The Joy of a pool
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My girlfriend works at a gym that has a semi salt water heated olympic sized pool. I have gone to the gym a few times, but I really do not like it there. I do not like the crowd, I do not like the layout, and I hate that they barely have any equipment or machines.
That being said, yesterday I was really in the mood for a good swim. Jen arranged a free day pass for me, and I tried to workout there, but that did not last long. I did however, enjoy the pool.
I decided to try as many laps as I could do without stopping, and keeping a stready pace. I have not gone "real" swimming in a very long time. I have played around in pools, gone water skiing and stuff, but I can't remember the last time I did laps.
I am proud to say that while doing breast stroke, I managed 108 laps. Not only is it a great cardio workout, but my entire body benefited from this workout.
I bought a 2 month pool pass, and plan on swimming laps minimum twice a week from now on.
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today
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2.4
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Small accomplishments count for a lot!!!
journal, personal opinion, lifestyle
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Most people base an accomplishment on something HUGE. Do you accomplish something when you win a race? When all the laundry is finally done? When the car is fixed? When you can bench your body weight? What defines a true accomplishment?
What is a true success for one, is just a regular day for another. For me to run for 45 minutes is no strange feat. However, if you just started jogging recently, when you hit minute # 45 it is an amazing accomplishment.
My favorite successes are in small form. Yes, it was great to get my company off the ground, but that small letter from a client thanking me was worth so much more. Yes, becoming a certified trainer was great, but helping somebody out was way more awesome.
Yesterday we had to go shopping. As a typical 2 year old, my son out grew his shoes, so we needed to go buy a new pair. At the same time, my girlfriend stepped into a wonderful store to buy a dress she needs for our friends wedding. I saw a beautiful pair of jeans, and they were on sale (bonus after you pay to much to buy tiny Nike Shox). I tried them on and my typical 34 were huge on me. I am back to a size 32. I knew all my pants were too big, but I figured 32 would be too small... I was wrong.
I decided to wear them out last night as I was going to watch wrestling with 2 good friends of mine. To keep in mind that I was probably going to have a beer, I decided to walk instead of accept a lift. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the walk is a 30 minute mostly uphill trek. I enjoyed every second of it.
Remember, sometimes it is the smallest, seemingly insignifigant things in life that make you feel great!
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yesterday
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0 |
5.6
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Waste of time and money
cardio, personal opinion, journal, weight loss
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As a few of you may know, I have been trying the Hip Hop Abs for a few days now. I have come to my conclussion... it is not a useful program.
Here are my issues with Hip Hop Abs;
1) It is very hard to follow what he is doing. There is no explanation to the moves, so you have no clue if you are doing them correctly or not.
2) When you get the DVDs, there is a basic meal guide you should follow. Anybody following that meal plan, even without exercising will lose weight. If you take all red meat, dairy and sugars away, of course you will lose weight quickly, especially in the 1st week.
3) The music is not as great as it seems on the infomercial. Everybody talks about how the music kept them motivated and whatnot... it did nothing for me.
This is not a horrible plan, and may help some people. I am very athletic, I am very active. I would rather be in the gym than at home following a guy that is hard to follow.
My personal opinion is this is just another gimmick and is a waste of time and money. I sincerely hope many people try this and disagree with me. I really hope it helps millions of other people trying to get in shape. I, however, will be giving these to a friend, and will never try them again.
I believe that if it were more descriptive toi what we should be doing, how to be doing it, and where we should be feeling it, I may have given it more time. I followed 2 different workouts 4 times each... so far, not impressed... sorry BeachBody, but I will not be ordering anything else from you.
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on 8/6/2008
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10
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Hip Hop Abs update 1
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As promised, I am keeping y'all updated on my hip hop abs routine.
I wanted to do the 6 workouts this week, but with my wife on vacation, and me being alone with my 2 year old son, it made it hard. I did 4 great workouts to the DVD, and still went to the gym 3 times this week.
I must say, the first time I did Hip Hop Abs I hated it. It is hard to follow at first, but if you stick with it, it becomes quite fun.
I have decided that Jennifer and I are going to do the 6 day challenge this week, starting tonight. My next update will hopefully have more information.
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on 8/3/2008
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0 |
9
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Is this the same industry?
courses, journal, personal opinion
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As many of you know, I recently became certified as a trainer throught the AFPA. I am now taking 2 courses through the ISSA. One is performance nutrition, which I love and relates to my BSC courses in dietetics. The other course is also a certified fitness trainer course.
I knew that the trainer and fitness courses would be very different. I must admit, I thought the 2 courses that certify me to be fitness trainer would be similar. THEY ARE NOTHING ALIKE.
The AFPA course was informative, described the industry, how it got started, how I can get started etc... It had a small book about exercise form and pictures were needed.
The ISSA does not require pictures, but describes what muscles are being used in most exercises and how to compliment muscle groups etc...
It is almost as though I am being certified for 2 seperate industries. Hopefully finishing these three courses, along with my BSC and then a course through the YMCA, added to my personal experience, and I will be knowledgeable and ablr to help people transform their bodies and lives.
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on 8/3/2008
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0 |
7.5
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mediterranean diet
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I recently created a facebook group devoted to this wonderful diet. Our fellow Fitconnect fitster Ray Salomone is also an admin in the group.
Over the years, hundreds of diet fads have come and gone, but only a few diets have proven anything.
The McDonalds diet has proven that you can get your kids obese and worried about high blood pressure and high cholesterol by puberty.
The mediterranean diet has shown that this can be an easy lifestyle to adapt to and maintain. I noticed this doet can easily help you lose weight, and once lost, will keep the weight balanced. This diet can be tweeked just a little if you want to build more muscle.
I truly hope more people join this group and add their ideas, recipes, and thoughts.
Cheers
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on 8/2/2008
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0 |
5.6
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My BeachBody trial
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Not 100% sure who ordered it for me, but either my girlfriend or my mother bought me the complete DVD set of Hip Hop Abs by Beachbody. I am not convinced that this works, but I always watch the infomercials and I do want to try it.
I decided that as of Monday I will try and follow the routine and workout at home with hip hop abs. I am curious to see what happens to my body, and see if this routine really does work as well as people say it does.
I know there are quite a few hip hop aerobics classes offered at my gym, but I am never available to try them.
As I get more certifications and more experience as a trainer, I want to try as much as possible and eventually do this full time.
I will keep you all posted on Hip Hop Abs and my potential new Beach Body!
Cheers
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on 7/24/2008
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0 |
8.7
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Flax
flax seed, omega-3, eating habits, personal opinion, article
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I am a huge fan of flaxseed bread. I always buy the same organic 14 grain with flax bread, and I love it. I am not a huge bread eater, but I NEED my peanut butter sandwiches.
For a few years people have been talking about the benefits of flax, how it contains Omega-3 and certian anti-oxidants. There is no doubt that flax seed is good for you.
What are the real benefits of flaxseed in bread though. I would venture to say that the benefits are minimal at best.
Here is a link to a great article about a study being done in Manitoba, Canada. It is quite informative, and hopefully this study will help us better understand the true benefits of flax, and what the long term benefits really are.
http://health.lifestyle.yahoo.ca/channel_health_news_details.asp?news_id=15765&news_channel_id=151&channel_id=151
I would love to know what you think about this article!
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on 7/15/2008
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0 |
1.7
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I passed!
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It came in the mail today. Results for my AFPA exam... I passed, perfect score.
I am now taking courses with the ISSA and of course for my B.Sc.
This step has taken me in the right direction, and gave me alot of confidence. I know I am on the right path.
I will keep you posted about the rest!
Cheers,
Ozzie
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on 7/10/2008
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1 |
24.8
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How to ease office aches and pains
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This blog is a pure cut and paste from Yahoo.com. I found it interesting and figured I'd share.
How to ease office aches and pains
Tara Weiss, Forbes.com
Office employees who sit at their computers for eight or more hours daily report frequent aches and pains, ranging from stiff necks to lower backaches to numb wrists. Add to that list 'BlackBerry thumb,' the throbbing sensation many users feel in their digit from too much typing on the hand-held device.
The good news is a few small adjustments to your workstation and your daily routine should alleviate, or even prevent, the pain.
Go to Forbes.com to view the slideshow
(Opens new window)
The most important thing office workers can do, according to those who study ergonomics, is to take short breaks every 30 minutes. That might seem frequent, but you don't even need to leave your desk. Just stand up and roll your shoulders back a few times. Holding the same posture for hours and repeating the same activities--typing and clicking a mouse--puts strain on muscles over time. Taking breaks eases that tension.
'There's a lot of social pressure to sit at your desk all day,' says Deborah Quilter, the author of two books on repetitive strain injury. 'Managers worry that their employees lose productivity, but [they] will gain productivity in the long term. If your employees are healthy, there's less downtime and fewer workers'-compensation costs.'
Another way to incorporate these breaks into your day is to take 'walking meetings' with colleagues instead of gathering in someone's office or the conference room. Use a hands-free headset or the speakerphone and stand at your desk while you're on the phone. This will greatly reduce injuries that occur when users bend their necks to hold the phone between their shoulder and ear.
As for desk setup, look at the monitor level. Its display should be on par w... read entire entry
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on 7/10/2008
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3.9
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This is what it has come to....
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Your LDL is too high. Your HDL is too low. These are things you expect a doctor to tell a 50+ year old. The news lately is all about letting kids as young as 8... EIGHT, take cholesterol pills.
OK, I know that most of North America is overweight and not active enough, but have we neglected our kids that much???
Attached is a link to a Yahoo article, and there is alot about this topic on CNN.com too.
I am unsure whether I agree with giving young kids pills,but I guess if it is necessary...
Wouldn't better dieting and more activity benefit society as a whole in the long run better than the take a pill and stay on the same road process we seem to be on???
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on 7/9/2008
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0 |
14.6
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Certification Exam
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So, I mailed out my final exam along with loads of pictures of me doing exercises. After long debate, I started with the course offered by AFPA. I am now going to write and exam with ISSA and a Certificate in Fitness Nutrition exam with ISSA too.
Add to this my B.SC in Dietetics and I believe my bases are covered.
Here is the deal though. It only took me 2 weeks to fully read the texts given by the AFPA. I took all the pictures necessary and am very confident with my theory exam. I honestly believe the testing process is way too easy.
Does anybody else feel that online certification is too easy???
I am going to look into getting certified through a YMCA or another gym chain, but I am going to continue with all theo courses I have started. There is no such thing as too much information.
I would love to hear your thoughts on all of this.
Cheers,
Ozzie
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on 7/6/2008
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0 |
9.9
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Body Alive???
question
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Has anybody heard of this sales pyramid program?
I know Tony Little, and there is no doubt in my mind that his products work. I am also sure he is a great trainer and full of awesome ideas.
This seems to be a bit much though. I can't seem to find any real info on this.
If you knw anything about Body Alive, please share, I am quite curious.
Thank you,
Ozzie
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on 6/30/2008
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0 |
1.8
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Sometimes cheating is good
eating habits, diet, cravings, proper eating, personal opinion
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Cheating is school is wrong. Cheating on a loved one is not recommended. Every now and then, cheating on your diet is necessary.
I do not like Oprah, and Dr Phil is ok, but I can live without him. The one thing I have heard both of them say is that if you are making a life change in the way you eat, and you are seriously craving a donut, go have it. Just don't do it often.
In this month's Muscle & Fitness magazine there is an article about just that. When is it ok to cheat, and with what...
In my own experience, I find this to be the best answer;
When I am seriously craving pizza, I go have 1 slice. Otherwise I will try to replace that with healthy foods, but in the end, I will eat more... I will nibble on carrots, then a yogurt, maybe a protein bar, then some milk and who knows what. I would be consuming less calories with 1 slice of pizza.
I also find that if you do not eat unhealthy foods, when you do indulge, they tatse all that much better. Ice cream once a week is good. When you allow yourself ice cream once every month, it tatses all that much better!
I know many people who set aside either a cheat meal per week, and some even a cheat day every 2 weeks. For me, I enjoy knowing that I eat healthy. When I do crave the rare item, I enjoy it. I know that I burn enough calories to make it not count, and I enjoy them so rarely that when I do cheat, it tastes all that much better.
There is no point in denying yourself something that you want. Just make sure it is not too often, and when you do crave it, have a moderate amount.
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on 6/30/2008
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0 |
9.2
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Its raining, its pouring, Oz was snoring....
personal opinion, journal, sleep
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So here we are, lovely Montreal, July right around the corner. It is the 28th of June, and it is pouring. Dark grey sky, wet and humid. Not a great day weather-wise.
I slept great last night. Both Thursday and Friday night's workouts were very intense. I was really tired last night. I slept 9 full hours.
As usuall on Saturdays, we went to my parents house for lunch. It was too big as usual, and when we left is was really rainy and I guess we can say yucky outside.
When we got home I put Rory, my 2 year old, for a nap... then I went to take a nap too. I slept a solid 2+ hours, as did Rory.
Today is one of those perfect days to take it easy and stay in bed and relax. My body needed a day off, and I am sure the sleep was well needed too. Lets just hope tomorrow leads to nicer weather!
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on 6/28/2008
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0 |
18.3
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Mind made up and here we go!!!
courses, lifestyle, school
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As most of you know I am studying Dietetics & Nutrition for my B.Sc through correspondance from Penn State. I also signed up for an ICS course in Fitness and Nutrition, and have been looking to become certified as a personal trainer.
About 2 weeks ago my course from AFPA arrived, and I am almost done with that, and I am also going to be taking the Personal Trainers Certificate and Performance Nutrition certificate through ISSA (just ordered them both this week).
I truly hope that these courses, along with my own personal training, and working with many trainers, that I can become a great motivator and inspiration for those looking to change their lives. I have workied with many great people over the last few months and learn from them everyday.
I was always in great shape, and always enjoyed the gym, and was able to motivate myself. For 3 years I stayed away from the gym, and ate mostly healthy, but did not take care of myself. When I made the decision to get fit, eat right, and be the ME I wanted to be, it was a wonderful day. Going to the gym, being active, working out, and eating right was how I was brought up, and how I want to live.
I feel better everyday. I look better than I have in years, and I have just about the same energy level as my 6 year old and 2 year old boys.
Hopefully I will get the chance to help others attain what I now pocess.
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on 6/28/2008
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1 |
5.6
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I need sales people
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I know this is probably the wrong place to do this, but as my company is expanding, I am looking for sales people to work wherever they decide to, most probably from home.
I pay 15% commission and I usually pay cash.
Please let me know if you or anybody you think of that may be interested.
Thank you,
Ozzie
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on 6/27/2008
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0 |
3.6
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Sunshine for your life!
vitamin d, health & wellbeing, sunlight, tanning
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I have been in the tanning business for a few years now. Skin care and indoor tanning lotions have become my company's specialty. For years tanning industry insiders have been financing studies proving that natural vitamin D is needed and essential.
Many dermatologists and doctors have now started turning away from their anti-sun ways of the 1990s and started promoting limited indoor tanning and safe sun exposure.
Here is a link to an article with great findings; http://health.lifestyle.yahoo.ca/channel_health_news_details.asp?news_id=15661&news_channel_id=2055&channel_id=2055
If you want more information about safe sun, how to tan safley, or more studies about the sun and vitamin D, please email info@ocean78.net and one of my customer service reps, or biochemists will call you back.
As a matter of health and staying fit, get your proper dosages of vitamin D!
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on 6/25/2008
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0 |
8.5
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A nice change
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So last week I wrote a blog titled Sad to See. Today I experienced something different, and I feel that this is just as important to share.
It was windy, dark and raining this morning. The weather cleared up quite nicely, and at 1pm, as my 2 year old and my girlfriend both went for a nap, I hit the gym for an intense 2 hour bicep/tricep workout. I am very happy with the intensity, weights, and number of exercises that were done. It was a great workout.
When I got home, we decided to go to my gf's mom's house. By this time the sun was shinning and it was breezy and warm. When we got there, I decided to borrow Jen's brother's bike. I was not to far from the lachine canal, and followed the bike path all the way to old montreal.
The old port was hopping. Bikers, rollerbladers, people walking and taking horse and buggy tours. It was really nice to see so many active people enjoying a beautiful day.
I rode past The Big Tent where the Cirque Du Soleil puts on their Montreal shows. I saw many gorgeous yachts int he harbour. I saw hundreds of bikers and rollerbladers. I must say, it was nice to see so many active and seemingly fit people.
I already have plans to rollerblade the same path next sunday with my girlfriend and our 6 year old son!!! I can't wait.
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on 6/23/2008
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0 |
5.5
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Sad to see
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In the Montreal suburb of Verdun there is a long street named Wellington. Twice a year they close the street to all cars and make a huge sidewalk sale. It is really quite nice, bands play live music, restaurants and cafes open terraces on the street. Stores offer unbelievable sales.
I went for a nice walk yesterday and was not too far from Wellington, so I decided to check it out.
I had a great time looking at array of nuts and olive oils on special from the health food store. I enjoyed the live caribbean music, the sunny clear sky was a pleasure to walk under.
Here is the sad part... many places offered free samples or extremely cheap snacks. The lineups for hot dogs, ice cream, pizza, and Quebec's favorite Poutine were insanely long. There were no lineups at the organic store, no lineups at the health food store.
I know that many north americans are obese, and overweight, but yesterday I saw it in mass. Every 2nd person was somewhat heavy, and the amount of OBESE people was increadible. And each and every one of them had food in their hands, and had overweight children.
I knew the situation was bad, but I guess I never saw it 1st hand. Lets hope that more people find sites like fitconnect, find gyms, or a new way of eating!
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on 6/16/2008
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