Tuesday 29 October 2013

Heartburn and Indigestion: Is Too Much Stomach Acid the Cause?

Have you ever experienced the discomfort of heartburn or indigestion? Most people would assume that gastric acid is the cause and immediately resort to antacids, but this may not be the right thing to do.
To understand the cause of your heartburn or discomfort, it's important to know what is happening within your stomach. Gastric juice is secreted from tiny glands lining your stomach's walls. The main component of this gastric juice is hydrochloric acid (HCl) that fulfills two important roles:
1. HCl acts as the first line of defense against food-borne pathogens (e.g. bacteria, fungi, and parasites), and
2. It activates pepsin, the enzyme responsible for breaking down food proteins into peptides.
Your gastric juices normally have a pH of at least 1 to 2. These juices are very acidic (the pH scale is from 0 to 14), but your gastric fluid needs to be this acidic so as to destroy food and water-borne bacteria and other harmful pathogens, such as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).
It should be noted that most peptic ulcer disease is attributable to H. pylori, a common stomach bug that thrives in less acidic environments.
Other components of your gastric juices also play an important role when it comes to the protection of your stomach and your health in general. For example, pepsin works in conjunction with HCl to ward off infections (including H. pylori and E. coli).
In order for you to attain optimal stomach health, you need to strive for a gastric juice pH of below 2.5. This will give you maximum protection against common threats posed by pathogenic (disease causing) micro-organisms that can make you ill.
The antacid industry is booming. Most people start popping antacids when they get heartburn or indigestion. But is this the right thing to do? Prolonged use of antacids could have serious implication for your stomach health. Antacids neutralize the acid in your stomach and this will affect your levels of HCl and pepsin, both of which are essential to your health. Clearly, antacids are not the solution to the problem.
Most people do not know this, but very often the heartburn and indigestion you have is the result of dehydration. Quite often, the pain you experience is your body's cry for help. It needs water. You should be drinking water on a regular basis throughout the day.
If your increased water intake is not the solution to the cause of your heartburn or indigestion problem, then you should consider taking natural supplements that will help optimize the pH of your stomach. Talk to your local health store to see what they recommend.
But remember this: Many of the digestive problems that you have do not stem from an excess of HCl, but rather a deficiency of HCl. Popping more antacids is not the solution to your heartburn and indigestion problems, and you do not want to unnecessarily be adding any more toxins to your body.
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Bernard Brown has written a healthy living book called Healthy Living: Twelve Steps to Guaranteed Better Health. He is passionate about health and wellness, and is determined to help others improve their quality of life. Visit his website to find ways to improve your health and to discover the benefits of healthy living: <a href="http://www.healthy-living-book.com">http://www.healthy-living-book.com</a>

Friday 25 October 2013

The Right Way To Lose Weight And Keep It Off

With various items like heart-rate zones, body-mass ratios and other complicated numbers thrown at you with most weight-loss information, it's hard to wrap your head around exactly what goes in to losing weight and keeping it off. In this article, learn some quick and easy weight-loss tips that everyone can understand.
A good way to lose weight is to eat out less. You never know what goes into the food you get when you eat out. They could be cooking your food with lard, for all you know. It's best to eat out less and focus on cooking for yourself.
One helpful way to lose weight is to sneak low-calorie, nutrient dense foods into your "normal" diet. How do you do this? For example, when making your oatmeal in the morning, dice up a whole large apple and add it to the mix along with some cinnamon. You will have boosted the fibre and flavor of your breakfast; it will make you much more full and satisfy your hunger that much longer, and it will taste like apple pie!
Make your own snack packs and keep them with you to stave off hunger attacks. By keeping healthy, low calorie snacks around, you can avoid that stop at the vending machine. Try items like raw almonds, string cheese and whole grain crackers, to keep you full without the excess calories.
If you are home-based, it can be a challenge to lose weight. However, you can and should build as much activity as possible into your day. The reason to do so is that it will get your metabolism up and running much more than if you are just vegging out in front of the computer or the TV. Try to do things more inefficiently, if that makes sense. Instead of trying to combine everything you're carrying down to the basement, stagger it so you're making several trips up and down those stairs. Each trip burns calories, helps keep you fit, and keeps your engine running a little faster.
When getting in shape, be sure to first invest in a good pair of shoes. When working out, a pair of shoes that fit well and support your ankles can make all the difference. If the shoes you are working out in don't fit properly, you probably won't get as much accomplished and might even suffer health problems later in life.
Use a pedometer to lose weight. When you wear a pedometer, it will measure every step you take in a day. The recommended amount of steps is 10,000 or more. If you aren't doing at least 10,000 a day, you are not moving enough. Use it as a step game, if you meet your goal, increase it.
Hopefully, this article has shone a light on how simplistic steps can help you start to rearrange your life and begin to lose the weight. If you're willing to use what you have learned here to shed those pounds, then you are well on your way to leading a fit, active, slimmer lifestyle.
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Darryl Peacock owns <a href="http://www.TheIncomePowerBuilder.com">http://www.TheIncomePowerBuilder.com</a>
where popular home business ideas and opportunities are tested
rigorously to find out what works and what doesn't. Visit today for
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Thursday 24 October 2013

Why Physiotherapy Should Be Taken Into Consideration

Physiotherapy is a course of treatments used to help heal injuries including sports injuries, strains and bad backs. It can also be used to treat minor ailments such as muscle cramps and pains due to stress. Physiotherapy treatment gets to the root of the problem and over a period of time will heal the affected area, whereas over the counter drugs and pain medications only ease the pain on a short term basis. Physiotherapy is no more than applying a set of physical exercises and massage techniques to the affected area of your body. It is also one of the safest medical treatments you can have. Depending on your ailment you may be asked to execute physical workout routines to release the tension on your muscles. More serious injuries might need exercise combined with physiotherapy massage to help affected areas heal. Your physiotherapist will be able to advise you on the best treatments for you.
 Undergoing a massage is also a great way to relieve stress and promote normal blood flow. Many individuals enjoy a massage treatment simply to help them unwind. This is especially common nowadays with people's lives tending to be much more hectic and stressful than before. Muscles may feel tight due to tension so a regular massage will help to loosen these muscles making you feel far more relaxed and rejuvenated.
 Individuals with recurring back problems also turn to physiotherapy treatments. Instead of taking medication to ease the pain, physiotherapy massage and exercise will be applied over a course of weeks or months depending on your condition and after a while you will feel your back begin to ease and before long you should be able to lead a normal life once again. Your physiotherapist will also advise you on the best way to sit and pick up heavy objects so not to suffer from pulls and strains in the future.
 Physiotherapy is an effective treatment for a number of ailments and although many people dismiss it really should be taken into consideration. Acupuncture is often applied alongside physiotherapy for more severe cases and both have treated a number of conditions effectively.
 So if you are a sufferer from a sports related injury, have a recurring back pain or are simply suffering muscle tension from stress then avoid taking medication and make an appointment with your local, registered physiotherapist - you will undoubtedly be pleased with the result.
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Registered physiotherapists can be found at <a href="http://www.complete-physio.co.uk/clinics/victoria">http://www.complete-physio.co.uk/clinics/victoria</a> or <a href="http://www.complete-physio.co.uk/clinics/enfield">http://www.complete-physio.co.uk/clinics/enfield</a> depending on your location.

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Which Is The Best Fat Burner Among Wheat, Oats And Rice?

Three of the staples of the diets of all human beings are definitely oats, wheat and rice, but which is ideal for burning fat? This article is going to look quickly at all of the nutritional value of each of these staple crops and you will be able to decide for yourself which one is the most ideal for burning fat.
Probably the most common cereals available in the world today is wheat. It is great not only for its abundance and availability but for the health benefits it provides. Foods such as crackers, bread, bagels, cakes, and pasta are all examples of wheat sources. If you eat wheat products you are sure to have a diet rich in nutrients.
Oats are another abundant source of food in the world today. There has been scientific research done that reveals many of the positive benefits of eating oats. It doesn't matter if you eat oatmeal or oat bran, oats provide a significant source of daily fiber. The fiber provided by oats is known as soluble fiber which breaks down as it passes through the digestive system. As it breaks down it forms a gel like substance that traps many of the substances that are related to cholesterol. The gel stays in the stomach and makes you feel fuller and less hungry
Lastly we have rice. There are many health benefits to be gained by eating rice. It provides you with instant energy which will help in burning fat. Rice will help stabilize blood sugar levels, help with digestions and provide you with essential vitamins like B1. Other benefits that come from eating rice are a resistance to high blood pressure, dysentery and heart disease. It is also believed that the consumption of rice can also promote healthy skin. Rice is an important crop that is eaten in virtually every country in the world, and in fact, is believed to feed over half the world's population. If you are trying to lose some pounds, then I suggest you to eat brown or raw rice instead of polished white rice.
There is very little debate that each of these staple crops provides many health benefits, and each can help in the battle to lose weight. Oats, wheat and rice - which is the winner in burning fat? That is still up for debate but the overall health benefits of all three should be enough to encourage you to add each one of these into your daily diet.
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For additional information, visit <a href="http://slimwiz.co.uk">http://slimwiz.co.uk</a> - a website with plenty of nutritional guide

High Blood Pressure And How To Help Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

Millions of Americans take medicine every day to control their blood pressure. But are they over medicated? Are all of these medicines worth their cost and side effects? These 5 steps are simple lifestyle changes that you can do to help control your blood pressure without taking any medications.
1. Eating a Healthier Diet
You can lower blood pressure up to 7mm-14 mm Hg by following a low sodium diet, and eating whole grains, nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables, limited dairy, and lean meats. - The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH, diet plan has been endorsed by experts such as the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Oz, and U.S. News & World Report. It offers solutions for making healthy eating work for you, including cookbooks, action plans, and even a support group on Facebook.
- Keeping a food diary is great for actually seeing what you are eating, how much, when and why. It can be very eye opening.
- Increasing your potassium intake can help to counteract too much sodium in your diet. Instead of going straight to supplements, eat more fruits and vegetables. A banana has 422 mg of potassium, a cup of orange juice has 496 mg, a skin-on baked potato has 738 mg, and a cup of low-fat or nonfat yogurt has 550 mg.
 - Nutrient rich foods that are not only high in potassium, but also calcium and magnesium have been shown to help lower blood pressure
2. Changing to a low sodium diet
Too much salt in your diet causes everything from swollen ankles (edema) to raising your blood pressure. The recommended daily intake of sodium for a healthy adult is less than 2400 mg. For those with hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, or those at high risk for these illnesses, many think it is 2000 mg, but it is 1500 mg or lower. The American Heart Association recommends 1,500 mg as the upper limit of daily sodum intake for all adults. If you aren't sure what sodium level is right for you, then discuss this your doctor.
- This is another area where a food diary can help. By tracking your sources of sodium you can learn where and how to cut it.
- Avoid processed foods like fast food, canned food, frozen food and choose fresh low sodium foods, healthy snacks, and salt-free seasonings.
3. Curb your vices
Alcohol, smoking, and caffeine can all raise your blood pressure. This doesn't mean you can't have them on occasion in small servings.
- In fact studies show that a glass of wine a day can actually help to lower blood pressure. - Smoking a celebratory cigar with friends won't kill you, but smoking cigarettes throughout the day keeps your blood pressure at least 10 mm Hg higher than it would be otherwise.
- Caffeine hasn't been proven to raise blood pressure, but it can cause a temporary spike. Just like alcohol and tobacco, regular high usage of caffeine can lead to a consistently high blood pressure.
4. Exercise regularly
Most experts recommend exercising for thirty minutes a day almost every day. By following this you can not only bring down your blood pressure, but also strengthen your heart. Aerobic exercise alone can lower your systolic pressure by up to 5 points. It is also a great stress reliever.
5. Get enough sleep and learn to relax.
Stress has been linked to high blood pressure.
- Help lower your stress by sleeping 7 - 8 hours is recommended.
- Learn to relax. Learn meditation techniques, deep breathing excercises, find joy in simple things such as a sunrise or sunset.
- Take moments throughout the day to relax and will make a difference in your stress levels.
Take charge of your health. Know your body's signs and symptoms. Monitor your blood pressure at home and keep track of your appointment and testing schedules. Take advantage of available support structures like forums and support groups. They can be crucial in helping you deal with stress, avoid temptations, and offer help when needed so you do not slide back into bad habits.
The key to cardiac health is keeping your blood pressure at a constant healthy level. By following these tips and sticking to a health care routine set by you and your doctor, you can control your high blood pressure instead of your blood pressure controling you.
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Why Is It Important To Know And Manage Your Cholesterol

Cholesterol is known to be a fatty substance, also called a lipid, that is produced by the liver. It is also found in foods which are high in saturated fats like fatty meats, shellfish, dairy products and egg yolks. It's an essential part of functioning and the structure of our cells. However, high level of cholesterol in blood may result in slow plague development in the arteries and with time, a severe progressive disease known as artherosclerosis.
Total cholesterol which is a combination of HDL, VLDL and LDL in the blood is one among the most generally viewed measurements on the lipid's profile. The total cholesterol measurements can be obtained easily and can provide you with an idea of the level of cholesterol.But is it the only reading which you are required to look at? The answer is no.
The total cholesterol level can be capable of alerting you if there is a problem with your lipid - and a bigger risk of contracting any heart disease, but that doesn't tell you the entire story. For example, if the total cholesterol is higher, it may be because of your HDL, VLDL, LDL, or else a blend of such factors. If the total cholesterol level is high due to your LDL levels, this can indicate that you not only have high cholesterol but can also be at risk of heart disease in the future if it isn't addressed right away. In such a case, depending on how high the LDL levels really are, you may be prescribed some medication or require to make modifications to your lifestyle. But if the total cholesterol is high because of your higher HDL levels, it is not necessarily a bad thing - higher HDL cholesterol may be protective against heart disease.
Therefore, a question that arises here is, how can something which your body requires be dangerous? Well, not all cholesterol is considered harmful. There are three major components doctors assess when you take a blood test in order to check the cholesterol levels. They evaluate the HDL (good) cholestrol, LDL(bad) cholestrol, and other substances known as triglycerides. Having accurate levels of each in the body is healthy.
However, the fact also remains that cholesterol can be injurious to your health if there is too much in your blood. The levels of your cholesterol depend on your lifestyle. Consuming lots of fats and then not doing sufficient amount of exercise can lead to high cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is also a result of genetic makeup. People with a high cholesterol level need to keep it under control, and it can be even more vital for those who have extra risk factors. These risk factors include:
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Family history of heart disease
Smoking
Age
Obesity
If you fall in any of the above groups, you can be at bigger risk of plaque upsurge in your arteries. Since plaque builds gradually, it can cause the arteries to narrow down. So your doctor might want you to obtain lower cholestrol levels in comparison to someone having high cholesterol alone. It is important to talk about all the risk factors when thinking about a cholesterol-management plan.
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<a href="http://www.womenscenter.com/">http://www.womenscenter.com/</a>
Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women's Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women.

Controlling Your Cholesterol

Newspapers have reported on the drawbacks of having a diet high in fat. High-fat diet has been linked to high cholesterol and ultimately to heart attacks. Hence, people have started avoiding beef and eggs. But cholesterol is not bad. Our body needs it to protect nerves and build new cells and hormones. It is only when we include foods like pizzas, burgers, ice creams, steaks or any food containing animal product that the problem starts. Excess cholesterol settles along the walls of the arteries and can clog them thus, restricting blood flow. This gives rise to angina, heart attack or stroke. It has also been shown that high cholesterol leads to gallstones. There are two types of cholesterol called good cholesterol or HDL and bad cholesterol or LDL. LDL is the cholesterol that clogs the arteries and should be lower while HDL scours the artery walls and removes the harmful LDL and should be higher.

Doctors recommend reducing and avoiding high-fat diets containing meat, eggs and dairy products. But you can use the following home remedies for treatment:

• Increase the intake of Vitamin E: It is advised to increase your intake of Vitamin E to 400 international units to prevent the oxidation of bad cholesterol where the cholesterol hardens into the arterial plaque thus giving rise to heart attack. It also raises the level of HDL. You can include Vitamin E as dietary sources or include vegetable oils, nuts or grains in your diet.

• Eat your breakfast: People who skip the breakfast have higher cholesterol levels than those who have breakfast everyday. This is because they tend to eat unhealthy foods which are high in fats.

• Eat small meals frequently: Large meals have been shown to release a large amount of insulin, which in turn stimulates the production of the enzymes that increases cholesterol production by the liver. But eating small frequent meals without increasing the total calories will limit the insulin production and thus controls the cholesterol and in turn heart diseases.

• Add Vitamin C to your diet: Though other vitamins and minerals play an important role in the cholesterol production, Vitamin C is the most crucial vitamin for cholesterol control. It increases HDL levels and is very beneficial if you get it from fruits and vegetables, since they have a special fibre called pectin. It surrounds the cholesterol and flushes it out of the digestive system before it gets into the blood. Include fruits like citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries, apples and spinach which are rich in vitamin C and pectin.

• Increase garlic intake: Taking seven cloves of garlic a day will reduce cholesterol levels significantly. If you cannot stand the normal garlic, then you can opt for odorless garlic pills, which are available in local health stores.

• Skip decaf: Avoid decaffeinated coffee since it has been shown to raise LDL levels. This is because the beans used for decaf are far stronger than the normal beans.

• Munch grapes: Grapes and their products have a compound which lowers cholesterol significantly. So you can increase your intake of grapes, grape juice and wine to decrease your cholesterol level.

Thursday 17 October 2013

The fitness gym "Vs" the home gym

The fitness gym or home gym ? that is the question many people ask them self's when starting out on a health and fitness plan.
It is a good question, lets look at the benefits of both.

A gym will have all the fitness equipment you could ever want, from a rowing machine to a fitness ball. Heavy weights to dun bells or free weights. Aerobic fitness is available in larger gyms.

A home gym will have less, but you can recreate some of the big fitness equipment in your own home for a fraction of the space too
For example bench workouts work on resentence, so at home this could be created by using resentence bands as they come in different strengths. This is something I do because they are so easy to use if time is tight.

A Gym offers more health benefits such as fitness training and fitness motivation with your own coach. Also there is a small section for recommended fitness outfits or fitness videos and sometimes fitness supplements too.

A home gym offers you lower cost fixed fitness equipment, but home fitness is limited as you develop unless you buy more equipment. However it is easier to start because you do not have to go any where before you start.
You have to work out how strong your fitness inspiration is, to decide what you want to do and which route is right for you.

Developing you body fitness, in a Gym or at home is a fitness step only you can make.
To balance any fitness workout  you must also look at nutrition and water intake when planning exercise.

To your fitness success until next time

Tuesday 15 October 2013

How to gain muscles

The Right Workout Routine for Gaining Muscles
Have you ever been to the gym lately and you feel like a skinny geek among those guys who had huge muscles? If you do, then don’t let those guys intimidate you. You have to remember that they have been through on what you are going through. They were also skinny or fat once and they worked hard to get the body they have today. In fact, they may even help you get the results you want if you ask them politely.
They may give you some tips on how to gain muscles fast and some of these tips may actually work. However, if you really want to gain muscles fast, then here are some of the right workout routines that you should follow in order for you to get that serious muscle that you have always wanted to have.
First of all, you need to remember that in order to gain muscles you should emphasize more on free weight exercises. Machine exercises may seem to be appealing as it lowers the risk of injury. However, you have to consider that in order to gain muscles, you need to strengthen the supporting muscles first, such as the synergist and the stabilizers. Machines don’t do this as the machines themselves act as a stabilizer.
Free weights will require your muscles as well as the supporting muscles to work really hard. This is why you will get tired a lot quicker when doing free weight exercises.
If you hear someone say that you need to exercise the same muscle group everyday, then don’t take this advice. This will slow down the growth rate of your muscles. You have to remember that working out means that you are actually injuring or tearing your muscles. If you do this everyday, it will lead to the deterioration of your muscles.
So, why work out if you are only tearing or injuring your muscles? You have to remember that when you injure your muscles, the body will react by replacing or adding more muscle tissues to strengthen the injured muscles. This means muscle growth or an increase in the muscle mass. And, the best time for your muscles to grow is by resting or sleeping.
Try exercising different parts of the body each day. For example, on day one, you might want to exercise your chest and triceps. On day two, exercise the back and biceps. And, on day three, exercise the legs and shoulders. On each day, always exercise your abdominal muscles with sit ups, crunches and other abdominal exercises.
After day three, you should rest the next day and after that, start again with day one. Do this for two weeks and change the exercises to avoid reaching the plateau where your muscles become so used to the exercises that it will not grow anymore.
On each muscle group, try to create 4 to 5 exercises. For example, for the chest, do bench presses, inclined dumbbell presses, lying dumbbell fly, and cable crossovers. For each exercise do 10 reps and 3 sets each.
These are the things that you need to remember about muscle gain and the correct exercise routines for it. Always remember that proper execution is the key to muscle growth. Resting is also very important as well as diet.

Monday 14 October 2013

health and fitness success


In order to achieve health and fitness success you have to have a health plan.

Men, women and children can all have a health plan; these can be simple or more advanced.

Health can include diets and eating habits, portion control.

Fitness must include physical and cardio workouts

To improve your health you need to start looking at what you eat. This does not mean give everything bad up and just eat salad.

Portion control, size, could be the first one closely followed by vegetables and fruit daily.

Look for local health food stores that carry natural foods at a good price. Maybe you could find something different to add to your diet. Dietary supplements are also available.

Next we must plan an exercise program that benefits us and is easy to do.

This can be added to as exercising gets easier, and must include physical and cardio workouts.

For example if you do not like to run, then jump on a bike.

Lifting weights or doing push ups the choice is yours, everyone different.

One thing to remember is to increase your water intake when exercising.

Health information on setting these things up is freely available on the internet, and must be tailored to the individual.

Further health tips, health benefits and health articles can be found on this blog.

The Seven Dimensions of Wellness

What is "wellness" per se? There are many definitions, and 20 years ago, wellness didn't exist. But today, the industry is growing fast, and the term "wellness" is being overused, abused and it is not being used in its appropriate context. Wellness is achieving one's full potential; it is self-directed and an ever-evolving process. Wellness has seven dimensions: occupational, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, environmental and physical. When all of these dimensions are met, then we are considered whole or complete. Wellness is more than just products to make us feel good or be physically fit.
Here is what each of the seven dimensions mean:
1. Social Wellness. This is how a person contributes to their environment and community and how he or she builds better living spaces and social networks. The social dimension encourages contributing to one's environment and community.
2. Occupational Wellness. Occupational development is related to one's attitude about one's work, and recognizes personal satisfaction and enrichment in one's life through work. The choice of profession, job satisfaction, career ambitions and personal performance are all important components of this dimension. To be occupationally well, a person is ultimately doing exactly with what they want to do in life and are comfortable with their future plans.
3. Spiritual Wellness. The spiritual dimension recognizes our search for meaning and purpose in human existence. It does not mean one is religious, but that it is better to ponder the meaning of life and be tolerant of the beliefs of others than to close our minds and become intolerant. Spiritually well people take time out of their day for spiritual growth and learning. They have a clear sense of right and wrong, and they act accordingly.
4. Intellectual Wellness. This dimension recognizes one's creative and stimulating mental activities as well as expands knowledge and skills while sharing his or her gifts with others. The intellectually well person is open to new ideas, thinks critically and seeks out new challenges. These people will stretch and challenge their minds with intellectual and creative pursuits instead of becoming self-satisfied and unproductive.
5. Emotional Wellness: Emotional Wellness. This dimension includes the capacity to manage one's feelings and related behaviors, including the realistic assessment of one's limitations, development of autonomy and the ability to cope effectively with stress. Emotionally well people have the ability to express feelings freely and manage feelings effectively. They are also aware of and accept a wide range of feelings in themselves and others.
6. Environmental Wellness. This includes the ability to promote health measures that improve the standard of living and quality of life in the community, including laws and agencies that safeguard the physical environment. The environmentally well person is aware of the earth's natural resources, conserves energy, buys organic foods and products, and enjoys and appreciates spending time in natural settings.
7. Physical Wellness. This is what we all do well in our health clubs. It is met through the combination of good exercise and eating habits, taking precautions for self-care and receiving appropriate health screenings throughout our lives. It also means taking personal responsibility and care for minor illnesses and knowing when professional medical attention is needed. Physically well people understand and appreciate the relationship between sound nutrition and how their body performs. The physical benefits of looking good and feeling terrific most often lead to the psychological benefits of enhanced self-esteem, self-control, determination and a sense of direction. Integrating Wellness into Your Facility
What are you doing in your programming to promote wellness? First, you have to decide what will wellness mean in your facility. Does your facility have spa amenities, dietitians, offer corporate wellness programs, physical therapists/chiropractors or a recycling program? Wellness is more than just going to the gym to work out these days. It means getting a sports massage, attending a health seminar or seeking the expertise of a registered dietitian. It is helping the member to relieve stress and educate health through other means besides physical fitness.
It is predicted that the wellness industry will be the next trillion-dollar industry, and in the next 10 years, an additional $1 trillion dollars of the U.S economy will be focused on getting Americans healthy through programming and treating the whole person.
Americans are already spending more than $200 billion in the industry, including $150 billion per year in the nutrition industry (of which $19.8 billion are on supplements) and $24 billion for fitness clubs. The need for personal, customized care is growing because people are willing to spend the money to safeguard their youth and be well. It is time to shift our focus, get creative and develop wellness-based programs for our members.
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Jasmine Jafferali, MPH, is the Program Coordinator and an instructor for Educational Fitness Solutions, Inc., Professional Certificate in Women's Personal Exercise Training and Wellness.  She has a diverse fitness background with over ten years of industry experience in campus recreation, corporate wellness, and the commercial health club setting.  To learn more about her program, visit:  <a href="http://www.efslibrary.net">http://www.efslibrary.net</a>

Wednesday 9 October 2013

10 ways to beat stress

The instant stress buster.

1. BREATHE shallow, rapid breathing is a common stress signal and causes you to take in to much oxygen, which can lead to anxiety attacks. Counteract this with a 2 minute break. slow your breathing by closing 1 nostril and breathing and exhale with the other then repeat for 1 more minute with the other nostril.

2. POSITIVE RELAXATION imagery
This is where you go to a quiet room and shut your eyes and imagine you are in your favourite place.
Favourite colours, sounds and scents. This will help you reach a relaxed state more quickly.

3. A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP
We all need at least 7 hours sleep a night to prevent an increase in your cortisol level. If you are well rested you are less likely to reach for a sugary snack.

4. CUT BACK on Caffeine, Nicotine and Alcohol
the first 2 are stimulants and alcohol acts as a depressant.

5. LEARN Mindfulness meditation
This combines stress reduction and meditation, and helps you stay in the here and now.

6. Make Exercise a habit
10 minutes walking is a great stress reliever.

7.Always eat BREAKFAST
This will release carbohydrates and protein to keep blood sugar levels stable.

8. Get SUPPORT
Friends, family and your local doctor can all help and are vital to reducing stress.

9. Eat the right foods
Stress calls for more antioxidants, so eat plenty of fruit,
Also include selenium-rich foods too such as brazil nuts, meat, fish and eggs.

10. Keep Hydrated
Dehydration causes and can affect concentration.
Drink 2 litres a day is recommended.

Monday 7 October 2013

2 top secrets to six pack abs

What is the best way to get abs or what is the fastest way to get abs? The answer to that question is simple, lose fat and build muscle. You need to lose fat because your six pack abs are deeply under your belly fat. Therefore, with good muscle building workouts combined with six pack abs dieting, you will build a good-looking abs. This article will provide tips that will help one lose belly fat, body fat and build six pack abs
 Tip #1 Lose Fat
 If you are lean and just want to gain six pack abs then skip this tip. However, if you have excess fat then continue reading. To shed weight or to burn excess fat you need to start with daily cardiovascular exercises. Brisk walking, swimming, jogging in place, treadmill, and stair master are some of the exercises you can adopt.
 You must start this exercise with the one you are more comfortable with and scale it up to the harder ones as you progress. You need between 30minutes and 50 minutes daily to carry out these six pack abs workout.
 In addition, you must eat fat burning food such as whole grains, fruits, lean protein and vegetables. Stay away from fattening food, junks, processes food and high sugary drinks and any form of alcohol, observing these rules mean one is working towards six pack shortcuts
 Tip #2 Build Muscles
 Burning fat alone will only make one lean. Therefore, to get six pack abs one must build muscle using muscle-building exercises. The rate at which one engages in muscle building exercise determines the size and definition of one's expected six pack abs
 You must persistently engage in muscle building exercise such as leg raises, sit up and crunches and their variations. One does not need to spend thousands of dollars to a trainer and waste much time in the gym. To get six pack abs shows, one can do all the muscle building exercise from the comfort of his or her home
 To get quick and great results, one have to combine overall strength training to build significant muscle groups. Do abs-specific exercises combined with significant muscle groups exercises daily and have good six pack abs diet.
 Without balancing your abs building exercise, you will end up not getting a perfect result. Therefore, to work on developing your six pack abs, also learn to work on your vertebrate column (back Bone), and other muscles in your mid-section to keep your frame upright
 Therefore, arm curls, squats, bench presses, shoulder presses and back rows are going to be part of your body building routine to develop your six pack abs.
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Harry Hotton has guided thousands people on how to get six pack abs without paying thousands of Dollars or spending whole days in the gym. With six pack shortcut tips he founds at <a href="http://mikesixpackshortcuts.blogspot.com/">http://mikesixpackshortcuts.blogspot.com/</a> he was able to use that six pack workout to his benefit

End Your Weight Loss Frustrations With These Tips!

Do not become discouraged when it comes to the overwhelming options available to you for weight loss. Take a breath, read this article and you'll find the advice you need to ease your mind and allow you to start out on the road to weight loss.
If all you need to take off is five pounds, hydration will get you most of the way there. Cutting back on your calorie intake and consuming more water will help you get rid of fluid weight. You're not actually losing any fat with this method, but it will take off a bit of weight and get you motivated to lose more.
Shed old weight gaining habits for new weight loss habits. It's easier to stick to your goals if you focus on positive changes. Don't think so much about what you can't have, but focus on exchanging something good - like a fruit smoothie - for that sausage and egg morning biscuit you used to pick up. When you provide a replacement for donuts, you will not miss them as much!
Try cardio if you plan on losing weight, with less focus on weight training. Cardio training is important for burning fat and losing weight, whereas weight training helps to tone and maintain muscle mass. Cardio work that increases the heart rate and breathing is more effective at burning fat than is adding muscle.
Get a friend to be your exercise partner. This helps you to socialize so that you are having fun while burning calories. You and your buddy can share stories and encourage each other. It is a great way to connect with your friends and you will start to really enjoy exercising as you shed those pounds.
Eat butter that is whipped. There are people who don't want to reduce the amount of butter they consume or substitute it for a lighter alternative. Many people love the taste of actual butter. Thankfully, you don't need to get rid of butter completely to lose weight. If you want the taste of real butter, but the calories of a substitute, try switching to whipped butter. It contains 1/2 of the calories.
As part of your weight loss regimen, make sure that you include exercise. Make sure to commit time each day for exercise. Include this time in your calendar or schedule, and take care not to plan anything to conflict with this important appointment.
Many people mistakenly hide their weight loss goals from others. If you let them in on your new healthy plan, they can help provide support and motivation along the way. They will also avoid offering you food that can be bad for your weight loss program.
You may need to increase your workout's intensity if you've reached the point in which exercising is too simple. You body will become accustomed to your workouts; therefore, it is important to increase the intensity if you hit a plateau.
Stay positive, and the weight will drop off. You can control your weight; just stay motivated so that you can reach your goals.
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Improve Your Diet With These 5 Tips

Those looking to improve their diet usually do so because they want to lose weight or become healthier. It's a great idea to make your diet better; however, it's not an easy task as it takes a lot of commitment to stick to it day in day out. From personal experience, it can be a bit too much to totally overhaul your diet, so changing things bit by bit can work better. Simply add in healthier foods and phase out junk food. Below are some tips for improving your diet.
Make sure your diet is balanced It's important to eat a balanced diet as too much of one thing is not good. Moderation is the key for most things in life, including food. Make sure you eat enough carbohydrates as they'll give you energy; eat a good amount of protein as protein will help build and repair cells; and eat some fats as fat is essential in your diet (just not too much and try to avoid the bad fats!). Also, fibre is important to ensure that your digestive system stays in good working order.
Don't eat large portions of food Keep your portions small. Nowadays lots of us overeat because we are greedy. We may be feeling very hungry so we eat a large plate of food and then feel absolutely stuffed afterwards. Eating too much means you'll put on fat and your stomach will grow bigger, meaning you will start needing more food to feel fuller, which isn't a good thing. Don't reduce your portion sizes drastically; simply reduce them slowly so that your stomach gets used to it and it'll then shrink.
Try and eat fruit and veg You should try and get fruit and vegetables in your diet as they're very good for you. They contain lots of vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function properly. Aim for five pieces of fruit or veg per day. That means anything like apples, bananas, carrots, lettuce, broccoli, grapes, etc. It's not too difficult!
Eat your meals slowly It's important to eat your meals slowly as it can take your brain around 20 minutes to realize you're full up. This is a big reason for people overeating; they eat a big meal and after 10 minutes they don't feel full so they eat some more food. Then after another 10 minutes, they feel absolutely stuffed. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your meal!
Don't consume too much sugar Sugar adds a nice sweet taste to most things you put it in, so it's no wonder we all like it so much. You can't really get rid of sugar from your diet but you can at least try to limit your sugar intake. When choosing a dessert, go for something with less sugar content or even better eat some fruit. Try to drink diet sodas instead of full sugar sodas.
Just by doing little things to your diet, you can make a difference to your overall health and also your weight. These tips are simple to implement so there's no excuse to not do them!
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Health Benefits Of Lemon Juice: Basic Information

How come people do not like lemons? It is because of the sour taste! Indeed, very few folks can actually enjoy lemon juice or even eat up the whole lemon without making faces. Oh, it is so sour! But many folks tend to forget that lemons are very useful for our health. Yes, I am talking about the sour lemon. So, let's provide some proof in the below paragraphs.
Your digestion
Many people have chronic digestive problems. Indeed, we all live in a crazy world with no time for proper healthy food. As a result, fast food consumption leads to stomach problems. A lemon can fix those issues. Probably, you do not believe it, and I understand why. Let's provide some more details. Some lemon juice in the morning will kick start your stomach, so to say. As a result, your stomach is ready to digest even the heaviest food (which I do not recommend though). Also, lemon juice helps in cleansing liver that also contributes to good digestion.
Vitamins are above all
A lemon is always associated with Vitamin C. This is 100% correct. It is rich in Vitamin C that strengthens our immune system. So, it would be correct to say that 'a lemon a day keeps a doctor away'. As known, it is better to prevent diseases than to cure them. Our immune system can effectively fight diseases, of course, if it is strong enough.
Toxins, go away!
Ah, we are not perfect. Even if we are aware that the particular food is harmful, we still eat a good portion of it just because it is so tasty. This usually happens when enjoying BBQ with friends. However, you may regret it right after the BBQ. A glass of a lemon juice will help take out toxins from your body. Of course, it cannot completely cope with this difficult task. Yet, it can really help you feel better.
Weight loss
If you decided to follow a diet or just a moderately healthy eating plan, a glass of a lemon juice should definitely be part of it. Recent studies have revealed that lemon juice enhances metabolism. Besides, it will fill you up with energy which is very important if you work out in a gym or go jogging every morning.
Silky Skin, great hair and shiny nails
Yes, lemon juice can contribute to great hair, skin and nails. Vitamin C is plays a great role here. I am talking about just a glass of lemon juice a day! You do not need to torture yourself!
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You can learn more about health benefits of a lemon juice at this page <a href="http://www.lemon-info.net/lemon_water/lemon_water.php">http://www.lemon-info.net/lemon_water/lemon_water.php</a> . Also, there are several recipes on how to make a good use of a lemon water to improve your health conditions - <a href="http://www.lemon-info.net/lemon_water/lemon_water_benefits.php">http://www.lemon-info.net/lemon_water/lemon_water_benefits.php</a> .

Sunday 6 October 2013

Interested In Acupuncture? Check This Information Out!

When you don't feel that great, you might look at everything wearily. What if your general practitioner has no advice? What if nothing works? To avoid this, keep reading to learn more about acupuncture that's a natural treatment.
Learn about acupuncture before going to your first treatment. Understand that needles will be used. That's just a part of it. If they make you anxious, you need to confront the fear directly. Ask others who have undergone acupuncture about their appointments to help alleviate your anxiety.
There is no need to tip your acupuncturist even when you appreciate their work. Acupuncturists are in the medical field and not in the hospitality industry where tips are common. They work in health care and generally these types of people aren't expecting you to give them tips.
If you are considering acupuncture but are afraid of needles, your practitioner may use laser acupuncture instead. This is a revolutionary new acupuncture therapy that makes use of lasers by putting pressure on specific body points without actually using needles. It's effective and it doesn't cause pain.
Acupuncture doesn't hurt, so you don't have to avoid it for that reason. Unlike hypodermic needles at a doctor's office, acupuncture needles are not used for injections and are extremely thin. You can hardly feel anything when they are put into your body.
Finish your entire treatment plan before making a decision on its efficacy for you As with any other treatment plan, you should not stop treatments halfway through the plan. You may not see the results you expect at the end, even if you're feeling pretty good before it's over. Therefore, go through the entire treatment so you can see just how effective it is to your body.
Be sure to wear layered, loose, comfortable clothing to your acupuncture sessions. This will also make things very easy for your acupuncturist. You can simply disrobe, but you may feel more comfortable if you just wear loose clothing.
Perhaps your schedule is busy, but you must clear time before, during and after your acupuncture session. Your body needs complete rest in order to support your treatments in restoring your mind, body and soul. Try to get eight hours at least after any session.
Do you enjoy working out? If so, you may struggle to avoid working out on your acupuncture days. It's acceptable to continue your workouts, but try to complete it with less intensity. For example, instead of going jogging, just take a walk. You should never perform extreme exercise on acupuncture days because this can reduce their effectiveness.
Begin your search for an acupuncturist, online. Simply type the word "acupuncture" followed by your area details into your local search engine. Look at websites such as www.nccaom.org or www.acufinder.com. You can find a local acupuncturist who is fully licensed by contacting NCCAOM.
Natural treatments such as acupuncture help out bodies heal themselves. If we use exercise, a good diet, and acupuncture we're able to get into good health quickly. Use what you read to start feeling better.
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