Tag Archives: Health

New South End gym: Swet Studio

Posted on November 18, 2015 | Leave a comment

south end fitness, lgbt fitnessSwet Studio opened in the South End last month and what caught my attention was, while all are welcome, it caters to the LGBT community.  I’m not sure there is any place like it in Boston. One look at their classes and schedule and you will realize they have quite a range of unique fitness and dance classes, including same sex ballroom classes, indoor rowing and anti-gravity, aerial yoga just to name a few.Realm Health and Fitness Tips from Kyle, exerciseLater this month on Saturday, November 28th (the Saturday after Thanksgiving) Swet Studio is hosting their first ever Men’s class – Full Body Workout for just $25. Get an amazing full body workout with like-minded guys, followed by a post workout jazz brunch at The Beehive.  All net proceeds from registrations purchased will be donated to Mass Equality Education Fund.

Swet Studio has a first time offer; $20 for your first class. In addition there are some great coupons available on GroupOn; Swet Studio on GroupOn. A couple of classes at Swet could be the perfect holiday gift to give to yourself to offset the celebratory drinks and meals you know you’ll end up consuming.

SWET STUDIO
480 Tremont Street – South End
(617)670.0631 
INFO@SWETSTUDIO.COM

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Posted in Fitness, Health

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Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that

Posted on November 14, 2015 | 2 comments

ParisLet’s not try to rationalize the irrational. This is an attack on everyone who values personal freedoms and individual liberties; unfortunately it happened to take place in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  Despite that obscenity the spirit of Paris and the French will rise above this tragedy.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Posted in Poltics

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Watts Safeword: PrEP Myths

Posted on November 9, 2015 | 1 comment

PrEPOne of my favorite blogs, Accidental Bear, has a blog post that I wanted to share. The links below the video are courtesy of that blog which you can check out in my blogroll.

The term “safe sex” is sometimes relative, especially considering the many options the LGBTQ community has today. One such relatively new option is PrEP, the HIV prevention pill, but a lot of misconceptions about the drug remain. Do yourself a favor and talk to your doctor to determine if PrEP is right for you.

Check out Amp and Bolt from Watts the Safeword on YouTube video about PrEP. Last week they sat down to briefly explain how it works and why it may be right for you.

PrEP can be expensive, learn how to can get assisted: http://ow.ly/Ulktp
Wondering how to talk to your doctor?: http://ow.ly/Ulk5s
For more on PrEP: http://ow.ly/UlkGP

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Posted in Gay, Health, Video

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Men give themselves a testicular self-exam (Safe For Work)

Posted on November 5, 2015 | 1 comment

Earlier this week I shared a post about Movember (or to be more precise (HO)MOvember, which is an annual month-long fundraiser dedicated to raising awareness and money for men’s health issues.  I saw this video posted on Accidental Bear and thought it would also be good to share.

Testicular cancer is most common in men between the ages of 15-30 years. This video of seven men performing a routine self-exam shows how easy it can be. When detected early, testicular cancer is extremely curable.  I hope that this funny – and very safe for work – video will remind people to perform a self-exam.

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Posted in Health, Video

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(HO)MOvember

Posted on November 2, 2015 | 3 comments
simon dunn, movember, mens health

Australian Olympian Simon Dunn models his ‘stache for (HO)MOvember

You may start to notice more men with some upper lip hair over the course of the next few weeks as Movember kicks off for its 9th year here in the US.  Australian Olympic bobsledder, Simon Dunn, put a twist on this annual month-long fundraiser that is used to raise awareness and money for men’s health issues, with his (HO)MOvember video which you can watch here.

Through a cruel twist of fate, I have no ability to grow more than a few wisps of facial hair so I thought the way I would participate this year was by helping to remind everyone about the event and if you live in Boston to encourage you to join the Movember Team Boston.

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Posted in Gay, Health

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Fenway HIV study needs you: Help spread the word

Posted on October 29, 2015 | Leave a comment

HIV Testing, AIDS, Fenway Health, LGBT health, gay health, mens healthEarlier this spring I wrote about an ongoing national study that the Fenway is participating in that follows 400 gay couples, called Stronger Together.

Stronger Together is a research study that aims to improve the sexual health of male-male couples through unique testing opportunities. HIV infections still occur and it remains both a deeply personal and difficult issue to talk about and that is the real issue: lack of communication.

If you would like to help be part of the solution, Fenway Health would like to hear from you. Participants receive up to $350 ($700 per couple). For more information and to see if you are eligible please call 781.479.2330 or email StrongerTogetherBoston@gmail.com.

Who may be eligible to participate?
Male-Male couples over the age of 18
One partner is HIV+  (serodiscordant couples)
Couples willing to test for HIV and STIs together

How you can help?
Sign up for the study if you are eligible.
Tell your friends about the study and help spread the word.

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Posted in Gay, Health

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Medical marijuana back in the news this week

Posted on August 4, 2015 | Leave a comment

smoking weed, pot, 420This morning Hub medical dispensary applicant Patriot Care went before the Boston Zoning Board of Appeal for a hearing about their planned Milk Street operation; despite opposition from the mayor.  Later this week on Thursday, August 6 medical marijuana activists will gather in support of H.2065, “An Act to protect patients approved by physicians and certified by the Department of Public Health to access medical marijuana.”  Advocates and family members of patients will march from Boston Common to Beacon Hill. Organizers with the MA Patient Advocacy Alliance (MPAA) encourage attendees to dress in black.

Read more about this here.

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The Republican party is becoming a group of misogynists

Posted on August 3, 2015 | 2 comments

women's healthWhy do I believe the Republican Party is becoming a party of misogynists? There are a lot of reasons, but the current efforts to defund Planned Parenthood – seemingly supported by every Republican Presidential candidate – is a good place to start.

97% of Planned Parenthood services go to providing STD testing and treatment, access to contraception, cancer screening and prevention and general women’s health services.  Presumably these services to more than 3 million women through out our country would be perceived to have merit and help to keep our communities healthy.

Only 3% of Planned Parenthood services go to abortion services

If you agree that Planned Parenthood is doing important work to help women who would not otherwise have access to these health services 97% of the time does it seem reasonable for Republican candidates to be actively campaigning to defund Planned Parenthood?    Republican, presidential candidate, women's health, The message I take away from this war on Planned Parenthood is if you do not align with the Republican Party’s or candidate’s pro life values 100% of the time there is no room for compromise. That does not sound like a “moderate” party or moderate candidate.  Below are recent quotes from the three front runners and their staff who (if you believe the polls).

“We have got to defund Planned Parenthood, by the way, and Gov. Bush supports those efforts.”
– Jordan Sekulow (Jeb Bush Presidential Campaign Senior Advisor)

“We defunded Planned Parenthood, which is particularly important these days”
– Gov. Scott Walker

“In in my opinion, they [Planned Parenthood] should absolutely be defunded”
– Donald Trump

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Posted in Health

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Map depicts STD rates by city in US

Posted on July 29, 2015 | Leave a comment

sexually transmitted diseases, CDCMany cities in the south east and the rust belt regions of the US seem to have a higher rate of STD infections according to data compiled by the CDC. Their report also found that there is a “troubling rise in syphilis infections among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM)”.

I thought I would share this news for two reasons: first, I’m a firm believer that if you are not having safe sex then you should get tested;  second I worry that with so many gay men now on Truvada there is more risky sexual behavior and while Truvada may reduce the risk of HIV infections it won’t protect against STDs.

Source: CDC’s annual report, Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2013

Source: CDC’s annual report, Sexually
Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2013

You can read more about this study here and for more information about free STD testing in the Boston area is available here.

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New Fenway Institute study explores revolutionary method of HIV prevention

Posted on June 17, 2015 | Leave a comment

HIVThe Fenway Institute is conducting a study to test a manufactured antibody that will prevent HIV and help researchers learn how the antibody works.

The Fenway Institute is looking to enroll HIV-negative individuals between 18 and 50 years of age and in good health.  Anyone interested in participating in this study should know that it is impossible for the vaccines to give you HIV and cannot cause you to give HIV to someone else.  The study involves up to 11-18 half hour scheduled clinic visits over 8-months. Eligible participants will receive up to $975 for study completion.

While it is great that HIV treatments are prolonging the lives of those with HIV it is time we make AIDS history. If you agree and would be interested in learning more, please contact the Fenway Institute at 617.927.6450 or email bethechange@fenwayhealth.org.

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Posted in AIDS Action Committee, Health

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To PrEP or not to PrEP (that is the question)

Posted on June 4, 2015 | 1 comment

Fenway Health ClinicFenway Health has an interesting infographic about HIV prevention efforts with PrEP that I thought I would share with you.  If you would like to learn more about PrEP visit Fenway Health’s What is PrEP? website.

This is not for everyone  but before you make a decision one way or another, educate yourself and talk with your medical provider to find out if PrEP is right for you.

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Realm health and fitness tips from Kyle

Posted on May 25, 2015 | 3 comments

wineIs that glass of wine worth it?  Sometimes we don’t realize that some of our bad habits and cheat snacks really can add up. If you’re having having trouble losing weight, try adding up the calories from all your guilty pleasures and see in large how many calories it adds up to.

A standard pour of wine has approximately 125 calories.  That means:

  • 1 Glass a night – 861 calories a week and 3,444 a month
  • 2 Glasses a night – 1722 calories a week and 6,888 a month
  • 3 Glasses a night –  2583 calories a week and 10,332 a month

Assuming you are consuming a balanced diet relative to your metabolic rate, and not doing extra workouts this means you will gain at least one pound each month.

Like what you’ve read?  Share these posts with your friends and check out some of my previous blog posts for ideas on how to liven up your fitness routine and to stay motivated in 2015.  Kyle’s Health & Fitness posts.

Kyle at Realm FitnessKyle is a nationally certified personal trainer, certified nutritionist, and lifestyle motivator out of Los Angeles, CA. He has been training for 5 years and has experience working with top-tier celebrity and executive clientele. When he’s not in the gym, Kyle is reading philosophy or writing poetry.

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Posted in Health, Wine

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Some beards found to have bacteria found in feces

Posted on May 18, 2015 | 8 comments

Beard Facial HairI don’t know if this will change people’s perceptions of beards. It certainly makes me think that all the bearded guys I know who are manic about using hand sanitizers may have a bit of a melt down if they read this news report:

A shocking new study has warned that facial hair could be dirtier than a toilet bowl.  According to a group of microbiologists in New Mexico, the rancid bacteria that beards collect could be putting owners’ health at risk. Microbiologist John Golobic, of Quest Diagnostics, swabbed a number of beards searching for bacteria for the study and found that some of the bacteria “are the kind of things that you find in feces.”  

“I’m usually not surprised, and I was surprised by this,” he said. “There would be a degree of uncleanliness that would be somewhat disturbing.” Apparently the key to a poo-free beard is to make sure you wash your hands regularly and avoid playing with and twirling the hair.

“Try to keep your hands away from your face, as much as possible,” Golobic added.

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Posted in Health

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Fenway Health HIV study Stronger Together is looking for gay couples

Posted on May 13, 2015 | Leave a comment

HIV, Fenway Health Study, Stronger TogetherI’m re-posting this to help raise awareness and to hopefully encourage a few of you to participate in a national study Fenway Health is participating that follows 400 gay couples in Atlanta, Boston and Chicago.

The project, Stronger Together, is focused on encouraging male-male couples to get tested for HIV together and to engage in HIV treatment as a couple.  HIV is a difficult issue to talk about with anyone, especially a partner, and that is the real issue around all of this ongoing problem: lack of communication.  If you would like to help be part of the solution, Fenway Health would like to hear from you.

If you would like to learn more about this study, visit the Fenway Health website Stronger Together.

Please share and help spread the word in Atlanta, Boston and Chicago.

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Fenway Health HIV study Stronger Together is looking for gay couples

Posted on April 29, 2015 | Leave a comment

Fenway Health, HIV, AIDSFenway Health is participating in a national study that will follow 400 gay couples in Atlanta, Boston and Chicago.  The project, Stronger Together, is focused on encouraging male-male couples to get tested for HIV together and to engage in HIV treatment as a couple.  HIV is a difficult issue to talk about with anyone, especially a partner, and that is the real issue around all of this ongoing problem: lack of communication.  If you would like to help be part of the solution, Fenway Health would like to hear from you.

If you would like to learn more about this study, visit the Fenway Health website Stronger Together.

Please share and help spread the word in Atlanta, Boston and Chicago.

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