Sahar Aker

I'm a longtime TV News Health Reporter who somehow ended up online and love it! As a journalist, I'm fascinated watching new media evolve. I love making videos and writing about health and fitness for my blog, FatFighterTV, as well as for other sites. I practice what I preach... which is why I make sure to exercise enough so that I can indulge in my favorite treat - gourmet dark chocolate. Mmmm...

Sipping on:

San Pellegrino

also find Sahar here:

Sahar's Latest Posts

Save Mandatory P.E. Classes, Save Adults From Obesity

posted by Sahar Aker January 2, 2011 at 7:55 AM in Healthy Living

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A long, long time ago... back in the day, Physical Education (P.E.) classes were just part of the school curriculum. You did your readin', writin', 'rithmatic ... and P.E. That's just the way it was.Am I dating myself if I tell you we even had to wear a special P.E. uniform? I didn't care much for that ugly outfit and sometimes I didn't care much for the P.E. activities -- like when we had to do team sports and I got picked last -- but I'm so glad P.E. was mandatory when I was a kid.Why? Because it made physical activity a natural part of our day. Back then, being active was cool. Besides P.E., we would run around and play outside. A lot.But things have changed. More states are letting students opt out of P.E., despite the childhood obesity crisis. What's up with that??? What do you think would have happened if I had the choice to opt out of P.E. classes like kids do these days?
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New Year, New Diet Pill?

posted by Sahar Aker December 29, 2010 at 7:56 PM in Healthy Living

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You know a new year is just around the corner when a) Everyone around you resolves to lose weight, for real this time; b) There are as many weight loss ads out there as there were political ads right before an election, and c) A new diet pill is coming, a new diet pill is coming!

I don't have much to say about "a" or "b" but I've got two words for you about that diet pill: SIDE EFFECTS. Serious ones. Like heart attacks, stroke, and liver disease. Which is why diet pills almost always get pulled off the market. So why, oh why, haven't we learned that these drugs are not a good idea?

A new one might be coming soon. An FDA panel recently backed the first new weight loss drug in a decade, called Contrave, despite heart risk concerns. Yes, you read that right. There are already concerns of heart problems right now with this drug.
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Would You Donate an Organ for a Hottie in Spandex?

posted by Sahar Aker December 27, 2010 at 4:55 PM in Healthy Living

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We all know sex sells, right? So why not take advantage of it? Why not use it to recruit say ... bone marrow donors. I mean, there's a critical need for volunteers to help save the lives of patients with leukemia or other cancers who desperately need a match, so why not spice things up for the cause.Apparently, that's what UMass Memorial did. It hired hot, sexy models and had them wear bright electric blue and fuchsia wigs to grab people's attention and entice them to become potential bone marrow donors. The models recruited donors at shopping malls, baseball games, and bridal conventions.
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Health and Fitness Crap I Don't Want for Christmas

posted by Sahar Aker December 24, 2010 at 12:05 PM in Healthy Living

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Have you ever noticed how this time of year every manufacturer and their brother is trying to sell you something? Surely you've noticed all of the totally unnecessary products inundating the stores. I get it that some people are hard to buy for and you may need new ideas for gifts. But if you're still out there looking for a last minute health and fitness something, please please please do not buy your friends and family stuff they're going to just re-gift to another poor sucker ... which is what I would do if I got any of these:

Blankets with sleeves: Now, I know this trend is sweeping the nation and all, but I still don't get it. I see more brands making these wearable blankets in all kinds of colors, patterns, and such, but why? We've stayed warm for decades with just a robe and/or a blanket. And that's the way I like it thank you very much.
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Don't Be Elizabeth Edwards: Lamest Excuses for Avoiding Mammograms

posted by Sahar Aker December 17, 2010 at 4:55 PM in Healthy Living

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I'll never forget when my childhood friend's breast cancer spread to her bones. Shauna was dying. And flashbacks of the carefree days of playing together when we were kids were shattered with the reality of her death. I spoke to Shauna just moments before she died. And vowed to take care of my health.

I get a mammogram every year and feel fortunate that I have health insurance to cover the screening. Many women don't have the coverage and can't afford to get the x ray. But what about the lame excuses from the rest of the women in this country 40 and older who HAVE health insurance but still don't get them?

I was shocked that a new report finds half of these are not getting annual mammograms. And frankly, I'm tired of all the lame excuses they continue to give, outlined below:
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