Musings of a Madman

Jamaican Usain Bolt is making his case for being the greatest sprinter of all-time at the World Athletics Championships in Germany. In addition to his enormous talent, there are many other facets to the young runner’s personality.

Who exactly is Usain Bolt? The facts are easy. He is from Jamaica, 1.96 meters tall, has a charismatic smile and celebrated his 23rd birthday Friday. And in his last five major finals going back to the Olympics, he has won five gold medals and set five world records.

On first impression, Bolt may seem to be a show-off. He smiles at the television cameras, sticks out his tongue with antic poses and hand gestures, strikes his “lightning bolt” pose, and tells reporters that he is on his way “to being a legend.”

He can take another step in that direction Saturday when the Jamaican four-by-100 relay team is expected to give Bolt a chance for his sixth straight gold. But then another side of Bolt becomes apparent. The team must qualify Friday, and despite being the favorites, Bolt told VOA Sports he respects all of his competitors and takes nothing for granted.  Continue reading…

Alcohol is largely to blame for an “alarming” rise in the rate of oral cancers among men and women in their forties, say experts.

Numbers of cancers of the lip, mouth, tongue and throat in this age group have risen by 26% in the past decade.

Alcohol consumption has doubled since the 1950s and is the most likely culprit alongside smoking, says Cancer Research UK.

Each year in the UK around 1,800 people die from the disease. Read more…

HOW TO EXERCISE
Make a commitment to invest at least four hours per week to exercise. Aim for 30-60 minute workouts 3 times per week to support a healthy body and mind. As soon as you feel your enthusiasm decreasing, try a different activity. Team up with a friend. Having a buddy who is committed to a fitness strategy will keep you motivated and increase your chances of success. To achieve a toned, hard-body look, try adding at least two hours a week of free-weight or weight-machine training to your aerobic routine. Lean muscle weighs more than fat, so pay less attention to scales. Exercising in the morning will encourage calorie burning and energy all day long and exercising before meals helps reduce your appetite.

WHICH EXERCISE IS BEST?
Cardiovascular exercises such as jogging, rollerblading, bike riding and basketball stimulates your entire body, encouraging circulation, stamina, heart and lung health, lymphatic drainage and more. It can also help to enhance your mood and focus.  Weight-training exercise increases lean muscle mass. Muscle tissue burns calories for energy so the greater amount of muscle tissue you have, the more calories you can burn.

Example Week For Advanced Fitness Level:
Monday: 45 min run before breakfast
Tuesday: 1 and half hour spin class
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 30 min elliptical machine, free weights and 30 squats
Friday: 30 min run before dinner
Saturday: 1 hour playing basketball
Sunday: Rest