If you can’t get to the gym every day or don’t enjoy going to the gym but you need a daily workout, you can accomplish this in many different ways. There are many types of basic exercise routines and exercise equipment you can use at home. If you put in a little time and effort, your workout at home can be just as effective if not more so than a gym workout. 

Going to the gym is not only costly but can seriously cut into your time. If you only have an hour free in the day, just getting there and back could cut your exercise time in half. If you’re trying to save time and money, exercising at home is preferable. 

Another benefit people may not think about is that exercising in a gym exposes you to many more germs than exercising at home. 

An effective fitness program has five main components, all of which are possible in a workout outside the gym. You need a warmup, a cardiovascular (aerobic) component, some resistance or strength-building exercises, flexibility moves and a cooldown.. Here are some tips on how to get a workout without going to the gym. 

Take advantage of free workout videos

Free workout videos give you the flexibility to do a workout whenever and wherever you please with instructions given by experts. YouTube exercise videos abound, with instructors guiding you to do yoga, pilates, and much more. 

Move it Monday has a whole playlist of simple exercise routines such as a stretching routine, a butt toning routine and a yoga routine. 

Invest in fitness equipment

It doesn’t cost much to invest in some fitness equipment like a stability ball, exercise bands, a jump rope or light dumbbells. They provide an inexpensive way to create a routine that works all your muscle groups. 

Investing in equipment like a home rowing machine may have a high initial cost but you will make up for it by not having to keep paying for gym membership and its rising costs. 

Home rowing machines are designed to give you a full body, low impact workout. They are great for raising your heartbeat, toning muscles and improving flexibility. Built-in monitors can help you to track your time, the calories you burn and the distance you travel. Use it while watching TV for a workout that flies by and yet has you working out just as hard as you would in any gym. 

Walk whenever you can

People often underrate walking and don’t even see it as real exercise when comparing it with lifting weights or high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Walking is actually an effective way to burn calories and is low impact compared to jogging or running. Make walking more fun and yourself more accountable by arranging to walk with a friend every day. 

You can follow a walking workout to make sure you start slowly, pick up the pace to elevate your heart rate and cool down properly.

Take the stairs

Taking stairs wherever you can, makes a difference to your health. Climbing up and down the stairs in your house can even burn more calories per minute than jogging. For every 10 steps you climb, you are likely to burn about one and a half calories. When you go downstairs, you burn fewer calories but you work different joints and muscles. 

Using an exercise video, walking or taking the stairs will help you to get the exercise. Investing in some basic exercise equipment or the more expensive kind can make your home workout extremely effective without having to set foot in the gym. 

With the current economic climate, many companies are looking for ways to reduce research and development (R&D) costs wherever they can. Pharmaceutical companies are one of the biggest spenders in the area of R&D. Their success is almost completely dependent upon the discovery and development of new medicines. 

According to the ninth edition of Evaluate Pharma, R&D spending overall is expected to reach $182 billion by 2022, increasing by 2.8% annually. Here are some strategies companies are using to cut costs, streamline processes and improve efficiency. 

Outsource part of the R&D process 

Over the past decade, companies have looked at outsourcing at least part of their R&D processes. The amount spent on the development of any drug usually depends mostly on what it costs to conduct the studies that prove it is safe and effective to secure regulatory approval. 

Today most biotech and pharmaceutical companies outsource at least a portion of the clinical trial management process. They use contract research organizations (CRO companies) that offer support in the form of research services outsourced on a contract basis. 

This can reduce the time it takes to conduct a trial than if it is done in-house, which can result in significant cost savings. Some CROs manage just about every aspect of a clinical trial, from enrolling patients through to getting final regulatory approval. 

Optimize and automate processes

Companies are optimizing and automating business processes more than ever before. More manual tasks are gradually being automated, leading to less risk of errors. Automating clinical trial processes shortens the time to market and reduces costs.

Using in-line analytics instead of periodically measuring grab samples is just one way companies are improving processes. This gives them access to continuous, real-time data. 

Digital instruments offer many opportunities to simplify regulatory compliance, moderate technician training and reduce measurement point maintenance, all of which helps to minimize costs and increase productivity. 

Companies are using Simple Lean techniques to eliminate unnecessary steps or ‘non-value adding’ activities. This helps to speed up processes and reduce cycle times. 

Gain insights from big data

Companies are looking at driving down costs by mining ‘real-world data’ from healthcare providers. This data could yield insights that allow for the development of new drugs and also help to improve patient safety. 

Collaboration is crucial

When all stakeholders in the industry are able to collaborate and share data – it becomes more possible to identify the greatest value with the best outcomes and reduce costs. 

Many companies are taking various steps to increase their innovation potential and open source, innovation centers and crowdsourcing can play a key role. Various pharmaceutical companies have already developed collaborative web-based programs and incubator programs. 

Strategic development alliances are becoming part of the global pharmaceutical landscape. These offer opportunities to gain access to worldwide innovations aimed at decreasing R&D costs through the sharing of risks. Industry partnerships can help to improve and streamline operations in a way that’s not possible for one company operating in isolation. 

Recently a group of 10 large pharmaceutical companies signed an initiative aimed at improving the way clinical trials are conducted. 

Working together could help with sharing of research and solutions that could simplify and accelerate the delivery of new drugs for patients. 

What is important with industry collaborations and partnerships is that the best business practices apply, such as real-time communication systems, to allow for real-time data sharing and a clear understanding of IP sharing. 

A final word

The future of pharmaceutical companies could depend on rethinking of business models, outsourcing R&D, optimizing and automating processes as well as collaborating and forming strategic partnerships. 

When you’ve been injured as a result of the negligence of another party, you have a right to expect compensation. Imagine if you’re injured in a car accident and the doctor’s bills, costs for medication and therapy are accumulating. 

You can’t work because of your injury and you suffer constant pain. You may be wondering whether you need to file a personal injury claim or a personal injury lawsuit. 

Difference between a personal injury claim and a personal injury lawsuit

These are two different ways of seeking damages for your losses. A personal injury claim is between you and the insurance company. You will file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The claims process consists of negotiations between you (or your attorney) and the claims adjuster at the insurance company. 

This hopefully results in a settlement that satisfies both parties. For more complex personal injury claims, such as medical malpractice, you’re unlikely to receive a fair settlement without the help of a personal injury lawyer.

You will only file a personal injury lawsuit if the parties can’t reach a compromise and settlement negotiations break down. This may happen when the claims adjuster doesn’t agree with the extent of your injuries or the other person doesn’t admit to being at fault. 

Going ahead with a personal injury claim

If you’re the victim, you will pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The insurance company assigns a claim number and appoints a claims adjuster to handle it.

To settle the case, the claims adjuster has to have proof that the driver was negligent and that the injuries are severe enough to warrant settlement. The police report, photos of the accident, medical bills and witness statements all help to build up a picture of what took place. 

During the negotiation process, the claims adjuster has to be convinced that you aren’t exaggerating your injuries and that they really required medical attention. 

You also have to prove that your medical treatment costs were directly related to the accident. He has to believe that you were unable to work and earn an income due to your injuries and that you suffer from ongoing pain. 

In most cases, your initial demands won’t be accepted. You are likely to be offered a lower amount, which you can either accept or continue to negotiate. Generally, it takes some negotiation to reach an amount satisfactory to both parties. 

Once an agreement is reached, you will receive your compensation and sign a release form. Once you’ve signed and received your money, your claim is settled and you can’t seek further compensation. 

Going ahead with a lawsuit

If you can’t reach a settlement, you may have to file a civil lawsuit. Unless you have been seriously or permanently injured, filing a lawsuit may not be in your best interests and arbitration may be a better idea if negotiation fails. 

No-fault claims and lawsuits

Most vehicle insurance companies won’t pay out a claim unless it can be proved that their insured was completely to blame for an accident. In the past, proving fault could take up plenty of time and effort. To help prevent this, many states have gone for no-fault auto insurance laws. 

If you live in a no-fault insurance state, your insurance company has to provide Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. In most cases, you can’t seek compensation from the other driver and this cover does not include compensation for pain and suffering. Still, your medical bills and lost wages are covered no matter who caused the accident. 

Artificial Intelligence is all about creating pieces of software that perform tasks that humans would otherwise be required to do; and often with much more speed, accuracy, and performance.

AI has grown steadily over the last few decades, being seen now in most facets of our day to day lives. It would be hard to imagine how different our lives would be without artificial programs running in the background of society. Business has been at the forefront of AI adoption, using it to improve their processes, increase their customer base, and earn more money. Here we will look at some of the business applications of Artificial Intelligence.

Customer Targeting and Acquisition: Knowing exactly which portion of the population to target with one’s product or service has always been one of the more difficult pieces of information for businesses to determine. While many people express interest in a product or service pinpointing those who need it or strongly desire it, it is not as simple.

Many advertising platforms such as Facebook, Google, and others have created complicated AI systems that match advertisers with prospective customers based solely on a customer’s internet history and activity.

Security and Fraud Detection: According to the Center For Strategic And International Studies internet fraud costs the global economy 600 billion dollars in 2017, or just about 1% of the global economy. Banks are one of the largest targets of internet fraud, and for this reason, they have developed AI systems that track customer behavioral patterns which can detect irregularities in one’s spending habits to flag as suspicious.

Payment processors have also developed AI programs that check if a website’s payment processing software meets their required safety standards or not.

Help Chatbots And Virtual Assistants: A live helpline is a major expense for many companies. Especially ones where customers may need to contact them at any hour. Many businesses have invested in AI chatbots which help customers with troubleshooting or general inquiries. Even if the system is costly to develop, the company ends up saving lots of money.

Virtual assistants such as Cortana, Siri, and Bixby have gained popularity as AI technology has increased over the last decade. These virtual assistants are now helping people with everything from setting reminds of ordering take out meals.

Data Organization And Analysis: As Brian Weaver CEO and Founder of Torch.ai said The deluge of data, combined with accelerated technologies puts enormous pressure on people and organizations. Before AI programs businesses were finding they were inundated with tons of customer and market data they simply did not have the resources to process and organize. These programs have provided businesses with extremely valuable market insights in regards to their customer base, market trends, spending habits, and competitors which they never could have garnered before.

As can be seen, AI is used all over the world to improve business function and success. It would be hard for us to imagine a world without these types of programs and the tasks they perform.

Quality care for seniors is very important as the quality of care they receive ultimately translates into quality of life. There are many issues to take into consideration in regards to the quality of care seniors receive and how best to ensure they receive the level of care they need. Let us look over some of these basic principles. 

Defining A Budget: Quality care does tend to be somewhat expensive. The overall cost will ultimately depend upon one’s specific needs. Without determining exactly how much economic resources one can commit to senior care it will be difficult to investigate what options are available.

Choosing The Right Caregiver: Finding the right caregiver can be a difficult task. Not only do they have to have the necessary skills and experience to meet one’s specific needs, they also need to have a personality that fits with the person they are caring for.

When deciding upon a caregiver it is important to outline exactly what needs the senior requires: Do they have any medical conditions that require specific skills? What tasks do they require help with exactly? What does the required services cost? Tandem Careplanning is a service that connects families with caregivers based on their skills, experience, and pay scale.

Be Involved: It is not enough to find a quality care provider, pay, then remove oneself. Constant check-in and visits in a must to ensure one’s loved one is receiving the quality of care they need.

Communicate: Communicating with those receiving care is the best way to determine whether it is meeting the expected standards. There is no one best equipped to judge the level of care than those receiving it. This may be difficult if the individual suffers from some form of cognitive impairment, but communication is key.

Assess Needs And Research: Being able to ensure quality care requires one to know exactly what is needed. One should take into consideration any medical, lifestyle or personal needs the senior has and begin researching what care options exist to meet these requirements.

Management Of Assets: Ensuring quality later in life care is not inexpensive. When planning for a loved one’s care people often benefit from meeting with a financial advisor who specializes in long term care planning. The senior in question may have savings, property, investments, etc which will need to be managed appropriately.

Use Trusted Caregivers: The Home Care industry alone reached 100 billion in 2018. This does not include senior and assisted living centers. An industry this large offers choice. Choosing a caregiver or care service provider with experience and reputation is a principle to follow in order to ensure quality care.

Be Involved In Creating The Care plan: Caregivers usually create a care plan which outlines exactly what is expected of them. Many people make the mistake of leaving this up to the care professional themselves. While they certainly have experience in the matter a plan has to highly personalized to guarantee quality care. Being involved in the planning process will make sure nothing is missed.

Getting married is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make in your lifetime, and while you may be focused on a happy marriage, you’ll need to survive the wedding first. It’s a very special day, and it’s normal to want to make it unforgettable in every possible way.

The best way to make sure your wedding is everything you’ve ever dreamed of, it’s essential to start planning early. Otherwise, the wedding becomes a source of stress, and you won’t be in any state to enjoy it.

Here are some important steps you should be starting with:

Set the date

As soon as you and your fiancé are engaged and decide to get married, start talking about when you think is the best time to get married. Do you want a fall, spring, or summer wedding, or have you always dreamed about getting married in a winter wonderland?

As with most things you’re going to find out during the wedding planning process, your fiancé might have a very different picture in their mind of the perfect wedding. You need to talk about it so that you can reach a consensus of roughly when you’d like to get married.

Set up a budget

Very few people can spend as much as they’d like on their wedding. Most of us have only a certain amount of money, and we need to stretch it as far as possible. Do a little shopping around to find out what some of the standard things will cost.

Cost wedding venues, dresses and suits, a wedding videographer and photographer, décor, and rental cars. Sit down with both families so that you can discuss whether they will be paying for anything, allowing you to include their contributions in your total budget.

The problem with budgets is that they’re often hard to stick to when you get down to the final planning. You and your fiancé should make a solemn promise to each other to respect the budget and always discuss any deviations with each other before committing to spending the money.

Draw up the guest list

Once you have an idea of what the wedding is going to cost, you can calculate how many guests you’ll be able to invite to your wedding. Drawing up the guest list is arguably one of the most contentious phases of the wedding planning process. You and your fiancé are likely to butt heads over it more than once as you finalize it.

First, you should each draw up a guest list of your own, which will represent half of the total invitees. Include close family and friends, and don’t succumb to pressure from outside to add people you’re not that close to onto the list. Obviously, your mom wants her third cousin to attend, but it might not be possible, given the budget and logistics.

Compare your guest lists and remove any duplications as this will free up spots on the list for you both to fill. Maybe there will be a seat for your mom’s third cousin, after all!

Book the event

Let’s say you’ve settled on a spring wedding. Remember that a lot of other couples are doing the same, so you might have a problem securing a church and reception venue. Making your booking early is the best way to proceed.

Start looking at wedding venues to find one that encapsulates what you as a couple want your wedding to be like. You might have to be a bit flexible about your dates, and don’t be disheartened if you can’t get your first-choice venue. You’ll find the perfect place to say your vows and celebrate with your friends and family.