jog40s

I have another blog in chattergarden.com. It is part of the assignment of my study in Master of Journalism in University of Hong Kong. Plesae take a look.

My latest entry is about Wikipedia's founder Jimmy Wales's response to comments on the trustworthy and quality of the Wikipedia.

My photos are in flickr.com.

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Study: Walking As Good As Jogging
By NATALIE GOTT
Associated Press Writer

October 26, 2005, 2:13 PM EDT

RALEIGH, N.C. -- There's no need to run. Just going for a brisk walk -- in the park, around the block or on a treadmill -- may be enough to help keep your heart healthy, a small study suggests.

The study, which indicates roughly two to three hours of mild exercise a week at a moderate intensity can significantly cut the risk of cardiovascular disease, supports earlier research.

The findings may encourage people who are reluctant to exercise, said Brian Duscha, the lead author of the research published in the October issue of the journal Chest.

"The classic question always is: What's the minimum amount I need to do to enjoy the benefits of it," Duscha said. "If you just walk 12 miles a week at a brisk pace, it's scientifically proven now that you will get some benefits."

The conclusions are based on a study at Duke University Medical Center of 133 middle-aged overweight sedentary men and women who were at risk for heart disease.

Broken into four groups, the volunteers either did not exercise, walked briskly for 12 miles a week at a moderate intensity, walked briskly or jogged slowly 12 miles a week at a vigorous intensity, or jogged 20 miles a week at a vigorous intensity.

The researchers studied two measurements of fitness -- time to exhaustion and oxygen consumption. The better shape a person is in, the more oxygen can be consumed and used, Duscha said.

All the exercise groups saw fitness improvements. And when the two groups that walked 12 miles at differing intensity levels were compared, there wasn't a significant difference in peak oxygen consumption. There was an improvement for those who jogged vigorously 20 miles a week, an indication that the amount of exercise can be important.

As to the exercising volunteers' minimal weight loss -- an average of 3 pounds over the eight-month study period -- Duscha said that didn't matter. People who don't exercise and maintain the same diet will gain up to 4 pounds a year, according to an earlier analysis of the same study participants.

Even if you think you aren't gaining any benefits because you aren't losing weight, "don't stop exercising," Duscha said.

Dr. Robert Eckel, president of the American Heart Association, said the study supports what already is known: Moderate activity is certainly better than no activity. But, he noted that "even being more fit may have a better outcome long-term."

A large study based on medical records and questionnaires of more than 40,000 men middle-aged men a few years ago also suggested moderate exercise helps the heart.

Dave Brady, manager of Hyde Park Gym in Austin, Texas, said the findings from the Duke study weren't new but "absolutely right on." Walking 12 miles a week is a good start for people who are overweight and haven't done any exercise, he said.

"If people would just start walking they will get some type of benefit," said Brady.

I wonder why so many HK reporters, editors and commentors did not critically think about the appointment of Mr Wong Yan-lung as the Secretary of Justice(SJ). Is Mr wong the best person to fill the post provided that Mr Donald Tsang, as he told the media, did not approach another candidate ? Does Mr Wong has enough experience and knowledge to handle his work and manage the Legal Deparmtment? What are his outstanding achievements in the legal profession?

My quick conclusion is that Mr Tsang's decision to appointment Mr Wong is for his own benefits. He wants to demonstrate that he possesses the breadth of mind that a politician should have, and he still gains confidience of the Central governemnt.

If Mr Tsang's decision is interpretated using the individual values and beliefs approach, when another Principle Officiers leaves the government, Mr Tsang will very likely pick someone from the grassroot again.

Mr Wong is 41, has practiced for 18 years. He has never been elected as chairperson or vice-chairperson of the Bar Association. Everyone knows he is lack of the kind of seniority in the profession; he has relative limited experience in litigation.

Mr Tsang said he was "very much impressed by his[Mr Wong] commitment to the rule of law, to the legal profession and to Hong Kong.” He believed that Mr Wong, with his patriotism, gentle and upright disposition as well as professional expertise and reputation, would competently fulfil the role of Secretary for Justice.

How many barristers in HK satisfy these criteria? Many, many better than Mr Wong. To name one is Alan Leong Kah-kit, SC, Legislative councilor; I think he is better than Mr Wong. I had an personal interview with him two years ago, he is very very very smart.

Ronny Tom Ka-wa, SC, Legislative councilor, said quite frankly when he was asked to comment on Mr Wong's appointment. Ronny worried about Mr Wong could not managed the Legal Department effectively, sepecially the senior counsels in the Department.

One more point I want to mention here is Mr Andrew Kwok-nang Li's, the Chief Justice, statement to the outgoing SJ, Ms Elsie Leung. He said: "The last eight years have been formative and momentous years for the HKSAR under 'one country, two systems'. During this period, Ms Leung has served with selfless dedication. Her important contribution to the rule of law and her great respect for the independence of the Judiciary should be fully recognised."

I think Mr Li's remarks on Ms Leung's contribution to the rule of law is not just being polite.

Everyone knows Ms Leung made a mistake to not to charge Ally Aw Sian, the then Hongkong Standard and Sunday Standard proprietor, in 1998. The question of seeking the NPC to interpretate the Basic Law during the right of abode issue is debatable. I always think that we cannot handle legal issues in HK without considering the legal sysytem of Mainland China, that is, put HK's common law system in Chinese legal system perspectives.

updated: 2005-10-12

It is about cleaners health. I think a good photo essay should have a main theme or "angle". These women take care of the hygiene of the our building; but who take care their health. I talked to one cleaner and she said nobody told her or teach why and how to wear a mask. The situation is a bit the same for the street cleaners.

I view a photo essay in a MSNBC, called the Aging in America. I love it - I think a good photo essay should tell people what the society is really about.

The story: Nobody, in a multi-storey building, wants their garbage doors being opened. But someone opens the door twice a day and collects those we discarded. They are the Cleaners. They live with us. A cleaner told me that she began to clean my building interiors four years ago. She said she decided to wear the mask by herself; no one, including her employer and staffs of the management office of the building, told her to wear a mask. She works more than 50 hours a week; she said she was healthy. Street cleaners keep streets and public areas free of litter and rubbish. A street cleaner of a subcontractor of the Food and Environment Hygiene Department told me that she refused to wear a mask becasue it made her uncomfortable, though her boss and officials from the Labour Department had teached her why and how to wear a mask.

There is no comprehensive survey on the health conditions of the street cleaners and cleaners of residential buildings in Hong Kong. According to a recent study in Bangkok by the Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, behavior risk factors are highly prevalent in the street cleaners since most of them come from the lower socio-economic class. The risk factors include alcohol drinking and smoking habits. Futher investigation are being undertaken to study the after-effects of air pollutin among this group of workers. Someone should take care those who care for us.

How life really can begin at 40: Ten easy steps to a healthier life
Men's Health Magazine, May 2001

Over 40 does not have to mean over the hill. Even though your body might not be as firm and fit as it once was, there are easy ways to hold on to your health. Small changes now, whatever age you are, can make a huge difference in later life.

Men's Health has brought out a one-off magazine, MH 40+, free with the June issue. Lee Kynaston, Deputy Editor of Men's Health, says: "This magazine could be the key to giving every man over 40 a better, longer and more fulfilling life. All it takes are a few simple changes to your diet, lifestyle and fitness regime. Best of all, they're changes you can make whatever your age and fitness level."

It's never too late to make a difference. Here are ten ways to get started:

1. Don't pass the salt

Changing to lower-salt bread and reducing your intake of salt-laden foods (burgers, sausages, ham, bacon, savoury snacks, salted butter and ready meals), could cut your salt intake in half and reduce the risk of strokes and heart disease.

2. Take long lunches

A French study revealed that cholesterol levels soared in men who ate in stressed conditions, compared to those who ate in calmer environments.

3. Splash on the ketchup

A chemical in the humble tomato, lycopene, protects against prostate cancer - and it's most concentrated in ketchup and tomato puree. Tomatoes may also help you fight heart disease, thanks to a bloodclot-reducing substance called P3.

4. Take a hike

...Or a brisk walk. A recent study has found that brisk walking at four miles an hour for 30 minutes, three or four times a week, significantly lowered the risk of adult-onset diabetes.

5. Eat more fruit

You've heard it all before, but a daily shot of fruit really can lengthen your life, according to a 17-year study of 10,000 people. Fresh fruit was found to have the greatest effect on longevity, mainly due to its cancer-fighting properties.

6. Avoid Liquorice All-Sorts for a healthy sex life

Cutting out liquorice can maintain your libido. A study in Italy discovered that a substance called glycyrhizic acid, found in liquorice, can cause your testosterone levels to drop by as much as 44%.

7. Kick the habit

Smoking is the leading cause of cancer - full stop. And for every week you smoke, you lose a day of life, so the sooner you quit the better. Your lungs, heart, and libido will all benefit - as will your wallet.

8. Shed a few pounds

Simple health equation: reduce your weight and you'll reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and high blood pressure. And it's never too late to start exercising: a study of British men over 40 found that starting moderate exercise, even in late middle age, played a major role in cutting the risk of coronary heart disease.

9. Watch your cholesterol

Cut the amount of saturated fat you eat and you'll cut your heart disease risk by up to 30%. Easiest way to do this? Go easy on red meat and dairy produce.

10. Be positive

With a long-term US study of more than 1,000 men revealing that optimists live longer than pessimists, it's time to ditch the Victor Meldrew impression and start looking forward to what could be the best years of your life.