Q: I've been doing aerobics classes and using the treadmill at the gym to try to get rid of my belly fat. It doesn't seem to be working. I'm turning 72 next month. Is this gut an age thing? Arthur L., Naples, Florida

A: It's great that you do regular aerobics. It's essential to keep pushing yourself if you want to avoid age-related weight gain and muscle weakness. But when it comes to losing belly fat, aerobics alone won't cut it. You need to add weight training.

Now, we don't mean that you should start bench-pressing 200 pounds. But working with resistance bands and hand weights or the weight machines at the gym is essential to get rid of that heart-stopping, inflammatory visceral fat that packs in around organs in your abdominal cavity. Go for reps not pounds, and you'll build muscle mass and bone strength and trigger fat-burning processes at the same time.

A recent study from Harvard's School of Public Health found that guys who did 20 minutes of daily weight training had less of an increase in age-related abdominal fat than men who spent the same amount of time doing aerobic activities. The study also reported that adding 20 minutes of weight training was twice as effective as adding 20 minutes of aerobics for reducing your waistline, "especially among the elderly."

The researchers seem to assume that you're going to gain girth as you age, and to us, that's defeatist. You can burn off that belly fat and stay in shape at any age just go for MORE weight-concentrated training. We suggest 30-40 minutes, but only two to three times a week. (Besides, everyone should spend more time at the gym than it takes to get there and back.) While you're still a long way from elderly, talk to your doc and get cleared for doing resistance work at the gym. Remember, "Resistance Is Fertile."

Q: I bought a hypoallergenic and expensive wrinkle cream and I broke out in big red welts! How is that possible with something that isn't supposed to bother your skin at all? Cheryl W., Mentor, Ohio

A: There's a lot of hype around hypoallergenic products. And unfortunately you and lots of other folks pay the price for products that don't deliver what they promise on the label. How is that possible?

Well, according to the Food and Drug Administration, there's no regulation governing the use of the word hypoallergenic! In fact on their website, the FDA says the term means, "whatever a particular company wants it to mean, but dermatologists say it has very little meaning."

Recently, researchers writing a letter to the editor in the Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology said they analyzed 187 personal-care products for kids (shampoos, sunscreens, diaper creams, etc.) all labeled "hypoallergenic," "dermatologist recommended," "fragrance-free" or "paraben-free." What they found was that 89 percent contained at least one chemical known to cause contact dermatitis and 11 percent contained five or more contact allergens. Methylisothiazolinone, named "Contact Allergen of the Year" in 2013 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society, showed up in 21 of the 187 supposedly kind-to-skin products.

So what's a consumer with sensitive skin do to? If a product bothers your skin, read the ingredients label and try to avoid those contents in the future. But, said the researchers, that's not easy. The 80 allergens they searched for show up under around 500 different names! Here's our added advice:

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Burning belly fat; don't fall for the hypo hype

WAYNESBURG Beginning next month, Greene County Department of Recreation will start its winter schedule of exercise programs with morning and evening sessions of four fitness classes.

All classes begin the week of Feb. 2 and include sessions of Body Blast! aerobics, Dance Fit, hatha yoga and Zumba. Individual classes can be attended at a cost of $8 per class, but registration discounts are available. The registration deadline for all classes is Jan. 30 and payment must be made in full. Class sizes are limited.

Four sessions of fitness classes will be held in the 4-H Building at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Waynesburg, with one session of yoga planned for Mon View Roller Rink and Community Center in Greensboro. Attendees should wear sweat-absorbing clothes and good support shoes and bring water and towels.

Both Zumba and Body Blast! aerobics will be offered in morning sessions at the fairgrounds. Zumba will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday from Feb. 3 through March 12, and Body Blast! aerobics will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. every Wednesday from Feb. 4 through March 11. The registration discount for the 18-class combination package is $5 per class, for a total of $90.

The fitness program Zumba combines Latin and international music with dynamic, yet simple exercise moves. Benefits of Zumba include efficient calorie burning, muscle toning and cardiovascular improvement. Body Blast! aerobics classes are designed for both high- and low-intensity workouts. Aerobic exercise conditions the heart and lungs; other benefits include increased energy and stamina, toned muscles, decreased tension and improved mood. The classes will combine fun cardio routines with specific and tailored muscle conditioning. Instructor Melissa Frameli will lead the Zumba classes, and Shastina Humble will lead the Body Blast! classes.

In the evenings, sessions of hatha yoga and Dance Fit will be offered. Certified yoga instructor Virginia Wainwright will lead hatha yoga in two different sessions. Wainwright will instruct yoga from 6 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday from Feb. 3 through March 24 at the fairgrounds, and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday from Feb. 5 through March 26 at Mon View Roller Rink. The registration discount for either eight-class session is $5 per class, for a total of $40 per session.

Hatha yoga is a more gentle style of yoga exercise that is great for beginners and senior citizens. It improves balance and overall health, while increasing flexibility and circulation. Attendees should also bring yoga mats, and shoes will not be worn during the class.

The brand-new Dance Fit classes will begin Thursday, Feb. 5, with Humble as instructor. Classes will run from 6 to 7 p.m. every Thursday through March 12 at the fairgrounds. The registration discount for the six-class session is $5 per class, for a total of $30. The classes will focus on dancing and working out to music mixes from the 1950s to today.

For more information, or to register for any of the classes, call the Department of Recreation at 724-852-5323, or visit http://www.co.greene.pa.us.

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County offering series of winter exercise programs

As we recently welcomed the New Year, the theme for this week is, A fresh start; new beginnings. Although all the animals looking for a home will fit this category, there are some who have captured our emotions more and we feel they deserve this fresh start more than anything. Perhaps it is ones who have been waiting a long time, or a particularly sad case, or ones who found themselves without a home or even strays who deserve a new life.

Alaska - Animal Action Abu Dhabi

Not a great deal is known about Alaska, which is sad in itself. He was in a foster home with other dogs but has since found himself in boarding for over a month, just wondering why and waiting for a family to call his own. For more information about Alaska, please click here or contact Animal Action on animal.action@hotmail.com

Loki - Animal Action Abu Dhabi

Loki is a lovely medium-sized boy. He is looking for a foster or forever home. He is almost two years old and is lovely, but can be skittish and nervous around some situations so he needs a calm and understanding family who know how to communicate well with dogs and understand their needs and their concerns. Loki loves children as well as other dogs. For more information about Loki, please click here or contact Animal Action on animal.action@hotmail.com

Archer - Animal Action Abu Dhabi

Beautiful Archer is still awaiting his forever home. He has now been in his foster home for a year. He is great with children and most other dogs. He is now almost three years old. House and toilet trained. Hes wondering why hes having to wait this long for anyone to even ask about adopting him. He wants to be with a family in a home. He is one of the dogs we have had the longest. For more information about Archer, please click here or contact Animal Action on animal.action@hotmail.com

Julien - Urban Tails Adoptions

Julien is very good with other cats and loves to be around children. He is very playful and friendly. He will love to sit on your lap for cuddles. For more information about Julien, please click here or contact Urban Tails on 04 8848847 or aideen@urbantailsdubai.com

Samantha - Urban Tails Adoptions

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A new beginning for these pets

Signs reading Je Suis Charlie stand on parliamentarians desk at the European Parliment in Strasbourg on Tuesday to remember the victims of the terror attacks on the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine and a Jewish kosher supermarket in France. Photograph: EPA

A set of guidelines for Muslims on how to deal with images depicting the prophet Muhammad has been published by the Islamic Educational & Cultural Centre Ireland.

In response to the murder of members its editorial staff in Paris last week, the cover of the upcoming Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine features a cartoon of the prophet. Depictions of Muhammad are considered taboo in Islam. The image has been widely republished by news and media organisations.

The Islamic centre said the publishing of cartoons that insult or make fun of the prophet Muhammad will hurt the sentiments of 1.8 billion Muslims around the world.

The guidelines call on Muslims to repond by reflecting the teachings of Muhammad: patience, tolerance, gentleness and mercy.

The guidelines, written by Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri, president and imam Al-Mustafa Islamic Educational & Cultural Centre Ireland, are published in full below:

1. For every Muslim, love of the prophet is a necessary part of his/her faith. He is dearer to us than our mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. We prefer him to our own self.

2. The publishing of cartoons that insult or make fun of the Prophet Muhammad will hurt the sentiments of 1.8 billion Muslims around the world, as well as millions of non-Muslims who respect the great personality of prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

3. Muslims do believe in freedom of speech. And they do respect the right for people to say what they believe to be correct. However, we all know that there is no such thing as absolute free speech. There are laws to protect the dignity and properties of people. We urge all decent minded governments and individuals to respect these sensitivities, as we should respect all races and religions. In the struggle for freedom of speech it was never the intention to extend freedom of speech to making fun of insulting customs, traditions, personalities that are sacred to a particular community.

4. As it is clear that the cartoons are to be published again, Muslims will inevitably be hurt, offended and upset, but our reaction must be a reflection of the teachings of the one we love and are offended for. Enduring patience, tolerance, gentleness and mercy as was the character of our beloved prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is the best and immediate way to respond.

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Irish Islamic centre publishes guidelines on Muhammad images