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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Jan 14, 2013
January 14, 2013
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Food and Nutrition:
Are you one of those poor souls having trouble keeping that New Year's resolution to drop the pounds? Take heart --you're not alone! Losing weight is difficult and a little misinformation can ruin chances your success. The diet gurus over at EatingWell magazine discovered three myths that may be sabotaging your hard work!
1. Myth #1 --It Doesn't Matter What Time You Eat Dinner. New research shows that mice who ate an early dinner then went on a 16-hour fast are slimmer than rodents that consume the same amount of calories around the clock. Researchers suspect the long time between meals allows the body to process food differently. If that's not enough, people who chow down late at night tend to eat more and have increased triglyceride levels, which can increase your chance of suffering a heart attack or stroke.
2. Myth #2 --A Calorie is Just a Calorie. Pediatric oncologist DR. ROBERT LUSTIG says certain calories are "higher quality" and low-sugar, high-fiber foods cause less blood sugar peaks, less insulin release and less weight gain.
3. Myth #3 --Eating Multiple, Small Meals Each Day is Best for Weight Loss. The theory that noshing the day away to curb your appetite is great if you love to eat, but not backed up by a lot of research. A new study shows that dieters who followed a low-calorie diet had the same amount of appetite and hunger whether they had a solid breakfast, lunch and dinner or six mini meals. (Lee)Jumping on the bandwagon:
Warning: Note sexual content!
A fitness guru in New York bases her workout classes on the risqué bestseller 50 Shades of Grey.
According to the New York Daily News, KRISTEN JAMES named her class "50 Shapes of Grey." Workouts include 13 different "sexercises," like "bend-over-better," "seductive squat," and "sexy scissors" (video). James claims the workouts will make people lean and strong and better in the sack. (Still)Riding on the smaller, special bus:
If you didn't ride a train over the weekend, you probably missed out on the 12th annual No Pants Subway Ride.
CNews has the story (and photos) of the event, which is observed worldwide. In fact, it's known as the Trouser-Free Tube Ride in England. People of all ages boarded public transportation wearing nothing but underwear Sunday. The No Pants Subway Ride originated in New York City back in 2002, and has since spread to over 60 cities, including London, Berlin, Paris, Sydney, and Shanghai. (Still)Movies that will suck:
Warning --note content:
No big surprise here --Reuters says Vivid Entertainment, which produces various adult films, has sued Los Angeles County over a new law that forces porn actors to wear condoms.
At the (ahem) heart of the suit is their claim that the law is an infringement on the actors' First Amendment rights. I can see hands being raised in the back about exactly which protected right that would be: it's apparently an unconstitutional prior restraint on "freedom of expression."
The law --Measure B, which was approved by voters this past fall-- also requires adult film makers to obtain a permit that requires all principals and management-level employees to undergo blood-borne pathogen training.
The porn film maker also claims the cost of such training is driving the movie business out of LA.Broadcast, cable and video news:
LANCE ARMSTRONG will make his expected doping admission today during an interview with OPRAH WINFREY.
An anonymous insider tells USA Today that Armstrong will not discuss specific events but will confess that he took illegal drugs throughout his cycling career to boost his performance, despite years of denials and attacks on his accusers.
The interview gets taped today and airs Thursday on the Oprah Winfrey Network, and, according to the Hollywood Reporter, will be simulcast on Discovery channels across the globe, as well as the Internet. The move raises a host of potential legal and financial issues for Armstrong, which might explain why he'll go light on the details.
Editor's note: An even better interview would be if Oprah could talk to all of Armstrong's self-righteous defenders from all these years. (Maiman)The depiction of violence in the media is as big a concern as "easy access to guns," according to a brand-new national study surveying parents on the main contributors to America's culture of violence.
Common Sense Media and the Center for American Progress found that 77 percent of parents blame the media --especially violence on TV and in movies and video games-- as the primary factor vs. 75 percent who cited easy access to guns.
Most (75 percent) said it's difficult to "shield" their children from violence, and most believe better controls need to be adopted for both guns and media violence.
The study surveyed 1,050 parents with children 18 years or younger. (Kaye) -
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