Fitness From The Top Down

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more then you are a leader. John Quincy Adams

We generally think of fitness as a solitary activity. That is, it is us against ourselves, daily doing what we must to either get in better shape or to keep from slipping back into old unhealthy patterns. In other words, when it comes to diet, supplements and exercise, we are on our own.

How can this be? Everything else we do seems to involve everyone around us. We do not take our coffee breaks alone. We do not eat dinner alone. We do not go to the Golden Arches alone (if indeed we are still doing that.) We do not go to church alone. All of these are social activities, or at least most of us live as if they were.

For some reason, fitness is different. Very seldom do we go to the club with a friend or family member. Almost never do we take them with us when we go to vitamin shop. Only if we are fortunate do we share what they enjoy eating. All too often, we eat special diets, making us and everyone else uncomfortable.

This occurs because fitness is still a brand new way of being for most. Our families are still living on the "three square meals from the four food groups plan." That may be a step above the Wonder Bread and American cheese of Ozzie and Harriet, but not by much. Supplements are still viewed with suspicion, largely because MDs do not support them. Too, exercise is an organized play activity for high school kids, not a discipline for serious adults. That is where we continue to be at, even after eighty years of Jack Lalanne and fifty-plus of Jane Fonda, saying nothing about a universally acknowledged trend toward obesity.

What we take for normal (grocery store food, no vitamins, sedentary living) is dragging us down-- making us unenthusiastic, robbing us of our vitality. It is causing us to get increasingly unfit by the week. We think that we are only getting older but, the truth is that we are getting more and more out of shape because of our normal American way of life. In other words, our health-culprits are grocery store food, mandatory everyday inactivity, and vitamin-phobia, or in some cases vitamin-apathy. It is these, not the number of candles on the sugar-laden unhealthy birthday cake, which are making us look and feel the way we do. Together they are impacting diabetes, heart disease and strokes.

If something is not done about all of this, health care costs will continue to sky rocket.New fitness lifestyles must start and continue right at home. That is where the solitary health nut keeps trying to get or stay in shape while hanging onto his or her dignity. Everyone, not just this one individual, needs to get into the act. For that to happen, both parents need to get tough on junk food, microwave dinners, junk food, sitting too much in front of the computer, and being too tired to do a daily workout.

The First Lady started a number of initiatives to combat our fitness problem.They are well known, and they are likely to continue to another term, even if with a different leader. Why? Our problem gets more serious by the week, suggesting that it will not go away for a considerable period of time. It may actually exist longer than the economic down turn. To maximize the First Lady's effectiveness, her actions have to be done in concert with what should have been going on for the last twenty years at home.

Young people will not respond to anything positive unless they are given a good example from their parents. Granted, if harmful foods are no longer available in school cafeterias, they will not be as easy to get. But, they can still be bought from elsewhere. That is what will happen unless parents are leading by way, setting a good example at home.But, this is unlikely in families where there is only one family member trying to live a fitness lifestyle, all the while surrounded by Standard Americans angrily defending their pop-tarts, red meat, and Mountain Dew.

The same type of thinking is true for exercise. If parents are continually complaining about how hard they work, implying that they do not have the energy for workouts, their children will follow suit. Having to put up with teachers, home work that seems irrelevant to the everyday world, keeping up grades, and the like, can be just stressful as putting up with bosses. It is only natural then to follow then in their parents' footsteps with an attitude of perpetual exhaustion. This makes regular workouts even for the young appear to be a complete absurdity.

Supplements are next. MDs say these are a waste of money. In hard economic times that is a welcome message. However, is it true? There are few MDs who work out, but fewer still who use supplements. Maybe if more of them would get to the health club every day before going on rounds at the hospital, they might see a need for the enhanced nutrition, which comes from supplementation. If they did, they might find a better quality of life--something which they could enthusiastically communicate to their patients, namely the mothers and fathers mentioned above. Doing so could indirectly ward off disease, radically changing the health of our country.

MDs and parents should always be respected by their subordinates. But for that to happen, these leaders must be all about habits that really do make an enviable difference. That will never be the case if they hold fast to the lifestyles of the past decades, refusing to get with the new age of diet, supplements and daily workouts. That is the very thing we all need. It is the only sure way of combating our skyrocketing health care costs, to say nothing of our country's less than mediocre healthiness.

If it is any help, Thomas Jefferson- a friend and cohort of John Quincy Adams- believed that two hours of working out per day, rain or shine, was what everyone needed. Ben Franklin, even though portrayed with a paunch during his later diplomatic years, believed in diet and exercise. If we have already forgotten the late peerless Jack Lalanne, or fitness innovator Jane Fonda, let us try to remember some of our Revolutionary War heroes. That can be the best motivation for us if we are the lone health nut who aspires to motivate the rest of our family.

For further thought on fitness lifestyles within the family order my e-book "Think and Grow Fit."

Obese 48 years ago; state champion power lifter 1978; in better shape today at 62 than when on swim team in high school

http://blog.foreverfitness.info/ (subscribe for weekly fitness updates)

Author of "Think and Grow Fit" the no hype guide to getting fit and staying that way forever

http://www.foreverfitness.info/ (6.00 ebook or 15.95 softcover from publisher I_Universe, Amazon or Barnes and Noble)

YouTube - mcfitnessguru19

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The Essentials of Defensive Driving

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Can the Phil Parker Lightning Process Help People With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)?

There is much debate as to the cause of CFS. There is also debate about what it should be called. People with this condition cite many different causes including: a virus, an infection, an operation, a vaccination or emotional trauma.

An incident in Bergen, Norway gives an interesting perspective on understanding health and disease. In 2004 in Bergen, there was a high incidence of people being diagnosed with Post viral fatigue or later CFS, which was linked to a waterborne outbreak of giardiasis. I saw over 40 clients from Bergen who did the Lightning Process. Many asked the same question: "Both my partner/wife/husband etc and I drank the same water, I ended up with fatigue, they didn't. How come?"

This is an intriguing question. It is useful to consider the work of Louis Pasteur, and how it has shaped the way we think about health. Pasteur's work contributed to the germ theory of disease. The germ theory proposes that microorganisms are the cause of many diseases. There is now much evidence to support this theory. However, it is not the whole story.

One of Pasteur's contemporaries, Claude Bernard, argued that the state of the terrain (the soil in which disease develops) is more important in the development of disease than just the germ. Claude Bernard got the terrain theory from Antoine Bechamp, who called it the cellular theory. There was much disagreement between Bernard and Pasteur on this issue, but on his deathbed, Pasteur recanted the germ theory, saying, "Bernard was correct. I was wrong. The microbe (germ) is nothing. The terrain (milieu) is everything."

Susan Dorey, who has written about Pasteur's retraction, explains "The germ theory states that the body is sterile and disease is caused by external germs (microbes). For Bechamp microbes naturally exist in the body and it is the disease that permits the microbe to express itself. The terrain, the internal environment, in response to various forces, fosters the development of germs from within."

The point that Bernard was making is that we are exposed to germs all the time, but the state of the recipient is the important factor. For instance, Doctors treat sick people day in, day out and are exposed to germs. However, they don't get sick all the time. What is the explanation for this?

So back to the question posed by clients: "Both my partner/wife/husband etc and I drank the same water, I ended up with fatigue, they didn't. How come?" Deepak Chopra illustrates the debate in the following way. He asks us to imagine two people taking a roller coaster ride. One of them loves roller coaster rides: so their body produces chemicals, including endorphins, which boosts the immune system. The other person hates roller coaster rides: so their body activates the fight or flight, or the Physical Emergency Response (PER) as it is called in the Lightning Process. This switches on the Sympathetic Nervous System, and produces powerful hormones, including adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, cortisol and DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). This results in a suppression of the immune system. So if you then gave both these people some of Bergen's polluted water, what is the more probable outcome? Is it reasonable to expect that the person who has endorphins boosting their immune system is more likely to fight off the giardiasis, whereas the other person has a higher probability of becoming unwell as a result?

One client who posed this question realised that she was more prone to emotional stress, whereas her boyfriend was much more easy-going, and she believed that this explained why she became unwell, whereas he didn't.

However, before anyone starts thinking that this offers an explanation for everyone, this is not the case. It is not being suggested that everyone with this condition has it because they are more prone to emotional stress. Another client believed that she was probably more susceptible to becoming ill after drinking the polluted water, because she had broken her leg, and she wasn't as fit as normal. When she was fit, she rarely got ill in the past, but thought her immune system might not have been as robust during this period. Other clients recognised that stress at work, an operation, an inoculation, or other factors may have meant they were more susceptible to the organism resulting in giardiasis. The link between stress and immune function is well established.

It is not always immediately obvious what factors may have contributed to some people becoming ill after drinking the polluted water. However, more important than the question 'What is the cause', is 'What can I do to regain my health?' The Phil Parker Lightning Process proposes that there is way to influence our health and our lives.

So how can the Lightning Process help?

The Lightning Process looks at a number of factors that keep influence our health. One key element of the approach of the Lightning Process is the Physical Emergency Response (PER), also known as the fight or flight mechanism.

Whenever the body senses a threat, for example having a fall, getting food poisoning, getting emotional upset, the body produces the PER to find a way to recover or stay safe. It does this by switching on the Sympathetic Nervous System and producing the chemicals as described earlier.

This is a useful response that helps us deal with the threat, and it affects our muscles and nervous system. This becomes problematic if we keep switching this system on, because this it affects our immune system (which is the healing system for the body) and affects the way our nerve cells work.

The Lightning Process three-day seminar takes approximately 12 hours to deliver and is designed to teach you:

1. About the PER and what happens if it is constantly switched on.
2. How to Spot when the PER is occurring.
3. How to Calm the PER by using a set of steps incorporating movement, posture, and coaching.
4. How to make this change to your physiology automatic/second nature, by practicing these steps. The principle is that this allows the immune system to function properly, leading to health and wellbeing.

What evidence supports this approach?

Dr. Bruun Wyller, who is considered to be one of Norway's leading experts on ME, has published some interesting research, which concur with the clinical findings of the Phil Parker Lightning Process. Dr. Bruun Wyller's findings indicate a state of permanent distress response, or sustained arousal, in CFS patients, and he believes that these findings support the approach of the Lightning Process.

Simon Pimenta is a Hypnotherapist, Life Coach, NLP Practitioner and Trainer in the UK, specialising in the Lightning Process. For more information on the Lightning Process, visit:

Lightning Process

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Are These Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar Controlling You?

Does this diet plan sound familiar?

A person with hypoglycemia becomes tied to a daily bad habit that never helps alleviate blood sugar problems. You probably wake up with a cup of coffee and a piece of toast. Then you feel a little woozy as though your system hasn't buffered up yet. You grab a soda or tea and feel a little better. At lunch you have another soda and perhaps a sandwich or pizza. You feel like dozing off an hour or two after lunch time, and you crave another cup of a caffeine-laden drink to kick-start you again. Afternoon snacks might include crisps or other refined flour, sugar-laden nibbles. Finally, your evening meal is composed of potatoes, chicken, and ice cream.

Today's lifestyle

Many of today's menus are composed of high carbohydrate foods and caffeinated beverages. Our body becomes accustomed to poor food choices and the resultant reaction when we forget our coffee or sweet chocolate bars. The next thing we know is that we have to make a daily habit of drinking coffee and eating ice cream or French fries. We think this is the way we should live our lives. We don't feel great when we go for nuts or fruits. It's the altered body chemistry that causes these problems.

You see, our bodies are the same bodies that our ancestors had. Before there was spaghetti, burger and hotdogs, there were only berries and nuts, all natural food sources. Now, our diets have dramatically changed, but our bodies have not. This is why we see obesity, diabetes, and heart disease-disorders that were not present during the time of our ancestors.

What sugar does to us.

With the popularity of high carbohydrate foods in the market, we have overworked our bodies. Our systems have to repeatedly respond to sudden spikes of blood sugar by releasing insulin. Then our sugar falls and we feel the awful symptoms of low blood sugar levels. We feel as though we are compelled to have another cup of coffee or chocolate drink or eat something sweet. We feel the temporary relief, only to realize a few hours later that we need another boost. Of course, you probably didn't know this until reading it here. But it's these bad choices that control your daily life. You have become dependent on stuff and rubbish that causes abnormal changes in your blood sugar. And the low blood sugar changes make you grab more of the "stuff" that keeps your sugar levels rising and falling. It is a vicious cycle!

The good news is that you can break the cycle and reclaim your normal life!

If you would like to find out more then make sure you visit our site and download our FREE guide 'Six Things You Won't Know About Hypoglycemia'.

Noel Glass has been helping people with hypoglycemia and low blood sugar and having suffered with hypoglycemia himself, he understands what you are going through.

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The 2012 Toyota Camry: More Than Manufacturer Hype?

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Information on Diesel Parts

Here is a list of some spare parts that you may need.

* Many problems with the diesel engine are to do with the cooling system. Some have a coolant filter to control the acidity level of the coolant and reduce the likelihood of corrosive particles building up inside the engine block.

* Coolant hoses should be checked frequently to ensure they have not worked loose or degraded. Having some additional coolant hoses in your spare parts box is a good idea.

* Gaskets should be carefully monitored due to the fact that they work under extreme operation conditions. If one gasket starts to leak the whole lot should be replaced as they are also likely to start leaking sooner rather than later.

* Mounting bolts should be re-torqued regularly as the vibration of the engine can cause them to come loose.

* The engine filter element is likely to become dirty quite often and needs to be replaced. Diesel engines use a lot of air in running, but the filter is not highly visible. To ensure that the problem does not go unnoticed many people use an air filter indicator on the side of the housing of the air filter. By changing colour, this item will tell them when the filter is becoming dirty before any problems develop.

* Some diesel engine owners use after coolers if their engines are turbo charged.

* The right oil filter is also necessary for diesel engines. Since sulphur and carbon are created from the diesel being burned - or actually from it not being totally burned, an oil filter is necessary so that corrosive particles do not enter the engine fuel. You have to be sure to get the right one for your vehicle.

* An early warning device can be installed in the dash that will warn the driver if the engine is overheating. This is particularly important for diesel engines as permanent damage can result from overheating.

* Some diesel engines use two different types of fuel filters to ensure there is no build-up of moisture in the engine. Some fuel tanks have breather vents that allow condensation to escape. They should be checked to ensure that they are not blocked up.

* Glow plugs are used to heat the engine and help prevent the build-up of black soot. These are especially necessary in cold weather and are essential in any spare parts box.

* In locations where the winter is very cold, an electrical heater can be installed to the cylinder block, or a heater element in the heater hose. Starting fluid can also be sprayed sparingly on the combustion chamber in severe conditions.

Dex is a current mechanic looking to open up his own garage. He specialises in the servicing of diesel engines, cylinder heads, crank shafts and diesel generators. He provides free tips and advice on products he has had past experience which, including reconditioned engines, cylinder head reconditioning and perkins diesel parts.

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Pulse Oximeter Aids Anna Hazare

Mahatma Gandhi is known throughout the world as the pioneer of the non violence movement. Gandhi revolutionized the idea that you can defeat your enemy without picking up arms. He started many hunger strikes and even vowed not to wear any garments that provided revenue to the British. Eventually after years of struggle and hardship, the British Empire left India in defeat. Recently a man by the name of Anna Hazare, has taken up the same methodology to fight various modern problems in India. Back in the early 1990's Hazare took up the fight against alcohol, sitting that it brought about undue hardships. The village he lived in at the time followed his lead to ban all alcohol consumption.

Over the past decade Hazare has taken on many different issues, but only recently has he started to gain a lot of notoriety. He has begun his battle on corruption in India. Corruption in India has been a major issue for many decades. It is a known fact that many of the government officials and employees sustain their daily way of live by supplementing their salary with bribes. This ranges from the local police officer all the way to the top level politicians.

Hazare has started hunger strikes and peace marches to bring attention to the problem. The poorer population in India is the one that suffers the most from corruption, since they do not have the funds for bribery. This allows the rich to further the gap between the classes. Hazare has been on a hunger strike on and off for the past 12 months, which has put his health in risk.

A supporter of Hazare recently provided him a pulse oximeter to monitor his health. A pulse oximeter, also known as a pulse ox, is a medical device used to measure blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate of an individual. Given the fact that Hazare is in and out of jail and does not always have access to medical care, a pulse oximeter has proven to be a great tool for him. It is small enough to be carried around, and runs on standard batteries.

Many supporters of Hazare are happy to known he is monitoring his health, because the success of the movement depends on him continuing to push its growth. A pulse oximeter might seem like a small device, but it provides him the ability to communicate with his doctors without leaving his home.

For high quality, low-cost oximeter and pulse oximeter models, visit us at http://www.pulseoximetersplus.com/.

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Generating Wealth Through Lifestyle Fitness

Your lifestyle is the way you live your life. Each decision you make throughout the day plays a big role in your fitness.

No smoking, no drinks, no drugs - Smoking will eat away at your lungs. Drinking and drugs are just as bad. Drinking kills the brain cells slowly and methodically. Smoking and drugs should be a no-no. Drinking in moderation isn't nearly as bad for you.

Get enough sleep - 7-8 hours a day. If you wake up in the morning in a restive mood, you have not got enough sleep. Sleep is important because it is the time for the body to recoup and relax. You need this time for the mind to work through problems. Find ways to reduce stress levels during the day, try going to sleep at the same time everyday. Don't eat at least two hours before bed. Don't do stimulating things such as working on a project before bed.

Today's foods does not often contain enough of the nutrients that your body needs to be fit. This calls for additional supplementation to take your body to the best level it can be at. Multivitamins are a good starting point because they provide a decent dose of supplements which everyone needs. Always consult a doctor before going for any supplements. Supplements improve your body's function because you are giving your body exactly what it needs to function right. Just like giving your car premium gas and oil to work even better.

Money plays an important role in everyone's life. Worrying about money can cause stress which can impede your efforts to living a long healthy lifestyle. Getting your finances in order is as much important as anything else. Live within your means. You feel like buying a car just because your neighbor purchased a new one. But think twice. Do you really need it? Does that new car improve your life? Then it is not worth the financial risk to own one. Get away with credit. Use credit for expensive purchases such as buying gold and use cash for others. If you start using cash and stop using credit, you will end up with more cash.

Make a budget within your entire family. Don't eat out. You can save thousands of dollars just by eating at home. And you can cut the pounds off this way, too.

Try meditation or yoga. These are great tools for exercise and relaxation.

To your wealth through lifestyle fitness.

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Get Clear Tail Lights To Make Your Car Look Very Impressive

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New Maruti Swift

Finally the much talked car, Maruti Swift, manufactured by Maruti Suzuki, has been unveiled in India. After a long wait the domestic automobile company gave great opportunity to get wonderful experience of mesmerizing glimpses of luxurious hatchback, which is developed in the most effective looks and expected to create an astir in Indian car market. The new Maruti Swift falls on B-segment in Indian car market, looks quite different from old version of Swift in terms of looks and features. Besides that it includes well decorated interior and considered to be a tough competitors of some popular cars in the same segment that includes Hyundai i20, Ford Figo, Tata Indica Vista, and more.

The domestic auto giant is known for catering the desire of all kind of buyers by offering the most affordable fuel efficient cars, developed with advanced technology; lure the buyers at great extent. Maruti has fulfilled its commitment once again by launching new Swift that can be described as an iconic car, accompanied with raft of comfort and convenience features. Moreover, it is also considered as a fuel efficient car, available in different colors. By launching the car, Maruti has showed its pretty clear aim to roll off the old version cars and instead of that new version of existing cars will take place.

Maruti Suzuki launched the new version of Alto K10 and Wagon R, witnesses the huge response from customer's side. Now it is all set to rock on once again in Indian auto market with its new Maruti Swift, built on all new platforms and redefines the style and luxury. The new hatchback is fully capable of offering great acceleration, includes high power to weight ratio. Besides that it is introduced with approximate 140 robust features and gave great reason to car lovers to purchase it.

The new Maruti Swift is available at the price of 4.5 to 7 lakhs rupees and includes six different variants. If we compare it to old version of Swift, it reflects many things that have been changed and finally it has been presented in dynamic looks. It boasts the most stunning adjustable headlamps and includes more space to offer you great experience of driving. It is offered in both petrol and diesel version and offers a wide choice for customers. The petrol version Swift is powered by 1.2 Litre K-Series engine, capable of churning out maximum power of 84 bhp at 6,000 and maximum torque of 115 Nm at 4,500 rpm. Besides that it possesses great pick up, having maximum speed of 160 kmph.

On the other hand diesel variant is powered by turbo 1.3L that has capacity to gives out power of 75 bhp at 4,000 rpm and torque of 190 Nm at 2,000 rpm. Moreover, it is well equipped with lots of incredible features that includes, electronic power steering, automatic climate control, anti-lock braking system, central locking, airbag deployment, and many more. The new Swift comes with unmatched quality of both engines and delivers outstanding performance.

Mike Nielsenn is a car expert having 10 years of experience in the automotive car industry and complete information provider by AutoInfoZ.Com for cars, SUV's in India where user can find out the latest new Maruti Swift, Car prices.

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Details on Auto Transport Quotes

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Who Is Throwing the Babies Into the River?

I once heard a tale: If you saw a baby floating in a stream, you would certainly try to rescue it. If you then saw many babies floating in the stream, you would probably ask yourself, "Who is responsible for putting the babies there?" and you would likely seek to find the perpetrator. In other words, you would seek to stop the problem at the source. This would be particularly urgent if you knew the stream would eventually became a large waterfall with rocks at the bottom, a potentially deadly outcome for any baby who was not rescued. Would you change your mind about rescuing the babies if you noticed that they were smiling and giggling as they floated down the stream toward the the waterfall? I expect that you would still want to rescue the babies and stop the perpetrator.

As you approach the area where the babies are being throw into the stream, many people begin to pressure you to turn back and tell you to mind your own business. They remind you that the babies are enjoying the ride in the stream. They also say that many livelihoods depend upon the babies being in the stream and that if the babies hit the rocks, there is appropriate care for them. In fact, there are thousands of personnel who are ready to treat the injured babies for years to come!

A few babies, however, are able to get out of the steam and then assist the other babies and then begin crawling directly toward the perpetrator. More and more babies are now rescuing themselves and attacking the perpetrator. Other babies try to pull them back into the stream, preventing them from getting to the source of the problem. They use strategies such as reminding the escaped babies how nice the stream water feels and how enjoyable it is to float with the other babies.

Medical research is very clear regarding who is the perpetrator with regard to chronic disease for Americans, and disproportionately for African Americans: unhealthy diet and lifestyle... and everything in our country's infrastructure - sociocultural, business, medical - that supports this. The rocks at the base of the waterfall include heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and many cancers. Too many of us are headed for the rocks, having convinced ourselves that we are enjoying the ride so much (eg soul food, alcohol, cigarettes, etc) that it is worth the miserable ending. This message is reinforced to our future generations by our daily actions. More and more health professionals are now attacking the source of the problem, rather than waiting for disease to happen, then putting a small Band Aid on a gaping, hemorrhaging gash. A few examples of such preventive health pioneers are Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Elijah Saunders, and Dr. James McDougall. Dr. Thom LaVeist (http://www.thomaslaveist.com), through his groundbreaking health disparities research is finding answers to the critical question of "Why are more black babies being thrown in to the stream than white babies?

Let's all adopt healthier lifestyles and get out of that stream, which is headed for disaster. We can also help our families and friends escape, and begin to head upstream to deal with the source of the problem, which indeed is systemic.

Dr. Ed James is an accomplished health care practitioner with a compelling life narrative, overcoming risk factors and potentially chronic health conditions, now on a journey of positive health and wellness. Primary author of principal resource, Getting Into Medical School: A Planning Guide for Minority Students, published by Williams and Wilkins. Now focuses on helping businesses, organizations and individuals implement plans for healthy lifestyles, minimizing risk for diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke and obesity. Writes a monthly column on health and wellness. Travels, speaking to medical, business and social organizations, presenting effective, lifestyle strategies to minimize the risk of developing chronic, life-threatening conditions. Licensed to practice medicine in multiple states.

https://twitter.com/#!/DrEdJames

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