U3A

Monday 3rd November 2014
– Shoreline Series 2 : Episode 13 of 14
Elephant Coast
Artificial Reefs and Rock Pools are investigated,
Wetlands, Estuaries and Crocodiles in abundance
10H00 at Formosa Garden Village Lounge
Co-ordinator: Christo Vlok 044-533-5155

Tuesday 4th November 2014
– Italian Conversation
09H45 at 12 Challenge Drive
Co-ordinator: Brenda Hardy 044-533-5489

Wednesday 5th November 2014
– Norman Rockwell
The 20th century painter and illustrator, most famous
for his work for The Saturday Evening Post, that
brilliantly reflected the life and culture of America
10H00 at Formosa Garden Village Lounge
Co-ordinator: Lynette Timme 044-535-9041

Wednesday 5th November 2014
– U3A Plett Social Bridge Club
General lessons for improving players, help
and supervised Bridge in a friendly atmosphere
13H30 at the Angling Club
Co-ordinator: Michael Webb 082-226-7280

Friday 7th November 2014
– French Conversation
10H00 Meet at 7 Glennifer Street
Co-ordinator: Merle Decot 044-533-5879

Friday 7th November 2014
– Mah-jong
Learn and play this ancient and fascinating game
13H30 at Formosa Garden Village Small Dining Room
Co-ordinator: Amelia White 044-533-0113

The Fit 5: Common Fitness Myths

1) True or False: Spot Reduction
Where you lose weight on your body is purely genetic and can’t be encouraged.

“True. Unfortunately, when you train and diet to lose fat, you have little to no control over where it comes off most or in what proportions. Your body has certain genetically pre-determined sites that it likes to store fat (it’s often around the belly for men and the thighs or triceps for women), and if you store a lot of fat in these areas it may seem like you’re not losing any even though you know you’re getting leaner. Stay the course and eventually things should even out.”

2) True or False: Creatine Dependency
If you take creatine, you will have to take it for the rest of your life because your body will stop producing it.
“False. Your body may slow its natural creatine production since you’re providing it with supplementation, but this will reverse if you stop supplementing. There are no known adverse effects to discontinuing creatine use.”
3) True or False: Sweat and Muscle Growth Does sweating profusely have an effect on muscle growth?

” False. The amount you sweat is in no way a sign of how quickly or slowly your muscles are growing. More muscle mass means a faster metabolism and your body temperature will rise more quickly with activity, but ultimately sweat isn’t a sign of anything other than your body being overheated.”
4) True or False: Leg Extension Exercise Injuries
Leg extension machines are the most destructive, range limiting exercise equipment you can use for your legs because, as the angle at the knee gets closer to 90 degrees, the weight is only supported by ligaments and meniscus compression. These machines should only be used when recommended by your physical therapist.
“True and False. Some physical therapists recommend the leg extension machine and some say to avoid it like the plague. It’s true that the knee is most unstable when bent 90 degrees, and the position the leg extension puts you in isn’t conducive to making functional muscle gains (you never sit down and extend both legs in front of you in sports or life). Still, for people coming back from leg injuries who can’t do other exercises well, it may be beneficial. If your goals are strictly bodybuilding and you want to bring out as much muscle in the thighs as possible, know that leg extensions have been a staple in the routines of most of the sport’s elite competitors for decades. It’s a controversial subject. ”

5) True or False: ‘Fat Burning Zone’
“You should stay in your “fat burn zone” to make cardio effective to lose weight. I believe that, but don’t believe the calculations or the chart on the cardio machines. I have a slow metabolism and feel like I need to push it harder. I tend to use interval training.”

“False. There is no fat-burning zone. What this refers to is heart rates (usually around 65% to 75% of your max) where fat is burned as the primary fuel source. In other words, aerobic training. It’s perfectly fine to train in this supposed “zone,” but it may not be enough to lose significant fat. Remember that, while you may be burning a higher percentage of calories from fat in this zone, the training is only moderately intense, so you aren’t burning a great deal of calories overall. Your workouts will probably need to last close to an hour and be done several days a week to have an impact on your waistline—and that’s on top of following a careful diet. A better approach would be to do some light cardio so you burn fat directly and some interval training so you can speed up your metabolism and burn more calories for days afterward. ”

Researched By :
Kátia C. Rowlands – PLETT PILATES ; SPINNING & FITNESS STUDIO – 082 513 4256

Cat Urination Behavior

Most people who are talking about or inquiring about cat urination behavior are having some undesirable issues at home. No one really discusses this when their kitty is using the litter box as they should. It’s when they start doing their business right outside the litter box, on the couch or on your laundry in the bottom of the closet that it becomes a concern.

Believe it or not, if you are troubled with house-soiling, you are certainly not alone. This is the most common behavioral problem that cat owners have to deal with. Interestingly, many people think that it’s for revenge. Well, contrary to popular belief, it’s not all about you! It could be completely coincidental that your cat urinated on the carpet at the same time you decided to go away for a few days. Then again, maybe the neighbor you had watching him forgot to give him his treats!

In all truthfulness, experts say that cats do not have cognitive abilities to calculate such revenge. It’s also important to understand that your cat would have to think that relieving himself is a negative act if revenge was the case when really, it’s only their human owners who view these acts this way.

Litter Box Issues

It is quite common for cats to avoid their litter box for one reason or another. Their behavior could be the result of:

• Changing Litter – Some litter irritates certain cats. This could be due to texture or even going from non-scented to scented. Some even make an unpleasant dust cloud that your cat may not care for.

• Dirty – Would you want to step over your own soiled areas to relieve yourself? Well, neither does your cat. Sometimes even felines who were fine with their litter box being cleaned once a day get a little more fussy as they age and need it cleaned more often.

• Location – Have you moved the litter box? If not, have you moved something close to it like suitcases, sporting equipment, etc.? Cats can be very sensitive to changes in their surroundings.

Medical Issues

Many people get so caught up in thinking that their cat is being vindictive that they fail to realize that there could be health concerns. Urinary tract infections are often to blame which can cause frequent urination. In this case, it’s often hard for the cat to get to the litter box in time.
Also, liver, thyroid and kidney diseases, intestinal tract tumors or parasites and rectum or colon inflammation can be to blame as well. It’s also important to understand that as cats get older, age-related issues like muscular disease, disorders of the nervous system and arthritis can all make getting in and out of the litter box a challenge.

Additional Cat

Have you brought in another cat or could another cat you already have be getting old and a little bossier? Even a sweet feline who has always shared her litter box may be scared to use it if her older brother is having some territorial issues. Quite often, adding a second litter box in a different location will often help with this cat urination behavior.

U3A

Monday 27th October 2014
– The Ascent of Man : ( Part 13 of 13 )
The long childhood
What a piece of work is a man !
How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty !
10H00 at Formosa Garden Village Lounge
Co-ordinator: Alain Leger 044-533-2963

Monday 27th October 2014
– The U3A Film Club : Philomena
The story is based on the book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee,
by journalist Martin Sixsmith. Staring Judi Dench as Philomena and
Steve Coogan as Sixsmith, it’s about her 50 year search for her forcibly
adopted son and the journalist effort to help her find him.
18H15 at Formosa Garden Village Lounge
Co-ordinator: Brian Hardy 044-533-5489

Tuesday 28th October 2014
– Italian Conversation
09H45 at 12 Challenge Drive
Co-ordinator: Brenda Hardy 044-533-5489

Wednesday 29th October 2014
– World War One : 1914 – 1918 ( Part 7 of 7 )
Legacy : The Treaty of Versailles sowed the seeds
of an even more catastrophic war a generation later
10H00 at Formosa Garden Village Lounge
Co-ordinator: Michael Lond 044-533-0018

Wednesday 29th October 2014
– U3A Plett Social Bridge Club
Supervised bridge in a friendly atmosphere
with tips for improving your play.
13H30 at the Angling Club
Co-ordinator: Michael Webb 082-226-7280

Friday 31st October 2014
– French Conversation
10H00 at 7 Gleninifer Street
Co-ordinator: Merle Decot 044-533-5879

Friday 31st October 2014
– Mah Jong
Learn and play this ancient and fascinating game.
13H30 at Formosa Garden Village Small Dining Room
Co-ordinator: Amelia White 044-533-0113

Why Women Can’t Do Pull-Ups

While the pull-up has been used by everyone from middle-school gym teachers to Marine drill instructors to measure fitness, the fact is that many fit people, particularly women, can’t do even one. To perform a pull-up, you place your hands on a raised bar using an overhand grip, arms fully extended and feet off the floor. (The same exercise, performed with an underhand grip, is often called a chin-up.) Using the muscles in your arms and back, you pull yourself up until your chin passes the bar. Then the body is lowered until the arms are straight, and the exercise is repeated. The Marines say a male recruit should be able to do at least 3 pull-ups or chin-ups, but women are not required to do them. In school, 14-year-old boys can earn the highest award on the government’s physical fitness test by doing 10 pull-ups or chin-ups: for 14-year-old girls, it’s 2.
To find out just how meaningful a fitness measure the pull-up really is, exercise researchers from the University of Dayton found 17 normal-weight women who could not do a single overhand pull-up. Three days a week for three months, the women focused on exercises that would strengthen the biceps and the latissimus dorsi — the large back muscle that is activated during the exercise. They lifted weights and used an incline to practice a modified pull-up, raising themselves up to a bar, over and over, in hopes of strengthening the muscles they would use to perform the real thing. They also focused on aerobic training to lower body fat.
By the end of the training program, the women had increased their upper-body strength by 36 percent and lowered their body fat by 2 percent. But on test day, the researchers were stunned when only 4 of the 17 women succeeded in performing a single pull-up.
“We honestly thought we could get everyone to do one,” said Paul Vanderburgh, a professor of exercise physiology and associate provost and dean at the University of Dayton, and an author of the study. But Vanderburgh said the study and other research has shown that performing a pull-up requires more than simple upper-body strength. Men and women who can do them tend to have a combination of strength, low body fat and shorter stature. During training, because women have lower levels of testosterone, they typically develop less muscle than men, Vanderburgh explained. In addition, they can’t lose as much fat. Men can conceivably get to 4 percent body fat; women typically bottom out at more than 10 percent.
So no matter how fit they are, women typically fare worse on pull-up tests. But Vanderburgh notes that some men struggle, too, particularly those who are taller or bigger generally or have long arms. This is related to an interesting phenomenon: if you compare a smaller athlete to an athlete who has the same exact build but is 30 percent bigger, the bigger athlete will be only about 20 percent stronger, even though he has to carry about 30 percent more weight.
“We’re a combination of levers; that’s how we move,” Vanderburgh said. “Generally speaking, the longer the limb, the more of a disadvantage in being able to do a pull-up. I look at a volleyball player and wouldn’t expect her to be able to do a pull-up, but I know she’s fit.”
Researched By :
Kátia C. Rowlands – PLETT PILATES ; SPINNING & FITNESS STUDIO – 082 513 4256

Cat Vocalization – What Are They Really Saying?

Some say that if humans could understand cat vocalization, they may either be a little more scared or intrigued by their feline friends. After all, does anyone really know what they’re thinking as they sit there watching you sleep? They really do have quite a large vocabulary but who knows if they are telling you off, telling you that they love you or letting you know that the vacuum sucked up their favorite toy?

Expert suggests that cats are so complex that they communicate with you, other felines and other animals in very unique ways. Of course, in addition to their vocalization skills, they also communicate through a broad range of body postures as well. These are often easier to interpret than their meows are.

Purring

Nearly everyone who has had the privilege of hearing a cat purr knows that it generally translates to something good. However, contrary to what you may have been taught to believe, purrs are not always positive. This sounds that warms your heart is made when the feline breathes in and out with quick pauses occurring between breaths. The purr is created by a separation in the vocal folds caused by built up pressure. It is actually a very complex process and you should feel special if a cat directs this type of communication in your direction.
Although purring is typically perceived as a sign of happiness or contentment, cats in pain will often purr when they are stressed as well, an act that remains a mystery.

Hissing

It’s no secret that hissing is a warning that you should take seriously; cat bites are not fun to deal with. (If you want to correct your cat’s biting behavior, here’s an excellent resource: http://catbehaviorsolutions.com/Ebook/index.html)

There are different variations of hisses as well. If you startle or upset a cat, you will often be faced with a mouth open hiss. This is common if you invade their space.

If a cat is extremely distraught or fearful, a scream is often released along with the hiss. When you hear cats fighting outside and low-pitched angry growls are present, this is another form of hiss.

Meow

Now for the most confusing vocalization of them all; the meow! No one will ever know what every meow means but if you are really in tune with your feline friend, you’ll begin to notice a pattern which will help you understand their needs.

Cats don’t have only one generic meow. If you pay attention, you will discover that your cat will make a different sound for food, attention, boredom, if he wants outside, etc. Cats are highly intelligent creatures; they are trying to teach you what they want if you are observant. Just as humans train dogs through consistent repetition, cats train humans with their communication…not all people pick up on their daily lessons though.

 

Sotheby’s International Realty Plett Celebrate Success

The Plett office of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty received 18 regional awards at their Quarterly function held recently at the Lookout Deck.

 

The awards include the following:

Quarter ending May 2014:

Desré Reck: top agent in developments for both units sold and turnover.

Paul Jordaan: Rookie of the Quarter for both units sold and turnover.

Sue Harvey: Runner up for units sold and third place for turnover (excl. developments).

Quarter ending May 2014:

Carrie MacLean: top agent for turnover and runner up for units sold (excl. developments).

Paul Jordaan: Rookie of the Quarter for units sold and runner up for turnover.

Sue Harvey: Most referrals concluded.

Desré Reck: runner up in developments for both units sold and turnover.

Plett office: Marketer of the Quarter for the office with the best external image.

 

Hein Pretorius, the owner principal of the Plett office, says: “I am proud of our team as they grow from strength to strength. We have a talented, ethical and motivated team, and I am glad to celebrate in their success. The venue was great and I must compliment Chris Stroebel and his team at the Deck for the excellent food and service.”

 

If you are interested in property please contact Sotheby’s InternationalRealtyPlettenbergBay at 044 533 2529.

Sue Harvey Carrie MacLean Desre Reck Paul Jordaan

Why Do Cats Urinate in the House?

There are many reasons why your cat might be peeing in the house, anything from cleanliness, change of territory and the scent of another cat. Let’s look at why cats urinate in the house and what you can do to make it stop.

Making your cat stop urinating on the carpet is easier than it seems. Many cat owners cannot keep an eye on their pet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so it becomes difficult to see what they are doing, where and why they are doing it. I want to run through some real life situations that have happened to me, and how I stopped the constant urinating on carpets.

Why do cats urinate in the house, and what you can do to make it stop.

One of the many reasons cat owners find themselves in this predicament is down to health issues. A couple of years ago my male cat was starting to pee just outside his litter tray, and then over a few days, he spread to other rooms and before I knew it, the house was starting to smell of urine. He had never done this before, he was always clean and never missed the spot when it came to doing his business.

Over the next couple of days, I made more of an attempt to follow him, only to find he wasn’t peeing as normal. The short story is, he had a urinary infection, and the vet mentioned that he might be associating the pain he felt when he urinated to his litter tray, and so he avoided going in. I don’t want to scare you, but if this sounds like something that could be happening to your cat, then either give your local vet a call, or take him in for an examination.

If the above is not something you think is happening, then lets run through another couple of reasons of why cats urinate in the house.

A change of territory is also another reason for random urinating, as they are simply marking their new home with their smell. You may see this happen for only a couple of days, but if it continues, then there might be other issues to look at.

Cleanliness is something I must mention, because it has happened to me in the past. If you have an indoor cat which uses only a litter tray, then having a dirty box is something of a no go area for many cats. Daily cleaning is essential, and the urinating in carpets will start to fade within days. Make sure your cat has easy access to his tray when it is cleaned.

These simple steps above may sound obvious, but many people have busy lives and forget that the simple things are usually the problem. If you think your cat has health issues, then don’t waste anytime in having the vet give him a health check.

Stop your Cat Peeing on the Carpet. This easy to read book, has helped me and thousands more around the world, simply click on the link to get your copy now. You will also find cleaning tips, and how to tell if your Cat is trying to tell you something.

MANAGING ARTHRITIS

We may associate it with the elderly, but arthritis can affect people of any age. Here are 10 things you need to know about this debilitating condition from diagnosis to prevention and relief.
The term arthritis describes more than 100 medical conditions that impact the joints, causing pain, aches, stiffness, inflammation, and tenderness. Arthritis is the most common cause of disability and chronic pain. The condition can make simple tasks, such as walking, driving, and even preparing food painful and difficult.
The following list can help:
1. Diagnosis is the first step
You can’t get the right treatment without the right diagnosis. Your doctor will examine your joints and may also use blood, urine, or joint-fluid tests, as well as X-rays and scans, to make an accurate assessment.
Osteoarthritis accounts for 61 per cent of cases. It occurs when the cartilage between joints breaks down and thins out, leaving the bones unprotected and making movement painful and difficult.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the lining of the joints. Although it usually occurs in smaller joints, larger joints (such as the hip and knee joints) can be affected, too.
Gout is a condition in which small crystals of uric acid (a normal waste product) develop in and around the joints, causing painful inflammation and swelling.
2. I’m young. I can’t get arthritis, can I?
Yes, you can. Of the 15.2 per cent of the total population who suffer from arthritis, more than half are of working age (15-64) and one in 1000 children has juvenile arthritis.
3. You can inherit osteoarthritis
A study of twins found that osteoarthritis is 50-60 per cent genetic, but just because your parents or grandparents suffered from the disease doesn’t mean you have to, too. You just need to work harder to strengthen your muscles to protect your joints by doing weight-bearing exercises. Ask your doctor or physio what sort of exercises would be best for you.
4. Exercise the pain away
Although the pain of arthritis makes aerobic exercise difficult, research shows that exercise can improve feelings of pain, fatigue, and depression as well as increase mobility.
Maintaining a healthy weight helps ward off arthritis, too – those carrying extra kilos put more pressure on their joints, which can bring on and exacerbate arthritis. In fact, being overweight or obese is a strong risk factor for osteoarthritis.
5. Use medicines wisely
For pain relief from arthritis, doctors may recommend various analgesics (pain relievers), depending on the severity of the pain. For mild to moderate pain, paracetamol is often sufficient, but for stronger pain relief, doctors often prescribe combinations of paracetamol and codeine.
Pain relievers reduce pain by acting on the nervous system but don’t affect arthritis damage itself. Other drugs for arthritis pain include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which reduce inflammation and are often used to treat inflammatory forms of the condition. Using corticosteroids is another way to treat inflammatory forms of arthritis, but they can have side effects over the long term.
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) act on the immune system to reduce its ability to attack and damage healthy joints.
6. To supplement or not to supplement?
Garlic, omega-3 fatty acids, krill oil, and shark cartilage are all recommended for arthritis management, but do they work?
Omega-3s assist rheumatoid arthritis by easing inflammation, so taking fish-oil capsules daily could help. Krill oil seems to offer similar benefits, although it hasn’t been tested as thoroughly. Garlic is said to assist with osteoarthritis and combat inflammation in the body, but the evidence is not strong. Similarly, glucosamine is popular, but the evidence that it helps with arthritis is weak.
7. It can get complicated
Approximately 79 per cent of people living with arthritis also suffer from another condition, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes. The good news is that making healthier lifestyle choices can improve both arthritis and many of these illnesses.
In addition, support from carers and family, as well as access to information, treatments, and specialists, makes people with arthritis feel like they’re more in control of their condition.
8. Think before you drink
Gout occurs most frequently in the big toe, but it can also affect the fingers, wrists, ankles, knees, and elbows. Drinking two cans of standard soft drink or two glasses of fruit juice a day can increase a middle-aged man’s risk of gout, and the consumption of red meat and alcohol can also be a trigger.
9. Can Tai Chi and Pilates treat arthritis?
Followers believe the slow and steady dancelike movements of tai chi can be effective at helping arthritis, with some evidence to back them up. Practising Pilates and tai chi can improve strength and balance as well as promote relaxation.
10. Prevention
Eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy body weight are key – the less weight on the joints, the better. If arthritis runs in your family, be sure to build lots of muscle strengthening into your exercise regimen (which we should all be doing anyway); if you already have arthritis, services and treatments are available that can help. Don’t feel there’s nothing you can do.
Speak to your doctor or physiotherapist to see how you can best manage your condition together.

Researched by KATIA C. ROWLANDS – PILATES INSTRUCTOR & PERSONAL TRAINER – 0825134256•

U3A

Monday 13th October 2014
– The Ascent of Man : ( Part 12 of 13 )
Generation upon generation
The joys of life, sex and genetics
10H00 at Formosa Garden Village Lounge
Co-ordinator: Alain Leger 044-533-2963

Tuesday 14th October 2014
– Italian Conversation
09H45 at 12 Challenge Drive
Co-ordinator: Brenda Hardy 044-533-5489

Wednesday 15th October 2014
– World War One : 1914 – 1918 ( Part 6 of 7 )
Collapse : In 1918 as Europe is on the edge of collapse,
while the United States enters the war
10H00 at Formosa Garden Village Lounge
Co-ordinator: Marina Niven 044-533-2699

Wednesday 15th October 2014
– U3A Plett Social Bridge Club
Supervised bridge in a friendly atmosphere
with tips for improving your play.
13H30 at the Angling Club
Co-ordinator: Michael Webb 082-226-7280

Friday 17th October 2014
– French Conversation
10H00 at 7 Gleninifer Street
Co-ordinator: Merle Decot 044-533-5879

Friday 17th October 2014
– Mah Jong
Learn and play this ancient and fascinating game.
13H30 at Formosa Garden Village Small Dining Room
Co-ordinator: Amelia White 044-533-0113