How to Work Out in a Busy Gym

Knowing how to workout in a busy gym can be a real help on those days when it seems like the gym is the hottest ticket in town and everyone wants to use that bit of equipment you had your eye on. So here are the best gym workout tips to help you get around the crowds.

How Can I Start Meditating Today?

There are so many things we have on our to- do list, aren't there? A to-do list is great to have, as long as you don't stop with the list. Getting moving on each entry is the hard part.

Almond Oil, A Massage Favorite

Almond oil goes on smoothly and absorbs easily into the skin leaving it soft and nourished without feeling greasy or oily. It has a slightly nutty smell that is mild enough to let the scents of more fragrant oils come through.

Selasa, 10 Mei 2011

How elliptical machine workouts can help ??

Many people wonder how elliptical machine workouts can help. There are many benefits of elliptical machine workouts that can not only help you get fit, but also encourage the person more enthusiastic about exercise. Elliptical machine workouts have many benefits, unlike with weights and other exercise equipment, elliptical machine workouts are much easier on the body. The elliptical training machine requires no special equipment ability, or fitness requirement, which makes elliptical machine workouts universal. Due to this reason, it is now wonder that elliptical machine workouts are becoming so popular.

One of the most important features on the elliptical machine workouts is that they are low impact. This is a great load of stress out of your workout and also helps the elliptical machine workouts more user friendly. Due to the low impact, elliptical machine workouts are very safe, as there is a very low probability that it will not damage any part of your body. This is especially useful for people who are new to exercise and not in full force, and this makes elliptical machine workouts user friendly for older adults. It may be surprising to some, but due to low impact, elliptical machine workouts actually can burn more calories then form doing fitness routines. This can help you achieve your goals at a faster pace.

Another benefit of elliptical machine workouts is the lower perceived stress you feel after a workout. This may mystify some, however, elliptical machine workouts actually seems easier and is working as hard as if you were doing any other exercise, if not harder. Elliptical machine workouts accomplish this, because it copies the body's natural movements. Thus, the elliptical machine workouts seem easier by making it easier to provide training hard without feeling it is so difficult. There is a caution about this though. You must remember that no more tension in the body. Some elliptical exercise looks simple because some machines have less impact than the average of the machine. For this reason, you want to be sure to keep your elliptical machine workouts at a moderate level and the period of time. This will help your body not to work hard and stress about it.

Depending on what type of machine you have, you can make your elliptical workouts full body exercises. This is a great benefit, although not all machines provide a full body workout, the elliptical machine workouts still provide the more burning of calories in the shortest time possible. So no matter what type of machine you have, your elliptical machine workouts can be done quickly, while maintaining effective results.

Elliptical machine workouts also provide interval training. With the elliptical machine workouts can use different levels of resistance and elevated levels at different times to change your workout. This can help you build and lower different workout challenges for your elliptical machine workouts, which makes elliptical machine workouts easily customizable.
As you can see, the elliptical machine workouts is easy and offers many benefits that other exercise equipment and fitness programs do not offer. The elliptical machine workouts are great for all ages, fitness levels and body types. Because of all the great features and benefits that elliptical machine workouts provide, it is no wonder that elliptical machine workouts are becoming so popular.

Senin, 09 Mei 2011

How Flexible Is Medifast?

If there is one thing that the Medifast diet plan is, it would definitely have to be flexible. It accommodates just about any kind of person and their lifestyle. In the days of constricting diets like the Atkins Diet or the South Beach Diet, it's nice to know that there is a plan that can be taken by just about anybody.

VEGETARIAN OR VEGAN?

Being vegetarian or vegan can normally destroy a specific diet plan, especially when you look at diet plans like the Atkins diet, which require a diet full of low carbs, and high protein, which consists of mostly meat. But you don't have to worry about that when you are on Medifast. They have plenty of plans that consist of solely of plant-based food, and no animal or animal by products, such as dairy and eggs.

ARE YOU A DIABETIC?

Diabetes is one of the leading diseases in the United States, and it can be very tricky to form the proper diet that is both nutritious and will make you lose weight, when you are a diabetic. But Medifast has taken a lot of the guesswork out of this, as they have several plans from which to choose from that are diabetic friendly.

ONE DAY OF FREEDOM

Don't you hate all those strict diets that don't have any kind of leeway. You have to be on them 24/7. Well....Medifast doesn't work like that. In fact, you have one full day out of the week to eat whatever you want that isn't on the diet plan. This is something that most diets will not offer. I tend to have my day off on Sundays, so I start the week fresh. But the good news is that the Medifast food is so good, it doesn't even feel like you are taking a break.

NO AGE RESTRICTIONS

Certain diets only cater to a specific age group. With Medifast, you can join the plan whether you are 10 or 80 years. It is meant for just about anybody to take.

RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE

I'm not going to say that the Medifast diet plan is dirt cheap, but when you compare apples to apples, it's really quite affordable. Remember that you are getting all your meals for the entire month, so when you think about how much you spend at the supermarket or at restaurants, the price isn't too shabby.

These are all just some of the things that make Medifast one of the leading online diet food plans in the world.

How Did I Become Obese?

The hardest step for your journey is the beginning, as you need to admit that you are overweight and you are determined to do something about it. But this is the only important step, as you could consider each and every step you take to be vital in your recovering process.

To start with, in order to be successful in your future weight loss, you have to answer the more important question: what brought you to the position you are in now? If you decided to have your weight loss surgery at a bariatric surgery center of excellence, they should be interested in your overall health and in helping you achieve your desired goal by all means possible.

Honesty will make you stronger
You need to be sincere with your dietitian and tell him or her how much exactly you are eating. This way, the dietitian will help you prepare for your life after lap band surgery. It is often that patients underestimate the amount of calories they eat and they don't track what they eat. When this happens, patients are asked to start a food diary or a food log.

Lap Band Journey Food Log
Monitoring what you eat will help us, the bariatric surgery professionals, see what you need to change and will make you become more food-conscious. This way we can create a customized diet expressively for your life and needs. You have to know that after the surgery the amount of food you can eat in a meal is of 4 ounces, but you have to take all important nutrients. More, you will have to create new eating habits even before surgery.

Before Lap Band Eating Habits
Losing weight is better than staying overweight and you have felt it if you knocked at a weight loss surgery clinic's door. Having a lap band does not mean that you will have a robot telling you what you should choose or not, but the band will not allow you to eat the same size portions. Still, it depends on you to gradually eliminate junk food from your diet and to choose the healthier alternatives, but you have to know that in this case the lap band will not have the desired effect, especially when we are talking about high calorie milkshakes and nachos.

You will have to learn new recipes and make your family embrace the new trend, as it will benefit them too. Otherwise, things will be harder for you, especially if you are the cook of the house, as you will have to cook different courses. You have to teach them and yourself that healthy meals can be delicious too.

How Can I Start Meditating Today?

There are so many things we have on our to- do list, aren't there?

A to-do list is great to have, as long as you don't stop with the list. Getting moving on each entry is the hard part. But if you are reading this, I am guessing that Meditation is on your list.

So let's first figure out why you haven't started your daily meditations yet. Perhaps you can relate to some of the following reasons:

1. You don't have enough time.

2. You don't have privacy at home.

3. You are embarrassed.

4. You are curious, but still don't believe it works.

5. You don't live on a mountaintop in Tibet

6.You've tried but nothing happens.

7.You already have everything you want in life so why tamper with perfection.

8.Your significant other promises to leave you if you even think about it.

9. You are a rocket scientist.

10. You don't want anything messing with your mind, since it's just fine as is.

Any lights go off?

If yes, good. If no, keep reading.

As a facilitator of Meditation Groups for over 20 years, I can tell you that any reason you come up with is all really just one reason; That reason, my friends is FEAR.

"Oh no", you say. "I am not afraid". But you are. Fear is what stops us from anything and everything we want to do, but don't. There are all kinds of fear, and some are not even in our awareness.

So the next step is to take the old pen and paper out and write down your reasons for not starting your Meditation today. After each reason, ask yourself "Why?" and then write down the answer. And then ask why again, and answer again. Eventually you will get to the bottom line of the fear. You can actually use this simple technique for moving ahead with anything on your to-do list.

Take you time with this exercise, and you will get to where you are ready to take a step forward.

And then I am hoping you will be able to start meditating today, with out the baggage of fear.

There is a world of benefits to Meditating that I am sure you are all aware of. It is actually one of the easiest ways to learn, grow, heal yourself, relax, and release unwanted parts of your life.

There are no requirements, or rules. There is no wrong or right. You don't even need to buy anything. You don't need more than 15 minutes a day. It's a gift that you can give yourself, and you don't need anyone's approval or credit card number. You can meditate anytime, anywhere, and any place.

Does it get any easier?

All you need to do is sit down and start meditating today!

Hair Growth Tips

Hair growth tips for balding men can be hard to come by. Most people will tell you to just accept your fate and let the strands fall to the ground. The truth is, up until recently, that was your only choice. Now there is some considerable research that reveals that your diet and exercise habits can play a significant role in the balding process. Here we will talk about what you eat, your fitness, and how it can affect your hairline.

Male pattern baldness is caused by excess testosterone in the body, more specifically dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This androgen attaches itself to the hair follicles and causes them to shrink until the hair is no longer visible. Every male produces DHT, but only some have hair follicles that are susceptible to miniaturization. If you have this type of follicle, you are bound to go bald sooner or later.

The following hair growth tips are based on reducing this androgen in order to slow the miniaturization process, or stop it in its tracks. Currently there is no way to stop or reverse balding permanently, but there are many theories on how to slow it down significantly. We will focus on a few natural methods that can help you to keep your hair longer, and maybe wait it out until a better solution is available for treating thinning hair.

It is believed that your fitness can play a crucial role in the rate of your hair loss. Research has shown that aerobic exercise can reduce DHT for a period of at least 24 hours after the workout. This means that if you practice some cardiovascular fitness on a regular basis, you may be less likely to lose your hair. A daily jog might be just what your hair is craving.

There has also been some speculation that what you eat plays a large role in the balding process. Many scientists have noted that the men of hunter gatherer societies almost always have full heads of hair. This may be due to the fact that they do not consume processed foods that are full of hormones and other unnatural bi-products. It may be much to your benefit to consume all natural foods like wild meat and fresh vegetables.

It should come as no surprise that eating right and exercising may help to slow the balding process. These are not just hair growth tips, they are tips to help you look younger in general. If you take the necessary steps to slow the balding process, you will be healthier. That means less wrinkles, less fat, and most likely, more hair.

If these tips are not enough to keep your hairline from receding, it is no reason to be depressed. Many new treatments are available, including revolutionary hair transplant procedures that can restore your hairline once it is gone. The great thing about modern medicine is that they are constantly coming up with better ways to combat baldness. My advice would be to follow these hair growth tips by eating well and exercising, and if that doesn't work out then you can look into some other methods for restoring your youthful locks.

How to Work Out in a Busy Gym

Knowing how to workout in a busy gym can be a real help on those days when it seems like the gym is the hottest ticket in town and everyone wants to use that bit of equipment you had your eye on. So here are the best gym workout tips to help you get around the crowds.

1) Don't fall into the routine trap
If you are trapped by your routine you are in trouble. The trick is to be able to recognize the alternatives available to you. This is all about understanding the purpose of each exercise.

When you know why you are using the exercises you use you will be able to find other options to help you get to your goals. Options that are not as busy.

Rowing machine being used? How about using the treadmill or going outdoors for a run? Can't get your hands on the Swiss ball? Do your moves on a spare patch of floor. You will often find that the new option adds something better to your workouts, Variety is the spice of life after all.

2) Make the most of dumbbells
Dumbbells are for smart people. They take up less space and offer you more flexibility, and most important there always seems to be more of them around. Make the most of them.

3) Stand to it!
You can waste a whole lot of time waiting for the bench to be free. Leaving the bench behind will not just save you this time it also offers you exercise options and angles you don't get sitting down. Standing up works more of your body since you have to work your core and support muscles to hold you in place while you perform the exercise. You'll be burning more calories, working your core and saving time, that's what getting more out of less is all about.

4) Master your bodyweight
Body weight exercises are always available to you. One of the reasons is that they are tough! You don't often find you have to wait in line to do dips or pull-ups, but these exercises have a great deal to offer. Same goes for push-ups. In fact there is a huge variety you can get out of using your bodyweight.

When you start to think outside the box you'll see that a crowded gym is really just an opportunity to put a little thought in, and get a more varied, effective workout out. Knowing how to workout in a crowded gym may just be your ticket to a better body.

Try Teeth Implants

In cases where the majority of teeth have been lost, most patients tend to opt for dentures to replace them. Teeth implants are often overlooked and it is hard to see why, when you consider the advantages of using them.

Dentures are a cheap option for replacing lost teeth when a significant number of the teeth have been lost. Both full and partial dentures are available. They are made from metal frames on which ceramic or plastic teeth are placed. Lower jaw dentures and upper jaw dentures are both available and can be fitted very quickly: often in one appointment. The dentures are then made up and ready quickly.

There are many problems with dentures: the most notable being that they are uncomfortable. Many dental patients find that their dentures rub the inside of their mouths and cause bleeding and mouth ulcers. As well as this, dentures tend to move around a bit because they are not as secure as teeth implants. This leads patients to feel embarrassed and uncomfortable and these feeling can affect their social lives and diet.

There is also one longer term problem associated with the use of dentures. When jawbone and gum is not being used to anchor teeth in, they tend to shrink away. This changes the shape of the jawline over time, which can affect the way a person's face looks as well as affecting the way their dentures fit. As jaw shrinks away, dentures become loose and uncomfortable, exacerbating the other problems.

Teeth implants are different. They are not removable, but rather are titanium screw-shaped anchors, drilled into the jaw bone and used to support crowns or bridges. Because the implants are placed directly into the bone, they require surgery, so are obviously a more expensive option. However, they do protect the bone from shrinkage, and are very long lasting- usually lasting a lifetime if properly cared for.

The procedure for placing teeth implants is, aside from the cost, the procedure for placing them. Surgery is required, although it uses only a local anaesthetic, which is low risk compared with general anaesthetic. The procedure of placing the implants themselves involves some drilling and after it has been completed up to six months' of healing time before the final crown can be placed, making it a lengthy process.

Despite these pitfalls, teeth implants can be placed in almost any adult and have a very high success rate.

Almond Oil, A Massage Favorite

Almond oil goes on smoothly and absorbs easily into the skin leaving it soft and nourished without feeling greasy or oily. It has a slightly nutty smell that is mild enough to let the scents of more fragrant oils come through. So it is often used as a carrier oil in skin care products.

Carrier oils are used as a base for fragrance oils and massage oils. A good carrier oil feels light and smooth, rubs in well, and nourishes the skin without feeling heavy. Most importantly, carrier oils do not overpower added scents. Almond oil fits the bill on all counts. Plus it acts as an emollient that absorbs quickly into the skin to sooth and smooth rough patches and support moisture levels. Used as a base for massage oils, or on its own, almond oil leaves skin feeling soft, smooth and healthy.

A good facial moisturizer is a critical part of daily face care routine, and as part of a facial cream or facial moisture oil, almond oil gives extra nourishment needed without feeling oily or weighted down.

Fine lines that develop around the eyes are an inevitable part of aging, but using almond oil can help to replenish moisture and improve skin elasticity. It is light enough to use daily on the delicate skin around the eyes. For eye treatment, this oil can be used alone or mixed with other nourishing and scented oils for a gentle eye moisturizer.

Oils like almond oil must be extracted from the hard seed that contains them. The best kind of oil to use is one that is expeller-pressed or cold-pressed. Those processes preserve the healing elements of the seed in the final product. Both methods extract the oil from the seed without using chemicals. You wouldn't want to use chemicals inadvertently on your skin by using anything less than the highest quality expeller-pressed or cold-pressed oil.

Oils rich in fatty acids provide nourishment internally and externally. Externally they smooth and nourish for improved skin tone. Internally they provide important, healthy fats in the diet.

Almond oil is great for the skin, and delicious too. The flavor is light and mild when used in cooking, and is ideal in salads and light dressings. I wouldn't be without it. Please note, though - some people are sensitive to this oil. It's wise to test products that contain it before using them all over your face or body.

5 Great Tips To Significantly Reduce Asthma Attacks

Asthma is a devastating disease for many people. I should know. My son and I have both suffered through endless inhalers and nebulizers over the years. There isn't very much that is more frightening that gasping for air and getting very little. Fortunately as I got older my symptoms diminished but my son's remained the same. So I needed to learn as much as I could about this awful disease and figure out ways to diminish its impact on the health of my son and to help me with the occasional attack.

Medical professionals still don't really know what causes asthma. Some believe there is a genetic component as do I since my father, my son and myself all had it. Some believe that early respiratory infections or exposure to allergens in early childhood as the immune system is developing may be the culprit. I have even heard some doctors claim we are too clean and that may be the reason. Whatever the cause, there are definitive ways to treat Asthma.

Here are my suggestions:

Limit or eliminate the triggers of your asthma attacks: Many people don't know what trigger their attacks. I had to find out what caused mine and what caused my son's. So I started keeping a notebook and recorded everything I could when an attack occurred. I finally figured out that it was specific foods that were causing our attacks. I eliminated these foods from our diets and it reduced the frequency of attacks significantly.

Exercise more often: You need to have your body in good physical condition to prevent attacks. But you also need to be careful not to over-exert yourself or this may bring on an attack. The best method is to start off moderately and increase the intensity of your routine as time goes on. You will begin to learn what your body can endure without having an attack.

Prescription Medications: My son had been taking Singular for a period of time and it really seemed to help. But we had to pull him of it when we learnt that there was a number of adolescent committing suicides while on Singular and that this medication may be the cause. Be extremely careful of prescription medications. Sometimes the treatment is actually worse that the side effects.

Eat well and get enough sleep: You need to strengthen your immune system and eating healthy food and getting at least eight hours of sleep every night will help you do so.

OTC Asthma Treatments: There are over the counter treatments that work quite well at relieving asthma symptoms. If you try one, make sure the ingredients are FDA registered and make sure you get a money back guarantee. That way you have nothing to lose.

Be Patient With Your Progress on Squats

Most of us would love to have a big squat to be proud of. Its a dream for many to be able to handle bar bending weights on our backs as we perform weighted squats. However it is important to understand and remember that progress in this basic exercise takes time and dedication.

A few years back this client I trained was unhappy with his rate of progress in the squats. He felt that he should be progressing at a more rapid rate and should be getting stronger a lot faster. I asked him then, how much does he expect to add to his squat every week? His answer, "it should hopefully at least go up by about 10 pounds every week". Now I must point out that he was not a beginner, he was into training for 4-5 years at that point, but was training with me for about 2-3 months.

So I explained to him that if he were were to add 10 pounds to his squats every week then he would add about 500 pounds by the end of the year, and by that calculation he should probably add 1000 pounds in 2 years. Obviously that's not going to happen. Most people will never squat 1000 pounds, let alone get there in 2 years. Hearing the calculations and my explanations, the client saw the logic, and understood my point.

So if you have been struggling with the squats, then don't be impatient. Its a tough exercise and needs time to improve. If you are a beginner, then maybe you might add 10 pounds to your squats for a few weeks, or maybe even for a couple of months. However after that expect to add maybe 10-20 pounds a month for sometime. And once you are in more advanced stages you should expect to add about 25-40 pounds in the whole year on your squats, rather than in a matter of months.

That being said you will find that with time you will hit bigger numbers and your physique will benefit from it, as you get stronger and bigger. The key point is to have a sensible goal and target in mind. After all Rome was not built in a day, and neither was a 500 pound squat reached in one day. All great things take time, effort and sacrifices to get there. So be patient and work hard while improving your form and the results will be great.

The Causes of Acne

While acne may be a very common occurrence, its causes are still often mired in myth and mystery. Even in this high-tech, digitally connected world, there is still a lot of confusion about what causes pimples and acne. Here's a rundown of the real acne culprits, and what you can do about them:

Acne Cause #1: Genetics

The predisposition to getting acne is one of those traits that gets handed down from generation to generation. Sad to say, if your parents are particularly pimple-prone then chances are you'll be like them too. What can you do about it? Nothing, really. You'll just need to learn how to manage your breakouts so that they do little long-term damage.

Acne Cause #2: Raging Hormones

Pimple breakouts peak right about the age of puberty. That's because the same surge in hormones that cause changes in a teen's body trigger acne breakouts too. The chief acne-causing hormone is testosterone. Spikes in testosterone levels cause the skin's sebaceous glands to make more sebum or oil. This excess sebum tends to combine with dead skin cells which clog the pores and cause pimple breakouts.

In adults, hormone-related acne persists. This is especially true for women who get acne whenever their testosterone levels peak right before menstruation and during pregnancy. Adults who take steroid supplements or are under hormone therapy will also get acne as a side effect. That is why some dermatologists prescribe birth control pills for acne to counteract the effects of testosterone.

Acne Cause #3: Poor Hygiene

Accumulating dirt, bacteria, and dead skin cells on your skin will definitely not do wonders for your acne. That is why it is very important to keep your face clean and scrubbed. Use a cleanser for your skin type and thoroughly but gently wash your face at most twice a day. And do try keeping your hands off your face - there's no better way of transferring bacteria and dirt to your skin than through your hands. Remember: while you can't do much about your genes or your raging hormones, there is no excuse for poor personal hygiene.

Acne Cause #4: Acne-Causing Foods

Certain types of foods can trigger acne attacks. Chief offenders are so-called high glycemic foods, or food that cause a spike in insulin levels such as white bread and rice, chips, pastries, sweets and soda. It is believed that the spike in insulin triggers a chain of events that lead to an increase in oil production on the skin. Fatty food have also been linked to more hyperactive oil glands.

Instead of eating junk, opt for green leafy vegetables, brightly colored fruits and vegetables, berries, apples, and grapefruit. These are rich in skin-friendly vitamins and nutrients for clearer skin. And don't forget to drink lots of water too.

Acne Cause #5: Stress

Chronic stress, while generally bad for your body, will wreak havoc on your skin too. That's because stress hormones have been shown to elevate testosterone levels in the body, which in turn makes your skin oilier and lead to pimple breakouts. Take the time to chill out and relax, and make sure you get enough sleep to keep stress levels (and pimples) in check.

There you have it - the top five causes of acne. With this knowledge you can take preventive measures to keep acne at bay. To treat existing acne, you can opt for topical gels and ointments or oral supplements like vitamin B5 to manage your breakouts

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