In The NEWS

Shortly after graduating from high school, I started practicing meditation and creative visualization. In fact, my love of these activities lead me to study psychology in college and become somewhat of a "meditation & motivational book" junkie.

There's no doubt about it, when I consistently mediate - using methods of creative visualization, prayer by concentrating on a positive outcomes -or just spend time alone concentrating on things that evoke feelings of happiness, my life goes better and/or I'm more capable of dealing with the "curve balls of life."

In the news, US News & Work Report is reporting that researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital's Benson-Henry Institute are finding that stress genes are reversed by relaxation techniques, thereby proving that the mind and body are integrally connected.

For all of us who have been practicing yoga, mediation, positive thinking and deep prayer, these findings are bittersweet - because there's nothing new being reported here. Many religions and cultures, have been claiming the benefits of practicing these techniques for thousands of years. Yet, the net effect of scientific research can only benefit all us by further opening the door to alternative treatment methods, so that they can be combined with Western medicine.

New to meditation, then try Meditation For Dummies (Book and CD edition)

BBC America's "You Are What You Eat" is an excellent motivational tool for anyone interested in health and fitness. The shows host, Gillian McKeith, is a holistic nutritionist who follows a fairly standard formula for re-teaching people how to eat.

I don't want to give away too much about the show -but the formula works, "for those people that work the formula." The first segment features a subject's unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits. Then enter Gillian McKeith, who does some brow beating, refrigerator cleaning and clinical evaluating, which is then followed by a tailored program of healthy eating and exercise. Almost all the subjects are reluctant at first. However, when they see initial results, they stick with the formula. If you're paying attention - that's the secret is to all effective health & fitness programs: seeing initial and tangible results, which then feed the motivational fire to continue.

For show times visit the BBC America Website

As a kid, I watched my grandmother physically deteriorate, until she finally gave up. In spite of her illness my grandmother was responsible for introducing me to health and fitness. She advised me to avoid sugar, not smoke and get some exercise. I think this is good advice for anyone - and as I read today's headlines about diabetes being on the rise, I am reminded of her advice and her struggle with diabetes.

The CDC is reporting 24 million cases with almost 60 million more in the "pre-diabetic" phase. What we're talking about is the potential for 25% of the population to eventually be diabetic. Of course, many news sources are also reporting on the correlation between the obesity epidemic in America and diabetes.

Are you motivated yet? I know I am, especially since diabetes runs in my family; not only did my grandmother have diabetes, her mother (my paternal great-grandmother) also had it. What's even more odd about my grandmother's case, is that her disease didn't onset until she was 50!

My family history of diabetes has been a motivator for me. There have been times when it stopped me from having a second helping of birthday cake or another handful of candy. I hope today's CDC's headlines prove to be just as effective a motivator for health and fitness as my family history.

June 25,2008 Mike Ferrantino