Have you seen the TV ad for the latest scam from 23andme.com? It's as bad as the "blood type diet" bollocks.
Although previously banned by the USFDA, because DNA can't predict, e.g., the likelihood of heart disease, they are suggesting you can make health decisions based on DNA while the small print says "for informational purposes only", i.e., it's useless.
Talking of small print, I read a review on Amazon that says it better than I could:
"the fine print is that, even if you decide to opt-out of their research program and don't give them any "Self-Reported" information, they still sell their partners more than enough data to connect your name and location (among other things) to your genetic information. For instance, they collect your "Web Behavior Information" including your IP address, operating system, your ISP, browser type, cookies, anything you mention in your emails to customer support, and worst of all: web beacons. These are special cookies that track all of your browsing history. A cookie from Facebook can instantly give 23andMe access to your FB profile name. Any profile picture you post on 23andMe can be downloaded by an app developer. App developers are given access to your traits. How many people in a specific zip code of a small town have 1) red, curly hair 2) are good at sprinting 3) have bad teeth 4) poor memory 5) and diabetes? All of this data -- combined with your "web behavior and genetic information -- makes it incredibly easy for any app developer (or drug company) to identify you (even if the developer (technically) only has access to your "anonymous" id number). It is especially easy to identify males who have some sort of relatively uncommon disease. Overall, 23andMe's privacy FAQ is very misleading, and possibly illegal."
Friday, January 2
Wednesday, December 10
I wanted to be Darth Vader
OK, I'll be honest here: I always thought Darth Vader was the coolest character in Star Wars.
Cooler even than the smooth Han Solo and waaaaaaay cooler than Luke Skywalker.
And that was before he became a reformed man in Return of the Jedi.
When I saw the first film (Episode IV - A New Hope), I tried using the Force - I was only seven! - but to no avail.
Anyone else?
Cooler even than the smooth Han Solo and waaaaaaay cooler than Luke Skywalker.
And that was before he became a reformed man in Return of the Jedi.
When I saw the first film (Episode IV - A New Hope), I tried using the Force - I was only seven! - but to no avail.
Anyone else?
Sunday, November 2
Patience & Power
I'm a firm believer in not learning something unless you intend to use it - why waste energy researching stuff you'll never put into practice? - so I never really got into the nitty-gritty of iMovie until I was invited by Rick Goodchild to present a ride at the Ride For Life 12-hour indoor cycling event in aid of Cancer Research UK.
Always one to bite off more than I can chew, I didn't want to just have just some background scenery but something that reflected the mood of each track. Then I had several brainwaves at once (my head hurt trying to cope!): I'd use a heartwarming clip that I saw ages ago about a man overcoming all odds to walk again; use interviews with cancer survivors during the recoveries; and have an intro similar to the Make Poverty History campaign, where each click of the fingers symbolised the death of a child.
It took some work, and a very steep learning curve, but this was the ride I presented. I hope you enjoy the ride and that you can be there at the next Ride For Life in 2015.
Can't see the video? Click here!
Always one to bite off more than I can chew, I didn't want to just have just some background scenery but something that reflected the mood of each track. Then I had several brainwaves at once (my head hurt trying to cope!): I'd use a heartwarming clip that I saw ages ago about a man overcoming all odds to walk again; use interviews with cancer survivors during the recoveries; and have an intro similar to the Make Poverty History campaign, where each click of the fingers symbolised the death of a child.
It took some work, and a very steep learning curve, but this was the ride I presented. I hope you enjoy the ride and that you can be there at the next Ride For Life in 2015.
Can't see the video? Click here!
Thursday, October 30
Metafit cancelled this week
Normal service will be resumed next Saturday, we hope to see you then.
Monday, October 13
Metafit
Created by a former Royal Marine Commando, Metafit looks to burn fat by working big muscle groups with simple, unchoreographed bodyweight exercises in high intensity intervals. There are many copycat workouts but none compare to the original.
It's difficult to describe but you can find out more on our Facebook page or, better yet, join us for a FREE taster session!
Monday, October 6
Rise of the Phoenix
Hi there!
If you are following this blog, you may have noticed a distinct lack of posts from me in your feed. After a few years' sabbatical, where I decamped to Facebook, I shall be returning to blogging again.
I'll come clean: I got enticed by the immediacy and interaction of Facebook but that interaction also meant dealing with the irrational, the idiotic and the downright nasty. So, to retain my sanity, I have recently left every FB group related to indoor cycling and fitness bar one, reverting back to my blog (which I originally started to move away from an indoor cycling forum that had turned nasty).
My aim is to post anything that wouldn't or doesn't make it to a paid online publication. This blog helped me get noticed but I have to pay the bills; so, any profiles or articles deemed worthy of being published won't be reproduced here (for obvious reasons!).
I hope, however, that I'll still have plenty to say and write - watch this space!
If you are following this blog, you may have noticed a distinct lack of posts from me in your feed. After a few years' sabbatical, where I decamped to Facebook, I shall be returning to blogging again.
I'll come clean: I got enticed by the immediacy and interaction of Facebook but that interaction also meant dealing with the irrational, the idiotic and the downright nasty. So, to retain my sanity, I have recently left every FB group related to indoor cycling and fitness bar one, reverting back to my blog (which I originally started to move away from an indoor cycling forum that had turned nasty).
My aim is to post anything that wouldn't or doesn't make it to a paid online publication. This blog helped me get noticed but I have to pay the bills; so, any profiles or articles deemed worthy of being published won't be reproduced here (for obvious reasons!).
I hope, however, that I'll still have plenty to say and write - watch this space!
Thursday, May 24
A week is a long time in fitness
So, it's been a mixed bag this week:
• I gave up my Tuesday evening class at Downham Leisure Centre for a variety of reasons but, mainly, their combination made the class feel like a chore. Spinning is a passion for me and I used my justification for leaving my desk job a few years ago: if you dread going into work several times in a row, then it's time to move on (if you can!).
• The next day I was asked to start a new Friday early morning class at Bannatyne's Grove Park. I had been covering the Wednesday 7am class for another instructor for nearly five months and I can only guess that the members must have lobbied for me to lead another early morning class. Thank you, riders, your appreciation and efforts are truly humbling!
• Then, today, the day I'm getting ready to go on a much-needed holiday, I find out that my 7.15am classes on Tuesday and Thursday at LA Fitness are going to be handed over to in-house gym staff. To pull this off, I think they will need to have an extra person on duty at that time of day, so it's a false economy - especially so when several members said that, without my two classes, they'd have no reason to stay at the gym, thus losing more money. I won't be there now until 12 & 14 June, which will be my last two classes...unless my riders are successful in their lobbying while I'm away!
Anyway, as Spock would say, it's illogical to fret about things over which I have no control; I just hope the riders at LA Fitness are as successful as those at Bannatyne's. People power can work, if that power is greater than the pressure from the suits at head office. Just as in any democracy, people are the key - if enough of them vote (with their feet or their voice) then change CAN happen!
Now to enjoy my last day before a well-earned break!
• I gave up my Tuesday evening class at Downham Leisure Centre for a variety of reasons but, mainly, their combination made the class feel like a chore. Spinning is a passion for me and I used my justification for leaving my desk job a few years ago: if you dread going into work several times in a row, then it's time to move on (if you can!).
• The next day I was asked to start a new Friday early morning class at Bannatyne's Grove Park. I had been covering the Wednesday 7am class for another instructor for nearly five months and I can only guess that the members must have lobbied for me to lead another early morning class. Thank you, riders, your appreciation and efforts are truly humbling!
• Then, today, the day I'm getting ready to go on a much-needed holiday, I find out that my 7.15am classes on Tuesday and Thursday at LA Fitness are going to be handed over to in-house gym staff. To pull this off, I think they will need to have an extra person on duty at that time of day, so it's a false economy - especially so when several members said that, without my two classes, they'd have no reason to stay at the gym, thus losing more money. I won't be there now until 12 & 14 June, which will be my last two classes...unless my riders are successful in their lobbying while I'm away!
Anyway, as Spock would say, it's illogical to fret about things over which I have no control; I just hope the riders at LA Fitness are as successful as those at Bannatyne's. People power can work, if that power is greater than the pressure from the suits at head office. Just as in any democracy, people are the key - if enough of them vote (with their feet or their voice) then change CAN happen!
Now to enjoy my last day before a well-earned break!
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