Following his startling diagnosis with chronic myeloid leukemia, noted basketball legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has now set out to conquer another arena. Although, instead of becoming king of the court or appearing on the silver screen, this basketball phenom has set out to spread the awareness about his disease. Despite living a healthy and active life even today, Abdul-Jabbar was not able to dodge this opponent. Known to adhere to a rigorous and daunting training regime at the peak of his career, he has continued to workout and remain active on the court as a special assistant coach to the Los Angelos Lakers. Yet despite this he too has fallen victim to the presently incurable leukemia. However, unlike only ten years ago, his cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence, and it is that message he is hoping to send to sufferers and their loved ones around the world.

Taking the opportunity to use his fame and fabled career as the podium on which to stand upon, Abdul-Jabbar is just the latest celebrity to actively battle this disease in front of millions worldwide. Proving that he can still enjoy the sport that has been his passion since youth, Abdul-Jabbar has no plans on slowing down or stepping aside in his assisting the Los Angelos Lakers basketball team. While fitness and his continued working out may not have spared him from contracting cancer, it will still remain a staple in his life.

With the latest in cancer research and revelations, Abdul-Jabbar can still participate in the rigors of the game he has mastered, and he hopes to prove that to the world. Now taking an oral medication, he is waging the war on cancer, and he is joined in good company in that fight. Just as Lance Armstrong, Cheryl Crow, and even the brave and heroic Farrah Fawcett who never lost hope up until the end, have not shied away from the public in their own diagnosis, Abdul-Jabbar hopes to prove to all cancer patients that not everyone with the disease must face a cruel and crippling demise. For many they can live life to the fullest and still be active while in the throws of their own disease.

Of course he by no means is making light of the leukemia and its potentially fatal nature, he only hopes that through his own continued active and fulfilled life he can shine a ray of hope to those patients struck with terror at their own diagnoses.

For any of those currently enveloped in the latest season of The Biggest Loser, along with the continued eliminations and goals of the contestants still striving to win the title, one particular contestant has won over our hearts for her bravery in the face of tragedy. While she has already been voted off of the show, Abby Rike has overcome personal loss to come to the point she is at today. In a devastating accident that claimed her beloved two children and husband, she had ventured to the ranch not only to reach a healthy weight but to reclaim her life.

Through finding peace in exercise and a healthy diet, she hoped to set herself up for the best possible chance at healing her own emotional wounds. In fact, the mind and body correlation is quite strong and with a healthy body comes a stronger spirit as well. It is true that exercise can not only help with healing but battling depression as well. I've spoken before of the mood enhancing effects of the endorphins released from exercise, but working out can further help the mind through struggles and times of great stress and loss.

Being physical, such as you are when you are working out, can not only help take one's mind from what may be tying it up or circulating, but can also clear your focus and get you in a more logical and serene state of mind. By taking your focus from a more emotional state with exercise, you can clear a lot of the circular or obsessive thoughts or tendencies and think of ways that can impact or change your life for the better. Of course personal losses and tragedies will no doubt still be hard to cope with, but in exercising you are given an outlet for a release of the accumulating hurt and feelings.

When Abby Rike looked to a way to heal her emotional scars by a physical means she can then gain a healthier body while achieving a healthier state of mind. An exercise routine will also aide in her own mental work, as we are minds and bodies connected.

As for last night's Biggest Loser, for those contestants sill at the farm actively engaging in ways to create their own healthier bodies and lifestyles, both Shay Sorrells and Daniel Wright were asked to leave. In a turn of events that lead to two people leaving, in only true rating inspired drama, they will now pack their bags to hopefully continue on their own weight loss and fitness goals at home.

While it is true that for many the holiday season is filled with festivities. Family gatherings around a roaring fire, caroling around the town, decorating the home, and spending time with the ones we love and cherish the most. However, it is also true that these same holidays come with stresses and sadness if we are alone or away from people that we miss. It is with this that the holiday season comes with an increased rate of suicides and depression.

However, despite any lingering longings or frazzled days in anticipating family gatherings that may be the ground work for some family conflicts, continuing to work out and follow your fitness routine can be key in not only reducing tension levels but keeping you upbeat and supplied with that holiday good cheer. Working out, and exercise in general, are proven to be an excellent mood boosters. In fact, regular exercisers are known to be more happy in their overall lives and less prone to depression.

This is because when you workout your body produces endorphins, which are responsible for causing feelings associated with happiness, satiety, and rewards. You have no doubt experienced this yourself, often feeling better after a workout, and usually less tired than you did prior. Regular exercise has been shown to not only help those suffering with depression, but can actually aide in warding its onset.

So by continuing your fitness routines and working out during the holiday season, you will not only be doing well to avoid packing on any extra pounds that have been known to creep up when we are surrounded by such wonderful treats and favorite foods, but it can make this time of the year more enjoyable and less stressful too!