weight loss plans: 2009

Core Strengthening Exercises - How To Get A Flat Stomach

Core strengthening exercises and core stability exercises are essential to your whole health, and to your workout program.

In everyday life, we are constantly twisting, impacting and bending. We sit for long periods of cycle every day. All of that action (even just sitting) demands that our core muscles are in decently shape to support our spine and internal organs. Once we start to slack off in our efforts to maintain core stability, our back begins to hurt, bending over gets a chore, and in general livlihood just gets more and more miserable the longer we let it go.

And our workout routines become ever more risky; we always are on the edge of straining our back.
So what are some happy heart strengthening exercises?

* Pilates. Anything Pilates. Pilates workouts are designed around core stability exercises, and obtaining began with average Pilates sessions will, in a short time, have you feeling actually good and solid. Pilates has a "girl workout" reputation, but guys, take it from a man who knows; you can get a acutely firm core here!

* The Farmer's Walk. Wait... the what? That's right, Farmer's Walk. Take two heavy somethings, like dumbbells, and walk across the room and subsequently going back again. You will work your arms, hands, shoulders, back, legs, and ... your core - covet crazy, to keep upright.

* Wood Chopper. Take a medicine ball, have it in both hands for the duration of your renovation and to one side, and swing it down diagonally toward your feet on the opposite side. Bend your knees and hips and use your legs to get to the bottom point and help keep your going back more upright, and then lift returning up to the appearing point. Do several, and then switch sides.

* Saxon Bends. These are tough. Take that ball again, or a weight plate if you need more weight, and hold it for the duration of your head. Now bend over to one side, without bending your back from front to back. You're just going side to side. When you have gone as far over as you can, head on over to the other side. Back to center again is one.

You can incorporate these kinds of exercises in your regular workout. Put 'em in the middle, use them as a warmup (they are smart for warming up and getting away of the treadmill), or do them at the end. Or devote a whole workout clearly to center strengthening exercises; your body will thank you!

It is so nice not to have the back hurt all the time, but it is so easy to neglect the exercises pertinent keep it strong and health and happy. And you need to can identify where to start, too.

Get Rid Of Belly Fat - Be Sexy Fitness Models

If you watch at the Sports Illustrated Magazine cover or any other Fitness magazines, you experience to admit such a the fitness models look so attractive showing off their sexy and fit body. You right out think, "I seek I undergo a body like her!" or "How do I get a Body like that?"

Well, if you would like to own a body such as a fitness model or ziggly want to look like them, then you undergo to consider working out making the most of The Fitness Model Program. This popular Fitness program is endorsed by top female fitness magazines and elite trainers.

What is the Fitness Model Program about?

It is mainly a fat burning and muscle toning program. It consists of 12 weeks of Complete Top Fitness Model Food Plans, Exercise Routines plus Beauty Secrets. This will aide you lose fat, blast your cellulite and build a feminine sleek and sexy muscle tone with only 4 very brief workouts per week. It does not require you to workout for 3 hours in the gym each day. The Exercise Plan is simple and easy to do. Some sample ab workouts that are very effective:

BALL BUSTERS: Lay your back on a yoga ball through your knees bent 90 degrees and your workout buddy holding your feel down. Lean all the way back holding a small 5 pound weight behind your neck crunching up and actually curling your torso inwards towards your belly button and at the same time turning your pelvic muscles up.

THE PENDULUM: Lay on the floor while holding your work out partner's ankles. Bring your legs up and undergo your partner push them low to the floor and at that time snap your legs back up-the key is to use resistance when your legs are making pushed down.

If you find such sorts of exercises as fun and challenging, then currently application is right for you. Just think, summer will be here in a few months, this will be the concluding Bikini Body Program that will certainly give you flat abs, toned arms and a bureau butt! You can get more fitness and nutrition information by visiting http://tinyurl.com/awfgv4

Best Cellulite Creams - Natural Remedy For Cellulite Treatment

Cellulites are a most obnoxious appearance on the surface of your skin. However, your skin appearance looks having cellulite lends it an ugly look. Cellulites are actually bumps formed due to lumps of fat molecules stored into the epidermal layer. These cellulites give dimpled appearance to your skin. The most prone areas to cellulite in our body are thighs, inner thighs, underarms, waist, buttocks, and neck.

Fat cells under the skin layer get filled with excessive amount of fatty molecules which leads to the appearance of lump on your skin surface. These lumps can degrade into the form of burning sores, reddened skin, itching, bad odor, and bleeding if not taken into consideration on time.

Recent studies have shown that the top rated and best cellulite cream has proven itself as one of the most efficient means of getting rid of those awful cellulite appearances from your skin. A good cellulite cream review will unveil why a certain cream gets rated as the best. The best cellulite cream helps in tightening the skin in affected areas and gives a shiny appearance to the surface of the skin. It renders a healthy and smoother look to your body parts affected with cellulite sores and lumps.

Now, there is no more upset over ugly looking bumps on your legs and other parts of your body. You don’t need to worry about flaunting your body at the beach or avoid wearing skin revealing outfits. Using the best cellulite cream you can stay calm and be comfortable wearing any dress of your choice.

You might have come across several cellulite cream reviews online which brag about the 100% guarantee of cellulite removal. Do not give into hoax advertisements and reviews as they may be harmful for your body cells on longer run. Know that the best cellulite cream has been tested scientifically and will show results from the research.

Some of the benefits that you will reap from the application of a top rated cellulite cream on the cellulite affected areas of your body:

• It reduces cellulite sores and bumps naturally
• It is tested and verified by medical experts and dermatologists
• It has no side-effect on your body.
• It is applied topically i.e. on the outer layer of the skin so does not pose any harm to inner workings of the cells and tissues.
• It helps in eliminating the bad odor caused due to the sores and bleeding. Also, it is pleasant in smell
• You need not require any prescription from dermatologist. This is available at any store directly
• It is made from organic ingredients with no artificial chemicals involved. Natural ingredients are absorbed by the skin and starts acting on cellulites instantly

Seven Secrets to Weight Loss

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Menopause

Is A Weight Training Spotter Required For Substantial Muscle Building?

Why Diet Pills Ingredients Are So Important ?

Some great alternatives to fad diets or exercise routines that are producing no results are diet pills and supplements. When all other methods have failed to produce results these can help get you on track.

Life has become a race to the finish, everyone is so busy that getting exercise or sticking to a diet is near impossible. Therefore, off the health food store and the diet pill aisle many are going.

However, what is it in these pills that speeds weight loss? What are you putting in your system and what are the potential side effects?

Diet Pills with Side Effects:

*Ephedra.

Products that advertise being a fat burner, thermo or lean most likely contain Ephedra. This is an active substance in a majority of the diet pills and supplements on the market. Even though the FDA has warned about the potentially harmful side effects, it can have.

Ephedra has been shown to contain a compound that stimulates the heart and the central nervous system. It imitates adrenaline in the body, that is the substance responsible for the fight or flight response in times of perceived danger. As you can imagine this increases heart rate and blood pressure which on a constant basis is not healthy.

Some common side effects of Ephedra are irregular heart rhythm, insomnia and nervousness or anxiety.

*What about the Diet Pill Phentermine?

Phentermine is a prescription medication that was never meant to be taken as a long-term weight loss supplement.

Doctors prescribe the diet pill Phentermine to obese patients who must lose weight. First, the drug acts as an appetite reducer by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain. In a nutshell, it also increased the fight or flight response, which blocks the brain from receiving hunger, signals.

You should never start a weight loss drug without consulting your physician. Side effects are generally mild however, some patients complained of chest pain, irritability, insomnia and irregular heart rhythms.

Recommended Product:
One of the best choices for consumers today is Proactol. Much research has been done of the weight loss industry and this product offers more safety and effectiveness than most of the supplements on the market. You get a better product and more value for the dollar with Proactol.

Four Reasons Proactol is Recommended

1.No Harmful Ingredients
Proactol contains none of the harmful substances like the ones listed above. It is 100% safe and made of natural ingredients.

2.You can be assured of its safety since the product has undergone extensive clinical trials and been proven to be safe and effective. Proactol has even received the CE seal of approval as a certified medical device product.

3.Proactol addresses fat absorption by blocking up to 28% of the fat you take in on a daily basis.

4.Reduce your cholesterol with Proactol as well. Proactol prevents absorptions of dietary cholesterol; this is good news for weight loss and preventing heart disease. Control your weight with Proactol, since it, blocks 28% of the fat consumed it aids in the management of your weight.

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Why Are You Hungry? : Identifying Your Hunger Triggers to Aid Weight Loss Success

In achieving weight loss success, there are three important known factors you should take into consideration: the kind of food that you eat, the frequency whereby you eat, and the amount of food you eat. With these aspects as the controlling factors in your chosen healthy eating regimen along with regular physical exercise, it would not be long before you finally attain your desired body weight. It is only a matter of time and well...a good deal of self discipline.

However, as you proceed with your diet, there would be times when your self-control would wane and you would give in to your urge to eat. Although this is a common fault among dieters, blaming yourself constantly and dismissing your diet altogether is not the answer. Persevering by getting right back on track as soon as you can would ensure that you would not gain back the weight you have worked so hard to lose. Keep in mind: one day of binging would not be enough to make you balloon to your previous weight overnight.

To reinforce your self-discipline by striving hard to maintain it albeit the occasional setbacks you encounter would help assure your success. Aside from this, you would be better off if you were to analyze the situations where you are likely to be struck by hunger. Doing so would prepare you before hand, arming you with efficient solutions that would allow you to cater to your present need without affecting your diet.

The instances whereby you are prompted to eat has a lot to do with the current situation at hand and the state of your emotions. They fall into the following categories:

*Eating prompted by social circumstances
You are often stimulated or coerced to eat during social situations whereby others are also eating, like in parties or other festive gatherings. What drives you to dig in would be your unconscious and instantaneous response to your environment. For example, if you are invited to eat in a party, you would oblige out of the need to accommodate others or fit in. Other social situations like having arguments or you are feeling out of place in a certain crowd are also common triggers for eating.

*Eating as an emotional response
Negative feelings of boredom, sadness, anger, irritation, loneliness, and anxiety stimulate your desire to eat as a means of distracting yourself or compensating for that feeling of something "lacking" within.

*Eating prompted by circumstances
Being exposed to an environment where "eating" is the main event would automatically invite you to do so. A good example would be when you are in a restaurant or you are passing by any kind of food or eating establishment. Also, being exposed to advertisements showcasing people who are eating would trigger a desire in you to emulate what they are doing. Aside from the aforementioned circumstances, there are also certain activities unconsciously associated with eating like watching TV or movies or lounging with friends.

*Eating as a punishment for negative personal self-beliefs
Most of the time, people who have low self-esteem vent their frustrations on eating. Other similar circumstances would be when you fail to live up to your own expectation(not looking as good enough as you please or your lack of will power), and as an unconscious punishment, you gorge on your preferred food craving.

*Eating prompted by physiologically associated issues
Feeling hungry after a strenuous exercise or activity is typical. In addition, you are also likely to go hungry if you had skipped a meal or you are experiencing physical pain(headache, sore muscles, etc.).

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Seven Secrets to Weight Loss

If you ask anyone how to lose weight they will tell you to eat less and exercise more. This is a very simple explanation of how to be victorious with your weight loss. As anyone that has ever tried to lose weight recognizes there are is an abundance of weight loss advice to help you in your effort. Here are some common weight loss suggestions recommend to be successful in losing weight.

1. Most weight loss tips suggest consuming plenty of water. Oftentimes people confuse being thirsty with being hungry. Try to have a glass of cold water when you think you are hungry as it may be just what you require. Many people have a difficult time consuming the amount of water that is required for your body to work properly. Try adding some lemon or infuse with a flavored tea to add some flavor without supplying the calories.

2.Concentrate on contributing to your diet. Many times when people are searching for weight loss tips you only find what to eradicate from your diet. Even So, you should try to concentrate on adding the essential quantities of fruits and vegetables. It is advocated to ingest five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. This may seem like a lot of food but it will assist you to attain your fiber needs while keeping you feeling satisfied.

3. Another set of popular weight loss advice revolve around snacking. Give detailed attention to your empty snacking. Some people take in way too many calories at night while they are mindless watching television and snacking. Experts suggest establishing a cut off time for eating roughly two hours prior to going to bed for the night. By doing so you will have time to burn off any calories eaten. Some Other weight loss advice would be to have preset evening snacks such as a low calorie snack pack or low-fat ice cream.

4. Eat several small meals throughout the day. Many experts believe that eating several small meals and snacks during the day helps to control appetite and aids in weight loss endeavors. When opting to eat several smaller meals during the day you should strive to have your last meal be at dinner.

5. Make sure you eat protein at every meal. Protein is now thought to be more fulfilling than carbohydrates and fat. Eating enough protein will help aid in preservation of muscle mass while it encourages fat burning. Try adding items like yogurt, beans, cheese and nuts into your meals to advance your protein consumption.

6. Popular weight loss tips include packing your pantry with healthy foods. Great weight loss tips for those trying to lose some additional pounds would be to have nutritious foods readily available. You will be less likely to order take-out or hit the fast food restaurant if you are able to prepare a nutritious meal in minutes. Try stocking up on frozen vegetables, canned tomatoes, whole-grain wraps and pre-cooked chicken breast.

7. Advice for those that are forced to eat on the run would be to order a kid's meal. In doing so you learn to keep your serving size under control. An additional great weight loss tip would be to use a smaller plate as it makes the serving appear like more and your mind and body will usually be satisfied.

Walking for Weight Loss

7 Diet Secrets of the Stars

Shin Splints Can Be Avoided

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Menopause

Don't be afraid to ask your doctor what you really want to know about menopause! Read on for some tips to get the conversation started.

All women go through menopause at one time in their lives. It’s fair to say that the experience can be confusing and scary. Worse still is that we are all too often afraid to question our doctors. After all, we’re raised to believe that doctor knows best. Doctors also have a habit of thinking we understand all of their medical talk and diagnosis. It’s important to be prepared to ask your doctor all of the questions you have about menopause. Here are a collection of questions to get the conversation rolling and questions you might not have thought to ask.

1.Could my symptoms be something other than menopause? - Depending on your age and other factors your symptoms could be the cause of some other illnesses.
2.What medications should I consider?
3.What are the advantages of hormone therapy and what are the side effects?
4.What are the advantages and side effects of herbal remedies?
5.Should I undergo bone density screening to fight osteoporosis?
6.What kind of exercise plan should I be doing?

These questions will help get you comfortable with the topic. They will also help open the door to any other, more individual questions you might have. An open, honest level of communication with your doctor is very important. Be sure that you are comfortable talking to your doctor and you feel you are getting compassionate one on one care.

Don’t let embarrassment or shame keep you from taking care of yourself. No matter your question, your doctor has heard it all before. No one knows your body better than you do, and it is important that you take care of yourself! Make an appointment to see your doctor today and stop the stress and worry over your menopausal symptoms. You will be glad you did.

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Weight Loss: A Beginner’s Guide to Proper Nutrition

Is A Weight Training Spotter Required For Substantial Muscle Building?

One of the most important bodybuilding concepts for maximum muscle building is achieving failure on each workout set, where a bodybuilder takes a certain weight lifting exercise to the point where no additional repetitions are possible, and this requires some form of spotting on several exercises, especially those involving the legs and chest, so many choose to enlist the help of a weight lifting partner so that they can always have a safety mechanism to reduce the risk of injury.

Even bodybuilders who otherwise would rather perform bodybuilding workouts alone decide to find a partner specifically to protect themselves when reaching failure on certain weight lifting exercises, and for those who cannot find a companion for such a purpose, they will likely join a gym and interrupt other busy weight lifters to provide spotting during various sets, which is not only agitating to any bodybuilder who is attempting to complete a workout without distraction, but realistically, finding such a spotter is not always easy depending on type of gym.

Although there are certain bodybuilders who can locate trustworthy weight lifting partners to accompany them for every workout session, the chances are great that this will not be possible, leaving either the random spotter method (asking various gym members for assistance), which as mentioned is quite rude and annoying to others, or requires the use of machines exclusively, which naturally prevents the need for any spotting whatsoever.

But what if a bodybuilder seeks to train with free weights on workout exercises such as the bench press, and wishes to perform these specific weight training movements alone, without the benefit of a partner or spotter? This is easily doable through use of a power rack, where two beams allow positioning at various locations to guard a bodybuilder from becoming trapped underneath a heavy weight during the workout session.

Since a power rack has adjustable spotting bars, the unit is not only helpful for upper body weight training exercises such as the shoulder press, but also for the calf raise and squat, lower body movements which many wish to perform with a free weight barbell as opposed to machines.

Some opt for a squat rack instead of a power rack, and this is not wise given that the spotting beams which comprise a power rack are designed specifically to serve as a protective mechanism in case a bodybuilder loses control of the weight during his or her set, while a squat rack does not allow this vital level of protection. With a power rack, spotting is easily doable without assistance from a weight lifting partner, as you can place the bar on a separate, smaller set of pegs for initial lift off, and the large, lengthy spotting beams are anchored lower for complete protection during each weight lifting set.

Many gyms provide power racks, although some may only purchase one, and bodybuilders who understand the value of this specific piece of workout equipment will regularly monopolize the device, which requires others to either "work in" (which is extremely inconvenient unless both bodybuilders are using identical workout exercises and weight, which rarely will ever occur), or wait until the power rack is no longer occupied, which is wasteful if you are on a schedule (and others may then ask you to "work in" as well!). So, if you have sufficient space at home, purchasing a power rack for your basement or home workout room is a far better alternative, as utilizing a power rack along with a workout bench, barbell, two dumbbell collars and free weight plates, dramatic muscle building is possible at home, alone, as you will reach failure safely on all weight training workout exercises without need for a spotter.

The other insurmountable problem with attempting to find a weight training partner to spot during heavy bench pressing and other similar workout exercises is that, unless you are surrounded by an army of other extremely powerful bodybuilders, it's quite easy to become trapped underneath a weight even when a spotter is watching, as reaching failure requires that you can no longer muster the energy to complete a repetition on your own power, and for any spotter to lift dead weight from a standing position is extremely difficult, to the point where your weight training partner may be unable to help you avoid becoming stuck underneath a barbell as your energy reserves decline during a workout set. But with a power rack, this is never an issue, as you adjust the spotting beams to a position where the barbell cannot cause you to become trapped underneath, regardless of how heavy a weight you may be using for your bodybuilding workout session, so I firmly recommend, even if you train with a trustworthy and very powerful partner, to always rely on a power rack for spotting during all pressing exercises so that you can ensure a heightened sense of safety and maximum intensity without unnecessarily risking a significant and dangerous mishap.

Francesco Castano authors MuscleNOW.com, a diet and weight lifting program teaching the exact techniques for building muscle mass without supplements or drugs. He also owns IncrediBody.com, an online fitness superstore selling protein powder at guaranteed lowest prices.

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Walking for Weight Loss

One of the easiest and safest ways to achieve healthy, lasting weight loss is to begin with a simple walking routine. Walking is a complete, low impact form of exercise that works all of the major muscle groups in the body, as well as the heart and lungs. You will burn extra calories and lose excess weight, tone your muscles and achieve greater mobility as your muscles get stronger.

Your walking regimen doesn't need to be fancy or complicated--in fact, the simpler, the better.
All you really need is a pair of sturdy walking shoes, an open area to walk, and you can begin.
Set a starting goal of something easy, like 5-10 minutes on a track or a walk around the block.

Always begin your exercise time with some gentle stretches to get your muscles adjusted to the work you will be asking them to do during the walk. If you haven't been in the habit of working out on a regular basis, be sure and go easy on yourself. You may find that you can't go as far or as fast as you had hoped to, but don't beat yourself up over it. During your next walk, you can always try to make it that much further.

If the weather is inclement, don't let that keep you from getting fit. You can always walk in place inside your house. Many companies sell walking workout types that can give you a full body cardiovascular workout while you stand in front of your television.

As you continue to walk, you'll notice that your stamina and mobility improve. Take advantage of your increased fitness abilities to make your workouts more difficult by incorporating hand or ankle weights. You can also vary your usual walking terrain to include a higher level of difficulty such as stairs or hills. You'll also find that your body can withstand longer increments of exercise, so be sure to continue to challenge yourself by increasing your workout time. You should aim for 30 minutes or so 3-5 times a week.

As time passes, you may find that your initial enthusiasm for your walking workout has waned. At this point, in order to maintain your weight loss, it can be a great help to get a walking buddy who will help keep you accountable. On the day you don't feel like exercising, your buddy will help keep you motivated, and vice versa. Plus, your workout will time will go much quicker if you have someone to keep you company.

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Walking - What’s That?

Most of us take the car everywhere. The school-run, the supermarket, the mall… even to the local store to stock up on milk and butter. Dogs have to be taken in the car in order to have a walk. It can take longer waiting in the traffic than it does throwing sticks to your pooch in the park. And when you’re there, do you sit on the bench and wish your life away? Have a rethink. Can you walk your dog to a park? Can you walk it from your door rather than ushering it into the back seat where it mucks up your windows with its wet nose? Stroll to the deli to pick up your bagels on a Sunday morning. Whatever the weather, walking is fun.

So beneficial is walking, it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, glaucoma and hip fracture. If walking is combined with healthy eating, it is the correct route to weight control. It can control blood pressure by strengthening the heart, which could ultimately mean less medication for those popping pills for hypertension.

The benefits of a brisk walk would probably be too many to mention. Heart attacks would be fewer if we put on hat and boots in winter, or even a strappy little number in summer for the fashion-conscious amongst us, and took on those paths and sidewalks designed for pedestrians. Not only would we be lowering our risk of a stroke, or keeping our cholesterol levels down, we’d be living life to the full. Filling it with memories instead of reruns of Taxi or Frasier. Think of constipation, depression, stress, back pain, lack of sleep.

For an hour a day, for five days a week, take a walk and we may be halving our risk of a stroke. This is according to a Harvard study of eleven thousand men. Can we afford to ignore it? Once the habit is broken of taking the car everywhere, exercise can be built into the routine of daily lives. Soon, it will be like eating breakfast, or brushing teeth. If an hour a day for five days a week proves too much, cut it down to an Optimum Walking Pace for three hours a week, apportioned however it suits. For women, this is associated with a 30 to 40 percent lower risk of heart disease, according to the Nurses’ Health Study of 72,000 women. It’s got to be worth dressing up and going out for, with or without the dog.

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7 Diet Secrets of the Stars

Celebrities always look fabulous. Whether appearing in television or films or strutting down the red carpet during movie premiers and awards, they never cease to fascinate us with their larger than life presence. The truth is, it takes a lot of effort to look the way they do, and being the public figures that they are, they cannot afford to slack off when it comes to taking care of their physical appearances. Their livelihood largely depends on how they look. Aside from the clothes, the hair and the makeup, celebrities have to take good care of their bodies.

So it is no surprise that these stars have their own secrets when it comes to staying fit and gorgeous. Their health agenda can range from extreme workouts to well-planned meals. Who doesn't want to know their secrets in staying absolutely sexy? Here are some of the diet secrets of seven women celebrities.

1. Jennifer Aniston:

The star of the phenomenal television show "Friends" not only mesmerized audiences with her adorable comic sense and her famous hairstyle, she was also known for having one of the sexiest bodies in Hollywood, as she appeared in countless magazine covers. To stay trim, Jennifer follows the 40:30:30 diet method. The diet consists of:

40% Low glycemic carbohydrates
Foods such as beans, fruits and vegetables, legumes

30% lean proteins
Tofu, fish, chicken, turkey, beef and low fat dairy products

30% essential fats
Nuts and seeds, fish and olive oils

It is essential that every meal contain macronutrients to attain the balance of hormones and maximum weight loss.

2. Kate Hudson:

The gorgeous daughter of actress Goldie Hawn gained 60 pounds during her pregnancy, which she needed to shed quickly before commencing her next film. From her previous eating plan, she switched to a higher protein diet. She consumed high protein meals in smaller portions, and she combined this diet with an exercise program that includes weight training and cardiovascular workouts. After getting a lot of flak because of her post-pregnancy figure, Kate removed all that baby weight in only four months and has gained abdominal muscles that gained the envy of many in Hollywood.

3. Oprah Winfrey:

As one of the most successful talk-show hosts in the world, there is no question that Oprah needs to maintain her physical appearance for her millions of audiences. Known as one of those celebrities who are constantly battling weight gain, she has recently toned up her figure and has never looked better at age 50 by combining a regular exercise regime and diet plan. Oprah works out five days a week, spending 30 minutes on the treadmill and doing free weights. Her eating plan consists of legumes, fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables, chicken and dairy products that are low fat. She limits her consumption of white sugar and flour. Oprah also credits her trim figure to her habit of not eating anything after seven in the evening.

4. Gwyneth Paltrow:

A lot of people may find it hard to believe that the perpetually slim Academy award-winning actress actually needs to diet. Gwyneth actually follows a healthy eating plan that resembles Oprah's, avoiding sugar and white flour. She usually follows a macrobiotic diet, eating foods like vegetables, brown rice, and lean meat. She also eliminated dairy from her diet, and does yoga everyday.

5. Madonna:

The pop star known as the Material Girl has always flaunted a body that is to die for, and has become a true fitness paragon over the years. She keeps herself in tip-top shape by having Ashtanga Yoga, and follows a strict diet that mostly shuns junk foods. She adopted a macrobiotic eating plan that includes organic foods rich in lean protein.

6. Claudia Schiffer:

The bodacious German supermodel eats salad and steamed vegetables for dinner and eats only fruits before the afternoon. While on locations, she prefers to eat black grapes and drinks tomato juice and herbal tea.

7. Christie Brinkley:

Long-time supermodel maintains her all-American good looks by being a vegetarian. She does not keep junk foods of any kind inside her home to make sure that she does not eat them when cravings occur. She snacks on sweet potatoes in place of candy bars, and she adopts a liquid juice diet when she needs to slim down fast.

Celebrities are just like ordinary people. They need to maintain their figures just like anyone else, and there is more pressure on their part since they are constantly in the public eye. Ordinary folks can have celebrity-like bodies, too, and by following these diet and fitness plans, they can also look like red-carpet worthy.

Shin Splints Can Be Avoided

Commonly runners are sidelined or limited by the presentation of leg pain during and often after runs. The pain is usually located at the sides of the "shin" bone and can be debilitating, even limiting the ability to walk. Over the years, this has been a problem that I sometimes have encountered in my running. Since I love running (and don't like not running), I have researched over the years some ways to limit the presentation of shin splints while training for a race, or in my case a marathon. I will discuss some ways that we can "run smart" and limit the injuries that have been commonly classified as shin splints.

What is a shin splint?

A shin splint can be located on the medial (inside) or lateral (outside) of the lower leg below the knee. Medial shin splints are commonly inflammation of the muscle attachment to the shin bone (tibia) and hurts as from pressure to the muscle just inside the bone. Lateral shin splints are commonly inflammation to the tendon (posterior peroneal tendon) and adjacent tissues in the front of the outer lower leg. In either case, the pain can present during a run, immediately following the run or sometimes the next day.

What causes shin splints?

The exact cause of shin splints are not known, but usually it is related to rapid increase in running or jumping (or sometimes walking fast), changes in shoegear, or pronation (flattening of the foot). Some secondary causes may be balance problems (leaning to one side during a run), poor training technique (progressing too fast, poor running technique or surfaces), leg length problems or even injury.

What I have learned...

1) Using correct shoes.

Since commonly over pronation (excessive flattening of the foot) or over supination (increased arch height - rolling out) can cause stress to the muscles or tendons in the area and create shin splints, a quality exercise or running shoe will help improve and prevent these symptoms. In choosing a shoe, price is not the most important, but cheap priced shoes are usually cheap shoes. Get a quality shoe, designed for the exercise you are doing (running shoe for running or walking, basketball shoe for basketball, etc.).

2) Training smart.

As you run or train, Run Smart! Let me explain...

If you are running on a track, understand that always running the same direction on the track will work muscles differently than switching directions. One of the possible causes for shin splints is working muscles at different rates, therefore switching directions regularly will work all muscle of the legs equally and reduce the chances for shin splints.

If you are running on a road, most roads in most locations throughout the country are canted (or tilted to improve water runoff). Therefore, running against traffic always will cause supination of the left foot and pronation of the right foot. With supination, you will work the lateral (outside) muscles of the leg more than the medial (inside) muscles of the leg. Pronation does the opposite. By switching sides periodically, you will again work all muscles equally and prevent the presentation of shin splint symptoms.

Lastly, in running smart, the speed of training should be carefully controlled. Start slow and progress slowly to the amount of running you desire. Give the leg muscles time to get strengthened before forcing them into harder regimen. The speed of progress will require understanding of how much running you have done and where you should start. Cross training (elliptical or bike) can also help even the muscle strength as you progress.

In all these aspects of running smart, it should be understood that shin splints are caused by overusing a muscle group and creating an injury. By adjusting the training to reduce this overuse, you will have a more enjoyable run.

3) Evaluation for possible "gait" abnormalities.

"Gait" abnormalities are best described as running or walking abnormalities. Do you have a leg length problem? Do you over pronate or over supinate? Do you have imbalance issues, back problems, knee problems, or other reasons to overwork a muscle group that may cause your shin spints?

Let me discuss some of these running issues:

Leg length abnormalities (left leg longer/shorter than right) can be a large problem when running. The APMA has found that running produces 4-5 times your body weight through your feet. If one leg is shorter, the body is designed to adjust...you will pronate the shorter foot to make it longer and supinate the longer foot to make it shorter. This will lead to overworking the muscles and cause leg pain and possibly shin splints. A simple adjustment to your shoes (or orthotics) will alleviate this problem and produce continued running without pain.

Imbalance issues, often caused by weakness of ligaments (like chronic ankle spraining) or ear problems. One of my patients is deaf in one ear and runs lopsided (towards the deaf side) and has issues with shin splints. With a simple orthotic, a custom item to replace a shoe insert in your running shoes that maintains your foot in neutral position and helps the foot function as it should, his shin splints have been eliminated.

Pronation or supination is also a form of imbalance of the feet and can cause overuse of some muscles and may also lead to shin splints. Orthotics are the answer here also.

By being evaluated for your running, your "gait" abnormalities can be evaluated and often adjusted to help you return to running without the pain.

Top 6 Fitness Components

1. Speed: Speed is the ability of a person to execute motor movements with high speed in the shortest period of time. It is equal to the distance covered per unit of time. the element of speed is involved in most of the athletic skills such as in sprint running, some skills of soccer, basketball, etc.

2.Strength: Strength is the ability of a muscle to expert or release force by contraction enabling a person to overcome resistance or to act against resistance.

3. Power: Power is the ability of muscle to release maximum force in the shortest period of time. It is equal to force multiplied by speed. It is the combination of strength and speed. Speed and force must be combined for effective performance in activities like baseball throw, jumps for height, football kick, boxing punch,etc.

4. Endurance: Endurance is the ability of the person to perform movement of moderate (Sub-maximum) contractions over prolonged period of time under conditions of fatigue or tiredness. It is the product of all psychic and physical energy of human body.

5. Flexibility: Flexibility is the ability of a muscle to perform movements with large range of motion.

6. Agility : Agility is the ability of a person to change positions in space or to change directions quickly and effectively e.g. football player quickly changes direction or giving dodge to opponent, hurdle crossing over the barrier or hurdles, zig-zag running, etc.

7. Balance : Balance is the ability of a person to control human body or to maintain equilibrium under static and dynamic conditions e.g. hand stand, skating, skiing, catching a fly in baseball, etc.

Relates posts:

Weight Loss: A Beginner’s Guide to Proper Nutrition

Lose Weight Motivation

Discover the 8 Fat Loss Cardio Mistakes

What Causes Hair Loss?

Weight Loss: A Beginner’s Guide to Proper Nutrition

Whether you are a newcomer to weight loss or a seasoned pro, there is always something to learn when you go back to the basics. Many people think that losing weight is this daunting task that takes a lot of time in the gym, or the reduction in calories or even worse eating nothing but cottage cheese and carrots.

All of that is the furthest thing from the truth. What it takes is knowing what to eat, when to eat it, and how much of it you should eat. You see there really are power foods out there and when combined together in a meal they help increase your bodies metabolic rate (the rate at which your body burns fat) and make you healthier.

Let’s start with what you should be eating. It goes without saying that eating cupcakes, cookies, pies, and other high fat no nutrient content foods are bad for you. Now that does not mean you can’t have one on occasion, but you can overdo it quickly. There are three food groups you need to acquaint yourself with. They are proteins, carbohydrates and green vegetables. If you can remember these three then you will be well on your way.

In each of these three food groups you want to pick out quality sources. For example, your proteins should consist of lean meats, chicken breast, fish, egg whites and/or egg substitutes. Your carbohydrate sources should be multi-grain breads and cereals, brown rice and potatoes. The last group, green vegetables, is an easy one. Your vegetable sources should be green. Good examples would be spinach, broccoli, asparagus and salads.

Knowing what the right foods to eat are will lead you a long way to your weight loss goals; however we are not done yet. There is more information you need. Simply knowing them is not enough. You need to know how much of each you should eat and how often.

To make it simple and eliminate the need for weighing your food, counting your calories and so on you can remember this simple rule of thumb when it comes to portion size. Each food group portion should be the same size as your clenched fist. So if you were to go ahead and make a fist that is the size of food portion you should put on your plate for each food group for each meal.

One final step is to know how often to eat. The idea is that when you are eating healthy you want your body to get a continuous supply of this food but not overeat. Therefore the best method is to eat many smaller meals throughout the day. You should be eating one meal every two and a half to three hours for a total of six meals each and every day. This keeps that metabolic rate running at high levels and gives your body the nutrients it needs to run at a healthy level.

Are you looking to lose 5, 10, or 15 pounds? It doesn’t matter. With the information above you are equipped with the knowledge you need to lose as much or as little weight as you so desire. Just remember that before you start any type of fitness or nutrition program you should always get a complete physical from your primary care physician.

Related posts:

How To Lose Weight Exercising

Do you know that acne can be treated with a better diet?

Lose Weight Motivation

The weight loss market, as a niche market, is huge and growing ever bigger. You would assume that, with the amount of advice freely abounding, people would be able to follow instructions and lose their excess weight. In the majority of cases, however, this simply does not happen. But, why? What makes it so difficult to lose weight? After all, you would assume that, if a person wants to lose weight that much, then they would be able to set their minds to it, follow the rules and watch the scales creep down along with the clothes sizes. When you consider how much carrying around excess weight affects a person, apart from physically, reducing a person's self-esteem so dramatically, you would assume that losing weight would be - well, not so much a doddle, but fairly straightforward. So, why isn't it?

There really is no single answer. It could be an unrealistic weight loss plan, or it could be unrealistic expectations. I suspect fewer people suffer from lack of willpower than actually claim to. So what is the problem? Is losing weight too difficult? Or is it because most weight loss plans are too slow? How do we put an effective weight loss plan into action? Basically, a person who wants to lose weight needs to know what to eat and how to eat it, how to increase their activity level and how to change their behavior. One of the most important parts of any weight loss plan is attitude. Attitude over-rides everything else. You can have an excellent weight loss plan and exercise regime but, without the correct cognitive attitude, success will be as far away as ever.

However, assuming you have the correct mindset and everything else is hunky-dory, where do you start? Are you going to follow a red day or a green day and then discuss sins with everybody you meet, or join one of the other diet classes where you get a pep-talk once a week and, for the rest of the week you struggle? Or supplement your weight loss plan with a bit of help from diet supplement such as Adios, or MyAlli, or 4RX- or one of the other many aids on the market? From my own experience, the most difficult part of a weight loss plan is starting it and getting used to what you are allowed to eat and what is best avoided.

First of all, you need a diet that is easy to follow which is why I am not a particularly great fan of the red/green revolution. I found it so complicated that it was just easier to stop dieting! You also need to pick a weight loss plan that is realistic. There is no point in going out with the family for the day and blowing your diet because there is nothing suitable for you to eat - or, come to that, going out to a restaurant and having to pick your way through a rather sad and boring salad because there is nothing else suitable on the menu. You are going to be living with your weight loss plan

There are many different weight loss diets that can be found at fatloss4idiots.com. Many of these diets has successfully shed the weight off dieters when followed correctly. So, if you want more information, then check out this Fat Loss For Idiots review page.

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Discover the 8 Fat Loss Cardio Mistakes

Programs for fitness and fat loss come in just about every variation depending on the perspective of the guru or expert involved. As a former military trained fitness professional working with thousands of people over the last three decades, all of the trial and error to see what works and what doesn't is over. As many of you continue to win the war on obesity while getting healthier everyday, some of you are traveling down a road less traveled without a map.

Here's a map to point you in the right direction and in an effort to clear up some confusion, give some solid foundational starting points so you can make some educated choices.

1. Inadequate warm up

When starting out a warm up of a general nature is good to loosen stiff muscles and joints. A five minute whole body dynamic stretch routine allows you to hit all planes of motion with flexion, extension and rotation of torso and lower body. From ankles to neck warms the body nicely and will prevent program ending injuries before you get out of the gate.

2. Session of cardio not long enough

A session of less than 20 minutes isn't really log enough for the body to figure out what you're doing. The body's fuel sources for fat burning might not even start to get tapped into until the 30 minute mark. However, for the newbie or over weight individual building endurance and conditioning the body for work will be the first goal with the lower limit being thirty minutes and building on some days to sixty minutes.

3. Session of cardio not hard enough

The discussion strategy of going hard enough but still allowing you to converse with a cardio partner is one commonly used, however as you become conditioned, a higher intensity will need to be employed to burn fat. Heart rates alternated between 120 and 180 beats per minute using high intensity interval training will give you more bang for your buck and continue to burn fat for another 36 hours post workout research says.

4. Session of cardio not frequent enough

If previous items are not handled well and injuries occur frequently or life causes schedule conflicts, setting up a first thing in the morning strategy is best. Get up, have a coffee shot and hit the road. Then the day can do what ever the day wants to do and you've at least gotten "me" time handled and can feel accomplished.

5. Not enough variety.

When doing the same type of workout whether it's running, swimming or rowing and it happens same time, on same days-a change is needed. Mainly because a lot of repetitive stress injuries occur as the body adapts to that type of training routine. When going from one method of cardio training to another, the body's ability to adapt to stressors takes much longer while prolonging stagnation and possible soft tissue injuries

6. No ability to record quantity of calories expended, i.e. heart monitor

"I'm sweating" isn't an indication of fat burning, it just means your drinking enough water and your hot....that's it. Using a monitor to check ranges to build recovery into your program as well as document calorie output per type of training session is good data. It will keep you continually improving if you meet or beat each similar workout with one or more calories being burned each time as you get fit.

7. No stretching program/cool down

Post workout a few minutes of stretching your tightest target muscle groups will prevent down time from injury and allow the pooling of waste products in muscles from exercise to be pushed through the system and eliminated mush easier. Research indicates this also will help with delayed on set muscle soreness.

8. Improper diet

The biggest mistake of all is to eat 3000 calories of poor quality fuel and call it food. Not only will you perform less than optimally, but if you only burn a 300 or 400 calories per day and your body needs only 2,000 calories to survive.....the extra calorie consumption will eventually add up to fat gain instead of loss. Have your body fat levels checked to determine how many calories you need for your body and activity level. Then eat the highest quality fuels possible. If it didn't exist 3,000 years ago, don't eat it.

Stay ready so you don't have to get ready. Go lift some heavy stuff, then run, eat, sleep and repeat forever.

What Causes Hair Loss?

At sometime in their lives, almost everyone is affected by balding or thinning hair and wants to know what causes hair loss. There are many reasons for hair loss, and it affects people all over the world. Those who suffer from this condition may not understand that their hair loss can be stopped, or that it could have been prevented in the first place. By knowing the causes and taking steps toward eliminating these causes in our daily lives, we can take a big step toward having a beautiful, healthy head of hair. In addition, there are hair regrowth programs available to help those of us whose genetic predisposition is toward early hair loss. Hair loss can be exacerbated by various external or internal causes. Although certainly we would not stop taking medications necessary for life or optimum health, this guide is for the causes that we can control.

Stress

Stress causes hair loss, and can keep hair from growing optimally for a long period of time. If you are stressed, you are putting your body in a “fight or flight” state. The body cannot maintain all of its proper functions under prolonged stress, and the hair growth cycle does not continue when all of the necessary blood supply and nutrients are directed elsewhere under stress. Some people might think that the saying that someone is “so stressed that their hair is falling out” is a myth. Unfortunately, this is a valid reason for hair loss in both men and women.

Malnutrition

If someone is not getting the proper amount of vitamins and minerals they need for optimum health, their body will start to rob nutrients from peripheral functions to feed them to the visceral organs. Malnutrition causes hair loss in many people, young and old all over the world. The body reacts to the deficiency of specific vitamins or minerals. When this happens, the body is not able to keep the follicles healthy, and therefore keep the hair itself healthy and in place. By taking multi vitamins and eating a healthy diet, you can help stop the hair loss and encourage hair growth all at once.

Shampoo

Believe it or not, the type of shampoo you use can determine your amount of hair loss. Shampoo causes hair loss for people who are use types of shampoo that have harsh chemicals, or lather excessively stripping the hair of some of the essential oils that it needs to stay healthy. When your hair becomes dry and brittle, it can tangle or break easier. Shampoos that do not clean the scalp can leave a buildup of oils that clog the hair follicles inhibiting growth of the hair shaft. If you add stress or poor diet you compound the damage possibilities exponentially.

Genetics

When men talk about male pattern baldness, they may not think that there is anything they can do to stop or reverse the process. We also forget that women can be genetically predisposed to thinning or balding as well. Hair loss can be hereditary, in both men and women, but this does not mean that medications, topical creams, laser therapy and proper hair care and nutrition cannot help stop and even reverse this process.

Chemicals

Any exposure to a multitude of chemicals can cause hair loss. Our bodies expend energy fighting the bad effects caused by these chemicals, and our overall health is compromised. Some prescription medicines can also cause hair loss, as the body reacts poorly to the chemical itself.

In summary, poor health or scalp condition causes hair loss. Other than genetics, most of these situations are preventable. By knowing all of the different causes of male or female hair loss, you know exactly what you are doing that you may be able to change. Adding this information to any education you gain about the latest hair regrowth treatments may be all you need to keep your hair vital. Knowing these simple things will allow you to adjust any habits or deal with any issues you may have, and may help you to keep your hair healthy, longer.

Foods for Healthy Heart, Keep your Heart Healthy

If there is one word that is associated with potentially life threatening health issues it is cholesterol. There are numerous TV and print advertisements espousing the benefits of the latest cholesterol reducing drug and for good reasons. High levels of this naturally occurring substance are associated with increased risks of heart disease and stroke. Knowing this has caused many people to avoid cholesterol high foods in their attempt to mitigate the harmful effects it can cause.

Happily, maintaining a healthy heart is relatively simple, and it's never too late to start. Do you smoke? If you do, the first step is to quit. Even occasional smoking has been proven to be detrimental to the health of your heart. Regular exercise is essential to help maintain weight and keep the heart strong. It is also important to limit fats in the diet particularly animal fats derived from meat and full fat dairy foods.

Oatmeal. Opt for coarse or steel-cut oats over instant varieties, they contain more fiber. Oatmeal is great for breakfast over sugary cereal; it is full of omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and potassium. This fiber-rich superfood can also lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and help keep arteries clear.

Legumes/Beans: One serving of dried beans/legumes a day can reduce cholesterol by up to 10%. The fiber and other compounds present in legumes and beans can lower cholesterol, blood clotting and improve blood-vessel function. These are also a great source of folate, which keeps homocysteine levels (an indicator of heart trouble), in check.

It is not surprising that people are interested in what are the best vitamins and foods for heart health. The heart is one of the most important organs in our body. We cannot live without it and when disease strikes the heart, the results are serious. Much research has been down about the importance of vitamins and foods for heart health. There are many, many healthy foods, many not so healthy foods and some foods that you should avoid entirely.

When it comes to low cholesterol foods, choosing the right foods is not as hard as you might think, it can be as easy as finding something in the pantry or refrigerator and cooking it up, or it may not involve cooking at all. Foods like fruits and vegetables lower bad cholesterol. This can be a smart choice. Instead of going for cookies in the morning on your way out, grab a fruit, at lunch instead of going to a fast food restaurant, pack your own lunch such as a sandwich made with whole wheat bread, whole wheat blocks back cholesterol.

Increase food sources of omega-3 fatty acids which target high triglycerides in the blood. Good sources of omega-3s include fish such as sardines, mackerel; nuts and seeds; green leafy vegetables; grains like wheat, bajra; legumes like rajma, cowpea, and black gram.

Myths About Weight Loss

Actually fats are the ones that make you feel full. They add the satiety value to your diet. And remember that crabs have half calories as fats, so adding 100gm of rice is as good as eating a slice of cheese cake. A good diet should contain about 10-15gm fat. People generally feel that consuming lot of fats is good for the body, but actually they do not realize they are the most harmful ones.

A Few Myths:

Exercise would make you slimmer: Exercising is good for the body, but it also increases your hunger. To loose weight, you must moderate your diet along with all the exercises.

Eating after seven in the evening will make you fat: no! What you eat during the entire 24-hour span is what matters a lot. Having a heavy lunch and going to bed with a hungry stomach is no good. In fact it may lead to different sleep disturbances.

High protein diets are good: No doubt, those proteins are good for weight watchers. They will used as a last option for our energy needs. So probably the extra fats are burned out firstly and then proteins are used. But sadly most protein sources like chicken, milk and eggs contains fats. One should go for plant proteins like legumes and pulses instead of animal proteins.

Nuts are Fattening: Nuts even though consist of high amount of fat, but most of the fat is unsaturated. At times, occasionally fats are necessary and make you feel full. In fact, recent study has shown that peanuts can be very good for dieters since they keep hunger away for long duration.

You cannot have this and only eat that: A healthy diet would in fact contain a variety of stuff. No food is bad. Everything has its own merits and demerits. But you should surely not overindulge in any kind of food. That is the reason diets cannot be our daily lifestyle. It’s difficult to stick to any kind of diet for a long duration for any person and that too if he is working. In addition, it is no surprise that you quickly regain the weight, which has taken you so hard to lose those fats.

Include all foodstuffs in your diet. Everything in moderation is the key. The main quotient should to remain and stay fit for an improved lifestyle and well-being.

Right Lung Cancer Treatment

Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer, the next thing you should do is to discuss with your doctors the most suitable lung cancer treatment for you. There are various options available for the treatment of lung cancer, but you will need to discuss these options carefully with your doctors and family before making a decision on the treatment method. Please bear in mind that the earlier the cancer is treated, the better will be your prognosis from this deadly disease.

There are many different symptoms of lung cancer. If you are coughing frequently, with so much pressure that blood is coming out of your lungs, then in all probability you are suffering from lung cancer. Also, if you are having difficulty in breathing, then too it is possible that you are suffering from lung cancer. However, mere occurrence of these symptoms should not lead you to believe that you have lung cancer. I'd suggest you consult with a professional doctor because only a qualified doctor can tell you whether you are suffering from lung cancer or not.

Small cell lung cancer, which is found in about 20 percent of lung cancer patients, is more aggressive and more likely to have spread by the time of diagnosis. It is therefore treated primarily with chemotherapy. Radiotherapy to the chest may also be used to kill off remaining cancer cells. This type of cancer often spreads to the brain. This is why radiotherapy to the brain may be used as a prophylactic even if no cancer is detected in the brain.

Electrosurgery is performed using a needle, bulb, or disk electrode. Nd-YAG laser therapy (neodymium-yttrium/argon laser that concentrates high-energy electromagnetic radiation to destroy tissue), cryotherapy (destruction of tissue using extreme cold), and brachytherapy (treatment with ionizing radiation) are extra tumor size-reducing techniques that may be performed during bronchoscopy.

Once a person is diagnosed their prognosis is generally not good. In fact, lung cancer eMedicine claims that about 14% of people diagnosed have a chance of survival over five years. This is the lowest rate of expected survival for any type of cancer. However, new treatments are being tested and some types of lung cancer has responded better than others for these new, targeted treatments.

Surgery is usually the first option. Chemotherapy can be used as a first line treatment for lung cancer or as additional treatment after surgery. Radiation therapy can be directed at your lung cancer from outside your body (external beam radiation) or it can be put inside needles, seeds or catheters and placed inside your body near the cancer (brachytherapy). Radiation therapy can be used alone or along with other lung cancer treatments. Radiation therapy can also be used to lessen side effects of lung cancer.

Avoid Exposure to radon:

Radon is a substance that is highly carcinogenic. Exposure to radon and such other radioactive gases can cause lung cancer. Radon is a byproduct of uranium degradation. This is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas which cannot be detected easily. Homes built over natural deposits of uranium can have radon in them and exposure to this is dangerous. Homes should be checked and test for the presence of this deadly carcinogen.

Prevention is always better than cure. People may take advice and suggestions from their own doctor about risk factors faced by them. It is also necessary for people to be aware of various symptoms of lung cancer. Timely action can be taken to abate its development. There is plenty of information available online about preventive measures. Cancer institutes also organize seminars to educate on importance of prevention of lung cancer.

Lose Cellulite Fast

One of the most feared words by any woman is cellulite. Cellulite is a particular type of fat that has found its way to millions of female buttocks and upper thighs. Unfortunately for those who have it, cellulite is one of the most unsightly forms of body fat. Its appearance can best be described as resembling cottage cheese.

The sad truth is that cellulite is extremely difficult to get rid of once it appears. Cellulite is a form of body fat but traditional fat loss methods usually don't get rid of it. Even when following a strict diet and exercise regimine, cellulite will most commonly stay around your thigh and butt area preventing you from achieving the smooth appearance you desire.

Several different factors can cause the unsightly fat we know as cellulite. This type of fat is most commonly found among women which is why some experts believe that the hormone estrogen could play a part in it's development. Other experts have suggested that toxins in the body can be a leading cause of cellulite and/or simply carrying too much fat in the butt or thigh regions or other affected areas.

I have recently interviewed an internationally respected plastic surgeon about the topic of cellulite. He has performed infinite liposuction surgeries on women who suffer from this type of fat so his opinion is helpful.

He strongly believes that the appearance of cellulite is caused by the flexibility of the connective tissue. So he basically believes that, if your connective tissue flexibility is compromised, your fat cells can bulge upwards to the surface of the skin, giving the area the classic cottage cheese look.

Whether the cause of cellulite is from estrogen or toxins it's clear that there is no consensus of opinion on the topic. I personally think that the cause of cellulite is genetics but perhaps one of the theories mentioned above or a combination is/are the actual culprit(s)

The good news is that whatever the precise cause may be, I have developed a multi-faceted approach to virtually blowtorch the cellulite right off your butt and thighs! My system addresses all of the potential causes of cosmetic hardship. Here it is in a simple, step-by-step format.

1) Improve your collagen/elastin ratio. The easiest way to do this is to increase the number of foods you eat which contain high levels of Vitamin C and bioflavonoids. Oranges, strawberries, blackberries, boysenberries, and green leafy vegetables are particularly good sources.

2) Rid your body of excess toxins. The simplest way to achieve this is to increase your water intake; ideally consuming half of your bodyweight in ounces each day.

3) Decrease the level of toxins entering your body. Some toxins are unavoidable such as pollutants in the air, but most are easily avoidable. Cutting back, or cutting out, alcohol, cigarettes and/or unneccesary medications can help.

4) Be aware of your estrogen levels. To do this, ensure you are consuming plenty of cruciferious veggies. What are cruiferious veggies you may ask? Try broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower--these contain something called I3C which is a substance proven to affect estrogen metobolism in a postive way-they can also help to remove toxins in the body.

5) Ensure fat loss is done the correct way. When you are facing a battle against cellulite, make sure you are treating it as you would any other fat loss. Doing so will ensure quick, long-lasting, results.

Start with these tips regarding your diet: When facing the cellulite battle, make sure your insulin levels aren't too high-when this occurs cellulite isn't being burned properly. By eliminating processed foods, red meats, and sugar you are setting youself up for success! Ridding yourself of these foods will keep your insulin in check..now onto exercise!

As you may know, "traditional" fat loss methods don't rid you of cellulite. This unfortunate truth is evident by the numerous aerobics instructors I have come to know who teach classes all week and STILL have unsightly cellulite. Although aerobic workouts are good for you, they are not best for cellulite removal.

Rather than focus all of your efforts on aerobic activity, incorporate high-intensity sprint training. Doing so will work your hamstrings and glutes while increasing your metabolism.

If you combine both high-intensity workouts with reistence exercises you'll stimulate lean muscle mass and are guaranteed to lose cellulite quickly. Some of my favorite resistance exercises are KB Swings, Band Good Mornings, and Single Leg Romanian Deadlifts which, when combined with your high-intensity workout will be a powerful remedy to combat cellulite.

Cellulite doesnt have to be a permanent part of who you are. Start this plan today and lose your cellulite forever!

The Best Oils For Facial Skin Care

Did you know the ultimate beauty program effectively uses at least four oils?

Great facial skin care starts by understanding the sun destroys collagen through repeated sun exposure. Skin texture naturally changes over time and can lead to dry and rough-textured skin. The environment and lifestyle choices we make can affect skin tone, causing sun and age spots known as hyper-pigmentation.

Most of us start off with even skin color and tone but as our skin is exposed to environmental pollutants, the sun, and UVA & UVB rays, it begins to change and takes on an aged appearance. The best facial skin care avoids certain types of oils like mineral and coconut, which can potentially clog your pores and may even be detrimental to the health of your skin.

Here is a summary of four oils that provide critical benefits to an effective, long-lasting facial skin care program:

1. Wheat Germ Oil - A rich source of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, wheat germ oil is known as the acne fighter. Wheat germ oil is documented to be effective in treating acne, blemishes, and provides antioxidant protective properties. Look for an anti aging skin care product that has wheat germ oil as an ingredient if acne is a problem.

2. Almond Oil - has been known for centuries for its ability to nourish and soothe sensitive skin. All skin types can use an anti aging skin care product with an almond oil base.

3. Tea Tree Oil - has been used in the Far East culture for generations as a skin healer.

Additionally, it carries oxygen into the hair follicles, reducing and killing bacteria that lead to pimples. All skin types can benefit from an anti aging skin care product with pure tea tree oil extract.

4. Jojoba Oil - helps reduce the production of unsightly skin oil while actually strengthening the skin. Every facial skin care program can benefit by an anti aging skin care product with jojoba oil as the base.

As we age, moisture levels in the skin begin to drop causing it to become dry and dehydrated which, in turn, makes fine lines and wrinkles very noticeable. A leading dermatologist says that the correct oil fills in the spaces between the cells in the upper levels of the skin. By filling the spaces, oil-based products smooth and lubricate aging skin. Additionally, oils are significantly easier to absorb into the skin as opposed to water-based moisturizers due to their chemical structures.

How To Lose Weight Exercising

Losing weight exercising is a proven way to shed those extra pounds. Here are five exercising tips.

1. Exercises at home. Being a member of a gym or having to go outside in the cold is not essential. There are so many weight loss exercise programs you can do at home. Put on your favorite music CD and dance around your front room! Or a more robust way is to purchased an aerobic DVD. There are hundreds on the market, do some research and choose one that will suit you.

2. Outdoor Exercise. Walking is a fantastic way to get great exercise and to burn off those calories. Walking will increase your fitness and speed up your heart rate, it is true, you always feel so good after a good walk.

3. Down The Gym. Your gym can provide all the exercise machines you could ever want. Cross trainers, steppers, running machines and bikes to mention some. Most gyms can be expensive, but I cannot stress more, use the instructors help and advice. Ask them how to lose weight exercising, they could put together a great exercise program for you.

4. How Long To Train. Keeping up regular weight loss exercise is a must. Work out a plan for yourself, so you find time to exercise. I would suggest three to five times a week, for around 30 to 60 minutes each time.

5. Using exercise for weight loss is a must. Having a structured weight loss program to follow is must also. But do not over do it especially if your body has not had much aerobic exercise recently. Try to let your body adjust, don't push yourself too hard. Getting an weight loss exercise injury would not be part of your desired program!

Do you know that acne can be treated with a better diet?

Whenever you are upset or worry about your acne conditions think that there are many ways out. If you are up for natural treatment then a few changes in your lifestyles and diet can ameliorate your skin.

The Journal of American Medical Association discerns that, “Diet plays no role in acne treatment in most patients…even large amount of certain food have not clinically exacerbated acne” whereas dermatologists and expert at the American Academy of Dermatology affirm that a healthy diet and lifestyle play very significant role in the tone and behavior of the skin cells .

Vitamins and minerals are the essential nutrients that your skin needs to stay healthy. A lack of these very important nutritions can have a negative effect to your skin functions on a day to day basis, thus making your skin vulnerable to many skin disorders such as acne breakouts, blemishes, scarring and many others. Consuming a well-balanced diet full of nutrient-rich foods may help ameliorate the skin - even as a positive side effect of a healthy lifestyle.

Essential Dieting for Acne Patients

Skin experts and dermatologists alike recommend the consumption of a variety of nutrients rich in antioxidant, unprocessed foods. Eating organic foods – preferably in their natural state – means the body can absorb further nutrients per serving and easily process and assimilate the vitamins and minerals it needs. A healthy body and skin can be the outcome of eating foods that contain:

Vitamin A: a fat-soluble vitamin which is also known as retinol can improve the rate if skin cell production, protects skin from toxins, and even give your immune system a boost. Good sources of vitamin A include cheese, eggs, oily fish (such as mackerel), liver, carrots, milk, fortified margarine, yogurt, spinach, apricots, tomatoes and yams.

Vitamin E: a powerful antioxidant that can reduce the risk of skin damage and protect your cells. Vitamin E is a common ingredient in today’s anti-aging beauty products. It is found in a wide variety of foods. The richest sources are plant oils such as soya, corn and olive oil. Other good sources include nuts and seeds, and wheat germ (found in cereals and cereal products).

Zinc: another powerful antioxidant which helps protect the immune system can defend from allergies, colds and viruses. Improving your health overall can lead to clear skin and fewer breakouts: just add more nuts, whole grains and eggs to your diet for an ample supply of zinc.

Vitamin B-2: a valuable addition to your stress-reducing regiment, Vitamin B-2 can also help clear up existing acne breakouts and improve the texture and tone of your skin. Add more leafy green vegetables, fish and milk to your diet for a healthy supply of this important B-vitamin.

Other essential nutrients for better skin include Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin B-3 and Calcium.

Acne problems can be avoided if you understand what type of foods and conditions might be a possible trigger. Reducing the consumption of foods that cause a blood sugar spike is one simple way to improve skin health; Robyn N. Smith from Australia’s RMIT University published a study in 2007 that shows how a low-glycemic diet – one that is low in simple sugars and carbs such as white bread and white sugar – could help clear up the skin and reduce the risk of acne breakouts overall.

Foods That Affect Sleep

Do you remember how as a child, whenever you can't sleep, your mom would give you a warm glass of milk to help you feel sleepy. You may think that it's just a make-believe cure for sleeplessness, but there is a scientific fact to back it up.

Milk is rich in tryptophans. Tryptophan is a kind of amino acid which the body converts into the brain chemicals serotonin and melatonin, both of which are said to have an effect in regulating sleep.

You may be one to quickly jump into taking prescription sleeping aids like Rozerem or other over-the-counter sleeping products. But would it be better if you get the sleep you needed naturally?

Know that milk isn't the only nighttime food rich in tryptophan. You can also find this amino acid in oats, bananas, poultry products, dairy product and peanuts. Also, combining food products rich in carbohydrates with a little bit of protein can increase the amount of tryptophans in the brain. With these food items in mind, you can play around and make your own light, bedtime snack combinations.

If the above mentioned foods help you feel sleepy, there are food items that give your brain a good jolt. Making you feel more awake. And to give you an idea of what food these are, here are some foods that you should try to avoid eating before bedtime:

High protein foods like meats should be avoided before sleeping time. Protein rich foods contain lyrosine, an amino acid that stimulates brain activity. The more your brain is working, the more difficult it is to fall asleep.
Lay off the spicy snacks before going to sleep. These can cause heartburn which can be very uncomfortable, especially when you're lying down.
Avoid taking coffee or caffeine-based drinks. Caffeine is a known stimulant and can increase nervous system activity, causing sleeping difficulties.
Don't drink alcohol before sleeping. Although it may make you feel sleepy, alcohol-induced sleep is often easy to disrupt.
Lessen your water intake before bedtime. Drinking lots of it before you sleep makes you prone to waking up in the wee hours with the need to pee.

Do note that these are simple remedies for those occasional sleepless nights that every one experiences every once in a while. If your sleeping difficulties persist and increase in frequency, calling a doctor for professional advice is the best course of action.

Mark Walters is a part-time writer and a part-time researcher. He is currently self-studying various Far Eastern languages and is an avid fiction reader. He is currently writing articles oriented towards consumers of pharmaceutical products. internetpharmacy is a reputable online drug store and offers an array of health products and medicare prescription drugs.

How to Select the Right Weight Loss Foods

It is very important to know about weight packers and protein foods in order to select them sensibly in your diet. This article has discussed the common weight packers and protein foods and how they can affect your weight loss goal.

1. Weight packers

Studies suggest that the combination of fructose and dextrose can interface with your brain’s ability to recognize you are full. Diet experts recommend ‘Reduce the sugar intake in general’. Extra sugar in your body is stored as fat. So you must choose whole fruit over dried, and fruit canned in its own juice instead of syrup.

You should also say no to hydrogenated fats. Unlike the non-unsaturated fats in some cooking oils or the polyunsaturated fats in nuts and seeds – the good fats- hydrogenated fats are found in processed foods such as pastries, French fries and biscuits. When hydrogen gas is added to otherwise healthy unsaturated liquid fat, it turns into a solid, partly saturated ‘trans fat’ that can send your bad cholesterol levels, heart disease risk and weight sky rocketing. You must avoid these fats whenever possible. You can start by skipping fried foods. The dietitians and nutritionists – all recommend this.

2. Protein foods

Will protein foods curb your cravings? This is a common question asked by everyone. Let see the views of dietitians. Proteins have a role in making you feel full, say diet experts. Proteins take longer to digest than carbohydrates. But many people make the mistake of not balancing their protein intake throughout the day. They wait till until the dinner time at which points they fill up on meat or other protein rich foods. At lunch time they will eat a vegetable sandwich or salad but will get hungry again by mid-afternoon. This is not correct.

The nutritionists suggest making protein work for a person throughout the day by adding some chicken, fish (or low fat dairy products) to that lunch time veggie salad or sandwich. Or add some extra ham to that ham sandwich. These suggestions must be followed for balancing your protein intake throughout the day. Further, the experts say that if you eat toast with jam for breakfast, you must add natural peanut butter to it to keep you going longer. Such easy-to-follow tips can go a long way in making your diet a balanced and nutritious one.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Health topics for youngsters

Now-a-days, living a healthy lifestyle is often the last priority for teenagers. Youngsters are living in indoor entertainment with technological advances such as video game systems, internet and television, and enjoying a convenient environment with advances such as vending machine and fast food. Such lifestyle prevents youngsters from getting and staying healthy. There are a wider range of health topics for youngsters.

Good health condition and positive thinking are must for youngsters if they really want to be successful. Youngsters must be aware of different health topics and self-management skills in order to thrive in the world of good health. The proper knowledge of health related topics such as relationships, depression, sex, drugs and alcohol brings out favorable and good results in the lifestyle of youngsters to lead much happier, more confident and more positive life.

Weight management is one of the main health topics for youngsters. Weight management begins with regular physical activity and healthy eating habits. The youngsters must discuss topics such as health and nutrition, types of physical activities, types of food, diet supplements, yoga, meditation, etc., which are means to be healthy. Youngsters must include sufficient amount of healthy items and avoid junk foods like pop and chips. They should not only be taught messages about good nutrition and physical activity, but they should also be provided a structure to support those things.

The importance of healthy lifestyle is also an important health topic for youngsters. Leading a healthy lifestyle in school, college, work place and life is very essential for youngsters to be successful. The topics discussing the adverse effects of smoking, alcohol and drug usage, and eating disorders, are important. All-day health and wellness forums are also conducted in the aim to educate youngsters about the means to lead a healthy lifestyle.

The sex related topic is another important health topic that most teenagers might hesitate to discuss with adults. But it is the role of parents and society to teach the importance of sex related issues such as abstinence, virginity, birth control, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

The prevention and control of diseases is also an essential health topic for youngsters. The self confidence and self-management of youngsters facing health problems deteriorates. Living with health problems such as chronic disease during teenage can be a drastic experience. Teenagers with diseases such as asthma and diabetes feel uncomfortable for taking their medication in public places. The mental health problems among the youngsters have also witnessed a wide growth during these days. Youngsters are also facing chronic and age-related skin and other diseases now-a-days. Youngsters must be taught tips for preventing and controlling certain risks associated with vitamin deficiency, stress, depression, diseases such as asthma and diabetes, and skin diseases.

The health topics such as body changes, menstruation (for females only), contraception, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and eating disorders, must also be discussed among youngsters.

Youngsters obtain health care information from a wide variety of sources. It is important that parents and society must educate youngsters on making good choices related to health related issues. Youngsters must be taught the importance of health and wellness. Health services are there to provide general social work, counseling & support to youngsters. A number of health service programs are there to educate and help youngsters on issues related to different health topics. Educational programs related to health topics enable teenagers with chronic illnesses to manage their own condition while reducing their sense of isolation. Prevention and Wellness programs provide tips for preventing certain health problems and managing certain diseases. The health topic related workshops also help young people understand the importance of talking to health professionals rather than relying on their parents. Self-management programs for staying positive are designed for youngsters facing long-term health problems in order to improve their confidence and self-management skills.

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