Dr Quinn Medicine Woman

It is time to get ready for the spring, people are getting rid of the old to make room to bring in the new. What better time than now, "spring cleaning" to get started on that New Year's resolution of losing weight. You are tossing out those clothes that you no longer want or need, but what happens when you come across that favorite dress or jeans from back in the day. You start to think, what quick weight loss tips can I use to get back into these?

Once the decision has been made to loss those extra pounds a priority, there are several tips for losing weight that one can use to make it happen. Here are just a few of the tips to begin your weight loss journey:

Exercise, you have heard that old quote "no pain, no gain". Well it isn't exactly pain that we are after with exercising. What we want is dedication, you will need to make a commitment to doing some of aerobic exercise if you want to lose weight.

The good thing is that is only takes 20 minutes a day to be effective and there are several exercises that one can do in order to meet this requirement.

Let's start with walking, very easy to get you started, and what better way to enjoy the weather than taking a nice brisk walk outside. Think about it, you walk from your car to entrance of your favorite mall, store, or supermarket. Why not try and add an additional 2000 steps to something that you are already doing on a daily basis.

Next what about chores that you do around the house, ladies if you like to dance, how about dancing as you are cleaning? You can add a little jig as you are vacuuming around the house, or even add a one two step as you are sweeping. By adding these little things you are burning off more calories.

Additional quick weight loss tips cover eating a healthy diet. The number one thing that a person can do to lose weight quickly is drink plenty of water. Water is needed for the regulation of the body, it helps to get rid of toxins and helps with the metabolism, and it acts like an internal flushing system allowing the fat to be metabolized at a faster rate.

Regain control of your diet, stop settling for prepackaged foods or fast foods. Begin by introducing fresh fruits, vegetables, organic and lean meats into your diet. This way you are reducing calories and eliminating foods that are high in fat and high in sodium. Make sure you apply this weight loss diet tips for the sake of your healthy and slim body.

Stop with the sweets, instead of having a cookie or that slice of cake for a mid afternoon snack, opt for fruits, yogurt, vegetables or nuts.

Quick weight loss tips are all about the way that you eat and getting enough exercise. These are essential if you want to get rid of the junk in the trunk in a short period of time. By following these healthy weight loss tips, you can have a body that is new and defined, just in time for the turn of the summer.

Whether you are happy with your weight or just want to drop 5 to 10 pounds, weight control is all about making lifestyle changes. This is especially true if you want to keep the weight off for the duration of your life.

The greatest thing about controlling your weight is, you don't have to learn anything new. You have already been using and applying several methods to lose weight; now these same methods can assist you in keeping the weight off. Here is another look at look at these strategies:

#1. Exercising is now a part of your life. You needed it to drop the weight and you will need to maintain your weight. Here is where it doesn't have to seem like a chore, just get out there and walk No matter what your schedule may look like, there is always an opportunity to walk a little longer and get those additional 2000 steps in. Walking to loose weight is so simple and anyone can do it without much effort.

#2. As this has been mentioned time and time again. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water on a daily basis, water is essential for a variety of reasons. Also be sure to start your day with a glass of water, just before you have your breakfast. This helps in regulating your metabolism and keeps your energy up and most health and fitness experts consider it as the best ways to loose weight.

#3. Additionally eating smaller portions can do wonders for weight loss control. No matter if you are dining out for the evening or having an entertaining meal at home. This assists with maintaining the amount of calories that you eat during one sitting.

#4. This leads us to the fourth tip, eating at least five to six small meals daily. As mentioned before you want to keep a tab on the amount of calories that you eat in one meal sitting. Eating five to six meals a day, helps to provide your body with the fuel that it needs to keep working.

#5. For those of you with a sweet tooth, try substitution. Since everyone loves to try a nice tasting dessert, instead of having a taste of cake, how about trying a fruit plate. If you still want to have that decadent slice a cake or pie, try and go organic and limit to only one slice. This way you don't have to feel like you are depriving yourself of the goodies.

Remember that no matter who you are, what you do for a living, or whether or not you have just lose weight - these are healthy lifestyle tips that can be used by anyone, just to maintain your overall health and wellness. You will find that by using these simple tips, as a way to beat the overall stresses of daily life, you feel better, you look better, and your body functions better not forgetting it help to control your weight.

In conclusion, healthy weight control isn't a chore, it is a lifestyle change. A change that assist you in enjoying your life to the fullest at just about every stage of your life, while keeping you in fit shape at the same time.

MUMBAI | BANGALORE: Fortis Healthcare has emerged as the front-runner to acquire a substantial stake in the unlisted Wockhardt Hospitals, people familiar with the development said.

Fortis' promoters have reached a broad agreement with Wockhardt's founder Habil Khorakiwala on a possible deal to acquire up to 74% in the hospital chain for close to Rs 750 crore, valuing the business at over Rs 1,000 crore, the people said. Wockhardt Hospitals is a 100% subsidiary of pharmaceutical company Wockhardt.

Private equity firms General Atlantic and Advent were also in the race, but Fortis is close to clinching the deal, they added.

Investment bankers said if the deal materialises, Fortis, which is run by Shivinder Singh — the younger brother of Ranbaxy's MD and CEO Malvinder Singh — is likely to invest Rs 400 crore in the first phase for a 40% equity holding, and plans to subsequently increase its stake. But a formal deal is yet to be sealed, with both parties in the process of ironing out differences, including those over branding the hospital chain.

When contacted, a Wockhardt spokesperson refused comment. A Fortis Healthcare spokesperson said: "We are in the market. We cannot comment on market speculation or any individual deals."

Bankers told ET that Fortis' promoters and Mr Khorakiwala had reached an agreement almost 10 days ago. One banker said Fortis is valuing the hospital chain at over Rs 1,000 crore, which is substantially lower than the proposed IPO valuation, arrived at almost 15 months ago. In February 2008, Wockhardt had sought to divest 24% for Rs 800 crore. The issue had to be withdrawn because of lack of demand.

Since the time Fortis entered the fray, investment banking circles have been wary of 'control' issues. The group has, in the past, walked out of deals with other hospitals over differences on management rights.

"A staggered deal could be a way out," said an analyst, who argued that selling some pharma assets and a strategic dilution in the hospital business was critical to Wockhardt's fiscal restructuring plans. On Monday, the Fortis scrip ended marginally lower at Rs 66 on the BSE in a weak market.

Fortis currently manages 3,000 beds with a network of 26 hospitals, which it plans to increase to 40 by 2012. It will add 1,200 beds soon at new facilities in Vashi in Navi Mumbai, Shalimar Bagh in Delhi and Gurgaon.

Industry analysts feel rising incomes and a demand for quality healthcare — with an efficient government-run health delivery system not in place — are fuelling the growth of hospital chains in India. The sector grows at an estimated 10% to 15 % a year.

Wockhardt Hospitals, which runs 17 facilities, is planning more at Kolkata, Mumbai and Nashik, which will start functioning within a month. If the deal materialises, Fortis will obtain easy entry into Maharashtra, Bangalore and Kolkata. The deal will take its network strength to 43.

Fortis Healthcare is in the process of raising Rs 1,000 crore through a rights issue. The company had said the money would be used to fund its greenfield projects and restructure the balance sheet, besides being utilised for other investments.

Additionally, the company plans to raise money through issue of warrants, but the details are yet to be decided.
In January this year, it had bought a controlling stake in Mauritius-based hospital, Clinique Darne, in a joint venture with Mauritian industrial group CIEL that operates in agro-industry, textiles and equity investment.

AHMEDABAD: Zydus Cadila, the Ahmedabad- based Rs 2300 crore pharma major, eyes large chunk of revenue generation from its new drug discovery pact with global drug giant Eli Lilly. Zydus believes that it would receive potential milestone payment of up to $300 million and also royalties on sales upon the successful launch of any compounds derived from the research programme.

In a company release, Zydus informs that it has signed a new drug discovery and development agreement with Eli Lilly for cardiovascular research. The collaborative research programme may continue for a span of up to six years.

Zydus will work to discover and develop potential molecules against a novel target, primarily in the area of cardiovascular research. Zydus will initiate the drug discovery, lead identification and optimization, and conduct preclinical studies and clinical trials up to Phase II Human Proof-of-Concept.

While Eli Lilly will provide chemical starting points as well as expertise and feedback regarding toxicology, ADME, chemistry, biology, clinical and regulatory aspects as needed to potentially increase the probability of success of the programme. As part of the agreement, Lilly will have an option to license any resulting molecules at different stages.

Describing the research agreement as a new paradigm for global alliances in drug discovery and development, chairman and managing director of Zydus Cadila, Mr. Pankaj R. Patel said, “We are delighted to embark on this programme with Lilly and create a new benchmark in collaborative research programmes.”

The Zydus Research Centre (ZRC), the dedicated research arm of the group, has a team of over 350 research professionals, spearheading the quest of creating healthier and happier communities globally. The centre is engaged in new drug discovery, novel biologics and NDDS research.

The group has a strong research pipeline of 6 NMEs in various stages of clinical trials of which, five NMEs are targeted at cardiometabolic disorders.

MUMBAI: A unit of India's Cadila Healthcare Ltd has signed a drug development deal with Eli Lilly and Co that could earn it up to $300 million in milestone payments plus royalties, driving its shares up nearly 16 percent on Monday.

Zydus Cadila said it would earn royalties from any drugs for cardiovascular diseases developed by the partnership, which could run for up to six years.

Zydus Cadila will be responsible for identifying potential drug candidates and developing them through to mid-stage clinical trials. Lilly will provide the potential molecules and expertise and feedback for clinical, regulatory and research work.

Global drug giants, faced with thinning new drugs pipeline and stiff competition from generic drugs, are increasingly outsourcing drug development work to firms in countries such as India to help cut costs and shorten the time for a drug launch.

Lilly has struck partnerships with other Indian firms, including Piramal Life Sciences, Suven Life Sciences and Jubilant Organosys.

Cadila shares rose as much as 15.6 percent of 297 rupees on the news, its highest in almost six months. At 12:51 pm 0721 GMT, its shares were up 6.3 percent at 273 rupees in a Mumbai market down 4.2 percent.