Problem: Article: Many people with Type II diabetes have not exercised for a number of years, and others suffer from obesity. The first goal is to exercise for a total of 30 minutes per day, but for the first few weeks to a month, you should break up your exercise into 10 to 15 minute intervals. After you are able to complete 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise at 1 time, you can try to join a dance, water aerobics, kickboxing, yoga, spinning, pilates or other class. You may find that you have more fun when you mix up your exercise routine with classes and at-home or gym workouts. Go to a local pool and consider taking a class in swimming, aqua aerobics, stretching or water walking. Water supports your body weight, making it easier on your joints and giving you resistance. Studies have shown that those diabetics who followed a mixed exercise regime, rather than simply weight training or doing aerobic exercise, had the largest improvement in their condition. Doctors suggest trading days you walk, bike or do other cardio exercises with days you use small weights or resistance bands so that you don't overload yourself, but you do both each week. The best chance you have at starting a good habit of exercise are when you look at them as fun activities. Working out with a friend and mixing up your routine may be ways to have more fun when you exercise. Keeping track of your daily diabetic workouts and improvements will spur you on to exercise more. It is the same behavioral reasoning that works with keeping a "contract" to exercise. You feel obligated to work out and then write down something positive in your journal. If your doctor gave you an "ideal weight" to reach through diet and exercise, track your progress in your journal. Limit yourself to using the scale only once per week, so that you can see your changes on a reasonable step by step basis, rather than based on daily ups and downs. Exercise should be more than about losing weight, and you should develop a program that you will continue long into the future. As part of a healthy lifestyle, you should already be testing yourself at regular, often daily times. If you find that your tests improve with exercise, then you will be encouraged to keep doing it.
Summary: Start slowly. Try classes at a local gym or recreational center. Start with a water exercise program. Create a mix of cardiovascular exercise and strength training. Choose exercises you enjoy. Journal about your exercise. Test yourself frequently.

Problem: Article: There are several different types of mutual funds available, each of which has a different level of risk. Even if you are a relatively conservative investor, you still may want to add one or two higher-risk funds.  A diversified basket of mutual funds that meets your overall preferred level of risk allows your portfolio to experience some growth rather than merely preserving your capital. Within your overall investment account, you want to reserve at least 5 percent of your assets in cash so you can take advantage of opportunities as they arise. Money market funds generally have the lowest risk level. Stock funds and bond funds are generally higher risk funds. Target date funds carry a mix of investments and are best if you have a specific retirement date in mind. Before you start buying shares in mutual funds, you need a good understanding of the types of funds available, the possible returns associated with those funds, and the expenses involved.   You can learn a lot about mutual funds by reading on the internet, especially at the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which regulates mutual funds. You also can download a complete consumer guide to mutual funds at https://investor.gov, which will walk you through all the details of the market generally and provide guidance on investing wisely. Online ratings services, such as Lipper or Morningstar, offer risk assessments for each mutual fund. Compare these to the risk tolerance you've established to decide which mutual fund is right for you.  These services also detail all fees and charges related to each mutual fund. These expenses can eat into your returns significantly, so you need to research each fund carefully before you commit any money. Look beyond the name of a fund. Just because a fund carries the name of a particular bank may not mean that bank still runs that fund. A fund called a "stock fund" may carry other investments besides corporate stock. While investing in an actively-managed fund will give you more flexibility, you likely will pay higher fees to an investment manager. Passive investment in index-based funds may be a better option for you if you are new to investing. Index-based funds typically have lower fees than actively-managed funds, but they also run the risk of underperforming once you take fees and taxes into account. Generally, investing in mutual funds will be more satisfying if you plan to hold your shares for five years or longer. The longer you hold your shares, the better your chance of a decent investment return. Some funds offer several different share classes, typically A, B, and C classes. Each class has a different fee structure. The length of time you plan to hold your shares can help you determine which share class is most appropriate for you.
Summary: Determine your risk tolerance. Research the market. Visit financial websites. Choose an active or passive investment strategy. Decide how long you plan to hold your investments.

Problem: Article: Your gravy is done when it coats a spoon and comes off in drips – not a steady, thin stream. This could take around 10-15 minutes.  Stir it regularly so it doesn't film over, the bottom doesn't overheat, and the air and heat circulate evenly. It will take a while, so be patient. It's not done yet! Don't be alarmed if it still seems like it's in the works, because it is!
Summary: Keep it over low heat to thicken.

Problem: Article: Heating the back of your disc can slightly melt the plastic coating and fix minor scratches. You'll get the best results with a desk lamp using a 60 watt bulb. Avoid using heating methods that apply a lot of heat, such as a stove. This will likely melt your disc beyond repair. Stick with a 60 watt bulb. This will ensure that it is giving off enough heat to melt the outer layer. Hold it close enough that you can feel the heat from the bulb. When holding the disc, only grip around the edges and insert a finger through the ring for support. If you hold the disc too long, you may permanently damage the disc. It's better to pull it away too soon and try again than to hold it too long. Take the disc from the lamp and immediately place it in your Xbox. Start up the console and see if your disc works. If it still doesn't work, you may need to have the disc professionally resurfaced.
Summary:
Find a lamp with a 60 watt bulb. Let the bulb warm up for 5-10 minutes. Hold up the "read" side of the disc 3 inches from the lamp. Hold up to the lamp and rotate back and forth for about 20 seconds. Test out the disc.