Fat Loss 4 Idiots Opinion

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Teach Your Child Healthy Eating

By James Zane Johnson

Healthy eating is something that is talked about widely today. However, despite the general recognition of the importance of a healthy diet, many people still do not appreciate what is involved to ensure that they and their families constantly enjoy healthy eating.

Introduction to a healthy lifestyle should be made right from the beginning of a person's life. Many people do not appreciate for example the role of breast feeding in tuning a child's taste buds for life. Studies have shown that babies whose mothers ate a lot of spicy food while breast feeding were more ready to accept spicy foods after weaning than other children. The flavours of the spicy food passed into the mother's milk and the babies had already grown accustomed to the taste.

Likewise, if a mother consumes a diet that is high in salt or refined sugars her breast fed child will lean toward preference for salty or sugary foods also. You can start to gear your child toward healthy eating from this early stage of development by ensuring that you eat sensibly while breast feeding.

After your child has moved from breast milk to solid food they continue to form lifelong eating habits. Children will learn to eat healthily if that is what they see you eating on a regular basis. Your own diet should mainly consist of fruit, salad and leafy green vegetables. It should also be rich in fresh fish and whole grains. Early introduction to these things will help your child continue with a healthy eating lifestyle right through to adulthood.

If a child lives in a family where the diet mainly consists of processed foods high in saturated fats, refined sugars, salts, refined carbohydrates such as white bread and pasta and too much red meats such as steaks and burgers, that child is liable to form lifelong eating habits that are far less than optimum.

The mistake many parents make is to give their children a diet of things they think children enjoy. Advertising is culpable in this regard. Commercials convince parents that children will enjoy packet foods that are highly processed such as frozen pizzas and fries. Many parents cannot think what to give their children for breakfast except commercial breakfast cereals many of which are very lacking nutritionally. Many parents end up eating junk food themselves because this is what they buy to feed the children.

Parents should stand firm and not be swayed by advertising. By continuing to follow a diet that is devoid of commercialized products their children will not develop the wrong eating habits. Parents who eat healthy food themselves find that their children are inclined to want to eat what they are eating.

Healthy eating is not something that can be done once in a while if it is going to have a lasting impact on your life. There is very little point having a salad once a week if the rest of the week is a diet of soda and junk food. People need to be consistent with their healthy eating. Every single meal of every single day should be healthy. This should not be seen as drudgery. On the contrary, healthy eating is very enjoyable and satisfying indeed. - 17269

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Effective Exercises to Quickly Build the Chest Muscles

By Josh Hartlett

Many people can be found down the gym, lifting weights to exercise the chest muscles. These muscles are particularly important if you are trying to get rid of your man boobs. The chest consists of two main muscles. Lying against the chest wall is the small pectoralis minor muscle and on top of this is the much bigger and stronger pectoralis major muscle. It is this bigger muscle which gives the chest its size and shape.

Many people consider a big muscular chest a sign of masculinity and is one of the main muscle groups in the body. These muscles provide a lot of strength and are important in providing upper body strength for most sporting disciplines.

Although most chest exercises work the pectoral muscles they also give a good workout to the triceps muscles at the backs of the arms and the shoulders. This makes them good at developing the overall upper body shape.

Warming up before performing any of these exercises is very important to reduce the chances of injury. An aerobic exercise such as rowing on an indoor rowing machine is a good exercise. Not only does it work those upper body muscles but it also increase the blood flow to them as well.

A simple yet effective chest exercise is the chest push-up. This does not require any special equipment or weights and can quite easily be done at home in the bedroom. You should lie flat, face down on the floor with your arms around shoulder width apart. Then push yourself upwards with your arms making sure to you keep your legs and back straight. When you reach the top of the push up, only your hands and toes should, ideally, be in contact with the floor.

If you find this exercise a little difficult at first, an effective trick is to keep your knees in contact with the floor instead of the toes. When you improve you can then progress to the toes. You may find yourself improving rather quickly and in which case to make things a bit harder you can try placing the hands slightly wider than shoulder width. Also when lowering yourself, do it slowly to keep working those chest muscles.

One of my favorite chest exercises is the bench press, which you will see many people perform down the gym. It is important you have a training partner to help you with this exercise for safety reasons. Lying flat on your back on a bench hold the barbell out at arms length. Then, slowly lower it until it just touches the chest and then proceed, again slowly, to lift it back up to the arms outstretched position.

It is vital to not perform any jerky movements or bounce the weights off the chest wall. Doing around three sets of about eight repetitions once to twice a week will soon develop your chest muscles and you will quickly notice a difference.

These are two great exercises to start out with whether you are looking to build up the chest or just get rid of those man boobs. - 17269

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Massage Chairs Give Natural Therapies

By Claudine Balsells

There are many different natural therapies and remedies that are becoming more popular every year. With the rising cost of big medicine in the current health care crisis, people are finding alternative ways to remedy they are ailments. Many people are surprised at the number of therapeutic features that are contained in many massage chairs. Massage chair manufacturers have been adding other natural treatments in addition to massage in their recliners.

Did you know that massage therapy has been practiced for over 3000 years? Massage therapy has been found in the records of most ancient civilizations. People throughout time have always sought natural methods to increase their health and well-being. Massage therapy is one such technique which has developed independently in many different societies throughout the world.

Many different massage techniques have evolved independently around the world. Massage chairs have now integrated the most popular massage techniques into their programs. A typical massage chair may include shiatsu, deep tissue, Swedish, sports therapy and even reflexology.

Many of these popular massage techniques have been included in massage chairs. Normally, a full body massage program is developed for each particular massage technique. This allows the user to push a single button and receive a full body massage.

Massage chair manufacturers closely study the hand movements of masseuses. This enables them to replicate these unique movements mechanically. These mechanical hands never get tired. They can knead and knead and knead until you are thoroughly relieved.

Many massage chairs will actually perform a body scan. They use sensors in the chair which will scan your body. This can tell the precise location of the back, shoulders and also acupoints. This information is then used to target your specific areas for a customized massage.

As part of your total health program, it is important to stretch your muscles. Stretching helps to elongate the fibers of the muscles and other soft tissues. This helps to keep them more elastic and flexible. Massage chairs have incorporated new technology to perform stretching of the lower body.

One very common and natural therapy is the application of heat. Heat is routinely used in sports medicine. Heat is applied to reduce swelling of the muscles and joints. Massage chairs have now integrated heating systems which allow the user to select the area in which to apply heat.

For relaxation, massage chairs have integrated MP3 players. This allows the recipient to listen to soothing music on headphones. This helps to cut the ambient noise and to provide relaxation time for the mind. Music helps to release the tension being held by the mind focusing on particular stressors.

Need a reflexology foot massage? Of course you do. What could be better, then coming home kicking off your shoes and getting a foot massage? Massage chairs have reflexology foot massage capability. They use a combination of reflexology plates with specially designed airbags to provide a compression massage for the feet.

Massage chairs have added other natural therapies in addition to massage treatments. These additional therapies help to make a more complete massage experience. Relaxation of your mind is important to release the tension in your body. To get the most out of any massage therapy session, it is important that your body and mind relax and reconnect. Massage chairs are a great way to receive natural treatments on demand. - 17269

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A Reality Check on the Dr. Perricone-Acai Berry Endorsements

By Travis Van Slooten

You have probably seen a few products out there with a Dr. Perricone acai berry endorsement on them. In fact, you may have seen quite a few of these product lines. But that leaves a person wondering why Dr. Perricone would endorse so many companies and their products. Especially when he has his own very successful product line. Not too long ago, Oprah's website made an official statement that neither she nor anyone on her show endorses any acai berry products. So what is the real story behind all of the claims and endorsements made by the celebrity doctor?

Why Dr. Perricone?

Some of you may ask who Dr. Perricone is and why companies are scrambling to put his name out on their products. Dr. Nicholas Perricone is a dermatologist and anti-aging specialist who has his own line of skin care products and has published several books on such topics as health, beauty, and wellness. Oprah fans are sure to recognize him as he has made appearances on the popular talk show quite a number of times already. In fact, part of his image as a celebrity doctor can be attributed to these guestings on Oprah. His qualifications as a doctor and his popularity as a tv personality lends credibility to whatever product he chooses to endorse.

What Are Companies Claiming?

The claims vary from company to company. Most of the shady companies who feel the need to use celebrity endorsement are simply using the likeness of Dr. Perricone. Acai berry companies who do this without his permission, which is to say all of them, are being misleading to consumers and are not worth considering for your business. If you should find a company which claims that Dr. Perricone is backing them personally, you know immediately that this company is lying to you.

What is the Real Connection Between Dr. Perricone and Acai Berry?

There is none as far as endorsing specific acai supplement brands is concerned. Dr. Perricone does however, believe in the acai berry's potential health benefits and touts it as one the most nutritious fruits that can be found. And because he is an anti-aging expert, he has also studied the possible effects of consuming acai berry to aid in delaying the aging process. The fact that Dr. Perricone is convinced of the acai's potential has driven acai promoters to use his name in marketing their brands.

The long and the short of it is, there is no truth to any Dr. Perricone-acai berry endorsements you may see on some websites. Companies making such false claims are simply capitalizing on the doctor's celebrity in hopes of making more money. With Oprah and Dr. Perricone threatening to pursue companies that make these claims, you'll likely see less of them. Regardless, you now now that any company that claims there acai supplement is somehow endorsed by Dr. Perricone, you'll know the truth! - 17269

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Have You Heard About the Energizing Amazon Berry That Also Tastes Like Chocolate?

By Americo Tognetti

Have you come across in the news or in magazines of a little, round berry that is blackish-purple in color and grows only at the tops of palm trees in the Amazon rain forest of South America? Do you give up? It is called the acai berry, and it carries several surprising health benefits. The taste is scrumptious; it tastes like a blend of chocolate and fruit. Many people just eat these berries plain while others prefer to eat the acai berry added to their favorite granola cereal for breakfast. What about using these berries when making a milkshake? Sounds absolutely delicious!

One of the positive benefits that comes from eating the acai berry is that it is able to detoxify the body due to the antioxidants that it carries in good amounts. You do not have to worry about getting a colon cleanse or any other sort of specialty product to detoxify your system when you can have the simple, delicious acai berry. It works wonderfully because it is needed by your body and it is also safe and natural. As you go about eating the acai berry in any fashion you desire no matter if it is eaten by itself, in the form of a milkshake, mixed in with your cereal or combined in a fruit bowl, you are going to find something else that is amazing - you are going to experience weight loss. We are not only talking about a couple of pounds but double digits as well. There have been claims that some people have lost as much as ten pounds a week as stated in the testimonials about the acai berry. This is not hard to believe as the body is full of harmful pollutants and built up debris that comes from many years of eating an unhealthy diet.

As your body gets rid of its pollutants and toxins, it will be able to operate much more efficiently and get rid of fats much easier. Aside from weight loss, the acai berry attacks free radicals that are within your body. These free radicals are the foundation of deadly diseases such as cancer. Being much like the goji berry, the acai berry has many more antioxidants. There is as much as 30 times more anthocyanins in the acai than there is in a glass of red wine. This is one thing that helps to keep your cholesterol in check.

This amazing berry contains omega 6 and omega 9, which can also help to keep down high cholesterol levels and protect against heart disease. Another fascinating thing about this energizing super food is that it contains a significant amount of fiber, which can also help to contribute toward the prevention of cancer, weight gain, and digestive disorders.

Who would not want to include this berry in their diet? By itself, it stands as a source of balanced proteins, carbohydrates, essential vitamins and minerals, and healthy fats, all in one small berry. The benefits are well worth it, especially for what it does for your body, not to mention the peace of mind you get by eating it. The amount of vital nutrients help to give you energy and mental focus. So as you can see, there is nothing bad about it. - 17269

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Four Body Building Big Lies That Can Affect Your Muscle Growth

By Ricardo d Argence

If you're not careful it's possible to fall victim to fatal muscle-building mistakes that will render your gains completely ineffective. To keep you on the proper path to mind-blowing muscle and strength gains I'm going to expose, in this article, four very common muscle building myths.

1. In order to build muscle, you must achieve a "pump" during your workout. The greater the pump you achieve, the more muscle you will build. For you beginners, a "pump" is the rush you feel as blood gets trapped in the muscle tissue as you lift weights. A pump feels great, but it doesn't properly stimulate the muscles to promote growth.

It's just the increased flow of blood to the muscles, but it is not the characteristic of a good workout. A successful workout should only be gauged by the concept of progression. If you can pick up more weight or do it more times than last week, then you are progressing.

2. The downside to gaining muscle mass is, you will be slower and lose flexibility. Believe it or not, developing lean muscle mass speeds you up. running. All of the movements that your body makes, from an involuntary twitch to running, jumping, and throwing, are the responsibility of your muscles. It all comes down to this, the more powerful a muscle is the more force it is capable of exerting.

3. To achieve the desired results, always do the exercises just as described in the book. While using good form in the gym is always important, obsessing over perfect form is an entirely different matter. Although it may seem counter intuitive, it will both reduce your maximum muscle stimulation and make injury more likely if your constant focus is on exactly proper form.

Moving naturally is very important when you exercise. This might also mean swaying a little bit while you curl your bicep, or using your body's own momentum while you're doing rows on the barbells.

4. If you are not feeling any pain whatsoever when exercising your muscles are not gaining strength. This another misconception that is believed in the gym. The "burning" sensation that results from intense weight training is simply the result of lactic acid (a metabolic waste product) that is secreted inside the muscle tissue as you exercise. Lactic acid in excess may actually slow down your gains and have nothing to do with muscle growth.

If you visit my site, it should help to clarify some of the confusion and give you some truthful information about several of the myths associated with muscle building. You'll understand the most of people fail at muscle building. If you want to succeed, click in the link below. - 17269

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What You Know About Dr. Oz and Acai Berry May Not Be True

By Travis Van Slooten

Recent news has many people wondering if there is a Dr. Oz acai berry connection. Whether it is because you saw acai berry on Oprah's show or read is from their website, there is no doubt that Dr. Oz and acai berry have recently been a major topic for many people curious about acai berry supplements. Not entirely for good reasons either. Many companies which are being flagged as scammers have claimed support from Dr. Oz. So how do you know what the real connection is and which companies you should avoid?

What Do These Companies Claim?

Many of the questionable companies out there are claiming that Dr. Oz has personally endorsed his product. This is a flat out lie and any company claiming this should not get your business. Some companies may be a little sneakier about their claim. They may not directly say that their product is supported by Dr. Oz, but they may still use his image to claim the benefits of acai berry. Regardless of the length they go to in an attempt to get your business, any company that claims a link between Dr. Oz and acai berry products from their company are lying to you.

So is There a Connection?

The only connection between Dr. Oz and acai berry is to the acai berry itself. Dr. Oz, along with numerous other professionals, have stood behind the acai berry as one of the healthiest foods you can eat. While many properly-made supplements can preserve all the nutrients of the fruit, Dr. Oz has not given his support to any specific product. Since there can be such a big difference between different products due to the manufacturing process, most professionals are hesitant to endorse a specific product.

What is Being Done?

While these acai sites making outrageous claims continue to pop up all over the internet and it is difficult to have them shut down or at the very least stop those false ads, Dr. Oz, through the Oprah site, has issued a statement, indicating that he does not recommend any one acai supplement brand. The official statement also discloses that Oprah's legal team is already going after these companies.

You should avoid any company that claims to have ties to Dr. Oz through their acai berry product. They are already displaying to you that they have shady credibility. They may be a company looking to quickly take as many peoples' money as possible, or they may just be trying to exploit celebrity popularity in order to sell their product. Either way, any company claiming a Dr. Oz -acai berry connection to their product is not worth wasting your time with! - 17269

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How to Select the Best Diet

By Earl Cabo

The best diet that you can choose is one that works for you and your journey to lose the weight you desire to lose. As you search for the best diet I want you to think of something that is so important to your complete success in your attempt to lose the weight.

If you lose 100 pounds you are never really a complete success, you are a recovering obese person. If you drop the pounds you want to shed you are never really done unless you can keep the weight off for the rest of your life. If you lose the weight and then gain it all back you are not a success, you have become a dismal failure in your weight loss journey.

As we begin this discussion as to what is the best diet you can choose to lose weight, you must include in your choice your ability to keep the weight off for the rest of your life. If you do not keep the weight off it does not matter how much weight you lost if you gain it all back again.

An outstanding example of failed weight loss attempts comes from the Atkin's Diet. This diet promised so much to so many and it did deliver weight loss to the masses. The problem with the Atkin's Diet is that most people were/are unable to eat only what is required to maintain Atkin's. The issue developed that after people lost all of the weight they stumbled back into carbohydrates and then gained more weight than they in the first place lost.

Those who were a success turned into a failure because they were not able to maintain the weight loss. As you search for the best diet you must take into account that there will be life after the "diet" is ended.

A less extreme alternative to Atkin's is The South Beach Diet. If you are really attracted to the carb free lifestyle then it is suggested that you bypass Atkins' and try The South Beach Diet. The South Beach Diet is much easier to go on on after you have lost the weight you want to shed. - 17269

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Why Should You Eat Cake After Dinner

By Chris Lee

Virtually everyone in the world enjoys a piece of cake now and then. When was the last time you allowed yourself to indulge in a slice of German Chocolate Cake? Cake is an excellent after dinner treat. While most people in the world still indulge in the traditional dessert, many have opted to forget about cake. You can eat cake after dinner and give yourself that little boost of goodness to get through the night.

If you choose not to eat cake because you feel it is unhealthy, then you have much to learn. You can find cakes and cake recipes that contain healthy ingredients. Depending on your personal taste, you can find many healthy cake recipes. You can eat carrot cake, which actually does contain carrots. Of course, nothing beats an old-fashioned chocolate cake. Chocolate cake has been a favorite for years. You can even eat chocolate cake and still be eating healthy. You can find hundreds of recipes for chocolate cake that include many healthy ingredients. Chocolate is actually considered to be much healthier than some other cake ingredients. Now you really can have your cake and eat it too.

There are four basic cake types. Yeast cakes are first and include many delicious recipes. Certain pastries like stollen are considered to be yeast cakes. Yeast cakes are not as sweet as other versions but are equally as delicious.Of course, everyone knows what cheesecakes are. Cheesecakes are sweet, yet often not as rich as traditional chocolate fudge cakes. Cheesecakes typically do not use flour.

Next is the sponge cake. Sponge cakes make excellent desserts, particularly if you add fresh fruit or a pudding-type icing. Angel food cake is a sponge cake and makes the perfect dessert when you through in some fresh fruit. Finally, butter cakes are the traditional sweet cake that you find in many wedding cakes and birthday cakes. Butter cakes are the most popular for party-related cakes such as weddings. This cake is very sweet and makes an excellent dessert to be served with coffee.

Eggs and oil make these cakes very moist. Any of these cakes would make an excellent end to your dinner. Serve cake with coffee or milk and you have the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. - 17269

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Michael Thurmond 6 Week Body Makeover - Body Type D

By Durk Mcphee

If you are a 6 Week Body Makeover Body Type D, you will have an upward battle to lose weight. Genetics are the main cause for you to be fat. The other reason is because of your lifestyle choice and your lack of adequate muscle tissue. Generally, most people who are classified as a body type d are fat because of a slow metabolism and a lack of muscle tissue.

Learning how to battle your weight is all about eating the right types of foods. As a body type D, you will want to make sure to eat complex carbohydrates (in moderation) as these types of carbs will break down slower in your body, which means you will feel fuller longer and will not have insulin "spikes".

Did you know that eating no carbohydrates is very bad for you? If you lift weights to gain muscle mass, eating the right type of carbohydrates is very important to ensure that you maintain your mass. Diets without carbohydrates means that your body will break down your lean muscle tissue to convert into energy for your brain and other vital organs.

The Michael Thurmond diet will make sure you focus on eating the right types of carbohydrates so that you will maintain your muscles. You will focus on eating more complex carbohydrates as these types are carbs are food for your body and will break down much slower than simple carbs.

Another important factor is to eat the right types of proteins. Eating lean protein like chicken, fish, and tofu will ensure that you build lean muscle mass. Remember, lean muscle tissue helps break down calories at a faster rate. Focus on these factors and you will learn how to lose weight on the 6 Week Body Makeover program. - 17269

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How to Gain Muscle Mass in Bodybuilding

By Chris Tan

Building muscle mass and doing quickly requires extreme commitment and dedication. Anyone can choose to follow a path to building muscle, however there are many who jump in full throttle without doing the research first. This mistake leads to a plateau which in turn leaves the person frustrated, and eventually they quit. Below, I will show some important tips to build muscle mass quickly, correctly and most importantly; safely.

A good foundation for muscle growth.

The dreaded plateau is commonly reached within two to three months of the day the workout or muscle mass training begins. The reason for this plateau is that the proper foundation has not been laid out. In order to achieve the ability to increase the weights used in a workout, the bodybuilder must first incorporate a series of ten strength training workouts. These workouts allow the body to become prepared for more intense workouts by gradually increasing the weights as well as more rapid repetition, which will then create muscle mass.

Focusing solely on the upper body.

The next common mistake bodybuilders make is that they focus solely on building up the upper body. This mistake also leads to a plateau. Inexperienced bodybuilders tend to focus on the upper body mainly because that is the part you can see. Areas such as the abs, arms and chest what are what everyone sees and wants to change. However, in order to build muscle mass, all areas of the body must receive the same attention. Muscle groups such as the thighs are highly important and should not be ignored.

Focusing only on isolated exercises.

Exercises that train only a certain muscle group are called isolated exercise. This is another common mistake beginners make. Bicep curls and tricep extensions are a couple of examples of these exercises. In order to achieve muscle mass, the entire body must be included in the exercise regimen. Therefore, compound exercises must be implemented. These exercises allow the muscles to achieve higher weight which in turn forces them to adapt to the increase and grow.

Are you guilty of these common mistakes? Have you reached the dreaded plateau? These tips are very important in achieving your quest for muscle mass. Having the proper workout, technique and doing the research needed in order to do it correctly is the only way to acquire your goal. In addition, don't hesitate to ask an experienced bodybuilder for tips; they will be more than happy to share the knowledge. - 17269

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Various Causes Of Having Sore Joints

By Mitchell Tyrell

Many factors affect the health of joints. The main cause of sore joints, osteoarthritis, occurs with age and therefore affects almost everyone. In younger people, sore joints are caused by overuse. Several illnesses also have an affect on joint health.

Overuse can lead to ligament, tendon and bone damage. Other illnesses, such has rheumatoid arthritis and septic arthritis also affects the joints.

Overuse of the joints can cause several problems. Tendons join muscle to bone. Tendonitis is the swelling of this soft tissue due to tears and other damage. This ailment is common among people who perform repetitive motion tasks. If caught early enough, tendonitis is easily repaired through rest. However, more serious cases, such as carpal tunnel, may require surgery.

Another soft tissue in the joints that can be affected by overuse is the ligament. Ligaments are the tissues that hold bones together in a joint. Ligaments can be damaged in a couple of different ways. Strains are caused by overextension of the ligament. As the ligament is stretched beyond its limits, tears occur in the fibrous tissue. These tears cause the ligament to swell and the sore joint to occur. Sprains, on the other hand, are caused by the joint twisting in a direction that is not normal. Overuse can also cause damage to the bones. Stress fractures can occur in the weight bearing bones of the legs, especially in people who do a lot of running.

Other illnesses, besides osteoarthritis, also cause sore joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Its exact cause is unknown. However, it is believed to have a genetic component. This illness affects the joints by causing inflammation throughout all the joints. It is an autoimmune disease because the immune system sends out lymphocytes to fight the swelling. Lymphocytes are the cells that fight infections in the body. Septic arthritis is caused by a bacterial infection. The infection reaches the joints through the blood stream and settles in the joints, causing the cartilage to swell. Many other forms of arthritis also exist. - 17269

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