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Thursday marks 100 days since B.C. health officials issued their first warning on COVID-19, and in that time, the province's total has risen to 2,112 confirmed cases.

Arlene Reid died on Monday, as her daughter frantically performed CPR while waiting for paramedics to arrive.

The death rate from COVID-19 will remain very high for the foreseeable future, Quebec Premier François Legault warned Thursday, even as he sought to address criticism of his government's plan to ease pandemic restrictions in the coming weeks. 

Premier Jason Kenney will detail his government's plan for a staged relaunch of the economy at a news conference on Thursday.

A Toronto doctor posted a moment of pure joy on Twitter: an intensive care team celebrating a patient no longer needing a tube to help them breathe.

Fruits and vegetables are the VIPs of your healthy diet. They’re loaded with immune-boosting vitamins, minerals and antioxidants while also being low in calories. But in the midst of this Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, you worry: is that apple or pear contaminated? Will I become infected if someone with the disease touched my greens? Should I be washing my produce?

Right now, there’s no evidence of food being associated with the transmission of COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads,” says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Taking precautions when you prep your produce is important to keeping your family safe and healthy. However, there are many myths circulating about the best ways to wash them.

5 Tips to Stay Healthy Straight From a Doctor

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We’re setting the record straight on five common myths about washing produce:

Myth #1: Use soap or produce sprays to wash fruits and veggies.

Truth: Water alone does the job. According to the CDC, FDA and FoodSafety.gov, simply rinsing or rubbing your produce under plain running water gets them clean. Soap is not recommended; neither are those pricey produce sprays. Scientists at the University of Maine conducted a study on three commercial produce washes. They found that water was equally if not more effective in removing microbes. You do need to use soap, however, to wash your hands for a full 20 seconds before and after prepping your fruits and vegetables, says the Center for Food Safety.

Myth #2: Organic produce is clean—no need to wash.

Truth: Germs don’t discriminate. Organic produce might contain less pesticides or other chemical residues. However, according to the Washington State Department of Health, organic and locally grown fruits and veggies can be contaminated by dangerous bacteria during the growing, harvesting and distribution process. “Wash all produce thoroughly under running water before preparing and/or eating, including produce grown at home or bought from a grocery store or farmers’ market,” says the FDA.

Myth #3: Re-wash those “pre-washed” bags of lettuce and spinach.

Truth: According to the FDA, you can enjoy them as is. Packaged containers of greens labeled “pre-washed,” “triple-washed” and “ready-to-eat” really are, well, ready to eat. That’s because they were properly cleaned immediately before going into the bag, explains Washington State Department of Health. “If you choose to wash produce marked as “pre-washed” or “ready-to-eat,” be sure that it does not come in contact with unclean surfaces or utensils. This will help to avoid cross contamination,” says the FDA.

10 Easy Meal Prep Tips for a Quarantine

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Myth #4: Skip washing if you’re peeling.

Truth: Nope, you still have to clean the skins before removing them. Bacteria and dirt can transfer from your knife to the part you plan to eat while you’re peeling or cutting, says the FDA. On a similar note, always begin with washing fruits and veggies before cutting or slicing.

Myth #5: Diluted bleach is the best way to kill all germs on produce.

Truth: Save it for your sink and countertop. Diluted bleach solutions can be used to clean and disinfect the appropriate surfaces, says the CDC. However, you should keep it away from your food because it can be absorbed by the produce, according to the University of Minnesota extension.

Looking for a healthy meal delivery service? We’re here for you! Learn more about Nutrisystem meal plans >

5 Reasons This Is the Best Time to Start Nutrisystem

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The post 5 Myths About Washing Your Produce appeared first on The Leaf.

Stir frying, which is a Chinese cooking technique that involves cooking food in hot oil—traditionally in a wok—has become very popular in American culture. After all, it’s an easy way to prepare home-made meals that the whole family will enjoy. Of course, as with any dish or cooking style, the ingredients that you choose make all the difference in the health factor of your meal. While you may think that healthy stir-fry recipes might be lacking in flavor and creativity, we have created some that are anything but boring!

Here are seven stir-fry recipes that you have to try:

 1. Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry >

One of our favorite stir-fry recipes, Chicken and Broccoli is always going to be a classic. And our version is simple to make and will easily become a go-to recipe in your family. With a simple Asian-style sauce, juicy, bite-sized pieces of chicken and a nutritious blend of broccoli, bell peppers and onions, this is a complete meal that everyone will gobble up. Served with fiber-rich brown rice, it’ll also keep you feeling full and satisfied.

Easy One Pan Recipes for Busy Weeknights

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2. Steak Stir-Fry with Grilled Peppers and Onions >

Trimmed flank steak marinated in a delicious sauce combined with crisp peppers and onions makes this a yummy stir-fry that will be sure to please. Plus, it has a lot of great nutrition. Bell peppers are loaded with vitamins, including vitamins A and C, as well as potassium and folic acid. Meanwhile, onions are a good source of vitamins C and B6 as well as iron and folate. Together, these veggies help make this meal a nutritional powerhouse—all served atop fiber-filled brown rice!

3. Tofu Stir-Fry with Savory Tahini Soy Sauce >

Your meatless stir-fry will be anything but boring when you use a flavor-filled sauce like our savory tahini soy sauce to spice it up. Tofu is the perfect lean protein for this delicious dish as it soaks up all the yummy flavors of our tasty sauce which is made from a blend of soy sauce, corn starch, garlic, ginger and—of course—tahini. In addition to being flavorful, tahini, which is made from ground sesame seeds, has many health benefits, including the fact that it is high in healthy fats and amino acids, and that it packs in magnesium, copper, iron and zinc, among other essential vitamins and minerals.

4. Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Pasta >

Often a restaurant favorite, Shrimp Scampi sounds like a lot of work to make at home. Well, that’s not the case at all with this simple one-pan meal we’ve put together. And since our version uses zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta, it’s a lot healthier for you, too. After all, zucchini is incredibly low in calories, while also being rich in filling fiber. And, you may be surprised to learn that zucchini actually has more potassium than a banana. This is a recipe that you can only whip up in a pinch and can feel good about eating.

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5. Cauliflower Fried Rice with Shrimp >

If you love fried rice but don’t want to load up on calories, then we’ve got the perfect substitution for you—Cauliflower Fried Rice with Shrimp. You may be skeptical, but trust us, it has all the flavor of delicious fried rice but is a whole lot better for you. Combined with mixed veggies, egg and shrimp, there is so much flavor in this meal that you’ll hardly realize you swapped out the rice for vitamin-rich cauliflower.

6. Asian Salmon Bowl with Cauliflower Rice >

This Asian-style dish combines heart-healthy salmon with delicious veggies like cucumber, green onion and carrots. Plus, it’s all served over a bed of healthy cauliflower rice as opposed to the starchy white rice traditionally used in Asian meals. It’s a great choice if you’re craving take-out but don’t want to get bogged down by all the fat and calories that come with it. Plus, you’ll feel good about whipping up this home-made dish on your own.

7. Sesame Garlic Shrimp Stir-Fry >

If you like shrimp, this might be your favorite of our stir-fry recipes, as it combines the succulent seafood with the rich flavors of garlic, sesame seeds, soy sauce and ginger. It’s easy to make and sure to become a family favorite in your household. And, when prepared in a healthy way, as this recipe is, shrimp can actually be quite good for you. This lean protein contains a variety of nutrients that people tend to lack including selenium, copper and niacin. It’s low in calories and tasty, too

The post 7 Simple Stir-Fry Recipes That Are Anything but Boring   appeared first on The Leaf.

The post How to Alleviate and Prevent Back Aches and Pains with Total Gym appeared first on Total Gym Pulse.

The upswing in new cases comes after the province saw its lowest daily increase in three weeks yesterday, prompting Premier Doug Ford to tell reporters during his daily briefing that Ontario is "getting close to opening up."

There have been just two new cases in the past 13 days.

We're answering your questions about the pandemic. Send yours to COVID@cbc.ca and we’ll answer as many as we can. We’ll publish a selection of answers every weekday online, and also put some questions to the experts during The National and on CBC News Network.

With people cooped up at home, either alone all day or looking for a spare moment to themselves, many use that time to sort out their thoughts. For some, that inner monologue spills out. But experts say it's normal.

Like a lonely castaway on an island lost at sea, Sam Cramer is waiting for her next message in a bottle to arrive.

Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power says China's actions early on in the pandemic 'absolutely' should be investigated and that holding the regime accountable is in Canada's 'moral' and 'strategic' interests.

Today CBC News is launching a project called Lives Remembered, our commitment to honouring and understanding more about the Canadians who have lost their lives to COVID-19.

The post Greggs Healthy Swaps: The MAN v FAT Swap Shop appeared first on MAN v FAT.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment.

Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Immunity is one such tool that our body owns which can fight against deadly viruses like COVID-19.

Menopause is one of the normalities that occurs in women after a certain age and this leads to decline in immune power. Immunity today is required more of all to older people, to fight off COVID-19. Hence it is imperative to improve immunity during menopause in women today.

COVID-19 is gobbling us up everyday globally, during this human crisis let us do our share to help ourselves.

Here, today you are going to get a note on how menopause and immunity are interdependent and how you can improve your immunity during menopause.

Does Menopause decrease your immunity? 

Yes, the decrease in oestrogen and progesterone, particularly, can result in damaging your immune function. Hence it is necessary to know the importance of immunity while you are under menopause and we shall help you with guidelines to boost your immunity and manage Menopause symptoms. 

How can a Menopausal woman improve their immunity during this pandemic of COVID-19? 

In order to build a strong immunity & protect oneself, it is essential to follow a well-balanced diet & an exercise regime.

A balanced diet includes the following:

The best would be to think about the portions, we call it Truweight Plate Concept that consists of 50% Fibre, 25% Protein & 25% Carbohydrates: 

• 4 to 5 servings of seasonal fruits (100 g) and vegetables (100-200 g).
• 40 to 60 grams of protein obtained from food sources like lentils, pulses, beans, eggs and 70-100 gm of chicken or fish. You must add one protein source in each meal you take. 
• 1-2 servings of Whole grain Phulkas, Millet Bhakri or 1 cup of brown/white rice in each meal.
• 2-3 tsp of oil can be taken, preferably cold pressed oils or ghee. 
• 2-3 tsp of roasted seeds like pumpkin, flaxseeds and/or handful of mix nuts can be taken.

How do we ensure we are getting enough Micro-nutrients required for immunity? 

Micro-nutrients are required to prevent damage of cells which play a role in immunity. So below are the micro-nutrients which we should include in our daily routine 

• Vitamin C rich Citrus fruits and red bell peppers, Guava, oranges, lemons, papaya, tomato juice can be taken. You can simply squeeze some lemon juice on your recipes of dal, salad bowl, soups, etc.
• Kitchen Spices have a plethora of micro-nutrients that can help us fight against infections like cold and flu. Ginger, garlic, turmeric, cinnamon and capsaicin (from chilli peppers) are few spices that can be easily added to soups, stews, stir-fry, or salad dressings. 
• Foods rich in Zinc like cashews, legumes, whole grains and egg yolks should be consumed since zinc is used as an active ingredient in the cold remedy tablet named Zicam. Zinc has proven to have some virus fighting effects. 
• Good gut bacteria can help in improving your immune system. Keep your gut bacteria happy and healthy and it will do the same to you. Eat probiotic-rich foods such as Idli, Dosa, curd, buttermilk, pickles, sauerkraut, and kefir.
• Studies suggest that consuming probiotic rich foods also help in reducing menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and also help in reducing internal inflammation. 
• Magnesium-rich foods may help you to feel calmer and help support immunity. Stress can deplete our magnesium levels too. Food sources are legumes, nuts, seeds, leafy greens, and whole grains supply your body with said micronutrient 
• Antioxidants can help in reducing inflammation. Include Beets, green tea, garlic, spinach.

Can anything help in relieving menopausal symptoms? 

Yes, menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweat, and mood swings can be reduced by including the below foods in your diet.

• Phytoestrogens act like a weak estrogen that may ease the symptoms of menopause. Phytoestrogens are found in plant foods such as flax seeds, soybeans, fenugreek, sprouts, legumes and many other fruits and veggies. 

• Soy foods have been the rage lately. Researchers are debating their efficacy against hot flashes. Try adding some fermented soy to your diet like sprouted soybeans (1/4 cup) and tofu (1/2 cup). 

• Flaxseeds are particularly good sources of lignans, a type of phytoestrogens. Sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, chestnuts, pistachios, almonds, walnuts are all good sources. You can add flaxseeds to your smoothies or powdered in a soup or make a chutney. Tastes Yum! 

• Many fruits and vegetables contain phytoestrogens such winter squash, green beans, greens, broccoli, cabbage, alfalfa sprouts. Dried prunes, peaches, raspberries and strawberries have small amounts of these plant chemicals. 

• Another great source of phytoestrogens is found in beans. Beans are beneficial for many reasons including providing good sources of protein, vitamins and minerals including folic acid, minerals and vitamin B-6. For menopause, they provide omega-3 fatty acids (“the right fats”) which may help relieve the hot flashes. Other sources of omega-3s include fish, fish oil, olive oils, flaxseeds and walnuts. 

• The trace nutrient Boron is important during menopause because it increases the body’s ability to absorb and hold onto oestrogen and vitamin D. Some fruits and veggies that are good sources of boron and oestrogen include plums, prunes, strawberries, apples, tomatoes, pears, grapes, grapefruit, oranges and vegetables cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, onions, soybeans, sweet potatoes. 

• Methi Ladoo: Jeera and fenugreek powder (50gm each) can be fried in ghee with little jaggery, made ladoos (10 gm each) and eat one ladoo everyday; this is to cover up all the elemental deficiencies during menopause.

Shall we restrict something? 

• Avoid sugary foods, junk food/highly processed food, which can be high in salt and additives as well as sugar that contributes to imbalances in blood sugar and weight gain.
• Limit stimulants such as alcohol, coffee and tea which can hinder the absorption of nutrients and produce heat in the body. 
• Low salt intake, too much can affect blood pressure and water retention. 
• Limit saturated fat which can affect blood lipid levels, the arteries and heart health. 
• Avoid spicy foods and hot foods and drinks and these can often make menopausal symptoms worse.

Do I have to take any additional Supplements for Immunity and Menopause? 

• Be in touch with your physician over the phone and update your health status. 
• If any supplements or medications prescribed by the physician, continue the same. Don’t change the dose of medicines without physicians knowledge. 
• Discuss with the physician and take a multivitamin supplement daily one for a month 
• You can supplement your diet with OTC probiotic supplements like Darolac or Velgut. 
• Take Chyawanprash 1 tsp in the morning. If you have Diabetes, then you can take 0.5 tsp each in morning and evening (There should be a 30 mins gap of your Diabetes medicine intake).

Does Stress play a role in immunity? 

Yes, when we are stressed, the immune system’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced.

Here is how you can beat that stress

• Laughter, yes you read it correct, laughter can help in reducing stress hormones & increasing happy hormones in your body. You can read comics or watch a comedy movie – with your spouse or family for fun, do take care that you do not watch this till late night and compromise on your sleep. 
• You can practice some breathing exercises, try doing pranayama. It will help in de-stressing your body and mind. 
• You should connect to your distant friends and relatives over a frequent phone or video call to feel connected during these times when human touch is compromised; and overcome the feeling of lockdown. 
• It is essential that you keep yourself active and busy; either by indulging in a regular routine of household chores, cleaning, cooking, gardening, etc or you can pursue your long lost hobbies like painting, learning new recipes, knitting, etc since you’re spending most of the time indoors. 
• You can play indoor board games, cards, monopoly, etc with your family. 
• Take steam inhalation by adding essential oil like Eucalyptus which strengthens your respiratory organ functioning, at the same time it will refresh you. 
• You can take steam or hot water baths – twice a day to feel fresh from a lockdown day filled with lethargy. 

Does Sleep play a role in immunity? 

Yes, lack of sleep can affect your immune system. Studies show that people who do not get good quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus. Body produces cytokines that are nothing but immunity cells while being asleep.

Here are some tips to help you: 

• Keep a regular bedtime and wake up time. Now that you are at home and do not have to travel anywhere, get a good 8 hours of sleep. 
• There should be a soothing bedtime routine, minimise time spent awake in bed that means do not carry your mobile phones to bed. You must go gadget free at least 2 hours before sleep time. 
• If you find difficulty in getting sound sleep then try following remedies: 
• Drink 1 cup of Chamomile tea 
• Add pinch of turmeric powder in a cup of warm milk, drink this golden milk 
• Drink 1 cup of Cashew Cinnamon Milk (Recipe shared below).

Does Exercise play a role in immunity? 

Yes, I am sure you are thinking how exercise can help in immunity. Exercise helps in improving defence activity and metabolic health. No no! you do not need to go out, below are a few exercises that can be done during lockdown. 

• Take a walk on your terrace or around the compound wall of your house daily for 15-20 minutes. If you do not have enough space to walk, then just stand at one place and do spot jogging. 
• You can start your day by a practice of 10-15 Surya Namaskar, Yoga. It gives you strength, flexibility, and mind-body awareness. 
• 15-20 minutes of stretching exercises can be done in case you suffer from joint pains. 

• Meditation and breathing exercises like Pranayama which help in reducing stress. Meditation of minimum 15 minutes can be done on waking up or before bedtime.
•  You can check number of exercises on Truweight blog 

Looking for a diet plan to manage Menopause & boost immunity?

Looking for recipes? 

1. Yogurt Soup

Ingredients 

• 1/2 tsp oil 
• 1/2 tsp ginger 
• 2 cup yoghurt 
• 1/2 tbsp turmeric powder 
• 2 tsp cumin seeds 
• salt as required 
• 3 cloves garlic 
• red chilli powder as required 
• 3-4 coriander leaves 
• 1 tsp garam masala powder 

Method 

• Heat oil in a pan. Once it is hot enough, sauté minced ginger, garlic cloves for a few seconds. 
• Add yoghurt along with all the spices and let it cook for at least 3-4 minutes. 
• Transfer it in a serving bowl and garnish with coriander leaves before serving. 

2. Turmeric Root & Mango Ginger Pickle in Lemon Juice

Ingredients 

• 150 gms Fresh Mango Ginger 
• 150 gms Fresh Turmeric Root 
• 1/3 Cup Lemon Juice (~5 Large Lemons) 
• 4-5 Green Chillies (optional) 
• 1/2 tsp Salt 

Method: 

• Using a few drops of oil, grease your palms. This prevents the turmeric root from staining your palms. 
• Peel and chop the turmeric & mango ginger into thin slices. You can also julienne them. Cut the green chillies into 1/2′′ pieces. 
• Add the mango ginger slices, turmeric root slices, green chillies, lemon juice and salt to a clean, dry, airtight glass bottle. Use a spoon and mix well. Close the bottle and let the pickle rest for 2 days. 

3. Cashew Cinnamon Milk

Ingredients 

• 4-5 cashew 
• 1 cup milk 
• 1 pinch cinnamon powder 

Method: 

• Soak cashew in 50 ml milk for 20 mins 
• Blend the above ingredients and add the remaining 100 ml milk with a pinch of cinnamon. 

Conclusion

Sleeplessness, memory loss, mood swings, frustration, body pain and what not your body can go through? While the period of menopause starts in you at a certain age, there are a lot of realizations that you go through and that starts with knowing that your immunity is being affected.

With COVID-19 pandemic on the row and still running, immunity has been the major medication for the survivors. This being said, if you are in a period of menopause, you better get going with building up your immunity. If not you, share this with the ones you love and are in menopause.

Menopause does not mean you are getting old, but it is that you have to pause on things that are unnecessary to the body and mind. As a woman you tend to spend most of the time looking after others, but today, it is your duty to serve yourself.

We have listed down certain guidelines here to help you improve immunity during menopause, but the one who can really help you is YOU. Let us start helping us starting today.

The post Guidelines To Improve Immunity During Menopause appeared first on Truweight Blog.

As millions of Canadians eye the imminent arrival of better weather and feel the impact of six weeks stuck largely at home, some are wondering whether spending more time outdoors is a risk worth taking amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The top U.S. infectious disease official says concerns over leaks compelled him to reveal data on Gilead Sciences Inc.'s experimental drug remdesivir, the first in a scientifically rigorous clinical trial to show benefit in treating COVID-19.

Running and strength workout calendar for May 2020 – free printable. This workout schedule is great for runners who want to incorporate strength training into their routine, new runners who want a schedule of how often to run or experienced runners who need some structure and accountability. Get the free printable calendar and meal planner ... Read More about Running & Strength Workout Calendar – May 2020

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Most health coaches have at least one client that complains about never feeling full when they are restricting their food intake. They find they are having to choose between suffering through the feeling of constant hunger or eating more than planned within their diet plan. The latter, more often than not, means they are eating more than their body needs. 

The World Health Organization has come under fire for its response to the global coronavirus pandemic, but experts say it's only as powerful as its weakest link.

“I never believed I was average, and that alone is a big reason I wasn’t.” -Arnold Schwarzenegger

Very few of us are ever able to feel like we accomplish the majority of our goals. And, whether we want to admit it, life is a game of trial and error. So, it’s easy to get caught up in the errors and frustrated by the trials. 

But, if you learn from those who have repeated, timeless successes, their mindset usually leaves clues about how they were able to apply different rules to the same game.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is the ultimate example of someone who has created opportunities throughout his life. And, while no one needs to replicate his path, the way he approaches situations, obstacles, and challenges is a masterclass in mental mastery.

“No matter what, I had to prove to myself that I’m extraordinary. There is no normal,” Schwarzenegger shared in an exclusive interview for Ladder.

The mind is a powerful thing, and Schwarzenegger has leveraged an unbreakable mindset to seemingly create a competitive advantage over the universe. As someone who started with nothing when he immigrated to the United States, his belief in himself has made the world apparently bend to his will — and not the other way around.

“Always think of yourself as special. And think, ‘I’m going to prove to myself and the rest of the world that I can do it.’”

Even at 72 years old, the bodybuilder-turned actor-turned governor-turned activist continues to believe there’s more that he can accomplish — and it’s likely the main reason he continues to add new achievements to his resume.

Here are 8 lessons that I took away from my interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Don’t Think About Difficulty

“There’s an advantage of doing things automatically,” says Schwarzenegger. “I have a routine where you don’t have to think much — if at all. [Routines] are the foundation of a house.”

Schwarzenegger has built his life on habits and routines that have made him a creature of habit and efficiency.

Whether it’s his workouts — delts and arms one day, chest and back and calves another day, abs every day, and an extra 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise at night — or checking email and catching up on news, Arnold has built-in expectations for his day.

“Add as many of those routine things as possible because you do them without ever thinking about them. This is your daily schedule. Like breathing.”

While this isn’t earth-shattering, his mindset towards creating habits isn’t what you’d expect. 

Whereas you might consider certain habits as difficult to build, that’s the first step in guaranteeing that it’ll be harder to adopt change.

“People should realize that I don’t have sympathy for ‘difficult.’ There are a lot of things in life that are difficult,” adds Schwarzenegger. 

“If you want to build routines, you need to change your expectations. Are you going to back off every time something is difficult? Or, are you going to be the person who looks at something that is difficult — or the most difficult — and say, ‘I’m going to go and do it and prove it to myself.’ That’s how you build habits. “

“Don’t ask should or shouldn’t I. You just do it.” 

Make Things Automatic

Part of Arnold’s legendary focus is a byproduct of his routines. But, just as importantly, it’s knowing what’s fixed in life — and when you need to put additional time, energy, and creativity into the non-routine aspects of your day.

To help you understand the importance of automated experiences, Arnold shared his experiences in politics.

“When I was Governor, I had fixed funds on what you could spend on certain programs like education. It’s a fixed expenditure. Same for healthcare and prisons.”

“I had something like only 8 percent of discretionary funds. There’s very little wiggle room. But, knowing what is automatic and knowing what is not help you focus,” says Arnold.

And that’s the way it should be with your daily routine. He recommends creating as many fixed moments in your day. Then, you have fewer aspects where you need to dig deep, be creative, and come up with custom solutions.

You might see this as a limitation, but Arnold sees it as an advantage. Less variation means more focus. And the more you can focus on fewer things, the more likely you’re able to create a bigger impact. 

Doing Isn’t Enough. Effort Influences Value.

I asked Arnold about something most people don’t know about him, and he shared his love of art and painting. But, that’s not what stood out to me (even though I was impressed by his painting). It was how he thinks of his time spent creating art for others. 

“Today, it’s easy to go to a store and buy a gift or go to the flower shop and get flowers. You used to go out and pick flowers and put them in a vase. It’s all flowers. But, my mother was in heaven that we made an effort to go out and make the gift.”

Arnold understands that output isn’t the only measure of success. Your effort is also an important part of the equation. 

“You must try to make an effort in everything you do, especially things for others. When you find pottery and paint on that, they know you spent hours on that. It makes a difference. It takes effort and people really like that.”

Be Unconventional

According to Arnold, more than 50 years ago, no one worked out in the morning. Gyms didn’t open until 10 am, so the entire structure of the day was based on rules that, as it turns out, didn’t exist for a good reason.

Arnold broke down how back then, people believed that you were weaker in the morning. It wasn’t until he lived with his idol, Reg Park, that he started squatting 500 pounds at 5:30 am, and his entire workout schedule adjusted. 

The shift helped him remove limiting beliefs about his body, which, in turn, helped him understand that most limitations are self-conceived. This even led to some unreal 3 am workouts as an actor.

“If you think you can’t do something, you won’t. But, if you try to do something different, you might be surprised how much what you thought was a limitation wasn’t real.”

Goals Aren’t Enough. Have a Vision…

“Arnold, you’ve been asleep 16 hours. Something went wrong with this non-invasive procedure…you had internal bleeding, and in order to have you not die, we had to open you up.”

In the most powerful moment of our discussion, Arnold shared how his “routine” heart surgery took an unexpected turn and he was faced with a difficult comeback prior to filming the latest Terminator film.

When he was awakened after 16 hours, his immediate response wasn’t what you might think.

“Wait a minute, in three-and-a-half months, I’m supposed to be in Budapest to shoot Terminator 6. But, they are saying it takes 6 months to recover.”

While it might seem like Arnold wasn’t thinking about the big picture and overall health, it was — in fact — the opposite. He was visualizing where he needed to be as a way to return to health.

“I always look for motivation. If you have no motivation, then it’s hard to get going under those circumstances. You’re down and you have a major setback. And the vision is what can bring you back.”

“If you have no goal, you have nothing. You have to know where to go. You need a vision.”

…But, Focus on Small Wins

Once you have your vision, then you need to put in the reps or mileage. This is exactly what Arnold, whom many consider the greatest bodybuilder of all-time, had to do in order to recover from his heart surgery. 

“I asked the doctors, ‘When can I get up?’ And the doctor says 3 to 4 days. People don’t die from the procedure; they die from pneumonia and lungs filling with fluid,” recalls Arnold.

“I’m going to be up tomorrow and I’m going to be walking. Get me a walker. And that’s what I did. I went for walks, would lie back down, rest, and then get back up for another walk. I was a fanatic. I built up to 2-hour walks. Then, I traded the walker for a cane.”

Within 6 days he was out of the hospital. Just 3 weeks later he was working out with light weights. And, as he promised, three-and-a-half months later, he was on set for Terminator 6.

“The director said, ‘I can’t believe you had open-heart surgery three-and-a-half months ago,’” says Schwarzenegger.

“We all have setbacks, but, if you have a very clear vision and a clear goal, then you put in the reps, you can come back.” 

Find Your “On Switch”

Despite his success, Arnold isn’t immune to having down moments or aging. But, it’s his ability to adapt and be self-aware that allows him to keep on thriving.

“When I hit 50, I realized I was not able to come back as quickly at 2 am for filming after 2 hours of sleep. So I said, ‘I will never sleep again at night when I’m filming.’ But, I needed something to give me a spark.”

That spark was chess.

“The more chess I played, the more alert I was and able to come to the set fully charged because my mind was ready from all the chess. I remembered the lines 100% and the physical work felt 100%.”

“You have to figure out what it takes to be on. When you have a setback or feel sluggish or mentally tired, you must find a way to recharge.”

Busy Is OK. Distracted Is Not.

In the 1970s, Arnold found himself overwhelmed with bodybuilding, acting, buying real estate, and building construction. 

“A lot of things were coming together at once. I was overloaded,” recalls Schwarzenegger.

At that point, Arnold turned to meditation, something he has discussed in the past. For a year, he would meditate 20 minutes in the morning and another 20 minutes at night. Whereas many might find meditation beneficial for its ability to calm and destress, Arnold found another invaluable benefit that continues to help him today.

“[After meditating] all of a sudden, I could focus on one thing. I could do real estate and not be thinking about bodybuilding When training, I wasn’t thinking about acting. I got really focused and learned how to focus, and it made me better at everything I did.

“Knowing how to focus on one thing at a time has made me better at everything I did.”

Conclusion

Whatever you take away from Arnold, the foundation of his mindset is rooted in something we can all possess: confidence. And it’s that confidence that has allowed Arnold to take chances and push himself to heights no one could’ve ever imagined — except maybe himself. 

“Prove to [the world] that there are extraordinary things that can happen because that’s when they can.”

The post 8 Lessons From Arnold Schwarzenegger That Will Set You Up For Success appeared first on Born Fitness.

An Alberta meat-packing plant hit by the largest single-site COVID-19 outbreak in Canada plans to reopen within days after shutting down for two weeks when hundreds of workers fell ill with the coronavirus and one woman died.

An experimental drug has proved effective against the new coronavirus in a major study, U.S. government and drug company officials say.

The Wood Buffalo region has recorded its first death related to spring flooding that has forced thousands of people from their homes. 

Hundreds of times every week during this pandemic, doctors and nurses treating critically ill COVID-19 patients in the U.S. steel themselves to insert ventilator breathing tubes.

Olivia posted this incredible story of wheat-free release in the comments on this blog some time back. Her story so powerfully encapsulates how far off course health can go by consuming this thing called “wheat,” that I thought it was worth sharing with everybody again. During her wheat-consuming days, Olivia was clearly suffering body-wide inflammation and other effects that were being ineffectively “treated” by her doctor, effects largely due to the indigestible or only partially-digestible proteins from the seeds of grasses AKA wheat. As often happens, she managed to reverse the entire collection of health conditions by simply eliminating the cause–wheat.

I am a 41-year old busy mom and I have been wheat-free for 12 weeks. My results are dramatic. I found out about Wheat Belly from a friend. I looked it up on Amazon and started going wheat/gluten free the second I pressed the ‘buy’ button! That was 12 weeks ago.


My history is a lifetime of typical outdoor allergies as well as many mild food allergies, IBS [irritable bowel syndrome], diarrhea, severe abdominal cramping, gas-bloating, water retention, swollen calves, mild depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, acne and rosacea, asthma, body aches and joint pain, plantar fasciitis, and bursitis . . . all of which I thought were unrelated and just part of who I was.

Three months ago I was taking the following medications:
 hydrochlorothiazide,
 amoxicillin for acne,
 lorazepam for anxiety,
 albuterol [for asthma]. I was also just about to make my appointment go back on an anti-depressant, Effexor.

The first week off of wheat I had mild headaches—it was like I was withdrawing from an anti-depressant. I can’t imagine having a 5-day headache if I stop eating broccoli for a week!! By the end of the week I felt so different that I just started crying. I was sad for the amount of years that I had felt so bad . . . and in 6 days I felt SO great.

The first month I felt great, but I was tired. I started exercising after 1 week because my joint pain and hip pain had suddenly disappeared. I continued to exercise and was so shocked to actually be ‘sore’ the next day. I hadn’t felt normal muscle soreness (that wasn’t an injury) in YEARS. The first 8 days I must have lost at least 5-7 pounds in water weight. I couldn’t believe it when I looked down and recognized my normal sized legs! I was tired during the day at first but after 6 weeks I found I no longer needed a nap. After week 9 my energy started to pick up dramatically.

I tested negative for celiac disease, which surprised me because I felt so much better that there MUST be something medically wrong with me. My doctor thinks I must be wheat-intolerant or gluten-intolerant but, as he put it, ‘There is no medication for it, so the treatment is to stay away from it.’ I had to gradually wean off of the diuretic, as well as the acne medication, because my skin was too dry and my blood pressure was low. Also, my doctor had a shocked look on his face when I told him a few days ago that my inhaler and anxiety medication have remained UNTOUCHED for 12 weeks. After 2 weeks I couldn’t believe how well I could breathe—all my asthma was gone! My doctor told me ‘This is great. Just keep doing what you’re doing.’ Next time I visit, I’m bringing him a copy of Wheat Belly.

After 3 months I have lost 14 lbs, dropping from 143 to 129 lbs. I am no longer bloated. I get hungry when I’m really hungry, maybe 4 hours after I’ve eaten (instead of 40 minutes!). I have tons of energy. I can work out in the morning, run errands and work during the day, and then cook dinner and still have energy for my kids after school and into the evening. I do this effortlessly now.

I am not anxious! At night, I have such restful sleep. Last time it was this restful I was on Effexor. Those are all reasons enough . . . but the most amazing thing that happened to me is that I am off 5 medications. FIVE! I never even thought this was a possibility. I am in shock and am so happy.

As far as my other issues:


• IBS – GONE
• Diarrhea – GONE
• Severe abdominal cramping – GONE
• Gas-bloating – GONE
• Water retention – GONE
• Swollen calves – back to normal!
• Mild depression – GONE
• Anxiety – GONE
• High blood pressure – GONE
• Heart palpitations – GONE
• Acne medications – GONE
• Rosacea – GONE
• Asthma – GONE
• Body aches and joint pain – still surprised they are GONE!
• Plantar fasciitis – GONE
• Bursitis – GONE

I do believe I have a true wheat/gluten intolerance/sensitivity. But even if I didn’t, I am staying away from wheat. After 41 years of eating it, my body doesn’t like it anymore. I don’t even crave it even when it’s right in front of me. When I see cakes, rolls and bread, most of the time it looks no different to me than something inedible, like paper. It is just no big deal anymore. How good bread tastes is not worth going back to how bad I used to feel. I feel too good to ruin my health by eating wheat.

As a side note, and probably out of fear that I would be craving wheat, the first week I bought 2 bags of gluten-free pretzels, 1 box of gluten-free cookies, and 1 bag of chocolate covered gluten-free pretzels. Twelve weeks later, they remain unopened in my pantry. I choose other foods instead, like ‘no bake cookies’ or a few squares of dark chocolate.

I had a dozen or so health issues that I never thought could be connected. My doctors didn’t help me at all. I read your book and helped myself. It was the wheat/grains/gluten after all. Thank you for writing this book, Dr. Davis. You changed my life!Bread,

The post Bread, paper, and other indigestible objects appeared first on Dr. William Davis.

Yes, you are still practicing social isolation and shelter-in-place during the COVID-19 pandemic. But you can still begin the process of reclaiming health, losing weight, and emerging from this national crisis in far better shape than when it started. And ask any successful Wheat Belly follower: Do you get sick like other people with viral illnesses every year? You will receive a resounding “NO”: people living this lifestyle enjoy a huge reduction in viral infections that plague others. We cannot claim that this makes you resistant to coronavirus, but it surely helps to achieve the higher levels of health that we achieve on this lifestyle. You may not have ready and safe access to supermarkets to make the full conversion of your kitchen to a grain-free lifestyle, but you can still take the necessary steps to transform your life.

In addition to losing weight and regaining overall health, the Wheat Belly 10-Day Grain Detox helps reverse insulin resistance, inflammation, and vitamin D deficiency, strategies that improve your immune response considerably. 

So put it off no longer: We are planning our next Wheat Belly 10-Day Grain Detox Challenge that starts on Wednesday, May 13th. This is your opportunity to seize control over health and weight, maybe even turn the clock back 10 or 20 years, look and feel better, be freed of numerous, if not all, prescription drugs.

By joining our Wheat Belly 10-Day Grain Detox Challenge, you will have access to:

1) Our Wheat Belly 10-Day Grain Detox Private Facebook page that provides videos, success stories, and plenty of feedback and answers to your questions.

2) LIVE Facebook sessions with Dr. Davis and April Duval, our main Facebook page administrator. Dr. Davis will personally kick off the Detox Challenge on May 13th. And because April is herself an example of a fabulous Wheat Belly Detox success, she knows the ins and outs of this lifestyle like the back of her hand.

To join our Challenge, you must sign up to become a member of the Wheat Belly Blog community with an annual subscription fee of $15.99. Sign up here. Once you have signed up, you will be given access to our Private Facebook page. 

By becoming a Wheat Belly community member, you will have access to the huge number of resources available on the Wheat Belly Blog, also—additional recipes, tips, new concepts, avoiding pitfalls, etc. as well as supporting this cause and covering the costs of Wheat Belly staff.

Our goal: to help you succeed in turning around your life and health and achieve all your health goals including weight loss, getting off prescription medications, and turning back the clock 10 or 20 years.

Why the Detox Challenge?

Through my New York Times bestseller, Wheat Belly, millions of people learned how to reverse years of chronic health problems by removing wheat from their daily diets. But, after reading the original Wheat Belly or the Wheat Belly Total Health book, or even using the recipes from the Wheat Belly Cookbook and Wheat Belly 30-Minute Cookbook, people still said: “I’ve read the books, but I’m still not sure how to get started on this lifestyle.”

That’s why I wrote the Wheat Belly 10-Day Grain Detox  and now help readers along in this Wheat Belly 10-Day Grain Detox CHALLENGE. This is the quickest, most assured way to get started on regaining magnificent health and slenderness by adopting the Wheat Belly lifestyle.

We are kicking off the next Wheat Belly 10-Day Grain Detox Challenge on Facebook LIVE on Day 1: Wednesday, May 13th, 12 pm EST/11 am CST/10 am MT/9 am PT. Come join us on the private Wheat Belly 10-Day Grain Detox Facebook page: https://ift.tt/2yBsz0z

The Wheat Belly 10-Day Grain Detox supplies you with carefully designed meal plans and delicious recipes to fully eliminate wheat and related grains in the shortest time possible. Perfect for those who may have fallen off the wagon or for newcomers who need a jump-start for weight loss, this new addition to the Wheat Belly phenomenon guides you through the complete 10-Day Detox experience. And we will kick off this next Challenge with a live Facebook session with Dr. Davis on Day 1!

In addition to this quick-start program, I’ll teach you:

• How to recognize and reduce wheat-withdrawal symptoms,
• How to avoid common landmines that can sabotage success
• How to use nutritional supplements to further advance weight loss and health benefits
• How to effectively navigate the grocery store and choose safe products

To join the Detox Challenge:

Step 1
Get the book. And read it (at least the first 5 chapters).

Detox Challenge participants should be informed and active in order to get the most out of the challenge and private Facebook group. READING THE WHEAT BELLY DETOX BOOK IS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE. PLEASE DO NOT PARTICIPATE IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK or else the conversations will not make sense and you will not enjoy full benefit. It is a very bad idea to try and piece the program together just from our conversations. (Note that the Wheat Belly Detox program is NOT laid out in the original Wheat Belly book.)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1JqzMea

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/wheatbelly10daygraindetox-bn

Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1KwcFTQ

Step 2
Join the Wheat Belly Blog community to access the thousands of discussions that provide additional recipes, discussions about issues relevant to the Wheat Belly lifestyle, access the newest ideas in the Wheat Belly Blog. The cost is $15.99 for an annual subscription. Here is why we have converted to a subscription process.

Step 3
Come join the Private Facebook Group.

http://bit.ly/WheatBelly-PrivateFBGroup

Step 4
Head back to the Private Facebook Group starting Tuesday, May 12th (the day before the official start of the Challenge) and onwards for tips, videos, and discussions to help you get through your detox and reprogram your body for rapid weight loss and health. Dr. Davis and site administrator, April Duval, will be posting video instructions and answers to your questions. Or just join the conversation now, as we discuss the ups and downs, share recipes, and just have fun every day!

The post The next Wheat Belly 10-Day Grain Detox Challenge begins Wed May 13th! appeared first on Dr. William Davis.