This was originally featured on AOL Health and was written by Deborah R. Huso

Diet Cola

If you think you’re doing yourself a favor by drinking diet soda instead of the real deal, think again. It’s true you may be protecting your waistline from empty calories, but new research suggests you may be beating up your kidneys instead.

Over the weekend, researchers from the Nurse’s Health Study  in Boston released findings that indicate women who drink two or more diet sodas a day experienced a 30 percent drop in kidney function over the course of a two decades long study. More than 3,000 women participated in the study, the median age being 67. Lead researcher Julie Lin, MD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a physician at Brigham Women’s Hospital says the outcomes were especially startling because the women surveyed all had health kidney function at the start of the research.

After critically analyzing the beverage intake of study participants, researchers found those who drank two or more diet sodas daily had a significant dip in the kidneys’ glomerular filtration rate, which measures kidney function. Natural aging generally results in a decreased filtration rate of about 1 mL per minute per year after age 40. In contrast, the rate of those who consumed diet soda significantly decreased by 3mL per minute per year. The study showed no link between decreased kidney function and other beverages or any decreased function in women who had less than two diet sodas a day.

This doesn’t mean your kidneys are safe, however, if you opt for regular sodas. A study published earlier this year in PLoS ONE, a journal of the Public Library of Science showed that women drinking two or more cans of regular soda a day are nearly twice as likely to suffer from early signs of kidney disease as non-soda drinkers. Researchers don’t understand the cause for certain but suspect it has to do with the intake of large amounts of high fructose corn syrup.

With some 26 million Americans suffering from chronic kidney disease, it’s obviously become a national health problem. While studies to date on the relationship between kidney function and soda (diet or regular) have been small, they add more fuel to the fire for cutting soda intake, even if you’re a diet drinker. When it comes to your health, water is always the best beverage.

Definitely some food for thought. Even drinking diet soda a few times a week seems to be a poor choice. If you’re serious about changing your diet and appearance consider becoming part of our team. Nutritional consulting is included (at no extra charge) with all our adult programs.

Karate World – Proud to offer Martial Arts, Fitness, Nutrition & Personal Development to individuals and families in New Providence NJ, Berkeley Heights NJ, Chatham NJ, Stirling NJ, Gillette NJ, Summit NJ, Union County NJ, Morris County NJ and all surrounding areas.

P.S. Visit our website at http://www.BeginKarate.com to learn about our Academy and our programs.

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This is an amusing commercial from a few years back. If you’re old enough to know who Arnold from Happy Days is, you’ll get a kick out of it.

Karate World – Proud to offer Martial Arts, Fitness, & Personal Development to individuals and families in New Providence NJ, Berkeley Heights NJ, Chatham NJ, Stirling NJ, Gillette NJ, Summit NJ, Union County NJ, Morris County NJ and all surrounding areas.

P.S. Visit our website at http://www.BeginKarate.com to learn about our Academy and our programs.

Thai Kickboxing Demonstration

Photo courtesy of Mrs. Randazzo

We had an AWESOME demonstration at the New Providence Street Fair on Sunday. Many thanks to our Team for their dedication to our program and their hard work.

Karate World – Proud to offer Martial Arts, Fitness, & Personal Development to individuals and families in New Providence NJ, Berkeley Heights NJ, Chatham NJ, Stirling NJ, Gillette NJ, Summit NJ, Union County NJ, Morris County NJ and all surrounding areas.

P.S. Visit our website at http://www.BeginKarate.com to learn about our Academy and our programs.

Sweep The Leg! 

This is a music video for a song called, “Sweep The Leg!” by a band called No More Kings. It’s a humorous take on where Johnny from the Cobra Kai Dojo has ended up 20 years after his role in “The Karate Kid.”

If you are a fan of The Karate Kid movies you will get a kick out of this! Many of the same actors from the movie make an appearance including a cameo by Ralph Macchio (Daniel San himself!).

Interestingly, the video was written and directed by William Zabka (the actor who played Johnny in the Karate Kid). The song is by Pete Mitchell & Neil Robins. Enjoy! 

Karate World – Proud to offer Martial Arts, Fitness, & Personal Development to individuals and families in New Providence NJ, Berkeley Heights NJ, Chatham NJ, Stirling NJ, Gillette NJ, Summit NJ, Union County NJ, Morris County NJ and all surrounding areas.

P.S. Visit our website at http://www.BeginKarate.com to learn about our Academy and our programs.

Thai Kickboxing at Karate World: Release your stress in a healthy way.

Heavy Weight Advice For Teens

Below is a link to Mr. John Graden’s Article entitled, “HEAVY WEIGHT ADVICE FOR TEENS.”

Check out Mr. Graden’s article here:  http://www.teenfitnessconnection.org/tfn/mma.php#

Karate World – Martial Arts for Life has been a proud charter member of Mr. Graden’s Martial Arts Teachers’ Association since 2005.

Please contact us with any questions or for a FREE Introductory Program and to find out about SUMMER SPECIALS starting at just $99! Call us at 908.464.2836.

Karate World – Martial Arts for Life

The Village Shopping Center, 1260 Springfield Ave., New Providence, NJ 07974

Proud to offer Martial Arts, Life Skills, Fitness Training to children, teens, and families in New Providence NJ, Berkeley Heights NJ, Chatham NJ, Stirling NJ, Gillette NJ, Summit NJ, Union County NJ, Morris County NJ and all surrounding areas.

P.S. Visit our website at http://www.BeginKarate.com to learn about our Academy and our programs.

Women's Personal Protection - Live Seminar!

On Thursday, June 18th, Karate World will host a personal safety workshop for women ages 16 and up. Participants will learn how to defend themselves against common attacks, how to handle other real world self-defense scenarios, and how to recognize “The Five Stages of Violent Crime.” This workshop will be especially valuable for the college bound. The event will be held from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. Our live seminar is offered free of charge, but you must register to reserve your spot.

The “Five Stages of Violent Crime” is an internationally recognized pattern in abusive and violent act scenarios. These Five Stages are processes that take time to develop. The actual attack or assault is not the first step in a violent act. Three preliminary steps always occur before an act of violence and two steps follow – Intent, Interview and Positioning, then the Attack and the victim’s Response.

Karate World’s seminar is designed to teach women how to eliminate the violent scenario before it happens, to avert the crime altogether. Unlike a purely self-defense based approach to personal safety and protection, our seminar is designed to develop effective strategies to avoid the likelihood of the violent act occurring in the first place.

According to Karate World co-owner Michelle Brugger, “Our goal is to empower women by teaching them how to recognize and avoid dangerous situations. We realize that not everybody has the time to participate in a Martial Arts program, but everyone can benefit from being well-informed and knowing how to respond in a potentially dangerous scenario.”

Karate World instructors are certified by The National Security Alliance’s Kid-Safe & Women-Safe Network. These networks are non-profit organizations that provide free safety and danger awareness seminars, fairs and family workshops across the United States and Canada designed to educate parents, educators and citizens about the dangers women and children face every day.

Space is limited so please contact Karate World at (908) 464 – 2836 to register for the free event. You can also register online at www.BeginKarate.com/Defend

Karate World is located in The Village Shopping Center, 1260 Springfield Avenue, New Providence, NJ.

Can’t make it to our live seminar? If you would like to schedule a Women’s Personal Protection Seminar for a community organization or group, please contact us.

Whether you’re a fan of Bruce Lee, Kung Fu, or Martial Arts in general – this program (brought to you by the History Channel) is a must see! Did you know that Bruce Lee was the founding father of “Mixed Martial Arts”? Check your local listings!

Karate World – Martial Arts for Life

The Village Shopping Center, 1260 Springfield Ave., New Providence, NJ 07974

Proud to offer Martial Arts & Fitness training to New Providence NJ, Berkeley Heights NJ, Chatham NJ, Stirling NJ, Gillette NJ, Summit NJ, Union County NJ, Morris County NJ and all surrounding areas.

P.S. You may also visit our website at http://www.BeginKarate.com

Shape up for Summer!

 2009 Summer “Shape – Up” Specials at Karate World

If you’d like to try something new to get in shape this summer, consider our Thai Kickboxing Program. We have programs that start at just $99 and your FIRST LESSON IS ALWAYS FREE!

- Your muscles will be toned and tight. Your clothes will fit you better. We strive to develop not just the type of body you can show off at the beach – but the kind of body you can use. You’ll have power, but you won’t be slow or bulky.

- You will quickly notice an improvement in your level of energy and mental focus.

- Sculpt, chisel, and create functional muscles that you’ve never had before, even from weights.

- You will get an incredibly complete, intense workout in less than 1/2 the time of a traditional strength training workout. Finally, more time to enjoy life.

- It’s a great way to get in your exercise if you’re trying to lower your blood pressure AND it’s also easy enough to follow for someone who hasn’t worked out in 20 years

…The choice is yours. You can either waste your time in some overcrowded class at the gym and throw thousands of random punches with no rhyme or reason OR…you can accomplish two things at once – fitness and ingrained self-defense techniques!

Give us a call and try our program for FREE! No strings attached. Mention that you read our Blog and you will also receive a complimentary nutritional consultation!

We have limited space available for motivated men and women. Call NOW to reserve your spot! 908.464.2836

Karate World – Martial Arts for Life

The Village Shopping Center, 1260 Springfield Ave., New Providence, NJ 07974

Proud to offer Martial Arts, Kickboxing, Personal Improvement and Self Defense to individuals and families in New Providence NJ, Berkeley Heights NJ, Chatham NJ, Stirling NJ, Gillette NJ, Summit NJ, Union County NJ, Morris County NJ and all surrounding areas.

P.S. Visit our website at http://www.BeginKarate.com to learn more about our Academy and our programs.

A Nutritional Formula for Success

First, you need to speak with your physician before making any changes to your eating habits. It’s very important that you take the appropriate measures to ensure that you eat a balanced and nutritionally balanced diet at all times.

As you most likely know, being fit and trim has as much to do with what you eat as it does how often you work out. Exercising can make you stronger and help your cardiovascular, skeletal and respiratory systems, but it may not be enough to help you lose unwanted fat and inches. The following is a strategy and basic diet plan that may help you achieve the weight and body fat composition that will make you look as good as you feel!

First things first! Throw away or donate any foods in your house that contain excessive sugar, saturated fat or are generally unhealthy! Basically, all the unhealthy snack foods must go. This step is not optional! If you don’t take this step, you’re unlikely to take the next ones!

Step two: Have a meal, as described below and immediately go grocery shopping (on a full stomach). Purchase the foods that will help you cook or create the meals described in the diet plan. Choose foods that will contribute to a well-balanced meal plan.

Step three: Weigh yourself ad take your waist and thigh measurements and write them down in a journal that you will keep next to your scale. Do this every morning prior to your shower. Weighing yourself and taking your measurements daily will keep you focused on your goal. Obviously we cannot expect daily changes in your measurements, but doing this ritual every day will keep you focused on your goal. This step is not optional and is critical to your success! Again, if you don’t take this step, you’re highly unlikely to do the next. There will be daily fluctuations, however, by the end of each week you should finish closer to your goal.

Here’s the Plan:

Morning 6 am – 10 am: lLow fat, low sugar yogurt, one serving fresh fruit, hot beverage with no cream or sugar (artifical sweeteners are acceptable).

Afternoon 12 pm – 2 pm: Roll-up “wrap” sandwich (turkey, chicken, beef, tuna are all fine). Salt and pepper to taste and a hot beverage with no cream or sugar (artificial sweeteners are acceptable). Lettuce and tomato or a similar vegetable is fine.

Late afternoon 4 pm – 5 pm: Low fat yogurt and a hot beverage or a serving of fresh fruit or even a small salad with low fat dressing will do.

Dinner 7 pm – 9 pm: One serving of green leafy salad with carrots and cucumbers and low fat dressing, One portion (the size of your palm) of steak or chicken or fish or pork or similar (grilled with salt and pepper to taste) and a green vegetable (no butter), salt and pepper to taste.

Late Night 10 pm – 12 am: If you’re hungry, yogurt or fruit or oatmeal with artificial sweetener.

Drink a glass of sparkling water (or tap water) with every meal and as much bottled water or hot beverages as you like all day.

If at any point you feel weak, irritable or dizzy, add an additional portion of yogurt, fruit or protein.

Expect to lose 2-3 pounds per week with this plan. If you lose more or less, adjust your intake to achieve these results.

If you have any pre-existing conditions or are on any type of medication, please check with your physician prior to following this meal plan. Remember to check with your Health Professional prior to beginning this or any meal plan.

Please contact us with any questions or for a FREE Introductory Lesson contact us 908.464.2836. You may also visit our website at http://www.BeginKarate.com

Karate World – Martial Arts for Life

The Village Shopping Center, 1260 Springfield Ave., New Providence, NJ 07974

Proud to offer Martial Arts, Kickboxing and Fitness training in New Providence NJ, Berkeley Heights NJ, Chatham NJ, Stirling NJ, Gillette NJ, Summit NJ, Union County NJ, Morris County NJ and all surrounding areas.

P.S. Visit our website at http://www.BeginKarate.com to learn about our 21-Day Rapid Results Kickboxing Program.