The first idea related to weight loss is to start going to the gym and the next thought is to start with cardio. Cardio is short for cardiovascular activities - activities that raise your heartbeat such as running, skipping, cycling etc.

Cardio is one of the best workouts for your weight loss and aims at overall cardiovascular health. It also helps increase your lung capacity. Cardio helps burn tons of calories and also releases your feel good endorphins. But with these amazing benefits, cardio has also been associated with numerous senseless myths. Here is a list of the myths related to cardio.

Weight loss can not just depend on cardio, it requires a proper balance of cardio, strength training and diet. A perfectly regulated diet is important because without proper diet neither strength training nor cardio is going to help. Strength training is necessary because if you do cardio, it would lead to weight loss, but that is the wrong kind of weight. Strength training helps build lean muscle and speeds up the process of weight loss.

Another famous cardio myth is that fasted cardio is best. When we perform any cardiovascular activity, our body taps into food that we have consumed to obtain energy. Suppose you have not consumed anything before cardio, your body will start tapping into stored reserves for energy. This leads to muscle and also affects your overall performance.

All your body's movements result in a caloric burn, whether you jog for 1 hour or run for 20 minutes, you will surely burn calories. High-intensity short workouts are being favoured nowadays, therefore, thinking that if you won't do cardio for an hour, it will be useless is a complete lie. We hope after reading this you would stop giving excuses of not having enough time to do cardio.

Cardio is an entirely different thing when compared to strength training. People often believe cardio is similar to leg workout, which is not true. When we perform our leg workout we strain numerous leg muscles to lift heavyweights. It results in strengthening of muscles, while cardio trains leg muscles for a different type of strain.

There is no specific order to when you should do your cardio. Strength training helps burn more calories than cardio. So ideally you should first do strength training as you have more energy initially and is better to spend your energy on the workout that will help in burning more calories. Regardless you can follow any order according to your preference, but remember there is no hard and fast rule to do cardio first.

This is one of the silliest myths, actually, it is more of an excuse which has now turned into a myth. Any activity in which your heart rate goes up is cardio. You can incorporate exercises such as jump squats, burpees, jumping lunges, mountain climbers, and more in your cardio routine. None of these exercises requires a gym. All we want to tell you is cardio can be done anywhere, not being able to attend the gym should never be a reason to not do cardio.

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Weight Loss: Most common myths about cardio exercise that you must not believe - Times of India

The holiday decorations have been stowed away (right?), and now its time to look ahead to 2020. Entering the new year is an excellent opportunity to start with a clean slate and adjust some of our behaviors.

The most common New Years resolutions are wellness-related, like getting more exercise, losing weight and giving up that nightly glass of wine.

The problem with these broad resolutions is that they can feel overwhelming, and its easy to get discouraged and give up entirely when we dont see immediate results. If, instead, we opt for more specific, attainable New Years resolutions, were more likely to stick with them throughout 2020 and beyond.

We asked local experts for their tips on how to replace the common, overwhelming resolutions with more realistic ones that set us up for success. Heres what they had to say about diet, exercise and dipping into our vices in moderation.

One of the most common New Years resolutions is to start a diet, and the goal is often weight loss. But rather than focusing on a number on the scale, Christy Goff, a registered dietitian at Pacific Medical Centers in Seattle, suggests eating for energy instead. After all, each calorie is a unit of energy and eating enough calories per day is crucial to maintaining the stamina we need to go about our daily lives and engage in the physical activities we enjoy.

To eat for energy, you want to choose nutrient-dense foods to make sure your body is well-nourished, says Goff. This means maintaining a diet that includes protein, fats and carbohydrates.

Eating regular meals and snacks will regulate your blood sugar and ensure that youre consuming enough calories. Goff also recommends choosing foods that are rich in B vitamins and magnesium, such as vegetables, whole grains and nuts. Try to incorporate these foods into each meal. [They] assist in the energy production process in our bodies, she says.

Make sure youre drinking plenty of liquids throughout the day because, as Goff notes, dehydration is a common cause of fatigue and sleepiness.

Lastly, she suggests avoiding added sugars, excess caffeine and alcohol, and pre-packaged foods. Not only do they zap your energy, but they can also interfere with your sleep.

Another reason to shift your focus away from the number on the scale is because weight simply isnt the best indicator of health. We know that with healthy behaviors and lifestyle choices, we can be healthy at many sizes, says Goff. Health can be gauged more by how we feel emotionally, as well as what our blood labs and energy levels are telling us.

Furthermore, people who are not looking for a specific weight outcome tend to stick to their healthy diet habits for longer.

Getting in shape and striving for a rigid exercise regimen is another common New Years resolution. Rather than thinking of exercise as a way to lose weight or get killer abs, Cedric X. Bryant, the Redmond-based president and chief science officer at the American Council on Exercise, suggests thinking of exercise as a way to feel better mentally and emotionally especially because we kick off our resolutions during the dark and gloomy winter months.

A major benefit of exercising to boost your mood is that you feel the results almost immediately. Bryant says that youll quickly notice that youre better equipped to handle stress, youre sleeping better and your mood has improved. Getting that reinforcement so early in the process means youll be more likely to keep up your fitness regimen. In contrast, if you exercise with the goal of losing weight, it takes at least several weeks before you see any results and its easy to get discouraged and throw in the towel.

Whether its a glass (or three) of wine or eating a few cannabis edibles, its common to have a vice that we turn to after a rough day. If you feel guilty about your intake, it may seem like resolving to give up all your sinning is the perfect New Years resolution. But a more realistic resolution is to be mindful about your intake rather than attempting to give up everything forever.

Carolyn Watson, a Seattle-based mindfulness expert and certified pilates instructor at Balanced Body, explains that our vices typically trigger dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that gives us pleasure and makes us feel good. The reason most vices are labeled as such is because many of them have potentially negative side effects if theyre frequently used.

Mindfulness is easier to maintain when people understand how much power they have to choose how they get their dopamine release, says Watson. Especially when the days are short and our region is engulfed in a perpetual blanket of gray, it can be challenging to feel good without actively seeking some type of stimulating activity.

Watson notes that in the winter months, many of her clients have an increased consumption of caffeine and alcohol, drinking coffee all morning and then switching to alcoholic beverages after dark. But she recommends diversifying the ways you get your dopamine fix. Exercise, food, water and kind touch all cause the release of dopamine, says Watson.

This is where mindfulness comes in rather than consuming three cups of coffee and two glasses of wine, and eating a cheese plate for dinner, make the conscious decision to engage in a healthier activity that also releases dopamine. For example, Watson suggests taking a 30-minute walk, cuddling with a pet or having a few ounces of chocolate. Eliminating all the vices can make many people feel depressed and quite unwell, says Watson. A better strategy would be to aim for diverse and moderate dopamine triggers.

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Blown your resolutions already? Tips for getting what you really want. - Seattle Times

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Sometimes in life, you just need some help. You can work out all the time and change your diet up completely to a healthier style, but sometimes physical problems can just crop up. Its the sad name of the game.

One of the better ways to fix some of the problems you are experiencing is to get and ingest some supplements. Vitamins and things of that nature to enhance anything you are already doing. To help boost the levels in your body that may not be high enough.

Its a great option, but some of these things may not work for you if you are trying to stick to a keto lifestyle. So you need to keep an eye out for that when you search for the right supplements for your needs.

Luckily, there are plenty of options out there and Walgreens is one of the best spots in town to pick these supplements up. Below are some of the items in the Walgreens stock that are keto-friendly. Pick some of them up or just browse to look for the supplement that works for you.

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Walgreens Has The Supplements You Need If You Are On The Keto Diet - Men's Journal

Psoriasis often heavily impacts a sufferers everyday live. It tends to appear on the elbows, knees and scalp, but any part of the body can be affected. Many sufferers will have tried multiple topical and systemic treatments to tackle the condition to get some relief from their symptoms.

But it can be hard and time consuming to find the right creams and formulas to work, as every case is different.

There is unfortunately no cure for psoriasis although there are several effective medical treatment options, and symptoms may also be improved by understanding specific triggers.

Dr. Daniel Glass of The Dermatology Clinic London, shares his tips on how to help naturally reduce the severity of this condition with Express.co.uk, one of which is to include oily fish in your diet.

Dr Glass explained: One of the most frequently asked questions by patients with psoriasis is whether dietary changes can improve their condition. Although there are a limited number of controlled trials that address this question, there are some emerging trends which show some promise for psoriasis sufferers.

READ MORE:Skin cancer symptoms: Four warning signs your mole is melanoma - and how to prevent it

A survey of 1206 patients with psoriasis in 2017 showed 40 percent reported modifying their diets to try to help their psoriasis. Although no single diet was adhered to by all patientsthe most common diets tried included gluten free diet, a palaeolithic diet, low carbohydrate/high protein diet, a Mediterranean diet and a vegetarian diet.

Those with psoriasis consumed statistically significant lower amounts of sugar, whole grain fibre, dairy products, and calcium (P<.001). Patient diets also included significantly more fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

Certain foods stood out as more frequently reported to affect symptoms, particularly fish oil, fruits, vegetables, and water, which were all reported by at least 10 percent of people to positively affect their psoriasis. Reductions in consumption of alcohol, gluten, nightshades, and junk foods were associated with skin improvements in at least 50 percent of patients.

Consider increasing the amount of oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna and other fish rich in omega 3 into your diet, as well as supplementing with an omega 3 capsule. Vitamin D has also been shown to improve symptoms in some psoriasis sufferers and is one of the key ingredients of a topical cream I often prescribe to my patients.

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Dr Glass added people with psoriasis have an increased risk of also having coeliac disease and even if not diagnosed with coeliac have increased levels of anti-gliadin antibodies which is found in coeliac disease.

He advised: Avoidance of gluten can be beneficial in a proportion of patients with psoriasis. In fact, one study of psoriasis patients who were tested positive for antigliadin antibodies found that the majority (82 percent) experienced a decrease in antibody levels and affected skin area after following a gluten-free diet.

Leading a healthier lifestyle is another way Dr Glass recommends to help symptoms of the condition.

He said: Although alcohol and smoking are linked to more severe psoriasis and limiting your alcohol intake or cutting out alcohol completely may well improve the severity of psoriasis. I am not aware of any randomised controlled clinical trials assessing interventions for alcohol abstinence or smoking cessation.

There is also evidence to suggest that weight loss and exercise may help to improve symptoms, since obesity is associated with more severe psoriasis. Whereas dietary intervention may improve psoriasis in people who are overweight and as a result of modifications in diet then lose weight. What is less clear is the role of dietary modification in people who are not overweight.

In addition to higher body mass index scores, Dr Glass added both poor gum health, and speech difficulties related to dental problems are correlated with more severe psoriasis symptoms particularly in children, which is another good reason to look after your teeth.

Dietary changes alone may not cause a large effect in psoriasis but may become an important addition to medical treatments.

Dr Glass said: In most cases I would recommend a combination of topical and systemic treatments, alongside lifestyle dietary modifications to ensure the best results and to help keep your psoriasis under control.

Another alternative treatment the skin expert recommends is controlling psoriasis with your mind.

He explained: A less well-known and increasingly successful way to tackle psoriasis is to look at the psychology behind it, as there are strong documented links between the mind and the skin. For example, when we are stressed certain hormones are released, which can have a direct effect on our skin, either causing a flare up or aggravating affected areas.

Major stress mediators which can aggravate skin disease include Corticotropin-releasing hormone, Adrenocorticotropic hormone, prolactin and substance P. This can also be self perpetuating as in many cases, if youre experiencing a flare up of psoriasis, this can make you feel more anxious and self-conscious, adding further to your stress and exacerbating your symptoms, resulting in a vicious cycle.

For sufferers who need immediate relief from their symptoms, I suggest consulting with a psychologist alongside topical and systemic medical treatments, to help give them the necessary coping mechanisms for when they do have a psoriasis flare up as well as exploring stressful factors in their lives that may be contributing to flares in skin disease. Suggested psychological therapy includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), breathing exercises and relaxation to try to limit flare ups.

If you suffer from psoriasis or any other skin condition, you can contact http://www.thedermatologyclinic.london to book an appointment with Dr Daniel Glass or another member of the team.

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Psoriasis treatment: Including this food in your diet may help relieve the skin condition - Express

Visceral fat, in contrast to subcutaneous fat - the type of fat you can pinch, lies hidden under the surface. You may not be able to see it, but visceral fat poses a far greater health risk than subcutaneous fat.

It is stored dangerously close to vital organs such as the liver and intestines, which means carrying too much of it can trigger a number of chronic and potentially life-threatening diseases.

Visceral fat build-up is usually the result of unhealthy dietary decisions so drastically cutting back on the worst culprits can help to reduce the harmful belly fat.

According to research published in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation, one of the main dietary offers is sugar-sweetened beverages.

Data from the Framingham Heart Study - a long-term, ongoing cardiovascular cohort study of residents of the city of Framingham, Massachusetts - showed that among middle-aged adults, there was a direct correlation between greater sweetened beverage consumption and increased visceral fat.

After looking at both sugar-sweetened beverages and diet soda consumption, the researchers did not identify this association with diet soda, which is often promoted as low in calories and sugar.

READ MORE:How to get rid of visceral fat: Best exercise to beat the harmful belly fat

"There is evidence linking sugar-sweetened beverages with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes," said Caroline S. Fox, M.D., M.P.H, lead study author and a former investigator with the Framingham Heart Study of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

She continued: To policy makers, this study adds another piece of evidence to the growing body of research suggesting sugar-sweetened beverages may be harmful to our health."

While the exact biological mechanism is unknown, Jiantao Ma, M.D., Ph.D., post-doctoral fellow at the NIH and co-leader of the study, said that it's possible that added sugars found in sugary beverages may be the culprit.

This explanation is consistent with a growing body of evidence that links added sugars to visceral fat gain.

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Research shows that added sugar contains roughly 50 percent fructose, a simple sugar that is metabolised by the liver.

In large amounts, fructose can get turned into fat by the liver and this may increase visceral fat storage.

This process also suggests that eating less added sugar and fructose may be an effective way to lose visceral fat.

Additionally, in a study in 41 children aged nine to 18, scientists replaced fructose in their diets with starch that provided the same amount of calories.

They found that this simple change reduced liver fat by 3.4 percent and visceral fat by 10.6 percent in just 10 days.

In addition to shunning the worst dietary offenders, you should pay attention to portion size, and emphasise complex carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) and lean protein to combat the harmful belly fat, advises Harvard Health.

Engaging in physical exercise is another proven way to help reduce the harmful belly fat.

Harvard Health recommends engaging in regular moderate-intensity physical activity at least 30 minutes per day (and perhaps up to 60 minutes per day) to control weight and lose belly fat.

Many studies support this advice, showing that aerobic exercise in particular can help you lose visceral fat, even without dieting.

For example, an analysis of 15 studies in 852 people compared how well different types of exercise reduced visceral fat without dieting.

They found that moderate and high-intensity aerobic exercises were most effective at reducing visceral fat without dieting.

Strength training (exercising with weights) may also help fight visceral fat, although, as Harvard Health notes, spot exercising, such as doing sit-ups, can tighten abdominal muscles, but it won't attack visceral fat.

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How to lose visceral fat: Cut back on these types of drinks to reduce harmful belly fat - Express

There are three keys to a successful weight loss plan diet, exercise, and metabolism correction. All three keys interconnect one will not work without the other. Your metabolism is the most powerful of all the three keys it is the switch that controls everything else. In most people this switch is off.

Metabolism problems such as slow thyroid, type 2 diabetes, sluggish liver, hormone imbalances, PCOS, endometriosis, infertility, and digestive problems such as constipation, IBS, and diverticulitis will limit or stop your weight loss, no matter how much dieting or exercise you do. Work on fixing your metabolism problems for amazing results. Combine this with a reasonable diet and a reasonable amount of exercise and you will get the best, the fastest, and the easiest weight loss ever.

The System 10 plan includes:

An analysis of your metabolism.

Dietician designed highly balanced food plans of normal, natural foods no pills, bars, or shakes.

An exercise plan [home walk, jog, or bike] or gym plan including toning.

Nutritional supplement recommendations to rapidly repair your system.

Private weigh-ins, motivational tips, and support throughout the programme.

System 10 guarantees that every pound you lose is a pound of fat [you do not lose water or muscle like most plans]. You will lose 2-3lb every week and, because the programme is designed to speed up your metabolism, you will keep the weight off when you finish your plan. Programmes are available for men and women.

Contact Grace on 087 1727882 for an appointment. Clinics are located in Salthill, Oranmore, and Clifden.

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Lose up to two stone in ten weeks - Galway Advertiser

I signed myself up for the five-night, Art of Detox programme, which aims to rid the system of oxidants and restore normal metabolic functions, and brings me back to my first consultation with Dr Pillai. Having taken my biometrics (BMI, body composition and blood pressure), he proceeded to diagnose my doshas. According to Ayurveda, all humans are made up of a combination of three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. You are a classic case of Vata, he tells me, with a totally overactive Pitta: light-hearted yet fickle, with a tendency towards stubbornness. Seldom have I received a more accurate character reference from a man Id just met.

The aim? To bring my pitta back to normal functioning order, which included going cold turkey on caffeine, no spicy foods, and gentle to slow-paced activities something that this coffee-drinking, curry-loving, high-intensity exercising individual would learn to embrace over the next few days. In fact, during my stay, life developed a pleasantly languorous rhythm. Wake up, a gentle open-air yoga class, meditation, followed by a light breakfast of fruits and cereals, and an almost daily pre-lunch, pre-dinner massage. Each evening, relaxing amid the minimalist surroundings of my one-bedroom pool villa (all wood, stone, and verdant vistas), I would be presented with a fresh set of gleaming white kurta pyjamas (the uniform for the duration of my stay) and the following days timetable.

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Mending mind and soul in the mountains: How I mastered the art of detox on an Ayurvedic retreat in the Western Ghats - The Telegraph

Bipasha Basu (Photo Credits: File Image / Instagram / Bipasha Basu)

Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu turns 41 on January 7, 2020. She has always been considered as one of the fittest and hottest female stars since she made her Bollywood debut in 2001. Fitness has always been the topmost priority of Bipasha Basu. The actress has always been in the best shape throughout her career. On occasion of Bipasha Basu's birthday, let us throw light on her workout and diet.Bipasha Basu Is Pregnant? Fans Speculate After She Makes a Stunning Appearance With Husband Karan Singh Grover (View Pics)

After winning a supermodel contest in the year 1996, Bipasha Basu pursued her career in the fashion industry. She later got a big break in Bollywood in Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor and Bobby Deol blockbuster movie Ajnabee in the year 2001. The actress played a negative role in that movie and also bagged Filmfare Award that year for Best Female Debut. Bipasha later went on to give big hit movies like Raaz, Jism, Corporate to name a few. Now let us throw light on the Bollywood diva's exercise regime which helps her to maintain a well-toned body.Bigg Boss 13: Bipasha Basu Backs Arti Singh for Opening Up about Depression, Says Anyone Making a Mockery of It Is Insensitive

Bipasha Basu kicks off her workout session with Surya namaskar every morning. The actress spends about an hour on cardi which includes running on treadmill, cycling and cross-trainer on the elliptical machine. Apart from that, Bipasha Basu also does weight training, conditioning exercises along with core workout. The Bollywood actress highly concentrates on training her lower body where her major focus is on the quadriceps, gluteus and hamstring muscles.

Bipasha Basu's Core Workout

Bipasha Basu's High Intense Training

Bipasha Doing Yoga

Bipasha Basu's Conditioning Workout

Bipasha Basu starts off her day with lukewarm water with lime. The Raaz actress believes in having a nutritious breakfast. Her morning meal takes place, just an hour after her workout session which includes six egg whites, toast, porridge, a glass of skimmed milk and fresh fruits. Bipasha keeps her lunch simple which consist of dal, vegetable and wheat chapatti. In the evening she prefers tea with a digestive biscuit. While her dinner includes only grilled chicken or steamed fish with a green salad. The actress stays away from junk food and uses olive oil for cooking food.

The Jism actress Bipasha believes that discipline is the main key to achieve a healthy body. Apart from the good exercise and strict diet, it is necessary to follow a healthy lifestyle which should include eating meals at proper time. Also, after a rigorous workout session, the body needs rest to recover, the actress makes sure that she takes seven to eight hours of good night sleep. Bipasha Basu's fitness should inspire every woman to stay fit and do some physical activity. We wish Bipasha Basu a very Happy Birthday.

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Bipasha Basu Birthday Special: Workout and Diet of Bollywood Actress That Makes Her One of the Fittest - LatestLY

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn't produce enough insulin to function properly, or the body's cells don't react to insulin.

This means glucose stays in the blood and isn't used as fuel for energy, which may seem harmless at first, but overtime, this process can act as a precursor to heart disease.

While not everyone experiences symptoms in the early stages, it is important to contact your GP if you recognise the warning signs because early diagnosis and treatment can ward off the threat of developing long-term complications.

One of the main warning signs of type 2 diabetes is polydipsia, a term used to describe excessive thirst, which is also usually accompanied by temporary or prolonged dryness of the mouth.

As Diabetes.co.uk points out, it is natural to get thirsty at various times during the day and adequate daily intake of water is very important as water is essential for many bodily functions, including regulating body temperature and removing waste.

However, if you feel thirsty all the time or your thirst is stronger than usual and continues even after you drink, it can be a sign that not all is well inside your body.

Diabetes.co.uk explains: Increased thirst in people with diabetes can sometimes be, but certainly not always, an indication of higher than normal blood glucose levels.

READ MORE:Tom Hanks health: Actor says he was a total idiot after being diagnosed with condition

Other symptoms of type 2 diabetes

Other symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

You should contact your GP if you have any of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes or you're worried you may have a higher risk of getting it, advises the NHS.

According to the health site, you'll need a blood test, which you may have to go to your local health centre for if it cannot be done at your GP surgery.

The earlier diabetes is diagnosed and treatment started, the better. Early treatment reduces your risk of other health problems, it added.

If you receive a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, measures must be taken to keep blood sugar levels from spiking.

The two main components of blood sugar management are eating a healthy, balanced diet and keeping active.

Mounting evidence suggests sticking to a low-carb diet offers a robust defence against rising blood sugar because carbohydrate is broken down into glucose relatively quickly and therefore has a more pronounced effect on blood sugar levels.

A handy way to keep avoid the risks posed by high-carb items is to follow the glycemic index.

The glycaemic index (GI) is a rating system for foods containing carbohydrates. It shows how quickly each food affects your blood sugar (glucose) level when that food is eaten on its own.

The ranking system is usually found on the front of food packets so when shopping, look for foods that have a low or medium GI rating.

As the NHS explains, low or medium GI foods are broken down more slowly and cause a gradual rise in blood sugar levels over time.

They include:

In addition, you should aim to do at least 2.5 hours of physical exercise every week to keep rising sugar levels at bay, recommends the NHS.

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Type 2 diabetes: Do you experience this when you drink? It could be a warning sign - Express

Need a little entertainment in the off-season? The Marthas Vineyard Playhouse keeps its doors open all winter long to bring Vineyarders a variety of excuses to get out of the house. Poetry readings, classic movies, live music, art shows, and even a bit of drama are among the options provided by the Playhouse on a regular schedule. This month, you can check out any or all of the above. Poet Arnie Reisman will continue his long-running series Poetry and Pie (previously Poetry Cafe) with readings by established poets. Every month on a Wednesday night, Reisman invites a lineup of local poets to read, while the Playhouse supplies the pie and coffee. The Monday Night Movie series will feature classic dance movies throughout the month of January. Let Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, and Gene Kelly brighten up your winter as the Playhouse screens a weekly film featuring the kind of dance spectacles that only old Hollywood can provide. The upcoming exhibit, Our Children, in the Playhouses lobby ArtSpace is sponsored by Media Voices for Children, and features gorgeous photographs of children from around the world and on the Vineyard by U.R. (Robin) Romano and Melissa Blythe Knowles. The images are from a new series featuring joyful photos of children in the Bal Ashram rehabilitation and training center. The opening on Jan. 18 will include a screening of Galen Films Children of Bal Ashram followed by a Q & A with the filmmakers, Len and Georgia Morris. Attend one or both, admission to the photo exhibition opening is free. There is a suggested donation of $10 for the film screening. The exhibit opening begins at 5:30, with the film screening at 7 pm.

The Wicked Good Musical Revue series continues this month with the theme of Something Old, Something New. As always, the selection of show tunes and more will feature singers Molly Conole, David Behnke, Jenny Friedman, Ken Romero, and Rachel Enriquez, with accompanists Peter Boak and Molly Sturges. There will be three shows on Jan. 24, 25, and 26. The January offering from playwright, actress, and humorist Jenny Allens Jennys Drama Salon on Wednesday, Jan. 29, will be another exciting evening of theater trivia. Test your drama knowledge as you compete against your neighbors for fun prizes. Admission is $10 and includes a beverage and homemade dessert. Shakespeare for the Masses returns on Feb. 1 and 2 with a playful staged reading of Antony and Cleopatra by the popular troupe dedicated to bringing abridged and enhanced versions of the bards work to Island audiences. Just in time for Valentines Day, the second offering in the new series Wintertime Melodies will feature love songs for everyone on Feb. 14 and 15. Paul Munafo and Shelagh Hackett perform a variety of tunes in the Playhouse lobby. Looking ahead, the Playhouse will offer a special treat in April when they host the play Whose Aemilia? by Rachel Eugster, playwright and lead actress. The four-character drama tells the story of the woman who may or may not have been the Dark Lady in Shakespeares sonnets.

The Playhouses afterschool theater program, Winter Stars, is expanding this year to include third grade students and now includes students grades three to eight, and will extend to twice-a-week sessions throughout the winter and early spring. There are more events in the works for the Playhouse in the coming months. Check mvplayhouse.org for future happenings.

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On tap at the MV Playhouse - Martha's Vineyard Times