn Glenville, PhD

Exercise can have a powerful all-round positive effect on your health. Moderate exercise performed during the day improves sleep quality and can also soothe insomnia. Exercise also helps to keep your bowels working efficiently and eliminates waste products your body doesn't need effectively.

It also improves the function of your immune system, your lymph system and the ability of your body to keep blood sugar in balance. It stimulates the thyroid gland hormone production and helps to improve thyroid function, together with improving your metabolism. This is especially important if you have an underactive thyroid.

Realisation 2: Tracking is extreemly effective

I became obsessed with tracking everything. I got a Fitbit to track my movement and my calories burned. I loved knowing all this information about my body. Whether I properly slept through the night, whether Ineed to stand up and move around. I learned that I burned 1,300 calories a day on my non-workout days and around 1,600 when I do workout. That's a prettly low basal metabolic rate, which means my calorie intake had to be restricted, if I wanted to notice a difference.

I track my food intake on MyFitness pal and honestly acheieve the best results, when I obsessively add everything, evem just a stick of gum. Knowing what goes in and out of your body is so important, because that is when you start really paying attention and making smart decisions.

Realisation 3: Make movement not feel like a workout

But calorie restriction was so hard for me. Especially when I love food so much. I wanted to eat more because I was always hungry. So I got myself a bicycle. A road bike more specifically, so I could ride around the neighbourhood and not get bored and increase my cardio, which is good for my heart and burning fat. My bike was a basic one I bought off Amazon.

That's always a risk. Buying your bike online and everything about it great, except the fact that I probably need to change the seat, as it gets uncomfortable to ride for a long time. But Irealised that cycling has become so therapeutic to me. Not only do I feel my speed increasing and my legs getting stronger, but I learned so much about my neighbourhood.

To make my bike ride even more fun, I got myself the Bose Frames. They are basically these speaker sunglasses, that areengineered specifically for outdoor workouts like biking, running, and climbing. In my opinion, they are the coolest invention because you don't have your hearing completely blocked by the music, so you can still hear what's going on around you (important when you're out on the road). Theres nothing in your ears or over them. And because thespeaker system is configured and directed towards you, whatever you are listening to isisolated in an audio bubble that you can hear, but others cant.

I had the most eye-opening conversation with Dalia Halabirecently who explained like no other nutritionist ever has why I am struggling to get rid of the extra fat on my body. "I exercise, I never eat junk food and I've been on a diet for basically all of my adult life. Why can't I shed those kgs off my body?" I asked her.

Dalia is a Counselor, Life Coach, Healer, Yogi, Reiki Master and Nike Trainer just to name a few of her areas of expertise. She is a big believer that emotional issues can prevent you from losing weight. During our conversation, she explained that many of my emotional issues, whether anxiety or deeper rooted negative emotions are causing my body to protect itself by holding on to fat as a way to keep it safe and warm.

Dalia Halabi

There are plenty of studies that show, psycological blocks can slow down your weight loss.Weight loss is an uphill battle for most people, but if you aredealing with emotional struggles to top it off, youmay have a more difficult time reaching your goal.

Repressed emotions can affect the body in many different ways. So the emotions that you don'tprocessend up stored somewhere in your body, which could be why your fat just does not want to leave its place. To make matters worse, studies have found that overeating can become a coping mechanism for managing stress in life. The strategy may be more common among those who are already overweight.

"I don't believe in calorie restriction. Your body is asking for a certain type of food for a reason, something is missing there, whether it is the hunger receptors or something deeper," Dalia said, "But you have to listen to your body, proccess the emotions and heal yourself from within and you might notice the fat shedding much easier than it has before.

You need ro proccess emotions, look deep within and as yourself the hard questions. According to Dalia it's "What am I unwilling to feel?" and allow yourself to delve deep into your heart and head and figure out why your negative emotions are stored in your body.

Conclusion: What you need to do

Although we are dying for it, there are noshortcuts.

You CAN lose weight without exercising, by decreasing your calorie intake and incorporating healthier foods into your diet, however, I really recommend that you do not discount working out. Exercise speeds up the process and has an incredible amount of long term benefits.

You canalso NOT lose weight, even ifyou are doing everything possible, including exercising and eating well. You have to make sure your stress levels, emotions and your psyche is in a good place. You need to process emotions. Because a healthy mind truly allows the opportunity for a healthy body.

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Is weight loss about exercise, food, or is it in the mind? - Gulf News

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Access to local mental health services is much faster now due to a new service available from the Mental Health and Addiction Regional Centre and Hawkesbury and District General Hospital (HGH).

The centre is now offering free, walk-in, single-session psychotherapy sessions each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 580 Spence Avenue in Hawkesbury, which is located next to Taco Bell. No appointment is necessary, and clients must be aged 16 or older.

HGH Director of Mental Health and Addictions Genevive Arturi said that the single sessions allow the five therapists on staff to identify the needs of clients and give them strategies to use after. She acknowledged that the approach does not solve all of a clients problems but is meant to meet the need for rapid response. Arturi said that clients in need of more than one session will be directed into the other programs HGH offers.

Canadian Mental Health Association Champlain East Executive Director Joanne Ledoux-Moshonas said that one in 10 Ontario residents has difficulty accessing mental health services.

Arturi said that up to eight clients per day can be seen at the new walk-in service. Telephone appointments can also be arranged by calling 1-844-304-1414.

No situation is too small or to big to access our clinic, said HGH Chief of Staff, Dr. Julie Maranda.

The walk-in psychotherapy clinic at HGH was made possible through at $20,000 donation from the Bell Canada Lets Talk Foundation.

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HGH now offering walk-in psychotherapy services - The Review Newspaper

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Heartland Group Holdings Limited (ASX & NZX: HGH ) advises that it is reassessing the valuation of its equity investment in Harmoney Corp Limited (ASX & NZX: HMY ).

Following the IPO, Heartland owns 8,518,864 ordinary shares in HMY, representing 8.44% of HMYs total shares on issue. Alongside other majority shareholders, employees and directors, Heartland has entered into escrow restrictions prohibiting the disposal of its shareholding until the occurrence of certain events.

Heartland will reassess the fair value of its equity investment in HMY as part of the preparation of its financial results for the six-month period ending 31 December 2020 (HY21). In determining fair value, Heartland will take into consideration the market value of HMY shares alongside a range of other relevant factors, including the escrow restrictions. This may result in an increase in the fair value of the investment.

Heartlands equity investment in HMY is not significant in the context of Heartlands total assets. However, any increase in the fair value of that investment would result in one-off increase to Heartlands net profit after tax (NPAT) for the financial year ended 30 June 2021 (FY21). That increase has not been taken into account in Heartlands forecast NPAT for FY21, which may accordingly need to be revised.

See the link below for more details:

NZX & ASX Release - HGH reassesses value in HMY investment

Source:Heartland Group Holdings Limited

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Heartland Group Holdings Limited (NZX: HGH) reassesses the valuation of its investment in HMY - sharechat

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The following article is part of Jay Jaffes ongoing look at the candidates on the BBWAA 2021 Hall of Fame ballot. Originally written for the 2019 election, it has been updated to reflect recent voting results as well as additional research. For a detailed introduction to this years ballot, and other candidates in the series, use the tool above; an introduction to JAWS can be found here. All WAR figures refer to the Baseball-Reference version unless otherwise indicated.

As much as Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, and Bernie Williams, Andy Pettitte was a pillar of the Joe Torre-era Yankees dynasty. The tall Texan lefty played such a vital role on 13 pinstriped playoff teams and seven pennant winners plus another trip to the World Series during his three-year run with Houston that he holds several major postseason records. In fact, no pitcher ever started more potential series clinchers, both in the World Series and the postseason as a whole.

For as important as Pettitte was to the Core Four (Williams always gets the short end of the stick on that one) that anchored five championships from 1996 to 2009 and to an Astros team that reached its first World Series in 05 he seldom made a case as one of the games top pitchers. High win totals driven by excellent offensive support helped him finish in the top five of his leagues Cy Young voting four times, but only three times did he place among the top 10 in ERA or WAR, and he never ranked higher than sixth in strikeouts. He made just three All-Star teams.

Indeed, Pettitte was more plow horse than racehorse. A sinker- and cutter-driven groundballer whose pickoff move was legendary, he was a championship-level innings-eater, a grinder (his word) rather than a dominator, a pitcher whose strong work ethic, mental preparation, and focus visually exemplified by his peering in for the sign from the catcher with eyes barely visible underneath the brim of his cap compensated for his lack of dazzling stuff. Ten times he made at least 32 starts, a mark thats tied for seventh in the post-1994 strike era. Within that span, his total of 10 200-inning seasons is tied for fourth, and his 13 seasons of qualifying for the ERA title with an ERA+ of 100 or better is tied for first with two other lefties, Mark Buehrle (a newcomer to this years ballot) and CC Sabathia. He had his ups and downs in the postseason, but only once during his 18-year career (2004, when he underwent season-ending elbow surgery) was he unavailable to pitch once his team made the playoffs.

Even given Pettittes 256 career wins, he takes a back seat to two other starters on the ballot (Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling) who were better at missing bats and preventing runs, and who also had plenty of postseason success. Both of those pitchers have reasons why voters might exclude them from their ballots even while finding them statistically qualified, and the same is true for Pettitte, who was named in the 2007 Mitchell Report for having used human growth hormone to recover from an elbow injury. Between those dents and dings and the additional presence of both Roy Halladay and Mike Mussina, Pettitte received just 9.9% in his 2019 ballot debut, and even on a less crowded slate, his share only increased to 11.3% last year. He seems unlikely to make much headway towards 75% barring a significant change in the electorates attitudes towards PEDs.

About those wins: Regular readers know that I generally avoid dwelling upon pitcher win totals, because in this increasingly specialized era, they owe as much to adequate offensive, defensive, and bullpen support as they do to a pitchers own performance. While one neednt know how many wins Pettitte amassed in a season or a career to appreciate his true value, those totals have affected the popular perception of his career.

2021 BBWAA Candidate: Andy Pettitte

SOURCE: Baseball-Reference

Pettitte was born on June 15, 1972 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His father Tom, a police sergeant, built a mound in the familys back yard and began teaching his son by using a library book that showed how Nolan Ryan gripped his pitches. When Andy was eight, the family moved to Deer Park, Texas, a suburb of Houston, where Tom coached Andys teams right up until high school. Pettitte stood over six feet tall by his junior year at Deer Park High School, with a fastball in the low 80s and an advanced feel for mixing his pitches. By the time he was a senior, he stood 6-foot-5, but was pudgy enough to play center and nose tackle on the football team.

Though Pettitte received scholarship offers from Louisiana State University and other schools, the Yankees drafted him in the 22nd round in 1990. He did not sign, instead choosing to attend San Jacinto Junior College for a year, where he played for future Rice University coach Wayne Graham, who called him a left-handed Roger Clemens. The comparison resonated, for not only had Pettitte grown up idolizing Clemens, but Graham had coached the right-hander at San Jacinto in 1981. Graham helped transform Pettitte into a legitimate pitching prospect with a 91-93 mph fastball and better conditioning. The Yankees retained his rights up until a week before the 1991 draft, and ultimately landed him for an $80,000 bonus just before the signing deadline.

Pettitte split his first professional season (1991) between the Yankees Gulf Coast and New York-Penn League affiliates; at the latter stop, he crossed paths with Posada, also 19 years old and still primarily a second baseman. The pair spent 1992 together at A-level Greensboro of the South Atlantic League, where they were eventually joined by an 18-year-old Jeter, the Yankees 1992 first-round pick. At Greensboro, Pettitte posted a 2.20 ERA and 7.0 strikeouts per nine, and in each of his next two minor league seasons, he kept his ERAs near or below 3.00; he spent most of 1993 at High-A Prince William, with a taste of Double-A Albany-Colonie, where he returned for the start of 1994 before heading to Triple-A Columbus, where he posted a 2.98 ERA and a modest 5.7 strikeouts per nine.

In the spring of 1995, Pettitte placed 49th on Baseball Americas Top 100 prospects list, but lost the battle to be the Yankees fifth starter to Sterling Hitchcock and was sent to the bullpen; he made five relief appearances, briefly returned to Columbus, then joined the big clubs rotation when Jimmy Key suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery. He enjoyed a very solid rookie campaign, going 12-9 with a 4.17 ERA (111 ERA+) and 4.01 FIP in 175 innings en route to 2.9 WAR, helping the Yankees make the playoffs for the first time since 1981. Manager Buck Showalter gave him the ball to start Game 2 of the Division Series against the Mariners; Pettitte allowed two runs through six innings before being touched up for two more in the seventh, including the go-ahead run. The Yankees won the game in 15 innings but ultimately the lost series. The 23-year-old southpaw finished third in the AL Rookie of the Year voting, which was won by the Twins Marty Cordova.

Pettitte produced one of the biggest seasons of his career in 1996: 34 starts, 221 innings, a 3.87 ERA (129 ERA+), and an AL-high 21 wins, the last thanks to a robust 5.6 runs per game of offensive support. His 5.8 WAR ranked eighth in the AL. He did all of this while rotation-mate David Cone missed four months due to an aneurysm in his arm, Key served two DL stints, and Kenny Rogers scuffled. Pettitte made his first All-Star team and finished a very close second in the AL Cy Young race behind the Blue Jays Pat Hentgen, but not before helping the Yankees to their first championship in 18 years. After allowing four runs apiece in his Division and League Championship Series starts (both of which the Yankees won, 5-4) he delivered eight strong innings on three days rest in the ALCS Game 5 clincher against the Orioles. The Braves pounded him for seven runs in 2.1 innings in the World Series opener, but Pettitte rebounded to pitch 8.1 innings of five-hit shutout ball opposite 1996 NL Cy Young winner John Smoltz, a performance that in 2015 he called the best game of my career. The Yankees eked out a 1-0 victory and took a three-games-to-two series lead; they would win in six games.

Though he won only 18 games, Pettitte actually had a better season in 1997, when he made a league-high 35 starts and threw a career-high 240.1 innings with a 2.88 ERA (156 ERA+, both good for fourth in the league) and just seven homers allowed (a league-best 0.3 per nine). His 8.4 WAR ranked second in the league behind the Cy Young-winning Clemens, but he finished just fifth in the voting. He was lousy in the postseason, getting rocked for 11 runs in 11.2 innings by the Indians in his Division Series starts, both losses. It would be five years before the Yankees took such an early vacation in October again.

In three major league seasons, Pettitte had established himself as one of the games top starters, thanks in part to his development of a nasty cut fastball. His 16.9 WAR for the period ranked sixth in the majors from 1995-1997 behind only Greg Maddux, Clemens, Kevin Brown, Randy Johnson, and Pedro Martinez. Hed done it while pitching through a sore elbow, dating back to a three-inning relief stint in Baltimore on May 1, 1997, a day after getting torched for nine runs in one-plus inning. But whether it was his elbow or his over-reliance on his sinker-cutter combo at the expense of his curve and changeup, his performance took a significant step back even as the fate of the Yankees improved. From 1998-2000, while the Yankees won three straight championships, Pettitte averaged 32 starts and 204 innings, albeit with a 4.42 ERA (105 ERA+) and just a 1.53 strikeout-to-walk ratio, down from 2.21 for the three years prior. He was still good enough to average 2.8 WAR in that span, but the Yankees pondered trading him as he grew more expensive.

In July 1999, as the trade deadline loomed, the Yankees and Phillies neared a deal that would send Pettitte (then carrying a 5.65 ERA) to Philadelphia in exchange for three prospects including pitcher Adam Eaton and outfielder Reggie Taylor. In an organizational clash, Torre, pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, and general manager Brian Cashman won out over owner George Steinbrenner and his cabal of Tampa-based advisors, who wanted to turn the rotation spot over to the immortal Ed Yarnall. Pettitte stayed, began working out with Clemens (who had been acquired in the spring) and allowed just three runs over his next four starts totaling 31 innings. That winter, he signed a three-year, $25.5 million extension with an $11.5 million club option for 2003.

As uneven as the 1998-2000 seasons were for Pettitte, he did place fourth in the AL Cy Young voting with the best of those years (2000: 19-9, 4.35 ERA, 3.6 WAR). During that stretch, he delivered eight quality postseason starts out of 11 with a combined 3.26 ERA; the Yankees went 10-1 in those starts, rallying to win even when he took early exits in Game 3 of the 1999 World Series against the Braves and Game 5 of the 2000 Division Series against the As. He threw seven shutout innings in Game 4 of the 1998 World Series against the Padres, helping the team complete a sweep, and made good starts in Games 1 and 5 in the 2000 Subway Series against the Mets. He left the latter tied at 2-2 through seven innings; the Yankees plated two runs in the ninth and Rivera closed it out for the teams third straight championship.

The work with Clemens began to rub off on Pettitte. In 2001, his fastball showed more zip, he worked inside more often, posted career-best strikeout and walk rates (7.4 and 1.8 per nine), brought his ERA below 4.00 (3.99) with a FIP nearly a run lower (3.02), and made his second All-Star team. He pitched well in his first three postseason starts agains the As and Mariners, allowing just five runs in 20.2 innings, and hung with the Diamondbacks Johnson for six innings in his World Series Game 2 start, entering the seventh trailing 1-0 before serving up a three-run homer to Matt Williams.

After losing the first two games in Arizona, the Yankees won three straight in New York to position themselves for their fourth straight title. Pettitte again took the ball opposite Johnson but was pummeled for six runs in two-plus innings; on ESPN Radios international broadcast, analyst Rick Sutcliffe noticed that he was tipping his pitches by double-pumping on every fastball from the stretch. The Yankees didnt discover the problem until it was too late; they lost both Game 6 and thanks to a two-run rally against Rivera Game 7 as well.

While elbow, back, and groin injuries sent Pettitte to the DL every year from 1999 through 2001, the 2002 season brought his first major injury, a bout of tendonitis that sidelined him for two months, from mid-April to mid-June. Limited to 22 starts, he nonetheless went 13-5 with a 3.27 ERA (135 ERA+ in 134.2 innings), and while he lasted just three innings in his lone postseason start against the Angels, the Yankees picked up his option that winter. Pettitte rewarded them with another strong, workhorse season, though his 21-8 record and 7.8 strikeouts per nine were flashier than the other numbers (4.02 ERA, 110 ERA+, 3.1 WAR, his fourth straight season between 3.1 and 3.6). In the best October showing of his career, he posted a 2.10 ERA in five starts, allowing more than two runs just once. He whiffed a postseason career high 10 Twins in his Division Series start, and came within one out of a shutout in Game 2 of the World Series before the Marlins plated an unearned run. Though he allowed just two runs (one earned) in seven innings in Game 6, Josh Beckett shut out the Yankees on five hits, giving the upstart Marlins a championship.

In December 2003, Pettitte shocked the baseball world by returning home to Texas. He did so by bypassing a three-year, $39 million offer from the Yankees in favor of a heavily backloaded, three-year, $31.5 million deal with the Astros. He wanted to go home to Houston, said Steinbrenner. And I admire him for wanting to be with his family. He couldnt do that in New York. He was a great competitor for me.

Soon joined in Houston by Clemens, whom hed coaxed out of retirement, Pettitte made just 15 starts in 2004 due to forearm woes that culminated in season-ending surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon. He returned better than ever in 2005, going 17-9 with a career-best 2.39 ERA (177 ERA+, with both marks second in the NL behind Clemens) and 6.8 WAR (fourth in the league). During one stretch in June and July, he allowed no more than one earned run in eight straight starts. His postseason performance wasnt great (4.26 ERA in 25.1 IP), as he wound up on the losing end three times while making four quality starts. The Astros, in their first World Series appearance, were swept by the White Sox.

Pettitte made a league-high 35 starts in his final year in Houston, but battled elbow tendonitis, and his ERA ballooned to 4.20 (106 ERA+), with his WAR dipping to 1.5. He had other problems as well. In October 2006, the Los Angeles Times published a report citing an affidavit from former Yankees pitcher Jason Grimsley, who alleged that both Pettitte and Clemens had used performance-enhancing drugs, and that he himself had obtained amphetamines, anabolic steroids, and human growth hormone from Brian McNamee, a former Yankees trainer who maintained a close working relationship with both pitchers. Pettitte vehemently denied the allegations, saying, Ive never used any drugs to enhance my performance on the baseball field before.

In December, the 34-year-old lefty agreed to return to the Yankees on a one-year, $16 million deal with a $16 million player option for 2008. On September 19, near the end of a typical season (15-9, 4.05 ERA, 5.9 K/9, 3.8 WAR), he beat the Orioles with a seven-inning, one-run performance to claim the 200th victory of his career. His 6.1 shutout innings against the Indians in Game 2 of the Division Series went for naught when Joba Chamberlain was devoured by a horde of midges.

Feeling the pull of family and mulling retirement, Pettitte declined his player option, mainly to allow the team to free up a roster spot while he deliberated. On December 3, he agreed to return at that same salary, but nine days later, his name was among the 89 included in the Mitchell Report. Two days later, he admitted to injecting HGH obtained through McNamee to recover from his 2002 elbow injury. In 2002 I was injured. I had heard that human growth hormone could promote faster healing for my elbow, he said in a statement released to the Associated Press. I felt an obligation to get back to my team as soon as possible. For this reason, and only this reason, for two days I tried human growth hormone. Though it was not against baseball rules, I was not comfortable with what I was doing, so I stopped.

Pettittes name remained in the headlines when Clemens appeared before Congress to challenge the findings pertaining to him in the report in February 2008. Pettitte said in a statement that Clemens had told him of using HGH nearly 10 years earlier, and that McNamee had told him that Clemens used steroids in 2003 or 04. Clemens claimed Pettitte misremembered.

On the field, Pettitte scuffled. While his 4.54 ERA was not a career worst, his 97 ERA+ was; it was the only time in his 18-year career that he allowed runs at a worse-than-average clip (his 3.71 FIP, his best in three years, told a different story). The Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time since the 1994 players strike, which triggered a major spending spree; $420 million worth of commitments brought Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira to the Bronx. Pettitte, working on an incentive-laden one-year deal, served as a solid number three starter behind the two newcomers, rebounding to a 4.16 ERA and 3.4 WAR, then turned in one of his most memorable postseason runs. Though his overall 3.52 ERA in five starts totaling 30.2 innings wasnt remarkable, he joined the 2004 Red Soxs Derek Lowe by winning three clinching games in a single postseason, over the Twins (Division Series), Angels (ALCS), and Phillies (World Series).

While he made the AL All-Star team on the strength of an 11-2, 2.70 ERA first half, Pettittes 2010 was abbreviated by a groin strain that sidelined him for two months and limited him to just one September start longer than four innings. Nonetheless, he turned in a pair of seven-inning, two-run starts in the Yankees Division Series Game 2 victory over the Twins and their ALCS Game 3 defeat by the Rangers. Again deliberating on the retirement question, he pulled the plug in early February, just before pitchers and catchers reported.

Though he sat out all of 2011, Pettitte could not stay retired. In March 2012, the 39-year-old southpaw quietly agreed to return to the Yankees who had, in essence, left the light on for him on a $2.5 million deal. He returned to the majors on May 13, and pitched as well as ever (3.22 ERA, 9.1 K/9) until a one-hopper off the bat of the Indians Casey Kotchman fractured his left fibula. After missing nearly three months, he made a three-start September tuneup followed by a pair of good postseason starts totaling five runs allowed in 13.2 innings. Alas, he wound up on the short end both times, and the Yankees bowed to the Tigers in the ALCS.

Still hankering for more, Pettitte returned for his age-41 season, and for the first time since 2009 made 30 starts, finishing with a 3.74 ERA and 2.2 WAR in 185.1 innings. Unlike Rivera, who received a grand farewell tour that culminated with Jeter and Pettitte pulling him from his final appearance, Pettitte didnt announce his intentions until September 20, 2013. He threw seven innings of two-run ball against the Giants in his final Yankee Stadium start two days later, and then a complete-game five-hitter against the Astros in Houston, his home away from home, on September 28.

From a Hall of Fame standpoint, Pettittes claim rests on a high win total, very good run prevention after adjusting for his park and league, and a strong postseason resum, all of which are worth a closer look. First, the wins. Pettittes total of 256 ranks 42nd all-time, and is higher than 32 of the 65 enshrined starters, including Halladay (203), and 2018 Modern Baseball Era Committee honoree Jack Morris (254). However, 256 wins does not guarantee a spot in the Hall; there are eight pitchers with more on the outside looking in, including Clemens (354) and a pair of pitchers who spent more than a quarter-century in the majors, Tommy John (288) and Jim Kaat (283).

Wins, of course, are the product not just of a pitchers skill at run prevention but also of the support he receives from his offense, his defense, and his bullpen. In Pettittes case, prior to his original retirement he received offensive support that was about 10 percent better than the park-adjusted league average. Thats according to research done for the Baseball Prospectus book Extra Innings by Colin Wyers and myself in the fall of 2011, with said support for all starters defined simply as the runs scored on the day (or night) the starter pitched, and therefore available via game logs back into the 19th century. Wyers and I found just 12 Hall of Fame starters with better support, led by Chief Bender (117).

Pettitte was less well-supported by his defenses, in that he had a .312 career batting average on balls in play where the MLB average was .298; his FIP (3.74) is thus lower than his ERA (3.85). Bullpen support? Pettitte and Rivera the best ever at his job combined to set a record for teaming up, with Rivera saving 72 of Pettittes wins, far beyond the 57 wins of Oaklands Bob WelchDennis Eckersley combo.

Pettittes career ERA would be the second-highest in the Hall, in front of only Morris, but the adjustments for park and league are everything in this case. Pettitte has a 117-105 edge on Morris in ERA+. His 117 ERA+ matches that of Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry, who ranks 43rd among enshrined starters, and its two points better than Jim Bunning, Steve Carlton, Phil Niekro, Fergie Jenkins, and Eppa Rixey, who are tied for 45th. The problem for Pettitte is that all of those pitchers except Bunning threw at least 1,000 more innings.

Postseason-wise, the frequency of the Yankees participation in the three-tiered playoff format whose introduction coincided with the start of Pettittes career helped him set records for starts (44), innings (276.2) and wins (19, against 11 losses); meanwhile, hes fourth in strikeouts (183). While Pettitte certainly hit some high notes within that large body of work while helping the Yankees win five championships, he also had some duds, including seven starts with five or more runs allowed, only one of which went longer than five innings. His 3.81 postseason ERA is a ringer for his regular season mark; his 4.06 World Series ERA in 13 World Series starts (the second-highest total behind Whitey Fords 22) slightly worse; hes tied for seventh in World Series strikeouts (56) and eighth in innings (77.2) and wins (five). His ERA in his record 12 potential postseason series clinchers: 3.95 (the Yankees won eight); in four potential World Series clinchers: 3.68 (the Yankees won three). Cool stuff, but he was more like the second coming of Andy Pettitte than he was Schilling or Madison Bumgarner.

In terms of WAR, Pettittes career total of 60.2 is 13.1 WAR short of the standard at the position. Hes 64th 22 spots lower than his win total, remember and behind 44 of the 65 enshrined starters. Among those elected by the BBWAA, only Ford (57.1) and Catfish Hunter (40.9) threw at least 3,000 innings, where Dazzy Vance (60.1) and Bob Lemon (48.2) fell just short, with Sandy Koufax (48.9) short of 2,500 and Dizzy Dean (46.0) short of 2,000. Thats not a great argument in Pettittes favor.

Nor is the fact that his 34.1 peak score is tied with Rixey and Dutch Leonard for 170th. Pettittes 47.2 JAWS ranks 91st, ahead of only Ford (45.8), Dean (45.0), Lemon (43.5), and Herb Pennock (41.3) among BBWAA honorees. Of the currently active starters whose progress towards Cooperstown Ive been monitoring, hes well behind Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke, Clayton Kershaw, and Max Scherzer, as well as Sabathia, who retired last year.

Thus, based upon both traditional and advanced metrics, Pettitte would represent a rather weak choice for the Hall of Fame and I say that as somebody who had a considerable emotional investment in his career as a fan and would like nothing more than to find a rationale for electing him. I dont see one, and thats even while consigning his Mitchell Report-related transgressions to the Wild West era of the games drug problems, where if MLB couldnt punish him, I dont think voters should do so either.

Given all of that as well as the presence of two starters with stronger (albeit controversial) cases on the ballot in Clemens and Schilling, its tough to find a particularly compelling rationale to vote for Pettitte. Just 11.3% of voters did last year, and that was with ballot traffic clearing up considerably after back-to-back elections of four candidates. Voters using just 6.61 slots per ballot; they had ample space to include Pettitte, but did not.

Even with the elections of Mussina, Halladay, and perhaps Schilling pushing the door a bit more widely open for pitchers with fewer than 300 wins, Pettitte doesnt figure to follow, as he was not of their caliber in terms of run prevention, nor was he as decorated and celebrated except when it came to World Series rings (which isnt nothing). That said, it does appear as though Pettittes candidacy will persist, and although hes probably not a fit for Cooperstown, flags fly forever, and hell always be fondly remembered in the Bronx.

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JAWS and the 2021 Hall of Fame Ballot: Andy Pettitte - FanGraphs

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Club Industry wrapped its first global virtual event, Future of Fitness, with 4,600 registrants and more than 40 conference sessions plus multiple bonus presentations by the sponsors.

We were pleased by the overwhelmingly positive feedback weve been receiving from the industry for this event, said Marty McCallen, director for Club Industry and Sibec, the two brands that under the Questex Wellness Groupput on the event. We received high marks on the quality of the content and the quality and diversity of the speakers. We look forward to raising the bar in our next virtual event, which will be March 9-10, 2021.

McCallen thanked the industry groups that came together to help Club Industry and Sibec develop the event, including EuropeActive, UKActive, IHRSA, FIT Summit and Mercado Fitness. These groups helped to ensure the event had speakers from around the globe and topics of interest worldwide.

Its a big deal to have so many organizations working together with the interests of the fitness industry at heart, he said.

McCallen also thanked the 22 sponsors for supporting the event.

These 22 companies showed that they value educating the fitness industry, and they did so not only with informative commercials and introductions for our sessions but also with bonus sessions they developed, downloadable resources they posted to their resource page and their engagement in the chat rooms during the live events, he said.

The highest attended session was Virtual Fitness: Why a Hybrid Model Is a Must for Your Clubs Survival, which was moderated by Adam Zeitsiff, CEO of Intelivideo, and included on the panel Jennifer Halsall, board member of EuropeActive as well as international retention and member engagement manager at Basic-Fit; Riz Sunny, CEO of My Bollywood Body and Muscle Mecca Gyms; Julio Salado, founder of Fitness Foundry; and Mike Hansen, managing partner of Endorphinz.

Other popular sessions, all of which are now available on-demand, were:

Brent Gallagher, who was one of the panelists on the COVID-19 Lessons Learned, said: The Future of Fitness showed that when strong leaders come together with a common purpose, share candidly about their struggles, and extend their trust beyond their circles of influence, the long-term sustainability of our industry is going to be better than before heading into this quarantined season."

Christopher Jamin, senior account manager at Matrix Fitness Benelux, attended the virtual event and called it inspirational with great speakers. He also liked being able to interact with attendees in the Sponsor Insights sessions.

The Sponsor Insights were an awesome idea, he said. Quite a few took the time to go one-on-one, which gave more info and help for all the clubs out there struggling.The my agenda option was a perfect way for everyone to plan the vast amount of sessions to choose from.And the fact that you recorded the sessions to watch them later on-demand opened extra time to inform yourself on sessions you might have missed because of a breakout.

If you missed registering for this free event but still want to view the sessions, they are available on-demand here.

The 22 sponsors of the event were:

Originally posted here:
Virtual Future of Fitness Event Wraps Up With Plans for Another in March 2021 - Club Industry

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Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. DKS, +0.30% posted stronger-than-expected earnings for the third quarter, buoyed by positive trends in golf, outdoor activities, home fitness and active lifestyle during the coronavirus pandemic. The company posted net income of $177.2 million, or $1.84 a share for the quarter to Oct. 31, up from $57.6 million, or 66 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. Adjusted per-share earnings came to $2.01, well ahead of the $1.08 FactSet consensus. Sales rose 23% to $2.41 billion, also ahead of the $2.24 billion FactSet consensus. Same-store sales rose 23.2%, compared with a FactSet consensus of up 13%. E-commerce sales rose 95%, and accounted for about 21% of total sales, up from 13% in the year-earlier period. "Overall, the favorable trends in our business have continued into Q4," Lauren Hobart, president of the company said in a statement. "These strong sales results have been partially offset by warmer weather that has negatively impacted sales in important cold-weather categories. Taken together, through the first three weeks of Q4, our consolidated comp sales have increased in the high-teens." The company is not offering guidance. Shares jumped 1.7% premarket and have gained 19% in the year to date, while the S&P 500 SPX, +1.61% has gained 11%.

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Dick's Sporting Goods tops estimates as home fitness and active lifestyle trends bloom during pandemic - MarketWatch

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