csconstantine.com

By Iain Rogers

MADRID, March 15 (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo’s participation in Real Madrid’s Champions League last-16, second leg at home to Olympique Lyon on Wednesday still hangs in the balance, coach Jose Mourinho said.

The joint La Liga top scorer has missed Real’s last two matches with a leg muscle strain and Mourinho said he would decide after training later on Tuesday whether to include his Portuguese compatriot in the squad.

Lyon, who have not lost to the nine-times European champions in seven meetings and knocked them out at the same stage last season, fought back to draw 1-1 in last month’s first leg in France, although Real will be firm favourites to advance having won all their home games this term.

“I need to consult the medical department for a final opinion and to hear how the player himself feels, his final feelings in training,” Mourinho said at a news conference at Real’s vast facility outside Madrid.

“I am not going to wait until tomorrow,” the former Inter Milan and Chelsea manager added.

“I don’t like deciding the day of the match. I like to have everything clear in my head the day before. If he is fine he’ll obviously play but we have to wait a bit longer to see.”

Real hired Mourinho at the end of last season after he led Serie A side Inter to an unprecedented treble of domestic Italian league and cup and Champions League.

A 10th European crown has remained out of reach since their last title in 2002 and they have failed to progress to the quarter-finals of the continent’s elite competition the past six seasons.

They limped out of last year’s edition when Lyon snatched a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu to progress 2-1 on aggregate.

Mourinho said Real should not obsess about winning their 10th title as even if they failed in the competition this season there was always next year.

“You have to remain calm,” he said. “We have to fight hard to make it this year of course but if not then next.

“It’s not a serious problem. A serious problem is what is happening in Japan, not getting to the Champions League final.”

(Editing by Justin Palmer; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Labels: clash, Fitness, Reuters, Ronaldo, sweating

Nowadays, many people, particularly those that have certain kinds of diseases, start exercising for the sole purpose of losing weight. When the pounds do not drop as quickly or as completely as they would like, they get discouraged and give up.

If you take away any message about exercise and certain illnesses, let it be this: Even if you do not lose weight, your investment in exercise is still paying off in reduced heart disease risk and better blood glucose control.

Moreover, exercise simply makes you feel better, both physically and mentally. Your energy level will rise and the endorphins released by your brain during exercise will boost your sense of well-being. The motivating factors here is that you should never give up before you really get started. You owe it to yourself to keep going.

Hence, many people have already realized the importance of employing physical fitness for the body.

Moreover, with the advent of the Internet, information regarding these fitness centers is gradually dominating the Internet. Take for example LA fitness. It has its web site readily available, 24-hours a day, to anyone who wish to get some information regarding physical fitness.

LA fitness is a conglomeration of different fitness centers in the United States.

Since its inception in 1984, LA fitness, as the sole owner of the different fitness clubs in the U.S., has continuously operated and managed the different sports clubs in Arizona, Georgia, Florida, California, Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, Connecticut, Washington, and New Jersey.

It continues to grow and expand its territory as it plans to have 135 additional fitness centers and sports clubs in the country. It aimed to operate new techniques and services for their new markets.

Therefore, for people who wish to know why LA fitness always rings a bell, here are some of the reasons why it became as popular as it is today:

1. Commitment to service

The best thing about LA fitness is that its management and staff are committed to bring forth the kind of service that their clients deserve. They provide their clients with facilities that are totally way above the rest.

Best of all, they also modify and develop their existing fitness equipments in order to give their clients the needed satisfaction as far as physical fitness is concerned.

2. Fitness programs

Another best thing about LA fitness is that they continue to provide their customers with the right and appropriate fitness programs that would truly drive their clients to a healthier life.

They have incorporated the concepts of yoga, indoor cycling, aqua aerobics, mat pilates, and kickboxing among others. They have also employed the utilization of sports activities as part of their health and fitness programs.

With their sports fitness, they also have their own tournaments and leagues, which foster camaraderie and sportsmanship among their members.

In turn, these additional activities provide better alternatives to those who do not wish to be constrained on aerobic activities alone.

3. Revolutionary approach in aerobics

Like any fitness centers, LA fitness has its aerobic programs as the main attraction on their program. The only difference that LA fitness makes is that they focus on utilizing revolutionary approach to their aerobics programs. This, in turn, provides their clients with a better way of losing weight and maintaining a healthy, physically fit lifestyle.

Best of all LA fitness provides optimum customer satisfaction to their clients from the very start that they enter their clubs and centers.

Indeed, staying healthy and maintaining a physically fit body is possible in LA fitness clubs.

Labels: Fitness, Perspective

When the words oils and fats are mentioned, health-conscious individuals tend to run for cover. What they fail to realize is that there are good fats and bad fats. Complete avoidance of intake of oils and fats would actually be detrimental – rather than beneficial – to their health.

The Truth about Fish Oil

Essential fatty acids must always be part of our daily diet – without them, we take one step closer to our deaths. Essential fatty acids are divided into two families: omega-6 EFAs and omega-3 EFAS.

Although there are only very slight differences to distinguish the two groups of essential fatty acids from each other, studies have revealed that too much intake of omega-6 EFAs can lead to inflammation, blood clotting and tumor growth. The good news, however, is that the opposite is true for omega-3 EFAs. Omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils while omega-3 EFAs can be found in fish oils among other foods.

Omega-6 vs. Omega-3

Physicians and scientists are of the same opinion that the cause behind increasing cases of heart disease, hypertension or high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, premature aging and certain kinds of cancer is none other than an imbalanced intake of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs.

As mentioned earlier on, omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils. This includes but is not limited to corn oil and soy oil, both of which contains high amounts of linoleic acid. Omega-3 EFAs on the other hand can be found also in marine plankton and walnut and flaxseed oils. It should be significant to take note that fatty fish and fish oils contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fatty acids that have been observed to provide many benefits to the human body. In the early 1970’s, a study on Greenland Eskimos have revealed that one of the major reasons why they rarely suffer from heart diseases is because of their high-fat diet (mainly composed of fish).

The two essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are also helpful in preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks, depression and various forms of cancer. Fish oil supplemented food have also proven to be useful in treating illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Raynaud’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Other Benefits of Fish Oil

There are a lot more illnesses and situations in which intake of fish oil has proven to be significantly beneficial.

Making the Heart Healthier

The heart is inarguably one of the most important parts of our body and having an unhealthy heart means having to suffer a rather limited lifespan. Naturally, it’s in our best interests to keep our hearts happy and healthy and one way of doing that is eating food that contains fish oil.

In Athens, Greece, for instance, a study was made to show if there was a direct relationship between high fish diet and inflammation of blood vessels. The results revealed that those who ate more fish than the others had a lower level of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, factors that are commonly used to measure likelihood of blood vessel inflammation. These benefits remained even when the various risks associated with high fish diet were taken into account.

Fish to Become Thin

In Perth, Australia, a study had revealed that fish consumption can be used against hypertension and obesity. Researchers of the UWA (University of Western Australia) have discovered that a weight-loss diet which includes a regular amount of fish consumption can be quite effective in reducing blood pressure and improving glucose tolerance.

Fish Oil to Combat Asthma

People suffering from respiratory problems like asthma tend to be perceived as unfit and unhealthy. They should now be pleased to learn that certain studies have revealed the benefits of fish oil for asthma-burdened-individuals. Statistics show that approximately 20 to 25% of children today suffer one form of asthma or another at a certain point in their lives. And certain evidence reveals a regular diet of food with high linoleic acid content as the reason behind it.

Researchers of UW (University of Wyoming) conducted a study by subjecting a number of children to a high-fish diet while others continued with their regular diet. Results revealed that the participants who ate more fish were less prone to asthma attacks and were able to breathe more easily as well.

Consult Your Nutritionist Now

Nothing is good when consumed or used excessively but complete avoidance of a particular food type is equally harmful as well. Ask your nutritionist for the right amount of fish intake for your age and health status.

Labels: Benefits, Fitness, Health