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While quarantined and gaining pounds during the coronavirus crisis, get motivated to save money while losing weight.

Losing weight will help with cheaper grocery bills. If you eat less, you spend less. Plus, youll eat in more rather than eating out.

Losing weight helps spend less on clothing. When you lose weight and maintain it, youll be able to keep your wardrobe longer.

Losing weight helps with more affordable insurance.When you are healthier and thinner, companies look at you as less of a liability.

Losing weight means fewer medical bills due to less weight-related issues, which leads to fewer visits to your doctors office.

Losing weight leads to lower fuel costs because for every 100 pounds thats taken out of your vehicle, you save about one percent.

So what are you waiting for you! Get started now. When's the next time we're going to get stuck in the house for this long?

For more information, please read here.

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Money-Saving Benefits That Come from Losing Weight | KFI - KFI AM 640

In the quest for a weight loss magic bullet, some Americans have turned their attention to probiotics. Some believe that probiotic supplements which support the friendly bacteria that naturally live in the gut can help them shed extra pounds.

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Are probiotics the weight loss tool weve been waiting for? Gail Cresci, PhD, RD, a researcher and expert on the gut microbiome, explains.

Years ago, scientists discovered that the makeup of friendlygut bacteria (known as the gut microbiota) was different in people who haveobesity than in people with an average weight.

To learn more, researchers implanted friendly gut bacteria from the different types of people into special mice without gut bacteria and found:

Given these findings, it seemed possible that gut bacteriaplay a role in regulating weight.

In humans, the only comparison researchers have to the mice study is with gut microbiota transplants (known as fecal transplants), Dr. Cresci says. Doctors perform fecal transplants for people who have an overgrowth of bad pathogenic gut bacteria called Clostridioides difficile. They place stool from a healthy person into the colon of the person with C. diff.

Researchers are finding that many naturally thin patients who receive a fecal transplant become overweight over time, Dr. Cresci says. Since 40% of Americans have obesity, its likely that 40% of the gut microbiota transplants came from a person with obesity, possibly causing this unexpected weight gain.

These findings created hope and hype that simply popping apill with the right gut microbiota could be the key to weight loss.

The problem with this logic is that fecal transfers includetrillions of diverse microbes that include bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts,Dr. Cresci says. With a probiotic, its likely a person could only receive afraction of that, with one to just a few beneficial microbes so theres noguarantee it will affect weight loss.

And even newer research looking at synbiotics (the combination of a probiotic and prebiotic) found they didnt affect weight loss or body composition. It wasnt a total buzzkill, though: Synbiotics did positively impact the composition of friendly gut bacteria.

I think its safe to say that the available probiotics probablywont help people lose much, if any, weight, says Dr. Cresci. But researcherscontinue to explore the link between weight and gut bacteria theres stillpotential.

Probiotics main claim to fame is enhancing your goodbacteria and keeping you in tip-top health. Even if a supplement wont causethe weight to fall off, should you take one anyway for your gut health?

What researchers do know is this: Healthy diet first,supplement second. A balance of healthy sources of proteins, fats andcarbohydrates is the most important factor in maintaining good gut bacteria. Thefriendly bacteria survive and thrive when fed high-fiber foods.

A low-fiber diet (low-carb and high-protein and/or high-fat),though, reduces the number of good bacteria.

Since a low-carb diet doesnt offer enough nutrition for the good bacteria, the gut microbiota blend shifts, and the beneficial ones get depleted. The bad bacteria then begin to take over, says Dr. Cresci.

In one study, researchers found that the bad bacteria consumed the protein and produced byproducts linked to higher rates of colon cancer.

So while the jury is still out on whether probiotics canlead to weight loss, its clear, once again, that a healthy diet is key. Ahigh-fiber diet can help you maintain gut and overall health. For somepeople, a probiotic could work alongside a nutritious diet to shore up guthealth. Talk to your doctor to see if its right for you.

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Could Probiotics Help With Weight Loss? - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

Ashley Taylor has struggled with her weight ever since she was a young girl and the circumstances around her made her turn to food in a bid to cope with everything she was feeling.

Ashley revealed that for a long time she stayed with her mother and grandmother. When her mother was diagnosed with epilepsy and her grandmother passed away due to cancer, she felt her world fall apart and the only glue that held her together was food.

Ashley confessed that food helped her forget all the problems that she had. She also revealed that while growing up she was raped by her neighbor which affected her a lot. While he was eventually arrested, the incident left an impact on Ashley. She tried to go on with her life but as she grew, lack of having a support system around her pushed her into catfishing people.

She confessed that she regretted hurting people while adding that catfishing became like her second addiction. After facing various ups and downs in her life, Ashley decided to turn her life around because she wanted to live her life. She confessed that she did not want to die before really living while adding that she feared her mother will have to bury her.

Ashley decided to meet Dr Younan Nowzaradan with the hope that he will help her to change her life. When Ashley reached for a consultation she found out that she weighed 486 lbs. She was happy with her weight as she told Dr Nowzaradan that she previously weighed around 600lbs but had lost weight due to depression.

Dr Nowzaradan advised her to lose 20lbs in one month if she wanted to get approved for weight loss surgery. Ashley agreed and decided to work hard towards losing weight. She stuck to her diet and eliminated junk food from her diet. She also attempted to exercise. When she went for a consultation for the second time, she realized that she had lost 10lbs and now weighed 476lbs.

Ashley was happy about the weight loss but Dr Nowzaradan was not. He wasn't happy that she did not lose 20lbs and asked her to go for therapy to help her with her mental health. While Ashley hesitated at first, she realized it would be good for her to deal with some of the things in the past.

When Ashley went for therapy, she let out everything that was going on in her mind. She confessed that she felt upset about going back to some of the things that she wanted to forget. However, the therapy made her realize how it was important for her to start losing weight.

Despite this, there had been moments when she went back to eating junk food for comfort. When she went for another consultation, she realized that eating the way she did only created problems as she now weighed 475lbs and had lost only 2lbs.

Dr Nowzaradan told her the importance of her sticking to her diet and making sure that she is also exercising. Ashley was not happy to hear these words and walked away from the consultation as she was disappointed that Dr Nowzaradan did not see the hard work she was putting in. However, after spending some time alone, she decided to return and sit down with Dr Nowzaradan to have a conversation.

She admitted it was wrong for her to walk away and agreed to keep working hard. She started this while creating a real profile of herself online, as suggested by her therapist. She later enrolled herself in a boxing class as she thought it would be the best way to work out while also knowing the techniques to defend herself.

She was happy about the change and was looking forward to meeting Dr Nowzaradan again. Before that, she had to reach out to her family to make amends with her family. While things turned sore between them after they found out about her catfishing incident, Ashley decided to open up to her mother and friend.

She felt good about saying all her problems out aloud and felt positive about the changes in her life. However, when she weighed herself during the consultation, she weighed 469lbs and had lost only 6lbs. Dr Nowzaradan admittedly wasn't pleased as he told her that he would not approve her for the surgery unless she lost more weight.

He asked her to keep working hard and lose 40lbs in two months while continuing therapy. Ashley agreed to work on herself and not give up.

'My 600-lb Life' airs on Wednesdays at 8 pm ET on TLC.

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'My 600-lb Life': Ashley says she might die because of her weight, fears her mom may have to bury her - MEAWW

Along with the novel coronavirus pandemic, there is one other, more familiar threat that many of us are facing right now, and that is in the form of obesity. It is bad enough to suffer from either of the two at this unprecedented time. To have both, however, can be a life-threatening double whammy.

Unlike before, the rules of weight loss have changed. Specifically, the calories found in foods no longer determine your risk of getting overweight or obese. It is now the foods themselves that can determine whether or not you will gain excess weight in the long term.

Since different foods can influence your hormones and hunger in varying ways, calorie-counting can be a time-wasting task in your efforts to shed unwanted pounds. The good news is that by applying these tips, you will start to effectively lose weight without the need to count calories:

Eat Food Rich In Protein And Fiber

In lieu of weight-increasing carbs -- which you should consume in moderation, if not cut off from your diet altogether -- eat food sources that are rich in protein and fiber.Protein enhances your metabolism, decreases hunger and increases your body's ability to burn fat. Studies have found that because the body takes longer to digest protein, calorie burning automatically increases.

A 2007 study published in the American Society for Clinical Nutrition found that increased protein intake in your diet automatically reduces your calorie intake by 441 calories daily.

Protein also leads to a feeling of fullness that decreases hunger and even enhances muscle growth, especially among weightlifters.To add protein to your daily diet, eat as much meat, eggs and fish as needed.

Despite having fewer calories, certain fruits and vegetables and other fiber-rich food sources will help you feel full for longer. Multiple studies have shown that those who eat foods with higher fiber content lose more weight compared to those who do not. In addition, soluble fiber is broken down into the digestive tract into a bacteria that produces the fatty acid butyrate, which is thought to have anti-obesity effects.

"Trick" Yourself

Controlling how much you eat in your diet is easier said than done. Instead of pulling out a large plate and opt for small portions, get a smaller plate and fill it with what you are planning to eat. This "tricks" your brain into thinking that it has eaten more than what it actually has, and, silly it may be, psychologists who had studied this approach found that it tends to work.

Increase Coconut Oil Intake

Coconut oil is loaded with medium chain triglycerides, fatty acids that go straight to the liver for digestion, where they are either transformed into ketone bodies or used as energy. They also enhance energy expenditure by as much as 5 percent in one day.

Studies have shown that consuming one ounce (30 milliliters) of coconut oil daily can possibly reduce your body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, which can be done if used as a healthier substitute to regular cooking oil.

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Secrets To Effectively Lose Weight Without Counting Calories - Medical Daily

Jackson, TN, April 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- America is going week three of its unprecedented lockdown due to COVID-19 fears. Both local and national governments as well as federal agencies have pretty much ordered the shutdowns of all non-essential businesses to prevent the spread of the virus. While were keeping ourselves isolated due to social distancing and stay at home orders to stay healthy, Diet Doc wants to remind consumers how important it is to take all aspects of your health into account during these uncertain times. Itll be important to maintain your health since your health status has a direct effect on your immunity, as well as your mental well-being. Other than using vitamin c, zinc and other herbal supplements, Diet Doc suggests that now may be a great time to invest in a total weight management program with guidance from specialized doctors and coaches who can conveniently help you by phone or computer, keeping your safety in mind. This type of program can:

Let us help you easily manage your weight without ever having to leave home. Diet Doc patients can call or easily and effortlessly visit https: https://www.dietdoc.comto complete an initial comprehensive, yet simple, health questionnaire and schedule an immediate personal, no-cost consultation. DietDocs physicians all received specialized training in nutritional science and fast weight loss. DietDoc reviews each patients health history to create a personalized diet plan geared for fast weight loss, or that addresses life-long issues causing weight loss to slow down or stop. Nutritionists work personally with each patient and use their own algorithm to craft meal and snack plans that are compatible with each patients age, gender, activity level, food preferences, nutritional needs and medical conditions. They combine these state-of-the-art diet plans with pure, prescription diet products that enable their patients to resist the temptation to reach for sugary snacks, eliminate fatigue and curb the appetite. Over 97% of DietDoc patients report incredible weight loss results with the majority losing between 10-15 lbs. or more pounds per month.

At Diet Doc, all patients gain unlimited access to the best minds in the business. Their staff of doctors, nurses, nutritionists and coaches are available seven days per week to answer questions, offer suggestions, address concerns and lend their professional guidance and support. Because of this, more and more people are turning to Diet Doc for their weight management needs. Diet plans are tailored to be specific to the needs of those of any age, gender, shape or size and for those who are struggling to lose that final 10-20 pounds to those who must lose 100 pounds or more. Call today to request a private, confidential, no-cost online consultation.

About the Company:

Diet Doc is the nation's leader in medical, weight loss offering a full line of prescription medication, doctor, nurse and nutritional coaching support. For over a decade, Diet Doc has produced a sophisticated, doctor designed weight loss program that addresses each individual specific health need to promote fast, safe and long-term weight loss.

Diet Doc Contact Information:

Providing Care Across The USA

Headquarters:

Escondido, CA

(800) 581-5038

info@dietdoc.com

Homepage

Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from healthcare practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.

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Diet Doc Stresses to Consumers the Importance of Keeping Weight Gain to a Minimum Amid COVID-19 - GlobeNewswire

In the fall of 2019, my hospital put out word that it was looking for physicians who might wish to undergo intensive training to become certified health and wellness coaches. Having worked with patients who have used health coaching, I jumped at the chance. Their experiences were almost universally positive: many of them had attained health goals that had been otherwise elusive, such as the weight loss they invoked annually and fruitlessly as a New Years resolution. The few physicians I knew who were also coaches seemed to be able to fuse the different skill sets in a way that expanded their ability to connect with their patients and address their health needs on a deeper level.

Just as a sports coach can help an athlete develop and excel at a sport, a health and wellness coach can help anyone excel at living their life, even or especially if they have chronic medical conditions. The coaching process is similar to talk therapy in that it involves two people discussing ideas and issues, but it is different in that the person who is being coached is in the drivers seat, creating their goals as well as the strategies on how to arrive at these goals.

People tend to hire health coaches to help them with a broad variety of health issues, such as weight loss, stress reduction, the management of chronic conditions, improving diet and exercise, tobacco cessation, addiction, and adjusting to a life-altering health event, like a heart attack. There is overlap between what a health coach does and what a life coach does, but a life coachs domain is much broader, and includes career issues, executive coaching, and professional effectiveness.

A key technique utilized by coaches is motivational interviewing, in which a coach asks open-ended questions intended to help their client elicit his or her own reasons for change. Instead of the doctor saying, You need to lose weight, a coach might ask, How might your life be different if you lost the weight that youve been trying to lose? The concept, which has been proven effective in many research studies, is that people who are changing for their own reasons, on their own terms, are far more likely to succeed when compared with someone telling them what to do which is less motivating and is more likely to instill resistance to change.

Motivational interviewing has been creeping into the medical profession as well, with great success. With the intensive focus on it I received in my coaching training, I now put it in the forefront in my interactions with patients, trying to really hear what they are saying and to engage them as much as possible in coming up with solutions for the various health issues that arise. Patients seem to genuinely appreciate this, and while I havent conducted a study, this approach certainly seems successful in terms of both my relationships with patients and the results I am seeing.

Whereas traditional psychology has focused on what is wrong with people and what needs to be fixed, coaching philosophy focuses on what has, can, and will work better for you. This means that instead of rooting around for problems to dwell on, a coach will work with you to harness your strengths, in order to improve the health behaviors you want to address.

Coaching is effective for people managing a variety of health conditions. According to a recent study, coaching results in clinically relevant improvements in multiple biomarker risk factors (including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and cardiorespiratory fitness) in diverse populations. Coaching has also helped improve health-related quality of life and reduced hospital admissions in patients with COPD. No wonder some doctors offices are offering it, some insurance companies are paying for it, and private companies are even starting to offer coaching to their employees in order to lower their healthcare costs.

Coaching is a relatively new field, and it is an unregulated industry, so you do not need any certification to practice as a health coach. There is no strict definition of what a health coach even is, which adds to the confusion. In other words, anyone can hang out a shingle and call themselves a coach. However, there are many programs that do train and certify coaches, both in person and online. Among the most popular and well-respected are: The National Society of Health Coaches, The American Council on Exercise, Dr. Sears Wellness Institute, Duke Integrative Medicine, and Wellcoaches School of Coaching (which is where I was trained). It is strongly recommended that you choose a certified coach, to ensure that they have a certain level of training and experience.

The time commitment and cost of coaching are highly variable. Some people do very brief coaching even one session for a discrete problem, such as whether or not to accept a job offer, whereas others may participate in coaching for months or years, for something like managing weight, diabetes, depression, or hypertension. The cost varies with the skill and experience of the coach. As mentioned previously, some employers and medical plans may cover this, as there is abundant evidence that, for example, health coaching around issues such as weight loss can significantly lower healthcare costs. It is important to note that coaches take privacy very seriously, and they have a professional code of ethics, but there are not the same HIPAA-level privacy protections as there are when you visit a medical office.

Coaching appears to be as effective when administered remotely by phone or the Internet when compared with face-to-face coaching. This provides great flexibility, as coaching can be performed in person, over the phone, or via videoconferencing.

Coaches resumes will often be available for you to review, so see if their interests and experience overlap with the issues you wish to address. Coaches enter the field from a wide variety of different backgrounds, and it might be an advantage to pick a coach who has a background in a health or wellness-related field, though many extremely talented coaches come from careers in different realms. Word of mouth is always an excellent way to find a coach, or you could call your insurance company and, if this is an offered benefit, its likely that they have coaches they can recommend.

Unlike health fads that come and go, health coaching has strong evidence behind it backing its effectiveness for improving health and well-being. Becoming a health coach has been deeply rewarding to me, because it is rare in life that you get to promote happiness, build resiliency, save people money, and help people live longer and more fulfilling lives at the same time.

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Health coaching is effective. Should you try it? - Harvard Health Blog - Harvard Health

Slim Shaper Review {April 2020} Read Article Then Buy -> Read the above article that talks about the Shaper and get all your FAQs answered.

Are you looking for a quick and easy solution to lose weight? We have got you covered. We are introducing the Slim Shaper. For all those of you who are struggling to lose weight as soon as you can.

In the 21st century, almost every one out of ten people are obese. We can blame it on the technology that has made us so lazy that we do not want to step out of our homes to buy whats available in the store next door. Or we can blame it on ourselves for using technology as an excuse not to move our bodies.

The sedentary lifestyle is growing in many countries, which are developed and prosperous. The Slim Shaper is trending in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Germany, France, and Italy for all the right reasons. The company is offering an exclusive offer of a 50% discount to all its customers.

Slim Shaper is a belt for the body that can be wrapped around the abdomen area. It uses the Velcro closure to give you a perfect fit. It comes in different colors and has a comfortable material for the body. It helps in reducing fat by sweating the area.

If you order one for yourself, you will get up to 50% off as the company has limited stock available with free shipping. You will receive a satisfaction guarantee with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

A Slim Shaper is an excellent tool for people who are stuck with their stubborn belly fat. We all know how demotivating it can be for obese people to live their lives with their heads held high. It not only destroys your self-confidence but makes you the part of all jokes among your friends and families. It keeps you from living a happy and carefree life.

Developing excessive fat can also lead to health problems sooner or later in life. So, people who are extremely busy and are always travelling, it is possible that they will benefit from wearing this Shaper. It will ease their mind and keep them on top of their game all day long.

The Slim Shaper uses a beautiful quality fabric and Velcro closure and can be adjusted around the abdomen as per the users comfort. It creates a lot of heat that makes the area sweat, and eventually, you lose that extra kilo. Besides, wearing it underneath your clothes will make you look thinner and fitter than usual.

It is straightforward to use Slim Shaper, as there are no complicated wires and switches involved. Just wear it like a regular jacket and let the Shaper do its work by sweating the calories out.

Slim Shaper uses a natural way to reduce your extra pound from around the belly area. You can also wear it on your thighs and upper arms if you need to. There is no need for batteries or electricity. It is safe and can be carried along with you wherever you go.

On the other hand, different kinds of methods or equipment need back to back expensive batteries or electricity to work. They are risky and have many side effects. Some of them include surgery and eating pills that are not recommended by medical professionals.

Richard Webber says, Well, I am a doctor, and a lot of obese patients come to me to get short cuts to lose weight. I dont have any, but recently a patient showed me the Slim Shaper and how she has already lost five kilos! I was surprised and recommended it to my other patients too. They said they loved it too.

Ellis Grey says, I have been obese after I had my first child and since then have been struggling to lose weight. However, due to hectic work schedules and long travelling hours, I barely get time for myself. My husband got me the Slim Shaper, which I can wear to work and thereby lost a considerable amount of weight.

Naomi Gill says, I am a bar attender and cannot afford an expensive gym membership, which makes my tummy stick out with my costume at my workplace. My self-confidence took a dip, and it was getting difficult to get through the day. However, I bought this Slim Shaper at a massive discount of 50% off and am very satisfied with it.

Slim Shaper is available at a 50% discount on the website with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are unhappy with the product, you can get a refund, so hurry up as they have limited stock available with free shipping.

To sum up the reviews of Slim Shaper, we recommend you and so do customers who have seen proof of the product. It is a handy and inexpensive way to lose the stubborn belly fat that you have been struggling with day in and day out.

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Slim Shaper Review {April 2020} Read Article Then Buy - DoD Buzz

Which states have postponed their primaries?

Since President Trump's declaration of a national emergency over the coronavirus on March 13, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and West Virginia have postponed their primaries. Alaska, Hawaii, and Wyoming have replaced in-person primary voting with comprehensive mail-in systems. Ohio has postponed its primary and switched to a nearly all-mail election, with in-person voting allowed for people with disabilities and those without mailing addresses.

Despite the national emergency, three states, Arizona, Florida, and Illinois held their primaries on March 17 as scheduled. Wisconsin will hold its primary as scheduled on April 7, but on March 27, Governor Tony Evers requested that the state send absentee ballots to all 3.3 million votersa task some state legislators and election clerks claim to be logistically impossible within such a short time frame. Several groups have filed lawsuits seeking to postpone the election and extend the deadline for absentee voting.

What legal provisions govern the postponement of a primary election?

The process involved in delaying a primary election varies by state, and some states are better prepared than others to modify their elections in emergency situations. A handful of states have statutes that allow for the postponement of an election in case of an emergency, and most of these statues grant unilateral decision making power to the governor.

Other states, such as Pennsylvania, do not have legislation on the books explicitly addressing election postponement. And state law sets Pennsylvania's primary election date for the fourth Tuesday in April in a presidential election year. Postponement of the Pennsylvania primary required the passage of a bill to amend the election code, and this would also be the case for any other primary with a date set by law.

A similar lack of clear guidelines for postponing elections caused confusion in Ohio and shed light on the importance of emergency contingency plans. The Ohio Democratic primary was scheduled for Tuesday, March 17. On Monday the 16th, Governor Mike DeWine expressed his desire to delay the in-person election and extend absentee voting due to the coronavirus outbreak. Without the authority to unilaterally postpone an election, he promised to support a lawsuit asking the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to exercise its power to do so. Judge Richard A. Frye rejected the lawsuit, claiming that the last-minute postponement would set a "terrible" precedent.

Shortly after, DeWine's chief health adviser declared a public health emergency and ordered the polls to close. This prompted a lawsuit from the Ohio Democratic Party. "Nothing in Ohio law provides that Respondent Secretary has the power to set the date of Ohio's 2020 presidential primary election," says the lawsuit. "Instead, the legal authority to set the date of Ohio's 2020 presidential primary election rests with the Ohio General Assembly." The Ohio Supreme Court denied this legal challenge. In addition to officially postponing the election to April 28, Ohio has also decided that the rescheduled primary will be conducted almost exclusively by mail.

If the outbreak extends through the fall, can the November general election be postponed?

The general election could theoretically be postponed, but several obstacles make this scenario highly unlikely. The Presidential Election Day Act, passed in 1845, sets Election Day as "the Tuesday next after the first Monday in the month of November." Therefore, postponing election day would require Congress to pass legislation that would be signed by the president and upheld in the courts.

In the unlikely case that this would happen, any flexibility in determining the length of the election delay would be limited by the Constitution. The 20th Amendment states that "The terms of the President and the Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin."

What about mail-in voting for the general election?

While postponing the general election is effectively out of the question, voting by mail is one potential solution that could allow elections to continue while also prioritizing public health. While states do not have the power to change the date of their general elections, they do have broad jurisdiction to decide how to conduct them. Several states have expanded absentee voting options to some degree or adopted universal mail-in primaries, which can serve as "test runs" for expansive mail-in voting in the general election. And five states, Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Utah, automatically mail ballots to all registered voters for all elections. An additional 28 states offer "no-excuse" absentee voting, which means voters may vote by mail for any reason if they request a ballot in advance. The remaining 17 states offer absentee voting to those with valid excuses. Voters with injuries or illnesses qualify, as do those who will be out of the country on election day.

For the states that do not automatically mail ballots to all voters, uncertainty surrounding the outbreak's timeline has led state and local election boards to mobilize in preparation for a surge in demand for general election absentee ballots. But some leaders have hesitated to support the changes that would be involved. Democrats have traditionally been eager proponents of expanded absentee voting, which Republicans have dismissed as partisan power grabs. However, evidence does not support the belief that mail-in voting offers an unfair advantage to Democrats. In the 2016 presidential election, the rates of mail-in voting for Democrats and Republicans were about the same. If the coronavirus outbreak necessitates a nationwide move to mail-in voting, state election officials will have to weigh several logistical and substantive concerns:

Costs and Logistical Hurdles

The Brennan Center estimates that it would cost about $1.4 billion to implement nationwide mail-in voting for the general election. This estimate includes the cost of postage, ballot printing, and other equipment necessary for the transition. Maintaining in-person elections, bolstering online voter registration, and educating the public on these new measures would increase the overall cost of adequate general election preparation to about $2 billion. The $2 trillion coronavirus relief package includes a fraction of this estimated cost$400 millionto help the states expand mail-in voting and make other election preparations.

Expanding mail-in voting cannot happen overnight. States that wish to make significant changes to their voting systems have a short window of time to do so before the November elections. And the more ballots states need to mail, the more time they will typically need. They will also need to hire and train new workers, verify voter mailing addresses, print ballots, mail them well in advance of the voting deadline, use signature-matching technology to validate them once they return, build in time to rectify any issues that may arise with signature matching, and count the votes. It will be up to each state to balance public health, election security, and feasibility when determining how to prepare for the general election.

Voter Access

While mail-in voting facilitates participation for many, it creates barriers for others when it is the only option. Many voters are comfortable with the civic experience of casting a ballot at a local polling place and might choose not to vote at all if absentee voting is the only option. Postal delivery is less convenient for voters who live in certain rural areas or who rely on P.O. boxes that are not necessarily nearby. And many Native Americans on reservations do not receive mail at all. For non-English speakers, translated instructions on a mailed ballot might not be as useful as a bilingual poll worker who can answer specific questions in person.

Security Considerations

While voter fraud is rare, mail-in voting is more prone to it than other voting methods. For example, "ballot harvesting" scandals involve the altering of absentee ballots by volunteers or other political operatives who are tasked with collecting and submitting these ballots on behalf of voters. States scrambling to expand their mail-in voting systems might be more prone to these issues than others with robust mail-in voting systems that have been developed over the course of several years.

Certain precautions can help prevent this type of fraud by making it more convenient for voters to deliver ballots on their own. Tammy Patrick, a former county election official who is now a senior adviser at the nonprofit Democracy Fund, suggests that states offer prepaid return postage, accept ballots postmarked as late as election day, and designate convenient drop-off locations for voters who prefer to deliver their ballots in person.

"If you do these things, no one needs to pick up your ballotit's convenient for voters to maintain power and authority over their own ballot. Not doing these things risks a situation where a voter has waited until the last day, and someone shows up at their door offering to take their ballot and they see it as their last opportunity. That could be someone with good intentions or not," Patrick told ProPublica.

Another security issue that could be amplified with the adoption of universal mail-in voting is voter coercion, which occurs when family members or others exert pressure on voters to vote a certain way. While all voters can be susceptible to coercion, absentee voters are especially pronethe kitchen table does not provide the same degree of freedom to vote independently as the voting booth does. But the same measures that would help prevent ballot tampering by making the process more seamless might also be useful in thwarting coercion efforts. For example, averting family scrutiny becomes easier when you have the option to return your ballot in a prepaid envelope and avoid having to provide postage from home.

Expansive mail-in voting systems and secure elections are not mutually exclusive as long as voters have plenty of options and privacy is prioritized. Colorado, which has one of the most secure mail-in voting systems in the country, maintains the option to vote in-person. An in-person vote voids that voter's mailed ballot.

Suggested Best Practices for States

When it comes to elections, there is no one-size-fits-all reform that would work for all 50 states. Many states did make changes to their primaries that prioritize both the health of the public and the integrity of the election. Even without postponement as an option for the general election in November, states still have the opportunity to make meaningful changes if they act quickly. To the extent that it is feasible, each state should consider the possibility that the coronavirus outbreak will continue through the fall and make in-person voting too dangerous.

Expand mail-in voting options

States should mobilize to change their voting procedures in a way that offers mail-in voting to as many eligible voters as possible. States that currently require an excuse to vote absentee should eliminate these requirements and allow any voter to request an absentee ballot online. States that already offer "no-excuse" absentee voting should move in the direction of the few states that automatically send ballots to all eligible voters.

Enact measures to secure mail-in elections

States should work to implement identity verification measures, such as signature-matching technology, for their mail-in ballots while also planning to rectify inevitable technical issues that might incorrectly invalidate some ballots. To combat ballot tampering as well as the increased likelihood of voter coercion that expanded absentee voting can bring, states should enact precautionary measures that promote and facilitate ballot delivery by the voters themselves rather than a third party. These include offering prepaid postage, accepting ballots postmarked as late as election day, and setting convenient drop-off locations for in-person delivery. Removing any opportunity for a third party to intercept the ballots or observe the votes of others can help preserve election integrity. Exceptions for elderly or disabled voters in need of assistance are often appropriate, but third-party assistance in these cases should require some extra form of authentication.

Maintain the option to vote in person

While states should encourage as much absentee voting as possible to protect the health of their voters and poll workers, they should also retain the option to vote in person to give everyone a fair chance to participate. While health concerns about crowds at the polls are valid, expanded absentee voting should reduce the number of voters who show up. To reduce crowds even further, states should consider adding new polling locations if possible.

Retaining an in-person voting option would expand voter access and serve as another layer of protection against fraud or coercion. With this option, a voter who is not satisfied with the absentee ballot they submitted can invalidate it by going to the polls on election day and casting a new one. A system of expanded mail-in voting alongside traditional, in-person voting is likely the best way to promote both public health and participation in the democratic process amid this unprecedented public health crisis.

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arantine diet plan that will boost your weight loss, help you stay healthy  |  Photo Credit: Getty Images

New Delhi: Adopting a daily routine that includes eating a balanced diet can help you stay healthy and fit whether you are in self-isolation or quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As countries take stricter measures to curb the spread of novel coronavirus, temporary shutdown of businesses may affect your chances of eating a varied diet, which is essential for healthy weight loss. Planning and prepping a 7-day quarantine meal plan in advance will help you make the right food choices while saving more time and stress.

Following general advice for healthy living and ensuring that you add fresh produce to your daily diet (even if thats canned or frozen) can help you continue eating a healthy diet. Besides this, practicing mindful eating and establishing a fitness routine at home can help you lose weight, manage stress during a quarantine.

If youre looking for a sensible diet to prevent gaining belly fat while youre in quarantine, heres a 7-day meal plan designed by nutritionist Avni Kaul that will help you stick to your weight loss plan.The week-long diet plan of early morning, breakfast, lunch, evening snack, dinner, and before bed is not only delicious but affordable as well.

Day 1

Day 2

1 cup milk + tsp haldi

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

Link:
How to lose weight in 7 days you're still in lockdown? Follow this diet in quarantine to prevent belly fat - Times Now

Modern Family actress Ariel Winter has made the headlines again and this time it was with her new beau, Luke Bernard. She has been very popular among fans and social media, especially when it comes to being trolled or body-shamed. Since she became candid about breast reduction surgery, she faced a lot of trolls and backlashes.

Winter, 22, has starred in Modern Family since 2009 and has also done voice-over for shows including, Sofia the First, Phineas and Ferb, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Mr. Peabody and Sherman, Ice Age: The Meltdown and many more shows. In 2010, she won Outstanding Young Ensemble in a TV Series for her role as Alex Dunphy in the series Modern Family.

She has had a very disturbing past. In 2012, her sister Shanelle Workman filed to become her guardian allegedly claiming that Winters mother had been physically and emotionally abusive. In 2014, the court announced in favor of the sisters, giving guardianship to Workman. In 2015, she was officially emancipated.

In June 2015, Winter underwent breast reduction surgery at the age of 17. She has been very vocal about the uncomfortable stares, whispers and rumors that go around because of her size. A petit 15 years old with an F size, and working in a popular sitcom only drew unwanted attention and it pushed her to make the decision of undergoing the surgery at the age of 17.

After the surgery in November 2015, she was publically body-shamed on Instagram. According to CNN, Winter had uploaded a picture of herself with her nieces on a boat in a bikini. This attracted social media users to body-shame her, drawing comments like put on some clothes and asking for it. She later deleted the post from her Instagram account.

But she had a quick-fire response to that before deleting the post, Who knew that an innocent photo with my nieces would turn into this? The height of a girls skirt or whatever she is wearing for that matter, does not imply what she is asking for. It sickens me to think at 17 years old, a photo of myself with my nieces is suggesting that Im 'asking for it'. I typically never give power to the mean things people bravely say behind their computer screens on the Internet, but this is for the girls who are constantly bullied whether it be online or at school. You are not asking for anything because of what you are wearing- you are expressing yourself and dont you ever think you deserve the negativity as the consequence to what you are wearing- YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. Celebrate you and dont let anyones comments allow you to think less of yourself. Us girls have to stick together!!!!!!

In an interview with Glamour, Winter opens up about her surgery. She talks about going through the physical and emotional pain of having huge breast, she also mentioned that the female side of her family has a history of big breasts. She also mentioned that she had spoken to her Modern Family co-star Julie Bowen about her desire to get the surgery and said, She was very really supportive and understanding.

Though she got the surgery, it would seem like she would avoid being trolled on the internet. But it did not spare her. In 2017, she wore a revealing dress at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences television panel in Hollywood, attracting trolls on social media. People were calling her out for that, but she did not sit quietly. She ranted on Twitter, saying, Wear whatever you want people! As long as you feel good about yourself thats what matters.

In 2019, after she shed a few pounds, people body-shamed her for losing weight. In 2020, she spoke to Teen Vogue, A lot of people commented on my post like, No, she changed her antidepressant because she wanted to lose weight, Winter says, No! I thought every medication I was on, I was going to stay at that weight, and that was fine. It had nothing to do with that.

However, despite being under constant attack on social media, Winter has strongly held her ground. She has been very vocal about dealing with trolls and body-shamers. She has spoken openly about body shaming, trolls, cyberbullying and mental health.

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'Modern Family' star Ariel Winter isn't new to being body-shamed, but she always had a mic-drop response ready - MEAWW

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