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INDIANAPOLIS & NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

In a continuing effort to promote well-being, WellPoint, Inc. (WLP) has extended its current contract offering Healthways (HWAY) award-winning SilverSneakers Fitness Program to eligible members of several WellPoint affiliated health plans. SilverSneakers, the acclaimed exercise program designed to keep older adults active and healthyi, is provided to more than 700,000 eligible Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement members of WellPoints affiliated plans.

The SilverSneakers Fitness Program is designed exclusively for older adults. The program engages participants in active behavior change through access to a variety of physical activity venues and senior-specific programming that incorporates physical activity, nutrition, cognitive and social experiences.

SilverSneakers is a great way for Medicare beneficiaries to get started or continue with an exercise program because it groups participants with their peers and provides them with age appropriate exercises, said Leeba Lessin, senior vice president and president of WellPoints senior business. We are very pleased to be able to offer it to eligible members in many WellPoint affiliated plans and we encourage them to take advantage of it.

Physical activity can play a critical role in the prevention and treatment of various chronic illnesses. A published Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found that individuals who participate in SilverSneakers programs have lower long-term medical costs and require fewer hospital admissions.ii A separate CDC study found that SilverSneakers provided tangible health benefits for high-risk members. Members with diabetes who were active in SilverSneakers were admitted to the hospital less often, had lower inpatient care costs and had significant reduction in overall health care costs after only a year of participation.iii

There is growing recognition that the most effective solutions are based on collaborative efforts that help individuals, wherever they may be on the health continuum, avoid the next episode of care. Research has consistently demonstrated that SilverSneakers improves the health and well-being of participants through its unique combination of exercise and social support, said Ben R. Leedle, Jr., Healthways president and chief executive officer. Many of WellPoints affiliated plans have provided SilverSneakers access to eligible Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement members since 2003. By continuing to offer the SilverSneakers program, WellPoint has confirmed its commitment to providing time-tested, proven solutions to help improve not only the physical health of plan members, but also their overall well-being.

The SilverSneakers Fitness Program was founded in 1993 and serves more than 9 million eligible members. The Healthways fitness center network offers convenient access to more than 15,000 participating fitness and wellness facilities nationwide.

The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information, contact the plan. Benefits may change on Jan. 1 of each year. Limitations, co-payments and restrictions may apply. The SilverSneakers Fitness Program is provided by Healthways, Inc., an independent company. SilverSneakers is a registered mark of Healthways, Inc.

About Healthways

Healthways is the largest independent global provider of well-being improvement solutions. Dedicated to creating a healthier world one person at a time, the Company uses the science of behavior change to produce and measure positive change in well-being for our customers, which include employers, integrated health systems, hospitals, physicians, health plans, communities and government entities. We provide highly specific and personalized support for each individual and their team of experts to optimize each participants health and productivity and to reduce health-related costs. Results are achieved by addressing longitudinal health risks and care needs of everyone in a given population. The Company has scaled its proprietary technology infrastructure and delivery capabilities developed over 30 years and now serves approximately 40 million people on four continents. Learn more at http://www.healthways.com or http://www.silversneakers.com.

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WellPoint Affiliated Plans That Offer Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program Extend Contract

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09-10-2012 18:44 An Obscure Trick to Make All Workouts More Effective Here is something that should peak your interest... Harvard University researchers studied hotel cleaning attendants from numerous hotels. The hotel attendants were split into 2 groups Group 1 was informed about the benefits of exercise and told how many calories they were burning while doing their hotel cleaning work each day. They were told specifics about how many calories were burned changing sheets, vacuuming, and cleaning bathrooms per hour. To further reinforce the effect, they gave the attendants handouts showing the calories they were burning doing each activity. They were also shown a poster daily that reiterated how many calories they were burning. Group 2 was simply informed of the benefits of exercise, but not told how many calories they were burning doing their work, and were not told that their work actually constituted a good form of exercise. Both groups had their exercise, eating, smoking, and other habits noted before and during the study, as well as taking weigh-ins and health tests. The study was conducted for 4 weeks, and the hotel managers made sure that the workloads of both groups stayed the same. The results? Group 1, which was the more-informed group, ended up losing a significant amount of weight, lowering their body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio, and decreased their blood pressure. Group 2 showed none of these improvements. The only thing difference between the groups was that ...

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Make All Exercise Programs More Effective - Video

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FRIDAY, Oct. 12 (HealthDay News) -- Breast cancer survivors who believe in their ability to follow through with an exercise program are more likely to continue working out after their treatment ends, according to a new study.

Researchers from Oregon State University (OSU) pointed out that physical activity can reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence and said women can learn the skills needed to help them overcome barriers to regular exercise.

"We can teach breast cancer survivors how to enlist the support of others and how to identify exercise-related barriers, as well as provide proven strategies for them to overcome those barriers," the study's lead author, Paul Loprinzi, a former doctoral student at OSU who is now a faculty member at Bellarmine University, said in an OSU news release.

For the study, published in the October issue of Supportive Care in Cancer, the researchers examined what motivated 69 older breast cancer survivors to follow through on their workout regimen once their supervised exercise program ended.

The study revealed that women with greater confidence in their ability to follow through on their exercise program despite fatigue or other obstacles were much more likely to do so. Women with the most confidence were 10 percent more likely than others to still be physically active six months after their supervised program ended.

For breast cancer survivors, physical exercise can help ease common side effects of cancer treatment, such as fatigue, depression and lost muscle strength, the researchers noted.

"Especially important is minimizing weight gain after breast cancer treatment because excessive weight gain can increase the risk of developing reoccurring breast cancer," added Loprinzi.

Instructors who supervise exercise programs can help survivors develop confidence in their ability to continue working out on their own, the researchers said.

And cancer survivors make good instructors, another study author, Bradley Cardinal, professor of exercise science at OSU, said in the news release. "When people who lead the classes are cancer survivors themselves, this can help because they become a role model. Also, they can help prepare the participants for that time when they have to exercise on their own," he said.

Replacing a problem behavior with a positive one, such as taking a walk whenever stressed, is one strategy that can be effective, the study authors noted.

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'Believing' Propels Cancer Survivors to Exercise, Study Finds

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Published: Monday, October 15, 2012 at 9:53 p.m. Last Modified: Monday, October 15, 2012 at 9:53 p.m.

ST. PETERSBURG | Allison Kreiger's eating disorder started when she was just 13 and continued until she was a senior in high school. She didn't set out to lose weight, but to gain control over a life that felt out of control to a young girl.

KREIGER WALKSin a swimsuit on the stage during a rehearsal for the 2007 Miss America Pageant. (JAE C. HONG | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (2007))

Anorexia can cause dramatic weight loss, making it more visible. But Kreiger, who would go on to be crowned Miss Florida in 2006, started out with the binging and purging condition bulimia.

Her weight seemed stable until anorexia took over in her senior year. Kreiger, already slim, quickly dropped 30 pounds, making apparent the damage years of purging had caused. She lost much of her hair, her eyes were bloodshot from chronic vomiting, her teeth were corroded by stomach acid, her heart was weak.

"I am very lucky to be alive," says Kreiger, now 29, who is married, a new mother, and a recent law school graduate.

As Miss Florida, the Orlando resident adopted eating disorder awareness as her service platform. "It's a scary disease with a lot of shame," said Kreiger, "and eating disorders are rampant on school campuses everywhere."

Kreiger's advocacy continues at the University of Florida and her nonprofit organization, HOPE, Helping Other People Eat. She is on the board of the National Eating Disorders Association and is at its annual conference, through Saturday at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg.

Kreiger spoke this week about her work and her recovery.

Q. Why did your life feel so out of control at age 13?

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Eating Your Way Back to Health: Former Miss Florida Discusses Bulimia

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Founding company of MyNetDiary services aligns its brand identity

Cherry Hill, NJ (PRWEB) October 15, 2012

Our company has been entirely devoted to building MyNetDiary since day one, says Sergey Oreshko, CEO of (former) 4Technologies. As MyNetDiary continues to grow, now serving over 2.5 million members, it was time we streamline our brand identity to illustrate the heart of our business, which is providing the absolute best calorie tracker on the market, MyNetDiary.

MyNetDiary offers calorie counting and exercise tracking services online and through mobile apps available on iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry devices. Built on the guidelines of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, MyNetDiary helps members lose weight by tracking calories consumed and calories burned.

According to The American Journal of Preventative Medicine, people who keep a daily food journal lose more than twice as much weight as those who do not record their foods.

While our company name has changed, nothing about the quality and integrity of our services has, says Oreshko. We still have the top-rated mobile apps and online service backed by a strong and vibrant Community Forum, which is moderated by a Registered Dietitian, Katherine Isacks, MPS, RD, CDE.

MyNetDiary also recently launched a Diabetes Tracker service and app as part of its growing lineup of health tools.

To learn more about MyNetDiary or schedule an interview with MyNetDiarys CEO, Sergey Oreshko, visit http://www.mynetdiary.com or contact Marketing Director, Ryan Newhouse.

About MyNetDiary

Launched in 2007 and now with over 2.8 million members, MyNetDiary is a comprehensive, modern online and mobile weight loss service that helps members lose weight safely through calorie tracking while following American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics guidelines. MyNetDiary offers free and paid subscriptions that include personalized analysis of calorie and nutrient needs, assistance with target weight goals, access to personalized progress charts and a state-of-the-art Diabetes tracking service. MyNetDiary offers iPhone, iPad, Android, and BlackBerry apps for instant mobile tracking and has been featured in USA Today, NPR Morning Edition, Health Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Mac|Life and on Lifetime Network, NBC-TV and FOX 5 in DC.

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4Technologies Corporation Officially Renames to MyNetDiary Inc.

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Bariatric surgery program in Central North Carolina receives recognition for exceptional patient care.

Albemarle, NC (PRWEB) October 15, 2012

The 5 star recognition awarded by the PRC, validates years of patient focused hard work by the Stanly Surgical Weight Loss Center staff as well as those at Stanly Regional Medical Center with which the center is affiliated. A constant focus on patient comfort and the utmost in safety has made Stanly Surgical Weight Loss Center one of the premier bariatric surgery programs in Central North Carolina.

The Stanly Surgical Weight Loss Center offers two major bariatric surgery procedures the gastric sleeve also known as the sleeve gastrectomy and the gastric band commonly referred to by trade names Realize Band and Lap-Band. Each of these procedures have been proven effective in the long term fight against obesity and its related diseases. Indeed, hundreds of patients who have had surgery at our center have lost upwards of 80 percent of their excess body weight.

Bariatric surgery is currently the only long-term effective solution to obesity and its related diseases, including type II diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Many of these diseases are improved or resolved within days or weeks after the procedure is performed. Of course every surgical procedure comes with the degree of risk and patients considering bariatric surgery should attend a free weight-loss seminar held monthly at the Stanly Surgical Weight Loss Center office to learn more about the procedures available to them and what life after surgery entails.

We are very proud to receive this prestigious national award which is shared with each and every member of the Stanly Surgical Weight Loss Center staff, each of whom worked tirelessly to enhance our patients experiences. says Dr. Mallico. It is wonderful to be recognized for the hard work that makes our weight loss center so special, both in North Carolina and throughout the nation."

Free weight loss surgery seminars are available to those who may be interested in a weight loss surgery procedure. The center also offers comprehensive non-surgical medical weight loss program to those who may not be ideal candidates for surgery.

About Stanly Surgical Weight Loss Center

Stanly Surgical Weight Loss Center is a premiere bariatric surgery and medical weight loss program in central North Carolina affiliated with Stanly Regional Medical Center. The program offers gastric banding and gastric sleeve procedures for those suffering from obesity. Dr. Mallico, Medical Director of the weight loss program and Chief of Surgery at Stanly Regional Medical Center, has extensive experience in both general and bariatric surgery with over 150 procedures since 2010. The Stanly Surgical Weight Loss Center has transformed the lives of over 300 patients through patient-focused, effective surgical and non-surgical weight loss techniques.

Patti Shoe Stanly Surgical Weight Loss Center 704-982-0648 Email Information

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Stanly Surgical Weight Loss Center Receives 5 Star Patient Care Recognition

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Published: 9:32AM Monday October 15, 2012 Source: Fairfax

A Kiwi-inspired fitness craze sweeping through Germany has taken parts of the New Zealand haka and turned it into "Maori Tae Bo", which has academics and Maori authorities questioning its legitimacy.

The programme, called Aroha, is taught in more than 200 gyms throughout Germany, according to its website.

It was created by former Les Mills Germany fitness instructor Bernhard Jakszt , who said he "just finds the Maori culture so inspiring".

According to the website, Aroha is a mix of haka, kung fu and tai chi. The haka component apparently "demonstrates the extraordinary force that is slumbering within every human".

"Haka evokes the force in the middle, an inner centre, that leads to a general well being," the website says.

Jakszt has also trademarked the term Aroha - meaning love in Maori - and has used a number of koru patterns on associated merchandise.

Auckland man Reuben Hamill came across the site after his German father-in-law asked if he had heard of Aroha.

Hamill said after watching a promotional video on the site it was evident "this guy has taken a Maori work, used the German love of all things Kiwi and created some kind of fitness scam".

He said it could only be described as "Maori Tae Bo".

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Maori-inspired fitness craze sweeps Germany

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BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 15, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Body Bar(R) Inc., a premier fitness company specializing in products and educational tools for fitness enthusiasts of all ages and abilities, today announced Body Bar AquaFLEX. AquaFLEX is the same award-winning, versatile Body Bar FLEX, but modified for use in water fitness classes. The bar is very lightweight, flexible, and buoyant, plus its variable resistance adds to the natural resistance of the body's movement through the water for a very effective workout.

Created by MaryAnn Briggs, a Boulder, Colorado-based water fitness instructor and personal trainer, the AquaFLEX Program is an effective low-impact workout for developing muscular strength and endurance, core conditioning, and dynamic flexibility, as well as being a fun and unique way to exercise in the water. The AquaFLEX Workout is a series of 20 moves that can be incorporated into existing shallow or deep water fitness classes. The exercises are designed to target all major muscle groups and because most of the moves are compound in nature, functional fitness is enhanced and improved agility and coordination are a positive side effect. Performing these moves with standard water fitness traveling movements can increase the cardiovascular benefits.

The AquaFLEX Bar comes in three sizes:

BBFlex-10(AquaFLEX): 10 lbs of resistance, 48 inches in length, weighs 25 ounces

BBFlex-20(AquaFLEX): 20 lbs of resistance, 48 inches in length, weighs 27 ounces

BBFlex-40P(AquaFLEX): 40 lbs of resistance, 48 inches in length, weighs 36 ounces

Click here to see a brief video on the AquaFLEX Program.

"Our goal was to provide a unique and fun way to address muscular strength and endurance in the aquatic fitness environment, and that's what we did," commented Craig Williams, president and owner, Body Bar Inc. "We are proud to provide the AquaFLEX Program to water fitness instructors who want new ways to motivate and encourage their students."

About Body Bar Inc.

Founded in 1987, Body Bar(R) Inc. provides the infinite workouts and solid educational tools that fitness enthusiasts of all ages and abilities still choose after 24 years -- because they work. Body Bar Inc. provides quality products and innovative educational tools with a commitment to changing lives worldwide through functional fitness. We consider passion, integrity and fun to be essential elements of our content and community.

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Body Bar AquaFLEX Raises the Bar on Water Fitness

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A year and a half ago, Colli Bounds decided to "just do it." She started eating less, began to exercise and lost 138 pounds. Lesley Young Special to The Commercial Appeal

Colli Bounds' decision to lose weight may have come suddenly, but her method was one of slow deliberation.

"It was in April of 2011. I don't know why I started; I just one day didn't eat as much," Bounds, 34, of Memphis, said. "That led to the next day, which led to the next. It was a day-by-day process, much like any addiction."

After a few months of eating less, Bounds and a co-worker, Sonia Taylor, decided they would try their luck at the gym, and the two Church Health Center employees used the organization's Wellness Center.

"One day after work, we just got on the elliptical for 30 minutes," Bounds said. "I was dying by the time I got out of there. We both realized how bad of shape we were in."

Not giving in, Bounds used her colleague's determination to maintain her own drive.

"I'd be looking at her and she at me, and if the other one was still breathing, we'd keep going," she said.

Having a workout buddy not only kept Bounds on track, but it also inspired her to bump up her workout.

"I looked over one day, and she was jogging," Bounds said. "I'm a very competitive person, and we were in this together, so I was like, 'If you run, I'm going to run.' I started jogging very slowly," Bounds said.

Bounds experienced a few roadblocks along the way, including an exercise-induced asthma diagnosis and knee and ankle problems, but she managed to get back on track and maintain her workout and lose more than 100 pounds.

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Success Story: Road to fitness paved with determination, and help from workout buddy

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Beth Johnston knew she needed to lose weight, but finding time to exercise and prepare healthy meals was difficult.

A single mother of two who works two jobs, Johnston was constantly on the go.

"I'd be going from one job to the other, and many times I would just grab a pizza for me and the kids," said Johnston, 43.

Her weight gradually increased over the years. By January, Johnston weighed more than 245 pounds. The extra weight was taking a toll on the Conneautville resident.

"I was tired a lot and my blood-sugar and cholesterol levels were higher than they should have been," said Johnston, who works in Erie at the Consultants in Cardiovascular Diseases office at Saint Vincent Health Center. "I have high blood pressure and I also have heart disease, diabetes and cancer in my family, so I worried about my health."

A story in Saint Vincent's newsletter grabbed Johnston's attention.

It promoted Drop 10 in 10, a 10-week weight-loss and education program sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Determined to do something about her weight, Johnston and a co-worker joined Drop 10 in 10.

"Each class is a combination of education and exercise," said Ashlee Rzyczycki, HealthyU coordinator and class instructor at Saint Vincent. "We learn how to read nutrition labels, how to prepare healthy meals, and we make sure we do some physical activity in each class."

Johnston started to make changes to her everyday routine.

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Highmark program helps Crawford County woman drop 75 pounds

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